Electric toothbrushes

Abstract

An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has an elongated body, a head, and a neck extending between the body and the head. A plurality of bristle carriers each having a plurality of bristle tufts are disposed on the head. An electric motor is operatively connected to a shaft, wherein operation of the electric motor moves the shaft in a reciprocating motion and wherein the shaft is operatively connected to at least one of the bristle carriers to move the bristle carriers.

1 . An electric toothbrush, comprising: 
 a handle having a motor disposed therein;    a head comprising a movable massaging plate and a movable bristle carrier disposed opposite said massaging plate, wherein said movable massaging plate is disposed on a rear face of said head;    a neck extending between said handle and said head; and    a shaft operatively connected to said motor and said movable bristle carrier and said movable massaging plate.    
   
   
       2 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein said massaging plate comprises a plurality of protrusions or ridges.  
   
   
       3 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein said massaging plate comprises an elastomeric material.  
   
   
       4 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein said shaft reciprocates.  
   
   
       5 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein said movable massaging plate reciprocates.  
   
   
       6 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein said massaging plate pulsates.  
   
   
       7 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 6 , further comprising a component that is operatively connected to said shaft and which contacts an underside of said massaging plate to pulsate said massaging plate.  
   
   
       8 . An electric toothbrush, comprising: 
 a handle having a motor disposed therein;    a head comprising a longitudinal axis and a plurality of movable bristle carriers;    a neck extending between said handle and said head; and    a reciprocating shaft operatively connected to said motor and plurality of movable bristle carriers, wherein said plurality of movable bristle carriers reciprocate in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis.    
   
   
       9 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of movable bristle carriers comprises three bristle carriers.  
   
   
       10 . An electric toothbrush, comprising: 
 a handle having a motor disposed therein;    a head comprising a longitudinal axis and a plurality of movable bristle carriers;    a neck extending between said handle and said head; and    a reciprocating shaft operatively connected to said motor and plurality of movable bristle carriers, wherein said plurality of movable bristle carriers reciprocate in a direction along said longitudinal axis.    
   
   
       11 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of movable bristle carriers comprises three bristle carriers.