Abstract:
An electric toothbrush may comprise a handle at a first end of the toothbrush and having a motor disposed therein. The electric toothbrush may also comprise a head at a second end of the toothbrush. The head may comprise a first bristle group, a second bristle group, and a third bristle group. The head may further comprise at least one elastomeric element. Further, the head may comprise a moveable bristle holder which oscillates. The moveable bristle holder may comprise at least one elastomeric element in the shape of a prophy cup.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/861,833, filed on May 21, 2001, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/710,616, filed Nov. 9, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/382,745, filed on Aug. 25, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,579, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/236,794, filed on Jan. 25, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,693, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/163,621, filed on Sep. 30, 1998, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,983 on Dec. 14, 1999, the substances of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to electric toothbrushes.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Many electric toothbrushes utilize a bristle carrier that is powered or otherwise driven by an electric motor incorporated in the toothbrush. In many cases, such this includes a rotary motion. There is a desire whiten and polish teeth, and thus to promote the retention of toothpaste or dentifrice composition on a movable bristle carrier of an electric toothbrush, and particularly, along the interface between the ends of the bristles or cleaning elements and the surface of the teeth. Additionally, there is a desire to promote stimulation of the gums and an overall positive brushing experience (feel). In an electric toothbrush, powered motion of a bristle carrier may eject the dentifrice material from the bristle carrier, thereby possibly diminishing the effectiveness and/or concentration of agents within the dentifrice material. These agents can include anticaries agents, fluoride agents, anticalculus agents, antimicrobial agents, desensitizing agents, anesthetic agents, anti-inflammatory agents, abrasives, and whitening agents. As such, there is a desire to provide improved designs for retaining a dentifrice material while still providing effective cleaning of the teeth and delivering a positive mouth feel.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     An electric toothbrush may comprise a handle at a first end of the toothbrush and having a motor disposed therein. The electric toothbrush may also comprise a head at a second end of the toothbrush. The head may comprise a first bristle group, a second bristle group, and a third bristle group. The head may further comprise at least one elastomeric element. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]     The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein:  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the electric toothbrush in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the electric toothbrush of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a bottom elevational view of the electric toothbrush of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view in cross section of the electric toothbrush of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the electric toothbrush of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged side elevational view in cross section of the motor and gear assembly of the electric toothbrush of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged side elevational view in cross section of the head of the electric toothbrush of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  is a front and side elevational view of the electric toothbrush in packaging;  
         [0014]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the electric toothbrush in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the electric toothbrush of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 11  is a bottom elevational view of the electric toothbrush of  FIG. 9 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the electric toothbrush in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 13  is a bottom elevational view of the angled shaft and head of the electric toothbrush in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of the angled shaft and head of the electric toothbrush of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 15  is a bottom elevational view of the angled shaft and head of the electric toothbrush in accordance with a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of the angled shaft and head of the electric toothbrush of  FIG. 15 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same,  FIG. 1  shows an electric toothbrush A according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The electric toothbrush can be used for personal hygiene such as brushing one&#39;s teeth and gums.  
         [0023]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the electric toothbrush includes an elongated body portion  10 , which has a first end  12  and a second end  14 . A head  16  is attached to the first end  12  and a handle  18  is attached to the second end  14 .  
         [0024]     The head  16  has a more traditional larger brush head shape which permits the user to brush his teeth in the typical manner of an up and down fashion. As shown on  FIG. 2 , the length of the head  16 , dimension “X”, can range from about 0.75 inches to about 1.75 inches. The thickness of the brush head, dimension “Y”, can range from about 0.25 inches to about 0.50 inches. The design of the head  16  allows for inexpensive manufacture and assists in bringing effective motorized rotational toothbrushes within the financial reach of a large portion of the population.  
         [0025]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the head  16  further includes a longitudinal axis  19 , a circular or moving portion or brush head  20  and a static portion or brush head  22 . The static portion  22  is located on opposite sides of the moving portion  20 . The moving portion  20  is located at the center of the brush head  16 . The moving portion  20  rotates, swivels, oscillates or reciprocates about an axis approximately normal to the longitudinal axis  19  of the brush head  16 . The moving portion  20  may rotate 360° or partially rotate or oscillate or reciprocate in a back and forth manner.  
         [0026]     The moving portion  20  includes stiff bristles  24 . The static portion  22  includes soft bristles  26 . The stiff bristles  24  are slightly recessed with respect to the soft bristles  26 . The stiff bristles  24  aid in the deep cleaning and plaque removal process, while the stationary soft bristles  26  are softer so as to not damage the gums. The thickness of the bristles, dimension “Z”, shown in  FIG. 2 , can range from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches.  
         [0027]     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the elongated body portion  10  further includes an angled shaft  28 , located between the head  16  and the handle  18 . The angled shaft  28  provides an ergonomic benefit that has not been utilized on a motorized toothbrush. The angle is well known for its ergonomic benefit in permitting easier access into the back recesses of the mouth while still contacting the tooth surface.  
         [0028]     As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the elongated body portion  10  further includes a hollow portion  30  which houses a motor  32 . The motor  32  has a longitudinal axis  34  in line with a longitudinal axis  36  of the elongated body portion  10 .  
         [0029]     To provide power to the moving portion  20  to rotate or oscillate or reciprocate, the motor  32  powers a worm gear  40  and a pair of step gears  42 ,  43 . The motor  32  is operatively connected to the worm gear  40 . Step gear  42  is operatively connected to step gear  43  and the worm gear  40 .  
         [0030]     As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 6 , the first step gear  42  permits the matching second step gear  43  to be offset with respect to the longitudinal axis  36  of the elongated body portion  10 .  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIGS. 4, 6  and  7 , a shaft  44  is connected at a first end to the offset step gear  43  and at a second end to the moving portion  20 . The second step gear  43  is placed at a desired angle so that the shaft  44  itself can still be straight, thus losing no power or torque through the added function of a flexible shaft. While the shaft  44  may be configured to rotate or oscillate, a wide array of drive motor and/or gearing configurations (including shaft(s) which reciprocate and orbit) may be utilized in the preferred embodiment toothbrushes described herein. For example, various drive mechanisms described in U.S. Ser. No. 10/128,018, filed on Apr. 22, 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 10/208,213, filed on Jul. 30, 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 854,670, filed on Sep. 5, 1990 (PCT), now U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,633; U.S. Ser. No. 256,520, filed on Oct. 29, 1993 (PCT), now U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,285; U.S. Ser. No. 08/739,092, filed on Oct. 28, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,615; U.S. Ser. No. 09/425,262, filed on Oct. 22, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,828; U.S. Ser. No. 10/351,845, filed on Jan. 27, 2003; may be utilized.  
         [0032]     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , the motor  32  and gears  40 ,  42 ,  43  are housed with an upper housing  46  and a lower housing  48 .  
         [0033]     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , a switch  50  is provided to control operation of the electric toothbrush and is operatively connected to the motor  32 . The switch  50  includes a molded actuator button  52  and a metal contact  54 . The switch  50  is manually depressed by pressing a molded actuator button  52  down, which then presses against a metal contact  54 , which completes the circuit and provides momentary operation of the toothbrush. The switch  50  also allows continuous operation through a ramp design, sliding the button  52  forward toward the head  16  to provide for continuous operation. Moving the button  52  forward, combined with a molded in ramp  58  in the metal contact  54 , causes the button  52  to move downward, pressing against the metal contact  54  and completing the circuit. The toothbrush then continuously operates until the button  52  is slid back into an off position toward the handle  18  and the button  52  disengages the metal contact  54 .  
         [0034]     By combining these two functions in one switch  50 , the toothbrush can be packaged in packaging as shown in  FIG. 8  where the consumer can depress the button  52  through the packaging and see its operation while still inside the packaging, and then be able to operate it continuously once out of the package.  FIG. 8  illustrates one version of the button  52 . It should be noted that other sizes and shapes of buttons may be used.  
         [0035]     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a battery  60  is provided within the hollow portion  30  of the elongated body portion  10 . A battery terminal or contact  62  is provided for the battery  60 . An AA battery can be used as is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . To install the battery  60  into the hollow portion  30 , a slidable snap-on cover  64  is depressed and slid off the end of the handle  18  to expose the hollow portion  30 . The battery  60  is inserted, then the cover  64  is slid back on to the housing and snapped into place. The terminal end of the battery  60  is then in contact with the metal contact  54 .  
         [0036]     If desired, depressions or grip areas  70  and  72  can be molded into the upper and lower housings  46 ,  48  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The depressions  70 ,  72  are used to support a user&#39;s thumb and forefinger or other fingers to make using the electric toothbrush easier and more comfortable.  
         [0037]     A second preferred embodiment of the electric toothbrush according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0038]     The electric toothbrush includes an elongated body portion  80  which has a first end  82  and a second end  84 . A head  86  is attached to the first end  82  and a handle  88  is attached to the second end  84 .  
         [0039]     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , the head  86  further includes a longitudinal axis  90 , a circular or moving portion or brush head  100 , a static portion or brush head  102 , a first end  104 , and a second end  106 . The first end  104  is located adjacent the first end  82  of the elongated body portion  80 . The second end  106  is located opposite the first end  104 . The circular moving portion  100  is preferably located at the second end  106  of the brush head  86 . The static portion  102  is preferably located at the first end  104  of the brush head  86  adjacent the moving portion  100 . However, it is to be appreciated that the moving portion  100  and the static portion  102  can be arranged in different orientations. The moving portion  100  rotates, swivels, oscillates or reciprocates about an axis approximately normal to the longitudinal axis  90  of the brush head  86 .  
         [0040]     The second preferred embodiment also has a worm gear  40  and a pair of step gears  42 ,  43  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . The motor  32  powers the worm gear  40  and the pair of step gears  42 ,  43 . The step gear  42  permits the matching step gear  43  to be offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion  80 .  
         [0041]     As shown in  FIGS. 4, 6 , and  7 , a shaft  44  is connected at a first end to the offset step gear  43  and at a second end to the moving portion  100 . The second step gear  43  is placed at a desired angle so that the shaft  44  can still be straight, thus losing no power or torque through the added function of a flexible shaft.  
         [0042]     Referring again to  FIG. 9 , a switch  130  is provided to control operation of the electric toothbrush and is operatively connected to the motor  32 . The switch  130  includes a molded actuator button  132 . The switch  130  is manually depressed by pressing a molded actuator button  132  down, which then presses against a metal contact  54 , which completes the circuit and provides momentary operation of the toothbrush. The operation of the switch  130  is identical to that shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6  and as described for the first preferred embodiment. The switch  130  also allows continuous operation through a ramp design, sliding the button  132  forward toward the head  86  to provide for continuous operation. The toothbrush then continuously operates until the button  132  is slid back into an off position toward the handle  88  and the button  132  disengages the metal contact  54 .  
         [0043]     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  for the first preferred embodiment, the second preferred embodiment also has a battery  60  with a battery terminal or contact  62  provided within the hollow portion  30  of the elongated body portion  80 . To install the battery  60  into the hollow portion  30 , a slidable snap-on cover  134  (shown in  FIGS. 9-11 ) is depressed and slid off the end of the handle  88  to expose the hollow portion  30 . The battery  60  is inserted, then the cover  134  is slid back on to the housing and snapped into place.  
         [0044]     If desired, raised grip areas  136  can be molded into the lower housing  124  as shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 11 . The raised portions  136  are used to support a user&#39;s thumb and forefinger or other fingers to make using the electric toothbrush easier and more comfortable. Raised portion  140  may also be molded onto the snap-on cover  134  to aid in gripping the cover with one&#39;s thumb and removing the cover from the handle  88 .  
         [0045]     The electric toothbrush of the second preferred embodiment can also be packaged in packaging as shown in  FIG. 8  as shown for the first preferred embodiment where the consumer can depress the button  132  through the packaging and see its operation while still inside the packaging, and then be able to operate it continuously once out of the packaging.  
         [0046]     A third preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0047]     The electric toothbrush includes an elongated body portion  150  which has a first end  152  and a second end  154 . A head  160  is attached to the first end  152  and a handle  162  is attached to the second end  154 .  
         [0048]     The head  160  further includes a moving portion or brush head  164 , a static portion or brush head  166 , a first end  168 , and a second end  170 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the moving portion  164  is located adjacent the second end  170 . The static portion  166  is shown located adjacent the first end  168 . However, it is to be appreciated that the moving portion  164  could be located adjacent the first end  168 , and the static portion  166  could be located adjacent the second end  170 . Furthermore, the moving portion  164  could be positioned in the center of the brush head with static portions  166  on opposite sides of the moving portion  164  similar to that shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0049]     In accordance with this embodiment, the moving portion  164  oscillates about an axis approximately normal to a longitudinal axis  172  of the elongated body portion  150 .  
         [0050]     The moving portion  164  can include stiff bristles  178 . The static portion  166  can include soft bristles  180  which are softer than the stiff bristles. The stiff bristles  178  may be slightly recessed with respect to the soft bristles  180 . The stiff bristles  178  aid in the deep cleaning and plaque removal process, while the stationary soft bristles  180  are softer so as to not damage the gums.  
         [0051]     The elongated body portion  150  further includes an angled shaft  190 , an upper housing  192  (not shown), and a lower housing  194 . The angled shaft  190  is located between the head  160  and the handle  162 . The angled shaft  190  provides an ergonomic benefit that has not been utilized on a motorized toothbrush.  
         [0052]     The elongated body portion  150  of the third preferred embodiment also includes a hollow portion  196  which houses a motor  200 . The hollow portion  196  is formed between the upper housing  192  and the lower housing  194 . The motor  200  provides power to the moving portion  164  to rotate or oscillate or reciprocate. Power is provided to the motor by battery as shown and described for the first embodiment.  
         [0053]     A switch (not shown) can be provided which is similar to switch  130  shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11  and which functions as described for the first and second preferred embodiments.  
         [0054]     The third embodiment further includes a first gear  202  which is operatively connected to and powered by the motor  200 . The first gear  202  rotates about the longitudinal axis  172  of the elongated body portion  150 . A second gear  206  is operatively connected to the first gear  202 . The second gear  206  is approximately normal to the first gear  202 . The second gear  206  rotates about an axis approximately normal to the longitudinal axis  172 . Teeth  208  of the first gear  202  mesh with teeth  210  of the second gear  206 , thus causing second gear  206  to rotate when first gear  202  rotates.  
         [0055]     A first swivel arm  220  is pivotably connected to the second gear  206  via a pin  222  or other fastening device. A second swivel arm  224  is pivotably connected to the first swivel arm  220  via a pin  226  or other fastening device. A shaft  230  is fixedly secured at a shaft first end  232  to the second swivel arm  224 . The shaft  230  is pivotably attached at a shaft second end  234  to a third swivel arm  240 . The shaft  230  is housed within the angled shaft  190 .  
         [0056]     The shaft  230  is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis  172 .  
         [0057]     A guide spacer  250  is located within the angled shaft  190  and surrounds the shaft  230  adjacent the first end  232  of the shaft  230  to minimize lateral movement of the shaft  230 . A second guide spacer  252  is located adjacent the second end  234  of the shaft  230  to also minimize lateral movement of the shaft  230 . Guide spacers  250 ,  252  align the shaft  230  within the angled shaft  190  and minimize its movement from side to side within the angled shaft  190 .  
         [0058]     The third swivel arm  240  has a first end  244  and a second end  246 . The third swivel arm  240  is pivotably connected to the second guide spacer  252  at the swivel arm first end  244  via a pin  253 . The third swivel arm  240  is connected at the swivel arm second end  246  to the moving portion  164  via a pin  254  or other fastening device. The pin  254  is connected to a disk  256  of the moving portion  164  which is housed within the head  160 .  
         [0059]     As the first gear  202  rotates, the second gear  206  is rotated, thus moving the first swivel arm  220  in a back and forth circular fashion about the second gear  206  and along the longitudinal axis  172 . The first swivel arm  220  also can pivot about the pin  222 . The first swivel arm  220  retains its orientation of approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis  172  of the elongated body portion  150  during movement. The second swivel arm  224  pivots with respect to its pin connection  226  with the first swivel arm  220  thus allowing the shaft  230  to oscillate in a back and forth manner toward and away from the brush head with minimal lateral motion.  
         [0060]     During operation, the third swivel arm  240  moves back and forth along the longitudinal axis  172  of the elongated body portion  150  along with the shaft  230 .  
         [0061]     The swivel arm  240  can also pivot or move slightly laterally in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.  
         [0062]     The third swivel arm  240  has an offset arm  260  which is offset from the longitudinal axis  172  and moves the disk  256  of the moving portion  164  in a partially rotating or oscillating motion. As the third swivel arm  240  moves back and forth, the offset arm  260  moves along an outside edge  262  of the disk  256  in a partially rotating or oscillating fashion about an axis which is approximately normal to the longitudinal axis  172 . This causes the bristles  178  to also move in a partially rotating or oscillating manner about an axis approximately normal to the longitudinal axis  172 .  
         [0063]     When the third swivel arm  240  rotates, the disk  256  also rotates about an axis approximately normal to the elongated body portion longitudinal axis  172 . The third, swivel arm  240  also retains its orientation of approximately parallel to the elongated body portion longitudinal axis  172  during movement.  
         [0064]     If desired, raised grip areas (not shown) can be provided which are similar to raised grip areas  138  and  140  shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 11  for the second preferred embodiment. The raised grip areas can be molded into the lower housing  194 .  
         [0065]     The electric toothbrush of the third preferred embodiment can also be packaged in packaging as shown in  FIG. 8  as shown for the first preferred embodiment. The consumer can depress a button (not shown) similar to button  132  shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 11  for the second preferred embodiment through the packaging and see its operation while still inside the packaging, and then be able to operate it continuously once out of the packaging.  
         [0066]     A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The head of the electric toothbrush is illustrated. The remaining portion of the brush, including the handle, motor, etc. is the same as described for any of the previously described embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 13 , a head  316  includes a longitudinal axis  319 , a circular or moving portion or brush head  320  and a static portion or brush head  322 . The head  316  is located adjacent a first end  328  of an elongated body portion. The static portion  322  is located on opposite sides of the moving portion  320 . The moving portion  320  is located at the center of the brush head  316 . The circular portion  320  rotates, swivels, oscillates or reciprocates about an axis approximately normal to the longitudinal axis  319  of the brush head. The circular portion  320  may rotate 360 degrees or partially rotate or oscillate or reciprocate in a back and forth manner.  
         [0067]     The moving portion  320  includes bristles  324  and elastomeric elements  325 . Elastomeric elements  325  may also be referred to as “massaging tips/bristles/elements”, “polishing tips/bristles/elements”, or “whitening tips/bristles/elements”. The static portion  322  includes bristles  326  and elastomeric elements  327 . The elastomeric elements  325 ,  327  massage the gums and/or polish and whiten the teeth, depending on their size, shape, number, and placement on the bristle holder. The elastomeric elements  325 ,  327  can be made from a rubber, soft plastic or similar material, including, but not limited to, thermoplastic elastomer (“TPE”), a thermoplastic olefin (“TPO”), a soft thermoplastic polyolefin (e.g., polybutylene), or may be selected from other elastomeric materials, such as etheylene-vinylacetate copolymer (“EVA”), and ethylene propylene rubber (“EPR”). Examples of suitable thermoplastic elastomers herein include styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (“SEBS”), styrene-butadiene-styrene (“SBS”), and styrene-isoprene-styrene (“SIS”). Examples of suitable thermoplastic olefins herein include polybutylene (“PB”), and polyethylene (“PE”), as well as those materials described in U.S. Ser. No. 10/410,038, filed on Apr. 9, 2003. Techniques known to those of skill in the art, such as injection molding, can be used to manufacture the toothbrush of the present invention.  
         [0068]     The elastomeric elements  325 ,  327  may be various shapes, including, but not limited to, cylindrical, oval, rectangular, triangular, or conical. The elastomeric elements  325 ,  327  may be solid or may be completely (from end to end) or partially hollow. Hollow elastomeric elements  28  may be closed at both ends, or open at the top end (that is, the end which is not fixed to a bristle plate). The elastomeric elements  325 ,  327  may be tapered or contoured. A single elastomeric element may form a wall (not shown). Examples of elastomeric walls and wall configurations are disclosed in U.S. Ser. Nos. 60/439,317, filed Jan. 10, 2003; 60/463,347, filed Apr. 15, 2003; 10/410,038, filed Apr. 9, 2003; 10/260,585, filed Sep. 27, 2002; and 10/260,586, filed Sep. 27, 2002; and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,319,332, filed Jun. 11, 1999; 6,571,417, filed Jun. 5, 2000; 6,446,295, filed on Jun. 26, 2000; 60/613,627, filed Sep. 27, 2004; 10/364,148, filed Feb. 11, 2003. The elastomeric elements  325 ,  327  may extend at 90 degrees relative to the head  316 , or may extend at an acute angle.  
         [0069]     The elastomeric elements  325 ,  327  extend essentially perpendicularly from the head  316  as measured along the longitudinal axis  319 . In the preferred embodiment the elastomeric elements  325 ,  327  are located around the perimeter of the circular portion  320  and the static portion  322 , however it is to be understood that the elastomeric elements can be located anywhere among the bristles of the moving portion  320  and the static portion  322 . The length of the elastomeric elements  325 ,  327  is approximately the same length as the bristles  324 ,  326 . The elastomeric elements  325 ,  327  may extend slightly above, slightly below or to the same height as the bristles  324 ,  326 .  
         [0070]     In a fifth preferred embodiment of the electric toothbrush as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , a head  486  includes a longitudinal axis  490 , a circular or moving portion or brush head  500 , a static portion or brush head  502 , a first end  504  and a second end  506 . The first end  504  is located adjacent to the first end  482  of the elongated body. The second end  506  is located opposite the first end  504 . The moving portion  500  is preferably located at the second end  506  of the brush head  486 . The static portion  502  is preferably located at the first end  504  of the brush head  486  adjacent the moving portion  500 . However, it is to be appreciated that the moving portion  500  and the static portion  502  can be arranged in different orientations. The moving portion  500  can rotate, swivel, oscillate or reciprocate about an axis approximately normal to the longitudinal axis  490  of the brush head  486 .  
         [0071]     The moving portion  500  includes bristles  510  and elastomeric elements  511 . The static portion  502  includes bristles  512  and elastomeric elements  513 . The elastomeric elements  511 ,  513  massage the gums while the user brushes his or her teeth. The elastomeric elements  511 ,  513  can be made from a rubber, soft plastic or similar material. The elastomeric elements  511 ,  513  extend essentially perpendicularly from the head  486  as measured along the longitudinal axis  490 . In the preferred embodiment the elastomeric elements  511 ,  513  are located around the perimeter of the moving portion  500  and the static portion  502 , however it is to be understood that the elastomeric elements can be located anywhere among the bristles of the moving portion  500  and the static portion  502 . The length of the elastomeric elements  511 ,  513  is approximately the same length as the bristles  510 ,  512 . The elastomeric elements  511 ,  513  may extend slightly above, slightly below or to the same height as the bristles  510 ,  512 .  
         [0072]     It is significant to note that any of the features, aspects, or details of any method and/or product described herein can be combined, either entirely or partially, with any other feature, aspect, or detail of one or more other methods or products described herein. While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.  
         [0073]     All documents cited above are incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the invention.  
         [0074]     While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.