HK1069083B - Method for providing a brush carrier of a toothbrush with tufts of individual bristles - Google Patents

Description

Method for mounting a tuft of individual bristles on a toothbrush head

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for producing a toothbrush having functional elements.

Background

Methods for manufacturing plastic toothbrushes are known in the art. For example, DE-OS 3403341 describes a joining method in which the bristle-receiving side of the bristle carrier and the applicable bristle-securing end are converted into a soft-plastic state by melting and then joined together by application of pressure. In this method, the melting occurs locally only at those bristle carrier locations where the individual bristle tufts are to be held. When the bristle ends in the bristle tufts are melted, the thermoplastic material flows together and forms an enlargement which at the same time serves as a base for connecting the bristles themselves together. Depending on the pair of materials used for the bristles and bristle carrier, this results in the formation of a welded portion joining the two materials or an enlarged end portion of the bristle surrounded by the soft plastic material of the bristle carrier to be captured thereby.

It is known from DE-OS 2812746 to feed a device with successive bristle bundles, to cut bristle tufts of the desired length from the bristle bundles and to simultaneously heat the receiving side of the bristle carrier and the bristle ends, then to bring them together and to fix them in this engagement position until a firm connection is formed after sufficient cooling. With this method, the feeding, cutting, melting, joining and cooling operations are all performed in one station.

Furthermore, DE 19932377-A1 describes a method of manufacturing a brush with a plastic bristle carrier and an attached bristle group consisting of individual plastic bristles or plastic bristles arranged in tufts. In this method, the ends of the bristles or tufts at the fixed end are melted to form the enlarged portion. The enlarged portions of adjacent bristles of the bristle tuft are joined together by re-melting and movement of the plastic body, with the joint then being embedded in the plastic material of the bristle carrier. The method uses a moulding tool to transform the adjacent enlarged portions into a defined support structure and connecting rods, and then the short support structure and protruding bristles are embedded in the plastics material of the bristle carrier.

The method of manufacturing a brush disclosed in DE 19542393 a1 is carried out in a similar sequence. In this method, the bristle tufts retain an array form corresponding to their position in the bristle field, where their fixed ends are then melted, thereby joining them together to form a unit of bristle tufts. In this method, the portion connecting the fixed ends is also generated from the melt at the time of melting the fixed ends.

EP 0326634 a1 discloses a method of manufacturing a bristle product, comprising the steps of: individual bristle tufts or bundles are passed through the channel and the sleeve extending the channel and inserted into the mold for the bristle carrier. The bristle tufts are then melted by heat at their ends adjacent the mold to form enlargements, and the enlargements formed at the ends of the bristles during the melting process are moved into sealing engagement with the mouths of the sleeves that extend into the mold. The bristles and sleeve are held in place while the mold is filled, for example, by injection molding. This method is also known as in-mold processing.

WO 99/11156 discloses a method for manufacturing a bristle field. Here, the bristles in the undercut regions are also heated so that the bristle plastic forms a melt or plastomer which completely or partially fills the undercut portions, and the plastomer is then solidified to form effective joints between the bristles or bristle tufts and the undercut portions, thereby forming the anchor plate. In this way, the undercut portion can be formed before or when the plastic bristles are melted.

Furthermore, DE 19937481 a1 describes a two-part injection moulding method for producing a brush comprising a bristle carrier having at least two substantially parallel layers of different plastics, which method comprises fastening bristles to at least one layer. The layer of bristle carriers remote from the facing bristles has openings closed on the periphery which are filled with a further layer of plastic. So that an effective joint can be formed between two different plastic layers.

A disadvantage of the aforementioned applications is that after production of the functional components, unacceptable efforts are often required to isolate and align the functional components for further processing before they are subsequently secured in place in the bristle carrier.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved and simple method for manufacturing functional parts for use in toothbrushes, which method enables the functional parts to be manufactured relatively easily and economically. The method enables in particular the low-cost manufacture of functional parts used in toothbrushes and the integration of functional parts in the production of toothbrushes. In addition, it is an object of the second invention to provide functional parts manufactured by the method described above, which can be handled more efficiently during further processing of these functional parts. Finally, it is an object of two further inventions to provide a toothbrush equipped with functional components constructed according to the first and/or second invention which are easy to use in a simple and economical manner.

The first object relating to the first invention is achieved by a method of manufacturing a functional component carrier having a toothbrush functional component. The solution of the invention also provides a toothbrush with functional parts that can be manufactured simply and economically. The functional components according to the invention are understood to be bristle tufts comprising various filaments and other elements that perform a specific function on the toothbrush.

The method according to the invention also enables various functional components to be connected to the functional component carrier, since they have a predetermined orientation and can provide a simple integration and a secure anchoring in the toothbrush head or toothbrush handle. For example, several bristle tufts are inserted into an injection mold or a partial injection mold. The injection mold is also called a "molded rod". It is important that all components be interconnected by channels, known as "hot runners", to deliver the fluid thermoplastic material to various destinations. The functional components themselves can preferably be arranged on the lattice bars of the plastic frame, i.e. on the longitudinal and transverse bars of the plastic frame.

The grid type array of channels can be manufactured to conform in size and spacing to the locations occupied by features in the brush product at a later stage. But this is not essential. Rather, the array may be based on machine parameters, e.g., as dictated by a particular automated assembly unit, etc. The intersection of the channels will be referred to as the grid point below.

With the method of the invention, a plurality of bristle tufts are held in a tool with anchoring means in one operation while providing a plastic frame, thereby producing an easily handled feature carrier comprising aligned and sorted features, with the method being such that a plurality of features can be inserted into one tool and a plastic material molded around it in a single operation, thereby obtaining a complete toothbrush head. The cycle time for manufacturing the toothbrush head can be greatly shortened by the method of the invention.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a functional component carrier on which functional components are mounted, said functional components being fitted at their ends with anchors, holders or shaft elements for anchoring in a toothbrush, said method comprising the steps of: inserting several functional parts into corresponding recesses of an injection mould which is connected to the recesses in the end regions of the functional parts by means of grid or rod-shaped channels formed in a compression mould; filling the grid or rod-like channel with a liquefied plastic material and injecting said material therein at the end of the functional component or embedding the anchoring end in the material; the plastic material is cooled and the functional component carrier consisting of the grid or rod-shaped plastic frame and the functional components is removed.

Preferably, the grid-like or rod-like plastic frame is separated from the functional component before or after the functional component is inserted into the tool, so that only the functional component remains in the toothbrush head. In this method, the plastic material can be injection molded around the separate functional parts and then form them into a complete toothbrush head, or the separate functional parts can be injected into openings provided in toothbrush heads manufactured in a previous injection molding operation so that they engage behind the undercut interior and thus are rotationally or pivotally or non-rotationally secured in the brush holder. Alternatively, they may be secured in the brush holder by means of special anchoring means, such as wires, adhesives, wedges or also by means of caulking or the like. However, the two components may also be heated to a temperature that enables them to be welded together intimately.

Preferably, in the manufacturing process, a taper can be formed at the end of the anchor, the holder or the shaft element of the functional part, which then can also serve as a breaking, cutting or separating point, for example, during further processing in order to facilitate easy detachment of the functional part from the plastic frame. The functional components can also be separated by receiving them all in the opening of an advancing die and cutting the taper in a single operation. The separated plastic frame can then be removed from the advancing die and the functional component can be inserted into a brush holder or immediately embedded in the molding material in the advancing die to form a toothbrush head or complete toothbrush.

The present first invention enables the functional elements of the bristle product to be manufactured simultaneously with integrated handling aids which facilitate further processing, providing the possibility of molding specific assembly aids or functional surfaces on these functional elements. These may include anchors, axes of motion, and the like. In addition, the process preferably allows the use of various different material combinations, such as bristle tufts made of extruded nylon filaments including massage elements made of soft material in combination with embedded anchors or shafts made of elastomeric plastic material.

Preferably, the functional component may be provided with undercut portions which are formed, for example by melting the rear bristle tuft elements, in the event that a bristle tuft is inserted. For massage elements or the like, which are made of thermoplastic material or elastomeric plastic material, even of several different material combinations, such undercut portions can be provided in advance with a suitable design method, so that they need only be prepared for further processing in this process step, for example by heating. The fluid plastomer is then used so that the anchor, retainer or shaft element can be injection molded over these undercut portions.

Preferably, the functional component can be integrated in the brush holder in a particularly easy manner. In this process, the grid-like plastic frame can also be constructed, for example, in the form of an inclined parallelogram or in any other suitable configuration to which the functional component can be fastened. This degree of freedom obviously enables the functional component carrier to be manufactured in a previous operation so that its functional components have taken their final geometric position on the toothbrush, according to the desired array and position of the functional components on the brush holder.

Preferably, a method is provided in which the functional components are relocated within the plastic frame within certain limits by relative displacement of the longitudinal rods after they have been manufactured in the plastic frame and immediately before they are integrated in the toothbrush, so that the functional components are arranged so that they should be in the toothbrush head later on. The advantage of this method is that it does not have to motorize separate functional parts, but the functional part carrier on which all the functional parts required for the toothbrush head are already arranged. By means of the relative displacement of the longitudinal bars, the functional components can be brought closer to each other than if the individual functional components were motorized, since a specific spacing between the functional components is required for supporting and guiding the functional components using the picking device. In this embodiment of the invention, the feature carrier may be integrally molded into the toothbrush head.

Preferably, various functional components made of different or identical materials can be arranged on one functional component carrier. For example, bristle tufts that include various filaments, massage elements, or other elements that perform various specific functions may be provided. All these functional components can then be inserted into the brush body in one single operation.

According to another aspect of the invention, the functional components are anchored in the toothbrush head by their ends fastened to the grid or to the rod-like frame, so that the unit is easier to handle in its further processing. With the second invention it is possible to insert a complete set of functional parts into a tool and to connect them to the brush holder, for example by embedding them in a moulding material or mechanically inserting the unit into a prefabricated brush holder. This eliminates, on the one hand, a deliberate separation of the functional components, which are placed in the storehouse after their production, where their bristles interlock, and on the other hand the functional components can already be in this position where they need to be taken up later on the brush holder. The second invention enables integrated operation aids for further processing as well as specific assembly aids or functional surfaces (anchors, movement axes, etc.) to be injection molded on these functional parts. Various combinations of materials can be used with these functional components.

Preferably, the taper is formed at the grid points of the plastic frame to enable better separation of the functional components from the plastic frame, i.e. it is easier to have individual functional components blocked, cut or removed from the plastic frame in some other way.

Preferably, additional assembly aids or functional surfaces can be molded on the separate functional components. The additional assembly aids or functional surfaces may, for example, comprise anchors, movement shafts or other elements which enable the functional component to be fastened or supported in a brush holder which is then used.

Preferably, the functional part and the plastic frame can be manufactured from different plastic materials. This is particularly interesting, for example, if the plastic frame required in the toothbrush is to be discarded or reused, enabling it to be made of a lower grade plastic or other grade material.

Preferably, the functional parts have undercut portions at their anchoring ends, which, if they are pivotally mounted in the brush holder, enable the undercut portions to be simply inserted into the provided recesses, so that, for example snap fasteners, they can be inserted once and then can no longer be removed from the brush holder and can still be pivoted in one or several directions as required.

Preferably, the toothbrush comprises a plastic frame with several functional parts which are inserted together with the plastic frame into the brush holder, but wherein only those parts for treating the teeth or the oral cavity protrude from the toothbrush head. This type of toothbrush is economical to manufacture and enables random arrangement of individual functional components, which may comprise various types, on the brush holder.

Preferably, the toothbrushes of the fourth invention have functional parts previously cut out of their plastic frames, which are integrated as separate elements in the brush holder, i.e. they are embedded in the plastic molding material in the form of a brush holder capable of forming a predetermined shape, or they are fixedly received in separate recesses provided for this purpose in a prefabricated brush holder. The individual functional parts have blocking, separating or cutting surfaces which are completely enclosed by the plastic material if the anchors, holders or shaft elements are embedded or which can serve as transverse stops if they are pivotably inserted into the recesses.

Preferably, the toothbrushes of the third and fourth inventions of the present invention may comprise various types of functional components, and these functional components may also be capable of performing different types of cleaning functions, such as plaque removal, gum massaging, tooth whitening or some other advantageous tooth cleaning function.

Brief description of the drawings

Further embodiments and advantages of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a feature carrier of the present invention including a feature manufactured according to one method of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the functional components of FIG. 1, where the two outer longitudinal bars have been displaced relative to the inner longitudinal bars;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another feature carrier of the present invention showing the features and upwardly extending rods at the outer periphery for protecting the individual features from damage or external friction during transport;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a brush holder showing a functional component manufactured according to one method of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a brush holder showing a functional component manufactured according to one method of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a functional part carrier 1 according to the invention, which functional part is manufactured by means of the method according to the invention. The functional part carrier 1 comprises a grid or rod-shaped plastic frame 2, preferably made of thermoplastic material.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term "thermoplastic material" refers to any plastic that can be melted by the application of heat. Thermoplastic materials are in particular polystyrene and polystyrene copolymers, copolymers of polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride-acetate, polyfluorides and copolymers thereof, polyamides, polyimides, polyesters, polypropylene and polyurethanes.

According to fig. 1 to 3, in the present embodiment the plastic frame 2 is made of grid bars comprising three longitudinal bars 3 interconnected at grid points 7 by cross bars 4. The transverse bars 4 are considerably shorter than the longitudinal bars 3 and form a rectangle in fig. 1 and 3 and a parallelogram in fig. 2. However, they may be provided in longer lengths, curved or some other shape, depending on the geometry they take. It is only important that they are connected to each other and to the functional components.

According to fig. 1 to 3, the transverse bars 4 have a taper 18 before the grid points 7, so that a narrow transition to the longitudinal bars 3 is created. On the one hand, this forms a movable grid point 7, so that the functional component 5 can be arranged in the plastic frame 2 in a more or less narrow shape, as shown in fig. 2, by moving the central longitudinal bar 3 relative to one or several outer longitudinal bars 3. On the other hand, the taper 18 enables the individual functional components 5 to be cut relatively easily.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 3, the cross bars 4 can form, at their anchoring ends 22, anchors, holders or shaft elements 13 for the upwardly projecting bristle tufts 16. The anchor, holder or shaft element 13 extends almost as far as the longitudinal bar 3; however, for injection moulding, they may be shorter so that a portion of the cross-bar (not shown) is connected to the forming taper 18 and merges into the longitudinal bar 3. The bristle tufts 16 are composed of a plurality of individual bristles 15 which are positioned close together and can form, in combination with the anchor, the holder or the shaft element 13, the functional component 5 shown in fig. 1 to 3.

Considering that the functional part tray 1 shown in fig. 1 to 3 is a schematic example designed as an example, the number of the lattice regions 14 formed by the longitudinal and transverse bars 3, 4 is limited. However, it should be understood that any number is possible to practice the invention. The individual grid areas 14 may have different sizes and shapes.

According to fig. 1 to 3, the bristles or filaments 15 are preferably made of nylon and are anchored in the cross-bar 4. The one-piece functional part carrier 1 shown in fig. 1 and 2 can be mounted on and connected to the brush holder 8 in the form shown, or it can be made in a previous step to the desired shape as shown in fig. 2, for example, with plasticized material injection molded completely or partially at or around it, to form a complete toothbrush head with or without a handle. This step consists in substantially moving the two outer longitudinal bars 3 with respect to the inner longitudinal bar 3. Then, the crossbar 4, which is engaged at the position of the grid point 7, is displaced by the same amount, and then the functionable part 5 is arranged in the cleaning direction in a wedge shape. In this method, the grid regions 14 change their shape to a parallelogram. With this method it is possible in particular to produce complex bristle arrays or arrangements with massage elements made of elastomeric plastic material, or to manufacture pure massage elements made of only elastomeric plastic material on a brush holder in a parallel process and to join them together when the two production lines are merged.

Fig. 3 shows a functional component carrier 6 which is essentially identical to the functional component carrier 1 of fig. 1, with the only difference that the support is moulded in the outer corners of the outer longitudinal rods 3 in the form of vertically upwardly extending rods 20 which project vertically upwardly beyond the tooth-cleaning ends 21 of the bristle tufts 16. These rods 20 protect the bristles 15 from damage and contamination during transport and handling of the functional part carrier 1. The rods 20 are removed from the plastic frame 2 before the functional part carrier 6 is inserted. On the other hand, if only a separate functional part 5 is inserted in the brush holder 8, 11, the complete plastic frame 2 with the rod 2 will be removed from the functional part 5 first.

In fig. 4 an embodiment of a brush holder 8 with various functional parts 9, 10 is shown. In this embodiment, the brush holder 8 is provided with the functional part 9 at the front thereof, the functional part 9 having a tapered pointed pillar 19, the tapered pointed pillar 19 being constituted as a kind of spherical massaging element. The massage element 9 is made of an elastomeric plastic material and is screened to some extent from the top end of the brush holder 8 by a bristle tuft 16 of substantially U-shaped cross-section, which bristle tuft 16 serves as a further functional component 10. Other large bristle tufts 16 or other massage elements may also be provided in the form of additional features 10.

A grid-like plastic frame (not shown in fig. 4, since it is enclosed by the brush holder 8) serves as a functional component carrier for the massage elements 9 and the functional components 10 in the form of bristle tufts 16. The functional part carriers are adapted so that the functional parts 9, 10 adopt their position as shown in fig. 4. The lower part of the functional components (which cannot be seen because they are closed by the brush holder 8) are then fastened together with the plastic frame to the brush holder 8, or they are connected to the brush holder 8 by embedding them partly in the brush holder or by injection moulding them with a moulding material.

In fig. 5 another embodiment of a brush holder with a functional part 12 of a specific function is shown. In this embodiment, the brush holder 11 is provided with a paddle-wheel-like functional component 12 for performing cleaning and massaging functions in a human mouth (not shown). The paddle wheel functionality 12 is mounted in rotation on a common shaft 23.

In addition, the functional component 12 is here initially connected to a grid or bar-shaped plastic frame (not visible in fig. 5 because it is closed by the brush holder). The process comprises in particular supporting the rotation shaft 23 of the paddle wheel shaped functional part on a plastic frame. The plastic frame itself is then transported to a station where it is fastened to the brush holder 8 by welding or gluing, by embedding the grid bars in injection-moulded material or some other method.

Claims (26)

1. A method of manufacturing a functional component carrier (1, 6) on which functional components (5, 9, 10, 12) are mounted, said functional components (5, 9, 10, 12) being equipped at their ends (22) with anchors, holders or shaft elements (13) for anchoring in a toothbrush, said method comprising the steps of:

inserting several functional components (5, 9, 10, 12) into corresponding recesses of an injection mould which is connected to the recesses in the region of the ends (22) of the functional components (5, 9, 10, 12) by means of grid or rod-shaped channels formed in a compression mould;

filling the grid or rod-shaped channel with a liquefied plastic material and injecting said material therein at the end (22) of the functional component (5, 9, 10, 12) or embedding the anchoring end in the material;

the plastic material is cooled and the functional component carrier (1, 6) consisting of the grid or rod-shaped plastic frame (2) and the functional components (5, 9, 10, 12) is removed.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the grid or rod-shaped plastic frame (2) comprises grid rods (3, 4) and grid points (7), between which a cone (18) is formed.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the assembly aid is attached to the plastic frame (2) by injection moulding.

4. A method according to claim 3, characterised in that the assembly aid is configured as an extension rod (20) which is placed at the outer corner of the longitudinal lattice rods (3).

5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional part (5, 9, 10, 12) and the plastic frame (2) are made of different plastic materials.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the functional part (5, 9, 10, 12) is provided with undercut portions for fixing in the plastic frame (2).

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that different functional parts (5, 9, 10, 12) of elastomer plastic are provided on the plastic frame (2).

8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional components (5, 9, 10, 12) comprise one or more of individual bristle tufts (16) consisting of bristles (15), massage elements (9) and paddle-wheel-like functional components (12) performing a cleaning and massage function.

9. Functional component carrier (1, 6) on which functional components (5, 9, 10, 12) are mounted, wherein the functional components (5, 9, 10, 12) are equipped at their ends (22) with anchors, holders or shaft elements (13) for anchoring in a toothbrush, the individual functional components (5, 9, 10, 12) being fastened by their anchors, holders or shaft elements (13) to a grid or rod-shaped plastic frame (2) to form the functional component carrier (1, 6).

10. The feature carrier (1, 6) as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that their grid or bar-shaped plastic frames (2) are formed by connecting grid bars (3, 4) forming grid points (7) at the transition to the anchoring end, between which a taper (18) is provided.

11. The functional part carrier (1, 6) as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the assembly aid is injection-molded on the plastic frame (2).

12. The utility tray (1, 6) according to claim 11, characterized in that the assembly aids are configured as extension bars (20) which are placed at the outer corners of the longitudinal grid bars (3).

13. The functional part carrier (1, 6) as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the functional parts (5, 9, 10, 12) and the plastic frame (2) are made of different plastic materials.

14. The functional part carrier (1, 6) as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the functional parts (5, 9, 10, 12) are provided with undercut portions at their anchoring ends for fastening on the plastic frame (2).

15. Functional part carrier (1, 6) according to claim 9, characterized in that the functional parts (5, 9, 10, 12) comprise one or more of individual bristle tufts (16) consisting of individual bristles (15), massage elements (9) and paddle-wheel-like functional parts (12) performing a cleaning and massage function.

16. Toothbrush with functional parts (5, 9, 10, 12), which functional parts (5, 9, 10, 12) are equipped at their ends (22) with anchors, holders or shaft elements (13) for anchoring in the brush holders (8, 11) of the toothbrush, wherein the individual functional parts (5, 9, 10, 12) are connected by their anchors, holders or shaft elements (13) with a grid or rod-like frame (2) which is fixed in the brush holders (8, 11) in such a way that the tooth-cleaning ends of the functional parts (5, 9, 10, 12) project from the brush holders (8, 11).

17. The toothbrush according to claim 16, characterized in that the functional components (5, 9, 10, 12) comprise one or more of individual bristle tufts (16) consisting of bristles (15), massage elements (9) and a paddle-wheel-like functional component (12) performing a cleaning and massage function.

18. A toothbrush according to claim 17, characterized in that bristle tufts (16), a paddle-wheel-like functional part (12) made of an elastomeric plastic material performing the cleaning and massaging functions and the massaging elements (9) are arranged on the brush holder (8, 11).

19. Method for manufacturing a toothbrush according to claim 16, characterized in that the carrier (1) of the functional component manufactured according to the method of claim 1 is transported to a further processing station, in which the carrier is embedded in the brush holder (8) by injection moulding of a plastic material around the carrier, so that only the ends (22) of the bristle tufts (16) are then closed by the brush holder (8).

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that the grid or rod-shaped plastic frame (2) is composed of grid rods (3, 4) which form grid points (7) at the intersections, between which a taper (18) is formed, and that the plastic frame (2) is deformed before the plastic frame (2) is embedded in the moulding material of the brush holder (8) so that the functional components (5) are in their proper position in the brush holder (8) after embedding.

21. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that different functional parts (5, 9, 10, 12) of elastomer plastic are provided on the plastic frame (2).

22. Toothbrush with functional components (5, 9, 10, 12), said functional components (5, 9, 10, 12) being equipped at their ends (22) with anchors, holders or shaft elements (13) for anchoring in brush holders (8, 11) of the toothbrush, wherein said anchors, holders or shaft elements (13) comprise blocking, separating or cutting surfaces at their ends.

23. The toothbrush according to claim 22, characterized in that the functional components (5, 9, 10, 12) comprise one or more of individual bristle tufts (16) consisting of bristles (15), massage elements (9) and a paddle-wheel-like functional component (12) performing a cleaning and massage function.

24. A toothbrush according to claim 23, characterized in that bristle tufts (16), a paddle-wheel-like functional part (12) made of an elastomeric plastic material performing the cleaning and massaging functions and the massaging elements (9) are arranged on the brush holder (8, 11).

25. Method for producing a toothbrush according to claim 22, characterized in that the functional component carrier (1, 6) produced according to the method of claim 1 is transported to a further processing station, in which the functional components (5, 9, 10, 12) are cut out of the plastic frame (2), and then the end portions (22) of the functional components (5, 9, 10, 12) are fixed in the brush holder (8).

26. A method as claimed in claim 25, characterised in that the grid or rod-shaped plastic frame (2) comprises grid rods (3, 4) and grid points (7), between which a cone (18) is formed.