Abstract: A toothbrush having two head sections, the sections being normally biased to assume an angle with respect to each other, to thereby define a generally concave bristle tip configuration. The two sections of the head have facing ends joined by a thin bridge section integral with the two heads. In one embodiment, there is one bridge section near the lower surface of the head. In another embodiment, there are two longitudinally spaced bridge sections each near the lower head surface. In a third embodiment, the bridge section is a thin integral connection between facing ends of the two sections. In other embodiments, the two head sections are normally aligned and are also joined by a thin, integral bridge section, with the bristles of the head section most remote from the handle being of uniformly different lengths. The space between the two facing ends is filled with an elastomer, typically SANTOPRENE (brand). The two head sections define an articulated head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush having a handle formed of interlocking opposed S-curved sections, the first being relatively rigid and the second relatively resiliently flexible, the opposed S-curved sections forming a generally elongated figure 8, having an aperture within each segment of the figure 8, such that during brushing the user can manipulate the relatively rigid and resiliently flexible section to position the bristle bearing face of the toothbrush to conform to the arcuate configuration of the dentiture.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a plurality of peripheral bristle tufts and a plurality of adjacent bristle bars located internally within the head thereto, which bristle bars provide support for the peripheral bristle tufts during brushing, such that the stiffness and associated cleaning ability of the peripheral bristle tufts is enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of welding pre-formed toothbrush heads and handles using about 0.7 to about 2.0 micrometers, or about 4.0 to about 6.0 micrometers, wavelength laser beam.

Abstract: The utilization of an air cyclone classifying method to effectively separate out a low ash fraction, containing less than 11% by weight of non-protein material, from rendered animal meal. A yield of low material greater than 50% by weight is recovered as usable canine and feline food. The method involves the creation in a first cyclone separator of a double vortex air cyclone having a descending external air vortex and a rising internal air spire; wherein an upper chamber therein is equipped with a rotary particle rejector. The rendered animal meal infeed is fed into the rising air spire which entrains and carries the low ash fraction through the rotary particle rejector, to a second cyclone air cleaning device; wherein the low ash material is recovered from the entraining air. The larger and denser high ash particles are recovered from the first cyclone separator.

Abstract: A process which inhibits bacteria and caries comprising the application of an oral composition containing a substantially water insoluble noncationic antimicrobial agent, such as triclosan, xylitol, and sodium lauryl sulfate as the surfactant and dispersant for the water insoluble noncationic antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: A high foaming oral composition comprising in an orally acceptable vehicle, an effective antiplaque, antibacterial compound, and at least about 2% by weight of a mixed anionic/nonionic surfactant system in a weight ratio of about 7:1 to 2:1, respectively, which ratios are effective to increase the uptake of the antibacterial compound to dental tissue so as to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the administered antibacterial compound.

Abstract: The invention provides an antibacterial oral composition containing an antibacterial compound, a monoalkyl phosphate compound and another anionic surfactant; whereby, the antibacterial effect on dental tissue is substantially increased due to the combined presence of the monoalkyl phosphate compound and the other anionic surfactant in a given weight ratio.

Abstract: An oral antiplaque composition for treatment of teeth wherein the essential antiplaque agent is a substantially water insoluble noncationic antibacterial phenol containing, relative to the hydroxyl group, an alkyl or cycloalkyl group, preferably tert.-butyl (t-butyl), in the 2-position, and substituents in one or both of the 4- and 5-positions, one or both of which may be alkyl or cycloalkyl, one being preferably t-butyl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush having bristles mounted on a flexibly resilient lattice network, such that the bristles deflect during brushing to conform to the various arcuate surfaces of the teeth for more effective cleaning thereof.

Abstract: A toothbrush having two head sections, the sections being normally biased to assume an angle with respect to each other, to thereby define a generally concave bristle tip configuration. The two sections of the head have facing ends joined by a thin bridge section integral with the two heads. In one embodiment, there is one bridge section near the lower surface of the head. In another embodiment, there are two longitudinally spaced bridge sections each near the lower head surface. In a third embodiment, the bridge section is a thin integral connection between facing ends of the two sections. In other embodiments, the two head sections are normally aligned and are also joined by a thin, integral bridge section, with the bristles of the head section most remote from the handle being of uniformly different lengths. The space between the two facing ends is filled with an elastomer, typically SANTOPRENE (brand). The two head sections define an articulated head.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a novel bristle configuration and trim pattern is described. The bristles of the tufts are of varying lengths and are so arranged to form a concave shape resembling the shape of a rubber prophy cup used by dentists and hygienists for polishing teeth. The individual bristles are of varying length and so placed into or mounted in the head to yield tufts having the same concave shape but without the requirement for trimming the bristle ends. In a variant construction, the upper ends of a number of tufts are so contoured, either by trimming or by insertion of various length bristles, that each tuft upper end has a surface which is a portion of a larger concave surface. Thus in one type of arrangement each tuft has its own prophy brush shape at its upper end. In another type of arrangement there is only one prophy brush shape for the entire head, each tuft making its own partial contribution to the single prophy shape.

Abstract: A toothbrush is provided with light interactive features, and has a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) molded within its handle. In one embodiment, the toothbrush is molded from a transparent or translucent plastic material and is covered with an opaque covering, except at a plurality of discrete light-emitting points. A reflective layer over the molded body may also be provided. Light is internally reflected along the length of the body to the light-emitting points. The surface of the toothbrush at these points is roughened to emit a softened, diffused light. In another embodiment, a plurality of optic fibers or light pipes are molded in the body of the toothbrush, with their input ends positioned near the light source and their output ends terminating at the light-emitting areas. The body may be molded of an opaque elastomer or rubberized plastic material. A battery and switch may be molded with the LED in the grip end of the toothbrush handle.