An enhanced dental hygiene device

Abstract

An electric toothbrush comprises a detachable toothbrush head with an elongate interdental cleaning member 5 that is movable between a retracted position, disposed beneath the brushing surface defined

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dental hygiene device, in particular a device for providing more than one form of dental care; more particularly but not exclusively providing interchangeable or simultaneous dental and interdental care options. Background Many people in many societies are increasingly aware of the importance of interdental care as well as brushing. Typically such interdental care is undertaken with floss, however flossing can be problematic for some people, who find usage of floss difficult for teeth spacing or physical limitation reasons. Prior Art KR 101 690 683 (KIM et al) discloses an electric toothbrush device. On both end side portions of a handle housing member, a general toothbrush member and an interdental brush member are provided, wherein the general toothbrush member cleans surfaces of teeth by being electrically driven by a first motor, whereas the interdental brush member cleans interdental areas by being driven by a second motor. The electric toothbrush device of the present invention allows a user to use the toothbrush device selectively, since a general toothbrush for cleaning the surfaces of the teeth and an interdental brush for cleaning the interdental areas are electrically driven independently, thereby remarkably increasing user convenience as well as dental health of the user. Further, the electric toothbrush device also helps the user brush the interdental areas in a simple way based on a bass technique, by moving the interdental brush back and forth while rotating the same in an axial direction. GB 2 538 025 (GOTTLIER) discloses a powered, electric interdental cleaning apparatus, comprising: a body comprising a first end and a second end; an interdental cleaning member; a brush support; a drive member extending from the first end of the body, the drive member connected to the interdental cleaning member and configured to cause axial and rotational movement of the interdental cleaning member relative to an axis of the brush support; and a neck comprising a first end and a second end, the neck extending from the first end of the body at the first end of the neck to a head comprising the interdental cleaning member, the neck defining a drive member shaft that contains the drive member. EP 1 199 958 (PAFFRATH) discloses a toothbrush head for a toothbrush handle comprising a drive, said toothbrush head including a carrier piece, said carrier piece having arranged on it a spike and several bristles or bristle tufts, and said spike being mounted for sliding motion in the direction of its longitudinal axis relative to said carrier piece, characterized in that the spike is biased into an extended position under the action of a biasing force and is caused to occupy a retracted position as a result of the force applied during the tooth cleaning operation. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a dental hygiene device comprising a brush head, a body and a neck, wherein the body comprises a motor and a battery, the neck is displaceable from the body and the head and neck comprise an elongated interdental member, arranged to extend from a first position lower than the outer brush surface of the head to a second position where the member extends above and from the outer brush surface of the head. In some embodiments of the device the brush surface is provided by a plurality of bristles. Such bristles may be envisaged to be standard as known in the art, for example comprising Nylon (RTM) or bamboo viscose. In some embodiments of the device the interdental member extends central the bristles, for example wherein the bristles are arranged in a circle, as is common in the art, and the member extending from or near a centrepoint. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises an oscillating motion for the brush head. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a vibrating motion for the brush head. In some embodiments of the device the interdental member comprises an endmost point, being substantially or finally conical for example, which allows the end to enter small cavities or channels. In some embodiments of the device the interdental member comprises sideways extending barbs, which may be dispersed about the member and which may extend orthogonally or at an axis. In some embodiments of the device the interdental member comprises a sliding extension mechanism, so as to slide from a retracted position where it may be envisaged that the member is wholly or partially hidden within the bristles, to a usage position where the member or end thereof extends from the bristles, for example only by 5mm. In some such embodiments of the device the sliding extension mechanism is controlled by a slider button on the neck, such that the mechanism for the interdental member is contained within the neck, and thereby wholly and easily replaceable and / or capable of addition to a standard toothbrush. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a rechargeable battery, and it may be envisaged that the device may comprise a socket charger for the battery. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, with interdental member extended; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with interdental member retracted; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows an isometric exploded view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric exploded view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with displaceable head portion separated; Figure 8 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the head portion from the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the head portion from the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 10 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with displaceable head portion separated; Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a dental hygiene or teeth care device 99 comprising a brush head 14, a body 20 and a neck 3, wherein the body comprises a motor 29 and a battery 26, the neck is displaceable from the body and the head and neck comprise an elongated interdental member 5, arranged to extend from a first position lower than the outer brush surface of the head to a second position where the member extends above and from the outer brush surface of the head. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a substantially standard rechargeable toothbrush body 20, which includes a charging socket 24 in a base 23, wherein the charging socket is used to charge an internal 18650 lithiumpolymer battery 26, a printed circuit board 25 with power status and charging LEDs (light emitting diodes), electric toothbrush motor and gearbox housing. An internal bracket 27 holds the battery in place, and a second bracket 28 holds the motor and gear box, which motor then oscillates a drive pin 12 which turns a drive shaft 12,9 in the neck 3 to provide an oscillating movement to rotate a lateral pin through slots in a socket 19 holding the bristles 4. The body comprises a cylindrical plastic outer housing which has a ribbed silicone cover 30 on a lower section. The upper section includes a switch for vibration and oscillation 21 and a switch for vibration only 22. The neck and head form a replaceable unit 1, whereby the neck comprises a socket 11, engaging the drive pin 12 and its support housing 31. The neck and support housing share a resilient washer gasket 13. The neck further provides a slider 8 for an internal spine 7 for the sliding extension mechanism of the interdental member 5, which is connected to the internal spine. The interdental member 5 comprises a pointed end and side barbs, such that the member may be inserted between teeth and may be better enabled to clean the sides of the teeth and / or extract matter trapped between the teeth in interdental channels or cavities. The interdental member may be formed in a silicone or plastic or rubber material so as to prevent damage to enamel of the teeth during cleaning. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A dental hygiene device comprising a brush head, a body and a neck, wherein the body comprises a motor and a battery, the neck is displaceable from the body and the head and neck comprise an elongated interdental member, arranged to extend from a first position lower than the outer brush surface of the head to a second position where the member extends above and from the outer brush surface of the head.

2. A dental hygiene device according to claim 1 wherein the brush surface is provided by a plurality of bristles.

3. A dental hygiene device according to claim 2 wherein the interdental member extends central the bristles.

4. A dental hygiene device according to any preceding claim comprising an oscillating motion for the brush head.

5. A dental hygiene device according to any preceding claim comprising an vibrating motion for the brush head.

6. A dental hygiene device according to any preceding claim wherein the interdental member comprises an endmost point.

7. A dental hygiene device according to any preceding claim wherein the interdental member comprises sideways extending barbs.

8. A dental hygiene device according to any preceding claim wherein the interdental member comprises a sliding extension mechanism.

9. A dental hygiene device according to claim 8 wherein the sliding extension mechanism is controlled by a slider button on the neck.

10. A dental hygiene device according to any preceding claim comprising a rechargeable battery.

11. A brush head for a dental hygiene device according to any of the preceding claims.

12. A body for a dental hygiene device according to any preceding claim.

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