WO2000056186A1

WO2000056186A1 - Flexible brush head for a toothbrush

Info

Publication number: WO2000056186A1
Application number: PCT/CH1999/000125
Authority: WO
Inventors: Beat Huber
Original assignee: Trisa Holding Ag
Priority date: 1998-01-16
Filing date: 1999-03-23
Publication date: 2000-09-28
Also published as: NO990143D0; NO990143L; AU2709899A

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible brush head (14) for a toothbrush (10) having a bristle holder (16) consisting of a first hard, elastic plastic material and subdivided by tunnels (20) extending crosswise in relation to the longitudinal axis of the brush head (14) into segments disposed one after the other. The segments (17) of the bristle holder (16) and the tunnels (20) extend preferably throughout the entire width of the brush head (14). The tunnels (20) are filled with a second, soft elastic plastic material and are connected to each other by a groove (30) provided laterally on the bristle holder (16). The areas (22, 22') of the bristle holder (16) that limit the tunnels (20) of the side of the brush head (14) holding the bristles and the side opposite the brush head, are elastically deformable and operate as a bend limiting element if the bristle holder segments (17) are deflected during utilization.

Description

Flexible brush head for a toothbrush

The invention relates to a flexible brush head for a toothbrush.

The object of the present invention is to create a flexible, adaptable brush head which allows better cleaning of the dentition.

This object is achieved by a brush head according to claim 1.

The brush head according to the invention is very flexible due to its construction. It has a bristle carrier made of a first, hard but elastic plastic, which is divided into at least two segments one behind the other along the longitudinal axis of the brush head by at least one recess, which penetrates the bristle carrier transversely to the longitudinal axis of the brush head in the form of a tunnel.

The segments of the bristle carrier and preferably also the tunnel extend over the entire width of the brush head, the tunnel preferably being filled with a second, rubber-like, elastic plastic, which is much softer than the first plastic of the bristle carrier, so that there is no danger. that dirt gets stuck in the tunnel. The construction described allows the individual segments of the bristle holder to be deflected against one another, which results in flexibility of the brush head. Since the brush head can be bent about an axis running transversely to its longitudinal axis, it is possible to adapt it to both the outside and inside of the tooth, which results in more careful cleaning of the teeth, the interdental spaces and the gum line. leaves. A slight rotation of the individual segments of the bristle carrier relative to one another, that is to say a slight torsion of the bristle head, is also possible, which further improves the adaptation of the burst surface produced by the bristles or bristle bundle to the tooth and bit shapes and thus the cleaning. If the pressure is too strong or too strong, the brush head bends accordingly and compensates for part of the pressure. This enables gentler and more thorough cleaning.

If the brush head has more than just two segments and accordingly more than one tunnel, the flexibility of the brush head increases and the effects described are enhanced.

The flexibility of the brush head can be further increased if the regions of the bristle holder that delimit the tunnels on the bristle-bearing side or on the opposite side of the bristle-bearing side of the bristle holder are designed so that they can be stretched or compressed in the longitudinal direction of the brush head . In order to maintain greater stability of the brush head, it is expedient to design these areas only on one side and advantageously on the bristle-carrying side in the stretchable form described. An embodiment in the form of a bridge folded like an accordion is particularly suitable. A region of the bristle carrier which is designed to be simple or expandable by folding and which delimits the tunnel on the sides mentioned yields elastically up to its elastic limit and thus acts as a bending limitation. When the expansion limit is reached, further deflection or twisting of the segments against one another is only possible with the use of force. An automatic return of the segments to their original position is mainly due to the ela static restoring effect of the above-mentioned regions of the bristle carrier which delimit the tunnel and also caused by the second, soft, elastic plastic with which the tunnel is filled and which is firmly connected to the first, hard, elastic plastic of the bristle carrier.

For the production of a brush head of the type described, it is advantageous if, in the event that more than one tunnel is provided in the brush head, the tunnels are connected to one another, since in this way they are easier to connect with the second, soft, rubber-like elastic Have plastic filled. If entire toothbrushes are to be produced, it is advantageous to mold the brush head onto a brush handle or a plug-on part and also to produce this from the first, hard but elastic plastic.

Further advantageous embodiments of the brush head and toothbrushes with brush heads according to the invention form the subject of the dependent claims.

Exemplary embodiments of the brush head according to the invention are explained below with reference to the drawing.

The various figures designated 1 to 5 each show, purely schematically, each a toothbrush consisting of two different plastic materials with part of a brush handle and each with a different embodiment of the brush head according to the invention, the following being shown in the individual figures:

Figure la is a plan view of the bristle-carrying side of such a toothbrush. 1b shows a side view of the toothbrush shown in FIG.

1c is a view of the rear side of the toothbrush shown opposite the bristle-carrying side of FIGS. 1a and 1b;

Fig. Ld shows a longitudinal section along the line I-I m of Fig. La;

Fig. Le shows a section through the brush handle along the line II-II in Fig. Lb;

Fig. Lf a section through the brush head along the line III-III in Fig. Lb;

Fig. Lg shows a section through the brush head along the line IV-IV m of Fig. Lb;

2a shows a toothbrush with a further embodiment of the brush head according to the invention and with the transition to a brush handle m the top view of the bristle-carrying side;

FIG. 2b shows a side view of the toothbrush shown in FIG. 2a;

2c shows a section through the brush head along the line I-I in FIG. 2b, the bristle bundles not being shown;

FIG. 2d shows a side view of the core of the toothbrush shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, which core consists of the first, hard but elastic plastic; FIG. 2e shows a representation analogous to FIG. 2d of the toothbrush shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b under bending stress;

3a shows a toothbrush with a further embodiment of the brush head according to the invention and with the transition to a brush handle in a top view of the bristle-carrying side;

9 'is a side view of the toothbrush shown in Fig. 3a;

^g is a side view of the group consisting of the first, hard but elastic plastic core of the toothbrush "in Figures 3a and 3b are shown.

^g " ^{d shows} a section along the line II in FIG. 3a;

^{Fl <} 3 ' ^3e a section along the line II-II in Fig. 3c; ^{g *} an enlarged representation of a tunnel and the regions of the bristle carrier delimiting it according to FIG. 3c;

^Fi g. ³ g ^ _en ^ _{n F} j_g. 3f shown enlarged area in a section along the central longitudinal axis of the brush head; ^ti g. ⁴ a shows a toothbrush with a further embodiment of the brush head according to the invention and with the transition to a brush handle in a top view of the bristle-carrying side; F ⁱ g. ^{4D is} a side view of the toothbrush shown in FIG. 4a;

9 ^* a view of the rear side opposite the bristle-carrying side of the toothbrush shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b;

^Fιg "a longitudinal section along the line II in Fig. 4a;

^{g *} a section through the brush handle along the line II-II in Fig. 4b;

^{g #} a section through the brush head along the line III-III in FIG. 4b;

F ⁱ g. 4g shows a section through the brush head along the line IV-IV in FIG. 4b;

5a shows a toothbrush with a further embodiment of the brush head according to the invention analogous to the brush head shown in FIGS. 2a to 2e, in a representation corresponding to that in FIG. 2d; and

Fig. 5b the toothbrush shown in Fig. 5a under bending stress.

La-g, show a toothbrush 10 with part of a brush handle 12 and a brush head 14 with a bristle holder 16. The bristle holder 16 made of a first, hard but elastic plastic is through tunnel 20, which the bristle holder 16 over its entire width penetrate, divided into five segments 17 (Fig. La, ld), in which different numbers of rows of bristles bundled into bristle bundles 18 are anchored. The segments 17 of the bristle carrier 16, like the tunnels 20, each extend over the entire width b of the brush head 14 (FIGS. 1f, 1g). The tunnels 20 between the segments 17 of the bristle carrier 16 (FIGS. 1d, 1g) are filled with a second, soft, rubber-like elastic plastic, which is firmly connected to the first, hard, elastic plastic of the bristle carrier 16. The tunnels 20 are therefore completely surrounded by the hard, elastic plastic of the bristle carrier 16. They are delimited on the bristle-carrying side of the brush head 14 and on the side of the bristle head 14 opposite the bristle-carrying side by regions 22 of the bristle carrier 16 which are web-like, thin and therefore very flexible.

The bristle carrier 16 has, in the middle of its sides forming the lateral edge of the brush head 14, a side groove 30 which has the same height as the tunnels 20 (FIG. 1b, le, lf). The tunnels 20 are connected to one another via the side groove 30 running more or less around the entire brush head 14, which is also filled with the second, soft, rubber-like elastic plastic.

The brush head 14 and the brush handle 12 are integrally connected to one another via the segment 17 'of the bristle holder 16 which is adjacent to the brush handle 12, the brush handle 12 likewise consisting of the hard but elastic plastic of the bristle holder 16 (FIGS. 1a to 1d). The brush handle 12 has a handle groove 26 which extends on the bristle-carrying side of the toothbrush 10 along the longitudinal axis 24 of the toothbrush 10 (FIG. 1 a). Shortly before the brush head 14, this grip groove 26 (FIG. 1 a) divides and runs obliquely towards the brush head 14 on the lateral sides of the brush handle 12 and goes into the side groove 30 over (Fig. lb). The grip groove 26, like the side groove 30, is filled with the second, soft, rubber-like elastic plastic.

Due to the large number of segments 17 into which the bristle carrier 16 is divided by the tunnels 20 and because of the relatively thin and therefore very flexible regions 22 of the bristle carrier 16, the brush head 14 is very flexible overall and can be easily bent and in twist along the central longitudinal axis 24 'of the brush head 14. As a result, the brushing surface is better adapted to the tooth arches and the interdental spaces and better cleaning is achieved. The tunnels 20 thus increase the flexibility of the brush head 14. The areas 22 of the bristle holder 16 which delimit the tunnels 20 on the bristle-bearing side and on the opposite side of the brush head 14 from the bristle-bearing side, however, simultaneously reduce the risk that part of the brush head 14 is bitten off during use.

The one-piece connection between the brush handle 12 and the brush head 14 and the connection of the tunnels 20 to one another via the side groove 30 of the bristle holder 16, together with the connection of the side groove 30 and the grip groove 26, enables the entire toothbrush with the brush head 14 according to the invention to be produced very simply in a two-component injection molding process.

An embodiment which is slightly modified compared to the embodiment described in FIGS. 1a to 1g is shown in FIGS. 2a to 2e.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a to 2e shows a toothbrush 10 with a further embodiment of the brush head 14 and with a short section of a brush handle 12. The brush head 14, which has a bristle carrier 16 divided into three segments 17 by tunnel 20, is integrally formed on the brush handle 12 (FIG. 2a). The first segment 17 ′ of the bristle carrier 16, which is adjacent to the brush handle 12 and in which a number of bristle bundles 18 are also anchored, forms a transition region 32 to the brush handle 12.

As in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 a to 1 g, there are also tunnels 20 between the segments 17 of the bristle carrier 16, which extend over the entire width of the brush head 14, which also extend over the entire width of the brush head 14 ( Fig. 2a, 2b, 2d, 2e) and are filled with the second, soft, rubber-like elastic plastic.

A side groove 30 embedded in the side of the bristle carrier 16, which is filled with the soft, elastic plastic, connects the tunnels 20 to one another, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. For the purpose of simple manufacture, the molded-on brush handle 12 also has a groove 26 on both lateral surfaces, which merges into the groove 30 of the bristle carrier 16 in the transition region 32 (FIGS. 2b, 2d and 2e) and with the second, soft, rubber-like elastic plastic is filled out.

2d and 2e only the core consisting of the first, hard but elastic plastic is shown, i.e. the filling of the tunnels 20 and the grooves 26 and 30 from the second, rubber-elastic plastic is not shown.

The tunnels 20 are completely surrounded by the first, hard, elastic plastic of the bristle carrier 16. Thieves- rich 22 of the bristle carrier 16, which delimit the tunnel 20 on the bristle-carrying side of the toothbrush 10 (Fig. 2b, 2d, 2e), are very thin and slightly curved (Fig. 2b, 2c), so that they on the bristle bearing side of the brush head 14 appear as trough-like recessed grooves (Fig. 2a). Under the load that occurs during use, these slightly curved regions 22 of the bristle carrier 16 (FIG. 2d) stretch and, in the fully tensioned state, oppose further bending of the bristle carrier 16 (FIG. 2e). In this way, the regions 22 of the bristle carrier 16 shaped in this way act on the one hand to increase flexibility and on the other hand to act as a bending limitation which prevents excessive bending of the brush head.

The regions 22 ′ of the bristle carrier 16, which delimit the tunnels 20 on the side opposite the bristle-carrying side, are also thin and elastic, so that when the toothbrush is used, the bristle carrier 16 bends out, as shown in FIG. 2e is shown to be elastically compressed.

The bristle bundles designated 18 'in FIGS. 2b, 2d and 2e, which belong to the rows adjacent to the tunnel 20, are inclined. As these FIGS. 2b, 2d and 2e show, the inclined position is such that the bristle bundles 18 ′ arranged on both sides of a tunnel 20 are inclined towards one another, as a result of which the tunnel region lying between them is covered

(Fig. 2b and 2d). The receiving holes for the bristle bundles 18 ′ formed in the segments 17 of the bristle carrier 16 are correspondingly inclined. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a to 3g has the same basic construction as the brush head 14 shown in FIGS. 2a-2e. However, the tunnels 20 expand in a trumpet shape towards the edge of the brush head 14 (FIG. 3a). The regions 22 of the bristle carrier 16, which delimit the tunnels 20 on the bristle-carrying side of the toothbrush 10 (FIGS. 3c, 3f, 3g), are also thin and slightly curved, so that they too, together with the edges, toward the bristle-carrying side of the segments 17 of the bristle carrier 16 form trough-like recessed grooves running across the brush head 14 (FIG. 3a). Since the tunnels 20 expand in a trumpet shape towards the edge of the brush head 14, the channels formed by the regions 22 on the bristle-carrying side of the brush head 14 also appear in a plan view in a shape that widens in a trumpet shape against the edge of the brush head 14 (FIG 3a). Like the regions 22 of the bristle carrier 16 in the embodiment described in FIGS. 2a to 2e, the regions 22 of the bristle carrier 16 also increase flexibility and limit bending.

In this embodiment, the middle segment 17 and the segment 17 ″ of the bristle carrier 16 opposite the brush handle 12 are in two parts 17a, 17b by an intermediate space 34 which extends over the entire width of the brush head 14 (FIGS. 3c, 3e) divided. This intermediate space 34 connects the tunnels 20 to one another and is likewise filled with the second, soft, elastic plastic (FIG. 3d). The intermediate space 34 with its soft, rubber-like elastic filling enables the segments 17 of the bristle carrier 16 to tilt along and transversely to the longitudinal axis 24 of the brush head 14. A small web 36 at the end of the brush head 14 opposite the brush handle 12, which connects the bristle-carrying part 17 ″ a to the part 17 ″ b opposite the bristle-carrying part of the segment 17 ″ prevents the two Spread parts 17 "a and 17" b of segment 17 "apart during use and the bond between these parts 17" a, 17 "b and the soft, elastic plastic in the space 34 is loosened (FIG. 3c) . The segment 17 'of the bristle carrier 16 located at the other end of the brush head 14 and adjacent to the brush handle 12 is not separated by the intermediate space .34. It goes into the brush handle 12 (Fig. 3c), which is made of the same hard, elastic plastic as the bristle carrier 16th

The basic construction of the brush head 14 shown in FIGS. 4a to 4g is the same as that of the brush head 14 shown in FIGS. La to lg. Both have a bristle carrier 16 made of hard, elastic plastic divided into five segments 17 by tunnels 20.

The difference between the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a to 1g and the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4a to 4g is that in the embodiment of the brush head 14 described in FIGS. 4a to 4g, the bristle carrier 16 instead of a side groove 30 is one Has groove 28, which extends along the central longitudinal axis 24 'on the opposite side of the bristle-carrying side of the brush head 14 (Fig. 4c). The groove 28, which is filled with the second, soft, rubber-like elastic plastic, penetrates the bristle carrier 16 in such a way that the tunnels 20 are connected to one another via the groove 28 (FIGS. 4c, 4d, 4f, 4g). For efficient production in the two-component spraying process, the brush handle 12 has a grip groove 26 on the back of the toothbrush 10 opposite the bristle-carrying side, which grips into the groove 28 in the region of the brush head 14 along the central longitudinal axis 24 'of the brush head 14. Both grooves 26 and 28 are filled with the soft, rubber-like elastic plastic (Fig. 4c, 4d, 4e).

The possible variations of the brush head 14 according to the invention are far from exhausted with the embodiments described and shown in the figures. As above all made clear by the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 2a to 2e and 3a to 3g, the geometrical shape of the bristle carriers 16 can take on almost any shape when viewed from above. The bristle carriers 16 and their segments 17 therefore do not have to be rectangular, as is shown in the examples in FIGS. 1a to 1g and 4a to 4g. The same also applies to the tunnels 20 between the segments 17 of the bristle carriers 16, as is shown in FIGS. 3a, 3c, 3f. Variations in the externally visible distribution between parts made of the first, hard, elastic plastic and the second, soft, rubber-like elastic plastic are of course also conceivable for design reasons.

In all of the exemplary embodiments shown, the tunnels 20 extend over the entire width of the bristle carrier 16 and are continuous from side edge to side edge. It is now also conceivable not to design the tunnels 20 continuously, ie to interrupt the tunnels 20 with an intermediate piece. It is also possible to refrain from filling the tunnel 20 with the second, soft, elastic plastic. In such an embodiment, the side groove 30 or the groove 28 and the grip groove 26 can be dispensed with. Thus, the bristle carrier 16 divided into segments 17 by the tunnels 20 and the brush handle 12 of such an embodiment consist of only one material, namely the first, hard, elastic plastic. The brush head 14 designed according to the invention can be used not only for a manual toothbrush as shown, but also for slip-on toothbrushes, such as are used for electric toothbrushes. In such a slip-on toothbrush, the brush head 16 according to the invention is connected to a slip-on part.

Instead of forming the brush head 14 in one piece with the brush handle 12 or the plug-on part, the brush head 14 can also be exchangeably connected to the brush handle 12 or the plug-on part. The configuration of the bristles or bristle bundles 18 can also be varied, as is already indicated in FIG. 3b by the different length of the bristle bundles 18 and the brush surfaces cut in part at an angle. As mentioned, bristles or bundles of bristles 18 which are inclined relative to one another and intersecting, as shown in FIGS. 2b and 2d, can also be useful and additionally contribute to better cleaning of the dentition.

Those areas 22 of the bristle carriers 16 that delimit the tunnels 20 can also be designed in different ways. As described in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a-2e and 3a-3g, the flexibility of the brush head 14 can be increased if the regions 22 of the bristle carriers 16 are made thin and slightly curved become. The extensibility of these areas 22 m in the longitudinal direction of the brush head 14 can also be improved, for example, by thinning the areas 22 against their center hm. A very advantageous, because very stretchable, shape of these areas 22 is a thin configuration in the longitudinal direction of the brush head 14 folded like an accordion. This also applies correspondingly to the areas 22 ′ on the rear side of the bristle carrier 16 opposite the bristle-carrying side, which are elastically compressed when the bristle carrier segments 17 are deflected by the force exerted on the bristle bundles 18.

An embodiment of these areas 22 of the bristle carrier 16, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, also leads to a very high flexibility of the brush head. 5a and 5b show a toothbrush 10 with a brush head 14, which is constructed analogously to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a to 2es. However, of the thin areas 22 and 22 'which cover the tunnels 20, in the embodiment shown here the areas 22 on the bristle-carrying side of the brush head 14 are divided into two sections 22a and 14 by a parting plane 21 which extends over the entire width of the brush head 14 22b divided, which finally touch in the normal state, as shown in Fig. 5a. Under bending stress, the parting plane 21 widens to a gap 21 ', as shown in FIG. 5b, which enables a large deflection. The restoring force of the soft, elastic plastic material in the tunnels 20 ensures that the gap 21 'closes again completely when the bending stress ceases and the sections 22a and 22b of the areas 22 close together again. With regard to torsional stress along the longitudinal axis 24 ′ of the bristle carrier 16, the parting plane 21 m increases the flexibility of the brush head 14 in the areas 22.

Claims

claims

1. Flexible brush head for toothbrushes (10) with a bristle carrier (16) consisting of a first, hard, elastic plastic, in which projecting bristles are anchored to form bristle bundles (18), and which is anchored in at least two in the longitudinal axis ( 24) of the brush head (14) segments (17) arranged one behind the other, the bristle carrier (16) being divided into segments (17) by a tunnel (20) extending transversely to the longitudinal axis (24) of the brush head (14) .

2. Brush head according to claim 1, characterized in that each tunnel (20) passes through the bristle carrier (16) over its entire width.

3. Brush head according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that region (22) of the bristle carrier (16) that delimits each tunnel (20) on the bristle-carrying side of the bristle carrier (16) is thin and in the direction of the longitudinal axis (24) the brush head (14) is stretchable.

4. Brush head according to claim 3, characterized in that the region (22) of the bristle carrier (16), which delimits each tunnel (20) on the bristle-carrying side of the bristle carrier (16), is folded like an accordion in the longitudinal direction of the brush head (14).

5. Brush head according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the region (22) of the bristle carrier (16), which delimits each tunnel (20) on the bristle-carrying side of the bristle carrier (16), by a over the entire width of the bristle carrier (16) extending parting plane (21) is divided into two abutting sections (22a, 22b).

6. Brush head according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that that region (22 ') of the bristle carrier (16) which delimits each tunnel (20) on the side opposite the bristle-carrying side of the bristle carrier (16), thin and elastically compressible in the direction of the longitudinal axis (24) of the brush head (14).

7. Brush head according to claim 6, characterized in that the region (22 ') of the bristle carrier (16) which delimits each tunnel (20) on the side opposite the bristle-carrying side of the bristle carrier (16) in the longitudinal direction of the brush head (14) is folded like an accordion.

8. Brush head according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bristle carrier (16) by at least two tunnels (20) is divided into at least three segments (17), the tunnels (20) being connected to one another.

9. Brush head according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each tunnel (20) is filled with a second, soft, elastic plastic.

10. Brush head according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the bristle carrier (16) laterally has a side groove (30) via which the tunnels (20) are connected to each other and which is filled with the second, soft, elastic plastic.

11. Brush head according to claims 8 and 9, characterized by a along the central longitudinal axis

(24 ') of the brush head (14) extending, on the bristle-bearing side of the bristle holder (16) opposite groove (28) which connects the bristle holder (16) through the tunnels (20) and with the second, soft , elastic plastic is filled.

12. Brush head according to claims 8 and 9, characterized by an intermediate space (34) which extends over the entire width of the bristle carrier (16) and at least some of the segments (17, 17 ', 17' ') of the bristle carrier (16 ) separates about half the height (h) of the bristle carrier (16), and which connects at least some of the tunnels (20) to one another and is filled with the second, soft, rubber-like elastic plastic.

13. Brush head according to claim 12, characterized in that the intermediate space (34) extends into the segment (17 '') opposite a brush handle (12), the bristle-carrying part (17 '' a) and that of the bristle-carrying part ( 17 '' a) opposite part (17b) of the segment (17 '') are connected to one another at least at one point.

14. Toothbrush with a brush head (14) and a brush handle (12) or a plug-on part, characterized in that the brush head (14) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 13.

15. Toothbrush according to claim 14, characterized in that the brush head (14) is integrally formed on the brush handle (12) or the plug-on part.

16. Toothbrush according to claim 14, characterized in that the brush head (14) is removably attached to the brush handle (12) or to the plug-on part.