toothbrush

Abstract

Toothbrush (10) with a handle area (11) that can be gripped by an operator during use and with a brush head (12) comprising a mouthpiece (30) and a bristle carrier (20) arranged thereon, characterized by that the bristle carrier (20) can be fixed to the mouthpiece (30) by a detachable connection and that the bristle carrier (20) can be removed from the mouthpiece (30) and reattached to it without having to replace the mouthpiece (30) or the brush head (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a toothbrush. Most conventional toothbrushes are equipped with a handle area that can be gripped by a user with one hand while brushing their teeth, and with a brush head comprising a mouthpiece that can be placed in the mouth during brushing and a bristle carrier which has the bristles used to clean the teeth.

[0002] With mechanically operated toothbrushes, it's common practice to discard the entire toothbrush when the bristles wear out. Since toothbrushes are often made of plastic, this generates a lot of plastic waste, which pollutes the environment. However, usually only the bristles are worn, and the handle and mouthpiece remain intact and could be reused.

[0003] Many electric toothbrushes have a replaceable brush head, which also needs to be disposed of when the bristles wear out. However, this brush head is significantly smaller than that of a manual toothbrush because it lacks a handle, resulting in less plastic waste during replacement. Since the mouthpiece is always replaced as well, even if it's undamaged and could be reused, there's still potential for further savings.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to develop a toothbrush that avoids the aforementioned disadvantages and produces significantly less plastic waste when the bristles wear out during disposal. This object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1, which are of particular importance as follows.

[0005] The bristle holder of the toothbrush according to the invention is detachably attached to the mouthpiece. This allows the bristle holder to be replaced alone when the bristles are worn, without having to replace the mouthpiece as well. The bristle holder can be easily removed from and reinserted into the mouthpiece manually. This significantly reduces waste, as the mouthpiece and handle can simply be reused. This material saving also reduces manufacturing costs.

[0006] This is particularly easy to implement if the detachable connection between the mouthpiece and bristle holder is designed as a clip, snap, clamp, or locking connection. This is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use, and therefore user-friendly.

[0007] A locking device can be provided directly or indirectly on the bristle carrier, while a counter-locking device is arranged directly or indirectly on the mouthpiece. The locking device and counter-locking device can then interact to create the releasable connection between the mouthpiece and the bristle carrier.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, a first control surface is provided directly or indirectly on the bristle carrier, and a second control surface is provided directly or indirectly on the mouthpiece. The first and second control surfaces can then interact to enable guided movement when the bristle carrier is mounted on and / or detached from the mouthpiece. This prevents the bristle carrier from becoming jammed in the mouthpiece and makes mounting and dismounting the bristle carrier particularly easy and user-friendly.

[0009] To facilitate the removal of the bristle carrier from the mouthpiece, a further preferred embodiment may include an actuating element. When a force is applied to this element, the releasable connection is released, allowing the bristle carrier to be removed from the mouthpiece. The force is dimensioned such that the bristle carrier is not accidentally detached during tooth brushing, but that an operator can release the connection between the two components without significant effort. Once the releasable connection is released by applying force to the actuating element, the bristle carrier can be easily removed from the mouthpiece.

[0010] One embodiment provides that the actuating element is designed as a button, onto which an operator can apply force with their finger to remove the bristle carrier. Furthermore, a thin-walled section is provided which deforms elastically when the button is subjected to force, thereby releasing the detachable connection between the bristle carrier and the mouthpiece. Of course, it is also possible to incorporate plastic deformation, a predetermined breaking point, or a similar design, since the bristle carrier is not typically reused after being removed from the mouthpiece. After releasing the connection between the bristle carrier and the mouthpiece, the bristle carrier can then be removed from the mouthpiece. To do this, the bristle carrier is moved in approximately the same direction as the force applied to release the connection between the bristle carrier and the mouthpiece.

[0011] A stabilizer may also be incorporated into or attached to the mouthpiece. This provides additional stabilization of the mouthpiece against mechanical stress, such as that which can occur during tooth brushing. The second control surface, which guides the movement between the bristle carrier and the mouthpiece, may also be located on the stabilizer.

[0012] A simple way to provide a detachable connection between the bristle carrier and the mouthpiece is to use a groove as the locking element, such as a circumferential groove in a round actuating element, and a projection on or in the mouthpiece as the counter-locking element, such as a projection on a recess in the mouthpiece. Of course, the locking and counter-locking elements can also be arranged at other locations on the bristle carrier and / or the mouthpiece. A kinematic reversal is also conceivable.

[0013] To mount the bristle carrier to the mouthpiece, it can be moved towards the mouthpiece in a direction approximately opposite to the direction in which the bristle carrier is moved during disassembly. To secure the bristle carrier to the mouthpiece and establish the releasable connection, the bristle carrier can be subjected to a counterforce approximately opposite to the force applied to the actuating element during disassembly. This re-establishes the releasable connection. In the case of a latching, snap-fit, or clip connection, the operator may also hear a mechanical click to confirm that the connection has been made correctly.

[0014] In a particular and preferred embodiment, a reservoir for a dental cleaning agent is provided inside the handle area. According to the invention, this includes all conceivable agents such as toothpaste, tooth cream, dental gel, as well as medical agents applied to the teeth or gums, such as pastes and ointments, and also dental care products or other pasty or viscous agents for the oral cavity.

[0015] By manually operating a section of the handle, the dental cleaning solution is then delivered through one or more channels to or near the brush holder. This has the advantage that the user does not need to use both hands to apply the solution to the brush holder. It also prevents the solution from falling off the brush holder on its way to the mouth and having to be reapplied. This is particularly beneficial for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

[0016] By operating the handle, additional dental cleaning solution can be conveniently transported to the brush holder during brushing, if necessary. This can be achieved, for example, by reducing the wall thickness of the material in that section or by using a different type of material. In both cases, the user can directly access the reservoir inside the handle. However, other operating methods are also conceivable and encompassed by the invention.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, a valve is provided in the area between the handle and the bristle holder. This valve prevents dental cleaning solution and / or other liquids from entering the reservoir from the bristle holder, thus preventing contamination of the dental care solution in the reservoir. Furthermore, the valve prevents the dental care solution in the reservoir from drying out and becoming unusable. A silicone valve, similar to those used in bottles containing pasty foods such as honey, sauces, etc., is particularly preferred. This facilitates precise dosing of the dental care solution, prevents liquids from entering the reservoir or the solution from drying out, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0018] The dental care product can be inserted directly into the inside of the handle area or in the form of a cartridge. All standard configurations are encompassed by the invention.

[0019] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the further description, and the drawings. The invention is illustrated in an exemplary embodiment in the drawings. They show: Fig. 1: A toothbrush according to the invention, in perspective, Fig: 2: the toothbrush made of Fig. 1, rear view, Fig. 3: The toothbrush from the previous figure in side view, Fig. 4: the toothbrush Fig. 3 with removed bristle carrier, Fig. 5: An enlarged cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece with the bristle carrier removed. Fig. 6: the representation from Fig. 5 with bristle carrier that is mounted, in cross-section, Fig. 7: An enlarged cross-sectional view of the bristle carrier mounted on the mouthpiece, Fig. 8: the toothbrush from Fig. 7, in perspective, Fig. 9a: a top view of the toothbrush according to the invention with mounted bristle carrier, Fig. 9b: a top view of the toothbrush according to the invention with the bristle carrier removed, Fig. 10a: the toothbrush in cross-section along AA in Fig. 9a, Fig. 10b: the toothbrush in cross-section along AA in Fig. 9b.

[0020] The Fig. Figures 1 to 3 show a toothbrush 10 according to the invention, comprising a handle 11 and a brush head 12. The brush head 12 has a mouthpiece 30 for insertion into the mouth of a user during tooth brushing, and a bristle carrier 20 on which the bristles, by means of which the teeth are cleaned, are arranged. The handle 11 is ergonomically shaped to ensure a good grip.

[0021] A section 34 is provided on the handle area 11, by actuating which an operator can move dental care product towards the bristle carrier 20. In this embodiment, it is sufficient if an operator manually applies pressure to section 43.

[0022] In particular Fig. Figure 2 clearly shows the actuating element designed as button 24. When an operator exerts a force K on this button 24, as shown in Fig. As indicated in Figure 3, the bristle carrier 20 can be detached from the mouthpiece 30, as will be shown later. The button 24 is positioned for easy access by an operator.

[0023] Fig. 4 shows virtually the same view as Fig. 3, except that the force K exerted on the button 24 moved the bristle carrier 20 away from the mouthpiece 30. Here, the force K was first exerted on the button 24, and then the bristle carrier 20 was moved further away from the mouthpiece 30 in the direction of this force K.

[0024] In the Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the end of the mouthpiece 30 and the bristle carrier 20 in section. The two figures differ in that in Fig. 5 the direction of the force K and the subsequent direction of movement of the bristle carrier 20 in relation to the mouthpiece 30 during disassembly are represented by a first arrow, while in Fig. Figure 6 shows the direction of movement of the bristle carrier 20 in relation to the mouthpiece 30, as well as the direction of the counterforce G during the mounting of the bristle carrier 20 on the mouthpiece 30. The direction of the force K and the counterforce G are exactly opposite here.

[0025] A circumferential groove 22, serving as a locking element 21, can be seen on the bristle carrier 20 in the area of ​​the knob 24. The mouthpiece 30, on the other hand, has a recess 32 for receiving part of the bristle element 20, in which the counter-locking element 31 is arranged in the form of a projection 31. Unlike the embodiment shown, the projection can also be circumferential.

[0026] Furthermore, the first control surface 23 can be identified on the bristle carrier 20 near the knob 24, and the second control surface 33. The latter is located on the stabilizer 34, which is provided inside the mouthpiece 30 to give the mouthpiece 30 additional mechanical stability.

[0027] The section finally shows the assembled state of the bristle carrier 20 on the mouthpiece 30. Fig. 7. Here it can be seen that the button 24 fits very well with the outer contour of the mouthpiece 30, so that it does not get in the way when brushing teeth, but still protrudes very slightly so that an operator can feel it to facilitate the disassembly of the bristle carrier 20.

[0028] The first control surface 23 and the second control surface 33 are arranged adjacent to each other. The thin-walled area 25 is also visible; this deforms elastically when the button 24 is actuated with a force K. In this process, the thin-walled area is moved into the depicted recess, which is symmetrical to the first control surface 23, thereby deforming and releasing the detachable connection between the bristle carrier 20 and the mouthpiece 30.

[0029] Fig. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of how the bristle carrier 20 is mounted on the mouthpiece 30 by moving it in the direction of the opposing force G. Since the first control surface 23 is only located on one side of the bristle carrier 20 and the recess 32 in the mouthpiece is oval-shaped, incorrect installation of the bristle carrier 20 is not possible, even if rotated by 180 degrees.

[0030] The Fig. 9a, Fig. 9b and Fig. 10a, Fig. Figure 10b shows the internal structure of the toothbrush 10. The handle area 11 is designed such that it has an internal reservoir 41 which can hold a dental care product. By actuating the area 43, an operator can cause the dental care product to pass through the valve 44 and flow through the channel 42 to the area of ​​the bristle carrier 20. Here, it can then be used directly by the operator for brushing the teeth.

[0031] Finally, it should be noted that the embodiment presented here is merely an exemplary configuration of the invention. The invention is not limited to this embodiment; rather, modifications and variations are possible. The bristle carrier can be arranged in a recess on the mouthpiece, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, and may penetrate it completely or partially. For example, the bristle carrier can extend through the recess with its actuating element. Alternatively, the bristle carrier can also be arranged on the surface of the mouthpiece, for example, on one side or on the upper end of the mouthpiece. All conceivable locations of the arrangement are encompassed by the inventive concept. Preferably, the bristle carrier and the mouthpiece are designed in such a way that incorrect assembly of the bristle carrier on the mouthpiece is not possible.The shape of the bristle carrier can also vary, for example, having a round or polygonal base instead of an oval one. Similarly, the bristles on the bristle carrier can be arranged differently. The size, shape, and arrangement of the section on the handle can also differ. Reference symbol list: 10 toothbrush 11 Grip area 12 brush heads 20 bristle carriers 21 Resting agents 22 Nut 23 First control surface 24 Actuating element, button 25 Thin-walled area 30 mouthpiece 31 Counter-resting devices 32 Exclusions in 30 33 Second control surface 34 Stabilizer 40 interior of 11 41 Reservoir 42-channel 43 Section of 11 44 valve G direction of the opposing force K direction of force

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