BENDABLE TOOTHBRUSH

Abstract

A bendable toothbrush that can bend and twist into multiple different shapes and then hold and lock into that shape while brushing or flossing the teeth. The bendable toothbrush can stay locked in a desired bent position when applying pressure during brushing or flossing and does not substantially bend back from its locked position when in contact with teeth and gums in a user's mouth. The bendable toothbrush can have a removable head piece made of silicone that bends together with a metal wire in the removable head piece to lock into the desired bent position when applying pressure during brushing or flossing, and a reusable handle.

Claims

1. A bendable toothbrush, comprising: where the bendable toothbrush is configured to bend and twist into multiple different shapes and then hold and lock into that shape while brushing or flossing the teeth, where the bendable toothbrush is configured to stay locked in a first bent position when applying pressure during brushing or flossing and does not substantially bend back from its locked position when in contact with teeth and gums in a user's mouth, and where the bendable toothbrush is configured to have a removable head piece made of silicone that bends together with a metal wire in the removable head piece to lock into the first bent position when applying pressure during brushing or flossing, and a reusable handle.

2. The bendable toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the reusable handle is configured to work with a suite of two or more removable head pieces, where the suite of the two or more removable head pieces includes two or more of 1) a brush head with bristles on one side of the head, 2) a floss head with arms, and 3) an interproximal toothbrush head.

3. The bendable toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the reusable handle is composed of injection molded silicone with a metal wire embedded in the reusable toothbrush handle, where the metal wire extends out of the reusable handle and is coated with a silicone layer acting as a casing for the metal wire.

4. The bendable toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the removable head piece has a channel formed within a housing of the removable head piece, where the removable head piece is configured to slide onto the metal wire that extends out of the reusable handle via the channel formed within the housing of the removable head piece.

5. The bendable toothbrush of claim 1, wherein both the removable head piece and the reusable handle of the bendable toothbrush have a housing made of silicone, and at least the reusable handle is made out of two or more different hardnesses of silicone.

6. The bendable toothbrush of claim 1, wherein dimensions of the reusable handle and the metal wire extending out of the reusable handle are constructed to come in multiple different sizes to adapt for use by a toddler, a child, or an adult, where the dimensions of the reusable handle for the adult are bigger than the dimensions for the toddler.

7. The bendable toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the reusable handle is composed of a silicone material with a Shore A hardness under 50 makes up part of the reusable handle as well as is used on a back of the removable head piece to be gentle on soft tissue of the user.

8. The bendable toothbrush of claim 1, further comprising: a silicone sleeve configured to be inserted between the removable head piece and the reusable handle with the metal wire sticking out of the reusable handle.

9. The bendable toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the removable head piece is a brush head, and wherein the brush head has bristles on a front side and ribbed silicone on a backside of the brush head to be a tongue scraper.

10. The bendable toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the reusable handle has a suction cup attachment located on its base.

11. A method for a bendable toothbrush, comprising: providing the bendable toothbrush to bend and twist into multiple different shapes and then hold and lock into that shape while brushing or flossing the teeth, providing the bendable toothbrush to stay locked in a first bent position when applying pressure during brushing or flossing and does not substantially bend back from its locked position when in contact with teeth and gums in a user's mouth, and providing the bendable toothbrush with a removable head piece made of silicone that bends together with a metal wire in the removable head piece to lock into the first bent position when applying pressure during brushing or flossing, and a reusable handle.

12. The method for the bendable toothbrush of claim 11, further comprising: providing the reusable handle to work with a suite of two or more removable head pieces, where the suite of the two or more removable head pieces includes two or more of 1) a brush head with bristles on one side of the head, 2) a floss head with arms, and 3) an interproximal toothbrush head.

13. The method for the bendable toothbrush of claim 11, further comprising: providing the reusable handle that is composed of injection molded silicone with a metal wire embedded in the reusable toothbrush handle, and providing the metal wire to extend out of the reusable handle and be coated with a silicone layer acting as a casing for the metal wire.

14. The method for the bendable toothbrush of claim 11, further comprising: providing the removable head piece to have a channel formed within a housing of the removable head piece, and providing the removable head piece to slide onto the metal wire that extends out of the reusable handle via the channel formed within the housing of the removable head piece.

15. The method for the bendable toothbrush of claim 11, further comprising: providing both the removable head piece and the reusable handle of the bendable toothbrush to have a housing made of silicone, and at least the reusable handle is made out of two or more different hardnesses of silicone.

16. The method for the bendable toothbrush of claim 11, wherein dimensions of the reusable handle and the metal wire extending out of the reusable handle are constructed to come in multiple different sizes to adapt for use by a toddler, a child, or an adult, where the dimensions of the reusable handle for the adult are bigger than the dimensions for the toddler.

17. The method for the bendable toothbrush of claim 11, further comprising: providing the reusable handle to be composed of a silicone material with a Shore A hardness under 50 the makes up part of the reusable handle as well as is used on a back of the removable head piece to be gentle on soft tissue of the user.

18. The method for the bendable toothbrush of claim 11, further comprising: providing a silicone sleeve to be inserted between the removable head piece and the reusable handle with the metal wire sticking out of the reusable handle.

19. The method for the bendable toothbrush of claim 11, wherein the removable head piece is a brush head, and wherein the brush head has bristles on a front side and ribbed silicone on a backside of the brush head to be a tongue scraper.

20. The method for the bendable toothbrush of claim 11, further comprising: providing the reusable handle with a suction cup attachment located on its base.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The aspects, features, and advantages of several embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description as presented in conjunction with the following several figures of the drawings. The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the bendable toothbrush with the metal wire extending out of the reusable handle and the removable head piece bent at a first locked in position.

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the bendable toothbrush with the metal wire extending out of the reusable handle exposed and bending into all different directions.

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the suite of removable head pieces each with a silicone body and a hollow channel for the metal wire.

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the bendable toothbrush bent into various positions.

[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the bendable toothbrush with the sleeve around the juncture of where the metal wire extending out of the reusable handle inserts into the channel in the housing of the removable head piece.

[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the removable bristle tablet and a tract in the silicone head to slide the bristles into the silicone head.

[0013] While the design is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The design should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the design.

DETAILED DISCUSSION

[0014] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific amount of bristles, named components, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present design. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present design can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known components or methods have not been described in detail but rather in a block diagram in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present design. Further, specific numeric references such as a first position, can be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the first position is different than a second position. Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. Also, the features implemented in one embodiment may be implemented in another embodiment where logically possible. The specific details can be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present design. The term coupled is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the bendable toothbrush with the metal wire extending out of the reusable handle (the metal wire exposed for illustration purposes) and the removable head piece 22 bent at a first locked in position. The bendable toothbrush has a reusable toothbrush handle 11 configured to work with a suite of two or more removable head pieces 22. The bendable toothbrush has a metal wire that will bend and stay in position. The rigidity of the metal wire cooperating with the silicone housing is strong enough to hold the position when exerting pressure during brushing. Irrelevant to whether the metal wire is molded within the handle 11 or the brush head, an important part of this concept is that the bendable toothbrush has a removable head piece 22 and a handle 11 made of silicone, and that the head piece 22 bends together with a metal wire when (e.g. at the time) the wire is within the removable head piece 22, and then locks into the desired bent position even when pressure is applied during brushing or flossing.

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the bendable toothbrush with the metal wire extending out of the reusable handle 11 exposed and bending into all different directions. The toothbrush can bend, twist, and curve in all directions, such as 90 degrees from vertical, +90 degrees from vertical, +45 degrees from vertical, etc., to allow the toothbrush to reach all areas within a mouth and stay locked in the desired position the toothbrush was bent to while applying pressure brushing and/or flossing the teeth. The bendable toothbrush can bend and twist into multiple different shapes and then hold and lock into that shape while brushing or flossing the teeth. Upon brushing and applying pressure, the bend will hold in the desired position. The toothbrush bends and stays locked in the bent position by being strong enough to sustain the bent position when applying pressure brushing. The bendable toothbrush can be a manual toothbrush that can bend, twist, and curve in all directions, which then can hold and stay in the desired position, in order to effectively brush teeth in a user's mouth. In an alternative, the bendable toothbrush uses similar concepts when implemented with an electric motorized version. The flexible, bendable, twistable manual toothbrush can help increase the effectiveness of tooth brushing. The desired angulation can better assist in reaching all areas of the dentition in the mouth which results in improved overall oral and general health. The reusable manual toothbrush is able to bend, twist, and lock in/hold into different positions while applying pressure during a brushing of the user's teeth, gums, and tongue. The user can brush their teeth without having to change their arm position into an awkward and/or weird angle to reach all areas with the toothbrush. The bent and twisted position of the brush head 22 allows more effective and easier to access teeth surfaces. The toothbrush is easier to use to reach the hard to access areas of the teeth with a simple bend and/or twist of the brush head 22 in relation to the handle 11. The manual toothbrush can apply pressure on the teeth and gums and the manual toothbrush would not bend back from its locked position. The bendable toothbrush stays locked in a desired bent position when applying pressure during brushing or flossing and does not substantially (e.g. the user need not re-bend the toothbrush because the brushing altered its shape making brushing awkward) bend back from its locked position when in contact with teeth and gums in a user's mouth.

[0017] The reusable toothbrush handle 11 is composed of injection molded silicone with the metal wire embedded in the reusable toothbrush handle 11. The handle 11 houses the metal wire which extends out of the reusable toothbrush handle 11 by, for example, 2-3 inches. The exposed metal wire extends out of the reusable handle 11 and is coated with a thin silicone layer acting as a casing for the metal wire.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the suite of removable head pieces each with a silicone body and a hollow channel for the metal wire. A first example brush head 22 can have bristles embedded in the silicone 360 degrees around the head. A second example brush head 22 can have bristles in merely the frontside of the head. A third example brush head 22 can have bristles embedded as an interproximal brush head. A fourth example brush head 22 can be a tongue scraper with a curved brush backing made of silicone. The example brush head 22 with the curved brush backing made of silicone can have bristles in the frontside of the head. A fifth example floss head 22 can have arms to hold the floss.

[0019] This metal wire that extends out of the reusable toothbrush handle 11 inserts into a corresponding channel formed within the housing of the removable head piece 22. The reusable handle 11 works with a suite of two or more removable head pieces 22, such as brush heads 22 and/or floss heads 22, to fit into this reusable handle 11. The suite of the two or more removable head pieces 22 includes 1) a brush head 22 with bristles on one side of the head, 2) a floss head 22 with arms, 3) an interproximal toothbrush head, and 4) etc.

[0020] The floss holder can be a compartment on the handle 11 to hold more floss. There is a small canal on that part of the neck of the floss head 22 in which floss slides up and hooks the floss head's arms V shape piece and then hooks on the second part. For additional floss, it can be pulled on one end which circulates the floss chamber for. more floss to be used.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the bendable toothbrush bent into various positions. This metal wire with the casing that extends out of the handle 11 creates a form fit when the user sticks the metal wire from the reusable handle 11 into the removable head piece 22. The removable head piece 22 made of injection molded silicone goes over the extended wire, generally until it comes in contact with the rest of the handle 11, and then the user can bend the silicone housing and this wire together.

[0022] The removable head piece 22, such as a brush head 22, has a housing of the same type of layered silicone with a channel formed within a housing of the removable head piece 22 so that the removable head piece 22 will slide onto the metal wire that extends out of the reusable handle 11 via the channel formed within the housing of the removable head piece 22. The neck of the brush head 22 houses the canal/channel opening of the same dimension as the silicone layered metal piece of the handle 11. This allows the brush head 22 to slide into the handle 11 and grip into place. The brush head 22 slides over and onto the silicone casing of the metal wire coming out of the handle 11.

[0023] The metal for the metal wire can be aluminum, stainless steel, or an amalgam of metal. The metal wire can have a thin coating of silicone (e.g. casing) to hide the exposed metal. The metal wire with its silicone casing need not be circular in shape but rather have multiple edges, such as an X shape and/or a cross shape, to assist the removable head piece 22 and the handle 11 stay together when brushing a person's teeth. Generally, the bendable toothbrush has a removable head piece 22 made of silicone that bends together with a metal wire in the removable head piece 22 to lock into the desired bent position when applying pressure during brushing or flossing, and a reusable handle 11. Thus, the removable head piece 22 made of silicone bends together with wire to lock into a desired position to brush an awkward area/hard to reach area within the mouth and it is not like a sharp turn, it could just be a little bend. The removable head piece 22 and the wire inside the removable head piece 22 are not going to be bent or twisted the same way every single time. The bendable toothbrush has its a structural metal core (e.g. metal wire) such that this toothbrush can bend, twist, and then hold at the bent position while brushing.

[0024] Note, visually shown in FIG. 4 a bend occurs and is locked into the desired position with a sharp bend at the juncture of the handle 11 and the brush head 22. Also shown is a slight bend locked into position curving the brush head 22 slightly backwards. Not shown but another bend may be a sharp bend can be made at the neck of the removable head piece 22 near the bristles. This sharp bend allows better brushing ability behind the lower front teeth. This can be a key to most people not accessing behind their lower front teeth due to the angle of the current brushes and the dimensions. In an example, the acute sharp angle locked into the bent position allows the bristles to curve behind, for example, the lower incisors to brush behind the upper and lower front teeth to better clean these surfaces. The bend can occur and lock in, for example, close to bristles. The point is multiple bends can occur and the bendable toothbrush will then lock into an optimum brushing and/or flossing position for that particular user and the desired area in the mouth the user wants to clean.

[0025] Both the removable head piece 22 and the reusable handle 11 of the bendable toothbrush have a housing made of silicone and at least the reusable handle 11 is made out of two or more different hardnesses of silicone that are medical grade and phthalate-free. The material composing the removable head piece 22 and/or the handle 11 can be made of 100% Soft Food Grade, medical grade silicone, BPA-Free, BPA PVC, and phthalate-free silicone to be eco-friendly.

[0026] The upper of the handle 11 has a softer silicone layer for gripping. The softer silicone layer can be, for example, between 20-50 Shore A. The silicone material with a Shore A hardness under 50 makes up part of the reusable handle 11 as well as is used on a back of the removable head piece 22 to be gentle on the soft tissue of the user. The Shore A hardness scale can be a durometer scale used to measure material hardness. Shore A durometers range from 0 to 100the higher the durometer value, the harder the material. The lower end of that handle 11 has a harder silicone layer for durability and structural strength. The harder silicone layer can be, for example, between 60-70 Shore A. The reusable handle 11 with the removable head piece 22 includes a silicone-layered structure with different hardness levels for grip, flexibility, comfort, and durability.

[0027] The silicone portion of the toothbrush has a grip that feels comfortable to a user while still being bendable. The toothbrush handle 11 is made of 100% Soft Food Grade, medical grade silicone, BPA-Free, BPA, PVC, and Phthalate free. The toothbrush handle 11 is also composed of one or more metal wires. The base of the handle 11 can be a removable piece from the handle 11. The softer silicone material that is part of the handle 11 can also extend through the back of the removable head piece 22 to give a softer feel. The handle grip is stable.

[0028] The reusable handle's dimensions can be determined with a set of user-specific adaptations sized for toddlers, adults, etc. The dimensions of the length and/or diameter of the reusable handle 11 and the length and/or diameter of the metal wire extending out of the reusable handle 11 are constructed to come in multiple different sizes to adapt for use by a toddler, a child, or an adult. The dimensions of the bendable toothbrush in FIG. 1 are for a toddler. The dimensions of the bendable toothbrush in FIG. 5 are for an adult. The length and/or diameter of the dimensions of the reusable handle 11 for the adult are bigger than the dimensions for the toddler. The gauge of the metal wire can be, for example, 12 gaugediameters 0.08 inches to 0.15 inches, or 14 gauge. The metal wire may be a single stranded thick gauge or multiple stranded wires forming a gauge thickness. The length of the wire extending out of reusable head piece 22 or extending out of the head piece 22 is 2-3 inches. The dimensions of the metal wire can be set to be consistent so that the reusable handle 11 allows various brush heads 22 to fit with the same handle 11 and extending wire. The dimension of the removable head pieces 22 can also be sized different for a toddler, a child, or an adult. The removable, disposable brush head 22 comes in a suite of various sizes and shapes (e.g. toddler, child, adult). The brush head 22 and the floss head 22 can have a suite of sizes and shapes for a toddler, a child, or an adult. The bend of the bendable toothbrush can occur closer to the bristles or closer to the connection point between the head and the wire. Also, the brush head can be narrower and converge around the bristles.

[0029] The brush head 22 and the floss head 22 can be disposable.

[0030] The brush head 22 and the floss head 22 can be composed of a hard silicone base, which holds the bristles, and then have a soft silicone material on the back of the head. The bristles can be embedded into the silicone base and/or have those bristles embedded into a disposable plastic tablet. The superficial layer of the back of the bristles is curved about 10 degrees and is of softer 20 Shore A silicone. This soft curved layer will be gentler against the cheek and soft tissue. The amount of curvature of the brush head 22 portion of the toothbrush that feels comfortable to a user while still being bendable.

[0031] The neck of the brush head 22 has a softer silicone which will allow the metal wire to bend and stay in position. The back of the brush head 22 can have a 10-20 degree curvature of silicone which holds the bristles. The curvature allows easier access to the molars without injuring the gums or cheek, the curvature follows the anatomy curve of the arch. The brush head 22 can curve to follow the dental arch, making brushing more effective and gentler. The removable head piece 22 is a brush head 22 with bristles on a front side and a backside of the brush head 22 can be ribbed, (e.g. a repeating pattern of ridges and valleys), or has another similar pattern in the external surface of the silicone housing to be a tongue scraper. The amount of the curvature of the brush head 22 portion of the toothbrush allows easier access to all areas of the mouth without causing damage to the mouth. The curvature helps with the anatomy of the mouth and arch form of the teeth especially when brushing the back teeth on the cheek sides. This is a plus for young users. The toothbrush is gentle.

[0032] The brush head 22 has a soft set of bristles. The bristles are formed with soft material and come in various shapes and sizes. The brush head 22 is a replaceable brush head 22 that fits within the reusable handle 11 for a more environmentally friendly material. The replaceable brush head 22 has bristles of various dimensions and shapes which can be used in the various parts of the mouth, the back surface of the lower front teeth, twists for the back of the upper and lower molars, or for patients with braces, patients with crowding. The shapes are of various forms to accommodate the need of the particular area to be brushed. Again, the metal wire can bend, twist, flex, and then hold and lock the bendable toothbrush in the desired position while exerting pressure while brushing.

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the removable brush head tablet and a tract in the silicone head to slide the replaceable bristles into the silicone head. In an embodiment, the replaceable bristles can be embedded on a narrow tablet which can slide into a compartment and lock in place on the brush head 22 so that the bristles can be reordered without needing to dispose of the entire handle 11. The tablet with the bristles can slide out of the compartment via a release mechanism. The removable bristle tablet is designed to slide into the silicone brush head 22. The bristles can also be embedded into the silicone backing of the brush head 22. Both options allow a changeable brush head 22 while keeping the same handle 11. The hard plastic tablet can hold the bristles of any shape or size. This hard plastic tablet can slide into the brush head 22 housing in the silicone handle 11. This would allow for an eco-friendly product with less expense to the user since the handle 11 is reusable. The brush head 22 can be replaceable and interchangeable with different size bristles.

[0034] The bristle tablet makes the bendable toothbrush environmentally friendly, less storage space and versatile. The bristle tablet slides into the compartment on the brush head 22. The housing of the bristle tablet is designed to hold the tablet in place and lock into place. To remove is a sliding motion to slide out and replace with a new bristle tablet. Materials of the bristle tablet are BPA free, medical grade and green, recyclable. The bristle tablet holds soft bristles and versatile with shapes, lengths and sizes. The bristle tablet can have a slight curvature to the backing so that it is shaped to the curvature of the brush head. Again, the bendable toothbrush can be a unitary brush head 22 and handle 11.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, the brush head 22 can be made of silicone in which the bristles are embedded in which the bristles are embedded merely on one side to form a standard toothbrush. The brush head 22 can be made of silicone in which the bristles are embedded 360 degrees to form an interproximal toothbrush. The back part of the brush is curved with rounded edges. The various shaped bristles, such as the interdental brush 360 degree brush, is on a silicone base that slides onto the handle 11. Additionally, the disposable head can have two or more arms to hold dental floss and has a channel to slide onto the handle 11.

[0036] In an embodiment, the brush head 22 can have notches in the silicone casing to have a little bit of air space to allow the user to bend a little easier and don't have to fight against the material being there. In an embodiment, the housing of the brush head 22 and the reusable handle 11 taper down to allow the user to bend a little easier and don't have to fight against the material being there.

[0037] The floss head 22 can be curved/bent so the user need not bend the handle 11 and floss up and down. Again, the bendable toothbrush can be a unitary brush head 22 and handle 11 or two separate pieces of a brush head 22 and a handle 11 that mechanically connect via the metal wire and its casing.

[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the bendable toothbrush with the sleeve around the juncture of where the metal wire extending out of the reusable handle 11 inserts into the channel in the housing of the removable head piece. The silicone sleeve/locking collar can slide over the bendable toothbrush at its neck location where the head would mate with the handle 11 to act as a seal and help hold the desired position. A silicone sleeve/locking collar can also merely be inserted between the removable head piece 22 and the reusable handle 11 with the metal wire sticking out of the reusable handle 11. The sleeve can be long enough to extend over part of the neck and handle 11 to cover the junction. The sleeve wraps over the metal wire and onto the neck of the removable head piece 22 and the handle 11. The silicone sleeve is also a piece that can help to keep that junction where the head would mate with the handle 11 for hygienic purposes. The silicone material housing of the head and/or of the handle 11 shape can be designed to bend easier by having space to bend. The sleeve can act as a seal and a secondary way to help hold the desired position, but the sleeve can be optional. The silicone material housing can also have a shape of its diameter narrowed at the junction where the head would mate with the handle 11 to allow the head to be bent easier and stay locked in position. The sleeve/locking collar also could go over the narrowed diameter of silicone material at the junction where the head would mate with the handle 11. The materials would be the same type of soft and hard silicone with internal strands of wire forming the flexible ribs of the sleeve. The sleeve/locking collar can also be constructed with the rigidity to hold the bendable toothbrush in place when the user is applying pressure of brushing their teeth or flossing their teeth.

[0039] The base of the handle 11 can have a silicone grip holder which can suction grip onto a smooth surface for hygienic storage while not in use. The suction cup grip base can suction onto the mirror or glass in a horizontal or a vertical position. The reusable handle 11 can have a suction cup attachment located on its base or located on its side to allow the brush to stay upright or at a horizontal position held for hygienic storage. Note, the suction cup located on its base can hold the handle 11 of the toothbrush and its head piece 22 in a vertical position when mounted to a sink countertop or in a horizontal position when mounted to a mirror. The base of the handle 11 can be made of 100% Soft Food Grade, medical grade silicone, BPA-Free, BPA, PVC, and Phthalate free. The base of the handle 11 can have a suction cup that is removable. The suction cup dimensions are sufficient to hold the toothbrush upright on horizontal or vertical surfaces.

[0040] The silicone suction grip toothbrush holder holds and supports the toothbrush when not in use. The silicone suction grip toothbrush holder holds the brush in vertical, upright position, or horizontal to prevent contact of countertops. The silicone suction grip toothbrush holder can suction onto glass or mirrors. The silicone suction grip toothbrush holder makes it easy to store and hygienic from contaminated surfaces. The opening of the suction grip holds the toothbrush in the upright position. In an embodiment, the design, shape and size of the handle 11 matches the design of the top edge of the suction grip so that when vertical the brush can be rested on the curvature of the suction grip base. In an embodiment, the design, shape and size of the handle 11 matches the design of the top edge of the suction grip so that when laying the brush flat, it can be rested on the curvature of the suction grip base. The suction grip base is washable and fits with all the other handles of this product line.

[0041] In an embodiment, the handle 11 can have a narrow compartment to hold toothpaste, which is flexible so by pressing on the area of the handle 11, it will dispense toothpaste onto the bristles. This makes it an all in one brush, which is great for traveling without the need to carry a tube of toothpaste. In an embodiment, the toothpaste compartment and/or chamber can be made of a silicone, slightly softer than the handle 11, located on the handle 11, or on the removable brush head 22. The toothpaste compartment can be located on the removable brush head 22 because the handle should be a universal fit for all of the set of bristle heads. The toothpaste compartment can be located on the handle 11 so that the toothpaste compartment and floss compartment can be stored. The toothpaste compartment can be a softer silicone chamber so that it can be squeezed and upon pressure pushes the toothpaste up to the bristles. A silicone seal on top of the compartment opens with small lever handle to peel/pull out to open and close the compartment. The silicone seal has ridges on the edges of the seal so that it can lock into the opening of the compartment. The opening in the compartment can be the same size and dimension of all toothpaste tube openings on the market. This makes it easy to dispense into the chamber. There can be a channel from the compartment through the canal of the neck of the brush head 22 which opens onto the bristles of the brush. When the compartment is gently pressed then it pushes the toothpaste up through the channel and dispenses the desired amount onto the bristles. This is important for pediatric users so that minimal toothpaste is dispensed to lessen ingesting chemicals and fluoride in the toothpaste. This feature is also useful so that the brush is all in one and easy to travel or to work without having to carry a big tube of toothpaste.

[0042] In an embodiment, the bendable toothbrush can be in one unitary piece without any pieces that are removable. In an embodiment, the bendable toothbrush can be a two separate piece system of the handle 11 and the bristle head being separate units. The option for a unitary bendable one piece toothbrush would use the same type of soft and hard silicone with an internal wire to allow flexibility.

[0043] As discussed, the metal wire/core can be embedded in and extend out of the handle 11 and the head piece. In an embodiment, the metal wire/core can be embedded in and extend out of the replaceable head and then inserts into the handle 11.

[0044] The parts are made out of silicone injection molds for manufacturing. For the handle 11, the silicone is injected with the wire in place in that mold. The manual toothbrush made out of different silicone materials with the wire inside can bend, twist, hold and lock into that position repeatedly without breaking during an expected use period. Instead, the toothbrush needs the strength of the user's hand to bend it back to an upright position; but otherwise, will stay in its locked position while in contact with the teeth and gums.

Additional Details

[0045] The toothbrush is designed to have bendable tip and brush and/or angled tips and brushes. The toothbrush can be manual or motorized with bristles. The manual toothbrush may be bendable, have a flexible neck, and have a flexible bristle head 22.

[0046] 1) In an embodiment, the handle 11 is reusable with a stable base for it to stay upright when not in use. The handle 11 can be made out of silicone or a rubbery material. The handle 11 will house the bendable metal or hardened plastic piece of the brush that can lock into place once at one or more angled positions. The handle 11 has a flexible component as well. The handle 11 can be made out of a single unit that is bendable. The handle 11 can be made out of a multiple piece unit that is bendable.

[0047] 2) The neck piece could be bendable and flexible to any position and it will lock and hold any position for mechanical use, e.g. brushing. The neck can twist to an angle to brush along the gumline on inside and outside areas of the back teeth. In an embodiment, the toothbrush may be bendable with a flexible neck that also has a flexible bristle head 22. In an embodiment, toothbrushes and other types of brushes can use the angled and bendable combination into that brush.

[0048] 3) The bristle head has segments that are bendable to brush various contours of teeth, missing teeth, various sizes of teeth, crowding. The tip of the brush head 22 can bend to access areas behind the upper and lower front teeth and behind the last molars. Also, helpful for patients that have braces, the bristle head 22 can be flexible to reach all areas. The handle 11 of the manual toothbrush it's going to be flexible along with the brush head 22 bristles themselves have some sort of independent movement so that the head 22 itself and/or the bristles can move to conform or be pliable to the surface along the surface of the tooth. This toothbrush will help with any one with dexterity limitations and the elderly.

[0049] This toothbrush has a bendable flexible material which allows the toothbrush neck to bend in any direction and the brush head 22 can twist or bend to conform to surface anatomy. The bristles can be short and almost sponge like. The flexibility of the neck of the brush allows kids and adults to have better ergonomics and accessibility to their teeth and gums. The brush head 22 is replaceable to reduce environmental wastes and costs for the consumer. The bendable toothbrush can have a flexible brush head 22 that conforms to various anatomy of teeth within the mouth. That is when a person is holding the handle 11 of the toothbrush, that person do not have to raise their elbows due to a one dimensional vertical design but rather hold the device and allow the flexible angles of the handle 11, head 22, and brushes of the device to reach all the necessary areas.

[0050] The electric and manual toothbrush variants come with options of: [0051] i) a movable, rotational, vibrational brush head 22 in all directions; [0052] ii) a bendable, movable, rotational brush neck in all directions; and [0053] iii) a handle 11 that is bendable--that can bend at the neck and hold its position or brush head 22 that is pliable and bendable and can conform to the anatomy of the object.

[0054] The material can be a silicone exterior and a bendable piece internally such that it will also lock and hold the new position and endure pressure and mechanics.

[0055] 4) Again, the bristles can be shorter, longer or spongy type.

[0056] The multiple movable segments of the toothbrush can be fun for young children patients which can look like a moving worm. The above manual and/or motorized toothbrush provides easier ergonomics and increased efficiency in tooth brushing for better long term health for children and adult patients.

[0057] In additional embodiments the toothbrush may have the following features.

[0058] The electric toothbrush has an angled body and a rotating head 22. The brush head 22 sweeps 180 degrees across the surface of the teeth. The toothbrush has an angled neck, which is flexible. The flexible angle of the toothbrush may use a hinge. The neck is bendable, and the neck and/or base has the electronics including the memory and processor, and the toothbrush is angled for better ergonomics and to sweep along the tooth surfaces to make toothbrushing easier and more effective. Instead of a person twisting their wrists, the head of the toothbrush will go back and forth to reach areas that are traditionally hard to clean. The movements of the toothbrush are intended to reach and clean the areas that most people miss cleaning properly.

[0059] The toothbrush can have a motor to make it go across the tooth contours. The electric toothbrush has one or more motors disposed of within an interior chamber of a handle 11. A drive shaft is in mechanical communication with each motor, with an end having a drive gear thereon. A brush head 22 is secured to the handle 11 member, having one or more brush assemblies disposed upon the brush head 22. Each of the gears can engaged with the brush assemblies. When the motor rotates the drive shaft, the gear rotates the bristle block.

[0060] The flexible angle and the rotating head combine to be more effective at cleaning all tooth surfaces than current products. The flexible angle and the rotating head 22 combine to be easier to use for individuals who have hand and/or arm limitations due to disabilities. The electric toothbrush with an angled body and rotating head results in better oral health as well as overall body health. The electric toothbrush with an angled body and rotating head 22 helps to lessen the chronic issues of gum disease and tooth cavities due to poor cleaning of the tooth surfaces and below the gum line.

[0061] The electric toothbrush with an angled body and rotating head 22 comes with software and a memory card so that brushing can be customized and personalized on individual settings.

[0062] The electric toothbrush with an angled body and rotating head 22 has a greater range of movement and angular positions than current products. The electric toothbrush with an angled body and the rotating head 22 has a sweeping 180 motion with the brush and head 22 across the tooth surfaces. The neck of the toothbrush can angle between 60 degrees, 90 degrees, and 120 to make the toothbrush easier to use to get at different angles inside the mouth and at different surfaces of the tooth.

[0063] The neck of the toothbrush can be positioned to the angles of 60, 90, or 120 degrees according to the best position to get to the surfaces of the teeth selected by i) the user and/or ii) the software program controlling the angled neck and rotating toothbrush. The toothbrush head 22 sweeps and rotates along the Y axis at 180 to cover all surfaces of the tooth structure as the head rotates. The bristles may be elongated or shortened to reach behind the last molars of the teeth. The brush head 22 can be angled and rotated in multiple directions in order to brush the upper lower front and back teeth without movement of the individual's wrists.

[0064] A software program and memory and processor in the toothbrush can work with the electric toothbrush. The teeth and gums of the mouth can be scanned. This scan is linked to an app that is individually customized movement for each mouth for optimized cleaning. This can be assisted by machine learning/artificial intelligence. Thus, a scan of the teeth and then each person has an app, and then the toothbrush will make all those movements customized to the teeth and gums of that person.

[0065] While the foregoing design and embodiments thereof have been provided in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant(s) for the design and embodiments provided herein to be limiting. Additional adaptations and/or modifications are possible, and, in broader aspects, these adaptations and/or modifications are also encompassed. Accordingly, departures may be made from the foregoing design and embodiments without departing from the scope afforded by the following claims, which scope is only limited by the claims when appropriately construed.