Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A DENTAL HYGIENE ITEM
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to dental hygiene items and more
particularly but not
exclusively to dental hygiene items such as brushes, including tooth brushes,
floss items and
interdental brushes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Most oral hygiene appliances require the use of a manually claspable
handle. Such
handle can be further defined as of the manual, non electric variety, wherein
the user provides
muscle power creating a scrubbing action which transmits through to the
working end of the
device. Alternatively, the handle can be powered electrically and engineered
to create sub-
sonic, sonic or ultrasonic vibrations in the device, or it can provide a
mechanised scrubbing
action in the device by means of small electric motors, driveshafts and
appropriate gearing. All
handles that provide either a macro mechanical or a micro-mechanical scrubbing
action,
whether it be via driveshafts and gearboxes or via sonically induced
vibrations or simple
mechanically generated vibrations, or sonic or ultrasonic or subsonic
vibrations or movements
induced by an eccentric weight on a rotating electric motor shaft shall
hereafter be referred to
as electric handles.
[0003) In order to conserve plastic and provide greater economy to the user,
some
manufacturers have developed replaceable heads for manual toothbrushes so that
the full
handle is not thrown away when the brush head is worn out. In a similar vein,
others have
developed replaceable flossing devices similar to the replaceable brush head
concept, where a
plastic fork is overmoulded over a section of floss, and this plastic device
is fitted onto a
handle, which can be manual or electric, in order to make flossing easier
Whilst it is
comparatively unusual to see a manual brush with a replaceable head, nearly
all electric brush
handles have replaceable heads as it would be economically and environmentally
unsustainable
to throw away the whole electric apparatus when the brush was worn out.
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[0004] Many manufacturers have developed extension handles for interdental
brushes. Such
brushes fall into three types- 1) those which are themselves equipped with
usable mini or small
handles usually overrnoulded or glued or welded to the twisted wire, 2) those
with small plastic
retention devices which attach to a corresponding receptacle in a larger
handle, or 3) those that
have a simple twisted wire brush with no inbuilt mini handle or retention
device, where such
wire directly clips into or attaches to a large toothbrush like handle that
has been specifically
designed to accept plain interdental brush twisted wire heads, thus saving the
cost of
overmoulding a handle, or the waste of throwing away the plastic handle every
time an
interdental brush is used.
[0005] Many manufacturers have produced stain removal devices which have their
own unique
handle, and which is permanently attached to and thrown away with the device
head when only
the device head is worn out. This is a waste of the plastic handle, and a
waste of plastic, which
is usually derived from oil, a resource that has both a limited future
availability and likely
substantial future cost increase, and should be conserved where possible and
reasonable.
Similarly, many manufacturers have produced denture brushes, which have their
own unique
(large) handle and which is permanently attached to and thrown away with the
device head.
Similarly, many manufacturers have produced so-called single tuft brush heads,
which often
actually may consist of a series of small tufts focused into a tip to give
higher cleaning power
to specialised areas which also have a permanently attached handle. Similarly,
many
manufacturers have produced tongue scrapers that have integrally attached
handles.
[0006] The different devices used at the oral interface have vastly different
requirements in
terms of their orientation, fixation requirements, cross sectional strength
and forces applied to
the handle and through the connector. For example, most floss items and
interdental brushes
have low force requirements and therefore a simple mini handle stem will
suffice, which
simple mini handle stem enables the device to be used on its own without a
conventional
toothbrush sized extension handle.
[0007] This is in contrast to devices such as a toothbrush that must have a
substantial handle so
that it is comfortable, durable and strong enough to transmit the forces
required when using
such a toothbrush, or a single tuft brush, a denture brush, or even possibly a
stain remover.
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[0008] In addition to the above, some of the devices that are inserted into
the inside of any
proposed brush handle connector will provide substantial rotational forces on
the connector,
which must be resisted so that the product can be used successfully without
long axis or
rotational slippage. An example of this would be an over moulded flossing
device where the
floss runs parallel with the handle but is offset. Therefore the force on the
floss provides a
torqueing action on the handle. This force goes through the connection device
to the handle,
and must be resisted at the connection point.
[0009] The current invention seeks to resist this force but still allow 8
degrees of rotational
freedom so that it can be set in whatever position the operator finds most
desirable.
[0010] Most electric brush handles have male projections as an attachment
apparatus and as a
drive shaft which will allow for removable heads to be placed over them,
however, these
projections and the surface they form when they enter into the handle body
make the entire
apparatus completely unsuitable for use in the mouth without a brush fitted.
The reason for
this is these handles are designed to be used only with a brush head attached
in position in
order to smooth over the gross surface irregularities and to form a continuous
smooth contour
between the handle and the brush head. The profile created by the large ledge
where the male
projection enters into the body of the handle is completely unsuitable for
rubbing across the lip
or internal aspect of the cheek without a brush head on the handle because it
is usually
designed with sharp angular edges between offset surfaces to facilitate a
tight butt joint when
the head is placed on the handle, rather than a smooth S shaped transition
between offset
surfaces, which requires a more difficult to mould and manufacture knife edge
finish on the
edge of any head device to get a smooth finished transition between the head
and the handle.
These conventional prior handles are not designed for universal use with AND
without a brush
head, because they are not designed with smooth surfaces and contoured
transitional angles to
facilitate intra oral use without a brush head (or similar external head
device such as a flosser)
placed over the drive shaft/attachment apparatus. They also often have
additional large
external irritating projections on the projection shaft designed to create
undercuts or retentive
features to engage and retain the brush head with a snap on action, which, if
used or rubbed in
the mouth would cause irritation to or trauma to the lip or internal aspect of
the cheek.
Because they are not intended to be used without the brush head on the shaft
to cover them,
these retentive features can be highly irritating to intra oral use.
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OBJECT
[00I1] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially
ameliorate at least
one of the above disadvantages. fl
SUMMARY
[0012] There is firstly disclosed herein a handle of a dental hygiene item,
the item including:
a handle having a longitudinal axis, and opposite first and second
longitudinal end
portions;
the second end portion including an engagement portion to releaseably engage a
head
that is to be fixed to the second end portion so that via manipulation of the
handle the head can
be manipulated by a user to engage the user's teeth, internal mouth surfaces
or tongue; and
wherein
the second end portion includes a first longitudinal length and a second
longitudinal
length, the second longitudinal length tapering towards an end extremity, with
the first length
having a longitudinally extending external surface and the second length have
a longitudinally
extending external surface, with the surfaces being joined by a transition
surface, the transition
surface being tangential to the first surface and tangential to the second
surface, with the
second surface spaced outwardly from the first surface by no more than 3mm
relative to said
axis at the transition surface.
[0013] Preferably, the two external surfaces are circular in transverse cross-
section.
[0014] Preferably, the transition surface is joined to the first surface by a
first radius, and the
transition surface is joined to the second surface by a second radius, wherein
the first radius is
larger than the second radius.
[0015] Preferably, the first radius is between 9mm and lOmm.
[0016] Preferably, the first radius is about 9.7mm.
[0017] Preferably, the second radius is between 5mm and 6inm.
[0018] Preferably, the second radius is about 5.2mm.
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[0019] There is further disclosed herein a dental hygiene item, said item
including:
a handle having a longitudinal axis, and opposite first and second
longitudinally
opposite end portions;
a head that is to engage a user's teeth, internal mouth surfaces or tongue,
the head being
fixed to the second end portion; and wherein
said handle includes a bulbous portion adjacent said first end portion, the
bulbous
portion tapering to said first end portion and towards said second end
portion.
[0020] Preferably, said handle is hollow and includes an end cap at said first
end portion that is
removable to enable items to be located internally and stored in said handle.
[0021] Preferably, said head is removably attached to said handle.
[0022] Preferably, said handle has an external surface, and said head has an
external surface,
with the handle surface being aligned with the head surface so as to provide a
smooth transition
between the two surfaces.
[0023] Preferably, said handle has a longitudinal length that is greater than
the longitudinal
length of said head.
[0024] There is further disclosed herein a dental hygiene item including:
a handle to be gripped in a user's hand, the handle having a body with a
longitudinal
axis and a longitudinal end portion;
a tooth, internal mouth surfaces or tongue engaging head removably attached to
the end
portion; and
attachment portions to secure the handle to the head, the attachment portions
including
an annular flange surrounding a passage, and a projection to extend inwardly
of the passage to
engage internally of the flange so that upon longitudinal relative movement
between the handle
and head towards each other, the projection enters the passage to engage the
flange.
[0025] Preferably, the head includes said annular flange, and the handle
includes said
projection.
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[0026] In one preferred form, the attachment portions include a shaft
projecting inwardly of the
passage, and the handle projection includes an internal projection passage
within which the
shaft is received when the attachment portions are engaged.
[0027] Preferably, said shaft tapers towards an end extremity.
[0028] Preferably, the head passage tapers inwardly from an end opening of the
passage.
[0029] Preferably, the attachment portions include a plurality of recesses and
a plurality of
raised portions, the raised portions being engaged in the recesses to secure
the handle to the
head.
[0030] Preferably, the recesses are in said projection, and the raised
portions attached to the
flange and projecting inwardly relative to said passage to engage the
recesses.
[0031] Preferably, the raised portions engage in the recess by resilient
deformation of the
flange and/or projection.
[0032] Preferably, the recesses extend angularly and longitudinally relative
to said axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way
of example with
reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of a toothbrush including a
handle and an
attachable brush head;
[0035] Figure 2 is a schematic isometric view of the toothbrush of Figure 1
with the handle
and toothbrush head detached;
[0036] Figure 3 is a schematic isometric view of end portions of the handle
and head as
illustrated in Figure 2;
[0037] Figure 4 is a schematic parts sectioned isometric view of the
toothbrush of Figure 1;
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[0038] Figure 5 is a schematic isometric view of an end portion of the handle
shown in Figure
2;
[0039] Figure 6 is a schematic side elevation of the end portion of Figure 5;
[0040] Figure 7 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the end portion as
shown in Figure 6
sectioned along the line 7-7;
[0041] Figure 8 is a schematic side elevation of a number of modifications of
the toothbrush of
Figure 1;
[0042] Figure 9 are schematic side elevations of modifications of the handle
of the toothbrush
of Figure 1, with different heads applied;
[0043] Figure 10 are schematic side elevations of different heads that may be
applied to the
handle of Figure 1;
[0044] Figure 11 is a schematic isometric view of a modification of the handle
and head of
Figure 1;
[0045] Figure 12 is a schematic isometric view of the handle and head of
Figure 11 partly
sectioned;
[0046] Figure 13 is a schematic isometric view of a floss head;
[0047] Figure 14 is a parts sectioned isometric view of the head of Figure 13;
[0048] Figure 15 is a schematic isometric view of the head of Figure 13 with
an end cap;
[0049] Figure 16 is a schematic isometric view of the head and end cap of
Figure 15 partly
dismantled;
[0050] Figure 17 is a schematic isometric view of the end cap of Figures 15
and 16; and
[0051] Figure 18 is a schematic side elevation of the end extremity of the
handle of Figures 1
to 3;
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[0052] Figure 19 is a schematic isometric view of a further attachment to
those shown in
Figures 8 to 10;
[0053] Figure 20 is a schematic side elevation of a modification of a further
end portion of a
handle;
[0054] Figure 21 is a schematic isometric view of the end portion of Figure
20; and
[0055] Figure 22 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of a
modification of the brush
head as shown in Figure 3;
[0056] Figure 23 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the brush head
portion of Figure
22; and
[0057] Figure 24 is a schematic isometric view of an insert of the brush head
portion of Figure
22.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0058] In Figure 1 there is schematically depicted a dental hygiene item. In
this particular
embodiment the item is a toothbrush 10. The toothbrush 10 includes a handle 11
to which
there is removably attached a toothbrush head 12. In this particular
embodiment, the
toothbrush handle 11 is provided with an electric motor 13 that receives (via
a switch) current
from one or more batteries 14. Upon actuation of a switch (not illustrated)
the motor 13 is
energised to cause the toothbrush 10 to vibrate. However it should be
appreciated the
toothbrush 10 may also be manually operated and not include a vibration source
such as a
motor, or a power storage or drive system.
[0059] The handle 11 includes a hollow body 15 that has a longitudinal axis 16
and opposite
longitudinal end portions 17 and 18. The body 15 is bulbous and is designed to
be gripped in
the hand of a user. The body 15 is bulbous so as to have a bulbous portion at
the end portion
18 and hollow in manual versions so that it has improved hand grip, and
provides storage
internally for oral care accessory items such as flosspicks and/or interdental
brushes. Access to
the interior of the body 15 is via removal of an end cap providing the end
portion 17. The
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handle 11 is also hollow so as to avoid the weight and cost of solid plastic
and/or
rubber/elastomer.
[0060] The brush head 12 includes a generally flat base 19 to which there is
fixed a plurality of
bristles 20. Integrally formed or attached to the base 19 is a stem 21.
[0061] The stem 21 provides an attachment portion 27 that engages the
attachment portion 28
of the handle 11 to securely attach the head 12 to the handle 11.
[0062] In Figure 2 the attachment portion 27 includes an annular flange 29
that surrounds a
passage that extends longitudinally inwardly from an end opening 23. In Figure
3 the passage
22 is surrounded by an internal surface 24 of the flange 29.
[0063] Extending longitudinally of the passage 22 from a mounting 26 is a
shaft 25. The shaft
25 extends longitudinally towards the end opening 23. The shaft 25 is spaced
from the surface
24 so that there is a space between the shaft 25 and the surface 24. The
surface 24 is also
provided with a plurality of projections 30.
[0064] In Figure 3, the attachment portion 28 includes an annular projection
31 fixed to or
formed integrally with the end portion 18. In Figure 7, the projection 31
surrounds a passage
32 that extends longitudinally inwardly from an end opening 33. The passage 32
tapers
inwardly so as to have its smallest diameter spaced inwardly from the opening
33. There is a
small portion 34 at the entrance of the passage 32 that has a larger cross
sectional surface area
than the area immediately internal from it, so as to allow the shaft 26
greater bending strength
in this region.
[0065] The external surface 36 of the projection 31 includes a plurality of
recesses
(depressions) 37 within which the projections (raised portions) 30 in Figure 3
engage. This
engagement is by resilient deformation of the projection 30 and the flange 29
to provide for
movement of the projections 30 into the recesses 37.
[0066] The shaft 25 may have a plurality of longitudinally extending ridges 38
that are
separated by longitudinally extending slots, in order to inhibit angular
relative movement
between the handle 11 and head 12. The passage 32 in Figure 7 has
longitudinally extending
ridges 35 also separated by slots. The ridges 38 and associated slots mate
with the ridges 35
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and associated slots, so that the shaft 25 securely engages within the passage
34. If so
required, the shaft 25 may also taper so as to have the smallest diameter at
its longitudinal end
extremity to enhance frictional engagement of the ridges 35 and 38.
[0067] The engagement of the shaft 25 in the passage 32, and engagement
between the
external surface 36 of the projection 31 and the internal surface 24 of the
flange 29 provides for
a secure connection between the handle 11 and the head 12.
[0068] Figure 8 shows a number of modifications of the handle 11. However the
handle 11
includes a bulbous portion 39 located between the end portions 17 and 18.
[0069] In Figure 9, the handle 11 is again illustrated as having various
configurations. Also in
Figure 9, the handle 11 is engaged with different heads. For example, one head
is a toothbrush,
the second head is an interdental brush, and the third head a floss item.
[0070] In Figures 11 and 12 there is schematically depicted a modification of
the handle 11
and head 12.
[0071] In this embodiment the shaft 25 has been eliminated and the attachment
projections
reversed.
[0072] In this embodiment the attachment portion 27 includes an annular flange
39 that has an
internal surface 40 surrounding a passage 41. The surface 40 is provided with
a plurality of
recesses 42 that include a guide portion 43 and a base portion 44. The handle
attachment
portion 28 includes a projection 45 that tapers towards an end extremity 46 to
match a similar
taper on the passage 41. The external surface 47 of the projection 45 has a
plurality of
projections or raised portions 48 that are engaged by the guide portions 43
for engagement in
the base portions 44. To enable this to happen, the attachment portion 27
and/or attachment
portion 28 is resiliently deformed. Accordingly the raised portions 48 are
"snap engaged" in
the base portions 44 to secure the handle 11 to the head 12.
[0073] It should be appreciated the head 12 may be anyone of the heads of
Figures 8, 9 or 10,
as well as the head 49 of Figures 13 and 14.
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[0074] In Figures 13 and 17, there is schematically depicted a head 49 to be
removably
attached to the handle 11. The head 49 is a floss item, and includes a base 50
from which there
extends a pair of arms 51. Fixed to the end portions of the arms 51 is a
length of dental floss
52 that may be under tension. In this embodiment, the annular flange 39 has
its internal
surface 40 provided with a plurality of projections or raised portions 53.
Accordingly the
portion 28 would need to have correspOnding recesses at the locations to
receive the raised
portions 48. In that regard it should be appreciated the raised portions 43
could be replaced
with recesses to engage the raised portions 48 of the embodiment of Figure 11.
[0075] In the above embodiments, the raised portions (projections) may be
included in the
handle or head, and the recess in the other handle or head. Also, by moving
the head and
handle longitudinally towards each other causes engagement of the portions 27
and 28.
[0076] The passage 41 can be closed by end cap 54. The end cap 54 includes a
base 55 that is
slightly enlarged and is intended to be gripped by a user. The base 55 can
include ridges 56
that aid gripping so that the end cap 54 may be moved axially relative to the
axis 16.
[0077] Extending from and of smaller diameter than the base 55, is the
attachment portion 28
which is as described previously.
[0078] When the head 49 is being used manually the end cap 54 is inserted in
the passage 41
so as to be frictionally retained therein. When the head 49 is to be attached
to the handle 11,
the end cap 54 is removed and the attachment portion 28 of the handle 11
inserted in the head
49 so as to securely engage the head 49.
[0079] The end portion 18 includes a first longitudinally extending portion 57
joined to a
second longitudinally extending portion 58 by a transition portion 59. The
portion 57 includes
an external surface 60 that is circular in transverse cross-section and is
preferably diminishing
in diameter towards the transition portion 59. The second portion 58 extends
from the
transition portion 59 so as to taper away from the transition portion 59. The
portions 57 are 58
and also generally circular in transverse cross-section. At the transition
portion 59, the portion
57 is spaced outwardly from the axis further than the portion 58 by no more
than 3mm relative
to the axis 16, preferably no more than 2mm. Accordingly when the portions 57
and 58 are
circular in transverse cross-section, and the portion 59 circular in
transverse cross-section, the
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portion 57 has a radius no more than 3mm greater than the portion 58 at the
position where
they meet the transition portion 59. More preferably, the radial difference is
no more than
2mm.
[0080] The transition portion 59 has an external surface 61 and the portion 58
an external
surface 62. The surfaces 61 and 62 are generally circular in transverse cross-
section.
[0081] The surface 61 is an 'S' shaped surface and is joined to the surface 60
so as to be
tangential thereto, while the surface 61 is joined to the surface 62 so as to
tangential with
respect thereto.
[0082] Preferably, the surface 61 has a radius 63 extending to the surface 60,
while the surface
62 has a radius 64 joining the radius 63 so as to again be tangential. The
surfaces 60, 61 and
62 provide a smooth transition from the surface 60 to the surface 6.
[0083] Preferably, the radius 63 is larger than the radius 64.
[0084] Preferably, the radius 63 is 9mm to lOmm, most preferably about 9.7mm.
Preferably,
the radius 64 is between 5mm and 6mm, and more preferably about 5.2mm.
Preferably, the
centres of the radiuses 63 and 64 are spaced by 5mm to 6mm along the axis 16
and are
preferably spaced by a distance of 5.65mm on the axis 16.
[0085] In the embodiment of Figures 20 and 21, the attachment portion 28
includes the
projection 31 having an end opening 33 as in the previous embodiments. However
in this
embodiment, the recesses (depressions) 37 extend angularly about the axis 16.
Accordingly
the projections 30 of the previous embodiments would move generally axially
along the
channels 70 to enter the recesses 37, with angular movement of the head 12
then causing the
projections 30 to move angularly along the depressions 37 about the axis 16.
[0086] In Figure 19 a further head 71 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the
head 71 is a
"tongue scraper" and includes an end portion 72 that is provided with a
plurality of ridges 73
that are moved into engagement with and along the surface of the user's
tongue.
[0087] In Figures 22, 23 and 24 there is schematically depicted a modification
of the stem 21
of the brush head 12. In this embodiment the stem 21 includes a hollow outer
shell 80 that
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surrounds the passage 22. The shell has at least two apertures 81 extending
through the shell
80 and on opposite sides of the shell 80. Located internally of the shell 80,
that is projecting
internally of the passage 22 is an insert 82. The insert 82 provides the
projections 30 described
with reference to Figure 3. The insert 80 includes a generally circular base
83 with a pair of
axially extending arms 84 that snap engage in the recesses 81 to securely
locate the insert 80
internally of the shell 80. The projections 30 then project inwardly relative
to the longitudinal
axis 16. This construction aids in the manufacture of the stem 21.
