Oral hygiene care

Abstract

An oral cleaning device for an oral care device that enables rotation of a cleaning element unit having at least two groups of cleaning elements defining different respective spatial / geometric arrangements / patterns, wherein both groups of cleaning elements can be angled in such a manner as to be simultaneously applied to the tooth surfaces to be cleaned.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of oral cleaning, and more particularly to the field of oral cleaning devices.

Background Art

[0002] Within the realm of personal oral cleaning, it remains an issue to optimize the structure and configuration of oral cleaning devices to enable optimal cleaning performance for all types of teeth and all areas of each tooth.

[0003] One area of growth in development is the field of brushing mouthpieces. Brushing mouthpieces have the potential to disrupt the toothbrush market in the future because they can brush faster, more consistently, and more completely than toothbrushes. However, to date, an acceptable cleaning mouthpiece that can compete with a regular toothbrush in terms of cleaning function has not reached the market. The design of a brushing mouthpiece that functions like a manual toothbrush has proven to be a major challenge.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Research conducted by the inventors of the present invention has found that in any type of oral cleaning device, in order to achieve good overall interdental and gingival margin cleaning, ideally, more than one cleaning element layout is required in a single device. For example, the optimal length of the cleaning element for interdental cleaning is longer than the optimal length of the cleaning element for gingival margin cleaning, and the optimal angle of extension of the cleaning element may also be different. However, it has been found that providing both of these optimal cleaning element layouts in one oral cleaning device raises new problems. In particular, the inventors have recognized that the different lengths or angles of extension of the cleaning elements have the effect of making it difficult to engage all types of cleaning elements that contact the tooth surface at once. For example, the longer cleaning elements can even prevent the smaller gingival margin cleaning elements from reaching the tooth. This can be a problem even in conventional toothbrushes. Similar problems are caused by different angles of extension, and it is difficult to bring all the cleaning elements into contact with the tooth at once.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention is defined by the claims.

[0006] According to an embodiment according to one aspect of the present invention, an oral cleaning device is provided.

[0007] The oral cleaning device has a main body and at least one cleaning element unit. The cleaning element unit has a base and further has at least two groups of cleaning elements standing upright from the base. Each group defines a spatial layout, a height profile, and / or an angle profile of the cleaning elements with respect to the base. The two groups are spaced apart from each other by a gap. The cleaning element unit is connected to the main body by a coupling that enables a pivoting or angular movement of the cleaning element unit base with respect to the main body. The oral cleaning device is configured to engage the user's teeth with the cleaning elements of at least one cleaning element unit during use, and the coupling is such that it enables a change in the angle of the base with respect to the teeth with which the device is engaged.

[0008] Accordingly, the proposed concept aims to provide plans, solutions, concepts, designs, methods, and systems related to oral cleaning devices.

[0009] Specifically, embodiments aim to provide an oral cleaning device having a pivotable cleaning element unit, thereby enabling the cleaning element unit to optimally align with the tooth surface, such that at least two groups of cleaning elements can both contact the teeth simultaneously. If the cleaning element unit cannot pivot, the cleaning elements may no longer push the cleaning element unit away from the teeth and potentially prevent shorter cleaning elements from reaching the teeth. Pivoting prevents this because, until the shorter cleaning elements also reach and press against the teeth, the force from any longer cleaning elements causes the cleaning element unit to pivot.

[0010] In other words, it is proposed that a pivotable cleaning element unit enables the unit to pivot in response to the forces exerted on its cleaning elements. For example, if only the cleaning elements on one side of the cleaning element unit are engaged with the teeth, the force on that side of the unit will be greater than the force on the side of the unit where the cleaning elements are not engaged, and thus the unit will pivot until the forces are balanced, i.e., until the cleaning elements on both sides of the unit are engaged with the teeth.

[0011] By enabling the cleaning element unit to pivot, the cleaning element unit can potentially include groups of cleaning elements with different spatial layouts, height profiles, and / or angle profiles. This achieves good overall interdental and gingival line cleaning while offsetting the problem of different groups of cleaning elements interfering with each other.

[0012] By providing an oral cleaning device having a pivotable cleaning element unit, embodiments can support improved overall tooth cleaning. Accordingly, improved oral healthcare can be provided by the proposed concept.

[0013] Finally, the improved oral cleaning device can be supported by the proposed concept(s).

[0014] In some embodiments, the cleaning element unit may have two groups of cleaning elements. Research by the inventors has shown that two groups of cleaning elements can be an optimal number for good overall cleaning of teeth.

[0015] In some embodiments, the joint may define a linear axis of rotation, and the base of the cleaning element unit is pivotable about said linear axis of rotation.

[0016] In some embodiments, the linear axis of rotation defined by the joint extends through the body of the base of the cleaning element unit, preferably extends substantially parallel to the surface of the base where the two groups of cleaning elements stand upright, or at least overlaps with the area covered by the cleaning element base.

[0017] In some embodiments, the joint may define a linear axis of rotation that extends through a gap between at least two groups of cleaning elements.

[0018] In some embodiments, each of the groups of cleaning elements is spaced apart from the axis of rotation defined by the joint.

[0019] In some embodiments, there are at least two groups of cleaning elements disposed on different respective sides of the linear axis of rotation defined by the joint.

[0020] In some embodiments, at least a part of the cleaning device is for receiving in the oral cavity for normal use, and the cleaning device is configured such that the point or axis of rotation defined by the joint between the cleaning element unit and the body is arranged to be received in the oral cavity when the cleaning device is received in the oral cavity for normal use. This provides improved operability as the cleaning unit can pivot about a point or axis that is inside the mouth during normal use.

[0021] In some embodiments, at least one cleaning element unit is located within a cavity or recess formed within the body. In some embodiments, at least one cleaning unit is supported within the cavity by a swivel joint. The cleaning element preferably has sufficient clearance within the cavity to swivel at different angles relative to the body.

[0022] In some embodiments, a group of cleaning elements may define different spatial layouts, height profiles, and / or angular profiles of the cleaning elements relative to each other, when compared to each other. This allows a group of cleaning elements to be specifically optimized for cleaning different regions of the teeth. For example, different cleaning element designs are required to effectively clean the gingival margin and the interdental regions. For example, the gingival margin region may be optimally cleaned with a 45° cleaning element roll angle, while the interdental region may be optimally cleaned with a 90° cleaning element roll angle. Longer cleaning elements may better clean the interdental regions, and shorter cleaning elements may better clean the gingival margin region.

[0023] In some embodiments, the aforementioned joint may be such as to allow a change in the angle between the body and the directivity axis of the cleaning element unit extending from a first group of cleaning elements to a second group of cleaning elements. Changing this angle allows the cleaning element unit to swivel such that both the first group of cleaning elements and the second group of cleaning elements come into contact with the tooth surface for cleaning. For example, one group is angled towards the tooth and the other group is angled away from the tooth, which allows both groups to contact the tooth with a similar force.

[0024] In some embodiments, the coupling may be such as to limit the linear movement of the base relative to the body along a direction defined by an axis extending from the first cleaning element group to the second cleaning element group. This can prevent the transfer of movement from the optimal brushing movement to the movement of the coupling, thereby preventing the limitation of the brushing operation and reach. Brushing can be optimal when the cleaning element unit is stiff in the main direction of brushing.

[0025] In some embodiments, each group of cleaning elements may define an elongated footprint on the base. Research has shown that groups of cleaning elements in an elongated shape, such as in a vertical line, perform better than groups of cleaning elements in other layouts. A group of cleaning elements having an elongated footprint may also require a lower normal force to effectively clean the teeth, thereby increasing the user's comfort while minimizing the required brushing energy.

[0026] In some embodiments, the width of the elongated footprint may be less than 6 mm. Cleaning elements in a narrow layout can fit most optimally into the narrow vertical spaces between the teeth and can be more effective in contour-following of the dental arch than other layouts.

[0027] Each of the groups of cleaning elements is preferably spaced apart by a gap relative to any pivot axis about which the cleaning element unit pivots, and pivoting about that axis changes the angle of the group of cleaning elements relative to the tooth surface. In other words, the groups of cleaning elements are preferably not located at all at the position of the pivot axis.

[0028] In some embodiments, the coupling portion may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of the base on which the cleaning elements extend and may allow for a rotational movement of the base relative to the body in at least a first plane of rotation that extends along the direction from the first group of cleaning elements to the second group of cleaning elements, preferably both the first and second groups of cleaning elements define parallel elongate installation areas on a base having a certain length, and the plane of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the direction of said length. The rotational movement of the base relative to the body in this plane of rotation allows both the first and second groups of cleaning elements to contact the tooth surface being cleaned with similar forces during use.

[0029] In some embodiments, the coupling portion may further allow for a rotational movement of the base relative to the body in a second plane of rotation that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of the base on which the cleaning elements extend and extends along a direction perpendicular to the line from the first group of cleaning elements to the second group of cleaning elements. This may allow for some additional contour following of the cleaning element unit, for example, in cases where the lower portion of the tooth is thinner than the upper portion, such as in the case of the geometry of incisors and canines.

[0030] In some embodiments, the oral cleaning device may be for use as part of a brushing mouthpiece device. The oral cleaning device may have a mouthpiece portion for at least partial reception in the mouth during use. The body of the mouthpiece portion may define a tooth receiving channel having an arcuate contour shaped to generally follow at least a portion of the contour of the user's dental arch to allow reception of the dental arch into the channel. At least one cleaning element unit may be configured such that the cleaning elements of the first and second cleaning element groups extend into the channel, for example from the side, for engagement with the tooth surfaces during use. The coupling may have a connection point displaced from the cleaning element unit at a position between the sides of the channel, for example integrated with the floor of the channel. The coupling may further have an arm extending from the connection point to the base of the cleaning element unit. The connection point may allow angular or rocking movement (e.g., pivoting movement) of the arm, allowing rocking of the cleaning element unit along an arc relative to the connection point, thereby varying the angle of the cleaning element unit relative to the tooth surfaces of the teeth received in the channel.

[0031] The mouthpiece device may particularly benefit from the pivotable oral cleaning device described in this application since the user cannot adapt the orientation of the cleaning elements themselves.

[0032] In some embodiments, the brushing mouthpiece device may have a plurality of cleaning element units at a series of positions along the arcuate contour defined by the mouthpiece portion for cleaning teeth at different positions along the dental arch. This may provide a mouthpiece device in which different cleaning element layouts can be optimally positioned at predetermined positions along the dental arch for engagement with a given tooth type. In some embodiments, the oral cleaning device may include a pair of cleaning element units that face each other from opposite positions across the channel for cleaning different sides of the teeth received within the channel. The cleaning element units may each be connected to the same connection point by arms that extend in opposite directions, and the pivoting movement of the pair of cleaning element units is coupled such that the two pivot together about the connection point. This enables both sides of the teeth to be cleaned simultaneously.

[0033] In some embodiments, the brushing mouthpiece device may have upper and lower tooth receiving channels for simultaneously receiving upper and lower rows of teeth, separated from each other by a mutual channel floor that integrates the connection point and the arms, and the oral cleaning device may include at least one cleaning element unit configured to engage the teeth received in each of the upper and lower tooth receiving channels. This enables both the upper and lower teeth to be cleaned with the same device and potentially simultaneously.

[0034] In some embodiments, each of the aforementioned pairs of opposing cleaning element units may have an upper section and a lower section configured to simultaneously engage the teeth within the upper and lower channels of the mouthpiece device, and each section may have a first and a second group of cleaning elements respectively. This provides one efficient configuration for enabling both the upper and lower rows of teeth to be cleaned with the same mouthpiece device and potentially simultaneously.

[0035] In some embodiments, the oral cleaning device may further have a functional component for performing an oral cleaning function mounted at a position within the gap between the first group of cleaning elements and the second group of cleaning elements, and optionally, the functional component is one of a light source, a source of a high-frequency field, at least a pair of electrodes, or one or more nozzles for discharging fluid. This may enable optimization of the space available in the oral cleaning device for the advantage of further improving oral care.

[0036] In some embodiments, the oral irrigator may form a brush head for a toothbrush. This can provide an improved toothbrush that enables better overall tooth cleaning. The body may be, for example, the platen of the brush head. The body may be part of the brush head for being received in the oral cavity during use, and as a result, the base of each cleaning element unit may be rotatable with respect to the portion received in the oral cavity to improve operability.

[0037] In some embodiments, the gap between the first cleaning element group and the second cleaning element group is greater than 2 mm, for example, at least 3 to 20 mm. This corresponds to approximately 0.5 to 2 tooth widths, and research has shown that this gap between groups of cleaning elements is particularly advantageous.

[0038] In some embodiments, the maximum height of the cleaning elements of the first group in the direction perpendicular to the base may be greater than the maximum height of the cleaning elements of the second group in the direction perpendicular to the base. Preferably, the maximum height of the cleaning elements of the first group is 4 to 10 mm, and preferably, the maximum height of the cleaning elements of the second group is 2 to 6 mm. Research has shown that these height combinations may be optimal for good overall tooth cleaning.

[0039] In some embodiments, the cleaning elements of the first group of cleaning elements may extend from the base at a first angle, and the cleaning elements of the second group of cleaning elements may extend from the base at a different second angle. The second angle is shallower than the first angle. Preferably, the second angle is 40° to 90°, more preferably about 45°, and preferably, the first angle is 80° to 90°, more preferably about 90°. Research has shown that these angle combinations may be optimal for good overall tooth cleaning.

[0040] In some embodiments, the coupling may be such as to limit the rotational movement of the base relative to the body about a rectilinear axis of rotation perpendicular to the surface of the base on which the cleaning element extends. This can prevent the transfer of movement to the movement of the coupling of the optimal brushing movement, thereby preventing the limitation of the brushing operation and reach.

[0041] In some embodiments, the coupling may define a rectilinear axis of rotation at a distance from the base, and the cleaning element unit may be connected to the position of the axis of rotation by an arm structure. This can allow the pivoting point to be at a distance from the cleaning element unit while still allowing the angling of both the first cleaning element group and the second cleaning element group towards the surface of the teeth to be cleaned during use, thereby defining the orbital movement of the cleaning element unit.

[0042] In some embodiments, the cleaning device may further comprise an actuating device for driving the periodic or regular movement of the oral cleaning device. Research has shown that the vibrating tapping movement of the cleaning elements can provide improved tooth cleaning.

[0043] In some embodiments, the oral cleaning device may have a plurality of cleaning element units arranged side by side. This can simultaneously enable improved cleaning of a plurality of teeth.

[0044] Another aspect of the present invention is an oral care device having an oral cleaning device according to any example or embodiment described in the present disclosure, or according to any claim of the present application. The oral care device can be a brushing mouthpiece device.

[0045] The oral care device may further comprise actuating means for inducing a periodic or regular movement of the cleaning elements during operation.

[0046] In some embodiments, the periodic or regular movement can be a linear periodic movement along a linear axis. In some embodiments, the coupling may be such that the cleaning element unit base is rotatable about an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the linear axis of the movement with respect to the body of the oral cleaning device. This can provide improved cleaning of the teeth with less effort expended by the user of the oral care device.

[0047] In some embodiments, the coupling of the oral care device may be such as to prevent linear movement of the cleaning element unit base with respect to the body of the oral cleaning device along the direction of the linear axis. This can prevent the transmission of movement to the movement of the coupling of the optimal brushing movement, thereby preventing limitations of the brushing operation and reach.

[0048] Thus, a concept can be proposed for providing an oral cleaning device that is rotatable with respect to a body such that at least one cleaning element unit is angled towards the tooth surfaces to be cleaned by both the first cleaning element group and the second cleaning element group.

[0049] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from and be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0050] For a better understanding of the present invention and to more clearly show how the present invention is implemented, the accompanying drawings are referred to by way of example only.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0051]

Fig. 1a

Fig. 1b

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Fig. 7a

Fig. 7b

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0053] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples show exemplary embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods, but 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 devices, systems, and methods 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. Also, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0054] Modifications to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art when practicing the claimed invention from a review of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality.

[0055] Implementations according to the present disclosure relate to various techniques, methods, schemes, and / or solutions related to assisting a user's oral healthcare routine. According to the proposed concept, several solutions can be implemented separately or together. That is, these possible solutions can be described separately below, but two or more of these possible solutions can be implemented in one combination or another combination.

[0056] Embodiments of the present invention aim to provide an oral cleaning device for an oral care device that provides improved tooth cleaning by enabling the rotation of a cleaning element unit having at least two groups of cleaning elements that define different respective spatial / geometric arrangements / patterns, such that both groups of cleaning elements can be angled so as to be applied simultaneously to the tooth surfaces being cleaned. If the cleaning element unit were not rotatable, the cleaning elements could potentially push the cleaning element unit away from the teeth and potentially prevent any shorter cleaning elements from reaching the teeth. The rotation prevents this because the force from any longer cleaning element causes the cleaning element unit to rotate until the shorter cleaning elements also reach the teeth and press against them.

[0057] Accordingly, the proposed concept provides an oral cleaning device comprising a rotatable cleaning element unit and a device comprising the oral cleaning device, such that both groups of cleaning elements are guaranteed to contact the teeth during brushing, thereby aiming to provide improved tooth cleaning.

[0058] The problems the inventors are attempting to address are further illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b. These figures show schematic views of oral cleaning devices that do not embody the present invention. In FIG. 1a, the cleaning element unit 100 has a group of longer cleaning elements 314 and a group of shorter cleaning elements 312. As can be seen, the group of longer cleaning elements 314 keeps the cleaning element unit 100 too far from the teeth 150 for the group of shorter cleaning elements 312 to reach the teeth. FIG. 1b shows a similar problem when both groups of cleaning elements include cleaning elements of the same height. As can be seen, the first group of cleaning elements 322 is engaging the tooth surface 150, but this is preventing the other group of cleaning elements 324 from engaging the interproximal gaps. In both of the depicted cases, there is inadequate cleaning of all oral surface regions due to the fact that the cleaning elements cannot reach all areas of the teeth during cleaning.

[0059] The implementation of the present invention, which forms the basis of the present invention, is the addition of a coupling that connects the cleaning element unit to the body, enabling the swiveling or angular movement of the cleaning element unit base 110 relative to the body, which allows both groups of cleaning elements to contact the teeth. An additional degree of freedom is effectively introduced.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 2, a schematic cross-sectional view of an oral cleaning device according to the proposed embodiment is shown. FIG. 2 (left) shows the cleaning device alone according to this set of embodiments, and FIG. 2 (right) shows the cleaning device used for cleaning the teeth.

[0061] The oral cleaning device 10 has at least one cleaning element unit 100 which itself has a base 110 and at least two groups 112 and 114 of cleaning elements standing upright from the base, each group defining a different respective spatial layout, height profile and / or angular profile of the cleaning elements with respect to the base. The two groups are spaced apart from each other by a gap 116. The cleaning element unit is connected to the body 122 of the oral cleaning device by a joint 120 which enables a pivoting or angular movement of the cleaning element unit base 110 with respect to the body 122.

[0062] In the illustrated example, the cleaning element unit 100 is located within a cavity or recess formed within the body 122 and is supported by a pivotal connection such that the cleaning element unit has sufficient clearance within the cavity to pivot at different angles with respect to the body 122. The body may be, for example, the whole or a part of an oral cleaning device such as a toothbrush head or a mouthpiece. This configuration is not essential, as will become apparent by the presentation of further examples. It is presented here as one simple example for the purpose of explaining the concept. Although one cleaning element unit 100 is shown, a plurality may alternatively be provided.

[0063] The oral cleaning device is configured to engage the cleaning elements 112 and 114 of at least one cleaning element unit 100 with the user's teeth 150 during use, and the coupling portion 120 is such that it allows a change in the angle of the base 110 with respect to the teeth with which the device is engaged. In some embodiments, the coupling portion may be such that it allows a change in the angle between the body 122 and the direction axis 124 of the cleaning element unit extending from the first cleaning element group 114 to the second cleaning element group 112. This change in angle allows the cleaning element unit to pivot such that both the first cleaning element group and the second cleaning element group can contact the surface of the teeth being cleaned during use. The coupling portion 120 may also be such that it restricts the linear movement of the base with respect to the body along the direction defined by the axis 124 extending from the first cleaning element group 114 to the second cleaning element group 112. This can prevent the transfer of the optimal brushing motion to the movement of the coupling portion, thereby preventing the restriction of the brushing operation and reach. Brushing can be optimal when the cleaning element unit is rigid in the main direction of brushing. In this way, there may also be embodiments where the force required for optimal brushing is maintained and a tapping motion is induced in the cleaning elements to further improve the brushing performance.

[0064] The cleaning elements can have, as non-limiting examples, tufts of bristles, individual bristles, or any other element or member suitable for cleaning the surface of the teeth. As non-limiting examples, the coupling portion can be a pivot point, two pivot points, three pivot points, a plurality of pivot points, a hinge, a ball joint, a flexible structure, i.e., silicone rubber, a spring, two springs, three springs, a plurality of springs, or any other suitable coupling portion that allows a change in the angle between the direction axis 124 of the cleaning element unit extending from the first cleaning element group 112 to the second cleaning element group 114 and the body.

[0065] As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the cleaning element unit 100 may have two groups of cleaning elements 112 and 114. Research has shown that two groups of cleaning elements are the optimal number for good overall cleaning of teeth. This is particularly useful in some embodiments, such as those shown in FIG. 2, when the groups of cleaning elements may define different spatial layouts, height profiles, and / or angle profiles of the cleaning elements relative to each other. This allows the groups of cleaning elements to be specifically optimized for cleaning different regions of the teeth. For example, different cleaning element designs are required to effectively clean the gingival margin and the interdental regions. For example, the gingival margin region may be optimally cleaned with a cleaning element roll angle of 45°, while the interdental region may be optimally cleaned with a cleaning element roll angle of 90°. Longer cleaning elements may better clean the interdental regions, and shorter cleaning elements may better clean the gingival margin region.

[0066] In some embodiments, the maximum height of the cleaning elements of the first group 114 in a direction perpendicular to the base 110 may be greater than the maximum height of the cleaning elements of the second group 112 in a direction perpendicular to the base. Preferably, the maximum height of the cleaning elements of the first group 114 is 4 to 10 mm, and preferably, the maximum height of the cleaning elements of the second group 112 is 2 to 6 mm. Research has shown that these height combinations may be optimal for good overall tooth cleaning.

[0067] The maximum height of the cleaning elements of the first group 114 may be 4 to 10 mm, 5 to 9 mm, or 6 to 8 mm. The maximum height of the cleaning elements of the second group 112 may be 2 to 6 mm or 3 to 5 mm.

[0068] Although not shown in the example of FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the cleaning elements of the first group 114 of cleaning elements may extend from the base 110 at a first angle, and the cleaning elements of the second group 112 of cleaning elements may extend from the base at a different second angle. The second angle may be shallower than the first angle. The second angle may be from 40° to 90°, more preferably about 45°. The first angle may be, for example, from 80° to 90°, more preferably about 90°. Studies have shown that these combinations of angles may be optimal for good overall tooth cleaning.

[0069] The second angle may be between 40 and 90°, between 50 and 80°, or between 60 and 70°, but most preferably about 45°.

[0070] In some embodiments, the coupling may be such as to limit the rotational movement of the base 110 relative to the body about a linear axis of rotation perpendicular to the surface of the base 110 from which the cleaning elements extend. This may prevent the transfer of motion of the optimal brushing motion to the motion of the coupling, thereby preventing limitations in the brushing action and reach.

[0071] In some embodiments, the coupling is oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of the base from which the cleaning elements extend and extends along the direction from the first group 114 of cleaning elements to the second group 112 of cleaning elements, enabling rotational movement of the base 110 relative to the body at least within a first plane of rotation, preferably both the first and second groups of cleaning elements define a parallel elongate shape having a length, and the plane of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the direction of said length. The rotational movement of the base relative to the body in this plane of rotation enables both the first and second groups of cleaning elements to be angled towards the surface 150 of the teeth being cleaned during use.

[0072] In some embodiments, the coupling portion is oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of the base on which the cleaning elements extend, and enables further rotational movement of the base 110 relative to the body in a second plane of rotation that extends along a direction perpendicular to the line from the first group 114 of cleaning elements to the second group 112 of cleaning elements. This can allow for some additional contour following of the cleaning element unit, for example, in the case of the geometric shape of incisors and canines, when the lower portion of the tooth is thinner than the upper portion.

[0073] In some embodiments, the gap 116 between the first group 114 of cleaning elements and the second group 112 of cleaning elements is at least 3 to 20 mm. This corresponds to approximately 0.5 to 2 tooth widths, and studies have shown that this gap between groups of cleaning elements is optimal. The gap may be 3 to 20 mm, 5 to 18 mm, 7 to 16 mm, 9 to 14 mm, or 11 to 12 mm.

[0074] In some embodiments, the oral cleaning device may further include a functional component for performing an oral care function attached at a position within the gap 116 between the first group 114 of cleaning elements and the second group 112 of cleaning elements. Optionally, the functional component is one of a light source, a source of a high-frequency field, at least a pair of electrodes, or one or more nozzles for discharging fluid. This can enable optimization of the space available in the oral cleaning device for the advantage of further improving oral care. For example, the functional component may be a nozzle for toothpaste.

[0075] The cleaning device 10 may be a section or component or part of an oral care device or system. For example, the cleaning element unit may be attached to the body 122 of an oral care device or system. In one set of embodiments, it is proposed that it be rotatably attached to the body of the brush head portion of a toothbrush, for example, such that the brush head is removably attached to the toothbrush handle. In other cases, it can form part of a brushing mouthpiece device.

[0076] The oral cleaning device forms one aspect of the present invention. An oral care device having an oral cleaning device, for example, the oral cleaning device forms another aspect of the present invention.

[0077] Referring now to FIG. 3, a simplified plan view of a cleaning element unit 100 according to the proposed embodiment is shown. Exemplary embodiments of two groups 112 and 114 of cleaning elements having different spatial layouts can be seen. Group 114 includes three rows of cleaning elements. Group 112 includes one row of cleaning elements. Not only do they have different spatial layouts from each other, but the two groups may have cleaning elements at different heights and / or angles relative to the base 110.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 3, in an exemplary embodiment, each group 112 and 114 of cleaning elements may define an elongated installation area on the base 110. Research has shown that a group of cleaning elements in an elongated shape, i.e., a vertical line, performs better than groups of cleaning elements in other layouts. A group of cleaning elements having an elongated installation area also requires a low vertical force to perform good cleaning, thereby enhancing user comfort while minimizing the required brushing energy. In some embodiments, the width of the elongated installation area may be less than 6 mm. Cleaning elements in a narrow layout can fit optimally into the narrow vertical space between the teeth 150 and may be more effective in following the contour of the dental arch than other layouts. A narrow layout may include one row of cleaning elements, two rows of cleaning elements, three rows of cleaning elements, or any other suitable number while maintaining a narrow layout of the group of cleaning elements. In multiple rows of cleaning elements, the cleaning elements should be small and spaced closely together to maintain a narrow layout for optimal cleaning.

[0079] To aid understanding of the embodiments described in the next part of the present disclosure, FIG. 4 shows a simplified diagram showing the general structure of an exemplary brushing mouthpiece device known in the art. A mouthpiece device 8 is shown having an arch-shaped mouthpiece portion 12 for insertion into the mouth and a handle 52 attached thereto. The mouthpiece portion body 12 has upper and lower tooth receiving channels 16 (the lower channel is not visible), each channel being bounded on both sides by boundary walls 18a, 18b, and from each of the boundary walls, an array of cleaning elements 20 extending into the channel 16 projects. The tooth receiving channels define an arcuate profile 30 shaped to generally follow the contour of at least a portion of the user's dental arch. Such devices can clean teeth more quickly and efficiently compared to toothbrushes, but contour following is an important issue in current mouthpiece devices.

[0080] As briefly described previously, in some embodiments, the coupling portion 120 may define a linear axis of rotation at a distance from the base 110, and the cleaning element unit 100 may be connected to the position of the axis of rotation by an arm structure. This can allow there to be a pivot point at a distance from the cleaning element unit while still allowing both the first cleaning element group 114 and the second cleaning element group 112 to be angled towards the tooth surface 150 to be cleaned during use, thereby defining the orbital movement of the cleaning element unit. Here, an example of a device that realizes such a design is described.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 5, a simplified cross-sectional view of a cross-section of a brushing mouthpiece device including an oral cleaning device 401 according to a proposed embodiment is shown. A cross-sectional plan view of one length section 12a of the arcuate mouthpiece portion body 12, shown as a straight line for ease of explanation, is shown. The direction of the arcuate profile 30 is shown. The mouthpiece portion defines a tooth receiving channel 16. In the illustrated example, the oral cleaning device has a plurality of cleaning element units 400. However, this is not essential and only one can be provided.

[0082] In the illustrated example, the cleaning element unit 400 is configured such that the cleaning elements of the first cleaning element group 314 and the second cleaning element group 312 of each cleaning element unit 400 extend into the channel 16 from the side of the channel for engagement with the tooth surface during use. The channel may have boundary walls 18a, 18b, and the cleaning element unit 400 is supported such that the cleaning elements extend into the channel 16 from the wall. Alternatively, the cleaning element unit 400 itself may define a boundary for the channel.

[0083] There is a coupling provided between the cleaning element unit 400 and the mouthpiece body 12. In this set of embodiments, the mouthpiece body 12 provides the body 120 previously referred to in this disclosure to which the cleaning element unit is coupled. In this case, the coupling has at least one connection point 430 displaced from each cleaning element unit 400 at a position between both sides of the channel 16 and is integrated, for example, into the floor of the channel. In the illustrated example, there is a series of connection points 430, one for each pair of cleaning element units facing each other from opposite respective sides of the channel 16.

[0084] The coupling further has an arm 435 extending from each respective connection point 430 to the cleaning element unit base 110 for each cleaning element unit 400. The connection point allows for a pivoting movement of the arm, thereby allowing the cleaning element unit 400 to rock along an arc 432 with respect to the connection point 430, thereby changing the angle of the cleaning element unit 400 with respect to the tooth surface of the tooth received within the channel. The said or each arm 435 may include a horizontal section embedded within a cavity below the floor of the channel 16 and a vertical section that connects directly to the cleaning element unit 400 such that the unit can be supported in a raised position above the channel floor within the channel.

[0085] In the configuration of FIG. 5, the oral cleaning device 401 has a series of pairs of cleaning element units 400 that face each other from opposite positions across the mouthpiece channel 16, each cleaning the opposite side of the teeth received in the channel. Both cleaning element units 400 of each pair may be connected to a common connection point 430 by arms 435 that extend in opposite directions, respectively. The pivoting movement of the pair of cleaning element units may be coupled together such that the two cleaning element units swing together pivotably about the connection point. This enables both sides of the teeth to be cleaned simultaneously.

[0086] In the illustrated example, the connection points of the plurality of pairs of cleaning element units are mechanically coupled via a shaft 420. The section of the shaft connecting any two adjacent pairs of cleaning element units allows the cleaning element units to be positioned at defined positions along the user's dental arch, such that they may be of different lengths, for example, to accommodate the increasing size of the teeth from incisors to molars. Also, the length of each arm 435 can vary to accommodate the various widths of the teeth. The layout of each group of cleaning elements on each different cleaning element unit may also vary to optimize the cleaning of the different teeth to be cleaned. Since the user cannot directly manipulate the orientation of the cleaning elements themselves, the user may particularly benefit from the pivotable oral cleaning device described in the present application.

[0087] Generally, the provided mouthpiece device may be configured to clean all or a portion of the user's dental arch, such as half of the dental arch, or a smaller portion of the dental arch. As an example, the overall shape of the brushing mouthpiece device may be a C-shape for treating the entire jaw, or a J-shape for treating, for example, half of the jaw, or an even smaller shape for treating a plurality of teeth spanning a smaller portion of the jaw.

[0088] Referring now to FIG. 6, a schematic view of a section of the brushing mouthpiece device of FIG. 5 in use is shown. It can be seen more clearly how the cleaning element unit 400 can engage on both sides of the tooth 150. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a plurality of cleaning element units are arranged in a series of positions along an arcuate contour 30 defined by the mouthpiece portion of the brushing mouthpiece device to clean teeth at different positions along the dental arch. This allows the mouthpiece device to brush a plurality of teeth at once. The brushing mouthpiece device may also have an upper tooth receiving channel and a lower tooth receiving channel for simultaneously receiving upper and lower rows of teeth, separated from each other by an interchannel floor that integrates connection points and arms, and the device includes at least one cleaning element unit configured to engage the teeth received in each of the upper tooth receiving channel and the lower tooth receiving channel. This allows both the upper and lower teeth to be cleaned with the same device and potentially simultaneously.

[0089] In some embodiments, each pair of cleaning element units 400 may have upper and lower sections arranged to engage the teeth 150 in the upper and lower channels of the mouthpiece device simultaneously. Each section may have first and second groups of cleaning elements, respectively. This provides an alternative way in which both upper and lower teeth can be cleaned with the same mouthpiece device and potentially simultaneously.

[0090] In some embodiments, the oral cleaning device may further have a motor for driving vibrations within the oral cleaning device. The motor may be disposed on a rigid bar 420 that connects a pair of arms 435 together. Alternatively, the motor may be disposed within the handle 52. Also, there may be more than one motor or different types of actuators to induce the intended motion. Research has shown that a vibrating tapping motion of the cleaning elements can provide improved tooth cleaning.

[0091] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the oral cleaning device may have a plurality of cleaning element units 400 arranged side by side. This may enable improved cleaning of a plurality of teeth 150 simultaneously.

[0092] Referring now to FIGS. 7a and 7b, side profiles and plan views of a toothbrush head including an oral cleaning device according to the proposed embodiment are shown. For example, in one embodiment, an oral cleaning device may be provided having two cleaning element units 100a, 100b and a body 122 to which each cleaning element unit 100a, 100b is pivotally coupled via a coupling portion 120. In this case, the body 120 forms the body of the toothbrush head 430 or the plate of the toothbrush head. The cleaning element units may have a mirror layout of groups 112 and 114 of cleaning elements. In contrast to more than two, the use of two cleaning element units may reduce interference between the cleaning elements. The addition of any more cleaning element units may be sub-optimal since interference between the cleaning elements may reduce contour following. The coupling portion may be a rotary pivot or a flexible rubber connection. A flexible rubber connection may provide functionality similar to a rotary pivot but with less risk of contamination, i.e., less likelihood that dry-brushing will interfere with the performance of the coupling portion. This may provide an improved toothbrush enabling better overall tooth cleaning.

[0093] In any of the embodiments described herein, the cleaning device includes at least a portion that is received in the oral cavity during use. Preferably, the coupling between the cleaning unit and the body of the device is such that it defines at least one axis of rotation passing through at least a portion that is received in the oral cavity.

[0094] Another aspect of the present invention provides an oral care device having an oral cleaning device according to any of the embodiments described in this disclosure or any of the claims of this application.

[0095] In some embodiments, the oral care device is a toothbrush.

[0096] In some embodiments, the oral care device is, in particular, an electric toothbrush.

[0097] The cleaning device may form the head of the toothbrush. This may be configured, for example, to be releasably coupled to the handle section of the toothbrush.

[0098] The aforementioned body about which the cleaning unit(s) pivot(s) may be all or part of the platen of the brush head, the platen being for reception in the mouth during operation.

[0099] In some embodiments, the oral care device may be a brushing mouthpiece device.

[0100] The cleaning device may form the mouthpiece portion of this mouthpiece device, which means the portion designed to be received in the mouth during operation.

[0101] The oral care device may further have actuation means for inducing a periodic or regular movement of the cleaning element during operation.

[0102] In some embodiments, the periodic or regular movement may be a linear periodic movement along a linear axis, and the coupling 120 is such that the cleaning element unit base is pivotable relative to the body of the oral cleaning device about a rotational axis that is substantially parallel to the linear axis of the movement. This may provide improved cleaning of the teeth with less effort expended by the user of the oral care device.

[0103] In some embodiments, the coupling of the oral care device may be such as to prevent linear movement of the cleaning element unit base 110 relative to the body of the oral cleaning device in the direction of the linear axis. This may prevent the transfer of movement to the coupling of the optimal brushing movement, thereby preventing limitations in the brushing operation and reach.

[0104] As described throughout, different devices of the cleaning elements are optimal for different types of cleaning, such as interdental or gingival cleaning. The cleaning elements may have different optimal heights, lengths, and / or angular extents for a particular type of tooth cleaning. In the context of the present application, at least two groups of cleaning elements may define different spatial layouts, height profiles, and / or angular profiles of the cleaning elements relative to the base, as compared to each other.

[0105] Merely by way of example, Table 1 below outlines the characteristics of a set of four exemplary cleaning element layouts that can be used in one or more of the groups of cleaning elements provided in embodiments of the present application. [Table 1]

[0106] The table shows how the different characteristics of each possible layout of the cleaning elements can vary, including the length of the cleaning element, the roll angle of the tuft in which the cleaning elements are organized (meaning the angle of extension of the cleaning element tuft from the base), the cross-sectional area of each tuft, and the number of tufts included as part of the layout. The different groups of cleaning elements referred to earlier in this specification can each be fitted, by way of example, with a set of cleaning elements that follow one of these layouts. Other layouts are possible and the invention is not limited to those described above.

[0107] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by persons skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Where a computer program is described above, the computer program may be stored or distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. When the term "adapted to" is used in a claim or specification, the term "adapted to" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to". Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

**Claim 1** A main body, at least one cleaning element unit, wherein the cleaning element unit has a base and further has at least two groups of cleaning elements standing upright from the base, and the groups define different spatial layouts, height profiles, and / or angular profiles of the cleaning elements with respect to the base as compared to each other, and the two groups are spaced apart from each other by a gap, at least one cleaning element unit; In an oral cleaning device having: the cleaning element unit is connected to the main body by a coupling that enables rotation or angular movement of the cleaning element unit base with respect to the main body; the oral cleaning device is configured to engage the user's teeth with the cleaning elements of the at least one cleaning element unit during use, and the coupling is such that it enables a change in the angle of the base with respect to the teeth with which the device is engaged; the oral cleaning device is for use as part of a brushing mouthpiece device, the oral cleaning device has a mouthpiece portion for at least partial reception in the oral cavity during use, and the body of the mouthpiece portion defines a tooth-receiving channel having an arcuate profile shaped to generally follow at least a portion of the contour of the user's dental arch to enable reception of the dental arch into the channel; the at least one cleaning element unit is configured such that the cleaning elements of the first and second cleaning element groups extend into the channel from the side for engagement with the tooth surface during use; the oral cleaning device has a plurality of the cleaning element units at a series of positions along the arcuate profile defined by the mouthpiece portion for cleaning teeth at different positions along the dental arch; An oral cleaning device. **Claim 2** The oral cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning element unit has two groups of cleaning elements. **Claim 3** The oral cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling is such that it enables a change in the angle between the main body and the direction axis of the cleaning element unit extending from the first cleaning element group to the second cleaning element group. **Claim 4** The oral cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connecting portion is configured to limit linear movement of the base portion relative to the main body along a direction defined by an axis extending from the first cleaning element group to the second cleaning element group.

5. The oral cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each group of the cleaning elements defines an elongated installation area on the base portion.

6. The oral cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connecting portion is oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of the base portion along which the cleaning elements extend, and allows rotational movement of the base portion relative to the main body in at least a first plane of rotation extending along a direction from the first group of the cleaning elements to the second group of the cleaning elements. Preferably, both the first group and the second group of the cleaning elements define an installation area on the base portion defining a parallel elongated shape having a length, and the plane of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the length.

7. The oral cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the connecting portion is oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of the base portion along which the cleaning elements extend, and further allows rotational movement of the base portion relative to the main body in a second plane of rotation extending along a direction perpendicular to a line from the first group of the cleaning elements to the second group of the cleaning elements.

8. The connecting portion is displaced from the cleaning element unit at a position between both sides of the channel, has a connection point integrated with the floor of the channel, and the connecting portion further has an arm extending from the connection point to the base of the cleaning element unit. The connection point allows angular movement of the arm to swing the cleaning element unit along an arc relative to the connection point, thereby changing the angle of the cleaning element unit relative to the tooth surface of a tooth received in the channel. The oral cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The device includes a pair of cleaning element units facing each other from positions on opposite sides across the channel, which are received in the channel and clean different sides of teeth respectively connected to the same connection point by opposing extending arms, and the pivoting movement of the pair of cleaning element units is coupled such that the two cleaning element units can pivot together around the connection point. The oral cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An oral cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, operating means for inducing a periodic movement of the cleaning elements during operation, and an oral care device having the same.

11. The periodic movement is a linear periodic movement along a linear axis, and the coupling is such that the base of the cleaning element unit is pivotable relative to the body of the oral cleaning device about a rotational axis that is substantially parallel to the linear axis of the movement. The device according to claim 10.

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