CA2327493A1 - Method for producing a plastic toothbrush - Google Patents
Method for producing a plastic toothbrush Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2327493A1 CA2327493A1 CA 2327493 CA2327493A CA2327493A1 CA 2327493 A1 CA2327493 A1 CA 2327493A1 CA 2327493 CA2327493 CA 2327493 CA 2327493 A CA2327493 A CA 2327493A CA 2327493 A1 CA2327493 A1 CA 2327493A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bristles
- retaining
- fusion
- toothbrush
- oligodynamic
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B7/00—Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body
- A46B7/04—Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body interchangeably removable bristle carriers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B3/00—Brushes characterised by the way in which the bristles are fixed or joined in or on the brush body or carrier
- A46B3/06—Brushes characterised by the way in which the bristles are fixed or joined in or on the brush body or carrier by welding together bristles made of metal wires or plastic materials
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46D—MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES
- A46D3/00—Preparing, i.e. Manufacturing brush bodies
- A46D3/04—Machines for inserting or fixing bristles in bodies
- A46D3/045—Machines for inserting or fixing bristles in bodies for fixing bristles by fusing or gluing to a body
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46D—MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES
- A46D9/00—Machines for finishing brushes
- A46D9/06—Impregnating
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
- B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
- B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
- B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
- B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
- B29C66/137—Beaded-edge joints or bead seals
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/69—General aspects of joining filaments
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
- B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
- B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
- B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
- B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
- B29L2031/765—Articles provided with piles, e g. nap on cloth
- B29L2031/7654—Brushes; Brooms
Abstract
To produce a plastic toothbrush, especially a toothbrush comprising an exchangeable brush head, the retaining ends (6) of bristles (3) are pushed through holes (5) in a retaining plate (4) or a toothbrush body (2) in such a way that they protrude slightly. Said retaining ends (6) of the bristles (3) are joined to each other and/or to the retaining plate (4) or the brush body (2) by fusion. In this way, before or after fusion an oligodynamic material (9), especially in liquid form, can be applied at least in partial areas but preferably across the entire surface, on the retaining ends (6) of the bristles (3). Said material is incorporated into the melted mass during fusion or, if it is applied after fusion, penetrates the plastic material of the bristles (3) by diffusion or capillary action. During use of the toothbrush and as a result of the wetting caused thereby, the oligodynamic material is distributed along the full length of the bristles and can have an antibacterial and germicidal action during the duration of use, until it is fully rinsed out.
Description
The invention concerns a method to produce a toothbrush from plastic material, in particular an exchangeable toothbrush, wherein a bristle carrier and the bristles are made from plastic material, while first the bristles having a retaining end and an application end are combined into bristle clusters and the retaining ends are introduced into holes of a retaining plate or of the body of the toothbrush, afterwards the retaining ends of the bristles which are on the retaining plate or on the body of the brush on that side which is averted from the application end are fused with each other and/or with the retaining plate or the body of the brush.
Such a method is known, for example, from EP 0 405 204 B1 and it has proved itself. In this conjunction the arrangement of the bristles and their fusion on a retaining plate is illustrated in particular in Fig.8, wherein the retaining plate with the bristles can form an exchangeable head of an exchangeable toothbrush, while the arrangement of the bristles on the body of the brush itself and their fusion on this body of the brush is indicated in Fig.9.
The arrangement as an exchangeable toothbrush is further known from GM 91 09 625 U and DE 196 00 767 C1. All these toothbrushes and their manufacturing methods have proved themselves.
Because of their purpose, namely to remove food residues off and from between the teeth, toothbrushes are subjected to bacterial contamination. The food residues can so clogged between the filaments or bristles that a removal would be difficult and even impossible and consequently food residues will not be completely removed even after rinsing the toothbrush. Due to the bacteria species developing on the toothbrushes, dental diseases like Alveolitis peris dentosis etc. are possible. Although efforts have been made to prevent this by agents present in the toothpaste, these agents have, if at all, only a relatively little influence on the formation of the germs and bacteria by the food residues clogged in the bristles.
Therefore according to EP 0 795 284 A2 it has been tried to overcome the germ and bacteria contamination by magnetic projection on or in the handle of the toothbrush. This method has not found acceptance in the market.
Such a method is known, for example, from EP 0 405 204 B1 and it has proved itself. In this conjunction the arrangement of the bristles and their fusion on a retaining plate is illustrated in particular in Fig.8, wherein the retaining plate with the bristles can form an exchangeable head of an exchangeable toothbrush, while the arrangement of the bristles on the body of the brush itself and their fusion on this body of the brush is indicated in Fig.9.
The arrangement as an exchangeable toothbrush is further known from GM 91 09 625 U and DE 196 00 767 C1. All these toothbrushes and their manufacturing methods have proved themselves.
Because of their purpose, namely to remove food residues off and from between the teeth, toothbrushes are subjected to bacterial contamination. The food residues can so clogged between the filaments or bristles that a removal would be difficult and even impossible and consequently food residues will not be completely removed even after rinsing the toothbrush. Due to the bacteria species developing on the toothbrushes, dental diseases like Alveolitis peris dentosis etc. are possible. Although efforts have been made to prevent this by agents present in the toothpaste, these agents have, if at all, only a relatively little influence on the formation of the germs and bacteria by the food residues clogged in the bristles.
Therefore according to EP 0 795 284 A2 it has been tried to overcome the germ and bacteria contamination by magnetic projection on or in the handle of the toothbrush. This method has not found acceptance in the market.
According to the Canadian patent 1 285 110 it has become known to achieve a germ-killing effect by photoelectric-chemical manner by an ion flow. However, for this purpose batteries or other electric sources of current have to be employed, so that the manufacture of such a toothbrush will become very expensive and will have the additional disadvantage that batteries are required and consumed.
Another way is described in EP 0 700 259 B1. According to it, the bristles are anchored in the body of the brush with anchoring plates made from oligodynamic material. The oligodynamic material acts in homoeopathically small quantities of heavy metals and serves the purpose of prevention or destruction of micro-organisms. The production of such anchor plates or of an anchor punching wire, from which these are manufactured, is connected with considerable expenses since the working in of oligodynamic material into the flat wire is difficult.
Moreover, in a progressive manufacturing method according to EP 0 405 204 no anchor plates or anchor punching wires are used for the fastening of the bristles as these are welded or fused.
Therefore it has also been suggested to admix powder of bactericidal zeolite into the molten epoxy resin and to manufacture filaments or bristles from this mixture.
This means an additional expensive operation before the actual toothbrush can be manufactured.
Another suggestion was to gradually anodise silver ions on the surface of the bristles, what is also expensive.
Therefore the task is to retain the advantages of the method mentioned in the introduction for a simple, fast manufacture which secures the bristles well and at the same time provide the toothbrush with antibacterial properties in a simple manner.
The surprising solution of this seemingly contradictory task is achieved by that prior to the fusion oligodynamic material is applied to at least a portion of the retaining ends of the bristles, that afterwards the retaining ends are welded and/or fused with each other and that on the same occasion the oligodynamic material is pressed into the softened or liquefied plastic material and distributed therein.
On this occasion it could suffice to apply the oligodynamic material to some areas only. It is even more advantageous if the oligodynamic material is applied to the retaining ends of all bristle clusters.
A second solution of the task may be that after the welding and/or fusion of the retaining ends of the bristles with each other and/or with the retaining plate or the body of the brush oligodynamic material is applied to at least some areas of the fused positions, this material penetrating into the plastic material and the bristles.
Thus in both cases a small additional operational step will occur which is less expensive, namely the point-by-point or surface application of the oligodynamic material on the retaining ends of the bristles, be it before or after their fusion. The advantageous known method of manufacture of the toothbrushes remains otherwise unaltered. At the same time this method is particularly applicable for exchangeable heads according to DE 196 00 767.4 or for exchangeable heads or toothbrushes manufactured by the fusion method without using anchoring plates according to EP 0 405 204 B1. In this case the oligodynamic material can be introduced extremely well into the smelt, which occurs by the melting of the bristles with each other and melting with the retaining plate or the body of the brush.
The invention makes use of the knowledge that after wetting it with water or sputum ion streams are released by this oligodynamic agent admixed into the smelt or applied subsequently on the molten positions, which ion streams flow by virtue of the capillary effect or by diffusion into the bristle filaments and produce there an antibacterial effect. The quantity of oligodynamic material which is required to prevent a bacterial contamination can be chosen in accordance with the service life intended for such toothbrushes or their exchangeable heads, as there is a certain washing-out period for the oligodynamic agent.
Another way is described in EP 0 700 259 B1. According to it, the bristles are anchored in the body of the brush with anchoring plates made from oligodynamic material. The oligodynamic material acts in homoeopathically small quantities of heavy metals and serves the purpose of prevention or destruction of micro-organisms. The production of such anchor plates or of an anchor punching wire, from which these are manufactured, is connected with considerable expenses since the working in of oligodynamic material into the flat wire is difficult.
Moreover, in a progressive manufacturing method according to EP 0 405 204 no anchor plates or anchor punching wires are used for the fastening of the bristles as these are welded or fused.
Therefore it has also been suggested to admix powder of bactericidal zeolite into the molten epoxy resin and to manufacture filaments or bristles from this mixture.
This means an additional expensive operation before the actual toothbrush can be manufactured.
Another suggestion was to gradually anodise silver ions on the surface of the bristles, what is also expensive.
Therefore the task is to retain the advantages of the method mentioned in the introduction for a simple, fast manufacture which secures the bristles well and at the same time provide the toothbrush with antibacterial properties in a simple manner.
The surprising solution of this seemingly contradictory task is achieved by that prior to the fusion oligodynamic material is applied to at least a portion of the retaining ends of the bristles, that afterwards the retaining ends are welded and/or fused with each other and that on the same occasion the oligodynamic material is pressed into the softened or liquefied plastic material and distributed therein.
On this occasion it could suffice to apply the oligodynamic material to some areas only. It is even more advantageous if the oligodynamic material is applied to the retaining ends of all bristle clusters.
A second solution of the task may be that after the welding and/or fusion of the retaining ends of the bristles with each other and/or with the retaining plate or the body of the brush oligodynamic material is applied to at least some areas of the fused positions, this material penetrating into the plastic material and the bristles.
Thus in both cases a small additional operational step will occur which is less expensive, namely the point-by-point or surface application of the oligodynamic material on the retaining ends of the bristles, be it before or after their fusion. The advantageous known method of manufacture of the toothbrushes remains otherwise unaltered. At the same time this method is particularly applicable for exchangeable heads according to DE 196 00 767.4 or for exchangeable heads or toothbrushes manufactured by the fusion method without using anchoring plates according to EP 0 405 204 B1. In this case the oligodynamic material can be introduced extremely well into the smelt, which occurs by the melting of the bristles with each other and melting with the retaining plate or the body of the brush.
The invention makes use of the knowledge that after wetting it with water or sputum ion streams are released by this oligodynamic agent admixed into the smelt or applied subsequently on the molten positions, which ion streams flow by virtue of the capillary effect or by diffusion into the bristle filaments and produce there an antibacterial effect. The quantity of oligodynamic material which is required to prevent a bacterial contamination can be chosen in accordance with the service life intended for such toothbrushes or their exchangeable heads, as there is a certain washing-out period for the oligodynamic agent.
The oligodynamic effect, i.e. the growth inhibition of micro-organisms due to the presence of traces of metal ions has been known for more than 100 years. At the same time the oligodynamic effect of these metals diminishes in the same order.
Of particular significance are the metals cadmium, silver, copper or mercury.
Of particular technical importance is especially silver or its salts, which has been used for decades for the sterilisation of potable water. The action rests on the fact that positively charged ions deposit themselves on the cells of micro-organisms and damage these irreversibly. At the same time a very low silver concentration would be sufficient to exclude damaging higher organisms or humans.
For the carrying out of the method according to the invention it is particularly useful when the bristles or the bristle clusters are so aligned that their retaining ends, which are to be fused, during the fusion or welding are arranged higher than the application ends and are situated approximately in one plane, and the oligodynamic material is applied to this plane, for example, as suspension or solution or dispersion by spraying, by drops and/or printing. In this manner the oligodynamic material is secured from the start by gravity and can subsequently penetrate into the retaining ends which are to be fused or have already been fused.
At the same time it is particularly beneficial if the bristles or bristle clusters during fusion or welding are arranged approximately vertically and the retaining ends, which are to be welded or fused, are situated in an approximately horizontal plane to which the oligodynamic material is applied before or after the fusion. In this case no special precautions are necessary to maintain an as uniform distribution of the oligodynamic material as possible until it is worked into or penetrated the plastic material.
The oligodynamic material, silver or silver salt for example, in particular chloride of silver, can be mixed with a plastic material, polyamide for example, and dissolved in a solvent like 2,2,2 trifluoroethanol and the retaining ends of the bristles can be wetted or coated with this solution before or after the fusion.
Consequently, the silver can be applied in colloidal form and in the mixture mentioned above can be introduced particularly well into the plastic material of the bristles and their retaining plate or the body of the brush.
The retaining ends of the particularly vertically arranged bristles can be so 5 softened or liquefied during the fusion, that the oligodynamic material penetrates into the bristles due to gravity from the retaining ends in the direction of the application ends. This can also be assisted by the fusion die affecting the fusion.
So that not to lose the oligodynamic effect too rapidly by washing out the oligodynamic material also on the retaining ends during the use of the toothbrush, it is useful to cover the retaining ends which are fused together and are coated with oligodynamic material by inserting the retaining plate with the bristles as an exchangeable head into a recess of the toothbrush or placing a cover plate on a toothbrush provided with the bristles.
Altogether, by virtue of the above described method and measures a toothbrush is produced that can be manufactured in a simple manner using the current modern methods yet providing it with an adequate quantity of oligodynamic material. By virtue of the liquid application an intimate contact with the surface can be assured. On this occasion, due to the fine distribution of the silver, a correspondingly large surface is created which facilitates and accelerates the ion emission, that can be improved even further when silver salts or exchange resins enriched with silver are added to the dispersion. When the toothbrush, by virtue of being used, comes into contact with water, the ions are transported by the diffusive and capillary forces up to the tips of the bristles at the application end.
This effect can be intensified by the hydrophilic properties of the polyamides, from which the bristles are preferably made. Thus already after a short period of use it becomes obvious that the bristles are permeated completely with the oligodynamic material and a full saturation of the bristles with this material is achieved if the quantity of applied or worked in oligodynamic material is adequate.
Of particular significance are the metals cadmium, silver, copper or mercury.
Of particular technical importance is especially silver or its salts, which has been used for decades for the sterilisation of potable water. The action rests on the fact that positively charged ions deposit themselves on the cells of micro-organisms and damage these irreversibly. At the same time a very low silver concentration would be sufficient to exclude damaging higher organisms or humans.
For the carrying out of the method according to the invention it is particularly useful when the bristles or the bristle clusters are so aligned that their retaining ends, which are to be fused, during the fusion or welding are arranged higher than the application ends and are situated approximately in one plane, and the oligodynamic material is applied to this plane, for example, as suspension or solution or dispersion by spraying, by drops and/or printing. In this manner the oligodynamic material is secured from the start by gravity and can subsequently penetrate into the retaining ends which are to be fused or have already been fused.
At the same time it is particularly beneficial if the bristles or bristle clusters during fusion or welding are arranged approximately vertically and the retaining ends, which are to be welded or fused, are situated in an approximately horizontal plane to which the oligodynamic material is applied before or after the fusion. In this case no special precautions are necessary to maintain an as uniform distribution of the oligodynamic material as possible until it is worked into or penetrated the plastic material.
The oligodynamic material, silver or silver salt for example, in particular chloride of silver, can be mixed with a plastic material, polyamide for example, and dissolved in a solvent like 2,2,2 trifluoroethanol and the retaining ends of the bristles can be wetted or coated with this solution before or after the fusion.
Consequently, the silver can be applied in colloidal form and in the mixture mentioned above can be introduced particularly well into the plastic material of the bristles and their retaining plate or the body of the brush.
The retaining ends of the particularly vertically arranged bristles can be so 5 softened or liquefied during the fusion, that the oligodynamic material penetrates into the bristles due to gravity from the retaining ends in the direction of the application ends. This can also be assisted by the fusion die affecting the fusion.
So that not to lose the oligodynamic effect too rapidly by washing out the oligodynamic material also on the retaining ends during the use of the toothbrush, it is useful to cover the retaining ends which are fused together and are coated with oligodynamic material by inserting the retaining plate with the bristles as an exchangeable head into a recess of the toothbrush or placing a cover plate on a toothbrush provided with the bristles.
Altogether, by virtue of the above described method and measures a toothbrush is produced that can be manufactured in a simple manner using the current modern methods yet providing it with an adequate quantity of oligodynamic material. By virtue of the liquid application an intimate contact with the surface can be assured. On this occasion, due to the fine distribution of the silver, a correspondingly large surface is created which facilitates and accelerates the ion emission, that can be improved even further when silver salts or exchange resins enriched with silver are added to the dispersion. When the toothbrush, by virtue of being used, comes into contact with water, the ions are transported by the diffusive and capillary forces up to the tips of the bristles at the application end.
This effect can be intensified by the hydrophilic properties of the polyamides, from which the bristles are preferably made. Thus already after a short period of use it becomes obvious that the bristles are permeated completely with the oligodynamic material and a full saturation of the bristles with this material is achieved if the quantity of applied or worked in oligodynamic material is adequate.
In the following embodiments of the invention are described based on the drawing. In a schematic illustration they show in:
Fig.1 - a retaining plate with holes, each of them having a bristle cluster comprising bristles, wherein the bristles are arranged vertically and their retaining ends are coated with oligodynamic material before they are fused and welded with each other by an electrically heaxable fusion die, Fig.2 - the retaining plate according to Fig.1, in particular as an exchangeable head for a toothbrush after the fusion and with the oligodynamic material worked into the plastic material of the bristles, Fig.3 - the exchangeable head of a toothbrush produced according to Figs.1 and 2 before the particularly detachable and exchangeable insertion into a recess of a body of a toothbrush, as well as Fig.4 - a modified embodiment, wherein the holes for the bristles are arranged in a body of the toothbrush inside a cavity, that by this forms the retaining plate itself, after the welding of the ends of the bristles and the working-in of the oligodynamic material and before being covered by a cover plate.
A toothbrush made from plastic material, designated by 1 in toto, for example an exchangeable toothbrush according to Fig.3, but also a toothbrush with bristles 3 from plastic material directly attached to the body 2 of the toothbrush, can be manufactured by that a bristle carrier in the form of a retaining plate 4 or in the form of the body 2 of the toothbrush is provided with holes 5 and first the bristles 3 are combined appropriately into a cluster of bristles having a retaining end and an application end 7 and the retaining ends 6 are introduced into the holes 5 of the retaining plate 4 or of the body 2 of the toothbrush in a manner recognisable from Fig.1. Afterwards the retaining ends 6 of the bristles 3 which are situated at that side which is averted from the application ends 7 are fused on the retaining plate 4 or the body 2 of the toothbrush with the aid of a fusion die 8 with each other or possibly also with the retaining plate 4 or the body 2 of the toothbrush, while according to Figs.2 to 4 the retaining ends 6 of a bristle cluster can be also fused with the adjacent bristle clusters.
Fig.1 indicates that before fusion oligodynamic material 9 is applied to the retaining ends 6 of the bristles 3, after which the retaining ends 6 are welded together or fused in the manner already mentioned. On this occasion the oligodynamic material 9 is pressed into the softened or liquefted plastic material by the fusion die 8 and accordingly distributed, this being indicated in Figs.2 to 4.
In the embodiment the oligodynamic material 9 is applied to the retaining ends of all bristle dusters, but under certain circumstances it may be sufficient to apply the oligodynamic material partially only.
In addition, Figs.2 and 4 could be perceived as illustrations of a modified method, whereby after the fusion of the retaining ends 6 of the bristles 3 with each other and/or with the retaining plate 4 or the body 2 of the toothbrush otigodynamic material is applied to the fused positions at least in some areas and then it penetrates into the plastic material and the bristles 3. Namely it has been shown that affected by moisture, oligodynamic materials penetrate into appropriately chosen plastic material by osmosis or capillary forces and can penetrate up to the application ends 7.
When using either method, the bristles 3 and/or the bristle clusters formed by them are vertically arranged, while the retaining ends 6 to be fused are arranged higher than the application ends 7, consequently forming an upper horizontal plane, onto which the oligodynamic material can be applied before or even after the fusion in the form of, for example, a suspension, solution or dispersion.
Thus it can easily penetrate from above into the plastic material and provide the toothbrush 1 produced in this manner with the desired antibacterial action.
The retaining ends 6, fused together and provided with oligodynamic material, are finally covered, whereby according to Fig.3 the retaining plate 4 with the bristles 3 is inserted as an exchangeable head into a recess 10 of the body 2 of the toothbrush. The other possibility according to Fig.4 is that to a body 2 of a toothbrush, provided directly inside a recess with the bristles 3, a cover plate 11 is fitted to provide cover. By this it will be achieved that the oligodynamic material cannot be partly washed out in the region of the fused retaining ends 6.
To produce a toothbrush from plastic material, in particular with an exchangeable head, the retaining heads 6 of the bristles 3 are pushed through the holes 5 of a retaining plate 4 or of a body 2 of a toothbrush in such a manner that they project slightly past it. These retaining ends 4 of the bristles 3 are fused with each other and/or with the retaining plate 4 or the body 2 of the brush. On this occasion, before or after the fusion, oligodynamic material 9 can be applied to at least some areas, usefully, however, to the entire area, of the retaining ends 6 of the bristles 3, in particular in liquid form; this material is either worked into the smelt during the fusion or penetrates into the plastic material of the bristles 3 during application after the fusion by diffusion or capillary effect. When the toothbrush is being used and due to the moistening caused by it, the oligodynamic material is distributed over the entire length of the bristles and it can exert an antibacterial and germicidal effect during its service life until it is washed out completely.
Fig.1 - a retaining plate with holes, each of them having a bristle cluster comprising bristles, wherein the bristles are arranged vertically and their retaining ends are coated with oligodynamic material before they are fused and welded with each other by an electrically heaxable fusion die, Fig.2 - the retaining plate according to Fig.1, in particular as an exchangeable head for a toothbrush after the fusion and with the oligodynamic material worked into the plastic material of the bristles, Fig.3 - the exchangeable head of a toothbrush produced according to Figs.1 and 2 before the particularly detachable and exchangeable insertion into a recess of a body of a toothbrush, as well as Fig.4 - a modified embodiment, wherein the holes for the bristles are arranged in a body of the toothbrush inside a cavity, that by this forms the retaining plate itself, after the welding of the ends of the bristles and the working-in of the oligodynamic material and before being covered by a cover plate.
A toothbrush made from plastic material, designated by 1 in toto, for example an exchangeable toothbrush according to Fig.3, but also a toothbrush with bristles 3 from plastic material directly attached to the body 2 of the toothbrush, can be manufactured by that a bristle carrier in the form of a retaining plate 4 or in the form of the body 2 of the toothbrush is provided with holes 5 and first the bristles 3 are combined appropriately into a cluster of bristles having a retaining end and an application end 7 and the retaining ends 6 are introduced into the holes 5 of the retaining plate 4 or of the body 2 of the toothbrush in a manner recognisable from Fig.1. Afterwards the retaining ends 6 of the bristles 3 which are situated at that side which is averted from the application ends 7 are fused on the retaining plate 4 or the body 2 of the toothbrush with the aid of a fusion die 8 with each other or possibly also with the retaining plate 4 or the body 2 of the toothbrush, while according to Figs.2 to 4 the retaining ends 6 of a bristle cluster can be also fused with the adjacent bristle clusters.
Fig.1 indicates that before fusion oligodynamic material 9 is applied to the retaining ends 6 of the bristles 3, after which the retaining ends 6 are welded together or fused in the manner already mentioned. On this occasion the oligodynamic material 9 is pressed into the softened or liquefted plastic material by the fusion die 8 and accordingly distributed, this being indicated in Figs.2 to 4.
In the embodiment the oligodynamic material 9 is applied to the retaining ends of all bristle dusters, but under certain circumstances it may be sufficient to apply the oligodynamic material partially only.
In addition, Figs.2 and 4 could be perceived as illustrations of a modified method, whereby after the fusion of the retaining ends 6 of the bristles 3 with each other and/or with the retaining plate 4 or the body 2 of the toothbrush otigodynamic material is applied to the fused positions at least in some areas and then it penetrates into the plastic material and the bristles 3. Namely it has been shown that affected by moisture, oligodynamic materials penetrate into appropriately chosen plastic material by osmosis or capillary forces and can penetrate up to the application ends 7.
When using either method, the bristles 3 and/or the bristle clusters formed by them are vertically arranged, while the retaining ends 6 to be fused are arranged higher than the application ends 7, consequently forming an upper horizontal plane, onto which the oligodynamic material can be applied before or even after the fusion in the form of, for example, a suspension, solution or dispersion.
Thus it can easily penetrate from above into the plastic material and provide the toothbrush 1 produced in this manner with the desired antibacterial action.
The retaining ends 6, fused together and provided with oligodynamic material, are finally covered, whereby according to Fig.3 the retaining plate 4 with the bristles 3 is inserted as an exchangeable head into a recess 10 of the body 2 of the toothbrush. The other possibility according to Fig.4 is that to a body 2 of a toothbrush, provided directly inside a recess with the bristles 3, a cover plate 11 is fitted to provide cover. By this it will be achieved that the oligodynamic material cannot be partly washed out in the region of the fused retaining ends 6.
To produce a toothbrush from plastic material, in particular with an exchangeable head, the retaining heads 6 of the bristles 3 are pushed through the holes 5 of a retaining plate 4 or of a body 2 of a toothbrush in such a manner that they project slightly past it. These retaining ends 4 of the bristles 3 are fused with each other and/or with the retaining plate 4 or the body 2 of the brush. On this occasion, before or after the fusion, oligodynamic material 9 can be applied to at least some areas, usefully, however, to the entire area, of the retaining ends 6 of the bristles 3, in particular in liquid form; this material is either worked into the smelt during the fusion or penetrates into the plastic material of the bristles 3 during application after the fusion by diffusion or capillary effect. When the toothbrush is being used and due to the moistening caused by it, the oligodynamic material is distributed over the entire length of the bristles and it can exert an antibacterial and germicidal effect during its service life until it is washed out completely.
Claims (8)
1. A method to produce a toothbrush (1) from plastic material, in particular an exchangeable toothbrush, wherein a bristle carrier and the bristles (3) are made from plastic material, while first the bristles (3) having a retaining end (6) and an application end (7) are combined into bristle clusters and the retaining ends (6) are introduced into holes (5) of a retaining plate (4) or of the body (2) of the toothbrush, afterwards the retaining ends (6) of the bristles (3) which are on the retaining plate (4) or on the body (2) of the brush on that side which is averted from the application end (7) are fused with each other and/or with the retaining plate (4) or the body (2) of the brush, characterised in that prior to the fusion oligodynamic material (9) is applied to at least a portion of the retaining ends (6) of the bristles (3), that afterwards the retaining ends (6) are welded and/or fused with each other and that on the same occasion the oligodynamic material (9) is pressed into the softened or liquefied plastic material and distributed therein.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the oligodynamic material (9) is applied to the retaining ends (6) of all bristle clusters.
3. A method according to the generic part of patent claim 1, characterised in that after the welding and/or fusion of the retaining ends (6) of the bristles (3) with each other and/or with the retaining plate (4) or the body (2) of the brush oligodynamic material is applied to at least some areas of the fused positions, this material penetrating into the plastic material and the bristles (3).
4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the bristles (3) or the bristle clusters are so aligned that their retaining ends (6), which are to be fused, during the fusion or welding are arranged higher than the application ends (7) and are situated approximately in one plane, and that the oligodynamic material (9) is applied to this plane, for example, as suspension or solution or dispersion by spraying, by drops and/or printing.
5. A method according to claim 4, characterised in that the bristles (3) or bristle clusters during fusion or welding are arranged approximately vertically and the retaining ends (6), which are to be welded or fused, are situated in an approximately horizontal plane to which the oligodynamic material (9) is applied before or after the fusion.
6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the oligodynamic material (9), silver or silver salt for example, in particular chloride of silver, is mixed with a plastic material, polyamide for example, and is dissolved in a solvent like 2,2,2 trifluoroethanol and that the retaining ends (6) of the bristles (3) are wetted or coated with this solution before or after the fusion.
7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the retaining ends (6) of the particularly vertically arranged bristles (3) are so softened or liquefied during the fusion, that the oligodynamic material (9) penetrates into the bristles (3) due to gravity from the retaining ends (6) in the direction of the application ends (7).
8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the retaining ends (6), which are fused together and are coated with oligodynamic material (9) are covered by inserting the retaining plate (4) with the bristles (3) as an exchangeable head into a recess (10) of the body (2) of the toothbrush or placing a cover plate (11) on a body (2) of the toothbrush provided with the bristles (3).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19818553.7 | 1998-04-24 | ||
| DE19818553A DE19818553C1 (en) | 1998-04-24 | 1998-04-24 | Making plastic toothbrush combating microorganism growth amongst its bristles |
| PCT/EP1999/002560 WO1999055194A1 (en) | 1998-04-24 | 1999-04-16 | Method for producing a plastic toothbrush |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2327493A1 true CA2327493A1 (en) | 1999-11-04 |
Family
ID=7865788
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2327493 Abandoned CA2327493A1 (en) | 1998-04-24 | 1999-04-16 | Method for producing a plastic toothbrush |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1073352B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2002512107A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE223669T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU3606699A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2327493A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE19818553C1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1999055194A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6957468B2 (en) | 2001-05-12 | 2005-10-25 | Braun Gmbh | Toothbrush head with anchor-free bristle tufting |
| US9498050B2 (en) | 2008-04-16 | 2016-11-22 | Gb Boucherie Nv | Paint brush |
Families Citing this family (21)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19932377A1 (en) * | 1999-07-13 | 2001-02-08 | Coronet Werke Gmbh | Method and device for the production of brushes and brushes produced thereafter |
| DE59906449D1 (en) * | 1999-12-22 | 2003-09-04 | Boucherie Nv G B | Process for fastening bristle tufts for brushes to supports made of thermoplastic material |
| DE10010572A1 (en) * | 2000-03-03 | 2001-09-06 | Coronet Werke Gmbh | Thermoplastic (e.g. tooth) brush has regions containing surface-diffusing (especially silver) antimicrobial substance and regions guaranteeing required bending and recovery properties |
| EP1136016A1 (en) * | 2000-03-21 | 2001-09-26 | G.B. Boucherie, N.V. | Method and device for melting ends of bristles |
| EP1136017B1 (en) * | 2000-03-21 | 2003-06-25 | G.B. Boucherie, N.V. | Method and device for melting ends of bristles |
| DE10015062B4 (en) | 2000-03-25 | 2010-05-12 | Braun Gmbh | Brush head and method of making such a brush head |
| DE10155473A1 (en) * | 2001-11-12 | 2003-06-05 | Boucherie Nv G B | Process for attaching bristle tufts to carrier plates |
| DE10164336A1 (en) * | 2001-12-28 | 2003-07-17 | Trisa Holding Ag Triengen | Toothbrush and method of making such a toothbrush |
| DE10259723A1 (en) | 2002-12-19 | 2004-07-01 | Trisa Holding Ag | Toothbrush and process for making it |
| US7275277B2 (en) | 2003-09-26 | 2007-10-02 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Flexible toothbrush head |
| KR100666458B1 (en) * | 2005-03-11 | 2007-01-09 | 권영준 | Toothbrush with pressure relief device and manufacturing method thereof |
| EP1820663B1 (en) * | 2006-02-20 | 2011-04-06 | REHAU AG + Co | Strip with oligodynamic material |
| BE1017849A6 (en) * | 2007-11-14 | 2009-09-01 | Boucherie Nv G B | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING BRUSHES |
| CN101444363A (en) * | 2008-12-09 | 2009-06-03 | 于海宽 | Brush head and manufacture device thereof |
| DE102009058608B4 (en) * | 2009-12-17 | 2023-02-02 | Gb Boucherie Nv | Method of connecting brush head plates to brush bodies |
| JP5224618B2 (en) * | 2011-04-01 | 2013-07-03 | 花王株式会社 | Brush manufacturing method and apparatus |
| DE102015109706B4 (en) * | 2014-07-15 | 2019-05-23 | Zahoransky Ag | Carrier plate and brush, in particular toothbrush with carrier platelets |
| ES2830074T3 (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2021-06-02 | Mc Schiffer Gmbh | Brush and procedure for its production |
| CA3021605A1 (en) | 2016-04-20 | 2017-10-26 | Trisa Holding Ag | Brush product and method for the production thereof |
| CN105768520A (en) * | 2016-05-17 | 2016-07-20 | 扬州华腾个人护理用品有限公司 | Toothbrush and preparation method thereof |
| WO2023105362A1 (en) * | 2021-12-09 | 2023-06-15 | Willo 32 Sas | Bristle tuft assembly and associated fabrication methods |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0332026B1 (en) * | 1988-03-08 | 1993-07-14 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Tootbrush with slow release of disinfectant and anti-bacterial agents and method of manufacturing the same |
| DE59007034D1 (en) * | 1989-06-24 | 1994-10-13 | Frisetta Gmbh | Method and device for producing bristle fields or bristle bundles. |
| DE9109625U1 (en) * | 1991-08-02 | 1991-09-19 | Frisetta Gmbh, 7869 Schoenau, De | |
| DE4317407C1 (en) * | 1993-05-26 | 1994-08-18 | Braun Ag | Brush part for a toothbrush |
| DE19600767C1 (en) * | 1996-01-11 | 1996-12-05 | Fritz Alfons Rueb | Tooth-brush with long handle and replaceable brush head |
| JP3028996U (en) * | 1996-03-13 | 1996-09-17 | 栃木精工株式会社 | toothbrush |
-
1998
- 1998-04-24 DE DE19818553A patent/DE19818553C1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1999
- 1999-04-16 AT AT99917987T patent/ATE223669T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-04-16 WO PCT/EP1999/002560 patent/WO1999055194A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1999-04-16 DE DE59902659T patent/DE59902659D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-04-16 AU AU36066/99A patent/AU3606699A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-04-16 EP EP99917987A patent/EP1073352B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-04-16 CA CA 2327493 patent/CA2327493A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-04-16 JP JP2000545406A patent/JP2002512107A/en active Pending
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6957468B2 (en) | 2001-05-12 | 2005-10-25 | Braun Gmbh | Toothbrush head with anchor-free bristle tufting |
| US9498050B2 (en) | 2008-04-16 | 2016-11-22 | Gb Boucherie Nv | Paint brush |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1999055194A1 (en) | 1999-11-04 |
| EP1073352B1 (en) | 2002-09-11 |
| AU3606699A (en) | 1999-11-16 |
| DE19818553C1 (en) | 1999-08-05 |
| ATE223669T1 (en) | 2002-09-15 |
| EP1073352A1 (en) | 2001-02-07 |
| JP2002512107A (en) | 2002-04-23 |
| DE59902659D1 (en) | 2002-10-17 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2327493A1 (en) | Method for producing a plastic toothbrush | |
| CA2163367C (en) | Brush section for a toothbrush | |
| USRE45141E1 (en) | Toothbrush and process for producing such a toothbrush | |
| US4762373A (en) | Process for rounding the bristle tips of toothbrushes and toothbrushes prepared by this process | |
| WO2011078128A1 (en) | Brush body and toothbrush | |
| US10864061B2 (en) | System for the in situ cleaning of dental implants | |
| KR20140146657A (en) | Method for the Galvanic Protection of a Reinforced Concrete Structure | |
| US20230218787A1 (en) | Contacting System and Use of the Contacting System | |
| EP0883358B1 (en) | Method of producing bristled articles, in particular brushes | |
| US8523966B2 (en) | Method for applying a powdered-diamond coating to the surface of cutters for dentistry excluding slot surfaces | |
| JP2007167527A (en) | Artificial teeth cleaner | |
| DE19508539A1 (en) | Toothbrush with plastic filaments | |
| JP2009125125A (en) | Toothbrush | |
| WO2001030196A1 (en) | Toothbrush | |
| DE4018649C2 (en) | ||
| GB2135193A (en) | Dental hygiene device | |
| EP0077341A1 (en) | Anchoring intended to be inserted in teeth roots, utilization thereof and artificial tooth | |
| KR200307320Y1 (en) | Toothbrush planteel with a needle-shaped bristle tapered on one side | |
| EP3513766B1 (en) | Tooth-cleaning device | |
| TW518212B (en) | Tooth brush | |
| EP3865607A1 (en) | Use of a component as electrolyte for an electrochemical cell, method for operating a water-carrying electrical appliance and water-carrying electrical appliance | |
| JPH07309684A (en) | Electrochemical treatment of concrete | |
| CN1177462A (en) | Tooth-brush | |
| JPS61179034A (en) | Manufacture of emitter chip for liquid metal ion source |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |