EP1876920A1

EP1876920A1 - Interdental brush

Info

Publication number: EP1876920A1
Application number: EP06721233A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Weber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-04-29
Filing date: 2006-04-28
Publication date: 2008-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-28
Also published as: WO2006116784A1; SI1876920T1; ES2339589T3; CA2607945C; EP1876920B1; ATE458421T1; CA2607945A1; US7975345B2; DE502006006248D1; US20080313834A1

Abstract

Interdental brush with an elongate brush body (12) which comprises an elastically compressible coupling member (19) for snapping-in in a receiving opening (18) of a brush handle (13); wherein the coupling member (19) comprises at least two expanding arms (27, 28) which are elastically movable towards each other; the coupling member (19), on its outer side, comprises a snap-in depression (26) in the region of the expanding arms (27, 28) for a positive-locking fit in the receiving opening (18) of the brush handle (13), the depression being delimited by shoulders (29) extending at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the brush body.

Description

Interdental brush

The invention relates to an interdental brush with an elongated brush body having an elastically compressible coupling part for snapping into a receiving opening of a brush handle, wherein the coupling part has at least two elastically movable to each other spreading arms.

In commercially available interdental brushes, a brush body is provided with a supporting part in the form of a wire element, which carries bristles or bristle bundles as elastically deformable cleaning elements. These brush bodies are fixed by means of the wire support member to a brush handle having an opening through which the wire support member is inserted with the rear end, after which it is bent and fixed by means of a handle provided on the folding element against the handle. The known interdental brushes are due to this special design, with the fastened to a wire support member bristle elements, not only relatively expensive to manufacture, it is also the installation of the brush parts on the brush handle relatively cumbersome and uncertain.

From DE 101 23 814 A further a cleaning instrument for a tooth root canal is known, ie a dental instrument, in which case a core (called the soul) is provided in the form of a metal rod which is pressed into a sleeve of a head portion, and on which a shaft -shaped bristle carrier part is provided with one-piece bristles. This actual cleaning elements body is made by injection molding of plastic. About the connection of this cleaning instrument with a handle, however, nothing further stated.

Furthermore, from EP 550 118 A an interdental brush is known, which is formed in a conventional manner with a wire core and attached bristles, and having a rear coupling part to be locked with a brush handle. In this case, the coupling part preferably has a spherical, undercut latching recess, into which a ball body, which is provided on the brush handle, can be inserted under latching. In one embodiment, on the other hand, the Clutch part of the interdental brush on a split ball part, which is inserted through an opening in the brush handle, the ball segments, which are in the dead position in the tension-free rest position, for the purpose of passing through the receiving opening in the brush handle can be moved towards each other. In the fixed position, these ball segments thus lie with generally inclined surfaces on the edge of the receiving opening of the brush handle; This can be unintentionally pulled out of the receiving opening of the brush handle at a stronger train between the brush body and the handle and remain stuck for example in a tooth space. To remedy this drawback, in other embodiments in this document, locking is provided by folding over the brush portion relative to the brush handle by 90 °. However, such locking by folding is not possible in the aforementioned embodiment with the spherical coupling element, so that the disadvantage of unwanted, accidental solution of the interdental brush is not avoided by the brush handle.

It is an object of the invention to provide an interdental brush of the type mentioned, which is easy to manufacture and suitable for mass production, and in which a simple and secure mounting and mounting of the respective brush body is achieved on the brush handle.

The interdental brush according to the invention of the type mentioned above is characterized in that the coupling part in the region of the spreader arms on the outside has a limited from the right angles to the longitudinal axis of the brush body recesses detent recess for a positive fit in the receiving opening of the brush handle.

In the case of the inventive design of the interdental brush, the coupling part is thus fixed with elastic deformation in a form-fitting manner in the receiving opening of the brush handle. It is thereby achieved that the brush body can be released again from the brush handle only by canceling the positive connection, ie by deliberate compression of the two spreading arms; an unintentional, unwanted loosening of the brush body upon reaching a force threshold (tensile force between Brush body and brush handle), as in the prior art, where thus by this minimum tensile force of the frictional connection between the coupling part and the brush handle is canceled is prevented in the inventive design.

The spreading arms can be formed in principle by tubular parts, with a circular cylindrical outer shape proves to be favorable. However, in order to facilitate a sliding of the brush handle with its receiving opening on the spreading arms, the spreading arms are rounded or beveled at least at their ends. The spreading arms preferably have on the outside a circular arc-shaped surface, which cooperate with a circular in plan view receiving opening in the brush handle. The connecting part of the brush handle is preferably simply flat. In the circular cross-sectional shape indicated above, it is advantageous that when coupling the brush body with the brush handle, it is not necessary to pay attention to a special alignment of the two parts to be coupled together.

In order to temporarily hold the brush part or parts for later use in a holder, such as a multiple magazine, it is advantageous if the coupling part has a latching groove for latching with an opening edge of a holder.

For the production of the interdental brush, it has proved to be particularly advantageous if the brush part an injection molded part, preferably made of a thermoplastic, in particular of a thermoplastic elastomer, for. B. from polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyetherester copolymer or silicone rubber or polyamide, is.

The cleaning elements of the brush part can have a great variety of shapes, it being only important that they are sufficiently elastically deformable. For this purpose, depending on the (plastic) material selected thin-walled version is provided; the cleaning elements could connect, for example in the form of platelets, strips or circular disks to the support member. For a simple production of a On the other hand, as well as for a good cleaning effect, the cleaning elements may be formed by a helical coil having a plurality of turns. It is also favorable for a particularly simple production, when the helix is formed integrally with a central support member made of plastic.

For the insertion of the brush body in interdental spaces and for a good cleaning effect, it is advantageous if the coil of one end of the support member, the front end, on the other, rear end has increasing dimensions. In this case, it is particularly favorable for efficient cleaning of the interdental spaces when the helix essentially defines a truncated cone shape with its outer edge. For ease of handling and a secure hold of the actual interdental brush in the receiving opening in the brush handle, it is also advantageous if the support member integrally connected to the coupling part. Here, the brush body is a one-piece, compact component, which is indecomposable in use and is simply coupled positively in the manner described with the brush handle.

In order to simply remove the respective brush part from a magazine by attaching the brush handle, and to further achieve a user-friendly training of the interdental brush as a whole, it is also advantageous if the brush handle has an angled connection part for connection to the coupling part.

The invention will be explained below with reference to illustrated in the drawing, particularly preferred embodiments, to which it should not be limited, however. Show it:

Fig. 1 diagrammatically a case, such as a travel case, for various toiletries, where u. a. an interdental brush according to the invention is stored in this case;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a brush handle for an interdental brush according to the invention; 3 is a perspective view of a brush handle with its attached interdental brush body.

Fig. 4 shows schematically a view of a brush body; and

Figs. 5A to 5C show various phases in picking up such an interdental brush body by means of a brush handle and coupling these two components.

In Fig. 1 is formed with a plurality of receiving shelves folding case 1, such as a travel case or a case, as it is made available to hotel guests in hotels, illustrated as a particularly advantageous application for the accommodation and the offer of interdental brushes according to the invention ; Furthermore, a comb 2 is also shown in a drawn-out illustration, which can be inserted into a gap 3 of a double intermediate wall 4 of the folding case 1. This double wall 4 carries further together with an upper top wall 5 on the one hand a small container 6 for dental floss, the floss insert can be interchangeable, and on the other hand in the range of not shown in detail, only schematically indicated case pivot axis 7 a between the upper top wall. 5 and the double wall 4 retractable container 8 for toothpaste, mouthwash and the like. Article.

In a bottom part 9, apart from any staining tablets 10 for plaque control, a magazine 11 for a plurality of interdental brush body 12 is housed. Furthermore, a brush handle 13 is accommodated for these brush body 12 in the bottom part 9, wherein the coupling of this brush handle 13 with the brush body 12 will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C. Moreover, in the container part 9, a conventional toothbrush 14 can be stored.

From Fig. 2, an embodiment of the brush handle 13, with which the brush body 12 are coupled, seen in more detail. In this case, a rear, widened grip part 15 is shown, which is connected via a narrower middle part 16 with a front, angled connecting part 17, which has a circular cross-section, for example, receiving opening. 18, which is provided for receiving a coupling part 19 (see Fig. 4) of the respective brush body 12.

3, such a brush handle 13 is shown in connection with a brush body 12, wherein the coupling part 19 of the brush body 12 is inserted and fixed in the receiving opening 18 (see Fig. 2) of the connecting part 17 by snapping or latching.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the present brush body 12 in one piece with the coupling part 19 an elongated, thin, rod-shaped support member 20 which carries elastically deformable cleaning elements 21. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, these cleaning elements 21 are formed by individual turns of a helical, multi-turn helix 22, this helix 22 being formed integrally with the support part 20. The helix 22 follows with its outer, helical edge of a frustoconical surface 22 '. The designated in Fig. 4 with Ll length of the formed by the support member 20 together with coil 22 actual brush portion is for example 12 mm. The rear coupling part 19 may have a total axial length of 10 mm, wherein the coupling part 19 integrally continues via a shoulder in the support member 20 and may generally have a circular cross section with a diameter of 3 to 4 mm. In this case, two front annular projections 23, 24, approximately to limit the cleaning of interdental spaces and for holding in a magazine 11, and to form a shoulder 25 as a boundary for a detent recess 26 are provided. The rear portion of the coupling part 19 is divided, so that two spreading arms 27, 28 are obtained, which are "spread" in the normal position shown in Fig. 4 and paragraphs 29 to limit the respective - in cross section circular arc - - locking recess 26 on the other The spreading arms 27, 28 are chamfered or rounded at the rear end remote from the brush portion, as illustrated at 30 in Fig. 4, so as to facilitate insertion into the receiving opening 18 of the brush handle 13 (see Fig. 2). By paragraphs 29 arcuate engagement surfaces 31 are defined in cross section, which are connected to the edge of the receiving opening 18 of the brush handle 13 to sammenwirken. In a corresponding manner, the paragraph 25 defines an annular engagement surface for cooperation with the connecting part 17 of the brush head 13, see. At least the two paragraphs 29, preferably also the paragraph 25, extend at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the brush body 12 so as in the inserted into the receiving opening 18 state of the brush body 12 of FIG. 3 engagement at right angles to the longitudinal axis, thus ensure a positive connection.

When inserting the coupling part 19 with the Spreizarmen 27, 28 in the receiving opening 18 of the brush handle 13, the spreading arms 27, 28 elastically deformed or compressed in the manner of a pivoting movement, and after the spreading arms 27, 28, the receiving opening 18 with its rear, Thickened area have passed, the spreading arms 27, 28 again spring radially outward, wherein the locking recess 26, which is bounded by the paragraphs 25 and 29, the edge of the receiving opening 18 of the brush handle 13 receives in a snap or latching operation. Thereafter, the brush body 12 can not be solved by merely pulling out of the handle 13, but on the spreader arms 27, 28 must be manually compressed, i. be pivoted toward each other so as to release the positive engagement in the area of the paragraphs 29.

The coupling by locking the brush body 12 and its coupling part 19 with the brush handle 13 is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C. As has already been explained above with reference to FIG. 1, a plurality of brush bodies 12 can be accommodated in a magazine 11, for example in an inclined position as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in a receptacle with an opening edge 33 (see FIG. which fits into a locking groove 32 (see Fig. 4) between the projections 23 and 24, and the brush handle 13 with its angled connecting part 17 is brought to the coupling part 19 of the respective brush body 12 (see Fig. 5A ) and then with its receiving opening 18 via the spreading arms 27, 28, with their compression, pushed onto the coupling part 19 (see Fig. 5B). Thereafter, the brush body 12 with the aid of the brush handle 13 from its receptacle in the magazine 11, if necessary elastic deformation of the opening edge 33, which engages in the locking groove 32 between the projections 23, 24, pulled out, and the thus given, complete interdental brush device 34 can then be used (see Fig. 5C).

In a specific embodiment, the axial length L2 of the detent recess 26 was 3 mm, the subsequent spreading section of the spreading arms 27, 28 also had an axial length L3 of 3 mm, and the preceding stop and mounting portion of the coupling part 19 has a total length L4 of 4 mm, wherein the projections 23, 24 each have an axial length of 1 mm and the adjacent thereto sections such as the locking groove 32, also each have a length of 1 mm.

The brush body 12 shown, like the brush handle 13, can advantageously be produced as an injection-molded part from a suitable plastic, such as, in particular, from a thermoplastic, in particular from a thermoplastic elastomer. Suitable materials, on the one hand, the required elastic deformability of the coil 22 (with correspondingly thin wall thickness thereof) and on the other hand, the required strength in the thicker coupling part 19, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyetherester copolymers, silicone rubber, but also nylon (polyamide 6.6 ) and the like. Materials. It is also conceivable to produce the support member 20 with an inner core, which is then overmolded to form the helix 22; the core may e.g. also consist of a fiberglass-reinforced plastic (GRP).

Claims

Claims:

1. Interdental brush with an elongated brush body (12) having an elastically compressible coupling part (19) for snapping into a receiving opening (18) of a brush handle (13), wherein the coupling part (19) at least two elastically movable to each other spreading arms (27, 28), characterized in that the coupling part (19) in the region of the spreader arms (27, 28) has a locking recess (26) bounded on the outside by a step (29) extending at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the brush body for a positive fit in the receiving opening (18). of the brush handle (13).

2. interdental brush according to claim 1, characterized in that the spreading arms (27, 28) outside a circular arc-shaped surface

(31).

3. Interdental brush according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling part (19) has a latching groove (32) for locking with an opening edge (33) of a holder (11).

4. Interdental brush according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the brush body (12) is an injection molded part, preferably made of a thermoplastic, in particular of a thermoplastic elastomer, for. As polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyetherester copolymer or silicone rubber or polyamide, is.

5. Interdental brush according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the brush body (12) has a plurality of turns as cleaning elements (21) having helical coil (22).

6. interdental brush according to claim 5, characterized in that the helix (22) with a central support member (20) is integrally formed from plastic.

7. Interdental brush according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the helix (22) from one end of the supporting part (20), the front end, on the other, rear end has increasing dimensions.

8. interdental brush according to claim 7, characterized in that the helix (22) defines with its outer edge substantially a truncated cone shape (22 ').

9. Interdental brush according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the supporting part (20) integrally connected to the coupling part (19).

10. Interdental brush according to one of claims 1 to 9, with a brush handle (13) having a flat connecting part (17) with a circular receiving opening (18).

11. Interdental brush according to claim 10, characterized in that the connecting part (17) of the brush handle (13) is angled.