Toothbrush

Abstract

The toothbrush of the present invention comprises an elongated handle having a head attached to one end. The head has a bristle-bearing face having longitudinal perimeter portions adjacent longitudinal edges and at least two perimetric, elastomeric massaging elements alternately arranged with groups of bristle tufts along each of the longitudinal perimeter portions. The brush can comprise further massaging elements which are not located along the longitudinal perimeter portions though the use of such additional elements is preferably minimised. The perimetric massaging elements have rotational symmetry through an angle of 120° or less, preferably being circular. The cross-sectional area proportion of elastomeric massaging elements to bristles on the brush head is less than 25%. Alternately there are four or fewer elastomeric massaging elements which are not perimetric massaging elements. A brush with both bristles and gum massaging elements arranged as set out above provides both cleaning and gum massaging benefits without creating an undesirable aesthetic impression derived from the use of rubber-like materials in the part of the brush head traditionally comprising only bristles.

1 . A toothbrush comprising: 
 a) an elongated handle ( 1 ) having distal and proximal ends;    b) a head ( 2 ) attached to the proximal end of the handle, the head including a bristle-bearing face ( 4 ) with bristles and massaging elements attached thereto and a back face opposed to the bristle-bearing face;    c) opposed longitudinal edges ( 3 ) bounding the faces, the bristle bearing face having longitudinal perimeter portions adjacent the longitudinal edges; and    d) at least two perimetric, elastomeric massaging elements ( 6 ) alternately arranged with groups of bristle tufts along each of the longitudinal perimeter portions;    characterised in that the perimetric massaging elements have rotational symmetry through an angle of 120° or less and that the cross-sectional area proportion of all bristles and elastomeric massaging elements afforded by elastomeric massaging elements is less than 25%.    
   
   
       2 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1  wherein the perimetric massaging elements are integrally moulded with elastomeric support elements which extend transversely across the back face of the toothbrush head.  
   
   
       3 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1  wherein the perimetric massaging elements are integrally moulded with an elastomeric support element which is a sheet which covers substantially all of the back of the head.  
   
   
       4 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1  wherein the perimetric massaging elements have a substantially uniform cross-section along their length selected from circular and regular polygonal.  
   
   
       5 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1  wherein the perimetric massaging elements have rounded ends.  
   
   
       6 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1  wherein the perimetric massaging elements have a thickness of from 1 to 3 mm.  
   
   
       7 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1  wherein the perimetric massaging elements are the only elastomeric massaging elements.  
   
   
       8 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1  wherein there are at least three perimetric massaging elements along each longitudinal perimeter portion of the brush head.  
   
   
       9 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1  wherein there is one bristle tuft between pairs of longitudinally adjacent perimetric massaging elements.  
   
   
       10 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1  wherein the perimetric massaging elements taper from their head ends to their free ends.  
   
   
       11 . A toothbrush according to  claim 3  wherein the longitudinal edges of the head comprise indents which act as points of anchorage for the elastomer of the support element.  
   
   
       12 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1  wherein the head has a handle end and a free end and the head comprises a first head segment which is connected to or continuous with the handle and one or more additional head segments arranged in longitudinal sequence towards the free end of the head, the head segments being connected to each other by a connecting means consisting essentially of an elastomer.  
   
   
       13 . A toothbrush comprising: 
 a) an elongated handle ( 1 ) having distal and proximal ends;    b) a head ( 2 ) attached to the proximal end of the handle, the head including a bristle-bearing face ( 4 ) with bristles and massaging elements attached thereto and a back face opposed to the bristle-bearing face;    c) opposed longitudinal edges ( 3 ) bounding the faces, the bristle bearing face having longitudinal perimeter portions adjacent the longitudinal edges; and    d) at least two perimetric, elastomeric massaging elements ( 6 ) alternately arranged with groups of bristle tufts along each of the longitudinal perimeter portions;    characterised in that the perimetric massaging elements have rotational symmetry through an angle of 120° or less and that the brush comprises four or fewer elastomeric massaging elements which are not perimetric, elastomeric massaging elements.