EP1621105B1 - Toothbrush having cavities - Google Patents

Abstract

On the upper side (28) of the handle surface layer (20), virtually parallel to the longitudinal axis (11a) strips are molded. Near these, to the sides, there are recesses (37) which penetrate from the upper side to the underside (30). Recesses are made between longitudinal strips (42) as a hole (38) penetrating the long axis. Holes form a straight-line row along the axis. Further dispositions and forms of penetrating holes are described.

Description

The invention relates to a toothbrush body according to the preamble of claim 1 and a toothbrush according to claim 14.

Toothbrushes are well-known items for daily oral hygiene. In general, they are divided into a toothbrush body, consisting of a head part, a neck part and a grip part, and bristles attached to the head part.

A toothbrush with a bristle-carrying head portion, a neck portion and a handle portion is used for example in the Patent DE-C-4222931 described. The handle portion has a solid core with spaced-apart ribs which in their entirety form a sufficient gripping surface. The disc-like ribs have an approximately square shape and are enlarged at an end portion of the handle portion adjoining the neck portion to form a thumb rest.

In the US-B-6286173 discloses a toothbrush comprising a two-part bristled head portion, a neck portion and a handle portion on which are formed three annular recesses for engaging fingers of a user's hand. These recesses have a decreasing with the distance to the head part diameter. The symmetry axes of the rings lie in a plane which runs parallel to the bristled top of the toothbrush.

The EP-A-1397976 describes a toothbrush, consisting of a head part, a neck part and a handle part, consisting of two oppositely disposed, S-shaped segments consists. These form in the handle part two elongated recesses with lateral openings on two broad sides of the toothbrush.

In the US-A-1840246 a toothbrush is described on the head part of spaced, bristles tufts are equipped with tines designed to prevent adhesion of toothpaste, tooth powder or similar, possibly contaminated with bacteria or food scraps on the headboard.

The US-A-1860924 discloses a toothbrush whose head portion is provided with a series of grooves extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush between bristle tufts.

When in the US-A-6016587 described toothbrush, the head part is provided with a central through hole. Located at the through hole, inclined in the direction of the through hole bristles to assist cleaning of the toothbrush.

In the WO-A-02/15740 is a toothbrush disclosed with a U-shaped recess on the headboard. On both sides, at the free ends of this recess are hinge-like elements, which allow a bristled occupied part of the head part against a connected to the neck part and the handle part further part of the head part bends and thus adapts to an individual tooth position.

Object of the present invention is to provide a voluminous, ergonomically advantageous, equipped with sufficient stability handle part, the is inexpensive to manufacture with minimal use of materials.

This object is achieved by a toothbrush body and a toothbrush having the features of claims 1 and 14, respectively. Particularly preferred embodiments are equipped with the features listed in the dependent claims.

The basic idea of the toothbrush body according to the invention or of the toothbrush according to the invention is a toothbrush body on its upper side of a palm support section with at least one longitudinal support strip running along the longitudinal axis of its or its grip part, beside which at least one recess extending from the top to a bottom side is located laterally, equip. The recess may be formed on the one hand in the form of a hole, which is arranged between two longitudinal support strips along the longitudinal axis of the palm support portion of the handle portion, or on the other hand, as a side opening open on a broad side and adjacent to the longitudinal support strip. On the toothbrush body according to the invention or the toothbrush according to the invention, a voluminous grip part is formed in this way, which requires a lower material usage in comparison to conventional grip parts due to the recesses and is therefore cost-efficient to manufacture. At the same time, the weight of the toothbrush body is reduced by the recesses and the handle part is given an ergonomically advantageous elasticity.

In preferred embodiments, a plurality of holes may be arranged in rows of holes and at least two lateral recesses may be connected by means of a bottom opening on the bottom opening on the underside of the palm rest section and thereby form ribs. In this way, for example, water or contaminants that accumulate between the hand and the surface of the ribs are efficiently dissipated in the channel-like recesses and slipping of the hand from the handle part is prevented.

In a further preferred embodiment, the ribs are formed by a soft component, whereby an ergonomically shaped, soft-elastic and damping surface is provided on the handle part. The pleasant feel of the handle causes a significantly improved comfort in the use of the toothbrush. The soft-elastic ribs also ensure an improved adaptation of the grip part to different grip positions, for example when brushing different regions of the oral cavity and when used by left-handed or right-handed users.

Fig. 1

im Längsschnitt einen Zahnbürstenkörper mit einer Lochreihe in einem Handflächenauflageabschnitt und einer Grundstruktur aus einer Hartkomponente, die eine Weichkomponente trägt;

Fig. 2

in einer Untersicht den in Fig. 1 gezeigten Zahnbürstenkörper;

Fig. 3

in einer Seitenansicht den in Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 gezeigten Zahnbürstenkörper, der zusätzlich mit am Kopfteil ausgebildeten Zungenschabernoppen ausgestattet ist;

Fig. 4

in einer Draufsicht den in Fig. 1 bis Fig. 3 gezeigten Zahnbürstenkörper;

Fig. 5

einen Querschnitt entlang der Linie V - V durch den in Fig. 1 bis Fig. 4 gezeigten Zahnbürstenkörper im Bereich eines Loches;

Fig. 6

einen Längsschnitt durch eine aus der Hartkomponente gebildete Grundstruktur des in Fig. 1 bis Fig. 4 gezeigten Zahnbürstenkörpers;

Fig. 7

in einer Untersicht die in Fig. 6 gezeigte Grundstruktur;

Fig. 8

in einer Seitenansicht die in Fig. 6 gezeigte Grundstruktur;

Fig. 9

eine Draufsicht auf die in Fig. 6 gezeigte Grundstruktur;

Fig. 10

einen Querschnitt entlang der Linie X - X durch die in Fig. 6 bis Fig. 9 gezeigte Grundstruktur im Bereich eines Lochs;

Fig. 11 bis Fig. 14

Draufsichten auf Zahnbürstenkörper mit Lochreihen, deren Löcher verschiedene Querschnittsformen aufweisen, und mit geometrisch ähnlichen weiteren Ausnehmungen an ihren Kopfteilen;

Fig. 15 bis Fig. 18

Draufsichten auf Kopfteile von Zahnbürstenkörpern mit verschiedenen Ausführungen von Reinigungs- und Massageelementen;

Fig. 19

im Längsschnitt eine weitere Ausführung einer Grundstruktur mit einem Griffsteg und davon abstehenden Stümpfen;

Fig. 20

in einer Untersicht die in Fig. 19 gezeigte Grundstruktur;

Fig. 21

eine Seitenansicht der in Fig. 19 und Fig. 20 gezeigten Grundstruktur;

Fig. 22

in einer Draufsicht die in Fig. 19 bis Fig. 21 gezeigte Grundstruktur;

Fig. 23

einen Querschnitt entlang der Linie XXIII - XXIII durch die in Fig. 19 bis Fig. 22 gezeigte Grundstruktur im Bereich eines Daumenauflageelments;

Fig. 24

einen Längsschnitt durch eine weitere Ausführung des Zahnbürstenkörpers mit der in Fig. 19 bis Fig. 22 gezeigten, nun eine Weichkomponente tragende Grundstruktur;

Fig. 25

in einer Untersicht den in Fig. 24 gezeigten Zahnbürstenkörper;

Fig. 26

in einer Seitenansicht den in Fig. 24 und Fig. 25 gezeigten Zahnbürstenkörper; und

Fig. 27

in einer Draufsicht den in Fig. 24 bis Fig. 26 gezeigten Zahnbürstenkörper.

Particularly preferred embodiments are shown schematically in the following figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

in longitudinal section a toothbrush body with a row of holes in a palm rest section and a basic structure of a hard component carrying a soft component;

Fig. 2

in a soffit the in Fig. 1 shown toothbrush body;

Fig. 3

in a side view the in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown toothbrush body, which is additionally equipped with trained on the head part tongue scraper nubs;

Fig. 4

in a plan view the in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 shown toothbrush body;

Fig. 5

a cross section along the line V - V through the in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 shown toothbrush body in the region of a hole;

Fig. 6

a longitudinal section through a formed from the hard component basic structure of in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 shown toothbrush body;

Fig. 7

in a soffit the in Fig. 6 basic structure shown;

Fig. 8

in a side view the in Fig. 6 basic structure shown;

Fig. 9

a top view of the in Fig. 6 basic structure shown;

Fig. 10

a cross section along the line X - X through the in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9 shown basic structure in the area of a hole;

11 to FIG. 14

Top views of toothbrush body with rows of holes whose holes have different cross-sectional shapes, and with geometrically similar further recesses on their headboards;

FIGS. 15 to 18

Top views of head parts of toothbrush bodies with different versions of cleaning and massage elements;

Fig. 19

in longitudinal section, another embodiment of a basic structure with a handle bar and projecting stumps;

Fig. 20

in a soffit the in Fig. 19 basic structure shown;

Fig. 21

a side view of in FIGS. 19 and 20 shown basic structure;

Fig. 22

in a plan view the in Fig. 19 to Fig. 21 basic structure shown;

Fig. 23

a cross section along the line XXIII - XXIII by the in FIGS. 19 to 22 basic structure shown in the area of a thumb rest;

Fig. 24

a longitudinal section through another embodiment of the toothbrush body with the in FIGS. 19 to 22 shown, now a soft component-bearing basic structure;

Fig. 25

in a soffit the in Fig. 24 shown toothbrush body;

Fig. 26

in a side view the in FIGS. 24 and 25 shown toothbrush body; and

Fig. 27

in a plan view the in FIGS. 24 to 26 shown toothbrush body.

A first variant of a toothbrush body 10 according to the invention is shown in FIG Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 shown. The toothbrush body 10 is composed of three, one after the other along a longitudinal axis 11a extending in its longitudinal axis 11a arranged, in the embodiment shown integrally connected parts, namely a head portion 12, a neck portion 14 and a handle portion 16, together. The handle member 16 is in turn divided into a thumb support portion 18 and a palm support portion 20. Bristles 22 which project from a bristle receiving side 24 of the head portion 12 and together with the toothbrush body 10 form a toothbrush 26 are in Fig. 3 shown.

The head part 12 has a length of 20 mm to 40 mm. This corresponds to 10% to 20% of the total length of the toothbrush 26. The slightly curved neck portion 14 extends from the head portion 12 to the handle portion 16 over a length of 20 mm to 60 mm, which is a range of 20% to 30% of the total length of the toothbrush 26 corresponds. The handle portion 16 extends from the neck portion 14 to the free end of the handle portion 16 over a length of 80 mm to 120 mm, ie 40% to 60% of the total length of the toothbrush 26. The thumb rest portion 18 and the palm support portion 20 have a length of 20 mm 60 mm or from 60 mm to 120 mm.

In the region of the thumb support section 18, the thickness of the toothbrush body 10 measures 5 mm to 15 mm perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 11a. The thickness of the palm support portion 20 is larger for ergonomic reasons and is 7 mm to 20 mm. This results in an advantageous Thickness ratio between the thumb rest portion 18 and the palm rest portion 20 of 1.2 to 4.

The toothbrush body 10 is bounded by an upper side 28, comprising the bristle receiving side 24, an underside 30 opposite the upper side 28, and two broad sides 32 extending from the upper side 28 to the lower side 30.

All embodiments of the toothbrush body 10 described below each have an in FIG. 6 to FIG. 10 and in Fig. 19 to Fig. 23 shown basic structure 33 of a hard component 34 which at least partially carries a soft component 36. In the sectional views used, the hard component 34 is marked by a crosshatch and the soft component 36 by a simple oblique hatching. In addition, embodiments that are made solely from a hard component 34 or a soft component 36 or combinations of a number of hard components 34 and a number of soft components 36, of course, are possible.

As in Fig. 1 can be seen, the palm support portion 20 with nine recesses 37 in the form of through holes 38, which extend from the top 28 to the bottom 30 and thus completely penetrate the handle portion 16, provided. Relating to Fig. 2 is also shown that the holes 38 are arranged at regular intervals one behind the other and thereby form a straight row of holes 40. The row of holes 40 is enclosed between two, on the outer surface almost smooth longitudinal support strip 42. The longitudinal support strips 42 extend from Thumb rest portion 18 up to a blunt end portion 44 of the palm support portion 20. The holes 38 have oval cross-sections whose diameter from the center of the palm support portion 20 with respect to the longitudinal axis 11a in both directions with increasing distance from the center.

The formation of recesses 37 in the palm support section 20 offers a number of advantages, in particular ergonomic advantages, since the hand relieves the toothbrush 26 at certain points and thereby ensures better circulation of the palm, and hygienic benefits by water, especially contaminated with bacteria or food residues, can be better removed from the handle portion 16 during a cleaning and subsequent cleaning process, which in turn increases the grip of the toothbrush 26. Economical advantages result above all from the fact that the material costs for the hard component 34 and the soft component 36 are reduced due to the lower use of material, and from a process engineering point of view there are advantages in particular in that during the production, which preferably takes place in an injection molding process, preference is given to tools, form the mutually supporting, slightly intermeshing cores are used and therefore no so-called blind holes occur.

At the in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 As shown, all holes 38 extend at right angles through the longitudinal axis 11a. In the manufacturing process in the already mentioned injection molding process, wherein the cores of two mold halves substantially in the middle of the holes 38 and thus form standing and mutually supporting cores, a single Entformungsrichtung for the mold halves is made possible in this way. Alternatively, however, other orientations of the holes 38 with respect to the longitudinal axis 11a are possible. When coming in use in this case slides also a common Entformungsrichtung is also desirable, so that after hardening as possible, all slides can be pulled out with a single slider mechanism. For reasons of stability, the ratio of the total volume of all the recesses 37 to the volume of the total surrounding palm support section 20 is less than 2: 1. In addition, the holes 38 preferably have a greater extent in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 11a.

In order to prevent 26 pressure points in the hand when using the toothbrush 26 occur at the transition of the holes 38 to the surrounding longitudinal support strip 42 no sharp edges or heels on. In the transition region a rounding radius is less than 2 mm or the holes 38 have there an opening angle between 10 ° and 45 °.

To improve the feel, as in Fig. 3 shown in the soft component 36 wedge-shaped indentations 54 on the broad sides 32 in the Palm support portion 20, oval nubs 56 on the bottom 30 and the top 28 in the thumb rest section 18 and both sides embedded or raised support elements 58 in the boundary region between the thumb support portion 18 and palm support portion 20 formed. The indentations 54, nubs 56 and support members 58 serve to impart a secure hold of the toothbrush 26 in the hand of their user and lead with their contours geometric shapes of the recesses 37 on the palm support section 20 also continues.

In addition to regions on the upper side 28 and the lower side 30 of the cross-sectionally substantially rectangular thumb rest section 18, further regions of the soft component 36 are formed in the neck part 14. At the broad sides 32 of the neck portion 14, these areas are separated from the hard component 34 by a wavy boundary 60, as in FIG Fig. 3 shown, isolated. Preferably, all regions filled with the soft component 36 are through channels, such as a neck channel 45 (see FIG Fig. 2 ), in the hard component 34, so that a single injection point for the soft component 36 is sufficient in the manufacturing process.

Further recesses 46 in the form of through holes with a similar oval cross section or a similar geometric character, such as the recesses 37 of the palm support portion 20, are smaller in the head part 12 again. In this way, the user is given an affinity between the configuration of the palm support section 20 and the haptic associated with it and the cleaning sensation in the mouth influenced by the further recesses 46. In order to give the further recesses 46 also the character of the row of holes 40, 2 to 9, preferably 3 to 6 of the further recesses 46 are formed in the head part 12.

The further recesses 46 have a maximum diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the head part 12 of a maximum of 5 mm. Preferably, however, their longitudinal extent is between 1 mm and 3 mm. The relationship between the Areas of the further recesses 46 on the upper side 28 and the entire surface of the bristle receiving side 24 should be less than 1: 2, preferably less than 1: 3. The further recesses 46 are preferably similar, as the recesses 37 aligned in the palm support portion 20 and thereby allow the same Entformungsrichtung for the tool halves in the manufacture.

The further recesses 46 lead to a, in particular in 2 and FIG. 4 clearly visible segmentation of the head part 12 in transverse webs 50, on which at least one row of bristles 22 takes place.

As in Fig. 3 shown, the further recesses 46 are at least partially covered by inclined bristles 22 and bristle bundles 52. Preferably, so-called X-bundles or Bockbündel be used, in which each adjacent bristles 22 and bristle bundles 52 cross over the middle of another recess 46 or meet. The inclined bristle bundles 52 support an interdental cleaning, which means in particular also a cleaning of the interdental spaces. The bristles 22 of the X-bundles are longer than bristles 22 protruding at least approximately at right angles from the bristle receiving side 24 and can protrude beyond the surrounding bristles 22.

The further recesses 46 in the head portion 12 allow a better flushing of the bristles 22 when cleaning the toothbrush 26 after use, as well as a variety of additional functions, such as the support of a tongue cleaning and massage of the oral cavity and gum.

On the underside 30 of the head part 12 are for this purpose massage and tongue cleaning elements, as also in Fig. 3 shown tongue scraper knobs 62, formed from the soft component 36. They are used for tongue cleaning and gum massage. The massage and tongue cleaning elements preferably follow edges of possibly existing further recesses 46 or further borderlines between the soft component 36 and the hard component 34.

Fig. 5 shows a cross section through the in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 shown toothbrush body 10 along in Fig. 4 The cross section through the grip part 16 has a substantially square shape with rounded corners and with a nearly rectangular cutout 64 corresponding to the cut hole 38. The cross section has a symmetry with respect to the longitudinal center plane 11. The cut longitudinal support strips 42 of the upper side 28 and a cut hole wall 48 are marked by their hatching as molded from the hard component 34, the broad side 32 is essentially formed by the soft component 36.

In the FIGS. 6 to 10 is the supporting base structure 33 of the hard component 34 of in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 shown toothbrush body 10. Based on the toothbrush body 10, the basic structure 33 is subdivided into a head part element 12a, a neck part element 14a and a handle part element 16a, which in turn comprises a thumb rest element 18a and a palm rest element 20a. The sides delimiting them are also related to the sides of the toothbrush body 10 as a structural top 28a, referred to as structure bottom 30a and as structured broadsides 32a.

The basic structure 33 has, as in particular in Fig. 8 Visible, a slightly curved handle plate 47, which forms at least almost the entire top 28 of the palm support portion 20 of the toothbrush body 10, including its head portion 12 facing away from the blunt end portion 44 and the longitudinal support strip 42 or. From the hard component 34 are also perforated walls 48 which extend at least approximately at right angles from the underside 30 facing side of the handle plate 47 upstanding to the bottom 30, and podium-like extensions 70, the straight line continuation of the row of holes 40 to the blunt end portion 44 at least almost at right angles from the underside 30 facing side of the handle plate 47 are arranged to projecting almost to the bottom 30, formed.

Processually, this block-like part of the basic structure 33 permits proper support of the basic structure 33 with the recesses 37 contained therein between the mold halves of the injection molding tool , Less preferred is an embodiment in which the perforated walls 48 are singulated and not interconnected along the longitudinal axis of the palm rest 20a.

In the manufacturing process, a problem-free filling of the entire mold cavity with the hard component 34, the extends over the entire length of the toothbrush body 10 to allow and possible so-called sink marks to avoid, in addition to the recesses 37 forming block forming a passage for the first fluid hard component 34 to the neck member 14a and the head part element 12a with a cross section of at least 5 mm ² , preferably of at least 10 mm ² used.

As in particular from Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 As can be seen, the thumb rest element 18a is formed as a bridge between the block-like and therefore stable palm support element 20a and the neck part element 14a, which is formed almost as a solid body. In this case, the thumb support element 18a is designed significantly wider with respect to the structure top side 28a or the structure bottom side 30a than with respect to the thickness with respect to the structured broad sides 32a.

As in Fig. 9 5, the thumb rest element 18a is provided on the upper structure side 28a with two rail-like webs 72 running parallel along the longitudinal axis of the thumb rest element 18a and slightly curved in the direction of the structure lower side 30a. The webs 72 are used for the lateral stable reception of the soft component 36 which lies above them and, since they can be felt by the soft component 36, allow a precise guidance of the toothbrush 26.

The bridge-like design of the thumb support member 18a also ensures sufficient elasticity of the head portion 12 relative to the handle portion 16 and prevents excessive pressure pressure of the gums by the force transmitted to the bristles 22 forces.

The basic structure 33 widens from the neck part element 14a, which adjoins the thumb support element 18a, in the manner of a spatula to the rounded head part element 12a. On the head part 12a, the further recesses 46 and a number of a hole field 74 forming blind holes 76 for receiving bristle bundles 52 are arranged.

In Fig. 10 is a cut through the in Fig. 9 shown palm support member 20a along the marked there cutting plane X - X shown. The sectional view shows the areas of the hard component 34 according to Fig. 5 , In this case, 38 symmetrical cut surfaces of the hole wall 48 and the handle plate 47 are visible with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cut hole.

In 11 to FIG. 14 For example, tops 28 of various toothbrush bodies 10 having different geometric shapes of holes 38 are shown. In addition to the in Fig. 1 to Fig. 10 presented oval cross-sectional shape of holes 38 are more simple geometric basic shapes but also complex shape compositions in a continuous or interrupted series of holes 38 in a number of 3 to 30 pieces, but preferably from about 7 to 12 pieces possible. Preferably, the cross-sectional shapes of the recesses 37 of the palm rest section 20 are changed in size resumed in the head part 12. In addition to an arrangement of holes 38 of the same geometric basic shape on a toothbrush body 10, holes 38 of different basic shapes can also be formed on a toothbrush body 10. Interruptions in rows of holes 38 are particularly suitable for the application of labels. Preferably, such as in FIGS. 13 and 14 shown, such a discontinuity in a central region of the palm support portion 20 is arranged.

In the Fig. 11 shown holes 38 have the shape of a parallelogram 78, the longitudinal sides include an angle with the longitudinal axis 11a. In the embodiment of Fig. 12 is an arrowhead 80, in Fig. 13 a sickle 82, and in Fig. 14 a triangle 84 as a recurring, arranged in rows of holes 40 basic shape.

The total area of a recess 37 on the upper side 28 is between 10 mm ² - 200 mm ² , preferably 20 mm ² - 50 mm ² . Due to the size and shape of the individual recesses 37, a trouble-flushing through the holes 38 for cleaning the toothbrush 26 is made possible and at the same time a capillary action for water and impurities excluded. Viewed from the upper side 28, the longitudinal axes of the basic shapes are preferably arranged at right angles to the longitudinal axis 11a. The minimum material thickness between two holes 38 of the palm support section 20 should not fall below 0.3 mm. For reasons of stability, it is preferably 0.8 mm to 3 mm.

In FIGS. 15 to 18 Further embodiments are shown with oval further recesses 46 in headboards 12.

At the headboard 12 in Fig. 15 Again, the already mentioned transverse webs 50 are shown, which consist entirely of the soft component 36 or a combination of the hard component 34 and the soft component 36 and extending from the bristle receiving side 24 on the broad sides 32 to over the bottom 30 of the head portion 12.

In the segmentation of the head part 12 in the transverse webs 50, an embodiment is also possible in which the segments formed are mutually flexibly deflectable. The flexibility is achieved by a targeted weakening of the hard component 34 between the transverse webs 50 to form hinge-like transition zones. If the material weakening takes place only in the hard component 34, then a minimum material thickness of less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1.5 mm, is recommended. Preferably, however, the material weakening is in a composite region of hard component 34 and soft component 36. Alternatively, however, lateral openings or tunnels may be formed in the transition zones during the production process by means of lateral slides and subsequently filled with the soft component 36.

The soft component 36 is in Fig. 15 slightly offset by 0.1 mm to 1 mm from the hard component 34. Alternatively, by having the soft component 36 completely recessed in the hard component 34, substantially stepless transitions between the hard component 34 and the soft component 36 may also be formed, effectively preventing accumulation of dirt and water at the junctions.

On the bristle receiving side 24, one or two rows of bristle bundles 52 (not shown) pass through the soft component 36. The layer thickness ratio of the soft component 36 to the hard component 34 is preferably less than 1: 3.

In this way, it is ensured that when attaching the bristles 22 can be punched through a layer of the soft component 36 with a conventional Borstenstopfverfahren using anchor plates.

In FIGS. 16 to 18 on the bristle receiving side 24 rubber-elastic, formed from the soft component 36 cleaning and massage elements 86 and / or rows of fixed in the blind holes 76 bristles 22 are mounted. You can, as in FIGS. 16 and 18 shown sickle-shaped or, as in Fig. 17 shown to be pillow-shaped. Advantageously, the cleaning and massage elements 86 or rows of bristles are arranged between the further recesses 46 in the head part 12 and / or between bristle bundles 52. They generally have a greater extent at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the head part 12 than in the direction parallel to this longitudinal axis. In addition, as in Fig. 18 shown, the cleaning and massage elements 86 and bristle rows substantially at least partially edges of the other recesses 46 follow. The distance between the edges of the further recesses 46 and the related cleaning and massage elements 86 or bristle rows is less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1.2 mm.

In bristling the head portion 12, bristle methods are preferred which can produce 52 thin rows of bristles 22 in addition to the classic bristle bundles 52. For example, an "in-mold tufting" technique (IMT) is used, as in the EP-B-0344846 described, or an "anchor free tufting" technique (AFT), as in the DE-U-20006311 disclosed, used. in the Case of the AFT technique will be as in FIGS. 16 and 17 Bristles 22 carrying bristle carrier plates 88 are mounted on the bristle receiving side 24 of the head part 12. In this case, the bristle carrier plate 88 is a form-fitting tight in a corresponding recess of the head portion 12 and is glued or welded in this, to prevent ingress of water or contaminants in the recess. Alternatively, bundles of bristles 52 manufactured using a conventional stuffing method for a blind hole diameter of less than 1.6 mm can be strung together.

In the FIGS. 19 to 23 a further embodiment of a base structure 33 formed from the hard component 34 for a second variant of the toothbrush body 10 is presented. It is equipped with an elongate, plate-like handle web 90 which extends along the longitudinal mid-plane 11 in the palm support section 20 between the top 28 and the bottom 30 from the thumb rest section 18 to the blunt end region 44 of the palm rest section 20. At its middle part, the handle web 90 protruding, the underside 30 of the toothbrush body 10 facing stumps 94.

The grip web 90 has a thickness of 4 mm to 8 mm measured perpendicular to the longitudinal center plane 11. It tapers structurally on top and forms on the upper side 28 of the toothbrush body 10 (see Fig. 24 to Fig. 27 Due to the plate-like shape of the handle web 90 of the palm support portion 20 of the toothbrush body 10 receives a dependent on the thickness of the handle bar 90 flexibility so that it is perpendicular to the user Longitudinal center plane 11 can be deflected and the handle part 16 optimally adapts to specific hand shapes of right and left-handers. Flexibility in a direction parallel to the longitudinal center plane 11 is substantially prevented by the height of the grip web 90 of 10 mm to 15 mm.

In its middle part, the grip web 90 has three, in the direction of the structure bottom 30a projecting stumps 94. The stumps 94 are used for encapsulation with the soft component 36 for holding the base structure 33 in the mold halves.

As in Fig. 20 and in Fig. 22 shown, the thumb rest member 18a is formed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal center plane 11 substantially oval and tapers along the side waist-like in its two end regions. In contrast, the cross section of the thumb support member 18a thickened along the longitudinal center plane 11 toward its two end regions.

On the longitudinal side in both end regions of the thumb support element 18a, one elongated hole 96, which is continuous from the upper structure side 28a to the lower structure side 30a, is each extracted. From the thumb support element 18a, the neck part element 14a extends as a slightly bow-like shaped solid body up to the head part element 12a, where it widens like a spatula for receiving bristles 22. According to FIGS. 20 to 22 On the neck part 14a, following the thumb rest element 18a, four partially circumferential neck grooves 98 are formed. These neck grooves 98 in turn form neck ribs 100 which are filled with the soft component 36 on the toothbrush body 10 are (see Fig. 25 to Fig. 27 ). In Fig. 20 On the structure lower side 30a a further embodiment of the open neck channel 45 is shown.

At the head part 12a, as in particular in FIGS. 20 and 22 clearly visible, gap-like further recesses 46 are formed, which will be discussed in detail in connection with the following description of the associated toothbrush body 10.

Fig. 23 shows a cross section along the line XXIII - XXIII by the in FIGS. 19 to 22 shown basic structure 33 on the thumb rest element 18a. In this case, two oval cut surfaces of the hard component 34, which are spaced from each other by the slot 96, are shown.

In Fig. 24 to Fig. 27 is an embodiment of the toothbrush body 10, by the application of the soft component 36 on the in Fig. 19 to Fig. 23 shown basic structure 33 has been completed presented. As in Fig. 25 to Fig. 27 Particularly well visible, it has in the palm support portion 20 recesses 37 in the form of open at the broad side 32 lateral recesses 102, which pass from the top 28 to the bottom 30 on. The recesses 102 adjoin the upper side 28 on the longitudinal support strips 42 formed from the hard component 34 (see FIG Fig. 27 ). The recesses 102 are continuous from the top 28 to the bottom 30 over a depth of up to 7 mm.

As in Fig. 25 are shown on the underside 30 in the palm support portion 20 each have two, with respect to the longitudinal center plane 11 opposite lateral recesses 102 open by means of a bottom 30, for improved ergonomics preferably M-shaped corrugated lower recess 103 connected. A plurality of groove-shaped lateral and lower recesses 102, 103 arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the palm support section 20 form ribs 104 out of the soft component 36, projecting from bottoms 106 of the lateral and lower recesses 102, 103. Edges of the ribs 104 are rounded.

According to FIGS. 25 and 27 are the ribs 104 at the broad sides 32 obliquely to the longitudinal center plane 11 and include an acute, measured in the direction of the blunt end portion 44 angle of preferably 45 °. The ribs 104 formed from the soft component 36 are laterally flexible and optimally adapt to the user's hand.

The width of the ribs 104 measured parallel to the longitudinal axis 11a is 2 mm to 10 mm, preferably 5 mm. The width of the bottoms 106 of the recesses 102 and the lateral spacing of the ribs 104 are smaller than the outer width of the ribs 104 on the broadsides 32. Thus, despite the material reducing side and bottom recesses 102, 103, the user will feel a bulky handle portion 16 to hold mediated.

The lateral and lower recesses 102, 103 are circumferentially spaced about 95%, but at least 75% of the radial circumference and interrupted along the longitudinal axis 11a on the upper surface 28 by the longitudinal support strip 42. The lateral and lower recesses 102, 103 form drainage channels through which water can flow from the palm of the hand during the cleaning process. In addition, is open through the blunt end portion 44 towards Ribs 104 significantly reduced the risk of slipping from the handle portion 16 in the direction of the head portion 12 during tooth brushing.

The lateral recesses 102 which are open toward the broad sides 32 are formed during the production process by standing cores of the mold halves which meet substantially in the center of the workpiece. The lateral recesses 102 are also all oriented in a Entformungsrichtung, so that in the manufacture of the toothbrush body 10 preferably no additional side shifters must be used.

At the in Fig. 24 to Fig. 27 The substantially fir-cone-shaped palm support portion 20 shown is except for the longitudinal support strip 42, the blunt end portion 44 and the outer surfaces of the stumps 94 (see Fig. 25 ) the majority of the surface of the soft component 36 is formed. The volume ratio of the hard component 34 to the soft component 36 in this section is less than 1: 2, preferably about 1: 3.

In this embodiment, a label, not shown, may be mounted on the broad side 32 of the thumb rest section 18. It is formed in the manufacturing process by means of running side slides directly during injection molding or in a hot stamping process, which is preferably carried out during the bristling process. Preferably, mold parting surfaces or edges in the labeling field are avoided by displaced slides in this area or staggered mold halves.

As in FIGS. 25 and 27 shown, the head portion 12 each of the broadsides 32 beginning 6 more Recesses 46 in the form of further recesses 105 and thus assumes the geometric character of the palm support portion 20 at. Thus formed lateral head ribs 108 also open at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head portion 12 toward the handle portion 16 back. The opening angle between the individual header ribs 108 may vary.

The depth of the further recesses 105 in the head part 12 is less than 5 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 3 mm, measured from the broad sides 32 of the head part 12. They do not pass through the longitudinal axis of the head part 12. Similar to the lateral and lower recesses 102, 103 in the palm support section 20, the further recesses 105 and thus also the head section ribs 108 are not formed completely circumferentially. On the bottom 30 of the headboard 12 they end, as in Fig. 25 shown on a head longitudinal strip 110.

The formed on each broad side 32 5 header ribs 108 have on the bristle receiving side 24 at least one width, which is sufficient to receive a bristle bundle 52.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the head part ribs 108 consist of a combination of the hard component 34 and the soft component 36. The soft component 36 is preferably with a layer thickness between 0.3 mm to 3 mm, preferably about 1 mm, on the bristle receiving side 24 and on the entire underside 30 of the head part 12 is inserted into the head part 12. In this way, an attachment of Dirt prevents in the transition region between the hard component 34 and the soft component 36. At the in Fig. 24 to Fig. 27 As shown, the layer of soft component 36 on the bristle receiving side 24 is slightly raised.

The flexibility of the head part ribs 108 can be influenced via the layer thickness of the soft component 36. It is also conceivable, for example, their complete molding with the soft component 36. Alternatively, a profile of layer thicknesses of the soft component 36 may be provided. In this case, for example, the profile could increase towards the outside and thereby increase the flexibility of the head part ribs 108.

In the embodiments shown, the bristles 22 are anchored in blind holes 76 of the basic structure 33 and completely penetrate the layer of the soft component 36, respectively.

On the bristle receiving side 24 are as Fig. 27 shows two continuous, preferably film-like sub-surfaces 112 formed from the soft component 36. Alternatively, however, only one or up to five sub-surfaces 112 can be formed from the soft component 36. In the production by injection molding, the soft component 36 is supplied to these areas forming the sub-surfaces 112 by head part channels, not shown, starting from the underside 30 of the head part 12. A material connection via the broad sides 32 of the head part 12 is not necessary.

Protruding from and anchored in the sub-surfaces 112 may also be made of the soft component 36 be formed rubber-elastic cleaning and massage elements 86.

As in the previously described embodiments, slides are also used in this embodiment in the production of the further recesses 46 in the head part 12, in the event that the further recesses 46 are angled relative to the grip part 16. In addition, the further recesses 46 in the head part 12 and the bristle bundle 52 receiving hole field 74 are preferably designed such that in their preparation, the Entformungsrichtung the mold halves is substantially equal and thus the same slide mechanism can be used.

The bristles 22 or bristle bundles 52 may be aligned obliquely with respect to the further recesses 46, as in previously described embodiments, around the further recesses 46 in the head part 12. Likewise, as previously described, massage and tongue cleaning elements, such as the tongue scraper nubs 62, may be attached to the underside 30 of the head portion 12, preferably adjacent to or adjacent edges of the further recesses 46 and / or the transverse webs 50.

1. 1. Spritzgiessen der Grundstruktur 33 aus der Hartkomponente 34 mittels Formhälften, die gegebenenfalls stehende Kernen bilden, und gegebenenfalls mittels Schieber
2. 2. Nach einer Verfestigung der Hartkomponente 34 Herausziehen der Kerne und/oder Schieber
3. 3. Umlegen der Grundstruktur 33 aus der Hartkomponente 34 in ein Formnest für die Weichkomponente 36 und anschliessend gegebenenfalls teilweises Einfahren der Kerne und/oder Schieber zum Stützen von Ausnehmungen 37 und weiteren Ausnehmungen 46 gegen einen Spritzdruck und Temperatur-bedingte Formänderungen
4. 4. Einspritzen der Weichkomponente 36
5. 5. Nach einer Verfestigung der Weichkomponente 36 Herausziehen der Kerne und/oder Schieber und vollständiges Entformen des Zahnbürstenkörpers 10
6. 6. Nachbearbeitung, Beborstung und Qualitätskontrolle

The production of the toothbrush body 10 according to the invention or the toothbrush 26 according to the invention by means of an injection molding process takes place substantially in accordance with the following steps:

1. 1. Injection molding of the base structure 33 of the hard component 34 by means of mold halves, which optionally form standing cores, and optionally by means of slide
2. 2. After solidification of the hard component 34, pull out the cores and / or slides
3. 3. Conversion of the basic structure 33 of the hard component 34 in a mold cavity for the soft component 36 and then optionally partial retraction of the cores and / or slide for supporting recesses 37 and other recesses 46 against an injection pressure and temperature-induced changes in shape
4. 4. Injecting the soft component 36
5. 5. After solidification of the soft component 36, pull out the cores and / or slides and completely remove the toothbrush body 10
6. 6. Post-processing, bristles and quality control

Prior to injecting the hard component 34, the mold halves are brought together to form standing cores so as to meet substantially at the center of the mold volume. During the subsequent spraying of the soft component 36, cores and / or slides may only partially be inserted into the hard component 34.

From a manufacturing point of view, toothbrush bodies 10 or toothbrushes 26 prove to be advantageous, in which the recesses 37 and further recesses 46 are similarly oriented in a demoulding direction.

The orientation and the arrangement as well as the size and shape of the recesses 37 and the further recesses 46 thereby determine the flexibility of the finished toothbrush 26. In addition to these various forms of a Material weakness, the flexibility is also determined by the material composition of the toothbrush 26.

In the toothbrush body 10 according to the invention, the hard component 34 is made, for example, of styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), polyester (PET), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), acrylobutadiene-styrene (ABS), but preferably of polypropylene (PP). As a soft component 36 is a rubber-elastic material such as, polyurethane (PUR), preferably a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is used.

Claims (18)

1. Toothbrush body which comprises one after the other, along a longitudinal axis (11a) running along its longitudinal centre plane (11), a head part (12) with a bristle-accommodating side (24), a neck part (14) and a handle part (16), which is divided up into a thumb-supporting section (18), directed toward the neck part (14), and an adjoining palm-supporting section (20), the toothbrush body (10) being bounded by a top side (28), comprising the bristle-accommodating side (24), an underside (30), which is located opposite the top side (28), and two broad sides (32), which extend from the top side (28) to the underside (30), and the palm-supporting section (20) being formed from at least one hard component (34) and at least one soft component (36), characterized in that formed on the top side (28) of the palm-supporting section (20) is at least one longitudinal supporting strip (42) which runs at least more or less parallel to the longitudinal axis (11a) and alongside which at least one recess (37) is located laterally, the recess passing through from the top side (28) to the underside (30).
2. Toothbrush body according to Claim 1, characterized in that the hard component (34) is produced by a hard plastics material, preferably polypropylene, and the soft component (36) is produced from a softer, elastic plastics material, preferably a thermoplastic elastomer.
3. Toothbrush body according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recess (37) is formed between two longitudinal supporting strips (42) as a hole (38) which passes through the longitudinal axis (11a).
4. Toothbrush body according to Claim 3, characterized in that at least two holes (38) are arranged between two longitudinal supporting strips (42) in the form of a rectilinear row (40) of holes along the longitudinal axis (11a).
5. Toothbrush body according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one slightly curved gripping plate (47), which forms at least more or less the entire top side (28) of the palm-supporting section (20) including the blunt end region (44) of the latter, which is directed away from the head part (12), and the longitudinal supporting strip or strips (42), also hole walls (48), which, projecting at least more or less at right angles from that side of the gripping plate (47) which is directed toward the underside (30), extend to the underside (30), and also platform-like extensions (70), which are arranged in rectilinear extension of the row (40) of holes, as far as the blunt end region (44), such that they project at least more or less at right angles from that side of the gripping plate (47) which is directed toward the underside (30) and extend more or less to the underside (30), are formed from the hard component (34), and the hard component (34) functions as a basic carrying structure (33) for the soft component (36), which fills the remaining volume of the palm-supporting section (20) as far as the broad sides (32) and the underside (30).
6. Toothbrush body according to Claim 1, characterized in that the recess (37) is in the form of a lateral clearance (102) which is open on the broad side (32) and is adjacent to the longitudinal supporting strip (42).
7. Toothbrush body according to Claim 6, characterized in that in each case at least two lateral clearances (102), preferably located opposite one another in relation to the longitudinal centre plane (11), are connected by means of a bottom clearance (103) in the underside (30) of the palm-supporting section (20), the bottom clearance being open on the underside (30) and preferably being M-shaped in respect of the underside (30).
8. Toothbrush body according to Claim 7, characterized in that a plurality of lateral and/or bottom clearances (102, 103) arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis (11a) form ribs (104) which project from bases (106) of the lateral and/or bottom clearances (102, 103).
9. Toothbrush body according to Claim 8, characterized in that the ribs (104) are positioned obliquely in relation to the longitudinal axis (11a).
10. Toothbrush body according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the rigid component (34) in the basic structure (33) forms an elongate handle web (90) which extends along the longitudinal centre plane (11) in the palm-supporting section (20), between the top side (28) and the underside (30), from the thumb-supporting section (18) to a blunt end region (44) of the palm-supporting section (20), has stubs (94) projecting on its central part and directed toward the underside (30), and carries the soft component (36), from which the ribs (104) are formed.
11. Toothbrush body according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the longitudinal supporting strip or strips (42) is or are formed by the hard component (34).
12. Toothbrush body according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the hard component (34) extends from the blunt end region (44) of the palm-supporting section (20), via the thumb-supporting section (18) and the neck part (14), to the outermost free end of the head part (12).
13. Toothbrush body according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is likewise the case that the thumb-supporting section (18) and/or the neck part (14) and/or the head part (12) are provided with further recesses (46) with a geometrical shape similar to the respective recesses (37) on the palm-supporting section (20).
14. Toothbrush with a toothbrush body (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the toothbrush body (10) is fitted, on the head part (12), with bristles (22) grouped together in clusters (52).
15. Toothbrush according to Claim 14, characterized in that the bristles (22) and/or clusters (52) of bristles project away from the bristle-accommodating side (24) of the head part (12) in a state in which they are inclined in an X-shaped manner in relation to one another.
16. Toothbrush according to Claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the head part (12) is provided with cleaning and massage elements (86).
17. Toothbrush according to Claim 16, characterized in that the cleaning and massage elements (86) adjoin, or are adjacent to, peripheries of further recesses (46) and/or crosspieces (50).
18. Toothbrush according to one of Claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the predetermined flexibility of the toothbrush (26) is achieved by a defined material composition and/or material weakening, that is to say a suitable size, shape, arrangement and orientation of recesses (37) and further recesses (46).

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