EP2335521B1 - Brush, in particular a toothbrush - Google Patents
Brush, in particular a toothbrush Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2335521B1 EP2335521B1 EP10011705.0A EP10011705A EP2335521B1 EP 2335521 B1 EP2335521 B1 EP 2335521B1 EP 10011705 A EP10011705 A EP 10011705A EP 2335521 B1 EP2335521 B1 EP 2335521B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- active substance
- toothbrush according
- cavity
- substance element
- toothbrush
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B11/00—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water
- A46B11/001—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs
- A46B11/0068—Brushes where the reservoir is specifically intended for solid substance that dissolves gradually
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B11/00—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water
- A46B11/0003—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water containing only one dose of substance, e.g. single-use toothbrushes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B11/00—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water
- A46B11/001—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs
- A46B11/002—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs pressurised at moment of use manually or by powered means
- A46B11/0041—Flexible or deformable reservoirs, e.g. resilient bulbs, compressible tubes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B11/00—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water
- A46B11/001—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs
- A46B11/0062—Brushes where the reservoir is specifically intended for being refilled when empty
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
- A46B15/0091—Container, e.g. bag or box with a collection of various devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46D—MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES
- A46D3/00—Preparing, i.e. Manufacturing brush bodies
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
- A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
- A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures
Definitions
- the invention relates to a brush, in particular toothbrush, according to claim 1.
- a toothbrush of this kind is from the US 1,797,946 known.
- the toothbrush has a head part with a cleaning structure, a grip part and a neck part, wherein a hollow area with at least one outlet opening for an active substance is located in the head part.
- the head part comprises at least one hard material and at least one soft material and in the immediate vicinity of the outlet opening bristles or soft elastic elements made of the soft material are arranged.
- the soft-elastic elements increase the surface near the outlet openings.
- Disposable toothbrushes which already contain toothpaste in various ways.
- US 5,346,324 and US 5,909,977 is low-viscosity toothpaste in a reservoir in the grip area and is pushed by a piston in the head area, where it exits through openings in the region of the bristles.
- the disadvantage of this is the difficult dosage of toothpaste, the need to use very thin toothpaste, the cumbersome handle, the frequent drying and congestion of the fluid channel and the difficult to impossible refilling of the reservoir.
- toothbrushes are known in which a predetermined amount of toothpaste is in a hollow area in the head area and before cleaning by manual Deformation of the head area is squeezed out.
- US 1,947,720 is deformed by deforming the head area a slit-like, initially closed opening so that the toothpaste can escape. Multiple use by refilling or exact dosage is not possible.
- the delivery of toothpaste is also associated with relatively great effort. Show similar examples with toothpaste dispensing by manual squeezing FR 2 583 625 or US 5,865,195 , In the US 5,490,530 the outlet openings can be resealed by a slide. The toothpaste is squeezed out by pressing a button located on the underside of the head and reducing the volume of the toothpaste reservoir.
- a disposable toothbrush in the bristle area contains an encapsulated dose of liquid dentifrice.
- the capsule is broken by contact with the teeth.
- the problem here is beside the restriction to single use, that the detergent can escape even with improper treatment.
- the invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a brush, in particular a toothbrush, with an active substance available, which is suitable for multiple use and / or refilling the active substance and allows easy handling and simple dosage of the active substance.
- an active substance element which consists of a carrier material and an active substance incorporated therein.
- the carrier material releases the active substance in a controlled manner on contact with water.
- the carrier material is preferably solid, but may also be a high viscosity paste. It is preferably largely dimensionally stable without contact with water.
- the cavity is adapted to the shape of the active substance element with a defined external shape.
- the volume of the hollow region is greater than the volume of the active substance element, in particular by 1-2 times, at most 4 times greater.
- the Active substance can also protrude from the head to form enough attack surface for the release of active substances. This ensures that the active substance element is well bathed in water during use.
- the release of the active substance is purely passive by flushing the active substance element with water, manual influence of the brush is not necessary.
- the brush would therefore already deliver significant active substances, if you would insert them at temperatures of 15 ° C or higher in water.
- the cleaning movement can additionally support the migration of the active substance through the improved liquid circulation, it is the goal that the brush releases active substances in the context of water even without mechanical action.
- the dosage can be adjusted and predefined by a suitable choice of the solubility or decomposability of the active substance element or its ability to deliver the active substance and the size of the outlet openings and thus also not dependent on the skill of the user.
- the brush is at least in the region of the hollow area so flexible that the hollow area during normal use, ie during cleaning, deformed such that water is sucked into the hollow area and pushed out again.
- the invention exploits a pumping / suction effect made possible by the flexibility of the hollow region with respect to the solvent water. This allows the entry of water into the hollow area and the rinsing of the active substance can be increased without the user having to manipulate the brush beforehand.
- the hollow region is for this purpose preferably adapted to the shape of the active substance element, that this is at least partially spaced from the inner wall and is thus washed in use of water.
- the hollow region is advantageously at least partially enclosed by thin-walled delimiting elements with a wall thickness of less than 3 mm, preferably less than 1.5 mm, made of rubber-elastic soft material, in order to generate said pumping action even at the slightest touch.
- the entire brush head may also have flexible, movable portions, e.g. a flexible brush head front. Due to the flexible deflection of this partial area, the volume of the hollow area is likewise influenced and in turn the pumping / suction effect described above arises.
- the flexibility of the brush head is formed at the point at which the hollow region occupies the largest proportion of the cross section of the brush head. This has the advantage that only a small proportion of the head cross-section must be made flexible. This can be achieved by means of targeted material weakening, e.g. Film hinge, side tunnel, etc., done in the hard component or by combining the hard and soft component. It is also possible to completely form the flexible zone from soft material.
- the active substance element is preferably a solid or a highly viscous, dimensionally stable paste, but may also be formed by an encapsulated liquid, pasty or granular substance with a water-soluble coating.
- a solubility or The decomposability of the active substance element or its coating succeeds in a well-defined dosage up to a uniform release of active substance during a cleaning process.
- a multiple use of the same active substance element is possible if it is so dimensioned or its solubility or decomposability is chosen so that it survives several typical cleaning operations.
- the active substances are delivered depending on the purpose before, during or after the cleaning process. The risk of drying or clogging of openings does not exist in this case, since any residues can be rinsed off easily after use.
- the active substance element comprises a largely dimensionally stable carrier, from which the active substance is washed out, but which retains its original shape.
- it contains an indicator by which it changes color or fades with the service life or the number of inserts.
- the active substance element can be refilled by a resealable inlet opening.
- the brush consists of a head part with a cleaning structure, usually bristles, a neck part and a handle part. All sub-elements may consist of at least one hard and one or more soft components.
- hard components e.g. Polystyrene (PS), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), polyester (PET), polyethylene (PE), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), acrylobutadiene-styrene (ABS) etc., preferably polypropylene (PP).
- the soft component used is a rubber-elastic material such as polyurethane (PUR) or polyethylene (PE), preferably a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE or TPU).
- Hardenings of less than 70 Shore A, preferably less than 40 Shore A, are used in the brush head.
- the bristle field is preferably at least partially filled with conventional bristles e.g. made of polyamide (PA) or polyester (PBT) and optionally with rubber-elastic cleaning or massage elements.
- the conventional bristles have, for example, a cylindrical geometry with a diameter of less than 0.25 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm - 0.2 mm and are combined into bundles.
- the rubber-elastic massage or cleaning elements usually have larger diameter with the smallest dimensions in the cross section of 0.5 to 5 mm, preferably 0.5 to 2 mm.
- the hollow area offers at least space for an active substance element, preferably the hollow area offers additional space so that the active substance element can be lapped with water and the active substance can thereby unfold its effect by means of partial or complete dissolution.
- the volume of the hollow region is maximally four times, more preferably one to two times larger than the size (the volume in original size) of the active substance element.
- the hollow region has a volume of 5 to 1500 mm 3, preferably 100 to 500 mm 3 .
- the active substance element can be clamped laterally or vertically in the hollow region.
- projections or other geometric elements in the soft or / and hard component in the hollow area are preferably used for this purpose. This ensures that the active substance element during the cleaning process are not beaten back and forth within the hollow area can and possibly break apart prematurely.
- the active substance element can also protrude outwardly through recesses in the boundary of the cavity and can be seen laterally or on the bristle-carrying side from the brush head.
- the hollow region is preferably generally designed so that the active substance element is stably positioned despite continuous degradation in the hollow region.
- the hollow region is provided with a flexible element, preferably made of soft material, which exerts a kind of spring action on the active substance element, e.g. an outer wall of the hollow portion is arched by inserting the active substance element to the outside.
- the active substance element in original size is fixed with a certain bias in the hollow area.
- the inner shape of the hollow portion follows, with the exception of the above-mentioned projections substantially the geometric shape of the active substance element, preferably with a predefined distance.
- the hollow region can be designed as a slot into which a plate-shaped or foil-shaped active substance element can be introduced.
- the active substance element can be introduced in a rod-shaped or cylindrical geometry into a correspondingly shaped hollow region.
- the hollow region lies in the plan view of the cleaning structure, preferably within the bristle field, provided that conventional bristles are present are. This makes it possible for the hollow region to be produced with a thin wall, but still enough conventional bristles can be anchored around the hollow region with a certain anchoring depth that is technically determined.
- Cleaning elements made of a soft component are preferably formed directly above the hollow region, which require less head volume or anchoring depth than conventional bristles for anchoring.
- conventional bristles require the hard component for secure anchoring. Since the hollow area on the bristle-carrying side of the brush head is preferably delimited by a membrane of soft material, it is technically very difficult to anchor conventional bristles in this area.
- the hollow region is bounded by a wall of hard and / or soft component, but preferably at least in regions by soft component, since in this way the abovementioned flexibility can be achieved in a simple manner.
- Bristle anchoring advantages are found when the hollow area is in a region adjacent to the brush head, e.g. in the brush neck or in the transition between the brush neck and the brush head, which comes into contact with water.
- This refinement has the advantage that consideration must not be given to the hollow region within the brush head with respect to the anchoring of the bristles. The fact that the active substance does not escape where it generally has the best effect, ie in the head area, is accepted.
- the hollow region has at least one outlet opening for the entry of water, for emergence the active substance dissolved in water and for flushing the hollow area after use under the tap.
- at least one introduction opening for introduction of the active substance element by the user is additionally present.
- the introduction opening is larger in the open state than an outlet opening.
- the insertion opening is preferably located on the brush head back and the outlet opening on the brush head front.
- Alternative design variants show the insertion opening on the brush head side.
- the outlet openings may alternatively / additionally be applied on the side and / or rear side of the brush head.
- the insertion opening is preferably reclosable. But it can also serve as an outlet opening and does not complete the hollow area completely sealed.
- the insertion opening can be formed by means of removable or in the head integrated lid or closure, for example by means of a directly molded on the head of the film hinge.
- Particularly preferred is a membrane made of soft material with a corresponding opening, for example with one or more crossed slots, which corresponds to the size of the active substance element, as reclosable element.
- the membrane can simultaneously represent a flexible wall of the hollow area and / or serve as a carrier of cleaning / massage elements.
- slots other geometric elements can be provided which allow the introduction of the active substance element and prevent its escape as far as possible, for example an expandable hole in the membrane which is smaller than the active substance element.
- this has a thickness of less than 3 mm, preferably a thickness of 0.7 - 1.5 mm.
- 2 to 6 slots are preferably used as the introduction opening.
- the length of the slots for toothbrushes is 3 - 15 mm, preferably around 6 - 10 mm.
- the insertion opening may have a securing device which prevents or at least impedes the falling out of the active substance element during use.
- the membrane is formed with slits or a funnel such that the introduction of the active substance takes place with little pressure (for example 10 to 300 g), but falling out by means of e.g. funnel-shaped geometry in the opening area requires more pressure. Less preferred but also possible are additional locking or securing elements.
- the insertion opening may still be closed during the first use (first opening safeguard or seal).
- first opening safeguard can be broken by the user, e.g. by cutting thin residual connections within the prefabricated slots.
- the outlet openings allow a continuous, but limited exit of the active substance dissolved in water.
- the number of openings and their size (total surface of the outlet opening) and the water solubility of the active substance element or of the carrier material determine the actual exit of the active substance dissolved or dispersed in water. Since the water solubility of the active substance is rather a resulting size, the outlet openings (number and size) of the water solubility of the active substance adapted to determine the range of the active substance during use.
- the dissolution of the active substance element can also serve as a time indicator for the (total) cleaning time that has been carried out so far.
- a single outlet opening preferably does not fall below a minimum area of 0.05 mm 2 . Because smaller openings can easily pollute and thus affect the fluid exchange. Moreover, it is advantageous if the user examines the size of the hollow substance still existing active substance element through the outlet openings and possibly decide whether the active substance should be refilled. For these reasons, surfaces of 0.05 to 100 mm 2 are preferably used for the outlet openings, preferably 1 to 20 mm 2 . This ensures accurate dosing and prevents the active substance or fragments of the active substance element from being able to leave the hollow region in an uncontrolled manner.
- the individual outlet openings on a brush head can have different sizes (areas) in order to weight outlet quantity and outlet location.
- individual groups of outlet openings are provided at designated locations on the brush head.
- the exit of the active substances at different points of the bristle field with respect to quantity and location can be controlled.
- one to five groups (clusters) are formed by outlet openings.
- These groups of exit openings may also be positioned asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis on the brush head.
- the different groups of outlet openings are preferably manufactured in one operation from the same material.
- outlet openings when the outlet openings are embedded in the rubber-elastic material, this is operated from an injection point for all groups, ie the material side, these groups are interconnected.
- the outlet openings may be designed so that they have geometric elements which increase the surface in the vicinity of the outlet opening in order to keep the active substance as possible in the region of the brush head.
- a substantially funnel-shaped or at least outwardly opening geometry can be used. This also favors a simple cleaning of the hollow area after use under the tap. Additional cleaning and massage elements in the area of the outlet openings have the same advantage.
- sponge-like and / or holey soft elements can be placed in the region of the outlet openings, which also contribute to the better retention of the active substance.
- the outlet openings can be formed in the hard material and / or in the soft material of the brush head. However, they are preferably integrated into the above-described membrane made of soft material. In this case, it preferably has a thickness of less than 3 mm, preferably from 0.7 to 1.5 mm.
- the hollow region is preferably bounded by membranes of soft material as described above.
- These membrane (s) are flexible to adapt to the environment (gums, teeth, oral cavity, etc.) during use and to the membrane during cleaning to exert a certain pumping and suction effect on the hollow area. These effects can be enhanced by a domed shape of the membrane.
- the membrane can form a kind of expandable network structure. As described above, this network structure can have minimum outlet openings of at least 0.05 mm 2 in area.
- network structures can be installed on all sides of the brush head. These preferably have a convex U-shaped or pan-shaped outer geometry for enlarging the surface and thus for maximizing the cavity.
- the cross webs of the network have a diameter of 0.1 - 2 mm, preferably 0, 2 - 0.5 mm and made of soft material (eg TPE or PE).
- cleaning and massage elements made of soft material are preferably formed on the flexible membranes which delimit the hollow region.
- a part of the brush head with a flexible membrane and this design with cleaning and / or massage elements made of soft material can be advantageously used for brushes which have no hollow area for active substances, but, for. only an empty or no hollow area.
- the membrane and the cleaning and / or massage elements are manufactured in one operation, in particular by injection molding. It succeeds in the production of a brush with a particularly elastic suspended cleaning / massage structure. Unless specifically related to the hollow area, the following preferred embodiments also apply to brushes without a hollow area, but with a membrane provided with a cleaning / massage structure.
- cleaning and / or massage elements which are located in the region of the outlet openings, are aligned parallel to the Entformungscardi of the brush head.
- Fabrication technically complex, but effective in use are cleaning or massage elements, which are aligned at a certain angle, preferably substantially perpendicular to the possibly curved membrane surface.
- the cleaning or massage elements which are located in the region of the outlet openings, are preferably less long than the conventional bristles in their environment, so that during use in the end of the cleaning or massage elements can form a kind of reservoir for the active substance dissolved in water.
- the cleaning and massage elements may themselves have outlet openings, which may be e.g. with straw-shaped bristles, lamellae and warts with holes is the case. These have the advantage that they can bring the active substance directly to the site. By capillary action, the active substance can travel a relatively long way in this case.
- the membrane can deliver or pass active substances even in the submicroscopic range, e.g. through microporosity, semipermeability.
- the active substance element is preferably a solid which, in use, at least partially dissolves in the water.
- the active substance element in solid form is in the form of a tablet, pill, a rod-shaped element, plate or foil formed according to the hollow region.
- a paste or kneadable mass having a dynamic viscosity higher than conventional commercially available pastes (toothpaste) may also be employed.
- a spatially defined shape can be produced and the active substance stay as long as possible in the hollow area.
- the paste can harden after introduction into the hollow region in order to deliver the active substance in various applications.
- the active substance can be easily portioned by the user.
- the solid is already pre-portioned in the sales packaging.
- the paste can be simply portioned by the consumer due to the given volume of the hollow area.
- the active substances can be used together with conventional cleaning agents or independently of these.
- the brush can generally also be used without active substances with conventional cleaning agents.
- Suitable carrier materials are, for example, biodegradable substances based on starch or plastics which are not chemically reactive with the active substances.
- a preferred carrier material is Polyox® from Dow Chemicals, a water-soluble resin based on polyethylene oxide polymers, which is suitable for forming a matrix or a carrier for an active substance and also because of its thermoplastic properties can be processed in a variety of ways, such as cast, sprayed or extruded.
- both the single use of an active substance element as well as the multiple use is possible.
- use of the brush consumes an active substance element.
- the active substance element can be reintroduced before each use or even occasionally used.
- use of the brush consumes only a portion of the active substance element.
- the user recognizes when the active substance is used up, and can then replenish the brush by means of a new active substance element.
- concentration or amount of the active substance is set much lower in the intended single use than in multiple use.
- the concentration corresponds approximately to the concentration of the active ingredients of conventional pastes.
- the corresponding concentration is increased by a multiple.
- the range / duration of use of the active substance element is also influenced by the water solubility and water circulation / openings.
- the system hollow area, openings and water solubility of the active substance element can be set so that the user can be displayed a certain duration of use (time indicator).
- time indicator the Characteristics for single use chosen so that the active substance is used up after 3 minutes of cleaning time.
- the active ingredient is depleted after a typical 3 month use period, indicating that the entire brush should be replaced due to wear.
- a lettering eg 'Change'
- the active substance element can be provided with additional recesses, concave or convex elements on the surface.
- the color of the active substance element is preferably chosen so that it differs significantly from brush head and the user can easily judge the consumption of the active substance.
- the solubility or decomposability of the active substance and of the carrier material depends on the water temperature used.
- the user can control the delivery of the amount of active substance by controlling the water temperature. With a temperature increase from 10 ° C to 40 ° C, the delivered amount of active substance increases significantly.
- the active substance is incorporated in an advantageous development in an effervescent tablet or paste with effervescence as a carrier material. This additional function allows the user to determine during the deployment whether the active substance is already used up or is still present in the hollow area without removing the brush from the mouth.
- the brush is packaged such that the package unambiguously shows the brush and active substance element to the consumer.
- the active substance element is placed next to the brush head.
- the active substance element is preferably provided in a part of the packaging which is independent of the opening of the brush packaging.
- the active substance element remains hygienically closed until the opening of the intended portion.
- a first active substance element is preferably already placed in the sales packaging in the hollow region of the brush head.
- the brush head is placed in the package so that the inlet and outlet openings can be shown.
- a so-called double blister offers itself, which allows the user to view both brush head sides.
- only the active substance element can be provided as a replacement (refill).
- the active substance may be provided in a suitable carrier material in a dispenser for portionwise delivery.
- the brush head can be introduced in this embodiment variant in the dispenser and the active substance are then donated mechanically through the introduction opening into the hollow area.
- the active substance and the carrier material in a different physical state than in later use in the Brush head on or to attach.
- the active substance can, for example, be poured or sprayed into the cavity in liquid form (for example by heating or with a solvent). After curing, the active substance element is formed, which releases the corresponding active ingredients in use with water.
- the active substance element is preferably introduced into the cavity before attaching the cleaning elements such as bristles etc.
- Injection of the membrane with any existing cleaning and massage elements can be performed before or after the onset of conventional bristles.
- the injection points for the membrane and any cleaning or massage elements placed on it should be selected as far as possible within the head or in the neck region of the brush. At most, areas of soft material can be made in the handle of the toothbrush in the same operation with the same material.
- the cleaning or massage elements which are arranged in the region of the membrane, made with the same material in one operation with the membrane.
- a soft component with a Shore A hardness of less than 70, preferably less than 40
- stiffness of the cleaning or massage elements cleaning effect, massage effect
- the connection of the membranes of soft material to the hard component of the brush head is preferably carried out in multi-component injection molding.
- a geometry element of 0.1 to 2 mm depth / length is preferably formed on the predominant region of the connection of the membrane to the hard component for better connection of the membrane.
- the first introduction of the active substance element into the brush head may be provided by the consumer during the first use or during the manufacturing process of the brush.
- the methods with a two-part brush head in particular by means of AFT, are particularly suitable.
- the active substance element is placed in the toothbrush head before the bristled AFT plate is indissolubly welded with the toothbrush handle.
- the AFT process generally lends itself between the bristled AFT plate and the Toothbrush handle to place an additional component or element.
- Fig. 1-4 show various views of a head portion 10 of a toothbrush according to the invention.
- a cleaning structure 12 consisting of conventional bristles 14, summarized in bundles, and soft elastic cleaning elements 16 attached. Instead of the conventional bristles 14, in some cases only the anchoring areas 38 of the bristle bundles are indicated.
- the head region 10 consists of a hard component 30 that is solid (see also FIG Fig. 5-7 ) and in particular the conventional bristles 14 are anchored with a certain anchoring depth.
- a circular or elliptical recess 31 which is circular or elliptical in plan view and which is covered on the front and rear sides by a flexible wall 28 in the form of an elastic membrane 28 or 26 made of soft material 32.
- a hollow region 22 is formed within the head region 10.
- the soft elastic structure 16 is anchored in the front membrane 28.
- the membrane and the soft elastic structure are formed together in one manufacturing step from the same material from the same injection point.
- the membrane 26 on the back 20 has two crossed slots, which serve as a reclosable insertion opening 34 for an active substance element 24.
- the front side membrane 28 has outlet openings 36 through which water can enter the hollow region 22 and enriched with active substance can escape again.
- the wall region of the hollow region 22 formed of soft material 32 forms a flexible zone 29. Under cleaning pressure, the toothbrush deforms in this zone 29 such that water is sucked into the hollow region 22 and pushed out again.
- the membranes 26, 28 may also be made of a hard component with a correspondingly small wall thickness in order to provide the necessary flexibility to reach.
- a soft component has advantages insofar as the anchoring of cleaning elements in a thin hard material layer is problematic in terms of manufacture, but the simultaneous injection of soft elastic elements onto a soft membrane is unproblematic.
- a combination of hard and soft materials may form the membrane.
- the flexible elements of the membrane and cleaning elements are made of soft material.
- the hard component forms only structuring, stabilizing elements of the membrane or merely serves as a production-related material compound.
- the hollow portion 22 is adapted to the shape of an active substance element 24 that this is at least partially spaced from the inner wall 23.
- an active substance element 24 For secure retention of the active substance element 24, inwardly projecting projections or edges 40 are formed out of the flexible membranes 26, 28 ( Fig. 5-7 ). Due to the flexibility of the membranes 26, 28, the active substance element 24 is well positioned even as the resolution progresses.
- outlet openings 36 are each between the soft-elastic cleaning elements 16 within the front-side membrane 28.
- the membrane surface thus has a net-like perforated structure.
- Fig. 8, 9 show another example of a hard and soft component 30, 32 existing toothbrush.
- the soft component 32 forms a flexible zone 29 which interconnects the two otherwise separate parts 10 ', 10 "of the hard component brush head 10.
- the entire brush head front 10' may deflect relative to the brush head rear 10".
- the hollow region 22 is bounded on the front and rear side and additionally also laterally by thin material layers (membranes 26, 28) made of soft component 32 and in the longitudinal direction by the hard component 30.
- a compound of hard component 30 can additionally be guided within the soft component 32, which makes it possible to produce the two brush head parts 10 ', 10 "from hard component 30 in one working step, preferably this connection is made very thin so that the flexibility is not adversely affected
- conventional bristles 14 are anchored in the hard component 30, while the soft component 32 is provided with soft-elastic cleaning elements 16.
- the insertion opening 34 is as in FIG Fig. 1-7 designed as a cross slot.
- FIG. 10 shows a substantially Fig. 1-7 corresponding example, in which the flexible zone 29 with the hollow portion 22 is not centered within the Borstenfeldes, but rather the neck region 52 faces. This has the advantage that the most heavily loaded zone in the brush head front can be formed from conventional bristles.
- the flexible zone 29 formed of soft material 32 occupies the entire brush tip and is designed to be substantially circular in plan view. In a concentric arrangement, it carries here from inside to outside soft elastic cleaning elements 16, outlet openings 36 and conventional bristles 14 (or their anchoring areas). Toward the neck region 52, a conventional bristle field embedded in the hard component 30 adjoins. The outlet openings 36 are so large that the underlying hollow area 22 is visible.
- the part of the brush head formed from the hard component 30 is in one piece. However, it has recesses in such a way that a flexible zone 29 connected to the rear side 20 with three regions (clusters) 44 is formed by outlet openings 36. These are located at the top and on the sides of the head region 10 in a respective outwardly curved flexible wall / membrane 28, preferably made of soft material 32.
- the remaining area of the head part 10 is bristled on the front side 18 with conventional bristles 14; on the back there is again a cross-shaped insertion opening 34 as in Fig. 5-7 ,
- Fig. 16-21 show examples of different shapes of the flexible zone 29 in a toothbrush according to the invention in front and rear view ( Fig. 16-19 ) or only in Front view ( Fig. 20, 21 ). On the back is in all examples, in turn, a cross-shaped insertion opening 34 as in Fig. 5-7 (only partially shown).
- the flexible zone 29 has three laterally arranged, gill-like regions 46 (or clusters 44) with lamellar cleaning / massage elements 16 and outlet openings 36 arranged therebetween.
- the regions 46 are connected to one another at the rear via a material bridge 32 (see FIG Fig. 17 ).
- the lamellae / fish gills are less pronounced and only two lateral clusters 44 are present.
- Fig. 20 shows a modification thereof with asymmetrically curved geometry.
- the outlet openings 36 are uniformly distributed over the lateral edge of the head portion 10 and each knob-like surrounded by soft material, so that also here by the knobs during cleaning results in a massage effect.
- Fig. 22, 23 show a brush in front and rear view, in which the outlet openings 36 are located on the back facing away from the bristle 20 and thus the active substance is released mainly at the back 20.
- the back 20 is largely made of hard material 30 which is broken like a net and the view of the hollow portion 22 within the brush head 10 releases.
- the hollow portion 22 extends substantially over the entire surface of the head portion 10. The sufficient flexibility of the wall of the hollow portion 22 is achieved by a correspondingly thin material thickness and through the openings or outlet openings 36.
- a portion of the hollow portion 22 is back covered by a membrane 26 made of soft material 32, in which star-shaped arranged, serving as an insertion opening 34 slots are located.
- the brush head 10 consists of two parts (tip 10 'and neck-side region 10 ") of a hard component 30 joined together by a flexible zone 29 of soft material 32 or a combination of hard and soft material
- the hollow region 22 is delimited towards the front side 18 by three webs 48 made of soft material 32. Between the webs 48 there are two outlet openings 36 with a total width of approximately half the head width.
- the underside of the hollow region 22 is made entirely of soft material 32 or a combination of hard and soft material, soft elastic cleaning elements 16 are arranged on the webs 48, and conventional bristles 14 are anchored on the hard regions at the tip and in the neck region the bottom 66 of the hollow portion 22 is an ellips Enförmigen insertion opening 34 for the active substance element 24 is formed.
- This has essentially the shape of a cylinder with elliptical cross-section and rounded edges.
- the active substance element 24 is clamped between the webs and the bottom 66. Laterally, however, it is spaced from the inner wall of the hollow portion 22, so that it is washed around there and in the region of the outlet openings 36 of water.
- the webs 48 may also consist of the hard component 30 and the Hinge tip as well as the neck area; the flexibility is ensured in this case by a correspondingly thin wall thickness of the webs 48.
- Fig. 25-27 show variations of the example Fig. 24 also with a substantially two-part head portion 10 of a hard component 30 and the parts 10 ', 10 "connecting flexible zone 29 of soft component 32 or a combination of hard and soft component, in which the hollow portion 22 accommodated for receiving the active substance element 24 is at FIGS. 25 and 26
- the hollow portion 22 and the active substance element 24 themselves are cylindrical with a circular cross section.
- the introduction opening 34 is likewise circular and may have a smaller diameter than the hollow area 22 itself, so that the active substance element 24 in the hollow area 22 can be at least partially washed around.
- the hollow region 22 is substantially surrounded by soft material 32 in its radial direction with the exception of the outlet openings 36 in the front-side membrane 28.
- Fig. 25-27 show variations of the example Fig. 24 also with a substantially two-part head portion 10 of a hard component 30 and the parts 10 ', 10 "connecting flexible zone 29 of soft component 32 or a combination of hard and soft component, in which the hollow
- Fig. 27 shows an analogous example with an elongated in the longitudinal direction of the brush head elastic zone 29 in which a substantially cuboid hollow portion 22 is formed. This is connected to a plate or foil-shaped active substance element 24 adapted.
- the plate or sheet-shaped hollow portion 22 can be mounted as backpack-shaped structure on the brush head back.
- the active substance element 24 has a thickness of 0.01 to 5.0 mm, preferably 0.05 to 1.0 mm.
- the hollow region 22 on the rear side 20 of the brush head is covered by a flexible membrane 26 of soft material 32 and otherwise formed within the hard component 30.
- the outlet openings 36 are formed on the membrane 26 within knob-shaped or funnel-like elevations, which can simultaneously act as cleaning or massage elements 16, in particular for the palate and tongue.
- the existing of the hard component 30 front 18 can thus be bristled conventionally above the hollow portion 22.
- a combination of this embodiment with a previously shown flexible membrane on the front of the brush head is also conceivable.
- Fig. 29 shows a toothbrush, wherein the hollow portion 22 is formed by a cage-like, adapted to a spherical or ellipsoidal shape of the active substance element thickening in the neck region 52.
- This one has a lot of Outlet openings 36 through which the hollow portion 22 is visible.
- the boundary of the hollow region may be formed of hard and / or soft component, resulting in the latter case, a damping zone in the neck region 52. The flexibility of this zone favors the previously discussed pumping action around the active substance element.
- Fig. 30-33 show schematically different production methods for brushes according to the invention. Of course, these manufacturing methods can be used for all design variants shown.
- the toothbrush is made of two parts consisting of hard and / or soft component 30 by injection molding, on the one hand the bristle side upper half of the brush head and on the other hand the back cover 54.
- the upper half is a recess for the active substance element 24th formed, which is later closed with the lid 54 to form the hollow portion 22.
- the outlet openings 36 and optionally cleaning elements 16 are formed of soft component 32.
- Conventional bristles are anchored laterally from the cleaning elements 16 by conventional plugging or In Mold Tufting (IMT).
- IMT In Mold Tufting
- the lid 54 may include a membrane of soft component, in which the outlet openings are formed in knob-like elevations. Lid 54 and remaining brush head are then connected to the inclusion of a flat active substance element 24 releasably (snapping, sliding, locking, etc.) or non-detachable (gluing, welding, positive locking, etc.).
- the toothbrush is also made of two parts of a hard and / or soft component by injection molding.
- the brush head back half of the brush head has a plate-shaped recess which forms a cavity 22 in the assembled state with a support plate 56.
- the support plate is made including openings which are closed in a further injection molding step with soft component 32 to form a membrane 26 and possibly soft elastic cleaning elements 16 of soft component.
- the conventional bristles 14 are then anchored in the support plate 56.
- the support plate 56 can also be bristled in the Anchor Free Tufting process, which has the advantage that the support plate can be made thinner.
- the support plate is then releasably (snap, slide, clicks, etc.) or non-detachable (gluing, welding, positive locking, etc.) connected to the rest of the toothbrush, wherein an active substance element 24 is enclosed in the cavity 22.
- Fig. 32 shows a combination of the examples FIGS. 30 and 31 with a three-part (annular body, support plate 56 and back cover 54) existing brush head.
- Fig. 33 shows a further example in which the active substance in the manufacture of the toothbrush is inserted or injected into a recess in the hard component 30 and overmolded with the soft component 32.
- a cavity 22 is formed with a flexible wall in the form of a thin membrane 26 of soft component 32.
- the flexibility of the wall of the hollow portion 22 results from the choice of a wall material with a certain elasticity, in particular by having at least one membrane of soft material 32, and / or by the overall existing bending elasticity of the existing hard and / or soft material Brush. As long as the sufficient contact with water or the adequate dissolution of the active substance is ensured, it is sufficient if the pumping / suction effect or volume change of the hollow region is only slightly or not at all due to the plastering pressure.
- FIGS. 34 and 35 show a self-explanatory package 58 for a toothbrush with active substance, in which in addition to a matched to the brush shape recess 60, a detachable area, each with an active substance element 24 is present. The user therefore immediately recognizes which product it is.
- the embodiment variants shown above can of course also be used in electric toothbrushes.
- the mechanical movement or vibration of at least a part of the brush head additionally promotes the fluid exchange into and out of the hollow area. If the brush head is subdivided into a movable and a non-movable brush head segment, the hollow region, within the variants described above, is preferably accommodated in the non-movable segment.
- Fig. 36 shows a household brush, also with a head, neck and handle area 10, 52, 62.
- head area 10 there is a hollow region 22 which can be reclosed on the side facing away from the cleaning structure 12 by a flap 64 and can receive an active substance element 24.
- flap 64 In the flap 64 are the outlet openings for the dissolved active substance.
- a solid soap is preferably used as the active substance element. All previously shown design variants can be adopted analogously for the dishwashing brush. The dimensions given are to be adjusted in proportion to the dimensions of the cleaning brush head.
- a brush with a flexible membrane in the head part which carries cleaning and / or massaging elements, even without an underlying hollow area or without an introduced in the hollow area active substance element advantages, in particular because of the flexible suspension of the cleaning and / or massaging elements.
- All the examples shown can be modified accordingly, for example by no hollow area or a hollow area not communicating with the outside world being provided.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Brushes (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Bürste, insbesondere Zahnbürste, nach Anspruch 1.The invention relates to a brush, in particular toothbrush, according to claim 1.
Eine Zahnbürste dieser Art ist aus der
Es sind Einweg-Zahnbürsten bekannt, die in verschiedener Art und Weise bereits Zahnpasta enthalten. Bei der
Es sind ausserdem Zahnbürsten bekannt, bei denen sich eine vorbestimmte Menge Zahnpasta in einem Hohlbereich im Kopfbereich befindet und vor dem Putzen durch manuelle Deformation des Kopfbereichs ausgepresst wird. Bei der
Bei allen genannten Beispielen muss der Benutzer per Hand auf die Bürste einwirken, um überhaupt Zahnpasta freizusetzen. Da hierfür eine gewisse Kraft und für die gewünschte Dosierung auch eine gewisse Geschicklichkeit erforderlich ist, sind die bekannten Zahnbürsten nicht für jedermann gut zu handhaben.In all the above examples, the user has to work by hand on the brush to release toothpaste at all. Since this requires a certain amount of power and a certain amount of skill for the desired dosage, the known toothbrushes are not easy for anyone to handle.
Bei der
Der Erfindung liegt daher die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Bürste, insbesondere eine Zahnbürste, mit einer Wirksubstanz zur Verfügung zu stellen, die sich für den Mehrfachgebrauch und/oder das Nachfüllen der Wirksubstanz eignet und eine einfache Handhabung und einfache Dosierung der Wirksubstanz ermöglicht.The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a brush, in particular a toothbrush, with an active substance available, which is suitable for multiple use and / or refilling the active substance and allows easy handling and simple dosage of the active substance.
Die Aufgabe wird gelöst durch eine Bürste mit den Merkmalen von Anspruch 1. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen ergeben sich aus den abhängigen Ansprüchen, der Beschreibung und den Zeichnungen.The object is achieved by a brush with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments emerge from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.
Bei einer Bürste, insbesondere einer Zahnbürste, mit einem im Kopf- oder Halsteil angeordneten Hohlbereich mit wenigstens einer Austrittsöffnung für eine Wirksubstanz befindet sich im Hohlbereich erfindungsgemäss ein Wirksubstanz-Element, das aus einem Trägermaterial und darin eingebundener Wirksubstanz besteht. Das Trägermaterial setzt die Wirksubstanz beim Kontakt mit Wasser in kontrollierter Weise frei. Das Trägermaterial ist vorzugsweise fest, kann aber auch eine Paste mit hoher Viskosität sein. Es ist ohne Kontakt mit Wasser vorzugsweise weitgehend formstabil.In the case of a brush, in particular a toothbrush, with a hollow region arranged in the head or neck part with at least one outlet opening for an active substance, in the hollow region according to the invention there is an active substance element which consists of a carrier material and an active substance incorporated therein. The carrier material releases the active substance in a controlled manner on contact with water. The carrier material is preferably solid, but may also be a high viscosity paste. It is preferably largely dimensionally stable without contact with water.
Alternativ oder zusätzlich ist der Hohlraum an die Form des Wirksubstanz-Elements mit einer definierten äusseren Form angepasst. Das Volumen des Hohlbereichs ist grösser als das Volumen des Wirksubstanz-Elements, insbesondere um das 1-2fache, maximal um das 4fache grösser. Die Wirksubstanz kann auch aus dem Kopf hinausragen, um genügend Angriffsfläche zur Abgabe von Wirksubstanzen zu bilden. Hierdurch wird gewährleistet, dass das Wirksubstanz-Element während des Einsatzes gut von Wasser umspült wird.Alternatively or additionally, the cavity is adapted to the shape of the active substance element with a defined external shape. The volume of the hollow region is greater than the volume of the active substance element, in particular by 1-2 times, at most 4 times greater. The Active substance can also protrude from the head to form enough attack surface for the release of active substances. This ensures that the active substance element is well bathed in water during use.
Die Abgabe der Wirksubstanz geschieht rein passiv durch das Umspülen des Wirksubstanz-Elements mit Wasser, manuelle Beeinflussung der Bürste ist nicht nötig. Die Bürste würde daher bereits massgeblich Wirksubstanzen abgeben, wenn man sie bei Temperaturen von 15° Celsius oder höher in Wasser einlegen würde. Die Putzbewegung kann zwar die Migration der Wirksubstanz durch die verbesserte Flüssigkeitszirkulation zusätzlich unterstützen, es ist jedoch das Ziel, dass die Bürste im Zusammenhang mit Wasser bereits ohne mechanische Einwirkungen Wirksubstanzen abgibt. Die Dosierung ist durch geeignete Wahl der Löslichkeit bzw. Zersetzbarkeit des Wirksubstanz-Elements bzw. seiner Fähigkeit, die Wirksubstanz abzugeben, und der Grösse der Austrittsöffnungen anpassbar und vorgebbar und somit ebenfalls nicht von der Geschicklichkeit des Benutzers abhängig.The release of the active substance is purely passive by flushing the active substance element with water, manual influence of the brush is not necessary. The brush would therefore already deliver significant active substances, if you would insert them at temperatures of 15 ° C or higher in water. Although the cleaning movement can additionally support the migration of the active substance through the improved liquid circulation, it is the goal that the brush releases active substances in the context of water even without mechanical action. The dosage can be adjusted and predefined by a suitable choice of the solubility or decomposability of the active substance element or its ability to deliver the active substance and the size of the outlet openings and thus also not dependent on the skill of the user.
In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung ist die Bürste zumindest im Bereich des Hohlbereichs derart flexibel, dass sich der Hohlbereich beim bestimmungsgemässen Gebrauch, d.h. beim Putzen, derart verformt, dass Wasser in den Hohlbereich eingesogen sowie wieder herausgedrückt wird. Im Unterschied zum Stand der Technik, bei dem eine pastöse Masse vor dem Putzen durch manuellen Druck hinausgedrückt wird, wird bei der Erfindung eine durch die Flexibilität des Hohlbereichs ermöglichte Pump-/Sogwirkung in Bezug auf das Lösungsmittel Wasser ausgenutzt. Hierdurch kann das Eintreten von Wasser in den Hohlbereich und das Ausspülen der Wirksubstanz verstärkt werden, ohne dass der Benutzer zuvor die Bürste manipulieren muss. Der Hohlbereich ist dazu vorzugsweise derart an die Form des Wirksubstanz-Elements angepasst, dass dieses wenigstens teilweise von der Innenwandung beabstandet ist und so im Gebrauch von Wasser umspült wird. Der Hohlbereich wird vorteilhaft durch dünnwandige Begrenzungselemente mit einer Wandstärke von weniger als 3 mm, vorzugsweise weniger als 1,5 mm, aus gummielastischem Weichmaterial mindestens teilweise umschlossen, um besagte Pumpwirkung auch bei kleinster Berührung zu generieren.In an advantageous development, the brush is at least in the region of the hollow area so flexible that the hollow area during normal use, ie during cleaning, deformed such that water is sucked into the hollow area and pushed out again. In contrast to the prior art, in which a pasty mass is forced out by manual pressure before brushing, the invention exploits a pumping / suction effect made possible by the flexibility of the hollow region with respect to the solvent water. This allows the entry of water into the hollow area and the rinsing of the active substance can be increased without the user having to manipulate the brush beforehand. The hollow region is for this purpose preferably adapted to the shape of the active substance element, that this is at least partially spaced from the inner wall and is thus washed in use of water. The hollow region is advantageously at least partially enclosed by thin-walled delimiting elements with a wall thickness of less than 3 mm, preferably less than 1.5 mm, made of rubber-elastic soft material, in order to generate said pumping action even at the slightest touch.
Zusätzlich zum flexiblen Hohlbereich kann auch der ganze Bürstenkopf flexible, bewegliche Teilbereiche, z.B. ein flexibles Bürstenkopfvorderteil, aufweisen. Durch das flexible Auslenken dieses Teilbereiches wird ebenfalls das Volumen des Hohlbereiches beeinflusst und es entsteht wiederum die oben beschriebene Pump- /Sogwirkung. Vorzugsweise wird die Flexibilität des Bürstenkopfes an der Stelle gebildet, an der der Hohlbereich den grössten Anteil des Querschnittes des Bürstenkopfes einnimmt. Das hat den Vorteil, dass nur noch ein geringer Anteil des Kopfquerschnittes flexibel gestaltet werden muss. Dies kann mittels gezielter Materialschwächung, z.B. Filmscharnier, seitlicher Tunnel etc., in der Hartkomponente geschehen oder mittels Kombination der Hart- und Weichkomponente. Es ist auch möglich, die flexible Zone komplett aus Weichmaterial zu bilden.In addition to the flexible hollow region, the entire brush head may also have flexible, movable portions, e.g. a flexible brush head front. Due to the flexible deflection of this partial area, the volume of the hollow area is likewise influenced and in turn the pumping / suction effect described above arises. Preferably, the flexibility of the brush head is formed at the point at which the hollow region occupies the largest proportion of the cross section of the brush head. This has the advantage that only a small proportion of the head cross-section must be made flexible. This can be achieved by means of targeted material weakening, e.g. Film hinge, side tunnel, etc., done in the hard component or by combining the hard and soft component. It is also possible to completely form the flexible zone from soft material.
Das Wirksubstanz-Element ist vorzugsweise ein Festkörper oder eine hochviskose, formstabile Paste, kann aber auch durch eine eingekapselte flüssige, pastöse oder körnige Substanz mit einer wasserlöslichen Umhüllung gebildet sein. Durch geeignete Wahl der Löslichkeit bzw. Zersetzbarkeit des Wirksubstanz-Elements bzw. seiner Umhüllung gelingt eine wohldefinierte Dosierung bis hin zu einer gleichmässigen Freigabe von Wirksubstanz während eines Putzvorgangs. Im Falle eines Festkörpers bzw. einer hochviskosen Paste ist ein Mehrfachgebrauch desselben Wirksubstanz-Elements möglich, wenn dieses so dimensioniert bzw. seine Löslichkeit bzw. Zersetzbarkeit so gewählt ist, dass es mehrere typische Putzvorgänge überdauert. Die Wirksubstanzen werden je nach Einsatzzweck vor, während oder nach dem Putzvorgang abgegeben. Die Gefahr des Eintrocknens bzw. Verstopfens von Öffnungen besteht in diesem Fall nicht, da etwaige Rückstände nach dem Einsatz ohne weiteres abgespült werden können.The active substance element is preferably a solid or a highly viscous, dimensionally stable paste, but may also be formed by an encapsulated liquid, pasty or granular substance with a water-soluble coating. By suitable choice of the solubility or The decomposability of the active substance element or its coating succeeds in a well-defined dosage up to a uniform release of active substance during a cleaning process. In the case of a solid or a highly viscous paste, a multiple use of the same active substance element is possible if it is so dimensioned or its solubility or decomposability is chosen so that it survives several typical cleaning operations. The active substances are delivered depending on the purpose before, during or after the cleaning process. The risk of drying or clogging of openings does not exist in this case, since any residues can be rinsed off easily after use.
In einer anderen Ausgestaltungsvariante umfasst das Wirksubstanz-Element einen weitgehend formstabilen Träger, aus dem die Wirksubstanz ausgewaschen wird, der jedoch seine ursprüngliche Form behält. Vorzugsweise enthält er einen Indikator, durch den er die Farbe ändert oder mit der Gebrauchsdauer oder den Anzahl Einsätzen verbleicht.In another embodiment variant, the active substance element comprises a largely dimensionally stable carrier, from which the active substance is washed out, but which retains its original shape. Preferably, it contains an indicator by which it changes color or fades with the service life or the number of inserts.
In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der Erfindung kann das Wirksubstanz-Element durch eine wiederverschliessbare Eintrittsöffnung nachgefüllt werden. Damit kann der Schritt von der einfach gestalteten Einweg-Bürste hin zum hochwertigen Reinigungsprodukt vollzogen werden.In an advantageous development of the invention, the active substance element can be refilled by a resealable inlet opening. Thus the step from the simply designed disposable brush to the high-quality cleaning product can be accomplished.
Die Wirksubstanzen erfüllen beispielsweise folgende Aufgaben:
- (a) antibakterielle Wirkung innerhalb des Bürstenkopfes
- (b) Anzeigen des Reinigungserfolges
- (c) Einbringen von Reinigungssubstanzen, welche in konventionellen Reinigungsmitteln nicht enthalten sind
- (d) Einbringen von Reinigungsmitteln, welche im Zusammenspiel mit konventionellen Reinigungsmitteln als Zweikomponentensystem wirken
- (e) Zahnbleichung ('Bleaching')
- (a) Antibacterial action within the brush head
- (b) displaying the cleaning success
- (c) introduction of cleaning substances, which are not included in conventional detergents
- (d) introduction of cleaning agents, which in Interaction with conventional cleaning agents act as a two-component system
- (e) tooth whitening ('bleaching')
Die Bürste besteht aus einem Kopfteil mit einer Reinigungsstruktur, in der Regel Borsten, einem Halsteil und einem Griffteil. Alle Teilelemente können aus mindestens einer Hart- und einer oder mehrer Weichkomponenten bestehen. Als Hartkomponenten werden z.B. Polystyrol (PS), Styrolacrylnitril (SAN), Polyester (PET), Polyethylen (PE) Polymethylmethacrylat (PMMA), Acrylbuthadienstyrol (ABS) etc., vorzugsweise Polypropylen (PP) eingesetzt. Als Weichkomponente wird ein gummielastischer Werkstoff wie Polyurethan (PUR) oder Polyethylen (PE), vorzugsweise ein thermoplastisches Elastomer (TPE oder TPU) eingesetzt. Im Bürstenkopf werden Härten von unter 70 Shore A, vorzugsweise unter 40 Shore A verwendet. Das Borstenfeld wird vorzugsweise mindestens teilweise mit konventionellen Borsten z.B. aus Polyamid (PA) oder Polyester (PBT) und optional mit gummielastischen Reinigungs- oder Massageelementen gebildet. Die konventionellen Borsten haben beispielsweise eine zylindrische Geometrie mit einem Durchmesser von weniger als 0,25 mm, vorzugsweise zwischen 0,1 mm - 0,2 mm und sind zu Bündeln zusammengefasst. Die gummielastischen Massage- oder Reinigungselemente haben üblicherweise grössere Durchmesser mit kleinsten Dimensionen im Querschnitt von 0,5 bis 5 mm, vorzugsweise 0,5 bis 2 mm.The brush consists of a head part with a cleaning structure, usually bristles, a neck part and a handle part. All sub-elements may consist of at least one hard and one or more soft components. As hard components, e.g. Polystyrene (PS), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), polyester (PET), polyethylene (PE), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), acrylobutadiene-styrene (ABS) etc., preferably polypropylene (PP). The soft component used is a rubber-elastic material such as polyurethane (PUR) or polyethylene (PE), preferably a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE or TPU). Hardenings of less than 70 Shore A, preferably less than 40 Shore A, are used in the brush head. The bristle field is preferably at least partially filled with conventional bristles e.g. made of polyamide (PA) or polyester (PBT) and optionally with rubber-elastic cleaning or massage elements. The conventional bristles have, for example, a cylindrical geometry with a diameter of less than 0.25 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm - 0.2 mm and are combined into bundles. The rubber-elastic massage or cleaning elements usually have larger diameter with the smallest dimensions in the cross section of 0.5 to 5 mm, preferably 0.5 to 2 mm.
Vorzugsweise sind in unmittelbarer Nähe der Austrittsöffnungen Reinigungselemente, insbesondere Borsten und/oder weichelastische Elemente, angeordnet, deren mechanische Eigenschaften, z.B. Abmessungen, Flexibilität, Material, an die mit der einzuführenden Wirksubstanz zu erzielende Wirkung angepasst sind. Beispiele bei Zahnbürsten sind:
- (a) abrasive Wirksubstanzen mit kürzeren Borsten zur Flächenreinigung (,Whitening' Effekt),
- (b) antibakterielle Wirksubstanzen für Tiefenreinigung mit längeren Interdentalborsten,
- (c) hautpflegende Wirksubstanzen im Bereich von gummielastischen Massage- oder Reinigungselementen zur Belebung von Zahnfleisch, Mundhöhle oder Zunge
- (d) andere Kombinationen Wirksubstanzen und entsprechende Wirkborsten.
- (a) abrasive active substances with shorter bristles for surface cleaning ('whitening' effect),
- (b) antibacterial active substances for deep cleaning with longer interdental bristles,
- (c) skin-care active substances in the area of rubber-elastic massage or cleaning elements for invigorating the gums, oral cavity or tongue
- (d) other combinations of active substances and corresponding active bristles.
Der Hohlbereich bietet mindestens Platz für ein Wirksubstanz-Element, vorzugsweise bietet der Hohlbereich zusätzlichen Platz, damit das Wirksubstanz-Element mit Wasser umspült werden kann und die Wirksubstanz dadurch ihre Wirkung mittels teilweisem oder vollständigem Auflösen entfalten kann. Um eine genügende Wasserzirkulation im Hohlbereich zu ermöglichen, wird vorzugsweise vorgesehen, das Volumen des Hohlbereiches maximal viermal, besonders bevorzugt ein- bis zweimal grösser als die Grösse (das Volumen in Originalgrösse) des Wirksubstanz-Elements zu gestalten. Bei Zahnbürsten hat der Hohlbereich ein Volumen von 5 bis 1500 mm3 vorzugsweise 100 bis 500 mm3.The hollow area offers at least space for an active substance element, preferably the hollow area offers additional space so that the active substance element can be lapped with water and the active substance can thereby unfold its effect by means of partial or complete dissolution. In order to enable a sufficient circulation of water in the hollow region, it is preferably provided that the volume of the hollow region is maximally four times, more preferably one to two times larger than the size (the volume in original size) of the active substance element. In toothbrushes, the hollow region has a volume of 5 to 1500 mm 3, preferably 100 to 500 mm 3 .
Das Wirksubstanz-Element kann im Hohlbereich seitlich oder vertikal geklemmt werden. Um ein möglichst vollständiges Umspülen mittels Wasser zu gewährleisten, werden dazu vorzugsweise Vorsprünge oder andere Geometrieelemente in der Weich- oder/und Hartkomponente im Hohlbereich eingesetzt. Dadurch wird gewährleistet, dass das Wirksubstanz-Element während dem Putzvorgang nicht innerhalb des Hohlbereiches hin- und her geschlagen werden kann und allenfalls vorzeitig auseinanderbrechen kann. Das Wirksubstanz-Element kann aber auch durch Ausnehmungen in der Begrenzung des Hohlraumes nach aussen ragen und seitlich oder auf der borstentragenden Seite aus dem Bürstenkopf herausschauen.The active substance element can be clamped laterally or vertically in the hollow region. In order to ensure as complete as possible rinsing by means of water, projections or other geometric elements in the soft or / and hard component in the hollow area are preferably used for this purpose. This ensures that the active substance element during the cleaning process are not beaten back and forth within the hollow area can and possibly break apart prematurely. However, the active substance element can also protrude outwardly through recesses in the boundary of the cavity and can be seen laterally or on the bristle-carrying side from the brush head.
Der Hohlbereich ist vorzugsweise generell so gestaltet, dass das Wirksubstanz-Element trotz kontinuierlichem Abbau im Hohlbereich stabil positioniert ist. Vorzugsweise wird dazu der Hohlbereich mit einem vorzugsweise aus Weichmaterial hergestellten flexiblen Element versehen, das eine Art Federwirkung auf das Wirksubstanz-Element ausübt, indem z.B. eine Aussenwand des Hohlbereichs durch Einsetzen des Wirksubstanz-Elements nach aussen gewölbt wird. Das Wirksubstanz-Element in Originalgrösse wird mit einem gewissen Vorspann im Hohlbereich fixiert. Die innere Form des Hohlbereiches folgt mit Ausnahme der oben erwähnten Vorsprünge im wesentlichen der geometrischen Form des Wirksubstanz-Elements, vorzugsweise mit einer vordefinierten Distanz. Vorzugsweise entsteht damit eine im wesentlichen kugelförmige oder ellipsoidförmige Geometrie des Hohlbereiches, die an kugel- oder ellipsoidförmige Wirksubstanz-Elemente angepasst ist. Als alternative Ausgestaltungsvariante kann der Hohlbereich als Schlitz ausgestaltet werden in den eine platten- oder folienförmiges Wirksubstanz-Element eingeführt werden kann. In einer weiteren Ausgestaltungsvariante kann das Wirksubstanz-Element in einer stab- oder zylinderförmigen Geometrie in einen entsprechend geformten Hohlbereich eingeführt werden.The hollow region is preferably generally designed so that the active substance element is stably positioned despite continuous degradation in the hollow region. Preferably, for this purpose, the hollow region is provided with a flexible element, preferably made of soft material, which exerts a kind of spring action on the active substance element, e.g. an outer wall of the hollow portion is arched by inserting the active substance element to the outside. The active substance element in original size is fixed with a certain bias in the hollow area. The inner shape of the hollow portion follows, with the exception of the above-mentioned projections substantially the geometric shape of the active substance element, preferably with a predefined distance. Preferably, this results in a substantially spherical or ellipsoidal geometry of the hollow region, which is adapted to spherical or ellipsoidal active substance elements. As an alternative embodiment variant, the hollow region can be designed as a slot into which a plate-shaped or foil-shaped active substance element can be introduced. In a further embodiment variant, the active substance element can be introduced in a rod-shaped or cylindrical geometry into a correspondingly shaped hollow region.
Der Hohlbereich liegt in der Aufsicht auf die Reinigungsstruktur vorzugsweise innerhalb des Borstenfeldes, sofern konventionelle Borsten vorhanden sind. Damit wird ermöglicht, dass der Hohlbereich mit einer dünnen Wand hergestellt, jedoch um den Hohlbereich herum noch genügend konventionelle Borsten mit einer gewissen technisch bedingten Verankerungstiefe verankert werden können. Direkt über dem Hohlbereich werden vorzugsweise Reinigungselemente aus einer Weichkomponente gebildet, die zur Verankerung weniger Kopfvolumen bzw. Verankerungstiefe als konventionelle Borsten benötigen. Ausserdem benötigen konventionelle Borsten zu einer sicheren Verankerung die Hartkomponente. Da der Hohlbereich auf der borstentragenden Seite des Bürstenkopfes vorzugsweise durch eine Membrane aus Weichmaterial begrenzt ist, ist es technisch sehr schwierig, konventionelle Borsten in diesem Bereich zu verankern.The hollow region lies in the plan view of the cleaning structure, preferably within the bristle field, provided that conventional bristles are present are. This makes it possible for the hollow region to be produced with a thin wall, but still enough conventional bristles can be anchored around the hollow region with a certain anchoring depth that is technically determined. Cleaning elements made of a soft component are preferably formed directly above the hollow region, which require less head volume or anchoring depth than conventional bristles for anchoring. In addition, conventional bristles require the hard component for secure anchoring. Since the hollow area on the bristle-carrying side of the brush head is preferably delimited by a membrane of soft material, it is technically very difficult to anchor conventional bristles in this area.
Der Hohlbereich wird durch eine Wand aus Hart- und/oder Weichkomponente begrenzt, vorzugsweise aber mindestens bereichsweise durch Weichkomponente, da so die oben erwähnte Flexibilität auf einfache Weise erreichbar ist.The hollow region is bounded by a wall of hard and / or soft component, but preferably at least in regions by soft component, since in this way the abovementioned flexibility can be achieved in a simple manner.
Vorteile bezüglich der Borstenverankerung hat es, wenn der Hohlbereich in einem an den Bürstenkopf angrenzenden Bereich, z.B. im Bürstenhals oder im Übergang zwischen Bürstenhals und Bürstenkopf, positioniert ist, der mit Wasser in Berührung kommt. Diese Ausgestaltung hat den Vorteil, dass innerhalb des Bürstenkopfes bezüglich Verankerung der Borsten nicht auf den Hohlbereich Rücksicht genommen werden muss. Dass die Wirksubstanz nicht da austritt, wo sie im allgemeinen die beste Wirkung entfaltet, also im Kopfbereich, wird in Kauf genommen.Bristle anchoring advantages are found when the hollow area is in a region adjacent to the brush head, e.g. in the brush neck or in the transition between the brush neck and the brush head, which comes into contact with water. This refinement has the advantage that consideration must not be given to the hollow region within the brush head with respect to the anchoring of the bristles. The fact that the active substance does not escape where it generally has the best effect, ie in the head area, is accepted.
Der Hohlbereich verfügt über wenigstens eine Austrittsöffnung zum Eintreten von Wasser, zum Austreten der in Wasser gelösten Wirksubstanz und zum Ausspülen des Hohlbereiches nach dem Gebrauch unter dem Wasserhahn. Bei Varianten mit Nachfülloption ist zusätzlich wenigstens eine Einführungsöffnung zur Einführung des Wirksubstanz-Elements durch den Benutzer vorhanden. Die Einführungsöffnung ist in geöffnetem Zustand grösser als eine Austrittsöffnung. Die Einführungsöffnung befindet sich vorzugsweise auf der Bürstenkopfrückseite und die Austrittsöffnung auf der Bürstenkopfvorderseite. Alternative Ausgestaltungsvarianten zeigen die Einführungsöffnung auf der Bürstenkopfseite. Die Austrittsöffnungen können alternativ/zusätzlich auf der Seite und/oder Rückseite des Bürstenkopfes angelegt sein.The hollow region has at least one outlet opening for the entry of water, for emergence the active substance dissolved in water and for flushing the hollow area after use under the tap. In variants with refill option, at least one introduction opening for introduction of the active substance element by the user is additionally present. The introduction opening is larger in the open state than an outlet opening. The insertion opening is preferably located on the brush head back and the outlet opening on the brush head front. Alternative design variants show the insertion opening on the brush head side. The outlet openings may alternatively / additionally be applied on the side and / or rear side of the brush head.
Die Einführungsöffnung ist vorzugsweise wiederverschliessbar. Sie kann aber auch als Austrittsöffnung dienen und muss den Hohlbereich nicht komplett dichtend abschliessen. Die Einführungsöffnung kann mittels entfernbarem oder in den Kopf integriertem Deckel oder Verschluss gebildet werden, z.B. mittels eines direkt am Kopf angespritzten Filmscharniers. Besonders bevorzugt dient eine Membrane aus Weichmaterial mit einer entsprechenden Öffnung, z.B. mit einem oder mehreren gekreuzten Schlitzen, welche der Grösse des Wirksubstanz-Elements entspricht, als wiederverschliessbares Element. Die Membrane kann gleichzeitig eine flexible Wand des Hohlbereichs darstellen und/oder als Träger von Reinigungs-/Massageelementen dienen. Alternativ zu Schlitzen können andere Geometrieelemente vorgesehen werden, welche das Einführen des Wirksubstanz-Elements erlauben und dessen Austreten möglichst verhindern, z.B. ein dehnbares Loch in der Membrane, das kleiner als das Wirksubstanz-Element ist.The insertion opening is preferably reclosable. But it can also serve as an outlet opening and does not complete the hollow area completely sealed. The insertion opening can be formed by means of removable or in the head integrated lid or closure, for example by means of a directly molded on the head of the film hinge. Particularly preferred is a membrane made of soft material with a corresponding opening, for example with one or more crossed slots, which corresponds to the size of the active substance element, as reclosable element. The membrane can simultaneously represent a flexible wall of the hollow area and / or serve as a carrier of cleaning / massage elements. As an alternative to slots, other geometric elements can be provided which allow the introduction of the active substance element and prevent its escape as far as possible, for example an expandable hole in the membrane which is smaller than the active substance element.
Im Falle einer Membrane hat diese eine Dicke von weniger als 3 mm, vorzugsweise eine Dicke von 0,7 - 1,5 mm. Es werden bevorzugt 2 bis 6 Schlitze als Einführungsöffnung verwendet. Die Länge der Schlitze beträgt für Zahnbürsten 3 - 15 mm vorzugsweise rund 6 - 10 mm.In the case of a membrane, this has a thickness of less than 3 mm, preferably a thickness of 0.7 - 1.5 mm. 2 to 6 slots are preferably used as the introduction opening. The length of the slots for toothbrushes is 3 - 15 mm, preferably around 6 - 10 mm.
Die Einführungsöffnung kann über eine Sicherungsvorrichtung verfügen, welche das Herausfallen des Wirksubstanz-Elements während dem Einsatz verhindert oder zumindest erschwert. Beispielsweise wird die Membrane mit Schlitzen oder einem Trichter derart geformt, dass das Einführen der Wirksubstanz mit wenig Druck erfolgt (z.B. 10 bis 300 g), das Herausfallen aber mittels einer z.B. trichterförmigen Geometrie im Öffnungsbereich mehr Druck benötigt. Weniger bevorzugt, aber ebenfalls möglich, sind zusätzliche Verschluss- oder Sicherungselemente.The insertion opening may have a securing device which prevents or at least impedes the falling out of the active substance element during use. For example, the membrane is formed with slits or a funnel such that the introduction of the active substance takes place with little pressure (for example 10 to 300 g), but falling out by means of e.g. funnel-shaped geometry in the opening area requires more pressure. Less preferred but also possible are additional locking or securing elements.
Die Einführungsöffnung kann beim ersten Einsatz noch verschlossen sein (Erstöffnungssicherung oder Siegel). Beim ersten Einführen des Wirksubstanz-Elements kann die Erstöffnungssicherung durch den Benutzer durchbrochen werden, z.B. mittels Durchtrennen dünner Restverbindungen innerhalb der vorgefertigten Schlitze.The insertion opening may still be closed during the first use (first opening safeguard or seal). Upon first insertion of the active substance element, the first opening safeguard can be broken by the user, e.g. by cutting thin residual connections within the prefabricated slots.
Die Austrittsöffnungen erlauben einen kontinuierlichen, aber begrenzten Austritt der in Wasser gelösten Wirksubstanz. Die Anzahl Öffnungen und deren Grösse (totale Oberfläche der Austrittsöffnung) und die Wasserlöslichkeit des Wirksubstanz-Elements bzw. des Trägermaterials bestimmen den tatsächlichen Austritt der in Wasser gelösten oder dispergierten Wirksubstanz. Da die Wasserlöslichkeit der Wirksubstanz eher eine resultierende Grösse darstellt, werden die Austrittsöffnungen (Anzahl und Grösse) der Wasserlöslichkeit der Wirksubstanz angepasst, um die Reichweite der Wirksubstanz während dem Gebrauch zu bestimmen. Damit kann das Auflösen des Wirksubstanz-Elements auch als Zeitindikator für die bisher erfolgte (Gesamt-)Putzdauer dienen.The outlet openings allow a continuous, but limited exit of the active substance dissolved in water. The number of openings and their size (total surface of the outlet opening) and the water solubility of the active substance element or of the carrier material determine the actual exit of the active substance dissolved or dispersed in water. Since the water solubility of the active substance is rather a resulting size, the outlet openings (number and size) of the water solubility of the active substance adapted to determine the range of the active substance during use. Thus, the dissolution of the active substance element can also serve as a time indicator for the (total) cleaning time that has been carried out so far.
Eine einzelne Austrittsöffnung unterschreitet vorzugsweise eine minimale Fläche von 0,05 mm2 nicht. Denn kleinere Öffnungen können leicht verschmutzen und damit den Flüssigkeitsaustausch beeinträchtigen. Ausserdem ist es von Vorteil, wenn der Benutzer die Grösse des im Hohlbereich noch bestehenden Wirksubstanz-Elements durch die Austrittsöffnungen begutachten und allenfalls entscheiden kann, ob die Wirksubstanz nachgefüllt werden sollte. Aus diesen Gründen werden vorzugsweise für die Austrittsöffnungen Flächen von 0,05 - 100 mm2 eingesetzt, vorzugsweise 1 - 20 mm2. Damit wird eine genaue Dosierung gewährleistet und verhindert, dass die Wirksubstanz oder Fragmente des Wirksubstanz-Elements unkontrolliert den Hohlbereich verlassen können.A single outlet opening preferably does not fall below a minimum area of 0.05 mm 2 . Because smaller openings can easily pollute and thus affect the fluid exchange. Moreover, it is advantageous if the user examines the size of the hollow substance still existing active substance element through the outlet openings and possibly decide whether the active substance should be refilled. For these reasons, surfaces of 0.05 to 100 mm 2 are preferably used for the outlet openings, preferably 1 to 20 mm 2 . This ensures accurate dosing and prevents the active substance or fragments of the active substance element from being able to leave the hollow region in an uncontrolled manner.
Die einzelnen Austrittsöffnungen auf einem Bürstenkopf können unterschiedliche Grössen (Flächen) aufweisen, um Austrittsmenge und Austrittsort zu gewichten. Vorzugsweise werden an vorgesehenen Stellen am Bürstenkopf einzelne Gruppen von Austrittsöffnungen angebracht. Damit kann der Austritt der Wirksubstanzen an verschiedenen Stellen des Borstenfeldes bezüglich Menge und Ort gesteuert werden. Vorzugsweise entsteht, wie oben erwähnt, ein Zusammenspiel zwischen Wirksubstanz und speziell in Kombination damit vorgesehnen Wirkborsten. Vorzugsweise werden eine bis 5 Gruppen (Cluster) von Austrittsöffnungen gebildet. Diese Gruppen von Austrittsöffnungen können auch asymmetrisch bezüglich der Längsachse auf dem Bürstenkopf positioniert sein. Die verschiedenen Gruppen von Austrittsöffnungen werden vorzugsweise in einem Arbeitsgang aus demselben Material gefertigt. Insbesondere wenn die Austrittsöffnungen im gummielastischen Material eingelassen sind, wird dieses ab einem Anspritzpunkte für alle Gruppen bedient, d.h. materialseitig sind diese Gruppen miteinander verbunden. Die Austrittsöffnungen können so gestaltet sein, dass sie über geometrische Elemente verfügen, welche die Oberfläche in der Nähe der Austrittsöffnung erhöhen, um die Wirksubstanz möglichst im Bereich des Bürstenkopfes zu halten. Beispielsweise kann eine im wesentlichen trichterförmige oder zumindest sich gegen aussen öffnende Geometrie eingesetzt werden. Damit wird zusätzlich eine einfache Reinigung des Hohlbereiches nach dem Gebrauch unter dem Wasserhahn begünstigt. Zusätzliche Reinigungs- und Massageelemente im Bereich der Austrittsöffnungen haben den gleichen Vorteil. Aus dem gleichen Grund aber als alternatives Ausgestaltungselement können im Bereich der Austrittsöffnungen schwammartige und/oder löchrige, weiche Elemente platziert werden, welche ebenfalls zur besseren Retention der Wirksubstanz beitragen.The individual outlet openings on a brush head can have different sizes (areas) in order to weight outlet quantity and outlet location. Preferably, individual groups of outlet openings are provided at designated locations on the brush head. Thus, the exit of the active substances at different points of the bristle field with respect to quantity and location can be controlled. Preferably, as mentioned above, there is an interaction between the active substance and, especially in combination with it, intended active bristles. Preferably, one to five groups (clusters) are formed by outlet openings. These groups of exit openings may also be positioned asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis on the brush head. The different groups of outlet openings are preferably manufactured in one operation from the same material. In particular, when the outlet openings are embedded in the rubber-elastic material, this is operated from an injection point for all groups, ie the material side, these groups are interconnected. The outlet openings may be designed so that they have geometric elements which increase the surface in the vicinity of the outlet opening in order to keep the active substance as possible in the region of the brush head. For example, a substantially funnel-shaped or at least outwardly opening geometry can be used. This also favors a simple cleaning of the hollow area after use under the tap. Additional cleaning and massage elements in the area of the outlet openings have the same advantage. For the same reason but as an alternative design element, sponge-like and / or holey, soft elements can be placed in the region of the outlet openings, which also contribute to the better retention of the active substance.
Die Austrittsöffnungen können im Hartmaterial und/oder im Weichmaterial des Bürstenkopfes ausgebildet werden. Sie werden jedoch vorzugsweise in die oben näher beschriebene Membrane aus Weichmaterial integriert. In diesem Fall hat diese bevorzugt eine Dicke von weniger als 3 mm vorzugsweise von 0,7 - 1,5 mm.The outlet openings can be formed in the hard material and / or in the soft material of the brush head. However, they are preferably integrated into the above-described membrane made of soft material. In this case, it preferably has a thickness of less than 3 mm, preferably from 0.7 to 1.5 mm.
Der Hohlbereich wird wie oben beschrieben vorzugsweise durch Membrane(n) aus Weichmaterial begrenzt. Diese Membrane (n) sind flexibel, um sich beim Einsatz an die Umgebung (Zahnfleisch, Zähne, Mundhöhle, etc.) anzupassen und beim Putzvorgang mit dem Putzdruck auf die Membrane eine gewisse Pump- und Sogwirkung auf den Hohlbereich auszuüben. Diese Effekte können durch eine gewölbte Form der Membrane verstärkt werden. Zusammen mit den Austrittsöffnungen kann die Membran eine Art dehnbare Netzstruktur bilden. Diese Netzstruktur kann, wie oben beschrieben, minimale Austrittsöffnungen von wenigstens 0,05 mm2 Fläche aufweisen. Selbstverständlich können Netzstrukturen auf allen Seiten des Bürstenkopfes angebracht werden. Diese weisen vorzugsweise zur Vergrösserung der Oberfläche und damit zur Maximierung des Hohlraumes eine konvexe U- oder pfannenförmige Aussengeometrie auf. Die Querstege des Netzes haben einen Durchmesser von 0,1 - 2 mm, vorzugsweise 0, 2 - 0,5 mm und bestehen aus Weichmaterial (z.B. TPE oder PE).The hollow region is preferably bounded by membranes of soft material as described above. These membrane (s) are flexible to adapt to the environment (gums, teeth, oral cavity, etc.) during use and to the membrane during cleaning to exert a certain pumping and suction effect on the hollow area. These effects can be enhanced by a domed shape of the membrane. Together with the outlet openings, the membrane can form a kind of expandable network structure. As described above, this network structure can have minimum outlet openings of at least 0.05 mm 2 in area. Of course, network structures can be installed on all sides of the brush head. These preferably have a convex U-shaped or pan-shaped outer geometry for enlarging the surface and thus for maximizing the cavity. The cross webs of the network have a diameter of 0.1 - 2 mm, preferably 0, 2 - 0.5 mm and made of soft material (eg TPE or PE).
Vorzugsweise bildet bzw. bilden die Membran(en) mit den Öffnungen für den Benutzer erkennbar separate Geometrieelemente innerhalb des Bürstenkopfes, welche sich insbesondere auch farblich vom restlichen Bürstenkopf abheben. Der Benutzer kann folglich rasch erkennen, wo die Wirksubstanzen aus dem Bürstenkopf austreten. In verschiedenen Ausgestaltungsvarianten können folgende Geometrieelemente für die Membranen eingesetzt werden:
- (a) Die Membran(en) mit den Öffnungen sind vorzugsweise gewölbt/ ellipsoidförmig/ ballonförmig ausgeformt. Die Membrane mit den Austrittsöffnungen kann ein netzartige Struktur oder einfach nur einige Löcher aufweisen. Die gewölbten Membran(en) sind vorzugsweise auf der Bürstenkopfvorderseite und -rückseite platziert, können aber auch seitlich platziert werden.
- (b) Die Membrane mit den Öffnungen bilden eine Art flexible Ziehharmonika- oder Balgstruktur auf der Bürstenkopfseite oder -rückseite. Die Spitzen der Ziehharmonikastruktur dienen als Reinigungs- und Massageelemente.
- (c) Die Membrane mit den Öffnungen bilden eine Art Fischkiemenstruktur auf der Bürstenkopfseite. Die Austrittsöffnungen werden mittels Schlitzen in dieser Struktur gebildet.
- (d) Die Membrane mit den Öffnungen bilden eine Art Warzen-/Noppenstruktur vorzugsweise auf der Bürstenkopfseite oder Bürstenkopfrückseite. Die Austrittsöffnungen werden innerhalb der Erhebungen trichterförmig ausgestaltet.
- (a) The membrane (s) with the openings are preferably curved / ellipsoidal / balloon-shaped. The membrane with the outlet openings may have a net-like structure or just a few holes. The domed membrane (s) are preferably placed on the brush head front and back, but can also be placed laterally.
- (b) The membranes with the openings form a kind of flexible concertina or bellows structure on the brush head side or rear side. The tips of the accordion structure serve as cleaning and Massage elements.
- (c) The membranes with the openings form a kind of fish gill structure on the brush head side. The outlet openings are formed by means of slots in this structure.
- (d) The membranes with the openings form a kind of wart / nub structure, preferably on the brush head side or brush head back side. The outlet openings are funnel-shaped within the elevations.
An den flexiblen Membranen, welche den Hohlbereich begrenzen, werden des weiteren bevorzugt Reinigungs- und Massageelemente aus Weichmaterial angeformt. Dieser Teilaspekt der Erfindung, einen Teil des Bürstenkopfes mit einer flexiblen Membran und diese mit Reinigungs- und/oder Massageelemente aus Weichmaterial auszugestalten, kann vorteilhaft auch für Bürsten benutzt werden, welche keinen Hohlbereich für Wirksubstanzen aufweisen, sondern z.B. nur einen leeren oder gar keinen Hohlbereich. Vorzugsweise werden die Membran und die Reinigungs- und/oder Massageelemente in einem Arbeitsgang gefertigt, insbesondere im Spritzgussverfahren. Es gelingt die Herstellung einer Bürste mit einer besonders elastisch aufgehängten Reinigungs-/Massagestruktur. Soweit nicht spezifisch auf den Hohlbereich bezogen, gelten die folgenden bevorzugten Ausführungen auch für Bürsten ohne Hohlbereich, jedoch mit einer mit einer Reinigungs-/Massagestruktur versehenen Membran.Furthermore, cleaning and massage elements made of soft material are preferably formed on the flexible membranes which delimit the hollow region. This aspect of the invention, a part of the brush head with a flexible membrane and this design with cleaning and / or massage elements made of soft material can be advantageously used for brushes which have no hollow area for active substances, but, for. only an empty or no hollow area. Preferably, the membrane and the cleaning and / or massage elements are manufactured in one operation, in particular by injection molding. It succeeds in the production of a brush with a particularly elastic suspended cleaning / massage structure. Unless specifically related to the hollow area, the following preferred embodiments also apply to brushes without a hollow area, but with a membrane provided with a cleaning / massage structure.
Bei den erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürsten hat das Anformen von Reinigungs- und/oder Massageelementen aus Weichmaterial an einer flexiblen Membran folgende Vorteile:
- (a) Die Oberfläche im Bereich der Austrittsöffnungen werden zusätzlich erhöht, damit werden die Wirksubstanzen möglichst lange am Bürstenkopf gehalten (Retention) und erlauben eine gleichmässige Abgabe während dem Putzvorgang.
- (b) Es ist herstellungstechnisch schwierig, konventionelle Borsten in eine dünne Membrane zu verankern. Die weichelastischen Elemente erhöhen die Reinigungswirkung und damit Effizienz des Bürstenkopfes auf der borstentragenden Seite des Bürstenkopfes.
- (c) Die Flexibilität der Membrane erhöht die Reinigungswirkung der darauf platzierten Reinigungselemente zusätzlich, da sich die flexibel gelagerten Reinigungs- und Massageelemente besser an die unregelmässige Oberfläche des Gebisses, der Mundhöhle, der Zunge oder des Zahnfleisches anpassen kann.
- (d) Der Hohlbereich, welcher mittels flexiblen Membranen begrenzt ist, lässt sich einfacher reinigen (z.B. mit den Fingern oder mit einem Wattestäbchen), da sich die Membrane zur Reinigung in eine entsprechende Position biegen lässt.
- (a) The surface in the area of the outlet openings are additionally increased, so that the active substances are kept as long as possible on the brush head (retention) and allow a uniform delivery during the cleaning process.
- (b) Manufacturing technology makes it difficult to anchor conventional bristles in a thin membrane. The soft-elastic elements increase the cleaning effect and thus efficiency of the brush head on the bristle-carrying side of the brush head.
- (c) The flexibility of the membrane further increases the cleaning effect of the cleaning elements placed thereon, since the flexibly mounted cleaning and massage elements can better adapt to the irregular surface of the dentition, the oral cavity, the tongue or the gums.
- (d) The hollow area, which is bounded by flexible membranes, is easier to clean (eg with your fingers or with a cotton swab), as the membrane can be bent into a suitable position for cleaning.
Die Reinigungs- oder Massageelemente im Bereich der Austrittsöffnungen haben vorzugsweise eine borsten-, lappen- lamellen- oder warzenförmige Geometrie. Diese Elemente sind bevorzugt konisch ausgeformt und werden vorzugsweise aus dem gleichen Material im gleichen Herstellungsschritt wie die Membrane aus der Membrane heraus geformt. Folgende Strukturen kommen z.B. in Frage:
- (a) eine borstenartige Struktur aus den Knotenpunkten einer netzartigen Membrane,
- (b) Massagelappen, -lamellen oder -noppen auf der Bürstenkopfseite oder Bürstenkopfrückseite zur Massage von Zahnfleische, Mundhöhle oder Zunge.
- (a) a bristle-like structure from the nodes of a reticular membrane,
- (b) Massage lobes, lamellae or nubs on the brush head side or brush head back for gum, oral cavity or tongue massage.
Herstellungstechnisch bevorzugt ist, wenn die Reinigungs- und/oder Massageelemente, welche sich im Bereich der Austrittsöffnungen befinden, parallel zur Entformungsrichtung des Bürstenkopfes ausgerichtet sind. Fabrikationstechnisch aufwendiger, aber im Gebrauch wirkungsvoller sind Reinigungs- oder Massageelemente, welche in einem bestimmten Winkel, vorzugsweise im wesentlichen senkrecht, zur allenfalls gewölbten Membranoberfläche ausgerichtet sind.Manufacturing technology is preferred if the cleaning and / or massage elements, which are located in the region of the outlet openings, are aligned parallel to the Entformungsrichtung of the brush head. Fabrication technically complex, but effective in use are cleaning or massage elements, which are aligned at a certain angle, preferably substantially perpendicular to the possibly curved membrane surface.
Die Reinigungs- oder Massageelemente, welche sich im Bereich der Austrittsöffnungen befinden, sind vorzugsweise weniger lang als die konventionellen Borsten in ihrer Umgebung, damit sich während dem Einsatz im Endbereich der Reinigungs- oder Massageelemente eine Art Reservoir für die in Wasser gelöste Wirksubstanz bilden kann.The cleaning or massage elements, which are located in the region of the outlet openings, are preferably less long than the conventional bristles in their environment, so that during use in the end of the cleaning or massage elements can form a kind of reservoir for the active substance dissolved in water.
Neben den Austrittsöffnungen der Membrane können auch die Reinigungs- und Massageelemente selbst Austrittsöffnungen aufweisen, was z.B. bei strohhalmförmigen Borsten, Lamellen und Warzen mit Löchern der Fall ist. Diese haben den Vorteil, dass sie die Wirksubstanz direkt an den Einsatzort bringen können. Mittels Kapillarwirkung kann die Wirksubstanz in diesem Fall einen relativ grossen Weg zurücklegen.In addition to the outlet openings of the membrane, the cleaning and massage elements may themselves have outlet openings, which may be e.g. with straw-shaped bristles, lamellae and warts with holes is the case. These have the advantage that they can bring the active substance directly to the site. By capillary action, the active substance can travel a relatively long way in this case.
In einer weiteren möglichen Ausgestaltungsvariante kann die Membrane selbst im submikroskopischen Bereich Wirkstoffe abgeben bzw. durchlassen, z.B. durch Mikroporosität, Semipermeabilität.In a further possible embodiment variant, the membrane can deliver or pass active substances even in the submicroscopic range, e.g. through microporosity, semipermeability.
Beim Wirksubstanz-Element handelt es sich vorzugsweise um einen Festkörper, welcher sich im Gebrauch im Wasser mindestens teilweise auflöst. Das Wirksubstanz-Element in Festkörperform wird in Form einer Tablette, Pille, einem stabförmigen Element, Platte oder Folie entsprechend dem Hohlbereich ausgeformt. Alternativ und weniger bevorzugt kann auch eine Paste oder knetbare Masse mit einer dynamischen Viskosität, die höher ist als die konventioneller im Handel erhältlicher Pasten (Zahnpasta), eingesetzt werden. Damit kann eine räumlich definierte Gestalt hergestellt werden und sich die Wirksubstanz möglichst lange im Hohlbereich aufhalten. Die Paste kann nach dem Einbringen in den Hohlbereich aushärten, um die Wirksubstanz in diversen Einsätzen abzugeben.The active substance element is preferably a solid which, in use, at least partially dissolves in the water. The active substance element in solid form is in the form of a tablet, pill, a rod-shaped element, plate or foil formed according to the hollow region. Alternatively, and less preferably, a paste or kneadable mass having a dynamic viscosity higher than conventional commercially available pastes (toothpaste) may also be employed. Thus, a spatially defined shape can be produced and the active substance stay as long as possible in the hollow area. The paste can harden after introduction into the hollow region in order to deliver the active substance in various applications.
Die Wirksubstanz lässt sich einfach durch den Benutzer portionieren. Der Festkörper ist bereits in der Verkaufsverpackung fertig vorportioniert. Die Paste lässt sich aufgrund des vorgegebenen Volumens des Hohlbereiches durch den Konsumenten einfach portionieren.The active substance can be easily portioned by the user. The solid is already pre-portioned in the sales packaging. The paste can be simply portioned by the consumer due to the given volume of the hollow area.
Die Wirksubstanzen können gemeinsam mit herkömmlichen Reinigungsmitteln oder unabhängig von diesen eingesetzt werden. Die Bürste ist generell auch ohne Wirksubstanzen mit konventionellen Reinigungsmitteln einsetzbar.The active substances can be used together with conventional cleaning agents or independently of these. The brush can generally also be used without active substances with conventional cleaning agents.
Das Wirksubstanz-Element kann mehrere Phasen mit verschiedenen Wirksubstanzen aufweisen, welche in einem zeitlichen Ablauf je nach Aufbau freigesetzt werden können. Dabei können folgende Alternativen zum Zug kommen:
- (a) Festkörper bestehend aus mehreren Schalen oder Schichten (Abbau einer Schale nach der anderen);
- (b) Festkörper mit flüssigem oder körnigem Kern, welcher nach dem Abbau der Schale freigesetzt wird.
- (a) solids consisting of several shells or layers (peel after shell);
- (b) solid with liquid or granular core, which is released after the shell is broken down.
Es lassen sich folgende Typen von Wirksubstanzen unterscheiden, die zusammen mit einem geeigneten Trägermaterial das Wirksubstanz-Element bilden:
- (a) Zahnpasteähnliche Wirkung, welche eine herkömmliche Pasten erübrigt. Folgende Inhaltstoffe kommen in Frage: Sorbitol, Aromen, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Monofluorophophate, Kreatin, Zink Sulfate, Triclosan, Glycerin, Sodium Saccharin, Propylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Alumina, Trisodium Phosphate, Sodium Fluoride, Betaine, Titanium Dioxide, Cellulose Gum, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate etc.
- (b) Antibakterielle Wirkung zur gelegentlichen Reinigung des Bürstenkopfes im Zahnglas vor oder nach dem Zähneputzen. Folgende Inhaltstoffe kommen in Frage: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Phosphric Acid, Sodium Carbonate, Potassium Carbonate, Sodium Perborate, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Stearate etc.
- (c) Anzeigen des Putzerfolges mittels Einfärben des Plaques auf der Zahnoberfläche mittels Einfärben der Plaquerückstände. Folgende Inhaltstoffe kommen in Frage: Glucose, Maltodextrin, Magnesium Sterate, Aroma, Saccharin, Microcrystaline Cellulose etc.
- (d) Zusatzwirkstoffe, welche in herkömmlichen Pasten nicht vorkommen, deren Wirkung ergänzen oder verstärken. Inhaltstoffe aus (a - c).
- (e) Inhaltsstoffe zur Zahnbleichung (,Bleaching') z.B. mit wasserstoffperoxidhaltigen Inhaltstoffen.
- (f) Zweikomponentensystem aus Wirksubstanzen und speziell dazu entwickelter Zahnpaste. Beim Zusammentreffen entsteht eine chemische oder physikalische Reaktion. Diese Variante ist speziell für Wirksubstanzen vorgesehen, welche nicht in einer Paste integriert werden können, da sie unmittelbar miteinander reagieren würden.
- (a) toothpaste-like action, which is a conventional Pastes are unnecessary. Sorbitol, Flavors, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Monofluorophophate, Creatine, Zinc Sulfate, Triclosan, Glycerol, Sodium Saccharin, Propylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Alumina, Trisodium Phosphate, Sodium Fluoride, Betaine, Titanium Dioxide , Cellulose gum, tetrasodium pyrophosphate etc.
- (b) Antibacterial action for occasionally cleaning the brush head in the tooth glass before or after brushing. Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Sodium Carbonate, Potassium Carbonate, Sodium Perborate, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Stearate, etc.
- (c) displaying the Putzerfolges by coloring the plaque on the tooth surface by means of coloring the plaque residues. The following ingredients are considered: glucose, maltodextrin, magnesium sterate, flavor, saccharin, microcrystaline cellulose etc.
- (d) additional active ingredients, which do not occur in conventional pastes, complement or enhance their effect. Ingredients from (a - c).
- (e) Ingredients for tooth bleaching ('whitening'), for example, with hydrogen peroxide-containing ingredients.
- (f) Two-component system of active substances and specially developed toothpaste. When they meet, a chemical or physical reaction occurs. This variant is specifically intended for active substances, which can not be integrated in a paste, since they would react directly with each other.
Als Trägermaterial kommen beispielsweise biologisch abbaubare Substanzen auf der Basis von Stärke oder mit den Wirksubstanzen nicht chemisch reagierende Kunststoffe in Frage. Ein bevorzugtes Trägermaterial ist Polyox® von Dow Chemicals, ein wasserlösliches Kunstharz auf der Basis von Polyethylenoxid-Polymeren, das sich zur Bildung einer Matrix bzw. eines Trägers für eine Wirksubstanz eignet und ausserdem aufgrund seiner thermoplastischen Eigenschaften auf vielfältige Weise verarbeitet werden kann, z.B. gegossen, gespritzt oder extrudiert.Suitable carrier materials are, for example, biodegradable substances based on starch or plastics which are not chemically reactive with the active substances. A preferred carrier material is Polyox® from Dow Chemicals, a water-soluble resin based on polyethylene oxide polymers, which is suitable for forming a matrix or a carrier for an active substance and also because of its thermoplastic properties can be processed in a variety of ways, such as cast, sprayed or extruded.
Grundsätzlich ist sowohl der Einmalgebrauch eines Wirksubstanz-Elements als auch der Mehrfachgebrauch möglich. Beim Einmalgebrauch verbraucht ein Einsatz der Bürste ein Wirksubstanz-Element. Das Wirksubstanz-Element kann vor jedem Einsatz erneut eingeführt werden oder auch nur gelegentlich zum Einsatz kommen. Beim Mehrfachgebrauch verbraucht ein Einsatz der Bürste nur einen Teil des Wirksubstanz-Elements. Der Benutzer erkennt, wenn die Wirksubstanz aufgebraucht ist, und kann die Bürste anschliessend mittels eines neuen Wirksubstanz-Elements wieder auffüllen. Es versteht sich von selbst, dass die Konzentration bzw. Menge der Wirksubstanz beim vorgesehenen Einmalgebrauch viel niedriger eingestellt wird als beim Mehrfachgebrauch. Beim Einmalgebrauch entspricht die Konzentration ungefähr der Konzentration der Wirksubstanzen konventioneller Pasten. Bei einem allfälligen Mehrfachgebrauch wird die entsprechende Konzentration um ein Mehrfaches erhöht. Zusätzlich zur Konzentration wird die Reichweite/ Benutzungsdauer des Wirksubstanz-Elements auch über die Wasserlöslichkeit und Wasserumspülung/ Öffnungen beeinflusst.Basically, both the single use of an active substance element as well as the multiple use is possible. When used once, use of the brush consumes an active substance element. The active substance element can be reintroduced before each use or even occasionally used. In multiple use, use of the brush consumes only a portion of the active substance element. The user recognizes when the active substance is used up, and can then replenish the brush by means of a new active substance element. It goes without saying that the concentration or amount of the active substance is set much lower in the intended single use than in multiple use. When used once, the concentration corresponds approximately to the concentration of the active ingredients of conventional pastes. In a possible multiple use, the corresponding concentration is increased by a multiple. In addition to the concentration, the range / duration of use of the active substance element is also influenced by the water solubility and water circulation / openings.
Bei Einfach- oder Mehrfachgebrauch kann das System Hohlbereich, Öffnungen und Wasserlöslichkeit des Wirksubstanz-Elements so eingestellt werden, dass damit dem Benutzer eine gewisse Benutzungsdauer angezeigt werden kann (Zeitindikator). Beispielsweise werden die Eigenschaften beim Einmalgebrauch so gewählt, dass der Wirkstoff nach 3 Minuten Putzzeit aufgebraucht ist. Beim Mehrfachgebrauch ist der Wirkstoff beispielsweise nach einer typischen Einsatzzeit von 3 Monaten aufgebraucht, wodurch angezeigt werden kann, dass die gesamte Bürste wegen Verschleiss ausgewechselt werden sollte. Unter oder im Wirksubstanz-Element kann allenfalls sogar ein Schriftzug (z.B. 'Change') versteckt werden, welcher nach dem Aufbrauchen der Wirksubstanz freigelegt und für den Benutzer sichtbar wird und den Benutzer auf den anstehenden Wechsel des Wirksubstanz-Elements oder das empfohlene Wechseln der Bürste aufmerksam macht.In single or multiple use, the system hollow area, openings and water solubility of the active substance element can be set so that the user can be displayed a certain duration of use (time indicator). For example, the Characteristics for single use chosen so that the active substance is used up after 3 minutes of cleaning time. For example, in multiple use, the active ingredient is depleted after a typical 3 month use period, indicating that the entire brush should be replaced due to wear. Under or in the active substance element at best even a lettering (eg 'Change') are hidden, which is exposed after the exhaustion of the active substance and visible to the user and the user to the upcoming change of the active substance element or the recommended change of the brush draws attention.
Um die Oberfläche zu erhöhen, welche mit Wasser umspült wird, kann das Wirksubstanz-Element mit zusätzlichen Ausnehmungen, konkaven oder konvexen Elementen auf der Oberfläche versehen werden.In order to increase the surface, which is lapped with water, the active substance element can be provided with additional recesses, concave or convex elements on the surface.
Die Farbe des Wirksubstanz-Elements wird vorzugsweise derart gewählt, dass sie sich deutlich von Bürstenkopf unterscheidet und der Benutzer den Verbrauch der Wirksubstanz einfach beurteilen kann.The color of the active substance element is preferably chosen so that it differs significantly from brush head and the user can easily judge the consumption of the active substance.
Die Löslichkeit bzw. Zersetzbarkeit der Wirksubstanz und des Trägermaterials ist abhängig von der eingesetzten Wassertemperatur. Der Benutzer kann mittels Steuerung der Wassertemperatur die Abgabe der Menge Wirksubstanz steuern. Bei einer Temperaturerhöhung von 10°C auf 40°C erhöht sich die abgegebene Menge an Wirksubstanz massgeblich.The solubility or decomposability of the active substance and of the carrier material depends on the water temperature used. The user can control the delivery of the amount of active substance by controlling the water temperature. With a temperature increase from 10 ° C to 40 ° C, the delivered amount of active substance increases significantly.
Die Wirksubstanz wird in einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung in eine Brausetablette oder Paste mit Brausewirkung als Trägermaterial eingebunden. Diese Zusatzfunktion erlaubt es dem Benutzer, während des Einsatzes festzustellen, ob die Wirksubstanz bereits aufgebraucht oder immer noch im Hohlbereich vorhanden ist, ohne die Bürste aus dem Mund zu entfernen.The active substance is incorporated in an advantageous development in an effervescent tablet or paste with effervescence as a carrier material. This additional function allows the user to determine during the deployment whether the active substance is already used up or is still present in the hollow area without removing the brush from the mouth.
Vorzugsweise wird die Bürste derart verpackt, dass die Verpackung dem Konsumenten unmissverständlich Bürste und Wirksubstanz-Element zeigt. Vorzugsweise ist das Wirksubstanz-Element neben dem Bürstenkopf platziert. Das Wirksubstanz-Element wird vorzugsweise in einem von der Öffnung der Bürstenverpackung unabhängigen Teil der Verpackung vorgesehen. Damit bleibt das Wirksubstanz-Element bis zur Öffnung der vorgesehenen Portion hygienisch verschlossen. Ein erstes Wirksubstanz-Element ist vorzugsweise in der Verkaufsverpackung bereits im Hohlbereich des Bürstenkopfes platziert. Der Bürstenkopf ist in der Verpackung derart platziert, dass die Eintrittsöffnungen und Austrittsöffnungen gezeigt werden können. Dazu bietet sich insbesondere ein sogenannter Doppelblister an, welcher dem Benutzer die Betrachtung beider Bürstenkopfseiten erlaubt. Neben dem Verkauf von ganzen Bürsten mit Wirksubstanz kann auch nur das Wirksubstanz-Element als Ersatzpackung (Refill) vorgesehen werden. Als alternative Ausgestaltungsvariante kann die Wirksubstanz in einem geeigneten Trägermaterial auch in einem Dispenser zur portionsweisen Abgabe vorgesehen werden. Alternativ zur Einführung des Wirksubstanz-Elements von Hand kann der Bürstenkopf bei dieser Ausgestaltungsvariante in den Dispenser eingeführt werden und die Wirksubstanz anschliessend durch die Einführungsöffnung in den Hohlbereich mechanisch gespendet werden.Preferably, the brush is packaged such that the package unambiguously shows the brush and active substance element to the consumer. Preferably, the active substance element is placed next to the brush head. The active substance element is preferably provided in a part of the packaging which is independent of the opening of the brush packaging. Thus, the active substance element remains hygienically closed until the opening of the intended portion. A first active substance element is preferably already placed in the sales packaging in the hollow region of the brush head. The brush head is placed in the package so that the inlet and outlet openings can be shown. In particular, a so-called double blister offers itself, which allows the user to view both brush head sides. In addition to the sale of whole brushes with active substance, only the active substance element can be provided as a replacement (refill). As an alternative embodiment variant, the active substance may be provided in a suitable carrier material in a dispenser for portionwise delivery. Alternatively to the introduction of the active substance element by hand, the brush head can be introduced in this embodiment variant in the dispenser and the active substance are then donated mechanically through the introduction opening into the hollow area.
Der Hohlbereich kann mittels der folgenden Technologien im Spritzgussverfahren gebildet werden:
- (a) Varianten mit einteiligem Bürstenkopf:
- (a1) Formen des Hohlbereiches mittels Formkernen/Schiebern von der Borstentragenden Kopfseite und/oder von der Bürstenkopfrückseite: Zusätzlich optional mindestens teilweise Zwangsentformung eines bewusst hinterschnittig gewählten Formkernes zur Bildung einer Membrane, welche den Hohlbereich begrenzt. Um deren Zwangsentformung zu vereinfachen, kann die Membrane mittels Luftdruck durch den Formkern aufgebläht und damit die verletzungsfreie Entformung vereinfacht werden. Alternativ kann die Membrane im Bereich der Einführungsöffnung bewusst geschlitzt werden (z.B. mechanisch im Werkzeug mittels Schiebern/Messern), was die Entformung des hinterschnittigen Formkerns ebenfalls begünstigt. Anspritzen optional vorhandener Reinigungs- und Massageelemente während der Herstellung der Membrane.
- (a2) Gleich wie (a1) aber Formen eines Hohlraumes mittels Formkernen/Seitenschiebern zur Bildung eines Tunnels quer durch den Bürstenkopf. Analog kann für die Bildung von Schlitzen in der Einführungsöffnung ebenfalls oben beschriebene Zwangsentformung eingesetzt werden.
- (a3) Der Hohlbereich kann mittels Überspritzen des Wirksubstanz-Elements gebildet werden. Dabei wird das Wirksubstanz-Element an der Hartkomponente im Kopfbereich form- und/oder kraftschlüssig fixiert und in einem weiteren Arbeitsschritt mindestens teilweise vorzugsweise mit der Weichkomponente überspritzt. Das Wirksubstanz-Element dichtet bei dieser alternativen Herstellungsvariante die Austrittöffnungen in der Hartkomponente gegenüber der Weichkomponente ab. Nachteilig bei dieser Variante ist, dass die Wirksubstanz und das Trägermaterial den hohen Temperaturen und Einspritzdrücke der Weichkomponente widerstehen muss und nur teilweise von Wasser umspült werden kann, da sich die Weichkomponente in den überspritzten Bereichen direkt an das Wirksubstanz-Element anschmiegt.
- (a4) Als alternatives Herstellungsverfahren insbesondere bei Lösungen, in welchen das Wirksubstanz-Element für einen Mehrfachgebrauch vorgesehen ist, kann das Wirksubstanz-Element mittels Spritzguss in den Hohlbereich oder eine entsprechende Ausnehmung eingespritzt werden. Dazu werden die Wirksubstanzen vorzugsweise in eine Kunststoffmatrix als Trägermaterial eingebunden, welche sich mit der Hartkomponente des Bürstenkopfes in einem folgenden Spritzgussprozess verbindet. Der Bürstenkopf mit angespritzter Wirksubstanz kann somit in einem Mehrkomponentenspritzgussverfahren hergestellt werden. Das Trägermaterial ist in einer Variante der Erfindung wasserlöslich und kann im Gebrauch ebenfalls ganz oder teilweise aufgelöst werden. Zur Herstellung der Matrix aus dem Trägermaterial werden z.B. Stoffe auf der Basis von Stärke oder andere physiologisch unbedenkliche und abbaubare Stoffe, welche im Spritzgiessprozess verarbeitet werden können, eingesetzt, z.B. Maisstärke oder Polyox®. Alternativ wird eine auf Wasser reagierende und dabei Wirkstoffe abgebende Kunststoffmatrix eingesetzt, welche sich nicht abbaut und ihre ursprüngliche Geometrie im wesentlichen beibehält. Hierfür kommen die oben genannten Hart- oder Weichmaterialien in Frage, denen die Wirksubstanz vor oder beim Spritzgussprozess als Additiv beigemischt wird. Bei dieser Variante ist es vorteilhaft, wenn das Wirksubstanzelement mit der Abgabe der Wirksubstanz seine Farbe ändert oder zumindest verbleicht, um dem Benutzer die Alterung anzuzeigen. Es wird vorzugsweise ein Material eingesetzt, welches sich mit der Hartkomponente oder der Weichkomponente des Bürstenkopfes verbindet. Da Polypropylen PP ein häufiges Hartmaterial zur Herstellung von Zahnbürsten ist, wird vorzugsweise ein Trägermaterial eingesetzt, welches sich mit PP verbindet. Beim Einsatz eines anderen Hartmaterials für den Bürstenkopf wird ein Trägermaterial eingesetzt, welches sich während dem Spritzgussprozess mit diesem Hartmaterial verbindet. Da geeignete Trägermaterialien im Vergleich zu den anderen eingesetzten Materialien relativ teuer sein können, wird vorgeschlagen, das Wirksubstanz-Element im Bürstenkopf oder im Bürstenhals anzuspritzen. Der Anspritzpunkt befindet sich vorzugsweise auf der Bürstenkopfrückseite. Das Wirksubstanz-Element wird bei dieser Ausgestaltungsvariante mittels Spritzguss in eine tabletten- oder pillenartige oder in eine andere oben beschriebene Form gebracht. Bevorzugt wird das Wirksubstanzelement in eine Art Sandwichposition zwischen zwei im Kopf verwendeten Materialen, z.B. einem Hart- und einem Weichmaterial oder zwei möglicherweise identischen Hartmaterialien, eingesetzt. Dabei wird vorteilhafterweise zuerst die Hartkomponente gespritzt, anschliessend das Wirksubstanzelement geformt bzw. gespritzt und anschliessend das Wirksubstanzelement mindestens teilweise mit dem Weich- oder Hartmaterial überdeckt. Alternativ kann das Trägermaterial auch Bestandteil der Borsten oder eventueller gummielastischer Reinigungs- und Massageelemente sein, oder letztere können damit beschichtet sein. Natürlich können auch verschiedene Wirksubstanzelemente mit verschiedenen Wirksubstanzen am oder im Zahnbürstenkopf an verschiedenen Orten angeformt werden. Vorteilhaft wird dann für die unterschiedlichen Elemente eine andere Farbe eingesetzt. Bei der Herstellung des Wirksubstanz-Elements mittels Spritzguss wird das Wirksubstanz-Element zwar nur teilweise mit Wasser umspült, es können jedoch optimale Hinterschneidungen zur Verankerung des Wirksubstanz-Elements gebildet werden.
- (b) Varianten mit mehrteiligem Bürstenkopf:
- (b1) Konventionelles Stopfen oder In Mould Tufting (IMT) und Deckel: Spritzgiessen der Zahnbürste inklusive der borstenseitigen Hälfte des Bürstenkopfes, dabei Formen der borstenseitigen Austrittsöffnungen und allenfalls vorhandener Reinigungselemente aus Weichkomponente - Verankern der konventionellen Borsten im Bürstenkopf - Spritzgiessen der bürstenkopfrückseitigen Hälfte (Deckel) inklusive Öffnungen - lösbares (Schnappen, Schieben, Rasten etc.) oder unlösbares (Kleben, Schweissen, Formschlüssiges Verrasten etc.) Verbinden des Deckels mit der Zahnbürste.
- (b2) Beborsten mittels Anchor Free Tufting (AFT): Spritzgiessen der Zahnbürste inklusive der bürstenkopfrückseitigen Hälfte des Bürstenkopfes inklusive Formen der bürstenkopfrückseitigen Öffnungen - Spritzgiessen der borstenseitigen Hälfte (Borstenplatte) inklusive Öffnungen und allenfalls vorhandener Reinigungselemente aus Weichkomponente - Verankern der konventionellen Borsten in der Borstenplatte - lösbares (Schnappen, Schieben, Rasten etc.) oder unlösbares (Kleben, Schweissen, Formschlüssiges Verrasten etc.) Verbinden der Borstenplatte mit der Zahnbürste.
- (b3) Die Borsten werden auf einer separaten Kopfplatte angebracht; der Hohlraum wird mit dieser und einem weiteren vorzugsweise wiederverschliessbaren Deckel versehen, weniger bevorzugte Variante, da dreiteilig.
- (a) Variants with one-piece brush head:
- (a1) Forming the hollow region by means of mold cores / slides from the bristle-carrying head side and / or from the brush head back side: Additionally optionally at least partially forced removal of a deliberately undercut selected mold core to form a membrane which delimits the hollow region. In order to simplify their forced removal, the membrane can be inflated by means of air pressure through the mandrel and thus the injury-free removal from the mold can be simplified. Alternatively, the membrane can be deliberately slotted in the region of the introduction opening (eg mechanically in the tool by means of slides / knives), which also favors the demoulding of the undercut mandrel. Injection of optionally existing cleaning and massage elements during the production of the membrane.
- (a2) Same as (a1) but forming a cavity by means of mandrels / shifters to form a tunnel across the brush head. Similarly, for the formation of slots in the insertion opening also compulsory removal described above can be used.
- (a3) The hollow region can be formed by overmolding the active substance element. In this case, the active substance element is fixed positively and / or non-positively to the hard component in the head region and, in a further working step, at least partially over-injected with the soft component. In this alternative production variant, the active substance element seals the outlet openings in the hard component with respect to the soft component. A disadvantage of this variant is that the active substance and the carrier material must withstand the high temperatures and injection pressures of the soft component, and can be lapped only partially by water, since the soft component in the overmolded areas conforms directly to the active substance element.
- (a4) As an alternative manufacturing method, in particular in solutions in which the active substance element is intended for multiple use, the active substance element can be injected by means of injection molding into the hollow region or a corresponding recess. For this purpose, the active substances are preferably incorporated into a plastic matrix as carrier material, which connects to the hard component of the brush head in a subsequent injection molding process. The brush head with molded active substance can thus be produced in a multi-component injection molding process. The carrier material is water-soluble in a variant of the invention and can also be completely or partially dissolved in use. For the production of the matrix from the carrier material, for example, substances based on starch or other physiologically harmless and degradable substances which can be processed in the injection molding process are used, for example maize starch or Polyox®. Alternatively, a water-reactive and thereby active substance-releasing plastic matrix is used, which does not degrade and substantially retain its original geometry. For this purpose, the above-mentioned hard or soft materials in question, where the active substance before or during the injection molding process is added as an additive. In this variant, it is advantageous if the active substance element changes color with the delivery of the active substance or at least fades in order to indicate the aging to the user. It is preferably used a material which is compatible with the hard component or the soft component of the brush head combines. Since polypropylene PP is a common hard material for the production of toothbrushes, it is preferable to use a carrier material which combines with PP. When using another hard material for the brush head, a carrier material is used, which connects during the injection molding process with this hard material. Since suitable support materials can be relatively expensive compared to the other materials used, it is proposed to inject the active substance element in the brush head or in the brush neck. The injection point is preferably located on the brush head back. The active substance element is brought in this embodiment variant by injection molding in a tablet or pill-like or in another form described above. Preferably, the active substance element is used in a kind of sandwich position between two materials used in the head, for example a hard and a soft material or two possibly identical hard materials. In this case, the hard component is advantageously sprayed first, then molded or sprayed the active substance element and then the active substance element at least partially covered with the soft or hard material. Alternatively, the carrier material may also be part of the bristles or any rubber-elastic cleaning and massage elements, or the latter may be coated therewith. Of course, various active substance elements with different active substances can be formed on or in the toothbrush head at different locations. Advantageously, a different color is then used for the different elements. In the production of the active substance element by injection molding, the active substance element is indeed only partially water lapped, however, it can be formed optimal undercuts for anchoring the active substance element.
- (b) Variants with a multi-part brush head:
- (b1) Conventional stuffing or in mold tufting (IMT) and lid: Injection molding of the toothbrush including the bristle side half of the brush head, forms of the bristle - side outlet openings and possibly existing cleaning components made of soft component - Anchoring of the conventional bristles in the brush head - Injection of the brush head side half (lid ) including openings - detachable (snapping, pushing, latching, etc.) or insoluble (gluing, welding, positive locking, etc.) Connecting the lid with the toothbrush.
- (b2) Anchoring by Anchor Free Tufting (AFT): Injection of the toothbrush including the brush head back of the brush head including molds on the back of the brush head - Injection of the bristle side (bristle plate) including openings and any soft component cleaning elements - Anchoring the conventional bristles in the bristle plate - detachable (snapping, pushing, latching, etc.) or insoluble (gluing, welding, positive locking, etc.) Connecting the bristle plate with the toothbrush.
- (b3) The bristles are mounted on a separate top plate; the cavity is provided with this and another preferably reclosable lid, less preferred variant, since three parts.
Für alle diskutierten Varianten ist es möglich, die Wirksubstanz und das Trägermaterial in einem anderen Aggregatzustand als im späteren Gebrauch in den Bürstenkopf ein- oder daran anzubringen. Die Wirksubstanz kann beispielsweise in flüssiger Form (z.B. durch Erhitzen oder mit einem Lösungsmittel versetzt) in den Hohlraum gegossen oder gespritzt werden. Nach dem Aushärten entsteht das Wirksubstanzelement, welches im Gebrauch mit Wasser die entsprechenden Wirkstoffe abgibt. Das Wirksubstanz-Element wird vorzugsweise vor dem Anbringen der Reinigungselemente wie Borsten etc. in den Hohlraum eingebracht.For all variants discussed, it is possible that the active substance and the carrier material in a different physical state than in later use in the Brush head on or to attach. The active substance can, for example, be poured or sprayed into the cavity in liquid form (for example by heating or with a solvent). After curing, the active substance element is formed, which releases the corresponding active ingredients in use with water. The active substance element is preferably introduced into the cavity before attaching the cleaning elements such as bristles etc.
Das Anspritzen der Membrane mit allenfalls vorhandenen Reinigungs- und Massageelementen kann vor oder nach dem Einsetzen der konventionellen Borsten durchgeführt werden.Injection of the membrane with any existing cleaning and massage elements can be performed before or after the onset of conventional bristles.
Die Herstellung der Schlitze für die Eintrittsöffnung kann mittels folgenden Verfahren erfolgen:
- (a) Ausformen der Segmente und Schlitze im getrennten Zustand mittels Spritzguss.
- (b) Ausformen einer dünnen Materialbrücke innerhalb der Schlitze als Erstöffnungssicherung und zum Durchtrennen durch den Benutzer während des ersten Gebrauchs.
- (c) Ausformen der Membrane im geschlossenen Zustand. Erstellen der Schlitze mittels einem mechanischem Verfahren (z.B. Schneiden, Stanzen etc.) in einem späteren Zeitpunkt (Z.B. im Spritzgusswerkzeug, bei der Montage des Bürstenkopfes oder während des Beborstungsprozesses).
- (A) molding of the segments and slots in the separated state by injection molding.
- (b) forming a thin bridge of material within the slots as a first-opening safeguard and cut-through by the user during first use.
- (c) forming the membrane in the closed state. Creating the slots by means of a mechanical process (eg cutting, punching, etc.) at a later time (eg in the injection mold, during assembly of the brush head or during the bristling process).
Die Anspritzpunkte für die Membrane und allenfalls darauf platzierten Reinigungs- oder Massageelementen sind möglichst innerhalb des Kopfes oder im Halsbereich der Bürste zu wählen. Allenfalls können im gleichen Arbeitsgang mit demselben Material auch Bereiche aus Weichmaterial im Griff der Zahnbürste hergestellt werden.The injection points for the membrane and any cleaning or massage elements placed on it should be selected as far as possible within the head or in the neck region of the brush. At most, areas of soft material can be made in the handle of the toothbrush in the same operation with the same material.
Vorzugsweise werden die Reinigungs- oder Massageelemente, welche im Bereich der Membrane angeordnet sind, mit demselben Material in einem Arbeitsgang mit der Membrane hergestellt. Mit der Wahl einer Weichkomponente mit einer Shore A Härte von weniger als 70, vorzugsweise weniger als 40, kann ein Kompromiss zwischen der Funktionalität der Membrane ((a)Flexibilität: Pumpwirkung, Reinigungsunterstützung, Einführung der Wirksubstanz, (b) Haftung am Hartmaterial etc.) und Steifheit der Reinigungs- oder Massageelemente (Reinigungswirkung, Massagewirkung) gefunden werden. Die Anbindung der Membranen aus Weichmaterial an die Hartkomponente des Bürstenkopfes erfolgt vorzugsweise im Mehrkomponentenspritzguss. Um eine optimale Haftung der Membrane an der Hartkomponente zu gewährleisten, ist darauf zu achten, dass die Membrane nicht Kante auf Kante an die Hartkomponente angespritzt wird, sondern in der Hartkomponente eine Phase/Ausnehmung vorgesehen wird, welche die gemeinsame Oberfläche zwischen Hart- und Weichkomponente der Membrane erhöht. Dazu wird vorzugsweise auf dem überwiegenden Bereich der Anbindung der Membrane an die Hartkomponente ein Geometrieelement von 0,1 - 2 mm Tiefe/Länge zur besseren Anbindung der Membrane gebildet.Preferably, the cleaning or massage elements, which are arranged in the region of the membrane, made with the same material in one operation with the membrane. With the choice of a soft component with a Shore A hardness of less than 70, preferably less than 40, a compromise between the functionality of the membrane ((a) flexibility: pumping action, cleaning support, introduction of the active substance, (b) adhesion to the hard material, etc. ) and stiffness of the cleaning or massage elements (cleaning effect, massage effect) can be found. The connection of the membranes of soft material to the hard component of the brush head is preferably carried out in multi-component injection molding. In order to ensure optimum adhesion of the membrane to the hard component, it is important to ensure that the membrane is not molded edge to edge on the hard component, but in the hard component of a phase / recess is provided, which is the common surface between hard and soft component the membrane increases. For this purpose, a geometry element of 0.1 to 2 mm depth / length is preferably formed on the predominant region of the connection of the membrane to the hard component for better connection of the membrane.
Das erste Einführen des Wirksubstanz-Elements in den Bürstenkopf kann durch den Konsumenten beim ersten Gebrauch oder während des Herstellungsprozesses der Bürste vorgesehen sein. Dazu bieten sich speziell die Verfahren mit einem zweiteiligen Bürstenkopf, insbesondere mittels AFT, an. Beim AFT-Verfahren wird das Wirksubstanz-Element im Zahnbürstenkopf platziert, bevor die beborstete AFT Platte mit dem Zahnbürstengriff unlösbar verschweisst wird. Das AFT Verfahren bietet sich generell dafür an, zwischen der beborsteten AFT Platte und dem Zahnbürstengriff ein zusätzliches Bauteil oder Element zu platzieren.The first introduction of the active substance element into the brush head may be provided by the consumer during the first use or during the manufacturing process of the brush. For this purpose, the methods with a two-part brush head, in particular by means of AFT, are particularly suitable. In the AFT procedure, the active substance element is placed in the toothbrush head before the bristled AFT plate is indissolubly welded with the toothbrush handle. The AFT process generally lends itself between the bristled AFT plate and the Toothbrush handle to place an additional component or element.
Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung sind in den Zeichnungen dargestellt und nachfolgend beschrieben. Es zeigen rein schematisch:
- Fig. 1-4
- verschiedene Darstellungen eines Kopfteils einer Zahnbürste;
- Fig. 5-7
- verschiedene Möglichkeiten zur Gestaltung des Hohlbereichs bei einer Zahnbürste gemäss
Fig. 1-4 ; - Fig. 8, 9
- verschiedene Darstellungen eines Kopfteils einer Zahnbürste mit einer flexiblen Biegezone;
- Fig. 10, 11
- verschiedene Darstellungen eines Kopfteils einer Zahnbürste mit einer in der Aufsicht kreisförmigen flexiblen Zone;
- Fig. 12, 13
- verschiedene Darstellungen eines Kopfteils einer Zahnbürste mit einer flexiblen Zone an der Bürstenkopfspitze;
- Fig. 14, 15
- verschiedene Darstellungen eines Kopfteils einer Zahnbürste mit mehreren Clustern von Austrittsöffnungen;
- Fig. 16-21
- Beispiele für verschiedene Formen des flexiblen Bereichs bei einer erfindungsgemässen Zahnbürste;
- Fig. 22, 23
- verschiedene Darstellungen eines Kopfteils einer Zahnbürste mit Austrittsöffnungen an der Rückseite;
- Fig. 24-27
- Beispiele für verschiedene Formen des Wirksubstanz-Elements und daran angepasste Hohlbereiche;
- Fig. 28
- eines Kopfteils einer Zahnbürste mit trichterförmigen Austrittsöffnungen an der Rückseite;
- Fig. 29
- eine Zahnbürste mit einem Hohlbereich im Halsbereich;
- Fig. 30-32
- verschiedene Montagevarianten für eine Zahnbürste mit Hohlbereich;
- Fig. 33
- eine Zahnbürste mit einem bei der Herstellung umspritzten Wirksubstanz-Element;
- Fig. 34, 35
- ein Beispiel für eine selbsterklärende Verpackung für eine erfindungsgemässe Zahnbürste;
- Fig. 36
- eine Haushaltsbürste gemäss der Erfindung.
- Fig. 1-4
- various illustrations of a head portion of a toothbrush;
- Fig. 5-7
- various possibilities for the design of the hollow area in a toothbrush according to
Fig. 1-4 ; - Fig. 8, 9
- various illustrations of a head portion of a toothbrush with a flexible bending zone;
- 10, 11
- various views of a head portion of a toothbrush with a circular in plan view flexible zone;
- Fig. 12, 13
- various illustrations of a head portion of a toothbrush with a flexible zone on the brush head tip;
- Fig. 14, 15th
- various views of a head portion of a toothbrush with multiple clusters of outlet openings;
- Fig. 16-21
- Examples of different forms of the flexible region in a toothbrush according to the invention;
- Fig. 22, 23
- various illustrations of a head portion of a toothbrush with outlet openings at the back;
- Fig. 24-27
- Examples of Various Forms of Active Ingredient Member and Hollow Regions Matched to Them;
- Fig. 28
- a head part of a toothbrush with funnel-shaped outlet openings on the rear side;
- Fig. 29
- a toothbrush with a hollow area in the neck area;
- Fig. 30-32
- various installation variants for a toothbrush with a hollow area;
- Fig. 33
- a toothbrush having an active substance element encapsulated in the preparation;
- Fig. 34, 35th
- an example of a self-explanatory packaging for a toothbrush according to the invention;
- Fig. 36
- a household brush according to the invention.
In den Zeichnungen sind funktionsgleiche Elemente jeweils mit den gleichen Bezugszeichen versehen.
Statt eines Weichmaterials können die Membranen 26, 28 auch aus einer Hartkomponente bei entsprechend geringer Wandstärke hergestellt sein, um die nötige Flexibilität zu erreichen. Die Verwendung einer Weichkomponente hat aber insofern Vorteile, als die Verankerung von Reinigungselementen in einer dünnen Hartmaterialschicht herstellungstechnisch problematisch, das gleichzeitige Anspritzen von weichelastischen Elementen an eine weiche Membran jedoch unproblematisch ist. Alternativ kann auch eine Kombination von Hart- und Weichmaterialien die Membrane bilden. Dabei werden die flexiblen Elemente der Membrane und Reinigungselemente aus Weichmaterial gebildet. Die Hartkomponente bildet lediglich strukturgebende, stabilisierende Elemente der Membrane oder dient lediglich als herstellungstechnisch bedingte Materialverbindung.Instead of a soft material, the
Wie in
Bei den Beispielen aus
Bei den Beispielen gemäss
Bei
Beim Beispiel aus
Beim in
In allen Beispielen der
Beim Beispiel aus
Bei
Bei
Bei allen Beispielen ergibt sich die Flexibilität der Wand des Hohlbereichs 22 durch die Wahl eines Wandmaterials mit einer gewissen Elastizität, insbesondere indem wenigstens eine Membran aus Weichmaterial 32 vorhanden ist, und/oder durch die insgesamt bestehende Biegeelastizität des aus Hart- und/oder Weichmaterial bestehenden Bürste. Solange der ausreichende Kontakt mit Wasser bzw. die ausreichende Auflösung der Wirksubstanz gewährleistet ist, reicht es aus, wenn die Pump-/Sogwirkung bzw. Volumenänderung des Hohlbereichs aufgrund des Putzdrucks nur gering bis gar nicht vorhanden ist.In all examples, the flexibility of the wall of the
Die oben gezeigten Ausgestaltungsvarianten können selbstverständlich auch bei elektrischen Zahnbürsten eingesetzt werden. Die mechanische Bewegung oder Vibration mindestens eines Teils des Bürstenkopfes begünstigt den Flüssigkeitsaustausch in und aus dem Hohlbereich zusätzlich. Falls der Bürstenkopf in einen bewegliches und einen nicht bewegliches Bürstenkopfsegment unterteilt wird, wird der Hohlbereich, innerhalb der oben beschriebenen Varianten, vorzugsweise im nicht beweglichen Segment untergebracht.The embodiment variants shown above can of course also be used in electric toothbrushes. The mechanical movement or vibration of at least a part of the brush head additionally promotes the fluid exchange into and out of the hollow area. If the brush head is subdivided into a movable and a non-movable brush head segment, the hollow region, within the variants described above, is preferably accommodated in the non-movable segment.
Im Rahmen der Erfindung bewegen sich auch Kombinationen von Elementen der gezeigten Beispiele.Within the scope of the invention, combinations of elements of the examples shown also move.
Eine Bürste mit einer flexiblen Membran im Kopfteil, welche Reinigungs- und/oder Massgageelemente trägt, hat auch ohne einen darunter liegenden Hohlbereich bzw. ohne ein im Hohlbereich eingebrachtes Wirksubstanz-Element Vorteile, insbesondere wegen der flexiblen Aufhängung der Reinigungs- und/oder Massgageelemente. Alle gezeigten Beispiele lassen sich entsprechend abwandeln, z.B. indem kein Hohlbereich oder ein nicht mit der Aussenwelt kommunizierender Hohlbereich vorgesehen wird. Hierzu bieten sich insbesondere die in
Claims (23)
- A toothbrush with a head part (10) having a cleaning structure (12) that in particular comprises bristles (14), with a handle part (62) and with a neck part (52), wherein a cavity (22) with at least one outlet opening (36) for an active substance is located in the head part (10), the head part (10) has at least one hard component (30) and at least one soft component (32) and pliable elements (16) produced from the soft component (32) are arranged in direct proximity to the outlet opening (36), said pliable elements increasing the surface in the proximity to the outlet opening (36), characterized in that the head part (10) has, on the rear face of the brush head part, a half with a saucer-shaped depression, which upon connection to a support plate (56) forms the cavity (22), the support plate (56) has at least one opening which is closed with the soft component (32) to form a membrane (26) and pliable elements (16), the outlet opening (36) is formed in the soft component (32) and the support plate (56) is provided with bristles.
- Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the pliable elements (16) in the area of the outlet opening (36) have a bristle-shaped, lobe-shaped, lamella-shaped or nipple-shaped geometry.
- Toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outlet openings (36) in the area of the surface of the toothbrush are designed widening in particular in a funnel shape.
- Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pliable elements (16) are formed as cleaning or massaging elements, preferably for the palate and the tongue.
- Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pliable elements (16) are less long than the conventional bristles (14) in their vicinity.
- Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the pliable elements (16), which are preferably formed as massage lobes, massage lamellas or massage knobs, are used for massaging the gums, oral cavity or tongue.
- Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pliable elements (16) themselves have outlet openings (36).
- Toothbrush according to claim 7, characterized in that the pliable elements (16) are formed as straw-shaped bristles, lamellas or nipples with holes.
- Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the toothbrush is flexible at least in the area of the cavity (22).
- Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cavity (22) is at least partially delimited by a flexible wall (26, 28).
- Toothbrush according to claim 10, characterized in that the flexible wall (26, 28) is made of the soft component (32).
- Toothbrush according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the shape and the material of the membrane (26) are adapted to one another in such a way that an active substance element (24) inserted into the cavity (22) is, in the original state as well as in the partially dissolved state, fixed with pretensioning in the cavity (22), in particular by being pressed resiliently against the inner wall of the cavity (22) or against any projections (40) on the inner wall, respectively.
- Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the soft component has a Shore A hardness of less than 70, preferably of less than 40.
- Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that conventional bristles (14) made of polyamide or polyester are anchored on the support plate (56).
- Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that mechanical properties of the pliable elements (16), for example dimensions, flexibility, material, are adapted to the effect that is to be achieved with the active substance.
- Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the cavity (22) is adapted to the shape of an active substance element (24) having a defined external shape, and in that the volume of the cavity (22) is greater than the volume of the active substance element (24).
- Toothbrush according to claim 16, characterized in that, on its inner wall, the cavity (22) has projections (40) or other geometric elements that position the inserted active substance element (24) in the cavity (22), preferably in a clamping manner.
- Toothbrush according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the active substance element (24) is a solid body or a highly viscous, dimensionally stable paste.
- Toothbrush according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the active substance element (24) contains an indicator, such that the active substance element (24) changes its color or fades over the period of use.
- Toothbrush according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the active substance element (24) is produced by hardening of a substance that has been introduced, in particular injected by injection molding, in liquid form into the cavity (22).
- Toothbrush according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that the active substance element (24) comprises a carrier for the active substance, which releases the active substance upon contact with water.
- Toothbrush according to claim 21, characterized in that the carrier, preferably made of a physiologically safe and biodegradable material, in particular based on starch, is water-soluble and is preferably processed by injection molding.
- Toothbrush according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the carrier is made of a water-insoluble material, for example of a polymer, which is preferably processed by injection molding.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP10011705.0A EP2335521B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-09-07 | Brush, in particular a toothbrush |
EP15187837.8A EP3000351B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-09-07 | Tooth brush and method for the manufacture of a tooth brush |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP20040022614 EP1639913B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2004-09-22 | Brush, in particular toothbrush and method of making thereof |
EP10011705.0A EP2335521B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-09-07 | Brush, in particular a toothbrush |
EP05785195.8A EP1796507B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-09-07 | Brush, in particular toothbrush and associated production method |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP05785195.8 Division | 2005-09-07 | ||
EP05785195.8A Division EP1796507B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-09-07 | Brush, in particular toothbrush and associated production method |
Related Child Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP15187837.8A Division EP3000351B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-09-07 | Tooth brush and method for the manufacture of a tooth brush |
EP15187837.8A Division-Into EP3000351B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-09-07 | Tooth brush and method for the manufacture of a tooth brush |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2335521A1 EP2335521A1 (en) | 2011-06-22 |
EP2335521B1 true EP2335521B1 (en) | 2015-12-16 |
Family
ID=34926668
Family Applications (4)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20040022614 Expired - Lifetime EP1639913B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2004-09-22 | Brush, in particular toothbrush and method of making thereof |
EP15187837.8A Active EP3000351B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-09-07 | Tooth brush and method for the manufacture of a tooth brush |
EP10011705.0A Not-in-force EP2335521B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-09-07 | Brush, in particular a toothbrush |
EP05785195.8A Not-in-force EP1796507B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-09-07 | Brush, in particular toothbrush and associated production method |
Family Applications Before (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20040022614 Expired - Lifetime EP1639913B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2004-09-22 | Brush, in particular toothbrush and method of making thereof |
EP15187837.8A Active EP3000351B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-09-07 | Tooth brush and method for the manufacture of a tooth brush |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP05785195.8A Not-in-force EP1796507B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-09-07 | Brush, in particular toothbrush and associated production method |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (6) | US8109686B2 (en) |
EP (4) | EP1639913B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE534314T1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006032367A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (89)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8806695B2 (en) | 2002-08-09 | 2014-08-19 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement having flexibly supported cleaning elements extending in opposite directions |
US8240937B2 (en) | 2002-09-05 | 2012-08-14 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement with bead retention |
US7478959B2 (en) | 2002-09-05 | 2009-01-20 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care toothbrush |
HU227090B1 (en) * | 2006-11-21 | 2010-06-28 | Istvan Piller | Cleaning device for teeth and gingiva using carbon dioxide made in situ |
US8517728B2 (en) | 2007-01-24 | 2013-08-27 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement having fluid delivery system |
US8075216B2 (en) * | 2007-01-25 | 2011-12-13 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement housing an oral care agent |
US8240936B2 (en) * | 2007-02-22 | 2012-08-14 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush having soft tissue cleaning elements |
DE102007021314A1 (en) * | 2007-05-07 | 2008-11-13 | Gerresheimer Wilden Ag Schweiz | toothbrush |
US8881332B2 (en) | 2007-08-17 | 2014-11-11 | Lise W. Noble | Toothbrush system utilizing oral care capsule |
US8156599B2 (en) * | 2007-10-03 | 2012-04-17 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement having a head insert |
MX370239B (en) | 2008-05-06 | 2019-12-06 | Colgate Palmolive Co | Implement having a reaction and delivery system. |
MY159356A (en) | 2008-06-04 | 2016-12-30 | Colgate Palmolive Co | Oral care implement with cavitation system |
US8595887B2 (en) * | 2008-06-14 | 2013-12-03 | Werner Hiltmann | Brush |
US8459892B2 (en) * | 2008-06-25 | 2013-06-11 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
AU2014202126B2 (en) * | 2008-06-25 | 2016-03-03 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement with channel from store to first and second face of the head |
AU2012202440B2 (en) * | 2008-06-25 | 2014-01-16 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement with channel from store to first and second face of the head |
US8282298B2 (en) | 2008-06-26 | 2012-10-09 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
RU2550429C2 (en) | 2008-12-30 | 2015-05-10 | Конинклейке Филипс Электроникс, Н.В. | Dental cleaning tray with different bristle sections for different dental regions |
USD660599S1 (en) * | 2009-02-05 | 2012-05-29 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush |
US8113729B2 (en) * | 2009-07-08 | 2012-02-14 | Dental Development Systems, Llc | Toothpaste droplets |
WO2011025810A1 (en) * | 2009-08-26 | 2011-03-03 | Gmz Associates, Ltd | Environmentally friendly toothbrush |
US8529150B2 (en) | 2009-09-23 | 2013-09-10 | Richard Carl Olson | Toothbrush device |
US8500766B2 (en) * | 2009-12-18 | 2013-08-06 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement multiple soft tissue cleaner components |
USD632484S1 (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2011-02-15 | Eduardo Jimenez | Toothbrush handle with tissue cleaner |
USD654695S1 (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2012-02-28 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush |
USD675830S1 (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2013-02-12 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush |
USD654696S1 (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2012-02-28 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush handle with tissue cleaner |
USD654270S1 (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2012-02-21 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush handle |
RU2514602C1 (en) | 2010-02-26 | 2014-04-27 | Колгейт-Палмолив Компани | Fluid supply system for oral care device |
US8398326B2 (en) | 2010-03-04 | 2013-03-19 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Fluid dispensing oral care implement |
TWI462709B (en) | 2010-03-31 | 2014-12-01 | Colgate Palmolive Co | Oral care implement with rapid flavor release |
BR112012022937A2 (en) * | 2010-03-31 | 2016-08-02 | Colgate Palmolive Co | oral care implement |
EP2604141B1 (en) * | 2010-08-12 | 2018-12-05 | Mitsubishi Pencil Company, Limited | Application tool |
US9510667B2 (en) * | 2010-08-16 | 2016-12-06 | Theg, Inc. | Disposable toothbrush |
US20120055497A1 (en) * | 2010-09-03 | 2012-03-08 | Marni Markell Hurwitz | Oral hygiene implement and method of use |
EP2452780B1 (en) * | 2010-11-12 | 2015-01-07 | Dental Care Innovation GmbH | System for cleaning teeth |
CN103261053B (en) | 2010-12-15 | 2015-01-07 | 高露洁-棕榄公司 | Oral care kit and dispenser for use with the same |
US20130276815A1 (en) * | 2010-12-22 | 2013-10-24 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care kit |
BR112013016681A2 (en) * | 2011-01-04 | 2016-10-04 | Trisa Holding Ag | toothbrush, method for producing a toothbrush, and apparatus for producing a toothbrush |
US9402700B2 (en) | 2011-03-09 | 2016-08-02 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Interdental cleaning device |
EP2848156B1 (en) | 2011-03-28 | 2016-05-18 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush having oral care fluid delivery |
RU2013150865A (en) | 2011-04-15 | 2015-05-20 | Колгейт-Палмолив Компани | Oral Care Kit |
US20120272468A1 (en) * | 2011-04-26 | 2012-11-01 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Oral Care Device Comprising A Synthetic Polymer Derived From A Renewable Resource And Methods Of Producing Said Device |
EP2701548B1 (en) | 2011-04-29 | 2015-04-08 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement having visual indicator of depletion of a fluid |
US9756931B2 (en) | 2011-11-22 | 2017-09-12 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Method for producing a toothbrush having an inner cavity |
US9510664B2 (en) | 2011-11-22 | 2016-12-06 | The Procter & Gamble Co | Toothbrush having an inner cavity |
BR112014012221B1 (en) | 2011-11-22 | 2020-06-30 | The Procter & Gamble Company | method for producing a toothbrush that has an internal cavity |
US9420877B2 (en) | 2011-11-22 | 2016-08-23 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Method for producing a toothbrush having an inner cavity |
US9463593B2 (en) | 2011-11-22 | 2016-10-11 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Method for producing a toothbrush having an inner cavity |
US20130000659A1 (en) * | 2011-12-01 | 2013-01-03 | Davis John J | Toothbrush/toothpaste fluoride dosing toothbrush, system and method |
DE102011122106A1 (en) * | 2011-12-22 | 2013-06-27 | Carl Freudenberg Kg | Broom block with bristle structure |
KR20140143159A (en) | 2012-03-01 | 2014-12-15 | 콜게이트-파아므올리브캄파니 | Oral care implement |
US20130266361A1 (en) * | 2012-04-09 | 2013-10-10 | Jeffrey A. Gilbert | Disposable Toothbrush Having an Internal Toothpaste Cartridge |
EP3729997B1 (en) | 2012-07-02 | 2022-08-24 | Trisa Holding AG | Method for producing an interdental brush |
RU2601930C1 (en) | 2012-10-26 | 2016-11-10 | Колгейт-Палмолив Компани | Oral care device |
KR102046534B1 (en) | 2013-01-25 | 2019-11-19 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Methods for processing substrates |
RU2016117288A (en) | 2013-11-05 | 2017-12-11 | Колгейт-Палмолив Компани | ORAL CARE DEVICE |
WO2016015237A1 (en) | 2014-07-30 | 2016-02-04 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement and method of manufacturing an oral care implement |
FR3024942B1 (en) * | 2014-08-19 | 2016-08-19 | Oreal | TANK CAP |
TR201906698T4 (en) * | 2014-09-29 | 2019-05-21 | Koninklijke Philips Nv | Oral care device with a pumpless liquid dispensing system. |
US10595628B2 (en) * | 2014-12-23 | 2020-03-24 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
DE202015009203U1 (en) * | 2015-04-10 | 2016-11-21 | Klemens Hanses | Toilet brush with a detergent container |
EP3370567A1 (en) | 2015-11-04 | 2018-09-12 | Trisa Holding AG | Body care brush with injection-molded bristles |
US9700127B2 (en) * | 2015-11-10 | 2017-07-11 | Dr. Bob's Ltd. | Toothbrush having tufted bristles and tongue brush bristles emanating from the same surface |
US10165852B1 (en) * | 2016-04-05 | 2019-01-01 | William R. Christman | Teeth cleaning implement |
BR112018069790A2 (en) | 2016-04-20 | 2019-01-29 | Trisa Holding Ag | brush product and process to produce it |
USD825741S1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2018-08-14 | Water Pik, Inc. | Oral irrigator handle |
US11000117B2 (en) | 2016-12-20 | 2021-05-11 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Fluid dispensing implement having curly tube with vent openings |
WO2018118588A1 (en) | 2016-12-20 | 2018-06-28 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Fluid supply apparatus and personal care implement containing the same |
AU2017382717B2 (en) | 2016-12-20 | 2020-05-21 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Fluid supply apparatus and personal care implement containing the same |
MX2019006921A (en) | 2016-12-20 | 2019-09-02 | Colgate Palmolive Co | Liquid supply apparatus and personal care implement containing the same. |
US11179231B2 (en) | 2017-03-16 | 2021-11-23 | Water Pik, Inc. | Oral irrigator handle for use with oral agent |
US11071854B2 (en) * | 2017-06-27 | 2021-07-27 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
EP3470015B1 (en) | 2017-10-11 | 2021-07-07 | Trisa Holding AG | Electrical toothbrush handle and electric toothbrush with the electric toothbrush handle and with a brush head |
DE102017220748A1 (en) * | 2017-11-21 | 2019-05-23 | M+C Schiffer Gmbh | toothbrush |
WO2019104288A1 (en) | 2017-11-27 | 2019-05-31 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
US10849419B2 (en) | 2018-03-08 | 2020-12-01 | Olson Ip Technologies, Inc. | Oral care device |
US10674808B2 (en) | 2018-03-23 | 2020-06-09 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement and method of forming the same |
US10849422B2 (en) | 2018-11-13 | 2020-12-01 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Method of sanitizing a toothbrush |
US11484112B2 (en) | 2018-11-13 | 2022-11-01 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Method of whitening teeth |
US10638832B1 (en) | 2018-11-13 | 2020-05-05 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Fluid dispensing oral care implement |
EP3886994A1 (en) | 2018-11-27 | 2021-10-06 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement having a release component |
RU2695822C1 (en) * | 2018-12-12 | 2019-07-29 | Антон Петрович Усов | Toothbrush |
RU189491U1 (en) * | 2018-12-17 | 2019-05-23 | Антон Петрович Усов | Toothbrush |
US10827824B1 (en) * | 2019-05-10 | 2020-11-10 | George S. Ferzli | Personal care brush with single dose dispenser |
RU2706822C1 (en) * | 2019-06-20 | 2019-11-21 | Антон Петрович Усов | Tooth-brush for oral cavity care |
US11051606B2 (en) | 2019-06-28 | 2021-07-06 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement and method of assembling the same |
CN110353397B (en) * | 2019-08-05 | 2024-05-17 | 慈溪赛嘉电子有限公司 | Toothbrush with tooth brush |
GB2604462B (en) * | 2022-04-07 | 2023-06-28 | Ruka Hair Ltd | A selfcare brush |
Family Cites Families (40)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1060524A (en) * | 1911-04-13 | 1913-04-29 | Leonard F Wolfe | Blacking-brush. |
US1797946A (en) * | 1930-01-08 | 1931-03-24 | Eichel Emil | Toothbrush |
US1947720A (en) | 1931-04-09 | 1934-02-20 | Stanley V Laub | Toothbrush |
US1947721A (en) * | 1931-12-30 | 1934-02-20 | Stanley V Laub | Toothbrush |
US1944067A (en) * | 1932-11-04 | 1934-01-16 | Claude R Collins | Fountain toothbrush |
US1995374A (en) * | 1934-04-23 | 1935-03-26 | James D Young | Dentifrice holding toothbrush |
US2127794A (en) * | 1935-02-19 | 1938-08-23 | Wastman Gothard | Dispensing device |
US2216333A (en) * | 1936-06-13 | 1940-10-01 | White | Antisepticized brush |
GB491140A (en) | 1938-02-14 | 1938-08-26 | Eric Leopold Hugo Cosby | Improvements in or relating to brushes |
US2262982A (en) * | 1938-08-24 | 1941-11-18 | Frank E Wolcott | Toothbrush |
US2260100A (en) * | 1940-05-27 | 1941-10-21 | Deitrich | Fountain applicator |
US2778045A (en) * | 1952-10-31 | 1957-01-22 | Bly Isaiah | Dentifrice-containing capsules |
US2739328A (en) * | 1955-01-12 | 1956-03-27 | Dorothy K Bernier | Soap brush |
FR2554331A1 (en) | 1983-11-03 | 1985-05-10 | Corgier Monique | Improved toothbrush |
FR2583625A1 (en) | 1985-06-20 | 1986-12-26 | Barry Christian | Hygienic device for brushing the teeth |
WO1988001839A1 (en) * | 1986-09-08 | 1988-03-24 | Ginebre Frederic | Toothbrush |
US5061106A (en) | 1988-03-08 | 1991-10-29 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush with slow release of disinfectant and antibacterial agents and method of manufacturing the same |
FR2629989A1 (en) | 1988-04-15 | 1989-10-20 | Camara Naby | Toothbrush with lined cell |
BE1001993A7 (en) | 1988-05-24 | 1990-05-15 | Desmedt Robert | Single-use toothbrush with incorporated toothpaste |
US5066155A (en) | 1988-08-29 | 1991-11-19 | English Philip H | Toothbrush and paste dispenser |
FR2646068A1 (en) * | 1989-04-19 | 1990-10-26 | Louin Patrice | Disposable toothbrush incorporating toothpaste tablets |
US5181531A (en) * | 1991-07-18 | 1993-01-26 | Dario Escoto | Tooth cleaning kit for vending machines |
US5346324A (en) | 1991-09-19 | 1994-09-13 | Youti Kuo | Dentifrice dispensing toothbrush with replaceable cartridge |
IT1261302B (en) * | 1992-02-07 | 1996-05-14 | TOOTHBRUSH | |
US5392482A (en) * | 1993-11-26 | 1995-02-28 | Drulias; Dean | Disposable toothbrush |
NL9400631A (en) * | 1994-04-20 | 1995-12-01 | Wilhelmina Walthera Johanna Co | Toothbrush, comprising holder and brush part |
US5490530A (en) | 1994-05-03 | 1996-02-13 | Snowden; Patricia | Disposable toothcare assembly |
ITMI952073A1 (en) | 1995-10-12 | 1997-04-12 | Vittorio Quattrocolo | DISPOSABLE DENTAL CLEANING DEVICE |
GB2323026B (en) | 1997-03-12 | 2001-05-09 | Wisdom Toothbrushes Ltd | Colour-changing wear-indicating filaments |
US5909977A (en) | 1997-03-31 | 1999-06-08 | Kuo; Youti | Dentifrice dispensing toothbrush with refillable cartridge |
US5865195A (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 1999-02-02 | Carter; Theresa | Oral hygiene system |
DE29718117U1 (en) * | 1997-10-13 | 1998-01-22 | Ott, Michael, 26683 Saterland | Toilet brush with an extra 75 cm long style and replaceable, perforated brush head into which a cleaning-disinfection cartridge can be inserted |
GB2375040B (en) * | 1998-10-07 | 2003-04-09 | Christina Elsender | Disposable reservoir toothbrush |
NZ514670A (en) | 1999-03-10 | 2002-09-27 | Tri Concepts Proprietary Ltd | A disposable toothbrush |
DE10013495B4 (en) * | 2000-03-20 | 2004-01-29 | Klemens Hanses | toilet brush |
EP1190643A1 (en) * | 2000-09-20 | 2002-03-27 | Givaudan SA | Device for applying an active material to a surface and containing a single dosage of active material |
ITMI20010045U1 (en) | 2001-01-26 | 2002-07-26 | Vanni Calligaro | PERFECTED TOOTHBRUSH |
US6602013B2 (en) * | 2001-08-27 | 2003-08-05 | Frank Clark | Chewable toothbrush |
US7331731B2 (en) * | 2002-09-05 | 2008-02-19 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care toothbrush |
ES2398653T3 (en) | 2002-09-05 | 2013-03-20 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Disposable toothbrush |
-
2004
- 2004-09-22 AT AT04022614T patent/ATE534314T1/en active
- 2004-09-22 EP EP20040022614 patent/EP1639913B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2005
- 2005-09-07 US US11/662,486 patent/US8109686B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-09-07 EP EP15187837.8A patent/EP3000351B1/en active Active
- 2005-09-07 EP EP10011705.0A patent/EP2335521B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2005-09-07 EP EP05785195.8A patent/EP1796507B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2005-09-07 WO PCT/EP2005/009615 patent/WO2006032367A1/en active Application Filing
-
2011
- 2011-12-30 US US13/341,212 patent/US8408833B2/en active Active
-
2013
- 2013-02-27 US US13/779,032 patent/US8851781B2/en active Active
-
2014
- 2014-08-13 US US14/458,710 patent/US9538837B2/en active Active
-
2016
- 2016-12-07 US US15/371,578 patent/US10390606B2/en active Active
-
2019
- 2019-06-19 US US16/445,757 patent/US10856647B2/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US10390606B2 (en) | 2019-08-27 |
EP1796507A1 (en) | 2007-06-20 |
US20190357666A1 (en) | 2019-11-28 |
WO2006032367A1 (en) | 2006-03-30 |
US8109686B2 (en) | 2012-02-07 |
US20130212823A1 (en) | 2013-08-22 |
US20170079420A1 (en) | 2017-03-23 |
US20080014010A1 (en) | 2008-01-17 |
EP2335521A1 (en) | 2011-06-22 |
EP3000351A1 (en) | 2016-03-30 |
US20140348569A1 (en) | 2014-11-27 |
US20120121312A1 (en) | 2012-05-17 |
EP1639913B1 (en) | 2011-11-23 |
US9538837B2 (en) | 2017-01-10 |
ATE534314T1 (en) | 2011-12-15 |
EP1796507B1 (en) | 2013-10-23 |
EP3000351B1 (en) | 2020-02-12 |
EP1639913A1 (en) | 2006-03-29 |
US8408833B2 (en) | 2013-04-02 |
US8851781B2 (en) | 2014-10-07 |
US10856647B2 (en) | 2020-12-08 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2335521B1 (en) | Brush, in particular a toothbrush | |
EP3445205B1 (en) | Brush product | |
EP2343018B1 (en) | Oral care implement | |
EP2986248B1 (en) | Flosser | |
KR101268182B1 (en) | Oral care implement | |
AU2013407525B2 (en) | Spiral bristle having strand components with different oral care additives, and oral care implement comprising the same | |
EP3370567A1 (en) | Body care brush with injection-molded bristles | |
EP3539417A1 (en) | Toothbrush with injection-moulded bristles | |
RU2567680C2 (en) | Oral care tool containing oral care agent | |
KR20120130009A (en) | Fluid delivery system for an oral care implement | |
AU2022252745B2 (en) | Fluid dispensing oral care implement | |
AU2011224060B2 (en) | Oral care implement |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AC | Divisional application: reference to earlier application |
Ref document number: 1796507 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: P |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20111219 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20141119 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20150702 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AC | Divisional application: reference to earlier application |
Ref document number: 1796507 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: P |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D Free format text: NOT ENGLISH |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 765084 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20160115 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 502005015038 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20151216 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: NV Representative=s name: PATENTANWAELTE SCHAAD, BALASS, MENZL AND PARTN, CH |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160317 Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160418 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160416 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 502005015038 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20160919 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20160930 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20160907 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20160907 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 13 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MM01 Ref document number: 765084 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20160907 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20160930 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20160907 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20050907 Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151216 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20190918 Year of fee payment: 15 Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20190927 Year of fee payment: 15 Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20190925 Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20190925 Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CH Payment date: 20190919 Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 502005015038 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20200907 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210401 Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200930 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200930 Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200907 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200930 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200907 |