U.S. patent application number 13/223236 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-22 for oral brushing devices and/or methods.
Invention is credited to Kenneth J. Hegemann.
Application Number | 20110308024 13/223236 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45327359 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110308024 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hegemann; Kenneth J. |
December 22, 2011 |
Oral Brushing Devices and/or Methods
Abstract
An oral cleansing device or method, the device including a
handle including a housing structure; at least one control assembly
disposed within the housing structure; and, a connection shaft
assembly including at least a first shaft stemming from the housing
structure; and, a first brush assembly adapted to be connected to
the first shaft, the brush assembly including bristles for
contacting at least the tooth crown and at least one or both of the
lingual and bucal tooth surfaces; the control assembly being
adapted to provide an oscillatory or vibratory movement to the
brush assembly.
Inventors: |
Hegemann; Kenneth J.;
(Escondido, CA) |
Family ID: |
45327359 |
Appl. No.: |
13/223236 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13176630 |
Jul 5, 2011 |
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13223236 |
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11453307 |
Jun 13, 2006 |
7972136 |
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13176630 |
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10357564 |
Feb 5, 2003 |
7059853 |
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11453307 |
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60409760 |
Sep 10, 2002 |
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60403915 |
Aug 15, 2002 |
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60385366 |
Jun 3, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/22.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 17/36 20130101;
A46B 9/026 20130101; A61C 17/3445 20130101; A61C 17/028 20130101;
A61C 17/0202 20130101; A46B 9/045 20130101; A61C 17/349 20130101;
A46B 5/0012 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/22.1 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/04 20060101
A46B009/04; A46B 13/02 20060101 A46B013/02 |
Claims
1. An oral cleansing device comprising: a handle including: a
housing structure; at least one control assembly disposed within
the housing structure; and, a connection shaft assembly including
at least a first shaft stemming from the housing structure; and, a
first brush assembly adapted to be connected to the first shaft,
the brush assembly including bristles for contacting at least the
tooth crown and at least one or both of the lingual and bucal tooth
surfaces; whereby the control assembly is adapted to provide an
oscillatory or vibratory movement to the brush assembly.
2. An oral cleansing device according to claim 1 wherein the first
and second brush assemblies include respective first and second
brushes, the first and second brushes including respective first
and second deformably elastic, resilient arms adapted to be
connected to the connection configuration, the first and second
deformably elastic, resilient arms each respectively having first
and second brush heads connected thereto; whereby the first and
second brushes are operatively disposed such that the first and
second brush heads are disposed in generally opposing relationship
to each other; and, whereby the first and second brush heads each
have one or the other or both of respective crown portions and
respective side portions.
3. An oral cleansing device according to claim 1 wherein the
control assembly is adapted to provide opposing bi-directional
linearly straight motion to the first brush assembly.
4. An oral cleansing device according to claim 2 wherein the
control assembly is adapted to provide opposing bi-directional
linearly straight motion to the first and second brush assemblies.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. no.
13/176,630, filed Jul. 5, 2011, which is a continuation of prior
U.S. application Ser. No. 11/453,307, filed Jun. 13, 2006, now U.S.
Pat. No. 7,972,136, issued Jul. 5, 2011, which is a continuation of
prior U.S. application Ser. No. 10/357,564, filed Feb. 5, 2003, now
U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,853, issue Jun. 13, 2006, which claimed the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/385,366, filed Jun.
3, 2002; 60/403,915 filed Aug. 15, 2002 and 60/409,760 filed Sep.
10, 2002.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] The present developments relate generally to oral and/or
dental hygiene devices and more specifically concern power-driven
oscillatory and/or vibratory toothbrushes having a range of bristle
tip vibratory velocities and toothbrush heads covering the crown
and at least one side, and often both, bucal and/or lingual, of the
teeth. Other implementations include power-driven oscillatory
and/or vibratory toothbrushes which incorporate a linear drive
together with the oscillatory and/or vibratory effect.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Ever advantageous are toothbrush or other oral care devices
which have significant cleaning effects, reaching important areas
such as the interdental and subgingival regions, yet remaining or
being improved in convenience of use.
DISCLOSURE
[0004] The present disclosures include in some implementations, an
oral and/or dental hygiene device for cleaning one or more of the
teeth and interdental and gingival areas, including: a body member
which includes an arm mounted for movement, typically some form of
oscillating or vibratory movement, sometimes also referred to as
acoustic movement; a set of bristles which are located in the
vicinity of one end of the arm and which are disposed to be in
brushing contact with the crown and at least one side, and often
both, the bucal and/or lingual sides, of the teeth; and means in
the body member for moving the arm and hence the bristles such that
the tips of the bristles move at a substantially high velocity, in
some implementations, sufficient to produce a cleansing action.
Further, the disclosures hereof include a method of using such a
toothbrush which involves moving the arm and hence the bristles of
an oral or dental device on or adjacent or in the vicinity of the
teeth and interdental and gingival areas to be cleaned such that
the tips of the bristles move at a substantially high velocity to
clean the teeth and/or oral, interdental and/or gingival areas.
[0005] These and still further aspects as shall hereinafter appear
may readily be fulfilled by the present apparatuses and methods in
one or more remarkably unexpected manners as will be readily
discerned from the following detailed description of exemplary
implementations hereof especially when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which like parts bear like numerals
throughout the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an oral care device
hereof;
[0007] FIG. 2, which includes sub-part FIGS. 2A and 2B, includes a
cross-sectional side elevational view taken substantially along
line 2A-2A of FIG. 1 of an oral care device hereof, and an internal
top plan view of some parts thereof taken substantially along line
2B-2B of FIG. 2A;
[0008] FIG. 3, which includes subpart FIGS. 3A and 3B, provides
respective isometric and elevational views of exemplary brushes for
use as part of an oral cleaning device or system as described
herein;
[0009] FIG. 4, which includes subpart FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, provides
respective elevational and plan views of exemplary brushes as they
may be in use according hereto;
[0010] FIG. 5, which includes subpart FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C,
provides respective elevational views of exemplary brushes for use
as part of an oral cleaning device or system as described
herein;
[0011] FIG. 6, which includes subpart FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, provides
respective isometric individual part and/or exploded views of a
brush assembly of an oral cleaning device like those shown in and
described with respect to FIGS. 1-5;
[0012] FIG. 7, which includes subpart FIGS. 7A, 7AA, 7B and 7BB,
provides respective cut-away isometric and elevational and/or
schematic views of exemplary oral cleaning devices according
hereto; and
[0013] FIG. 8 provides an isometric view of an exemplary device
according hereto.
DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF SOME IMPLEMENTATIONS
[0014] The present disclosure relates in various implementations to
the provision of new and useful, substantially automated and/or
power-driven oral cleaning devices and/or methods including unique
coactive assemblages of distinct sub-assemblies which will be
described herein in some detail. More particularly, the present
disclosure is directed to a plurality of elements which when
considered as one or more ensembles, may provide comprehensive
attainment and/or maintenance of oral cleanliness. In many
implementations, achievement of the Bass and/or ADA methods of
brushing may be achieved. Of these, there are several features;
among which are a variety of brush heads and brush head
arrangements, as well as or alternatively including dynamic brush
heads with a static handle of alternating reciprocation of the
brushes, whether of oscillatory or vibratory movement alone or
together with a linear in and out movement of the brush heads
relative to the teeth and/or oral cavity.
[0015] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an oral care device hereof generally at
20. Such a device may alternatively be referred to as a toothbrush
20 herein as well, though this is not intended to be limiting
inasmuch as the device 20 may be, and often is adapted to provide
oral care to other oral structures including but not limited to the
gums. Some operational effects of such a device or toothbrush, as
described hereinafter, may include a significant cleansing effect
produced by the bristles, reaching into interdental and subgingival
regions, to bacterial plaque on the teeth. This effect may include
an enhanced scrubbing effect produced by the motion of the bristles
when they are in actual physical contact with the teeth to be
cleaned.
[0016] A device 20 hereof may include a general body portion 21
which in turn includes a housing portion 23 as shown for example in
FIGS. 1 and 2A. Now in more detail, though first in a relative
macroscopic view; as shown at least initially in FIGS. 1 and 2, an
exemplary automated tooth and/or gum cleaning device 20 hereof may
generally include a body or control handle or module 21 (FIGS. 1
and 2) and one or more cleaning head arrangement(s), herein
generally referred to as respective cleaning or brush head
assemblies 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2) (and/or optional additional assembly
27 (see FIG. 8)); the brush head assembly(/ies) connected to the
handle 21 via a connection sub-system/sub-assembly 25. These
respective cleaning or brush head assemblies 26 (and/or 27) are
shown positioning respective brushes, e.g. brushes 26a, 26b (see
FIGS. 1, 2B and 3, inter alia., described below) and the brush
bristles 34, 35 (again, see
[0017] FIGS. 2 and more particularly, 3 and 4, inter alia., below)
thereof in operative dispositions, typically in a multiple
directional, multi-sided fashion as described further below. The
control handle 21 may then also include one or more control
assemblies 24 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) within its structural housing 23
to provide for either or both securely holding the brushes or for
moving or driving a brush action to and/or through the brush head
assemblies 26 (, 27) for cleaning and massaging of the user's teeth
and gums. In use, the toothbrush assemblages 26 (, 27) hereof may
provide a totality of brushing, cleaning and massaging of the
user's teeth and gums.
[0018] A handle 21 may then also include a connection configuration
25 which provides for connection of the one or more brush
assemblies 26 (, 27) to the control handle 21. This connection may
generally involve a shaft or shafts 22, one shaft being shown in
FIGS. 1, 2, 7A and 7B, namely, shaft 22a in the relative first
position, and two shafts in FIGS. 7AA, 7BB and 8, the second shaft
22c in the relative second position; these shafts 22 stemming or
emerging from the housing structure 23 of the handle 21, and then
connecting or being adapted to connect to the brush assemblies 26
(, 27). Note, the relative first and second positions may be either
top and bottom or side by side or any other orally useful position.
Further details of brush mounting to/on a handle support assembly
are shown and described below in particular relation to FIG. 6
(infra). Also as described in further detail below, the brushes may
be made to be replaceable or interchangeable when and/or if desired
and thus removably mountable on respective shaft(s) 22.
[0019] The action of the brushes or brush assemblies 26 (and
optional 27, see FIG. 8) may be manually maneuvered or activated,
or as described further here, may more often and/or more generally
be driven by a control assembly or assemblies 24, as by an
oscillatory sub-system 60 (see FIG. 2) and/or a motor (see motor 44
in FIG. 7 and below) and/or a mechanical system (see system 45,
FIG. 7 and described further below). And, any one or more of these
actions may be delivered with either a relatively fixed disposition
of the brush arms and/or brush heads relative to each other, or as
is further described herein for some implementations hereof, where
as shown e.g., in FIG. 3, the brush arms and/or heads may be
reciprocated in a vibratory motion and/or in and out alternately
and/or in opposition to each other (see FIG. 7, inter alia)
[0020] In any case, the brush heads may then be disposed to reach
the teeth and gums in a desirable fashion as shown in and described
relative to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, below) to thereby brush away
plaque and/or debris lodged in and/or between the teeth, and/or
provide a vital massage of the gums, particularly adjacent the
teeth. And as is further shown and described hereinbelow (see FIGS.
2 and 7), either or both of a vibratory sub-system 60 and/or a
motor 44 as described herein may be activated to provide movement,
as for example an oscillatory or vibratory movement as from FIG. 2
via the shaft(s) 22, to the brush assemblies 26 (, 27); and/or in
some implementations to a mechanical system 45 which may in turn
provide reciprocatable linear movement, see FIGS. 7. As mentioned
above and as will be shown and described further below, the
provision of either or both vibratory and/or reciprocatable linear
movement into and out of the oral cavity may proficiently clean the
teeth and/or gums and also provide for reaching the rear most teeth
as well as all of those in between.
[0021] In the case of a vibratory or oscillatory sub-system 60, as
for example shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, inter alia, an electromagnet
61, which may include respective poles 62 (62a and 62b in FIG. 2B),
with respect to a coil 63 may be mounted within the housing 23 of
the handle 21. Coil 63 may be driven by a conventional power and/or
circuitry, shown generally at 64 in FIG. 2A, which may be driven by
a power supply 46, which in some cases may be battery-powered, as
for example using batteries. It may be understood, however, that
other driving circuitry could be used. The poles 62a, 62b as shown
in FIG. 2B, may be positioned a relatively short distance away from
one end 22b of an arm 22. A pair of magnets or magnetically
attractive elements 67a, 67b may be mounted on a member 66 which is
attached to the one end 22b of arm 22. Member 66, in operation,
closes the magnetic flux path between electromagnet 61 and the two
magnetic elements 67a and 67b.
[0022] Arm 22 is an elongated member, which may be a metal such as
steel, or of other sturdy material, mounted by a pivot assembly 68,
here including a torsion pin 68a, also metal or other sturdy
material, to body 21 of the oral care device or toothbrush 20. Arm
22 may be fixedly secured to pivot about torsion pin 68a, the ends
of which affixed to a support structure 68b attached to the body
21. In operation, arm 22 twists about the torsion pin 68a, as shown
by the double-headed arrow 69a, with the torsion pin tending to
maintain the arm in a fixed position at the pivot point. The brush
head 26 then vibrates or oscillates as shown by the double headed
arrow 69b.
[0023] At the other end 22a of resonator arm 22 is a brush head 26,
which as shown in FIG. 2B, for one example has two brush arms 26a
and 26b. The bristles 34, 35 on the brush head 26 have the tips are
formed into a multi-surface pattern, as shown most clearly in FIGS.
1 and 2, as well as in FIGS. 3 and 4, described below. The bristles
may be disposed such that the bristle tips fit into the interdental
crevices even between teeth. In operation, the brush of FIGS. 1 and
2 may oscillate in an approximate arcuate pattern, back and forth
about pin 68a, within desirable frequency and amplitude ranges. In
use, the brush may be moved at a substantially high velocity as in
some examples at speeds near or greater than about 1.5 meters per
second.
[0024] In actual use of the brush 20, and more particularly the
head 26, as shown representationally in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
toothbrush is held so that the brush head 26 is approximately
horizontal, with the tips of the bristles 34, 35 positioned against
the side surfaces of the teeth 56, typically near the gum line. As
indicated above, the bristles 34, 35 fit around the teeth, and into
the portions of the interdental regions between teeth 56. The
oscillatory or vibratory motion of the brush is up and down, i.e.
linearly toward and away from the tooth of FIG. 4, toward and away
from the gumline.
[0025] The action of brushes or brush assemblies 26 (, 27) may be
manually maneuvered or activated, or may more often and/or more
generally be driven by a control assembly or assemblies 24, as by a
motor (see motor 44 in FIG. 7 and below) and/or a mechanical system
(see system 45, FIG. 7 and described further below). And, either of
these actions may be delivered with either a relatively fixed
disposition of the brush arms and/or brush heads relative to each
other, or as is further described herein for the primary
implementations hereof, where as shown e.g., in FIGS. 2 and 3, the
brush arms and/or heads may be reciprocated about the pin 68a
and/or in and out alternately and/or in opposition to each other
(see FIG. 7, inter alia) More particularly, as shown, the brush
assemblies 26 (, 27) may be disposed so that one is adapted to move
inward relative to the mouth while the other is adapted to move
outwardly; also in FIG. 7. This is shown in FIGS. 7AA and 7BB,
e.g., wherein, the brush 26 moves or is moving inwardly relative to
the mouth (outward from the handle 21), see direction arrow 53,
while the brush 27 moves outward relative to the mouth (inward
toward the handle 21), see direction arrow 54. Then, in an opposite
reciprocal movement, not directly shown, the brush 26 moves outward
mouth-wise direction, while the brush 27 moves inwardly, in the
opposing direction. Thus, the brush heads may then reach the teeth
and gums in a desirable fashion as shown in and described relative
to FIG. 7, below) to thereby brush away plaque and/or debris lodged
in and/or between the teeth, and/or provide a vital massage of the
gums, particularly adjacent the teeth. And as is further shown and
described hereinbelow (see FIG. 7), a motor 44 as described herein
may be activated to provide movement to a mechanical system 45
which in turn provides movement, via the shaft(s) 22, to the brush
assemblies 26, and if used also, 27. As mentioned above and as will
be shown and described further below, the provision of
reciprocatable linear movement into and out of the oral cavity may
proficiently clean the teeth and/or gums and also provides for
reaching the rear most teeth as well as all of those in
between.
[0026] As initially shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but, also in more
detail in FIG. 3, each device 20 may include one or more brush or
other cleaning head assemblies, here shown as brush assemblies 26
(, 27, assembly 27 being an alternative additional assembly like
that shown in FIG. 3, but not shown therein; but, see FIG. 8),
which each may include one or more brushes, here see the brushes
26a, 26b of a brush assembly 26 in FIG. 3, each such brush 26a, 26b
having respective brush arms 28a, 28b and brush heads 30a, 30b. The
brush heads, e.g., heads 30a, 30b, may then be disposed such that
adjacent brushes or sets of bristles may be used simultaneously
during a brushing action. Combining multiple sets of brushing
actions may provide better simulation or replacement of
interproximal brushing, flossing, and/or perio-picking and/or using
proxy brushes. Moreover, it may be noted that the action shown and
described relative to FIG. 3 (including the sub-parts thereof) may
be exemplary of attainment or simulation of either or both the Bass
and ADA methods for tooth brushing technique. The brushes shown may
be reciprocated with the oscillatory/vibratory movement of FIG. 2
alone or together with a substantially linear movement as shown and
described relative to FIG. 7, below, and may be limited in length
of stroke of about tooth wide, or about 0.25 inches (in some
implementations on the order of between about 0.18 and about 0.25
inches).
[0027] The brushes are in many implementations hereof, see FIG. 3A,
e.g., brushes 26a, 26b, disposed such that the brush heads, see
e.g., heads 30a, 30b, may be disposed in or have portions thereof
predisposed in a relatively/substantially preselected angular
disposition to appropriately impact the teeth and gums, the
intersection thereof and/or any gaps therebetween at a desirable
location, height, and width thereof. As such, the heads 30a, 30b
may have respective head portions, namely, side portions 36a, and
crown portions 36b. These brushes 26a, 26b can then contact the
teeth from one or all sides of an array of teeth 50 (see FIG. 4),
see e.g. the outside or cheek or bucal side 51 toward the other
side, e.g., the inside and/or tongue or lingual side 52 of an array
of teeth 50 and/or the crown or occlusial side 550 as shown for
example in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C.
[0028] The side portions 36a and crown portions 36b of the heads
30a, 30b may thus be disposed to have bristles 34, 35 (see
discussion below) disposed in an angular disposition, see angle
.theta. in FIG. 4A which may thereby provide a relative desirable
cleaning action on the respective side surfaces of the teeth with
which the tips of the bristles 34, 35 may more effectively come
into contact. As shown in FIG. 4A, the bristles 34, 35 are shown
angled downward to provide a potentially desirable impact of the
bristles 34, 35 with the gum line intersection of respective gums
58, 59 with a tooth 56, for an example. This may include an angle
.theta. at approximately a 45 degree angle (plus or minus) for the
side bristles in accordance with the dental professional
recommended Bass or modified Bass technique, moreover, also
according to this technique, a quantity of bristles may be disposed
on or impact with the teeth (as for example approximately one-half
in some implementations) and another quantity of bristles on or in
contact with the gums (in some cases as much as one-half the
bristles). The crown bristles shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A may also be
angularly disposed, though perhaps not at the approximate 45
degrees as those on the side (rather, more like a larger angle
relative to the horizontal or smaller relative to the vertical
orientation shown in the drawings).
[0029] It may also be desirable to provide an interaction of long
bristles 34 of brushes such as brushes 26a, 26b particularly so as
to substantially completely impact the deeper areas of teeth and
between teeth, while having shorter bristles 35 impact the less
deep, more prominent portions of teeth. For example, the long crown
bristles 34 of adjacent brushes 26a, 26b may cover the interior
depressed portion of the chewing or occlusial surface of the tooth,
see e.g., tooth 56 in FIG. 4A, and the shorter crown bristles 35
(see FIGS. 3B and 4A) may impact the less deep extended tooth
edges. Note the shorter bristles 35 may also be at a discrete
angle, e.g. angle .alpha. in FIG. 3B, less pronounced than that of
the longer crown bristles 34 (crown bristles 34 e.g., preferably,
at something like about 5 to 20 degrees from the vertical, with the
crown bristles 35 being less, from about 0 to 10). E.g., an angle
.alpha. of about 14 or 15 degrees is shown and may be used. The
shorter crown bristles 35 may thus be intended to impact and clean
the higher, non-depressed, outer surfaces of the tooth. Moreover,
it may be that the angle of the bristles on the crown portion 36b
of the respective brush head 30a, 30b may be different, more or
less than that of the side portion 36a bristles. Any combination of
alternative angular dispositions may be used with the brushes of
the present invention.
[0030] Other views of bristle dispositions are also shown,
particularly of the side bristles 34, 35 in the isometric and
elevational views of FIGS. 3A and 3B, as well as in the respective
cross-sectional elevation and plan depictions of FIGS. 4B and 4C
(as taken along respective lines 4B-4B and 4C-4C of FIG. 4A).
Moreover, these uneven bristles, i.e. long bristles 34 and short
bristles 35, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, provide bristle tip
coverage of the uneven side surfaces of the tooth. For example, see
the respective long and short bristles 34, 35 on the uneven side
surfaces of FIG. 4A and on the uneven side surfaces of FIG. 4C. As
indicated above, and as shown in FIG. 4A, these bristles may even
be angled on the otherwise relatively flat crown or chewing surface
of the tooth to get full coverage of the tooth surface.
[0031] In the use of angled uneven length bristles 34, 35, the
bristles may first be brought into contact with the tooth, then
movement of the brush and thus also of the bristles, thereby brings
the different length bristles into contact with the various uneven
portions of the tooth surface, at various points the long bristles
are brought into contact with deeper surfaces or interproximal
areas between teeth or between a tooth and gum, and the short
bristles also at times being brought into contact with the less
deep, more prominent surfaces, the bristle tips in both cases being
brought to full, non-interfered-with usage on the respective
surfaces of the teeth, the bristle tips rather than the respective
sides of the bristles. The angled disposition assists by
substantially simultaneously directing the bristle tips toward the
surface-to-be-cleaned and resisting bending of the bristle which
would lead to the bristle side coming into contact with the tooth
surface rather than the bristle tip.
[0032] More particularly in a structural implementation, and, as
initially shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 8, each device 20 may include
one or more brush or other cleaning head assemblies, here shown as
brush assemblies 26, 27 (see FIG. 8 for assembly 27), which each
may include one or more brushes, here see the brushes 26a, 26b, of
respective brush assemblies 26, 27, each such brush 26a, 26b having
respective brush arms 28a, 28b and brush heads 30a, 30b (see FIG.
3A). The brush heads, e.g., heads 30a, 30b, may then be disposed
such that adjacent brushes or sets of bristles may be used
simultaneously during a brushing action. Combining multiple sets of
brushing actions may provide better simulation or replacement of
interproximal brushing, flossing, and/or perio picking and/or using
proxy brushes.
[0033] Also directed to a maximal bristle cleaning activity may be
an option of flexible, resilient brush arms, e.g., arms 28a, 28b,
which can contribute to the preferred maintenance of the tips of
the long and short bristles 34, 35 in contact with the respective
deeper and shallower tooth portions by alternately flexing
outwardly during an encounter with a wider tooth or shallower oral
feature and then upon encountering a deeper or narrower feature,
flexing or resiling inwardly to reach inwardly toward the deeper
surfaces and/or the narrower teeth. This may be a part of providing
for disposing the brushes in a preselected typically optimal
brushing position. And, even the trim of the bristles may
contribute to this maintenance of a desired bristle angle. As such,
the trim at the tips of the bristles may be angled to be parallel
to the tooth surfaces (see each of the views of FIG. 3). Moreover,
the short and long trim of the bristles, which as otherwise
described herein is primarily directed to reaching all the uneven
surfaces of the teeth, including the interproximal areas, may also
contribute to maximal cleaning because if all bristles were the
same length, then upon reaching a raised area, the bristles would
be deflected to present the sides of the bristles against the
surfaces of the teeth and the sides of the bristles are not as
capable of cleaning as the tips. Thus the bristle tips, as opposed
to the bristle sides, are preferred to remain on or in contact with
the enamel, with the long bristles also being adapted to reach into
the interproximal areas without interference or with minimal
interference or obstruction of the shorter bristles by long bristle
sides on enamel surface. Note, long toothbrush heads, and/or overly
voluminous bristle packing on a head can also yield problems like
this, where rather less bristles may be better because the
interference from adjacent bristles may be minimized. Rather
accurate positioning (often very or ultra accurate positioning) of
bristles is favored in the present implementations as opposed to
the provision of an overabundance of bristles (such as is provided
in some prior art brushes in an attempt or aspiration for hopefully
some or any bristle(s) to hit the mark).
[0034] In some implementations, in order to effectively
substantially eliminate human error, the present brushes may
provide a relative "self-positioning" of the brush arms, brush
heads and bristles relative to the teeth and gums. Self-positioning
may involve disposition relative to an oral feature such as a tooth
or teeth and gums, and/or may involve in and out positioning as
well as swiveling heads. The in and out positioning may primarily
be a result of resilient brush arms which allow for spreading of
the heads away from each other when encountering a wide tooth and
resiling back inwardly toward their original position when narrower
surfaces are encountered. The width of the tooth can then limit the
full amount of resiling, thus, the tooth determines the position;
i.e., self-positioning the brushes. The heads may also have
resilient characteristics, e.g. of the side relative to the crown
and vice versa. The resilient arms and/or heads may thus provide
for biting into the combination of brush heads, the resilience
providing for applying substantially continuous force for the brush
heads to continually close in on or appropriately squeeze toward
the teeth large or small, spreading as necessary for the larger
teeth. Note, the resiliency of the arms and/or heads may be
selected so as to provide or apply a desirable, light yet operative
pressure in the direction of bristles (maintaining the desirable
angle, in some examples, about 45 degrees for the side bristles),
not an overly aggressive or damaging force on the teeth and/or
gums. Spreading is shown in FIG. 5A where a pair of brush heads
30a, 30b are shown as they might move outwardly (arrow 30c),
downwardly (arrow 30d) or a combination of both (arrow 30e). Note
also, this self-positioning particularly with resilient arms and/or
heads may allow for smaller brushes to be used, where the user
bites down and thereby moves the arms and gets a better fit around
the tooth (a smaller brush perhaps also/alternatively being
desirable due to the reduction of bristle volume and thus reduced
bristle interference to maximize bristle tip effectiveness).
[0035] A swiveling positioning may include such resiliency,
allowing relatively independent twisting or rotation of one or the
other or both of the arms upon encountering an obstruction. This is
shown in FIG. 5B (rotational arrows 30f and 30g). Moreover, a
swivel positioning may include the swivel of the whole head
assembly right and/or left, and if two heads are used then the
swivel may be of both heads substantially simultaneously, see
clockwise rotation/swivel 30h in FIG. 5C. Rotation may thus be
available for each of the head assemblies 26 (, 27) about the
respective shaft ends 22a, 22c (FIGS. 7 and 8) on and to which the
assemblies are mounted. Self positioning of these sorts may thus
provide for easily and substantially automatically obtaining and
maintaining the Bass position for teeth and for simplifying use in
manipulation of the handle 21 for the human user and reducing or
eliminating human error.
[0036] In use with two or four wrap-around brushes, such as those
shown in FIGS. 1-5, two brushes in the first brush assembly 26
which here may be for the top teeth and/or one or two in the second
brush assembly 27 (see FIG. 8) which here may be for the bottom
teeth, the user may simply bite into the brushing heads 26, and/or
27, and self-positioning may be substantially automatic as the
brushes position themselves or are otherwise positioned to
substantially correctly contact tooth and gum surfaces (see FIGS. 4
and 5), deviations accounted for by the resilient arms and/or the
swiveling heads (see FIG. 5, e.g.). Alternative side-to-side or
other orally effective relationships of brushes 26, 27 may be used
instead. Thus, the brushes can achieve the dental professional
recommended Bass technique placement of bristles on teeth and gums,
with the side contacts being at approximately a 45 degree angle
(see FIG. 4A) or otherwise as may be desired. Each brush unit 26,
27, e.g., may have user specific dimensions, or may, due to the
self-positioning described here, be fit for use in any user's mouth
for bristle contact of every or substantially all to-be-cleaned
surfaces of the user's teeth and gums and may provide
interproximal, gingival and/or sub-gingival contact while assuring
that the brushing action does not include an overly aggressive
bristle force. Such self-positioning may be achieved substantially
automatically with or without the user's knowledge, understanding
or active participation, as it is the width of the tooth or teeth
which, in limiting the amount of resiling of the brush arms and/or
heads, is actually achieving the self-positioning.
[0037] Another part of the Bass techniques recommendation includes
the alternative to reciprocate the brushes in short (e.g.
tooth-wide or less than about 0.25 inches, or in some cases between
about 0.18 and about 0.25 inches), quick, back and forth strokes
while applying light pressure in the direction of bristles. Note,
such short strokes avoid the sweeping scraping which can lead to
trenching (up and down strokes were once taught in an effort to
avoid trenching); but, further such linear in and out strokes
provide better cleaning The bristles can bend and/or flex and move
little, yet still bring sufficient action to bear upon and clean or
dislodge debris. Accordingly, the device 20 hereof can, and in many
preferred implementations will be adapted to provide a defined
stroke that imparts either a single sided linear in-and-out or and
an alternating side-to side or top and bottom brushing, as shown in
FIGS. 7A, 7AA, 7B and 7BB, for example, with a first stroke 53 in a
first direction with a return in the opposite direction. And, in
some implementations with alternating motions (FIGS. 7AA, 7BB and
8), one brush assembly, e.g., assembly 26 moving in the first
direction 53 while a second brush head, e.g., assembly 27 is moving
with a second stroke 54 in the other direction (see particularly
FIG. 7BB). The alternating stroke (out-to-in of one assembly
simultaneously with in-to-out of the other assembly) can be
desirable for a variety of reasons, these reasons and exemplar
sub-assemblies adapted to provide such strokes are described
further below. It may be that approximately 650-850 strokes per
minute may provide the most effective results. Such speeds can be
highly desirable, particularly as the strokes provide enough time
for the bristles and particularly the bristle tips to react
resiliently to move from one location to another and then have
their bristle tips strike at debris trapped in a space, e.g.,
interproximal space 55 between the teeth, see e.g., teeth 56, 57
(FIGS. 4B and 4C) which debris might then be trapped at or near the
mid-point and thereby loosen the debris more efficiently with a
back and forth action so that the debris may be cleared therefrom.
Shorter strokes (less than or equal to about 0.25 inches) and
slower speeds such as these (650-850 strokes per minute as compared
with or opposed to 3 to 30 thousand (3-30 k) strokes per minute of
some conventional power brushes, e.g., so-called sonic brushes) are
also more gentle, providing massage-like contact as opposed to
dental drill-like, high-impact speeds.
[0038] In FIG. 7, particularly FIGS. 7A, 7AA, 7B and 7BB, an option
for moving the shafts in a vibratory motion in addition to the
linear reciprocation introduced above is shown by the addition of a
vibratory sub-system 60 thereto. In these examples, which are not
the only ways to achieve the effects hereof; the subsystem 60
including the electromagnet 61, poles 62 and coil 63 are position
adjacent a member 66 with electromagnetic elements 67 (67b shown,
67a not) on a connecting member 22b which connects to the motor 44
or other structure of the reciprocating sub-assembly or mechanism
45 to vibrate same about a pivot assembly 68, here shown by a pivot
block 68a to allow the shaft end 22a and/or 22c to vibrate in an
oscillatory fashion as shown and described relative to FIG. 2
above. This option is shown for all of FIGS. 7A, 7AA, 7B and 7BB,
and is not limitative of the options for providing linear
reciprocation together with a vibratory or oscillatory action such
as that shown in FIG. 2.
[0039] Note also, in some implementations, it may further be
desirable to optionally though not necessarily include use of a
dentifrice, tooth paste, flavor concentrate etc. To do this, the
dentifrice may be delivered with, i.e., added to the brush or brush
bristles in substantially conventional fashion and thus move with
the brushes into the user's mouth and thereby be applied to the
teeth and/or gums.
[0040] The respective brush assemblies 26 (, 27) introduced and
shown above, may be unitary appliances (e.g., the one brush head 30
including the side and crown brush portions 36a, 36b), or may as
shown in FIG. 3, be respective assemblies of one or more brushes,
as for example the brushes 26a and 26b of FIG. 3. Each of these
brushes may in turn, also as shown and described above, each
include arms 28a, 28b and heads 30a, 30b. Note, as identified in
FIG. 6A, it may be desirable to include a relief, reduction and/or
other curvature feature in the arm(s) 28 to avoid less desirable
impact of an arm 28 on/with the teeth in use. The heads 30a, 30b,
may also have respective head portions 36a, 36b (side, crown) (see
also FIG. 3) with respective drill holes (shown but not identified
in FIG. 6A) (side, crown) to receive respective tufts (side, crown)
of bristles 34, 35.
[0041] The respective brush assemblies 26 (, 27) may also include
respective brush bases 40 (see the respective assembled base 40 in
FIG. 3A as well as the parted components of bases 40 in FIGS. 6A,
6B and 6C) for connection of the respective brushes together,
and/or for connection of the brush assemblies to the control handle
21 and/or shaft(s) 22. The bases 40 may be initially separate
devices or may as shown in FIG. 6 be separate portions 40a, 40b and
40c formed as separate parts, portions 40a and 40b formed as
integral parts of the respective brushes 26a and 26b and portion
40c as a separate base piece. A variety of connection features 41
(e.g., posts and/or receiving holes therefor) may be included
within the various portions 40a, 40b and 40c to provide for the
connection of the brush portions 40a, 40b and 40c together. These
portions may then be connected by snap fit, snug fit, friction fit
or welded, e.g. sonically-welded, or glued or otherwise adhesively
or cohesively or otherwise put and held together.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 6B, and 6C, a push-button device 42 may be
included within the base 40 within its own slot 141 defined in one
or more of the base portions 40a, 40b and 40c. The push button 42
may preferably be spring-loaded counter the release direction, as
by a spring 43 (shown schematically in FIG. 6C) adapted to be
disposed in a spring feature 143 in the base 40. The push button
device 42 may have a push button surface 142a to be disposed
outside the base 40 and connected hereto, an internal structure
142c with a cutout feature or ring 142b here shown as a sort of
elliptical cutout. As shown in FIG. 6C, the push button device 42
may be engagable with the quill end 122 of a shaft 22, e.g. shaft
22a (see FIGS. 7A and 7B). The quill end 122 may have a slot or
notch 123 with inner and outer diameters 123id and 123od (FIG. 6C)
which together define the slot. Engagement as shown in FIG. 6C may
then be had when the edge of the cutout feature 142b clips into the
slot 123, and the spring 43 resiles back in the direction 144 under
its spring force.
[0043] Disengagement of the quill end slot 123 from the cutout
feature 142b may be effected by pushing on the push-button surface
142a in the direction 145 against the bias of the spring 43 which
then allows for the outer diameter 123od to enter and move through
the cutout feature 142b thereby allowing for removal of housing 40
and brush assembly 26 (or 27) from the shaft 22. Opposite
engagement may be had by pushing the housing 40 onto the shaft 22
such that the quill end thereof enters the cutout feature 142b and
the ramp surface 122r of the quill end engages the cutout feature
and causes movement thereof against the bias of and compressing or
otherwise deforming the spring 43 as the edge of the cutout feature
rides along the incline of the ramp until the slot 123 is reached
at which point the spring 43 pushes back against the push-button
device 42b to engage the edge of the cutout feature with the slot
as shown in FIG. 6C.
[0044] The tooth brush assemblies 26 (, 27) may thus be removably
mountable on the shaft(s) 22 and thereby replaceable if and/or as
they may be spent, or the assemblies 26 (, 27) may be
interchangeable so that each of a plurality of users may each also
have his/her own brush heads for sanitary reasons. Alternative
cleaning head assemblies may be interchangeably used herewith as
well. Or, different sizes may be made available (for plural or
singular users), e.g., smaller brushes can provide a better fit
around particular teeth, or for particular users, smaller brushes
perhaps being more comfortable as well, and/or providing fewer
bristles and thus reduce bristle interference.
[0045] Moving shafts for moving the cleaning heads 26 (, 27) will
now be described. For example, in FIGS. 7 (including FIGS. 7A, 7AA,
7B and 7BB), are depictions of isometric cut-away views of
alternative handles 21 of exemplary units 20 which each provide for
moving one or more cleaning assemblies 26 (, 27) on respective
shaft ends 22a, 22c of a connection assembly 25. More particularly,
the structural shaft ends 22a, 22c may be disposed in reciprocal
motive disposition in and emanating from the control handle 21.
Note, the shaft ends 22a, 22c may be relatively integral or
contiguous with or otherwise as shown and described above, may be
connectable with brush assemblies 26 (, 27). More particularly, as
shown, the brush assemblies 26 (, 27) may be disposed so that one
is adapted to move inward relative to the mouth while the other is
adapted to move outwardly. This is shown in FIG. 7BB, e.g.,
wherein, the brush 26 on end 22a moves or is moving inwardly
relative to the mouth (outward from the handle 21), see direction
arrow 53, while the brush 27 on end 22c moves outward relative to
the mouth (inward toward the handle 21), see direction arrow 54.
Then, in an opposite reciprocal movement, not directly shown, the
brush 26 on 22a moves outward mouth-wise direction, while the brush
27 on end 22c moves inwardly, in the opposing direction.
[0046] Inside the control handle 21 may be one or more control
assemblies 24 which may include conventional or unconventional
reciprocation hardware. As a first example, a direct current (DC)
motor 44 may be included to provide primary power to reciprocate
the brush head assemblies 26 (, 27). The motor 44 may activate a
mechanical system 45 such as a system of gears, to ultimately move
the cleaning head assemblies 26 (, 27). The system 45 may be a
double reciprocal/opposing movement like that described and shown
in FIGS. 7 which may include mechanisms like a crown gear 208
connected by a shaft to a reduction spur gear 209 which
communicates in gear meshing relationship with a double cam gear
203 (see FIGS. 7A, 7AA, 7B and 7BB). The DC motor 44 is adapted to
directly turn a pinion gear 210 which in turn, turns the crown gear
208 and thence gear 209 is turned and turns the cam gear 203 which
in FIGS. 7A and 7B is a single cam gear and in FIGS. 7AA and 7BB,
is a double cam gear 203. The gear 203 has one cam 204 in the
single cam example, or in the double cam example, respective cams
204, 205 one each on opposite sides of the gear 203 (see FIG. 7).
The upper first side cam 204, the double cam gear 203, and second
side cam 205 may be separate parts or may all be combined as one
piece. Structural shafts/arms 22a and optionally also 22c may be
attached to cam followers 206, 207. The single cam gear contacts
and moves a single cam follower 206 to drive the single shaft 22a
in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and the double-cam big gear 203 which may thus
by contact move the two cam followers 206, 207 to move in and out
the shafts 22a, 22c in FIGS. 7AA and 7BB relative to the power
handle 21. Thus, this causes either one or both the structural
shafts 22a, 22c to reciprocate in opposing directions and thereby
provide for alternating dispositions of the heads 26 (, 27), the
positions and directions being substantially and reversibly in
opposition such that at one moment, the heads are as shown, and
then they may be reciprocated such that they switch relative
positions inside the mouth. FIGS. 7AA and 7BB show one position
where the shaft 22a is further retracted within the handle 21 while
the other shaft 22c is extended. The shafts 22 thereby further
provide this reciprocatable linear movement to the brush head
assemblies 26 (, 27) to alternately move into and out of the oral
cavity in order to desirably clean the teeth and/or gums.
[0047] Note, in the first example the brush assembly 26 is
reciprocated alone; however, in the two head example of FIGS. 7AA
and 7BB, the two top heads 30a, 30b on the brush assembly 26 may as
shown preferably be reciprocated together and the optional other,
lower two heads 31a, 31b of the brush assembly 27 may be
reciprocated together in opposed relationship to the upper heads.
In many cases with devices 20, such alternate reciprocal moving
part implementations having respective opposing parts moving
contrary to each other may provide balance to the overall device.
In many implementations, the force balance of alternating
reciprocation can provide for a static handle at the same time as
the brushes are dynamically cleaning. In any two opposed brush
orientations, the opposing brushes may be moving substantially
simultaneously in opposite directions, one out while the other is
moving in and vice versa. Reciprocation of top and bottom (and/or
side to side or other arrangement) in opposite directions may
provide substantially simultaneous action and reaction in and out,
and this force action and reaction cancels each other out so that
net motive force on the handle 21 is substantially zero and the
handle 21 thereby remains stationary. The mechanical force
counterforce, i.e., the force(s) tending to push the brush heads
further in, or out of the mouth simultaneously provide at least a
reduction of the overall forces felt by the user who may then be
able to operate the device simply by and through the use of a
simple/minimal grasp of the handle 21 with the thumb and
forefinger. This overall action/reaction may also provide a further
advantage in the self-positioning described above, overcoming the
reciprocal brushing action to allow the brush head and bristle
design to achieve and maintain the desirable self-position (FIGS.
3, 4 and 5) unforced away therefrom by the motor driven
reciprocation. Also in these and/or other two (or more) brush
implementations, though at least two such brushes may move in
opposing reciprocation together, it may be possible to have
contrary alternating movements whether for relative top and bottom
movements contrary side versus side movements.
[0048] As mentioned above, the device 20 can provide alternating
brushing, with, as shown in FIG. 7AA and 7BB, a first stroke 53 in
a first direction with a second stroke 54 in the other direction.
And, approximately 650-850 strokes per minute may provide the most
effective results. Such alternating stroke speeds can be highly
desirable as the strokes may have enough time for the bristles to
react resiliently to move from one location to another and then
strike at debris trapped in a space, e.g., interproximal space 55
between the teeth, see e.g., teeth 56, 57 (FIGS. 4B and 4C) which
debris might then be trapped at or near the mid-point and thereby
loosen the debris more efficiently with a back and forth action so
that the debris may be cleared therefrom. Slower speeds such as
these can be also more gentle, providing massage-like contact as
opposed to dental drill-like, high-impact speeds. The slower speeds
here rely on accurate bristle positioning to obtain effectiveness,
and as a result, the brushes can reciprocate at a fraction of the
speed of other products, resulting in user enjoyment of a
comfortable massage with every use. Note, multiple or multi-speed
options may alternatively be made available in these or other
ranges of strokes per minute. In many cases, one speed is
acceptable, but optionally one or more slower speeds can be offered
particularly for beginners to become accustomed to the action.
Faster speeds may also be offered.
[0049] An assembly such as this may be adequate for twin
cooperative goals of efficaciously brushing the occlusial and
lingual-bucal surfaces of the teeth and gums (including gaps
between such surfaces and/or between the teeth and gums) while also
simultaneously brushing the aforementioned surfaces and also the
underlying gums. An aspect hereof may thus be the provision of an
improved powered toothbrush for simultaneously efficaciously
brushing the occlusial and the lingual bucal surfaces including any
gaps therebetween while simultaneously beneficially brushing the
teeth surfaces and also the underlying teeth/gums, the latter
benefit representing therapeutical prevention of periodontal
problems.
[0050] This action of the bristles as a result of the vibratory
impetus, briefly described above, may result in a beneficial
oscillatory effects of bristles themselves. It should be
understood, however, that while there may be significant advantages
of the toothbrush of the present developments is in its cleansing
effects, the toothbrush is capable of scrubbing action, which
removes plaque mechanically in those areas where the bristles
physically contact the dental plaque.
[0051] In addition to the above, the tooth brush may be constructed
so that the operating frequency of the bristles is below their
resonant frequency. Bristle movement may be typically 2-3 times
that of the resonance arm. This may facilitate driving the bristle
tips to the desired velocity without having to drive the coupling
elements, such as the resonance arm, the full amplitude of the
bristle tips.
[0052] From the foregoing, it is readily apparent that new and
useful implementations of the present invention have been herein
described and illustrated which fulfill numerous desiderata in
remarkably unexpected fashions. An assembly such as any of these
described herein may be adequate for twin cooperative goals of
efficaciously brushing the occlusial and lingual-bucal surfaces,
including gaps therebetween, while also simultaneously brushing the
aforementioned surfaces and also the underlying teeth and gums
thereby providing therapeutical prevention and/or treatment of
periodontal problems. It is, of course, understood that changes,
modifications, substitutions, alterations and adaptations as may
readily occur to the artisan confronted with this disclosure are
intended within the spirit of this disclosure which is limited only
by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *