US20120321369A1

US20120321369A1 - Toothbrush Head and Paste Delivery Means

Info

Publication number: US20120321369A1
Application number: US13/495,601
Authority: US
Inventors: Buta Herr; Avtar Herr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-06-16
Filing date: 2012-06-13
Publication date: 2012-12-20
Also published as: CA2781363A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a tooth brush implement having an articulating head region and a toothpaste dispensing body region. The head region comprises a horizontal crown hingeably connecting to a first and second perpendicular side portion. Inwardly directed bristles from the crown and side portions create an encompassing brush head adapted to contact the occlusal, buccal and lingual surfaces of a tooth and gum line therebelow for cleaning and removing debris. The body region comprises an internal cavity and drive means for forcing toothpaste from the body and into the head region, wherein the head region further incorporates an internal conduit for communicating the paste onto the bristles. The drive means comprises a rotatable drive screw connected to an end cap, wherein rotation of the cap drives a ram element toward the head portion. An embodiment of the head portion further contemplates a swiveling head for angled brushing of molar surfaces.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/497,560 filed on Jun. 16^th, 2011, entitled “Cleanser.” The patent application identified above is incorporated here by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dental hygiene devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new and improved toothbrush device that incorporates an articulating head and a toothpaste delivering body portion that communicates toothpaste into the head portion for cleaning and brushing the surfaces of teeth and along the gum line.
It is well understood that poor dental hygiene, and more particularly poor brushing habits, can lead to various oral maladies related to the structure of one's teeth, gums, and tongue. These generally include plaque buildup, gum diseases and tooth decay. It is submitted that proper cleaning of teeth surfaces, between teeth and along the gum line can prevent or reduce instances of these conditions, wherein debris, plaque and bacteria are removed from the surfaces of the mouth by the contact of the toothbrush in conjunction with toothpaste dentifrice. Proper brushing of one's teeth involves comprehensively cleaning both the surfaces of each tooth, while also cleaning along the tooth gum line and scrubbing the surface of the tongue. This prevents oral disorders and further improves hygiene.
Traditional toothbrush devices utilize elongated shafts comprising handle portion and a head portion having a plurality of densely clustered and upstanding bristles. The bristles are adapted to abrasively remove plaque and debris from a tooth surface, clean within the spaces between teeth, and further to massage the interface between the teeth and gums. More modern brushes include tongue cleaning portions along the head posterior and opposite of the bristles, along with a configuration and design for the bristles that is directed for a specific type of cleaning. These devices are thoroughly described in the art as oral hygiene instruments for the purposes of cleaning teeth using toothpaste. Many variations of the brush head design and handle have been proposed and implemented, wherein their structure improves upon the ability of the brush to remove plaque, contact various surfaces of the tooth and to further increase the utility of the device with respect to brushing effectiveness and overall oral hygiene.
The present invention is related to an oral hygiene device that comprises an articulating head region and a body structure adapted to store toothpaste therein and communicate the paste to the head region during brushing operations. The head region comprises a structure that allows simultaneous brushing and cleaning of the occlusal, buccal and lingual surfaces of the tooth, as well as the gum line interface of the tooth. The head region comprises a flexible, articulating construction that allows the device to be comfortably utilized and accommodate various tooth geometries using the same configuration. The backside of the head region preferably comprises a tongue cleaning surface, while the body region comprises an internal cavity and mechanism for transmitting toothpaste stored within the body region to the head region during brushing activities.
Combining a toothbrush head that is well adapted for maintaining ready oral hygiene of a user with a toothbrush body structure that is capable of storing quantities of toothpaste therein offers several advantages not realized in the prior art. For traveling users and those in military service, it is not always convenient to carry both a toothpaste container and a separate toothbrush instrument, wherein the two items may become separated from one another or the combination thereof creates too much clutter in a tightly packed carrying case. The present invention contemplates a unique body structure that provides a toothpaste container within an interior volume, wherein the container defines the handle of the brush. A manual drive mechanism is utilized to manually force the paste through the body region interior and to the head region, wherein it is dispensed therethrough for ready use in oral tooth brushing and cleaning. Oral hygiene while deployed in the military or while traveling for extended periods is a very important consideration for the overall health of an individual. It is therefore contemplated that the use of the present device facilities such hygiene and oral health, wherein thorough and effective tooth brushing is accomplished in conjunction with ready deployment of toothpaste.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to oral hygiene implements and encompassing toothbrushes. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices have familiar design elements for the purposes of brushing an entire tooth surface and engaging the gum region. These devices specifically relate to brush head devices that provide bristles in a number of different configurations and orientations. Those devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.
Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,794 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,288 to Porper disclose a brush head and body defining a new electric toothbrush, comprising a pair of opposing bristle head portions, a longitudinal drive shaft and a drive means located between the bristle head portions to provide a reciprocating motion of the bristle head. A reciprocating motion imparted by the drive means through the crank creates a side-to-side, lateral movement of the bristle head in an oscillatory motion. While disclosing a new and novel brush head that is adapted to function with an electric toothbrush body, the Porper device is limited thereto and comprises a divergent structure as it relates to the present invention. While the present invention contemplates use with a reciprocating or sonic toothbrush driver, it is more directed to a new toothbrush head and body structure that facilitates complete coverage of the user's teeth while brushing either manually or using a drive means.
Similar to the Porper device is U.S. Pat. No. 7,849,549 to Hegemann, wherein an oral brushing device adapted to be connected to a drive means is disclosed having a head design that follows the “Bass” or “Modified-Bass” tooth-brushing method. The drive means of the device provides bi-directional and straight motion of a first and second opposing brush assembly, which brush both the upper portions of a tooth and along the lateral gum lines. The brush assemblies are mounted to separated and elastic arm structures, which angle the bristles of the brush inward and downward to cover the crown and respective side portions of the tooth. The independently mounted structures are motioned in opposing directions by the drive means when in operation. By contrast, the present invention comprising an oral brushing device head having flexible and rotatable side portions with respect to a crown portion, along with a body structure that facilitates toothpaste flow into the head or a drive means for oscillating the head portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,520 to Eickmann discloses a toothbrush having bristles attached to a two-sided, arcuate head wherein bristles are facing inward toward one another for the purposes of brushing between teeth and along the gum line. The head comprises of two portions that diverge from a handle portion, wherein the bristles are inwardly facing to rub against a tooth between the two head portions. The Eickmann device, while providing a novel toothbrush head design, fails to disclose the structure of the present invention, for both the body of the toothbrush and the head design. The Eickmann device provides two diverging portions, while the present invention provides a crown portion and two lateral portions that are flexibly attached or hinged with respect to the crow portion to accommodate the geometry of a user's tooth and provide complete coverage thereof when brushing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,607 to Wagner discloses an oral hygiene device that includes a bristle carrying head having a spine region and a pair of planar side panels angled approximately forty-five degrees downward from the spine region. The spine region and side panels include inwardly facing bristles for simultaneous engagement of occlusal tooth surfaces and buccal and lingual tooth sidewalls, gingival surfaces and tooth surfaces below the gum line. The bristles are tapered as they extend outward along the side panels from the spine, getting progressively longer to allow contact along the tooth sidewalls and gum line intersection. The Wagner device provides a means to brush a tooth along the gum lines, sidewalls and crow portion simultaneously; however this is accomplished via a tapering set of bristles. The present invention angles uniform bristles inward from upstanding sidewall portions that hingeably connect to a horizontal crown portion.
Similar to the Wagner device, U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,039 to Klinkhammer discloses a tooth cleaning implement having a pair of spaced jaws adapted to straddle a row of teeth and clean both gums and teeth simultaneously. The jaws are adapted to secure to a number of different tooth and gum cleaning implements for the purposes of removing debris and cleaning the tooth and gum surfaces. As noted in the aforementioned prior art devices, the Klinkhammer device fails to disclose the novel aspects of the present toothbrush device articulating head region and toothpaste delivering body region.
The present invention provides a new and improved dental hygiene device that incorporates an enveloping and articulating brush head, along with a body structure that provides storage and communication of toothpaste from its interior to the head region for brushing and cleaning the surfaces of teeth and gums. The structure and intent of the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing toothbrush devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of oral hygiene implements now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new articulating toothbrush and toothpaste storage device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when brushing the surfaces of teeth and gums while packaging the cleaning implement together with the toothpaste solution.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved toothbrush device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush device that has an articulating and encompassing head region, wherein the occlusal, buccal and lingual surfaces of a tooth and gum line are contacted with each pass of the brush head.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush device having a crown portion that contacts the occlusal surface of the tooth and hingeable sidewall portions that contact the buccal and lingual sides of the tooth.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush device having a rotatable crown portion that allows the brush head portion to rotate with respect to the brush body portion.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush device wherein the body portion of the device includes an internal cavity and drive means for storing and communicating toothpaste from the body portion and into the head portion.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush device that combines an enveloping head portion with a toothpaste delivering body portion that may further incorporate an electric oscillation means for vibrating the bristles in the head region during brushing activities to facilitate tooth and gum cleaning.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, including a close-up view of the head portion and an exterior view of the body portion.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the articulating mechanism within the head portion.

FIG. 3 shows another perspective view of an embodiment of the articulating head portion.

FIG. 4 shows yet another perspective view of an embodiment of the articulating mechanism within the head portion.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the body portion and toothpaste drive mechanism, along with a view of the threaded toothpaste container engagement end of the device.

FIG. 6 shows a cross section view of the threaded toothpaste container engagement end and toothpaste drive mechanism of the present invention

FIG. 7 shows the rotatable embodiment of the present invention head portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the oral hygiene implement. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for combining an enveloping brush design with a body region adapted to store and dispense toothpaste into the brush head portion when cleaning the surfaces of a tooth and along the tooth gum line. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the present invention that includes a close-up view of an embodiment of the toothbrush working end. The present device is a combination enveloping toothbrush structure and toothpaste retainer structure that establishes a compact and readily deployable oral hygiene tool. The device comprises a body region 12 connecting to a toothbrush head region 11 at its distal end. The body region 12 includes an internal cavity adapted to accept and store a quantity of toothpaste therein, wherein the cavity defines a hollow interior volume within the body region 12 that spans its entire length, originating at its proximal end and extending through its distal end and into the head region 11, wherein toothpaste is communicated thereinto. Driving the toothpaste toward the head region 11 is a toothbrush drive mechanism within the body region 12 that is actuated by a rotatable end cap 13 and drive screw mechanism. Rotation of the end cap 13 displaces an internal ram driven by the drive screw, which forces the paste through the body region distal end and into a conduit within the head region. Paste then exits the head region conduit through an aperture, wherein the paste enters the bristled interior section of the head and begins to lather as bristles come into contact with teeth and water.
Also shown in FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the head region 11. The head region comprises of a crown portion 20 that hingeably connects to a first and second side portion 17. The crown portion 20 provides a largely horizontal surface for the sidewalls 17 to perpendicularly connect and form a U-shaped design. The connection and interface between the sidewalls 17 and crown is a flexible one that is readily hingeable, allowing the sidewalls to expand outward from their natural position when placed over an enlarged tooth structure. Along the interior surface of the side portions 17 and the crown portion 20 are upstanding and inwardly directed bristles 18, 19. The crown bristles 19 are vertically aligned and adapted to contact the crown or occlusal portion of a tooth, while the side portion bristles 18 are adapted to be positioned perpendicularly to the crown bristles 19 for contacting the lingual and buccal sides of a tooth and the gum line. This provides a cluster of bristles on three sides of a tooth for simultaneous contact and cleaning thereof.
The head region 11 of the device is adapted to securely connect to the body region 12 via a threaded or similar mechanically fastening connection that prevents dislodgement or relative rotation while in use. The upper side of the crown portion of the head may further incorporate a tongue abrasive cleaning surface, wherein a surface texture removes debris from the surface of the tongue when dragged thereagainst. Further elements highlighted in FIG. 1 include a user hand grip 15 along the body region, a window for visualizing the volume of toothpaste within the body region 12 and an optional control switch for an embodiment of the present invention that contemplates the incorporation of an oscillatory mechanism within the handle. Oscillating and vibrating toothbrush devices are well described in the art and are readily recognizable to one skilled in the art of electric toothbrush devices. It is desired to disclose an embodiment of the present device that incorporates a head region 11 oscillating means, wherein the elements of the oscillating means are positioned within the body region 12 and adjacent to the toothpaste interior toothpaste conduit.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the toothbrush head region 11 of the present invention, wherein two side portions 17 are orthogonally and hingeably connected to a crown portion 20. In this embodiment, a rotational spring 21 is utilized as the hinge joint between the side and crown portions, wherein the rotational spring 21 maintains an inward bias on the sidewalls to counteract outward flexing of the overall U-shaped structure when being brushed over larger molars. This inward bias increases the bristle 18 surface pressure on the sides of a tooth, while the user is able to depress the distal end of the body region 12 and crown bristles 19 onto the crown region of the tooth. Outward rotation of the sides portions 17 is readily possible, but an inward reaction force from the hinge spring ensures the assembly does not become extended to the point the side bristles 18 do not provide adequate contact pressure or surface abrasion on the tooth sidewalls.
In this view the connection between the body region and the head region is further illustrated, wherein the head region 11 is removable from the body region for cleaning the body region interior, and further for replacing the head region with an alternate form or fresh replacement. The preferred means of connection is a threaded engagement, wherein the head threadably connects to the body portion and is torqued thereto to prevent relative rotation or dislodgement. The connection between the two regions further includes an open aperture and pathway for toothpaste to flow from the body region 12 to the brush head 11. Once within the head region 11, an internal conduit routes the viscous paste through the crown portion 20 to an outlet extending through the crown interior surface. The paste exits this aperture and is placed onto the bristles, wherein contact with water and the induced scrubbing motion of the bristles quickly lathers the paste into an oral cleaning solution. The drive means of the body region forces the paste into the head region 11, wherein hydraulic pressure causes the paste to exit the head region aperture onto the bristles. As the toothpaste is consumed, the remaining quantity thereof is readily visualized from a window provided in the body region 12, which can be monitored over time to estimate when the assembly needs refilling.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are shown perspective views of embodiments of the articulating brush head region, wherein a solid connection 22 between the crown portion 20 and the side portions 17 of the head is defined, and further an accordion flex joint connection 23 is also defined. The solid connection 22 comprises a continuation of material from the crown region 20, wherein a designed crease in the head geometry, a material transition or a thinned section of material allows ready flexing of the side regions 17 away from one another and with respect to the crown region 20. In the accordion flex joint embodiment of FIG. 4, an accordion style element connects the side portions 17 with the crown portion, wherein the accordion element comprises a readily flexible and reduced stiffness structure with respect to the crown and side portion material. This allows the side portions to displaced based on input pressure from the sidewalls of a tooth being contacted by the side portion bristles 18 while still maintaining surface pressure on the tooth for scrubbing and cleaning purposes.
In any embodiment of the present invention, the head region is adapted to provide a continuous bristle surface that envelops the exposed regions of a tooth, simultaneously contacting the sidewall and crown regions of a tooth to remove debris, plaque and germs therefrom. The sidewalls 17 are further adapted to extend from the crown of the tooth towards and over the gum line, gently massaging the gums while also allowing the bristles 18 to remove plaque and debris from the oral epithelium, free gingival margin and gingival sulcus portion of the periodontium. In use, a user's row of teeth is placed within the interior volume of the head region U-shape, contacted by bristles along three planes. Fore-aft and oscillatory motion of the brush head breaks up plague and removes debris from the exposed surface area of the tooth, while the bristles penetrate the spaces between teeth and between the teeth and gums. The design and shape of the brush head reduces gaps in brushing coverage, increases brushing efficiency and further reduces time required to brush one's teeth.
Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an exploded view of the articulating and toothpaste storing toothbrush of the present invention. The drive means 24 is shown separated from the body region 12 for clarity of its operation. The drive means comprises a rotatable end cap 26 that attaches to an elongated drive screw 27 having a thread pitch along its length. The threading engages a ram element 25 that is adapted to be placed within the hollow cavity of the body region and be supported by the body region interior sidewalls. Specifically, the ram element comprises lateral tabs that engage opposing slots 28 along the interior surface of the body region, wherein the tabs bear against the slots 28 as the drive screw 27 is rotated. Thus the ram 25 is prevented from rotating freely, and therefore is driven forward or backward along the drive screw 27 by the screw threads. When placed within the body region interior, the drive screw is rotated by manual rotation of the end cap 26 to place pressure on the paste within the body region 12 until paste exits the distal end and is communicated to the bristle area of the head region 11.
The end cap freely rotates in either direction when applied to the body region, wherein a snap top connection between the cap and the proximal end of the body region secures the cap thereto but allows static rotation. This connection is familiarly utilized in medicine bottles, wherein an internal tab along the interior of the cap traverses a raised ridge on the body region until placement into a valley that allows free rotation. The valley prevents separation of the cap 26 from the body region 12, except the tab is aligned with a flat region in the ridge perimeter, which allows the tab to slide unopposed therefrom to separate the two elements. When the cap is removed and the drive means 24 is removed from the interior of the body region 12, interior threading 29 along the interior surface of the proximal end allows secure connection to a toothpaste container 30 for refilling the assembly. The toothpaste incorporates a threaded cap 31 that allows the two to be connected and pressure to be applied to the paste container for transference of paste from one vessel to the other without fear of separation or spillage.
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a cross section view of the body region 12 proximal end, wherein the end cap 26 is connected to the body region 12 and is forcing paste 32 through its interior. The end cap 26 connection is one wherein a tab 34 is positioned over a raised ridge 33 along the proximal end of the body 12, allowing the cap 26 to freely rotate and thus rotate the connected drive screw 27. The drive screw further rotates the ram element 25, which is positioned within the guide slots 28 to prevent free rotation and rather allow the threads of the turn screw 27 to translate the ram 25 towards the paste for dispersement thereof. Removing the end cap 26 and the drive means allows the interior of the body region to be cleaned and refilled as necessary.
Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the head region comprises a rotatable structure that separated the crown portion 20 from the side portions and a bridge 35 connection therebetween. The crown 20 rotatably connects to the bridge 35 via a post, wherein the post is preferably the paste conduit from the body 12 to the bristles 19, 18. In this embodiment, the side portions 17 connect to a bridge portion 35 to maintain a U-shape of similar structure of the previous embodiments; however, the bridge and side portions are rotatable from the crown portion 20 to allow the user to brush molars without aligning the body region with the direction of the row of teeth. Thus, the angle of the brush is adjustable with respect to the orientation of the handle to improve overall flexibility of use and ergonomic use of the assembly. The side portions 17 are similarly flexibly hinged from the bridge portion 35 to accommodate larger teeth, while the paste conduit allows ready communication of the contents of the body region 12 into the rotatable embodiment of the head region.
Traditional toothbrush devices may not be designed to cover exposed regions of a user's teeth, which requires the user to manually move the brush across individual portions of each tooth to ensure proper care and uniform cleaning of each tooth. This process is time-consuming and prone to compliance issues, as it relates to regular, consistent and thorough brushing of one's teeth. Additionally, toothbrush heads may not be sized to fit different teeth sizes, and therefore can be uncomfortable or particularly ineffective for individuals with very small or large teeth. If the bristles of toothbrushes do not clear out all food remnants and other deteriorative items, users' teeth may develop cavities, plaque build-up, and other oral hygiene problems. A further problem associated with traditional toothbrush devices that is particular to traveling or deployed personnel is the volume and time consumed by extracting paste from separate container of toothpaste. The present invention provides a new toothbrush assembly that addresses these needs, and further fulfils a long-felt need in the art.
The present invention features a hollow body region for containing dispensable toothpaste therefrom, wherein its working end is connects to a three-sided brush head. Flexible pivot joints connect the side portions of the head in a moveable, pliable manner for accommodating teeth of different shapes and sizes. An internal motor can power the bristles, causing them to vibrate, or alternatively the assembly may be manually utilized without a power source. Overall, the present invention ensures food remnants, plaque, and other threats to optimal oral hygiene are thoroughly removed from all sides and in-between areas of each tooth, along with the areas along the gum line that may capture plaque and other germs.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A tooth brush implement, comprising:

a body region defining a toothpaste interior conduit, a proximal end and a distal end;

said proximal end rotatably and removably connecting to an end cap and a toothpaste drive means;

said distal end connecting to a head region, wherein said toothpaste conduit continues through said head region;

said head region having a least one cluster of bristles;

said head region conduit terminating at an aperture for dispensing said toothpaste onto said bristles;

said drive means adapted to force toothpaste through said interior conduit and through said head region aperture.

2) The device of claim 1, wherein said drive means further comprises:

a turn screw connected to said end cap and having a threaded pitch;

a ram element having tabs that connect into corresponding slots along said body region interior conduit, said tabs adapted to bear against said slots to prevent free rotation of said ram element;

said drive screw threadably engaging said ram element, wherein rotation of said end cap translates said ram element along said conduit.

3) The device of claim 1, wherein said body region further comprises an electric motor for vibrating said head region.

4) The device of claim 1, wherein said body region further comprises a transparent section for visualizing said interior conduit contents.

5) The device of claim 1, wherein said body region proximal end further comprises interior threading along said interior conduit for threaded connection of a toothpaste container port.

6) The device of claim 1, wherein said end cap removable connection further comprises:

a pop top connection having a raised ridge and valley portion along said body region proximal end;

said end cap having a pair of interior tabs adapted to traverse said raised ridge and freely rotate within said valley portion;

said raised ridge having a flat region allowing said tab to easily traverse said ridge and remove said end cap.

7) The device of claim 1, wherein said head region comprises:

horizontal crown portion rotatably connecting to a first and second orthogonal side portions;

said crown and side portions forming a U-shape having interior surfaces;

said crown interior surface having upstanding bristles, said side portions having inwardly projecting bristles.

8) The device of claim 7, wherein said crown and side portion rotatable connection further comprising an accordion flex element.

9) The device of claim 7, wherein said crown and side portion rotatable connection further comprising a pin joint and rotational spring element that creates and inward bias on said U-shape.

10) The device of claim 1, wherein said head region comprises:

horizontal crown portion pivotably connected to a bridge connector portion;

said bridge connector portion rotatably connecting to a first and second orthogonal side portions;

said bridge connector and side portions forming a U-shape having interior surfaces;

said bridge connector interior surface having upstanding bristles, said side portions having inwardly projecting bristles.

11) The device of claim 10, wherein said crown and side portion rotatable connection further comprising an accordion flex element.

12) The device of claim 10, wherein said crown and side portion rotatable connection further comprising a pin joint and rotational spring element that creates and inward bias on said U-shape.

13) A toothbrush head, comprising:

said crown and side portions forming a U-shape having interior surfaces;

14) The device of claim 13, wherein said crown and side portion rotatable connection further comprising an accordion flex element.

15) The device of claim 13, wherein said crown and side portion rotatable connection further comprising a pin joint and rotational spring element that creates and inward bias on said U-shape.

16) A toothbrush head, comprising:

horizontal crown portion pivotably connected to a bridge connector portion;

17) The device of claim 16, wherein said crown and side portion rotatable connection further comprising an accordion flex element.

18) The device of claim 16, wherein said crown and side portion rotatable connection further comprising a pin joint and rotational spring element that creates and inward bias on said U-shape.