WO1999052396A1

WO1999052396A1 - Finger-mounted toothbrush

Info

Publication number: WO1999052396A1
Application number: PCT/SG1999/000027
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joo Koi Lai
Original assignee: Tan, Yock, Lin
Priority date: 1998-04-14
Filing date: 1999-04-13
Publication date: 1999-10-21
Also published as: AU3738699A

Abstract

There is disclosed a toothbrush adapted to be carried by a finger so as to provide a toothbrush with a massaging effect and also utilizing the finger as the natural handle. The toothbrush proposed by the present invention is configured to be in a normally pre-pressed form for a precise control operation. The toothbrush comprises a holder means (1) and a brushing means (2). The holder means (1) is adapted to be in such pre-pressed form through an inclined planar section (5) and a flat planar section (6) provided on the tubular member of the holder means. The invention offers a simple, flexible and directable toothbrush suitable for use by children, adults or even inmates.

Description

FINGER-MOUNTED TOOTHBRUSH

1 . TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a toothbrush and more particularly to a finger-mounted toothbrush with precise control feature.

2 . BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional toothbrush are known in the art. The known toothbrush generally comprises of an elongated handle and a brushing head having plurality of tufts of bristles provided at its distal end. In use, the hand holding the elongated handle will have to move the brushing head in a different orientations to brush the buccal and lingual surfaces of the teeth. Brushing operations are done either in rolled back and forth oscillation along the teeth or in up and down motion. The restriction is that the areas of the ends of the brushing motions are practically not cleaned, especially areas of deep molars . During the course of brushing operation, brushing force is transmitted to the brushing head through the non- flexible elongated handle. The momentum of the brushing head is relatively stronger than that at the holding hand. Improper control of the momentum will cause gingiva damages. Other known toothbrush exists in different designs for the handle and grouping of the bristle on the brushing head. Generally, the toothbrushes failed to offer a particularly flexible, easy to use, simple and directable toothbrush to cater the need of person with sensitive gum, or even to some careless person who often injured his gum during brusmng. Therefore, there is a need in the field of dental care and hygiene for a more directable, flexible and precise handling toothbrush that eliminates tenαency of injuring the gums and also capable cf efficiently- brushing the surfaces of the teeth.

The cost of material for the production of toothbrush keeps increasing. The cost of production must be reduced if the manufacturer wishes to stay competitive and able to offer affordable toothbrush to consumer. Therefore, toothbrush design that uses the least raw material is preferred. Additionally, simple toothbrush design suited for mass production is also needed in the field.

Correctional facility, such as prison, always try to maintain safety and security among the inmates and also toward the staffs. The conventional toothbrush may be used as a weapon by innovative inmates . As dental hygiene is particularly important, a suitable toothbrush design must be provided to the inmates and at the same time ensuring that such toothbrush cannot be used as a possible weapon.

There are attempts made by inventors to provide toothbrush so as to address problems associated with the previously described conventional toothbrush. For example, a finger-mounted device is proposed by US-A-5 107 562. The document discloses a finger- mounted toothbrush that includes an inner part which is wholly received within an outer part when the toothbrush is in stored condition prior to use. The outer part includes an upper flap and a lower flap that are releasably secured to one another about their respective peripheral borders so that when the top flap is peeled back, the oottom flap separates from the top flap and the inner part is exposed. The user of the device grasps the lower flap after it has separated from the upper flap, and maintain the grasping action for holding tne toothbrusn on the finger throughout the operation of the toothbrush. Generally the invention is intended to offer a flexible, finger-mounted toothbrush that s maintained in a clean, sanitary condition up to the time of use and which will not slip from tne finger while in used. While the proposed invention generally do meets the above objectives, t αoes not offer precise control feature which reduces or even eliminates tendency of gingiva damages due to improper control of momentum applied through the finger. Although the used of flaps for gripping allowed non-slipping operation, such arrangement uses high material content which increases manufacturing cost.

The present invention seeks to offer a solution to the above disadvantages associated with toothbrush, especially to the finger-mounted toothbrush. It is proposed that a finger-mounted toothbrush is provided with a pre-pressed form so as to force the palm of a finger receiving such brush to be in a normally pressed position. With this feature, the finger will advantageously be more sensitive offering more precise control. Moreover, slippage is eliminated through the use of a gripping means, further assisted by serration provided on the internal wall of the toothbrush. Additionally, a flap attached to the toothbrush will also help in preventing slippage during use. The flap may be optionally be provided with a ring to be grasped by the finger during use.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush which is more directable, flexible, controllable and capable of efficiently brushing the buccal and lingual surfaces of the teeth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush which is simple and economical to manufacture which lends itself to mass production.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an environmentally friendly toothbrush that uses the least raw materials in manufacturing process.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush which is suitable to inmates for avoiding abusive purposes.

And yet, it is another object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush which has some degree of identity.

These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing,

A toothbrush of the type carry by a finger comprising;

a holder means (1) for engaging a finger; and a brushing means (2) provided on sa d holder means ( 1) ;

characterized by;

said holder means (1) is adapted to be in a pre-pressed form so as to provide a precise control operation of said toothbrush.

Preferably the pre-pressed formation of the holder means is provided through an inclined and flat planar section formed at the holder means.

Preferably the brushing means consists of a base member having a plurality of tufts of bristles and the base member is attached to the holder means.

Also preferable, the toothbrush is provided with a retaining means to prevent slippage.

More preferable, the toothbrush is provided with an internal serration.

Also preferable, the toothbrush is provided with grasping flap.

Yet, it is also preferable that the flap is provided with ring for preventing slippage during use.

Also preferable, the toothbrush is made from an elastomeric material.

More preferable, the elastomeric material includes cured silicone rubber.

Also preferable, toothbrush is provided with an aperture on its cap member so as to avoid suffocation in a case of accidental swallowing.

. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures in which :

Figure 1 Perspective view of a toothbrush according to the present invention being mounted on a finger.

Figure 2 : Perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 : Perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 : Perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 : Perspective view of the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 Perspective view of the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 Perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a finger- mounted toothbrush in accordance to the present invention. The toothbrush is preferred over the conventional elongated handle toothbrusn for several reason^'s, such as simplicity of proαuct on, easy to use, flexible, precise control operation etc. The toothbrush comes in a tight contact to the finger, usually to the fore finger, and the length of the toothbrush is configured such that t encloses only up to the first inter-joint immediately after the finger tip. The toothbrush is shown generally comprises of a holder means (1) and a brushing means

(2) . It shall be noted here that as the holder means cover only up to the first inter-joint, less raw material is use during manufacturing process which translates into a reduction of manufacturing cost. Additionally, as a groove (9) is also provided on the upper portion of the holder means (1) , material usage during production is further reduced. The groove also allows freedom of movement to the finger which translate to more precise control of the toothbrush. As the first inter-joint of the finger is exposed, such advantageous feature is achievable. Generally, an elastomeric material, preferably cured silicone rubber is used for the holder means. The holder means is preferably formed through molding process, the process of which is generally known in the art. The brushing means (2) is shown comprises a base member (7) and provided with a plurality of tufts of bristles. In addition of providing a precise control toothbrush which efficiently clean the surfaces of the teeth, the toothbrush can also be used as a gum massaging device.

Figure 2 shows perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As mentioned earlier, the toothbrush comprises of holder means (1) and brushing means (2) . The holder means (1) is shown comprises of a cap member (3) and a tubular member (4). The tubular member (4) is particularly adapted to fit to any size of finger, although it is preferred that the toothbrush shall be manufactured and make available in three standard sizes, i.e., small (S) , medium (M) and large (L) to cater for different finger sizes. Along the lower portion of the tubular member (4), there is provided a pair of planar section, i.e. an inclined planar section (5) and a flat planar section (6, Figure 2a). The planar sections (5,6) are configured to have a slightly thicker formation than the cap and the tubular member, preferably more than 1 mm in thickness, for allowing the holder means to be in its pre-pressed form. The cap member (3) and tubular member (4) is integrally formed together during molding process, and the inclined planar section (5) extend from the lower portion of the cap member (3) toward the flat planar section (6) . As shown by the figure, especially Figure 2a and 2c, the cap member (3) is provided with an aperture (8) , preferably a plurality of apertures, such that a person accidentally swallowing the toothbrush will not succumb to suffocation. The cap member (3) shall be configured to just nicely covering the finger tip and the finger nail. A groove (9) is also configured on the upper portion of the tubular member (4), the advantage of which is allowing freedom of movement to the finger due to exposed first inter-joint. A retaining means (10) in a form of resilient ring for preventing slippage is provided at the distal open- end of the tubular member (4) . The holder means {1) will tightly engaging the finger through the tubular member (4) of which the planar sections (5,6) providing means to force the finger to be in a normally pressed position. As the finger is already in a pressed positior, more precise control operation of the toothbrush is acnievable. Further slippage prevention is provided through serration (11) disposed on the internal wall of the tubular member (4) for which the serration is preferably provided along the inclined planar section (5) . The base member (7) of the brushing means (2) s shown having a plurality of tufts of bristles, and the base member is preferably attached to the inclined planar section (5) . For simplicity during mass production, the holder means and the brushing means is manufactured separately and adhere together during the final assembly. The bristles are first implanted onto the base member (7) and the base member is then attached to the holder means utilizing any known method in the art.

Now referring to Figure 3, there is shown another preferred embodiment for the present invention. In this figure, the resilient means (10) for reducing slippage is configured to be in a form of an open- ended ring. This feature is especially useful if the person using such toothbrush is having a slightly larger finger. For further slippage prevention, a resilient ring (12) , preferably a rubber ring, is inserted to the open end of the tubular member (4) . This option is generally shown by Figure 4.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of another preferred embodiment for the present invention. A dental floss (13) store around a spool (14) may be attached to the toothbrush for the purpose of cleaning the inter-teeth area and also as tool to allow pulling of the toothbrush if accidentally swallowed. 10

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The toothbrush is provided with an elongated planar body (15) forming a flap and th s flap is adapted to be grasped between the thumb and fore-finger for more gripping action. Figure 7 shows the flap is provided with a ring (16), the ring may be grasped by the rest of the fingers for more gripping action and more control.

During use of the toothbrush, the finger will act as a natural handle and allows execution at any angle and also allows efficient cleaning of the teeth surfaces. As minimal pressure is exerted because of the finger is already in a pre-pressed form which provides precise control of brushing motion, the toothbrush offer a simple, yet teeth and gingiva friendly device suitable for dental hygiene and care.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be made thereto. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to details of the illustrated invention shown in the figures and that variations in such minor details will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Claims

11WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A toothbrush of the type carry by a finger comprising;

a holder means (1) for engaging a finger; and

a brushing means (2) provided on said holder means (1) ;

characterized by;

2. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, further characterized by said holder means (1) comprises a cap member (3) and a tubular member (4) , said tubular member (4) having an inclined planar section (5) extending from a lower portion of the cap member and a flat planar section (6), the planar sections (5,6) providing said pre- pressed form of the holder means.

3. A toothbrush as claimed in claims 1 or 2, further characterized by said brushing means (2) having a base member (7) , said base member having a plurality of tufts of bristles and said base member (7) is attached to the inclined planar section (5) .

4. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 3, further characterized by said tufts of bristles are implanted on said base member (7) . 12

5. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, further characterized by said cap member (3) having aperture (8) provided thereto.

6. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, further characterized by said tubular member having a groove section (9) provided on its upper portion.

7. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, further characterized by said tubular member having a retaining means (10) provided at a distal open- end of the tubular member.

8. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, further characterized by said tubular member (4) having serration (11) disposed on its internal wall.

9. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 8, further characterized by said serration is disposed on the internal wall of the inclined planar section (5).

10. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 7, further characterized by said retaining means comprises a ring.

11. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 7, further characterized by said retaining means (10) comprises an open-ended ring.

12. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 11, further characterized by a resilient ring (12) is inserted on said open-ended ring.

13. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, further 13

characterized by an elongated planar body (15) being attached to said holder means (1) .

14. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 13, further characterized by a ring (16) is attached to said elongated planar body (15).