Method of manufacturing recess wall lined with bristles for mouthpiece for simultaneously brushing at plurality of dental positions, and recess wall and mouthpiece obtained with the method; and dental cleaning device; and mouthpiece for brushing at plurality of dental positions, brushing device comprising such mouthpiece, and method of operating such mouthpiece or brushing device

Abstract

To provide a method for manufacturing a recessed wall lined with bristles for a mouthpiece for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions.SOLUTION: An elongated continuous bristled sheet component having a first side lined with a plurality of bristles is provided. The sheet component defines a length axis extending parallel to the sheet component and defines a cross-sectional shape as viewed transverse to the length axis. In an initial state, the cross-sectional shape of the sheet component has an initial shape, and the length axis has an arch shape. The sheet component is transformed from an initial state to a final state to provide a recess wall. In the final state, the cross-sectional shape has a final U-shape, the length axis is arcuate, and the first side is a concave inner side of the final U-shape. The first side is more concave in the final state than in the initial state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 22

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Introduction The present application relates to a plurality of inventions in the field of dental cleaning devices for brushing teeth and / or dental positions. More specifically, the plurality of inventions relate to the field of dental cleaning devices for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions.

[0002] The plurality of inventions of the present application are divided into three chapters.

[0003] The first chapter corresponds to Dutch Patent Application No. 2021332, a priority application filed on July 17, 2018, under the title "Method for manufacturing a recess wall lined with bristles for a mouthpiece for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions, and a recess wall and a mouthpiece obtained by that method". As can be seen from this title, the first chapter relates in particular to a method for manufacturing a recess wall lined with bristles for a mouthpiece. The present application claims the priority of Dutch Patent Application No. 2021332.

[0004] The second chapter corresponds to Dutch Patent Application No. 2021330, a priority application filed on July 17, 2018, under the title "Dental cleaning device". The second chapter relates in particular to operating a mouthpiece so that the mouthpiece performs its brushing action. The present application claims the priority of Dutch Patent Application No. 2021330.

[0005] Chapter 3 corresponds to Dutch patent application No. 2021331, a priority application filed on July 17, 2018, under the title "Mouthpiece for brushing at multiple dental positions, a brushing device comprising such a mouthpiece, and a method of operating such a mouthpiece or brushing device". Chapter 3 relates in particular to a specific configuration of the mouthpiece or the recess wall. This application claims the priority of Dutch patent application No. 2021331.

[0006] The dental cleaning device of Chapter 2 can include a recess wall manufactured by the method as described in Chapter 1, but this is not necessarily the case. Also, the recess wall of the cleaning device of Chapter 2 can be manufactured in other ways.

[0007] Furthermore, the dental cleaning device of Chapter 2 can have a mouthpiece or a recess wall configured according to one of the embodiments of Chapter 3, but this is not necessarily the case. Also, the mouthpiece or the recess wall of Chapter 2 can be configured differently.

[0008] The mouthpiece of Chapter 3 can include a recess wall manufactured by the method as described in Chapter 1, but this is not necessarily the case. Also, the recess wall of the mouthpiece of Chapter 3 can be manufactured in other ways.

[0009] Furthermore, the mouthpiece of Chapter 3 can be operated according to Chapter 2, but this is not necessarily the case. Also, the mouthpiece of Chapter 3 can be operated in a different way.

[0010] The description of this application is arranged according to these three chapters, as also shown in this description. The claims contain a header indicating to which chapter the claim belongs.

[0011] Each chapter uses similar features corresponding to the specialized terms. If there is a discrepancy between the specialized terms used in one chapter and those used in another chapter, the specialized terms used in a particular chapter shall take precedence over the above-mentioned specialized terms in other chapters within that chapter.

[0012] Chapter 1 [Title of the Invention] Method for manufacturing a recess wall lined with bristles for a mouthpiece for simultaneous brushing at multiple dental positions, and the recess wall and mouthpiece obtained by the method

[0013] The present invention of Chapter 1 relates to the field of dental cleaning devices having a mouthpiece for simultaneous brushing at multiple dental positions, and more particularly to a dental cleaning device of a type in which the mouthpiece includes a body portion provided with at least one recess, the at least one recess being defined by a recess wall lined with a plurality of bristles, the plurality of bristles extending from the recess wall into the recess, the recess wall defining an arch-shaped longitudinal axis and defining a U-shaped cross-sectional shape when viewed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, and being configured to encompass a plurality of dental positions along a dental arch.

Background Art

[0014] [Background Art of Chapter 1] The cleaning of human and animal teeth is an essential condition for oral hygiene and visceral health. For example, various dental cleaning devices are available, such as manual toothbrushes and electric toothbrushes. With these typical toothbrushes, it is recommended to brush teeth in a prescribed manner for at least two minutes a day to effectively remove plaque. However, the average person does not spend all of the prescribed time cleaning their teeth and does not always brush in an effective manner. Additionally, it can be difficult for disabled, elderly, or child individuals to brush their teeth with a toothbrush. This is because typical toothbrushes require precise positioning of the brush bristles on various tooth surfaces.

[0015] As is often the case with the elderly, when some or all teeth are missing in some dental positions, the cleaning of the gums in these dental positions remains an essential condition for oral hygiene and visceral health.

[0016] There is a need to automatically brush the teeth and / or gums in these dental positions to clean them, thereby reducing the time and effort required for effective brushing. Additionally, there is also a need to avoid the need for careful operation of the brush.

[0017] Dental cleaning devices are known that include a mouthpiece that covers the upper dental arch and / or the lower dental arch. These mouthpieces can be of the type that include a body portion provided with at least one recess, the at least one recess being bounded by a recess wall lined with a plurality of bristles, the plurality of bristles extending from the recess wall into the recess, the recess wall defining an arcuate longitudinal axis and defining a U-shaped cross-sectional shape when viewed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, and being configured to encompass a plurality of dental positions along the dental arch. Dental positions to be brushed, such as teeth and / or gums, are inserted into the at least one recess, and the recess wall lined with bristles is operated by the bristles thereon to brush the teeth and / or gums. Depending on the length of the recess, some or all of the dental positions of the upper dental arch and / or the lower dental arch can be brushed simultaneously. An example of such a mouthpiece can be found in Patent Document 1 filed by the applicant on April 27, 2018. This PCT application has not yet been published as of the priority date of the present application.

[0018] Part of such a mouthpiece is a recess wall lined with bristles, the recess wall being arched in the longitudinal direction and having a U-shaped cross-section in the transverse direction with respect to this longitudinal direction, the recess wall having bristles on the inner side portions of the U-shaped cross-section. The small inner space of the U-shaped cross-section and the length of the arched shape make the manufacture of such a recess wall lined with bristles very difficult. Of course, such a recess wall lined with bristles can be made manually by attaching each bristle or tuft of bristles to the recess wall one by one. However, this is labor-intensive and not time- and cost-efficient. Such a recess wall with a U-shaped cross-section and bristles on the inner side portions of the U-shaped cross-section can be further made by injection molding the recess wall and the bristles simultaneously, but due to the small inner width of the U-shaped cross-section, it is almost impossible to demold the molded recess wall and bristles from the mold without damaging the bristles. Further, tufting the inner walls of a narrow arched channel having a U-shaped cross-section cannot be automated.

[0019] Accordingly, there is a need for a method of manufacturing a continuous recess wall lined with bristles for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions arranged along an arch extending at least a distance equal to the distance from the second left molar to the second right molar. Therein, the recess wall is configured to encompass dental positions associated with at least the second left molar to at least the second right molar, and has a U-shaped cross-section and an arched longitudinal axis extending at least a distance equal to the distance from the second left molar to the second right molar.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0020]

Patent Document 1

[0021] [Summary of the Invention in Chapter 1] The object of the present invention in Chapter 1 is an alternative method for manufacturing a recessed wall for a mouthpiece for simultaneous brushing at a plurality of dental positions, the recessed wall defining a narrow arch-shaped channel having a U-shaped cross-section and having a length at least equal to the distance from the left second premolar to the right second premolar, and being covered by bristles on the inner side portions of the channel, to provide a method. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0022] According to a first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 1, one or more of the above objects are achieved by providing the method according to claim 1.

[0023] According to the present invention in Chapter 1, a method for manufacturing a continuous recessed wall lined with bristles for a mouthpiece for simultaneous brushing at a plurality of dental positions is provided. In other words, the method results in a recessed wall configured to brush at a plurality of dental positions simultaneously. If a natural or artificial tooth element is present at the dental position where the bristles on the recessed wall brush, this tooth element is brushed. If a tooth element is not present at the dental position where the bristles on the recessed wall brush, the gum may be brushed.

[0024] The continuous recessed wall obtained by the method according to the invention of Chapter 1 has an arch-shaped longitudinal axis and, when viewed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, has a U-shaped cross-section configured to encompass the plurality of dental positions. The arch-shaped longitudinal axis has a length that extends at least equal to the distance from the second premolar on the left to the second premolar on the right. Further, the arch-shaped longitudinal axis can have a shape similar to the shape of the dental arch of a human.

[0025] The method according to the invention of Chapter 1 includes a step of providing. In this step of providing, an elongated continuous bristled sheet part having a first side lined with a plurality of bristles is provided. This elongated continuous bristled sheet part can be provided as a prefabricated part pre-made elsewhere, or in the step of providing, the elongated continuous bristled sheet part having an arch-shaped longitudinal axis and a first side lined with bristles can be produced, for example, by assembling the sheet part and the bristles into an integral part, by injection molding the sheet part and the bristles, by injection molding the sheet part into a mold (in which bristles (e.g., made of nylon) are installed as inserts and become an integral part with the molded sheet part), or in any other suitable manner for obtaining a sheet part having a first side lined with bristles. The elongated continuous bristled sheet part obtained in the step of providing has an initial state, and the initial state has an arch-shaped longitudinal axis extending parallel to the bristled sheet part and, when viewed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, has an initial shape as a cross-sectional shape.

[0026] The method according to the invention of Chapter 1 further comprises a transforming step. In this transforming step, the bristled sheet part obtained in the providing step is transformed from an initial state to a final state, resulting in the production of the recess wall. In the final state, the cross-sectional shape has a final U-shape (which can correspond to the U-shaped cross-section of the recess wall to be produced), the longitudinal axis is in an arch shape, and the first side is the inner concave side of the final U-shape. A further characteristic of the final state is that in the final state, the first side (of the bristled sheet part) lined by the bristles is more concave than in the initial state.

[0027] This method allows for the pre - fabrication of the bristle - equipped sheet part with bristles that are to be provided in the providing step elsewhere, or allows for the in - situ fabrication of the bristle - equipped sheet part in a state where the first side of the sheet part (i.e., the side to be lined by the bristles) is, for example, flat, convex, or shallowly concave, and it is made easily accessible for fabricating the bristle - equipped sheet part. In the initial state, the bristles can extend essentially in the same direction from the sheet part, and the bristles can, for example, extend substantially parallel to each other. Also, the bristles can be grouped into one or more groups of parallel bristles, and the bristles of different groups extend in different directions relative to each other. For example, the flat or convex first side of the sheet part in the initial state allows for the easy removal of the mold half when demolding the molded sheet part and bristles when injection - molding the sheet part and / or the bristles (see, for example, Patent Document 2), where in Patent Document 2, a sheet part with bristles for a conventional toothbrush is fabricated by injection - molding the sheet part in several steps and by inserting the tufts of bristles into the mold half. Further, the flat or convex first side of the sheet part in the initial state also allows for the use of other techniques such as the option provided by GB Boucherie NV, Belgium like the AFT toothbrush technology, or the technology of Zahoransky AG, Germany like the anchorless toothbrush for assembling the bristle - equipped sheet part. This pre - assembled bristle - equipped sheet part is then subjected to a transforming step, in which the initial state of the bristle - equipped sheet part is transformed into the concave wall to be manufactured, and the concave wall to be manufactured has a final state.In this step of transformation, the bristled sheet part obtained in the step of providing is brought to its final U-shaped cross-section, in which the bristles on the opposing side parts of the U-shaped cross-section extend towards each other and can cross each other.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the present invention of Chapter 1, the final U-shape can be defined by two legs and a bottom connecting these legs, and a vertical axis can be defined to extend in a transverse direction with respect to the bottom between the legs. According to this embodiment, in the final state, the bristles on one leg and the bristles on the other leg can extend towards each other from their respective legs. Further, according to this embodiment, additionally or alternatively, and looking at the final state, the bristles on the legs can be provided at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical axis, and the angle is in the range of 30° to 90° with respect to the vertical axis.

[0029] According to a further embodiment of the present invention of Chapter 1, two legs and a bottom connecting these legs are defined by a final U - shape, and the vertical axis is defined as extending in a transverse direction with respect to the bottom. The legs define a tangent to the first side of the bristle - equipped sheet part at the respective root of the bristles on the legs. The tangent extends in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis. In the initial state, the bristles can extend parallel to the vertical axis, and each of the respective tangents can have a respective predetermined initial angle with respect to the vertical axis. In the step of transformation, the legs are bent towards each other, rotating each tangent through an angle of x° with respect to the vertical axis, and the bristles associated with each tangent extend at an angle of x° with respect to the vertical axis in a direction pointing away from the bottom. When the legs are bent towards each other, if the legs are straight and do not bend, this further embodiment can also be represented as an embodiment in which two legs and a bottom connecting these legs are defined by a final U - shape, and the vertical axis is defined as extending in a transverse direction with respect to the bottom. The bristles can extend parallel to the vertical axis in the initial state. At least a part of the bristles on the legs can extend at an angle of x degrees with respect to the vertical axis in a direction pointing away from the bottom in the final state. The legs can have an initial angle with respect to the vertical axis in the initial state. The legs can have a final angle with respect to the vertical axis in the final state, and the final angle is x degrees greater than the initial angle.

[0030] By doing so, i) the prefabricated parts (i.e., the bristle - equipped sheet parts) are provided, in the providing step, with all bristles parallel to each other and to the axis in the vertical direction, which considerably simplifies the making of the prefabricated parts. Next, in the transforming step, the legs are rotated towards each other over an angle of x degrees with respect to the vertical direction, and in the final state, the bristles on the legs extend at an angle of x degrees with respect to the vertical direction. The value for x can, according to the invention of Chapter 1, be in the range of 0° to 90°, for example, in the range of 30° to 60°, for example, in the range of 40° to 50°. Additionally or alternatively, according to the invention of Chapter 1, the final angle of the legs with respect to the vertical axis can be in the range of 0° to 45°, for example, in the range of 5° to 20°.

[0031] According to a further embodiment of the invention of Chapter 1, an elongated continuous bristle - equipped sheet part having an arch - shaped longitudinal axis and a first side lined with bristles is made in the providing step. Next, the providing step can start with a (elongated, continuous) sheet part as a prefabricated part (still not equipped with bristles). This sheet part can be made, for example, from TPE or from any other suitable sheet part material described or not described in this Chapter 1. Then, during the providing step, this (which is still not a bristle - equipped sheet part) is provided with bristles or tufts of bristles. Each of these bristles and tufts of bristles can be made from nylon or PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), or from any other suitable bristle material, whether described in this Chapter 1 or not. The bristles or tufts of bristles are to be fixed to the sheet part. This fixing of the bristles to the sheet part can be by tufting, adhesion, fusion, or by any other method, whether described in this Chapter 1 or not. The sheet part with bristles thus obtained will then be subjected to the step of transforming the method according to the invention of Chapter 1.

[0032] According to a further embodiment of the invention of Chapter 1, the bristles have a root end, a free end, and a bristle body portion extending from the root end to the free end, and the sheet part with bristles obtained in the providing step is created by tufting (in the providing step or before the providing step), and the tufting comprises: - inserting a plurality of nylon bristles or tufts of nylon bristles through a first sheet part such that the bristle body portion and the free end extend from the front side of the first sheet part and the root end protrudes from the back side of the first sheet part; - optionally, providing a second sheet part in contact with the back side of the first sheet part; - fusing the root end of the bristles to the first sheet part and / or (if present) the second sheet part. and includes.

[0033] Tufting can be done during the providing step, but the tufted bristled sheet part can also be a pre-made part delivered to the providing step. In the latter case, the tufting will already have been done before the providing step, for example, at a much earlier time and / or at a different location from where the providing step is carried out. Providing an optional second sheet part can be by injection molding the second sheet part against the back side of the first sheet part. Alternatively, the second sheet part can be a pre-made part, the pre-made part is installed against the back side of the first sheet part and is heated to fuse the root part to the second sheet part. When there is no second sheet part, the root part ends will be fixed to the first sheet, for example, by fusing them to the first sheet. If an optional second sheet is present, the root part is fixed to the first sheet part and / or the second sheet part, for example, by fusing the root part to one or both of the sheet parts. So, the tufting can be carried out according to already known methods, for example, the methods described in Patent Document 2.

[0034] According to a further embodiment of the present invention of Chapter 1, the bristled sheet part can be transformed from an initial state to a final state by thermoforming in the step of transformation. The thermoforming can be performed, for example, by vacuum forming. The bristled sheet part can be placed in the mold with the second side facing into the U-shaped mold cavity and the first side with bristles facing away from the U-shaped mold cavity. Thereafter, the mold cavity can be evacuated to suck the bristled sheet part into the cavity to take the shape of the U-shaped cavity. When transforming the bristled sheet part from the initial state to the final state, the bristled sheet part can be stretched by thermoforming according to the present invention of Chapter 1. According to a further embodiment, in the final state and when viewed in the direction along the U-shaped contour, the bristles can be regularly distributed. Further, additionally or alternatively, in the initial state, the distribution of the bristles on the bristled sheet part can be configured such that in the final state and when viewed in the direction along the U-shaped contour, the bristles are regularly distributed or distributed according to a predetermined pattern. In other words, the pattern of the bristles in the initial state is determined such that a predetermined pattern (e.g., regular distribution, etc.) is obtained in the final state considering that the stretching of the sheet part occurs during thermoforming.

[0035] According to a further embodiment of the present invention of Chapter 1, the longitudinal axis can have the same curvature in the initial state as in the final state, i.e., in the step of transformation, the curvature of the longitudinal axis is not changed.

[0036] According to a further embodiment of the present invention in Chapter 1, the longitudinal axis of the bristled sheet part can have an initial curvature in the initial state and can have a final curvature in the final state, and the initial curvature is more widely curved than the final curvature. In the step of transformation, the curvature of the longitudinal axis of the bristled sheet part will be reduced from the wide initial curvature to the narrow final curvature. Reducing the curvature of the longitudinal axis supports or promotes the transformation of the cross-sectional shape into a more concave shape than it had in the initial state. In this regard, it may be more useful when the cross-sectional shape of the bristled sheet part has a concave shape (which is not more concave than in the final configuration) when viewed with respect to the first side of the bristled sheet part.

[0037] According to a further embodiment of the present invention in Chapter 1, the bristled sheet part has two boundary edges, and the two boundary edges (defining the boundary of the bristled sheet part and also) extend along the longitudinal axis at a predetermined mutual distance from each other when viewed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (optionally parallel to the longitudinal axis), and in the step of transformation, the bristled sheet part can be transformed by reducing the mutual distance between the two boundary edges. By using a frame member, the arcuate curvature of the frame member can be either wider than the final curvature of the bristled sheet part in the initial state or can correspond to the final curvature of the bristled sheet part.

[0038] According to a further embodiment of the present invention in Chapter 1, - The bristled sheet part obtained in the step of providing can be bounded by an inner boundary edge and an outer boundary edge, and the inner boundary edge and the outer boundary edge extend along the longitudinal axis at a predetermined distance from the longitudinal axis. - The bristle-bearing sheet part can be an integral part with the lingual frame member and the facial frame member. The lingual frame member and the facial frame member are both in an arcuate shape along their respective arcuate curvatures, and - The bristle-bearing sheet part includes an inner attachment member at the inner boundary edge. The inner attachment member extends along the inner boundary edge (for example, along the entire inner boundary edge), and is attached to the lingual frame member. The bristle-bearing sheet part includes an outer attachment member at the outer boundary edge. The outer attachment member extends along the outer boundary edge (for example, along the entire outer boundary edge), and is attached to the facial frame member.

[0039] According to this further embodiment, the facial frame member and the lingual frame member can be provided as one or two separate parts from the bristle-bearing sheet part, and they are assembled together in the providing step after being provided in the providing step. Then, the providing step includes several sub-steps: - A sub-step of providing the facial frame member and the lingual frame member, and - A sub-step of providing a bristle-bearing sheet part integrated with the inner attachment member and the outer attachment member separately from the facial frame member and the lingual frame member, and - A sub-step of attaching the inner attachment member and the outer attachment member to the lingual frame member and the facial frame member respectively, and can include.

[0040] Alternatively, according to this further embodiment, the bristle-bearing sheet part, the face-side frame member, and the tongue-side frame member can also be provided as prefabricated integral parts, which can be made at very different locations or at very different moments. In other words, the prefabricated integral part including the bristle-bearing sheet part, the face-side frame member, and the tongue-side frame member can be, so to speak, the input of the providing step and the output of the providing step (= the resulting bristle-bearing sheet part). The tongue-side frame member and the face-side frame member can be one integral frame member or two separate frame member parts.

[0041] According to a further embodiment of the present invention of Chapter 1, the bristle - attached sheet part, the face - side frame member, and the tongue - side frame member are produced by injection molding (e.g., multi - material injection molding) during or before the providing step. According to a first example, the tufts of bristles (e.g., nylon bristles) can be placed in an injection - molding mold, and then the material for forming the sheet part can be injected to over - mold the root part of the tufts. According to a second example, the bristle - attached sheet part (e.g., pre - fabricated according to the first example) can be placed in an injection - molding mold, and the materials for the tongue - side frame member and the face - side frame member can be injected into the mold to over - mold together with a part of the sheet part (such as an attachment member). According to a third example, the frame member (e.g., pre - fabricated by injection molding) is placed in an injection - molding mold, and the bristles and the sheet material can be injected to over - mold together with the frame member, or the sheet material can be injected to over - mold together with both the tuft insert (according to the first example) and the frame member. According to a fourth example (which may be combined with the first example), the frame materials for the face - side frame member and the tongue - side frame member, and the sheet material for the sheet part and, optionally, the bristles (if not provided according to the first example) are injected into the mold, and it is possible to form the sheet part and, optionally, the bristles, and the tongue - side frame member and the face - side frame member by injecting the frame material and the sheet material simultaneously or sequentially.

[0042] According to a further embodiment of the present invention in Chapter 1, the inner mounting member and the outer mounting member can be configured as side flaps extending along the inner boundary edge and the outer boundary edge respectively, and can be configured to be attached (e.g., adhered) to the tongue-side frame member and the face-side frame member respectively. Adhesion can be by means of an adhesive (or glue), tape, heat welding, or a multi-material injection molding technique, which causes a fused interface layer at the location where the material for the injected frame member and the material for the injected sheet part come together.

[0043] According to a further embodiment of the present invention in Chapter 1, the inner mounting member and the outer mounting member can be configured as double-sided flaps extending along the inner boundary edge and the outer boundary edge respectively, the tongue-side frame member and the face-side frame member are configured with plate parts, the double-sided flap includes a first flap part and a second flap part, the second flap part is parallel to the first flap part and at a predetermined distance from the first flap part, and a gap is defined between the first flap part and the second flap part, and the gap is configured to receive the plate parts of the tongue-side frame member and the face-side frame member respectively. The plate parts inserted into the gap between the flaps will be attached to the flaps, for example, by adhesion. Adhesion can be by means of an adhesive (or glue), tape, heat welding, or a multi-material injection molding technique, which causes a fused interface layer at the location where the material for the injected frame member and the material for the injected sheet part come together.

[0044] According to a further embodiment of the present invention in Chapter 1, in the step of providing, two said bristled sheet parts are obtained. - Each bristle - attached sheet part is defined by the inner boundary edge and the outer boundary edge. The inner boundary edge and the outer boundary edge extend along the length axis at a predetermined distance from the length axis. - Each bristle - attached sheet part is an integral part with the lingual frame member and the facial frame member. Both the lingual frame member and the facial frame member are in an arcuate shape along their respective arcuate curvatures. - Each bristle - attached sheet part includes the inner attachment member on the inner boundary edge. The inner attachment member extends along the inner boundary edge and is attached to the lingual frame member. Each bristle - attached sheet part includes the outer attachment member on the outer boundary edge. The outer attachment member extends along the outer boundary edge and is attached to the facial frame member. The facial frame member associated with the first bristle - attached sheet part of the two bristle - attached sheet parts provides a male or female part of the first snap connection. The facial frame member associated with the second bristle - attached sheet part of the two bristle - attached sheet parts provides a mating female or male part of the first snap connection respectively. The lingual frame member associated with the first bristled sheet part of the two bristled sheet parts is provided with a male or female part of a second snap connection, and the facial frame member associated with the second bristled sheet part of the two bristled sheet parts is provided with a mating female or male part of the second snap connection, respectively. Both of the female parts of the two snap connections can be provided on the lingual frame member and the facial frame member of one of the sets, while, on the other hand, the mating male parts of the two snap connections are provided on the lingual frame member and the facial frame member of the other set. Alternatively, the lingual frame member of one set can be provided with a female part of a first snap connection, the facial frame member of one set can be provided with a male part of a second snap connection, while, on the other hand, the lingual frame member of the other set can be provided with a male part of a first snap connection, and the facial frame member of the other set can be provided with a female part of a second snap connection.

[0045] According to a further embodiment of the present invention of Chapter 1, the arcuate curvature of the lingual frame member and the facial frame member obtained by the bristled sheet part in the providing step can be wider than the final curvature; in the transforming step, the arcuate curvature is reduced to correspond to the narrower final curvature. After attaching the inner and outer edges of the bristled sheet part to the respective frame members, reducing the arcuate curvature of the frame member is a simple action, and it is easy to automate. Reducing these arcuate curvatures results in simultaneously reducing the curvature of the longitudinal axis of the bristled sheet part, which results in an increase in the concavity of the first side of the bristled sheet part.

[0046] According to a further embodiment of the present invention of Chapter 1, the lingual frame member and the facial frame member can be elastic and can have a released state, in which the frame member is stress-free and has an arcuate curvature corresponding to the final curvature of the recess wall; the method can further include a step of preloading, which is performed before or during the step of providing; in the step of preloading, the frame member is pretensioned from the released state to a pretensioned state, in which the arcuate curvature of the frame member is widened to correspond to the initial curvature of the bristled sheet part, and in the pretensioned state, the frame member has a pretension acting in a direction to return the frame member to its released state; in the step of deforming, the arcuate curvature is reduced (narrowed) by releasing the pretension of the frame member. By doing so, the pretension accumulated in the frame member is used to increase the concave surface of the first side portion of the bristled sheet part.

[0047] According to a further embodiment of the present invention of Chapter 1, two said bristled sheet parts can be obtained, and the attachment members of the first and second sheet parts can be attached to each other, for example, by thermal welding. The attachment parts can be directly attached to each other, for example, by thermal welding, or can be indirectly attached via an intermediate part, in which case thermal welding can be used as well.

[0048] According to a further embodiment of the present invention in Chapter 1, the mouthpiece to be manufactured is of the type having two said recesses, and the two said recesses are respectively bounded by the recess walls lined by the plurality of bristles. The arc-shaped length axes of the recess walls are parallel to each other, and the U-shaped cross-sectional shape opens in the opposing direction; The step of providing can provide the first bristled sheet part and the second bristled sheet part as one single part having a transition area for integrally connecting the first bristled sheet part and the second bristled sheet part, and the transition zone is configured to enable the two bristled sheet parts to be folded relative to each other from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the two bristled sheet parts are aligned, and in the second position, the two bristled sheet parts are folded on top of each other; The method further includes a folding step, in which the bristled sheet parts are folded relative to each other from the first position to the second position. This folding step can be performed before, after, or during the transforming step.

[0049] According to a further embodiment, the length of the length axis extends at least equal to the distance from the first molar on the left side to the first molar on the right side, for example, extends to a length at least equal to the distance from the second molar on the left side to the second molar on the right side.

[0050] According to a further embodiment, the bristle - lined sheet part obtained in the providing step can be lined by at least 5 bristles per cm², for example, at least 10 bristles per cm². For example, in the case of elastomeric bristles injection - molded together with the bristle - lined sheet part, the bristle - lined sheet part can be lined by 40 to 200 bristles per cm². For example, in the case of nylon bristles, the bristle - lined sheet part can be lined by 1000 to 6000 bristles per cm².

[0051] According to a further embodiment of the first chapter of the present invention, the final U - shape can have an internal width in the range of 0 mm to 10 mm, for example, in the range of 2 mm to 12 mm; and / or the final U - shape has an internal height in the range of 3 mm to 20 mm, for example, in the range of 5 mm to 10 mm.

[0052] According to a further embodiment of the first chapter of the present invention, the bristle - lined sheet part has a thickness of up to 15 mm, for example, in the range of 0.5 mm to 3 mm, and this thickness is defined as the thickness of the sheet part itself, that is, the thickness without the length of the bristles.

[0053] According to a second aspect of the first chapter of the present invention, the present invention is a method for manufacturing a mouthpiece of a type including a main body part provided with at least one recess, wherein at least one recess is defined by a recess wall lined with a plurality of bristles, the plurality of bristles extending from the recess wall into the recess, the recess wall defining an arch - shaped longitudinal axis, defining a U - shaped cross - sectional shape when viewed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, and configured to include a plurality of dental positions along the dental arch; and the recess wall is manufactured by the method according to the first aspect of the first chapter of the present invention. In the providing step, the bristle - attached sheet part obtained can be provided as a part separate from the main body part. Further, the bristle - attached sheet part obtained in the providing step can be attached to the main body part, for example, before, during, or after the deforming step, and can become an integral part of the main body part.

[0054] According to a further embodiment of the first chapter of the present invention, the main body part can further include at least one pressure chamber configured to contain fluid under pressure, and the main body part is configured to deform the recess wall by reciprocally increasing and decreasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber. The main body part is configured to deform the recess wall by reciprocally (alternately) increasing and decreasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber, causing a continuous repetitive reciprocating motion of the recess wall and the bristles on the recess wall. The mouthpiece can include one, two, three, four, five, six, or any other number of pressure chambers that can be filled with fluid, as described in Patent Document 1, which is under the same applicant's name and has not yet been published as of the priority date of this application. By alternately (reciprocally) increasing the pressure of at least one of the pressure chambers from a decreased pressure state to an increased pressure state, decreasing the pressure of this pressure chamber from the increased pressure state to the decreased pressure state, and continuously repeating this reciprocating motion, the recess wall carrying the optional bristles is moved, and as a result, the recess wall and each bristle act on an object (the teeth and / or gums present at these dental positions) at the dental positions to clean the object.

[0055] According to a third aspect of the first chapter of the present invention, the present invention relates to a mouthpiece obtained by the method according to the second aspect of the first chapter of the present invention.

[0056] According to a fourth aspect of the invention of Chapter 1, the invention relates to a recessed wall for a mouthpiece for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions, obtained by the method according to the first aspect of the invention of Chapter 1.

[0057] According to a fifth aspect of the invention of Chapter 1, the invention relates to a mouthpiece for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions, of the type comprising a body part provided with at least one recess, the at least one recess being delimited by a recessed wall lined with a plurality of bristles, the plurality of bristles extending from the recessed wall into the recess, the recessed wall defining an arch-shaped longitudinal axis and defining a U-shaped cross-sectional shape when viewed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, and being configured to encompass a plurality of dental positions along a dental arch; the recessed wall is related to the mouthpiece, which is manufactured by the method according to the first aspect of the invention of Chapter 1.

[0058] According to the invention of Chapter 1, the sheet part (the part of the bristle-bearing sheet without bristles) can be made from a plastic (for example, an injection-moldable or extrusion-processable plastic). The plastic can be, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0059] [Brief Description of the Drawings of Chapter 1] The invention of Chapter 1 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0060]

Figure 1

Figure 2a

Figure 2b

Figure 3a

Figure 3b

Figure 3c

Figure 3d

Figure 3e

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7a

Figure 7b

Figure 8a

Figure 8b

Figure 9a

Figure 9b

Figure 10a

Figure 10b

Figure 11a

Figure 11b

Figure 11c

Figure 11d

Figure 11e

Figure 12a

Figure 12b

Figure 12c

Figure 12d

Figure 13a

Figure 13b

Figure 13c

Figure 14a

Figure 14b

Figure 15a

Figure 15b

Figure 15c

Figure 16a

Figure 16b

Figure 17a

Figure 17b

Figure 18a

Figure 18b

Figure 19a

Figure 19b

Figure 20a

Figure 20b

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0061] [Detailed Explanation of the Figures in Chapter 1] Figures 1 to 20 show a plurality of embodiments of the present invention in Chapter 1. Although the embodiments may be different, the same reference numerals / symbols will be used throughout all of these Figures 1 to 20 for the same or similar items.

[0062] Figure 1 very schematically shows in a perspective view a part of the upper dental arch 1 with dental positions 2 to 14. Each dental position is indicated by a vertical dashed line. Each dental position typically includes teeth named according to the nomenclature known to each dentist. Using this nomenclature: - Dental position 2 is the position of the left "second molar" as represented in Figure 1; - Dental position 3 is the position of the left "first molar", which is missing in Figure 1; - Dental position 4 is the position of the left "second premolar" as represented in Figure 1; - Dental position 5 is the position of the left "first premolar" as represented in Figure 1; - Dental position 6 is the position of the left "canine" as represented in Figure 1; - Dental position 7 is the position of the left "lateral incisor", which is missing in Figure 1; - Dental position 8 is the position of the left "central incisor" as represented in Figure 1; - Dental position 9 is the position of the right "central incisor" as represented in Figure 1; - Dental position 10 is the position of the right "lateral incisor" as represented in Figure 1; - The dental position 11 is the position of the right "canine tooth" shown in FIG. 1; - The dental position 12 is the position of the right "first premolar" shown in FIG. 1; - The dental position 13 is the position of the right "second premolar" shown in FIG. 1; - The dental position 14 is the position of the right "first molar" shown in FIG. 1; In FIG. 1, the dental position of the right "second molar" is not shown, and the dental positions of the right and left "third molars" (also called wisdom teeth) are not shown either. Similarly, the lower jaw has the same number of dental positions, and they are named similarly according to the said nomenclature.

[0063] The reference numeral 15 indicates the lingual side of the arc of the dental positions. The lingual side 15 is the inner side of the arc of the dental positions, and the inner side faces the tongue. The reference numeral 16 indicates the facial side of the arc of the dental positions. The facial side 16 is the outer side of the arc of the dental positions, and the outer side faces the face such as the cheek and the lip.

[0064] FIG. 1 further shows a system of three mutually orthogonal axes including the x-axis X, the y-axis Y, and the z-axis Z. The z-axis Z is a curved axis following the contour of the dental arch 1. The x-axis X and the y-axis Y are perpendicular to each other and define the xy plane, which is essentially flat and perpendicular to the dental arch 1, that is, each xy plane intersecting at a predetermined location above the z-axis is perpendicular to the curved z-axis Z at that location. The z-axis Z defines a curved longitudinal direction. The z-axis Z and the y-axis Y define a curved zy plane, which has an arc shape similar to the shape of the dental arc when viewed along the z-axis. Further, the z-axis Z and the x-axis X define the zx plane.

[0065] FIG. 2a schematically shows a perspective view of an example of a mouthpiece 20 produced by the method according to the invention of Chapter 1. FIG. 2b shows a cross-section of the mouthpiece of FIG. 2a as seen as indicated by the arrow IIb in FIG. 2a.

[0066] The mouthpiece 20 includes a main body 21 provided with a first recess 22. This first recess 22 has a curved longitudinal direction when viewed along the z-axis of FIG. 1 and has a U-shaped cross-section when viewed in the xy plane of FIG. 1. The first recess 22 is bounded by a recess wall 23, and the recess wall 23 is U-shaped in the xy plane. The recess wall 23 is lined with a plurality of bristles 24, each having one end (referred to as the root portion 19) attached to the recess wall 23 and extending from the recess wall 23 into the first recess 22.

[0067] Reference numeral 26 indicates a nipple, and the nipple is configured to connect the mouthpiece to a pumping and / or suction device. The mouthpiece 20 further has a right half 27 and a left half 28, and these halves come together at the nipple 26 so to speak.

[0068] Reference numeral 25 indicates a curved dividing line, and the curved dividing line defines a mirror plane parallel to the xz plane as defined in FIG. 1. The mouthpiece as shown in FIG. 2 is, so to speak, mirror-symmetrical with respect to this mirror plane, which means that there is a second recess (not visible in FIG. 2a but visible in FIG. 2b) on the opposite side of the first recess 22, and this second recess is also lined with bristles. It is noted that since the upper and lower arcs (teeth) of the dental position have different shapes, the first recess can have a shape different from that of the second recess.

[0069] The recess 22 is configured to encompass the entire dental arch from the dental position of the right third molar or second molar to the dental position of the left third molar or second molar, respectively. Also, the recess 22 may be configured to encompass a portion of the arch of the dental position, and this portion includes at least five dental positions, for example, from the dental position of the central incisor to the dental position of the second premolar, or to the dental position of the first molar or the second molar.

[0070] FIG. 2b shows a cross-section of the right side component of the mouthpiece 20 in FIG. 2a along the arrow IIb.

[0071] As best seen in FIG. 2b, the bristles can be provided as tufts 29 of relatively thin bristles 24. Each tuft 29 can have a base 36 that carries the bristles 24 at their root portions 19 and is attached to the recess wall.

[0072] As can be seen in FIG. 2b, the mouthpiece 20 has a body portion 21 that has a first recess 22 at its upper side portion and a second recess 22 at its lower side portion. Both recesses 22 are bounded by a flexible recess wall 23. In a cross-section parallel to the xy plane as defined in FIG. 1, the recess wall 23 is U-shaped and has a recess wall bottom 34 and two recess wall legs 33 that extend from the recess bottom wall. The recess wall 23 is covered by tufts 29 of bristles on the legs 33 and / or the bottom 34 of the recess wall.

[0073] Inside the body part, a pressure chamber 35 is provided, which can be filled with fluid via a nipple 26 (Fig. 2a). The fluid can be a gas such as air or a liquid such as water. In the embodiment as shown in Fig. 2, the mouthpiece has one pressure chamber. However, it is noted that the mouthpiece can include multiple pressure chambers, such as five pressure chambers, or any other number of pressure chambers. Unpublished Patent Document 1 shows examples of other numbers of pressure chambers in Figs. 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10. In the case of multiple pressure chambers, all the pressure chambers or groups of pressure chambers can be in fluid communication with each other, similar to those described in Unpublished Patent Document 1, according to the present invention of Chapter 1.

[0074] As can be seen in Fig. 2b, the mouthpiece can include an internal support structure of a material rigid with respect to the material of the recess wall 23. This support structure can include a lingual plate 30 and a facial plate 32, both of which extend along the curved zy plane defined in Fig. 1 and, as a result, have a U-shape when viewed along the z-axis. To maintain the lingual plate 30 and the facial plate 32 at a predetermined distance from each other, the support structure can include one or more spacers 31. These one or more spacers 31 can be, for example, multiple bars or wires or a single plate, which can extend essentially parallel to the zx plane as defined in Fig. 1. In the case of a single plate as a spacer, this plate can divide the pressure chamber 35 into two pressure chambers (an upper chamber and a lower chamber). These two pressure chambers can be in fluid communication with each other via one or more through-holes through the plate. In the case of large through-holes and / or a large number of through-holes, the two pressure chambers can effectively be one single pressure chamber.

[0075] A mouthpiece as shown in Figure 2 is configured to simultaneously brush a plurality of dental positions. When teeth are present, the teeth at each dental position will be brushed. The remainder at a dental position such as the gum can be brushed when there is a possibility that the teeth are missing, and the teeth adjacent to the location of the missing teeth can be additionally brushed by the bristles intended for the location of the missing teeth.

[0076] A single pressure chamber 35 includes a first flexible recess wall 23 that defines the boundary of the first recess 22 (the upper one in Figure 2b) and a second flexible recess wall 23 that defines the boundary of the second recess 22 (the lower one in Figure 2b). The first and second recess walls are deformable, inter alia, by increasing or decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber 35. The flexible recess wall 23 can be made of an elastic material such as a material like rubber. Also, the flexible recess wall 23 can be made of a non-elastic material. When there is substantially no pressure difference or a low pressure difference across the inner and outer sides of the flexible recess wall 23, the material of the flexible recess wall 23 can maintain a predetermined shape.

[0077] The mouthpiece 20 is configured such that the tufts 29 of the bristles 24 engage the tooth surfaces of the teeth of the dental arch, or, in the case of one or more dental positions where there is a possibility that the teeth are missing, the tufts 29 of the bristles 24 are configured to engage the gums at each dental position at least when the pressure in the pressure chamber 35 is increased. When there is a possibility that a tooth is missing at a given dental position, in particular, the tufts 29 of the bristles at the free ends of the recess wall legs 33 will engage the gums at the empty dental position.

[0078] When viewed in the longitudinal direction Z of the dental arch (as defined in Figure 1), the tufts 29 of the bristles 24 can be arranged with substantially the same density when viewed in the cross-section shown in Figure 2b.

[0079] When the pressure in the pressure chamber 35 is increased to an increased pressure state, for example, by feeding fluid into the pressure chamber 35 or by increasing the amount of fluid in the pressure chamber 35, the recess wall 23 is, so to speak, compacted, narrowing the recess 22, whereby the bristles 24 (especially their free ends) can engage firmly with the tooth surface and / or can be deformed by contact with the tooth surface. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 35 is subsequently decreased, the recess wall is, so to speak, widened, expanding the recess 22. Although there is a small possibility of narrowing and widening this recess wall, when it is reciprocally repeated at some frequency, for example, from 1 Hz to 50 Hz, deforming this recess wall reciprocally by narrowing and widening this recess wall moves the bristles between a firmer engagement with the tooth surface and a relatively less firm engagement and / or alternates the bristles between a first deformed state and a second deformed state, which causes sweeping and / or rubbing of the bristles along the tooth surface. It is also noted that the recess wall obtained by the method according to the first chapter of the present invention can also be used in other types of mouthpieces, for example, mouthpieces without a pressure chamber. The recess wall obtained by the method according to the first chapter of the present invention can be used, for example, in a mouthpiece in which the mouthpiece as a whole is mechanically vibrated to cause the bristles to perform a brushing motion.

[0080] By an appropriate cycle of increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber 35, an effective brushing action of the mouthpiece can be obtained. The bristles 24 attached to the bottom of the recess wall 34 generally perform upward and downward movements during such a cycle, and the bristles 24 at the recess wall leg 33 generally perform lateral movements back and forth in the direction of the x-axis as defined in FIG. 1 during such a cycle. Due to the alternating narrowing and widening of the recess 22 when the pressure is reciprocally increased and decreased, the bristles 24 at the recess wall leg are also potentially exposed to pivoting back and forth about the z-axis as defined in FIG. 1, resulting in a sweeping and / or rubbing movement of the bristles in the direction of the y-axis as defined in FIG. 1.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 1, the width of the tooth element in the X direction varies between approximately 2 mm and 12 mm depending on the dental position. Considering that it is desirable to keep the mouthpiece as small as possible, the internal width of the U-shaped recess wall in the X direction should be kept as small as possible and can be approximately 0 mm to 2 mm wider than the width of each tooth. As an example for giving some indication of the dimensions, the internal width of the U-shaped recess wall can be in the range of 0 mm to 20 mm as seen in the X direction of FIG. 1, for example, in the range of 2 mm to 12 mm. The bristles can be up to 6 mm in length. In the example case, the bristles are 3 mm to 4 mm in length. This means that there is no gap remaining between the bristles extending from the opposing recess wall legs 33, or that there is a limited amount of gap of about 2 mm to 4 mm remaining. In FIG. 2, these gaps are exaggeratedly shown. Further, as an example for giving some indication of the dimensions, the U-shaped recess wall can have an internal height in the range of 3 mm to 20 mm as seen in the Y direction of FIG. 1, for example, in the range of 5 mm to 10 mm. These measurements of the internal width and internal height are shown for adults. For children or for animals, these measurements may be different. This limited amount of gap makes it difficult to manufacture a mouthpiece as shown in FIG. 2 in an economical manner. For example, injection molding is difficult due to the fact that the bristles extending from the opposing recess wall legs extend essentially in the X direction (the X direction is transverse to the direction in which the injection molding molds can be separated from each other after molding).

[0082] Figure 3 schematically shows the first method according to the present invention of Chapter 1. Figure 3a shows a seat 100 including a bristle - lined sheet part 101 lined with bristles 104 on one side part 102. Figure 3b shows a mold 110 for plastically deforming the bristle - lined sheet part 101. Figure 3c shows the bristle - lined sheet part 101 lying on the mold 110 before plastic deformation. Figure 3d shows the bristle - lined sheet part 101 after plastic deformation. Figure 3e shows an enlarged view of detail IIIe in Figure 3d. Figure 3c is the half on the left side of the axis 107, and Figure 3d is the half on the right side of the axis 107.

[0083] Figure 3a shows a seat 100 which can be made of a thermoplastic elastomer. The bristle - lined sheet part 101 of this seat 100 is indicated by the inner dashed arc 105 and the outer dashed arc 106. The shapes of these arcs 105 and 106 can correspond to the shapes of the arcs of the dental positions as shown in Figure 1. The seat 100 and the bristle - lined sheet part 101 have a first side part 102 (the upper side part in Figure 3) and an opposing second side part 103 (the lower side part in Figure 3). The first side part 102 of the bristle - lined sheet part 101 is lined with bristles 104. In Figure 3 (Figure 3 is schematic), the bristles 104 are shown in the left half of the bristle - lined sheet part 101, but it should be noted that in fact, the right half of the bristle - lined sheet part 101 and the upper part of the bristle - lined sheet part 101 will also be covered by the bristles 104 as well.

[0084] Figure 3a shows the bristle - attached sheet part 101 obtained in the providing step. In this providing step, the bristle - attached sheet part 101 is in an initial state. As shown in Figure 3a, the bristles 104 all extend in the same upward direction in the initial state. The bristles 104 can be essentially parallel to each other in the initial state. In this initial state, the bristle - attached sheet part 101 has a cross - sectional shape called the "initial shape" when viewed in the xy - plane as defined in Figure 1, and also has an arched longitudinal axis when viewed along the z - axis as defined in Figure 1. In Figure 3a, the bristle - attached sheet part 101 is shown as part of the sheet 100, but it should be noted that the remaining part of the sheet outside the dashed arcs 105 and 106 may not exist, for example, it may have been cut off. In this case, only the arc - shaped bristle - attached sheet part 101 exists, and the rectangular sheet 100 including the bristle - attached sheet part 101 does not exist.

[0085] In the initial state as shown in Figure 3, the said "initial shape" of the cross - section of the bristle - attached sheet part 101 is flat. However, the initial shape of the first side portion 102 of the bristle - attached sheet part 101 may be concave (when the second side portion 103 is convex) or convex (when the second side portion 103 is concave).

[0086] Figure 3b shows a mold 110 for transforming the bristle - attached sheet part 101 by thermo - forming it from the initial state as shown in Figure 3a to the final state. The mold 110 has a cavity 111 in its upper side portion 118. The cavity 111 is U-shaped in the xy plane as defined in FIG. 1 (see also reference numeral 112), and the cavity 111 extends along an arc similar in shape to the arc of the dental position in the z direction as defined in FIG. 1. A plurality of suction openings 113 can open into this cavity 111 (only one suction opening is shown in FIG. 3b, but it is also possible that there are a plurality distributed across the cavity 111). The cavity has an inner arcuate edge 115 and an outer arcuate edge 116 at its upper side portion.

[0087] FIG. 3c shows the sheet 100 lying on top of the mold 110 and covering the left half of the axis 107, with the bristle-bearing sheet part 101 overlapping the cavity 111. The inner arc 105 and the outer arc 106 can lie above the inner edge 115 and the outer edge 116 of the cavity respectively. However, the inner arc 105 and the outer arc 106 can have a greater distance from the inner edge 115 and the outer edge 116 when viewed in the x direction of FIG. 1, resulting in the inner arc 105 and the outer arc 106 lying on the upper surface 118 of the mold 110.

[0088] Starting from the state as shown in FIG. 3c, a suction force can be applied to the cavity 111 through the suction opening 113 or otherwise. This suction force transforms the bristled sheet part 101 by thermoforming the bristled sheet part 101 from its initial state shown in FIGS. 3a and 3c to its final state shown in FIGS. 3d and 3e, providing the recess wall 120 (see also FIG. 4), and the recess wall 120 can be used as the recess wall 23 in the embodiment of FIG. 2. In this final state, the cross-sectional shape of the bristled sheet part 101 is in a final U-shape, the longitudinal axis is (still) in an arch shape, and the first side is the inner concave side of the final U-shape. In the case of the initial state, the first side may already be concave, and the first side of the bristled sheet part 101 will be more concave in the final state than in the initial state.

[0089] When plastically deforming the bristled sheet part 101, the bristled sheet part 101 can be stretched when viewed in the direction along the U-shaped contour. If it is desired to have a uniform distribution of the bristles when viewed in the final state and in the direction along the U-shaped contour, in the providing step, by providing the bristles at a higher density and, in some cases, with a non-uniform distribution (the non-uniform distribution is configured to convert to a uniform distribution during the transforming step), this stretching can be taken into account when providing the bristled sheet part in the providing step.

[0090] Referring to FIGS. 3e and 2b, the final U-shape is defined by two leg parts 33 and a bottom part 34 connecting these leg parts, and the vertical axis 119 is defined as extending between the leg parts 33.

[0091] For the sake of clarity of the figures, Fig. 3d schematically shows only the bristles 104 at three locations. However, it will be clear that the entire recess wall will be covered by the bristles. This can be, for example, an arc of a series of continuous U-shaped bristles as shown in detail in Fig. 3e when viewed along the z-axis defined in Fig. 1. As can be seen in Figs. 3d and 3e, the bristles 104 on one leg part 33 and the bristles 104 on the other leg part 33 extend towards each other from their respective leg parts 33.

[0092] As can be seen in Fig. 3a, the sheet part with bristles is a continuous sheet part. It does not have cutouts that facilitate the transformation of the sheet part 101 with bristles from the initial state (Fig. 3a) to the final state (Figs. 3d and 3e).

[0093] Fig. 4 shows a recess wall manufactured according to the method of the first chapter of the present invention, for example, showing the recess wall 120 obtained by the method according to Fig. 3. Similar to Fig. 3d, the bristles 104 are shown only at the ends and in the middle of the recess wall, but when viewed along the Z-axis as defined in Fig. 1, the inner side parts of the recess bounded by the recess wall can be completely covered by the bristles 104.

[0094] Fig. 5 shows the "further providing step" of the method according to the first chapter of the present invention. In this "further providing step", a tongue-side frame member 121 and a face-side frame member 122 are provided. Both the tongue-side frame member 121 and the face-side frame member 122 are in an arcuate shape and each has upper edges 125 and 126 respectively. Referring to Fig. 2b, the tongue-side frame member 121 can correspond to the tongue-side plate 30, and the face-side frame member 122 can correspond to the face-side plate 32.

[0095] As shown by the thick arrow A between FIGS. 4 and 5, the recess wall 120 can be fixed to the lingual frame member 121 and the facial frame member 122 in the mounting step. For this purpose, the inner edge 105 of the recess wall 120 (= the inner arc of the broken line in FIG. 3) is fixed to the upper edge 125 of the lingual frame member 121, and the outer edge 106 of the recess wall 120 (= the outer arc of the broken line in FIG. 3) is fixed to the upper edge 126 of the facial frame member 122. This results in the picture of FIG. 6. After closing the gap between the lower edge 123 of the lingual frame member 121 and the lower edge 124 of the facial frame member 122 by the closer 127, the mouthpiece according to the present invention of Chapter 1 is obtained with a pressure chamber defined by the facial frame member 122, the recess wall 120, the lingual frame member 121, and the closer. When the vertical lengths of the lingual frame member 121 and the facial frame member 122 are extended in the direction of the y-axis as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the closer can be an additional recess wall, and the additional recess wall is oriented such that its opening faces downward. Thus, a mouthpiece as shown in FIG. 2 is obtained. As shown in FIG. 2b, the outer surfaces of the lingual frame member and the facial frame member can be coated with the same material as the material of the bristled sheet part, for example, in an injection molding process.

[0096] As indicated by arrow V in FIG. 6, the curvature of the lingual frame member 121 and the facial frame member 122 can be reduced, for example, by pressing the free ends of the bow-shaped frame members after the recess wall 120 is attached to these frame members. Doing so will result in an increase in the depth of the U-shaped cross-section when viewed in the direction of the Y-axis in FIGS. 1 and 4. In other words, the bottom of the U-shaped cross-section will approach the closer to the closer 127. This can be used to transform the bristled sheet part 101 to its final state, in addition to or as an alternative to the thermoforming transformation of the method of FIG. 3. When it is used as an alternative to thermoforming, the bristled sheet part 101 can still be flat or slightly curved (similar to FIG. 3a) when in the state shown in FIG. 6. The transformation step then includes transforming the cross-sectional shape from its flat or slightly curved initial shape to its final U-shaped and simultaneously reducing the initial curvature of the bristled sheet part 101 to its final curvature.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 6, the curvature of the lingual frame member 121 and the facial frame member 122 can also be realized by using the elastic frame members 121, 122. From the released or stress-free state (in which the frame members have a narrow bow-shaped curvature corresponding to their final curvature), the frame members 121, 122 can be pre-biased from the released state to the pre-tensioned state (in which the frame members have a wider bow-shaped curvature than in the released state, and the wider bow-shaped curvature can correspond to the initial curvature of the bristled sheet part). In this pre-tensioned state, the frame members 121, 122 have a pre-tension that acts in the direction of returning the frame members 121, 122 to their released state (which can correspond to the final state).

[0098] Figure 7b shows a view similar to Figure 6. Figure 7a shows a side view along arrow VIIa in Figure 7b. Figure 7a shows the bristled sheet part 101 in its initial state when it is obtained in the providing step. In this initial position, the bristled sheet part 101 is flat, but the first side part lined with bristles 104 can also be in a shallow concave or convex shape. Figure 7b shows the bristled sheet part 101 in its final state. By moving the inner edge 105 and the outer edge 106 towards each other as indicated by arrow C in Figure 7b, when viewed in the direction of the x-axis as defined in Figure 1 and also shown in Figure 4, the distance between the inner edge 105 (= the inner arc of the dashed line in Figure 3) and the outer edge 106 (= the outer arc of the dashed line in Figure 3) of the bristled sheet part 101 is reduced from a wider d2 (see Figure 7a) to a smaller d1 (see Figure 7b), whereby the bristled sheet part 101 is transformed from the initial state shown in Figure 7a to the final state shown in Figure 7b. Doing so will result in an increase in the depth of the U-shaped cross-section when viewed in the direction of the Y-axis in Figures 1 and 4. This can be used in addition to or as an alternative to the transformation by thermoforming to transform the bristled sheet part 101 into its final state. When it is used as an alternative to thermoforming, the bristled sheet part 101 can still be flat (as shown in Figure 7a) or slightly curved when in the state shown in Figure 7a. When the bristled sheet part 101 is attached to the upper edges of the frame members 121 and 122, the transformation step can be carried out by reducing the distance between the face-side frame member 122 and the tongue-side frame member 121 in the direction of the x-axis (similarly, as defined in Figure 1 and shown in Figure 4).

[0099] The mechanisms described above in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7 (i.e., shown as the arrow V mechanism (FIG. 6) and the arrow C mechanism (FIG. 7)) are both basically mechanical transformations. Also, the arrow V mechanism and the arrow C mechanism can be used in combination, successively, or simultaneously, as shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, FIG. 8a shows an initial state having an arch-shaped longitudinal axis L1 and a distance d1 between the inner edge 105 and the outer edge 106 of the bristled sheet part 101, and FIG. 8b shows a final state having an arch-shaped longitudinal axis L2 and a distance d2 between the inner edge 105 and the outer edge 106 of the bristled sheet part 101, where d2 is smaller than d1 and L2 has a stronger / narrower curvature than L1.

[0100] FIG. 9 shows an example in which two sheet parts 101 are provided as a single part 150. FIG. 9a shows the single part in a flat state. This single part includes two bristled sheet parts 101 having a first side lined with bristles, and the bristles on this first side are shown as a gray bow-shaped surface. The two bristled sheet parts are connected by a transition area 151. These transition areas 151 are configured to enable the two bristled sheet parts 101 to be folded relative to each other from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the two bristled sheet parts 101 are aligned (this first position is shown in FIG. 9a), and in the second position, the two bristled sheet parts are folded over each other (this second position is shown in FIG. 9b). In the providing step, the single part 150 can be provided in the state as shown in FIG. 9a, or in the state as shown in FIG. 9b, or in any intermediate state between the state of FIG. 9a and the state of FIG. 9b. When the single part 150 is provided in the state of FIG. 9a or the intermediate state, the bristled sheet parts 101 can be folded from the first position (FIG. 9a or the intermediate state between FIG. 9a and FIG. 9b) to the second position (FIG. 9b) in the folding step.

[0101] Figure 10 shows a further example of the bristled sheet part 101 in the initial state (Figure 10a) and the bristled sheet part 101 in the final state (Figure 10b) in a cross-sectional view. The first side part 102 of the bristled sheet part 101 is slightly concave in the initial state. The bristled sheet part 101 has two leg parts 33 interconnected by a bottom part 34. The vertical axis 160 extends in a transverse direction with respect to the bottom part 34. In the initial state, the bristles 104 extend parallel to the vertical axis 160. The angle α of the leg part 33 with respect to the vertical axis 160 can be, for example, 55° in the initial state. In the step of transformation, when the leg parts 33 are rotated towards each other over an angle of x° with respect to the vertical axis 160, the resulting angle of the leg part 33 with respect to the vertical axis will be α - x°, and the angle of each bristle on the leg 33 with respect to the vertical axis will be x° (see Figure 10b). Assuming that x can be 45° and α can be 55°, the final angle α - x° of the leg part 33 with respect to the vertical axis 160 will be 10°.

[0102] Regarding Figure 10, it is noted that although the bottom part 34 does not show bristles, the bristles 104 can similarly be present on the bottom part 34. Further, for the sake of simplification of Figure 10 and for the explanation of Figure 10, the leg parts 33 are shown as straight, but it is noted that these leg parts 33 may similarly be curved in Figures 10a and 10b, or may start straight in Figure 10a and become curved in Figure 10b.

[0103] Figure 11 schematically illustrates the effects of both narrowing the curvature of the longitudinal axis of the bristled sheet part 101 and reducing the mutual distance d between the boundary edges 105 and 106 of the bristled sheet part 101, i.e., the distance d between the inner edge 105 and the outer edge 106, in the step of transforming by an essentially mechanical transformation of the bristled sheet part 101. Figure 11a shows a perspective view of the non-bristled side of the bristled sheet part 101 in the initial state, and Figure 11b shows a perspective view of the non-bristled side of the bristled sheet part 101 in the final state. As can be seen from Figures 11a and 11b, the initial wide curvature of the longitudinal axis of the bristled sheet part 101 (see Figure 11a) has less curvature than the final narrow curvature of the longitudinal axis of the bristled sheet part (see Figure 11b). Figure 11c shows the cross-sectional shape of the bristled sheet part 101 at location m in the initial state (left side) and the final state (right side). Figure 11d shows the cross-sectional shape of the bristled sheet part 101 at location n in the initial state (left side) and the final state (right side). Figure 11e shows the cross-sectional shape of the bristled sheet part 101 at location o in the initial state (left side) and the final state (right side). As can be seen from Figures 11c, 11d, and 11e, the mutual distance between the boundary edges 105 and 106 is reduced from d1 in the initial state to (the smaller) d2 in the final state. This transformation can be carried out without stretching the sheet part 101. When carrying out this transformation, it will be noticed that narrowing the curvature of the longitudinal axis and the reduction of the mutual distance can occur simultaneously. As shown in Figure 11c, the cross-sectional shape at position o will transform from a relatively shallow and blunt U-shape to a relatively deep and sharp U-shape (like a V-shape). As shown in Figures 11d and 11e, the cross-sectional shapes at positions m and n will transform from a relatively shallow U-shape to a relatively deep U-shape.Position m and position n are in a relatively straight part of the arch-shaped bristled sheet part, and position o is in a relatively most curved part of the arch-shaped bristled sheet part. In the final state (shown in Fig. 11b and the right part of Figs. 11c, 11d, and 11e), and when viewed in the direction from position m to position o, the cross-sectional shape change from a blunt U-shape to a sharp U-shape (V-shape) corresponds to the change in the cross-sectional shape of the human dental arch. In the human dental arch, the central incisors and lateral incisors can have a cross-sectional shape that is approximately V-shaped when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the length direction of the human dental arch, the molars and premolars have a cross-sectional shape that is approximately U-shaped, while the canines have a cross-sectional shape between the V-shape and the U-shape.

[0104] Figs. 12 to 18 schematically show some further examples of embodiments according to the present invention in Chapter 1. All of these figures are cross-sectional views in the transverse direction (xy plane as defined in Fig. 1) with respect to the arch-shaped longitudinal axis (extending in the direction of the z-axis in Fig. 1). The cross-sectional views of Figs. 12 to 18 are taken at position m in Fig. 11. Similar to Fig. 11, the longitudinal axis of the bristled sheet part 101 shown in Figs. 12 to 18 is arch-shaped, and similar to Fig. 11, the cross-sectional shape of the bristled sheet part 101 shown in Figs. 12 to 18 can change along the arch-shaped longitudinal axis in the final state.

[0105] The embodiment of FIG. 12 schematically shows an example of a relatively thick bristle - attached sheet part 101 processed into a mouthpiece by the method according to the invention of Chapter 1. FIG. 12a shows the bristle - attached sheet part 101 in its initial state as provided by the providing step. The thickness of the sheet part is defined as the thickness of the sheet part itself without taking into account the bristles on the sheet part, and is indicated by g in FIG. 12a. In the example of FIG. 12, the thickness g is about 15 mm, while in the examples of FIGS. 1 - 10 and FIGS. 12 - 18, the thickness g can be in the range of, for example, 0.5 mm to 3 mm. FIG. 12b shows the bristle - attached sheet part 101 after transformation to the final state (i.e., the resulting recessed wall). FIG. 12c shows that two of the said recessed walls are joined together with their U - shaped bottoms facing each other. The U - shaped bottoms are then joined together at 130, for example, by heat welding or by an adhesive (or glue), resulting in a mouthpiece as shown in FIG. 12d. The mouthpiece shown in FIG. 12d can be used for brushing teeth, for example, by mounting the mouthpiece on a rod (the rod can be attached to the mouthpiece at location o in FIG. 11b) and subjecting this rod to oscillatory movement in the longitudinal direction of the rod and / or in one or two mutually perpendicular directions (each perpendicular to the rod).

[0106] The embodiment of FIG. 13 schematically shows, by way of two variants, an example of a bristled sheet part assembly 201 machined into a recess wall by the method according to the invention of the first chapter. The sheet part assembly 201 includes a bristled sheet part 101 bounded in the direction of the arch-shaped longitudinal axis by an inner arc / (wall) edge 105 and an outer arc / (wall) edge 106. The sheet part assembly 201 further includes an inner attachment member 231 extending along the entire inner boundary edge 105 above the inner boundary edge 105, and further includes an outer attachment member 232 extending along the entire outer boundary edge 106 above the outer boundary edge 106. Additionally, the sheet part assembly 201 further includes a tongue-side frame member 30 and a face-side frame member 32. The inner attachment member 231 and the outer attachment member 232 can be shaped as side flaps protruding from the inner boundary edge 105 and the outer boundary edge 106 respectively, as shown in FIG. 13. The tongue-side frame member 30 and the face-side frame member 32 can be shaped as plates, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0107] In the providing step, the sheet part assembly 201 of FIG. 13 can be provided as a prefabricated part in the flat initial state of FIG. 13a, or in the U-shaped initial state of FIG. 13b, or in an initial state where the flaps 231, 232 and the plates 30, 32 have any other position relative to the bristled sheet part 101 and / or relative to each other. The prefabricated part can be produced, for example, by injection molding (such as multi-material injection molding techniques, etc.). Also, the sheet part assembly of FIG. 13 can be produced during the providing step, for example, by injection molding (such as multi-material injection molding techniques, etc.).

[0108] Whether the sheet part assembly 201 is a prefabricated part produced before the providing step or is to be produced during the providing step, in both cases it can be produced by injection molding (such as multi-material injection molding techniques, etc.). A tuft 29 with bristles 24 (optionally already pre - assembled) is installed as an insert in an injection - molding mold, and the base of the tuft (which, optionally, can be provided with a base 36 for each tuft as shown) protrudes into the mold cavity at the location where the sheet part 101 will be formed. After the mold is closed, the first and second plastic materials are injected into the mold. The first material forms the tongue - side frame member 30 and the face - side frame member 32, and the second material forms the sheet part 101 and the inner attachment member 231 and the outer attachment member 232. At the interface 250 between the frame members 30, 32 and the attachment members 231, 232, the frame members 30, 32 and the attachment members 231, 232 will adhere to each other due to the fused interface layer formed there. The second material forming the sheet part 101 over - molds the base 36 of the tuft, creating a secure bond between the tuft and the sheet part 101. The bond between the base 36 and the sheet part may be due to, for example, enclosing the base within the sheet part and / or by fusing at the interface of the second material and the base 36. Alternatively, it is also possible that the tongue - side frame member and the face - side frame member are pre - fabricated and installed as inserts into the injection - molding mold, like the tuft. In this case, only the second material for forming the sheet part and the attachment members is injected, and this material will over - mold the attachment members and adhere to the attachment members by forming a fused interface layer.

[0109] In the providing step, for example, the sheet part assembly 201 obtained in the initial state of FIG. 13a or FIG. 13b then undergoes a transforming step. In this transforming step (which can be, for example, by thermoforming and / or mechanical deformation (for example, by narrowing the curvature of the longitudinal axis of the sheet part and / or by reducing the distance between the inner boundary edge 105 and the outer boundary edge 106)), the sheet part assembly 201 is transformed into its final state as shown in FIG. 13c. In the embodiment of FIG. 13, the transforming step is being performed by thermoforming. However, as described above, it can be performed by two modes of mechanical deformation or by a combination of these two modes, and thermoforming and mechanical deformation can be combined in the transforming step.

[0110] As can be seen in FIG. 13c, the tufts 29 / bristles 24 are distributed in a regular pattern when viewed in a cross-sectional plane. Also in FIGS. 13a and 13b, the tufts 29 / bristles 24 are distributed in a regular pattern. Due to the stretching of the wall part 101 during the transforming step, the distance between the tufts 29 / bristles 24 is increased in FIG. 13c with respect to FIGS. 13a and 13b. In this example, this stretching is regular over a U-shape, but it may be irregular. Taking the stretching into account, the tufts / bristles can be arranged in the initial state of FIGS. 13a and 13b and in the final state of FIG. 13c, the tufts / bristles have a predetermined distribution (like a regular distribution).

[0111] The embodiment of FIG. 14 schematically shows another example of a bristle - attached seat part assembly 201 machined on a recess wall by the method according to the invention of Chapter 1. This embodiment is essentially the same as the embodiment of FIG. 13, except that in the embodiment of FIG. 14, the bristles are injection - molded from the same material as the seat part instead of being inserted into the injection - molding mold before injection molding. For the remaining parts, the explanations given in connection with FIG. 13 apply mutatis mutandis to FIG. 14 with the necessary changes made.

[0112] The embodiment of FIG. 15 schematically shows another example of a bristle - attached seat part assembly 201 machined on a recess wall by the method according to the invention of Chapter 1. FIG. 15 is shown with tufts as in FIG. 13, but it can also work well with injection - molded bristles 24 as in FIG. 12. The main difference between the embodiment of FIG. 15 and the embodiments of FIGS. 13 and 14 lies in the inner attachment member and the outer attachment member.

[0113] In FIG. 15, the inner mounting member and the outer mounting member are formed as double - sided flaps extending along the inner boundary edge 105 and the outer boundary edge 106 respectively. The inner mounting member includes a first flap part 231 and a second flap part 233. The second flap part 233 is parallel to the first flap part 231 and is at a predetermined distance from the first flap part 231, such that a gap 235 is defined between the inner flap part 231 and the outer flap part 233. As indicated by the arrow in FIG. 15b, the tongue - side frame plate 30 can be inserted into this gap 235. Similarly, the outer mounting member includes a first flap part 232 and a second flap part 234. The second flap part 234 is parallel to the first flap part 232 and is at a predetermined distance from the first flap part 232, such that a gap 236 is defined between the inner flap part 232 and the outer flap part 234. As indicated by the arrow in FIG. 15b, the face - side frame plate 32 can be inserted into this gap 235.

[0114] FIG. 15a shows the sheet - part assembly 201 in its initial state, obtained in the providing step (the frame members 30 and 32 are not yet included). FIGS. 15b and 15c show the sheet - part assembly 201 in its final state. As can be seen from FIG. 15b, first, the transformation step is applied to the sheet - part assembly of FIG. 15a without the frame members 30, 32, and then the tongue - side frame member 30 and the face - side frame member 32 are inserted into their respective gaps 235 and 236. The frame members 30 and 32 can be attached to the outer flaps 231, 232 and the inner flaps 233, 234 by an adhesive (or glue) and / or by thermal welding.

[0115] Regarding the embodiment of FIG. 15, this embodiment can also be produced by a combination of injection molding techniques as described in connection with FIG. 13, or, if the bristles are as shown in FIG. 14, by a multi-material injection molding technique (in this case, the sheet part, the flap, and the frame member are injection molded into one mold simultaneously or sequentially), or by overmolding (in this case, the frame member is produced before the sheet part and the flap are molded (or vice versa, in which case the sheet part and the flap are produced before the frame member is molded)). It is noted that it can be produced.

[0116] The embodiment of FIG. 16 schematically shows another example of a sheet part assembly 201 with bristles processed into a mouthpiece with a recessed wall according to the method of the present invention in Chapter 1. The embodiment of FIG. 16 is basically the same as the embodiment of FIG. 14, and the description regarding FIG. 14 (and regarding FIG. 13) applies to FIG. 16 as well with the necessary changes. It is further noted that the embodiment of FIG. 16 can use the double-sided flap of FIG. 15, and the description related to FIG. 15 applies to FIG. 16 as well with the necessary changes. The difference between the embodiment of FIG. 16 and the embodiments of FIGS. 13 - 15 lies in the lingual frame member 30 and the facial frame member 32. These frame members provide a snap connection that enables two sheet part assemblies 201 to be connected together.

[0117] Figure 16a shows one of these sheet part assemblies in its initial state. Figure 16b shows both sheet part assemblies 201 in their final state. The sheet part assemblies shown in the upper halves of Figures 16a and 16b carry female snap connection parts 237, 238 on the free ends of the lingual frame member 30 and the facial frame member 32. The sheet part assembly shown in the lower half of Figure 16b carries male snap connection parts 239, 240 on the free ends of the lingual frame member 30 and the facial frame member 32. As will become apparent, also, the sheet part assembly shown in the lower half of Figure 16b will initially be provided in an initial state similar to that shown in Figure 16a with respect to the upper half of Figure 16b. The male snap connection parts 239, 240, and the female snap connection parts 237, 238 are adapted to fit together so that a snap connection can be established. As will become apparent, the male and / or female snap connection parts shown are intended by way of example and can be formed differently.

[0118] After the sheet part assemblies 201 of Figure 16b are assembled together, a mouthpiece according to the invention of Chapter 1 is obtained. The brushing action can be obtained, for example, by subjecting the entire mouthpiece to mechanical vibrations by means of a vibrating rod (or handle) as previously described in connection with Figure 12. Also, the brushing action can be obtained by using the space defined by the lingual frame member 30, the facial frame member 32, and the sheet part 101 as a pressure chamber and by reciprocally increasing and decreasing the pressure in this pressure chamber.

[0119] The embodiment of FIG. 17 schematically shows another example of a bristle - equipped sheet - part assembly 201 machined into a mouthpiece with a recessed wall according to the method of the present invention of Chapter 1. The embodiment of FIG. 17 is basically the same as the embodiment of FIG. 16, and the explanations regarding FIG. 16 (and regarding FIGS. 13 - 15) are adapted to FIG. 17 with necessary changes. Also, it is further noted that the embodiment of FIG. 17 can use the double - side flaps of FIG. 15 and / or can have injection - molded bristles 24 such as those in FIGS. 14 and 16. The difference between the embodiment of FIG. 17 and the embodiment of FIG. 16 lies in the lingual - side frame member 30 and the facial - side frame member 32. These frame members do not provide a snap connection that enables the two sheet - part assemblies 201 to be connected together, but rather this connection is established in a different manner. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, this connection is established by adhesion, for example, by an adhesive (or glue) and / or by thermally welding together the free ends of the lingual - side frame member 30 and the facial - side frame member 32, and / or the free ends of the flaps 231, 232, and / or the respective frame members with their respective flaps to obtain joints at 251 and 252.

[0120] The embodiment of FIG. 18 schematically shows another example of a bristle - attached sheet part assembly 201 machined into a mouthpiece with a recessed wall according to the method of the present invention in Chapter 1 by the method of the present invention in Chapter 1. The embodiment of FIG. 18 is basically the same as the embodiments of FIGS. 16 and 17, and the explanations regarding FIGS. 16 and 17 (and regarding FIGS. 13 - 15) are made applicable to FIG. 18 with changes where necessary. Also, it is further noted that the embodiment of FIG. 18 can use the single - side flaps of FIGS. 13, 14, and 16 and / or can have injection - molded bristles 24 such as those in FIGS. 14 and 16. The difference between the embodiment of FIG. 18 and the embodiments of FIGS. 16 and 17 lies in the lingual frame member 30 and the facial frame member 32. These frame members are not provided with a snap connection that allows the two sheet part assemblies 201 to be connected together, nor do they require an adhesive or a thermal weld together. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, this connection is established by an H - shaped frame member 260, and the H - shaped frame member 260 includes a lingual frame plate 30 and a facial frame plate 32 interconnected by a spacer member 31. The spacer member 31 can be a plate, and the plate can be closed or provided with a passage that provides a fluid connection between the upper half and the lower half. Alternatively, the spacer member 31 can be formed by a plurality of rods or wires or may not be present at all. If the spacer member 31 is not present at all, only one common lingual frame member 30 for both bristle - attached sheet parts 201 remains, and only one common facial frame member 32 for both bristle - attached sheet parts 201 remains.

[0121] The embodiment of FIG. 19 schematically shows a further example of a bristle - equipped sheet part assembly 201 machined on a recess wall by the method according to the invention of Chapter 1. FIG. 19a shows the sheet part in its initial position and FIG. 19b shows the sheet part in its final state. FIGS. 19a and 19b are identical to FIGS. 13b and 13c except that the bristle - equipped sheet part 101 of FIGS. 19a and 19b includes two layers (a first layer 101a and a second layer 101b). The bristle - equipped layer 201 of FIG. 19 includes tufts 29 with nylon bristles. The first layer 101a provides passages for the respective tufts such that the roots of the bristles reach (or slightly protrude from) the back side of the first layer 101a, which is the lower side in FIGS. 19a and 19b. After the tufts of bristles are inserted into the passages, the second layer 101b is provided. This second layer secures the bristles. Injection - molding the second layer fuses the root ends of the bristles with the second layer, which results in a reliable and firm bond. As will be apparent, the bristle - equipped layer 201 of FIG. 19b can also be provided in a flat state as shown in FIG. 13a. Furthermore, it will be clear that the explanations related to FIGS. 13a, 13b, and 13c, with the necessary changes, apply to FIG. 19 as well.

[0122] The embodiment of FIG. 20 schematically shows a further example of a bristled sheet part assembly 201 machined on a recess wall by the method according to the invention of Chapter 1. FIG. 20a shows the sheet part in its initial position, and FIG. 20b shows the sheet part in its final state. FIGS. 20a and 20b are identical to FIGS. 13b and 13c, except that in FIG. 20a the tufts are arranged at irregular intervals, while in FIG. 20b they are arranged at regular intervals. As shown in FIG. 20a, there is a gap Sc1 between the first tuft and the second tuft from the left, a gap Sb1 between the fourth tuft and the fifth tuft from the left, and a gap Sa1 between the sixth tuft and the seventh tuft from the left. As shown in FIG. 20a, Sa1 can be larger than Sb1, and Sb1 can be larger than Sc1. However, the relationship between the gaps Sa1, Sb1, and Sc1 may be different. For example, Sb1 can be equal to Sc1 and larger than Sa1. As shown in FIG. 20b, the gaps Sa1, Sb1, and Sc1 have increased to Sa2, Sb2, and Sc2, respectively. This increase may be due to the stretching of the sheet part 101 during the transformation step. As shown in FIG. 20b, Sa2 can be equal to Sb2 and Sc2. Sa1, Sb1, and Sc1 may have been selected such that Sa2 becomes equal to Sb2 and Sc2 after the transformation step (taking into account the stretching of the sheet part during the transformation step).

[0123] The following clauses 1 to 39 give examples of the invention of Chapter 1 described above, and further aspects and embodiments of these inventions of Chapter 1: 1] A method for manufacturing a continuous recessed wall lined with bristles for a mouthpiece for simultaneous brushing at a plurality of dental positions, the continuous recessed wall having an arched longitudinal axis and, when viewed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, having a U-shaped cross-section configured to encompass the plurality of dental positions, the arched longitudinal axis having a length extending at least equal to the distance from the second premolar on the left to the second premolar on the right; The method includes a providing step in which an elongated continuous bristle-bearing sheet part having a first side lined with a plurality of bristles is provided, the elongated bristle-bearing sheet part defining a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the bristle-bearing sheet part and, when viewed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, defining a predetermined cross-sectional shape, the elongated continuous bristle-bearing sheet part obtained in the providing step having an initial state in which - the cross-sectional shape has an initial shape, - the longitudinal axis is arched; The method further includes a transforming step in which the elongated continuous bristle-bearing sheet part obtained in the providing step is transformed into the continuous recessed wall having a final state; In the final state, - the cross-sectional shape has a final U shape, - the longitudinal axis is arched, - the first side is the concave inner side of the final U shape, The first side is more concave in the final state than in the initial state. A method. 2] The method according to clause 1, wherein in the final state, the bristles from the opposing sides of the U-shaped cross-section extend towards each other. 3] The method according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the final U shape is defined by two legs and a bottom connecting these legs, and a vertical axis is defined to extend in a direction transverse to the bottom between the two legs. 4] The method according to clause 3, wherein in the final state, the bristles on one leg and the bristles on the other leg extend towards each other from their respective legs. 5] The method according to clause 3 or 4, wherein in the final state, the bristles on the two legs are provided at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical axis, and the angle is in the range of 0° to 90° with respect to the vertical axis, for example, in the range of 30° to 90°. 6] The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein in the initial state, the first side of the sheet part with bristles is concave, flat, or convex. 7] The two legs and the bottom connecting these legs are defined by a final U-shaped configuration, and the vertical axis is defined as extending transversely with respect to the bottom. The two legs define a tangent to the first side of the sheet part with bristles at the respective roots of the bristles on those legs, and the tangent extends in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis; In the initial state, the bristles extend parallel to the vertical axis; The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein in the transforming step, the two legs are bent towards each other, rotating their respective tangents through an angle of x° with respect to the vertical axis, and the bristles associated with the respective tangents extend at an angle of x° with respect to the vertical axis in a direction pointing away from the bottom. 8] The method according to clause 7, wherein the x° is in the range of 0° to 90°, for example, in the range of 30° to 60°, or in the range of 40° to 50°. 9] The method according to clause 7 or 8, wherein the final angle of the two legs with respect to the vertical axis is in the range of 0° to 45°, for example, in the range of 5° to 20°. 10] The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein an elongated continuous bristled sheet part having an arch-shaped longitudinal axis and a first side lined with bristles is produced in the providing step. 11] The bristles have a root end portion, a free end portion, and a bristle body portion extending from the root end portion to the free end portion; The bristled sheet part obtained in the providing step is produced by tufting, and the tufting is - inserting a plurality of nylon bristles or tufts of nylon bristles through a first sheet part so that the bristle body portion and the free end portion extend from the front side of the first sheet part and the root end portion protrudes from the back side of the first sheet part; - optionally, providing a second sheet part in contact with the back side of the first sheet part; - fusing the root end portion of the bristles with the first sheet part and / or the optional second sheet part, The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 10, comprising. 12] The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the bristled sheet part is transformed from an initial state to a final state by thermoforming such as vacuum forming in the transforming step. 13] The method according to clause 12, wherein the bristled sheet part is stretched by thermoforming when viewed in the direction along the U-shaped contour. 14] The method according to clause 13, wherein in the final state and when viewed in the direction along the U-shaped contour, the bristles are distributed according to a predetermined pattern. 15] The method according to clause 13 or 14, wherein in the initial state, the distribution of the bristles on the bristled sheet part is configured such that in the final state and when viewed in the direction along the U-shaped contour, the bristles are distributed according to a predetermined pattern. 16] The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the length axis has an initial curvature in the initial state and a final curvature in the final state, and the initial curvature is wider than the final curvature. 17] The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the length axis has the same curvature in the initial state as in the final state. 18] The bristled sheet part has two boundary edges, and the two boundary edges extend along the length axis at a predetermined mutual distance from each other when viewed in a direction transverse to the length axis; In the step of deforming, the bristled sheet part is deformed by reducing the mutual distance between the two boundary edges. The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 17. 19] - The bristled sheet part obtained in the step of providing is bounded by an inner boundary edge and an outer boundary edge, and the inner boundary edge and the outer boundary edge extend along the length axis at a predetermined distance from the length axis. - The bristled sheet part is an integral part with a tongue-side frame member and a face-side frame member. Both the tongue-side frame member and the face-side frame member are in an arcuate shape along their respective arcuate curvatures, and - The bristled sheet part includes an inner attachment member at the inner boundary edge. The inner attachment member extends along the inner boundary edge and is attached to the tongue-side frame member. The bristled sheet part includes an outer attachment member at the outer boundary edge. The outer attachment member extends along the outer boundary edge and is attached to the face-side frame member. The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 18. 20] The step of providing is - a sub-step of providing a face-side frame member and a tongue-side frame member; - a sub-step of providing, separately from the face-side frame member and the tongue-side frame member, a bristled sheet part integrated with an inner attachment member and an outer attachment member; - A sub-step of attaching the inner attachment member and the outer attachment member to the lingual frame member and the facial frame member respectively, The method according to clause 19, including . 21] In the step of providing, the bristle sheet part, the facial frame member, and the lingual frame member are provided as prefabricated integral parts, the method according to clause 19. 22] The bristle sheet part, the facial frame member, and the lingual frame member are produced by injection molding such as multi-material injection molding in the step of providing, the method according to any one of clauses 19 to 21. 23] The inner attachment member and the outer attachment member are configured as side flaps extending along the inner boundary edge and the outer boundary edge respectively, and are configured to be attached to the lingual frame member and the facial frame member respectively, the method according to any one of clauses 19 to 22. 24] The inner attachment member and the outer attachment member are configured as double-sided flaps extending along the inner boundary edge and the outer boundary edge respectively, The lingual frame member and the facial frame member are configured with plate parts, the double-sided flap includes a first flap part and a second flap part, the second flap part is parallel to the first flap part and at a predetermined distance from the first flap part, and a gap is defined between the first flap part and the second flap part, and the gap is configured to receive the plate parts of the lingual frame member and the facial frame member respectively, the method according to any one of clauses 19 to 23. 25] In the step of providing, two bristle sheet parts are obtained, - Each bristle sheet part is bounded by the inner boundary edge and the outer boundary edge, and the inner boundary edge and the outer boundary edge extend along the length axis at a predetermined distance from the length axis, - Each bristled sheet component is an integral part with the lingual frame member and the facial frame member, and both the lingual frame member and the facial frame member are in an arcuate shape along their respective arcuate curvatures. - Each bristled sheet component includes the inner mounting member on the inner boundary edge portion, the inner mounting member extends along the inner boundary edge portion and is attached to the lingual frame member, each bristled sheet component includes the outer mounting member on the outer boundary edge portion, the outer mounting member extends along the outer boundary edge portion and is attached to the facial frame member. The facial frame member associated with the first bristled sheet component among the two bristled sheet components provides a male or female component of the first snap connection, and the facial frame member associated with the second bristled sheet component among the two bristled sheet components provides a female or male component of the first snap connection respectively. The lingual frame member associated with the first bristled sheet component among the two bristled sheet components provides a male or female component of the second snap connection, and the facial frame member associated with the second bristled sheet component among the two bristled sheet components provides a female or male component of the second snap connection respectively, the method according to any one of clauses 19 to 24. 26] The arcuate curvatures of the lingual frame member and the facial frame member obtained by the bristled sheet component in the step of providing are wider than the final curvature; In the step of deforming, the arcuate curvature is narrowed to correspond to the final curvature, the method according to any one of clauses 19 to 25. 27] The lingual frame member and the facial frame member are elastic and have a released state, in the released state, the lingual frame member and the facial frame member are stress-free and have an arcuate curvature corresponding to the final curvature of the recess wall; The step of preloading is performed before or during the step of providing; In the step of preloading, the lingual frame member and the facial frame member are pretensioned from a released state to a pretensioned state, and in the pretensioned state, the arcuate curvatures of the lingual frame member and the facial frame member correspond to the initial curvatures of the bristle - attached sheet parts, and in the pretensioned state, the lingual frame member and the facial frame member have a pretension acting in a direction to return the lingual frame member and the facial frame member to their released state; In the step of deforming, the arcuate curvature is narrowed by releasing the pretension of the lingual frame member and the facial frame member, the method according to any one of clauses 19 to 26. 28] In the step of providing, two of the bristle - attached sheet parts are obtained, and the inner attachment members and the outer attachment members of the first and second sheet parts are attached to each other, for example, by heat welding, the method according to any one of clauses 19 to 27. 29] In the step of providing, two of the bristle - attached sheet parts are obtained as a single part having a transition area that integrally connects the first bristle - attached sheet part of the two bristle - attached sheet parts to the second bristle - attached sheet part of the two bristle - attached sheet parts; The transition area is configured to allow the two bristle - attached sheet parts to be folded relative to each other from a first position to a second position, in the first position, the two bristle - attached sheet parts are aligned, and in the second position, the two bristle - attached sheet parts are folded over each other, the method according to any one of clauses 1 to 28. 30] In the step of folding, the bristle - attached sheet parts are folded relative to each other from a first position to a second position, the method according to clause 29. 31] The length of the longitudinal axis extends at least equal to the distance from the left first molar to the right first molar, for example, extends to a length at least equal to the distance from the left second molar to the right second molar, the method according to any one of clauses 1 to 30. 32] The final U-shaped form has an internal width in the range from 0 mm to 20 mm, for example, in the range from 2 mm to 12 mm; and / or, The final U-shaped form has an internal height in the range from 3 mm to 20 mm, for example, in the range from 5 mm to 10 mm, the method according to any one of clauses 1 to 31. 33] The bristle-attached sheet part has a thickness up to 15 mm at most, for example, has a thickness in the range from 0.5 mm to 3 mm, the method according to any one of clauses 1 to 32. 34] A method of manufacturing a mouthpiece of a type including a main body part provided with at least one recess, wherein at least one recess is defined by a recess wall lined by a plurality of bristles, the plurality of bristles extending from the recess wall into the recess, the recess wall defining an arch-shaped longitudinal axis, defining a U-shaped cross-sectional shape when viewed in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis, and also being configured to include a plurality of dental positions along the dental arch; The recess wall is manufactured by the method according to any one of clauses 1 to 33, the method. 35] The main body part further includes at least one pressure chamber configured to contain fluid under pressure, and the main body part is configured to deform the recess wall by reciprocally increasing and decreasing the pressure in at least one pressure chamber, the method according to clause 34. 36] A mouthpiece obtained by the method according to clause 34 or 35. 37] A recess wall for a mouthpiece for simultaneous brushing at a plurality of dental positions, obtained by the method according to any one of clauses 1 to 33, the recess wall. 38] A mouthpiece for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions, the mouthpiece being of a type that includes a body portion provided with at least one recess, the at least one recess being bounded by a recess wall lined with a plurality of bristles, the plurality of bristles extending from the recess wall into the recess, the recess wall defining an arched longitudinal axis and defining a U-shaped cross-sectional shape when viewed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, and being configured to encompass a plurality of dental positions along a dental arch; The recess wall is a mouthpiece manufactured by the method according to any one of clauses 1 to 33. 39] The body portion further includes at least one pressure chamber configured to contain fluid under pressure, and the body portion is configured to deform the recess wall by reciprocally increasing and decreasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber, the mouthpiece according to clause 38.

[0124] As can be seen from the above, the term "pressure chamber" as used throughout this Chapter 1 is a chamber in which the pressure is changed between a reduced pressure state and an increased pressure state. The reduced pressure state and the increased pressure state can both be pressures below ambient pressure, i.e., a vacuum defined as a pressure between 0 bar and 1 bar. Alternatively, the reduced pressure state and the increased pressure state can both be pressures above ambient pressure, or one of these pressure states can be approximately ambient pressure while the other is below or above ambient pressure.

[0125] In this first chapter, when the term "pressure in the pressure chamber" or a similar term of art is used, it means "the pressure of the fluid in the pressure chamber". It is the pressure of the fluid that acts on the recess wall and causes local deformation. The pressure of the fluid can be increased, for example, by supplying additional fluid into the pressure chamber, or decreased by allowing the fluid to leave the pressure chamber.

[0126] In this first chapter, when "thermal welding" is used, it can be a thermal welding technique, - where heat is generated by mechanical movement, such as vibration welding and ultrasonic welding, - by techniques using an external heat source, such as hot plate welding, hot bar welding, and hot gas welding, - by techniques using an electric and / or magnetic field, such as laser welding, infrared welding, induction welding, and dielectric welding; - where the welding occurs during the molding of plastic or thermoplastic materials, for example, the welding occurs during injection molding or during compression molding.

[0127] In this first chapter, when the term multi-material injection molding is used, this can be any injection molding technique by which an item is made from two or more injection molded materials that form an integral part due to fusing together at the interface. These materials can be injected into the mold simultaneously or sequentially. Additionally or alternatively, sub-items can be pre-fabricated by injection molding a first material into a first mold cavity, and then added as inserts into a second mold cavity, where a second material is injected into the second mold cavity and becomes integral with the sub-item, and the first and second mold cavities can be arranged in one mold or in different molds. Many of these injection molding techniques are known to those skilled in the art and are frequently shown under various names for the same or very similar multi-material injection molding techniques (e.g., multi-shot component injection molding (with two or more components), multi-component injection molding, co-injection molding, and overmolding). It is noted that the term "component", which is frequently used among these names, means the same as "material".

[0128] In this first chapter, when the term "sheet part with bristles" is used, this means a sheet part having a first side lined by a plurality of bristles.

[0129] In this first chapter, when the terms "wide", "narrow", "widen", and "narrow" are used in relation to a curve, wide means a wide bend similar to a wide turn when driving a vehicle, and narrow means a narrow bend similar to a tight turn or a narrow turn when driving a vehicle. Further, narrow means going from wide to narrow, while widen means going from narrow to wide.

[0130] Taking into account the various dental positions / natural tooth shapes, the shape of the U-shaped cross-section can vary along the length direction of the recess / recess wall. In the region of the upper incisors and / or lower incisors, the U-shaped cross-section can, for example, be V-shaped.

[0131] Chapter 2 [Title of the Invention] Dental Cleaning Device

[0132] The invention of Chapter 2 relates to a dental cleaning device, and more particularly to a type of dental cleaning device including a mouthpiece having a recess, wherein the recess has a U-shaped cross-section and can have a predetermined curved length direction.

[0133] [Background Art of Chapter 2] Cleaning the teeth of humans and animals is an essential condition for oral hygiene and visceral health. Various dental cleaning devices are available, such as manual toothbrushes and electric toothbrushes. With these typical toothbrushes, it is recommended to brush the teeth in a predetermined manner for at least 2 minutes a day to effectively remove dental plaque. However, the average person does not spend all of the allotted time cleaning their teeth and / or does not always brush in an effective manner.

[0134] A person may, for example, apply excessive pressure to the tooth bristles while brushing, which can cause the bristles to wear rapidly and excessively, and the brushing process to become ineffective, and the teeth to be damaged and the gums to recede, which has an adverse effect on dental health.

[0135] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved dental cleaning device. More specifically, there is a need for a dental cleaning device that prevents brushing with excessive pressure. Further, there is a need for a dental cleaning device that involves a higher degree of control of the brushing action to make it almost impossible to brush ineffectively.

[0136] Patent Document 1 discloses, in one embodiment, a physical stop for restricting movement of the wall to which the bristles are attached. The stop prevents excessive pressure from being applied to the user's teeth. In another embodiment, Patent Document 1 discloses the use of an adjustable pressure setting valve. The valve releases the pressure in the chamber when the maximum allowable pressure is exceeded.

[0137] Patent Document 2 uses a pair of valves to control the pressure in the chamber. When the first valve is opened, a sub-atmospheric pressure (partial vacuum) is created under the membrane. When the second valve is opened, an excessive pressure is created under the membrane.

[0138] Patent Document 3 by the same applicant discloses an electronic valve configured to control the pressure in the chamber of a dental cleaning device. This Patent Document 3 has not yet been published as of the priority date of this application.

[0139] However, a need remains for a more efficient and / or improved dental cleaning device. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0140] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 4,795,347 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. WO 2010 / 076702 Pamphlet [Patent Document 3] International Application No. PCT / NL2018 / 050276

[0141] [Summary of the Invention in Chapter 2] According to the first aspect of the present invention of Chapter 2, an improved dental cleaning device is provided, and the dental cleaning device is - A mouthpiece having a pressure chamber and a recess, the recess having a U-shaped cross-section and being bounded by a flexible deformable recess wall, the pressure chamber being configured to contain fluid under pressure, the mouthpiece; - Optionally, a plurality of bristles, each attached to the recess wall by one end thereof and extending from the recess wall into the recess, the plurality of bristles; - A pump unit arranged in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, configured to reciprocally increase and decrease the pressure in the pressure chamber between an increased pressure state and a decreased pressure state by pumping a predetermined volume of fluid into and out of the pressure chamber, thereby deforming the recess wall and reciprocally moving the recess wall, increasing and decreasing the recess respectively, the pump unit; - A pressure sensor configured to measure the pressure representing the pressure in the pressure chamber and also configured to generate a pressure signal representing the pressure; - A controller configured to generate a control signal; including; The pressure sensor and the controller are connected such that the controller receives a pressure signal from the pressure sensor during use, and the controller and the pump unit are connected such that the pump unit receives a control signal from the controller during use; The controller is configured to generate a control signal based on the pressure signal, and the pump unit is configured to provide a predetermined delivery amount into and / or out of the pressure chamber in response to the control signal; The controller is configured to reduce the delivery amount of the pump unit when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined upper threshold.

[0142] According to the present invention of Chapter 2, the dental cleaning device includes a pressure sensor and a controller. The pressure sensor is configured to measure a pressure representing the pressure in the pressure chamber. The pressure sensor can be arranged, for example, inside the pressure chamber, and the pressure sensor directly measures the pressure. Alternatively, the pressure sensor can be arranged (for example, near the pressure chamber) in the inlet tube arranged between the pump unit and the pressure chamber, and the pressure sensor measures the pressure of the fluid entering the pressure chamber. From the said pressure, the pressure in the pressure chamber can be calculated and / or estimated. Further alternatively, the pressure sensor can be arranged (for example, near the pump) in the inlet tube arranged between the pump unit and the pressure chamber, and the pressure sensor measures the pressure of the fluid exiting the pump unit. From the said pressure, the pressure in the pressure chamber can be calculated and / or estimated. Further alternatively, the pressure sensor can be integrated with the pump unit, and the pressure sensor measures the pressure of the fluid exiting the pump unit. From the said pressure, the pressure in the pressure chamber can be calculated and / or estimated.

[0143] During measuring the pressure in the pressure chamber, the said pressure can be compared with a reference pressure (for example, ambient pressure, etc.). Then, the relative pressure can be measured, and the measured pressure is relative to the reference pressure (ambient pressure). Alternatively, an absolute pressure measurement can be performed to measure the absolute value of the pressure in the pressure chamber.

[0144] According to the present invention of Chapter 2, the pressure sensor and the controller are connected. That is, the pressure sensor and the controller are arranged to communicate with each other, and a signal can be sent from the pressure sensor to the controller (and / or vice versa). The connection can be, for example, a wired connection or a wireless connection. The pressure sensor creates a pressure signal representing the pressure (in the pressure chamber) measured by the pressure sensor. This pressure signal is sent to the controller during the use of the dental cleaning device, and the controller receives the said signal.

[0145] According to the present invention of Chapter 2, the controller is configured to generate a control signal based on a pressure signal. For example, the control signal can indicate whether the pressure in the pressure chamber is too high, within a predetermined boundary, or too low. The control signal can be generated continuously. For example, when the pressure signal indicates that the pressure in the pressure chamber is too high (when the pressure exceeds a preset upper threshold), the control signal can change with respect to the control signal generated when the pressure in the pressure chamber is within the predetermined boundary. Therefore, the change in the control signal can indicate that the function of the dental cleaning device is not as desired. When the pressure signal indicates that the pressure in the pressure chamber is below a preset upper threshold, the control signal can have other characteristics. For example, the control signal generated when the pressure is below the preset upper threshold can indicate to the pump unit that the dental cleaning device is functioning as desired.

[0146] Alternatively, the control signal can be a switch-type signal, and the switch-type signal is generated only when the pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, or the switch-type signal is generated only when the pressure is within a desired boundary. Therefore, the control signal may not be generated continuously.

[0147] According to the present invention of Chapter 2, the controller and the pump unit are connected. That is, the controller and the pump unit are arranged to communicate with each other, and signals can be sent from the controller to the pump unit (and / or vice versa). The connection can be, for example, a wired connection or a wireless connection. When the controller generates a control signal, the signal is sent to the pump unit during the use of the dental cleaning device, and this pump unit receives the signal. In response to the control signal, the pump unit provides a predetermined delivery rate into and / or out of the pressure chamber.

[0148] Thus, when performing its work, the pump unit delivers fluid into and out of the pressure chamber at a delivery rate, for example, between 0 liters per minute and 4 liters per minute. The pump unit can be configured to deliver a preset fluid delivery rate (liters per minute) into and out of the pressure chamber. Then, when receiving the control signal, the pump unit can either continue its work at the current delivery rate, reduce that delivery rate, or increase that delivery rate, respectively. If a pressure that is too low is measured in the pressure chamber, the delivery rate can be increased. Generating a control signal based on a pressure signal can ensure that the pressure is maintained below a predetermined upper threshold. Alternatively, the control signal can change when the upper threshold is reached, indicating that the delivery rate of the pump unit should be changed.

[0149] According to the present invention of Chapter 2, the controller of the dental cleaning device is configured to reduce the delivery rate when exceeding a predetermined upper threshold. That is, the controller can be configured to reduce the amount of air pumped into the pressure chamber by the pump unit when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds the upper threshold. As a result of reducing the delivery rate of the pump, the pressure in the pressure chamber drops, while operating the dental cleaning device more efficiently (for example, less power consumption, which can result in less frequent recharging of the battery), and thus, while improving its work, preventing the user's teeth or gums from being brushed by excessive pressure.

[0150] Furthermore, by controlling the delivery amount of the pump via a control signal based on the pressure measurement, brushing of the teeth by excessive pressure is prevented.

[0151] The dental cleaning device according to the present invention in Chapter 2 includes a mouthpiece having at least one recess, and the at least one recess can be, for example, one or two recesses. The at least one recess has a U-shaped cross section. The mouthpiece includes a recess wall defining the boundary of each recess for each of the recesses. The recess wall can be flexible and / or deformable. The recess wall can be formed from a sheet, and the sheet can be made from, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer, a silicone elastomer, or a silicone polymer. Optionally, the recess wall is lined with a plurality of bristles, and the plurality of bristles each have one end attached to the recess wall and extend from the recess wall into the recess. In other words, the mouthpiece has a recess, and the recess wall of the recess can be covered by bristles distributed across the wall of the recess. At least one dental position (such as an element of a tooth at this position, or a gum covering the jawbone at the location of that dental position) can be received in the recess, and, if present, the bristles in the recess can brush at least one dental position on both the lingual side (facing the user's tongue) and the facial side (facing the user's lip / cheek), and preferably also on the free end surface of the tooth (the chewing surface / cutting edge facing the opposite jawbone). Alternatively described, the bristles (if present) during use face the user's teeth. The bristles can be made from nylon, an elastomer, or any other suitable material. In the case of an edentulous dental arch, the remaining arch of the gums may similarly require treatment. In this case, the gums can be massaged by the recess wall, regardless of the presence of bristles. For improved gum cleaning, cleaning fluid can be used in such a mouthpiece without bristles.

[0152] The mouthpiece according to the invention of Chapter 2 has at least one pressure chamber configured to contain fluid under pressure, the pressure of which can be increased and decreased. The body part is configured to deform the recess wall by alternately (reciprocally) increasing and decreasing the pressure in at least one of the pressure chambers, causing a continuous repeated reciprocating movement of the recess wall and (if present) the bristles on the recess wall. The mouthpiece can include one, two, three, four, five, six, or any other number of pressure chambers that can be filled with fluid, as described in Patent Document 3, which is under the same applicant's name and not yet published at the priority date of this application. By alternately (reciprocally) increasing the pressure in at least one of the pressure chambers from a decreased pressure state to an increased pressure state, decreasing the pressure in this pressure chamber from the increased pressure state to the decreased pressure state, and continuously repeating this reciprocating movement, the recess wall carrying the optional bristles is moved, resulting in the recess wall and each bristle acting on the objects (the teeth and / or gums present in these dental positions) at the dental positions to clean the objects.

[0153] The recess is bounded by a recess wall. For example, a flexible deformable recess wall that can similarly define part of the boundary of the pressure chamber can also be the wall of the pressure chamber. However, alternatively, the recess wall can also be formed by one or more rigid pressure plates.

[0154] Regarding the technical terms "increased pressure state" and "decreased pressure state", it is noted that these states are related to each other, that is, in the decreased pressure state, the pressure is decreased (lower) relative to the increased pressure, and vice versa. In both states, it is possible for the pressure to be lower than the ambient pressure.

[0155] The length of the mouthpiece (measured along the user's dental arch in a direction transverse to the U-shaped cross-section) can be approximately equal to the width of a human or animal tooth. The user of the dental cleaning device can then move it along the dental arch to be brushed (e.g., first along the lower dental arch and then along the upper dental arch, or vice versa). Alternatively, the length of the mouthpiece can be at least the length of five teeth, such that at least five dental positions can be brushed simultaneously. For example, the length of the mouthpiece (measured along the user's dental arch in a direction transverse to the U-shaped cross-section) can measure the following lengths: - A length extending at least equal to the distance from the second premolar on the left side to the second premolar on the right side of the human (e.g., an adult, etc.) dental arch; - A length extending at least equal to the distance from the first molar on the left side to the first molar on the right side of the human (e.g., an adult, etc.) dental arch; or, - A length extending over a distance substantially equal to the entire length of the user's dental arch (i.e., at least the arch from the second molar on the left side to the second molar on the right side) such that the entire dental arch can be brushed simultaneously.

[0156] In addition, the length axis of the arch shape can have a shape similar to the shape of the human dental arch, or at least a part of the shape of the human dental arch.

[0157] The dental cleaning device according to the invention of Chapter 2 further includes a pump unit disposed in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, and the pump unit is configured to reciprocally increase and decrease the pressure in the pressure chamber between an increased pressure state and a decreased pressure state by pumping a predetermined volume of fluid into and out of the pressure chamber, thereby deforming the recess wall and reciprocally moving the recess wall to increase and decrease the recess respectively. Accordingly, the pump unit has a pumping action, and the pumping action continuously repeats increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber. For example, the pump unit includes a pumping device configured to pump fluid into the pressure chamber and a suction device configured to suck fluid out of the pressure chamber, and it is possible to alternately (reciprocally) increase and decrease the pressure in the pressure chamber between the increased pressure state and the decreased pressure state. By reciprocally and alternately moving the recess wall and increasing and decreasing the recess respectively, the user's teeth and / or gums are brushed, improving the user's oral hygiene.

[0158] In a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention of Chapter 2, the pump may be configured to operate at a predetermined operating frequency (for example, within a narrow frequency range around this predetermined operating frequency). Alternatively, the controller may be configured to operate the pump at a predetermined operating frequency (for example, within a narrow frequency range around this predetermined operating frequency). Further, alternatively or additionally, configuring the controller "to reduce the delivery amount of the pump unit when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value" is such that a change in the operating frequency is prevented.

[0159] Depending on design parameters such as bristle length, bristle stiffness, the nature of the deformable recess wall for flexibility, etc., the brushing / cleaning action of the dental cleaning device can be optimized at a specific operating frequency. Preferably, the dental cleaning device operates at that operating frequency when using the dental cleaning device and after the control signal indicates that the upper pressure threshold has been reached (the pressure in the pressure chamber increases and decreases reciprocally at that operating frequency). For example, when the fluid in the pressure chamber is a gas, reciprocally increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber becomes ineffective in moving the recess wall at higher frequencies and may become uncomfortable for the user. This also applies when the fluid is a liquid. Further, when a flexible deformable recess wall is used, the recess wall may not deform in response to reciprocally increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber at higher frequencies.

[0160] Therefore, when changing the operation of the dental cleaning device after the indication, the operating frequency (at which the pump unit operates or is operated) is not changed according to this further embodiment so that the pump operates at a predetermined operating frequency.

[0161] The predetermined operating frequency can be, for example, a fixed value of 8 Hz. According to the second chapter of the present invention, it may be intended to control the delivery volume of the pump without affecting the operating frequency of the pump, but as a side effect of the control action, ripples in the operating frequency may occur. For example, at a fixed predetermined operating frequency of 8 Hz, ripples in the range of ±0.5 Hz to ±1 Hz may occur.

[0162] Furthermore, the predetermined operating frequency can vary as a function of time. In other words, the pump unit can have an operating frequency that varies according to a predetermined function of the time measured since the pump was switched on. In terms of an equation, this can be read as ft = x(t). Each time the pump is switched on, the predetermined function will start again at t = 0. x(t) is a predetermined continuous or discontinuous function of time. For example, the operating frequency can start at a low frequency at t = 0, then increase to a higher frequency, and finally (e.g., after 20 to 30 seconds) decelerate to a lower frequency. Starting at a low frequency can prevent the user from having a startled reaction when switching on the pump, and ending at a low frequency can give the user an indication that the brushing is almost complete. On the other hand, being in between those frequencies can potentially be optimal for good brushing results. Also, here, according to the present invention of Chapter 2, it may be intended to control the delivery volume of the pump without affecting the operating frequency of the pump, but as a side effect of the control action, ripples in the operating frequency may occur. It is noted, for example, that ripples in the range of ±0.5 Hz to ±1 Hz may occur.

[0163] The predetermined operating frequency can be in the range of 0.5 Hz to 20 Hz, both in the case of a fixed operating frequency and in the case of an operating frequency that varies with time.

[0164] In yet another further embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention of Chapter 2, the upper threshold is at most 2 bar relative to the ambient pressure, for example, at most 1 bar relative to the ambient pressure, etc. Excessively high pressure in the pressure chamber can result in an uncomfortable user experience for the user of the dental cleaning device and can easily result in excessive brushing force. Additionally, excessively high pressure can cause rupture of the recessed wall and, in some cases, harm the user and / or result in economic loss of the dental cleaning device. The above upper threshold of at most 2 bar relative to the ambient pressure may be low enough to exclude these adverse effects. Preferably, the upper threshold is at most 0.3 bar (1.3 times the ambient pressure) relative to the ambient pressure, for example, at most 0.2 bar (1.2 times the ambient pressure) relative to the ambient pressure, etc. At such pressures, the brushing action of the dental cleaning device is still sufficient, while on the one hand reducing the risk of damaging the user's gums and the other adverse effects described.

[0165] It is noted that direct pressure measurement, where absolute pressure is measured, may be difficult to implement in a dental cleaning device according to the present invention of Chapter 2. Instead of measuring the absolute pressure, it is foreseen that a comparison with a reference pressure (e.g., ambient pressure) will be made to determine the pressure in the pressure chamber. Thus, for example, the expression "0.3 bar relative to the ambient pressure" can alternatively mean "approximately 1.3 times the ambient pressure" or "a pressure of approximately 1.3 bar", depending on the particular measurement being made. The ambient pressure depends, for example, on geographical location, altitude, and weather conditions and is generally known to be approximately 1 bar anywhere on Earth.

[0166] In yet another further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention of Chapter 2, the controller may be further configured to increase the delivery amount of the pump unit when, for example, in an increased pressure state and / or a decreased pressure state, the pressure in the pressure chamber drops below a predetermined lower threshold value. Similar to the situation where the pressure in the pressure chamber is too high, too low pressure can also have an adverse effect on the operation of the dental cleaning device. For example, when the pressure is too low, the bristles of the dental cleaning device may not be able to rub against the user's teeth with sufficient force, resulting in insufficient cleaning / brushing of the teeth. Therefore, according to this yet another further embodiment, the delivery amount (and thus also the pressure in the pressure chamber) is increased when the pressure in the pressure chamber drops below the lower threshold value.

[0167] In the details of this yet another further embodiment, the value of the lower threshold value can be less than the value of the upper threshold value by 1 bar or less. That is, the maximum pressure difference (allowed by the controller) in the pressure chamber can be 1 bar or less. For example, when the upper threshold value is 1.3 bar (ambient pressure plus 0.3 bar), the lower threshold value can be 0.3 bar (ambient pressure minus 0.7 bar). For example, the difference between the value of the upper threshold value and the value of the lower threshold value can be 0.4 bar. However, the nominal pressure difference between the decreased pressure state and the increased pressure state can be smaller or substantially smaller than the difference between the value of the upper threshold value and the value of the lower threshold value. That is, the upper threshold value and the lower threshold value may not necessarily be reached for each pressurization cycle. For example, when the difference between the value of the upper threshold value and the value of the lower threshold value is 0.4 bar, the nominal pressure difference between the increased pressure state and the decreased pressure state can be only 0.1 bar or 0.2 bar.

[0168] In another detail of this further alternative embodiment, the lower threshold value can be in the range from -0.5 bar to +0.2 bar (0.5 times to 1.2 times the ambient pressure) relative to the ambient pressure, for example, it can be in the range from -0.5 bar to 0 bar (0.5 times to 1 time the ambient pressure) relative to the ambient pressure. Therefore, the pressure in the pressure chamber can be below the ambient pressure in the reduced pressure state, while on the other hand, the pressure in the pressure chamber can be above the ambient pressure in the reduced pressure state.

[0169] According to a second aspect of the present invention of Chapter 2, there is provided a dental cleaning device for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions, the dental cleaning device comprising: - A mouthpiece having a pressure chamber and a recess, the recess being bounded by a recess wall, the recess wall being flexible and deformable, the recess having a U-shaped cross-section in a curved longitudinal direction and a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal direction, the recess being configured to enclose a part of the user's dental arch extending from at least the left second premolar to at least the right second premolar as seen in the curved longitudinal direction, the pressure chamber being configured to accommodate fluid under pressure; - Optionally, a plurality of bristles, each having one end attached to the recess wall and extending into the recess away from the recess wall; - A pump unit arranged in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, configured to reciprocally increase and decrease the pressure in the pressure chamber between an increased pressure state and a decreased pressure state by pumping a predetermined volume of fluid into and out of the pressure chamber, thereby deforming the recess wall and reciprocally moving the recess wall, increasing and decreasing the recess respectively, the pump unit operating at a predetermined operating frequency during operation; comprising, The operating frequency is in the range from 0.5 Hz to 20 Hz.

[0170] The mouthpiece of the dental cleaning device according to the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2 is the same as the mouthpiece of the dental cleaning device according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2. Additionally, the recess of the mouthpiece has a curved longitudinal direction, and when viewed in the curved longitudinal direction, it is configured to encompass a substantial portion of the user's dental arch (e.g., substantially the entire dental arch, etc.). For example, the recess can be configured to encompass dental positions in the range from at least the left first molar to at least the right first molar, or can be configured to encompass dental positions in the range from at least the left second molar to at least the right second molar. Then, all or almost all of the teeth of the user's dental arch can be simultaneously brushed by the dental cleaning device.

[0171] The dental cleaning device according to the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2 optionally has a plurality of bristles similar to the bristles of the dental cleaning device according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2.

[0172] The dental cleaning device according to the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2 includes a pump unit similar to the pump unit of the dental cleaning device according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2.

[0173] According to the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2, the pump unit operates at an operating frequency in the range of 0.5 Hz to 20 Hz.

[0174] In contrast to known dental cleaning devices (which operate at a relatively high frequency), the dental cleaning device according to the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2 operates at a relatively low frequency (compared to devices from the prior art). For example, the dental cleaning device of Patent Document 2 operates at a frequency between 100 Hz and 300 Hz. This high-frequency movement enables the bristles (which, in Patent Document 2, are made of nylon and are attached to a membrane) to function as a jackhammer, and that jackhammer functionality is required to remove plaque from the teeth of the user of the dental cleaning device. However, moving the bristles at such a high frequency poses difficulties. In fact, Patent Document 2 mentions the inertia of the total fluid volume and the difficulty of overcoming the cavitation effect in the fluid generated by the pumping action. Patent Document 2 teaches how to solve these problems. It is generally known that a high frequency is required for a dental cleaning device that operates like a jackhammer (despite these known difficulties). The reason is that otherwise, it would take too much time to clean the teeth and the user of the dental cleaning device would not be able to clean their teeth sufficiently.

[0175] The dental cleaning device according to the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2 takes a fundamentally different approach compared to Patent Document 2. Instead of finding a suitable method to move the bristles at a very high frequency, the dental cleaning device according to the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2 brushes the teeth at a rather low operating frequency of 0.5 Hz to 20 Hz. Increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber reciprocally by an operating frequency lower than a high operating frequency is much more energy-efficient. The dental cleaning device according to the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2 provides a mouthpiece including a recess, the recess being configured to substantially encompass the entire dental arch of the user and having a U-shaped cross-section, so that (almost) all teeth and all sides of each tooth can be simultaneously brushed by the dental cleaning device according to the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2. When operating the bristles at a lower frequency, instead of acting as a jackhammer, the bristles can act like a windshield wiper, rubbing against the user's teeth when it is moved towards the teeth and removing the plaque on the teeth by its rubbing action. The said rubbing action can be effectively implemented only at a relatively low frequency in the range of 0.5 Hz to 20 Hz. When the moving frequency of the bristles is too high, there is no rubbing action but a jackhammer (chipping) action, and a frequency much higher than 20 Hz is required. When the moving frequency is lower than 0.5 Hz, the movement is too slow, and although the rubbing can be satisfactorily implemented, the total brushing time is increased too much.

[0176] By the dental cleaning device according to the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2, at substantially all dental positions of the dental arch, while simultaneously rubbing the teeth to remove the plaque on the teeth, a very efficient alternating movement of the recess wall and the bristles results in a state where the cleaning of the dental arch can still be carried out in a satisfactory amount of time.

[0177] The proposed dental cleaning device operates at a relatively low operating frequency and brushes substantially all of the user's dental arches simultaneously by rubbing the teeth, making incorrect use and ineffective brushing of the teeth almost impossible.

[0178] Additionally, brushing the teeth at a relatively low operating frequency can result in a more comfortable oral sensation when using the dental cleaning device.

[0179] In a further embodiment of the second aspect of the invention of Chapter 2, the operating frequency is in the range of 1 Hz to 15 Hz, for example, in the range of 3 Hz to 10 Hz. These operating frequency ranges provide an optimal trade-off between the desired brushing time on the one hand and the achieved brushing result on the other hand.

[0180] In another further embodiment of the second aspect of the invention of Chapter 2, the operating frequency can be a predetermined frequency, and the predetermined frequency can be fixed or vary as a function of time. As described in connection with the first aspect of the present invention of Chapter 2, this predetermined frequency can be maintained, for example, when responding to pressure changes, due to the pump being configured to operate at a predetermined operating frequency or the controller being configured to operate the pump at a predetermined operating frequency.

[0181] In a further embodiment of the first and / or second aspect of the present invention of Chapter 2, the recess wall is made of a material having a hardness of 20 Shore A to 100 Shore A as measured in accordance with ISO 7619-1:2010. For example, the recess wall can be made of an elastomer such as a thermoplastic elastomer or a silicone elastomer. A material having a hardness of 20 Shore A to 100 Shore A, for example, 50 Shore A to 80 Shore A, can provide an optimal trade-off among flexibility, deformability, rigidity, and durability during continuously repeated deformation.

[0182] In the details of this further embodiment, at least some of the plurality of bristles can be made of a material having a hardness of 20 Shore A to 100 Shore A. For example, the bristles can be made of an elastomer such as a thermoplastic elastomer or a silicone elastomer, or a silicone polymer. This range can provide an optimal trade-off among rigidity, flexibility, and deformability to the bristles. On the one hand, in order to enhance the durability of the bristles and to rub the teeth with a force sufficient to actually clean the teeth, the bristles are desirably relatively hard. On the other hand, in order to rub the teeth of the user of the dental cleaning device to clean the teeth (instead of damaging the teeth) and to reach spots that are difficult to reach with harder bristles, it is desirable that the bristles deform easily.

[0183] In another embodiment of the first and / or second aspect of the invention of Chapter 2, the recess wall is made of a material having a hardness of 50 Shore D to 100 Shore A as measured according to ISO7619-1:2010. For example, the recess wall can be made of a thin plastic such as polyethylene, polybutylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyester, or nylon. Materials having a hardness of 50 Shore D to 100 Shore D, for example, 70 Shore D to 90 Shore D (used in thin recess walls), can provide an optimal trade-off between flexibility, deformability, rigidity, and durability during continuously repeated deformations.

[0184] In the details of this further embodiment, at least some of the plurality of bristles can be made of a material having a hardness of 50 Shore D to 100 Shore D. For example, the bristles can be made of a plastic such as polyethylene, polybutylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyester, or nylon. This range can provide an optimal trade-off for the bristles between thinner bristles with appropriate rigidity, flexibility, and deformability. On the one hand, it is desirable for the bristles to be relatively hard in order to increase the durability of the bristles and to rub the teeth with sufficient force to actually clean the teeth. On the other hand, it is desirable for the bristles to deform easily in order to rub the teeth of the user of the dental cleaning device to clean the teeth (instead of damaging the teeth) and to reach spots that are difficult to reach with harder bristles.

[0185] In another detail of this further embodiment, the bristles and the recess walls are made of the same material. Alternatively, the bristles can be made of a nylon material having a hardness significantly higher than 70 Shore D, while the recess walls are made of, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer or a silicone elastomer having a hardness in the range of 40 Shore A to 100 Shore A.

[0186] In another further embodiment of the first and / or second aspect of the present invention of Chapter 2, the mouthpiece of the dental cleaning device has two of the said recesses, the two recesses each having a U-shaped cross-section and being bounded by the recess walls, and the openings of the U-shaped cross-sections of the two recesses facing in opposite directions. This enables simultaneous brushing of the teeth and / or gums of the lower and upper dental arches.

[0187] In another further embodiment of the first and / or second aspect of the present invention of Chapter 2, one or two of the recesses have an elongated curved shape and are configured to encompass at least five dental positions of the user, such as dental positions in the range from the left first molar to the right first molar. This advantageously enables simultaneous brushing of multiple dental positions. Then, satisfactory tooth brushing can be achieved in less time compared to a dental cleaning device having shorter recesses. The recesses can be configured to encompass dental positions in the range from the left second molar to the right second molar. The mouthpiece can extend over substantially the entire dental arch of the user, including or excluding the third molar (wisdom tooth).

[0188] In another further embodiment of the first and / or second aspect of the invention of Chapter 2, when using the dental cleaning device, increasing the pressure in the pressure chamber causes the bristles of the dental cleaning device to move towards the user's dental position with the end portions of the bristles deformed (bent) and rubbed against the teeth, and this rubbing action of the end portions cleans the teeth. Thus, in contrast to known automatic dental cleaning devices, the dental cleaning device according to the invention of Chapter 2 does not function as a jackhammer, but instead uses the friction between the bristles and the teeth as a cleaning mechanism for removing plaque from the user's teeth to rub the teeth.

[0189] In certain embodiments of the first and / or second aspect of the invention of Chapter 2, the fluid can be a gas, preferably air. Air is readily available and can be extracted from the environment, for example, while operating the dental cleaning device. Using another fluid may require the use of a closed-loop fluid system, which can be more expensive and time-consuming to produce. When using air as the fluid, an open-loop or partially open-loop system can be used, where the fluid is allowed to exit, for example, from the pressure chamber to the outside of the dental cleaning device.

[0190] In an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2, the dental cleaning device further includes a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure representing the pressure in the pressure chamber and to generate a pressure signal representing the measured pressure, and a controller configured to generate a control signal; the pressure sensor and the controller are connected such that the controller receives the pressure signal during use, and the controller and the pump unit are connected such that the pump unit receives the control signal during use; the controller is configured to generate the control signal based on the pressure signal, and the pump unit is configured to reciprocally provide a predetermined delivery amount into and / or out of the pressure chamber in response to the control signal; the controller is configured to reduce the delivery amount of the pump unit when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value, as described according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2.

[0191] In an embodiment of the first and / or second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2, the recessed wall can have an internal width between the U-shaped legs in the plane of a cross-section of a U-shaped cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis, in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm, for example, in the range of 3 mm to 7 mm, etc.; and / or the U-shape can have an internal height in the range of 5 mm to 15 mm, for example, in the range of 5 mm to 10 mm, etc. These measurements are shown for adults. For children or animals, these measurements may be different.

[0192] According to a third aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2, a method of operating a dental cleaning device for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions, the cleaning device being - A mouthpiece having a pressure chamber and a recess, the recess being bounded by a recess wall, the recess having a U-shaped cross-section in a curved longitudinal direction and a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal direction, the recess being configured to enclose at least a part of the user's dental arch as seen in the curved longitudinal direction, the pressure chamber being configured to contain a fluid under pressure, the mouthpiece; - Optionally, a plurality of bristles, each having one end attached to the recess wall and extending into the recess away from the recess wall; - A pump unit arranged in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, configured to reciprocally increase and decrease the pressure in the pressure chamber between an increased pressure state and a decreased pressure state by pumping a predetermined volume of fluid into and out of the pressure chamber, thereby deforming the recess wall and reciprocally moving the recess wall, increasing and decreasing the recess respectively, the pump unit; comprising, - when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value, the delivery rate of the pump unit is reduced; and / or, - A method is provided in which the pump unit is operated at an operating frequency in the range of 0.5 Hz to 20 Hz.

[0193] by the method according to the third aspect of the invention of Chapter 2, - when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value, the pump can be operated so that a change in the operating frequency is prevented; and / or, - The pump can be operated at a fixed operating frequency; and / or, - The pump can be operated at an operating frequency in the range of 1 Hz to 15 Hz, for example, in the range of 3 Hz to 10 Hz; and / or, - The upper threshold value can be at most 2 bar, for example, at most 1 bar, with respect to the ambient pressure; and / or, - The upper threshold can be at most 0.3 bar, for example, at most 0.2 bar, etc., with respect to the ambient pressure; and / or, - The delivery rate of the pump unit can be increased when the pressure in the pressure chamber drops below a predetermined lower threshold: 〇 The lower threshold can be in the range up to 1 bar below the upper threshold, for example, in the range up to 0.4 bar, etc.; and / or, 〇 The lower threshold can be in the range from -0.5 bar to +0.2 bar with respect to the ambient pressure, for example, in the range from -0.5 bar to 0 bar, etc.; and / or, - The pump operates at an operating frequency that varies according to a predetermined function of the time measured since the pump was switched on.

[0194] [Brief Description of the Drawings of Chapter 2] The present invention of Chapter 2 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 26.

[0195] [FIG. 21] It is a diagram schematically showing a part of a human dental arch. [FIG. 22] It is a diagram schematically showing an embodiment of a mouthpiece of a dental cleaning device according to the present invention of Chapter 2. [FIG. 23a] It is a diagram schematically showing a cross-section of the mouthpiece of FIG. 22 in its reduced pressure state. [FIG. 23b] It is a diagram schematically showing a cross-section of the mouthpiece of FIG. 22 in its increased pressure state. [FIG. 24] It is a diagram schematically showing an embodiment of a dental cleaning device according to the present invention of Chapter 2. [FIG. 25] It is a diagram schematically showing a graph of the pressure in the pressure chamber as a function of time. [FIG. 26] It is a diagram schematically showing the rubbing of teeth by bristles of a dental cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention of Chapter 2.

[0196] [Detailed Description of the Drawings of Chapter 2] Figure 21 very schematically shows in perspective a part of the upper dental arch or maxillary dental arch 301 with dental positions 302 to 314. Each dental position is indicated by a vertical dashed line. Each dental position typically includes a tooth named according to a nomenclature known to each dentist. Using this nomenclature: - Dental position 302 is the position of the left "second molar" shown in Figure 21; - Dental position 303 is the position of the left "first molar" which is missing in Figure 21; - Dental position 304 is the position of the left "second premolar" shown in Figure 21; - Dental position 305 is the position of the left "first premolar" shown in Figure 21; - Dental position 306 is the position of the left "canine" shown in Figure 21; - Dental position 307 is the position of the left "lateral incisor" which is missing in Figure 21; - Dental position 308 is the position of the left "central incisor" shown in Figure 21; - Dental position 309 is the position of the right "central incisor" shown in Figure 21; - Dental position 310 is the position of the right "lateral incisor" shown in Figure 21; - Dental position 311 is the position of the right "canine" shown in Figure 21; - Dental position 312 is the position of the right "first premolar" shown in Figure 21; - Dental position 313 is the position of the right "second premolar" shown in Figure 21; - Dental position 314 is the position of the right "first molar" shown in Figure 21.

[0197] In Figure 21, the dental position of the right "second molar" is not shown, nor are the dental positions of the right and left "third molars" (also called wisdom teeth). Similarly, the lower (mandibular) dental arch (jaw) has a similar number of dental positions, which are named similarly according to the said nomenclature.

[0198] FIG. 21 further shows a system of three mutually orthogonal axes including the x-axis X, the y-axis Y, and the z-axis Z. The z-axis Z is a curved axis following the contour of the dental arch 301. The x-axis X and the y-axis Y are perpendicular to each other and define the xy-plane, which is essentially flat and perpendicular to the dental arch 301. That is, each xy-plane intersecting the dental arch 301 at a predetermined location above the z-axis is perpendicular to the curved z-axis Z at that location. The z-axis Z defines a curved longitudinal direction. The z-axis Z and the y-axis Y define a curved zy-plane, which has an arc shape similar to the shape of the dental arch when viewed along the z-axis. Further, the z-axis Z and the x-axis X define the zx-plane.

[0199] FIG. 22 schematically shows a perspective view of an example of a mouthpiece 320 or a dental cleaning device according to the first and / or second aspect of the present invention of Chapter 2. FIGS. 23a and 23b show cross-sections of the mouthpiece of FIG. 22 as viewed as indicated by the arrow XXIII in FIG. 22. In the cross-section of FIG. 23a, the pressure chamber is in a relatively decreased pressure state, while the pressure chamber is in a relatively increased pressure state in FIG. 23b.

[0200] The mouthpiece 320 includes a first recess 322. This first recess 322 has a curved longitudinal direction when viewed along the z-axis of FIG. 21 and has a U-shaped cross-section when viewed in the xy-plane of FIG. 21. The first recess 322 is bounded by a flexible and / or deformable recess wall 323, which is U-shaped in the xy-plane. The recess wall 323 is lined with a plurality of bristles 324, each having one end (referred to as the root portion 319) attached to the flexible recess wall 323 and extending into the first recess 322 from the recess wall 323.

[0201] Here, the recess 322 has an elongated curved shape and is configured to substantially encompass the entire dental arch of the user. With respect to the dental cleaning device according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2, the recess 322 can be much shorter, for example, covering only a single dental position or at least five dental positions (such as the range from the first molar on the left side of the jaw to the first molar on the right side of the jaw).

[0202] Reference numeral 326 indicates a nipple, which is configured to connect the mouthpiece to a pumping and / or suction device, as will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 24. The mouthpiece 320 further has a right half 327 and a left half 328, and these halves come together at the nipple 326 so to speak.

[0203] Reference numeral 325 indicates a curved dividing line, which defines a mirror plane parallel to the xz plane as defined in FIG. 21. The mouthpiece as shown in FIG. 22 is, so to speak, mirror-symmetrical with respect to this mirror plane, which means that there is a second recess (not visible in FIG. 22 but visible in FIGS. 23a and 23b) on the opposite side of the first recess 322, and this second recess is also lined with bristles. It is noted that since the upper and lower arches (of teeth) of the dental positions generally have different shapes, the first recess can have a shape different from that of the second recess.

[0204] The recess 322 is configured to substantially encompass the entire dental arch, for example, from the dental position of the right third molar or second molar to the dental position of the left third molar or second molar. With respect to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 2, the recess 322 can also be configured to encompass a part of the arch of the dental position, and this part can include, for example, only a single dental position.

[0205] Figures 23a and 23b show a cross-section along arrow XXIII in Figure 22 of the right-side component of the mouthpiece 320, where the pressure in the pressure chamber is increased in Figure 23b (relative to the situation in Figure 23a), and the pressure in the pressure chamber is decreased in the situation of Figure 23a (relative to the situation in Figure 23b).

[0206] As can be best seen in Figures 23a and 23b, the bristles can be provided as tufts 329 of relatively thin bristles 324. Each tuft 329 can have a base 336, which carries the bristles 324 at their root portions 319 and is attached to the flexible recess wall 323.

[0207] As can be seen in Figures 23a and 23b, the mouthpiece 320 has a first recess 322 at its upper side portion and a second recess 322 at its lower side portion, and the upper recess 322 and the lower recess 322 are oriented in mutually opposite directions with respect to each other. Both recesses 322 are bounded by a flexible recess wall 323. In a cross-section parallel to the xy plane as defined in Figure 21, the recess wall 323 is U-shaped and has a recess wall bottom 334 and two recess wall legs 333, and the two recess wall legs 333 extend from the recess bottom wall. The recess wall 323 is covered by tufts 329 of bristles on the legs 333 and / or the bottom 334 of the recess wall.

[0208] Inside the mouthpiece, a pressure chamber 335 is provided, which can be filled with fluid via a nipple 326 (Fig. 22). The fluid can be a gas such as air or a liquid such as water. In the embodiment as shown in Fig. 22, the mouthpiece has one pressure chamber. However, it should be noted that the mouthpiece can include multiple pressure chambers, such as five pressure chambers, or any other number of pressure chambers. Unpublished Patent Document 3 shows examples of other numbers of pressure chambers in Figs. 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10. In the case of multiple pressure chambers, all pressure chambers or groups of pressure chambers can be in fluid communication with each other, similar to those described in Unpublished Patent Document 3, according to the present invention in Chapter 2.

[0209] As can be seen in Figs. 23a and 23b, the mouthpiece can include an internal support structure of a rigid material relative to the material of the flexible recessed wall 323. This support structure can include a lingual plate 330 and a facial plate 332, both of which extend along the curved zy plane defined in FIG. 21, and as a result, have a U - shape when viewed along the z - axis. To maintain the lingual plate 330 and the facial plate 332 at a predetermined distance from each other, the support structure can include one or more spacers 331. These one or more spacers 331 can be, for example, a plurality of bars or wires or a single plate, which can extend essentially parallel to the zx plane as defined in FIG. 21. In the case of a single plate as a spacer, this plate can divide the pressure chamber 335 into two pressure chambers (an upper chamber and a lower chamber). These two pressure chambers can be in fluid communication with each other via one or more through - holes through the plate. In the case of large through - holes and / or a large number of through - holes, the two pressure chambers can effectively be one single pressure chamber.

[0210] A mouthpiece as shown in FIG. 22 is configured to brush a plurality of dental positions simultaneously. When teeth are present, the teeth at each dental position will be brushed. The remainder at a dental position such as the gum line can be brushed in the case where teeth may be missing, and the teeth adjacent to the location of the missing teeth can be additionally brushed by the bristles intended for the location of the missing teeth.

[0211] A single pressure chamber 335 includes a first flexible recess wall 323 that defines the boundary of a first recess 322 (the upper one in FIGS. 23a and 23b) and a second flexible recess wall 323 that defines the boundary of a second recess 322 (the lower one in FIGS. 23a and 23b). The first and second recess walls 323 are deformable, inter alia, by increasing or decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber 335. The flexible recess wall 323 can be made of an elastic material, such as a material like rubber. Also, the flexible recess wall 323 can be made of a non-elastic material. When there is substantially no pressure difference across the inner and outer sides of the flexible recess wall 323 or when there is a low pressure difference (when the pressure in the pressure chamber is substantially equal to the ambient pressure), the material of the flexible recess wall 323 can maintain a predetermined shape.

[0212] The mouthpiece 400 is configured such that the tufts 329 or bristles 324 engage the tooth surfaces of the teeth of the dental arch, or, in the case of one or more dental positions where teeth may be missing, such that the tufts 329 or bristles 324 engage the tooth roots at their respective dental positions, at least when the pressure in the pressure chamber 335 is increased. In the case where teeth may be missing at a given dental position, in particular, the tufts 329 of bristles at the free ends of the recess wall legs 333 will engage the tooth roots at the empty dental positions.

[0213] When viewed in the longitudinal direction Z of the dental arch (as defined in FIG. 21), the tufts 329 of bristles 324 can be arranged with approximately the same density when viewed in the cross-section shown in FIGS. 23a and 23b.

[0214] Referring to FIGS. 23a and 23b, when the pressure in the pressure chamber 335 is increased to an increased pressure state, for example, by feeding fluid into the pressure chamber 335 or by increasing the amount of fluid in the pressure chamber 335, the recess wall 323 is, so to speak, compacted, narrowing the recess 322, whereby the bristles 324 (especially their free ends) can engage firmly with the tooth surface and / or can be deformed in contact with the tooth surface; the situation of FIG. 23b (the teeth are not shown). When the pressure in the pressure chamber 335 is subsequently decreased, the recess wall is, so to speak, widened, expanding the recess 322; the situation of FIG. 23a (again, the teeth are not shown). Although there is a small possibility of narrowing and widening this recess wall, when, for example, it is repeatedly alternated at some frequency between 0.5 Hz and 20 Hz, deforming this recess wall alternately by alternately narrowing and widening this recess wall moves the bristles between a firmer engagement with the tooth surface and a relatively less firm engagement and / or alternates the bristles between a first deformed state and a second deformed state, which causes sweeping and / or rubbing of the bristles along the tooth surface.

[0215] By an appropriate cycle of increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber 335, an effective brushing action of the mouthpiece can be obtained. The bristles 324 attached to the bottom 334 of the recess wall generally perform upward and downward movements during such a cycle, and the bristles 324 at the recess wall legs 333 generally perform lateral movements of going back and forth in the direction of the x-axis as defined in FIG. 21 on the user's teeth during such a cycle.

[0216] As a mere example for giving some indication of dimensions, and referring to FIG. 21, for an adult, the width of the tooth element in the X direction varies between about 2 mm and 12 mm depending on the dental position. Taking into account that it is desirable to keep the mouthpiece as small as possible, the internal width of the U-shaped recess wall in the X direction should be kept as small as possible and can be about 0 mm to 4 mm wider than the width of each tooth. As an example for giving some indication of dimensions, the internal width of the U-shaped recess wall can be in the range of 0 mm to 20 mm as seen in the X direction of FIG. 21, for example, in the range such as 2 mm to 12 mm. The bristles can be up to 6 mm in length. In the example case, the bristles are 3 mm to 4 mm in length, which means that there is no gap remaining between the bristles extending from the opposing recess wall legs 333, or that there remains a limited amount of gap of about 2 mm to 4 mm. In FIG. 23, these gaps are shown exaggerated. Further, as an example for giving some indication of dimensions, the U-shaped recess wall can have an internal height in the range of 3 mm to 20 mm as seen in the Y direction of FIG. 21, for example, in the range such as 5 mm to 10 mm. These measurements of the internal width and internal height are shown for an adult. For a child or for an animal, these measurements may be different.

[0217] Increasing and decreasing the pressure within the pressure chamber 335 is achieved by a pump unit. Combinations of different pump units and valves are possible. Here, one possible embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 24. FIG. 24 schematically shows a partially cutaway perspective view of a dental cleaning device 500 including a handle member 502 and a mouthpiece 400 (e.g., a mouthpiece as described above) connected thereto. The handle member 502 provides a handle interface, and the mouthpiece 400 provides a mouthpiece interface, which is configured to be removably connected to the handle interface. The handle member 502 includes a battery 510 for storing electrical energy, and the electrical energy can be fed to the battery 510 through a battery charging interface 512. The battery 510 provides energy to a main pump unit 504 including a motor 516, a transmission 518, a crank piston 520, and a piston pump 522 on a printed circuit board (PCB) 514, and optionally to a mouth wash pump 524. A mouth wash capsule 530 for containing mouth wash liquid can be removably received within the handle member 502. The piston pump 522 can be a pneumatic pump. Instead of the piston pump, a diaphragm pump, a plunger pump, a membrane pump, or a bellows pump can also be used. The mouth wash pump 524 can be a hydraulic pump.

[0218] The dental cleaning device 400 further includes a pressure sensor 540, which is shown here very schematically and is positioned near the duct 542. The pressure sensor 540 is configured to measure a pressure representing the pressure in the pressure chamber and to generate a pressure signal representing said pressure. Thus, from the pressure of the fluid at the inlet of the duct 542, the pressure sensor 540 can estimate or determine the pressure in the pressure chamber. The pressure sensor 540 can communicate with a controller 524 (which is integrated here with the PCB 514), such that the controller 524 can receive a pressure signal from the pressure sensor 540.

[0219] As already described, the dental cleaning device 400 further includes a controller 524, which is integrated here with the PCB 514. The controller 524 is configured to generate a control signal based on the pressure signal it receives from the pressure sensor 540. The controller 524 can communicate with the pump unit 504, such that the pump unit 504 can receive a control signal from the controller 524. In response to the control signal received from the controller 524, the pump unit 504 provides a delivery rate (liters per minute) into and / or out of the pressure chamber, which delivery rate increases and decreases the pressure in the pressure chamber. When the control signal indicates that the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value, the delivery rate of the pump unit 504 is reduced, enabling the pressure in the pressure chamber to decrease again and drop below the threshold value.

[0220] Accordingly, the operation of the dental cleaning device 500 is controlled by the PCB 514, which includes a controller 524. The PCB 514 controls the operation of the pump unit 504 that includes a motor 516. The PCB 514 controls the dental cleaning device 500 and alternately increases and decreases the pressure in at least one pressure chamber provided in the mouthpiece 504 by controlling the delivery amount of fluid into and out of the pressure chamber by the pump unit 504.

[0221] This control of the pressure in the pressure chamber by providing a predetermined delivery amount is described more graphically with reference to FIG. 25. What can be seen in FIG. 25 is a sine wave line, and the sine wave line can represent that the pressure in the pressure chamber fluctuates due to the pressure being reciprocally increased and decreased. Shown by the horizontal line are the upper threshold value TU and the lower threshold value TL. The upper threshold value TU can be, for example, at most 2 bar with respect to the ambient pressure, and can be, for example, at most 1 bar, at most 0.3 bar, or at most 0.2 bar above the ambient pressure. The lower threshold value TU can be, for example, at most -1 bar with respect to the upper threshold value TU, and can be, for example, at most -0.4 bar with respect to the upper threshold value TU. With respect to the ambient pressure, the lower threshold value TL can be in the range from -0.5 bar to +0.2 bar (for example, up to 0 bar). According to the present invention of Chapter 2, when the pressure exceeds the upper threshold value TU, the delivery amount of the pump is reduced. When the pressure drop falls below the lower threshold value TL, the delivery amount of the pump can be increased.

[0222] Starting from the left side of FIG. 25, at time stamp t0, fluid is being pumped into the pressure chamber, increasing the pressure therein. Approximately two normal pressurization cycles are shown, in which the pressure is between the upper threshold TU and the lower threshold TL. The pump operates at a frequency f, which can be derived from the time between two consecutive pressure peaks (during normal operation of the pump). The normal delivery volume D1 represents the amount of fluid pumped into the pressure chamber between the lower and upper pressure peaks (during normal operation of the pump). For example, depending on the fit of the dental cleaning device to the (portion of the) user's dental arch and the occlusal pressure exerted by the user, the pressure always remains between the upper threshold TU and the lower threshold TL. In fact, this scenario is shown for the first two pressurization cycles. However, the exact pressures for the upper threshold TU and the lower threshold TL can vary for each individual user, as indicated by arrow B.

[0223] At time stamp t1, the pressure in the pressure chamber suddenly and rapidly increases. This can be caused, for example, by the movement of the dental cleaning device from a position near the incisors (which are typically relatively narrow) towards a position near the molars (which are typically relatively wide). As the teeth between the recesses become wider, the size of the pressure chamber is reduced, increasing the pressure therein. Alternatively, such a sudden increase in pressure can be caused, for example, by an increase in the user's occlusal pressure and / or an increase in the force with which the dental cleaning device is pressed onto the teeth by the user.

[0224] After a while, the dental cleaning device responds to this increase in pressure by reducing the delivery rate D2 of the pump. In this example, the reduction in the delivery rate is sufficient to bring the pressure just below the upper threshold TU within one pressurization cycle, although it is also conceivable that it may require two or more, for example, two, three, or four pressurization cycles. It is further noted here that the response of the pump unit is somewhat delayed compared to the occurrence of the pressure increase.

[0225] After reducing the delivery rate D2 once and achieving the desired effect of reducing the pressure below the upper threshold TU, normal operation resumes with the same delivery rate D1 as before the timestamp t1.

[0226] In the example of FIG. 25, at the timestamp t2, a sharp drop in the pressure in the pressure chamber is observed. This can occur, for example, when the dental cleaning device is moved from a position near a molar towards a position near an incisor and / or when the applied pressure exerted by the user is reduced and / or when the occlusal pressure applied by the user is reduced.

[0227] The dental cleaning device responds to this decrease in pressure by increasing the delivery rate D3 of the pump. In this example, the increase in the delivery rate is insufficient to immediately bring the pressure well above the lower threshold TL. Therefore, the increased delivery rate D3 is maintained until the pressure in the pressure chamber reaches a sufficient level again. In this example, the response of the pump unit is somewhat delayed compared to the occurrence of the decreased pressure and only responds when the pressure drops significantly below the lower threshold TL. It is conceivable that the response is faster and already responds when a sharp drop in pressure is noticed (perhaps even before the lower threshold is reached).

[0228] In the embodiment of FIG. 25, the pressure is increased until the lowest pressure experienced in the pressurization cycle exceeds the lower threshold TL. In some cases, the pressure is simply increased to a level where the maximum pressure during the pressurization cycle is between the upper threshold TU and the lower threshold TL. In that case, only one increased delivery amount D3 may be required.

[0229] Preferably, it is noted that the operating frequency of the pump unit does not change when the delivery amount changes. The operating frequency of the pump unit remains at a predetermined frequency, and the predetermined frequency can be in the range of 0.5 Hz to 20 Hz, which can be a fixed value or can change as a function of time.

[0230] FIG. 26 very schematically shows how the walls 533 and bristles of the dental cleaning device are moved in the direction of the user's teeth after the pressure in the pressure chamber has been increased. The end portions of the bristles are deformed and rub against the teeth, and this rubbing action removes plaque from the teeth.

[0231] The following clauses 40 to 64 give examples of the inventions of Chapter 2 described above, and further aspects and embodiments of these Chapter 2 inventions: 40] A dental cleaning device for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions, - A mouthpiece having a pressure chamber and a recess, the recess having a U-shaped cross-section and being bounded by a flexible and / or deformable recess wall, the pressure chamber being configured to contain fluid under pressure, the mouthpiece; - Optionally, a plurality of bristles, each attached to the recess wall by one of its ends and extending from the recess wall into the recess; - A pump unit arranged in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, configured to reciprocally increase and decrease the pressure in the pressure chamber between an increased pressure state and a decreased pressure state by pumping a predetermined volume of fluid into and out of the pressure chamber, thereby deforming the recess wall, reciprocally moving the recess wall, and increasing and decreasing the recess respectively, a pump unit, comprising, The dental cleaning device is, - A pressure sensor configured to measure the pressure representing the pressure in the pressure chamber and further configured to generate a pressure signal representing the pressure, - A controller configured to generate a control signal, further comprising; The pressure sensor and the controller are connected such that the controller receives a pressure signal from the pressure sensor during use, and the controller and the pump unit are connected such that the pump unit receives a control signal from the controller during use; The controller is configured to generate a control signal based on the pressure signal, and the pump unit is configured to provide a predetermined delivery amount into and / or out of the pressure chamber in response to the control signal; A dental cleaning device, wherein the controller is configured to reduce the delivery amount of the pump unit when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value. 41] The pump unit has a predetermined operating frequency, and in order to reduce the delivery amount of the pump unit when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value, the controller is configured to prevent a change in the operating frequency, the dental cleaning device according to clause 40. 42] The pump unit has a predetermined operating frequency, - The controller is configured to operate the pump unit in response to a pressure change at a predetermined operating frequency, or - The pump unit is a dental cleaning device according to clause 40 or 41, configured to operate at a predetermined operating frequency. 43] The pump unit is a dental cleaning device according to any one of clauses 40 to 42, having an operating frequency that changes according to a predetermined function of the time measured after the pump unit is switched on. 44] The pump unit is a dental cleaning device according to any one of clauses 40 to 42, having an operating frequency that is a fixed predetermined value. 45] The dental cleaning device according to any one of clauses 40 to 44, wherein the operating frequency is in the range of 0.5 Hz to 20 Hz. 46] The dental cleaning device according to any one of clauses 40 to 45, wherein the upper threshold value is at most 2 bar with respect to the ambient pressure, for example, at most 1 bar with respect to the ambient pressure. 47] The dental cleaning device according to any one of clauses 40 to 46, wherein the upper threshold value is at most 0.3 bar with respect to the ambient pressure, for example, at most 0.2 bar with respect to the ambient pressure. 48] The dental cleaning device according to any one of clauses 40 to 47, wherein the controller is further configured to increase the delivery rate of the pump unit when the pressure in the pressure chamber drops below a predetermined lower threshold value. 49] The dental cleaning device according to clause 48, wherein the lower threshold value is in the range up to 1 bar below the upper threshold value, for example, in the range up to 0.4 bar. 50] The dental cleaning device according to clause 48 or 49, wherein the lower threshold value is in the range of -0.5 bar to +0.2 bar with respect to the ambient pressure, for example, in the range of -0.5 bar to 0 bar with respect to the ambient pressure. 51] A dental cleaning device for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions, - A mouthpiece having a pressure chamber and a recess, the recess being bounded by a recess wall, the recess wall having a U-shaped cross-section in a curved longitudinal direction and a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal direction, the recess wall being configured to enclose dental positions in a range from at least the left second premolar to at least the right second premolar as seen in the curved longitudinal direction, the pressure chamber being configured to contain fluid under pressure, the mouthpiece; - Optionally, a plurality of bristles, each having one end attached to the recess wall and extending into the recess away from the recess wall, the plurality of bristles; - A pump unit disposed in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, configured to reciprocally increase and decrease the pressure in the pressure chamber between an increased pressure state and a decreased pressure state by pumping a predetermined volume of fluid into and out of the pressure chamber, thereby deforming the recess wall, reciprocally moving the recess wall, increasing and decreasing the recess respectively, the pump unit operating at a predetermined operating frequency during operation, the pump unit; including, The dental cleaning device, wherein the predetermined operating frequency is in the range of 0.5 Hz to 20 Hz. 52] The dental cleaning device according to clause 51, wherein the predetermined operating frequency is in the range of 1 Hz to 15 Hz, for example, in the range of 3 Hz to 10 Hz. 53] The dental cleaning device according to clause 51 or 52, wherein the predetermined operating frequency is a fixed frequency. 54] The dental cleaning device according to clause 51 or 52, wherein the predetermined operating frequency changes according to a predetermined function of the time measured after the pump unit is switched on. 55] When in use, if the pressure in the pressure chamber is increased, the bristles move towards the user's dental positions. On the one hand, the end portions of the bristles are deformed and rubbed against the teeth, and this rubbing action of the end portions cleans the teeth. The dental cleaning device according to any one of clauses 40 to 54. 56] The recess walls of the recesses and / or at least some of the bristles are made of a material having a hardness of 20 Shore A to 100 Shore A, for example, a hardness of 50 Shore A to 80 Shore A, etc. The dental cleaning device according to any one of clauses 40 to 55. 57] The recess walls of the recesses and / or at least some of the bristles are made of a material having a hardness of 50 Shore D to 100 Shore D, for example, a hardness of 70 Shore D to 90 Shore D, etc. The dental cleaning device according to any one of clauses 40 to 55. 58] The mouthpiece has two of the said recesses. The two recesses each have a U-shaped cross-section and are bounded by the recess walls. The openings of the U-shaped cross-sections of the two recesses face in opposite directions. The dental cleaning device according to any one of clauses 40 to 57. 59] The recess or the two recesses each have an elongated curved shape and are configured to encompass at least five dental positions of the user, for example, dental positions in the range from the left first molar to the right first molar, etc. The dental cleaning device according to any one of clauses 40 to 58. 60] The pump unit includes a pump selected from the group of piston pumps, diaphragm pumps, plunger pumps, membrane pumps, or bellows pumps. The dental cleaning device according to any one of clauses 40 to 59. 61] The dental cleaning device is - A pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure representing the pressure in the pressure chamber and further configured to generate a pressure signal representing the pressure; - A controller configured to generate a control signal; further comprising; The pressure sensor and the controller are connected such that the controller receives the pressure signal from the pressure sensor during use, and the controller and the pump unit are connected such that the pump unit receives the control signal from the controller during use; The controller is configured to generate a control signal based on the pressure signal, and the pump unit is configured to provide a predetermined delivery amount into and / or out of the pressure chamber in response to the control signal; The controller is configured to reduce the delivery amount of the pump unit when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value. The dental cleaning device according to any one of clauses 15 to 60. 62] The dental cleaning device according to clause 58 in combination with any one of clauses 46 to 50. 63] A method of operating a dental cleaning device for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions, the cleaning device comprising: - A mouthpiece having a pressure chamber and a recess, the recess being bounded by a recess wall, the recess wall having a U-shaped cross-section in a curved longitudinal direction and a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal direction, the recess wall being configured to enclose at least a part of the user's dental arch when viewed in the curved longitudinal direction, and the pressure chamber being configured to contain fluid under pressure; a mouthpiece; - Optionally, a plurality of bristles, each having one end attached to the recess wall and extending into the recess away from the recess wall; a plurality of bristles; - A pump unit disposed in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, configured to reciprocally increase and decrease the pressure in the pressure chamber between an increased pressure state and a decreased pressure state by pumping a predetermined volume of fluid into and out of the pressure chamber, thereby deforming the recess wall, reciprocally moving the recess wall, and respectively increasing and decreasing the recess, a pump unit; including; - When the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value, the delivery rate of the pump unit is reduced; and / or, - The pump unit is operated at an operating frequency in the range of 0.5 Hz to 20 Hz, a method. 64] - When the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value, the pump unit is operated so that the change in the operating frequency is prevented; and / or, - The pump unit is operated at a fixed operating frequency; and / or, - The pump unit is operated at an operating frequency in the range of 1 Hz to 15 Hz, for example, in the range of 3 Hz to 10 Hz, etc.; and / or, - The upper threshold value is at most 2 bar, for example, at most 1 bar, etc., with respect to the ambient pressure; and / or, - The upper threshold value is at most 0.3 bar, for example, at most 0.2 bar, etc., with respect to the ambient pressure; and / or, - The delivery rate of the pump unit is increased when the pressure in the pressure chamber drops below a predetermined lower threshold value: 〇 The lower threshold value is in the range up to 1 bar below the upper threshold value, for example, in the range up to 0.4 bar, etc.; and / or, 〇 The lower threshold value is in the range of -0.5 bar to +0.2 bar, for example, in the range of -0.5 bar to 0 bar, etc., with respect to the ambient pressure; and / or, - The method according to clause 63, wherein the pump unit is operated at an operating frequency that varies according to a predetermined function of the time measured since the pump unit was switched on.

[0232] As can be seen from the above, the term "pressure chamber" as used throughout this Chapter 2 is a chamber in which the pressure is varied between a reduced pressure state and an increased pressure state. Both the reduced pressure state and the increased pressure state can be pressures below the ambient pressure, i.e., a vacuum defined as a pressure between 0 bar and 1 bar. Alternatively, both the reduced pressure state and the increased pressure state can be pressures above the ambient pressure, or one of these pressure states can be approximately the ambient pressure while the other is below or above the ambient pressure.

[0233] In this Chapter 2, when the technical term "pressure in the pressure chamber" or a similar technical term is used, it is the "pressure of the fluid in the pressure chamber". It is the pressure of the fluid acting on the recess wall to cause a brushing action. The pressure of the fluid can be increased, for example, by supplying additional fluid into the pressure chamber, or can be decreased by allowing the fluid to leave the pressure chamber.

[0234] Taking into account the various dental positions / natural tooth shapes, the shape of the U-shaped cross-section can vary along the longitudinal direction of the recess / recess wall. In the region of the upper incisors and / or lower incisors, the U-shaped cross-section can be, for example, V-shaped.

[0235] Chapter 3 [Title of the Invention] Mouthpiece for Brushing at Multiple Dental Positions, Brushing Device Comprising Such a Mouthpiece, and Method of Operating Such a Mouthpiece or Brushing Device

[0236] The invention of Chapter 3 relates to the field of dental cleaning devices, and more particularly to a mouthpiece for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions. The invention of Chapter 3 further relates to a brushing device including the mouthpiece according to the invention of Chapter 3. Moreover, the invention of Chapter 3 relates to a method of operating such a mouthpiece or brushing device. The mouthpiece is configured to brush at least five dental positions simultaneously.

[0237] [Background Art of Chapter 3] The cleaning of human and animal teeth is an essential condition for oral hygiene and visceral health. For example, various dental cleaning devices are available, such as manual toothbrushes and electric toothbrushes. With these typical toothbrushes, it is recommended to brush the teeth in a predetermined manner for at least two minutes a day to effectively remove plaque. However, the average person does not spend all of the allotted time cleaning their teeth and does not always brush in an effective manner. Additionally, it can be difficult for disabled, elderly, or young children to brush their teeth with a toothbrush because typical toothbrushes require precise positioning of the brush bristles on the various surfaces of the teeth. Additionally, a person may apply excessive pressure to the brush bristles while brushing their teeth, which can cause the bristles to wear out rapidly and excessively, making the brushing process ineffective and potentially damaging the teeth and causing the gums to recede, which has an adverse effect on dental health.

[0238] When some or all of the teeth are missing at some dental positions, as is often the case with the elderly, the cleaning of the gums at these dental positions remains an essential condition for oral hygiene and visceral health.

[0239] There is a need to automatically brush the teeth and / or gums at these dental locations in order to clean the teeth and / or gums at those dental locations, thereby reducing the time and effort required for effective brushing. Additionally, there is also a need to avoid the need to carefully manipulate the brush.

[0240] Dental cleaning devices are known that include a mouthpiece that covers both the upper and lower dental arches. Such mouthpieces include a brushing surface with bristles that are automatically moved to clean a complete set of teeth.

[0241] The mouthpieces and brushing surfaces of known dental cleaning devices require adjustment to closely fit the shape of the user's dental arch. The mouthpiece should be able to clean all tooth surfaces. However, dental arches vary greatly among different users due to various sizes, malocclusions, and missing teeth of the dental arch. Therefore, there is a need for a dental cleaning device with an adjustable mouthpiece.

[0242] Patent Document 1 of the reference discloses an electric dental cleaning device equipped with a mouthpiece. This known mouthpiece has an upper part for cleaning the upper jaw / upper dental arch and a lower part for cleaning the lower jaw / lower dental arch. Both the upper part and the lower part of this known mouthpiece have brush pads respectively, and each of these brush pads has a U-shaped cross-section and bristles on the inside of the U-shape. These two brush pads are positioned with the U-shaped bottoms of the pads facing each other, and with the U-shaped legs of the upper brush pad pointing in the upward direction opposite to the U-shaped legs of the lower brush pad (which are pointing in the downward direction). The brush pads include a rigid brush plate on the outer side of the U-shape, leg plates at each leg, and a bottom plate transverse to the leg plates at the bottom of each U-shape. These U-shaped brush pads are driven up and down with respect to the free end / upper part of the teeth in the direction of the U-shaped legs. In some embodiments, a bladder can be positioned between the upper and lower arches of the mouthpiece, i.e., between the bottom plates, and an alternating or vibrating pneumatic pressure and suction force is applied to this bladder to move the bottom plates relative to each other, which causes the up and down movement of the U-shaped brush pads, thereby brushing the teeth.

[0243] In one embodiment of the mouthpiece according to Patent Document 1 of the reference, by using flexible fingers and / or a bladder, the side / leg brush plates are positioned relative to the lingual and facial sides of the teeth, and the flexible fingers and / or the bladder are configured to apply a static pressure and move up and down transversely to the direction of the static pressure along the lingual and facial sides of the teeth in a predetermined direction, engaging the tip ends of the bristles of the brush plates with the lingual and facial sides of the teeth, in which regard the mouthpiece is adjustable.

[0244] In Patent Document 1, the brushing movement is merely a 1D movement (one-dimensional movement). The reason is that the U-shaped brush pads are only moved towards and away from each other.

[0245] The mouthpiece according to Patent Document 1 has the drawback of a limited brushing action. The reason is that the bristles on the brush pads are mounted on a rigid plate, so their ability to reach all surfaces of the teeth is limited.

[0246] Patent Document 2 of the references (which has the corresponding European Patent Application Publication No. 0173114) discloses several embodiments of a device for cleaning teeth, which can be divided into two types of devices each intended to include one tooth at a time for cleaning one tooth at a time. The first type of device ensures a static brushing pressure of the bristles against the teeth while the brushing movement of the bristles is caused by hand, that is, the brush head is mounted on the handgrip, and the handgrip is operated to move the brush head along the teeth like a normal toothbrush. In this first type, one single pressure chamber or two opposing pressure bubbles can be used to ensure that the cleaning contact pressure between the individual bristle tufts and the teeth is at least approximately equal throughout. In the first type, the brushing movement of the tufts will be caused by hand, while the brushing movement of the device of the second type is automated by a drive. The second type of device (shown in FIGS. 10 to 21 of Patent Document 2) is designed such that the tufts are driven to perform a 2D movement (two-dimensional movement) with respect to the tooth surface. Each tuft is driven to move in a plane perpendicular to the dental arch (i.e., perpendicular to the tooth being cleaned). In the first stage, the tuft is moved towards the tooth to press against it, and then the tuft is moved along the tooth surface in a direction from the tooth root towards the upper part / crown of the tooth in the axial direction of the tooth, followed by moving the tuft away from the tooth to reduce the pressure, and also moving the tuft back from the upper part / crown of the tooth towards the tooth root to start the next cycle. In this second type, pressure bubbles can be used to drive the tufts to perform this 2D movement. In these embodiments, the tufts are mounted on a rigid cleaning element carrier, and the pressure bubbles act on the rigid cleaning element carrier directly or indirectly via a rocker arm.

[0247] The automated mouthpiece according to Patent Document 2 has, as a drawback, a limited brushing action. The reason is that, since the tufts are mounted on a rigid carrier, the ability of the tufts to reach all surfaces of the teeth is limited. A further disadvantage of this mouthpiece is that only one tooth at a time is cleaned in an automated manner, and that, in order to clean all the teeth, the automated mouthpiece of Patent Document 2 has to be manually moved along all the teeth, which is time-consuming.

[0248] Accordingly, there remains a need for an automatic dental cleaning device that is rapid and thorough when cleaning multiple teeth simultaneously. There also remains a need for an automatic dental cleaning device that requires as little effort as possible from the user. There also remains a need for an automatic dental cleaning device that effectively reaches substantially all tooth surfaces.

[0249] Reference is further made to Patent Document 3, filed by the applicant on April 27, 2018. This Patent Document 3 has not yet been published at the priority date of the present application, i.e., this Patent Document 3 is unpublished. The mouthpiece according to this previous application of the applicant is capable of brushing all the teeth of the upper and lower dental arches at once and has at least one pressure chamber containing a flexible wall component provided with bristles. The flexible wall component is configured to be deformable by alternately increasing and decreasing the pressure of the fluid in the pressure chamber. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0250] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0062397 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 4795347 [Patent Document 3] International Application No. PCT / NL2018 / 050276

[0251] [Summary of the Invention in Chapter 3] The object of the invention in Chapter 3 is to provide an alternative mouthpiece for brushing at a plurality of dental positions, in particular an automatic brushing device. A further object of the invention in Chapter 3 is to provide an improved mouthpiece for brushing at a plurality of dental positions and to provide a brushing device provided with the improved mouthpiece. Another further object is to provide a mouthpiece for brushing at a plurality of dental positions and a brushing device including such a mouthpiece, which overcome one or more of the disadvantages of the brushing mouthpieces and brushing devices known from the prior art respectively. More specifically, the invention in Chapter 3 has the object of providing a mouthpiece with an improved brushing action, such as one of unpublished patent document 3 or patent document 1 from the applicant.

[0252] According to a first aspect of the invention in Chapter 3, one or more of the above objects are achieved by providing a mouthpiece according to claim 65 having a preamble known from unpublished patent document 3.

[0253] According to the invention in Chapter 3, the mouthpiece is provided for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions. In other words, a mouthpiece is provided which is configured to brush simultaneously at a plurality of dental positions. If a natural or artificial tooth element is present at the dental position where the mouthpiece brushes, this tooth element is brushed. If no tooth element is present at the dental position where the mouthpiece brushes, the gum can be brushed.

[0254] The mouthpiece according to the present invention of Chapter 3 includes a main body portion provided with at least one recess, and the at least one recess can be one or two recesses. This at least one recess has a curved longitudinal direction and a U-shaped cross-section in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal direction, and is configured to include a plurality of at least five dental positions when viewed in the curved longitudinal direction. The main body portion includes, for each of the recesses, a flexible recess wall that defines the boundary of each recess. The recess wall can be a sheet, and the sheet can be made of, for example, plastic, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, or nylon, or an elastomer, such as a thermoplastic elastomer or a silicone elastomer. The recess wall can be lined with a plurality of bristles, and the plurality of bristles each have one end attached to the recess wall and extend from the recess wall into the recess. In other words, the main body portion has a recess, and the wall of the recess can be covered by bristles distributed across the wall of the recess. At least five dental positions (such as the tooth elements at these positions, or the gums covering the jawbone at the location of those dental positions) can be received in the recess, and, if present, the bristles in the recess will be able to brush at least five dental positions simultaneously. The bristles can be made of nylon, an elastomer, or any other suitable material. In the case of an edentulous dental arch, the remaining arch of the gums may similarly require treatment. In this case, the gums can be massaged by the recess wall without bristles. For improved gum cleaning, a cleaning fluid can be used in such a mouthpiece without bristles.

[0255] According to the invention of Chapter 3, the main body is provided with at least one pressure chamber configured to contain a fluid under pressure, the pressure of which can be increased and decreased. The main body is configured to deform the recess wall by reciprocally increasing and decreasing the pressure in at least one pressure chamber, causing a continuous repetitive reciprocation of the recess wall and (optionally provided on the recess wall) bristles. Thus, the main body includes one, two, three, four, five, six, or any other number of pressure chambers that can be filled with fluid, as described in Patent Document 3, which is under the same applicant's name and has not yet been published at the priority date of this application. Reciprocally, by increasing the pressure of at least one of the pressure chambers from a decreased pressure state to an increased pressure state, decreasing the pressure of this pressure chamber from the increased pressure state to the decreased pressure state, and continuously repeating this reciprocating motion, the recess wall (optionally carrying bristles) is moved, resulting in the recess wall and each bristle acting on an object (teeth and / or gums present at these dental positions) at the dental positions to clean the object.

[0256] Regarding the technical terms "increased pressure state" and "decreased pressure state", it is noted that these states are related to each other, that is, in the decreased pressure state, the pressure is lower than in the increased pressure state. In both states, the pressure can be lower than, for example, atmospheric pressure.

[0257] Atmospheric pressure is the pressure that pervades the room where the user of the mouthpiece is when using the mouthpiece. Generally, atmospheric pressure is assumed to be about 1 bar of absolute pressure, but the actual value of atmospheric pressure will depend, among other things, on the altitude relative to sea level and weather conditions.

[0258] According to the present invention of Chapter 3, the recess wall is configured to be locally deformable, or in other words, configured to have such local deformability, and when reciprocally increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber or in one or more of the at least one pressure chamber (which will be further named as "in the at least one pressure chamber or in one or more of the at least one pressure chamber"), the shape of the recess wall is locally changed. In the increased pressure state, the bristle (or the recess wall when there is no bristle) is pressed against the dental position, and the shape of the recess wall is locally adjusted to the local shape of the dental position enclosed by the recess wall. On the other hand, in the decreased pressure state, the shape of the recess wall is not locally adjusted to the local shape of the dental position enclosed by the recess wall as much as in the increased pressure state. Therefore, the recess wall can initially have a smooth surface (without considering the bristles), which changes to a rough surface due to the locally deformable recess wall being pressed against the irregular contours of the dental positions (without considering the bristles between them) when the pressure is increased. Accordingly, the recess wall is locally adjusted to the shape of the dental position at that location. This adjusted shape in the increased pressure state can be a fitting adjustment (in the fitting adjustment, the shape of the recess wall is, so to speak, identical to the contour of the dental position), but this does not have to be the case and in fact may not be the case. When the pressure is decreased, the recess wall will return to its initial state direction and take a shape that is not locally adjusted (relative to the adjusted shape in the increased pressure state). This non-locally adjusted shape may be adjusted to some extent to the local shape of the tooth contour, but the adjustment will not be very distinct. This change in the shape of the recess wall between the locally adjusted shape and the non-locally adjusted shape results in the bristles being able to reach better into the interdental space and also results in additional movement of the bristles in addition to the movement already caused by increasing and decreasing the pressure in at least one pressure chamber. This additional movement results in an additional sweeping effect of the bristles. Summarizing the change in the shape of the recess wall between the locally adjusted shape and the non-locally adjusted shape, it results in an improved brushing action.

[0259] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention of Chapter 3, when viewed in the longitudinal direction along the lingual and facial sides of the dental position encompassed by the recess wall, the recess wall can have less relief in the decreased pressure state than in the increased pressure state.

[0260] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention of Chapter 3, the local deformability of the recess wall can be configured such that a local change in the shape of the recess wall between an increased pressure state and a decreased pressure state occurs at a pressure difference in the range up to 2 bar, for example, up to a pressure difference in the range up to 0.4 bar. The pressure difference is defined as the pressure in the pressure chamber in the increased pressure state minus the pressure in the pressure chamber in the decreased pressure state. The expression "pressure difference in the range up to x bar" means a pressure difference such as from zero (excluding zero) to x bar (including x bar). Maintaining the pressure difference between the increased pressure state and the decreased pressure state below 2 bar prevents the user from experiencing a pressure difference that is not tolerable. Maintaining the pressure difference below 0.4 bar results in the pressure difference between the increased pressure state and the decreased pressure state generally being experienced by the user as acceptable. The local deformability of the recess wall can be configured such that a local change in the shape of the recess wall between an increased pressure state and a decreased pressure state occurs at a pressure difference in the range up to 0.2 bar (or even at a lower pressure difference).

[0261] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention of Chapter 3, the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber can be higher than atmospheric pressure in the decreased pressure state.

[0262] Atmospheric pressure is the pressure that pervades the room in which the user of the mouthpiece is located when using the mouthpiece. Generally, atmospheric pressure is assumed to be about 1 bar absolute pressure, but the actual value of atmospheric pressure will depend, inter alia, on the altitude relative to sea level and the weather conditions.

[0263] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention of Chapter 3, the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber can be at most 2 bar relative to atmospheric pressure in the increased pressure state, for example, at most 1 bar relative to atmospheric pressure, etc.

[0264] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention of Chapter 3, the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber can be at most 0.3 bar relative to atmospheric pressure in the increased pressure state, for example, it can be at most 0.2 bar relative to atmospheric pressure. With a pressure of at most 0.3 bar, the brushing action is satisfactory, but the risk of harm or injury in the case where the recess may rupture is minimal. With a pressure of at most 0.2 bar, the brushing action is still satisfactory.

[0265] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention of Chapter 3, the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is lower than atmospheric pressure in the decreased pressure state.

[0266] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention of Chapter 3, the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber can be in the range of -0.5 bar to +0.2 bar relative to atmospheric pressure in the decreased pressure state, for example, it can be in the range of -0.5 bar to 0 bar relative to atmospheric pressure. With a decreased pressure of at least -0.5 bar, the possibility that the recess wall can be damaged is reduced. The decreased pressure can be in the range of -0.4 bar to -0.25 bar relative to atmospheric pressure. The decreased pressure in the range of -0.4 bar to -0.25 bar relative to atmospheric pressure can be realized by relatively inexpensive means. A decreased pressure with a value below zero relative to atmospheric pressure means that a vacuum is generated in the pressure chamber when the pressure is decreased to the decreased pressure state. Using a pressure below atmospheric pressure for the decreased pressure state means that the possibility of damaging the user's gums is significantly reduced.

[0267] According to a second aspect of the invention of Chapter 3 (which may be separate from or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention of Chapter 3), the invention of Chapter 3 provides a mouthpiece for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions, as expressed in independent claim 73. To define this second aspect, a system of three mutually orthogonal axes is defined, including an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis. The z-axis is a curved axis that follows the contour of the dental arch (e.g., an adult dental arch). The x-axis and the y-axis are perpendicular to each other and define the xy-plane, which is flat and perpendicular to the curved z-axis. The mouthpiece of this second aspect includes a body portion that provides at least one recess. Also, as in the case of other aspects of the invention of Chapter 3, in use, this mouthpiece is to be inserted into the user's mouth. Thus, the dimensions of the mouthpiece can be configured to allow insertion into the user's mouth. The at least one recess has a curved longitudinal direction extending parallel to the z-axis and a U-shaped cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction, and is configured to encompass a plurality of at least five dental positions when viewed in the curved longitudinal direction. The body portion includes a recess wall for each recess, and the recess wall defines the boundary of each recess and provides a plurality of bristles. Also, as in the case of other aspects of the invention of Chapter 3, the bristles can be flexible and / or deformable. Each bristle has a fixed end, and the fixed end is attached to the body portion at the recess wall. The fixed end of the bristle can be attached to, for example, the recess wall, but can also be attached to another part of the body portion. Each bristle extends from the fixed end into the recess towards the free end of the bristle, and the free end is disposed within the recess.According to this second aspect, when the plurality of dental positions are included in the recess, the main body is configured to reciprocally expose the plurality of fixed ends of the bristles (e.g., the respective free ends of the respective bristles) to a first reciprocating pivotal movement about a first pivotal axis, a second reciprocating pivotal movement about a second pivotal axis, and a reciprocating translational movement along a translational axis. The first pivotal axis, the second pivotal axis, and the translational axis are perpendicular to each other. The first pivotal axis is parallel to the z-axis, and the second pivotal axis and the translational axis extend in the xy-plane. Configuring the main body to expose the fixed ends of the bristles to these movements can be achieved by the main body including a pressure chamber and a recess wall (which is locally deformable and supports the fixed ends of the bristles) (see also the following paragraph), but can also be achieved by different attachments of the fixed ends of the bristles and / or different drives for exposing the fixed ends of the bristles to these movements.

[0268] According to further embodiments of the first and / or second aspects of the present invention of Chapter 3, the local deformability of the recess wall is such that when the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is reciprocally increased and decreased, and when the plurality of dental positions are included in the recess, each location of the recess wall can be exposed to a first reciprocating pivotal movement about a first pivotal axis, a second reciprocating pivotal movement about a second pivotal axis, and a reciprocating translational movement along a translational axis, the first pivotal axis, the second pivotal axis, and the translational axis being perpendicular to each other.

[0269] According to a further embodiment of the first and / or second aspect of the present invention of Chapter 3, each bristle is at the root of each bristle attached to the recess wall, and the local deformability of the recess wall is such that when reciprocally increasing and decreasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber and when encompassing the plurality of dental positions in the recess, the root of each bristle is subjected to a first reciprocating pivotal movement about a first pivotal axis, a second reciprocating pivotal movement about a second pivotal axis, and a third reciprocating translational movement along a translational axis, and the first pivotal axis, the second pivotal axis, and the translational axis are perpendicular to each other.

[0270] According to further embodiments of the first and / or second aspects of the present invention of Chapter 3, each bristle can be attached to the recess wall at the attachment point; at each attachment point, a local set of three mutually orthogonal axes can be defined, the local set includes the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis, the z-axis is a curved axis defined by the curved longitudinal direction of the recess, and the x-axis and the y-axis define an xy plane perpendicular to the z-axis; the local deformability of the recess wall is such that when the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is reciprocally increased and decreased, and when the plurality of dental positions are included in the recess, the attachment point is subjected to one or more movements from the group consisting of a first reciprocating pivoting movement about a first pivot axis, a second reciprocating pivoting movement about a second pivot axis, and a reciprocating translational movement along a translational axis; the first pivot axis is parallel to the z-axis, the second pivot axis and the translational axis are in the xy plane and are perpendicular to each other. In addition to these first, second, and third reciprocating movements, the recess wall can also enable fourth, fifth, and sixth reciprocating movements that can further contribute to the brushing action, where, when viewed at the location of the root of the bristle, the fourth reciprocating movement is a reciprocating translational movement in the direction of the z-axis, the fifth reciprocating movement is a reciprocating translational movement in the direction of the y-axis, and the sixth reciprocating movement is a reciprocating rotational movement about the x-axis.

[0271] According to further embodiments of the first and / or second aspects of the present invention of Chapter 3, the main body portion can be provided with two of the said recesses, and the openings of the U-shaped cross-sections of the two recesses face in opposite directions. This enables the upper and lower dental positions to be brushed simultaneously.

[0272] According to a further embodiment of the first and / or second aspect of the invention of Chapter 3, the recess wall is U-shaped in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, corresponding to the U-shaped cross-section of the recess; the U-shape of each recess wall defines two recess wall legs extending from the bottom of the recess wall, each leg having a free end; the free end of the leg is provided with an end bristle; the body part is - configured to shift the upper end of the leg from the inside of the recess to the outside of the recess when increasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber, - configured to reduce the vertical distance and shift the upper end of the leg from the outside of the recess to the inside of the recess when reducing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber, When increasing and decreasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber reciprocally, the end bristles are subjected to a reciprocating swivel movement about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction. "Roller bellows functionality" is introduced. Reciprocally shifting the end of the leg from the inside of the recess to the outside of the recess causes the end bristles to perform a reciprocating swivel movement about an axis parallel to the curved longitudinal direction. As a result, the transition part from the tooth to the tooth root is subjected to the special brushing action of these end bristles. As is generally known, these transition parts require careful cleaning care. Also, according to the third aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3, this "roller bellows functionality" can be expressed as follows and can be applied separately from the first and / or second aspects of the present invention in Chapter 3, as is the case in independent claim 79 (which defines the boundary with unpublished patent document 3): "A mouthpiece for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions, comprising a body portion provided with at least one recess; the at least one recess has a curved longitudinal direction and a U-shaped cross-section in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and is configured to encompass a plurality of at least five dental positions when viewed in the curved longitudinal direction; the body portion includes a flexible recess wall defining the boundary of each recess, the recess wall is lined with a plurality of bristles, the plurality of bristles each have one end attached to the recess wall and extend into the recess from the recess wall; the body portion is provided with at least one pressure chamber configured to contain fluid under pressure; the body portion is configured to deform the recess wall by reciprocally increasing and decreasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber between a reduced pressure state and an increased pressure state, the recess wall being U-shaped in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and conforming to the U-shaped cross-section of the recess; the U-shaped shape of each recess wall defines two recess wall legs extending from the bottom of the recess wall, each leg having a free end, and the body portion is - When increasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber, it is configured to shift the upper end portion of the leg from the inside of the recess to the outside of the recess. - When decreasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber, it is configured to shift the upper end portion of the leg from the outside of the recess to the inside of the recess. When increasing and decreasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber reciprocally, the end bristles are subjected to a reciprocating swivel movement around an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction, a "mouthpiece".

[0273] According to a further embodiment of the first and / or second and / or third aspect of the present invention of Chapter 3, the main body portion may be configured to subject the leg portion of the recess wall to a reciprocating movement in the vertical direction when increasing and decreasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber reciprocally.

[0274] According to a further embodiment of the first and / or second and / or third aspect of the present invention of Chapter 3, the main body portion may be configured to lengthen the leg when increasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber and shorten the leg when decreasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber. Lengthening and shortening the leg moves the bristles on the leg in the longitudinal direction of the leg with respect to the dental position.

[0275] According to a further embodiment of the first and / or second and / or third aspect of the present invention of Chapter 3, the main body portion defines a reference plane parallel to the curved longitudinal direction, the free end of the leg points away from the reference plane, and the outer side portion of the bottom faces the reference plane; the vertical distance is defined as the distance from the reference plane to the free end of the leg measured in a direction transverse to the reference plane; the main body portion - is further configured to increase the vertical distance when increasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber. - Further configured to reduce the vertical distance when reducing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber. Increasing and decreasing the vertical distance moves the bristles on the legs in the direction of the vertical distance relative to the dental position.

[0276] According to a further embodiment of the first and / or second and / or third aspect of the invention of Chapter 3, the mouthpiece can further include a meshwork fixed to the recess wall, the meshwork being formed by nodes and mesh members, each of the mesh members extending from one of the nodes to another of the nodes, each of the nodes connecting at least three of the mesh members to each other, and each node carrying one or more of the bristles or tufts of bristles. This "mesh functionality" simplifies the production of the mouthpiece according to the invention of Chapter 3. A mesh with bristles on the nodes can be produced as a separate component, separately from and prior to the manufacture of the mouthpiece. During or after the manufacture of the mouthpiece, the mesh with bristles can be arranged to lie on the recess wall.According to a fourth aspect of the present invention of Chapter 3, this "mesh functionality" can also be expressed as follows and applied separately from the first aspect and / or the second and / or the third aspect of the present invention of Chapter 3, as defined in independent claim 83 (which is defined with respect to unpublished patent document 3): "A mouthpiece for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions, including a body portion provided with at least one recess; the at least one recess has a U-shaped cross-section in a curved longitudinal direction and a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal direction, and is configured to include a plurality of at least five dental positions when viewed in the curved longitudinal direction; the body portion includes, for each of the recesses, a recess wall defining the boundary of each recess, and the recess wall is lined with a plurality of bristles extending from the recess wall into the recess; the body portion may optionally be provided with at least one pressure chamber configured to contain fluid under pressure, and the body portion is optionally configured to deform the recess wall by reciprocally increasing the pressure in at least one pressure chamber from a decreased pressure state to an increased pressure state and decreasing the pressure in at least one pressure chamber from the increased pressure state to the decreased pressure state; the mouthpiece further includes a meshwork, the meshwork lies in contact with or is fixed to the recess wall; the meshwork is formed by nodes and mesh members, each of the mesh members extends from one of the nodes to another of the nodes, each of the nodes connects at least three of the mesh members to each other, and each node carries one or more of the bristles or tufts of the bristles, a mouthpiece."

[0277] According to a further embodiment of the first and / or second and / or third and / or fourth aspect of the invention of Chapter 3, the meshwork can lie in the notch of the recess wall, or can be embedded in the material of the recess wall, or can be adhered or pasted to the recess wall, or can be positioned in the pressure chamber, overlapping with the hole in the recess wall, and the tuft of bristles extends from the recess wall to the outside through the hole.

[0278] According to a further embodiment of the first and / or second and / or third and / or fourth aspect of the invention of Chapter 3, each mesh member has a longitudinal direction defined by a virtual straight line extending between the two said nodes, and between the nodes, each mesh member extends; it is possible for the mesh member to be stretchable in its longitudinal direction, or at least a part of the mesh member is stretchable in its longitudinal direction. The mesh member being stretchable enables the mesh to follow the deformation of the recess wall, such as stretching and contracting, or a local change in the shape of the recess wall during increasing and decreasing pressure. The stretchable mesh member can be elastically stretchable and / or can have a zigzag structure configured to provide said stretchability when viewed in the longitudinal direction of each mesh member.

[0279] According to further embodiments of the first and / or second and / or third and / or fourth aspects of the invention of Chapter 3, the mesh member or at least a part of the mesh member can be configured to break when a predetermined force (such as a stretching force) acting on each mesh member is exceeded. The fact that the mesh member is breakable enables the mesh to follow the deformation of the recessed wall, such as stretching or a local change in the shape of the recessed wall during pressure increase and decrease. Additionally, the fact that the mesh member is breakable enables the nodes of the mesh to be attached to the recessed wall while the mesh remains a single unit during the manufacture of the mouthpiece and during the subsequent breaking of these mesh members (such as by excessively increasing the pressure in the pressure chamber during or at the end of the production of the mouthpiece), and enables the nodes to move independently of each other with the movement of the recessed wall caused by pressure increase and decrease during use.

[0280] According to further embodiments of the first and / or second and / or third and / or fourth aspects of the invention of Chapter 3, at least one recess, when viewed in its curved longitudinal direction, - a dental position in the range from the central incisor to the first molar; and / or, - a dental position in the range from the central incisor to the second molar; and / or, - a dental position in the range from the right second premolar to the left second premolar; and / or, - a dental position in the range from the right first molar to the left first molar; and / or, - a dental position in the range from the right second molar to the left second molar can be configured to include.

[0281] The curved longitudinal direction of the recess defines a curved longitudinal axis, which means that the length of the length axis of the recess (or the recessed wall) is - A distance that is at least equal to the distance from the central incisor to the first molar; and / or, - A distance that is at least equal to the distance from the central incisor to the second molar; and / or, - A distance that is at least equal to the distance from the right second premolar to the left second premolar; and / or, - A distance that is at least equal to the distance from the right first molar to the left first molar; and / or, - A distance that is at least equal to the distance from the right second molar to the left second molar is meant to cover.

[0282] Furthermore, the curved longitudinal axis can have a shape similar to the shape of the human dental arch, or a shape similar to at least a part of the shape of the human dental arch.

[0283] According to a further embodiment of the first and / or second and / or third and / or fourth aspect of the invention of Chapter 3, the bristles can be fixed to the recess wall at its end where it is attached to the recess wall.

[0284] According to a further embodiment of the first and / or second and / or third and / or fourth aspect of the invention of Chapter 3, the recess wall can be lined by at least 5 bristles per cm2. For example, the recess wall can be lined by 40 to 200 bristles per cm2 in the case of, for example, elastomeric bristles, or can be lined by 1000 to 6000 bristles per cm2 in the case of, for example, nylon bristles.

[0285] According to a further embodiment of the first and / or second and / or third and / or fourth aspect of the invention of Chapter 3, the recess wall is in a U-shape that coincides with the U-shaped cross-section of each recess in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, a central axis is defined as a U-shaped mirror axis, the U-shape of the recess defines two legs extending in the direction of the central axis, and the legs may be provided with or lined by bristles extending at an angle in the range of 0 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to the central axis, for example, in the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees. When the bristles extend at such an angle, they are, so to speak, pointing towards the gum in their natural position. When increasing the pressure in the pressure chamber, the recess wall will be pressed towards the dental position, resulting in the tips of the bristles being pushed towards the gum, which contributes to the brushing action. For example, the free end of the leg may be provided with bristles extending at an angle in the range of 45 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to the central axis, for example, in the range of 40 degrees to 70 degrees with respect to the central axis.

[0286] According to a further embodiment of the first and / or second and / or third and / or fourth aspect of the invention of Chapter 3, the recess wall can be elastically deformable.

[0287] [Brief Description of the Drawings of Chapter 3] The invention of Chapter 3 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 27 to 45.

[0288] [FIG. 27] A view showing the lower dental arch with a dental position and a system of three orthogonal axes defining the dental arch. [FIG. 28] A perspective view of a mouthpiece according to a first embodiment of the first aspect of the invention of Chapter 3. [Fig. 29a] It is a diagram schematically showing a partial cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the mouthpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 in its respective different operating states, and the cross-sectional view corresponds to a cross-section as shown by arrow XXVIII-XXVIII in Fig. 28. [Fig. 29b] It is a diagram schematically showing a partial cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the mouthpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 in its respective different operating states, and the cross-sectional view corresponds to a cross-section as shown by arrow XXVIII-XXVIII in Fig. 28. [Fig. 29c] It is a diagram schematically showing a partial cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the mouthpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 in its respective different operating states, and the cross-sectional view corresponds to a cross-section as shown by arrow XXVIII-XXVIII in Fig. 28. [Fig. 30] It is a diagram schematically showing a top view of the third embodiment of the mouthpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 31a] It is a diagram schematically showing a partial cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the mouthpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 in its respective different operating states, and the cross-sectional view corresponds to a cross-section as shown by arrow XXX-XXX in Fig. 30. [Fig. 31b] It is a diagram schematically showing a partial cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the mouthpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 in its respective different operating states, and the cross-sectional view corresponds to a cross-section as shown by arrow XXX-XXX in Fig. 30. [Fig. 31c] It is a diagram schematically showing a partial cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the mouthpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 in its respective different operating states, and the cross-sectional view corresponds to a cross-section as shown by arrow XXX-XXX in Fig. 30. [Fig. 32a] It is a diagram for explaining the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 and explaining the local deformability of the concave wall of the mouthpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 32b] This is a diagram for explaining the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 and the local deformability of the concave wall of the mouthpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 32c] This is a diagram for explaining the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 and the local deformability of the concave wall of the mouthpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 32d] This is a diagram for explaining the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 and the local deformability of the concave wall of the mouthpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 33a] This is a diagram for explaining a concave wall that is not locally deformable. [Fig. 33b] This is a diagram for explaining a concave wall that is not locally deformable. [Fig. 34a] This is a diagram for further explaining the local deformability of the concave wall of the mouthpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 34b] This is a diagram for further explaining the local deformability of the concave wall of the mouthpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 35] This is a diagram for yet another further explanation of the local deformability of the concave wall of the mouthpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 36a] This is a diagram schematically showing a partial cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the mouthpiece according to the third aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 in its respective different operating states. [Fig. 36b] This is a diagram schematically showing a partial cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the mouthpiece according to the third aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 in its respective different operating states. [Fig. 36c] This is a diagram schematically showing a partial cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the mouthpiece according to the third aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 in its respective different operating states. [Fig. 37a] This is a diagram schematically showing a partial cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the mouthpiece according to the third aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 in its respective different operating states. [Fig. 37b] This is a diagram schematically showing a partial cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the mouthpiece according to the third aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 in its respective different operating states. [Fig. 37c] A schematic cross-sectional view of a part of a second embodiment of a mouthpiece according to a third aspect of the present invention in each of its different operating states. [Fig. 38] A schematic view showing a mesh structure according to a first embodiment of a third aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 39a] A schematic view showing a mesh structure according to a second embodiment of a fourth aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 39b] A schematic view showing a mesh structure according to a second embodiment of a fourth aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 40a] A schematic view showing a mesh structure according to a third embodiment of a fourth aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 40b] A schematic view showing a mesh structure according to a third embodiment of a fourth aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 41a] A schematic view showing a mesh structure according to a fourth embodiment of a fourth aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 41b] A schematic view showing a mesh structure according to a fourth embodiment of a fourth aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 42a] A schematic view showing a mesh structure according to a fifth embodiment of a fourth aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 42b] A schematic view showing a mesh structure according to a fifth embodiment of a fourth aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 43a] A schematic view showing a mesh structure according to a sixth embodiment of a fourth aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 43b] A schematic view showing a mesh structure according to a sixth embodiment of a fourth aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3. [Fig. 44] A schematic view showing details with a flexible recessed wall. [Fig. 45] A schematic view showing a dental cleaning device according to the present invention in Chapter 3 including a mouthpiece according to the present invention in Chapter 3.

[0289] [Detailed Explanation of the Figures in Chapter 3] Figure 27 shows in very schematic perspective view a part of the upper dental arch 601 with dental positions 602 to 614. Each dental position is indicated by a vertical dashed line. Each dental position typically includes teeth named according to a nomenclature known to each dentist. Using this nomenclature: - Dental position 602 is the position of the left "second molar" as represented in Figure 27; - Dental position 603 is the position of the left "first molar", which is missing in Figure 27; - Dental position 604 is the position of the left "second premolar" as represented in Figure 27; - Dental position 605 is the position of the left "first premolar" as represented in Figure 27; - Dental position 606 is the position of the left "canine" as represented in Figure 27; - Dental position 607 is the position of the left "lateral incisor", which is missing in Figure 27; - Dental position 608 is the position of the left "central incisor" as represented in Figure 27; - Dental position 609 is the position of the right "central incisor" as represented in Figure 27; - Dental position 610 is the position of the right "lateral incisor" as represented in Figure 27; - Dental position 611 is the position of the right "canine" as represented in Figure 27; - Dental position 612 is the position of the right "first premolar" as represented in Figure 27; - Dental position 613 is the position of the right "second premolar" as represented in Figure 27; - Dental position 614 is the position of the right "first molar" as represented in Figure 27; In Figure 27, the dental position of the right "second molar" is not shown, nor are the dental positions of the right and left "third molars" (also called wisdom teeth). Similarly, the lower jaw has a similar number of dental positions, which are named similarly according to the said nomenclature.

[0290] Reference numeral 615 indicates the lingual side of the arch at the dental location. The lingual side 615 is the inner side of the arch at the dental location, and the inner side faces the tongue. Reference numeral 616 indicates the facial side of the arch at the dental location. The facial side 616 is the outer side of the arch at the dental location, and the outer side faces the face, such as the cheek and lip.

[0291] The mouthpiece according to the invention of Chapter 3 is configured to brush simultaneously at a plurality of dental locations. When teeth are present, the teeth at each dental location will be brushed. Due to the local deformability of the recess wall according to the invention of Chapter 3, the remainder (such as the tooth root) at the dental location will be brushed in the case where teeth may be missing, and the teeth adjacent to the location of the missing tooth will be additionally brushed by the bristles intended for the location of the missing tooth.

[0292] FIG. 27 further shows a system of three mutually orthogonal axes including the x-axis x, the y-axis y, and the z-axis z. The z-axis z is a curved axis following the contour of the dental arch 601. The x-axis x and the y-axis y are perpendicular to each other and define the xy plane, which is essentially flat and perpendicular to the dental arch 601, that is, each xy plane intersecting at a predetermined location above the z-axis is perpendicular to the curved z-axis z at that location. The z-axis z defines a curved longitudinal direction. The z-axis Z and the y-axis Y define a curved zy plane, which, when viewed along the z-axis, has an arch shape similar to the shape of the arch at the dental location. Further, the z-axis Z and the x-axis X define the zx plane.

[0293] FIG. 28 schematically shows a perspective view of the mouthpiece 620 according to the invention of Chapter 3. The mouthpiece 620 includes a body portion 621 provided with a first recess 622. This first recess 622 has a curved longitudinal direction when viewed along the z-axis of FIG. 27 and has a U-shaped cross-section when viewed in the xy plane of FIG. 27. The first recess 622 is bounded by a recess wall 623, and the recess wall 623 is U-shaped in the xy plane. The recess wall 623 is lined with a plurality of bristles 624, each having one end (referred to as the root portion 649) attached to the recess wall 623 and extending from the recess wall 623 into the first recess 622.

[0294] Reference numeral 626 indicates a nipple, and the nipple is configured to connect the mouthpiece to a pumping and / or suction device. The mouthpiece 620 further has a right half 627 and a left half 628, and these halves come together at the nipple 626 so to speak.

[0295] Reference numeral 625 indicates a curved dividing line, and the curved dividing line defines a mirror plane parallel to the xz plane as defined in FIG. 27. The mouthpiece as shown in FIG. 28 is, so to speak, mirror-symmetrical with respect to this mirror plane, which means that there is a second recess (not visible in FIG. 28) on the opposite side of the first recess 622, and this second recess is also lined with bristles. However, this second recess can be seen in FIG. 29, in which it is also indicated by the reference numeral 622. It is noted that since the upper and lower arches (teeth) of the dental position have different shapes, the first recess can have a different shape from the shape of the second recess.

[0296] The recess 622 is configured to encompass the entire dental arch from the dental position of the right third molar or second molar to the dental position of the left third molar or second molar, respectively. Further, the recess 622 may be configured to encompass a part of the arch of the dental position, and this part may include at least five dental positions, for example, from the dental position of the central incisor to the dental position of the second premolar, or to the dental position of the first molar or the second molar.

[0297] FIG. 29 shows a cross-section along arrow XXVIII in FIG. 28 of the right component of the second embodiment of the mouthpiece 700 according to the invention of Chapter 3 in different pressure states. In FIG. 29, the same reference numerals are used as in FIG. 28 for similar components.

[0298] The mouthpiece of FIG. 28 and the mouthpiece of FIG. 29 can be essentially the same. FIG. 28 shows a perspective view, and FIG. 29 shows a cross-section XXVIII-XXVIII of a part of the mouthpiece of FIG. 28. Then, the main difference is in the bristles. In FIG. 28, the bristles 624 are relatively thick and can be made as one integral part with the recess wall 623, while in FIG. 29, the bristles are provided as tufts 629 of relatively thin bristles 624. Each tuft 629 can have a base 636, and the base 636 carries the bristles 624 at their root portions 649 and is attached to the recess wall.

[0299] As shown in FIG. 29, the mouthpiece 700 has a body portion 621, and the body portion 621 has a first recess 622 on its upper side portion and a second recess 622 on its lower side portion. Both recesses 622 are bounded by a flexible recess wall 623. In a cross-section parallel to the xy plane as defined in FIG. 27, the recess wall 623 is U-shaped and has a recess wall bottom 634 and two recess wall legs 633, and the two recess wall legs 633 extend from the recess bottom wall. The recess wall 623 is covered by bristles tufts 629.

[0300] Inside the body portion, a pressure chamber 635 is provided, and the pressure chamber 635 can be filled with fluid via a nipple 626 (FIG. 28). The fluid can be a gas such as air or a liquid such as water. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 29, the mouthpiece has one pressure chamber. However, it is noted that the mouthpiece can include multiple pressure chambers, such as five pressure chambers as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, or any other number of pressure chambers. Unpublished Patent Document 3 shows examples of other numbers of pressure chambers in FIGS. 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10, and they are all within the scope of the present invention in Chapter 3. In the case of multiple pressure chambers, all pressure chambers or groups of pressure chambers can be in fluid communication with each other, similar to those described in Unpublished Patent Document 3, according to the present invention in Chapter 3.

[0301] As shown in FIG. 29, the mouthpiece can include an internal support structure of a material that is rigid relative to the material of the recess wall 623. This support structure can include a lingual plate 630 and a facial plate 632, both of which extend (e.g., parallel thereto) along the curved zy plane defined in FIG. 27, and as a result, when viewed along the z-axis, has a U-shape. To maintain the lingual plate 630 and the facial plate 632 at a predetermined distance from each other, the support structure can include one or more spacers 631. These one or more spacers 631 can be, for example, a plurality of bars or wires or a single plate, which can extend essentially parallel to the zx plane as defined in FIG. 27. In the case of a single plate as a spacer, this plate can divide the pressure chamber 635 into two pressure chambers (an upper chamber and a lower chamber). These two pressure chambers can be in fluid communication with each other via one or more through-holes through the plate. In the case of large through-holes and / or a large number of through-holes, the two pressure chambers can effectively be one single pressure chamber.

[0302] FIGS. 29a, 29b, and 29c schematically show cross-sectional views of the mouthpiece 700 in its different respective operating states. This cross-sectional view can be substantially the same throughout the entire length axis Z of the dental arch as defined in FIG. 27.

[0303] The single pressure chamber 635 includes a first flexible recess wall 623 that defines the boundary of the first recess 622 (the upper one in FIG. 29) and a second flexible recess wall 623 that defines the boundary of the second recess 622 (the lower one in FIG. 29). The first and second recess walls are deformable, inter alia, by increasing or decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber 635. The flexible recess wall 623 can be made of an elastic material, such as a rubber-like material. Also, the flexible recess wall 623 can be made of a non-elastic material. When there is substantially no pressure difference across the inner and outer sides of the flexible recess wall 623 or when there is a low pressure difference, the material of the flexible recess wall 623 can maintain a predetermined shape.

[0304] The mouthpiece 700 is configured such that the tufts 629 of the bristles 624 engage the tooth surfaces of the teeth of the dental arch or, in the case of one or more dental positions where teeth may be missing, such that the tufts 629 of the bristles 624 engage the tooth roots at the respective dental positions, at least when the pressure in the pressure chamber 635 is increased. In the case where there is a possibility that a tooth is missing at a given dental position, in particular, the tufts 629 of the bristles at the free end of the recess wall leg 633 will engage the tooth root at the empty dental position.

[0305] When viewed in the longitudinal direction Z of the dental arch (as defined in FIG. 27), the tufts 629 of the bristles 624 can be arranged with approximately the same density when viewed in the cross-sections shown in FIGS. 29a, 29b, and 29c.

[0306] FIG. 29a illustrates a first operating state (also called an intermediate state) of the mouthpiece 700. The pressure in the pressure chamber 635 can be equal to atmospheric pressure, lower than atmospheric pressure, or higher than atmospheric pressure in the intermediate state.

[0307] Figure 29b illustrates the second operating state of the mouthpiece 700 when the pressure chamber 635 is in an increased pressure state, for example, by feeding fluid into the pressure chamber 635 or by increasing the amount of fluid in the pressure chamber 635. As can be seen in Figure 29b, as a result of increasing the pressure, the recess wall 623 is, so to speak, compacted, narrowing the recess 622 (relative to Figure 29a), whereby the bristles 624 (especially their free ends) can engage firmly with the tooth surface and / or can contact and be deformed by the tooth surface.

[0308] Figure 29c illustrates the third operating state of the mouthpiece 700 when the pressure in the pressure chamber 635 is decreased, for example, by discharging fluid from the pressure chamber 635 or by decreasing the amount of fluid in the pressure chamber 635. As can be seen in Figure 29c, as a result of decreasing the pressure, the flexible recess wall 623 expands so as to enlarge the recess 622 as compared to Figure 29a, whereby the bristles 624 (especially their free ends) no longer engage firmly with the tooth surface (or do not engage with the tooth surface at all) and / or no longer come into contact with and are deformed by the tooth surface.

[0309] By means of a suitable cycle of increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber 635 so as to go from the first operating state to the second operating state, then from the second operating state back to the first operating state, and then from the first operating state to the third operating state, followed by returning to the first operating state, and then repeating such a cycle, the most effective brushing action of the mouthpiece can be obtained. The bristles 624 attached to the bottom 634 of the recess wall generally perform upward and downward movements during such a cycle, and the bristles 624 at the legs 633 of the recess wall generally perform lateral movements back and forth in the direction of the x-axis as defined in Figure 27 during such a cycle. When the pressure is reciprocally increased and decreased, the recesses 622 alternately narrow and widen, and as a result, the bristles 624 at the recess wall legs are also subjected to pivoting back and forth about the z-axis as defined in FIG. 27, resulting in a sweeping movement of the bristles in the direction of the y-axis as defined in FIG. 27.

[0310] It is noted that in the operating state of FIG. 29c (decreased pressure state), the pressure in the pressure chamber 635 can be a vacuum, i.e., a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. When in the operating state of FIG. 29c (increased pressure state), the pressure in the vacuum chamber is a vacuum (e.g., 0.7 bar), and the pressure in the pressure chamber 635 can be either a vacuum, atmospheric pressure, or a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure in the operating state of FIG. 29b. Additionally, it is also possible that in the operating states of FIGS. 29b and 29c, the pressure in the pressure chamber can be higher than atmospheric pressure in both cases, or that in the operating state of FIG. 29b, the pressure in the pressure chamber is approximately atmospheric pressure, while in the operating state of FIG. 29c, the pressure in the pressure chamber is higher than atmospheric pressure.

[0311] As a mere example for giving some indication of dimensions, and referring to FIG. 27, for an adult, the width of the tooth element in the X direction varies between about 2 mm and 12 mm depending on the dental position. Taking into account that it is desirable to keep the mouthpiece as small as possible, the inner width of the U-shaped recess wall in the X direction should be kept as small as possible and can be about 0 mm to 4 mm wider than the width of each tooth. As an example for giving some indication of dimensions, the inner width of the U-shaped recess wall can be in the range of 0 mm to 20 mm as seen in the X direction of FIG. 27, for example, in the range such as 2 mm to 12 mm. The bristles can be up to 6 mm in length. In the example case, the bristles are 3 mm to 4 mm in length, which means that there is no gap remaining between the bristles extending from the opposing recess wall legs 633, or there is a limited amount of gap remaining, about 2 mm to 4 mm. In FIG. 29, these gaps are exaggeratedly shown. Further, as an example for giving some indication of dimensions, the U-shaped recess wall can have an inner height in the range of 3 mm to 20 mm as seen in the Y direction of FIG. 27, for example, in the range such as 5 mm to 10 mm. These measurements of the inner width and inner height are shown for an adult. For a child or for an animal, these measurements may be different.

[0312] FIG. 30 schematically shows a top view of a third embodiment 710 of a mouthpiece according to the invention of Chapter 3. FIGS. 31a, 31b, and 31c schematically show cross-sectional views of the mouthpiece 710 in its different respective operating states along the arrow XXX-XXX in FIG. 30. This cross-sectional view can be substantially the same throughout the length axis Z of the dental arch as defined in FIG. 27.

[0313] Taking into account that the mouthpieces 710 of FIGS. 30-31 are very similar to the mouthpiece 700 of FIG. 29, the same reference numerals as those used in connection with FIGS. 28-29 are used for the same or similar parts of the mouthpiece 710.

[0314] There are essentially two differences between the mouthpiece 700 of FIG. 29 and the mouthpieces 710 of FIGS. 30-31. Each of these differences can be applied separately to the mouthpiece of FIGS. 28 and / or 29 without applying the other difference.

[0315] The first difference is that the mouthpieces of FIGS. 30-31 have five pressure chambers 635a, 635b, 635c, 635d, and 635e. In FIG. 30, the pressure chambers 635a, 635c, and 635e are made visible by the shaded gray areas. As can also be seen in FIG. 30, the nipple 626 has a channel 637a for providing fluid communication with an external pressure source. This channel 637a flows into the pressure chambers 635c and 635a (not shown in FIG. 30). Channel 637b connects pressure chambers 635c and 635a to pressure chamber 635e, providing fluid communication between these chambers. Channel 637c connects pressure chamber 635e to pressure chambers 635a and 635b, providing fluid communication between these chambers. Overall, all the pressure chambers 635a, 635b, 635c, 635d, and 635e are in fluid communication with each other such that they can act as a single pressure chamber, like the pressure chamber 635 of the mouthpiece 700. Similar to that described in connection with FIGS. 29a, 29b, and 29c, the mouthpiece 710 can also have three operating states, or two operating states if one can be omitted. For the description of the operating states shown in FIGS. 31a, 31b, and 31c, the description of FIGS. 29a, 29b, and 29c is referenced.

[0316] The second difference is that the mouthpieces of FIGS. 30 - 31 have slightly different support structures. The lingual plate 630 and the facial plate 632 of the mouthpiece 710 are disposed outside the main body portion 621, instead of being embedded inside the main body portion as in the case of the mouthpiece 700. Also, both the lingual plate 630 and the facial plate 632 of the mouthpiece 710 extend along the curved zy plane defined in FIG. 27, and as a result, they have a U - shape when viewed along the z - axis. In the embodiments of FIGS. 30 and 31, the lingual plate 630 and the facial plate 632 can be maintained at a predetermined distance from each other by additional spacers (not shown), but the recess wall bottom 634 can also serve as such a spacer.

[0317] Referring to FIGS. 32 - 35, the local deformability of the recess wall according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 will be described here, and the second aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3 will also be described.

[0318] So far, with reference to FIGS. 27 - 31, the overall deformability of the recess wall 623 has been described, and this overall deformability occurs when at least one pressure chamber 635 is actuated with the bristle 624 or the tuft 629 provided with the bristle 624 mounted on the recess wall 623. However, according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3, the recess wall 623 is further configured to have local deformability. This local deformability of the recess wall 623 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d.

[0319] FIGS. 32a and 32b are basically the same. The difference is that in FIG. 32b, only one tuft 629 is shown for illustrative purposes, while in FIG. 32a, a plurality of tufts 629 are shown.

[0320] Figures 32a and 32b schematically show a dental arch 601 and a flexible recess wall leg 633 of a flexible recess wall 623 on the facial side of the dental arch 601. This flexible recess wall leg 633 is locally deformable.

[0321] Since these Figures 32a and 32b are for illustrative purposes, the remainder of the recess wall leg 633 extending along the facial side of the dental arch 601, the recess wall leg 633 extending along the lingual side of the dental arch 601, and the recess wall bottom 634 extending along the occlusal surface and optionally the incisal edge are not shown. Also, these non-illustrated parts of the recess wall 623 can all be configured to have local deformability.

[0322] Figures 32a and 32b show the local deformability of the flexible recess wall 623, particularly the local deformability of the recess wall leg 633, resulting from increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber. As can be seen, the recess wall leg 633 has an irregular shape when viewed along the z-axis, which follows the irregularities of the dental position of the dental arch 601. For illustrative purposes, the irregular shape of the recess wall leg 633 almost precisely matches the irregular shape of the dental arch 601 adjacent to the recess wall leg 633. As will become apparent, the irregular shape of the recess wall leg 633 may not be as distinct as the irregular shape of the dental arch 601.

[0323] Figures 32a and 32b show the recess wall leg 633 in an increased pressure state. As shown in Figures 32a and 32b, the main direction of the pressure applied to the recess wall leg 633 is in the direction of the x-axis. When the pressure is decreased, the recess wall leg 633 moves away from the dental arch 601, reducing the pressure exerted on the tooth 640 by the tuft 629. When the pressure on the recess wall leg 633 is increased again, the recess wall leg 633 moves towards the dental arch 601. This alternating movement in the direction of the x-axis is the first dimension of the brushing movement realized by the mouthpiece according to the present invention in Chapter 3.

[0324] When reducing the pressure applied to the flexible recess wall leg 633, the flexible recess wall leg 633 will not only move away from the dental arch 601, but also due to its local deformability, the flexible recess wall leg 633 tends to return to a less distinct irregular shape in the reduced pressure state. This less distinct irregular shape can be a continuously curved shape parallel to the z-axis when the flexible wall component moves far enough away from the dental arch, or it can still be a shape with relief, but with less relief than in the increased pressure state. This local change in the shape of the recess wall 623 / recess wall leg 633 causes the tuft 629 attached at or near that location to rotate around the y-axis, resulting in a sweeping in the z-direction along the facial surface of the tooth. When increasing the pressure applied to the flexible recess wall leg 633, the tuft 629 tends to return to the position as shown in FIGS. 32a and 32b, resulting in a sweeping in the opposite z-direction along the facial surface of the tooth. This alternating sweeping movement in the direction of the z-axis (this sweep is indicated by the arrows 641 in both directions in FIGS. 32a and 32b) is due to the local deformability of the flexible wall component and is the second dimension of the brushing movement realized by the mouthpiece according to the present invention in Chapter 3.

[0325] The sweeping movement 641 in the direction of the z-axis around the y-axis is caused by the local irregularities of the dental arch 601 in the direction of the z-axis and the local deformation of the flexible wall component (at the location of the local irregularities) when increasing and decreasing the pressure.

[0326] As schematically shown in FIG. 32c, the irregularity of the dental arch 601 in the direction of the y-axis y, and the local deformability of the flexible recess wall leg 633 of the flexible recess wall 623, will similarly cause the tuft 629 to sweep in the y-direction around the z-axis when increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber 635. This alternating sweeping movement in the direction of the y-axis and around the z-axis (this sweep is shown by the double-headed arrow 642 in both directions in FIG. 32c) is due to the local deformability of the flexible wall component and is the third dimension of the brushing movement realized by the mouthpiece according to the present invention in Chapter 3.

[0327] Referring to FIG. 32d, the local deformability of the recess wall, all together, results in at least an additional two-dimensional brushing action as shown in FIG. 32d by the cone 643. This additional two-dimensional brushing action is in addition to the brushing action already caused by the pulsating pressure. The main brushing action caused by the pulsating pressure is shown in FIG. 32d by the double-headed arrow 644 and has been described above in connection with FIGS. 28-31. Since the arrow 644 represents the third dimension, the overall brushing action at the location L in FIG. 32d is thus a three-dimensional brushing action: the bristles reciprocate and pivot around the y-axis, the bristles reciprocate and pivot around the z-axis, and the bristles reciprocate and translate along the x-axis. As will become apparent, the local deformability of the recess wall leg 633 on the lingual side and the local deformability of the recess wall bottom 634 will result in an additional two-dimensional brushing action in a similar manner.

[0328] More generally, and looking at the location of the root 649 of the random bristles, the additional two-dimensional brushing action includes a first reciprocating pivotal movement of the bristles and a second reciprocating pivotal movement of the bristles, and the two reciprocating pivotal movements are added to a third reciprocating translational movement caused by the pulsation of the pressure in the pressure chamber. Referring to a system of orthogonal axes as shown in FIG. 27, and looking at the location of the root of the bristles, the root of each random bristle lies in the xy plane perpendicular to the curved z axis. Naming the xy plane at the location of the root of the bristles as the local xy plane, the reciprocating translational movement at the location of the root of this bristle is in this local xy plane and is thus perpendicular to the z axis. Considering that the recess wall has an essentially U-shape corresponding to the U-shaped cross-section of the recess in this local xy plane, this reciprocating translational movement is also approximately perpendicular to the U-shape of the recess wall in this local xy plane. The first reciprocating pivotal movement is about the z axis at the location L of the root of each bristle, i.e., about a first pivotal axis perpendicular to the local xy plane. The second reciprocating pivotal movement is about a second pivotal axis, and the second pivotal axis is perpendicular to the first pivotal axis (or the z axis) and is also perpendicular to the third reciprocating translational movement. Generalizing further by omitting the bristles, the local deformability of the recess wall is such that when the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is reciprocally increased and decreased, and when the plurality of dental positions in the recess are included, each location of the recess wall is subjected to a first reciprocating pivotal movement about the first pivotal axis, a second reciprocating pivotal movement about the second pivotal axis, and a reciprocating translational movement along the translational axis, and the first pivotal axis, the second pivotal axis, and the translational axis are perpendicular to each other.

[0329] In addition to the first, second, and third reciprocating movements discussed above, it is noted that the recess wall can also enable fourth, fifth, and sixth reciprocating movements that can further contribute to the brushing action. The fourth reciprocating movement is a reciprocating translational movement in the direction of the z-axis at the location of the root of the bristle, which can result, for example, from the elasticity of the recess wall in the direction of the z-axis, adding a fourth dimension to the brushing movement of the bristle. The fifth reciprocating movement is a reciprocating translational movement in the direction of the y-axis at the location of the root of the bristle, which can result, for example, from the elasticity of the recess wall in the direction of the y-axis, or the translation of the recess wall in the y-direction (see, for example, FIGS. 36b and 37b), adding a fifth dimension to the brushing movement of the bristle. The sixth reciprocating movement is a reciprocating rotational movement around the x-axis at the location of the root of the bristle, which can result, for example, from the local rotation of the recess wall around the x-axis, adding a sixth dimension to the brushing movement of the bristle.

[0330] Referring to FIGS. 33 and 34, it will become apparent that the local deformability of the recess wall also results in improved interdental brushing and a more regular brushing pressure exerted on the dental position. Both FIGS. 33 and 34 show, for illustrative purposes, a part of the recess wall leg 633 acting on the sides of three teeth 640 with an interdental space 638 therebetween. FIG. 33 shows the situation with the recess wall leg 633 configured without local deformability, FIG. 33a shows a reduced pressure state, FIG. 33b shows an increased pressure state, while FIG. 34 shows the situation with the recess wall leg 633 configured to have local deformability according to the first aspect of the present invention of Chapter 3, FIG. 34a shows a reduced pressure state, and FIG. 34b shows an increased pressure state.

[0331] Comparing the decreased pressure state of FIG. 33a with the increased pressure state of FIG. 33b, it can be understood that the extent to which the interdental space 638 is reached by the bristles 624 is determined by the length of the bristles and the distance d from the recess wall leg 633 to the side of the tooth 640. The minimum value for the distance d may be smaller than that shown in FIG. 33b. However, due to the fact that the recess wall leg 633 of FIG. 33 is not locally deformable, the recess wall leg 633 will be maintained flat as shown in FIG. 33b, resulting in the distance e from the recess wall leg 633 to the deepest point of the interdental recess being large compared to the situations of FIGS. 34a and 34b. When the bent or straight bristles 624 in areas 645a, 645b, 645c (which are on the opposite side of the tooth 640 and not on the opposite side of the interdental space 638) prevent the recess wall leg 633 from further moving in the direction of the tooth 640, the minimum values for the distance d and the distance e will be reached. Here, referring to FIG. 34, due to the local deformation of the recess wall leg 633 at the location 639 on the opposite side of the interdental space 638, the bristles attached at or near the location 639 of the recess wall leg will reach much deeper into the interdental space, resulting in better cleaning of the interdental space 638.

[0332] Furthermore, referring to the increased pressure state of FIG. 33b, it will become apparent that the pressure exerted by the bristles 624 in the x-axis direction varies considerably along the z-axis. In the area around the interdental position, this pressure is low and may be approximately zero. Referring to the increased pressure state of FIG. 34b, it will become apparent that the pressure exerted by the bristles 624 in the x-axis direction is much more constant along the z-axis. According to FIGS. 34a and 34b, the higher pressure exerted by the bristles in the area of the interdental space 638 results in improved cleaning of these interdental spaces 638. Furthermore, the fact that the pressure exerted by the bristles is much more constant along the z-axis means that there, the pressure inside the pressure chamber represents much better the pressure exerted by the bristles along the dental arch. Thus, exceeding the maximum allowable bristle pressure exerted by the bristles on particularly vulnerable gums can be much more reliably prevented.

[0333] Referring to FIG. 35, an example of a further location 646 with local deformation of the recess wall leg 633 is shown in the increased pressure state. Such local deformation at location 646 can be caused by the bristles 624 being pushed (so to speak) flat towards the recess wall leg 633 due to the local deformability of the recess wall leg 633. When the pressure is decreased, this local deformation 646 can disappear or become less distinct, allowing the bristles to (so to speak) rise again. This results in a further additional brushing action.

[0334] The second aspect of the invention of Chapter 3 can be realized by the locally deformable recessed wall according to the first aspect of the invention of Chapter 3, as described above. However, the second aspect of the invention of Chapter 3 can also be realized in different ways, for example, by attaching the fixed ends of the bristles individually or grouped in tufts onto the individual drives for each bristle or tuft of bristles. The individual drives provide reciprocating translational movement, and it will become clear that the attachment enables the first and second reciprocating pivotal movements.

[0335] Figures 36 and 37 show two embodiments of the third aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3, "Roller Bellows functionality". Figure 36 shows mouthpiece 720, and Figure 37 shows mouthpiece 730. Figures 36 and 37 are identical to each other except for Figures 36b and 37b, in which the differences between mouthpiece 720 and mouthpiece 730 can be seen. Further, on the one hand, the mouthpieces shown in Figures 36 and 37, and on the other hand, the mouthpiece shown in Figure 29, are identical except for the "Roller Bellows functionality" that does not exist in the mouthpiece 710 of Figure 29, and except for the fact that the spacer 631 in Figures 36 and 37 is a plate that divides the single pressure chamber 635 of Figure 29 into two pressure chambers 635a and 635b in Figures 36 and 37. The pressure chambers 635a and 635b are in fluid communication with each other, for example, by one or more passages through the plate 631, such that the fluid in both of the pressure chambers 635a and 635b will have the same pressure. The fact that the spacer 631 is a plate in the mouthpieces 720 and 730 has nothing to do with the "Roller Bellows functionality". Similar to Figure 29a, Figures 36a and 37a show the first operating state. Similar to Figure 29b, Figures 36b and 37b show the second operating state (increased pressure state). And, similar to Figure 29c, Figures 36c and 37c show the third operating state (decreased pressure state). Considering the similarity between Figure 29 on the one hand and Figures 37 and 38 on the other hand, Figures 37 and 38 use the same reference numerals for similar parts, and for more details of Figures 37 and 38, the description of Figure 29 is referred to. Despite all these similarities between Figure 29 on the one hand and Figures 36 and 37 on the other hand, it is noted that the "Roller Bellows functionality" according to the third aspect can be applied without (or in combination with) the "Local deformability functionality of the recessed wall" according to the first aspect of the present invention in Chapter 3.

[0336] According to a third aspect of the present invention of Chapter 3, when increasing the pressure in pressure chambers 635a and 635b, the main body is configured to shift the upper end portion 647 of the recess wall leg portion 633 from the inside of the recess 622 to the outside of the recess 622. When shifting outward, bristles 648 (which are referred to as end bristles) at the upper end portion 647 of the recess wall leg portion 633 are subjected to a rotational movement, and the rotational movement causes the end bristles to fall toward a more upright position. This is shown in the increased pressure states of FIGS. 36b and 37b. Further, according to a third aspect of the present inventio...

Claims

1. A mouthpiece for brushing multiple dental positions simultaneously, comprising: a body portion provided with at least one recess; the at least one recess has a curved length and a U-shaped cross-section transverse to the length and is configured to encompass a plurality of at least five dental positions in the curved length; the body portion includes, for each recess, a flexible recess wall defining a boundary of the respective recess; the recess wall is optionally lined with a plurality of bristles, each of the bristles having one end attached to the recess wall and extending from the recess wall into the recess; the body portion is provided with at least one pressure chamber configured to contain a fluid under pressure; a mouthpiece, the body portion being configured to deform the recess wall by reciprocally increasing and decreasing pressure in the at least one pressure chamber between a reduced pressure state and an increased pressure state; the recess wall is configured to have local deformability, such that a shape of the recess wall changes locally when the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is reciprocally increased and decreased, and in the increased pressure state, the shape of the recess wall is locally adjusted to the local shape of the dental location encompassed by the recess wall, while in the decreased pressure state, the shape of the recess wall is locally adjusted to a lesser extent to the local shape of the dental location encompassed by the recess wall than in the increased pressure state.

2. 2. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein, when viewed in the longitudinal direction along lingual and facial sides of the dental location encompassed by the recess wall, the recess wall has less relief in the reduced pressure state than in the increased pressure state.

3. 3. A mouthpiece as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the local deformability of the recess wall is configured such that the local change in shape of the recess wall between the increased and decreased pressure states occurs at a pressure difference in the range of up to 2 bar, such as up to 0.4 bar, the pressure difference being defined as the pressure in the pressure chamber at the increased pressure state minus the pressure in the pressure chamber at the decreased pressure state.

4. 4. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein in the reduced pressure state, the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is greater than atmospheric pressure.

5. 5. A mouthpiece according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the increased pressure state the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is at most 2 bar relative to atmospheric pressure, such as at most 1 bar relative to atmospheric pressure.

6. 6. A mouthpiece according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in the increased pressure state the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is at most 0.3 bar relative to atmospheric pressure, such as at most 0.2 bar relative to atmospheric pressure.

7. 7. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein in the reduced pressure state, the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is less than atmospheric pressure.

8. 8. A mouthpiece according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in the reduced pressure state the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is in the range of -0.5 bar to +0.2 bar relative to atmospheric pressure, such as -0.5 bar to 0 bar relative to atmospheric pressure.

9. 9. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the local deformability of the recess wall is such that, when reciprocatingly increasing and decreasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber and when containing the plurality of dental positions within the recess, each location of the recess wall is subjected to a first reciprocating pivotal movement about a first pivot axis, a second reciprocating pivotal movement about a second pivot axis, and a reciprocating translational movement along a translation axis, the first pivot axis, the second pivot axis, and the translation axis being mutually perpendicular.

10. 10. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein each bristles has a root portion attached to the recess wall, and the local deformability of the recess wall is such that the root portion of each bristles is subjected to a first reciprocating pivotal movement about a first pivot axis, a second reciprocating pivotal movement about a second pivot axis, and a reciprocating translational movement along a translation axis when reciprocatingly increasing and decreasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber and when containing the plurality of dental positions within the recess, the first pivot axis, the second pivot axis, and the translation axis being mutually perpendicular.

11. Each bristles is attached to the recess wall at an attachment point; at each attachment point, a local set of three mutually orthogonal axes is defined, said local set including an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis, said z-axis being a curved axis defined by the curved length of said recess, said x-axis and y-axis defining an xy plane perpendicular to said z-axis; the local deformability of the recess wall is such that when reciprocatingly increasing and decreasing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber and when containing the plurality of dental positions within the recess, the attachment point is subjected to one or more movements from the group consisting of a first reciprocating pivoting movement about a first pivot axis, a second reciprocating pivoting movement about a second pivot axis, and a reciprocating translational movement along a translation axis; 11. The mouthpiece of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first pivot axis is parallel to the z-axis and the second pivot axis and translation axis lie in the xy-plane and are mutually perpendicular.

12. A mouthpiece (620) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the body portion is provided with two recesses, the openings of the U-shaped cross-sections of the two recesses facing in opposite directions to each other.

13. the recess wall is U-shaped transversely to the longitudinal direction to conform to the U-shaped cross-section of the recess; the U-shape of each recess wall defines two recess wall legs extending from a recess wall bottom, each leg having a free end; the free ends of the two recess wall legs are provided with end bristles; The main body portion is - configured to shift said free ends of said two recess wall legs from inside said recess to outside said recess when increasing said pressure in said at least one pressure chamber; - configured to shift the upper ends of the two recess wall legs from the outside of the recess to the inside of the recess when reducing the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber; 13. The mouthpiece of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the end bristles are subjected to reciprocating swivel movement about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction when the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is reciprocally increased and decreased.

14. the mouthpiece further includes a meshwork secured to the recess wall; 14. The mouthpiece of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the meshwork is formed by nodes and mesh members, each of the mesh members extending from one of the nodes to another of the nodes, each of the nodes connecting at least three of the mesh members to each other, and each node carrying one or more of the bristles or tufts of the bristles.

15. 15. A method of operating a mouthpiece according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising the steps of: the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is reciprocally increased and decreased by a pressure difference in the range of up to 2 bar, such as up to 0.4 bar, the pressure difference being defined as the pressure in the pressure chamber in the increased pressure state minus the pressure in the pressure chamber in the decreased pressure state; and / or the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is reciprocally reduced to a reduced pressure state with a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure and increased to a pressure higher than the pressure in the reduced pressure state; and / or The pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is reciprocally increased to an increased pressure state of at most 2 bar relative to atmospheric pressure, for example at most 1 bar relative to atmospheric pressure, and decreased to a pressure lower than the pressure in the increased pressure state; and / or The pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is reciprocally increased to an increased pressure state of at most 0.3 bar relative to atmospheric pressure, such as at most 0.2 bar relative to atmospheric pressure, and decreased to a pressure lower than the pressure in the increased pressure state; and / or the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is reciprocally reduced to a reduced pressure state with a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure and increased to a pressure higher than the pressure in the reduced pressure state; and / or wherein the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber is reciprocally reduced to a reduced pressure state in the range of −0.5 bar to +0.2 bar relative to atmospheric pressure, such as −0.5 bar to 0 bar relative to atmospheric pressure, and increased to a pressure higher than the pressure in the reduced pressure state.

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