201032752 六、發明說明： 【發明所屬之技術領域】 本發明係關於牙刷，且特定言之，本發明係關於 刷毛組態。本發明尤其係關於包括錐形刷毛細絲 牙刷刷毛組態。 艮式 【先前技術】 牙刷為熟知的物品’其大體上包括用於插入使用者口中 =一頭部及在使用期間待固持之—握柄，頭部與握柄 有-頸部區域，其等全部沿著牙刷縱向(不 配置。牙刷頭部通常罝有— 且踝） $，、有表面，本文中稱為「刷毛表 面」’刷毛自最接近於該刷毛表面之該等刷毛之_下端部 延伸至遠離該刷毛表面之— 上编°卩。该刷毛表面係在其橫 彳ί邊緣由侧表面所界限。 1刷毛亦為熟知物品，其大體上包括堅硬而具挽性材 細絲’牙㈣毛以自刷毛表面延狀錢的複數個 U佈置。聚醯胺尼龍係極頻繁地用作牙刷刷毛材 料。 白甘刷毛細絲可具有兩種已知類型。非錐形刷毛沿著刷 r例上端部至其#下端部之整個長度，除了最上端部 玻 巧5%或更少’其為®形端部，例如成-不規則半 球形或半橢圓形） 具有實質上相同的截面，通常為圓 八⑴所β月的「錐形刷毛」為已知，刷毛長度之一實質部 刀（例如刷革Ε ώ： ^ ... 又2〇%或更多）朝向其等遠離刷毛面之端 邵成錐形，诵赍屮 & ’ 逋常成—淺尖角圓錐形。上端部較薄之錐形刷 I44844.doc 201032752 毛相對於非錐形細絲具有不同·#曲及撓性特性。特定言之， 錐形刷毛因其可到達牙齒間的空間之功效而被已知，所謂的 「鄰間」空間。舉例而言，EP-A-1 234 525、EP-A_1 415 572、 US-A-6,546,586 > WO-A-97/42853 ' WO-A97/42854 WO-A-01/32053、WO-A-82741、EPA-0 596 033尤其揭示 此等錐形刷毛。 亦已知刷毛表面上之錐形刷毛之特定相關配置。舉例而 ，US-A-6,546,586揭示一種牙刷頭部，其中各簇包括由 聚對苯二甲酸乙二酯製成之複數個刷毛之形式其中較短 刷毛具有均勻橫截面且較長錐形刷毛朝向其等上端部成錐 形。已知將錐形及非錐形刷毛組合於一牙刷頭部丄，例如 見於US-A-2006/0096053，該案揭示一種用於一電動牙 刷之頭部。自其他揭示内容中亦已知將長短刷毛細絲組 合於一簇中，例如 us_A-3，103,679、w〇_A 96/i657i 及 dE-a-35 28 596 e wo_A_2()_⑽则揭示—種牙刷頭部， 其具有由非錐形刷毛之-外圈所圍繞的―錐形刷毛内部區 域。 已知其他類型的牙刷刷毛，其等在遠離刷毛表面之❹ 縮窄。舉例而言，其係所謂的「 刷毛」，其中遠離 刷毛表面之端部係分裂成為更加精細的細 即如173 081及仍_ J而吕， 【發明内容】 2中揭-羽毛狀刷毛。 牙之—目的係探究具有錐形及非錐形刷毛之組合的 之可能性，尤其係意欲提供併入錐形刷毛細絲之 144844.doc 201032752 牙Γ尤其在齒齦緣處及齒齦下通道内之 明之其他目=:清潔。透過…^^ 或之—第一態樣’提供一牙刷頭部，其連接至 頭部係在^彳刷握柄以藉此界卜頭部·握柄縱向，該 ’、Μ縱向伸長並具有垂直於該縱向之一 該頭部具右 方向’ 刷毛表= 複數個刷毛簇在—刷毛方向自該 J毛表面延伸，該等刷毛隸配置在複數簇中 有複數個刷毛，該等刷毛包括複數個族3 錐形刷毛； Μ毛及複數個非 上其2為該複數個刷毛祕以—圖案配置在該刷毛表面 毛並2 &括複數個外部簇，該複數個外部蔟含有錐形刷 !配置沿著該簇圖案之橫向相對最外 較大長度， 立…有一第一 且在該複數個外部簇間之橫向間係複數個内 數個内部藥含有非錐形刷毛並具有小於該第—較大長=之 第二較小長度。 據信錐形刷毛之此新穎配置促進在齒齦緣處之有效清 潔。透過下文將m而易見本發明之該牙刷頭部之其他優 ^ 0 八 可以各種構造實現本發明之該牙刷頭部。 舉例而言，所有複數個外部簇可含有錐形刷毛。 舉例而言，含有錐關毛之所㈣可完全由錐形刷毛組 成0 144844.doc 201032752 另一選擇為，該複數個外部*簇可包 及不含錐形刷毛之藤，且該複數個 ％刷毛之簇 大長度或相較於此第-較大長& j Μ㈣—較 Α ^ 長度之一較大或較小之—县 度。舉例而言，該複數個外部簇可包括含有錐形刷毛之藤 或成群組之簇，其等與不含錐形 叙 向交替。 之簇或成群組之簇縱 舉例而言’所有複數個外部鎮可具有該第一較 舉例而言’所有複數個外部蔟可具有相同第一較大長： =選擇為，該複數個外部簇可包括具有長於該第二：小 長度之兩個或更多個第—較大長度之簇。舉例而 — 選擇為，該複數個外部鎮亦可包括具有與該第二;小長: 相同或小於該第二較小長度之一長度之簇。 - 舉例而言，所有内部蔟可含有非錐形刷毛。 ::而言此所有内部簇可完全由非錐形刷毛組成。另一 選擇為，一些内部簇可包含錐形刷毛。 舉例而言，所有内部簇可具有該 言’所有内部簇可具有相同第二較小長度。另：選:：而 =内„可包括具有短於該第—較大長度之兩個或 ^ 小長度之簇°舉例而言，另—卿為，該複 Γ=Γ包括具有與該第一較大長度相同或小於該 第一較大長度之一長度之簇。 部簇可成直線配置，該複數個外部鎮實質上 邊緣之形狀，如沿著該等刷毛向下朝向 該刷毛表面之長度所視。 144844.doc 201032752 白° I此配置中’該等外部竊係經配置使各個外 °集〜刷毛表面之該橫向邊緣在橫向中實質上等距。 而-’該複數個外部簇可經配置使得各個簇實質上 數個外毛表面之鄰近邊緣橫向等距。另一選擇為，該複 卜部簇可經配置使得不同簇係在自該刷毛表面之該鄰 緣之不同橫向距離處。舉例而言，複數個外部簇可橫 二近配置在自該刷毛表面之該邊緣之兩個或更多個 谷自橫向距離處。 =錐形刷毛之蔟（舉例而言具有該第—較大長度）亦可 :，近：該刷毛表面縱向遠離該握柄之端部。舉例而 二此等簇可係縱向最遠離該牙刷握柄之該等簇。此等簇 :凡全由錐形刷毛組成或可包括與非錐形刷毛纽合之錐形 主毛舉例而s，此等簇可包括含有錐形刷毛及非錐形刷 者之簇，或可包括分別完全由錐形刷毛及非錐形刷毛 組成的鄰近簇。 另外或另-選擇為’舉例*言具有該第—較大長度之 、’亦可定㈣近於該刷毛表面鄰近於該牙刷頭部位置之 端部，在該端部處該頭部係連接至或被連接至該握柄。舉 例而言，此等簇可係縱向最接近該牙刷握柄之該等簇。此 專族可完全由錐形刷毛組成或可包括與非錐形刷毛組合之 錐形刷毛。舉例而言，此等鎮可包括含有錐形刷毛及非錐 <刷毛兩者之族’或可包括分別完全由錐形刷毛及非雜形 刷毛組成的鄰近簇。 舉例而言，該第-較大長度與該第二較小長度之間之差 144844.doc 201032752 距可係1毫米至5毫米’舉例而言2毫米至4毫米。通常該 第一較大長度可係11毫米至13毫米。 ^ 含有錐形料之該等簇及含有非錐形刷毛之蔡可定位在 該刷毛面上之另外習知佈局中。舉例而言，簇可以一二維 陣列配置，而最鄰近簇相隔大約2毫米至3毫$，舉：而 言，配置在繞著縱向對稱之一規則性佈局中。此—佈局可 包括經定向橫向跨越該刷毛表面之複數個刷毛蔡列。α 該刷毛表面實質上可為平坦。另一選擇為，該刷毛表面 可在縱向及/或橫向為凹狀。舉例而t，該刷毛表面可係 凹曲或該表面可包括彼此成—鈍角之平坦區域。舉例而 言，該刷毛表面可包括—尖頭區域，其鄰近於該頭部最遠 離該手柄之該尖端，該尖頭區域與至其縱向最緊鄰之一區 域成-純角。舉例而言’該尖頭區域可相對於至其縱向最 緊鄰之該區域經向上彎曲。 含有錐形刷毛之該㈣及/或含有非錐形刷毛之鎮可經 定向垂直於該刷毛表面。另—選擇為，其等可經定向以與 該刷毛表面成-非垂直角度傾斜，諸如與該刷毛表面成 75°至85°°此等傾斜簇較佳在縱向傾斜使得其等遠離該刷 毛表面之端部縱向較接近或較遠離該握柄。呈此—構造之 形式，橫向鄰近簇可在相對縱向傾斜。舉例而言如在橫 向可見，此等簇可顯現在一x配置中交又。 錐形及非錐形刷毛之簇可由f知方法較在該刷毛表面 等I知方法包含熟知使用小金屬「錨」，即圍繞待 固定在該刷毛表面㈣該等刷毛之部分之夾片，接著被模 144844.doc 201032752 入在該刷毛表面内之插座孔内。另一習知方法係所謂的 「無錫」方法，其中該等刷毛之該等端部藉由模製在模* 腔内圍繞該等端部之該頭部之塑膠材料而將該等端部固: 在該刷毛表面内，該頭部在該模空腔内製成。 在一第一構造中，該牙刷頭部可包括塑膠材料（諸如習 知聚丙稀）之-習知單-區塊，該等鎮係固定在該單 塊内。 β 另一選擇為m造中，該牙刷頭部可且有一構 造，其中相對接近該頭部遠離該握柄之端部的該頭部之一 區段係彈性且撓性連結至相對接近該握柄之該牙刷頭部 之一區段。此-連結可藉由—複合連結區域，該複合連 結區域由-或多個撓性塑谬材料連結及彈性體材料（諸如 熱塑性彈性體）組成。舉例而言，在哪A侧77〇7及 WO-A-98/37788中揭示此一頭部構造。 在此-第二構造中，舉例而言，此等區段之__者即接 近該頭部遠離該握柄之該端部之該區段，或接近該握柄之 該牙刷頭部之該區段，或此等區段兩者可具有自該頭部延 伸之刷毛簇，該等刷毛簇係以該圖案配置在該刷毛表面上 並包括：複數個賴，其等含有_刷毛並沿著該鎮圖案 之該等橫向相對最外側配置且具有—第—較大長度；且該 複數個外簇之間之橫向間係複數個内蔡，其等含有非錐形 刷毛並具有一第二較短長度。 另選擇為，在一第三構造中，該牙刷頭部可具有以三 個或更多個且較佳係三個縱向伸長區段之一構造，該等區 144844.doc 201032752 段橫跨該牙刷頭部橫向鄰近佈置，各個區段係繞性地連結 至該手柄，且係呈二個橫向相對佈置的外區段與橫向佈置 在該等外區段之間的至少-個（但較佳為—個）中間區段之 形式’各個區段相對於一橫向鄰近區&可獨立彈性移動， 含有該第-較大長度之錐形刷毛之該複數個外部鎮係經佈 置在該二個橫向相對佈置外區段上，且含有非雜形刷毛並 具有-第二較小長度之該複數個内部鎮係經佈置在該至少 -内區段上。各個此區段具有其自有之各自刷毛表面，其 等一起形成該牙刷頭部之該刷毛表面。 如在WO-A-2004/04! 〇23中揭示此後者構造之_實例。 舉例而言’此—頭部構造可包括三個橫向鄰近且縱向延 伸區段，刷毛自該三區段延伸，該構造有一中間區段及在 該中間區段之每-橫向侧上之一外區段，一個或多個區段 係彈性且撓性地連接至或可連接至該握柄，且其中該中間 區段鄰近於該頭部之該尖端之該端部係相對於該中間區段 縱向最緊接近該手柄之該部分整體地橫向擴大以提供一刷 毛承載墊，該刷毛承載墊鄰近於該頭部之該尖端且延伸跨 越鄰近於該尖端之該牙刷頭部之整體寬度， 該中間區段包括—中間刷毛承㈣，並係具有該頭部之 該尖頭塾與該頭部底端之間之該中間區段之部分之最大寬 度之一區域， 與該尖頭墊與該中間墊之間之該區段之一第一連結區 域’其相較於該尖頭整與該中間塾之鄰近部分在寬度上較 窄， 144844.doc 201032752 及該中間墊與該手柄之間之該區段之一第二連結區域， 其相較於該中間墊接近於該尖端之鄰近部分在寬度上較 窄。 . 較佳地，該頭部僅包括三個此等區段，即一中間區段及 二個外區段。 舉例而言，該中間區段相對於縱向最緊鄰近該中間區段 並接近該握柄之一區域可在一區域處橫向加寬，該區域係 φ 小於該中間區段距該尖端之縱向長度之50%或更少，例如 2 5 %或更少。 該中間區段鄰近於該頭部之該尖端之該端部相對於該中 間區段縱向最緊鄰近該手柄之該部分可整體地橫向擴大， 以便在該中間區段之該端部與該中間區段縱向最緊鄰近該 手柄之該部分之間形成一凹腔’且一外區段之該端部可以 對於該凹腔之一互補形狀成形使得此端部可裝配在該凹腔 内。 • 較佳地，兩個或更多個且較佳所有區段係彈性且撓性地 連接至該握柄，使得在該等刷毛上之壓力作用下可自平行 於縱向及寬度方向之一平面彈性彎曲。較佳地，各個區段 ^ 係藉由該握柄之一撓性頸部區域彈性連結至該握柄。 ' 舉例而言，該中間區段與侧區段可滑動接觸。W0_A_ 2005A)39858描述一製程，由該製程可製成此一頭部。 在此第三構造中，舉例而言，在該二個外區段上之所有 複數個外部族可係具有該第_較大長度之錐形刷毛，且在 該（等）中間區段上之所有複數個内部鎮可係具有該第二較 144844.doc -11- 201032752 小長度之非錐形刷毛。 =此第三構造中，包括錐形刷毛之複數㈣ 該區段的該尖端之該中間區段延伸，使得此等： 向最遠離該牙刷握柄之該等簇。 本發明亦提供一牙刷，装 本文所揭示的-牙刷頭部係該；柄連接至如 意欲僅由手部動作移 ：了：-手動牙刷’其 #-電動牙刷」：選擇為’該牙刷可 , 其具有—内部馬達以相對於該手柄驅動談 等刷毛。此一牙刷可具有大體上熟知習知構造。 μ 成該由用於雜形及非錐形刷毛之習知刷毛材料製 =:例而'，尼龍或聚對苯二，酸乙二醋。此等刷毛可 蚀。成錐形或端部成圓，諸如機械磨钱或化學浸 田"玄等刷毛簇的刷毛方向切割時 含有錐形刷毛在截面中可係圓形或其他形狀。舉例：： 個或多個鎮，舉例而言，包括錐形刷毛之一些或所有外 ❹ =:Γ—截面，例如擔圓或成圓隅角矩形，該截面在 縱向伸長。 該牙刷頭部及握柄之其他部分亦可由f知材 如塑膠材料（舉例而言，聚丙婦），且該手柄亦可包含習知 2增強表面塾區域，其等（舉例而言）可由熱塑性 :成。在牙刷技術中熟知握柄之各種習知類型。舉例而 5，在EP-A.o 336 641中揭示一合適握柄構造之—實例。 ^柄及該牙刷之其他部分可由完全習知技術製成，諸如 射出成型，如在牙刷技術中普遍者。 144844.doc 12· 201032752 【實施方式】 現將僅參考隨附圖式藉由實例描述本發明。 參考圖i，在—示意性側向視圖中顯示—習知非錐形刷 . 毛10 ’其在刷毛方向「B」自一牙刷頭部（未顯示）之該刷 毛表面20延伸。刷毛10沿著自鄰近該刷毛表面20之其下端 部10A至遠離刷毛表面20之其上端部1〇B之其整體長度實 f上具有相同均勻圓柱形截面。最緊鄰近該最上端（即最 • 高5%或更少）之該區域⑽係以一不規則半橢圓形狀端部 成圓形。圖1亦顯示一習知錐形刷毛30。此刷毛3〇之下部 分30A自刷毛表面2〇向上延伸並具有一實質上均句圓柱形 截面。包括該刷毛30長度之最高3〇%之上部分3〇b以一淺 尖角圓錐形成錐形。 參考圖2’在-平面圖中大體上顯示—牙刷頭部其 在其端部40A處係經由一握柄之一頸部區域41連接至一牙 刷握柄以藉此界定一頭部4〇_握柄41縱向l_l，並具有一縱 • 向相對线働。該頭部娜在縱向L_L伸長並μ垂直於 縱向L-L之-寬度方向w-w。該頭部4〇具有一扁平坦刷毛 表面42，刷毛43之複數個簇（大體上）在垂直於該刷毛表面 . 42之平面、垂直於縱向L-L及寬度方向W_W兩者之其等刷 • 毛方向「B」自該刷毛表面42延伸，圖2中之視圖係延著刷 毛方向「B」向下。該複數個簇43每一者含有複數個刷 毛。 該複數個刷毛簇43係以一圖案配置在該刷毛表面“上， S丨毛表面42包括僅含有錐形刷毛之複數個外部簇 144844.doc 13 201032752 43 1(即，如圖1中30所示），簇431係經配置沿著簇43之該圖 案之該等橫向相對最外側。竊43 1係經循序地配置成一直 線（由連結簇431之虛線所指示）且自該刷毛表面42之該橫向 邊緣44實質上等距。複數個内部簇432係經配置在該複數 個外部簇43 1之間之橫向間’該複數個内部簇432僅含有非 錐形刷毛（即，如圖1中之10所示）。201032752 VI. Description of the Invention: TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to toothbrushes, and in particular, the present invention relates to a bristle configuration. In particular, the invention relates to a configuration of a toothbrush comprising a tapered bristle filament.艮 [Prior Art] A toothbrush is a well-known article 'which generally includes a handle for insertion into a user's mouth = a head and is to be held during use - a handle, a head and a handle having a neck region, etc. All along the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush (not configured. The head of the toothbrush is usually —-and 踝) $, has a surface, referred to herein as the "bristle surface" - the lower end of the bristles from the bristles closest to the surface of the bristles Extends away from the surface of the bristles. The bristle surface is bounded by the side surfaces at its edges. 1 The bristles are also well-known items, which generally comprise a hard and plucking of filaments. The teeth (four) of the hair are arranged in a plurality of U from the surface of the bristles. Polyamine nylon is used very frequently as a toothbrush bristle material. White ganache filaments can be of two known types. The non-tapered bristles are along the entire length of the upper end of the brush r to the lower end of the #, except for the uppermost end, which is 5% or less, which is a TM-shaped end, for example, an irregular-hemispherical or semi-elliptical shape A "conical bristles" having substantially the same cross-section, usually round eight (1) β-months, known as one of the lengths of the bristles, such as brush Ε ^: ^ ... 2% or more More) The taper is tapered toward the end of the bristle face, and the 诵赍屮 & '逋 often becomes a shallow pointed conical shape. Thinner tapered brush at the upper end I44844.doc 201032752 The hair has a different curvature and flexibility than the non-conical filament. In particular, tapered bristles are known for their ability to reach the space between teeth, the so-called "neighborhood" space. For example, EP-A-1 234 525, EP-A-1 415 572, US-A-6, 546, 586 > WO-A-97/42853 'WO-A97/42854 WO-A-01/32053, WO-A- 82741 and EPA-0 596 033 disclose in particular such tapered bristles. A particular related configuration of tapered bristles on the surface of the bristles is also known. For example, US-A-6,546,586 discloses a toothbrush head in which each tuft comprises a plurality of bristles of polyethylene terephthalate wherein the shorter bristles have a uniform cross section and the longer tapered bristles are oriented Its upper end is tapered. It is known to combine tapered and non-conical bristles into a toothbrush head, as disclosed in, for example, US-A-2006/0096053, which discloses a head for an electric toothbrush. It is also known from other disclosures to combine long and short bristle filaments in a cluster, such as us_A-3, 103, 679, w〇_A 96/i657i and dE-a-35 28 596 e wo_A_2()_(10) to reveal A toothbrush head having an inner region of a tapered bristles surrounded by an outer ring of non-tapered bristles. Other types of toothbrush bristles are known which are narrowed away from the bristles. For example, it is a so-called "bristle" in which the end portion away from the surface of the bristle is split into a finer fine, such as 173 081 and still _J and L, and the invention discloses a feather-like bristles. The purpose of the tooth is to explore the possibility of combining a combination of tapered and non-tapered bristles, in particular to provide a 144844.doc 201032752 gingival incorporation into a tapered bristle filament, especially at the gingival margin and in the subgingival sulcus. Other purposes of Ming =: Clean. Providing a toothbrush head by means of a ^^^ or a first aspect thereof, which is attached to the head and attached to the brush grip to thereby define the longitudinal direction of the head and the grip, which is longitudinally elongated and has Vertically perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the head has a right direction 'bristle table= a plurality of bristle tufts extending from the J hair surface in the direction of the bristle, the bristle being disposed in the plurality of tufts having a plurality of bristles, the bristles comprising a plurality of bristles Family 3 tapered bristles; bristles and a plurality of non-tops 2 are the plurality of bristles secrets - the pattern is disposed on the surface of the bristles and 2 & includes a plurality of outer clusters, the plurality of outer ridges containing a tapered brush! Configuring a laterally opposite outermost length along the cluster pattern, having a first portion and a plurality of internal medicines between the plurality of outer clusters having a plurality of inner medicinal materials having non-tapered bristles and having less than the first Larger length = the second smaller length. It is believed that this novel configuration of tapered bristles promotes effective cleaning at the gingival margin. Other preferred embodiments of the toothbrush head of the present invention can be readily realized by m below. The toothbrush head of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of configurations. For example, all of the plurality of outer clusters may contain tapered bristles. For example, the cone containing the hair (4) can be composed entirely of tapered bristles. 0 144844.doc 201032752 Alternatively, the plurality of outer * clusters can be wrapped with vines without tapered bristles, and the plural % The large length of the tufts of bristles or the county-degree larger than the first-larger length & j Μ (four) - one of the lengths of Α ^. For example, the plurality of outer clusters can comprise clusters of bristles or clusters of tapered bristles that alternate with a cone-free orientation. Clusters or groups of clusters, for example, 'all plural outer towns may have the first, for example, 'all plural external 蔟 may have the same first larger length: = selected as, the plural external The cluster may include clusters having two or more first-larger lengths longer than the second: small length. By way of example, the plurality of outer towns may also include clusters having a length that is the same as or less than one of the second, smaller lengths. - For example, all internal helium may contain non-tapered bristles. :: In this case all internal clusters can be composed entirely of non-tapered bristles. Alternatively, some internal clusters may contain tapered bristles. For example, all internal clusters may have the phrase 'all internal clusters may have the same second smaller length. Another: select:: and = inside „ may include a cluster having a length shorter than the first-larger length or two small lengths. For example, the other is: the Γ=Γ includes and the first a plurality of clusters having the same length or less than one of the lengths of the first larger length. The tufts may be arranged in a straight line, the plurality of outer towns being substantially edge shaped, such as along the length of the bristles facing the bristle surface 144844.doc 201032752 White ° I In this configuration, the external thieves are configured such that the lateral edges of the outer outer set ~ bristles are substantially equidistant in the lateral direction. And - the plurality of outer clusters can The arrangement is such that adjacent edges of substantially a plurality of outer hair surfaces of the respective clusters are laterally equidistant. Alternatively, the plurality of clusters can be configured such that different clusters are at different lateral distances from the adjacent edges of the bristle surface. For example, a plurality of outer tufts may be disposed laterally from two or more valleys of the edge of the bristle surface from a lateral distance. = Conical bristles (for example, having the first-larger Length) can also be: near: the surface of the bristles Toward the end of the handle. For example, the clusters may be the clusters that are furthest away from the handle of the toothbrush. These clusters are all composed of tapered bristles or may include a non-conical bristles The tapered main hairs are exemplified by s, and the clusters may include clusters containing tapered bristles and non-conical bristles, or may include adjacent clusters consisting entirely of tapered bristles and non-tapered bristles, respectively. Selecting as 'example> having the first-larger length' may also be fixed (four) near the end of the bristle surface adjacent to the toothbrush head position at which the head is connected or connected To the grip. For example, the tufts may be the tufts that are closest to the handle of the toothbrush in the longitudinal direction. This family may consist entirely of tapered bristles or may include tapered bristles combined with non-tapered bristles. For example, such towns may include a family of tapered bristles and non-cone <bristles' or may include adjacent clusters consisting entirely of tapered bristles and non-hybrid bristles, respectively. For example, the first The difference between the larger length and the second smaller length is 144844.doc 201032752 distance can be 1 Mm to 5 mm 'for example 2 mm to 4 mm. Usually the first larger length can be 11 mm to 13 mm. ^ The clusters containing the conical material and the Cai containing the non-conical bristles can be positioned in the In another conventional layout on the bristle surface, for example, the clusters can be arranged in a two-dimensional array, with the nearest clusters being spaced apart by about 2 mm to 3 m. For example, one of the rules is symmetrically arranged around the longitudinal direction. In the layout, the layout may include a plurality of bristles that are oriented transversely across the surface of the bristles. The surface of the bristles may be substantially flat. Alternatively, the surface of the bristles may be concave in the longitudinal and/or lateral direction. By way of example, t, the bristle surface may be concave or the surface may comprise flat regions that are at an obtuse angle to each other. For example, the bristle surface may include a pointed region that is adjacent to the handle furthest from the handle The tip end has a pure angle to a region immediately closest to its longitudinal direction. For example, the pointed region can be curved upwardly relative to the region that is closest to its longitudinal direction. The (4) containing tapered bristles and/or the town containing non-tapered bristles may be oriented perpendicular to the surface of the bristles. Alternatively, it is selected that it can be oriented to be inclined at a non-perpendicular angle to the surface of the bristle, such as from 75 to 85 degrees from the surface of the bristle, such that the inclined tufts are preferably inclined longitudinally such that they are away from the bristle surface The ends are longitudinally closer to or farther from the handle. In this form, the laterally adjacent clusters may be inclined in opposite longitudinal directions. For example, as visible in the horizontal direction, such clusters may appear to intersect in an x configuration. The clusters of tapered and non-tapered bristles may be known by methods such as the use of small metal "anchors" rather than the clips to be attached to the bristles of the bristles (4) of the bristles, The mold 144844.doc 201032752 is inserted into the socket hole in the surface of the brush. Another conventional method is the so-called "tin-free" method in which the ends of the bristles are solidified by molding the plastic material of the head around the ends of the mold cavity. : Within the bristle surface, the head is made in the cavity of the mold. In a first configuration, the toothbrush head can comprise a conventional single-block of plastic material (such as conventional polypropylene) that is secured within the block. Another option is to create m, the toothbrush head can have a configuration in which a section of the head that is relatively close to the end of the head away from the end of the handle is elastic and flexibly coupled to the grip. A section of the handle of the handle. The -linking may be comprised of a composite joining region comprised of - or a plurality of flexible plastic material bonds and an elastomeric material (such as a thermoplastic elastomer). For example, this head configuration is disclosed in which side A 77 〇 7 and WO-A-98/37788. In this-second configuration, for example, the segment of the segment is adjacent to the segment of the head away from the end of the handle, or the toothbrush head adjacent the handle The segments, or both of the segments, can have tufts of bristles extending from the head, the tufts being disposed in the pattern on the surface of the bristles and comprising: a plurality of slabs, etc., containing _ bristles and along The lateral pattern of the town pattern is opposite to the outermost side and has a first-larger length; and the transverse direction between the plurality of outer clusters is a plurality of inner Cais, which have non-tapered bristles and have a second Short length. Alternatively, in a third configuration, the toothbrush head can have a configuration of one of three or more and preferably three longitudinally elongated sections that span the toothbrush 144844.doc 201032752 The heads are disposed laterally adjacent to each other, the segments being rotatably coupled to the handle, and having at least two outer sections that are laterally oppositely disposed and laterally disposed between the outer sections (but preferably - a form of the intermediate section 'each section is independently elastically movable with respect to a laterally adjacent zone & the plurality of outer towns containing the first-larger length of tapered bristles are arranged in the two lateral directions The plurality of inner towns that are oppositely disposed on the outer section and that contain non-hybrid bristles and have a second, smaller length are disposed on the at least inner section. Each of the segments has its own respective bristle surface that together form the bristle surface of the toothbrush head. An example of this latter configuration is disclosed in WO-A-2004/04! For example, the 'head-head configuration can include three laterally adjacent and longitudinally extending sections from which the bristles extend, the configuration having an intermediate section and one of each of the lateral sections on the lateral side a segment, one or more segments that are resiliently and flexibly coupled to or connectable to the handle, and wherein the intermediate segment is adjacent the end of the tip of the head relative to the intermediate segment The portion of the longitudinally closest to the handle is integrally laterally enlarged to provide a bristle carrier pad adjacent the tip end of the head and extending across the overall width of the toothbrush head adjacent the tip, the middle The section includes an intermediate bristle bearing (four) and an area having a maximum width of a portion of the intermediate portion between the pointed end of the head and the bottom end of the head, and the tip pad and the middle One of the first joint regions of the section between the mats is narrower in width than the adjacent portion of the tip and the intermediate jaw, 144844.doc 201032752 and the intermediate pad and the handle One of the second joining regions of the segment, The adjacent portion of the intermediate pad that is close to the tip is narrower in width. Preferably, the head includes only three of these sections, i.e., an intermediate section and two outer sections. For example, the intermediate section may be laterally widened at a region transversely adjacent to the intermediate section and adjacent to an area of the grip, the region φ being less than the longitudinal length of the intermediate section from the tip. 50% or less, such as 25% or less. The end portion of the intermediate section adjacent the tip of the head portion may be laterally enlarged generally relative to the portion of the intermediate section that is closest to the handle in the longitudinal direction so as to be at the end and the middle of the intermediate section A cavity is formed between the portion of the segment that is closest to the handle in the longitudinal direction and the end of an outer segment can be shaped complementarily to one of the cavities such that the end can fit within the cavity. • Preferably, two or more and preferably all of the segments are resiliently and flexibly connected to the handle such that the pressure on the bristles may be parallel to one of the longitudinal and width directions Elastic bending. Preferably, each segment is resiliently coupled to the handle by a flexible neck region of the handle. For example, the intermediate section is in sliding contact with the side sections. W0_A_2005A) 39858 describes a process by which the head can be made. In this third configuration, for example, all of the plurality of outer races on the two outer segments can have the tapered bristles of the greater length and on the intermediate segment All of the plurality of inner towns may have non-tapered bristles having a second length of 144844.doc -11- 201032752. = In this third configuration, the plurality of conical bristles are included. (4) The intermediate section of the tip of the section extends such that: the clusters furthest from the toothbrush grip. The present invention also provides a toothbrush, which is attached to the toothbrush head disclosed herein; the handle is attached as intended to be moved only by hand movement: - manual toothbrush 'its #-electric toothbrush": selected as 'the toothbrush can , having an internal motor to drive the bristles relative to the handle. Such a toothbrush can have a generally well known configuration. μ is made of the conventional bristle material used for the hybrid and non-tapered bristles =: for example, nylon or poly-p-phenylene, acid vinegar. These bristles are eroded. Tapering or end rounding, such as mechanical grinding or chemical immersion, and the bristles of the bristles of the bristles are cut in the direction of the bristle. The tapered bristles may be rounded or otherwise shaped in the cross section. Examples: One or more towns, for example, including some or all of the outer ❹ of the tapered bristles =: Γ - section, such as a rounded or rounded corner rectangle, which is elongated in the longitudinal direction. The toothbrush head and other parts of the handle may also be made of a material such as a plastic material (for example, a polypropylene), and the handle may also include a conventional 2 enhanced surface area, such as, for example, thermoplastic :to make. Various conventional types of grips are well known in the art of toothbrushing. An example of a suitable grip configuration is disclosed in EP-A.o. The handle and other parts of the toothbrush can be made by well-known techniques, such as injection molding, as is common in toothbrush technology. 144844.doc 12· 201032752 [Embodiment] The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to Figure i, shown in a schematic side view - a conventional non-conical brush. The hair 10' extends in the bristle direction "B" from the bristle surface 20 of a toothbrush head (not shown). The bristles 10 have the same uniform cylindrical cross-section along the entire length f from the lower end portion 10A adjacent the bristle surface 20 to the upper end portion 1B of the distal bristle surface 20. The region (10) closest to the uppermost end (i.e., the most • 5% or less) is rounded at an end of an irregular semi-elliptical shape. Figure 1 also shows a conventional tapered bristles 30. The lower portion 3A of the bristles 3A extends upward from the bristle surface 2〇 and has a substantially uniform cylindrical cross section. The portion 3〇b including the uppermost 3〇% of the length of the bristles 30 is tapered by a shallow pointed cone. Referring to Figure 2', which is generally shown in plan view, the toothbrush head is attached at its end 40A to a toothbrush grip via a neck region 41 of a handle to thereby define a head 4 〇 The shank 41 has a longitudinal direction l_l and has a longitudinal direction relative to the line 働. The head Na is elongated in the longitudinal direction L_L and is perpendicular to the width direction w-w of the longitudinal direction L-L. The head 4 has a flat flat bristle surface 42, and the plurality of tufts of the bristles 43 are (substantially) perpendicular to the plane of the bristle surface 42, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LL and the width direction W_W. The direction "B" extends from the bristle surface 42, and the view in Fig. 2 follows the bristle direction "B" downward. The plurality of clusters 43 each contain a plurality of bristles. The plurality of bristle tufts 43 are disposed on the bristle surface in a pattern, and the S bristle surface 42 includes a plurality of outer clusters 144844.doc 13 201032752 43 1 containing only tapered bristles (ie, as shown in FIG. The clusters 431 are arranged along the laterally opposite outermost sides of the pattern of the clusters 43. The thieves 43 1 are sequentially arranged in a straight line (indicated by the dashed lines connecting the clusters 431) and from the bristle surface 42 The lateral edges 44 are substantially equidistant. The plurality of inner clusters 432 are disposed transversely between the plurality of outer clusters 43 1 'the plurality of inner clusters 432 containing only non-tapered bristles (ie, as in FIG. 1 10)).
該等簇43係以一習知二維陣列定位在刷毛表面42上而 該等簇43互相相隔大約2毫米至3毫米。如圖2所示，此佈 局係繞著縱向L-L對稱並包括在橫跨該刷毛表面42之方向 W-W橫向定向的刷毛簇之列44。The tufts 43 are positioned on the bristle surface 42 in a conventional two-dimensional array and the tufts 43 are spaced apart from each other by about 2 mm to 3 mm. As shown in Fig. 2, the layout is symmetrical about the longitudinal direction L-L and includes a row 44 of bristle tufts oriented transversely across the direction W-W of the bristle surface 42.
圖3顯示穿過牙刷頭部40之一截面，如沿著圖2之線aa 切割，在橫跨頭部40之橫向w_w延伸。圖3顯示僅含有錐 形刷毛之複數個外部簇431自鄰近於該刷毛表面42之外部 簇43 1下端部至遠離刷毛表面42之外部簇43丨上端部具有一 第一較大長度，且僅含有非錐形刷毛之複數個中間簇432 具有小於該第一較大長度之一第二較小長度。 在圖2及圖3顯示的該牙刷頭部中，簇431之該第一較大 長度與簇432之該第二較小長度之間之差距係i毫米至$毫 米，舉例而言2毫米至4毫米。通常，簇431之該第一較大 長度係10毫米至12毫米。 在圖2及圖3之該頭部40中，刷毛43之該等鎮係由習知 金屬「錨」（未顯示）固定在該刷毛表面内。 _參考圖4及圖5,在圖4中之—平面圖中大體上顯示牙 頭》P 50之一第一構造’其在其端部5〇a處經由一握柄η W4844.doc •14· 201032752 一頸部區域連接至該牙刷握柄以藉此界定一頭部5〇朝向握 柄51縱向L-L且具有一相對尖端5〇B。該頭部5〇係在縱向^ L伸長並具有垂直於縱向L_L之一寬度方向w_w。該頭部5〇 具有一刷毛表面52，刷毛之複數個簇53(大體上）在垂直於 該刷毛表面52之該各自部分之平面之簇53刷毛方向「B」 延伸，簇53自該刷毛表面52延伸。圖5顯示一縱向截面 圖。 圖4及圖5之該頭部50具有一已知構造，其中相對接近附 接至该握柄51的該頭部5〇之該端部5〇A之該頭部之一區段 54係在連結55處彈性且撓性地連結至相對遠離該握柄5 1之 该牙刷頭部50之一區段56 ^如圖5所示，該連結55包括由 一撓性塑膠材料連結57組成的一複合連結區域，該連結57 整體地連結彼入周圍撓性彈性體材料58(諸如熱塑性彈性 體）内的該等區段55、56。舉例而言，在WO-A_97/07707及 WO-A-98/37788中揭示此一頭部構造，並在已知牙刷中出 現’例如，如在本申請者的AQUAFRESH™品牌下所銷 售。 刷毛簇53自兩區段55及56之該等刷毛表面52延伸並以該 圖案配置在該刷毛表面上，刷毛簇53包括複數個外部簇 531 ’其等僅含有錐形刷毛並沿著該簇圖案之該等橫向相 士最外側配置且具有一第一較大長度，而此等複數個外部 族53 1之間之橫向係複數個内部簇532，其等僅含有非錐形 刷毛並具有一第二較小長度。 圖4中之該視圖係沿著延伸自區段54之該等簇53之刷毛 144844.doc -15- 201032752 方向「B」向下。該二個區段55及56之該等刷毛表面咖 此相對地形成小於180。之一角度，通常大約係17〇。。 雖然該頭部4〇、50與該頸部區域41、51之間之該連結顯 示為-刷性連、结，但其或者可為—已知類型撓性連結，舉 例而言如在WO-A-98/37788中所揭示。 參考圖6及圖7，此顯示一牙刷頭部6〇(總體）。頭部的在 其端部60A處經由-握柄61之—頸部區域連接至該牙刷握 柄（未顯示）以藉此界定一頭部6〇_握柄61縱向ll，並具有 一縱向相對尖端60B。該頭部6〇在縱向L L伸長並具有垂直 於縱向L-L之-寬度方向W_W。頭部⑽包括三個縱向伸長 區段62、63、64,其為兩個橫向相對佈置的外區段62、討 與在橫跨該牙刷頭部60橫向鄰近佈置的該等外區段62、64 之間橫向佈置的一中間區段63。各個區段62、〇、料係由 一各自頸部611、612、613撓性地連結至該手柄。該等區 段62、63、64之每一者具有一各自刷毛表面以、66、α。 圖7顯示穿過橫跨圖6之線A_A切割的該頭部6〇之一截面 圖。 含有第一較大長度之錐形刷毛之複數個外部簇68自外區 段62及64之該等刷毛表面65、67延伸，且複數個内部簇的 僅含有非錐形刷毛並具有一第二較小長度。僅含有非錐形 刷毛並具有一第二較小長度之複數個内部簇69自中間區段 6 3之邊刷毛表面延伸。 中間區段63係縱向延伸超出該等外區段62、63之該等端 部並經加寬以形成具有一刷毛表面611之尖頭墊61〇。複數 144844.doc -16- 201032752 個外。卩簇681自尖頭墊ό 1 〇之刷毛表面611延伸，該複數個 外。Ρ簇68 1僅含有錐形刷毛並經配置沿著簇之該尖頭圖案 之該等橫向相對最外側且圍繞該尖頭墊61〇遠離握柄61之 該端部。 參考圖8，顯示一牙刷頭部8〇之一橫向側之一平面圖。 顯不（大體上）在該刷毛表面82上之外刷毛81之配置。該等 兹81包括含有錐形刷毛之簇81Α及不含錐形刷毛之簇 81Β。簇81Β可具有該第一較大長度或相較於此第一較大 長度之一較大或較小長度。該複數個外部簇81之配置包括 含有縱向交替之錐形刷毛之簇81Α與不含錐形刷毛之簇 81B。複數個簇83含有非錐形刷毛並具有該第二較短長 度。該頭部8〇係連接至縱向鄰近頸部區域84。 參考圖9，顯示一牙刷頭部9〇之一橫向側之一平面圖。 顯示（大體上）在該刷毛表面92上之外部襄91之配置。在此 配置中’含有錐形刷毛之複數個外部簇9 i係經配置使得各 個蔡91自該刷毛表面之鄰近邊緣93大體上係橫向等距。該 複數個外部簇91係經配置使得不同簇91A、91B在自該刷 毛表面之該鄰近邊緣93不同橫向距離（如量測至其等中 心）Dl、D2(D1大於D2)處互相橫向鄰近。複數個箱94含有 非錐形刷毛並具有該第二較短長度。該頭部9〇係連接至縱 向鄰近頸部區域95。 參考圖10，顯示一牙刷頭部1 〇〇及該頸部區域i 〇丨之鄰近 部分之一侧視圖。圖10亦顯示該牙刷之縱向並非一直線， 但該頸部10 1之方向相對於該頭部1 〇〇之方向彎曲，如在牙 144844.doc •17- 201032752 刷中為普遍。該頭部100及頸部101之總體構造與圖9之相 對應頭部90及頸部9 1相同。顯示含有錐形刷毛之兩個橫向 鄰近外部叙102、1 〇3自刷毛表面1 〇4延伸。該等簇1 〇2、 103係經定向以與該刷毛表面成一非垂直角度（諸如與該刷 毛表面成75。至85。）傾斜，在縱向傾斜使得遠離該刷毛表面 之其等各自端部縱向接近或遠離該握柄。如圖1〇可見在 橫向方向看該等簇102、1〇3顯現以一X配置交又。該頸部 1〇1連接該頭部100至握柄1〇5。 參考圖11及圖12,此等顯示自刷毛方向向下看之一各自 平面圖，及橫向看本發明之一牙刷頭部11〇之一側視圖。 如可見，一般配置分別類似於圖6及圖7，因此僅詳細描述 此頭部110之一些不同特徵，注意為了清楚，僅顯示一些 刷毛之簇。 該牙刷頭部110具有呈三個縱向伸長區段U1、112、113 之形式之構造，橫跨該牙刷頭部i 10橫向佈置的該等區段 U1、112、113呈兩個橫向相對佈置的大體上月牙形外區 段111、113與在該等外區段lu、113之間橫向佈置的一大 體上橢圓中間區段112之形式。各個區段iu、US、相 對於一橫向鄰近區段係可獨立彈性移動。各個區段m、 112、113係由一各自撓性頸部114、115、116挽性地連結 至該牙刷握柄（未顯示）使得該等區段m、112、113在該等 刷毛上之壓力作用下可自平行於縱向及寬度方向之一平面 彈性彎曲。 含有該第一較大長度之錐形刷毛之複數個外部簇】17係 144844.doc 201032752 經佈置在該二個橫向相對佈置外區段丨丨丨、113上。此等簇 117具有橫跨其等刷毛方向切割的一區段，其係在縱向l_l 伸長並具有一成圓隅角矩形形狀。含有非錐形刷毛並具有 • 一第二較小長度之複數個内部簇118係經佈置在該中間區 段112上。 該中間區段112在接近該尖端U9之區域i12a處相對於縱 向最緊鄰近該中間區段丨12並接近該握柄之一區域加寬， φ 該區域112A係小於該中間區段112距該尖端119之縱向長度 之50%或更少。在U2A處之此加寬在該中間區段112之該 端部112A與該中間區段縱向最緊接近該手柄之該部分之間 形成一凹腔120。一外區段111之該端部1丨丨a係以對於該凹 腔120之一互補形狀成形使得此端部111A裝配在該凹腔 内。 該中間區段112係與鄰近外區段111、113滑動接觸。 包括錐形刷毛之複數個簇121亦自該中間區段112鄰近於 Φ 該中間區段之該尖端119之該加寬部分112 A延伸使得此等 簇係縱向最遠離該牙刷握柄之該等簇。 由該等區段111、112、113之各自刷毛表面組成的該刷 * 毛表面122在縱向為凹，而如圖12可見該刷毛表面122之上 - 表面稍稍凹曲。此引起在該加寬區域112A上之該等簇121 被定向，因此遠離該刷毛表面之該等簇121的端部相較於 接近該刷毛表面之其等端部更接近該握柄。 參考圖13及圖14，顯示本發明之一牙刷之一總體構造之 一各自平面圖及側視圖，該牙刷具有本發明之一頭部。該 144844.doc -19- 201032752 牙刷130總體包括-頭部⑶，其可係該等上述頭部4〇、 :〇 60、80、11〇之任—者。該頭部ΐ3ι係由一頸部區域 連接至一握柄132，該頸部區域m可係該等上述頸部 區域 41、51、61、83、95、114、115、116之任_者。； 頭4 13 1握柄132及頸部區域均係經配置沿著—縱向 L。可見該頭部131之該刷毛表面134及該側表面135。 【圖式簡單說明】 圖1顯示一非錐形刷毛與一錐形刷毛之㈣圖； 圖2顯示本發明之牙刷頭部之—第—構造之—平面圖； 圖3顯不橫跨圖2之線A_A切割的圖2之該彳刷頭部之 截面圖； 圖4及圖5顯示本發明之該牙刷頭部之另一構造之一平面 圖及截面圖； 圖6及圖7顯示本發明之該牙刷頭部之另一構造之一平面 圖及截面圖； 圖8及圖9顯示本發明之牙刷頭部之其他構造之平面圖； 圖H)顯示本發明之牙刷頭部之另—構造之—側視圖； 圖11及圖12顯示本發明之該牙刷頭部之另-構造之一各 自平面圖及側視圖；及 圖13及圖14顯示具有本發明之一頭部之本發明之一牙刷 之一總體構造之一各自平面圖及側視圖。 【主要元件符號說明】 10 刷毛 10A 下端部 144844.doc -20· 2010327523 shows a section through the toothbrush head 40, as cut along line aa of FIG. 2, extending across the transverse direction w_w of the head 40. Figure 3 shows that a plurality of outer tufts 431 containing only tapered bristles have a first greater length from the lower end of the outer tuft 43 1 adjacent the bristle surface 42 to the outer tuft 43 away from the bristle surface 42. The plurality of intermediate clusters 432 containing non-tapered bristles have a second, smaller length than one of the first larger lengths. In the head of the toothbrush shown in Figures 2 and 3, the difference between the first larger length of the tuft 431 and the second smaller length of the tuft 432 is from i mm to $ mm, for example 2 mm to 4 mm. Typically, the first major length of the tuft 431 is between 10 mm and 12 mm. In the head 40 of Figures 2 and 3, the bristles of the bristles 43 are secured within the bristles by conventional metal "anchors" (not shown). Referring to Figures 4 and 5, in Figure 4 - a plan view generally shows a first configuration of the tooth "P 50" which passes through a handle η W4844.doc • 14 at its end 5〇a. 201032752 A neck region is coupled to the toothbrush grip to thereby define a head 5〇 facing the longitudinal direction LL of the grip 51 and having a relatively pointed tip 5〇B. The head 5 is elongated in the longitudinal direction and has a width direction w_w perpendicular to one of the longitudinal directions L_L. The head 5 has a bristle surface 52, and a plurality of tufts 53 of the bristles extend (generally) in a bristle direction "B" of the tufts 53 perpendicular to the plane of the respective portions of the bristle surface 52, the tufts 53 from the bristle surface 52 extension. Figure 5 shows a longitudinal sectional view. The head 50 of Figures 4 and 5 has a known configuration in which a section 54 of the head is attached relatively close to the end 5〇A of the head 5〇 attached to the grip 51. The link 55 is elastically and flexibly coupled to a section 56 of the toothbrush head 50 that is relatively far from the handle 51. As shown in FIG. 5, the joint 55 includes a flexible plastic material joint 57. In the composite joining region, the joint 57 integrally joins the sections 55, 56 into the surrounding flexible elastomeric material 58, such as a thermoplastic elastomer. Such a head configuration is disclosed, for example, in WO-A-97/07707 and WO-A-98/37788, and appears in known toothbrushes', for example, as sold under the AQUAFRESHTM brand of the Applicant. The tufts 53 extend from the bristle surfaces 52 of the two sections 55 and 56 and are disposed in the pattern on the bristle surface, the tufts 53 comprising a plurality of outer tufts 531 'these containing only conical bristles and along the tuft The laterally opposite sides of the pattern are disposed at the outermost side and have a first larger length, and the plurality of inner clusters 532 between the plurality of outer races 53 1 have only non-tapered bristles and have one The second smaller length. The view in Figure 4 is downward along the direction "B" of the bristles 144844.doc -15- 201032752 extending from the clusters 53 of the segments 54. The bristle surfaces of the two sections 55 and 56 are relatively less than 180. One angle, usually about 17 inches. . Although the joint between the heads 4, 50 and the neck regions 41, 51 is shown as a brushed joint, it may alternatively be a known type of flexible joint, for example as in WO- Revealed in A-98/37788. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, this shows a toothbrush head 6 (integral). The head portion is connected at its end 60A via a neck region of the grip 61 to the toothbrush grip (not shown) to thereby define a head 6 〇 grip 67 longitudinal ll having a longitudinal relative Tip 60B. The head portion 6 is elongated in the longitudinal direction L L and has a width direction W_W perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L-L. The head (10) includes three longitudinally elongate sections 62, 63, 64 that are two laterally oppositely disposed outer sections 62 that are disposed adjacent laterally adjacent the toothbrush head 60, An intermediate section 63 is disposed laterally between 64. Each section 62, raft, and material is flexibly coupled to the handle by a respective neck 611, 612, 613. Each of the segments 62, 63, 64 has a respective bristle surface, 66, a. Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the head 6 切割 cut through line A_A across Figure 6. A plurality of outer tufts 68 comprising a first larger length of tapered bristles extend from the bristle surfaces 65, 67 of the outer segments 62 and 64, and the plurality of inner tufts only contain non-tapered bristles and have a second Smaller length. A plurality of inner tufts 69 containing only non-tapered bristles and having a second, smaller length extend from the bristled surface of the intermediate section 63. The intermediate section 63 extends longitudinally beyond the ends of the outer sections 62, 63 and is widened to form a pointed pad 61 having a bristle surface 611. Plural 144844.doc -16- 201032752 outside. The tufts 681 extend from the tip of the cusp 1 to the bristles 611, which are plural. The tufts 68 1 contain only tapered bristles and are disposed along the laterally opposite outermost sides of the pointed pattern of the tufts and around the end of the prong 61 away from the tip 61. Referring to Figure 8, a plan view of one of the lateral sides of a toothbrush head 8'' is shown. The configuration of the outer bristles 81 is shown (substantially) on the bristle surface 82. These 81 include a cluster 81 of tapered bristles and a cluster 81 不含 without tapered bristles. The tuft 81Β can have the first larger length or a greater or lesser length than one of the first larger lengths. The configuration of the plurality of outer clusters 81 includes a cluster 81 含有 containing longitudinally alternating tapered bristles and a cluster 81B containing no tapered bristles. A plurality of clusters 83 contain non-tapered bristles and have the second shorter length. The head 8 is tethered to the longitudinally adjacent neck region 84. Referring to Figure 9, a plan view of one of the lateral sides of a toothbrush head 9'' is shown. The arrangement of the outer turns 91 on (generally) the bristle surface 92 is shown. In this configuration, a plurality of outer tufts 9 i containing tapered bristles are configured such that each of the ca. 91 is substantially laterally equidistant from adjacent edges 93 of the bristle surface. The plurality of outer tufts 91 are configured such that the different tufts 91A, 91B are laterally adjacent to each other at different lateral distances (e.g., measured to their centers) D1, D2 (D1 greater than D2) from the adjacent edges 93 of the bristle surface. A plurality of bins 94 contain non-tapered bristles and have the second shorter length. The head 9 is tethered to a longitudinally adjacent neck region 95. Referring to Figure 10, a side view of a toothbrush head 1 〇〇 and an adjacent portion of the neck region i 显示 is shown. Figure 10 also shows that the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush is not straight, but the direction of the neck 10 1 is curved relative to the direction of the head 1 ,, as is common in the brush 144844.doc • 17- 201032752. The overall configuration of the head portion 100 and the neck portion 101 is the same as that of the head portion 90 and the neck portion 9 1 of Fig. 9. The two laterally adjacent outer sections 102, 1 〇3, which contain tapered bristles, are shown extending from the bristle surface 1 〇4. The tufts 1, 2, 103 are oriented to be at a non-perpendicular angle to the bristle surface (such as 75 to 85.) and are longitudinally inclined such that their respective ends are longitudinally spaced from the bristle surface. Approach or stay away from the handle. As can be seen in Figure 1, the clusters 102, 1〇3 appear in the horizontal direction and are arranged in an X configuration. The neck 1〇1 connects the head 100 to the grip 1〇5. Referring to Figures 11 and 12, these are shown in a plan view from the direction in which the bristle direction is viewed, and a side view of one of the toothbrush heads 11 of the present invention. As can be seen, the general configuration is similar to that of Figures 6 and 7, respectively, so that only some of the different features of the head 110 will be described in detail, with the benefit that only some of the tufts are shown for clarity. The toothbrush head 110 has a configuration in the form of three longitudinally elongated sections U1, 112, 113, the sections U1, 112, 113 arranged transversely across the toothbrush head i 10 being arranged in two laterally opposite directions The generally crescent shaped outer sections 111, 113 are in the form of a generally elliptical intermediate section 112 that is laterally disposed between the outer sections lu, 113. Each of the segments iu, US, can be independently elastically moved relative to a laterally adjacent segment. Each segment m, 112, 113 is inductively coupled to the toothbrush handle (not shown) by a respective flexible neck 114, 115, 116 such that the segments m, 112, 113 are on the bristles The pressure can be elastically bent from a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction and the width direction. A plurality of outer clusters including the first larger length tapered bristles 17 are arranged on the two laterally opposite outer sections 丨丨丨, 113. These tufts 117 have a section cut across their equal bristle direction, which is elongated in the longitudinal direction l_1 and has a rounded rectangular shape. A plurality of inner tufts 118 containing non-tapered bristles and having a second, smaller length are disposed on the intermediate section 112. The intermediate section 112 is widened at a region i12a near the tip end U9 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the intermediate section 丨12 and adjacent to a region of the handle, φ the area 112A is smaller than the intermediate section 112 The longitudinal length of the tip 119 is 50% or less. This widening at U2A forms a cavity 120 between the end portion 112A of the intermediate section 112 and the portion of the intermediate section that is closest to the handle in the longitudinal direction. The end portion 1a of an outer section 111 is shaped to complement one of the recesses 120 such that the end portion 111A fits within the cavity. The intermediate section 112 is in sliding contact with adjacent outer sections 111, 113. A plurality of tufts 121 including tapered bristles also extend from the intermediate section 112 adjacent the widened portion 112A of the tip 119 of the intermediate section such that the tufts are furthest away from the toothbrush grip. cluster. The brush surface 122 consisting of the respective bristle surfaces of the segments 111, 112, 113 is concave in the longitudinal direction, and as seen in Fig. 12 above the bristle surface 122 - the surface is slightly concave. This causes the tufts 121 on the widened region 112A to be oriented such that the ends of the tufts 121 away from the bristle surface are closer to the grip than the ends closer to the bristle surface. Referring to Figures 13 and 14, there is shown a respective plan and side view of one of the general constructions of one of the toothbrushes of the present invention having a head of the present invention. The 144844.doc -19- 201032752 toothbrush 130 generally includes a head (3) that can be any of the above-described heads 4:: 〇 60, 80, 11 。. The head ΐ 3ι is connected by a neck region to a handle 132 which can be any of the aforementioned neck regions 41, 51, 61, 83, 95, 114, 115, 116. The head 4 13 1 grip 132 and neck region are configured along the longitudinal direction L. The bristle surface 134 of the head 131 and the side surface 135 are visible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a (four) diagram of a non-tapered bristles and a conical bristles; FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the head of the toothbrush of the present invention; FIG. 3 shows no cross-sectional view of FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 5 show a plan view and a cross-sectional view of another configuration of the toothbrush head of the present invention; Figures 6 and 7 show the present invention. A plan view and a cross-sectional view of another configuration of the toothbrush head; Figures 8 and 9 show plan views of other configurations of the toothbrush head of the present invention; Figure H) shows another configuration of the toothbrush head of the present invention - side view Figure 11 and Figure 12 show respective plan views and side views of another embodiment of the toothbrush head of the present invention; and Figures 13 and 14 show the overall construction of one of the toothbrushes of the present invention having a head of the present invention. One of the respective plans and side views. [Main component symbol description] 10 bristles 10A lower end 144844.doc -20· 201032752
10B 上端部 IOC 區域 20 刷毛表面 30 錐形刷毛 30A 下部分 30B 上部分 40 牙刷頭部 40A 端部 40B 尖端 41 握柄 42 刷毛表面 43 刷毛鎮 50 牙刷頭部 50A 端部 50B 尖端 51 握柄 52 刷毛表面 53 刷毛簇 54 區段 55 連結 56 區段 57 連結 60 牙刷頭部 60A 端部 144844.doc •21 - 201032752 60B 尖端 61 握柄 62 區段 63 區段 64 區段 65 刷毛表面 66 刷毛表面 67 刷毛表面 68 外部簇 69 内部簇 80 牙刷頭部 81 簇/外刷毛 81A 簇 81B 簇 82 刷毛表面 83 簇 84 頸部區域 90 牙刷頭部 91 外部簇 92 刷毛表面 93 鄰近邊緣 94 簇 95 頸部區域 100 牙刷頭部10B Upper end IOC area 20 Bristle surface 30 Tapered bristles 30A Lower part 30B Upper part 40 Toothbrush head 40A End 40B Tip 41 Grip 42 Bristle surface 43 Bristle town 50 Toothbrush head 50A End 50B Tip 51 Grip 52 Bristle Surface 53 bristle tuft 54 section 55 joint 56 section 57 joint 60 toothbrush head 60A end 144844.doc • 21 - 201032752 60B tip 61 grip 62 section 63 section 64 section 65 bristle surface 66 bristle surface 67 bristles Surface 68 Outer tuft 69 Inner tuft 80 Toothbrush head 81 Cluster/External bristles 81A Cluster 81B Cluster 82 Bristle surface 83 Cluster 84 Neck area 90 Toothbrush head 91 External tuft 92 Bristle surface 93 Adjacent edge 94 Cluster 95 Neck area 100 Toothbrush head
144844.doc - 22 - 201032752144844.doc - 22 - 201032752
101 頸部區域 102 外部簇 103 外部簇 104 刷毛表面 105 握柄 110 牙刷頭部 111 區段 111A 端部 112 區段 112A 加寬區域 113 區段 114 頸部 115 頸部 116 頸部 117 外部簇 118 内部簇 119 尖端 120 凹腔 121 镇 122 刷毛表面 431 外部簇 432 内部簇 531 外部簇 532 内部簇 144844.doc -23- 201032752 610 尖頭墊 611 頸部 612 頸部 613 頸部 681 外部簇 144844.doc101 neck region 102 outer tuft 103 outer tuft 104 bristle surface 105 grip 110 toothbrush head 111 section 111A end 112 section 112A widened area 113 section 114 neck 115 neck 116 neck 117 outer cluster 118 interior Cluster 119 tip 120 cavity 121 town 122 bristle surface 431 outer cluster 432 inner cluster 531 outer cluster 532 inner cluster 144844.doc -23- 201032752 610 pointed pad 611 neck 612 neck 613 neck 681 outer cluster 144844.doc