Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Field of the Invention
.
This invention relates to a toothbrush.
Background of the Invention
At the present time, there are a wide variety of
toothbrush designs~ These designs are based on a number of
different t.heories. At one time, it was considered
desirable to have hard brist.les for a toothbrush. However,
it was t.hen feared that these hard bristles would result in
excessive wear of the tooth enamel adjacent to the gingival
margin. This was expect.ed to occur, due to the backward and
forward mot.ion empl.oyed ~y many people t.o clean their teeth.
I~. was t.hen proposed t.o use relat.ively ~soft
brist.les. The intent.ion with soft bristles is that they
w.ill cause thorough cl.eaning of all t.ooth surfaces, etc.,
whilst at the same time not belng so hard as to cause
excessive abrasion. However, from experience it has been
found that such soft-bristled toothbrushes do not always
adequately clean a person's teeth.
A particular problem occurs with the teeth
surfaces adjacent to the gingival margin and interproximal
areas. These areas are most prone to the build up of
plaque. Accordingly, the cleaning materials and techniques
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used should be such as to ensure adequate cleaning of
these areas, without causing excessive abrasion, etc.
It is also desirab]e that a toothbrush should
massage and invigorate the gums. However, soft-bristled
toothbrushes again do not adequately massage the gums,
to improve circulation, etc.
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with the present invention,
there is provided a toothbrush comprising an elongate
handle means and first and second brushing heads, at
opposite ends of the elongate handle means. Each
brushing head has an axis and comprises a plurality of
bristle elements extending outwardly from the elongate
handle means around said axis, with the axis of the
first brushing head being at an acute angle relative to
the elongate handle means, and the axis of the second
brushing head being at an obtuse angle.
The brushing heads are generally identical and
each has a single rounded tuft whose height is
greater than its diameter. The bristle elements are
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preferably hard.
The toothbrush of the present invention thus
provides two brushing heads at different angles for cleaning
different tooth surfaces. In use, the brushing heads are
used to clean primarily the gingival margin and
interproxiaml areas of the teeth, and to invigorate the
gums. The first brushing head is manipulated, to clean the
lingual or inside surfaces of the teeth. The first brush
head is vigorously manipulated, as by a rotary and/or
oscillatory movement. The acute angle of the first brush
head facilitat~s cleanirlg of the lingual surfaces.
The second brushing head can then be used to clean
the outer or buccal surfaces. Its obtuse angle again
facilitates in this respect, and it is similarly
man~ipulated.
By vigorous brushing with the toothbrush of the
present invention, having relatively stiff bristles, it has
been found that one can obtain thorough cleaning of the
gingival margin and interproximal areas of the teeth as well
as stimulating the adjacent gum tissue. Whilst initially
the-gums may feel tender and may even bleed, it has been
found that with regular use, these symptoms fade. Such
stimulation can benefit the gums. It is expected that it
can prevent any further internal bone loss where such bone
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loss has occurred, and limit subsequent gingival recession.
Brief Description of the Drawings
For a better understanding of the present
invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried
into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example,
to the accompanying drawings, which show a preferred
embodiment of t.he present invention, and in which:
Figure 1 shows a side view of a toot.hbrush
according to the present invention;
Figu~e 2 shows a perspective view of the
toothbrush of Figure 1.
~ ure 3 shows a cross-sect:ion along line 3-3 of
Figure 2 of one head o~ the toothbrush;
Figure 4 shows a cross-section, similar to Figure
3, of an alternative mounting arrangement for each head of
the toothbrush;
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the teeth or
one jaw showing use of the toothbrush of Figures 1 and 2;
and
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Figure ~ shows a side view of t.he molars of one
jaw, showing use of the toothbrush of the present. invention.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the toothbrush of
the present invention is generally denoted by the reference
1. The toothbrush 1 comprises an elongate handle 2,
together with first and second brushing heads 4, 6.
The handle 2 is of generally rectangular
cross-sectlon. It comprises a central portion 8 which is of
uniform width and depth~ This central port.ion 8 is moulded
to provide a gripping surface, denoted by the reference 10.
As shown, t.he gripping surface can be a knurled surface, for
example comprisi.ng alt.erna-te ridges and grooves encircling
the handle 2. ~xtending from the central portion 8, there
are respect.ive ~irst. and second end port.ions, 12, 14. These
end portions 12, 14 are extensions of the central portion 8
and taper towards ~heir outer ends.
The first end portion 12 continues into an end
mounting portion 16. The first end portion 12 and the end
mounting portion 16 are at an obtuse angle relative to one
another. As shown in Figure 4, the end mounting portion 16
includes a bore 18, which is threaded.
The brushing head 4 comprises a body 22, which in
this preferred embodiment is of generally hexagonal
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cross-section. From the lower end of the body 22, a shaft
24 extends (Figure 4). The shaft 24 is threaded on its
outside for engagement in the bore 18, as shown. Within the
body 22, there is a cylindrical recess opening at the upper
end of the body 22. Within this recess, a plurality of
bristle elements 26 are located. The bristle elements are
secured to the body 22 in known manner.
The arrangement of the second brushing head 6
corresponds in many ways to that of the first brushing head
4. The actual brushing head 6 is identical to the brushing
head 4. A corresponding second end mounting part 28
continues as an ext.ension o:E the second end portion 14. The
second end mounting part is at. an ob-tuse angle to the second
end port..ion 1~. Both t.he end mount.ing part.s 16, 28 are
inclined to be below t.he central port.ion 8 as viewed in
Figure 1. The second end mounting part 28 includes a
respect.ive threaded bore, corresponding to the threaded bore
18. The threaded shaft (not shown) of the second brushing
head 6 is then screwed into this bore, as for the first
brushing head 4 shown in figure 3.
Figure 3 shows an alternative mounting arrangement
fox each head 4, 6. Here each shaft 24 is replaced by plain
shaft 29 in a corresponding plain bore. The bore is
countersunk at its lowermost end, and the end of the plastic-
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shaft 29 is melted or otherwise deformed to fill thecountersunk portion. This secures the head 4 or 6 by a
rivet-type connection.
As shown in Figure 2, the handle is marked with
the designations "IN" and "OUT" adjacent the brushing heads
4, 6 respectively. This is to indicate that the head 4 is
for use on inner surfaces, whilst the head 6 is for use on
the outer surfaces. The designation "IN" is shown by dotted
lines as it is on the opposite side of the handle 2 as seen
in Figure 2. These designations could be replaced by
equivalen-t wording in any language.
In accordance with the present invention, the
brushing heads 4, 6 are at difEerent an~les to the handle 2.
In figure 1, an axis of the handle 2 is des.ignated by the
reference 30. Corre~pond.ingly, a first brush axis for the
brushing head ~ is denot.ed by the reEerence 31, and a second
brush axis Eor t:he second brush head 6 is denoted by the
reference 32. The first brush axis 31 is at an acute angle
relative to -the handle axis 30, and this acute angle is
shown at 34. The second brush head is at an obtuse angle to
the handle 2. This obtuse angle, between the axes 30, 32 is
shown at 36. Preferably, the acute angle 34 is in the range
65-70, preferably 65 . Correspondingly, the obtuse angle
36 is preferably in the range 120-125 , preferably 120 .
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In this emxx~n~nt the handle 2 is moulded in
one piece from a plastic material. To this end, the sides
of the handle 2 can be tapered slightly, in a known manner,
to facilitate release from a mould. The threaded bores in
the end mounting parts 16, 28 are moulded in the handle 2.
For each of the brushing heads 4, 6, the body 22 together
with its threaded shaft is moulded in one piece in plastic.
A recess or socket for the bristle elements 26 is moulded
into the body 22.
The exposed part of the body 22 has a height of
approximately 7mm. The bristle elements 26 form a tuft
having an overall height of approximately 7mm. As shown in
Figure 3, the tips of the bristle elements 26 are cu-t to
form a cone, which has a height of approximately 2mm. At
the base of the bristle elemen-ts 26 where they leave the
body 22, the tuft of bristle elements 26 has a diameter of
approximatel~ 3mm. The bristle elements 26 are formed from
12-gauge round plastic material. There are approximately
108 bristle elements 26. The bristle elements 26 are formed
in pairs, so there are approximately 54 pairs. Each pair of
bristle elements 26 is joined at the bottom, and passes
under a retaining member secured to the body 22.
Reference will now be made to Figures 5 and 6,
which show use of the toothbrush shown in Figures 1, 2. In
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Figure 5, the toot.hbrush 1 is shown twice. The toothbrush
is shown at ~0 with the brushing head 4 in use.
Correspondingly, the toothbrush is shown at 42 with the head
6 in operation
Figure 5 shows the lingual surfaces 41 of the
lower jaw. The first brushing head 4 of the toothbrush 40
is brought up against the lingual surface of the teeth. The
brushing head 4 is vigorously applied to the gingival margin
and interproximal areas of the teeth. The brushing head 4
can be applied in a variety of ways, such as a vibratory,
rotary or oscillatory action. This should clean the surface
of t.he teet.h adjacent. to the gums, whilst. simultaneously
massaging t.he g:Lngival margi.n. For each jaw, the brushing
head 4 can be appl.ied t.o one end of the row of teeth and
then moved 510wl~ around to the other end. ~s shown in
Figure 6, the brushing head 9 is also used to clean behind
the rear-most. molars. The acute angle 34 permits the
brushing head ~ to reach into the mouth, and to contact the
lingual surEaces, and also the rear surfaces of the molars
shown in Figure 6 at a good angle. From experience, it has
been found that the obtuse angle 36 of the brushing head 6
makes it unsuitable for use on the lingual surfaces. As
shown in Figure 5, the toothbrush 40 is held extending
across the row of teeth. The acute angle 34 then angles the
brushing head 4 downwards and backwards, so that it is at
the correct ang.le for brushing the gingival margin, etc.
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To clean the buccal surfaces 43 of the teeth, the
brushing head is used, as shown for the toothbrush 42.
Again, the use will ideally start at. one end of the row of
teeth and work around slowly to t.he other end. The brushing
head 6 is applied to the gingival margin. Again, it is
vigorously moved as by a vibrating or oscillatory action
This will clean the buccal surfaces 43 and invigorate and
massage the gums.
It is preferred that the toothbrush of the present
invention is used 2-3 times a day after meals. Each
brushing session should take around two minutes. It has
been found that. initially, the gums may be slightly tender
and possibly t.here may be some gingival bleeding. However,
experience shows t.hat t.he gum t.issue quickly adap-ts to the
ext.ra st.imulat.ion. This ext;ra st.imul~tion improv~s the gum
tissue. Icleally, the b~i~tle elements 26 should he applied
with sufficient. pressure to cause the gums to blanch, to be
effective.
Experience suggests that by regular and careful
use of the toothbrush, the buildup of plaque, etc.~ on tooth
surfaces inaccessible to conventional toothbrushes can be
largely eliminated. Further, it is believed that use of
this toothbrush will prevent further internal bone loss
where this has occurred, or further gingival recession.
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Provided the toothbrush is used properly and routinely, then
it should be possible to maintain good dental health.
It is to be appreciated that, whilst a preferred
embodiment of the invention has been described, many
variations are possible. Thus, although the bristle
elements are shown mounted in separate bodies screwed into
the handle, the bristle elements could be secured directly
into the handle. Also, whilst the two end mounting parts of
the handle are inclined on the same side of the handle, they
could instead be inclined on opposite sides of the handle
Thus, with reference to Figure 1, the end mounting part 16
could be inclined upwards. The brushing head 4 would then
be on the top side of the handle 2, i.e. the same side as
the brushing head 6. Also, the size, shape and general
arrangement 0~ the brushin9 elements 4,6 can be varied. For
some applications, it may be desirable to provide a number
of separate tuEts of brushing elements. Also, a mixture of
different types, sizes, etc. of Eibres could be employed.
