TOOTHBRUSH

Abstract: A toothbrush in which the head comprises a substantially rigid base region adjoining the toothbrush neck and extending from the base end of the head to a resilient flexible link situated between the base end and the tip end, and a tip region extending from the tip end of the head to the link region, both the base region andtip region being bristle bearing, the tip region being flexibly and resiliently linked at the link region to the base region, and between the base end of the head and the neck there is a resilient flexible link.

Description: Toothbrush This invention relates to toothbrushes, in particular to toothbrushes having a flexibly linked region in their head. Toothbrushes having flexibility-modifying regions in their structure are known, for example WO 92/17092, EP 0613636, EP 0648448A, WO 97/24949 and WO 97/07707. Such flexibility -modifying regions generally comprise forming a composite region of the stiff plastics material of which the toothbrush is made together with a soft flexible elastomer material. It is believed that optimum flexibility characteristics have not yet been achieved in such toothbrushes, and it is an object of this invention to provide a toothbrush in which the flexibility of the head is further improved, inter alia to enhance the ability of the toothbrush to clean surfaces of the teeth which face the back of the mouth. According to this invention a toothbrush comprises a handle and a head, the head having a base end facing the handle and a tip end remote from the base end, a neck region between the base end of the head and the handle, die head adjoining the neck region at the base end of the head, the head, neck and handle being disposed along a longitudinal toothbrush axis, the head having bristles extending from a bristle face of the head, characterised in tiiat: the head comprises a substantially rigid base region adjoining the toothbrush neck and extending from the base end of the head to a resilient flexible link situated between the base end and the tip end, and a tip region extending from the tip end of the head to die link region, both the base region and tip region being bristle bearing, the tip region being flexibly and resiliently linked at the link region to the base region, and; between the base end of die head and die neck there is a resilient flexible link. The handle of a toothbrush is that part of the toothbrush which is grasped by die user whilst brushing his/her teeth. In many toothbrushes the neck is a visually well-defined region between the part of the toothbrush which is grasped, and the head, but in other toothbrushes the head merges relatively imperceptibly into the handle. In general the term "neck" as used herein includes all such possibilities, and specifically that part of the toothbrush which is immediately adjacent to the base end of the head. The above-described construction of toothbrush concentrates flexibility of the head at the tip end of the toothbrush, and also provides a flexible link between the base end of the head and die handle of die toothbrush. The linking of the tip region and base region is preferably in a manner which enables the tip region to fold or pivot resiliently relative to the base region during toothbrushing. The link provided at die link region between d e tip region and the base region allows the tip region to fold or pivot during use about a fold or pivot axis which is generally transverse to the longitudinal toothbrush axis such that bristles on the tip region can lean backwards, i.e. so that the free ends of bristles in the tip region swing toward the handle, assisting the bristles to clean surfaces of the teeth which face the back of die mouth. This fold or pivot axis may be in the plane of the bristle face. The flexible linking provided by this invention between die tip region and base region, and between the head and neck also helps to prevent excessive brushing pressure from being applied during toothbrushing. The base region is substantially rigid, that is, during die operation of brushing the teeth the base region does not significantly flex beyond die usual limits of flexing of a plastics material toodibrush head. The base region may suitably comprise an integral block of plastics material provided widi sockets in which are mounted d e tufts of bristles. The link region is preferably in die longitudinal half of the head furthest from the base of die head. Suitably die base region extends for at least 50% , suitably at least 60%, for example at least 75% of die distance between e base end of die head and die tip of the head. The tip region may also be substantially rigid, so that d e tip region does not itself significantly flex apart from its folding or pivoting relative to die base region. The tip region may suitably comprise an integral block of plastics material provided with sockets in which are mounted the tufts of bristles. In its non-stressed condition, i.e. when not being used, the bristle face of die tip region and base region of the toothbrush of this invention may be substantially coplanar, i.e. with a substantially 180° angle between diem. Alternatively the bristle face of the tip region may form an angle of less dian 180° with die bristle face of the base region, e.g. 150°-179°, suitably 155°-170°. In this last-mentioned construction the ends of the bristles on the base region may lie in or about a plane, and die ends of die bristles on the tip region may also lie in or about a plane, and the two respective planes may be coplanar or at an angle, e.g. less than 180° to each other, for example an angle corresponding to the angle between the bristle surfaces of the base region and tip region. The link between the tip region and the base region in one embodiment of is invention comprises an aperture, space or chasm in die plastics material of which the head is made, between die tip and base regions which is bridged by means of one or more diin links of flexible and resilient plastics material. Such links may comprise thin spines, thin strips, or a continuous thin membrane, made of a both flexible and resilient plastics material, which may be in the same plane as a substantially planar head, or may slope or may be curved out of planarity. The plastics material may be the same plastics material as me tip and base regions but being flexible by virtue of thinness, e.g. the tip, base and bridge(s) may be integrally moulded. In another embodiment of this invention the link between the tip region and the base region may comprise a composite region having structural elements made of both plastics material and an elastomeric material. For example me composite region may comprise an aperture, space or chasm in the head material between die tip and base regions which is bridged by means of a combination of iin spines, strips or a continuous membrane of a bodi flexible and resilient plastics material, e.g. integral widi die head, and also by an elastomeric material in d e aperture, space or chasm. These spines, thin strips or membrane may be in a plane parallel to the plane of the bristle face of the tip region or die base region, or may slope or may be curved or folded out of any parallel relationship widi such planes. Such a composite region may for example comprise a net, ladder, latticework, cellular or trellis structure of plastics material integral with the material of the head, widi interstices containing the elastomeric material. Such a composite region may for example comprise one or more, for example two, strips of a plastics material integral with the material of die head, die strips being diinner than the diickness of the head, and extending between die tip region and base region to bridge an aperture, space or chasm between the tip region and the base region, the aperture, space or chasm also containing an elastomeric material, suitably bonded to me sides of die space and to die strips and suitably substantially filling die aperture, space or chasm, optionally also bulging above die surface of the surrounding plastics material of me head . The plastics material parts in such a composite region may be thick enough to contribute materially to the flexibility and resilience of die link region, or alternatively they may be so thin as to contribute little to the flexibility and resilience of the link region, and may thus serve simply to retain the tip and head regions together before die elastomer is added. In another embodiment of diis invention the link region between the tip region and the base region may comprise an aperture, space or chasm in the head material between die tip and base regions which is bridged solely by means of a complete or partial filling of an elastomeric material. In mis construction the head is effectively in two regions widi a gap between diem containing die elastomer. This elastomeric material is preferably bonded to the tip region and base region on opposite sides of the aperture, space or chasm so as to hold the tip region and base region together. The above-mentioned apertures or spaces may comprise a slot, chasm or cut out across the width of the head, dividing die base region from die tip region. Such an aperture may be open at the bristle face of d e head and/or at the opposite face of the head, and may pass completely through the head. Such apertures, spaces or chasms may be of various shapes, for example widdiways slots. These may in plan be substantially straight aligned widthways, curved or angular, e.g. generally "C", "TJ" or "V" shaped. In such a construction die convex bulge of the "U" or "C" or the apex of the "N" may point either toward die handle or toward the tip of die head away from the handle. Alternatively such aperture, space or chasms may be narrow at the edges of the head and widen toward the centre of the head or vice versa. Suitably for example the aperture, space or chasm may comprise one or more, preferably one, grooves with a depdi of part of the diickness of the head such diat the remaining plastics material at the bottom of the groove forms a thin link of plastics material. The groove may men be filled wholly or partly with elastomeric material to form a composite region. Alternatively die aperture, space or chasm may pass, in places at least, completely through the thickness of the head, for example leaving bridges of head material crossing d e aperture, space or chasm between places where ie aperture, space or chasm passes completely through die thickness of die head. Such an aperture, space or chasm may be wholly or partly filled wi i elastomeric material to diereby form a composite region. When die aperture, space or chasm pass completely dirough the thickness of the head for die whole of dieir lengdi they may be wholly or partly filled widi an elastomeric material. The aperture, space or chasm may extend wid iways to die sides of die tood brush head, and elastomeric material therein may be extended around die tip region of the head and/or around the base region of me head to form an elastomeric buffer around the toothbrush head to soften any impact of the toodibrush head widi die gums of the user, and also to gently massage the gums. Alternatively elastomeric material may be provided around die tip region of die head to form an elastomeric buffer in a known manner. When the aperture, space or chasm contains an elastomeric material the outer surface of this elastomeric material may have a corrugated surface, which may further help to control the flexibility of the link region. In one embodiment of me toodibrush of diis invention, the head is constructed such diat tip region may fold backwards resiliently relative to die base region, during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented fold axis that crosses the head in the link region. The fold axis may cross die head in or on the edge of an aperture, space or chasm as described above. In such a construction, die aperture, space or chasm may be shaped such that the widthways oriented fold axis crosses the head of the toothbrush entirely within the aperture, space or chasm. When the link region is a composite region as described above, the folding may occur by bending of die above described plastic material parts, or bending at the point where such a part meets me edge of the aperture, space or chasm. Such a construction can cause the entire tip region to fold in die bristle direction away from the plane which lies between the bristle face and die opposite face of the head, so diat die tip region in effect folds backwards towards d e base region during use in toothbrushing. In an alternative embodiment of die toothbrush of this invention, die tip region and /or link may be constructed and positioned such diat die tip region can pivot resiliently relative to the base region during toodibrushing, about a widdiways oriented pivot axis diat crosses die tip region intermediate between its tip end and its base end. Such a construction causes pivoting of die tip region about diis axis intermediate along its lengdi, i.e. causes die tip region to have a "see-saw" action in which during toothbrushing part of the tip region toward die tip of die head pivots in the bristle direction away from die plane which lies between the bristle face and die opposite face of die head, and die part of the tip region toward die base region of die head pivots in a direction opposite to die bristle direction away from me plane which lies between the bristle face and die opposite face of the head, or vice versa. In this embodiment such pivoting may for example be achieved in a construction of head in which the tip end of die base region is in the form of two limbs which partly surround a part of die tip region which extends in die base direction between diem, with die link between the tip region and the base region. For example the tip end of die base region may be made in the shape of a two pronged fork-like frame, widi a part of die tip region between the two prongs of die fork, and a link between the tip region and base region. In an alternative construction of the head of this embodiment die base end of the tip region may be in the form of two limbs which partly surround a part of die base region which extends in die tip direction between diem, with die link between the tip region and the base region. For example die base end of the tip region may be made in the shape of a two pronged fork-like frame, with a part of the base region between the two prongs of the fork, and a link between the tip region and base region. For example die tip region may be made generally "C", "TJ" or "V" shaped with its limbs toward die base region, or "Y" shaped with the upper limbs of the Y towards the base region. The part of the base region which extends in die tip direction may lie between the said limbs. In a construction of head in which the tip end of die base region is in the form of two limbs which partly surround a part of the tip region which extends in the base direction between diem, with an aperture between the tip region and the base region, thin links of flexible and resilient plastics material as described above may be provided between die said limbs and die respective tip region. In a construction of head in which the base end of die tip region is in die form of two limbs which partly surround a part of the base region which extends in die tip direction between diem, wid an aperture between the tip region and die base region, such bridges may be provided between me said limbs and the base region. Suitably in such toothbrushes such bridges may be provided at points widdiways diametrically opposite each other to define a pivot axis and to encourage pivoting in a plane in which die longitudinal axis lies. Additionally or alternatively such bridges may be provided at odier points in die aperture to encourage pivoting about odier axes. Between the base end of the head and die neck there is a resilient flexible link. In a preferred embodiment this link comprises a composite region of plastics material and an elastomeric material. In one embodiment mis composite region may for example comprise a region of the construction disclosed in WO 92/17092 and EP 0613636 A (die contents of bodi of which are included herein by way of reference). For example the handle, neck, and head may be integrally made of plastics material and integrally linked between die base end of die head and die handle, and between the neck and die head diere may be one or more cut-outs in e plastics material of the head and neck, extending inwardly from die surface of die plastics material, die cut out crossing the boundary between the neck and die head, die cut out containing an elastomeric material different to the plastics material of the head and neck and thereby providing a flexible resilient link between the head and handle. The said one or more cut-outs may comprise grooves or slots in the plastics material, which contain die elastomeric material, for example one or more longitudinally extending slots. In such a construction the cut-outs may be such as to form an integral link between the head and neck in the form of a linking narrowed region, e.g. a resilient spine, of die said plastics material, die narrowed being surrounded or laterally flanked by the elastomeric material. The said cut out may be filled widi an elastomeric material up to the full depth of the said cut out. The cut out may extend across the whole width of the toothbrush over at least part of the longitudinal extent of the cut out. Preferred forms of the above described composite region are as disclosed in WO 92/17092 and EP 0613636 A. Anodier embodiment of such a composite region is that disclosed in EP 0648448 A (die contents of which are included herein by way of reference). A preferred embodiment of such a composite region is that disclosed in WO 97/24949, die contents of which are included herein by reference. Such a last-mentioned composite region is provided in die toodibrush, which has its head, neck and handle made integrally of plastics material by mere being, in die neck region between die base end of die head and die grip handle, an integral thinned part which is of thinned cross section relative to the longitudinally immediately adjacent parts of the neck and/or the head to which it is connected, die said diinned part being laterally surrounded by a mass of elastomeric material bonded to the plastics material. Preferred forms of this last mentioned composite region are as disclosed in die said WO 97/24949. Preferably die resilient flexible link between the base of the head and die neck is located at or immediately longimdinally adjacent to die base of the head, and links the head to the neck. Typically the thinned part may be in the form of a thin spine of the plastics material extending longimdinally between facing surfaces of die said longimdinally adjacent parts of die toothbrush. The thinned part may be of any suitable cross section or overall shape to provide a desired degree or type of flexibility in die neck of the toodibrush. The thinned part may have sides which in the direction of die longitudinal axis of the toothbrush are substantially parallel to the said longitudinal axis. For example the thinned part may be of circular cross section and overall cylindrical shape. Alternatively the diinned part may be of oval, rectangular or capsule-shaped cross section with the long axis of such oval, rectangular or capsule- shape aligned in the same direction as the bristles or perpendicular to the bristles. Typically the part of the head, e.g. the base end of the head, to which the head end of the thinned part is connected may be of a concave shape, particularly as viewed in plan (i.e. generally perpendicular to die longitudinal direction and generally parallel to the bristle direction) to die deepest part of which the diinned part connects. Alternatively die part of the head to which the head end of the thinned part is connected may be a surface substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In such last-mentioned constructions the part of the neck to which the handle end of the thinned part is connected may be of a corresponding convex shape, or may have a surface substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Alternatively if the part of the head or neck to which the head end of ie diinned part is connected is of a concave shape dien die part of the head or neck to which the handle end of the thinned part is connected may also be a concave shape of opposite curvature, so as to form a rounded cavity bounded in part at its longitudinal ends by these two respective concave surfaces. In such constructions the thinned part may in effect bridge a widthways aligned chasm across die neck of the toothbrush, or between the head, e.g. at its base end, and die neck of die toodibrush. The chasm may in effect therefore be a parallel sided slot or a curved sided slot, e.g. with bodi of its head-end side and handle-end side following a part circular curve. For example the diinned part may be connected at its head end to die base end of the head, die part of the base end of die head to which the head end of the thinned part is connected being of a concave shape, to me deepest part of which the diinned part connects, and die part of the head or neck to which the handle end of the diinned part is connected being of a corresponding convex shape, such diat the facing surfaces of die head end of die neck and die base end of die head define a curved chasm between them. Bom me facing surfaces of such a curve preferably follow a crescentic curve which is substantially part circular over substantially all its length, with die cusps of die crescent pointing generally toward die handle end of die toodibrush. As viewed from the side (i.e. from a direction perpendicular to die longitudinal axis and die bristle direction), the said facing surfaces may be aligned substantially perpendicular to die longitudinal toodibrush axis, or may be inclined at a non-perpendicular angle to this axis. For example die surfaces of die chasm between the head end of the neck and die base end of the head may be inclined at an angle such that dieir extrapolation converges on the bristle surface side of die toodibrush. The thinned part may bridge the chasm symmetrically relative to the diickness of the toothbrush (i.e. the dimension generally parallel to the bristle direction) or it may be nearer to one or other of the bristle face or the reverse face of the head of die toothbrush for example to cause the link to be more flexible in one flexing direction dian in others, or to impart a desired strengdi or flexibility characteristic to the so-formed link. For example as viewed from die side (i.e. from a direction perpendicular to die longitudinal axis and d e bristle direction) die thinned part may be closer to the bristle face than to the reverse face of the head. For example die connection between the thinned part and die base end of the head may be entirely or substantially in the part of the base end of the head and/or neck which is in terms of the thickness of the head and/or neck, in the half nearer to die bristle face of the head and/or neck. The cross section of the thinned part may for example be 0.1 - 0.75, suitably 0.25 - 0.5 of the cross section of the immediately longimdinally adjacent parts of die toothbrush. In a typical toothbrush (toothbrushes are generally all of about the same size), the width of die said chasm (i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush) may be ca. 1 - 5 mm, typically 2 - 3 mm, at a point where the neck of the toodibrush has a width (i.e. perpendicular to die longitudinal axis and to die bristle direction) of ca. 4 - 7 mm and a diickness (i.e. perpendicular to die longitudinal axis and parallel to die bristle direction) of 3 - 5 mm. Suitably dierefore the diinned part, e.g. the spine, may be of a relatively short stubby shape widi length : width dimensions in die range 2: 1 to 1:2, typically 1.5: 1 to 1:1.5. A suitable spine may therefore have a width (i.e. across the longitudinal direction of die toodibrush) of ca. 0.4 - 5 mm, typically about 1 - 3 mm, and a lengdi corresponding to the above-mentioned widdi of die chasm it crosses. Preferably the mass is of a shape which bulges laterally beyond die line of die surface of the longimdinally adjacent parts of die neck or die head to which it is connected. The mass of elastomeric material may suitably be a rounded mass. For example it may have a spherical symmetry, an oblate spherical, ellipsoidal or pear- shaped symmetry etc. Where the above-mentioned chasm is a curved slot die curve of die rounded mass may follow the curve of die chasm. At one or both of the parts of the toodibrush longimdinally adjacent to die mass the plastics material may be enlarged into a mass of a shape, i.e. a curved surface, similar to mat, i.e. to die curve, of die mass of elastomeric material, and around which the mass of elastomeric material may be formed. The rounded mass may bulge laterally, in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of me toothbrush and generally in ie bristle direction, to between about 1.5 to 4, e.g. 2 to 3 times die iickness of the immediately adjacent part of me neck and/or the base end of die head. The rounded mass may bulge laterally, in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush and generally perpendicular to die bristle direction, to between about 1.01 to 1.5, e.g. 1.1 to 1.3 times the width of the immediately adjacent part of die neck and/or die base end of d e head. The elastomeric material in the space may modify die flexibility characteristics of die link, e.g. by providing a flexibility which is part way between that of a wholly plastics material link and a wholly elastomer material link. This may also modify die rocking characteristics of die head relative to the handle. The plastics material of die toothbrush, and the elastomeric material, whether present in die link between the base and tip regions of the head when diis is a composite region, or in the link between the head and neck when diis is a composite region, may be plastics and elastomeric material as commonly used in two-component toombrushes, e.g. that described in EP 0336641 , which can be bonded to plastics materials used for toothbrush handle manufacture. Such an elastomeric material can be injected into the toodibrush mould shortly after injection moulding of the plastics material parts of die toothbrush so that the hot plastics material fuses and bonds with the elastomeric material. This is a generally known process. Suitable plastics materials include, for example, polyamides and polypropylenes. An example of a suitable polyamide is the material 'Ultramid B3™' (marketed by BASF, Federal Republic of Germany), having a modulus of elasticity (DIN 53452) of 3000. An example of a suitable polypropylene is d e material 'Novolene 1100 HX™' (marketed by BASF, Federal Republic of Germany), which is a homopolymer and has a modulus of elasticity (DIN 53457) of 1400. Such a polypropylene homopolymer may optionally be used in admixture with a polypropylene block co-polymer, such as the material 'Novolene 2500 HX™' (marketed by BASF, Federal Republic of Germany), for example in an 80 : 20 mixture by weight (1100 HX : 2500 HX). Suitable elastomeric materials include natural or synthetic latex type elastomers, in particular polychloroprene, natural rubber and silicones, for example the elastomeric material Santoprene™. The toothbrush of the invention may be made by generally conventional injection moulding techniques, for example in which a plastics material "skeleton" is first made by injection moulding, dien elastomer parts if present, are introduced by a subsequent injection moulding step, in which the elastomer is injected as a hot fluid and bonds to die plastics material. A suitable, self evident, injection moulding process by means of which toombrushes can be made having elastomeric materials disposed at separated places on a plastics material is disclosed in WO 94/05183. The bristles may also be of generally conventional construction, arrangement on the bristle face, and materials, and may be fastened into the bristle face by generally known techniques. The invention will now be described by way of example only widi reference to the accompanying figures which show: Fig. 1 A plan view of the plastics material parts of the head and neck of a toodibrush of this invention. Fig. 2 An underside view of die plastics material parts of the head and neck of a toothbrush of this invention. Fig. 3 A side view of the plastics material parts of the head and neck of a toothbrush of this invention. Fig. 4 A plan part cutaway view of the toothbrush head of Fig. 1 showing the elastomer material in place. Fig. 5 A sectional view of the toodibrush head of Fig. 3 showing the elastomer material in place. Fig. 6 A side view of a toothbrush of this invention including elastomeric material and bristles. Fig. 7 A side view of anodier embodiment of toodibrush of this invention. Fig. 8 The toodibrush of this invention in action, cleaning die teeth. Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, a toothbrush 1 (overall) is shown which comprises a handle 2 and a head 3. The head has a base end 4 facing the handle 2 and a tip end 5 remote from die base end 4. There is a neck 6 between the base end 4 of die head 3 and the handle 2. The head 3 adjoins die neck 6 at die base end 4 of die head 3. The head 3, neck 6 and handle 2 are disposed along a longitudinal toodibrush axis A--A. Tufts 7 of bristles, mounted in socket holes 8, extend from a bristle face 9 of the head 3. The head 3 comprises a substantially rigid base region 10 adjoining die toothbrush neck 6 and which extends from the base end 4 of die head 3 to a link 11 situated between die base end 4 and die tip end 5, and a tip region 12 extending from the tip end 5 of die head 3 to die link 11. Both die base region 10 and die tip region 12 bear bristles 7 (omitted for clarity in Figs. 1 - 5). The link region 11 is provided by a chasm 13 between die tip region 12 and me base region 10 which is bridged by two strips 14 of a plastics material integral widi the material of die head 3, die strips 14 being thinner dian the diickness of die head 3, and extending between die tip region 12 and die base region 10 to bridge the chasm 13. The strips 14 are considerably thinner than the thickness of immediately adjacent parts 10,12 of the head 3, so as to provide a flexible link. Between the base end 4 of the head 3 and die neck 6 there is a link 15, being in the form of a resilient flexible composite region 15 of plastics material and elastomeric material. This resilient flexible composite region 15 comprises an integral thinned part 16 connected at one of its ends to the neck 6 and at the odier of its ends to the base end 4 of die head 3. The part 16 is of thinned cross section relative to die longimdinally adjacent parts of the neck 6 and the head 3 to which it is connected. The part 16 is in the form of a thin spine of the plastics material, of generally oval cross section across the longitudinal axis A--A, the long axis of the oval being aligned generally in the bristle direction, extending longimdinally between die base end 4 of the head 3 and neck 6. The diinned part 16 bridges a widthways aligned chasm 17 in die form of a curved sided slot across die neck of the toothbrush, between the base end 4 of the head 3, and d e neck 6 of the toothbrush. As shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 die chasm 13 is filled with an elastomeric material 18, which surrounds and encases die strips 14. The chasm 17 is also filled with an elastomeric material 19, so diat the thinned part 16 is laterally surrounded by a mass 19 of elastomeric material, which is bonded to the plastics material, and is of a shape which bulges generally spherically laterally beyond the line of die surface of the longimdinally adjacent parts of the neck 6 and die head 3 to which it is connected. This elastomeric material is shown part cutaway in Figs. 4 and 5 to show more clearly how the strips 14 and part 16 are embedded in die elastomeric material. As shown in Figs. 1 - 6, the bristle faces 9 of the base region 10 and die tip region 12 are in die same plane. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 the bristle faces 9 of the base region 10 and the tip region 12 are at an angle of less dian 180° to each other, so that diese respective bristle faces 9 are not in die same plane. The ends of die bristles on die base region lie in a plane, and die ends of me bristles on the tip region also lie in a plane, the two planes not being coplanar but at an angle to each odier corresponding to die angle between die bristle faces 9 of the base region 10 and tip region 12. By die construction shown in Fig. 7 the tips of die bristles are advantageously angled for cleaning around die surfaces of the teeth, but also the gap 20 between the ends of die bristles 7 of the base region 10 and of the tip region 12 is minimised. It will be apparent from Figs. 1-5 that die internal construction of die toothbrush of Fig. 7 is similar. The angle between die base region 10 and tip region 12 is achieved by applying a corresponding angle to the plastic material parts of the toodibrush, e.g. by forming such an angle in die plastic parts of the toodibrush as moulded, or moulding the plastic parts and dien bending die plastic parts through the appropriate angle, before injecting die elastomer material 18, to thereby set die toothbrush with die indicated angle between die base region 10 and tip region 12. Referring to Fig. 8 it is seen diat the bristles 21 of the tip region 12 of the toothbrush of the invention, particularly that of Fig. 7, advantageously reach die rear-facing surfaces 22 of the teeth 23 of the user.

Claims: Claims: 1. A toothbrush which comprises a handle and a head, the head having a base end facing the handle and a tip end remote from die base end, a neck region between the base end of the head and die handle, the head adjoining die neck region at the base end of the head, the head, neck and handle being disposed along a longitudinal toothbrush axis, die head having bristles extending from a bristle face of the head, characterised in that: the head comprises a substantially rigid base region adjoining the toodibrush neck and extending from the base end of the head to a resilient flexible link simated between the base end and die tip end, and a tip region extending from the tip end of me head to die link region, bodi die base region and tip region being bristle bearing, the tip region being flexibly and resiliently linked at die link region to the base region, and; between the base end of the head and die neck there is a resilient flexible link. 2. A toothbrush according to claim 1 characterised in diat die linking of the tip region and base region is in a manner which enables the tip region to fold or pivot resiliently relative to the base region during toodibrushing. 3. A toothbrush according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that die link region is in die longitudinal half of the head furthest from die base of die head. 4. A toodibrush according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterised in mat the tip region is also substantially rigid. 5. A toothbrush according to any one of he preceding claims characterised in that in its non-stressed condition die bristle face of the tip region and base region of the toothbrush are substantially coplanar. 6. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in diat in its non-stressed condition the bristle face of the tip region and base region of the toothbrush form an angle of less than 180° . 7. A toothbrush according to any one of die preceding claims characterised in that the link between the tip region and die base region comprises a composite region having structural elements made of both plastics material and an elastomeric material. 8. A toodibrush according to claim 7 characterised in that die composite region comprises an aperture, space or chasm in me head material between die tip and base regions which is bridged by means of a combination of thin spines, strips or a continuous membrane of a both flexible and resilient plastics material integral with the head, and also by an elastomeric material in me aperture, space or chasm. 9. A toothbrush according to claim 8 characterised in that the composite region comprises one or more strips of a plastics material integral with the material of the head, the strips being diinner than die thickness of the head, and extending between die tip region and base region to bridge an apermre, space or chasm between die tip region and me base region, the aperture, space or chasm also containing an elastomeric material, bonded to the sides of the space and substantially filling the aperture, space or chasm. 10. A toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in diat die link between die tip region and die base region comprises an aperture, space or chasm in the plastics material of which the head is made, between the tip and base regions which is bridged by means of one or more thin links of flexible and resilient plastics material. 11. A toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in diat die link region between die tip region and the base region comprises an aperture, space or chasm in die head material between the tip and base regions which is bridged solely by means of a complete or partial filling of an elastomeric material. 12. A toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 11 characterised in diat die head is constructed such diat tip region may fold backwards resiliently relative to die base region, during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented fold axis diat crosses the head in die link region. 13. A toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 11 characterised in that the tip region and /or link are constructed and positioned such that the tip region can pivot resiliently relative to the base region during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented pivot axis diat crosses the tip region intermediate between its tip end and its base end. 14. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the resilient flexible link between the base end of die head and die neck comprises a composite region of plastics material and an elastomeric material. 15. A toothbrush according to claim 14 characterised in that the handle, neck, and head are integrally made of plastics material and integrally linked between the base end of die head and the handle, and between the neck and the head diere are one or more cut-outs in me plastics material of the head and neck, extending inwardly from the surface of the plastics material, the cut out crossing the boundary between the neck and die head, die cut out containing an elastomeric material different to the plastics material of the head and neck and diereby providing a flexible resilient link between die head and handle. 16. A toodibrush according to claim 15 characterised in diat the link between the head and neck is in die form of a linking narrowed region of die said plastics material, the narrowed being surrounded or laterally flanked by die elastomeric material. 17. A toodibrush according to claim 14 characterised in diat die composite region comprises an integral diinned part which is of diinned cross section relative to die longimdinally immediately adjacent parts of the neck and/or the head to which it is connected, die said diinned part being laterally surrounded by a mass of elastomeric material bonded to die plastics material. 18. A toodibrush according to claim 14 characterised in mat die resilient flexible link is located at or immediately longimdinally adjacent to die base of the head, and links die head to die neck.

Inventors: KRAMER HANS, KRAMER, HANS
Applicants: KRAMER HANS, SMITHKLINE BEECHAM CONSUMER, KRAMER, HANS, SMITHKLINE BEECHAM CONSUMER HEALTHCARE GMBH
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A46B5
IPC codes: A46B5