EP1958534A1 - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

The toothbrush (10) has a neck region (12) connected with a grip region and carrying a head region (14) opposite to the grip region. The head region has a bristle supporting element (22) for receiving bristles bunched out from a top supporting element opening to an upper side (28). The supporting element is elastically moved opposite to the neck region. The supporting element is elastically connected with the neck region via a foil-type hard film (24). The hard film externally extends around the top supporting element opening, in a flush fashion. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a toothbrush.

Description

The present invention relates to a toothbrush according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for the production thereof according to claim 27.

Toothbrushes are well-known instruments in oral hygiene for the cleaning and care of teeth and other surfaces of the oral cavity. For example, a toothbrush is in the FR 2652245 disclosed. This toothbrush has in its head region for receiving bristles certain bristle carrier elements, which are connected to each other on a bristle-occupied upper side of each other adjacent sections. The connection of the individual bristle carrier elements in the toothbrush head region leads to the formation of a straight line over the entire width of its head region extending bending line around which the bristle carrier elements can be angled elastically.

Another toothbrush is in the DE-U-200 13 862 described. In this case, bristles of the toothbrush are fixed in blind hole-like recesses of a head body. The head body itself is completely encapsulated on a bristle-remote underside with an elastic material as a support body.

A brush, in which bristles combined into bristle bundles are elastically bendable or deflectable relative to one another, is in the US 3,000,030 described. The rectilinear along a series of bristle bundles arranged one behind the other form comb-like brush segments, which are connected to one another via elastic webs. Due to the elastic webs, it is possible to bend the brush segments elastically against each other.

Another toothbrush, for example, is in the. EP-B-0 857 026 disclosed. The head of the toothbrush forms a bristle carrier for receiving bristles which are likewise combined into bristle bundles. The attachment-side ends of the bristle bundles have head-like thickenings, which are obtained by melting the bristle ends. With these head-like thickenings, the fixed ends of the bristle bundles sit in elastic bearings, which are mounted in holes of a perforated plate and project beyond the back. By means of a rotary knob, a positioning plate arranged behind the elastic bearings can be changed in their position, so that, depending on their adjusted position, an elastic deflection of the elastic bearings is more or less restricted.

Object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush with a head portion that can adapt to specific surface shapes in the oral cavity, different cleaning positions of the toothbrush and different force effects of a user on the toothbrush and at the same time allows a particularly cost-effective production of the toothbrush.

This object is achieved by a toothbrush according to claim 1 and a manufacturing method for this toothbrush according to claim 27. Particularly preferred embodiments are equipped with the features listed in the dependent claims.

The toothbrush according to the invention has a grip area and a neck area adjoining the grip area, which area has a head area opposite the grip area. At least one bristle carrier element is arranged in the head region, to which bristles or bristles combined into bristle bundles are fastened. In this case, the bristles or bristle bundles emerge from at least one upper carrier element opening on the upper side of the bristle carrier element.

According to the invention, the bristle carrier element is elastically connected to the neck region by means of a film-like hard film made of a hard material and is thus deflectable elastically with respect to the latter. The film-like hard film extends at least partially flush outside around the upper carrier element opening. As a result of this elastic integration of the bristle carrier element in the head region, it is attached in almost any direction in an angled manner or rotatable about at least almost every axis.

Of course, it is possible to arrange a plurality of support elements on the film-like hard film in the head area elastically. Preferably, the film-like hard film is provided with a very small thickness, in particular a thickness which is much smaller than a length and also substantially smaller than the wall thickness of the bristle carrier element. In this way it is achieved, on the one hand, that the bristle carrier elements have sufficient rigidity and toughness for a bristle anchorage and, on the other hand, that the bristle carrier elements can be moved elastically against one another.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bristle carrier element and the film-type hard film are composed of a and the same hard material produced in one operation from the same injection point. Moreover, it is particularly advantageous if the film-like hard film is coated on its upper side with a layer of a soft material. Thereby, the elasticity properties of the film-like hard film can be improved, and the risk of locally weakening the film-like hard film along a bending line even after a large number of bends of the bristle-bearing members is greatly reduced. Preferably, the layer of soft material after the formation of the film-like hard film and the bristle carrier elements is applied by injection molding.

When producing the toothbrush according to the invention in an injection molding process, a very high injection pressure of more than 800 bar, preferably between 1000 and 1500 bar, is used in order to ensure a complete and correct formation of the film-like hard film and the bristle carrier elements. Normally polypropylene for toothbrushes with corresponding cross sections is processed with an injection pressure of 500 bar to 750 bar. The relatively high injection pressure is also significantly responsible for the fact that the film-like hard film with the desired specific film-like properties or dimensions and with respect to the hard film rather bulky bristle support elements and possibly other areas of the toothbrush handle can be formed in one operation with the same processing parameters. By using the preferred injection molding process and the relatively simple construction of the head area, the production process for producing the toothbrush can be largely automated and with relatively little Production costs associated, although very specific parameters or machine settings are necessary.

Of course, the inventive design of the head portion with bristle-bearing elements and a film-like hard film of toothbrushes on electric toothbrushes, for example, with oscillating, pivoting or vibrating heads, on mascara brushes, nail polish brushes, hair brushes and other brushes of personal care transferable. It is also possible to use it with household brushes, for example with dishwashing brushes, wiper sets, shoe brushes, scrubbers, brooms or barbecue brushes.

Fig. 1

in perspektivischer Ansicht einen Abschnitt der Unterseite einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste mit einer Mehrzahl von in einem Kopfbereich angeordneten Borstentragelementen, die über einen folienartigen Hartfilm mit einem Halsbereich der Zahnbürste verbunden sind; die von den Borstentragelementen aufzunehmenden Borsten sind nicht gezeigt;

Fig. 2

in einer Draufsicht die Unterseite des Kopfbereichs der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Zahnbürste;

Fig. 3

in einer Draufsicht die Oberseite des in Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 gezeigten Kopfbereichs der Zahnbürste ohne Darstellung der Borsten;

Fig. 4

in einer Seitenansicht den Kopfbereich der in Fig. 1 - Fig. 3 gezeigten Zahnbürste ohne Darstellung der Borsten;

Fig. 5

in einer Schnittdarstellung den in Fig. 1 - Fig. 4 gezeigten Kopfbereich einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste ohne Darstellung der Borsten;

Fig. 6

in einer vergrösserten Schnittdarstellung einen Abschnitt des in Fig. 1 - Fig. 5 gezeigten Kopfbereiches einer Zahnbürste ohne Darstellung der Borsten;

Fig. 7

in einer Seitenansicht den in Fig. 1 - Fig. 6 gezeigten Kopfbereich einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste ohne Darstellung der Borsten bei einer maximalen Abwinklung aufgrund einer auf den freien Endbereich des Kopfbereichs in Richtung der Unterseite der Zahnbürste wirkenden Kraft;

Fig. 8

in einer Seitenansicht der in Fig. 1 - Fig. 7 gezeigte Kopfbereich einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste ohne Darstellung der Borsten bei seiner Ausrichtung in einem nicht dargestellten Spritzgusswerkzeug;

Fig. 9

in einer Seitenansicht der in Fig. 1 - Fig. 8 gezeigte Kopfbereich einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste ohne Darstellung der Borsten in seinem dem Spritzgusswerkzeug entnommenen erstarrten und unbelastenden Zustand;

Fig. 10

in einer Draufsicht auf die Unterseite der Kopfbereich einer weiteren Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste;

Fig. 11

in einer Draufsicht auf die Oberseite des in Fig. 10 gezeigten Kopfbereichs einer Zahnbürste ohne Darstellung der Borsten;

Fig. 12

in einer Draufsicht die Unterseite des Kopfbereichs einer weiteren Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste;

Fig. 13

in einer Draufsicht die Oberseite des in Fig. 12 gezeigten Kopfbereichs der Zahnbürste ohne Darstellung der Borsten;

Fig. 14

in einer Schnittdarstellung ein Ausschnitt durch ein Borstentragelement und dem umgebenden folienartigen Hartfilm einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste, wobei das aus einem Hartmaterial bestehende Borstentragelement und der folienartige Hartfilm auf der Oberseite mit einer Schicht aus einem Weichmaterial überdeckt und zu einem Borstenbündel zusammengefasste Borsten schräg zu einer Längsachse des Borstentragelements ausgerichtet sind;

Fig. 15 - Fig. 26

in Draufsicht die Unterseiten des Kopfbereichs weiterer besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsformen erfindungsgemässer Zahnbürsten, wobei an der Oberseite befindliche obere Tragelementöffnungen, aus welchen die Borsten hervortreten, gestrichelt eingezeichnet sind;

Fig. 27 - Fig. 30

in Schnittdarstellungen Ausschnitte von Kopfbereichen verschiedener Ausführungsformen erfindungsgemässer Zahnbürsten, bei denen auf der Oberseite des aus Hartmaterial hergestellten Borstentragelements und des folienartigen Hartfilms eine Schicht aus Weichmaterial aufgebracht ist;

Fig. 31

in einer Schnittdarstellung ein hülsenartiges Borstentragelement sowie Bereiche des umgebenden folienartigen Hartfilms mit einer auf der Oberseite aufgebrachten Schicht aus einem Weichmaterial vor einem Beborstungsprozess;

Fig. 32

in einer Schnittdarstellung der in Fig. 31 gezeigte Ausschnitt eines Kopfbereichs mit einem hülsenartigen Borstentragelement nach dem Beborstungsprozess, wobei die Borsten borstentragelementseitig in ihrem freien Endbereich miteinander und dem unterseitigen Endbereich des Borstentragelements verschmolzen sind;

Fig. 33

in einer Draufsicht die Oberseite des Kopfbereichs einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste, bei welcher Borsten zu Borstenbündel mit länglich ovalen bzw. 1-förmigen Querschnitten zusammengefasst sind;

Fig. 34

in einer Draufsicht die Unterseite des in Fig. 33 gezeigten Kopfbereiches;

Fig. 35

in einer Draufsicht die Unterseite des Kopfbereichs einer weiteren Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste mit Borstenbündeln, die kreisförmige oder längliche bzw. 1-förmige Querschnitte aufweisen;

Fig. 36

in einer Draufsicht die Oberseite des in Fig. 35 gezeigten Kopfbereichs;

Fig. 37

in einer Draufsicht die Oberseite des Kopfbereichs einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste, die als eine Elektrozahnbürste mit einer einen oszillierenden Bürstenkopf aufweisende Aufsteckbürste ausgebildet ist, wobei die radial äusseren Borstentragelemente über einen folienartigen Hartfilm elastisch gegen einen Zentralbereich des Bürstenkopfes abwinkelbar oder auslenkbar sind;

Fig. 38

in einer teilweise angeschnittenen Seitenansicht der Halsbereich und der in Fig. 37 gezeigte Kopfbereich der Aufsteckbürste;

Fig. 39

in einer perspektivischen Darstellung die Unterseite des Kopfbereichs und des angrenzenden Halsbereichs einer ebenfalls als Elektrozahnbürste ausgebildeten erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste mit einer exzentrisch geformten Antriebsachse, die auf die Unterseite eines an einem Kopfelement angeordneten Borstentragelements wirkt;

Fig. 40

in einer Seitenansicht der in Fig. 39 gezeigte Kopfbereich aufweisend einen das Kopfelement tragenden Kopfträger;

Fig. 41

in einer perspektivischen Schnittdarstellung der in Fig. 39 und Fig. 40 gezeigte Kopfbereich;

Fig. 42

in einer perspektivischen Darstellung die Unterseite des Kopfelements mit einer an der Unterseite eines Borstentragelements angeformten Exenteraufnahme;

Fig. 43

in einer perspektivischen Darstellung der Kopfträger und das in Fig. 42 bereits gezeigte Kopfelement;

Fig. 44

in einer Seitenansicht der Kopfbereich einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste ohne Darstellung der Borsten, bei welcher einer Materialbrücke die Unterseite des Kopfbereichs überspannt; und

Fig. 45

in einer Draufsicht die Unterseite des Kopfbereichs der in Fig. 44. gezeigten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste.

Hereinafter, with reference to a drawing, particularly preferred embodiments of the toothbrush according to the invention will be described in detail. It shows purely schematically in detail:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a portion of the underside of a toothbrush according to the invention with a plurality of disposed in a head portion bristle support members which are connected via a film-like hard film with a neck portion of the toothbrush; the bristles to be picked up by the bristle carrier elements are not shown;

Fig. 2

in a plan view the underside of the head portion of in Fig. 1 shown toothbrush;

Fig. 3

in a top view the top of the in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown head portion of the toothbrush without representation of the bristles;

Fig. 4

in a side view the head area of in Fig. 1 - Fig. 3 shown toothbrush without representation of the bristles;

Fig. 5

in a sectional view the in Fig. 1 - Fig. 4 shown head portion of a toothbrush according to the invention without representation of the bristles;

Fig. 6

in an enlarged sectional view a section of the in Fig. 1 - Fig. 5 shown head portion of a toothbrush without showing the bristles;

Fig. 7

in a side view the in Fig. 1 - Fig. 6 shown head portion of a toothbrush according to the invention without representation of the bristles at a maximum bend due to a force acting on the free end portion of the head portion in the direction of the underside of the toothbrush force;

Fig. 8

in a side view the in Fig. 1 - Fig. 7 shown head portion of a toothbrush according to the invention without representation of the bristles in its orientation in an injection molding tool, not shown;

Fig. 9

in a side view the in Fig. 1 - Fig. 8 shown head portion of a toothbrush according to the invention without showing the bristles in its solidified and unloaded state taken from the injection mold;

Fig. 10

in a plan view of the bottom of the head portion of another embodiment of the toothbrush according to the invention;

Fig. 11

in a top view on the top of the in Fig. 10 shown head portion of a toothbrush without showing the bristles;

Fig. 12

in a plan view, the underside of the head portion of another embodiment of the toothbrush according to the invention;

Fig. 13

in a top view the top of the in Fig. 12 shown head portion of the toothbrush without representation of the bristles;

Fig. 14

in a sectional view a section through a bristle carrier element and the surrounding film-like hard film of a toothbrush according to the invention, wherein the bristle carrier element consisting of a hard material and the film-like hard film on the top covered with a layer of a soft material and bristles combined into a bristle bundle obliquely to a longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier element are aligned;

FIGS. 15-26

in plan view, the lower sides of the head portion of further particularly preferred embodiments according to the invention toothbrushes, wherein located at the top upper support element openings, from which the Emerge bristles, dashed lines are shown;

Fig. 27 - Fig. 30

Sectional views of portions of head portions of various embodiments of toothbrushes according to the invention, in which a layer of soft material is applied on top of the bristle carrier element made of hard material and the film-like hard film;

Fig. 31

in a sectional view, a sleeve-like bristle carrier member and portions of the surrounding film-like hard film with a layer applied to the top of a layer of a soft material before a Beborstungsprozess;

Fig. 32

in a sectional view of in Fig. 31 shown section of a head portion with a sleeve-like bristle carrier element after the bristle process, the bristles bristle carrier element side are fused together in their free end with each other and the lower end portion of the bristle carrier member;

Fig. 33

in a plan view, the top of the head portion of another embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention, in which bristles are combined into bristle bundles with elongated oval or 1-shaped cross sections;

Fig. 34

in a top view the bottom of the in Fig. 33 shown head area;

Fig. 35

in a plan view, the underside of the head portion of another embodiment of the toothbrush according to the invention with bristle bundles, which have circular or elongated or 1-shaped cross-sections;

Fig. 36

in a top view the top of the in Fig. 35 shown head area;

Fig. 37

in a plan view, the top of the head portion of a toothbrush according to the invention, which is designed as an electric toothbrush with a brush head having an oscillating brush head, the radially outer bristle carrier elements via a foil-like hard film are elastically bendable or deflectable against a central region of the brush head;

Fig. 38

in a partially sectioned side view of the neck area and the in Fig. 37 shown head portion of the brush attachment;

Fig. 39

in a perspective view of the underside of the head portion and the adjacent neck portion of a likewise designed as an electric toothbrush toothbrush according to the invention with an eccentrically shaped drive shaft, which on the Bottom of a arranged on a head element bristle support member acts;

Fig. 40

in a side view the in Fig. 39 shown head portion comprising a head carrier carrying the head element;

Fig. 41

in a perspective sectional view of the in FIGS. 39 and 40 shown head area;

Fig. 42

in a perspective view of the underside of the head element with an integrally formed on the underside of a bristle carrier element Exenteraufnahme;

Fig. 43

in a perspective view of the head carrier and the in Fig. 42 already shown head element;

Fig. 44

in a side view of the head region of another embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention without representation of the bristles, in which a material bridge spans the underside of the head region; and

Fig. 45

in a plan view the underside of the head portion of in Fig. 44 , shown embodiment of the inventive toothbrush.

In Fig. 1 a section of a particularly preferred embodiment of the toothbrush 10 according to the invention is shown. This portion includes a portion of a neck portion 12 that carries a head portion 14. To the Neck region 12 closes opposite the head region 14 in FIG Fig. 1 Not shown grip area.

The toothbrush 10 according to the invention has an overall length of up to 220 mm, preferably between 120 mm-140 mm or 190 mm and 200 mm. The length of the handle portion of the toothbrush 10 is between 45% and 65% of their total length. The remaining length is divided between the neck region 12 and the head region 14. The length of the head region is 10 mm to 35 mm, preferably 15 mm to 24 mm or 26 mm to 30 mm. The width of the head area measures 8 mm to 20 mm, preferably 10 mm to 16 mm.

The head portion 14 carries - for example in Fig. 14 and Fig. 32 In addition, the head portion 14 can also be used with cleaning or massage elements, as in Fig. 27 - Fig. 30 shown to be equipped.

The grip area, the neck area 12 and the head area 14 are predominantly made of a hard material H, in particular a hard plastic. As hard material H, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET), polycyclohexanediamine terephthalate (PCT / PCT-A (acid-modified) / PCT-G (glycol-modified)), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), Acrylbuthadienstyrol (ABS), polyoxymethylene (POM) or polyamide (PA), etc., preferably polypropylene (PP) used. The modulus of elasticity of the preferably used polypropylene (PP) is 1000 N / mm ² to 2400 N / mm ² , preferably 1300 N / mm ² to 1800 N / mm ² , particularly preferably 1450 N / mm ² to 1650 N / mm ² , in particular 1500 N / mm ² . to Formation of a hard film described below and bristle carrying elements described below, preferably a hard material is used, which does not tend to brittle fractures under load. For this reason, the styrenic hard materials PS, SAN and ABS are less preferred than PP, PE, PA, PET or PCT / PCTA / PCTG.

As soft materials W, as for example for soft-elastic layers or in Fig. 26 - 30 shown cleaning or massage elements 18 is used, is a soft plastic, for example, low density polyethylenes (PE-LD), high density polyethylenes (PE-HD), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PUR) and preferably a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is used. Also possible is the use of polyolefin-based elastomer. The Shore A hardness of the soft material W is below 90, preferably below 70. Since the soft material W in the head region 14 also applied in a thin layer on the hard material H and due to the constant alternating loads in the head region 14, is an excellent connection between soft and Hard material indispensable. This is achieved by choosing a soft material W which is compatible with the hard material H and which connects to the hard material H in the boundary layer during a multi-component injection molding process.

In the perspective view of Fig. 1 On a lower side 20 of the head region 14 of a particularly preferred embodiment of the toothbrush 10 according to the invention, a number of cup-shaped bristle carrier elements 22 are visible. These bristle support members 22 made of a hard material H are via a film-like hard film 24, also made of a hard material H, with each other and with the neck region 12 elastically deflectable or, connected bendable. The bristle carrier elements 22 are intended, for example, in FIG Fig. 14 and 27 - 30 shown bristles 16, which emerge from an upper support member opening 26 of the bristle carrier element 22 to a top 28 of the toothbrush 10.

As in the plan view of the top 28 of the head portion 14 in FIG Fig. 3 Visible, the bristle carrier elements 22 may be provided on the upper side 28 with a, for example, circular support element opening 26 or with a plurality of upper support element openings 26. So is at the in Fig. 1 - Fig. 3 , By way of example, a bristle carrier element 22 arranged in the outermost longitudinal end region of the head region 14 is provided with 5 upper carrier element openings. As in Fig. 3 Also visible, 14 conventional bristle holes 30 may also be formed in the rigid neck-side portion of the head portion.

In Fig. 4 and in particular in the sectional view of Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 the details of the bristle carrier elements 22 can be seen. The bristle carrier elements 22 with a single upper support element opening 26 have an outer rounded element body 32 with an elliptical cross section and a beveled end cap 34. While the element body 32 with its inner recess in the form of a blind hole 36 mainly serves to receive bristles 16, the outer surface of the end cap 34 offers the possibility of further functions, for example by forming scraper edges or scraper naps or roughening the function of To provide tongue cleanser or for palate massage. It is also possible to cover the end cap 34 at its free end with soft material W at least partially and to assume the previously described functions. Alternatively, the element body 32 may also be formed in the shape of a circular cylinder, a truncated cone, other rotationally symmetric shapes, as a cuboid with rounded corners or a truncated pyramid. The end cap 34 may be formed as a cone, a blunt cone, a hemisphere or an edged end portion. As related to FIGS. 31 and 32 will be described in detail later, it is also possible to form the bristle carrier sleeve-like, ie without end cap 34.

The general form of bristle carrier elements 22 and the end caps 34, in addition to functional aspects of the outer surfaces of the blind hole geometry for optimum recording and anchoring of the bristles 16 and design aspects, determined by the manufacturing process (injection molding). The filling by means of injection molding with liquid plastic and demoulding the geometries from an injection mold specifies various likewise geometric boundary conditions.

The bristle support members 22 having a single upper support member opening 26 which are preferably bristled with conventional plugging technology have a thickness - measured from the top 28 to the bottom 20 from the point of attachment of the bristle support member 22 to the hard film 24 to the free end of the bristle support member 22 - from 2mm to 5 mm, preferably from 3.8 mm to 4.5 mm. The thickness can vary over the head region 14. The cross section of these bristle carrier elements 22 is - measured in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 10 - 2.5 mm to 4 mm, preferably 2 mm to 3.5 mm. The cross section measured in the transverse direction of the toothbrush 10 is between 2 mm and 3.5 mm, preferably 2.5 mm to 3 mm. The cross-sectional data can vary over the entire head region 14. The wall thickness of the bristle carrier element 22 is at least 1 to 2 times, at most 4 to 8 times, preferably about 1 to 3 times the thickness of the film-like hard film 24.

The diameter of the blind hole 36, in which, preferably using conventional punching technology by means of anchor plates, the bristles 16 are fixed, is between 1.4 mm and 1.8 mm, preferably 1.6 mm. Of course, the considerations regarding bristle receiving holes generally apply not only to the blind holes 36 preferred in connection with conventional stuffing technology but also analogously to those associated with Fig. 31 and Fig. 32 Through holes 48 described below, which are preferably used in alternative Beborstungsverfahren, such as IMT (In Mold Tufting) or AFT (Anchor Free Tufting) method. The hole diameter of the blind holes 36 within the bristle field may vary. In this case, bristle carrier elements 22 with individual blind holes 36 preferably have smaller hole diameters than bristle carrier elements 22 with a plurality of blind holes 36.

The depth of the blind hole 36 measures 2 mm to 4.5 mm, preferably 3 mm to 3.7 mm. These sizes can vary over the head area 14. The blind holes 36 may, in addition to a preferred circular formation also have an elliptical, n-shaped crescent-shaped, asymmetric or a free shape in cross section. The Forming the cross section of the blind holes 36 in n-square, sickle-shaped, asymmetric or in free form are preferably used exclusively when using the newer AFT (Anchor Free Tufting) and IMT (In Mold Tufting) methods.

The wall thickness, measured between the blind hole 36 and the outer surface of the element body 32, is between 0.3 and 0.9 mm, preferably between 0.4 and 0.8 mm. The hole axis of the blind holes 36 preferably runs parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the element body 32. As a result, the bristles 16 inserted in the blind hole 36 are aligned at least nearly parallel to this longitudinal central axis and thus project at least approximately at right angles from the upper side 28 of the head region 14. As related to Fig. 14 described later, however, inclined orientations are also possible.

As already mentioned above, the bristle carrier elements 22 can also be equipped with a plurality of upper carrier element openings 26. In terms of production, such bristle carrier elements 22 can be formed, for example, by a significantly reinforced connecting layer between bristle carrier elements 22 with a single upper carrier element opening 26 by a layer thickness greater than 0.5 mm. The connecting layer is thus substantially thicker than the film-like hard film 24. The connection layer between the bristle carrier elements 22 which is significantly reinforced in this case has the effect that no or only insignificant flexible deflection is possible between the bristle carrier elements 22.

In the in the FIGS. 1 to 5 shown bristle carrier element 22 arranged with 5 upper support element openings 26 along this longitudinal end area, this connection layer is filled, for example, flush with the outer ends of the end cap 34. The arrangement of the bristle carrier elements 22 with a plurality of upper carrier element openings 26 can take place on any positions in the bristle field. It is also possible for a plurality of such elements, of the same or different type, to be present in the bristle field symmetrically or asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush 10. In this way, different cleaning and flexibility zones can be formed in the bristle field.

Due to the spacing of the bristle carrier elements 22 from each other and with respect to the neck region 12 through the film-like hard film 24 or the preferably completely free position of the bristle carrier elements 22 on the bottom 20 of the film-like hard film 24 to the free ends of the bristle carrier elements 22, is on the bottom 20 of the Head region 14 formed a labyrinth-like channel structure. The individual bristle carrier elements 22 are preferably offset from each other so that, in the longitudinal and in the transverse direction, no continuous straight bending line in the film-like hard film 24 can form. Rather, the arrangement is preferably selected such that the bending lines occurring in the case of an angling of the bristle carrier elements 22 are angled or branched in the outer edge regions of the head region 14. As a result, the head region 14 is given additional stability. In addition, liquids are effectively removed via the labyrinth-like channel structure and a cleaning of the underside 20 of the head region 14 is supported.

In order to prevent an overstretching of the film-like hard film 24 when bending or torsion of one or more bristle carrier elements 22, the bristle carrier elements 22 are designed on the underside 20 of the head region 14 in their outer shape and arrangement so that their free mobility is correspondingly limited. In particular, a maximum deflection angle is defined by the thickness of the bristle carrier elements 22 - measured between the upper side 28 and the underside 20 - and their arrangement and spacing from one another. This maximum deflection angle is 30 ° to 75 °, preferably 35 ° to 50 °, and is measured between the center normal of the foremost support member opening 26 in the flat state and the center normal of the foremost support member opening 26 in the deflected state. The maximum deflection angle is also valid for the curved bristle surface. In addition to an effect thereby caused as mutual attacks additional stop elements between the bristle carrier elements 22 made of a hard or a soft material W may be attached. Of course, for different longitudinal and transverse elasticities as well as torsional properties, the maximum deflection angles in the transverse, longitudinal and torsional directions can also be varied. It should be noted that the film-like hard film 24 has almost no opportunities for stretching due to the material properties, but can be bent elastically. The bending elasticity can be determined by the thickness of the film-like hard film 24, wherein the layer thickness can vary as desired both in the longitudinal and in the transverse direction. Preferably, the layer thickness of the film-like hard film 24 near the neck is chosen larger than in the free end region of the head region 14. The maximum Layer thickness of the film-like hard film 24 is within 150%, preferably within 130% of the minimum layer thickness.

The restoring possibility or the elasticity is also determined by the properties of the covering soft material W. This material is soft elastic and can stretch. The layer thickness of the soft material W can change as desired in the longitudinal as well as in the transverse direction.

The ratio between the layer thicknesses of the hard material H and the soft material W can be selected almost arbitrarily. Preferably, however, thinner layer thicknesses of the film-like hard film 24 are balanced with thicker layers of the soft-elastic material to achieve a consistent head thickness in the flexible zones. In addition, additional elements independent of the thickness of the film-like hard film 24 may be formed with the soft elastic material in particular zones. For example, these may be beads 38 formed of soft material W around the support member openings 26 or cleaning and massage elements 18.

As in particular the FIGS. 5 and 6 it can be seen, the following hard film 24 extends flush outside the upper support element opening 26, preferably, the hard film 24 is designed so that it rests flush against the edge of the support member opening 26 above. The transition on the underside 20 from the hard film 24 to the bristle carrier element 22 is substantially sharp-edged in the preferred embodiment, at most a minimum radius of less than 0.3 mm is realized. Due to a limitation of Flexibility of the film-like hard film 24, while less preferred but still possible to make this transition by means of chamfers or rounding with a larger radius.

Of course, it is also possible that the connection of the bristle carrier elements 22 to the film-like hard film 24 only takes place in sections, and by recesses in the film-like hard film 24 of the element body 32 of the bristle carrier elements 22 is also partially exposed on the top 28. It is likewise conceivable for the connection between the bristle carrier elements 22 and the film-like hard film 24 to take place at a different position between the upper side 28 and the underside 20, so that, for example, a section of the bristle carrier elements 22 projects beyond the film-like hard film 24 to the upper side 28.

Preferably, the film-like hard film 24 made of a hard material H is covered on the upper side with a layer of a soft material W. In a preferred production of the toothbrush 10 in a multi-component injection molding process, the soft material W is sprayed onto the hard material H for this purpose. Since at least individual regions of the toothbrush 10, including the bristle carrier elements 22 and the foil-like hard film 24, are preferably made of a single hard material H, a single injection point can preferably be used when spraying the hard material H. The mentioned individual regions of the toothbrush 10 made of hard material H can lie, for example, in the neck region 12 or in the neck region 12 and grip region.

Of course, it is also possible to use several kinds of hard and soft materials H, W, which bond together during the injection molding process, so that the desired elasticity properties of the film-like hard film 24 can be specifically adjusted. In general, it should be noted that the elasticity with which the bristle carrier elements 22 can be deflected with respect to the neck region 12 is determined by a number of factors, in particular the thickness of the film-like hard film 24, the distribution of its thickness, the material used and the specific material distribution, for example With regard to the applied on the upper side 28 layer of soft material W is determined.

The thickness of the film-like hard film 24 is between 0.08 mm and 0.6 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm. Preferably, this layer is slightly wedge-shaped over the head region 14, so that the layer thickness is approximately 0.5 mm in the vicinity of the neck region 12 and approximately 0.3 mm in the free end region of the head region 14. This ensures that, due to the increasing towards the free end region of the head portion 14 distance from the neck portion 12 and thus a longer lever arm at a deflection of the bristle support members 22, they can be at least almost the same deflected in the longitudinal direction of the head portion 14 with the same force.

The thickness of the layer of soft material W applied to the film-like hard film 24 on the upper side 28 is between 0.2 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm. This results in a total layer thickness of the film-like hard film 24 with an overlying layer of soft material W of 0.28 mm to 1.6 mm, preferably from 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm. The ratio of the layer thickness of hard material H to soft material W is 12.5: 1 to 0.8: 1, preferably 7: 1 to 1.5: 1. As already mentioned, however, this ratio can vary and significantly determines the elasticity properties during the deflection The bristle carrier elements 22. It should also be mentioned at this point that the ratio of the thickness of the film-like hard film 24 to the thickness of the bristle carrier elements 22, each measured between the top 28 and the bottom 20 of the starting point of the bristle carrier element 22 on the hard film 24 to the free end of the bristle carrier element 22nd which is between 63: 1 and 8: 1, preferably between 44: 1 and 8: 1, more preferably between 30: 1 and 12.5: 1.

Another embodiment is to cover the film-like hard film 24 on both sides with soft material W. This means that the film-like hard film 24 is covered with a layer of soft material W in addition to the described covering of the upper side 28, also on the underside 20 in the labyrinth-like recesses.

How the turn FIGS. 5 and 6 can be seen, is at the top 28 to the upper support member opening 26 made of the soft material W, a bead 38, which is increased in the direction of the top 28 is formed. It forms a ring-like enlarged layer around the upper support member opening 26 and allows a softer guidance of the bristles and an improved recovery after their deflection during the cleaning process. Of course, it is also conceivable to form such a bead 38 from a hard material H, in particular by the extension of the Element body 32. The outer edge of the head portion 14 is, as in the FIGS. 1 to 4 . 7 to 13 and 15 to 26 shown, equipped with a wavy contour line. In this case, thin layers of the film-like hard film 24 alternate with outer regions of the bristle carrier elements 22. The bristle support members 22 project slightly beyond the outer edge of the sheet-like hard film 24 and act as a buffer zone to reduce contact of the sheet-like hard film 24 with the oral cavity. To avoid sharp edges on the outer edge region, they may be at least partially coated with soft material W. As already mentioned, this soft material W may be applied, for example, on the upper side 28 and / or on the underside 20 of the film-like hard film 24 or pulled from the upper side 28 to the lower side 20 over the edge. In this way, injuries caused by cutting or bumping in the oral cavity are avoided. Furthermore, the soft material W functions as cushioning and tearing of the film-like hard film 24 from the outside is prevented. Alternatively, it is also possible to make the hard material H thicker in the outer edge region of the head region 14.

In order to be able to adapt the elasticity of the head region 14 or also to make material savings, it is possible to make the layer of soft material W non-continuous, i.e. omissions (in any geometric shapes) may be provided in the layer of soft material W, i. the hard material H is not covered in the area of these omissions.

In the Fig. 7 - 9 are representations of different curvatures of the head portion 14 of the in the Fig. 1 - 6 shown embodiment of the inventive toothbrush 10 presented. Fig. 7 shows the maximum bend in a force acting on a bristle carrier element 22 in the outermost free longitudinal end of the head portion 14. A further bend in the direction of the bottom is excluded by stop-like touches of the bristle carrier elements 22. With a force of 3 N acting on said bristle support member 22, the maximum bend between 10 ° and 40 ° is preferably between 25 and 30 ° measured between the center normal of the foremost support member opening 26 in the flat state and the center normal of the foremost support member opening 26 in FIG deflected state. The surface of the bristle surface ie, inter alia, the film-like hard film 24 in the flexible part forms under the load an arcuate bend with a radius of 4 cm to 10 cm, preferably 5 cm to 8 cm.

In Fig. 8 a state is shown in which the toothbrush 10 for solidification after injection molding of the hard and soft material H, W is still in its cavity of an injection molding tool, not shown. The upper side forms an at least almost flat surface. However, as soon as the toothbrush 10 is removed from the injection molding tool, the head region 14, due to the shrinkage behavior, deforms slightly in the direction of the upper side 28 and, viewed from the upper side 28, forms a concave curvature, shown in FIG Fig. 9 , This curvature is due to a loss of material during the curing phase and causes a desired bias toward the top 28. The direction of the curvature can, for example, by a different positioning of the film-like hard film 24 with respect to the top 28 and the bottom 20 of the bristle support members 22nd influenced and adjusted accordingly. For example, an opposite curvature is achieved when the film-like hard film 24 is flush with the lower-side free end of the end caps 34. The effect of warping can be further enhanced by applying a layer of soft material W to the film-like hard film 24 on top 28, as in the previously described embodiment, since this layer provides additional bias due to shrinkage. Alternatively, too other shapes of curvature such as wave profiles, spindle-shaped torsion shapes, one or more creases, or combinations of multiple shape elements are formed in the head portion 14 by forcibly molding the injection molding tool in which the soft material W is molded onto the preceding hard material H, ie, the hard material H is preloaded inserted in this tool. By hardening the soft material W, the forced shape of the hard material H 'is frozen. It is also possible to reheat the bristled toothbrush 10 and then allow it to cool in a predetermined positive shape. Also in this case the corresponding compulsory form is 'frozen'.

In more complicated injection molding tools, it is also possible already the hard material H is a curved shape. However, in this case tools are necessary for the realization which are equipped with sliders and core pulls.

The head region 14 of the toothbrush 10 is preferably modeled on the outer tooth contour and concavely arched. In addition, the bristles can be arranged in length, so that an optimal bristle configuration for cleaning can be realized. By means of this possibility, the curvature can be faked to a certain extent.

The bristling of toothbrushes 10 with curvatures in the head region 14, together with the flexibility in the head region 14 designed according to the invention, requires that negative absorption forms be necessary for the bristles in order to support the bodies.

Two further embodiments of head portions 14 are in the FIGS. 10 to 13 shown. In the embodiment, the underside 20 in Fig. 10 In the outer edge region of the head region 14, bristle carrier elements 22 with a single upper carrier element opening 26 are preferably formed in a bit-like arrangement. In the center of the head region 14, three bristle carrier elements 22 are formed with an oblong cross section and three upper carrier element openings 26, as shown in the illustration of the upper side 28 in FIG Fig. 11 can be seen. It can clearly be seen that the carrier element openings 26 on the bristle carrier element 22 can be varied at a distance from one another.

In addition to this row-like arrangement, in the transverse direction or longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 10, the upper support member openings 26 are also other configurations, such as along curved lines in S, T, U and cross-shaped arrangements possible. The arrangements can each be oriented in the transverse direction or in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 10. As a result, both symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns (relative to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush 10) of the carrier element openings 26 can be achieved. As another example, that is Borstentragelement 22 with five upper support element openings 26 in the free longitudinal end region of the head portion 14 to consider. As with the in the FIGS. 1 to 9 shown embodiment of the inventive toothbrush 10 are also in this embodiment conventional bristle holes 30 in a solid part of the head portion 14 which is rigidly connected to the neck portion 12.

In analogy to the in FIGS. 12 and 13 In the embodiment shown, it is also possible to occupy a majority of the outer edge regions of the head region 14 with bristle-carrying elements 22 which have more than two upper support element openings 26. With a total number of 32 to 40 upper support element openings 26 in the head region 14 of the toothbrush 10, bristle support elements 22 with 2 to 18 upper support element openings 26, preferably with 2 to 7 or 12 to 18 upper support element openings, are preferably in addition to the bristle support elements 22 with a single upper support element opening 26 26 formed. These bristle carrier elements 22, which have a plurality of carrier element openings 26, preferably have on the upper side 28 an extension in the longitudinal direction of the head region 14 of 4 mm to 12 mm, preferably 5 mm to 8 mm, and transverse to the longitudinal direction 4 mm to 14 mm, preferably 5 mm to 8 mm.

In the blind holes 36 of the bristle carrier elements 22 different bristle types, bundle shapes and bundle sizes with respect to length, diameter and materials can be combined on the bristle carrier elements 22, respectively. The bristles 16 are either depending on the orientation of the blind holes 36 in the bristle carrier elements 22 either at right angles with respect to the top 28 of the Header 14 or as in Fig. 14 shown, obliquely oriented to the top 28 of the head portion 14. By means of this angular alignment of the bristles 16, for example, X-shaped bristle bundles can be formed, which in particular support a cleaning of interdental spaces, inclined bundles of bristles 16 or bundles of bristles 16 projecting beyond the brush head edge can be designed. In order to achieve a corresponding inclination, the blind holes 36 are also formed according to oblique. The angle of the central standard of the inclined blind hole 36 for the center normal of a vertically formed blind hole 36 is between 3 ° and 30 °, preferably 3 ° to 15 °. Conventional methods by means of anchors for cup-shaped bristle carrier elements 22 with blind holes 36 as well as AFT (Anchor Free Tufting) or IMT (In Mold Tufting) methods for sleeve-shaped bristle carrier elements 22 with through holes 48 can be used as the bristle method. In general, the properties and design variants of blind holes 36 and through holes 48 can be reversed in this document, since the hole variant essentially depends only on the selected Beborstungsverfahren. On sleeve-like bristle carrier elements 22 is in particular in connection with Fig. 31 and Fig. 32 be pointed again. As described above, within a bristle carrier element 22, a plurality of carrier element openings 26 can be arranged, which can be filled with cleaning and massage elements 18.

The bristles 16 introduced into the bristle carrier elements 22 and into the carrier element openings 26 can be of different nature. It can be cylindrical, one-sided or two-sided sharpened bristles are used. The bristles 16 themselves are preferably made of polyamide (PA) or polyester (PBT). In addition to the bristles 16, further cleaning or massage elements, preferably consisting of a soft material W, may be formed on the bristle-carrying elements 22. For example, these can be injected directly in an injection molding process or anchored in the blind holes 36 in analogy to the bristles 16. The cleaning or massage elements 18 may be formed, for example, as fins, knobs, scales, grooves, edges, hairs, flocked spots, strip brush elements, cylindrical, spherical or rod-like elements. They can be arranged both on the upper side 28 and on the lower side 20 and protrude from these. In particular, on the underside 20 may also be the end caps 34 of the bristle carrier elements 22 with scales, grooves, edges, roughening or other, repeated surface structures, be equipped to form a tongue cleaner.

Alternatively, a tongue cleaner can be designed by continuing the layer of soft material W beyond the edge of the head region 14. A scraper edge is configured by continuing the layer of soft material W in a tubular or lamellar manner around the head region 14 from the upper side 28 in the direction of the underside 20. This scraper edge follows the outer edge of the toothbrush head and thus comprises the entirety of the bristle carrier elements 22.

The layer of soft material W on the upper side 28 of the head region 14 of the toothbrush 10 can be thickened analogously to the bead 38 at the outer edge in order to form a barrier Avoid injuries due to impact.

In the FIGS. 15 to 21 undersides 20 of head regions 14 of further particularly preferred embodiments of the toothbrush 10 according to the invention are shown. In all these embodiments, in each case in the outer longitudinal end region of the head region 14, a bristle carrier element 22 is arranged with a multiplicity of upper carrier element openings 26, which are indicated by dashed lines. Likewise, all embodiments in the neck region-side head region 14 are equipped with conventional bristle holes 30. Mutually different from each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head portion 14 middle regions of the head portion 14 are designed. Thus, the embodiments in the FIGS. 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 in each case laterally outside bristle support elements 22, each with two support element openings 26 on the upper side 28. The embodiments in the FIGS. 15, 16, 19 and 20 are also formed with bristle-carrying members 22 having two or more upper support member openings 26 in a central portion of the head portion 14. In addition, it should be noted that the embodiments in the FIGS. 15, 16 and 18 are provided in the neck area side portion of the head portion 14 with a constriction of the film-like hard film 24, through which the elasticity of the longitudinal end region side. Bristle support elements 22 relative to the neck region 12 is increased again. Not shown, but also possible are continuous, hole-like film recesses within the film-like hard film 24. These serve, as the illustrated lateral constrictions, to increase the elasticity. The film recesses preferably have an elongated, slit-like shape and lead between the adjacent bristle carrier elements. The film recesses are preferably not filled with the following layer of soft material W. In Fig. 21 In addition, the possibility is shown that the bristle carrier elements 22 are interconnected by minimal webs. As a result, the flexibility (direction and extent) of the brush head can be additionally determined.

In Fig. 26 In addition, cleaning and massage elements 18 are mounted on the underside 20 of the toothbrush 10. The design options for such elements are in the FIGS. 27 to 30 shown.

Another embodiment of the inventive brush head is in FIGS. 44 and 45 shown. The bristle carrier elements 22 are attached to the film-like hard film 24. On the lower side 20 of the head region 12 of the toothbrush 10, a material bridge 74 made of soft material W and / or hard material H is formed over the bristle carrier elements 22. The material bridge 74 has its points of attack (bridgeheads) in the free end region of the head region 14 and on the other hand in the transition from the film-like hard film 24 to the neck region 12 of the toothbrush 10. Structures can be formed on the material bridge 74 which can serve as tongue scrapers 44. The material bridge 74 serves to adjust the flexibility of the head region 14. The production of in Fig. 44 illustrated toothbrush 10 is preferably carried out with side sliders in the injection molding tool. The material bridge 74 can be formed in the same operation as the film-like hard film 24 and the bristle carrier elements 22 of the same material from the same injection point by injection molding. Alternatively, as already described the film-like hard film 24 and the bristle carrier elements 22 are formed in a first operation in a first injection molding process without side shifters and the material bridge 74 with side shifter. For example, as in Fig. 44 By way of example, a material bridge 74 of soft material W made of the same material and in the same injection molding process as the layer of soft material W on the top 28 of the film-like hard film 24 are formed. Alternatively, other or existing materials can be processed in additional injection molding processes to create the desired material bridge 74. It is essential that the materials used are compatible with each other to form a material bond during the injection molding process.

In the FIGS. 27 to 30 5 are sectional views of portions of the head region 14 in which cleaning or massage elements 18 are formed in different ways by a combination of hard and soft materials H, W. At the in Fig. 27 In the embodiment shown, the layer of soft material W applied to the upper side 28 above the film-like hard film 24 is provided with rods or lamellar extensions which extend essentially perpendicular to the upper side 28 and parallel to the bristles 16. Fig. 28 shows a further embodiment in which these rods or lamellar cleaning or massage elements 18 by an inner structure 42 of a hard material H, which also rises like a rod or lamellar parallel to the bristles 16 in the direction of the top 28, are supported. On the underside 20, opposite the inner structure 42, is also made of a hard material H a cleaning or massage element 18 is arranged to form a tongue scraper element 44.

At the in Fig. 29 As shown in the embodiment shown in FIG Fig. 27 shown embodiment, a rod or lamellar cleaning or massage element 18 made of soft material W on the top 28 formed. Through a recess 46 in the film-like hard film 24, the soft material W is also guided to the underside 20 and there forms a soft elastic tongue scraper element 44, however Fig. 30 shown embodiment, by a molded hard material H inner structure 42 which protrudes toward the bottom 20 of the film-like hard film 44, are supported or stiffened. Of course, other forms of cleaning or massage elements 18 are possible, in particular inner structures 42 may be formed of a hard material H both in the direction of the top 28, as well as in the direction of the bottom 20 to support a soft elastic structure.

As already mentioned, the bristles 16 can also be fastened in sleeve-shaped bristle carrier elements 22 by means of an AFT method or IMT method. Such a sleeve-shaped bristle carrier element 22 with portions of the adjacent film-like hard film 24 is shown in FIG Fig. 31 shown. Opposite the upper support element opening 26, a lower support element opening 50 is formed through the through hole 48 on the underside 20. In general, all considerations and Ausgestalltungsvarianten which concern the bristle carrier elements 22 with blind holes 36 analogous to bristle carrier elements 22 with through holes 48th transferable.

In Fig. 32 is the in Fig. 31 shown section after a successful bristle by AFT method shown. In the region of the lower carrier element opening 50, the bristles 16 are welded together to form a bundle of bristles in a welding section 52, and preferably also with the bristle carrier element 22 in the case of compatible materials. As a stock of material for the welding, it is possible that within the through hole 48 in the region of the lower support member opening 50 projections are formed, which are attached as additional material for the welding. The welding takes place in the AFT process or IMT process by means of a hot stamp, which melts the material. The cooled body or the weld section 52 often has brow or other weld edges, which pose a risk of injury. In order to securely cover the completion of the welding section 52 on the underside 20 of the toothbrush 10, it is possible to attach a lid made of plastic or other weldable material to the underside 20 of the bristle carrier element below the lower carrier element opening 50. The AFT or IMT process allows the formation of bristle bundles with almost any cross-sectional shapes. Thus, for example, elongated 1- or C-shaped cross-sectional shapes of bristle bundles can be formed. These elongate bristle carrier elements 22 are preferably oriented along the longitudinal and / or transverse direction of the brush head. Examples of such shaped head portions 14 are in the FIGS. 33 to 36 shown. The show FIGS. 34 and 35 respectively the bottom 20 and the FIGS. 33 and 36 respectively the Top 28 of the head area 14. In Fig. 35 the design is chosen so that not all support element openings 26 of the top 28 are surrounded by a bead 38.

In addition to the previously shown embodiments of the toothbrush 10 according to the invention for a manual cleaning of the teeth or the oral cavity, electrically supported embodiments of the toothbrush 10 according to the invention are also conceivable. As an example, in Fig. 38 a brush attachment 54 for an electrically operated toothbrush 10 shown. As in both the partially sectioned side view in Fig. 38 as well as the top view of the head area 14 in FIG Fig. 37 Shown are radially outward bristle carrier elements 22, which are connected via a film-like hard film 24 elastically connected to a central region of the head portion 14 is formed. In addition to bristles 16, the bristle carrier elements 22 can also accommodate cleaning or massage elements 18. Also in this embodiment, it is possible to form bristle carrier elements 22 with a plurality of upper carrier element openings 26. Of course, other design variants of flexibly suspended bristle carrier elements 22 are conceivable. In all applications, however, in addition to the flexibly suspended bristle carrier elements 22, a firm and rigid connection with the drive of the brush head is necessary, this corresponds to the central area in Fig. 38 ,

In the FIGS. 39 to 43 a further embodiment of the toothbrush 10 according to the invention is presented. Also in this embodiment is an electrically operated toothbrush. This has a not shown electric drive device which acts on the underside 20 of the bristle carrier elements 22 by means of an actuator, in this case by means of an eccentric 58 formed on a rotatable drive shaft 56. In this case, a head support 60 is provided with a slot recess 62, in which the drive shaft 56 is guided, and the head element 65 is equipped with an eccentric receiving element 70. In Exzenteraufnahmeelement 70 an eccentric receptacle 68 is formed, in which the eccentric 58 engages and thereby acts on the special head element 65. As in Fig. 43 clearly visible, the head carrier 60 has a head receptacle 64, in which the in Fig. 42 shown head element 65, which essentially corresponds to that in the embodiments previously shown by the head portion 14 is received. The head element 65 is fastened to the head support, for example, by means of welding (ultrasound or hot stamping), encapsulation with a further hard or soft material W, gluing, clamping or a mechanical anchorage, for example a snap connection or splined connection on the head support 60.

The drive axle 56 is mounted in its free head area-side end region in a cylindrical axle receptacle 66 in the head carrier 60. The formed by a bend of the drive shaft 56 eccentric 58 engages in the eccentric receptacle 68 of the Exzenteraufhahmeelements 70 a. The eccentric receiving element 70 itself is fastened to the underside 20 of a bristle carrier element 22, a plurality of bristle carrier elements 22 or directly to the film-like hard film 24.

In an electrical feed of the drive device, the drive shaft 56 is in rotation about its longitudinal axis added. The rotation is preferably 360 ° circumferential, but there are also reversing movements in a smaller angular range possible. The movement speed is preferably between 5,000 to 15,000 rpm, particularly preferably 10,000 to 12,000 rpm. When designing the geometries, special attention must be paid to the occurrence of alternating loads in this case. The eccentric 58 also rotates with the drive shaft 56, periodically deflecting the eccentric receiving element 70 and the bristle carrier element 22 connected thereto, the bristle carrier elements 22 or the film-like hard film 24. Due to the elastic deflectability of the Exzenteraufnahmeelements 70 by its attachment via the film-like hard film 24, both the directly associated with the Exzenteraufnahmeelement 70 bristle carrier element 22, as well as adjacent bristle carrier elements 22, and the bristles 16 received by them is placed in a wave-like movement. The eccentric receptacle 68 of the eccentric receiving element 70 is preferably provided with an oval cross-section, which preferably has a larger diameter at least approximately parallel to the orientation of the bristles 16. Depending on the extent of the eccentric receptacle 68, in addition to a lifting and lowering movement, the bristle carrier element 22 can also be driven to a kind of wiping movement.

The shape of the eccentric receiver 68 and the eccentric 58 determine the moving image and the deflection amplitude of the bristle carrier element or hard film 24. An eccentric receiver 68 with a circular cross-section causes the movement to be both raising and lowering and wiping in both directions is equally removed from the drive shaft 56. is the circular eccentric receptacle 68 of the same size as the diameter of the drive shaft 56 in the region of the eccentric 58, the movement is transmitted 1: 1 from the eccentric 58 to the eccentric 68. An oval configuration of the shape of the eccentric receptacle 68 causes the movement of the eccentric 58 in the direction of the shorter axis of the oval cross section is transmitted more than in the direction of the longer axis of the oval cross section. The shaping of the cross section must always follow the boundary conditions, ie the distance between the head element 65 and the head carrier 60 is to be regarded as the deflection maximum. In the preferred embodiment of the drive shaft 56, the eccentric 58 and the eccentric receptacle 68, the drive shaft 56 has a cross-sectional diameter of 0.5 mm to 2 mm, preferably 0.75 mm to 1.5 mm. The eccentric 58 is offset in the drive shaft with a deflection of 0.25 x to 1.25 x, preferably 0.5 x to 1 x the diameter of the drive shaft 56. The maximum deflection of the bristle field is transmitted 1: 1 from the eccentric 58. If the eccentric receptacle 68 formed larger than the diameter of the drive shaft 56 in the region of the eccentric 58, the deflection is reduced by the difference between the diameter of the drive shaft 56 and the diameter of the Eccentric receptacle 68. In the preferred variant, the bristle field moves in the vertical 0.05 mm to 1 mm, preferably 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm and in the horizontal 0.05 to 1.5 mm, preferably 0.1 to 1 mm.

Alternatively, it is possible to realize the eccentric receptacle 68 as a fork profile, while the profile is narrowed on the open side, so that the drive shaft 56 can be taken by means of this constriction. This embodiment entails that in a head element 65 various ways of massage and cleaning elements 18 can be achieved. In addition, it should be mentioned that on the drive shaft 56 further eccentric 58 may be formed, which can drive via corresponding further Exzenteraufnahmeelemente 70 connected to them bristle carrier elements 22 to move. These eccentrics 58 are not necessarily uniform ie aligned in the same direction on the drive shaft 56. It should also be noted that the slot recess 62 may be covered by additional elements to the bottom 20. To minimize the risk of injury, the open distance between header 65 and head carrier 60 may also be covered. For this purpose, a lateral wall, which preferably extends to the open end of the head receptacle 64, can be realized by the head carrier 60. In addition, it is possible in the FIGS. 39 to 43 shown head portion 14 and subsequent neck portion 12 to make in the form of a brush attachment. The previously described arrangements for the drive shaft 56 and the eccentric receptacle 68 assume that these two elements in the assembled state, without retracted eccentric 58, are arranged centered on the drive shaft 56.

The movement pattern of the cleaning and massage elements 18 on the head element 18 is determined by a variety of factors. Factors are: arrangement of the bristle carrier elements 22, shape of the bristle carrier elements 22, properties of the film-like hard film 24, attachment of the head element 65 in the head carrier 60, number of eccentric receiving elements 70, etc.

The storage of the drive shaft 56 affects the device sustainable. An inaccurate storage entails that on the one hand, the noise caused by the friction and on the other hand that the friction losses require a larger engine power. In order to make the storage more accurate, it is also possible to fix a metallic carrier in the head carrier 60 (for example by means of overmolding, mechanical assembly by means of press fit, or other suitable fixing method). The storage is designed so directly metallic and can be produced with a higher precision.

The displacement of the center in the assembled state without retracted eccentric 58 of the eccentric receptacle 68 relative to the longitudinal center axis of the drive shaft 56 in turn causes special drive pattern. A thickening or shape-different design of the drive shaft 56 in the region of the eccentric 58 causes higher deflections of the Exzenteraufnahmeelements 70th

The in the Fig. 39 to 43 illustrated embodiment relates to the head portion 14 of an electric toothbrush. The head design described can be mounted in various ways on a drive unit with energy storage of an electric toothbrush. On the one hand, it is possible to realize the head design on a suitably designed brush attachment. In order to drive and brush part of the electric toothbrush are separated, which allows the replacement of the brush attachment 54 when worn. On the other hand, the components can be molded integrally. This means that when the brush is worn out, the whole device needs to be replaced.

The brush attachment 54 is configured such that when the brush part is attached to the drive unit, the drive shaft 56 of the brush attachment 54 is coupled together with the drive shaft of the drive unit.

The structure of the header, i. Head carrier 60, drive shaft 56 and head 65, allow a large variety of variants with minimal effort. For the realization of, for example, different movement patterns or different head designs, the head element 65 can be designed differently. So can be bypassed without changing the other parts.

The assembly of the multi-part head portion 14 takes place in several steps. First, the drive shaft 56 is inserted into the bristled head 65. Thereafter, this combination is assembled together in the head carrier 60, i. first, the drive shaft 56 is threaded, then the head member 65 is placed on the body, then the drive shaft 56 is inserted into the axle receiver 66 and finally the head member 65 is mounted on the head carrier 60, e.g. attached by ultrasonic welding or other suitable fixation method. Following these steps, the connection is made with the drive unit or with the transmission.

All previously described embodiments of the toothbrush 10 according to the invention, in particular its head region 14, can also be applied to electric toothbrushes, for example with oscillating, pivoting or vibrating heads, to other bodycare brushes, such as mascara brushes, nail polish brushes, hair brushes and household brushes, for example and not conclusively on dishwashing brushes, Wischersets, shoe brushes, scrubbers, brooms or grill brushes are transferred. Likewise, instead of bristles 16 also exclusively cleaning or massage elements 18 may be formed on the bristle carrier elements 22 and thereby form an example to be used exclusively as a tongue cleaner instrument.

The most important prerequisite for the production of the toothbrush 10 according to the invention is the possibility of spraying or applying hard and soft material H, W in foil-like or film-like thin layers. In the production in an injection molding are, for example, for the preferably used not prone to brittle fractions hard material H particularly preferably polypropylene PP, injection pressures in the injection molding tool of over 800 bar, preferably between 1000 and 1500 bar needed. Normally, polypropylene for toothbrushes with corresponding cross-sections is processed at an injection pressure of 500 bar to 750 bar. The temperature of the hard material H to be injected is between 220 ° C and 280 ° C, preferably between 235 ° C and 265 ° C. It should be noted that the said preferred injection pressures are several times what used for the production of conventional toothbrushes. With the use of mentioned injection molding parameters it is ensured that the film-like hard film 24 has the desired film-like, flexible properties and at the same time the bristle-carrying elements 22 can be formed without sink marks in the required shape and size. For training specific curved tops 28, as well as obliquely to the top 28 extending blind holes 38 and through holes 48, where appropriate, the use of sliders and cores in the necessary to use injection molding tools.

Of course, the design variants shown in this document are exemplary and the individual forms and elements of these Ausgestalltungsvarianten can be combined with other Ausgestalltungsvarianten without departing from the scope of this invention.

Claims (27)

Toothbrush with a handle region and a neck region (12) adjoining the grip region, which opposite the grip region carries a head region (14) which has at least one bristle carrier element (22) for receiving bristles (16), wherein the bristles (16) extend at least one upper carrier element opening (26) to an upper side (28) of the toothbrush (10) out and the bristle carrier element (22) is elastically deflectable relative to the neck region (12), characterized in that the bristle carrier element (22) via a film-like hard film ( 24) of a hard material (H) is elastically connected to the neck region (12), wherein the film-like hard film (24) extends at least partially flush outside the upper support element opening (26). Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that - measured between the top (28) and an opposite bottom (20) - the thickness of the film-like hard film (24) is much smaller than the length of the bristle carrier element (22) and the thickness of the film-like Hard film (24) 0, 08 mm to 0, 6 mm, preferably 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm. Toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wall thickness of the bristle carrier element (22) corresponds to a minimum of 1 to 2 times, a maximum of 4 to 8 times, preferably about 1 to 3 times the thickness of the film-like hard film (24). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bristle carrier element (22) elastically, in particular with respect to the top (28) at right angles, to a longitudinal axis and / or a transverse axis of the head region (14) and / or about an axis of the head portion (14) is rotatable. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the toothbrush (10) has a plurality of bristle carrier elements (22) which are connected via the film-like hard film (24) with the neck region (12) and optionally with each other and their deflection an unloaded rest position is limited by an adjacent bristle support member (22) and adjacent bristle support members (22) and the maximum deflection angle measured between the center normal of the foremost upper support member opening (26) in the flat state and the center normal of the foremost upper support member opening (26) in FIG deflected state, 30 ° to 75 °, preferably 35 ° to 50 °. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bristle carrier element (22) is formed like a sleeve. Toothbrush according to claim 6, characterized in that the bristles are fused together in their contact element-side end region on a lower support element opening (50) of the bristle carrier element (22) lying opposite the upper side (28). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bristle carrier element (22) is cup-shaped with a bottom and thereby forms a blind hole (36), in which the bristles (16) are fastened by means of anchors. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bristle carrier element (22) and preferably also the film-like hard film (24) is at least partially exposed to the upper side (28) opposite underside (20) is exposed or are. Toothbrush according to claim 9, characterized in that on the underside (20) of the bristle carrier element (22) edges or repetitive elements or structures, such as knobs, scales and / or a net, are formed to form a tongue scraper. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the bristle carrier element (22) and the film-like hard film (24) is made of a single hard material (H). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the hard material (H) is a non-brittle plastic, such as polypropylene (PP) polyester (PET), polycyclohexanediamine ethanol terephthalate (PCT / PCT-A (acid-modified) / PCT-G ( glycol modified)), polyethylene (PE), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyoxymethylene (POM) or polyamide (PA), preferably polypropylene (PP), and in addition to the bristle carrier element (22) and the film-like hard film (24) further parts of the hard material existing toothbrush (10) is made by injection molding over preferably a single injection point. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that on the film-like hard film (24) a layer of a further material, preferably a plastic material made of soft material (W), preferably on the upper side (28) is applied. Toothbrush according to claim 13, characterized in that the soft material (W) is a plastic, such as low-density polyethylenes (PE-LD), high-density polyethylenes (PE-HD), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PUR) or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), preferably a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), having a Shore A hardness of less than 90, preferably less than 70. Toothbrush according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the layer thickness of the soft material (W) is between 0.2 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm. Toothbrush according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the total thickness of the film-like hard film (24) of the hard material (H) and the layer of the soft material (W) between 0.28 mm and 1.3 mm, preferably between 0 , 6 mm and 1.2 mm. Toothbrush according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the ratio of the layer thickness of the film-like hard film (24) to Layer thickness of the overlying soft material (W) 12.5: 1 to 0.8: 1, preferably 7: 1 to 1.5: 1. Toothbrush according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the soft material (W) on the bristle carrier element (22) on the upper side (28) and / or the opposite lower side (20) an optionally in the longitudinal direction of the bristles (16) enlarged bead (38 ) ausformt. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that bristle carrier element (22) has two to eighteen, preferably two to seven or twelve to eighteen upper carrier element openings (26). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the bristle carrier element (22) rubber-elastic cleaning and / or massage elements (18) are arranged. Toothbrush according to claim 13 and 20, characterized in that the layer of soft material (W) and the rubber-elastic cleaning and / or massage elements (18) are made with the same material and from the same injection point. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the upper side (28) of the head region (14) has one or more bulges, preferably a - viewed from the top (28) - concave curvature. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the thickness and the material of the film-like hard film (24) is selected such that when acting in the longitudinal direction of the bristles (16) force of 5N, the bristle support member (22) by 5 mm to 10 mm, preferably by about 7 mm, compared to its unloaded rest position in the direction of the acting force is angled. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that in the film-like hard film (24) formed bending lines extend only over an inner portion of the head portion (14) in a straight line and bend or branch to the outer edge portions. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that on the underside (20) of the head region (12) via bristle support members (22) passing reaching material bridge (74) is formed. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the toothbrush (10) is equipped with an electric drive device, by means of which an actuator, preferably an eccentric (58), can be driven on the bristle carrier element (22), preferably on its bristle facing away bottom (20) acts and this deflects to support the cleaning effect. A method for producing a toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that in the production of the toothbrush (10) an injection pressure in a cavity of an injection mold for forming the toothbrush (10) of more than 800 bar, preferably between 1000 and 1500 bar bar is applied.

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