Chemically Tapered Toothbrush Bristles Anchoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods and machines for producing toothbrushes with anchorless bristles are technically challenging when processing pointed bristles, as they often result in bristle damage due to the mechanical processing of chemically sharpened bristles, which have thin etched threads that can cause clamping issues during the bristle anchoring process.
Innovation Solution
The method involves chemically sharpening bristles to create a tapered section and a cylindrical section with a blunt end, followed by mechanical processing to remove any etched threads or residual threads, allowing these bristles to be processed without damage by using a specialized bristle machine with adapted feed channels and processing tools to ensure proper alignment and anchoring without clamping issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemically sharpened bristles with thin etched threads are mechanically processed to remove etched threads, then bristle damage is prevented during anchoring, but the mechanical processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bristles are chemically sharpened in advance to create the desired tapered geometry before mechanical processing. This preliminary chemical action prepares the bristles to have the correct shape while avoiding the need for complex mechanical cutting operations that would damage the delicate etched threads.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical sharpening process replaces what would otherwise require complex mechanical cutting or grinding systems. By using chemical etching to create the tapered shape, the patent eliminates the need for mechanical processing that would otherwise damage the thin etched threads, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining bristle integrity.
2Productivity
If pointed bristles are used for better cleaning effect, then cleaning performance is improved, but bristle damage occurs during the anchoring process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the bristles by creating a tapered section that transitions from a cylindrical base to a pointed tip. This parameter change allows the bristles to maintain their pointed shape for effective cleaning while the tapered geometry facilitates smooth passage through the anchoring mechanism without damage to the etched threads.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the bristle are given different properties: the base section remains cylindrical for structural integrity and anchoring, while the tip section is tapered to a point for cleaning effectiveness. This local differentiation allows each part of the bristle to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional cylindrical bristles are mechanically processed to round edges, then gum safety is improved, but the cleaning effectiveness for interdental areas is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bristle design implements local quality differentiation where the base section is cylindrical with rounded edges for gum safety, while the tip section is tapered to a point for effective interdental cleaning. This allows different regions of the same bristle to serve different functions: the rounded base protects the gums during brushing while the pointed tip effectively cleans between teeth.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the production of toothbrushes with pointed bristles that are gently on the gums and effective for interdental cleaning, while preventing bristle damage during processing, allowing for problem-free anchoring and improved handling of both pointed and conventional bristles in the same brush head.
Implementation Method 1
chemically sharpened bristles with a tapered section (48) that tapers to a point (42) and an adjoining cylindrical section (50) with a blunt end (46)
Implementation Method 2
the end sections (70, 70') are melted, for example by means of the heating stamp (72), in order to attach the tapered bristles (40, 86) to the bristle support plate (10)
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7~8
Figure 9~12
AI summary
The toothbrush has a toothbrush body with a head area, a neck area and a handle area that is adjacent to the side at the neck area, where the side faces the head area. A bristle carrier plate (10) is provided with passages (16) for the bristle bundle. The head area is provided from its front side with a recess that corresponds to the shape of the bristle carrier plate. The bundle is provided with single-side chemically tapered bristles which have a tapered section and a cylindrical section. An independent claim is included for a method for manufacturing a toothbrush.