SK279293B6 - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

A toothbrush is provided with a first set of discrete tufts (31) that are generally rectangular in the cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis with the larger dimension running parallel to the side of the brush head (1). A second set of tufts (32) is provided at the end of the head (1) remote from the handle, this set of tufts, or single tuft, having a cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis that is either 'C' or 'U' shaped or rounded. The arrangement of described provides a lower brushing stiffness in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the brush in comparison to a standard bristle tufts arrangement.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a new arrangement of a toothbrush head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toothbrushes are a widely known type of article, generally consisting of a handle having at one end coarse fibers carrying a head, all of which are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the brush. On said head, the fibers are normally arranged in an assembly of individual fiber bundles mounted in the sleeves - openings on the face of the head of the fibers and extending generally perpendicular to the head of the head. In known toothbrushes, said fiber bundles are substantially circular in cross-section and are fixed to the head in sleeves of substantially circular cross-section.

Toothbrushes having fibers assembled in a single mat covering the entire surface of the fiber head are known, for example, from U.S. Patent 4,646,381. The patent also discloses a toothbrush having a combination of circularly shaped fiber bundles, oval shaped and rectangular shaped fiber bundle assemblies in the center larger fiber mats covering a substantial portion of the face of the brush head. U.S. Pat. No. 4,468,933 discloses a toothbrush having fibers assembled in large bundles in a rectangular shape having a larger dimension substantially across the width of the brush head. U.S. Pat. No. 2209173 discloses a toothbrush having elongated rectangular fiber bundles, the larger of which is substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis. Alternately, there are rectangular bundles with the fibers tilted together and the fibers in the bundles are flattened to form sharply terminated bundles.

Fiber bundles having a substantially circular cross-section have substantially the same bending stiffness or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fibers in the bundle (bundle axis), or in a direction parallel to the brush axis, or perpendicular to the brush axis, in other words across the toothbrush width. This arrangement may have the disadvantage that the fiber bundles have substantially the same stiffness when moving the head generally in the direction of the toothbrush axis across the teeth, parallel to the gums, as well as in the direction generally perpendicular to the brush axis, up and down the teeth. crossing the gums. The toothbrush is required to be softer, that is, to have less flexural stiffness when used across the gum, thereby protecting the gums from injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors have invented a toothbrush having a bundle of bundles in the form of an elongated coarse fiber mat, with a rounded bundle of fibers at the end of the brush head away from the handle.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush having a handle at one end and a fiber attachment head at the other end, wherein the fibers are assembled on the head into a plurality of discrete fiber bundles projecting from the toothbrush head face. to a toothbrush axis, characterized in that one or more fiber bundles (first bundles) having a cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the bundle, whose dimension generally parallel to the toothbrush axis is greater than generally perpendicular to the axis a toothbrush, in combination with one or more bundles (second bundles) at the distal end of the bundle assembly from the handle; the second bundles are in the form of either (i) a grouping of separate bundles generally in a circular or polygonal shape, or (ii) arranged as a single bundle of generally round cross-section perpendicular to the fiber axis, or (iii) arranged as a bundle of generally C or U in its cross-section, perpendicular to the filament axis, having at least one C or U arm generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush and with the arc of the C or U-shaped section that aligns with the end of the head end on the farthest side of the handle.

The term generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush includes all directions between absolutely parallel to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the lateral longitudinal sides of the toothbrush head. The term generally circular includes semicircular.

Each of the first bundles typically covers no more than 25% of the surface area of the head of the brush head, for example no more than 20%, preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%, for example 1 to 2% of the surface of the head. Said fiber bundles may have a ratio in a direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis (i.e. the longest dimension) to a dimension generally in a direction perpendicular to the toothbrush axis (i.e. width) typically equal to 1.5: 1 or more, preferably 2: 1 or more, for example 2.5: 1 or more, for example between 2.5 to 3.5: 1.

For example, the cross-section of said first tufts may be of generally rectangular shape in a predominant portion of the cut surface having the longest dimension of the rectangle generally parallel to the toothbrush axis. The term generally rectangular includes inter alia a rectangular shape with rounded corners, a rhombic shape (i.e. two parallel long sides and two rounded ends), a parallelogram shape and a trapezoidal shape.

Alternatively, the cross-section of the array of one or more first fiber bundles may have a different, generally linear polygonal or rounded shape with the largest dimension generally parallel or substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis, e.g., rhombic shape or rectangular shape with one or more pointed ends. a first arm generally parallel to the toothbrush axis and connected to the second arm at an angle to the first arm, for example at 45 ° to the first arm, or a V shape in which at least one, preferably both arms V form an angle less than 45 °.

The toothbrush may have one or more first tufts, said tufts of different cross-section may be combined, for example a rectangular or slice shape combined with an L-shape. The toothbrush of the invention may typically have 2 to 25 first tufts which may generally have rectangular or slice shape.

For example, a first embodiment of a toothbrush of the present invention may have a first bundle array having a generally rectangular cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the bundle axis and which is disposed on the brush head. Each array of first bundles may have a longest dimension between 0.1 to 0.9, for example between 0.25 to 0.75 times the total length of the warhead and a width between about 0.05 to 0.5, preferably between 0.1 to 0, 5 times the width of the brush head. The array of first bundles can typically consist of 5 to 20 for guided bundles, for example from 5 to 12 bundles. Said first bundles then consist of a long rectangular bundle of bundles or a bundle of bundles in the form of sheets with their long axes generally parallel to the head of the brush head. For example, each of said first bundles may have such a large longest dimension, for example, the longest dimension of 0.75 times the length of the brush head, that each bundle is substantially along the entire length of the head occupied by the first bundle. For example, the longest dimension of the individual first tufts may be such as, for example, 0.1 to 0.5 times the length of the brush head such that the first tufts are arranged on the width of the toothbrush head in two or more, for example two to six, transverse rows. The first fiber bundles in this first embodiment may be symmetrically spaced about the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush.

In a second embodiment of the toothbrush according to the invention, the bundle may alternatively consist, for example, of two or more straight or folded transverse rows of first tufts extending generally across the width of the toothbrush head connected, for example, alternately to one or more straight or folded tuft rows. extending generally across the width of the toothbrush head and having a generally circular cross-section. The first and third bundles in this second embodiment of the invention may be symmetrically distributed about the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush.

In a third embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention, again, alternatively, the array may consist of, for example, two or more straight or folded transverse rows of first tufts extending generally across the width of the brush head combined, for example alternately, with one or more straight or folded rows of third tufts extending generally across the width of the brush head, having a generally rectangular (as defined) cross-section whose longest dimension is across the width of the toothbrush head. In this third embodiment, the first and third fiber bundles may be symmetrically distributed about the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush.

In said toothbrush typically 2 to 5, for example 4 transverse rows of first tufts, may be combined with 1 to 4, for example three rows of third tufts. In the rows of first tufts, for example, 2 to 5 tufts may be juxtaposed, for example 4 tufts in a direction across the width of the toothbrush head, and in the rows of third tufts may be 2 to 5, e.g. Or they may be side by side in the direction across the width of the head 1 to 3, for example 2 third bundles with a generally rectangular cross-section having the longest dimension extending across the width of the brush head.

Alternatively, the toothbrush of the present invention may have, in a fourth embodiment, a plurality of first bundles of fibers that are generally rectangular in cross section perpendicular to the bundle axis and arranged on the brush head. Each array of first bundles has a longest dimension of between about 0.10 to 0.9, typically between about 0.25 to 0.5 times the total length of the warhead. The first bundle of fibers may typically consist of two to twenty first bundles, for example 5 to 12 bundles, in combination with one or more L-shaped bundles of first bundles, one arm generally parallel to the toothbrush axis and the other arm with the first an angle of the animal, for example an angle of 45 °. Said first L-shaped bundles may be disposed at the end of the head face closer to the handle.

According to this fourth embodiment of the invention, the first tufts may be distributed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. The toothbrush according to this embodiment preferably has a plurality of L first cluster configurations that are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush.

When the second bundles consist of groupings of individual bundles generally arranged into circular or polygonal groupings, such second bundles may have bundle groupings generally as parts of a circle, arranged generally as a circle, semicircle, or polygon (each of its vertices corresponding to the center of one of its bundles) , which may consist of an assembly of individual bundles distributed around the central bundle. The central bundle may typically be surrounded by a regular, e.g. hexagonal array of said bundles, for example, such that an equal number of second bundles, for example three, are distributed on each side of the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. The diameter of said array may typically be about 0.5 to 0.95 times the width of the warhead, measured in close proximity to the array.

When the second tufts consist of a single tuft with a generally round cross-section perpendicular to the fiber surface, for example a circular, oval or semicircular or half-oval cross-section, then the diameter of such a tuft may typically be about 0.5 to 0.95 times the toothbrush head width. measured near the beam.

When the second tufts form a grouping with a general cross-sectional shape (perpendicular to the surface of the fibers) C or U having at least one of the arms C or U generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush and the rounded bend C or U of the toothbrush on the far side of the handle, then the diameter of the rounded portion of such a bundle may typically be about 0.6 to 0.9 times the width of the toothbrush head, measured near said bundle. The longitudinal axis of the toothbrush can symmetrically intersect the C or U shape.

Bundles with a generally circular cross-section may be further or alternately combined with the described first, second or third bundles having a cross-section extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the bundle with a larger dimension in a direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis than in a direction generally perpendicular Toothbrush.

The fibers in the first, second or third bundles may have substantially the same length; then the surface of the bundles is substantially flat, or optionally, the length of the fibers in the direction of the axis of the bundle may vary at different locations along the toothbrush axis, or at different locations perpendicular to this axis. Said variable fiber lengths are particularly applicable to toothbrushes according to the invention which have alternating rows of tufts in different portions as described previously, for example in the second or third embodiment, and where the fiber lengths can vary in individual rows. Then, in relation to the toothbrush axis, for example, the bundles may have a corrugated or sawtooth profile of alternating peaks and gutters, as described, for example, in DE 34 33 763, WO 91/19437, EP 0449653A, US 4672706, US 451911, US 4268933, US 3229318, US 3188673, US 2797429, US 1943225 and US 74560 etc.

The first tufts may preferably comprise shorter length fibers than the fibers in the second and third tufts, and the fibers in said second and third tufts may have substantially the same length.

SK 279293 Β6

The fibers forming the bundles may be of plastics customary in the area of fibers (coarse monofilaments) for the manufacture of toothbrushes, for example nylon. The fibers may be of generally conventional construction, for example straight fibers (monofilaments) having rounded, smoothed ends.

The handle and head can be made of plastic, conventional in the art of toothbrush handles. The head and handle may have an overall shape customary in the field of toothbrush manufacture, the handle may include one or more V-shaped compositions to adjust the flexibility of the handle, as described in EP 0336641 A, for example. improving brush holding, such as a rubber gripping mat, such as is also described in EP 0336641.

The fiber bundles and individual fibers can be fastened to the toothbrush by conventional methods. The fibers are fixed to the head preferably in a manner in which the ends of the fibers to be bundled in the head (fastening ends) are joined together by hot-fusion into one unit. The assembly is subsequently or simultaneously sealed into the toothbrush head material by heating the fibers, or heating the fused unit and the head material to a softening temperature, by bonding the fibers or the whole with the toothbrush head so as to seal the fiber ends and head together. Then the whole and its surroundings in the head solidify by cooling and so the bundles are actually welded into the head. The head may suitably be provided with one or more recesses corresponding to the position, number and size of the bundle (s), and the bundle (s) may be sealed into the recess of the head material as described. In order to be produced in this way, the fibers and head must be made of a thermoplastic material, for example of known thermoplastic materials such as nylon, currently used for the manufacture of toothbrushes. Suitable processes for making toothbrushes in this manner are described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,664,316 and WO 93/12690, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In an alternative method of making a toothbrush according to the invention, the bundle fibers may first be fused into a thermoplastic block in the described fiber bundle assembly, for example using the described melt method, and the obtained block may then be inserted and fastened, for example by heat welding, into a cavity in the toothbrush head. or alternatively, the toothbrush head may be cast around the block.

Other methods for preparing a toothbrush of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The toothbrush of the present invention can be used by the user in a fairly conventional manner and the groupings of toothbrush fiber bundles of the present invention are considered to cause improved toothbrush cleaning performance and also to reduce gum injury.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which serve to illustrate the invention and do not limit the general scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 show a perspective view of toothbrushes according to the invention.

Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are plan views of fiber bundle assemblies on toothbrush heads according to the present invention.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal section of the toothbrush of Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1 to 5 show toothbrush heads 1. Each head 1 is integrally connected to the handle 2 in one piece. The toothbrush axis is shown in FIG. 1, denoted by line A-A, the fiber bundle axis by line B-B and the width direction of the head 1 by line C-C, all in FIG. First

On each of the heads 1 shown in Figures 1 to 5 are bundles of fibers 3 (generally) which extend generally perpendicular to the face 1A of the head 1, generally in the direction of the axis of the bundles B-B.

In FIG. 1, the first bundles of fibers in a perpendicular direction with respect to the bundle axis B-B have a rectangular cross-section with two rounded ends, otherwise expressed in the form of a wafer. The fiber bundle assembly consists of a plurality of bundles 31 having a longest dimension of 0.5 times or more of the length of the surface of the head 4, which is substantially larger than the width of the array; the longest dimension is substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis. Further, the brush comprises one large array of second tufts 32, in cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis (B-B), which is located at the end of the head of the brush head 4, further away from the handle 2.

In FIG. 2 are first tufts 31, with an elongated cross-sectional cross-section perpendicular to the bundle axis BB, first tufts 34 having a cross-sectional cross-section perpendicular to the bundle axis BB as the letter L, whose first, longer arm is substantially rectangular in cross section and substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis, and the second arm 34A being at an angle of about 45 ° to the first arm. The second bundle 32 has a U-shaped cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the bundle axis, whose arms are substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis, and its rounded bottom aligns with the head 1 at the distal end of the handle 2. two arms.

In FIG. 3, the array of first bundles 31 in cross-section perpendicular to the bundle axis BB has a generally rectangular shape resembling a slice or lozenge; the head of the head 4 from the handle 2 is an assembly of second fiber bundles 32, generally of circular cross-section, symmetrically hexagonally arranged around the central bundle. The diameter of the array of second bundles 32 is about 0.9 times the width of the face of the head 4 determined through the center of the array of bundles.

In FIG. 4, the first fiber bundles 31 have a generally rectangular shape, for example, a slice shape in section perpendicular to the axis of the bundle BB, and are arranged in groups in four straight transverse rows, each row always having four first bundles 31 side by side generally extending across the width head faces 4. Between the rows of the first bundles 31 are arranged straight rows of the third bundles 33, extending generally in the direction of the width of the head face; in cross-section, these fiber bundles 33 are generally circular in shape. At the distal end of the handle 2, at the end of the head end 1A, there is an array of second fiber bundles 32, generally of circular cross-section, arranged in a cluster in a symmetrical hexagonal pattern around the central beam. The second bundles 32 and the third bundles 33 are longer in the direction of the bundle axis B-B than the first bundles 31.

In FIG. 5, the first fiber bundles 31 have a generally rectangular shape, for example, a slice shape in cross section perpendicular to the axis of the bundle BB, and are arranged in groups in four straight transverse rows, each row having four first bundles 31 side by side. 4. Straight rows of third bundles 33 are disposed between the rows of first bundles 31 and have a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape whose longest dimension is in the direction of the width of the head face. At the end of the head 1A farther from the brush handle 2, the array of second fiber bundles 32, generally circular in cross section, are arranged symmetrically in a hexagonal pattern around the central bundle. The second bundles 32 and the third bundles 33 are longer in the direction of the bundle axis B-B than the first bundles 31.

Figures 6 to 9 show plan views of the toothbrush heads 1 according to the invention in the direction of the axis B-B.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate patterns of bundles 31 and 32, similar to the toothbrush configurations of Figs. 3. The array pattern consists of first bundles 31 which are in section, perpendicular to the axis of bundle B-B, in the shape of a wafer and are arranged in groups of transverse rows extending generally in the direction of the width of the head end 4. These rows are shown in FIG. 6, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 7 are equal. The longitudinal dimension of the first fiber bundles 31 is such that the five first fiber bundles occupy the length of the head of the brush head 4 occupied by the first bunches 31. At the end of the head end 4 away from the handle 2 is a grouping of second bunches 32 of generally circular cross-section arranged hexagonally pattern around the central bundle 32. In the toothbrushes shown in FIG. 8 and 9, the bundles of bundles 31, 32 and 33 are similar to those of FIG. 4 and 5. The array patterns consist of first fiber bundles 31 having a wafer-shaped cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the bundle B-B and which are arranged in groups of straight transverse rows extending generally in the width direction of the head 1A. Between the rows of first bundles 31 are arranged straight rows of third bundles 33, generally in the direction of the width of the head. In FIG. 8, the third fiber bundles 33 have a generally circular shape in cross-section. In FIG. 9, the third bundles 33 have a rectangular cross-sectional shape, the longest dimension of which is directed in the direction of the width of the head face

4. At the end of the face of the head 4, farther from the brush handle 2, the assembly of second bundles 32 of generally circular cross-section is arranged symmetrically in a hexagonal pattern around the central bundle of fibers.

In FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section taken along the axis D-D of the toothbrush head of FIG. 9. The toothbrush comprises a head 1, a handle 2, a first 31, a second 32 and a third 33 fiber bundles. The fiber bundles 31, 32 and 33 consist of individual fibers laid in the direction of the bundle axis (BB), perpendicular to the face of the head end 4. The fiber ends in the bundles 31, 32 and 33 have been fixed to the head 1 by fusion. and cooling. The recesses 6 are disposed in the upper part of the head 1A. Each unit 5 is inserted into the recess 6 and at this point it fits with the material of the toothbrush head 1, the two parts of the toothbrush, head and fiber being thermoplastic material. The toothbrush fiber bundles 31, 32 and 33 of FIG. 1 to 8 are fixed in the heads 1 of the respective toothbrushes in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 10. The sealing technique of US 2664316 or WO 93/10639, or other known methods, may be used to seal the assembly 5 into the recess 6. In this patent, the described method of securing the bundles 31, 32 and 33 to the head 1 is only mentioned as one possible method.

Claims (23)

PATENT CLAIMS A toothbrush consisting of a handle at one end of which there is a coarse fiber head, said fibers being arranged on the head in a grouping of a plurality of individual bundles of fibers extending from the surface of one wall of the toothbrush head (head) in a direction generally perpendicular comprising one or more tufts (first tufts) having a cut perpendicular to the axis of the tuft with a larger dimension in a direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis than in a direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis , in combination with one or more bundles (second bundles) at the end of the bundle bundle on the far side of the handle, the second bundles forming either (i) a bundle of individual bundles arranged in a generally circular or polygonal shape, or (ii) a single bundle of fibers, a generally circular cross-section, perpendicular to the face of the brush head face, or (iii) a bundle in section generally C-shaped or U-shaped, perpendicular to the face of the brush head having at least one C or U arm ”parallel to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush and a round section in C or U shape aligned with the end of the head from the handle. Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the first tufts covers no more than 25% of the face area of the brush head. Toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cross-section of said first tufts has a generally rectangular shape over a substantial part of their cross-sectional area and the longer rectangle dimension is generally parallel to the direction of the toothbrush axis. 4. A toothbrush according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the cross-section of one or more first tufts has a different, generally linear polygonal or rounded shape, the longer dimension of which is generally parallel or substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis. Toothbrush according to claim 4, characterized in that the cross-section of one or more first tufts is L-shaped, whose first arm is generally parallel to the toothbrush axis and the second arm is attached to the first arm at an angle. Toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has from 2 to 25 first tufts, all of which are generally rectangular in shape or in the shape of a wafer. 7. The toothbrush of claim 1 having a plurality of first tufts having a substantially rectangular cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the tuft axis and arranged at the head of the brush head, each tuft having a longer dimension of between 0.10 to 0.9 times the total head end length and a width between 0.05 to 0.5 times the head end width consisting of 5 to 20 of said first bundles. Toothbrush according to claim 7, characterized in that all the first tufts have a longer dimension such that each first tuft extends substantially along the entire length of the head face fitted with the first tufts. Toothbrush according to claim 7, characterized in that the longer dimension of said individual tufts is such that the first tufts are arranged in two or more transverse rows per head width of the head. 10. A toothbrush according to claim 1 having a bundle of tufts consisting of two or more straight or folded transverse rows extending generally in the direction of the width of the head face, the first tufts combined with one or more straight or folded transverse rows extending in the direction of the width of the head end of the third bundles having a generally circular cross-section. Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a bundle of tufts consisting of two or more straight or folded transverse rows extending generally in the direction of the width of the head face, first tufts combined with one or more straight or folded rows guided generally in the direction of the width of the head of the third bundles having a generally rectangular cross-section and the longer cross-sectional dimension is in the direction of the width of the head of the brush head. Toothbrush according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that 2 to 5 transverse rows of first tufts are combined with 1 to 4 rows of third tufts. 13. Toothbrush according to claim 10, 11 or 12, characterized in that 2 to 5 first tufts are juxtaposed in the direction of the head end width. Toothbrush according to claim 10, 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that 2 to 5 third bundles of generally circular cross-section or 1 to 3 third bundles of generally rectangular cross-section with the longest dimension guided in the head end width direction are side by side. direction of head width. 15. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein said head face has a plurality of first tufts, each first tuft having a longer dimension of between 0.10 to 0.9 times the total length of said head face, said grouping comprising from 2 to 20 said first tufts. In said first bundles, said first bundles are combined with one or more first L-shaped bundles in cross-section whose first arm extends generally parallel to the toothbrush axis and the second arm is connected to the first arm at an angle. Toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the second tufts consist of a grouping of individual tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal grouping, said second tufts in the grouping of tufts have a generally circular cross-section and are generally arranged in a book or a polygon whose each vertex corresponds to the center of one of its bundles, which are located around the central bundle. 17. A toothbrush according to claim 16, wherein the central tuft is surrounded by a hexagonal array of six said tufts symmetrically arranged such that each of the three circumferential tufts are distributed on each side of the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. 18. A toothbrush according to claim 17, wherein the diameter of the hexagonal array is about 0.5 to 0.9 times the width of the face of the brush head measured near said array. Toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that when the second tufts consist of one tuft perpendicular to the head face, generally rounded in section, the diameter of such tuft is about 0.5 to 0.95 times the width a head face, measured near said bundle. Toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that when the second tufts comprise a tuft perpendicular to the face of the brush head with a generally C or U-shaped cross-section having at least one of said arms of said C-shaped cross-section. U generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush, and the rounded portion of the C or U-shaped cross-section that aligns the head end of the head at the distal end of the head from the handle, then the diameter of the rounded portion of said bundle is about 0.6 to 0.9 times measured near the beam. Toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the first tufts consist of fibers of shorter length than the fibers in the second and third tufts, and the fibers of said second and third tufts are of substantially the same length. Toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bundles and the individual fibers are fixed to the toothbrush head in such a way that the fiber ends (fastened ends) of the bundle fastened to the head are sealed together by heating together. the whole is subsequently or simultaneously fused together with the toothbrush head material by heating the fibers or the whole and the head material to a softening temperature, joining them together so that they fuse together and then cool to solidify, so that the fiber bundle is actually welded to the head. A toothbrush according to any of the preceding claims, substantially as described with respect to the accompanying drawings.