WO2017143383A1

WO2017143383A1 - An interdental brush

Info

Publication number: WO2017143383A1
Application number: PCT/AU2017/000050
Authority: WO
Inventors: Craig Mathew Erskine-Smith
Original assignee: Erskine Holdco Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-02-24
Filing date: 2017-02-20
Publication date: 2017-08-31

Abstract

An interdental brush ( 10) mounted in a main handle (11). The interdental brush (10) includes a brush part (12) that includes a round wire stem (13) from which there extends a plurality of bristles (14). The stem (13) is attached to a brush handle (15) with the handle (15) received within the main handle (11).

Description

AN INTERDENTAL BRUSH

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to interdental brushes, and more particularly but not exclusively to interdental brushes mountable in a handle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Interdental brushes consists of a brush handle to which there is attached a brush part. The brush part includes a stem from which there extends a plurality of bristles.

[0003] A length of the brush handle, remote from the brush part is tapered and is insertable in a larger (main) handle. The main handle has a longitudinal passage that receives the end length of the brush handle.

[0004] A disadvantage of the above described interdental brushes and handles is that if the brush handle is not securely held within the main handle, movement of the interdental brush relative to the main handle may occur. This results in the user having reduced control over operation of the interdental brush. Another disadvantage can be the degree of projection from the main handle. Long projections can cause leverage and amplification, and exaggerated movements of the brush part despite the user only making small movements of the wrist.

OBJECT

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] There is disclosed herein an interdental brush including:

a brush part including a stem from which there extends a plurality of bristles;

a brush handle that is longitudinally elongated so as to have a longitudinal axis and opposite ends first and second distal ends, with the stem extending from the first distal end so as to be attached to said brush handle so as to be secured thereto; and wherein the brush handle includes:

an intermediate length, a first end length extending from the intermediate length towards said first distal end, a second end length extending from said intermediate length toward said second end, with the second length tapering from adjacent said intermediate length towards said second end by 0.1° to 10° relative to said longitudinal axis, said second length including at least one longitudinally extending groove or projection that extends from adjacent said intermediate length to adjacent said second end.

[0007] Preferably, there is a plurality of grooves or ridges.

[0008] Preferably, the groove or projections extend into the intermediate length.

[0009] Preferably, the second length tapers by 2° to 10° relative to said longitudinal axis.

[0010] There is further disclosed herein, in combination, the above interdental brush and a main handle, the main handle being longitudinally elongated so as to have a main longitudinal axis and opposite first and second distal ends, and a passage extending inwardly from the first main handle distal end, the passage tapering from the first distal end of the main handle by "0.1° to 10°" relative to said main longitudinal axis, and brush handle being located in said passage so as to be frictionally engaged by said main handle so that the brush handle is fixed to the main handle, with the brush handle extending into said passage so that said second length is located entirely in said passage, and at least about 20% of said intermediate length, so that the grooves or projections at least inhibit angular movement between the brush handle and main handle.

[001 1 ] Preferably, the passage tapers by 2° to 10° to the main longitudinal axis.

[0012] Preferably, approximately 50% of said intermediate length is located in said passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of an interdental brush and major handle attached thereto; and [0015] Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of the interdental brush of Figure 1. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0016] In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted an interdental brush 10 mounted in a main handle 1 1.

[0017] The interdental brush 10 includes a brush part 12 that includes a round wire stem 13 from which there extends a plurality of bristles 14.

[0018] The stem 13 is attached to a brush handle 15. Preferably the stem 13 is at least partly embedded in the brush handle 15. The brush handle 15 is longitudinally elongated and has a longitudinal axis 16.

[0019] The brush handle 15 has opposite distal ends 17 and 18, with the stem 13 projecting from the end 17.

[0020] The brush handle 15 has a total length 19, that includes an intermediate length 20 and end lengths 21 and 22. The end length 22 extends from the intermediate length 20 to the distal end 17, while the length 21 extends from the intermediate length 20 to the distal end 18.

[0021] The intermediate length 20 is preferably cylindrical in configuration, however it may also be a non-circular transverse cross-section.

[0022] The length 21 tapers so as to diminish the transverse width from the intermediate length 20 to adjacent the distal end 18. Preferably, the intermediate length 20 tapers relative to said longitudinal axis by an angle of .1° to 10°, and most preferably from about 5° to about 7° (angle 23). Preferably the area of maximum diameter or maximum convexity is adjacent the middle of the length 20, particularly if the brush handle 15 is 40 to 60mm in length. For longer brush handle 15 lengths, the area of maximum convexity may be towards the brush part 12.

[0023] The length 21 has a plurality of longitudinally extending projections or grooves 24, that extend from adjacent said intermediate length 20 to adjacent said distal end 18. The projection or grooves 24 provide features that enable the main handle 1 1 to engage the brush handle 15 to at least inhibit relative angular movement therebetween about the axis 16. In an alternative preferred form, the projections or grooves 24 extend from the length 21 into the length 20.

[0024] The main handle 1 1 includes a longitudinally extending passage 25 that extends inwardly of the handle 11 from an end open ing 26. The passage 25 tapers inwardly from the opening 26 so as to diminish in transverse cross-section from the opening 26 inwardly of the handle 1 1. Preferably the passage 25 tapers inwardly by an angle that is complimentary to the angle 23 so that when the handle 15 is inserted in the passage 25, the handle 15 is securely mounted and held firmly in the handle 1 1. That is the passage tapers by 0.1 ° to about 10° to the axis 27, that is the longitudinal axis of the main handle 1 1 , and most preferably 5° to 7°.

[0025] When the handle 15 is inserted in the passage 15 and secured therein, the entire length 21 is located internally of the passage 25, together with at least 20% of the length 20. Most preferably about 50% of the length 19 is located in the passage 25. With 50% of the length 19 inserted the above embodiments have the advantage of placing the point of maximum convexity, which is also the thickest and most bend resistant point, at the position where it is most likely to be bent or to encounter bending forces when in use. The convexity is also minimised to obtain a good mechanical interlock with the larger handle 1 1 while also providing comfort for the user in respect of gripping the handle 1 1. In other embodiments the area of maximum convexity in the length 20 can be further toward the brush part 12, and thus the amount of the brush handle 15 that projects from the main handle 11 is reduced. This reduces risk movement amplification even further, while maintaining a good mechanical type interlock at the opening 26 in order to give the user a more secure and certain feedback of the position of brush part 12 relative to the wrist action.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An interdental brush including:

a brush part including a stem from which there extends a plurality of bristles;

a brush handle that is longitudinally elongated so as to have a longitudinal axis and opposite ends first and second distal ends, with the stem extending from the first distal end so as to be attached to said brush handle so as to be secured thereto; and wherein

the brush handle includes:

an intermediate length, a first end length extending from the intermediate length towards said first distal end, a second end length extending from said intermediate length toward said second end, with the second length tapering from adjacent said intermediate length towards said second end by 0.1 ° to 10° relative to said longitudinal axis, said second length including at least one longitudinally extending groove or projection that extends from adjacent said intermediate length to adjacent said second end.

2. The interdental brush of claim 1 , wherein there is a plurality of grooves or ridges.

3. The interdental brush of claim 1 or 2, wherein, the groove or projections extend into the intermediate length.

4. The interdental brush of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the second length tapers by 2° to 10° relative to said longitudinal axis.

5. In combination, the interdental brush of any one of claims 1 to 4 and a main handle, the main handle being longitudinally elongated so as to have a main longitudinal axis and opposite first and second distal ends, and a passage extending inwardly from the first main handle distal end, the passage tapering from the first distal end of the main handle by "0.1 ° to 10°" relative to said main longitudinal axis, and brush handle being located in said passage so as to be frictionally engaged by said main handle so that the brush handle is fixed to the main handle, with the brush handle extending into said passage so that said second length is located entirely in said passage, and at least about 20% of said intermediate length, so that the grooves or projections at least inhibit angular movement between the brush handle and main handle.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein the passage tapers by 2° to 10° to the main longitudinal axis.

7. The combination of claim 5 or 6, wherein, approximately 50% of said intermediate length is located in said passage.