WO2013041743A1

WO2013041743A1 - Integral toothbrush

Info

Publication number: WO2013041743A1
Application number: PCT/ES2012/070097
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anselmo Lorido Hernandez
Original assignee: Anselmo Lorido Hernandez
Priority date: 2011-02-17
Filing date: 2012-02-17
Publication date: 2013-03-28
Also published as: ES2387081B1; ES2387081A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an integral toothbrush having a similar shape to that of a mouth guard, which is designed to clean all of the teeth in a simple and simultaneous manner with minimum effort by the user. The integral toothbrush comprises an upper part and a lower part which are both in the shape of a U and include a channel for receiving the teeth. In addition, both of said parts are connected to a central part containing a set of gears and axles. According to the invention, the actuation of a first axle transmits a movement to the rest of the axles and gears, resulting in the movement of brush systems in the form of rows of transversely intersecting bristles disposed in the aforementioned channels in each of the upper and lower parts, thereby cleaning all of the teeth.

Description

Integral toothbrush

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of dentistry, and more specifically that of toothbrushes. Plus specifically, the invention relates to an integral toothbrush of shape substantially similar to that of a mouth guard.

Background of the invention

At present it is completely accepted that Oral hygiene habits greatly influence both aesthetics and health, because it is known that the lack of proper dental hygiene can cause gastrointestinal, heart problems, etc.

The utility of brushes has been recognized in the art of teeth that allow the washing of the entire denture simultaneously Simple and comfortable way for the user. For example, document US5365624 unveils a device that works as a brush, polisher, element of washing, massager / stimulator, oral irrigator, oral syringe, element lubrication and protector of teeth and gums.

For its part, the most recent document US2008280251A1 discloses an oral device designed similar to a mouth guard which has two inverted channels in which the teeth are placed when placed in the mouth It is a single-use disposable device that is Water soluble and biodegradable.

However, these are generally devices too complex, as in the first case, or single use, as in the second case Therefore, there is still a need in the art for a Integral toothbrush that allows comfortable, fast and easy cleaning of the entire denture, which is easy to manufacture and with a long life.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates in a first aspect to an integral toothbrush shaped substantially as a mouth guard. In its broadest aspect, the integral brush comprises:

- an upper part that has a U-shaped channel to house the upper teeth;

- a lower part that has a U-shaped channel to accommodate the lower teeth;

- a central part formed by two matrix halves joined together and arranged to contain inside a set of axes and gears, which has a U shape to hold the upper parts and lower as well as an additional arm extending away from said U;

- joining means, for example screws or material adhesive, to join each of the upper and lower parts with the part central;

- a set of axles and first gears that run said central part transmitting a rotating movement from a first axis which runs the additional arm of the central part towards other axes that they travel the U-shape of the central part;

- a set of second gears distributed in the axes that run the U-shape of the central part, presenting every second gear a set of five pinions being a main pinion driven to the shaft corresponding, two secondary sprockets located at the top of the shaft and two secondary sprockets at the bottom in contact all of them with the main sprocket, each secondary sprocket presenting an outdated bolt with regarding its center;

- a branch, connected to each of said bolts, directed towards and introduced in said upper and lower parts respectively, preferably each branch having at least one projection;

- upper and lower brush systems, arranged to enter the channels of the upper and lower part, respectively, which preferably connect to the projections of the branches; Y

- a first axis drive means (for example a manual means or an electric motor) to create a movement that transmits, by means of said axle sets, first gears, seconds gears and branches, towards the brush systems to provide the tooth brushing

According to a second aspect, the present invention is refers to a U-shaped channel-shaped brush system, suitable for coupling and joint action with an integral toothbrush according to the first aspect of the invention, which also serves as a spare part for said integral toothbrush. Said system comprises rows of bristles intersected transversely with each other.

All this provides an integral toothbrush, which allows an efficient, comfortable, fast and simple cleaning of all the denture It is especially suitable for use by hospitalized persons or with reduced mobility, since it does not require the use of hands. The device It is simple to manufacture and has a long lasting life, since the system of brushes, being the most fragile element and willing to wear, is easily replaceable.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will be better understood with reference to the following drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention, provided by way of example, and which should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way.

Figure 1A shows an exploded front view ordering of an integral toothbrush according to a preferred embodiment of The present invention.

Figure 1B shows an exploded rear view Order of the integral toothbrush in Figure 1A.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the two halves of matrix of the central part and the set of axles and gears inside according to the preferred embodiment.

Figure 3 shows an exploded detail of the manual drive according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a detail of the ring of the elongated zipper element according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows an exploded detail of the second gear set according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 shows a detail of the branches according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 shows the cross section of a brush system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 shows the cross section of a brush system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 shows the toothbrush joint integral to the engine according to a preferred embodiment.

Detailed description of the achievements preferred

In figures 1A and 1B two views are shown in neat cutting (front and rear respectively) of a toothbrush integral according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In these figures are observed most of the elements of said toothbrush integral and will be used as the basis for the following description, making reference when appropriate to figures showing enlarged details of various parts of the integral toothbrush.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the integral toothbrush therefore comprises an upper part 10 that It has a U-shaped channel to accommodate the upper teeth, a part 12 bottom that has a U-shaped channel to accommodate the teeth lower and a central part formed by two

halves

14, 16 of matrix joined each other by means of screws 18 and arranged to contain inside a set of shafts and gears that will be described below. The central part It has a U-shaped area to hold the

upper parts

10, 12 and lower as well as an additional arm extending away from said U. With screws 18, each of the upper and

lower parts

10, 12 is joined With the central part. The brush also comprises a set of

shafts

20, 20 ', 20 'and first gears 22 (seen in greater detail in Figure 2) that run through said central part transmitting a rotating movement from a first axis 20 that runs the additional arm of the central part towards

others

20 ', 20' axes that run the U-shape of the central part. Also includes a set of second gears (best seen in figure 5) distributed in

axes

20 ', 20' that run the U-shape of the part central. Each second gear has a set of five sprockets 24, 24 ' a main 24 'sprocket being drawn to the corresponding 20', 20 'axis, two secondary sprockets 24 located at the top of the

shaft

20 ', 20' and two 24 secondary sprockets at the bottom in contact with all of them with the 24 'main sprocket. Each secondary pinion 24 has a bolt (not shown) out of phase with respect to its center that allows the anchorage of the branches 26 to Transmission shaft to activate the movement of the brushes. Each branch 26 (also shown in Figure 6), which connects to each of said bolts, directed towards, and introduced in, said

upper parts

10, 12 and lower respectively, has at least one shoulder 28. The shoulder 28 of the branches 26 allow connection of the

upper brush systems

30, 32 and bottom, arranged to enter the channels of

part

10, 12 upper and lower, respectively. The brush also comprises a means of actuation of the first axis 20 to create a movement that is transmitted, by means of said

axle sets

20, 20 ', 20', first gears 22, seconds gears and branches 26, toward

brush systems

30, 32 to provide brushing teeth

As can be seen in Figure 1A (and in detail in figures 3 and 4), according to the preferred embodiment the drive means it is manual and consists of an elongated element 34 with zip, said rack attached to a pinion 36 on the first axis 20 of the additional arm of the central part. By the alternative up and down movement of said elongate element 34 is driven the first axis 20, and said movement is transmits, as explained above, through said sets of

axes

20, 20 ', 20', first gears 22, second gears and branches 26, up to

brush systems

30, 32 to provide tooth brushing. Furthermore, at each end of said elongated element 34 with zip is present a ring 38 to facilitate movement thereof by the Username.

The upper and

lower parts

10, 12 of the brush integral teeth according to the preferred embodiment are made in a polymer semi-rigid and hypoallergenic, so that it is soft enough as to conform to the gum to some extent, and at the same time rigid enough to allow movement of branches 26 without warp. Both parts are attached to the gear system by screws 18. The upper part 10 is shaped like a palate, as seen in the Figure 1B, to separate the tongue from the brush system.

In this upper part 10 there is also a integral toothbrush drive button 40, so that the User can activate it with the tongue. This button 40 is in the part frontal, just above where the incisors will be located.

Figure 2 shows in more detail the part central with its two

halves

14, 16 of matrix and its axes set 20, 20 ', 20' and first gears 22. The central part is made of a rigid polymer of considerable hardness and hypoallergenic. It is divided into two parts to allow a easy assembly and subsequent repair if appropriate of the axle set 20, 20 ', 20' and first gears 22.

The areas of the central part where they fit together The

axes

20, 20 ', 20' of rotation can be mounted in systems of bearings, making the manufacturing cost more expensive but increasing its use and hardness, or on housings of a suitable material (such as ceramic or metal).

Also in figure 2 it is observed that the game of axes consists of a first axis 20, two intermediate axes 20 'and two end axes twenty'. The intermediate axes 20 'form with respect to the

other axes

20, 20' a 45º angle. The intermediate shafts 20 'have two gears at their ends bevels that are coupled with straight gears at the corresponding ends of the

other axes

20, 20 '. Therefore, the movement of the first axis 20 is transmits properly thanks to the first gears 22 to the

others

20 'and 20' axes.

Figure 6 shows in more detail the branches 26. Each branch 26 is attached, as mentioned, to a bolt of a sprocket 24 out of phase with respect to the center of it. Each branch 26 is found attached to its opposite branch 26 in the same group of pinions 24 by means of a frame 42 that fits into bolts present in each of the branches 26. As is mentioned, branches 26 of motion trees also have some projections 28 which will be used for coupling

brush systems

30, 32

According to another embodiment of the invention, although it is not appreciate in the figures, the integral toothbrush also comprises a third gear set in the area of the vertex of the U for cleaning the fangs and incisors that presents a set of three pinions instead of Five pinions In this case a main pinion is openwork to the shaft correspondingly, a secondary pinion is located at the top of the shaft and a secondary pinion at the bottom in contact both with the pinion main, as explained above for the gear sets of Five pinions Each secondary pinion has an outdated bolt with respect to its center to which a U-shaped branch is attached, directed and introduced into each one of said upper and lower parts respectively, for cleaning the canines and incisors.

Figure 7 shows the brush system according with the present invention, which can be used together with the toothbrush integral of the present invention. This brush system, preferably It is shaped like a U-shaped channel and comprises rows of bristles embedded in a soft, light and rigid rubber base, crisscrossed transversely with each other. The bristles form an angle to the surface in which they are arranged, preferably according to a range between 30-50º, an angle of 45º being most preferable. This provision of Bristles favors brushing as recommended by dentists. Optionally, the bristles in the part of the incisors can be more long to cover the gap, since the width of the teeth is smaller than the of the molars and thus improve the effect of brushing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper and

lower brush systems

30, 32 of the present invention can be disposable, allowing its replacement once worn, both for the integral toothbrush according to the present invention or for others brushes, without replacing the complete toothbrush. Likewise, said upper and

lower brush systems

30, 32 may be divided in several segments, for example in five segments, so that your assembly and disassembly in the integral toothbrush during the replacement of the same. This also facilitates its packaging, distribution and storage as a replacement item. Segments can be joined by means of male-female ribs, facilitating assembly and helping to distribute the brushing force

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the

brush systems

30, 32, are divided into three parts: two side elements 44 and a base element 46, connected by joints 48, preferably flexible rubber, as shown in Figure 8. This configuration helps to transmit the movement of the branches 26 by improving the desired brushing.

The integral toothbrush according to the embodiment Preferred of the present invention also comprises an electric motor 50 such as drive medium. As seen in Figure 9, the first axis 20 is connects one of its ends to a high power and low 50 engine speed. At said end, the shaft 20 has a rectangular bolt which runs through the cylinder of the motor shaft perpendicularly fixed to it. On the other hand, the engine head 50 has a kind hand that collects said rectangular bolt, thus blocking its movement. In addition, said hand is retractable, activating a trigger that is in the motor housing 50 to retract it if you want to operate the brush Integral teeth manually, for example when the battery runs out.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the brush integral teeth can also comprise a speed sensor, included in the additional arm of the central part, to measure the speed of rotation of the first axis and thus control the speed provided by the engine.

On the other hand, although a brush has been described integral teeth comprising both manual and manual actuation means electric, it is clear that other embodiments of the toothbrush integral of the present invention may include only means of manual or electric drive. For example, in the case of a Manual drive means, this may consist of a protruding wheel slightly from the additional arm of the central part and directly connected with the first axis of the integral toothbrush.

The present invention has just been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, however experts in the technique may make modifications and obvious variations of these realizations without thereby departing from the scope of protection of attached claims.

Claims

Integral toothbrush comprising

- an upper part (10) having a channel in the form of U to accommodate the upper teeth;

- a lower part (12) having a channel in the form of U to accommodate the lower teeth;

- a central part formed by two halves (14, 16) of matrix joined together and arranged to contain inside a set of shafts and gears, which has a U shape to hold the parts (10, 12) upper and lower as well as an additional arm that extends away from said U;

- joining means for joining each of the parts (10, 12) upper and lower with the central part;

- a set of shafts (20, 20 ', 20') and first gears (22) running through said central part transmitting a rotating movement from a first axis (20) that runs along the additional arm of the central part towards other axes (20 ', 20') that run the U-shape of the part central;

- a set of second gears distributed on the axles (20 ', 20') that cover the U shape of the central part, presenting each second gear a set of five pinions (24, 24 ') being a pinion (24') main draft to the corresponding shaft (20 ', 20'), two pinions (24) secondary located at the top of the shaft (20 ', 20') and two pinions (24) secondary at the bottom in contact with the pinion (24 ') main, each secondary pinion (24) presenting an outdated bolt with regarding its center;

- a branch (26), connected to each of said bolts, directed towards and introduced in said upper and lower parts (10, 12) respectively,

- upper and lower brush systems (30, 32), arranged to enter the channels of the upper part (10, 12) and lower, respectively; Y

- a first axis drive means (20) for creating a movement that is transmitted, by means of said axle sets (20, 20 ', 20'), first gears (22), second gears and branches (26), towards the systems of brushes (30, 32) to provide brushing of the teeth.
1. Integral toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that said drive means is an electric motor (50) which drives the first axis (20).
1. Integral toothbrush according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a means of manual drive consisting of an elongated element (34) with zipper coupled to a pinion (36) on the first shaft (20) of the additional arm of the part central, by which the alternative movement up and down of the elongate element (34) drives the first axis (20).
1. Integral toothbrush according to claim 3, characterized in that the elongated element (34) with zipper comprises in each end a ring (38) to facilitate movement thereof by of the user.
1. Integral toothbrush according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the joining means are screws (18).
1. Integral toothbrush according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the upper part (10) has Palate shape to separate the tongue from the brush system (30) higher.
1. Integral toothbrush according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it has a button (40) of integral toothbrush drive on top of it, so that the user can activate it with the language.
1. Integral toothbrush according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that each branch (26) is attached to its opposite branch (26) by means of a frame (42) that fits into bolts present in each of the branches (26).
Integral toothbrush according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that each branch (26) presents the less a projection (28) to connect to the brushes (30, 32).
1. Integral toothbrush according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that said brush systems (30, 32) upper and lower are disposable, allowing replacement once worn without replacing the integral toothbrush full.
1. Integral toothbrush according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that each brush system (30, 32) upper and lower is divided into several segments, preferably in five, so that it is easy to assemble and disassemble in the brush integral teeth
1. Integral toothbrush according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the brush systems (30, 32) comprise bristles intersected transversely with each other in angles, preferably 45º with respect to the surface on which they are arranged.
1. Integral toothbrush according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it further comprises a set of third gear in the area of the vertex of the U that presents a set of three pinions, a main pinion being open to the corresponding axis, a secondary pinion located at the top of the shaft and a secondary pinion in the lower part in contact both with the main pinion, presenting each secondary pinion an offset bolt with respect to its center to which a U-shaped branch, directed and introduced into each of these parts upper and lower respectively, for cleaning the canines and incisors
1. U-shaped channel-shaped brush system, characterized in that said brush system (30, 32) comprises rows of bristles intersected transversely with each other.
1. Brush system according to claim 14, characterized in that said bristles form an angle to the surface in which they are arranged according to a range between 30-50º.
1. Brush system according to any of the claims 14 to 15, characterized in that said bristles form an angle 45º with respect to the surface on which they are arranged.
1. Brush system according to any of the claims 14 to 16, characterized in that it comprises two elements sides (44) and a base element (46) connected by joints (48).
1. Brush system according to any of the claims 14 to 17, characterized in that it is divided into segments, preferably in five, so that its assembly and disassembly in the toothbrush.