Patent EA-001621-B1 (EA)
Title: Interdental cleaner and manufacturing process
Inventor: WEIHRRAUCH GEORG
IPC: A61C15/02
Filed: 1997-09-18
Abstract: 1. Interdental cleaner (10) with an elongated, rod-like carrier (11) made from a first plastics material, which is covered, at least in partial areas of its surface, by at least one insert or support (14, 18) of a second plastics material, characterized in that the second plastics material of the insert or support (14, 18), which is softer than the first plastics material is made from a thermoplastic elastomer and is injection moulded onto the first plastics material of the support (11). 2. Interdental cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that the first plastics material of the carrier (11) is fibre-reinforced. 3. Interdental cleaner according to one of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the second plastics material of the injection moulded insert or support (14, 18) is welded to the first plastics material of the carrier (11). 4. Interdental cleaner according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the surface of the insert or support (14, 18) passes smoothly into the adjacent surface areas of the carrier (11). 5. Interdental cleaner according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the insert or support (14, 18) follows the contour of the carrier (11). 6. Interdental cleaner according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the insert or support (14, 18) has a bulge (14a) on at least one side. 7. Interdental clearer according to one of the claims 1 or 6, characterized in that the insert or support (14, 18) is positively held on the carrier (11). 8. Interdental cleaner according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the carrier (11) has openings and/or undercuts penetrated or back-engaged by the second plastics material of the insert or support (14, 18). 9. Interdental cleaner according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the carrier (11) tapers to its front end (15). 10. Interdental cleaner according to claim 10, characterized in that the front end of the carrier (11) tapers. 11. Interdental cleaner according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the front end (15) of the carrier (11) is spaced apart from the second plastics material. 12. Interdental cleaner according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the insert or support (14, 18) extends to the front end of the carrier (11). 13. Interdental cleaner according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the surface of the insert or support (14) carries a structuring (14b, 14e). 14. Interdental cleaner according to claim 13, characterized in that the structuring is knob or bristle-like. 15. Interdental cleaner according to one of the claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the rear end of the carrier (11) has a handle (12). 16. Interdental cleaner according to one of the claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a handle (17) is detachably fittable to the carrier (11). 17. Interdental cleaner according to one of the claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the first plastics material of the carrier (11) and/or the second plastics material of the insert or support (14, 18) contains one or more additives. 18. Interdental cleaner according to one of the claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the handle (12, 17) is provided with a structuring (16) serving as a gripping aid and/or as an information carrier. 19. Interdental cleaner according to claim 18, characterized in that the structuring (16) is made from the second plastics material. 20. Process for the production of an interdental cleaner, particularly a tooth-pick having an elongated rod-shaped support (11) made from a first plastics material covered at least in portions of its surface by at least one insert or support (14, 18) made from a second plastics material, characterized in that the second plastics material of the insert or support (14, 18) is a thermoplastic elastomer injection moulded onto the first plastics material of the support (11). 21. Process according to claim 20, characterized in that the second injection moulded plastics material of the insert or support (14, 18) is welded to the first plastics material of the carrier (11) during the injection moulding procedure. 22. Process according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that during the application of the second plastics material of the insert or support, the carrier (11) is supported by means of retaining elements passing through the same.