EP3607854A1 - Oral hygiene tool, in particular a toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is based on an oral hygiene agent (10), in particular a toothbrush, with at least one application unit (12) with at least one handle unit (14), the at least one handle unit (14) partially consisting of a soft component (16) and partially consisting of a hard component It is proposed that the soft component (16) extend at least over a substantial part of a main extent of the at least one handle unit (14).

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to an oral hygiene agent, in particular a toothbrush.

An oral hygiene agent with at least one application unit with at least one handle unit has already been proposed, the at least one handle unit being formed partly from a soft component and partly from a hard component.

The object of the invention is in particular to provide a generic device with improved properties with regard to comfort and ergonomics. The object is achieved by the features of patent claim 1, while advantageous refinements and developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

Advantages of the invention

The invention is based on an oral hygiene agent, in particular a toothbrush, with at least one application unit, with at least one handle unit, the at least one handle unit being partially made of a soft component and partially made of a hard component.

It is proposed that the soft component extend at least over a substantial part of a main extent of the at least one handle unit. The soft component preferably extends over at least 30%, preferably at least over 50%, preferably at least over 70% and particularly preferably at least over 90% of a main extent of the at least one handle unit. The soft component preferably extends at least over 30%, preferably at least over 50%, preferably at least over 70% and particularly preferably at least over 90% of one Main extension of the oral hygiene product. The oral hygiene agent preferably consists of an application unit with bristles and the handle unit, the application unit in particular having a neck part which connects the application unit to the handle unit. All sub-elements can consist of at least one hard and / or one or more soft components. The soft component preferably forms an in particular continuous soft element, while the hard component forms an in particular continuous hard element.

The inventive design of the oral hygiene agent can provide advantageous properties with regard to ergonomics of the oral hygiene device. In particular, an advantageous graspability of the grip unit can be achieved over an entire grip area. In particular, an advantageous hold, in particular slip resistance, can be provided reliably, regardless of a gripping position. The soft element preferably also forms at least part of the application unit. In particular, it is conceivable that the soft element forms at least one cleaning element, for example a massage element, a tongue cleaner, such as in particular on the back of the oral hygiene agent, or the like. The soft element preferably forms all elements from the soft component of the handle unit and / or the application unit, at least apart from the cleaning element and / or bristles or the like. The soft component preferably forms at least one material connection with the hard component.

An “oral hygiene agent” is to be understood in particular as a toothbrush and / or an interdental cleaner and / or a flosser and / or a tongue cleaner and / or a toothpick. The oral hygiene agent is advantageously designed as a toothbrush, in particular a manual toothbrush, preferably a children's toothbrush, advantageously a purely manual toothbrush. In particular, the oral hygiene agent is different from an electric toothbrush. The oral hygiene agent can be a disposable toothbrush, a reusable toothbrush or an interchangeable toothbrush. The oral hygiene device has in particular a longitudinal axis which is advantageously arranged at least substantially parallel to a main direction of extension of the oral hygiene device. The longitudinal axis preferably extends at least in sections within the oral hygiene device and especially by its focus. In particular, the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device is a central axis of the oral hygiene device and / or a central axis of the handle unit. A “central axis” of an object is to be understood in particular to mean an imaginary axis that runs parallel to a main direction of extent of the object within the object and intersects the object at a maximum of two points. “At least substantially parallel” is to be understood here to mean in particular an orientation of a direction relative to a reference direction, in particular in a plane, the direction relative to the reference direction being a deviation in particular less than 8 °, advantageously less than 5 ° and particularly advantageously smaller than 2 °. A "main direction of extension" of an object is to be understood in particular to mean a direction which runs parallel to a longest edge of a smallest imaginary cuboid which just just completely surrounds the object. In this context, a “main extension” of an object is to be understood in particular as an extension of a longest edge of a smallest imaginary cuboid, which just just completely surrounds the object.

In particular, the oral hygiene agent has a length, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene agent, of at least 120 mm, advantageously of at least 140 mm and particularly advantageously of at least 165 mm and / or of at most 210 mm, advantageously of at most 190 mm and particularly advantageously of at most 185 mm, although other, in particular smaller or larger, lengths are of course also conceivable. In particular, the oral hygiene device has a maximum width, in particular parallel to a width axis of the oral hygiene device, advantageously perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and / or parallel to a main extension plane of the oral hygiene device and / or the handle unit, of at least 8 mm, advantageously of at least 10 mm and particularly advantageously of at least 12 mm and / or at most 22 mm, advantageously at most 20 mm and particularly advantageously at most 17 mm. In particular, the oral hygiene device has a height, in particular measured parallel to a height axis of the oral hygiene device, advantageously measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device and / or perpendicular to the main extension plane of the oral hygiene device, of at least 10 mm, advantageously of at least 12 mm and particularly advantageously of at least 15 mm and / or a maximum of 30 mm, advantageously a maximum of 25 mm and particularly advantageous from a maximum of 19 mm. The term "height" here refers in particular to a state of the oral hygiene agent in which it is deposited, for example on a surface such as a table top, a sink, a furniture top or the like, in particular in such a way that the longitudinal axis is arranged parallel to the surface , A "main plane of extent" of an object is to be understood in particular as a plane which is parallel to a largest side surface of a smallest imaginary cuboid, which still just completely surrounds the object, and runs through the center of the cuboid.

The application unit advantageously has at least one cleaning area which is provided for a tooth cleaning application, in particular in an oral cavity of the user. The cleaning area preferably comprises at least one cleaning unit, in particular at least one brush head, advantageously a toothbrush head, preferably with a plurality of bristles and / or bristle bundles and / or sprayed cleaning elements and / or flexible cleaning elements. However, the cleaning unit can, for example, also be designed as an interdental brush and / or as a single tuft (e.g. a single large bundle of bristles) and / or as a flossed sheet, in particular as a floss, or the like. Furthermore, the application unit advantageously has at least the neck element, which is preferably connected to the cleaning area, in particular directly and / or in one piece. “One-piece” is to be understood in particular to be at least cohesively connected, for example by means of a welding process, an adhesive process, a gating process and / or another process which seems sensible to the person skilled in the art, and / or advantageously formed in one piece, for example by manufacturing a casting and / or by production in a one- or multi-component injection molding process and advantageously from a single blank. “Provided” is to be understood in particular to be specially designed and / or equipped. The fact that an object is provided for a specific function should in particular be understood to mean that the object fulfills and / or executes this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

The oral hygiene agent has in particular a front side and a back side, which are in particular arranged facing away from one another. The cleaning area is preferably arranged on the front of the oral hygiene agent. The The front side is in particular a side of the oral hygiene device that is visible in a viewing direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device and perpendicular to the width axis of the oral hygiene device. The side of the brush on which the thumb is placed is particularly designated as the front of the oral hygiene agent. The front is usually also the side to which the bristle field is directed. The back advantageously corresponds to a side of the oral hygiene agent that is visible in an opposite viewing direction. The back of the oral hygiene agent is the side of the toothbrush opposite the bristle field. The left side of the oral hygiene agent is in particular a side that lies to the left when you look vertically at the front of the oral hygiene agent.

The grip unit preferably has at least one grip element which is advantageously provided for holding with one hand, in particular with a child's hand. The grip element is preferably designed to be tailored. This advantageously allows a secure hold and optimizes ergonomics. The grip element is particularly preferably elongated, a longitudinal axis of the grip element advantageously corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device. The grip element is advantageously formed partly from a soft component and partly from a hard component. In particular, the grip element advantageously comprises at least one thumb grip area and / or at least one handle area. The thumb grip area is advantageously arranged on the front of the oral hygiene device and in particular on a front of the grip element. It is conceivable that the thumb grip area and / or the handle area have at least one element and / or a surface structure made of a soft component.

The grip area advantageously has at least one handle element, which is preferably formed from a soft component and / or is arranged on the back of the oral hygiene device. A main direction of extension of the handle element is preferably arranged at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device. The handle element advantageously has at least one surface structure element, particularly advantageously a plurality of surface structure elements that are at least substantially identical or at least geometrically similar to the surface structure elements described above Thumb grip element are formed. Preferably, the surface structure elements of the handle element, in particular at least in pairs, are each grouped one behind the other along the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device.

In the context of this disclosure, almost any hard components and soft components come into question, which the person skilled in the art will appropriately combine and / or select. Examples of suitable hard components are styrene polymers such as styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene stryrene (ABS), styrene methyl methacrylate (SMMA), styrene butadiene (SB) or the like. Furthermore, a hard component can comprise polyolefins such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or the like, in particular also in the form of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE). In addition, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in question, in particular in the form of acid-modified polyethylene terephtalate (PETA), glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), acid-modified Polycyclohexylendimethylenterephtalat (PCT-A), glycol-modified Polycyclohexylendimethylenterephatalat (PCT-G) or the like. It is also conceivable to use cellulose derivatives such as cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), cellulose propionate (CP), cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP), cellulose butyrate (CB) or the like. Furthermore, a hard component can, for example, polyamides (PA) such as PA 6.6, PA 6.10, PA 6.12 or the like, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PUR), polyamide (PA) or the like. In particular polyethylene (PE) and / or polyurethane (PU) can be used as a hard component and / or as a soft component. In particular, a hard component has a modulus of elasticity of at least 1000 N / mm ² and advantageously of at least 1300 N / mm ² and / or of at most 2400 N / mm ² and advantageously of at most 1800 N / mm ² . Polypropylene (PP) is preferably used as the hard component.

Hard components are advantageously used for stable and / or structure-bearing elements, in particular in the handle element and / or in a carrier element of the application unit and / or the fastening unit or the like.

The oral hygiene agent or at least one base body of the oral hygiene agent preferably has a single hard component which can be formed from one of the materials mentioned or from a mixture thereof. However, combinations of different hard components are also conceivable, for example these can be processed in a two- and / or multi-component injection molding and / or glued and / or welded to one another, in particular ultrasonically welded. As an alternative or in addition, several hard components can be used which do not form a material connection in a two- and / or multi-component injection molding. In particular, it is conceivable that in this case a positive connection, for example in the form of at least one undercut and / or at least one opening and / or at least one at least partial extrusion coating or the like, is produced between hard components. It is conceivable here that, for example, a second hard component, which is in particular injection molded onto a first hard component, shrinks and / or shrinks after an injection molding and advantageously forms a shrinkage connection. Suitable combinations can be, for example, polypropylene-polyester, polypropylene-styrene acrylonitrile or other combinations.

Examples of suitable soft components are thermoplastic styrene elastometers (TPE-S) such as a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer (SEBS), a styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer (SBS) or the like. In addition, the use of thermoplastic polyurethane elastometers (TPE-U), thermoplastic polyamide elastomers (TPE-A), thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers (TPE-O), thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPE-E) or the like is conceivable. Furthermore, a soft component can comprise, for example, at least one silicone. A soft component advantageously has a Shorte A hardness of at most 90, advantageously at most 50 and particularly advantageously at most 30. At least one soft component preferably forms at least one material connection with at least one hard component, in particular in at least one two- and / or multi-component injection molding, advantageously by means of at least one overmolding and / or overmolding.

It is advantageously conceivable that a hard component and a soft component used have different colors, so that surface structures, inscriptions, motifs and the like can be realized by means of a suitable design of the base body and soft element.

It is further proposed that the at least one application unit has a brush head, in particular a toothbrush head, which is formed partly from a soft component and partly from a hard component. In this way, in particular advantageous protection of a user can be achieved during use. Protection of the oral cavity can be achieved in particular. The application unit advantageously has at least one cleaning unit, in particular a toothbrush head, with bristles. The cleaning unit also advantageously has at least one bristle carrier, for example a brush head base body. At least some or all of the bristles are advantageously conventionally extruded bristles. Bristles can in particular comprise at least one hard component and / or at least one soft component. The bristles are preferably at least partially or completely made of polyamide (PA) and / or polyester (PBT), any other materials being conceivable. It is also conceivable that at least some of the bristles have a taper and / or a variable cross section. The bristles are preferably formed from a single, in particular also mixed, material. However, bristles with several components are also conceivable, which can be produced and / or produced in particular by means of at least one coextrusion. The bristles can be produced and / or produced, for example, by means of extrusion, cutting to length and / or finishing. In contrast to sprayed bristles or rubber-elastic massage and cleaning elements, which are produced by injection molding, conventional bristles are extruded, cut, processed and used on the toothbrush handle by means of an adapted method, such as for example by means of the anchor punching method, the AFT method and / or IMT process.

In particular, cylindrical or tapered bristles come into question, any other cross-sections such as polygonal, triangular, rectangular, square, elliptical, star-shaped, trapezoidal, parallelogram-shaped, rhombus-shaped or any other cross-section being conceivable. In particular, different bristles can be used in a bristle bundle, but also different bristle bundles, in particular each with a certain type of bristle. Bristles and / or bundles of bristles can be arranged regularly but also irregularly. In particular, bristles and / or bundles of bristles can be arranged in groups and / or adjacent to one another Differentiate features such as, for example, a length, a diameter, a material, a color, a material hardness, a geometry, a point and the like, in particular alternately. The bristles preferably have a diameter, in particular perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, of at least 0.075 mm and / or at most 0.25 mm. The bristles advantageously have a cross-sectional area, in particular perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, of at least 0.002 mm ² and / or of at most 0.2 mm ² . In the case of bristles used in the cosmetics sector, for example bristles of an additional application element, thinner bristles and / or bristles with a smaller cross section can also be used, in particular bristles with a diameter, in particular perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, of at least 0.02 mm and / or of at most 0.025 mm and / or with a cross-sectional area, in particular perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, of at least 0.001 mm ² and / or of at most 0.15 mm ² . In the case of tapered bristles, polyester (PBT) is particularly suitable as the material, and tapering can be generated mechanically and / or chemically. However, other materials are also conceivable. The bristles are preferably straight in the longitudinal direction, but corrugated and / or twisted and / or helical and / or twisted bristles are also conceivable, and in particular combinations of different bristles. Bristles with a smooth surface are also conceivable, as are bristles with a textured surface.

Furthermore, the bristles are processed, in particular as bristle bundles, preferably by means of at least one anchor punching method, an anchor free tufting method (AFT), an in-mold tufting method (IMT), a PTt method or the like, in particular on the bristle carrier attached. The bristle carrier preferably has a plurality of, in particular drilled and / or injection molded, bristle receptacles, in particular holes for bristle bundles. In the case of anchor punching, it is conceivable, for example, that initially a base body, in particular made of a hard component, preferably the brush head, is manufactured by means of injection molding, wherein blind holes for bristle bundles are advantageously formed during the injection molding. Of course, subsequent drilling of blind holes is also conceivable. Bristles or bristle bundles are then preferably folded and in each case in a blind hole by means of at least one anchor attached, in particular by means of punching. Loop punching is also conceivable.

Alternatively, as mentioned, anchorless methods are also conceivable, advantageously bristles or bristle bundles not being folded. In this case, bristles or bristle bundles are approximately half the length of an anchor punch. For example, it is conceivable here that the bristle bundles are first separated, fused and / or their bristle ends are in particular subsequently encapsulated in order to secure them. Bristle bundles can advantageously be brought together here. Production by means of the in-mold tufting process (IMT) is possible here, a base body, for example the brush head and / or the handle unit and / or the fastening unit, being advantageously formed when the bristle ends are encapsulated. It is also conceivable that, in particular in the context of integrated anchorless production, bristles are first encapsulated with platelets or the like and these platelets are then encapsulated again, for example to form the brush head and / or the handle unit.

It is also conceivable that the application unit is composed of a base body and a bristle plate which is covered with bristles and / or alternative cleaning elements. For this purpose, bristle plates with through holes are first produced by means of injection molding, through which bristles are then passed. The bristles are then preferably connected on the back, in particular fused together, preferably with one another and / or with the corresponding bristle plate. Bristle plates bristled in this way can then be welded and / or glued to a base body, in particular a brush head, preferably by means of ultrasonic welding. In this context, the Anchor Free Tufting process (by G.B. Boucherie nv) is a well-known manufacturing process, which in particular enables bundles of bristles to be brought together. The underside of the bristle plate is in particular a side which is placed in a recess in the base body and points in the direction of the underside of the oral hygiene agent. Accordingly, the top of the bristle plate points in the direction of the top of the oral hygiene agent.

A further method for anchorless bristling is production, in particular injection molding, of a brush head with through-holes for bristles. bristles can then be passed through the through holes and fused on the back, in particular with one another and / or with the brush head. This is preferably followed by overmolding, in particular with at least one soft component, the fused areas and / or the brush head. For example, an AMR method (from GB Boucherie nv), which in particular does not allow bundles of bristles to be brought together, or an AMR + method which in particular enables bristles to be brought together.

It is also conceivable to first manufacture a brush head with blind holes, for example by means of injection molding and / or by drilling the blind holes. In this case, bristles are combined in particular into bundles and fused and / or otherwise connected at one end. The brush head is then heated, in particular to a glass temperature of its material. Bristle bundles can then advantageously be inserted into the blind holes and anchored to the brush head by pressing. In particular, the heated blind holes deform, so that the bristle bundles are anchored in them. Here, for example, a known PTt method (from G.B. Boucherie nv) offers itself.

As an alternative or in addition to punched and / or glued bristles, molded bristles are also conceivable. These can be produced together with the application unit, the handle unit and / or the fastening unit, in particular during a multi-component injection molding, or can be subsequently injection-molded onto a base body of the application unit.

Another possible method for bristling the brush head is screwing in. Here, for example, filament is fed from a roll, in particular several filament strands being wound on a roll. Several rolls are pretensioned for machine loading, because each filament in the brush corresponds to a filament strand. The filaments are correctly spread out in width so that they have the width in which they are inserted into the brush. The filaments are drawn out so that they are then free for the next step, ie a wire can be passed over them. A wire is then fed onto the machine from a roll, ie unwound and introduced into the process. The wire is cut to a length which is greater than the unwound length of the screwed-in brush, the final cutting takes place after the Screwing. The wire is bent into a U so that the open side can then be pushed over the filaments to thread the bristles. The wire is held at the bottom of the U's. The open wire end is then clamped so that the filaments hold between the pieces of wire. The filaments are cut to a length which is greater than the final length in the brush so that the brush can then be cut correctly when the filaments are screwed in. The wire is rotated so that the filaments are clamped between the wire and thus fixed. After the filaments are fixed in the wire, they are cut to the correct length and profiled. After the brush part is finished, the excess wire is cut off.

In an injection molding process, in particular a two- and / or multi-component injection molding, materials of injected bristles preferably do not form a material connection with other soft components and / or hard components of the oral hygiene agent. Injected bristles are rather connected by means of a positive connection, for example by means of at least one undercut and / or at least one opening and / or by means of at least partial overmolding with soft components and / or hard components, in particular a shrink connection and / or a shrink connection are conceivable. However, a connection by means of at least one material connection is also conceivable.

A one, two and / or multi-component injection molding is fundamentally conceivable for all the possible injection molding processes mentioned. The materials used, in particular different soft components and / or hard components, can, as mentioned, be and / or be integrally and / or positively connected. Forming articulated connections by means of suitable injection molding steps is also conceivable. In principle, hot runner processes, cold runner processes and / or co-injection processes are possible.

As an alternative or in addition to a brush head covered with bristles, the application unit can also have at least one tongue cleaner and / or at least one alternative cleaning and / or massage element. These can each be formed from a soft component, from a hard component or from a combination of soft and hard components and / or can advantageously be produced and / or produced by means of injection molding.

Sprayed bristles are preferably at least partially and advantageously completely made of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPE-U). The use of a modified polyurethane elastomer (TPE-U) is conceivable here, which can be modified, in particular with regard to improved flow properties and / or rapid solidification, in particular rapid crystallization, advantageously even at higher temperatures. Of course, other materials are also conceivable, for example thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPE-E), thermoplastic polyamide elastomers (TPE-A) or the like. Materials for sprayed bristles advantageously have a Shore D hardness of at least 0 and particularly advantageously of at least 30 and / or of at most 100 and advantageously of at most 80. In particular, a Shore hardness of a material of sprayed bristles is advantageously higher than a Shore hardness of other soft components used, for example for grip elements, massage elements, further cleaning elements or the like.

In principle, it is also conceivable to use water-soluble polymers, for example for hard components, soft components, sprayed bristles or other elements of the oral hygiene agent. Bioplastics can also be used, which can be obtained in particular from renewable raw materials. In particular, maize, hemp, sugar, castor oil, palm oil, potatoes, wheat, sugar cane, rubber, wood, the castor plant / miracle tree and the like can be considered as raw materials. Corresponding possible raw materials could be, for example, cellulose, starch, lactic acid (PLA), glucose, chitin, chitosan or the like, from which, in particular, corresponding bioplastics can be synthesized.

It is also proposed that the soft component extend continuously over a major part of a main extension of the oral hygiene agent. The soft component preferably extends in particular without interruption from the application unit over the handle unit. The soft component preferably extends without interruption at least over 30%, preferably at least over 50%, preferably at least over 70% and particularly preferably at least over 90% of a main extension of the oral hygiene agent. In particular, an end region of the handle unit of the oral hygiene agent that faces away from the application area is preferably free of a soft component. In this way, in particular, an advantageously high ergonomics of the oral hygiene agent can be provided. In particular, it can be a advantageous gripability of the grip unit can be achieved over an entire grip area. In particular, an advantageous hold, in particular slip resistance, can be provided reliably, regardless of a gripping position. The soft element preferably forms all elements from the soft component of the fastening unit and / or the handle unit and / or the application unit, and / or bristles and / or alternative cleaning elements or the like.

It is also proposed that the soft component form at least 30% of an outer surface of the at least one handle unit. The soft component preferably forms at least 40% and particularly preferably at least 50% of an outer surface, in particular a projection of the outer surface, of the at least one handle unit. A volume of the soft component of the oral hygiene agent is preferably at least 2 cm ³ , preferably at least 4 cm ³ , preferably at most 7 cm ³ and particularly preferably at most 5 cm ³ . A volume of the hard component of the oral hygiene agent is preferably at least 7 cm ³ , preferably at least 9 cm ³ , preferably at most 12 cm ³ and particularly preferably at most 10 cm ³ . In this way, in particular, an advantageously high ergonomics of the oral hygiene agent can be provided. In particular, an advantageous graspability of the grip unit can be achieved over an entire grip area.

It is further proposed that the at least one grip unit has at least one thumb grip area with a grip surface made of the hard component and at least one structural element made of the soft component and projecting beyond the grip surface. The structural element made of the soft component preferably projects beyond at least the gripping surface made of the hard component. The gripping surface made of the hard component is in particular at least essentially flat. In particular, the grip surface from the hard component forms a slight depression in the area of the thumb grip. In this context, the fact that the “structural element protrudes beyond the gripping surface” should in particular be understood to mean that the structural element protrudes from the hard component via a directly adjoining gripping surface. The structural element preferably forms, in particular, a local elevation with respect to the gripping surface from the hard component. In this context, “at least essentially flat” is to be understood in particular to mean that an imaginary cuboid, which just just completely covers the surface, preferably has a thickness of at most 2 mm of maximum 1 mm and particularly preferably of maximum 0.5 mm. In this way, in particular, an advantageously high ergonomics of the oral hygiene agent can be provided.

It is further proposed that the at least one structural element is completely enclosed by the gripping surface. The at least one structural element is preferably completely surrounded by the gripping surface made of the hard component. The at least one structural element in one plane of the grip surface is preferably completely surrounded by the grip surface made of the hard component. The at least one structural element is in particular free-standing. In this way, in particular, an advantageously high ergonomics of the oral hygiene agent can be provided.

The thumb grip area advantageously forms at least one structural element, in particular a plurality of, advantageously regularly arranged, structural elements, as a result of which in particular an advantageous grip can be achieved. A structural element is advantageously designed as an elevation, in particular with a flat surface and / or with straight side walls. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that a structural element tapers toward an upper side, in particular conically. Structural elements can, for example, be cylindrical, pyramid-shaped, spherical segment-shaped, in particular hemispherical, ovoid segment-shaped or the like. The structural elements are preferably in particular crescent-shaped. A cross-section (orientation in the plane between the top and bottom) of a structural element can be composed of different geometric figures, for example a semicircle and an adjacent rectangle. Polygonal, in particular triangular, quadrangular, pentagonal or, hexagonal, cross sections are also conceivable. Any free-form figures are also conceivable. The structural elements of the thumb grip area are preferably at least essentially identical to one another or at least geometrically similar.

In particular, the thumb grip area has a length, in particular at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device, of at least 3 mm, advantageously of at least 5 mm and particularly advantageously of at least 10 mm and / or of at most 35 mm, advantageously of at most 25 mm and particularly advantageous from a maximum of 20 mm. In particular, the thumb grip area has a width, in particular at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device, of at least 3 mm, advantageously of at least 4 mm and particularly advantageously of at least 6 mm and / or of at most 25 mm, advantageously of at most 20 mm and particularly advantageous from a maximum of 15 mm. A single structural element has in particular a height, in particular perpendicular to a surrounding surface of the thumb grip area, of at least 0.2 mm, advantageously of at least 0.5 mm and particularly advantageously of at least 0.8 mm and / or of at most 3 mm, advantageously of at most 2 mm and particularly advantageously from at most 1.5 mm. Furthermore, a single structural element has in particular a width, in particular at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene means between the left and right side, of at least 2 mm, advantageously of at least 3 mm and particularly advantageously of at least 5 mm and / or of at most 15 mm of at most 12 mm and particularly advantageously of at most 9 mm. In addition, a single structural element has in particular a length, in particular at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene agent, of at least 0.3 mm, advantageously of at least 0.5 mm and particularly advantageously of at least 1 mm and / or at most 5 mm of at most 3 mm and particularly advantageously of at most 2 mm.

In this case, a main direction of extension of a structural element is preferably arranged at least substantially perpendicular to a main direction of extension of the thumb grip area. Furthermore, the main direction of extension of the thumb grip area is advantageously arranged at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device. At least two identically oriented structural elements are advantageously arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device and / or transversely thereto. In the longitudinal direction, at least one to five, in particular two to three, identically oriented structural elements, preferably in each case in the longitudinal direction to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene agent, are paired with one another, in particular mirror-symmetrically designed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene agent, in particular at regular intervals are preferably smaller than a length of an individual structural element, preferably one Width and / or a length of centrally arranged structural elements is greater than a width and / or length of structural elements arranged at the edge of the thumb grip area and the width and / or length particularly preferably increases towards the center of the thumb grip area with each structural element. "At least essentially identical" objects are to be understood in particular as objects which are constructed in such a way that they can each perform a common function and, apart from manufacturing tolerances, preferably differ in their construction at most by individual elements which are insignificant for the common function, and advantageously objects which, apart from dimensions and particularly advantageously at least apart from manufacturing tolerances and / or within the scope of manufacturing technology, are of identical or geometrically similar design, identical objects in particular also meaning objects that are symmetrical to one another.

It is further proposed that the at least one grip unit has at least one boundary wall made of the soft component, which at least substantially delimits the grip surface of the thumb grip area. The boundary wall preferably limits the grip surface of the thumb grip area in at least three directions. The boundary wall preferably encompasses the grip surface of the thumb grip area in a C-shape. In this context, a “boundary wall” is to be understood in particular as a web-like or shoulder-like elevation, which extends at least partially around the grip surface of the thumb grip area from the hard component. The boundary wall is preferably connected in one piece to the other elements made of the soft component and also made from this. In this way, in particular, an advantageous limitation of the thumb grip area can be provided.

It is further proposed that the at least one boundary wall projects beyond the at least one structural element of the thumb grip area. A maximum distance of the boundary wall to the main extension plane of the oral hygiene device, measured perpendicular to the main extension plane, is preferably greater than a maximum distance of the at least one structural element to the main extension plane of the oral hygiene device, perpendicular to the Main plane of extent measured. The boundary wall is preferably higher than the grip surface of the thumb grip region made of the hard component than the at least one structural element is raised compared to the grip surface of the thumb grip region made of the hard component. Furthermore, it is proposed that the at least one boundary wall delimits the grip surface of the thumb grip area at least in the direction of the application unit. The grip surface of the thumb grip area is preferably free of a boundary through the boundary wall in a direction facing away from the application unit. The grip surface of the thumb grip area is preferably delimited to the left and / or right side by the boundary wall. In this way, an advantageous hold of a user's thumb in the thumb grip area can be achieved. In particular, the thumb can be prevented from slipping. In particular, it can be avoided that a thumb of the user slips over the area of the thumb grip in the direction of the application unit.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the at least one grip unit has at least one concavely curved, essential grip surface, which is formed at least in large part from the soft component and has at least two islands from the hard component. The at least one concavely curved, essential grip surface is preferably arranged on a rear side of the grip unit facing away from the thumb grip area. The at least one concavely curved, essential gripping surface preferably extends over a large part of the main extent of the gripping unit. The at least one concavely curved, essential gripping surface serves in particular to place an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, and / or a little finger of the user. In particular, the at least one concavely curved, essential gripping surface forms a main gripping surface. The islands of the hard component are preferably flush with the soft component. The concavely curved, essential gripping surface preferably has several, in particular ten, islands made of the hard component. The islands are in particular at least approximately circular. The islands preferably vary in diameter. The islands preferably form in particular two parallel rows of five islands each along a longitudinal extent. The diameter of the islands increases particularly towards the two middle islands. As a result, an advantageously high ergonomics of the Oral hygiene products are provided. Furthermore, in particular an advantageous producibility of such a large area can be achieved from the soft component. In addition, excessive gripping of the gripping surface when gripping can be avoided.

It is further proposed that the at least one concavely curved, essential gripping surface has an index finger grip region made of the soft component, in which the structural elements made of the soft component and projecting above the essential gripping surface are arranged. The index finger grip area advantageously forms at least one structural element, in particular a plurality of structural elements, which are advantageously arranged regularly, as a result of which in particular an advantageous grip can be achieved. A structural element is advantageously designed as an elevation, in particular with a flat surface and / or with straight side walls. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that a structural element tapers toward an upper side, in particular conically. Structural elements can, for example, be cylindrical, pyramid-shaped, spherical segment-shaped, in particular hemispherical, ovoid segment-shaped or the like. The structural elements are preferably in particular crescent-shaped. A cross-section of a structural element (orientation in the plane between the top and bottom) can be composed of different geometric figures, for example a semicircle and an adjacent rectangle. Polygonal, in particular triangular, quadrangular, pentagonal or hexagonal cross sections are also conceivable. Any free-form figures are also conceivable. The structural elements of the index finger grip area are preferably at least essentially identical to one another or at least geometrically similar.

In particular, the index finger grip area has a length, in particular at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device, of at least 3 mm, advantageously of at least 5 mm and particularly advantageously of at least 10 mm and / or of at most 45 mm, advantageously of at most 40 mm and particularly advantageous from a maximum of 35 mm. In particular, the index finger grip area has a width between the left and right side, in particular at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device, of at least 3 mm, advantageously of at least 4 mm and particularly advantageously of at least 6 mm and / or at most 25 mm, advantageously at most 20 mm and particularly advantageously at most 15 mm. A single structural element has in particular a height, in particular perpendicular to a surrounding surface of the index finger grip area, of at least 0.3 mm, advantageously of at least 0.5 mm and particularly advantageously of at least 0.9 mm and / or of at most 2.5 mm, advantageously of at most 2 mm and particularly advantageously of at most 1.5 mm. Furthermore, a single structural element has in particular a width, in particular at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device, of at least 2 mm, advantageously of at least 3 mm and particularly advantageously of at least 4 mm and / or of at most 18 mm, advantageously of at most 15 mm and particularly advantageous from a maximum of 12 mm. In addition, a single structural element has in particular a length, in particular at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device, of at least 0.3 mm, advantageously of at least 0.5 mm and particularly advantageously of at least 1 mm and / or at most 3.5 mm , advantageously of at most 2.5 mm and particularly advantageously of at most 2 mm.

A main direction of extension of a structural element is preferably at least substantially perpendicular to a main direction of extension of the index finger grip area. Furthermore, the main extension direction of the index finger grip area is advantageously arranged at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device. At least two structural elements are advantageously arranged next to one another along the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device and / or transversely thereto. Two to fourteen, in particular four to ten, structural elements are advantageously arranged alongside one another along the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene device and / or transversely thereto. In the longitudinal direction, at least one to seven, in particular two to five, structural elements, preferably each transverse to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene agent, are paired with at least one further, in particular mirror-symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene agent, in particular at regular intervals, which are preferably smaller as a length of an individual structural element, wherein preferably a width and / or a length of centrally arranged structural elements is greater than a width and / or length of marginal structural elements and the width and / or Length particularly preferably increases towards the center of the index finger grip area with each structural element.

It is further proposed that the at least one concavely curved, essential grip surface has a little finger grip area made of the soft component, in which the structural elements made of the soft component and projecting beyond the essential grip surface are arranged. The small finger grip area is preferably arranged on a side of the concavely curved, essential grip surface facing away from the index finger area. The index finger area is preferably arranged on a side of the concavely curved, essential gripping surface facing the application unit. The small finger grip area is particularly preferably arranged at a distance from the index finger grip area. The little finger grip area advantageously forms at least one structural element, in particular a plurality of structural elements, which are advantageously arranged regularly, as a result of which, in particular, advantageous grip can be achieved. A structural element is advantageously designed as an elevation, in particular with a flat surface and / or with straight side walls. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that a structural element tapers toward an upper side, in particular conically. Structural elements can, for example, be cylindrical, pyramid-shaped, spherical segment-shaped, in particular hemispherical, ovoid segment-shaped or the like. The structural elements are preferably in particular crescent-shaped. A cross-section of a structural element (orientation in the plane between the top and bottom) can be composed of different geometric figures, for example a semicircle and an adjacent rectangle. Polygonal, in particular triangular, quadrangular, pentagonal or hexagonal cross sections are also conceivable. Any free-form figures are also conceivable. The structural elements of the little finger grip area are preferably at least essentially identical to one another or at least geometrically similar. In this way, in particular, an advantageously high ergonomics of the oral hygiene agent can be provided.

The structural elements used in the various areas can in principle be similar or different in shape. This can result in a pattern that continues over the entire handle unit.

It is further proposed that the at least two islands are arranged between the index finger grip area and the little finger grip area. As a result, an advantageously hard structure for gripping the oral hygiene agent can be provided, in particular in an area for a middle finger and a ring finger of the user. This can ensure that the oral hygiene agent is held securely, in particular stably.

It is further proposed that the at least one handle unit has at least one lateral tail made of the hard component, which is completely delimited by the soft component. The at least one grip unit preferably has a lateral tail on both sides (left and right) of the thumb grip area. The lateral tails border in particular on the boundary walls. The at least one lateral tail preferably extends along a parting line, in particular a production-related parting line, of the hard component of the oral hygiene agent. The tail preferably has a curved shape. The lateral tail extends axially in particular over the area of the thumb grip up to the neck element. In this way, in particular an advantageous lateral stabilization in the injection molding process can be provided. In particular, advantageous demoldability can be provided.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the at least one handle unit has at least one tongue made of the soft component, which extends over the at least part of the lateral tail. The at least one tongue preferably extends from the soft component into the lateral tail. The at least one tongue extends in particular perpendicular to a main extent (from the front to the back) of the tail over a large part of the tail. The tongue preferably extends transversely to a longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene agent over at least 40%, preferably over at least 50% and particularly preferably over at least 60% of the at least one lateral tail. The at least one handle unit preferably comprises at least six tongues made of the soft component, three each extending over one of the lateral tails. In this way, in particular an advantageous protection of the lateral tail can be provided. In particular, it can avoid bumping. Furthermore, particularly advantageous ergonomics of the oral hygiene device can be provided.

In addition, it is proposed that the at least one handle unit at one end facing away from the application unit has a flat support surface on the back, which serves for a defined placement of the oral hygiene agent. The support surface is used in particular for a flat placement of the oral hygiene agent on a surface such as a table top, a wash basin, a furniture top or the like, in particular in such a way that the longitudinal axis is arranged essentially parallel to the surface. The contact surface is preferably used, in particular, to place the oral hygiene agent on a rear side. The contact surface preferably borders in particular on the little finger grip area. The contact surface on a rear side of the oral hygiene device preferably adjoins the concavely curved, essential gripping surface. The contact surface is arranged in particular in an end region of the oral hygiene agent which is free of the soft component. The end area consists in particular entirely of the hard component. In this way, in particular a safe placement of the oral hygiene agent can be achieved. If the support surface is formed from the hard component, the oral hygiene agent can in particular be reliably deposited without tilting. It is further proposed that the oral hygiene device have an imaginary support plane which extends free of intersection points along at least two spaced points of the oral hygiene device. The imaginary support plane preferably extends through the support surface of the handle unit and at least one point or a support line or support surface in the neck element of the oral hygiene device. When the oral hygiene agent is placed on a back, the oral hygiene agent lies in particular on the support surface of the handle unit and the at least one point in the neck element or the one support line or support surface of the oral hygiene agent. When the oral hygiene agent lies on the support level, the oral hygiene agent is in particular free of tilt. In this way, in particular a safe placement of the oral hygiene agent can be achieved. Furthermore, it is proposed that the flat support surface extends parallel to a main extension plane of the oral hygiene device and defines the imaginary support plane. The imaginary preferably extends Support level through the support surface of the handle unit and at least one point or a support line or support surface in the neck element of the oral hygiene device.

It is also proposed that a maximum distance between a rear side of the handle unit and the support plane, measured perpendicular to the support plane, be at least 3 mm. The maximum distance between the rear of the handle unit and the support plane is preferably from 3 mm to 18 mm and preferably from 7 mm to 13 mm. A maximum distance between the concavely curved, essential grip surface of the grip unit and the support plane, measured perpendicular to the support plane, is at least 3 mm, preferably at least 5 mm and particularly preferably at least 7 mm. The handle unit preferably has a strong curvature. A highest point of the handle unit in a deposited state corresponds at least approximately to a highest point of the bristles of the application unit in a deposited state. A maximum distance between a highest point of the handle unit and the support plane, measured perpendicular to the support plane, is preferably at least 10 mm, preferably at least 13 mm and particularly preferably at least 16 mm. A maximum distance between a highest point of the handle unit and the support plane, measured perpendicular to the support plane, is a maximum of 30 mm, preferably at least 20 mm and particularly preferably at least 18 mm. The storage state is, in particular, a state in which the oral hygiene agent is placed on a surface, in particular a flat and / or smooth, preferably flat surface, in particular with the back of the oral hygiene agent. In the storage state, the longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene agent preferably runs at least substantially parallel to the surface. In this way, in particular an advantageously simple absorption of the oral hygiene agent can be achieved. In particular, it is at least partially possible to reach under the handle unit. In this way, in particular, a quick and safe depositing and taking up of the oral hygiene agent can be achieved.

The soft element made of the soft component preferably has a single injection point. The injection point is preferably arranged on the back of the oral hygiene agent. The soft component advantageously finds its way from the handle unit via at least one channel in the neck element into the brush head.

In the transition area between the handle unit and neck element, elements are advantageously introduced in the handle, which can have a structure made of two components. A plurality of similarly shaped elements are preferably arranged one behind the other. The elements differ advantageously in size. This decreases particularly advantageously towards the head.

The elements are preferably oval in shape, but they can also have round or round shapes. The elements are preferably constructed in such a way that a filled core is formed from soft component, which is delimited by a ring made from hard component. Outside of this ring made of hard component, a further ring made of soft component is advantageously formed, which can also extend laterally to the geometry of the neck element and, in particular, can merge into the described tongues which protrude into the tail. In particular, a core of the element on the surface of the end product has an extension in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush of at least 1 mm, advantageously of at least 2 mm and of at most 6 mm, advantageously at most 4 mm and particularly advantageously of at most 3 mm. The extension of the core of the element perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is in particular at least 2 mm, advantageously at least 3 mm and at most 9 mm, advantageously at most 7 mm and particularly advantageously at most 6 mm. The ring around the core of the element advantageously has a width of at least 0.5 mm and particularly advantageously of at least 1 mm.

The elements preferably contain at least partially structures which consist of soft components. The soft component is advantageously passed through openings in the base body from the back of the base body to the front. In this way, it can form isolated islands on the front of the base body.

In addition to the decorative element that is formed by means of the rings, the structure in the injection molding process has the function of stabilizing the base body during the encapsulation, so that it remains in the right place.

The oral hygiene agent according to the invention should not be limited to the applications and embodiments described above. In particular, the oral hygiene agent according to the invention can perform one of a number of individual elements mentioned here to fulfill a function described here, Components and units have different numbers and / or an arbitrary combination of the same. In addition, in the value ranges specified in this disclosure, values lying within the stated limits are also to be considered disclosed and can be used as desired.

Of course, the design variants shown in this document are exemplary. Within the scope of the invention, the individual forms and elements of these design variants can be combined with other design variants without leaving the scope of this invention.

drawings

Further advantages result from the following description of the drawing. In the drawings, an embodiment of the invention is shown. The drawings, description, and claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

Fig. 1

eine Vorderseite eines Mundhygienemittels in einer schematischen perspektivischen Darstellung,

Fig. 2

eine Rückseite des Mundhygienemittels in einer schematischen perspektivischen Darstellung,

Fig. 3

eine Seite des Mundhygienemittels in einer schematischen Darstellung,

Fig. 4

eine Vorderseite des Mundhygienemittels in einer schematischen Darstellung,

Fig. 5

eine Rückseite des Mundhygienemittels in einer schematischen Darstellung,

Fig. 6

eine Oberseite des Mundhygienemittels in einer schematischen Darstellung,

Fig. 7

eine Unterseite des Mundhygienemittels in einer schematischen Darstellung,

Fig. 8

eine weitere Seite des Mundhygienemittels in einer schematischen Darstellung mit einer dargestellten Formtrennlinie,

Fig. 9

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung des Mundhygienemittels entlang der Schnittlinie IX-IX in der Figur 4,

Fig. 10

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung des Mundhygienemittels entlang der Schnittlinie X-X in der Figur 9,

Fig. 11

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung des Mundhygienemittels entlang der Schnittlinie XI-XI in der Figur 4,

Fig. 12

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung des Mundhygienemittels entlang der Schnittlinie XII-XII in der Figur 4,

Fig. 13

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung des Mundhygienemittels entlang der Schnittlinie XIII-XIII in der Figur 4,

Fig. 14

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung des Mundhygienemittels entlang der Schnittlinie XIV-XIV in der Figur 5,

Fig. 15

eine Vorderseite eines Grundkörpers des Mundhygienemittels in einer schematischen Darstellung,

Fig. 16

eine Seite des Grundkörpers des Mundhygienemittels in einer schematischen Darstellung,

Fig. 17

eine Rückseite des Grundkörpers des Mundhygienemittels in einer schematischen Darstellung und

Fig. 18

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung des Grundkörpers des Mundhygienemittels entlang der Schnittlinie XVIII-XVIII in der Figur 15.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a front of an oral hygiene agent in a schematic perspective view,

Fig. 2

a back of the oral hygiene agent in a schematic perspective view,

Fig. 3

one side of the oral hygiene agent in a schematic representation,

Fig. 4

a front of the oral hygiene agent in a schematic representation,

Fig. 5

a back of the oral hygiene agent in a schematic representation,

Fig. 6

a top of the oral hygiene agent in a schematic representation,

Fig. 7

a bottom of the oral hygiene agent in a schematic representation,

Fig. 8

another side of the oral hygiene agent in a schematic representation with a mold parting line shown,

Fig. 9

is a schematic sectional view of the oral hygiene agent along the section line IX-IX in the Figure 4 .

Fig. 10

is a schematic sectional view of the oral hygiene agent along the section line XX in the Figure 9 .

Fig. 11

is a schematic sectional view of the oral hygiene agent along the section line XI-XI in the Figure 4 .

Fig. 12

is a schematic sectional view of the oral hygiene agent along the section line XII-XII in the Figure 4 .

Fig. 13

is a schematic sectional view of the oral hygiene agent along the section line XIII-XIII in the Figure 4 .

Fig. 14

is a schematic sectional view of the oral hygiene agent along the section line XIV-XIV in the Figure 5 .

Fig. 15

1 shows a schematic representation of a front side of a base body of the oral hygiene agent,

Fig. 16

one side of the base body of the oral hygiene agent in a schematic representation,

Fig. 17

a back of the body of the oral hygiene agent in a schematic representation and

Fig. 18

is a schematic sectional view of the main body of the oral hygiene agent along the section line XVIII-XVIII in the Figure 15 ,

Description of the embodiment

The Figure 1 shows a front side 60 of an oral hygiene agent 10 in a schematic perspective illustration. In the present case, the oral hygiene agent 10 is designed as a toothbrush, in particular as a children's toothbrush. Oral hygiene agent 10 can also be designed as a disposable toothbrush or as an interchangeable toothbrush. In addition, the oral hygiene agent 10 could be designed as a flosser, a single tuft brush, an intermediate tooth cleaner, a tongue cleaner or the like. Combined oral hygiene agents that have at least two different functions are also conceivable combine, for example a toothbrush with tongue cleaner, a toothbrush with massage elements, an interdental cleaner with flosser or the like.

The oral hygiene agent 10 has at least one application unit 12. Furthermore, the oral hygiene agent 10 has at least one handle unit 14. The at least one handle unit 14 is partially formed from a soft component 16 and partially from a hard component 18.

The following is the Figures 1 to 14 Reference, which show different views of the oral hygiene agent 10. Due to the different views, some elements are not shown in all the figures and accordingly are not provided with reference numerals in all of the figures. The Figure 2 shows a rear side 62 of the oral hygiene agent 10 in a schematic perspective illustration. The Figure 3 shows a side 64, in particular a left long side, of the oral hygiene means 10 in a schematic representation. The Figure 4 shows a front side 60 of the oral hygiene agent 10 in a schematic representation. The Figure 5 shows a rear side 62 of the oral hygiene agent 10 in a schematic representation. The Figure 6 shows an upper side 66 of the oral hygiene agent 10 in a schematic representation. The Figure 7 shows a bottom 68 of the oral hygiene agent 10 in a schematic representation. The Figure 8 shows a further side 70, in particular a right longitudinal side, of the oral hygiene means 10 in a schematic representation with the mold parting line 114 shown Figure 9 shows a schematic sectional view of the oral hygiene agent 10 along the section line IX-IX in FIG Figure 4 , The Figure 10 shows a schematic sectional view of the oral hygiene agent 10 along the section line XX in FIG Figure 9 , The Figure 11 shows a schematic sectional view of the oral hygiene agent 10 along the section line XI-XI in FIG Figure 4 , The Figure 12 shows a schematic sectional view of the oral hygiene agent 10 along the section line XII-XII in FIG Figure 4 , The Figure 13 shows a schematic sectional view of the oral hygiene agent 10 along the section line XIII-XIII in the Figure 4 , Finally, the shows Figure 14 is a schematic sectional view of the oral hygiene agent 10 along the section line XIV-XIV in the Figure 5 ,

The oral hygiene agent 10 has a longitudinal axis 72, a height axis 74 and a width axis 76 (see FIG. 7). The longitudinal axis 72 is arranged parallel to a main direction of extent of the oral hygiene device 10. Is this Oral hygiene agent 10 with the back 62 placed on a flat surface so that the longitudinal axis 72 is arranged parallel to the surface, the height axis 74 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 72 and perpendicular to the surface and the width axis 76. The width axis 76 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 72 and perpendicular to the height axis 74. In the present case, the oral hygiene agent 10 has a length, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis 72, of 140 mm to 210 mm and preferably of 165 mm to 185 mm. Furthermore, the oral hygiene agent 10 has a height, in particular parallel to the height axis 74, of 12 mm to 25 mm and preferably 15 mm to 19 mm. In addition, the oral hygiene agent 10 has a width, in particular parallel to the width axis 76, of 10 mm to 20 mm and preferably of 12 mm to 17 mm.

The at least one application unit 12 has a brush head 20. In the present case, the brush head 20 is designed as a toothbrush head. The brush head 20 has in particular a bristle carrier. The brush head 20 is formed partly from a soft component 16 and partly from a hard component 18. The brush head 20 has a width, in particular parallel to the width axis 76, of 8 mm to 17 mm and preferably 10 mm to 15 mm. The brush head 20 comprises at least one cleaning area, which comprises a plurality of bristle bundles. For reasons of clarity, the Figures 1 to 14 the bundles of bristles are not shown. At least one circular recess 78 is formed on the front side 60 of the brush head 20. The at least one recess 78 is provided for receiving a bundle of bristles. In principle, the at least one recess 78 can also be designed differently. Any suitable bristles are suitable as bristles, which, as described above, can be stamped, for example, using the anchor stamping method. The structure of the brush head 20 or at least the front side 60 of the brush head 20 is different in other bristling methods. Bristle bundles can differ in terms of their length, their composition, their number of bristles, a bristle material, a color, a surface structure and the like. Likewise, angles at which the bristles and / or the bristle bundles are arranged relative to one another or to a surface of the brush head 20 can vary between bristles and / or between bristle bundles. Furthermore, the application unit 12 in the present case comprises at least one Neck element 80, which in particular connects the brush head 20 to the handle unit 14.

The application unit 12 is arranged on the top 66 of the oral hygiene agent 10. The application unit 12 forms a topmost point of the oral hygiene agent 10. The application unit 12 is partly made of a soft component 16 and partly of a hard component 18. With regard to suitable soft and hard components 16, 18, reference is made to the above description. In the present case, the hard component 18 is, for example, a polypropylene (PP). In addition, in the present case the soft component 16 is, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer. In particular, the brush head 20 and / or the neck element 80 is partially formed from the soft component 16 and essentially from the hard component 18. The brush head 20 is formed on the front side 60 at least essentially from a hard component 18.

In principle, the application unit 12 can have at least one tongue cleaner element. The tongue cleaner element can in particular have knobs and / or lamellae. The tongue cleaner element is preferably arranged on the rear side 62 of the brush head 20, in particular this can be arranged on a ring made of a soft component 16 and / or on an island made of a hard component 18.

The neck element 80 forms a transition between the application unit 12 and the handle unit 14. The neck element 80 is formed partly from the hard component 18 and partly from the soft component 16. The lower end of the neck element 80 is partially formed from the soft component 16. The lower end of the neck element 80 is at least partially resilient.

The soft component 16 extends at least over a substantial part of a main extent of the at least one handle unit 14. The soft component 16 extends continuously over a major portion of a main extent of the oral hygiene agent 10. The soft component 16 forms at least 30%, preferably at least 40% and particularly preferably at least 50 % of an outer surface of the at least one handle unit 14. From the neck element 80 to the brush head 20, the soft component 16 forms laterally on a left long side and a right long side of the oral hygiene agent 10 each have a strand 82, 84. The soft component 16 forms a ring-like structure 86 on the rear side 62 of the oral hygiene device 10, which surrounds the brush head 20 and the neck element 80 and is closed in itself. When viewed from the rear side 62, an island 88 made of the hard component 18 is formed on the surface of the neck element 80 and the brush head 20. The island 88 made of the hard component 18 forms a line-like shape on the neck element 80 from the rear side 62 along the longitudinal axis 72, which changes into a rounded shape in the region of the brush head 20. The edge region of the brush head 20 is framed on the back 62 in particular with the soft component 16. The strand 82, 84 made of the soft component 16 has a height, in particular parallel to the height axis 74, which is greater than its width, in particular parallel to the width axis 76.

The at least one grip unit 14 has at least one thumb grip area 22 with a grip surface 24 made of the hard component 18 and at least one structural element 26, 28 made of the soft component 16 projecting beyond the grip surface 24. The at least one structural element 26, 28 is completely surrounded by the grip surface 24. The grip surface 24 extends on the front side 60 from the thumb grip region 22 to the lower end of the oral hygiene means 10 on the underside 68. The grip surface 24 forms a convex or concave shape along the longitudinal axis 72. The grip surface 24 forms a depression 90 in the thumb grip area 22 along the longitudinal axis 72. This configuration of the oral hygiene means 10 enables an advantageously adapted thumb shape to be achieved. The cambered shape is reversed along the longitudinal axis 72 towards the bottom 68. In particular, a lettering could be arranged in a central area of the grip surface 24. The lettering can be applied to the oral hygiene agent 10 in particular by embossing. The soft component 16 preferably forms a lettering in the hard component 18, in particular by penetrating from the rear side 62. The surface advantageously remains flat. The thumb grip area 22 is arranged on the front 60 of the oral hygiene device 10. The thumb grip area 22 comprises a plurality of structural elements 26, 28, of which only a few are provided with reference numerals for reasons of clarity. In the present case, the thumb grip area 22 has six structural elements arranged in a row along the longitudinal axis 72. The at least one structural element 26, 28 is formed from a soft component 16. That is at least one structural element 26, 28 in particular connected in one piece to the soft component 16. In the present case, the at least one structural element 26, 28 is designed as a material elevation projecting beyond the gripping surface 24 and, in particular, has a crescent-shaped cross section, any other geometries, in particular straight or wavy lines, being conceivable. Wells are also conceivable. Furthermore, a size of the structural elements changes along the longitudinal axis 72, wherein centrally arranged structural elements are larger than those arranged at the edges. In addition, in particular half of the structural elements along the longitudinal axis 72 are mirror-inverted to the other half of the structural elements. In particular, in a central area of the thumb grip area on the longitudinal axis 72, the orientation of the structural elements changes. A radius of the crescent-shaped structural elements 26, 28 points in the direction of the central area of the thumb grip area. The structural elements 26, 28, which are mirrored over the central region of the thumb grip region, are each shaped similarly, but in particular are not symmetrically shaped. Each half of the structural elements 26, 28 has a number in particular of one to five structural elements 26, 28 and preferably of two to three structural elements 26, 28. The structure elements 26, 28 each have a width, in particular parallel to the width axis 76, from 3 mm to 12 mm and preferably from 5 mm to 9 mm. The structure elements 26, 28 each have a height, in particular parallel to the height axis 74, of 0.5 mm to 2 mm and preferably from 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm. The height of the structural elements 26, 28 varies due to the cambered grip surface 24 over the individual structural element 26, 28. The structural elements 26, 28 each have a lower height at the outer ends of the structural element 26, 28, in particular in the direction of the width axis 76, than in FIG the center of the structural element 26, 28. The at least one structural element 26, 28 has a length, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis 72, of 0.3 mm to 3 mm and preferably of 0.5 mm to 2 mm. The at least one grip unit 14 has at least one boundary wall 30 made of the soft component 16 and at least essentially delimiting the grip surface 24. The at least one boundary wall 30 projects beyond the at least one structural element 26, 28. The at least one boundary wall 30 delimits the gripping surface 24 at least in the direction of the application unit 12. The thumb grip area 22 includes the boundary wall 30. The boundary wall 30 has a height at the upper end of the boundary wall 30, in particular parallel to the height axis, of 0.5 mm to 3 mm and preferably from 1 mm to 2 mm. The boundary wall 30 forms a shoulder to the grip surface 24. In relation to the direction of the height axis 74, in the direction of the front side 60, the boundary wall 30 projects beyond the at least one structural element 26, 28.

The handle unit 14 has at least one additional handle area 92 in a lower area of the handle unit 14. The additional handle area 92 has at least one structural element 94. The at least one structural element 94 is formed from the soft component 16. The at least one structural element 94 is completely enclosed by the grip surface 24. The at least one structural element 94 is arranged on the front side 60 of the oral hygiene device 10. The additional handle area 92 has a plurality of structural elements 94, of which only a few are provided with reference numerals for reasons of clarity. In the present case, the additional handle area 92 has three structural elements 94 arranged in a row along the longitudinal axis 72. The additional handle area 92 has a number in particular of two to eight structural elements and preferably three to five structural elements. The at least one structural element 94 is at least substantially flush with the gripping surface 24 and in particular has a crescent-shaped cross section, any other geometries, in particular straight or wavy lines, being conceivable. Wells are also conceivable. The grip surface 24 is designed cambered in the width direction in the additional grip area. Furthermore, a size of the structural elements changes along the longitudinal axis 72 within the additional handle area 92, wherein centrally arranged structural elements are larger than those arranged at the edges. An inner radius of the at least one crescent-shaped structural element 94 points in the direction of the underside 68. The structural elements arranged in the additional handle area 92 are each shaped similarly but not identically. The at least one structural element 94 has a width, in particular parallel to the width axis 76, of 3 mm to 12 mm and preferably of 5 mm to 9 mm. The at least one structural element 94 has a length, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis 72, of 0.3 mm to 3 mm and preferably of 0.5 mm to 2 mm. The at least one structural element 94 has a shorter length at the outer ends of the structural element 94, in particular in the direction of the width axis 76, than in the center of the structural element 94.

The at least one grip unit 14 has at least one concavely curved, essential grip surface 32. The at least one concavely curved, essential gripping surface 32 is formed at least in large part from the soft component 16 and has at least two islands 34, 36 from the hard component 18. The at least one concavely curved, essential grip surface 32 is arranged on a rear side 62 of the grip unit 14 facing away from the thumb grip region 22. The gripping surface 32 runs on the rear side 62 from the underside 68 to the neck element 80. The at least one concavely curved, essential gripping surface 32 has an index finger grip area 38 made of the soft component 16. In the index finger grip area 38, the structural elements 40, 42 of the soft component 16, which project beyond the essential grip surface 32, are arranged. The grip surface 32 forms a depression 96 in the index finger grip area 38 along the longitudinal axis 72. The depression 96 has a length, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis 72, in particular from 20 mm to 60 mm and preferably from 30 mm to 45 mm. The depression 96 has a width, in particular parallel to the width axis 76, in particular from 5 mm to 15 mm and preferably from 7 mm to 12 mm. The depression 96 is rounded in the further geometries of the soft component 16, both in the direction of the longitudinal axis and in the direction of the width axis. The depression 96 itself has a rounded shape. The index finger grip area 38 has at least one structural element 40, 42 projecting beyond the grip surface 32. The at least one structural element 40, 42 is formed from a soft component 16. The at least one structural element 40, 42 is in particular connected in one piece to the soft component 16. The at least one structural element 40, 42 is arranged on the rear side 62 of the oral hygiene device 10. The at least one structural element 40, 42 forms an at least substantially flat transition via the depression 96 parallel to the width axis 76. The index finger grip area 38 has a plurality of structural elements 40, 42, of which only a few are provided with reference numerals for reasons of clarity. In the present case, the index finger grip area 38 has eight structural elements arranged in a row along the longitudinal axis 72. The index finger grip area 38 has a number in particular of two to fourteen structural elements and preferably four to ten structural elements. In the present case, the at least one structural element 40, 42 is designed as a material elevation which at least substantially projects over the grip surface 32 and in particular has a crescent-shaped cross section, any other geometries, in particular straight or wavy lines, being conceivable.

Wells are also conceivable. Furthermore, a size of the structural elements changes along the longitudinal axis 72, wherein centrally arranged structural elements are larger than those arranged at the edges. In addition, in particular half of the structural elements along the longitudinal axis 72 are mirror-inverted to the other half of the structural elements. In particular in a central area of the index finger grip area 38 on the longitudinal axis 72, the orientation of the structural elements changes. A radius of the at least one crescent-shaped structural element 40, 42 points in the direction of the central region of the index finger grip region 38. The structural elements which are mirrored over the central region of the index finger grip region 38 are each shaped similarly, but in particular are not symmetrically shaped. The at least one structural element 40, 42 has a width, in particular parallel to the width axis 76, of 3 mm to 15 mm and preferably of 4 mm to 12 mm. The at least one structural element 40, 42 has a height, in particular parallel to the height axis 74, of 0.5 mm to 2 mm and preferably of 0.9 mm to 1.5 mm. The structural elements in particular have different heights. The height of the structural element varies due to the lowered grip surface 32 over the individual structural element. The structural elements 40, 42 each have a smaller height at the outer ends of the structural element, in particular in the direction of the width axis, than in the center of the structural element, it being possible for the surface of the structural element to merge into the gripping surface 32 at the outer ends of the structural element. The height of the at least one structural element 40, 42 corresponds at least substantially to the depth of the depression 96. The at least one structural element 40, 42 has a length, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis 72, of 0.5 mm to 2 mm and preferably of 1 mm up to 1.7 mm. The at least one structural element 40, 42 preferably has a crescent-shaped cross section. The at least one structural element 40, 42 has a shorter length at the outer ends of the structural element 40, 42, in particular left and right, than in the middle of the structural element 40, 42.

In addition, the grip unit 14 has at least one concavely curved, essential grip surface 32. The at least one concavely curved, essential grip surface 32 has a little finger grip area 44 made of the soft component 16. In the little finger grip area 44, the structural elements 46, 48 of the soft component 16 projecting beyond the essential grip surface 32 are arranged. The grip surface 32 forms a depression 98 in the small finger grip area 44 along the longitudinal axis 72.

The depression 98 is formed partly from the soft component 16 and partly from the hard component 18. The depression 98 is formed from the hard component 18, in particular in the region in the direction of the underside 68. The depression 98 is formed, in particular, in the small finger grip area 44 from the soft component 16. The depression 98 has a transition between the soft component 16 and the hard component 18, the transition forming a shoulder 100. The depression 98 extends rounded into the further geometries of the soft component 16. The little finger grip area 44 has at least one structural element 46, 48 projecting beyond the grip surface 32. The at least one structural element 46, 48 is formed from a soft component 16. The at least one structural element 46, 48 is in particular connected in one piece to the soft component 16. The at least one structural element 46, 48 is arranged on the back 62 of the oral hygiene device 10. The at least one structural element 46, 48 forms an at least substantially flat transition via the depression 98 parallel to the width axis 76. The little finger grip area 44 has a plurality of structural elements 46, 48, of which only a few are provided with reference numerals for reasons of clarity. In the present case, the little finger grip area 44 has three structural elements arranged in a row along the longitudinal axis 72. The little finger grip area 44 has a number in particular of one to five structural elements and preferably of two to three structural elements. In the present case, the at least one structural element 46, 48 is designed as a material elevation which at least substantially projects beyond the gripping surface 32 and in particular has a crescent-shaped cross section, any other geometries, in particular straight or wavy lines, being conceivable. Wells are also conceivable. Furthermore, the size of the structural elements changes along the longitudinal axis 72, structural elements arranged in the direction of the bottom 68 being larger than structure elements 46, 48 arranged in the direction of the top 66. A radius of the at least one crescent-shaped structural element 46, 48 points in the direction of the bottom 68 Structural elements arranged on the little finger grip area 44 are each shaped similarly, but in particular are not shaped symmetrically. The at least one structural element 46, 48 has a width, in particular parallel to the width axis 76, of 3 mm to 15 mm and preferably of 5 mm to 12 mm. The at least one structural element 46, 48 has a height, in particular parallel to the height axis 74, of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm and preferably of 0.7 mm to 1.3 mm. The structural elements in particular have different heights. The The height of the structural element varies due to the lowered grip surface 32 over the individual structural element. The at least one structural element 46, 48 has a lower height at the outer ends of the structural element 46, 48, in particular in the direction of the width axis 76, than in the center of the structural element 46, 48, the surface of the structural element 46, 48 on the outer Ends of the structural element 46, 48 can pass into the gripping surface 32. The height of the at least one structural element 46, 48 corresponds at least substantially to the depth of the depression 98. The at least one structural element 46, 48 has a length, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis 72, of 0.5 mm to 2 mm and preferably of 1 mm up to 1.7 mm. The at least one structural element 46, 48 preferably has a crescent-shaped cross section. The at least one structural element 46, 48 has a shorter length at the outer ends of the structural element 46, 48, in particular in the direction of the width axis 76, than in the center of the structural element 46, 48.

Furthermore, the grip unit 14 has at least one middle and ring finger grip area 102. In the present case, the middle and ring finger grip area 102 is arranged on the rear side 62 of the oral hygiene device 10. The middle and ring finger grip area 102 comprises a plurality of structural elements, which are not all provided with reference numerals for reasons of clarity. The at least one structural element 104 forms an island 34 from the hard component 18, the island 34 being completely surrounded by the soft component 16. The at least two islands 34, 36 are at least substantially flush with the gripping surface 32. Viewed from the rear 62, the at least two islands 34, 36 preferably each have a rounded and / or oval shape, any other geometries with a closed contour being conceivable. The middle and ring finger grip area 102 has a number in particular of four to sixteen structural elements and preferably six to twelve structural elements. The structural elements are arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal axis 72 in two rows, in particular at a distance from the longitudinal axis 72 and on a slight curve that is bent inwards to the longitudinal axis 72. In the central and ring finger grip area 102, the at least one structural element 104 is mirrored on the longitudinal axis 72 and forms a second symmetrical structural element 106, these two structural elements 104, 106 each forming two islands 34, 36. The at least two islands 34, 36 are arranged between the index finger grip area 38 and the little finger grip area 44. The in Structural elements arranged in the middle and ring finger grip area 102 are each shaped similarly, but in particular are not shaped identically. Furthermore, a size of the structural elements changes along the longitudinal axis 72, wherein centrally arranged structural elements are larger than those arranged at the edges. The middle and ring finger grip area 102 is essentially formed from the soft component 16, with the exception of the islands 34, 36, which are formed from the hard component 18. The middle and ring finger grip area 102 further comprises an entire central section of the oral hygiene device 10, which can be gripped with one hand, for example, when used.

In particular, in a held state, a thumb comes to rest in the thumb grip area 22, an index finger in the index finger grip area 38 lies, a middle finger and a ring finger in the middle and ring finger grip area 102 lies and a little finger on the little finger Handle area 44 for lying. In principle, the oral hygiene agent 10 can also be used by a user with a finger position other than the intended storage position.

The at least one handle unit 14 has a flat support surface 58 at one end facing away from the application unit 12. The flat support surface 58 serves for a defined placement of the oral hygiene agent 10. The oral hygiene agent 10 has an imaginary support plane. The imaginary support plane extends free of intersection points along at least two spaced points / surfaces of the oral hygiene device 10. The planar support surface 58 extends parallel to a main extension plane of the oral hygiene device 10 and defines an imaginary support plane. The flat bearing surface 58 is designed in the shape of a crescent. The flat contact surface 58 is formed from a hard component 18. The flat contact surface 58 is arranged on the rear side 62 of the oral hygiene device 10. The flat contact surface 58 is arranged on the underside 68 of the oral hygiene device 10. The flat support surface 58 forms in particular a lower end of the oral hygiene means 10 on the rear side 62 in the direction of the underside 68. The flat contact surface 58 has a width, in particular parallel to the width axis 76, of 5 mm to 18 mm and preferably of 8 mm to 12 mm. The flat contact surface 58 has a length, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis 72, of 2 mm to 10 mm and preferably of 3 mm to 7 mm. The flat bearing surface 58 is provided for that Oral hygiene agent 10 to put on an imaginary support level. The oral hygiene agent 10 has a support point 108, preferably a support line and particularly preferably a support surface. The contact point 108, in particular the one contact surface, is formed from a hard component 18. The support point 108, in particular the support surface, is arranged on the rear side 62 of the oral hygiene device 10. The contact point 108, in particular the contact surface, is arranged in the region of the neck element 80. The support surface 58 and the support point 108, in particular the support surface, form a mounting for the oral hygiene agent 10 on an imaginary support level. The support surface 58 is advantageously relatively wide so that the oral hygiene agent 10 rests stably on an imaginary support level. A maximum distance between a rear side 62 of the handle unit 14 and the support plane, measured perpendicular to the support plane, is at least 5 mm, preferably at least 7 mm and particularly preferably at least 9 mm.

In a stored position, the oral hygiene agent 10 has an empty space 110 between the handle unit 14 and the imaginary support plane. The empty space 110 has a height, in particular parallel to the height axis 74, of 3 mm to 18 mm and preferably of 7 mm to 13 mm. The grip unit 14 has a comparatively extreme bend in an area above the index finger grip area 38 on the rear side 62. The support point 108 and / or a support line and / or a support surface and the support surface 58 are at a distance, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis 72, of 110 mm to 160 mm and preferably of 125 mm to 140 mm.

The oral hygiene agent 10 has a plurality of bulges and indentations which are distributed along its longitudinal axis 72. In the present case, the oral hygiene agent 10 has three bulges and two constrictions in a view on its front side 60. Transitions between bulges and constrictions are preferably rounded off here, but straight transitions are also conceivable. Furthermore, the oral hygiene agent 10 is designed to be curved on its side 64, 70, which advantageously results in known spring properties of the application unit 12. The person skilled in the art will adapt the shape of the oral hygiene agent 10 appropriately and application-related.

In the present case, all elements of the oral hygiene agent 10 are made from the soft component 16 in a common injection molding step. The oral hygiene agent 10 has at least one soft element made of the soft component 16, which forms at least part of the handle unit 14 and advantageously the application unit 12. Preferably, the soft element forms all of the soft component elements of the oral hygiene agent 10. The soft element can also form the bristles and / or cleaning elements of the application unit 12.

The soft element extends on the underside 68 of the oral hygiene device 10 without interruption from the handle unit 14, in particular the little finger grip area 44, via the neck element 80 to the application unit 12 (the top side 66). The soft element has a single injection point 112. The injection point 112 of the soft element is arranged on the rear side 62 of the oral hygiene agent 10. The injection point 112 is arranged on the longitudinal axis 72. The injection point 112 is arranged in an area below the middle and ring finger grip area 102. The injection point 112 is arranged between the middle and ring finger grip area 102 and the little finger grip area 44. The injection point 112 has a distance from the free end on the underside 68, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis 72, of 20 mm to 40 mm and preferably of 25 mm to 35 mm.

The oral hygiene agent 10 is produced by means of two negative molds. To this end, the oral hygiene agent 10 has a mold parting line 114. The mold parting line 114 runs over the entire length of the oral hygiene means 10 and is shown in FIG Figure 8 and 16 explicitly shown. A mold parting line 114 running over the soft component 16 differs from a mold parting line 114 running over the hard component 18, wherein in particular the mold parting line 114 running over the hard component 18 is also partially used for demolding the soft component 16. The mold parting line 114 has a curved shape over the length of the oral hygiene device 10, the curved shape at least essentially following the shape of the oral hygiene device 10. The mold parting line 114 runs in the middle height range of the oral hygiene agent 10. The mold parting line 114 runs along the widest point in the cross section of the oral hygiene device 10. This advantageously allows good mold release in the injection mold. The negative forms can can thus advantageously be removed from the oral hygiene agent 10 without having to overcome an undercut.

The at least one handle unit 14 has at least one lateral tail 50, 52 made of the hard component 18. The at least one lateral tail 50, 52 is completely delimited by the soft component 16. The at least one lateral tail 50, 52 is formed on a left long side and on a right long side of the oral hygiene device 10 and is preferably bent in accordance with the shape of the handle. The at least one lateral tail 50, 52 is formed from the hard component 18. The at least one lateral tail 50, 52 has a length, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis 72, in particular from 35 mm to 80 mm and preferably from 45 mm to 65 mm. The at least one lateral tail 50, 52 has a height, in particular parallel to the height axis 74, in particular from 1 mm to 5 mm and preferably from 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm. The lateral tail 50, 52 advantageously forms a support geometry for an injection molding process of the soft component 16. The mold parting line 114 runs at least partially in the middle of the side tail 50, 52, the mold parting line 114 leaving the side tail 50, 52 in the lower region in the direction of the front side 60 ,

The at least one handle unit 14 has at least one tongue 54, 56 made of the soft component 16. The at least one tongue 54, 56 extends over the lateral tail 50, 52. The neck element 80 forms at least one decorative element 116. The neck element 80 forms three decorative elements 116 in the present case. The at least one decorative element 116 is partially formed from a soft component 16 and partially from a hard component 18. The at least one decorative element 116 is arranged at the lower end of the neck element 80. The hard component 18 of the at least one decorative element 116 forms an annular, in particular oval, structure. The at least one decorative element 116 can be supplied with the soft component 16 at least partially from the rear side 62. The at least one decorative element 116 is supplied with the soft component 16 from the rear side 62 during the manufacture of the oral hygiene agent 10. The at least one decorative element 116 advantageously serves to support the base body 120 in an injection molding process of the soft component 16. The soft component 16 of the at least one decorative element 116 surrounds the annular structure made of the hard component 18.

The decorative element 116 forms an island 118 in the middle thereof from the soft component 16. The at least one decorative element 116 is completely surrounded by the soft component 16. The soft component 16, which surrounds the at least one decorative element 116, forms the tongue 54, 56 in the direction of the left long side and the right long side. The tongue 54, 56 is formed from the soft component 16. The tongue 54, 56 protrudes into the laterally arranged tail 50, 52 from the hard component 18. The tongue 54, 56 projects in particular beyond the mold parting line 114.

The oral hygiene agent 10 has at least one, in particular exactly one, base body 120 made of the hard component 18, which forms at least part of the handle unit 14 and the application unit 12. In the present case, the base body 120 forms all hard components 18 of the oral hygiene agent 10.

The following is the Figures 15 to 18 Reference, which show different representations of the base body 120. Due to the different views, some elements are not shown in all the figures and accordingly are not provided with reference numerals in all of the figures. In addition, for reasons of clarity, not all are in the Figures 1 to 14 introduced reference numerals shown. With appropriate reference, reference is made to these figures. The Figure 15 shows a front side 60 of a base body 120 of the oral hygiene means 10 in a schematic representation. The Figure 16 shows a side 70, in particular a right longitudinal side, of the base body 120 of the oral hygiene agent 10 in a schematic representation. The Figure 17 shows a rear side 62 of the base body 120 of the oral hygiene means 10 in a schematic representation. The Figure 18 shows a schematic sectional view of the base body 120 of the oral hygiene agent 10 along the section line XVIII-XVIII in the Figure 15 ,

In the manufacture of the oral hygiene agent 10, the base body 120 is manufactured in an injection molding process in a first manufacturing step. In a second manufacturing step, the base body 120 is extrusion-coated with at least one further component, in particular a soft component 16.

The base body 120 has at least one opening. A first opening 122 is arranged in the decorative element 116. The first opening 122 points in the direction the height axis 74 has an hourglass shape. This enables advantageous demolding of the base body 120. A second opening 124 and a third opening 126 are arranged in the handle unit 14. The second opening 124 is in particular arranged between the thumb grip area 22 and the index finger grip area 38. The third opening 126 is arranged between the additional grip area 92 and the little finger grip area 44. If a lettering is implemented, at least one further opening can also be arranged between the grip surface 24 and the middle and ring finger grip region 102. In addition to the breakthroughs, other components, for example soft components, advantageously flow around the base body 120, in particular in the region of the neck element 80, during the injection molding process. In the manufacture of the oral hygiene agent 10, the soft component 16 reaches its injection point 112 at least through a breakthrough from the rear side 62 to the front side 60 of the base body 120. The base body 120 is at least essentially completely in the area of the handle unit 14 on the rear side 62 Soft component 16 coated, with the exception of the islands 34, 36 in the middle and ring finger grip area 102 and the contact surface 58. The soft component 16 has a minimal thickness above the hard component 18, in particular from 0.1 mm to 2 mm and preferably from 0.2 mm to 1 mm on. The base body 120 also has at least one channel 128, which is arranged in a region of the middle and ring finger grip region 102 of the grip unit 14. The channel 128 extends along the longitudinal axis 72. The channel 128 can be designed with at least one opening, the opening being intended in particular to supply a lettering with a soft component 16. However, this breakthrough is not shown in the present figures.

The base body 120 has a single injection point 130. The injection point 130 of the base body 120 is arranged on the rear side 62. The injection point 130 is arranged on the longitudinal axis 72. The injection point 130 has a distance from the free end on the underside 68, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis 72, of 8 mm to 28 mm and preferably of 13 mm to 22 mm. In a finished state of the oral hygiene agent 10, the injection point 130 of the base body 120 is overmolded with the soft component 16. The injection point 130 of the base body 120 is in a region of the injection point 112 of the soft element and less than 20 mm, preferably less than 15 mm, from this.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Oral hygiene means

12

application unit

14

handle unit

16

soft component

18

hard component

20

brush head

22

Thumb grip area

24

grip

26

structural element

28

structural element

30

boundary wall

32

grip

34

island

36

island

38

Finger-grip area

40

structural element

42

structural element

44

Small-finger grip area

46

structural element

48

structural element

50

tail

52

tail

54

tongue

56

tongue

58

bearing surface

60

front

62

back

64

page

66

top

68

bottom

70

page

72

longitudinal axis

74

height axis

76

width axis

78

recess

80

neck member

82

strand

84

strand

86

structure

88

island

90

depression

92

Additional grip area

94

structural element

96

depression

98

depression

100

paragraph

102

Middle and ring finger grip area

104

structural element

106

structural element

108

support point

110

whitespace

112

injection point

114

Mold parting line

116

decorative element

118

island

120

body

122

breakthrough

124

breakthrough

126

breakthrough

128

channel

130

injection point

Claims (19)

Oral hygiene agent (10), in particular toothbrush, with at least one application unit (12), with at least one handle unit (14), the at least one handle unit (14) being partially made of a soft component (16) and partially made of a hard component (18),
characterized in that
the soft component (16) extends at least over a substantial part of a main extent of the at least one handle unit (14). Oral hygiene agent (10) according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the at least one application unit (12) has a brush head (20) which is partly made of a soft component (16) and partly made of a hard component (18). Oral hygiene agent (10) according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the soft component (16) extends continuously over a major part of a main extension of the oral hygiene agent (10). Oral hygiene agent (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the at least one grip unit (14) has at least one thumb grip area (22) with a grip surface (24) made of the hard component (18) and at least one structural element (26, 28) projecting from the soft component (16). Oral hygiene agent (10) according to claim 4,
characterized in that
the at least one structural element (26, 28) of the at least one thumb grip area (22) is completely surrounded by the grip surface (24). Oral hygiene agent (10) according to claim 4 or 5,
characterized in that
the at least one handle unit (14) has at least one boundary wall (30) made of the soft component (16) at least substantially delimiting the handle surface (24). Oral hygiene agent (10) according to claim 6,
characterized in that
the at least one boundary wall (30) projects beyond the at least one structural element (26, 28) of the at least one thumb grip area (22). Oral hygiene agent (10) at least according to claim 6,
characterized in that
the at least one boundary wall (30) delimits the grip surface (24) of the at least one thumb grip region (22) at least in the direction of the application unit (12). Oral hygiene agent (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the at least one grip unit (14) has at least one concavely curved, essential grip surface (32) which is formed at least in large part from the soft component (16) and has at least two islands (34, 36) from the hard component (18). Oral hygiene agent (10) at least according to claim 4 and 9,
characterized in that
the at least one concavely curved, essential grip surface (32) is arranged on a rear side (62) of the grip unit (14) facing away from the thumb grip area (22). Oral hygiene agent (10) at least according to claim 9,
characterized in that
the at least one concavely curved, essential grip surface (32) has an index finger grip area (38) made of the soft component (16), in which the structural elements (40, 42) made of the soft component (16) projecting beyond the essential grip surface (32) are arranged. Oral hygiene agent (10) at least according to claim 9,
characterized in that
the at least one concavely curved, essential grip surface (32) has a little finger grip area (44) made of the soft component (16), in which the structural elements (46, 48) made of the soft component (16) projecting beyond the essential grip surface (32) are arranged. Oral hygiene agent (10) according to claim 11 and 12,
characterized in that
the at least two islands (34, 36) are arranged between the index finger grip area (38) and the little finger grip area (44). Oral hygiene agent (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the at least one handle unit (14) has at least one lateral tail (50, 52) made of the hard component (18), which is completely delimited by the soft component (16). Oral hygiene agent (10) according to claim 14,
characterized in that
the at least one handle unit (14) has at least one tongue (54, 56) made of the soft component (16), which extends over the lateral tail (50, 52). Oral hygiene agent (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the at least one handle unit (14) has a flat support surface (58) on one end facing away from the application unit (12), which serves for a defined placement of the oral hygiene agent (10). Oral hygiene agent (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
marked by
an imaginary support plane which extends free of intersection points along at least two spaced points of the oral hygiene device (10). Oral hygiene agent (10) at least according to claim 16,
characterized in that
the flat support surface (58) extends parallel to a main extension plane of the oral hygiene device (10) and defines an imaginary support plane. Oral hygiene agent (10) according to claim 16 or 17,
characterized in that
a maximum distance between a rear side (62) of the handle unit (14) and the support plane, measured perpendicular to the support plane, is at least 3 mm.

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