DENTAL HYGIENE ITEM

Abstract

A toothbrush (10) including a handle (11) to which there is attached a toothbrush head (12). The handle (11) includes a hollow body (15) and opposite longitudinal ends (17, 18). An attachment portion (27) of the toothbrush head (12) engages an attachment portion (28) of the handle (11) so as to be secured thereto.

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates to dental hygiene items and more particularly but not exclusively to dental hygiene items such as brushes, including tooth brushes, floss items and interdental brushes.

BACKGROUND

Most oral hygiene appliances require the use of a manually claspable handle. Such handle can be further defined as of the manual, non electric variety, wherein the user provides muscle power creating a scrubbing action which transmits through to the working end of the device. Alternatively, the handle can be powered electrically and engineered to create subsonic, sonic or ultrasonic vibrations in the device, or it can provide a mechanised scrubbing action in the device by means of small electric motors, driveshafts and appropriate gearing. All handles that provide either a macro mechanical or a micro-mechanical scrubbing action, whether it be via driveshafts and gearboxes or via sonically induced vibrations or simple mechanically generated vibrations, or sonic or ultrasonic or subsonic vibrations or movements induced by an eccentric weight on a rotating electric motor shaft shall hereafter be referred to as electric handles.

In order to conserve plastic and provide greater economy to the user, some manufacturers have developed replaceable heads for manual toothbrushes so that the full handle is not thrown away when the brush head is worn out. In a similar vein, others have developed replaceable flossing devices similar to the replaceable brush head concept, where a plastic fork is, overmoulded over a section of floss, and this plastic device is fitted onto a handle, which can be manual or electric, in order to make flossing easier Whilst it is comparatively unusual to see a manual brush with a replaceable head, nearly all electric brush handles have replaceable heads as it would be economically and environmentally unsustainable to throw away the whole electric apparatus when the brush was worn out.

Many manufacturers have developed extension handles for interdental brushes. Such brushes fall into three types—1) those which are themselves equipped with usable mini or small handles usually overmoulded or glued or welded to the twisted wire, 2) those with small plastic retention devices which attach to a corresponding receptacle in a larger handle, or 3) those that have a simple twisted wire brush with no inbuilt mini handle or retention device, where such wire directly clips into or attaches to a large toothbrush like handle that has been specifically designed to accept plain interdental brush twisted wire heads, thus saving the cost of overmoulding a handle, or the waste of throwing away the plastic handle every time an interdental brush is used.

Many manufacturers have produced stain removal devices which have their own unique handle, and which is permanently attached to and thrown away with the device head when only the device head is worn out. This is a waste of the plastic handle, and a waste of plastic, which is usually derived from oil, a resource that has both a limited future availability and likely substantial future cost increase, and should be conserved where possible and reasonable. Similarly, many manufacturers have produced denture brushes, which have their own unique (large) handle and which is permanently attached to and thrown away with the device head. Similarly, many manufacturers have produced so-called single tuft brush heads, which often actually may consist of a series of small tufts focused into a tip to give higher cleaning power to specialised areas which also have a permanently attached handle. Similarly, many manufacturers have produced tongue scrapers that have integrally attached handles.

The different devices used at the oral interface have vastly different requirements in terms of their orientation, fixation requirements, cross sectional strength and forces applied to the handle and through the connector. For example, most floss items and interdental brushes have low force requirements and therefore a simple mini handle stem will suffice, which simple mini handle stem enables the device to be used on its own without a conventional toothbrush sized extension handle.

This is in contrast to devices such as a toothbrush that must have a substantial handle so that it is comfortable, durable and strong enough to transmit the forces required when using such a toothbrush, or a single tuft brush, a denture brush, or even possibly a stain remover.

In addition to the above, some of the devices that are inserted into the inside of any proposed brush handle connector will provide substantial rotational forces on the connector, which must be resisted so that the product can be used successfully without long axis or rotational slippage. An example of this would be an over moulded flossing device where the floss runs parallel with the handle but is offset. Therefore the force on the floss provides a torqueing action on the handle. This force goes through the connection device to the handle, and must be resisted at the connection point.

The current invention seeks to resist this force but still allow 8 degrees of rotational freedom so that it can be set in whatever position the operator finds most desirable.

Most electric brush handles have male projections as an attachment apparatus and as a drive shaft which will allow for removable heads to be placed over them, however, these projections and the surface they form when they enter into the handle body make the entire apparatus completely unsuitable for use in the mouth without a brush fitted. The reason for this is these handles are designed to be used only with a brush head attached in position in order to smooth over the gross surface irregularities and to form a continuous smooth contour between the handle and the brush head. The profile created by the large ledge where the male projection enters into the body of the handle is completely unsuitable for rubbing across the lip or internal aspect of the cheek without a brush head on the handle because it is usually designed with sharp angular edges between offset surfaces to facilitate a tight butt joint when the head is placed on the handle, rather than a smooth S shaped transition between offset surfaces, which requires a more difficult to mould and manufacture knife edge finish on the edge of any head device to get a smooth finished transition between the head and the handle. These conventional prior handles are not designed for universal use with AND without a brush head, because they are not designed with smooth surfaces and contoured transitional angles to facilitate intra oral use without a brush head (or similar external head device such as a flosser) placed over the drive shaft/attachment apparatus. They also often have additional large external irritating projections on the projection shaft designed to create undercuts or retentive features to engage and retain the brush head with a snap on action, which, if used or rubbed in the mouth would cause irritation to or trauma to the lip or internal aspect of the cheek. Because they are not intended to be used without the brush head on the shaft to cover them, these retentive features can be highly irritating to intra oral use.

Object

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY

There is firstly disclosed herein a handle of a dental hygiene item, the item including:

a handle having a longitudinal axis, and opposite first and second longitudinal end portions;

the second end portion including an engagement portion to releaseably engage a head that is to be fixed to the second end portion so that via manipulation of the handle the head can be manipulated by a user to engage the user's teeth, internal mouth surfaces or tongue; and wherein

the second end portion includes a first longitudinal length and a second longitudinal length, the second longitudinal length tapering towards an end extremity, with the first length having a longitudinally extending external surface and the second length have a longitudinally extending external surface, with the surfaces being joined by a transition surface, the transition surface being tangential to the first surface and tangential to the second surface, with the second surface spaced outwardly from the first surface by no more than 3 mm relative to said axis at the transition surface.

Preferably, the two external surfaces are circular in transverse cross-section.

Preferably, the transition surface is joined to the first surface by a first radius, and the transition surface is joined to the second surface by a second radius, wherein the first radius is larger than the second radius.

Preferably, the first radius is between 9 mm and 10 mm.

Preferably, the first radius is about 9.7 mm.

Preferably, the second radius is between 5 mm and 6 mm.

Preferably, the second radius is about 5.2 mm.

There is further disclosed herein a dental hygiene item, said item including:

a handle having a longitudinal axis, and opposite first and second longitudinally opposite end portions;

a head that is to engage a user's teeth, internal mouth surfaces or tongue, the head being fixed to the second end portion; and wherein

said handle includes a bulbous portion adjacent said first end portion, the bulbous portion tapering to said first end portion and towards said second end portion.

Preferably, said handle is hollow and includes an end cap at said first end portion that is removable to enable items to be located internally and stored in said handle.

Preferably, said head is removably attached to said handle.

Preferably, said handle has an external surface, and said head has an external surface, with the handle surface being aligned with the head surface so as to provide a smooth transition between the two surfaces.

Preferably, said handle has a longitudinal length that is greater than the longitudinal length of said head.

There is further disclosed herein a dental hygiene item including:

a handle to be gripped in a user's hand, the handle having a body with a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal end portion;

a tooth, internal mouth surfaces or tongue engaging head removably attached to the end portion; and

attachment portions to secure the handle to the head, the attachment portions including an annular flange surrounding a passage, and a projection to extend inwardly of the passage to engage internally of the flange so that upon longitudinal relative movement between the handle and head towards each other, the projection enters the passage to engage the flange.

Preferably, the head includes said annular flange, and the handle includes said projection.

In one preferred form, the attachment portions include a shaft projecting inwardly of the passage, and the handle projection includes an internal projection passage within which the shaft is received when the attachment portions are engaged.

Preferably, said shaft tapers towards an end extremity.

Preferably, the head passage tapers inwardly from an end opening of the passage.

Preferably, the attachment portions include a plurality of recesses and a plurality of raised portions, the raised portions being engaged in the recesses to secure the handle to the head.

Preferably, the recesses are in said projection, and the raised portions attached to the flange and projecting inwardly relative to said passage to engage the recesses.

Preferably, the raised portions engage in the recess by resilient deformation of the flange and/or projection.

Preferably, the recesses extend angularly and longitudinally relative to said axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a toothbrush including a handle and an attachable brush head;

FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1 with the handle and toothbrush head detached;

FIG. 3 is a schematic isometric view of end portions of the handle and head as illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic parts sectioned isometric view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic isometric view of an end portion of the handle shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevation of the end portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the end portion as shown in FIG. 6 sectioned along the line 7-7;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevation of a number of modifications of the toothbrush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 are schematic side elevations of modifications of the handle of the toothbrush of FIG. 1, with different heads applied;

FIG. 10 are schematic side elevations of different heads that may be applied to the handle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a schematic isometric view of a modification of the handle and head of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a schematic isometric view of the handle and head of FIG. 11 partly sectioned;

FIG. 13 is a schematic isometric view of a floss head;

FIG. 14 is a parts sectioned isometric view of the head of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a schematic isometric view of the head of FIG. 13 with an end cap;

FIG. 16 is a schematic isometric view of the head and end cap of FIG. 15 partly dismantled;

FIG. 17 is a schematic isometric view of the end cap of FIGS. 15 and 16; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic side elevation of the end extremity of the handle of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 19 is a schematic isometric view of a further attachment to those shown in FIGS. 8 to 10;

FIG. 20 is a schematic side elevation of a modification of a further end portion of a handle;

FIG. 21 is a schematic isometric view of the end portion of FIG. 20; and

FIG. 22 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of a modification of the brush head as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 23 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the brush head portion of FIG. 22; and

FIG. 24 is a schematic isometric view of an insert of the brush head portion of FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIG. 1 there is schematically depicted a dental hygiene item. In this particular embodiment the item is a toothbrush 10. The toothbrush 10 includes a handle 11 to which there is removably attached a toothbrush head 12. In this particular embodiment, the toothbrush handle 11 is provided with an electric motor 13 that receives (via a switch) current from one or more batteries 14. Upon actuation of a switch (not illustrated) the motor 13 is energised to cause the toothbrush 10 to vibrate. However it should be appreciated the toothbrush 10 may also be manually operated and not include a vibration source such as a motor, or a power storage or drive system.

The handle 11 includes a hollow body 15 that has a longitudinal axis 16 and opposite longitudinal end portions 17 and 18. The body 15 is bulbous and is designed to be gripped in the hand of a user. The body 15 is bulbous so as to have a bulbous portion at the end portion 18 and hollow in manual versions so that it has improved hand grip, and provides storage internally for oral care accessory items such as flosspicks and/or interdental brushes. Access to the interior of the body 15 is via removal of an end cap providing the end portion 17. The handle 11 is also hollow so as to avoid the weight and cost of solid plastic and/or rubber/elastomer.

The brush head 12 includes a generally flat base 19 to which there is fixed a plurality of bristles 20. Integrally formed or attached to the base 19 is a stem 21.

The stem 21 provides an attachment portion 27 that engages the attachment portion 28 of the handle 11 to securely attach the head 12 to the handle 11.

In FIG. 2 the attachment portion 27 includes an annular flange 29 that surrounds a passage that extends longitudinally inwardly from an end opening 23. In FIG. 3 the passage 22 is surrounded by an internal surface 24 of the flange 29.

Extending longitudinally of the passage 22 from a mounting 26 is a shaft 25. The shaft 25 extends longitudinally towards the end opening 23. The shaft 25 is spaced from the surface 24 so that there is a space between the shaft 25 and the surface 24. The surface 24 is also provided with a plurality of projections 30.

In FIG. 3, the attachment portion 28 includes an annular projection 31 fixed to or formed integrally with the end portion 18. In FIG. 7, the projection 31 surrounds a passage 32 that extends longitudinally inwardly from an end opening 33. The passage 32 tapers inwardly so as to have its smallest diameter spaced inwardly from the opening 33. There is a small portion 34 at the entrance of the passage 32 that has a larger cross sectional surface area than the area immediately internal from it, so as to allow the shaft 26 greater bending strength in this region.

The external surface 36 of the projection 31 includes a plurality of recesses (depressions) 37 within which the projections (raised portions) 30 in FIG. 3 engage. This engagement is by resilient deformation of the projection 30 and the flange 29 to provide for movement of the projections 30 into the recesses 37.

The shaft 25 may have a plurality of longitudinally extending ridges 38 that are separated by longitudinally extending slots, in order to inhibit angular relative movement between the handle 11 and head 12. The passage 32 in FIG. 7 has longitudinally extending ridges 35 also separated by slots. The ridges 38 and associated slots mate with the ridges 35 and associated slots, so that the shaft 25 securely engages within the passage 34. If so required, the shaft 25 may also taper so as to have the smallest diameter at its longitudinal end extremity to enhance frictional engagement of the ridges 35 and 38.

The engagement of the shaft 25 in the passage 32, and engagement between the external surface 36 of the projection 31 and the internal surface 24 of the flange 29 provides for a secure connection between the handle 11 and the head 12.

FIG. 8 shows a number of modifications of the handle 11. However the handle 11 includes a bulbous portion 39 located between the end portions 17 and 18.

In FIG. 9, the handle 11 is again illustrated as having various configurations. Also in FIG. 9, the handle 11 is engaged with different heads. For example, one head is a toothbrush, the second head is an interdental brush, and the third head a floss item.

In FIGS. 11 and 12 there is schematically depicted a modification of the handle 11 and head 12.

In this embodiment the shaft 25 has been eliminated and the attachment projections reversed.

In this embodiment the attachment portion 27 includes an annular flange 39 that has an internal surface 40 surrounding a passage 41. The surface 40 is provided with a plurality of recesses 42 that include a guide portion 43 and a base portion 44. The handle attachment portion 28 includes a projection 45 that tapers towards an end extremity 46 to match a similar taper on the passage 41. The external surface 47 of the projection 45 has a plurality of projections or raised portions 48 that are engaged by the guide portions 43 for engagement in the base portions 44. To enable this to happen, the attachment portion 27 and/or attachment portion 28 is resiliently deformed. Accordingly the raised portions 48 are “snap engaged” in the base portions 44 to secure the handle 11 to the head 12.

It should be appreciated the head 12 may be anyone of the heads of FIG. 8, 9 or 10, as well as the head 49 of FIGS. 13 and 14.

In FIGS. 13 and 17, there is schematically depicted a head 49 to be removably attached to the handle 11. The head 49 is a floss item, and includes a base 50 from which there extends a pair of arms 51. Fixed to the end portions of the arms 51 is a length of dental floss 52 that may be under tension. In this embodiment, the annular flange 39 has its internal surface 40 provided with a plurality of projections or raised portions 53. Accordingly the portion 28 would need to have corresponding recesses at the locations to receive the raised portions 48. In that regard it should be appreciated the raised portions 43 could be replaced with recesses to engage the raised portions 48 of the embodiment of FIG. 11.

In the above embodiments, the raised portions (projections) may be included in the handle or head, and the recess in the other handle or head. Also, by moving the head and handle longitudinally towards each other causes engagement of the portions 27 and 28.

The passage 41 can be closed by end cap 54. The end cap 54 includes a base 55 that is slightly enlarged and is intended to be gripped by a user. The base 55 can include ridges 56 that aid gripping so that the end cap 54 may be moved axially relative to the axis 16.

Extending from and of smaller diameter than the base 55, is the attachment portion 28 which is as described previously.

When the head 49 is being used manually the end cap 54 is inserted in the passage 41 so as to be frictionally retained therein. When the head 49 is to be attached to the handle 11, the end cap 54 is removed and the attachment portion 28 of the handle 11 inserted in the head 49 so as to securely engage the head 49.

The end portion 18 includes a first longitudinally extending portion 57 joined to a second longitudinally extending portion 58 by a transition portion 59. The portion 57 includes an external surface 60 that is circular in transverse cross-section and is preferably diminishing in diameter towards the transition portion 59. The second portion 58 extends from the transition portion 59 so as to taper away from the transition portion 59. The portions 57 are 58 and also generally circular in transverse cross-section. At the transition portion 59, the portion 57 is spaced outwardly from the axis further than the portion 58 by no more than 3 mm relative to the axis 16, preferably no more than 2 mm. Accordingly when the portions 57 and 58 are circular in transverse cross-section, and the portion 59 circular in transverse cross-section, the portion 57 has a radius no more than 3 mm greater than the portion 58 at the position where they meet the transition portion 59. More preferably, the radial difference is no more than 2 mm.

The transition portion 59 has an external surface 61 and the portion 58 an external surface 62. The surfaces 61 and 62 are generally circular in transverse cross-section.

The surface 61 is an ‘S’ shaped surface and is joined to the surface 60 so as to be tangential thereto, while the surface 61 is joined to the surface 62 so as to tangential with respect thereto.

Preferably, the surface 61 has a radius 63 extending to the surface 60, while the surface 62 has a radius 64 joining the radius 63 so as to again be tangential. The surfaces 60, 61 and 62 provide a smooth transition from the surface 60 to the surface 6.

Preferably, the radius 63 is larger than the radius 64.

Preferably, the radius 63 is 9 mm to 10 mm, most preferably about 9.7 mm. Preferably, the radius 64 is between 5 mm and 6 mm, and more preferably about 5.2 mm. Preferably, the centres of the radiuses 63 and 64 are spaced by 5 mm to 6 mm along the axis 16 and are preferably spaced by a distance of 5.65 mm on the axis 16.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 20 and 21, the attachment portion 28 includes the projection 31 having an end opening 33 as in the previous embodiments. However in this embodiment, the recesses (depressions) 37 extend angularly about the axis 16. Accordingly the projections 30 of the previous embodiments would move generally axially along the channels 70 to enter the recesses 37, with angular movement of the head 12 then causing the projections 30 to move angularly along the depressions 37 about the axis 16.

In FIG. 19 a further head 71 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the head 71 is a “tongue scraper” and includes an end portion 72 that is provided with a plurality of ridges 73 that are moved into engagement with and along the surface of the user's tongue.

In FIGS. 22, 23 and 24 there is schematically depicted a modification of the stem 21 of the brush head 12. In this embodiment the stem 21 includes a hollow outer shell 80 that surrounds the passage 22. The shell has at least two apertures 81 extending through the shell 80 and on opposite sides of the shell 80. Located internally of the shell 80, that is projecting internally of the passage 22 is an insert 82. The insert 82 provides the projections 30 described with reference to FIG. 3. The insert 80 includes a generally circular base 83 with a pair of axially extending arms 84 that snap engage in the recesses 81 to securely locate the insert 80 internally of the shell 80. The projections 30 then project inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis 16. This construction aids in the manufacture of the stem 21.

Claims

1. A handle of a dental hygiene item, the handle including:

a longitudinal axis, and opposite first and second longitudinal end portions;

the second end portion including an engagement portion to releaseably engage a head that is to be fixed to the second end portion so that via manipulation of the handle the head can be manipulated by a user to engage the user's teeth, internal mouth surfaces or tongue; and wherein

the second end portion includes a first longitudinal length and a second longitudinal length, the second longitudinal length tapering towards an end extremity, with the first length having a longitudinally extending external surface and the second length have a longitudinally extending external surface, with the surfaces being joined by a transition surface, the transition surface being tangential to the first surface and tangential to the second surface, with the second surface spaced outwardly from the first surface by no more than 3 mm relative to said axis at the transition surface.

2. The handle of claim 1, wherein the two external surfaces are circular in transverse cross-section.

3. The handle of claim 1, wherein the transition surface is joined to the first surface by a first radius, and the transition surface is joined to the second surface by a second radius, wherein the first radius is larger than the second radius.

4. The handle of claim 3, wherein the first radius is between 9 mm and 10 mm.

5. The handle of claim 4, wherein the first radius is about 9.7 mm.

6. The handle of claim 3, wherein the second radius is between 5 mm and 6 mm.

7. The handle of claim 6, wherein the second radius is about 5.2 mm.

8. A dental hygiene item, said item including:

a handle having a longitudinal axis, and opposite first and second longitudinally opposite end portions;

a head that is to engage a user's teeth, internal mouth surfaces or tongue, the head being fixed to the second end portion; and wherein

said handle includes a bulbous portion adjacent said first end portion, the bulbous portion tapering to said first end portion and towards said second end portion.

9. The item of claim 8, wherein said handle is hollow and includes an end cap at said first end portion that is removable to enable items to be located internally and stored in said handle.

10. The item of claim 8 or 9, wherein said head is removably attached to said handle.

11. The item of claim 8, wherein said handle has an external surface, and said head has an external surface, with the handle surface being aligned with the head surface so as to provide a smooth transition between the two surfaces.

12. The item of claim 8, wherein said handle has a longitudinal length that is greater than the longitudinal length of said head.

13. A dental hygiene item including:

a handle to be gripped in a user's hand, the handle having a body with a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal end portion;

a tooth, internal mouth surfaces or tongue engaging head removably attached to the end portion; and

attachment portions to secure the handle to the head, the attachment portions including an annular flange surrounding a passage, and a projection to extend inwardly of the passage to engage internally of the flange so that upon longitudinal relative movement between the handle and head towards each other, the projection enters the passage to engage the flange.

14. The item of claim 13, wherein the head includes said annular flange, and the handle includes said projection.

15. The item of claim 13, wherein the attachment portions include a shaft projecting inwardly of the passage, and the handle projection includes an internal projection passage within which the shaft is received when the attachment portions are engaged.

16. The item of claim 15, wherein said shaft tapers towards an end extremity.

17. The item of claim 13, wherein the head passage tapers inwardly from an end opening of the passage.

18. The item of claim 13, wherein the attachment portions include a plurality of recesses and a plurality of raised portions, the raised portions being engaged in the recesses to secure the handle to the head.

19. The item of claim 18, wherein the recesses are in said projection, and the raised portions attached to the flange and projecting inwardly relative to said passage to engage the recesses.

20. The item of claim 18, wherein the raised portions engage in the recess by resilient deformation of the flange and/or projection, and the recesses extend angularly and longitudinally relative to said axis.

21. (canceled)