
Every year, some consumer goods bring new innovations.
Computers become faster, mobile phones become lighter, and cars become more fancy.
It's easy to imagine why inventors are attracted to redesign these products.
The technology that makes them has been changing.
But what about long-standing consumer goods?
The answer to the toothbrush is the resounding yes ".
According to US media reportsS.
Patent and Trademark Office website, as of Christmas, there are 138 patents in the title published this year, including the word toothbrush. 138!
I talked to several patent holders about why they invented toothbrushes, and they all said almost the same thing: something is missing in the toothbrush universe.
"Cleaning teeth is actually a very complicated problem, and I think that may be why there are so many inventions around it," Tom Mintel said . " Vice President of Research and development of Colgate global toothbrush division.
With so many toothbrush patents this year, he is not surprised at all.
The brush is not like floor polishing.
There are some areas in the mouth that need to be cleaned and they have different shapes and interesting angles.
The teeth are hard but the gums are soft so you can't brush your teeth with the same energy.
One solution Colgate is looking for is to make the toothbrush smarter, Mintel said.
The company has just released an electric toothbrush in the UK with sensors on the handle to tell the location in the toothbrush mouth.
"Therefore, this brush will not expect consumers to switch between different speeds depending on the surface of their brush, but will do it automatically," he said . ".
Corporate giants are not the only ones trying to make better toothbrushes.
Michael Davidson, a dental therapist in the suburbs of Houston, said most of the new toothbrushes are designed for their own look, with exquisite handles or different handles --
Color bristles.
"I haven't really seen a more effective way to solve how users use brush brushing techniques," he said . ".
The most effective technology needs to hold the brush so that the bristles are tilted about 45, Davidson said
The angle of leaning down to the gums.
"So one day I just sat down and said, 'What would I do if I were to design a very, very good toothbrush? '?
He thought that when people hold the brush, instead of trying to teach them to tilt their hands to right angles, he would tilt the bristles to the right angle.
All the bruels have to do is go back and forth.
"This is stupid.
"I think it will be the best way to express it," he said . ".
Davidson hopes to bring the toothbrush to market by next June. (
Click here and scroll down to see Davidson's patents. )
The invention of Joshua Atkin was for different reasons.
Today, Atkin is a dentist in Dayton, Ohio, but before entering the field of oral care, he served as a jazz saxophone player.
"I travel a lot and one of the things I forget most often is my toothbrush," he said . ".
So Atkin invented the one-offin-one toothbrush. (
Click here and scroll down to see Atkin's patents. )
It has a hollow handle that can distribute dry toothpaste particles.
"You put them on the brush head and run under water, and then you have a seasoned toothpaste.
"It can be said that very few schoolchildren dream of becoming the inventor of toothbrushes.
Of course not Colgate's Mintel.
"But I have to say that it is surprising to work on things that seem so simple ,[but]
"It's really a lot more complicated than I thought, and at first glance you're going to credit it, and it's something that touches everyone," Mintel said . ".
It sounds like a fairly noble mission in this way.