Dimensions Functional Characteristics Considered Under Each Dimension

Options

Bristles

Length Different Lengths

Uniformity of Lengths of Bristles Across Head Uniform Varies Across Head

Width Different Widths

Thickness Different Thicknesses

Cross-Section Round Other Cross-Sections

Texture Extra Soft (for Children)

(for Sensitive Teeth) Soft Medium Hard

Material Nylon Animal Hair Others Materials

Transparency Transparent Nylon-Tinted Other Varieties

Whether Indicative of Brush Life? Yes No

Is It Possible To Measure Recommended Amount of Toothpaste (for Children)?

Yes No

Shape of Top Surface of Each Bristle Round Other Shapes

Profile of Each Bristle Straight Curved

Inclination of Bristles to Head All Bristles At Same Inclination Different Bristles At Different Inclinations

Arrangement of Bristles on Head In Three Rows Other Arrangements

Length of Spread of Bristles on Head Different Lengths

Top Surface Profile of All Bristles on Head Different Surface Profiles

Head Length Different Lengths

Width Different Widths

Thickness Different Thicknesses

Cross-Section Different Cross-Sections

Shape Round Diamond Other Shapes

Material Different Types of Plastics

Flexibility Flexibility In One Direction Rigid Other Modifications

Number of Heads One Two

Neck

Length Different Lengths

Width Different Widths

Thickness Different Thicknesses

Cross-Section Different Cross-Sections

Shape Different Shapes

Material Different Types of Plastics

Flexibility Flexible In One Direction Rigid Other Modifications

Profile Straight Bent

Degree of Inclination of Neck To Body Different Inclinations

Body

Length Different Lengths

Width Different Widths

Thickness Different Thicknesses

Cross-Section Different Cross-Sections

Shape Different Shapes

Shape of End Surface Different End-Surface Shapes

Material Different Types of Plastic

Profile Straight Bent

Grip Rubber Thumb Grip (for Children) Soft, Squishy Grip (for Children)

Ribbed Other Provisions For Grip

Operation Manual Battery-Powered

Foldability Foldable Not Foldable

Storage Hanging Resting

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 Technology Morphology

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Morphology of a ToothbrushA very in t r igu ing morphology ( tab le ) o f a Toothbrush is presented here. You' l l be amazed that there 's so much of technology involved behind the development of a 'common' toothbrush.

Components/DimensionsStructura l ly , the toothbrush has four components � the body, the neck, the head and the br is t les.   We could a lso inc lude the in ter faces among these four components.

Variants/OptionsFor each of the above components we have many var iants .   For instance, the var iants of the body would mani fest in terms of the mater ia l used, the geometr ic features ( length, cross sect ion,� ) , the type of sur face, mark ings on the sur face, and so on.   Again, the mater ia ls used for the body could vary accord ing to the avai lab le (or poss ib le) opt ions � p last ic (po lymers) , wood, rubber , ceramic, e tc .

When such an abst ract descr ip t ion is comprehensive ly presented we can understand a l l types of toothbrushes � past , present and fu ture (at least some new or novel poss ib i l i t ies) .   Each toothbrush (past , present or fu ture) can then be ident i f ied as a unique combinat ion of the var iants and components.   Thus, MA can serve as a f ramework for innovat ions (new patents?) in toothbrush technology.

Toothbrushes are s imple, technologica l ly speaking.   Typica l ly , they do not involve any �act ive� components.   By �act ive� we mean that there are human-designed energy or mass t ransfer processes happening in the technologica l product or process.   For example, a car or scooter engine, when work ing, is �act ive� .   Energy and mass t ransfer processes occur in th is case.   Contrast th is wi th a toothbrush � we aren� t ta lk ing about the modern e lect r ica l ly powered/automated toothbrushes.   Our common toothbrushes are �passive� .   There are no human-designed energy or mass t ransfer processes.

References1.     Colgate Tota l Profess ional Toothbrush  www.colgate.com/cp/corp.c lass/products /main. jsp?

div is ion=North+Amer ica&productCat=Oral+Care&last=div  

2 .     Colgate Plus Toothbrush  www.colgate.com/cp/corp.c lass/products /main. jsp?div is ion=North+Amer ica&productCat=Oral+Care&last=div  

3 .     My F i rs t Colgate Barney Toothbrush  www.colgate.com/cp/corp.c lass/products /main. jsp?div is ion=North+Amer ica&productCat=Oral+Care&last=div  

4 .     Colgate Sensi t ive Toothbrush  www.colgate.com/cp/corp.c lass/products /main. jsp?div is ion=North+Amer ica&productCat=Oral+Care&last=div  

5.      www.odc.ueda.nagano. jp / toothbrush.htm  

6 .     Ora l -B Ind icator  www. ora l -b .com/home/cata log/cata log.nsf /CHProds/080400  

7 .     Colgate Wave Toothbrush  www.colgate.com/cp/corp.c lass/products /main. jsp?div is ion=North+Amer ica&productCat=Oral+Care&last=div  

8 .     Colgate Act ibrush bat tery powered toothbrush  www.colgate.com/cp/corp.c lass/products /main. jsp?div is ion=North+Amer ica&productCat=Oral+Care&last=div  

9 .     Colgate Navigator Toothbrush  www.colgate.com/cp/corp.c lass/products /main. jsp?div is ion=North+Amer ica&productCat=Oral+Care&last=div  

10. Ora l -B Ind icator Designs  www. ora l -b .com/home/cata log/cata log.nsf /CHProds/083502  

11. Double-head toothbrush for comprehensive toothcare  www. inventor .hu/ i f is /sect iona/a0001/a0001.htm  

12. Colgate Gr ip�ems Pokemon Toothbrush  www.colgate.com/cp/corp.c lass/products /main. jsp?div is ion=North+Amer ica&productCat=Oral+Care&last=div  

13. Count Down to Heal thy Teeth and Gums! : how i t works  www.t imemachinetoothbrush.com/nof lash/htmls/works.html  

� Indian Institute of Technology Madrasand

Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India

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