Orthodontic toothbrush

Abstract

An orthodontic toothbrush with enhanced cleaning efficiency is provided that comprises a handle (1) and a cleaning head (2), with a tubular sponge (3) put on the stem of the cleaning head (2). An elastic thread or strand with bristles (4) is wound around the tubular sponge (3) in a manner that it creates concave areas where the thread or strand coils are located, and convex segments between the thread or strand coils. The elastic thread or strand is provided with a number of elastic bristles positioned on its one side.

Description

[0001] ORTHODONTIC TOOTHBRUSH

[0002] Field

[0003] The present invention pertains to items of essential human needs, specifically oral care products such as toothbrushes, and can be utilized in the production of orthodontic toothbrushes.

[0004] A toothbrush is known that is described in Chinese patent application CN104758073A. This toothbrush comprises a cleaning head with radial bristles and a round-shaped sponge, with segments of the sponge placed between the bristles.

[0005] This brush is challenging and time-consuming to manufacture due to the alternating placement of the brushes and sponge sections along the axis of the brush. This manufacturing process necessitates the sequential insertion of each component. Additionally, the production of the radial brushes is complex and costly.

[0006] Also known is an oral cavity care device described in international patent application W02022016075. The device in question comprises a brush head that includes both a bristle section and a sponge section.

[0007] Each bristle can be constructed with the same or varying thicknesses and features a radial structure.

[0008] The mentioned brush is challenging to manufacture and the process is time-consuming due to the alternating placement of bristles and sponge sections along the brush axis. This requires the sequential insertion of each component during the manufacturing process. Additionally, the production of the radial bristles is complex and costly.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] The present invention has for its objective to achieve the simplification and cost reduction of brush manufacturing, while also enhancing the efficiency of teeth cleaning.

[0011] These objectives are achievable due the fact that the orthodontic toothbrush in accordance with the present invention comprises a handle and a cleaning head, with a tubular sponge put on the stem of the cleaning head. An elastic thread or strand with bristles is wound around the tubular sponge in a manner that it creates concave areas where the thread or strand coils are located, and convex segments between the thread or strand coils. The elastic thread or strand is provided with a number of elastic bristles positioned on its one side.

[0012] In one embodiment, the bristles along the length of the cleaning head formed by said elastic thread or strand wound on said tubular sponge surface have a helical pattern.

[0013] In another embodiment, the bristles along the length of the cleaning head formed by said elastic thread or strand wound on said tubular sponge surface have a double helical pattern.

[0014] In still another embodiment, distances between the coils of the thread or strand are variable.

[0015] In still another embodiment, at least some of the coils of the thread or strand are arranged as groups of adjacent coils.

[0016] In yet another embodiment, the sponge is made of natural cellulose containing a reusable reticulated cotton filler.

[0017] Brief description of drawings

[0018] The present invention is described with reference to the figures, wherein

[0019] Fig. la shows a schematic diagram of the one of the embodiments of a prior art brush structure;

[0020] Figure 2 illustrates the radial bristles of the structure depicted in Figure 1.

[0021] Figure 3 shows one of the brush heads known in the prior art, which comprises a bristle section and a sponge section.

[0022] Fig. 4a shows one embodiments of the orthodontic toothbrush according to the present invention, which comprises a handle 1 and a brush cleaning head 2.

[0023] Figure 4b shows one embodiment of the toothbrush head 2 according to the present invention, which comprises a tubular sponge 3 a thread with bristles 4 helically wound around it.

[0024] Figires 5a-b shows a schematic diagram of the structure of the thread or strand with bristles of the brush according to the present invention; Figure 5b shows one embodiment of the bristles having varying lengths, giving them a wavy shape.

[0025] Detailed description Fig. la shows a schematic diagram of the one of the embodiments of a prior art brush structure, which is described in Chinese patent application CN104758073A. Said brush comprises a cleaning head with radial brushes and a round-shaped sponge, the segments of which are placed between the brushes.

[0026] This brush is challenging and time-consuming to manufacture due to the alternating placement of the bristles and sponge segments along the axis of the brush. This manufacturing process requires the sequential insertion of each component.

[0027] Figure 2 illustrates the radial bristles of the structure depicted in Figure 1. It is evident that the production of such radial bristles is challenging and costly.

[0028] Figure 3 shows one of the brush heads known in the prior art, which comprises a bristle section and a sponge section.

[0029] As in the case of the structure shown in Figure 2, the aforementioned brush is challenging and time-consuming to manufacture. This is due to the alternating placement of the bristles and sponge segments along the axis of the brush, which necessitates the sequential insertion of each component during the manufacturing process. Additionally, radial bristles are known for being difficult and expensive to manufacture.

[0030] Fig. 4a shows one embodiments of the toothbrush according to the present invention, which comprises a handle 1 and a brush cleaning head 2.

[0031] Figure 4b shows one embodiment of the toothbrush head 2 according to the present invention, which comprises a tubular sponge 3 a thread with bristles 4 helically wound around it. The tubular sponge 3 has convex segments created by coils of wound thread or strand by exerting pressure on the sponge surface.

[0032] Figires 5a-b show schematic diagrams of the structure of the thread or strand with bristles of the brush according to the present invention; Figure 5b shows one embodiment of the bristles having varying lengths, giving them a wavy shape along the length of the thread or strand.

[0033] The thread or strand with bristles is composed of an elastic rod 1, with a plurality of bristles 2 made on its one side. These bristles are also made from an elastic material. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the material can be, for example, a resilient polymeric material, fiber, or other materials known in the art that are used to manufacture toothbrushes. It is evident that the production of this type of a strand with bristles is significantly simpler when to the known radially extending (see Fig. 2) bristles. The manufacturing process can be accomplished through various techniques, such as casting or other ones known in the art.

[0034] In the brush cleaning head construction according to the present invention, instead of several elements that are alternately mounted on the brush axis (see figures 1 and 3), only two elements are utilized: a tubular sponge and an elastic thread or strand with bristles that is wound around the sponge.

[0035] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4b, the brush thread or strand is helically wound on the sponge, as a result of which concave areas are formed at the points where the thread or strand coils make contact with the sponge, while convex segments are formed on the sponge in the areas between the thread or strand coils.

[0036] The construction described above is significantly simpler to manufacture since it involves placing just one sponge on the rod and winding only one thread or strand with bristles around it.

[0037] In addition to being easy to manufacture, the brush according to the present invention enables to achieve enhanced tooth cleaning efficiency. The point is that during use, the bristles of the brush cleaning head, due to their helical arrangement, effectively remove deposits from the surface of the dental enamel in both upward and downward directions as the cleaning head moves horizontally along the teeth, alternating between forward and backward movements. When moving forward horizontally along the teeth row, the bristles of the brush cleaning head scrub away soft deposits on the dental enamel in a diagonal direction from the tooth bottom to the tooth root. Conversely, when moving backward along the teeth row, the bristles of the brush cleaning head scrub away soft deposits on the dental enamel in a diagonal direction from the tooth root to the tooth bottom.

[0038] In the areas between the coils of the thread or strand with bristles, the convex segments of the sponge at this time carry out deep cleaning, in particular, removing deposits from the surface of the dental enamel and polishing the enamel, due to the ability of the sponge to adhere to the entire surface of the tooth with its elastic convex surface and penetrate into hard-to-reach areas. The convex shape of the sponge segments provides them with increased flexibility, which in turn enhances the cleaning efficiency of the toothbrush. This feature means that the present invention can also be successfully used for orthodontic purposes. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the length of the brush handle is 7 cm; Thickness of bristles is 0.1 cm; The radius of the tubular sponge is 2.8 cm.

[0039] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the dimensions mentioned may vary depending on the size of the brush, commonly referred to as "medium" or "mini" brush.

[0040] The preferred sponge material is a gentle and effective daily use high-quality soft absorbent and durable natural compressed cellulose sponge characterized by its fine texture and is made from 100% natural unprocessed plant based fibers, without any polyester content. In a preferred embodiment, it contains a reusable recutilated cotton filling to remove plaque from the tooth surface and polish the tooth enamel.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the cellulose sponge is manufactured with antimicrobial technology, namely through the inclusion of silver ions, which counteract odor-causing bacteria in the sponge. Such a sponge is scratch-resistant, does not damage the enamel, is easily washable, and effectively cleans hard-to-reach places.

[0042] The spectrum of antimicrobial action of silver ions is much wider than that of antibiotics and sulfonamides, since silver ions have the capability of destroying approximately 650 types of bacteria simultaneously.

[0043] The nanotechnology silver-ionized brush can be easily rinsed under running water.

[0044] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that many other modifications to the present invention are readily possible in addition to the above-described embodiments. For example, in order to increase the efficiency of teeth cleaning, it is possible to wind the thread or strand on the sponge in groups, that is the thread or strand can be wound into double or triple coils etc. It is also possible to wind the thread or strand in alternating helical and linear segments, or in two or more helical segments in opposite directions along the sponge length, so that the distances between the coils differ from each other, etc., which is extremely difficult to implement with the conventional technologies known in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A toothbrush that comprises a handle and a cleaning head having a stem; said cleaning head comprising a tubular sponge put on the stem, and bristles; characterized in that said cleaning head further comprising an elastic thread or strand whereto said bristles are connected, the elastic thread or strand being wound onto said tubular sponge surface along its length by exerting pressure on the tubular sponge surface in the locations of contact therewith such that the elastic thread or strand forms a plurality of coils and bristles radially extending from portions of the tubular sponge, the tubular sponge having convex segments in the areas between the coils of the wound thread or strand.

2. The toothbrush in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bristles along the length of the cleaning head formed by said elastic thread or strand wound on said cylindrical sponge surface have a helical pattern.

3. The toothbrush in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bristles along the length of the cleaning head formed by said elastic thread or strand wound on said cylindrical sponge surface have a double helical pattern.

4. The toothbrush in accordance with claim 1, wherein distances between the coils of the thread or strand are variable.

5. The toothbrush in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least some of the coils of the thread or strand are arranged as groups of adjacent coils.

6. The toothbrush in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sponge is made of natural cellulose containing a reusable reticulated cotton filler.

7. The toothbrush in accordance with claim 6, wherein the sponge comprises silver ions.

Images