EP1571945B1 - Toothbrush and method for producing the same - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a toothbrush according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for producing such a toothbrush having the features of claim 10. The invention further relates to a head part for a replaceable toothbrush according to claim 9.

The production of toothbrushes using the AFT technology (AFT = anchor free tufting) has great advantages over conventional bristles, in which bristle filaments bent around anchors or staples are stuffed into the head part of the brush. Since the shape of the bristle bundles is not predetermined by the size of the corresponding fastening means, almost any desired bristle arrangements can be realized by means of AFT. The AFT method uses a carrier plate having a plurality of recesses through which bundles of bristle filaments pass. The rear ends are then melted for permanent connection with the carrier plate. The AFT technology is for example in the EP-A 0 972 464 . EP-A 0 405 204 or the EP-A 0 567 672 described. The bristled carrier plate is then connected to the head part of the toothbrush. Preference is given to ultrasonic welding, eg in DE-U 2000 6311 is described.

The AFT technology makes it easy to produce different bristle profiles by using a stencil to make the bristle filaments loosely guided through the recesses into the desired profile shape before melting are forced. The properties of a toothbrush or its bristle field, such as stiffness, wear, cleaning efficiency, however, are determined by the length and the angle of attack of the bristles in addition to the choice of material and the profile shape. Previously, it was not possible to vary these parameters, in particular bristle length and profile shape, independently of each other for further optimization of the plowing properties.

The WO 94/22346 discloses a toothbrush with a kink in the bristle-bearing head, but does not describe the manufacturing process. The conventional bristles of such a brush is expensive, since only by compensating movements of the stuffing tool height differences in the head part can be compensated.

Out US 5,483,722 For example, a toothbrush is known in which the bristles are mounted on a slightly flexed elastic support member carried by handle extensions. The bristles are arranged in rows, with a central row, for acting on the biting surfaces of the teeth, and outer rows, for acting simultaneously on the lateral surfaces of the teeth and the gums when the support member is bent by acting on the bite surfaces.

US 2,706,825 discloses a toothbrush whose handle has a head portion with a concave shaped surface. At the two ends of this surface, the head portion is provided with transverse recesses. A detachable bristle portion has a flexible base from which bristles protrude, which is normally bent outwardly and whose respective beads are received in each of the recesses. The base is designed to deflect under pressure and to abut a surface to the surface and to bend outward with the remaining portion. 1

WO 97/20484 discloses a toothbrush with a handle and a head carrying bristles. The head has a central skeleton and elastic side members disposed on each side of the skeleton. The skeleton and / or the side members are provided with tufts for receiving the bristles. The bristle tufts of the side members can perform a tilting movement.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a To provide toothbrush available which allows for simple production, the largely free choice of parameters of the bristle field to improve the cleaning performance. Furthermore, a corresponding manufacturing method should be specified.

The object is achieved by a toothbrush having the features of claim 1 and a method for producing such a toothbrush having the features of claim 10. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The invention is based on a toothbrush produced by the AFT method. This has a head part and at least one carrier element connected thereto with a plurality of recesses, guided by the bristle filaments and for attachment to the carrier element with their rear ends are melted. The surface or the surfaces of the at least one carrier element define a front surface of the finished head part. The front surface is the surface in which the bases of the bristles and any other cleaning elements lie. According to the invention, this front surface has a spatial shape deviating from a plane and / or is capable of adopting such during normal use. By a suitable choice of the topography, ie the deviating from the planes shape of the front surface at rest and / or under load, a plurality of bristle fields can be produced. In particular, the bristle length and the angle of attack can be slightly varied relative to the plane of the actual head part.

Toothbrushes with such a static and / or dynamic topography can be realized according to the invention in various ways.

A first possibility is to use a flexible support element, which consists for example of a thin hard material or at least partly of a soft material, so that there is given shape or material elasticity. This support element is preferably flat prior to installation in the head part, so that it can be bristled in a simple manner. By the hot stamp used to melt the bristle ends, a hard material can be given the desired surface shape, which can additionally be fixed by the bristle melt. Alternatively, the topography of a partially flexible carrier element only arises when it is inserted into the head part or during use, whereby a shape that is flat at rest may also be present.

In carrier elements with a soft component, the bristles are held at least in a partial area by the elastic material and thus flexibly supported. In order to achieve sufficient flexibility, the Shore A hardness of the elastic material is preferably chosen below 70, the support plate thickness below 4 mm and the layer thickness of the molten material below 1 mm. Preferably, a flat or convex topography in the transverse and / or longitudinal direction of the head part is chosen so that a topography change occurs in use.

Two-component carrier elements have the advantage that the hard component simplifies the ultrasonic welding and can also serve as anchoring for the bristles and the soft component provides the desired elasticity or deformability.

As hard material, the materials used for the production of the head part in question, in particular polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), PET, acrylic-butadiene-styrene (ABS), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN). As the soft material, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic elastomer in particular, e.g. TPE, TPU, rubber, silicone. This is matched to the hard material in a two-component embodiment of the carrier element, so that a permanent connection is formed.

Another possibility for a toothbrush according to the invention is the use of a rigid carrier element whose surface already has the desired topography. The back surface may be configured following the course of the surface. Alternatively, it is flat, so that the carrier element has different thicknesses. The first variant has advantages in terms of Material consumption and cooling times, however, the AFT stamp must be adapted to the shape of the back. In the second variant, a common heating stamp can be used with a flat front.

Another possibility for a toothbrush according to the invention consists in the use of a plurality of carrier elements, which in this case may also have a planar surface. The desired topography is predetermined by the shape of the head part and / or the shape of the carrier elements, in particular by the position and orientation of the regions which are prepared for receiving the carrier elements. According to the invention, the carrier elements are used in different heights and / or different orientations. Advantageously, different bristle fields can thus be realized from several elements in the manner of a modular system, without having to produce new carrier plates. The support elements can be bristled in parallel in the AFT machine, i. in one operation like a one-piece bristle field. In addition, zones of soft elastic components, e.g. flexible zones or cleaning elements to be set up.

Preferably, the carrier element or the carrier elements is connected by means of ultrasonic welding to the head part. In order to ensure perfect welding between these parts, the welding surface is preferably located in one plane. The desired topography is therefore preferably formed only within the area defined by the welding area. For example, in the edge region of the rear surface, a circumferential welding edge is formed, which cooperates with a corresponding mating surface on the head part. Is this not possible, eg because the carrier element has steps or other Topographiesprünge, can be dispensed with these targeted to a welding. However, at least 25% of the theoretically possible welding area at the head circumference is preferably utilized.

Advantageously, the same material is used for the carrier element or its hard component and the head part. The two parts are advantageously assembled largely without offset, i. within the manufacturing tolerances without edges or grooves. However, in practice it is often not possible to prevent a depression forming at the interface in which deposits can form. In order for these to be visually unobtrusive to the user, the head part and the carrier element particularly preferably have different colors.

In one development of the invention, the material of the carrier element comprises additives such as flavorings or odorants, temperature indicators, antibacterial substances. Such additives are expensive and therefore advantageous not in the entire head part, including the handle, but by the use of the support member only in the actual target area, i. when used as intended in the mouth.

Fig. 1a-c

eine erfindungsgemässe Zahnbürste mit einem steifen gebogenen Trägerelement;

Fig. 2a+b

eine Zahnbürste mit einem elastischen gebogenen Trägerelement;

Fig. 3a+b

Zahnbürsten mit einem Trägerelement mit gewellter Oberfläche;

Fig. 4a,b

eine Zahnbürste mit einem Trägerelement mit einer Stufe;

Fig. 5a+b

eine Zahnbürste mit zwei Trägerelementen und einem dazwischenliegenden Absatz;

Fig. 6a+b

eine Zahnbürste mit einem aus drei Segmenten bestehenden Trägerelement;

Fig. 7

eine Zahnbürste mit einem Trägerelement mit einer podestartigen Erhebung;

Fig. 8a+b

eine Zahnbürste mit einem Trägerelement mit wellenförmiger Oberfläche;

Fig. 9a+b

eine Zahnbürste mit drei Trägerelementen;

Fig. 10

eine Zahnbürste mit einem geknickten Trägerelement;

Fig. 11

ein Kopfteil für eine Zahnbürste mit drei Trägerelementen;

Fig. 12a+b

eine Zahnbürste mit einem Trägerelement mit einer Weich- und einer Hartkomponente;

Fig. 13a-c, 14

Zahnbürsten mit einem gebogenen Trägerelement und relativ dazu beweglichen Borsten;

Fig. 15a-d,16a-c

Zahnbürsten mit einem Trägerelement mit einer Hartkomponente in Form eines Gitters;

Fig. 17

eine Zahnbürste mit einem damit nur punktuell verbundenen Trägerelement.

Examples of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described below. Show it:

Fig. 1a-c

a toothbrush according to the invention with a stiff curved support element;

Fig. 2a + b

a toothbrush having an elastic curved support member;

Fig. 3a + b

Toothbrushes with a carrier element with a corrugated surface;

Fig. 4a, b

a toothbrush having a support member with a step;

Fig. 5a + b

a toothbrush with two support elements and an intermediate paragraph;

Fig. 6a + b

a toothbrush with a carrier element consisting of three segments;

Fig. 7

a toothbrush with a support member having a pedestal-like elevation;

Fig. 8a + b

a toothbrush with a carrier element with a wavy surface;

Fig. 9a + b

a toothbrush with three support elements;

Fig. 10

a toothbrush having a kinked support member;

Fig. 11

a head part for a toothbrush with three support elements;

Fig. 12a + b

a toothbrush having a support member with a soft and a hard component;

FIGS. 13a-c, 14

Toothbrushes with a curved support member and relatively movable bristles;

Fig. 15a-d, 16a-c

Toothbrushes with a carrier element with a hard component in the form of a grid;

Fig. 17

a toothbrush with a so only selectively connected support element.

All of the toothbrushes shown in the figures have a grip part (not shown), a head part 1 and at least one carrier element 2 connected or connectable thereto, which was occupied with bristle bundles 3 in the AFT method. The front surface 5 of the finished head part, which in the cases with only one support element 2 (see Fig. 1-4 . 6-8 . 10 . 12-16 ) with the surface 4 is largely consistent, has according to the invention in the resting state and / or in use a deviating from a plane shape. She is at Fig. 1 inward, ie arched towards the head part 1, at Fig. 2 . 12-14 . 16 arched outwards, at Fig. 3 and 8th wavy, at Fig. 15 even, but yielding, and provided with the other figures with creases or steps. As a result, and by appropriate selection of the bristle lengths, different bristle profiles 14, 15 with different stiffness of the bristle bundles 3 can be produced in the longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to the head part 1.

The carrier element 2 has for receiving the bristle bundles 3 a plurality of recesses 6 extending between its upper side 4 and its rear surface 8. By aligning these holes 6, the angle of the Bristle bundles 3 are set. However, in terms of manufacturing technology, it is preferable for the holes 6 to extend in the direction of the normal of the surface 4. For attachment to the carrier element 2, the rear ends 3a of the bristle bundles 3 with a heating punch 12 (see Fig. 1c ), so that a bristle coating 11 is formed. There may be other cleaning elements 19 made of soft elastic material (see Fig. 5a, b ), which were prepared before the bristles preferably in the production of the support member 2 in the two-component injection molding process. Even if the support element 2 itself consists of soft and hard material, the two-component injection molding process is preferably used for its production.

In addition to the actual bristle-carrying surface 2a, the carrier element 2 has a preferably peripheral edge part 9 protruding from its rear side 8. This serves on the one hand for centering during insertion into correspondingly adapted recesses 7 in the head part 1, on the other hand for realizing welding surfaces 10, 10 'for ultrasonic welding. Furthermore, the edge 9 serves as a lateral boundary for the bristle melt 11.

At the in Fig. 1a, b shown toothbrush, the support member 2 consists of a hard material, is largely rigid and concave even before installation in the head part 1 both in the longitudinal and in the transverse direction. Its top and bottom 4, 8 are parallel to each other. Preferably, the material thickness is less than 5 mm, more preferably less than 3 mm. The bristles all have the same length, so that a profile of the surface 4 and the front surface 5 following, in the longitudinal and transverse concave bristle profile 14, 15 is formed.

As in Fig. 1c shown, the bristle bundles 3 are first inserted into the recesses 6 in the support element. With a heating punch 12, the upper side 13 of which is adapted to the course of the rear side 8 of the carrier element, the bristle ends 3a are melted, so that the bristle coating 11 is formed. In a contoured stamp, the bristle melt is advantageous everywhere the same thickness. Subsequently, the carrier element 2 is connected by means of ultrasonic welding to the head part. The surface 2a projects beyond the edge part to the side. The resulting paragraph 2b comes when inserted into the head part 1 at a shoulder 7b of the recess 7 to the plant, the contact surface can serve as a welding surface 10. Furthermore, the lower end 9 a of the edge part 9 together with the bottom 7 a of the recess 7 serve as a welding surface 10 '. For this purpose, the parts 2b and / or 9a a pointed edge 31 (see Fig. 1c . 15a, 16a ), which serve as an energy concentrator and liquefied material reservoir during the welding process.

In the example off Fig. 2a, b consists of the support member 2 and its bristle-carrying surface 2a largely of a thin hard material. It is flat in the unborn state and can be easily bristled. It is brought by the heating punch in the illustrated arched shape during the bristle and inserted into the recess 7 so that it bulges outwards in the transverse direction and the bristle bundles 3 are fanned out relative to each other. The result is a longitudinally flat and transversely convex bristle profile 14 and 15. Tests show that the bristle melt 11 adapts without breaking the new topography. The carrier element 2 is then connected to the head part 1. To material incompatibilities To avoid ultrasonic welding, the edge part 9 is preferably made of the hard component.

Alternatively, the support member 2 may also be made of a soft elastic or thin hard material which is flexible enough to be inserted into the head part after biasing in the flat state under preload and buckling. Preferably, the material thickness of the hard material is a maximum of 3 mm. The deformable part of the carrier plate is given a preload by the deformation, so that the flexibility of use of this region in use can be significantly influenced by the production of the brush.

Fig. 3a shows in longitudinal section a toothbrush with a rigid support member 2, the surface 4 is corrugated and the rear surface 8 is flat. The thickness of the bristle-carrying surface 2a is preferably between a minimum of 3 mm and a maximum of 10 mm. Although all bundles of bristles 3 have the same basic length per se, their free length from the base 3c on the surface 4 to their front end 3b is different due to the height profile of the plate 2a, so that different elastic properties of the bristles are realized. The angle of the recesses 6 and thus the angle of attack of the bristles also varies. Therefore, bristle plates with different free bristle lengths and profile shapes can easily be produced with such a carrier element, wherein a conventional flat AFT heating stamp can be used.

Fig. 3b shows in cross section a modification of the example Fig. 3a in which the course of the underside 8 has been adapted to that of the upper side 4. The advantage is material savings and shorter cycles in the manufacture of the support members 2 due to faster cooling. However, a matched to the bottom 8 Heizstempel must be used.

In the Fig. 4a, b Toothbrush shown has a support member 2, the bristle-carrying surface 2a at the top 4 and bottom 8 has a step 17. The bristle profile 14 in the longitudinal direction follows the course of the surface 4 or Frontfäche 5. As welding surfaces come back already in connection with Fig. 1 described surface 10 below the surface 2a and the surface 10 'at the bottom of the recess 7 in question. The latter is preferred because a continuous welding surface 10 'can be formed because of the flat bottom 7a. In the welding area 10, topography jump 17 leads to an unshielded area. The profile of the bristle ends and the front surface 5 in the transverse direction is curved outward ( Fig. 4b ) and corresponds on average Fig. 2b ,

Fig. 5a, b shows a toothbrush with two support elements 2, which are arranged laterally from a raised portion 18 in the center of the head part 1 in two recesses 7. The result is a front surface 5 with two different levels. The fastening of the carrier elements 2 takes place as described above by ultrasonic welding along the welding surface 10 at the edge of the carrier elements 2, which in the plan view (FIG. Fig. 5b ) is outside the bristle field. It is also possible to weld only the surfaces on the periphery of the head part 1, while the surfaces adjacent to the raised region 18. 10 '' stay unwelded. By welding at least 25% of the possible contact surfaces, a sufficient hold is achieved. The unshielded surfaces 10 "allow the brush to be given flexibility in the present case. In addition, in the region of the bend 29 flexible zone in the head part 1 may be present.

Fig. 11 shows a head part 1 for a toothbrush with three support elements 2. For receiving three recesses 7 are present, with transverse webs 30 are arranged in particular of soft elastic material between the individual recesses. Welding is only at the periphery of the head part 1 along the line 10. The front surface can, for example, as in Fig. 9 be educated.

Fig. 12a, b shows a toothbrush with a carrier element with a soft and a hard component. The actual bristle-carrying part 2a of the support member 2 is formed of a soft material 21 which is elastically deformable. The bristles are thus elastically suspended or anchored. The pillow-shaped part 21 yields under load, which is particularly gentle on the teeth. For easier connection to the head part 1, the carrier element 2 has on its periphery a circumferential frame part 22 of preferably the same hard material as the head part. The bulge arises during the production of the carrier element 2. The underside of the frame part 22 rests on corresponding shoulders 7b in the recess 7 in the head part 1, the contact surface defining the welding surface 10. The cavity between the bottom 8 of the support member 2 and the bottom 7a of the recess 7 allows in use a certain deflection of the elastic member 21, even a reversal from the convex to the concave state.

Fig. 13a-c and 14 show a not according to the invention carrier element or the head part of a toothbrush, in which the rear ends
becomes. On the support element 2 are bristle bundles 3 and soft elastic elements 20th

The support element 2 of in Fig. 8a, b shown toothbrush is corrugated in the longitudinal and transverse directions, so that there is a correspondingly structured front surface 5. The bristle-bearing surface 2a is also curved at the edge, so that the contact and welding surface 10 is also curved. Alternatively, it can be welded in a plane at the bottom 7a (welding surface 10 ').

Fig. 9a, b shows a toothbrush with two different levels, realized by three separate support elements 2, the edge portions 9 have different lengths L, L 'have. These are in three by webs 30 separate recesses 7 or a common recess (not shown) used and welded to the bottom 7a (welding surface 10 '). Alternatively, it is also possible to weld at two levels on the surface 10 below the respective bristle-carrying surfaces 2a. The central support element 2 comprises both conventional bristles and a soft-elastic cleaning element 19.

Fig. 10 shows a toothbrush with a bent support plate 2. The shape of the head part 1 and the recess 7 is selected as in the other examples so that the edge of the bristle-bearing surface 2a is flush with the head part, ie the top 1a of the head part 1 has present also a bent course. In the present case, two anchoring areas with edge parts 9 are present and correspondingly also two recesses 7 adapted thereto. Alternatively, the kinked front surface 5 can also be realized by two separate support plates adjoining one another at the bend 29, wherein In addition, in the region of the bend 29 flexible zone in the head part 1 may be present.

Fig. 11 shows a head part 1 for a toothbrush with three support elements 2. For receiving three recesses 7 are present, with transverse webs 30 are arranged in particular of soft elastic material between the individual recesses. Welding is only at the periphery of the head part 1 along the line 10. The front surface can, for example, as in Fig. 9 be educated.

Fig. 12a, b shows a toothbrush with a carrier element with a soft and a hard component. The actual bristle-carrying part 2a of the support member 2 is formed of a soft material 21 which is elastically deformable. The bristles are thus elastically suspended or anchored. The pillow-shaped part 21 yields under load, which is particularly gentle on the teeth. For easier connection to the head part 1, the carrier element 2 has on its periphery a circumferential frame part 22 of preferably the same hard material as the head part. The bulge arises during the production of the carrier element 2. The underside of the frame part 22 rests on corresponding shoulders 7b in the recess 7 in the head part 1, the contact surface defining the welding surface 10. The cavity between the bottom 8 of the support member 2 and the bottom 7a of the recess 7 allows in use a certain deflection of the elastic member 21, even a reversal from the convex to the concave state.

Fig. 13a-c and 14 show a carrier element or the head part of a toothbrush, in which the rear ends 3a of the bristle bundles 3 are not firmly fused to the bristle-carrying surface 2a, but the bristle bundles in the holes 6 are displaced. This is achieved by a suitable choice of material, eg polypropylene for the carrier element "and polyamide for the bristle filaments." Furthermore, the rear ends 3a are not fused to form a uniform bristle coating, but a heating die 12 having projections 23 to separate webs 24 of bristle melt. For the resilient mounting of the bristle bundles 3, an elastic membrane 25 is arranged in the head part Fig. 13c disposed within a recess 7 and is inserted prior to attaching the support member 2. In case of Fig. 14 it forms an outer surface of the head part. It is molded in during the production of the head part. Through the membrane, the stamp-like melted rear ends 3a of the bristles are pressed upward, so that the bristle-carrying surface 2a bulges to form a cushion.

Figs. 15a-d and 16a-c This comprises a hard component in the form of a grid, here formed from sleeves 26 with holes 6 for receiving bundles of bristles and these connecting webs 27. Furthermore, a frame part 22 of the hard component is present, the case in the application the bottom facing edge 31 is pointed and serves as a welding surface 10. The area between the sleeves 26 is filled with an elastic soft material 28. In the example off Fig. 15 the material 28 is injected above and below the webs. The result is a flat elastic structure, ie a toothbrush with a flat, deforming in use front surface 5. In the example of Fig. 16 becomes the material 28 molded only above the webs. The shape of the surface 4 is influenced by the shape of the injection molding tool. In case of Fig. 16 this is chosen so that a yielding in use pillow arises. Fig. 15d shows the view of a head part 1 with inserted support member 2, wherein the webs 27, which connect the sleeves 26 and are covered by soft material 28, are shown only for explanatory purposes

Fig. 17a, b shows the side view in the longitudinal or transverse direction of another toothbrush, in which the support plate 2 is welded to the head part 1 only in four partial areas 10. Due to this 4-point suspension, the carrier plate is particularly flexible. The head part has to lateral recesses.30, through which a cavity 32 is accessible below the support plate._Die support plate is there clear, ie more than 0.5 mm, spaced from the head part. Deposits between brush head and carrier plate can be washed out so well. The support plate consists mainly of rubber-elastic material or a thin layer, for example, less than 1 mm, from a hard component and is flexibly deflected relative to the welding surfaces 10. Preferably, the support plate is provided with a side edge of 2 mm or more, not shown here, so that the aesthetically unsightly bristle melt is not visible to the user.

All variants described above can also be realized as replaceable heads without permanent welding of the carrier element with the toothbrush handle. The flexible carrier plate may also perform sensor function, e.g. for monitoring the contact pressure.

Claims (15)

1. Toothbrush having a head part (1) and at least one carrier element (2) connected thereto, the carrier element (2) being a two-component carrier element (2) with a hard component and a soft component, the top surface (4) or the top surfaces of the at least one carrier element (2) defining a front surface (5) of the head part (1), the front surface (5) having a spatial configuration differing from a plane and/or is able to take such a configuration during intended use, the carrier element (2) having next to an actual bristle-carrying surface (2a) a border part (9, 22) projecting from the rear side (8) thereof (8), and the at least one carrier element (2) having a rear surface (8) and a plurality of cutouts (6) extending between the top surface (4) or the top surfaces and the rear surface (8), through which cutouts (6) bristle filaments (3) are guided and melted for fastening on the carrier element (2) with their rear ends (3a), the rear ends (3a) of the bristle filaments (3) being melted by a hot die (12) with the result that a bristle coating (11) is produced.
2. Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier element (2) is flexible and the spatial configuration of the front surface (5) is produced by solidifying the coating covering at least partially the rear surface (8) with a predefined form.
3. Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier element (2) is flexible and the spatial configuration of the front surface (5) is produced by inserting under loading the bristle-carrying carrier element (2) in a recess (7) in the head part in such a way that it arches.
4. Toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the periphery of the carrier element (2) consists at least partially of the hard component.
5. Toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the carrier element (2) has a plurality of sleeves (26) connected to one another by webs (27) and intended for accommodating bristle clusters (3), the sleeves (26) and the webs (27) consisting of a hard material, and at least the interspaces between the sleeves (26) and the webs (27) being filled with a soft material (28).
6. Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier element (2) is dimensionally stable and formed in such a way that its front surface (5) has already without the application of external forces a spatial configuration differing from a plane.
7. Toothbrush according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that at least two carrier elements (2) are present, which are connected with the head part (1) in a different position in such a way that the common front surface (5) formed by the bristle carrying top surfaces (4) of the carrier elements (2) have a spatial configuration differing from the plane.
8. Toothbrush according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that a welding edge (10, 10'), preferably located in a plane, is arranged on the rear surface of the carrier element (2), said welding edge (10, 10') consisting of a hard material and the carrier element (2) can be welded with the head part (1) along said welding edge (10, 10').
9. Toothbrush according to any one of the previous claims, the head part (1) being interchangeable for the fabrication of a toothbrush with an interchangeable head.
10. Method to produce a toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 8, with the following steps:

    - guiding the bristle filaments (3) through a plurality of cutouts (6) in at least one two-component carrier element (2) having a hard component and a soft component, said carrier element (2) having next to an actual bristle-carrying surface (2a) a border part (9, 22) projecting from the rear side (8) thereof and a rear surface (8), the top surface (4) or the top surfaces of the at least one carrier element (2) defining a front surface (5) of the head part (1) and the cutouts (6) extending between the top surface (4) or the top surfaces and the rear surface (8) of the carrier element (2), and connecting the bristle filaments (3) with the carrier element (2) by melting their rear ends (3a) with a hot die (12), the rear ends (3a) of the bristle filaments (3) being melted in such way that a bristle coating is formed;

    - connecting the at least one carrier element (2) with the head part (1) preferably by ultrasonic welding in such a way that the front surface (5) thereof has a spatial configuration differing from a plane and/or is able to take such a form during intended use.
11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that a flexible flat carrier element (2) is provided and covered with bristles, a spatial form, differing from a plane of the carrier element (2) being produced with the hot die (12) during the melting the rear ends of bristle filaments (3a).
12. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that a flexible flat carrier element (2) is provided and covered with bristles as well as further inserted under loading in a recess (7) in the head part (1) and connected with the head part (1) in such a way that the carrier element (2) arches.
13. Method according to any one of the claims 10 to 12, characterized in that a carrier element (2) is produced by two-component injection molding of a hard material and a soft material, is further covered with bristles and is connected to the head part (1), preferably by ultrasonic welding of the hard component of the carrier element (2) with the head part (1).
14. Method according to claim 13, characterized by the injection of a plurality of sleeves (26) connected to one another by webs (27) and made of the hard material, by filling of the interspaces between the sleeves (26) and the webs (27) with a soft material (28) by injection molding and by the introduction of bristle clusters (3) in the sleeves (26).
15. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one carrier element (2) with a top surface (4) having a spatial configuration differing from the plane is provided and covered by bristles as well as further connected with the head part (1), preferably by introducing it in a recess (7) in the head part (1) which has a form adapted to the carrier element (2).

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