WO2002087388A1

WO2002087388A1 - Container for cleaning implements, in addition to an insertion body, toothbrush and reservoir

Info

Publication number: WO2002087388A1
Application number: PCT/AT2002/000133
Authority: WO
Inventors: Klaus Neufeld
Original assignee: Klaus Neufeld
Priority date: 2001-04-30
Filing date: 2002-04-30
Publication date: 2002-11-07

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for cleaning implements, in particular for dental or oral hygiene implements such as toothbrushes, interdental brushes, dental floss or similar. A reservoir (5) containing a volatile antimicrobial substance in gaseous form is provided in or on the container (1). The invention also relates to an insertion body for a container, whereby the insertion body is configured as a reservoir (5), or contains the latter as an integral part. The reservoir contains an antimicrobial substance in gaseous form and the diffusion rate for the active substance is controlled by the substance in the reservoir, or by a casing that surrounds said reservoir substance. The invention also relates to a toothbrush comprising a reservoir (5), which contains an antimicrobial substance in gaseous form and is located on the toothbrush handle.

Description

Containers for cleaning devices as well as slide-in units, toothbrushes and storage bodies

The invention relates to a container for dental or oral care devices such as toothbrush, dental floss and the like. Furthermore, the invention relates to an insert body for the container, as well as a toothbrush and a storage body. In addition, the invention relates to a method for sanitizing cleaning devices.

If in the following the antimicrobial effect is mentioned, this is to be understood in the broadest sense, e.g. as bactericidal, bacteristatic, fungicidal, fungistatic ,. virucidal and the like.

Scientific studies have shown that the majority of cleaning devices in use, such as toothbrushes, are microbially contaminated. For example, staphylococci, intestinal bacteria, pseudomonas and yeast were found on toothbrushes. In some cases, germs isolated from toothbrushes are associated with the development of a heart attack. The use of contaminated toothbrushes has been recognized as a source of reinfection in the outbreak of herpes simplex diseases (fever blister). A transfer from brush to brush (eg of the caries germ Streptococcus mutans) is also described in the literature, which is particularly important for children. In total, bacterial counts of up to 10 ⁸ CFU (colony-forming units, English CFU) were determined. Bacteria (Staph. Epidermidis) could even be isolated from new, unused brushes that were kept in the sealed original packaging. After a few days of use, germs can be detected on the toothbrush, after 4 weeks at the latest one can assume a high degree of contamination of the toothbrush, a connection to increased occurrence of irritation and ulceration of the oral mucosa being proven. Also serious consequences, such as flushing bacteria into the bloodstream (bacteremia) has been observed in individual cases. This poses a noteworthy risk, particularly for immunocompromised patients (eg cancer patients). Furthermore, due to the latest scientific findings, a considerable connection between such infections and the risk of a heart attack has been found. But other clinical pictures such as diseases of the heart valves, kidneys, etc. and rheumatoid clinical pictures can usually be found with these! inconspicuous microbial infections.

On the other hand, it has been repeatedly proven that the use of sterile or low-germ toothbrushes would be a suitable problem solution. For example, the number of irritations of the oral mucosa decreases significantly, the frequency and spread of fever blisters has been reduced. Toothbrushes are, however, also scientifically proven, insufficiently cleaned after use. Due to the arrangement of the bristles, they cannot usually be completely cleaned. They are kept in warm, damp bathrooms that do not allow germs to be reduced by drying, which often leads to further contamination by splashing water and other toothbrushes.

Various disinfection measures such as boiling out, treatment in a microwave oven, UV radiation or diving in disinfectant solutions are described in the literature, but only cause inadequate germ reduction or disinfection, damage the toothbrushes and are too expensive and impractical for home use. Also, none of the methods mentioned can adequately kill those germs that have protected themselves in bristle defects.

The object of the present invention is therefore to avoid the above disadvantages and to provide an arrangement which makes it possible to kill those microorganisms which may be located in or on cleaning devices such as dental or oral care devices. In particular, such devices should be able to be stored between uses to such an extent that microbial contamination is reduced or that there is no increase in microbial contamination. A similar task arises with regard to cleaning devices in general and with regard to a method for sanitizing cleaning devices. According to the present invention, the container is characterized in that a storage body is provided in or on the container, which contains a volatile substance having an antimicrobial effect in gaseous form.

The storage body itself is characterized according to the invention in that it contains a storage substance and the antimicrobial active substance in gaseous form, the diffusion rate for the active substance being controlled by the storage material or by a shell surrounding the storage material. The storage material is preferably a plastic polymer.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of a few exemplary embodiments and the drawings. All of the figures show different forms of toothbrushes and cleaning devices in different containers in schematic side views or oblique views.

1, the container 1 for a toothbrush 2 comprises a storage stiffener 3 and a cover part 4. The storage body 5 sits in the lower section of the storage part 3. The storage body 5 releases the active substance into the cavity 7 of the container 1 via the diffusion surface 6.

In Fig. 1 ventilation slots 8 are still drawn in the container, which can be optionally provided if a "ventilation of the cavity or removal of moisture is considered desirable. All other containers described below and shown in the figures can also have ventilation slots. The inside of the container can have an indicator strip 16 which indicates when the concentration of the active substance drops below a minimum value.

Fig. 2 shows a toothbrush with a thicker brush! 9 as e.g. with battery-operated manual toothbrushes. The container here consists of a cap 10, which contains the storage body 5. The cap 10 can be sealed against the stem 9 to the extent necessary. Here, too, the active substance exits the storage body 5 into the cavity 7 and there develops its antimicrobial effect as a gas, in particular in the brush 11.

3 shows another form of a container 1, a cover part 13 that can be opened relative to a base part 12 being provided. The storage body 5 covers here, for example the entire floor area. A particularly large diffusion area is provided here, which must be taken into account accordingly.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4, the cover part 4 itself is designed as a storage body. The storage body is preferably sealed gas-tight on its outer surface 14 so that the active substance does not evaporate to the outside.

In the case of a manual toothbrush, the storage body 5 can also be part of the toothbrush handle 9, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Another storage body in the container can be omitted.

Fig. 7 shows an oblique view of an embodiment for a container with several compartments 15, as e.g. is arranged at battery charging stations for electric toothbrushes. The storage body 5 is located at the lower end of all compartments. In Fig. 8, four toothbrushes are contained in the container 1, and the container is closed by a hinged lid 7, which contains the storage body 5.

The containers described above are for toothbrushes and cause these toothbrushes to be kept in an effective atmosphere of a volatile antimicrobial substance. The containers can also represent the sales package of the toothbrush and can be used for the storage and sales presentation of the unused toothbrushes.

The same or similar arrangements can also be used to accommodate other cleaning devices for oral care, for medical purposes or for household purposes. Examples of this are hand brushes, pot brushes, kitchen sponges, cleaning cloths, etc. FIG. 9 shows a storage box for a kitchen sponge 18. The storage body 5 forms the bottom of the container 1, which can be closed with a lid 19.

According to FIGS. 10 and 11, the storage body 5 is contained in attachment caps 20, 21 which only cover the brush head and not the entire toothbrush 2. The attachment caps 20, 21 can be fixed by pushing on or by means of a bayonet, screw or click lock. The top caps can also be provided with or without ventilation slots ^ö

become. The attachment caps can be designed in different colors for identification.

FIGS. 12 and 3 show further embodiment variants, according to which the storage bodies are attached directly to the brush head. 12, the bristle strands 22 are individually surrounded by storage bodies 5. 13, the bristle bed in which the bristle strands 22 are seated can be designed as a storage body 5. According to FIG. 14, the cap 23 enveloping the bristle head can also be in two parts, the parts being pivotable about a hinge 24. Ventilation slits are also possible here.

The antimicrobial substances are those that are volatile and develop their antimicrobial effect in gaseous form. Preferred active substances are in particular thiocyanate compounds and in particular isothiocyanate compounds. Both naturally occurring Thiocya.nate of plant origin and synthetic compounds can be used. Examples of active substances are the following:

allyl isothiocyanate

3-butenyl

Benzyl isothiocyanate 2-butyl isothiocyanate p-hydroxy-benzyl isothiocyanate

methyl isothiocyanate

3-Methylpropylisothiocyanat

4-methylthiobutyl isothiocyanate 4Methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate

4-pentenyl

2-phenylethyl

ethyl isothiocyanate

phenethyl isothiocyanate

The isothiocyanates or mixtures of these compounds can be of vegetable origin and e.g. can be used as extracts of the following plants:

Horseradish Japanese horseradish (wasabi)

Mustard (all types) Brassica species crucifers allium

In the conventionally known antimicrobial substances, the volatility or high degree of volatility at the application temperature (usually room temperature) is extremely undesirable since the active substance should be present in high concentration when used locally at the site of action. Therefore, volatilization due to a high vapor pressure is undesirable. In the present invention, however, the high active effect due to volatility occurs surprisingly, since the active substance can thereby reach all areas of the object to be hygienized in sufficient concentration. The preferred thiocyanate compounds are known from agriculture and food technology. However, it is not known to use these substances in gas form for cleaning devices with regard to their antimicrobial effect. A similar sanitizing effect could still be achieved with ethylene oxide, but this substance is generally eliminated due to its high toxicity and difficult handling. The thiocyanates also meet other requirements regarding effectiveness, availability and toxicology and are harmless for such purposes.

The isothiocyanates also have the advantage that they have a high vapor pressure regardless of the air humidity, so the vapor pressure is almost the same between 0% and 80% air humidity. However, it is necessary to reduce the vapor pressure to a technically acceptable value for the purpose according to the invention. Excessive concentrations can also have an irritating effect on mucous membranes. It is known, for example, that the vapor pressure is mixed into oils, e.g. to reduce medium-chain fatty acids in a suitable manner.

According to the present invention, a good storage effect with controlled, long-term release of the active substance is surprisingly achieved by mixing the active substance into a polymer. Studies have shown that, for example, the allyl isothiocyanate can be mixed particularly well into different polymers. The effect of incorporation into polymers is not only to reduce the vapor pressure to a reasonable and technically necessary extent, but also to improve oxidation stability and durability. As a result of the independence of the vapor pressure from the surrounding moisture, there is the effect that sufficiently high active ingredient concentrations can be achieved even at high atmospheric humidity. The vapor pressure of allyl isothiocyanate is around 3.4 to 3.5 mm Hg at a relative humidity between 0% and 80%. By mixing with suitable polymers, for example, the vapor pressure is reduced to the required level below 3.4 mm Hg at the application temperature.

In one embodiment, an extract from mustard seeds or wasabi (Japanese horseradish) with an allyl isothiocyanate content of approximately 98% was used as the active substance. A self-curing two-component system made of silicone rubber was chosen as the storage material. This product is available under the name SICOVOSS from Vosschemie. 100 ml of SICOVOSS were mixed with 1 ml of the extract so that a homogeneous mixture was obtained. An amount of 5% by weight, based on the base component, of a hardener was added to this mixture and likewise mixed thoroughly. The mixture was then cured at room temperature for 24 hours. Curing took place in a gas-tight container. The hardened body could then be mounted in the desired shape in the container or as part of the toothbrush.

Self-curing silicones and all other technically suitable polymers can be used in the same way. Surprisingly, it has also been shown that thermoplastic substances can be used as storage material at low temperature. However, care must be taken that the processing temperature is not above 170 ° C to 180 ° C, since isothiocyanates volatilize or inactivate at this temperature.

Concentrations of allyl isothiocyanate in the order of magnitude of 0.001 μg to 1000 mg / l air volume of the container space are advantageously used in the container.

The thermoplastics can e.g. Polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, polycarbonate, PVC, nylon, polymethyl methacrylate etc. The plastics usually used for toothbrush handles, such as the thermoplastics cellulose acetate, styrene, acrylonitrile or cellulose propionates, can also be used. Plastic also includes natural polymers such as rubber, latex, gum arabic and the like. dgt.

In the exemplary embodiments investigated, for example, at an ambient temperature of 25 ° C. and a concentration of allyl isothiocyanate of 1000 μg / l, a germ reduction in Salmonella typhimurium by a value of 10 ⁶ CFU per cm ² surface could be achieved. Similar results could also be achieved with other relevant germs such as Bacillus subtilis and E. coli and fungi such as Candida albicans.

Essential oils or similar substances of this type can be mixed in, for example, to mask odors.

The containers or the cleaning devices can also be provided with an indicator system; alternatively, the storage body can be designed such that it indicates a color change when the active substance has been used up. Indicator strips (see FIG. 1) which indicate the active substance concentration can also be inserted in the container.

The storage bodies can e.g. poured into the container and then cured. Alternatively, the storage bodies can also be insert bodies which are separate from the container and are subsequently inserted into the container. If necessary, these can be exchanged for new slide-in units.

The diffusion rate for the active substance is controlled by the material of the storage body and the concentration of the active substance. In addition, the diffusion rate can also be influenced by an envelope (film) enveloping the storage body.

In an advantageous manner, the storage body can also contain one or more substances which act as aroma substances or odor-binding substances, as are prior art in themselves. The odor of the thiocyanates or the extracts used, which is considered to be undesirable, can thus be eliminated.

In addition to the thiocyanates described above, other volatile antimicrobial substances can also be used advantageously. These include the following substances from the terpenes group and also diacetyl (2,3 butadione); Acetic acid and alcohols. All of these substances can also be provided in combination with one another and / or in combination with thiocyanates. The following are to be mentioned among the terpenes:

Linalylacetade Citronellal

Terpenylacelate Citral / 7-HexyIa! Alcohol Perillaldehyde π-OctylalcohoI Carvone

Furfurylalcohol Pseudoionone

Benzylalcohof Comphene σ-Terpineol Fenchon Citronellol Benzaldehyde

Geraniol acetaldehydes

Linalool Safrol

Eugenol isosafrol

Thymol 1: 8-Cincol o-Cresol Ascaridol m-Cresol α-Pinene p-Cresol ß-Pinene

Carvacrol terpinolene

Isoborneol cf-Limonene Vanilline σ-Phellandrene

Isovanilline p-Cymene

Salicylic aldehyde lemon oil

Furfural allicin

Cinnamic aldehyde n-propylallyl anisaldehydes di-n-propylallyl

The pure substances can be used, but also vegetable oils and extracts that contain these substances. The essential oils can include: eucalyptus oil (e.g. eucalyptol as a pure substance), tea tree oil, pimento essential oils (allspice), clove, lavender, lemon grass, mint, rosemary, thyme, garlic, onion, extracts of brassica species.

With regard to the amounts to be used, it goes without saying that the amounts to be used are those which, in volatile form, can develop the desired antimicrobial action on the toothbrush head.

Particularly preferred substances among the terpenes are eugenol, thymol, carvacrol, isoborneol, vanillin, salicylic aldehydes and cinnamic aldehydes. Diaeetyl-2-3-butadione is also preferred. All of the volatile antimicrobial substances mentioned in this application can be used in all embodiments of the container or the toothbrush.

A further preferred exemplary embodiment of the container is explained below with reference to FIGS. 15, 16 and 17, 18.

The container 25 is made of diffusion-proof material such as e.g. Glass and surrounds the brush head 26 upwards and on all sides, but is open towards the bottom. The opening is formed by a scraper rim 27 and the container sits with this scraper rim 27 on a sealing body 28. The sealing body is made of elastic material such as Rubber, latex or a plastic. The sealing body is pushed onto the toothbrush handle 29 with sufficient strength.

The storage body 30 with the volatile antimicrobial substance is arranged in the container 25 on the inside at the top.

After use, the toothbrush is inserted with the brush head 26 through the opening of the container from below into the container 25, a part of the residual moisture of the brush being wiped off at the wiping edge 27. By pressing the sealing body 28 into the scraper edge, the container 25 is sealed gas-tight on all sides, so that the volatile active substance can have its effect. Any dripping residual moisture and condensed water can flow down to the sealing body 28 and is removed from the container when the toothbrush is removed.

The storage body 30 can, if desired, also be arranged at other locations on the container. 16 shows an alternative construction in which the storage body 30 is part of the sealing body 28, wherein the storage body can also be easily replaced with the sealing body.

In the embodiment variant according to FIGS. 17 and 18, the sealing body 31 is designed such that it does not snap into the scraper edge 27, but can only be pressed in a sealing manner from below. The toothbrush and the sealing body are fixed by an elastically arranged support 32, the elasticity being achieved by a flexible fastening web 33. The sealing body 31 is therefore only from below pressed. Due to the elasticity of the connecting web 33, the toothbrush can be easily removed and reinserted.

The container is fastened by a fastening plate 34 which is connected to the wall 35, e.g. is glued. A housing 36 which is open at the bottom serves on the one hand for fastening the container 25 and for the optical cover. A housing 36 can also have a plurality of such containers 25. This multiple order has the advantage that e.g. separate brushes can be used for the morning toilet and for the evening toilet. So that the exposure times of the antimicrobial volatile active substance are extended.

The constructions shown with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18 can be provided not only for hand brushes but also for electric toothbrushes.

Claims

1. Container for cleaning devices, in particular for dental or oral care devices such as toothbrush, brush for the interdental area, dental floss and the like, characterized in that a storage body (5) is provided in or on the container (1), which is volatile in gas form antimicrobial contains active substance.

2. Container according to claim 1 with a storage part and a cover part (4), characterized in that the storage body (5) in the storage part (3) and / or in the cover part (4) is provided.

3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the container (1) has ventilation slots (8).

4. Container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a portion of the container is formed from the storage body (5).

5. Container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the container (1) is a cap (10) which can be placed on the cleaning device and has the storage body (5).

6. Container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the container (1) has a plurality of compartments (15) for receiving a plurality of cleaning devices.

7. Container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cleaning device has the storage body (5).

8. Container according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it can be attached as an attachment cap (20, 21) on the brush head of the toothbrush (2), the attachment cap contains the storage body (5) (Fig. 10, 11)

9. Insert body for a container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the insert body is designed as a storage body (5), or this has as a component, the storage body containing a substance having an antimicrobial effect in gaseous form.

10. Toothbrush, characterized in that a storage body (5) is arranged in or on the toothbrush handle (9), which contains an antimicrobial substance in gaseous form.

11. Toothbrush, characterized in that the storage body (5) is arranged in or on the brush head of the toothbrush (2) (Fig. 12, 13)

12. Storage body for use in the articles according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it contains a storage substance and the gaseous antimicrobial substance and that the diffusion rate for the active substance is controlled by the storage substance or a shell surrounding the storage substance is.

13. Storage body according to claim 12, characterized in that the gaseous antimicrobial substance is selected from the following group, wherein 2 or more of the substances can be provided in combination: acetic acid, alcohols, diacetyl (2,3-butanedione); Terpenes, preferably linalyl acetade,

Citronellal, Terpenylacelate, Citral, n-Hexylalcohol, Periilaldehyde, n-Octylalcohol, Carvone, Furfurylalcohol, Pseudoionone, Benzylalcohol, Comphene, σ-Terpineol, Fenchon, Citronellol, Benzaldehyde, Geraniol, Acetaldehyde, Efrololugen, Lafrool, Lafrool 1: 8-cineol, o-cresol, ascaridol, m-cresol, α-pinene, p-cresol, ß-pinene, carvacrol, terpinolene, isoborneol, d-ümonene, vanilline, σ-phellandrene,

Isovanillins, p-cymene, salicylic aldehydes, lemon oil, furfural, allici, cinnamic aldehydes, n-propylallyl, anisaldehydes, di-n-propylallyl; Thiocyanates, preferably allyl isothiocyanate, 3-butenyl isothiocyanate, benzyl isothiocyanate, 2-butyl isothiocyanate, p-hydroxybenzyl isothiocyanate, methyl isothiocyanate, 3-methyl propyl isothiocyanate, 4-methylthiobutyl isothiocyanate, 4-methylthio-isothiothiothiothiothiothiothiothiothiothiothiothiothiothiothiocyanat , Ethyl isothiocyanate; essential oils, preferably eucalyptus oil, eucalyptol, tea tree oil, allspice essential oils, cloves, lavender, lemon grass, mint, rosemary, thyme, garlic, onion and extracts of Brassica species; Menthol.

14. Storage body according to claim 12, characterized in that the substance which is antimicrobially active in gaseous form is a thiocyanate compound, preferably isothiocyanate.

15. Storage body according to claim 14, characterized in that the storage substance is a plastic polymer.

16. Storage body according to claim 15, characterized in that the plastic polymer is a cold-curing one- or two-component plastic such as silicones or silicone rubber or a thermoplastic.

17. Storage body according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the antimicrobial substance is a natural plant extract containing thiocyanate.

18. Storage body according to claim 17, characterized in that the substance is an extract from mustard seeds or wasabi.

19. Storage body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains one or more flavoring substances or odor-binding substances.

20. A method for sanitizing cleaning devices, characterized in that the cleaning device is kept in an atmosphere containing volatile active substances according to one of the preceding claims.

21. Container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is a, preferably two-part cap (23) enveloping the brush head of the toothbrush (2), in which the storage body (5) is contained.

22. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an opening for the insertion of the brush head (26), which by means of a

Brush handle (29) arranged sealing body (28) can be closed (Fig. 15 to 18).

23. A container according to claim 22, characterized in that the edge of the opening is designed as a wiping edge (27).

24. A container according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the storage body (30) is optionally arranged in the container (25) or on the sealing body (28),

25. Container according to one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that it and the toothbrush are at least partially covered by a housing (25) and that

Toothbrush with the sealing body (31) is held by an elastic pad (32) against the container (25).

Vienna, April 30, 2002

Applicants represented by: Patent Attorneys Puchberger, Berger & Partner Reichsratsstrasse 13, A-1010 Vienna