DENTAL HYGIENE DEVICE

• US 20090229062A1
• Filed: 03/16/2009
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Elizabeth Filby
• Original Assignee: Elizabeth Filby
• Inventors: Filby, Elizabeth
• Application Number:
  US12/404,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20090229062A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/22.100
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/045 specially adapted for cleaning a plurality of tooth surfaces simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/222 Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/349 with multiple brush bodies

Abstract

A dental device is disclosed, wherein the dental device includes a base portion, a maneuverable head portion, and a plurality of bristles for improved dental cleaning and minimization of physical movement associated with dental cleaning.

Claims

1. A dental device comprising:

i. a base portion having a power source;

ii. an attachment portion;

iii. a head portion having a curved inner edge with opposing sides and a v-shape comprising an apex and two distal ends, such that the distance from one side of the curved inner edge to the opposing side of the curved inner edge increases from the apex toward the distal ends;

iv. at least one dental tray; and

v. a plurality of bristles located within the at least one dental tray.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the head portion includes a mechanism for allowing movement and adjustment so that the head portion is adapted for simplified oral entry and exit and for ideal fit within a wide range of mouth shapes.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the mechanism for allowing movement and adjustment includes a hinge located at the apex of the head portion so that the head portion can collapse such that the distance between opposing sides of the curved inner edge is reduced via activation of the hinge.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the base portion includes a means for controlling the activation of the hinge.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the mechanism for allowing movement and adjustment includes a flexible substrate located between the opposing sides of the curved inner edge so that the head portion can flex to be collapsed for entry into a mouth and subsequently expanded for ideal fit within the mouth.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the flexible substrate is elastic in nature.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the base portion includes a means for controlling the collapse and expansion of the head portion.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the base portion, the attachment portion, or both, can be separated from the head portion during use, during storage, or both.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the head portion further includes a top dental tray and a bottom dental tray such that both dental trays include two side walls and both dental trays share one base portion.

10. The device of claim 3, wherein the head portion further includes a top dental tray and a bottom dental tray such that both dental trays include two side walls and both dental trays share one base portion.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the side walls and base portion of both dental trays serve as a housing for a plurality of bristles.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the side walls and base portion of both dental trays serve a housing for a plurality of bristles.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the top dental tray conforms to a user'"'"'s upper teeth so that the bristles housed on both side walls contact the upper teeth and the bottom dental tray conforms to a user'"'"'s lower teeth so that the bristles housed on both side walls contact the lower teeth.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the top dental tray conforms to a user'"'"'s upper teeth so that the bristles housed on both side walls contact the upper teeth and the bottom dental tray conforms to a user'"'"'s lower teeth so that the bristles housed on both side walls contact the lower teeth.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the side walls of both dental trays are arranged at an oblique angle in relation to the base portion.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the side walls of both dental trays are arranged at an oblique angle in relation to the base portion.

17. The device of claim 11, wherein the bristles housed in the base portion are arranged perpendicular to the base portion and the bristles housed in the side walls are arranged perpendicular to the side walls.

18. The device of claim 12, wherein the bristles housed in the base portion are arranged perpendicular to the base portion and the bristles housed in the side walls are arranged perpendicular to the side walls.

19. A dental device comprising:

i. a base portion having a power source;

ii. an attachment portion;

iii. a head portion having;

a. a top dental tray and a bottom dental tray, wherein both dental trays include an inner and an outer side wall and one shared base portion so that the inner and outer side walls are arranged at an oblique angle in relation to the base portion;

b. a curved inner edge with opposing sides, such that the curved inner edge corresponds with the inner side wall of the top and bottom dental trays; and

c. a v-shape comprising an apex and two distal ends, wherein the distance from one side of the curved inner edge to the opposing side of the curved inner edge increases from the apex toward the distal ends;

iv. a plurality of bristles housed in both the side walls and shared base portion of the dental trays, wherein the bristles housed in the side walls are located perpendicular to the side walls and the bristles housed in the base portion are arranged perpendicular to the base portion;

wherein the head portion includes a hinge portion for allowing movement and adjustment so that the head portion is adapted for simplified oral entry and exit and for ideal fit within a wide range of mouth shapes.

20. A method for improving oral hygiene comprising:

i. providing a dental cleaning device having a base portion, a power source and a head portion, wherein the head portion includes one or more dental trays housing bristles;

ii. activating a means within the dental cleaning device so that the head portion of the dental cleaning device collapses for simplified insertion into a mouth;

iii. allowing the head portion of the dental cleaning device to adjust and move within the mouth so that the head portion and one or more dental trays align with the contours of the mouth and teeth;

iv. activating the power source so that one or more of the bristles and one or more trays are engaged in repetitive motion;

v. de-activating the power source so that any movement of one or more of the bristles and one or more trays ceases;

vi. activating the means within the dental cleaning device so that the head portion of the dental cleaning device collapses for simplified removal from the mouth.