Abstract
A manual toothbrush (1) includes an elongated handle part (2) defining a geometric handle part longitudinal axis (10) and a bristle plate (4). The handle part (2) has a recess (6) defined therein and a handle part end side (5) extending transverse to the handle part longitudinal axis. An identifier body (8) is anchored in the handle part end side in a non-detachable manner, e.g., in a material bonded manner. The manual toothbrush is enclosed in a sealed sales package.
Claims
1. A sealed sales package containing: a manual toothbrush having an elongated handle part defining a geometric handle part longitudinal axis, wherein the handle part has a recess and a handle part end side transverse to the handle part longitudinal axis, and an identifier body is anchored in the recess at the handle part end side in a non-detachable manner.
2. The sealed sales package according to claim 1, wherein the identifier body is an insert body which, when viewed in cross-section perpendicular to the handle part longitudinal axis, is fitted snugly in the recess.
3. The sealed sales package according to claim 1, wherein the identifier body contains an electronically detectable or readable element.
4. The sealed sales package according to claim 1, wherein the identifier body has a polygonal contour in a direction transverse to the handle part longitudinal axis.
5. The sealed sales package according to claim 1, wherein: the recess has a first length, the identifier body has a second length, and the first length is at least two times the second length.
6. The sealed sales package according to claim 1, wherein the recess extends over a length corresponding to at least half the length of the handle part.
7. The sealed sales package according to claim 1, wherein the identifier body protrudes outward beyond the handle part end side.
8. The sealed sales package according to claim 1, wherein the identifier body is less broad, in a direction transverse to the handle part longitudinal axis, than the handle part.
9. The sealed sales package according to claim 1, wherein the handle part end side is at an angle (w) oblique to the handle part longitudinal axis.
10. The sealed sales package according to claim 1, wherein the identifier body is made of a different material than the handle part.
11. The sealed sales package according to claim 1, wherein the handle part is at least substantially rod-shaped.
12. The sealed sales package according to claim 1, wherein the recess in the handle part has a cross-section that tapers gradually from the handle part end side toward a bristle plate attached at an opposite side of the handle part.
13. A method for producing a manual toothbrush according to claim 1, comprising: producing the handle part having the recess with a first injection molding tool, mechanically inserting the identifier body into the recess, and thereafter placing the manual toothbrush having the identifier body inserted into the recess into the sealed sales packaging.
14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: producing the identifier body with a second injection molding tool, and thereafter affixing the identifier body in the recess of the handle part in a materially bonded manner.
15. (canceled)
16. The sealed sales packaging according to claim 1, wherein the identifier body is permanently affixed in the recess in materially bonded manner.
17. The sealed sales packaging according to claim 16, wherein the identifier body is affixed in the recess such that no moisture can penetrate into the recess.
18. The sealed sales packaging according to claim 17, wherein the identifier body is affixed to the handle part by fusing, welding or adhesive.
19. The sealed sales packaging according to claim 1, wherein the handle part has a cross section that tapers gradually from the handle part end side towards a bristle plate attached to the handle part.
20. The sealed sales packaging according to claim 18, wherein the sealed sales packaging comprises a plastic shell and/or cardboard shell enclosing the manual toothbrush in an at least substantially airtight manner.
21. The sealed sales packaging according to claim 20, wherein the identifier body is at least partly visible outside of the plastic shell and/or cardboard shell.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] The drawings used to illustrate the examples show:
[0047] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a manual toothbrush before the insertion of the identifier body;
[0048] FIGS. 2a-2b schematic representations of the section A-A (see FIG. 1) through the rear end of the handle part before and after the insertion of the identifier body, respectively;
[0049] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of a further embodiment having a cross-profile-type identifier body;
[0050] FIG. 4 a schematic representation of a longitudinal section through a manual toothbrush having a protruding identifier body;
[0051] FIG. 5 a schematic cross-section through an identifier body having a profile (structure) on the outer end surface;
[0052] FIG. 6 a schematic cross-section through a mushroom-shaped identifier body;
[0053] FIG. 7 a cross-section of a manual toothbrush having a flush-mounted identifier body and a short cavity;
[0054] FIGS. 8a-8b cross-sections of a manual toothbrush having a flush-fitted hollow identifier body and a long cavity;
[0055] FIGS. 9a-9b examples of sealed packagings with manual toothbrushes having identifier bodies; and
[0056] FIG. 10 a schematic representation of a blister pack.
[0057] In principle, the same parts are provided with the same reference signs in the FIGURES.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0058] FIG. 1 shows a manual toothbrush 1 consisting of a rod-shaped handle part (handle) 2, a tapering neck portion (neck) 3 and a bristle plate 4. The bristle tufts are inserted in the bristle plate 4 and project substantially perpendicular to the bristle plate 4. The neck portion 3 is the transition between the handle part 2, which has a substantially constant cross-section, and the bristle plate 4. The neck portion 3 tapers gradually from the handle part 2 up to the bristle plate 4. The handle part 2, neck portion 3 and bristle plate 4 are a one-piece injection-molded part made of synthetic material.
[0059] FIG. 2a shows a longitudinal section through the handle part 2 and the neck portion 3 of the toothbrush before the identifier body 8 is inserted. As can be seen from FIG. 2a, the handle part end side (end surface) 5, which ends the handle part 2 transverse to the handle part longitudinal axis 10, is at the rear end of the handle part 2. In the present example, the plane defined by the handle part end side 5 is not perpendicular to the handle part longitudinal axis 10, but rather is inclined at an angle w. The angle w shown in FIG. 2a is, for example, 70-80.
[0060] A recess (hollow cavity, blind hole) 7, which extends, for example, over the entire length of the handle part 2, opens in (at) the handle part end side 5. The handle part 2 is therefore substantially tubular.
[0061] The inner surface 7 of the recess 6 in the area of the handle part end side 5 is substantially smooth and has the shape of a generally cylindrical hollow channel.
[0062] In the present example, the identifier body 8 has an octagonal contour 9. This means that, in the cross-section perpendicular to the handle part longitudinal axis 10, the identifier body 8 is an octagon. In this case, the outer surface of the identifier body 8 is an octagonal cylinder.
[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, the outer end surface 11 is oblique to the handle part longitudinal axis 10 like the handle part end side 5. The inner end surface 12, which is opposite the outer end surface 11, is, for example, substantially parallel to the outer end surface and thus also oblique to the handle part longitudinal axis 10.
[0064] FIG. 2b schematically shows the end of the handle part 2 with the inserted identifier body 8. The outer surface (contour 9) is precisely matched to the inner cross-section of the recess 6 at the handle part end side 5. The identifier body 8 can therefore be mechanically driven into the recess 6. The outer surface of the identifier body 8 and the inner surface of the recess are then materially bonded to each other. The identifier body 8 can no longer be removed from the handle part 2 by hand.
[0065] In FIG. 2b the handle part 2 is shown after the insertion of the identifier body 8. The handle part end side 5 is flush with the outer end surface 11. The identifier body 8 does not protrude beyond the handle part end side 5. It can also be seen that the identifier body 8 is in the handle part end side 5. The identifier body 8 is less broad (wide), in a direction transverse to the handle part longitudinal axis 10 (transverse dimension d in FIG. 2a), than the handle part end side 5 (transverse dimension D in FIG. 2a).
[0066] FIGS. 2a and 2b also illustrate the production process. First (FIG. 2a), the handle part 2 (including the neck portion 3 and the bristle plate 4) and the identifier body 8 are produced separately (e.g., by injection molding). Then (FIG. 2b), the identifier body 8 is mechanically inserted into the recess. The identifier body 8 fits precisely in the recess 6 of the handle part 2.
[0067] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment having a cross-profile-type identifier body 16. This identifier body 16 is, for example, at least twice as long as its transverse dimension (perpendicular to the handle part longitudinal axis). The recess 15 in the handle part 13 opens in (at) the handle part end side 14. It suffices if only the opening area of the recess 15 forms a cross-shaped channel. In the area into which the identifier body 16 does not penetrate or advance, the recess 15 can have an octagonal shape similar to the outer side of the handle part 13.
[0068] The identifier body 16 is made, for example, of ceramic. Alternatively, it can be made of stainless steel or a noble metal. A two-component synthetic material is preferably used.
[0069] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through a manual toothbrush according to another embodiment of the present teachings. Here, the handle part 17 attaches directly to the bristle plate 18 and tapers linearly from the rear toward the front in cross-section. The recess 19 extends over the entire length of the handle part 17. It has, for example, the shape of a steep-sided truncated cone or steep-sided truncated mathematical pyramid having an opening angle of 10.
[0070] A metal rod 20 is inserted in the recess 19 and substantially fills the recess 19 up to the identifier body 21. The outer end 22 of the identifier body 21 protrudes beyond the handle part end part 23 by an overhang V. The overhang Vis, e.g., 1-2 mm.
[0071] Preferably, the overhang is less than half the length of the identifier body 21.
[0072] The overhang V should preferably not exceed a quarter of the maximum transverse dimension of the handle part end side.
[0073] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the identifier body 22 has a length that corresponds at least approximately to its largest transverse dimension (relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle). However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the identifier body 16 is at least twice as long as its largest transverse dimension.
[0074] FIG. 5 illustrates a particular embodiment of the present teachings based on a longitudinal section through the rear end of the handle part 24 and the identifier body 26. The identifier body 26 has a characteristically profiled outer end surface 27. The characteristic profile protrudes beyond the handle part end side 25 and can be used for identification by (using) an optical scanning.
[0075] FIG. 5 also illustrates an embodiment in which the recess 29 in the handle part 24 is shorter than the identifier body 26 (relative to the handle part longitudinal axis). Here, the identifier body 26 completely fills the recess and also projects beyond the handle part end side 25.
[0076] In addition, an NFC chip 28 is embedded in the identifier body 26 as is schematically shown in FIG. 5. The NFC chip 28 can be read out using an NFC reader (not shown). In this way, production-related information can be stored in the manual toothbrush.
[0077] In FIG. 6 an exemplary mushroom-shaped identifier body 30 is illustrated. It should be mentioned that the outer end face 31 (viewed transversely to the handle part longitudinal axis) of the head is less broad (wide) than the handle part end side 32. The stem of the mushroom shape is formed as an insert body (with a generally cylindrical surface). According to a particular embodiment of the present teachings, the identifier body 30 protrudes beyond the handle part end side 32 (in the direction of the handle part longitudinal axis).
[0078] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which the channel-shaped recess (hollow cavity, blind hole) 33 has a length L that is significantly shorter than the length of the handle part measured from the foot end (A) to the neck transition (B); for example, the length L is approx. - of the total length of the handle part. In this way, a sufficient stability of the handle part is possible with a simultaneous material saving. The transition (B) is recognizable from the outside, for example, by the fact that the cross-section begins to taper significantly. The identifier body 34 is inserted in the end of the recess 33 with a force fit. Its outer end is flush with the foot end of the handle part, which is oblique to the longitudinal axis of the handle part.
[0079] FIG. 8a shows an embodiment in which the channel-shaped recess (hollow cavity, blind hole) 35 has a length L that is significantly longer than the length of the handle part measured from the foot end (A) to the neck transition (B). The recess 35 thus extends into the neck portion 37, wherein it is more conical in the neck portion 37 than in the handle part. The neck portion 37 extends up to a bend angle (C) at the transition between the neck portion and the brush head. The greater length of the recess 35 makes it possible, if necessary, to optimize the weight distribution of the manual toothbrush. In particular, the recess 35 can be filled in sections with a material that has a greater density than the handle part.
[0080] FIG. 8b shows an enlarged section of the rear end of the handle part. In the opening area 38, the open cross-section of the recess 35 is larger than in the adjacent inner area of the recess 35. A shoulder 35.1 that serves as a stop for the identifier body 36 is formed thereby. The length of the opening area 38 therefore corresponds to the length of the identifier body 36. Thereby, the identifier body 36 sits in the recess with its outer end flush with the foot end of the handle part.
[0081] FIG. 9a shows a sealed package with a manual toothbrush having an identifier body. The manual toothbrush 39 can, for example, be designed as in one of the embodiments described above. According to FIG. 9a, it is accommodated in a sealed packaging consisting of a cardboard cover in the form of a cardboard sheet 41 and a transparent plastic shell 40. The plastic shell 40 is, for example, dimensionally stable and forms the cavity that is necessary to accommodate the manual toothbrush 39. According to a preferred embodiment, the packaging is sealed such that the contents are packaged in a substantially airtight manner. This has the advantage that the manual toothbrush is protected not only from unwanted manipulation of the identifier body, but also remains hygienic until the opening of the packaging.
[0082] FIG. 9b shows an embodiment in which several manual toothbrushes 42 are accommodated in a common sealed packaging 43. The packaging may be made of cardboard. In the area of the foot end of the manual toothbrushes 42, the packaging 43, which is not transparent in itself, has openings 44 through which the identifier body is visible from the outside. The cover 43.1 is formed, for example, by a cardboard sheet that is adhesively bonded to the rest of the packaging.
[0083] FIG. 10 shows a manual toothbrush 45 according to the present teachings in a blister pack 46. The blister pack 46 is formed by a flexible plastic film that fits snugly around the manual toothbrush 45.
[0084] The options cumulated (that are collectively shown) in FIG. 5 (i.e. dimension of the recess, profiled end side, NFC chip) can of course be each used independently of each other. That the recess in the handle part is not just as large as the part of the identifier body to be sunk in the handle part can also be provided in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-4. This means that the handle part is without a cavity in the finished state. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the handle part material would be present (solid body) instead of the metal rod.
[0085] In a modification to FIG. 2a, the inner surface 7 of the recess 6 in the area of the handle part end side 5 can also have annular ribs in order to improve the material bond to the corresponding ring areas.
[0086] In the exemplary embodiments, the material bond between the identifier body and the handle part is mainly provided on the generally cylindrical surface of the identifier body. In the example of FIG. 5, however, the material bond (e.g., by adhesive or welding (fusing)) can also be provided on the inner end surface of the identifier body.
[0087] In summary, it can be stated that the present teachings provide a simple toothbrush having an identifier body that is usable for various purposes.
