U.S. patent application number 09/113623 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-14 for method of manufacturing a textured toothbrush bristle.
Invention is credited to GUAY, GORDON G..
Application Number | 20010003600 09/113623 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22350543 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010003600 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GUAY, GORDON G. |
June 14, 2001 |
METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A TEXTURED TOOTHBRUSH BRISTLE
Abstract
The invention is based on the discovery that flocked or textured
materials (e.g., for use as dental floss, or toothbrush bristles)
can be manufactured without using adhesives to secure the short
fibers or texture particles to the base material, or substrate. The
flocked or textured materials are formed by thermally or chemically
softening a preformed substrate (e.g., sheets, fibers, or filaments
made of Teflon.TM., Kevlar.TM., cotton, polyester, polyethylene, or
other plastic), then treating the softened substrate with short
fibers or texture particles. Alternatively, the short fibers or
texture particles can be applied during the formation of the
substrate (e.g., in an extrusion, melt-blowing, die casting,
weaving, or drawing process).
Inventors: |
GUAY, GORDON G.;
(CHELMSFORD, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT C NABINGER
FISH AND RICHARDSON
225 FRANKLIN STREET
BOSTON
MA
02110
|
Family ID: |
22350543 |
Appl. No.: |
09/113623 |
Filed: |
July 10, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
427/2.29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 428/2931 20150115;
A46B 9/005 20130101; Y10T 428/2929 20150115; A46D 1/00 20130101;
A61C 15/041 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
427/2.29 |
International
Class: |
B05D 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for manufacturing a textured article, comprising:
contacting an end of short fibers having two ends and a surface of
a substrate under conditions whereby a part of either or both of
the short fibers and substrate is softened; and hardening the
softened part to produce said textured article.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the article is a dental hygiene
product.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the dental hygiene product is an
oral brush bristle.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the dental hygiene product is a
dental floss filament.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein a part of the surface of the
substrate is softened by treating the surface with a solvent.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein a part of the surface of the
substrate is softened by heating the surface.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the end of the short fibers that
contacts the substrate is softened by treating the short fibers
with a solvent.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the end of the short fibers that
contacts the substrate is softened by heating the short fibers.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting step occurs after
extrusion of the substrate but prior to the cooling of the
substrate, in a heat extrusion process that includes an extrusion
step and a cooling step.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising supplying an
electromagnetic field, thereby causing the short fibers to align at
a substantially fixed angle relative to the surface of the
substrate.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the short fibers are coated
with an electrically conductive material.
12. An article made by the method of claim 1.
13. The article of claim 12, further comprising an active
ingredient.
14. The article of claim 13, wherein at least some of the short
fibers comprise a mixture of a water soluble material and the
active ingredient.
15. A toothbrush, comprising a bristle made by the method of claim
3.
16. An interdental brush, comprising a bristle made by the method
of claim 3.
17. Dental floss, comprising a filament made by the method of claim
4.
18. A method for manufacturing a textured article, comprising:
contacting texture particles and a surface of a substrate under
conditions whereby a part of either or both of the texture
particles and the substrate is softened; and hardening the softened
component to produce said textured article.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the article is a dental hygiene
product.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the dental hygiene product is
an oral brush bristle.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the dental hygiene product is a
dental floss filament.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein a part of the surface of the
substrate is softened by treating the surface with a solvent.
23. The method of claim 18, wherein a part of the surface of the
substrate is softened by heating the surface.
24. The method of claim 18, wherein the texture particles are
softened by treating the texture particles with a solvent.
25. The method of claim 18, wherein the texture particles are
softened by heating the texture particles.
26. The method of claim 18, wherein the contacting step occurs
after heat extrusion of the substrate but prior to the cooling of
the substrate, in a heat extrusion process that includes an
extrusion step and a cooling step.
27. An article made by the method of claim 18.
28. The article of claim 27, further comprising an active
ingredient.
29. The article of claim 28, wherein at least some of the texture
particles comprise a mixture of a water soluble material and the
active ingredient.
30. A toothbrush, comprising a bristle made by the method of claim
20.
31. An interdental brush, comprising a bristle made by the method
of claim 20.
32. Dental floss, comprising a filament made by the method of claim
21.
33. A method for manufacturing a textured article, comprising:
extruding a bilayer substrate, wherein an outer layer comprises
short fibers; and providing an electromagnetic field prior to
cooling the substrate, causing the short fibers to align at a
substantially fixed angle: relative to the surface of the
substrate, to produce said textured article.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein said substrate is a coaxial
filament having a sheath/core arrangement, said first layer is the
sheath, and a second layer is the core.
35. A method for manufacturing a textured article, comprising:
spraying a suspension comprising short fibers onto the surface of a
substrate; and providing an electromagnetic field, causing the
short fibers to align at a substantially fixed angle relative to
the surface of the substrate, to produce said textured article.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein said suspension comprises a
polymer dissolved in a solvent, and the method further comprises
removing the solvent to cause the short fibers to become fixed in
the polymer at said angle.
37. The method of claim 35, wherein said suspension comprises a
molten polymer; and the method further comprises cooling the
polymer to cause the short fibers to become fixed in the polymer at
said angle.
38. An oral brush comprising a bristle, wherein the bristle has
short fibers non-adhesively attached thereto.
39. The oral brush of claim 38, wherein the short fibers further
comprise an active ingredient.
40. The oral brush of claim 38, wherein the short fibers are
attached to the bristle by thermally or chemically softening an end
of the short fibers, then contacting the bristle with the softened
end of the short fibers.
41. The oral brush of claim 38, wherein the short fibers are
attached to the bristle by thermally or chemically softening a
surface of the bristle, then contacting the softened bristle with
the short fibers.
42. Dental floss comprising a filament, wherein the filament has
short fibers non-adhesively attached thereto.
43. The dental floss of claim 42, wherein the short fibers further
comprise an active ingredient.
44. The dental floss of claim 42, wherein the short fibers are
attached to the filament by thermally or chemically softening an
end of the short fibers, then contacting the filament with the
softened end of the short fibers.
45. The dental floss of claim 42, wherein the short fibers are
attached to the filament by thermally or chemically softening a
surface of the filament, then contacting the softened filament with
the short fibers.
46. The dental floss of claim 42, wherein the short fibers are
attached by extruding a coaxial filament, wherein an outside layer
contains short fibers having a net dipole; and providing an
electromagnetic field prior to cooling the extruded filament,
causing the short fibers to align at a substantially fixed angle
relative to the surface of the filament.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to short fiber or particle textured
articles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Materials textured with short fibers or texture particles on
their surfaces are used as, for example, dental hygiene articles
(e.g., toothbrushes, dental floss, interdental brushes) and
abrasives (e.g., manicure or pedicure products, cleaning products).
Currently, the short fibers or texture particles are ordinarily
attached to a surface using an adhesive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention is based on the discovery that textured
surfaces (e.g., for use as dental floss, or toothbrush bristles)
can be manufactured without using adhesives to secure the short
fibers or texture particles to the base material, or substrate. The
textured materials are formed by thermally or chemically softening
a preformed substrate (e.g., sheets, fibers, or filaments made of
Nylon.TM., Teflon.TM., Kevlar.TM., cotton, polyester, polyethylene,
or other plastic), then an electrostatic applicator is used to
apply short fibers or texture particles to the softened substrate.
Alternatively, the short fibers or texture particles can be applied
during the formation of the substrate (e.g., in an extrusion,
melt-blowing, die casting, weaving, or drawing process).
[0004] In general, the invention features a methods for
manufacturing a textured article. The article can be, for example,
a dental hygiene product (e.g., an oral brush bristle, a dental
floss filament). The method includes the steps of contacting
texture particles (or an end of short fibers having two ends) and a
surface of a substrate under conditions in which a part of either
the texture particles (or short fibers), the substrate, or both are
softened (e.g., by treatment with a solvent or by heating); and
hardening the softened part to produce the textured article.
[0005] The contacting step in the above methods can occur, for
example, after extrusion of the substrate but prior to the cooling
of the substrate in a heat extrusion process that includes an
extrusion step and a cooling step.
[0006] The methods that include the use of short fibers can also
include the step of supplying an electromagnetic field, which can
cause the short fibers to align at a substantially fixed angle
relative to the surface of the substrate. The short fibers can, for
example, be coated with an electrically conductive material (e.g.,
tannic acid and starch).
[0007] The articles made by the methods described above are also
contemplated as an aspect of the invention, as are toothbrushes and
interdental brushes including bristles made by the above methods
and dental flosses including filaments made by the above methods.
Such articles can also include an active ingredient, possibly mixed
with a water soluble material such as starch, pectin, or
cellulose.
[0008] A different embodiment of the invention features another
method for manufacturing a textured article. The method includes
the steps of extruding a bilayer substrate, in which an outer layer
includes short fibers; and providing an electromagnetic field prior
to cooling the substrate, causing the short fibers to align at a
substantially fixed angle relative to the surface of the substrate,
to produce the textured article.
[0009] The substrate can be, for example, a coaxial filament having
a sheath/core arrangement, where the first layer is the sheath, and
the second layer is the core.
[0010] Still another embodiment of the invention also features a
method for manufacturing a textured article. This method includes
the steps of spraying a suspension that includes short fibers onto
the surface of a substrate; and then providing an electromagnetic
field, causing the short fibers to align at a substantially fixed
angle relative to the surface of the substrate, to produce the
textured article.
[0011] The suspension can include, for example, a polymer dissolved
in a solvent, in which case the method also includes the step of
removing the solvent to cause the short fibers to become fixed in
the polymer at the fixed angle.
[0012] Alternatively, the suspension can include a molten polymer;
and the method further comprises cooling the polymer to cause the
short fibers to become fixed in the polymer at said angle.
[0013] Still another embodiment of the invention features an oral
brush (e.g., a toothbrush or interdental brush) including a bristle
that has short fibers attached without requiring an adhesive.
[0014] Yet another embodiment of the invention features dental
floss including a filament that has short fibers attached without
requiring an adhesive.
[0015] The short fibers can be attached to the bristle of the oral
brush, for example, or the filament of the dental floss, by
thermally or chemically softening an end of the short fibers, then
contacting the bristle or filament with the softened end of the
short fibers. Alternatively, the short fibers can be attached to
the bristle or filament by thermally or chemically softening a
surface of the bristle or filament, then contacting the softened
bristle or filament with the short fibers. In another alternative,
the short fibers can be attached to the bristle or filament by
extruding a coaxial bristle or filament, where the outside layer
contains short fibers having a net dipole, and then providing an
electromagnetic field prior to cooling, causing the short fibers to
align at a substantially fixed angle relative to the surface of the
bristle or filament. Optionally, the short fibers can include an
active ingredient.
[0016] Advantages of the new articles and methods include improved
mechanical properties, enhanced biocompatibility, increased control
over the physical configuration of the products, and the potential
for use as a reservoir for release of therapeutics in a free or
controlled release (i.e., particle) form.
[0017] Short fibers or particles are attached to the substrate by a
melting or dissolving process; thus, the use of toxic adhesives can
be avoided.
[0018] Another advantage follows from avoiding the use of
adhesives: in general, the new methods result in a stronger
attachment of the short fibers to a substrate, relative to
adhesive-based methods; in some cases, the attachment is permanent.
Thus, the new methods can yield products having greater mechanical
integrity.
[0019] Because electrostatically charged particles or short fibers
can be aligned by an electromagnetic field, the angle at which such
fibers are fixed to the substrate can be precisely controlled.
[0020] Toothbrush filaments textured with short fibers or particles
can penetrate deeper into interdental regions during brushing; such
filaments can be constructed with smaller diameter than traditional
toothbrush filaments, yet can nonetheless exhibit excellent
mechanical integrity and bend recovery.
[0021] Textured dental floss can also provide a larger surface area
for cleaning while flossing.
[0022] Other features and advantages of the new articles and
methods will be apparent from the following detailed description,
and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a side view of an electric toothbrush with the
body cut away to reveal internal components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
General
[0025] The substrate used for surface texturization can be made of
any natural or synthetic material, provided that at least one
component can be softened by heating or chemical methods. Examples
of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, starch,
polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), polyamides
(e.g., Nylon.TM. 6-12, Nylon.TM. 6, polyphthalamide), cotton,
Kevlar.TM., NPBT, acetal resins, polyesters (e.g., PET, PBT),
fluoropolymers (e.g., PVdF, PTFE), polyacrylates, polysulfones, and
mixtures thereof. Other suitable polymeric materials include
thermoplastic elastomers such as polyetheramides (e.g., Pebax.TM.),
polyurethanes (e.g., Pellethane.TM.), polyolefin elastomers (e.g.,
Santoprene.TM., styrene-ethylene-butylene-st- yrene block
copolymers, styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers,
styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymers (e.g., Kraton.TM.
rubbers), and combinations thereof. These polymeric materials may
contain fillers and additives to provide strength, lubricity,
texture, abrasiveness, and color to the bristles. Examples of
suitable fillers and additives include, kaolin, PTFE, titanium
dioxide, and the like.
[0026] Short fibers or texture particles generally are compounded
with one or more of the natural or synthetic materials above,
particles or fibers possessing a net electric or magnetic dipole.
Magnetic dipoles can be produced by compounding various types of
fiber grade plastic resins with magnetic material such as iron
oxides, samarium cobalt, or neodymium, using compounding machinery
such as a twin screw extruder. The percentage of the magnetic
material included in the fibers or particles is typically about 1
to 20% by weight. The pelletized compound can be extruded to
produce very small fibers (i.e., about 0.004" to 0.1" in diameter
and cut to 0.03" to 0.25" lengths).
[0027] Texturized components can be added with a resin and blended
to form a single phase. Alternatively, separate phases can be
coextruded in various configurations, e.g., a trilocular (i.e., a
three lumen) bristle with a central spine of one material and an
outer annular wall of another material, with one polymer forming a
sheath surrounding another polymer (sheath/core), with one polymer
forming a coating over a sheet of another polymer, or polymers in a
side-by-side configuration. The components can also include
multi-core fiber (e.g., for use as dental floss), individual fibers
surrounded by a sheath (e.g., dental floss, bristles for oral
brushes), sheets (e.g., membranes or upholstery materials), or
combinations thereof.
[0028] An electromagnetic field or current can be used to direct
the short fibers or texture particles to the molten surface of the
substrate. In the manufacture of textured articles, the field or
current can also be used to orient all of the fibers at a
particular angle. An electrostatic field, for example, can result
in the short fibers being aligned perpendicular to the surface of
the substrate. For magnetism-based orientation, base material
selection requires melt temperatures to be below the temperatures
at which magnetic properties are lost.
[0029] The short fibers or texture particles can be attached in a
regular pattern (e.g., evenly spaced along each dimension of the
substrate, arranged in a geometrical pattern, or arranged in the
shapes of numbers, letters of the alphabet, or other ornamental
designs) or randomly distributed. Such patterns can be made, for
example, by discretely softening an area of the substrate, or by
using a stencil, screen, or other masking method to allow short
fibers or particles to selectively penetrate a particular area of
the softened substrate. The fibers or particles can also be
arranged in a spiral pattern along the length of a filament, or
arranged in two single lines on opposite sides of a filament.
[0030] Since the surface texturization is not necessarily required
for the structural integrity of the main fiber, specialty fibers
can be used to provide an added functionality to a toothbrush or
floss filament. Examples of unique fibers which can be incorporated
into the filaments include super-absorbent fibers, abrasive fibers,
and slippery fibers. Any type of fiber capable of being produced
can be used as a short fiber for surface texturization. These short
fibers can vary in length and denier. The range of fiber lengths
suitable for electrostatic coating ranges from 0.03" to 0.25". In
addition, numerous types of materials in particle form can be
applied including various types of micronized abrasives,
Teflon.TM., and salts. The invention is also not limited to the
application of these materials to fiber surfaces; it is also
applicable to surfaces including foams, plastics, metals, and
wood.
Therapeutics
[0031] The substrate, short fibers, and/or texture particles can be
treated with a medicament or other active ingredient.
Alternatively, the short fibers or texture particles can be made of
a biodegradable or water-soluble material with an active ingredient
dissolved therein. Fibers or particles can be made of starch, for
example.
[0032] Many different substances, singly or in any suitable
combination, can be used as active ingredients. For use in dental
hygiene articles, the substances or combinations of substances must
be acceptable for use in the mouth (e.g., non-toxic when provided
in the amounts contemplated herein). Suitable active ingredients
include, for example, therapeutic agents (e.g., anti-microbial
agents, anti-gingivitis agents, anti-inflammatory agents,
anti-caries agents, deodorizing agents, desensitizing agents,
anti-calculus agents, anti-plaque agents, anti-viral agents,
sealants, or remineralization agents), non-therapeutic agents
(e.g., flavorants, scents, whitening agents, pigments, dyes,
surfactants, abrasives, or effervescing agents such as sodium
bicarbonate), oils (e.g., essential oils, flavor oils, scent oils,
and oil soluble therapeutic agents such as triclosan), and
combinations thereof.
[0033] Examples of suitable active ingredients include sodium
fluoride, stannous fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate,
chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine salts, tetracycline, cetylpyridinium
chloride, triclosan, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, disodium dihydrogen
pyrophosphate, zinc chloride, zinc citrate, strontium chloride,
calcium oxalate, potassium nitrate, eucalyptol, menthol, thymol,
sodium lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters,
calcium phosphates, peroxides, peppermint oil, and cinnamon. Other
acceptable additives include polyacrylates, carrageenan,
carboxymethyl cellulose, silica, alumina, FD&C Blue #2, and
FD&C Blue #2 Lake.
[0034] The active ingredient may also include binders to provide
bulk and viscosity. Examples of suitable binders include synthetic
organic polymers (e.g., Carbopol resins), inorganic compounds
(e.g., silica powders), modified cellulose compounds (e.g.,
carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose), natural
vegetable gums (e.g., carrageenan and sodium alginate), and gums of
bacterial origin (e.g., xanthan gum).
[0035] The preferred concentration of these substances will vary
depending on the intended function of the active ingredient and can
be readily determined by the artisan.
[0036] The active ingredient can be in any form that will allow it
to be introduced, including solutions, dispersions, microemulsions,
gels, pastes, and powders. In addition, the substance may be
adsorbed onto the outer surface of microparticles applied to a
surface.
[0037] Although uniform distribution of the active ingredients
across the entire length and width of the textured article is often
preferred, the active ingredients could also be distributed in
sections or other non-uniform distributions.
Methods for Attaching Short Fibers or Texture Particles
[0038] Acid or base (e.g., formic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric
acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, sodium hydroxide, potassium
hydroxide, ammonia, or sodium carbonate), organic solvent (e.g.,
ethyl acetate, acetone, chloroform, hexane, ethanol, methylene
chloride, methanol, petroleum ether, diethyl ether, or
acetonitrile), or heat can be used to soften the substrate material
to allow the short fibers or texture particles to penetrate the
surface and become physically bound to the surface after
neutralization, dilution, or cooling.
[0039] In those embodiments of the invention in which the short
fibers or particles are suspended in molten polymers and either
used to coat the surface of a substrate or extruded as the sheath
of a coaxial filament, fibers can be made from a material which has
a melt temperature profile much higher than the material used in
the sheath or coating, so that the small fibers retain their
physical integrity. The fibers can be made of a resin capable of
adhering to the sheath material such that the short fibers would be
firmly anchored to the filaments produced.
[0040] To increase the mechanical integrity of the magnetic fibers
or particles, a thin surface coat of a natural or synthetic coating
can be applied. A surface coat would also prevent formation of rust
over a prolonged period of filament wear.
[0041] Pebax.TM. polyetheramide materials are especially suitable
for making filaments for use in the new articles and methods, since
a variety of fibers can be generated with different grades of
Pebax.TM. and the melt temperatures are relatively low (i.e., 160
to 180.degree. C.). The melting range of the resin used as the main
sheath material should ideally be relatively low since the short
fibers retain their fiber characteristics. In addition, if a
magnetic dipole is used to orient small fibers in the sheath of a
bicomponent filament, the elevated temperature ideally should not
destroy the magnetic properties associated with the material.
[0042] The fiber orientation within the sheath of an extruded
bicomponent filament generally depends on a number of variables,
including the speed of the extruder and the strength of the
magnetic or electrical field used for orientation. As a result, the
hairy filaments may not necessarily be oriented perpendicular to
the main fiber but can instead be at an angle.
[0043] A procedure analogous to that used in the manufacture of
pipe cleaners can also be used to produce textured articles,
particularly for those embodiments in which the substrate includes
filaments. In the manufacture of pipe cleaners, short fibers are
fed in between two metal wires as the wires are twisted together to
form a core. These fibers form the cleaning elements of the pipe
cleaner. The angle and density/packing of the fibers can be
controlled during the process. Additionally, other fibers can be
wrapped around the product after the initial texturizing
process.
Oral Brushes
[0044] Oral brushes include both toothbrushes and interdental
brushes. Toothbrushes generally include a toothbrush body having a
handle portion and a head portion. The head portion includes tufts
of bristles, a membrane folded repeatedly to form a row of fins, or
a combination of the two designs. In the new toothbrushes, short
fibers or texture particles protrude from the some or all of the
bristles or fins.
[0045] Interdental brushes also include a handle portion and a head
portion. The head portion of an interdental brush generally
includes a single rigid shaft of sufficiently small diameter to fit
between the teeth. One embodiment of the present invention is a new
interdental brush having short fibers or texture particles
protruding from the shaft.
[0046] Smaller (i.e., 4-5 mil) filaments are capable of increased
interdental penetration compared to the standard (i.e., 8 mil)
filaments currently used in toothbrushes but their physical
strength is compromised due their smaller diameter. Short fiber
textured toothbrush filaments can enhance interdental penetration
without compromising the structural integrity of the main filament
shaft. In addition, short fiber filaments also result in increased
surface area and a unique surface texture on each filament, which
may enhance plaque removal. The addition of small fibers to the
surface of floss fibers or toothbrush filaments with unique
functionalities can provide an improved therapeutic effect.
Referring to FIG. 1, toothbrush 10 includes a body 12 having a
handle 14 and a head 16, and a bristle portion 18 attached to the
head 16. Short fibers 20 protrude from the bristles 18.
[0047] Body 12 of toothbrush 10 is formed by conventional methods
well-known in the art. The handle is shaped to be grasped by a
hand, but alternatively can be shaped to fit into an electric
toothbrush. The configuration of the head can vary and can be
rectangular, oval, diamond-shaped, or any other shape. The
unsecured ends of the bristles can be trimmed flat, v-shaped,
serrated, convex curved, or any other desired topography. The shape
and size of handle 14 and head 16 can vary and the axis of the
handle and head can be on the same or a different plane. Bristle
portion 18 is formed of one or more tufts of individual bristles
attached to the head in manners known to the art, e.g., stapling or
hot-tufting. The short fibers are attached to the bristles
according to any of the methods described in the preceding section.
The bristles and short fibers can be made from any of the materials
described above as suitable component materials.
[0048] The bristles can have a substantially uniform
cross-sectional dimension ranging from about 0.003" to about 0.15".
These bristles may be cut to a desired length for use in a
toothbrush. The bristles can be in the shape of a cylinder,
although bristles having a variety of shapes (e.g., lobular,
annular, polygonal, square, rectangular, hexagonal, diamond-shaped,
keyhole-shaped, X-shaped, Y-shaped, U-shaped, or star-shaped) and
configurations are also suitable. Sections of the bristle material
can be bent or altered such that some of the individual sections
are not in alignment with each other.
[0049] The toothbrush can include other types of bristles in
combination with the textured bristles, e.g., single and
multicomponent bristles (e.g., bristles formed by coextruding
different polymers), crimped bristles, gum massaging bristles,
bristles of varying configurations (e.g., bristles having multiple
lumens), and combinations thereof. The bristles can also include a
wear indicator, as described, for example, in U.S. Ser. No.
08/753,927, incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0050] The short fiber bristles can be located in some or all of
the perimeter tufts, or can be located in some or all of the
interior tufts. The bristles can also be included in
nonconventional tufts, in which the bristles are not fastened
within a hole in the brush handle.
[0051] The oral brush need not be a manual toothbrush having a
conventional shape, as shown in FIG. 1, but can be any type of
brush designed for brushing teeth that includes a body with
bristles or fins extending therefrom. For example, the toothbrush
can be any type of electric toothbrush, e.g., a toothbrush 50
having a body 52, a neck 54, a drive shaft 56, and a head 58
operably connected to the drive shaft 56, by a drive mechanism 60
(e.g., a pinion gear), as shown in FIG. 2. Head 58 includes a
plurality of bristles 62, each having texture particles 64 on its
surface.
[0052] The oral brush can be in the form of an interdental brush
for brushing the interdental regions of the mouth. Such an oral
brush can include a single notched bristle or a number of notched
bristles arranged in a single tuft, where each bristle includes
short fibers.
Dental Floss
[0053] Dental floss includes any elongated flexible article used to
cleanse the interdental and subgingival regions of the mouth
including, for example, monofilament, multifilament and/or wax
coated dental floss, or dental tape. Dental floss commonly includes
a fiber core made up of one or more continuous filaments (e.g., a
plurality of intertwined or braided filaments).
[0054] Materials suitable for dental floss filaments include
synthetic polymer filaments (e.g., polyamides (e.g., Nylon.TM..TM.
6, Nylon.TM..TM. 612), rayon, polyethylene, fluoropolymers (e.g.,
PVdF, PTFE), PBT, acetal resins, polyester, DACRON.TM. and acetate
polymers, polyacrylates, polysulfones, thermoplastic elastomers,
e.g., Kratons (e.g., styrene-ethylene or styrene-butylene block
copolymers), Pebax.TM. (e.g., polyether-polyamide block
copolymers), thermoplastic urethanes), and mixtures thereof. Such
materials are preferably sufficiently strong to resist shearing or
breakage under standard flossing conditions. The floss can also
include a wear indicator, as described, for example, in U.S. Ser.
No. 08/772,891, incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0055] Short fiber or particle textured flosses can provide
enhanced plaque removal capabilities not possible with conventional
flosses. Furthermore, the surface area of a textured filament or
floss can enhance the ability to deliver flavor and therapeutic
agents and provide a softer, less irritating surface.
[0056] The new articles and methods are further described in the
following examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention
described in the claims.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0057] Pebax.TM. MX2533 resin (Elf Atochem) was placed into a glass
pyrex dish and melted on a hot plate. Small diameter (0.05-0.1 mm)
Nichrome wire (Fisher) was cut into 5-10 mm segments and submerged
directly into the molten Pebax.TM.. Segments cut from commercially
available steel wool were also tested. While the Pebax.TM. was
still molten, a magnet was held above the plastic to determine if
the wire could be pulled from molten Pebax.TM. and whether the
nichrome wire could be oriented perpendicular to the Pebax.TM.. Not
only did the nichrome wire maintain its magnetic properties at
temperatures capable of melting Pebax.TM. but it was possible to
orient and pull the nichrome wire out of the Pebax.TM. producing on
a very large scale a hairy surface concept. Clearly, wire is not
acceptable for the production of toothbrush filaments; another
study was thus carried out by incorporating small (i.e., micron
sized) magnetic iron oxide particles within or on small fibers.
Example 2
[0058] Various types of core fibers were tested, using an acid melt
procedure to attach the short fibers to the core fibers. In this
procedure, both the core fibers and the short fibers were etched or
softened, and then the short fibers were shot into the etched or
softened core fibers (i.e., electrostatic application). Subsequent
dilution of the acid produced a permanent bond. The tested core
fibers included:
[0059] Nylon.TM. 6-12 8-mil
[0060] C-Flex (30 shore A) 90-mil
[0061] Nylon.TM. 6-6 (20 WPI crimp) 22-mil
[0062] Nylon.TM. (X-shaped) 16-mil
[0063] Amodel (PMX 93084) 65-mil
[0064] Each core fiber was treated with 88% formic acid for 15, 30,
45, or 60 seconds to soften the surface. Short Nylon.TM. fibers
0.05", 1.8 denier (Claremont Flock, Claremont, N.H.) were
electrostatically applied to the surface of the core fibers as
described above, using a Dekkor B (Creative Coatings Corp. Nashua,
N.H.) hand-held electrostatic flocking unit. After 1 minute the
textured fibers were washed in deionized water.
[0065] In addition to texturizing fibers, sheets of various types
of plastic were tested using the acid softening procedures outlined
above. Pebax.TM. sheets were acid softened and successfully
texturized with Nylon.TM. fibers 0.05" to 0.15" in length.
Other Embodiments
[0066] It is to be understood that while the invention has been
described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the
foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the
scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the
appended claims. The materials, methods, and examples described
herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Other
aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *