Interdental cleaner
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023569832
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-05-21
- Filing Date
- 2022-05-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing interdental cleaners with uniform finger elongation fail to provide effective cleaning for all users due to varying geometric configurations of interdental spaces.
The interdental cleaner features fingers with varying elongations in different defined areas, specifically a tip region, functional area, and rear region, with tapered shapes and rounded ends, manufactured through a single injection molding process to ensure flexibility and stability.
This design enhances cleaning effectiveness by adapting to diverse interdental spaces, ensuring both flexibility and stability, thereby improving cleaning performance across different users.
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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an interdental cleaner comprising a first plastic rod support having a gripping portion at a rear end region and supporting at an opposite front end region a second soft, flexible plastic covering having a plurality of radially projecting finger-like projections disposed on the outer side thereof, the bases of which are integrally connected to the covering.
[0002] For cleaning between teeth, plastic interdental cleaners are used, which have a first plastic rod-shaped support, which has at its rear end an integrally formed gripping part, generally in the form of a plate. At the front end of this support, a sleeve-shaped covering made of a second soft and flexible plastic, for example a thermoplastic elastomer or silicone, is spray-coated. To improve the cleaning effect, the outside of this covering is provided with a number of radially projecting or at least radially component-bearing fingers, which are made of the same material as the covering and are integrally formed and connected to it. On the one hand, these fingers must be sufficiently stable so that they do not break or break when the interdental cleaner is used. On the other hand, they must be easily deformable in order to be able to press into very narrow gaps or spaces between teeth and clean them.
[0003] It has been found that the cleaning effect of an interdental cleaner can be improved if the fingers are as slender as possible. US Pat. No. 5,399,433 describes an interdental cleaner of the above type with relatively slender fingers, where the slenderness S is given by the quotient of the axial length l of the finger and its maximum diameter at the base (S=l / d). However, since the cleaning effect of an interdental cleaner depends on the geometrical conditions between the teeth to be cleaned, an interdental cleaner with fingers of a predetermined slenderness does not necessarily lead to good cleaning results for all users. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102018008963A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to provide an interdental cleaner of the above mentioned type in which the cleaning effect of the fingers is improved.
[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by an interdental cleaner having the features of claim 1. The basic idea of the invention is that the slenderness of the interdental cleaning fingers differs from one another in different defined areas. In this regard, first some definitions are given:
[0007] At the front end of the interdental cleaner opposite the grip, the covering has a tip region SB with a length in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, preferably in the range of 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm. Preferably, the length of the tip region SB is 1.5 mm. Taking into account such slenderness of the fingers, this tip region SB can be neglected, since in many interdental cleaners the tip region SB is provided with fingers of different geometric designs, in particular stump-shaped fingers.
[0008] The covering further comprises a functional region FB, adjacent to the tip region SB on the grip side and extending to the rear finger-like projection closest to the grip. This functional region FB is divided into a front region VB immediately adjacent to the tip region SB and having a length in the range of 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm, in particular in the range of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm, a rear region HB extending forward from the rear finger-like projection and having a length in the range of 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm, in particular in the range of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm, and an intermediate region MB located between the front region VB and the rear region HB. In order to compare the slenderness of these fingers, it is useful to consider the front region VB and the rear region HB and compare them with each other. Preferably, the length of the front region VB and / or the rear region HB is 2.0 mm.
[0009] It has been found that both the flexibility and the stability of the fingers essentially depend on their slenderness. The covering and these fingers are manufactured in one common injection moulding step in one injection mould and have a tapered shape, in particular a conical shape, radially outwards, i.e. towards the tips of the fingers, in order to allow the fingers to be easily released from the mould after the injection moulding process. The radially outer ends of these fingers are generally rounded in order to avoid damage to the gums of the user.
[0010] Typically, the shape of each of these fingers is a cone, but other cross-sectional shapes are also possible, such as an elliptical cone, a rectangular or square cone (pyramid), or a multi-sided or n-sided cone (n-Ecke-Kegel). In the following, a cone is used as an example, but the invention is not limited thereto.
[0011] The slenderness S is defined as the quotient of the axial length l of the finger and its maximum diameter d at the base (S=l / d). The cross-section of the finger taken as a reference for determining the maximum diameter d is one which is still completely inside the finger, i.e. not yet penetrating the coating. If the central longitudinal axis L of the finger is perpendicular to the surface of the coating, as shown in FIG. 3, the cross-section of the finger taken as a reference for determining the diameter d is one which faces the surface of the coating of the finger. The axial length l of the finger is then obtained from the distance from said cross-section to the radially outer end of the finger.
[0012] If the longitudinal axis L of the finger is not perpendicular to the surface of the coating, the reference cross section for the maximum diameter d is a cross section lying entirely within the finger (see FIG. 4), and the axial length l of the finger is then given by the distance from said reference cross section to the tip of the finger.
[0013] In the case where the finger transitions into the sheath via a rounded section, the reference cross-section for determining the maximum diameter d is the purely conical cross-section of the lower finger facing the sheath, as shown in Figure 5, i.e. the rounded transition cross-section is not taken into account. Here too, the axial length l of the finger is obtained from the distance from said reference cross-section to the radial tip of the finger.
[0014] If the shape of the fingers is conical, then the nominal cross section at the base of the fingers is also circular, and the diameter d is obtained from the diameter at any point of this circle (see FIG. 6a).
[0015] If the shape of the finger is an elliptical cone, the reference diameter d is the diameter on the major axis of the ellipse (see FIG. 6b).
[0016] If the cross section of the fingers is a square, a rectangle or, preferably, an equilateral polygon, the nominal diameter d is obtained from the maximum distance between two opposite vertices (see FIG. 6c).
[0017] According to the basic idea of the invention, one or more fingers are provided in the front region VB, the elongation of which (front elongation, vordere Schlankheit S v ) is the slenderness of one or more fingers in the posterior region HB (posterior slenderness, hintere Schlankheit S H ) smaller than
[0018] Essentially, in the front region VB, the front slenderness S of at least one of the fingers, or of at least 50% of all the fingers therein, or of at least 80% of all the fingers therein, or even of all the fingers therein, v is configured to be at least 3.0.
[0019] Also in the rear region HB, the rear thinness S of at least one of the fingers, or of at least 50% of all the fingers present therein, or of at least 80% of all the fingers present therein, or even of all the fingers present therein, H is configured to be at least 3.0.
[0020] The difference in the slenderness of the fingers in the front region VB and the rear region HB is such that the front slenderness S of at least one of the fingers arranged in the front region VB of the covering is V , or a front thinness S of at least 50% of all the fingers therein V , or a front slenderness S of at least 80% of all the fingers therein V , or the forward slenderness S of all the fingers therein V However, at least one of the finger-like projections arranged in the rear region HB of the covering has a rear thin length S H or at least 50% of the posterior slenderness S of all the fingers therein. H or at least 80% of all the fingers therein have a posterior slenderness S H or the rear slenderness S of all the fingers therein HIt is smaller than that.
[0021] Front Slenderness S V is the rear slenderness S H It is preferable that the difference is 3% to 15%, and particularly 5% to 10% smaller than the above.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the front thinness S V is in the range of 3.0 to 5.0, and particularly in the range of 3.5 to 4.7.
[0023] Alternatively or additionally, rear slenderness S H can be configured so that it is in the range of 3.5 to 5.5, particularly in the range of 3.9 to 5.1.
[0024] In a further development of the invention, the maximum diameter at the base of the fingers located in the front region VB of the sheath is greater than the maximum diameter d H It can be configured to be 5% to 15% smaller than the
[0025] Additionally or alternatively, the axial length l of the fingers located in the front region VB of the covering V is the axial length l of the finger-like projections located in the rear region HB of the cladding. H It can be configured to be 5% to 15% shorter than the
[0026] The interdental cleaner may have fingers with different shapes and / or elongations in addition to the elongated fingers described above.
[0027] Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of examples. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0028] [Figure 1] Perspective view of an interdental cleaner [Diagram 2]FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal section through a front region of an interdental cleaner having a coating and multiple finger-like projections; [Diagram 3] First Geometry of Fingers [Figure 4] Second Geometry of Fingers [Diagram 5] Third geometric shape of the finger-like projections [Figure 6a] Possible cross-sectional shapes of the finger-like projections [Figure 6b] Possible cross-sectional shapes of the finger-like projections [Figure 6c] Possible cross-sectional shapes of the finger-like projections DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The interdental cleaner 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a shape-stable first plastic rod-shaped support 11, and at the rear of this support (the right end in FIG. 1) is integrally formed a plate-shaped gripping portion 12, at which a user can grip the interdental cleaner 10.
[0030] In its opposite, forward end region, the support 11 carries a sleeve-like covering 13 made of a soft, flexible second plastic material, for example a thermoplastic elastomer or silicone. The outer surface of the covering 13 is integrally formed with a plurality of radially outwardly projecting fingers 14, which are made of the same material as the covering 13 and are monolithically bonded to it. The fingers 14 are pyramidal, preferably conical, in shape, having a radially outwardly tapering cross section and whose radially outer ends are rounded.
[0031] 2 shows a schematic longitudinal section through the front region of the support 11, the covering 13 and the finger-like projections 14. The covering 13 is divided into a front tip region SB having a length in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, preferably in the range of 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm, and a functional region FB adjacent to the tip region SB on the grip part 12 side and extending to the rear finger-like projections 14.1 closest to the grip part 14. The functional region FB is divided into a front region VB directly adjacent to the tip region SB and having a length in the range of 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm, in particular in the range of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm, a rear region HB extending forward from the rear finger-like projections 14.1 and having a length in the range of 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm, in particular in the range of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm, and an intermediate region MB located between the front region VB and the rear region HB.
[0032] The slenderness S of the finger 14 is defined as the quotient of the axial length l of the finger 14 and its maximum diameter d at the base (S=l / d). The cross-section of the finger 14 taken as the basis for determining the maximum diameter d is the cross-section that is still completely inside the finger 14, i.e. not yet penetrating the sheath 13. If the longitudinal central axis L of the finger 14 is perpendicular to the surface of the sheath 13, as shown in FIG. 3, the cross-section of the finger 14 taken as the basis for determining the diameter d is the cross-section of the finger 14 facing the surface of the sheath 13. The axial length l of the finger 14 is then obtained from the distance from said reference cross-section to the radially outer end of the finger 14.
[0033] In the case where the longitudinal axis L of the fingers 14 is not perpendicular to the surface of the coating, the reference cross section for the maximum diameter d is a cross section lying entirely within the fingers 14 (see FIG. 4), and the axial length l of the fingers 14 is then given by the distance from said reference cross section to the tip of the fingers 14.
[0034] In the case where the fingers 14 transition into the cladding 13 via a rounded portion 14a, the reference cross-section for determining the maximum diameter d is the purely conical cross-section of the fingers 14 facing the lower cladding 13, as shown in Figure 5, i.e. the rounded transition cross-section is not taken into account. Here too, the axial length l of the fingers 14 is obtained from the distance from said reference cross-section to the radial tip of the fingers 14.
[0035] If the shape of the fingers 14 is conical, then the nominal cross section at the base of the fingers 14 is also circular, and the diameter d is obtained from the diameter at any point of this circle, as shown in FIG. 6a.
[0036] When the shape of the finger-like projection 14 is an elliptical cone, as shown in FIG. 6b, the reference diameter d is the diameter on the major axis of the ellipse.
[0037] If the cross section of the fingers is a square, a rectangle or, preferably, an equilateral polygon, the nominal diameter d is taken from the maximum distance between two opposite vertices, as shown in FIG. 6c.
[0038] According to the basic idea of the invention, one or more fingers 14 are provided in the front region VB, the elongation of which (front elongation, vordere Schlankheit S v ) is the slenderness of one or more fingers in the posterior region HB (posterior slenderness, hintere Schlankheit S H ) smaller than
[0039] Essentially, in the front region VB, the front slenderness S of at least one of the fingers 14, or of at least 50% of all the fingers 14 therein, or of at least 80% of all the fingers 14 therein, or even of all the fingers 14, v is configured to be at least 3.0.
[0040] Also in the rear region HB, the rear thinness S of at least one of the fingers 14, or of at least 50% of all the fingers 14 therein, or of at least 80% of all the fingers 14 therein, or even of all the fingers 14 therein, H is configured to be at least 3.0.
[0041] The difference in the length of the fingers 14 in the front region VB and the rear region HB is determined by the front length S of at least one of the fingers 14 arranged in the front region VB of the covering 13. V , or a forward slenderness S of at least 50% of all fingers 14 therein V , or the forward slenderness S of at least 80% of all the fingers 14 therein V , or the forward slenderness S of all the fingers 14 therein V However, the rear thin length S of at least one of the fingers 14 arranged in the rear region HB of the covering 13 H or at least 50% of the rear thinness S of all the fingers 14 therein. H or at least 80% of all the fingers 14 therein have a rear slenderness S H or the rear slenderness S of all the fingers 14 therein H It is smaller than that.
[0042] Front Slenderness S V is the rear slenderness S H It is preferable that the difference is 3% to 15%, and particularly 5% to 10% smaller than the above.
[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the front thinness S V is in the range of 3.0 to 5.0, and particularly in the range of 3.5 to 4.7.
[0044] Alternatively or additionally, rear slenderness S H can be configured so that it is in the range of 3.5 to 5.5, particularly in the range of 3.9 to 5.1.
Claims
1. An interdental cleaner (10) comprising a first plastic rod support (11) having a gripping portion (12) at a rear end region and a soft, flexible second plastic covering (13) at an opposite, front end region; A plurality of radially protruding finger-like projections (14) are disposed on the exterior of the covering (13), and the bases of the finger-like projections (14) are integrally connected to the covering (13); the covering (13) has a tip region (SB) at its front end opposite the gripping portion (12) and having a length in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, and further has a functional region (FB) adjacent the tip region (SB) on the gripping portion (12) side and extending to a rear finger-like projection (14.1) closest to the gripping portion (14); said functional area (FB) being divided into a front area (VB) immediately adjacent to said tip area (SB) and having a length in the range of 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm, a rear area (HB) extending forward from said rear finger (14.1) and having a length in the range of 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm, and a middle area (MB) located between said front area (VB) and said rear area (HB), In the front region (VB), at least one of the fingers (14) has a front elongation S ｖ is at least 3.0; In said rear region (HB), at least one of the fingers (14) has a rear elongation S Ｈ is at least 3.0; The slenderness S of the finger-like projection (14) ｉ is the quotient (S ｉ = l / d), In the interdental cleaner (10), At least one front elongation (S V ) of the plurality of fingers (14) arranged in the front region (VB) of the sheath (13) is longer than at least one rear elongation (S H ) or at least 50% of the rear slenderness (S H ) is smaller than An interdental cleaner (10).
2. The front thinness (S Ｖ ) is the rear thinness (S H 2. The interdental cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the interdental cleaner is 3% to 15% smaller than the interdental cleaner.
3. The front thinness (S Ｖ ) is the rear thinness (S H 3. The interdental cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the interdental cleaner is 5% to 10% smaller than the interdental cleaner.
4. The front thinness (S Ｖ 2. The interdental cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the interdental viscosity is in the range of 3.0 to 5.
0.
5. The front thinness (S Ｖ 5. The interdental cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the interdental diameter is in the range of 3.5 to 4.
7.
6. The rear slenderness (S H 2. The interdental cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the interdental diameter is in the range of 3.5 to 5.
5.
7. The rear slenderness (S H 7. The interdental cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the interdental diameter is in the range of 3.9 to 5.
1.
8. The maximum diameter (d Ｖ ) at the base of the fingers (14) located in the rear region (HB) of the sheath (13) is the maximum diameter (d H 2. The interdental cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the interdental cleaner is 5% to 15% smaller than the interdental cleaner.
9. The axial length (l) of the finger-like projections (14) arranged in the front region (VB) of the covering (13) Ｖ ) is the axial length (l) of the finger-like projections (14) located in the rear region (HB) of the covering (13). Ｈ 2. The interdental cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the interdental cleaner is 5% to 15% shorter than the interdental cleaner.