Abstract: A toothbrush head comprising a flexible bristle carrier such as an elastomer or gel pad or flexibly linked segments, on which bristles are mounted, with a support which supports the carrier at its base near the handle and at the opposite tip part, leaving the carrier unsupported thereby in a region longitudinally between these parts, the carrier being flexible such that it can deform under the forces of toothbrushing so that both its longitudinal and widthways sections become distorted. Preferably the support is also flexible.

Abstract: A toothbrush in which at least some of the bristles are linked together at their ends proximate to the head by a web in the toothbrush head, with a pad of a resilient elastomeric material adjacent to the web. When pressure is applied to the bristles this pressure is communicated to the web, and the web bears upon the pad, and communicates the pressure to the pad of elastomeric material. By the toothbrush excessive pressure between the teeth and the bristles during toothbrushing may be relieved.

Abstract: A toothbrush head in which the fixed ends of the bristles are embedded in a mass of a polyurethane gel material incorporated in the head. Typical nylon materials as used for toothbrush bristles are found to bind with polyurethane gels so that advantageously holders for the bristles need not be used. A moulding process is also provided for making the toothbrush head.

Abstract: A tongue cleaning device comprising a tongue cleaning surface supported for tongue cleaning by running the surface across the tongue, a reservoir for a tongue cleaning fluid, means to dispense the fluid either onto the tongue cleaning surface, or directly onto the user's tongue, with a cover part, the tongue cleaning surface and cover part being relatively moveable between a position in which the tongue cleaning surface is exposed for use and a position in which the tongue cleaning surface is covered by the cover part.

Abstract: A brush head, in particular a toothbrush, with a base carrier (1) formed from a soft elastic material in which connecting elements comprising separate support rings (2) separated from one another and bearing a plurality of bristle tufts (4) are embedded, each of the rings having a bristle tuft threaded through. Preferably the bristle tuft can move axially in the support ring and is supported resiliently by the soft elastic material.

Abstract: A toothbrush which comprises a handle comprising at least three longitudinally elongate flexible spines arranged at the apexes of a polygon, the space between the spines containing an elastomer material which links the spines.

Abstract: A valve actuator for a valved container containing a pressurized fluid, the actuator comprising a mounting to attach the actuator to the container, and characterized by a post-expansion chamber in communication with the outlet of the actuator in which residual fluid remaining in the outlet after use can expand, and a separate suction chamber in communication with the outlet conduit via a suction opening to suck residual fluid back toward the expansion chamber.

Abstract: An electrically powered toothbrush comprising a handle which contains an electric motor and power supply, a head part connected to the handle to be driven in motion by the electric motor by a transmission means between the motor and the oral head part. The head part is flexibly and resiliently connected to the handle such that the head part can move resiliently under pressure of the oral hygiene part against a tooth surface. The motor is moveably mounted within the handle and the assembly of motor and transmission means is pivotally connected to the handle at a pivot point between the brush head and the motor. Suitably the handle is in two parts with a flexible connection between the parts.

Abstract: A toothbrush head having an undulating surface with at least one more displaced part and at least one less displaced part and with bristles having a triangular cross section extending from a more displaced part of the bristle face.