EP2150148A1

EP2150148A1 - Device for dental and/or oral care

Info

Publication number: EP2150148A1
Application number: EP08749208A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefan Schamberg; Jens STÖRKEL; Tilmann Winkler; Martin Vitt; Ulrich Pfeifer
Original assignee: Braun GmbH
Current assignee: Braun GmbH
Priority date: 2007-04-27
Filing date: 2008-04-28
Publication date: 2010-02-10
Also published as: HK1139570A1; CN101668452A; CN101668453B; CN101668452B; US20100125960A1; CA2685392A1; CA2685693A1; WO2008131958A1; EP2150147A1; RU2009137209A; DE102007019908A1; US8458846B2; MX2009011597A; RU2009136471A; MX2009011596A; EP2150147B1; CN101668453A; HK1139571A1; WO2008131959A1; US20100299858A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dental and/or oral care, especially a tooth brush, comprising a preferably rod-shaped tool support to which a cleaning tool, especially a bristle field, can be fastened. The tool support is configured as a composite body that comprises an enveloping body from a first material, preferably plastic material, and a functional body from a second material, preferably metal, which is embedded in the enveloping body. The dental and/or oral care device is characterized in that the functional body is configured in at least some sections thereof as a trelliswork girder frame that has longitudinal girders substantially extending in the longitudinal direction of the tool support and a plurality of cross-girders. The enveloping body is especially transparent so that the functional body is visible through the enveloping body.

Description

Device for tooth and / or mouth cleaning

The present invention relates to a device for tooth and / or mouth cleaning, in particular a toothbrush, with a preferably approximately rod-shaped tool carrier to which a cleaning tool, in particular a bristle field, can be fastened, wherein the tool carrier is formed as a composite body, which is an enveloping body of a first Material, preferably plastic, and embedded in the envelope body functional body of a second material, preferably metal.

In the case of toothbrushes, their handles or the brush tubes or bristle head carriers of brush heads of electric toothbrushes regularly form elongated, preferably approximately rod-shaped, tool carriers which are more or less strongly stressed, in particular due to bending, by the forces expended during the cleaning process. Also other Zahnbzw. Oral cleansing devices such as interdental cleansers, dental floss handling handles or tongue cleaners have such elongate tool carriers that are similarly stressed. Insofar as such tooth or mouth cleaning devices are to be introduced into the oral cavity, said tool carriers are to be made slender and are limited in terms of their possible cross-sections, possibly even curved or bent profiles being able to be realized. In order nevertheless to achieve the necessary strength, in particular bending strength, it has already been proposed to form the tool carrier as a composite body in which a strength-enhancing reinforcement is embedded in an enveloping body. In this case, manifold designs of the reinforcing body have been proposed.

The GB 20 50 156 A1 proposes a manual toothbrush, in which a metal strip is provided as a reinforcement in the handle, which is embedded in an enveloping body made of hard plastic. The metal strip extends into the brush head, where it also serves to attach the bristle tufts. However, the bond between metal strip and hard plastic shell can cause problems, moreover, the achieved increase in strength is limited to a brush bend in the longitudinal center plane of the brush.

US 4,829,621 proposes a manual toothbrush with a reinforcing body in the region of the toothbrush neck, which allows bending of the toothbrush neck in the longitudinal center plane of the brush and fix the brush head in different bending positions, so to speak, in order to work with different offsets of the brush head can. The reinforcing body is formed substantially rod-shaped. In its FIG. 4, US Pat. No. 3,857,134 proposes a toothbrush in whose bristle carrier section a reinforcing plate made of rigid material, such as steel or fiber-reinforced plastic, is embedded in a plastic enveloping body, whereby here too the reinforcing body is used for fastening the bristle tufts.

Furthermore, a toothbrush is known from US 2004/170464, in which stiffening ribs are formed in the area of the toothbrush neck and the back of the bristle carrier in order to increase the bending strength of the toothbrush.

GB 231,753 further describes a manual toothbrush in which a circumferential metal wire is embedded in the handle as a reinforcement.

From GB 304,459 a toothbrush is also known, the handle is sandwiched and has a plate-shaped reinforcement, which is embedded in a sheath body of celluloid, wherein as a reinforcement wire mesh is proposed.

Finally, US 2004/060138 describes a toothbrush whose handle is designed as a composite body, the body portions of softer material and body portions of harder material, which serve the stiffening, said the handle is at least partially made of transparent plastic.

The present invention has for its object to provide an improved device for tooth and / or oral cleaning of the type mentioned above, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art and further develops the latter in an advantageous manner. Preferably, a lighter, high strength tool holder for such a tooth or mouth cleaning device is to be created, which better resists the typical cleaning forces, but does not affect the functionality of the toothbrush, in particular selectively allows elasticity and has an optically improved design.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a device according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In order to be able to control the contact pressure of the bristle field on the teeth to be brushed, but on the other hand to prevent gum irritations which often result from awkward cleaning movements along the tooth flanks, the gum irritation can be prevented According to a further aspect of the present invention, functional elements embedded in the enveloping body are designed such that their area moment of inertia with respect to an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal center or symmetry plane of the tool carrier is a multiple, for example at least twice, but also more than five times its area moment of inertia with respect to a is in the said longitudinal center or plane of symmetry of the tool carrier lying axis. As a result, the bending stiffness of the handle or brush tube is selectively increased against deflections in the aforementioned longitudinal center or plane of symmetry, while transverse bends are specifically permitted or the elasticity is hardly influenced in the transverse direction. In this way, the vertical contact pressure of the bristle field can be selectively controlled on the tooth flanks, while the brush head can bend away during upward and wiping movements along the side edges of the teeth at too high a resistance, for example on the gum line.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the embedded Armierungskörper may be substantially plate-shaped and / or flat, wherein it is advantageously arranged substantially upright in the handle or brush tube of a toothbrush, i. the Armierungskörper has in the longitudinal center or plane of symmetry of the toothbrush a maximum extent, which is a multiple of its extension transverse to said longitudinal center or plane of symmetry.

However, in order to avoid a too hard training of the tool carrier and selectively allow bending away of the cleaning tool, in particular bristle field, carrying tool carrier portion may be provided according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention that the reinforcing body ends before a tool attachment portion and / or the tool attachment portion is formed without armoring , If the tool carrier is a toothbrush tube or a toothbrush handle, it can be provided in an advantageous manner that the reinforcing body ends in front of the bristle field. In particular, the reinforcement carrier may extend from the end opposite the bristle field to approximately the toothbrush neck.

In principle, only one functional body can be embedded in the enveloping body of the tool carrier, wherein advantageously the functional body has a main plane which is arranged coplanar with the longitudinal center or symmetry plane of the tool carrier. Alternatively, however, a plurality of functional bodies may be embedded in the enveloping body, for example, two plate-shaped reinforcing bodies may be embedded in a toothbrush handle to the right and left of the longitudinal median plane. Alternatively or in addition to the above-described embodiment, the enveloping body of the tool carrier can be made transparent at least in sections in the region of the embedded functional body, so that the embedded functional body can be viewed through the enveloping body. On the one hand, this can serve to control cracks in order to be able to detect separations of the embedded functional body from the material of the enveloping body or even cracks in the functional body itself. On the other hand, advantageous optical effects can be achieved thereby. On the one hand, it permits an at least partially transparent formation of the enveloping body to achieve a high product diversity, in particular different optical configurations of the toothbrush, in a simple manner, with the formation of the enveloping body and thus injection-molded design without changing the injection molding process. It only need different functional body can be used.

Alternatively or additionally, the enveloping body in its transparent section can advantageously also be formed visually image-changing, in particular drawing, distorting, enlarging and / or reducing action. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the enveloping body in its transparent portion, for example, form an optical lens, in particular to achieve a magnifying effect. Advantageously, the enveloping body can also form an optical prism in its transparent section.

Advantageously, the embedded functional body and the enveloping body are formed differently in that one body is at least partially opaque and the other body is at least partially transparent. In particular, the embedded functional body is opaque, so that it is visible through the enveloping body.

On the one hand to achieve a high-strength, yet lightweight Armierungskörper and on the other hand a good bond between the Armierungskörper and the enveloping body, the present invention proposes that the Armierungskörper is at least partially formed as a truss-like frame framework, extending in the longitudinal direction of the tool carrier longitudinal straps and a Variety has the longitudinal straps connecting cross-connecting rods. In this case, a continuous removal of tensile or compressive forces can be achieved via the longitudinal straps, in addition, such a framework frame in relation to its weight high-strength and stiff, in particular rigid. In addition, the arrangement and the course of the bars, the strength can be precisely controlled, in particular, different Festigkei- th and stiffness can be achieved. Compared to wire mesh fabrics, warping, as is common in wire mesh with diagonal forces, is virtually nonexistent. In addition, a good bond can be achieved with the material of the enveloping body, since the enveloping material penetrates the framework recesses. Alternatively, the functional body is provided with recesses, which are preferably formed continuously as breakthroughs. Here is also given by the recesses a mechanical binding possibility to the enveloping body.

The longitudinal straps of the framework frame can basically have a straight course. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, however, the longitudinal straps can be adapted in their course to the outer contour of the envelope body and at least partially have a deviating from the straight course. Handles of toothbrushes often have, in particular for ergonomic reasons, a multiple bent or kinked course in order to better grip the toothbrush and to be able to guide the bristle field at a more favorable angle to the teeth. Advantageously, the longitudinal straps of the framework frame are adapted to the curved in this case outer contour of the enveloping body of the handle, so that they essentially follow the curvature or the bends of the enveloping body.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal straps are arranged on the edge of the framework frame, wherein they can form in particular the outer contour of the framework frame, so that it has a defined, in particular adapted to the outer contour of the envelope body edge contour. In principle, in addition to the marginal longitudinal straps, further longitudinal straps may be provided, which likewise extend approximately in the longitudinal direction of the tool carrier. However, an advantageous embodiment of the invention may consist in that only at the edges of the frame framework longitudinal straps are provided.

The longitudinal straps and the transverse connecting rods can basically be connected to one another differently. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the belt and the cross-connecting rods can be materially connected to each other. In particular, the entire framework framework and / or the entire Armierungskörper may be integrally formed integrally.

The longitudinal straps can be arranged substantially parallel to one another. Alternatively, however, the longitudinal straps can also vary along their longitudinal extent Have distance from each other. As a result, an adaptation of the truss frame to an optionally longitudinally changing cross-section of the enveloping body can be achieved and the available cross-section can be optimally utilized. Alternatively or additionally, however, the strength and bending stiffness of the truss frame can be selectively controlled and varied over the length by a varying distance of the edge-side longitudinal straps.

Alternatively or additionally, the framework frame may have different length cross connection bars and / or it may be provided with respect to the longitudinal straps differently steep employees cross tie rods.

As an alternative or in addition to the design of the functional body in the form of a framework, the functional body can also have a meandering, wave-shaped, staircase-shaped and / or zigzag-shaped course which essentially follows a longitudinal extent of the tool carrier. The reinforcing body may in particular consist of a profile carrier, which has the said course and has a substantially constant cross section, but it is alternatively also possible to vary the cross section over the course. With the help of such a meandering or wave-shaped or otherwise oscillating course of the reinforcing body, a targeted elastic formation of the tool carrier can be promoted; In addition, a stress removal in different layers of the enveloping body can be achieved because the bending stresses occurring in the reinforcing beam at different points of the enveloping body and vice versa are removed. Nonetheless, a reinforcing body having such a meandering or wavy course, despite possibly high elasticity, achieves a high impact resistance of the tool carrier. As a result, in particular toothbrush necks can be made sufficiently impact resistant to withstand the frequent impact on the edge of the sink.

Said meandering or wave-line-shaped or possibly also zigzag-shaped course of the reinforcement carrier is advantageously two-dimensional, ie flat. Alternatively or additionally, however, the reinforcement carrier can also have at least sections of alternating bulges in a third spatial axis. For example, the reinforcement carrier from a bolted profile, for example in the form of a helically bent wire exist. The above-mentioned oscillating, in particular meandering or wave-shaped course of the reinforcing body can have a varying amplitude along the longitudinal extent in the development of the invention, ie the extension of the bulges transversely to the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing carrier can vary, ie become stronger and weaker over the length. In this way, on the one hand, a targeted control of the strength and rigidity can be achieved, on the other hand, an adaptation of the reinforcing body can be made to possibly varying cross sections of the tool carrier.

Other features, advantages, objects and applications of the present invention or specific embodiments thereof will be apparent from the following description of the embodiments. All described or illustrated features alone or in any combination and sub-combination form the subject matter of the present invention, also independent of their summary in the claims or their dependency. In the drawings show:

1 is a side view of a manual toothbrush, the handle is designed as a composite body and has a reinforcement in the form of a framework framework,

FIG. 2: a side view of the toothbrush from FIG. 1, FIG.

3 is a side view of a toothbrush similar to the preceding figures, the handle is also formed as a composite body and having a reinforcement in the form of a framework framework, wherein the enveloping body is transparent and the embedded functional body is visible through the enveloping body,

4 shows a side view of the embedded functional body of the toothbrush from FIG. 3, FIG.

5 shows a side view of an embedded functional body according to an alternative embodiment for a toothbrush from FIGS. 1 to 3, FIG.

6 shows a side view of an embedded functional body according to an alternative embodiment for a toothbrush from FIGS. 1 to 3, FIG. 7 shows a side view of an embedded functional body according to an alternative embodiment for a toothbrush from FIGS. 1 to 3,

8 shows a side view of an embedded functional body according to an alternative embodiment for a toothbrush from FIGS. 1 to 3, FIG.

9 shows a schematic side view of a functional body for a toothbrush according to FIG. 1, FIG.

FIGS. 10.1 to 10.13: schematic cross-sectional representations along the section line A-A in FIG. 9 for alternative embodiments of the functional body,

FIGS. 11.1 to 11.6: schematic sectional views through the section C-C in the functional body according to Fig. 4,

FIGS. 12.1 to 12.3: schematic sectional views along the section B-B in the functional body according to Fig. 4,

13 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the functional body for a toothbrush according to FIGS. 1 or 15,

14 shows a side view of a further alternative embodiment of a functional body for a toothbrush according to FIGS. 1 or 15,

15 shows a side view of a toothbrush with a functional body according to FIG. 14 or 15, FIG.

16 shows a side view of a toothbrush with a functional body according to FIG. 14 or 15, FIG.

17 is a schematic representation of the tool holding device for holding the functional body in the injection molding process for a toothbrush according to one of the above figures and

18 is a side sectional view of the functional body with tool holding device according to FIG. 17. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a toothbrush 1 in the form of a manual toothbrush is shown, which has a generally rod-shaped handle 2, which merges into a brush neck 3 and is connected via this to a brush head 4, to which a bristle pad 5 is optionally secured interchangeably , The handle 2 thus forms together with the brush neck 3, a tool carrier 6, which forms a tool attachment portion in the region of the brush head 4, to which the said bristle field 5 is attached.

The handle 2 is slightly arcuately curved and has a varying over its longitudinal extent cross-section to lie better in the hand. In the transition region between the handle 2 and the brush neck 3 - in particular adjacent to the thumb rest 25 of the handle 3 - a slight bend is provided. Said brush neck 3 is slightly curved in the opposite direction to the handle 2, so that the aforementioned tool holder 6 has a total of a slightly S-shaped contour. The tool carrier 6 is designed to be symmetrical overall, so that the plane of the drawing of FIG. 2 forms a longitudinal center and symmetry plane 7 of the toothbrush 1. The toothbrush is curved in the handle area on the underside to the outside and on the O- over side, this is the same side on which the thumb rest and the bristle field is provided on the head, with flat surfaces, preferably provided with roof-shaped surfaces.

The handle 2 and a portion of the brush head 4 are formed as a composite body. A lying inside the functional body 8, which is formed in the illustrated embodiment as Armierungskörper is embedded in an enveloping body 9, in particular material, force and / or positively connected thereto, wherein advantageously the aforementioned functional body 8 of a harder, stiffer and / or stronger material, such as metal or plastic, is formed and the enveloping body 9 is made of a softer, impact resistant and / or steaming material. For example, the functional body may be made of stainless metal, in particular steel, or of plastics such as POM or liquid crystal polymer (FKP). In the case of a metal solution, the functional body is produced by punching or lasering or by a chemical or electrochemical process, especially if recesses are required. In the case of a plastic solution for the functional body, this can also be produced by punching or injection molding. The melting point of the functional body made of plastic is preferably above that of the enveloping body. For example, the enveloping body 9 made of a plastic, so preferably from a plastic component, such as polypropylene or a Copolyester (transparent) or - in a variant in combination with the hard component PP or other or without them - with a (possibly transparent) elastomer (such as TPE) to be injection-molded. In the illustrated embodiment, the enveloping body 9 is not formed material homogeneous, but composed of several material sections or layers. A soft plastic layer, for example in the two-component injection-molding process, may be applied in sections to a hard plastic layer. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface soft plastic portion 10 comprises a surface corrugation. Alternatively, the portion 10 is formed of the same component as the remaining plastic enveloping body, so that the entire enveloping body is formed of a component.

As Figure 1 shows, advantageously, the embedded functional body 8 may be formed substantially plate-shaped or have a plate-shaped envelope and upright in the handle 2 to be standing, wherein the functional body 8 in the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1 is substantially coplanar with the aforementioned Longitudinal center plane 7 of the toothbrush 1 extends. The embedded functional body 8 extends from the end of the handle 2 facing away from the bristle field 5 to approximately in the middle of the brush neck 3 or zooming in to the brush head 4; There, however, the functional body 8 terminates, so that an adjacent to the brush head 4 part of the brush neck 3 and said brush head 4 are formed even without arming. The variant of the functional body 8 according to FIG. 8 (this is optionally also possible for the other alternatives of the functional body) extends from preferably entire handle region 19 into the entire (up to the brush head) or partial neck region 18 of the toothbrush.

Said functional body 8 is shown separately in FIG. 4 in a side view. He forms in the illustrated embodiment, a flat truss frame 4 in the manner of a truss, wherein two longitudinal straps or strap bars 12, which extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the handle 2 and the brush neck 3, along the edges of the frame frame 11 are arranged or Form edges of the framework frame 11 and a plurality of cross-connecting rods 13 are provided between said longitudinal straps 12 and connect them together. In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-connecting rods 13 are arranged at an acute angle to the longitudinal straps 12, so that as a whole, a - roughly speaking - serpentine course of the cross-connecting rods 13 results. Advantageously, the longitudinal straps 12 together with the Cross connecting rods 13 are formed of the same material, for example, the framework frame 11 may be punched out of a metal sheet.

As Figure 4 shows, the longitudinal straps 12 are adapted in their course to the outer contour of the handle 2 and the brush neck 3. They essentially follow the curved or kinked course of the longitudinal section outer contour of said handle 2 and of the brush neck 3. The longitudinal straps 12 thereby vary in their distance from each other along the longitudinal extent of the toothbrush. The cross-connecting rods 13 are accordingly formed at different longitudinal sections of the handle 2 of different lengths, such. B. in the region of the bend between the handle 2 and the brush neck 3 is particularly long, cf. FIG. 4.

A similar structure of the embedded functional body 8 shows the embodiment of Figure 5. Again, the functional body 8 forms a framework frame 11, but only in sections. In particular, a portion 16 is provided between two sections 14 and 15, which are formed as a framework frame 11, in which the functional body 8 is formed in the form of a solid strip or a solid plate without openings. Furthermore, the embodiment according to FIG. 5 shows that the framework frame 11 can have more than two longitudinal straps 12 at least in sections. In the transition region between the handle 2 and the brush neck 3 three longitudinal straps 12 are provided in the illustrated embodiment of Figure 5.

As FIG. 6 shows, the embedded functional body can also be designed in the form of a meandering or wave-shaped or oscillating coil. In the illustrated embodiment, while the functional body 8 consists of a profile carrier with a substantially constant cross-section in the form of a wire, which follows substantially the longitudinal extent of the handle 2 and the brush head 3, but with respect to this longitudinal extension and back bulging out, so that a Given an oscillating course whose center line follows substantially the curved longitudinal extent of the handle 2 and the brush neck 3.

As in the previously described embodiments, the functional body 8 shown in FIG. 6 also extends substantially from the end of the handle 2 facing away from the brush head 4 to approximately the middle of the brush neck or to the brush head 3. A further possible embodiment of the embedded functional body 8 is shown in FIG. 7, according to which the functional body 8 consists essentially of a rod-shaped profile carrier, the cross section of which, however, changes in the longitudinal direction. In particular, the cross-section decreases towards the ends, while a middle section of the functional body 8 has an enlarged cross-section with respect to the end sections. The rod-shaped functional body 8 according to Figure 7 has an overall slightly S-shaped curved course, which follows the correspondingly curved course of the longitudinal extent of the handle 2 and the brush neck 3 substantially.

Figure 8 shows a further variant of the functional body 8. This is designed as a plate-shaped metal body with recesses in the form of circular openings. This round recesses (tool-related) can be easier to produce.

Advantageously, the enveloping body 9 of the tool carrier 6 can be made transparent, as shown by the embodiment of FIG. As a result, the embedded functional body 8 is visible through the enveloping body 9, allowing observation of the embedded functional body 8 and achieving special optical effects. In particular, a high optical variety of products can be achieved without having to change the injection molding tools for the enveloping body 9. All that is needed is differently configured functional bodies 8, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, to be inserted. Due to the shape of the hangriff cross section while a magnifying effect is generated advantageous.

Fig. 9 shows schematically in side view a functional body 8, which may have any shape of recesses or truss structure or no recesses.

The Fign. 10.1 to 10.13 show schematic variants of the cross-sectional area of the functional body at the location of the section AA in Fig. 9. It is understood that these cross-sectional representations according to FIGS. 10.1 to 10.13 are preferred over the entire length of the functional body 8 and not only given at the position of the section AA shown in Fig. 9 or vary as in the embodiment of Figure 7 over the length. Deviations in the section can arise in particular due to the nature of the recesses in FIG. 9, since these are shown in FIGS. 10.1 to 10.13 are not further illustrated or considered, although they may be given. After the Fign. 10.1 to 10.3, the cross-sectional shape of the functional body is designed in the form of a polygon. Here, the cross section a Triangle, a square, in particular a square, a pentagon or a polygon with further corners. After the Fign. 10.4 to 10.6, the cross-sectional area is formed in specific geometric shapes such as a cross (FIG. 10.4), a shaft (see FIG. 10.5) or in the form of two platelets standing upright, which are in particular connected to a transverse bar, so that the overall shape of a cross-section H is formed in cross section. Alternatively, the cross-sectional geometry of the functional body according to FIGS. 10.7 T-shaped, Fig. 10.8 I-shaped or double-T-shaped and Fig. 10.9 V-shaped. After the Fign. 10.10 and 10.11 is the cross-sectional geometry of the functional body star-shaped with teeth, where n (number of teeth) = 2 to about 8 can be. Shown is a star shape with three and four points. Further alternatively, the cross-sectional shape of the functional body according to FIGS. 10.12 and 10.13 circular or elliptical, with optionally a cavity 26 is provided in the circular profile. All of these illustrated cross-sectional profiles of the functional body can be arbitrarily combined with different Ausnehmungsgeomet- rien of the functional body in side view. In all embodiments of the functional body, the flexural rigidity and / or an area moment of inertia of the functional body with respect to an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal plane of symmetry 7 of the tool carrier 6 is a multiple of a flexural rigidity and / or a moment of area of the functional body 8 with respect to an axis lying in said longitudinal symmetry plane 7. This ensures that in the neck 3 and handle area 2 despite extremely low height of the tool carrier and without further reinforcing measures in the tool carrier sufficient flexural rigidity or sufficient area moment of inertia is given when the brush head is force-loaded in a direction to the back of the bristle field 5, like this When brushing is common.

FIGS. 11.1 to 11.6 show different cross-sectional geometries of the functional body 8 along the section CC in the functional body according to FIG. 4. In this way, cross-sectional shapes of the functional body in a direction transverse to the inflow direction of the plastic of the tool carrier 6 during the injection process deviate from the angular configuration according to FIG. 11.1 For rounded, circular, oval or more angular cross-sectional shape possible. The Fign. 12.1 to 12.3 show cross-sectional shapes which are likewise circular, drop-shaped or otherwise rounded (see in particular Figures 12.2 and 12.3), so that in the flow direction of the injected plastic for the enveloping body 9 a turbulence-free injection and inflow is possible. The flow direction is shown in FIGS. 12.1 to 12.3 symbolically represented by the direction of the arrow 31. In Fig. 12.1, a bubble or Lunkerbildung 30 is indicated, because here the cross-sectional profiles are not rounded. The further optimized embodiments according to FIGS. 12.2 and 12.3 are thus to that effect optimized to avoid blistering during injection / inflow of the enveloping body 9. The cross sections can be used with any type of function carriers with all possible recesses or without recesses and with all cross sections according to FIGS. 10.1 to 10.13 are combined.

Fig. 13 shows the side view of a functional body 8 with truss structure, which is somewhat modified from that in Fig. 4, wherein the cross sections of the truss belts as shown in FIGS. 11.1 and 12.1 are formed. FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment to FIG. 13 of the functional body 8 in side view, the cross-sectional areas on the outer contours according to FIG. 11.1 and the truss struts in the inner area according to FIG. 12.3 being rounded here. This is an optimization against blistering in Schmelzflussrichtungs- course when injecting the plastic component for the enveloping body 9 in the embodiment of FIG. 14 is given. The two examples according to FIGS. 13 and 14 also illustrate that any combinations of the cross-sectional shapes according to FIGS. 11 and 12 are executable. Thus, portions of the functional body 8 which have a transverse component in the case of a recess to the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush (ie also predominantly along the melt flow direction) are preferably provided with fillets.

The Fign. FIGS. 15 and 16 show toothbrushes in side view, in which the functional bodies 8 are inserted, for example, either according to FIG. 13 or FIG. 14. In the illustration according to FIG. 15, the functional body is shown as a visible part, and in the illustration according to FIG. 16, the surrounding material of the enveloping body 9 is shown as a visible part. In particular, from Fig. 15 is thus seen that the rear end 22 of the functional body does not necessarily extend to the rear end 24 of the handle 2, since bending forces in the rear portion in the daily use of the toothbrush play no significant role. The functional body 8 thus extends at least over half or two thirds of the handle 2, starting from the thumb rest 25 in the direction of the rear end 24 of the enveloping body of the toothbrush. In the other longitudinal direction to the bristle field, the functional body with the front end extends at least up to a third of the thumb rest 25 to the neck portion, as shown for example in Fig. 3. Alternatively, an extension up to the bristle field or in a variant up to below the bristle field in the head area inside (not shown possible). Preferably, the functional body 8 extends with its front end 23 over the entire neck portion 3 or at least one third of the longitudinal extent. The toothbrush with one of the above functional bodies is preferably produced as follows. In this case, individual parts of the method or combinations of method features and optionally with device features also form an independent subject of the invention. In a first step, the functional body as a metal part or plastic body, in particular as already described above, for example, punched or injected, produced. In a second step, the functional body is placed in an injection mold and fixed. In a third step, the functional body is encapsulated with one or more plastic components of the enveloping body in the tool. The bristles occur after or before by one of the known methods.

The fixation of the functional body in the tool can be done in different ways. In a first variant, the functional body, in particular to the contour projecting, retaining lugs on which the fixation takes place in the injection mold. These will later be e.g. removed at predetermined breaking points after encapsulation with the enveloping body or overmoulded with another component. In a second variant, the fixation is carried out at cutouts 27, 28, 29 and 32, which are not encapsulated by the enveloping body 9, but whose contour largely continues or completes the contour of the enveloping body. This variant is shown in FIGS. 15 to 18. The enveloping body 9 thus has recesses corresponding to the cutouts 27, 28, 29, 32, on which, after the encapsulation of the enveloping body 9, the functional body 8 emerges visibly and tangibly and is exposed. Figures 17 and 18 show schematically how the functional body 8 - in this case - by two upper and two lower holding jaws 21 is clasped and fixed. The holding jaws are integrated into the injection molding process as part of the injection molding tool. In a further sub-variant, the recesses are overmolded and filled with another component. According to a third variant, the fixation of the functional body 8 in the injection molding tool by a side extension (not shown) of the functional body 8, which allows pinching or a torsion and secure against displacement bearings of the functional body 8 in the tool. For example, the functional body 8 for this purpose, in particular at its end portions, not as lying in the longitudinal plane of symmetry 7, but supporting both sides of the envelope body, e.g. be formed wavy or meandering. The cross sections of Figures 10.1 to 10.13 favor such support in the tool.

In the case of a functional body 8 made of plastic, the toothbrush can also be produced in a tool concept with directly successive injection molding steps, for example with a turning tool. In a further variant, the functional body in the neck 3 and grip region 2 is predominantly edgewise coplanar with the longitudinal plane of symmetry and in the head Provided twisted 90 degrees, so that a fixation on the side surfaces of the head tool section is possible.

The function carrier shown in the figures is in a vertical extent Y (see Figure 2) in the longitudinal plane of symmetry 7 to 0 to 2 mm, in particular to 0.05 to 1, 5 mm, in particular to 0.1 to 1 mm and in particular to 0.4 over-injected to 0.8 mm from the enveloping body 9. Accordingly, the functional body of the Zahnbürstenober- and underside is barely covered (except for any exemptions). Preferably, the functional body 8 - predominantly or almost or completely - to the side surfaces or side edges or in the transverse direction X (see Figure 1) to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush 6 with a distance wrapped or molded around each side 2 to 15 mm, in particular 2 to 6 mm. Thus, almost the entire extent, or at least 80% thereof, of height from top to bottom of the toothbrush is used in order to ensure the necessary flexural rigidity and resistance to breakage in this direction. In the transverse direction X, however, the functional body extends only in particular over less than 5 to 15% of the total extension from side to side of the toothbrush. Thus, by the embodiments described above unusual toothbrush geometries can be realized, with a total of slim enveloping body, which is predominantly slimmer in Y extension in the handle portion 2 as in the transverse direction X thereto. It also Taillierungen in the grip area and or in the neck area in an otherwise no longer executable manner can be implemented (see Figures 1 and 2) without jeopardizing the stability of the toothbrush.

Claims

claims

1. Device for tooth and / or mouth cleaning, in particular toothbrush, with a preferably approximately rod-shaped tool carrier (6) on which a cleaning tool, in particular a bristle field (5), can be fastened, wherein the tool carrier (6) is formed as a composite body, comprising an enveloping body (7) made of a first material, preferably plastic, and a functional body (8) embedded in the enveloping body (7) made of a second material, preferably metal, characterized in that the functional body (8) is designed such that an area moment of inertia of the functional body (8) with respect to an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal plane of symmetry (7) of the tool carrier (6) is a multiple of an area moment of inertia of the functional body (8) with respect to an axis lying in said longitudinal plane of symmetry (7).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the functional body (8) is substantially plate-shaped or flat and in the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the tool carrier (6) has a maximum extent, which is a multiple of the extension of the functional body (8) transversely to said longitudinal plane of symmetry (7).

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional body (8) has a plate-shaped envelope surface, which is arranged edgewise in or parallel to the longitudinal symmetry plane (7) of the tool carrier (6).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tool carrier (6) forms a brush tube and / or a handle (2) of a toothbrush (1), wherein the functional body (8) before a Borstenfeldbefestigungsabschnitt of the tool carrier (6) ends and / or the bristle field fixing portion of the tool carrier (6) is formed without arming.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional body (8) forms a reinforcing body and consists of a material which has a higher strength and / or rigidity than the material of which the enveloping body (9).

6. Device according to the preamble of claim 1 or one of the preceding claims, wherein the enveloping body (9) in the region of the functional body (8) at least is formed transparent in sections, so that the functional body (8) through the enveloping body (9) is viewable.

7. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the enveloping body (9) in its transparent portion optically image-changing, in particular drawing, distorting, enlarging and / or decreasing acting, is formed.

8. Device according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the enveloping body (9) forms an optical lens in its transparent portion.

9. Device according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the enveloping body (9) forms an optical prism in its transparent portion.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the embedded functional body (8) is opaque.

11. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional body (8) at least partially as a truss-like framework structure extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the tool carrier longitudinal straps (12) and a plurality of cross connection bars (13), or that of the functional body is formed with recesses.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the frame structure is formed as a frame framework (11).

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the longitudinal straps (12) are adapted in their course to the outer contour of the enveloping body (9) and at least partially have a deviating from the straight course.

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the longitudinal straps (12) form the outer contour of the frame framework (11) and / or are arranged on the edge side.

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the framework frame (11) is integrally formed integrally material homogeneous.

16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the longitudinal straps (12) along its longitudinal extent have a varying distance from each other.

17. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-connecting rods (13) are of different lengths and / or employed different steep to the longitudinal straps (12).

18. Device according to the preamble of claim 1 or one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional body (8) at least partially has a meander- or wave-shaped course along a longitudinal extension of the tool carrier (6).

19. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the meandering or wave-line-shaped course has an over the longitudinal extent of the tool carrier (6) varying amplitude.

20. Device according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the meandering or wave-shaped course is formed two-dimensionally.

21. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recesses are formed continuously, in particular as a circular openings.