Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LNTERPROXIMAL BRUSH DEVICE
HAVING HINGED BRUSH RETPINER CAP
This invention relates to interproximal brush devices for
oral care. It relates particularly to such a brush device in which
a disposable brush insert is retained to a handle by hinged cap
retainer means.
Several teeth cleaning aids including various brushes have
been developed for performing cleaning for peoples teeth and
massaging of gums. The brushes have bristles which rub or wipe
perpendicularly across the gum and tooth surfaces. A brush which
has been found useful in tnis manner is a small twisted wire type
disposable brush wherein bristles are captured between and extend
radially from a pair of twisted metal wires. Accordingly, it is
necessary to provide a suitable handle which can hold the small
brush insert firmly while in use and hold the twisted wire securely
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along an extended length thereof, if the brush is to project
perpendicularly from the tip of the handle so that it may move
sideways to brush into interproximal areas of one's teeth, it
becomes difficult to lock the twisted wires securely in place.
Unless securely locked, the brush is likely to rotate about the
axis of the handle or bend during use. Thus, it is very important
to provide a secure grip for the brush in a manner which tends to
preclude rotation, bending or bowing of the brush.
Brushes having somewhat simiiar usage are known. For
example, U.S. Patent No. 4,222,143 to Tarrson et al discloses an
interproximal brush handle utilizing a slidable sleeve to retain a
brush. U.S. 4,030,199 to Russell discloses a handle for holding a
stem mounted disposable brush and utilizes a slidable tapered
sleeve for retaining the brush in a friction fit. U.S. Patent No.
3,559,226 to Burns discloses a toothbrush having a metal handle for
holding an interproximal brush, with a holding chuck utilizing
screw threads, knurling, or the like to retain the brush. U.S.
4,296,518 to Furrier et a1 discloses a toothbrush with fixed
bristles and a gum massaging accessory which is pivotally attached
to the handle. Also, U.S. 4,319,377 to Tarrson et al discloses an
interproximal toothbrush which uses a threaded Sleeve retainer for
the disposable brush.
Another aid which is used for cleaning the general root
and interproximat areas of teeth and gums is a toothpick, and the
most satisfactory toothpick is usually a wooden one. However, it
is usually difficult to work a toothpick between the teeth,
especially at the back of the mouth, therefore, it is desirable to
provide a handle for firmly holding a wooden toothpick projecting
therefrom at convenient angle thereto.
Although various interproximal type brushes have been
developed and proposed, further improvements in such interproximal
brushes are still desired, and have been provided Dy the present
invention.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an
improved interproximal brush device which includes a handle having
a holding capability at least comparable to a threaded chuck or
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sleeve. Another object 1s to provide a pivotally mounted cap
section for the brush handle which is easily opened end closed so
that a disposable brush may be changed quickly and with little
effort. Another object is to provide a Drush handle having a
toothpick holder which may receive and retain a wooden toothpick
without danger from splinters at the broken end. A further object
of the invention is to provide an interproximal brush handle which
is commercially attractive.
The invention will be described further with reference to
the following drawings, in which
FIGURE I is a diagrammatic view of the interproximal
handle of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the Drush handle
of FIGURE 1 after Deing rotated 90° about its longitudinal axis;
FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic view taken at line 3-3 of
FIGURE 1 and showing a twisted wire brush attached to the handle Dy
a hinged tap;
FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken at line
4-4 of FIGURE 2;
2o FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view similar to the
view shown in FIGURE 4 but showing an alternative embodiment of the
invention;
FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the handle
taken at line 5-5 of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a portion of
the handle with a toothpick retained in place in the handle.
FIGURES 8 and 9 are diagrammatic sectional views similar
to the views shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 but showing representative
alternative embodiments of the invention;
FIGURE 10 is a diagrammatic sectional view similar to the
view shown in FIGURE 3 but showing another alternative embodiment
of the invention;
FIGURE 11 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken at line
11-11 of FIGURE 10 with the cap attached to the end section;
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FIGURE 12 is a diagrammatic sectional view similar to the
views shown in FIGURES 3 and 11 but showing still another
alternative embodiment of the invention;
FIGURE i3 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken at line
13-13 of FIGURE 12 with the cap attached to the end section.
The present invention presents to the art novel, improved
interproximal brush handles designed to securely retain an
interproximal brush of the type described before. In its broadest
form, the novel improved interproximal brush handles include an
elongated handle including a grip portion terminating at an end
portion which includes a transverse hole arranged for communication
with a longitudinal groove. The hole is designed so that the stem
of an interproximal brush can be inserted tnrough the hole while
the groove is assigned the function of capturing and retaining the
length of the stem which is inserted through and extended beyond
the hole. A cap is pivotally mounted on the end portion and
includes a section adapted and arranged to communicate with and
cover at least part of the end portion surface to retain a length
of the stem in the groove. The handle furtner includes means to
releasably attach the cap section to the end portion so that worn
interproximal brushes can be replaced with yew brushes.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the groove
is carried by the end portion. In such embodiments, the cap
section engages the length of the brush step extending beyond the
hole and bends the stem length downwardly as the cap is moved into
communication with the end portion. In this way, the cap moves the
stem length into the groove and upon attach~ent of the section to
the end portion, the stem length is capture within the groove and
securely retained within the groove. In the especially preferred
handles of the invention, the cap section includes an opening
providing an inner surface having opposed side surfaces terminating
at opposed flexible edges. The opposed flexible edges provide an
especially effective means for releasably a~taching the cap section
to the end portion so that the cap section is closed over the end
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portion with a snap action to securely retain the brush in the
handle.
Referring to FIGURES 1-4, the interpraximal brush handle
20 comprises an elongated member terminating at end portions 22 and
24. Handle 20 includes grip portion 26 which extends between end
portion 22 and 24. Preferably, end portion 22 has a reduced
thickness (or diameter) and a leading edge 28 (FIGURE 2) which
preferably is bent upwardly at an angle (A) from about 5° to about
25° with respect to the longitudinal axis 30 of handle 20. In the
illustrated handles of FIGURES 1-4, leading edge 2B is bent
upwardly at an angle of about 15°. A transverse hole 32 (FIGURES 3
and 4) extends through the leading edge region of end portion 22
with the axis of hole 32 being included in angle A. Connected to
hole 32 is a longitudinal groove 34 which extends rearwardly from
hot a 32.
The diameter of hole 32 is selected to permit stem 36 of
interproximal brush 38 (FIGURE 3) to be easily inserted through
hole 32 but also to restrain movement or twisting of stem 36 to any
significant extent when stem 36 is positioned within hole 32.
Interproximai brushes are well known articles of commerce and
essentially comprise a brush having bristles extending radially
from the stem which usually involves a pair of twisted wires.
Interproximal brushes can take many shapes to serve interproximal
and root brushing needs. For example, the brush may be conical
(FIGURE 3) or cylindrical (FIGURE 4) in shape. Additionally, the
Stiffness of the bristles ~dn vary from degrees of softness to
degrees of hardness and the bristles may be natural or synthetic
fibers with nylon fibers being preferred. Any of the several
different types of interproximal brushes can De used in the handles
of the present invention, Further details relating to
interproximal brushes can be found in U.S. Patent 4,395,943.
longitudinal groove 34 is designed to provide a locking
groove for capturing and retaining a length of stem 36 in a fixed
position on end portion 22. Accordingly, groove 34 .is wide and
deep enough to receive stem 36 and long enough to receive a fairly
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precise length of stem 36, which will ensure that brush 38 projects
a predetermined distance beyond the other side of end portion 22
when stem 36 is bent downwardly and pressed into groove 34.
In the preferred interproxtmal brushes of the invention,
end portion 22 has a curved (cylindrical or partially cylindrical)
cross-sectional shape (FIGURES 3 and 4) and opposed side surfaces
40, and bottom surface 42. As best seen in FIGURE 3, dual
projections 44 are provided near leading edge 30 and located in
alignment with each other on opposed side surfaces 40. A molded
polymeric cap 46 having opposed ears 4B (FIGURE 3) which include
holes 50 arranged and sized to accommodate projections 44 is
pivotally mounted on end portion 22. Cap 46 includes section 52
which is separated from ears 4B by slots 54 and extends rearwardly
from slots 54 for a distance designated as 0 (FIGURE I). As best
shown in FIGURE 4, section 52 provides an opening 56 which has an
inner surface 58 closely conforming to the cross-sectional shape
and size of end portion 22. Inner surface 58 includes opposed side,
surfaces 60 terminating at opposed side edges 62. Preferably edges
62 extend downwardly at least to the center of end portion 24.
In the e3pecially preferred embodiments of the present
invention, opposed side edges 62 are flexible and are spaced apart
from each other by a dimension (W, FIGURE 4). Dimension W is
selected so that flexible edges 62 will flex outwardly when at
least a portion of edges 62 engage opposec end portion side
surfaces 40 at the maximum thickness (T, FIGURE 4) of end portion
22. As shown in FIGURE 4, the thickness of end portion 22
decreases toward bottom surface 42. Accordingly as edges 62 are
pushed beyond maximum thickness T and toward botto~ surface 42,
flexed edges 62 relax inwardly to approach or restore dimension W
between edges 62. Flexible edges 62 therefore provide an extremely
effective but simple means for releasable attachment of section 52
to end portion 24. Flexible edges 62 permit secticn 52 to be
snapped over end portion 24 and also permit section 52 to be
disengaged from end portion 24 by lifting cap 46 upwardly to again
flex edges 62 outwardly as edges 62 approach and reach T. The
disengagement of Section 52 from end portion 24 can be facilitated
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by projections 64 (FIGURES i and 4) which Can De easily lifted or
pressed upwardly by a finger nail.
FIGURE 5 Illustrates another especially preferred hut
alternative handle of the present invention. As shown in FIGURE 5,
cap 46a includes section 52a which provides an opening having an
inner Surface 58a closely conforming to the cross-sectional Shape
and size of end portion 22a. Like the handle shown in F16URES I-4,
inner surface 58a includes opposed side Surfaces 60a terminating at
flexible opposed side edges 62a. Additionally, edges 62a ace
spaced apart by dimension W' which permits edges 62a to flex
outwardly on communication with opposed end portion side surfaces
40a having a maximum thickness T' which exceeds dimension w'. As
shown, end portion 22a has a partially cylindrical cross-sectional
shape and a substantially flat bottom surface 42a and the thickness
of opposed end portion side surfaces 40a at or approaching bottom
surface 42a is less than W. Accordingly, as section 52a is rotated
downwardly toward end portion 22a for engagement, edges 62a are
flexed outwardly when in communication with opposed end portion
side surfaces 4Da having a tAickness greater than W' but relax and
flex inwardly as edges 62a approach and reach bottom surface 42a.
In the especially preferred embodiment of the invention (FIGURES
1-5), the cooperation between the opposed flexible side edges and
the cross-sectional dimensions of opposed end portion side surfaces
provides means for releasably attaching sections 52 and 52a to the
end portions 22 and 22a which achieves an extremely desirable and
effective snap-action effect.
In using brush handles of the present invention, the user
has two options for locking stem 36 of brush 38 into groove 34.
First, the user may bend stem 36 as seen in FIGURE 3 with section
52 in the disengaged position to form a substantially right angle
bend between stem 36 and brush 38. Stem 36 is then inserted
through hale 32 and into groove 34 and cap 46 is rotated downwardty
to snap section 52 about end portion 22 as shown in FIGURE 3. In
the preferred option, stem 36 is inserted through hole 32 and brush
38 is held against end portion Dottom.surface 42 with a finger
while cap 46 is rotated downwardly for engagement of section 52
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with end portion 22, During the downward m:vement, section 52
Simultaneously bends and guides stem 36 into groove 34, The snap
action effect discussed before and provided by flexible edges 62 of
section 52 assures effective bending and guidance of stem 36 into
groove 34, Additionally, the use of transparent or translucent
polymeric cap materials permits the user to observe the guidance of
stem 36 into groove 34 and make appropriate adjustments in the
alignment between stem 36 and groove 34.
In the embodiments of the invention shown in FIGURES 1-5,
handle 20 and cap 46 are formed by high volume injection molding
techniques and may be fabricated of any suitable moldable polymeric
material such as polypropylene. Assembly of the two molded parts
may be done manually or by machine by flexing ears 48 so that holes
50 can engage projections 44 to pivotally attach cap 46 to end
portion 22, In a representative preferred embodiment of the
invention, hole 32 had a diameter of 0.055 inches while groove 34
had width and depth of 0.05 inches and a length of 0.5 inches. The
dimension (W', FIGURE 5) between opposed flexible side edges 62a
was 0.172 inches white the maximum thickness (T', FIGURE 5) was
0.198 inches. A Drush used with the handle had a stem 36 having a
substantially uniform diameter of about 0.05 inches and a stem
length of about 0.5 inches.
Grip portion 26 of handle 20 may be flat, angular or
circular in shape. Grip portion 26 may be provided with grip
facilitating means such as flattened portiors 70 spaced apart from
each other as shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 6. Flattened portions 70
are adapted to receive the finger tips of the user to prevent
undesired rotation and to provide better control of the handle
unit.
As shown in FIGURE 7, end portion 24 is provided with a
transverse hole 72 adapted for receiving rigid or flexible inserts
for cleaning between the teeth and gums. FIGURE 7 shows how a
toothpick 74 is fitted into and held by hole 72 with hole 72 being
generally tapered so that the tapered end ef a conventional
toothpick can be forced into hole 72 and held in hole 72 with a
firm friction fit. Alternatively, a conical-shaped flexible insert
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may be provided in hole 72 for use in cleaning between teeth and
gums.
The embodiments shown in FIGURES 1-5 illustrate the best
mode presently contemplated for practicing the invention. FIGURES
8-13 illustrate some of the representative alternative embodiments
included within the scope of the appended claims.
Referring to FIGURE 8, section 5Zb of cap 46b has an inner
surface 58b which is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional
shape and includes opposed side surfaces 60b. End portion 22b has
a cross-sectional shape closely corresponding to the
Cross-Sectional shape of inner surface 58b and includes opposed
side surfaces 40b. As shown in FIGURE 8, opposed side surfaces 60b
carry opposed ribs 76b extending inwardly far engagement with
opposed recesses 78b carried by opposed end portion side surfaces
40b. Side surfaces 60b carrying ribs 76b are flexible enough so
that ribs 76b are flexed outwardly durlng the initial communication
between ribs 76b and opposed end portion Side sgrfaces 40b but will
relax inwardly to engage recesses 78b. In this way, opposed ribs
76b and recesses 78b cooperate to provide means to releasably
attach section 52D to end portion 22b to securely retain stem 36a
in groove 34b. JI modification of the embodiment shown in F1GURE B
involves a handle in which the opposed end portion side surfaces
40b carry the ribs 76b which extend outwardly while the recesses
78b are carried by opposed side surfaces 60b of the inner surface
58b of section 52b.
The embodiment shown in FIGURE 9 is similar to the
embodiment shown in FIGURE 8. However, ribs or projections 80c are
carried at flexible opposed side edges 62c of inner surface 58c of
section 52c. In this embodiment side edges 62c are flexed
outwardly slightly while in communication with opposed end portion
side surfaces 40c but relax inwardly for engagement with end
portion bottom surface 42c to releasably attach section 52c to end
portion 22c and secure stem 36c in groove 34c.
In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 10 and 11, the elements
of a latch (a bar and cavity or recess) are used to releasably
attach section 52d (0', FIGURE 10) to end portion 22d. The
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illustrated latch elements include a bar 82d carried by inner
surfece 58d of section 52d. End portion Z40 carries a notch or
cavity 84d which is positioned beyond groove 34d and is shaped and
sized to engage Dar 82d to releasably attach section 52d to end
portion 22d and securely retain stem 36d in groove 34d.
Preferably, bar 82d is compressible so that it is compressed
inwardly as it is inserted into cavity 84d but relaxes outwardly
after insertion.
1n the embodiment shown in FIGURES 12 and 13, groove 34e
is carried by or formed in inner surface 58e of Section 52e.
Accordingly, as cap 46e is rotated downwardly toward end surface
22e, groove 34e can engage, capture and bend stem 36e downwardly to
end portion top surface 86e. Opposed flexible side edges 62e are
flexed outwardly as they are moved downwardly to approach and reach
75 T' but relax inwardly as they approach and reach end portion bottom
surface 42e to provide a snap action effect for releasably
attaching section 52e to end portion 22e in the manner described in
FIGURES 1-5.
