GB2557262A

GB2557262A - Apparatus for interdental cleaning and method for manufacturing the same

Info

Publication number: GB2557262A
Application number: GB1620484.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oberholzer Mark
Original assignee: Peri Dent Ltd
Current assignee: Peri Dent Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-02
Filing date: 2016-12-02
Publication date: 2018-06-20
Also published as: GB201620484D0

Abstract

An apparatus 100 for interdental cleaning comprising an inner support 101 and covering means 102 enclosing at least a section of the inner support and having a substantially triangular external cross section. Preferably the inner support is formed of a material with a greater rigidity than the covering (for example a plastic support with a silicone covering). Preferably either or both of the core have a taper along their cross section. Preferably the support has a triangular, circular, square, or star (e.g. a three-pointed star) shape. Preferably the apparatus comprises projections 603. Preferably the covering encloses the distal end of the support. The apparatus may be an interdental brush or cleaner or a toothpick. Also claimed is a method of manufacture of said apparatus using injection moulding. In use the stiffer core and softer covering enter the gaps between teeth to remove detritus and plaque.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Apparatus for interdental cleaning and method for manufacturing the same Abstract Title: Interdental brush with core and triangular covering (57) An apparatus 100 for interdental cleaning comprising an inner support 101 and covering means 102 enclosing at least a section of the inner support and having a substantially triangular external cross section. Preferably the inner support is formed of a material with a greater rigidity than the covering (for example a plastic support with a silicone covering). Preferably either or both of the core have a taper along their cross section. Preferably the support has a triangular, circular, square, or star (e.g. a three-pointed star) shape. Preferably the apparatus comprises projections 603. Preferably the covering encloses the distal end of the support. The apparatus may be an interdental brush or cleaner or a toothpick. Also claimed is a method of manufacture of said apparatus using injection moulding. In use the stiffer core and softer covering enter the gaps between teeth to remove detritus and plaque.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

1/2

01 17

FIG. 3A

FIG. 3B

FIG. 3C

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01 17

FIG. 5A

FIG. 5B

600

FIG. 5C

FIG. 6

APPARATUS FOR INTERDENTAL CLEANING AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Examples of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus for interdental cleaning and method for manufacturing the same. Some examples, though without prejudice to the foregoing, relate to an oral care tool for interdental cleaning, such as an interdental cleaner, interdental brush or toothpick.

BACKGROUND

Conventional interdental cleaning devices, such as simple wooden toothpicks, may typically have an elongate cylindrical shaft that tapers at one end so as to form a generally conical tip end section. In use, such a tip section is inserted into the spaces between a user’s teeth to facilitate the removal of detritus therein and thereby clean between a user’s teeth. However, previous interdental cleaning devices are not always optimal. Their tip end sections, which are inserted between a user’s teeth, may be fragile and prone to break. Making such sections larger, in order to increase their strength and make them less prone to breaking, may make such sections unable to fit well within interdental spaces and may also make such sections less flexible.

It is useful to provide an improved apparatus for interdental cleaning and method for manufacturing the same. One or more aspects/examples of the present disclosure may or may not address one or more of the background issues.

The listing or discussion of any prior-published document or any background in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document or background is part of the state of the art oris common general knowledge.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus for interdental cleaning, the apparatus comprising; inner support means; and covering means configured to enclose at least a section of the inner support means, wherein the covering means is configured to have a substantially triangular external cross sectional shape.

According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus for interdental cleaning, the apparatus comprising; an inner support member; and a covering member configured to enclose at least a section of the inner support member, wherein the covering member is configured to have a substantially triangular external cross sectional shape.

According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided: an oral care tool, an interdental cleaner, an interdental brush, or a toothpick comprising the above apparatus.

According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided a method for manufacturing an apparatus for interdental cleaning, the method comprising: forming an inner support means of the apparatus by injection moulding; and forming a covering means by injection moulding, wherein the covering means is configured to enclose at least a section of the inner support means, and wherein the covering means is configured to have a substantially triangular external cross sectional shape.

According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus manufactured by the above method.

According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus as claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of various examples of the present disclosure that are useful for understanding the detailed description and certain embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates an apparatus;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates and end portion of another apparatus; Figures 3A, 3B and 3C schematically illustrate enlarged cross-sectional views of the cross sections: A-A, B-B and C-C respectively of the apparatus of Figure 2;

Figure 4 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of yet another apparatus;

Figures 5A, 5B and 5C schematically illustrate differing cross-sectional profiles of yet further apparatuses; and

Figure 6 schematically illustrates a yet further apparatus.

The Figures are not necessarily to scale (in particular Figures 3A to 3C with respect to Figure 2). Certain features and views of the figures may be shown schematically or exaggerated in scale in the interest of clarity and conciseness. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid explication. For example Figures 3A to 3C are enlarged cross sectional views of the apparatus of Figure 2. Similar reference numerals are used in the Figures to designate similar features. For clarity, all reference numerals are not necessarily displayed in all figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Figures schematically illustrate an apparatus (100) for interdental cleaning, the apparatus comprising: an inner support means (101); and covering means (102) configured to enclose at least a section of the inner support means, wherein the covering means is configured to have a substantially triangular external cross-sectional shape.

For the purposes of illustration and not limitation, in certain examples, the apparatus comprises a two part/component composite interdental cleaning device. According to various examples, the two component interdental cleaner comprises, as a first component, an inner support means, such as an inner core support member. The second component comprises a covering means, such as a covering member, that surrounded at least a part of inner support means. The covering member forms a part of an external surface of the interdental cleaner. The external cross-sectional shape of the covering member is configured to be substantially triangular.

Typically, interdental spaces 103 are of a broadly triangular shape. Therefore, the provision of a generally triangular shaped interdental cleaner may enable the cross-sectional shape of the cleaner, in particular for the end tip part which is to be inserted into the interdental spaces, to be larger and yet still fit within the internal spaces than would otherwise be the case for differing cross sectional shapes. This may enable the end tip part of interdental cleaner to be stronger and yet still fit within the interdental spaces. For example, a larger triangular cross-sectional shaped interdental cleaner would be able to fit within the generally triangular interdental space than would be the case if the interdental cleaner were of a circular sectional shape.

Furthermore, the use of a two part structure to form the interdental cleaner, namely the inner core support member surrounded by a covering member enables differing materials to be used tor the two respective components that may enable further improvement of the physical properties of the interdental cleaner. For example differing materials could be selected for each part that provide optimal characteristics for the overall interdental cleaner. For example, the first material of the inner core support member may be selected so as to have a greater rigidity than the second material of the covering member. Thus, a sufficiently strong/resilient interdental cleaning tool may be provided via the relatively rigid inner support core member, which may be surrounded in a softer more flexible covering member to avoid/reduce damage to the user’s teeth and gums.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates an apparatus according to an example of the present disclosure. Figure 1 focuses on the functional components necessary for describing the operation of the apparatus 100. The apparatus comprises inner support means 101, and covering means configured to enclose at least a section of the support means. The covering means is configured to have a substantially triangular external cross-sectional shape.

As used herein, the term “inner support means” may, in some examples, be a support member, at least a part of which, is enclosed by the covering means. The inner support means may be an inner core member, such as an elongate shaft that provides a rigid support structure for the apparatus which is covered by the covering means which thereby encloses the inner core member.

As used herein, “covering means” may, in some examples, be a covering member or material that one or more of: overlays, covers, surrounds, wraps around, envelopes and encases the inner support means at the at least a selection thereof for example a distal end/tip section of the inner support member. The covering means may be: applied, attached, moulded, fixed, adhered or welded onto the inner support member. In some examples, the covering means forms a sleeve over at least a section of the inner core member (i.e. so as to leave an end tip section of the inner core exposed, or may encapsulate the inner member's tip section as shown in figure 2). The covering means may form an external surface of the apparatus.

The apparatus for interdental cleaning may be an oral care tool, an interdental cleaner, an interdental brush ora toothpick. In some examples, the apparatus may be comprised in an oral care tool that provides multiple oral care tool functionality, for example, the apparatus could be comprised in a handle section of a dental floss holder. The tool may also have a different function at either end, for example a toothpick at one end and a plastic brush at the other.

The apparatus is configured (i.e. not least its dimensions are duly configured) such that at least a part of the apparatus (e.g. its end tip portion) may be inserted into spaces between a user’s teeth/dental implant, so as to dislodge detritus/material therebetween.

The inner support means may be made of a first material whereas the covering member may be made of a second, differing material. In some examples, the first material has a greater rigidity than that of the second material. For example, the first material may be more rigid, harder, stiffer or have a higher Young’s Modulus than the second material. The second material may be less rigid, softer, more flexible or have a higher Young’s Modulus than the first material.

The first material may be selected so as to provide the requisite supporting and rigidity characteristics for the inner support means. The first material may be a first plastics material. In some examples, the first plastics material may be: polyamides, nylon, polyolefins (e.g. PP/PE homo/copolymers), polyacetals (e.g. POM), polyesters (e.g. partly crystalline forms such as PETP, PBTP, LCP or amorphous forms such as PC), fluorine polymers (e.g. PTFE), polypehnylene sulphides (e.g. PPS), polyether ketones (e.g. PEEK), sulphur polymers (e.g. PSU, PESU), styrene polymers (e.g. PS, SB), polymer blends (e.g. PPO), polyurethanes (e.g. PUR), polyacrylates (e.g. PMMA), polymides (e.g. PEI, PAI), as well as combinations thereof. The polymer may also be reinforced with fibres to increase strength and rigidity

The second material may be a second plastics material. In some examples, the second material may be: a thermoplastic elastomer, TPE , TPU , silicone or a polymer which cures after being moulded or plastics material combination.

The components of the apparatus, namely the inner support means and the covering means, may be formed using a twin shot injection moulding process. The manufacturing process may comprise injection moulding the inner support means from a first material which may have a first hardness and injection moulding the second material onto the first material to form an insert or coating to cover at least portions of the first material. The second material may have a second hardness which is less than the first hardness.

The first and/or second materials may be provided with additives. Such additives may be: filling materials for assisting cleaning, such as abrasive or non-abrasive fibres (e.g. of PPS), minerals or amorphous-grinding silica abrasives or flavours. Furthermore, medical constituents such as, e.g. fluorine, xylide, antibacterial additives, scale-cleaning substances (NaF), plaque formation-preventing substances or antibiotics may also be incorporated.

The covering means may be moulded onto or welded onto the inner support means. The weldable material combinations for the inner support means and covering means may be made of PP with a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) based on EPDM or SEBS, polystyrene with TPE based on SEBS, PP or PE or polyamide with an ionomer oracrulate.

The size (and shape) of the gap between the teeth limit the cross-sectional size of the internal apparatus that may be inserted into the gap. Since the gap is typically triangular shaped, the provision of a triangular shaped apparatus means that a larger cross-sectional size of the apparatus may be inserted into the gap between the teeth and thus a stronger apparatus for insertion between the user's teeth may be provided. Certain examples of the present invention seek to maximise the size dimensions of the apparatus that may be inserted into and fit within the gaps of the user’s teeth thereby enabling the apparatus to be stronger and less likely to break and to provide improve improved cleaning.

Certain examples may provide an improved interdental cleaner that is formed of a two part structure that is optimally shaped for insertion between a user’s teeth. The use of a two part structure enables differing materials to be used for each part that can be selected to provide optimal/desired physical characteristics of the interdental cleaning device, i.e. a rigid material for the inner core part and a soft flexible material for the outer covering part.

Figure 2 illustrates a distal end portion of an apparatus 200 for interdental cleaning according to the present disclosure. Figure 2A schematically illustrates a cut-through plan view, of the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an inner support means 201 and covering means 202 similar to that described with respect to Figure 1. However, at an end section 203 of the apparatus 200 the covering means’ substantially triangular external crosssectional shape is configured to taper towards a point end, i.e. the dimensions of the triangular cross sectional shape gradually reduce towards the distal end thereof. Such a tapering trans-section of the covering means provides a section 203 of the covering means that forms, in effect, a triangular pyramid whose apex corresponds to a distal tip end portion of the apparatus. In the non-end portion 204 of the apparatus 200, the triangular external cross-sectional shape of the covering means may have a substantially constant profile/dimension, i.e. so as to form, in effect, a triangular prism.

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C schematically illustrate enlarged cross-sectional views of sections along the lines A-A, B-B and C-C of Figure 2 respectively to further illustrate the tapering of the end section 203 of the apparatus 200.

Figure 3A shows a cross-sectional cut-through along the line A-A of Figure 2. As is clearly shown from this, along with the substantially triangular shaped external cross-section of the covering means 202A, the inner core 201A also has a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape. As shown in Figure 3B, section B-B, the relative size of the cross-sections of the inner support means 201b and the outer covering means 202b are less than the corresponding sizes of the covering means 202a and inner support means 201a of the section A-A of Figure 3A. As shown in Figure 3C, at section C-C, near the distal end point of the apparatus 200, the covering means 202c completely covers and encloses and encapsulates the distal end portion of the inner support means, such that at the cross-section C-C, there is no inner support means. Whilst in the example apparatus 200 of Figures 2 and 3A-3C, the covering means completely encloses the end portion of the support means, in other examples, the distal end portion of the inner support means may be exposed, i.e. such that a distal tip end portion of the apparatus corresponds to a distal tip end portion of the inner support means (and not a distal end portion of the covering means, i.e. the tip end/distal portion of the inner support means is exposed and forms an external surface of the device. Advantageously, such examples may provide a more rigid end tip for the apparatus.

In the examples shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the inner support means is configured to have a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape. However, as shown in Figure 4, the triangular cross-sectional shape of the covering means (and inner support means) need not correspond to a precise triangular shape, but instead may be generally triangular shaped. In this regard, the vertices of the triangle need not be well defined points but could be generally curved/comprise rounded edges. Likewise, the edges/sides of the triangle need not be straight lines but could be curved, such as concave as shown in Figure 4 or, in other examples, they could be convex. In certain examples, the generally triangular shape may broadly correspond to a three pointed star, or a multipointed star having 3 primary limbs/points, e.g. as shown in Figure 5C.

In some examples, the cross sectional shape of the inner core is also triangular shaped. The provision of a triangular cross-sectionally shaped inner core provides an optimal cross-sectional shape of the inner core for insertion into the generally triangular shaped interdental spaces between a user’s teeth thereby maximising the size of the internal core that may be inserted, thereby increasing the strength and rigidity of the apparatus and make it less prone to breaking, particularly the portion of the apparatus which is inserted into the interdental spaces.

Figures 5A to 5C schematically illustrate alternative cross-sectional shapes of the inner support means. In Figure 5A, the inner support means 501a has a generally circular cross-sectional shape, whilst the covering means 502a has a substantially triangular external cross-section shape. The provision of a cylindrically shaped support means may facilitate the manufacturing of such an inner support means, since the moulding of a simple circular shape may be more easily accomplished than a more complex, multifaceted shape. In Figure 5B, the internal support means has a cross-section in the form of a quadrilateral, such as a square, although other quadrilateral shapes could be used in other embodiments. In Figure 5C the inner support means 501C has a star shaped cross-sectional. In the example of Figure 5C, an irregular shaped start is shown, wherein the limbs are of different length, albeit these 3 primary limbs/points of the star defining the generally triangular shape. Advantageously, such a multifaceted shape may help in affixing and securing the cover member 502 to the inner support means 501 C. It is to be appreciated that other cross sectional shapes may be provided.

Figure 6 shows an example of an apparatus 600 that additionally comprise projections 603 that extend from the covering means 602. Such lateral projections 603 may comprise: protrusions, nodules, bristles, fibres and/or filaments. The projections may extend in a generally lateral transverse direction, i.e. substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction defined by inner support means 601 and its covering means 602. Such projections 603 may further facilitate the apparatus’ ability to clean in the interdental spaces between a user’s teeth. The projections may be formed of the same material as the covering means 602 or may be formed of a third material different from the first material of the inner support means 601 and differing from the second material of the covering means 602. In some examples, in addition to or instead of such projections, the exterior surface of the covering means may be configured to have a rough surface texture for facilitating the abrasive cleaning of the interdental space.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether described or not. Although various examples of the present disclosure have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims.

The term ‘comprise’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use ‘comprise’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one ...” or by using “consisting”.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term ’example’ or ‘for example’ or ‘may’ in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some or all other examples. Thus ‘example’, ‘tor example' or ‘may’ refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class.

In this description, references to “α/αη/the” [feature, element, component, means ...] are to be interpreted as “at least one” [feature, element, component, means ...] unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of examples of the present disclosure believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

The examples of the present disclosure and the accompanying claims may be suitably combined in any manner apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. An apparatus for interdental cleaning, the apparatus comprising; inner support means; and covering means configured to enclose at least a section of the inner support means, wherein the covering means is configured to have a substantially triangular external cross sectional shape.

2. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the inner support means is made of a first material and the covering member is made of a second material, and wherein the first material has a greater rigidity than the second material.

3. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein at least a part of the covering means’ substantially triangular external cross sectional shape is configured to taper.

4. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the inner support means is configured to have a substantially triangular cross sectional shape.

5. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the inner support means is configured to have a substantially circular cross sectional shape.

6. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the inner support means is configured to have a star shaped cross section

7. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the inner support means’ external cross sectional shape is configured to taper.

8. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises projections extending from the covering means.

9. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the covering means is configured to enclose a distal end portion of the inner core.

10. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein one or more of the inner support means and covering means is formed via injection moulding.

11. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein at least a section of the inner core and covering means are dimensioned so as to be insertable into interdental spaces.

12. An oral care tool comprising the apparatus as claimed in any one or more of the previous claims.

13. An interdental cleaner, interdental brush or toothpick comprising the apparatus as claimed in any one or more of the previous claims.

14. A method for manufacturing an apparatus for interdental cleaning, the method comprising:

forming an inner support means of the apparatus by injection moulding; and forming a covering means by injection moulding, wherein the covering means is configured to enclose at least a section of the inner support means, and wherein the covering means is configured to have a substantially triangular external cross sectional shape.

15. An apparatus manufactured by the method of claim 14.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1620484.4 Examiner: Mr Chris Morris