EP2292118A1 - Toothbrush and method for producing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A toothbrush comprises a head part; at least one carrier element connected to the head part, top surface(s) of the carrier element defining a front surface of the head part, and the carrier element having a rear surface; and cutouts through which bristle filaments are guided and, for fastening on the carrier element, are melted by their rear ends. A toothbrush comprises a head part (1); at least one carrier element (2) connected to the head part, top surface(s) of the carrier element defining a front surface (5) of the head part, and the carrier element having a rear surface; and cutouts (6) through which bristle filaments (3) are guided and, for fastening on the carrier element, are melted by their rear ends. The front surface has a non-planar three-dimensional configuration and is capable of assuming such a configuration during intended use. An independent claim is also included for a process for producing a toothbrush, comprising guiding the bristle filaments through the cutouts in the carrier element and connecting the bristle filaments to the carrier element by melting rear ends of the bristle filaments using a hot die; connecting the carrier element to the head part such that the front surface has a non-planar three dimensional configuration and is capable of assuming such a configuration during intended use.

Description

The invention relates to a toothbrush according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for producing such a toothbrush having the features of claim 21.

The production of toothbrushes according to the AFT technology (AFT = anchor free tufting) has great advantages over conventional bristles in which bristle filaments bent around anchors or staples are stuffed into the head part of the brush. Since the shape of the bristle bundles is not predetermined by the size of the corresponding fastening means, almost any desired bristle arrangements can be realized by means of AFT. The AFT method uses a carrier plate having a plurality of recesses through which bundles of bristle filaments pass. The rear ends are then melted for permanent connection with the carrier plate. The AFT technology is for example in the EP-A 0 972 464 . EP-A 0 405 204 or the EP-A 0 567 672 described. The bristled carrier plate is then connected to the head part of the toothbrush. Preference is given to ultrasonic welding, eg in DE-U 2000 6311 is described.

The AFT technology makes it easy to manufacture different bristle profiles by forcing the bristle filaments loosely guided through the recesses into the desired profile shape before melting with a template. The properties of a toothbrush or its bristle field, such as stiffness, wear, Cleaning efficiency, but are determined in addition to the choice of material and the profile shape by the length and the angle of attack of the bristles. Previously, it was not possible to vary these parameters, in particular bristle length and profile shape, independently of each other for further optimization of the plowing properties.

The WO 94/22346 discloses a toothbrush with a kink in the bristle-bearing head, but does not describe the manufacturing process. The conventional bristles of such a brush is expensive, since only by compensating movements of the stuffing tool height differences in the head part can be compensated.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a toothbrush available, which allows for simple production, the largely free choice of parameters of the bristle field to improve the cleaning performance. Furthermore, a corresponding manufacturing method should be specified.

The object is achieved by a toothbrush having the features of claim 1 and a method for producing such a toothbrush having the features of claim 21. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The invention is based on a toothbrush produced by the AFT method. This has a head part and at least one carrier element connected thereto with a plurality of recesses, are guided by the bristle filaments and melted for attachment to the carrier element with their rear ends. The surface or the surfaces of the at least one carrier element define a front surface of the finished header. The front surface is the surface in which the bases of the bristles and any other cleaning elements lie. According to the invention, this front surface has a spatial shape deviating from a plane and / or is capable of adopting such during normal use. By a suitable choice of the topography, ie the deviating from the planes shape of the front surface at rest and / or under load, a plurality of bristle fields can be produced. In particular, the bristle length and the angle of attack can be slightly varied relative to the plane of the actual head part.

Toothbrushes with such a static and / or dynamic topography can be realized according to the invention in various ways.

A first possibility is to use a flexible support element, which consists for example of a thin hard material or at least partly of a soft material, so that there is given shape or material elasticity. This support element is preferably flat prior to installation in the head part, so that it can be bristled in a simple manner. By the hot stamp used to melt the bristle ends, a hard material can be given the desired surface shape, which can additionally be fixed by the bristle melt. Alternatively, the topography of a partially flexible carrier element only arises when it is inserted into the head part or during use, whereby a shape that is flat at rest may also be present.

In carrier elements with a soft component, the bristles are at least in a partial region through the elastic material held and thus flexibly stored. In order to achieve sufficient flexibility, the Shore A hardness of the elastic material is preferably chosen below 70, the support plate thickness below 4 mm and the layer thickness of the molten material below 1 mm. Preferably, a flat or convex topography in the transverse and / or longitudinal direction of the head part is chosen so that a topography change occurs in use.

Two-component carrier elements have the advantage that the hard component simplifies the ultrasonic welding and can also serve as anchoring for the bristles and the soft component provides the desired elasticity or deformability.

As hard material, the materials used for the production of the head part in question, in particular polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), PET, acrylic-butadiene-styrene (ABS), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN). As the soft material, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic elastomer in particular, e.g. TPE, TPU, rubber, silicone. This is matched to the hard material in a two-component embodiment of the carrier element, so that a permanent connection is formed.

Another possibility for a toothbrush according to the invention is the use of a rigid carrier element whose surface already has the desired topography. The back surface may be configured following the course of the surface. Alternatively, it is flat, so that the carrier element has different thicknesses. The first variant has advantages in terms of material consumption and cooling times, however, the AFT stamp must be adapted to the shape of the back. In the second variant, a common heating stamp can be used with a flat front.

Another possibility for a toothbrush according to the invention consists in the use of a plurality of carrier elements, which in this case may also have a planar surface. The desired topography is predetermined by the shape of the head part and / or the shape of the carrier elements, in particular by the position and orientation of the regions which are prepared for receiving the carrier elements. According to the invention, the carrier elements are used in different heights and / or different orientations. Advantageously, different bristle fields can thus be realized from several elements in the manner of a modular system, without having to produce new carrier plates. The support elements can be bristled in parallel in the AFT machine, i. in one operation like a one-piece bristle field. In addition, zones of soft elastic components, e.g. flexible zones or cleaning elements to be set up.

Preferably, the carrier element or the carrier elements is connected by means of ultrasonic welding to the head part. In order to ensure perfect welding between these parts, the welding surface is preferably located in one plane. The desired topography is therefore preferably formed only within the area defined by the welding area. For example, in the edge region of the rear surface, a circumferential welding edge is formed, which cooperates with a corresponding mating surface on the head part. If this is not possible, for example because the carrier element has steps or other topographical jumps, it can be purposefully welded onto these be waived. However, at least 25% of the theoretically possible welding area at the head circumference is preferably utilized.

Advantageously, the same material is used for the carrier element or its hard component and the head part. The two parts are advantageously assembled largely without offset, i. within the manufacturing tolerances without edges or grooves. However, in practice it is often not possible to prevent a depression forming at the interface in which deposits can form. In order for these to be visually unobtrusive to the user, the head part and the carrier element particularly preferably have different colors.

In one development of the invention, the material of the carrier element comprises additives such as flavorings or odorants, temperature indicators, antibacterial substances. Such additives are expensive and therefore advantageous not in the entire head part, including the handle, but by the use of the support member only in the actual target area, i. when used as intended in the mouth.

Fig. 1a-c

eine erfindungsgemässe Zahnbürste mit einem steifen gebogenen Trägerelement;

Fig. 2a+b

eine Zahnbürste mit einem elastischen gebogenen Trägerelement;

Fig. 3a+b

Zahnbürsten mit einem Trägerelement mit gewellter Oberfläche;

Fig. 4a,b

eine Zahnbürste mit einem Trägerelement mit einer Stufe;

Fig. 5a+b

eine Zahnbürste mit zwei Trägerelementen und einem dazwischenliegenden Absatz;

Fig. 6a+b

eine Zahnbürste mit einem aus drei Segmenten bestehenden Trägerelement;

Fig. 7

eine Zahnbürste mit einem Trägerelement mit einer podestartigen Erhebung;

Fig. 8a+b

eine Zahnbürste mit einem Trägerelement mit wellenförmiger Oberfläche;

Fig. 9a+b

eine Zahnbürste mit drei Trägerelementen;

Fig. 10

eine Zahnbürste mit einem geknickten Trägerelement;

Fig. 11

ein Kopfteil für eine Zahnbürste mit drei Trägerelementen;

Fig. 12a+b

eine Zahnbürste mit einem Trägerelement mit einer Weich- und einer Hartkomponente;

Fig. 13a-c, 14

Zahnbürsten mit einem gebogenen Trägerelement und relativ dazu beweglichen Borsten;

Fig. 15a-d,16a-c

Zahnbürsten mit einem Trägerelement mit einer Hartkomponente in Form eines Gitters;

Fig. 17

eine Zahnbürste mit einem damit nur punktuell verbundenen Trägerelement.

Examples of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described below. Show it:

Fig. 1a-c

a toothbrush according to the invention with a stiff curved support element;

Fig. 2a + b

a toothbrush having an elastic curved support member;

Fig. 3a + b

Toothbrushes with a carrier element with a corrugated surface;

Fig. 4a, b

a toothbrush having a support member with a step;

Fig. 5a + b

a toothbrush with two support elements and an intermediate paragraph;

Fig. 6a + b

a toothbrush with a carrier element consisting of three segments;

Fig. 7

a toothbrush with a support member having a pedestal-like elevation;

Fig. 8a + b

a toothbrush with a carrier element with a wavy surface;

Fig. 9a + b

a toothbrush with three support elements;

Fig. 10

a toothbrush having a kinked support member;

Fig. 11

a head part for a toothbrush with three support elements;

Fig. 12a + b

a toothbrush having a support member with a soft and a hard component;

FIGS. 13a-c, 14

Toothbrushes with a curved support member and relatively movable bristles;

Fig. 15a-d, 16a-c

Toothbrushes with a carrier element with a hard component in the form of a grid;

Fig. 17

a toothbrush with a so only selectively connected support element.

All of the toothbrushes shown in the figures have a grip part (not shown), a head part 1 and at least one carrier element 2 connected or connectable thereto, which was occupied with bristle bundles 3 in the AFT method. The front surface 5 of the finished head part, which in the cases with only one support element 2 (see Fig. 1-4 . 6-8 . 10 . 12-16 ) with the surface 4 is largely consistent, has according to the invention in the resting state and / or in use a deviating from a plane shape. She is at Fig. 1 inward, ie arched towards the head part 1, at Fig. 2 . 12-14 . 16 arched outwards, at Fig. 3 and 8th wavy, at Fig. 15 even, but yielding, and provided with the other figures with creases or steps. As a result, and by appropriate selection of the bristle lengths, different bristle profiles 14, 15 with different stiffness of the bristle bundles 3 can be produced in the longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to the head part 1.

The carrier element 2 has for receiving the bristle bundles 3 a plurality of recesses 6 extending between its upper side 4 and its rear surface 8. Due to the orientation of these holes 6, the angle of attack of the bristle bundles 3 can be adjusted. However, in terms of manufacturing technology, it is preferable for the holes 6 to extend in the direction of the normal of the surface 4. For attachment to the carrier element 2, the rear ends 3a of the Bristle bundle 3 with a heating punch 12 (see Fig. 1c ), so that a bristle coating 11 is formed. There may be other cleaning elements 19 made of soft elastic material (see Fig. 5a, b ), which were prepared before the bristles preferably in the production of the support member 2 in the two-component injection molding process. Even if the support element 2 itself consists of soft and hard material, the two-component injection molding process is preferably used for its production.

In addition to the actual bristle-carrying surface 2a, the carrier element 2 has a preferably peripheral edge part 9 protruding from its rear side 8. This serves on the one hand for centering during insertion into correspondingly adapted recesses 7 in the head part 1, on the other hand for realizing welding surfaces 10, 10 'for ultrasonic welding. Furthermore, the edge 9 serves as a lateral boundary for the bristle melt 11.

At the in Fig. 1a, b shown toothbrush, the support member 2 consists of a hard material, is largely rigid and concave even before installation in the head part 1 both in the longitudinal and in the transverse direction. Its top and bottom 4, 8 are parallel to each other. Preferably, the material thickness is less than 5 mm, more preferably less than 3 mm. The bristles all have the same length, so that a profile of the surface 4 and the front surface 5 following, in the longitudinal and transverse concave bristle profile 14, 15 is formed.

As in Fig. 1c shown, the bristle bundles 3 are first inserted into the recesses 6 in the support element. With a Heizstempel 12 whose top 13 to the Adjusted course of the back 8 of the support member, the bristle ends 3a are melted, so that the bristle covering 11 is formed. In a contoured stamp, the bristle melt is advantageous everywhere the same thickness. Subsequently, the carrier element 2 is connected by means of ultrasonic welding to the head part. The surface 2a projects beyond the edge part to the side. The resulting paragraph 2b comes when inserted into the head part 1 at a shoulder 7b of the recess 7 to the plant, the contact surface can serve as a welding surface 10. Furthermore, the lower end 9 a of the edge part 9 together with the bottom 7 a of the recess 7 serve as a welding surface 10 '. For this purpose, the parts 2b and / or 9a a pointed edge 31 (see Fig. 1c . 15a, 16a ), which serve as an energy concentrator and liquefied material reservoir during the welding process.

In the example off Fig. 2a, b consists of the support member 2 and its bristle-carrying surface 2a largely of a thin hard material. It is flat in the unborn state and can be easily bristled. It is brought by the heating punch in the illustrated arched shape during the bristle and inserted into the recess 7 so that it bulges outwards in the transverse direction and the bristle bundles 3 are fanned out relative to each other. The result is a longitudinally flat and transversely convex bristle profile 14 and 15. Tests show that the bristle melt 11 adapts without breaking the new topography. The carrier element 2 is then connected to the head part 1. To avoid material incompatibilities during ultrasonic welding, the edge part 9 preferably consists of the hard component.

Alternatively, the support member 2 may also be made of a soft elastic or thin hard material which is flexible enough to be inserted into the head part after biasing in the flat state under preload and buckling. Preferably, the material thickness of the hard material is a maximum of 3 mm. The deformable part of the carrier plate is given a preload by the deformation, so that the flexibility of use of this region in use can be significantly influenced by the production of the brush.

Fig. 3a shows in longitudinal section a toothbrush with a rigid support member 2, the surface 4 is corrugated and the rear surface 8 is flat. The thickness of the bristle-carrying surface 2a is preferably between a minimum of 3 mm and a maximum of 10 mm. Although all bundles of bristles 3 have the same basic length per se, their free length from the base 3c on the surface 4 to their front end 3b is different due to the height profile of the plate 2a, so that different elastic properties of the bristles are realized. The angle of the recesses 6 and thus the angle of attack of the bristles also varies. Therefore, bristle plates with different free bristle lengths and profile shapes can easily be produced with such a carrier element, wherein a conventional flat AFT heating stamp can be used.

Fig. 3b shows in cross section a modification of the example Fig. 3a in which the course of the underside 8 has been adapted to that of the upper side 4. Advantage is material savings and shorter cycles in the production of the support elements 2 due to faster cooling. However, a matched to the bottom 8 Heizstempel must be used.

In the Fig. 4a, b Toothbrush shown has a support member 2, the bristle-carrying surface 2a at the top 4 and bottom 8 has a step 17. The bristle profile 14 in the longitudinal direction follows the course of the surface 4 or Frontfäche 5. As welding surfaces come back already in connection with Fig. 1 described surface 10 below the surface 2a and the surface 10 'at the bottom of the recess 7 in question. The latter is preferred because a continuous welding surface 10 'can be formed because of the flat bottom 7a. In the welding area 10, topography jump 17 leads to an unshielded area. The profile of the bristle ends and the front surface 5 in the transverse direction is curved outward ( Fig. 4b ) and corresponds on average Fig. 2b ,

Fig. 5a, b shows a toothbrush with two support elements 2, which are arranged laterally from a raised portion 18 in the center of the head part 1 in two recesses 7. The result is a front surface 5 with two different levels. The fastening of the carrier elements 2 takes place as described above by ultrasonic welding along the welding surface 10 at the edge of the carrier elements 2, which in the plan view (FIG. Fig. 5b ) is outside the bristle field. It is also possible to weld only the surfaces at the periphery of the head part 1, while the surfaces 10 "adjoining the raised region 18 remain unshielded, and a sufficient hold is obtained by welding at least 25% of the possible contact surfaces. In the present case flexibility can be given to the brush, in particular if the raised area 18 is made of an elastic material, so that the brush head gives way in part resiliently in use.

On the raised portion 18 soft elastic cleaning elements 19 are arranged. Outside the raised area 18 there are further in particular soft elastic cleaning elements 20. The head part 1 was produced with these elements and the optional elastic zone in the two-component injection molding process. The raised area 18 can also be realized by a further carrier plate, which, as in the example of Fig. 9a, b with the other two support elements 2 accurately inserted into a common recess 7.

Fig. 6a, b shows a similar toothbrush, but in which the central raised portion 18 is realized by a single support member 2 with a stepped height profile. This is narrower in the central region 18, the shape of the recess 7 is adapted thereto. Welding is carried out below the edge 2b of the support element 2 and in the edge regions of the elevated region 18, so that the welding surface 10 extends at two levels. At the jump points 17 is not welded. Alternatively, the recess 7 is welded to the base 7a along the surface 10 '.

Fig. 7a, b shows a further toothbrush with a central raised portion 18. The support member 2 has a central hole, so that it can be slipped over the raised portion 18. The support element 2 is welded along the hole and at its outer edge to the head part 1, whereby an additional stiffening is achieved. On the support element 2 are bristle bundles 3 and soft elastic elements 20th

The support element 2 of in Fig. 8a, b shown toothbrush is corrugated in the longitudinal and transverse directions, so that there is a correspondingly structured front surface 5. The bristle-bearing surface 2a is also curved at the edge, so that the contact and welding surface 10 is also curved. Alternatively, it can be welded in a plane at the bottom 7a (welding surface 10 ').

Fig. 9a, b shows a toothbrush with two different levels, realized by three separate support elements 2, the edge portions 9 have different lengths L, L 'have. These are in three by webs 30 separate recesses 7 or a common recess (not shown) used and welded to the bottom 7a (welding surface 10 '). Alternatively, it is also possible to weld at two levels on the surface 10 below the respective bristle-carrying surfaces 2a. The central support element 2 comprises both conventional bristles and a soft-elastic cleaning element 19.

Fig. 10 shows a toothbrush with a bent support plate 2. The shape of the head part 1 and the recess 7 is selected as in the other examples so that the edge of the bristle-bearing surface 2a is flush with the head part, ie the top 1a of the head part 1 has present also a bent course. In the present case, two anchoring areas with edge portions 9 are present and correspondingly two recesses 7 adapted thereto. Alternatively, the bent front surface 5 can also be realized by two separate support plates adjoining each other at the bend 29, wherein an additional flexible zone 29 in the area of the bend 29 Headboard 1 may be present.

Fig. 11 shows a head part 1 for a toothbrush with three support elements 2. For receiving three recesses 7 are present, with transverse webs 30 are arranged in particular of soft elastic material between the individual recesses. Welding is only at the periphery of the head part 1 along the line 10. The front surface can, for example, as in Fig. 9 be educated.

Fig. 12a, b shows a toothbrush with a carrier element with a soft and a hard component. The actual bristle-carrying part 2a of the support member 2 is formed of a soft material 21 which is elastically deformable. The bristles are thus elastically suspended or anchored. The pillow-shaped part 21 yields under load, which is particularly gentle on the teeth. For easier connection to the head part 1, the carrier element 2 has on its periphery a circumferential frame part 22 of preferably the same hard material as the head part. The bulge arises during the production of the carrier element 2. The underside of the frame part 22 rests on corresponding shoulders 7b in the recess 7 in the head part 1, the contact surface defining the welding surface 10. The cavity between the bottom 8 of the support member 2 and the bottom 7a of the recess 7 allows in use a certain deflection of the elastic member 21, even a reversal from the convex to the concave state.

Fig. 13a-c and 14 show a support member or the head part of a toothbrush, in which the rear ends 3a of the bristle bundles 3 are not firmly fused to the bristle-carrying surface 2a, but the bristle bundles are displaceable in the holes 6. This is done by appropriate Choice of material, eg polypropylene for the carrier element and polyamide for the bristle filaments achieved. Furthermore, the rear ends 3a are not fused to a uniform bristle coating, but with a protrusions 23 having heating stamp 12 to separate webs 24 made of bristle melt. For resilient mounting of the bristle bundles 3, an elastic membrane 25 is arranged in the head part. This is the case of Fig. 13c disposed within a recess 7 and is inserted prior to attaching the support member 2. In case of Fig. 14 it forms an outer surface of the head part. It is molded in during the production of the head part. Through the membrane, the stamp-like melted rear ends 3a of the bristles are pressed upward, so that the bristle-carrying surface 2a bulges to form a cushion.

Figs. 15a-d and 16a-c This comprises a hard component in the form of a grid, here formed from sleeves 26 with holes 6 for receiving bundles of bristles and these connecting webs 27. Furthermore, a frame part 22 of the hard component is present, the case in the application the bottom facing edge 31 is pointed and serves as a welding surface 10. The area between the sleeves 26 is filled with an elastic soft material 28. In the example off Fig. 15 the material 28 is injected above and below the webs. The result is a flat elastic structure, ie a toothbrush with a flat, deforming in use front surface 5. In the example of Fig. 16 the material 28 is molded only above the webs. The shape of the surface 4 is influenced by the shape of the injection molding tool. In case of Fig. 16 becomes this chosen so that a yielding pillow in use arises. Fig. 15d shows the view of a head part 1 with inserted support member 2, wherein the webs 27, which connect the sleeves 26 and are covered by soft material 28, are shown only for explanatory purposes

Fig. 17a, b shows the side view in the longitudinal or transverse direction of another toothbrush, in which the support plate 2 is welded to the head part 1 only in four partial areas 10. Due to this 4-point suspension, the carrier plate is particularly flexible. The head part has to lateral recesses 30, through which a cavity 32 is accessible below the support plate. The support plate is there clearly, ie more than 0.5 mm, spaced from the head part. Deposits between brush head and carrier plate can be washed out so well. The support plate consists mainly of rubber-elastic material or a thin layer, for example, less than 1 mm, from a hard component and is flexibly deflected relative to the welding surfaces 10. Preferably, the support plate is provided with a side edge of 2 mm or more, not shown here, so that the aesthetically unsightly bristle melt is not visible to the user.

All variants described above can also be realized as replaceable heads without permanent welding of the carrier element with the toothbrush handle. The flexible carrier plate may also perform sensor function, e.g. for monitoring the contact pressure.

A1. The present invention also relates to a toothbrush having a head part 1 and at least one thereof connected support member 2, wherein the surface 4 and the surfaces of the at least one support member 2 define a front surface 5 of the head part 1 and wherein the at least one support member 2 has a rear surface 8 and a plurality of recesses 6, guided by the bristle filaments 3 and for attachment on the support element 2 are melted with their rear ends 3a, wherein the front surface 5 has a deviating from a plane spatial shape and / or such is taken during normal use incapable.

A2. The toothbrush according to paragraph A1 is preferred. the carrier element 2 is flexible and the spatial shape of the front surface 5 is produced by a formed from the molten ends of the bristle filaments 3, the rear surface 8 at least partially covering the lining 11 is brought to a predetermined shape to solidify.

A3. The toothbrush according to paragraph A1 is preferred. the support member 2 is flexible and the spatial shape of the front surface 5 is made by the bristles 3 occupied support member 2 is inserted under bias in such a manner in a recess 7 in the head part, that it bulges.

A4. The toothbrush preferably has one of the paragraphs A1. to A3. the support member 2 made of a hard material having a predetermined thickness, which allows a deformation of the support member 2, preferably of polypropylene having a thickness of at most 3 mm.

A5. The toothbrush preferably has one of the paragraphs A1. up to A4. the carrier element 2 at least partly made of a soft material.

A6. Preferably, in the toothbrush according to paragraph A5. the carrier element 2 comprises a soft component and a hard component, wherein the periphery of the carrier element 2 consists at least partially of the hard component.

A7. Preferably, in the toothbrush according to paragraph A5. or paragraph A6. the carrier element 2 a plurality of interconnected by webs 27 sleeves 26 for receiving bristle bundles 3, wherein sleeves 26 and webs 27 are made of a hard material and wherein at least the spaces between the sleeves 26 and webs 27 are filled with a soft material 28.

A8. The toothbrush according to paragraph A1 is preferred. the carrier element 2 dimensionally stable and shaped such that its front surface 5 already without the action of external forces has a deviating from a plane spatial shape.

A9. Preferred in the toothbrush according to one of the paragraphs A1. to A8. at least two support elements 2 present, which are connected in different positions with the head part 1, that the formed by the bristle-carrying surfaces 4 of the support elements 2 common front surface 5 has a deviating from the plane shape.

A10. The toothbrush according to one of the paragraphs A1 is preferred. to A9. on the rear surface of the support member 2, a preferably lying in a plane welding edge 10, 10 'is arranged, which consists of a hard material and along which the support member 2 with the head part 1 is welded.

A11. The present invention also relates to a head part 1 for a toothbrush according to one of the paragraphs A1. to A10, wherein the head part 1 is exchangeable for producing a replaceable head toothbrush.

• Führen der Borstenfilamente 3 durch die Aussparungen 6 im wenigstens einen Trägerelement 2 und Verbinden mit dem Trägerelement 2 durch Aufschmelzen ihrer rückwärtigen Enden 3a mit einem heissen Stempel 12;
• Verbinden des wenigstens einen Trägerelements 2 mit dem Kopfteil 1 vorzugsweise mittels Ultraschallschweissen derart, dass dessen Frontfläche 5 eine von einer Ebene abweichende räumliche Gestalt hat und/oder eine solche beim bestimmungsgemässen Gebrauch einzunehmen imstande ist.

A12. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a toothbrush according to one of the paragraphs A1. Up to A10., With the following steps:

• Guiding the bristle filaments 3 through the recesses 6 in at least one support element 2 and connecting to the support element 2 by melting their rear ends 3a with a hot stamp 12;
• Bonding the at least one support element 2 to the head part 1 preferably by means of ultrasonic welding such that the front surface 5 has a different spatial shape from a plane and / or occupy the same when used as intended.

A13. Preference is given to the method according to paragraph A12. a flexible flat support member 2 is provided and bristled, wherein a deviating from a plane spatial shape of the support member 2 by the hot punch 12 during the melting of the rear bristle ends 3a is made.

A14. Preference is given to the method according to paragraph A12. provided a flexible flat support member 2 and bristled and then used under bias in a recess 7 in the head part 1 and connected to the head part 1, that the support member 2 bulges. A15. Preference is given to the method according to one of the paragraphs A12. to A14. a carrier element 2 produced in the two-component injection molding of a hard material and a soft material, then bristled and connected to the head part 1, preferably by the hard component of the support member 2 with the head part 1 is ultrasonically welded.

A16. Preferred in the method according to paragraph A15. a plurality of interconnected by webs 27 sleeves 26 are injection molded from the hard material, the spaces between the sleeves 26 and webs 27 filled with a soft material 28 by injection molding and introduced bristle bundles 3 in the sleeves 26.

A17. Preference is given to the method according to paragraph A12. at least one support element 2 provided with a surface 4 deviating from the plane and bristled and then connected to the head part 1, preferably by being inserted into a recess 7 in the head part 1 adapted to the shape of the support element 2.

Claims (22)

Toothbrush having a grip part, a head part (1) connected to the grip part and at least one carrier element (2) connected to the head part (1), wherein the at least one carrier element (2) has a back surface (8) and a plurality of recesses (6). through which the bristle filaments (3) are guided and fused with their rear ends (3a) for attachment to the carrier element (2), the bristle melt at least partially covering the rear surface of the carrier element, characterized in that the at least one carrier element (2) passes through Having webs connected sleeves and the sleeves have the recesses (6) for receiving the bristle filaments (3). Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one support element is at least partially elastically deformable with respect to the head part (1) and in use is capable of assuming a spatial shape deviating from a plane. Toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sleeves are formed from a hard material. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one support element (2) is formed of a hard material and a soft material. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the areas between the sleeves (26) are filled with a soft material (28). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sleeves (26) are at least partially enveloped by a soft material (28). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the soft material (28) is injected below the webs (27). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the soft material (28) is injection molded above the webs (27). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the soft material (28) is injection-molded above and below the webs (27). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the at least one carrier element (2) has a hard material molded frame part (22). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the frame part (22) has a pointed edge 31. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the at least one carrier element (2) has an edge (9) as a lateral boundary. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the at least one carrier element (2) is only partially connected along its circumference to the head part (1). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the head part (1) has lateral recesses (30) through which a cavity (32) below the at least one support element (2) is accessible. Toothbrush according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the at least one carrier element (2) has a flexible cleaning element (19) made of a soft material (28). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the hard material is polypropylene (PP), PET, acrylic-butadiene-styrene (ABS) or styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) and the soft material is a thermoplastic elastomer. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the Shore A hardness of the soft material is less than 70. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the hard material of the at least one carrier element (2) and the hard material of the head part (1) are the same. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the bristle melt has the form of separate webs which partially cover the back surface of the at least one support element (2). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the bristle filaments (3) in the Recesses of the at least one support element (2) are flexibly mounted. Method for producing a toothbrush having a grip part, a head part (1) connected to the grip part and at least one carrier element (2) connected to the head part (1), wherein the at least one carrier element (2) has a back surface (8) and a plurality of Recesses (6) is made comprising, led through the recesses (6) bristle filaments (3) and are melted for attachment to the carrier element (2) with their rear ends (3a), wherein the bristle melt, the rear surface (8) of the support element (2) at least partially covered, characterized in that the at least one support element (2) sleeves with recesses (6) for receiving the bristle filaments (3), which are connected by webs. A method according to claim 21, characterized in that the rear ends (3a) of the bristle filaments (3) are melted by means of a hot stamp, which preferably has projections, so that the bristle melt forms separate webs.

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