Title of Invention

TOOTHBRUSH AND METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF SUCH A TOOTHBRUSH

Abstract

The invention relates to a toothbrush with a handle (2) and a headpiece (1), on which brush filaments (3) and at least one soft elastic cleaning element (6) are arranged. According to the invention, the at least one soft elastic cleaning element (6) is arranged on a support element (5), made from a hard material, connected to the headpiece (1). The invention further relates to a method for production of such a toothbrush.

Full Text

Toothbrush and process for producing such a toothbrush The invention relates to a toothbrush according to the preamble of claim 1, and for a process which is intended for producing the same and has the features of claim 15. Toothbrushes with a conventional bristle arrangement comprising Clusters of bristle filaments, e.g. made of a polyamide (PA) or polyester (PBT), and an additional flexible structure are known, for example, from WO 00/64307 and WO 01/21036. The conventional bristles here serve for customary teeth-cleaning purposes, while the flexible structure can perform different functions, e.g. massaging the gums, damping the cleaning movement; removing plaque, polishing the tooth surface, suspending the bristles in an elastic manner and/or sealing non-welded locations. WO 00/64307 discloses a toothbrush with rod-like flexible cleaning elements which are of approximately the same length as , the conventional Clusters of bristles and are arranged on the periphery of the head part of the toothbrush.- In the case of WO 01/21036, elastic cleaning elements are of sheet-like, e.g. undulating, configuration and are arranged within the conventional bristle arrangement. In the case of WO 00/64307, a plurality of the flexible cleaning elements are connected to one another via a material bridge made of the same material. Following the Operation of covering the head part of the toothbrush with conventional bristles, the cleaning elements are produced by virtue of the head part being encapsulated by injection molding. The disadvantage here is that the bristle filaments have to be prepared for use, e.g. by virtue of the Clusters of bristles being rounded or a predetermined prof iling being produced, before the flexible structure is produced. Renewed insertion into the injection mold is then necessary in order to produce the flexible structure. It is possible here for the Clusters of bristles to be damaged or contaminated. The elastic-structure shapes which it is possible to produce are limited, inter alia, for demolding reasons. The object of the invention is to provide a toothbrush, with conventional bristles and a flexible structure, which is straightforward to produce. The intention is also to specify a corresponding production process. The object is achieved by a toothbrush having the features of claim 1 and by a process which is intended for producing such a toothbrush and has the features of claim 15. Advantageous developments can be gathered from the dependent Claims, the description and the drawings. According to the invention, in the case of a toothbrush of the type mentioned in the introduction, at least one flexible structure, e ,g. a cleaning element, is arranged on a carrier element which consists of a hard material. This carrier element is connected to the head part. Such a toothbrush has production-related advantages since the additional part, i.e. the carrier element provided with the flexible structure, can be produced separately and straightforwardly connected to the head part. * The connection between the carrier element and the head part may be produced mechanically by clamping or snap-fitting or riveting, chemically by adhesive bonding, by ultrasonic welding, or thermally by welding or other methods of supplying heat. It is preferred, *in terms of production, for the carrier element to consist of the same material as the head part since, in this case, only one hard component need be provided for producing the brush and there is no need to ensure material compatibility. This is advantageous, in. particular, for ultrasonic welding. The arrangement of the flexible structure on a carrier element consisting of a hard material has the following advantages: the additional part may be produced, and pr epared f or use, separately f rom the rest of the toothbrush body, comprising the handle and head part. In a straightforward further step, the carrier element is connected to the head part, it being possible to use any of the abovementioned connecting methods and the hard carrier element preferably being formed in adaptation to said head part. The carrier element may be formed, for exarnple, such that, during the later connecting step, it engages around the head part in a clamping manner. On account of the hard carrier element, the additional part is easy to handle and can be gripped considerably more easily than an additional part produced entirely from a flexible material. The additional part is small in comparison with the rest of the toothbrush. The necessary molds are thus also small and cost-effective. The basic toothbrush body and the bristle covering may be produced using a Standard mold even if they are later provided with different additional parts. In order to produce toothbrushes with different additional parts, all that is necessary is to exchange the additional part and/or the corresponding mold therefor, which can be done in a straightforward and cost-effective manner. A further advantage of producing the additional part and basic body separately is that it is possible to realize any desired shapes of flexible cleaning element s, e. g. even those which cross' over the conventional bristles, come into contact therewith or . displace the same when the additional part is inserted. The separate production does not pose any problems for the demolding of the flexible structure. It is possible to produce geometries by ihjection molding which would be extremely difficult to demold if the cleaning element were fitted directly on the bristle-covered head part. Up until now, the flexible structure, for production-related reasons, has been produced from the same material as any flexible components on the handle part. The invention provides a greater degree of freedom for the material of the structure, with the result that it is possible to use, for example, a different degree of hardness. A non-releasable connection between the additional part and the head part prevents the additional part from detaching during use and eliminates the risk of swallowing. The conventional bristles are fastened, for example, directly on the head part, on a bristle plate acting as a further carrier element, or also on the carrier element for the flexible cleaning elements, all variants having advantages. During the Operation of fastening the bristles on the head part or on the. bristle plate, the flexible structure and the conventional bristles may be prepared independently of one another for later use before the head part and additional part are assembled, with the result that they do not damage or contaminate one another. Fitting both conventional bristles and the flexible structure on the carrier element has the advantage that any desired spatial arrangement of the two components is possible. A carrier element which is 'prepared in this way may be connected to different basic toothbrush bodies for finishing purposes, with the result that it is possible to realize a large number of different toothbrushes with only a small number of basic bodies. The conventional bristles, in both cases, may be prepared for use before or after the flexible structure i s f itted. I f the two components are provided on the carrier element, it is preferable first of all for the flexible structure, including any cleaning elements, to be integrally formed and then for the carrier element to be covered with bristles, which may be guided, for example, through cutouts in the soft or hard component. Producing the additional part, i.e. the carrier element with one or more flexible cleaning elements, preferably takes place by two-component or multi-component injection molding. In this case, a non-releasable connection is preferably produced between the components. The flexible structure is preferably also arranged, e.g. molded, laterally on the carrier element, in which case, in the assembled State, it terminates laterally with the out er contour of the head part or projects beyond the same. It serves, for example, for sealing non-welded locations, for massaging the gums, e.g. by way of molded-on elastic elements which project slightly, or as impact protection during cleaning. The flexible cleaning element preferably consists of an, in particular, thermoplastic elastomer, e.g. of natural or synthetic rubber. The material used for the basic toothbrush body is preferably used fors the carrier element, in particular polypropylene, styrene-acrylonitrile, polyester, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) or Isoplast®. The Shore A hardness of the soft component is preferably less than 9 0 and particularly preferably below 50. The carrier element is particularly preferably covered with bristles by AFT (Anchor Free Tufting) technology. In this case, first of all, the hard-material carrier plate is produced with the flexible structure/ in particular by two-component injection molding. Then, the bristle filaments are guided through cutouts in the carrier plate and/or in the flexible structure and, for fastening on the carrier plate and/or the flexible structure, are welded or adhesively bonded by way of their rear ends, which in the application case are directed toward the brush head. This has the advantage that it is possible to realize largely any desired bristle arrangements, in particular even sheet-like bristle structures. The carrier element is connected to the head part, in particular, by means of ultrasonic welding, e.g. as is described in DE 200 06 311 U. Since elastomeric material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer, on account of the pronounced damping of the ultrasonic vibrations, can only be welded ultrasonically to a limited extent, the welding surface between the carrier element and head part is preferably kept at least partially free of the flexible component. For this purpose, the injection point of the soft component is preferably selected to be on the bristle-carrying side of the carrier element, in order that no material bridges from the soft component reduce the size of the welding surface. However, for the case where flexible elements are intended to be arranged in the region of the welding surface, they are preferably positioned to the side of the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush, This likewise produces non-welded locations laterally on the carrier element, while it is possible to weld the longitudinally front and rear regions between the carrier element and head part. This ensures that the carrier element is held well since the front and rear regions, in particular, and, to a lesser extent, the side regions, are subjected tö loading by the cleaning movement and the corresponding leverages. Merely punctiform welding with non-welded locations may also be used specifically, in order that the brush head and carrier element can be moved in relation to one another and a certain level of flexibility of the brush head as a whole is thus achieved. It is also possible for the flexible structure, in the manner of a sealing lip, to serve for the additional sealing of non-welded locations. As a result, the space between the carrier element and the head part is advantageously sealed against the ingress of water, It is thus not possible for any germs to accumulate in this region, and the brush is more hygienic. In order to achieve a reasonable sealing function, the Shore A hardness of the Software component is preferably less than 50. Examples for the invention are described hereinbelow and illustrated vin the drawings, in which, purely schematically: Figures la-d show views of a toothbrush according to the invention in various assembly stages, the additional part being fastened on the head part by riveting; Figures 2a-e show views of a further toothbrush of which the additional part is fastened by riveting; Figures 3a-e show views of a toothbrush of which the additional part is fastened by welding; Figures 4a-e show views of a toothbrush of which the additional part is fastened by rrteans of a snap-fitting connection; Figures 5a-e show views of a further toothbrush of which the additional part is fastened by a snap-fitting connection; Figures 6a-f show views of a toothbrush in the case of which the additional part is fastened in a clamping manner; Figur es 7a -e show the procuction of a toothbrush by AFT ; Figures 8a-e show views of a fürther toothbrush of which the additional part is fastened by a snap-fitting connection; Figures 9a-f show views of a further toothbrush, of which the additional part is fastened on the head part with play; Figures 10a-j show the production of a further toothbrush by AFT; and Figures lla-c show views of a toothbrush with a lateral Surround made of flexible material. All of the toothbrushes illustrated have a basic body with a head part 1 and a handle part 2, which is only partialiy illustrated. An additional part 4 with a plurality of flexible cleaning elements 6 of different shapes, which are connected to a carrier element of likewise different shapes, is connected to the head part 1 when the toothbrush is in the finished State. The head part 1, furthermore, is provided directly (figures 1-5) or indirectly (figure 6) with Clusters 3 of conventional bristle filaments. The materials and arrangements of the Clusters of bristles 3 may vary. It is only the special f eatures of the individual exemplary embodiments which are discussed hereinbelow, and elements which correspond to one änother are provided with the sairie designations. Figures la and c show a toothbrush of which the head part 1 has already been provided with Clusters of bristles 3. The additional part 4 illustrated in figure lb has a sectionally U-shaped carrier element 5 made of a hard material, in particular the same plastic which entire basic body. Flexible cleaning elements 6, in this ca.se in the form of straight rods; are f irmly connected to the carrier element 5. The cleaning elements 6 are inclined slightly out of the vertical, toward one another, and enclose an angle of from 5 to 30° with the vertical. In this way, the elastic cleaning elements 6 come into contact with the conventional Clusters of bristles 3 (figure Id) and may even cross over (not illustrated) the latter. Using conventional production processes, such a position can only be realized with high-outlay displacement methods, The carrier element 5 is adapted in shape to a cutout 9, visible in figure lc, in that region of the head part 1 which is directed away from the Clusters of bristles 3. Also located in this region are pins 7, which can be plugged through a hole 8 in the carrier element 5. The pins 7 are cold-formed or hot-forrned and thus permanently fixed in the hole 8. Figure Id shows a plan view of the finished toothbrush. For reasons of esthetics or hygiene, the bottom region of the hole 8 or of the head part 1 as a whole may be covered by a protective layer 2 2 made of soft plastic (cf. figure 2d) . The boundary regions between the carrier element 5 and the head part 1 are likewise preferably covered by soft plastic. An example of the material used for this purpose is the soft material which is also used for the handle region of the toothbrush. The protective layer is preferably molded on during the production of the handle part by multi-component injection molding. It is also possible, however, for the plastic layer to be integrally formed directly on the carrier element. A further example of a toothbrush of which the additional part 4 is connected to the head part 1 by riveting is illustrated in figures 2a-e. The additional part, in this case, comprises a plate-like carrier element 5 to which sheet-like flexible cleaning elements 6 are connected in the form of a rosette. The carrier element 5 has a pin 7' by means of which the additional part 4 can be plugged through a correspondingly prepared hole 8' in the front end of the head part and can be fixed by virtue of the pin 7' being deformed. The flexible cleaning elements 6 are located in the region of the tip of the head part 1, The bristle arrangement with individual Clusters of bristles 3 follows in the direction of the handle part 2. A protective layer 22 Covers the region of the hole 8 ' . Figures 3a-e show a further example of a toothbrush, which ends up similar to a toothbrush according to figure 2. The additional part 4 with a plate-like carrier element 5 and rosette-like flexible cleaning elements 6, in this case, is connected to the head part 1 by welding. ■For this purpose, the front region of the head part has a plate-like cutout into which the carrier element 5 is permanently introduced, by way of a correspondingly structured underside 5a, by means of ultrasonic welding. Figure 3d shows a side view of the finished toothbrush, and figure 3e shows the plan view of the combined bristle arrangement comprising conventional Clusters of bristles ■ 3 and flexible cleaning elements 6. The additional part 4 of the toothbrush illustrated in figures 4a-e is fastened in the center of the head part 1 by means of snap-fitting. The additional part 4 comprises a rectangular carrier element 5 with wing-like flexible cleaning elements 6 arranged at its corners. Two rod-like cleaning elements 6 are also located on the carrier element 5 (figures 4b and c) . As is illustrated in figure 4a, the 'head part 1 has a central hole 8', through which a resiliently configured. extension 11 on the carrier element 5 is plugged. The additional part 4 and head part 1 are connected to one another by a snap-fitting connection which, on account of the enlarged cross section at the bottom end IIa of the extension 11, cannot readily be released. The bristle arrangement of the conventional Clusters of bristles 3 is configured such that the wing-like cleaning elements 6 are positioned between the conventional Clusters of bristles 3, as is illustrated in figures 4a and 4e. The additional part 4 is produced separately and then inserted into the head part 1 with the prepared bristle arrangement. It is thus also possible to realize structures of the flexible cleaning elements 6 which engage through the Convention bristle arrangement; such as the diagonally arranged wing-like elements from figures 4b-e or the fanned-out pin-like cleaning elements, Oriented in different directions in space, from figure 8. For reasons of hygiene or esthetics, the underside of the head part 1 is covered by a layer 22 made of flexible material. Figures 5a-e show a further example-of a snap-fitting connection between the additional part 4 and the head part 1 of a toothbrush according to the invention. Within the bristle arrangement made of conventional Clusters of bristles 3, the head part 1 has a prepared region 13 for accommodating the additional part 4.. This region 13 comprises a depression with a groove 12 running on the border .of the latter in each case, perpendicularly to the alignment of the handle 2, said groove 12 providing the head part 1 with a certain level of elasticity or resilient action, as 'do also the grooves 12' running on the lateral border of the head part. The prepared region 13 is slightly smaller than the basic surface area of the carrier element 5, with the result that the latter can be f itted into the region 13 ina clamping manner. As can be seen from the plan view in figure 5e, the additional part has both rod-like cleaning elements and sheet-like cleaning elements arranged transversely Co Che alignmenC of Che handle 2. Figures 6a-f show a furCher example of a CooChbrush according Co Che invenCion, in Chis case a plug-on CooChbrush for an elecCric CeeCh-cleaning uniC. The convenCional clusCers of brisCles 3 are fasCened oa a separaCe brisCle plaCe 18 which, in Che assembled sCaCe, is connecCed Co Che maCching head parC 1 of Che CooChbrush or a diso 23 which is fasCened in a roCaCable or pivoCable mahner Chereon. The flexible cleaning elemenCs 6, which are rod-like in Chis case, are fasCened on a carrier elemenC 5 which is slighCly curved in plan view and has a sheeC-like exCension 16, which is orienCed essenCially perpendicularly Co Che alignmenC of Che cleaning elemenCs 6. The addiCional parC 4 can be inCroduced, by way of said exCension 16, inCo a correspondingly shaped groove 14 in Che disc 23. Arranged in Che cenCer of Che head parC 1 and of Che groove 14 is a round cuCouC 15, in • which a corresponding maCing elemenC 17 on Che exCension 16 of Che addiCional parC 4 engages. The addiCional parC 4 and head parC 1 are Chus connecCed Co one anoCher in a well-fiCCing and clamping manner. AC iCs bobtom end, Che brisCle plaCe 18 has a groove 19 by means of which Che brisCle plaCe 18 can be fasCened on Che disc 23 or Che laCeral exCensions 23 Chereof. In Che embodimenC illusCraCed, Che addiCional parC 4 is moved along by Che disc 23. As an alCernaCive, ic is possible for Che addiCional parC 4 Co be fasCened direcCly on Che head parC 1 and noC Co roCaCe as well. Figures 7a-e show an example of Che production of a CooChbrush by means of AFT Cechnology, Figures 7a-c show secCional views of Che carrier element 5 in various process sCages, Co be precise before being provided wich flexible cleaning elemenCs 6 and convenCional clusCers of brisCles 3 (figure 7a) , following Che applicaCion of Che flexible material (figure 7b) and following the applicaticn of the bristles (figure 7c) . The outer shape of the carrier element 5 is adapted to the dimensions of a prepared region 13 in the form of a shallow cutout in the head part 1 of the .toothbrush. The carrier element 5 has prepared regions 20, into which the flexible cleaning elements & are fitted, in particular tnolded. Furthermore, the carrier element 5 has cutouts 24, which are filled wholly or partially with flexible material 61, see also the detail from figure 7e, The carrier element 5 also contains holes 21, through which Clusters of bristles 3 are plugged and are fastened on the rear side by virtue of their rear ends 3a being incipiently melted. , The elastic material regions 6' have further holes 21' which likewise serve for accommodating Clusters of bristles 3, which are f astened in the same way. The material regions 6' can accoramodate one . or more Clusters of bristles 3 . The Clusters of bristles 3 anchored in the elastic material 61 are thus anchored or suspended in a particularly elastic manner. Further Clusters of bristles 3 are fastened directly on the carrier element 5. The carrier element 5 f itted with Clusters of bristles and the flexible structure 6, 61 is then inserted into the prepared region 13. The edge 30 of the carrier element 5v this edge in the application case being directed towards the base of the cutout 13, is tapered, just as in the example from figures 10 and 11. This tapering edge 30 serves, during ultrasonic welding for connection to the head part 1, as an energy concentrator and a material reservoir for material which is to be liquefied. The AFT technology manages without anchors or clips for fastening the bristle filaments, which instead are welded directly on the carrier plate. This means that the width of a Cluster of bristles is not determined by the anchor,. with the result that it is also possible to realize finer structures, in particular also sheet-like bristle arrangements. It is technically also possible, in the case of AFT, to prepare the bristle filaments for use before they are fitted on the carrier plate. The variant which is realized at present, however, is that where the bristles are only machined once they have been fitted on the carrier plate. Figures 8 a -e show a variant of the toothbrush f rom figure 4. ' The bristle arrangement made of conventional Clusters of bristles 3 corresponds to figure 4. The additional part 4 has a plurality of pin-like cleaning elements 6 which diverge in the form of a star and engage through the conventional Clusters of bristles 3 (figures 8d and e). The fastening mechanism corresponds to f igure 4. A layer 22 made of flexible material Covers the underside of the head and handle parts 1, 2. Figures 9a-f show a further example of a toothbrush according to the invention. The head part 1 has a prepared region 13 for the carrier element 5 of the additional part 4, said region being larger than the carrier element 5 itself. The region 13 is, for example, a hole which passes all the way through the head part 1; see sectional drawings from figures ,9b, d and e. The region 13 has two lateral grooves 13a, the shape of which is adapted to the shape of two lateral extensions 5b of the carrier element 5. The latter is inserted into the head part 1 and latches there. The . play of the carrier element 5 within the *' region 13, which allows lateral displacement and/or a pivoting movement about the axis defined by the extensions 5b, results in a particular level of elasticity or resilient action of the additional part 4. The rear side of the head part 1, again, may be covered by a layer of soft material. Figures 10a-j show a fürther example of a toothbrush produced by means of AFT. Figures 10a-c correspond to figures 7a -c and each show the carrier place 5 in various process stages. Figures lOd-f show the same carrier plate 5 in section along line I-I indicated in figure 10a. The centrally arranged flexible elernent 6 is sheet-like or sail-like and is undulating in plan view (figure 10h). As is illustrated in figures lOe and f, the flexible structure comprises laterally . integrally formed regions 6' ' which, in the assembled State (figure 10h), bound the toothbrush head 1 laterally and terminate more or less flush with the outer contour of the head part. They serve, f or example, as impact protection and/or for additionally massaging the gums. The regions 6'1 likewise have holes 21' for accommodating Clusters of bristles 3, which are thus suspended in an elastic manner and are particularly compliant during cleaning. The carrier elernent 5 provided with conventional bristles 3 and the flexible structure 6, 6', 61' is inserted into a cutout 13 in the brush head 1. The brush head 1 is illustrated in various views without the carrier elernent 5 in figures 10g and j and with the carrier elernent 5 inserted in figures 10h and i. On its lateral border, the brush head 1 or the cutout 13 has lateral openings 25, which are adapted to the lateral flexible regions 6'1 previously molded on the carrier elernent 5. The carrier elernent 5 is connected to the brush head 1 by means of ultrasonic welding. The weldincf- surface 26 is indicated by'dashed lines. In order to realize the welding, the carrier elernent has, on its bottorn border, a welding border 26' which, during assembly, rests on the base of the cutout 13, the contact surface defining the welding surface 26. The welding border 26' melts under the Influence of ultrasound, with the result that the two parts 5 and 1 are connected to one another. Since elastomeric material can only be welded ultrasonically to a limited extent; the welding surface 26, as far as possible, is kept free of this material, for example as in the case of the toothbrush from figure 7 or, with only minimal interruptions, as in the case of the toothbrush from figure 10. The aim, in both cases, is to seal the cavity 2 8 between the carrier element 5 and head part 1 to the füll extent, in order to prevent the ingress of water and germs. For this purpose, the injection point of the flexible material is preferably selected to be on the bristle-carrying front side of the carrier element 5, in order that no unnecessary material bridges reduce the size of the welding surface 26. If further flexible elements are provided on the head part 1, in particular on the rear side thereof, they are positioned such that they do not reduce the size of the welding surface 26, For example, these elements and the corresponding injection point are located fully within that region on the rear side of the head part 1 (not illustrated) which is defined by the welding surface 26. The entire contact surface between the head part 1 and carrier element 5 is preferably welded over at least 25%, particularly preferably along the periphery of the head (line 26). In the example from figure 10, the flexible regions 6,f interrupt the welding surface 26, with the result that non-welded locations 27 are produced there. These are advantageously arranged on the side of the head part 1, while the longitudinally front and rear regions of the carrier element 5 are firmly welded to the head part 1. This ensures that the carrier element 5 is held securely since the front and rear regions are subjected to an extremely high level of loading by the cleaning movement and corresponding leverages. The non-welded locations 27 are sealed by the flexible regions 6' here in the manner of a sealing lip, with the result that only a very small amount of water, if any at all, can penetrate into the cavity 28. For a good, sealing function, material with a Shore A hardness of 50 or less is preferably selected. Non-welded locations between the head part and carrier element may also be used specif ically, in order to achieve a certain level of flexibility between the two hard components. Figure 11 shows various views of a further example of a toothbrush produced by AFT, in this case, with two sail-like flexible cleaning elements 6. The carrier element 5 is fully enclosed, around its periphery, by flexible material 6 * , which, in the assembled State (plan-view illustration figure IIa) fully encloses the outer periphery of the head part 1 on the top side and serves as impact protection. In regions 6' ' , the soft material serves as a mount for lateral Clusters of bristles 3 which are guided through the flexible material 6 ' ' . As can be gathered from figure 11c, the hard components (carrier element 5 and head part 1) come into contact with one another along a surface 26 beneath the soft component in the region 6' and can be welded here by means of ultrasound. The welding surface 26 is interrupted by the lateral regions -6', although, as has been described above, a sufficient retaining action is achieved. The cavity 28 beneath the carrier element 5 is sealed by the flexible regions 61 ' and the locations welded along the surface 26. The method of welding and sealing the components which has been described above with reference to figures 10 and 11 may also advantageously be used for other toothbrushes. 1. A toothbrush having a handle (2) and a head part (1) with bristle filaments (3) and a flexible structure (6, 6', 22) of a first soft material, wherein the flexible structure (6, 6T, 22) is arranged on a carrier element (5) which consists of a second hard material and is connected to the head part (1) , such that a rear side of the carrier element (5) faces the head part (1) and wherein bristle filaments (3) are guided through cutouts (21, 21') in the carrier element (5) and/or in the flexible structure (6f T) and, for fastening by its rear ends facing the head part (1), are melted, welded or adhesively bonded. 2. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible structure comprises at least one flexible cleaning element. 3. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible structure (6, 61, 22) and the carrier element (5) are produced by two-component or multi-component injection molding, a non-releasable connection preferably being proviöed between the flexible structure (6, 61, 22) and the carrier element (5). 4. The toothbrush as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the material of the carrier element (5) is polypropylene (PP), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), Isoplast® or polyester (PET). 5. The toothbrush as claimed in any -one of the preceding Claims, wherein the carrier element (5) is inserted into a cutout (13) in the head part (1) adapted to the shape of the carrier element (5) and connected in a non-releasable manner to the head part (1). 6. The toothbrush as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the flexible structure (6, 6', 22) consists of natural or synthetic rubber, preferably of a thermoplastic elastomer, which preferably has a Shore A hardness of less than 90, particularly preferably of less than 50. 7. The toothbrush as claimed in anyone of the preceding Claims, wherein a cavity {28) exists between the carrier element (5) and the head part (1) . 8. The toothbrush as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein connecting locations between the head part (1) and the carrier element (5) are covered by flexible material (22) , preferably sealing against entry of water. 9. The toothbrush as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the flexible structure (6, 6f, 22) comprises regions (611) arranged laterally on the carrier element (5), said regions terminating laterally with the outer contour of the head part (1) . 10. The toothbrush as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the regions (611) of the flexible structure (6, 6', 22) arranged laterally on the carrier element (5) seal not welded locations (27) between the head part (1) and the carrier element (5) against the entry of water. 11. The. toothbrush as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the head part (1) and the cutout (13) respectively comprise lateral openings (25) whose shape is adapted to the flexible regions (61 ') arranged laterally on the carrier element. 12 . The toothbrush as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the carrier element (5) comprises a preferably sharp edge on its rear side which faces the head part (1) , acts as a welding border and acts as a material reservoir and/or energy concentrator, whereby the contacting area defines a welding surface (26). 13. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 12, wherein the flexible structure is arranged within the area defined by the welding surface (26). 14. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 12, wherein the welding surface (2 6) is kept free of the flexible material. 15. The toothbrush as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the flexible structure comprises plane elements (6) arranged on the carrier element (5). 16. The toothbrush as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the carrier element (5) comprises prepared regions (20) and/or cutouts (24) for the acceptance of the flexible structure (6, 6', 22) . 17. The toothbrush as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein a plurality of cutouts (21, 21') receiving bristle filaments (3) are arranged in a common section of the flexible structure (6, 6f, 22). 18. A process for producing a toothbrush as claimed in one of the preceding Claims, wherein at least one flexible structure (6, 6', 22) of a first soft material is attached to a carrier element (5) which consists of a second hard material, wherein bristle filaments (3) are guided through cutouts (21, 21') in the carrier element (5) and/or in the flexible structure (6, 61 , 22) and, for fastening at the carrier e leinen t (5) and the flexible structure (6, 5', 22)respectively, are by their rear ends melted, welded or adhesively bonded, and wherein the carrier element (5) is connected to the head part (1) . 19. The process as claimed in claim 18, wherein the carrier element (5) and the head part (1) are connected to one another in a non-releasable manner by clamping, snap-fitting, riveting, adhesive bonding, welding, ultrasonic welding or the supply of heat. 20. The process as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the bristle filaments (3) are cut and/or rounded and/or prepared for use in some other way before the carrier element (5) is fastened to the head part (1) or the bristle filaments (3) are attached to the carrier element (5). 21. The process as claimed in one of Claims 18 to 20, wherein the flexible structure (6, 61, 22) and the carrier element (5) are produced by two-component injection molding and then connected to the head part (1), a non-releasable connection preferably being produced between the flexible structure (6, 6', 22) and the carrier element (5). 22. The process as claimed in claim 21, wherein an injection point of the flexible material is selected on the front side of the carrier element (5) . 23. The process as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims 18 to 22, wherein following the bristle-covering Operation and the production of the flexible structure, the carrier element (5) is inserted into a cutout (13) in the head part (1) and connected in a non-releasable manner to the brush head preferably by ultrasonic welding. 2 4. The process as claimed in any one of the Claims 18 to 23, wherein a contacting area between the head part (1) and the carrier element (5) is welded at an extent of at least 25% of the contacting area, preferably along the whole circumference of the head. 25. The process as claimed in any one of the Claims 18 to 23, wherein the head part (1) and the carrier element (5) are just welded together in a front and a rear region, as seen in the longitudinal direction. 26. The process as claimed in any one of the Claims 18 to 25, wherein not welded locations (27) between the head part (1) and the carrier element (5) are covered with flexible material (22), preferably in a manner against the entry of water.

Documents:

2830-CHENP-2007 AMENDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION 11-01-2012.pdf

2830-CHENP-2007 AMENDED CLAIMS 11-01-2012.pdf

2830-CHENP-2007 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 21-09-2011.pdf

2830-CHENP-2007 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 11-01-2012.pdf

2830-CHENP-2007 FORM-3 11-01-2012.pdf

2830-CHENP-2007 OTHER PATENT DOCUMENT 11-01-2012.pdf

2830-CHENP-2007 POWER OF ATTORNEY 11-01-2012.pdf

2830-chenp-2007-abstract.pdf

2830-chenp-2007-claims.pdf

2830-chenp-2007-correspondnece-others.pdf

2830-chenp-2007-description(complete).pdf

2830-chenp-2007-drawings.pdf

2830-chenp-2007-form 1.pdf

2830-chenp-2007-form 26.pdf

2830-chenp-2007-form 3.pdf

2830-chenp-2007-form 5.pdf