U.S. patent application number 09/912370 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-30 for travel toothbrush.
Invention is credited to Florence, Ira.
Application Number | 20030019062 09/912370 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25431801 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030019062 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Florence, Ira |
January 30, 2003 |
Travel toothbrush
Abstract
The present invention, in one aspect is directed to a toothbrush
comprising an elongate handle and a brushing head. The elongate
handle has first and second portions. The first portion includes a
generally rectangular shaped body with grip means for facilitating
holding the toothbrush during use. The second portion includes an
elongate body having a securing means for retaining the brushing
head in a fixed position relative to the elongate handle. An axis
extends between the first and second portions of the elongate
handle such that the brushing head is angularly tilted relative to
the axis.
Inventors: |
Florence, Ira; (Thornhill,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
H. Samuel Frost
Bereskin & Parr
40 King Street West
Box 401
Toronto
ON
M5H 3Y2
CA
|
Family ID: |
25431801 |
Appl. No.: |
09/912370 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/167.1 ;
132/311; 15/176.2; 15/184; 15/194 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 7/04 20130101; A46B
15/0061 20130101; A46B 2200/1066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/167.1 ;
15/176.2; 15/184; 15/194; 132/311 |
International
Class: |
A46B 007/04; A46B
009/04 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A toothbrush comprising: an elongate handle and a brushing head,
said elongate handle having a first and second portion, said first
portion including a body providing a grip for facilitating holding
said toothbrush during use, and said second portion including an
elongate body having a securing means at an end remote from said
first portion, for mounting said brushing head in a fixed position
relative to said elongate handle, wherein said body includes a
hollow region for storing at least one brushing head.
2. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body includes
a handle axis extending between said first and second portions of
said elongate handle and a brush axis of said brushing head, and
wherein said securing means is such that said brush axis is
angularly tilted relative to said handle axis.
3. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 2, wherein said brush axis is
provided at one of an acute angle and an obtuse angle relative to
said handle axis.
4. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 3, wherein said securing
means includes opposed mounting surfaces perpendicular to said
brush axis and a bore extending between said mounting surfaces and
wherein said brushing head includes a shaft for engaging said bore
of said securing means.
5. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 4, wherein said bore and said
shaft of said brushing head include complementary threads.
6. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein sides of said body
are substantially rectangular and said body has a substantially
square cross-section.
7. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 6, wherein said body includes
a series of inwardly arched concaved regions longitudinally
distributed along said sides of said body, whereby each of said
inwardly arched concaved regions is adapted to facilitate gripping
said toothbrush whilst in use.
8. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body includes
a removable lid for closing said hollow region, whereby said at
least one brushing head can be confined within said body by said
lid.
9. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein said body
includes at least one hole to permit air to enter and circulate
within said hollow region and to dry moist or wet brushing
heads.
10. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 3, wherein said acute angle
is in the range of approximately 65-70.degree., and said obtuse
angle is in the range of approximately 120-125.degree..
11. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 8, wherein said body and
said lid each include at least one hole therethrough to said hollow
inner volume, to permit air to enter said and exit said hollow
inner volume from separate holes.
12. A toothbrush comprising: (a) an elongate handle moulded from a
plastic material, which includes a first and second end portion,
said elongate handle having a body at one end having a hollow inner
volume, open at a free end thereof and having side surfaces of a
generally waved shape to facilitate gripping of said toothbrush
whilst in use; (b) on at least one of said side surfaces, at least
one hole through to said hollow inner volume, to permit air flow
access to said hollow inner volume of said elongate handle; (c) a
removable lid for closing said open free end of said hollow inner
volume; (d) a brushing head, wherein said brushing head is
connected to said angled securing means; and (e) an angled securing
means for securing said brushing head to said second portion.
13. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 12, further including at
least one replacement brushing head stored in said hollow inner
volume of said elongate handle.
14. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 12, wherein said elongate
handle has an axis extending longitudinally throughout its length
between said lid means and said angled securing means, and wherein
said angled securing means is annularly shaped, said angled
securing means having a first surface and a second surface, whereby
said brushing head connects to either said first surface or said
second surface.
15. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 14, wherein said axis and
said first surface of said angled securing means form an acute
angle.
16. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 15, wherein said acute angle
is in the range of approximately 65-70.degree..
17. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 14, wherein said axis and
said second surface of said angled securing means form an obtuse
angle.
18. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 17, wherein said obtuse
angle is in the range of approximately 120-125.degree..
19. A method of providing a brushing head of a toothbrush for use
and for protecting the brushing head, the method comprising: (a)
providing a toothbrush with a body and providing a hollow region
within said body for storing said at least one brushing head; (b)
providing a lid for closing said hollow region, to confine said at
least one brushing head within said hollow region to protect said
at least one brushing head; (c) providing at least one hole in at
least one of said body and said lid for permitting air flow through
said hollow region to reduce moisture in said hollow region; (d)
providing said toothbrush with a securing means, and in use,
mounting a brushing head to said securing means; and (e) removing
said brushing head from said securing means when not in use; and
(f) storing said brushing head in said hollow region.
20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said storing step
comprises: (a) removing said lid means for providing access to said
hollow region; (b) placing said brushing head in said hollow
region; and (c) replacing said lid means for confining said at
least one brushing head within said hollow region.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention is related to a toothbrush, particularly an
interdental massaging brush adapted for the purpose of
traveling.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Oral hygiene is an everyday requirement for all individuals.
The build up of bacterial plaque which can ultimately lead to
gingivitis and other gum diseases can be over come by a proactive
oral hygiene program. Regular brushing with a suitable toothbrush
allows for the removal of plaque and massage and stimulation around
the gingival margin gumline and interproximal regions of the teeth.
Consequently, a toothbrush device of suitable design is necessary
for accessing the interproximal regions of the teeth as well the
front and back regions of the teeth, and these functions are not
always provided by conventional toothbrushes.
[0003] Another aspect of oral hygiene relates to the consistency
and regularity requirement associated with brushing one's teeth and
massaging, stimulating and exercising one's gums. For this reason,
a brushing device should be easy to use and easy to carry around,
such as in a person's pocket for instance. One toothbrush which is
found to be useful in helping individuals improve oral hygiene is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,272 by the patent assignee
(Sulcabrush Inc.) of the proposed present invention, and is
specifically intended to act as an interdental gumline brush that
provides massage and stimulation around the gumline, interproximal
regions of the teeth and behind the back teeth. However, this type
of toothbrush does not allow for easy portability as it does not
provide a means for storing the brushing heads after use. The size
of the toothbrush is also a limiting factor for portability
purposes.
[0004] The present inventor has now realized that it is desirable
to provide for storage of the brushing head or for each brushing
head after use, once the individual has finished brushing his or
her teeth. This would allow the individual to carry the toothbrush
in a coat or jacket pocket for example. Whilst travelling, it would
be desirable to store the brushing heads to keep them clean, once
the individual has finished brushing his or her teeth. This is
particularly desirable in the case when the individual carries the
toothbrush in a coat or jacket pocket for example.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a toothbrush, particularly
an interdental massaging brush, which enables effective brushing
and the removal of bacterial plaque, more particularly along the
gumline, between the teeth and behind the back teeth, as well as
providing a means for storing and maintaining the brushing
heads.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to a toothbrush comprising an
elongate handle means moulded from a plastic material, which
includes a first and second end portion. The elongate handle has a
hollow inner volume and surfaces of a generally waved shape to
facilitate gripping of the toothbrush whilst in use. The elongate
handle also comprises at least one hole located on its surfaces,
wherein the at least one hole allows air flow access to the hollow
inner volume of the elongate handle. The toothbrush also includes a
removable lid means, wherein the lid means attaches to the first
end portion of the elongate handle means and provides access to the
hollow inner volume. An angled securing means is located at the
second end portion of the elongate handle, whereby the securing
means secures the brushing head in place.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method of maintaining brushing heads of a toothbrush
having a body, the method comprising: providing a hollow region
within the body of the tooth brush for storing the brushing heads,
and providing a lid means for confining the brushing heads within
the hollow region; and providing at least one hole in the body for
promoting drying of brushing heads.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For a better understanding of the present invention and to
show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will
now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from the side of a
toothbrush according to the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a perspective bottom view of the toothbrush
showing of a hollow region of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 shows a perspective bottom view of the toothbrush of
FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of the toothbrush of
FIG. 1, with an opened lid;
[0013] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view from the side for the
toothbrush of FIG. 1 without the brushing head attached; and
[0014] FIG. 6 shows a perspective bottom view of the toothbrush of
FIG. 1 with the lid being closed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a toothbrush 10 comprising an elongate
body or handle 12, which includes first and second portions denoted
by reference characters 14 and 16 respectively. The first portion
14 of the elongate handle includes a body 18, which has a hollow
region inside, as indicated by 20 (as illustrated in FIG. 2). It
will be appreciated that body 18 can be of any geometrical shape,
which incorporates an inner hollow region inside. For example, body
18 may be cylindrical as opposed to the generally rectangular shape
shown in FIG. 1. The surfaces of the rectangular shaped body 18 are
wave shaped as a result of a series of inwardly arched, concaved
regions 22a, 22b, 22c extending longitudinally across its length.
Regions 22a, 22b and 22c facilitate gripping the toothbrush during
brushing. Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the frequency
and depth of the regions 22a, 22b, 22c are selected to comfortably
accommodate the fingertip regions 26 and 28 of a person's thumb and
fingers respectively. Regions 22a, 22b, 22c preferably extend
around the entire perimeter of body 18. Alternatively, however,
regions 22a, 22b, 22c may extend only partially around body 18. It
will be appreciated that body 18 may alternatively have another
shape, as long as it includes a hollow region within and a surface
profile facilitating gripping thereof.
[0016] The first portion 14 of the body 18 includes an arched
region 31 having a plurality of holes 30. The arched region 31 is
located on the body 18, where the cross section of the body 18
reduces to form the cross section of the second portion 16 of the
elongate handle 12. Holes 30 in the body 18 are described in
further detail below.
[0017] Portion 18 has an end 34 which opens into the hollow region
20. A lid 38 is included which fits on end 34. Lid 38 is used to
close hollow region 20 for the storage of items therein. Referring
to FIG. 2, it can be seen that lid 38 includes a rectangular base
64 and a smaller rectangular protrusion 62 extending concentrically
therefrom. The cross-section of the rectangular protrusion 62 is
approximately the same as the cross-section at the mouth of the
hollow region 20. In fact, the cross-section of the rectangular
protrusion 62 is slightly smaller than the cross-section at the
mouth of the hollow region so that the protrusion 62 may be pushed
into the mouth to provide a snug fit, to retain the lid 38 in
position. Once the protrusion 62 is forced into the mouth of the
hollow region 20, an outer edge 66 of the rectangular base 62 abuts
against a rim 68 (see FIG. 2) of the rectangular body 18.
Preferably, both the handle 12 and the lid 38 are moulded from a
plastic material. It will be understood that the protrusion 62 and
wide surfaces at the mouth of region 20 can be provided with one or
more complementary projections and recesses to provide a snap fit
to the lid 38.
[0018] To prevent the lid 38 from being lost, it is connected to
the handle 12 by a living hinge 15 or the like. The living hinge 15
is integrally connected to the body 18 and lid 38. It will be
appreciated that if the body 18 were to be made from a material
other than plastic, the living hinge 15 can still be manufactured
as an integral part of body 18. The lid 38, includes a hole 32
therethrough, which is described in further detail below.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, the second portion 16 of elongate
handle 12 includes an elongate generally rectangular body with a
substantially reduced cross section relative to rectangular shaped
body 18. The end portion of the elongate handle 12 includes an
annular shaped securing means 40, which has a threaded bore 42 for
securing a brushing head 50 in place. The securing means 40 is
angularly tilted relative to elongate handle 12 and has a first
surface 46 (see FIG. 5) and a second surface 48 (see FIG. 1). A
brushing head 50 has a threaded shaft 52 which screws into the
threaded bore 42 of the securing means 40. The brushing head 50
also includes a body 54 to which the threaded shaft 52 is moulded.
The body 54 also holds and secures in place a plurality of bristle
elements 56. The brushing head 50 is screwed into the threaded bore
42 until the end portion of the body 54 tightens against the second
surface 48 of securing means 40. In this position, a brush axis 45
of the brushing head 50 is at an acute angle, defined by .THETA.1,
relative to a handle axis 44 which runs along the length of the
elongate handle 12. The brush axis 45 then lies on an axis of the
threaded bore 42 that is perpendicular to the first and second
surfaces 46, 48. Referring to FIG. 4, the brushing head 50 can
similarly be attached to the first surface 46 of securing means 40,
such that the brushing head 50 and axis 44 form an obtuse angle, as
defined by .THETA.2. By altering the position (acute or obtuse) of
the brushing head 50 in this way, the toothbrush can be adapted to
remove plaque, massage and stimulate either the lingual or inside
surfaces of the teeth and gums and behind the back teeth, or the
outer or buccal surfaces. The acute angle that the brushing head
forms with axis 44 is in the range of approximately 65-70.degree..
Also, the obtuse angle that the brushing head forms with axis 44 is
in the range of approximately 120-125.degree..
[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a replacement brushing head 60 can
be stored in the hollow region 20 of the body 18. The inner volume
of the hollow region, indicated by 20, is such that more than one
replacement brushing head 60 can be stored in the body 18. Also,
for travel purposes, the existing brushing head 50 can be removed
from the securing means 40 and stored in the hollow region 20. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, once the existing brushing head 50 or
replacement brushing heads 60 are stored in the rectangular shaped
body 18, the lid 38 is placed on the end 34, to cover the hollow
region 20 in order to retain the brushing heads inside.
[0021] With all brushing heads, including the brushing head 50
placed in the hollow region 20, there is then no need to provide a
protective cap or the like. The handle 12, by itself, is then small
and compact, and can be readily carried in a user's pocket, for
example.
[0022] Hinge 15 has been shown to be a living hinge that is
integral with both the body 18 and the lid 38. Alternatively,
however, hinge 15 can be any suitable type of hinge, and may by a
separate piece that is attached to body 18 and lid 38. As a further
alternative, hinge 15 may be omitted entirely, so that the lid 38
is a completely separate piece that is removably attachable to the
end 34 of the body 18.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the holes 30 on the body 18 and
hole 32 on the lid 38 allow air to circulate in the hollow region
20 (see FIG. 2), which serves as a means for drying brushing heads
which are moist or wet from use and generally drying the hollow
region 20.
[0024] In the embodiments described, body 18 includes a plurality
of holes 30 and lid 38 includes a hole 32. By having two or more
holes in total, air can enter and exit hollow region 20 by separate
holes. It is alternatively possible, however, for a single hole to
be included to permit airflow into and out of hollow region 20. The
hole may be on either the body 18 or alternatively on the lid 38.
Furthermore, more or fewer holes 30 and 32 may be included and they
may be of any suitable shape while permitting airflow into and out
of hollow region 20. Holes 30 and 32 may be positioned anywhere on
the body 18 or lid 38 and may be in any orientation while
permitting airflow into and out of hollow region 20.
[0025] Body 18 and lid 38 have been shown to be rectangular in
cross section. Alternatively, however, body 18 and lid 38 may have
any suitable cross sectional shape. For example, body 18 may be
cylindrical having an annular end 34, and lid 38 may have a
circular portion for inserting into end 34.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, the acute angle of the brushing head 50
relative to the elongate handle 12 is preferably used for cleaning
the lingual or inside surfaces of the teeth and gums and behind the
back teeth. Also, the buccal or outer surfaces of the teeth are
preferably cleaned when the brushing head and elongate handle form
an obtuse angle, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Consequently, in
accordance with the present invention, in use, the toothbrush
invigorates the gums, massages the gingival margin and cleans and
removes plaque from the surfaces and interproximal areas of the
teeth and behind the back teeth. It will also be appreciated that
the brushing head 50 shown in FIG. 1 is the same as the brushing
head shown in the patent assignee's earlier patent, U.S. Pat. No.
4,679,272. Although the embodiment of the present invention
illustrates a rectangular shaped body 18, the body 18 can be of any
shape which comprises a wave shaped profile for facilitating
gripping the toothbrush 10.
[0027] It will be understood that various modifications can be made
to the preferred and alternative embodiments described and
illustrated herein, the scope of which is defined in the appended
claims. In particular, while the invention is, in general,
applicable to any toothbrush configuration, it is particularly
intended for an interdental brush having small, compact brushing
heads as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,272, or other small stimulating and
cleaning devices. Compared to the size of conventional toothbrush
heads, such small brushing heads can be readily stored in the small
handle of a portable toothbrush.
* * * * *