FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to dental brushes, and more particularly but not exclusively to interdental brushes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Interdental brushes have included a wound wire stem from which there projects a plurality of bristles. The wire stem has an end portion embedded in the handle so as to be fixed thereto. The handle is formed of plastics material, and is moulded about the end portion of a stem so that the stem is secured thereto. In some instances an adhesive is used.

[0003] A disadvantage of the above described interdental brush is that to some customers, the handle formed of plastics material is not environmentally friendly.

OBJECT

[0004] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] There is disclosed herein a dental brush including:

an elongated handle, that handle having an elongated body formed of plant material, the handle having an end portion; and

a brush portion including an elongated stem, and a plurality of bristles extending from the stem, with the stem being secured to said end portion so that the brush portion is secured to the handle.

[0006] Preferably, the plant material is bamboo.

[0007] In one embodiment, the body has a circular transverse cross section. [0008] Preferably, the circular transverse cross section is constant along at least 50-percent of the length of the body.

[0009] Still preferably, the circular transverse cross section is constant along at least 70-percent of the length of the body.

[00010] There is disclosed herein a dental brush including:

an elongated handle, that handle having an elongated body formed of plant material, the handle having an end portion; and

a brush portion including an elongated stem, and a plurality of bristles extending from the stem, and a mounting fixed to an end part of the stem and secured to said end portion so that the brush portion projects from the handle, with the mounting formed of plastics material.

[00011] Preferably, the mounting is moulded about the end portion.

[00012] Preferably, the end portion includes a shaft with at least one projection extending therefrom and about which the mounting is moulded.

[0010] Preferably, the stem projects into the mounting.

[0011] Preferably, the mounting is moulded about a portion of the stem.

[0012] In an alternative preferred form, the end portion has an end aperture, with a passage extending into the body from the end aperture, and said mounting is located in the passage so as to be secured to the body.

[0013] Preferably, the passage includes a neck extending inwardly from the end aperture, with the neck extending to an enlarged cavity.

[0014] Preferably, the mounting is secured in the passage by an adhesive.

[0015] In an alternative preferred form, the dental brush includes plastics material located in the passage to fix the brush portion to the handle.

[0016] Preferably, the body is formed of plant material. [0017] In a further preferred form, the body is formed of wood.

[0018] In an alternative preferred form, the body is formed of bamboo.

[0019] Preferably, the body has a circular transverse cross section.

[0020] Still preferably, the circular transverse cross section is constant along at least 50-percent of the length of the body.

[0021] Still preferably, the circular transverse cross section is constant along at least 70-percent of the length of the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of an interdental brush in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the interdental brush of Figure 1, sectioned along the line 2-2;

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of a further interdental brush;

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic parts exploded view of a modification of the interdental brush of Figure 3;

[0027] Figure 5 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the interdental brush of Figure 3; [0028] Figure 6 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the interdental brush of Figure 4; [0029] Figure 7 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of a further interdental brush; [0030] Figure 8 is a schematic side elevation of the interdental brush of Figure 7; [0031] Figure 9 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the interdental brush as shown in Figure 8, sectioned along the line 9-9;

[0032] Figure 10 is a schematic side elevation of a further interdental brush;

[0033] Figure 11 is a schematic side elevation of the interdental brush of Figure 10;

[0034] Figure 12 is a s schematic sectioned side elevation of the interdental brush as shown in Figure 11, sectioned along the line 12-12;

[0035] Figure 13 is a schematic side elevation of a further interdental brush;

[0036] Figure 14 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the interdental brush as shown in Figure 13, sectioned along the line 14-14;

[0037] Figure 15 is a schematic front elevation of a further interdental brush;

[0038] Figure 16 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the interdental brush of Figure 15, sectioned along the line 16-16;

[0039] Figure 17 is a schematic isometric view of the interdental brush of Figure 10;

[0040] Figure 18 is a schematic side elevation view of a further interdental brush;

[0041] Figure 19 is a schematic sectioned side elevation view of the interdental brush of Figure 18 sectioned along line 6-6; and

[0042] Figure 20 is a schematic isometric view of the interdental brush of Figure 18.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0043] In Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted an interdental brush 10. The brush 10 includes a handle 11 providing a body 12. The body 12 is elongated and has a generally central longitudinal axis 13 and an end portion 14. [0044] Preferably, the body 12 is formed of plant material such as timber, but is most preferably formed of bamboo. The timber may be entirely wood or maybe a wood composite material.

[0045] The body 12 has a circular transverse cross-section, along at least 50-percent of the length, and preferably, along at least 70-percent of the length.

[0046] Fixed to the end portion 14 is a brush portion 15. To fix the brush portion 15 to end portion 14, the end portion 14 is machined to have a longitudinally extending cavity 16. In particular, the brush portion 15 includes a wound wire stem 17 having a plurality of bristles 18 that are engaged by the wire strands forming the stem 17, so as to secure the bristles 18 to the stem 17. The bristles 18 extend generally radially relative to the axis 13. The stem 17 is inserted in the cavity 16.

[0047] In one embodiment, the end extremity of the stem 17 is inserted in the cavity 16 and is frictionally engaged therein. In alternative embodiments, there is located in the cavity 16 a settable material such as an adhesive or plastics material. In one embodiment, the adhesive or plastics material is biodegradable. In this embodiment, the stem 17 projects along the axis 13. However, in an alternative embodiment the stem 17 may be inclined to the axis 13 by an acute angle so that the stem 17 extends generally transverse relative to the axis 13.

[0048] In the embodiment of Figure 3, the end portion 14 is a projection having a plurality of annular ridges 19 separated by recesses. The ridges 19 extend angularly about the axis 13. The ridges 19 have a radially outer extremity, spaced radially inward from the outer surface 20 of the body 12.

[0049] The brush portion 15 is fixed to a mounting 21. The mounting 21 has a longitudinally extending cavity 22 within which the end portion is inserted so as to be frictionally retained within the mounting 21. In an alternative embodiment, the projection 24 may be cylindrical and not have ridges 19. An adhesive may be used in the cavity 22.

[0050] Preferably the mounting 21 is moulded of plastics material, and is moulded about the end portion of the stem 17 so that the stem 17 is secured thereto.

[0051] In the embodiment of Figure 4, the end portion 14 is provided with a longitudinally extending cavity 23 within which a projection 24 of the mounting 21 is inserted. In one embodiment, the projection 24 is generally cylindrical, while in another embodiment the projection 24 has a plurality of annular ridges 25. The annular ridges 25 extend angularly about the axis 13.

[0052] The projection 24 is inserted in the cavity 23 so as to be frictionally retained therein.

[0053] In an alternative embodiment, the cavity 23 may have a settable material such as an adhesive or plastics material. Preferably the adhesive or plastics material is biodegradable.

[0054] In the embodiment of Figures 7 to 9, there is depicted an interdental brush 10. The brush 10 has a handle 11. The handle 11 includes a longitudinally extending body 12 that is formed of plant material such as wood or bamboo. The body has a longitudinal axis 13, as well as a longitudinal end portion 14. In this embodiment the end portion 14 tapers to the end extremity 155. The body 12 is machined to have an end cavity 26 that is shaped so as to have a generally longitudinally extending central portion 27 from which annular cavity portions 28 project.

[0055] The mounting 21 is moulded in the cavity 26 about an end portion of the stem 17, so that the mounting 21, and therefore brush portion 15 is fixed to the body 12 by means of an adhesive or plastics material.

[0056] Preferably, the material forming the mounting 21 is biodegradable plastics material.

[0057] In the embodiment of Figures 10 to 12, the end portion 14 is formed (preferably machined) to have a plurality of annular projections 29 separated by annular grooves 30, with the mounting 21 moulded over the end portion 14 so that the brush portion 19 is secured to the body 12

[0058] Fixed to the end portion 14 is bristle member, or brush portion 19. The bristle member 19 includes a longitudinally extending stem 17 formed of plastics material, and that is secured to the mounting 21, by the mounting 21 being moulded about the stem 17, or secured thereto by an adhesive.

[0059] Wound about the stem 17 is at least one wire thread 23 (Figure 12) that aids in securing a plurality of bristles 18 to the stem 17, so that the bristles 18 extend generally radially outwardly relative to the axis 13. [0060] Preferably, the material forming the mounting 21 is biodegradable plastics material.

[0061] As best seen in Figure 12, the end extremity of the stem 17 is moulded so as to be located within the mounting 21. Preferably, the stem 17 is secured to the mounting 21 by the mounting 21 being moulded about the stem 17, and a portion of the thread 23.

[0062] In the embodiment of Figures 13 and 14, the end portion 14 is machined so as to have annular ridges 31 that are separated by annular grooves 32, with the mounting 21 having a cavity 33 of a complimentary shape to the end portion 14, so that the mounting 21 is inserted over the end portion 14 and snap engages therewith. During installation of the mounting 21 on the end portion 14, the mounting 21 resiliently deforms as it passes over the ridges 31.

[0063] Preferably, the mounting 21 is formed of plastics material and moulded so that the stem 17 is fixed internally of the mounting 21.

[0064] Preferably, the mounting 21 is formed of moulded plastics material. Preferably, the plastics material is biodegradable.

[0065] In the embodiment of Figures 15 and 16, the body 12, at the end portion 14, is machined so as to have a cavity 34, within which the mounting 14 is secured. The mounting 14 includes a projection 35 that is frictionally engaged in the cavity 34, or alternatively, an adhesive or plastics material may be located in the cavity 34 to secure the mounting 21 to the end portion 14.

Preferably, the adhesive or plastics material is biodegradable.

[0066] In this embodiment, the brush portion 15 has the stem 17 extending at an acute angle (transverse thereof) the axis 13 so as to project laterally to the body 12.

[0067] In Figures 18 to 20 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted an interdental brush 130. The brush 130 includes a handle 131 that includes a longitudinally elongated body 132.

[0068] The handle 131 has a longitudinal axis 133.

[0069] The body 132 is formed of plant material, such as timber or bamboo. [0070] The body 132 has an end portion 134 formed with or machined to have an end aperture 135 from which there extends, inwardly with respect to the body 132, a passage 136.

[0071] Secured in the passage 136 by means of an adhesive is a brush portion 137.

[0072] The brush portion 137 includes a longitudinal extending stem 138 that is formed of plastics material, and about which there is wound at least one wire thread 139. The thread 139 aids in securing a plurality of bristles to the stem 138. Preferably the bristles 40 extend generally radially relative to the axis 133.

[0073] The stem 138 includes a mounting 141 that is located in the passage 136, as secured to the body 132 by means of an adhesive.

[0074] The above described preferred embodiments have the advantage that the handle 11 is formed of plant material, most preferably bamboo, and is therefore biodegradable.