Toothbrush and process for producing such a toothbrush

Abstract

The invention relates to a toothbrush having a handle and a head part, on which bristle filaments and at least one flexible cleaning element are arranged. According to the invention, the at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged on a carrier element which consists of a hard material and is connected to the head part. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A toothbrush head, comprising:
 a bristle-carrying head part;   bristle filaments and a cutout provided through the head part, the cutout including a bottom opening that is of a larger cross-section than an intermediate section of the cutout; and   a flexible, non-bristle cleaning element arranged on a carrier element, the cleaning element being made of a first material and the carrier element being made of a second, harder material, the carrier element including a base and a resiliency configured extension, the base having a cross-section larger than the intermediate section of the cutout, and the extension having an intermediate portion and a bottom with a cross-section that is larger than the intermediate portion of the extension and the intermediate section of the cutout, the bottom of the extension being resiliently inserted through the intermediate section of the cutout and into the bottom opening to prevent ready release of the carrier element from the head part by a snap-fit connection.   
     
     
       2. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection is sufficient to prevent detaching of the carrier element from the head part during use of the toothbrush. 
     
     
       3. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection is non-releasable. 
     
     
       4. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , wherein play between the carrier element and the head part at the cutout allows movement of the carrier element and the flexible cleaning element during use of the toothbrush. 
     
     
       5. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible cleaning element is arranged to massage gums of the user. 
     
     
       6. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible cleaning element is made from a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
       7. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible cleaning element includes rubber. 
     
     
       8. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible cleaning element has a Shore A hardness of less than 90. 
     
     
       9. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , wherein the material of the carrier element is a polypropylene, styrene-acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyurethane or polyester. 
     
     
       10. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible cleaning element and the carrier element are produced by two-component or multi-component injection molding and mated with a non-releasable connection. 
     
     
       11. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible cleaning element is inclined out of the vertical to come into contact with at least one of the bristle filaments. 
     
     
       12. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible cleaning element crosses over at least one of the bristle filaments. 
     
     
       13. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible cleaning element has a rod-like shape. 
     
     
       14. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier element is harder than the flexible cleaning element. 
     
     
       15. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutout extends entirely through the head part. 
     
     
       16. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , wherein the head part includes a plurality of cutouts and a plurality of flexible cleaning elements and carrier elements. 
     
     
       17. The toothbrush head according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle connected to the head part. 
     
     
       18. A toothbrush head, comprising:
 a bristle-carrying head part;   bristle filaments and a cutout provided on the head part;   a flexible, non-bristle cleaning element arranged on a carrier element, the carrier element being of a harder material than that of the flexible cleaning element, the carrier element including an extension that extends into the cutout and is connected to the head part by a not readily releasable snap-fit connection of the carrier element within the cutout; and   play between the carrier element and the head part at the cutout allows pivoting movement of the carrier element about an axis.   
     
     
       19. The toothbrush head according to  claim 18 , wherein the axis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head part. 
     
     
       20. The toothbrush head according to  claim 18 , wherein the connection is sufficient to prevent detaching of the carrier element from the head part during use of the toothbrush. 
     
     
       21. The toothbrush head according to  claim 18 , wherein the flexible cleaning element is made from a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
       22. The toothbrush head according to  claim 18 , wherein the flexible cleaning element includes rubber. 
     
     
       23. The toothbrush head according to  claim 18 , wherein the flexible cleaning element has a Shore A hardness of less than 90. 
     
     
       24. The toothbrush head according to  claim 18 , wherein the harder material of the carrier element is a polypropylene, styrene-acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyurethane or polyester. 
     
     
       25. The toothbrush head according to  claim 18 , wherein the flexible cleaning element is inclined out of the vertical to come into contact with at least one of the bristle filaments. 
     
     
       26. The toothbrush head according to  claim 18 , wherein the flexible cleaning element has a rod-like shape. 
     
     
       27. The toothbrush head according to  claim 18 , wherein the cutout is provided through the head part and includes an end opening that is of a larger cross-section than an intermediate section of the cutout. 
     
     
       28. The toothbrush head according to  claim 18 , further comprising a handle connected to the head part. 
     
     
       29. The toothbrush head according to  claim 18 , wherein the head is also formed from a material that is harder than the flexible, non-bristle containing cleaning element so that a hard material to hard material snap-fit connection is formed. 
     
     
       30. The toothbrush head according to  claim 18 , wherein the carrier extension is a snap-fitting element, and the snap-fitting element and the carrier form a single-piece body of the harder material. 
     
     
       31. The toothbrush head according to  claim 18 , wherein the not-readily releaseable snap-fit connection is formed by one of the extension and the head part resiliently deforming. 
     
     
       32. The toothbrush head according to  claim 18 , wherein the cleaning element is non-releasably attached to the carrier element through two component or multi-component injection molding. 
     
     
       33. The toothbrush head according to  claim 18 , wherein the head involves a plurality of cutouts and a plurality of snap-fit carrier elements. 
     
     
       34. A process for producing a toothbrush head comprising:
 providing a head part with a cutout and with bristle filaments, the cutout having a bottom end opening that is of a larger cross-section than an intermediate section of the cutout;   providing a flexible, non-bristle cleaning element coupled to a carrier element, the cleaning element being made of first material and the carrier being made of a second, harder material;   providing the carrier element with a base having a cross-section larger than the intermediate section of the cutout and an extension having an intermediate portion and a resiliently configured bottom with a cross-section that is larger than the intermediate section of the extension and the intermediate section of the cutout;   inserting the bottom of the extension through the intermediate section of the cutout and into the bottom end opening; and   connecting the carrier element to the cutout of the head part in a not-readily releasable snap-fit connection.   
     
     
       35. The process as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the connecting occurs after the toothbrush head is provided with the bristle filaments. 
     
     
       36. The process as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the bristle filaments provided on the head part are processed prior to connecting the carrier element to the cutout of the head part. 
     
     
       37. The process as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the processing includes at least one of rounding, cutting and machining processing operations. 
     
     
       38. The process as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the flexible cleaning element and the carrier element are produced by two-component or multi-component injection molding. 
     
     
       39. The process as claimed in  claim 34 , further comprising:
 providing the toothbrush head part with a handle.   
     
     
       40. The process according to  claim 34 , further comprising inserting the carrier element into the cutout from a bristle bearing front face of the head part. 
     
     
       41. A process for producing a toothbrush head of a toothbrush comprising:
 providing a head part with a cutout and bristle filaments;   providing a non-bristle cleaning element of a first material coupled to a carrier element of a second, harder material, the carrier element being formed with an extension;   inserting the extension into the cutout;   connecting the carrier element to the cutout of the head part by a not readily releasable snap-fit connection of the carrier element within the cutout; and   providing play between the carrier element and the head part at the cutout that allows pivoting movement of the carrier element about axis.   
     
     
       42. The process as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the connecting occurs after the toothbrush head is provided with the bristle filaments. 
     
     
       43. The process as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the bristle filaments provided on the head part are processed prior to connecting the carrier element to the head part. 
     
     
       44. The process as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the processing includes at least one of rounding, cutting and machining processing operations. 
     
     
       45. The process as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the flexible cleaning element and the carrier element are produced by a two-component or multi-component injection molding. 
     
     
       46. The process as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein the flexible cleaning element is produced from a thermoplastic elastomer or rubber and the carrier element is produced from a polypropylene, styrene-acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyurethane or polyester. 
     
     
       47. The process as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein the material of the flexible, non-bristle containing cleaning element and the harder material of the carrier are chosen to be compatible with each other to produce a non-releasable connection in the two component or multi-component injection molding process. 
     
     
       48. The process according to  claim 41 , further comprising:
 providing the toothbrush head part with a handle.   
     
     
       49. The process according to  claim 41 , further comprising inserting the carrier element into the cutout from a bristle bearing front face of the head part. 
     
     
       50. A brush comprising:
 a handle,   a head part with bristle filaments and a flexible structure,   a carrier element with a front side and a rear side, the flexible structure being attached to the carrier element, the carrier element being of a harder material than a material of the flexible structure and connected to the head part such that the rear side faces the head part, and   bristle receiving cutouts that are provided in at least one of the carrier element and the flexible structure,   wherein the bristle filaments are guided through the bristle receiving cutouts, and rear ends of the bristle filaments are melted, welded or adhesively bonded on at least one of the rear side of the carrier element and the flexible structure.   
     
     
       51. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein a non-releasable connection is provided between the carrier element and the head part. 
     
     
       52. The brush as claimed in claim 51, wherein the non-releasable connection provided between the carrier element and head part is produced by clamping, snap-fitting, riveting, adhesive bonding, welding, ultrasonic welding or the supply of heat. 
     
     
       53. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein the carrier element consists of the same material as the head part. 
     
     
       54. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein the flexible structure and the carrier element are produced by multi-component injection molding and mated with a non-releasable connection. 
     
     
       55. The brush as claimed in claim 54, wherein an injection point for producing the flexible structure is on the front side of the carrier element. 
     
     
       56. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein the material of the carrier element is polypropylene, styrene-acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyurethane or polyester. 
     
     
       57. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein
 the head part comprises a carrier element receiving cutout adapted to the shape of the carrier element, and   the carrier element is inserted into the carrier element receiving cutout and connected to the head part in a non-releasable manner.   
     
     
       58. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein the flexible structure includes natural or synthetic rubber. 
     
     
       59. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein the flexible structure includes a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
       60. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein the flexible structure has a Shore A hardness of less than 90. 
     
     
       61. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein the flexible structure comprises at least one flexible, non-bristle containing cleansing element. 
     
     
       62. The brush as claimed in claim 61, wherein the carrier element comprises at least one cleansing element receiving cutout extending at least partially through the carrier element, wherein the non-bristle containing cleansing element is anchored in the cleansing element receiving cutout. 
     
     
       63. The brush as claimed in claim 62, wherein the bristle receiving cutouts are arranged directly in the carrier element and provided with bristle filaments. 
     
     
       64. The brush as claimed in claim 61, wherein the non-bristle containing cleansing element includes sheet-like elements that are arranged on the carrier element. 
     
     
       65. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein at least one of the bristle receiving cutouts is arranged in the flexible structure and provided with bristle filaments that are anchored to the flexible structure in an elastic manner. 
     
     
       66. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein a plurality of bristle receiving cutouts are arranged in a common region of the flexible structure and provided with bristle filaments such that a cluster of neighbouring bristle filaments is formed. 
     
     
       67. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein contacting locations between the head part and the carrier element are covered with flexible material. 
     
     
       68. The brush as claimed in claim 67, wherein the flexible material seals the contacting locations. 
     
     
       69. The brush as claimed in claim 68, further comprising a cavity located between the carrier element and the head part. 
     
     
       70. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein the flexible structure comprises regions arranged laterally on the carrier element, the regions terminating laterally with the outer contour of the head part or projecting beyond the head part when the carrier element is attached to the head part. 
     
     
       71. The brush as claimed in claim 70, wherein the regions seal contacting locations between the head part and the carrier element. 
     
     
       72. The brush as claimed in claim 70, wherein the head part comprises at least one lateral opening having a shape adapted to the regions arranged laterally on the carrier element. 
     
     
       73. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein the carrier element comprises an edge on its rear side that acts as a welding border during ultrasonic welding by contacting the head part during assembly and melting under the influence of ultrasound to connect the carrier element to the head part. 
     
     
       74. The brush as claimed in claim 73, wherein the edge is tapered. 
     
     
       75. The brush as claimed in claim 73, wherein the flexible structure is arranged within the area defined by the welding border. 
     
     
       76. The brush as claimed in claim 73, wherein the welding border is kept substantially free of the flexible material. 
     
     
       77. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein the rear ends of the bristle filaments are melted and form a bristle coating on the rear side of at least one of the carrier element and the flexible structure. 
     
     
       78. The brush as claimed in claim 50, wherein the flexible structure includes regions arranged laterally on the carrier element. 
     
     
       79. The brush as claimed in claim 50, further comprising a cavity located between the carrier element and the head part. 
     
     
       80. A brush, comprising:
 a handle,   a head part with bristle filaments and a flexible structure,   a carrier element which has a front side and a rear side, the carrier element being of a harder material than a material of the flexible structure and welded to the head part such that the rear side faces the head part, and   bristle receiving cutouts provided in the carrier element,   wherein the bristle filaments are guided through the bristle receiving cutouts,   rear ends of the bristle filaments are melted, welded or adhesively bonded on the rear side of the carrier element, and   a welding surface between the carrier element and the head part is kept free of the material of the flexible structure.   
     
     
       81. The brush as claimed in claim 80, wherein an injection point for producing the flexible structure is on the front side of the carrier element. 
     
     
       82. The brush as claimed in claim 80, wherein flexible regions interrupt the welding surface so that non-welded locations are present. 
     
     
       83. The brush as claimed in claim 80, wherein non-welded locations are present on the side of the head part. 
     
     
       84. The brush as claimed in claim 80, wherein the front and rear sides of the carrier element are welded to the head part. 
     
     
       85. The brush as claimed in claim 80, wherein non-welded locations between the head part and the carrier element are used in order to achieve a certain level of flexibility between the carrier element and the head part. 
     
     
       86. The brush as claimed in claim 80, wherein non-welded locations between the head part and carrier element are used such that the head part and carrier element can be moved in relation to one another. 
     
     
       87. The brush as claimed in claim 80, wherein the flexible structure and a corresponding injection point of the flexible structure are disposed on the rear side of the head part within a region defined by the welding surface. 
     
     
       88. The brush as claimed in claim 80, wherein the flexible structure is fully disposed within a region defined by the welding surface on the rear side of the head part. 
     
     
       89. A carrier element for a brush, comprising:
 a first front side and a first rear side, and   a flexible structure attached to the carrier element, the flexible structure having a second front side and a second rear side the carrier element being of a harder material than the material of the flexible structure,   an edge-like welding border,   bristle receiving cutouts that are provided in at least one of the carrier element and the flexible structure, and   bristle filaments that are guided through the bristle receiving cutouts, wherein rear ends of the bristle filaments are melted, welded or adhesively bonded on at least one of the first rear side of the carrier element and the second rear side of the flexible structure.   
     
     
       90. The carrier element as claimed in claim 89, wherein the flexible structure comprises at least one flexible, non-bristle containing cleansing element. 
     
     
       91. A brush, comprising:
 a handle;   a head part with bristle filaments,   a carrier element with a first front side and a first rear side,   a flexible material region,   at least one flexible, non-bristle containing cleansing element, and   bristle receiving cutouts,   wherein
 the flexible material region includes regions arranged laterally on the carrier element having a second front side and a second rear side, the regions terminating laterally with an outer contour of the head part, 
 the bristle receiving cutouts are provided in at least one of the carrier element and the flexible material region, 
 the bristle filaments are guided through the bristle receiving cutouts, 
 rear ends of the bristle filaments are melted, welded or adhesively bonded on at least one of the first rear side of the carrier element and the flexible material region, and 
 the carrier element is of a harder material than the material of the flexible material region and is connected to the head part such that the first rear side faces the head part. 
   
     
     
       92. A brush, comprising:
 a handle,   a head part with bristle filaments,   a carrier element with bristle receiving cutouts, and   at least one flexible, non-bristle containing cleansing element made from flexible material,   wherein the bristle filaments are guided through the bristle receiving cutouts of the carrier element and   rear ends of the bristle filaments are melted, welded or adhesively bonded on a rear side of the carrier element, and   the carrier element is of a harder material than the material of the cleansing element and is connected to the head part such that the rear side of the carrier element faces the head part.   
     
     
       93. The brush as claimed in claim 92, wherein the at least one cleansing element is molded into prepared cutouts of the carrier element. 
     
     
       94. A brush, comprising:
 a handle,   a head part with bristle filaments and at least one flexible, non-bristle containing cleansing element made from flexible material, and   a carrier element with bristle receiving cutouts,   wherein the bristle filaments are guided through the bristle receiving cutouts of the carrier element and rear ends of the bristle filaments are melted, welded or adhesively bonded on a rear side of the carrier element, and   a region of the flexible material is arranged laterally to the carrier element, the region terminating laterally with an outer contour of the head part or projecting beyond the head part when the carrier element is connected to the head part.   
     
     
       95. A brush, comprising:
 a handle,   a head part with bristle filaments and at least one flexible, non-bristle containing cleansing element made from flexible material, and   a carrier element with bristle receiving cutouts,   wherein the bristle filaments are guided through the bristle receiving cutouts of the carrier element and rear ends of the bristle filaments are melted, welded or adhesively bonded on a rear side of the carrier element, and   the carrier element is located on a front side of the head part and at least one additional flexible element is located on a rear side of the head part.