MARKING/PRINTING APPLICATOR AND/OR CLEANING ELEMENTS

Abstract

A cleaning device, in particular a toothbrush, with a handle body consisting of a handle part, a head part and a neck part connecting the handle part to the head part. The head part has applied to it one or more applicator and/or cleaning elements, which form a bristle area which has at least one outer side and/or an upper side. At least one of the applicator and/or cleaning elements on the at least one outer side and/or an upper side of the bristle area and/or the handle body is/are marked or printed with a marking/color medium.

Description

The subject matter of the present invention is the marking or printing of applicator and/or cleaning elements, i.e. not only of conventional bristles, and of further elements on the cleaning device. The marking/printing serves in particular for communication with the user. With the marking/printing, for example, instructions for use and other instructions can be given, attention can be drawn to uses, advantages or benefits, logos can be applied and advertising areas can be created. The invention relates in particular to a correspondingly printed, or marked cleaning device (for example a brush, a toothbrush, a flosser or a tongue cleaner etc.), to a corresponding method for marking or printing such a cleaning device and also to an arrangement for carrying out the method. In this case, a cleaning device may be understood as also meaning in particular an applicator (for example mascara, nail varnish or lipgloss).

EP 0 366 100 A1 describes a toothbrush with a handle and a bristle carrier and also with a device which indicates the end of the useful lifetime of the toothbrush. The device is formed by at least part of the toothbrush consisting of a material component which gradually decomposes, dissolves or changes color. In this case, at least part of the toothbrush is produced from or provided with a material component which gradually breaks down, dissolves or changes color during use. This process may be caused by air, water or light. A large number of plastics are known for this purpose, such as for example polymers with acid or amino groups, for example a polymer with methacrylic acid as a copolymer. Such plastics are soluble in water or in slightly acidic or alkaline liquids. For a change of color, non-lightfast dyes and non-lightfast colored plastics are suitable. This may on the one hand involve the transitional region between the bristle carrier and the handle being at least partially produced from a plastic which is made to decompose or dissolve by water. Since this transitional region often comes into contact with water during teeth cleaning, the material component in this case dissolves, so that after a period of time the bristle carrier is no longer stable, but only soft, and consequently unsuitably connected to the handle for cleaning. Another possibility is to provide the bristle carrier and/or the handle with an indicator area which is covered with a material component which decomposes or dissolves. After the possible time for which the toothbrush can be used has elapsed, this material component, for example the plastic mentioned, has dissolved, so that the indicator area becomes visible and effectively indicates that the time of use has elapsed. However, this solution does not concern the bristles or applicator and/or cleaning elements as such, but only the neck region of a toothbrush.

WO 00/01275 discloses a method for producing brushware having plastic bristles, which are continuously extruded as monofilaments, cut to the desired length and fastened individually or as a set of bristles combined in groups as tufts to a bristle carrier, such as is the case for instance with toothbrushes. After extrusion, the monofilament or the bristles produced from it is/are provided with at least one substantially linear demarcation or marking line, recognizable as a marking of a contrasting color on the set of bristles of the finished brushware, at a distance representative of the state of use from the end of the bristles on the side that is used. In this way, the user of the brushware is constantly provided with visual information about the current state of use and the degree of current wear independently of the actual wear situation during the use of the brushware. The monofilament serving for producing the bristles is in this case extruded from a plastic filled with pigments, which react to laser beams by changing color, the demarcation being created by the action of laser beams on the monofilament or the bristles produced from it. When the marking is finally reached due to the progressive wearing away of the end of the bristles on the side that is used, the brush or toothbrush is no longer usable.

DE 103 14 521 A1 discloses the printing of brush bodies by means of inkjet printers.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a solution with which various applicator and/or cleaning elements, possibly consisting of different material components, for different cleaning devices and cleaning devices themselves can be visually modified in such a way that more diverse communication/interaction with a user can be achieved in a low-cost and technically simple way.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a cleaning device, in particular a toothbrush, with a handle body consisting of a handle part, a head part and a neck part connecting the handle part to the head part, wherein the head part has applied to it one or more applicator and/or cleaning elements, which form a bristle area which has at least one outer side and/or an upper side, wherein at least one of the applicator and/or cleaning elements on the at least one outer side and/or an upper side of the bristle area and/or the handle body is/are marked or printed with a marking/color medium; and by a method for marking/printing a cleaning device, in particular a toothbrush, with a handle body consisting of a handle part, a head part and a neck part connecting the handle part to the head part, wherein the head part has applied to it one or more applicator and/or cleaning elements, which form a bristle area which has at least one outer side and/or an upper side, with the steps of: (a) feeding the cleaning device with the handle body and also the applicator and/or cleaning elements (or alternatively: a bristle puck) to a marking/printing means (for example to a printhead or laser) by means of a transporting device, (a bristle puck is understood as meaning bristles in their untreated form combined in a puck (semifinished products), such as for instance are fed to a bristle-providing machine—in the bristle puck, they are arranged lying close together side-by-side); (b) marking/printing at least one of the applicator and/or cleaning elements on the at least one outer side and/or an upper side of the bristle area (or alternatively: a bristle puck) and/or the handle body with a marking/color medium; and also by an arrangement for marking/printing a bristle area and/or a handle body of a cleaning device having a marking/printing means (for example a laser or printhead) with a marking/printing area within which a marking/printing of the bristle area with a marking/color medium can be performed and also with a mounting device by means of which the cleaning device is held and positioned with respect to the marking/printing means and which is preferably arranged on a transporting device.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the applicator and/or cleaning elements marked or printed with the marking/color medium are formed from a thermoplastic elastomer, in particular a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPE-U), a thermoplastic polyamide elastomer (TPE-A), a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer (TPE-O), or a thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPE-E), a polyamide (PA), a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and/or a silicone. This selection of material components has shown particularly good results with regard to the marking/printing and the cleaning effect, with at the same time gentle treatment of the gums and oral tissue.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the applicator and/or cleaning elements marked or printed with the marking/color medium have a number of colors. In this way, various functionalities or intensities of the individual applicator and cleaning elements can be visually indicated to the user.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the applicator and/or cleaning elements and/or the handle body is/are marked or printed with an indicator or an indicator color. Preferably, these are indicators that show reactions during use. To be mentioned here as examples are so-called indicators of use, in the case of which the marking/printing wears away during use due to friction or mechanical abrasion, and thus for example indicates the state of the applicator and/or cleaning elements (for example in the case of an applied indicator color: when there is no longer any color there, that means that the brush should be changed). Mechanical abrasion may also be used for example for a corresponding indication on the handle body of the cleaning device.

The activation of the indicators or indicator colors may in this case take place for example on applicator and/or cleaning elements when they are used with water, or by washing off (for example, if used daily, after 3 months the marking/color medium has gone or become completely faded); use with water or washing away then corresponds to a consumption process. Furthermore, it is also possible that, after first activation, an independent consumption process proceeds of its own accord, i.e. from that point in time the indicator becomes depleted of its own accord and automatically (i.e. without any action by a third-party).

The activation of an indicator or an indicator color implemented by marking/printing may also be jointly controlled by various processes, for example by a combination of use by friction or mechanical abrasion and use with water or washing away.

The intensity or lifetime of the indicator or the indicator color is controlled for example by way of the layer thickness of the application or the percentage admixture of the additional substance in the respective medium (a greater proportion corresponds to a longer or greater effect).

A further indicator that may be applied by the marking/printing is so-called bacteria measurement. In this case, when applied to the applicator and/or cleaning elements or to the neck part/head part of the cleaning device, the state in the mouth is detected and checked for bacterial content.

In an analogous way, mouth odor can be detected and indicated by color by means of marking/printing with an indicator or an indicator color provided for this purpose. Finally, thermochromic marking media/thermochromic colors, which reversibly change the color they show when there is a change of temperature, may also be applied to the applicator and cleaning elements or to the handle body of the cleaning device. In this way, for instance the water temperature and/or the time of use (time it has been in the mouth) can be established; for example, the applicator and/or cleaning elements, or a sub-zone thereof, are blue and, when they are washed off with hot water, they correspondingly become red. Furthermore, in this way a changing image can also be created, for example by a tree with leaves; warm water makes the leaves change color, so that only the trunk of the tree or the branches are visible.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the applicator and/or cleaning elements and/or the handle body is/are marked or printed with a graphic, which produces a visual effect. Graphics may serve in particular as a visual way of emphasizing the properties of a product or represent anticipated properties of a product, such as for example by continuing the pattern of the brush handle; depictions which emphasize or suggest a device function (for example visualization of the patterns of motion of electric toothbrushes, for example vibration by waves/rings in the case of sonic toothbrushes or animation of the rotation for oscillating toothbrushes). In particular in the case of electrical devices, it is of great interest for the user to see the anticipated motion of the applicator and/or cleaning elements without having to start the device (for example in the sales packaging).

Volume- or contour-emphasizing color elements are also conceivable; for example lines, etc. which make it easier to see or emphasize the contour may be applied in the 3D profile, or in the topography of the bristle area or else of the handle body. As a result, the particular advantages of the 3D profile or the topography of the bristle area can be highlighted to the user.

Moreover, for instance the color gradient of the marking may be made to correspond to the degree of hardness of the tufts of bristles in the bristle area. That is to say that tufts with bristles of a greater diameter are given a different marking than tufts with bristles of a smaller diameter. The same considerations also apply of course to the material hardnesses used for applicator and/or cleaning elements that are produced by means of injection molding (for example applicator and/or cleaning elements of different soft components with different Shore hardnesses may also be marked with different colors).

The intended use of the brush may likewise be indicated. This may be indicated in a descriptive manner of communication by means of text or by a corresponding image (for example “sensitive” for example by a feather, “whitening” for example by a polar bear, “interdental” for example by an illustrated thread of dental floss or by a depicted space between teeth).

In addition, optical illusions or visual effects may also be used, produced for instance by motion (that is to say in particular in the case of oscillating brushes or sonic brushes).

Finally, patterns which only become visible or are changed by the motion of the electric toothbrush may also be applied (for example on the outside of the bristle area of an oscillating toothbrush or else on top and/or at the front of the bristle area of a swiveling toothbrush or a sonic toothbrush and/or on the brush body). That is to say that, due to the motion, operation of the electrical device has the effect that the marking takes on an alternative meaning or an alternative appearance as compared with when it is not in operation. For example, an inscription or a pattern or a graphic that would not be directly identifiable without motion appears on the applicator and/or cleaning elements during operation.

The following also come into consideration for example as graphics in the form of textures or patterns that make the product stand out: crests, children's motifs, icons/pictograms or snowy mountains motif (i.e. using for instance white bristles/filaments to which blue mountains are applied).

Furthermore, lenticular images (images which, depending on the viewing angle, take on a different form and thereby suggest a three-dimensional and/or movable effect) are also conceivable.

Furthermore, geometrical graphics or geometrical forms may also be applied. By means of graphics, products can also be visually enhanced and/or changed. In order to set a brush apart, an individual marking/printing may be applied (for example Mom, Dad, a name such as for example Philip, Adrian, etc.) or else a standardized individuality (for example male, female, star sign, Western or Eastern characteristics/symbols or indications of age such as junior, kid, adult, 0 to 6 years, etc.).

In order to produce, intensify and/or variably create the desired effect of the marking/printing mentioned in this document, the form of the applicator and/or cleaning elements, for example the bristles and/or tufts of bristles, and/or the form of the handle body may be advantageously used. That is to say that the marking/printing within an applicator and/or cleaning element may preferably be adapted such that the marking/printing at least partially follows the contour of the applicator and/or cleaning elements, and consequently, if desired, leaves behind a different marking/printing, depending on the viewing angle. The same is also possible with the topography/form of the handle body.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the marking/color medium is applied to the applicator and/or cleaning elements and/or the handle body with a layer thickness of 0.001 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably of 0.001 mm to 0.2 mm. As a result, a specific “minimum durability” can be ensured with respect to abrasion and/or washing away.

If the laser method is used for marking (i.e. not laser printing), layer thicknesses cannot be used for definition. The marking may be a change of color in the respective material component (for example of the applicator and/or cleaning elements and/or of the handle body), which does not bring about any difference in height. A removal of material may however take place, this preferably being between 0.01 mm and 0.5 mm.

Furthermore, the laser treatment may make the respective material component foam, which is accompanied by a change in color of the surface and also a certain haptic effect. The structure which in this way becomes feelable has a height of 0.01 mm to 0.5 mm.

Furthermore, the laser can achieve the effect of a so-called carbonization, which is accompanied by a changing of the respective material component, which can be perceived with the eye as dark discoloration.

A further printing method is stamping. This involves a form or a contour that is applied to a die being pressed against the surface to be printed of the handle body and/or against the applicator and/or cleaning elements, the medium to be applied being discharged between the surface to be printed and the die.

In the case of hot stamping, the die is heated during use and generally only a single-color imprint is achieved. In the case of decal stamping, a full-area, multicolored imprint is achieved. The imprint is applied solely by pressure; the pressure is once again achieved as described above with a die.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the packing density of the applicator and/or cleaning elements, in particular the bristles, is from 12 pieces per mm² to 25 pieces per mm², preferably from 16 pieces per mm² to 20 pieces per mm². In this way, the marking/printing can be further optimized. A higher packing density of the applicator and/or cleaning elements allows a higher resolution of the marking, in particular in the case of an end-face marking of the applicator and/or cleaning elements.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of marking dots/printing dots or the printing resolution or the resolution of the marking is greater than the number of marked applicator and/or cleaning elements. Also preferably, the printing resolution is from 20 dpi to 3000 dpi, preferably from 150 dpi to 1500 dpi. These measures serve for particularly good visibility or readability of the marking or the printing. As a result, the small bristle surface areas (for example at the free end of the bristles on the upper side of the bristle area) are marked much better or more. That is to say that, due to the higher resolution, the surface area is provided with more marking dots/printing dots, which serves for “better” marking.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the case of a (for example round) bristle area with at least one outer side and an upper side, at least one applicator and cleaning element on the outer side of the bristle area and at least one cleaning and applicator element on the upper side of the bristle area are provided with a marking/printing. By this form of marking/printing, for instance individual tufts of bristles (or larger surface areas over a number of tufts of bristles) can be marked or printed around a corner, i.e. over the upper edge. As a result, a continuous marking/printing continuing from the outer side to the upper side of at least individual applicator and cleaning elements forms. Consequently, visual effects of interest can be produced and also varying exposure with respect to use. It is likely that the wearing away of the marking is greater on the upper side than on the outer side.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the case of an elongate (for example rectangular, kite-shaped, elliptical, etc.) bristle area with at least a front side, a longitudinal side and an upper side, at least one applicator and/or cleaning element on the front side of the bristle area, at least one applicator and/or cleaning element on the longitudinal side of the bristle area and at least one cleaning and applicator element on the upper side of the bristle area are marked/printed. Once again, individual tufts of bristles (or larger surface areas over a number of tufts of bristles) can be marked/printed around a corner, i.e. over their upper, front and/or longitudinal/outer edge. The bristle area can therefore be marked/printed as desired in the X, Y and Z directions (contiguously and non-contiguously). It goes without saying that combinations just of the front and upper side, longitudinal and upper side or front and longitudinal side “around a corner” are also conceivable, once again contiguously or non-contiguously.

The handle body may likewise be printed on a number of sides and over edges/around corners. By analogy with the printing of the applicator and cleaning elements, transitions on the handle body may be correspondingly created. Furthermore, transitions/edges/corners between applicator and cleaning elements and the handle body may also be created in a correspondingly continuous or contiguous manner. As a result, it is also possible to print the bodies almost up to or up to the edge.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the marking/printing means is a printhead, in particular an inkjet printhead. In the inkjet method, particularly good print quality can be achieved in a low-cost way.

The use of methods of digital printing such as the inkjet method (also known as inkjet printing) or laser printing (not to be confused with the lasering mentioned later) is possible.

A further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention comprises a laser as the marking/printing means.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the marking/printing means (for example the printhead) is arranged movably and/or rotationally movably along at least one axis, preferably two axes, still more preferably three axes, with respect to the cleaning device. As a result, the aforementioned variable marking of the bristle area or the handle body on the upper, longitudinal/outer, front and/or also the rear side can be achieved. Furthermore, it is consequently possible to follow the contour of cleaning and applicator elements, for example of bristles and/or tufts of bristles, or else the topography of the handle body. It goes without saying that the marking/printing means may also be fixed and the product is moved with the corresponding axes with respect to the marking/printing means.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the transporting device has mounting means, with which the brush can be swiveled and/or rotated with respect to the marking/printing means. This measure also serves for the variable marking/printing of the bristle area, in particular a 360° marking/printing of the outer side or outer surface area of a bristle area of mascara and interdental brushes (i.e. around the brush) or a 360° printing of handle bodies (i.e. around the product).

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, in the case of a (for example round or elliptical) bristle area with at least one outer side and an upper side, at least one applicator and/or cleaning element on the outer side of the bristle area and at least one cleaning and/or applicator element on the upper side of the bristle area are marked/printed. By this form of marking/printing, for instance individual tufts of bristles or larger surface areas can be marked/printed over a number of tufts of bristles on the outer side (following the respective form of the brush head) and/or around a corner, i.e. over the upper edge. With this type of marking/printing, it is possible to create a wraparound text or a wraparound graphic, which the user only sees as a whole if he correspondingly turns the product. As a result, the user can be encouraged to get to know the product better, with all of its possibilities and advantages, by viewing it from more than one side. It goes without saying that this is also possible on the handle body itself.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, in the case of a (preferably rectangular) bristle area with at least a front side, a longitudinal side and an upper side, at least one applicator and/or cleaning element on the front side of the bristle area, at least one applicator and/or cleaning element on the longitudinal side of the bristle area and at least one cleaning and/or applicator element on the upper side of the bristle area are printed/marked. Once again, individual tufts of bristles (or larger surface areas over a number of tufts of bristles) can be printed/marked around a corner, i.e. over their upper, front and/or longitudinal/outer edge. The bristle area can therefore be marked/printed as desired in the X, Y and Z directions (contiguously and non-contiguously).

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the marking/printing means (for example the printhead) has a height of 5 mm to 100 mm, preferably of 10 to 50 mm. This height indicates the width of the marking/printing. Also preferably, the printhead has 5 to 500 nozzles, preferably 10 to 300 nozzles. As a result, the aforementioned resolution is ensured.

The marking/printing per product may be performed by the marking/printing means (for example the printhead) in a number of operations. Furthermore, the marking/printing may also take place by means of a number of marking/printing means in parallel or one after the other. Furthermore, different printing methods may be used one after the other or in parallel.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the marking/printing speed is from 2 m/min to 100 m/min, preferably from 5 m/min to 60 m/min. As a result, marking/printing that is efficient and of a high quality can be produced.

In a preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the marking/printing means is arranged movably and/or rotationally movably along at least one axis (for example X, Y or Z), preferably two axes (for example two axes from X, Y and Z), still more preferably three axes (for example X, Y, Z), with respect to the cleaning device. As a result, the aforementioned variable marking/printing of the bristle area on the upper, longitudinal/outer, front and/or also the rear side can be achieved.

In a variant, in this case the marking/printing means is arranged rigidly or fixedly and the mounting means with the cleaning device moves laterally on the marking/printing means, i.e. along the Z axis. In this way, an outer or longitudinal side of the bristle area can be marked. The marking/printing means may however similarly be arranged rigidly or fixedly above the bristle area, in order to mark/print the upper side of the bristle area. This variant is suitable in particular also for the marking/printing of bristle pucks (i.e. bristles in their untreated form combined in a puck or semifinished products such as for instance are fed to a bristle-providing machine).

In a further variant, the marking/printing means is arranged on the mounting device movably with respect to the cleaning device. The marking/printing means in this case moves laterally past the bristle area of the brush or the handle body, i.e. along the Z axis. In this way, once again an outer or longitudinal side of the bristle area or the handle body can be marked/printed. The marking/printing means may however similarly be arranged movably above the bristle area or the handle body, in order to mark/print the upper side of the bristle area or the handle body.

In a still further variant, preferably both the marking/printing means is arranged movably with respect to the cleaning device and the cleaning device is arranged movably with respect to the marking/printing means. The marking/printing means can in this case move laterally past the bristle area of the brush or the handle body (i.e. along the Z axis), transversely in relation to the bristle area of the cleaning device (i.e. along the X axis) and/or it can be brought into a position above the bristle area or the handle body or onto the other side of the bristle area or the handle body in a dome-like rotating motion with respect to the Z axis (i.e. a motion in the X and Y planes). At the same time, the mounting means with the cleaning device can be moved laterally past the marking/printing means, i.e. along the Z axis. In this way, the upper side and both outer or longitudinal sides of the bristle area and also the handle body, that is to say the head, neck and handle parts, of the brush can be marked/printed at a high cycle rate (there is however also the possibility of arranging the mounting means rigidly).

The marking/printing means can in addition also be brought into a position in front of or behind the bristle area or onto the other side of the bristle area in a dome-like rotating motion with respect to the Z axis (i.e. a motion in the X and Y planes), so that the front or rear side and both outer or longitudinal sides of the bristle area and also possibly the front and side edges of the cleaning device can be marked/printed. Also conceivable in addition is a corresponding rotating motion with respect to the Y axis (i.e. a motion in the X and Z planes for marking/printing the upper, front and rear sides).

In yet a further variant, both the marking/printing means is arranged movably with respect to the cleaning device and the cleaning device on the mounting device is movable with respect to the marking/printing means. The marking/printing means in this case moves laterally past the bristle area or the handle body of the cleaning device, i.e. along the Z axis. The cleaning device (here preferably a mascara or interdental brush) is arranged rotationally movably with respect to the marking/printing means, i.e. rotation about the Z axis. The brush is in this case swiveled and/or rotated by the mounting means with respect to the marking/printing means. In this way, in particular for instance the outer side of the bristle area of mascara and interdental brushes can be marked/printed (360° printing/marking). The marking/printing means may however similarly be arranged movably above the bristle area, in order to mark/print the outer side or outer surface area of the bristle area.

It is also particularly advantageous to mark with the same marking/printing means further elements of the product apart from applicator and/or cleaning elements (for example the handle body consisting of the handle part, neck part and head part).

Within the scope of the present invention, it is particularly preferred for marking or printing to be performed with ink, preferably with waxy ink. The ink may be water-soluble or water-insoluble. The ink, preferably the waxy ink, is warmed up or melted and in the non-warmed state is viscous to solid. It often can only be worked in the liquid state. On contact with the surface to be marked/printed, the ink solidifies very quickly. Changes of color are always troublesome, because the ink is carried to the printhead over long distances (in tubes (a line)).

The drying time of the waxy ink is preferably less than 2 seconds, more preferably less than 1.5 seconds. After drying, the ink can be touched.

Waxy ink has the advantage that it adheres to various material components and, as a result, applicator and/or cleaning elements and also handle bodies consisting of different material components can be marked.

For example, food wax 5012 from Markem Imaje (a Dover Company) may be used.

In the case of a marking by the laser method, no actual application of material takes place, and consequently no marking medium is required either. The writing is provided by changes of color, etc. according to the description above.

Further Preferred Applications

The present invention relates primarily to brush products for personal hygiene. With regard to oral hygiene, on the one hand manual toothbrushes, for instance as reusable toothbrushes (for example replaceable-head toothbrushes) or as disposable toothbrushes or as single-tuft brushes (brushes with just one large tuft of bristles) come into consideration.

Similarly coming into consideration are electric toothbrushes with various types of detachable brushes and different forms of motion (for example oscillating, swiveling, translatory, vibrating or combinations or overlays thereof). Electric toothbrushes may in this case have a mechanical transmission with 1:1 step-down or step-up, an oscillating armature motor or else an electric motor. The electric toothbrushes can be operated at different speeds and have for instance disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries (for example nickel-metal hydride batteries or lithium-ion batteries) as an energy store. The charging may in this case take place inductively or directly by a plug connection.

The toothbrushes that are the subject matter of the present application often consist of a head part with applicator and/or cleaning elements, a neck part and also a handle part. All of the sub-elements may consist of at least one hard component and/or at least one or more soft components. The head part may also have a recess for a corresponding head plate, which is occupied by applicator and/or cleaning elements. The applicator and/or cleaning elements may for example comprise conventional, extruded bristles (pointed and cylindrical) and/or rubber-elastic massaging and/or cleaning elements. Furthermore, for example injection-molded bristles may also be used or combined.

A further preferred application area is that of interdental cleaners. These may be formed as interdental cleaners with twisted-in bristles, and/or with injection-molded cleaning elements or else as interdental cleaners with dental floss and possibly toothpicks (also referred to as flossers or flossing implements).

Also considered to be cleaning devices for the purposes of the present invention are tongue cleaners, and also tongue cleaner attachments on toothbrushes. In the case of tongue cleaners, corresponding applicator and/or cleaning elements may be marked/printed. These are often only relatively small structures such as nubs, ribs, studs or surface structurings. These may consist of hard and/or soft components.

It is clear that, on a product, different applicator and/or cleaning elements may be marked/printed. The different applicator and/or cleaning elements may be located at a different position on the product, perform a different purpose and/or have different properties.

In the case of a toothbrush, for example, on the rear side the tongue cleaner and on the front side the bristles may be marked/printed. The same or different marking/printing means or marking/printing methods may be used for this.

Furthermore, dental floss may also be correspondingly marked/printed. In particular, dental floss that is fixed in a plastic part (such as the flossers/flossing implements described above).

In the area of cosmetics, preferably mascara brushes, nail varnish brushes, face brushes, applicators, make-up or lipgloss brushes are marked/printed.

Other application areas are shaving brushes and wet razors (hair removal), highlighter brushes (hair coloring) or hair brushes.

For the household sector, dish-washing brushes, toilet brushes, clothes brushes, floor mops, brooms and also painting brushes and rollers should be mentioned.

Preferred Material Components

Hard Components

Preferably used as hard components are: styrene polymers such as styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene methylmethacrylate (SMMA) or styrene butadiene (SB); polyolefins such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE), for example also in the form of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE); polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in the form of acid-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETA) or glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), acid-modified polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate (PCT-A) or glycol-modified polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate (PCT-G); cellulose derivatives such as cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose acetobutyrate (CAB), cellulose propionate (CP), cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) or cellulose butyrate (CB); polyamides (PA) such as PA 6.6, PA 6.10 or PA 6.12; polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA); polycarbonate (PC); polyoxymethylene (POM); polyvinylchloride (PVC); polyurethane (PUR); polyamide (PA); polyethylene (PE) can be used both as a hard component and as a soft component; polyurethane (PU) can be used both as a hard component and as a soft component; preferably used as a hard component is polypropylene (PP) with a modulus of elasticity that preferably lies between 1000 and 2400 N/mm², particularly preferably between 1300 and 1800 N/mm².

The hard component is preferably used for or in stable, structure-bearing elements, for example in the handle body for the handle, the neck part and/or head part. If a number of hard components are used, for example in the two- or multi-component injection-molding method, or material components are connected by ultrasonic welding, the hard components used preferably form a material bond with one another.

Alternatively, a number of hard components that do not enter into a material bond in two- or multi-component injection molding may be used. In the case of these pairings, a form fit is provided, for example in the form of undercuts and/or apertures and/or partial and/or complete overmoldings (etc.). The second molded hard component then shrinks onto the first molded hard component as it cools down, and thus forms a shrink connection. Examples of possible hard component pairings that do not enter into a material bond are polypropylene and polyester, polypropylene and styrene acrylonitrile, etc.

Soft Components

Soft components preferably form a material bond with the hard components by means of overmolding in the two- or multi-component injection molding method. Preferably used as soft components are: thermoplastic styrene elastomers (TPE-S), such as for example a styrene ethylene butylene styrene copolymer (SEBS) or styrene butadiene styrene copolymer (SBS); but also thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPE-U); thermoplastic polyamide elastomers (TPE-A); thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers (TPE-O); thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPE-E) and silicones. Polyethylene (PE) can be used both as a hard component and as a soft component. Polyurethane (PU) can likewise be used both as a hard component and as a soft component. The preferred thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) have a Shore A hardness of <90 preferably <50, particularly preferably <30.

Preferred Material Components for Injection-Molded Bristles

As a difference from conventional, extruded bristles, injection-molded bristles are produced by means of injection molding. Preferred material components for the injection-molded bristles are thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPE-U). Preferred modifications from the standard TPE-U may comprise: better flow properties and also more rapid solidification or crystallization (i.e. the molecular chains already bond at high temperatures).

Alternative material components comprise polyethylene (PE), for example in the form of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), or linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) as well as thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPE-E) and thermoplastic polyamide elastomers (TPE-A).

The material components for injection-molded bristles are preferably thermoplastic elastomers and have a Shore D hardness of 0 to 100, preferably of 30 to 80. For injection-molded bristles, special forms of soft components are used, generally having higher Shore hardnesses than other soft components from which soft elastic cleaning/massaging elements or handle zones or tongue cleaners are produced.

During the injection-molding process (two- or multi-component injection molding), material components for injection-molded bristles generally do not enter into a material bond with the other soft and/or hard components used. Consequently, a form fit is provided for any connections to other hard or soft components, for example in the form of undercuts and/or apertures and/or partial and/or complete overmoldings/wraparounds (etc.). The material component molded second for injection-molded bristles shrinks onto the first molded hard or soft component as it cools down, and thus forms a shrink connection.

Special Material Components

To be mentioned as special material components that are preferably used are, in particular, bioplastics, i.e. plastics that are formed from renewable raw materials.

The raw materials for the bioplastics consist for example at least partially of maize, hemp, sugar, castor oil, palm oil, potatoes, wheat, sugarcane, rubber, wood and also the castor-oil plant or castor plant. Examples of possible base materials, obtained from the raw materials, are: cellulose, starch, lactic acid (PLA), glucose, chitin and chitosan.

The main groups of bioplastics comprise starch-based bioplastics, cellulose-based bioplastics, polyhydroxyalkanoates (for example PHB, polyhydroxy butyric acid), PLA (polylactic acid, for example Ecovio®) or aliphatic/aromatic copolyesters (for example Ecoflex® or Infinito®). Further preferred bioplastics comprise for example lignin-based bioplastics. Water-soluble polymers also additionally come into consideration.

In the area of the handle body, a wood or grass may also be used as the material component.

The handle body may consist of or contain a hardwood, such as chestnut, oak, beech, linden, pear, apple, walnut, poplar, birch, elm, ash or acacia. The handle body may consist of or contain a softwood, such as Douglas fir, spruce, larch, pine or fir. The handle body may consist of or contain a pretreated or pre-worked wood, such as Kebony, thermo ash or steamed beech. The handle body is in particular made of a primary wood. The handle body may also be made of recycled wood. The handle body may furthermore consist of or contain bamboo, licorice or cedarwood. Licorice and cedarwood are distinguished by their particular effect or their particular smell and/or taste.

Preferred Applicator and/or Cleaning Elements

Within the scope of the present invention, the applicator and/or cleaning elements may comprise the following configurations:

Conventional, Extruded Bristles

Conventional, extruded bristles may generally be made up of hard and/or soft components. Conventional, extruded bristles (pointed or cylindrical) are preferably produced from polyamide (PA) or polyester (PBT).

Production is preferably performed by means of extrusion (one material component) or by means of co-extrusion (more than one material component). By contrast with injection-molded bristles or rubber-elastic massaging and cleaning elements that are produced by means of injection molding, conventional bristles are extruded, cut, worked (for example rounded or pointed) and inserted on the brush handle by means of adapted methods (anchor punching, AFT, IMT, etc.). The working of the conventional bristles is generally performed before the marking/printing.

The longitudinal form of the conventional, extruded bristles is preferably cylindrical or pointed (for example chemically pointed, especially in the case of bristles made of polyester (PBT)), wavy or twisted or helical.

In cross section, the conventional, extruded bristles are for instance circular, triangular, rectangular, square, elliptical, polygonal, trapezoidal, parallelogram-shaped or rhombic.

For oral hygiene, preferred dimensions comprise a diameter of 0.075 mm to 0.25 mm and a surface area of 0.002 mm² to 0.2 mm².

For cosmetics, preferred dimensions comprise a diameter of 0.025 mm to 0.2 mm and a surface area of 0.001 mm² to 0.15 mm².

The surface is in each case smooth or textured. The conventional, extruded bristles are also preferably combined into tufts.

Tongue Cleaners

Preferred tongue cleaners, which are for example integrated in toothbrushes, are often made up of a hard component and/or a soft component or else a combination of a hard component and a soft component. Tongue cleaners may furthermore be made up of a material component for injection-molded bristles, which once again may be combined with a hard and/or soft component. Tongue cleaners are often produced by injection molding.

Cleaning/Massaging Elements

Cleaning/massaging elements are preferably made up of a soft component. Their production is preferably performed by the injection-molding method.

Injection-Molded Bristles

Injection-molded bristles consist of one of the aforementioned material components for injection-molded bristles and are likewise preferably produced by injection molding.

Preferred Production Methods

Injection Molding

The process or the production method for toothbrushes in particular comprises first the injection molding of a main body, which often comprises in any case a handle i.e. a handle body or a handle part, a neck part and a head part (with or without a recess for a head plate). An injection-molding tool or a machine serves for this purpose. In the case of two- or multi-component injection molding, the material components may be connected by means of a material or substance bond. If the material components are not bonded, a form fit is usually aimed for, for instance in the form of a shrink connection. Depending on the configuration, mobility is also possible, for example, by means of a joint (formed by the non-bonding material components).

Both hot-runner and cold-runner methods or else co-injection methods are used for this.

The position of the gating point is in this case preferably chosen such that no injuries to the oral tissue or the gums can be caused during use by the remains of material that are often left behind there (which if necessary however can be overmolded by a further material component).

Bristle-Providing Methods

Coming into consideration for providing the head part with bristles in the present case are the anchor punching method, the anchorless method and also the twisting method, which are in each case briefly explained below.

In the case of the anchor punching method, first the main body is injection-molded with blind holes and subsequently the bristles are folded and fastened in the head part by means of anchors. The anchor punching is performed by means of a punching device or a punching tool and corresponding format sets. A method that can be used analogously is loop punching.

In the case of the anchorless methods, the bristles are not folded, and therefore here the bristles are only half the length they are in comparison with the bristles in the case of the anchor punching method.

According to a first method variant, in this case first the tufts of bristles are individually separated. Subsequently, the bristle ends are fused and after that are directly overmolded with a plastics component. In the case of this method, a number of tufts of bristles can be brought together. Known methods comprise so-called In Mold Tufting (IMT), in which the overmolding also includes the injection molding of the main body, and also so-called Integrated Anchorless Production, in which first bristles are overmolded with (head) plates and subsequently the plates are overmolded with the main body or the head part.

According to a second method variant, first the (head) plates are injection-molded with through-holes. Subsequently, the bristles are provided and led through the (head) plate. Subsequently, the bristles are fused on the rear side and thus also fused to the (head) plate. The (head) plate provided with bristles is then ultrasonically welded to the separately produced main body. Known methods include the V-Air method and Zahoransky Z. Vamp 1 method, in which it is not possible for tufts to be brought together. Further known methods are the Boucherie Anchor Free Tufting (AFT) method and the Zahoransky Z. Vamp 3 method, in which it is possible for tufts to be brought together.

According to a third method variant, first a main body is injection-molded with through-holes for bristles in the head part. Subsequently, the bristles are provided and inserted through the through-holes in the head part. After that, the bristles are fused on the rear side. Finally, the bristle melt is overmolded with a soft component. Known methods include the Boucherie AMR method, in which it is not possible for tufts to be brought together. A further known method is the Boucherie AMR+ method, in which it is possible for tufts to be brought together.

According to a fourth method variant, first a main body is injection-molded with blind holes for the bristles in the head part. Subsequently, the bristles are provided as tufts. After that, the bristles are fused as tufts. Then, the handle body is warmed to the glass transition temperature in the head region. After that, the bristles are inserted into blind holes and anchored in the head part by means of pressure (i.e. the size of the blind holes is reduced or the main body is deformed in order to anchor the bristles). A method known to this extent is the Boucherie PTt method.

In the case of the twisting-in method, which is used for example for interdental or mascara brushes, the filaments are fed from a roll, wherein a number of filament strands are wound up on a roll. For loading the machine, a number of rolls are in each case pretensioned, since each filament in the brush corresponds to a filament strand. The filaments are appropriately spread out, in order that they have the width in which they are inserted into the brush. The filaments are also drawn forward such that they subsequently protrude for the next step, i.e. that the wire can be passed over them. The wire is fed to the machine from a roll, i.e. is unwound, and introduced into the process. The wire is in this case cut to a length which is greater than the unwound length of the twisted-in brush, since the final cutting to length only takes place after the twisting-in. The wire is then bent into a U, in order that the open side can subsequently be pushed over the filaments (threading-in of the bristles). The wire is in this case held against the curve or the base of the U. Subsequently, the wire is pushed over the filaments, on the outside. After that, the open wire end is clamped, in order that the filaments are held between the pieces of wire. The filaments are then cut to a length that is greater than the final length in the brush, in order that the brush can be correctly cut later (when the filaments have been twisted in). Finally, the wire is rotated, so that the filaments are clamped between the wire, i.e. are fixed. In this case, a spiral of filaments forms. Once the filaments are fixed on the wire, they are cut to the correct length (i.e. profiled). Once the brush part has been completed, the excess wire is also cut off.

After correspondingly providing the bristles, if necessary the toothbrushes can also be decorated and subsequently packed.

Preferred Forms of Marking/Function

The function of the marking/printing according to the invention is usually a form of communication and can be divided into the headings marking, user support, product functionality and use for retailers/producers or combinations thereof.

In the case of marking, the following aspects are especially at the forefront:

Product designation/brand/advertising text and the like: this includes logos and advertising, such as for instance logos of a company, association or event. Brands or marks may for example also be applied vertically to an applicator and/or cleaning element (for example a tuft of bristles). Furthermore, recycling information may be applied (for example a recycling Möbius strip or recycling icons). The marking/printing according to the invention brings these contents for the first time to a place where marking/printing is not yet usual: to the applicator and cleaning elements.

Production codes: these may include identification/fabrication numbers, which serve for example as protection from theft. In this case, each brush has its own code, which is of interest in particular for expensive brushes. The production codes may however also serve for re-traceability, as is the case for instance with lot codes.

Sales code/product information: this includes for instance the EAN code. It may be that this can be read through the packaging, in order that a benefit is generated. In the case of a neutral packaging, the code is applied to the applicator and/or cleaning elements.

The QR code serves primarily as a link to the producer, i.e. for instance to the producer's website, for example for reordering the product (address of the online shop), information concerning recycling of the product, information on the life-cycle or the origin or else for the exact specifications of the product (raw materials used, production processes, energy consumption, instructions for disassembly, instructions for disposal, etc.). The website may also for example describe the exact procedure for recycling, for example if some parts have to be detached and recycled separately (instructions for disassembly), or else indicate the various ways of recycling the different parts. The QR code may preferably also be combined with a wear indicator, i.e. the QR code for (re-)ordering only becomes readable after wear has taken place. Alternatively, the QR code of the product can be read when it is used for the first time, and in this way a reminder that the lifetime of the product is coming to an end is activated, for example by means of an associated app or the producer's website. In the case of a toothbrush, the recommended lifetime is for example 3 months; in the case of interdental products, a lifetime of 1 day to 1 week is recommended.

The QR code may also serve as a link to an advisory website, providing information for instance on use (i.e. how the product is used correctly).

Apart from being applied by means of printing, QR codes may also be stamped. Stamping of a QR code requires special stamping dies, which requires extremely fine working. For creating a die for a QR code that can be read later, methods such as etching by means of acid or else milling by means of a stylus are used. The difference in height to be created in the stamping die lies in the range between 0.02 mm and 0.10 mm. This difference in height is also transferred to the handle part during the stamping operation. With differences in height in this range, the structures can be created sufficiently finely, so that also QR codes with a proposed side length of 5-15 mm, preferably 8-12 mm, particularly preferably 10 mm, can ultimately be created in a readable manner.

The QR code is preferably applied to the bristle-carrying front side in the rear half of the handle part. Alternatively, it may also be applied to the rear side of the handle part.

Of course, other machine-readable codes can also be applied according to the invention.

Furthermore, product properties may also be applied, such as for example the number of filament ends. These are individually counted, for example by a camera, and the number subsequently applied (for example 4241). It goes without saying that a previously ascertained average value may also be used.

Also properties of the applicator and/or cleaning elements may be indicated by means of applied text and/or a pictogram or a graphic, such as for example the bristle hardness (i.e. “soft”, “medium”, “hard”, etc.).

Furthermore, the contents or additives of the applicator and/or cleaning elements may also be described, such as for example charcoal, an antibacterial substance or bamboo, etc. Moreover, special properties of the applicator and/or cleaning elements may be described, such as for example the form of the ends: rounded or pointed; the cross section: diamond cross section or wave cut; the longitudinal form: corrugated, etc.

In the case of electrical devices, furthermore, performance indications are applied, such as for example the number of oscillations (revolutions) or the speed. In this case, the image may be designed such that different speeds present different images (for example an electric toothbrush in cleaning mode (1) with a first indication of number of revolutions and in cleaning mode (2) with another indication of number of revolutions).

By means of graphics, products can also be visually enhanced and/or changed. In order to set a cleaning device or a brush apart, an individual marking/printing may be applied (for example Mom, Dad, a name or years, etc.) or else a standardized individuality (for example male, female, star sign, Western or Eastern characteristics/symbols or indications of age such as junior, kid, adult, 0 to 6 years, etc.).

Graphics may also serve as a visual way of emphasizing the properties or the effect of a product, such as for example by continuing the pattern of the brush handle in the bristle area (or vice versa) and also depictions which emphasize or suggest a device function (for example visualization of vibration by waves/rings in the case of sonic toothbrushes or other electrical devices).

Volume- or contour-emphasizing color elements are also conceivable; for example lines which make it easier to see the visualization of the contour of the bristle area may be applied in the 3D profile of the bristle area. Moreover, for instance the color gradient may be made to correspond to the degree of hardness of the tufts of bristles in the bristle area. The intended use of the brush may also be indicated correspondingly by an obvious graphic or pictogram (“sensitive” for example by a feather, “whitening” for example by a polar bear, “interdental” for example by an illustrated thread of dental floss or illustrated spaces between teeth).

In addition, optical illusions or visual effects may also be used, produced for instance by motion (that is to say in particular in the case of oscillating brushes or sonic brushes). Finally, patterns which become visible or are changed by the motion of the electric toothbrush may also be applied (for example on the outside of the bristle area of an oscillating toothbrush or else on top and/or at the front of the bristle area of a swiveling toothbrush or a sonic toothbrush).

The following come into consideration for example as graphics in the form of textures or patterns: crests, children's motifs, comic figures, icons/pictograms or snowy mountains motifs (i.e. using for instance white bristles/filaments to which blue mountains are laterally applied). Furthermore, lenticular images are also conceivable. Furthermore, geometrical graphics or geometrical forms may also be applied.

Copy protection or a seal of authenticity may also be provided, for example in the form of a scannable code, an individual code, or a code for product registration.

In the case of user support, the following aspects are especially at the forefront:

Recommendation for use or effect or a suggestion of a suitable additional product: in the case of “sensitive” applicator and/or cleaning elements, for example a suggestion of a “sensitive” toothpaste may be applied. Similarly, in the case of “whitening” applicator and/or cleaning elements, a suggestion of a “whitening” toothpaste may be applied. The same applies to the “interdental” recommendation for use.

In the case of a face brush, for instance a suggestion of a corresponding cleaning gel may also be applied (for example by indicating the brand name and/or the product name).

It is also conceivable that the marking/printing indicates the amount, or the place provided for it, of the required toothpaste, gel, etc., for example by means of a circle or a strip that is to be filled. This may also be emphasized by the contour or the profile of the applicator and/or cleaning elements.

Furthermore, instructions for use or suggestions of use for the user may be applied. In oral hygiene, this may for example comprise: handling recommendations with respect to sparing use of resources: for example “turn off water”, “dispose of properly”, a recommendation of the brushing time, for example: “brush for 3 minutes”, hygiene recommendations, for example: “rinse before use” and/or “dry after use”, and/or “replace after three months”, etc. In the case of a multistage treatment, the recommendation of the next stage of the treatment may be respectively applied (for example treatment 1-2-3-4). In oral hygiene, for instance the following instruction may be applied: 1) toothbrush, 2) dental floss and 3) mouthwash. As in the case of all markings, a textual description or a corresponding graphic instruction is conceivable.

Suggestion for Recycling or Disposal

If a product consists of different materials, the individual material components or their abbreviations may be indicated.

Furthermore, it may be indicated how and/or where the individual material components can be separated from one another for disposal. As a guide, for example, it may be indicated where for example cutting needs to take place for making a separation between materials. For example, in the case of toothbrushes made of wood with a plastic head, it may be indicated where the plastic head can be cut off. A line and/or corresponding pictogram of the separating means (for example scissors, pliers, etc.) may be applied at the intended separating location.

Further user support is represented by seals for first-time use or newness. It may be for example that these can be washed off; i.e. preferably when the product has been used for the first time, the marking/color medium goes away. This may for instance also comprise a covered image that is exposed.

Furthermore, it is possible to print on an indicator for applying pressure. In a conceivable variant, a lenticular image in this case changes with the flexibility of the brush handle (from Smiley to not Smiley). In another variant, there is a change of color if too much pressure is applied (for example a change of color or discoloration to red). However, here the marking medium must be applied over a movable location at which the corresponding parameters can be detected or established, so that for example a change of color takes place.

The product functionality also comprises chemical reactions of the marking/printing (for example with ions), the discharge of active substances (substances are integrated in the marking/color medium) and/or the changing of physical properties of the product. For example, the surface structure of the applicator and/or cleaning elements may be changed by the marking/printing (for example increase roughness, change friction coefficient, etc.). It is also possible for different roughnesses to be provided in the area of use (i.e. zones with/without marking/printing. This may also be performed for example by admixing additives in the marking/color medium (for example in the printer ink). In this way, for example, part of the handle body that is touched for use may be provided with a print that improves the feel. Or in a similar way elements may be provided in Braille. Different surface structures are provided not only on the handle body but also the applicator and/or cleaning elements. Tongue cleaners, injection-molded bristles or applicator and/or cleaning elements of soft material or zones thereof may be most particularly suitable for this.

Furthermore, the physical properties of the marked/printed medium or the applicator and/or cleaning elements may be changed. Thus, for example, a thick marking/printing (layer thickness) may be provided, in order that the properties of the base material at the corresponding location no longer have an effect.

A benefit for retailers or producers may be that of product differentiation in the case of a product for a number of different customers (i.e. the same products for different customers are differentiated by means of marking/printing). In this way for instance special editions can be created with little effort (for example seasonal motifs or major events, such as the soccer World Cup or the Olympic Games).

It is also possible to produce very small batches. By means of digital processes, the marking/printing can be quickly adapted for small batches. It is also possible to mark each product individually (batch size 1).

Preferred Marked/Printed Media

The marked/printed medium preferably comprises semifinished products or raw materials, worked products and variants.

Extruded filaments come into consideration as semifinished products or raw materials (see under massaging and cleaning elements). Two- or three-component filaments are also possible here. Charcoal (wood charcoal), metal flakes, antibacterially acting additives and the like may be contained in the filaments as additives.

Bristles clustered together in a bristle puck (puck tufts are not meant here, but rather the semifinished product or the charge in which the bristles are brought to the bristle-providing machine) may also be marked at their tips. They may be cylindrical or pointed filaments. These may be colored or marked on one side or on both sides. In this case, the marking/printing must of course take place in dependence on the (re-)working, i.e. any grinding/cutting/profiling of the bristles or else rounding or pointing (physical and/or chemical working) of the bristle ends must be taken into account. Generally, the working of extruded bristles is performed before the marking. Alternatively, the marking/printing may take place before the working, but the marked/printed part of the bristles is no longer worked, or is not harmed by the working.

Dense packing of the applicator and/or cleaning elements, for example bristles, has the effect that there is only superficial marking/printing at their ends. Less dense packing has the effect that there is also marking at depth, i.e. not just in the region of the ends of the applicator and/or cleaning elements or the bristles. Thus, dependent on the properties of the marking/color medium, the depth of the marking/printing results from the density ratio.

In this connection, the capillary action must also be checked. It depends on the marking/color medium used, i.e. for instance on the ink used or its viscosity. Viscous marking/color media, such as for example a waxy ink, produce scarcely any or no capillary action, but also little penetration depth. For the length of the coloration in the longitudinal direction of the bristles, see further below.

An optimum procedure for bristle processing including marking comprises the pre-rounding or pointing, the marking/printing and the subsequent insertion of the bristles. Further subsequent working operations, such as pointing, rounding, cutting and/or grinding, may also bring about a removal of the marking/printing, and consequently a deliberate changing or weakening of the marking/printing in this region.

It is also possible of course for worked products to be marked/printed. The injection-molded cleaning elements comprise injection-molded bristles and injection-molded, rubber-elastic cleaning elements (for example in the form of lamellae, nubs or the like). In the case of tufts of bristles, preferably the individual bristles are not marked/printed, but a tuft or a group of bristles. A tongue cleaner on the toothbrush, formed from a hard component and/or from a soft component, may also be marked/printed.

Furthermore, elements that are degradable during use and/or elements that give off active substances during use may also be marked in this way. For example, elements that are produced from water-soluble polymers. The dissolving of the element has the effect of course that the printing is then also removed/dissolved.

In addition, it is of course also possible within the scope of the present invention for a marking/printing of the brush body, the bristle melt (in the case of brushes provided with bristles by an anchorless method), the bristle-providing area (the surface area in which the bristle holes are made) and/or the bristle holes to be performed (for example for covering unsightly geometries or a bristle melt in the case of transparent brushes). This may be done separately or before the bristles are provided.

Also elements which are produced by means of additive manufacturing (for example 3D printing), such as for instance applicator and/or cleaning elements, may be marked or printed. Furthermore, simple tongue cleaners, which do not have any further cleaning elements but just a scraping edge, may be marked/printed; or else flocked elements, in the case of which for instance the base element is provided with flocking in a subsequent working operation.

The printing or marking of flocked elements in the handle body or else under the cleaning and/or applicator elements of a cleaning device takes place after they have been applied to the final product. The flocked elements may consist of hard and/or soft material. For example, cleaning devices such as interdental cleaners, lipgloss applicators or handle bodies may be completely or partially flocked.

All of the printing/marking methods proposed in this document come into consideration for this. Contactless methods are preferred.

Flock fibers (“flock” for short) refers to conventional, extruded bristles of small length (about 0.1 to 5 mm; preferably about 0.3-2 mm). In electrostatic flocking, millions of such short bristles in an electric field are applied to an element coated with adhesive. In this case, the field lines ensure that the fibers align themselves substantially perpendicularly, and thus produce a uniform textile surface. Depending on the fiber thickness and length, a velvety-soft to hard-abrasive surface can be created in accordance with the desired function, appearance or feel.

Preferred Location of the Application

Form of the Marked/Printed Medium

The marked/printed medium preferably comprises individual tufts, a number of tufts or large tufts (so-called puck tufts), as are produced in an anchorless manner by the AFT or PTt method, which have large marked/printed surface areas. These surface areas may be planar, curved, fan-shaped, conical, wave-shaped or have some other non-planar topography.

In the case of marking/printing tufts that consist of a number of picks, logos can be marked/printed, and picks that consist of different types of bristles (for example different colors, forms of end working (pointed or rounded), different diameters, different materials, etc., i.e. different types of bristles in a tuft) can be marked/printed.

A pick is understood as meaning an individually separating operation for a tuft of bristles in the bristle-providing machine. In a conventional brush or a brush produced by the anchor punching method, a pick corresponds to a tuft of bristles. For example in anchorless bristle-providing methods, such as Aft, IMT or PTt, it is at least to some extent possible to produce a tuft of bristles (considered in the finished product) from a number of picks.

A puck tuft is understood in the present case as meaning a large contiguous tuft with a high bristle density in the bristle area and also preferably with a great number of bristles in the corresponding individual tufts of a finished product, for example a toothbrush. The individual bristles lie close together with high density. The bristles of the tuft are generally connected to one another by way of a contiguous carpet of melt or a bristle melt and the puck tuft is assembled from a number of picks during production.

In the case of a very large tuft, which for example has a carpet structure, or a so-called puck tuft, it is possible to mark/print only part; for example, only bristles that stand up higher in the tuft are marked.

Form of the Marking/Printing

The marking/printing may be performed laterally on the applicator and/or cleaning elements (i.e. on the lateral surface). It may be performed partially or 360° around the applicator and/or cleaning elements. For example in the case of an oscillating, round or elliptical electric toothbrush or a face brush, the marking/printing may thus be performed for instance laterally around the bristle area.

The marking/printing may however also be performed (additionally or only) on top of the applicator and/or cleaning elements, i.e. on the contact surface, or on the end region of the applicator and/or cleaning elements on the side that is used.

Furthermore, a topography that is assumed by the ends of the applicator and/or cleaning elements may also be marked/printed, i.e. a 3D form with an X component, a Y component and a Z component. This topography may be formed by the end regions on the side that is used and/or laterally by the applicator and/or cleaning elements.

The marking/printing may also comprise different zones in the bristle area; for example, in the middle a carpet structure, for example in the form of a puck tuft, and on the outside normal, isolated tufts of bristles. It is also possible for different prints/printing methods/marking methods to be used, such as for instance high-resolution markings/prints in the dense part or deep markings/prints, penetrating into the bristle area, in the less dense part. It is also possible to use a different printing method for the handle body and the applicator and/or cleaning elements.

The resolution, the color, the surface structure and/or the composition of the marking/printing can consequently vary according to the packing density of the bristles.

Criteria in which the marking/printing can change are the length, color, form, cross section, material and/or type of working of the end region of the applicator and/or cleaning elements.

It is also possible for the bristle melt in the case of AFT brushes to be marked/printed (for example in a neon color, so that the color shines through the tips). In this way, for example, the rather unattractive bristle melt can at the same time be covered.

It is also possible for upwardly conical tufts of bristles (i.e. which have bristles that spread out in the upward direction in the manner of a bunch of flowers) to be marked/printed. This is better for inscriptions, cf. below with respect to the spacings of the bristle ends or spacings of the surface areas to be marked/printed. The upwardly conical tufts of bristles form a more continuous surface area consisting of bristle ends.

The marking/printing may also be performed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the bristles, i.e. the marking leads laterally from the bristles toward the bristle tips.

This works particularly well in the case of paintbrushes, but is also possible in the case of the other brushes mentioned. It is possible for instance for one or more tufts of bristles to be marked/printed around a corner as it were, i.e. over its/their upper, front and/or longitudinal edge.

A 360° marking/printing in the form of an image is also possible. Thus, for instance, a spiral form may be applied around a tuft or around a twisted-in brush etc. The marking/printing in this case goes over 360°; the beginning and the end of the marking lie together or at the same angular degree (0°=360°).

Furthermore, a marking/printing over a number of tufts is possible. In this case, different types of applicator and/or cleaning element with a marking/printing can be combined with one another. Thus, for example, a simultaneous marking/printing over bristles and/or applicator and/or cleaning elements comprising a soft component and/or injection-molded bristles is for instance possible.

In a further combination, applicator and/or cleaning elements comprising a soft component, for example in the form of lamellae or nubs on the inside and tufts with conventional bristles on the outside, may be provided on a brush head. In this case it is possible for both the applicator and/or cleaning elements comprising conventional bristles and those comprising a soft component to be marked/printed before the anchoring of the conventional bristles. This is thus possible in the case of various bristle-providing methods, for example in the case of anchor punching methods and also in the case of PTt methods.

Electrical devices constitute a special case: here, the configuration may be such that the actual communication/marking or printing etc. only becomes visible when the device is switched on (for example when there is vibration, oscillation or swiveling). That is to say that a different image/pattern is obtained by the motion of the marked applicator and/or cleaning elements than in the state of rest.

In the case of an electrical device, fixed and/or movable applicator and/or cleaning elements may be marked/printed. Here, the marking over the applicator and/or cleaning elements may continue over the fixed part to the movable part and the motion then causes different images to be obtained with a fixed part and a moved part. In this way, the motion can be made visible by optical effects (for example in the case of small motions). Thus, for example, the marking/printing of the applicator and/or cleaning elements of an oscillating electric toothbrush may have a pattern in the form of dots which becomes a line as a result of the motion. In this way, the oscillation angle can be indicated well to the user.

Furthermore, the handle body may also be printed/marked on its various parts.

The printing/marking of handle bodies may take place by various methods.

The printing/marking can cover a wide printing area. This does not necessarily have to be flat, it may also have a curvature. The curvature may be circular, round or oval (considered in cross section). The curvature preferably has a radius (with the center point the longitudinal axis of the handle body) of 2 mm to 15 mm, more preferably of 4 mm to 8 mm.

The printing may be applied with the center point the longitudinal axis in cross section over an angle α—seen in the transverse direction. The angle α is a maximum of 180° (preferably 120° to 180°); correspondingly, the upper surface area of the product can be printed in one step substantially up to the separating plane.

For example, the pad printing method, inkjet printing or laser printing may be used for the printing/marking mentioned. In this case it is important that the product or cleaning device to be printed is held well in a mounting means (or a workpiece carrier) and thus assumes a clearly defined position. The product or cleaning device to be printed is intended to be made level by the mounting means, in order to assume a position on average that is as horizontal as possible. The mounting means may also be used to create a covering for certain parts of the product or cleaning device to be printed that must not be printed.

The pad that is usually used for transferring the ink has a curved form, adapted to the surface to be printed. This pad is deformed appropriately for the applied print to have the correct appearance. In order for this to be possible, the color of the print image on the pad is provided in a distorted form, so that after application to the curved surface the print image has the correct appearance. The same applies to inkjet printing or laser printing.

With the methods mentioned, handle bodies with strong curvatures can be printed/marked transversely to the longitudinal direction. It is however also possible in addition or as an alternative to print/mark curvatures in the longitudinal direction of the handle body. The methods even allow handle surfaces not only with convex zones but also concave zones to be marked. The radii of curvature or transitions of the curved convex or concave zones of the surfaces to be printed should not be below radii of 2 mm, preferably 4 mm.

On the handle body, consequently, larger curved surfaces of 400-2000 mm², preferably 500-1800 mm², particularly preferably 600-1400 mm², can be printed/marked.

It is possible to interrupt the printed/marked surface, i.e. to print a number of regions in one operation. The regions may be separated by different material components. For example, a printed hard component on the handle body may be separated into two or more printed regions by a soft component. Furthermore, for example, a printed hard component on the handle body may be separated into two or more printed regions by surface structures or discontinuities (edges, shoulders etc.) on the surface of the hard component.

Preferred Parameters

Particularly preferred parameters for the marking/printing are specified below.

The preferred width/length of the marking/printing on the surface of the bristle area of the cleaning devices according to the invention is from 0.01 mm to 50 mm, preferably from 1 mm to 20 mm.

The depth of the marking/printing (for example into the bristle area) is dependent on the density of the bristle packing and the properties of the medium to be marked/printed.

With regard to a packing density of the applicator and/or cleaning elements with which a marking/printing is possible, first the bristle spacings or the spacings of the surface areas to be marked/printed are discussed.

The bristle density is understood as meaning the number of filament ends that occur in a certain surface-area region. As far as the method of counting is concerned, it should also be said that, in the case of an anchor punching method, on a brush one filament gives two filament ends.

For a high bristle density (as achieved for example in the case of face brushes), two preferred examples are specified:

Example A: here, the bristle hole diameter is about 1.77 mm, the bristle diameter about 3 mils, in the case of 220 bristles, which correspond to 440 bristle ends (printing surface area/marking surface area).

Example B: here, the bristle hole diameter is about 2.3 mm, the bristle diameter about 2.5 mils, in the case of 146 bristles, which correspond to 292 bristle ends (printing surface area/marking surface area). In the case of a conical bristle hole (i.e. the bristles splay out) this corresponds on the surface area to be marked/printed to a density of 18.25 bristles/mm².

In the case of a low density (i.e. great bristle spacings), the marking/printing goes deeper into the bristle area than in the case of a dense packing. The ratio of looseness to printing depth is not directly determinable, since it is dependent on the bristle component, the printing means and the bristle density.

The resolution for instance of the printhead with respect to the bristle density plays a role in determining the marking/printing possibilities. When there is a high resolution of the means for marking for example of the printhead, the bristle density can be smaller, and consequently a more readable marking/printing is produced.

Preferably, in the present case the bristle density for the marking/printing is from 12 bristles/mm² to 25 bristles/mm², preferably from 16 bristles/mm² to 20 bristles/mm².

It may also be envisaged to provide different bristle densities in one bristle area. In this way, for example, different marking qualities, for example print qualities, or different possibilities for the object presented can also be achieved. For example, to some extent a photorealistic image in the region of the high densities and on the other hand a more simple print in the region of the lower densities.

The marking/printing may be one-colored, two-colored, three-colored, four-colored or generally multi-colored or photorealistic. It may have one or more different properties in addition to the color or instead of the color. It may also have for instance different gradients, such as for example a color gradient or a layer thickness gradient.

In the case of a multi-layered marking/printing, for example a multi-layer print, a number of layers with different properties, different images (for example, depending on the age of the users of a brush, something different is depicted) or else different chemical properties may be applied. The applicator and/or cleaning elements to be printed are marked/printed in a number of passes.

The resolution of the marking/printing is in the present case preferably 20 dpi to 3000 dpi, more preferably 150 dpi to 1500 dpi. The ratio of dpi to the number of bristles/mm² is preferably 1:0.8 to 1:250, preferably 1:7.5 to 1:93.75.

The following applies for the minimum size of a surface area to be individually marked/printed (i.e. in order that the representation can be recognized): the surface area must be large enough to allow marking dots/printing dots to be “captured”. In particular, the number of marking dots/printing dots must be greater than the number of bristles, in order to two-dimensionally mark or print a surface area.

Within the scope of the present invention, the minimum size of the surface area to be marked/printed is preferably 0.0001 mm².

The application surface for the marking/color medium may be on the surface of the applicator and cleaning elements, i.e. the application may be performed by adhesive bonding or powder (no adherence). The color medium or the marking medium may in this case also penetrate into the applicator and cleaning elements (for example by lasering or migration of the marking/color medium).

With regard to the visibility of the marking/printing or the necessary color contrast, the colorfulness or the difference in colorfulness is specified as a parameter. By definition, the colorfulness describes the relative color effect in relation to reference white, that is to say in comparison with a specific brightest point of a color space. The colorfulness is suitable as a measured value for instance for conical color spaces, where measurements can be taken from the tip. In printing, these systems are in practice where paper white represents the zero color and it is necessary for precisely the same amount of color to be applied for deep black as for vibrant red. White has a colorfulness of 0, the color tones (shades of color) and deep black up to 100%, medium gray 50%.

In order to achieve visibility on a white base area, the colorfulness must have a value of at least 40%, preferably of at least 50%.

In order to achieve visibility on colors other than white, the difference in brightness must be at least 40%, preferably at least 50% (if the same colors are used). When using different colors, on the other hand, the difference in colorfulness cannot be used as a measure.

Generally, it is possible to provide a priming with white color, in order that the colors applied thereto are applied on a good base and visually produce a good image. This avoids the base color of the applicator and/or cleaning elements or of the handle body showing through.

Preferred Marking Methods/Printing Methods

Marking Methods/Printing Methods

Within the scope of the present invention, the preferred marking method or printing method is the inkjet method. Here, printing is particularly preferably performed with waxy ink. The ink may be water-soluble or water-insoluble.

The waxy ink is in this case warmed up or melted and in the non-warmed state is viscous to solid. It often can only be worked in the liquid state. On contact with the surface to be marked/printed, the ink solidifies. Changes of color are always troublesome, because long distances in tubes (or lines) have to be covered. The drying time of the waxy ink is generally less than 2 seconds. After drying, the ink can be touched. For example, food wax 5012 from Markem Imaje (a Dover Company) may be used.

A variant that is likewise preferred is the UV direct printing method. Here, the ink does not dry in the ambient air, as it does for example on a sheet of paper, but is cured by ultraviolet light directly after application to the surface of the substance to be marked/printed (substrate). The dried ink has in this case a slightly satined look, which very closely resembles high-quality printed paper. This results in a disadvantage with respect to durability under sunlight or adverse weather conditions. However, the UV curing has the effect on the one hand of increasing the resistance of the print and on the other hand of providing some protection from yellowing.

Also preferred in the present case is the laser method. In this case, on the one hand a marking may be performed by means of a laser under the surface of the applicator and/or cleaning elements. The advantage of a marking under the surface of the applicator and/or cleaning elements is that the deep gloss is not impaired. In another variant of the laser method, the surface of the applicator and/or cleaning elements is mechanically/thermally changed. The actual color comes from the substrate and depends on the laser treatment. The surface is in this case preferably made to foam or “burnt”. It therefore does not involve an actual application of color, but a burning in.

A still further preferred method is that of screen printing. The printing form of the screen printing consists of a frame with a fabric stretched over it. A stencil is applied to the fabric photographically (in the case of artistic works sometimes also by hand). The stencil prevents color from being applied at those locations of the print image that are not to be printed. The printing form is subsequently fastened in a printing machine over the material to be printed (substrate). Then, printing ink is applied to the fabric and the substrate is coated with it through the apertures of the stencil by a rubber squeegee (acting like a doctor blade). The ink is thereby pressed through the meshes of the fabric and applied to the surface to be printed. After printing, the printed material is removed from the machine or is laid out for drying.

The pad printing method may also be used within the scope of the present invention. Here, the print image that is to be transferred is exposed with a positive film (offset film) onto a cliché. This cliché is then washed out and the exposed print image is left behind in a recessed form on the surface of the cliché. A distinction is made here in principle between steel clichés and plastic clichés. In the case of steel clichés, the print image is etched into the steel surface. Steel clichés are used in particular in the case of very high numbers of recurring print images.

In the present case, plastic clichés are preferably used, because they adapt themselves well to the surface to be printed. As a result, non-planar printing surface areas/marking surface areas are also made possible.

Pad printing generally requires a stable underlying surface. Within the scope of the present invention, it may be used especially for the marking/printing of bristle pucks, since here the bristles can be fixed or secured well. With necessary aids, applicator and/or cleaning elements can likewise be marked/printed.

Different marking/printing methods can be combined for the marking/printing.

In addition to the applicator and/or cleaning elements, further elements and zones on the product can also be marked/printed by the same marking/printing method. For example, the handle body or the hand part may be marked/printed by the same method as the applicator and/or cleaning elements.

Depending on the method, variants are possible (for example individualized production, for instance with a batch size of 1).

In order to improve the adherence of the medium on the part to be printed, it may be necessary to subject the surface to a pretreatment. By means for example of gas treatment, plasma treatment, corona treatment or ion treatment, the surface is prepared in order that the print can adhere.

Properties of Preferred Marking/Color Media Such as Inks/Toners/Coatings Etc.

In addition to the standard constituents, in particular the ink that is preferably used here—but also the toners, coatings or other marking/color media—may contain flavorings, cosmetics (the use of supporting elements), abrasive elements (synthetic or natural, such as for instance corundum) and/or an active substance.

An active substance is understood in the present case as meaning a substance that delivers an effect in the respective application area.

A distinction is made between the following types of active substances:

(A) Oral-hygiene active substances with a toothpaste-like effect, which can make conventional toothpaste superfluous. The following contents come into consideration for this: sorbitol, flavoring agents, hydrated silica, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium monofluorophosphate, creatine, zinc sulfate, triclosan, glycerin, sodium saccharin, propylene glycol, disodium phosphate, alumina, trisodium phosphate, sodium fluoride, betaine, titanium dioxide, cellulose gum, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, etc.

(B) Active substances with an antibacterial effect for occasional cleaning of the brush head in a teeth-cleaning beaker before or after cleaning the teeth. The following contents come into consideration for this: sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, phosphoric acid, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium perborate, sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium benzoate, sodium stearate, etc.

(C) Active substances that indicate the success of cleaning by means of staining the plaque on the surface of the teeth (i.e. by means of staining the plaque residues). The following contents come into consideration for this: glucose, maltodextrin, magnesium stearate, flavoring agent, saccharin, microcrystalline cellulose, etc.

(D) Additional active substances that do not occur in conventional pastes but complement or intensify their effect (cf. in each case contents from (A) to (C)).

(E) Active substances for bleaching teeth (“bleaching”), such as for example those with contents containing hydrogen peroxide.

(F) Two-component systems comprising active substances and specially developed toothpaste, which cause a chemical or physical reaction when they meet.

In principle, both single use of an active substance and multiple use is possible in this case. In the case of single use, one use uses up a portion of active substance. In the case of multiple use, one use only uses up part of the portion of active substance.

It goes without saying that the concentration or the amount of the active substance in the case of intended single use is set much lower than in the case of multiple use. In the case of single use, the concentration corresponds approximately to the concentration of the active substances of conventional pastes. In the case of any multiple use, the corresponding concentration is increased by a multiple. In addition to the concentration, the time the portion of active substance will last/duration of its use can also be influenced by the water-solubility and water circulation or corresponding openings.

The main requirements for such active-substance additives in the marking/color medium are that they must be processed by the marking/printing method, for example the active substance dissolved in the marking/color medium in an ink must pass through the nozzle of an inkjet or the corresponding method and it must be compatible with the carrier of the marking medium (for example the wax). Of course, depending on the application area, other preconditions are also for example suitability for use in food, suitability for use in cosmetics and the like.

With respect to resistance, permanent or waterproof marking/color media, for example inks etc., can be used or else non-permanent media. The non-permanent marking/color media, for example inks etc., are in this case preferably water-soluble or can be removed by abrasion.

The drying time for the aforementioned marking/color media, for example inks etc., should be as short as possible, i.e. preferably less than 2 seconds, or made to match the cycle of the respective machine (or faster). If necessary, a subsequent treatment must be performed, in order that the marking/printing dries well (for example by means of air, heat and/or light) or that it becomes touch dry.

For reasons of compliance, the marking/color media must, depending on the application area, be suitable for physical contact and/or consumption, i.e. suitable for use in food.

The marking/color media may in principle be of any color (white, black, brightly colored, etc). The choice of color also depends here on the respective marking or printing method. With a view to visibility, however, opaque colors or translucent colors are preferably used.

In the case of the marking/color media, they must in particular adhere to the material components of the applicator and/or cleaning elements and/or the handle body. Furthermore, the markability or printability of the material components of the applicator and/or cleaning elements and/or the handle body must be ensured.

Preferred Installation of the Marking/Printing Means or Printhead Installation

The marking/printing means or the printhead is preferably installed such that it can be moved over three axes (X, Y, Z). In addition, it may preferably also be rotated or swiveled about these axes. In this way, the same distance from the product can always be maintained and it is also possible for 3D bodies to be marked/printed, i.e. bodies on which the corresponding surface areas have a 3D contour. As a variant, the brush handle (handle body) may also be marked/printed parallel to the bristle area.

Preferred heights of the surface areas to be marked (of the marking/printing area) or printhead heights range from 5 mm to 100 mm, more preferably from 10 mm to 50 mm. The preferred number of nozzles of the printhead often ranges from 5 to 500, more preferably from 10 to 300.

The preferred marking/printing speed ranges from 2 m per minute to 100 m per minute, more preferably from 5 m per minute to 60 m per minute.

In the case of a printhead that is not adjustable in height, the printhead is installed such that it is arranged at an average distance from the part to be printed. That is to say that, when printing curved surface areas, the distance is measured and averaged and the averaged amount corresponds to the optimum print distance. In this way, regions with a greater distance than the optimum distance and regions with a smaller distance than the optimum distance are produced.

For exact printing, it is generally the case that the accuracy of the alignment of the printhead with respect to the part to be printed is essential, in order that the print on the part ends up being provided exactly at the correct location within small tolerances.

With regard to the motion during the marking/printing process, the following preferred variants are specified:

Variant (A): the means for the marking/printing (for example the printhead) is fixed, the chain or the belt (as the transporting device for the product) with the product moves. Or the means for the marking/printing or the printhead moves and the product is fixed. Here, marking/printing is only possible on the width (i.e. over the height) of the marking/printing means.

Variant (B): the marking/printing means (for example the printhead) is movable (3D), the chain or belt (as the transporting device for the product) with the product moves. Here, marking/printing of a surface area with a topography is possible (larger marking/printing region).

Variant (C): the marking/printing means (for example the printhead) is movable (3D), the product is fixed. Likewise marking/printing of a surface area with a topography is possible here (larger marking/printing region).

Variant (D): the marking/printing means (for example the printhead) is movable, the product rotates. This is necessary for example for spiral marking/printing or for 360° marking/printing of a twisted-in brush.

In the process, generally a maximum of 30 cycles are provided in the case of integration in the punching machine (for example in the AFT method, PTt method or in the case of conventional punching). Preferably, in the present case 15 to 30, more preferably 20 to 30, cycles are provided. The number of cycles in the punching process is dependent on the bristle area, i.e. on the number of picks, of the tufts of bristles that have to be provided.

In one variant, a number of brushes are worked, i.e. marked/printed, in parallel. In this way, the cycle time can be kept the same, but the number of brushes increased.

Preferred Incorporation in the Process

Incorporation in the production process can take place as follows:

Before attaching the bristles: if the raw material or semifinished product is marked/printed. It should be noted here that re-working may abrasively remove the marking/print (for example on the bristles or on the brush handle).

After attaching the bristles: if the bristle area is marked/printed. This means in the case of injection-molded bristles, soft elastic cleaning elements and AFT head plates, after the injection molding.

In the case of punched bristles/twisted-in bristles, this means after providing the bristles or before packing. The preferred sequence in this case is: punching-cutting-rounding-marking/printing. The marking/printing means (for example the printhead) is moved directly on the punching machine, while the product moves in the method step. The punching method is in this case unspecified, for example conventional, anchorless (AFT, PTt, IMT method), twisting machine or brush production, etc.

Working during punching comprises the steps of: punching-cutting-marking/printing-rounding (grinding) (i.e. the bristles are in any case partially colored). A variant in a double punching machine comprises punching in multiple steps: punching-cutting-rounding-marking/printing-punching-cutting-rounding (-marking/printing). Here, lateral marking/printing is possible, but also 3D effects or a number of marking/printing levels in the same bristle area are made possible.

Integration before packing may also provide an intermediate step on the packaging machine.

Integration in the process may on the one hand take place in-line, i.e. directly on the existing production machines (with an additional working step), or off-line, i.e. with a separate device just for performing the marking/printing step. The off-line variant is intended for instance for individual in-store creative design.

The medium to be marked/printed may be held in a fixed or moving manner in the process, depending on whether the printhead is installed in a fixed or moving manner and of course also dependent on the motif and the printing surface area/marking surface area.

Aids for an exact marking/exact print include inter alia masks for covering parts that are not to be marked/printed.

Furthermore, deforming elements may be provided, which straighten the medium to be marked/printed before the marking/printing and allow it to return to the original position again after the marking/printing. This may comprise the displacing of applicator and/or cleaning elements, that is to say the pushing away of applicator and/or cleaning elements that are not to be marked/printed (i.e. tufts of bristles and/or TPE elements are bent). In this way, a marking/printing at depth, for example behind other applicator and/or cleaning elements, is made possible. It is of course also possible for the applicator and/or cleaning elements to be pushed together for the marking/printing.

Finally, a stencil may be provided in the bristle area and removed after the marking/printing. Such a stencil is used for instance whenever isolated tufts in a bristle area are to be marked/printed. Before the punching, for this a covering element is arranged over the surface area to be provided with bristles. Then punching is carried out through the covering element. Before the marking/printing, the covering element is moved vertically, so that only the tips of the tufts of bristles still show through the covering element and can subsequently be marked/printed. After that, the stencil is removed by being moved out. As a result, marking/printing alongside the desired tufts can be avoided.

In the case of printing the handle body, stencils may likewise be used, in order to protect or cover parts that are not to be printed.

Within the scope of the present invention, in principle the handle can be marked/printed in the same method step as the applicator and/or cleaning elements.

Embodiments of the invention that are given by way of example are represented for the purposes of illustration in the accompanying drawings,

in which:

FIG. 1: shows a perspective view of a toothbrush head according to the invention with marking/printing on the upper, longitudinal and front sides of the bristle area;

FIG. 2: shows a perspective view of a toothbrush head according to the invention analogous to FIG. 1 with a marked/printed tongue cleaner element on the rear side;

FIG. 3: shows a perspective view of a further toothbrush head according to the invention with marking/printing around a corner on the upper, longitudinal and front sides of the bristle area;

FIG. 4a: shows a side view of a (round) toothbrush head according to the invention for an electrically oscillating toothbrush with a conventionally punched bristle area with a laterally applied pattern in the state of rest;

FIG. 4b: shows the toothbrush head according to the invention according to FIG. 4a in motion;

FIG. 5a: shows a plan view of a further (round) toothbrush head according to the invention with a conventionally punched bristle area for an electrically oscillating toothbrush with a pattern applied on top of the bristle area in the state of rest;

FIG. 5b: shows the toothbrush head according to the invention according to FIG. 5a in motion;

FIG. 6a: shows a perspective view of a toothbrush head according to the invention for an electrically swiveling toothbrush with a pattern applied on top of the bristle area in the state of rest;

FIG. 6b: shows the toothbrush head according to the invention according to FIG. 6a in motion;

FIG. 7a: shows a side view of an interdental or mascara brush according to the invention with an applied longitudinal pattern or longitudinal strip;

FIG. 7b: shows a perspective view of the interdental or mascara brush according to FIG. 7a;

FIG. 8a: shows a side view of an interdental or mascara brush according to the invention with an applied wave pattern;

FIG. 8b: shows a perspective view of the interdental or mascara brush according to FIG. 8a;

FIG. 9a: shows a side view of an interdental or mascara brush according to the invention with an applied 360° pattern in the form of a spiral;

FIG. 9b: shows a perspective view of the interdental or mascara brush according to FIG. 9a;

FIG. 10: shows a perspective view of an interdental or mascara brush according to the invention with an applied logo;

FIG. 11: shows a plan view of a flosser according to the invention with marked/printed dental floss;

FIG. 12a: shows a plan view of an interdental cleaner according to the invention with transversely marked/printed cleaning elements;

FIG. 12b: shows a side view of the interdental cleaner according to FIG. 12a;

FIG. 13a: shows a plan view of a face brush according to the invention with a pattern applied on top of the bristle area;

FIG. 13b: shows a side view of the face brush according to FIG. 13a, which shows an additional marking/printing running around laterally (360°);

FIG. 14: shows a perspective view of a brush according to the invention with a marking/printing around a corner;

FIG. 15 shows a schematic front view of an arrangement for marking/printing the bristle area of a cleaning device;

FIG. 16 shows a plan view of a schematic arrangement for marking/printing the bristle area of a schematically represented cleaning device according to a first variant;

FIG. 17 shows a plan view of a schematic arrangement for marking the bristle area of a schematically represented cleaning device according to a second variant;

FIG. 18 shows a plan view of a schematic arrangement for marking the bristle area of a schematically represented cleaning device according to a third variant;

FIG. 19 shows a plan view of a schematic arrangement for marking the bristle area of a schematically represented cleaning device according to a fourth variant;

FIG. 20 shows a plan view of a schematic arrangement for marking the bristle area of a schematically represented cleaning device according to a fifth variant;

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of a toothbrush handle body according to the invention with marking/printing on the front side;

FIG. 22 shows a plan view of the toothbrush handle body from FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 shows a plan view of a further toothbrush handle body with marking/printing on the front side; and

FIG. 24 shows a cross section perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of a toothbrush handle body with marking/printing on the front side.

In FIG. 1, a head part 2 for a manual toothbrush 1 is illustrated. Protruding from the upper side 2a of the approximately rectangular head part 2 are various applicator and/or cleaning elements 5a, 5b and 5c, which together form the bristle area 6.

Arranged on the front side 10 of the bristle area 6 are splaying-out tufts of bristles 5a, which widen conically from the upper side 2a of the head part 2 in the direction of their free end. In the present case, the splaying-out tufts of bristles 5a extend to approximately the middle of the bristle area 6 or the head part 2. They comprise in this case the front rows on the head part 2 and are arranged transversely in relation to the longitudinal axis L of the head part 2.

The approximately middle row of applicator and/or cleaning elements is formed by lamella-like rubber elements 5b, which are likewise arranged transversely in relation to the longitudinal axis L of the head part 2.

These are followed by conventional (cylindrical) tufts of bristles 5c, which are likewise arranged in rows transversely in relation to the longitudinal axis L of the head part 2 and which also form the rear side 14 of the bristle area 6. The rear side 14 of the bristle area 6 is facing the handle part 3 of the toothbrush.

The bristle area 6 is marked/printed on its upper side 9, its front side 10 and its longitudinal side 11 with a marking/color medium 7. The marking/printing may in this case comprise for example a logo, an image, an instruction for use or a code etc. (the “text” serves in the present case as a placeholder). The marking/printing may in this case be provided so as to run 360° around the bristle area 6, i.e. completely along the outer sides 11, and also the front and rear sides 10, 14. In this case, each individual one of the outer applicator and/or cleaning elements 5a, 5b, 5c may be entirely or partially marked/printed with the color medium in the region of its outer side. However, gaps may also be left (i.e. for instance an unprinted or unmarked applicator and/or cleaning element 5a, 5b, 5c between two marked/printed ones).

Also on the upper side 9 of the bristle area 6, in principle each individual one of the applicator and/or cleaning elements may be entirely or partially marked/printed with the marking/color medium 7. In dependence on the geometry of the holes, there may be various densities in the bristle area 6 (i.e. in particular the splaying-out tufts of bristles 5a and the conventional tufts of bristles 5c that have preferably been applied here by the anchor punching method). The bristle area 6 may for example be more dense at the front than at the rear, but the converse arrangement is also possible.

As in all of the other embodiments shown, the marking/color medium 7 is preferably a waxy, quick-drying ink. The pattern shown also serves in principle as a placeholder for various types of other configurations of the marking/printing that are presented above in the general description.

The head part 2 shown in FIG. 2 has on its rear side 2b a tongue cleaner 12 comprising a soft component, which comprises a number of nubs 12a and lamellae 12b. The soft component of the tongue cleaner 12 in this case covers almost the entire rear side 2b of the head part 2, apart from the edge 2c. The tongue cleaner 12 to this extent forms as it were an island of a soft component on the rear side 2b of the head part 2.

The tongue cleaner 12 is in this case marked/printed with a marking/color medium 7. The marking/printing may comprise for example a logo, instructions for use or a code etc. (the “text” once again serves in the present case as a placeholder). The marking/printing runs over the lamellae 12b, which are arranged in the front region of the tongue cleaner 12, and also over flat regions in the middle region of the tongue cleaner 12. The marking/printing may however also go over the nubs 12a.

Here, too, the marking/color medium 7 is preferably a waxy, quick-drying ink. Apart from the marked/printed tongue cleaner 12, the head part 2 may also have marked/printed applicator and/or cleaning elements 5a, 5b, 5c (as in FIG. 1), i.e. splaying-out tufts of bristles 5a, lamella-like rubber elements 5b and conventional tufts of bristles 5c. In the present case, the nubs 12a are provided on the outer and longitudinal sides of the tongue cleaner 12. The lamellae 12b are preferably arranged transversely in relation to the longitudinal axis L of the head part 2.

The text pattern also serves in principle as a placeholder for various other configurations of the marking/printing that are presented above in the general description.

In FIG. 3 there is illustrated a further head part 2 for a toothbrush 1, which once again has various applicator and/or cleaning elements 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, which form the bristle area 6. The front side 10 of the bristle area 6 is formed by a large tuft of bristles or puck tuft 5d, which is arranged transversely in relation to the longitudinal axis L of the head part 2. This is followed behind it by a number of splaying-out tufts of bristles 5a, which once again are arranged in a number of rows transversely in relation to the longitudinal axis L of the head part 2. Approximately in the middle of the head part 2, lamella-like rubber elements 5b are then likewise arranged transversely in relation to the longitudinal axis L of the head part 2. The rear side 14 of the bristle area 6 is formed by a puck tuft 5e, which is somewhat smaller than the front puck tuft 5d.

It is evident that, in the case of the front puck tuft 5d, a marking/printing has been applied around a corner, here by way of example in the form of a ring-like marking/printing, which extends over the outer side 11, the front side 10 and also the upper side 9 of the puck tuft 5d (or of the bristle area 6). The marking/printing therefore runs over the upper, front and longitudinal or outer edge 8a, 8b, 8c of the puck tuft 5d (or of the bristle area 6). Markings/printings are respectively applied, also around a corner, on the conventional tufts of bristles 5c and the rear puck tuft 5e, to be precise in each case from the outer side 11 onto the upper side 9, i.e. over the longitudinal or outer edge 8c of these elements.

In particular, the puck tufts 5d, 5e have preferably been applied by means of the AFT method. As can be seen, the marking/printing may also be performed asymmetrically. Moreover, large tufts, such as the puck tufts 5d, 5e, in each case provide large printing areas.

The patterns shown also serve in principle as a placeholder for various other configurations of the marking/printing that are presented above in the general description.

FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate a round head part 2 for, in particular, electrically oscillating toothbrushes with a punched bristle area 6 comprising preferably conventional tufts of bristles 5c. On the outer side 11 of the bristle area 6, a pattern is applied by means of a marking/color medium 7. In the state of rest, which is shown in FIG. 4a, the pattern has, purely by way of example, the form of a dot. In the moved state, i.e. in the operating state of the toothbrush, this pattern changes its form. As can be seen in FIG. 4b, in the present case this results in a slot-like/linear/line-shaped form for the pattern. Such a pattern may in principle also be marked/printed around a corner, i.e. over the upper edge 16 of the bristle area 6.

The pattern also serves in principle as a placeholder for various other configurations of the marking/printing that are presented above in the general description.

In FIGS. 5a and 5b there is illustrated a round head part 2 for, in particular, electrically oscillating toothbrushes with a punched bristle area 6 comprising preferably conventional tufts of bristles 5c. On the upper side 9 of the bristle area 6 or the upper side of individual conventional tufts of bristles 5c, a marking/printing is applied by means of a marking/color medium 7. The marking/printing may entirely or partially cover the upper side of the individual conventional tufts of bristles 5c. In the state of rest, which is shown in FIG. 5a, here a number of conventional tufts of bristles 5c in the outer ring are partially marked or printed on the upper side (i.e. on their half lying inward toward the center point M of the head part 2). In a ring situated further inward (i.e. toward the center point M of the head part 2), a number of conventional tufts of bristles 5c are marked/printed completely on their upper side. This pattern once again changes its form in the moved state, i.e. in the operating state of the toothbrush (FIG. 5b). In the present case, concentric circles of different diameters are obtained.

This pattern also serves in principle as a placeholder for various other configurations of the marking/printing that are presented above in the general description.

In FIGS. 6a and 6b there is shown a head part 2 for, for example, an electrically swiveling toothbrush. Protruding from the upper side 2a of the approximately rectangular head part 2 are various applicator and/or cleaning elements 5a, 5b and 5c, which together form the bristle area 6. Arranged on the front side 10 of the bristle area 6 are splaying-out tufts of bristles 5a, which widen conically from the upper side 2a of the head part 2 in the direction of their free end.

In the present case, the splaying-out tufts of bristles 5a extend up to approximately the middle of the bristle area 6 or the head part 2. They comprise in this case the front rows on the head part 2 and are arranged transversely in relation to the longitudinal or swivel axis L of the head part 2. The approximately middle row of applicator and/or cleaning elements is formed by lamella-like rubber elements 5c, which are likewise arranged transversely in relation to the longitudinal axis L of the head part 2.

These are followed by conventional (cylindrical) tufts of bristles 5c, which are likewise arranged in rows transversely in relation to the longitudinal axis L of the head part 2 and which also form the rear side 14 of the bristle area 6. The rear side 14 of the bristle area 6 is facing the handle part 3 of the toothbrush.

Here, the bristle area 6 is only marked/printed on its upper side 9 with a marking/color medium 7. In the present case, a number of the splaying-out tufts of bristles 5a are marked/printed on their upper side with a marking/color medium 7 such that a dotted diagonal is obtained. Furthermore, a number of the conventional tufts of bristles 5c on the longitudinal or outer side 11 of the bristle area 6 are marked/printed on their upper side with a marking/color medium 7, so that a dotted line is obtained parallel to the swivel axis L. This pattern indicates the state of rest shown in FIG. 6a.

In the moved or operating state of the toothbrush that is shown in FIG. 6b, the pattern changes to a cloud-like structure. Here, too, the pattern also serves in principle as a placeholder for various other configurations of the marking/printing that are presented above in the general description. The pattern may once again change state such that the representation in the state without motion does not reveal anything special, while the effective pattern only forms when there is motion.

Furthermore, in dependence on the geometry of the holes, there may be various densities in the bristle area 6 (i.e. in particular the splaying-out tufts of bristles 5a and the conventional tufts of bristles 5c have preferably been applied here by the anchor punching method). The bristle area 6 may for example be more dense at the front than at the rear, and vice versa.

In FIGS. 7a and 7b there is shown a twisted-in brush 1, which can be used for example as an interdental or mascara brush. From the neck part 3 of the brush 1 there extends a double wire 13 into which bristles 5f are spirally twisted. The wire 13 with the bristles 5f to this extent corresponds to the head part of the brush 1. The spirally twisted-in bristles 5f form a bristle area 6 that is approximately cylindrical in side view.

Along the longitudinal or outer side 11 of the bristle area 6, a longitudinal strip or longitudinal pattern is applied by means of a marking medium/color medium 7. Once again, the longitudinal strip or the longitudinal pattern also serves in principle as a placeholder for various other configurations of the marking that are presented above in the general description.

In FIGS. 8a and 8b there is shown a further twisted-in brush 1, which can be used for example as an interdental or mascara brush. From the neck part 3 of the brush 1 there extends once again a double wire 13 into which bristles 5f are spirally twisted. The wire 13 with the bristles 5f corresponds to this extent to the head part of the brush 1. The spirally twisted-in bristles 5f form a bristle area 6 that is approximately cylindrical in side view.

Along the longitudinal or outer side 11 of the bristle area 6, a wave-shaped pattern is applied by means of a marking medium/color medium 7. The wave-shaped pattern also serves in principle as a placeholder for a variety of other configurations of the marking that are presented above in the general description.

In FIGS. 9a and 9b there is shown a still further twisted-in brush 1, which can be used for example as an interdental or mascara brush. From the neck part 3 of the brush 1 there extends once again a double wire 13 into which bristles 5f are spirally twisted. The wire 13 with the bristles 5f corresponds to this extent to the head part of the brush 1. The spirally twisted-in bristles 5f form a bristle area 6 that is approximately cylindrical in side view.

Along the outer side 11 of the bristle area 6, a 360° pattern somewhat in the manner of a spiral is applied by means of a marking/color medium 7. The spiral-like 360° pattern also serves in principle as a placeholder for various other configurations of the marking/printing that are presented above in the general description.

In FIG. 10 there is schematically shown yet a further twisted-in brush 1, which can be used for example as an interdental or mascara brush. The figure is intended to illustrate how the twisted-in brushes 1 usually appear due to the splaying out of the bristles 5f. To be specific, the bristle area is rather more of a cylinder than a spiral. From the neck part 3 of the brush 1 there extends once again a double wire 13 into which splaying-out bristles 5f are twisted. The wire 13 with the bristles 5f corresponds to this extent to the head part of the brush 1. The bristles 5f normally splay out automatically, and therefore they are represented in the present figure as a (continuously) cylindrical bristle area 6.

On the outer side 11 of the bristle area 6, a text pattern is applied by means of a marking/color medium 7. The text pattern also serves in principle as a placeholder for various other configurations of the marking/printing that are presented above in the general description.

FIG. 11 shows a flosser (flossing implement) 1 with a handle part 4, a U-shaped head part 2 and a neck part 3 connecting the handle part 4 to the head part 2. Fixed between the free ends of the U-shaped head part 2 is for instance a thread of dental floss 5g. The thread of dental floss 5g is marked/printed here with a dashed pattern by means of a marking/color medium 7.

This may serve for example as a seal of newness for the dental floss, in that the medium, for example the color, is worn away during use. Furthermore, in this way a flavor can also be applied. The pattern also serves however in principle as a placeholder for various other configurations of the marking/printing that are presented above in the general description.

FIGS. 12a and 12b show an interdental brush 1 with a handle part 4, a conically tapering head part 2 and a neck part 3 connecting the handle part 4 to the head part 2. The handle part 4 has mounting projections 4a, preferably comprising a soft component. Molded onto the tapering head part 2 are cleaning elements 5h (once again preferably comprising a soft component), which preferably protrude upwardly and laterally on the head part 2 (i.e. from a layer of soft component 15) and likewise taper in the direction of the free end of the head part. The cleaning elements 5h form a bristle area 6.

In the present case, a number of the upwardly protruding cleaning elements 5h are marked/printed by means of a marking/color medium 7 at least on their upper side (i.e. transversely) in the manner of a zebra pattern. This may for example serve the user as an orientation aid during use. However, this pattern also serves in principle as a placeholder for various other configurations of the marking/printing that are presented above in the general description.

In FIGS. 13a and 13b there is shown a head part 2 for a face brush. Protruding from the front side 2a of the head part 2 are preferably splaying-out tufts of bristles 5a, which together form the bristle area 6. As can be seen in FIG. 13a, a wave-shaped pattern is applied by means of a marking/color medium 7 to the upper side 9 of the bristle area 6, along the longitudinal axis L of the substantially oval brush head 2, over a number of splaying-out tufts of bristles 5a lying next to one another. With extreme splaying, it is possible that the bristle area 6 forms, as it were, a continuous surface area on the upper side 9. In this case, some of the splaying-out tufts of bristles lying on the outside in the wave-shaped pattern are only partially marked, for example printed, on their surface (i.e. generally only the inward-lying halves are marked/printed).

Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 13b, the bristle area 6 is marked/printed by means of a marking/color medium 7 on its outer side 11 with a number of wave-shaped lines, which preferably run around the entire outer side 11 (i.e. 360°). The aforementioned patterns also serve however in principle as a placeholder for various other configurations of the marking/printing that are presented above in the general description

FIG. 14 illustrates a paintbrush-like brush 1, which can also be used for instance as a mascara or nail varnish brush. The neck part 3 is followed by an annular head part 2, to which one or more preferably splaying-out tufts of bristles 5a are applied. The corresponding bristle area 6 preferably has a barrel-shaped or, as here, conical contour.

Applied to the bristle area 6 by means of a marking/color medium 7 is a text pattern, which extends from the outer side 11 over the upper edge 16 onto the upper side 9 of the bristle area 6 (i.e. a marking/printing around a corner). Here, too, the text pattern serves in principle as a placeholder for various other configurations of the marking/printing that are presented above in the general description.

FIG. 15 shows purely schematically a front view along the axis of motion Z of an arrangement for marking/printing the bristle area 6 of a brush 1. The arrangement comprises a marking/printing means 20 (for example a printhead or laser), which has a specific marking area/printing area 21 within which a marking/printing of the bristle area 6 and/or of the handle body with the handle part 4, the neck part 3 and the head part 2 with a marking/color medium can be performed. The brush 1 with the handle part 4 is held by a mounting means 23, which is arranged on a transporting device 22 (for example a transporting belt). The system of coordinates indicates the axes X, Y and Z along which, and possibly about which, the marking/printing means 20 and possibly the brush 1 can preferably move. The system of coordinates also applies to all of the other figures, the Z axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the brush 1 and the X and Y axes extending perpendicularly to it.

In the variant according to FIG. 16, the marking/printing means 20 is preferably arranged rigidly or fixed and the mounting means 23 with the brush 1 moves laterally (arrows P1) past the marking/printing means 20, i.e. along the Z axis. The transporting device 22 has been omitted here for reasons of clarity. In this way, an outer or longitudinal side 11 of the bristle area 6 and/or of the handle body with the handle part 4, the neck part 3 and the head part 2 can be marked or printed. However, the marking/printing means 20 may similarly be arranged rigidly or fixed above the bristle area 6, in order to mark/print the upper side 9 of the bristle area 6. The variant according to FIG. 16 is also suitable in particular for the marking/printing of bristle pucks (i.e. bristles, cut, arranged clustered together from semifinished products).

In the variant according to FIG. 17, preferably the marking/printing means 20 is arranged on the mounting device 23 movably with respect to the brush 1 (the converse situation in terms of motion in comparison with FIG. 16). The marking/printing means 20 in this case moves laterally (arrows P1′) past the bristle area 6 and the handle body of the brush 1, i.e. along the Z axis. The transporting device 20 has been omitted here for reasons of clarity. In this way, once again an outer or longitudinal side 11 of the bristle area 6 and/or of the handle body with the handle part 4, the neck part 3 and the head part 2 can be marked or printed. However, the marking/printing means 20 may similarly be arranged movably above the bristle area 6 or handle body, in order to mark/print the upper side 9 of the bristle area 6.

In the variant according to FIG. 18, preferably both the marking/printing means 20 is arranged movably with respect to the brush 1 and the brush 1 is arranged movably with respect to the marking/printing means 20. The marking/printing means 20 can in this case move laterally (arrows P1′) past the bristle area 6 or the handle body of the brush 1 (i.e. along the Z axis), transversely (arrow P2′) in relation to the bristle area 6 or the handle body of the brush 1 (i.e. along the X axis), vertically with respect to the bristle area 6 or the handle body (i.e. along the Y axis, not shown) and/or it can be brought into a position above the bristle area 6 or the handle body or onto the other side of the bristle area 6 or the handle body in a dome-like rotating motion (arrow P3′) with respect to the Z axis (i.e. a motion in the X and Y planes). At the same time, the mounting means 23 with the brush 1 can be moved laterally (arrows P1) past the marking/printing means 20, i.e. along the Z axis. Once again, here the transporting device 22 has been omitted for reasons of clarity.

In this way, the upper side 9 and both outer or longitudinal sides 11 of the bristle area 6 and also the handle body or the head, neck and handle parts 2, 3, 4 of the brush 1 can be marked, for example printed, at a high cycle rate.

The marking/printing means 20 can however similarly be brought into a position in front of the bristle area 6 (front side) or the handle body or onto the other side of the bristle area 6 (rear side) or the handle body in a dome-like rotating motion with respect to the X axis (i.e. a motion in the Y and Z planes, not shown), so that the front side 10 and both outer or longitudinal sides 11 of the bristle area 6 (and possibly also its rear side) and also possibly the front and side edges of the brush 1 can be marked or printed (not represented for reasons of clarity).

The variant shown in FIG. 19 corresponds to the variant represented in FIG. 18; however, here the mounting means 23 with the brush 1 is not movable. However, the marking or printing possibilities are the same here.

In the variant according to FIG. 20, preferably both the marking/printing means 20 is arranged movably with respect to the brush 1 and the brush 1 on the mounting device is movable with respect to the marking/printing means 20. The marking/printing means 20 in this case moves laterally (arrows P1′) past the bristle area 6 or the handle body of the brush 1, i.e. along the Z axis. The brush 1 (preferably a mascara or interdental brush) is arranged rotationally movably (arrow P4) with respect to the marking/printing means 20 (i.e. rotation about the Z axis). The transporting device 22 has been omitted here for reasons of clarity.

In this way, in particular the outer side 11 of the bristle area 6 of mascara and interdental brushes can be marked or printed (360° marking/printing) or else the outer sides of the handle body can be printed 360°. However, the marking/printing means 20 may similarly be arranged movably above the bristle area 6, in order to mark/print the outer side or outer surface area 11 of the bristle area 6.

In FIGS. 21 and 22 there is illustrated a handle body consisting of a handle part 4, a neck part 3 and a head part 2 of a manual toothbrush 1. The bristle area has not been formed; all that is shown are the bristle holes, that is to say the holes in the head part 2 that serve for anchoring the applicator and cleaning elements.

The handle body is marked/printed on its front side with a marking/color medium 7. The marking/printing may in this case comprise various elements. Shown by way of example are an image/ornament, a logo (the “text” serves in the present case as a placeholder) and a QR code. The marking/printing may in this case be made to run 360° around the handle body. As in all of the other embodiments shown, the marking/color medium 7 is preferably a waxy, quick-drying ink. The pattern shown also serves in principle as a placeholder for various other configurations of the marking/printing that are presented above in the general description.

In FIG. 23 there is illustrated a further handle body consisting of a handle part 4, a neck part 3 and a head part 2 of a manual toothbrush 1. In this example, the handle body is made of wood. The bristle area has not been formed; all that is shown are the bristle holes, that is to say the holes in the head part 2 that serve for anchoring the applicator and cleaning elements.

The handle body is marked/printed on its front side with a marking/color medium 7. The marking/printing may in this case comprise various elements. Shown by way of example are an image/ornament, a logo (the “text” serves in the present case as a placeholder) and a QR code. The marking/printing may in this case be made to run 360° around the handle body. As in all of the other embodiments shown, the marking/color medium 7 is preferably a waxy, quick-drying ink. The pattern shown also serves in principle as a placeholder for various other configurations of the marking/printing that are presented above in the general description.

A further marking in the form of two elements is evident in the region of the thumb rest. A grid-like structure is formed to the left and right on the handle body. In addition to the marking, this structure may also provide a certain haptic effect (similar to Braille), by application of a greater amount of ink or by lasering the structure with a certain amount of material being removed.

The cross section in FIG. 24 illustrates the printing possibilities of a toothbrush handle body. The schematically shown printing 7 on the handle part 4 with marking/printing on the front side. The applied print is provided up to a maximum angle α around the longitudinal axis. That is to say that the printing, which is performed in one step (contiguously), assumes from end to end a maximum angle of α. The surface area is likewise curved and thus has an oval form; the printing runs over the curved surface. The curvature may in principle be circular, round or oval (considered in cross section).

The curvature preferably has a radius R (with the center point the longitudinal axis of the handle body) of 2 mm to 15 mm, more preferably of 4 mm to 8 mm.

The angle α is a maximum of 180°; correspondingly, the upper surface area of the product can be printed substantially up to the separating plane.

For example, a pad printhead, an inkjet printhead or a laser printhead may be used as the marking/printing means 20. In any case it is important that the product or cleaning device 1 to be printed is held well in a mounting means 23 (cf. FIGS. 15 to 20) and thus assumes a clearly defined position. The product or cleaning device 1 to be printed is intended to be made level by the mounting means 23, in order to assume a position on average that is as horizontal as possible. The mounting means 23 may also be used to create a covering for certain parts of the product or cleaning device 1 to be printed that are not to be printed.

The pad that is usually used for transferring the color (not shown) has a curved form, adapted to the surface to be printed. This pad is deformed appropriately for the applied print to have the correct appearance. In order for this to be possible, the color of the print image on the pad is provided in a distorted form, so that after application to the curved surface the print image has the correct appearance. The same applies to inkjet printing or laser printing.

With the methods mentioned, handle bodies with strong curvatures can be printed/marked transversely to the longitudinal direction. It is however also possible in addition or as an alternative to print/mark curvatures in the longitudinal direction of the handle body. The methods even allow handle surfaces not only with convex zones but also concave zones to be marked. The radii of curvature R or transitions of the curved convex or concave zones of the surfaces to be printed should not be below radii of 2 mm, preferably 4 mm.

On the handle body, consequently, curved surfaces of 400-2000 mm² can be printed/marked.

The configurational variants shown and described in the present application are merely given by way of example. In particular, the individual refinements and elements of these configurational variants may be combined with other configurational variants without departing from the scope of this invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

• 1 Cleaning device (for example brushes, toothbrushes, flossers or flossing implements, tongue cleaners etc.)
• 2 Head part
• 2 a Upper side of head part
• 2 b Rear side of head part
• 2 c Edge of rear side of head part
• 3 Neck part
• 4 Handle part
• 4 a Mounting projections
• 5 a Splaying-out tufts of bristles
• 5 b Lamella-like rubber elements
• 5 c Conventional tufts of bristles
• 5 d Puck tuft (front)
• 5 e Puck tuft (rear)
• 5 f Twisted-in bristles (spiral)
• 5 g Dental floss
• 5 h Injection-molded cleaning elements
• 6 Bristle area
• 7 Marking/color medium (marking/printing)
• 8 a Upper edge of bristle area or individual element
• 8 b Front edge of bristle area or individual element
• 8 c Longitudinal/outer edge of bristle area or individual element
• 9 Upper side of bristle area or individual element
• 10 Front side of bristle area or individual element
• 11 Longitudinal side/outer side of bristle area or individual element
• 12 Tongue cleaner (on rear side of toothbrush)
• 12 a Nubs
• 12 b Lamellae
• 13 (Double) wire
• 14 Rear side of bristle area or individual element
• 15 Layer of soft component
• 16 Upper edge (round)
• 20 Marking/printing means (for example printhead or laser)
• 21 Marking/printing area
• 22 Transporting device
• 23 Mounting means
• M Center point
• P1 Arrow (direction of motion of the product)
• P1′ Arrow (direction of motion of the marking/printing means)
• P2′ Arrow (direction of motion of the marking/printing means)
• P3′ Arrow (direction of motion of the marking/printing means)
• P4 Arrow (direction of motion of the product)
• L Longitudinal axis
• R Radius (curvature)
• X Axis
• Y Axis
• Z Axis

Claims

1. A cleaning device, in particular a toothbrush, with a handle body consisting of a handle part, a head part and a neck part connecting the handle part to the head part, wherein the head part has applied to it one or more applicator and/or cleaning elements, which form a bristle area which has at least one outer side and/or an upper side, wherein at least one of the applicator and/or cleaning elements on the at least one outer side and/or an upper side of the bristle area and/or the handle body is/are marked/printed with a marking/color medium.

2. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the applicator and/or cleaning elements marked/printed with the marking/color medium are formed from a thermoplastic elastomer, in particular a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, a thermoplastic polyamide elastomer, a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer, or a thermoplastic polyester elastomer, a polyamide, a polybutylene terephthalate and/or a silicone.

3. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the marked/printed applicator and/or cleaning elements and/or the handle body is/are marked/printed with an indicator or an indicator color.

4. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the marking/color medium is applied to the applicator and/or cleaning elements and/or the handle body with a layer thickness of 0.001 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably of 0.001 mm to 0.2 mm.

5. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the packing density of the applicator and/or cleaning elements, in particular the bristles, is from 12 per mm2 to 25 per mm2, preferably from 16 per mm2 to 20 per mm2.

6. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein marking/printing resolution is from 20 dpi to 3000 dpi, preferably from 150 dpi to 1500 dpi.

7. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the case of a bristle area with at least one outer side and an upper side, at least one applicator and/or cleaning element on the outer side of the bristle area and at least one cleaning and applicator element on the upper side of the bristle area are marked/printed.

8. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein individual applicator and/or cleaning elements or larger surface areas over a number of applicator and/or cleaning elements are marked/printed around a corner, i.e. over the upper edge, so that a continuous marking/printing continuing from the outer side to the upper side of at least individual applicator and/or cleaning elements is obtained.

9. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the case of a bristle area with at least a front side, a longitudinal side and an upper side, at least one applicator and/or cleaning element on the front side of the bristle area, at least one applicator and/or cleaning element on the longitudinal side of the bristle area and at least one cleaning and/or applicator element on the upper side of the bristle area are marked/printed.

10. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the marking/printing within an applicator and/or cleaning element is adapted such that the marking/printing at least partially follows the contour of the applicator and/or cleaning elements, preferably in order to leave behind a different marking/printing, depending on the viewing angle.

11. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle body has a curvature which, seen in cross section, is provided over an angle α of up to 180° with a contiguous printing.

12. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle body has a curvature with a radius (R) of 2 mm to 15 mm, preferably of 4 mm to 8 mm.

13. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein flock fiber elements are applied on the handle body, preferably also in the region of the applicator and/or cleaning elements.

14. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the flock fiber elements comprise conventional, extruded bristles with a length of 0.1 to 5 mm, preferably about 0.2 to 2 mm.

15. A method for marking/printing a cleaning device, in particular a toothbrush, with a handle body consisting of a handle part, a head part and a neck part connecting the handle part to the head part, wherein the head part has applied to it one or more applicator and/or cleaning elements, which form a bristle area which has at least one outer side and/or an upper side, with the steps of: (a) feeding the cleaning device with the handle body and also the applicator and/or cleaning elements to a marking/printing means, preferably a printhead, by means of a transporting device;(b) marking/printing at least one of the applicator and/or cleaning elements on the at least one outer side and/or an upper side of the bristle area and/or the handle body with a marking/color medium.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the marking/printing means is an inkjet, laser or pad printhead.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the marking/printing means is arranged movably and/or rotationally movably along at least one axis, preferably two axes, still more preferably three axes, with respect to the cleaning device.

18. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the transporting device has mounting means, with which the cleaning device can be swiveled and/or rotated with respect to the marking/printing means.

19. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein, in the case of a bristle area with at least one outer side and an upper side, at least one applicator and/or cleaning element on the outer side of the bristle area and at least one cleaning and/or applicator element on the upper side of the bristle area are marked/printed.

20. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein, in the case of a bristle area with at least one front side, a longitudinal side and an upper side, at least one applicator and/or cleaning element on the front side of the bristle area, at least one applicator and/or cleaning element on the longitudinal side of the bristle area and at least one cleaning and/or applicator element on the upper side of the bristle area are marked/printed.

21. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the marking/printing means has 5 to 500 nozzles, preferably 10 to 100 nozzles.

22. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the marking/printing speed is from 2 m/min to 100 m/min, preferably from 5 m/min to 60 m/min.

23. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein a physical and/or chemical processing of the applicator and/or cleaning elements, in particular in the case of extruded bristles, is carried out before the marking/printing.

24. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein a physical and/or chemical processing of the applicator and/or cleaning elements, in particular in the case of extruded bristles, is carried out after the marking/printing, but wherein the marked/printed part is not processed, or only in such a way that it is not harmed.

25. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein a handle body with a curved surface of from 400-2000 mm2, preferably 500-1800 mm2, particularly preferably 600-1400 mm2, can be printed.

26. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein, for printing curved surfaces, the pad printhead has a curved form, adapted to the surface to be printed.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the pad printhead is deformed during printing in such a way that the applied print on the handle body has the correct appearance.

28. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein flock fiber elements can also be printed with the marking/printing means.

29. An arrangement for marking/printing a bristle area and/or a handle body of a cleaning device having a marking/printing means, preferably an inkjet, laser or pad printhead, with a marking/printing area within which a marking/printing of the bristle area with a color medium is performed and also with a mounting device by means of which the cleaning device is held and positioned with respect to the marking/printing means and which is preferably arranged on a transporting device.

30. The arrangement as claimed in claim 29, wherein the marking/printing means is arranged movably and/or rotationally movably along at least one axis, preferably two axes, still more preferably three axes, with respect to the cleaning device.

31. The arrangement as claimed in claim 29, wherein, by means of the mounting means, the cleaning device can be swiveled and/or rotated with respect to the marking/printing means.