REMOVABLE TOOTHBRUSH HEAD AND TOOTHBRUSH COMPRISING SUCH A HEAD

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a toothbrush head comprising

• • a base, rigid and elongated, comprising two main faces connected to one another by a peripheral wall having two notches intended to cooperate with a toothbrush handle, in order to assemble the head to the latter in a removable manner, the base also comprises a hole at one of its ends, opening into the peripheral wall and intended to receive a stabilizing tab carried by the toothbrush handle, and
  • a cleaning member integral with the base and comprising a plurality of flexible cleaning elements.

STATE OF THE ART

Removable toothbrush heads of this type have long been known in the state of the art.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,234 describes several embodiments of a head having the above features. The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 15, in particular, provide a toothbrush with a handle comprising a grip extended by two arms, each of which comprises an inwardly-facing tooth intended to cooperate with a notch provided in the head. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the head also features lateral grooves in which the arms of the handle are housed in an assembled configuration. Apart from these specific features, the head has a rather conventional structure, i.e. it carries a plurality of bristles, the base of which is retained in the head in the standard manner.

Various variants of mechanical connections between the head and the handle, with varying degrees of robustness, are presented in this document. The aim is to find a mechanical connection between the head and the handle that offers the best compromise between strength and ergonomics in terms of head replacement when the cleaning elements are worn, and in particular too deformed to fulfil their role satisfactorily.

In addition, if the mechanical connection between the head and the handle is to be robust, it is also important to ensure that the clearance between these two components is as small as possible, in particular to avoid rotational movements of the head with respect to the handle in various directions.

With regard to the toothbrush constructions presented in this prior document, it can be seen that the quality of the mechanical connection depends in particular on the materials used, since the latter have a direct impact not only on the more or less elastic properties of the head and handle, but also on the manufacturing processes used, the tolerances of which are more or less important.

FR2595221 describes another system for assembling a handle to a conventional toothbrush head. In this system, the handle has a longitudinal tongue designed to fit into a suitable hole in the head, and a pair of hinged lateral claws controlled by a push-button to unlock the head. While this approach guarantees a more effective hold of the claws on the head, it requires a more complex construction and makes cleaning the end of the handle, at the level of the claw control mechanism, more complicated.

Thus, there is still a need for a toothbrush whose head is removable, thus enabling prolonged use of its handle and thus reducing waste, and in which the mechanical connection between head and handle is both robust and stable, while offering simplified manufacturing conditions, without diminishing the corresponding brushing quality.

Disclosure of the Invention

A principal aim of the present invention is to propose a toothbrush head of alternative construction to that of toothbrush heads already known in the prior art, capable of presenting a robust and stable mechanical connection with a suitable handle, while being produced by the implementation of a simple manufacturing process and making it possible to obtain a brushing quality at least equal to that of toothbrushes already known.

To this end, the present invention relates more particularly to a toothbrush head of the type mentioned above, characterized

• • by the fact that the base comprises a first channel having an inlet in one of the main faces and communicating with the hole,
  • by the fact that the cleaning member is elastically deformable and is made in one piece by overmolding at least part of the base including the inlet of the first channel, and
  • by the fact that the cleaning member comprises a first anchoring portion arranged in the first channel and defining a stabilizing abutment positioned in the prolongation of the hole, or at least partially inside the hole, so as to be able to be compressed by the stabilizing tab when the head is assembled to the handle.

Thanks to these features, the toothbrush head according to the invention can be manufactured by implementing a relatively easy manufacturing process. Indeed, a simple overmolding operation can be used to produce the cleaning member, whose anchoring to the rigid base is reinforced by its anchoring portion arranged in the first channel, while simultaneously enabling the production of a stabilizing abutment intended to cooperate with a handle. In this way, the cooperation of the handle stabilizing tab with the head stabilizing abutment ensures better hold of the head on the handle, when using the assembled toothbrush, than in the case of toothbrushes of the prior art, in particular by eliminating the risks of relative rotation between the head and the handle along an axis passing through the two notches, as well as the play between the handle and the head along the longitudinal direction.

It may be particularly advantageous to provide that the first channel has an outlet opening into the other of the main faces, and that the first anchoring portion connects the main faces to each other, in order to ensure an even stronger mechanical connection between the cleaning member and the rigid base.

In addition, it may be even more advantageous to provide that the first channel comprises a main portion, extending in a direction essentially parallel to the envelope of the peripheral wall, and a diversion, extending from the main portion to the hole to define the stabilizing abutment. In this case, it can be further provided

• • that the diversion has a smaller cross-section than that of the hole to define a shoulder at the end of the latter, and
  • that the stabilizing abutment is at least partially arranged inside the hole in abutment against the shoulder.

Thanks to these additional features, by controlling the relative dimensioning between the hole and the diversion, it is possible to guarantee good anchoring of the stabilizing abutment when it is at least partially housed in the hole, bearing against the shoulder at the end of the hole.

In general, it is preferable to provide the base with a plurality of additional anchoring channels connecting the main faces to one another, each of which is filled by an additional anchoring portion of the cleaning member. In this way, good uniformity of the cleaning member's hold can be ensured over the entire extent of the base.

Alternatively, each of the main faces can be at least partially overmolded by the cleaning element.

In this case, the peripheral wall may also have an average height slightly greater than the average distance separating the main faces from one another, so that the main faces are slightly set back from the peripheral wall in the direction of the head thickness. In this way, the relative fit between the cleaning member and the base when using the corresponding toothbrush is further improved.

In general, it is advantageous to provide that at least some of the flexible cleaning elements are in the form of lamellae generally oriented along a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the base.

In this case, it can also be provided that at least some of the lamellae are slightly curved in their longitudinal direction.

Alternatively or additionally, at least some of the lamellae may be provided with n cut-outs, distributed substantially evenly along their length, defining n+1 cleaning portions capable of deforming independently of one another, n being between 1 and 10.

In general, it can also be provided

• • that a groove is formed in the peripheral wall of the base, the groove extending on either side of the end of the base containing the hole, along at least half the length of the base, and
  • that the notches are formed at the bottom of the groove.

In general, it can be provided that the cleaning member comprises an elongated empty pocket, preferably passing through along the width of the cleaning member and preferably extending along at least one third of the length of the base, so as to fulfil a suspension role.

Alternatively, the cleaning member may comprise at least first and second empty pockets arranged symmetrically with reference to a median plane of the head substantially perpendicular to the main faces or in line with each other in the longitudinal direction of the base, separated from each other by a flexible membrane made in one piece with the cleaning member.

Thanks to these features, the cleaning member can perfectly adapt to the curvature of the dentition during tooth brushing operations.

The present invention also relates to a toothbrush handle intended to cooperate with a toothbrush head according to the characteristics set out above, comprising a grip extended at one end by a connecting portion, itself extended by a two-armed fork, each arm of which is provided with a tooth intended to cooperate with a notch of the head, and comprising a stabilizing tab arranged in the prolongation of the connecting portion, between the arms of the fork, and intended to be inserted into the hole of the head.

The present invention also relates to a toothbrush comprising a head and a handle according to the above features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer on reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, made with reference to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting example and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a toothbrush according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a simplified front view of the toothbrush shown in FIG. 1, with a partial cross-section along a first sectional plane;

FIGS. 3a and 3b show simplified cross-sectional views of the toothbrush shown in FIG. 1, along respective second and third sectional planes;

FIG. 4 shows a simplified front view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1 in use;

FIGS. 5a and 5b show simplified front and perspective views, respectively, of alternative embodiments of the toothbrush shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a simplified perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the toothbrush shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the toothbrush shown in FIG. 6, in a sectional plane similar to that shown in FIG. 3a.

EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a toothbrush 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The toothbrush 1 is of the type comprising a handle 2 carrying a head 4, which is elongated and removably connected to the handle 2. To this end, the handle 2 comprises a grip 6 extended at one end by a connecting portion 8, itself extended by a two-armed fork 10 ensuring connection with the head 4, as will be described in greater detail below.

The head 4 comprises a rigid base 12, partially overmoulded by a cleaning member 14 comprising in particular a plurality of flexible cleaning elements 16.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified front view of the toothbrush 1 in partial cross-section along a first sectional plane, while FIGS. 3a and 3b show simplified cross-sectional views of the toothbrush 1 along respective second and third sectional planes. More precisely, only the head 4 is shown in cross-section on the view in FIG. 2, according to a cutting plane substantially coincident with a median horizontal plane (referenced by P1 on FIG. 3a, “horizontal” referring to the orientation of the toothbrush when it is placed on a support with its cleaning elements oriented vertically) of its rigid base 12. FIG. 3a shows a view along a sectional plane substantially coincident with a vertical and longitudinal median plane of the toothbrush 1 (referenced by P2 in FIG. 2), while FIG. 3b shows a view along a vertical and transverse sectional plane of the toothbrush 1 (referenced by P3 in FIG. 2).

In particular, the view in FIG. 2 shows that each arm of the fork 10 comprises a tooth 20 designed to cooperate with the head 4 to ensure the latter's assembly on the handle 2. In addition, the handle 2 comprises a stabilizing tab 22 arranged between the fork arms 10, in the prolongation of the connecting portion 8.

The views shown in FIGS. 2, 3a and 3b give a clearer idea of the construction of the head 4. In particular, it appears that the base 12 comprises two main faces 24, 26 connected to each other by a peripheral wall 28. The latter advantageously has an average height slightly greater than the average distance separating the main faces 24, 26 from each other, so that the main faces 24, 26 are set back slightly from the peripheral wall 28 in the direction of the thickness of the head 4.

The peripheral wall 28 has a groove 30 extending on either side of the end of the base 12 which is situated on the side of the handle 2, along slightly more than half the length of the base 12. In addition, two notches 32 are provided at the bottom of groove 30, at its two ends. In addition, a hole 34 is provided in the peripheral wall 28 at the end of the base 12 which is situated on the side of the handle 2.

The arrow shown in FIG. 2 symbolizes the assembly of head 4 to handle 2. It is understood that the groove 30 is intended to facilitate insertion of the head 4 between the two arms of the fork 10, until the teeth 20 are positioned opposite the notches 32 and insert into the latter to ensure locking of the head 4 to the handle 2. At the same time, stabilizing tab 22 is inserted into hole 34 to improve the mechanical connection between handle 2 and head 4. In the assembled configuration of the toothbrush 1, the fork arms 10 are advantageously housed at least partially in the groove 30 and thus contribute to the strength of the assembly.

The base 12 also comprises a plurality of anchoring channels 36 connecting its main faces 24, 26 to each other, the function of which will be explained below. In particular, a first channel 36a comprises a main portion, extending in a direction essentially parallel to the envelope of the peripheral wall 28, in other words vertical according to the orientation defined above, and a diversion 38, extending from the main portion to the hole 34. Alternatively, the first channel 36a, as well as the other anchoring channel(s) 36, could also be inclined. The diversion 38 has a smaller cross-section than that of the hole 34 and, optionally, than that of the main portion.

It is also clear from these cross-sectional views that the cleaning member 14 is made in one piece and comprises a film 40, at least partially covering the main face 24, anchoring portions 42, filling the anchoring channels 36, 36a, an intermediate portion 44, covering the other main face 26 of the base 12, and the flexible cleaning elements 16. The intermediate portion 44 acts as a buffer between the base 12 and the flexible cleaning elements 16, as will be explained in greater detail below. It is particularly apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3a that the anchoring portion 42, housed in the first anchoring channel 36a, is preferably but optionally extended by a transverse portion housed in its diversion 38, to define a stabilizing abutment 46 located here at the end of the hole 34. The stabilizing abutment 46 is designed to be compressed by the stabilizing tab 22 of the handle 2 when it is inserted into the hole 34, thus further reinforcing the stability of the mechanical connection between the handle 2 and the head 4 of the toothbrush 1 according to the present invention, in particular by avoiding any risk of relative rotation between the handle 2 and the head 4 along the axis passing through the notches 32. The dimensional difference between the cross-sections of the hole 34 and of the diversion defines a shoulder at the end of the hole 34 against which the stabilizing abutment 46 can bear under the effect of the pressure to which it is subjected by the stabilizing tab 22, when the toothbrush is assembled, thus improving the anchoring of the stabilizing abutment 46 at the end of the hole 34 and reducing the play between the handle 2 and the head 4 in the longitudinal direction.

It is clear from the above that the main function of the first anchoring channel 36a is to enable a stabilizing abutment 46 to be positioned at the end of hole 34 or opposite the latter, when the cleaning member 14 is overmolded. This implies, as a unique implementation requirement, that the first anchoring channel 36a and the hole 34 communicate with each other, possibly but not necessarily via a diversion 38. In this way, the stabilizing tab 22 can bear against a portion of the cleaning member 14, deforming it by compression, to improve the mechanical fit between the handle 2 and the head 4 of the toothbrush 1, whether this portion is located in the hole 34 or in its prolongation.

Alternatively, the length of the stabilizing tab 22 may be greater than that of the hole 34, and the stabilizing abutment 46 may be arranged in the prolongation of the hole 34 instead of being at least partially housed therein. In this case, of course, the presence of a diversion 38 is not necessary, especially as it could impede the passage of the stabilizing tab 22 due to its reduced transverse dimensions compared to those of hole 34. The stabilizing tab 22 would then bear directly against the anchoring portion 42 housed inside the first anchoring channel 36a, the region of the anchoring portion 42 facing the hole 34 in this case defining the stabilizing abutment 46.

The anchoring channels 36 improve mechanical strength between the base 12 and the cleaning member 14, in particular by connecting the film 40 to the intermediate portion 44, to sandwich the base 12. Although only two anchoring channels 36 have been illustrated here, the person skilled in the art will have no particular difficulty in choosing a different number to suit his or her own requirements, it being noted that the more evenly the anchoring channels are distributed over the entire extent of the base, and more particularly towards its periphery, the better the mechanical strength of the cleaning member on the base will be.

The person skilled in the art will of course be able to design a base 12 comprising only the first anchoring channel 36a as the sole anchoring channel, depending on the materials used respectively for the base 12 and for the cleaning member 14, without however departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In fact, the level of adhesion between the base 12 and the cleaning member 14 will depend on the materials selected, and it is possible to choose pairs of materials such that the provision of anchoring channels is superfluous to ensure that the cleaning member 14 is held securely on the base 12.

It is clear from the above, as well as from the function of the first anchoring channel 36a, that the shape and dimensions of the latter can be different from those of the other anchoring channels 36, when there are several of them. Indeed, the person skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the present teaching to suit his or her specific needs, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In particular, it will be noted that, for example, when a diversion 38 is provided to have the first anchoring channel 36a and the hole 34 communicate with each other, the portion of the cleaning member 14 located in the diversion 38 and in the hole 34 (the stabilizing abutment 46) intrinsically improves the anchoring of the anchoring portion 42 located in the first anchoring channel 36a compared with the anchoring portions located in the other anchoring channels 36, when comparing identical shapes. Thus, a better anchoring effect would be obtained at the first anchoring channel 36a, even though the latter would not extend over the entire height of the base 12 and would only open into one of its main faces 24, 26. Furthermore, more generally, i.e. even without the presence of a diversion 38, it is clearly understood that it is not mandatory for the first anchoring channel 36a to open simultaneously into both main faces 24, 26 of the base 12. As mentioned above, one function of the anchoring channels, in general, is to improve the hold of the cleaning member 14 on the base 12, but their presence is not essential depending on the materials used, since certain pairs of materials may present a sufficient level of relative adhesion.

Here, the flexible cleaning elements 16 are in the form of lamellae generally oriented in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the base 12. Alternatively, only some of the flexible cleaning elements 16 may be in the form of such lamellae, the others being able to take any other suitable form. As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the height of the flexible cleaning elements 16 can be varied according to the width and/or length of the base 12.

Finally, it is more particularly apparent from FIG. 3a that the cleaning member 14 comprises, in its intermediate portion 44, an elongated empty pocket 48, preferably extending along at least one third of the length of the base 12, and preferably passing through along the width of the cleaning member 14, so as to fulfil a suspension role by increasing the ability of the intermediate portion 44 to deform and therefore the ability of the flexible cleaning elements 16 to deform to better conform to the dentition during tooth brushing. In the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3b, by way of a non-limiting example, the intermediate portion 44 comprises first and second empty pockets 50 similar to each other. The first and second empty pockets 50 are arranged symmetrically with reference to the median P2 plane of the head 4, being separated from each other by a flexible, thin membrane 52, also made in one piece with the cleaning member 14.

Alternatively, the second empty pocket could be located in the prolongation of the first empty pocket, with the interposition of a membrane, both then having a width equal to the width of the cleaning member 14 so as to be passing through along the width direction. In this case, the empty pockets could of course each be less than a third of the length of the base 12. Other combinations are conceivable without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, two adjacent rows of empty pockets could be provided along the width of the cleaning member 14, each row advantageously comprising two or three empty pockets in line with one another. The various adjacent empty pockets would then be separated in pairs by a membrane made in one piece with the cleaning member 14.

FIG. 4 shows a simplified front view of the toothbrush 1 in use, and provides a better illustration of the role played by the intermediate portion 44 and its empty pocket 48, in particular how the great ability of the intermediate portion 44 to deform keeps all the flexible cleaning elements 16 in contact with the dentition, including in regions where the dentition has a significant curvature, by maintaining the orientation, virtually individually for each flexible cleaning element 16, along a direction substantially perpendicular to the corresponding contact surface on the dentition.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show simplified front or top and perspective views, respectively, of alternative embodiments of the toothbrush 1, more specifically of alternative ways of making its flexible cleaning elements 16.

As illustrated in the top view of FIG. 5a, it can be envisaged that at least some of the lamellae are slightly curved along their longitudinal direction, so that they appear concave when viewed from the handle 2. The lamellae may or may not have a constant thickness along their length. Alternatively, the curvature of the lamellae could also be reversed with respect to the illustration in FIG. 5a, i.e. the lamellae could appear convex when observed from the handle 2, or the lamellae could even have any kind of curvature.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that at least some of the lamellae have n cut-outs, distributed substantially evenly along their length, defining n+1 cleaning portions capable of deforming independently of one another, n being between 1 and 10. Three planes of cut-outs D have been symbolized on FIG. 5a, resulting in the realization of four independent cleaning portions per lamella, as illustrated on FIG. 5b. Thanks to such a feature, the flexible cleaning elements 16 are able to adapt even more closely to the details of the dentition during tooth brushing.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show simplified views, respectively in perspective and in cross-section along a longitudinal vertical median sectional plane, of a further embodiment of the toothbrush 1, more specifically of an alternative way of realizing its cleaning member 14.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 differs essentially from the previous embodiments in that the cleaning member 14 has a limited extent along the general plane of the base 12. Indeed, the cleaning member 14 has a limited number of flexible cleaning elements 16 arranged on the portion of the periphery of the base 12 located close to the handle 2. These flexible cleaning elements 16 are then combined with additional flexible cleaning elements 116 of a more conventional type, for example nylon strands, one end of which is made integral with the base 12 in any known and suitable way. In this case, it is preferable for the additional flexible cleaning elements 116 to be attached directly to the base 12, as the latter's rigidity guarantees a better hold for the flexible cleaning elements 116 than if they were inserted in a compressible portion of the head 4, in particular in an intermediate portion 44 of the cleaning member 14, as described in relation to the preceding variants.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 has been depicted, by way of non-limiting illustration, without the presence of a diversion 38. Indeed, according to the illustrated embodiment, the first anchoring channel 36a communicates directly with the hole 34 and the region of the anchoring portion 42 which is located in this anchoring channel 36a, facing the hole 34, directly defines the stabilizing abutment 46.

As an option, and depending on the materials used to make the base 12 and the cleaning member 14, the base 12 could also comprise one or more additional anchoring channels (not visible) to improve the hold of the cleaning member 14 on the base 12, in particular by guaranteeing good homogeneity over the entire extent of the cleaning member 14 in the general plane of the base 12.

Thanks to these features, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 achieves the advantages of the present invention as presented above while combining two different types of flexible cleaning elements 16 and 116.

With regard to the manufacture of the toothbrush 1, various types of biocompatible materials can be used for the different components without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The handle 2, for example, can be made of metal (stainless steel, gold, etc.) or carbon fibre. The handle may or may not have a constant thickness, in particular with a connecting portion 8 having a thickness of the order of 2.5 to 5 mm when the handle is made of stainless steel. The stabilizing tab 22 may have sides (as seen in the view of FIG. 2) measuring, for example, about 2 to 3 mm each, and a thickness of the same order of magnitude as that of the connecting portion 8.

As far as the head 4 is concerned, its rigid base 12 can be made of any material with sufficient rigidity, for example a thermoplastic material (ABS), a resin to enable it to be manufactured by 3D printing, wood, metal, carbon, etc. The cleaning member 14 can be made of any material with sufficient elasticity, for example an elastomer, such as rubber, TPE or silicone. At least the flexible cleaning elements 16 can be loaded with abrasive microparticles to increase their wear resistance or even their abrasive power. Generally speaking, the flexible cleaning elements 16 can be designed to have a height of less than or equal to approximately 10 mm, to limit their deformation during tooth brushing.

Thanks to the features described above, it is possible to create a toothbrush that is eco-responsible in that its handle can be reused indefinitely over time, with only the head requiring periodic replacement. In addition, the toothbrush head according to the invention can be manufactured in a relatively simple way, possibly in large series, while presenting optimal properties to ensure effective tooth brushing. Finally, it may also be noted that, thanks to their characteristics and the materials that can be used for their manufacture, the handle and head of the toothbrush according to the present invention can advantageously be steam sterilized.