Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for dental cleaning.

Background Art

Several known devices for dental cleaning are known as toothbrushes.

Toothbrushes are an oral hygiene tool allowing removing impurities, particularly plaque and food remnants, from teeth and gums.

They basically consist of a group of bristles, generally made of synthetic fibers, fixed to a special support which is associated with a handle of elongated shape. The user grips this handle in the opposite position with respect to where the bristles are located and places the toothbrush in his/her mouth to brush his/her teeth and gums.

It is well known that in order to effectively clean teeth, the toothbrush must be able to easily reach all areas of the teeth, involving both the inner and outer sides, and must act with movements parallel to the longitudinal axis of the teeth or with rotary movements.

Toothbrushes are known which have a shape that allows the user to clean the teeth and gums involving both the inner and the outer sides of each tooth.

A toothbrush of known type is described by US Patent 5,305,491, in which the toothbrush comprises an end portion with the bristles arranged in such a way that each tooth is juxtaposed on three sides at the same time, i.e. the top and the vertical sides opposite each other.

This known toothbrush does however have some drawbacks.

The embodiment is difficult to implement and it is also impossible to treat the teeth and gums in the correct brushing direction, i.e. parallel to the longitudinal axis of the teeth or with rotary movements.

Another type of toothbrush of known type is described by US patent 4,829,621, in which the toothbrush is elastically deformable at an intermediate area comprised between the handle and the portion provided with bristles.

This known toothbrush allows the portion provided with bristles to be oriented on a plane containing the direction of extension of the bristles. This known toothbrush does however have some drawbacks.

In particular, this toothbrush does not allow effective cleaning teeth because the bristles cannot be arranged correctly to brush in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the teeth or with rotary movements the inner side thereof. Another type of known toothbrush is described in patent EP 2 048 988 Bl.

This known toothbrush comprises a gripping handle that has a distal portion, located opposite with respect to the handle.

In the distal portion, a group of bristles is located, mounted on a support connected in an orientable manner with respect to the distal portion.

The support rotates with respect to the distal portion and can be locked in a predetermined number of positions.

The locking means are provided with a cylindrical movable collar, mounted externally to the distal portion and in a coaxial position thereto.

The movable collar is adapted to slide from top to bottom and vice versa, thus allowing the support to be locked/unlocked.

Depending on the position where the support is locked, the group of bristles is oriented differently with respect to the direction of extension of the handle.

After finding the optimum position for the operator’s needs, the support is locked with respect to the handle, thus preventing further rotation thereof.

This way the group of bristles can be oriented into a plurality of differently oriented configurations with respect to the handle thus enabling these to easily reach different points inside the mouth to clean teeth and gums.

This known toothbrush does however have some drawbacks.

The support is moved along an axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the handle and this causes lack of practicality in the use by the user.

In particular, the movement of the support must be done using both hands, i.e. one hand holds the handle and the other moves the support.

Furthermore, the presence of various components makes the manufacturing process of the device more expensive, both from a production and economic point of view.

The presence of various components, and in particular the locking collar, can also facilitate the infiltration of water and the deposit of impurities, food residues and germs, which affect the hygienic level of the toothbrush itself.

Other known toothbrushes are described by US 2008/172812 Al, US 2047613 A and CH 50 937 A.

US 2008/178212 A describes a toothbrush provided with a brushing apparatus which is associated in an orientable manner with respect to the relative supporting handle. The brushing apparatus must however be removed from the handle to allow the rotation thereof, making its use particularly uncomfortable and impractical.

The toothbrush described by US 2047613 A provides for a pin adapted to connect the brushing apparatus to the relevant handle and an elastic element placed between these so as to allow their mutual rotation. This toothbrush is not only of complex construction, given the large number of components, but also of poorly functional use since it requires the use of both hands to adjust the angular position of the brushing apparatus.

The toothbrush described by CH 50 937 A also has a connecting pin between the brushing apparatus and the relevant handle, as well as a spring element to keep the brushing apparatus in the desired position.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a device for dental cleaning that is easier and more practical to use, as well as simpler to manufacture and cheaper than known devices.

Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to devise a device for dental cleaning that can be operated even by one hand.

Another object is to devise a device for dental cleaning that comprises as few components as possible and allows easily and conveniently changing the position of the brushing apparatus with respect to the relevant handle.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a device for dental cleaning that allows reducing the deposit of food, impurities and germs thus improving the hygienic level thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a device for dental cleaning that allows cleaning teeth and gums involving both the inner side and the outer side of each tooth, acting with alternating movements along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the teeth or with a rotary movement.

A further object of the present invention is to devise a device for dental cleaning that allows overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in the context of a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and affordable solution.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present device for dental cleaning according to claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a device for dental cleaning illustrated as an example, but not limited thereto, in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 to 4 are axonometric views of a device according to the invention in different predefined positions of use;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the device shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the device shown in Figure 1, in the position of adjustment;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the device shown in Figure 1, in the position of use;

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the handle of the device shown in Figure 1.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally designates a device for dental cleaning.

The device 1 comprises:

at least one gripping handle 2, having a substantially elongated shape and comprising at least one distal portion 3;

at least one brushing apparatus 4, movable in rotation with respect to the distal portion 3, around a relevant axis of rotation X;

removable locking means 5 of the brushing apparatus 4 with respect to the distal portion 3 in at least a plurality of predefined positions. In the remainder of the present treatise, reference letter A is used to indicate a transversal axis with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 2.

In particular, the handle 2 is a solid body with elongated shape, comprising two opposite ends, one of which is adapted to be gripped by the user and is therefore shaped to facilitate the grip and the other defines the distal portion 3.

The distal portion 3 is comprised in the second end, which is located opposite the first end, with respect to the center of gravity of the handle 2.

The second end corresponds to the portion of the handle 2 intended to be inserted into the user’s mouth while using the device 1 and thus supports the brushing apparatus 4.

The handle 2 is usually made of partly deformable plastic material, to facilitate the user’s manual skills and to avoid introducing a too rigid material into the mouth.

Alternative embodiments wherein the construction material is different cannot however be ruled out.

The brushing apparatus 4 is associated with the handle 2 in a removable manner so as to allow cleaning and/or replacement thereof.

According to the invention, the brushing apparatus 4 is movable in translation along a locking/unlocking axis A transversal to the longitudinal axis of the handle 2 between a position of adjustment wherein it is movable in rotation with respect to the distal portion 3 and a position of use wherein it is locked in rotation with respect to the distal portion 3, in one of the aforementioned predefined positions.

In particular, when the brushing apparatus 4 is in the position of adjustment, it can rotate freely around the locking/unlocking axis A, and once it has reached the desired predefined position, it is moved to the position of use.

In the particular embodiment shown in the figures there are four predefined positions.

In the first position, in particular, the brushing apparatus 4 is aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 2.

This position is of the traditional type and is the one used by the devices for dental cleaning that do not have moving parts.

In the second position the brushing apparatus 4 is oriented at 45° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 2.

This position is particularly effective for cleaning the inner surface of the lower left and upper right molars and premolars.

In the third position the brushing apparatus 4 is oriented at 135° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 2; it is particularly effective for cleaning the inner surface of the lower right and upper left molars and premolars.

In the fourth position the brushing apparatus 4 is oriented at 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 2, thus facilitating the cleaning of the inner surface of the lower and upper incisors and canines.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein a different number of predefined positions are envisaged.

The user then chooses the most suitable predefined position for their needs. According to the invention, the locking means 5 comprise at least one locking projection 5a, associated with the brushing apparatus 4, and at least one locking seat 5b, associated with the distal portion 3.

The locking projection 5a is spaced apart and released from the locking seat 5b when the brushing apparatus 4 is in the position of adjustment, thus allowing the brushing apparatus 4 to rotate with respect to the distal portion 3, and is inserted inside the locking seat itself when the brushing apparatus 4 is in the position of use to prevent its rotation with respect to the distal portion 3 after the desired predefined angular position has been reached. The brushing apparatus 4 is therefore locked in rotation with respect to the handle, in the position of use, as a result of the interaction of the locking projection 5a with the locking seat 5b.

In particular, the locking projection 5a and the locking seat 5b are complementary to each other, i.e. they have the same profile and are made in such a way as to enter each other when the predefined positions are reached, so as to prevent the mutual movement thereof around the locking/unlocking axis

A. More in detail, the locking projection 5a is adapted to be interlocked into the locking seat 5b when the predefined position has been reached.

Additionally, the locking projection 5a and the locking seat 5b are of the polygonal type.

Conveniently, one of the locking projection 5a and the locking seat 5b defines a plurality of projections 8 and the other defines a plurality of recesses 9 adapted to receive the projections 8 in the position of use, as a result of a mutual alignment.

In the particular embodiment shown in the figures, the locking projection 5a has a substantially cylindrical portion, from the lateral surface of which extend eight projections 8 arranged in a radial pattern and equally spaced apart from each other.

Similarly, the locking seat 5b has a substantially circular housing portion, with eight recesses 9 extending from the perimeter edge thereof.

Alternative embodiments wherein the locking projection 5a and the locking seat 5b have different conformation and/or numbering cannot however be ruled out. Advantageously, the recesses 9 and the projections 8 comprise external surfaces shaped in such a way as to allow the mutual interlocking between the recesses 9 and the projections 8.

Still according to the invention, the brushing apparatus 4 comprises at least one connecting element 10 to the handle 2 which defines at least one abutment surface 11 adapted to operate in conjunction with the handle 2, to prevent the mutual detachment thereof both in the position of adjustment and in the position of use.

More in detail, the connecting element 10 extends from the locking projection 5a.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the connecting element 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is connected to the locking projection 5a by means of a cylindrical stem with a smaller section than the connecting element itself.

More particularly, the abutment surface 11 substantially coincides with the outer surface of the connecting element 10.

The distal portion 3 defines at least a first housing seat 12 of the connecting element 10.

In particular, in the position of adjustment, the connecting element 10 is located inside the first housing seat 12 and is movable in rotation around the axis of rotation X.

The distal portion 3 also defines a second housing seat 13, communicating with the first housing seat 12, adapted to contain the connecting element 10 when the brushing apparatus 4 is in the position of use.

According to the invention, between the first housing seat 12 and the second housing seat 13 is defined a first narrowing 14, against which the abutment surface 11 rests in the position of use, and between the first housing seat 12 and the locking seat 5b is defined a second narrowing 20, against which the abutment surface 11 rests in the position of adjustment.

More in detail, the locking seat 5b is communicating with the first housing seat 12 and is arranged on the opposite side of the second housing seat 13 with respect to the first housing seat itself.

Conveniently, with the brushing apparatus 4 in the position of adjustment, the abutment surface 11 adheres to the inner surface of the first housing seat 12 and rests against the second narrowing 20, thus preventing the brushing apparatus 4 from detaching from the handle 2 and at the same time allowing the rotation thereof around the axis of rotation X.

When the brushing apparatus 4 is in the position of use, the connecting element 10 is inserted into the second housing seat 13 and the abutment surface 11 rests against the first narrowing 14. At the same time, the connecting element 10 is located inside the second housing seat 13.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the first housing seat 12 and the connecting element 10 are substantially spherical in shape. The second housing seat 13, on the other hand, has a substantially truncated-cone shape.

The brushing apparatus 4 remains therefore associated with the handle 2 both in the position of adjustment and in the position of use. The handle 2 is therefore made of a material sufficiently yielding to allow the passage of the connecting element 10 between the first housing seat 12 and the second housing seat 13.

Advantageously, the brushing apparatus 4 comprises:

at least one basic portion 15, comprising at least a first face 17 and at least a second face 16 opposite each other;

at least one group of bristles 18, of a type known to the technician in the sector, associated with the first face 17, wherein the locking projection 5a is associated with the second face 16.

The basic portion 15 is suitably made of a plastic material.

Preferably, the group of bristles 18 is associated with the basic portion 15 in a removable manner so that it can be replaced without need to remove the basic portion itself from the handle 2.

The operation of the present invention is as follows.

The user grips the device 1 by grasping the handle 2 at the first end.

As mentioned above, when the brushing apparatus 4 is in the position of adjustment it may be rotated with respect to the distal portion 3, finding the optimum position for the user’s cleaning needs.

Then the user exerts a small pressure on the brushing apparatus 4 in order to move it along the locking/unlocking axis A and pushes the locking projection 5a towards the locking seat 5b.

When the locking projection 5a and the locking seat 5b are angularly aligned with each other in one of the predefined positions, the locking projection 5a enters the locking seat 5b, thus preventing further rotations of the brushing apparatus 4 with respect to the distal portion 3.

In the position of use, the projections 8 and the recesses 9 mutually interlock, allowing the brushing apparatus 4 to remain in the predefined position identified by the user; the user can proceed with the brushing and cleaning activities in the selected area of the mouth.

When the user wants to change the angle of the brushing apparatus 4 with respect to the handle 2, he/she exerts little pulling force thereon along the locking/unlocking axis A, so as to move the locking projection 5a away from the locking seat 5b and to allow the brushing apparatus 4 to rotate again with respect to the distal portion 3.

At this point the user places the brushing apparatus 4 in a new predefined position and then carries out the aforementioned procedure to bring the brushing apparatus 4 back to the condition of use.

It has in practice been ascertained that the device for dental cleaning according to the present invention allows the user to move the brushing apparatus in a practical and easy manner.

In particular, the movement of the components is carried out with respect to the locking/unlocking axis which is transversal to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

Furthermore it has been noted that the device for dental cleaning according to the present invention allows moving the components using just one hand and the teeth themselves.

In particular, the teeth can tighten the brushing apparatus in the condition of adjustment and one hand can easily rotate the brushing apparatus itself.

Furthermore, the device for dental cleaning according to the present invention allows reducing the manufacturing costs since it provides for the presence of only two components, which are easy to manufacture.

Furthermore, the device for dental cleaning according to the present invention allows reducing the deposit of food, impurities and germs between the different components, thus improving the hygienic level of the device for dental cleaning itself.

Moreover, the device for dental cleaning according to the present invention allows the user to carry out the cleaning of his/her teeth and gums, involving both the inner side and the outer side, carrying out movements which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the teeth or rotary movements.