MXPA97006451A - Cepillo de dien - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a toothbrush having an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis, having a head and a handle disposed along the longitudinal axis, the head has a face, bristles placed in a pattern that extends from the face in a general direction of length of the bristle substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the toothbrush having a direction of width generally perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axis and to the general direction of bristles, the face has a surface which varies with the distance in the longitudinal direction, in its displacement in the general direction of bristles, from a plane projected through the head parallel to its longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the general direction of bristles, where the face has at minus two parts that are displaced from the plane with at least one part that is less displaced from the plane longitudinally between any pair of two or more displaced parts, wherein the longer bristles extend from the at least a less displaced part of the face and the shorter bristles extend from the at least two more displaced parts of the face, so that the length of the bristles extends from the face, and as a consequence the stiffness of the bristles varies with the distance in the direction of the longitudinal axis along the length of the bristle

Description

TOOTHBRUSH DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to toothbrushes, in particular, to toothbrushes, wherein the stiffness of the bristles varies along or across the width of the brush head. Generally, a toothbrush has a head and a handle disposed along a longitudinal axis, the head having bristles arranged in tufts extending from its face ("the face of the bristle") in general in a direction of the sow. It is known, for example, from the British Standards Institution BS 5757: 1979"Specification for Toothbrushes" that the stiffness of a bristle of a toothbrush is related to its length and diameter. For bristles of the same diameter and material, the longer bristles will be less rigid than the shorter bristles. Generally, the face of the sow is flat. Toothbrushes are described in GB 501124 and GB 1098933, where the ends of the bristles furthest from the face of the bristle (the "far ends") generally lie on a non-flat surface, those of GB 501124 lying in a stepped surface, those of GB 1098933 lying on an undulating surface. In order to maintain a uniform stiffness of the bristles of these toothbrushes, the face of the bristle is displaced from the planarity in the general direction of the bristle into a shape, in which it corresponds substantially to the surface on which the ends of the bristles lie. sows In the patent of E.U.A. 4010509, a toothbrush with parts of its bristle face displaced from the planarity is described, again to make the ends of the bristle lie on a corresponding non-planar surface. The patent of E.U.A. 4776054 discloses a toothbrush in which parts of the face of the bristle are displaced from the planarity in the general direction of the bristle, but where the bristles all have substantially the same length, the displaced parts being used to impart an inclination to the plumes. EP 0175084A, US 4010509 and US 5325560 describe toothbrushes wherein the face of the bristle has a wavy profile in width. The patent of E.U.A. No. 4852202 discloses a toothbrush with an elevated "working platform", from which short inclination bristles extend. JP 04-122306A discloses a toothbrush with a ridge longitudinally aligned with a corresponding bristle profile. EP 0471312 describes a toothbrush, in which the surface of the bristle is in a stepped form, with the longer bristles on the lower steps. It may be desirable to vary the rigidity of the toothbrush bristles along the length of the head of the toothbrush, for example, so that the toothbrush may have rigid bristles for cleaning in the interdental spaces, and bristles softer to clean the wide areas of the teeth, or vice versa. This variation in stiffness can be obtained using different materials of bristle fiber, diameters, packing density, etc., but these aspects can lead to the manufacture of complexities. The object of the present invention is to provide a simple construction of a toothbrush, which allows the stiffness of the bristles to be varied along the length or across the width of the head of the toothbrush. According to this invention, a toothbrush has a head and a handle disposed along a longitudinal axis, the head having bristles extending from one face of the bristle in a general bristle direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the face of the sow having a surface that varies in its distance of displacement in the general direction of the sow, from a plane ("the longitudinal plane") that passes through the head parallel to its longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the direction of the sow, with the distance along the length of the head, characterized in that: there are two more displaced parts ("high") with at least a part less displaced ("low") longitudinally between them, and longer bristles that extend from the less displaced parts of the face of the sow and shorter bristles that extend from the more displaced parts of the bristle face, so that the length of the bristles extends from the bristle face, and as a consequence, the stiffness of the bristles, varies with the distance along the length of the head. Through the toothbrush of the invention, some of the bristles are shorter than others, and as a consequence are more stiff than the longer bristles. By suitable relative placement of these shorter and longer bristles, that is, stiffer and less rigid, more bristles can be provided in places on the head, which are more convenient for cleaning the wide areas of the teeth, while the less rigid bristles may be in places on the head, which are more convenient to clean the interdental spaces, or vice versa. For example, the rigidity of the bristles may vary with the distance along the length of the head to achieve this, in order to place stiffer and less rigid bristles at distances along the head related to the space between the bristles. interdental areas. For example, the portions, from which the longer bristles extend, can be separated by distances corresponding to the typical width of the broad areas of the teeth. The face of the sow may be wavy and be displaced in the general direction of the sow in various ways. For example, the face of the bristle may be raised to one or more high portions, for example, a shoulder aligned in width, a midpoint vault surface, i.e., a round arcuate surface, for example, with an arched surface semi-cylindrical, with its flange aligned to the width, or a surface of dome and pyramid, etc., with the surface descending longitudinally towards the lower parts on both sides of the upper part. In another form, the face of the bristle can be raised to the high parts on both sides of the head, with the surface descending lengthwise or widthwise, for example, in a flat or curved shape in inclination, towards an inclination between the high parts . In another form, the face of the bristle may have a longitudinal waviness, for example, zigzag or other wave-shaped profile of two or more alternating high parts, and grooves arranged across the head wide, with either a high part, or a low part at each end of the head. The descent from the high parts, or the ascent from the lower parts can be through a flat or curved, or stepped, inclination. Alternative constructions will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the variation in the displacement of the face of the bristle with the longitudinal distance forms a longitudinally undulating configuration. Only the face of the sow needs to be displaced, although the entire head of the toothbrush, including the opposite face, can be displaced in the general direction of the sow, in a shape corresponding to the face of the sow. When the face of the sow varies gradually, that is, it is inclined or with a series of small steps, between the high and low parts, there may be bristles of intermediate length and stiffness located between the more displaced and less displaced parts. In this way, there may be a slight gradation in the stiffness between the stiffer and less rigid bristles. In one embodiment of the invention, the surface of the bristle may have a substantially flat part less displaced at and near its distal end and at and near its near end, and between two more displaced parts in the general direction of the bristle, each one in the form of a flange with an inclined surface between its more and less displaced parts, for example, a mid-vault shape with dome axes across the width of the head, a valley lying between these two ridge portions and across the width of the head, the valley forming a less displaced part . Smaller, less stiff bristles can extend from the flat parts and the valley, the shorter stiffer bristles can extend from the peaks of the more displaced parts, with bristles of intermediate length over the inclinations of the ridge. The face of the sow may also have a surface that varies in its distance of travel in the general direction of the sow, from a plane ("the longitudinal plane") that passes through the head parallel to its longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the general direction of the sow, with the distance along the length of the head, so that there are at least two more displaced parts ("tall") with at least one part less displaced ("lower") longitudinally between them, as described above, and also through the width of the head. Suitably, the bristles extend from the face of the bristle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face of the bristle, although of the bristles, within nominally perpendicular tufts, may be inclined at an angle not perpendicular to the face of the bristle , for example, as a result of an inevitable chamfer, or wear. In one embodiment, groups or tufts of the toothbrush bristles of the invention may vary in an alternating manner in length and, therefore, stiffness along the length of the head of the toothbrush. For example, there may be long bristles, therefore less rigid, distant, in and near the far end of the head farthest from the handle, long bristles, therefore less rigid, close, in and near the near end of the head Closer to the handle, long bristles, therefore less rigid, intermediate, in and near the longitudinal midpoint of the head between the distant and near ends of the head, with shorter bristles, therefore more rigid, between the bristles Distant and intermediate, and between the near and intermediate bristles, the long, less rigid bristles extending from the lower parts of the bristle face, and the shorter, stiffer bristles extending from the high parts of the bristle face. If the variation in length between said longer and shorter bristles corresponds directly, inversely, to the variation in the displacement distance between the low and high parts of the bristle face from which the bristles extend, the far ends of the bristles may lie substantially in a plane parallel to the longitudinal plane. Alternatively, the variation in length of the bristles may vary with no relation, or in other relation to the displacement distance, so that the ends of the bristles away from the face of the bristle may lie on an undulating surface, which it does not correspond to the shape of the surface, for example, undulations, of the face of the sow. If, for example, the variation in length between said longer and shorter bristles is greater than the variation in the displacement distance between the less and more displaced parts of the face of the bristle, from which the bristles extend. , then the far ends may lie on a surface that has concavities that correspond to the positions of the most displaced parts. Said concavities can be configured to correspond to a generalized form of a tooth surface.

The bristles may be arranged in a pattern under the bristle face of the toothbrush in shapes, which are generally conventional, for example, in a pattern of discrete tufts, which may be generally circular in cross section, perpendicular to the general direction of the bristle, or alternatively in mats of non-circular section perpendicular to the general direction of the bristle, for example, of the elongated section, for example, oval, tablet-shaped or rectangular with round ends, or linear. For example, said elongated mats may be elongated along the length or across the width of the surface of the face of the bristle. The toothbrush can have combinations of differently sectioned tufts located in different places on the surface of the bristle, for example, a type of high spots or areas and others in low spots or areas. In this form, the elongated plumes may vary in stiffness along or through the axes of their cross section. It is particularly preferred to have a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, or an individual plume of generally round cross section, perpendicular to the bristle face at the far end of the bristle pattern on the face of the bristle . The bristles may be, for example, arranged on the head of the toothbrush in the patterns described in PCT / EP 94/02828, the contents of which are included herein by reference, which describes a toothbrush wherein the bristles , on the head, all are arranged in a pattern of a plurality of discrete tufts projecting from the bristle face of the toothbrush head, one or more tufts ("first plumes") having a cross section perpendicular to the toothbrush. tuft axis, which has a larger dimension in the direction generally parallel to the axis of the toothbrush than in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the toothbrush, in combination with one or more tufts ("second tufts") at the end of the toothbrush. pattern of the distant mango plume being in the form of either (i) a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, or (ii) a single tuft of section tr generally round anversal perpendicular to the face of the sow, or (iii) a tuft with a cross section generally "C" or "U" shaped, perpendicular to the face of the sow that has at least one edge of the "C" or "U" aligned generally parallel to the axis of the longitudinal toothbrush and with the round "C" or "U" inclination facing the end of the bristle face away from the handle. In the toothbrush of the invention, the first tufts may be located on more displaced parts of the face of the sow. The first and second plumes can be combined with other plumes ("third plumes") of other cross sections. In one embodiment of the invention, therefore, the toothbrush comprises the following sequence of tufts, starting from the far end of the head: (i) a pattern of discrete second tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, central plume optionally round, on a distant lower part; (ii) one or more rows, suitably a row, of third tufts arranged across the head of the toothbrush, and these third tufts can have a cross section, which is elongated through the head of the toothbrush, on the distant lower part; (iii) one or more rows, suitably two, three, or four rows, of first plumes having a cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis, which has a larger dimension in the direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis than in the generally perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis, these first plumes being located on a first high part of the face of the sow; (iv) in a valley between the first upper part and a second upper part on the near side of the valley of one or more rows, suitably a row, third plumes arranged through the head of the toothbrush, and these third tufts they may have a cross section, which is elongated through the head of the toothbrush; (v) one or more rows, suitably two, three or four rows, of the first tufts having a cross section perpendicular to the tuft of the tuft, which has a greater dimension in the direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis than in the generally perpendicular direction to the axis of the toothbrush, these first plumes being located on the second upper part of the face of the bristle; (vi) in a low part at the close end of the bristle pattern, one or more rows, suitably a row, of third tufts arranged across the head of the toothbrush, and these third tufts may have a cross section, which is elongated through the head of the toothbrush. Said tufts and / or mats can be fastened on the head of the toothbrush in conventional ways, for example, with conventional small metal fasteners. Preferably, the tufts and / or mats are welded on the head of the toothbrush, since the machines used to implant the bristles on the toothbrush heads with metal fasteners can present problems with a non-flat face of the bristle. Welding can be achieved using known welding techniques, such as molding the head of the toothbrush around the ends of the tufts or mats to be fastened to the head. The methods for welding on tufts and / or mats are described, for example, in DE 44 15 886A, EP 0326634A, EP 0346646A and EP 0197384A, among other publications. The toothbrush of the invention may include other known aspects of toothbrushes, such as the V-shaped bends of EP 0336641 A or the flexible head-neck link of WO 92/17092, which helps to the control of the flexibility of the toothbrush. The entire toothbrush can be made of conventional materials in the toothbrush art, for example, plastic materials, and can be made through conventional plastic molding techniques. The invention also provides a method for making a toothbrush, as described above. The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the following drawings only. Figures 1 and 2 show side views of toothbrushes of this invention. Figure 3 shows a plan view of the head and immediately adjacent handle region of the toothbrush of Figure 1. Figure 4 shows a side view of the head and immediately adjacent handle region of a toothbrush. additional of this invention. Figure 5 shows a plan view of the head and handle region immediately adjacent to the toothbrush of Figure 4. Figure 6 shows a side view of the head and immediately adjacent handle region of an additional toothbrush. of this invention. Referring to Figures 1-5, a toothbrush has a head 1 and a handle 2 disposed along a longitudinal axis AA. The handle 2 continues to form a conventional grip region (not shown). From a bristle face 3 of the head 1 bristles 4 (generally) extend in a general direction B-B of bristle, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA. The bristle face 3 has a surface that varies in its distance of displacement from a plane ("the longitudinal plane"), passing through the head 1 parallel to its longitudinal axis AA and perpendicular to the general direction of the bristle B - B, in the general direction of the bristle B - B with the distance along the length of the head 1. The length of the bristles 4 also varies in different positions on the yield face 3, so that the shorter bristles 4A, 4C extend from more displaced ("high") parts 5,6 of the bristle face 3, and the longer bristles 4B, 4E extend from less displaced parts ("low"). 7 of the bristle face 3, so that the length of the bristles 4 extends from the bristle face 3, and as a consequence, the stiffness of the bristles 4 varies with the distance along the length of the bristle. head 1. In the toothbrush of Figures 1, 2, and 3, the bristle face 3 is a wavy surface in the general direction of the bristle B --- B towards more displaced, alternating high parts, 5,6 and the less displaced lower portions 7. The bristles 4A, which extend from the most displaced parts 5,6 of the bristle face 3, are shorter, and consequently more rigid, than the bristles 4B, which extend from the less displaced parts 7 of the bristle face 3. Since the difference in length between the shortest bristles 4A and the lengths 4B corresponds inversely to the distance at which the bristle face 3 is displaced in the general direction of the bristle B --- B, the ends of the bristles 4 away from the surface 3 lie substantially on a flat part C- --C. In the toothbrush of Figure 1, the bristle face 3 has a low part 6 at each end and around the longitudinal stocking, and two tall parts 5 between the lower parts 7. The bristle face 3 is a wavy surface defined by two laterally aligned shoulders 8, which have their upper parts 5 on the peaks of the shoulders 8, and a lower part 7 in the valley between the shoulders 8. In the toothbrush of Figure 2, the bristle face 3 it ripples in the form of two V profile surfaces having a high part 6 at each end and high parts 6 around the longitudinal average, and low parts 7 between the high parts 5. In Figure 3, the view is shown in the toothbrush plant of Figure 1, the bristles 4 are shown arranged in circular sectioned tufts. In the toothbrushes of Figures 4 and 5, the parts corresponding to those of Figures 1 to 3, are numbered correspondingly. The bristle surface 3 has a less displaced, substantially flat part 9 at and near its distal end and another at and near its near end. Among these, there are two parts 11,12 displaced in the general direction of bristle B-B in the form of a ridge with an inclined surface between the more and less displaced parts, for example, of a mid-dome shape with the vault axes across the width of the head. A valley 13 lies between these two parts in vault 11, 12 and across the width of the head, and forms a less displaced part. The less rigid, longer bristles, 4D, 4E extend from the flat parts 9,10 and the valley 13, and the stiffer, shorter bristles 4C extend from the peaks of the more displaced parts 11,12, with the 4F bristles of intermediate length on the inclinations of the flange.

In the toothbrush of Figures 4 and 5, the bristles on the head 1 are all arranged in a pattern of a plurality of discrete tufts 4 (generally) projecting from the bristle face 3 of the toothbrush head 1, plumes 4C, extending from the high points 5 on the upper portions and inclinations of the mid-point vaults 9, having a cross section perpendicular to the general direction of bristle BB, which has a larger dimension in the direction generally parallel to the axis of toothbrush A - A in the direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis A - A. The longer 4D plumes at the end of the tuft pattern away from the handle 2 are in the form of a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern. At the low points 9 there are long tufts 4E, which are of elongated section having their elongated section across the width of the toothbrush. Since the longitudinally elongated tufts 4C are mounted on regions of the point vaults 9, which are inclined from the high point 5, the bristles in the parts of tufts 4C closer to the high point 5 of the point vault surface means 9 are shorter than those in parts that are closer to the lower parts of the midpoint vault surface. The toothbrush of Figures 4 and 5, therefore, comprises the following sequence of plumes, starting from the far end of the head: (i) a pattern of discrete second 4D plumes arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern around a central plume, in a distant lower part; (ii) a row of third plumes 4E disposed through the toothbrush head, with a cross section, which is elongated through the head of the toothbrush, at the distant bottom; (iii) three rows of quarter plumes 4C, 4F having a cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis, which has a larger dimension in the direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis AA than in the direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the brush. teeth, these first plumes 4C, 4F being located on a first upper part 11 of the bristle face; (iv) in the valley 13 between the first upper part 11 and the second upper part 12 on the near side of the valley 13, a row of third plumes 4E disposed through the head of the toothbrush, these third tufts having a section transverse, which is elongated through the head of the toothbrush; (v) two rows of first tufts 4C, 4F having a cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis, which has a greater dimension in the direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis than in the direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, these first tufts being located on the second upper part 12 of the bristle face 3; (vi) in a low part at the close end of the bristle pattern, a row of third plumes 4E disposed through the toothbrush head 1, these third plumes 4E having a cross section, which is elongated through the toothbrush head 1. The bristles 4C, which extend from the most displaced regions of the bristle face 3, that is, the high points 11,12, are shorter, and consequently more rigid, than the bristles longer 4 in the tufts 4D, 4E, which extend from the less displaced regions 9, 10, 13 of the bristle face 3. Since the difference in length between the short bristles 4C and the long bristles 4d, 4E, corresponds inversely to the distance at which the bristle face 3 is displaced in the mid-point vaults 9, in the general bristle direction B --- B, the ends of the bristles 4 away from the surface 3 lie substantially in a flat part C - C. The shorter bristles, by example, 4A, 4C, are consequently more rigid than the longer plumes 4B, 4D, 4E. The stiffer, shorter bristles 4 are effective for cleaning the wide surfaces of the teeth, and the softer, longer bristles 4B, 4D, 4E with effective to clean the interdental spaces of the teeth. The high point 5 at the distance from the high point 5 in the toothbrushes may correspond approximately to the width of the tooth that will be brushed with the toothbrush. With reference to Figure 6, a toothbrush similar in concept to that of Figures 4 and 5 is shown, the corresponding parts being numbered correspondingly. The variation in length between the longer bristles 4D, 4E and the shorter ones 4C is greater than the variation in displacement distance between the less displaced parts 9, 10, 13 and the more displaced 11, 12, of the bristle face 3 , from which the sows extend. The far ends of the bristles 4, therefore, lie on a surface having concavities 14 corresponding to the positions of the most displaced parts, 11, 12. Such concavities 14 can be configured to correspond to the generalized form of a tooth surface, so that the longer bristles 4E are guided into the interdental spaces during use. The tufts of the bristles 4 can be fixed to the bristle face 3 by conventional means, for example, small metal fasteners around the fixed end, which are then adjusted by compression in the corresponding receptacles on the face 3, or else they can be fused with the material of the head 1. The fusion with the material of the head 1 is particularly suitable for the tufts 4C, 4E and 4F of the elongated section.

Claims (14)

1. - A toothbrush, which has a head and a handle disposed along a longitudinal axis, the head having bristles extending from a bristle face in a general direction of the bristle substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the face of bristle having a surface that varies in its displacement distance in the general direction of the bristle, from the plane ("the longitudinal plane") passing through the head parallel to its longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the general direction of the bristle, with a distance along the length of the head, where: there are at least two parts more displaced ("high") with at least one part less displaced ("low") longitudinally between them, and longer bristles they extend from the less displaced parts of the bristle face and the shorter bristles extend from the more displaced parts of the bristle face, so that the length of the bristles extends from the face of bristle, and as a consequence, the stiffness of the bristles, varies with the distance along the length of the head.

2. A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein stiffer bristles are provided in places on the head, which are convenient for cleaning the wide areas of the teeth, while the less rigid bristles are in places on the head, which are more convenient to clean interdental spaces.

3. A toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bristle face has a longitudinally undulating profile of two or more alternating high parts, and grooves arranged across the head, either with a high part, or a low part at each end of the head .

4. A toothbrush according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the bristle surface has a less displaced part, substantially flat at and near its distal end and at and near its near end, and between the two most displaced parts in the general direction of the sow, each one in the form of a ridge with a surface area between its more and less displaced parts, a valley lying between these two parts with ridge and through the width of the head, the valley forming a less displaced part.

5. A toothbrush according to claim 4, wherein the less stiff, longer bristles extend from the flat portions and the valley, and the stiffer, shorter bristles extend from the peaks of the further parts. displaced, with the bristles of intermediate length on the inclinations of the flange.

6. - A toothbrush according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the groups or tufts of bristles vary in an alternating manner in length and, therefore, stiffness along the length of the brush head of the toothbrush. teeth

7 -. 7 - A toothbrush according to any of the preceding claims, wherein there are distant long bristles, therefore less rigid, at and near the distal end of the head farthest from the handle, long bristles, therefore less rigid in and near the near end of the head closest to the handle, long bristles, therefore less rigid, intermediate at and near the mid point of the head's inal length between the distant and near ends of the head, the shorter bristles , therefore more rigid, between the distant and intermediate bristles, and between the near and intermediate bristles, the long, less rigid bristles extending from the lower parts of the bristle face, and the shorter, more rigid bristles extending from the high parts of the bristle face.

8. A toothbrush according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the variation in length between the longer and shorter bristles corresponds directly inversely to the variation in the distance of travel between the lower parts and the high of the bristle face from which the bristles extend, so that the far ends of the bristles lie substantially in a plane parallel to the longitudinal plane.

9. A toothbrush according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the variation in length between the longer and shorter bristles is greater than the variation in the displacement requirement between the less and more displaced from the bristle face, from which the bristles extend, so that the remote ends lie on a surface having concavities corresponding to the positions of the most displaced parts.

10. A toothbrush according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bristles are arranged in a pattern under the bristle face of the toothbrush on mats of non-circular section, perpendicular to the general direction of the bristle.

11. A toothbrush according to claim 10, characterized by combinations of differently sectioned plumes located in different places on the bristle face.

12. A toothbrush according to any of the preceding claims, wherein there is a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, or a single tuft of generally round cross section, perpendicular to the bristle face in the far end of the bristle pattern on the bristle face.

13. A toothbrush according to any of claims 10, 11 or 12, wherein it has the following sequence of tufts, starting from the far end of the head: (i) a pattern of discrete second tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, in a distant low part; (ii) one or more rows of tufts disposed across the head of the toothbrush having a cross section, which is elongated through the head of the toothbrush, on the distant bottom; (iii) one or more rows of plumes having a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the plume, which has a greater dimension in the direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis than in the direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, these plumes being located on the first upper part of the bristle face; (iv) in a valley between the first high part and a second high part on the near side of the valley, one or more rows of tufts disposed through the head of the toothbrush having a cross section, which is elongated through of the head of the toothbrush; (v) one or more rows of tufts having a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the tuft, which has a larger dimension in the direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis than in the direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the toothbrush, these plumes being located on the second upper part of the bristle face; (vi) in a low part at the close end of the bristle pattern, one or more rows of tufts arranged across the head of the toothbrush, these tufts having a cross section, which is elongated through the head of the toothbrush.

14. A toothbrush according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tufts and / or mats are welded to the head of the toothbrush. 15 - A toothbrush according to any of the preceding claims, substantially as described hereinabove with reference to the appended drawings.