Toothbrush

Abstract

Toothbrush comprising a handle and a bristle-bearing head attached thereto, said head comprising a bristle-bearing face and an opposite face, said opposite face comprising an array of resilient wall-like massaging flaps.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Toothbrush comprising a handle and a bristle-bearing head attached thereto, said head comprising a bristle-bearing face and an opposite face, said opposite face comprising an array of resilient wall-like massaging flaps.  
     
     
         2 . Toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein the resilient wall-like flaps extend for a maximum distance d from the brush head and are spaced apart from one another by a distance equal to from 0.5 d to 2 d.  
     
     
         3 . Toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein the resilient wall-like flap is made from a thermoplastic elastomer.  
     
     
         4 . Toothbrush according to  claim 2 , wherein the elastomer has a Shore A hardness of from 15 to 45.  
     
     
         5 . Toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the wall-like flaps extends along the brush head in a direction substantially transverse a general longitudinal axis of the brush head.  
     
     
         6 . Toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the wall-like flaps extends in a curve along the brush head.  
     
     
         7 . Toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein at least half of the wall-like flaps extend in substantially the same direction along the brush head.  
     
     
         8 . Toothbrush according to  claim 2 , wherein the average width a of the wall-like flaps as measured at a mid-point along any wall's length is from 0.1 to 0.7 d.  
     
     
         9 . Toothbrush according to  claim 8 , wherein the width of any one of the wall-like flaps along its entire length is from 0.1 a to 1.5 a.  
     
     
         10 . Toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one wall-like flap is tapered in cross section towards its tip.  
     
     
         11 . Toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one wall-like flap extends for an average distance of from 1 to 20 d.  
     
     
         12 . Toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one wall-like flap slopes towards the brush head at its edges.  
     
     
         13 . Toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one wall-like flap comprises a flavour incorporated therein for delayed release during brushing.  
     
     
         14 . Toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one wall-like flap comprises an abrasive selected from the group consisting of perlite, silica, chalk, calcined alumina and mixtures thereof.