A BODY CARE BRUSH WITH INJECTED BRISTLES

Abstract

A body care brush, especially a toothbrush, having a brush head, containing a main body that has a head part and containing a plurality of care bristles, wherein the care bristles are provided on the head part via a bristle carrier and form a bristle field, the head part and bristle field being part of the brush head. The care bristles are injection molded as one piece together with the bristle carrier by an injection molding process.

Claims

1. A body care brush, with a brush head, comprising a main body with a head part, as well as comprising a plurality of care bristles, wherein the care bristles are arranged on the head part via a bristle carrier and form a bristle field, and the head part and the bristle field are part of the brush head, wherein the care bristles are injection moulded as one part together with the bristle carrier by way of an injection moulding method.

2. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the bristle field is organised into a plurality of bristle segments each with a plurality of care bristles, wherein the bristle segments are distanced to one another.

3. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the bristle field comprises at least one bristle segment with a plurality of care bristles, wherein the segment base surface of the bristle segment has a geometry which is different from a circular shape.

4. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the bristle field comprises at least one bristle segment with a plurality of care bristles, wherein the outer contour of the segment base surface of the bristle segment forms at least one corner.

5. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the bristle field comprises at least one bristle segment with a plurality of care bristles, wherein the outer contour of the segment base surface of the bristle segment forms at least one straight-lined stretch section.

6. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the care bristles within at least one bristle segment are arranged distanced to one another at their base.

7. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the geometry of the segment base surface of at least one bristle segment is annulus-sector-shaped.

8. A body care brush according to claim 7, wherein the bristle field comprises a plurality of bristle segments with annulus-sector-shaped segment base surface, and the bristle segments form annulus-shaped or annulus-sector-shaped bristle arrangements in the bristle field.

9. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement of the care bristles within a bristle segment or the arrangement of several bristle segments on the bristle carrier is such that the care bristles in a plan view represent a pattern which conveys a message or information.

10. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein at least one opening is arranged in the head part or in the bristle carrier, and the care bristles are arranged on the head part on surface sections of the bristle carrier, wherein the surface sections at least partly surround the openings.

11. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the body care brush comprises a neck part which connects onto the head part, and care bristles are arranged on the neck part.

12. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein at least one oral hygiene member which projects beyond the bristle field of the care bristles is arranged on the brush head.

13. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the head part forms a front side and a rear side which lie opposite the front side, and injected care bristles are arranged on the head part, on the front side as well as on the rear side of the head part.

14. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein at least one care bristle forms a hollow channel running in the bristle longitudinal direction.

15. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of at least one care bristle comprises a straight-lined stretch section.

16. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein at least one care bristle in each case forms at least one undercut.

17. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the free end section of at least one care bristle is structured by at least one deepening.

18. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the brush head comprises at least one care bristle or oral hygiene member arranged on the edge of the head part.

19. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the bristle carrier with the care bristles is injection moulded onto the head part of the main body.

20. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the bristle carrier is formed by a separate carrier body, and the care bristles are integrally injection moulded with the carrier body, and the carrier body is placed upon the head part of the main body or is inserted into this and is connected to the head part.

21. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the main body forms a neck part and a grip part which connects onto the neck part, wherein the neck part is arranged between the head part and the grip part.

22. A body care brush according to claim 1, wherein the body care brush is designed as an assembly part for assembly on a grip body, wherein the main body comprises a neck part, via which the body care brush can be assembled on the grip body.

23. A method for manufacturing a body care brush according to claim 1, wherein care bristles are injection moulded as one part together with the bristle carrier by way of an injection moulding method.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein a main body and a bristle carrier with care bristles are injection moulded in separate method steps, wherein the main body is demoulded before the connection to the bristle carrier which comprises the care bristles.

25. A method according to claim 23, wherein at least one part of the main body, after its demoulding is inserted into a further injection moulding cavity and the bristle carrier with the care bristles is injected onto the at least one part and is thus connected to this.

26. A method according to claim 23, wherein the main body is injection moulded with an interface structure, wherein the interface structure is designed for creating a connection to the bristle carrier.

27. A method according to claim 23, wherein the injection moulding tool for manufacturing the care bristles comprises at least one undercut in at least one channel-like bristle cavity, the undercut having the effect that the care bristle is held back in the region of the undercut during the demoulding, so that the care bristle is stretched along the bristle longitudinal axis during the demoulding.

28. A method according to claim 23, wherein the bristle component is injected into the tool cavity in a manner such that this is deflected or diverted at least once before entry into the bristle cavities.

29. An injection moulding tool for manufacturing care bristles, wherein the injection moulding tool comprises a carrier cavity which is designed to form a bristle carrier, and the injection moulding tool comprises several tool inserts each with several bristle cavities which are designed to form bristle segments each with several care bristles, and the injection moulding tool is designed to form the bristle carrier and care bristles in a single-part manner.

30-40. (canceled)

Description

[0830] The subject-matter of the invention is hereinafter explained in more detail by way of special embodiments which are represented in the accompanying drawings. Shown schematically in each case are:

[0831] FIG. 1a: a perspective view of a toothbrush with injected care bristles, obliquely from above;

[0832] FIG. 1b: a perspective view of the toothbrush according to FIG. 1a, obliquely from below;

[0833] FIG. 2a: a perspective view of the front region of the brush head of a toothbrush according to a first embodiment;

[0834] FIG. 2b: a plan view of the front region of the brush head according to FIG. 2a;

[0835] FIG. 3a: a perspective view of the front region of the brush head of a toothbrush according to a second embodiment;

[0836] FIG. 3b: a plan view of the front region of the brush head according to FIG. 3a;

[0837] FIG. 4a: a perspective view of the front region of the brush head of a toothbrush according to a third embodiment;

[0838] FIG. 4b: a plan view of the front region of the brush head according to FIG. 4a;

[0839] FIG. 5a a perspective view of the front region of the brush head of a toothbrush according to a fourth embodiment;

[0840] FIG. 5b a plan view of the front region of the brush head according to FIG. 5a;

[0841] FIG. 6a: a perspective view of the front region of the brush head of a toothbrush according to a fifth embodiment;

[0842] FIG. 6b: a lateral view of the front region of the brush head according to FIG. 6a;

[0843] FIG. 6c: a plan view of the front region of the brush head according to FIG. 6a;

[0844] FIG. 7a: a perspective view of an injected care bristle according to a first embodiment;

[0845] FIG. 7b: a cross-sectional view of the care bristle according to FIG. 7a along its middle longitudinal plane;

[0846] FIG. 8a: a perspective view of an injected care bristle according to a second embodiment;

[0847] FIG. 8b: a cross-sectional view of the care bristle according to FIG. 8a along its middle longitudinal plane;

[0848] FIG. 9a: a perspective view of an injected care bristle according to a third embodiment;

[0849] FIG. 9b: a cross-sectional view of the care bristle according to FIG. 9a along its middle longitudinal plane;

[0850] FIG. 10a: a perspective view of an injected care bristle according to a fourth embodiment;

[0851] FIG. 10b: a cross-sectional view of the care bristle according to FIG. 10a along its middle longitudinal plane;

[0852] FIG. 11a: a perspective view of an injected care bristle according to a fifth embodiment;

[0853] FIG. 11b: a cross-sectional view of the care bristle according to FIG. 11a along its middle longitudinal plane;

[0854] FIG. 12a: a perspective view of an injected care bristle according to a sixth embodiment;

[0855] FIG. 12b: a cross-sectional view of the care bristle according to FIG. 12a along its middle longitudinal plane;

[0856] FIG. 13a a perspective view of an injected care bristle according to a seventh embodiment;

[0857] FIG. 13b a cross-sectional view of the care bristle according to FIG. 13a along its middle longitudinal plane;

[0858] FIG. 14a a perspective view of an injected care bristle according to an eighth embodiment;

[0859] FIG. 14b: a cross-sectional view of the care bristle according to FIG. 14a along its middle longitudinal plane;

[0860] FIG. 15.1-15.22 plan views of different embodiments of bristle segments for forming the bristle field of a toothbrush;

[0861] FIG. 16.1-16.12 plan views of different embodiments of brush heads;

[0862] FIG. 17a: a plan view of a brush head according to a further embodiment;

[0863] FIG. 17b: a lateral view of the brush head according to FIG. 17a;

[0864] FIG. 18a: a plan view of a brush head according to a further embodiment;

[0865] FIG. 18b: a lateral view of the brush head according to FIG. 18a;

[0866] FIG. 19a: a plan view of a brush head according to a further embodiment;

[0867] FIG. 19b: a lateral view of the brush head according to FIG. 19a;

[0868] FIG. 19c: a cross-sectional view of the brush head according to FIG. 19a, through the care bristles and massage elements/cleaning elements;

[0869] FIG. 20a: a perspective view of a main body of a toothbrush according to a further embodiment;

[0870] FIG. 20b: a plan view of a carrier body with bristling for a main body according to FIG. 20a;

[0871] FIG. 20c: a perspective view of a brush head of a toothbrush which is composed of the main body according to FIG. 20a and the carrier body with the bristling according to FIG. 20b;

[0872] FIG. 21a: a perspective view of a brush head of a toothbrush according to a further embodiment;

[0873] FIG. 21b: a plan view of the brush head according to FIG. 21a;

[0874] FIG. 22: a perspective view of the front region of a brush head of a toothbrush according to a further embodiment;

[0875] FIG. 23a: a plan view of a brush head of a toothbrush according to a further embodiment;

[0876] FIG. 23b: a lateral view of the brush head according to FIG. 23a;

[0877] FIG. 24a: a perspective view of the brush head of a toothbrush according to a further embodiment;

[0878] FIG. 24b: a cross-sectional view of the brush head according to FIG. 24a;

[0879] FIG. 25: a cross-sectional view of a brush head of a toothbrush according to a further embodiment;

[0880] FIG. 26a: a perspective view of the brush head of a toothbrush obliquely from above, according to a further embodiment;

[0881] FIG. 26b: a perspective view of the brush head according to FIG. 26a obliquely from below;

[0882] FIG. 27a: a longitudinal sectioned view through the main body of a toothbrush in the region of the head part, according to a further embodiment;

[0883] FIG. 27b: a longitudinal sectioned view through the main body according to FIG. 27a with an obliquely set head-end bristle field;

[0884] FIG. 27c: a lateral view of a brush head with a main body according to FIG. 27a and with an obliquely set bristle head-end bristle field according to FIG. 27b, as well as further bristle field elements;

[0885] FIG. 27d: a perspective view of the brush head according to FIG. 27c obliquely from above;

[0886] FIG. 28: a process sequence;

[0887] FIG. 29: a representation of the combination possibilities on manufacturing a toothbrush with different care bristle fastening possibilities;

[0888] FIG. 30a: a perspective view of the main body of a toothbrush from the rear side with an interface structure for injecting on tooth care bristles;

[0889] FIG. 30b: a perspective view of the main body according to FIG. 30a from the front side;

[0890] FIG. 30c: a perspective view of the toothbrush from the front side with a main body according to FIGS. 30a and 30b with injected tooth care bristles;

[0891] FIG. 30d: a perspective view of the toothbrush according to FIG. 30c from the rear side;

[0892] FIG. 31a: a perspective view of the main body of a toothbrush from the rear side with an interface structure for attaching a carrier platelet with tooth care bristles;

[0893] FIG. 31b: a perspective view of the main body according to FIG. 31a from the front side;

[0894] FIG. 31c a perspective view of the toothbrush from the rear side with a main body according to FIGS. 31a and 31b with attached carrier platelet with tooth care bristles which are fixed in the AFT method;

[0895] FIG. 31d: a perspective view of the toothbrush according to FIG. 31c from the front side;

[0896] FIG. 32a: a perspective view of the main body of the toothbrush from the front side with an interface structure for the attachment of tooth care bristles in the anchor stamping method;

[0897] FIG. 32b: a perspective view of the toothbrush according to FIG. 32a from the rear side;

[0898] FIG. 32c: a perspective view of the toothbrush from the front side with a main body according to FIGS. 32a and 32b, with tooth care bristles which are attached in the anchor stamping method;

[0899] FIG. 32d: a perspective view of the toothbrush of FIG. 32c from the rear side;

[0900] FIG. 33a: a plan view of a main body of a toothbrush according to a further embodiment;

[0901] FIG. 33b: a lateral view of the main body according to FIG. 33a:

[0902] FIG. 33c: a plan view of the rear side of the main body according to FIG. 33a;

[0903] FIG. 33d: a longitudinal section through the main body according to FIG. 33a along the line D-D;

[0904] FIG. 33e: a first cross section through the brush head of the main body according to FIG. 33a along the line E-E;

[0905] FIG. 33f: a second cross section through the brush head of the main body according to FIG. 33a along the line F-F;

[0906] FIG. 34a: a plan view of a toothbrush with a main body according to FIG. 33a;

[0907] FIG. 34b: a lateral view of the toothbrush according to FIG. 34a;

[0908] FIG. 34c: a plan view upon the rear side of the toothbrush according to FIG. 34a;

[0909] FIG. 34d: a longitudinal section through the toothbrush according to FIG. 34a along the line D-D;

[0910] FIG. 34e: a first cross section through the brush head of the toothbrush according to FIG. 34a along the line E-E;

[0911] FIG. 34f: a second cross section through the brush head of the toothbrush according to FIG. 34a along the line F-F.

[0912] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments or design variants which are represented in the figures. Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0913] The subsequently represented embodiments of toothbrushes are characterised in that at least a part, in particular all tooth cleaning bristles are injected.

[0914] The toothbrush 1 which is represented in FIG. 1a and 1b comprises a main body 2 with a grip part 3, a head part 5 and with a neck part 4 which connects the head part 5 to the grip part 3.

[0915] The grip part 3 corresponds to that part of the toothbrush 1 which forms a rear end section and on which the toothbrush 1 is held by the hand.

[0916] The grip part 3 consists of a hard component. Moreover, the grip part 3 on its front side forms a first grip zone 101 with a thumb rest as well as a second grip zone 102 which lies opposite the first grip zone 101. The two grip zones 101, 102 are designed in an island-like manner. The two grip zones 101 102 consist of a further component, which e.g. can be a soft component.

[0917] The head part 5 corresponds to a front end section of the toothbrush 1, on which tooth cleaning bristles 7 are arranged. This end of the toothbrush 1 is indicated as a brush head 13. The head part 5 in particular is designed ovally. The head part 5 forms a front side and a rear side which lies opposite the front side. The tooth cleaning bristles 7 are arranged on the front side of the head part 5.

[0918] The front and the rear end section of the toothbrush 1 are arranged opposite one another.

[0919] In particular, the neck part 4 represents a transition section between the head part 5 and the grip part 3. The diameter of the neck part 4 in particular is reduced with respect to the grip part 3 and the head part 5. I.e. the neck part 4 forms a cross-sectional narrowing or tapering between the head part 5 and the grip part 3.

[0920] The injected tooth cleaning bristles 7 on the front side of the head part 5 form a bristle field 6. The head part 5 and the bristle field 6 form the brush head 13 of the toothbrush 1.

[0921] The brush head 13 from the front side to into the rear side of the toothbrush 1 forms sections which consist of the bristle component, from which the tooth cleaning bristles 7 are also injected. These sections are led in a finger-like manner around the sides of the brush head towards the rear side.

[0922] The head part 5 forms support sections 104 at the rear side between the finger-like sections of the bristle component, said support sections in particular consisting of a hard component.

[0923] The injection point 103 of the bristle component is also located on the rear side.

[0924] The injection point 103 is arranged on the toothbrush 1 such that on injecting the plastic into the cavity of the injection moulding tool, the plastic is not injected into the bristle cavities directly, i.e. in a straight line. I.e. the fluid plastic for example first contacts other elements or walls before it flows into the bristle cavity.

[0925] The longitudinal axis L of the toothbrush 1 is specified for orientation.

[0926] FIGS. 2a, 2b; 3a, 3b; 4a, 4b; 5a, 5b and 6a, 6b, 6c show different embodiments of tooth cleaning bristles 7.1-7.5 which essentially differ from one another by different bristle cross sections. What is shown in each case is a part of the bristle field. The tooth cleaning bristles 7.1-7.5 are schematically represented on a head part 5 in the figures. The FIGS. 2b; 3b; 4b; 5b and 6c show the tooth cleaning bristles 7.1-7.5 in each case in a plan view. What is clearly evident in the plan view is the conical construction of the tooth cleaning bristles 7.1-7.5 in the longitudinal direction of the tooth cleaning bristles, said construction being necessary for the demoulding which is to say mould removal from the injection moulding tool.

[0927] The tooth cleaning bristles 7.1 according to FIGS. 2a and 2b have an oval cross section. The tooth cleaning bristles 7.1 form a solid cross section. However, the tooth cleaning bristles 7.1 can also be designed in a hollow, thus tubular manner. The bristle field which is formed by the tooth cleaning bristles 7.1 comprises bristle segments each with four tooth cleaning bristles 7.1.

[0928] The tooth cleaning bristles 7.2 according to FIGS. 3a and 3b have a circular cross section. The tooth cleaning bristles 7.2 are designed in a hollow manner, thus in a tubular manner. The tooth cleaning bristles 7.2 however can also form a solid cross section.

[0929] The tooth cleaning bristles 7.3 according to FIGS. 4a and 4b have a rhombic cross section. The tooth cleaning bristles 7.3 form a solid cross section. The tooth cleaning bristles 7.3 however can also be designed in a hollow, thus tubular manner. The bristle field which is formed by the tooth cleaning bristles 7.3 comprises bristle segments each with four tooth cleaning bristles 7.3.

[0930] The tooth cleaning bristles 7.4 according to FIGS. 5a and 5b comprise a cross-like or star-like cross section. The tooth cleaning bristles 7.4 form a solid cross section. The tooth cleaning bristles 7.4 however can also be designed in a hollow, thus tubular manner.

[0931] The tooth cleaning bristles 7.5 according to FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c have a circular cross section which tapers conically towards the free bristle end. The tooth cleaning bristles 7.5 form a solid cross section. The tooth cleaning bristles 7.5 however can also be designed in a hollow, thus tubular manner. A group of several tooth cleaning bristles 7.5 are grouped together towards the head part 5 via a bristle stem 8 into a bristle bundle which simultaneously corresponds to a bristle segment.

[0932] FIGS. 7a, 7b; 8a, 8b; 9a, 9b; 10a, 10b; 11a, 11b; 12a, 12b; 13a, 13b; 14a, 14b show different embodiments of tooth cleaning bristles 10.1-10.8 with differently designed bristle end sections.

[0933] The bristle end sections according to FIGS. 7a, 7b and 8a, 8b are designed in a rounded manner. The rounding 9.1 according to the embodiment according to FIGS. 7a and 7b corresponds to a spherical calotte or hemisphere. The rounding 9.2 according to the embodiment according to FIGS. 8a and 8b is projectile-shaped or pointed.

[0934] The bristle end section according to FIGS. 9a and 9b is likewise rounded. However, a central recess 9.3 which is delimited by a closed peripheral bristle edge is incorporated in the bristle end.

[0935] The bristle end section according to the FIGS. 10a and 10b is designed in a fluted/corrugated manner and comprises elongate recesses 9.4 and prominences which alternate.

[0936] The bristle end section according to Figures Ila and 1 lb is designed in a rounded manner analogously to FIGS. 7a and 7b. A plurality of flutes 9.5 which leads radially away from the bristle end (or the bristle longitudinal axis) is arranged around the complete periphery of the rounded end section. The flutes 9.5 accordingly run to one another in a star-like manner towards the bristle end over the rounded bristle section.

[0937] The bristle end section according to the FIGS. 12a and 12b is likewise designed in a rounded manner analogously to FIGS. 7a and 7b. A plurality of pimple-like deepenings (dimples/micro-craters) 9.6 is arranged around the complete periphery of the rounded end section.

[0938] The bristle end section according to the FIGS. 13a and 13b is flattened towards the bristle end 9.7. The transition into the flattening is however rounded.

[0939] The bristle end section according to FIGS. 14a and 14b comprises a mushroom-shaped widening 9.8 towards the bristle end, before the bristle end section ends in a flattening in the bristle end. The bristle end section can be shaped for example from care bristles which in the initial shape have a bristle end section according to the FIG. 7a, 7b or 13a, 13b. One arrives at the mushroom-shaped widening according to the FIGS. 14a, 14b by way of heating and a subsequent upsetting (compression) of the bristle end sections.

[0940] FIGS. 15.1 to 15.22 show different embodiments of bristle cavity segment inserts in a plan view. The bristle cavity segment inserts amongst other things are characterised in that these each comprise a plurality of cavities for tooth cleaning bristles 12.1-12.22.

[0941] The shown bristle cavity segment inserts according to the FIGS. 15.1 to 15.22 inversely represent individual bristle segments of a bristle field. Accordingly, the cavities for tooth cleaning bristles 12.1-12.22 according to the FIGS. 15.1 to 15.22 inversely represent individual bristles of a bristle segment.

[0942] FIG. 15.1 shows a circular bristle cavity segment insert 11.1. This segment shape is also applied with stamped, conventional care bristles.

[0943] FIGS. 15.2 to 15.4 show different embodiments of ring-sector-shaped bristle cavity segment inserts 11.2-11.4 of a different size. Whereas the bristle cavity segment insert 11.2 according to FIG. 15.2 are three-rowed, the bristle cavity segment inserts 11.3 and 11.4 according to 15.3 and 15.4 are only of two rows.

[0944] Ring-sector-shaped bristle cavity segment inserts 11.2-11.4 can be combined for example into ring-shaped, wave-like or curved bristle patterns.

[0945] FIG. 15.5 shows a rhombic bristle cavity segment insert 11.5.

[0946] FIGS. 15.6 as well as 15.15-15.18 show rectangular bristle cavity segment inserts 11.6, 11.15-11.18.

[0947] FIG. 15.7 shows a triangular bristle cavity segment insert 11.7.

[0948] FIG. 15.8 shows a roundish bristle cavity segment insert 11.8.

[0949] FIG. 15.9 show an annular bristle cavity segment insert 11.9. The annular bristle cavity segment insert 11.9 forms a segment free space 36 in the centre.

[0950] FIG. 15.10 shows a star-shaped bristle cavity segment insert 11.10.

[0951] FIGS. 15.11 and 15.14 show different embodiments of truncated-pyramid-shaped or trapezoidal bristle cavity segment inserts 11.11, 11.14.

[0952] FIGS. 15.12 and 15.13 show further preferred embodiments of bristle cavity segment inserts 11.12, 11.13, in each case having a rectangular base shape with pointed rectangular ends.

[0953] FIG. 15.19 shows a T-shaped bristle cavity segment insert 11.19.

[0954] FIG. 15.20 shows an arrow-like bristle cavity segment insert 11.20.

[0955] FIG. 15.21 shows a square bristle cavity segment insert 11.21.

[0956] FIG. 15.22 shows a cross-shaped bristle cavity segment insert 11.2.

[0957] FIGS. 16.1 to 16.12 as well as the FIGS. 17a, 17b; 18a, 18b and 19a, 19b show different embodiments of brush heads 13.1-13.15 or bristle fields. The brush head 13.1-13.15 each comprises a head part 16.1-16.15 and a bristle field which is arranged on this. A neck part 17.1-17-15 connects to the brush head 13.1-13.15. The neck part 17.1-17.15 however is not represented in all embodiments.

[0958] The bristle field is formed from a plurality of bristle segments 15.1-15.15. The bristle segments 15.1-15.15 again each have a plurality of tooth cleaning bristles 14.1-14.15.

[0959] The bristle field of the brush head 13.1-13.4 according to FIGS. 16.1-16.4 is composed of a plurality of bristle segments 15.1-15.4 of a different geometry. A first group of bristle segments 15.1-15.24 is annulus-sector-shaped. A second group of bristle segments 15.1-15.4 is circular.

[0960] Combinations of bristle segments 15.1-15.4 of the first or second groups form part-fields with special geometric shapes such as circles, ovals, ring sectors, curvy strips, etc.

[0961] Thus e.g. according to FIG. 16.1, bristle segments 15.1 of the first group are arranged peripherally on the brush head and form an oval part-field. Further bristle segments 15.1 of the first group are arranged at the head end and form an annular part-field which shapes the so-called power tip. Bristle segments 15.1 of the second group are arranged within the bristle segments 15.1 of the first group and thus form an inner lying part-field.

[0962] According to FIG. 16.3, bristle segments 15.3 of the first group form a fishbone pattern. Herein, bristle segments 15.3 are arranged in a propagating geometry, in particular laterally in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the toothbrush.

[0963] According to FIG. 16.4, bristle segments 15.4 of the first group, put together, form a plurality of annuluses or annulus segments.

[0964] Only the outer edges of at least partly put-together bristle segments 15.5-5.8 are represented in FIGS. 16.5-16.8, but not the care bristles themselves, for the purpose of a better overview.

[0965] The outer edges of the put-together bristle segments 15.5 according to FIG. 16.5 are designed in a strip-like manner and are arranged into a hatching-like strip pattern in the brush head 13.5. The bristle strips are aligned obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush.

[0966] The outer edges of the put-together bristle segments 15.6 according to FIG. 16.6 are designed as a rhombic pattern. Various segment free spaces are arranged within the pattern.

[0967] The outer edges of the put-together bristles segments 15.7 according to 16.7 are designed as rhombuses which are arranged nested within one another.

[0968] The outer edges of the bristle segments 15.8 according to FIG. 16.8 have free shapes of geometries which are curved in a rounded manner.

[0969] The bristle segments 15.9, 15.10 according to FIGS. 16.9 and 16.10 for the most part are designed rectangularly and are aligned parallel to one another.

[0970] The bristle segments 15.11 according to FIG. 16.11 are likewise formed for the most part in a rectangular manner. However, the peripheral bristles segments 15.11 are arranged angled with respect to the central bristle segments and have a slight arched course. A T-shaped bristle segment 15.11 is arranged in the region of the power tip.

[0971] The design freedom concerning the fashioning of the bristle segments also permits the formation of patterns in the bristle field, said patterns comprising information or messages. Thus for example FIG. 16.12 in the head end (in the region of the power tip) shows a smiley.

[0972] As already mentioned further above, the bristle segments can also be shaped and arranged in the head end in a manner such that these from a so-called power tip (see FIG. 16.1). Power tips are characterised by their structures which set back from the remaining bristle field, so as to better reach the rearmost teeth.

[0973] The brush head 13.13 according to FIGS. 17a and 17b comprises a bristle field with a plurality of round bristle segments 15.13 which are arranged on the head part 16.13 in a regular pattern. Further bristle segments 15.13 are arranged at the head end of the brush head 13.13. These form an annulus-shaped structure with a further bristle segment 15.13 in the segment free space. These bristle segments together form a so-called power-tip. The care bristles of these bristle segments are angled away from the remaining bristle field to the front in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush. The power tip amongst other things serves for an improved cleaning of the rearmost teeth.

[0974] The power tip can also be manufactured from another component than the remainder of the bristle field.

[0975] The bristle segments 15.14 according to FIGS. 18a and 18b are designed in a roundish manner. The bristle field is led to into the neck part 17.14. Accordingly, bristle segments 15.14 are likewise arranged in that region of the neck part 17.14 which directly connects onto the brush head 13.14.

[0976] According to the embodiment example according to FIGS. 19a to 19c, additional oral hygiene members 18 which serve for massage or cleaning purposes are arranged on the edge of the bristle filed. The oral hygiene members 18 each comprise a plurality of rod-like massage or cleaning elements 19 of a soft-elastic material. The massage or cleaning elements 19 project beyond the bristle field of tooth cleaning bristles 14.15.

[0977] A first oral hygiene member 18 is arranged in the head end of the brush head 13.15. A second oral hygiene member 18 is arranged in the neck part 17.15. An oral hygiene member 18 is yet arranged laterally on the brush head 13.15 in each case. The oral hygiene members 18 therefore at least partly encompass the bristle field at the edge side. The massage or cleaning elements 19 of the oral hygiene members 18 are likewise injected.

[0978] The oral hygiene members 18, the tooth cleaning bristles 14.15 as well as the head part 16.15 are each manufactured of a different component in various injection moulding steps. The head part consists of a hard component, the tooth cleaning bristles 14.15 of a bristle component and the oral hygiene member 18 with the care bristles 19 of a soft component.

[0979] It is particularly well evident in the cross-sectional view along the line A-A (FIG. 19a) according to FIG. 19c, as to how the three applied components are arranged relative to one another within the cross section. Moreover, it is well evident that the massage and cleaning elements 19 stand taller than the bristle segments 14.15.

[0980] The toothbrush which is represented in FIGS. 20a, 20b and 20c comprises a main body 22 with a grip part 23, with a neck part 24 and with a head part 25 (see also FIG. 20a). The tooth cleaning bristles 27 in the present embodiment however are not injected directly onto the head part 25 of the main body 22, but rather onto a carrier body 28 in the form of a carrier platelet. The carrier platelet 28 with the bristle field is inserted into a recess in the head part 25 and is connected to the head part 25.

[0981] The toothbrush moreover comprises three oral hygiene members 21 which are likewise injected onto the carrier platelet 28. The oral hygiene members 21 form a circle structure and are arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis L of the toothbrush and at a distance to one another, on the head part 25 or on the carrier platelet 28. The oral hygiene members 21 each comprise a central, rod-like massage element as well as massage lamellae 29.2 which are arranged circularly around the rod-like massage element 29.1.

[0982] Bristle segments 26 are arranged around the oral hygiene members 21 in a circular arrangement. The bristle segments 26 each comprise a plurality of tooth cleaning bristles 27. A plurality of bristles segments has the shape of an annulus sector.

[0983] The embodiment of a brush head 30 according to FIGS. 21a and 21b is characterised by a head part 35 which is designed in a grid-like manner and which comprises a plurality of bristle strips 31 which cross at a right angle. The crossing bristle strips 31 each enclose rectangular openings 32.

[0984] The bristle strip which frames the head part 35 is designed in an oval manner. Accordingly, the head part 35 together with the neck part 34 which connects to this has the shape of a tennis racket.

[0985] The tooth cleaning bristles 37 are now arranged in rows or columns on the bristle strips 31 as well as on the frame strip.

[0986] The bristle field has a compliance on applying a pressing pressure, thanks to the openings 32 or the grid-like formation of the head part 35.

[0987] Moreover, the frame strip in the core is manufactured of a hard component. It forms a stable frame in this manner. The grid of the bristle strips 31 in the inside is formed from a softer component, e.g. of the bristle component. A flexibility is achieved by way of this.

[0988] The brush head 40 according to FIG. 22 comprises a plurality of tooth cleaning bristles 47 which are injected on the head part 45 and which are arranged into bristle segments in a sheaf-like (tuft-like) manner. The tooth cleaning bristles 47 are manufactured of several components/colours. The end of the tooth cleaning bristles 47 on the surface consist of a different component or a different colour than the surface of the base. The care bristles are manufactured in the co-injection method.

[0989] The brush head 50 according to FIGS. 23a and 23b which connects onto the neck part 54 comprises a multitude of tooth cleaning bristles 57a, 57b which are injected on the head part 55. The brush head 50 as a speciality also comprises tooth cleaning bristles 57b which are injected laterally on the head part 55 and which are arranged parallel to the remaining tooth cleaning bristles 57a.

[0990] The brush head 60 according to FIGS. 24a and 24b, which connects onto the neck part 64, on the front side comprises a plurality of tooth cleaning bristles 67a and on the rear side of the head part 65 comprises a plurality of tongue cleaning bristles 67b. The tooth cleaning bristles 67a and the tongue cleaning bristles 67b are arranged opposite one another.

[0991] The cleaning bristles 67a, 67b are injected on the front side and the rear side onto the head part 65. The cleaning bristles 67a, 67b are organised in bristle segments.

[0992] The tongue cleaning bristles 67b are designed shorter than the tooth cleaning bristles 67a.

[0993] The head part 65 comprises a core 66a of a first component and a jacket 66b of a second component. The jacket 66b is thereby manufactured from the bristle component and corresponds to the bristle carrier.

[0994] The brush head 70 according to FIG. 25, analogously to the embodiment according to FIGS. 24a and 24b, on the front side comprises a plurality of tooth cleaning bristles 77a and on the rear side of the head part 75 a plurality of tongue cleaning bristles 77b. The cleaning bristles 77a, 77b are likewise each injected onto the head part 65.

[0995] Furthermore, further care bristles 77c of an oral hygiene member which can likewise serve as cleaning elements or as massage elements can be injected laterally on the head part 75. The care bristles 77c which are likewise designed shorter than the tooth cleaning bristles 77a project laterally outwards from the head part 75.

[0996] In contrast to the embodiment according to FIGS. 24a and 24b, apart from the arrangement of the care bristles, the body construction is also different. The brush head is thus only manufactured from one component, the bristle component. I.e., all regions of the brush head are formed from the bristle component.

[0997] The brush head 80 according to FIGS. 26a and 26b, which connects to the neck part 84, comprises a plurality of tooth cleaning bristles 87 on the front side. The tooth cleaning bristles 87 are injected onto the head part 85 at the front side. The tooth cleaning bristles 87 are organised in bristle segments.

[0998] The head part 85 is ordered into several leaf-like surface sections which are each delimited from one another by slot-like openings 82 which are led from the outside towards the centre of the head part 85. The head part 85 thus comprises a clover-leaf-shaped organisation into three surface sections.

[0999] The individual surface sections thus have a limited connecting section to the main body. Accordingly, the surface sections are elastically movable relative to the main body.

[1000] Furthermore, at least a part of the leaf-like surface sections can be created from only the bristle component, in order to expand the flexible possibilities.

[1001] The brush head 90 according to FIG. 27a -27d comprises tooth cleaning bristles 97a, 97b which are arranged on the front side of the head part 95 and form a bristle field of two bristle types.

[1002] The head part 95 comprises a main section and section at the head end side, said head-end-side section being angled with respect to the main section towards the front side of the head part 95 or the neck part 94.

[1003] A first bristle field with stamped, conventional care bristles 97a is arranged on the main section. A second bristle field with injected care bristles 97b is arranged on the end section.

[1004] The tooth cleaning bristles 97b which are arranged on the angled end section are likewise angled and are directed towards the tooth cleaning bristles 97a of the main section. The tooth cleaning bristles 97a, 97b of the bristle part-fields which are formed in this manner intersect or cross.

[1005] The injected tooth cleaning bristles 97b are injected onto the end section of the head part 95 via a bristle carrier. The tooth cleaning bristles 97b are injected onto the head part 95 in a separate injection moulding step for this.

[1006] However, the tooth cleaning bristles 97a of the main section can likewise be injected.

[1007] A possible method sequence for the manufacture of a body care brush with care bristles which are manufactured in the injection moulding method is represented in FIG. 28. The particularity of the shown sequence is the fact that the injection moulding of the main body with the head part and the injection moulding of the bristle field are separate procedures.

[1008] The main body with the head part is manufactured in the injection moulding method in a first injection moulding step. After completion of the main body, this is intermediately stored in a buffering device or stored in another manner. A buffering is applied if the process steps are directly linked in an inline manner. A conventional storage is applied if the injection moulding of the main body and the injection moulding of the bristle field are not effected inline but temporally independently of one another.

[1009] The bristle field is manufactured subsequently to the main body in the injection moulding method in a second injection moulding step. With the application of a uniform interface structure in the head part, one can envisage different geometries of bristle fields being able to be injected. This means that the appearance of the functional part of the brush, specifically of the brush head, does not differ until in the further injection moulding step. Different bristle fields can therefore be injection moulded on the head part at a predefined interface structure.

[1010] As a variant, first soft components as parts of the brush head, for example soft-elastic massage or cleaning elements can already be injected in the first injection moulding step on injecting moulding the main body, due to the applied material components and the construction of the main body.

[1011] The body care brush can again be buffered via a buffering device or stored, depending on the linking of the process steps, subsequently to the manufacture. Regarding the buffering or storing it is referred to the description above.

[1012] The finished body care brush is packaged in a subsequent process step which is subsequent to a possible buffering or storage.

[1013] The process sequence according to FIG. 28 provides the manufacturer with a large product variability amid the application of as few as possible tool changes.

[1014] The concept of the variability of the bristle fields on manufacturing care brushes according to the process sequence described in FIG. 28 is represented in FIG. 29.

[1015] The injection moulding tools for manufacturing four different main body designs (main body G1 to main body G4) are specified schematically on the left side in a column. Each of the four injection moulding tools has a differently designed tool section for manufacturing the head part. The mentioned tool section comprises tool inserts for this.

[1016] Accordingly, the different injection moulding tools open up various possibilities concerning the fashioning of the brush head on the head part.

[1017] Standardised interface structures can be applied due to the exchange inserts for manufacturing the head part. Herein, it is possible to realise several, in the present case at least three different interface structures in an injection moulding tool. However, not necessarily all interface structures need to be able to be realised for each main body design: [1018] 1. Interface structure bristle holes [1019] Interface structure for the attachment of anchor-stamped, conventional extruded care bristles [1020] 2. Interface structure retaining geometry [1021] Interface structure for injected care bristles [1022] 3. Interface structure spoon geometry [1023] Interface structure for attaching care bristles on a carrier platelet. The carrier platelet with the care bristles is thereby inserted into the spoon-like deepening of the head part and is connected to the head part. Hereby, carrier platelets with injected care bristles or also carrier platelets with convention, extruded care bristles can be used, for example AFT bristle fields.

[1024] One to three interface structures can be realised in the head part with one main body design in this manner, depending on the design.

[1025] Different bristle fields are now possible depending on the selected interface structure.

[1026] Injected bristle fields are manufactured in a further injection moulding tool. According to FIG. 29, an injection moulding tool bristle field, in which the care bristles are injected and are connected to the interface structure in the head part via the integrally co-injected bristle carrier is provided for manufacturing bristle fields with injected bristles.

[1027] In the present example, two injection moulding tools for the manufacture of an injected bristle field 1 and bristle field 2 are provided. However, these are based on the common interface structure retaining geometry.

[1028] Concerning the interface structure retaining geometry for injected care bristles, it is therefore possible to manufacture different, in the present case two different bristle fields with injected bristles via the same interface structure by way of different injection moulding tools for injected bristles.

[1029] The combination possibilities which are represented in FIG. 29 now result in total in 12 different care bristles, which are based on only four different main body designs.

[1030] The main body 202 of a toothbrush 201 with a grip part 203, a neck part 204 as well as a head part 205 is represented in the FIGS. 30a and 30b. The head part 205 forms the interface structure retaining geometry for the injecting-on of tooth care bristles 207 in an injection moulding method. The interface structure is characterised by openings, retaining structures and support surfaces, which permit a connection to the bristle component which forms the bristle carrier.

[1031] FIGS. 30c and 30d show the toothbrush 201 with the main body 202 according to FIGS. 30a and 30b with tooth care bristles 207 which are injected on the head part 205. The head part 205 and the tooth care bristles 207 form the brush head 208. The meshing of the head part 205 with the bristle component of the bristle carrier is particularly well evident from FIG. 30d, wherein this meshing is effected by the retaining structures.

[1032] The main body 252 of a toothbrush 251 with a grip part 253, a neck part 254 and a head part 255 is represented in the FIGS. 31a and 31b. The head part 255 forms the interface structure spoon geometry for the attachment of a carrier platelet with tooth care bristles 257, in particular of an AFT platelet. The interface structure is characterised by a spoon-shaped deepening or recess which forms a receiver for the carrier platelet subsequent to the injection moulding of the main body 252.

[1033] FIGS. 31c and 31d show the toothbrush 251 with the main body 252 according to FIGS. 31a and 31b. A carrier platelet/AFT platelet with tooth care bristles 257 is attached to the head part 255, said platelet being received into the spoon-like deepening on the head part 255. The head part 255 and the tooth care bristles 257 form the brush head 258.

[1034] The main body 302 of a toothbrush 301 with a grip part 303, a neck part 304 as well as a head part 305 is represented in FIGS. 32a and 32b. The head part 305 forms the interface structure bristle holes for the fastening of bristle bundles of conventional, extruded tooth care bristles 307. The interface structure is characterised by a plurality of bristle holes 309 which form a receiver for the bristle bundle subsequently to the injection moulding of the main body 302.

[1035] FIGS. 32c and 32d show the toothbrush 301 with the main body 302 according to FIGS. 32a and 32b. Conventional, extruded, anchor-stamped tooth care bristles 307 are inserted into the bristle holes 309 on the head part 305. The head part 305 and the tooth care bristles 307 form the brush head 308.

[1036] The main body 202, 252, 302 according to FIGS. 30a to 30d, 31a to 31d and 32a to 32d thus have different interface structures in the head part 205, 255, 305 for attaching the tooth care bristles 207, 257, 307, wherein the grip parts 203, 253, 303 are identical.

[1037] With reference to FIG. 29, the injection moulding machine for manufacturing the three embodiments of toothbrushes 201, 251, 301 corresponds to the injection moulding machine main body G4. One obtains one of the represented toothbrushes 201, 251, 301 depending on the selection of the tool insert for manufacturing the head part 205, 255, 305 with the associated interface structure bristle holes, retaining geometry or spoon geometry.

[1038] The combinations which are described above are hereinafter yet represented in tabular form, in each case in dependence on the process steps:

Injection Moulded Main Body:

[1039]

TABLE-US-00003 main body injection moulding tool interface structure FIG. injection moulding tool main body G4 retaining geometry 30a, 30b injection moulding tool main body G4 spoon geometry 31a, 31b injection moulding tool main body G4 bristle holes 32a, 32b

Finished Brush:

[1040]

TABLE-US-00004 main body injection interface moulding tool structure bristle field FIG. injection moulding tool retaining injection moulding 30c, 30d main body G4 geometry tool bristle field F2 injection moulding tool spoon AFT bristle field 31c, 31d main body G4 geometry injection moulding tool bristle holes anchor-stamped 32c, 32d main body G4 bristle field

[1041] FIGS. 30a to 30d, 31a to 31d and 32a to 32d further also show the transition location 210, 260, 310 from the exchangeable tool insert for the head part 205, 255, 305 to the grip cavity for manufacturing the grip part 203, 253, 303. This transition location is in the neck part 204, 254, 304, drawn in the form of a line.

[1042] The main body 402 of a toothbrush 401 according to a further embodiment with a grip part 403, a neck part 404 as well as a head part 405 is represented in the FIGS. 33a to 33f The head part 405 forms the interface structure retaining geometry for injecting on the tooth care bristles 407 in an injection moulding method.

[1043] The interface structure is characterised by openings or through-holes 409, 411 as well as by retaining structures and support surfaces which permits a connection, by way of positive-fit, to the bristle component which forms the bristle carrier.

[1044] Furthermore, two positioning blind holes 410 are formed in the interface structure in the region of the front side of the main body 402. On the one hand, these ensure a retention of material of the tooth care bristles 407 and on the other hand serve for the transfer from injection moulding cavity to injection moulding cavity between a first and a second injection moulding step and for the positioning of the main body in the injection moulding cavity, in the manufacturing process.

[1045] The main body 402 further comprises a through-hole 411 which leads at least a part of the plastic of the injected care bristles 407 from the nozzle opening of the injection nozzle or from the injection point through the main body 402 to the front side during manufacture. The through-hole 411 is accordingly aligned to the nozzle opening of the injection point or corresponds with this opening or point. The nozzle opening or the injection point is accordingly arranged in the region of the head part 405 towards the rear side of the head part 405.

[1046] At the front side, one can recognise that the transition from the neck part 404 to the receiving bed of the head part 405 with the care bristles 407 is designed in a U-shaped manner in the region of the mentioned through-hole 411. The U-shaped design serves for providing the main body 402 with an improved stabilitythis being in contrast to a straight-lined shaping design.

[1047] As is evident from FIGS. 33a to 33e, the already mentioned openings 409, 411 which permit the positive fit between the care bristles 407 and the head part 405 are realised in the interface region.

[1048] Moreover, the two lateral outwardly leading arches are shaped as a wrapping geometry so that the retention of the materials is assisted further.

[1049] Furthermore, longitudinally running deepenings 413 are arranged on the rear side of the head part 405.

[1050] The mentioned through-holes 409, 411 are differently arranged. The through-holes 409 are thus arranged in an intermediate section of a longitudinally running deepening 413. Through-holes 411 are moreover arranged at the end of a longitudinally running deepening 413.

[1051] In an intermediate section is to be understood in that plastic material can flow further in the deepening 413 at several sides of the through-holes 409. The plastic material flows in the deepening in particular transversely to the longitudinal axis of the through-holes 409.

[1052] At the end is to be understood in that the through-hole 411 is arranged at the end of a blind alley of the recess 413 and the material in the deepening flows into the blind alley with the through-hole 411.

[1053] FIGS. 34a to 34f show the toothbrush 401 with the main body 402 according to FIGS. 33a to 33f with tooth care bristles 407 which are injected on the head part 405. The head part 405 and the tooth care bristles 407 form the brush head 408.

[1054] The meshing of the head part 405 with the bristle component of the bristle carrier, said meshing being effected by the retaining structures, is particularly well evident from the FIGS. 34c to 34f. The wrapping geometries can be recognised, just as the openings 409, 411 and blind holes 410 which are filled with the bristle component.

[1055] The embodiment variants which are shown in this document are exemplary. Within the scope of the invention the individual variations and elements of these embodiment variants can be combined with other embodiment variants without departing from the scope of the invention.

[1056] The features of the descriptions of the figures can be combined with one another beyond the individually shown embodiments, particularly if the embodiment has the same or similar characteristic.

[1057] In particular, embodiments of certain figures can also be conferred upon other embodiments which are represented by the figures, have the same or similar characteristics and in which the characteristics are not described in detail.