CN1127311C - Grooming implement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a personal grooming implement, such as a toothbrush (1), comprising a segmented head (2), wherein the segments (6) are essentially connected to each other only by an elastomer, the elastomer preferably being fused to the adjacent segments. The strength of adherence of the elastomer to the segments is such that the head can be repeatedly flexed in each direction without loss of structural integrity. In this manner the use of hinges to connect the segments can be avoided, thus improving the reliability and ease of manufacture of the brush and providing greater flexibility in head design.

Description

Cleaning appliance

Technical field of the present invention

The present invention relates to the personal cleanliness's utensil such as toothbrush, be particularly related to personal cleanliness's utensil with two kinds of composition heads, wherein this head comprises two or more sections, and wherein at least one section is connected with section adjacent, that only made by the elastomer of a kind of with adjacent head section fusion basically.

Background technology of the present invention

People's tooth structure requires toothbrush to have desirable bristle shape, so that be concave surface when the oral cavity of the tooth of brushing teeth one side or outer surface, and is convex surface when tongue one side of the tooth of brushing teeth or inner surface.Most of toothbrushes have the head that homogenous material is made, and this head has and the similar thickness of handle, and quite firm and have fixing curvature or a shape.

Another shortcoming of traditional toothbrush is that toothbrush firmly will be emitted the dangerous of the soft adjacent gum of infringement or make them uncomfortable so that obtain good cleaning effect by being pressed on the tooth.For certain particular range, can solve by the structure of improving toothbrush or hardness or the length that changes bristle, but a kind of single structure can not be applicable to all situations.

But WO 92/17092, WO 92/17093 and WO 96/02165 have announced to have head elastic bending, the supporting bristle, and in some embodiment, these heads have the shape of two or more sections, the flexible and mutual resilient connection of these sections.Gap between these sections can be with the filling wholly or in part of a kind of elastomer.In type of toothbrush, the combination between elastomer and the body may be born owing to the frequent huge stress that repeats to apply that uses.In most of embodiment, these sections are by using the hinge made with the toothbrush body same material or vertebra and connect mutually.In fact, difficulty may take place in this hinge or vertebra in traditional injection moulding operation, because these hinges or vertebra will break.In addition, nonelastic connection occurs in flexible junction and will and then cause the permanent deformation of junction because of the plastic flow in the non-resilient connection because of repeated flex.WO 92/17092 has announced some embodiment, and wherein, the gap between the adjacent head section is sealed by a kind of elastomeric material diaphragm.Yet it is unclear in these embodiment, promptly this sealing be how to form or it whether can make diaphragm help the structural intergrity of toothbrush head.

Have been found that now between the material of elastomer and toothbrush body to form enough strong combination, even the flexible head that in use stands a large amount of repeated flex also can make, and this mainly is to rely on elastomer that head section is combined.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a kind ofly for the personal cleanliness utensil, such as the sectional head that toothbrush is used, it mainly relies on elastomer that head section is combined.

Another object of the present invention provides a kind of sectional head of using for the personal cleanliness utensil, and it can elastic bending and has good service life.

A further object of the present invention provides the sectional head that a kind of personal cleanliness of confession utensil is used, and it is suitable for the fast injection moulding.

Brief description of the present invention

According to the present invention, a kind of personal cleanliness's utensil is provided, this utensil comprises: have the handle at both ends and at a head of handle one end, this head comprises two or more sections, at least one section comprises cleaning device, these sections are to make by having at least the material of 500Mpa modulus of elasticity, the feature of this head is, at least one section is by being connected with adjacent section or handle by having the connector formed less than the elastomer of 500Mpa modulus of elasticity basically, this elastomer is connected with adjacent section and/or handle, thereby make this elastomer can stretch its stress-less length at least about 120%, and elastomer is separated with head section.

The following such any utensil of personal cleanliness's utensil of the present invention, promptly it has handle elongated, that supply the user to grip, and has the sectional head that comprises cleaning device at an end of handle.This utensil for example can be toothbrush, hair brush or massage apparatus.More particularly it is a kind of toothbrush.

At least one head section comprises cleaning device.Preferably, each section comprises cleaning device.This cleaning device can adopt the form of bristle, broach, abrasive material, rubber massaging pad and so on.In preferred embodiment, this utensil is a toothbrush, and cleaning device wherein comprises the bristle that extends on many sections from the head.

This head can removably be connected on the handle, replaceable head when bristle weares and teares for example, like this, the part that this head has and handle is fixing.In addition, one first head section can be connected with handle.In a preferred embodiment, the handle and first head section are the monolithic entitys that forms by injection moulding.Preferably, handle and all head section form in a mould by injection moulding.Under any circumstance, handle has the longitudinal axis that extends between its two ends.This axis also defines the longitudinal axis of head, and promptly the longitudinal axis of head extends with the longitudinal axis of handle.Preferably, this head generally is the planar structure with a pair of opposed surface, and this head also has and vertical, parallel with the opposed surface axis of pitch of longitudinal axis.Described here horizontal and vertically all relate to the direction parallel with longitudinal axis with these axiss of pitch except what point out in addition.

Head and handle generally be with relative incompressible, preferably have at least about 500Mpa, preferably have at least about the 1000Mpa modulus of elasticity, be used for making the material of toothbrush, particularly plastics traditionally and make.Suitable plastics comprise (for example) polyamide and polypropylene.Wherein polypropylene is preferable.Suitable polypropylene comprises polypropylene PM1600 ' (Shell supply) with 1500Mpa modulus of elasticity (ISO178) and from the Apryl3400MAI of ElfAtochem.Preferably, will press about 1% of polypropylene weight such as the blowing agent from the Hydrocerol HP20DP of Boehringer-Mannheim mixes with polypropylene to about 2.5% to about 3%, preferably about 1.5%.Blowing agent helps polyacrylic flowing in the molding process.Handle itself generally is firm and can is shape commonly used during toothbrush is made.As a kind of selection, handle can comprise a more flexible neck of the other parts than handle.

Head comprises two or more sections, and one of them can be connected with handle.Two, three or four sections are preferably arranged, preferably four sections.To increase the complexity of making as more manying, and, therefore will make toothbrush head have enough big bristle tuft density and become difficult because the bristle tuft in the toothbrush is only inserted in the head section than it.Can have any suitable spatial relationship between head section is mutual, on the segment all layerings in this way or that be arranged in toothbrush head.Preferably, these sections vertically continuously are provided with along head, and like this, the free-ended vertical line from the handle end of head to head will pass first head section, then second section or the like.More particularly, first head section that is connected with handle is arranged, and one or several other head section is along vertically being provided with continuously towards the head free end.Preferably, these sections are individual layers, and like this, line any two opposite surfaces perpendicular to head, by head will only pass a kind of material.In general, each head section will be made with identical materials, this material preferably with the handle identical materials, like this, they can be made in shot forming step.

In the utensil that processes, all head section connect with connector.This connector is any to be suitable for making utensil to have the form of ideal functionality.For example, this connector can be integrally formed with head section or the stickum that removably is connected or plasticity connect, or metal connects.Yet, essential characteristic of the present invention is, at least one section is by being connected with adjacent section or handle by having the connector formed less than the elastomer of 500Mpa modulus of elasticity basically, this elastomer is connected with adjacent section and/or handle, like this, this elastomer may spread to its stress-less length at least about 120%, and elastomer can not separate with head section.

" being made up of elastomer basically " implication described here is, this elastomer is in a section and adjacent section or the unique mechanical attachment between the handle.The implication of so-called unique mechanical attachment is, is not used for other inelastic body jointing, such as bridgeware or spring to connect.Yet, elastomer can have other, be distributed in material wherein, for example metal or pigment particle, they can be used to provide distinctive outward appearance or improve elastomeric properties.These additional materials generally will seldom help the mechanical connection between section and/or the handle, therefore their cancellations can not changed bonding strength in fact.Connector between other section can comprise elastomer except other mechanical connection such as plasticity connects, at least one connector basically by or form by elastomer exactly.Can be by one to several connectors of forming by elastomer basically.Preferably, in the head of a multi-region section, the connector between each adjacent a pair of section is made up of a kind of elastomer basically.In the described here better embodiment, head has upper surface and lower surface, and connector is laterally crossed over head and extend to lower surface from upper surface.For example, comprise that one four are vertically continuously arranged along head in the section and first section and the head that handle is connected, have three this connectors.Elastomer strip can change on thickness, or brings to next band and even across width from one, or along the degree of depth of band.Along the longitudinal their thickness of shaft centerline measurement at about 0.1mm to about 10mm scope, preferably at about 0.3mm extremely in about 5mm scope, preferably at about 0.5mm extremely in about 3mm scope.

Elastomer strip linear or nonlinear.Preferably they are non-linear, and adopt herringbone or waveform, and the headward free end in their summit.

Elastomer can be by any suitable means, be connected with head section and/or handle such as binding agent or heat fused.Elastomer is preferably imported in the utensil of the present invention by injection moulding, like this, and elastomer and head section and/or handle fusion.People surprisingly find, can obtain the strongest fusion of elastomer and section and/or handle when using quite high injection temperature.Preferably at about 245 ℃ of elastomers of injection to about 270 ℃ of scopes, preferably in about 250 ℃ of temperature to about 260 ℃ of scopes the time.So-called injection temperature promptly is the temperature of elastomer when entering mould.Be provided with one typical, when comprising the injection moulding of a screw feeding injection cylinder, this temperature can be different with the elastomeric temperature in cylinder.Preferably, the temperature in the cylinder to reduce the possibility of elastomer burning or thermal degradation, is heated to final injection temperature by the heater between injection cylinder nozzle and final injection point with elastomer at about 210 ℃ to 220 ℃ lower temperature then.

The preferable condition of in the elastomer injecting step other comprises:

(1) injection pressure is in about 30 to 80MPa scopes, preferably in about 40 to 70MPa scopes, preferably about 50 to about 60MPa scope; And elastomer inject time is less than 1 second, preferably less than 0.8 second.Help elastomer to be issued to all zones that flexibly connects in desirable temperature short inject time.

(2) at elastomer after all injection finishes, keep-up pressure about 5 to about 15Mpa scope, preferably in about 8 to 12Mpa scopes, and kept about 2 to 5 seconds.

Elastomer is well-known in the injection molding technology field.Here so-called " elastomer " relates to a kind of material, but but its not only elastic compression but also elastic stretch.In the present invention, suitable elastomer has the modulus of elasticity less than 500MPa.And preferable elastomer used herein has the modulus of elasticity less than 300MPa, the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) that preferably has about 30 Shore A to 74 Shore D hardness, for example, the preferably polyolefin type such as styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), their trade mark is Kraton ^G, but the elastomer of other grade, also can use such as polyurethane and polyamide.A kind of exemplary elastomer is that ' PTS Thermoflex 75 ' (German Plastic Technologie Service sells), it has the modulus of elasticity (ISO178) of 100MPa and the hardness (ISO868) of 80 Shore A.Elastomer PL12291, PL12292 and PL12293 (French Multibase, Saint Laurent Du Pont sells) also are applicable to here.In general, elastomer is selected so that it has the fusion that identical chemical grade will help elastomer and head section with polymer as the head section material.For example, when the head section is made with polypropylene, preferably a kind of polyolefin of elastomer.Elastomer can mix with suitable plasticizer or blowing agent, so that they are more compressible.The color of elastomeric material can be the same with head section, also can be different, thus obtain the outward appearance of distinctive speckle shape or decorative pattern shape.Generally speaking, can use elastomer more than one type in the utensil.For example when wishing that when the length of head changed the flexibility of head gradually, this may be suitable.An approach that obtains this effect is to use soft elastomer as connector between the free-ended a pair of section of the most close head, and uses hard elastomer as connector between a pair of section of the most close head handle end.

Elastomer is connected with adjacent section and/or handle, thus the extensible stress-less length of this elastomer at least about 120%, preferably at least about 150%, preferably about 200%, and elastomer can not separate with head section.The toothbrush that this makes the present invention be particularly suitable for making to will be further described below with flexible head.On any one elastomer/section interface, being connected to each other of the interface between elastomer and the head section/handle at least about 50%, preferably about 75%, preferably about 100%.

The implication of " elastomer can not separate with head section " described here is that elastomer can not separate fully with head section.Because even elastomer separates the function and/or the integrality that also may endanger utensil with head section or handle portion, even therefore the part separation is also preferably avoided.In preferred embodiment, when elastomeric spread length be stress-less length at least about 120%, preferably at least about 150%, preferably about 200% the time, elastomer will be less than about 30%, preferably about 15%, preferably about 5% of elastomer and head and/or handle linkage interface with separating of head section and/or handle.No matter elastomer is by adjacent relatively section or handle linear deflection, the bending of a section or reverse and stretched, and The above results should remain unchanged.Since relatively the geometry that connects of some section-section or section-handle or a relative section relatively it adjacent component crooked or reverse and will change the degree that elastomer stretches at an interface, therefore need be carefully when measure portion is separated.Under the differentiated elongation situation of this class elastomer, this stretching, extension should be measured like this, promptly when utensil is in static, unstress state, along by elastomeric, perpendicular on the interface, determine separative should straight line measurement.Under crooked or situation about reversing, it may be such, and promptly this straight line will depart from this vertical line at a section when another section moves.

In its useful life period, but that the utensil with aforesaid elastic bending head can stand several thousand times excuse portion is crooked and elastomer that take place stretches.Yet preferably, the combination of elastomer-section can stand elastomericly to repeat elongation and loosen, and reach above-mentioned scope and turn back to have at least 10,000 time under the situation of inactive state, preferably at least 25,000 time, preferably 75,000 times elongation-loosen process.

In preferred embodiment, head comprises at least one longitudinal fluting, and it is communicated with the elastomer strip of each horizontally set, allows elastomer to flow to another band from a band in process of injection molding.Have in the utensil of simultaneously molded handle one, this longitudinal fluting can extend along handle, like this, in mould, be commonly used to provide elastomer also to can be used to connect the injection elastomer to the section of head with the same elastomer injection point that forms handle.In general, this groove can be in the have a few whole degree of depth (though yet can do like this if be ready) that extend through handle and head, for example provide relative gripping area on the upper surface of handle and lower surface.

But the present invention is particularly suitable for making the utensil with elastic bending head.The implication of " but elastic bending " described here is, when the end at head applies one 3 Newton force and the other end when maintaining static, this end that applies power is incited somebody to action 2 ° of angles of deflection at least, and when 3 Newton force are cancelled, this head will be returned to its original position and need not apply external force.The head motionless end that is fixed is limited by the lines perpendicular to an axis, and bending takes place along this axis, and these lines also contact with first section that comprises the cleaning device such as a row brush hair.Head is at the other end along the head of axis of bending farthest by an end of the application of force.Make the angle of head-bent process be called angle of bend here owing to applying 3 Newton force.This angle of bend can be measured easily, promptly measures the vertical displacement Y of free end under 3 Newton force effects of head, and the distance X between the fixing point and the point of application, obtains angle of bend by relational expression tan (angle of bend)=Y/X.In preferred embodiment, this angle of bend is 3 ° at least, preferably is 5 ° at least, and it can also be high to 15 ° or higher.

In preferred embodiment, this utensil only comprises at head one lip-deep cleaning device, and its surface is spill.In these embodiment, head preferably has an angle of bend, and like this, this concave surface can be bent and become and protrude the surface.When its inactive state, the head surface that comprises cleaning device along it longitudinal axis or axis of pitch on may be spill.When longitudinally vertically being spill on this surface, its radius of curvature can change along the length of head.This radius of curvature is preferably 10 to 500mm, and more preferably 15 to 250mm, and preferably 25 to 150mm.

During use, can be according to toothbrush of the present invention by complete traditional hand brush teeth action, the preferably method cleaning teeth of teeth caring authoritative expert recommendation.Also a kind of electric toothbrush of this utensil.

Brief description of drawings

Also the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings by an example now, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the stereogram according to a toothbrush of the present invention, has for clarity sake omitted some bristles;

Fig. 2 is the side view according to a toothbrush head of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is the plane according to a toothbrush head back side of the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows the schematic diagram of measuring the angle of bend size.

The specific embodiment

Referring to Fig. 1, toothbrush 1 has flexible flat head 2 and elongated polypropylene handle 5, and head 2 has upper surface parallel to each other basically 3 and lower surface 4.Head 2 comprises four polypropylene sections 6, and wherein first section is connected with handle 5.These sections are that the band of 60 SEBS elastomer 7 connects by having Xiao A hardness only.Section 6 vertically order arrangement of axis A-A along the longitudinal.The band of elastomer 7 extends across the transverse axis B-B of head, and extends to lower surface 4 from upper surface 3.Bristle tuft 8 is extended on upper surface 3.In fact, toothbrush has the bristle that extends from each section.Upper surface 3 is the axis A-A slight concave along the longitudinal, has the radius of curvature of about 75mm.Elastomeric strip brings toothbrush head enough elasticity is provided, and makes its axis bending along the longitudinal, until the upper surface projection.In this case, elastomer stretches along upper surface.When this lip-deep elastomer can stretch above its stress-less length 200% and without detriment to interfixing between elastomer and section.This head can be in this scope repeated flex and be returned to its inactive state and exceed 75,000 times and can not make each segments apart of elastomer and head.Handle also comprises the zone 9 with same elasticity system, to be formed with usefulness and attracting handle.Toothbrush is by injection molding continuously, at first forms handle 5 and section 6 with polypropylene, then when second step injection temperature at 255 ℃ elastomer, thereby fuse with polypropylene.After the toothbrush cooling, utilize technique for fixing that bristle is inserted in the preformed pore.

Referring to Fig. 2, the toothbrush head 2 with free end 10 and handle end 11 is integrally formed with an end of handle 5.This head comprises five along the vertical tactic section 6 of head.The band that these sections are made by elastomer 7 connects flexiblely, and the section of the most close handle end 11 only is connected with handle 5 by an elastomer strip flexiblely.The band of elastomer 7 is crossed over the axis of pitch extension of head fully and is progressively dwindled to lower surface from upper surface.Elastomer strip has the width of about 1.2mm on upper surface, have the width of about 0.8mm on lower surface.Bristle 8 extends from the upper surface of head.This toothbrush is also by continuous injection moulding recited above with then penetrate bristle and make.

Referring to Fig. 3, a toothbrush head 2 is integrally formed with an end of handle 5.This head comprises four sections 6, and one of them section is connected with handle 5.These sections are that 60 SEBS elastomer strip 7 is connected to each other by Xiao A hardness only, and these bands have the ripple struction across the head axis of pitch.One longitudinal fluting 12 is connected along the lower surface extension of head and handle and with elastomer strip, and they are all formed by single elastomer injection orifice.Its upper surface (can't see among the figure) comprises cleaning device.

Fig. 4 has shown the measurement of angle of bend.Head 2 is by clamped near the clamping plate 13 that are fixed on the first row brush hair 14 on head 5 one ends, and applies one 3 newton's power (F) on the other end of head.Dotted line is represented the origin-location of the preceding toothbrush head of the application of force.Measure the free-ended vertical displacement of application of force F occiput (Y) then, and by the distance X between distance Y and the clamping point and the point of application, utilize relational expression tan (angle of bend)=Y/X to obtain angle of bend.

Claims (12)

1. personal cleanliness's utensil, this utensil comprises: have the handle at both ends and at a head of handle one end, this head comprises two or more sections, at least one section comprises cleaning device, these sections are to make by having at least the material of 500Mpa modulus of elasticity, it is characterized in that, at least one section of this head is by being connected with adjacent section or handle by having the connector formed less than the elastomer of 500Mpa modulus of elasticity basically, this elastomer is connected with adjacent section and/or handle, thereby make this elastomeric spread length be its stress-less length at least about 120%, and elastomer is separated with head section.

2. utensil as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, these sections in vertically continuous mode along the head setting.

3. utensil as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, this head has a pommel and a free end on the other hand, and this head comprises first section that is connected with handle and one or more other head section of arranging to the head free end with vertical continuation mode.

4. as the described utensil of one of claim 1 to 3, it is characterized in that this utensil is a toothbrush, this cleaning device comprises many bristles that extend on head section.

5. utensil as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that this head has upper surface and lower surface, and connector is laterally crossed over head and extend to lower surface from upper surface.

6. utensil as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that elastomeric spread length is at least 150% of a stress-less length, and elastomer can not separate with head section.

7. utensil as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that, elastomeric spread length is 200% of a stress-less length, and elastomer can not separate with head section.

8. utensil as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that elastomer strip has thickness, longitudinally axis measure its thickness at about 0.1mm to about 10mm scope.

9. utensil as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that elastomer strip has thickness, longitudinally axis measure its thickness at about 0.3mm to about 5mm scope.

10. utensil as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that elastomer strip has thickness, longitudinally axis measure its thickness at about 0.5mm to about 3mm scope.

11. utensil as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, head comprises two, three or four sections.

12. utensil as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, connector only is made up of a kind of elastomer.

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