Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Brush or broom
Patent
1996-02-18
1997-06-17
Soohoo, Tony G.
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Brush or broom
15206, A46B 904, A46B 318
Patent
active
056385684
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention relates to a small brush, in particular an interdental brush, comprising a plurality of fibers or bristles, respectively, which are secured so as to protrude radially between two wire-type segments by twisting the latter.
BACKGROUND
In small brushes of the generic type, the wire-type segments consist of metal wire, i.e. metal wire coated with plastic or of plasticized metal wire.
These small brushes of the generic type have the disadvantage that there is a risk of rupture of the wire when exposed to alternate bending stresses, i.e. repeated alternate bending. As a rule, there is a risk of rupture already at approximately 20 alternate bending stresses on an average, even wires of 0.20 to 0.50 mm of diameter, although most carefully selected, not taking more than 50 to 60 stresses of this kind.
If the wire of the twisted wire segments breaks off, the user can hurt his mouth and throat during use and there is a risk of swallowing the pieces broken off.
The fiber or bristle segments protruding radially are held by the torque of the twisted wire and may disengage. These disengaged fiber segments can either get stuck or jammed in interdental spaces or gaps, which causes a very unpleasant sensation.
Finally, the wire segments conventionally used can cause galvanic effects when these wires come into contact with fillings. Even a plastic coating cannot prevent such effects completely, as the plastic coating can become cracked during manufacturing or in subsequent treatment, the cracks not being important mechanically, but sufficient to enable a certain electric conductivity in connection with saliva and to make unpleasant galvanic reactions sensible.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Proceeding from this, it is the object of the invention to further develop a small brush of the type under regard such that the properties of handling and dental care are improved further.
According to the invention, this object is solved by the wire-type segments comprising at least one plastic fiber. Surprisingly, the plastic fibers, when appropriately selected, have proven--with regard to their twisting characteristics--to exhibit properties very similar to those known from conventionally used wires, i.e. the twisted plastic fiber segments remain in a twisted condition without untwisting automatically, so that they have the ability to hold the fibers or bristles, respectively, or bundles of fibers or bristles, respectively, disposed between them in such a way that they protrude radially.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
Details of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description of a preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic lateral view of a small brush according to the invention, and
FIG. 2 is a lateral view prior to the twisting of the fiber segments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The drawing shows two segments 1, 2 of a plastic fiber 3 bent in the shape of a U. Bristles 4 are inserted between the segments 1, 2, as can be seen from FIG. 2. The segments 1, 2 are then twisted in a manner known per se so that the bristles 4 protrude radially in all directions. A loop 7 is thus formed at the tip end. The bristles 4 form an outer envelope curve, which can also be formed or corrected by subsequent trimming. In the illustrated embodiment, the ends of the segments 1, 2 are secured in a sleeve handle 6; however, as is known from interdental brushes, they can also be bent off and secured replaceably in a special holder.
Plastic materials suitable for the fiber segments under regard which are to be twisted are preferably polyamide, polyacryl, polypropylene, polyester, polycarbonate, PBT, PEEC, which are reinforced by the aid of glass fibers or spherolites or the like.
In a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the cross-section of the plastic fiber ranges between 0.025 and 1.5 mm.
Moreover, fillers such as glass fibers or talcum can be added to the fibers.
These fillers can also include abrasives, such as silicon carb
REFERENCES:
patent: 2580378 (1951-12-01), Peterson et al.
patent: 2972157 (1961-02-01), Peterson
patent: 3124823 (1964-03-01), Charvat
patent: 3878580 (1975-04-01), Stohr et al.
patent: 4395943 (1983-08-01), Brandli
patent: 5161554 (1992-11-01), Fitjer
patent: 5161555 (1992-11-01), Cansler et al.
Patent Abstract of Japanese Application 05/305,007 published 19 Nov. 1993.
Dumler Norbert
Fellner Bernd
Georg Karl geka-brush GmbH
Soohoo Tony G.
LandOfFree
Small brush, in particular interdental brush does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Small brush, in particular interdental brush, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Small brush, in particular interdental brush will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2150446