Electric Toothbrushes

Abstract

A toothbrush has a handle, a head and a neck disposed between and connecting the head and the handle. A bristle carrier is disposed on the head. The bristle carrier has a plurality of outer tufts and a plurality of intermediate tufts. The plurality of intermediate tufts are disposed inboard of the plurality of outer tufts. Each of the plurality of intermediate tufts have a height, and at least a portion of the plurality of intermediate tufts have notches. The notches are oriented in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the height.

1 . A toothbrush comprising:
 a handle, a head, and a neck disposed between and connecting the head and the handle; and   a bristle carrier disposed on the head, the bristle carrier comprising a plurality of outer tufts and a plurality of intermediate tufts disposed inboard of the plurality of outer tufts, wherein each of the plurality of intermediate tufts having a height, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of intermediate tufts comprise notches, and wherein the notches are oriented in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the height.   
   
   
       2 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of outer tufts and the plurality of intermediate tufts are elastomeric. 
   
   
       3 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of outer tufts are disposed about the periphery of the bristle carrier in a circular arrangement. 
   
   
       4 . The toothbrush of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of intermediate tufts are disposed in a circular arrangement. 
   
   
       5 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of inner tufts disposed inboard of the intermediate plurality of tufts. 
   
   
       6 . The toothbrush of  claim 5 , wherein the inner plurality of tufts have a height which is less than the height of the intermediate plurality of tufts. 
   
   
       7 . The toothbrush of  claim 5 , wherein the inner plurality of tufts is elastomeric. 
   
   
       8 . The toothbrush of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of outer tufts, the plurality of intermediate tufts, and the plurality of inner tufts are elastomeric. 
   
   
       9 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  wherein the bristle carrier is capable of oscillating with respect to the head. 
   
   
       10 . The toothbrush of  claim 8 , wherein the bristle carrier is capable of oscillating with respect to the head. 
   
   
       11 . A toothbrush head comprising:
 a bristle carrier comprising a plurality of outer tufts and a plurality of intermediate tufts disposed inboard of the plurality of outer tufts, wherein each of the plurality of intermediate tufts having a height, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of intermediate tufts comprise notches, and wherein the notches are oriented in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the height.