CN1711045A - toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

Toothbrush comprising a handle and a bristle-bearing head attached thereto, said head comprising a bristle-bearing face and an opposite face, said opposite face comprising an array of resilient wall-like massaging flaps.

Description

toothbrush

The present invention relates to a toothbrush comprising resilient wall flaps.

WO98/18364 (Procter & Gamble) describes a toothbrush with a combination of bristles, a soft cleaning pad and/or brightening fingers. The lightening fingers are preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer and the soft lightening pad is an absorbent pad that provides enhanced cleaning benefits.

GB-A-2040161 (Vowles) describes an improved toothbrush comprising, in addition to the conventional bristle tufts, gum massaging members located at the outermost sides of the brushing surface.

WO 98/22000 (Asher Corporation) discloses a toothbrush comprising plaque removal elements formed from a mixture of relatively soft elastomeric material and abrasive particles.

Although there are toothbrushes in the prior art with foils on the bristle supporting surface, there have been no attempts to use foils on the back of the brush head.

Applicants have surprisingly found that providing the brush head with a resilient wall flap on the back of the brush head provides sensory, cosmetic and physiological benefits to the user.

Therefore, the present invention provides a toothbrush comprising a handle and a bristle-supporting brush head connected to the handle, the brush head comprising a bristle-supporting surface and a back surface comprising an elastic wall massaging sheet array.

The flaps on the back of the brush head can provide their efficacy when using the toothbrush in the traditional way, i.e. during regular brushing, or even as a specific effect applied to the oral care surface, for example as a tooth brightener, Or provide a scratching effect for the tongue.

The sheet preferably comprises an elastic material such as rubber, plastic or an elastomer, more preferably a thermoplastic elastomer such as those known in the art.

The rubber-like paddles exert a gentler action on the oral care surface by massaging the oral surface during regular tooth brushing, or even massage the gums in a separate action.

The head of a toothbrush generally comprises a substantially rigid material into which the bristles are embedded. Typical materials for brush heads include polyolefins such as polypropylene, acrylonitrile, and nylon.

Thus, the massaging blades of the present invention may be an integral part of the brush head, or may be separate from the brush head. When they do comprise different materials, they can be combined with each other to secure the flap to the brush head. The binding means can be mechanical, chemical or other means. The mechanical bond can be achieved through a separate adhesive, or through holes in the brush head through which the flaps protrude. Chemical bonding can be achieved by including similar components within each material. For example, thermoplastic elastomers include certain amounts of polyolefins. Upon melting, the polyolefin component of the thermoplastic elastomer will chemically bond with the polyolefin component of the brush head. Other joining methods include welding and ultrasonic treatment.

The flaps can be connected to each other or independent of each other. They are preferably attached to each other for ease of manufacture: thus they can be molded in one operation. When they are connected to each other, they are preferably connected to a common substrate which is itself connected to the brush head. The substrate may cover from 25% to 100%, preferably from 25% to 95%, of the back of the brush head, or whatever area is desired to be covered.

A separate substrate would allow the brush head and paddle to be manufactured separately. This allows design changes to be implemented quickly and efficiently. In addition, it allows the same substrate to be used for any new toothbrush designs. This also allows the user to use several substrates as the substrates are detachable from the brush head so that different substrates can be used for different situations. For example, one substrate can be used to massage the gums while another substrate is used to brighten teeth or scrape the tongue after brushing.

When a substrate is used, the substrate preferably includes a protrusion in the center so that it extends further in the center without affecting the structural integrity and efficacy of the flap, i.e. the flap is of the same physical size but due to the protrusion Because of the outstretched substrate, they can be extended further in the center.

In an alternative embodiment, the protrusions may be provided by contouring the back of the brush head.

The flaps may extend a maximum distance d from the brush head. The maximum distance d is the average value of the maximum distances that the individual flaps extend out of the brush head. The value of d is generally in the range of 0.1 to 2mm.

When there is a protrusion, it is preferred that the depth of the protrusion from the brush head is 0.1 to 3d. This is to ensure that the proper size is maintained to provide the desired feel. When d is large, the back of the toothbrush has a prominent protrusion, and will exhibit a concentrated effect on the oral surface, for example, it can make brightening, massaging or scraping etc. have enhanced effects.

Toothbrushes may also include the same resilient material in the handle or head. Within the brush head, the resilient material can be used to provide flexibility to the brush head and to provide improved grip within the handle. Thus, the elastic material can be attached to the common area so that the material can be provided to the toothbrush in one injection molding step. The connections between the parts can be hidden from appearance by passages through the material from which the remainder of the toothbrush is made or by passages visible on the face of the toothbrush.

When the sheet comprises a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), the TPE preferably has a Shore A hardness of from 15 to 65, more preferably from 25 to 55.

Preferably, the flaps are separated from each other by a distance equal to 0.5d to 2d, preferably 0.75d to 1.75d. This specific distance with respect to height provides the tablet with a good feel to the lining of the oral cavity during use. If the flakes are too far apart, they will be felt independently, while if they are too close to each other, their particular sensory effect will not be perceived at all.

While the flaps extend along the brush head in any direction, the wall flaps preferably extend along the brush head in a direction whose major component is substantially transverse to the general longitudinal axis of the brush head. This enables the paddle to exert its sensory effect on the lining of the mouth as the toothbrush is moved along the tooth from one tooth to another adjacent tooth.

The flaps may also extend in a curvilinear manner along the brush head. This can provide a sensory effect if the user brushes their teeth in a circular motion. Such a curve is preferably arcuate, and more preferably approximately sinusoidal.

When the flaps extend along the head in more than one direction, preferably at least 50%, more preferably 75%, of the flaps extend along the head in a similar manner. If too many directions are used, it becomes difficult for the user to distinguish which directions are used, and this means that the massage effect becomes weaker.

The blades of the toothbrush also have a width that may vary along the blade, which width may be different when measured at the base or at the end, eg the blade may taper away from the base.

In a preferred embodiment, the flaps have an average width a, measured at midpoint along the length of each flap, of 0.1 to 0.7d, more preferably 0.15 to 0.5d. This allows the width of the flakes to be perceived during use in the oral cavity and against the lining of the oral cavity which is not as sensitive as the rest of the oral cavity. If the sheet is too thick, it will feel poor during use, and if it is too thin, it will deform too easily and will not be felt at all.

In another preferred embodiment, any flap has a maximum width along its entire length of 0.1 to 1.5a, preferably 0.4 to 1.2a. This situation provides the best results during use and also makes the product easier to manufacture.

In another preferred embodiment, at least one flap extends over a distance equal to 1 to 20d, preferably over a distance from 5 to 18d. The ratio between the distance extending along the brush head and the distance extending out of the brush head is important in determining the optimum technical characteristics of the paddle. If the flaps do not extend a reasonable length along the brush head, there is a danger that the flaps will deform too easily when brushing along the lining of the oral cavity at an acute angle. A leaf of considerable length compared to its distance from the next leaf may provide an even more improved effect.

In another preferred embodiment at least one flap is inclined at its edge towards the brush head. This reduces any harsh sensory effect of rubbing the oral surface with the sharp edge.

In another preferred embodiment, the sheet of the present invention may include abrasive incorporated therein. Suitable abrasives include perlite, silica, chalk, calcined alumina, and mixtures thereof. These abrasives are combined in proportions of 0.1 to 3% by weight.

In another preferred embodiment, the tablet of the present invention may include incorporated therein an oral care benefit agent for delayed release during use. Such oral care agents include anti-caries agents, anti-tartar agents, flavors, anti-halitosis agents, and the like.

In another embodiment at least one flap comprises a rounded end portion for reducing the sharp feeling effect during use. Conversely, if a sharp feel is desired, sharp edges can be provided to consumers who prefer a rough feel experience. These rough ends may have a certain orientation, eg towards or away from the end of the brush head.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the following non-limiting drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a toothbrush according to the invention;

Figures 2 to 7 are end views of a toothbrush according to the invention;

Figures 8 and 9 are side views of a toothbrush according to the invention;

Figure 10 is a side view of a toothbrush with a flexible brush head according to the present invention;

11 to 15 are plan views of elastic flaps on a toothbrush according to the present invention;

Figure 16 is a side view of a toothbrush according to the present invention; and

Figure 17 is a plan view of a brush head according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows in detail a toothbrush (1) comprising a handle (2) and a bristle-supporting brush head (3) attached to the handle, said brush head (3) comprising a bristle-supporting surface (4) and a back (5), the back (5) comprises an array of elastic wall massage flaps (6).

Figures 2 to 7 disclose a similar brush head comprising an array of paddles, where only the paddles (6) at the ends are visible. In Figure 2 the flaps are symmetrical, extend a distance d from the brush head, and extend to just short of the overall width of the brush head. In Figure 3, the flaps are beveled at their edges. In FIG. 4 three flaps are shown in a straight line occupying almost the entire width of the brush head. In Figure 5, the flap is shorter in its middle than at its edges. In Figure 6, the terminal edges of the flaps are asymmetrical. In Figure 7, the flaps only extend a distance of about half the width of the brush head.

Figure 8 discloses a brush head comprising an array of paddles. The array includes flaps having a graduated characteristic, wherein the flaps extend farther out of the brush head at the center of the array than at the edges.

Figure 9 discloses a brush head comprising an array of paddles. The array comprises flaps having a graduated character, wherein the flaps extend further out of the head at the ends of the head and extend in decreasing steps from the head towards the handle.

Figure 10 discloses a toothbrush with a flexible head comprising a pair of oppositely facing head portions (3a, 3b) connected by a flexible region (7). Each head portion (3a, 3b) has an array of wall flaps (6a, 6b) on its back.

Figures 11 to 14 disclose various arrangements of flaps on the back. In Figure 11, the flaps are arcuate. In Figure 12, the flaps are arranged across the general longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. In Figure 13, the flaps are tapered in such a way that they are longer at the ends and become progressively shorter towards the handle end of the brush head. In Figure 14, the flaps form an angle.

In Fig. 15, the brush head comprises a pair of oppositely facing portions each comprising an array of flaps (6a, 6b). The flaps on the end of the brush head have the flaps arranged along the general longitudinal axis of the toothbrush, while the flaps (6b) in the main part of the head are arranged across this same axis.

In Fig. 16, the flap (6) is placed on a support base (8) that protrudes in the middle and thus extends a certain distance from the brush head without compromising the integrity of the weak central flap. sex.

Figure 17 shows a plan view of a brush head comprising a support base (8) on which the flaps (6) are placed.

Figure 18 shows a flap (18a) with a wider base anchoring it to the brush head. The flap (18b) is adhered vertically to the base by adhesive or other means, while the flap (18c) is secured to the base which is itself bonded to the brush head.

In Figure 19 three different sizes of flakes are shown. The flap (19a) has a rounded end, the flap (19b) has a sharpened end angled to one side, and the flap (19c) has a middle sharpened end.

Claims (14)

1. A toothbrush comprising a handle and a bristle supporting brush head connected to the handle, said brush head comprising a bristle supporting surface and a back, said back comprising an array of elastic wall massage sheets. 2. A toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that said resilient wall flaps extend a maximum distance d from said brush head and are spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to from 0.5d to 2d. 3. A toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the resilient wall flap is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. 4. The toothbrush according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the elastomer has a Shore A hardness of from 15 to 45. 5. The toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said wall flaps extends along said wall in a direction substantially across the general longitudinal axis of said brush head. Brush head extension. 6. The toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the wall flaps extends curvilinearly along the head. 7. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least half of the wall flaps extend along the head in substantially the same direction. 8. A toothbrush according to any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein the wall flaps have an average width a of 0.1 to 0.7d, measured at the mid-point along the length of any wall . 9. The toothbrush of claim 8 wherein any one of said wall flaps has a width along its entire length of 0.1a to 1.5a. 10. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one wall flap tapers in cross-section towards its tip. 11. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one wall flap extends over an average distance of from 1 to 20d. 12. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one wall flap slopes towards the head at its edge. 13. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one wall flap includes incorporated therein a flavorant for delayed release during brushing. 14. The toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one wall plate comprises an abrasive material selected from the group consisting of perlite, silica, chalk, calcined alumina and mixtures thereof.

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