Abstract:
A toothbrush includes a handle and a head mounted to the handle. In one aspect, the head may extend from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the head having a base portion formed of a rigid plastic material and a flexible portion formed of an elastomeric material, a first longitudinal section of the flexible portion spaced apart from the base portion by a gap. The flexible portion of the head may have an upper surface and an opposing lower surface such that within the first longitudinal section of the flexible portion the upper surface and the lower surface are substantially planar and parallel to one another. Furthermore, tooth cleaning elements may be secured to the flexible portion of the head by in-molded technology to extend from the upper surface of the flexible portion

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/252,911, filed Apr. 15, 2014, now allowed, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/611,726, filed Dec. 15, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,695,148, issued Apr. 15, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/053,583, filed Feb. 8, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,270, issued Apr. 22, 2008, which is a continuation of Application No. PCT/US03/24878, filed Aug. 8, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/402,162, filed Aug. 9, 2002. The contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to a manually held and operated toothbrush or to a powered toothbrush which includes a handle and a head. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The head of a conventional toothbrush usually has a flat or slightly altered surface to which cleaning elements are attached. Usually the cleaning elements are strands of plastic material(s) formed into tufts or other groupings. The strand groupings are attached to the head either before or after forming the toothbrush handle. 
         [0004]    Various attempts have been made for providing flexibility to the manner in which the bristles are attached. Various approaches have also been taken wherein the bristle carrying surface of the head is not flat. U.S. Pat. No. 1,688,581, for example, discloses a toothbrush having a bristle carrying member which is ordinarily bowed inwardly into the hollow head. The bristle carrying member can be bowed outwardly by manipulating a wire mounted in the toothbrush. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention pertains to a toothbrush having an oral care region attached to a handle. The oral care region has a base portion and a flexible portion that provides flexible movement of tooth cleaning elements. 
         [0006]    In one aspect, the invention may be a toothbrush comprising: a handle; a head extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the head comprising a base portion formed of a rigid plastic material and a flexible portion formed of an elastomeric material coupled to the base portion, a first longitudinal section of the flexible portion spaced apart from the base portion by a gap that forms a transverse passageway through the head from a first side of the head to a second side of the head; the flexible portion of the head having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, wherein within the first longitudinal section of the flexible portion the upper surface and the lower surface are substantially planar and parallel to one another; and tooth cleaning elements secured to the flexible portion of the head by in-molded technology and extending from the upper surface of the flexible portion. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, the invention may be a toothbrush comprising: a handle; a head extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the head comprising a base portion formed of a rigid plastic material and a flexible portion formed of an elastomeric material, the flexible portion of the head fixedly coupled to the base portion of the head; a first longitudinal section of the flexible portion spaced apart from the base portion by a gap, a second longitudinal section of the flexible portion coupled to the base portion at the distal end of the head, and a third longitudinal section of the flexible portion coupled to the base portion at the proximal end of the head, the first longitudinal section of the flexible portion being located between the second and third longitudinal sections of the flexible portion; the flexible portion of the head having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, wherein an entirety of the upper surface of the flexible portion is substantially planar and at least a portion of the lower surface of the flexible portion located within the first longitudinal section of the flexible portion is substantially planar and parallel to the upper surface of the flexible portion; the base portion of the head having a top surface adjacent to the gap and an opposing bottom surface, and wherein the top surface is concave and the bottom surface is convex; and tooth cleaning elements secured to the flexible portion of the head by in-molded technology, the tooth cleaning elements comprising a first tooth cleaning element having a first length measured from the upper surface of the flexible portion to a proximal end and a second tooth cleaning element having a second length measured from the upper surface of the flexible portion to a proximal end, the first length being greater than the second length. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toothbrush; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the toothbrush shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the toothbrush shown in  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken through  FIG. 3  along the line  4 - 4 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of a powered toothbrush; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a toothbrush having elastic areas in the head and handle to allow deflection of the brush, bristles and handle for better teeth cleaning and control in accordance with a further embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the toothbrush shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the toothbrush shown in  FIGS. 6-7 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the toothbrush of  FIG. 6  showing deflection in the open area under the bristles and the handle area; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of a powered toothbrush in accordance with the embodiment of  FIGS. 6-9 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a toothbrush formed in accordance with still another embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of the toothbrush shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the toothbrush shown in  FIGS. 11-12 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is an end elevational view of the toothbrush shown in  FIGS. 11-13  in its original closed position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view taken through  FIG. 13  along the line  15 - 15 , but with the brush head in its hinged open position and omitting some of the cleaning elements; 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a front elevational view of a powered toothbrush in accordance with the embodiment of  FIGS. 11-15 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a rear view of a toothbrush head according to one embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning element of the toothbrush head of  FIG. 17  taken along line  18 - 18 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  is a rear view of an alternate arrangement of the toothbrush head of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 20  is a rear view of the toothbrush head of  FIG. 17  schematically illustrating additional features; 
           [0028]      FIG. 21  is a rear view of a toothbrush head according to an alternate embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of a barrier wall of the toothbrush head of  FIG. 21 ; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 23  is a rear view of an alternate arrangement of the toothbrush head of  FIG. 21 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]      FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a toothbrush  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown therein, toothbrush  10  includes a handle  12  and a head  14 . Handle  12  may include a suitable grip pad  16  made of an elastomer material. The focus of this improvement is primarily directed to the structure of head  14 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , head  14  has a base portion  18  with an upstanding wall  20  to create a peripheral frame extending outwardly above base portion  18 . In one embodiment, a membrane  22  is attached to frame  20  completely along its periphery. Membrane  22  in its initial non-use condition is convex or bowed outwardly as best shown in  FIG. 4 . The convex bowing is provided both in the longitudinal and transverse directions, thus presenting a dome-like outer surface  24  to which cleaning elements  26  are connected. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, cleaning elements in the form of strands or bristles are attached via in-molded technology (IMT) methods. The strands utilizing IMT methods are preferably attached during formation of the toothbrush handle or at least during formation of the head which is the portion of the toothbrush to which the strands and other materials are attached. Referring to  FIGS. 1-4  and  FIG. 5 , the use of thin cross-sections of material for membrane  22  so that it is flexible and resilient. The cross-section shown, for example, in  FIG. 4  is formed like a moon crescent thus representing a shape similar to the dome. 
         [0033]    Alternatively, the toothbrush is particularly suitable for cleaning elements in the form of strands or bristles attached via anchor free tufting (AFT). In the AFT toothbrush brush making process, described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,851, nylon is fed into a pre-molded plate that can be made from any thermoplastic or elastomer material or combination thereof. This nylon may be processed into bristle tufts of various sizes and shapes. The non-use or proximal end of the nylon is heated and melted to retain the nylon in the brush head when a reasonable pulling force is applied. This head plate may then be ultrasonically welded to a pre-molded handle that has a peripheral wall or frame on which the head plate will rest and become fused to the handle. 
         [0034]    Because of the open space  28  between base portion  18  and membrane  22 , the membrane displaces from its original dome-like shape to be distorted into other shapes as the cleaning elements or bristles  26  contact the teeth of a user. Thus, the dome  22  has a thin membrane of material or combinations of material that can flex to become altered from its original shape and recover to its original shape randomly during brushing. The bristles  26  are attached to the flexible dome and move accordingly, creating a random topology and by doing so, improves the cleaning of the teeth. The moving bristle strands have more degrees of motion than other toothbrushes and thus represent a different and unique tooth brushing device. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , in the illustrated embodiment, the head  14  is generally oval shape and the membrane  22  has a corresponding oval shape. Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used as the cleaning elements  26  in the broad practice of the invention. The term “cleaning elements” is intended to be used in a generic sense which could include conventional fiber bristles or massage elements or other forms of cleaning elements such as elastomeric fingers or walls arranged in a circular cross-sectional shape or any type of desired shape including straight portions or sinusoidal portions. Where bristles are used, the bristles could be mounted to tuft blocks or sections by extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the tuft block and below membrane  22 . 
         [0036]    It is to be understood that the specific illustration of the cleaning elements is for exemplary non-limiting purposes. The toothbrush can be provided with various combinations of the same or different cleaning element configurations (such as stapled or in-molded technology bristles, anchor free technology (AFT), etc.) and/or with the same bristle or cleaning element materials (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). Similarly, while  FIG. 2  illustrates the cleaning elements to be generally perpendicular to the outer surface  24  membrane  22  or head  14  some or all of the cleaning elements may be angled at various angles with respect to the outer surface of head  14 . It is thereby possible to select the combination of cleaning element configurations, materials and orientations to achieve specific intended results to deliver additional oral health benefits, like enhanced cleaning tooth polishing, tooth whitening and/or massaging of the gums. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, cleaning elements  26  are IMT bristles. Although  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate the membrane  22  to occupy generally the entire head  14 , the invention may be practiced where the head  14  is of sufficient size that it could include other bristle carrying surfaces adjacent to the dome shape membrane  22 . 
         [0038]    Although  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a manually operated toothbrush, an embodiment may also be practiced where the head includes one or more power or electrically operated movable sections carrying cleaning elements. Such movable section may oscillate in a rotational manner or may oscillate linearly in a longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head or may oscillate linearly in a lateral or transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head. The movable section may oscillate in and out in a direction toward and away from the outer surface of the head. The movable section may rock back and forth with respect to the outer surface of the head. The movable section may rotate continuously in the same direction, rather than oscillate. Any suitable drive mechanism may be used for imparting the desired motion to the movable section. Where plural movable sections are used, all of the movable sections may have the same type and direction of movement, or combinations of different movements may be used. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  illustrates a toothbrush  10 A which includes a power driven movable disc or section  30  having cleaning elements. The movable section  30  could be oscillated rotationally such as by using the type of drive mechanism shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,916, or could move in and out using the type of drive mechanism shown in U.S. Pat. No. Re 35,941, all of the details of both patents are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Alternatively, the other types of drives referred to above could move section  30  in other manners and directions. Although  FIG. 5  shows movable section  30  to be at the distal end of the head, the movable section(s) could be located at any desired location on the head. 
         [0040]    Handle  12 , base  18  and frame  20  are preferably made of hard plastic materials which are used for manual toothbrushes. As noted, however, a characteristic of dome shape membrane  22  is that it is made of a flexible resilient material such as an elastomer capable of being moved from its original position and then returning to that original position. 
         [0041]    Membrane  22  may be secured to frame  20  in any suitable manner. Thus, for example, frame  20  includes inwardly inclined surfaces for receiving membrane  22 . Other structural arrangements may be used within the practice of this invention to mount membrane  22  on head  14 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 6-9  illustrate a manual toothbrush  10  in accordance with another embodiment. This is a variation of the prior embodiment using a trampoline type structure to achieve an up and down motion. As shown therein toothbrush  110  includes a handle  112  and a head  114 . Handle  112  may include a suitable area  116  made of an elastomeric material. This elastomeric portion of the handle is preferably molded with an open area  118  which is readily deformable by the user. The elastomeric material  16  on the top side of the handle  12  (as viewed in  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  9 ) will yield under pressure of the user&#39;s fingers to provide a better grip on the handle while providing a more comfortable feel to the handle.  FIG. 9  illustrates this elastomeric portion  116  of the handle  112  in a depressed state. The downward arrow in this Figure represents the pressure applied by the toothbrush user. The open area  118  is thereby minimized. As soon as the user&#39;s pressure is released, the properties of the elastomeric portion  116  of the handle  112  return the elastomeric material  116  to its original shape illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0043]    A similar flexible, deformable open area  120  is created in the head by inclusion of an elastomeric portion  122  in the head overlying open area  120 . Cleaning elements  124  are arrayed in the elastomeric portion of the head and fastened thereto by known methods including in-molded technology (IMT). Bristle attachment utilizing IMT methods generally occurs during formation of the toothbrush handle or at least during formation of the elastomeric portion  122  of the head  114 . 
         [0044]    In use, the application of pressure by the toothbrush user causes a like pressure of the teeth against cleaning elements  124  as illustrated by the arrow in  FIG. 9 . This causes deflection of the elastomeric portion  122  of head  114  which in turn causes a reorientation of cleaning elements relative to the teeth being cleaned. As the user&#39;s pressure is reduced, the open area  120  of head  114  opens up causing the cleaning elements to follow the shape of the teeth being brushed and thereby improving the cleaning of the teeth. When all user pressure is released, the open area  120  returns to its original shape. 
         [0045]    The elastomeric portion  122  of head  114  should be a material or combinations of material that can flex to become altered from its original shape and recover to its original shape randomly during brushing. The cleaning elements, for example, bristles, are attached to the flexible membrane creating a flexible orientation of cleaning elements  124  which improves the cleaning of the teeth. The moving bristle strands have considerable degrees of motion and thus provide a unique tooth brushing experience. 
         [0046]    Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used as the cleaning elements  124  in the broad practice of this invention, as discussed with the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-5 . It is to be understood that the specific illustration of the cleaning elements is merely for exemplary purposes. The invention can be practiced with various combinations of the same or different cleaning element configurations (such as stapled, in-molded technology bristles, or AFT, etc.) and/or with the same bristle or cleaning element materials (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.) Similarly, while  FIGS. 7 and 9  illustrates the cleaning elements to be generally perpendicular to the elastomeric portion  122  of head  114 , some or all of the cleaning elements may be angled at various angles. It is thereby possible to select the combination of cleaning element configurations, materials and orientations to achieve specific intended results to deliver additional oral health benefits, like enhanced cleaning, tooth polishing, tooth whitening and/or massaging of the gums. 
         [0047]    Portions of handle  112  and head  114 , may be made of a rigid plastic material which is used for manual toothbrushes. As noted, however, a feature of this toothbrush is use of elastomeric portions  116  of the handle and/or elastomeric portion  122  of head  114 , such as an elastomer capable of being moved from its original position and then returning to its original position. 
         [0048]    An embodiment may also be practiced where the head  114  includes one or more power or electrically operated movable sections carrying cleaning elements. 
         [0049]      FIG. 10  illustrates a toothbrush  110 A which includes a power driven movable disc or section  150  having cleaning elements. The movable section  150  could be similar to section  30  of  FIG. 5 . Although  FIG. 10  shows movable section  150  to be at the one end of the head, as with  FIG. 5 , the movable section(s) could be located at any desired location on the head. 
         [0050]    In another embodiment, a toothbrush includes a head longitudinally separated into side by side areas by means of a flexible hinge structure that serves as a spring to return the brush head materials and cleaning areas to their original position.  FIGS. 11-13  illustrate a toothbrush  210  which includes an elongated handle  212  and a head  214 . A portion of handle  212  may be recessed at gripping area  216  between shoulders  218  and  220 . Shoulder  218  could extend outwardly a sufficient distance to act as a hook or ledge to facilitate hanging the toothbrush in an inverted condition. 
         [0051]    Head  214  and handle  212  are elongated and have a longitudinal axis. As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , head  214  includes a spine  222  which extends collinear with the longitudinal axis or major axis of the toothbrush handle and head. As a result, head  214  is separated into two side by side longitudinal sections  224 ,  226  connected to the spine  222 . Spine  222  is made of a resilient material such as an elastomer which is sufficiently flexible as to be movable and yet return to its original position. As a result, spine  222  functions as a hinge axis whereby the side by side sections  224 ,  226  may move or pivot about the spine away from the original position shown in  FIG. 14  to an open position such as shown in  FIG. 15  when the cleaning elements on the sections  224 ,  226  contact the teeth. Then sections  224 ,  226  return to their original position under the influence of the resilient hinge or spine  222 . Preferably hinge or spine  222  is confined to head  214 . 
         [0052]    As illustrated, each of the sections  224 ,  226  includes sets of cleaning elements. For example, an outer set of cleaning elements  228  is located at the outer periphery of each section  224 ,  226  while an inner set of cleaning elements  230  is located closer to the spine  222 . Preferably, the terminal surfaces  232  of the inner cleaning elements  230  are tapered toward the hinge axis  222  so that the adjacent terminal ends  232  of each inner set of cleaning elements forms an obtuse angle as indicated by the letter A in  FIG. 14  when the brush head is in its original position. 
         [0053]    The outer sets of cleaning elements  228  extend outwardly a longer distance from the outer surface of the sections than do the inner cleaning elements  230 . As a result, the combined cleaning elements are designed to wrap around the edge of the teeth for simultaneous possible contact with both the front and top of the teeth. See  FIG. 14 . During use the brush head is pressed against the edge of the teeth causing the flexible hinge to open and close during cleaning. 
         [0054]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 11-13  in a preferred practice of the invention the outer sets of cleaning elements  228  are bristle bundles of plaque bristles. The inner sets of cleaning elements  230  may be bristles formed by in-molded technology (IMT) where sets of bristles are fused together at one end and the fused end is inserted in a mold cavity during the manufacture of the head. 
         [0055]      FIG. 15  shows the sections  224 , 226  in their open position.  FIG. 15  omits some of the cleaning elements so as to provide a better understanding of how the cleaning elements are mounted. As shown therein, the plaque bristles  228  are in the form of bristle bundles or tufts inserted into individual holes  234  in bristle container  236 . The inner sets of cleaning elements  230  are IMT bristles mounted in IMT container  238 . The IMT containers  238  may be made of soft flexible elastomer material integral with hinge axis  222 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIGS. 11-13  the bristle container  236  does not extend completely to the distal end of the head  214 . Accordingly, side plates  240  are provided on each side of the head longitudinally abutting against bristle containers  236  and disposed against containers  238  for the remaining length of containers  238  so that a smooth contour results along the side of the head  214 . Side plates  240  may also be made of a soft, flexible elastomer material. 
         [0057]    As best shown in  FIGS. 11-12  each inner row of IMT bristles  230  has its bristles spaced apart or staggered so that the inclined IMT bristles of each section may fit between the spacing of adjacent IMT bristles of the other section. 
         [0058]    Although  FIGS. 11-15  illustrate a preferred form of cleaning elements to be the plaque bristles and IMT bristles, any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used as the cleaning elements  228  and  230  as previously described. Thus the term “cleaning elements” is intended to be used in a generic sense which could include conventional fiber bristles or massage elements or other forms of cleaning elements such as elastomeric fingers or walls arranged in a circular cross-sectional shape or any type of desired shape including straight portions or sinusoidal portions. Where bristles are used, the bristles could be mounted to tuft blocks or sections by extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the tuft block. 
         [0059]    Similarly, it is to be understood that the specific illustration of the cleaning elements is for exemplary non-limiting purposes. An embodiment can be practiced with various combinations of the same or different cleaning element configurations (such as stapled or IMT bristles, AFT, etc.) and/or with the same bristle or cleaning element materials (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.) Similarly, while  FIG. 12  illustrates the cleaning elements to be generally perpendicular to the outer surface of head  214  some or all of the cleaning elements may be angled at various angles with respect to the outer surface of head  214 . It is thereby possible to select the combination of cleaning element configurations, materials and orientations to achieve specific intended results to deliver additional oral health benefits, like enhanced cleaning tooth polishing, tooth whitening and/or massaging of the gums. 
         [0060]    Handle  212  could be made of a conventional hard plastic material which could, however, include a soft elastomer section  242  near the head  214 . Bristle containers  236 , 236  could also be made of a hard plastic material while side plates  240  and IMT containers  238  are made of a soft elastomer material. By having the bristle containers  236  mounted against the IMT containers  238 , the bristle containers  236  and their cleaning elements  228  move along with the movement of the IMT containers  238  in response to the IMT bristles  230  contacting the teeth. If desired, the bristle containers  236  may also be made of a soft elastomer material. 
         [0061]    Although  FIGS. 11-13  illustrate a manually operated toothbrush, the invention may also be practiced where the head includes one or more power or electrically operated movable sections carrying cleaning elements.  FIG. 6  illustrates a toothbrush  210  which includes a power driven movable disc or section  250  having cleaning elements, similar to the movable sections of toothbrushes  10 A and  110 A. 
         [0062]      FIG. 17  illustrates a toothbrush head according to yet another arrangement. The head comprises an oral care region for having elements for brushing teeth or tissue in the mouth. It should be noted that, although the toothbrush head shown in  FIG. 17  is generally used with a manual toothbrush, the head and method of manufacturing the head, may also be used with a toothbrush that includes one or more power or electrically operated moveable sections carrying cleaning elements. 
         [0063]      FIG. 17  illustrates a toothbrush head  300  having a peripheral wall or frame  302  as previously described with respect to  FIG. 4 . The toothbrush head  300  also includes an elastomeric membrane  304  that is connected to the peripheral frame  302  and provides a foundation to which various tooth cleaning elements may be mounted or otherwise attached. In addition, the head  300  includes tooth cleaning elements  308  mounted to the head  300  via the membrane  304 . The term “cleaning elements” is intended to be used in a generic sense which could include conventional fiber bristles or massage elements or other forms of cleaning elements such as elastomeric fingers or walls arranged in a circular cross-sectional shape or any type of desired shape including straight portions or sinusoidal portions. 
         [0064]    In the arrangement shown in  FIG. 17 , the tooth cleaning elements are mounted using Anchor Free Tufting (AFT) as described above. The tooth cleaning elements, such as bristle tufts or elastomeric members, are depicted as round in the  FIG. 17 . Nevertheless, tooth cleaning elements having alternate shapes may also be used. For example, shapes such as square, rectangular, etc., may be used, as shown in  FIG. 19 . During the AFT process, the tooth cleaning elements provides in a nylon material are heated and the proximal end of the tooth cleaning elements  308   a ,  308   b ,  308   c  melts to bind or fuse the tooth cleaning elements  308   a - c  to the membrane  304 . A schematic representation of the molten nylon  310  is shown in  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 19 . In  FIG. 19 , toothbrush  350  includes tooth cleaning elements  358   a ,  358   b ,  358   c  in a square shape. 
         [0065]      FIG. 18  illustrates a tooth cleaning element  308  attached by anchor free tufting, for example. Tooth cleaning element  308  is visible with the distal end  320  at the top. The proximal end  322  is at the bottom and a portion of the proximal end  322  is shown as melted. This melting occurs when a heating element is applied and causes the nylon to fuse to the back side of the membrane  304 . Elastomeric backing  325  is also shown. This backing  325  is attached to the backside of the head  300  and aids in sealing the head to prevent toothpaste and debris from collecting on the back side of the tooth cleaning elements. 
         [0066]    In one embodiment, to enable the tooth cleaning elements to move independently of each other, the molten nylon associated with each tooth cleaning element should be free of contact with molten nylon of other tooth cleaning elements. In the arrangement of  FIGS. 17 ,  19  and  20  the tooth cleaning elements are spaced sufficiently apart so as to allow the molten nylon of each tooth cleaning element to be separate or isolated from the molten nylon of other tooth cleaning elements. For instance, in  FIG. 20 , tooth cleaning elements  308   a ,  308   b ,  308   c  may be spaced a distance “X” between the periphery tooth cleaning elements. In one embodiment, this spacing may be between 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm. Nevertheless, other values may be used. In addition, the edge of the molten nylon regions  310   a ,  310   b ,  310   c  may be separated from the neighboring molten nylon by a spacing “Y” having a range of values between 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm. Nevertheless, other values may be used. Aspects of the arrangements shown in  FIGS. 17 ,  19  and  20  can be applied to the arrangements of toothbrushes shown in  FIGS. 1-16 . 
         [0067]    To further enable movement of the tooth cleaning elements  308 , a force in the z-direction is generally applied to the tooth cleaning elements after they have been heated and attached to the membrane  304 . This force acts to loosen the attachment or detach the nylon at the perimeter of the head  300 . The applied force is generally greater than the value of brushing forces during a normal brushing operation. In order to overcome this attachment, a plate may be lowered onto the head  300  via a pneumatic cylinder, mechanical movement, hydraulic cylinder, etc. This plate forces the nylon downward towards the elastomer on the back of the head. The plate is generally moved a predetermined distance at a predetermined force to break bonds of the nylon tooth cleaning element field from the perimeter of the head. This operation further enables the tooth cleaning elements to be resiliently flexible during brushing. Thus, the tooth cleaning elements  308   a - c  in the form of bristles are attached to the membrane and move accordingly, creating a random topology and by doing so, improves the cleaning of the teeth. The moving bristle strands have more degrees of motion than other toothbrushes and thus represent a different and unique tooth brushing device. 
         [0068]    The toothbrush and tooth cleaning element arrangement described enables not only movement of the bristles independently of each other, but also allows movement of the membrane around the tooth during brushing. This arrangement provides of a compound movement of the tooth cleaning elements. For instance, the membrane  304  and tooth cleaning elements  308  may be resiliently flexible when brushing forces are applied. Such flexibility may include rotation of the distal tip of the tooth cleaning element through a 360 degree arc, as indicated by arrow  330  in  FIG. 18 . In addition, this flexibility may include z-axis compression of the membrane  304  and tooth cleaning elements  308 , as shown in  FIG. 18 , to allow tooth cleaning elements to encompass the tooth. This movement facilitates enhanced brushing of the lingual and facial surfaces with the dentifrice retained on the tooth cleaning element. In addition, z-axis movement of the tooth cleaning elements facilitates improved interproximal cleaning as well as cleaning of the crowns of the molars. 
         [0069]      FIG. 21  illustrates a toothbrush head according to still another arrangement. The head  400  of  FIG. 21  includes a peripheral wall or frame  402 . The head  400  also includes an elastomeric membrane  404  connected to the peripheral frame  402  and provides a foundation to which various tooth cleaning elements may be mounted. In addition, the head  400  includes tooth cleaning elements  408   a ,  408   b ,  408   c  that are connected to the membrane  404  via molten nylon  410 . 
         [0070]    In the arrangement of  FIG. 21 , the head  400  includes a plurality of walls or dams  412 . The walls  412  may be molded into the back of the head  400  and may act as a barrier for molten nylon  410 . In one arrangement, the walls  412  are elastomeric and are molded into the back of the membrane  404 . The walls  412  are generally directed downward, toward the back of the head  400  and in a direction opposite the tooth cleaning elements  408 . To attach or mount the tooth cleaning elements by way of anchor free tufting, a heating element is applied to the tooth cleaning elements  408   a - c  and the proximal end of the tooth cleaning elements  408   a - c  will melt to the back side of the membrane  404 . The molten nylon  410  will spread around the area of the tooth cleaning elements  408   a - c . The walls  412  may be generally spaced a distance D from the center of the cleaning element, as shown in  FIG. 23 , to isolate the molten nylon of each tooth cleaning element  408   a - c  and prevent the molten nylon  410  of one tooth cleaning element from fusing with the molten nylon of another tooth cleaning element. 
         [0071]    In the arrangement of  FIG. 21 , a single heating element may be used to apply high temperature to melt the nylon at a melt flow temperature. In an alternate arrangement, separate heating elements may be used for each tooth cleaning element in order to prevent the wall  412  from coming in contact with the heating element. In yet another arrangement, one heating element may be used, however, this heating element may include machine areas such that no contact is made with the nylon tooth cleaning elements in designated areas. 
         [0072]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement of  FIG. 21 . The peripheral frame  402  is shown with the membrane  404  attached. In addition, the wall or dam  412  is shown molded into the membrane  404  and extending downward toward the back of the head  400 . Shown behind the molded wall  412  is a tooth cleaning element  408 . The molten nylon attaching the tooth cleaning element to the head  400  is not visible since the wall  412  prevents the molten nylon from flowing around it. In addition, a backing  420  is shown. The backing may comprise an elastomeric material and generally seals the head  400  from the backside (e.g., opposite of the tooth cleaning elements) to prevent dentifrice and debris from collecting on the underside of the tooth cleaning elements. 
         [0073]      FIG. 23  illustrates another arrangement according to this embodiment. As shown, tooth cleaning elements  508  form a generally rectangular shape of a tuft of bristles. In another arrangement, the walls  512  are shown having a slight curvature. This curvature may aid in the shape of the walls  512  following the contour of the dome shaped membrane. The walls  512  may also be formed in alternate shapes to be tailored to the shapes of the tooth cleaning elements and to further enable movement of the tooth cleaning elements independently of the other tooth cleaning elements. 
         [0074]    The embodiment described in which walls or dams are used to prevent molten nylon associated with each tooth cleaning element from fusing with molten nylon associated with another cleaning element enables the cleaning elements to move independently of each other. The distal tip of the tooth cleaning elements may move through a 360 degree arc, as indicated by arrow  330  in  FIG. 18 . In addition, the tooth cleaning elements may also move in a z-direction to allow tooth cleaning elements to encompass the tooth. This movement facilitates enhanced brushing of the lingual and facial surfaces with the dentifrice retained on the tooth cleaning element. In addition, z-direction movement of the tooth cleaning elements facilitates improved interproximal cleaning as well as cleaning of the crowns of the molars. 
         [0075]    Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to certain structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. Numerous other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure.