EP1506726B1 - Toothbrush with toothbrushhandle and toothpastereservoir - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a toothbrush according to claim 1, a toothbrush body according to claim 14 and a toothpaste container according to claim 15.

The toothbrush according to the invention relates to a toothbrush with a toothbrush body into which a toothpaste container can be inserted.

The use of toothbrushes and toothpaste is for oral hygiene and gum massage. In this way, brushing contributes to the health of the teeth and the mouth and throat. According to the recommended daily use, users of toothbrushes generally have high standards in terms of ease of use, ergonomic design and long life with the best possible cleaning effect.

With regard to a space-saving common storage or transport, for example as a travel toothbrush, but also in particular in terms of ease of use and ergonomics, technical solutions in which a toothbrush body with a toothpaste container (or vice versa) is connected to a toothbrush, especially advantageous. Essentially, one can distinguish two groups of technical solutions.

The first group includes toothbrushes in which toothpaste is carried through a channel leading from a toothpaste container through a neck of the toothbrush to bristle at the head of the toothbrush. Such articles are disclosed, for example, in US-A-4199270 and US-A-4068974 described. This group of toothbrushes proves to be very user-friendly, but involves problems with toothpaste storage. For example, an open channel end at the head of the toothbrush may cause the toothpaste to dry out or run out. In document US-A-4068974 this problem is solved by the use of valves. However, the production of this embodiment is complicated and associated with higher costs.

In the second group of toothbrushes, the toothpaste container for applying the toothpaste to the bristles of the head is separated from a toothbrush body of the toothbrush. Such articles are described, for example, in US-A-6325076 and US-A-6227209. After applying the toothpaste, the toothpaste container is reconnected to the toothbrush body. Unlike the first group, no channel is needed in the neck of the toothbrush for guiding the toothpaste to the head.

Document FR-A-2658400 discloses a toothbrush in which a toothpaste tube forms an end portion of the handle of the toothbrush. The Zahnpastatube is firmly connected by screwing her dispensing head into a threaded hole at the free end of a handle part with the handle part. After unscrewing the exposed toothpaste tube, toothpaste can be applied to the bristles of a head of the toothbrush by pressure on the toothpaste tube.

In contrast to a toothbrush with an exposed toothpaste tube is described in US-A-6227209 a toothbrush, in which the toothpaste container in a solid, cylindrical sleeve, which with a Recess and is provided at both ends with lids is located. The sturdy sleeve absorbs the burden of toothbrushing and passes it over a firmly connected with her grip and a neck to the head of the toothbrush on. The recess comprises a part of the sleeve and a slot-like part in, the handle part facing lid. The recess serves on the one hand to insert the toothpaste container in the sleeve, and on the other hand, to exert pressure on the soft-elastic toothpaste container by means of a finger which can engage through the recess in the sleeve and thereby push out the toothpaste. A releasable connection between the handle part and the toothpaste container surrounded by the sleeve is ensured by an interaction of a cross through the recess part in the lid thread on the dispensing head of the toothpaste container with a threaded hole in the free end of the handle portion of the toothbrush. However, the screw connection proves to be impractical to handle in everyday life.

This raises the task of providing a toothbrush with a simple insertable and removable toothpaste container, which has a simple structure with a minimum number of items and is inexpensive to manufacture.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a toothbrush having the features described in claim 1. The object is further achieved by a toothbrush body according to the features of claim 14 and a toothpaste container with the features of claim 15.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the toothbrush are specified in the dependent claims.

The basic idea of the toothbrush according to the invention is to provide a toothbrush with a toothbrush body and a toothpaste container insertable therein, in which a shell-like container socket is formed on a handle part of the toothbrush body, which partially encloses a container body when the toothpaste container is inserted into the handle part, and the container body has an over the container holder has protruding, stable handle shell part. The handle shell part together with the handle part forms the surface of a handle of the toothbrush. Preferably, the container socket gives the toothpaste container a one-to-one position in the handle. The handle substantially maintains its shape under stress encountered during tooth brushing, regardless of the level of the toothpaste container. The holder of the toothpaste container in the handle portion of the toothbrush body allows at the same time a very simple and quick removal and opening of the toothpaste container. Preferably, the handle part is provided with a closure pin, so that when inserted into the handle part toothpaste container a tight closure of the toothpaste container is ensured. From the toothpaste container removed from the grip part, it is possible to push out the toothpaste by a light finger pressure on a weakened, soft-elastic zone of the toothpaste container. This weakened zone is, for example, a recess on the toothpaste container, on which the wall thickness of the toothpaste container is lower than in the remaining part of the container. The weakened zone is covered with a toothpaste container inserted into the handle part of the container holder.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine Zahnbürste mit einem Zahnbürstenkörper und einem darin eingesetzten Zahnpastabehälter;

Fig. 2

eine Längsschnittdarstellung des Zahnbürstenkörpers der Zahnbürste aus Fig. 1 entlang der Linie II-II mit eingesetztem Zahnpastabehälter;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht eines Zahnpastabehälters;

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht eines Abgabekopfs und eines Teils eines Behälterkörpers eines Zahnpastabehälters;

Fig. 5

eine Schnittdarstellung einer weiteren Ausbildungsform des Abgabekopfes mit einem Teil des Behälterkörpers eines Zahnpastabehälters;

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht eines Griffteils eines Zahnbürstenkörpers mit einem Halteelement und eines abgenommenen Zahnpastabehälters mit einer Griffmulde;

Fig. 7

eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Griffteils (teilweise transparent dargestellt) eines Zahnbürstenkörpers und eines eingesetzten Zahnpastabehälters mit einem Rastnoppen;

Fig. 8

eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Griffteils (teilweise transparent dargestellt) einer Zahnbürste mit einer Haltenase und eines eingesetzten Zahnpastabehälters;

Fig. 9

eine Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Griffteils einer Zahnbürste mit einem offnen Einschnitt am freien Ende des Griffteils und eines abgenommenen Zahnpastabehälters mit einem schienenartigen Steg in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 10

eine Seitenansicht eines Zahnbürstenkörpers (teilweise transparent dargestellt) mit einem Zentrierstern und einem Dorn an einer Behälterfassung;

Fig. 11

eine Seitenansicht eines Zahnpastabehälters mit einer Griffmulde und einer Füllstandsanzeige;

Fig. 12

eine Draufsicht auf eine Zahnbürste mit einem Siegel, das über einen Teil des Griffteils und einen Teil des darin eingesetzten Zahnpastabehälters reicht, sowie darunter einer weiteren Ausführungsform mit einer Skinfolie;

Fig. 13

eine Draufsicht auf eine Ausbildungsform eines Kopfes einer Zahnbürste mit Rückhaltelementen aus Filamenten in einer ovalen Anordnung;

Fig. 14

eine Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausbildungsform eines Kopfes einer Zahnbürste mit Rückhaltelementen aus Filamenten in einer kreisförmigen Anordnung;

Fig. 15

eine Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausbildungsform eines Kopfes einer Zahnbürste mit hintereinander versetzten Rückhalteelementen, die einen sichelförmigen Querschnitt aufweisen;

Fig. 16

eine Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausbildungsform eines Kopfes einer Zahnbürste mit einem Rückhalteelement aus C-förmig ineinandergreifenden Wänden; und

Fig. 17

eine Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausbildungsform eines Kopfes einer Zahnbürste mit einem rosettenartigen Rückhalteelement.

Particularly advantageous embodiments are shown purely schematically in the following figures:

Fig. 1

a plan view of a toothbrush with a toothbrush body and a toothpaste container inserted therein;

Fig. 2

a longitudinal sectional view of the toothbrush body of the toothbrush of Figure 1 along the line II-II with inserted toothpaste container.

Fig. 3

a side view of a toothpaste container;

Fig. 4

a view of a dispensing head and a part of a container body of a toothpaste container;

Fig. 5

a sectional view of another embodiment of the dispensing head with a part of the container body of a toothpaste container;

Fig. 6

a side view of a handle portion of a toothbrush body with a holding element and a removed Zahnpastabehälters with a recessed grip;

Fig. 7

a side view of another embodiment of a handle part (partially shown in transparent) of a toothbrush body and a toothpaste container inserted with a locking nubs;

Fig. 8

a side view of another embodiment of a handle portion (partially shown in transparent) of a toothbrush with a holding lug and a toothpaste container inserted;

Fig. 9

a plan view of another embodiment of a handle portion of a toothbrush with an open cut at the free end of the handle portion and a removed toothpaste container with a rail-like bridge in side view;

Fig. 10

a side view of a toothbrush body (partially shown in transparent) with a centering star and a mandrel on a container socket;

Fig. 11

a side view of a toothpaste container with a recessed grip and a level indicator;

Fig. 12

a plan view of a toothbrush with a seal that extends over a portion of the handle portion and a portion of the toothpaste container inserted therein, and underneath another embodiment with a skin film;

Fig. 13

a plan view of an embodiment of a head of a toothbrush with retaining elements made of filaments in an oval arrangement;

Fig. 14

a plan view of another embodiment of a head of a toothbrush with retaining elements made of filaments in a circular arrangement;

Fig. 15

a plan view of another embodiment of a head of a toothbrush with successively offset retaining elements having a crescent-shaped cross-section;

Fig. 16

a plan view of another embodiment of a head of a toothbrush with a Retaining element of C-shaped interlocking walls; and

Fig. 17

a plan view of another embodiment of a head of a toothbrush with a rosette-like retaining element.

An inventive toothbrush with a toothpaste container 10 inserted into a toothbrush body 5 is shown in a plan view in FIG. 1 and in a longitudinal sectional view in FIG. The toothbrush body 5 consists of a bristle 14 equipped with head 12, a neck 16 and a subsequent handle portion 18. The handle portion 18 has at its, the head 12 opposite area a container socket 20, in the detachably the handle shell portion 22 having toothpaste container 10 is inserted , The handle part 18 and the toothpaste container 10 together form a handle 19.

An axis in continuation of the bristles 14-bearing side of the head 12, encloses with the longitudinal axis of the toothpaste container 10 used an angle α less than 60 °, preferably less than 30 °. Due to this slight bending occurring during insertion of the toothpaste container 10 in the handle member 18, acting on the neck 16 and the handle member 18 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush bending forces are limited and a high pressure on the bristles 14 when holding the toothbrush body 5 is avoided.

The head 12 is equipped with bristles 14 or bristle tufts and has a soft-elastic retaining element 24 for a partial retention of toothpaste 26 on the head 12. The head 12 or preferably the bristled part of the head 12, can alternatively also interchangeable be. In this case, it is detachably connected to the neck 16 or to a receiving part fastened to the head 12.

The arcuate neck 16, which is curved against the free end of the bristles 14, joins the head 12. It ends at the transition to the handle part 18 after a following in the direction of the free ends of the bristles 14 increase 28 in front of a thumb rest 30. The neck 16 and the handle 18 contain a stable, structuring hard component, preferably made of chemically toothpaste 26 and mouthwash resistant plastic, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS), thermoplastic copolymers of styrene and acrylonitrile (SAN), isoplast, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polypropylene (PP). The tensile modulus of the preferably used polypropylene is preferably greater than 1200 MPa. As a result, a sufficient stability of the grip member 18 is ensured under loads during brushing.

In circumferential grooves of the neck 16 soft-elastic damping elements 90 are integrated, which cause a greater elasticity of the neck 16 and attenuate bending forces occurring at the neck 16.

The thumb rest 30 is provided with knobs 32 and / or dents made of soft-elastic plastic. In conjunction with the sloping in the direction of the free end of the handle 19 side of the elevation 28, it prevents in a cleaning movement slipping the applied thumb in the direction of the head 12th

As shown in FIG. 2, the container holder 20 formed on the handle member 18 encloses a part like a blade when the toothpaste container 10 is inserted into the handle member 18 A closure member 36 formed in the container holder 20 protrudes into an outlet opening 34 on a dispensing head 38 of the toothpaste container 10. The closure member 36 is used for tightly closing the toothpaste container 10. The outlet 34 has a diameter smaller than 6 mm, preferably less than 3mm. This diameter is chosen to stop the user for the economical consumption of toothpaste 26 and prevent leakage of the toothpaste 26 from the toothpaste container 10.

The head 12 facing part of the container socket 20 encloses in the form of a funnel-shaped recess the dispensing head 38 of the toothpaste container 10 completely. This complete enclosure of the dispensing head 38 is at least 5% of the length of the toothpaste container 10. The opening of the funnel-shaped recess in the direction of the free end of the handle member 18 preferably has a minimum radius of 10mm. This makes it possible to clean the recess and in particular the surroundings of the closure pin 36, for example by means of a cotton swab.

The further continuation of the blade-like enclosure of the toothpaste container 10 is formed asymmetrically in the example shown with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 19. On the lower, non-bristle 14-bearing side of the toothbrush covers the container holder 20 about 2/3 of the length of the toothpaste container 10 and thereby mechanically supports a holder of the toothpaste container 10. The wall thickness of the handle portion 18 is selected correspondingly large on this lower side. The overlap can alternatively also a smaller part or also, like For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the entire lower side of the toothpaste container 10 may be included. The remaining with respect to FIG. 2 third of the length of the handle 19 on the lower side of the toothbrush is formed by the handle shell part 22 itself. On the opposite upper, bristles 14-bearing side of the toothbrush, the handle shell portion 22 is about 1/3 of the surface of the handle 19. Alternatively, this proportion may also be smaller or larger.

The side walls formed by the shovel-like enclosure have a maximum wall thickness of less than 5mm. The wall thickness preferably decreases continuously to the free end of the handle shell part 22, that is, up to a transition to the toothpaste container 10 used. Thus, the container frame 20 is given a degree of flexibility for damping a plastering pressure.

The handle shell part 22 of the toothpaste container 10 closes on the entire outer side of the handle 19 preferably accurately and almost infinitely along a in the view in Fig. 2 S-shaped, annular end face 43 to the container frame 20 of the handle portion 18 at. Alternatively, the end face 43 may be configured such that a side line shown in the side view of FIG. 2 is a straight line, a stepped line, an arcuate line, or a line composed of the aforementioned line shapes. Preferably, an angle β, which is from a connecting line from an uppermost point of the side line indicated at A in Fig. 2, to a lowermost point indicated at B on the lower side of the toothbrush, and the longitudinal axis of the toothpaste container 10 in the direction of the free End of the Handle 19 is formed with inserted toothpaste container 10, greater than 90 °.

In an environment of 10mm to the transition from the handle portion 18 to the handle shell portion 22 are all tangential surfaces of the surface at angles to each other, which are preferably less than 45 °. Advantageously, moreover, no sharp edges occur.

The almost stepless continuation of the handle surface prevents the ingress of water, other liquid or solid materials and thus contamination of the dispensing head and toothpaste located in the toothpaste 10 toothpaste 26. The almost stepless continuation is also particularly advantageous for ergonomic reasons and prevents tooth brushing an occurrence of Pressure points on the palm.

In the case of loading (normally brush pressure force of 2N to 5N) when brushing the handle shell portion 22 of the toothpaste container 10 inserted into the toothbrush body 5 keeps its shape practically unchanged. The forces occurring in particular on the side of the toothbrush occupied by bristles 14, in particular the handball, are transmitted from the handle shell part 22, via the container mount 20 to the grip part 18 and further over the neck 16 to the head 12 and onto the bristles 14. The walls of the container holder 20 prevent in the case of loading when inserted toothpaste container 10 bulging or buckling of the container body 42 and thus contribute to the maintenance of the shape of the toothpaste container 10 at.

In Fig. 3, a preferred embodiment of the toothpaste container 10 is shown. He has a drop-like basic shape on the handle shell part 22 protrudes. The thus formed, annular peripheral end face 43 is preferably almost accurately fitting on a corresponding end face of the container holder 20 when inserted toothpaste container 10. As the material for the toothpaste container 10, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), preferably polyolefins, especially polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) can be used.

The toothpaste container 10 is inserted into the handle part 18 of the toothbrush body 5 by a plugging movement with the dispensing head 38, pointing in the direction of the head 12 of the toothbrush body 5, almost along the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. The direction may, depending on the embodiment of the holder of the toothpaste container 10 on the toothbrush body 5, be inclined to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. Also, depending on the design of the holder may be an additional latching movement almost in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush or perpendicular to this direction, for the purpose of locking the toothpaste container 10 in the handle portion 18 may be required. Alternatively, in a bayonet or Drehrasthalterung the toothpaste container 10 in the handle portion 18, the insertion movement along the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush with a rotational movement to preferably less than 45 ° to complement the longitudinal axis. To remove the toothpaste container 10, the movements take place in reverse order against the direction of movement during insertion.

The toothpaste container 10 can be repeatedly inserted or removed in the grip part 18. To fill up of the included consumable toothpaste 26, the toothpaste container 10 is to be refilled by the user or a refill can be purchased.

The wall thickness of the toothpaste container 10 may vary over the entire circumference. In order to allow the toothpaste 26 to be pressed out after the toothpaste container 10 has been removed, the wall thickness of the container body 42 is preferably less than 2 mm in at least a few places. At these locations, the wall has a tensile modulus of elasticity below 1400 MPa using the container materials polyethylene and polypropylene. In particular, the points can be indentations 52 formed laterally on the toothpaste container 10, which are described in more detail below in connection with FIG. 6 or FIG. 11. The wall thickness of the handle shell portion 22 is preferably greater than that of the remaining container body 42 to guarantee the stability of the shape during use. The dimensional stability can be assisted by ribs 78 which are additionally formed or applied on the toothpaste container 10. The toothpaste container 10 itself is a hollow body which is produced, for example, by means of injection molding, injection blow molding, extrusion blow molding, rotational molding.

Depending on the chosen manufacturing process, but especially during extrusion blow molding, brewing may occur at a mold separation line of the toothpaste container. These brows can be removed or reduced by post-processing techniques. In any case, the mold separation line of the container body 42 is preferably not on the handle shell portion 22 but in the inserted state of the maximum of the Container frame 20 enclosed part of the toothpaste container 10. In this way, the brow or remaining bumps can not disturb the user while brushing your teeth.

The outer dimensions of the toothpaste container 10 are selected so that in the inserted into the handle portion 18, the handle 19 can be easily held in the hand and performed in the cleaning operations. The largest diameter of the cross section of the toothpaste container 10 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is smaller than 25mm, the length is smaller than 100mm. The ratio of the diameter to the length is less than 1: 2, preferably 1: 4.

The toothpaste container 10 occupies about 20% to 60% of the total length of the toothbrush with the toothpaste container 10 inserted. Its volume is less than 50ml, preferably between 10ml to 30ml, and is between 45% to 95% of the volume of the handle 19. A volume of 30ml toothpaste 26 is sufficient for 30 to 60 brushing operations. These volume ratios are an optimal compromise between an ergonomically shaped handle 19 (in terms of diameter and length) and a sufficient amount of toothpaste 26 for as many brushing operations.

The geometry, the wall thickness, and the material of the handle shell portion 22 of the toothpaste container 10 are selected so that the toothpaste container 10 in the open and emptied state, when loaded with a force of 10N on the handle shell part 22 by means of a centrally placed, almost perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the Toothpaste container 10, in the direction of pointing in Fig. 3 with arrow 100 pointing pin of 18mm diameter, a deformation of 1 to 5mm cause becomes. At a load of 50N, the deformation of the handle shell portion 22 should be about 5mm. The deformations are formed in the empty state after removal of the load again at least almost completely back.

Two embodiments of the dispensing head 38 of the toothpaste container 10 are shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 in an enlarged representation relative to FIG. 3. In this case, an inwardly encircling locking groove 44 of a cap 45, which preferably consists of a stiffer plastic material than that of the toothpaste container 10, locked on a circumferential locking bead 46 of a neck-shaped tapered portion of the container body 42. Alternatively, the cap 45 with a locking bead 46 and the neck-shaped tapered part of the container body 42 may be equipped with a locking groove 44. The neck-shaped tapered portion of the container body 42 and the cap 45 together form the dispensing head 38. In addition to this two-piece embodiment of the dispensing head 38, an integrally formed on the container body 42 embodiment is possible.

In order to prevent leakage of the toothpaste 26 from the toothpaste container 10 or a drying of the toothpaste 26 in the toothpaste container 10 before a first use, various embodiments of the cap 45 of the dispensing head 38 have a sealed outlet opening 34. By a closure of the outlet opening 34 a separate from the toothbrush body 5 production as well as a sale / purchase of the toothpaste container 10 is possible. In Fig. 4, a solution is shown in which a film 48 made of plastic or metal in front of the outlet opening 34 is attached. alternative can, as shown in Fig. 5, the toothpaste container 10 are closed by a membrane 50 made of the material of the toothpaste container 10 and the cap 45 or by a thermoplastic elastomer directly in the manufacturing process.

FIG. 6 shows a toothbrush body 5 with a toothpaste container 10 removed. An indentation on the toothpaste container 10 marked 52 marks a particularly elastic location, for example due to a smaller wall thickness at this location, which is provided for pushing the toothpaste 26 out of the toothpaste container 10. The marking of the recess 52 for the user takes place for example by a net-like surface structure. Alternatively, of course, other surface structures are possible. The marking can also be done by a colored design or by sprayed soft-elastic elements. The recesses 52 and or the markings of the recesses 52 may have an additional adhesive function. The adhesive function for holding the toothpaste container 10 in the handle part 18 is made possible by an interaction of the adhesive elements with the inner wall of the container holder 20 or there attached adhesive elements.

Strip-shaped ribs 78 on the handle portion 18 and on the handle shell portion 22 serve on the one hand to increase the dimensional stability of the handle portion 18 and the toothpaste container 10, and on the other hand a better grip in the user's hand. Also, a better grip serve on the outer sides of the side walls of the handle portion 18 mounted, soft-elastic support elements 54th

FIGS. 7 to 9 show preferred embodiments of the holder of the toothpaste container 10 in the grip part 18 of the toothbrush body 5.

Preferably, these brackets are biased. The bias is less than 50N, preferably less than 20N, to allow easy removal of the toothpaste container 10 from the container holder 20. This bias also serves to seal cavities in the container mount 20 against ingress of water or contaminants by means of the toothpaste container 10.

In Fig. 7, a holder is shown by an interaction of an at least partially circumferential locking projection 56 of the container holder 20 with a locking groove 57 on the dispensing head 38 of the toothpaste container 10. The latching projection 56 preferably has a triangular or semicircular cross-section (latching bead). Alternatively or additionally, the holder by a locking nubs 58, which engages in a not shown opening or Raststufung the container socket 20, take place. In the case of a Raststufung can be pushed by a pressure on the handle shell portion 22 in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush body 5 of the toothpaste container 10 from a first detent stage to a second, located closer to the head 12 detent stage. As a result, the closure pin 36 is simultaneously inserted into the outlet opening 34 and the toothpaste container 10 is closed. There are other forms of locking or Verschnappung possible, which guarantee a secure and multi-releasable holder. In particular, cooperating for this purpose ribs 78, nubs 32, projections or dents at corresponding positions on the handle portion 18 and on Toothpaste container 10 may be attached. Preferably, the toothpaste container 10 is uniquely positioned in the container holder 20.

8 shows a further embodiment of a holder of the toothpaste container 10 in the handle part 18. In this case, the sliding out of the toothpaste container 10 by the interaction of a retaining lug 67 with a corresponding shape on the toothpaste container 10 is prevented. The hook-shaped retaining lug 67 is formed in the free end region of the blade-like container frame 20 and biased in the direction of the head 12. Alternatively, the retaining lug 67 and the corresponding shaping can also be formed at a location of the container mount 20 closer to the head 12.

The container holder 20 may further comprise centering aids for easier insertion of the toothpaste container 10 into the container holder 20. In Fig. 9 such a centering aid is shown. In this case, an extending in the longitudinal direction, rail-like web 68 of the toothpaste container 10 is slidably guided in an open recess 70 in the free end region of the blade-like container holder 20. It is possible to further develop this form of centering so that it serves by self-locking, for example by a wedge-like taper of the incision 70, at the same time the locking of the inserted toothpaste container 10 in the container holder 20.

A further form of centering can, as shown in FIG. 10, take place by means of a centering star 60 in the container holder 20. Preferably, this centering star 60 is formed concentrically around the locking pin 36. A closure, such as a foil 48 or a membrane 50, as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, is opened during the first use of the toothpaste container 10 by the closure pin 36, as shown in FIG. 2, or by an additional mandrel 40 placed in extension of the closure pin 36 ,

The embodiment shown in Fig. 10 is also equipped with a number of soft-elastic elements. Thus, there is a dispensing head seal 86 for sealing the outlet opening 34 of the toothpaste container 10 in the container holder 20 of the handle part 18. The dispensing head seal 86 serves as a cushion or damper and facilitates the insertion and removal of the toothpaste container 10. Another soft-elastic sealing element 88th is attached along the front surface at the free end of the handle portion 18. By the concern of the end face 43 of the inserted toothpaste container 10 on the sealing element 88, the penetration of liquid or solid substances, in particular of water is prevented. Further soft-elastic elements in the form of damping elements 90 are, as already described in connection with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, integrated in circumferential grooves in the region of the neck 16 of the toothbrush body 5. This creates a flexible zone in the region of the neck 16 with a soft elastic damping. At the head 12, on the bristles 14 opposite side, there is additionally a soft-elastic massage element 91, which can be used for massage of the gums.

Preferably, all the soft-elastic elements are shaped and arranged or connected to each other by channels, that they over a single injection point in a single step in injection molding can be made.

The toothpaste container 10 may be equipped with a level indicator 72 as shown in FIG. For this purpose, the toothpaste container 10 is made of transparent or translucent plastic, which allows a conclusion on the toothpaste container 26 still located in the toothpaste container 10. By comparison of a preferably attached to the toothpaste container 10 scale 76 with the visible in the toothpaste container 10 amount of toothpaste 26, approximately the number of still to be performed with the toothpaste container 10 located in the amount of toothpaste 26 brushing operations can be determined. The scale 76 may alternatively be attached to the handle portion 18, preferably at the blade-like end portion of the handle portion 18 on the lower, the bristles 14 side facing away. In this case, in addition, a not shown window or a recess in the lower side of the handle part 18 may be integrated, so that a view of the container body 42 and thus on the toothpaste contained therein is released. In this way, a reading of the level even when inserted into the handle portion 18 toothpaste container 10 is possible.

In addition to the fill level indicator 72, ribs 78, knobs 32, projections or dents, preferably made of the same material from which the toothpaste container 10 itself may be attached, may be attached to the handle shell part 22. These elements can also be located on other parts of the toothbrush, in particular on the grip part 18. They serve to better hold the hand by preventing the hand from slipping during the cleaning process, making it easier Inserting and removing the toothpaste container 10 and show the user Fingerauflage- and pressure points, for example, for pushing out the toothpaste 26 on. The elements on the toothbrush body 5, however, are preferably mounted by molding of non-slip, soft-elastic materials. Both the handle shell part 22, as well as all other visible from the outside parts of the toothpaste brush with inscriptions 80, characters or any monochrome and color designs, for example, for brand information, also preferably made of soft-elastic material, be provided.

In order to indicate to the user the first use of the toothpaste container 10, as shown in the upper illustration of FIG. 12, a seal 92 may be applied, which extends over the grip part 18 and the handle shell part 22. For example, the seal 92 may be made of a material that is otherwise used on the handle 19, preferably molded, or adhesively bonded from another material, in the form of a label. The seal 92 preferably has a tab 94 for severing the seal. The tab 94 covers the end face 43 partially and is due to a perforation, which runs approximately parallel to the end face 43, easy to cut. In the lower figure of Fig. 12, an embodiment is shown in which a skin film 96 performs the same function. It extends approximately from the thumb rest 30 to half the length of the handle shell part 22 and encloses the entire circumference of the toothbrush. Prior to the first removal of the toothpaste container 10 from the container holder 20, the seal 92, the label or the skin film 96 must be severed. The seal 92, the label and the skin foil 96 can be printed with lettering, Signs, brand information, etc. must be provided.

A first use can also be done by unlocking a second, from the seal 92, the label or the skin film 96 covered or otherwise closed detent position, which must be taken to fully insert the toothpaste container 10 in the handle portion 18. During the transition to the new latching position, the mandrel 40 opens the foil 48 or membrane 50 at the dispensing head 38 of the toothpaste container 10.

For applying adhesive labels, certain minimum radii of curvature of the surface of the handle shell portion 22 are desired. In the direction of the longitudinal axis of the toothpaste container 10, the radius of curvature for this reason is greater than 50 mm and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis greater than 10 mm.

The toothpaste 26 located in the toothpaste container 10 is adapted to the specific requirements of the toothbrush. Thus, the viscosity of the toothpaste 26 and the size of the outlet opening 34 of the toothpaste container 10 are adjusted so that even with a vertical position of the longitudinal axis of the toothpaste container 10 with open, downwardly directed outlet opening 34 no or very little toothpaste 26 runs out.

Since the dimensions of the toothpaste container 10 are smaller than those of known, conventional Zahnpastatuben, the concentration of cleaning substances, flavors, etc. in the toothpaste 26 for the toothbrush according to the invention is about twice as high as in well-known toothpaste. In particular, for cleaning and bleaching purposes, toothpaste 26 may also contain hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of less than 20%, preferably between 3% to 15%, by volume. Of course, the toothpaste 26 can also be used when brushing with toothbrushes of known type.

In order to allow the toothpaste 26 to be pushed out of the toothpaste container 10 as simply as possible, the toothpaste 26 is provided with a dynamic viscosity which is lower than the conventional toothpaste. The dynamic viscosity should preferably be in the following ranges when measured by a Couette viscometer at a toothpaste temperature of 25 ° C: Shear rate (1 / s) 10 50 100 200 Dyn. Viscosity (Pa s) 2 - 15 0.7 - 8 0.5 - 5 0.4 - 5

A flow down of the toothpaste 26 from the head 12 of the toothbrush is prevented by the fact that retaining elements 24, for example in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 13 to 17, are integrated in the head 12. They not only serve to retain the applied toothpaste 26, but at the same time allow a metered delivery of the toothpaste 26 to the surrounding bristle field. The retaining elements 24 may consist of walls 84, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, on the one hand. The walls 84 are preferably made of rubber, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) or other elastic plastics. The Shore A hardness of the walls 84, should, like that of all soft-elastic elements toothbrush, less than 70, preferably less than 50. On the other hand, the retaining elements 24 can also consist of tufts 82 of very thin filaments, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, with a diameter of less than 0.175 mm, preferably less than 0.15 mm. The retaining elements 24 are at least partially surrounded by bristles 14 or bristle tufts and are preferably located almost in the middle of the head 12.

Between the walls 84 and the tufts 82 of filaments formed, open towards the free bristle ends channels receive the toothpaste 26 on. The channels preferably have at least a width of 1.5 mm at their openings to the surrounding bristle field. The maximum height of the retaining elements 24 is preferably less than 12mm. They are, as shown in Fig. 2, thus smaller than the longest bristles 14. The retaining elements 24 are visible to the consumer, for example, by a colored marker. The soft-elastic walls 84 and tufts 82 can simultaneously serve to clean and massage the teeth and gums. Of course, toothbrushes of known type can be equipped with such retention elements 24.

In Figs. 13 and 14, an oval and a circular arrangement of closely spaced tufts 82 of filaments are shown. In these embodiments, the retention members 24 are positioned nearly centrally on the head 12 and surrounded by conventional bristles 14 and / or bristle tufts.

FIGS. 15 to 17 show labyrinth-like arrangements of retaining elements 24 with soft-elastic walls 84. In FIG. 15, the walls 84 are of sickle-shaped cross-section, opened in their longitudinal directions against each other and arranged offset. In this case, the elongate arrangement is likewise positioned almost centrally on the elongated head 12 and surrounded by conventional bristles 14 and / or bristle tufts.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of a retaining element 24 with two C-shaped walls 84. The apertures of the C-shapes engage one another to form an S-shaped channel which is open towards the free bristle ends. The walls 84 and the channel are arranged on an oval basic shape. The longitudinal axis of the basic shape is nearly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head 12. The retaining element 24 extends over the entire width of the head 12th

FIG. 17 shows a retaining element 24 with a rosette-like arrangement of soft-elastic walls 84. The walls 84 have a crescent-shaped cross-section and are mounted in the free end region of the head 12.

The toothbrush according to the invention is preferably produced automatically in an injection molding installation which is equipped with a vibrating conveyor, in particular for transporting the closed toothpaste containers 10. The toothpaste containers 10 can be made in a separate location, filled with toothpaste 26 and sealed. The insertion of the toothpaste container 10 in the handle portion 18 is preferably also automatically, directly to the injection molding plant. Alternatively, the toothpaste container 10 can also be mounted on a subsequently supplied to the injection molding system, automatically supplied Beborstungsanlage. Seals 92, labels or skin foils 96 are applied directly to the brush system on the toothbrushes.

Claims (15)

1. Toothbrush with a toothbrush body (5) and a toothpaste container (10), the toothbrush body (5) having a head (12), which is covered with bristles (14), a neck (16) and a handle part (18), which adjoins the neck (16) and forms a handle (19) together with the toothpaste container (10), which is inserted into the handle part (18) such that it can be removed and which has a dispensing head (38) and a container body (42), wherein a shell-like container holder (20) is integrally formed on the handle part (18) and, with the toothpaste container (10) inserted into the handle part (18), partially encloses the container body (42), characterized in that the container body (42) has a handle shell part (22) which projects beyond the container holder (20) and in that the surface of the handle (19) essentially maintains its form when subjected to loading which occurs during teeth cleaning, irrespective of the filling level of the toothpaste container (10), and in that the toothpaste container (10) removed from the handle part (18) has at least more or less the same form before and after toothpaste (26) has been squeezed out.
2. Toothbrush according to Claim 1, characterized in that the handle shell part (22), together with the handle part (18), in the inserted state, forms an at least more or less step-free surface of the handle (19).
3. Toothbrush according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handle part (18) at least more or less completely encloses the dispensing head (38) of the inserted toothpaste container (10) and encloses the container body (42) of the latter asymmetrically such that on the bottom side of the handle part (18), which is directed away from the bristles, the container holder (20) engages in a shovel-like manner around the container body (42), at least as far as its longitudinal centre, and supports it laterally, and in that the handle shell part (22) forms at least part of the surface of the handle (19) on the top side, which is directed toward the bristles.
4. Toothbrush according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least part of the container body (42), other than the handle shell part (22), is thinner-walled and thus more flexibly elastic than the rest of the container body (42), in order to make it possible, with the toothpaste container (10) removed from the handle part (18), to squeeze the toothpaste (26) out of the toothpaste container (10), and in that, in the state in which the container is inserted into the handle part (18), the thin-walled part is covered by the container holder (20).
5. Toothbrush according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the handle part (18) and the toothpaste container (10) are provided with retaining elements such that, with the toothpaste container (10) inserted in the handle part (18), the toothpaste container (10) is retained on the handle part (18) by interaction of the retaining elements, which are designed
   as adhering elements, between which there is sufficient static friction, or
   as a latching protrusion (56) and latching groove (57) for latching-in purposes, or
   as a latching protuberance (58) and a corresponding latching step arrangement, or
   as a hook-like retaining nose (67) and a correspondingly shaped portion.
6. Toothbrush according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, with the toothpaste container (10) inserted in the handle part (18), a closure pin (36) of the handle part (18) closes an outlet opening (34) on the dispensing head (38) of the toothpaste container (10) in a sealed manner.
7. Toothbrush according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, on its encircling free end surface, the handle part (18) has a sealing element (88) which, with the toothpaste container (10) inserted, interacts with a peripheral end surface (43) of the toothpaste container (10) in order to prevent water from penetrating to the dispensing head (38), and/or in that the container holder (20) has a flexibly elastic dispensing-head seal (86) on the closure pin (36) in order to prevent toothpaste (26) from running out of the toothpaste container (10).
8. Toothbrush according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a rail-like ridge (68) of the toothpaste container (10) engages in an incision (70) of the container holder (20) which runs at least more or less in the longitudinal direction of the handle part (18), and/or in that the toothpaste container (10) is introduced into a centering star (60) of the handle part (18).
9. Toothbrush according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the handle part (18) is provided with a spike (40) which, when the toothpaste container (10) is inserted into the container holder (20) for the first time, is intended to open a closure (48, 50) on the dispensing head (38) of the toothpaste container (10) .
10. Toothbrush according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least part of the toothpaste container (10) is transparent or translucent, with the result that a quantity of toothpaste (26) located therein is visible, and a scale (76) is provided on the toothpaste container (10) or on the shovel-like end region of the handle part (18), which preferably has a window or a cutout to give a view of the toothpaste container (10), in order to form a filling-level indicator (72).
11. Toothbrush according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the handle part (18) and/or the handle shell part (22) have/has ribs (78), protuberances (32), protrusions or indents, which are produced on the handle part (18) preferably from a non-slip, flexibly elastic material.
12. Toothbrush according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the viscosity of the toothpaste (26) located in the toothpaste container (10) and the size of the outlet opening (34) are set such that, in the vertical position of the longitudinal axis of the toothpaste container (10) with the outlet opening (34) open and directed downward, very little toothpaste (26), if any at all, passes out.
13. Toothbrush according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the head (12) is provided with a restraining element (24) for partially holding back the toothpaste (26) applied to it.
14. Toothbrush body for a toothbrush according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the toothbrush body (5) has a head (12), which is covered with bristles (14), a neck (16) and a handle part (18), which adjoins the neck (16) and on which is formed a shell-like container holder (20) which is intended for accommodating a toothpaste container (10) inserted into the handle part (18) and for partially enclosing the inserted toothpaste container (10), and in that the handle part (18) is intended for forming a handle (19) together with the inserted toothpaste container (10).
15. Toothpaste container for a toothbrush according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the toothpaste container (10) has a dispensing head (38) and a container body (42) with a handle shell part (22) and is intended for being inserted in a releasable manner into a shell-like container holder (20) of a handle part (18) of the toothbrush, the handle shell part (22), which essentially maintains its form when subjected to loading which occurs during teeth cleaning, irrespective of the filling level of the toothpaste container (10), forming the surface of a handle (19) together with the handle part (18).

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