Toothbrush Shaft
A toothbrush shaft (1) designed to carry a polishing member (7; 107) that includes an element (15) of microfibre fabric. The toothbrush shaft according to the present invention may relate both to a manual toothbrush, i.e. a toothbrush where an operator manually performs the brushing motion, or to an electrical toothbrush, i.e. a toothbrush where the motion of the brush head is generated by an electrical power source. The polishing member (7) is intended to be detachably mounted on the brush head, and includes a cup shaped portion (9; 109), in which the element (15) of microfibre fabric is received.
The present invention relates to a toothbrush shaft that is designed to carry a polishing means that comprises an element of microfibre fabric. The toothbrush shaft according to the present invention may relate both to a manual toothbrush, i.e. a toothbrush where an operator manually performs the brushing motion, or to an electrical toothbrush, i.e. a toothbrush where the motion of the brush head is generated by an electrical power source. The invention relates also per se to a polishing means that is intended to be detachably mounted on the brush head.
PRIOR ARTThere exist several different known methods to achieve whiter teeth. A toothpaste on the market promises whiter teeth in connection with regular use. Chemical treatments are also known where a paste or a gel is applied to the teeth in one or several steps.
It is also known toothbrushes that are especially designed to give the user whiter teeth. Thus, several manufacturers market toothbrushes that have rubber profiles that are integrated between the bristle bundles in the brush head, the object of said rubber profiles being to provide polishing of the teeth simultaneously as the teeth are brushed. These rubber profiles may be designed in several different ways. In exemplifying and non-restricting purpose S-shape, H-shape or zig zag shape may be mentioned.
As regards electrical toothbrushes it is previously known to have the brush head equipped with a cup shaped rubber portion that is located in the centre of the brush head.
In connection with polishing means made out of rubber it is a general disadvantage that the polishing effect of such polishing means is not too good. In connection with polishing of the teeth by rubber material it is common that one pushes too hard and with bristle straws located beside the rubber profile the pressure on the gums will be too hard. This will eventually result in contracted gum and shooting/icing pain in the neck of the teeth.
It is also previously known a toothbrush where two “polishing cups” are created by dense bristle that is surrounded by longer, more spaced, angled bristle that holds the toothpaste. However, there is a risk that the surrounding, longer, more spaced bristle hurts the gums if the polishing is effective.
It is also previously known a toothbrush that has a serrated rubber surface on the portion of the brush head that faces away from the bristle bundles, said serrated rubber surface being intended for removing bacteria from the tongue.
OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTIONA primary object of the present invention is to present a toothbrush shaft that enables polishing of the teeth of the user in an efficient but light way.
A further object of the present invention is that the polishing function is limited to the teeth of the user, i.e. irritation of the gums is avoided.
Still an object of the present invention is to achieve the polishing function without the use of chemical additives.
At least the primary object of the present invention is realised by means of a toothbrush shaft and a polishing means that have been given the features of the appending claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
Below embodiments of the invention will be described, reference being made to the enclosed drawings, where:
The toothbrush shown in
On the side of the brush head 3 that faces away from the bristle bundles 5 the brush head 3 is equipped with a polishing means 7 that comprises a cup shaped portion 9 and a fastening portion 10, by which the cup shaped portion 9 detachably may be fastened to the brush head 3. A waist 8 connects the cup shaped portion 9 with the fastening portion 10. The cup shaped portion 97 the waist 8 and the fastening portion 10 are manufactured from a flexible material, e.g. plastic. As is evident from
The polishing means 7 also comprises an element 15 that constitutes microfibre fabric, said element 15 being received in the cup shaped portion 9 and permanently connected to the cup shaped portion 9. In exemplifying and non-restricting purpose it may be mentioned that the element 15 of microfibre fabric may be embedded in the cup shaped portion 9.
Microfibre is a fibre material that consists of polyester/polyamid, said fibre material being cut in radial direction in a number of sections that in cross-section is in the shape of circular segments. These sections have external corners that are sharp and these sharp portions give the material its characteristic to plane off/polish coatings on the teeth without damaging the enamel.
When the element 15 of microfibre fabric is worn out the polishing means 7 is removed from the brush head 3, this being effected by removing the fastening portion 10 from the cavity 12. In connection therewith the barbs 11 are deformed when the fastening portion 10 passes through the hole 13. A fresh polishing means 7 may now be mounted in the cavity 12, the barbs 11 of the fastening portion 10 being deformed when passing through the hole 13.
The embodiment shown in
In
The polishing means 107 comprises also an element 15 that is manufactured from microfibre fabric, said element 15 may in principle be identical with the element 15 in the embodiment according to
In exemplifying and non-restricting purpose it may be mentioned that the element 15 of microfibre fabric may be embedded in the cup shaped portion 109. When the element 15 of microfibre fabric is worn out the toothbrush shaft 101 is exchanged and replaced by a new toothbrush shaft 101 having an unused polishing means 107.
Feasible Modifications of the InventionIn connection with the embodiments described above the element 15 of microfibre fabric is embedded in the cup shaped portion 9; 109. Within the scope of the present invention it is also feasible that the element 15 of microfibre fabric is provided in the cup shaped portion 9; 109 in an alternative way. In exemplifying and non-restricting purpose gluing may be mentioned.
In the embodiment shown in
As regards an electric toothbrush the polishing means may be detachably mounted on the shaft as an alternative to the entire shaft 101 being detachable from the power unit 102.
Generally the present invention relates to a toothbrush shaft that has a separate polishing means that may be provided adjacent to the brush head or at some other location of the toothbrush shaft. In connection therewith it is important that the polishing means is given such a location and such dimensions that the toothbrush shaft continues to be highly user-friendly.
Claims
1. Toothbrush shaft (1; 101) that is designed to carry a polishing means (7; 107) that comprises an element (15) of microfibre fabric, characterised in that the polishing means (7; 107) comprises a cup shaped portion (9; 109), in which the element (15) of microfibre fabric is received.
2. Toothbrush shaft (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the element (15) of microfibre fabric is embedded in the cup shaped portion (9; 109).
3. Toothbrush shaft (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the polishing means (7) comprises a fastening portion (10) for detachable mounting of the polishing means (7) on a brush head (3) of the toothbrush shaft (1).
4. Toothbrush shaft (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the brush head (3) has a cavity (12), in which the fastening portion (10) of the polishing means (7) is received.
5. Toothbrush shaft (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the fastening means (10) is equipped with flexible barbs (11).
6. Toothbrush shaft (101) according to claim 1, characterised in that the polishing means (107) is permanently mounted on the toothbrush shaft (101).
7. Polishing means (7) intended to be detachably mounted on a toothbrush shaft (1), characterised in that said polishing means (7) comprises a cup shaped portion (9), a fastening means (10) integral with the cup shaped portion (9) and an element (15) of microfibre fabric that is received in the cup shaped portion (9).
8. Polishing means (7) according to claim 7, characterised in that the element (15) of microfibre fabric is embedded in the cup shaped portion (9).
9. Polishing means (7) according to claim 7, characterised in that the cup shaped portion (9) is manufactured from a flexible material.
10. Polishing means (7) according to claim 8, characterised in that the cup shaped portion (9) is manufactured from a flexible material.
11. Toothbrush shaft (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the polishing means (7) comprises a fastening portion (10) for detachable mounting of the polishing means (7) on a brush head (3) of the toothbrush shaft (1).
12. Toothbrush shaft (101) according to claim 2, characterised in that the polishing means (107) is permanently mounted on the toothbrush shaft (101).
13. Toothbrush shaft (101) according to claim 3, characterised in that the polishing means (107) is permanently mounted on the toothbrush shaft (101).
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 6, 2006
Publication Date: Jun 26, 2008
Inventor: Henrik Falk (Stockholm)
Application Number: 11/815,665
International Classification: A46B 13/00 (20060101); A46B 15/00 (20060101); A46B 9/04 (20060101); A47L 25/00 (20060101); A46D 1/00 (20060101);