Patent Description:
The present invention relates to oral care systems, and particularly to an oral care implement suitable for use with infants or toddlers.

Non-Patent Literature «Katie Windridge: "Matchstick Monkey - Baby Teether // Training Toothbrush by Katie - Kickstarter"» discloses a training toothbrush / teething gel applicator (e.g., in the shape of a monkey) including a head portion having a plurality of tooth cleaning elements (e.g., bristles) and a handle portion supporting the head portion. First and second appendages, namely, the arms of the monkey, extend outwards from respective lateral sides of a central body of the handle portion in opposite directions. Each of the first and second appendages can be folded over and against a rear side of the central body. A tail of the monkey extends from the rear side of the central body of the handle portion. The same teething device is disclosed in <CIT>.

<CIT> discloses a toothbrush comprising a generally loop-shaped handle. The head portion extends in the longitudinal direction of the handle portion. The bristles of the toothbrush project further than the loop-shaped handle in the lateral direction of the toothbrush.

<CIT> discloses a combined children's toothbrush and teether. The head portion extends in the longitudinal direction of the handle portion. The bristles of the toothbrush project further than the handle portion in the lateral direction of the toothbrush.

<CIT> discloses a children's toothbrush having a handle portion including a main body in the shape of a turtle, and a head portion projecting from the body portion. The head portion extends in the longitudinal direction of the handle portion.

<CIT> discloses a children's toothbrush including a handle and a flying object element such as a cape element, integrally connected to the handle. The head portion extends in the longitudinal direction of the handle portion. The bristles of the toothbrush project further than the loop-shaped handle in the lateral direction of the toothbrush.

<CIT> discloses tooth brushes having an S-shaped handle to allow the user to have positive control of the brushing action while being used with either the right or the left hand.

Oral care implements such as toothbrushes are susceptible to bacterial contamination resulting from normal use and handling. Bacterial accumulations may be especially prevalent on the head portion of the toothbrush, particularly within the tooth cleaning elements such as bristles and/or elastomeric cleaning elements. The bacteria can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. Bacterial contamination of the toothbrush head which poses a general health risk is also a concern considering the head is placed in the oral cavity. Such contamination may be transferred from various hard surfaces on which the toothbrush might be placed or accidentally dropped. It is desirable therefore to minimize bacterial contamination from various environmental sources.

It is further desirable to construct a toothbrush for use with babies (infants or toddlers) that is soft and pliable to prevent injury, and yet still be configured to prevent over-insertion into the oral cavity which could pose a potential choking hazard.

The present invention provides an oral care implement for use with infants and toddlers which meet the foregoing goals, the oral care implement including the features of claim <NUM>. Embodiments of the invention are recited in the dependent claims. The oral care implement may be a toothbrush having a resiliently deformable construction. The toothbrush may be configured to minimize or prevent contact between the head and bacterially-contaminated flat hard surfaces when dropped or placed thereon such as a countertop or floor, thereby forming a system that helps maintain the sterility of the toothbrush head. The toothbrush may have resiliently foldable appendages, which when in an outward unfolded position, create a wide lateral profile to prevent over-insertion of the toothbrush into the oral cavity of the infant or toddler. When used by an adult to brush the infant's or toddler's teeth, the appendages may be folded inward to a collapsed position to reduce the lateral profile for better access to tooth surfaces deeper in the mouth or oral cavity.

An oral care implement comprises a longitudinal axis; a head portion comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements; a handle portion supporting to the head portion, the handle portion comprising: a central body; a first appendage extending outwards from a first lateral side of the central body in a first direction; and a second appendage extending outwards from a second lateral side of the central body in a second direction opposite to the first direction; wherein the first and second appendages may be each foldable over and against a rear side of the central body.

According to the invention, an oral care implement comprises: a longitudinal axis; a head portion comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements; a handle portion supporting the head portion; a front side of the handle portion defining at least one front contact zone, the front contact zone defining a front support plane; a rear side of the handle portion defining a plurality of rear contact zones, the rear contact zones defining a rear support plane; wherein the head portion is angled relative to the handle portion, and the front and rear support planes do not intersect the head portion or the plurality of tooth cleaning elements.

An oral care implement comprises a longitudinal axis; a head portion comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements; a handle portion supporting the head portion; a first appendage extending laterally outwards from a first side of the handle portion in a first direction; and a second appendage laterally outwards from a second side of the handle portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction; wherein the first and second appendages may be angled towards each other to form an obtuse angle therebetween.

All drawing are schematic and not necessarily to scale.

In the description of embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention.

Referring generally to <FIG>, an oral care implement according to the present disclosure may be a toothbrush <NUM> in one non-limiting embodiment. Toothbrush <NUM> generally includes a longitudinal axis A-A, distal head portion <NUM> defining a distal end, and a longitudinally elongated proximal handle portion <NUM> supporting the head portion and defining a proximal end <NUM>. The handle portion <NUM> comprises a central body and pair of resiliently foldable appendages extending laterally outwards therefrom in opposite directions. In one embodiment, the appendages may be wings <NUM>, <NUM> wherein the term "wings" is expressly used in a broad structural sense only and not in a context necessarily associated with any animate object. The central body extends from proximal end <NUM> of the toothbrush <NUM> to the head portion <NUM> along longitudinal axis A-A. The toothbrush <NUM> further includes a front side <NUM>, opposing rear side <NUM>, and pair of opposing lateral sides <NUM> extending between the front and rear sides and from the proximal end <NUM> to distal end <NUM>. The longitudinal axis A-A follows the contours and shapes of the toothbrush from proximal to distal ends <NUM>, <NUM> and remains at the centerline of each transverse section of the toothbrush through which the longitudinal axis extends. Accordingly, the longitudinal axis A-A is not necessarily a straight reference line in all cases depending on the shape and curvature of the toothbrush body. In one embodiment, the central body of handle portion <NUM> may be arcuately curved from proximal end <NUM> to distal end <NUM> forming a substantially convex front side <NUM> and concave rear side <NUM> from end to end. Longitudinal axis A-A accordingly has a complementary arcuate shape.

The central body of the handle portion <NUM> further defines an upper distal portion <NUM> adjoining the head portion <NUM> of the toothbrush <NUM> and a lower proximal portion <NUM>. In one embodiment, a reduced cross section transition or neck section <NUM> is formed between the distal portion <NUM> of handle portion <NUM> and proximal portion <NUM> and has a smaller lateral width (measured transversely to longitudinal axis A-A) than the adjoining portions of the proximal or distal portions. The proximal portion <NUM> is elongated in configuration and may have a longitudinal length that comprises a majority of the length of the central body. By contrast, distal portion <NUM> may be a bulbous and diametrically enlarged, thereby defining a generally round structure of approximately spherical configuration (see, e.g. <FIG> and <FIG>). Distal portion <NUM> may have a greater lateral width (measured transversely to longitudinal axis A-A between lateral sides <NUM>) than head portion <NUM> or proximal portion <NUM>, and in some embodiments a greater depth or thickness as well (measured transversely to longitudinal axis A-A between front and rear sides <NUM> and <NUM>). The distal portion <NUM> may therefore protrude outwards beyond the front and rear sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the proximal portion <NUM> to raise/elevate the head portion off a hard flat horizontal surface when placed thereon, as further described herein.

Toothbrush <NUM> including head portion <NUM>, handle portion <NUM>, and wings <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed as a single monolithic unitary structure made of a resiliently flexible and deformable material having an elastic memory. In one embodiment, the toothbrush <NUM> may be made of silicone rubber having an optimal durometer hardness value of at least <NUM>. Lower durometer materials are generally too soft and flexible to maintain a certain degree of rigidity desired for the wings <NUM>, <NUM> to maintain their shape and support the central body of handle portion <NUM> when the toothbrush is placed on a flat horizontal surface, for purposes to be further described herein. In one embodiment, the material may have a durometer hardness value in a range between and including <NUM>-<NUM>, which provides a hardness that provides sufficient rigidity to the wings, yet is soft and flexible enough for use with infants or toddlers to prevent injury. Any suitable process may be used to fabricate toothbrush <NUM>. In one embodiment, the toothbrush may be made by Liquid Silicone Molding (LSM) or alternatively compression molding. Other processes may be used.

Head portion <NUM> of toothbrush <NUM> may be elongated having a greater longitudinal length than lateral width. The front side <NUM> of the head portion <NUM> may be substantially planar in one embodiment and comprises a plurality of tooth cleaning elements <NUM> extending transversely outwards from the front side <NUM>. The exact types, structure, pattern, orientation and material of the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> is not limiting of the present invention unless so specified in the claims. As used herein, the term "tooth cleaning elements" is used in a generic sense to refer to any structure or combination of structures that can be used to clean, polish or wipe the teeth and/or soft oral tissue (e.g. tongue, cheek, gums, etc.) through relative surface contact. Common examples of "tooth cleaning elements" include, without limitation, bristle tufts, filament bristles, fiber bristles, nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, elastomeric protrusions, flexible polymer protrusions, combinations thereof and/or structures containing such materials or combinations. Suitable elastomeric materials include any biocompatible resilient material suitable for uses in an oral hygiene apparatus. To provide optimum comfort as well as cleaning benefits, the elastomeric material of the tooth or soft tissue engaging elements may have a hardness property in the range of A8 to A25 Shore hardness. One suitable elastomeric material is styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) manufactured by GLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SEBS material from other manufacturers or other materials within and outside the noted hardness range could be used.

The tooth cleaning elements <NUM> in the illustrated non-limiting embodiment may be in the form of bristles. The tooth cleaning elements <NUM> of the present invention can be formed and/or connected to the head portion <NUM> in any suitable manner now available or to be developed, and is not limiting of the invention. In one embodiment, the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> may be formed as an integral unitary structural part of the toothbrush head portion <NUM> during the silicone molding process. In other embodiments, the tooth cleaning elements may be made as separate elements from the toothbrush head portion <NUM> which are coupled to the head. For example, staples/anchors, in-mold tufting (IMT) or anchor free tufting (AFT) could be used to mount the cleaning elements/tooth engaging elements. In AFT, a plate or membrane is secured to the brush head such as by ultrasonic welding. The bristles extend through the plate or membrane. The free ends of the bristles on one side of the plate or membrane perform the cleaning function. The ends of the bristles on the other side of the plate or membrane are melted together by heat to be anchored in place. Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used in the broad practice of this invention. Alternatively, 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.

In certain embodiments, the head portion <NUM> may also include a soft tissue cleanser (not shown herein) coupled to or positioned on its rear side <NUM>. An example of a suitable soft tissue cleanser that may be used with the present invention and positioned on the rear surface of the head portion <NUM> is disclosed in <CIT> to the assignee of the present application. In certain embodiments, the soft tissue cleanser may include a plurality of protuberances, which can take the form of elongated ridges, nubs, or combinations thereof. Of course, the invention is not to be so limited and in certain embodiments the oral care implement <NUM> may not include any soft tissue cleanser.

With continuing reference to <FIG>, the proximal portion <NUM> of handle portion <NUM> is a longitudinally/axially elongated and oblong structure extending from the proximal end <NUM> of the central body to the distal portion <NUM>. Proximal portion <NUM>, distal portion <NUM>, and wings <NUM>, <NUM> provide a primary means for grasping and manipulating the toothbrush <NUM> during use. The proximal portion <NUM> may have a somewhat flattened yet circular transverse cross-sectional shape. The front side <NUM> of the proximal portion <NUM> may form an arcuately convex surface from side to side. The rear side <NUM> of proximal portion <NUM> may have an arcuately convex surface from side to side as well. In one embodiment, the convex rear side may include an elongated flat surface section <NUM> to facilitate grasping with the fingers or thumb. The proximal portion <NUM> of handle portion <NUM> may comprise a majority of the longitudinal length of the handle portion central body, and has a greater length than the head or distal portions <NUM>, <NUM>.

The distal portion <NUM> of central body of handle portion 101has a bulbous, diametrically enlarged structure relative to the proximal portion <NUM> or head portion <NUM>. Distal portion <NUM> has a generally spherical shape and circular transverse cross-section. Thus, in one embodiment as shown, distal portion <NUM> may have a diameter and width measured transversely to longitudinal axis A-A between lateral sides <NUM> that is greater than a width of the handle proximal portion <NUM>. Of course, the invention is not limited to this configuration in all embodiments, and in certain other embodiments the distal portion <NUM> may not have a greater width than the proximal portion <NUM>. The distal and proximal portions <NUM>, <NUM> can therefore take on a wide variety of shapes, contours, and configurations; none of which are limiting of the present invention unless so specified in the claims. In one embodiment, distal portion <NUM> has a greater thickness measured between the front and rear sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the central body than the adjoining parts of the head portion <NUM> or proximal portion <NUM>. The distal portion <NUM> may therefore protrude beyond the adjoining front and rear sides of the proximal portion <NUM> to elevate the head portion <NUM> above a flat horizontal surface on which the toothbrush <NUM> might be rested by a user, as further described herein.

The structure and arrangement of the pair of resiliently foldable lateral wings <NUM>, <NUM> will now be further described with reference to <FIG>. In one embodiment, wing <NUM> may be considered a left wing and wing <NUM> may be considered a right wing for convenience of reference. Wings <NUM>, <NUM> each comprise at least one recurvant semi-annular loop having opposing fixed ends <NUM> coupled to the central body of handle portion <NUM> and exterior arcuate peripheral free edges <NUM>. The peripheral free edges <NUM> each extend laterally outwards from and between the fixed ends to form an arched structure and profile for each wing (in top plan view as seen in <FIG>). In the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, each wing <NUM> and <NUM> may include a pair of recurvant loops including an upper loop <NUM> and lower loop <NUM>. In one embodiment, the upper and lower loops <NUM> and <NUM> are physically conjoined to form a common end <NUM> therebetween which is attached to proximal portion <NUM> of the handle central body as shown. Common end <NUM> incorporates one of the fixed ends <NUM> of each loop <NUM> and <NUM>. This conjoined portion forms a structurally robust common attachment point to the central body. The remaining upper fixed end <NUM> of upper loop <NUM> is separately attached to the central body of handle portion <NUM>, such as for example to both proximal portion <NUM> and distal portion <NUM> of the central body in one embodiment. This arrangement helps support the narrow transition neck section <NUM> of the central body of handle portion <NUM>. The remaining lower fixed end <NUM> of lower loop <NUM> is also separately attached to the central body, such as for example to proximal portion <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the loops <NUM> and <NUM> of each lateral wing <NUM>, <NUM> are each configured to form a captive opening <NUM>. This provides a convenient opening for grasping the wings during use. Opening <NUM> defines an interior captive edge <NUM> opposite the exterior peripheral free edge <NUM> thereby forming the semi-annular wing loops shown. In other possible less preferred but satisfactory embodiments, the wings may have a solid structure without openings.

Referring to <FIG>, wings <NUM>, <NUM> may further be arcuately curved in a lateral/transverse direction defining a convex front surface <NUM> from side to side, and a corresponding concave rear surface <NUM>. The wings define a thickness T1 measured between the front and rear surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. Thickness T1 may be less than the width W2 measured across the front or rear surfaces of each loop <NUM>, <NUM> between the exterior peripheral free edge <NUM> and opposing interior captive edge <NUM> (see, e.g. <FIG>), and substantially less than the lateral width W1 measured from the central body to the outermost peripheral free edge <NUM> of each loop. Because the wings <NUM>, <NUM> have the smallest cross section in the front to rear direction, this structurally increases flexibility in that same direction to facilitate bending the wings forward or rearward for reasons further described herein.

The wings <NUM>, <NUM> may each be obliquely angled at an angle A1 to a horizontal reference plane HP that intersects the longitudinal axis A-A and extends transversely through the first and second lateral sides <NUM> of the central body of the handle portion <NUM> (see, e.g. <FIG>). A vertical reference plane VP is defined that intersects longitudinal axis A-A and is normal to horizontal reference plane HP. Wings <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged at an angle A2 between and towards each other. This oriented and biases the wings in a direction predisposed towards the rear side <NUM> of the central body as shown. The wings are thus rearwardly swept or angled in one configuration. Angle A2 may be an obtuse angle acute angle between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees. In one embodiment, angle A2 may be about <NUM> degrees as a non-limiting example. Each wing <NUM>, <NUM> is angled at an acute angle A4 to vertical reference plane VP. Angles A2 and A4 may be measured to the rear surface of each wing at approximately the midpoint measured between the central body and the free edge <NUM>.

Wings <NUM> and <NUM> comprise the same resilient material of the central body having an elastic memory. The wings <NUM>, <NUM> are resiliently deformable and movable between a laterally extended outward or unfolded position (see, e.g. <FIG>) and an inward folded position collapsed against the rear side <NUM> of central body of handle portion <NUM> of the toothbrush (see, e.g. <FIG>). Normally, the wings <NUM> and <NUM> have width W1 that when combined with the width of the central body is selected to preclude over-insertion of the toothbrush <NUM> into the oral cavity from either the distal or proximal ends <NUM>, <NUM> when the wings are in the outward unfolded position. This is intended to prevent or minimize exposure to a potential choking hazard. To further prevent over-insertion, the head portion <NUM> and/or opposing proximal end <NUM> portion of the handle portion <NUM> may have a maximum projection axially along longitudinal axis A-A of no more than about <NUM> inch or less.

To facilitate an adult to reach teeth deeper in the oral cavity with toothbrush <NUM> for cleansing, the wings <NUM>, <NUM> may be folded inward over and onto the rear side <NUM> of the central body in which the wings overlap each other. This narrows the lateral profile of the toothbrush making access deeper into the oral cavity easier. When released, the wings will spring back to and return to their undeformed and unfolded outward position. The wings <NUM> and <NUM> may have sufficient flexibility to also be folded over onto the front side <NUM> of the central body of handle portion <NUM> if desired.

In conjunction with the central body of handle portion <NUM>, the configuration and orientation of the rearward-swept lateral wings <NUM>, <NUM> is designed to help maintain a sterile toothbrush head when the brush is dropped or laid down on a flat horizontal surface during use, such as for example a sink vanity countertop or the floor. <FIG> show various positions and orientations of the toothbrush <NUM> engaging a flat and hard horizontal surface <NUM>. The central body of handle portion <NUM> and wings <NUM>, <NUM> are collectively designed and configured such that the head portion <NUM> and tooth cleaning elements <NUM> preferably do not contact the horizontal surface under normal circumstances.

<FIG> and <FIG> show the toothbrush in a face up position laid on surface <NUM> with the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> facing away from surface (i.e. upwards). The outermost peripheral free edges <NUM> of each loop <NUM>, <NUM> of wings <NUM>, <NUM> abuttingly contact surface <NUM>. The wings are in the unfolded or extended position. The peripheral free edges <NUM> of each of the two upper loops <NUM> define a pair of laterally spaced apart first contact zones Z1, and peripheral free edges <NUM> of each of the two lower loops <NUM> define a pair of laterally spaced apart second contact zones Z2. Contact zones Z1 and Z2 define a common rear support plane S1 which becomes coplanar with surface <NUM> when the toothbrush is placed thereon. It bears noting that no part of support plane S1 intersects any portion of head portion <NUM> including tooth cleaning elements <NUM>. Contact zones Z1 and Z2 are spatially discrete contact zones which may each comprise a point contact or area contact surface over a broader portion of the wings than a single point. Although two discrete spatially separated contact zones Z1 and Z2 have been described, it will be appreciated that in other possible embodiments a single contact zone may instead be provided depending on the shape and contours of the wings <NUM>, <NUM>.

With continuing reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the arched profile of toothbrush <NUM> from side to side created by wings <NUM>, <NUM> raises and elevates the central body of handle portion <NUM> above the surface <NUM>. This forms a bridge spanning over the surface that supports the central body in a suspended manner. A cavity C is formed between the rear sides of the wings and central body; the latter central body being spaced apart from horizontal surface <NUM> by a distance D. In particular, a gap G is formed between the head portion <NUM> of the central body so that the head does not contact the surface and become contaminated by residual bacteria that may present thereon. Accordingly, no portion of the central body (i.e. distal portion <NUM> or proximal portion <NUM>) engages surface <NUM>. Cavity C extends for the entire longitudinal length of the toothbrush <NUM> which raises the entire central body off of surface <NUM>.

Even in the event that a user applies a reasonable downward force F on the toothbrush and presses the distal or proximal portions <NUM>, <NUM> against the surface <NUM> (see, e.g. <FIG>), the head portion <NUM> will still be elevated to maintain gap G therebetween (albeit a smaller gap than seen in <FIG>). The bulbous spherically shaped distal portion <NUM> of the central body which protrudes beyond the rear side of the proximal portion <NUM> acts as a fulcrum to raise the head portion <NUM> above the surface <NUM>. It will be noted that the wings <NUM>, <NUM> assume a more flattened position or condition in <FIG> under application of force F.

By contrast, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> show the toothbrush <NUM> laid in a face down position on surface <NUM> with the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> facing towards the surface (i.e. downwards). In this position, the end to end arched shape of the central body of handle portion <NUM> and bulbous spherical shape of the distal portion <NUM> define a third contact zone Z3 on the front side of the central body and a fourth contact zone Z4 on front side of the distal portion. Contact zones Z3 and Z4 are spatially discrete contact zones which may each comprise a point contact or area contact surface over a broader portion of the wings than a single point. Contact zones Z3 and Z4 define a common front support plane S2 which becomes coplanar with surface <NUM> when the toothbrush is placed thereon. It bears noting that no part of support plane S2 intersects any portion of head portion <NUM> including tooth cleaning elements <NUM>. Head portion <NUM> may be obliquely angled to support plane S2 passing through the contact zones Z3, Z4 thus defining an oblique angle A3 between plane S2 and the centerline CL of the head portion <NUM> (see, e.g. <FIG>). When toothbrush <NUM> is laid on horizontal surface <NUM>, the central body of the toothbrush only contacts the horizontal surface <NUM> at the contact zones Z3 and Z4. The obliquely angled head portion <NUM> (including tooth cleaning elements <NUM>) is elevated above surface <NUM> by gap G to maintain the sterility of the head. The bulbous spherically shaped distal portion <NUM> which protrudes beyond the front side of the proximal portion <NUM> of handle portion 101acts again as a fulcrum to raise the head portion <NUM> above the surface <NUM>. It will be noted that a space is created between the narrow neck section <NUM> of the central body and the surface <NUM> attributable to the bulbous distal portion. The proximal end <NUM> of the central body on proximal portion <NUM> of the handle portion <NUM> is also raised off of the surface due to the arcuate or arched contour of the proximal portion <NUM> from proximal end <NUM> to the end joined with the distal portion <NUM>. Although two discrete spatially separated contact zones Z3 and Z4 have been described, it will be appreciated that in other possible embodiments a single contact zone may instead be provided depending on the shape and contours of the central body of the handle portion <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the radius of curvature of the front surface of the proximal and distal portions <NUM>, <NUM> on the front side <NUM> at contact zones Z3 and Z4 are selected to be large enough to create a more flattened, albeit still convexly rounded profile that may maintain a balanced position as best shown in <FIG> when the toothbrush is randomly placed on surface <NUM>. In the event that the toothbrush <NUM> is tilted to the right or left side so that one of the wings <NUM> or <NUM> engages the surface as well, the toothbrush is dynamically balanced such that the toothbrush will automatically roll back to the centered position shown when released by the user.

Wings <NUM> and <NUM> also function to prevent over-rotation of the toothbrush <NUM> when placed face down on surface <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, if the toothbrush <NUM> becomes unbalanced when laid on the horizontal surface <NUM> in a random manner, the peripheral free edges <NUM> of one of the wings will contact surface <NUM> to prevent further rotation and prevent contact between the toothbrush head portion <NUM> and tooth cleaning elements <NUM> thereon. The toothbrush <NUM> will tend to roll back towards a centered position (see, e.g. <FIG>) due to the counterweight balancing effect created by the wing on the opposing side not in contact with the surface <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the toothbrush <NUM> may be made aesthetically interesting in appearance and configuration for younger users. In the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, the toothbrush may be configured to resemble an animate object such as insects, animals, reptiles, or other. The invention is not so limited, however, and the toothbrush <NUM> may have any configuration which may be associated with inanimate objects, characters, or completely random including various combinations of artistically creative and whimsical shapes. Toothbrush <NUM> may include various printed, embossed, and/or recessed surface indicia <NUM> indicative of the animate or inanimate object intended to be portrayed.

In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that virtually limitless shapes or configurations are of course possible for toothbrush <NUM>. To illustrate this point, <FIG> and <FIG> depict different examples of some possible alternate configurations of toothbrush <NUM> having uniquely shaped handle portions. <FIG> depicts a toothbrush 100A having head portion 110A, handle portion 101A, and appendages 200A, 201A which collectively resemble a turtle. <FIG> depicts a toothbrush 100B having head portion 110B, handle portion 101B, and appendages 200B, 201B which collectively resemble a whimsical character or shape. Toothbrushes 100A and 100B include the same features and function previously described herein for toothbrush <NUM> including provisions to prevent over-insertion into the oral cavity/mouth and reduce bacterial contamination transfer from hard surfaces when the toothbrush is placed or dropped thereon. They will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

Claim 1:
An oral care implement (<NUM>) comprising:
a longitudinal axis (A-A);
a head portion (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements (<NUM>);
a handle portion (<NUM>) supporting the head portion (<NUM>);
a front side (<NUM>) of the handle portion (<NUM>) defining at least one front contact zone (Z1, Z2), the front contact zone defining a front support plane (S2);
a rear side (<NUM>) of the handle portion (<NUM>) defining a plurality of rear contact zones, the rear contact zones defining a rear support plane (S1); wherein
the head portion (<NUM>) is obliquely angled to the front support plane (S2), and
the front and rear support planes (S1, S2) do not intersect the head portion (<NUM>) including the plurality of tooth cleaning elements (<NUM>); and
wherein the front contact zone (Z1, Z2) is defined by a central body of the handle portion (<NUM>), and characterised in that the rear contact zones are defined by a pair of opposing appendages (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending laterally outwards from opposing lateral sides (<NUM>) of the central body.