EP1836923B1 - Toothbrush having faceted handle - Google Patents

Abstract

Toothbrush (10) comprises a handle (18) having a number of flat elements (30) in sections arranged like facets on the surface and forming a rounded basic shape of the handle. Preferred Features: Element edges (38) form an edge line which is twisted around the handle in a spiral manner. The flat elements are formed in the rear third of the toothbrush.

Description

The present invention relates to a toothbrush according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Toothbrushes are well-known items for cleaning the oral cavity, especially the teeth and the tongue, and serve oral hygiene in this sense.

A toothbrush is for example in the patent specification US 2,130,661 described. The toothbrush is equipped with an elongate handle, a neck adjoining the handle in the longitudinal direction and a head adjoining the handle at the neck. The head is occupied on one side with bristles. The surface of the handle has trapezoidal surface elements in three longitudinal sections which adjoin one another in each case. The circumferentially adjacent surface elements of a longitudinal section are arranged rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle and form in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle regular octagons. Starting from the free end of the handle in the direction of the head, the cross section of the handle initially tapers and then expands again to a thumb rest, to then rejuvenate to the neck again.

The object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush with an ergonomically particularly advantageous handle for a convenient, cleaning-supporting handling of the toothbrush.

This object is achieved by the present invention according to claim 1. Particularly preferred embodiments are equipped with the features listed in the dependent claims.

The present subject matter has an elongated handle, a neck adjoining on one side and a head arranged on the neck opposite the handle. According to the invention, at least a portion of the surface of the handle is provided with a plurality of at least approximately planar surface elements. The surface elements are each arranged adjacent to each other and border directly to each other to form element edges. The surface elements are arranged facet-like on the surface, whereby a substantially rounded handle shape is at least approximately simulated. The element edges thereby form a network-like surface structure on the handle. The surface of the handle, in addition to portions having at least approximately planar surface elements also have continuous-smooth surface portions.

The rounded handle shape represents an ergonomically advantageous adaptation to the likewise roundish curved palm of the user and prevents the formation of pressure points. At the same time, the many flat surface elements form a plurality of bearing surfaces for the hand, so that a comfortable use of the toothbrush in different rotational positions with respect to its longitudinal axis is ensured. This in turn supports a different rotary positions requiring, circular cleaning movement for gentle and thorough cleaning of the teeth.

The element edges cause the use of the toothbrush on the one hand formation of lines of contact with the palm and on the other hand of free space between the handle surface and the palm, so that a drainage of liquids between the palm and the handle surface is promoted. In this way, the risk of slipping of the hand is reduced by the toothbrush and thus allows a safer handling.

In a preferred embodiment, adjoining element edges can form a continuous edge line, which wraps around the handle in the surface section formed by the surface elements. Preferably, the edge line is at least partially spirally formed.

The grip surface formed by the surface elements allows optimal grip for both right and left-handers, as well as for larger and smaller hands. During cleaning, the user is offered changing grip holding positions with the same level of comfort. Due to the large number of bearing surfaces formed by the surface elements a large number of secure grip holding position is possible.

The toothbrush according to the invention thus offers optimized and comfortable handling in different rotational positions of the toothbrush for different users with an ergonomically rounded handle shape and an advantageous discharge system for fluids that have entered between the surface of the handle and the palm of the hand.

The previously mentioned continuous-smooth surface sections are preferably used where the haptics and the friction between the surface and the palm of the hand play a minor role. In particular, the brush neck can preferably be configured continuously smooth.

Furthermore, in a crystal or diamond-like arrangement of the surface elements and a use of transparent (translucent) or translucent (translucent) materials for the handle particularly striking optical properties for the toothbrush, which increase their recognition, increase their attention value and from the change their optical properties, for example by wear, such as Scratching, and / or contamination, allow improved conclusions about their replacement or cleaning time.

In a further embodiment, additional active light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LED: light emitting diode) or incandescent bulbs, can be used. The plurality of surface elements, as well as inner surfaces or surfaces, can serve to divert the generated light by reflection and refraction to specific locations. The user can thus visually display important elements and locations on the toothbrush. (e.g., active cleaning zones in the head, key holding zones on the handle, tongue cleaning elements, etc.).

In addition, the handle may be partially hollow. Internal surfaces of this cavity may have surface portions, which are also formed by planar surface elements. To the To optimize reflection and refraction in this area, the cavity or its surfaces can be designed as a so-called "cat's eye" to generate back reflections. Such a retroreflective zone may be provided in the head and / or handle.

Fig. 1

in einer Draufsicht eine erfindungsgemässe Zahnbürste, die einen Griff mit einer Vielzahl von dreieckigen ebenen Flächenelementen aufweist;

Fig. 2

in einer Seitenansicht die in Fig. 1 gezeigte Zahnbürste, wobei eine herstellungsbedingte, in Längsrichtung des Griffs verlaufende Werkzeugtrennlinie, die eine Kantenlinie bildet, lediglich zur besseren Veranschaulichung verstärkt gezeichnet ist;

Fig. 3

in einer Untersicht die in Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 gezeigte Zahnbürste, wobei auch hier lediglich zur besseren Veranschaulichung eine in Umfangsrichtung des Griffs verlaufende und eine spiralförmig den Griff umschlingende Kantenlinie verstärkt gezeichnet sind;

Fig. 4

einen Ausschnitt eines Längsschnitts durch den Griff der in Fig. 1 bis Fig. 3 gezeigten Zahnbürste mit einem konkav-konvexen Verlauf der äusseren Schnittlinien;

Fig. 5

einen Querschnitt durch den Griff der in Fig. 1 bis Fig. 4 gezeigten Zahnbürste entlang von Elementkanten, die durch unmittelbar aneinander grenzende Flächenelemente gebildet werden;

Fig. 6

einen Querschnitt durch die in Fig. 1 bis Fig. 5 gezeigte Zahnbürste an der Position einer Daumenauflage, die mit einer rosettenartigen Vertiefung ausgestattet ist;

Fig.7

in einer Draufsicht die in Fig. 6 angeschnittene und hier freigestellte rosettenartige Vertiefung.

Fig. 8

in einer Draufsicht eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Griffs einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste mit einer Griffverjüngung nahe dem freien Ende des Griffs;

Fig. 9

einen Ausschnitt einer Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Griffs, bei dem Flächenelemente eine elliptische Grundform aufweisen und sowohl in Reihen nebeneinander, wie auch gegeneinander versetzt angeordnet sind;

Fig. 10

einen Ausschnitt einer Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Griffs mit elliptischen Flächenelementen, bei denen die Flächenelemente ausschliesslich gegeneinander versetzt angeordnet sind;

Fig. 11

einen Ausschnitt einer Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform einer Zahnbürste mit einem Griff, bei dem ein Abschnitt der Oberfläche durch dreieckige Flächenelemente gebildet ist und dieser Abschnitt durch einen offenen Übergang mit einer unstetigen Übergangslinie zu den jeweils benachbarten Abschnitten des Griff begrenzt ist;

Fig. 12

einen Ausschnitt einer Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform einer Zahnbürste mit einem Griff, bei dem ein Abschnitt der Oberfläche ebenfalls durch dreieckige Flächenelemente gebildet ist, dieser Abschnitt aber durch einen geschlossenen Übergang mit einer stetigen, insbesondere geradlinig umlaufenden Übergangslinie zu den jeweils benachbarten Abschnitten des Griff begrenzt ist;

Fig. 13

in Untersicht eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste mit einer abgeflachten Griffunterseite;

Fig. 14

in einer Draufsicht die in Fig. 13 gezeigte Zahnbürste;

Fig. 15

in einer Seitenansicht die in Fig. 13 und Fig. 14 gezeigte Zahnbürste;

Fig. 16

einen Querschnitt durch den Griff, der in Fig. 13 bis Fig. 15 gezeigten Zahnbürste mit einer nierenförmigen Querschnittsfläche;

Fig. 17

einen Querschnitt durch eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Griffs mit einer halbmondförmigen Querschnittsfläche;

Fig. 18 - Fig. 23

Ausschnitte von Draufsichten auf weitere Ausführungsformen von Zahnbürsten mit kristallförmigen Dekorelementen aus einem Hart- und / oder Weichmaterial;

Fig. 24

in einer Untersicht einen Kopf einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste mit einem Zungenreiniger, der Zungenreinigerelemente mit einer sechseckförmigen Grundfläche aufweist;

Fig. 25

in einer Untersicht eine weitere Ausführungsform der Unterseite eines Kopfes mit einem Zungenreiniger, der rippenartige Zungenreinigerelemente aufweist;

Fig. 26

in einer Draufsicht einen Kopf einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste mit einer Oberseite, die mit zugespitzten Borsten besetzten ist;

Fig. 27

in einer Draufsicht eine weitere Ausführungsform der Oberseite eines Kopfes, bei der Borstenbündel mit zylindrischen Borsten von Borstenbündeln mit zugespitzten Borsten umstanden sind.

Fig. 28

in Draufsicht eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste mit Flächenelementen in einem Abschnitt am freien Endbereich des Griffs;

Fig. 29

in einer Seitenansicht die in Fig. 28 gezeigte Zahnbürste;

Fig. 30

in einer Untersicht die in Fig. 28 und Fig. 29 gezeigte Zahnbürste;

Fig. 31

in Draufsicht der freie Endbereich des Griffs der in Fig. 28 bis Fig. 30 dargestellten Zahnbürste;

Fig. 32

in Draufsicht eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste, die im freien Endbereich des Griffs ebenfalls abschnittsweise mit einer facettenartigen Oberflächenstruktur ausgestattet ist;

Fig. 33

in einer Seitenansicht die in Fig. 32 gezeigte Zahnbürste; und

Fig. 34

in einer Untersicht die in Fig. 32 und Fig. 33 gezeigte Zahnbürste.

In the following, particularly preferred embodiments of the toothbrush according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to a drawing. Here are purely schematic:

Fig. 1

in a plan view of a toothbrush according to the invention, which has a handle with a plurality of triangular planar surface elements;

Fig. 2

in a side view the in Fig. 1 shown toothbrush, wherein a production-related, extending in the longitudinal direction of the handle mold parting line, which forms an edge line, is drawn only reinforced for better illustration;

Fig. 3

in a soffit the in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 toothbrush shown, wherein also here for better illustration, extending in the circumferential direction of the handle and a spiral wrap around the handle edge line are drawn reinforced;

Fig. 4

a section of a longitudinal section through the handle of in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 shown toothbrush with a concave-convex course of the outer cutting lines;

Fig. 5

a cross section through the handle of in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 shown toothbrush along element edges, which are formed by immediately adjacent surface elements;

Fig. 6

a cross section through the in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 shown toothbrush at the position of a thumb rest, which is equipped with a rosette-like depression;

Figure 7

in a plan view the in Fig. 6 truncated and here freed rosette-like depression.

Fig. 8

in a plan view, another embodiment of a handle of a toothbrush according to the invention with a handle taper near the free end of the handle;

Fig. 9

a section of a plan view of another embodiment of a handle, in which surface elements have an elliptical basic shape and are arranged both in rows next to each other, as well as against each other;

Fig. 10

a detail of a plan view of another embodiment of a handle with elliptical surface elements, in which the surface elements are arranged offset only against each other;

Fig. 11

a detail of a plan view of another embodiment of a toothbrush with a handle, wherein a portion of the Surface is formed by triangular surface elements and this section is bounded by an open transition with a discontinuous transition line to the respective adjacent sections of the handle;

Fig. 12

a section of a plan view of another embodiment of a toothbrush with a handle in which a portion of the surface is also formed by triangular surface elements, but this section limited by a closed transition with a continuous, in particular straight circumferential transition line to the respective adjacent portions of the handle is;

Fig. 13

in bottom view another embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention with a flattened handle bottom;

Fig. 14

in a plan view the in Fig. 13 toothbrush shown;

Fig. 15

in a side view the in FIGS. 13 and 14 toothbrush shown;

Fig. 16

a cross section through the handle, the in FIGS. 13 to 15 shown toothbrush with a kidney-shaped cross-sectional area;

Fig. 17

a cross-section through another embodiment of a handle with a crescent-shaped cross-sectional area;

FIGS. 18-23

Cutouts of plan views of further embodiments of toothbrushes with crystal-shaped decorative elements made of a hard and / or soft material;

Fig. 24

in a bottom view a head of a toothbrush according to the invention with a tongue cleaner having tongue cleaning elements with a hexagonal base surface;

Fig. 25

in a bottom view another embodiment of the underside of a head with a tongue cleaner having rib-like tongue cleaner elements;

Fig. 26

in a plan view of a head of a toothbrush according to the invention with a top, which is occupied with tapered bristles;

Fig. 27

in a plan view, another embodiment of the top of a head in which bristle bundles are surrounded by cylindrical bristles of bristle bundles with pointed bristles.

Fig. 28

in plan view, another embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention with surface elements in a section at the free end region of the handle;

Fig. 29

in a side view the in Fig. 28 toothbrush shown;

Fig. 30

in a soffit the in FIGS. 28 and 29 toothbrush shown;

Fig. 31

in plan view the free end of the handle of the FIGS. 28 to 30 illustrated toothbrush;

Fig. 32

in plan view, another embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention, which is also equipped in sections in the free end region of the handle with a facet-like surface structure;

Fig. 33

in a side view the in Fig. 32 toothbrush shown; and

Fig. 34

in a soffit the in FIGS. 32 and 33 shown toothbrush.

In the Fig. 1 shown toothbrush 10 has a head 12, also referred to as a treatment head, for carrying bristles 14 (in Fig. 1 not shown), a neck 16 adjoining the head 12 and an elongated handle 18 disposed opposite the neck 16 and opposite the head 12. The representation in Fig. 1 shows the intended to carry bristles 14 top 20 of the toothbrush 10. An upper side 20 opposite bottom 22 of Fig. 1 shown toothbrush 10 is in Fig. 3 shown. At the in Fig. 1 to Fig.3 In the embodiment shown, the neck 16 and the head 12 have a continuously smooth surface.

In the Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 Toothbrush 10 shown is preferably symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal center plane 24, which is perpendicular to the top 20 and bottom 22, formed. Laterally, the toothbrush 10 is bounded by two, preferably mirror-symmetrical side surfaces 26, one of which in the side view of Fig. 2 is shown.

A portion of the surface of the handle 18 is faceted with a plurality of substantially planar surface elements 30. In the embodiment shown approximately a third of the toothbrush 10 opposite the head 12, which is enclosed in the palm of the hand during use, is designed in this way. The at least almost planar surface elements 30 are formed both on the surface of an ellipsoid-like handle body 32, which is arranged in the free, enclosed in the use of the palm inner end portion, as well as on a rosette-like recess 34 of a neck formed on the handle 18 thumb rest 36. In addition, surface elements 30 are naturally also conceivable on the neck 16 or on the head 12 of the toothbrush 10.

The substantially planar surface elements 30 have a triangular base area with a maximum extent of 0.2 mm to 8 mm, preferably from 0.5 mm to 6 mm. They are each arranged so that they immediately adjoin one another and thereby form element edges 38.

Advantageously, the surface elements 30 are planar in order to achieve the advantages according to the invention. But they can also be slightly convex or concave curved or bent. The radius of curvature of the surface elements 30 is in this case much larger than the radius of curvature of the approximated by them handle roundings.

The surface elements 30 cover the handle body 32 in a faceted arrangement. In this way, they approximate the substantially rounded basic shape of the handle 18. In addition to the ellipsoidal basic shape shown, other types of elongated-rounded basic shapes, such as in Fig. 8 and FIGS. 13 to 16 shown approximated by the plurality of surface elements 30.

The planar surface elements 30 may alternatively have also n-sided, in particular quadrangular, square, rhombic, pentagonal, hexagonal, circular or elliptical or composite of n-cornered, circular or elliptical primitives base surfaces, which may optionally be equipped with re-entrant corners. However, triangular base areas are particularly preferred, which in the in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 shown faceted arrangement form a so-called Briolett-grinding arrangement and the handle body 32 thereby give a diamond-like appearance. In each case one element edge 38 of the surface elements 30 is preferably oriented at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the handle 18 in this specific arrangement.

The surface elements 30 or the surface structure formed by them are or are preferably made uniform over the entire area formed with them. A big part of the triangular ones Surface elements 30 has an equilateral or at least isosceles basic shape.

Adjacent element edges 38 form contiguous, extending over the handle 18 edge lines 39. Only by way of illustration are in FIGS. 2 and 3 marked with the reference numeral 39 edge lines 39 highlighted by a greater line thickness. Particularly advantageous are at least almost spirally the handle 18 or at least almost in the longitudinal direction of the handle 18 extending edge lines 39th

The element edges 38 and the edge lines 39 form in the hand of the user when receiving the handle 18 contact lines that improve the removal of liquids that have come between the hand and the handle 18, and thus promote safe handling of the toothbrush 10. Optionally, the edge lines 39 may be formed such that they protrude radially relative to adjacent element edges 38 to the outside. In addition, special properties can be assigned to them by using special materials, for example a colored soft material.

The surface elements 30 together with their element edges 38 and the edge lines 39 formed thereby offer the advantage that a good grip in the hand of a user at different rotational positions of the toothbrush 10 with respect to its longitudinal axis is given a simultaneously rounded and thus ergonomically favorable basic shape of the handle 18 , On the one hand Avoiding pressure points and on the other hand a plurality of support surfaces and edge lines 39 provided by the planar surface elements 30 and the corresponding element edges 38. A slipping of the hand and thus possibly associated injuries of the gums are largely avoided.

The element edges 38 and edge lines 39 cause their support in the palm, that form smaller cavities between the palm and the handle 18, which promote a drainage of liquids that reach into these spaces.

Furthermore, an optical, preferably crystal-like, effect resulting from the facet-like arrangement of the surface elements 30, in particular when using a transparent or translucent material for the handle 18, can attract the attention of a user, improve the recognizability of a specific toothbrush 10 and open up the possibility of the end of a useful life of the toothbrush 10 to the changed optical properties of the handle 18 and the whole toothbrush body, eg due to scratches or scratches.

How out Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 As can be seen, the surface elements 30 are independent of their position on the handle 18 similar to each other. That is, although their extensions and / or angles included by the element edges 38 change depending on the position of the surface elements 30 along the longitudinal axis of the handle 18 and / or the handle circumference length at their respective positions, their basic shape remains preferred the entire handle 18 is substantially preserved. Accordingly, with a circumferentially constant number of surface elements 30, the triangular base surfaces at the tapering in the circumferential length free end portion or neck end portion of the handle body 32 towards smaller than in a central portion of the handle body 32. In general, it is that at a constant Number of surface elements 30, the size of their bases with the shape of the handle 18 scales. The size of the base surfaces is adapted to receive a "uneven" surface of the handle 18 with a corresponding number of associated element edges 38.

Essentially, regardless of the shape and the absolute extent of its base surface, the ratio of its extent in the longitudinal direction of the handle 18 to the extent in the circumferential direction of the handle 18 is preferably less than 5: 1 for all flat surface elements 30.

The circumferential length of the handle 18 varies depending on its cross-sectional shape and extent. The maximum height of the handle 18 between the top 20 and the bottom 22 is 8 mm to 16 mm, preferably 10 mm to 12 mm, the maximum width of the handle 18 at right angles to the longitudinal axis is 12 mm to 21 mm, preferably 15 mm to 18 mm , Generally, the width in this embodiment measures more than the height.

The facet-like arrangement of the surface elements 30 for the approximate formation of a voluminous, rounded handle 18 requires a respective angular arrangement of adjacent surface elements 30. The surface normals adjacent surface elements 30 included angle in a relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle 18 middle handle portion is between 1 ° and 30 °, preferably between 1 ° and 15 °. In the free end region of the handle 18, these angles are between 20 ° and 50 °, preferably between 30 ° and 40 °. The angles of the surface normals may vary depending on the specific position of the surface elements 30 on the handle 18 and the approachable handle shape.

For large radii of curvature in the basic form of the handle 18, the angles of the surface normals of adjacent surface elements 30 are generally smaller than for smaller radii of curvature of the handle base. This is for example in Fig. 5 to recognize where a large radius of curvature on the top 20 and the bottom 22 of the toothbrush 10 requires smaller angles between the surface normal than the comparatively smaller radius of curvature at the side surfaces 26 Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 In the embodiment shown, the angles in a longitudinal area with respect to the longitudinal axis measured in the longitudinal center plane of the handle body 32 is about 5 °, in the free end region of the handle body 32 about 33 °.

In order to avoid a possible risk of injury by the element edges 38, these are slightly rounded between adjacent surface elements 30. Their radius of curvature is less than 0.5 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm.

The handle 18 may include one or more surface portions having faceted arrays of surface elements 30. Preferably, at least a portion is formed from the free end of the handle 18 on the Handle body 32 extends to before the thumb rest 44. Alternatively, at least one substantial part held by the user during use of the toothbrush 10 in the palm of the hand is provided with a faceted arrangement. The handle body 32 extends over about 45% to 65% of the total length of the toothbrush 10, which measures along its longitudinal axis about 120 mm to 230 mm, preferably 190 mm to 200 mm. The longitudinal extent of the section with the facet-like arrangement of surface elements 30 is on the bristle-occupied upper side 20 of the toothbrush 10 measured from the free end of the handle 18 in the direction of the head 12 between 50 mm and 80 mm, preferably between 61 mm to 68 mm. On the underside 22, the section has a length of 70 mm to 90 mm, preferably 77 mm to 83 mm. The lateral length of the section is between 65 mm and 85 mm, preferably 73 mm to 79 mm.

The free end of the in Fig. 1 to 3 Handle 18 shown is preferably designed so that the flat surface elements 30 reach up to the free end of the handle 18. To reduce the risk of injury, the free end portion of the handle 18 is preferably formed as a rounded dome.

The facet-like arrangement of surface elements 30 preferably extends around the entire handle circumference. Alternatively, it is also possible that only band-like or smaller areal sections are provided with the faceted arrangement, such as in FIGS. 13 to 15 shown. It is also possible the surface elements 30 in a combination of To arrange bands and surfaces, with multiple bands and / or surfaces can be combined.

The handle 18, as well as the inventive toothbrush 10 itself, is preferably manufactured in an injection molding process. The injection molding tools used in this case are preferably designed in two parts and form along their cavity-side contact line on the finished toothbrush 10 a longitudinally extending around the handle 18 and the toothbrush 10 tool cutting line 40. For easy removal of the hardened toothbrush 10 or of the handle 18 after injection molding, the injection-molding tool halves are preferably designed such that the flat surface elements 30 formed by them do not protrude beyond the tool-parting line 40 or interrupt it. Consequently, element edges 38 extend on the tool parting line 40. In order to prevent the surface elements 30, whose element edges 38 form the tool parting line 40, from being damaged or scratched during demoulding, these surface elements 30 have a draft angle of at least 1 °, preferably of at least 3 ° one.

In order to make this possible and at the same time to ensure a similarity of plane surface elements 30 also along and beyond the mold parting line 40, the surface elements 30 adjacent to the tool parting line 40 are either reduced in their base area or adapted accordingly in their basic form. For this purpose, such as in Fig. 2 visible, the triangular, planar surface elements 30 along the mold parting line 40 each be divided into two smaller, also triangular surface elements 30. Consequently no actual interruption occurs along the tool parting line 40 in the facet-like arrangement extending over the upper side 20 and lower side 22 of the handle 18. However, upon closer inspection of the side surfaces 26, the continuous and in the representation of Fig. 2 to recognize in this embodiment straight line shown tool cutting line 40. Of course, the tool parting line 40 may take an arbitrary, three-dimensional course in an alternative embodiment. The adjacent surface elements 30 are adapted accordingly. Basically, the tool parting line 40 does not form a "foreign body", but is incorporated into the surface portion as an edge line 39 formed from the element edges 38.

The toothbrush 10, preferably made by injection molding as mentioned above, may be made of a hard material and / or a soft material and / or a combination of a hard material and a soft material. Preferably, a hard material is used. The hard material used is preferably plastics from the group comprising polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), polyoxymethylene (POM), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), acrylobutadiene-styrene (ABS) etc. , preferably SAN, PS or PET. In this case, transparent or translucent embodiments of the materials are preferably used in order to effect special optical effects in conjunction with a specific arrangement of surface elements 30. The transparent or translucent materials have a refractive index of 0.4 to 2.5, preferably 0.5 to 2 or a Light transmission according to standard ASTM D1003 from 80% to 98%, preferably from 85% to 95%. The hard material preferably forms a basic structure of the toothbrush 10, to which the soft materials are injected.

As soft materials, for example, low density polyethylene (PE-LD), high density polyethylene (PE-HD), polyethylene (PE), rubber-elastic materials such as polyurethane (PUR), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), etc., preferably a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE ) used. Soft materials are used in particular to improve the feel, for example in the area of the thumb rest 36 and the grip body 32, for example in the area elements 30 and / or in the area of the element edges 38. In addition, they find application in the region of the head 12 for damping of mechanical shocks during the application of the toothbrush 10 in the oral cavity or in cleaning or massage elements (see reference numeral 41 in FIG FIGS. 32 and 33 ). Soft materials can also be used in all areas of the toothbrush 10 for forming decorative or additional haptic elements.

The surfaces of the surface elements 30 can be formed from hard and / or soft material. In order to achieve an optimum holding effect, at least a part of the surface elements 30 are polished.

In an embodiment, not shown, individual surface elements 30 or portions of the handle surface with surface elements 30 consisting of Hard material of surface portions of soft material, which preferably form a continuous-smooth surface surrounded. Of course, the reverse case is possible, where surface elements 30 are surrounded by soft material of continuously smooth surface portions of hard material.

The example in the FIGS. 15 . 26 and 27 Bristles 14 shown are preferably made of polyamide (PA) or polyester (PBT). You can in the bristle field with rubber-elastic cleaning or massage elements 41 (see FIGS. 32 and 33 ) be supplemented from one of the above soft materials. The bristles 14 preferably have a round cross-section, which is at least approximately constant over their entire length in the case of cylindrical bristles 14A, or they may be formed as pointed bristles 14B with a cross-section decreasing towards their free end. The diameter of the pointed bristles 14B decreases substantially over the free 8 mm to the bristle end linearly.

For improved feel and appearance of the toothbrush 10, individual surface elements 30 or element edges 38 can be equipped with different surface roughnesses. For this purpose, in the injection molding tool, the respective wall sections are, for example, highly polished, eroded, roughened or sandblasted so that they have a roughness value close to 0 or are provided with a surface roughness between Rz = 6.3 and 25.

Furthermore, it is possible the whole toothbrush 10 or preferably only surface sections or individual surface elements 30, element edges 38 or edge lines 39 of the toothbrush 10, for example, galvanically coated with a metal, such as nickel, chromium, silver or gold. Of course, other methods for metallic coating can be used, such as an embossing by means of metallic transfer film. If light reflections are provided on the surfaces, the metallic coated surface is preferably applied to a continuous, smooth surface portion on the opposite handle side of a surface portion provided with surface elements 30. The area of refinement or the change in the surface roughness has, in the area of the element edges 38, a width of between 0.05 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, symmetrically to the edge.

It is also possible to cover some surface elements 30 made of hard material with soft materials, for example for the formation of protruding nubs or generally for improving the feel or the optics, within a surface element 30 having surface elements 30, thereby providing a better grip. It is also possible to replace individual surface elements 30 by concave recesses or convex protuberances.

As in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 shown, between the handle body 32 and the thumb rest 36, a tapered front handle portion 42 is formed with a smooth surface. The transition between the front handle portion 42 and the handle body 32 may, discontinuously, as shown in the figures, or alternatively continuously respectively. The surface of the front grip part 42 may also be equipped with planar surface elements 30, so that the facet-like surface of the grip extends directly in front of the thumb rest 36. It is also possible to expand the facet-like arrangement so far that it encloses the thumb support surface 44.

As already mentioned above, the thumb rest 36 on the upper side 20 of the toothbrush 10 has a rosette-like depression 34. The flat surface elements 30 formed in the rosette-like depression 34 may be similar, similar or different from the surface elements 30 of the grip body 32. The rosette-like depression 34 is surrounded by an elliptical, continuously smooth thumb support surface 44. The projected on the top 20 length of the major axis of the elliptical thumb support surface 44 is between 16 mm and 23 mm, preferably between 18 mm and 21 mm. The length of the minor axis projected onto the upper side 20 is between 8 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 10.5 mm and 13.5 mm.

On the bottom 22 is as in Fig. 3 shown, opposite the thumb rest 36 on the top 20, a preferably flat decorative surface 46 is formed, which preferably has the same dimensions as the thumb rest surface 44. The decor surface 46 is preferably at least partially with a flat decorative element 47, for example, a color foil, image film, metal foil, a Representation by pad printing or screen printing, a label, a sticker, etc. equipped. The decorative element 47 may, for example, a gold or silver coating or a different colored hard and / or soft material which is injection-molded during injection molding. There are also spatially extended decorative elements 47, such as stronger metal foils, metal pieces or metal rings conceivable, which are then partially or completely integrated into the handle 18, that are mounted in a recess to allow a flat course of the decorative surface 46 on the bottom 22. The recess in this case has a depth of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, preferably from 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm.

The flat decorative surface 46 on the underside 22 of the toothbrush 10 is preferably provided with a flat circular or oval colored element. The circular element has a diameter of 7 mm to 12.5 mm, but preferably from 8.5 mm to 11 mm. Further, it is possible for the decorative element 47 to use similar shapes as for the surface elements 30 on the handle 18 or in the rosette-like recess 34.

In the area around the rosette-like depression 34 and / or the thumb support surface 44, if a depression is formed on both sides, an annular decoration which surrounds the depression or the depressions can be applied to the upper side 20 as well as on the underside 22. The width of this ring is, measured radially, between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, preferably 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm.

Parts of the elliptical thumb support surface 44, the rosette-like depression 34, the decorative surface 46 or even individual surface elements 30 may on the one hand be provided with a particularly low roughness or with a higher, previously specified roughness. To this The purpose of the injection molding tools are highly polished in the appropriate places and have a roughness value near 0 or they are equipped with a surface roughness between Rz = 6.3 and 25.

In the area of the thumb support surface 44 and the decorative surface 46, there is preferably a larger area surrounding the longitudinal axis of the handle 18 with a higher roughness. With respect to the tool parting line 40, this range measures between 11 mm and 22 mm, preferably 14 mm to 19 mm, while the thumb support surface 44 and the decor surface 46 are surrounded by a width of 0.3 mm to 3 mm, preferably 0.4 mm to 2.5 mm, from this region are.

In addition to a continuous planar configuration of the underside 22 in the region of the thumb rest 36, it is also possible to form a recess 34 on the underside 22 similar to the recess 34. In this case, in the region of the thumb rest 36, a preferably similar recess 34 is located on both sides, which are arranged symmetrically to each other, whereby the distance between their respective lowest points is minimized.

Furthermore, it is possible to equip the handle 18 with a stamping or labeling surface. The embossing or labeling surface is preferably attached to the smooth surface on the bottom 22 or the top 20 of the front handle portion 42. Embossing or inscription can be done by embossing, image foil stamping or printing (pad printing or screen printing). By means of the embossing is preferably a silver foil applied. It is also possible to apply gold or other metal foils, color foils, picture films or a label. The embossing or inscription can also be designed, for example, as a positively or negatively designed form integrated in the surface of the handle 18. A positive design of the mold requires a sunken surface from which the mold protrudes. A negative form is deepened according to its form. The depth of the field or the lettering is between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm. In both cases, the formation of the lettering is already implemented in the injection mold, which requires no additional processing steps.

Between the surface elements 30 on the handle 18, one or more, preferably one, larger, continuously smooth, flat partial surface or partial surfaces may be configured in order to realize the embossing or lettering. If an application of the label by means of the above method is not possible, decorative elements can be glued. For this purpose, one or more island-like surface sections (also briefly islands) with a continuously smooth surface can be provided in a surface section equipped with surface elements 30.

The length of the embossing surface in the longitudinal axis direction of the handle 18 is 17 mm to 25 mm, preferably 19 mm to 23 mm. The width, perpendicular to the length is 1.5 mm to 7 mm, preferably 3 mm to 5 mm. The free end of the handle 18 facing side of the embossing surface has from free end a distance of 55 mm to 85 mm, preferably from 65 mm to 75 mm.

When using transparent or translucent materials for the handle 18, the embossing or the inscription through the handle 18 is at least approximately visible. Due to specific arrangements of surface elements 30, an observer may see an apparent distortion, enlargement or reduction of the embossing due to optical reflections and refractions. The reflections may particularly preferably lead to an optical multiplication of the labels or other optical elements.

As in Fig. 4 shown cut lines 48 of a longitudinal section through the equipped with planar surface elements 30 handle 18 at least partially on a concave-convex course. When displayed in Fig. 4 the longitudinal axis of the handle 18 is in the selected longitudinal section plane. Depending on the extent of the facet-like arrangement of surface elements 30 and the approximate shape of the handle 18, the concavo-convex course repeats periodically.

Fig. 5 shows a cross section through the handle body 32 of FIG Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 Toothbrush 10. The cross-section has an elliptical-rounded basic shape, which is approximated by the straight lines 48 of twelve planar surface elements 30. Each radially outward from the cutting lines 48 are in the direction of Fig. 5 further element edges 38 visible. In the embodiment shown, the surface elements 30 have isosceles triangular base surfaces possess, which lie in the direction behind the cutting surface element edges 38 each triangular points 49, which are centrally visible with respect to the truncated surface elements 30.

In one embodiment, not shown, the handle 18 may additionally be provided with a cavity which is formed during manufacture, for example by means of a mold core or a lid member. In this case, the surface lying in the cavity may also be at least partially equipped with surface elements 30, in this case internal.

Fig. 6 shows a further cross section through the in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 The sectional plane extends through the center of the rosette-like recess 34 of the thumb rest 36, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle 18. The rosette-like recess 34 is in Fig. 7 shown as enlarged detail. The filled with material part of the handle 18 is shown hatched. On the top 20, the recess 34 forms a comfortable receptacle for the thumb of the user. The surface of the rosette-like depression 34 is likewise formed by surface elements 30. The position of the recess 34 on the handle 18 encourages the user to take the toothbrush 10 in a particularly advantageous manner and optimally perform cleaning technology. Alternatively, the rosette-like recess 34 may also be provided with different concave and / or convex surface elements.

The rosette-like recess 34 is arranged on the toothbrush 10 so that it from the free end of the toothbrush 10th between 50 mm and 140 mm, preferably 95 mm to 115 mm. The remaining material thickness of the handle 18 between the lowest point of the rosette-like recess 34 and the opposite bottom 22 is 4 mm to 8 mm, preferably 5.5 mm to 7 mm.

In Fig. 7 is a plan view of the here recessed rosette-like recess 34 is shown. The flat surface elements 30 of the rosette-like recess 34 have three-, four- and pentagonal bases, which have a certain similarity to those in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 shown flat surface elements 30 of the associated handle body 32 have. In different areas of the handle 18, therefore, similar base surfaces, in particular triangular surfaces, are preferably formed. In this way, a viewer is given the impression of an overall diamond-like design. In addition to the described basic shapes of the planar surface elements 30 for the recess 34, it is also possible to use n-angular, circular or elliptical or composite of n-square, circular or elliptical base shapes basic shapes.

Caused by the angled arrangement of the surface elements 30 in the rosette-like recess 34, special optical effects are achieved when using transparent or translucent handle materials and, in particular, the decorative surface 46 mounted on or near the underside 22 visually changes a viewer. As an alternative to a rosette-like design of the recess 34, of course, other types of surface elements 30 may be formed, which are both flat but also concave or convex formed and with a rough or glossy or coated surface can be equipped.

In Fig. 8 a further embodiment of a handle body 32 is shown. In this case, the handle body 32 is provided near its free end region with a circumferential handle body taper 50, which gives the free end region of the handle body 32 a nearly spherical shape. Alternatively, of course, other simple or composite, but preferably rounded basic shapes, such as cones, cylinders, spheres, ellipsoids, etc. may be approximated by the surface elements 30. This makes it possible to form in the handle 18 along its longitudinal axis different concave and / or convex areas. For example, concave and / or convex portions may be isolated at certain positions or circumferentially disposed about the longitudinal axis of the handle 18.

As already mentioned, the flat surface elements 30 can also have elliptical base surfaces. Two such embodiments are partially in FIGS. 9 and 10 shown. In the embodiment according to Fig. 9 In a central longitudinal section, the center points of adjacent elliptical surface elements 30 are each arranged in rows at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the handle 18. They form a composite of 3 times 5 not offset from each other, elliptical surface elements 30. This dislocation-free composite is surrounded by elliptical surface elements 30, which in contrast are arranged offset from one another. In the embodiment in Fig. 10 are all elliptical surface elements 30 offset from each other.

Alternatively, the surface elements 30 may also be disposed on the handle 18 as a whole without dislocation.

In contrast to surface-filling facet arrangements of area elements 30 with an n-sided base area, such as in the case of the Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 and in Fig. 8 In embodiments shown, in which in each case a single basic shape or similar surface elements 30 are used, so-called subordinate complementary surface elements 52 are formed when using rounded, for example elliptical base surfaces in addition to the dominant, convex surface elements 30. These complementary surface elements 52 fill the space between adjacent similar or similar convex surface elements 30 and generally have concave bases. In addition to flat base surfaces, the base surfaces of the complementary surface elements 52 can alternatively also be spatially curved. In principle, various combinations of several types of surface elements 30 and complementary surface elements 52 are conceivable. Preferably, surface elements 30 of the same type repeat with a certain symmetry.

The facet-like arrangements of planar surface elements 30 may extend over different portions of the toothbrush 10 and the handle 18, respectively, and so-called open junctions 53A, as in FIG Fig. 11 shown, or closed transitions 53B, as in Fig. 12 shown to form the surrounding surface design. In a closed transition 53A, the facet-like arrangements of the surface elements 30 are bounded by a continuous, preferably by a circumferential circumferential line 54. In contrast, 53B are at an open transition Circumferential lines 54 formed as discontinuous, for example jagged boundaries of a surface portion, with individual or groups of surface elements 30 extend into the differently shaped surface sections.

In addition ellipsoid-like rounded basic shapes of handles 18 and handle bodies 32 are other basic forms, such as those in FIGS. 13 to 17 shown, possible. In particular, the underside 22 of a toothbrush 10 according to the invention can be flattened. Cross sections through such flattened handles 18 are in FIGS. 16 and 17 shown. As a cross section for the in FIGS. 13 to 15 shown toothbrush 10 results in a kidney-shaped rounded cross-sectional area. Also possible are crescent-shaped rounded cross-sectional areas, as in Fig. 17 shown.

In both cases, the underside 22, which is preferably not provided with planar surface elements 30, can be used for attaching decorative elements and / or embossings or lettering. When using a transparent or translucent material for the handle 18, optical distortions, multiplications, reductions or enlargements of the decorative elements and / or embossings or the like can occur to the observer because of the convex surface on the upper side 20 and concavely or substantially flat on the lower side 22. Labels are effected.

As already mentioned, decorative elements 47 of the toothbrush 10 can be formed both flat and voluminous. Examples of arranged in the region of the handle 18 and the neck 16 voluminous decorative elements 47, which resume basic shapes of surface elements 30 of the handle 18, are in FIG Fig. 18 to Fig. 23 shown. In particular, triangular or crystalline hexagonal basic shapes are used.

The decorative elements 47 may be arched out or embossed or recessed. They may also be symmetrical with respect to a median longitudinal plane 24, as in FIG FIG. 18 to FIG. 22 shown, or asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center plane 24, as in Fig. 23 shown to be arranged. In particular, by recess-like decorative elements 47, such as in Fig. 18 or 21 shown, or by protruding decorative elements 47, such as in Fig. 20 or Fig. 23 shown, elastic properties of the toothbrush 10 can be influenced.

Projecting decorative elements 47 can serve a better support of the user's hand on the handle 18. In the case of arched-out or recessed decoration elements 47, the surface is additionally structured, thus reducing the risk of individual fingers or the user's hand slipping off the toothbrush 10. In particular, as in FIGS. 18, 19, and 23 shown, the decorative elements 47 channels 55 form to dissipate liquids between the toothbrush 10 and the fingers or the hand of the user, and thereby also to reduce the risk of slipping. The decorative elements 47 have the same or similar shapes as the surface elements 30, which are already arranged on the handle 18 on. They represent additional reference points for guiding the toothbrush 10. The decorative elements 47 are preferably placed in the middle and / or in the head-side front third of the toothbrush 10.

The decorative elements 47 are formed from a hard and / or a soft material or a combination of hard and soft materials. In the FIGS. 18, 19, 21 and 22 are decorative elements 47, which may be formed, for example, from soft materials, provided with the reference numeral "56". It is also possible to embed individual voluminous, protruding decorative elements 47 made of hard material into a surface of continuously smooth soft material.

The inventive toothbrush 10 is optionally equipped on the underside 22 of the head 12 with a tongue cleaner 57. In a scraping movement of resting on the tongue to be cleaned tongue cleaner 57 causes the interaction between edges of the tongue cleaner 57 with the tongue to be cleaned a cleaning effect. The tongue cleaner 57 may, for example, have a rough surface texture or protruding tongue cleaning elements 58, as shown in FIG FIGS. 24 and 25 shown to be trained. The tongue cleaner 57 is formed of hard or soft material or a combination of hard and soft material. Within a tongue cleaner area, the various tongue cleaner elements 58 may be formed of different materials / material combinations.

At the in Fig. 24 shown tongue cleaning elements 58 are elevations with a hexagonal base, which are arranged regularly on the bottom 22 of the head 12. The protruding height of the tongue cleaning elements 58 is 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm. The height of the tongue cleaning elements 58 can on a toothbrush 10th be the same or vary between individual tongue cleaner elements 58. It is also possible to use different base areas for the tongue cleaning elements 58 and / or to arrange the tongue cleaning elements 58 irregularly on the underside 22 of the head 12. The base surfaces of the tongue cleaning elements 58 are preferably similar to the base surfaces of the surface elements 30 formed on the handle 18, the size of which may vary from one another. The tongue cleaning elements 58 are preferably arranged like a ribbon or flat. A combination of several such bands and / or surfaces is also possible.

Of course, the in Fig. 18 - 23 shown decorative elements 47 may be arranged on the underside 22 of the head 12. The user is thus already given a corresponding feeling when touching the handle 12 by hand, which he can expect when cleaning the tongue.

At the in Fig. 25 In the embodiment shown, the tongue cleaning elements 58 are arranged like ribs at almost equal distances transversely to the longitudinal direction of the head 12 on the underside 22. They have a nearly C-shaped base, which is composed of n-angular elements. The C-shaped base is open in the direction of the neck 16. The free, protruding from the head 12 end portions of the tongue cleaning elements 58 form edges, which - as already mentioned - cause the tongue cleaning. The individual rib-like tongue cleaning elements 58 are similar in shape to each other, but differ in their size.

In FIGS. 26 and 27 two embodiments of the top 20 of the head 12 are shown. The bristles 14 shown here are preferably cylindrical and / or tapered on one side and / or pointed on both sides. As already mentioned, they can be combined in a bristle field with cleaning or massage elements 41. To accommodate the bristles 14, the head 12 is provided with bristle holes 60. The bristle holes 60 have a diameter of 1 mm to 2 mm, preferably 1.4 mm to 1.8 mm and have a depth of 2.5 mm to 4.5 mm, preferably from 3 mm to 4 mm. The bristling of the head 12 is preferably carried out by means of conventional punching using anchor plates, but can also be carried out by means of an AFT (Anchor Free Tufting) or IMT (In-Mold Tufting) method. When using the latter two methods, it is possible to produce flat bristle bundles. The planar basic shapes of these bristle bundles can in turn be designed similar to the basic shapes of the planar elements 30.

In the embodiment in Fig. 26 are preferably exclusively used on both sides pointed bristles 14B. The bristles 14, which are arranged in bristle bundles, rise almost perpendicularly from the surface of the head 12. In this embodiment, the bristle holes 60 are arranged such that never more than two centers of bristle holes 60 lie on a straight line. In the top view of Fig. 26 the head 12 has a substantially rhombic basic shape with rounded corners. In the free end region of the head 12, a group of 8 bristle bundles is designed as a stepped group, while the bristle bundles in the neck area in their Arrangement of the outer contour of the head 12 are adapted. On a thus designed head 12 28 to 38 bristle bundles, preferably 32 to 34 Bostenbündel attached.

The in Fig. 26 shown head 12 has a thickness of 3 mm to 7 mm, preferably 4 mm to 6 mm. The maximum width of the head 12 is 9 mm to 17 mm, preferably 12 mm to 14 mm. The length of the bristle field along the longitudinal axis of the head 12 is 13 mm to 26 mm, preferably 20 mm to 25 mm.

At the in Fig. 27 shown Bristle bundles with purely cylindrical bristles 14A (colored black in the illustration), which are in a group of six and a group of four, surrounded by further bristle bundles with pointed bristles 14B. The cylindrical bristles 14A are intended for surface cleaning in the oral cavity, while the sharpened bristles 14B are intended in particular for cleaning interdental spaces. The height of the bristles 14 above the head 12 is 7 mm to 12 mm, preferably 8.5 mm to 9.5 mm for the cylindrical bristles 14A, and 8 mm to 14 mm, preferably 10.5 mm to 12, in the case of the pointed bristles 14B , 5 mm. As already mentioned, the diameter of the pointed bristles 14B decreases to about 8 mm towards the free end thereof. Over the remaining length to the head 12, the bristles 14B have a substantially constant diameter.

In the FIGS. 28 to 34 Two further embodiments of toothbrushes 10 are shown. They partially have a faceted arrangement of surface elements 30 on the handle 18 and are equipped with a tongue cleaner 57, as previously described.

In the Fig. 28 to 31 illustrated toothbrush 10 has in the free end region of the handle 18 approximately square surface elements 30, wherein the extending in the longitudinal direction of the handle 18 element edges 38 coincide with the tool cutting line 40. The toothbrush 10 shown is preferably made of three plastic components, wherein the handle body 32 with the surface elements 30 is preferably made of a transparent, a semi-transparent or a translucent hard material, preferably polypropylene PP. On the upper side 20 and the lower side 22 of the toothbrush 10, the surface of the handle 18 is essentially formed by a soft material. The corresponding areas are provided with the reference numeral "62". A rosette or crystal-like elevation 64 is arranged as a decorative element 47 in the free end region of the handle 18 and preferably also formed from the soft material of the surrounding area 62.

The bristling of this embodiment of a toothbrush 10 according to the invention is preferably carried out by means of the mentioned AFT method.

In FIGS. 32 to 34 is one to in Fig. 28 to 31 shown embodiment shown similar embodiment. In contrast to the previously described toothbrush 10, here the main body of the toothbrush 10, as well as the elevation 64, are made of a transparent hard material, preferably of SAN, PS, ABS or PET. On the top 20 and the bottom 22 are again areas 62 formed of a soft material. The bristles of this embodiment is carried out in the conventional punching process by means of anchor plates.

The two in the FIGS. 28 to 34 Embodiments shown are also equipped in the head area with other rosette or crystal-like elevations 64. They rise both on the top 20, where they interrupt the bristle field, as well as on the bottom 22. Preferably, the protrusions 64 on the top 20 and bottom 22 directly over each other and form a monolithic enclosure of a transparent or translucent material. With the exception of the rosette-like elevation 64 on the upper side 20 of the head 12, the remaining area on this side is preferably coated with a layer of soft material.

In the bristle fields of the two last-mentioned embodiments of toothbrushes 10, already mentioned cleaning or massage elements 41 made of soft material may be arranged (see FIGS. 32 and 33 ). On the underside 22 of the head 12, a tongue cleaner 57 made of hard and / or soft material is formed in each case. The tongue cleaner 57 may be provided with decorative elements 47, such as previously described with a crystal-like elevation 64.

All described embodiments of handles 18 with surface elements 30 may be used in addition to the use of a manual or electric toothbrush 10 alternatively hair brushes, mascara brushes, powder brushes, cosmetic brushes in the general sense, wet razors and other personal care and oral hygiene devices, which with a treatment head are equipped to be used. Use is also possible with household brushes, such as wipers or wiper blades.

As already mentioned, in addition to a design of the handle 18 as a solid body also an embodiment as a hollow body is possible. Again, the material used in this case is preferably transparent, allowing a view into the cavity, optionally under optical distortions. In this case, the cavity preferably located in the interior of the handle 18 for receiving electronic and / or mechanical elements, such as batteries and drive systems for conventional electric toothbrushes or vibrating or sonic toothbrushes serve. Preferably, the cavity is covered by an additional end cap.

Advantageously, the surface elements 30 are also used to achieve optical effects in connection with an active light source inside or outside of the toothbrush 10. The surface elements 30 can serve as reflectors or light distributors. For this purpose, for example, light from an LED in the handle 18 can be directed into the head 12 or from one point in the handle 18 to another. Furthermore, it is possible to design a manual toothbrush 10 with a cavity in the handle 18, which can be used for the accommodation of any elements, such as toothpaste tubes.

As already mentioned, a toothbrush 10 according to the invention is preferably produced in an injection molding process. The entry of the plastic takes place on the underside 22 of the toothbrush 10 via an injection point in the facet-like arrangement either on a surface element 30 or preferably on an element edge 38. The injection point is 7 mm to 16 mm, preferably 8 mm to 14 mm from the free end of the handle 18 removed on the longitudinal center axis of the toothbrush 10th

For ejecting a hardened toothbrush 10 from an injection molding tool 2 to 4, preferably 2 ejector are arranged on this. The ejectors press the hardened product preferably at smooth, edge-free locations, preferably in the region of the neck 16 and in the region of the tapered front handle portion 42 of the toothbrush 10 from the / the Spritzgusswerkzeughälften.

The attachment of decorative elements 47 on the toothbrush 10 takes place in a further working step, preferably directly on a spraying or punching machine by injection molding one or more further hard and / or soft materials.

Claims (21)

1. A toothbrush with an elongate handle (18), a neck (16) adjoining the latter on one side and a head (12) arranged on the neck (16) opposite from the handle (18), the surface of the handle (18) being provided with at least approximately planar surface-area elements (30), which are respectively arranged adjacent one another and directly adjoin one another to form element edges (38), characterized in that the handle (18) has at least in certain portions a multiplicity of at least approximately planar surface-area elements (30), which are arranged on the surface in a facet-like manner and thereby approximately form an essentially rounded basic form of the handle (18).
2. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that portions with surface-area elements (30) are adjacent to portions with a continuously smooth surface and/or such portions completely or partially surround one another.
3. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that element edges (38) adjoining one another form a contiguous edge line (39), which preferably wraps spirally around the handle (18).
4. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the surface-area elements (30) are formed essentially in the rear third of the toothbrush (10) on the handle side.
5. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, with preferably all the surface-area elements (30), the ratio of the extent in the longitudinal direction of the handle (18) to the extent in the circumferential direction of the handle (18) is less than 5:1.
6. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, at least in certain portions, sectional lines (48) through surface-area elements (30) run periodically concave-convex in a longitudinal sectional plane in which the longitudinal axis of the handle (18) likewise lies.
7. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the surface-area elements (30) have an n-gonal, circular or elliptical base area or a base area made up of n-gonal, circular or elliptical basic elements, preferably a triangular base area.
8. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the surface of the handle (18) has surface-area elements (30) similar to one another of a single basic form or surface-area elements (30) similar to one another of a first basic form and surface-area elements (52) similar to one another of a second and/or a further, preferably complementary, basic form.
9. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the size and/or the number of surface-area elements (30) is scaled with the circumferential length of the handle (18) at the respective position of the surface-area elements (30).
10. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the surface normals of adjacent surface-area elements (30) in a middle handle portion with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle (18) enclose angles of between 1° and 30°, preferably between 1° and 15°, and in the free end region of the handle (18) angles of between 20° and 50°, preferably between 30° and 40°.
11. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the surface-area elements (30) form on the surface of the handle (18) a Briolette cut, in which a respective element edge (38) of the surface-area elements (30) is preferably oriented at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the handle (18).
12. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the toothbrush (10) is produced in an injection-molding process and the surface-area elements (30) on a production-induced tool parting line (40) are made smaller or with a different basic form, all the surface-area elements (30) adjacent the tool parting line (40) being arranged at an angle to one another.
13. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that element edges (38) run on the tool parting line (40).
14. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 3 and claim 13, characterized in that the tool parting line (40) forms a contiguous edge line (39).
15. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that individual surface-area elements (30) are at least partially covered with a soft material, roughened and/or coated with a metal or a dye.
16. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that regions around element edges (38) are at least partially formed from a soft material.
17. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the handle (18) is formed at least in certain portions in an essentially ellipsoidal manner.
18. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the handle (18) is provided with a thumb rest (36) with a rosette-like depression (34), which has surface-area elements (30).
19. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the head (12) is provided on an underside (22), opposite from an upper side (20) covered with bristles (14), with a tongue cleaner (57), which has tongue cleaning elements (58) with base areas similar to the surface-area elements (30) of the handle (18).
20. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that a light source, the light of which is deflected and/or distributed by means of surface-area elements (30), is arranged on the handle (18).
21. The toothbrush as claimed in one of claims 1 to 20, characterized by a hollow space, which is at least partially delimited by surface-area elements (30).

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