Abstract:
According to the portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with to the present invention, when the interdental toothbrush is carried without using it, the cleaning solution is not discharged since the elastic ball disposed on the assembly protrusion of the cleaning solution tube is closely adhered to the outflow grooves and passing grooves, and, when it is used, the cleaning solution is discharged through the discharge hole, passes through the passing grooves, and reaches the brush since the elastic ball is separated and apart from the outflow grooves, whereby it is convenient to use and carry, it has a simple structure to enable mass production at a low cost, and it allows any user to use which promotes the dental and oral health for citizens.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of International Application No. PCT/KR2014/006487, filed on Jul. 17, 2014, based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0090113, filed on Jul. 17, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a portable interdental toothbrush and is more particularly concerned with a portable interdental toothbrush in which a user can carry for portable use during travel or outing so as to clean and sterilize foreign materials and plaque that fit between teeth after meals; the discharge of a cleaning solution is controlled by opening and dosing the outflow grooves and the passing grooves while contracting and expanding operations of the elastic bail placed on an assembly prolusion of a cleaning solution tube easily supplying the cleaning solution to the toothbrush in a state where the interdental toothbrush is carried; its use is convenient, the structure becomes simple, and manufacturing cost is low. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In general, the interdental toothbrush has mull brush-shaped bristles for cleaning spaces between the teeth mounted on the end of the handle. They are orally hygiene instruments used to clean the oral cavity by washing interdental spaces using putting in and pulling out motions of the brush in the interdental space gaps. Use of the interdental toothbrush facilitates removal of food-residue and plaque of hard-to-reach areas of usual toothbrushes, sterilization after dental treatment such as scaling, prevention of plaque after smoking, and cleaning of orthodontic instruments such as braces to maintain oral hygiene. 
         [0006]    However, looking at the actual slate of use of the current interdental brush there are problems that the cleaning is conducted only using the brush and thus gums become stimulated bleeding occurs frequently and the ability to remove food-residue and plaque becomes insufficient. Further, if interdental brushes are continuously used, there is an unpleasant smell from the brush due to a bad Cleanliness, particularly, the growth of bacteria. 
         [0007]    In an attempt to solve the above-mentioned problems, as shown in  FIG. 1 , there has been developed toothbrush in which a lid  120  containing a cleaning solution  140  is coupled inside the toothbrush  110  coupled with bristles  130 , and each time the user uses it, the toothbrush  110  is immersed in the cleaning solution so that the toothbrush  110  is soaked with the cleaning solution  130 . However, this method has disadvantages in that the cleaning solution  140  is stored in the lid  120  of the toothbrush  110  and thus the cleaning solution can be discharged outside if the lid  120  is open due to the uses carelessness. Also, care should be taken for preventing loss of the cleaning solution stored in the lid  120  when using the toothbrush  110 . Further, it is troublesome to repeat the motions of putting, in and pulling out the toothbrush  110  in the lid  120  every time the user tries to soak the toothbrush  110  in the cleaning solution. 
         [0008]    To solve the above problems, Korean Patent No. 10-0468075 titled “An interdental toothbrush provided with a cleaning solution” has been suggested. The interdental toothbrush disclosed in this patent comprises, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a case  40  having both ends opened, a storage tank  30  installed in the case  40 , on one side of which is formed a discharge hole  32 , and the other side of which is open, a pleated tube  70  coupled to the opened outer circumferential Ike of the storage tank  30  and to a check valve  80  joined to an end thereof, a spring  55  installed on the outer circumferential face of the discharge hole  32 , a coupling socket  50  installed on the outer circumferential face of the discharge hole  32  and having a screw part on the outer circumferential face thereof, a nozzle  60  screw-coupled to the discharge hole  32 , an end portion of which is split into upper and lower parts, and having a cone-shaped discharge hole inside and a slanted bump  62  on an outer circumferential thee thereof, a fixing ring  65  coupled to the split outer circumferential face of the nozzle  60  and contacted with a side surface of the coupling socket  50 , and a nozzle cap  90  engaged in the screw portion formed on the coupling socket  50  and having a brush  95  assembled on the front surface thereof and a couple of injection holes  92  formed therein. This interdental toothbrush is effective in eliminating the inconvenience of handling cleaning solution of the prior art, however, the structure is complicated and the manufacturing cost is high, so it is not practical. Further, when the cleaning solution is all used up, the storage tank  30  should be replenished with a new cleaning solution, however, it is impossible to replenish the cleaning solution in the storage tank  30 , which makes it impossible to continuously use the interdental toothbrush purchased at a high price. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-described problems encountered with the prior arts and to provide a portable interdental toothbrush which is capable of conveniently carrying it and ensuring its activity since the cleaning solution is received in a state of being sealed tightly; when using the interdental toothbrush, the discharge of a cleaning solution can be easily controlled by tightening and releasing an elastic ball with contracting and expanding operations of the elastic ball disposed on a tip of a cleaning solution tube; its structure is simple; manufacturing cost is low, and its use is convenient. 
         [0010]    The above objects of the present invention is achieved by a portable interdental toothbrush according to the present invention comprising: a cleaning solution tube in Which a cleaning solution is received to carry it conveniently and an assembly protrusion is formed for controlling the discharge of the cleaning solution with an elastic ball disposed on a tip thereof; and a brush body in which a brush is fixed to a tip, a plurality of passing grooves are formed on the periphery of the brush on the tip to which the brush is fixed, and an assembly move hole is formed on a bottom surface in a lower part of the tip of the cleaning solution tube to which an elastic ball is assembled, wherein discharge of the cleaning solution is controlled by the operation in which the assembly protrusion of the cleaning solution tube moves forward and backward to contract and expand the elastic ball to close and open the outflow grooves and passing grooves. 
         [0011]    According to the portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with to the present invention, when the interdental toothbrush is carried without using it, the cleaning solution is not discharged since the elastic ball disposed on the assembly protrusion of the cleaning solution tube is closely adhered to the outflow grooves and passing grooves, and, when it is used, the cleaning solution is discharged through the discharge hole, passes through the passing grooves, and reaches the brush since the elastic ball is separated and apart from the outflow grooves, whereby it is convenient to use and carry, it has a simple structure to enable mass production at a low cost, and it allows any user to use, which promotes the dental and oral health for citizens. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional interdental toothbrush. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of another conventional interdental brush. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    are longitudinal and horizontal cross-sectional views of a portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention when the elastic ball is contracted. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b    are longitudinal and horizontal cross-sectional views of a portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention when the contraction of the elastic ball is released. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b    are a top view and a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an engaging protrusion portion of a portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b    are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention during contraction and release, respectively. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b    are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention during contraction and release, respectively. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 11 a  and 11 b    are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, in the case of assigning the reference numerals to the components of the drawings, it should be noted that, with respect to the same components, the same reference numerals are used even in different drawings. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 , a portable interdental toothbrush A according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises: a bottle-shaped cleaning solution tube  1  receiving a cleaning solution S containing fluorine; a brush assembly  2  in which an assembly groove hole  21  for a bottleneck portion of the cleaning solution tube  1  to be inserted and assembled is formed on one end and a brush  22  is fixed to the other end; and an elastic ball  3  which can be expanded and contracted and is disposed on a tip of the cleaning solution tube  1  inside the brush assembly  2 . 
         [0026]    The cleaning solution tube  1  is made of synthetic resins to make its manufacturing convenient, and comprises, as shown in  FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 , a tube body  10  in which a cleaning solution S is received, an assembly protrusion  11  protruded with a smaller diameter than that of the tube body  10 , in which a discharge hole  12  for being equivalent to a bottleneck portion extended from the tube body  10  with a smaller diameter than that of the tube body  10  and discharging, the cleaning solution S is formed on a tip and an assembly screw portion  13  is formed outside a lower portion, and an engaging protrusion  14  formed on a severed portion between the tube body  10  and the assembly protrusion  11 . On both sides of the tube body  10 , planar portions are formed to attach labels or advertisements. 
         [0027]    In order to prevent damage, reinforced rim  12   a  is formed thickly on the tip in which the discharge hole  12  of the assembly protrusion  51  is formed, thus reinforcing the strength of the discharge hole. 
         [0028]    A plurality of protrusions  14   a  are formed on the engaging protrusion  14 , positions of the protrusions  14   a  are different, and the assembled state with the brush assembly  2  is varied depending on the positions of the protrusions  14   a,  thereby identifying the assembled state with the brush assembly  2  easily. 
         [0029]    In the brush assembly  2 , the brush  22  is fixed to one end and the assembly move hole  21  is formed on the other end. On a bottom surface  23  contacting the engaging protrusion  14  of the assembly groove hole  21 , insertion grooves  23   a  for engaging protrusions  14   a  with each other and inserting the protrusions  14   a  are formed. 
         [0030]    A negative screw portion  24  for engaging the assembly screw portion  13  is formed inside the lower part of the assembly groove hole  21  to be assembled with the cleaning solution tube  1 . 
         [0031]    A plurality of outflow grooves  25   a  are formed in a longitudinal direction on an inner wall of a middle space  25 , which is located in the middle of the assembly groove hole  21  and in which the elastic ball  3  is inserted, whereby the cleaning solution S discharged through the discharge bole  12  of the cleaning solution tube  1  is discharged along the outflow mows  25   a  Discharge of the cleaning solution S is controlled in the following way. If the cleaning solution tube  1  is rotated in an opening direction in a state where the cleaning solution tube  1  and the brush assembly  2  are screw-coupled, more cleaning solution is discharged through the outflow grooves  25   a.  If the cleaning solution tube  1  is rotated in a tightening direction, then the elastic ball  3  is pressed and. the outflow grooves  25   a  are pressed. This prevents the cleaning solution from passing through the outflow grooves  25   a,  thereby stopping the discharge of the cleaning solution S. 
         [0032]    To fix the brush  22  to the brush assembly  2 , a plurality of passing grooves  26   a  are formed in a longitudinal direction on an outer surface of the fixing rod  26  fixed on one end of the brush  22 , and the fixing rod  26  is inserted and fixed into the brush fixing hole  27  formed on one end of the brush assembly  2 , thereby fixing the brush  22  to the brush assembly  2 . As an alternative example, a method in which a cylindrical fixing rod  26  fixing the brush  22  on one end is inserted into the brush fixing hole  27  on an inner surface of which are formed a plurality of passing grooves to form passing grooves is included apparently within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0033]    Once the brush  22  is fixed to the brush assembly  2 , the cleaning solution S is supplied to the brush  22  through the discharge hole  12  of the cleaning solution tube  1 , outflow grooves  25   a  of the middle space  25  of the brush assembly  2 , and the passing grooves  26   a  of the brush assembly  2 . 
         [0034]    The elastic ball  3  is inserted in the middle space  25  of the brush assembly  2 , the lower part of which is in contact with the tip on which the discharge bole  12  of the assembly protrusion  11  of the cleaning solution tube  1  is formed, and the side surface and the upper part of which are in contact with the middle space  25  of the assembly  2 , which becomes an important element fix controlling discharge of the cleaning solution S. 
         [0035]    That is, discharge control of the cleaning solution S is performed in the following way, lithe cleaning solution tube  1  is rotated in an opening direction in a state where the cleaning solution tube  1 , the elastic ball  3 , and the brush assembly  2  are screw-coupled, more cleaning solution is discharged through the outflow grooves  25   a  of the middle space  25  since the elastic ball  3  and the  - middle space  25  are not pressed (See  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b   ). If the cleaning solution tribe  1 . is rotated in a tightening direction, then the tip on which the discharge hole  12  of the assembly protrusion  11  of the cleaning solution tube  1  is formed acts to press the elastic ball  3  and subsequently press the outflow moves  25   a  of the middle space  25  to close the outflow moves  25   a,  which prevents the cleaning solution S from passing through the outflow grooves  25   a,  thereby stopping the discharge of the cleaning, solution S (See  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   ). 
         [0036]    In the present invention, the elastic ball  3  can be used, however, it is not limited thereto. Rather, a metal ball may he inserted in the middle space and moves forward and backward to open and close the passing grooves  26   a  of the brush assembly  2  to control the discharge of the cleaning solution S. Accordingly, a metal ball can he used instead of the elastic ball  3 , and the elastic ball  3  and the metal ball should be construed to be identical during the interpretation of the present invention. 
         [0037]    The operation of the portable interdental toothbrush A according to the present invention having the above configuration is described below. 
         [0038]    To use the portable interdental toothbrush A comprising: a bottle-shaped cleaning solution tube  1  receiving a cleaning solution S containing fluorine; a brush assembly  2  in which an assembly groove hole  21  for a bottleneck portion of the cleaning solution tube  1  to be inserted and assembled is formed on tine end and a brush  22  is fixed to the other end; and an elastic ball  3  which can be expanded and contracted and is disposed on a tip of the cleaning solution tube  1  inside the brush assembly  2 , if the cleaning solution tube  1  is rotated in an opening direction, since the elastic ball  3  and the middle space  25  are not pressed, the cleaning solution S is discharged through the outflow grooves  25   a  of the middle space  25  and supplied to the blush  22  through the passing grooves  26   a  of the brush assembly  2  (See  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b   ). When the cleaning solution S is supplied to the brush  22  sufficiently, the cleaning solution tube  1  is rotated in a tightening direction, the tip on which the discharge hole  12  of the assembly protrusion  11  of the cleaning solution tube  1  is formed acts to press the elastic ball  3  and subsequently press the outflow grooves  25   a  of the middle space  25  to close the outflow grooves  25   a,  which prevents the cleaning solution S from passing through the outflow grooves  25   a,  and the portable interdental toothbrush A can be used in a state where discharge of the cleaning solution S is halted (See  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   ). 
         [0039]    The extent of openness of the cleaning solution tube  1  may be conveniently recognized by the assembly of the protrusions  14   a  formed on the engaging protrusion  14  and the insertion groove  23   a  which are engaged therewith during rotation to open the cleaning solution tube  1 . 
         [0040]    If the use of the portable interdental toothbrush A is completed, the user may wash the brush  22 . Then, the user may use it again conveniently as described above until the cleaning solution S is all used up. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b    are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional, views of a portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, in which the cleaning solution tube  1  and the brush assembly  2  of the portable interdental toothbrush A are snap-assembled instead of screw-assembled, Semicircular protrusions  17  are protruded semi-circularly apart from each other at regular intervals on a side surface of the assembly protrusion  11 , and corresponding insertion grooves  28  are also formed semi-circularly at corresponding regular intervals inside the assembly move bole  21 . In a state where it is not used and the cleaning solution S is not discharged, since it is assembled such that the circular protrusions  17  are engaged with the insertion grooves  28  in sequence, the elastic ball  3  is contracted and the outflow grooves  25   a  are pressed to close the outflow grooves  25   a,  whereby discharge of the cleaning solution S is stopped (See  FIG. 9 a   ). In this state, if the cleaning solution tube  1  on which the semicircular protrusions  17  are formed is pulled back to use the interdental toothbrush A, the semicircular protrusions  17  are separated from the engaged insertion grooves  28  and engaged to the lower insertion grooves  28 . Accordingly, the cleaning solution tube  1  moves back to release the elastic ball  3  to return back to the original position (See  FIG. 9 b   ), which starts the discharge of the cleaning solution S to supply the cleaning solution to the brush  22 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 10 a    and lob are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional dews of a portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention during contraction and release, respectively, which are improved to conveniently perform the discharge and stopping of the cleaning solution. In the portable interdental toothbrush A, a protruded rim  11   a  for preventing backflow is formed on an upper end of the assembly protrusion  11  of the cleaning solution tube  1 , a screw protrusion  18  of one or two turns is formed on a side surface of the assembly protrusion  11 , a receiving groove  21   a  for the protruded rim  11   a  for preventing backflow to be settled is formed on an upper part of an inner surface of a lower end of the assembly groove bole  21  of the brush assembly  2 , and a screw groove  29  of one or two turns to correspond to the screw protrusion  18  is formed on a side surface. Accordingly, if the cleaning solution tube  1  or the brush assembly  2  is rotated one or two times, it is conveniently controlled to discharge or stopping the cleaning solution, and the backflow of the cleaning solution is prevented even during slopping by the protruded rim  11   a  for preventing backflow. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 11 a  and 11 b    are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The assembly structure of the brush  22  of the brush assembly  2  assembled to the assembly protrusion  11  of the cleaning solution tube  1  of the portable interdental toothbrush A is formed such that the brush fixing hole  27  is formed orthogonally to the vertical axis X for the brush  22  to cross orthogonally to the vertical axis X of the assembly groove hole  21  of the brush assembly  2 , which makes the whole assembly groove hole  21  to have an angled groove of “         ” shape. The detailed description of the structures of the cleaning solution tube  1  and the brush assembly  2  other than the above is omitted since they are the same components having the same structures and functions as those of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0044]    Since the brush  22  of the brush assembly  2  is disposed orthogonally to the vertical axis X. it may clean the tooth deep inside the oral cavity such as a molar more conveniently. Further, the cleaning solution tube  1  may be used in the orthogonal state without need to bring it up when using the interdental toothbrush A, the cleaning solution S in the cleaning solution tube  1  is prevented from flowing out more than needed, and it is possible to discharge and use the cleaning solution S as needed. 
         [0045]    It is possible to manufacture the same products as the portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with the present invention repeatedly in the manufacturing field of the interdental toothbrush. Accordingly, the present invention possesses industrial applicability. 
         [0046]    Although the specific embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions may be made to the invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.