EP1006839A1 - Toothbrush bristle - Google Patents

Toothbrush bristle

Info

Publication number
EP1006839A1
EP1006839A1 EP97910344A EP97910344A EP1006839A1 EP 1006839 A1 EP1006839 A1 EP 1006839A1 EP 97910344 A EP97910344 A EP 97910344A EP 97910344 A EP97910344 A EP 97910344A EP 1006839 A1 EP1006839 A1 EP 1006839A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bristle
areas
bristles
brush
different
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP97910344A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1006839B1 (en
Inventor
Rainer Hans
Georges Driesen
Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
Norbert Schaefer
Ahmet Cem Firatli
Mingchih M. Tseng
Helge Zimmet
Scott Batson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Braun GmbH
Original Assignee
Braun GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Braun GmbH filed Critical Braun GmbH
Publication of EP1006839A1 publication Critical patent/EP1006839A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1006839B1 publication Critical patent/EP1006839B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46D—MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES
    • A46D1/00—Bristles; Selection of materials for bristles
    • A46D1/02—Bristles details
    • A46D1/023—Bristles with at least a core and at least a partial sheath
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46D—MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES
    • A46D1/00—Bristles; Selection of materials for bristles
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/29—Coated or structually defined flake, particle, cell, strand, strand portion, rod, filament, macroscopic fiber or mass thereof
    • Y10T428/2913—Rod, strand, filament or fiber
    • Y10T428/2929—Bicomponent, conjugate, composite or collateral fibers or filaments [i.e., coextruded sheath-core or side-by-side type]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/29—Coated or structually defined flake, particle, cell, strand, strand portion, rod, filament, macroscopic fiber or mass thereof
    • Y10T428/2913—Rod, strand, filament or fiber
    • Y10T428/2929—Bicomponent, conjugate, composite or collateral fibers or filaments [i.e., coextruded sheath-core or side-by-side type]
    • Y10T428/2931—Fibers or filaments nonconcentric [e.g., side-by-side or eccentric, etc.]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/29—Coated or structually defined flake, particle, cell, strand, strand portion, rod, filament, macroscopic fiber or mass thereof
    • Y10T428/2913—Rod, strand, filament or fiber
    • Y10T428/2933—Coated or with bond, impregnation or core
    • Y10T428/2964—Artificial fiber or filament
    • Y10T428/2967—Synthetic resin or polymer
    • Y10T428/2969—Polyamide, polyimide or polyester

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a bristle for a brush, a brush or the like, in particular for a toothbrush, the bristle being made of plastic and, viewed in cross section, having two regions with different properties.
  • Such a bristle is known, for example, from German laid-open specification DE 34 00 941 A1.
  • a plastic bristle that has a hard core that is concentrically surrounded by a softer wear layer.
  • the core and wear layer can consist of different plastics and have different colors.
  • the wear of the bristle by removing the wear layer and the resulting emergence of the different colored core is automatically displayed to a user.
  • the two areas of the bristle have no influence on the cleaning effect of a brush which is provided with a large number of such bristles.
  • a toothbrush is known from German published patent application DE 31 31 014 A1, with which the buccal labial side and the lingual side of the teeth can be cleaned at the same time and an improved cleaning effect can thus be achieved.
  • the cleaning bristles of the toothbrush have the shape of two, for example, bent bundles of nylon threads, the ends of which face each other.
  • the cleaning bristles are made by wrapping and hardening the nylon threads enough times around a mandrel.
  • the bent cleaning bristles are then glued, for example, to the bristle holder of the toothbrush.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a bristle of the type mentioned at the outset, which brings about an improved and gentler cleaning action and can be easily attached to a bristle holder.
  • this object is achieved in that the regions are not arranged concentrically or point-symmetrically to one another.
  • any distribution of the areas over the cross-section of the bristle is suitable for producing the effect according to the invention in which the centroids of the areas do not coincide.
  • the result of this arrangement of the two areas is that different properties of the two areas, for example their expansion coefficients in the presence of moisture, heat or the like, can no longer compensate for one another.
  • the two areas thus expand to different extents, which results in a curvature of the bristle along the longitudinal axis of the bristle.
  • the bristle is thus laterally deflected from the longitudinal axis of the bristle.
  • the bristle according to the invention also enables a gentler treatment of the object to be cleaned. Furthermore, the lateral deflection of the bristle from the longitudinal axis of the bristle means that the bristle can better enclose the object to be cleaned and can therefore clean it much better.
  • the bristle according to the invention does not have to be curved by special manufacturing processes such as winding. Instead, the lateral deflection is achieved in a simple manner by arranging the two areas according to the invention with different properties.
  • the bristle according to the invention is used in a toothbrush, for example in an electric toothbrush, the arrangement of the two areas according to the invention and the resulting curvature of the bristle result in a significantly better and at the same time gentler cleaning of the teeth.
  • the curvature of the bristle can penetrate the interdental spaces of the teeth much better and also clean them much better and at the same time more gently.
  • the possibility of simple and inexpensive manufacture of such a toothbrush is a further advantage of the bristle according to the invention.
  • one of the two areas forms a circular segment surface, the connecting line of the two areas being, for example, an essentially straight, an arcuate or a curved line.
  • the lateral deflection is influenced not only by the different properties of the two areas, but also by the distribution of the two areas over the cross section of the bristle.
  • each of the two areas forms a semicircular surface.
  • the lateral deflection of the bristle is essentially achieved only by the different properties of the two areas.
  • a particularly good and uniform lateral deflection of the bristle from the longitudinal axis of the bristle is achieved.
  • This further development also allows the deflection mentioned to be calculated particularly well and thus predetermined.
  • the formation of the two areas as semicircular surfaces has significant advantages with regard to the manufacture of the bristle, in particular with regard to the simplification and standardization of the tools for the manufacture of the bristle.
  • the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the two regions has a value between approximately 0.25 and approximately 1.0 or 1.0 and 1.4, depending on whether the smaller or larger area is used as a reference.
  • the two areas have different expansion properties due to moisture. If the bristle comes into contact with moisture, the result is that the two regions expand to different degrees in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the bristle. This in turn causes the previously mentioned curvature of the bristle along the longitudinal axis of the bristle.
  • the bristle according to the invention is used in a toothbrush, for example in an electric toothbrush, the bristle is exposed to atmospheric moisture. As a result, the two areas of the bristle expand differently and the bristle is curved or deflected laterally from the longitudinal axis of the bristle. This has the already mentioned advantages with regard to the cleaning effect of the bristle and the gentle treatment of the object to be cleaned by the bristle.
  • the two areas have different shrinkage properties due to heating.
  • the bristle is heated and cooled again during production. This results in a different degree of expansion and shrinkage of the two areas along the longitudinal axis of the bristle and thus a curvature of the bristle.
  • the deflection of the bristle from the longitudinal axis of the bristle can be adjusted during production by appropriate heating and cooling. In this case, however, the deflection mentioned is not reversible.
  • the plastic is provided in one of the two areas with a filler and / or a nucleating agent, for example with kaolin, talc or the like.
  • a filler and / or a nucleating agent for example with kaolin, talc or the like.
  • a nucleating agent for example with kaolin, talc or the like.
  • dyes are also possible. In this way it is achieved that the Both areas have different properties, and thus the bristle has a deflection from the longitudinal axis of the bristle.
  • the two areas are formed from different plastics. This in turn has the consequence that the two areas have different properties, and thus the bristle has a deflection from the longitudinal axis of the bristle when in use.
  • plastics and fillers and / or nucleating agents can alternatively or cumulatively be provided.
  • the bristle consists of polyamide and / or polyester. These plastics have been found to be particularly advantageous, particularly with toothbrushes. Either only one of the two plastics can be used, which is then provided in one of the two areas with a filler and / or a nucleating agent, or different types of a plastic group can be used in the two areas of the bristle.
  • the bristle according to the invention has a curvature or a lateral deflection to the longitudinal axis of the bristle. This brings about the advantages already explained with regard to the improved cleaning action of the bristle and the gentler treatment of the object to be cleaned by the bristle. Furthermore, the bristle according to the invention allows the use of known, simple manufacturing processes without the need for complex production steps for producing the curvature.
  • the deflection of the bristle has a value between approximately 10% and approximately 90% of the length of the bristle on, in particular a value of about 50% of the length of the bristle. In practice, this has proven to be particularly expedient with regard to the cleaning effect of the bristle.
  • the two areas have different colors. This makes it possible to visualize the effect of the bristle curvature.
  • a user recognizes the lateral deflection of the individual bristles on the basis of the different colors and is thereby particularly pointed out the advantages with regard to the cleaning effect of the bristles.
  • the free ends of the bristles forming a brush surface.
  • the bristles are combined into individual bristle tufts, each of which forms a tuft surface.
  • the tuft surfaces of all tufts of bristles then give the brush surface.
  • the individual tufts of bristles can splice up better and in particular in all directions when a force acts approximately in the direction of the tuft longitudinal axis. This results in a more even distribution of the free ends of the bristles and their lateral deflection. This deflection of the bristles is randomly oriented or there is no preferred direction for this deflection.
  • the individual bristles are also supported against one another by the lateral deflection and due to the random orientation of the deflection, so that the bristles can deflect less to the outside. Overall, an improved cleaning effect and a gentler treatment with the object to be cleaned is thereby achieved.
  • the properties of the two areas of each of the bristles depend on the arrangement of the bristle within the brush surface.
  • the bristles have a smaller curvature in the vicinity of the outer edge of the brush surface than the bristles in the inner field of the brush surface.
  • the greater deflection of the bristles in the inner field of the toothbrush encompasses the tooth to be cleaned particularly well and therefore particularly well cleans it. It is also possible that essentially only the bristles have a curvature in the inner field of the toothbrush.
  • the direction of the deflection of the bristles is randomly distributed. This means that the deflections of the bristles in a tuft of bristles have no preferred direction. As a result, the bristle tips have different orientations and the individual bristles bend in different directions. This represents a further improvement, in particular of a toothbrush, with regard to the bristles surrounding the tooth to be cleaned as evenly and as far as possible. Furthermore, the random alignment of the bristles in different directions ensures that one of the bristles is always arranged exactly that it can penetrate particularly well into the interdental space to be cleaned without the toothbrush having to be pressed or rotated particularly against the tooth surfaces. At the same time, this represents a gentler handling of the toothbrush according to the invention with the gums of a user.
  • either two different plastics can be coextruded, or it can a plastic can be co-extruded with the addition of a filler.
  • the connecting lines of the two areas which are assigned to the individual nozzle bores of the extrusion tool, are each arranged rotated relative to one another. In this way, a random arrangement of the two areas of the bristles and thus a random orientation of the deflection of the bristles is achieved.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a bristle according to the invention in cross section
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a bristle according to the invention in cross section
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of a bristle according to the invention in cross section
  • FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a brush according to the invention , which consist of a plurality of the bristles of Figure 1 or Figure 2 or
  • Figure 3 is a side view
  • Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a tool for producing the
  • FIGS. 1 to 3 each show a bristle 1 in cross section, which can be used in a toothbrush, for example an electric toothbrush.
  • the bristle 1 is made of plastic and has an approximately circular cross-sectional area.
  • the bristle 1 has two regions 2, 3 which extend continuously along the longitudinal axis of the bristle.
  • the two areas 2, 3 are not arranged concentrically or point-symmetrically to one another.
  • the two areas 2, 3 of the bristle 1 are of different sizes.
  • the area 2 forms a circular segment area and the area 3 represents the remaining area to the circular cross-sectional area of the bristle 1.
  • the connecting line between the area 2 and the area 3 is in the form of a circular arc.
  • the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the two regions 2, 3 has a value between approximately 0.25 and approximately 1.0 and 1.0, 4.0, respectively.
  • the two areas 2, 3 of the bristle 1 are the same size.
  • the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the two regions 2, 3 is therefore 1.
  • Each of the two areas 2, 3 forms a semicircular surface.
  • the connecting line of the two areas 2, 3 is essentially straight.
  • area 2 represents a circular area within area 3.
  • the radius of the circular area of area 2 is smaller than the radius of the circular area of area 3.
  • the circular area of area 2 is not arranged concentrically with the circular area of area 3.
  • the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the two regions 2, 3 has a value between approximately 0.25 and approximately 1.0 and 1.0, 4.0, respectively.
  • the two areas 2, 3 of the bristle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 have different properties.
  • the bristle 1 it is conceivable to assemble the bristle 1 not only from two areas 2, 3, but from three or more areas. In this case, the regions must differ from one another in such a way that overall asymmetrical properties result over the cross section of the bristle 1.
  • the different properties of the areas 2, 3 can be based on the fact that the area 2 consists of a different plastic than the area 3 or that the areas 2, 3 are different types of the same plastic group acts. It is also possible that the plastic of one of the areas 2, 3 is provided with one or more fillers and / or with one or more nucleating agents. Dyes can also be used in this context. All of these are possibilities which, alternatively or cumulatively, can lead to the two regions 2, 3 of the bristle 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3 having different properties.
  • Polyamide or polyester can be used as plastics.
  • Calcium carbonate, talc or a silicate such as kaolin or the like can be used as fillers and / or nucleating agents.
  • the bristle 1 can have different expansion properties due to the absorption of moisture, in particular water, in the two areas 2, 3. This means that the area 2 expands differently in the longitudinal direction of the bristles when moisture is absorbed, for example more than the area 3 of the bristle 1. This process is usually reversible, i.e. if the bristle is dried, the expansion mentioned essentially returns to its original state.
  • the bristle 1 can have different shrinkage properties when heated and subsequently cooled. This means that area 2 shrinks differently during cooling, for example shrinks more than area 3 of bristle 1. This process is not reversible, ie the shrinkage due to heating and cooling remains even after the bristle 1 has cooled.
  • the bristle becomes different due to the different properties of the two areas 2, 3 of the bristle 1, for example due to the different expansion properties due to the absorption of moisture and / or due to the different shrinkage properties due to heating, and due to the non-concentric arrangement of the two areas 2, 3 1 curved along its bristle longitudinal axis. This means that the bristle 1 is laterally deflected or inclined from its bristle longitudinal axis.
  • the deflection of the bristle 1 can have a value between approximately 10% and approximately 90% of the length of the bristle 1. A value of approximately 50% of the length of the bristle 1 is particularly preferred. If the bristle 1 is equipped with regions 2, 3 of the same size as shown in FIG. 2, then the mentioned deflection with a length of the bristle 1 of approximately 8 mm is caused by differences in the expansion or shrinkage of the two regions 2, 3 between approximately 0. 1 5% and about 1, 5% reached.
  • the two areas 2, 3 of the bristle 1 in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2 can be of different colors. This can be taken into account when choosing the different plastics for the two areas 2, 3 and / or when choosing the filler for one of the two areas 2, 3.
  • FIG. 4 shows a detail from a brush 4 with a tuft of bristles 5.
  • the bristle tuft 5 has a multiplicity of bristles 1 which can correspond to the bristles 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3.
  • the brush 4 can be a toothbrush, for example an electric toothbrush.
  • the free ends of the bristles 1 of the bristle tuft 5 form a tuft surface 6.
  • the plurality of bristles 1 of the bristle tuft 5 are fastened in a bristle carrier 7 with the aid of an anchor or the like.
  • the curvature of the individual bristles 1 along the longitudinal axis of the bristles can be seen in FIG. It can also be seen that the tuft surface 6 of the Bristle tuft 5 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the bristle tuft 5 of the bristles 1 in the area of the bristle carrier 7 due to the deflections of the plurality of bristles 1.
  • the individual bristles 1 of the bristle tuft 5 are fastened in the bristle carrier 7 with different orientations. This means that the bristles 1 point in different directions.
  • the deflection of the bristles 1 in the bristle tuft 5 is random, so that the direction of the individual bristles 1 in the bristle tuft 5 is purely random. In other words, this means that there is no preferred direction for the deflection of the bristles 1 in the bristle tuft 5. This can also be seen in FIG. 3.
  • the brush 4 in FIG. 4 has a plurality of bristle tufts 5.
  • the bristle tufts 5 can be arranged within the brush 4 in such a way that the tuft surfaces 6 of the bristle tufts 5 form an approximately circular brush surface.
  • the curvature of the bristles 1 of the bristle tufts 5 in the vicinity of the outer edge of the brush surface can be smaller than the curvature of the bristles 1 of the bristle tufts 5 in the inner field of the brush 4.
  • filaments are coextruded, which are then cut to the desired length of the bristles 1, combined into bundles and fastened in the bristle carrier 7 by plugs and with the aid of an anchor.
  • a non-concentric or non-point-symmetrical material distribution is set in accordance with the areas 2, 3 of FIGS. 1 to 3.
  • an extrusion tool 8 can be used, as shown in FIG. 5.
  • This extrusion tool 8 has a plurality of equally large nozzle bores 9 which are on a circular ring are arranged at approximately equal distances from one another.
  • Each of the nozzle bores 9 is divided into two channels within the extrusion die 8.
  • a connecting line 10 is formed, at which the two regions 2, 3 of the bristle 1 are brought together.
  • the connecting line 10 shown in FIG. 5 is approximately straight.
  • the bristle 1 of FIG. 2 is produced by the extrusion tool 8 shown in FIG. 5.
  • All of the connecting lines 10 form approximately a circle, as shown in FIG. 5, and are therefore arranged at an angle to one another, that is to say they each have a different position from one another.
  • the extrusion tool 8 With the help of the extrusion tool 8, two different plastics can be coextruded into a filament. Alternatively or cumulatively, it is possible to use the extrusion tool 8 to add a filler and / or a nucleating agent to the plastic in each of the channels to the nozzle bores 9.

Landscapes

  • Brushes (AREA)

Abstract

The invention is directed to a bristle (1) suitable for use in a brush (4) or the like, and in particular in a toothbrush. The bristle (1) is made of a plastic material and includes preferably a circular area of cross-section. When viewed in cross-section, the bristle (1) includes two sections (2, 3) with different properties. These sections (2, 3) are not in concentric relative arrangement. As a result, the bristle (1) curves along its longitudinal axis. The curvature produces an improved cleaning action of the brush (4).

Description

Borste für eine ZahnbürsteBristle for a toothbrush
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Borste für eine Bürste, einen Pinsel oder dergleichen, insbesondere für eine Zahnbürste, wobei die Borste aus Kunststoff besteht und im Querschnitt gesehen zwei Bereiche mit unterschiedlichen Eigenschaften aufweist.The invention relates to a bristle for a brush, a brush or the like, in particular for a toothbrush, the bristle being made of plastic and, viewed in cross section, having two regions with different properties.
Eine derartige Borste ist beispielsweise aus der deutschen Offenlegungsschrift DE 34 00 941 A1 bekannt. Dort ist eine Kunststoffborste beschrieben, die einen harten Kern besitzt, der konzentrisch von einer weicheren Nutzschicht umgeben ist. Kern und Nutzschicht können aus verschiedenen Kunststoffen bestehen und weisen verschiedene Farben auf. Bei der Benutzung dieser Borste wird der Verschleiß derselben durch das Abtragen der Nutzschicht und das daraus resultierende Hervortreten des andersfarbigen Kerns automatisch einem Benutzer angezeigt. Die beiden Bereiche der Borste haben jedoch keinen Einfluß auf die Reinigungswirkung einer Bürste, die mit einer Vielzahl derartiger Borsten versehen ist.Such a bristle is known, for example, from German laid-open specification DE 34 00 941 A1. There is described a plastic bristle that has a hard core that is concentrically surrounded by a softer wear layer. The core and wear layer can consist of different plastics and have different colors. When using this bristle, the wear of the bristle by removing the wear layer and the resulting emergence of the different colored core is automatically displayed to a user. However, the two areas of the bristle have no influence on the cleaning effect of a brush which is provided with a large number of such bristles.
Aus der deutschen Offenlegungsschrift DE 31 31 014 A1 ist eine Zahnbürste bekannt, mit der die Bukkal-Labial-Seite und die Lingual-Seite der Zähne gleichzeitig gereinigt und damit eine verbesserte Reinigungswirkung erzielt werden kann. Zu diesem Zweck weisen die Reinigungsborsten der Zahnbürste die Gestalt von zwei beispielsweise gebogenen Bündeln von Nylonfäden auf, deren Enden einander gegenüberstehen. Die Reinigungsborsten werden dadurch hergestellt, daß die Nylonfäden genügend oft um einen Dorn gewickelt und gehärtet werden. Danach werden die gebogenen Reinigungsborsten beispielsweise mit dem Borstenhalter der Zahnbürste verklebt.A toothbrush is known from German published patent application DE 31 31 014 A1, with which the buccal labial side and the lingual side of the teeth can be cleaned at the same time and an improved cleaning effect can thus be achieved. For this purpose, the cleaning bristles of the toothbrush have the shape of two, for example, bent bundles of nylon threads, the ends of which face each other. The cleaning bristles are made by wrapping and hardening the nylon threads enough times around a mandrel. The bent cleaning bristles are then glued, for example, to the bristle holder of the toothbrush.
Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es, eine Borste der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, die eine verbesserte und schonendere Reinigungswirkung bewirkt und einfach an einem Borstenträger befestigbar ist. Nach der Erfindung wird diese Aufgabe dadurch gelöst, daß die Bereiche nicht konzentrisch bzw. nicht punktsymmetrisch zueinander angeordnet sind. Im Grunde ist jede Verteilung der Bereiche über den Querschnitt der Borste geeignet, die erfindungsgemäße Wirkung hervorzurufen, bei der die Flächenschwerpunkte der Bereiche nicht zusammenfallen.The object of the invention is to provide a bristle of the type mentioned at the outset, which brings about an improved and gentler cleaning action and can be easily attached to a bristle holder. According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the regions are not arranged concentrically or point-symmetrically to one another. Basically, any distribution of the areas over the cross-section of the bristle is suitable for producing the effect according to the invention in which the centroids of the areas do not coincide.
Diese Anordnung der beiden Bereiche hat zur Folge, daß sich unterschiedlichen Eigenschaften der beiden Bereiche, beispielsweise deren Ausdehnungskoeffizienten bei Feuchtigkeit, Wärme oder dergleichen, nicht mehr gegenseitig ausgleichen können. Die beiden Bereiche dehnen sich somit unterschiedlich stark aus, wodurch eine Krümmung der Borste entlang der Borstenlängsachse erreicht wird. Die Borste wird also aus der Borstenlängsachse seitlich ausgelenkt.The result of this arrangement of the two areas is that different properties of the two areas, for example their expansion coefficients in the presence of moisture, heat or the like, can no longer compensate for one another. The two areas thus expand to different extents, which results in a curvature of the bristle along the longitudinal axis of the bristle. The bristle is thus laterally deflected from the longitudinal axis of the bristle.
Die erfindungsgemäße Borste ermöglicht aufgrund der Krümmung auch eine schonendere Behandlung des zu reinigenden Gegenstands. Des weiteren wird durch die seitliche Auslenkung der Borste aus der Borstenlängsachse erreicht, daß die Borste den zu reinigenden Gegenstand besser umschließen und damit wesentlich besser reinigen kann.Due to the curvature, the bristle according to the invention also enables a gentler treatment of the object to be cleaned. Furthermore, the lateral deflection of the bristle from the longitudinal axis of the bristle means that the bristle can better enclose the object to be cleaned and can therefore clean it much better.
Die erfindungsgemäße Borste muß nicht durch besondere Herstellungsverfahren, wie zum Beispiel Wickeln, gekrümmt werden. Statt dessen wird die seitliche Auslenkung in einfacher Weise durch die erfindungsgemäße Anordnung der beiden Bereiche mit unterschiedlichen Eigenschaften erreicht. Dies hat den weiteren Vorteil, daß die erfindungsgemäßen Borsten auch mit Hilfe von herkömmlichen, einfachen Herstellungsverfahren in einer Bürste befestigt werden können. Insbesondere bei der Verwendung der erfindungsgemäßen Borste in einer Zahnbürste, beispielsweise in einer elektrischen Zahnbürste, wird durch die erfindungsgemäße Anordnung der beiden Bereiche und durch die daraus resultierende Krümmung der Borste eine wesentlich bessere und gleichzeitig schonendere Reinigung der Zähne erreicht. Zusätzlich zu diesen Vorteilen kann durch die Krümmung der Borste diese wesentlich besser in die Interdentalräume der Zähne eindringen und diese ebenfalls wesentlich besser und gleichzeitig schonender reinigen. Die Möglichkeit der einfachen und kostengünstigen Herstellung einer derartigen Zahnbürste ist ein weiterer Vorteil der erfindungsgemäßen Borste.The bristle according to the invention does not have to be curved by special manufacturing processes such as winding. Instead, the lateral deflection is achieved in a simple manner by arranging the two areas according to the invention with different properties. This has the further advantage that the bristles according to the invention can also be fastened in a brush using conventional, simple manufacturing processes. Particularly when the bristle according to the invention is used in a toothbrush, for example in an electric toothbrush, the arrangement of the two areas according to the invention and the resulting curvature of the bristle result in a significantly better and at the same time gentler cleaning of the teeth. In addition to these advantages, the curvature of the bristle can penetrate the interdental spaces of the teeth much better and also clean them much better and at the same time more gently. The possibility of simple and inexpensive manufacture of such a toothbrush is a further advantage of the bristle according to the invention.
Bei einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung der Erfindung bildet einer der beiden Bereiche eine Kreissegmentfläche, wobei die Verbindungslinie der beiden Bereiche beispielsweise eine im wesentlichen gerade, eine kreisbogenförmige oder eine gekrümmte Linie ist. In diesem Fall wird die seitliche Auslenkung nicht nur durch die unterschiedlichen Eigenschaften der beiden Bereiche beeinflußt, sondern auch durch die Verteilung der beiden Bereiche über den Querschnitt der Borste.In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, one of the two areas forms a circular segment surface, the connecting line of the two areas being, for example, an essentially straight, an arcuate or a curved line. In this case, the lateral deflection is influenced not only by the different properties of the two areas, but also by the distribution of the two areas over the cross section of the bristle.
Bei einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der Erfindung bildet jeder der beiden Bereiche eine Halbkreisfläche. Die seitliche Auslenkung der Borste wird in diesem Fall im wesentlichen nur durch die unterschiedlichen Eigenschaften der beiden Bereiche erreicht. Auf diese Weise wird eine besonders gute und gleichmäßige seitliche Auslenkung der Borste aus der Borstenlängsachse erreicht. Ebenfalls kann durch diese Weiterbildung die genannte Auslenkung besonders gut berechnet und damit vorherbestimmt werden. Schließlich hat die Ausbildung der beiden Bereiche als Halbkreisflächen wesentliche Vorteile im Hinblick auf die Herstellung der Borste, insbesondere im Hinblick auf eine Vereinfachung und Vereinheitlichung der Werkzeuge für die Herstellung der Borste.In an advantageous development of the invention, each of the two areas forms a semicircular surface. In this case, the lateral deflection of the bristle is essentially achieved only by the different properties of the two areas. In this way, a particularly good and uniform lateral deflection of the bristle from the longitudinal axis of the bristle is achieved. This further development also allows the deflection mentioned to be calculated particularly well and thus predetermined. Finally, the formation of the two areas as semicircular surfaces has significant advantages with regard to the manufacture of the bristle, in particular with regard to the simplification and standardization of the tools for the manufacture of the bristle.
Aufgrund von wesentlichen Vorteilen bei der Herstellung ist es besonders zweckmäßig, wenn das Verhältnis der Querschnittsflächen der beiden Bereiche einen Wert zwischen etwa 0,25 und etwa 1 ,0 bzw. 1 ,0 und 1 ,4 aufweisen, je nach dem ob die kleinere oder größere Fläche als Bezugsgröße Anwendung findet.Because of the significant advantages in production, it is particularly expedient if the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the two regions has a value between approximately 0.25 and approximately 1.0 or 1.0 and 1.4, depending on whether the smaller or larger area is used as a reference.
Bei einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung der Erfindung weisen die beiden Bereiche unterschiedliche Dehnungseigenschaften infolge Feuchtigkeit auf. Kommt somit die Borste mit Feuchtigkeit in Berührung, so hat dies zur Folge, daß sich die beiden Bereiche unterschiedlich stark in Richtung der Borstenlängsachse ausdehnen. Dies wiederum bewirkt die bereits erwähnte Krümmung der Borste entlang der Borstenlängsachse.In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two areas have different expansion properties due to moisture. If the bristle comes into contact with moisture, the result is that the two regions expand to different degrees in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the bristle. This in turn causes the previously mentioned curvature of the bristle along the longitudinal axis of the bristle.
Insbesondere bei der Verwendung der erfindungsgemäßen Borste in einer Zahnbürste, beispielsweise in einer elektrischen Zahnbürste, ist die Borste der Luftfeuchtigkeit ausgesetzt. Die beiden Bereiche der Borste dehnen sich dadurch unterschiedlich aus und es entsteht die Krümmung bzw. seitliche Auslenkung der Borste aus der Borstenlängsachse. Dies hat die bereits erwähnten Vorteile hinsichtlich der Reinigungswirkung der Borste und der schonenden Behandlung des zu reinigenden Gegenstands durch die Borste zur Folge.In particular when the bristle according to the invention is used in a toothbrush, for example in an electric toothbrush, the bristle is exposed to atmospheric moisture. As a result, the two areas of the bristle expand differently and the bristle is curved or deflected laterally from the longitudinal axis of the bristle. This has the already mentioned advantages with regard to the cleaning effect of the bristle and the gentle treatment of the object to be cleaned by the bristle.
Bei einer weiteren vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung der Erfindung weisen die beiden Bereiche unterschiedliche Schrumpfungseigenschaften infolge Erwärmung auf. Die Borste wird in diesem Fall im Verlauf der Herstellung erwärmt und wieder abgekühlt. Dies hat eine unterschiedlich starke Ausdehnung und Schrumpfung der beiden Bereiche entlang der Borstenlängsachse und damit eine Krümmung der Borste zur Folge. Die Auslenkung der Borste aus der Borstenlängsachse kann dabei bei der Herstellung durch eine entsprechende Erwärmung und Abkühlung eingestellt werden. Die genannte Auslenkung ist in diesem Fall jedoch nicht reversibel.In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two areas have different shrinkage properties due to heating. In this case, the bristle is heated and cooled again during production. This results in a different degree of expansion and shrinkage of the two areas along the longitudinal axis of the bristle and thus a curvature of the bristle. The deflection of the bristle from the longitudinal axis of the bristle can be adjusted during production by appropriate heating and cooling. In this case, however, the deflection mentioned is not reversible.
Bei einer weiteren vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung der Erfindung ist der Kunststoff in einem der beiden Bereiche mit einem Füllstoff und/oder einem Nukleiermittel versehen, beispielsweise mit Kaolin, Talkum oder dergleichen. Die Verwendung von Farbstoffen ist ebenfalls möglich. Auf diese Weise wird erreicht, daß die beiden Bereiche unterschiedliche Eigenschaften besitzen, und damit die Borste eine Auslenkung aus der Borstenlängsachse aufweist.In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the plastic is provided in one of the two areas with a filler and / or a nucleating agent, for example with kaolin, talc or the like. The use of dyes is also possible. In this way it is achieved that the Both areas have different properties, and thus the bristle has a deflection from the longitudinal axis of the bristle.
Bei einer anderen vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung der Erfindung sind die beiden Bereiche aus unterschiedlichen Kunststoffen gebildet. Dies hat wiederum zur Folge, daß die beiden Bereiche unterschiedliche Eigenschaften besitzen, und damit die Borste bei Benutzung eine Auslenkung aus der Borstenlängsachse aufweist.In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two areas are formed from different plastics. This in turn has the consequence that the two areas have different properties, and thus the bristle has a deflection from the longitudinal axis of the bristle when in use.
Die Verwendung von unterschiedlichen Kunststoffen und von Füllstoffen und/oder Nukleierungsmitteln kann dabei alternativ oder kumulativ vorgesehen sein.The use of different plastics and fillers and / or nucleating agents can alternatively or cumulatively be provided.
Besonders zweckmäßig ist es, wenn bei den beschriebenen Ausgestaltungen die Borste aus Polyamid und/oder aus Polyester besteht. Diese Kunststoffe haben sich insbesondere bei Zahnbürsten als besonders vorteilhaft herausgestellt. Dabei kann entweder nur einer der beiden Kunststoffe verwendet werden, der dann in einem der beiden Bereiche mit einem Füllstoff und/oder einem Nukleiermittel versehen ist, oder es können verschiedene Typen einer Kunststoffgruppe in den beiden Bereichen der Borste verwendet werden.It is particularly expedient if, in the embodiments described, the bristle consists of polyamide and / or polyester. These plastics have been found to be particularly advantageous, particularly with toothbrushes. Either only one of the two plastics can be used, which is then provided in one of the two areas with a filler and / or a nucleating agent, or different types of a plastic group can be used in the two areas of the bristle.
Die erfindungsgemäße Borste weist eine Krümmung bzw. eine seitliche Auslenkung zur Borstenlängsachse auf. Dies bewirkt die bereits erläuterten Vorteile im Hinblick auf die verbesserte Reinigungswirkung der Borste und die schonende- re Behandlung des zu reinigenden Gegenstands durch die Borste. Des weiteren erlaubt die erfindungsgemäße Borste die Verwendung von bekannten, einfachen Hestellungsverfahren, ohne daß aufwendige Herstellungsschritte für die Erzeugung der Krümmung erforderlich sind.The bristle according to the invention has a curvature or a lateral deflection to the longitudinal axis of the bristle. This brings about the advantages already explained with regard to the improved cleaning action of the bristle and the gentler treatment of the object to be cleaned by the bristle. Furthermore, the bristle according to the invention allows the use of known, simple manufacturing processes without the need for complex production steps for producing the curvature.
Bei einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung der Erfindung weist die Auslenkung der Borste einen Wert zwischen etwa 10 % und etwa 90 % der Länge der Borste auf, insbesondere einen Wert von etwa 50 % der Länge der Borste. Dies hat sich in der Praxis hinsichtlich der Reinigungswirkung der Borste als besonders zweckmäßig erwiesen.In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the deflection of the bristle has a value between approximately 10% and approximately 90% of the length of the bristle on, in particular a value of about 50% of the length of the bristle. In practice, this has proven to be particularly expedient with regard to the cleaning effect of the bristle.
Bei einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der Erfindung weisen die beiden Bereiche unterschiedliche Farben auf. Damit ist es möglich, den Effekt der Krümmung der Borste visuell sichtbar zu machen. Insbesondere bei der Verwendung einer Vielzahl von Borsten beispielsweise in einer Zahnbürste erkennt ein Benutzer die seitliche Auslenkung der einzelnen Borsten aufgrund der verschiedenen Farben und wird dadurch insbesondere auf die Vorteile hinsichtlich der Reinigungswirkung der Borsten hingewiesen.In an advantageous development of the invention, the two areas have different colors. This makes it possible to visualize the effect of the bristle curvature. In particular when using a large number of bristles, for example in a toothbrush, a user recognizes the lateral deflection of the individual bristles on the basis of the different colors and is thereby particularly pointed out the advantages with regard to the cleaning effect of the bristles.
Besonders vorteilhaft ist es, eine Vielzahl der erfindungsgemäßen Borsten in einer Bürste, einem Pinsel oder dergleichen, insbesondere in einer Zahbürste zu verwenden, wobei die freien Enden der Borsten eine Bürstenfläche bilden. Die Borsten sind dabei zu einzelnen Borstenbüscheln zusammengefaßt, die jeweils eine Büschelfläche bilden. Die Büschelflächen aller Borstenbüschel ergeben dann die Bürstenfläche. In diesem Fall können sich die einzelnen Borstenbüschel bei einer etwa in Richtung der Büschellängsachse einwirkenden Kraft besser und insbesondere in alle Richtungen aufspleißen. Dies ergibt eine gleichmäßigere Verteilung der freien Enden der Borsten und deren seitliche Auslenkung. Diese Auslenkung der Borsten ist dabei zufällig orientiert bzw. es existiert keine Vorzugsrichtung für diese Auslenkung. Ebenfalls stützen sich die einzelnen Borsten durch die seitliche Auslenkung und aufgrund der zufälligen Orientierung der Auslenkung gegenseitig ab, so daß die Borsten weniger nach außen ausweichen können. Insgesamt wird dadurch eine verbesserte Reinigungswirkung sowie eine schonendere Behandlung mit dem zu reinigenden Gegenstand erreicht.It is particularly advantageous to use a large number of the bristles according to the invention in a brush, a brush or the like, in particular in a toothbrush, the free ends of the bristles forming a brush surface. The bristles are combined into individual bristle tufts, each of which forms a tuft surface. The tuft surfaces of all tufts of bristles then give the brush surface. In this case, the individual tufts of bristles can splice up better and in particular in all directions when a force acts approximately in the direction of the tuft longitudinal axis. This results in a more even distribution of the free ends of the bristles and their lateral deflection. This deflection of the bristles is randomly oriented or there is no preferred direction for this deflection. The individual bristles are also supported against one another by the lateral deflection and due to the random orientation of the deflection, so that the bristles can deflect less to the outside. Overall, an improved cleaning effect and a gentler treatment with the object to be cleaned is thereby achieved.
Bei einer besonders vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der Erfindung sind die Eigenschaften der beiden Bereiche von jeder der Borsten abhängig von der Anordnung der Borste innerhalb der Bürstenfläche. Mit anderen Worten bedeutet dies, daß insbesondere die Krümmung einer bestimmten Borste abhängig ist von der Anordnung dieser Borste innerhalb der Bürstenfläche. Auf diese Weise ist es möglich, insgesamt eine Bürste zu schaffen, bei der die Krümmung der einzelnen Borsten zum Beispiel an den Zweck der Bürste angepaßt ist.In a particularly advantageous development of the invention, the properties of the two areas of each of the bristles depend on the arrangement of the bristle within the brush surface. In other words, this means that in particular the curvature of a particular bristle depends on the arrangement of this bristle within the brush surface. In this way, it is possible to create an overall brush in which the curvature of the individual bristles is adapted, for example, to the purpose of the brush.
Besonders zweckmäßig ist es dabei, wenn die Borsten in der Nähe des Außenrands der Bürstenfläche eine geringere Krümmung aufweisen als die Borsten im Innenfeld der Bürstenfläche. Dies stellt insbesondere bei einer Zahnbürste eine besonders vorteilhafte Anordnung der einzelnen Borsten dar. Durch die größere Auslenkung der Borsten im Innenfeld der Zahnbürste wird der zu reinigende Zahn besonders gut umschlossen und damit besonders gut gereinigt. Dabei ist es auch möglich, daß im wesentlichen nur die Borsten im Innenfeld der Zahnbürste eine Krümmung aufweisen.It is particularly expedient if the bristles have a smaller curvature in the vicinity of the outer edge of the brush surface than the bristles in the inner field of the brush surface. This is a particularly advantageous arrangement of the individual bristles, particularly in the case of a toothbrush. The greater deflection of the bristles in the inner field of the toothbrush encompasses the tooth to be cleaned particularly well and therefore particularly well cleans it. It is also possible that essentially only the bristles have a curvature in the inner field of the toothbrush.
Bei einer weiteren vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der Erfindung ist die Richtung der Auslenkung der Borsten zufällig verteilt. Dies bedeutet, daß die Auslenkungen der Borsten in einem Borstenbüschel keine Vorzugsrichtung aufweisen. Dies hat zur Folge, daß die Borstenspitzen unterschiedliche Orientierungen aufweisen und sich die einzelnen Borsten in unterschiedliche Richtungen biegen. Dies stellt eine weitere Verbesserung insbesondere einer Zahnbürste im Hinblick auf ein möglichst gleichmäßiges und weitreichendes Umschließen des zu reinigenden Zahns durch die Borsten dar. Des weiteren wird durch die zufällige Ausrichtung der Borsten in unterschiedliche Richtungen erreicht, daß immer eine der Borsten gerade so angeordnet ist, daß sie besonders gut in den gerade zu reinigenden Interdentalraum eindringen kann, ohne daß hierzu die Zahnbürste besonders gegen die Zahnflächen gedrückt oder gedreht werden müßte. Dies stellt gleichzeitig einen schonenderen Umgang der erfindungsgemäßen Zahnbürste mit dem Zahnfleisch eines Benutzers dar.In a further advantageous development of the invention, the direction of the deflection of the bristles is randomly distributed. This means that the deflections of the bristles in a tuft of bristles have no preferred direction. As a result, the bristle tips have different orientations and the individual bristles bend in different directions. This represents a further improvement, in particular of a toothbrush, with regard to the bristles surrounding the tooth to be cleaned as evenly and as far as possible. Furthermore, the random alignment of the bristles in different directions ensures that one of the bristles is always arranged exactly that it can penetrate particularly well into the interdental space to be cleaned without the toothbrush having to be pressed or rotated particularly against the tooth surfaces. At the same time, this represents a gentler handling of the toothbrush according to the invention with the gums of a user.
Bei einem Verfahren zur Herstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Borste können entweder zwei unterschiedliche Kunststoffe coextrudiert werden, oder es kann ein Kunststoff unter bereichsweiser Hinzufügung eines Füllstoffs coextrudiert werden. In beiden Fällen ist es besonders vorteilhaft, wenn die Verbindungslinien der beiden Bereiche, die den einzelnen Düsenbohrungen des Extrusionswerk- zeugs zugeordnet sind, jeweils gedreht zueinander angeordnet sind. Auf diese Weise wird eine zufällige Anordnung der beiden Bereiche der Borsten und damit eine zufällige Orientierung der Auslenkung der Borsten erreicht.In a method for producing the bristle according to the invention, either two different plastics can be coextruded, or it can a plastic can be co-extruded with the addition of a filler. In both cases, it is particularly advantageous if the connecting lines of the two areas, which are assigned to the individual nozzle bores of the extrusion tool, are each arranged rotated relative to one another. In this way, a random arrangement of the two areas of the bristles and thus a random orientation of the deflection of the bristles is achieved.
Weitere Merkmale, Vorteile und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung von Ausführungsbeispielen, die in der Zeichnung näher dargestellt sind. Dabei bilden alle beschriebenen und/oder dargestellten Merkmale für sich oder in beliebiger Kombination den Gegenstand der Erfindung unabhängig von ihrer Zusammenfassung in den Ansprüchen und deren Rückbeziehung.Further features, advantages and possible uses of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are shown in more detail in the drawing. All of the described and / or illustrated features, alone or in any combination, form the subject matter of the invention, regardless of how they are summarized in the claims and their relationship.
In der Zeichnung zeigt:The drawing shows:
Figur 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Borste im Querschnitt, Figur 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Borste im Querschnitt, Figur 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Borste im Querschnitt, Figur 4 eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Bürste, die aus einer Vielzahl der Borsten der Figur 1 oder der Figur 2 oder der1 shows a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a bristle according to the invention in cross section, FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a bristle according to the invention in cross section, FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of a bristle according to the invention in cross section, FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a brush according to the invention , which consist of a plurality of the bristles of Figure 1 or Figure 2 or
Figur 3 besteht, in einer Seitenansicht, und Figur 5 eine schematische Darstellung eines Werkzeugs zur Herstellung derFigure 3 is a side view, and Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a tool for producing the
Borsten der Figur 2 in einer Draufsicht.Bristles of Figure 2 in a plan view.
In den Figuren 1 bis 3 ist jeweils eine Borste 1 im Querschnitt dargestellt, die in einer Zahnbürste, beispielsweise einer elektrischen Zahnbürste verwendet werden kann. Die Borste 1 besteht aus Kunststoff und besitzt eine etwa kreisförmi- ge Querschnittsfläche. Die Borste 1 weist zwei Bereiche 2, 3 auf, die sich durchgehend entlang der Borstenlängsachse erstrecken. Die beiden Bereiche 2, 3 sind nicht konzentrisch bzw. nicht punktsymmetrisch zueinander angeordnet.FIGS. 1 to 3 each show a bristle 1 in cross section, which can be used in a toothbrush, for example an electric toothbrush. The bristle 1 is made of plastic and has an approximately circular cross-sectional area. The bristle 1 has two regions 2, 3 which extend continuously along the longitudinal axis of the bristle. The two areas 2, 3 are not arranged concentrically or point-symmetrically to one another.
In der Figur 1 sind die beiden Bereiche 2, 3 der Borste 1 unterschiedlich groß. Der Bereich 2 bildet eine Kreissegmentfläche und der Bereich 3 stellt die Restfläche zur kreisförmigen Querschnittsfläche der Borste 1 dar. Die Verbindungslinie zwischen dem Bereich 2 und dem Bereich 3 ist kreisbogenförmig. Das Verhältnis der Querschnittsflächen der beiden Bereiche 2, 3 besitzt einen Wert zwischen etwa 0,25 und etwa 1 ,0 bzw. 1 ,0 und 4,0.In Figure 1, the two areas 2, 3 of the bristle 1 are of different sizes. The area 2 forms a circular segment area and the area 3 represents the remaining area to the circular cross-sectional area of the bristle 1. The connecting line between the area 2 and the area 3 is in the form of a circular arc. The ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the two regions 2, 3 has a value between approximately 0.25 and approximately 1.0 and 1.0, 4.0, respectively.
In der Figur 2 sind die beiden Bereiche 2, 3 der Borste 1 gleich groß. Das Verhältnis der Querschnittsflächen der beiden Bereiche 2, 3 ist damit 1 . Jeder der beiden Bereiche 2, 3 bildet eine Halbkreisfläche. Die Verbindungslinie der beiden Bereiche 2, 3 ist im wesentlichen geradlinig.In Figure 2, the two areas 2, 3 of the bristle 1 are the same size. The ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the two regions 2, 3 is therefore 1. Each of the two areas 2, 3 forms a semicircular surface. The connecting line of the two areas 2, 3 is essentially straight.
In der Figur 3 stellt der Bereich 2 eine Kreisfläche innerhalb des Bereichs 3 dar. Der Radius der Kreisfläche des Bereichs 2 ist kleiner als der Radius der Kreisfläche des Bereichs 3. Die Kreisfläche des Bereichs 2 ist nicht konzentrisch zur Kreisfläche des Bereichs 3 angeordnet. Das Verhältnis der Querschnittsflächen der beiden Bereiche 2, 3 besitzt einen Wert zwischen etwa 0,25 und etwa 1 ,0 bzw. 1 ,0 und 4,0.In FIG. 3, area 2 represents a circular area within area 3. The radius of the circular area of area 2 is smaller than the radius of the circular area of area 3. The circular area of area 2 is not arranged concentrically with the circular area of area 3. The ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the two regions 2, 3 has a value between approximately 0.25 and approximately 1.0 and 1.0, 4.0, respectively.
Die beiden Bereiche 2, 3 der in den Figuren 1 bis 3 dargestellten Borste 1 besitzen unterschiedliche Eigenschaften.The two areas 2, 3 of the bristle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 have different properties.
Des weiteren ist es denkbar, die Borste 1 nicht nur aus zwei Bereichen 2, 3 zusammenzusetzen, sondern aus drei oder mehr Bereichen. In diesem Fall müssen sich die Bereiche derart voneinander unterscheiden, daß sich über den Querschnitt der Borste 1 insgesamt asymmetrische Eigenschaften ergeben. Bei der Borste 1 der Figuren 1 bis 3 können die unterschiedlichen Eigenschaften der Bereiche 2, 3 darauf beruhen, daß der Bereich 2 aus einem anderen Kunststoff besteht als der Bereich 3, oder daß es sich in den Bereichen 2, 3 um verschiedene Typen derselben Kunststoffgruppe handelt. Ebenfalls ist möglich, daß der Kunststoff eines der Bereiche 2, 3 mit einem oder mehreren Füllstoffen und/oder mit einem oder mehreren Nukleiermitteln versehen ist. Des weiteren können in diesem Zusammenhang auch Farbstoffe eingesetzt werden. Dies alles sind Möglichkeiten, die alternativ oder kumulativ dazu führen können, daß die beiden Bereiche 2, 3 der Borste 1 der Figuren 1 bis 3 unterschiedliche Eigenschaften aufweisen.Furthermore, it is conceivable to assemble the bristle 1 not only from two areas 2, 3, but from three or more areas. In this case, the regions must differ from one another in such a way that overall asymmetrical properties result over the cross section of the bristle 1. In the bristle 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3, the different properties of the areas 2, 3 can be based on the fact that the area 2 consists of a different plastic than the area 3 or that the areas 2, 3 are different types of the same plastic group acts. It is also possible that the plastic of one of the areas 2, 3 is provided with one or more fillers and / or with one or more nucleating agents. Dyes can also be used in this context. All of these are possibilities which, alternatively or cumulatively, can lead to the two regions 2, 3 of the bristle 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3 having different properties.
Als Kunststoffe können Polyamid oder Polyester verwendet werden. Als Füllstoffe und/oder Nukleiermittel können Calciumcarbonat, Talkum oder ein Silikat, wie Kaolin oder dergleichen verwendet werden.Polyamide or polyester can be used as plastics. Calcium carbonate, talc or a silicate such as kaolin or the like can be used as fillers and / or nucleating agents.
Als unterschiedliche Eigenschaften der beiden Bereiche 2, 3 der Figuren 1 bis 3 kann die Borste 1 unterschiedliche Dehnungseigenschaften infoge der Aufnahme von Feuchtigkeit, insbesondere von Wasser in den beiden Bereichen 2, 3 aufweisen. Dies bedeutet, daß der Bereich 2 sich bei der Aufnahme von Feuchtigkeit in Borstenlängsrichtung anders, zum Beispiel stärker ausdehnt als der Bereich 3 der Borste 1 . Dieser Vorgang ist üblicherweise reversibel, d.h. wenn die Borste getrocknet wird, so geht die genannte Ausdehnung wieder im wesentlichen in den Ausgangszustand zurück.As different properties of the two areas 2, 3 of FIGS. 1 to 3, the bristle 1 can have different expansion properties due to the absorption of moisture, in particular water, in the two areas 2, 3. This means that the area 2 expands differently in the longitudinal direction of the bristles when moisture is absorbed, for example more than the area 3 of the bristle 1. This process is usually reversible, i.e. if the bristle is dried, the expansion mentioned essentially returns to its original state.
Alternativ oder kumulativ kann als unterschiedliche Eigenschaften der beiden Bereiche 2, 3 der Figuren 1 bis 3 die Borste 1 unterschiedliche Schrumpfungseigenschaften bei Erwärmung und nachfolgender Abkühlung aufweisen. Dies bedeutet, daß der Bereich 2 bei der Abkühlung anders, zum Beispiel stärker schrumpft als der Bereich 3 der Borste 1 . Dieser Vorgang ist nicht reversibel, d.h. die Schrumpfung infolge Erwärmung und Abkühlung verbleibt auch nach der Abkühlung der Borste 1 . Durch die unterschiedlichen Eigenschaften der beiden Bereiche 2, 3 der Borste 1 , beispielsweise durch die unterschiedlichen Dehnungseigenschaften infolge der Aufnahme von Feuchtigkeit und/oder durch die unterschiedlichen Schrumpfungseigenschaften infolge Erwärmung, und durch die nicht konzentrische Anordnung der beiden Bereiche 2, 3 zueinander wird die Borste 1 entlang ihrer Borstenlängsachse gekrümmt. Dies bedeutet, daß die Borste 1 aus ihrer Borstenlängsachse seitlich ausgelenkt oder schräggestellt wird.Alternatively or cumulatively, as different properties of the two areas 2, 3 of FIGS. 1 to 3, the bristle 1 can have different shrinkage properties when heated and subsequently cooled. This means that area 2 shrinks differently during cooling, for example shrinks more than area 3 of bristle 1. This process is not reversible, ie the shrinkage due to heating and cooling remains even after the bristle 1 has cooled. The bristle becomes different due to the different properties of the two areas 2, 3 of the bristle 1, for example due to the different expansion properties due to the absorption of moisture and / or due to the different shrinkage properties due to heating, and due to the non-concentric arrangement of the two areas 2, 3 1 curved along its bristle longitudinal axis. This means that the bristle 1 is laterally deflected or inclined from its bristle longitudinal axis.
Die Auslenkung der Borste 1 kann einen Wert zwischen etwa 10 % und etwa 90 % der Länge der Borste 1 aufweisen. Besonders bevorzugt ist ein Wert von etwa 50 % der Länge der Borste 1 . Wird die Borste 1 entsprechend der Figur 2 mit gleich großen Bereichen 2, 3 ausgestattet, so wird die genannte Auslenkung bei einer Länge der Borste 1 von etwa 8 mm durch Unterschiede in der Dehnung bzw. Schrumpfung der beiden Bereiche 2, 3 zwischen etwa 0, 1 5 % und etwa 1 ,5 % erreicht.The deflection of the bristle 1 can have a value between approximately 10% and approximately 90% of the length of the bristle 1. A value of approximately 50% of the length of the bristle 1 is particularly preferred. If the bristle 1 is equipped with regions 2, 3 of the same size as shown in FIG. 2, then the mentioned deflection with a length of the bristle 1 of approximately 8 mm is caused by differences in the expansion or shrinkage of the two regions 2, 3 between approximately 0. 1 5% and about 1, 5% reached.
Die beiden Bereiche 2, 3 der Borste 1 der Figur 1 wie auch der Figur 2 können verschiedenfarbig sein. Das kann bei der Wahl der unterschiedlichen Kunststoffe für die beiden Bereiche 2, 3 und/oder bei der Wahl des Füllstoffs für einen der beiden Bereiche 2, 3 berücksichtigt werden.The two areas 2, 3 of the bristle 1 in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2 can be of different colors. This can be taken into account when choosing the different plastics for the two areas 2, 3 and / or when choosing the filler for one of the two areas 2, 3.
In der Figur 4 ist ein Auschnitt aus einer Bürste 4 mit einem Borstenbüschel 5 dargestellt. Das Borstenbüschel 5 weist eine Vielzahl von Borsten 1 auf, die den Borsten 1 der Figuren 1 bis 3 entsprechen können. Bei der Bürste 4 kann es sich um eine Zahnbürste, beispielsweise eine elektrische Zahnbürste handeln. Die freien Enden der Borsten 1 des Borstenbüschels 5 bilden eine Büschelfläche 6. Die Vielzahl der Borsten 1 des Borstenbüschels 5 sind mit Hilfe eines Ankers oder dergleichen in einem Borstenträger 7 befestigt.FIG. 4 shows a detail from a brush 4 with a tuft of bristles 5. The bristle tuft 5 has a multiplicity of bristles 1 which can correspond to the bristles 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3. The brush 4 can be a toothbrush, for example an electric toothbrush. The free ends of the bristles 1 of the bristle tuft 5 form a tuft surface 6. The plurality of bristles 1 of the bristle tuft 5 are fastened in a bristle carrier 7 with the aid of an anchor or the like.
In der Figur 4 ist die Krümmung der einzelnen Borsten 1 entlang der Borstenlängsachse erkennbar. Es ist ebenfalls erkennbar, daß die Büschelfläche 6 des Borstenbüschels 5 aufgrund der Auslenkungen der Vielzahl der Borsten 1 größer ist als die Querschnittsfläche des Borstenbüschels 5 der Borsten 1 im Bereich des Borstenträgers 7.The curvature of the individual bristles 1 along the longitudinal axis of the bristles can be seen in FIG. It can also be seen that the tuft surface 6 of the Bristle tuft 5 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the bristle tuft 5 of the bristles 1 in the area of the bristle carrier 7 due to the deflections of the plurality of bristles 1.
Die einzelnen Borsten 1 des Borstenbüschels 5 sind mit unterschiedlichen Orientierungen in dem Borstenträger 7 befestigt. Dies bedeutet, daß die Borsten 1 in verschiedene Richtungen weisen. Die Auslenkung der Borsten 1 in dem Borstenbüschel 5 ist dabei zufallsbedingt, so daß die Richtung der einzelnen Borsten 1 in dem Borstenbüschel 5 rein zufällig ist. Mit anderen Worten bedeutet dies, daß keine Vorzugsrichtung für die Auslenkung der Borsten 1 in dem Borstenbüschel 5 existiert. Dies ist aus der Figur 3 ebenfalls erkennbar.The individual bristles 1 of the bristle tuft 5 are fastened in the bristle carrier 7 with different orientations. This means that the bristles 1 point in different directions. The deflection of the bristles 1 in the bristle tuft 5 is random, so that the direction of the individual bristles 1 in the bristle tuft 5 is purely random. In other words, this means that there is no preferred direction for the deflection of the bristles 1 in the bristle tuft 5. This can also be seen in FIG. 3.
Die Bürste 4 der Figur 4 weist eine Mehrzahl von Borstenbüscheln 5 auf. Insgesamt können die Borstenbüschel 5 derart innerhalb der Bürste 4 angeordnet sein, daß sich die Büschelflächen 6 der Borstenbüschel 5 zu einer etwa kreisförmigen Bürstenfläche zusammensetzen. In diesem Fall kann die Krümmung der Borsten 1 der Borstenbüschel 5 in der Nähe des Außenrands der Bürstenfläche kleiner sein als die Krümmung der Borsten 1 der Borstenbüschel 5 im Innenfeld der Bürste 4. Ebenfalls ist es möglich, daß im wesentlichen nur die Borsten 1 der Borstenbüschel 5 des Innenfelds der Bürste 4 eine Krümmung aufweisen.The brush 4 in FIG. 4 has a plurality of bristle tufts 5. Overall, the bristle tufts 5 can be arranged within the brush 4 in such a way that the tuft surfaces 6 of the bristle tufts 5 form an approximately circular brush surface. In this case, the curvature of the bristles 1 of the bristle tufts 5 in the vicinity of the outer edge of the brush surface can be smaller than the curvature of the bristles 1 of the bristle tufts 5 in the inner field of the brush 4. Likewise, it is possible that essentially only the bristles 1 of the bristle tufts 5 of the inner field of the brush 4 have a curvature.
Zur Herstellung der Borsten 1 findet eine Coextrusion von Filamenten statt, die dann auf die gewünschte Länge der Borsten 1 geschnitten, zu Bündeln zusammengefaßt und in dem Borstenträger 7 durch Stopfen und mit Hilfe eines Ankers befestigt werden. Bei der Coextrusion wird eine nicht konzentrische bzw. nicht punktsymmetrische Materialverteilung entsprechend der Bereiche 2, 3 der Figuren 1 bis 3 eingestellt.To produce the bristles 1, filaments are coextruded, which are then cut to the desired length of the bristles 1, combined into bundles and fastened in the bristle carrier 7 by plugs and with the aid of an anchor. In the case of coextrusion, a non-concentric or non-point-symmetrical material distribution is set in accordance with the areas 2, 3 of FIGS. 1 to 3.
Zu diesem Zweck kann beispielsweise ein Extrusionswerkzeug 8 verwendet werden, wie es in der Figur 5 dargestellt ist. Dieses Extrusionswerkzeug 8 weist eine Mehrzahl von gleich großen Düsenbohrungen 9 auf, die auf einem Kreisring mit etwa gleichen Abständen zueinander angeordnet sind. Jede der Düsenbohrungen 9 teilt sich innerhalb des Extrusionswerkzeugs 8 in zwei Kanäle auf. An dem Zusammenlauf der beiden Kanäle entsteht eine Verbindungslinie 10, an der die beiden Bereiche 2, 3 der Borste 1 zusammengeführt werden.For this purpose, for example, an extrusion tool 8 can be used, as shown in FIG. 5. This extrusion tool 8 has a plurality of equally large nozzle bores 9 which are on a circular ring are arranged at approximately equal distances from one another. Each of the nozzle bores 9 is divided into two channels within the extrusion die 8. At the confluence of the two channels, a connecting line 10 is formed, at which the two regions 2, 3 of the bristle 1 are brought together.
Die in der Figur 5 gezeigte Verbindungslinie 10 ist etwa geradlinig. Insoweit wird durch das in der Figur 5 dargestellte Extrusionswerkezug 8 die Borste 1 der Figur 2 erzeugt. Sämtliche Verbindungslinien 10 bilden entsprechend der Figur 5 etwa einen Kreis und sind dadurch zueinander jeweils um einen Winkel gedreht angeordnet, weisen also zueinander jeweils eine unterschiedliche Lage auf.The connecting line 10 shown in FIG. 5 is approximately straight. In this respect, the bristle 1 of FIG. 2 is produced by the extrusion tool 8 shown in FIG. 5. All of the connecting lines 10 form approximately a circle, as shown in FIG. 5, and are therefore arranged at an angle to one another, that is to say they each have a different position from one another.
Mit Hilfe des Extrusionswerkzeugs 8 können zwei unterschiedliche Kunststoffe zu einem Filament coextrudiert werden. Alternativ oder kumulativ ist es möglich, mit Hilfe des Extrusionswerkzeugs 8 dem Kunststoff in jeweils einem der Kanäle zu den Düsenbohrungen 9 einen Füllstoff und/oder ein Nukleierungsmittel beizumischen. With the help of the extrusion tool 8, two different plastics can be coextruded into a filament. Alternatively or cumulatively, it is possible to use the extrusion tool 8 to add a filler and / or a nucleating agent to the plastic in each of the channels to the nozzle bores 9.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1 . Borste (1 ) für eine Bürste (4), einen Pinsel oder dergleichen, insbesondere für eine Zahnbürste, wobei die Borste (1 ) aus Kunststoff besteht und im Querschnitt gesehen zwei Bereiche (2, 3) mit unterschiedlichen Eigenschaften aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Bereiche (2, 3) nicht konzentrisch bzw. nicht punktsymmetrisch zueinander angeordnet sind.1 . Bristle (1) for a brush (4), a brush or the like, in particular for a toothbrush, the bristle (1) being made of plastic and, viewed in cross section, having two areas (2, 3) with different properties, characterized in that the areas (2, 3) are not arranged concentrically or point-symmetrically to one another.
2. Borste (1 ) nach Patentanspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß einer der beiden Bereiche (2) eine Kreissegmentfläche bildet, wobei die Verbindungslinie der beiden Bereiche (2, 3) beispielsweise eine im wesentlichen gerade, eine kreisbogenförmige oder eine gekrümmte Linie ist (Figur 1 ).2. bristle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the two areas (2) forms a circular segment surface, the connecting line of the two areas (2, 3) is, for example, a substantially straight, an arcuate or a curved line ( Figure 1).
3. Borste (1 ) nach Patentanspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jeder der beiden Bereiche (2, 3) eine Halbkreisfläche bildet (Figur 2).3. bristle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the two areas (2, 3) forms a semicircular surface (Figure 2).
4. Borste (1 ) nach einem der Patentansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Verhältnis der Querschnittsflächen der beiden Bereiche (2, 3) einen Wert zwischen etwa 0,25 und etwa 1 ,0 aufweist.4. Bristle (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the two regions (2, 3) has a value between approximately 0.25 and approximately 1.0.
5. Borste (1 ) nach einem der vorhergehenden Patentansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die beiden Bereiche (2, 3) unterschiedliche Dehnungseigenschaften infolge Feuchtigkeit aufweisen.5. Bristle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two areas (2, 3) have different expansion properties due to moisture.
6. Borste (1 ) nach einem der vorhergehenden Patentansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die beiden Bereiche (2, 3) unterschiedliche Schrumpfungseigenschaften infolge Erwärmung aufweisen.6. bristle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two regions (2, 3) have different shrinkage properties due to heating.
7. Borste (1 ) nach einem der Patentansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in einem der beiden Bereiche (2, 3) der Kunststoff mit einem Füllstoff und/oder einem Nukleiermittel versehen ist, beispielsweise mit Kaolin, Calciumcarbonat oder dergleichen.7. bristle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in one of the two areas (2, 3) the plastic is provided with a filler and / or a nucleating agent, for example with Kaolin, calcium carbonate or the like.
8. Borste (1 ) nach einem der Patentansprüche 1 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die beiden Bereiche (2, 3) aus unterschiedlichen Kunststoffen gebildet sind.8. bristle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the two regions (2, 3) are formed from different plastics.
9. Borste (1 ) nach einem der vorhergehenden Patentansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Borste (1 ) aus Polyamid und/oder aus Polyester besteht.9. bristle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristle (1) consists of polyamide and / or polyester.
10. Borste (1 ) nach einem der vorhergehenden Patentansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Borste (1 ) eine Krümmung bzw. eine seitliche Auslenkung zur Borstenlängsachse aufweist.10. bristle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristle (1) has a curvature or a lateral deflection to the bristle longitudinal axis.
1 1 . Borste (1 ) nach Patentanspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Auslenkung der Borste (1 ) einen Wert zwischen etwa 10 % und etwa 90 % der Länge der Borste (1 ) aufweist, insbesondere einen Wert von etwa 50 % der Länge der Borste (1 ).1 1. Bristle (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the deflection of the bristle (1) has a value between approximately 10% and approximately 90% of the length of the bristle (1), in particular a value of approximately 50% of the length of the bristle ( 1 ).
12. Borste (1 ) nach einem der vorhergehenden Patentansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die beiden Bereiche (2, 3) unterschiedliche Farben aufweisen.12. Bristle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two areas (2, 3) have different colors.
13. Bürste (4), Pinsel oder dergleichen, insbesondere Zahnbürste, die eine Vielzahl von Borsten (1 ) nach einem der Patentansprüche 1 bis 1 2 aufweist, wobei die freien Enden der Borsten (1 ) eine Bürstenfläche bilden, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Eigenschaften der beiden Bereiche (2, 3) von jeder der Borsten (1 ) abhängig sind von der Anordnung der Borste innerhalb der Bürstenfläche.13. Brush (4), brush or the like, in particular toothbrush, which has a plurality of bristles (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 1 2, the free ends of the bristles (1) forming a brush surface, characterized in that the Properties of the two areas (2, 3) of each of the bristles (1) depend on the arrangement of the bristle within the brush surface.
14. Bürste (4) nach Patentanspruch 1 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Borsten (1 ) in der Nähe des Außenrands der Bürstenfläche eine geringere Krümmung aufweisen als die Borsten (1 ) im Innenfeld der Bürstenfläche.14. Brush (4) according to claim 1 3, characterized in that the Bristles (1) near the outer edge of the brush surface have a smaller curvature than the bristles (1) in the inner field of the brush surface.
1 5. Bürste (4) nach einem der Patentansprüche 1 3 oder 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Richtung der Auslenkung der Borsten (1 ) zufällig verteilt ist.1 5. Brush (4) according to one of claims 1 3 or 14, characterized in that the direction of the deflection of the bristles (1) is randomly distributed.
1 6. Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Borste (1 ) nach einem der Patentansprüche 1 bis 1 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß zwei unterschiedliche Kunststoffe coextrudiert werden.1 6. A method for producing a bristle (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 1 2, characterized in that two different plastics are coextruded.
1 7. Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Borste (1 ) nach einem der Patentansprüche 1 bis 1 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein Kunststoff unter bereichsweiser Hinzufügung eines Füllstoffs coextrudiert wird.1 7. A method for producing a bristle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 1 2, characterized in that a plastic is co-extruded with the addition of a filler in certain areas.
18. Verfahren nach einem der Patentansprüche 1 6 oder 17, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verbindungslinien (10) der beiden Bereiche (2, 3), die den einzelnen Düsenbohrungen (9) des Extrusionswerkzeugs (8) zugeordnet sind, jeweils gedreht zueinander angeordnet sind. 18. The method according to any one of claims 1 6 or 17, characterized in that the connecting lines (10) of the two areas (2, 3), which are assigned to the individual nozzle bores (9) of the extrusion tool (8), are each arranged rotated to each other .
EP97910344A 1996-10-02 1997-09-24 Toothbrush bristle Expired - Lifetime EP1006839B1 (en)

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DE19640726 1996-10-02
DE19640726A DE19640726A1 (en) 1996-10-02 1996-10-02 Bristle for a toothbrush
PCT/EP1997/005239 WO1998014092A1 (en) 1996-10-02 1997-09-24 Toothbrush bristle

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Publication number Publication date
CN1178611C (en) 2004-12-08
AU708948B2 (en) 1999-08-19
EP1006839B1 (en) 2002-03-20
JP2001503650A (en) 2001-03-21
AU4777897A (en) 1998-04-24
US6497458B2 (en) 2002-12-24
ES2174228T3 (en) 2002-11-01
DE59706713D1 (en) 2002-04-25
CN1232374A (en) 1999-10-20
US20020004965A1 (en) 2002-01-17
HK1021122A1 (en) 2000-06-02
DE19640726A1 (en) 1998-04-23
DK1006839T3 (en) 2002-07-22
ATE214564T1 (en) 2002-04-15
US6327736B1 (en) 2001-12-11
WO1998014092A1 (en) 1998-04-09

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