阅读说明：本技术 口腔护理工具以及用于制造此类口腔护理工具的方法 (Oral care implement and method for manufacturing such oral care implement ) 是由 A.乔尔 B.黑尔 A.森特克安德森 S.温斯可 M.许布纳 于 2018-04-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供了一种口腔护理工具,其包括由第一材料制成的头部和柄部。柄部具有远端和最靠近头部的近端。柄部包括由第二材料制成的拇指停靠部,第二材料不同于第一材料。拇指停靠部包括约202mm<Sup>2</Sup>至约360mm<Sup>2</Sup>的面积并具有凹形形状。拇指停靠部包括一部分,该部分相对于拇指停靠部的其余部分倾斜约20°至约25°的角度α,该角度α由第一线和第二线限定。第一线在拇指停靠部的最升高点和最低点之间延伸,并且第二线在拇指停靠部的最低点和端点之间延伸,拇指停靠部的端点最靠近柄部的远端。(The present invention provides a kind of oral care implements comprising the head made of the first material and shank.Shank has distal end and the proximal end near head.Shank includes the thumb stop portion made of the second material, and the second material is different from the first material.Thumb stop portion includes about 202mm 2 To about 360mm 2 Area and have concave shape.Thumb stop portion includes a part, which tilts about 20 ° to about 25 ° of angle [alpha] relative to the rest part in thumb stop portion, which is limited by First Line and the second line.First Line extends between the most raised point and minimum point in thumb stop portion, and the second line extends between the minimum point and endpoint in thumb stop portion, and the endpoint in thumb stop portion is near the distal end of shank.)

1. a kind of oral care implement (10), including head (12) and shank (14) made of the first material (24),

The shank has distal end (52) and the proximal end (54) near the head (12), and the shank (14) includes by second Thumb stop portion (32) made of material (30), second material (30) is different from the first material (24), the thumb Stop portion (32) includes about 202mm²To about 360mm²Area (40), wherein

Thumb stop portion (32) has concave shape, and

Thumb stop portion (32) includes a part, and the part is inclined relative to the rest part in thumb stop portion (32) Tiltedly about 20 ° to about 25 ° of angle [alpha], the angle [alpha] are limited by First Line (42) and the second line (44), First Line (42) In Extend between the most raised point (46) and minimum point (48) in thumb stop portion (32), and second line (44) is described Extend between the minimum point (48) and endpoint (50) in thumb stop portion (32), the endpoint in thumb stop portion (32) (50) near the distal end (52) of the shank (14).

2. oral care implement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the area in thumb stop portion (32) It (40) is about 250mm²To about 353mm², preferably about 270mm²To about 350mm², it is even further preferred that ground about 290mm²Or about 340mm²。

3. oral care implement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein first material (24) is polypropylene material Material.

4. oral care implement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein second material (30) is heat Thermoplastic elastomer material.

5. oral care implement (10) according to claim 4, wherein the thermoplastic elastic material have about 30 to About 60, preferably about 40 Xiao A hardness.

6. oral care implement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle [alpha] is about 24 °.

7. oral care implement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head (12) have length Extension (18) and the shank (14) have length extension (20), the head (12) and the shank (14) it is described Length extension (18) limits the total length extension (16) of the oral care implement (10) axis (22) along longitudinal direction, institute jointly The total length extension (16) for stating oral care implement (10) is about 194mm to about 197mm, and the shank (14) The ratio of the length extension (20) and the total length extension (16) of the oral care implement (10) is about 0.59 To about 0.65.

8. oral care implement (10) according to claim 7, wherein the length extension of the shank (14) It (20) is about 0.60 to about 0.64 with the ratio of the total length extension (16) of the oral care implement (10), preferably About 0.61 to about 0.63, further preferably about 0.62.

9. oral care implement (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the oral care implement (10) is described total Length extension (16) is about 195mm to about 196mm, preferably about 195mm.

10. oral care implement (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the shank (14) is described Length extension (20) is about 119mm to about 123mm, preferably about 121mm.

11. oral care implement (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the head (12) it is described Length extension (18) is about 72mm to about 76mm, preferably about 74mm.

12. oral care implement (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the oral care implement (10) the total length extension (16) is about 195mm, the length extension (20) and the mouth of the shank (14) The ratio of the total length extension (16) of chamber care implement (10) is about 0.62, and the institute in thumb stop portion (32) Stating area (40) is about 290mm²Or about 340mm², the preferably described angle [alpha] is about 24 °.

13. oral care implement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shank (14) is by least Three kinds of different materials are formed.

14. method of the one kind for manufacturing oral care implement according to any one of the preceding claims (10), described Method the following steps are included:

The first component (24) of injection-molded polypropylene material forms the lower section basis knot of the oral care implement (10) Structure (26),

In the second component (28) of the first component (24) over-injected molded polypropylene material,

In the third portion of the first component (24) and the second component (28) over-injected molding thermoplastic elastomeric material Part (30).

15. according to the method for claim 14, wherein the third member (30) forms the oral care implement (10) Front surface (34) on thumb stop portion (32), and the rear surface 38 opposite with the front surface (34)) on hand It slaps grip part (36).

Technical field

This disclosure relates to which a kind of includes the oral care implement of the head made of the first material and shank.Shank include by Thumb stop portion made of second material, the second material are different from the first material.

Background technique

The head of oral care implement (such as manual toothbrush and electric toothbrush) well known in the art and shank.In general, Brushing cluster for cleaning tooth is attached to the brush carrier or mounting surface for being intended for being inserted into the brush head in user oral cavity.Handle Portion is typically attached to head, which is held during brushing teeth by user.Head is permanently connected to or can be attached to repeatedly shank And it can be dismantled from shank.

In order to effectively clean tooth, it is necessary to provide contact pressure appropriate between the free end and tooth of brushing cluster. In general, contact pressure depends not only on the bending stiffness and displacement of bristle, but also depends on shank and the head of toothbrush Characteristic is particularly depending on the shape, size and bending stiffness of shank and brush head.In general, the shank of toothbrush has linear bar Shape is to be held and be manipulated as needed by user.However, in the past it has been observed that such shank can neither cosily be held It is not easy to manipulate in the oral care chamber of user.

In general, the shank with larger lengths shows lower compared with the relatively short handle portion with similar cross section Bending stiffness.However, the relatively long shank with relatively low thickness tends to be easy to bend to leave, and relatively low Bending stiffness causes the dental plaque removal efficiency on dental surface to reduce.In addition, during brushing teeth, such shank provides in the oral cavity Poor navigability.In order to compensate for the low bending stiffness of longer shank, the ruler of the cross section of shank can be increased It is very little.However, relatively thick shank may also reduce the convenience of rotating brush in the hand, so that user be hindered to reach in oral cavity All areas.Therefore, the navigability entirely brushed is inadequate.

In order to reach and keep good oral health, and for pre- anti-gingivitis, it is important to thoroughly clean tooth Tooth and gum, especially in unapproachable region (for example, in region of rear molar).Further it is necessary to thoroughly clean tooth Gap (i.e. so-called gingival sulcus) between periodontium, this needs the toothbrushing technique coordinated very well and well.Known shortage Gingivitis can lead to the good removal of the dental plaque in gingival sulcus, that is, the inflammation of gingiva tissue.Additionally, it is known that user/customer The best ergonomic of toothbrush is identified when using all types of toothbrushing techniques using different toothbrushing techniques, and therefore It is vital for learning to provide good sensory feel during brushing teeth.

Purpose of this disclosure is to provide a kind of oral care implement, which overcomes at least one above-mentioned scarce Point, specifically, the oral care implement provide oral cavity shield by optimizing the ergonomics of whole toothbrush during brushing teeth More high degree of comfort and improvement operability of the science and engineering tool in oral care chamber.The purpose of the disclosure, which also resides in, to be provided one kind and is used for The method for manufacturing such oral care implement.

Summary of the invention

According on one side, provide it is a kind of include the head made of the first material and shank oral care implement, Shank has distal end and near the proximal end on head, and shank includes the thumb stop portion made of the second material, the second material with First material is different, and thumb stop portion includes about 202mm²To about 360mm²Area, middle finger stop portion have spill shape Shape, and thumb stop portion includes a part, and which tilts about 20 ° to about 25 ° relative to the rest part in thumb stop portion Angle [alpha], angle [alpha] limits by First Line and the second line, and First Line prolongs between the most raised point and minimum point in thumb stop portion It stretches, and the second line extends between the minimum point and endpoint in thumb stop portion, the endpoint in thumb stop portion is near shank Distally.

According on one side, a kind of method for manufacturing such oral care implement is provided, this method includes following Step:

The first component of injection-molded polypropylene material forms the lower section foundation structure of oral care implement,

In the second component of first component over-injected molded polypropylene material,

In the third member of the first component and second component over-injected molding thermoplastic elastomeric material.

Detailed description of the invention

Below with reference to each embodiment and attached drawing, the present invention will be described in more detail, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the side view of the exemplary implementation scheme of the oral care implement according to the disclosure；

Fig. 2 shows the top views of the embodiment of Fig. 1；

Fig. 3 shows a part of the shank of the embodiment of Fig. 1；

Fig. 4 shows the figure for the influence for emphasizing that toothbrush ergonomics experiences entire consumer products；

Fig. 5 shows " inclination " and grasps pattern；

Fig. 6 shows " distal side inclination " and grasps pattern；

Fig. 7 shows " strength " and grasps pattern；

Fig. 8 shows " accurate " grasping pattern；And

Fig. 9 shows " chopsticks " and grasps pattern.

Specific embodiment

Oral care implement according to the disclosure includes at least one tooth cleaning components (for example, brushing cluster) and/or one The head that a or multiple elastomer elements can be fixed thereon, and with shank proximally and distally.The proximal end of shank near Nearly head is simultaneously opposite with distal end.

The shank of oral care implement is made of the first material (for example, polypropylene) and including being made of second of material Thumb stop portion.Second material is different from the first material.Such thumb stop portion can be made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), example Such as, there is about 30 to about 60 or about 40 Xiao A hardness.When under damp condition in use, the material can prevent oral cavity Care implement is too sliding.Shank can also include another material, such as have poly- the third of another color compared with the first material Alkene.

It is about 202mm that thumb stop portion, which has,²To about 360mm²Or about 250mm²To about 353mm²Or about 270mm²To about 350mm²Or about 290mm²Or about 340mm²Area.

Thumb stop portion has concave shape and including a part, which inclines relative to the rest part in thumb stop portion Oblique about 20 ° to about 25 ° or about 24 ° of angle [alpha].Angle [alpha] is limited by two lines (i.e. First Line and the second line).First Line is in thumb Refer to and extends (when seeing with side view, referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3) between the most raised point in stop portion and the minimum point in thumb stop portion. Second line extends between the minimum point and endpoint in thumb stop portion.The endpoint in thumb stop portion is defined as remote near shank The point at end, the i.e. point farthest away from head.Such ergonomics can improve the controlling of oral care implement during brushing teeth With navigability (referring to the test result in following table 1).

It is surprising that consumer tests the result shows that, manual toothbrush in terms of ergonomics particular technology ginseng Several pairs of integral product experience produce significant impact.As shown in figure 4, the influence that ergonomics experiences integral product is about 27%.Cleaning/refreshing influence is about 38%, and the influence of followed by soft degree is about 29%.The visual appearance of toothbrush is to entirety The influence of Product Experience is only about 6%.According to these test results, the ergonomics of manual toothbrush is that consumer/user inhales The main drive of gravitation；, it is surprising that it influences the influence similar to soft degree.In other words, in order to obtain toothbrush Expected product experience, the ergonomics of toothbrush and soft degree no less important.If without correct ergonomics, toothbrush The cleaning with clean enough satisfaction can not be just carried out in all areas in oral cavity.

In addition, consumer tests the result shows that, following parameter is the key driving force of ergonomics, and therefore to entirety Product Experience, which has, to be significantly affected: the total length extension of oral care implement, the length extension of shank and oral care work The ratio of the total length extension of tool, the size in thumb stop portion region, thumb stop portion bending direction (concave/convex) and thumb The angle [alpha] in stop portion.Change and tests these parameters to identify the desirable combination of these parameters.

In principle, there are five types of different for holding the grasping pattern or mode of toothbrush during brushing teeth: " inclination ", " remote Roll oblique ", " strength ", " accurate " and " chopsticks ".These grasping patterns can be defined by following characteristic (refers to Fig. 5 extremely Fig. 9):

" inclination ": it is commonly used；Shank weight is placed loosely in palm；Thumb extends relative to index finger；With with knife Cut it is similar, allow it is good grasping and it is navigational.It is most commonly used to brush teeth, because this is for multiple occasion (examples in one day Such as, have a meal, comb one's hair, brushing and sweep) common pattern.In most cases, scouring is being applied using the consumer of this pattern Technology (be moved forward and backward) cleans its tooth.

" distal side inclination ": very common；Shank weight is placed loosely in palm；Thumb and the third finger are relative to each other； It is similar with knife cutting, allow it is good grasping and it is navigational.It is also commonly used for brushing teeth, because this is for multiple fields in one day Close the common pattern of (for example, have a meal, comb one's hair, brushing and sweep).In most cases, it is being applied using the consumer of this pattern Scouring technology (be moved forward and backward) cleans its tooth.

" strength ": it is not frequently used；Finger is closely wound around shank；Thumb largely extends or closely twines around shank Around；By thinking that the consumer of " bigger pressure can be cleaned preferably " uses, or as during brush teeth for consumer One of the pattern of a variety of variations in the region (for example, at rear molar or inner toothed surface) for needing more preferably to control pattern.One A little consumers hold shank at lower end to reduce pressure.Most children also will use the sample when oneself starts to brush teeth Formula.

" accurate ": it is not frequently used；The weight of shank is mainly on finger tip；Thumb and index finger are relative to each other；Since this is Non-pressure pattern, therefore be commonly used for being difficult to reach or sensitive region (for example, at inner toothed surface).Usually it is regarded as The transition of " distal side inclination " or " inclination " grasps, but some consumers are used as their " uniquely grasping pattern ".

" chopsticks ": it is often used in chopsticks region；Index finger and thumb are relative to each other, thus closely hold shank.It is based on Consumer's habit, i.e., " chopsticks " pattern is very universal in Asia；It is very familiar, because it is frequently used for other occasions；With " accurate " Pattern is similarly served as to be difficult to reach or the mild mode in sensitive region for cleaning.

, it is surprising that consumer tests show to include that (the thumb stop portion has about 202mm in thumb stop portion²Extremely About 360mm²Or about 250mm²To about 353mm²Or about 270mm²To about 350mm²Or about 290mm²Or about 340mm²Area, In conjunction with about 20 ° with thumb stop portion to about 25 ° or the sloping portion of about 24 ° of angle [alpha]) toothbrush to user/customer Improved integral product experience is provided.When any grasping pattern in the above-mentioned grasping pattern of application, according to the toothbrush of the disclosure Navigability be significantly improved.Consumer tests show the toothbrushing technique that the toothbrush of the disclosure allows well to coordinate.These disappear Expense person's test is to be carried out by the American in the U.S. in Germany.The consumer of test group applies the combination of above-mentioned grasping pattern And it is given relative to ergonomics and assesses (referring to the following table 1).

Thumb stop portion or grip area can be attached to shank in the region close to proximal end (i.e. near head) In front surface.Thumb stop portion may include the multiple ribs for being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of oral care implement and extending.It is such Rib can permit user/customer by even more controls come using oral care implement.User/customer can brush teeth Period preferably grasps and manipulates the shank of oral care implement.Such shank can be during brushing teeth, especially in moist shape Under condition, improved controlling and bigger comfort level are provided.

The shank of oral care implement and head respectively have the length of the longitudinal extension part extension along oral care implement Spend extension.The total length that the length extension on head and the length extension of shank can limit oral care implement together prolongs Extending portion.

The length extension of shank be defined as oral care implement from distally extend to proximal end (i.e. to shank near The end on nearly head) segment/part.In other words, head and shank merge in the proximal end of shank.In the proximal end of shank Place, the distance between front surface and rear surface of shank can have maximum value (when being seen from side view, referring to Fig. 3).In Under some cases, oral care implement is defined as head, shank and neck, and the latter extends between head and shank. Hereinafter and according to the disclosure, neck (usually there is the longitudinal axis for being substantially perpendicular to whole oral cavity care implement to prolong The smallest cross-sectional area stretched) it is defined as a part of brush head.

, it is surprising that consumer tests are also shown that total length extension of the oral care implement along its longitudinal axis (about 194mm to about 197mm or about 195mm to about 196mm or being about 195mm), length extension and oral cavity in conjunction with shank (about 0.59 to about 0.65 or about 0.60 to about 0.64 or about 0.61 to about for the ratio of the total length extension of care implement 0.63 or about 0.62) experience of improved integral product is provided to user/customer.Any in the above-mentioned grasping pattern of application When grasping pattern, it is significantly improved according to the navigability of the toothbrush of the disclosure and controlling.Consumer tests show the disclosure The toothbrush toothbrushing technique that allows well to coordinate (referring to table 1 below).

The total length extension of oral care implement can be about 195mm, the length extension and oral care work of shank The ratio of the total length extension of tool can be about 0.62, and the area in thumb stop portion is about 290mm²Or about 340mm², and And angle [alpha] can be about 24 °.

Shank extension can be about 119mm to about 123mm or about 121mm.Head extension can be about 72mm to about 76mm or about 74mm.

It may comprise steps of according to the method for manufacturing oral care implement of the disclosure:

The first component of injection-molded polypropylene material forms the lower section foundation structure of oral care implement,

In the second component of first component over-injected molded polypropylene material,

In the third member of the first component and/or second component over-injected molding thermoplastic elastomeric material.

The third member of thermoplastic elastic material can form the thumb stop portion in the front surface of oral care implement And the palm grip portion in the rear surface opposite with front surface, so that the finger and thumb of user/customer grasps.It is such Shank configuration even can further resist sliding during use.Thermoplastic elastic material, which may extend through, to be arranged under Hole in the second component of square foundation structure and/or shank.

Oral care implement can be manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush.Oral care implement is also possible to proximal end pick, dental plaque Scraper plate or tissue/tongue cleaner.

It is hereafter to beg for the non-limiting of exemplary implementation scheme of the oral care implement and its component according to the disclosure By wherein with reference to attached drawing.

Figures 1 and 2 show that two protruding portions of oral care implement 10 (i.e. the toothbrush 10 of the disclosure).Fig. 1 is shown The side view of toothbrush 10, and Fig. 2 shows corresponding top views.

Toothbrush 10 includes head 12 and shank 14.The total length extension 16 along its longitudinal axis 22 of toothbrush 10 is by head 12 length extension 18 and the length extension 20 of shank 14 form.The total length extension 16 of toothbrush 10 is about 195mm, and The length extension 18 on head 12 is about 74mm, and the length extension 20 of shank 14 is about 121mm.Therefore, shank 14 The ratio of the total length extension 16 of length extension 20 and toothbrush 10 is about 0.62.Shank has the distal end farthest away from head 12 52 and near head 12 proximal end 54.

The length extension 20 of shank 14 extends to proximal end 54 from distal end 52, that is, arrives the end near head 12 of shank 14 Portion.Head 12 and shank 14 merge at the proximal end of shank 14 54.At the proximal end of shank 14 54,34 He of front surface of shank 14 The distance between rear surface 38 56 can have maximum value (when being seen from side view, referring to Fig. 3).

Shank 14 is made of three kinds of different materials: passing through the first component for the polypropylene material that injection-molded step provides 24 form lower section foundation structure 26.The second component 28 of another polypropylene material is moulded in 24 over-injected of the first component, and And in the third member 30 of 28 over-injected molding thermoplastic elastomeric material of the first component 24 and second component.Thermoplastic elastic The third member 30 of body material provides the thumb stop portion 32 in the front surface 34 of shank 14, and in the rear surface of shank 14 Palm grip portion 36 on 38, rear surface 38 and front surface 34 are opposite.

The polypropylene material of the first component and the polypropylene material of second component can be only different in terms of color.With third portion The thermoplastic elastic material of part is compared, and two kinds of polypropylene materials are all relatively hard.The thermoplastic elastic material of third member Can have about 30 to about 60 or about 40 Xiao A hardness.

Thumb stop portion 32 has about 290mm²Or about 340mm²Area 40.The shape in thumb stop portion 32 is spill, I.e. thumb stop portion curves inwardly relative to shank.As shown in figure 3, a part in thumb stop portion 32 is relative to thumb stop portion 32 rest part inclination angle alpha.Angle [alpha] can be about 24 °, and be limited between First Line 42 and the second line 44.The One line 42 extends between the most raised point in thumb stop portion 32 or highest point 46 and the minimum point 48 in thumb stop portion 32 (as schemed Shown in 3 side view).Second line 44 thumb stop portion 32 minimum point 48 and endpoint 50 (i.e. thumb stop portion 32 near The farthest point of the distal end 52 of nearly shank 14) between extend.

Fig. 4 shows the figure 70 for the influence for emphasizing that toothbrush ergonomics 60 experiences entire consumer products.Consumer Test result shows that the influence that ergonomics 60 experiences integral product is about 27%.The influence of cleaning/refreshing 62 is about 38%, the influence of followed by soft degree 64 is about 29%.The visual appearance 66 of toothbrush is only about to the influence that integral product is experienced 6%.

There are five types of different for holding the grasping pattern or mode of toothbrush during brushing teeth.Fig. 5 shows " inclination " and grabs Pattern is held, Fig. 6 shows " distal side inclination " and grasps pattern, and Fig. 7 shows " strength " and grasps pattern, and Fig. 8 shows " accurate " and grabs It holds pattern and Fig. 9 shows " chopsticks " and grasps pattern.Described above is the characteristics used when accordingly grasping pattern.

Comparative experiments

Consumer tests have been carried out by 20 trained and veteran group members.It is required that group member is in human body It scores according to the grade of " 0 " to " 10 " toothbrush in terms of engineering science, navigability and controlling, wherein " 10 " indicate best Scoring.Group member brushes teeth before mirror, thus reflection actual use situation.

Test following toothbrush: according to the exemplary implementation scheme 10 of Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, and according to the toothbrush grade of table 1 Comparative example 100,200,300 and 400.

Table 1: toothbrush grade

Test result clearly show the toothbrush (exemplary implementation scheme 10) of the disclosure with according to comparative example 100, 200,300 feature performance benefit in terms of ergonomics, navigability and controlling compared with 400 toothbrush.Although example Property embodiment 10 toothbrush the scoring of " 7.56 ", but 100,200,300 and of comparative example are obtained according to the grade of " 0 " to " 10 " 400 only receive the scoring between " 3.2 " and " 6.0 ".

The data listed in table 1 clearly show particular configuration/ergonomics collaboration of toothbrush embodiment 10 Effect.Specifically, data are shown and the toothbrush phase with thumb stop portion's area and angle below or above claimed range Than about 202mm²To about 360mm²Thumb stop portion's area and the specific combination of about 20 ° to about 25 ° of angle [alpha] provide improvement Navigability and controlling.For example, comparative example embodiment 200 has about 225mm²Thumb stop portion area.So And since angle [alpha] is relatively low (i.e. 17.5 °), the performance of the toothbrush is poor, is only " 3.2 " so as to cause scoring.Together Sample, although comparative example embodiment 100 has about 23.6 ° of angle [alpha], since thumb stop portion area is too big (about 363mm²), the scoring of the toothbrush is also poor (" 4.85 ").

In the context of the disclosure, term " substantially " refers to the arrangement of elements or features structure, although theoretical last It hopes it show accurate consistent or behavior, can actually make certain part matter more existing less accurate.Equally, the term represents Such degree: quantitative values, measured value or it is other it is related indicate to may differ from the reference substance without causing discussion topic The degree that basic function changes.

Dimension disclosed herein and value are not understood as being strictly limited to cited exact numerical.On the contrary, unless in addition It indicates, otherwise each such dimension is intended to indicate that described value and the range functionally equivalent around the value.For example, being disclosed as The dimension of " 40mm " is intended to indicate that " about 40mm ".