WO2007134719A1

WO2007134719A1 - Device for cleaning teeth

Info

Publication number: WO2007134719A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/004126
Authority: WO
Inventors: E. Eberhard Saetzler
Original assignee: Saetzler E Eberhard
Priority date: 2006-05-20
Filing date: 2007-05-10
Publication date: 2007-11-29
Also published as: EP1924168B1; DE102006023830B3; DE502007001389D1; EP1924168A1; ATE440518T1

Abstract

In a device (1) for cleaning teeth which comprises a gripping body (2) to be gripped in the palm (7) of a hand (5, 6), an intermediate part (3) extending from the gripping body (2) along the index finger (8) of the hand (5, 6) on the inside of the finger (9) in the direction of the front finger section (10), and a head part (4) longitudinally connected hereto with a surface for supporting the front finger section (10) of the index finger (8) arranged on the finger side, and a bristle arrangement (11, 12) situated opposite the support surface (14), the gripping body (2) is designed essentially symmetrical to a midplane running approximately parallel to the palm of the hand (7), and the head part (4) can take up, relative to the gripping body (2), two different use positions, in which it is turned relative to the respective other use position by approximately 180° about its longitudinal axis (L).

Description

Device for brushing teeth

The present invention relates to a device for brushing teeth comprising a gripping body to be gripped in the palm of a hand, an intermediate piece extending from the gripping body along the index finger of the hand on the inside of the finger towards the foremost finger member and a head portion adjoining thereon with a contact surface arranged on the finger side for the foremost phalanx of the index finger and one of the contact surface opposite arranged bristle arrangement.

Such a device is known both from EP 1234524 A2 and from DE 510572 C. The starting point of the considerations made in the aforementioned publications, it was in both cases to improve a finger toothbrush attached to the foremost phalanx of the index finger of a hand for the purpose of a more convenient operation and a better transfer of force to the bristle arrangement by an extending into the palm extension. Finger toothbrushes as such are in various embodiments, e.g. from DE 20103176 Ul, DE 29723497 Ul, DE 29515202 Ul or EP 0985364 A2, known.

As was already recognized in EP 1234524 A2, a device for brushing teeth of the type mentioned in particular for children and mentally and / or physically impaired persons, to whom the handling of a conventional toothbrush often causes problems. The fact that the teeth cleaning by means of a directly on the foremost phalanx of the index finger adjoining finger toothbrush, results in a simple and intuitive operation even for grossly motorized persons. However, the stiffening of the freedom of movement of the index finger or the entire hand, which takes place through the intermediate piece extending on the index finger and the grip piece to be gripped in the palm of the hand, also has disadvantages. In particular, this is not always an optimal cleaning result achievable.

Especially for children, physically and / or mentally disabled persons, it is often impossible to clean all outer, inner and occlusal surfaces of all teeth, especially the posterior molars, in both jaw halves. People who are not already impaired in their motor skills have to perform a certain amount of dislocation.

The object of the present invention is thus to develop a generic device for brushing teeth such that with ease of use, an improved cleaning performance can be achieved. Further advantages of the device according to the invention are discussed below.

The above object is achieved with a Zahnputzvorrichtung according to claim 1, wherein the handle body is formed substantially symmetrically to a plane extending approximately parallel to the palm center plane and the head part relative to the handle body can occupy two different positions of use, in which it relative to the other Use position is rotated about its longitudinal axis by about 180 °. In other words: The finger-tooth brush forming the head part of the device according to the invention and connected via an intermediate piece with a substantially symmetrically formed grip body can be transferred from a first position of use into a second position of use, in which - about the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal axis parallel to the extended index finger Headboard - is rotated by 180 ° relative to the first position of use.

This ensures that the device is operated by a person not only with one, but also with the other hand, for which only the head part must be transferred from one use position to the other. This offers several advantages and is based on the following findings.

Firstly, the cleaning success to be achieved in brushing teeth can be increased since some tooth surfaces, in particular those of the posterior molars, are easier to reach if the toothbrush device can be changed to the other hand and also used with it. This was not possible with generic devices from the prior art.

Secondly, the above advantage mainly affects children, adolescents and adults who are impaired in the movement of their hands and / or fingers. Many motor ailments that affect the freedom of movement of the hands and / or fingers, come in bursts or sometimes weaker and sometimes more visible. So if there is a hand - either permanent or temporary - Is not sufficiently movable to clean all tooth areas with the held in this hand toothbrush, can now easily adjusted the head part of the device according to the invention in its second position of use and the device to be grasped with the other hand to the previously only cumbersome or not at all To clean accessible tooth areas.

Finally, the device according to the invention also provides a suitable means of playful training and development of the motor skills of children, since right-handed children also improve the use of their left hand when handling the toothbrushing device according to the invention with both hands. Of course, this also applies vice versa for left-handed children who, while brushing their teeth, playfully train the motor skills of their right hand in order to reach all tooth surfaces to be cleaned.

In this connection, it should be mentioned that conventional toothbrushes are already known from DE 19604057 A1 and WO 96/22038 A1, the brush heads of which can be rotated between different positions of use for the purpose of achieving a better cleaning performance with a toothbrush handle kept unchanged in one hand. This rotation of the brush head has nothing to do there with a change of the toothbrush from the right to the left hand (or vice versa), without which the toothbrush of the present invention would not be useful or operable in both positions of use because - without changing hands which is made possible by the two positions of use - the boring stenanordnung to the finger and not to the teeth would point.

In a first preferred embodiment of the invention can be provided that the head part is rotatably mounted to the handle body. This can be achieved in that either the head part rotatably on the intermediate piece or - if the head part and the intermediate piece are non-rotatably connected to each other - the intermediate piece is rotatably mounted on the handle body. This rotation should obviously include the possibility to rotate the head part, starting from the first position of use relative to the handle by about 180 ° in the second position of use. The rotation can be limited to the angle range required for adjustment between the use positions of about 180 °. On the other hand, however, a rotation by 360 ° or even one - with respect to a direction of rotation - endless rotation can be provided. Due to the rotatable mounting of the head part relative to the handle body, this can be transferred extremely simple and easy to use from the first to the second position of use and vice versa.

In addition, the head part as a result of its rotatable mounting relative to the handle body also occupy intermediate positions. This proves to be particularly advantageous for those intermediate positions that include only one small angle with one of the two (exact) use positions, since the head part then automatically cleans the teeth within certain limits in its angular position to the respective angle to the just to be cleaned To adjust tooth surface, which increases the cleaning result again. According to another likewise advantageous embodiment of the invention can be provided that the head part and the intermediate piece or the intermediate piece and the handle body are connected by means of a preferably only in the two positions of use mating connector. To adjust the position of use therefore only the connector must be solved and reassembled in the other position of use.

This connector can be designed to be such that the head part is connected in both positions of use in each case completely rotationally fixed on the intermediate piece with the handle. This is advantageous, in particular, for reasons of user-friendliness, since a smooth twistability of the head part - in particular when the toothbrush device according to the invention is operated by people whose motor skills are limited - is difficult to handle. The application of the foremost phalanx or the fingertip of the index finger to the particular contact surface of a head part which can be rotated over large angular ranges requires a certain degree of skill.

On the other hand, it can also be provided in the case of a plug connection that the head part has a low twistability within a limited angular range in its two positions of use for adapting its exact angular position to a tooth surface which is otherwise slightly angled to the bristle arrangement. A need for this derives in particular from the fact that in the mobility of the forearm or hands impaired persons possibly. Difficulties so that it can have the foremost finger member of the index finger and thus the bristle arrangement arranged on the head part to be set parallel to each tooth surface to be cleaned. Incidentally, this also generally increases the cleaning performance of a device according to the invention.

For example, in the case of two use positions differing by 180 °, it may be conceivable to allow a relative rotation of the head part and grip body by preferably +/- 20 ° or even +/- 10 ° about the respective zero position of the two positions of use by appropriate design of the plug connection. Due to the limited twistability within the respective position of use, the device remains easy to use.

The adaptation of a device according to the invention for persons with hands of different sizes and index fingers of different lengths can in principle be realized by means of different lengths of intermediate pieces. However, it proves to be extremely advantageous if the head part and the intermediate piece are variable in length fixed to each other, since then no different sized Zahnputzvorrichtungen or different lengths of intermediate pieces must be provided to accommodate different sized hands or different lengths of index finger. Above all, the device according to the invention can thus be adapted to the growth process of children and be offered for children of different sizes in only one - variable length - version. The above-described variable-length fixation can be realized in a particularly advantageous manner in that the plug-in connection explained above in such a way is guided that a fixation of the head part on the intermediate piece in different longitudinal positions is possible. For this purpose, in particular offers a locking mechanism, which allows a variable in length intervals variable fixation of the headboard and adapter.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that on the head part on the side of the contact surface, a substantially annular fastening element for fixing the adjoining frontmost finger member of the index finger is arranged. Such an annular fastening element is preferably made of an elastic and durable fabric, which allows a simple insertion of the index finger and a sufficient attachment of the same. The resulting fixation of the foremost forefinger member on the head part proves to be advantageous, especially in combination with the aforementioned length changeability, since this effectively prevents inadvertent adjustment of the length during tooth brushing.

Particularly preferably, it can be provided that handle body and intermediate piece are integrally formed with each other. This ensures in a device according to the invention, in particular in the region of the transition from the handle body to the intermediate piece for the necessary strength, since in this area the force applied by the adjacent index finger leverage is particularly large.

In addition, it proves to be advantageous - also for reasons of better cleaning success - when the intermediate piece bending elastic transversely to its longitudinal axis is formed so that a certain curvature of the index finger is made possible. Due to the thus increased mobility of the index finger also increases with the device to achieve cleaning success. If the intermediate piece is integrally formed on the handle body, this bending elasticity is advantageously equally pronounced in both directions, so that the device is equally operable in both positions of use of the head piece and thus in both hands of a person. However, if the intermediate piece is rotated together with the head part by about 180 ° between the two positions of use, a bending elasticity pronounced only on one side can be provided, whereby an overstretching of the index finger attached to the head part is not possible to the rear.

The bristle arrangement comprising a carrier plate and the bristles fastened to the carrier plate is preferably detachably fastened in the head part of the device. Thus, the bristle arrangement can be easily replaced if the stiffness of the bristles after prolonged use no longer sufficient cleaning success ensures or should be replaced for hygienic reasons. An exchange of the entire headboard is then not necessary.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention can be provided that on both sides of the median plane a receptacle for an advertising medium is formed on the handle body. As an advertising medium in the above sense is to be thought of a dirt-proof by means of a transparent cover dirt in the recording advertising motif. The two advertising media that can be exchanged as simply as possible are therefore ge to recognize their two-sided arrangement of both sides of the handle body. Different manufacturers or licensees can then provide a device according to the invention with exchangeable advertising motifs. Under advertising motif here is any graphic representation to understand, which is suitable to give the handle an individual character. For children can be thought of pictures of currently current comic characters, which can always correspond to the currently preferred motive by appropriate exchange. Also, this can increase the motivation of children to brush their teeth and thus also the cleaning success.

Furthermore, it can be provided that on both sides of the median plane, in each case a receptacle for an attachable thereto handle shell is formed on the substantially symmetrical to a median plane grip body. These recordings prove to be ergonomic adaptation of the handle body to the respective hand by means of a only one-sided or two sides to be mounted grips advantageous. In particular, it can be thought of two asymmetrically designed to fix two on different sides of the handle body in the corresponding receptacles handle shells that they are ergonomically adapted in a first arrangement, the handle body to a right hand and in a second, reversed arrangement to a left hand. In particular, corresponding grooves or depressions for the fingers holding the grip body in the palm of the hand may also be introduced into such grip shells. These are usually the middle finger and the ring finger, if necessary. Also the little finger. The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. It shows

1 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention held in a left hand,

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 held in a right hand, FIG.

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of a device according to the invention for brushing teeth and

Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of the invention.

1 and 2 respectively show the same embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for brushing teeth comprising a handle body 2, an integrally formed on the handle body 2 spacer 3 and a head part 4. In Fig. 1, the device 1 in the left hand 5 a - not presented - person held. Fig. 2 shows the device 1 in the right hand

6 of the same person.

The handle 2 is in each case in the palm 7 of the hand 5, 6 arranged and the intermediate piece 3 extends starting from the handle body 2 along the index finger 8 of the respective hand 5, 6 on the inside of the finger 9. The designed as a finger toothbrush head part 4 has finger side a - in Figs. 1 and 2 for reasons of perspective not shown - contact surface for the foremost member 10 of the respective index finger

7 on and one of these contact surface arranged opposite bristle arrangement of bristles 11 and the bristles 11 supporting support plate 12. The support plate 12 is in common with the attached thereto Bristles 11 removed from the head part 4 and interchangeable with a new carrier plate with new bristles.

The plugged onto the intermediate piece 3 by means of a connector 13, not shown, head portion 4 of the device 1 according to the invention between a first, shown in Fig. 1 and a second, shown in FIG. 2, use position adjustable so that the bristles 11 of the bristle arrangement - no matter in which hand 5, 6 the device 1 is held - projecting from the inside 9 of the index finger 8 in the region of the foremost phalanx. The two illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 use positions of the head part 4 differ in that the head part is rotated in each of the two positions of use relative to the other position of use by 180 ° about its longitudinal axis L.

In order to allow for both hands 5, 6 equally comfortable gripping the handle body 2, this is convex and formed substantially symmetrically to a running approximately parallel to the palm of the hand 7 center plane. In this median plane, the two extend the handle at different heights in the middle dividing and parallel to each other extending straight lines M ₁ and M ₂ .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 it can be seen, the intermediate piece 3 on the side facing away from the head part 4 and convexly extending handle body 2 extends not only in the longitudinal direction, but also in a direction transverse thereto, in order to handle the Toothbrushing device taken from the palm and at least the middle finger, if necessary. In addition also ring finger and small finger against the palm to be held.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 3 of a device according to the invention for tooth brushing 1 as well as the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a handle body 2, an integrally formed therewith with this intermediate piece 3 and an attachable to the intermediate piece 3 head part 4 with a support plate 12th and bristles 11 existing bristle arrangement. On the side of the head part 4 opposite the bristle arrangement, there is also a contact surface 14 for the foremost phalanx of an index finger, not shown in FIG. 3, which can be fixed thereto by means of an elastic and substantially annular attachment means 15 by the index finger according to FIG Arrow Z is inserted into the annular attachment means.

The connector 13 of this embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention is realized in that two oppositely on the head part 4 of this protruding in the longitudinal direction mounting arms 16 can be linearly introduced according to arrow A in a correspondingly formed and also longitudinal groove 17 on the outside of the intermediate piece 3. On each of the fastening arms 16 in each case end-facing inward projections 18 are arranged, which engage for variable length fixation of the head part 4 on the intermediate piece 3 in different, distributed in the longitudinal direction at regular intervals and formed to match the projection 18 recesses 19 within the respective groove 17 can. The head part 4 of the device 1 can - with dissolved connector 13 - be transferred by rotation about 180 ° according to arrow B about its longitudinal axis L in its second position of use, in which the device 1 can then be grasped and operated with the other hand of a person. On the handle body 2, a receptacle 20 for an advertising medium 21 to be arranged therein with an exchangeable advertising motif 22 is arranged on both sides of the center plane represented by the line 23.

Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention, which differs from that of Fig. 3 essentially only by another embodiment of the head part 4 with the intermediate piece 3 connecting plug connection 13. The plugged in Fig. 4 on an end portion of the intermediate piece 3 head part 4 has on its outer side on opposite sides (of which for reasons of perspective, only one side is shown) in each case three longitudinally uniformly spaced openings 24, in the corresponding on the outside arranged the intermediate piece 3, by a resilient mounting a locking connection enabling balls 25 can engage. Starting from the position shown in Fig. 4, the head part 4 according to double arrow C in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate piece 3 in different positions can be fixed, which are characterized in that at least two opposing balls 25 engage in at least two opposite openings 24.

The head part 4 can also be converted starting from the first position of use shown in Fig. 4 by rotation about its longitudinal axis L according to arrow B in its rotated by about 180 ° position of use, in the the balls 25 then provide with the previously oppositely arranged openings of the head part 4 for a latching connection.

The apertures 24 are elongated in the circumferential direction, so that the head part 4 is rotatably supported in each of the two possible positions of use by a limited angular range around the illustrated zero position according to double arrow D relative to the handle body 2 of the device 1.

Claims

claims

1. Device (1) for brushing teeth, comprising a in the palm (7) of a hand (5, 6) to be gripped handle body (2), one from the handle body (2) along the index finger (8) of the hand (5, 6) on the finger inner side (9) in the direction of the foremost finger member (10) extending intermediate piece (3) and a thereto adjoining headboard (4) with a finger side arranged contact surface for the frontmost finger member (10) of the index finger (8) and one of the contact surface (14) arranged opposite bristle arrangement (11,12), wherein the handle body (2) is formed substantially symmetrically to a substantially parallel to the palm (7) extending center plane, characterized in that the head part (4) relative to the handle body (2 ) can occupy two different positions of use, in which it is rotated about its longitudinal axis (L) by about 180 ° relative to the other position of use.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, that the head part (4) is rotatably mounted to the handle body (2).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the head part (4) and the intermediate piece (3) or the intermediate piece (3) and the handle body (2) by means of a plug-in connection in the two positions of use (13) are connected.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the head part (4) in both positions of use on the intermediate piece (3) with the handle (2) rotatably or rotatably connected only within a limited angular range about a zero position of the use position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the head part (4) and the intermediate piece (3) are variable in length to each other fixable.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the head part (4) on the side of the contact surface (14) a substantially annular fastening element (15) for fixing the adjoining frontmost finger member (10) of the index finger (8) is arranged.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate piece (3) and the handle body (2) are integrally formed.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate piece (2) is formed elastically bending transversely to its longitudinal axis.

9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that in that the bristle arrangement comprises a support plate (12) for the bristles (11) fastened detachably in the head part (4).

10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the handle body (4) on both sides of the median plane in each case a receptacle (20) for an advertising medium (21, 22) is formed.

11. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the handle body (2) on both sides of the median plane in each case a receptacle is formed for each one attachable thereto handle shell.