US20160367022A1 - Oral hygiene implement and method of assembling an oral hygiene implement - Google Patents

Abstract

An oral hygiene implement, in particular a replacement brush head, that has a carrier assembly mounted at a housing part for movement relative to the housing part. The carrier assembly has at least two carriers arranged at a distance therebetween and an elongated, shaft-like connector element connected to the at least two carriers. The connector element has undercut sections at the locations where the carriers are connected to the connector element. The carriers are plastic-injection molded parts extending around the connector element so that the carriers are non-detachably connected to the connector element by a positive-fit connection. A method of assembling an oral hygiene implement is also provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention is concerned with an oral hygiene implement having a carrier assembly with at least two carriers movably mounted at a housing part, in particular wherein the oral hygiene implement is a replacement brush head for an electric toothbrush. The present invention is also concerned with a method of assembling an oral hygiene implement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• It is known that an oral hygiene implement can comprise a carrier assembly having at least one carrier that is movably mounted at a housing of the oral hygiene implement. E.g. EP 2 335 644 B1 describes an oral cleaning section that has a carrier that is mounted for a driven wiping motion around a longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene implement.
• It is also known that two carriers are movably mounted at a housing of an oral hygiene implement. E.g.EP 1 485 039 B1 describes a toothbrush head having multiple bristle carriers that are each coupled to a drive rocker.
• It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an oral hygiene implement having a carrier assembly with at least two carriers that is improved over the known oral hygiene implements or at least represents an alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In accordance with one aspect there is provided an oral hygiene implement, in particular a replacement brush head, that has a carrier assembly mounted at a housing part for movement relative to the housing part, which carrier assembly has at least two carriers arranged with a distance to each other, and a connector element, in particular an elongated, shaft-like connector element that extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the oral hygiene implement, which connector element is connected with the at least two carriers, wherein the connector element has undercut sections provided at the locations where the carriers are connected with the connector element and the carriers are plastic injection molded parts extending around the connector element so that the carriers are each non-detachably connected with the connector element by a positive fit connection.
• In accordance with one aspect there is provided a method of assembling an oral hygiene implement that comprises the step of providing a carrier assembly by injection molding at least two carriers around undercut sections of a connector element so that each carrier forms a non-detachable positive-fit connection with the connector element and the carriers are arranged with a distance, the step of providing a housing part in particular by a plastic injection molding process, optionally wherein the housing part has a cavity for receiving the carrier assembly, and the step of mounting the carrier assembly at the housing part, in particular within the cavity, such that the carrier assembly is borne for movement relative to the housing part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The present disclosure will be further elucidated by a detailed description of example embodiments and with reference to figures. In the figures
• FIG. 1 is a depiction of an example oral hygiene device having a detachable oral hygiene implement in accordance with the present disclosure;
• FIG. 2 is a depiction of an example oral hygiene implement in accordance with the present disclosure;
• FIG. 3A is a longitudinal cut through the oral hygiene implement shown inFIG. 2 along line A-A indicated inFIG. 2;
• FIG. 3B is a longitudinal cut through the same oral hygiene implement but along line B-B indicated inFIG. 3A;
• FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional cut through the oral hygiene implement shown inFIG. 3A along line C-C indicated inFIG. 3A;
• FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional cut through the oral hygiene implement shown inFIG. 3A along line D-D indicated inFIG. 3A;
• FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional cut through the oral hygiene implement shown inFIG. 3A along line E-E indicated inFIG. 3A;
• FIG. 4 is a depiction of the head portion of another example oral hygiene implement in accordance with the present disclosure;
• FIG. 5A is a longitudinal cut through the example oral hygiene element shown inFIG. 4;
• FIG. 5B is a cross sectional cut through the same oral hygiene implement as shown inFIG. 4 along line G-G indicated inFIG. 5A;
• FIG. 5C is another cross sectional cut through the same oral hygiene implement as shown inFIG. 4 along line F-F indicated inFIG. 5A;
• FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional depiction of a detail of a closure element being snapped on a housing part of the oral hygiene implement shown inFIG. 4; and
• FIG. 6 is a top view of an example embodiment of a carrier assembly as may be used in assembling an oral hygiene implement as shown inFIG. 2 orFIG. 4;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• In accordance with the present disclosure, it is proposed to provide a carrier assembly for the above described oral hygiene implement by a plastic injection molding process in which at least two carriers arranged at a distance are each non-detachably connected with a connector element by a form-fit as each of the injection molded carriers extends around a respective undercut section of the connector element. The connector element may be an elongated, rod-like element that in particular may be made from metal and the undercut sections may then be crimped or otherwise deformed sections of the metal rod (even so this should not be interpreted as limiting and the undercut section of the metal rod may be provided by grinding or by, e.g., welding a piece of metal to the rod element or by press-fitting a hub onto the rod element to thus realize an undercut section). The carriers are arranged with a distance (i.e. a gap), where this distance is measured with respect to a longitudinal direction defined by the longitudinal extension direction of the connector element (where the longitudinal extension direction of the oral hygiene implement is generally connecting a first end of the oral hygiene and a second end, which comprises the carrier assembly, and which second end is distal to the first end). Injection molding carriers onto undercut sections of a connector element is a relatively method by which complex carrier assemblies can be realized.
• The term “undercut section” means a deformation of the connector element deviating from a constant shape, orientation or area of a cross-section of the connector element perpendicular to a longitudinal extension direction of the connector element. E.g. in case the connector element were a rod-shaped element generally having a circular cross-section, an undercut section may be realized by deviating at the location of the undercut section from the circular cross-section and having, e.g. a flattened cross section, as may be achieved by crimping the connector element at the location of the undercut section. In case of a connector element having a generally flat cross section (e.g. a rectangular cross section), an undercut section may be achieved by twisting the orientation of the flat cross section by a certain angle at the location of the undercut section. The undercut section generally shall achieve that a carrier that is injection molded around the connector element at the location of the undercut section cannot be detached from the connector element without destroying the carrier. The undercut section may in particular also serve for a torque-proof fixation of the carrier at the connector element. The length of the carrier in the longitudinal extension direction of the connector element may in particular be longer than the extension length of the undercut section so that the carrier completely encompasses the undercut section and extends beyond the undercut section. E.g. as a non-limiting example, the undercut section may have a length of 1.0 mm and the carrier may have a length of 1.5 mm, where the undercut section is centrally arranged and the carrier thus extends on both side of the undercut section by 0.25 mm—even though the undercut section must generally not be located centrally with respect to the carrier. In some embodiments, the connector element has a continuously changing cross-sectional shape so that the undercut section is thus as long as the respective carrier.
• The plastic injection molded carriers may not only extend around the undercut sections of the connector element, but at least one carrier may also extend around an enlarged base section of a carrier cleaning element, i.e. the carrier may not only be injection molded around an undercut section of the connector element but an enlarged base of a cleaning section, e.g. a fused end of a filament tuft, may also extend into the mold cavity when the carrier is injection molded so that the respective carrier also extends around the enlarged base of the cleaning element. Thus, in a step of injection molding of the at least two carriers onto the respective undercut sections of the connector element, carrier cleaning elements are as well connected with the carriers.
• In some embodiments, at least three or at least four carriers are consecutively arranged on the connector element, where each of the carriers is arranged with a distance to its respective neighboring carrier(s).
• In some embodiments, one of the at least two carriers (or three carriers, four carriers, five carriers etc.) is a front carrier that extends around an end of the connector element (i.e. the end of the connector element is embedded in the front carrier and does not extend through the front carrier).
• In some embodiments, at least one housing cleaning element is mounted on the housing part of the above described oral hygiene implement, which at least one housing cleaning element extends between two carriers that are arranged with a distance with respect to the longitudinal direction (i.e. the at least one housing cleaning element extends through the gap formed between the two carriers). Alternatively or additionally, at least two housing cleaning elements are mounted on the housing part and both extend between two carriers arranged with a distance with respect to the longitudinal direction and the connector element may extend between the two housing cleaning elements. It shall not be excluded that the housing part has at least one further housing cleaning element that does not extend between two carriers, but which housing cleaning element extends, e.g. from a side of the housing part. In some embodiments, the housing part has a cavity in which the carrier assembly is at least partly disposed.
• In some embodiments, a closure element is connected with the housing part, which closure element extends over a portion of the connector element (i.e. the connector element then is at least partially enveloped or covered by the closure element). In some embodiments, the closure element forms at least a portion of a bearing for the connector element, in particular either the closure element forms a bearing for the connector element or the closure element and the housing together form a bearing for the connector element. Alternatively or additionally, an auxiliary cleaning element may be mounted on the closure element.
• Each of the herein mentioned cleaning elements (as long as not otherwise stated) may be realized by a single plastic filament (e.g. a polyamide filament having a diameter of about 50-300 micrometer, even though other filament diameters are considered as well), by a tuft of at least two or more of such filaments or by an elastomeric element, e.g. an injection molded thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) element such as a gum massaging finger. Elastomeric cleaning elements may be injection molded onto a carrier or onto the housing part in an injection molding step.
• FIG. 1 is a depiction of an example embodiment of anoral hygiene device1, here realized as an electric toothbrush. Theoral hygiene device1 generally comprises an oral hygiene implement10 and ahandle section20. Here, the oral hygiene implement10 is realized as a replacement brush head that may in particular be attachable to and detachable from thehandle section20. Thehandle section20 may comprise a drive with a motor and a drive shaft for transferring a driving motion to the oral hygiene implement10.
• Instead of being realized as an electric toothbrush, the oral hygiene device may also be realized as a flossing device, a gum massage device, an interdental cleaning device etc. In accordance with the present disclosure, an oral hygiene implement may alternatively be realized as a (in particular detachable) head section of a flossing device, gum massaging device, interdental cleaning device etc.
• In the following, an example embodiment of an oral hygiene implement100 is discussed with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3A-3E.FIGS. 3A-3E are sectional drawings of the oral hygiene implement100 shown inFIG. 2. Same reference numerals are used to indicate the same features in these figures.
• FIG. 2 is a top view onto the oral hygiene implement100, here realized as a replacement brush head for detachable attachment to a handle section of an oral hygiene device. The oral hygiene implement100 has ahead section110 and anattachment section120. The oral hygiene implement100 comprises acarrier assembly200 mounted at ahousing part300 for driven movement. Thehousing300 has atubular portion301 that essentially forms the outer part of theattachment section120 and further forms a scoop-like frame310 havingside walls310A and310B and a bottom wall320 (e.g. shown more clearly inFIGS. 3A and 3D) that together define acavity330 in which thecarrier assembly200 is partly disposed. Thebottom wall320 may in particular be realized as a separate element that can be inserted (e.g. as shown inFIG. 3D) in between the side walls so that thehousing part300 is realized in the shown embodiment by two separately made parts (which obviously is an optional feature).Carrier cleaning elements211,221,231,241 such as bristle tufts or elastomeric elements are mounted onrespective carriers210,220,230,240 of the carrier assembly200 (as described in more detail with respect toFIG. 3C), even though the shown embodiment is considered as non-limiting and the number of carrier cleaning elements per carrier can be freely chosen and may even be zero. The fourcarriers210,220,230,240 of the shown embodiment are mounted with a distance to each other with respect to a longitudinal direction L (see also description ofFIG. 3A concerning the distances). The longitudinal direction L coincides with the longitudinal extension direction of the oral hygiene implement100 and with the longitudinal extension direction of the mounted connector element290 (better seen inFIG. 3A). The oral hygiene implement100 generally extends in the longitudinal direction L that connects a first end101 (the attachment end) and a second end102 (the treatment end) of the oral hygiene implement100.Housing cleaning elements311,321,331 are shown, which are mounted at the housing part, in particular at the bottom wall320 (as described in more detail with respect toFIG. 3D) and here pairs of thesehousing cleaning elements311,321,331 extend between neighboring pair ofcarriers220,230, and240, e.g.housing cleaning elements321 extend betweencarriers220 and230 andhousing cleaning elements331 extend betweencarriers230 and240. Thecarrier210 that is here defining thesecond end102 of the oral hygiene implement100 is here realized as a front carrier.
• FIG. 3A is a longitudinal cut through the oral hygiene implement100 shown inFIG. 2 along line A-A indicated inFIG. 2. As mentioned before, thecarrier assembly200 shown here has fourcarriers210,220,230, and240 that are consecutively arranged with respect to the longitudinal direction L and that are arranged with a distance in longitudinal direction L to their respective carrier neighbor(s). The distance (or gap width) between thecarriers230 and240 is d1 and is identical to the distance d2 between thecarriers220 and230. A distance d3 between thecarrier210, which is here realized as a front carrier, and thecarrier220 is larger than distances d1 or d2. This example is non-limiting and generally the distances between carriers may be identical or different to each other. Depending on the design of the carriers, the gap width between neighboring carriers may also be non-uniform and may thus have a minimum and a maximum gap width. A constant gap width may be chosen if housing cleaning elements extend between two neighboring carriers. Thecarriers210,220,230, and240 are each connected with aconnector element290, whichconnector element290 may be realized as a connector rod, in particular as a metal connector rod. Theconnector element290 here has four undercutsections291,292,293, and294 and each of the fourcarriers210,220,230, and240 is provided around one of the fourundercut sections291,292,293, and294 such that the respective carrier extends around a respective undercut section to form a non-detachable positive-fit connection. In the plane of the longitudinal cut shown inFIG. 3A, theundercut sections291 to294 are formed by an enlarged diameter of the here rod-shaped connector element (and by a corresponding thinning of the connector element in a direction perpendicular to the shown longitudinal cut, as can be seen inFIG. 3B).
• In general, the carrier assembly has at least two carriers that are arranged with a distance in longitudinal direction, but embodiments with at least three, at least four (as discussed) or even more carriers such as five, six etc. are considered as well.
• The fourcarrier elements210,220,230, and240 of the shown example embodiment are made by a plastic injection molding process (as will be explained further below, at least one of the carrier elements may additionally also extend around an enlarged base of a carrier cleaning element). Thefirst carrier210 is here realized as a front carrier, i.e. the front carrier extends around anend299 of theconnector element290. In other embodiments, the connector element extends through all carriers and therespective end299 of the connector element may then be borne for driven motion of the carrier assembly.
• As can be seen inFIG. 3A, thehousing cleaning elements311,321,331 are mounted at the housing part. In the shown embodiment and with reference also toFIG. 2, in each case two of thehousing cleaning elements311,321 or331 are respectively arranged in a row perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. Here, thehousing cleaning elements311,321,331 are mounted on an inner surface of thebottom wall320 so that thehousing cleaning elements311,321,331 extend from thebottom wall320 through thecavity330.Housing cleaning elements331 are extending between the twocarriers230 and240,housing cleaning element321 extend betweencarriers220 and230, andhousing cleaning element311 essentially extend betweencarriers210 and220. The width of thehousing cleaning elements321 and331 in longitudinal direction L is about the distance d1=d2 between the neighboringcarriers220 and230 and230 and240. Thus, a dense field ofcarrier cleaning elements221,231,241 andhousing cleaning elements311,321,331 can be achieved. The distance d1, d2 between neighboring carriers may be set to be at least 0.5 mm, optionally at least 0.8 mm. The distance between neighboring carriers may be set to be up to 5 mm, in particular up to 2 mm, and further in particular up to 1.5 mm. In one example, the width of at least one of the housing cleaning elements realized as a filament tuft is 0.8 mm and thus the gap width (distance) of the neighboring carriers between which the housing cleaning element extends is chosen to be 0.8 mm plus two times a security distance of between 0.1 to 0.3 mm, so that the distance is thus in a range of between 1.0 mm and 1.4 mm. In another example, and least one of the housing cleaning elements is realized as an elastomeric element having a width of 0.4 mm and the gap width (distance) between the respective carriers may then be chosen to be 0.6 mm. Further examples lie within the routine discretion of the skilled person.
• In the shown embodiment, theconnector element290 extends between each of the pairs ofhousing cleaning elements311,321, and331, i.e. the respective housing cleaning elements are arranged at the sides of the connector element. E.g. in the shown embodiment, the housing cleaning elements of each row may be arranged with a distance allowing the connector element to extend between the two housing cleaning elements without the need to push the housing cleaning elements to the side. As shown inFIG. 3D for thecarrier cleaning elements221, at least one of thehousing cleaning elements311,321,331 may have an enlarged base that is enclosed in the material of thebottom wall320. Thebottom wall320 may have been made in a plastic injection molding step in which the enlarged bases of the housing cleaning elements extended into the mold cavity and were enclosed by the injection molded plastic material. In other embodiments, the housing cleaning elements were directly connected with the housing part, either in a plastic injection molding step as just described or by a standard anchor tufting process. The housing cleaning elements may also be realized as injection molded elastomeric cleaning elements that may be connected with the housing part by an additional injection molding step. Further housing cleaning elements may as well be present, e.g. in some embodiments, elastomeric cleaning elements may have been disposed on theside walls310A,310B or other portions of the housing part300 (as depicted inFIG. 4).
• Theconnector element290 is here also borne by a bearing309 formed in thehousing part300. Anend298 of theconnector element290 may have been press-fitted into amotion transmitter element400 that is arranged to receive a drive shaft from a handle section of an oral hygiene device. Thus, a motion from a motor of the handle section can be transferred via the drive shaft to themotion transmitter400 and then to theconnector element290, so that, e.g., an oscillating wiping motion of thecarriers210,220,230, and240 around the longitudinal center axis of theconnector element290 is achieved.
• In the example embodiment, also anoptional closure element350 is shown, whichclosure element350 envelopes a portion of theconnector element290 and, as can also be seen inFIGS. 3B and 3E, forms abearing359 for theconnector element290. With reference toFIGS. 3B and 3E, theclosure element350 here comprises twowing sections351 and352 that are hinged together by ahinge section353. In the mounted state, the twowing sections351 and352 together define abearing359 for theconnector element290. While not shown for the present example embodiment, at least one auxiliary cleaning element may be mounted at theclosure element350.
• FIG. 3B is a longitudinal cut through the oral hygiene implement100 shown inFIG. 2 along line B-B indicated inFIG. 3A. As has already been described, it can be seen that theundercut sections291,292,293, and294 are formed by a narrowing of the diameter of therod element290 in the plane of the cut shown inFIG. 3B. Thecarriers210,220,230, and240 are each formed around one of theundercut sections291,292,293, and294, respectively, of theconnector element290. Thewing sections351 and352 of theclosure element350 form atubular bearing359 for theconnector element290. In cases where the connector element is made from metal, the closure element may in particular be made from a plastic material that has a low friction coefficient with respect to the metal material of the connector element and generally the material of the closure element may be chosen to have a low friction (and potentially self-lubricating properties) with respect to the material of theconnector element290. In some embodiments, theclosure element350 may at least in the area of thebearing359 be coated with a material that has a low friction coefficient with respect to the material of the connector element (and additionally or alternatively, a coating that has a good wear resistance), e.g. theclosure element350 may have a Teflon coating at least on the contact surfaces of thebearing359.
• FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional cut through the oral hygiene implement100 shown inFIG. 2 along line C-C indicated inFIG. 2. The cross-sectional cut extends through thebottom wall320 and thehousing cleaning elements331. In the shown embodiment, the twohousing cleaning elements331 are mounted on thebottom wall320. Here, thehousing cleaning elements331 each have an enlarged base332 (e.g. generated by fusing a tuft of plastic filaments made from a fusible plastic material such as polyamide—e.g. PA6—under the application of heat so that the filament ends melt and form a blob). As previously explained, thebottom wall320 may be made in a plastic injection molding step (either as an element separate from the remainder of thehousing part300 or as an integral portion of the housing part300). The expandedbases332 of thehousing cleaning elements331 may thus extend into a cavity into which the plastic material to form thebottom wall320 is injected so that theenlarged bases332 of thehousing cleaning elements331 become non-detachably enclosed in the plastic material of thecarrier220.
• In the shown embodiment, thesidewalls310A and310B and thebottom wall320 have matched longitudinally extending projections and depressions that are here realized by dovetail-shapedprojections321A and321B of thebottom wall320 that are in form-fit connection withdepressions311A and311B realized in theside walls310A and310B, respectively. Thus, the here separatebottom wall320 can be slid into the U-shaped fork formed by the side-walls310A and310B to form the scoop-like frame310. Thebottom wall320, when made as a separate element, may comprise a snap connector element for snapping thebottom wall320 to a snap partner at thehousing part300, where this snap connection may in particular be non-detachable.
• FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional cut through the oral hygiene implement100 shown inFIG. 2 along line D-D indicated inFIG. 2. The cross-sectional cut extends through thecarrier220 and thecarrier cleaning elements221. In the shown embodiment, the fourcarrier cleaning elements221 are mounted on thecarrier220. Here, thecarrier cleaning elements221 each have an enlarged base222 (e.g. generated by fusing a tuft of plastic filaments made from a fusible plastic material such as polyamide—e.g. PA6—under the application of heat so that the filament ends melt and form a blob). As previously explained, thecarrier220 may be made in a plastic injection molding step. The expandedbases222 of thecarrier cleaning elements221 and the undercutsection292 of theconnector element290 may thus extend into a cavity into which the plastic material to form thecarrier220 is injected so that the undercutsection292 and theenlarged bases222 are non-detachably enclosed in the plastic material of thecarrier220. The carrier220 (together with the whole carrier assembly) is here mounted for a wiping motion (i.e. an oscillatory rotation) indicated by double arrow W around rotation axis R, where the rotation axis R may coincide with the longitudinal direction L or may at least be parallel to the longitudinal direction L.
• FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional cut through the oral hygiene implement100 shown inFIG. 2 along line E-E indicated inFIG. 3A. The cross-sectional cut extends through theclosure element350. In the shown embodiment, theclosure element350 provides abearing359 for theconnector element290. Theclosure element350 may comprise, as already discussed, twowing sections351 and352 that are connected only via a flexible hinge section353 (e.g. realized as a living hinge) so that the twowing sections351,352 can be bend apart and can then be snapped over theconnector element290. After assembly of the shown example embodiment, thewing sections351,352 of theclosure element350 will then be held in place by theside walls310A,310B of thehousing part300 via matchedmating partners354A,354B and310AA,310BB realized at thewing sections351,352 and at theside walls310A,310B, respectively. Thecarrier210 may haveprojections219 around which theclosure element350 extends, and whichprojections219 engage behind the mountedclosure element350 as can be seen inFIG. 3B. In an assembly process, thecarrier assembly200 together with theclosure element350 mounted around theconnector element350 and together with the here separatebottom wall320 may together be slid into the fork formed by theside walls310A,310B.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction of a front section of another example embodiment of an oral hygiene implement100A in accordance with the present disclosure.FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D show sectional cuts through the oral hygiene implement100A. Identical features inFIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are identified by same reference numerals. In the following, reference is made to allFIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D, where one of the figures may be highlighted in the description of a particular feature.FIG. 5A is a longitudinal cut through theoral hygiene element100A shown inFIG. 4, which cut extends centrally through the longitudinally extendingconnector element290A.FIG. 5B is a cross sectional cut through the oral hygiene implement shown inFIG. 4 through a plane indicated by line F-F shown inFIG. 5A.FIG. 5C is a cross sectional cut through the oral hygiene implement shown inFIG. 4 through a plane indicated by line G-G shown inFIG. 5A.FIG. 5D is a detail of a longitudinal cut extending along a plane indicated by line H-H shown inFIG. 5C.
• The embodiment shown inFIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, and 5C is similar to the embodiment shown inFIG. 2, namely in that the oral hygiene implement100A has acarrier assembly200A comprising fourcarriers210A,220A,230A, and240A that are arranged at locations of undercut sections291A,292A,293A, and294A (seeFIG. 5A) of aconnector element290A. Thecarrier assembly200A is partly disposed in a scoop-like cavity330 formed byside walls310C and310D and a bottom wall320A of a housing part300A. One difference to the previous example embodiment is that the bottom wall320A has anouter layer390A made from an elastomeric material, whichouter layer390A may serve to protect soft tissue from contact with hard plastic material. In some embodiments, theouter layer390A is textured. Then theouter layer390A may be used as a tongue scraper. Additionally or alternatively, at least one elastomerichousing cleaning element391A may be provided, which elastomerichousing cleaning element391A may in particular be made from the same elastomeric material (and optionally also be made in the same injection molding step) as theouter layer390A. The elastomerichousing cleaning element391A may in particular be provided at aside wall310C,310D of the housing part300A and the elastomerichousing cleaning element391A may extend from theside wall310C or310D parallel to one of thehousing cleaning elements221A,231A,241A or one of thecarrier cleaning elements311A,321A. In the shown embodiment, elastomerichousing cleaning elements391A extend on each side of the three rows ofcarrier cleaning elements221A,231A, and241A, respectively.
• As can be seen inFIG. 5B, thehousing cleaning elements311A may have anenlarged base312A that may be partially embedded in the material of the bottom wall320A and partially in the material of theouter layer390A.
• Aclosure element350A may be present, on which closure element250A at least oneauxiliary cleaning element358A may be mounted, in particular an elastomeric cleaning element that may be mounted onto theclosure element350A by means of an injection molding process (i.e. theauxiliary cleaning element358A may then be made from a thermoplastic elastomer—TPE). Theclosure element350A may comprise asnap connector354A by which theclosure element350A is snapped onto asnap projection315A of the housing part300A (seeFIG. 5D).
• FIG. 6 is an isolated depiction of an example embodiment of acarrier assembly200B. Thecarrier assembly200B comprises here four consecutivelycarriers210B,220B,230B,240B and aconnector element290B, that may be realized as a connector rod, in particular as a metal connector rod. Thefirst carrier210B is realized as a front carrier and thus an end of theconnector element290B is embedded in the material of the front carrier. Thefront carrier210B comprises threecarrier cleaning elements211B that are inclined in forward direction. Each of the threefurther carriers220B,230B, and240B comprises a row of fourcarrier cleaning elements221B,231B, and241B, respectively.
• It is stated here again that the number and location of the cleaning elements shown in the present example embodiments shall not be considered as limiting and the features of the oral hygiene implement shall each be considered as being disclosed independent from each other if not inherently connected. This also applies for the number and location of carriers of the carrier assembly.
• A method of manufacturing an oral cleaning implement in accordance with the present disclosure comprises the following steps:
• • (1) providing a carrier assembly by injection molding at least two carriers around undercut sections of a connector element so that each carrier forms a non-detachable positive-fit connection with the connector element, whereby the carriers are arranged with a distance;
  • (2) providing a housing part, e.g. by a plastic injection molding process; the housing part may have a cavity for receiving the carrier assembly;
  • (3) mounting the carrier assembly at the housing part (it may be received in the cavity) such that the carrier assembly is borne for movement relative to the housing part.
• The step (2) may include mounting at least one housing cleaning element at the housing part and the step (3) may include pushing the housing cleaning element in between two of the carriers that neighbor each other. Further additionally or alternatively, step (2) may include mounting at least two neighboring housing cleaning elements at the housing part and step (3) may include pushing the two housing cleaning elements apart from each other and moving a portion of the connector element in between the two housing cleaning elements. Additionally or alternatively, a further step (4) of connecting a closure element with the housing part, e.g. by means of gluing, welding, or snap-fitting, may be present and the closure element may then cover a portion of the connector element. Optionally, the closure element and the housing part together form a bearing for the connector element. Further potential assembly steps have been described with respect toFIGS. 1 to 6.
• The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”
• Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
• While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (17)

What is claimed is:

1. An oral hygiene implement comprising a replacement brush head having a carrier assembly mounted at a housing part for movement relative to the housing part, wherein the carrier assembly comprises:

at least two carriers arranged with a distance from each other; and

an elongated shaft-like connector element having a longitudinal axis and connected to the at least two carriers;

wherein the connector element has undercut sections provided at locations where the carriers are connected to the connector element, and wherein the carriers are plastic injection-molded parts extending around the connector element so that each of the carriers is non-detachably connected to the connector element by a positive fit connection.

2. The oral hygiene implement in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the connector element is made from a metal rod and wherein the undercut sections comprise crimped or otherwise deformed portions of the connector element.

3. The oral hygiene implement in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the carrier assembly has at least three carriers consecutively arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis with a distance between neighboring carriers.

4. The oral hygiene implement in accordance withclaim 3, wherein the distance between at least two neighboring carriers in the longitudinal direction is selected from the group consisting of a distance of less than about 5 mm, a distance of less than about 2 mm, a distance of at least 0.8 mm, and a distance of at least 0.5 mm.

5. The oral hygiene implement in accordance withclaim 1, wherein one of the carriers forms a front carrier arranged at a front region of the oral hygiene implement and the front carrier extends around an end of the connector element.

6. The oral hygiene implement in accordance withclaim 1, wherein at least one of the carriers comprises at least one carrier cleaning element having an enlarged base section around which the injection-molded carrier extends.

7. The oral hygiene implement in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the housing part has a cavity in which the carrier assembly is disposed.

8. The oral hygiene implement in accordance withclaim 1, wherein at least one housing cleaning element is mounted at the housing part and extends between two of the carriers, and wherein a width of the housing cleaning element is essentially equal to or slightly smaller than the distance between the two carriers.

9. The oral hygiene implement in accordance withclaim 8, wherein at least two housing cleaning elements are mounted at the housing part and extend between two of the carriers, and wherein the connector element extends between the two housing cleaning elements.

10. The oral hygiene implement in accordance withclaim 1, further comprising a closure element connected to the housing part and extending over a portion of the connector element, wherein the closure element forms at least a portion of a bearing for the connector element.

11. The oral hygiene implement in accordance withclaim 10, wherein at least one auxiliary cleaning element is mounted on the closure element, wherein the auxiliary cleaning element is an injection-molded element.

12. A method of assembling an oral hygiene implement, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a carrier assembly by injection-molding at least two carriers around undercut sections of a connector element so that each carrier forms a non-detachable positive-fit connection with the connector element and the carriers are arranged with a distance;

providing a housing part by a plastic injection-molding process, wherein the housing part has a cavity for receiving the carrier assembly;

mounting the carrier assembly at the housing part, such that the carrier assembly is borne for movement relative to the housing part.

13. The method in accordance withclaim 12, wherein the step of providing the housing part includes mounting at least one housing cleaning element at the housing part, and the step of mounting the carrier assembly includes pushing the housing cleaning element in between two of the carriers that are mutually adjacent.

14. The method in accordance withclaim 12, wherein the step of providing the housing part includes mounting at least two mutually adjacent housing cleaning elements at the housing part, and the step of mounting the carrier assembly includes moving a portion of the connector element in between the two housing cleaning elements.

15. The method in accordance withclaim 12, further comprising a step of connecting a closure element with the housing part by a method selected from the group consisting of gluing, welding, snap-fitting, and any combination thereof, so that the closure element covers a portion of the connector element.

16. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the method includes a step of pushing the two housing cleaning elements apart from each other.

17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the closure element is forming at least a portion of a bearing for the connector element.

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