EP2471408A2 - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

The toothbrush (10) has a brush head (11), which is made of a plastic. A completely closed recess (12) is formed in the brush head in a circumferential direction. A carrier body (13), which is made of another plastic that is more deformable than the former plastic is arranged in the recess. A set of bristles in the form of bundled bristles (18) or individual bristles is arranged on the carrier body. The former plastic is a semi-crystalline or amorphous thermoplastic plastic or polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate and the latter plastic is a thermoplastic elastomer.

Description

The invention relates to a toothbrush having a brush head consisting of a first plastic, on which a carrier body is arranged from a plastic that is softer than the first plastic. 2. A bristle stocking in the form of bristle bundles and / or individual bristles is arranged at least on the carrier body ,

A plastic toothbrush of conventional construction has a plate-like brush head, which carries on its upper side a bristle stocking consisting of bristle bundles and / or individual bristles and is usually formed integrally with a handle-like extension which forms a handle.

For a long time it has been known that it makes sense to clean the interdental spaces that the bristles escape laterally even at relatively low pressure forces, thereby avoiding injury to the gums, which are very sensitive in particular in the region of the interdental spaces. On the other hand, it is advantageous for the cleaning of the tooth surfaces, if a sufficient pressure force between the bristles and the tooth surface can be achieved.

To meet these two requirements, it is for example from the EP 0 769 920 B1 known to divide the brush head into a plurality of stable brush head segments, each carrying bristle bundles and / or individual bristles and are connected to each other via hinge portions, so that a relative adjustment between the brush head segments is possible. However, such a toothbrush has proven to be relatively unstable in use and it is only an experienced user possible to apply sufficient cleaning forces with such a toothbrush on the surfaces to be cleaned.

In a toothbrush according to the DE 198 16 098 A1 Attempts have been made to solve the problem in other ways by a rear, the handle facing portion of the brush head consists of a first relatively rigid rigid plastic on which at the front, the handle facing away from the tip portion of a brush head portion of a Plastic deformation-softening 2. Plastic is molded. Bristle bundles and / or single bristles are mounted in both sections so that the user is preferably to use the bristles of the easily deformable softer tip section to clean the interdental spaces, and the bristles of the relatively rigid rear brush head section to clean the tooth surfaces. However, this change between the use of different brush head sections when using the toothbrush is cumbersome and sometimes annoying for the user.

The invention has for its object to provide a toothbrush of the type mentioned, with which it can be achieved both a gentle cleaning of the interdental spaces and an effective cleaning of the tooth surfaces in a simple manner.

This object is achieved by a toothbrush with the features of claim 1. It is provided that in the brush head consisting of a first plastic at least one circumferentially completely closed recess is formed, in which a carrier body is arranged from a comparison with the 1st plastic deformation softer 2nd plastic. At least on the carrier body, but preferably both on the carrier body and on the surrounding brush head, a bristle lining in the form of bristle bundles and / or individual bristles is arranged.

Due to the different deformation stiffness on the one hand of the brush head and on the other hand of the recess of the brush head filling carrier body, the bristle bundles and / or individual bristles are subject to a different deformation behavior when using the toothbrush. In a determined by the deformation stiffness of the relatively deformable support body pressing force, the carrier body is deformed in the bristle facing away from the direction, whereby the fixed to the carrier body bristle bundles and / or individual bristles are withdrawn and the further cleaning operation is preferably carried out with the bristle bundles and single bristles attached to the relatively rigid brush head without the toothbrush having to be used by the user for this purpose.

The deformation stiffness or softness of the carrier body results on the one hand from the second plastic material forming the carrier body and its material properties. In addition, the nature and geometry of the mounting or attachment of the carrier body to the surrounding brush head also determines the deformation occurring during use of the toothbrush.

The recess formed in the brush head is completely closed in the circumferential direction, i. the recess does not open to either side of the brush head and the inner wall of the recess completely revolves. In this case, the carrier body is connected in connection portions with the surrounding inner wall of the recess. If the carrier body is connected over its entire outer circumference with the inner wall of the recess, the deformation stiffness of the carrier body is determined essentially by its material properties. According to the invention, however, it is provided that the connection between the carrier body and the surrounding inner wall of the recess comprises only a part of the outer circumference of the carrier body. The smaller the connecting surface between the carrier body and the inner wall of the recess, the greater is the deformation of the carrier body occurring during use of the toothbrush.

According to the invention it is provided that the carrier body is connected only on one side of its outer periphery with the surrounding inner wall of the recess. The support body thus has the storage of a one-sided held or clamped component, such as a cantilevered plate, which is already at relatively low Querbelastungen especially deformed at its end facing away from the clamping.

A desired deformation behavior of the carrier body can be achieved in particular if the carrier body is attached to the inner wall of the recess via relatively small, precisely defined surfaces. This is for example given when the support body via connecting webs parallel to the deformation direction, i. the bristle longitudinal direction, or can also extend transversely to the deformation direction, is connected to the surrounding inner wall of the recess.

In a possible embodiment of the invention it is provided that the carrier body is integrally connected to the inner wall of the recess. This is possible if the first plastic of the brush head and the second plastic of the carrier body enter into an intimate, sufficiently reliable connection. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the carrier body is positively connected to the inner wall of the recess. For this purpose, for example, be formed on the inner wall head-like projections which are embraced by the material of the carrier body positively. Alternatively, it is also possible to form undercuts in the inner wall of the recess, in which the material of the carrier body engages in a form-fitting manner.

In a possible embodiment of the invention can be provided that the carrier body extends over the entire height of the recess. Alternatively, the carrier body may extend only over a portion of the height of the recess, in which case preferably provided is that the carrier body is arranged in the upper, the bristle facing facing region of the recess. In this case, the carrier body can perform a deformation within the recess, without emerging on the side facing away from the bristle facing from the recess or the brush head.

The recess may be formed as the brush head completely penetrating opening, so that the carrier body can emerge on application of large forces on the side facing away from the bristle facing from the recess or opening. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to close the recess on its side facing away from the bristle facing. This can be done either by arranging a lower-side cover plate, but alternatively it is also possible to form the recess not as an opening, but in the manner of a blind hole.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that longer bristle bundles and / or individual bristles are arranged on the carrier body than on the brush head. Such a configuration has the advantage that in use of the toothbrush and applying very little cleaning forces essentially only come on the support body arranged longer bristle bundles and / or individual bristles come into contact with the surfaces to be cleaned. If the user of the toothbrush applies a greater pressure force, the carrier body deforms in the direction away from the bristle facing, whereby the arranged on the carrier body bristle bundles and / or single bristles are pressed into the bristle trim, so that in the further use of the toothbrush on the Arranged brush head Bristle bundles and / or single bristles come with the surfaces to be cleaned in plant.

Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that bristle bundles and / or individual bristles of different lengths are arranged on the carrier body. It is preferably provided, then in those areas of the carrier body, which are subject to relatively large deformation in use, longer bristle bundles are arranged than in those areas which are subject to only a small deformation. In this way it can be achieved that the ends of the bristle bundles and / or individual bristles held on the carrier body lie substantially at a height or in a surface on a deformed carrier body.

The first plastic of the brush head is preferably a relatively dimensionally stable hard plastic and in particular a semi-crystalline or amorphous thermoplastic, for example polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In contrast, the second plastic of the carrier body is a deformation-soft elastomer and in particular a thermoplastic elastomer.

In the foregoing description, it has always been assumed by way of example that a carrier body is arranged in the brush head. Preferably, however, a plurality of recesses of the same or different shape are formed in the brush head, in each of which a carrier body mentioned construction is added.

Fig. 1

eine Aufsicht auf einen Bürstenkopf,

Fig. 2

den Schnitt II-II in Figur 1

Fig. 3

den Bürstenkopf gemäß Figur 2 mit verformten Trägerkörpern,

Fig. 4

eine alternative Ausgestaltung der Zahnbürste gemäß Figur 2,

Fig. 5

den Bürstenkopf gemäß Figur 4 mit verformten Trägerkörpern,

Fig. 6

eine Abwandlung des Bürstenkopfes gemäß Figur 4 ohne Borstenbesatz,

Fig. 7

den Bürstenkopf gemäß Figur 6 mit verformten Trägerkörpern,

Fig. 8

eine Aufsicht auf eine alternative Ausgestaltung eines Bürstenkopfes,

Fig. 9

den Schnitt IX-IX in Figur 8,

Fig. 10

den Schnitt X-X in Figur 8,

Fig. 11

eine Figur 10 entsprechende Darstellung mit verformten Trägerkörpern,

Fig. 12

eine Figur 10 entsprechende Darstellung eines Bürstenkopfes mit unterer Abdeckplatte,

Fig. 13

eine Figur 12 entsprechende Darstellung mit verformten Trägerkörpern,

Fig. 14

eine Aufsicht auf einen Bürstenkopf mit einer 1. alternativen Anordnung der Trägerkörper,

Fig. 15

eine Aufsicht auf einen Bürstenkopf mit einer 2. alternativen Anordnung der Trägerkörper,

Fig. 16

eine Aufsicht auf einen Bürstenkopf mit einer 3. alternativen Anordnung der Trägerkörper,

Fig. 17

eine Aufsicht auf einen Bürstenkopf mit einer formschlüssigen Anbindung eines Trägerkörpers,

Fig. 18

den Schnitt XVIII-XVIII in Figur 17 und

Fig. 19

eine Figur 18 entsprechende Darstellung mit verformten Trägerkörpern.

Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a view of a brush head,

Fig. 2

the section II-II in FIG. 1

Fig. 3

according to the brush head FIG. 2 with deformed carrier bodies,

Fig. 4

an alternative embodiment of the toothbrush according to FIG. 2 .

Fig. 5

according to the brush head FIG. 4 with deformed carrier bodies,

Fig. 6

a modification of the brush head according to FIG. 4 without bristle trim,

Fig. 7

according to the brush head FIG. 6 with deformed carrier bodies,

Fig. 8

a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a brush head,

Fig. 9

the section IX-IX in FIG. 8 .

Fig. 10

the section XX in FIG. 8 .

Fig. 11

a FIG. 10 corresponding representation with deformed carrier bodies,

Fig. 12

a FIG. 10 corresponding representation of a brush head with lower cover plate,

Fig. 13

a FIG. 12 corresponding representation with deformed carrier bodies,

Fig. 14

a plan view of a brush head with a first alternative arrangement of the carrier body,

Fig. 15

a plan view of a brush head with a second alternative arrangement of the carrier body,

Fig. 16

a plan view of a brush head with a third alternative arrangement of the carrier body,

Fig. 17

a plan view of a brush head with a positive connection of a carrier body,

Fig. 18

section XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17 and

Fig. 19

a FIG. 18 corresponding representation with deformed carrier bodies.

The FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of a toothbrush 10 according to the invention, of which only a brush head 11 is shown, to which a in accordance with FIG. 1 right-side connecting portion 11a connects a stalk-like handle in the usual way.

The brush head 11 consists of a first plastic, which is relatively rigid. In the brush head 11 two recesses 12 are formed, which completely penetrate the brush head 11 and are completely closed over its circumference, i. Surrounded on all sides by the brush head 11. In each of the recesses 12, a carrier body 13 is arranged, which consists of a second plastic material, which is deformation-soft compared to the first plastic material of the brush head 11. On the upper side of the brush head 11, a bristle trim 17, which can be formed from bristle bundles 18 and / or from individual bristles, is fastened both to the carrier bodies 13 and to the brush head 11.

The support bodies 13 are not connected over their entire circumference to the surrounding inner wall 14 of the associated recess 12, but the connection consists only in connection portions 13a, which comprise only a part of the outer periphery of the respective support body 12, while in the remaining portions of the outer periphery of the support body 13, a gap 19 is formed between this and the inner wall 14 of the recess 12.

In the front, the handle, not shown, facing away from the portion of the brush head 11 of the local support body 13 is connected only at its rear, the handle end facing via a connecting portion 13 a with the adjacent inner wall 14 of the recess 12. This leads to the fact that the support body 13 can avoid the application of compressive forces on the tips of the bristle facing in the manner of a cantilevered plate in the bristle facing 17 facing away from, as in FIG. 3 shown is. The arranged on the associated carrier body 13 bristle bundles 18 are also axially displaced and pulled into the bristle 17.

The further, in FIG. 1 shown support body 13 is connected at its front, facing the head connecting portion 13a and on its opposite side to a handle facing connecting portion 13b cohesively to the inner wall 14 of the associated recess 12, while at its other sides of the wall 14 of the recess 12 below Forming each of a gap 19 is spaced. Thus, the carrier body 13 in static terms is a held on opposite sides plate, which leads to deformation of the carrier body 13 in the central region in the direction facing the edge trim 17 upon application of a compressive force at the free ends of the bristle bundles 18, as in FIG. 3 is shown.

That in the FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrated embodiment differs from the aforementioned embodiment only by the length of the bristle bundles 18 of the bristle trim 17. While in the embodiment according to the FIGS. 1 to 3 all bristle bundles 18 have an equal length and thus arranged on the support bodies 13 bristle bundles 18 are drawn in deformation of the support body 13 in the bristle trim 17 and thus by a lesser extent from the top of the bristle head 11 protrude (see FIG. 3 ), is in the execution according to the FIGS. 4 and 5 provided that the bristle bundles arranged on the carrier bodies 13 have a greater axial length than the bristle bundles 18 arranged on the bristle head 11. In addition, the length of the carrier bodies 13 arranged bristle bundles adapted to the deformation behavior of the carrier body 13. In accordance with FIG. 4 Left support body 13, which is a static one-sided held plate, the bristle bundles are at the near the connecting portion 13a lying end shorter than the bristle bundles, which lie at the free, the connecting portion 13a opposite end. Accordingly, the bristle bundles 18 in the other support body 13, which is a double-sided held plate, are shorter near the connecting portions 13a and 13b than in the middle portion where the largest deformation occurs. As a result of this configuration, all the bundles of bristles 18 project with their ends approximately the same extent from the brush head 11 when the carrier body 13 is deformed, as is shown in FIG FIG. 5 is shown.

In the two exemplary embodiments illustrated so far, the carrier bodies 13 were connected in their connecting sections 13a and 13b over the entire height of the recess 12 and thus of the brush head 11 to the surrounding inner wall 14 of the recess 12. In order to change the deformation properties of the carrier body 13, it may be provided to reduce the height of the connecting portions 13a and 13b, as shown in FIGS FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown. It is in accordance with FIG. 6 left, front support body 13 only in the upper third of its height cohesively connected to the inner wall 14 of the recess 12, below this connection portion 13 a gap 15 between the support body 13 and the inner wall 14 is formed, which additionally supports the deformation of the support body 13, such as it in FIG. 7 is shown.

Accordingly, the other carrier body 13, which is connected on two opposite sides via connecting portions 13a and 13b with the inner wall 14 of the recess 12, also connected only in the upper third of its height to the inner wall 14, wherein below the connecting portions in each case a gap 15 remains which reduces the deformation stiffness of the carrier body 13 and thus leads to a larger deformation of the carrier body 13 in use of the toothbrush.

Although in the illustrated embodiment, the connecting portions 13a and 13b are formed only in the upper third of the height of the recess, modifications thereof are also possible, in particular a formation of the connecting portions in the upper half of the height of the recess, in the two upper thirds of the height of the recess or only in the middle third of the recess.

The FIGS. 8 to 11 show a further alternative embodiment of the toothbrush according to the invention, wherein the comparison with the previous embodiments similar parts are provided with the same reference numerals. While in the previous embodiments, the connecting portions between the support body 13 and the surrounding inner wall 14 of the recess 12 were relatively large-area areas, the connecting portions in the embodiment according to FIG. 8 formed by narrow, linear connecting webs 13c.

In accordance with FIG. 8 Left carrier body 13 is provided on the handle side facing each in the corner regions and the central region extending into the recess 12 into the connecting web 13c, so that the Carrier body 13 is held by three linear, relatively thin connecting portions on the brush head 11. The connecting webs 13c extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bristle bundles 18 and extend in the illustrated embodiment only over half the height of the recess 12. Wie FIG. 10 shows, the thickness of the carrier body 13 is significantly smaller than the depth of the recess 12 and includes about half thereof, wherein the carrier body 13 is connected in the upper, the bristle facing 17 facing region of the recess 12.

The according to FIG. 8 middle carrier body 13 is connected only at the two lateral, located at the longitudinal edges of the brush head 11 ends via two corner-side connecting webs 13c and is also only in the upper half of the recess 12 (see FIG. 10 ).

The according to FIG. 8 Right support body 13 differs from the left support body substantially in that the connection surface is again substantially reduced by the connecting webs 13c are smaller than the height of the support body 13. Die Verbindungsstege 13c ist in Fig. 1 dargestellt.

The arrangement of the carrier body 13 in the upper half of the recess 12 causes the carrier body 13 in its deformed state, as in FIG. 11 is shown, remain within the recess 12 and not or only by a small amount on the side facing away from the bristle facing out of the recess 12.

The FIGS. 12 and 13 correspond to the representations in FIGS. 10 and 11 and are complemented by the recesses 12 on the bristle facing away from the side are closed with a cover plate 16, which is either formed integrally with the brush head 11 or subsequently attached thereto. Due to the cover plate 16 is reliably avoided that the support body 13 in its deformed state on the bristle facing 17 side facing away from the recess 12 emerge.

The FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 show possible attachment geometries for a carrier body 13 to the surrounding inner wall 14 of the recess 12. Der according to FIG. 14 middle support body 13 is fitted under close fit in the associated recess 12 and secured over its entire circumference at this. Thus, in static terms, an all-sided held plate is given. According to FIG. 15 this support body is connected only at its the longitudinal edges of the brush head 11 facing side surfaces with the recess 12, while on the two other sides in each case a gap 19 between the support body 13 and the recess 12 is formed. In FIG. 16 the same carrier body is held only at the two opposite, pointing to the longitudinal sides of the brush head ends 11, but there is in contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 15 now only a relatively thin, central connecting web 13c is provided, which makes it possible that the carrier body 13 performs deformation movements in different directions.

The according to FIG. 14 left carrier body is connected on all its side surfaces via a connecting web 13c with the surrounding inner wall 14 of the recess 12. In the embodiment according to FIG. 15 this carrier body is only on the side facing the handle with the recess 12 via a large-area connecting portion 13a, while the other sides are spaced to form the gap 19 from the recess. According to FIG. 16 the left support body is only connected in two corner regions via an elongated connecting web 13c.

The right support body 13 according to FIG. 14 is only on its the middle of the brush head 11 facing side via a central, vertically extending connecting web 13c with the inner wall 14 of the recess 12 in connection, so that the carrier body 13 can perform relatively large deformations. The same carrier body is in accordance with the embodiment FIG. 15 on its entire, the center of the brush head 11 facing side connected to the recess 12. The embodiment of this support body according to FIG. 16 differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 14 essentially in that in addition to the central connecting web 13c on the middle of the brush head 11 side facing also in the corner regions in each case a connecting web 13c is formed, which, however, is connected to the longitudinal sides of the brush head 11 facing ends with the recess.

In the previous embodiments, it was always assumed that the second plastic material of the carrier body 13 can be materially connected to the first plastic material of the brush head 11. If this is not the case, a positive connection between the support body 13 and the brush head 11 may be provided, as in the FIGS. 17 to 19 is shown.

According to FIG. 17 is on the inside of the left recess 12, a so-called mushroom head 20 is formed, which forms an undercut. The carrier body 13 engages behind the mushroom head 20 so that the carrier body 13 is held in a form-fitting manner on the brush head 11. On the number, positioning and mutual alignment of the mushroom heads, the deformation behavior of the carrier body 13 can be set in the desired manner. In the illustrated embodiment, only a single mushroom head 20 is provided, so that the carrier body 13 can perform relatively large deformations.

While in the above-described left support body 13 according to FIG. 17 given only a punctual storage about a single mushroom head 20, 13 is in accordance with the right support body FIG. 17 a positive connection of the carrier body 13 is provided by profiled strips 21. On the inner wall 14 of the recess 12 is formed on opposite sides in each case in the transverse direction of the brush head 11 extending profile strip 21 which carries at its free end a widened flange 22 which forms an undercut. The carrier body 13 surrounds the flanges 22 of the profile strips 21 and is thus positively connected thereto. In this case, however, a gap 19 is formed between the outside of the carrier body 13 and the inner wall 14 of the recess 12, ie the carrier body 13 is only on the profile strips 21 with the brush head 11 in abutment. This allows relatively large deformations, as in FIG. 19 is shown.

Claims (14)

Toothbrush having a brush head (11) consisting of a first plastic, in which at least one circumferentially completely closed recess (12) is formed, in which a carrier body (13) is arranged from a plastic that is softer than the first plastic. wherein a bristle facing (17) in the form of bristle bundles (18) and / or individual bristles is arranged at least on the carrier body (13), characterized in that the carrier body (13) in connecting sections (13a, 13b, 13c) with the surrounding inner wall (14 ) of the recess (12) is connected, wherein the connecting portions (13a, 13b, 13c) comprise only a part of the outer periphery of the carrier body (13), and that the carrier body (13) only on one side of its outer periphery with the surrounding inner wall (14 ) of the recess (12) is connected. Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier body (13) via connecting webs (13c) with the surrounding inner wall (14) of the recess (12) is connected. Toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier body (13) is materially connected to the inner wall (14) of the recess (12). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the carrier body (13) is positively connected to the inner wall (14) of the recess (12). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the carrier body (13) extends over the entire height of the recess (12). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the carrier body (13) extends only over a partial region of the height of the recess (12). Toothbrush according to claim 6, characterized in that the carrier body (13) in the upper region of the recess (12) is arranged. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the recess (12) as the brush head (11) completely penetrating aperture is formed. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the recess (12) is closed on its side facing away from the bristle facing (17). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that on the support body (13) longer bristle bundles (18) and / or individual bristles than on the brush head (11) are arranged. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that on the carrier body (13) bristle bundles (18) and / or individual bristles of different lengths are arranged. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first plastic is a semi-crystalline or amorphous thermoplastic. Toothbrush according to claim 12, characterized in that the first plastic is polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the second plastic is an elastomer and in particular a thermoplastic elastomer.

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