Interdental Brush

Abstract

An interdental brush includes a handle, an elongate bar mounted on a first end of the handle and having a surface provided with a plurality of bristles and a pointed shank mounted on a second end of the handle and having a surface provided with a plurality of serrated portions. Each of the bristles is provided with at least one intersection which divides each of the bristles to form a protrusion. The intersection of each of the bristles can expand a clearing extent during a reciprocal movement of the elongate bar to catch and carry away residuals left in a gap between a user's any two teeth exactly and completely.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a brush for dental care and, more particularly, to an interdental brush to clearing food dregs between a user's teeth.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A conventional interdental brush 30 in accordance with the prior art shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 comprises a handle 35, an elongate bar 31 mounted on a first end of the handle 35 and having a surface provided with a plurality of bristles 32 and a pointed shank 33 mounted on a second end of the handle 35 and having a surface provided with a plurality of serrated portions 34. When the elongate bar 31 is inserted into a gap between any two teeth of a user, the bristles 32 can be moved in the gap reciprocally to clear the gap so as to clean the user's teeth. However, the bristles 32 cannot exactly catch and carry away the residuals left in the gap between the user's teeth during the reciprocal movement of the elongate bar 31, thereby decreasing the cleaning effect.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an interdental brush, comprising a handle and an elongate bar mounted on a first end of the handle and having a surface provided with a plurality of bristles. Each of the bristles is provided with at least one intersection which divides each of the bristles to form a protrusion. The intersection of each of the bristles can expand a clearing extent during a reciprocal movement of the elongate bar to catch and carry away residuals left in a gap between a user's any two teeth exactly and completely.

[0006] Preferably, the interdental brush is integrally formed by a soft plastic material.

[0007] Preferably, the interdental brush further comprises a pointed shank mounted on a second end of the handle. The pointed shank has a reduced size and has a surface provided with a plurality of serrated portions.

[0008] Preferably, the bristles have different lengths, and the lengths of the bristles are reduced gradually from a middle position of the elongate bar toward two opposite ends of the elongate bar.

[0009] Preferably, the elongate bar has a free end provided with a circular head.

[0010] Preferably, the intersection of each of the bristles is perpendicular to each of the bristles.

[0011] Preferably, the intersection of each of the bristles has a substantially V-shaped profile and has two opposite sides each inclined relative to each of the bristles.

[0012] Preferably, the elongate bar has a peripheral wall provided with a plurality of flanges.

[0013] Preferably, the at least one intersection of each of the bristles is located at a free end of each of the bristles, and the at least one intersection of each of the bristles protrudes outwardly from two opposite sides of the free end of each of the bristles.

[0014] Preferably, each of the bristles is provided with a plurality of intersections which are arranged in a staggered manner.

[0015] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an interdental brush having an enhance cleaning effect.

[0016] According to the primary objective of the present invention, the intersection of each of the bristles can catch and carry away the residuals left in the gap between the user's any two teeth during the reciprocal movement of the elongate bar so as to clean the user's teeth exactly and completely.

[0017] According to another objective of the present invention, the circular head of the elongate bar and the protrusion and each of the bristles can guide movement of the elongate bar smoothly to prevent the elongate bar and the bristles from injuring the user's teeth during the clearing process.

[0018] According to a further objective of the present invention, the flanges can also scrape and carry away the residuals left in the gap so as to clean the roots of the user's teeth exactly.

[0019] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interdental brush in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a front view of the interdental brush as shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a locally enlarged view of the interdental brush as shown in FIG. 2.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic operational view of the interdental brush as shown in FIG. 2 in use.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a front view of an interdental brush in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a locally enlarged view of the interdental brush as shown in FIG. 5.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a locally enlarged front view of an interdental brush in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conventional interdental brush in accordance with the prior art.

[0028] FIG. 9 is a front view of the conventional interdental brush as shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-3, an interdental brush 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a handle 11, an elongate bar 14 mounted on a first end of the handle 11 and a pointed shank 12 mounted on a second end of the handle 11. The interdental brush 10 is integrally formed by a soft plastic material. The pointed shank 12 has a reduced size and has a surface provided with a plurality of serrated portions 13. The elongate bar 14 has a free end provided with a circular head 140. The elongate bar 14 has a peripheral wall provided with a plurality of flanges 18 each having an annular shape.

[0030] The elongate bar 14 has a surface provided with a plurality of bristles 15. The bristles 15 are parallel with each other and are perpendicular to the elongate bar 14. The bristles 15 are arranged in pairs and each pair of bristles 15 extend outwardly from two opposite sides of the elongate bar 14. The bristles 15 have different lengths, and the lengths of the bristles 15 are reduced gradually from a middle position of the elongate bar 14 toward two opposite ends of the elongate bar 14. Each of the bristles 15 has a free end provided with an intersection 16 which divides the free end of each of the bristles 15 to form a protrusion 17 which protrudes outwardly from the intersection 16. The intersection 16 of each of the bristles 15 is located between the protrusion 17 and each of the bristles 15. Preferably, the intersection 16 of each of the bristles 15 is perpendicular to each of the bristles 15, and the protrusion 17 of each of the bristles 15 is perpendicular to the intersection 16 and is in line with each of the bristles 15.

[0031] In use, referring to FIG. 4 with reference to FIGS. 1-3, when the elongate bar 14 is inserted into a gap 20 between any two teeth 22 of a user, the bristles 15 can be moved in the gap 20 reciprocally to clean the gap 20 between the user's teeth. At this time, the intersection 16 of each of the bristles 15 can expand the clearing extent during the reciprocal movement of the elongate bar 14 to catch and carry away residuals, such as food dregs, particles and the like, left in the gap 20 so as to clean the user's teeth exactly and completely. In addition, the circular head 140 of the elongate bar 14 and the protrusion 17 and each of the bristles 15 can guide movement of the elongate bar 14 smoothly to prevent the elongate bar 14 and the bristles 15 from injuring the user's teeth during the clearing process. In addition, the flanges 18 can also scrape and carry away the residuals left in the gap 20 so as to clean the roots of the user's teeth exactly. Alternatively, when the pointed shank 12 is inserted into the gap 20, the serrated portions 13 can be moved in the gap 20 reciprocally to clean the gap 20 between the user's teeth.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the intersection 16a of each of the bristles 15 has a substantially V-shaped profile and has two opposite sides each inclined relative to each of the bristles 15 and the protrusion 17.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 7, each of the bristles 15 is provided with a plurality of intersections 16 which are arranged in a staggered manner to enhance the cleaning effect and to expand the clearing extent.

[0034] Accordingly, the intersection 16 of each of the bristles 15 can catch and carry away the residuals left in the gap 20 between the user's any two teeth 22 during the reciprocal movement of the elongate bar 14 so as to clean the user's teeth exactly and completely. In addition, the circular head 140 of the elongate bar 14 and the protrusion 17 and each of the bristles 15 can guide movement of the elongate bar 14 smoothly to prevent the elongate bar 14 and the bristles 15 from injuring the user's teeth during the clearing process. Further, the flanges 18 can also scrape and carry away the residuals left in the gap 20 so as to clean the roots of the user's teeth exactly.

[0035] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An interdental brush, comprising: a handle; an elongate bar mounted on a first end of the handle and having a surface provided with a plurality of bristles; wherein each of the bristles is provided with at least one intersection which divides each of the bristles to form a protrusion; the intersection of each of the bristles can expand a clearing extent during a reciprocal movement of the elongate bar to catch and carry away residuals left in a gap between a user's any two teeth exactly and completely.

2. The interdental brush of claim 1, wherein the interdental brush is integrally formed by a soft plastic material.

3. The interdental brush of claim 1, further comprising: a pointed shank mounted on a second end of the handle; wherein the pointed shank has a reduced size and has a surface provided with a plurality of serrated portions.

4. The interdental brush of claim 1, wherein the bristles have different lengths; the lengths of the bristles are reduced gradually from a middle position of the elongate bar toward two opposite ends of the elongate bar.

5. The interdental brush of claim 1, wherein the elongate bar has a free end provided with a circular head.

6. The interdental brush of claim 1, wherein the intersection of each of the bristles is perpendicular to each of the bristles.

7. The interdental brush of claim 1, wherein the intersection of each of the bristles has a substantially V-shaped profile and has two opposite sides each inclined relative to each of the bristles.

8. The interdental brush of claim 1, wherein the elongate bar has a peripheral wall provided with a plurality of flanges.

9. The interdental brush of claim 1, wherein the at least one intersection of each of the bristles is located at a free end of each of the bristles; the at least one intersection of each of the bristles protrudes outwardly from two opposite sides of the free end of each of the bristles.

10. The interdental brush of claim 1, wherein each of the bristles is provided with a plurality of intersections which are arranged in a staggered manner.