Flexible j-shaped dental arch toothbrush

Abstract

J-shaped dental arch including brush pads, a frame, a buccal flex beam, and a lingual flex beam, is provided. The brush pads are configured to simultaneously clean multiple tooth surfaces of a set of teeth of a user, and they include buccal brush pads proximate to a cheek of the user and a lingual brush pads proximate to a tongue of the user. 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 dental arch is worn by the user. The buccal flex beam couples a first buccal brush pad to the frame. The buccal flex beam translates the first buccal brush pad along an x-y plane. The lingual flex beam couples a first lingual brush pad to the frame, and translates the first lingual brush pad along the x-y plane.

Description

FLEXIBLE J-SHAPED DENTAL ARCH TOOTHBRUSHField of the Disclosure

[0001] The present disclosure is generally directed to a j -shaped dental arch for use with a replaceable powered toothbrush head.Background

[0002] Typical mouthpiece toothbrushes implement a channel of opposing bristle fields to clean certain areas of the mouth by surrounding a few teeth from both buccal (facing the cheek) and lingual (facing the tongue) sides. However, tooth width variance in the molar region from user to user is very high, as much as four millimeters between small and large teeth. In order to provide sufficient bristle pressure and coverage on both small and large teeth, the opposing brushes must be initially positioned for small teeth, and then configured to translate or flex outwards to accommodate large teeth without crushing the bristles. The overall size of a mouthpiece toothbrush is limited by the size of the mouth of the user, resulting in limited space for mechanisms to enable this brush movement. The absence of a sufficient mechanism to enable this brush movement can result in insufficient cleaning performance on teeth at one or both ends of the width spectrum.Summary of the Disclosure

[0003] The present disclosure is generally directed to a j -shaped dental arch for use with a replaceable powered toothbrush head. The j -shaped dental arch includes opposing brush pads with tufts to clean one or more molars. The brush pads are connected to a frame of the j -shaped dental arch via flex beams. The flex beams enable the brush pads to translate away from the tooth with minimal tipping, thereby ensuring the tufts remain in sufficient contact with the corresponding tooth. The flex beams allow the brush pads to both accommodate and sufficiently clean molars having a wide range of widths. In some examples, the brush pads connected to the flex beams are configured to clean multiple molars. In other examples, the flex beams may be connected to multiple brush pads.

[0004] Generally, in one aspect, a j -shaped dental arch is provided. The j -shaped dental arch includes a set of brush pads configured to simultaneously clean multiple tooth surfaces of a set of teeth of a user. The set of brush pads includes a plurality of buccal brush pads proximate to a cheek of the user and a plurality of lingual brush pads proximate to a tongue of the user.

[0005] The j -shaped dental arch further includes a frame. 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.

[0006] The j -shaped dental arch further includes a buccal flex beam. The buccal flex beam is configured to couple a first buccal brush pad of the plurality of buccal brush pads to the frame. The buccal flex beam is configured to translate the first buccal brush pad along an x-y plane.

[0007] The j -shaped dental arch further includes a lingual flex beam configured to couple a first lingual brush pad of the plurality of lingual brush pads to the frame. The lingual flex beam is configured to translate the first lingual brush pad along the x-y plane.

[0008] According to an example, the first lingual brush pad is arranged opposite to the first buccal brush pad.

[0009] According to an example, a plurality of buccal tufts of the first buccal brush pad and a plurality of lingual tufts of the first lingual brush pad are configured to interact with the first tooth of the set of teeth when the j -shaped dental arch is worn by the user.

[0010] According to an example, the first tooth is a molar.

[0011] According to an example, the plurality of buccal tufts of the first buccal brush pad and the plurality of lingual tufts of the first lingual brush pad are further configured to interact with a second tooth when the j -shaped dental arch is worn by the user.

[0012] According to an example, the second tooth is a molar.

[0013] According to an example, each of the set of brush pads includes a pad backer upon which the plurality of buccal tufts or the plurality of lingual tufts are arranged.

[0014] According to an example, the buccal flex beam or the lingual flex beam is configured to translate the first buccal brush pad or the first lingual brush pad 0.2 millimeters to 0.4 millimeters for every 1.0 millimeter a buccal bristle field or a lingual bristle field is compressed.

[0015] According to an example, the first buccal brush pad and / or the first lingual brush pad have a length of at least 25 millimeters.

[0016] According to an example, the buccal flex beam and the lingual flex beam are configured to flex along the x-y plane.

[0017] According to an example, an upper portion of the first buccal brush pad is coupled to the buccal flex beam. An upper portion of the first lingual brush pad is coupled to the lingual flex beam.

[0018] According to an example, a buccal flex gap is formed between a lower portion of the first buccal brush pad and the buccal flex beam. A lingual flex gap is formed between a lower portion of the first lingual brush pad and the lingual flex beam.

[0019] According to an example, the buccal flex beam includes a buccal hook stopper. The lingual flex beam includes a lingual hook stopper configured to interlock with the buccal hook stopper.

[0020] According to an example, the buccal flex beam is coupled to the first buccal brush pad and a second buccal brush pad. The lingual flex beam is coupled to the first lingual brush pad and a second lingual brush pad.

[0021] Generally, in another aspect, a replaceable powered toothbrush head is provided. The replaceable powered toothbrush head includes the j -shaped dental arch described above.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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

[0024] 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.

[0025] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a replaceable powered toothbrush head, in accordance with an example.

[0026] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a j -shaped dental arch, in accordance with an example.

[0027] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of aspects of a second embodiment of a j -shaped dental arch, in accordance with an example.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a further isometric view of aspects of the second embodiment of a j -shaped dental arch, in accordance with an example.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a further isometric view of aspects of the second embodiment of a j -shaped dental arch, in accordance with an example.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of aspects of the second embodiment of a j -shaped dental arch, in accordance with an example.

[0031] FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate movements of brush pads of the second embodiment of a j- shaped dental arch in response to variable tooth sizes, in accordance with an example.

[0032] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of aspects of a third embodiment of a j -shaped dental arch, in accordance with an example.

[0033] FIG. 9 is a further isometric view of aspects of the third embodiment of a j -shaped dental arch, in accordance with an example.Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0034] The present disclosure is generally directed to a j -shaped dental arch for use with a replaceable powered toothbrush head. The j -shaped dental arch includes opposing brush pads with tufts to clean one or more molars. The brush pads are connected to a frame of the j -shaped dental arch via flex beams. The flex beams enable the brush pads to translate away from the tooth with minimal tipping, thereby ensuring the tufts remain in sufficient contact with the corresponding tooth. The flex beams allow the brush pads to both accommodate and sufficiently clean molars having a wide range of widths.

[0035] Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a non-limiting example of a replaceable powered toothbrush head 10. Broadly, the powered toothbrush 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. The connector 12 is configured to removably couple the toothbrush 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 replaceablepowered 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.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows the first j-shaped dental arch 100 of FIG. 1 in more detail. In this nonlimiting example, the dental arch 100 includes a plurality of brush pads 102. Each brush pad 102 includes a plurality of tufts 108 and a pad backer 110. In some examples, the pad backers 110 are plastic. In further examples, the pad backers 100 may be approximately 2.5 millimeters thick. The plurality of tufts 108 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 108 may be referred to as bristles forming a bristle field to clean the surfaces of the teeth. The tufts 108 may be formed on and / or affixed to the pad backers 110 according to a variety of means. The tufts 108 may be defined in terms of tuft length, which may be defined as a distance from the pad backer 110 to the tip of the tuft 108. Further, each tuft 108 may comprise a plurality of filaments. Accordingly, the tufts 108 may be defined by a filament diameter. The filament diameter, the number of filaments per tuft 106, the density of the filaments per tuft 108, and the material characteristics of the filaments may be used to determine a stiffness value for the corresponding tuft 108.

[0037] In order to ensure sufficient tooth cleaning, the design of the j-shaped dental arch 100 should ensure that the tufts 108 of the brush pads 102 apply sufficient, but not excessive, pressure to the tooth. The pressure applied by the tufts 108 may be quantified in terms of a clamping value and a desired clamping range. A clamping value represents the amount of compression experienced by a tuft 108 during cleaning, while the clamping range defines an acceptable range of compression percentage of one or more tufts 108. An optimum clamping range has been experimentally determined to be approximately 18 to 48 percent. Within this clamping range, the tufts 108 apply sufficient pressure to clean the tooth. Below the clamping range (referred to as “underclamping”), the tufts 108 do not apply enough pressure to clean the tooth, and may not be in contact with the tooth at all. Above the clamping range (referred to as “overclamping”), the tufts 108 may be too close to the tooth for cleaning, which in extreme cases, may result in one or more tufts being “trapped” under the bottom occlusal side of the tooth. In an ideal scenario, the j-shaped dental arch 100 is designed to provide clamping within the optimum clamping range for teethwithin a wide range of widths. This is particularly challenging for molars, which may range in width from 9 to 13.2 millimeters.

[0038] In the example of FIG. 2, the brush pads 102 may be divided into two groups, a group of seven buccal brush pads 102al-102a7 proximate to a cheek of the user, and a group of six lingual brush pads 102bl-102b6 proximate to a tongue of the user. Accordingly, the tufts 108 of the buccal brush pads 102a may be considered to be buccal tufts 108a, while the tufts 108 of the lingual brush pads 102a may be considered to be lingual tufts 108b. Generally, when the j-shaped dental arch 100 is arranged within the mouth of the user for cleaning, 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 are configured to clean the mesial and distal sides of the teeth.

[0039] The pad backers 110 of the brush pads 106 are coupled to a frame 104 to form an open u-shaped channel 101. In order to couple with the frame 104, the pad backer 110 may be substantially angular such that the pad backer 110 forms an angle of at least 90 degrees. In some examples, the frame 104 may be substantially flexible, enabling the j-shaped dental arch to bend and / or straighten. Further, a plurality of occlusal tufts 124 are vertically arranged on the frame 104 to clean at least the occlusal surface of the teeth of the user.

[0040] Hinges 126 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 108a, 108b of brush pads 102a, 102b by a tooth inserted between the brush pads 102, 102b. The amount of rotational flex may be proportional to the width of 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 hinges 126 may allow the dental arch 100 to accommodate a wide range of teeth. However, very wide teeth, and in particular very wide molars, may exert a large force to on at least some the tufts 108a, 108b, causing the clamping values of at least some tufts 108a, 108b to rise above the desired clamping range, and therefore fail to provide sufficient tooth cleaning. In such an overclamping scenario, some of the tufts 108a, 108b apply an excessively high force to their corresponding teeth, while other tufts 108a, 108b may fail to apply sufficient force (and may not contact the teeth at all), leading to spots on the teeth which are not sufficiently cleaned. Overclamping also requires excessive forces to (1) oscillate or vibrate the j-shaped dental arch 100 via the driver 14 and (2) translate the j-shaped dental arch about the length of the jaw via usermotion. Accordingly, there is a need for a j -shaped dental arch 100 which may accommodate a wide range of tooth widths while providing sufficient clamping for tooth cleaning.

[0041] FIGS. 3-6 illustrate aspects of a variation of the j -shaped dental arch 100 of FIG. 2. In particular, for the sake of clarity, the j-shaped dental arch 100 of FIGS. 3-6 omit several brush pads 102, including certain buccal brush pads 102a and lingual brush pads 102b. The j-shaped dental arch 100 shown in FIG. 3 includes a buccal brush pad 102al and a lingual brush pad 102bl. As with the previous examples, the brush pads 102al, 102bl each include a pad backer 1 lOal, 1 lObl and a plurality of tufts 108al, 108bl. On each brush pad 102al, 102bl, the plurality of tufts 108al, 108bl collectively form bristle fields 146al, 146bl. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the pad backers llOal, HObl of the buccal brush pad 102al and the lingual brush pad 102bl are wide enough to clean multiple teeth, such as first and second molars. In some non-limiting examples, the pad backers l lOal, HObl have a length 114a, 114b of approximately 25 millimeters. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pad backers llOal, 1 lObl may be conceptually divided into an upper portion 116al, 116bl and a lower portion 120al, 120bl. When the j-shaped dental arch 100 is worn by the user, the upper portions 116al, 116bl may be proximate to a first molar, and the lower portions 120al, 120bl may be proximate to a second molar, where the second molar is defined as the molar at the rear of the jaw of the user.

[0042] As further shown in the non-limiting examples of FIGS. 3-6, the tuft length of the tufts 108al, 108bl may vary from tuft-to-tuft. For example, the upper buccal tufts 108al and the upper lingual tufts 108bl may be longer than the other tufts 108al , 108bl to clean a gum line of the user. Other tufts 108al, 108bl, may vary in size to clean other aspects or surfaces of the teeth of the user.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the j-shaped dental arch 100 includes a pair of flex beams 106, namely a buccal flex beam 106a and a lingual flex beam 106b. The buccal flex beam 106a is defined by a first end 132a and a second end 134a, as shown in FIG. 5. The first end 132a of the buccal flex beam 106a is anchored to the frame 104. When the dental arch 100 is worn by the user, the first end 132a will be proximate to the back of the mouth of the user. The buccal flex beam 106a then extends to the second end 134a. In extending to the second end 134a, the buccal flex beam 106a is separated from the frame 104 by frame gap 130a as shown in FIG. 6. As will be demonstrated in FIGS. 7A-7C, this configuration enables the buccal flex beam 106a to flexoutwards (away from the tooth) along an x-y plane about the first end 132a with minimal rotation about a y-direction.

[0044] As illustrated in FIGS. 6, the buccal flex beam 106a is mechanically coupled to the upper portion 116al of the pad backer llOal of the first buccal brush pad 102al via a connector 128al, thereby forming a narrow buccal flex gap 118a between the lower portion 120al of the pad backer llOal and the buccal flex beam 106a. The pad backer llOal further includes an optional ear feature 136al positioned between the upper portion 116al and the lower portion 120al. In some examples, the ear feature 136al may be replaced by a simple hole in the pad backer llOal. Generally, for every 1.0 millimeter the buccal brush field 146a is compressed, the first buccal brush pad 102al will be translated between 0.2 millimeters and 0.4 millimeters away from the teeth of the user.

[0045] The lingual flex beam 106b is defined by a first end 132b and a second end 134b, as shown in FIG. 4. The first end 132b of the lingual flex beam 106b is anchored to the frame 104. When the dental arch 100 is worn by the user, the first end 132b will be proximate to the back of the mouth of the user. The lingual flex beam 106b then extends to the second end 134b. In extending to the second end 134b, the lingual flex beam 106b is separated from the frame 104 by frame gap 130b as shown in FIG. 6. As will be demonstrated in FIGS. 7A-7C, this configuration enables the lingual flex beam 106b to flex outwards (away from the tooth) along an x-y plane about the first end 132b with minimal rotation about a y-direction.

[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, the lingual flex beam 106b is mechanically coupled to the upper portion 116b 1 of the pad backer 110b 1 of the first lingual brush pad 102bl via connector 128bl, thereby forming a narrow lingual flex gap 118b between the lower portion 120bl of the pad backer 11 Obi and the buccal flex beam 106b. The pad backer 11 Obi further includes an optional ear feature 136bl positioned between the upper portion 116bl and the lower portion 120bl. In some examples, the ear feature 136b 1 may be replaced by a simple hole in the pad backer 11 Obi. Generally, for every 1.0 millimeter the lingual brush field 146b is compressed, the first lingual brush pad 102bl will be translated between 0.2 millimeters and 0.4 millimeters away from the teeth of the user.

[0047] When the j -shaped dental arch 100 is worn by a user having particularly wide first and / or second molars, the molars apply a compressive force to the tufts 108al, 108bl of the first buccal and lingual brush pads 102al, 102bl. While some of this force is absorbed by the compression(also referred to as “crushing”) of the bristle fields 146al, 146bl formed by the tufts 108al, 108bl, the remainder of the force is conveyed from the tufts 108al, 108bl to the upper portions 116al, 116b 1 , and lower portions 120al , 120b 1 of the pad backers llOal, 11 Obi. The force applied to the upper portions 116al, 116bl of the pad backers llOal, HObl is conveyed to the flex beams 106a, 106b. This conveyed force causes the flex beams to 106a, 106b to rotationally flex outwards (away from the tooth) about their first ends 132a, 132b coupled to the frame 104, thereby translating the entire first brush pads 102al, 102bl outwards along the x-y plane. Similarly, the force applied to the lower portions 120al, 120bl causes the pad backers llOal, HObl to rotate outwards about the ear features 136al, 136a2 due to the flex gaps 118a, 118b. Crucially, while the aforementioned forces move the brush pads 102al, 102bl apart to accommodate a wide molar, rotational movement of the brush pads 102al, 102bl about the y-direction is minimized, thereby ensuring the tufts 108al, 108bl experience optimum clamping for teeth cleaning. Thus, the flex beams 106a, 106b of FIGS. 3-6 are used to overcome the overclamping issues described with reference to FIG. 2 by replacing the hinges 126 connecting the brush pads 102al-102a7, 102bl-102b6 to the frame 104.

[0048] FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate the movement of the previously described brush pads 102al, 102b2 in response to various molar widths. FIG. 7A illustrates the brush pads 102al, 102bl in an initial, undeformed state prior to forces being applied causing the brush pads 102al, 102bl to translate outwards. This state may correspond to relatively narrow molar widths. FIG. 7A further illustrates a plurality of occlusal tufts 124. The plurality of occlusal tufts 124 are omitted from FIGS. 7B-7D for clarity.

[0049] In the example of FIG. 7B, a second molar is exerting nearly all of its force F2a upon the upper portion 116al of the first buccal brush pad 102al. This force F2a causes the buccal flex beam 106a to flex outward along the x-y plane by rotating about the first end 132a of the buccal flex beam 106a connected to the frame 104. The flexing of the buccal flex beam 106a also translates the entirety of the first buccal brush pad 102al with minimal rotational movement about the y-direction. Similarly, a small amount of force F2b from the second molar is exerted upon the upper portion 116b 1 of the first lingual brush pad 102bl. This lesser force F2b causes the lingual flex beam 106b to flex outward along the x-y plane by rotating about the first end 132b of the lingual flex beam 106b connected to the frame 104.

[0050] In the example of FIG. 7C, a first molar exerts the majority of its force Fla upon the lower portion 120al of the first buccal brush pad 102al. This force Fla causes the lower portion 120al of the first buccal brush pad 102al to rotate outwards about the ear feature 136al with minimal rotational movement about the y-direction. Similarly, a comparatively small amount of force Fib is also applied to the lower portion 120bl of the first lingual brush pads 102bl. This force Fib causes the lower portion 120bl to slightly rotate outwards about the ear features 136b 1 with minimal rotational movement about the y-direction.

[0051] In the example of FIG. 7D, both first and second molars exert forces Fla, Fib, F2a, F2b upon the buccal and lingual brush pads 102al, 102bl, thereby combining the impacts shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The second molar exerts slight forces F2a, F2b upon the upper portions 116al, 116b 1 of the brush pads 102al, 102bl. The first molar exerts significant force Fla upon the lower portion 120al of the buccal brush pad 102al, and a lesser force Fib upon the lower portion 120bl of the lingual brush pad 102bl. This results in both brush pads 102al, 102a2 translating outwards along the x-y plane with minimal rotational movement about the y-direction.

[0052] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate aspects of another variation of the j -shaped dental arch 100. In particular, for the sake of clarity, the j -shaped dental arch 100 of FIGS. 8 and 9 omits several brush pads 102, including certain buccal brush pads 102a and lingual brush pads 102b shown in FIG. 2. FIGS. 8 and 9 also omit the tufts 108 of the brush pads 102.

[0053] The dental arch 100 of FIGS. 8 and 9 includes a first buccal brush pad 102al, a second buccal brush pad 102a2, a first lingual brush pad 102bl, and second lingual brush pad 102b2. As can be seen, the brush pads 102al, 102a2, 102bl, 102b2 of FIGS. 8 and 9 are narrower than the brush pads 102al, 102bl shown in FIGS. 3-6. In some examples, the first buccal brush pad 102al and the second buccal brush pad 102al may be substantially collinear. In other examples, the first buccal brush pad 102al and the second buccal brush pad 102al may be arranged at a slight angle relative to each other. Similarly, in some examples, the first lingual brush pad 102bl and the second lingual brush pad 102bl may be substantially collinear. In other examples, the first lingual brush pad 102bl and the second lingual brush pad 102bl may be arranged at a slight angle relative to each other.

[0054] Generally, the brush pads 102al, 102a2, 102bl, 102b2 are arranged to clean a first and second molar within a mouth of a user. In some examples, the first buccal brush pad 102al is configured to clean the second molar, the second buccal brush pad 102a2 is configured to cleanthe first molar, the first lingual brush pad 102bl is configured to clean the second molar and a portion of the first molar, and the second lingual brush pad 102b2 is configured to clean a portion of the first molar.

[0055] The j -shaped dental arch 100 further includes a pair of flex beams 106, a buccal flex beam 106a and a lingual flex beam 106b. The buccal flex beam 106a is defined by a first end 132a and a second end 134a, as shown in FIG. 8. Similarly, the lingual flex beam 106b is defined by a first end 132b and a second end 134b. The first ends 132a, 132b are each anchored to the frame 104, while the second ends 134a, 134b are arranged near the back of the mouth of the user when the j -shaped dental arch 100 is worn.

[0056] The buccal flex beam 106a of FIG. 8 may be conceptually divided into several different members. A diagonal member 138a connects the buccal flex beam 106a to the frame 104. The opposite end of the diagonal member 138a is coupled to an elbow member 140a. The elbow member 140a connects the diagonal member 138a to a pad member 142a. Pad backers llOal, 110a2 of the first and second buccal brush pads 102al, 102a2 are mounted to the pad member 142a. Further, in the non-limiting example of FIGS. 8 and 9, a buccal hook stopper 122a is connected to the pad member 142a.

[0057] Similarly, the lingual flex beam 106b may also be conceptually divided into several members. A pad member 142b is anchored to the frame 104. Pad backers 1 lObl, 110b2 of the first and second lingual brush pads 102bl, 102b2 are mounted to the pad member 142b. Further, the pad member 142b is connected to an extension member 144b. The extension member 144b connects the pad member 142b to lingual hook stopper 122b. As the flex beams 106a, 106b flex outwards due to pressure from inserted teeth, the buccal hook stopper 122a interlocks with the lingual hook stopper 122b to prevent the flex beams 106a, 106b from continuing to move outward beyond a desirable range leading to permanent damage.

[0058] When the j -shaped dental arch 100 is worn by a user having particularly wide first and / or second molars, the molars apply a compressive force to the tufts 108 (not shown) of the first and second buccal brush pads 102al, 102a2 and the first and second lingual brush pads 102bl, 102b2. While some of this force is absorbed by the compression of the tufts 108, the remainder of the force is conveyed from the tufts to the pad backers l lOal, 110a2, llObl, 110b2 of the buccal and lingual brush pads 102al, 102a2, 102bl, 102b2. This force applied to the pad backers llOal, 110a2, llObl, 110b2 is conveyed to the flex beams 106a, 106b. This conveyed force causes theflex beams to 106a, 106b to rotationally flex outwards about the first ends 132a, 132b anchored to the frame 104, thereby translating the brush pads 102al, 102bl outwards along the x-y plane. The degree of the rotational flex of the flex beams 106a, 106b is limited by the buccal and lingual hook stoppers 122a, 122b which interlock to prevent flexing beyond a desired range. Crucially, while the aforementioned forces move the brush pads 102al, 102a2, 102bl, 102b2 apart to accommodate wide molars, rotational movement of the brush pads 102al, 102a2, 102bl, 102b2 about the y- direction is minimized, thereby preventing tipping, and ensuring the tufts 108 experience optimum clamping for teeth cleaning.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.”

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.”

[0063] 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 elementselected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims and other claims to which the applicant may be entitled.

[0068] 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 foregoingexamples are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and 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. A j -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 the set of brush pads (102) comprise a plurality of buccal brush pads (102a) proximate to a cheek of the user and a plurality of lingual brush pads (102b) proximate to a tongue of the user; a frame (104), wherein the set of brush pads (102) and the frame (104) form an open u- shaped cross-sectional profile (101) to receive a portion of the set of teeth when the j-shaped dental arch (100) is worn by the user; a buccal flex beam (106a) configured to couple a first buccal brush pad (102al) of the plurality of buccal brush pads (102a) to the frame (104), wherein the buccal flex beam (106a) is configured to translate the first buccal brush pad (102al) along an x-y plane; and a lingual flex beam (106b) configured to couple a first lingual brush pad (102bl) of the plurality of lingual brush pads (102b) to the frame (104), wherein the lingual flex beam (106b) is configured to translate the first lingual brush pad (102bl along the x-y plane.

2. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 1, wherein the first lingual brush pad (102bl) is arranged opposite to the first buccal brush pad (102al).

3. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 1, wherein a plurality of buccal tufts (108a) of the first buccal brush pad (102al) and a plurality of lingual tufts (108b) of the first lingual brush pad (102bl) are configured to interact with a first tooth of the set of teeth when the j-shaped dental arch (100) is worn by the user.

4. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 3, wherein the first tooth is a molar.

5. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 3, wherein the plurality of buccal tufts (108a) of the first buccal brush pad (102al) and the plurality of lingual tufts (108b) of the first lingual brush pad (102bl) are further configured to interact with a second tooth when the j-shaped dental arch (100) is worn by the user.

6. The j -shaped dental arch (100) of claim 5, wherein the second tooth is a molar.

7. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 3, wherein each of the set of brush pads (102) comprises a pad backer (110) upon which the plurality of buccal tufts (108a) or the plurality of lingual tufts (108b) are arranged.

8. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 1, wherein the buccal flex beam (106a) or the lingual flex beam (106b) is configured to translate the first buccal brush pad (102al) or the first lingual brush pad (102bl) 0.2 millimeters to 0.4 millimeters for every 1.0 millimeter a buccal bristle field (146a) or a lingual bristle field (146b) is compressed.

9. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 1, wherein the first buccal brush pad (102al) and / or the first lingual brush pad (102b 1 ) have a length (114) of at least 25 millimeters.

10. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 1, wherein the buccal flex beam (106a) and the lingual flex beam (106b) are configured to flex along the x-y plane.

11. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 1, wherein an upper portion (116al) of the first buccal brush pad (102al) is coupled to the buccal flex beam (106a), and wherein an upper portion (116bl) of the first lingual brush pad (102bl) is coupled to the lingual flex beam (106b).

12. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 11, wherein a buccal flex gap (118a) is formed between a lower portion (120al) of the first buccal brush pad (102al) and the buccal flex beam (106a), and wherein a lingual flex gap (118b) is formed between a lower portion (120bl) of the first lingual brush pad (102bl) and the lingual flex beam (106b).

13. The j-shaped dental arch (100) of claim 9, wherein the buccal flex beam (106a) comprises a buccal hook stopper (122a), and wherein the lingual flex beam (106b) comprises a lingual hook stopper (122b) configured to interlock with the buccal hook stopper (122a).

14. The j -shaped dental arch (100) of claim 9, wherein the buccal flex beam (106a) is coupled to the first buccal brush pad (102al) and a second buccal brush pad (102a2), and wherein the lingual flex beam (106b) is coupled to the first lingual brush pad (102bl) and a second lingual brush pad (102b2).

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

Images