EP4385361A1 - Flavored bristle filaments for toothbrushes and methods of making the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to bristle filaments for a toothbrush, wherein the bristle filaments are at least partially provided with an aroma and/or odorous substance and a carrier material is present as an adhesion promoter to the aroma and/or odorous substance.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to bristle filaments for a toothbrush, which are provided with an aroma and/or odorous substance. The invention further relates to a method for producing such bristle filaments.

State of the art

Bristle filaments for toothbrushes are known from the state of the art. They usually consist of plastic polymers and are attached to a bristle head, which merges into a rod-shaped holding or grip element. Toothbrushes can be designed as manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes, interdental brushes or finger toothbrushes. The bristle filaments can be impregnated with additives, such as abrasive and/or disinfectant materials for better tooth cleaning. They can also be flavored.

The US 3,720,975 (Nelson, Stanley E. ) describes an interdental brush for cleaning the spaces between the teeth. It has a handle element with a handle extension, a bristle shaft attached to the handle extension and a number of bristle filaments attached to the bristle shaft. The bristle filaments protrude radially from the bristle shaft and at the same time tilt slightly towards the bristle shaft tip. In addition, the length of the individual bristle filaments decreases towards the bristle shaft tip, resulting in a conical shape along the bristle shaft axis. The bristle filaments are also made of a thin, durable Material and are optionally impregnated with a mild abrasive material such as zirconium silicate.

In the DE 10 2005 026 268 (Synpart AG ) describes an interdental cleaner which consists of a carbon fiber, a rear handle and a front part provided with bristles. The carbon fiber is completely or partially covered with a second component, e.g. a plastic layer. This is applied to the carbon fiber by dipping, extruding or varnishing and protects the oral cavity from injury caused by the hard carbon fiber. At the same time, it serves as a carrier material for a third component. The latter is responsible for the cleaning, brushing and massaging effect in the oral cavity and consists, for example, of a soft, elastic material, e.g. a thermoplastic elastomer or an abrasive material. The third component is applied to the second component by spraying, gluing or welding and forms bristle-like elements on the front part. In addition, the second and/or third components can be flavored.

Further, in the DE 10 2011 011 323 (Interbros GmbH) a multifunctional tooth cleaning device manufactured using a two- or multi-component injection molding process is described. This consists of a rod- or sleeve-shaped base support which has a brush-like cleaning part for cleaning the tooth surfaces at one axial end and optionally also a tongue scraper and an interdental cleaner at the opposite axial end. The cleaning part and the interdental cleaner are made of a soft, elastic plastic, e.g. a thermoplastic elastomer or silicone, and each have cleaning elements on their outer surface. The cleaning elements of the cleaning part consist either of fingers which protrude radially upwards, are aligned parallel and taper towards their upper end, or of slats which run in waves, in a circular shape or in concentric circles. The interdental cleaner has cleaning elements in the form of bristle-like fingers, knobs or ribs. In addition, the material of the brush-like cleaning part, the interdental cleaner and/or the tongue scraper can be provided with an additive, such as a flavoring or a disinfectant. The additive is applied by spraying or by dipping.

The adhesion of additives such as flavorings and/or odorants to toothbrushes has proven to be unsatisfactory. Regular use and contact with water quickly removes the flavorings and odorants from the brush head and bristles, as they cannot be optimally retained on the bristle filaments and the service life is usually reduced quickly and significantly. It has also been shown that flavorings that come into direct contact with plastics or plastic coatings for a long time lead to stress corrosion in the plastic, causing it to become cloudy or brittle. This reduces the longevity and product quality of the brushes.

Description of the invention

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a solution which at least reduces the disadvantages present in the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to achieve the longest possible availability of the aroma and/or odorous substances on the bristle filaments and to provide a method for the corresponding implementation. In addition, the longevity and product quality of the brushes should also be improved if possible.

These objects are solved by the features of independent claim 1 and by the method of independent claim 11.

The invention therefore relates to bristle filaments for a toothbrush, wherein the bristle filaments are at least partially provided with an aroma and/or odorous substance and a carrier material is present as an adhesion promoter to the aroma and/or odorous substance. By using a carrier material, the aroma and/or odorous substance is physically bound to the carrier material and can evaporate less quickly, whereby the aroma and/or odorous substances can be made available for longer. The toothbrushes are thus replaced less quickly, i.e. their service life is increased, whereby less waste is produced and the environment is protected. Furthermore, the aroma and/or odorous substances can be diluted or made dosable by using a carrier material. The aroma and/or odorous substances lead to fresh breath and create an additional feeling of freshness compared to toothpaste, which leads to contributes to a more pleasant tooth-brushing experience. Especially when users do not have toothpaste to hand, the inventive bristle filaments offer an excellent solution for achieving fresh breath and cleaning the teeth at the same time. This promotes oral care, especially in children, as the aromatic taste/smell of the toothbrush encourages use. This can prevent tooth and gum damage and reduce dental costs.

In a preferred embodiment, the bristle filaments are coated with the carrier material, with the aroma and/or odor substance on and/or in the carrier material. This firstly ensures optimal adhesion of the carrier material to the bristle filaments in order to optimally bind the aroma and/or odor substances to the bristle filaments via the carrier material in a further step. In addition, the fact that the aroma and/or odor substance can be present on or in the carrier material means that the production process can be easily adapted. For example, if the aroma and/or odor substance is applied to the carrier material, only the aroma and/or odor substance can be replaced if necessary if it has to be quickly adapted for marketing purposes or in the event of high demand.

Conversely, it can be advantageous to have the aroma and/or odorant in the carrier material, e.g. in the case of the production of best-seller products. If products are to be produced with the same composition over a longer period of time, it makes sense to have the aroma and/or odorant already mixed into the carrier material. This means that the bristle filaments have to be coated separately with fewer layers, which saves work processes and time.

The carrier material consists in particular of at least 50% by weight, preferably 60% by weight - 100% by weight, especially 70% by weight - 90% by weight, of one or more esters of long-chain alcohols. The weight proportions in connection with the carrier material are in the following based on the total weight of the carrier material without the aroma and/or odorous substances. Due to the large number of non-polar alkyl groups, esters dissolve poorly in water. As a result, the carrier material is not removed when it comes into contact with water, but remains optimally adhered to the bristle filaments. It is fundamentally It is possible that the carrier material may also contain other poorly water-soluble substances.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the carrier material has a melting point at a temperature between 40 °C and 100 °C, preferably between 50 °C and 70 °C, in particular between 62 °C and 65 °C. The melting point is measured at normal pressure of 101,325 Pa. Due to the high melting temperature of the carrier material, it remains solid under conditions of use, i.e. at room temperature, and ensures that the aroma and/or odorous substances adhere to the carrier material and thus to the bristle filaments. The melting temperature is also sufficiently low to liquefy the carrier material with a reasonably low energy and time expenditure for further processing. Under certain conditions and/or under certain compositions of the carrier material, it is in principle possible for the melting point of the carrier material to be 100 °C or more.

In particular, the carrier material consists of at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 80% by weight, particularly preferably completely of wax, in particular beeswax. It has been shown that wax can be used as an optimal bonding agent between the aroma and/or odorous substances and the bristle filaments. The wax-containing carrier material adheres optimally to the surface of the bristle filaments without damaging them and at the same time ensures ideal adhesion of the aroma and/or odorous substances to the carrier material, so that enough aroma and/or odorous substances are released during use to achieve the desired effect, but enough of the substances are retained on the carrier material to ensure availability over a longer period of time. In addition, using wax as a carrier material can improve the longevity and product quality of the brushes. These effects were observed to be particularly surprising and pronounced with beeswax.

Another advantage of wax is that it can be liquefied using simple means and can therefore be easily mixed with other components of the carrier material or applied to the bristle filaments as a complete layer of wax. Wax is also characterized by its water-repellent properties, which minimizes the wear of the carrier material through contact with water.

• 60 Gew.-% - 80 Gew.-%, insbesondere 70 Gew.-%, Rapswachs und 20 Gew.-% - 40 Gew.-Y, insbesondere 30 Gew.-%, Carnaubawachs;
• 60 Gew.-% - 80 Gew.-%, insbesondere 70 Gew.-%, Rapswachs und 20 Gew.-% - 40 Gew.-Y, insbesondere 30 Gew.-%, Reiskleiewachs;
• 50 Gew.-% - 70 Gew.-%, insbesondere 60 Gew.-%, Rapswachs und 50 Gew.-% - 70 Gew.-Y, insbesondere 60 Gew.-% Sonnenblumenwachs;
• 40 Gew.-% - 60 Gew.-%, insbesondere 50 Gew.-%, Rapswachs und 60 Gew.-% - 80 Gew.-Y, insbesondere 70 Gew.-%, Candelillawachs;
• 50 Gew.-% - 70 Gew.-%, insbesondere 60 Gew.-%, Sojawachs und 30 Gew.-% - 50 Gew.-Y, insbesondere 40 Gew.-%, Carnaubawachs;
• 50 Gew.-% - 70 Gew.-%, insbesondere 60 Gew.-%, Sojawachs und 30 Gew.-% - 50 Gew.-Y, insbesondere 40 Gew.-%, Reiskleiewachs;
• 40 Gew.-% - 60 Gew.-%, insbesondere 55 Gew.-%, Sojawachs und 40 Gew.-% - 60 Gew.-Y, insbesondere 45 Gew.-% Sonnenblumenwachs;
• 30 Gew.-% - 50 Gew.-%, insbesondere 40 Gew.-%, Sojawachs und 50 Gew.-% - 70 Gew.-Y, insbesondere 60 Gew.-%, Candelillawachs;
• 50 Gew.-% - 70 Gew.-%, insbesondere 60 Gew.-%, Japanwachs und 30 Gew.-% - 50 Gew.-%, insbesondere 40 Gew.-%, Carnaubawachs;
• 50 Gew.-% - 70 Gew.-%, insbesondere 60 Gew.-%, Japanwachs und 30 Gew.-% - 50 Gew.-%, insbesondere 40 Gew.-%, Reiskleiewachs;
• 40 Gew.-% - 60 Gew.-%, insbesondere 55 Gew.-%, Japanwachs und 40 Gew.-% - 60 Gew.-%, insbesondere 45 Gew.-% Sonnenblumenwachs;
• 30 Gew.-% - 50 Gew.-%, insbesondere 40 Gew.-%, Japanwachs und 50 Gew.-% - 70 Gew.-%, insbesondere 60 Gew.-%, Candelillawachs;
• 40 Gew.-% - 60 Gew.-%, insbesondere 50 Gew.-%, Myricawachs und 40 Gew.-% - 60 Gew.-%, insbesondere 50 Gew.-%, Carnaubawachs;
• 40 Gew.-% - 60 Gew.-%, insbesondere 50 Gew.-%, Myricawachs und 40 Gew.-% - 60 Gew.-%, insbesondere 50 Gew.-%, Reiskleiewachs;
• 30 Gew.-% - 50 Gew.-%, insbesondere 40 Gew.-%, Myricawachs und 50 Gew.-% - 70 Gew.-%, insbesondere 60 Gew.-% Sonnenblumenwachs;
• 20 Gew.-% - 40 Gew.-%, insbesondere 30 Gew.-%, Myricawachs und 60 Gew.-% - 80 Gew.-%, insbesondere 70 Gew.-%, Candelillawachs.

Particularly preferred embodiments include natural waxes, in particular beeswax, as these are environmentally friendly and harmless substances. It is also possible to use Japanese wax, candelilla wax, sunflower wax, carnauba wax, rice bran wax, myrica wax, rapeseed wax, soy wax and combinations thereof. Under certain conditions and/or under certain compositions of the wax, the wax coating can also be less than 50% by weight, preferably 35% - 45% by weight, in particular 40% by weight. In addition, it can be advantageous in variants if the carrier material has the following compositions:

• 60 wt.% - 80 wt.%, in particular 70 wt.%, rapeseed wax and 20 wt.% - 40 wt.%, in particular 30 wt.%, carnauba wax;
• 60 wt.% - 80 wt.%, in particular 70 wt.%, rapeseed wax and 20 wt.% - 40 wt.%, in particular 30 wt.%, rice bran wax;
• 50 wt.% - 70 wt.%, in particular 60 wt.%, rapeseed wax and 50 wt.% - 70 wt.%, in particular 60 wt.% sunflower wax;
• 40 wt.% - 60 wt.%, in particular 50 wt.%, rapeseed wax and 60 wt.% - 80 wt.%, in particular 70 wt.%, candelilla wax;
• 50 wt.% - 70 wt.%, in particular 60 wt.%, soy wax and 30 wt.% - 50 wt.%, in particular 40 wt.%, carnauba wax;
• 50 wt.% - 70 wt.%, in particular 60 wt.%, soy wax and 30 wt.% - 50 wt.%, in particular 40 wt.%, rice bran wax;
• 40 wt.% - 60 wt.%, in particular 55 wt.%, soy wax and 40 wt.% - 60 wt.%, in particular 45 wt.% sunflower wax;
• 30 wt.% - 50 wt.%, in particular 40 wt.%, soy wax and 50 wt.% - 70 wt.%, in particular 60 wt.%, candelilla wax;
• 50 wt.% - 70 wt.%, in particular 60 wt.%, Japan wax and 30 wt.% - 50 wt.%, in particular 40 wt.%, carnauba wax;
• 50 wt.% - 70 wt.%, in particular 60 wt.%, Japan wax and 30 wt.% - 50 wt.%, in particular 40 wt.%, rice bran wax;
• 40 wt.% - 60 wt.%, in particular 55 wt.%, Japan wax and 40 wt.% - 60 wt.%, in particular 45 wt.% sunflower wax;
• 30 wt.% - 50 wt.%, in particular 40 wt.%, Japan wax and 50 wt.% - 70 wt.%, in particular 60 wt.%, Candelilla wax;
• 40 wt.% - 60 wt.%, in particular 50 wt.%, myrica wax and 40 wt.% - 60 wt.%, in particular 50 wt.%, carnauba wax;
• 40 wt.% - 60 wt.%, in particular 50 wt.%, myrica wax and 40 wt.% - 60 wt.%, in particular 50 wt.%, rice bran wax;
• 30 wt.% - 50 wt.%, in particular 40 wt.%, myrica wax and 50 wt.% - 70 wt.%, in particular 60 wt.% sunflower wax;
• 20 wt.% - 40 wt.%, in particular 30 wt.%, myrica wax and 60 wt.% - 80 wt.%, in particular 70 wt.%, candelilla wax.

Beeswax is the wax secreted by honey bees, which consists of myricin (approx. 67% by weight), a mixture of esters of long-chain alcohols and acids (approx. 12% by weight), including palmitic acid myricyl ester, cerotinic and melissic acid, saturated hydrocarbons (approx. 14% by weight), alcohols (approx. 1% by weight) and other Substances (approx. 6% by weight), such as bee-specific aromas. The melting temperature of beeswax is 62 °C to 65 °C.

In particular, the flavouring and/or odorant comprises essential oils, sweeteners, lemon tree oil, geranium oil, laurel oil, thyme, eycalyptol, anethole, eugenol, citronellol, in particular a fisherman's flavour and/or a menthol flavour.

The bristle filaments are preferably made of one or more of the following materials: polyamide (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), castor oil-based materials. By producing bristle filaments from these materials, a medium-hard to soft strength of the bristle filaments is achieved, which enables gentle cleaning of teeth and gums. Castor oil is also a natural product that is used neither as food nor as animal feed and its cultivation therefore does not compete with the areas used to grow food and is therefore environmentally friendly. Alternatively, the bristle filaments can be made of activated carbon and/or recycled materials such as recycled PA, PBT, PTFE, PET and/or castor-based materials.

In particular, at least 40%, preferably at least 60%, particularly preferably at least 80%, especially 100% of the bristle filament ends are rounded. Rounded bristle ends reduce abrasion caused by brushing teeth and thus prevent the development of gum disease.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bristle filaments have a surface roughness R _a of between 1 and 2 µm. In this case, surface roughness corresponds in particular to the arithmetic mean roughness value R _a according to DIN EN ISO 4287:2010. To determine this measurement value, the surface is scanned over a defined measuring section and all height and depth differences on the surface are recorded. After calculating the specific integral of this roughness curve over the measuring section, this result is then divided by the length of the measuring section. The range of roughness values extends from 50 µm for very rough surfaces with noticeable grooves to less than 0.1 µm with processing marks that are no longer visible.

Such surface roughnesses have proven to be particularly advantageous because the carrier material as well as the aroma and/or odorant adhere well to the surface without the surface roughness being unpleasant or having a negative effect on cleaning.

A further aspect of the invention is a toothbrush that has the bristle filaments described. The toothbrush is particularly preferably an interdental brush or a manual toothbrush, in particular an interdental brush. In variants, however, it can also be a finger toothbrush or an electric toothbrush, e.g. a rotary or sonic toothbrush.

In particular, the interdental toothbrush has a bristle part which has two twisted legs of a wire section and bristle filaments held clamped between the legs. Preferably, the number of bristle filaments per winding is greater than 10. Advantageously, the number of bristle filaments per winding can be greater than 25. A number of 40 to 60, for example of approximately 50 bristle filaments per winding can be considered highly advantageous. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly high density of bristle filaments which are arranged in a spiral along the bristle part as close to one another as possible and/or overlapping. This helps to further improve the cleaning effect and the comfort of use of an interdental brush according to the invention.

The manual toothbrush preferably has a bristle part with a number of preferably at least 10, advantageously at least 20, most preferably at least 30 bristle filament bundles. A number of 50 to 200, for example of approximately 140 bristle filaments per bristle filament bundle can be considered highly advantageous.

In a preferred embodiment, the toothbrush comprises several bristle filaments combined to form a bundle. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly high density of bristle filaments, thereby achieving maximum tooth cleaning efficiency. In variants, the toothbrush can comprise a single bristle filament bundle or individual bristle filaments can be evenly distributed.

In a further preferred embodiment, the interdental brush comprises a plurality of bristle filament bundles clamped between two twisted wire legs.

In the method according to the invention for producing bristle filaments, in particular as described above, for a toothbrush, at least one flavoring and/or odorant is applied to the bristle filaments, wherein a carrier material is used to fix the flavoring and/or odorant on the bristle filaments.

Bristle filaments, aroma and/or odorant and carrier material are preferably defined as described above.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the bristle filaments are at least partially coated with the carrier material during the manufacturing process and the carrier material is then provided with the aroma and/or odorant. The initial coating with the carrier material has the advantage that suitable conditions can be created for the application of the further aroma and/or odorant layer. The carrier material acts as an adhesion promoter between the bristle filaments and the aroma and/or odorant. It is also possible for the aroma and/or odorant to be mixed with the carrier material before application and for both substances to be applied simultaneously as a mixture.

In a further embodiment, at least part of the surface of the bristle filaments is mechanically and/or chemically pretreated before coating with the carrier material. Since plastic surfaces naturally have a low polar component of the surface energy, they are rather difficult to wet. The surface adhesion of the bristle filaments can be improved by mechanical and/or chemical pretreatment by roughening or activating the surfaces of the bristle filaments. Suitable pretreatment methods include grinding, brushing, blasting, pickling and/or the use of reactive gases. It is also possible to dispense with pretreatment and to increase the contact time between the surface of the bristle filaments on the one hand and the carrier material and/or the mixture of carrier material and aroma and/or odorant on the other.

In particular, the carrier material is provided in liquid form and the bristle filaments are immersed in the liquid carrier material. In variants, however, the carrier material can also be applied by spray, brush and/or flooding.

Preferably, the bristle filaments are immersed in a liquid containing the aroma and/or odorant. In variants, the aroma and/or odorant can also be applied by spray, brush and/or flooding.

The dipping process is used to evenly apply the liquid carrier material, the liquid aroma and/or the liquid odorant to the bristle filament surfaces. It is also possible to reuse the dripped coating materials, which saves energy and is environmentally friendly. The process is also very easy to automate, which makes it suitable for series production.

In a preferred embodiment, wax, in particular beeswax, can be used as the carrier material in the manufacturing process.

In particular, the flavouring and/or odorant comprises essential oils, sweeteners, lemon tree oil, geranium oil, laurel oil, thyme, eycalyptol, anethole, eugenol, citronellol, in particular a fisherman's flavour and/or a menthol flavour.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid containing the aroma and/or odorant is provided as an emulsion. Emulsions have the advantage that they are more resistant to changes in the chemical environment, which simplifies the manufacturing process and makes it less susceptible to faulty production. However, it is also possible for the liquid containing the aroma and/or odorant to be provided as

In particular, the bristle filaments are manufactured according to the manufacturing process according to the invention and then inserted in a bundled form into a bristle carrier. Insertion in a bundle enables a compact arrangement of the bristle filaments, whereby a high density is achieved and the bristle carrier surface can be used optimally. In variants, however, the bristle filaments can also be inserted in an unbundled form evenly over the bristle carrier surface. The The bristle filaments can be inserted by inserting, gluing, welding, drilling, clamping or other mechanical and/or chemical fastening methods. Under certain circumstances, it is also possible for the bristle filaments to be inserted into the bristle carrier first and only then coated using the manufacturing process according to the invention.

It should be noted that the process offers the same advantages as those already mentioned for the device.

Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention emerge from the following detailed description and the entirety of the patent claims.

Short description of the drawings

Fig.1

A schematic perspective view of an interdental brush according to the invention.

Fig.2

A section of the bristle part of the Fig.1 interdental brush shown.

Fig.3

A schematic side view of a toothbrush according to the invention.

Fig.4

A section of the bristle carrier in Fig.3 .

Fig.5

A schematic longitudinal sectional view of a double coated bristle filament of the Fig.1 Interdental brush shown and the one in Fig.3 toothbrush shown.

Fig.6

A schematic longitudinal sectional view of an alternative bristle filament.

Ways to implement the invention

Fig.1 shows a schematic perspective view of an interdental brush 1 according to the invention with a bristle part 1a and a handle part 1b, which in a Operating device 1c is accommodated. The bristle part 1a comprises a wire section 1d to which several bristle filament bundles 1e are attached. At least the bristle part 1a and the handle part 1b extend essentially parallel to a brush longitudinal axis L1 of the interdental brush 1.

Fig.2 shows a section of the bristle part 1a of the Fig.1 shown interdental brush 1. The brush filament bundles 1e are attached between twisted wires A, B of the wire section 1d and consist of several individual bristle filaments BF. These extend radially away from the wire section 1d, essentially perpendicular to the brush longitudinal axis L1.

Fig.3 shows a schematic side view of a toothbrush 2 according to the invention with a bristle carrier 2a and several bristle filament bundles 2b. The bristle filament bundles 2b are attached to the bristle carrier 2a and extend essentially perpendicularly from the bristle carrier 2a and the brush longitudinal axis L2.

Fig.4 shows a schematic side view of several bristle filament bundles 2b of the Fig. 3 shown toothbrush 2. The bristle filament bundles 2b consist of several individual bristle filaments BF. These are attached to the bristle carrier 2a and extend essentially perpendicular to the bristle carrier 2a and the brush longitudinal axis L2.

Fig.5 shows a double coated bristle filament BF made of Fig. 2 and Fig.4 . The bristle filament BF is coated with a first adhesion-promoting layer of beeswax S1 and a second layer of an aroma and/or odorant S2. The first layer S1 evenly covers the entire surface of the bristle filament BF and the second layer S2 evenly covers the first layer S1.

Fig.6 shows an alternative embodiment of a single coated bristle filament BF, which is used in the brushes of Fig.2 and Fig.4 can be used. The bristle filament BF is coated with a combination layer S3 made of beeswax and aroma and/or odorant. The layer S3 evenly covers the entire surface of the bristle filament BF.

The Figures 1 - 6 show only possible and not exhaustive embodiments of the subject matter of the invention, whereby its features can be arbitrarily modified, combined with one another and/or omitted according to respective requirements.

For example, the operating device 1c can be Fig.1 also have a handle, e.g. in the form of a ring, so that the interdental brush 1 can be fixed on a finger and used in a comfortable, non-slip and easily controllable manner. Another possibility is a handle surface that is at least 1 cm wide.

In addition, the wire section 1d can be Fig.1 consist of only one or more than two wires. Alternatively, the wire section 1d can also be made of other materials, such as plastic.

Furthermore, the bristle filament bundles 1e can be made of Fig.1 and Fig.4 instead of being vertical, they may also be at an angle of 45° to 90° to the brush longitudinal axes L1, L2.

In the Fig.2 as in Fig. 4 - 6 The bristle filaments BF shown can alternatively have an uneven shape, eg they can be curved or wavy. They can also have the same or different lengths. In addition, the bristle filaments BF can also only have a partial coating, ie the bristle filament surface does not necessarily have to be coated throughout. However, it is also conceivable that the bristle filaments BF are provided with more than 2 layers applied.

In the Fig.5 The layer thicknesses S1 and S2 shown do not necessarily have to be the same thickness; this can also vary between layers S1 and S2.

Claims (19)

Bristle filaments for a toothbrush, wherein the bristle filaments are at least partially provided with an aroma and/or odor substance and a carrier material is present as an adhesion promoter to the aroma and/or odor substance. Bristle filaments according to claim 1, characterized in that the bristle filaments are coated with the carrier material, wherein the aroma and/or odorous substance is on and/or in the carrier material. Bristle filaments according to claim 2, characterized in that the carrier material consists of at least 50 wt. %, preferably 60 wt. % - 100 wt. %, in particular 70 wt. % - 90 wt. %, of one or more esters of long-chain alcohols. Bristle filaments according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the carrier material has a melting point at a temperature between 40 °C and 100 °C, preferably between 50 °C and 70 °C, in particular between 62 °C and 65 °C. Bristle filaments according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the carrier material consists of at least 50 wt.%, preferably at least 80 wt.%, particularly preferably completely of wax, in particular beeswax. Bristle filaments according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bristle filaments consist of one or more of the following materials: PA, PBT, PTFE, PET, castor oil-based materials. Bristle filaments according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the bristle filaments have a surface roughness R _a between 1 and 2 µm. Toothbrush with bristle filaments according to one of claims 1 to 7, in particular an interdental brush, manual toothbrush, or electric toothbrush. Toothbrush according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises several bristle filaments combined to form a tuft. Toothbrush according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it is designed as a manual toothbrush and/or as an interdental brush. Process for producing bristle filaments for a toothbrush, wherein at least one flavoring and/or odorant is applied to the bristle filaments, characterized in that a carrier material is used to fix the flavoring and/or odorant on the bristle filaments. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the bristle filaments are at least partially coated with the carrier material and then the carrier material is provided with the aroma and/or odorous substance. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that at least part of the surface of the bristle filaments is mechanically and/or chemically pretreated before coating with the carrier material. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the carrier material is provided in liquid form and the bristle filaments are immersed in the liquid carrier material. Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the bristle filaments are immersed in a liquid mixed with the aroma and/or odorous substance. Method according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that beeswax is used as the carrier material. Method according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the flavoring and/or odorant comprises essential oils, sweeteners, lemon tree oil, geranium oil, laurel oil, thyme, eycalyptol, anethole, eugenol, citronellol, in particular a fisherman's flavor and/or a menthol flavor. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the liquid mixed with the flavoring and/or odorant is provided as an emulsion. A method for producing a toothbrush comprising a bristle carrier, wherein bristle filaments are produced according to one of claims 11 to 18 and subsequently inserted in bundled form into a bristle carrier.

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