Oral treatment device

Abstract

An oral treatment device for treating a user's oral cavity is described. The oral treatment device comprises a head having an anterior side extending in a first direction from a heel end of the head to a toe end of the head and extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction from a first lateral side of the head to a second lateral side of the head, and a cleaning element protruding from the anterior side of the head. The cleaning element comprises a central bristle cluster extending from a central region of the anterior side, a first lateral cleaning element extending from a first lateral region of the anterior side, and a second lateral cleaning element extending from a second lateral region of the anterior side. The device has a length parallel to the first direction and a width orthogonal to the length, and each of the first and second lateral cleaning elements protrude further from a plane defined by the length and the width than most or each of the central bristle cluster.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Oral treatment devices, such as toothbrushes, for treating a user's oral cavity are known. Some oral treatment devices have a support including a head and cleaning elements, such as bristle tufts, protruding from the front of the head. Some oral treatment devices have a handle integrally formed with the support. Others are configured to be removably attached to the handle, for example, such that the handle can be used with several different oral treatment devices. Summary of the Invention

[0002] A first aspect of the invention provides an oral cavity treatment device for treating a user's oral cavity, the oral cavity treatment device comprising: a head having a front side extending from the base of the head to the toe of the head in a first direction and from a first lateral side of the head to a second lateral side of the head in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and cleaning elements projecting from the front side of the head, wherein the cleaning elements comprise: an assembly of central bristle tufts extending from a central region of the front side of the head, each bristle tuft being spaced apart from each other by a corresponding gap, and the bristle tufts having corresponding ends remote from the front side that commonly define a convex shape; a first assembly of first lateral cleaning elements extending from a first side region of the front side of the head, the first side region extending from the first lateral side to the central region; and a second assembly of second lateral cleaning elements extending from a second side region of the front side of the head, the second side region extending from the second lateral side to the central region; wherein the oral cavity treatment device has a length parallel to the first direction and a width orthogonal to the length, and wherein each of the first lateral cleaning elements and each of the second lateral cleaning elements project further from a plane defined by the length and width than most or each of the central bristle tufts.

[0003] Compared to oral treatment devices where the distance from which the central brush tufts protrude from the plane is the same as the distance from which the lateral cleaning elements of the device protrude from the plane, having the first and second lateral cleaning elements protrude further from the plane than most or each of the central brush tufts can contribute to improved efficacy. This is because when the oral treatment device rests against a user's teeth with its length roughly aligned with one of the user's gingival lines, the central brush tufts can remain on and brush the surface surfaces of the teeth, while one of the first or second lateral cleaning elements extends further into the gingival line and cleans it more effectively. Similarly, when the oral treatment device rests against a user's teeth with its width roughly aligned with one of the user's gingival lines, the central brush tufts can remain on and brush the surface surfaces of the teeth, while the lateral cleaning elements can further enter the space between the teeth (called the interdental space or interproximal area) and clean it more effectively. Furthermore, it has been found that the further protruding lateral cleaning elements can act as guiding elements, helping the user tactilely identify the position and orientation of the oral treatment device relative to their gums.

[0004] The first and second lateral cleaning elements protrude further from the plane than most or each central bristle tuft, providing a greater range of motion than the central bristle tufts. This increases the extent to which the first and second lateral cleaning elements can clean the oral cavity surface. The greater protrusion of the first and second lateral cleaning elements from the plane also helps retain dental floss on the cleaning elements during use, more specifically, on the distal ends of the central bristle tufts.

[0005] Optionally, each first lateral cleaning element and each second lateral cleaning element protrudes further from the plane than the corresponding central bristle cluster closest to the corresponding lateral cleaning element.

[0006] The convex shape of the central bristle tuft provides a central pivot point, which the user can rest on their teeth while rocking the oral treatment device around the pivot point. This increases the ability of the lateral cleaning elements to reach the gingival line and / or interdental spaces.

[0007] Optionally, when viewed longitudinally from either the heel or toe, the central bristle tuft has a convex shape. This allows the oral treatment device to pivot about the longitudinal axis when resting on its teeth at the pivot point, increasing the reach of the lateral cleaning elements.

[0008] Optionally, when viewed from either the first or second lateral edge, the central bristle tuft has a convex shape. This allows the oral processing device to pivot about the lateral axis when the pivot point rests on its teeth.

[0009] Optionally, the convex morphology is a dome morphology. Optionally, the convex morphology is non-undulating.

[0010] Optionally, the center of the convex shape is defined by a central bristle cluster within the central bristle cluster. Optionally, the first and second lateral cleaning elements protrude further from the plane than all the central bristle clusters except for the central one. Thus, the central one of the central bristle clusters can serve as a relatively small, defined central pivot point that the user can rest on their teeth while rocking the oral treatment device around the central pivot point.

[0011] Optionally, the front side of the head is flat. Optionally, the front side of the head is parallel to a plane. Optionally, each of the first lateral cleaning elements and / or each of the second lateral cleaning elements protrudes further from the front side of the head than most or each of the central bristle tufts, such as at least 1 mm further. Optionally, each of the first lateral cleaning elements and / or each of the second lateral cleaning elements protrudes further from the front side of the head than the corresponding central bristle tuft closest to the corresponding lateral cleaning element, such as at least 1 mm further.

[0012] Optionally, the first lateral cleaning element is a first lateral bristle tuft and / or the second lateral cleaning element is a second lateral bristle tuft.

[0013] Optionally, the number of first lateral cleaning elements is three. Optionally, the number of second lateral cleaning elements is three.

[0014] Optionally, the number of central bristle tufts is nine.

[0015] Optionally, each of the central bristle tufts includes or is composed of filaments with a first filament width, and each of the first lateral bristle tufts and / or each of the second lateral bristle tufts includes or is composed of filaments with a second filament width, and the second filament width is different from the first filament width. This can provide the first lateral bristle tufts and / or the second lateral bristle tufts with one or more properties different from the central bristle tufts, such as different flexibility and different ability to penetrate narrow spaces.

[0016] Optionally, the width of the first filament is the diameter. Optionally, the width of the second filament is the diameter.

[0017] Optionally, the width of the second filament is smaller than the width of the first filament. This can make the first and / or second lateral bristle tufts more flexible, thus cleaning the gingival line and interdental spaces more effectively.

[0018] Optionally, each of the first lateral cleaning elements and / or each of the second lateral cleaning elements protrudes at least 10% from the plane than most or each of the central bristle clusters.

[0019] Optionally, each first lateral cleaning element and / or each second lateral cleaning element protrudes from the plane by at least 10% more than the corresponding central bristle cluster closest to the corresponding lateral cleaning element.

[0020] Optionally, each first lateral cleaning element and / or each second lateral cleaning element protrudes at least 10% from the front of the head than most or each central bristle tuft.

[0021] Optionally, each first lateral cleaning element and / or each second lateral cleaning element protrudes at least 10% from the front of the head than the corresponding central bristle tuft closest to the corresponding lateral cleaning element.

[0022] Optionally, each of the first lateral cleaning elements and / or each of the second lateral cleaning elements protrudes from the front of the head by more than 8 mm and less than 10 mm.

[0023] Optionally, each of the central bristle tufts protrudes between 8mm and 9.5mm from the front of the head.

[0024] Optionally, the cleaning element includes a cleaning feature, which is the cleaning element closest to the toe tip of the head, and the cleaning feature protrudes further from the plane than each of the central bristle tufts.

[0025] A cleaning feature that protrudes further from the plane than each bristle tuft in the central bristle cluster can provide a greater reach and / or a greater range of motion or sweep width. Therefore, when using an oral treatment device to clean the lingual surface of a user's teeth, a cleaning feature may be more effective at following and sweeping the lingual gingival line than if the cleaning feature protruded to the same extent as the central bristle tuft. When the oral treatment device is used to clean the lateral surfaces of a user's teeth, the cleaning feature may be able to reach the interdental spaces better than if the cleaning feature protruded to the same extent as the central bristle tuft.

[0026] The fact that the central bristle tuft protrudes less than the cleaning features and lateral cleaning elements allows for greater freedom of movement for the cleaning features and / or lateral cleaning elements. They also provide a recess in which the cleaning agent is better retained on the cleaning element compared to when all the cleaning elements protrude from the plane to the same extent.

[0027] Optionally, the cleaning feature protrudes further from the plane than each of the first and / or second lateral cleaning elements. Optionally, the cleaning feature protrudes further from the front of the head than each of the first and / or second lateral cleaning elements, such as protruding at least 1 mm further.

[0028] Optionally, the cleaning feature protrudes further from the plane than each of the other cleaning elements. Therefore, the cleaning feature can be used to clean small holes and gaps on and between teeth without being obstructed by the other cleaning elements.

[0029] Optionally, the cleaning feature protrudes further from the front of the head than each of the other cleaning elements, such as protruding at least 1 mm further.

[0030] Optionally, the cleaning feature protrudes from the front of the head by 9mm to 12mm, for example, 10mm to 11mm.

[0031] Alternatively, the cleaning feature is a bristle tuft. This can improve the cleaning feature's ability to clean surfaces and its ability to reach tight spaces.

[0032] Optionally, each cleaning element protrudes 7mm to 12mm from the front of the head, for example, 8mm to 11mm.

[0033] Optionally, the cleaning feature is located in a second plane orthogonal to the width of the oral cavity treatment device. Alternatively, the cleaning feature is located in the central longitudinal plane of the oral cavity treatment device. This improves the cleaning feature's ability to clean the oral cavity as the oral cavity treatment device moves back and forth in a direction parallel to the first direction.

[0034] Optionally, the cleaning element includes one or more heel cleaning elements, which are the cleaning elements closest to the heel of the head, and the cleaning feature protrudes further from the plane than the heel cleaning element or each of the heel cleaning elements.

[0035] Optionally, the cleaning feature protrudes further from the front of the head than the heel cleaning element or each of the heel cleaning elements, such as at least 1 mm further.

[0036] Optionally, the heel cleaning element or each heel cleaning element protrudes from the front of the head by more than 8 mm and less than 10 mm.

[0037] Optionally, the heel cleaning element includes one of the central bristle clusters, one of the first lateral cleaning elements, and one of the second lateral cleaning elements.

[0038] Optionally, the number of heel cleaning elements is three.

[0039] Optionally, each cleaning element is a bristle tuft comprising one or more central filaments and a plurality of peripheral filaments surrounding the central filaments, with the central filaments, or each central filament, projecting further from the plane than each peripheral filament. This provides each bristle tuft with a natural tendency to bend relatively quickly when pressed against a tooth surface, providing an improved sweeping or scraping motion for a given pressure compared to comparative bristle tufts with flat ends orthogonal to their length. Such comparative bristle tufts may require greater force to be pressed against the tooth surface to bend.

[0040] Optionally, the intermediate filament or each intermediate filament protrudes further from the front of the head than each peripheral filament. Optionally, the intermediate filament or each intermediate filament and the peripheral filaments together define the convex shape.

[0041] Optionally, the cleaning element includes a cleaning feature, which is the cleaning feature closest to the tip of the head within the cleaning element. This cleaning feature has a root closest to the front of the head and a tip furthest from the front of the head. The cleaning feature protrudes from the front of the head at a first angle of 45 to 85 degrees with respect to the plane, and the cleaning feature is oriented relative to the head such that the tip of the cleaning feature is further away from the tip of the head than the root of the cleaning feature. For a given head size, this can provide a larger overall effective brushing area for the oral treatment device, thus improving the efficiency of the oral treatment device while remaining compact enough for easy operation within the user's mouth. It also improves the reach of the cleaning feature.

[0042] Optionally, the first angle is between 70 and 80 degrees to the plane, for example, about 75 degrees to the plane. A first angle within this specific range can provide cleaning characteristics that significantly increase the overall effective brushing area of ​​the dental treatment device, while maintaining effective performance at the cleaning surface and reaching the interdental space when the cleaning element presses against the surface in a direction orthogonal to the plane. A 75-degree angle has been found to be excellent in this respect.

[0043] Optionally, the cleaning feature has any or all of the optional features of the cleaning feature described above.

[0044] Optionally, the cleaning elements are symmetrical about the central longitudinal plane of the oral treatment device. Alternatively, the oral treatment device is symmetrical about the central longitudinal plane of the oral treatment device.

[0045] Optionally, the oral treatment device is configured to be removably attached to the handle.

[0046] Alternatively, the oral treatment device is a brush head or a toothbrush.

[0047] A second aspect of the invention provides an oral treatment system comprising: an oral treatment device according to the first aspect, wherein the oral treatment device is configured to be removably attached to a handle; and a handle.

[0048] Alternatively, the oral care system is a toothbrush, such as an electric toothbrush.

[0049] A third aspect of the invention provides an oral cavity treatment device for treating a user's oral cavity, the oral cavity treatment device comprising: a head having a front side extending from the base of the head to the toe tip of the head in a first direction; and a cleaning element projecting from the front side of the head, wherein the cleaning element includes a cleaning feature, the cleaning feature being the cleaning element closest to the toe tip of the head, the cleaning feature having a root closest to the front side of the head and a tip furthest from the front side of the head; wherein the oral cavity treatment device has a length parallel to the first direction and a width orthogonal to the length, wherein the cleaning feature projectes from the front side of the head in a direction at a first angle between 45 degrees and 85 degrees to a plane defined by the length and width, and wherein the cleaning feature is oriented relative to the head such that the tip of the cleaning feature is furthest from the base of the head than the root of the cleaning feature.

[0050] For a given head size, the cleaning feature protruding at a first angle relative to the plane can provide a larger overall effective brushing area for the oral treatment device, thus improving the effectiveness of the oral treatment device while remaining compact enough for easy manipulation within the user's mouth. It can also improve the reach of the cleaning feature.

[0051] Optionally, the front of the head is flat. Optionally, the front of the head is parallel to the plane.

[0052] Optionally, the first angle is between 70 and 80 degrees to the plane. A first angle within this specific range can provide cleaning characteristics that significantly increase the overall effective brushing area of ​​the oral treatment device, while maintaining effective performance at the cleaning surface and reaching the interdental space when the cleaning element presses against the surface in a direction orthogonal to the plane.

[0053] Optionally, the first angle is approximately 75 degrees to the plane. This angle has been found to be excellent in providing a significantly increased overall effective brushing area for the oral treatment device while maintaining the aforementioned effective cleaning characteristics.

[0054] Optionally, the cleaning feature is located in a second plane orthogonal to the width of the oral cavity treatment device. Alternatively, the cleaning feature is located in the central longitudinal plane of the oral cavity treatment device. This improves the cleaning feature's ability to clean the oral cavity as the oral cavity treatment device moves back and forth in a direction parallel to the first direction.

[0055] Optionally, the cleaning element includes a toe-tip central bristle tuft located in the central longitudinal plane of the oral treatment device and adjacent to the cleaning feature. The toe-tip central bristle tuft protrudes from the front of the head at a second angle between 80 and 85 degrees to the plane, and is oriented relative to the head such that the tip of the toe-tip central bristle tuft is further away from the root of the head than the root of the toe-tip central bristle tuft. Specifically, this further increases the ability of the toe region of the oral treatment device to sweep along the gingival line. Optionally, the second angle is approximately 82.5 degrees to the plane.

[0056] Optionally, the cleaning element includes: a collection of central bristle tufts extending from a central region on the front side of the head; a first collection of first lateral cleaning elements extending from a first side region on the front side of the head, the first side region extending from a first lateral side to the central region; a second collection of second lateral cleaning elements extending from a second side region on the front side of the head, the second side region extending from a second lateral side to the central region; and a cleaning feature.

[0057] Optionally, each central bristle tuft is spaced apart from each other by its own gaps, and the central bristle tufts have respective ends that are away from the front, these ends collectively defining a convex profile. The convex profile of the central bristle tufts provides a central pivot point that the user can place on their teeth while rocking the oral treatment device around the pivot point. This can increase the ability of the lateral cleaning elements to reach the gingival line and / or interdental spaces.

[0058] Optionally, when viewed longitudinally from either the heel or toe, the central bristle tuft has a convex shape. This allows the oral treatment device to pivot about the longitudinal axis when resting on its teeth at the pivot point, increasing the reach of the lateral cleaning elements.

[0059] Optionally, when viewed from either the first or second lateral edge, the central bristle tuft has a convex shape. This allows the oral processing device to pivot about the lateral axis when the pivot point rests on its teeth.

[0060] Optionally, the convex morphology is a dome morphology. Optionally, the convex morphology is non-undulating.

[0061] Optionally, each of the first and second lateral cleaning elements protrudes further from the plane than most or each of the central bristle tufts. This can help improve the effectiveness of the oral treatment device compared to an oral treatment device where the central bristle tufts protrude from the plane as far as the lateral cleaning elements of the device. This is because when the oral treatment device rests against the user's teeth with its length roughly aligned with one of the user's gingival lines, the central bristle tufts can remain on and brush the surface surfaces of the teeth, while one of the first or second sets of lateral cleaning elements extends further into the gingival line and cleans it more effectively. Similarly, when the oral treatment device rests against the user's teeth with its width roughly aligned with one of the user's gingival lines, the central bristle tufts can remain on and brush the surface surfaces of the teeth, while the lateral cleaning elements can further enter the spaces between teeth (called interdental spaces or interproximal areas) and clean them more effectively. Furthermore, it has been found that the further protruding lateral cleaning element can act as a guiding element, helping users to tactilely identify the position and orientation of the oral treatment device relative to their gums.

[0062] The first and second lateral cleaning elements protrude further from the plane than most or each central bristle tuft, providing a greater range of motion than the central bristle tufts. This increases the extent to which the first and second lateral cleaning elements can clean the oral cavity surface. The greater protrusion of the first and second lateral cleaning elements from the plane also helps retain dental floss on the cleaning elements during use, more specifically, on the distal ends of the central bristle tufts.

[0063] Optionally, each first lateral cleaning element and each second lateral cleaning element protrudes further from the plane than the corresponding central bristle cluster closest to the corresponding lateral cleaning element.

[0064] Optionally, the center of the convex shape is defined by a central bristle cluster within the central bristle cluster. Optionally, the first and second lateral cleaning elements protrude further from the plane than all the central bristle clusters except for the central one. Thus, the central one of the central bristle clusters can serve as a relatively small, defined central pivot point that the user can rest on their teeth while rocking the oral treatment device around the central pivot point.

[0065] Optionally, each of the first lateral cleaning elements and each of the second lateral cleaning elements protrudes further from the front of the head than most or each of the central bristle tufts, such as protruding further by at least 1 mm.

[0066] Optionally, each first lateral cleaning element and each second lateral cleaning element protrudes further from the front of the head than the corresponding central bristle tuft closest to the corresponding lateral cleaning element, for example, at least 1 mm further.

[0067] Optionally, the first set includes a first toe tip bristle tuft, which is the closest to the toe tip of the head in the first lateral cleaning element, and the second set includes a second toe tip bristle tuft, which is the closest to the toe tip of the head in the second lateral cleaning element. Each of the first and second toe tip bristle tufts projects from the front of the head at a third angle between 45 and 85 degrees to the plane, and is oriented relative to the head such that the tip of the respective toe tip bristle tuft is further away from the root of the head than the root of the respective toe tip bristle tuft. Specifically, this can further increase the ability of the toe tip region of the oral treatment device to sweep the gingival line. Optionally, the third angle is between 70 and 80 degrees to the plane, for example, about 75 degrees to the plane.

[0068] Optionally, the cleaning feature is elongated along its length, and the end of the cleaning feature defines a fourth angle shaped at an angle between 30 and 50 degrees with respect to its length, and is oriented relative to the head such that the portion of the end furthest from the base of the head is also the portion furthest from the plane. This can provide improved accessibility for the cleaning feature. Optionally, the fourth angle is approximately 40 degrees.

[0069] Optionally, the cleaning feature tapers gradually to a point or edge. This can improve the scraping action that the cleaning feature can perform.

[0070] Optionally, the morphology defined by the end of the cleaning feature forms a fifth angle between 25 and 45 degrees with the plane. Optionally, the fifth angle forms approximately 35 degrees with the plane.

[0071] Optionally, the cleaning element includes one or more heel cleaning elements, which are the cleaning elements closest to the heel of the head, and the cleaning feature protrudes further from the plane than the heel cleaning element or each of the heel cleaning elements.

[0072] Optionally, the cleaning feature protrudes further from the front of the head than the heel cleaning element or each of the heel cleaning elements, such as at least 1 mm further.

[0073] Optionally, the heel cleaning element or each heel cleaning element protrudes from the front of the head by more than 8 mm and less than 10 mm.

[0074] Optionally, the oral treatment device includes the set of central bristle tufts discussed above, a first set of first lateral cleaning elements and a second set of second lateral cleaning elements, and the heel cleaning element includes one of the central bristle tufts, one of the first lateral cleaning elements and one of the second lateral cleaning elements.

[0075] Optionally, the number of heel cleaning elements is three.

[0076] Optionally, the cleaning feature protrudes further from the plane than each of the other cleaning elements. Therefore, the cleaning feature can be used to clean small holes and gaps on and between teeth without being obstructed by the other cleaning elements.

[0077] Optionally, the cleaning feature protrudes further from the front of the head than each of the other cleaning elements, such as protruding at least 1 mm further.

[0078] Optionally, the cleaning feature protrudes from the front of the head by 9mm to 12mm, for example, 10mm to 11mm.

[0079] Alternatively, the cleaning feature is a bristle tuft. This can improve the cleaning feature's ability to clean surfaces and its ability to reach tight spaces.

[0080] Optionally, each cleaning element protrudes 7mm to 12mm from the front of the head, for example, 8mm to 11mm.

[0081] Optionally, each cleaning element is a bristle tuft comprising one or more central filaments and a plurality of peripheral filaments surrounding the central filaments, with the central filaments, or each central filament, projecting further from the plane than each peripheral filament. This provides each bristle tuft with a natural tendency to bend relatively quickly when pressed against a tooth surface, providing an improved sweeping or scraping motion for a given pressure compared to comparative bristle tufts with flat ends orthogonal to their length. Such comparative bristle tufts may require greater force to be pressed against the tooth surface to bend.

[0082] Optionally, the intermediate filament or each intermediate filament protrudes further from the front of the head than each peripheral filament. Optionally, the intermediate filament or each intermediate filament and the peripheral filaments together define the convex shape.

[0083] Optionally, the cleaning elements are symmetrical about the central longitudinal plane of the oral treatment device. Alternatively, the oral treatment device is symmetrical about the central longitudinal plane of the oral treatment device.

[0084] Optionally, the oral treatment device is configured to be removably attached to the handle.

[0085] Alternatively, the oral treatment device is a brush head or a toothbrush.

[0086] A fourth aspect of the invention provides an oral treatment system comprising: an oral treatment device according to a third aspect, wherein the oral treatment device is configured to be removably attached to a handle; and a handle.

[0087] Alternatively, the oral care system is a toothbrush, such as an electric toothbrush.

[0088] Where appropriate, optional features of various aspects of the invention may be applied in the same way to other aspects of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0089] Figure 1 A perspective view of an electric toothbrush is shown, in which the brush head is removably attached to the handle of the electric toothbrush.

[0090] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A partial perspective exploded view of a toothbrush, showing the brush head separated from the handle.

[0091] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A partial perspective view of the toothbrush head.

[0092] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 Front view of the toothbrush head.

[0093] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the bristle tufts of a brush head, wherein the cross-section is in a plane defined by the length and width of the brush head.

[0094] Figure 6 It shows Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the toothbrush head and sleeve, wherein the cross-section is a central longitudinal plane orthogonal to the width of the brush head. Detailed Implementation

[0095] The accompanying drawing illustrates an oral care system 1 in the form of an electric toothbrush. The toothbrush 1 includes a handle 10 and an oral care device 20 in the form of a brush head. The shape and size of the oral care device 20 are configured to attach to the handle 10 and subsequently be detachable from it. The brush head 20 is used to brush the mouth of the user of the toothbrush 1. The brush head 20 can be replaced or interchanged with another brush head (not shown), allowing the handle 10 to be used continuously with several brush heads 20.

[0096] The brush head 20 includes an elongated support 30 having a head 40 and a neck 50. The support 30 has a length SL and a width SW perpendicular to the length SL. The head 40 has a heel end 41 near the neck 50, a toe end 42 away from the neck 50 and defining a first end 21 of the brush head 20, and a first lateral side 43 and a second lateral side 44 connecting the heel end 41 and the toe end 42. The neck 50 extends longitudinally from the heel end 41 of the head 40 along the support 30 and is narrower than the head 40 in a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction for most of the length of the neck 50. The neck 50 has a first end 51 near the head 40 and a widening second end 52 away from the head 40. The widening second end 52 of the neck 50 defines a second end 22 of the brush head 20 opposite to the first end 21 of the brush head 20, and also defines a first interface 23 through which the brush head 20 engages with the handle 10. The first interface 23 includes a cavity 23 for receiving a second interface 13 of the handle 10.

[0097] The handle 10 is an elongated structure including a gripping portion 110 and a sleeve 120. The gripping portion 110 has a first end 111 near the sleeve 120 and a second end 112 opposite to the sleeve 120 and defining the first end 11 of the handle 10. The sleeve 120 extends longitudinally from the first end 111 of the gripping portion 110 and is narrower than the gripping portion 110 in a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the handle 10. The sleeve 120 has a first end 121 near the gripping portion 110 and a second end 122 opposite to the gripping portion 110. The second end 122 of the sleeve 120 defines a second end 12 of the handle 10 opposite to the first end 11 of the handle 10, and the sleeve 120 is a second interface 13 for engaging with a first interface 23 of the brush head 20. More specifically, the sleeve 120 can be inserted into the cavity of the first interface 23 of the brush head 20 to engage the sleeve 120 with the brush head 20, thereby releasably connecting the brush head 20 to the handle 10.

[0098] Returning to the brush head 20, the support member 30 includes a first component 31 and a second component 32, which are manufactured separately and then fixed together, as described below. The first portion of the first component 31 is a head plate 311 having a flat front side 310, which forms the flat front side 410 of the head 40. The head plate 311 is made of ABS and does not extend into or define any portion of the neck 50 of the support member 30. The second component 32 is a main structure on which the head plate 311 is mounted, and which defines the neck 50 of the support member 30 and the rear side 412 of the head 40 opposite to the front side 410. The second component 32 is also made of ABS. The front side 410 of the head 40 extends from the heel end 41 to the toe end 42 of the head 40 in a first direction and from a first lateral side 43 to a second lateral side 44 of the head 40 in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first and second directions are parallel to the length SL and width SW of the support member 30, respectively.

[0099] The brush head 20 has cleaning elements 60 in the form of bristle tufts protruding from the front side 410 of the head 40. Therefore, the front side 410 can be considered a bristle support surface, and the head plate 311 can be considered a bristle bed. The area of ​​the front side 410 occupied by the space between the bristle tufts 60 is sometimes referred to as the bristle area. The rear side 412 of the head 40 has no cleaning elements. Each bristle tuft 60 includes a bundle of filaments that are held together and positioned within the brush head 20 using an anchor-free tufting (AFT) technique. More specifically, the bristle bed has a plurality of holes 314 extending from the front side 310 of the bristle bed 311 to the opposite rear side 312 of the bristle bed 311. Each of the holes 314 corresponds to one of the bristle tufts 60. Each of the bristle tufts 60 is the first portion of a bundle of filaments protruding through one of the holes 314. The corresponding second portion of each bundle is fused together at the rear side 312 of the brush bed 31 to form a block 61 to prevent the bundle from being pulled through the hole 314. The relevant manufacturing method of these features is described below.

[0100] The bristle tufts 60 comprise an assembly of nine central bristle tufts 602, a first assembly of three first lateral bristle tufts 604, a second assembly of three second lateral bristle tufts 606, and a toe bristle tuft 608. All bristle tufts 60 are flexible to allow bending during use, and each bristle tuft has a length ranging from 8 mm to 11 mm, measured from the front side 310 of the bristle bed 31. All filaments constituting all bristle tufts 60 have a circular cross-sectional shape and are made of nylon. Each bristle tuft 60 has a relatively long central filament and relatively short peripheral filaments surrounding the central filament. Thus, no bristle tuft 60 has a flat end parallel to the front side 410 of the head 40 or parallel to the plane P defined by the length SL and width SW of the support 30, which is parallel to the flat front side 410 of the head 40.

[0101] The toe-tip bristle tuft 608 is located in the central longitudinal plane CLP of the brush head 20. It is the bristle tuft closest to the toe tip 42 of all bristle tufts 60 and extends through a dedicated hole 314 through the bristle bed 31. The toe-tip bristle tuft 608 has a root 608a closest to the front side 310 of the bristle bed 311 and a tip 608b furthest from the front side 310 of the bristle bed 311. The toe-tip bristle tuft 608 extends at an angle of approximately 15 degrees to the orthogonal direction of the front side 310 of the bristle bed 31 (or a first angle α of approximately 75 degrees to the plane P), such that the tip of the toe-tip bristle tuft 608 is further away from the root of the head 40 than the root of the toe-tip bristle tuft 608. At a length between 10 mm and 11 mm from the front side 310 of the bristle bed 31, the filaments of the toe-tip bristle tuft 608 are the longest among all bristle tufts 60 of the brush head 20. In other words, the toe bristle tuft 608 protrudes at least 1 mm from the plane P defined by the length SL and width SW of the support 30 compared to any other bristle tuft 60. More specifically, the toe bristle tuft 608 protrudes from the plane P and the front side 310 of the bristle bed 31, protruding about 1 mm from either the first lateral bristle tuft 604 or the second lateral bristle tuft 606 and the center one 602a of the nine center bristle tufts 602, and about 1 mm to 3 mm from any other bristle tuft among the nine center bristle tufts 602.

[0102] The nine central bristle tufts 602 are all circular in cross-section and extend from correspondingly spaced holes in the central region 411 of the front side 410 of the head 40, such that the nine central bristle tufts 602 are spaced apart from each other by corresponding gaps. Each of the central bristle tufts 602 protrudes from the front side 410 of the head 40 by about 8 mm to about 9.5 mm. The central one 602a of the nine central bristle tufts 602 is located in the central longitudinal plane CLP of the brush head 20 and is longer than the other eight of the nine central bristle tufts 602 surrounding it (measured from the front side 310 of the bristle bed 31), and the nine central bristle tufts 602 have corresponding ends away from the bristle bed 311, which together define a convex or dome-shaped morphology. More specifically, the central one 602a of the nine central bristle tufts 602 protrudes approximately 9.3 mm from the front side 410 of the head 40, while each of the other eight central bristle tufts 602 protrudes approximately 8 mm to 9.1 mm from the front side 410 of the head 40. The convex shape of the central bristle tufts 602 is convex when viewed laterally from one of the first lateral sides 43 and the second lateral side 44, and longitudinally from one of the heel end 41 and the toe end 42, and is non-convex when viewed from any of these directions. In other words, the central one 602a of the nine central bristle tufts 602 protrudes further from plane P than the other eight. The toe-end central bristle tuft 602b is located in the central longitudinal plane CLP of the brush head 20 and is the one closest to the toe-end bristle tuft 608 among the nine central bristle tufts 602. The toe-tip central bristle tuft 602b extends from its opening in the front side 410 of the head 40 at an angle of approximately 7.5 degrees to the orthogonal direction of the front side 310 of the bristle bed 31 (or a second angle β of approximately 82.5 degrees to the plane P), such that the tip of the toe-tip central bristle tuft 602b is further away from the heel end 41 of the head 40 than the root of the toe-tip central bristle tuft 602b. The other eight of the nine central bristle tufts 602 extend orthogonally from their respective openings in the front side 410 of the head 40, so as to be orthogonal to the front side 310 of the bristle bed 31.

[0103] Three lateral bristle tufts 604 of the first set extend from correspondingly spaced holes in the first side region 412 of the front side 410 of the head 40, so as to be spaced apart from each other by corresponding gaps, and three lateral bristle tufts 606 of the second set extend from correspondingly spaced holes in the second side region 413 of the front side 410 of the head 40, so as to be spaced apart from each other by corresponding gaps. The first side region 412 extends from the first lateral side 43 of the head 40 to the central region 411 of the front side 410 of the head 40. The three lateral bristle tufts 604 of the first set are arranged in series along a first curved path extending from the heel end of the first side region 412 to the toe end of the first side region 412, the heel end and the toe end of the first side region 412 being the ends of the first side region 412 closest to the heel end 41 and the toe end 42 of the head 40, respectively. Similarly, the second side region 413 extends from the second lateral side 44 of the head 40 to the central region 411. The three lateral bristle tufts 606 of the second set are arranged in series along a second curved path extending from the heel end of the second side region 413 to the toe end of the second side region 413, where the heel end and toe end are the ends of the second side region 413 closest to the head 40, respectively. The diameter of each filament constituting the lateral bristle tufts 604, 606 is smaller than the diameter of each filament constituting the central bristle tuft 602.

[0104] In the first and second sets, the two bristle tufts 604, 606 closest to the heel tip 41 of the head 40 extend orthogonally through the bristle bed 311 from their respective holes, thus orthogonal to the front side 310 of the bristle bed 31. Conversely, in the first and second sets, the bristle tufts 604, 606 closest to the toe tip 42 of the head 40 extend at an angle of approximately 15 degrees (or a third angle of approximately 75 degrees to the plane P) to the direction orthogonal to the front side 310 of the bristle bed 31, such that the ends of the bristle tufts 604, 606 closest to the toe tip 42 of the head 40 are farther from the heel tip 41 of the head 40 than the roots of the bristle tufts 604, 606. These third angles are not shown in the figures, but they are parallel to and equal to the angles to the front side 310 of the bristle bed 31. Figure 6 The first angle α is shown. In other words, the toe bristle tuft 608 and the bristle tufts 604, 606 closest to the toe tip 42 in each of the first and second sets are at the same angle to the front side 310 of the bristle bed 31, and at the same angle to the plane P.

[0105] Each of the first and second sets of bristle tufts 604, 606 is longer than each of the nine central bristle tufts 602 except for the central one 602a (measured from the front side 310 of the bristle bed 31). In other words, each of the first and second sets of bristle tufts 604, 606 protrudes further (approximately 10% further) from the plane P defined by the length SL and width SW of the support 30 than the eight central bristle tufts 602, which surround the central one 602a of the nine central bristle tufts 602 and are the closest of the central bristle tufts 602 to the first and second sets of bristle tufts 604, 606. More specifically, each of the first and second sets of bristle tufts 604, 606 protrudes 8.5 mm to 9.8 mm from the front side 310 of the bristle bed 31 or from the front side 410 of the head 40.

[0106] Returning to the brush head 20, one of the nine central bristle tufts 602, 602c, and one of each of the sets of first and second lateral bristle tufts 604, 606, 604c, 606c, are the three bristle tufts closest to the heel tip 41 of the head 40 among all the bristle tufts 60. For simplicity, these three bristle tufts 602c, 604c, 606c will be referred to as the heel tip bristle tufts. The three heel tip bristle tufts 602c, 604c, 606c are arranged along the path connecting the two lateral sides 43, 44 of the head 40. One of the nine central bristle tufts 602c is located in the central longitudinal plane CLP of the brush head 20 and aligned with the longitudinal axis LA of the head 40, while the other two heel tip bristle tufts 604c, 606c, are laterally offset from one of the nine central bristle tufts 602c on either side of it. Each heel tuft of bristles protrudes 8.6 mm to 9.5 mm from the front side 410 of the head 40, and is smaller than the toe tuft of bristles 608.

[0107] The toe-tip bristle tuft 608 is elongated and tapers to a point along the length of the cleaning feature. The tip of the toe-tip bristle tuft 608 has or defines a shape forming a fourth angle δ (approximately 40 degrees with respect to the length of the cleaning feature) (and a fifth angle ε (approximately 35 degrees with respect to the plane P), and is oriented relative to the head 40 such that the portion of the tip furthest from the heel 41 of the head 40 is also the portion furthest from the plane P. This portion of the tip is the portion of any bristle tuft 60 furthest from the heel 41 and the front side 410 of the head 40.

[0108] The manufacturing process of brush head 20 will now be briefly described.

[0109] The first component 31 and the second component 32 are manufactured separately from ABS using corresponding injection molding processes. The molding of the first component 31 forms a hole 314 through the headplate or brush bed 311. The molding of the second component 32 forms the neck 50 of the support 30 and the rear side 412 of the head 40.

[0110] The filaments are gathered to form corresponding bundles, which are then positioned in holes 314 in a bristle bed 311 such that a first portion of each bundle protrudes from the front side 310 of the bristle bed 311, and a second portion of each bundle protrudes from the rear side 312 of the bristle bed 311. The second portion of the bundle is then heated, causing the filaments to melt and fuse together. The bundle is then allowed to cool to form a solid block 61 abutting against the rear side 312 of the bristle bed 311. Thus, the first portion of the bundle protrudes from the front side 310 of the bristle bed 311 to form a bristle tuft 60, and the block 61 prevents the bristle tuft 60 from being pulled across the holes 314 in the bristle bed 311. This AFT technique is readily apparent to a skilled reader, and therefore, for the sake of brevity, no further details will be provided. In some cases, the first portion of the bundle may be trimmed after this process to give the bristle tuft 60 its final desired length.

[0111] The first component 31 and the second component 32 are then joined by ultrasonic welding to form a complete brush head 20.

[0112] During use of toothbrush 1, the user attaches the brush head 20 to the handle 10 by inserting the sleeve 120 of the handle 10 into the cavity 23 of the brush head 20. The user then applies dental cleaning solution to the bristle tufts 60 and brushes their teeth and gums with the bristle tufts 60 and the dental cleaning solution. The first lateral bristle tufts 604, the second lateral bristle tufts 606, and the toe bristle tufts 608 extend beyond the central bristle tuft 602 to retain the dental cleaning solution.

[0113] When the user swings the toothbrush 1 along the length of the brush head 20 while holding the bristle tufts 60 on the surface of the teeth, with the length of the brush head 20 generally aligned with the gum line, the central bristle tuft 602 can remain on the surface and oscillate about the longitudinal and / or lateral axes. The central bristle tuft 602 can also brush the surface, while the first lateral bristle tufts 604 and the second lateral bristle tufts 606 extend beyond the central bristle tuft 602 into the gum line for thorough cleaning of the gum line.

[0114] When the user rotates the toothbrush 1 so that the length of the brush head 20 is approximately perpendicular to the gum line, and then swings the toothbrush 1 along the length of the brush head 20 while holding the bristle tufts 60 on the surface side, the central bristle tuft 602 can swing and brush the surface side, while the first lateral bristle tuft 604 and the second lateral bristle tuft 606 extend beyond the central bristle tuft 602 into the interdental space to clean it. The first lateral bristle tuft 604 and the second lateral bristle tuft 606 have filaments with a diameter smaller than that of the central bristle tuft 602. This helps the first lateral bristle tuft 604 and the second lateral bristle tuft 606 fit into and bend within the interdental space, while ensuring that the central bristle tuft 602 is strong enough to provide a platform for the surface side to rest against.

[0115] When a user uses brush head 20 to clean the lingual surface of their teeth, brush head 20 is oriented such that its length is approximately perpendicular to their gum line. When the user subsequently swings the toothbrush 1 along the length of brush head 20 while keeping the bristle tufts 60 against the lingual surface in this orientation, the central bristle tuft 602 can oscillate and brush the lingual surface, while the first lateral bristle tufts 604 and the second lateral bristle tufts 606 extend beyond the central bristle tuft 602 into the interdental space, and the toe bristle tufts 608 sweep and clean the lingual gum line.

[0116] Users can also use the length of the toe-tip bristle tuft 608 to reach into and clean the narrow spaces between and around the teeth.

[0117] In addition, the toe bristle tufts 608 extend at an angle of about 15 degrees to the front side 310 of the bristle bed 31, increasing the effective brushing area of ​​the brush head 20, or the total coverage area of ​​the bristle tufts 60, which can improve the effectiveness of the toothbrush 1 with a brush head 20 of a given size.

[0118] Because each bristle tuft 60 of the brush head 20 has a relatively long central filament and relatively short peripheral filaments surrounding the central filament, the bristle tufts have a natural tendency to bend relatively quickly when pressed against the tooth surface. This improves their sweeping or scraping ability under a given pressure compared to comparative bristle tufts with flat ends orthogonal to their length. The tapered ends of the toe-end bristle tufts 608 further enhance their scraping or ploughing ability.

[0119] While specific examples have been described, it should be understood that these are merely illustrative examples, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, in some other examples, the oral treatment device (such as a toothbrush) includes a handle, such as a handle integrally formed with a support. In some examples, the oral treatment device has one or more cleaning elements in the form of bristle tufts projecting from the front of the support, these cleaning elements being held in place by mechanisms other than AFT techniques, such as in-mold tufting (IMT) or pressure-temperature-time (PTt) techniques, which are readily known to a skilled reader. In some examples, the oral treatment device has one or more cleaning elements in the form of bristle tufts projecting from the front of the support, wherein the arrangement and / or length of the bristle tufts differs from that shown in the figures. In some examples, the oral treatment device has one or more cleaning elements, such as bristle tufts, projecting from the front of the support, wherein the angle at which the cleaning elements project from the front differs from that shown in the figures. In some examples, each first lateral cleaning element and each second lateral cleaning element protrudes further from the plane defined by the length and width of the support than each central bristle tuft. In some examples, the support of the oral treatment device has a neck that extends from the head of the support in a first direction and is not narrower than the head in a transverse direction orthogonal to the first direction (e.g., has the same width as the head).

Claims

1. An oral cavity treatment device for treating a user's oral cavity, the oral cavity treatment device comprising: A head having a front side extending from the base of the head to the toe in a first direction and from a first lateral side of the head to a second lateral side of the head in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; as well as A cleaning element protruding from the front side of the head, wherein the cleaning element comprises: An assembly of central bristle tufts extending from the central region of the front side of the head, each bristle tuft being spaced apart from the others by its respective gap, and each bristle tuft having a respective end away from the front side, the ends collectively defining a convex shape. A first assembly of first lateral cleaning elements extends from a first side region on the front side of the head, the first side region extending from the first lateral side to the central region, and A second set of second lateral cleaning elements extends from a second side region on the front side of the head, the second side region extending from the second lateral side to the central region; The oral cavity treatment device has a length parallel to the first direction and a width orthogonal to the length, and each of the first lateral cleaning elements and each of the second lateral cleaning elements protrudes further from the plane defined by the length and the width than most or each of the central bristle clusters.

2. The oral cavity treatment device according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the first lateral cleaning elements and each of the second lateral cleaning elements protrudes further from the plane than the corresponding one of the central bristle clusters closest to the corresponding lateral cleaning element.

3. The oral cavity treatment device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The first lateral cleaning element is a first lateral bristle tuft and / or the second lateral cleaning element is a second lateral bristle tuft.

4. The oral cavity treatment device according to claim 3, wherein, Each of the central bristle clusters comprises or is composed of filaments with a first filament width. Wherein, each of the first lateral bristle clusters and / or each of the second lateral bristle clusters includes or is composed of filaments with a second filament width, and The width of the second filament is different from the width of the first filament.

5. The oral cavity treatment device according to claim 4, wherein, The width of the second filament is smaller than the width of the first filament.

6. The oral cavity treatment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each of the first lateral cleaning elements and / or each of the second lateral cleaning elements protrudes at least 10% further from the plane than most or each of the central bristle clusters.

7. The oral cavity treatment device according to claim 6, wherein, Each of the first lateral cleaning elements and / or each of the second lateral cleaning elements protrudes from the plane by at least 10% more than the corresponding one of the central bristle clusters closest to the corresponding lateral cleaning element.

8. The oral treatment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The cleaning element includes a cleaning feature, which is the one of the cleaning elements closest to the toe tip of the head, and wherein the cleaning feature protrudes further from the plane than each of the central bristle clusters.

9. The oral cavity treatment device according to claim 8, wherein, The cleaning element includes one or more heel cleaning elements, the heel cleaning element being the one closest to the heel of the head, and wherein the cleaning feature protrudes further from the plane than the heel cleaning element or each of the heel cleaning elements.

10. The oral cavity treatment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each of the cleaning elements is a bristle tuft comprising one or more central filaments and a plurality of peripheral filaments surrounding the one or more central filaments, wherein the central filament or each of the central filaments protrudes further from the plane than each of the peripheral filaments.

11. The oral treatment device according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The cleaning element includes a cleaning feature, which is the cleaning element closest to the toe tip of the head, and the cleaning feature has a root closest to the front side of the head and a tip furthest from the front side of the head. and The cleaning feature protrudes from the front side of the head at a first angle of 45 to 85 degrees with respect to the plane, and the cleaning feature is oriented relative to the head such that the end of the cleaning feature is further away from the root of the head than the root of the cleaning feature.

12. The oral cavity treatment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The oral treatment device is configured to be removably attached to a handle.

13. An oral treatment system comprising: The oral treatment device according to claim 12; and The handle.

14. An oral cavity treatment device for treating a user's oral cavity, the oral cavity treatment device comprising: A head having an anterior side extending in a first direction from the base of the head to the toe of the head; as well as A cleaning element protrudes from the front side of the head, wherein the cleaning element includes a cleaning feature, the cleaning feature being the cleaning element closest to the toe tip of the head, the cleaning feature having a root closest to the front side of the head and an end furthest from the front side of the head; The oral cavity treatment device has a length parallel to the first direction and a width orthogonal to the length, wherein the cleaning feature protrudes from the front side of the head in a direction at a first angle between 45 degrees and 85 degrees to the plane defined by the length and the width, and wherein the cleaning feature is oriented relative to the head such that the end of the cleaning feature is further away from the root of the head than the root of the cleaning feature.

15. The oral cavity treatment device according to claim 14, wherein, The cleaning feature is located in a second plane orthogonal to the width of the oral treatment device.

16. The oral cavity treatment device according to claim 15, wherein, The cleaning feature is located in the central longitudinal plane of the oral treatment device.

17. The oral cavity treatment device according to claim 16, wherein, The cleaning element includes a toe-centered bristle tuft located in the central longitudinal plane of the oral treatment device and adjacent to the cleaning feature, wherein the toe-centered bristle tuft protrudes from the front side of the head at a second angle between 80 and 85 degrees with respect to the plane, and is oriented relative to the head such that the tip of the toe-centered bristle tuft is further away from the root of the head than the base of the toe-centered bristle tuft.

18. The oral treatment device according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein, The cleaning element includes: A central tuft of bristles extending from the central region of the front side of the head. A first assembly of first lateral cleaning elements extends from a first side region on the front side of the head, the first side region extending from the first lateral side to the central region. A second set of second lateral cleaning elements extends from a second side region on the front side of the head, the second side region extending from the second lateral side to the central region; and The cleaning feature.

19. The oral cavity treatment device according to claim 18, in, The first set includes a first toe tip bristle tuft, which is the bristle tuft closest to the toe tip in the first lateral cleaning element. The second set includes a second toe-tip bristle tuft, which is the bristle tuft closest to the toe tip in the second lateral cleaning element, and Each of the first and second toe-end bristle tufts protrudes from the front side of the head in a direction at a third angle between 45 and 85 degrees with respect to the plane, and is oriented relative to the head such that the end of the respective toe-end bristle tuft is further away from the root of the head than the root of the respective toe-end bristle tuft.

20. The oral treatment device according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein, The cleaning feature is elongated along its length, and the end of the cleaning feature defines a shape that forms a fourth angle between 30 and 50 degrees with respect to the length direction of the cleaning feature, and is oriented relative to the head such that the portion of the end furthest from the head at the base is also the portion of the end furthest from the plane.

21. The oral cavity treatment device according to claim 20, wherein, The morphology defined by the end of the cleaning feature forms a fifth angle between 25 and 45 degrees with the plane.

22. The oral treatment device according to any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein, The cleaning element includes one or more heel cleaning elements, the heel cleaning element being the cleaning element closest to the heel of the head, and wherein the cleaning feature protrudes further from the plane than the heel cleaning element or each of the heel cleaning elements.

23. The oral treatment device according to any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein, The cleaning feature protrudes further from the plane than each of the other cleaning elements.

24. The oral treatment device according to any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein, The oral treatment device is configured to be removably attached to a handle.

25. An oral treatment system comprising: The oral treatment device according to claim 24; as well as The handle.

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