Manual toothbrush

Abstract

The invention relates to a manual toothbrush comprising a toothbrush head, a toothbrush neck and a toothbrush handle, wherein the toothbrush head comprises tooth-cleaning elements, in particular bristles, which project in a first direction from the toothbrush head; wherein the toothbrush handle comprises a first handle element and a second handle element, which are spaced apart from one another; wherein the first handle element extends above or below the second handle element, based on a second direction in parallel with the first direction; and wherein both handle elements lead, on either side, at the end, into a common connection region; wherein, in particular by applying force onto at least one of the handle elements of the toothbrush handle, deformation of this handle element towards the other handle element results, producing a restoring force between the handle elements and deflecting the toothbrush head; wherein a first of the connection regions (7) forms the toothbrush neck (3); and wherein, adjacent to the first connection region (7), the first handle element has a first bend (14) towards the second handle element (6) for increasing the restoring force, and subsequently a second bend (13), which points away from the second handle element (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a manual toothbrush according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Toothbrushes with spring elements are well-known. A typical example is the Dr. Best toothbrush, in which spring elements are incorporated at various points on the toothbrush neck.

[0003] These variants, however, are complex to manufacture and usually consist of material combinations, often made from several plastics, which poses a disposal problem for waste separation. Furthermore, the teeth are used as a counterweight to the force applied. With these variants, there is also no active movement of the brush towards or away from the tooth due to an activation force.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 299 13 656 U1 discloses a variant of a toothbrush which has two converging struts in the area of ​​the toothbrush neck. However, these struts are not arranged one above the other in the direction of the bristles, but are tilted at 90°, i.e., next to each other. This achieves a saving of material while simultaneously stiffening the toothbrush neck. However, a spring effect is excluded.

[0005] EP 1 850 692 B1 discloses a toothbrush neck with a space between two struts. These struts are arranged one above the other in the direction parallel to the bristles, but have stiffening ribs within the space between them. Due to the stiffening ribs, the struts cannot deform towards each other.

[0006] In the context of the present invention, the deformation of the struts is achieved by applying a force that a normally developed person, i.e., a man, a woman, or even a child, can typically exert with one hand without excessive effort. Such a force preferably amounts to a maximum of 10 N or less.

[0007] DE 20 2006 001 055 U discloses a mechanism based on two counter-rotating arc elements, wherein a restoring force is generated by actuating one arc element. The arc element is freely movable on one side and is supported against a stop surface. Problems with this design include, on the one hand, the complex manufacturing process and, on the other hand, the high, localized force required to deflect the toothbrush head.

[0008] WO 2003 / 039 816 A1 then reveals a toothbrush which has a large number of round holes in the handle.

[0009] The relevant prior art is US 7,039,984 B1, in which a space is formed between two handle elements. This space has a banana shape. One handle element is more flexible than the other, so that when the handle element is pressed, the toothbrush tilts inwards, causing the bristle head to fold away from the object being cleaned by pressure on the handle.

[0010] Based on the aforementioned prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a new variant of a manual toothbrush which is easy to operate and requires little effort.

[0011] The manual toothbrush according to the invention comprises a toothbrush head, a toothbrush neck, and a toothbrush handle, wherein the toothbrush head has tooth cleaning elements, in particular bristles, which protrude from the brush head in a first direction. The tooth cleaning elements can be permanently connected to the toothbrush head, e.g., by injection molding, or can be arranged interchangeably on a carrier plate in a recess.

[0012] The toothbrush handle has a first handle element and a second handle element, which extend adjacent to each other and spaced apart in the main direction of extension. A gap is thus arranged between the handle elements. The handle elements can be designed in a leaf-spring manner.

[0013] The first handle element is positioned above or below the second handle element, with "above" or "below" referring to a second direction parallel to the first, i.e., parallel to the bristles. Alternatively or additionally to bristles, rubber nubs, abrasive elements, and the like can also be used as tooth cleaning elements. However, bristles are preferred over other tooth cleaning elements due to their superior cleaning properties.

[0014] Both handle elements terminate at both ends in connecting areas, where they are preferably joined to form a materially bonded unit.

[0015] Particularly preferably, under the influence of force on at least one of the handle elements of the toothbrush handle, a deformation of this handle element onto the other handle element can occur, whereby a restoring force can be formed between the handle elements and which can result in a deflection of the toothbrush head.

[0016] The second handle element can preferably be longer than the first handle element in the main direction of extension of the toothbrush, so that when the first handle element is deformed under force, a pressure or tension is preferably exerted on the second handle element, which reacts with a flexing movement while generating a restoring force. This creates a spring effect. The flexing movement allows the toothbrush head to be deflected in the direction of the bristles or in the opposite direction, thus pressing more firmly against the tooth for more effective cleaning.

[0017] The first of the connecting areas forms the neck of the toothbrush.

[0018] According to the invention, the first handle element has a first bend towards the second handle element adjacent to the first connection area for restoring force reinforcement, and subsequently a second bend which is directed away from the second handle element.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally to the function described above, the present invention also allows for a spring action by bending or flexing the handle elements in the same direction under greater force, resulting in an evasive movement under excessive pressure on the tooth and gums. A spring action using handle elements of this kind is not known in the prior art.

[0020] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0021] The handle elements can be designed as curved leaf springs to generate a corresponding restoring force. The leaf springs are preferably made of plastic.

[0022] The handle elements each have at least one bend, with the bends directed away from each other, so that a correspondingly improved deflection is achieved.

[0023] The handle elements can be advantageously joined together in one piece, particularly monolithically, for manufacturing purposes. It is especially preferred that at least the toothbrush handle and the toothbrush neck, and preferably also the toothbrush head, apart from the bristles, are formed in one piece and particularly monolithically.

[0024] Apart from the tooth cleaning elements, the manual toothbrush is advantageously designed as a plastic injection-molded part.

[0025] The handle elements are preferably designed such that they can be moved towards each other by at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm, under a force of 10 N. The handle elements can have a thickness of less than 3 mm, preferably between 1 and 2 mm, with a width for the support of the hand or thumb of at least 12 mm, preferably between 15 and 25 mm.

[0026] The toothbrush neck has a thickness in the first direction of more than 3.5 mm, preferably between 4-5 mm.

[0027] The distance between the handle elements can be more than 5 mm, preferably more than 10 mm, particularly preferably 10-15 mm when unloaded.

[0028] At least the toothbrush handle can be made from one or more biodegradable and / or renewable plastics. Biodegradable plastics offer particular advantages when it comes to recycling, while plastics made from renewable resources give the manual toothbrush a better ecological footprint. Of course, both categories of plastics can also be combined, so there are plastics that fall into both categories.

[0029] Suitable materials for this application include plastics of the polycaplocatone, polyvinyl alcohol and / or polyester classes.

[0030] Examples of biodegradable plastics that are also made from renewable raw materials include starch blends, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polylactides, and regenerated cellulose.

[0031] Examples of plastics made from renewable raw materials, which are, however, difficult to degrade, are bio-PE, bio-PA, bio-PUR, bio-PP, bio-PVC, as well as cellulose acetate or rubber.

[0032] The distance between the terminal connection areas can advantageously be at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, of the total length of the manual toothbrush. Within the area defined by this distance, the handle elements are spaced apart from one another, creating a clearance. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, this clearance extends without interruption, e.g., by stiffening ribs or the like, from the first connection area to the second connection area.

[0033] Extending the functionality of the manual toothbrush, this model features a receptacle for an interdental brush in its second terminal connection area. This receptacle may be a hole in the connection area into which the base of an interdental brush can be inserted.

[0034] The manual toothbrush can, in a top view from the second direction, i.e. parallel to the bristle direction, have a widening of the toothbrush handle relative to the toothbrush neck by at least 300%, preferably at least 350%, so that a wide contact surface is provided, e.g. for a thumb.

[0035] The cleaning elements, particularly the bristles, can be arranged on a plate-shaped carrier, which is replaceably mounted in a receptacle of the toothbrush head. This is known in the prior art. The bristles and / or the plate-shaped carrier can be made of a natural material, preferably of plant and / or animal origin. Examples of bristles include animal hair bristles, such as pig bristles. Examples of a carrier material include wood or wood composite material, for example, with PLA (polylactic acid or the like). This allows the manual toothbrush to be used for a longer period than the replaceable cleaning elements. There is no mixing of materials, so the individual elements can be recycled separately and are particularly environmentally friendly.

[0036] The invention is explained in detail below using two embodiments as examples. The figures show: Fig. 1 Perspective view of an embodiment of a manual toothbrush according to the invention; Fig. 2 Top view of the manual toothbrush Fig. 1 ; and Fig. 3 Side view of the manual toothbrush of the Fig. 1 and 2 .

[0037] Fig. 1-3 Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a manual toothbrush 1 according to the invention, hereinafter also referred to as a spring-loaded toothbrush. This toothbrush has a toothbrush head 2, a tapered toothbrush neck 3, and a toothbrush handle 4. The toothbrush head 2 has tooth cleaning elements 11, specifically bristles, which protrude from a support segment of the toothbrush head 2 in a bristle direction R1.

[0038] A special feature of the manual toothbrush 1 is the toothbrush handle 4. This is divided in the middle and has two separate, spaced-apart handle elements 5 and 6. The handle elements 5 and 6 are of different lengths and each terminates in a connecting area 7 and 8, where they are bonded together.

[0039] The first connection area 7 forms the toothbrush neck 3, and the second connection area is the end section of the manual toothbrush and has a receptacle 9 for an interdental brush. A space 10 is arranged between the handle elements 5 and 6, wherein the handle elements 5 and 6 are arranged in a second direction R2 parallel to the first direction R1, one above the other and preferably in alignment with each other.

[0040] The maximum width 20 of the toothbrush handle 4 is preferably more than 15 mm, so that a sufficiently large thumb rest is provided for optimal force transmission.

[0041] The handle element 6 has a first bend 12 away from the handle element 5. The handle element 5 initially has a first bend 14 towards the handle element 6, starting from the toothbrush neck 7, and then a second bend 13 away from the handle element 6.

[0042] The distance 15 between the handle elements 5 and 6 is between 10-15 mm in the illustrated embodiment.

[0043] This distance 15 is reduced under the influence of force F by deformation of the handle elements 5 and 6, whereby due to the different lengths of the handle elements a force redirection occurs through tensile and compressive forces, which leads to a deflection in direction A of the brush head 2.

[0044] The longitudinal extent 16 of the free space 10 is at least 40%, preferably 50%, and particularly preferably between 55-80% of the total length 17 of the manual toothbrush 1. This can be between 17-22 cm.

[0045] The design is material-efficient, as the handle elements, which are designed as leaf springs, can be made very thin, e.g., 1-2 mm thick. The thickness is in Fig. 3 Designated with reference numeral 19. The thickness 18 of the connection area 7, however, is preferably more than 3 mm.

[0046] Apart from the bristles 11, the manual toothbrush has a monolithic construction and is therefore manufactured from a single piece of material. Pressure on the tooth surface and gums is reduced by the handle elements and their spring mechanism, yet can still be manually adjusted. The deflection A of the brush head 2 when full pressure is applied to the handle elements 5 and 6, resulting in a deformation of approximately 15 mm, can be approximately 12 mm. The wide handle 4 ensures that the spring-loaded brush sits comfortably and securely in the hand.

[0047] At the same time, the hand brush 1 provides a pleasant tactile feeling and conveys a visually appealing overall impression.

[0048] The spring-loaded toothbrush can be used in all ways, including with a replaceable brush head, a double-sided brush head, and also as a holder for interdental brushes. Furthermore, the space 10 mm between handle elements 5 and 6 provides room for hanging the hand brush.

[0049] The manual toothbrush 1 with spring function can be lightweight, especially 5-15 grams, and is particularly resistant to toothpastes, mouthwashes and / or saliva.

[0050] Therefore, standard polymers such as polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are preferred materials. Various subtypes of TPE exist. In this case, TPE-E (thermoplastic polyester elastomers) are the preferred choice. Ideally, the entire manual toothbrush, apart from the bristles, is made from a single material and is therefore easy to manufacture.

[0051] The material should also have FDA approval and ideally even drinking water approval. Polypropylene and TPE-E meet these requirements. In the USA, TPE-E elastomers are approved for use in contact with dry foods (FDA), for packaging meat and poultry (VSDA), and in drinking water facilities (NSF). In Germany, for example, "Hytrel" is used in the production and distribution of beer.

[0052] Furthermore, an environmentally friendly alternative can also be used as a material for the manual toothbrush 1. These are so-called biodegradable polymers. Another particularly preferred option in the ecological sector is polylactide (PLA), also known as polylactic acid. This belongs to the polyesters and is composed of many chemically bonded lactic acid molecules.

[0053] As from Fig. 3 As can be seen, the two handle elements 5 and 6 have the same average thickness.

[0054] The space between the handle elements 5 and 6 tapers to a point towards the connection areas 7 and 8, as is also evident from Fig. 3 is recognizable.

[0055] The space between the handle elements also has at least one longitudinal extension that covers more than half the total length of the toothbrush.

[0056] As from Fig. 3 It can be seen that the toothbrush neck 3, from the point where the handle elements 5 and 6 merge to the toothbrush head 2, is twice as thick as the handle elements 5 and 6. It has a contour curve that gradually rises towards the toothbrush head 2.

[0057] The free space then shows, according to the side view Fig. 3 a significantly longer and larger extension in the longitudinal direction of the manual toothbrush than in the direction perpendicular to this longitudinal direction in the side view.

[0058] In comparison of the variant of Fig. 3In contrast to the prior art, the toothbrush according to the invention achieves the opposite effect. While in US 7,039,984 B1, pressure on a handle element causes the brush head to tilt inwards, in the inventive variant, pressure on the rear handle element 5 causes the brush head to move away from the object being cleaned. Reference sign

[0059] 1. Manual toothbrush 2. Toothbrush head 3. Toothbrush neck 4. Toothbrush handle 5. Handle element 6. Handle element 7. Connection area 8. Connection area 9. Receptacle 10. Clearance 11. Tooth cleaning elements 12. Bend 13. Bend 14. Bend 15. Spacing 16. Longitudinal extent 17. Overall length 18. Thickness (toothbrush neck) 19. Thickness (handle element) 20. Width R1 first direction or bristle direction R2 second direction parallel to the bristle direction F force applied A deflection

Claims

1. Manual toothbrush (1, 1'), comprising a toothbrush head (2), a toothbrush neck (3) and a toothbrush handle (4), wherein the toothbrush head (2) has tooth cleaning elements (11), in particular bristles, which protrude from the toothbrush head (2) in a first direction (R1), wherein the toothbrush handle (4) has a first handle element (5) and a second handle element (6) which are spaced apart from one another, wherein the first handle element (5) extends above or below the second handle element (6), in relation to a second direction (R2) parallel to the first direction (R1), and wherein both handle elements (5, 6) terminate on both sides in common connecting regions (7, 8), wherein, in particular under the action of force (F) on at least one of the handle elements (6) of the toothbrush handle (4), a deformation of this handle element (6) towards the other handle element (5) results, with the formation of a restoring force between the handle elements (5, 6) and with deflection (A) of the toothbrush head (2) characterized in that a first of the connecting regions (7) forms the toothbrush neck (3) and in that the first handle element (5) adjacent to the first connecting region (7) has a first bend (14) in the direction of the second handle element (6) to increase the restoring force and subsequently a second bend (13) which is directed away from the second handle element (6).

2. Manual toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle elements (5, 6) are designed as curved leaf springs.

3. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the second handle element (6) is longer in the main direction of extension of the toothbrush than the first handle element (5).

4. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle elements (5, 6) each have at least one bend (12, 13), wherein the bends (12, 13) are directed away from each other.

5. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle elements (5, 6) are connected to one another in one piece, in particular monolithically.

6. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the toothbrush handle (4) and the toothbrush neck (3), preferably also the toothbrush head (2), are formed in one piece and wherein the manual toothbrush (1, 1') is particularly preferably, apart from the tooth cleaning elements (11), formed as a single plastic injection-molded part.

7. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle elements (5, 6) can be moved towards each other by at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm, under a force of 10 N.

8. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the toothbrush handle (4) consists of one or more biodegradable plastics and / or renewable plastics.

9. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maximum distance between the handle elements (5, 6) in or against the second direction (R2) is at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm.

10. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacing (16) of the terminal connecting regions (7, 8) is at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, of the total length (17) of the manual toothbrush (1, 1').

11. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a holder (9) for an interdental brush is arranged in the second terminal connecting region (8).

12. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manual toothbrush (1, 1') has a widening of the toothbrush handle (4) relative to the toothbrush neck (3) by at least 300%, preferably at least 350%, when viewed from above in the second direction (R2).

13. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a free space (10) is arranged between the handle elements (5, 6), which free space extends uninterruptedly from the first connecting region (7) to the second connecting region (8).

14. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two handle elements (5, 6) have the same average thickness and width.

15. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toothbrush neck (3) is twice as thick as the handle elements (5, 6) from the point where the handle elements (5, 6) join to the toothbrush head (2).

16. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toothbrush neck (3) has a contour curve that gradually rises towards the toothbrush head (2).

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