INTERDENTAL-REINIGER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an interdental cleaner with a rod-shaped carrier made of a first plastic, which has a handle part in its rear end region and carries a covering made of a soft-elastic second plastic in its opposite front end region, wherein on the outside of the covering a plurality of radially projecting fingers are arranged, which are integrally connected to the covering in their base region.

[0002] Interdental cleaners made of plastic are used to clean the spaces between the teeth. They consist of a rod-shaped support made of a first plastic material, which has a usually plate-shaped, one-piece handle at its rear end. At the front end of the support, there is a sleeve-shaped cover made of a soft, elastic second plastic material.

[0003] Plastic, such as a thermoplastic elastomer or silicone, is sprayed onto the cover. To improve the cleaning effect, the outer surface of the cover has radially protruding fingers, or at least with a radial component. These fingers are made of the same material as the cover and are integrally formed and connected to it. On the one hand, the fingers must be sufficiently stable so that they do not tear or bend during use of the interdental cleaner. On the other hand, the fingers must be easily deformable in order to penetrate and clean very narrow gaps or interdental spaces.

[0004] EP 3 219 291 A1 discloses an interdental cleaner with a rod-shaped carrier made of a first plastic, which has a handle part at its rear end region and a covering made of a soft-elastic second plastic in its opposite front end region, wherein a plurality of radially projecting fingers are arranged on the outer side of the covering, which fingers are integrally connected to the covering in their base region, wherein the covering has a tip region with a length in the range of 0.5 mm and more at its front end of the interdental cleaner facing away from the handle part.

[0005] US 2015 / 257861 A1 discloses that the fingers of the interdental cleaner have different slendernesses, whereby the fingers in the rear area can have a greater slenderness than the fingers in the front area of the cover.

[0006] It is known that the cleaning effect of the interdental cleaner can be improved if the fingers are as slim as possible. DE 10 2018 008 963 A1 describes an interdental cleaner of the type mentioned, which has relatively slim fingers, where the slenderness S is determined by the quotient of the axial length 1 of the finger and its maximum diameter in the base area (S = l / d). However, the cleaning effect of the interdental cleaner depends on the geometric conditions of the interdental spaces to be cleaned, so that an interdental cleaner with fingers of a given slimness does not necessarily lead to good cleaning results for all users.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of creating an interdental cleaner of the type mentioned, in which the fingers have an improved cleaning effect.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by an interdental cleaner having the features of claim 1. The invention is based on the basic idea of allowing the slenderness of the fingers of the interdental cleaner to differ from one another in different, defined areas. First of all, a few definitions: The coating has, at its front end of the interdental cleaner facing away from the handle, a tip area SB with a length in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm and preferably in the range of 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm. The tip area SB preferably has a length of 1.5 mm. This tip area SB is not taken into account in the following analysis of the slenderness of the fingers, since some interdental cleaners provide fingers of a different geometric design, and in particular stubby fingers, in the tip area SB.

[0009] The cover further has a functional region FB, which adjoins the tip region SB in the direction of the grip part and extends to a rear finger closest to the grip part. The functional region FB is divided into a front region VB, which immediately adjoins the tip region SB and has a length in the range of 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm and in particular in the range of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm, a rear region HB, which extends forward from the rear finger and has a length in the range of 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm and in particular in the range of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm, and a central region MB arranged between the front region VB and the rear region HB. To compare the slenderness of the fingers, the front region VB and the rear region HB are preferably observed and compared with one another. The front region VB and / or the rear region HB preferably have a length of 2.0 mm.

[0010] It is known that both the flexibility and stability of the fingers depend significantly on their slenderness. The cover and the fingers are manufactured in a single injection mold in a single injection mold and have a shape that tapers radially outward, i.e., toward the tips of the fingers, particularly in the form of a circular cone, to allow for easy removal of the fingers after the injection molding process. To prevent injuries to the user's gums, the fingers are usually rounded at their radially outer ends.

[0011] Typically, the fingers each have the shape of a circular cone, but cones with other cross-sectional shapes are also possible, such as an elliptical cone, a rectangular or square cone (pyramid), or a polygonal or n-gonal cone. The following assumes a circular cone as an example, but the invention is not limited to this.

[0012] The slenderness S is defined as the quotient of the axial length l of the finger and its maximum diameter d in the base area (S = l / d). The relevant cross-section of the finger for determining the maximum diameter d is the cross-section that just lies completely within the finger, i.e., does not protrude into the coating. If the longitudinal center axis L of the finger extends perpendicular to the surface of the coating, as in Fig. 3 As shown, the relevant cross-section for determining the diameter d is the cross-section of the finger facing the surface of the coating. The axial length l of the finger is then determined from the distance of the relevant cross-section to the radially outer end of the finger.

[0013] If the longitudinal central axis L of the finger is not perpendicular to the surface of the coating, the cross-section relevant for the maximum diameter d is the cross-section lying entirely within the finger (see Fig. 4 ). The axial length 1 of the finger is then determined from the distance of the relevant cross-section to the tip of the finger.

[0014] If the finger merges into the coating via a rounded section, the relevant cross-section for determining the maximum diameter d is the lower cross-section of the pure conical shape of the finger facing the coating, ie the rounded transition cross-section is disregarded, as it is in Fig. 5 Here, too, the axial length 1 of the finger results from the distance of the relevant cross-section to the radially outer tip of the finger.

[0015] If the finger has the shape of a circle-cone, the relevant cross-section of the finger in the foot area also has the shape of a circle and the diameter d results from the diameter of the circle at any point (see Fig. 6a ).

[0016] If the finger has the shape of an ellipse-cone, the relevant diameter d is the diameter on the longer major axis of the ellipse (see Fig. 6b ).

[0017] If the cross-section of the finger is a square, a rectangle or a preferably regular polygon, the relevant diameter d results from the maximum distance between two opposite corner points (see Fig. 6c ).

[0018] The invention is based on the basic idea of providing one or more fingers in the front region VB which have a lower slenderness (front slenderness SV) than one or more fingers in the rear region HB (rear slenderness SH).

[0019] In principle, it is intended that in the front area VB at least one of the fingers or at least 50% of all fingers there or at least 80% of all fingers there or even all fingers there have a front slenderness S v of at least 3.0.

[0020] It is also intended for the posterior region HB that in the posterior region HB at least one of the fingers or at least 50% of all fingers there or at least 80% of all fingers there or even all fingers there have a posterior slenderness SH of at least 3.0.

[0021] The difference in the slenderness of the fingers between the front region VB and the rear region HB is that the front slenderness SV of at least one of the fingers arranged in the front region VB of the cover, or the front slenderness SV of at least 50% of all fingers there, or the front slenderness SV of at least 80% of all fingers there, or the front slenderness SV of all fingers there is less than the rear slenderness SH of at least one of the fingers arranged in the rear region HB of the cover, or than the rear slenderness SH of at least 50% of all fingers there, or than the rear slenderness SH of at least 80% of all fingers there, or than the rear slenderness SH of all fingers there.

[0022] Preferably, the front slenderness SV is 3% to 15% and in particular 5% to 10% lower than the rear slenderness SH .

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the front slenderness SV is in the range from 3.0 to 5.0 and in particular in the range from 3.5 to 4.7.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the rear slenderness SH is in the range from 3.5 to 5.5 and in particular in the range from 3.9 to 5.1.

[0025] In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the maximum diameter in the foot region of those fingers which are arranged in the front region VB of the cover is 5% to 15% smaller than the maximum diameter d H in the foot region of those fingers which are arranged in the rear region HB of the cover.

[0026] Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that the axial length l V of those fingers arranged in the front region VB of the cover is 5% to 15% less than the axial length l H of those fingers arranged in the rear region HB of the cover.

[0027] In addition to the fingers with the mentioned slimness, the interdental cleaner can also have fingers of a different shape and / or slimness.

[0028] Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment. It shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an interdental cleaner, Fig. 2 a schematic longitudinal section through the front area of the interdental cleaner with the cover and the fingers, Fig. 3 a first geometric design of a finger, Fig. 4 a second geometric design of a finger, Fig. 5 a third geometric design of a finger and Fig. 6a, 6b, 6c possible cross-sectional shapes of a finger.

[0029] One in Fig. 1 The interdental cleaner 10 shown has a rod-shaped carrier 11 made of a dimensionally stable 1. plastic, which at its rear, according to Fig. 1 right end has a one-piece, plate-shaped handle part 12 by which a user can grasp the interdental cleaner 10.

[0030] In its opposite front end region, the carrier 11 carries a sleeve-shaped covering 13 made of a soft, elastic plastic material, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer or silicone. Several radially outwardly projecting fingers 14 are integrally formed on the outer surface of the covering 13. These fingers are made of the same material as the covering 13 and are monolithically bonded to it. The fingers 14 have the shape of a cone, preferably a circular cone, with a cross-section that tapers radially outward, and are rounded at their radially outer end.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a schematic longitudinal section through the front region of the carrier 11, the covering 13 and the fingers 14. The covering 13 is divided into a front tip region SB with a length in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm and preferably in the range of 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm and a functional region FB which adjoins the tip region SB in the direction of the handle part 12 and extends to a rear finger 14.1 closest to the handle part 14. The functional area FB is divided into a front area VB immediately adjacent to the tip area SB with a length in the range of 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm and in particular in the range of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm, a rear area HB extending forwards from the rear finger 14.1 with a length in the range of 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm and in particular in the range of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm and a middle area MB arranged between the front area VB and the rear area HB.

[0032] The slenderness S of a finger 14 is defined as the quotient of the axial length l of the finger 14 and its maximum diameter d in the base area (S = l / d). The cross-section of the finger 14 that is relevant for determining the maximum diameter d is the cross-section that just lies completely within the finger 14, ie, does not protrude into the coating 13. If the longitudinal center axis L of the finger 14 extends perpendicular to the surface of the coating 13, as shown in Fig. 3 As shown, the relevant cross-section for determining the diameter d is the cross-section of the finger 14 facing the surface of the coating 13. The axial length 1 of the finger 14 is then determined from the distance of the relevant cross-section to the radially outer end of the finger 14.

[0033] If the longitudinal central axis L of the finger 14 is not perpendicular to the surface of the coating 13, the cross-section relevant for the maximum diameter d is the cross-section which lies completely within the finger 14 (see Fig. 4 ). The axial length 1 of the finger 14 is then determined from the distance of the relevant cross-section to the tip of the finger 14.

[0034] If the finger 14 merges into the coating 13 via a rounded section 14a with an enlarged cross-section, the relevant cross-section for determining the maximum diameter d is the lower cross-section of the pure conical shape of the finger 14 facing the coating 13, ie the rounded transition cross-section is disregarded, as in Fig. 5 is shown. Here, too, the axial length 1 of the finger 14 results from the distance of the relevant cross-section to the radially outer tip of the finger 14.

[0035] If the finger 14 has the shape of a circular cone, the relevant cross section of the finger 14 in the base area has the shape of a circle and the diameter d results from the diameter of the circle at any point, as shown in Fig. 6a is shown.

[0036] If the finger 14 has the shape of an ellipse-cone, the relevant diameter d is the diameter on the longer major axis of the ellipse, as shown in Fig. 6b is shown.

[0037] If the cross section of the finger 14 is a square, a rectangle or a preferably uniform polygon, the relevant diameter d results from the maximum distance between two opposite corner points, as shown in Fig. 6c is shown.

[0038] The invention is based on the basic idea of providing one or more fingers 14 in the front region VB which have a lower slenderness (front slenderness SV) than one or more fingers 14, 14.1 in the rear region HB (rear slenderness SH).

[0039] In principle, it is provided that in the front region VB at least one of the fingers 14 or at least 50% of all fingers 14 there or at least 80% of all fingers 14 there or even all fingers 14 there have a front slenderness S v of at least 3.0.

[0040] It is also provided for the rear region HB that in the rear region HB at least one of the fingers 14 or at least 50% of all fingers 14 there or at least 80% of all fingers 14 there or even all fingers 14 there have a rear slenderness SH of at least 3.0.

[0041] The difference in the slenderness of the fingers 14 between the front region VB and the rear region HB is that the front slenderness SV of at least one of the fingers 14 arranged in the front region VB of the covering 13, or the front slenderness SV of at least 50% of all fingers 14 there, or the front slenderness SV of at least 80% of all fingers 14 there, or the front slenderness SV of all fingers 14 there is less than the rear slenderness SH of at least one of the fingers 14 arranged in the rear region HB of the covering 13, or than the rear slenderness SH of at least 50% of all fingers 14 there, or than the rear slenderness SH of at least 80% of all fingers 14 there, or than the rear slenderness SH of all fingers 14 there.

[0042] Preferably, the front slenderness SV is 3% to 15% and in particular 5% to 10% lower than the rear slenderness SH .

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the front slenderness SV is in the range from 3.0 to 5.0 and in particular in the range from 3.5 to 4.7.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the rear slenderness SH is in the range from 3.5 to 5.5 and in particular in the range from 3.9 to 5.1.

Claims

1. Interdental cleaner (10) having a rod-like support (11) made of a first plastic, which has a handle part (12) at its rear end region and has a cover (13) made of a soft flexible second plastic at its opposite front end region, wherein several radially-protruding fingers (14) are situated on the outside of the cover (13) and are integrally joined to the cover (13) in their base region, wherein the cover (13) has a tip region (SB) having a length in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm and preferably in the range of 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm on its front end, facing away from the handle part (12), and a functional region (FB), which adjoins the tip region (SB) in the direction of the handle part (12) and extends up to a rear finger (14.1) closest to the handle part (14), wherein the functional region (FB) is divided into a front region (VB), which is directly adjacent to the tip region (SB) and has a length in the range of 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm, and in particular in the range of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm, a rear region (HB), which extends forwards from the rear finger (14.1) and has a length in the range of 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm, and in particular in the range of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm, and a central region (MB), which is arranged between the front region (VB) and the rear region (HB), wherein, in the front region (VB), at least one of the fingers (14) or at least 50% of all fingers (14) there or at least 80% of all fingers (14) there or all fingers (14) there have a front slenderness Sv of at least 3.0, wherein, in the rear region (HB), at least one of the fingers (14) or at least 50% of all fingers (14) there or at least 80% of all fingers (14) there or all fingers (14) there have a rear slenderness SH of at least 3.0, wherein the slenderness Si results from the quotients of the axial length I of the finger (14) and its maximum diameter (d) in the base region (Si = I / d), wherein the front slenderness (Sv) of at least one of the fingers (14), which are arranged in the front region (VB) of the cover (13), or the front slenderness (Sv) of at least 50% of all fingers (14) there or the front slenderness (Sv) of at least 80% of all fingers (14) there or the front slenderness (Sv) of all fingers (14) there is less than the rear slenderness (SH) of at least one of the fingers (14) arranged in the rear region (HB) of the cover (13), or than the rear slenderness (SH) of at least 50% of all fingers (14) there or than the rear slenderness (SH) of at least 80% of all fingers (14) there or than the rear slenderness (SH) of all fingers (14) there.

2. Interdental cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that the front slenderness (Sv) is 3% to 15% less than the rear slenderness (SH).

3. Interdental cleaner according to claim 2, characterized in that the front slenderness (Sv) is 5% to 10% less than the rear slenderness (SH).

4. Interdental cleaner according to one of claims 1 through 3, characterized in that the front slenderness (Sv) is in the range of 3.0 to 5.0.

5. Interdental cleaner according to claim 4, characterized in that the front slenderness (Sv) is in the range of 3.5 to 4.7.

6. Interdental cleaner according to one of claims 1 through 5, characterized in that the rear slenderness (SH) is in the range of 3.5 to 5.5.

7. Interdental cleaner according to claim 6, characterized in that the rear slenderness (SH) is in the range of 3.9 to 5.1.

8. Interdental cleaner according to one of claims 1 through 7, characterized in that the maximum diameter (dv) in the base region of those fingers (14) arranged in the front region (VB) of the cover (13) is 5% to 15% less than the maximum diameter (dH) in the base region of those fingers (14) arranged in the rear region (HB) of the cover (13).

9. Interdental cleaner according to one of claims 1 through 8, characterized in that the axial length (lv) of those fingers (14) arranged in the front region (VB) of the cover (13) is 5% to 15% less than the axial length (lH) of those fingers (14) arranged in the rear region (HB) of the cover (13).