Full bristle area spraying and brushing combination

Abstract

A brush head of an oral cleaning device for cleaning teeth by combining brushing and spraying of a cleaning agent is provided. The brush head includes a bristle group for brushing teeth and a nozzle for spraying the cleaning agent. When the bristle group is actuated from a first configuration optimized for brushing to a second configuration optimized for spraying of the cleaning agent, at least a part of the bristle group moves away from the nozzle and / or moves away from the path of the cleaning agent when the cleaning agent is sprayed from the orifice of the nozzle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a brush head for an oral cleaning device for cleaning teeth by combining brushing and spraying of a detergent, and an oral cleaning device including a brush head for cleaning teeth by combining brushing and spraying of a detergent. Background Art

[0002] Combining a toothbrush with an oral irrigation nozzle for ejecting fluid is a valuable product proposition which aims to improve the cleaning of the teeth. The bristles of the toothbrush are used to brush the teeth, while the ejected fluid can be used, for example, to additionally clean the interdental spaces or the gums. Irrigators and micro-droplet devices are believed to perform interdental cleaning and provide interdental gum health as good as dental floss. Typically, the orifice of the irrigation nozzle is placed in the bristle area of ​​the brush. The ejection position is therefore instinctively clear and always in the brushing position. In the ejection position, the bristles are not provided to make room for the nozzle, but also to provide a free passage for the jet of ejected fluid, since clogged bristles would reduce ejection efficiency.

[0003] One disadvantage of this configuration is that a portion of the bristle area is sacrificed to make room for the nozzle and the ejection of fluid. This may reduce the brushing efficiency of the toothbrush. Alternative locations of the nozzle outside the brushing area (e.g., at the end of the tip of the brush head) may solve this problem, but make the use of the nozzle less intuitive because the nozzle is not in the brushing position perceived by the user. As a result, the brush head of the toothbrush is no longer comfortable to use.

[0004] For these reasons identified by the inventors of the present invention, it would be advantageous to have a brush head that combines brushing and spraying of cleaning agents and does not suffer from the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0005] WO 2011 / 094587 A1 discloses an oral care implement having a fluid dispensing system for dispensing an oral care fluid.

[0006] US 6 766 549 B2 discloses a toothbrush system with three-dimensional brushing action and fluid irrigation.

[0007] GB 2 067 396 A discloses a liquid storage toothbrush.

[0008] US 2007 / 174978 A1 discloses an electric toothbrush comprising a head containing a first bristle carrier that rotates or oscillates and further comprising a second bristle carrier that is movably connected to the head.

[0009] WO 2006 / 095222 A1 discloses a hydraulic system for driving a membrane brush head, the membrane brush head comprising bristles mounted thereon.

[0010] WO 2017 / 062033 A1 discloses an oral care implement comprising an elongated body including a head portion supporting a plurality of tooth cleaning elements, and a handle portion. Summary of the invention

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a brush head for an oral cleaning device having improved performance of brushing and spraying of cleaning agent.

[0012] The objects of the invention are solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims, wherein further embodiments are incorporated in the dependent claims.

[0013] The described embodiments similarly relate to a brush head for an oral cleaning device for cleaning teeth in combination with brushing and a spray of a cleaning agent, and an oral cleaning device including a brush head for cleaning teeth in combination with brushing and a spray of a cleaning agent. Synergistic effects may result from different combinations of embodiments, although they may not be described in detail.

[0014] According to a first aspect, there is provided a brush head for an oral cleaning device for cleaning teeth by combining brushing and spraying of a cleaning agent, the brush head comprising: a pressing plate having a first surface, a first bristle group extending from the first surface for brushing teeth, and a nozzle comprising an orifice for spraying a cleaning agent from the orifice in a direction away from the first surface of the pressing plate, wherein at least a portion of the first bristle group is movable relative to a path of the cleaning agent from the orifice, so that the brush head can be configured to adopt a first configuration and a second configuration, in which, in the first configuration, the path is at least partially blocked by at least a portion of the first bristle group, and in the second configuration, the path is free of the at least a portion of the first bristle group.

[0015] As used herein, the term "first configuration" may refer to the configuration of the brush head that is employed prior to using the brush head to brush teeth. Thus, the term "first configuration" is not intended to refer to the instantaneous coverage of the path by the bristles during brushing with the brush head. Similarly, the second configuration is not employed by the bristles that are momentarily exposed to the path during brushing with the brush head.

[0016] Each bristle of at least a portion of the first bristle set may have a base at which the bristle is hingedly mounted to the pressure plate. The hingeable mounting may allow the bristle to pivot on the path to adopt a first configuration and away from the path to adopt a second configuration.

[0017] For example, such an articulated mounting can be achieved by connecting the bristles to the pressure plate via bearings.

[0018] Each bristle of at least a portion of the first bristle group may for example be biased towards the nozzle so that the brush head is biased to adopt a first configuration. In this case, the second configuration may be adopted by pivoting each bristle against the bias.

[0019] Alternative ways of moving the bristles of the first bristle group relative to the path are also conceivable, as will be explained further below.

[0020] According to a second aspect, a brush head for an oral cleaning device for cleaning teeth in combination with brushing and the spraying of a detergent is provided. The brush head comprises: a pressure plate having a first surface, a first bristle group extending from the first surface for brushing teeth, and a nozzle comprising an orifice for spraying a detergent from the orifice toward the direction of the first surface away from the pressure plate. The brush head is configured to move at least a portion of the first bristle group away from the nozzle, and / or away from the path of the detergent when the detergent is sprayed from the orifice, and / or from the first configuration to the second configuration away from the path of the orifice when the nozzle is activated for the spraying of the detergent from the orifice. The brush head is configured to move at least a portion of the first bristle group toward the nozzle, and / or toward the path of the detergent, and / or from the second configuration to the first configuration toward the path of the orifice when the nozzle is deactivated for the spraying of the detergent from the orifice.

[0021] The brush head uses a combination of brushing and spraying of a cleaning agent to brush teeth. The brush head includes a press plate, wherein a nozzle and one or more bristle groups are positioned at a first face of the press plate. The second face can be positioned on the opposite side of the press plate. Each bristle group includes bristles and a connecting element that connects the bristles to the press plate. The bristles can include a single bristle filament, but it can also include multiple bristle filaments that can be arranged and combined together into one or more bristle tufts. Each bristle group is connected to the press plate and extends from the surface of the press plate. The bristles can be connected to the press plate via a bearing. The nozzle for spraying a cleaning agent is positioned adjacent to the bristle group or between multiple bristle groups. The sprayed cleaning agent can be used for flushing of the oral cavity and teeth, in particular, flushing of the interdental space or gums, so in addition to brushing, it also helps to clean the teeth. As a cleaning agent, water with or without additives for cleaning can be used, but any other type of liquid, gas or even solid fluid or material can also be used, which can be sprayed through the nozzle. The cleaning agent can be sprayed from the nozzle in a direction substantially the same as the extension direction of the bristle group away from the press plate surface. Therefore, the bristles are configured so that they can be in a first configuration and a second configuration, and they can be actuated from the first configuration to the second configuration, and vice versa. When the nozzle is actuated for the injection of detergent, when the first bristle group is actuated from the first configuration to the second configuration, at least a portion of the first bristle group moves away from the nozzle. Alternatively or additionally, this portion of the first bristle group can move away from the path, and when the detergent is injected from the orifice of the nozzle, the detergent propagates along the path. The bristles can also move away from the path, and when the detergent is injected from the orifice, at least a portion of the nozzle or the orifice propagates along the path. When the nozzle is deactivated for the injection of detergent, when the first bristle group is actuated from the second configuration to the first configuration, the first bristle group moves back to its initial position toward the nozzle and / or toward the path of the detergent and / or toward the path of the orifice. The actuation of the bristles from the second configuration back to the first configuration can be achieved by elastic force, for example, by a spring or by the elastic reversible movement of the bristles or bristle bearings.

[0022] In one embodiment, the nozzle is configured to spray the cleaning agent along a path away from the platen, and the brush head is configured to at least partially block the path in a first configuration and to clear the path in a second configuration.

[0023] In the first configuration, the bristles or at least a portion of the first bristle group at least partially block the path of the sprayed cleaning agent or the orifice of the nozzle. The bristles can be arranged so that their distal ends form a dense and regular bristle area, without including an opening of the bristle area at the location of the nozzle. When the bristles are actuated from the first configuration to the second configuration, the bristle area is opened to clear the path in front of the nozzle, along the path of the sprayed cleaning agent or the direction of the orifice. Therefore, the path is free of bristles and it is cleared for the jet of the sprayed cleaning agent.

[0024] In one embodiment, the brush head is configured for brushing teeth in a first configuration, and the brush head is configured for spraying a cleaning agent in a second configuration.

[0025] In a first configuration, the bristles are positioned so that the brush head is optimized for brushing teeth, and the bristle area extends across the entire length of the bristle area, in particular the entire length of the brush head and does not include spaces without bristles. Therefore, efficient brushing can be performed. In a second configuration, the bristles are actuated so that the path of the sprayed detergent is cleared and the bristles do not block the path. Therefore, the jet of detergent is enabled along the path from the orifice of the nozzle. The bristles are optimized for brushing when not spraying, but the brush head of this embodiment makes way for the jet of detergent to open the bristle area during the jet burst. The additional movement of the bristles during the jet burst can have an additional cleaning effect at or around the jet position.

[0026] In one embodiment, the brush head is configured to actuate the first bristle set from the first configuration to the second configuration by moving at least a portion of the nozzle away from the platen.

[0027] In one embodiment, the nozzle is configured to change its geometry for ejecting cleaning agent, and the first bristle group is configured to be actuated from the first configuration to the second configuration by changing the geometry of the nozzle. The first bristle group is configured to be pushed away by the nozzle, and / or the first bristle group is positioned on the variable geometry of the nozzle and is configured to move with the change of the geometry of the nozzle.

[0028] The bristles can be placed close to the spray orifice by placing them around the orifice, at an angle to the orifice opening, or even on the orifice itself. In this way, the tip of the bristles can be used to clean at the location of the nozzle when spraying is not occurring. The change in the geometry of the nozzle can be achieved by, for example, selecting an elastic material for the nozzle, such as rubber, such as silicone rubber, or by design, such as harmonica or telescopic expansion, or by both. When the detergent is sprayed in the jet, the orifice or other element of the nozzle expands mechanically. Therefore, the expansion is driven by the pressure of the detergent, which increases to produce a jet burst. The expansion moves the bristles away from the path of the jet through contact between the bristles and the expansion element of the nozzle. A nozzle that expands when internally pressurized is a duckbill valve, which is a suitable orifice design for this embodiment. The nozzle expands its size during the jet burst, while pushing or moving the bristles away from the path of the detergent jet.

[0029] The bristles can also be integrated into the nozzle itself, such as a flexible duckbill tip, so that the bristles are not connected to the platen directly or by means of a bearing, but the bristles are connected to the platen via a flexible nozzle. In this way, the expansion of the nozzle will cause the bristles to move with the nozzle and clear the path in front of the nozzle.

[0030] The nozzle may also be located on the balloon or be part of the balloon. The first bristle group may also be located on the surface of the balloon. The balloon may stretch when the cleaning agent is ejected from the orifice. This stretching of the balloon may cause at least the top of the bristles to change in geometric arrangement relative to the orifice of the nozzle. Therefore, the top of the bristles may clear the path of the cleaning agent ejected from the orifice.

[0031] The orifice may also be a rigid orifice that does not change its geometry upon ejection of the detergent jet. In this embodiment, the detergent ejected from the orifice of the nozzle clears the path of the detergent or the path of the orifice. The bristle area is opened and the path clearing may be performed by the jet itself, which may push the bristles away from the jet. By using appropriate bristle design and / or an elastically flexible material for the bristles or bristle bearings that are flexible enough to easily bend the bristles away, possible interference with the jet due to contact with the bristles can be limited. Contact with the bristles can be used to shape the jet, such as a spray sheet, to provide good cleaning efficiency.

[0032] In one embodiment, the brush head further comprises: a flexible flap located between the nozzle and the first bristle group, and the orifice of the nozzle is oriented toward the flexible flap so that the flexible flap is configured to transfer momentum of the cleaning agent ejected from the orifice to the first bristle group.

[0033] To reduce disturbance of the jet and / or to shape the jet, the bristle group may be lined with flexible flaps. The smooth surface of the flexible flaps disturbs the jet less than the bristles. The flexible flaps may be moved and pushed away from the jet by the cleaning agent ejected from the orifice, and the bristles are pushed away by the flexible flaps.

[0034] The brush head includes an actuator configured to actively actuate the first bristle set from a first configuration to a second configuration.

[0035] The bristle area covering the nozzle is opened and closed by an actuator, which can also be actuated independently of the nozzle. The actuator can be synchronized with the jet ejected from the nozzle to open and close the orifice at the correct time. Therefore, the jet of cleaning agent is not disturbed and the energy of the jet is not lost by moving the bristles or changing the geometry of the nozzle.

[0036] In one embodiment, a separate actuator bends the angled bristles just before the jet burst arrives, and bends them back when not jetting.

[0037] In one embodiment, the actuator is an electrically driven actuator, or the actuator is driven by the pressure and / or flow of the cleaning agent in the conduit that delivers the cleaning agent to the nozzle.

[0038] The actuator can be, for example, a motor or another electromagnetic device that uses an electrical pulse or current to actuate the bristles from a first configuration to a second configuration, and vice versa. The driving actuator can also be achieved by using the flow of the detergent and / or the pressure generated when the detergent flows through the pipe to the nozzle. The detergent actuates the actuator before being ejected through the orifice of the nozzle. In this way, the bristles are moved when the jet is activated, so they are automatically opened and closed at the right time. In order to utilize the pressure of the detergent, the actuator can be a balloon actuator that deforms when the pressure of the detergent increases. When the detergent is forced through the conduit, a smaller expandable portion of the conduit wall can be used to form a balloon. This deformation moves the bristles away from the jet. In another embodiment, the maximum deformation can be kept very small because only a small expansion is required to tilt the bristles, such as by expanding into a preformed expansion chamber. Therefore, the reduction in the injection pressure will not be significant. In order to use the flow of the detergent, the bristles can be connected to an actuator that actuates when the jet flows through it. For example, the base of the bristles is elastically connected to the wall of the conduit and the cleaning agent passes through the wall into the interior of the conduit. The flow force of the cleaning agent in the conduit may cause the bristles to tilt at the beginning of the flow. When the cleaning agent is forced through the conduit, it pushes the base of the bristles in the direction of flow and causes the bristles near the jet opening to rotate away from the orifice of the nozzle. Therefore, the jet of cleaning agent is hardly disturbed by any disturbance, and the energy of the jet is not lost when moving the bristles.

[0039] In one embodiment, the first bristle set includes first bristles and a first bearing connecting the first bristles to the platen, and the first bearing is made of a resilient material and / or includes a hinge for facilitating actuation of the first bristle set from a first configuration to a second configuration.

[0040] The flexibility that enables the bristles to be actuated from a first configuration to a second configuration may also come from the design of the connection of the bristle group to the pressure plate. The bristle group may include: a bearing that connects the bristles to the pressure plate. The bearing may be made of a material that is easily deformed, or it may even include an articulated joint, which enables the bristles to be easily rotated away from the nozzle. When the spraying stops, a spring-like elastic element may be used to actuate the bristles from the second configuration back to the first configuration. As an alternative, the portion of the bristles that is closer to the pressure plate may be made of a more elastic material than the portion of the bristles that is farther away from the pressure plate, so that the more elastic portion may serve as a bearing that allows movement from the first configuration to the second configuration.

[0041] In one embodiment, the brush head further comprises a second bristle group extending from the first side of the pressure plate for brushing teeth and comprising: second bristles and a second bearing connecting the second bristles to the pressure plate. The first bristle group is positioned closer to the nozzle than the second bristle group, and the second bearing is configured to provide a more rigid connection to the pressure plate than the first bearing.

[0042] The brush head may also include one or more second bristle groups that are not configured to be actuated. They may be rigidly or at least more rigidly connected to the pressure plate of the brush head than the first bristle group. Since the second bristle groups may be positioned further away from the nozzle, they will not contribute to the coverage of the nozzle. Therefore, there is no need to actuate them. These second bristle groups contribute to providing a dense bristle area of ​​the brush head in the first configuration.

[0043] In one embodiment, the nozzle has a temporarily extendable portion, an orifice for spraying cleaning agent is located at the top end of the temporarily extendable portion of the nozzle, the nozzle with the temporarily extendable portion is configured to extend the length of the nozzle when spraying cleaning agent from the orifice of the nozzle, and the temporarily extendable portion of the nozzle is configured to actuate the first bristle group from a first configuration to a second configuration.

[0044] Instead of or in addition to moving bristles out of the way to clear the path of the sprayed cleaning agent or the path of the orifice, the position of the orifice may be changed to spray the cleaning agent.

[0045] The first exemplary variant of this embodiment can use a telescopic nozzle formed by a rigid element. The telescopic nozzle with at least two rigid and easy-to-slide telescopic elements is used to maximize the use and main functions of the bristle area, that is, bristle coverage and bristle dynamics, for efficient cleaning. The retractable nozzle driven by the detergent can be integrated in the brush head press plate, between the bristles. Once the injection is activated, the retractable elements are ejected from the press plate to form a nozzle. Once the injection is stopped, the telescopic element is either passively, such as by bristle movement or gravity, or actively, such as if the telescopic element is connected to a spring or elastic element, is pulled back into the press plate. The second variant can use an ultra-thin extendable elastic film nozzle with a self-opening / closing pinhole. The film can be integrated in the press plate, between the bristles. The pressure of the detergent forces the film to stretch by erecting or unfolding. The ultra-thin film can be regarded as a bristle lining element, and ejects the press plate to form a nozzle. Then, the ultra-thin film nozzle can adapt to the bristle layout and conform to the adjacent pattern of the bristles. In order to be able to push the membrane through the bristles more easily, special coatings or lubricants can be applied to the bristles that are close to the membrane and / or the expandable membrane. The membrane can also be made of a low-friction material, such as rubber or fluororubber coated with silicone oil. Since the adjacent bristle layout can limit the lateral expansion of the membrane, the nozzle geometry can be determined in part by the effective and directional stiffness of the bristle layout. If the pressure and injection of the cleaning agent are stopped, the elastic membrane nozzle can bounce back to its initial shape. In this embodiment, the nozzle extends at each jet burst, in this way making way for the jet and eventually pushing away the open bristles that interfere with the jet. The nozzle orifice can be made of a hard material to control the injection characteristics very well, and there is no need to integrate a hinge function into the bristles. In addition, in this embodiment, no permanent nozzle is required in the bristle area.

[0046] According to another aspect, an oral cleaning device is provided. The oral cleaning device includes a brush head and a supporting unit.

[0047] The brush head may be connected to a support unit. The support unit may serve as a handle, which a user of the oral cleaning device may hold and guide. The support unit may include a drive unit for enabling the brush head to perform a brushing motion, and it may also include a tank containing a cleaning agent and a pumping mechanism for pumping the cleaning agent to the nozzle. The support unit may also include a mechanism for activating the spraying of the cleaning agent and a mechanism for activating the actuator to move the bristles.

[0048] Activation of the nozzle may include a change in nozzle geometry. This change in geometry may be caused by the sprayed cleaning agent and may result in misalignment of the bristles as the bristles contact at least a portion of the nozzle and move as the nozzle geometry changes. The actuator may be driven by the cleaning agent before or after the cleaning agent is sprayed from the orifice, or it may be driven independently of the cleaning agent.

[0049] The first configuration may be employed prior to brushing, in which case obstruction of the path by the first bristle group may help to improve brushing efficiency during brushing.

[0050] The benefits provided by any of the above aspects apply equally to all the others, and vice versa.

[0051] In summary, the present invention relates to a brush head for an oral cleaning device for cleaning teeth in combination with brushing and spraying of a cleaning agent. The brush head includes a bristle group for brushing teeth and a nozzle for spraying a cleaning agent. When the bristle group is actuated from a first configuration optimized for brushing to a second configuration optimized for spraying a cleaning agent, at least a portion of the bristle group is moved away from the nozzle and / or away from the path of the cleaning agent when the cleaning agent is sprayed from the orifice of the nozzle.

[0052] The above aspects and embodiments will become clear and elucidated with reference to the exemplary embodiments described below. Exemplary embodiments will be described below with reference to the following drawings: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] Figure 1 Schematic arrangements of brush heads of first and second configurations according to a first exemplary embodiment are shown.

[0054] Figure 2 Schematic arrangements of brush heads according to first and second configurations of a second exemplary embodiment are shown.

[0055] Figure 3 A schematic arrangement of two examples of a brush head according to a third exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0056] Figure 4 Schematic arrangements of brush heads according to fourth and fifth exemplary embodiments are shown.

[0057] Figure 5 A schematic arrangement of a brush head according to a first configuration of a sixth exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0058] Figure 6 Schematic arrangements of brush heads of first and second configurations according to a seventh exemplary embodiment are shown.

[0059] Figure 7 Schematic arrangements of brush heads of first and second configurations according to an eighth exemplary embodiment are shown.

[0060] Figure 8 Schematic arrangements of brush heads of first and second configurations according to a ninth exemplary embodiment are shown.

[0061] Fig. 9Schematic arrangements of brush heads of first and second configurations according to a tenth exemplary embodiment are shown.

[0062] Fig.10 A schematic arrangement of an oral cleaning device including a brush head and a supporting unit is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] Figure 1 Schematic arrangements of a brush head 100 for an oral cleaning device according to a first configuration and a second configuration of a first exemplary embodiment are shown. A press plate 170 includes a first face 171. On the first face, a first bristle group 110 having first bristles 111 is connected to the press plate 170 and extends from the first face. A nozzle 140 is located near the first bristle group 110 and includes an orifice 141 for spraying a cleaning agent 150 in a direction away from the first face 171 of the press plate 170. The left figure shows a first configuration in which the bristles 111 cover the nozzle 140; the right figure shows a second configuration in which the bristles 111 are moved to one side by an opening movement of the nozzle, and the cleaning agent 150 is sprayed from the orifice 141 of the nozzle 140 along a path 142. In other words, at least a portion of the first bristle group 110 (in this example, the top of the bristles) is moved away from the path 142 of the cleaning agent 150 when the cleaning agent 150 is sprayed from the orifice. The nozzle 140 is activated to spray the cleaning agent 150, expands its cross section, and pushes the tips of the bristles from the first configuration to the second configuration. When the spraying of the cleaning agent 150 stops, the nozzle is deactivated and reduces its cross section so that the tips of the bristles can elastically return from the second configuration toward the path 142 of the cleaning agent 150 to the first configuration, where the cleaning agent 150 has been sprayed.

[0064] Figure 2 Schematic arrangements of a brush head 100 according to a first configuration and a second configuration of a second exemplary embodiment are shown. Figure 1 However, in this embodiment, the first bristle group 110 is mounted on the nozzle 140. The opening of the nozzle 140 in the right figure removes the first bristles 111 and clears the path 142 for spraying the cleaning agent 150.

[0065] Figure 3 Schematic arrangements of two examples of a brush head 100 according to a third exemplary embodiment are shown. In the left figure, an example outside the claimed invention is shown, where bristles 111 are pushed away by a jet of cleaning agent 150 ejected from a nozzle 140. In the right figure, an additional flexible flap 155 lining the first bristles 111 is depicted, which serves to transfer force from the jet of cleaning agent 150 to the first bristles 111.

[0066] Figure 4Schematic arrangements of brush heads 100 according to fourth and fifth exemplary embodiments are shown. The first bristle group 110 includes a bearing 112 connecting the first bristles 111 to the pressure plate 170. The bearing can be made of an elastic or deformable material, as shown in the left figure, or it can include a hinge 180, as shown in the right figure. Alternatively, a portion of the bristles near the pressure plate can be made of a more elastic material than other portions of the bristles, so that the bristles can bend at these more elastic portions.

[0067] Figure 5 A schematic arrangement of a brush head 100 in a first configuration according to a sixth exemplary embodiment is shown. An actuator 160 is connected to a hinge 180. The actuator is configured to actuate the first bristle group 110 from the first configuration to the second configuration so that the cleaning agent 150 can be sprayed in front of the nozzle 140 along the path 142. The actuator can be driven by the flow or pressure of the cleaning agent 150, or by electricity. Alternatively, the actuator can be driven by manual activation of the user, for example by actuating a lever at the toothbrush handle.

[0068] Figure 6 Schematic arrangements of the brush head 100 in the first and second configurations according to the seventh exemplary embodiment are shown. The actuator 160 is driven by the pressure of the cleaning agent 150 in the conduit 165. When the conduit is pressurized, the actuator 160 in the form of a small elastic balloon expands and pushes against the first bearing 112 of the first bristle group 110, as can be seen in FIG. Figure 6 Cleaning agent 150 can be sprayed through orifice 141 of nozzle 140 through cleaned path 142. Any other pressure expandable element can be used instead of the balloon.

[0069] Figure 7 A schematic arrangement of a brush head 100 according to a first configuration and a second configuration of an eighth exemplary embodiment is shown. The actuator 160 is driven by the flow of a detergent 150 in a conduit 165. The bristles of the first bristle group 110 pass through the wall of the conduit 165 within a first bearing 112 and extend into the detergent 150. In this embodiment, the bristles must be harder than the bearing so that the detergent 150 acting on the bristle portion in the conduit can move the bristle portion outside the conduit, i.e., the bristle portion extending from the pressure plate. When the jet is ejected through the nozzle 140, the flow of the detergent 150 exerts a force on the lower portion of the bristles or the bearing 112 of the first bristle group 110, and moves the bristles away from the nozzle 140 to clean the path 142.

[0070] Figure 8Schematic arrangements of the brush head 100 of the first and second configurations according to the ninth exemplary embodiment are shown. The nozzle 140 is a telescopic nozzle, which is integrally formed with the pressure plate 170 and is telescopically extended when the cleaning agent 150 is sprayed through the telescopic nozzle. The nozzle 140 can push the bristles of the first bristles 110 or even the splayed bristles apart when extended, and provide an undisturbed jet of the cleaning agent 150 in close proximity to the teeth.

[0071] Fig. 9 Schematic arrangement of a brush head 100 according to a first configuration and a second configuration of a tenth exemplary embodiment is shown. The nozzle 140 of this embodiment is a retractable nozzle made of an elastic film. When the cleaning agent 150 is sprayed through the nozzle 140, the retractable nozzle expands or closes. The first bristle group 110 adjacent to the retractable nozzle may be lined with a low friction coating 190 so that the nozzle 140 can extend smoothly.

[0072] Fig.10 A schematic arrangement of an oral cleaning device 1100 is shown comprising a brush head 100 and a support unit 1200. The support unit 1200 may be a handle and it may include a drive unit 150 for the brushing motion of the brush head, a tank 150 containing a cleaning agent and a pumping mechanism for pressurizing the cleaning agent 150.

[0073] Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such description and illustration should be considered illustrative or exemplary rather than restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments may be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0074] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

[0075] List of reference numerals:

[0076] 100: Brush head according to the first embodiment

[0077] 110: First bristle group

[0078] 111: First Brush

[0079] 112: First bearing

[0080] 120: Second bristle group

[0081] 121: Second bristle

[0082] 122: Second bearing

[0083] 140: Nozzle

[0084] 141: Orifice

[0085] 142: Path

[0086] 150: Cleaning agent

[0087] 155: Flexible wing

[0088] 160: Actuator

[0089] 165: Catheter

[0090] 170: Pressure plate

[0091] 171: Side 1

[0092] 180: Hinge

[0093] 190: Coating

[0094] 200: Brush head according to the second embodiment

[0095] 300: Brush head according to the third embodiment

[0096] 400: Brush head according to the fourth embodiment

[0097] 500: Brush head according to the fifth embodiment

[0098] 600: Brush head according to the sixth embodiment

[0099] 700: Brush head according to the seventh embodiment

[0100] 800: Brush head according to the eighth embodiment

[0101] 900: Brush head according to the ninth embodiment

[0102] 1000: Brush head according to the tenth embodiment

[0103] 1100: Oral cleaning device

[0104] 1200: Support unit

Claims

1. A brush head (100) for an oral cleaning device (1100) for cleaning teeth in combination with brushing and spraying of a cleaning agent (150), the brush head (100) comprises: a pressing plate (170) having a first surface (171), a first bristle group (110) extending from the first surface (171) for brushing the teeth, a nozzle (140) including an orifice (141) for spraying the cleaning agent (150) from the orifice (141) in a direction away from the first surface (171) of the pressing plate (170), and an actuator (140, 155, 160) for moving at least a part of the first bristle group (110) relative to the cleaning agent (150) out of the path (142) of the orifice (141), such that the brush head (100) can be configured in a first configuration and a second configuration, in the first configuration, the path (142) is at least partially blocked by at least a part of the first bristle group (110), and in the second configuration, the path (142) is not blocked by at least a part of the first bristle group (110).

2. The brush head (100) according to claim 1, wherein the brush head (100) is configured to brush the teeth in the first configuration, and wherein the brush head (100) is configured to spray the cleaning agent (150) in the second configuration.

3. The brush head (100) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the actuator further comprises a flexible flap (155) located between the nozzle (140) and the first bristle group (110), and wherein the orifice (141) of the nozzle (140) is oriented towards the flexible flap (155) such that the flexible flap (155) is configured to transfer the momentum of the cleaning agent (150) sprayed from the orifice (141) to the first bristle group (110).

4. The brush head (100) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the nozzle (140) is configured to change the geometry of the nozzle (140) for spraying the cleaning agent (150).

5. The brush head (100) according to claim 4, wherein the first bristle group (110) is configured to be actuated from the first configuration to the second configuration by the change in the geometry of the nozzle (140).

6. The brush head (100) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the first bristle group (110) is configured to be pushed away by the nozzle (140).

7. The brush head (100) according to claim 6, wherein the brush head (100) is configured to actuate the first bristle group (110) from the first configuration to the second configuration by moving at least a part of the nozzle (140) away from the pressing plate (170).

8. The brush head (100) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5, and 7, wherein the first bristle group (110) is positioned on the variable geometry of the nozzle (140) and is configured to move as the geometry of the nozzle (140) changes.

9. The brush head (100) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5, and 7, wherein the nozzle (140) has a temporarily extensible portion, wherein the orifice (141) for ejecting the cleaning agent (150) is located at the tip of the temporarily extensible portion of the nozzle (140), and wherein the nozzle (140) having the temporarily extensible portion is configured to: extend the length of the nozzle (140) when ejecting the cleaning agent (150) from the orifice (141) of the nozzle (140), and wherein the temporarily extensible portion of the nozzle (140) is configured to: actuate the first bristle group (110) from the first configuration to the second configuration.

10. The brush head (100) according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (160) is an electrically driven actuator, or wherein the actuator (160) is driven by the pressure and / or flow of the cleaning agent (150) in the conduit (165) to deliver the cleaning agent (150) to the nozzle (140).

11. The brush head (100) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5, 7, and 10, wherein the first bristle group (110) includes first bristles (111) and a first bearing (112) connecting the first bristles (111) to the pressure plate (170), and wherein the first bearing (112) is made of an elastic material and / or includes a hinge (180) for facilitating the actuation of the first bristle group (110) from the first configuration to the second configuration.

12. The brush head (100) according to claim 11, wherein the brush head (100) further includes a second bristle group (120) extending from the first face (171) of the pressure plate (170) for brushing the teeth and including second bristles (121) and a second bearing (122) connecting the second bristles (121) to the pressure plate (170), wherein the first bristle group (110) is positioned closer to the nozzle (140) than the second bristle group (120), and wherein the second bearing (122) is configured to: provide a more rigid connection to the pressure plate (170) than the first bearing (112).

13. An oral cleaning device (1100) comprising the brush head (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a support unit (1200).

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