A brush head having a distal end, including: an elastomeric matrix including a first surface, and a plurality of retention rings disposed in the elastomeric matrix, each of which includes a first end, a second end positioned closer to the first surface of the elastomeric matrix than the first end, an interior wall with a central longitudinal axis, and an exterior wall. The interior wall of at least a first retention ring is generally circular in shape; the interior wall of at least a second retention ring is generally non-circular in shape; the exterior wall is generally non-circular in shape; and at least one of the interior wall or the exterior wall includes a taper. The brush head can also include a plurality of bristle tufts, each of which is inserted into one of the plurality of retaining rings.

A brush head having a distal end, including: an elastomeric matrix including a first surface, and a plurality of retention rings disposed in the elastomeric matrix, each of which includes a first end, a second end positioned closer to the first surface of the elastomeric matrix than the first end, an interior wall with a central longitudinal axis, and an exterior wall. The interior wall of at least a first retention ring is generally circular in shape; the interior wall of at least a second retention ring is generally non-circular in shape; the exterior wall is generally non-circular in shape; and at least one of the interior wall or the exterior wall includes a taper. The brush head can also include a plurality of bristle tufts, each of which is inserted into one of the plurality of retaining rings.

A brush head (32) including a neck (40) having a brush neck (42); a plurality of bristle tufts (21), each of which includes a plurality of bristle strands with a free end (25) and a proximal end (23), the proximal end having a proximal end head portion (26); a plurality of retention rings (50), each configured to receive the proximal end of at least one of the plurality of bristle tufts; an elastomeric matrix (30) bonded to at least a portion of the brush neck, the plurality of retention rings, and the proximal end of the plurality of bristle tufts, wherein the proximal end head portion of each of the plurality of bristle tufts is configured to comprise a space (27) between the proximal end head portion and the respective retention ring.

A toothbrush includes a handle and a head mounted to the handle. In one aspect, the head may include a base structure having a front surface. A cleaning element carrier may be at least partially suspended above the front surface of the base structure so that at least a portion of the cleaning element carrier is movable relative to the base structure in a direction towards the front surface of the base structure. The cleaning element carrier may have a first segment and a second segment that are separated by a gap. A plurality of bristle tufts may extend from the first and second segments of the cleaning element carrier. A central cleaning element may extend from the front surface of the base structure and through the gap between the first and second segments of the cleaning element carrier.

The present invention relates to a brush with fusion interlocking bristle strip and a method of manufacturing the same. The brush includes carrier strips and knotted bristle strips bonded together by ultrasonic welding and interlocking.

The present invention relates to a brush with fusion interlocking bristle strip and a method of manufacturing the same. The brush includes carrier strips and knotted bristle strips bonded together by ultrasonic welding and interlocking.

A brush head (100), including: an elastomeric matrix (30) including a first surface (32); a plurality of retention rings (50) disposed in the elastomeric matrix, each of which includes a first end (51), a second end (53) positioned closer to the first surface of the elastomeric matrix than the first end, an interior wall (55) forming an interior space (59) with a central longitudinal axis (111), and an exterior wall (57). At least one of the interior wall and the exterior wall of at least a first retention ring of the plurality of retention rings (50) includes a taper (61, 67, 73, 63, 69, 71). A plurality of bristle tufts (21), each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, having a proximal end (23) and a free end (25), is retained at its proximal end within the interior space of one of the plurality of retention rings.

A brush head (100), including: an elastomeric matrix (30) including a first surface (32); a plurality of retention rings (50) disposed in the elastomeric matrix, each of which includes a first end (51), a second end (53) positioned closer to the first surface of the elastomeric matrix than the first end, an interior wall (55) forming an interior space (59) with a central longitudinal axis (111), and an exterior wall (57). At least one of the interior wall and the exterior wall of at least a first retention ring of the plurality of retention rings (50) includes a taper (61, 67, 73, 63, 69, 71). A plurality of bristle tufts (21), each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, having a proximal end (23) and a free end (25), is retained at its proximal end within the interior space of one of the plurality of retention rings.

A toothbrush includes a handle and a head mounted to the handle. In one aspect, the head may extend from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the head having a base portion formed of a rigid plastic material and a flexible portion formed of an elastomeric material, a first longitudinal section of the flexible portion spaced apart from the base portion by a gap. The flexible portion of the head may have an upper surface and an opposing lower surface such that within the first longitudinal section of the flexible portion the upper surface and the lower surface are substantially planar and parallel to one another. Furthermore, tooth cleaning elements may be secured to the flexible portion of the head by in-molded technology to extend from the upper surface of the flexible portion.

A toothbrush includes a handle, a head at a distal end of the handle comprising a bristle plate, a hole extending through the bristle plate, a plurality of bristles at least partially disposed in the hole and extending from the hole in a direction away from the head, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the hole. Fluid in the reservoir enters the tuft holes and is wicked out of the head of the toothbrushes by capillaries formed between the bristles.