EP0680707B1 - Interdental toothbrush - Google Patents

Interdental toothbrush Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0680707B1
EP0680707B1 EP95500068A EP95500068A EP0680707B1 EP 0680707 B1 EP0680707 B1 EP 0680707B1 EP 95500068 A EP95500068 A EP 95500068A EP 95500068 A EP95500068 A EP 95500068A EP 0680707 B1 EP0680707 B1 EP 0680707B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
head
filaments
zones
interdental toothbrush
core
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP95500068A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0680707A3 (en
EP0680707A2 (en
EP0680707B2 (en
Inventor
Enric Masdevall Noguera
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
DENTAID SA
Original Assignee
DENTAID SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=8286240&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0680707(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by DENTAID SA filed Critical DENTAID SA
Publication of EP0680707A2 publication Critical patent/EP0680707A2/en
Publication of EP0680707A3 publication Critical patent/EP0680707A3/en
Publication of EP0680707B1 publication Critical patent/EP0680707B1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0680707B2 publication Critical patent/EP0680707B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
    • A46B9/06—Arrangement of mixed bristles or tufts of bristles, e.g. wire, fibre, rubber
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
    • A46B9/02—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
    • A46B9/04—Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
    • A46B9/02—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
    • A46B9/04—Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
    • A46B9/045—Arranged like in or for toothbrushes specially adapted for cleaning a plurality of tooth surfaces simultaneously
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
    • A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures
    • A46B2200/108—Inter-dental toothbrush, i.e. for cleaning interdental spaces specifically

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a an interdental toothbrush which comprises a head made up of filaments laid out in a substantially radial direction on a core or stem.
  • Spanish utility model 262 453 refers to an interdental toothbrush in which the filaments are secured to a wire core and are laid out radially around said core. The filaments make up a cylindrical head around the core of small diameter.
  • the filaments can be inserted easily into the interdental spaces for cleaning of same, which is not possible with a conventional brush in which the filaments are attached to a handle of much larger dimensions than the aforesaid core of the interdental toothbrush.
  • All the filaments are of the same section, and as they are of the same length they present identical resistance to bending when the head is pressed against the teeth while they are brushed.
  • interdental toothbrushes see e.g. US-A-4 691 404 whose head is of conical or frustoconical shape.
  • the shortest ones present greater resistance to bending, that is, they present a sensation of greater hardness on the teeth and gums.
  • Excessively hard filaments give an unpleasant sensation and can even damage the gums.
  • the interdental toothbrush of the invention solves the disadvantages mentioned.
  • the interdental toothbrush of the invention is characterized in that the head includes zones made up of filaments of different thicknesses.
  • the head has a conical or frustoconical shape and the filaments of lower thickness which make up one of the zones of the head are also shorter.
  • the ratio between the length and the thickness of the filaments in the various zones is preferably such that the hardness is substantially uniform over the entire head. This allows the unpleasant sensation due to excessive hardness, which can damage the gums, to be avoided.
  • the different zones of the head can be of different colours so that the different zones provided with filaments of different thicknesses can be distinguished.
  • these colours will be white and black, the former detecting the presence of blood and the latter detecting the presence of bacterial plaque.
  • the thickness of the filaments is preferably between 1 and 9 mils, that is, between 1 and 9 thousandths of an inch, which is equivalent to between 0.0254 and 0.2286 mm.
  • the core or stem is flexible; this facilitates the cleaning of the rear parts, because the core can be bent to form the most appropriate angle.
  • Figure 1 shows in detail a head of the interdental toothbrush of the invention, on which two zones with filaments of different thicknesses can be observed;
  • figure 2 shows a head of cylindrical shape showing schematically three zones with filaments of different thicknesses;
  • figure 3 shows a head of frustoconical shape showing schematically two zones with filaments of different thicknesses; and
  • figure 4 shows the brush according to the invention during its use.
  • Figure 1 shows the head 1 of an interdental toothbrush 2 made of up filaments 3,4 laid out in a substantially radial direction on a flexible-core or stem 5 attached to a handle 6.
  • the head 1 is protected by a cover or hood 7, shown by a broken line, which is fitted onto a lower section 8 of the handle 6.
  • the right-hand zone of the head 1 is made up of filaments 3 of greater thickness than the filaments 4 of the left-hand zone of the head 1.
  • the flexibility of the core or stem 5 facilitates the cleaning of the rear parts, since the core 5 can de bent to form the most appropriate angle.
  • Figure 2 shows another head 9, also of cylindrical shape, in which three zones, A, B and C, have been marked with different shading to represent schematically three zones with filaments of different thicknesses.
  • Figure 3 shows a head 10 of frustoconical shape in which two zones, D and E, have been marked with different shading to represent schematically two zones with filaments of different thicknesses.
  • the filaments of lower thickness which form zone D of the head 10 are also shorter, thus achieving substantially uniform hardness at all zones D and E of the head 10.
  • Figure 4 shows the brush of the invention in use, the head 9 of the brush being inserted between the teeth at the base thereof, so that the head 9 is in contact with the gum; this allows the presence of blood and of bacterial plaque to be detected. This presence is easy to detect because the different zones are of different colours, preferably black and white.

Description

  • The present invention refers to a an interdental toothbrush which comprises a head made up of filaments laid out in a substantially radial direction on a core or stem.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Known in the art are brushes for cleaning the teeth, and in particular for cleaning the interdental spaces, of the type described.
  • Spanish utility model 262 453 refers to an interdental toothbrush in which the filaments are secured to a wire core and are laid out radially around said core. The filaments make up a cylindrical head around the core of small diameter.
  • Thanks to the small size of the core, the filaments can be inserted easily into the interdental spaces for cleaning of same, which is not possible with a conventional brush in which the filaments are attached to a handle of much larger dimensions than the aforesaid core of the interdental toothbrush.
  • All the filaments are of the same section, and as they are of the same length they present identical resistance to bending when the head is pressed against the teeth while they are brushed.
  • Also known are interdental toothbrushes (see e.g. US-A-4 691 404) whose head is of conical or frustoconical shape. In this case, as the filaments are of the same thickness, the shortest ones present greater resistance to bending, that is, they present a sensation of greater hardness on the teeth and gums. Excessively hard filaments give an unpleasant sensation and can even damage the gums.
    • DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • The interdental toothbrush of the invention solves the disadvantages mentioned.
  • The interdental toothbrush of the invention is characterized in that the head includes zones made up of filaments of different thicknesses.
  • In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the head has a conical or frustoconical shape and the filaments of lower thickness which make up one of the zones of the head are also shorter.
  • The ratio between the length and the thickness of the filaments in the various zones is preferably such that the hardness is substantially uniform over the entire head. This allows the unpleasant sensation due to excessive hardness, which can damage the gums, to be avoided.
  • The fact that there exist two or more zones with filaments of different thickness means that zones of different hardness can be obtained, especially if the filaments of the head are of the same length.
  • This happens when the head has a substantially cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the desired sensation of hardness can be achieved at different zones of the head.
  • Advantageously, the different zones of the head can be of different colours so that the different zones provided with filaments of different thicknesses can be distinguished. Preferably, these colours will be white and black, the former detecting the presence of blood and the latter detecting the presence of bacterial plaque.
  • The thickness of the filaments is preferably between 1 and 9 mils, that is, between 1 and 9 thousandths of an inch, which is equivalent to between 0.0254 and 0.2286 mm.
  • Advantageously, the core or stem is flexible; this facilitates the cleaning of the rear parts, because the core can be bent to form the most appropriate angle.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • For a better understanding of all that has been set out, some drawings are attached in which, schematically and solely by way of non-restrictive example, a practical embodiment of the toothbrush is shown.
  • Figure 1 shows in detail a head of the interdental toothbrush of the invention, on which two zones with filaments of different thicknesses can be observed; figure 2 shows a head of cylindrical shape showing schematically three zones with filaments of different thicknesses; figure 3 shows a head of frustoconical shape showing schematically two zones with filaments of different thicknesses; and figure 4 shows the brush according to the invention during its use.
    • DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • Figure 1 shows the head 1 of an interdental toothbrush 2 made of up filaments 3,4 laid out in a substantially radial direction on a flexible-core or stem 5 attached to a handle 6.
  • The head 1 is protected by a cover or hood 7, shown by a broken line, which is fitted onto a lower section 8 of the handle 6.
  • In the embodiment of figure la, the right-hand zone of the head 1 is made up of filaments 3 of greater thickness than the filaments 4 of the left-hand zone of the head 1.
  • It is thus possible to achieve the desired sensation of hardness in various zones of the head 1.
  • The flexibility of the core or stem 5 facilitates the cleaning of the rear parts, since the core 5 can de bent to form the most appropriate angle.
  • Figure 2 shows another head 9, also of cylindrical shape, in which three zones, A, B and C, have been marked with different shading to represent schematically three zones with filaments of different thicknesses.
  • Figure 3 shows a head 10 of frustoconical shape in which two zones, D and E, have been marked with different shading to represent schematically two zones with filaments of different thicknesses.
  • The filaments of lower thickness which form zone D of the head 10 are also shorter, thus achieving substantially uniform hardness at all zones D and E of the head 10.
  • Figure 4 shows the brush of the invention in use, the head 9 of the brush being inserted between the teeth at the base thereof, so that the head 9 is in contact with the gum; this allows the presence of blood and of bacterial plaque to be detected. This presence is easy to detect because the different zones are of different colours, preferably black and white.

Claims (6)

  1. Interdental toothbrush which includes a head (1,9,10) formed by filaments (3,4) arranged in a substantially radial direction on a core or stem (5), characterized in that the head (1,9,10) includes zones made up of filaments (3,4) of different thicknesses.
  2. Interdental toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the head (10) has a conical or frustoconical shape and the filaments (3,4) of lower thickness which make up one of the zones (D) of the head (10) are also shorter.
  3. Interdental toothbrush as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the ratio between the length and the thickness of the filaments in the various zones (D,E) is such that the hardness is substantially uniform over the entire head (10).
  4. Interdental toothbrush as claimed in claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the different zones of the head (1,9,10) are of different colours.
  5. Interdental toothbrush as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the thickness of the filaments is preferably between 1 and 9 mils (between 0.0254 and 0.2286 mm).
  6. Interdental toothbrush as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core or stem (5) is flexible.
EP19950500068 1994-05-04 1995-05-03 Interdental toothbrush Expired - Lifetime EP0680707B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES9401043A ES2079318B1 (en) 1994-05-04 1994-05-04 INTERDENTAL BRUSH.
ES9401043 1994-05-04

Publications (4)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0680707A2 EP0680707A2 (en) 1995-11-08
EP0680707A3 EP0680707A3 (en) 1997-04-02
EP0680707B1 true EP0680707B1 (en) 2000-11-02
EP0680707B2 EP0680707B2 (en) 2003-09-10

Family

ID=8286240

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19950500068 Expired - Lifetime EP0680707B2 (en) 1994-05-04 1995-05-03 Interdental toothbrush

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0680707B2 (en)
DE (1) DE69519247T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2079318B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19616309A1 (en) * 1996-04-24 1997-10-30 Pedex & Co Gmbh Process for the production of bristle material for bristle articles
NL1009229C2 (en) * 1998-05-20 1999-11-24 Enta Lactona B V Interdental cleaner.
DE19908238A1 (en) 1999-02-25 2000-08-31 Coronet Werke Gmbh Cleaning element in particular for cleaning teeth and method for its production
FR2830421B1 (en) * 2001-10-10 2004-08-27 Oreal COSMETIC PRODUCT APPLICATOR, IN PARTICULAR MASCARA FOR EYELASHES OR EYEBROWS
GB2401782A (en) * 2003-05-21 2004-11-24 Welters Co Ltd Interdental brush
WO2009079802A1 (en) * 2007-12-21 2009-07-02 Peter Stieger Interdental cleaning brush
IT1402162B1 (en) * 2010-10-07 2013-08-28 Ariminum Odontologica S R L INTERDENTAL BRUSH AND METHOD FOR THE REALIZATION OF SUCH INTERDENTAL BRUSH
USD816999S1 (en) 2017-03-06 2018-05-08 Ranir, Llc Toothbrush
US10681974B2 (en) * 2017-04-04 2020-06-16 Ranir, Llc Interdental toothbrush
JP7191546B2 (en) * 2018-04-27 2022-12-19 小林製薬株式会社 interdental cleaner
JP7252715B2 (en) * 2018-04-27 2023-04-05 小林製薬株式会社 interdental cleaner
WO2020011901A1 (en) 2018-07-11 2020-01-16 Tepe Munhygienprodukter Ab Interdental brush having an insertion guidance tip

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2520054C2 (en) * 1975-05-06 1986-01-23 Cooper Care Inc. (eine Ges.n.d.Gesetzen d.Staates Delaware), Palo Alto, Calif. Teeth cleaning cord and process for making it
US4802255A (en) * 1987-08-10 1989-02-07 Gillette Canada Inc. Novel brush filaments
DE3920769C2 (en) * 1989-06-24 1991-12-19 Fritz 7869 Schoenau De Rueb
WO1992010148A1 (en) * 1990-12-12 1992-06-25 Naresh Gathani Dental cleansing member
WO1993005679A1 (en) * 1991-09-16 1993-04-01 Braun Aktiengesellschaft Toothbrush

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES262453A1 (en) * 1960-11-14 1961-01-16 Ponsa Llaurade Juan Soc Anenim New procedure to paint woven by hand by limitation (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
IL77906A (en) * 1985-02-21 1989-09-28 Butler John O Co Interdental toothbrush
US4691404A (en) * 1985-02-21 1987-09-08 John O. Butler Company Toothbrush
US5123841A (en) * 1990-04-02 1992-06-23 Millner Don E Interproximal dental plaque remover

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2520054C2 (en) * 1975-05-06 1986-01-23 Cooper Care Inc. (eine Ges.n.d.Gesetzen d.Staates Delaware), Palo Alto, Calif. Teeth cleaning cord and process for making it
US4802255A (en) * 1987-08-10 1989-02-07 Gillette Canada Inc. Novel brush filaments
DE3920769C2 (en) * 1989-06-24 1991-12-19 Fritz 7869 Schoenau De Rueb
WO1992010148A1 (en) * 1990-12-12 1992-06-25 Naresh Gathani Dental cleansing member
WO1993005679A1 (en) * 1991-09-16 1993-04-01 Braun Aktiengesellschaft Toothbrush

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0680707A3 (en) 1997-04-02
ES2079318A1 (en) 1996-01-01
EP0680707A2 (en) 1995-11-08
EP0680707B2 (en) 2003-09-10
DE69519247D1 (en) 2000-12-07
DE69519247T3 (en) 2004-08-19
DE69519247T2 (en) 2001-05-31
ES2079318B1 (en) 1996-08-16

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