Divisible dental care products, head components, and component kits

Abstract

A kit of parts and a separable dental care product (1) are disclosed. The separable dental care product (1) comprises a base part (10) having a handle portion (11) and an interconnecting portion (12), the interconnecting portion (12) including a protrusion (12a) provided with an external thread (13) and a shoulder (14) extending radially outwardly from and circumferentially around the protrusion (12) and having an abutment surface (14a); a head part (10) having a dental care utility portion (29) and an interconnecting portion (22). and a head piece (20) wherein the interconnecting portion (22) includes a tubular portion (22a) having an internal thread (23) and an end face (24a) extending circumferentially around an opening (22c) of the tubular portion (22a), and wherein an abutment surface (14a) of the base piece (10) is configured to abut against the end face (24a) of the head piece (20) when the base piece (10) and the head piece (20) are interconnected to form said separable dental care product (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

[0005] , ,

[0007] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a separable dental care product such as a toothbrush.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a head component configured to form a part of a separable dental care product.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a component kit comprising a plurality of head components configured to form a part of a separable dental care product.

Background Art

[0004] When designing a toothbrush, a designer usually considers a plurality of design criteria. The toothbrush should enable a user to effectively brush their teeth, the toothbrush should be easy to manufacture, the impact of the toothbrush on the environment should be limited, the toothbrush should be hygienic, the toothbrush should be comfortable to use, and, of course, the toothbrush should meet current standards such as safety requirements related to the physical design of the toothbrush.

[0005] Currently, toothbrushes are usually formed of polymer-based materials. On the other hand, there are toothbrushes formed of other materials in the market, such as bamboo toothbrushes.

[0006] For many years, it has been proposed to design a toothbrush with a two-part design in which the handle and the head are separable from each other.

[0007] Two different designs are disclosed, for example, in Korean Utility Model No. 20-2020-0000359U, International Publication No. 01 / 17433A1, International Publication No. 2020 / 135915A1, International Publication No. 2020136198A1, German Utility Model No. 9318453U1, European Patent Application Publication No. 2792271A1, European Patent Application Publication No. 3827700A1, International Publication No. 97 / 35498, and German Utility Model No. 202019001011U1.

[0008] Korean Utility Model No. 20-2020-0000359U discloses a two-part toothbrush with a joint between a head component and a handle component. This joint includes multiple circular grooves in the head component that interact with multiple circular projections in the handle component, and rotation of the head component during use is prevented by the multiple anti-rotation grooves and anti-rotation projections. Embodiments in which the circular grooves are replaced with screw threads are also disclosed.

[0009] International Publication No. 01 / 17433A1 discloses the brush head screwed into the handle.

[0010] International Publication No. 2020 / 135915A1 and International Publication No. 2020136198A1 disclose in detail a design in which a longitudinal groove is provided in the brush head, allowing the head to slide on the distal end of a handle having a corresponding shape. The documents also mention that the head may optionally be connected to the handle by a screw, only mentioning that corresponding female and male threads are required.

[0011] German Utility Model No. 9318453U1 discloses a design in which the brush head is fixed to a recess in the handle. It is also mentioned that these parts may be connected to each other in other ways, for example, they may be screwed together or connected by wedges, cones, protrusions or grooves.

[0012] European Patent Application Publication No. 2792271A1 discloses a concept in which a disposable brush head, pre-loaded with dry toothpaste, is screwed onto a handle. This document focuses on the concept of attaching dry toothpaste to the disposable brush head and provides only minimal details regarding the mechanical connection between the brush head and the handle. On the other hand, the handle is said to have a substantially cylindrical free end with an external relief thread. According to this disclosure, the disposable brush head appears to be screwed onto the handle so as to reach above a portion of the handle, and then screwed onto the handle until the free end of the handle reaches the bottom inside the cylindrical hole of the disposable brush head.

[0013] European Patent Application Publication No. 3827700A1 discloses a concept of a detachable toothbrush including a head, a handle, and a connector.

[0014] International Publication No. 97 / 35498 discloses a two-part toothbrush in which a head component is snapped into place on a handle. The head component is rotatably connected to the handle so that different orientations and angles can be achieved.

[0015] German Utility Model Specification No. 202019001011U1 discloses a head that screws onto a handle. This document discloses that a sanitary connecting ring extending a certain distance onto the handle is provided on the head, and this distance provides compression between the ring and the handle. This distance and the resulting compression form a sealing surface on the outer enclosing surface of the handle, and the sealing properties depend largely on the tight fit between the sanitary ring and the handle and on the need for the sanitary ring to be fairly rigid.

[0016] However, all conventional designs fail to meet one or more of the above criteria, such as the fact that toothbrushes should allow users to brush their teeth effectively, that toothbrushes should be easy to manufacture, that toothbrushes should have a limited environmental impact, that toothbrushes should be hygienic, that toothbrushes should be comfortable to use, and, of course, that toothbrushes should meet current standards, including safety requirements particularly related to the physical design of toothbrushes. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0017] [Patent Document 1] Korean Utility Model Specification No. 20-2020-0000359U [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 01 / 17433A1 Pamphlet [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2020 / 135915A1 Pamphlet [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2020136198A1 Pamphlet [Patent Document 5] German Utility Model No. 9318453U1 Specification [Patent Document 6] European Patent Application Publication No. 2792271A1 [Patent Document 7] European Patent Application Publication No. 3827700A1 [Patent Document 8] International Publication No. 97 / 35498 pamphlet [Patent Document 9] German Utility Model Specification No. 202019001011U1 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0018] One object of the present invention is to provide a separable dental care product such as a toothbrush that addresses at least a portion of the design criteria that dental care products should enable the user to effectively brush their teeth, be easy to manufacture, have a limited environmental impact, be hygienic, be comfortable to use, and, of course, meet current standards such as safety requirements regarding the physical design of certain dental care products.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0019] This object is achieved by a base part having a handle part and an interconnecting part, [[ID=!10]] a head part having an interconnecting part and a dental care utility part, wherein the base part and the head part are configured to be separably interconnected by respective interconnecting parts, the interconnecting part of the head part includes a tubular part, and an internal thread is formed on an inner envelope surface of the tubular part, the interconnecting part of the base part includes a protrusion that extends along a longitudinal direction along a central axis from the handle part towards a free end of the protrusion, and an external thread is provided on an outer envelope surface of the protrusion, = the protrusion is configured to be received within the tubular part by a screwing operation about the central axis, the interconnecting part of the base part includes a shoulder that extends radially outward from the protrusion in a circumferential direction around the protrusion and has a contact surface configured to face the head part, a separable dental care product, wherein an end surface that extends circumferentially around an opening of the tubular part is provided on the tubular part, The contact surface of the base part is configured to contact the end face of the head part when the base part and the head part are interconnected to form the separable dental care product. The female screw has a root thickness and a thread pitch measured along the central axis, and the thread pitch is at least twice the root thickness, which is achieved by a separable dental care product.

[0020] With this general design, the base part can be used over a certain period and interconnected one by one to different head parts at a time during the certain period.

[0021] With this general design, the base part and the head part(s) can also be manufactured from different materials.

[0022] With this general design, for example, it is also possible to strike a new balance between the use of different materials with different material properties and / or different possible designs of different parts and the concept of giving different possible service lives to different parts, thereby creating a separable dental care product such as a toothbrush that addresses the above criteria in an improved way.

[0023] Of particular note is that by designing a separable dental care product with a screw-in interconnection, it becomes easier to provide a design that is comfortable to use, easy to manufacture and assemble, and especially meets hygienic requirements, by combining a shoulder portion having a contact surface that extends radially outward from the protrusion, circumferentially around the protrusion, and facing the head portion, and a tubular portion having an end face that extends circumferentially around the opening, the contact surface of the base portion being configured to contact the end face of the head portion when the base portion and the head portion are interconnected to form the separable dental care product. By providing a screw, as well as a contact surface and an end face, a tight and secure engagement between the two parts can be achieved. This effectively eliminates the need for elastic sealing rings extending outward from the handle, as suggested in the prior art. This makes manufacturing easier and allows the user to assemble the product easily while meeting hygienic requirements. Furthermore, providing an outwardly protruding elastic sealing ring can negatively affect the comfort of using the dental care product, depending on the actual position of the sealing ring. Therefore, there is a wide possibility of omitting the elastic seal ring used in conventional designs, allowing for more flexible arrangement of interconnections. In this context, it should be noted that it is preferable for the joint to be free of additional components such as elastic seal rings. The joint is preferably formed by the direct contact of the end face to the contact surface of the base part. This general design is easy to assemble and provides the effect of a strong lock with the torque required to lock the parts together, so the torque that holds the parts together increases sharply when the contact surface and end face come into contact with each other. However, it is sufficient to simply release the contact, and disassembly can be easily performed thereafter. Because high torque is achieved over a short length, the user can easily provide a strong locking effect, as it is sufficient for the user to simply burst high torque for a short time, whether locking or releasing the parts in place. A strong friction lock is obtained by the contact between the contact surface and the end face.

[0024] The root thickness is intended to refer to the thickness of the thread profile, i.e., the width of the root of the protruding profile as viewed in a cross-sectional plane along the central axis, and the root thickness is measured along the central axis. In this context, the root is intended to refer to the actual portion of the thread profile that connects to or is closest to the internal enclosing surface of the tubular part. Note that the profile width refers to the width of the profile that actually interacts with the corresponding profile of other parts, and is not intended to refer to the width measured at any root rounding or root relief. This design allows for strong screwing and enables the user to assemble dental care products quickly and easily. Preferably, the male thread has a corresponding width in which the groove can receive the profile of the female thread at a corresponding height, and has a corresponding shape in the sense that it enables the intended screwing interaction between the two interconnections. Thus, in a sense, the male thread can also be said to have a root width and thread pitch measured along the central axis, and the thread pitch is preferably at least twice the root width. In a preferred embodiment, the profile of the projection of the female thread and the profile of the groove of the male thread are trapezoidal, and the sides of these profiles abut each other along most of the height, more preferably along almost the entire height, for example, along the entire height except for the top rounding.

[0025] This general design also allows for the formation of strong contact between the contact surface and the end surface at the maximum possible distance from the central axis, thereby enhancing the bending resistance of the interconnect. This expands design options in terms of reduced material usage and / or the location of the interconnect as viewed along the central axis.

[0026] Therefore, the novel designs disclosed above are compared to conventional technologies that impose certain limitations on the available design options, which are not associated with specific features. Conversely, the general designs disclosed above expand many design options that are not achievable, or at least not easily achievable, with conventional designs.

[0027] As mentioned at the beginning, the general two-part design allows for the use of different materials for different parts, for example, a polymer-based head part and a wood-based base part. However, it should also be noted that this general design broadens the range of material choices, meaning that a complete product line can have multiple different components made from different materials. For example, a complete product line could include a choice between a base part made from wood-based material or a base part made from polymer-based material. This general design, with threads and end face contacts to the contact surface, allows for a variety of material combinations.

[0028] It should be noted that a screw is generally described as a helical structure used to convert rotational motion into linear motion and torque into axial force. In the case of a female screw, the helical structure can be said to be formed by a structure extending inward from an inward tubular surface and along the helix. Alternatively, in the case of a female screw, the helical structure can be said to be formed by a groove formed on the inward tubular surface having a contour extending outward along the helix within the wall of the tubular part. A female screw is sometimes called a set of alternating grooves and projections extending along the helix. It should be noted that the various concepts used are often related to the various methods of manufacturing such female screws. For clarity, as shown by the geometric design of the preferred embodiment, in this specification, a female screw refers to a structure extending inward from an inward tubular surface and along the helix. However, it should be noted that this does not mean a specific method of manufacturing such female screws. Various methods of manufacturing such female screws are described separately below. Similarly, for clarity, due to the geometric design of preferred embodiments, in this specification, a male thread refers to a groove extending inward within the outward-facing envelope surface of a projection and extending along a helix. Similarly, it should be noted that this does not imply a specific method for manufacturing such male threads. Various methods for manufacturing such male threads are described separately below.

[0029] In a typical usage scenario for a dental care product, such as a toothbrush, the user purchases a kit containing one base part and multiple head parts. The user attaches one of the head parts to the base part and uses it to brush, rinse, and dry their teeth, using it daily as a regular toothbrush for a certain period, for example, about a month. This period may vary depending on the user's preference. In this context, it should be noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends replacing toothbrushes after three months of daily use. After that, the user disassembles the head part from the base part, discards the used head part, and attaches a new head part to the base part. The user may also have a head part that forms another type of dental care product, for example, a small pointed brush intended for cleaning specific parts of the teeth, which can be used when necessary or for non-routine use. In such a case, the user may, for example, temporarily remove the head part that forms the regular toothbrush, temporarily use the base part in combination with the other type of head part, and after use, remove the other type of head part and reattach the regular head part. This general design allows for many design choices regarding the materials of different components and the function of the head components, thus enabling numerous other use scenarios. As mentioned above, the strength of this general design lies in its versatility, thereby forming the basis for a versatile product line. Other types of head components may include brushes of other designs, such as brushes with significantly softer bristles, brushes with narrower brushes (i.e., brushes with a smaller width across the central axis), brushes designed for cleaning orthodontic appliances, and brushes designed for cleaning prostheses.

[0030] Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims and specification.

[0031] In this context, it should be noted that the divisible dental care product may be designed in accordance with the above disclosure, but without the feature that the female thread has a root thickness and thread pitch measured along the central axis, and the thread pitch is at least twice the root thickness. It should also be noted that the divisible dental care product may be designed in accordance with the above disclosure, but without the feature that the interconnection portion of the base part includes a shoulder portion, the shoulder portion has a contact surface configured to extend radially outward from the projection portion, circumferentially around the projection portion, and face the head part, and the tubular portion has an end face that extends circumferentially around the opening of the tubular portion, and the contact surface of the base part is configured to contact the end face of the head part when the base part and the head part are interconnected to form the divisible dental care product.

[0032] Therefore, the present invention also, A base component having a handle portion and interconnecting portions, The base component and the head component are configured to be detachably interconnected by their respective interconnections. The interconnection portion of the head component includes a tubular portion, and an internal thread is formed on the inward enclosing surface of the tubular portion. The interconnecting portion of the base component includes a projection, the projection extends along the longitudinal direction along the central axis from the handle portion toward the free end of the projection, and the projection is provided with a male screw formed on the outward-facing enclosing surface of the projection. The aforementioned protruding portion is configured to be received into the tubular portion by a screwing motion around the central axis, and the invention also relates to a divisible dental care product.

[0033] Such divisible dental care products can be combined with any of the following desirable features:

[0034] It should be noted that such a divisible dental care product may also be designed to have the following features: the interconnection portion of the base part includes a shoulder, the shoulder having a contact surface configured to extend radially outward from the projection, circumferentially around the projection, and facing the head part; the tubular part has an end face that extends circumferentially around the opening of the tubular part, and the contact surface of the base part is configured to contact the end face of the head part when the base part and the head part are interconnected to form the divisible dental care product; and / or the female thread may also have the features of having a root thickness and thread pitch measured along the central axis, with the thread pitch being at least twice the root thickness. Furthermore, these latter types of divisible dental care products can be combined with any of the preferred features described below.

[0035] The contact surface of the base component is preferably configured to contact closely with the end face of the head component when the base component and the head component are interconnected to form the divisible dental care product. This makes it easier to provide a design that satisfies hygiene requirements in particular.

[0036] The female threads of the tubular portion and the male threads of the protruding portion may have a trapezoidal profile. This profile shape is considered advantageous because it can be manufactured from various materials such as wood and plastic using various manufacturing methods. This profile shape is also considered suitable for use because it broadens various design options, such as the possibility of providing a relatively large thread pitch and the possibility of providing different conicities of interconnections. For example, male threads can be effectively formed on wooden handles by providing relative rotational and longitudinal motion between the handle and the square cutting tool. Furthermore, since the trapezoidal profile can also provide strong axial force, it can help provide tight contact between the contact surface and the end face, as discussed above.

[0037] The female thread of the tubular portion and the male thread of the protruding portion are preferably single-entry threads. This allows a considerable amount of material to be present between each groove forming the male thread, thereby forming a strong male thread. Such a design is particularly suitable when the base component can be manufactured from wood-based material.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the female thread of the tubular portion and the male thread of the protruding portion are single entry threads, the female thread has a root thickness and thread pitch measured along the central axis, and the thread pitch is at least twice the root thickness.

[0039] The inward-facing envelope surface of the tubular portion may taper such that the inner diameter of the inward-facing envelope surface decreases as the distance from the opening of the tubular portion increases. This is beneficial because it widens the tolerance window and facilitates assembly while achieving a strong final connection.

[0040] Preferably, the tubular portion tapers so that the inward-facing envelope surface is inclined inward by several degrees, that is, the tubular portion becomes approximately cylindrical. The angle α at which the inward-facing envelope surface is inclined with respect to the central axis is preferably 1 to 5°.

[0041] The inward-facing enveloping surface may include a non-threaded portion extending a certain distance from the opening along the central axis, preferably such a distance is equal to at least one times the root thickness of the female thread. This is advantageous because it allows for the provision of a non-threaded portion on the enveloping surface of the protruding portion, where the non-threaded portion extends a certain distance from the shoulder along the central axis, preferably such a distance is equal to at least one times the root thickness of the female thread, and is less than or equal to the above distance of the non-threaded inward-facing enveloping surface.

[0042] By providing a non-threaded portion, it becomes possible to provide a non-threaded portion on the enclosing surface of the protruding portion, but it should be noted that this is not essential. Therefore, even if the non-threaded portion is provided on the tubular portion, the groove forming the male thread may extend further toward the shoulder portion, or may extend all the way to the shoulder portion.

[0043] Providing a non-threaded portion on the inward-facing envelope surface may function as a guide opening to facilitate the initial assembly of dental care products.

[0044] The projection may include an unthreaded portion extending from the shoulder along the central axis for a certain distance, the distance being at least one-fifth the width of the male thread. This facilitates the manufacture of the projection in the sense that it facilitates the machining of base parts, which are useful when designing base parts made of wood-based materials, for example, and facilitates the machining of forming tools, which are useful when designing base parts made of polymer-based materials. Therefore, the unthreaded portion of the inward-facing enveloping surface may extend from the opening along the central axis for a distance greater than or equal to the unthreaded portion of the projection, i.e., preferably at least one-fifth the width of the female thread. In one alternative embodiment, the projection may include an unthreaded portion extending from the shoulder along the central axis for a certain distance, the distance being at least one-fifth the width of the male thread.

[0045] In one preferred embodiment, the divisible dental care product is a toothbrush, and the dental care utility portion includes a brush portion, the brush portion including a brush head formed on the head portion at the end of the head portion opposite to the tubular portion, and a plurality of bristles attached to the lateral surface of the brush head.

[0046] The distance along the central axis between the distal end of the brush head and the opening of the tubular portion may be at least 60 mm, preferably 60 mm to 90 mm, and more preferably 60 mm to 80 mm. Alternatively, or to complement this, the distance along the central axis between the center position of the brush head and the opening of the tubular portion may be at least 45 mm, preferably 45 mm to 75 mm, and more preferably 45 mm to 65 mm. In this context, the center position refers to the center position when viewed along the central axis.

[0047] This distance is considered appropriate because it allows for sufficient overlap between interconnected parts, effectively utilizes the fact that the toothbrush is a two-part design, and, for example, allows for the selection of different materials for different parts.

[0048] Preferably, the outer circumferential surface of the shoulder portion of the base component is flush with the outer circumferential surface of the head component at the opening of the tubular portion when the base component and the head component are interconnected to form the divisible dental care product.

[0049] This is beneficial in that it makes dental care products more comfortable to use and easier to keep them clean.

[0050] The base component may be rotationally symmetric with respect to its central axis. Such a design facilitates the manufacturing of the entire base component and also simplifies the assembly of the product. Furthermore, it further facilitates manufacturing by widening the tolerance window, for example, with respect to tolerances applied to the positions of interconnects, threads, and shoulders.

[0051] In one preferred embodiment, the base component and the head component are formed from different materials. Note that different materials may refer to completely different materials, such as a polymer-based material and a wood-based material. Alternatively, different materials may refer to different polymer-based materials. Different load conditions for the base component and the head component can be addressed, for example, by using a first polymer-based material for the base component and a different second polymer-based material for the head component. Note that different polymer-based materials may also refer to the use of different polymers, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, or may relate to the use of different grades of the same type of polymer, such as different grades of polyethylene. Different grades may relate to, for example, different average lengths of polymer chains, different additives, etc.

[0052] The head component may be formed from a polymer-based material. This material choice is beneficial because it offers a wide variety of design options.

[0053] The base component may be formed from a wood-based material. This choice of material is beneficial because it is environmentally friendly and easily provides a comfortable grip in terms of both structure and shape.

[0054] The base component may be formed from a polymer-based material. The choice of this material is beneficial because it offers a wide variety of design options. Furthermore, the polymer-based base component may be hollow or have recesses to accommodate electronic devices that provide additional functionality.

[0055] It should be noted that base components made of wood-based materials may also be hollow or have recesses, and may be used to mount electronic devices that provide additional functionality.

[0056] The aforementioned object is also a head component configured to form part of a divisible dental care product, having an interconnection portion and a dental care utility portion, and configured to be detachably interconnected to the interconnection portion of a base component using the interconnection portion, The interconnecting portion of the head component includes a tubular portion, the tubular portion extends around a central axis, and an internal thread is formed on its inward-facing enclosing surface. The tubular portion is provided with an end face that extends circumferentially around the opening of the tubular portion. The aforementioned head component is This is achieved by a head component characterized in that the female thread has a root thickness and thread pitch measured along the central axis, and the thread pitch is at least twice the root thickness.

[0057] The advantages relating to the general design, its preferred embodiments, and various modifications have been discussed in detail above with reference to the divisible dental care product, and the discussion is similarly relevant to the head component.

[0058] Preferably, the tubular portion is configured to receive the interconnection portion of the base component by a screwing motion around the central axis.

[0059] The end face of the head component is preferably configured to abut against a contact surface of the base component facing the end face of the head component when the base component and the head component are interconnected to form the divisible dental care product. The interconnection portion of the base component preferably includes a shoulder, the shoulder having a contact surface configured to extend radially outward from the projection, circumferentially around the projection, and facing the head component.

[0060] Similarly, as discussed above with reference to divisible dental care products, in this context, the head component may be designed in accordance with the above disclosure, but not having the same feature as the divisible dental care products, where the female thread has a root thickness and thread pitch measured along the central axis, and the thread pitch is at least twice the root thickness. Also, the head component may be designed in accordance with the above disclosure, but similarly, or alternatively, where the tubular portion may not have the feature of having end faces extending circumferentially around the opening of the tubular portion.

[0061] Therefore, the present invention also provides a head component configured to form part of a divisible dental care product, having an interconnection portion and a dental care utility portion, and configured to be detachably interconnected to the interconnection portion of a base component using the interconnection portion, The interconnection portion of the head component can also be said to include a tubular portion, the tubular portion extending around a central axis, and having an internal thread formed on its inward-facing enclosing surface.

[0062] Such head components can be combined with any of the features described above in relation to a preferred embodiment of a divisible dental care product.

[0063] It should be noted that the head component may be designed such that the tubular portion has an end face extending circumferentially around the opening of the tubular portion, and the contact surface of the base component is configured to contact the end face of the head component when the base component and the head component are interconnected to form the divisible dental care product, and / or the female thread has a root thickness and thread pitch measured along the central axis, and the thread pitch is at least twice the root thickness. Furthermore, any of these latter types of head components can be combined with any of the features described above in relation to a preferred embodiment of the divisible dental care product.

[0064] In this context, it should also be noted that any head component relating to any of the different preferred embodiments may form part of a component kit containing multiple such head components. It should also be noted that the head components may be of the same type or of different types.

[0065] The aforementioned objective also includes a plurality of head components, each having an interconnection portion and a dental care utility portion, wherein each head component is configured to be removably interconnected one at a time to an interconnection portion of a base component using its interconnection portion, and the interconnection portion of the head component includes a tubular portion, the tubular portion extending around a central axis and having an internal thread formed on its inward-facing enclosing surface. The tubular portion is configured to receive the interconnection portion of the base component by a screwing motion around the central axis, and the tubular portion is provided with an end face extending circumferentially around the opening of the tubular portion, in a parts kit, When the base component and the head component are interconnected to form a separable dental care product, the end face of the head component is configured to contact the contact surface of the base component that faces the end face of the head component. The female thread is achieved by a parts kit characterized in that it has a root thickness and thread pitch measured along the central axis, and the thread pitch is at least twice the root thickness.

[0066] The advantages relating to the general design, its preferred embodiments, and various modifications have been discussed in detail above with reference to the divisible dental care product, and the discussion is equally relevant to the parts kit.

[0067] In one embodiment, multiple head components in a parts kit are all of the same type and have the same functional characteristics. These head components may all be configured to form a toothbrush, and may all have the same shape, the same design, and the same hardness / rigidity of bristles. Thus, from a functional standpoint, the head components are interchangeable. The head components may all be completely identical, or they may have different designs in terms of non-functional features, such as different decorations or different colors. Such parts kits are useful, for example, for users who are using or intend to use two toothbrushes. Users typically purchase a new replacement set containing only the desired type of multiple head components and reuse the base components. The base components may be purchased individually or as part of a starter kit.

[0068] In one embodiment, multiple head components within a parts kit are all of the same type but have slightly different functional characteristics. For example, all of these head components may be configured to form a toothbrush, but different head components may have brush heads of different sizes and / or shapes, bristle bases of different sizes and / or shapes, virtual surfaces with bristle tips of different sizes and / or shapes, and / or bristles of different hardness and / or stiffness. Such a parts kit is useful, for example, for a user who does not know which type of brush is best. Such a kit may or may not include a base component.

[0069] It should also be noted that the head components of the parts kit do not all need to have different functional characteristics. For example, one could have a kit containing one or more subsets of functionally interchangeable head components within each subset. Such a kit may optionally include one or more subsets of a single functionally different head component. This setup could, for example, include one subset of parts kit containing multiple head components configured to form a toothbrush with bristles that are, for example, all of a first hardness / rigidity and are interchangeable, and the parts kit also contains another head component with different bristles, for example, that are harder / more rigid, and this other head component is intended for occasional use, for example, when something is stuck or when special attention is required with orthodontic appliances. This latter can be considered a hybrid of the two embodiments described above.

[0070] In one embodiment, the head components in the parts kit are of different types. These head components may all be of different types and may be divided into one or more subsets, each containing one or more head components. This may include, for example, one subset containing multiple head components configured to form a toothbrush in which the bristles are all of a first hardness / rigidity and are considered replaceable, and also a parts kit containing another head component of a different type, for example, a completely differently designed brush used for a specific purpose, such as a brush having a pointed bristle that can reach areas that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush having a bristle of a normal shape.

[0071] As discussed above with reference to divisible dental care products and head components, and although the component kit may be designed in accordance with the above disclosure, the individual head components may not necessarily include the feature that the female thread has a root thickness and thread pitch measured along the central axis, and the thread pitch is at least twice the root thickness.

[0072] Furthermore, while the parts kit is designed in accordance with the above disclosure, it should be noted that the tubular portion may also be designed, similarly or alternatively, such that it does not have the feature of having an end face extending circumferentially around the opening of the tubular portion, and the contact surface of the base part being configured to contact the end face of the head part when the base part and the head part are interconnected to form the divisible dental care product.

[0073] Therefore, the present invention also includes a plurality of head components, each having an interconnection portion and a dental care utility portion, wherein each of the head components is configured to be detachably interconnected one at a time to an interconnection portion of a base component using its interconnection portion. The interconnecting portion of the head component includes a tubular portion, the tubular portion extends around a central axis, and an internal thread is formed on its inward-facing enclosing surface. The tubular portion is configured to receive the interconnection portion of the base component by a screwing motion around the central axis, and this can also be described as relating to a component kit.

[0074] Such component kits can be combined with any of the features described above in relation to a preferred embodiment of a divisible dental care product.

[0075] It should be noted that this parts kit may be designed such that the individual head parts have end faces extending circumferentially around the opening of the tubular portion on the tubular portion, and the contact surface of the base part is configured to contact the end face of the head part when the base part and the head part are interconnected to form the divisible dental care product, and / or the female thread has a root thickness and thread pitch measured along the central axis, and the thread pitch is at least twice the root thickness. Furthermore, any of these latter types of parts kits can be combined with any of the features described above with respect to a preferred embodiment of the divisible dental care product. It should be noted that the head parts may be of the same type or of different types.

[0076] The parts kit may further include a base part having a handle and a joint.

[0077] The joint portion of the base component may include a projection, the projection extending from the handle portion toward the free end of the projection along the longitudinal direction along the central axis, and preferably the projection is provided with a male screw formed on the outward-facing enclosing surface of the projection. Preferably, the protruding portion is configured to be received into the tubular portion by a screwing motion around the central axis.

[0078] The joint portion of the base component may include a shoulder portion, the shoulder portion having a contact surface that extends circumferentially around the protruding portion and is configured to face the head component.

[0079] These parts kits are A base component having a handle portion and a joint portion, The base component and each of the head components are detachably interconnected by their respective interconnections, so that the base component can be used over a certain period of time and can be interconnected to each of the multiple head components one at a time during that period. The joint portion of the head component includes a tubular portion, and an internal thread is formed on the inward enclosing surface of the tubular portion. The joint portion of the base component includes a projection, the projection extends along the longitudinal direction along the central axis from the handle portion toward the free end of the projection, and the projection is provided with a male screw formed on the outward-facing enclosing surface of the projection. The protruding portion is configured to be received into the tubular portion by a screwing motion around the central axis, The joint portion of the base component includes a shoulder portion, the shoulder portion has a contact surface that extends circumferentially around the protruding portion and is configured to face the head component. The tubular portion is provided with an end face extending circumferentially around the opening of the tubular portion, and the contact surface of the base component is configured to contact the end face of the head component when the base component and the head component are interconnected to form a separable dental care product; this may also be called a component kit.

[0080] In any of the above-mentioned component kits, the base component may be formed from a wood-based material. In any of the above-mentioned component kits, the base component may be formed from a polymer-based material.

[0081] The parts kit also, A first base component having a handle portion and a joint portion, It may also include a second base part having a handle portion and a joint portion. The first base component is formed from a wood-based material, and the second base component is formed from a polymer-based material. Each of the head components is detachably interconnected by its respective interconnection portion to either the first or second base component's interconnection portion, so that each base component can be used over a certain period of time and interconnected to each of the multiple head components one at a time during that period.

[0082] Such a design might have, for example, a first base component made of wood for a more upscale home use and a second base component made of polymer for a travel toiletry bag. Alternatively, one of the base components, for example, the second base component made of polymer, may be hollow and house electronic devices that provide additional functionality.

[0083] In short, the present invention can also be said to relate to a parts kit and a divisible dental care product, the divisible dental care product comprising: a base part having a handle portion and an interconnecting portion, wherein the interconnecting portion includes a projection, the projection being provided with a male screw and a shoulder portion extending radially outward from the projection and circumferentially around the projection, having a contact surface; and a head part having a dental care utility portion and an interconnecting portion, wherein the interconnecting portion includes a tubular portion, the tubular portion being provided with a female screw and an end face extending circumferentially around the opening of the tubular portion, the contact surface of the base part being configured to contact the end face of the head part when the base part and the head part are interconnected to form the divisible dental care product.

[0084] The above-mentioned objective is also a head component having an interconnection part and a dental care utility part, configured to be detachably interconnected to the interconnection part of a base component using the interconnection part, The interconnecting portion of the head component includes a tubular portion, the tubular portion extends around a central axis, and an internal thread is formed on its inward-facing enclosing surface. The tubular portion is configured to receive the interconnection portion of the base component by a screwing motion around the central axis. The tubular portion is provided with an end face that extends circumferentially around the opening of the tubular portion. When the base component and the head component are interconnected to form a separable dental care product, the end face of the head component is configured to abut against the contact surface of the base component that faces the end face of the head component, and this is achieved by the head component.

[0085] The advantages relating to the general design, its preferred embodiments, and various modifications have been discussed in detail above with reference to dental care products, and this discussion is itself equally relevant to the head components.

[0086] It should be noted that the use of numbers such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th is primarily considered a label to facilitate reading and does not necessarily mean that all parts of the intervening number must be present. For example, it should be noted that a design may have parts 1, 2, 3, and 5, with part 4 omitted. However, for the sake of readability, the numbers 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. are consistently used as labels, based on embodiments that, in a sense, include all conceivable parts.

[0087] In general, all terms used in the claims should be interpreted according to their ordinary meanings in the art unless expressly defined otherwise herein. All references to “elements, devices, components, means, steps, etc.” followed by “a / an / the” should be broadly interpreted as referring to at least one such example of the elements, devices, components, means, steps, etc. unless expressly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not need to be performed in the exact order disclosed unless expressly stated otherwise. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0088] The present invention will be described in more detail, as an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating currently preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0089] [Figure 1] Disclosed is an assembled dental care product in the form of a two-part toothbrush. [Figure 2] Figure 1 discloses a dental care product in a disassembled state, with the head component separated from the base component. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the head component. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the interconnections of the head components and the base components in a disassembled state. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of the interconnection points of the head components. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the interconnection points of the base components. [Figure 7A] This is a perspective view of a first base component that may be formed from a polymer-based material or the like. [Figure 7B] This is a cross-sectional view of a first base component that may be formed from a polymer-based material or the like. [Figure 7C] This is an exploded view of a first base component that may be formed from polymer-based materials or the like. [Figure 8A] This is a perspective view of a second base component, which can basically be formed from wood-based materials. [Figure 8B] This is a cross-sectional view of a second base component, which can basically be formed from wood-based materials. [Figure 8C] This is an exploded view of the second base component, which can basically be formed from wood-based materials. [Figure 9] This is a side view of the interconnection portion of a base component according to a further embodiment. [Figure 10] Various exemplary component kits are schematically disclosed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0090] Referring to Figure 1, a divisible dental care product 1 is disclosed, which includes a base component 10 and a head component 20. In this embodiment, the dental care product 1 is a toothbrush 1.

[0091] The base component 10 has a handle portion 11 and an interconnecting portion 12. The head component 20 has an interconnecting portion 22 and a dental care utility portion 29. The base component 10 and the head component 20 are configured to be detachably interconnected by their respective interconnecting portions 12 and 22. In Figure 1, the base component 10 and the head component 20 are interconnected to form a toothbrush 1. In Figure 2, the head component 20 is separated from the base component 10.

[0092] As best shown in Figures 3-5, the interconnection portion 22 of the head component 20 includes a tubular portion 22a, and an internal thread 23 is formed on the inward-facing enclosing surface 22b of the tubular portion 22a. The tubular portion 22a is provided with an end face 24a that extends circumferentially (circumferentially) around the opening 22c of the tubular portion 22a.

[0093] As best shown in Figures 4 and 6, the interconnection portion 12 of the base component 10 includes a projection 12a, which extends along the longitudinal direction L along the central axis A toward the free end 12e of the projection 12a from the handle portion 11, and the projection 12a is provided with a male thread 13 formed on the outward-facing enveloping surface 12b of the projection 12. The interconnection portion 12 of the base component 10 includes a shoulder portion 14, which has a contact surface 14a that extends radially outward from the projection 12, circumferentially around the projection 12, and is configured to face the head component 20.

[0094] As shown in Figure 4, the projection 12a is configured to be received into the tubular portion 22a by a screwing motion around the central axis A. Note that this motion is relative, and in practice, the user may orient the tubular portion 22a toward the projection 12 or vice versa. For example, the design shown in Figure 1 is considered easiest to assemble by holding the head component 20 still with one hand and rotating the base component 10 with the other. When the base component 10 and the head component 20 are interconnected to form the divisible dental care product 1, the contact surface 14a of the base component 10 contacts, preferably tightly, the end surface 24a of the head component 20. Both the contact surface 14a and the end surface 24a extend in a plane normalized to the central axis A.

[0095] The base component 10 is particularly useful in usage scenarios where the base component 10 is used over a certain period of time and interconnected with different head components 20 one at a time during that period.

[0096] For example, as shown in Figures 4-6, the female thread 23 of the tubular portion 22a and the male thread 13 of the projection 12a may have a trapezoidal profile. The female thread 23 has a root thickness RT and a thread pitch P measured along the central axis A. The thread pitch P is preferably at least twice the root thickness RT. In a preferred embodiment, the thread pitch P is about 3.5 times the root thickness RT, i.e., P = 3.5 × RT. The thread pitch P is preferably considered to be 2 to 5 times the root thickness RT. In the disclosed design, the sides of the profile are perpendicular to the central axis A. This makes the thickness of the profile essentially the same as the root thickness RT along the full height of the profile. In the disclosed embodiment, the width of the profile or the root thickness RT is about 1 mm. The width of the profile or the root thickness RT is considered to be appropriately 0.5 mm to 2 mm. In the disclosed embodiment, the pitch P is about 3.5 mm. The pitch P is considered to be appropriately 2 mm to 5 mm.

[0097] In a preferred embodiment, the male thread 13 has a corresponding shape. The profile of the male thread 13 has a root width RW and a thread pitch P measured along the central axis A, where the thread pitch P is preferably at least twice the root width RW. In a preferred embodiment, the profile of the projection of the female thread 23 and the profile of the groove of the male thread 13 are trapezoidal, and the sides of these profiles abut each other along most of the height, more preferably along almost the entire height, for example, along the entire height excluding the top rounding. Thus, the root thickness RT and the root width RW are approximately the same.

[0098] The female thread 23 of the tubular portion 22a and the male thread 13 of the projection 12a are preferably single-entry threads. As shown in Figure 6, for example, this ensures that a considerable amount of material is present between each groove forming the male thread 13. This results in the formation of a strong male thread 13. Such a design is particularly suitable when the base part 10 can be manufactured from wood-based material. Single-entry threads can also be beneficial during production and / or automated assembly and / or user assembly, as the base part 10 and the head part 20 have only one possible relative rotational position that allows the threads 13 of part 10 and the threads 23 of part 20 to screw-engage with each other. Single-entry threads can also be beneficial in that they ensure, for example, that any information printed, embossed, or otherwise provided on the base part 10 is oriented in the desired orientation on the head part 20 or vice versa.

[0099] The inward-facing envelope surface 22b of the tubular portion 22a may taper such that the inner diameter D22b of the inward-facing envelope surface 22b decreases as the distance from the opening 22c of the tubular portion 22a increases. Therefore, the inner diameter D22b' on the side that is further away from the opening 22c is smaller than the diameter D22b of the opening.

[0100] Preferably, the tubular portion 22a tapers so that the inward-facing enveloping surface 22b is inclined inward by several degrees, i.e., the tubular portion 22a is substantially cylindrical. The angle α at which the inward-facing enveloping surface 22b is inclined with respect to the central axis A is preferably 1 to 5°. In a preferred embodiment, the angle α is approximately 2°.

[0101] Preferably, the upper surface 23t of the female thread forms a virtual cylinder in which the virtual envelope extends parallel to the central axis A. Combined with the preferred tapering of the inward-facing envelope 22b, the heights H1 and H2 of the female thread 23 profile decrease as the distance from the opening 22c increases. The heights H1 and H2 of the female thread 23 profile relate to any given portion of the profile measured radially from the envelope 22b of each portion of the profile to the upper surface 23t of each portion of the profile. For example, as shown in Figure 5, since the heights H1 and H2 decrease as the distance from the opening 22c increases, the indicated height H1 is greater than the indicated height H2. Height H1 is the height of the portion of the thread 23 that is closer to the opening 22c than the portion with height H2.

[0102] The inward-facing enveloping surface 22b may include a non-threaded portion 22bc extending from the opening 22c along the central axis A for a certain distance L22bc. This distance L22bc is preferably equal to at least 1 times the root thickness RT of the female thread 23. In a preferred embodiment, the distance L22bc is about 2 times the root thickness RT of the female thread 23. It is considered appropriate for the distance L22bc to be 1 to 4 times the root thickness RT of the female thread 23.

[0103] By providing the non-threaded portion 22bc, it becomes possible to provide a non-threaded portion 12c on the enclosing surface 12b of the protruding portion 12, but it should be noted that this is not essential. Therefore, even if the non-threaded portion 22bc is provided on the tubular portion 22a, the groove forming the male thread 13 may extend further toward the shoulder portion 14, or may extend to the shoulder portion 14. Alternatively, it may be expressed as the distance L22bc being greater than or equal to any of the non-threaded portions 12c.

[0104] The projection 12 may include an unthreaded portion 12c extending from the shoulder portion 14 along the central axis A for a certain distance L12c. This distance L12c is preferably equal to at least one-fifth of the root width RW of the male thread 13, i.e., the distance L12c is at least 0.2 times the root width RW. Thus, considering that the distance L22bc must be greater than or equal to any of the unthreaded portions 12c, the distance L22bc, if present as in the disclosed embodiment, can alternatively be defined as being at least one-fifth of the root thickness RT. In the disclosed embodiment, the distance L12c is about twice the root width RW of the male thread 13. In one embodiment, it is considered appropriate that the distance L12c be 1 to 4 times the root width RW of the male thread 13. In an alternative embodiment, the distance L12c is about one-fifth to 1 time the root width RW of the male thread 13, preferably about one-third of the root width RW. In one preferred embodiment, the distance L12c is approximately 0.3 mm. Thus, the distance L12c can also be said to be approximately 1 / 5 to 4 times the root width RW of the male thread 13.

[0105] For example, as shown in Figures 4, 6, and 9, the enveloping surface 12a of the projection 12 may taper slightly such that the diameter of the projection 12 decreases as the distance from the shoulder 14 increases. Preferably, the projection 12a tapers such that the outward-facing enveloping surface 22b is inclined by a few degrees, i.e., the projection 22a is substantially cylindrical. The angle β at which the outward-facing enveloping surface 12b is inclined with respect to the central axis A is preferably 1 to 5°. In a preferred embodiment, the angle β is about 2°. The bottom of the groove forming the male screw 13 preferably extends along a cylindrical enveloping surface that extends parallel to the central axis A. Combined with the preferred taper of the outward-facing enveloping surface 12b, the profile or groove depths D1, D2 of the male screw 13 decrease as the distance from the shoulder 14 increases. In Figure 9, depth D1 is greater than depth D2.

[0106] As shown in Figure 9, near the shoulder, the outward-facing enveloping surface 22b tapers sharply by an angle β1. This can be combined with a small chamfer on the inside of the opening 22c of the base part 20. This design is intended to clearly and abruptly increase the torque required to fasten the parts together, and also to increase the torque required to release the parts from each other.

[0107] A valve 23g and a recess 13g may be provided at either the joint between the head component 20 and the base component 10. In a preferred embodiment, the valve 23g is formed as a valve 23g extending inward on the inward enveloping surface 22b of the tubular portion 22a, and the recess 13g is formed as a recess in the outward enveloping surface 12b of the projection 12. Figure 5 shows that the valve 23g extends inward from the inward enveloping surface 22b, similar to how the screw 23 extends inward from the inward enveloping surface 22b. Figure 6 shows that the recess 13g is formed in the outward enveloping surface 12b. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the valve 23g and recess 13g preferably have little axial elongation. Figure 4 shows that the valve 23g and recess 23g have little circumferential elongation. Figure 4 also shows that the valve 23g is intended to be aligned with the recess 13g and to be received within the recess 13g. Conversely, the valve may be formed on the outward-facing envelope surface 12b of the projection 12a, and the recess may be formed on the inward-facing envelope surface 22b of the tubular portion 22a. The valve and recess may alternatively be formed such that one is formed on the contact surface 24a and the other on the end surface 24a. The valve and recess may be used to provide the user with clear tactile and / or audible feedback regarding the intended interconnection.

[0108] As described above, in the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, the divisible dental care product 1 is a toothbrush. Referring to Figures 1-3, the dental care utility portion 29 includes a brush portion 28, which includes a brush head 28a formed on the head portion 20 at the end 20e of the head portion 20 opposite the tubular portion 22a, and a plurality of bristles 28b attached to the lateral surface 28c of the brush head 28a.

[0109] The distance L20 along the central axis A between the distal end 28e of the brush head 28 and the opening 22c of the tubular portion 22 may be at least 60 mm, preferably 60 mm to 90 mm, and more preferably 60 mm to 80 mm. Alternatively, or to complement this, the distance L20' along the central axis A between the center position 28' of the brush head 28 and the opening 22c of the tubular portion 22a may be at least 45 mm, preferably 45 mm to 75 mm, and more preferably 45 mm to 65 mm. The central portion 28' is intended to point to a position where, when viewed along the central axis A, the distance from its position 28' to the bristle closest to the distal end 28e is equal to the distance to the bristle furthest from the distal end 28e.

[0110] For example, as shown in Figures 1-2 and 4-6, the outer circumferential surface 15a of the shoulder portion 14 of the base component 10 is preferably on the same curve as the outer circumferential surface 25a of the head component 20 at the opening 22c of the tubular portion 22a when the base component 10 and the head component 20 are interconnected to form the divisible dental care product 1. In a preferred embodiment, the outer circumferential surface 25 of the head component 20 is smoothly continuous with the outer circumferential surface 25a at the opening 22c. In a preferred embodiment, the outer circumferential surfaces 25a and 25 are slightly inclined to taper toward the care utility portion 29. In a preferred embodiment, the outer circumferential surface 15 of the base component 20 is smoothly continuous with the outer circumferential surface 15a of the shoulder portion 14. In a preferred embodiment, at least adjacent portions of the outer circumferential surface 15a of the shoulder portion and the outer circumferential surface 15 of the handle 11 are slightly inclined to taper toward the care utility portion 29. Preferably, the angles of the enveloping surfaces 25, 25a of the head component 20 are equal to the angles of the enveloping surfaces 15a, 15 of the base component 10.

[0111] For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the base component 10 may be rotationally symmetric with respect to the central axis A.

[0112] In one preferred embodiment, the base component 10 and the head component 20 are formed from different materials. Note that different materials may refer to completely different materials, such as a polymer-based material and a wood-based material. Alternatively, different materials may refer to different polymer-based materials. Different load conditions for the base component 10 and the head component 20 can be addressed, for example, by using a first polymer-based material for the base component 10 and a different second polymer-based material for the head component 20. Note that different polymer-based materials may also refer to the use of different polymers, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and may also relate to the use of different grades of the same type of polymer, such as different grades of polyethylene. Different grades may relate to, for example, different average lengths of polymer chains, different additives, etc.

[0113] The head component 20 may be formed from a polymer-based material. The choice of this material is beneficial because it offers a wide variety of design options.

[0114] The outer enveloping surface 25 of the base part 20 tapers more abruptly at a certain distance from the base part 10, forming a neck 26. The neck 26 is located between the interconnecting portion 22 and the care utility portion 29. For example, as shown in Figure 5, this abrupt taper begins, when viewed from the opening 22c, along the central axis A, around where the inward enveloping surface 22c of the tubular portion 22a ends. Alternatively, as also shown in Figure 5, the tubular portion 22a may not end as a lateral bottom, but rather may be designed to continue into the neck portion 26 as a conical space 23h. Such a design is particularly useful when the head part 20 is manufactured by an injection molding process or any similar process, because the conical space 23h allows for a nearly uniform thickness of the material, which is advantageous with respect to material injection and achieving uniform cooling of the injected material.

[0115] The base component 10 may be formed from a wood-based material. This choice of material is beneficial because it is environmentally friendly and easily provides a comfortable grip in terms of both structure and shape.

[0116] The base component 10 may be formed from a polymer-based material. The choice of this material is beneficial because it offers a wide variety of design options. The polymer-based base component 10 may also be hollow or have recesses to accommodate electronic devices that provide additional functionality.

[0117] It should be noted that the base component 10, which is made of wood-based material, may also be hollow or have recesses, and may be equipped with electronic devices that provide additional functions.

[0118] The base component 10 may be a solid piece of material. This is particularly useful when the base component 10 is made of wood. Alternatively, the solid base component 10 may be made of other materials, such as polymer-based materials.

[0119] Furthermore, the base component 10 may be made up of different components, such as one component that forms the handle portion 11 and another component that is attached to this component and forms a protruding interconnection portion 12. These different components may be made of the same material or different materials. For example, it is conceivable that the base component 10 has a handle portion 11 made of wood and an interconnection portion 12 made of a polymer-based material. In such a case, the interconnection portion 12 may be provided with an attachment portion that extends into the hole in the handle portion 11.

[0120] The aforementioned objectives are also achieved by a parts kit including a plurality of head parts 20, each having an interconnection part 22 and a dental care utility part 29. From the perspective of such head parts 20, each head part 20 is configured to be interconnected to the interconnection part 12 of the base part 10 one at a time in a separable manner using the interconnection part 22. The interconnecting portion 22 of the head component 20 includes a tubular portion 22a, which extends around the central axis A, and has an internal thread 23 formed on its inward-facing enclosing surface 22b. The tubular portion 22a is configured to receive the interconnection portion 12 of the base component 10 by a screwing motion around the central axis A. The tubular portion 22a is provided with an end face 24a that extends circumferentially around the opening 22c of the tubular portion 22a. When the base component 10 and the head component 20 are interconnected to form a separable dental care product 1, the end face 24a of the head component 20 is configured to contact the contact surface 14a of the base component 10 that faces the end face 24a of the head component 20.

[0121] In one embodiment, multiple head components 20 in a parts kit are all of the same type and have the same functional characteristics. These head components may all be configured to form a toothbrush, and may all have the same shape, the same design, and the same hardness / rigidity of bristles. Thus, from a functional standpoint, the head components 20 are interchangeable. The head components 20 may all be completely identical, or they may have different designs in terms of non-functional features, such as different decorations or different colors. Such a parts kit is useful, for example, for a user who is using or intends to use two toothbrushes continuously. The user would typically purchase a new replacement set containing only the desired type of multiple head components 20 and reuse the base component 10. Such a parts kit is schematically identified by box KOP1 in Figure 10. The base component 10 can be purchased individually or, for example, as part of a starter kit. Optionally, the base component 10 may be included in such a parts kit. The latter is identified as boxes KOP1b and KOP1 in Figure 10.

[0122] In one embodiment, multiple head components 20 within a parts kit are all of the same type but have slightly different functional characteristics. For example, all of these head components 20 may be configured to form a toothbrush, but different head components 20 may have brush heads of different sizes and / or shapes, bristle bases of different sizes and / or shapes, virtual surfaces with bristle tips of different sizes and / or shapes, and / or bristles of different hardness and / or stiffness. Such a parts kit is useful, for example, for a user who does not know which type of brush is best for them. Such a kit may or may not include a base component 10. Such a kit is basically illustrated as box KOP1, but there are some differences between the different head components 20.

[0123] It should also be noted that the head components 20 in the parts kit do not all need to have different functional characteristics. For example, one could have a kit containing one or more subsets of functionally interchangeable head components 20 within each subset. Such a kit may optionally include one or more subsets of a single functionally different head component 20. This setup could, for example, include one subset of parts kit containing multiple head components 20 configured to form a toothbrush with bristles that are, for example, all of a first hardness / rigidity and are interchangeable, and the parts kit could also include another head component 20 with different bristles, for example, that are harder / more rigid, and this other head component 20 is intended for occasional use, for example, when something is stuck or when special attention is required with orthodontic appliances. This latter can be said to be a hybrid of the two embodiments described above. The first subset may be illustrated, for example, by box KOP1, and the additional head component 20 may also be included in box KOP2.

[0124] In one embodiment, the head components 20 in the parts kit are of different types. These head components may all be of different types and may be divided into one or more subsets, each containing one or more head components. This may include, for example, one subset containing multiple head components 20 configured to form a toothbrush in which the bristles are all of a first hardness / rigidity and are considered replaceable, and also a parts kit containing another head component 20 of a different type, for example, a completely differently designed brush used for a specific purpose, such as a brush with a pointed bristles that can reach areas that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush having a normal shaped bristles. This may be illustrated, for example, by boxes KOP1 and KOP3 in Figure 10.

[0125] The parts kit may further include base parts 10, which may be illustrated in combination with the box shown in KOP1b as one of the parts kits considered above.

[0126] In any of the component kits described above, the base component 10 may be formed from any suitable material. In a preferred embodiment, the base component 10 is formed from a wood-based material.

[0127] The parts kit also, A first base part 10 having a handle portion 11 and a joint portion 12, It includes a second base part 10 having a handle portion 11 and a joint portion 12, The first base component 10 is made of a wood-based material, and the second base component 10 is made of a polymer-based material.

[0128] In such a parts kit, each head component 20 is detachably interconnected by its respective interconnect 22 to either the first or second base component 10's interconnect, so that each individual base component 10 can be used over a period of time and interconnected to each of multiple head components 20 at a time during that period. Such a parts kit may be illustrated in combination with the boxes shown in KOP1b and KOP1c as any of the parts kits discussed above. Such a design may have, for example, a first base component 10 made of wood for a more upscale home use and a second base component 10 made of polymer for a travel toiletry bag. Alternatively, the second base component 10 made of polymer may be hollow and house electronics that provide additional functionality.

[0129] Figures 7a-7c disclose a head component 10 that is basically formed as a hollowed-out cylinder. This design is intended to be manufactured from a polymer-based material. This design is intended to be manufactured by an injection molding process or similar process in which the polymer-based material is heated and molded in a mold. The base component 10 is basically formed as a hollowed-out cylinder that forms the handle 11, and the end opposite the interconnect 12 is closed by an end cap 18. The internal space is occupied by the core of a molding tool during the molding process. The core of the molding tool is inserted into the cavity from the proximal end of the base component 10, and the opening that is necessarily formed to allow the core to be withdrawn is closed by the end cap 18. Note that in this embodiment, the handle portion 11 and the protruding interconnect 12 are hollow. The wall thickness of the hollow handle portion 11 and the wall thickness of the hollow protruding interconnect 12 are approximately the same. This is beneficial from a manufacturing standpoint because it facilitates the rapid and uniform injection of the molten polymer material, as well as the rapid and uniform cooling of the injection-molded base part 10. Alternatively, the wall thickness of the handle portion 11 may differ from the wall thickness of the protruding interconnect portion 12.

[0130] The end cap 18 has a sleeve portion 18a intended to be inserted into the distal end of the base part 10, i.e., the distal end of the hollow handle portion 11. The sleeve portion 18a may be provided with a ring-shaped projection or groove 18b configured to interact with a corresponding ring-shaped projection or groove 11b formed on the inner surface 11c of the hollow handle portion 11. The end cap 18 may be manufactured from a polymer-based material, wood, or any other suitable material.

[0131] It should be noted that the base component 10 shown in Figures 7a-7c may be manufactured from a material other than a polymer-based material. For example, the base component 10 may be made from wood.

[0132] The inner diameter of the hollow handle portion 11 and the inner diameter of the protruding interconnect portion 12 may be different, as shown in Figure 7b. Alternatively, the hollow base component 10 may be designed so that the inner diameters of both the handle portion 11 and the protruding interconnect portion 12 are the same. In such a case, the wall thickness of the handle portion 11 is greater than the wall thickness of the protruding interconnect portion 12. The latter design, in which the handle portion 11 and the protruding interconnect portion 12 have a uniform inner diameter, may be useful, for example, if the hollow base component 10 is made of wood and hollowed out by drilling or milling.

[0133] On the other hand, it should be noted that drilling does not necessarily require a uniform inner diameter. As shown in Figure 7b, a base part 10 in which the inner diameter of the handle portion 11 is larger than the inner diameter of the protruding interconnect portion 12 may also be manufactured by drilling. The base part 10 may be manufactured, for example, using a drill or milling tool having a relatively narrow tip that extends into the protruding interconnect portion 12 and a relatively wide body that forms the inner diameter of the handle portion 11.

[0134] The internal hollow space may be used to accommodate electronic components that provide additional functionality to the divisible dental care product.

[0135] Figures 8a-8c disclose a head component 10 that is basically formed as a hollowed-out cylinder. This design can be used with different types of materials and is intended to be manufactured from, for example, wood-based materials. This design may also be manufactured by drilling. The handle 11 has holes. The openings of the holes are closed by end caps 18.

[0136] In this embodiment, the protruding interconnection portion 12 is not hollowed out. The protruding interconnection portion 12 may be a solid piece of material.

[0137] It should be noted that the base component 10 shown in Figures 8a to 8c may be manufactured from a material other than wood. For example, the base component 10 may be manufactured from a polymer-based material.

[0138] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the end cap 18 has a sleeve portion 18a intended to be inserted into the distal end of the base part 10, i.e., the distal end of the hollow handle portion 11. The sleeve portion 18a may be provided with a ring-shaped projection or groove 18b configured to interact with a corresponding ring-shaped projection or groove 11b formed on the inner surface 11c of the hollow handle portion 11. When the handle portion 11 is made of wood, the ring-shaped projection or groove 11b formed on the inner surface 11c of the hollow handle portion 11 is a groove formed on the inner surface 11c, and in this case, it is considered appropriate that the groove extends into the wall of the handle portion 11.

[0139] In this context, it has been stated that the base component 10 may be a polymer-based material or wood, but it should be noted that other materials are also possible. In this context, one material to be mentioned is a polymer-wood hybrid material, such as a polymer-organic hybrid material, for example, a material in which wood fibers, cellulose fibers, or other plant-based substances are mixed with a polymer-based material. Such materials may be used to improve the environmental impact and / or to improve the mechanical strength of the polymer-based material.

[0140] While divisible dental care products are preferably designed in accordance with the detailed disclosure of preferred embodiments and the disclosure in the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that a particular preferred embodiment of a particular component does not necessarily have to be combined with a particular embodiment of another component. Therefore, even if other components are designed in accordance with a more general disclosure based on the outline of the invention, rather than being defined in accordance with a particular embodiment disclosed in the detailed description, the benefits associated with a particular embodiment including one or more features of a particular component may be achieved. This is true, for example, with respect to the particular design of a head component and a base component. Some or all of the details disclosed as preferred embodiments may be included, for example, with respect to a head component, while the base component may be designed in accordance with a more general disclosure based on the outline of the invention, or vice versa.

[0141] Numerous modifications are conceivable to the embodiments described herein, but these modifications still remain within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0142] For example, the outer enveloping surface of the protruding part of the base component and the inner enveloping surface of the tubular part of the head component are disclosed as tapering, but it should be noted that one or both of them may be cylindrical. When the enveloping surface is cylindrical, the virtual surface formed by the tip of the screw is usually also cylindrical, so the height of the screw profile is the same along the central axis. It is also conceivable to have combinations of these, such as a cylindrical part followed by a conical part, or the reverse combination, or a first conical part followed by a second conical part with a different inclination, or to have many such combinations successively along the central axis.

[0143] It is also possible that the virtual surface formed by the tip of the screw is conical in shape, having the same angle with respect to both the outer enclosing surface of the protrusion of the base component and the inner enclosing surface of the tubular part of the head component. In such a case, the height of the screw profile will be the same along the central axis.

[0144] In addition, modifications to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and realized by those skilled in the art by examining the drawings, disclosures, and appended claims when carrying out the claimed invention. In the claims, the word “including” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude plurals. The mere fact that certain means are described in different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these means cannot be used advantageously.

Claims

1. A base component (10) having a handle portion (11) and an interconnection portion (12), A separable dental care product (1) includes a head component (20) having an interconnection section (22) and a dental care utility section (29), wherein the base component (10) and the head component (20) are configured to be separably interconnected by their respective interconnection sections (12, 22), The interconnection portion (22) of the head component (20) includes a tubular portion (22a), and an internal thread (23) is formed on the inward enveloping surface (22b) of the tubular portion (22a). The interconnecting portion (12) of the base component (10) includes a projection (12a), the projection (12a) extending along the longitudinal direction (L) along the central axis (A) toward the free end (12e) of the projection (12a), and the projection (12a) is provided with a male screw (13) formed on the outward-facing enclosing surface (12b) of the projection (12). The protruding portion (12a) is configured to be received into the tubular portion (22a) by a screwing motion around the central axis (A), The interconnection portion (12) of the base component (10) includes a shoulder portion (14), the shoulder portion (14) having a contact surface (14a) that extends radially outward from the protruding portion (12), circumferentially around the protruding portion (12), and facing the head component (20). The tubular portion (22a) is provided with an end face (24a) that extends circumferentially around the opening (22c) of the tubular portion (22a). The contact surface (14a) of the base component (10) is configured to contact the end surface (24a) of the head component (20) when the base component (10) and the head component (20) are interconnected to form the divisible dental care product (1). The female thread (23) has a root thickness (RT) and thread pitch (P) measured along the central axis (A), wherein the thread pitch (P) is at least twice the root thickness (RT), in a divisible dental care product (1).

2. The contact surface (14a) of the base component (10) is configured to come into close contact with the end surface (24a) of the head component (20) when the base component (10) and the head component (20) are interconnected to form the divisible dental care product (1), as described in claim 1.

3. The divisible dental care product (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the female thread (23) of the tubular portion (22a) and the male thread (13) of the protruding portion (12a) have a trapezoidal contour.

4. The divisible dental care product (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inward-facing enveloping surface (22b) of the tubular portion (22a) tapers such that the inner diameter (D22b) of the inward-facing enveloping surface (22b) decreases as the distance from the opening (22c) of the tubular portion (22a) increases.

5. The divisible dental care product (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inward-facing enveloping surface (22b) includes a non-threaded portion (22bc) extending from the opening (22c) along the central axis (A) for a certain distance (L22bc), the distance (L22bc) being equal to at least 1 times the root thickness (RT) of the female thread (23).

6. The divisible dental care product (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the projection (12) includes a non-threaded portion (12c) extending from the shoulder portion (14) along the central axis (A) for a certain distance (L12c), the distance (L12c) being equal to at least one-fifth of the root width (RW) of the male thread (13).

7. The divisible dental care product (1) is a toothbrush, and the dental care utility portion (29) includes a brush portion (28), the brush portion (28) including a brush head (28a) formed on the head portion (20) at the end (20e) of the head portion (20) facing the tubular portion (22a), and a plurality of bristles (28b) attached to the lateral surface (28c) of the brush head (28a), as described in claim 1 or 2.

8. The divisible dental care product (1) according to claim 7, wherein the distance (L20) along the central axis (A) between the distal end (28e) of the brush head (28) and the opening (22c) of the tubular portion (22) is at least 60 mm.

9. The outer circumferential surface (15a) of the shoulder portion (14) of the base portion (10) is aligned with the outer circumferential surface (25a) of the head portion (20) at the opening (22c) of the tubular portion (22a) to form the divisible dental care product (1) according to claim 1 or 2, so as to be flush with the outer circumferential surface (25a) of the head portion (20) without any step difference when the base portion (10) and the head portion (20) are interconnected to form the divisible dental care product (1).

10. The divisible dental care product according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base component (10) is rotationally symmetric with respect to the central axis (A).

11. The divisible dental care product (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base component (10) and the head component (20) are formed from different materials.

12. The head component (20) is formed of a polymer-based material, the divisible dental care product (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

13. The base component (10) is formed of a wood-based material, as described in claim 1 or 2 for the divisible dental care product (1).

14. The divisible dental care product (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base component (10) is formed of a polymer-based material.

15. A head component (20) is configured to form part of a divisible dental care product (1), and has an interconnection portion (22) and a dental care utility portion (29), and is configured to be detachably interconnected to the interconnection portion (12) of a base component (10) using the interconnection portion (22), The interconnection portion (22) of the head component (20) includes a tubular portion (22a), the tubular portion (22a) extends around a central axis (A), and an internal thread (23) is formed on its inward-facing enclosing surface (22b). The tubular portion (22a) is provided with an end face (24a) that extends circumferentially around the opening (22c) of the tubular portion (22a). The end face (24a) of the head component (20) is configured to abut against the contact surface (14a) of the base component (10) that faces the end face (24a) of the head component (20) when the base component (10) and the head component (20) are interconnected to form the divisible dental care product (1). The female thread (23) has a root thickness (RT) and thread pitch (P) measured along the central axis (A), wherein the thread pitch (P) is at least twice the root thickness (RT), in a head component (20).

16. A parts kit comprising a plurality of head parts (20), each having an interconnection part (22) and a dental care utility part (29), wherein each of the head parts (20) is configured to be interconnected one at a time to the interconnection part (12) of the base part (10) using its interconnection part (22), and The interconnection portion (22) of the head component (20) includes a tubular portion (22a), the tubular portion (22a) extends around a central axis (A), and an internal thread (23) is formed on its inward-facing enclosing surface (22b). The tubular portion (22a) is configured to receive the interconnection portion (12) of the base component (10) by a screwing operation around the central axis (A), The tubular portion (22a) is provided with an end face (24a) that extends circumferentially around the opening (22c) of the tubular portion (22a). When the base component (10) and the head component (20) are interconnected to form a separable dental care product (1), the end face (24a) of the head component (20) is configured to abut against the contact surface (14a) of the base component (10) that faces the end face (24a) of the head component (20). The female thread (23) has a root thickness (RT) and thread pitch (P) measured along the central axis (A), wherein the thread pitch (P) is at least twice the root thickness (RT), in a component kit.

17. It further includes a base part (10) having a handle portion (11) and an interconnecting portion (12), The interconnecting portion (12) of the base component (10) includes a projection (12a), the projection (12a) extending along the longitudinal direction (L) along the central axis (A) toward the free end (12e) of the projection (12a), and the projection (12a) is provided with a male screw (13) formed on the outward-facing enclosing surface (12b) of the projection (12a). The protruding portion (12a) is configured to be received into the tubular portion (22a) by a screwing motion around the central axis (A), The component kit according to claim 16, wherein the interconnection portion (12) of the base component (10) includes a shoulder portion (14), and the shoulder portion (14) has a contact surface (14a) that extends circumferentially around the protruding portion (12) and is configured to face the head component (20).

Images