Interdental cleaner

Abstract: An interdental cleaner comprising an elongated part with substantially radially outwardly extending brush hairs. The hairs present at both ends of said elongated part extend less far in radially outward direction than the hairs present in a portion between said ends. The elongated part preferably comprises two helically twisted-together metal wires.

Description: The invention relates to an interdental cleaner comprising an elongated part with substantially radially outwardly extending brush hairs. Such an interdental cleaner can be inserted between teeth with its elongated part, as a result of which the space which is present between said teeth can be cleaned by the brushing action. Such interdental cleaners are commercially available in a number of sizes, wherein the size in fact indicates the diameter of the brush. Such a cleaner may be provided with a handle, which can be taken hold of with one's fingers, and such cleaners may also be supplied in such a form that they can be fixed in a handle. WO 95/06444 discloses such an interdental cleaner. The object of the invention is to provide an interdental cleaner which has an improved operation and which provides a pleasant sensation upon being used. In order to accomplish that objective, the elongated part of the cleaner is provided with hairs, wherein the hairs that are present at both ends of said elongated part extend less far radially outwards than the hairs that are present in a portion between said ends. As a result of this, the diameter of the interdental cleaner at the location where it is inserted between the teeth is smaller than that of another part of the cleaner, which other part can be subsequently moved between the teeth. This difference in transverse dimension not only has a positive effect on the cleaning operation, but is also provides a pleasant sensation. Since, according to the invention, the hairs at both ends of said elongated part extend less far outwards, the improved action and the pleasant sensation are achieved in both directions of movement of the interdental cleaner between the teeth. In practice it has moreover become apparent that the use of the interdental cleaner is facilitated when the resistance of the cleaner first increases and subsequently decreases again when the central portion thereof has passed the interdental space. As a result of this, the cleaner can be moved to and fro more easily, whilst the teeth are cleaned by the correct brush area. Preferably, the elongated part of the cleaner comprises helically twisted-together metal wires, preferably two metal wires, which twisted-together metal wires may also extend along the other part of the cleaner. The brush hairs may thereby consist of lengths of a flexible wire, which extend radially outwards from the elongated part at both ends thereof. Said lengths of wire may thereby be clamped down between the helically twisted-togther metal wires. In another preferred embodiment, the elongated part comprises brush hairs which are fixed to a bar-shaped part which is formed integrally with said hairs, which bar-shaped part and which hairs may be jointly formed, and preferably also with the other part of the cleaner, by means of an injection moulding technique. Preferably, the radially outwardly directed hairs have essentially the same length at both ends of the elongated part. The brush hairs in the central portion between said ends may extend furthest in radially outward direction thereby. Preferably, the ends of said hairs lie substantially on the surface of a body of revolution consisting of two conical surfaces. In that case the brush will have the appearance of a diamond, seen in side view. Preferably, the length of said wires in the central portion of said elongated part is substantially twice that of the wires at the ends of said elongated part. In one preferred embodiment, the hairs exhibit different degrees of flexibility, wherein the hairs in the central portion of the elongated part may be more flexible than the hairs at the ends of the elongated part. Such a difference in flexibility of hardness of the brush hairs appears to have a positive effect on the cleaning action. The invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing an interdental cleaner, wherein two wires are helically twisted together with the interposition of lengths of a flexible wire, wherein said lengths of flexible wire, which form the brush hairs, are cut off in such a manner that the ends of the wires are positioned substantially on the surface of a body of revolution which tapers off to both ends. The wires can thereby be cut to the desired length before being clamped between the metal wires. Said cutting may also take place after the brush hairs have been fixed between the metal wires. Further aspects, which may be used independently as well as in combination with each other, will be described by means of an embodiment or be defined in the claims. In order to explain the invention more fully, an embodiment of an interdental cleaner will now be described with reference to the drawing. In the figure, the interdental cleaner is shown on a larger scale. The interdental cleaner is provided along its entire length with helically twisted-together metal wires, which on the one hand form a handle 1, by means of which the cleaner can be taken hold of with one's fingers, and which on the other hand form the carrier 2 for the brush hairs 3, which are shown only diagrammatically. Brush hairs 3 consist of flexible lengths of wire, which are clamped down in carrier 2 in their central portion as a result of being present between the two twisted-together metal wires. As a result of this, the brush hairs 3 are helically positioned. The brush hairs 3 extend over an elongated part of the interdental cleaner, which elongated part extends between the front end of the cleaner 4 and the place which is indicated at 5. As appears from the figure, the brush hairs 3 near the front end 4 of the cleaner and the place indicated at 5 are shorter than the brush hairs 3 in the centre of the elongated part which is indicated at 6. The ends of the brush hairs 3 are therefore present on the surface of a body of revolution which tapers off to both ends. Seen in side view, the brush hairs are more or less diamond-shaped. In one preferred embodiment the brush hairs that are present in the central portion of the elongated part 4, 5 are more flexible than the brush hairs that are present near the ends 4, 5 of the elongated part.

Claims: An interdental cleaner comprising an elongated part (2) with substantially radially outwardly extending brush hairs (3), characterized in that the hairs (3) present at both ends (4, 5) of said elongated part (2) extend less far radially outwards than the hairs (3) present in a portion between said ends (4, 5). A cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that the elongated part (2) comprises two helically twisted-together metal wires, wherein the cleaner is preferably provided along its entire length (1, 2) with helically twisted-together metal wires. A cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hairs (3) consist of lengths of a flexible wire, which extend radially outwards at both ends, which lengths of wire are preferably clamped down between the helically twisted-togther metal wires. A cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that said elongated part (2) comprises brush hairs (3) which are fixed to a bar-shaped part (2) which is formed integrally with said hairs (3), which bar-shaped part (2) and which hairs (3) may be jointly formed, and preferably also with the other part (1) of the cleaner, by means of an injection moulding technique. A cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radially outwardly directed hairs (3) have essentially the same length at both said ends (4, 5). A cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hairs (3) in the central portion between said ends (4, 5) extend furthest in radially outward direction. A cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ends of said hairs (3) lie substantially on the surface of a body of revolution consisting of two conical surfaces. A cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of said hairs (3) in the central portion of said elongated part (2) is substantially twice that of the hairs at the ends (4, 5) of said elongated part (2). A cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hairs (3) exhibit different degrees of flexibility, wherein the hairs (3) in the central portion of the elongated part (2) are preferably be more flexible than the hairs (3) at the ends (4, 5) of said elongated part (2). A method for manufacturing an interdental cleaner, wherein two wires are helically twisted together with the interposition of lengths of a flexible wire, wherein said lengths of wire are cut off in such a manner that the ends of the wires are positioned substantially on the surface of a body of revolution which tapers off to both ends (4, 5).

Inventors: KONING JAN WILLEM GERRIT, KONING, JAN WILLEM GERRIT
Applicants: VOPRAK LACTONA B V, VOPRAK LACTONA B.V.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A46B3
IPC codes: A46B9, A61C15, A46B3