Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Brush or broom
Patent
1996-02-28
1997-12-23
Spisich, Mark
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Brush or broom
15 221, 15206, 152072, 132321, 132322, 132329, A61C 1500, A46B 318
Patent
active
056995784
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a cleaning device, in particular for the interdental area, comprising two twisted, wire-type sections.
2. Prior Art
Cleaning devices of the generic type are known per se as interdental brushes, i.e. with bristles inserted in between the twisted wire sections. The known cleaning devices of the generic type substantially make use of the cleaning effect of the inserted bristles, the twisted wire segments only serving to retain the bristles.
In addition, cleaning devices for the interdental area are known, which are of toothpick-type shape, i.e. they consist of a tapering thorn-type part of wood, plastic material or metal, it also being known to roughen the surface of such plastic parts by flocking or to provide them with fibers.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to embody a cleaning device of the generic type such that it becomes possible to provide novel cleaning methods, the cleaning being accompanied by the application of care and cleaning agents.
According to the invention, this object is solved in that the wire-type sections are twisted in such a way that at least one free loop or eye is formed.
An eye or loop extended from the oblong basic configuration may serve as the actual cleaning and care device on the one hand, on the other hand it can retain a fluid or paste when it is dipped into such agent, owing to the surface tension of such an agent. When the fluid or paste is taken from a reservoir, it can then be dispensed by contact with the tooth or gums.
In particular, provision can be made for the wire-type sections to be formed by bows bent in the shape of a U, an eye or loop being formed in the vicinity of the bight of the U. Consequently, this eye or loop is formed at the front end of the device, its exposed position making it especially suitable for dental treatment.
It can in particular be provided that the loop or eye at the extreme end is triangular or rhomboidal.
By advantage, the wire-type sections may consist of at least one plastic fiber, i.e. it is not necessary for them really to be of wire or of plastic-coated wire in the manner known per se, because plastic fibers--combined with corresponding fillers, if required--are available that exhibit a wire-type behavior, i.e. they remain in their position after the twisting, not showing any tendency towards restoring.
In keeping with another embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the wire-type sections form a loop over a substantial part of their length, twisting only being provided at one end portion. In the vicinity of the twisted end, such a configuration favorably comprises a handle or holder member, respectively, to be inserted into a rotating or oscillating appliance. For instance, this is the way in which to provide a cleaning device combined with an electric drive as known from electric toothbrushes.
Furthermore, in order to provide for a brush-type configuration, a cleaning device according to the invention can be embodied in such a way that radially extending fibers or bunches of fibers are inserted in between the twisted wire-type sections. Consequently, such a device can also be used as a conventional brush, in particular an interdental brush.
The fibers extending radially may contain abrasive additives such as silicon carbide or aluminum oxide increasing the cleaning effect.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Details of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which
FIG. 1 shows a brush-type configuration, with the cleaning device according to the invention;
FIG. 2 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 1 prior to the twisting of the wire sections,
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of designing the tip portion according to FIG. 1,
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of forming loops in the central portion of the tip according to FIG. 1, and
FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment in the form of an
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patent: 2627621 (1953-02-01), Bardugon
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patent: 3878580 (1975-04-01), Stohr et al.
patent: 4053959 (1977-10-01), Wiley
patent: 5123841 (1992-06-01), Millner
patent: 5230356 (1993-07-01), Villas
patent: 5253386 (1993-10-01), LaLonde
Dumler Norbert
Fellner Bernd
Georg Karl geka-brush GmbH
Spisich Mark
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