Abstract: The invention includes a toothbrush including a toothbrush handle and a toothbrush head having an end proximal a toothbrush handle, an end distal to the toothbrush handle, a dorsal surface for holding at least one toothbrush bristle, a ventral surface opposite the dorsal surface, first and second sides disposed between the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the toothbrush head, and a plurality of gum cushions disposed on each of the sides of the toothbrush head, where the height of the respective gum cushions tapers from the proximal end of the toothbrush head to the distal end of the toothbrush head.

Abstract: Monofilament dental tapes including a core body having first and second opposing external faces, where at least one of the external faces has a plurality of indentations protruding into the core body of the dental tape, where the plurality of indentations are provided in from about 5% to about 95% of the total area of the first or second external faces, the indentations having a depth within the core body corresponding to from about 0.1% to about 95% of the thickness of the core body, taken transversally to the external face containing the plurality of indentations.

Abstract: The invention is directed to toothbrushes that include a handle, a neck a head, and a polishing member attached to the head, where the polishing member includes a base proximate the backside of the head and a plurality of projections of sufficient size and shape and disposed in a pattern on the base that are effective to provide polishing of teeth.

Abstract: The present invention includes monofilament dental tapes that include a core body having a first external face and a second external face opposite the first external face, where at least one of the first and second external faces has a plurality of indentations protruding into the core body of the dental tape, where the plurality of indentations are provided in from about 5% to about 95% of the total area of the at least one of the first and second external faces. The indentations have a depth within the core body, in relation to the at least one of the first and second external faces comprising the plurality of indentations, corresponding to from about 0.1% to about 95% of the thickness of the core body, taken transversally to the at least one of the first and second external faces comprising the plurality of indentations.

Abstract: The invention includes a toothbrush including a toothbrush handle and a toothbrush head having an end proximal a toothbrush handle, an end distal to the toothbrush handle, a dorsal surface for holding at least one toothbrush bristle, a ventral surface opposite the dorsal surface, first and second sides disposed between the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the toothbrush head, and a plurality of gum cushions disposed on each of the sides of the toothbrush head, where the height of the respective gum cushions tapers from the proximal end of the toothbrush head to the distal end of the toothbrush head.

Abstract: The invention includes a toothbrush head having an end proximal a toothbrush handle, an end distal to the toothbrush handle, a dorsal surface for holding at least one toothbrush bristle, a ventral surface opposite the dorsal surface, first and second sides disposed between the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the toothbrush head, and a plurality of gum cushions disposed on each of the sides of the toothbrush head, where the height of the respective gum cushions tapers from the proximal end of the toothbrush head to the distal end of the toothbrush head.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin for placement in a crotch portion of an undergarment of a wearer having a longitudinal axis and being further characterized by having a preferential bending zone extending obliquely in relation to the longitudinal axis, each preferential bending zone being located solely in an end region and does not extend into a central region of the napkin. The preferential bending zone may be created by mechanically embossing the surface of the sanitary napkin to locally densify the absorbing materials of the article. The preferential bending zone causes the end regions of the sanitary napkin to resist lateral compression forces exerted by the thighs of the wearer and thereby prevents bunching of the article on the undergarment. The central region 70 of the sanitary napkin conforms to the wearer's body providing greater comfort for the wearer of the napkin.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin for placement in a crotch portion of an undergarment of a wearer having a longitudinal axis and being further characterized by having a preferential bending zone extending obliquely in relation to the longitudinal axis, each preferential bending zone being located solely in an end region and does not extend into a central region of the napkin. The preferential bending zone may be created by mechanically embossing the surface of the sanitary napkin to locally density the absorbing materials of the article. The preferential bending zone causes the end regions of the sanitary napkin to resist lateral compression forces exerted by the thighs of the wearer and thereby prevents bunching of the article on the undergarment. The central region 70 of the sanitary napkin conforms to the wearer's body providing greater comfort for the wearer of the napkin.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having a central absorbent element that is adapted to be worn in a crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment are provided with a pair of flaps, one flap extending laterally from each respective longitudinal side of the central absorbent element. The flaps are flexible and adapted to be folded over the edges of a wearer's undergarment. A central portion of the flap is formed from a flexible, elastic material having an elastic modulus and an adjacent corner region of the flap is formed from a substantially non-extensible, non-elastic flexible material.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin for use by a woman for feminine hygiene and adapted to be worn in an undergarment having a main body portion including a liquid permeable body faceable cover layer, a liquid impermeable garment faceable barrier layer, an absorbent element therebetween. The main body portion has at least two longitudinally extending hinges in a center region adjacent the longitudinal edges. Each hinge is adapted to provide a longitudinally extending preferential bending axis. The hinges are spaced apart along at least a portion of their length and at least one hinge has a radius of curvature and an adjacent hinge is either substantially straight or has a radius of curvature greater than the other hinge.