EP0888072B1 - Brushes and process for producing the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing a brush, in particular Toothbrush with a bristle bundle carrying brush body, the bristle bundle consist of plastic bristles. The present invention further relates to a Brush, in particular toothbrush, with a brush body carrying bristle bundles, the bristle bundles consisting of plastic bristles at least in part are each surrounded by sleeve-shaped support elements.

A brush of the type mentioned is known from DE-PS 538 075. At this Toothbrushes are bundles of bristles in rubber sleeves that are housed in a body are used and include tufts of natural bristles or animal hair. In the Toothbrushes known from the prior art are the rubber sleeves in one Basic body used. To produce the previously known toothbrush is therefore a considerable one Effort required. In addition, the previously known toothbrush has the Disadvantage that dirt and / or bacteria between the body and the can stick in the rubber sleeves used. The previously known toothbrush Accordingly, it does not meet today's hygienic requirements.

Proceeding from this, the object of the present invention is a method To create a brush with brushes, especially toothbrushes can be economically manufactured to meet today's hygienic requirements are enough. The present invention is also based on the object of a brush, and in particular to create a toothbrush of the type mentioned that is economical is producible and spreading the bristle bundles on their usage side Ends, which leads to a reduced usability of the brush, and at Toothbrushes are not medically recommended to oppose resistance.

The procedural solution to the above object is achieved by the method according to claim 1 solved. Preferred configurations of the method according to the invention are specified in subclaims 1 to 11.

The solution according to the invention with respect to the brush is specified in claim 12. Preferred Embodiments of the brush according to the invention are in the dependent claims 13 to 23 specified.

The solution according to the invention with respect to the brush is specified in claim 12. Preferred Embodiments of the brush according to the invention are in the dependent claims 13 to 23 specified.

Through the support elements a wear-related, permanent evasion of the outer bristles from the original intended position, at least in the area of the support, prevented so that they look alike compared to a brush Degree of wear, but without any support, on End of use of the bristle bundles a smaller spread results, and thus enables a longer service life of the brush becomes.

The solution according to the invention therefore allows softer bristles or bundles of bristles to be used as before. Especially can now thinner bristles or softer bristle materials, or a combination of both become. This will be a gentler and above all very allows much more thorough brushing of the teeth and the danger injuries to the oral cavity, and especially the gums, decreased. The one that is clearly perceptible to the user Deformation of the bristles during cleaning also reduces too high contact pressure when cleaning, because too much Deformation of the bristle bundles involuntarily by the user will be recognized as wrong and will be corrected immediately. The invention The brush thus supports a medically correct one Brush your teeth. It will also make cleaning more effective achieved because by using thinner bristles the number the bristles per bundle can be increased and thus more bristle ends are effectively engaged. This is preferably done Side support of the bristle bundles elastic.

The invention can be used for brushes with a bristle bundle as well as with brushes with a multitude of bristle bundles be used. The use of the brush according to the invention however, is not on the dental field or limited the cosmetics area. Rather, such Brushing in all areas of everyday life and technology be used, preferably where a particular gentle cleaning of relief-like surface formations is required and / or a particularly long service life of the Bristles is desired.

There is preferably a separate support element for each bristle bundle intended. This enables, with appropriate Selection of the support element in terms of its shape and Deformation capacity, the bending characteristic of individual bristle bundles individually set. For example on a toothbrush with several rows of bristles Bristle bundle or the front bristle bundle supported by higher rigidity than the remaining. It is also conceivable that only a part to support the bristle bundle by means of supporting elements which remaining, however, remain unsupported.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention several or all of the support elements become integral with one another connected and attached as a support unit on the brush body. Apart from the fact that the shape and the Deformation capacity of the respective support element of a bristle bundle can be set individually the integral design simpler manufacture of the support elements, since these are produced according to the invention using an injection molding process become.

The support element preferably has an elastic sleeve section in which a bristle receiving opening extends, and a base portion over which the sleeve portion is connected to the brush body. In contrast to a support of the bristle bundles in a solid material body, for example a support plate of constant thickness, with Support areas around the individual bristle bundles, can through the formation of sleeve-like support elements more precise setting of direction-dependent deformation properties of the respective support element and a higher degree of deformation be achieved. Due to a flange-like expansion of the base section of the support element can be the contact surface between the brush body and the support element be enlarged to loosen the support element even better to prevent.

The bristle bundles are preferably fastened in the bristle body, whereby the individual bristle bundles are characterized by the respective Extend support elements through. Alternatively, you can the bundles of bristles are only attached to the support elements be, between the bristle bundles and the support elements Group liability is achieved.

Preferably, the sleeve section or its outer contour be formed essentially cylindrical. In the preparation of of the support element or elements in a form Specialist for easier removal from the mold the necessary Apply bevels and bends.

As an alternative to this, the sleeve section can also be designed in this way be that its wall thickness at the end of use Bristles tapered. As a result, the bending characteristic of the Systems bristle bundle / support element influenced in the desired manner become. The shape of the outer sleeve can meet the requirements a desired bend line of the bristle bundle or individual bristles can be adjusted.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention several or all of the support elements under their base sections Formation of an integral support element interconnected. The brush body can completely on the bristle side Integral support element are covered, resulting in a homogeneous Appearance and a high peel strength of the support elements leads. Such an integral support element can also be used manufacture in a particularly efficient manner.

Between the brush body and the respective base section the support element can have a surface formation for enlargement the interface between the two are provided to to improve the peel strength. A corresponding increase in surface area can for example by corrugation on one or both parts. As further examples To increase the contact area, the attachment of Grooves, ribs, hole patterns or the like can be given.

One way is to fold a bundle of bristles and then the folded end by means of an anchor in the brush body to fix. The anchor, for example a plate-like one Metal or plastic part, can with that looped bristle bundle in a provided on the brush body Opening used, for example, punched.

As an alternative to this, the bristles can also be made by that the ends of the bristle bundles to be fastened are melted be so that thickenings form. The thickening are then with brush body material or with support element material overmolded, so that the bristle bundles form-fitting being held.

The brush can be used in a two-component injection molding process are produced, the brush body made of a hard plastic component and the support elements as a bristle border preferably made of a plastic soft component, for example consist of a thermoplastic elastomer, however can also be made from a hard component. Ideally, between the hard component of the brush body and the support element or the support elements composite adhesion realized. With appropriate material management can brush body and support elements in successive Manufacturing steps made in a single mold become.

Fig. 1:

eine Gesamtansicht einer Bürste in Form einer Zahnbürste, nach der Erfindung,

Fig. 2a:

eine Schnittansicht durch den Bürstenkörper und ein Stützelement mit einem eingesetzten Borstenbündel,

Fig. 2b:

die gleiche Ansicht wie in Fig. 2a, jedoch vor dem Einsetzen des Borstenbündels,

Fig. 2c:

einen gegenüber der Fig. 2a um 90° versetzten Schnitt durch das Borstenbündel,

Fig. 3 :

eine zweite Ausführungsform des Stützelementes,

Fig. 4:

eine dritte Ausführungsform der Stützelemente,

Fig. 5 :

eine Teilansicht einer Draufsicht auf die Borstenenden,

Fig. 6 :

ein Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Bürste nach einer der Figuren 1 bis 6,

Fig. 7 :

eine weitere Ausführungsform nach der Erfindung, bei der die Borstenbündel jeweils mit einem angeschmolzenen Ende im Stützelement befestigt sind,

Fig. 8 :

eine weitere Ausführungsform nach der Erfindung, bei der die Borstenbündel jeweils mit einem angeschmolzenen Ende im Bürstenkörper befestigt sind.

Further features and advantages of the invention can be found in the following description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows in:

Fig. 1:

an overall view of a brush in the form of a toothbrush, according to the invention,

Fig. 2a:

2 shows a sectional view through the brush body and a support element with an inserted bristle bundle,

Fig. 2b:

the same view as in Fig. 2a, but before inserting the bristle bundle,

Fig. 2c:

a section through 90 ° offset from FIG. 2a through the bristle bundle,

Fig. 3:

a second embodiment of the support element,

Fig. 4:

a third embodiment of the support elements,

Fig. 5:

a partial view of a plan view of the bristle ends,

Fig. 6:

a method for producing a brush according to one of Figures 1 to 6,

Fig. 7:

a further embodiment according to the invention, in which the bristle bundles are each fastened with a melted end in the support element,

Fig. 8:

a further embodiment according to the invention, in which the bristle bundles are each fastened with a melted end in the brush body.

In the following, a first will now be made with reference to FIGS Embodiment explained, with a toothbrush a plurality of bristle bundles, as shown in Fig.1, reference is taken.

A brush body that can be formed in one piece with the handle of the brush 10 is with a variety of in any way producible blind holes 11 provided. Each of them serves Blind holes 11 for receiving a bundle of bristles 20 that a variety of, preferably thin, flexible bristles is made of plastic. This bundle of bristles 20 is folded or looped around an anchor 40, see that all bristle ends point in one direction. Each Bristle bundle is clawed in the brush body 11 Anchor 40 clamped in its blind hole 11. The anchor is formed as a flat plate, which with respect to the Blind hole 11 essentially upright in the brush body 10 is stamped.

On the bristle side of the brush body is for each bundle of bristles 20 attached a support member 30. The one in the figures 2a to 2c shown embodiment of the support element 30 has a bristle receiving opening 31 for lateral support of the bristle bundle 20. The bristle bundles are preferably supported up to about half their length. The Support element 30 has one in particular in the radial direction elastically deformable sleeve section 32 and one itself flange-like in the radial direction over the sleeve section 32 extending base portion 33. About this base section 33 is the respective support element 30 with the Brush body 10 connected. In the case of FIGS. 2a to 2c shown embodiment extends the bristle receiving opening 31 through the sleeve portion 32 and the base portion 33 through. Is preferably between the support element 30 or its base portion 33 and the brush body 10 shows a surface formation for enlarging the contact area provided between the two to ensure the peel strength of the respective support element to improve further. This can for example by corrugation or the attachment of grooves, ribs, hole patterns or similar on one or both contact surfaces respectively. Between the support elements 30 or their Base sections 33 and the brush body can with appropriate Material selection and suitable manufacturing parameters Group liability can be achieved.

The individual support elements are mutually by their base sections 33 Connected to an integral support element and cover the brush body on the bristle side in the area of the bristles completely.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 2a to 2c of the support element, the sleeve section 32 is essentially cylindrical, so that the bristle bundle the bending behavior is the same in all directions. By designing the wall thickness of the sleeve section accordingly 32 and the arrangement of the bristle bundle 20 in the bristle receiving opening 31 allows the bending behavior of the bristle bundle / support element system in the desired manner and influence as needed. Through an eccentric arrangement of the bristle bundle in the sleeve section 32, as in the bristle bundles shown on the right in FIG. 5, For example, the outer bundles of bristles, and especially their outer bristles, more supported are called the inner bristles or bristle bundles, so that the durability of the most stressed bristles is further improved. To influence the directional dependency the bending behavior of the bristle bundle 20 can the embodiment shown in Figures 2a to 2c also one only partial side support through the bristle receiving opening 31 be made, as is the case with the right Bristle bundle is shown in Fig.4.

Another embodiment of the support element 30 is shown in FIG Fig.3 shown. This support element differs from that shown in Figure 2a mainly by its essentially frustoconical formation. By decreasing the Wall thickness towards the end of the bristles can change the bending behavior of the bristle bundle / support element system is even more homogeneous than in the embodiment described above can be designed. In particular, this can stress the individual bristles further reduced in the exit area from the support element 30 become. In addition, the conical design results in the transition area of the sleeve section 32 to the base section 33 a lower notch effect, so that the Stability of the support member 30 is further improved.

A separate support element can also be provided for each bundle of bristles 30, which is separated from the support elements of the other bristle bundles is to be provided.

Another embodiment of the support elements 30 is shown in FIG Fig.4 shown, which is integral with a solid body are trained. This results from the outside the impression of a conventional brush, but that already described advantages of the preferably elastic Has side support of the bristle bundle 20. How exemplary in the bristle bundle shown on the right in FIG. 4 this is only partially supported laterally to form a to achieve directional bending characteristics.

In the following, the production of a brush after a in the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4 based 6 are described in more detail. Already with that Blind holes 11 provided brush body 10, which preferably is injected from a hard plastic component the support elements 30 attached, for example by injection or also by an adhesive process or a Similar procedure, so that a deeper blind hole is created. For simple and efficient production of the brush body and the support element is preferably a two-component injection molding process used. To achieve sufficient Elasticity of the support elements 30 will make them out made of a plastic soft component. This gives a blind hole, the upper wall section one for the side support of the bristles has greater elasticity, and its lower part has sufficient strength for clawing of the armature 40. The bristle of the already is carried out with the support elements connected brush body 10 then by driving in the anchor 40 with the folds around it Bristles or bundles of bristles through the respective support element 30 through into the brush body 10 and there Clawing or jamming of the anchor and thus the bristle bundle 20th

Two further embodiments of the invention are in the figures 7 and 8. Here, the bristle bundle 20 instructs its end to be anchored a thickening of melted Bristle material for sufficient bundle extraction worries.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7 is only the thickening 25 of the bristle bundles 20 in the bristle receiving opening 31 of the respective support element 30, thus the bundles of bristles fastened in the support elements. For The bristle material and the support element material is selected such that composite adhesion is achieved.

To manufacture such a brush using two-component injection molding the bundles of bristles 20 on their melted end to be anchored in the support member 30, so that mushroom-shaped thickenings 25 form. The thickening are then encapsulated with support element material, which the thickenings encloses. Then the support elements connected to the brush body, for example to the or the support elements can be injection molded.

In a further embodiment shown in FIG the thickened ends of the bristle bundles 20 in the brush body 10 attached. For example, the individual Bristle bundle 20 introduced into prefabricated support elements 30, so that the thickenings 25 of the individual bristle bundles 20 protrude from the support members 30. The thickening are then made with a plastic hard component overmolded, which forms the brush body 10.

The elastic side support of the bristle bundle 20 through the support elements 30 can also be through a plastic hard component (Material), their elasticity achieved by the shape of the individual support elements 30 becomes. However, plastic soft components are preferred for this, which have a Shore A hardness of less than 70, used.

The term two-component process is not related to use limited by different materials but also includes the possibility of using the same material, for example with different colors.

Claims (23)

1. A method of producing a brush, in particular a toothbrush, comprising a brush body (10) carrying bundles of bristles (20), said bundles of bristles (20) consisting of plastic bristles, characterized in that in an injection-molding process sleeve-like supporting elements (30) of plastic material that enclose the individual bundles of bristles (20) are made integral with the brush body (10) for at least part of the bundles of bristles (20).
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting elements (30) are injection-molded onto the brush carrier (10) and the bundles of bristles (20) are subsequently introduced through the supporting elements (30) into the brush body (10) and are anchored in said body.
3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the bundles of bristles (20) with their ends at the fastening side are surrounded by the material of the supporting elements (30) or are embedded into the surrounding brush body (10).
4. A method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the supporting elements (30) and the brush body (20) are produced in a two-component injection-molding process.
5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the supporting bodies (30) are injection-molded from a rubber-like non-rigid plastic material and the brush body (10) from a rigid plastic material.
6. A method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the supporting bodies (30) are made integral and in planar connection with the brush body (10) by way of an injection-molding technique.
7. A method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the brush body (10) is injection-molded onto the supporting bodies (30).
8. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting bodies (30) and the brush body (10) are injected in an injection molding process from a rigid plastic material, in particular in several colors.
9. A method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at the ends of the bundles of bristles (20) which are provided at the fastening side, the bundles of bristles (20) are provided with a thickened portion by way of melting and are subsequently embedded in a sleeve-like supporting element (30) by being coated by way of injection molding with said sleeve-like supporting element (30).
10. A method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at the ends of the bundles of bristles (20) which are provided at the fastening side, said bundles of bristles (20) are provided with a thickened portion by melting and are subsequently embedded in the brush body (10) by being coated by way of injection molding with said brush body (10).
11. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the bundles of bristles (20) are surrounded, in particular by injection molding, with the supporting elements (30) above the thickened portion.
12. A brush, in particular a toothbrush, comprising a brush body (10) carrying bundles of bristles (20), said bundles of bristles (20) which consist of plastic bristles being surrounded at least in part by sleeve-like supporting elements (30), characterized in that the supporting elements (30) consist of plastic material and are integrally formed on the brush body (10) by means of injection molding.
13. A brush according to claim 12, characterized in that the bundles of bristles (20) are elastically supported by the supporting elements (30).
14. A brush according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that a separate supporting element (30) is provided for each bundle of bristles (20).
15. A brush according to at least one of the preceding claims 2 to 14, characterized in that a plurality or all of the supporting elements (30) are integrally connected to one another and provided as a unit on the brush body (10).
16. A brush according to at least one of the preceding claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the supporting element (30) comprises an elastically deformable sleeve section (32) in which extends a bristle receiving opening (31) for receiving a bundle of bristles, as well as a base section (33) through which the sleeve section (32) is connected to the brush body (10).
17. A brush according to at least one of the preceding claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the bundles of bristles are secured to the brush body (10) and extend through the respective supporting element.
18. A brush according to at least one of the preceding claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the bundles of bristles are secured with one end to the respective supporting element (30).
19. A brush according to at least one of the preceding claims 12 to 18, characterized in that the outer contour of the sleeve section (32) is given a substantially cylindrical shape.
20. A brush according to at least one of the preceding claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the outer contour of the sleeve section (32) tapers towards the end of use of the bundles of bristles (20).
21. A brush according to at least one of the preceding claims 12 to 20, characterized in that a plurality or all of the supporting elements are interconnected through their respective base sections (33).
22. A brush according to at least one of the preceding claims 12 to 21, characterized in that a surface formation (12) is provided between the brush body (10) and the respective supporting element (30) for increasing the surface of contact between the brush body (10) and the respective supporting element (30).
23. A brush according to at least one of the preceding claims 12 to 22, characterized in that each of the supporting elements (30) can be produced as an injection-molded part.

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