Two-Material Applicator Tip for Gum-Safe Interdental Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interdental cleaners and applicators often have anatomically unfavorable designs that can cause gum injuries, are not very versatile, and are expensive to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
An applicator device with a base body partially formed from a first plastic component, overmolded by a softer second plastic component, featuring outwardly projecting cleaning elements, and a manufacturing method using a modular injection mold with separate cavities for the first and second plastic components, allowing for interchangeable designs and additional functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing interdental cleaners are manufactured with conventional single-material injection molding, then manufacturing cost is reduced and process is simplified, but the cleaning effect is insufficient and gum protection is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator device uses a two-component injection molding process where the first plastic component forms the base body with structural strength, and the second plastic component forms the working tip with anatomically optimized geometry. This composite structure enables both components to contribute their specific properties: the rigid base provides durability while the softer working tip provides gentle gum contact and effective cleaning surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the applicator device are made from different materials with different properties. The base body uses a harder plastic for structural integrity, while the working tip uses a softer plastic that can be optimized for specific cleaning functions. This local differentiation allows each part to perform its function optimally without compromising the whole.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing applicators use fixed anatomical designs, then manufacturing is simpler, but versatility and adaptability to different user needs are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator device is divided into two separable components: the base body and the working tip. The working tip can be designed in various anatomical configurations while the base body remains relatively standardized. This segmentation allows for product families where different tip designs can be paired with the same base, increasing versatility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base body design serves multiple purposes: it provides structural support, houses the injection molding features, and can accommodate different working tip variations. The modular two-component structure allows the same base body to support multiple tip designs, making the overall system universal across different application needs.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing products use anatomically unfavorable designs, then manufacturing is easier, but gum injuries occur during use
Solution Approach 1:
The working tip is designed with optimized geometric parameters including rounded edges, appropriate curvature radii, and anatomically correct surface profiles that match gum topology. These parameter optimizations ensure the tip conforms to natural gum structures, distributing pressure evenly and preventing injury while maintaining ease of injection molding through proper draft angles and uniform wall thickness.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an applicator device with a top and a bottom and with at least one holding section (2), at least one working tip (4) and a neck section (3) connecting the holding section (2) and the working tip (4), comprising a base body (10) which is at least partially formed from a first plastic component, wherein the base body (10) is at least partially overmolded by at least a second plastic component which is softer than the first plastic component, wherein in the region of the working tip (4) the at least one second plastic component at least partially encases the base body (10) and wherein the encasement (33) comprises outwardly projecting cleaning elements (35a, 35b).