J-shaped dental arch with arch hinges for arch straightening and jaw conformity

Abstract

A j-shaped dental arch including brush pads, a frame, arch hinges, and pad hinges is provided. The brush pads include tufts to simultaneously clean multiple tooth surfaces of a set of teeth of a user. The frame includes frame members. The brush pads and the frame form an open u- shaped cross-sectional profile to receive a portion of the set of teeth when the j-shaped dental arch is worn by the user. The arch hinges are configured to moveably couple the at least one pair of the plurality of frame members or the at least one pair of the set of brush pads. The pad hinges enable the brush pads to deflect. The pad hinges also bias the set of brush pads against the tooth surfaces. Each of the pad hinges couples one of the brush pads to one of the frame members.

Description

J-SHAPED DENTAL ARCH WITH ARCH HINGES FOR ARCH STRAIGHTENING AND JAW CONFORMITYField of the Disclosure

[0001] The present disclosure is generally directed to a j -shaped dental arch with arch hinges for arch straightening and jaw conformity.Background

[0002] Brushing one’s teeth is necessary for good oral health. Compliance with a proper brushing regimes hinges on two primary factors: technique and time. Most individuals using manual or conventional powered toothbrushes fail to execute proper brushing technique. Further, even if proper brushing technique was implemented, most individuals fail to brush for an amount of time recommended to effectively remove plaque. Mouthpiece toothbrushes address these issues by greatly reducing the amount of time required for effective cleaning, as well as reducing the amount of movement and dexterity required for proper brushing technique.

[0003] Mouthpiece toothbrushes may incorporate full mouth (also referred to as u-shaped) or half-mouth (also referred to as j -shaped) dental arches to clean the teeth of the user. When properly fitted, the u-shaped dental arch is configured to fit over an entire set of teeth of a jaw of the user, enabling the u-shaped dental arch to simultaneously clean an entire set of teeth of a jaw of the user without requiring repositioning along the jaw. In comparison, the j -shaped dental arch is configured to fit over approximately half of the set of the teeth of the jaw of the user, typically from a central (front-most) incisor to a second (rear-most) molar when properly fitted.

[0004] Mouthpieces toothbrushes typically include a pair of dental arches to simultaneously clean teeth of the upper and lower jaw simultaneously. The pair of dental arches are typically arranged back-to-back, allowing one dental arch to receive teeth of a top jaw, while the other dental arch receives teeth of a bottom jaw. Accordingly, in this arrangement, a pair of u-shaped dental arches should simultaneously clean all teeth of user. Similarly, a pair of j-shaped dental arches should simultaneously clean approximately half of the teeth of the user. The remaining half of the teeth may be cleaned by flipping over the pair of j-shaped dental arches to clean the teeth on the other side of the mouth. While the u-shaped dental arches enables simultaneous cleaning of all teeth, the u-shaped dental arches are less conformable to varying jaw sizes than j-shaped dental arches.

[0005] While j-shaped dental arches are more conformable to a range of jaw sizes than u-shaped dental arches, providing a one-size-fits-all j-shaped dental arch has been an ongoing challenge within the mouthpiece toothbrush industry. Some currently available frames are very flexible to fit a wide range of jaw sizes, but ultimately fail to provide cleaning forces to sufficiently clean the teeth of most users within this wide range. Other currently available frames apply sufficient cleaning forces, but are insufficiently flexible to fit a wide range of jaw sizes for comfortable and successful cleaning.Summary of the Disclosure

[0006] The present disclosure is generally directed to a j-shaped dental arch with arch hinges for arch straightening and jaw conformity. The j-shaped dental arch is configured for use with a replaceable brush head for a powered toothbrush. The j-shaped dental arch is further configured to receive a portion (such as half) of teeth of a jaw of the user. In some examples, the replaceable brush head includes a pair of j-shaped dental arches, enabling the powered toothbrush to clean teeth of both a top and bottom jaw simultaneously. The j-shaped dental arch includes a set of opposing brush pads, a frame including a plurality of frame members, one or more arch hinges, and a plurality of pad hinges. The opposing brush pads are configured to simultaneously clean multiple tooth surfaces of a set of teeth via a plurality of tufts arranged on each brush pad. The plurality of tufts form a bristle field on each brush pad. Each of the plurality of pad hinges couples one brush pad to a frame member and enables the brush pad to rotatably deflect outwards to accommodate wider teeth. The arch hinges couple together pairs of frame members and / or brush pads to allow the arrangement of the brush pads to conform to the size of the jaw of the user. By controlling the stiffnesses of the bristle fields, the arch hinges, and the pad hinges, the j-shaped dental arch improves over previous designs by comfortably fitting a wide range of jaw sizes while applying sufficient force to clean the teeth of the user. In some examples, a pad stiffness of the plurality of pad hinges is approximately four times a bristle field stiffness of the plurality of tufts, while the bristle field stiffness may be approximately seven to twenty-five times an arch stiffness of the one or more arch hinges. The flexibility of the j-shaped dental arch may be further implemented by defining a pad gap between adjacent pairs of brush pads to be at least 0.75 millimeters.

[0007] Generally, in one aspect, a j-shaped dental arch is provided. The j-shaped dental archincludes a set of brush pads. The set of brush pads is configured to simultaneously clean multiple tooth surfaces of a set of teeth of a user. Each of the plurality of brush pads comprises a plurality of tufts.

[0008] The j -shaped dental arch further includes a frame. The frame includes a plurality of frame members. The set of brush pads and the frame form an open u-shaped cross-sectional profile to receive a portion of the set of teeth when the j -shaped dental arch is worn by the user.

[0009] The j-shaped dental arch further includes one or more arch hinges. The one or more arch hinges are connected to at least one pair of the plurality of frame members and / or to at least one pair of the set of brush pads. The one or more arch hinges are configured to moveably couple the at least one pair of the plurality of frame members or the at least one pair of the set of brush pads.

[0010] The j-shaped dental arch further includes a plurality of pad hinges. Each of the plurality of pad hinges is configured to couple one of the set of brush pads to one of the plurality of frame members. The one or more pad hinges enable the brush pads to deflect. The one or more pad hinges bias the set of brush pads against the tooth surfaces.

[0011] According to an example, the set of brush pads includes a plurality of buccal brush pads disposed proximate to a cheek of the user and a plurality of lingual brush pads disposed proximate to a tongue of the user when the j-shaped dental arch is worn by the user.

[0012] According to an example, the plurality of buccal brush pads includes a first incisor buccal brush pad, a second incisor buccal brush pad, a canine buccal brush pad, a first premolar buccal brush pad, a second premolar buccal brush pad, a first molar buccal brush pad, and a second molar buccal brush pad. The plurality of lingual brush pads includes a first incisor lingual brush pad, a second incisor lingual brush pad, a canine lingual brush pad, a premolar lingual brush pad, a first molar lingual brush pad, and a second molar lingual brush pad.

[0013] According to an example, one of the one or more arch hinges is configured to couple the first incisor lingual brush pad to the second incisor buccal brush pad.

[0014] According to an example, one of the one or more arch hinges is configured to couple the second incisor lingual brush pad to the canine buccal brush pad.

[0015] According to an example, one of the one or more arch hinges is configured to couple the canine lingual brush pad to the first premolar buccal brush pad.

[0016] According to an example, one of the one or more arch hinges is configured to couple a first frame member to a second frame member. The first frame member may be coupled to the firstmolar buccal brush pad, the second molar buccal brush pad, the first molar lingual brush pad, and the second molar lingual brush pad. The second frame member may be coupled to the first premolar buccal brush pad, the second premolar buccal brush pad, and the premolar lingual brush pad.

[0017] According to an example, a pad hinge stiffness of the plurality of pad hinges is approximately four times a bristle field stiffness of the plurality of tufts.

[0018] According to an example, a bristle field stiffness of the plurality of tufts is approximately seven to twenty-five times an arch stiffness of the one or more arch hinges.

[0019] According to an example, each adjacent pair of the set of brush pads are separated by a pad gap of at least 0.75 millimeters.

[0020] According to an example, at least one of the one or more arch hinges are grooved.

[0021] According to an example, the one or more arch hinges are formed from polypropylene.

[0022] According to an example, each of the plurality of frame members is substantially rigid.

[0023] Generally, in another aspect, a replaceable brush head for a powered toothbrush is provided. The brush head includes the j -shaped dental arch described above.

[0024] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.

[0025] These and other aspects of the various embodiments will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the various embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a replaceable brush head for a powered toothbrush, in accordance with an example.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a top isometric view of a j -shaped dental arch, in accordance with an example.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a j -shaped dental arch of FIG. 2, in accordance with an example.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a first enlarged portion of a bottom isometric view of the j -shaped dental arch of FIG. 3, in accordance with an example.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a second enlarged portion of a bottom isometric view of the j -shaped dental arch of FIG. 3, in accordance with an example.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a third enlarged portion a bottom isometric view of the j -shaped dental arch of FIG. 3, in accordance with an example.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a fourth enlarged portion of a bottom isometric view of the j -shaped dental arch of FIG. 3, in accordance with an example.Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0034] The present disclosure is generally directed to a j -shaped dental arch with arch hinges for arch straightening and jaw conformity. The j-shaped dental arch is configured for use with a replaceable brush head for a powered toothbrush. The j-shaped dental arch includes a set of opposing brush pads, a frame including a plurality of frame members, one or more arch hinges, and a plurality of pad hinges. The opposing brush pads are configured to simultaneously clean multiple tooth surfaces of a set of teeth via a plurality of tufts arranged on each brush pad. The plurality of tufts form a bristle field on each brush pad. Each of the plurality of pad hinges couples one brush pad to a frame member and enables the brush pad to rotatably deflect outwards to accommodate wider teeth. The arch hinges couple together pairs of frame members and / or brush pads to allow the arrangement of the brush pads to conform to the size of the jaw of the user. By controlling the stiffnesses of the bristle fields, the arch hinges, and the pad hinges, the j-shaped dental arch may comfortably fit a wide range of jaw size while applying sufficient force to clean the teeth of the user.

[0035] Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a non-limiting example of a replaceable brush head 10 for a powered toothbrush. Broadly, the brush head 10 includes a connector 12, a driver assembly 14, a first j-shaped dental arch 100, and a second j-shaped dental arch 200. Theconnector 12 is configured to removably couple the brush head 10 to a body of a powered toothbrush. The first j -shaped dental arch 100 is configured to receive and clean a first portion of a set of teeth of a user (such as the left side of their upper jaw), while the second j -shaped dental arch 200 is configured to receive and clean a second portion of the set of teeth of the user (such as the left side of their lower jaw). The remaining teeth of the user may be cleaned by (1) translating the j-shaped dental arches 100, 200 about the mesial-axial length of the jaw of the user and (2) rotating the replaceable powered toothbrush head 10 by 180 degrees. By rotating the replaceable powered toothbrush head 10, the first dental arch 100 may receive and clean teeth on the right side of the lower jaw, while the second dental arch 200 may receive and clean teeth on the right side of the upper jaw. The driver 14 is configured to actuate the brush pads 102 (shown in more detail in subsequent figures) to clean the teeth of the user. For the purposes of this disclosure, the j-shaped dental arches 100, 200 of the brush head 10, 20 are considered to be “worn” when a user uses the body of the powered toothbrush to insert brush head 10 into their mouth, such that each j-shaped dental arch 100, 200 receives a plurality of the teeth of the user.

[0036] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the first j-shaped dental arch 100 of FIG. 1 in more detail. In particular, FIG. 2 shows a top isometric view of the j-shaped dental arch 100, while FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the same j-shaped dental arch 100. In this non-limiting example, the dental arch 100 includes a plurality of brush pads 102, a frame 106, one or more arch hinges 112, and a plurality of pad hinges 114. Each brush pad 102 includes a plurality of tufts 104 and a pad backer 120. In some examples, the pad backers 120 are made of a rigid material, such as plastic or metal.

[0037] The plurality of tufts 104 are configured to interact with and clean surfaces of the teeth of the user upon actuation via the driver 14. In some examples, the plurality of tufts 104 may be referred to as bristles forming a bristle field 122 to clean the surfaces of the teeth. Accordingly, each brush pad 102 may include a bristle field 122 formed of a plurality of tufts 104. In the example of FIG. 2, an example brush pad 102al has a bristle field 122 formed from ten tufts 104, arranged in alternating rows of two and three tufts 104 each. The tufts 104 may be formed on and / or affixed to the pad backers 120 according to a variety of means. The tufts 104 may be defined in terms of tuft length, which may be considered as a distance from the pad backer 120 to the tip of the tuft 104. Further, each tuft 104 may comprise a plurality of filaments. Accordingly, the tufts 104 may be defined by a filament diameter. The filament diameter, the number of filaments per tuft 104, the density of the filaments per tuft, and the material characteristics of the filaments may be usedto determine a tuft stiffness value for each corresponding tuft 104. The bristle field stiffness of the entire bristle field 122 may then be determined based on the stiffness of each tuft as well as the density of the tufts 104 on the brush pad 102. However, in other examples, the brush pad 102 may use non-tufted means to clean the teeth of the user. While the set of brush pads 102 are configured to simultaneously clean multiple tooth surfaces at once, the specific tooth surfaces cleaned simultaneously may vary from user to user due to variations in jaw size, tooth size, or various dental conditions impacting the size and / or shape of one or more teeth.

[0038] In the example of FIGS. 2 and 3, the brush pads 102 may be divided into two groups. First, the set of brush pads 102 includes seven buccal brush pads 102al-102a7 disposed proximate to a cheek of the user when the j -shaped dental arch 100 is worn. Second, the set of brush pads 102 also includes a group of six lingual brush pads 102bl-102b6 disposed proximate to a tongue of the user when the j-shaped dental arch 100 is worn. Accordingly, the tufts 104 of the buccal brush pads 102a may be considered to be buccal tufts 104a, while the tufts 104 of the lingual brush pads 102a may be considered to be lingual tufts 104b. Generally, the buccal brush pads 102a are configured to clean the buccal sides of the teeth, while the lingual brush pads 102b are configured to clean the lingual sides of the teeth. Both buccal and lingual brush pads 102a, 102b may be configured to clean the mesial and distal sides of the teeth.

[0039] Further, each of the buccal brush pads 102al-102a7 and each of the lingual brush pads 102bl-102b6 may be individually named according to specific teeth or region(s) of the jaw to be cleaned by that individual brush pad 102a-l-102a7, 102bl-102b6. Accordingly, the seven buccal brush pads 102al-102a7 include a first incisor buccal brush pad 102al, a second incisor buccal brush pad 102a2, a canine buccal brush pad 102a3, a first premolar buccal brush pad 102a4, a second premolar buccal brush pad 102a5, a first molar buccal brush pad 102a6, and a second molar buccal brush pad 102a7. Further, the six lingual brush pads 102bl-102b6 include a first incisor lingual brush pad 102bl, a second incisor lingual brush pad 102b2, a canine lingual brush pad 102b3, a premolar lingual brush pad 102b4, a first molar lingual brush pad 102b5, and a second molar lingual brush pad 102b6. Accordingly, the first molar buccal brush pad 102a6, the second molar buccal brush pad 102a7, the first molar lingual brush pad 102b5, and the second molar lingual brush pad 102b6 are typically arranged to clean one or more molars of the user. The first premolar buccal brush pad 102a4, the second premolar buccal brush pad 102a5, and the premolar lingual brush pad 102b4 are typically arranged to clean one or more premolars of the user. Thecanine buccal brush pad 102a3 and the canine lingual brush pad 102b3 are typically arranged to clean a canine of the user. The first incisor buccal brush pad 102al, the second incisor buccal brush pad 102a2, the first incisor lingual brush pad 102bl, and the second incisor lingual brush pad 102b2 are typically arranged to clean one or more incisors of the user. Notably, the pad backers 120b of the first incisor lingual brush pad 102bl, the second incisor lingual brush pad 102b2, the canine lingual brush pad 102b3, and the premolar lingual brush pad 102b4 are significantly narrower and / or triangular-shaped than pad backers 120b of the first molar buccal brush pad 102a6 and the second molar buccal brush pad 102a7 to accommodate for curvature of the jaw of the user. Further, as the j-shaped dental arch 100 deflects, bends, curves, and / or flexes to accommodate different jaw sizes, the one or more of the aforementioned brush pads 102 may clean a different tooth. For example, if a user has a very long jaw, the first molar brush pads 102a6, 102b5 may not reach the molars of the user, and instead may clean a premolar.

[0040] In some examples, the pad backers 120 of adjacent pairs may be separated by a pad gap 116 of at least 0.75 millimeters. In the example of FIG. 3, this pad gap 116 is illustrated between the first premolar buccal brush pad 102a4 and the second premolar buccal brush pad 102a5. The size of the pad gap 116 enables the j-shaped dental arch 100 to curve and straighten to conform to the jaw of the user.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 106 of the j-shaped dental arch 100 includes five frame members 108a-108e. As with the pad backers 120, the frame members 108a-108e are made of a rigid material, such as plastic or metal. The plurality of pad hinges 114 couple the pad backers 120 of the brush pads 106 to the frame members 108a-108e to form an open u-shaped channel 110. The open u-shaped channel 110 is shown in FIG. 2. In order to couple with the frame members 108a-108e, the pad backers 120 may be substantially angular such that the pad backers 120 form angles of at least 90 degrees. As will be explained below, separating the frame 106 into individual frame members 108a-108e enables the j-shaped dental arch 100 to bend and / or straighten to conform to the jaw shape of the user. Further, a plurality of occlusal tufts 118 are vertically arranged on the frame 104 to clean at least the occlusal surface of the teeth of the user.

[0042] The pad hinges 114 enable the brush pads 102a, 102b to rotationally flex relative to the teeth of the user when the j-shaped dental arch 100 is worn. This rotational flex is the result of force applied to the tufts 104a, 104b of opposing brush pads 102a, 102b by a tooth inserted between the opposing brush pads 102, 102b. The amount of rotational flex may be proportional to the widthof the tooth inserted between the brush pads 102a, 102b, such that a wide tooth will require more rotational flex than a narrow tooth. Thus, the pad hinges 114 may allow the dental arch 100 to accommodate a wide range of teeth while also biasing the brush pads 102 against the tooth surfaces to promote sufficient cleaning. In the non-limiting examples of FIGS. 2 and 3, the pad hinges 114 are embodied as thin ribs of flexible material arranged between the pad backer 120 and the frame member 108.

[0043] The non-limiting example of the j -shaped dental arch 100 of FIG. 3 includes four arch hinges 112a- 112d. The arch hinges 112a-l 12d may be ribs of material enabling the j-shaped dental arch 100 to deflect, straighten, or bend according to the jaw shape and size of the user. In doing so, the arch hinges 112a-l 12d also bias the brush pads 102 against the tooth surfaces of the jaw of the user to promote sufficient cleaning. While the example of FIG. 3 depicts four arch hinges 112a- 112d, other examples may implement any practical number, arrangement, or configuration of arch hinges 112a-112d to enable the j-shaped dental arch 100 to conform to a wide range of jaw sizes. The arch hinges 112a- 112d may be made of an elastomeric material, such as thermoplastic polyurethane or thermoplastic elastomer. In some examples, the arch hinges 112a- 112d may be made of a polypropylene or other high density flexible material.

[0044] In the non-limiting example of FIG. 3, the arch hinges 112 moveably couple together pairs of frame members 108 and pairs of brush pads 102. In particular, a first arch hinge 112a moveably couples a first frame member 108a to a second frame member 108b. A second arch hinge 112b couples the first premolar buccal brush pad 102a4 to the canine lingual brush pad 102b3. A third arch hinge 112c couples the canine buccal brush pad 102a3 to the second incisor lingual brush pad 102b2. A fourth arch hinge 112d couples the second incisor buccal brush pad 102a2 to the first incisor lingual brush pad 102bl. However, in other examples, the arch hinges 112 may couple together other components of the j-shaped dental arch 100 to enable the required deflection to accommodate a wide range of jaw sizes.

[0045] While the arch hinges 112 enable the j-shaped dental arch 100 to curve or straighten according to the shape of the jaw of the user for a comfortable fit, the j-shaped dental arch 100 must also be able to effectively clean the teeth of users having a wide array of jaw shapes and sizes. In order to sufficiently clean the teeth by removing plaque, the tufts 104 of the brush pads 102 must apply sufficient force to the teeth. In some examples this force may be between 50 kilopascals and 150 kilopascals. The amount of force applied to the teeth is impacted at least inpart by the various properties of the tufts 104, such as tuft stiffness and tuft length, as well as ranges of the widths of the various teeth (molars, premolars, canines, incisors) along the jaw.

[0046] In order to provide sufficient cleaning force while also accommodating a wide range of jaw shapes and sizes, a stiffness hierarchy scheme may be employed. This stiffness hierarchy scheme involves stiffness values corresponding to the bristle field 122, the pad hinges 114, and the arch hinges 112. As previously noted, the bristle field stiffness corresponds to the stiffness of the individual tufts 104 and the density of those tufts 104 arranged on a brush pad 102. Further, the pad hinge stiffness and the arch hinge thickness may correspond to the thickness of the rib of material forming each hinge. In some preferred examples of the stiffness hierarchy, the pad hinge stiffness of the pad hinges 114 is approximately four times the bristle field stiffness of the bristle field 122. Further, the bristle field stiffness may be approximately seven to twenty-five times the arch stiffness of the arch hinges 112. In some preferred examples, the bristle field stiffness may be approximately seven times the arch stiffness of the arch hinges. Accordingly, the arch hinges 112 must be much more flexible than the bristle field 122 to accommodate the wide variety of jaws based solely on the interactions between the teeth of the user and the tufts 104.

[0047] FIGS. 4-7 show enlarged bottom isometric views of the j-shaped dental arch 100 of FIG. 3 to highlight the four arch hinges 112a-l 12d. FIG. 4 highlights the first arch hinge 112a. The first arch hinge 112a moveably couples a first frame member 108a to a second frame member 108b. As shown in FIG. 4, the first frame member 108a is coupled to four brush pads 102a6, 102a7, 102b5, 102b6. In particular, a first buccal pad hinge 114al couples the first frame member 108a to the second molar buccal brush pad 102a7, a second buccal pad hinge 114a2 couples the first frame member 108a to the first molar buccal brush pad 102a6, a first lingual pad hinge 114bl couples the first frame member 108a to the second molar lingual brush pad 102b6, and a second lingual pad hinge 114b2 couples the first frame member 108a to the first molar lingual brush pad 102b5. Similarly, the second frame member 108b is coupled to three brush pads 102a4, 102a5, 102b4. A third buccal pad hinge 114a3 couples the second frame member 108b to the first premolar buccal brush pad 102a5, a fourth buccal pad hinge 114a4 couples the second frame member 108b to the first premolar buccal brush pad 102a4, and a third lingual pad hinge 114b3 couples the second frame member 108b to the premolar lingual brush pad 102b4.

[0048] When the j -shaped dental arch 100 is worn by the user, the first arch hinge 112a enables the second frame member 108b to move relative to the first frame member 108a to conform to theshape of the jaw of the user. In particular, the second frame member 108b may be rotationally displaced relative to the first frame member 108a (or vice versa) along an x-y plane parallel to the frame members 108a, 108b. Accordingly, while the first arch hinge 112a may flex to allow the j- shaped dental arch to straighten or curve, the first arch hinge 112a is also stiff enough to prevent the frame members 108a, 108b from moving outside of the x-y plane (such as twisting). The rotational movement of the first frame member 108a about the first arch hinge 112a may be represented by Rl, while the movement of the second frame member 108b about the first arch hinge 112a may be represented by R2. Further, as can be seen in FIG. 3, the first arch hinge 112al is substantially thicker than the other arch hinges 112a2-l 12a4. This thickness enables the rib of the first arch hinge 112al to physically interact with the driver assembly 14 shown in FIG. 1.

[0049] FIG. 5 highlights the second arch hinge 112b. Unlike the first arch hinge 112a, the second hinge 112b couples together two brush pads 102, rather than two frame members 108. As shown, the second arch hinge 112b moveably couples the first premolar buccal brush pad 102a4 to the canine lingual brush pad 102b3. FIG. 5 also shows a third frame member 108c coupled to the canine buccal brush pad 102a3 via a fifth buccal pad hinge 114a5 and to the canine lingual brush pad 102b3 via a fourth lingual pad hinge 114b4. Accordingly, the canine buccal brush pad 102a3 is coupled to the canine lingual brush pad 102b3 via the fifth buccal pad hinge 114a5, the third frame member 108c, and the fourth lingual pad hinge 114b4. Therefore, as the canine lingual brush pad 102b3 moves about the second arch hinge 112b, the canine buccal brush pad 102a3 moves as well.

[0050] When the j -shaped dental arch 100 is worn by the user, the second arch hinge 112b enables the first premolar buccal brush pad 102a4 to be rotationally displaced relative to the canine lingual brush pad 102b3 to conform to the shape of the jaw of the user. The rotational movement of the first premolar buccal brush pad 102a4 about the second arch hinge 112b may be represented by R3, while the movement of the canine lingual brush pad 102b3about the second arch hinge 112b may be represented by R4. Further, as can be seen in FIG. 5, the rib forming the second arch hinge 112b is cavitied or grooved, thereby enabling the second arch hinge 112b to also function as a pad hinge to enable the first premolar buccal brush pad 102a4 and the canine lingual brush pad 102b3 to rotationally flex relative to the teeth of the user when the j -shaped dental arch 100 is worn.

[0051] FIG. 6 highlights the third arch hinge 112c. Like the second arch hinge 112b, the thirdhinge 112c couples together two brush pads 102. As shown, the third arch hinge 112c moveably couples the canine buccal brush pad 102a3 to the second incisor lingual brush pad 102b2. FIG. 6 also shows a fourth frame member 108d coupled to the second incisor buccal brush pad 102a2 via a sixth buccal pad hinge 114a6 and to the second incisor lingual brush pad 102b2 via a fifth lingual pad hinge 114b5. Accordingly, the second incisor buccal brush pad 102a2 is coupled to the second incisor lingual brush pad 102b2 via the sixth buccal pad hinge 114a6, the fourth frame member 108d, and the fifth lingual pad hinge 114b5. Therefore, as the second incisor buccal brush pad 102a2 moves about the third arch hinge 112c, the second incisor lingual brush pad 102b2 moves as well.

[0052] When the j-shaped dental arch 100 is worn by the user, the third arch hinge 112c enables the canine buccal brush pad 102a3 to be rotationally displaced relative to the second incisor lingual brush pad 102b2 to conform to the shape of the jaw of the user. The rotational movement of the canine buccal brush pad 102a3 about the third arch hinge 112c may be represented by R5, while the movement of the second incisor lingual brush pad 102b2 about the third arch hinge 112c may be represented by R6. Further, as can be seen in FIG. 6, the rib forming the third arch hinge 112c is cavitied or grooved, thereby enabling the third arch hinge 112c to also function as a pad hinge to enable the canine buccal brush pad 102a3 and the second incisor lingual brush pad 102b2 to rotationally flex relative to the teeth of the user when the j-shaped dental arch 100 is worn.

[0053] FIG. 7 highlights the fourth arch hinge 112c. Like the second and third arch hinges 112b, 112c, the fourth arch hinge 112d couples together two brush pads 102. As shown, the fourth arch hinge 112d moveably couples the second incisor buccal brush pad 102a2 to the first incisor lingual brush pad 102bl. FIG. 7 also shows a fifth frame member 108e coupled to the first incisor buccal brush pad 102al via a seventh buccal pad hinge 114a7 and to the first incisor lingual brush pad 102bl via a sixth lingual pad hinge 114b6. Accordingly, the first incisor buccal brush pad 102al is coupled to the first incisor lingual brush pad 102bl via the seventh buccal pad hinge 114a7, the fifth frame member 108e, and the sixth lingual pad hinge 114b6. Therefore, as the first incisor buccal brush pad 102al moves about the fourth arch hinge 112d, the first incisor lingual brush pad 102bl moves as well.

[0054] When the j-shaped dental arch 100 is worn by the user, the fourth arch hinge 112d enables the second incisor buccal brush pad 102a2 to be rotationally displaced relative to the first incisor lingual brush pad 102bl to conform to the shape of the jaw of the user. The rotationalmovement of the second incisor buccal brush pad 102a2 about the fourth arch hinge 112d may be represented by R7, while the movement of the second incisor lingual brush pad 102b2 about the third arch hinge 112c may be represented by R8. Further, as can be seen in FIG. 7, the rib forming the fourth arch hinge 112d is cavitied or grooved, thereby enabling the fourth arch hinge 112d to also function as a pad hinge to enable the second incisor buccal brush pad 102a2 and the first incisor lingual brush pad 102bl to rotationally flex relative to the teeth of the user when the j- shaped dental arch 100 is worn.

[0055] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0056] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0057] The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0058] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.”

[0059] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily includingat least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0060] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0061] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0062] The above-described examples of the described subject matter can be implemented in any of numerous ways. For example, some aspects may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof. When any aspect is implemented at least in part in software, the software code can be executed on any suitable processor or collection of processors, whether provided in a single device or computer or distributed among multiple devices / computers.

[0063] Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims and other claims to which the applicant may be entitled.

[0064] While various examples have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the function and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the examples described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific examples described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing examples are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto, examples may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Examples of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. Aj-shaped dental arch (100), thej-shaped dental arch (100) comprising: a set of brush pads (102) configured to simultaneously clean multiple tooth surfaces of a set of teeth of a user, wherein each of the plurality of brush pads (102) comprises a plurality of tufts (104); a frame (106) comprising a plurality of frame members (108), wherein the set of brush pads (102) and the frame (106) form an open u-shaped cross-sectional profile (110) to receive a portion of the set of teeth when thej-shaped dental arch (100) is worn by the user; one or more arch hinges (112) connected to at least one pair of the plurality of frame members (108) and / or to at least one pair of the set of brush pads (102) and configured to moveably couple the at least one pair of the plurality of frame members (108) or the at least one pair of the set of brush pads (102); and a plurality of pad hinges (114), wherein each of the plurality of pad hinges (114) is configured to couple one of the set of brush pads (102) to one of the plurality of frame members (108), wherein the one or more pad hinges (114) enable the set of brush pads (102) to deflect, and wherein the one or more pad hinges (114) bias the set of brush pads (102) against the tooth surfaces.

2. Thej-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 1, wherein the set of brush pads (102) comprises a plurality of buccal brush pads (102a) disposed proximate to a cheek of the user and a plurality of lingual brush pads (102b) disposed proximate to a tongue of the user when thej-shaped dental arch (100) is worn by the user.

3. The j -shaped dental arch ( 100) of claim 2, wherein the plurality of buccal brush pads ( 102a) includes a first incisor buccal brush pad (102al), a second incisor buccal brush pad (102a2), a canine buccal brush pad (102a3), a first premolar buccal brush pad (102a4), a second premolar buccal brush pad (102a5), a first molar buccal brush pad (102a6), and a second molar buccal brush pad (102a7), and wherein the plurality of lingual brush pads (102b) includes a first incisor lingual brush pad (102bl ), a second incisor lingual brush pad (102b2), a canine lingual brush pad (102b3), a premolar lingual brush pad (102b4), a first molar lingual brush pad (102b5), and a second molarlingual brush pad (102b6).

4. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 3, wherein one of the one or more arch hinges (112) is configured to couple the first incisor lingual brush pad (102b 1) to the second incisor buccal brush pad (102a2).

5. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 3, wherein one of the one or more arch hinges (112) is configured to couple the second incisor lingual brush pad (102b2) to the canine buccal brush pad (102a3).

6. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 3, wherein one of the one or more arch hinges (112) is configured to couple the canine lingual brush pad (102b3) to the first premolar buccal brush pad (102a4).

7. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 3, wherein one of the one or more arch hinges (112) is configured to couple a first frame member (108a) to a second frame member (108b).

8. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 7, wherein the first frame member (108a) is coupled to the first molar buccal brush pad (102a6), the second molar buccal brush pad (102a7), the first molar lingual brush pad (102b5), and the second molar lingual brush pad (102b6), and wherein the second frame member (108b) is coupled to the first premolar buccal brush pad (102a4), the second premolar buccal brush pad (102a5), and the premolar lingual brush pad (102b6).

9. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 1, wherein a pad hinge stiffness of the plurality of pad hinges (114) is approximately four times a bristle field stiffness of the plurality of tufts (104).

10. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 1, wherein a bristle field stiffness of the plurality of tufts (104) is approximately seven to twenty-five times an arch stiffness of the one or more arch hinges (112).

11. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 1, wherein each adjacent pair (116) of the set ofbrush pads (102) are separated by a pad gap (116) of at least 0.75 millimeters.

12. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more arch hinges (112) are grooved.

13. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 1, wherein the one or more arch hinges (112) are formed from polypropylene.

14. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of frame members (108) is substantially rigid.

15. A replaceable brush head (10) for a powered toothbrush, the brush head (10) comprising the j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 1.

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