WO2001006889A1

WO2001006889A1 - Toothbrush or a similar utensil to avoid dangerous mouth penetration

Info

Publication number: WO2001006889A1
Application number: PCT/EP2000/007574
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco Jan Wout Hinderink; Mylène Desiree KOEKOEK
Original assignee: Marco Jan Wout Hinderink; Koekoek Mylene Desiree
Priority date: 1999-07-27
Filing date: 2000-07-27
Publication date: 2001-02-01
Also published as: AU7508500A; NL1012712C1

Abstract

The invention relates to an improvement for a toothbrush or a similar utensil which in use is penetrated in the mouth, mainly suitbe for infants and adults. To avoid the inconveniences by the fact that a toothbrush inserted in a mouth may cause the tendency to vomit or otherwise cause mouth injuries mainly due to the situation that the brush is casually coming in the pharynx. This problem will largely be solved by the fact that the handle or shaft of the toothbrush is provided e.g. with a flanged obstacle (5). As a result the distance between said flange and the brush determines the length of the portion of the toothbrush which is restrictively insertable in the (infant's) mouth and it is furthermore provided with a holding element. This is attached to said flange and it remains fully at the outside of the (infant's) mouth. Due to this limited length between said flanged obstacle portion and brush portion any possible tendency to vomit or other unpleasant feeling inside of the mouth portions are so prevented.

Description

Toothbrush or a similar utensil to avoid dangerous mouth penetration.

The invention relates to an improvement for a toothbrush or a similar utensil for restricted mouth penetration which is generally suitable for infants and also for adults. In a preferable embodiment it consists of a typical brushhead, or other appropriate instrument or element, a rod-like neck portion and a gripping handle. In view to the purpose to restrict and/or avoid undesired mouth penetration the improvement for the toothbrush or other appropriate instrument or element provides for a wide body portion or "obstacle" which is interposed between the rod-like neck portion and the gripping handle of the utensil.

it is known amongst others that young children should soon become accustomed to apply at their early age for optimum mouth hygiene in order to enjoy later on all considerable advantages which at a later age are inherent to the growth of healthy permanent teeth. This logical prevention, however, is too often hindered by the fact that a small and hard toothbrush in an infant's mouth can easily give raise to mouth injuries and the tendency to vomit as a result of which an infant, if not sufficiently controlled by its parents, will most likely always try to avoid such most important mouth hygienic preventive measures. In so far, the same would undoubtedly also apply for adults in various stages of their lives. Other utensils may also give raise to undesired dangerous mouth penetration for children and adults and the invention desires to overcome such problems.

However already known similar devices of this type do not fully satisfy those specific requirements for infants and adults and according to the invention such existing disadvantages are now entirely solved by the application of suitable shapes and suitable materials in combination with the avoidance of unpleasant feelings in the mouth of the user while using the novel toothbrush or a similar appropriate instrument or element.

For a first preferred embodiment of the invention the aforementioned wide body portion is performed as an obstacle portion which is at least partly deformable in its shape and it is furthermore made from a suitable flexible material which allows an agreeable and pleasant flexible contact respectively with the outer portions of the mouth of its user. In another preferred embodiment of the invention the brushhead or other similar device, the rod-like neck portion and the gripping handle respectively are preferably integrally implemented in the same suitable flexible material whereas the integral length of the brushhead or other similar device and the wide body portion which are facing the outer mouth portion does not exceed the inner depth of the user's mouth whereas the rod-like neck portion is substantially positioned perpendicular or slightly deviating therefrom with respect to the wide body portion; the central part of the latter being interconnected to the rod-like neck portion.

It is further preferred that the wide body portion is at least provided with a flexible surface facing the user's mouth, suitably shaped to adapt it anatomically for his mouth and lips. In another preferred embodiment of the toothbrush or a similar mouth penetrating device the wide body portion is shaped as a relatively thin flanged surface of adequate shape and it is made out of a suitable flexible material for accommodating contact with the mouth and lips of its user.

Preferably at the rear side of said flanged surface, nearby its circumferential rim portion, there are provided means, e.g. oppositely arranged semi-circular notches or recesses, which allow for its manipulation as a hand grip.

Moreover for convenience purposes air vent openings are located in the flanged surface of the wide body portion whereas in another preferred embodiment the wide body portion may be provided with at least one hollow space to accommodate specific means such as audio and/or audio-visual devices or toys for e.g. entertainment, such as by means of a music micro chip, a controlled light source or a timing device or the like.

Apart from various other provisions for the toothbrush head there is also provided for an adjustable interconnecting portion in length between the brushhead and the said rod-like neck portion. Also the said gripping handle may be performed as part of a characterizing toy design figure e.g. a movie or cartoon character respectively or an animal character.

By shaping the toothbrush flanged surface or the like element into an adjoining teat- shaped part, which raises a familiar sucking sensation feeling in the child, it wiil also immediately and strongly reduce the natural resistance in the mouth against insertion/penetration of the operating brush part which further is provided with relatively soft brush hairs

Especially if the teat-shaped short gπpping handle then smoothly transfers into a teat flange, anatomically adapted to the infant's mouth, which is provided with a turning device shaped as a πng or knob, the infant itself or its parent can easily make a twisting and/or sliding brush movement so that the purpose of the invention is reached. The teat flange must be of such a limited size that the toothbrush can never ever penetrate deeper into the infant's mouth than is desired, so that any tendency of the child to vomit is prevented whereas injuries in the mouth area will not occurr either

The flanged wide body portion is preferably provided with some air ventholes and the mateπal of the infant's toothbrush is preferably selected of such a flexible artificial fibre material which sufficiently will resist wear caused by the teeth, to prevent any artificial-fibre parts from being swallowed by its user Obviously the ultimate shape and dimensions of the part of the toothbrush which is fully inserted in the mouth is entirely in conformity with the age of its user, e.g. the infant or the adult

Besides, it may be prefe ed to contπbute to the attraction of use of the toothbrush by providing e g. a music chip or different (fluctuating) coloured lights etc. in the toothbrush, located in a recess or a hole or the like in the teat-shaped part or in the flange-shaped part. The association of an infant with the offered audio and/or audio visual attractive devices will also diverts its attention from the first unpleasant touch with the brush hairs.

The invention will be further explained with reference to the drawings. It must further be noted that other embodiments of the invention will be descπbed and shown as well as defined in the claims

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of a toothbrush according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a rear view of a teat-flange of the toothbrush with vent-holes, and

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the toothbrush.

The toothbrush 1 in the figures 1 and 2 has a short length, e.g. 50 - 60 mm, measuπng between the end of brush portion 3 and the inner side 4 of the teat-shaped flange 5 The soft brush hairs 6, together with the rod-like handle 2 and its interconnection with the teat shaped flange 5 together form an almost familiar teat shape for an infant The teat flange 5 may anatomically somewhat be adapted to the sucking infant's mouth and it may also be provided with some air ventholes 7, see also figure 3. On the rear side of the teat flange 5 there is provided, somewhat elevated in relation to the rear flanged surface, a holding element 8 shaped as a handle, knob or ring respectively. If this element 8 is positioned in or on the flange surface, its rim, see figure 3, may be provided with some semicircular recesses 9 which make it easier to grab. Shape and design of such recesses 9 may vary as desired but are only meant to make it easier for an infant to grab it and hold the toothbrush 1 in order to make it easier for turning it

In order to choose the position of the brush 3 in relation to the child's teeth, it may be useful to position the rod-like handle at a slight angle of e.g. 15° in relation to the teat- shaped flange 5. When the infant sucks the part that has preferably been slightly shaped in conformity with a teat shape between brush head 3 and flange 5, the milk teeth can actually be reached because of the optimum position of the brush 2. The effect of the operation of the brush 3 may be further enhanced by implanting soft brush hairs, which are not longer than 10 mm, on several sides or on all sides, and it is favourable to round the brush hairs off at their ends. A music chip or one or more small coloured lights in the teat flange surface may be applied in one or more small holes or recesses and this needs no further explanation here. The illumination light may be distributed by means of a short inlaid glass-fibre cable and to this purpose a transparent flexible artificial-fibre may be used.

Where in the description reference is made to a handle part for use by an infant, it is preferred to give it a teat shape, at least over a certain length, so that the familiar sucking precedes the cleaning purpose of the invention, as the child gets gradually accustomed to the feeling of the toothbrush. For an older infant that has already become accustomed to the toothbrush, or for an adult, the handle part which had been adapted to a teat shape will of course become less important, so that the gradual transfer to a straight handle part, usual for standard infant's toothbrushes, may already be commenced this way.

In its practical use for a small infant having milk teeth, the handle part may be of restricted length and the handle part may so be positioned perpendicularly in relation to the toothbrush flanged surface 5. For an infant or a young child whose milk teeth have already grown out considerably an adjustment must be made available to the length of the handle part to be applicable. This is why toothbrushes according to the invention are offered with handle parts in various lengths, in order to fit to the growth of the infant milk teeth. Although it is the intention to let the infant get accustomed soon to a standard toothbrush, a ball-shaped brush head may be applied initially as well. The invention is then also covered by a brush hair implantation on several sides for the toothbrush as defined by claim 11. The invention may so be characterized also as a combination resulting in a shortened toothbrush and a dummy teat with shape which together present a surprisingly cleaning effect.

Although the invention has been described mainly for infants use, yet it may be clear that a toothbrush or a similar device or instrument according to the invention is not restricted to such use by infants only. Adults who could not use the normally designed standard toothbrushes due to e.g. certain (manual) handicaps or who suffer from a (temporary) mouth damage or the like, obviously would be able to use a toothbrush which according to the invention is characterized in that the toothbrush shaft or stem comprises means due to which the operating distance between the brush and the means may be altered. Said means thereto consists of a flange or similar device or element which may be moved and fixed on different distances with respect to said brush head. The main purpose of the use of similar utensils is to make use of the obstacle portion to avoid any possible unpleasant feelings while using the utensil be it for a child or for an adult.

In the drawing no reference is further made neither to the specific location for the insertion of the music chip or the illumination or the translucent fibres, nor for the dimensions thereof in relation to the various possible parts on the toothbrush or the utensil. A person skilled in the art of the application of such objects may easily find an appropriate position to locate such objects. Specifically if the workable toothbrush portion must later on be exchanged for a new one or if the length of the toothbrush must be adapted to the user's mouth, it will be advisable to locate the chip and/or the light in the remaining portion of the toothbrush or the utensil.

In Fig. 4 an example is shown for a toothbrush in combination with an animal cartoon character, here an elephant. The obstacle portion, purpose of the invention, is clearly visible.

Claims

Patent Claims

1. Toothbrush (1) or similar utensil destined for restricted mouth penetration, preferably for general use by infants and adults, generally consisting of a brushhead (3) provided with bristles (6), a rod-like neck portion (2) and a gripping handle (8) whereby there has been provided between the rod-like neck portion (2) and the gripping handle (8) a wide body portion (5) or obstacle portion which prevents dangerous, deeper and undesired, access or penetration into the mouth of its user to such an excessive length of the toothbrush (1) that its user may become subjected to choking or injury of the relevant mouth portions.

2. Toothbrush according to claim 1 , characterized in that said wide body portion (5) or obstacle is at least partly deformable in its shape and is made from a suitable flexible material which allows an agreeable and flexible contact respectively with the outer portions of the mouth of its user.

3. Toothbrush according to claim I or 2, characterized in that the brushhead (3), the rod-like neck portion (2) and the gripping handle (8) respectively are integrally implemented in the same suitable flexible material.

4. Toothbrush according to claim 1-3, characterized in that the integral length of the brushhead (3) and the wide body portion (5) or obstacle portion which faces the outer mouth portion is not longer than the inner depth of the mouth of its user whereas the rod-like neck portion (2) is standing perpendicularly or slightly deviating therefrom with respect to the wide body portion (5) or obstacle portion.

5. Toothbrush according to claim 4, characterized in that the central part of the wide body portion (5) is interconnected to the rod-like neck portion (2).

6. Toothbrush according to claim 5, characterized in that the wide body portion (5) is at least provided with a flexible surface facing the user's mouth, which wide body portion (5) or obstacle portion has been suitably shaped in such a way that it anatomically fits in conformity to the user's mouth and lips.

7. Toothbrush according to claim 6, characterized in that the wide body portion (5) or obstacle portion is shaped as a relatively thin flanged surface (5) of adequate shape and made of a suitable flexible material to accommodate the user's mouth and lips.

8. Toothbrush according to claim 7, characterized in that at the rear side of the flanged surface (5) there is located an element (8) which provides for a gripping handle, e.g consisting of two oppositely arranged semi-circular recesses (9) or notches which are positioned nearby the circumferential rim portion of the flanged surface (5).

9. Toothbrush according to any one of the foregoing claims 1-8, characterized in that the surface of the wide body portion is provided with air vent openings (7).

10. Toothbrush according to any one of the foregoing claims 1-8, characterized in that the wide body portion (5) includes at least a hollow space for the accommodation of means like an audio and/or visual little toy device, such as e. g. a music micro chip and/or a controlled light source or the like, in such a way that these are preferably iπsertable in said hollow space in an interchangeable way in the event of a desired replacement of the relevant toothbrush portion (3).

11. Toothbrush according to any one of the foregoing claims 1-8, characterized in that the bristles (6) on the brushhead (3) are provided on more sides on the foremost end of the rod-like neck portion (2) than the usual one sided toothbrush implantation of bristles.

12. Toothbrush according to any one of the foregoing claims 1-11, characterized in that the element (8) which provides for a handgrip at the rear side of the wide body portion (5) or obstacle portion takes the shape of a ring or a knob providing for an easy grip by the fingers.

13. Toothbrush according to any one of the foregoing claims 1-12, characterized in that the brushhead (3) is provided with bristles (6) which are suitable for its user in such a way that the brushhead (3) does not provoke choking, having bristle (6) ends which are preferably rounded off.

14. Toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims 1-13, characterized in that adjustable means are provided, interposed between the brushhead (3) and the interconnecting rod-like neck portion (2, 4) for adjusting the length of the toothbrush (1 ) to accommodate the user's desire for different lengths.

15. Toothbrush according to claim 10, provided with a music chip which is specifically activated for a duration of such a period of time which may correspond to the agreed time of duration for providing an effective brushing treatment for its user.

16. Toothbrush according to any one of the foregoing claims 1-15, characterized in that its gripping handle (8) forms an integral part of a suitable commercial or of a noncommercial toy figure design, such as e.g. a cartoon character or animal character or the like, part of which has the purpose to be used as an obstacle portion (5).