Patent Publication Number: US-2011072604-A1

Title: Three Dimensional Brush

Description:
DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different figures identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. The arrows displayed in the Figures are solely for the purpose of showing the direction of movement and are not intended to be part of the patented product. 
     The toothbrush shown in  FIG. 1  comprises a handle and a wing portion  9 . The toothbrush is made to be three dimensional so that it reaches the buccal, oclussal and lingual sides of the user&#39;s teeth,  14 - 26 . 
     The wing is made up of three brushes  2 - 8 ,  9 - 13 . The occlusal brush is in the center  15 - 18 , whereas the lingual and buccal are attached to the wings  19 - 26 . The wings expand and contract due to connective material  13 . 
     When the toothbrush is inserted into the mouth it covers the occlusal, lingual and buccal side of the teeth and expands according to the shape and width of the teeth,  27 - 35 . 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Although toothbrushes have been around since the time of the Egyptians, their design, shape, structure and motion has remained practically the same. 
     The unique design of the present invention is its three dimensional capability. The toothbrush has not only one, but three brushes that provide for complete cleaning on each surface of teeth simultaneously. The bristles are arranged in rows with even spaces in between each row providing for more movement and allowing for more bend in the sweep of the bristles. The bristles are further arranged in a conical or bell shape on each brush so to allow maximum potential and cleaning to the hard to reach proximal and cervical areas and in between each tooth. 
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with this invention the toothbrush includes two segments, a handle and a wing portion on the head. The handle being thinner towards the top and thicker towards the bottom to provide for pressure and stability 
     The wing being comprised of three brushes, the occlusal brush being immobile and in the center, whereas the lingual and buccal are attached to a connective wing and expand out to the right and left of the handle. 
     The connective wing is comprised of flexible material between the occlusal and the buccal and the occulas and the lingual brushes. The connective wing being rigid on the buccal and occlusal brush section. The connective wing&#39;s flexibility provides for expansion and contraction in accordance with the circumference and shape of the teeth, expanding as it reaches the posterior teeth and contracting when cleaning the anterior teeth. 
     The connective wing is perforated by small oval shaped holes so to allow water to freely pass through and not be retained in the brush. The bristles are arranged in evenly spaced rows, providing for bending in a sweeping motion. The bristles are also arranged in a conical shape to allow for cleaning of the hard to reach tooth surfaces. 
     An object of this invention is to provide a toothbrush with multiple brushes to provide complete cleaning on all surfaces of teeth simultaneously. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide evenly spaced bristles, arranged in a conical shape to allow for cleaning of the hard to reach surfaces. 
     As embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention is broadly drawn to an oral care toothbrush, preferably comprising: a handle segment and a head with a wing as described herein. 
     In a preferred practice of the invention the oral care toothbrush is characterized by its three dimensional nature. The toothbrush is preferably small in size and lightweight. The toothbrush is a revolutionary and needed design as an alternative to the conventional form, design and utility of a toothbrush. It serves to gently remove the plaque, cover all sides of teeth simultaneously and massage the gums. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Toothbrushes in general are, and have been, a well-known art. Most brushes are broken down into two main categories: 1) the conventional manual brush; and 2) electric brushes. It is well-known that dentists are concerned with assuring patients clean all areas of the tooth including hard to reach spaces in between teeth. 
     In the present case, the toothbrush created allows for a comprehensive cleaning of each side and angle of the user&#39;s teeth. More importantly, the brush provides a three-dimensional cleaning of each tooth with one stroke. Instead of having to brush each side separately, this brush allows for brushing all three sides simultaneously. In addition the shape and location of the bristles provide cleaning of the hard to reach places. 
     When toothpaste is applied to the cleaning elements, the user inserts the head into the mouth and brushes his/her teeth in a known manner. The head of a conventional toothbrush usually has a flat or slightly altered surface to which cleaning elements are attached, is comprised of static brushes, and provides up and down movement to only one side of the mouth. This device, however, has three separate brushes which cover the occlusal, buccal and lingual sides of each tooth, providing maximum cleaning. 
     The brushes expand and contract freely in accordance with the size and shape of the teeth due to the flexible nature of the wing. 
     The toothbrush of the present inventor facilitates maximum cleaning with the same amount of time and effort. The user does not have to brush each side of his/her teeth individually. The toothbrush instead provides complete cleaning along the cervical and proximal surface of each side of the teeth (occlusal, buccal and lingual) while massaging the gums simultaneously. 
     The typical classical brush is comprised of static, non-moveable bristles that are locked in place and move only in conjunction with the force and direction provided by the user&#39;s hand covering only one side of the tooth surface. This type of toothbrush is limited in functionality, and flexibility of movement and can only cover one area of the teeth at a time. The conical shape of the brushes in the present invention, combined with the evenly spaced rows of the bristles allows more movement and provides for a deeper and more complete cleaning. U.S. Pat. No. 7,574,765 issued to Huber et. al Aug. 18, 2009 discloses a toothbrush the wing without the brush showing the flexible portion between. By contrast, the present invention has three brushes to 
     allow for three dimensional cleaning. 
     Raaf et al disclose a toothbrush with a means for adjustment of the bristle length including a moveable slotted or perforated plate arranged over the bristle holder and with bristles passing through the slots or perforations said plate being movable up and down the bristle length by means of a slide mechanism or a screw connection. Here, the toothbrush reaches the occlusal, buccal and lingual sides of the mouth in one stroke. 
     Porat discloses a toothbrush in U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,786 issued in Jun. 25, 1996. This is a toothbrush with means for adjustment of the bristle length including a moveable slotted or perforated plate arranged over the bristle holder and with bristles passing through the slots or perforations said plate being movable up and down the bristle length by means of a slide mechanism or a screw connection. Here, although there may be some flexibility, it fails to reach all three sides of the tooth in one stroke. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.