This is a Continuation of Provisional Application Serial No. 60/022,878 filed August 20, 1996.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toothbrush bristle configurations, and more specifically to toothbrush bristle configurations that are profiled to enhance the cleaning ability of the brush.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Toothbrush bristle configurations have consisted primarily of tufts of bristles all cut to the same length so as to provide for a flat overall bristle configuration. Additionally, some toothbrushes have extended tips, and others have bristles of varying lengths. However, until now, there has been no toothbrush bristle configuration that provides for an extended tip to clean behind back teeth, along with angled inner bristles to clean the surfaces of and in between teeth, also along with outer extended tufts of bristles that are angled inwardly toward the center of the brush head to penetrate and clean along the gumlines. There has therefore been a desire to have a toothbrush bristle configuration that provides for all of these functions within the same brush.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Disclosed is a toothbrush bristle configuration having a plurality of tufts of bristles fixed to a toothbrush head, the toothbrush head having a front end, an opposing back end, and two opposing sides. Outer tufts are located along the periphery of the toothbrush head and are longer than inner tufts which are surrounded by the outer tufts. The outer tuft tips are angled inwardly toward the inner tufts, and the inner tuft tips are angled transaxially to the tips of the outer tufts along the two opposing sides.

The inner tufts are arranged in rows running from the front end to the back end of the head. The inner tuft tips in alternate rows are angled toward the front end and the back end of the head respectively. The outer tufts at the front end of the head are longer than the outer tufts at the back and sides.

The outer tufts may have a gently sweeping curved overall side profile from the back end to the front end, resulting in elongated tufts at the front end. There may be extended bristles located within at least the inner tufts and extending beyond the

tips of the inner tufts. There may be relatively stiff bristles located within at least the inner tufts, or there may be relatively textured bristles located within at least the inner tufts. At least the outer tufts may be angled with respect to the head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject invention, it is believed the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of a bristle configuration of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the bristle configuration of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the bristle configuration of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a back elevational view of the bristle configuration of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate the same element throughout the views there is shown in Figure 1 toothbrush head 10 of the present invention, showing the locations of outer bristle tufts 12 and inner bristle tufts 14. The contoured bristle configuration of the present invention can best be seen in Figures 2, 3, and 4. Figure 3 shows a side view of outer tufts 12. In this embodiment, outer tufts 12 toward back 16 and sides 18 of head 10 are substantially uniform in height. Proximate to front 20 of head 10 are elongated outer tufts 12a, which are provided to clean behind back teeth. The profile may gently slope upwards, ending at tufts 12a and forming a gentle curve that substantially conforms to the shape of the teeth.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the tips of outer tufts 12 may be angled, preferably inwardly toward inner tufts 14. This inward angling of outer tufts 12 along sides 18 provides for bristles that more readily follow the contour of the gums and enhanced cleaning of the gumline. The shorter inner tufts 14 are angled perpendicular to the angle of outer tufts 12 along sides 18 (i.e, alternately toward front 20 and back 16 respectively); this provides for cleaning between teeth and cleaning of teeth surfaces.

A limited number of bristles that extend above the tuft tips, or bristles that are textured differently from the rest, or bristles that are relatively stiff as compared to the rest (or a combination of these), may be added to the tufts of bristles for improved cleaning between teeth, or of the teeth surfaces. The contours, or peak to valley distances, may be varied widely to produce various profiles and configurations.

Different tuft patterns on the head may be employed. Also, the angle at which the tufts are placed into head 10 may be varied.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications that are within the scope of this invention.