EP0252710A1 - Zahnreinigungsvorrichtung - Google Patents

Zahnreinigungsvorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0252710A1
EP0252710A1 EP87305968A EP87305968A EP0252710A1 EP 0252710 A1 EP0252710 A1 EP 0252710A1 EP 87305968 A EP87305968 A EP 87305968A EP 87305968 A EP87305968 A EP 87305968A EP 0252710 A1 EP0252710 A1 EP 0252710A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tongue
bristles
teeth
hollow
cleaning
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP87305968A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Richard Aiken Foreman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0252710A1 publication Critical patent/EP0252710A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
    • A46B5/04—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware shaped as gloves or finger-stalls or other special holding ways, e.g. by the tongue

Definitions

  • This invention relates to devices for cleaning teeth.
  • Toothbrushes are well known and have been in common use for quite some time for cleaning teeth and their use helps prevent tooth decay. Inadequate cleaning of teeth can leave plaque and food particles between the teeth and particularly where each tooth intersects with the gum. Dentists and oral hygienists have made considerable efforts up to now to education their patients on how to properly brush their teeth. Some suggest a minimum of 15 minutes per day of brushing at one time and additional brushing as soon as possible after each incident of eating. Such a recommendation is difficult in practice for many to follow sometimes because of a busy schedule and sometimes because of the lack of opportunity to brush one's teeth in the usual manner with a standard toothbrush.
  • a tongue manipulated toothbrush is described in the International PCT application No. W082/02481 filed by Frank Rees and published August 5, 1982.
  • the device disclosed therein is in the form of a plastic disk that may be 20mm in diameter.
  • the disk is dish-like having a downwardly turned perimeter and a raised central portion. It is provided with apertures and a peripheral bead. Bristles protrude downwardly from a lower surface of the disk.
  • the device is manipulated against the teeth by the tongue of the user acting on the upper surface of the device.
  • the present invention provides a teeth cleaning device that can be made quite small and at a very reasonable cost.
  • the preferred form of the device can be attached to a user's tongue temporarily so that it can be manipulated with the tongue about the user's mouth.
  • the device can be used in public if desired as it is not readily visible to others.
  • a device for cleaning teeth comprises a hollow member with an open end large enough to permit insertion of a person's tongue or finger and a closed end.
  • a number of flexible bristles or loops are connected to the hollow member and project outwardly from the exterior surface of the member.
  • the hollow member is conical in shape and has a circumferential rib extending around the open end and projecting a short distance outwardly from the central axis of the conical member.
  • This rib can be used to attach the device to one's tongue (by holding the rib with one's teeth) and to subsequently detach the device.
  • the preferred embodiment is provided with bristles that range between 2 and 4 millimeters in length.
  • the preferred embodiment of a teeth cleaning device 10 constructed in accordance with the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings.
  • the device comprises a generally conical hollow member 12 that is made of semi-flexible or flexible material and that is closed at one end 14.
  • Opposite the closed end 14 is a wide, open end 15 large enough to permit insertion of a person's tongue or finger.
  • Preferably the open end 15 is large enough to accommodate a person's tongue so that the device can be attached to the front end of the tongue 22 and used to clean one's teeth by maneuvering the device over the teeth with the tongue 22. If the device is attached to a person's finger, the finger is then used to manipulate the device over both the front and the back of the teeth for cleaning purposes.
  • the member 12 could have a variety of shapes other than conical and it would still function because of the flexible nature of a person's tongue. It can be multi-sided or cylindrical for example provided one end is open and the other closed.
  • the member 12 could also be made of rigid material rather than flexible material but it is felt that the use of rigid material might be less comfortable for some users.
  • a number of brush bristles 16 firmly connected to the hollow member 12.
  • these bristles are quite short with the protruding portion extending 2 to 4 millimeters from the outer surface of the hollow member 12.
  • the bristles extend over the closed end 14 of the device.
  • these bristles also extend along one side of the device at 19 for a short distance beginning at the closed end.
  • the bristles in the region 19 can be maneuvered to brush areas of the teeth that cannot easily be reached with the bristles located at the closed end 14.
  • the bristles are embedded in the semi-flexible material of the member 12 so that they will not become dislodged with normal handling.
  • the device 10 is held on a user's tongue by the vacuum created in the device after the tongue has been inserted. It will be appreciated that because the tongue is so flexible and compressible (being made up of muscle tissue), it is relatively easy for a user to shape his tongue so that it will fit into the opening 20. Then by a suitable manipulation or rearrangement of the tongue, a vacuum is created in the device to hold it in place. If desired, small circular ribs or ridges 24 can be provided on the inside of the member 12 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. These ridges will help the tongue to grip and hold the device while in use.
  • a circumferential rib 18 extends around the open end 15 and projects a short distance outwardly from the centre axis 21 of the member 12.
  • the rib 18 can be used to attach the device to a user's tongue.
  • the rib is placed immediately behind the edges of the upper and lower teeth at the front of the mouth. This step helps to stablize and hold the device at the front of the mouth so that the tongue can be inserted through the opening 20. Sucking in air at the same time will help to attach the device 10 as well.
  • the aforementioned procedure is reversed, that is, the projecting rib 18 is placed against the front surfaces of the upper and lower teeth at the front of the mouth and the tongue is pulled back.
  • the user may wish to turn the device about the centre axis 21 in order to reach a desired surface of the teeth with the bristles.
  • the device can be removed in the aforementioned manner without the use of fingers. After removal it can be rotated about the axis 21 so that the bristles, particularly those at 19, are redirected prior to reattachment of the device to the tongue. Because the tongue is so flexible the end 14 which its bristles can be passed over all areas of the teeth front and back, particularly the extreme rear surfaces of the back molars. It is also relatively easy to maneuver the bristles along the gum line since the tongue tip can easy reach this region.
  • FIGS 5 and 6 Other embodiments of teeth cleaning devices are shown in Figures 5 and 6. Except as specifically mentioned hereinafter, these devices can be constructed in the same manner as the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4.
  • the device 30 is a generally conical, hollow member 32 the exterior surface of which is covered by short bristles 34. Only the region of the rib 18 is not covered by bristles. It will be understood that with this version since all exterior sides are the same, it is not necessary to rotate the device about its centre axis in order to brush certain surfaces of the teeth.
  • the short fiber loops 36 rather than bristles cover only the closed end 38 of the device and about one-half of the exterior conical surface of the member 40.
  • the cleaning device 10 can be made from semi-flexible polyethylene or a suitable rubber or synthetic rubber. It is very compact and can be carried by the user in a container no larger than a silver dollar in circumference and approximately a half inch thick.
  • the case for the device could for example be provided with a threaded screw type cap. If desired, a mint flavoured paste-like substance could be placed inside the case in order to impart a flavour to the device.
  • the device is not intended for use with toothpaste, the significant cost of toothpaste can be avoided by the user.
  • the device of the invention may have a longer life than a conventional toothbrush because the bristles 16 have less of a tendency to become frayed. The reason for this is that the bristles 16 are much shorter than those on a conventional toothbrush.
  • the present device is intended to be carried at all times by the user, he can immediately clean his teeth after eating and this reduces the opportunity for harmful bacteria to develop. It is known for instance that harmful bacteria can begin to develop within 5 minutes after eating certain foods. Unpleasant breath odor is also eliminated in many cases because the teeth have been cleaned. Obviously further financial savings may result if less dental work is required due to use of the device 10.
  • FIG. 7 Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 7 and comprises a device 50 for cleaning teeth that can be attached to a user's tongue in the same manner as the device 10 of Figure 1.
  • the device 50 is constructed in substantially the same manner except that it has no bristles or loops for brushing teeth. Instead the device 50 has a pointed teeth cleaning member 52 projecting outwardly from the exterior surface 54 of the hollow member.
  • the cleaning member 52 can be an integral extension of the hollow member and is preferably made of rubber or rubberlike material that will not harm the user's teeth or gums.
  • the cleaning member projects outwardly from the centre of the closed end 56.
  • the device 50 be used in place of a toothpick to remove trapped food particles from between teeth but it is also useful to massage the gums of the user.

Landscapes

  • Brushes (AREA)
  • Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
EP87305968A 1986-07-11 1987-07-06 Zahnreinigungsvorrichtung Withdrawn EP0252710A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA513649 1986-07-11
CA513649 1986-07-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0252710A1 true EP0252710A1 (de) 1988-01-13

Family

ID=4133553

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87305968A Withdrawn EP0252710A1 (de) 1986-07-11 1987-07-06 Zahnreinigungsvorrichtung

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0252710A1 (de)
JP (1) JPS6354111A (de)
AU (1) AU7559087A (de)
BR (1) BR8703551A (de)
NO (1) NO872847L (de)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2243072A (en) * 1990-04-20 1991-10-23 Peter Michael Ryder Toothbrush
US5287584A (en) * 1992-06-23 1994-02-22 Practical Products Ltd. Toothbrush
BE1007668A3 (fr) * 1993-10-29 1995-09-12 Vermeulen Jean Claude Article pour l'hygiene dentaire.
GB2327339A (en) * 1997-07-23 1999-01-27 Paul George Welfle Tongue-retained device for cleaning teeth etc.
WO2003090578A1 (en) * 2002-04-24 2003-11-06 Skg Italia S.P.A. Tooth-cleaning device
WO2004105633A1 (en) * 2003-05-29 2004-12-09 Koba Elerdashvili Tooth cleaner attachable to tongue
USD576796S1 (en) * 2007-06-25 2008-09-16 Roman Rebecca M Tongue mounted mouth brush
WO2009101465A1 (en) * 2008-02-15 2009-08-20 Freda Robertson Disposable oral hygiene accessory
US8215959B2 (en) 2011-12-06 2012-07-10 Elseri Adel Tongue-mounted cleaning article
US9179764B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-11-10 Adel ELSERI Tongue-mounted cleaning article
US11103053B2 (en) 2018-09-11 2021-08-31 Michael Toofer Finger-wearable oral hygiene device and method of using

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4700085B2 (ja) * 2008-07-02 2011-06-15 エスケージー イタリア エス．ピー．エー． 歯清掃用デバイス

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1465522A (en) * 1922-09-25 1923-08-21 Lunday Russell Edward Toothpick
US4292705A (en) * 1979-05-21 1981-10-06 Stouffer James F Tongue toothbrush
DE3232313A1 (de) * 1982-08-31 1984-03-01 Andreas H. Dr. 4630 Bochum Finke Dentalfingerling bzw. -handschuh
DE3429655A1 (de) * 1984-08-11 1986-02-20 Wei-Yi Taipei Yueh Fingerlingartiges mundreinigungsgeraet
FR2571601A1 (fr) * 1984-11-07 1986-04-18 Zarzur Gisele Brosse a dents

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1465522A (en) * 1922-09-25 1923-08-21 Lunday Russell Edward Toothpick
US4292705A (en) * 1979-05-21 1981-10-06 Stouffer James F Tongue toothbrush
DE3232313A1 (de) * 1982-08-31 1984-03-01 Andreas H. Dr. 4630 Bochum Finke Dentalfingerling bzw. -handschuh
DE3429655A1 (de) * 1984-08-11 1986-02-20 Wei-Yi Taipei Yueh Fingerlingartiges mundreinigungsgeraet
FR2571601A1 (fr) * 1984-11-07 1986-04-18 Zarzur Gisele Brosse a dents

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2243072A (en) * 1990-04-20 1991-10-23 Peter Michael Ryder Toothbrush
US5287584A (en) * 1992-06-23 1994-02-22 Practical Products Ltd. Toothbrush
BE1007668A3 (fr) * 1993-10-29 1995-09-12 Vermeulen Jean Claude Article pour l'hygiene dentaire.
GB2327339A (en) * 1997-07-23 1999-01-27 Paul George Welfle Tongue-retained device for cleaning teeth etc.
CN100418455C (zh) * 2002-04-24 2008-09-17 Skg意大利股份有限公司 牙齿清洁装置
AU2002315320B2 (en) * 2002-04-24 2006-07-06 Skg Italia S.P.A. Tooth-cleaning device
WO2003090578A1 (en) * 2002-04-24 2003-11-06 Skg Italia S.P.A. Tooth-cleaning device
WO2004105633A1 (en) * 2003-05-29 2004-12-09 Koba Elerdashvili Tooth cleaner attachable to tongue
USD576796S1 (en) * 2007-06-25 2008-09-16 Roman Rebecca M Tongue mounted mouth brush
WO2009101465A1 (en) * 2008-02-15 2009-08-20 Freda Robertson Disposable oral hygiene accessory
US8215959B2 (en) 2011-12-06 2012-07-10 Elseri Adel Tongue-mounted cleaning article
US9179764B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-11-10 Adel ELSERI Tongue-mounted cleaning article
US11103053B2 (en) 2018-09-11 2021-08-31 Michael Toofer Finger-wearable oral hygiene device and method of using
US11659921B2 (en) 2018-09-11 2023-05-30 Michael Toofer Finger-wearable oral hygiene device and method of using
USD1032209S1 (en) 2018-09-11 2024-06-25 Michael Toofer Finger-wearable oral hygiene device
US12349785B2 (en) 2018-09-11 2025-07-08 Mindful People LLC Finger-wearable oral hygiene device and method of using

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO872847D0 (no) 1987-07-08
NO872847L (no) 1988-01-12
JPS6354111A (ja) 1988-03-08
BR8703551A (pt) 1988-03-22
AU7559087A (en) 1988-01-14

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