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Variable diameter filaments

A monofilament, length-changing technology, applied to brushes, household utensils, bristles, etc., can solve the problems of small diameter at the top, lack of scrubbing, and reduced cleaning effect between teeth

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-10-22
EI DU PONT DE NEMOURS & CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, although these apical filaments provide excellent interdental cleaning, they lack scrubbing effect due to their very small apical diameter
If the diameter of the apex is increased to increase the scrubbing ability, the interdental cleaning effect will be reduced

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment 1

[0023] Nylon 612 (Zytel , manufactured by DuPont) blend into the hopper of a single-screw extruder. A spinneret with circular capillaries was mounted in the die head and the polymer was extruded at 240°C and quenched in 25°C water approximately 1" below the spinneret. The resulting filaments were The change in diameter of the rubber extrusion roll as described in US Pat. Repeat in 4" increments. The filaments were oriented at a draw ratio of 3.75:1, resulting in a variation in tow diameter of approximately 5 to 9 mils. The filaments were heat set by passing through an oven at 170°C-180°C. After spinning, drawing and heat setting, the filaments were wound on large spools and made into bundles approximately 98" long with an average diameter of 2". The bundle was then wrapped in paper and cut to a final length of approximately 96 inches. The 96 inch bundle was then cut into 34 mm long slices. The surface of the slice included filaments varying in diameter from 0.005 inches...

Embodiment 2

[0025] Using the same method as described in Example 1, filament chips varying in tip diameter from 0.004" to 0.007" were produced. The 0.004" to 0.007" variable diameter material was produced by extrusion as described in Example 1. The resulting filaments had diameters varying from 0.008 to 0.014 inches. They were drawn and heat set 3.75:1 to produce filaments varying in diameter from 0.004 to 0.007 inches. The repeat cycle is 4 inches from smallest to smallest diameter. The filaments were assembled into bundles, wrapped in paper and cut into 34mm chips. The slices were fitted to toothbrushes, which yielded tufts of filaments with tip diameters ranging from 0.004 inches to 0.007 inches. The photo of Figure 4 shows the real clusters.

[0026] Toothbrushes with variable diameter filaments of 0.004-0.007 inches were sent to a dental laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania for testing. The brushes were tested for subgingival access, gingival margin, interdental access e...

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PUM

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Abstract

The present invention discloses filaments with varying diameter along its length. This variation in diameter along the length of the filaments, when assembled into a toothbrush tuft improves both the interproximal cleaning and the scrubbing effectiveness of the toothbrush.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of US Application 11 / 219,414 filed September 2,2005. technical field [0002] The present invention relates to a filament useful for toothbrushes. More particularly, the present invention relates to a toothbrush having filaments that vary in diameter along their length. Background technique [0003] The filaments or bristles for toothbrushes are usually made from fixed diameter filaments which are made from thermoplastic polymers. The fixed diameter filament has a consistent diameter and cross-sectional area that varies no more than 5-10% along the length of the filament. There is a continuing need to improve the cleaning performance of such toothbrushes made from these filaments. The cleaning performance is a combination of interdental cleaning between adjacent teeth and between teeth and gums, and an abrasive action that cleans the surfaces of the teeth and gums. It is well known that small diameter filaments tend to improve in...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): A46D1/00A46B9/04
CPCA46D1/00A46D1/0253A46B9/04
Inventor R·A·布雷斯勒
Owner EI DU PONT DE NEMOURS & CO