Oral care device

Abstract

To fix the immovable part of the mouthpiece to the jaw reference frame, an oral cleaning mouthpiece device is provided with a dedicated mechanical structure (referred to as an anchoring member) for providing a support portion by which the user can fixedly hold the jaw. As a result, the movable part of the mouthpiece (which carries the cleaning element) moves in a substantially predictable manner with respect to the upper and lower tooth rows. The anchoring member is mechanically supported so as to be movable in a lateral direction (i.e., a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the mouthpiece) with respect to the portion of the mouthpiece that carries the cleaning element so that the mouthpiece portion can be laterally moved within the oral cavity during use to reach all teeth.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of oral care devices, and more particularly to the field of oral care devices having a brushing mouthpiece portion.

Background Art

[0002] Brushing mouthpieces are expected to activate the powered toothbrush market in the future. They have the potential to brush faster, more stably, and more thoroughly than toothbrushes.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In the development of such devices, for example, there remains the problem of providing a device with sufficient structural efficiency to be an affordable price for the end user while maintaining a comfortable and practical user experience.

[0004] Development in this field is generally required.

[0005] The various elements of a dental cleaning mouthpiece are designed to move the cleaning elements, particularly against the teeth, during operation. In practice, the elements move relative to the most rigid point in the device-mouth system during operation. For example, elements are designed to move up and down in the mouth along an axis extending from the lower jaw to the upper jaw, but if the element is fixed to the lower jaw, it cannot move downwards, and as a result, all movement will only occur in the upward direction.

[0006] In an ideal scenario, the user holds the handle of the device steadily and firmly without biting on the mouthpiece portion. In this case, the mouthpiece floats between the upper and lower jaws. In this case, the vertical movement of the cleaning element is performed in both directions (up and down directions) with respect to the device body. In principle, this scenario enables proper brushing movements to be performed against the jaws. However, in practice, it is difficult for the user to keep the device sufficiently stable and not in contact with one of the jaws.

[0007] More generally, it is seen that the user usually enables the mouthpiece to hit the lower or upper jaw, particularly enabling the dental arches of the lower or upper jaw to hit the bottom surface of the lower or upper channel of the mouthpiece. In this event, the driving movement is hindered and thus only one of the dental arches is exposed to the movement of the cleaning element.

[0008] US2021 / 315676A1 discloses a dental care device customized for a specific user, which includes a support plate having a first portion configured to be inserted into the mouth, an attachment mechanism configured to attach the dental care device to a drive assembly, and an elastomer (elastic polymer) portion surrounding the first portion of the plate, the elastomer portion including a plurality of cleaning tips and being formed based on the dental details of a specific user.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] The inventors recognized that although the user's handling can potentially affect the anchoring point of the brushing device, design choices can be made to induce anchoring in a manner that does not burden the user's arm while achieving the correct relative movement.

[0010] In particular, the inventors have recognised that the provision of a dedicated anchoring member that a user can hold firmly against a portion of the mouth while using the mouthpiece device can provide a rigid anchoring to the device, allowing movement of the cleaning element to remain unhindered and allowing the user to rest their arms during use so as to avoid fatigue.

[0011] For example, one design we have devised is a bite block that is placed for the user to bite down on with the teeth, and the body of the mouthpiece carrying the movable cleaning element is allowed to move relative to the bite block. The bite block fixes the position of the mouthpiece in a comfortable manner, while the cleaning element is left free to move. The brushing action is transmitted more efficiently because the motor is firmly grounded between the teeth. The action is easy and natural for the user because the jaws can provide much more force than the hands.

[0012] In developing this design, the inventors discovered new challenges for optimizing performance. One of them is:

[0013] In typical non-custom mouthpieces, the mouthpiece is undersized for a typical mouth because oversizing would be highly uncomfortable for the back of the mouth.

[0014] An exemplary non-custom mouthpiece known in the art is shown in FIG. 1 in photographic (left) and schematic (right) representation. It does not include the novel anchoring members devised by the inventors and is undersized. The device has a handle portion 10 and a mouthpiece portion 12. The mouthpiece portion carries cleaning elements 20, e.g., an arrangement of elastomeric bristles. The mouthpiece portion defines an arcuate contour 30 to follow the contours of the user's teeth and defines tooth-receiving channels 16 in which the teeth sit and are brushed by the cleaning elements during use. There may be upper and lower channels for both dentition.

[0015] As an operation method of this device, since the mouthpiece is undersized, the user has to move the mouthpiece in either the left or right direction to reach the molar teeth at the back of the mouth.

[0016] The inventors have recognized that when using the new anchoring member design, this need for lateral / sideways movement results in an undesirable situation where the anchoring member (e.g., bite block) needs to be released by the user. When released, the seating function is lost and the cleaning effect is reduced when moving. Furthermore, for the user, it is unclear when to perform anchoring and when to move for seating, and the technology of using such a brushing mouthpiece is complicated. This is quite undesirable because the main advantage of a brushing mouthpiece over a toothbrush lies in the expectation of excellent usability.

[0017] The inventors have recognized this problem and devised a solution. This is described in this document.

[0018] The present invention is defined by the claims.

[0019] According to an example according to one aspect of the present invention, an oral care device is provided. The oral care device has a mouthpiece portion that is at least partially received in the user's oral cavity. The body of the mouthpiece portion depicts an arcuate contour so as to substantially follow at least a part of the contour of the user's dental arch. The mouthpiece portion carries a set of oral cleaning elements for mechanically engaging with the teeth during operation. These can extend / stand up, for example, from the surface of the mouthpiece portion body.

[0020] The device further includes a second portion coupled to the mouthpiece portion. For example, the second portion may be a handle portion, but this does not have to be the case in all situations.

[0021] The device further includes an actuating mechanism for actuating the movement of the cleaning element relative to the second part and relative to the teeth when the mouthpiece part is received in the oral cavity. The actuating mechanism can be configured to generate a periodic movement in a preferred embodiment.

[0022] The device further has an anchoring member engageable by a part of the user's mouth when the mouthpiece part is received in the mouth for normal use, and this anchoring member is held in a position fixed relative to the jaw. For example, this can be a bite block for the user to bite on, but this is not necessary in all cases.

[0023] The anchoring member is mechanically coupled to the second part via an anchoring member coupling.

[0024] The anchoring member coupling is such as to allow relative movement between the anchoring member and the mouthpiece part at least in a first direction, and the first direction is a direction transverse to the movement direction of the cleaning element.

[0025] Accordingly, the mouthpiece of the present invention proposes connecting an anchoring member and a second part (e.g., a handle or a motor within the handle) of the mouthpiece using a connection part, which is rigid in the brushing operation direction but movable in a position adjustment direction necessary to reach the entire dentition, for example, in a lateral direction within the oral cavity.

[0026] The mouthpiece part can be independently connected to the second part 10 via its own coupling.

[0027] It should be noted that the at least first direction in which the anchoring member coupling allows movement of the anchoring member relative to the mouthpiece portion may define a curved path. Thus, in some examples, this direction may be a direction defined by a non-linear path. Thus, more generally, it might be said that the anchoring member coupling is such that it allows relative movement between the anchoring member and the mouthpiece portion along at least the first direction or the first movement path, and this direction or movement path is generally a direction transverse to the movement direction of the cleaning element.

[0028] When held by a part of the user's mouth during normal operation, the cleaning element can be movable relative to the anchoring member, and the actuating mechanism can be configured such that the anchoring member is such that the cleaning element moves simultaneously relative to both the upper and lower jaws.

[0029] The anchoring member coupling is preferably also such that it at least partially prevents (e.g., inhibits or resists or counteracts) relative movement between the anchoring member and the mouthpiece portion in a second direction, and the second direction is substantially parallel to the movement direction.

[0030] Preferably, by further preventing relative movement between the anchoring member and the mouthpiece portion in the second direction (which is the movement direction of the cleaning element), this avoids canceling or absorbing the movement of the cleaning element through the movement of the anchoring member. If the anchoring member can move in the same direction as the driving force in the cleaning element, it may result in the anchoring member simply moving to absorb the movement and the cleaning element remaining substantially stationary relative to the moving anchoring member. The anchoring member only needs to be able to move transverse to the movement direction and does not need to move along with the movement direction.

[0031] In some embodiments, the aforementioned second portion is for remaining outside the mouth during use when the mouthpiece portion is received in the mouth. As already described, it may be a handle portion that the user holds during use. However, in a hands-free device, it can simply be, for example, a second body portion that houses a drive unit for driving an operation. The second portion in the context of the present invention can also be the drive unit itself, as will be described later by way of example.

[0032] In some embodiments, the anchoring member coupling is rigid in the second direction (cleaning element operating direction) and flexible or pivotable in the first direction (direction transverse to the cleaning element operating direction). This is one way to facilitate the two effects already introduced above.

[0033] In some embodiments, the arcuate contour defined by the body of the mouthpiece portion lies in a plane, and the first direction is parallel to the plane. When the mouthpiece portion is received in the oral cavity, this is expected to be the mesial-distal direction, and as a result, the expected relative movement allows for an advantageous movement of the mouthpiece portion in the lateral direction within the oral cavity without releasing the anchoring member, and as a result, the molar teeth at the back can be reached.

[0034] As already described, in some embodiments, the anchoring member is for the user to bite on, for example, it forms a bite block. However, this is not the only possibility. It can also be designed such that the user leans on a part of the mouth or the gum for anchoring, or on the outside part of the mouth or face. In some cases, it can be designed to be held between the lips rather than being bitten.

[0035] In some embodiments, when the mouthpiece portion is received in the mouth for normal use, the first direction is oriented such that it is substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis extending between the upper and lower jaws. In other words, it is parallel to the plane of the mouthpiece. In other words, as already suggested, the first direction can actually also be a lateral direction. It can be a mesial-distal-mesial direction during operation.

[0036] In some embodiments, the first direction can partially follow the arcuate contour of the mouthpiece portion, such that the expected movement of the anchoring member relative to the mouthpiece portion follows at least a partially arcuate path. This allows for a partial rotational movement of the mouthpiece body around the anchoring member. As will be explained, this can be achieved by a pivotal or hinged coupling between the anchoring member and the second portion.

[0037] As already mentioned, in some embodiments, the second portion can be the handle portion of the oral care device, and the handle portion houses a drive unit of an actuation mechanism for generating a driving force for the movement.

[0038] In some embodiments, the aforementioned anchoring member coupling can have a connecting element extending from the anchoring member to the drive unit, or a connecting element extending from the anchoring member to the housing of the second portion. This can be formed of one or more parts.

[0039] In some embodiments, the connection element of the anchoring member coupling has at least a portion formed by a flexible sheet element, the plane of the flexible sheet element being oriented parallel to the second direction (which is the direction of movement of the cleaning element), and the normal to the plane being oriented parallel to the first direction (substantially the direction transverse to the movement of the cleaning element). The sheet element provides a coupling that allows movement in only one direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the sheet), which is a very structurally efficient manner, while being rigid with respect to movement in any direction orthogonal to the normal, i.e., any direction parallel to the plane.

[0040] In some embodiments, the connection element of the anchoring member coupling has a sheet element with a portion of reduced thickness between the second portion and the anchoring member, the portion of reduced thickness defining a preferred bending line of the sheet element, and the preferred bending line being perpendicular to the first direction. This is another efficient variation of the arrangement described above.

[0041] In some embodiments, the connection element of the anchoring member coupling has a non-flexible element, and the connection element is connected to the anchoring member via a pivotable joint or is connected to the second portion or the drive unit by a pivotable joint. The joint is, for example, a hinge joint that allows only rotational movement along a single-direction axis. This is another structurally efficient manner for achieving two desirable effects: accommodating relative movement of the anchoring member in the first direction while substantially not accommodating relative movement in the second direction.

[0042] In some embodiments, the connection element of the anchoring member coupling extends from the outer surface of the anchoring member.

[0043] However, in other contemplated embodiments, the connection element of the anchoring member coupling extends from a connection point inside the anchoring member, and preferably, the anchoring member includes a hollow internal cavity for receiving the connection element. The connection point inside the anchoring member can define, for example, a pivotable joint.

[0044] As will become more apparent hereinafter with reference to the drawings, the connection element can be configured to extend through at least one opening formed (e.g., in its wall) in the mouthpiece portion at a position facing the second portion.

[0045] For example, the mouthpiece portion can define a tooth-receiving channel. The anchoring member is disposed in a supported state within the tooth-receiving channel. The aforementioned at least one opening can be formed through a wall partially surrounding the tooth-receiving channel. The at least one opening can be sized and positioned such that the anchoring member coupling connection element can pass through the opening for connection to the anchoring member within the tooth-receiving channel.

[0046] In some embodiments, the width across the opening in at least one direction is greater than the width of the connection element extending through the opening, such that the opening defines a clearance region around the connection element extending therethrough and enables lateral movement of the connection element within the opening. This provides a structural accommodation for the movement of the anchoring member via the pivotal movement of the connection element.

[0047] In some embodiments, the device can additionally have a drive coupling that mechanically couples the driving force of the drive unit to the body of the mouthpiece portion carrying the cleaning element for driving the movement of the cleaning element, and this can also have a connection element. In the present disclosure, the connection element of the anchoring member coupling can be referred to as a first connection element, and the connection element of the drive coupling can be referred to as a second connection element.

[0048] In some embodiments, the second connection element extends coaxially with respect to the first connection element. This provides a structurally efficient manner of accommodating both connection elements.

[0049] In some embodiments, the first connection element extends coaxially within an internal channel defined by the second connection element; or the second connection element extends coaxially within an internal channel defined by the first connection element.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first connection element has a pair of arms extending in a direction between an anchoring member and a second portion, the arms being spaced apart, and the second connection element extends in the same direction as the first connection element via the space.

[0051] In some embodiments, the drive unit has a motor. In other embodiments, the actuating mechanism can be a pneumatic actuating mechanism, where the drive unit is a fluid pump.

[0052] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below and will be described with reference to the embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0053]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] For a better understanding of the present invention and to more clearly show the method of its implementation, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative.

[0055] The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0056] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, system and method, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the apparatus, system and method of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0057] The present invention provides an oral cleaning mouthpiece device with a dedicated mechanical structure (called an anchoring member) for providing a support against which the user can hold the jaw stationary, to fix the non-movable part of the mouthpiece to the jaw reference frame, so that the movable part of the mouthpiece (carrying the cleaning elements) moves in a generally predictable manner relative to the upper and lower dentition. The anchoring member is mechanically supported so as to be movable laterally (i.e. in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the mouthpiece) relative to the part of the mouthpiece carrying the cleaning elements, to allow the mouthpiece part to be moved laterally in the oral cavity in use to reach all the teeth.

[0058] The normal way of operating a mouthpiece is that the user moves the mouthpiece sideways to reach the back molars. When using anchoring members such as bite blocks, this need for lateral movement leads to the unfavourable situation that the bite block needs to be released. When released, the seating function is lost and when moved, the cleaning effect is reduced. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention proposes to adapt the relative movement of the anchoring members to allow the mouthpiece parts to reach all the teeth without the user having to release the anchoring members.

[0059] FIG. 1 shows the structure of a mouthpiece device 8 known in the art, the elements of which have already been described herein and therefore will not be repeated in detail again.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a further (side cross-sectional) view of the mouthpiece arrangement depicted in FIG.

[0061] In summary, the device has a mouthpiece portion 12 for at least partial reception in a user's mouth. The body of the mouthpiece portion defines an arcuate contour 30 to generally follow the contour of the user's dental arch. The mouthpiece portion 12 carries a set of oral cleaning elements 20 for mechanically engaging the teeth during operation. The device further includes a second portion 10 coupled to the mouthpiece portion, which forms a handle portion in the illustrated example.

[0062] The device has an actuating mechanism for actuating the movement of the cleaning element with respect to the second part and with respect to the teeth (preferably a cyclic movement, such as an alternating movement, such as a periodic movement) when the mouthpiece part is received in the oral cavity. Using the coordinate axes shown in Figure 2 (which are consistently used throughout the present disclosure), this driven movement is in the z-direction. The actuating mechanism includes a drive unit 24 that generates an actuating driving force, and a drive coupling 22 that mechanically couples the driving force to the mouthpiece part 12 that carries the cleaning element 20 to provide its movement.

[0063] As shown in Figure 1, the mouthpiece part can define a tooth-receiving channel 16 in which the teeth are seated and brushed by the cleaning element during operation. There may be upper and lower channels for both tooth rows.

[0064] Figures 3 - 5 show exemplary mouthpieces according to at least a first set of embodiments.

[0065] To assist in the understanding of the disclosure hereinafter, the basic features of the device according to all embodiments of the present invention are first outlined in general form. For convenience, these are described with reference to Figures 3 - 5, but are equally applicable to all other embodiments described in the present disclosure.

[0066] One aspect of the present invention is an oral care device 8. The device has a mouthpiece part 12 for at least partial reception in the user's mouth. The body of the mouthpiece part depicts an arcuate contour 30 so as to substantially follow the contour of the user's dental arch. The mouthpiece part 12 carries a set of oral cleaning elements 20 for mechanical engagement with the teeth during operation. For example, these have protruding elongated elements. For example, these have hairs or hair-like elements. They may be elastomers, for example in some examples, silicone hair-like elements.

[0067] The device 8 further has a second part 10 coupled to the mouthpiece part 12. For example, this can form a handle part. For example, the second part may be a handle part, and the handle part houses a drive unit 24 of an actuating mechanism that generates a driving force for the movement of the cleaning element. The actuating mechanism is for actuating the movement of the cleaning element 20 with respect to the second part 10 and with respect to the teeth when the mouthpiece part is received in the oral cavity. In some embodiments, it may be for actuating a cyclic movement, for example an alternating movement, for example a periodic movement. In some embodiments, the movement may be an oscillating movement. Using the coordinate axes shown in FIG. 2, the driven movement is in the z-direction. The drive unit 24 is for generating an actuating driving force. The drive coupling 22 mechanically couples the driving force to the mouthpiece part 12 carrying the cleaning element 20 and provides its movement.

[0068] The device further has an anchoring member 32 engageable by a part of the user's mouth when the mouthpiece part 12 is received in the mouth for normal use, and this anchoring member is held in a position fixed relative to the jaw.

[0069] The anchoring member 32 is mechanically coupled to the second part 10 of the device via an anchoring member coupling 36.

[0070] The anchoring member coupling 36 is such as to enable relative movement between the anchoring member 32 and the mouthpiece part 12 at least in a first direction, the first direction being transverse to the operating movement direction of the cleaning element 20. In the example shown, the first direction is the direction indicated by arrow 33. Using the coordinate axes shown in FIG. 4, this is a direction in the x-y plane, for example a direction along the x direction, or a direction along an arcuate path in the x-y plane, for example. This is also the plane including the arcuate contour 30 defined by the mouthpiece part body. When the mouthpiece part 12 is received in the mouth for normal use, the first direction 33 in this example is oriented so as to be substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis (Z) extending between the upper and lower jaws. As described above, the first direction 33 can generally be a direction along any straight or curved path generally transverse to the operating movement direction of the cleaning element. For example, if the anchoring member coupling is defined by a pivot or hinge (example described later), the movement will generally follow a curved path in a plane transverse to the movement line of the cleaning element. In fact, in some cases, a movement allowed along the first direction defining a curved line may be preferred, because the mouthpiece and the dentition also generally define a curved shape / contour. However, a curved path is not essential for the present invention.

[0071] Examples of exemplary embodiments of the device according to a particular set of embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 are described below using the description of the concepts summarized above of the present invention. It should be understood that not all features of this particular set of embodiments are essential to the concepts of the present invention and are not described to assist understanding and to provide examples for explaining the concepts of the present invention.

[0072] In the example shown, the anchoring member 32 is for the user to bite on. It forms a bite block.

[0073] In the example shown, the bite block is located within the tooth receiving channel 16 of the mouthpiece part 12, and as a result it is accessible to the user's teeth.

[0074] Preferably, the anchoring member coupling 36 is also configured to at least partially prevent relative movement in a second direction between the anchoring member 32 and the mouthpiece portion 12, the second direction being substantially parallel to the direction of the actuating movement of the cleaning element 20. In the illustrated example, this (second) direction is a direction in the z-y plane (using the coordinate axes of FIGS. 3-6), for example substantially in the Z direction, or in other words, when the mouthpiece portion 12 is received in the mouth for normal use, it is a direction along the vertical axis (Z) extending between the upper and lower jaws.

[0075] Although not entirely clear from FIGS. 3-5, the anchoring member coupling 36 and the drive coupling 22 are not connected to each other. In the illustrated example, to accommodate both couplings, the drive coupling 22 extends so as to surround the outside of the anchoring member coupling 36. The drive coupling 22 attaches to the mouthpiece portion 12 body at its distal end. The anchoring member coupling 36 attaches to the anchoring member 32 at its distal end. As shown in FIG. 5, the anchoring member coupling extends from a point within or on the second portion 10 or its housing and can be pivotally coupled thereto, such that the anchoring member is movable along the first direction (the X direction in this example). Since the anchoring member 32 is not attached to the mouthpiece portion 12, it can move relative to the mouthpiece portion. As schematically shown in FIG. 5, the drive coupling 22 defines a clearance around the anchoring member coupling 36 that extends through it, such that the anchoring member can move by pivoting of the anchoring member coupling within this clearance space.

[0076] The anchoring member coupling 36 can be rigid in the second direction (Z) and flexible or pivotable in the first direction (X).

[0077] In the illustrated example, the anchoring member coupling 36 and the drive coupling 22 are provided in a coaxial relationship. This is schematically shown in FIG. 4 (upper left), which shows the anchoring member coupling connection element 36 extending through the drive coupling connection element 22. The drive coupling connection element 22 is, for example, tubular or, in other embodiments, has an annular cross-section. As shown, while the anchoring member coupling 36 can move in a first direction (X in this example), the drive coupling 22 is configured to move in a lateral direction (Z in this example).

[0078] It is equally possible to reverse the coaxial arrangement. As a result, the drive coupling connection element 22 extends coaxially within the inner bore or channel of the anchoring member connection element 36 (which is, for example, tubular). In fact, an example of this alternative arrangement is shown in FIGS. 6 - 9, which will be described later.

[0079] As can be seen from FIGS. 3 - 5, the anchoring member coupling 36 has a connection element that extends from the anchoring member 32 to a point within or above the second portion 10, i.e., the handle portion in this case.

[0080] The connection element of the anchoring member coupling 36 can be configured to extend through at least one opening 54 formed in the wall of the mouthpiece portion 12 at a position facing the second portion. This is schematically shown in FIG. 4 (lower left), which shows the opening 54 at the bottom of the mouthpiece portion with the coupling not extending therethrough.

[0081] For example, the opening 54 is formed through a region of the wall 18 that partially surrounds the tooth receiving channel 16.

[0082] The at least one opening 54 is sized and positioned such that the connection element of the anchoring member coupling 36 can pass through the opening to connect to the anchoring member 32 within the tooth receiving channel 16.

[0083] Next, a further exemplary realization of the apparatus according to a particular set of embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 6-9 via the description of the concepts of the present invention summarized above. It should be understood that not all features of this particular set of embodiments are essential to the concepts of the present invention and are not described in order to provide examples for the purpose of assisting understanding and explaining the concepts of the present invention. This set of embodiments can be made the same in all respects as the embodiments of FIGS. 3-5, except with respect to the particular configuration of couplings 22, 36, or their connection elements that connect drive unit 24 to mouthpiece portion 12 and second portion 10 to anchoring member 32.

[0084] In the example shown in FIGS. 6-9, the anchoring member is formed from two anchoring member portions 32a, 32b. In this case, the anchoring member coupling 36 can have a pair of connector arms that extend from a point within the housing of the second portion 10 and connect at their distal ends to the respective first and second portions 32a and 32b of the anchoring member. These are pivotally connected to individual pivotable connection points within the second portion 10.

[0085] The arms 36 are spaced apart, and the connection elements of the drive coupling 22 extend in the same direction as the connection arms of the anchoring member coupling 36 via the space. It connects to the drive unit 24 at its proximal end and to the body of the mouthpiece portion 12 to which the cleaning element is attached at its distal end. Instead of the spaced-apart arms, a tubular connection element for the anchoring member coupling 36 can likewise be provided.

[0086] FIG. 8 schematically shows a view of the bottom region of the mouthpiece portion in the region facing the second portion 10 where the couplings 22, 36 extend. In this example, there are three openings including one opening 54 for accommodating the passage of the drive coupling connection element 22 into the mouthpiece portion body, for example, embedded therein. The openings further include a pair of openings 52a, 52b on both sides of the first opening 54 for accommodating the passage of the individual anchoring member connection arms 36 through the wall 18 of the mouthpiece portion 12 so as to connect to the anchoring member 32 in the tooth receiving channel 16.

[0087] As schematically shown in FIG. 9, the width (W_a) across the opening 52a in at least one direction is greater than the width of the connection element arm / section 36 in the same direction, such that the opening defines a clearance region around the connection element and enables lateral movement of the connection element within the opening. By way of example, the respective widths W_a of the openings 52a, 52b can be made equal to approximately 1 to 1.5 times the average tooth width + the width of the coupling arm 36. For example, this can be 8 mm + 2 mm for illustrative purposes.

[0088] Although not shown in FIG. 9, the same opening configuration may be provided for the other openings 52b for the other connection arms 36 of the coupling.

[0089] Next, a further exemplary realization of the apparatus according to a particular set of embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 - 11 using the concepts of the present invention summarized above. It should be understood that not all features of this particular set of embodiments are essential to the concepts of the present invention and are not described for the purpose of providing examples to assist in understanding and to illustrate the concepts of the present invention. This set of embodiments can be made the same in all respects as the embodiments of FIGS. 3 - 5 and FIGS. 6 - 9 except for the particular configuration of the couplings 22, 36 or their connection elements that connect the drive unit 24 to the mouthpiece portion 12 and the second portion 10 to the anchoring member 32.

[0090] In an embodiment of this set, the anchoring member 32 is connected to the drive unit 24 within the second portion 10 via a thin flexible sheet 42 that acts as a leaf spring. It is substantially rigid in the operating direction of the cleaning element 20 (the vertical or Z direction in the illustrated example), but can be bent by the user in a direction transverse to this operating direction (in the x-y plane in this example) in order to move the mouthpiece portion 12 back and forth on the dental arch during use. The connecting element of the drive coupling 22 that connects the drive unit 24 to the mouthpiece portion can be rigid (at least in the z direction), whereby the operating drive movement is efficiently transmitted.

[0091] Accordingly, here, using terms consistent with those used throughout this disclosure, the connecting element of the anchoring member coupling 36 has at least a portion formed by the flexible sheet element 42, the plane of the flexible sheet element being oriented parallel to the operating movement direction of the cleaning element (the z direction, or the z-y plane in this example), and the normal to the plane of the sheet 42 being oriented parallel to the above-mentioned direction 33 that is transverse to the operating direction (i.e., the direction 33 in which the anchoring member is movable relative to the mouthpiece portion 12).

[0092] In the illustrated example, the sheet element 42 extends from the drive unit 24 and connects to a further connector element portion 36 of the anchoring member coupling, which in turn extends to the anchoring member 32. The sheet element 42 can alternatively also extend from another position in the second portion, for example, from a position between the drive unit 24 and the anchoring member.

[0093] The drive coupling 22 is connected in this example from the drive unit to the mouthpiece portion 12. The drive coupling in this example has a pair of drive coupling connectors. Alternatively, the drive coupling can be in tubular form and arranged coaxially with the anchoring member coupling 36, such that the anchoring member coupling extends into an internal channel or bore defined within the drive coupling 22. The drive coupling 22 is not connected to the sheet element 42, and as a result it can move independently of the sheet element. The drive coupling performs the function of moving the mouthpiece portion (transmitting the force from the drive unit 24 to the mouthpiece portion 12).

[0094] As a more general principle of the present invention, the coupling 36 between the second portion 10 and the anchoring member 32 is a preferred feature that preferably rigidly seats the motor in a manner such that brushing vibration energy is optimally transmitted to the mouthpiece. Assuming vibrations in the vertical (z - direction), this can be done, for example, by rigidifying the connection in the z - direction. However, the connection should also be movable in the x - y plane (using the same exemplary coordinate axes) so as to allow the mouthpiece cleaning element 20 to reach the entire dentition including the most posterior part of the oral cavity. Since the teeth are nearly parallel to the x - y plane, an ideal coupling that can provide a combination of flexibility of this movement in the x - y plane and rigidity in the z - direction is desired. By providing the sheet element 42 so as to suppress or inhibit vibrations in the vibration direction (z - direction in this example), it can transmit the holding force when the user bites on the anchoring member 32 to the motor 24 and the handle 10. Thus, the drive unit 24 is held stationary and all the movement generated by the drive unit is used to move the mouthpiece portion 12 (instead of also vibrating the drive unit body and the handle 10).

[0095] The flexibility of movement in the x-y plane can be realized in a plurality of different ways, some of which have already been discussed. Looking at FIGS. 10 and 11, the motivation behind this set of embodiments is to provide a structurally simple arrangement. Here, the thin sheet 42 naturally provides flexibility in the direction perpendicular to its plane and relative rigidity in the direction parallel to its plane.

[0096] The material selected for the sheet can include, for example, nylon or polypropylene. The sheet 42 can have a thickness in the x-direction of, for example, 0.2 to 1 mm (exemplary). The sheet 42 can have dimensions in the z-direction of, for example, 10 to 30 mm.

[0097] The relative rigidity in the z-direction can be achieved, for example, by selecting a rigid material for the sheet and configuring the dimensions of the sheet in the z-direction.

[0098] In such an exemplary arrangement, the user can bend the sheet 42 to enable the necessary mesial-to-distal (and retraction) movement of the mouthpiece portion 12 relative to the anchoring member 32.

[0099] It should be noted that the inventors further recognize that a simple sheet embodiment is not always optimal. This is because the bending points cannot be accurately predicted. As a variant, it is proposed to provide a sheet with specific thin regions to encourage bending to occur only there. In other words, the connecting element of the anchoring member coupling 36 can have a sheet element 42 with a reduced thickness between the second portion 10 and the anchoring member 32. The reduced-thickness portion defines a preferred bending line of the sheet element, and the preferred bending line is perpendicular to the direction in which bending is intended to occur, i.e., in this case, the bending line is parallel to the z-direction. To form the preferred bending line, a preliminary bend such as an S-shape can alternatively be used, facilitating bending along the defined line.

[0100] Another alternative for using the sheet 42 is to use a hinge connection.

[0101] Next, a further exemplary realization of the device according to a specific set of embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14 using the concepts of the present invention summarized above. It should be understood that not all features of this specific set of embodiments are essential to the concepts of the present invention and are not described in order to help understanding and to provide examples for explaining the concepts of the present invention. This set of embodiments can be made the same in all respects as the embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 5, FIGS. 6 to 9 and FIGS. 10 to 11, except for a specific configuration of the couplings 22, 36 or their connecting elements that connect the drive unit 24 to the mouthpiece part 12 and the second part 10 to the anchoring member 32.

[0102] In this set of embodiments, the connecting element of the anchoring member coupling 36 has a rod element. The connecting element is connected to the anchoring member via a pivotable joint or is connected to the second part or the drive unit by a pivotable joint. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 14, it is connected to the anchoring member by a pivotable joint, for example a hinge joint. This allows a rotational movement, for example, only along a single - direction axis.

[0103] In the specific example shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the connecting element 36 of the anchoring member 32 extends from an internal connection point within the anchoring member 32 itself. For example, the anchoring member defines a hollow internal cavity for accommodating the connecting element. In the illustrated example, the internal connection point of the anchoring member defines a pivotable joint, for example a hinge joint.

[0104] This arrangement has several advantages. This is because the pivot point inside the anchoring member is very clearly defined and there is no need to compromise on the rigidity of the material. For the rigid z-direction movement, the most rigid material can be selected. Also, the x-y plane rotational movement at the pivot joint requires little energy. This is because there is no spring force to overcome.

[0105] A potential drawback is that the hinge joint inside the anchoring member 32 can be contaminated by the cleaning fluid. The solution is to place the hinge inside the anchoring member and seal the internal cavity of the anchoring member using a sealing material such as a rubber seal or a cap, as proposed.

[0106] The preferred position of the hinge joint can be a position inside the mouth during use that is as close as possible to the (semi)-circular symmetry point of the arc-shaped curve.

[0107] In the illustrated example, the drive coupling 22 extends in the same direction as the anchoring member coupling 36, for example in a coaxial relationship. For example, the anchoring member coupling 36 can extend through the central bore or cavity of the drive coupling 22.

[0108] According to any embodiment of this invention, during use, the mesial-distal movement (x-y plane movement using the coordinate axes used throughout this disclosure) of the mouthpiece portion relative to the anchoring member that is fixedly held by the user can currently be manually driven. Alternatively, if a hands-free operation is desired, the user can drive this movement using the tongue. In the case of full reach, only one stroke to the right distal and one stroke to the left distal are required and do not require much energy.

[0109] When the coupling 36 operates smoothly, the tongue can indeed have sufficient force to drive this movement. To enable the tongue driving operation, a mechanism may be included to reduce the force required for the lateral movement. For example, engaging the anchoring member 32 itself may assist in driving the force. An additional actuator to support the lateral movement can be added.

[0110] Further optional details related to the anchoring member and conforming to any embodiment of the present invention are briefly described below.

[0111] As already mentioned, in some embodiments, the anchoring member is for the user to bite on. In such a case, it is called a bite block.

[0112] One or more bite blocks can be used. The bite block preferably has sufficient thickness in the z - direction to provide space for the occlusal cleaning elements of the mouthpiece in the rear region. Preferably, it may include structural features to guide the centering and placement of the position of the mouthpiece part 12. It can have a surface with a high coefficient of friction, such as a (hard) rubber finish, for example, to avoid a slipping movement when biting.

[0113] In some embodiments, the device can include sensing means configured such that the user biting the anchoring member 32 triggers the operation of the actuating mechanism. This can include a pressure sensor within the bite block, or a sensitive motion sensor disposed on the bite block or the handle portion 10 to sense the movement of the coupling 36 between the bite block and the handle portion 10. Optimally, the triggering means can be configured such that the actuating mechanism only starts when the bite block is properly seated between the teeth, i.e., when the sensed bite meets the bite condition. This can include the bite force sensor in the bite block starting the operation when the force exceeds a threshold. This function provides the user with a very intuitive control of the brushing power of the mouthpiece. That is, when biting strongly, the force is increased.

[0114] Further optional details related to the actuating mechanism and adaptable to any embodiment of the present invention are briefly described below.

[0115] The drive unit can have one or more motors. The position of the motor can be within the handle portion 10 where the electronic device and the battery are also housed. Alternatively, it can be closer to the mouthpiece portion 12 or even arranged to be inside the mouth during use. Since the preferred motion is z-vibration (when using the coordinate system used in this disclosure), the motor and the associated mechanical system should preferably generate up-and-down vibrations at a sufficiently high frequency, for example, 20 - 200 Hz. Many systems capable of generating such vibrations are known in the art.

[0116] Regarding the drive coupling 22, this connection is preferably rigid at least in the brushing vibration direction, enabling the transmission of the driving motion to the cleaning element. In some embodiments, one or more bending points or hinges are further provided in the drive coupling to adapt to the mesial-distal mouthpiece movement.

[0117] Regarding the mouthpiece portion 12 itself, many alternative mouthpiece designs can be used. Here too, for efficiently supplying the actuating motion to all the mouthpiece cleaning elements 20, rigidity in the brushing vibration direction is preferred, while sufficient flexibility is maintained in the x-y plane to adapt to the curvature of different dental arches of different people and to the change in curvature when moving from the mesial position to the distal position.

[0118] As an optional additional feature, the device can include means for measuring the mesial-distal travel distance (i.e., the travel distance of the mouthpiece portion relative to the anchoring member in the first direction above, e.g., the travel distance relative to a predetermined starting point or neutral point). This makes it possible to provide the user with guidance regarding whether the entire dental arch has been brushed. The measurement of the travel distance can be realized, for example, using a simple strain gauge in the anchoring member coupling 36 or, in the embodiments of FIGS. 10 - 11, in the flexible sheet 42. Calibration can be performed, for example, at the first use, where the user fully pushes the mouthpiece portion 12 backward, thereby measuring the length of the arch that needs to be covered. Alternatively, the system can be configured to learn the length of the individual arch over multiple uses.

[0119] In some embodiments, one or more microprocessors can be included to control one or more elements, such as the drive unit and / or any sensors.

[0120] It should be noted that the embodiments illustrated in the present disclosure related to a C-shaped mouthpiece that extends completely around the user's dental arch, but alternatively, the mouthpiece portion can also extend only around a part of the user's dental arch. Such a mouthpiece design may also be referred to as a J-shaped mouthpiece.

[0121] As a final summary, the advantages of the embodiments of the present invention compared to the prior art include the combination of continuous occlusal seating and flexibility to laterally move the mouthpiece portion within the mouth, which, for example, in an undersized non-custom mouthpiece, facilitates access of the mouthpiece portion to the molars of the back teeth. This provides two important advantages. One is to provide optimal transmission of motion from the drive unit to the cleaning elements on the teeth over the entire duration of use. The other is to enable optimal usability unconsciously. The user only needs to bite on the bite block (for example, activate the operating mechanism and manipulate the mouthpiece portion 12 as far as possible to the molars of the back teeth).

[0122] An advantage over mouthpieces that do not provide an anchoring member is the optimal seating of the motor movement on the teeth.

[0123] Modifications to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art of practicing the invention claimed in the claims from a consideration of the figures, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0124] The mere fact that certain means are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these means cannot be used advantageously.

[0125] Note that where the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or the specification, it is intended that the term "adapted to" be equivalent to the term "configured to".

[0126] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An oral care device, comprising a mouthpiece portion for at least partial reception in a user's mouth, wherein a body of the mouthpiece portion defines an arcuate profile so as to substantially follow at least a part of a contour of a user's dental arch, the mouthpiece portion carrying a set of oral cleaning elements for mechanically engaging teeth during operation, a second portion coupled to the mouthpiece portion, an actuating mechanism for actuating movement of the cleaning elements relative to the second portion and relative to the teeth when the mouthpiece portion is received in the oral cavity, and an anchoring member engagable by a part of the user's mouth when the mouthpiece portion is received in the mouth for normal use, the anchoring member being held in a fixed position relative to the jaw, the anchoring member not being attached to the mouthpiece portion, the anchoring member being movable relative to the mouthpiece portion, the anchoring member being mechanically coupled to the second portion via an anchoring member coupling, the anchoring member coupling being such as to allow relative movement between the anchoring member and the mouthpiece portion at least in a first direction, the first direction being transverse to a direction of movement of the cleaning elements, the anchoring member coupling being such as to at least partially prevent relative movement between the anchoring member and the mouthpiece portion in a second direction, the second direction being substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the cleaning elements.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second portion is for remaining outside the mouth during use when the mouthpiece portion is received in the mouth.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the anchoring member coupling is rigid in the second direction and flexible or pivotable in the first direction.

4. The arc-shaped contour defined by the main body of the mouthpiece portion lies in a plane, and the first direction is parallel to the plane. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The anchoring member is for the user to bite. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. When the mouthpiece portion is received in the oral cavity for normal use, the first direction is oriented so as to be substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis extending between the upper jaw and the lower jaw. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The second portion is the handle portion of the oral care device, and the handle portion houses the drive unit of the actuating mechanism that generates the driving force of the movement. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The anchoring member coupling has a connecting element extending from the anchoring member to the drive unit, or a connecting element extending from the anchoring member to a position within or above the housing of the second portion. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The connecting element has at least a portion formed by a flexible sheet element, the plane of the flexible sheet element is oriented in a direction parallel to the second direction, and the normal of the plane is oriented parallel to the first direction. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The connecting element has a sheet element with a portion where the thickness is reduced, the portion where the thickness is reduced defines a preferred bending line of the sheet element, and the preferred bending line is perpendicular to the first direction. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The connecting element has a non-flexible element, and the connecting element is connected to the anchoring member via a pivotable joint or is connected to the second part or the drive unit by a pivotable joint, according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Claim 12 The connecting element extends from a connection point inside the anchoring member, and preferably, the anchoring member includes a hollow internal cavity for accommodating the connecting element, according to any one of claims 1 to 11. Claim 13 The connection point inside the anchoring member defines a pivotable joint, according to claim 12. Claim 14 The drive unit is a motor, according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images