EP1534100A1

EP1534100A1 - Flexible dome toothbrush

Info

Publication number: EP1534100A1
Application number: EP03785057A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Robert Moskovich; Bruce M. Russell; Joachim Storz; Tanja Langgner; Thomas Kuchler
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Current assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 2002-08-09
Filing date: 2003-08-08
Publication date: 2005-06-01
Also published as: CA2495026C; BR0313316A; EP1534100A4; CN101357023A; AU2010257380B2; AU2003259079B2; CN101357023B; MX343715B; MXPA05001586A; CA2495026A1; MX354782B; AU2003259079A1; AU2010257380A1; CA2858709A1; WO2004014181A1; KR20050065524A; KR101011308B1

Abstract

A toothbrush (10) includes a head (14) having a bristle carrying surface formed from a thin flexible dome shaped membrane (24). An air space (28) is located between the base of the head and the membrane so that the membrane can be capable of flexing to alter its shape during use and then resuming the original shape. In a second embodiment, the head (114) and/or handle (112) have elastomeric portions at least partially surrounding an open area. These portions are readily deflectable under pressure during use to improve handling of the toothrush and orientation of the cleaning elements (124). Alternatively the toothbrush includes a resilient spring-like longitudinal hinge (222) collinear with the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush head so as to separate the head into a pair of side by side longitudinal sections having extending cleaning elements (228) wherein the hinge urges the sections to return to their original position after the hinge has been opened as a result of the cleaning elements contacting teeth.

Description

TOOTHBRUSH

Background of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a manu- ally held and operated toothbrush or to a powered toothbrush which includes a handle and a head. Cleaning elements are mounted to the head such as tufts of bristles. When toothpaste is applied to the cleaning elements the user inserts the head into the mouth and brushes the teeth in a known manner.

The head of a conventional toothbrush usually has a flat or slightly altered surface to which cleaning elements are attached. Usually the cleaning elements are strands of plastic material (s) formed into tufts or other groupings. The strand groupings are attached to the head either before or after forming the toothbrush handle.

Various attempts have been made for providing flexibility to the manner in which the bristles are at- tached. Various approaches have also been taken wherein the bristle carrying surface of the head is not flat. U.S. Patent No. 1,688,581, for example, discloses a toothbrush having a bristle carrying member which is ordinarily bowed inwardly into the hollow head. The bristle carrying member can be bowed outwardly by manipulat- ing a wire mounted in the toothbrush.

U.S. Patent No. 5,483,722 discloses a toothbrush with a resilient flexible bristle support which spans spaced parallel handle extensions. Different embodiments of the toothbrush include having the support bowed inwardly or bowed outwardly.

U.S. Patent No. 5,325,560 relates to an orthodontic toothbrush which includes various rows of bristles including centrally located longitudinally arranged sets of bristles mounted on a flexible member over an air pocket.

U.S. Patent No. 5,799,354 discloses a toothbrush of rocker formation wherein base sections are joined together by hinges. The toothbrush also includes a hollow space below the base sections. U.S. Patent No. 5,454,133 discloses a toothbrush having a closed system of passageways for a non-compressible medium such as a compressed gas which flows below the bristle carrying base members.

U.S. Patent No. 6,088,870 discloses a toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles by utilizing a flexibly resilient lattice network so that the bristles deflect during brushing to conform to various arcuate surfaces of the teeth.

U.S. Patent No. 2,003,243 issued May 28, 1935 to Campbell et al . discloses blocks containing groups of bristles that are mounted on a flexible wire attached to a rigid toothbrush head (page 1, column 2, lines 45-55) . The flexibility of this mounting wire helps the bristles to conform to the shape of teeth being cleaned.

Blakeman U.S. Patent No. 2,706,825 issued April 26, 1955 discloses a demountable bristle holder for a toothbrush which ^"flexes up and down relative to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush body. This flexible member changes position. This plus the pressure of the brush against teeth and movement of the brush permits the brush to contact the teeth at various degrees of conformation (column 2, lines 15-18).

Peters U.S. Patent No. 4,520,526 issued June 4, 1985 has a flexible section in the handle which permits the head portion to move relative to the handle portion of the toothbrush in one plane. This patent suggests that the flexibility avoids damaging delicate tooth material and gum tissue (column 1, line 42-44) . Similar structures for imparting flexibility to the head of a toothbrush and thereby reduce wear on tooth and gum are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,146,645. Other approaches to flexible mounting of toothbrush cleaning elements are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,355,546 and 5,839,149. In these patents, the head of the toothbrush is placed under the biting sur- face of the tooth in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the tooth. The head of the brush when so oriented has short bristles in the middle of the head which are pushed against the biting surface which causes longer outer bristles to rotate into engagement with the side of the teeth and the gum line.

U.S. Patent No. 5,987,690 issued November 23, 1999 to Heuler discloses a toothbrush with linkages between handle and head that facilitate deflection of the head so that the free bristle ends retain parallel alignment with respect to the handle during use.

U.S. Patent No. 6,003,189 issued December 21, 1999 discloses a flexible section of a toothbrush between handle and head to absorb part of the force applied by the user of a toothbrush. An elastic shock ab- sorbing means is inserted in this section to bias the head into its inoperative position.

U.S. Patent No. 6,141,817 discloses a toothbrush head with a central longitudinal axis that underlies the middle of a resilient member containing bristles. The central axis limits .deformation of the middle of the resilient member. The balance of the head on either side of the central axis is sloped to allow greater movement of the flexible member, thereby causing outer bristles to splay outward. The outward spraying is believed to improve crevice intrusion of the bristles (column 2, lines 40-46).

European Patent Publication 0 454 625 Al dated October 30, 1991 discloses a cam in the handle of a tooth-brush that can be used to change the angular orientation of the head relative to the handle. Other attempts made in the prior art to provide some form of movability of cleaning elements are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,228,466 and WO 90/01281 which disclose a toothbrush wherein both the handle and head are longitudinally hinged so as to provide dis- placeable bristles which are straddled about a row of teeth.

U.S. Patent No. 1,616,484 discloses a toothbrush which is hinged along the length of the handle so that two spaced head sections can be disposed back to back with respect to each other. U.S. Patent No. 1,616,484 discloses a hinged toothbrush that would provide for brushing a tooth from three different directions. U.S. Patent Nos. 5,528,782 and 5,269,083 disclose the bristles as being mounted in a rocking manner. U.S. Patent No. 5,799,354 discloses the utilization of a hollow space to provide for a hinging action. U.S. Pat- ent No. 1,924,152 discloses a toothbrush having rows of rubber bristles. U.S. Patent^" No. 301,644 discloses a toothbrush having rows of bristles mounted in rubber tongues . U.S. Patent No. ^~Des.421,843 illustrates a toothbrush wherein the bristle carrying surfaces appears to be non-planar.

U.S. Patent No. 4,240,452 discloses an elastic base toothbrush wherein a bristle carrying plate is mounted over rubber tubes.

A number of patents disclose some tooth and/or gum massage devices having non-planar surfaces. For example, British Patent No. 524135 relates to a gum massaging device having an air filled hollow rubber head to provide an air cushion for the gum massaging members. U.S. Patent No. 1,058,273 discloses a massaging device having an interior air space. U.S. Patent No. 2,148,483 discloses a tooth and gum massager and exerciser which includes a void filled with air. U.S. Patent No. 2,176,309 also discloses a gum massager having air pockets .

Hairbrushes are also disclosed in various patents having dome shaped outer surfaces . Examples of these patents include U.S. Patent Nos . 3,739,419, 4,500,939 and 5,581,840. Similarly U.S. Patent No. Des.892,299 shows a toilet brush -with a convex shaped bristle carrying surface.

Summary of the Invention

An object of this invention is to provide a toothbrush head having a dome shaped or a trampoline type cleaning element carrying surface to provide increased flexibility of the cleaning elements. A further object of this invention is to provide a toothbrush wherein the head is hinged along a hinge axis collinear with the longitudinal axis of the head.

A still further object of this invention is to provide such a toothbrush which utilizes cleaning elements that can wrap around the edge of the teeth for simultaneous contact with both the front and top of the teeth.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide manufacturing techniques for making such a toothbrush.

In accordance with one aspect of this invention a toothbrush includes a head in the form of a base having an upstanding wall to create a peripheral frame. A thin resilient membrane is mounted to the frame with an open space between the membrane and the frame. In its initial condition, when the toothbrush is not being used the membrane is convex so that its original shape is dome-like. The membrane is capable of flexing to alter the original shape during use when the cleaning ele- ments carried by the membrane are brushed against the teeth to recover to the original shape randomly during such use.

Preferably, the cleaning elements are bristles secured to the membrane by in-molded technology. In a preferred practice of the invention the toothbrush head is oval shaped and the membrane is also oval shaped. The membrane is convex in both its longitudinal' and transverse directions.

In accordance with another aspect, this inven- tion provides a simplified and effective way to obtain desired flexibility in head and handle. Like a trampoline, at least the portion of the head carrying bristles is constructed to allow easy deformation of the bristles when in use, which improves contact with, and cleaning of, teeth. Pressure on the bristles against the teeth causes the head to deflect along with the bristles but the flexible head is designed to return to_. its original position once the pressure on the bristle is relieved. During the transition from heavy pressure to no pressure on the handle, the bristle stays in constant contact with the tooth because of the flexibility built into the toothbrush head.

In accordance with still another aspect of this invention the head of the toothbrush has a spine which extends collinear with the longitudinal axis of the head thereby dividing the head into a pair of side by side longitudinal sections connected to the spine. The spine forms a hinge axis made of resilient material which serves as a spring so as to permit the sections to move from and to an original position in response to contacting the teeth.

In a preferred practice of this aspect of the invention the side by side sections may also include soft flexible material. Preferably, the cleaning ele- ments on each section include an outer set of cleaning elements of longer length than an inner set. The outer cleaning elements could function as plaque removal bristles which are of sufficient length to extend partially along the tooth while the inner cleaning elements brush against the tooth. The terminal surfaces of the inner sets of cleaning elements preferably form an obtuse angle from the two sets of inner cleaning elements of the side by side sections to maximize contact with the teeth when the sections are in their original position. Dur- ing use the brush head is pressed against the edge of the teeth thus causing the flexible hinge to open and close during cleaning.

The Drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Figures 1-2 ;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through Figure 3 along the line 4-4;

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of a pow- ered toothbrush in accordance with this invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a toothbrush having elastic areas in the head and handle to allow deflection of the brush, bristles and handle for better teeth cleaning and control in accordance with a further embodiment of this invention;

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Figure 6 ;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the toothbrush shown in Figures 6-7; Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush of Figure 6 showing deflection in the open area under the bristles and the handle area;

Figure 10 is a top plan view of a powered toothbrush in accordance with the embodiment of Figures 6-9 of this invention;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a toothbrush formed in accordance with still another embodiment of this invention; Figure 12 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a top plan view of the toothbrush shown in Figures 11-12;

Figure 14 is an end elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Figures 11-13 in its original closed position;

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view taken through Figure 13 along the line 15-15, but with the brush head in its hinged open position and omitting some of the cleaning elements; and

Figure 16 is a front elevational view of a powered toothbrush in accordance with the embodiment of Figures 11-15 of this invention.

Detailed Description Figures 1-4 illustrate a toothbrush 10 in accordance with one embodiment of this invention. As shown therein toothbrush 10 includes a handle 12 and a head 14. Handle 12 may include^" a suitable grip pad 16 made of an elastomer material. The invention, however, is primarily directed to the structure of head 14. As shown in Figure 4 head 14 has a base portion 18 with an upstanding wall 20 to create a peripheral frame extending outwardly above base portion 18. In accordance with this invention a membrane 22 is attached to frame 20 completely along its periphery. Membrane 22 in its ini- tial non-use condition, is convex or bowed outwardly as best shown in Figure 4. The convex bowing would be preferably both in the longitudinal and transverse directions thus presenting a dome-like outer surface 24 to which cleaning elements 26 are connected. The invention in all embodiments is particularly suitable for cleaning elements in the form of strands or bristles attached via in-molded technology (IMT) methods that generally require small cross- sections of material into which the strands are perma- nently attached. The strands utilising IMT methods are preferably attached during formation of the toothbrush handle or at least during formation of the head which is the portion of the toothbrush to which the strands and other materials are attached. A key feature of the in- vention of Figures 1-4 and of Figure 5 is the use of thin cross-sections of material for membrane 22. Mem- brane 22 is flexible and resilient.. The cross-section shown, for example, in Figure 4^~ is formed like a moon crescent thus representing a shape similar to the dome. Because of the open space 28 between base por- tion 18 and membrane 22 the membrane would move from its original dome-like shape to be distorted into other shapes as the cleaning elements or bristles 26 contact the teeth. Thus, the dome 22 has a thin membrane of material or combinations of material that can flex to be- come altered from its original shape and recover to its original shape randomly during brushing. The bristles 26 are attached to the flexible dome and move accordingly, creating a random topology and by doing so improve the cleaning of the teeth. The moving bristle strands have more degrees of motion than other toothbrushes and thus represent a different and unique tooth brushing device .

In the illustrated embodiment of this invention the head 14 is generally oval shape and the mem- brane 22 has a corresponding oval shape. See Figure 3.

Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used as the cleaning elements 26 in the broad practice of this invention. The term "cleaning elements" is intended to be used in a generic sense which could include conventional fiber bristles or massage elements or other forms of cleaning elements such as elastomeric fingers or walls arranged in a circular cross-sectional shape or any type of desired shape including straight portions or sinusoidal portions. Where bristles are_^ sed, the bristles could be mounted to tuft blocks or sections by ex- tending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the tuft block and below membrane 22.

It is to be understood that the specific illustration of the cleaning elements is merely for exem- plary purposes. The invention can be practiced with various combinations of the same or different cleaning element configurations (such as stapled or in-molded technology bristles, anchor free technology (AFT), etc.) and/or with the same bristle or cleaning element materi- als (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.) Similarly, while Figure 2 illustrates the cleaning elements to be generally perpendicular to the outer surface 24 membrane 22 or head 14 some or all of the cleaning elements may be angled at various angles with respect to the outer surface of head 14. It is thereby possible to select the combination of cleaning element configurations, materials and orientations to achieve specific intended results to deliver additional oral health benefits, like enhanced cleaning tooth pol- ishing, tooth whitening and/or massaging of the gums. Preferably, however, cleaning elements 26 are IMT bristles since IMT bristles require small cross- sections of material into which the strands are attached and the membrane 22 in the preferred practice of the in- vention has a small cross-section.

Although Figures 1-3 illustrate the membrane 22 to occupy generally the entire head 14, the invention may be practiced where the head 14 is of sufficient size that it could include other bristle carrying surfaces adjacent to the dome shape membrane 22.

Although Figures 1-4 illustrate a manually operated toothbrush, the invention may also be practiced where the head includes one or more power or electrically operated movable sections carrying cleaning ele- ments . Such movable section may oscillate in a rotational manner or may oscillate linearly in a longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head or may oscillate linearly in a lateral or transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head. The movable section may oscillate in and out in a direction toward and away from the outer surface of the head. The movable section may rock back and forth with respect to the outer surface of the head. The movable section may rotate continuously in the same direction, rather than oscillate. Any suitable drive mechanism may be used for imparting the desired motion to the movable section. Where plural movable sections are used, all of the movable sections may have the same type and direction of movement, or combinations of different movements may be used. Figure 5 illustrates a toothbrush 10A which includes a power driven movable disc or section 30 having cleaning elements. The movable section 30 could be oscillated rotationally such as by using the type of drive mechanism shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,625,916, or could move in and out using the type of drive mechanism shown in U.S. Patent No. Re35,941, all of the details of both patents are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Alternatively, the other types of drives referred to above could move section 30 in other manners and directions. Although Figure 5 shows movable section 30 to be at the distal end of the head, the movable section (s) could be located at any desired location on the head.

Handle 12, base 18 and frame 20 are preferably made of hard plastic materials which are used for manual toothbrushes. As noted, however, a characteristic of dome shape membrane 22 is that it is made of a flexible resilient material such as an elastomer capable of being moved from its original position and then returning to that original position. Membrane 22 may be secured to frame 20 in any suitable manner. Thus, for example, frame 20 includes inwardly inclined surfaces for receiving membrane 22. Other structural arrangements may be used within the practice of this invention to^" mount membrane 22 on head 14.

Figures 6-9 illustrate a manual toothbrush 10 in accordance with another embodiment of this invention. This is a variation of the prior embodiment using a trampoline type structure to achieve an up and down motion. As shown therein toothbrush 110 includes a handle 112 and a head 114. Handle 112 may include a suitable area 116 made of an elastomeric material. This elastomeric portion of the handle is preferably molded with an open area 118 which is readily deformable by the user. The elastomeric material 16 on the top side of the handle 12 (as viewed in Figures 6, 7 and 9) will yield under pressure of the user's fingers to provide a better grip on the handle while providing a more com- fortable feel to the handle. Figure 9 illustrates this elastomeric portion 116 of the handle 112 in a depressed state. The downward arrow in this Figure represents the pressure applied by the toothbrush user. The open area 118 is thereby minimized. As soon as the user's pres- sure is released, the properties of the elastomeric por- tion 116 of the handle 112 return the elastomeric material 116 to its original shape illustrated in Fig. 6.

A similar flexible, deformable open area 120 is created in the head by inclusion of an elastomeric portion 122 in the head overlying open area 120. Cleaning elements 124 are arrayed in the elastomeric portion of the head and fastened thereto by known methods including in-molded technology (IMT) . Bristle attachment

/ utilizing IMT methods preferably occurs during formation of the toothbrush handle or at least during formation of the elastomeric portion 122 of the head 114.

In use, the application of pressure by the toothbrush user causes a like pressure of the teeth against cleaning elements 124 as illustrated by the ar- row in Figure 9. This causes deflection of the elastomeric portion 122 of head 114 which in turn causes a reorientation of cleaning elements relative to the teeth being cleaned. As the user's pressure is reduced, the open area 120 of head 114 opens up causing the cleaning elements to follow the shape of the teeth being brushed and thereby improving the cleaning of the teeth. When all user pressure is released, the open area 120 returns to its original shape.

The elastomeric portion 122 of head 114 should be a material or combinations of material that can flex to become altered from its original shape and recover to its original shape randomly during brushing. The cleaning elements, for example, bristles, are attached to the flexible membrane creating a flexible orientation of cleaning elements 124 which improves the cleaning of the teeth. The moving bristle strands have considerable degrees of motion and thus provide a unique tooth brushing experience.

Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used as the cleaning elements 124 in the broad practice of this invention, as discussed with the embodiments of Figures 1-5. It is to be understood that the specific illustration of the cleaning elements is merely for exemplary purposes. The invention can be practiced with various combinations of the same or different cleaning element configurations (such as stapled or in-molded technology bristles, AFT, etc.) and/or with the same bristle or cleaning element materials (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.) Similarly, while Figures 7 and 9 illustrates the cleaning elements to be generally perpendicular to the elastomeric portion 122 of head 114, some or all of the cleaning elements may be angled at various angles. It is thereby possible to select the combination of cleaning element configurations, materials and orientations to achieve specific intended results to deliver additional oral health benefits., like enhanced cleaning, , tooth polishing, tooth whitening and/or massaging of the gums .

Portions of handle 112 and head 114, may be made of hard plastic material which is used for manual toothbrushes. As noted, however, a feature of this toothbrush is use of elastomeric portions 116 of the handle and/or elastomeric portion 122 of head 114, such as an elastomer capable of being moved from its original position and then returning to its original position. This invention may also be practiced where the head 114 includes one or more power or electrically operated movable sections carrying cleaning elements.^'

Figure 10 illustrates a toothbrush 110A which includes a power driven movable disc or section 150 hav- ing cleaning elements. The movable section 150 could be similar to section 30 of Figure 5. Although Figure 10 shows movable section 150 to be at the one end of the head, as with Figure 5, the movable section (s) could be located at any desired location on the head. In another embodiment of this invention a toothbrush includes a head longitudinally separated into side by side areas by means of a flexible hinge structure that serves as a spring to return the brush head materials and cleaning areas to their original position. Figures 11-13 illustrate a toothbrush 210 which includes an elongated handle 212 and a head 214. A portion of handle 212 may be recessed at gripping area 216 between shoulders 218 and 220. Shoulder 218 could extend outwardly a sufficient distance to act as a hook or ledge to facilitate hanging the toothbrush in an inverted con- dition.

Head 214 and handle 212 are elongated and have a longitudinal axis. As shown in Figures 14 and 15 head 214 includes a spine 222 which extends collinear with the longitudinal or major axis of the toothbrush handle and head. As a result, head 214 is separated into two side by side longitudinal sections 224,226 connected to the spine 222. Spine 222 is made of a resilient material such as an elastomer which is sufficiently flexible as to be movable and yet return to its original posi- tion. As a result, spine 222 functions as a hinge axis whereby the side by side sections 224,226 may move or pivot about the spine away from the original position shown in Figure 14 to an open position such as shown in Figure 15 when the cleaning elements on the sections 224,226 contact the teeth. Then sections 224,226 return to their original position under the influence of the resilient hinge or spine 222. Preferably hinge or spine 222 is confined to head 214.

As illustrated, each of the sections 224,226 includes sets of cleaning elements. For example, an outer set of cleaning elements 228 is located at the outer periphery of each section 224,226 while an inner set of cleaning elements 230 is^" located closer to the spine 222. Preferably, the terminal surfaces 232 of the inner cleaning elements 230 are tapered toward the hinge axis 222 so that the adjacent terminal ends 232 of each inner set of cleaning elements forms an obtuse angle as indicated by the letter A in Figure 14 when the brush head is in its original position.

The outer sets of cleaning elements 228 extend outwardly a longer distance from the outer surface of the sections than do the inner cleaning elements 230. As a result, the combined cleaning elements are designed to wrap around the edge of the teeth for simultaneous possible contact with both the front and top of the teeth. See Figure 14. During use the brush head is pressed against the edge of the teeth causing the flexible hinge to open and close during cleaning.

As illustrated in Figures 11-13 in a preferred practice of the invention the outer sets of cleaning elements 228 are bristle bundles of plaque bristles.

The inner sets of cleaning elements 230 may be bristles formed by in-molded technology (IMT) where sets of bristles are fused together at one end and the fused end is inserted in a mold cavity during the manufacture of the head. Figure 15 shows the sections 224,226 in their open position. Figure 15 omits some of the cleaning elements so as to provide a better understanding of how the cleaning elements are mounted. As shown therein, the plaque bristles 228 are in the form of bristle bundles or tufts inserted into individual holes 234 in bristle container 236. The inner sets of cleaning elements 230 are IMT bristles mounted in IMT container 238. The IMT containers 238 may be made of soft flexible elastomer material integral with hinge axis 222, as shown in Figure 15.

As shown in Figures 11-13 the bristle container 236 does not extend completely to the distal end of the head 214. Accordingly, side plates 240 are pro- vided on each side of the head longitudinally abutting against bristle containers 236 and disposed against containers 238 for the remaining length of containers 238 so that a smooth contour results along the side of the head 214. Side plates 240 may also be made of a soft, flexible elastomer material.

As best shown in Figures 11-12 each inner row of IMT bristles 230 has its bristles spaced apart or staggered so that the inclined IMT bristles of each section may fit between the spacing of adjacent IMT bris- ties of the other section. Although Figures 11-15 illustrate a preferred form of cleaning elements to be^" the plaque bristles and IMT bristles any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used as the cleaning elements 228 and 230 as previ- ously described. Thus the term "cleaning elements" is intended to be used in a generic sense which could include conventional fiber bristles or massage elements or other forms of cleaning elements such as elastomeric fingers or walls arranged in a circular cross-sectional shape or any type of desired shape including straight portions or sinusoidal portions. Where bristles are used, the bristles could be mounted to tuft blocks or sections by extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the tuft block.

Similarly, it is to be understood that the specific illustration of the cleaning elements is merely for exemplary purposes . The invention can be practiced with various combinations of the same or different cleaning element configurations (such as stapled or IMT bristles, AFT, etc.) and/or with the same bristle or cleaning element materials (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.) Similarly, while Figure 12 illustrates the cleaning elements to be gener- ally perpendicular to the outer surface of head 214 some or all of the cleaning elements may be angled at various angles with respect to the outer surface of head 214. It is thereby possible to select the combination of cleaning element configurations, materials and orientations to achieve specific intended results to deliver additional oral health benefits, like enhanced cleaning tooth polishing, tooth whitening and/or massaging of the gums .

Handle 212 could be made of a conventional hard plastic material which could, however, include a soft elastomer section 242 near the head 214. Bristle containers 236,236 could also be made of a hard plastic material while side plates 240 and IMT containers 238 are made of a soft elastomer material. By having the bristle containers 236 mounted against the IMT contain- ers 238, the bristle containers 236 and their cleaning elements 228 move along with the movement of the IMT containers 238 in response to the IMT bristles 230 contacting the teeth. If desired, the bristle containers 236 may also be made of a soft elastomer material. Although Figures 11-13 illustrate a manually operated toothbrush, the invention may also be practiced where the head includes one or more power or electrically operated movable sections carrying cleaning elements. Figure 6 illustrates a toothbrush 210 which in- eludes a power driven movable disc or section 250 having cleaning elements, similar to the movable sections of toothbrushes 10A and 110A.

Claims

What is claimed is;

1. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a head secured to said handle, said head being in the form of a base having an upstanding wall to create a peripheral frame, a thin resilient membrane mounted to said frame, an open space between said membrane and said base, said membrane having an initial condition of non-use, said membrane in said initial condition being convex to have an original dome-like shape, at least one cleaning element on said membrane extending away from head, and said membrane being capable of flexing to alter said original shape during use of said toothbrush and then recovering to said original shape randomly driving use of said toothbrush.

2. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said at least one cleaning element comprises bristles secured to said membrane by in-molded technol- ogy.

3. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said head is generally oval shaped, and membrane being generally oval shaped.

4. The toothbrush of claim 3 wherein said mem- brane is convex in both its transverse and longitudinal directions.

5. In a method of making a toothbrush having a head secured to a handle wherein the head includes a bristle carrying surface, the improvement being in that the bristle carrying surface is a dome shaped membrane made from a flexible resilient material, securing the dome shaped membrane to the head in such a manner than an open space is provided below the membrane, and attaching the bristles to the mem- brane by in-molded technology methods.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the bristles are attached to the membrane and the membrane is attached to the head before forming the handle. 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the bristles are attached to the membrane and the membrane is attached to the head after forming the handle.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the bristles are attached to the membrane during formation of the handle.

9. A toothbrush comprising a handle and head portions, at least one of said portions containing an open area partially enclosed with elastomeric material, said material being readily deflectable to alter its original orientation during use of said toothbrush and then recov- ering to assume its original orientation after use of said toothbrush.

10. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein said head portion contains cleaning elements secured to the elastomeric material by in-molded technology.

11. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein an open area at least partially enclosed by elastomeric a-, terial is included as part of said handle por- tion.

12. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein an open area at least partially enclosed by elastomeric material is included as part of said head portion. 13. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein a section of the toothbrush includes powered cleaning elements . 1 . In a method of making a toothbrush having a head secured to a handle wherein a portion of the head includes an open area surrounded in part by elastomeric material, the improvement being in attaching cleaning elements to the elastomeric material by in-molded technology methods .

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the cleaning elements are attached to the membrane during formation of the handle.

16. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a head mounted to said handle, said head having a longitudinal axis, a spine extending collinear with said longitudinal axis dividing said head into a pair of side by side longitudinal sections connected to said spine, said spine be- ing confined to said head, a plurality of cleaning elements on each of said sections extending outwardly from said sections in a direction away from said longitudinal axis, and said spine forming a hinge axis made of a re- silient material to comprise a spring-like hinge whereby said sections may pivot from and to an original position.

17. The toothbrush of claim 16 wherein each of said side by side sections includes an inner set of cleaning elements and an outer set of cleaning elements.

18. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein the terminal ends of said inner sets of cleaning elements taper toward said hinge axis . 19. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein said terminal ends of said inner sets of cleaning ele- ments form an obtuse angle with respect to each other.

20. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein said outer sets of cleaning elements are longer than said inner sets of cleaning elements.

21. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein said inner set of cleaning elements have spaced gaps in each inner set, and said gaps in said sets being offset with respect to each other to ere- ate a staggered pattern.

22. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein said outer sets of cleaning elements are plaque bristles mounted in a single row.

23. The toothbrush of claim 22 wherein said inner sets of cleaning elements are IMT bristles.

24. The toothbrush of claim 23 wherein said IMT bristles of each set are mounted in an IMT container extending toward the distal end of said head, and said plaque bristles of each set are mounted in a bristle container disposed along side of and connected to said IMT container for each of said sections, said IMT containers extending further from said handle than said bristle containers, and a side plate longitudinally abutting each of said bristle containers and disposed against said IMT con- tainer for the remaining length of said IMT container on each of said sections to create a smooth continuous outer side surface of said head at each of said sections. 25. The toothbrush of claim 24 wherein said IMT containers are made from a soft flexible material . 26. The toothbrush of claim 24 wherein said side plates are made from a soft flexible material . 27. The toothbrush of claim 24 wherein said IMT containers are integral with said spine, and said bristle containers being made from a hard plastic material. 28. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein said inner set of cleaning elements are mounted in an inner container, and said outer set of cleaning elements being mounted in an outer container disposed along side of and connected to said inner container. 29. The toothbrush of claim 28 wherein said inner containers are made of a soft flexible material integral with spine. 30. The toothbrush of claim 28 wherein said inner containers extend outwardly away from said handle a greater distance than said outer containers, and each of said sections having a side plate longitudinally abutting said outer container and disposed^" against said inner container for the remaining length of said inner container to create a smooth continuous outer side surface of said head at each of said sections .

31. The toothbrush of claim 16 wherein said handle includes a recessed grip portion.

32. The toothbrush or method of any of the pro- ceeding claims, wherein said cleaning elements include AFT bristles.