U.S. patent application number 10/065709 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-18 for dental hygiene holder.
Invention is credited to Page, Bliss Essence, Page, William Clark.
Application Number | 20040050733 10/065709 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31996459 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040050733 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Page, Bliss Essence ; et
al. |
March 18, 2004 |
Dental hygiene holder
Abstract
The invention is a Dental Hygiene Center. This center is an all
in one tooth care center. It includes a plurality of places to
store toothbrushes or tongue cleaners etc. It has a location to
store a package of floss and it includes a timer that reminds the
brusher to brush longer. There is a tooth paste dispensing part
built into the unit. A User simply places the bottom of the tube
into a groove where it fits into a crank device that rolls up the
bottom of the toothpaste tube as the paste is dispensed. The device
may have an attachment means such as suction cups that will allow
the device to be hung on a surface like a mirror if desired. It can
sit on a counter or be mounted by screws onto a wall. It is
designed to be an all inclusive dental cleaning center that makes a
mess free and economical dispensing of toothpaste.
Inventors: |
Page, Bliss Essence;
(Oxnard, CA) ; Page, William Clark; (Oxnard,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JEFFREY FURR
253 N. MAIN STREET
JOHNSTOWN
OH
43031
US
|
Family ID: |
31996459 |
Appl. No.: |
10/065709 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60319559 |
Sep 18, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/362.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 35/34 20130101;
A47K 1/09 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/362.2 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/00 |
Claims
That which is claimed is:
1. A dental hygiene device comprising: a bottom, a left side, a
front side, a right side, a ridge, a back side, a toothpaste
holder, a timing means and a floss holder area.
2. The device according to claim 1 in which said toothpaste holder
has a cranking means and securing means.
3. The device according to claim 1 in which said toothpaste holder
has a compressing means.
4. The device according to claim 1 in which said ridge has a
plurality of dental device openings.
5. The device according to claim 1 in which said ridge has a
plurality of dental device openings in which each said dental
device opening opens to a chamber.
6. The device according to claim 1 in which said ridge has a
plurality of dental device openings in which each said dental
device opening opens to a chamber with said chamber perpendicular
to the top.
7. The device according to claim 1 in which said ridge has a
plurality of dental device openings in which each said dental
device opening opens to a chamber with said chamber having a
drainage hole.
8. The device according to claim 1 in which said toothpaste holder
has a cranking means and securing means in which said cranking
means is a hand crank.
9. The device according to claim 1 in which said toothpaste holder
has a cranking means and securing means in which said cranking
means is an electronic motor.
10. The device according to claim 1 in which said toothpaste holder
has a compressing means and securing means in which said
compressing means is two rollers.
11. The device according to claim 1 in which said back has a
mounting means.
12. The device according to claim 1 in which said bottom has a skid
resistance means.
13. The device according to claim 1 in which said back has a
mounting means comprising of a plurality of apertures.
14. The device according to claim 1 in which said back has a
mounting means comprising of a pressure sensitive adhesive
coating.
15. The device according to claim 1 in which said timing means is
an hour glass.
16. The device according to claim 1 in which said timing means is a
stopwatch.
17. The device according to claim 1 in which said timing means is
an electronic timer.
18. The device according to claim 1 in which said timing means is
an electronic timer with flashing lights.
19. The device according to claim 1 in which said timing means is
an electronic timer with a speaker.
20. A dental hygiene device comprising: a bottom, a left side, a
front side, a right side, a ridge, a back side, a toothpaste
holder, a timing means and a floss holder area, in which said
toothpaste holder has a cranking means and securing means, in which
said ridge has a plurality of dental device openings, in which each
said dental device opening opens to a chamber with said chamber
having a drainage hole, in which said back has a mounting means.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application relates to and claims the priority date of
Provisional Patent 60/319,559 filed on Sep. 18, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to art of dental hygiene,
specifically an improvement for the storage of dental hygiene
supplies and an improvement for the dispensing of toothpaste.
[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0005] With the public concern so prevalent today about germs,
bacteria, and diseases that arise therefrom, there is a growing
need for products that aid in minimizing their transfer. One area
of personal hygiene in which germs and bacteria, and their
transfer, are very common, is the oral cavity. The oral cavity and,
in particular, the tools used in cleaning it, such as a toothbrush,
are notorious havens for disease-causing organisms.
[0006] The transfer of germs and bacteria between dental tools or
toothbrushes and the mouth is facilitated by non-sanitary storage
of these tools between use and/or multiple users of a common area
using, then storing their personal hygiene tools or toothbrushes
repeatably. Anytime there may be multiple users of an area where
personal hygiene devices are stored, such as a toothbrush in a
holder, the potential for germ or bacteria transfer exists.
Examples include visiting house guests, family, or friends, a house
full of children with poor sanitary habits, and hotel rooms in
which a different guest uses the facility each day.
[0007] A few U.S. Patents have addressed the storage issue of
toothbrushes, in particular.
[0008] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,487,085 discloses a device for
holding a tube of toothpaste and a closure therefore, and a holding
device for supporting a plurality of toothbrushes.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 2,916,155 discloses a sanitary disposable
holder for oral hygiene devices, such as toothbrushes.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,002,630 discloses a sanitary, disposable,
toothbrush rack.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,519 discloses a removable toothbrush
holder having a rear, T-shaped projection which fits into a
permanent holder of somewhat C-shape for slid ably supporting the
projection.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,943 discloses a Toothbrush holder Which
is a disposable holder comprising: a first member and a second
member, wherein the first member is a disposable carrier comprising
a substantially horizontal carrier plate hand the second member is
a mounting bracket
[0013] There does, however, remain a need for safe (i.e., no sharp
corners, tilt prevention, etc.), sanitary, easily constructed,
toothbrush and dental supply holder that allows a variety of
mounting possibilities for the dispensing of tooth paste and to
serve as an organizer for all the items necessary for oral
hygiene.
[0014] There is still room for improvement within the art.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0015] It is the object of this invention to provide an all
inclusive dental cleaning center that makes a mess free for
dispensing of tooth paste, an organizer for all the items necessary
for oral hygiene and economical dispensing of toothpaste.
[0016] []OLE_LINK1 The current device is a Dental Hygiene Center is
an all in one tooth care center. In the preferred embodiment, it
includes 4 places to store toothbrushes or tongue cleaners etc. It
has a place to keep one package of floss and it includes a 3 minute
sand timer that reminds the brusher to brush longer. There is a
tooth paste dispensing part built into the unit. A User simply
places the bottom of the tube into a groove where it fits into a
crank device that rolls up the bottom of the toothpaste tube as the
paste is dispensed. It can have an attaching means such as suction
cups that will allow the device to be hung on a surface such as a
wall or a mirror if desired. It can sit on a counter or be mounted
by screws onto a wall.
[0017] ]The current invention provides an all inclusive dental
cleaning center that makes a mess free and economical dispensing of
toothpaste.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is front perspective view of the device;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the device;
[0020] FIG. 3 is top view of the device;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a back view of the device;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a front view of the device;
[0023] FIG. 6 displays a front view of the device being used;
and
[0024] FIG. 7 displays the cranking means.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The preferred embodiment of the invention is described
below.
[0026] The current device is a Dental Hygiene Center, which is an
all in one tooth care center. In the preferred embodiment, it
includes a plurality of holders to store toothbrushes or tongue
cleaners etc. It has a storage area for dental floss and includes a
timing means that reminds the brusher to brush longer. There is a
tooth paste dispensing part built into the device. A User simply
places the bottom of the tube into a groove where it fits into a
crank device that rolls up the bottom of the toothpaste tube as the
paste is dispensed. It can have an attaching means such as suction
cups that will allow the device to be hung on a surface such as a
wall or a mirror if desired. It can sit on a counter or be mounted
by screws onto a wall.
[0027] The device 1 and the components thereof may be constructed
of any material having sufficient strength to support the selected
hygiene tool, such as stainless steel, aluminum, thermoplastic, or
Teflon.R.TM.. Preferably, the device 1 is constructed of
thermoplastic
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the device 1. Referring
to FIGS. 1 -5, the device 1 in the preferred embodiment has a basic
rectangle shape with a bottom 2, a left side 4, a front side 6, a
right side 8, a ridge 10, a back side 12, a toothpaste holder 14, a
timing means 16 and a floss holder area 18.
[0029] The bottom 2 is in a basic rectangular shape and in the
preferred embodiment is made of the bottom edges of the front 6,
right 8, left 4, and back 12 sides. The device 1 can be placed on a
surface on the bottom 2. The bottom 2 can be coated with or have a
material attached, such as a rubber or polymer, to act as a
cushioning and skid-free means. In the preferred embodiment, the
bottom 2 has a dimension of 6" wide by 4" which gives the device 1
a secure footing.
[0030] The left side 4 in the preferred embodiment is in an L-shape
formed by the ridge 10 and the floss holder 18 area.
[0031] The front side 6 is in a rectangular shape with the
toothpaste holder 14 midway on the top.
[0032] The right side 8 in the preferred embodiment is in a
reversed L-shape formed by the ridge 10 and the timing means 16
area.
[0033] The ridge 10 is in the back of the device 1. It has a
plurality of dental device openings 20. These dental device
openings 20 are circular in nature and are used to hold dental
devices 5 such as toothbrushes and tongue cleaners, see FIGS. 6, 7
and 8.
[0034] The dental device openings 20 open to a cylinder chamber 22
to hold the dental devices 5 upright. The cylinder chamber 22 runs
perpendicular to the device 1with a bottom on the opposite side of
the cylinder chamber 22 as the dental device opening 20. The
cylinder chamber 22 has a cylinder chamber drainage hole 24 at the
bottom. This cylinder chamber drainage hole 24 allows any liquids
that may run off of the dental device 5 to drain to remove any
possibility of stagnate water which can be a health risk while
being small enough to prevent the dental device 5 from fitting in
the drainage hole 24. In the preferred embodiment the dental device
openings 20 are evenly spaced across the ridge 10. In the preferred
embodiment, there are four dental device openings 20. In the
preferred embodiment, the ridge 10 is one inch wide and three
inches high. The dental device openings 20 are 1/2" in diameter
with the drainage hole 24 being 1/8" in diameter. In the preferred
embodiment, the inner dental device openings 20 are larger in
diameter to accommodate larger handled brushes and power
brushes.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows the back side 12, which may be mounted to a
mounting surface in any way sufficient to support the combined
weight of the holder 1 and what is held by the holder, such as
with, but not limited to, various fasteners, screws, bolts, nails,
adhesives, and VELCRO..TM.. The back side 12 optionally contains at
least one aperture 30 for receiving a screw such that the back side
12 may be threadingly attached to a mounting surface. The back 12
optionally includes a pressure sensitive adhesive coating for aid
in mounting to a mounting surface. If present, the pressure
sensitive adhesive coating may contain an optional protective
liner.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, in the preferred embodiment
the toothpaste holder 14 is at the top, middle front of the device
1. The toothpaste holder 14 is being shown in use in FIG. 6. The
toothpaste holder 14 is in the shape of a V with the top edges even
with and running perpendicular to the ridge 10 from the ridge to
the front side 6. The toothpaste holder 14 has a left sloped side
38 and a right sloped side 40. At the bottom of the V there is a
slot 42 that runs the whole length of the V. The toothpaste tube 32
is placed into and through the slot 42. The end of the toothpaste
tube 32 is placed into a crank means 44 and is secured through a
securing means 46. The securing means 46 can be a forked bar in
which the folded end of the toothpaste tube 32 being placed of one
end of the folk with the rest of the toothpaste tube 32 being
placed on the other. Cranking means are well known in the industry.
In the preferred embodiment, the device 1 will use a simple hand
crank. In the alternative, a cranking means 44 that is driven by an
electronic motor attached to a toggle switch could be used. In the
alternative, a compressing means can be used, such as two rollers
in which the toothpaste tube 32 is pulled through compressing the
tube forcing toothpaste out of the tube 32. This is displayed in
FIG. 7.
[0037] After the toothpaste tube 32 is attached to the cranking
means 44 and secured using the securing means 46. When the cranking
means 44 is turned the toothpaste tube 32 is forced in the
direction of the cranking means 44. This will force the toothpaste
tube 32 against the sloped sides 38 and 40 applying pressure to the
toothpaste tube 32 resulting in toothpaste coming out of the
toothpaste tube 32. This results in all of the toothpaste in the
toothpaste tube 32 being used.
[0038] The timing means 16 is at the top of the device 1. In the
preferred embodiment this well is to the right of the toothpaste
holder 14. The timing means 16 is in the timing means area which is
a shelf area 2" high from the bottom. The timing means 16 is used
to inform the brusher that they have brushed their teeth long
enough promoting good oral hygiene. In the preferred embodiment,
the timing means 16 is a three minute hour glass that is stored on
the timing means area. The timing means area having an indentation
48 for the timing mean 16 to be stored in. This indentation 48 will
have a drainage hole 24. In the alternative, another type of timing
means 16 could be used such as an electronic stopwatch or a
electronic timing with flashing lights and speakers for younger
children.
[0039] The floss holder 18 is a well 50 that is in the top of the
device 1. In the preferred embodiment this well is to the left of
the toothpaste holder 14. The well 50 is in the floss holder area
which is a shelf area 2" high from the bottom.
[0040] The well 50 is 11/2" deep with a width and length slightly
larger than that of a standard size dental gloss container. The
well 50 have a plurality of drainage holes 24.
[0041] The invention described and claimed herein is not to be
limited in scope by the specific embodiments herein disclosed,
since these embodiments are intended solely as illustrations of
several aspects of the invention. Any equivalent embodiments are
intended to be within the scope of this invention. Indeed, various
modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and
described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art
from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also
intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
[0042] Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope
[0043] With the need to have an all inclusive dental cleaning
center that makes a mess free and economical dispensing of
toothpaste, the current invention helps users do that. The device
provides a mess free and economical dispensing means for dispensing
of tooth paste and serving as an organizer for all the items
necessary for oral hygiene.
[0044] Although the present invention has been described in
considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions
thereof, other versions are possible. For example, the base could
be of different dimension, a different material could be used to
make it, the components could be located differently on the device
or another timer means can be used. Therefore, the point and scope
of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of
the preferred versions contained herein.
* * * * *