EP 1519664 A1 20050406 - WEAR-INDICATING FILAMENT
Title (en)
WEAR-INDICATING FILAMENT
Title (de)
VERSCHLEISSANZEIGEFASER
Title (fr)
FILAMENT INDICATEUR D'USURE
Publication
Application
Priority
- EP 03735878 A 20030604
- EP 02077584 A 20020627
- IB 0302484 W 20030604
Abstract (en)
[origin: WO2004002267A1] The invention relates to a wear-indicating filament for use in a brush, comprising a central axis, a core extendingalong the central axis, said core being covered by a layer having a pre-determined resistance to wear, said layer wearing away over a pre-determined period of use dependent on its resistance to wear and exposing at least a partof the core after said period. The layer comprises a material which absorbs relatively little water and the core comprises, seen in a cross-section, at least two segments in an asymmetrical arrangement along the central axis of the filament, which segments have a mutually different absorption of water and show a difference in expansion when the layer has worn away and the core is exposed to water. When the at least two segments of the cross-section of the filament become exposed to water, the segments show a difference in absorption of water and a difference in expansion resulting from this absorption. The difference in expansion causes the filament to bend, which will be noticed by the user visually and during use of the brush on the teeth. This provides a clear indication that the brush should be replaced, because the bent filaments give a warning to the user in a visual manner and in a tactile manner.
IPC 1-7
IPC 8 full level
A46B 15/00 (2006.01); A46D 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC (source: EP US)
A46B 15/0002 (2013.01 - EP US); A46B 15/001 (2013.01 - EP US); A46D 1/00 (2013.01 - EP US); A46B 2200/1066 (2013.01 - EP US)
Citation (search report)
See references of WO 2004002267A1
Designated contracting state (EPC)
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR
DOCDB simple family (publication)
WO 2004002267 A1 20040108; AU 2003236962 A1 20040119; CN 1665427 A 20050907; EP 1519664 A1 20050406; JP 2005530577 A 20051013; US 2005204500 A1 20050922
DOCDB simple family (application)
IB 0302484 W 20030604; AU 2003236962 A 20030604; CN 03815192 A 20030604; EP 03735878 A 20030604; JP 2004517052 A 20030604; US 51883804 A 20041221