Brush head for a toothbrush and method for producing the brush head

Abstract

The brush head of the toothbrush has filaments that are pointed at one end and led through clearances in the bristle carrier. These filaments have a length of about 10-20 mm. The tips of the pointed filaments produce a height profile other than that of a plane and the ends of the pointed filaments that are remote from the tips are melted.

Claims

1. A brush head for an electric toothbrush, comprising: a bristle carrier that can rotate back and forth about an axis of rotation running perpendicularly to the bristle carrier; conventional bristles with a substantially constant nominal diameter and rounded-off tips arranged in clusters on the bristle carrier; pointed filaments with pointed tips arranged on the bristle carrier in clusters with an arcuate shape; wherein the clusters with an arcuate shape are arranged in one or more groups forming an arc of a circle or a circle.

2. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bristle carrier is configurable in a rotational motion with a maximum angle of rotation a by a drive, and wherein the pointed filaments have a maximum distance r.sub.max from the axis of rotation, where r.sub.max=d.sub.max.Math.180°(πα) or r.sub.max=d.sub.max/(2 sin(α/2), wherein d.sub.max is a predetermined maximum path the pointed tips cover at most during operation of the electric toothbrush.

3. The brush head as claimed in claim 2, wherein d.sub.max=5 mm.

4. The brush head as claimed in claim 2, wherein d.sub.max=3 mm.

5. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clusters with pointed filaments are arranged on the bristle carrier one behind the other in the direction of movement of the toothbrush in operation.

6. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the direction of the maximum extent of the clusters with pointed filaments coincides with the direction of movement of the brush head.

7. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein conventional bristles are arranged between the pointed filaments.

8. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pointed filaments are colored at least in a region of the tip.

9. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pointed filaments have pointed tips at one end opposite a second end, wherein the second ends of the pointed filaments that are remote from the pointed tips are melted.

10. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clusters with pointed filaments have a maximum extent e of about 3 mm.

11. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bristle carrier comprises clusters of bristles containing only conventional bristles, each with a nominal diameter that is constant over their length and a rounded-off tip.

12. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the pointed filaments measured at the distance of 1 mm from the tip ranges from 15-35% of the nominal diameter.

13. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the pointed filaments measured at the distance of 2 mm from the tip ranges from 30-60% of the nominal diameter.

14. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the pointed filaments measured at the distance of 4 mm from the tip ranges from 60-90% of the nominal diameter.

15. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clusters with the pointed filaments contain fewer than 80 tips.

16. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clusters with the pointed filaments contain fewer than 50 tips.

17. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clusters with the pointed filaments form a non-constant height profile.

18. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pointed filaments of individual clusters form a non-constant height profile.

19. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least 80% of the pointed filaments have a length, measured from their exit point on the bristle carrier, from the interval (L, L+4 mm), where L is a predetermined length.

20. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pointed filaments have different lengths and the tips of at least 80% of the pointed filaments are positioned with respect to a height profile of the pointed filaments within a height range of about 4 mm.

21. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pointed filaments are longer than the conventional bristles.

22. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pointed filaments are colored in a region of the tip.

23. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brush head is driven in such a way that the pointed filaments perform at least 5000 movements per minute.

24. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brush head is driven in such a way that the bristles perform at least 5000 movements per minute.

25. The brush head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bristle carrier has a round shape.

26. A brush head for an electric toothbrush, comprising a bristle carrier that can rotate back and forth about an axis of rotation running perpendicularly to the bristle carrier; the bristle carrier having a mixed filament arrangement comprising: conventional bristles with a substantially constant nominal diameter and rounded-off tips arranged in clusters comprising a plurality of conventional bristles; and pointed filaments with pointed tips arranged in clusters comprising a plurality of pointed filaments; wherein the pointed filaments are arranged on the bristle carrier in such a way that, during operation of the electric toothbrush, their tips cover at most a predetermined maximum path of d.sub.max=5 mm.

27. The brush head as claimed in claim 26, wherein the pointed filaments are arranged on the bristle carrier in such a way that, during operation of the electric toothbrush, their tips cover at most a predetermined maximum path of d.sub.max=3 mm.

28. The brush head as claimed in claim 26, wherein at least a part of the clusters with pointed filaments are arranged in one or more groups in the form of an arc of a circle or a circle.

29. An electric toothbrush comprising a brush head as claimed in claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, in which, purely schematically:

(2) FIGS. 1a, 1b respectively show three teeth in side view and plan view to illustrate the desired movements;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a brush head with a bristle carrier rotatably connected to it, with conventional bristles and pointed filaments;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a brush head with a bristle carrier pivotable about the longitudinal axis, with conventional bristles and pointed filaments;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a brush head with a vibrating bristle carrier with conventional bristles and pointed filaments;

(6) FIGS. 5a-c show a brush head with a multipart bristle carrier;

(7) FIGS. 6a-d show preferred arrangements of clusters of pointed filaments on a brush head;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a bristle carrier with clusters of pointed filaments;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a bristle carrier with clusters of pointed filaments and conventional bristles;

(10) FIGS. 9a, 9b respectively show a conventional bristle and a pointed bristle;

(11) FIGS. 10a-e show clusters of pointed filaments with various shapes;

(12) FIGS. 10f, 10g show clusters of pointed filaments with various profiles;

(13) FIGS. 11a-e show brush heads in side view with various profiles of the pointed filaments;

(14) FIG. 12 shows a brush head with clusters of bristles according to FIG. 10a;

(15) FIGS. 13a, 13b show a brush head with clusters of bristles with soft elements;

(16) FIG. 14a shows a receiving tank filled with pointed filaments, and FIG. 14b is an enlarged view of a section of the receiving tank as shown in FIG. 14a; and

(17) FIG. 15a shows pushing means for pushing clusters of filaments through a bristle carrier and further parts off an AFT machine, and FIG. 15b is an enlarged view of a section of FIG. 15a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(18) FIGS. 1a, b show three teeth 1, standing in a row of teeth, with interdental spaces 2 lying in between, respectively in side view and plan view. Examples of brush heads 3 with pointed filaments 5 are provided by the other figures.

(19) With pointed filaments 5, preferably small movements along the row of teeth in the direction x and rather greater movements transversely thereto, i.e. in the direction Y, are performed in the plane of the teeth or in the direction Z perpendicular to the plane of the teeth. Excessive movements along the x direction are to be avoided, since they are accompanied by great mechanical loading of the pointed filaments 5 (whiplash effect). Consequently, the desired movements of the pointed filaments 5 extend over the entire width b1 of the interdental spaces 2 and over a strip of the width b2 and b3, respectively, along the flanks 1a, 1b of the teeth. The width b1 is typically about 2 mm, the width b2, b3 in each case about 5 mm.

(20) In order to achieve an improved cleaning effect in comparison with manual cleaning, the brush head 3 is driven in such a way that the pointed filaments 5 achieve more than 1000 cleaning movements per minute, but preferably more than 5000 movements. In the case of manual cleaning, significantly fewer than 1000 movements are achieved during the entire cleaning process. For each movement, the tip 5a of a pointed bristle covers a distance d with respect to the stationary set of teeth (i.e. without overlaying a movement that may possibly be performed manually). In order not to subject the pointed filaments 5 to excessive loading under this high-frequency back and forth motion on the tooth surfaces and in particular when changing between tooth surface 1a, 1b and spaces between the teeth, the path d of the tips 5a of the filaments 5 is less than a predetermined maximum path d.sub.max, which is preferably 3 mm. These values correspond approximately to the size of large spaces 2 between the teeth, which can consequently be optimally cleaned without damaging the tips 5a. The control and restriction of the movements of the tips 5a has the effect of reducing the risk of injuries to the gums.

(21) In an advantageous development, the maximum path d.sub.max of the tips 5a depends on the direction of movement, the maximum path d.sub.max,long in the longitudinal direction L of the brush head 3 preferably being less than the maximum path d.sub.max,trans transversely thereto. The longitudinal direction L of the brush head 3 corresponds during use approximately to the direction x of the row of teeth in which the movements of the bristles are preferably to be restricted because of the tooth-to-tooth transition and the accompanying loading of the bristles. This makes allowance for the geometry of the set of teeth and allows a movement along the spaces 2 between the teeth, i.e. in the Y and Z directions, with a greater deflection than transversely thereto. With preference, d.sub.max,long is 3 mm (X direction) and d.sub.max,trans is 5 mm (Y, Z directions).

(22) FIGS. 2-4 and 5a-c show various examples of brush heads with a bristle arrangement of conventional bristles 6 and pointed filaments 5. The bristles 5, 6 are respectively arranged in clusters 5′, 6′ on a bristle carrier 4. The clusters 6′ of conventional bristles 6 are symbolized by an empty circle and the clusters 5′ of pointed filaments 5 are symbolized by a circle with a dot.

(23) In the case of the brush head 3 represented in FIG. 2, the bristle carrier 4 is connected to the brush head 3 such that it can rotate back and forth about an axis of rotation D running perpendicularly to the bristle carrier 4. For this purpose, a suitable drive is present (not represented here). During operation, a maximum angle of rotation a is achieved. The pointed filaments 5 are arranged on the bristle carrier in such a way that the following applies for the maximum distance r.sub.max of their exit points on the bristle carrier from the axis of rotation D: r.sub.max=d.sub.max.Math.180°:(πα), where d.sub.max is the maximum path mentioned at the beginning. By approximation (distance between the points of inflection instead of length of the arc), the following applies: r.sub.max=d.sub.max:(2 sin(α/2)). Preferably, d.sub.max=3 mm.

(24) Devices with angles of rotation of up to 70° are currently on the market. The diameter of the brush head 3 is generally less than 20 mm. The movement of the tips 5a increases with the radius or the distance from the axis of rotation. The following table gives some values for the path, calculated in dependence on the angle of rotation and the radius. The figures for the path that are shown with a * belong to the pairs of radius/angle-of-rotation values that are permissible according to the invention for d.sub.max=3 mm (d.sub.max=distance between the points of inflection).

(25) TABLE-US-00001 Radius (mm) α = 10° α = 20° α = 30° α = 40° α = 50° α = 60° α = 70° 1 0.2* 0.3* 0.5* 0.7* 0.8* 1.0* 1.1* 2 0.3* 0.7* 1.0* 1.4* 1.7* 2.0* 2.3* 3 0.5* 1.0* 1.6* 2.1* 2.5* 3.0* 3.4 4 0.7* 1.4* 2.1* 2.7* 3.4 4.0 4.6 5 0.9* 1.7* 2.6* 3.4 4.2 5.0 5.7 6 1.0* 2.1* 3.1 4.1 5.1 6.0 6.9 7 1.2* 2.4* 3.6 4.8 5.9 7.0 8.0 8 1.4* 2.8* 4.1 5.5 6.8 8.0 9.2 9 1.6* 3.1 4.7 6.2 7.6 9.0 10.3 10 1.7* 3.5 5.2 6.8 8.5 10.0 11.5

(26) The table shows that, in the case of small angles of rotation, in principle the entire brush head 3 can be provided with pointed filaments 5 and that, in the case of large angles of rotation, only a central segment 7 should be provided with pointed filaments 5.

(27) FIG. 3 shows a brush head 3, which is pivoted about its longitudinal axis L during operation, so that the brush head 3 performs a rocking sideward motion. The brush head 3 thereby passes over an angle β. The following applies for the maximum distance l.sub.max of the tips of the pointed filaments from the pivot axis L: l.sub.max=d.sub.max.Math.180°:(πβ) or l.sub.max=d.sub.max:(2 sin(β/2)) (distance between the points of inflection), where d.sub.max is the maximum path mentioned at the beginning. Preferably, d.sub.max=3 mm.

(28) In connection with pointed filaments 5, the rocking sideward motion is particularly appropriate. With this type of toothbrush, during use the pointed filaments 5 move along the interdental spaces 2. The direction of movement that is less desired for the bristles and the gums is excluded for the pointed filaments 5. In the case of this movement, the maximum path covered by the tips should likewise be less than 3 mm. The angle of rotation can consequently be fixed on the basis of the following table in dependence on the distance of the tips from the pivot axis. The figures for the path that are shown with a * belong to the pairs of distance/pivoting-angle values that are permissible according to the invention for d.sub.max=3 mm. In the case of an average distance of 12 mm, the angle of rotation of the brush head should be chosen to be not greater than 15°.

(29) TABLE-US-00002 Distance (mm) β = 10° β = 15° β = 20° β = 25° β = 30° β = 35° 9 1.6* 2.3* 3.1 3.9 4.7 5.4 10 1.7* 2.6* 3.5 4.3 5.2 6.0 11 1.9* 2.9* 3.8 4.8 5.7 6.6 12 2.1* 3.1 4.2 5.2 6.2 7.2 13 2.3* 3.4 4.5 5.6 6.7 7.8 14 2.4* 3.7 4.9 6.1 7.2 8.4 15 2.6* 3.9 5.2 6.5 7.8 9.0

(30) FIG. 4 shows purely schematically a brush head 3, which vibrates in two directions S1, S2 transversely to the longitudinal direction L. In the case of this variant of movement, the brush head geometry has less influence on the deflection of the conventional bristles 6 and pointed filaments 5. The size of the deflection can be determined by choice of the electric current, motor and/or vibration generators. The direction of the deflection can be influenced by a special construction of the brush handle, for example stiffening in the vertical direction, and additional damping measures. Since the deflection of the brush head 3, and with it the tips of the pointed filaments 5, preferably follows the interdental spaces 2, the toothbrush is preferably intended to have a greater lateral deflection in the direction S1 than a vertical deflection in the direction S2. Deflections of less than 3 mm here also produce a very gentle action and stimulation of the gums.

(31) FIGS. 5a-c show brush heads 3 in the case of which a rotational movement is combined with other types of movement. If a mechanical movement, for example rotation, is performed with an electric toothbrush, vibration is also produced in any event. In the present examples, the bristle carrier 4 is of a multipart form. A round, first carrier element 4a is connected to the brush head 3 rotatably about the axis of rotation D (cf. FIG. 2). It is provided with conventional bristles 6. At least one further carrier element 4b is firmly connected to the brush head 3 and provided with pointed filaments 5. Under rotation of the part 4a, it is made to vibrate. In FIG. 5a, this further carrier element 4b is in front of and behind the rotating carrier element 4a in the longitudinal direction L; in FIG. 5b, it is only behind it and in FIG. 5c it is only in front of it. The moved carrier element 4a with conventional bristles 6 undertakes the surface cleaning and the co-vibrating, only indirectly mechanically moved carrier element 4b with the pointed filaments 5 undertakes the interdental cleaning and the cleaning of very small structures. Instead of rotating the first carrier element 4a, it may also be pivoted about the longitudinal axis.

(32) FIGS. 6a-d show examples of the arrangement of the pointed filaments 5 on the bristle carrier 4. The pointed filaments 5 are first grouped together in clusters 5′. In the present case, these are circular in cross section, but may also have some other shape, for example as represented in FIGS. 10a-e. In the case of the brush head 3 according to FIG. 6a, the clusters 5′ are grouped together in rows 9, which run transversely to the longitudinal direction L. This arrangement is used with preference in the case of bristle carriers 4 which can pivot about the longitudinal axis L or vibrate in this direction, since the rows 9 coincide there with the running direction of the clusters 5′. In the case of the example from FIG. 6b, the bristle clusters 5′ are arranged on arcs of a circle 10. This arrangement is used with preference in the case of rotating bristle carriers 4. There are two inner circles of bristle clusters 5′ with pointed filaments 5, the maximum radius of which is r.sub.max. In both cases, the active region of the pointed filaments 5 can consequently be spatially restricted well.

(33) FIG. 6c shows an example of a bristle arrangement with mixed clusters 5′, 6′ of pointed filaments 5 and conventional bristles 6 on a round bristle carrier 4 with a radius r.sub.max. The mixed bristle arrangement has the advantage that the pointed filaments 5 have more freedom of movement and, in spite of bending on the tooth structures, cannot become jammed in one another during use. In principle, the pointed filaments 5 should be given more freedom of movement than the conventional bristles 6. In particular at the outer limits, i.e. for arrangements in which the bristle tips cover approximately the maximum distance d.sub.max, such a mixture with conventional bristles is advantageous.

(34) FIG. 6d shows a bristle arrangement in which the clusters 5′ of pointed filaments 5 are arranged in segments 11 in the form of arcs of a circle. This arrangement corresponds substantially to FIG. 6b and is likewise suitable for rotating brushes.

(35) Instead of arranging bristle clusters 5′ with a round cross section as described in groups (rows, circles, segments), bristle clusters 5′ with a correspondingly adapted cross section may also be used (see FIGS. 11a-e).

(36) In order that the pointed filaments 5 can move freely and the interdental spaces 2 are not clogged, the individual clusters 8 are preferably spaced sufficiently apart from one another. Since, in the case of certain embodiments, the tips cover different distances in dependence on their location on the bristle carrier 4, the minimum hole spacing x between neighboring clusters 8 is fixed in dependence on the path covered. FIG. 7 shows an example of a rotating bristle carrier 4, of which only a centrally arranged pair of bristle clusters 8 and a peripherally arranged further pair of bristle clusters 8′ are shown for the sake of overall clarity. The minimum spacings x1 near the axis of rotation D are smaller than the minimum spacings x2 further away from the axis of rotation D.

(37) Since, in the case of certain embodiments it is only appropriate to arrange the pointed filaments at a suitable position on the surface of the brush head, other types of filaments can be used at the positions which are not suitable. Conventionally rounded-off bristles, which consist for example of polyester PBT or polyamide PA, may be used in particular for the surface cleaning of the tooth surface. If a massaging effect of the gums is additionally required, soft rubber-elastic elements in the form of bristles, lamellae or other formations of thermoplastic elastomer TPE may be additionally molded or inserted. FIG. 8 shows an example of a bristle carrier 4 with such a mixed bristle arrangement comprising pointed filaments 5 within a central area with a radius r.sub.max and peripherally arranged conventional bristle clusters 6.

(38) FIGS. 9a, b explain the dimensioning of the conventional bristles 6 and the pointed filaments 5. The conventional bristles 6 outlined in FIG. 9a have over their length a substantially constant nominal diameter Δ.sub.nom (diameter at the thickest point of the bristle), which is for example 0.15 to 0.25 mm. The tip 6a of the bristle is rounded off.

(39) In order to minimize the potential for injury in the case of toothbrushes with high-frequency motions and maximize their lifetime, special requirements are imposed on the geometry and the nature of the pointed filaments 5. The pointed filaments 5 outlined in FIG. 9b likewise have a constant diameter over a region of their length, for example likewise a nominal diameter of 0.15-0.25 mm. Toward the tip 5a, the bristle 5 tapers, beginning at a distance a from the tip 5a. Measured from the tip 5a, the diameter at the corresponding point corresponds for example to the following values:

(40) TABLE-US-00003 Distance % of the nominal diameter (mm) Mean value Tolerance range 0.1  8%  5-15% 1 25% 15-35% 2 45% 30-60% 3 60% 50-80% 4 75% 60-90% 5 80% 70-90% 6 85% >75% 7 90% >80%

(41) In order to achieve adequate flexibility of the filaments, their length from where they leave the brush head is chosen to be between 7 and 13 mm. In order to ensure adequate stability of the individual filaments under high-frequency motion, over 75% of the nominal diameter is left over a large part of the length. The table presented above shows that the pointing of the filaments predominantly takes place over the last 4 to 5 mm. With this configuration, the tip 5a can optimally reach the smallest fissures and interdental spaces 2 with adequate filament stability.

(42) For the pointed bristles, polyamide is preferably used, or else polyester (PBT). The pointing process is based on the reduction of the diameter by means of a chemical process. Depending on the length of time for which the bristle remains in the chemical substance, the plastic decomposes and the diameter is reduced. In this way, the shape of the point can be influenced.

(43) FIGS. 10a-e show examples of the shape of clusters 5′ of pointed filaments 5. Such a cluster 5′ does not necessarily have to have a round shape. Substantially triangular (FIG. 10a), substantially rectangular (FIG. 10b), elliptical (FIG. 10c), arcuate (FIG. 10d) or other shapes (FIG. 10e) come into consideration. The elongate shapes according to FIGS. 10a-c are appropriate in particular for pivotable toothbrushes and may be used instead for the arrangement of round bristle clusters in rows (cf. FIG. 12, in which a mixed bristle arrangement of normal bristle clusters 6′ with round cross section and clusters 5′ of pointed filaments 5 with the shape represented in FIG. 10a is shown). The shape shown in FIG. 10d is particularly advantageous for rotating toothbrushes.

(44) FIGS. 13a-b show another embodiment of a mixed bristle arrangement of normal bristle clusters 6′ with round cross section and clusters 5′ of pointed filaments 5. In this embodiment, a set of the clusters 5′ is replaced by a pair of soft rubber-elastic elements 12.

(45) The greatest extent e is preferably approximately 3 mm and consequently corresponds to a large interdental spacing. If too many filaments are grouped together in each cluster 5′, this can cause unnecessary stiffening of the individual filaments 5 and make penetration into the interdental spaces 2 more difficult. A cluster 5′ therefore preferably contains fewer than 80, with particular preference fewer than 50, pointed tips 5a of the filaments 5. In this case, depending on the production technique, each filament may have one or two pointed tips 5a. Certain filaments also have a round tip and a pointed tip 5a.

(46) FIGS. 10f+g show examples of the height profile of the bristle clusters 5′ from FIGS. 11d and 11e, respectively. Such non-constant height profiles are realized with preference by the AFT or IMT method.

(47) FIGS. 11a-e show brush heads 3 in side view, in the case of which the tips 5a of the pointed filaments 5 form different profiles. FIGS. 11a-d relate to pivotable brush heads, FIG. 11e to a rotating brush head.

(48) For fabrication reasons, the flat profile shown in FIG. 11a can be produced most simply. In this case, just one basic filament length is used, adopting conventional punching technology. Approximately 80% of the filament ends are positioned within the height range Δh of 4 mm in latitude. Different filament lengths within these limits are desired to a certain extent, since they consequently ensure easier interdental penetration than in the case of an exactly equal length, as is produced when cutting conventional bristles. Individual, prominently projecting filaments should be avoided, however, since they entail the risk of injuring the gums, in particular under high-frequency motion.

(49) FIG. 11b shows a brush head in the case of which a profile shape deviating from a plane is produced by means of conventional punching technology with two different basic lengths of the pointed bristles. Usually, both ends of the filaments are pointed. The latter are bent in a U-shaped manner to create bristles. For this reason, the pointed bristles cannot be cut, and with this technology there is a limitation to different planes, here planes E1 and E2. Within the planes E1, E2, height variations are in turn possible within the height range Δh of approximately 4 mm. There is greater freedom with filaments pointed at one end.

(50) If, for the reasons already mentioned, different filament types are combined, the pointed filaments 5 for the interdental cleaning are preferably longer than conventionally rounded-off bristles or massaging elements. The different types of bristles are preferably used in the bristle carrier in place of the other respective type or types of bristles. Alternatively, the bristle carriers 4 could be of a multipart form, separately provided with bristles and subsequently joined together.

(51) For the production of the brush heads 3 according to the invention, the AFT (Anchor Free Tufting) method or IMT (In Mold Tufting) method is appropriate in particular. The AFT method is described for example in EP-A 0 972 464. The IMT method is described for example in EP-A 0 795 711 and EP-A 0 346 646. Unlike in the case of conventional tufting, the pointed filaments 5 are in this case only pointed at one end when they are fed to the AFT or IMT machine. The length of the filaments is between 10 and 20 mm. As shown in FIGS. 14a, 14b, the filaments 5 are preferably inserted into the receiving tank 13 with the tips 5a downward. There is consequently no need for later reorientation within the AFT or IMT machine. The filaments 5 are pushed by the pushing means 17 on the pointed side 5a through the bristle carrier 4 (in the case of IMT through the transporting inserts) as shown in FIGS. 15a, 15b. For this purpose, as also shown in FIG. 13b, the bristle carrier has clearances 14 for the bristles. The non-pointed side is cut and, as known, subsequently melted to form a melted end 15. If the bristle carrier is not in one piece with the brush head, the two parts are subsequently connected to each other, preferably by means of ultrasonic welding. The FIGS. 15a, 15b further show a support 19 for the pushing means 17, a guidance plate 21, a carrier means 23 and a filament guidance 25 of an AFT machine as disclosed in EP 0 972 464.

(52) The AFT or IMT method makes simplified production of the pointed filaments possible, since they only have to be pointed at one end. Furthermore, by corresponding configuration of the pushing means, the individual clusters are profiled, for example for better interdental penetration. Examples of this are shown in FIGS. 11c-e and also in FIGS. 10f+g (profiling of the individual clusters). This is not possible with the conventional tufting technology. Since the filaments are cut after the profiling, only one filament length has to be provided. The bristles can be cut to the desired length. By contrast with this, in the case of conventional tufting technology, a number of material lengths have to be used to create a topology other than that of a plane.

(53) The AFT and IMT methods consequently have great advantages for the production of the toothbrushes according to the invention, since a largely unrestricted shape of the bristle clusters is made possible. This allows the path covered by the tips during use to be controlled particularly well. The production method can also be advantageously used for the production of manual toothbrushes.