Oral care device with a function element

Abstract

An oral care device having a handle and a head connectible thereto, on which oral care elements are provided along with a function element. The device also includes a ramp disposed adjacent the function element.

1 . An oral care device having a handle and a head connectible thereto, on which oral care elements are provided, the head further including an electrically operable function element being arranged on an outer surface of the head, and a ramp disposed adjacent the function element. 
     
     
         2 . The oral care device according to  claim 1 , wherein the function element is arranged adjacent the oral care elements. 
     
     
         3 . The oral care device according to  claim 1  wherein the function element is a light emitting source, a toothpaste conveyor, a sensor or an actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein the oral care elements have a first height, the function element extends to a second height which differs from the first height, and that the ramp bridges at least part of the difference in height between the first height and the second height. 
     
     
         5 . The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein the oral care elements are arranged on a plane of the head and the ramp ascends or descends in an oblique or arched configuration relative to the plane. 
     
     
         6 . The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein the function element is arranged so as to be partly in the head and partly projecting therefrom. 
     
     
         7 . The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein the ramp and the head are injection-molded from the same plastic component. 
     
     
         8 . The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein the ramp is injection-molded from a different plastic component than the head. 
     
     
         9 . The oral care device of  claim 8 , wherein the ramp is constructed from a soft plastic material, and the head is constructed from a hard plastic material. 
     
     
         10 . The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein the ramp is disposed around the function element at least in a radial direction. 
     
     
         11 . The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein the function element is secured in the head by a press fit. 
     
     
         12 . The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein said oral care device is a manual or electric toothbrush and/or the function element is an LED protruding from the cleaning region. 
     
     
         13 . The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein the oral care elements are arranged on the head at a distance from the function element, such that a free region devoid of oral care elements is provided above the function element. 
     
     
         14 . The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein the function element and the ramp are integrally made of one piece. 
     
     
         15 . The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein the function element is disposed adjacent the distal end of the head. 
     
     
         16 . The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein a tangent applied to the ramp forms an obtuse angle (α, β) with the outer surface of between about 110° and about 170° .