Cleaning section for an oral cleaning device

Abstract

An oral cleaning system or section is provided comprising an arrangement of cleaning elements consisting of an ordered sequence of groups of cleaning elements aligned along an axis, each group being filled with one of a set of elements of a different type or category, these elements differ, for example, in their layout, form, orientation, shape, size or other spatial characteristics. Thus, this provides a brushing field containing elements suitable for a variety of different types of brushing or other mechanical actions associated with the surface of the oral cavity. In order to optimize the coverage of all teeth having different cleaning classes, it is proposed to provide an arrangement such that it is formed by a sequence of cells, each cell containing at least one set of cleaning elements of each class, and wherein the arrangement comprises cells of different widths along the axis. This allows different widths to match different tooth widths, which improves the coverage of all cleaning element categories over all types of teeth.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of oral cleaning devices. Background Art

[0002] In the field of personal oral cleaning, it remains a challenge to optimize the structure and configuration of oral cleaning devices to achieve optimal cleaning performance for all types of teeth and all areas of each tooth.

[0003] Research conducted by the inventors of the present invention has found that in any type of oral cleaning device, in order to achieve good overall interproximal and gum line cleaning, more than one cleaning element layout is ideally required in a single device. For example, the optimal cleaning element length for interproximal cleaning is longer than the optimal cleaning element length for gum line cleaning, and the optimal extension angles of the cleaning elements may also be different. However, it has been found that providing these two optimal cleaning element layouts in one oral cleaning arrangement presents new challenges and new avenues for further optimization.

[0004] US2017265638A1 discloses a toothbrush device including a plurality of brush heads disposed on a top surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface of a top portion to clean each tooth in a mouth.

[0005] US2005086755A1 discloses an improved grill brush for cleaning grill grates and a cleaning system, the cleaning system comprising a grill grate particularly suitable for the disclosed grill brush, the grill brush comprising a head portion and a handle portion. A plurality of metal bristles are mounted to at least one surface of the head and extend from the surface. Some of the bristles are made of a first metal and other bristles are made of a second metal. Summary of the invention

[0006] For purposes of the present application, the challenge identified by the inventors is to provide a brushing segment layout that includes more than one cleaning element layout that is positioned in a configuration that can best ensure that each tooth will be mechanically engaged by all categories of brushing cleaning elements, and (ideally) all portions of each tooth are so engaged. The inventors have recognized that this is a challenge because the teeth in the mouth are of different sizes, and therefore, it is not obvious how to provide a fixed pattern of oral cleaning elements that is arranged so as to best ensure that, for any tooth engaged by the pattern of cleaning elements, during normal brushing operation (via manual stroke and / or automatically actuated stroke), will be contacted by all of the multiple types (e.g., different heights, lengths, angled arrangements, diameters, etc.) of cleaning elements.

[0007] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning section (or cleaning arrangement / system / device) for an oral cleaning device, comprising:

[0009] substrate;

[0010] an arrangement of cleaning elements carried by the substrate surface;

[0011] wherein the arrangement is formed by cleaning elements from a set of at least two different classes (A, B) of cleaning elements, the cleaning elements of each class having a different height, length and / or angular extension relative to the substrate surface than every other class;

[0012] wherein the arrangement of cleaning elements consists of a plurality of arrangement units arranged sequentially in a row along the longitudinal axis (X), each unit comprising a plurality of cleaning element groups, each group comprising a plurality of cleaning elements of only one of the categories (A, B), and each unit having at least one group of cleaning elements of each of at least two different categories of cleaning elements (and preferably at least one group of each category),

[0013] Preferably, wherein each cleaning element group of each unit defines an elongated footprint on the substrate having an elongated length (l) dimension perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (X), and wherein the cleaning element groups within each unit are arranged sequentially along said longitudinal axis (X);

[0014] Wherein each cleaning arrangement unit has a unit overall longitudinal width (w) along the longitudinal axis (X), and wherein the plurality of cleaning arrangement units comprises units having overall widths (w) that are different from one another.

[0015] Thus, the concept proposed is to provide a pattern of cleaning elements (which stand upright from a substrate and, for example, are used to engage the teeth in a brushing action during use), the pattern consisting of an ordered sequence of groups of cleaning elements aligned along an axis, each group being populated by one of a collection of different types or kinds of elements, which differ, for example, in their layout, form, orientation, shape, size or other spatial characteristics. Thus, this provides a brushing field that contains elements suitable for a variety of different types of brushing or other mechanical actions associated with oral surfaces. In theory, if the displacement of the dentition along the dental arch (mesio-distal) is ≥ 1 tooth width, one tuft category is sufficient to clean a complete tooth. However, one dentition will not clean all critical areas, particularly the gum line and interdental areas. Therefore, at least two different groups of specific tuft categories for gum line and interdental cleaning are proposed.

[0016] In order to solve the challenge discussed above about optimizing the coverage of all teeth by all cleaning element categories, the inventors have proposed to provide a cleaning element arrangement divided longitudinally into units, each unit containing at least one group of each category in the category, and to provide these units with different widths. By providing units with different widths, this allows the units to match teeth of different widths. Obviously, there are different specific embodiments depending on the expected use case. For example, for a toothbrushing oral device, the position of each unit relative to different specific teeth may be known for normal use, so the width can be varied along the longitudinal axis of the pattern to match different typical tooth sizes. However, in other use cases, such as electric toothbrushes, providing different widths still increases the technical effect, because, for example, the user himself can control the brushing operation to match the appropriate group size with the teeth they are brushing, or, even if this is not the case, providing different group sizes increases the possibility that a given tooth of unknown size will be engaged by all kinds of elements compared to fixed unit width variations.

[0017] With respect to providing different unit widths, by way of example, different widths may be achieved by providing a smaller number of cleaning element groups in smaller width units, or by providing groups of smaller width (i.e., the longitudinal width of the group may vary between different units of the arrangement), or by adjusting the size of any gaps or spaces included as part of the unit.

[0018] The details will become clearer with reference to the following drawings.

[0019] In some embodiments, each cleaning arrangement unit has a respective overall width along the longitudinal axis of at least 2.5 mm and less than 15 mm. This corresponds approximately to a width between half the width of a typical mandibular central incisor and the full width of a maxillary first molar.

[0020] In some embodiments, the set of categories includes exactly two categories, or exactly three categories, or exactly four categories.

[0021] In some embodiments, each unit contains the same number of cleaning element groups. In other embodiments, the number of groups in different units can vary.

[0022] In some embodiments, the groups included by each unit follow the same ordered sequence of cleaning element categories. In other embodiments, the specific order of categories provided by the units may vary.

[0023] In some embodiments, each group of cells is arranged serially along said longitudinal axis (X).

[0024] In some embodiments, the total longitudinal width (w) of each cell is defined to be equal to the exact width across the sequence of corresponding groups comprised by that cell (possibly including any spaces or gaps comprised between groups of that cell).

[0025] In some embodiments, at least a subset of the units includes a cleaning element free space at one longitudinal end, before or after the sequence of groups, and wherein the total longitudinal width of each unit is the width across all of the groups plus any cleaning element free space at the longitudinal ends. For consistency, this space should be at the same end of each unit. Thus, the total width of the cleaning elements can be defined as the distance from the start of the first group in the unit across to the start of the first group of the next unit in the arrangement (or if there is no next group, to the end of the last group in the unit). In some embodiments, each unit includes a cleaning element free space as described above.

[0026] In some embodiments, each unit consists of a continuous sequence of groups of cleaning elements arranged along said longitudinal axis (X), which is followed by said cleaning element free spaces at the same (longitudinal) end of the unit.

[0027] In some embodiments, a plurality of cleaning arrangement units comprise respective cleaning element free spaces having respective longitudinal widths that differ from one another.

[0028] In some embodiments, the cleaning section further comprises a functional component for performing an oral care function, the functional component being mounted at a position within at least one of the cleaning element free spaces. In some embodiments, the functional component is one of the following: a light source, a radio frequency field source, an electrochemical source, an ultrasonic source, one or more nozzles for emitting a fluid, or one or more electrodes.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement units are arranged successively to each other along said longitudinal axis (X).

[0030] In some embodiments, each unit contains exactly two groups of cleaning elements, the first group being of the first category (A) and the second group being of the second category (B). In some embodiments, these are in the same order for each unit, whereby the arrangement defines an alternating pattern of cleaning element categories.

[0031] In some embodiments, each unit of the arrangement contains exactly four groups of cleaning elements, following an ordered sequence along the longitudinal axis, wherein: the first group contains cleaning elements of the first category (A); the second group contains cleaning elements of the second category (B); the third group contains cleaning elements of the second category (B); and the fourth group contains cleaning elements of the first category (A). Thus, the sequence defined by the groups of the unit is: ABBA.

[0032] In some embodiments, the arrangement of cleaning elements comprises at least 3 units, optionally at least 7, optionally at least 15, optionally at least 28, optionally at least 56. This provides a relatively large area field within which any surface engaged with the field will be engaged by all cleaning elements during an actuation cycle. 28 units will cover one unit per tooth. 56 units will cover two units per tooth: for example for cleaning both the front and back sides.

[0033] In some embodiments, the cleaning section is used as part of a teeth brushing mouthpiece device.

[0034] In some embodiments, the cleaning section comprises a mouthpiece portion for a mouthpiece device for at least partially receiving in the mouth during use, and wherein the substrate is comprised by the mouthpiece portion. The body of the mouthpiece portion may define an arched profile shaped to approximately follow the profile of at least a portion of a patient's dental arch, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the arrangement extends in the same direction as the arched profile. In this way, the sequence of the units of the cleaning element arrangement follows the profile of the user's teeth.

[0035] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece portion defines a tooth receiving channel having a shape that follows the arcuate contour to permit a row of teeth to be received therein, and wherein an arrangement of cleaning elements extends into the channel for engagement with tooth surfaces during use.

[0036] In some embodiments, multiple cleaning arrangement units include units having different overall widths (w) from one another. Thus, this permits the unit widths to be customized around different tooth widths of the dental arch. In the mouthpiece device, the positions of different units relative to different specific teeth can be known with some certainty. Thus, when the mouthpiece is received in the mouth for normal use, the unit widths can be customized to specific tooth types that are expected to be positioned facing each unit in the arrangement.

[0037] For example, in some embodiments, the plurality of arrangement units includes at least seven units of different overall widths.

[0038] This corresponds to the presence of at least seven different tooth types in each quadrant of the mouth, namely: incisors (central); incisors (lateral); canines (eye teeth / cuspids); bicuspids / premolars (first); bicuspids / premolars (second); molars (first molars); and molars (second molars).

[0039] In some embodiments, the plurality of cleaning arrangement units may include at least 8 units of different overall widths. This also covers wisdom teeth (third molars), which some people may have had removed.

[0040] In some embodiments, the plurality of cleaning arrangement units may include units of at least four different total widths. In particular, since incisors are generally smaller than molars, it makes sense to provide one unit to treat both incisors simultaneously (especially if, for example, the motion stroke length is based on the widest molar section). Thus, the minimum number of different unit widths may be four: incisors, canines, premolars and molars, but wherein a preferred arrangement includes at least seven different widths.

[0041] In some embodiments, the plurality of cleaning arrangement units may include units of at least fourteen different widths. This corresponds to a minimum of seven different tooth types present in each quadrant and covers two quadrants of a single row of teeth, where tooth width may vary between the two quadrants.

[0042] As already discussed, each unit of the arrangement comprises at least one group of cleaning elements of a first kind and one group of cleaning elements of a second kind.

[0043] In some embodiments, the length of the cleaning elements of the first category in the direction in which they extend from the substrate is greater than the length of the cleaning elements of the second category in the direction in which they extend from the substrate. The length of the cleaning elements of the first category may be, for example, between 6 mm and 12 mm. The length of the cleaning elements of the second category may be, for example, between 4 mm and 8 mm. Preferably, the length difference of the cleaning elements of the first category is minimal compared to the cleaning elements of the second category. Preferably, the minimum length difference is at least 1 mm, more preferably at least 2 mm to 3 mm.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first category of cleaning elements extends from the substrate at a first angle, and the second category of cleaning elements extends from the substrate at a different second angle, wherein the second angle is shallower than the first angle. The second angle may be, for example, between 40° and 80°, more preferably about 45°. The first angle may be, for example, between 70° and 90°, more preferably about 90°.

[0045] In studies, it has been found that the first group provides better cleaning of the interdental areas and the second group provides better cleaning of the gum line.

[0046] Preferably, there is a minimum difference in the angle of extension of the cleaning elements of the first group compared to the angle of extension of the elements of the second group, for example at least 10°, more preferably at least 20°, more preferably at least 30°.

[0047] In another aspect of the present invention, an oral cleaning device may be provided, comprising a cleaning section according to any embodiment described herein or according to any claim of the present application. In some embodiments, the oral cleaning device may be an oral device. In some examples, the oral cleaning device may be an electric toothbrush.

[0048] In some embodiments, the oral cleaning device may further comprise an actuation mechanism for driving cyclical motion of the cleaning element arrangement.

[0049] In some embodiments, the actuation mechanism may be used to drive motion back and forth along a travel path oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0050] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] For a better understanding of the invention, and to more clearly show how the same may be put into practice, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0052] Figures 1 to 4 schematically illustrates an example cleaning section according to at least one set of embodiments of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 5 schematically illustrates another example cleaning section according to at least one set of embodiments of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 6 schematically illustrates another example cleaning section according to at least one set of embodiments of the present invention;

[0055] Figures 7 to 10 schematically illustrates another example cleaning section according to at least one set of embodiments of the present invention;

[0056] Fig.11 schematically illustrates another example cleaning section according to at least one set of embodiments of the present invention;

[0057] Fig.12 schematically illustrates another example cleaning section according to at least one set of embodiments of the present invention;

[0058] Fig.13 schematically illustrates another example cleaning section according to at least one set of embodiments of the present invention;

[0059] Fig.14 Schematically illustrates Fig.11 Actuation of an example cleaning section;

[0060] Fig.15 Schematically illustrates Fig.13 actuation of an example cleaning section; and

[0061] Fig.16 An example oral cleaning device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0063] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, although indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, system and method, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the apparatus, system and method of the present invention will become better understood based on the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that in all drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0064] The present invention provides an oral cleaning system or section, which includes an arrangement of cleaning elements, the arrangement of cleaning elements consisting of an ordered sequence of cleaning element groups aligned along an axis, each group being populated by one of a collection of different types or categories of elements, which differ, for example, in layout, form, orientation, shape, size or other spatial characteristics. Thus, this provides a brushing field that contains elements suitable for a variety of different types of brushing or other mechanical actions associated with oral surfaces. In order to optimize the coverage of all teeth by all categories of cleaning elements, it is proposed to provide such an arrangement that it is formed by a sequence of units, each unit containing at least one group of cleaning elements of each category, and wherein the arrangement includes units of different widths along the axis. This allows different widths to be matched to different tooth widths, which improves the coverage of all cleaning element categories on all types of teeth.

[0065] Before being described in more detail later, main features of embodiments according to the present invention will now be outlined.

[0066] To help explain, reference will be made to Figures 1 to 3 Give a summary of the main features of the invention, Figures 1 to 3 Configurations according to a particular set of embodiments are shown. It should be appreciated that not all features of this particular embodiment are essential to the overall inventive concept and reference to the drawings at this stage is intended to aid understanding.

[0067] First reference Figures 1 to 3 , which schematically illustrate at least a portion of a cleaning section 10 for an oral cleaning device. Figure 1 A highly schematic plan view of an arrangement of cleaning elements comprised by a cleaning section is shown, illustrating the division of the arrangement into cells and groups. Figure 2 A schematic front view showing an arrangement of cleaning elements. Figure 3 A further schematic plan view is shown which more clearly illustrates the ordering of cleaning element categories followed by the cleaning element groups of this example arrangement.

[0068] The cleaning section comprises a substrate 12, which carries an arrangement 16 of cleaning elements 18 on its surface. The arrangement of cleaning elements can be an arrangement of cleaning element tufts. The substrate can, for example, be a part of a cleaning unit for being received in the patient's mouth for oral cleaning during operation. For example, it can be a part or all of a pressure plate of a toothbrush, a multi-faceted toothbrush, a partial oral piece or a complete oral piece. It can form a part of the oral piece portion of a toothbrushing oral piece device. The cleaning elements stand upright from the substrate surface. The cleaning elements can be bristles or bristle-like elements. In some examples, the cleaning elements can be flexible elastic rods. The cleaning elements can be gathered into cleaning element tufts.

[0069] The arrangement 16 of cleaning elements 18 is formed by cleaning elements from at least two different sets of categories (labeled A and B in this illustrative example), each category of cleaning elements having a height, length, and / or angular extension relative to the substrate surface that is different from each other category. For example, each category may define a different height, length, and / or angular extension of the cleaning element tufts relative to the surface. As will be further explained below, cleaning elements of different heights or lengths can be used to clean the gum line and interdental areas. Different extension angles of the cleaning elements can be used to clean the gum line and between teeth. For example, in Figure 8 In the schematic illustration of FIG. 1 , cleaning elements of two different categories A and B are shown having different heights or lengths, respectively.

[0070] The arrangement 16 of cleaning elements 18 is composed of a plurality of arrangement units 20, which are arranged in rows sequentially along the longitudinal axis (X). Each unit 20 comprises a corresponding plurality of cleaning element groups 22, each group 22 containing a plurality of cleaning elements 18 of only one of the categories (A, B), and each unit 20 has at least one group 22 of cleaning elements of each category. Figures 1 to 3 In the particular example shown, each unit 20 contains exactly two groups 22a, 22b of cleaning elements 18, the first group being of the first type (A) and the second group being of the second type (B). However, as will be clear from further examples, this is only one possible configuration.

[0071] Each cleaning element group 22 defines an elongated footprint on the substrate, which means that it has an elongated length dimension (l) that is longer than the width dimension (w). Figure 3 As shown, the elongated length dimension (l) is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), and wherein the cleaning element groups 22 within each unit 20 are arranged sequentially along the longitudinal axis (X).

[0072] Each cleaning arrangement unit 20 has an overall longitudinal width (w) of the unit along the longitudinal axis (X).

[0073] In the illustrated example, all units 20 contain the same number of cleaning element groups 22, and the groups 22 contained in each unit 20 follow the same ordered sequence of cleaning element categories. In this example, this sequence is AB. As a result, the entire cleaning element arrangement 16 defines a cyclic repeating pattern of cleaning element categories ABABAB, etc., and each unit 20 is effectively the smallest unit of the cyclic repeating pattern (i.e., AB in this case). This represents an advantageous configuration, but is not the only configuration, as will become clear. This type of configuration can be extended to a cyclic repeating sequence of any number of categories, such as ABCABC, where ABC is the sequence of categories followed by each unit.

[0074] Although not entirely clear from the schematic illustration, according to the present example, the groups 22 comprised by each unit 20 are arranged consecutively within the unit along said longitudinal axis (X). Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the units 20 are arranged consecutively to each other along said longitudinal axis (X).

[0075] In the illustrated example, the total longitudinal width (w) of each cell is equal to the exact width spanned by the corresponding sequence of groups 22 of that cell.

[0076] Optionally, in some embodiments, an actuation mechanism may also be provided as part of the cleaning section or as part of the system for driving periodic motion of the arrangement 16 of cleaning elements. For example, the actuation mechanism may be arranged to drive motion of the substrate 12. In some examples, this may be motion of the substrate relative to another object. In other cases, it may be, for example, an overall vibrational motion of the body of the substrate 12 applied thereto.

[0077] The actuation mechanism is not explicitly shown in the figure. Figure 4 An example of cyclic / periodic motion caused by an actuation mechanism along a linear path of travel is illustrated.The actuation is shown relative to a schematic diagram of the mechanical engagement of a row of different teeth 62 with which the arrangement 16 of cleaning elements has been mechanically engaged.

[0078] The actuation mechanism is used to move the arrangement of cleaning elements 16 back and forth along a travel path oriented parallel to said longitudinal axis X, the travel path having a first end and a second end with a distance therebetween defining a stroke length Δx along the longitudinal axis. Figure 4 (top) shows an arrangement at a first end of the movement path, and Figure 4 (Bottom) shows the arrangement at the second end of the movement path. Subsequently, the arrangement of cleaning elements returns to the first position.

[0079] In a set of preferred embodiments, the plurality of units 20 of the arrangement 16 of cleaning elements and the stroke length Δx of the actuation are configured such that for each unit 20 in the arrangement the following conditions hold:

[0080] Δx ≥ 0.5 ΔW_a

[0081] wherein ΔW_a is the smallest longitudinal width section of the total longitudinal width of the respective unit 20 that spans at least one group of each of the sets of cleaning element categories.

[0082] Therefore, the parameter ΔW_a is a parameter owned individually by each unit 20 of the arrangement 16 , and this condition should apply to each unit.

[0083] exist Figures 1 to 4 In the illustrated example, the parameter ΔW_a is the same for each cell 20 of the arrangement 20, since all cells of the arrangement are identical. Figures 1 to 4 In the case of Figure 3 and Figure 4 The parameter ΔW_a for one cell is schematically shown in (although it is the same for all other cells as well). In this example, it actually corresponds to the total longitudinal width (w) of the cell 20, since the cell has only one class from each of the classes in the set of classes.

[0084] It should be noted that a minimum arrangement of cleaning elements covered by embodiments of the present invention may be an arrangement comprising two units 20, each unit having (at least) two groups 20 of cleaning elements, one group of the first category (A) and one group of the second category (B).

[0085] However, more preferably, the arrangement of cleaning elements comprises at least 3 units, optionally at least 7, optionally at least 15, optionally at least 28, optionally at least 56. Providing 28 units will cover one unit per tooth. 56 units will cover two units per tooth: for example for cleaning both the front and back sides.

[0086] Figure 5 Another example arrangement of cleaning elements according to at least one set of embodiments is illustrated.

[0087] In this arrangement, each unit 20 contains exactly four groups of cleaning elements 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d. The groups 22 are again arranged continuously within each unit 20 along the longitudinal axis X. The units 20 are also arranged continuously with each other along the longitudinal axis. The groups in each unit 20 follow an ordered sequence along the longitudinal axis, wherein: the first group contains cleaning elements of the first category (A); the second group contains cleaning elements of the second category (B); the third group contains cleaning elements of the second category (B); the fourth group contains cleaning elements of the first category (A). Therefore, in this case, the overall arrangement 16 defines a cyclic repeating sequence of the total set of two cleaning element categories, and each unit 20 represents the smallest unit of the repeating sequence, i.e. ABBA. Therefore, in this example, the set of possible categories of cleaning elements is only two (A and B), but there are four groups in each unit, with two groups of cleaning elements of each category.

[0088] As already discussed, optionally, embodiments may include an actuation arrangement. As previously described, a condition (Δx ≥ 0.5 ΔW_a) may be applied, which applies to each unit of the arrangement. As a reminder, ΔW_a is the minimum longitudinal width segment of the total longitudinal width of the respective unit 20 of the arrangement 16, which minimum longitudinal width segment spans at least one group 22 of each category in the set of cleaning element categories. Figure 5 In the example of , ΔW_a spans exactly half of the total longitudinal width w of each cell (e.g. Figure 5 ), as this is the smallest portion of the width that completely spans each cell of the A category group 20 and the B category group.

[0089] However, Figure 5 The arrangement 16 may be provided without any actuation and without the said constraints related to the actuation stroke length Δx.

[0090] Figure 6 Another example arrangement of cleaning elements according to at least one set of embodiments is illustrated.

[0091] In this arrangement, each unit 20 contains exactly four groups of cleaning elements 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d. The groups 22 are again arranged continuously within each unit 20 along the longitudinal axis X. The units 20 are also arranged continuously with each other along the longitudinal axis. The groups in each unit 20 follow an ordered sequence along the longitudinal axis, wherein: the first group contains cleaning elements of the first category (A); the second group contains cleaning elements of the second category (B); the third group contains cleaning elements of the third category (C); and the fourth group contains cleaning elements of the fourth category (D). Thus, in this case, the overall arrangement 16 defines a cyclic repeating sequence of the total set of four cleaning element categories, and each unit 20 represents the smallest unit of the repeating sequence, i.e. A, B, C, D. Thus, in this example, the set number of possible categories of cleaning elements is four (A, B, C, D), with four groups in each unit, one group for each category of cleaning elements.

[0092] As already discussed, optionally, embodiments may include an actuation arrangement. As previously mentioned, a condition (Δx ≥ 0.5 ΔW_a) may be applied, which applies to each unit of the arrangement. Figure 6 , indicating the parameter ΔW_a. In this case, for each cell, it actually spans the entire total longitudinal width w of the cell, since this is the smallest part of the total width of the cell that covers one group of each cleaning element category.

[0093] In each of the arrangements of the examples outlined so far, each unit 20 of a given arrangement has the same overall longitudinal width w. Furthermore, also in the examples outlined so far, within each unit 20, the cleaning element groups 22 have the same longitudinal width as each other. However, with respect to any of the above examples, variations of these examples may be provided, wherein within a given arrangement, units of different widths are provided, and / or within a given arrangement of units or between different groups of a single arrangement, groups of different widths may be provided.

[0094] Figures 7 to 10 An example arrangement according to one or more embodiments is schematically illustrated.

[0095] Here, Figure 7 A highly schematic plan view of an arrangement of cleaning elements comprised by a cleaning section is shown, illustrating the division of the arrangement into cells and groups. Figure 8 A schematic front view showing an arrangement of cleaning elements. Fig. 9 A further schematic plan view is shown, which more clearly illustrates the ordering of cleaning element categories followed by the cleaning element groups of this exemplary arrangement. Fig.10 The arrangement of cleaning elements in use is schematically illustrated, the cleaning elements being applied against a row of teeth.

[0096] In all respects, this set of embodiments is consistent with Figures 1 to 4 , except for the fact that the plurality of arrangement units 20 include units having different overall widths (w) from each other.

[0097] In more detail, in this example, all units 20 contain the same number of cleaning element groups 22, and the groups 22 comprised by each unit 20 follow the same ordered sequence of cleaning element categories. In this example, this sequence is AB. As a result, the entire cleaning element arrangement 16 defines a cyclically repeating pattern of cleaning element categories ABABAB, etc., and wherein each unit 20 is effectively the smallest unit of this cyclically repeating pattern (i.e., AB in this case).

[0098] Although not entirely clear from the schematic illustration, according to the present example, the groups 22 comprised by each unit 20 are arranged successively within the unit along said longitudinal axis (X). Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the units 20 are arranged successively to each other along said longitudinal axis (X).

[0099] In the illustrated example, the total longitudinal width (w) of each cell is equal to the exact width spanned by the corresponding sequence of groups 22 of that cell.

[0100] However, with Figures 1 to 4 In contrast to a set of embodiments of the present invention, there are cells 20a-20f of the arrangement that have different total widths w. In this example, the different cell widths w are achieved by varying the widths of the groups 22 within the cells along the longitudinal axis X. For example, cells 20c and 20d each contain one A-category group 22a and one B-category group 22b, but the longitudinal widths of these groups are smaller than the equivalent A-category group and B-category group in each of cells 20a and 20b, and the widths are larger than the equivalent A-category group and B-category group in each of cells 20e and 20f.

[0101] like Fig.10 An advantage of optionally providing cleaning arrangement units 20 with different widths, schematically illustrated in , is that these can better match teeth 62 of different widths. For example, the widths can be configured as a continuous pattern of different widths, which is known to correspond to a sequence of widths of typical teeth in a subject's mouth. This has the advantage that in use, each tooth can be completely covered by a corresponding unit 20 containing at least one group 22 of each category of cleaning elements.

[0102] For example, if the cleaning section 10 is used as part of an oral care device that provides reliable, predictable positioning of the cleaning arrangement unit 20 relative to the teeth, such as a brushing mouthpiece device (described later), the unit width w can be customized to the expected width of a particular tooth along the dental arch.

[0103] Thus, by providing units with different widths, this allows the units to match teeth of different widths. Obviously, there are different specific embodiments depending on the intended use case. For example, for a toothbrushing oral device, the position of each unit relative to different specific teeth may be highly determined for normal use, so the width may vary along the pattern longitudinal axis X to match different typical tooth sizes. However, in other use cases, such as electric toothbrushes, providing different widths still increases the technical effect, because for example the user themselves can control the brushing operation to match the appropriate group size to the teeth they are brushing, or, even if this is not the case, providing different group sizes increases the likelihood that a given tooth of unknown size will be engaged by all kinds of elements compared to fixed unit width variations.

[0104] As described above, embodiments may include an actuation arrangement. As previously described, a condition may be imposed on the actuation stroke length Δx (Δx ≥ 0.5 ΔW_a), which applies to each unit of the arrangement. Figures 7 to 10 , indicating the parameter ΔW_a. In this case, for each cell, it actually spans the entire total longitudinal width w of the cell, since this is the smallest part of the total width of the cell that covers one group of each cleaning element category.

[0105] Since there are cells of different widths in this set of embodiments, the constraint actually corresponds to the requirement that for the maximum longitudinal width (w) cell parameter W_a of all cells 20 (cell 20a or cell 20b), the stroke length Δx should satisfy the constraint Δx≥0.5ΔW_a.

[0106] In some embodiments, the constraints on the actuation stroke length can be simplified. In particular, in some embodiments, instead of the constraints previously discussed, each unit in the plurality of arrangement units 20 and the stroke length Δx can be configured such that,

[0107] Δx ≥ 0.5 ΔW_b

[0108] Where ΔW_b is the total longitudinal width (w) of the widest longitudinal cell of the arrangement.

[0109] exist Figures 7 to 10 In the specific example of , ΔW_a is in fact the same as ΔW_b. However, this is not always the case. For example, Figure 5For a clean arrangement, ΔW_b will be the total width of the largest cell, while ΔW_a corresponds to only half the width of any one of the cells. Another example occurs in Fig.11 and Fig.13 , now described.

[0110] refer to Fig.11 , which shows a schematic plan view illustration of a cleaning element arrangement 16. In this example, each unit 20 of the arrangement 16 comprises a cleaning element free space 32 at one longitudinal end (at one terminal), before or after the group sequence. Fig.11 In the example of , each unit has a cleaning element free space at the distal end, after the sequence of groups 22 of units.

[0111] In this case, the total longitudinal width w of each unit 20 is the width across all of the group 22 of the unit plus the cleaning element free space 32 at the end. The units 20 are arranged consecutively to each other along the longitudinal axis. Therefore, it follows that for each unit 20, the total longitudinal width w can be defined as the width along the longitudinal axis spanning from the start of the first group 22a of the unit to the longitudinal end of the cleaning element free space at the end of the unit.

[0112] In this case, the cleaning element free space can therefore be understood as a part of the cyclically repeating pattern AB-space-AB-space, wherein the arrangement unit 20 represents the smallest unit of the cyclically repeating sequence (AB-space).

[0113] exist Fig.11 (and actually Fig.12 and Fig.13 ), the arrangement comprises units 20 having different widths w along the longitudinal axis X. Furthermore, these different widths are achieved by providing the units with respective cleaning element groups 22 having different widths along the axis X compared to the other groups. Likewise, a plurality of cleaning arrangement units 20 comprise cleaning element free spaces 32 of respective different widths along the longitudinal axis X. However, it is not necessary to provide units of different widths. The units 20 may all have the same width w and still comprise cleaning element free spaces 32.

[0114] In addition, Fig.11 In the example of , each unit comprises a continuous sequence of cleaning element groups 22 arranged along said longitudinal axis (X), which is followed by said cleaning element free spaces 32. However, this is also not necessary, and in some embodiments, each unit may comprise at least one cleaning element free space 34 between two groups 22 of a unit 20 (so that the two groups are not adjacent). This thus forms a gap between the two groups.

[0115] An example of this type of arrangement is Fig.12 This shows an arrangement of cleaning elements, wherein each unit 20 of the arrangement comprises two groups 22a, 22b of cleaning elements, one class in each of two sets of classes of cleaning elements (A and B), and wherein a cleaning element free space 34 separating the two groups (i.e. between the two groups) is also included. Thus, each unit defines a sequential pattern A-space-B. Fig.12 This represents only one example, and as a general principle, some or all units of the arrangement of any embodiment may include one or more cleaning element free spaces between two groups of cleaning elements in a sequence extending along the longitudinal axis, so that the two groups are thereby spaced relative to each other along the longitudinal axis. Fig.12 Different cells in have different widths w, but in other variations, the cells may have the same width as each other.

[0116] Fig.13 Another example is shown. In this example, each of the cells 20 of the cleaning arrangement 16 comprises a cleaning element free space 32 at one longitudinal end after the group sequence, and also comprises a cleaning element free space 34 between two groups of cells. Thus, this is effectively Fig.11 and Fig.12 combinations of embodiments, and the options described with respect to these may also optionally be applied to Fig.13 In the illustrated example, each cell contains exactly two groups of cleaning elements, each group containing cleaning elements of one of the two classes: A and B. Thus, each cell defines the sequence A-space-B-space. In this particular example, the arrangement 16 includes cells of different widths w. However, this is not required, and in other examples, all cells may have the same width.

[0117] With regard to the cleaning element free spaces 32, 34, in some embodiments, the cleaning section 10 may further include a functional component for performing an oral care function, the functional component being mounted at a position within at least one of the cleaning element free spaces 32, 34, and optionally, wherein the functional component is one of the following: a light source, a radio frequency field source, an electrochemical source, an ultrasonic source, one or more nozzles for emitting a fluid, or one or more electrodes. This provides a structurally convenient location for placing the functional component.

[0118] As described above, in some embodiments, an actuation mechanism may be provided. As previously described, a condition may be imposed on the actuation stroke length Δx (Δx ≥ 0.5ΔW_a), which condition applies to each unit of the arrangement. Also as described above, additionally or alternatively, a condition may be imposed on the actuation stroke length: Δx ≥ 0.5ΔW_b, where ΔW_b is the total longitudinal width (w) of the longitudinally widest unit of the arrangement.

[0119] for Figures 11 to 13 In the example of , the parameter ΔW_a is indicated, and the parameter ΔW_b is indicated. It can be seen that in Fig.12 In the example of , ΔW_b is the same as ΔW_a, but Fig.11 and Fig.13 In the example, it is different.

[0120] Regarding actuation, Fig.14 Schematically illustrates Fig.11 The actuation action of the embodiment, and Fig.15 Schematically illustrates Fig.13 The actuation action of the embodiment of the present invention is shown. The parameters ΔW_a and ΔW_b are indicated. It can be seen that the cleaning element free space can help match the single common actuation stroke length Δx to different tooth widths. Rather than expanding the width of the group 22 in each unit to make the unit width wider, the space allows the unit width to be kept relatively narrow. As described above, in some examples, the space can be used to accommodate functional elements.

[0121] The cleaning section 10 according to any embodiment can be used as part of a tooth brushing mouthpiece device. As an illustration, Fig.16 An example oral care device is shown in the form of a teeth brushing mouthpiece device 100. The device includes a mouthpiece portion 102 for at least partially receiving in the mouth during use. The body of the mouthpiece portion defines an arcuate profile 130, the shape of which generally follows the profile of at least a portion of the user's dental arch. The mouthpiece portion defines a tooth receiving channel 106, which has a shape that follows the arcuate profile 130 to permit a row of teeth to be received into the channel.

[0122] In the case of such devices, the cleaning section may form a mouthpiece portion 102 of the device and wherein the longitudinal axis X of the cleaning element arrangement 16 extends co-directionally with said arcuate profile 130 .

[0123] For example, an arrangement of cleaning elements 16 may extend into the channel 106 for engagement with the tooth surface during use. For example, the channel may be bounded on two sides by respective substrates 12a, 12b, and wherein each of these substrates carries a respective arrangement 16a, 16b of cleaning elements according to any embodiment described herein or according to any claim of the present application. The mouthpiece device may further include a handle portion 110.

[0124] In some embodiments, the device 100 may further include an actuation mechanism for driving the arrangement of cleaning elements in cyclical motion back and forth along a travel path oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

[0125] In the case where the actuated movement is parallel to the longitudinal axis X, if necessary, the above and W a and / or W b The associated constraints become the associated options to be applied.

[0126] The handle portion may include a drive unit for driving the actuation mechanism.

[0127] It should be noted that the tufting of cleaning elements in cleaning oral parts is generally a challenge in terms of manufacturability. Therefore, it is preferred to use fewer different tuft categories, arranged in a very effective manner, to obtain optimal coverage and maximum cleaning. The arrangement described in this document can help achieve this goal. In addition, the effective arrangement of the cleaning elements can enable the tuft field to use a smaller total area, and this can advantageously generate additional free space, which can be used to integrate additional functionality, such as lighting elements, ultrasonic elements, radio frequency elements or one or more sensors.

[0128] As described above, in some embodiments, multiple cleaning arrangement units include units having different overall widths (w) from one another. Thus, this permits the unit widths to be adapted to different tooth widths around the dental arch. In the oral piece device, the positions of different units relative to different specific teeth can be known with some certainty. Thus, when the oral piece is received in the mouth for normal use, the unit widths can be customized to the specific tooth types that are expected to be positioned facing each unit in the arrangement.

[0129] For example, in some embodiments, the plurality of arrangement units includes units of at least seven different total widths. This corresponds to at least seven different tooth types present in each quadrant of the oral cavity, namely: incisors (central); incisors (lateral); canines (eye teeth / cuspids); bicuspids (first); bicuspids (second); molars (first molars); molars (second molars).

[0130] In some embodiments, the plurality of cleaning arrangement units may include at least 8 units of different overall widths. This also includes wisdom teeth (third molars), which some people may have had removed.

[0131] In some embodiments, the plurality of cleaning arrangement units may include units of at least four different total widths. In particular, since incisors are generally smaller than molars, it makes sense to provide one unit to treat both incisors simultaneously (especially if, for example, the motion stroke length is based on the widest molar section). Thus, the minimum number of different unit widths may be four: incisors, canines, premolars and molars, but wherein a preferred arrangement includes at least seven different widths.

[0132] In some embodiments, the plurality of cleaning arrangement units may include units of at least fourteen different widths. This corresponds to a minimum of seven different tooth types present in each quadrant and covers two quadrants of a single row of teeth, where the tooth width may vary between the two quadrants.

[0133] As mentioned above, the arrangement of cleaning elements comprises cleaning elements of at least two different sets of categories of cleaning elements, each category of cleaning elements differing from the other categories in height, length and / or angular extension relative to the substrate surface.

[0134] The set of categories comprises at least two categories (a first category and a second category), and each unit of the arrangement comprises a group of cleaning elements of the first category and a group of cleaning elements of the second category.

[0135] In some embodiments, the length of the first category of cleaning elements along the direction in which they extend from the substrate is greater than the length of the second category of cleaning elements along the direction in which they extend from the substrate.

[0136] The length of the cleaning elements of the first category may be, for example, between 6 mm and 12 mm. The length of the cleaning elements of the second category may be, for example, between 4 mm and 8 mm. Preferably, the length difference of the cleaning elements of the first category is minimal compared to the cleaning elements of the second category. Preferably, the minimum length difference is at least 1 mm, more preferably at least 2 mm to 3 mm.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first category of cleaning elements extends from the substrate at a first angle, and the second category of cleaning elements extends from the substrate at a different second angle, wherein the second angle is shallower than the first angle. The second angle may be, for example, between 40° and 80°, more preferably about 45°. The first angle may be, for example, between 70° and 90°, more preferably about 90°.

[0138] Preferably, there is a minimum difference in the extension angle of the cleaning elements of the first category compared to the extension angle of the cleaning elements of the second category, such as at least 10°, more preferably at least 20°, more preferably at least 30°.

[0139] In studies, it has been found that the first group provides better cleaning of the interdental areas and the second group provides better cleaning of the gum line.

[0140] By way of example, the following Table 1 outlines, by way of non-limiting example, a set of four example cleaning element categories (in this case, the cleaning elements are tufts, e.g. made of filaments / bristles, e.g. having a circular cross-section):

[0141]

[0142] Table 1

[0143] Based on a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments when practicing the claimed invention. 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.

[0144] A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims.

[0145] 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.

[0146] The computer program may be stored / distributed on suitable media such as optical storage media or solid-state media provided with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunications systems.

[0147] If the term "suitable for" is used in the claims or the specification, it should be noted that the term "suitable for" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to".

[0148] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A cleaning section (10) for an oral cleaning device, comprising: Substrate (12); an arrangement (16) of cleaning elements (18) carried by a surface of the substrate; wherein the arrangement (18) is formed by cleaning elements from a set of at least two different classes (A, B) of cleaning elements, the cleaning elements of each class having a height, length and / or angular extension relative to the substrate surface different from that of each other class; wherein the arrangement (18) of cleaning elements is composed of a plurality of arrangement units (20) arranged sequentially in a row along a longitudinal axis (X), each unit (20) comprising a plurality of cleaning element groups (22), each group comprising cleaning elements of only one of the categories, and each unit having at least one group of cleaning elements of each category, wherein each cleaning element group (22) of each unit (20) defines an elongated footprint on the substrate having an elongated length (l) dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), and wherein the cleaning element groups (22) within each unit are arranged sequentially along the longitudinal axis (X); Each cleaning arrangement unit (20) has an overall width (w) along the longitudinal axis (X), and wherein the plurality of cleaning arrangement units (20) comprises units having overall widths (w) that are different from each other.

2. The cleaning section according to claim 1, wherein each arrangement unit (20) comprises the same number of cleaning element groups (22).

3. A cleaning section according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the groups (22) comprised by each arrangement unit (20) follow the same ordered sequence of the cleaning element categories (A, B).

4. A cleaning section according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the groups (22) of each arrangement unit (20) are arranged consecutively along the longitudinal axis (X).

5. A cleaning section according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the total longitudinal width (w) of each unit (20) is equal to the exact width spanned by the sequence of groups (22) of said units.

6. A cleaning section according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of arrangement units (20) comprises a cleaning element free space (32) at one longitudinal end, before or after the sequence of groups, and wherein the total longitudinal width (w) of each unit (20) is the width across all groups in the groups (22) plus the cleaning element free space, and optionally, wherein each arrangement unit (20) comprises the cleaning element free space (32).

7. Cleaning section according to claim 6, wherein each arrangement unit (20) consists of a continuous sequence of cleaning element groups (22) arranged along the longitudinal axis (X), which is followed by the cleaning element free spaces (32).

8. A cleaning section according to claim 7, and wherein the plurality of cleaning arrangement units (20) comprise cleaning element free spaces of respectively different longitudinal widths (w).

9. The cleaning section according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a functional component for performing an oral care function, the functional component being mounted at a position within at least one of the cleaning element free spaces, and optionally wherein the functional component is one of the following: a light source, a radio frequency field source, an electrochemical source, an ultrasonic source, one or more nozzles for emitting a fluid, or one or more electrodes.

10. The cleaning section according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the arrangement units (20) are arranged successively to each other along the longitudinal axis (X).

11. A cleaning section according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each unit (20) contains exactly two groups (22a, 22b) of cleaning elements, a first group being of a first category (A) and a second group being of a second category (B), the order being the same for each unit, whereby the arrangement defines an alternating pattern of cleaning element categories (A, B).

12. A cleaning section according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the arrangement of cleaning elements comprises at least 3 units, optionally at least 7, optionally at least 15, optionally at least 28, optionally at least 56.

13. The cleaning section of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the plurality of arrangement units comprises units of at least four different overall widths.

14. A cleaning section according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the set of at least two categories comprises at least a first category and a second category, and wherein the length of the cleaning elements of the first category along the direction in which they extend from the substrate is greater than the length of the cleaning elements of the second category along the direction in which they extend from the substrate, and preferably wherein the length of the cleaning elements of the first category is between 6 mm and 12 mm, and preferably wherein the length of the cleaning elements of the second category is between 4 mm and 8 mm, and wherein the first category of cleaning elements extends from the substrate at a first angle and the second category of cleaning elements extends from the substrate at a different second angle, wherein the second angle is shallower than the first angle, and preferably wherein the second angle is between 40° and 80°, more preferably about 45°, and preferably wherein the first angle is between 70° and 90°, more preferably about 90°.

15. An oral cleaning device, comprising a cleaning section according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the cleaning section comprises a mouthpiece portion for the mouthpiece device for at least partially receipt in a mouth during use, and wherein the substrate is comprised by the mouthpiece portion; wherein the body of the mouthpiece portion defines an arcuate contour shape adapted to approximately follow the contour of at least a portion of a dental arch of a subject; wherein the longitudinal axis of the arrangement extends in the same direction as the arcuate profile, and Preferably, wherein said mouthpiece portion defines a tooth receiving channel, said channel having a shape following said arcuate contour to permit a row of teeth to be received therein, and wherein said arrangement of cleaning elements extends into said channel for engagement with tooth surfaces during use.

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