CN101641031A - Cleaning equipment in improved mouthful - Google Patents

Abstract

Specific embodiment provide be used for contacting with the tooth of oral cavity cleaning, gum, tongue, face in toothbrush and/or other cleaning equipment of cheek and orthodontics appliance.Specific embodiment provides cleaning equipment in the mouth.This equipment comprises the shank portion that is used for keeping and controlling in the oral cavity cleaning equipment in the mouth.This equipment also comprises the cleaning head part, and this cleaning head partly comprises core and a plurality of cleaning elements that radially extend around this core, and this core is attached to shank portion.

Description

Cleaning equipment in improved mouthful

The cross reference of related application

The application advocates the U.S. Provisional Application No.60/987410 of application on November 13rd, 2007, the U.S. Provisional Application No.60/911899 of application on April 15th, 2007, the U.S. Provisional Application No.60/895683 of application on March 19th, 2007, the U.S. Provisional Application No.60/895669 of application on March 19th, 2007, the U.S. Provisional Application No.60/987409 of application on November 13rd, 2007, the U.S. Provisional Application No.60/979405 of application on October 12nd, 2007, and priority and the rights and interests of the U.S. Provisional Application No.60/911901 of application on April 15th, 2007, its full content is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical field

The present invention relates in general to the design and use of tooth and gum cleaning equipment.In more detail, the present invention relates to be used for the design and use of the improved toothbrush equipment of cleaning teeth, gum and/or orthodontics appliance.

Background technology

Fixedly the people of orthodontics appliance can not find that traditional toothbrush is enough to remove dental plaque.Yet, face unique challenges aspect the dental plaque of the positive odontopathy people who has a permanent plant (for example metal silk braid) around the dental plaque around these equipment of removal and tooth and gums or gum.It is normally unacceptable that dental plaque is removed degree among such patient because fixedly the existence of orthodontics appliance stoped traditional toothbrush arrive equipment around with the zone at following plaque build-up place.Therefore patient needs a large amount of manual dexterity to use traditional toothbrush suitably to remove dental plaque.The result of unsuitable dental care can comprise various forms of decayed teeth.Therefore, need a kind of toothbrush, this toothbrush can be stayed at home or the dental plaque that uses traditional toothbrush can not enter or be difficult to arrive is removed by dental care operation office.

In addition, the zone relates to dissimilar cleanings in the different mouths.Teeth different in mouthful can be benefited from different brush configurations with gingival position, this different position is position (for example adjoining between the proximal end face of tooth) between middle position (for example being positioned at along the curve of the dental arch middle part towards the front portion of jaw), terminal position (for example be positioned at apart from the front portion of jaw and the farthest at middle part, have tooth or dental surface), the proximal location dental surface of the Central Line of palate (for example towards), neighbour, interdental position (for example be or relate to relation between the proximal end face of tooth of identical dental arch) etc. for example.Gums or gum are divided into fringe region (for example around tooth), attachment area and interdental zone, and each zone relates to different exposures and enters factor.

Between current tooth brush be design with and with action like the dental floss cleansing phase by in the flat projection of promotion between tooth and the professional equipment between the cleaning teeth only.When positive tooth equipment is placed on the tooth, can insert between tooth and brush.Yet, brush the All Ranges that some effect is only arranged and can not arrive tooth and gum between such tooth aspect cleaning.In addition, such brush can not clean positive tooth equipment around and inner.Traditional near-end toothbrush is attempted outside teeth surfaces and because the existence of orthodontics appliance (for example facing) becomes not too effective, orthodontics appliance turns to bristle or pushes it to the next door, thereby stops or reduced at least in the inside of orthodontics appliance and affected tooth and gingival areas and cleaning on every side.

The U.S. patent No.5537708 of Luposello has disclosed a kind of known toothbrush that is used to clean orthodontics appliance, comprises the head with a plurality of upwardly extending bristles.Two elongated brush portions vertically cover a plurality of bristles above.Two elongated brush portions all comprise not attachment end and opposite end, and wherein attachment end is not used to be inserted in the handle that between the positive tooth wire and opposite end is connected to toothbrush.Luposello does not disclose any upwardly extending bristle that shows omnidirectional's cleaning capacity, do not disclose yet any on identical cleaning plane and flatly or the combined upwardly extending bristle of omnidirectional's cleaning section that vertically extends.

The U.S. patent No.4317463 of Massetti has disclosed another kind of known toothbrush, comprises the handle with cleaning part of at one end going up.This cleaning part comprises opposite side portion, and this opposite side portion has the one or more wipings handles that laterally extend between opposite side portion.Wiping is portion rotatable and comprises a plurality of bristles that extend between wiping portion.Massetti has described so rotatable wiping handle and has considered to use non-rotatable cleaning element.Rotatable cleaning element slides on the surface that will be cleaned, and this surface for example is tooth or orthodontics appliance surface.Rotation makes bristles bend rather than make their keep upright relatively.Crooked bristle does not arrive interdental recess and cleans completely.In addition, the rotation bristle forms around the curve of tooth rather than contact and cleaning teeth and surrounding tissue/space effectively.Further and have bigger elasticity, promptly the toothbrush of the holding element of elastically deformable is compared, and the rigidity sidepiece directed bristle between tooth, gum and orthodontics appliance of wiping handle that keeps having the bristle that laterally extends is not too effective.

Summary of the invention

Specific embodiment provide be used for contacting with the tooth of oral cavity cleaning, gum, face in toothbrush and/or other cleaning equipment of cheek, tongue and orthodontics appliance.

Specific embodiment provides cleaning equipment in the mouth.This equipment comprises shank portion, is used for keeping in the oral cavity and controlling cleaning equipment in the mouth.This equipment also comprises the cleaning head part that is attached to shank portion, and this cleaning head partly comprises two parallel legs, and every leg has from leg to the outstanding a plurality of cleaning elements of a plurality of directions.

Specific embodiment provides the toothbrush of the orthodontics appliance that is used for oral cavity cleaning and is associated.This toothbrush comprises elongated handle.Toothbrush also comprises the end that is connected to handle and the cleaning head that extends from an end of handle.Cleaning head comprises a plurality of cleaning elements that extend from the core of cleaning head, to form a plurality of circular basically layouts around this core.Cleaning head is arranged to the core that a plurality of length that have angle each other are provided.Each length comprises the cleaning element that is used in the zones of different of oral cavity cleaning teeth, tissue and orthodontics appliance.

Specific embodiment provides oral cavity and orthodontics appliance cleaning equipment.This equipment comprises handle.This equipment also comprises brush, and this brush comprises core and a plurality of circular basically bristle pattern that center on core from a plurality of bristles that core radially extends with formation.A plurality of bristles be arranged to by control handle with the guiding brush contact and auxiliary oral cavity cleaning in tooth, tissue and orthodontics appliance.Brush is arranged to from tissue and dental surface and the cleaning orthodontics appliance of tooth extension with backteeth back the contact oral cavity.

Description of drawings

When reading the following specific embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, will understand these and other feature of the present invention, aspect and advantage better, the identical in the accompanying drawings identical parts of Reference numeral representative.Embodiment shown in the figure only is used for illustrative purposes.Yet, should be appreciated that, the invention is not restricted to layout shown in the drawings and feature.

Fig. 1 shows the example in the oral cavity of the central authorities of hypodontia part in the stub area that comprises backteeth and oral cavity and stub area;

Fig. 2 has illustrated the example central authorities-tip cleaning device according to the embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3,4 and 5 has illustrated that central authorities-tip cleaning device according to the embodiment of the invention is with respect to the location in zone, oral cavity;

Fig. 6 has illustrated according to the adjusting of the neck portion of the cleaning equipment of the embodiment of the invention or inclination;

Fig. 7 has illustrated according to cleaning equipment in the example mouth of the embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8,9 and 10 has described the different views according to cleaning equipment head in the mouth of the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 11 shows the various application according to cleaning equipment in the mouth of the tooth that is used for oral cavity cleaning of the embodiment of the invention and gum;

Figure 12 has illustrated the configuration according to cleaning equipment in the mouth of the embodiment of the invention;

But Figure 13 has illustrated the arrangement according to cleaning equipment in the mouth of the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 14,15 and 16 has described according to cleaning equipment top configuration in the mouth of the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 17 shows multiple neck configuration according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 18 has illustrated according to cleaning equipment in the mouth that comprises two parallel unconnected legs of the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 19,20,21 and 22 shows a plurality of views according to the toothbrush that is increased to the torsion wire brush ring on the traditional toothbrush comprising of the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 23,24 and 25 has illustrated the different dental and the gingival areas of locating and entering the mouth according to the toothbrush that passes through to comprise the torsion wire brush ring that is increased on the traditional toothbrush of the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 26 has illustrated the example according to the torsion wire brush ring shape of the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 27 shows the removably attached torsion wire brush ring according to the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 28,29,30 has illustrated according to various attached to toothbrush body of the torsion wire brush ring of the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 31 has illustrated the multiple torsion wire brush ring configuration according to the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 32 has illustrated the modification toothbrush body according to the reception torsion wire brush ring of the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 33 shows the torsion wire brush ring example of structure according to the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 34,35,36,37 and 38 has illustrated the example torsion wire brush that is increased to toothbrush body and locatees with respect to main body according to the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 39 has illustrated the detachable mechanism that is used for the torsion wire brush is attached to toothbrush body according to the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 40 has illustrated the built-in end according to the torsion wire brush of the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 41 has illustrated the example that is attached to the auxiliary cleaning of teeth equipment on the toothbrush according to the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 42 has illustrated the example oral cleaning equipment according to the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 43 shows the exemplary variations in head and bristle design according to the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 44 has described the variation according to the top of the cleaning head of the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 45 shows the example according to the variation of angle in the cleaning head of the embodiment of the invention or bending;

Figure 46 has showed the variation according to the neck of the oral cleaning equipment of the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 47 shows the example according to the bending of the head of the embodiment of the invention and neck;

Figure 48 has illustrated the orientation according to the example brush of the embodiment of the invention; And

Figure 49 shows some examples according to the brush cross section of the embodiment of the invention.

The specific embodiment

Specific embodiment provides cheek cleaning equipment in tooth, orthodontics appliance, gums (gum), tongue and/or the face.Specific embodiment provides oral cleaning equipment, comprise a plurality of bristles of arranging the surface be used to contact tooth and gum, and around metal silk braid or other orthodontics appliance and motion and can be away from orthodontics appliance deflection below metal silk braid or other orthodontics appliance.Non-rotary cleaning element is more suitable for cleaning teeth, gum, other oral cavity tissue (for example cheek in tongue and the face) and orthodontics appliance, at least in part because cleaning element does not slide on the surface that will be cleaned.Specific embodiment provide be used for arriving between near-end, neighbour, cheek and orthodontics appliance in the tooth between the tooth and/or other zone, gum, tongue, face.For example, cleaning element can be used for cheek and gum in the cleaning teeth, tongue, face, and arrive between the wire of orthodontics appliance (for example facing) for example, the inside and/or on every side, otch and/or other zone.

Cleaning equipment can be constructed to comprise cleaning part or head and handle.Head can be connected by for example neck with handle.In a particular embodiment, use the traditional injection moulding forming technique to form cleaning equipment handle and head.In a particular embodiment, cleaning equipment can be by multiple parts manufacturing.Can by gluing, be connect, nail joint, heating shaping, fusion, welding etc. be attached to head with bristle and/or other cleaning element.For example can use single step or multistep injection mo(u)lding to handle jointly forms cleaning element, head and handle.

In a particular embodiment, can wait bristle and/or other cleaning element in the forming device head by the thermoplastic of wire silk thread, microfibre, for example copolymer or synthetic polymer (for example nylon or polyester fiber).According to oral cavity contact area, cleaning wearing and tearing and/or other standard of for example expectation, the thickness of bristle and/or other cleaning element and/or length can change.In different embodiment, can provide a plurality of cleaning elements of for example main, less important and/or omnidirectional's cleaning element.

In a particular embodiment, for example the brush of bristle or cleaning element contact facing for example orthodontics appliance around and following zone rather than be diverted and leave facing.In a particular embodiment, bristle arrive tooth around and/or the back to enter and to clean the part that is difficult to arrive of cheek and gum in tooth in the mouth, tongue, the face, cleaning dental plaque and other residue.Brush is arranged to from tooth and arrives with for example tissue of backteeth back and dental surface and cleaning orthodontics appliance the contact oral cavity.

In different configurations, angled U-shaped or V-arrangement that the cleaning element that forms in head part can be configured to basic or curve of approximation arc or be formed by core/neck, wherein bristle radially extends to form circular cleaning element basically around core/neck, and wherein a plurality of above-mentioned configurations will be described hereinafter.Core/neck is by attached or append on the handle.Can implement cleaning head with a plurality of angles.Cleaning head can be positioned at identical plane with the shank portion of equipment and/or place different planes (for example from handle with special angle upwards and stretch out).In a particular embodiment, can in head, introduce a plurality of angles in a plurality of planes of head part, to provide cleaning element.For example, the proximal part of head can be placed in and the essentially identical plane of head part, and the end portion of head with and the substantially parallel plane of end portion be inclined upwardly.

Provide a description the specific embodiment of the variation in the oral cleaning equipment design and use below in further detail.

Central authorities-tip cleaning device

Backteeth (being arranged in the tooth of mouth back) and relevant gum, and mouthful in the central authorities in hypodontia (be anodontia or not long teeth) district and/or the extremely difficult cleaning of stub area and thereby infect periodontosis easily.Use available toothbrush usually, even use the bristle of different bristle height and different angles outstanding, these zones that clean in the mouth also are challenging.The mode that brush and traditional toothbrush are designed between current tooth makes it can not clean these problem areas efficiently.Specific embodiment provides central authorities-tip cleaning device, and it is designed for improvement to the stub area of the end tooth of dentition (that is the layout of tooth in the mouth) and to the central authorities of tooth deficiency area and the cleaning of stub area.For illustrative purposes, Fig. 1 provides stub area and anodontia or the central authorities of hypodontia part and the example of stub area of backteeth in the mouth.

Central authorities-tip cleaning device 200 comprises 210, neck 220 and handle 230.210 comprise the core that has to the outstanding bristle of a plurality of directions, such as but not limited to make by plastics or elastomeric material, have bristle for example or the equipment of turning round metal plug, cylinder brush or other analogous shape of the similar cleaning element that extends with circular pattern basically from core.Fig. 2 shows some examples of central authorities according to a particular embodiment of the present invention-tip cleaning device equipment.As shown in Figure 2, equipment 200 has 210 district, 210 major axis perpendicular to handle 230 (being indicated by " A " in Fig. 2).210 district A is used to clean above-mentioned central authorities and stub area (for example as shown in Figure 3).210 also comprise a district (being labeled as " B " in Fig. 2), and this district helps to reduce the contact between tooth and the core and can be used in the lingual zone (for example tooth regions of close tongue as shown in Figure 4) of cleaning labial teeth.As shown in Figure 5, equipment 200 arrives between the end surface, the end surface near the gingiva tissue of the end surface of tooth and gingiva tissue and tooth of teeth.Equipment 200 also can be used for cleaning the surface of cheek in tongue and/or the face.Fig. 6 shows the neck portion 210 that the user can crooked cleaner apparatus 200, with help to enter the difficult region of tooth and gum and make brush teeth more comfortable.

In operation, for example the user catches the handle 230 of cleaning equipment 200 and uses a district A of 210 and district B arrives region of variation with cleaning teeth and gum.Bristle in 210 also allows to contact with tooth, with the cleaning tissue of back tooth surface and backteeth back for example.The cleaning of being convenient to be beneficial to the user is assisted in the configuration of bristle that the core around 210 radially extends and 210 distribution as district A and B shown in.

Cleaning equipment in mouthful

Specific embodiment provides the variation of cleaning equipment in the mouth.In mouthful cleaning equipment (MCD) 700 comprise 710, neck 720 and handle 730.710 comprise the core that has to the outstanding bristle of a plurality of directions, such as but not limited to metal plug.The equipment of other analogous shape that can make with for example cylinder brush or by rubber or plastic material replaces metal plug.

Fig. 7 illustrated have 710, the MCD700 of neck 720 and handle 730.Fig. 8,9 and 10 has described the different views of 710 shown in viewpoint a, the viewpoint b among Fig. 8 from Fig. 7 and the viewpoint c among Figure 10.Fig. 8,9 and 10 shows the different examples of MCD700 configuration.Bristle lengths can be unified or variable with for example help to enter better between the tooth, around the metal silk braid and the zone between tooth and the gum.Metal plug can be bent, and makes that bristle can be more easily near dental surface, interdental zone and gum.Figure 11 shows and is used to clean for example various application of the MCD700 of tooth and gum.

Neck 720 is connected to handle 730 with bristle part or 710.Figure 12 showed before brush 710 is embedded handle 730 and the two ends of metal plug can be joined to together.The two ends that Figure 13 shows metal plug can be embedded in the handle 730 separatedly.Figure 14 has illustrated the configuration of equipment 700, and wherein only an end 720 of metal plug 710 is embedded in the handle 730, and the other end can hold other cleaning of teeth equipment.In Figure 15, the toothbrush 740 between the neighbour is configured to have the top of loose end of the MCD700 of shorter bristle.Brush part 740 can and/or have different hardness and/or the bristle of length is made by for example thinner wire between the neighbour.Figure 16 illustrates the example of other annex cleaning equipment.Figure 17 shows neck 720 can be straight, curved or be bent with different dimensions and be connected to handle 730 with 710.For example, the length of neck 720 can change and can look extension as handle 730.As visible in can the commercial toothbrush of buying, handle 730 can be straight or curved to use being easy to.Figure 18 has illustrated the variation of MCD700, and wherein two parallel wire legs 712,714 do not connect on the top.

In a particular embodiment, the user can regulate or crooked 710 and/or neck 720 to realize the comfortable and/or efficient of his or her selection.710 wire part can comprise plastic jacket and/or other coating, for example to reduce uncomfortable and/or to take care of one's teeth or soft tissue when the contact.

In operation, for example, the user catches handle 730 and controls 710 to use a plurality of bristles that extend along 710 length to enter cheek and/or gum in tooth, tongue, the face in the oral cavity.710 configuration allow the user to enter and the neighbour of cleaning teeth between in the zone, gum, face in the orthodontics appliance in cheek and oral cavity and other zone on every side.

Torsion wire brush ring toothbrush

In a particular embodiment, to can the commercial toothbrush of buying increasing flexible torsion wire brush (WTB) ring to allow better and more easily to enter up and down the interior dental arch of backteeth and the back of rearmost backteeth.

In a particular embodiment, shown in Figure 19 and 20, WTB ring 1910 can be attached to head toothbrushes 1920.Figure 21 illustrates graphics.Indicated as Figure 19, ring 1910 can be configured to moving and can be conditioned with respect to a plurality of positions of brush 1920, thus the desired region in the contact opening.

In a particular embodiment, use finger pressure to encircle 1910 by easily crooked WTB.According to the position of WTB ring 1910, the specific region that can enter the mouth more easily.For example, as shown in figure 22, WTB ring 1910 allows to use a typical case of 1920 to brush teeth and not from the interference of ring 1910.As locating among Figure 23, WTB ring 1910 can enter the interior dental arch of upper and lower backteeth.In Figure 24, WTB ring 1910 is positioned to enter the rear surface of rearmost backteeth.As shown in figure 25, the bristle of WTB ring 1910 can be positioned to enter interdental interior corner.

Thereby, according to user's hobby and manual dexterity, can encircle 1910 position with the angular adjustment WTB that changes.

In a particular embodiment, can use finger pressure to change the shape of WTB ring 1910 three-dimensionally, with the hobby based on the user be lifted in the mouth cleaning with contact.Example has been shown among Figure 26.

In a particular embodiment, flexible WTB ring 1910 can be dismantled from its position on head toothbrushes 1920.As an example, in Figure 27, the top 1930 of ring 1910 can comprise attachment part or convex portion, and body of the brush 1920 can comprise that one or more acceptance divisions or concave portion 1940 are to receive ring top 1930.Recess 1940 can be adjustable, for example is used to receive the top 1930 of ring 1910.

Recess 1940 can be placed in the optional position on the body of the brush 1920.Recess or acceptance division can design by this way: make the position of WTB ring 1910 can be conditioned and be locked in the position of expectation.

Can the commercial toothbrush of buying for what be used for not having acceptance division or attachment point, WTB ring 1910 can be shaped as for example shown in Figure 28.Figure 29 illustrates the exemplary method of assembling.Can use the two ends 1930 of equipment 1910 that equipment 1910 is fixedly secured to plastic body 1920.Loose end 1930 is bent near plastic body 1910 to avoid and conventional interference of brushing teeth.

In a particular embodiment, the top 1930 of WTB ring 1910 can be fixedly embedded in the body of the brush 1920, is used to use by bending back and forth and stores and stop ring 1910 to come out with pipe ring 1910 not.Figure 30 shows the example for the shape on the top 1930 of the WTB ring 1910 that is lifted at the grappling in the main body 1920.

In a particular embodiment, WTB ring 1910 can be used independently and not with can be used in combination (for example seeing Figure 31) by the commercial toothbrush of buying.Can use with handle 1920 more than a WTB ring 1910, for example the wire brush ring in plastic handgrip.

As described, for example, in Figure 32, the main body of toothbrush 1900 or handle 1920 can be by modification receiving the end 1930 of WTB ring 1910, thereby WTB ring 1910 is positioned to brush 1900 zones of different.

In a particular embodiment, a plurality of similar equipment (core that for example has the laterally projecting thorn of unified and/or variable-length) can substitute WTB ring 1910.Flexible can being based upon in the material and/or modular construction that is used for ring itself.Figure 33 shows example.

In operation, for example, ring 1910 and head toothbrushes 1920 can be used in the zone in the cleaning mouth.The user can be with ring 1910 with respect to 1920 location with the rear surface that enters backteeth and the interior dental arch of upper and lower labial teeth.Wire brush ring 1910 can use to come cheek and orthodontics appliance in cleaning teeth, gum, tongue, the face by various location and motion together with brush 1920.

Cleaning of teeth equipment

In a particular embodiment, as shown in figure 34, torsion wire brush (WTB) 3410 can be added to can the main body 3420 of the commercial toothbrush of buying 3400 on.When not in use, WTB 3410 can be rolled-up or crooked and be remained on below the hook 3450 (for example indication of the position A among Figure 34, also shown in Figure 35) position near body of the brush 3420.When using brush 3410 the time, the user can take out brush 3410 (for example indicated by the B position among Figure 34).

The hook 3450 that can locate WTB 3410 at hook for 3450 times can be formed by the solid material of for example metal or plastics the plastic body identical materials of toothbrush (for example with).Figure 36 shows the example of hook 3450.

In a particular embodiment, WTB 3410 can be positioned in the optional position on the body of the brush 3420.Some examples are provided among Figure 37.

In a particular embodiment, body of the brush 3420 (for example plastic bruss main body or handle) can be by modification a little with the profile that reduces WTB 3410 and/or prevent when not using WTB 3410 interference that the typical case of WTB 3410 and the main consuming body bristle brushes teeth.As an example, Figure 38 has illustrated first embodiment and second embodiment, and WTB 3410 is positioned in the recess of main body 3420 or the place 3460 of sinking in first embodiment, and WTB 3410 is positioned in the back of the projection 3470 of main body 3420 in a second embodiment.

In a particular embodiment, the attachment means that WTB 3410 is attached to main body 3420 can be that fix and/or dismountable.In fixing mechanism, the no hair end of WTB 3410 is embedded in the toothbrush body 3420.In dismountable mechanism, WTB 3410 can be attached to main body 3420 (for example seeing Figure 39) by protruding/recessed connection.Can use other dismountable retention mechanism.

In specific optional embodiment, the built-in end 3430 (not having bristle) of WTB 3410 is fixed in the main body 3410 by mechanical ground anchor, thereby end 3430 is fixed when WTB 3410 quilts are crooked back and forth.Figure 40 shows example.

In a particular embodiment, with above-mentioned identical mode can be on can the commercial toothbrush of buying with the auxiliary cleaning of teeth equipment of other type.Figure 41 shows example.

In operation, for example, can use bristle on the body of the brush 3420 to come tooth, gum and other zone in the oral cavity cleaning.WTB 3410 can be positioned with between the tooth in the Clean-registered permanent residence extraly and on every side, cheek etc. in the orthodontics appliance, tongue, face.Thereby main body bristle and metal plug are helped each other each other so that cleaning completely to be provided.

Oral cleaning equipment

Specific embodiment provides oral cleaning equipment (OCCD), and it comprises head, neck and handle.

Figure 42 has illustrated the example OCCD 4200 according to the embodiment of the invention.OCCD 4200 comprises 4210, neck 4220 and handle 4230.4210 can make to the core of the outstanding bristle of a plurality of directions by having from core.

Figure 43 has illustrated 4210 and the variation of bristle design.Example, 4210 can be the equipment of distortion metal plug, cylinder brush or the analogous shape made by elastomeric material.Core can be inflexible or flexible to allow the shape of user's conditioning equipment.

Figure 44 has described the variation on 4210 top 4215.For example, top 4215 can be included in the plastic cap of 4210 end.For example, top 4215 can comprise along 4210 and around its continuous extra bristle.Top 4215 can comprise that the material different with the material that uses in the bristle 4217 is for example to provide contact surface and the cleaning structure different with 4210 main bristle 4217.

Figure 45 shows the example of the angle that helps clean that can comprise in 4210 or crooked variation.Neck 4220 is connected to handle 4230 with 4210.In a particular embodiment, neck 4220 can be flexible and tool is flexible slightly.Figure 46 shows the variation of neck 4220.The user can crooked OCCD 4200 comfortable and/or efficient with the selection that realizes the user of 4210 and neck 4220.Figure 47 shows some crooked examples.

In a particular embodiment, as visible in can the commercial toothbrush of buying, handle 4230 can be straight or curved to make things convenient for the user.

In a particular embodiment, 4210 wire part can comprise that plastic jacket or other coating are for example to reduce uncomfortable and/or to take care of one's teeth or soft tissue is avoided contact wiry.

In operation, OCCD 4200 can be used in the zones of different of oral cavity cleaning, includes but not limited to the zone between tooth.Different with brush between available tooth, OCCD 4200 covers than the more zone of single areas between teeth (for example seeing the explanation of Figure 45 toothbrush and tooth).OCCD 4200 also can cover the different piece in oral cavity simultaneously, for example BT, tooth and gum in the face.

When comparing OCCD 4200 and traditional toothbrush, wherein traditional toothbrush has plastic cap, this plastic cap only has the vertical outstanding bristle on a side of head, and from the built-in flexible infringement that helps to minimize to tooth of the OCCD of the wire head of distortion, this infringement for example is the wearing and tearing of the neck of tooth.

Many hardness brush

Specific embodiment provides many hardness brush.This brush comprises core and from the projection of core, this projection is extended to a plurality of directions from core.Example includes but not limited to the metal plug that twists.Can optionally cut bristle (or projection) and make brush provide to have the surface of the bristle of flexible and hardness in various degree.Figure 48 has illustrated the brush 4800 according to the bristle 4815 that has core 4810 and extend from core 4810 of embodiment.Figure 48 shows the orientation of brush 4800.Figure 49 shows some examples of brush cross section so that different length, thickness and direction to be shown.For example, brush can be used in the different piece of oral cavity cleaning more efficiently, and for example cheek, jaw and gum in the tooth, tongue, face are because brush has built-in different hardness, length etc.

In a particular embodiment, multiple-length/many hardness brush can be applied to above-mentioned one or more embodiment.

Here the example that illustrates only is provided for description and interpretation specific embodiment of the present invention.Can have other method to realize falling into the interior same target of the scope of the invention, and the example that illustrates does not limit equipment of the present invention and the method for realizing.

As a further example, the one or more embodiment that describe below can implement separatedly and/or make up enforcement with the cleaning equipment in the mouth that is provided for comprising cheek and orthodontics appliance in tooth, gum, tongue, the face.Described several designs and replace in the U.S. patent application No.11/559265 of application in 2006 11 about 13 days, the full content of this application is by reference in conjunction with therewith.

Presented the above-mentioned specific embodiment of the present invention for the purpose of illustration and description.And be not intended to exhaustive or limit the invention to disclosed concrete form, under above-mentioned teaching, can carry out modification and variation or can obtain modification and variation from the practice of the present invention.Select and described embodiment explaining principle of the present invention and its practical application, with the various modification of the specific use that helps those skilled in the art to use the present invention among the various embodiment and be suitable for considering.

Those skilled in the art are to be understood that the embodiment that explains can be applied to the formation of multiple oral cleaning equipment here.The special characteristic of the embodiment of the theme of advocating is illustrated as described herein; Yet, those skilled in the art are had many modification, replacement, change and equivalent.In addition, although describe the relation between several parts of appliance and the part of appliance in detail, those skilled in the art are to be understood that except other parts and/or embodiment, several described parts and/or embodiment can be combined and/or use, and/or the relation between additional features and/or the feature can be established and still consistent with the theme of advocating.Thereby, need to understand interior all such modification and the change of true spirit that appended claim is intended to cover the embodiment of the theme that falls into opinion.

Claims (20)

1. cleaning equipment in the mouth, described equipment comprises:

Shank portion is used for keeping in the oral cavity and controlling cleaning equipment in described mouthful; And

The cleaning head part is attached to described shank portion and comprises two parallel legs, and every leg has from described leg to the outstanding a plurality of cleaning elements of a plurality of directions.

2. equipment according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning head partly comprise two parallel leg joined portions, so that the curved cleaning head part with a plurality of length that comprise cleaning element to be provided.

3. equipment according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning head partly comprise a plurality of sections that the major axis about described equipment extends in a plurality of planes.

4. equipment according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning head part can be assigned to locate with respect to described shank by the user.

5. equipment according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning head partly comprise the major axis that is parallel to described shank portion cleaning head part first district and perpendicular to described cleaning head second district partly of the major axis of described shank portion.

6. equipment according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning head partly are arranged to angled with described shank portion and are arranged in the plane of separating with described shank portion.

7. equipment according to claim 1, described two parallel legs of wherein said cleaning head part further comprise two unconnected legs, every leg comprises core and a plurality of cleaning elements that radially extend around described core, and every leg all is attached to described shank portion.

8. equipment according to claim 7, wherein every leg comprises the top, described top comprises the cleaning element of second type different with the cleaning element of the first kind of extending from the longitudinal axis of described leg.

9. equipment according to claim 1, wherein said a plurality of cleaning elements comprise a plurality of bristles.

10. equipment according to claim 1, wherein said a plurality of cleaning elements have a plurality of length.

11. the toothbrush of an orthodontics appliance that is used for oral cavity cleaning and is associated, described toothbrush comprises:

Elongated handle; With

Be connected to an end of described handle and the cleaning head that extends from an end of described handle, described cleaning head comprises a plurality of cleaning elements that extend from the core of described cleaning head, to form a plurality of circular basically layouts around described core, described cleaning head is arranged to provide a plurality of sections that are connected of the core that has angle each other, and each section comprises the cleaning element of the zones of different that is used for oral cavity cleaning tooth, tissue and orthodontics appliance.

12. toothbrush according to claim 11, wherein said cleaning head comprise first district of the described cleaning head parallel with the major axis of described handle and second district of the described cleaning head vertical with the major axis of described handle, wherein said first district comprises cleaning element.

13. toothbrush according to claim 11, at least a portion of wherein said cleaning head are arranged to angled with described handle and are arranged in the plane of separating with described handle.

14. toothbrush according to claim 11, wherein the user can locate described cleaning head with respect to described handle.

15. toothbrush according to claim 11, wherein said a plurality of cleaning elements comprise a plurality of bristles.

16. toothbrush according to claim 11, wherein said a plurality of cleaning elements have a plurality of length.

17. toothbrush according to claim 11, described a plurality of sections of wherein said core form U-shaped or V-arrangement head basically.

18. an oral cavity and positive tooth cleaning equipment, described equipment comprises:

Handle;

Brush, comprise core and a plurality of bristles that radially extend from described core, to form a plurality of circular basically bristle pattern around described core, described a plurality of bristle be arranged to by control described handle with guide described brush and contact and auxiliary oral cavity cleaning in tooth, tissue and orthodontics appliance, wherein said brush is arranged to be crossed tooth and arrives with the tissue of backteeth back in the contact oral cavity and dental surface and with respect to orthodontics appliance and clean.

19. equipment according to claim 18, wherein said brush is arranged to U-shaped basically, has the bristle that extends along at least a portion of each length in three length that form described U-shaped.

20. equipment according to claim 10, wherein the length of the U-shaped on the end of described cleaning equipment and brush is positioned in the plane different with the plane of the described handle that comprises described cleaning equipment.

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