U.S. patent application number 10/390321 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-23 for toothbrush package with sequentially dated toothbrushes.
Invention is credited to Dunlap, David L..
Application Number | 20040182733 10/390321 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32987504 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040182733 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dunlap, David L. |
September 23, 2004 |
Toothbrush package with sequentially dated toothbrushes
Abstract
A package comprises two or more toothbrushes which are dated to
indicate a service period such as by designating a starting date
and/or an ending date, or some other date in the service period.
The service periods are sequential and add up, ideally, to one
complete year so that a package, purchased at any time during a
year, provides toothbrushes that can be used for twelve sequential
months. Providing sequentially dated toothbrushes provides an
indication to the user to discard used toothbrushes at the ends of
the service periods thereby promoting dental health as recommended
by dentists and toothbrush manufacturers. The service period
indicator may be numbers, letters, words, symbols, colors, figures
or any combination that suggests a period of service of a
particular toothbrush and may be placed at any suitable location on
each toothbrush. Suitable instructions, placed on and/or in the
package or separate from the package, are preferably provided to
inform potential users of the meanings of the indicators.
Inventors: |
Dunlap, David L.; (Corpus
Christi, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
G. Turner Moller
711 North Carancahua
Suite 720
Corpus Christi
TX
78475
US
|
Family ID: |
32987504 |
Appl. No.: |
10/390321 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/459.1 ;
206/362.1; 53/411; 53/444 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 15/0091 20130101;
B65D 75/36 20130101; A46B 2200/1066 20130101; B65D 2203/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/459.1 ;
053/411; 053/444; 206/362.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/00; B65B
061/02 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A package having therein at least two toothbrushes, each of the
toothbrushes having a word thereon designating a different service
period, the service periods being sequential.
2. The package of claim 1 wherein the service periods are of equal
duration.
3. The package of claim 2 wherein the toothbrushes comprises three
toothbrushes and the service period comprises four months.
4. The package of claim 2 wherein the toothbrushes comprises four
toothbrushes and the service period comprises three months.
5. The package of claim 2 wherein the service periods accumulate to
one year.
6. The package of claim 5 wherein the package includes instructions
that at least one word designates a sequential service period.
7. The package of claim 1 wherein the word provides an indicator
designating the service period, the indicator comprising at least
one number.
8. The package of claim 1 wherein the word comprises a first name
of a month designating the start of the service period and further
comprising a second word of a subsequent month designating the end
of the service period.
9. The package of claim 1 wherein the word designating the service
period comprises a word designating a starting date of the service
period.
10. The package of claim 1 wherein the word indicating the service
period comprises a word indicating an ending date of the service
period.
11. The package of claim 1 wherein the service periods accumulate
to one year.
12. The package of claim 11 wherein the package includes
instructions that the words on the toothbrushes designate
sequential service periods.
13. A package having therein at least two toothbrushes, each of the
toothbrushes having at least one word thereon designating a
different service period, the service periods adding up to a
year.
14. The package of claim 13 wherein the service periods are of
equal duration.
15. A package having therein at least two toothbrushes, each of the
toothbrushes having an indicator thereon designating a different
service period, the service periods being sequential, the package
including instructions that the indicators on the toothbrushes
designate sequential service periods.
16. The package of claim 15 wherein the service periods add up to
one year.
17. The package of claim 16 wherein the service periods are of
equal duration.
18. The package of claim 15 wherein the indicator comprises at
least one number.
19. The package of claim 15 wherein the indicator comprises at
least one letter.
20. The package of claim 15 wherein at least one of the
toothbrushes provides a first section of a first color and the
indicator comprises a second section of a second color different
than the first color.
21. The package of claim 15 wherein the indicator comprises a three
dimensional figure.
22. The package of claim 15 wherein the indicator comprises a two
dimensional figure.
23. The method of packaging dated toothbrushes of the type having
an indicator thereon indicating a service period, comprising
selecting a first toothbrush having an first indicator designating
a first service period; selecting a second toothbrush having a
second indicator designating a second service period sequential to
the first service period; placing the first and second toothbrushes
in a single package and sealing the same; and instructing potential
users that the indicators on the toothbrushes designate sequential
service periods.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein there is at least one additional
toothbrush having a third service period sequential to the second
service period, the service periods are of equal duration and add
up to one year.
25. The method of packaging dated toothbrushes of the type having
an indicator thereon indicating a service period, comprising
selecting a plurality of toothbrushes, each having an indicator
designating different service periods, the service periods adding
up to one year; placing the toothbrushes in a single package and
sealing the same; and instructing potential users that the
indicators on the toothbrushes designate sequential service
periods.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the service periods are of equal
duration.
Description
[0001] This invention is a package of toothbrushes and method, and
more particularly, a toothbrush package in which the toothbrushes
each have at least one indicator thereon indicating a service
period.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is well known that people employ toothbrushes long beyond
their useful life, at least as recommended by dentists and
toothbrush manufacturers. Toothbrush bristles gradually become soft
and gradually lose their ability to clean teeth and gums in an
optimal fashion. The degradation of toothbrush bristles is so slow
that users are not aware of it until there is an abrupt realization
that the toothbrush one is using has become old and inefficient.
Dentists propose, and toothbrush manufacturers promote, replacement
of toothbrushes after three months use. Without doubt, the average
toothbrush is discarded after being used substantially longer than
recommended.
[0003] This phenomena has been recognized in the prior art. There
are a number of proposed labels, changeable indicators and the like
to display a service period for toothbrushes, such as in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 2,489,707; 4,466,150 and 5,072,477. These devices have the
disadvantage of requiring the user's active intervention by
modifying the device at the outset of use. Similar structures for
somewhat different purposes are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,589,159
and 5,704,087.
[0004] In addition, a commercially available toothbrush is provided
with colored bristles that lose their color, starting from the free
bristle end, with use--the idea being that when the bristles are
half clear, the user realizes it is time to replace the toothbrush.
This approach has the advantage of not requiring the user's active
intervention at the outset of use because the change in the
toothbrush occurs because of its use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In this invention, a package provides two or more
toothbrushes providing one or more indicators representing
sequential service periods. Preferably, the sequential service
periods add up to an integer of years and ideally add up to one
year for a peculiar reason. Manufacturers and/or merchants holding
toothbrushes in inventory are clearly motivated to sell inventory
quickly and not hold it for long periods. If the sequential service
periods of the dated toothbrushes of this invention added up to a
period substantially different than one year, there would be a time
when a buyer would not buy a particular package of sequentially
dated toothbrushes because it would be out of date. Such packages
would presumably have to be greatly discounted to be sold
readily.
[0006] Thus, this invention preferably comprises a package of two
or more toothbrushes having one or more indicators thereon
indicating different service periods of equal duration where the
service periods are sequential and add up to one full year.
Ideally, the package comprises three or more toothbrushes.
[0007] It is an object of this invention to provide a package of
dated toothbrushes.
[0008] A further object of this invention is to provide a method
encouraging use of sequentially dated toothbrushes during the
service periods indicated thereon.
[0009] A more specific object of this invention is to provide a
package of sequentially dated toothbrushes in which the service
periods of the toothbrushes add up to a full year.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of this invention
will become more apparent as this description proceeds, reference
being made to the accompanying drawings and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a package of dated toothbrushes in
accordance with this invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a plan view of another package of dated
toothbrushes in accordance with this invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a broken view of a set of toothbrushes, taken from
their package, showing another type of indicator designating
service periods for the toothbrushes;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a broken view of another set of toothbrushes,
taken from their package, showing another type of indicator
designating service periods for the toothbrushes;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a broken view of a set of toothbrushes, taken from
their package, showing two different types of indicators
designating service periods for the toothbrushes; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a broken view of another set of toothbrushes,
taken from their package, showing another type of indicator
designating service periods for the toothbrushes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a package 10 which
may be of any suitable design and is illustrated as having a
plastic base 12 which has been deformed to provide one or more
recesses 14 for receiving a plurality of toothbrushes 16', 16",
16'". The package 10 is closed by a cover or sheet 18 which is
preferably transparent and sealed to the base 12.
[0018] Inside the package 10 are at least two and preferably either
three or four toothbrushes 16'-16'" for reasons more fully apparent
hereinafter. The toothbrushes may be of any suitable type, such as
conventional toothbrushes, toothbrushes that are an attachment to
an electric motor, toothbrush attachments to a manual handle or
water nozzle type attachments to a source of pressure. The
toothbrushes are conveniently essentially identical having a body
20 having a handle end 22 and a bristle end 24 providing bristles
26.
[0019] The toothbrushes 16'-16"' each provide one or more indicia
or indicators 28 designating a service period for the toothbrush.
The service periods are sequential, i.e. the toothbrush 16' shows a
service period of January through April, the toothbrush 16" shows a
service period of May through August and the toothbrush 16'" shows
a service period of September through December. The indicators 28
may designate only the beginning and end of the service period or
may designate all months of the service period as shown in FIG. 1.
In the alternative, the indicators may designate only the beginning
of the service period or the end of the service period as discussed
hereinafter.
[0020] The indicators 28 may be of any suitable type, such as word
or abbreviation shown in FIG. 1 where the designated service period
is stated in months in which the toothbrush is to be used. It will
be seen that either three or four toothbrushes is ideal because the
total duration of the sequential service periods is ideally one
year because of inventory reasons and the duration of the service
periods is preferably equal for simplicity. Thus, three
toothbrushes having sequential service periods of four months each
add up to one year. Similarly, four toothbrushes having sequential
service periods of three months add up to one year. Providing two
toothbrushes gives each a service period of six months duration,
which is longer than desired. Conversely, six toothbrushes give a
service period of two months duration, which is too short. Five
toothbrushes is not preferred because the service periods, if
equal, would be awkward.
[0021] The indicator 28 shows all of the months of the service
period and shows the beginning and end in either the names of
months or their abbreviations. As used herein, a word is either the
complete word, such as January, or an abbreviation, such as Jan. As
will be more fully apparent hereinafter, the service period may be
designated by showing the starting date and/or showing the ending
date. As will be more fully apparent hereinafter, the service
period indicator may alternatively comprise one or more letters,
numbers, combinations of letters and numbers, colors, symbols or
figures in two or three dimensions and the like, located at any
suitable position or positions on the toothbrush. The package 10
preferably, but not necessarily, includes a label 30 in any
suitable location having instructions stating that the individual
toothbrushes 16 are to be used during the service periods
designated by the indicators 28 and then discarded. Because the
service periods shown by the indicators 28 cover one complete year,
the user is induced to use the toothbrushes 16 in sequence and
discard each toothbrush as its service period expires. An important
feature of the method of this invention is instructing users, or
potential users, of the meaning of the indicators 28 on the
toothbrushes. This may be accomplished by labeling on the package
10, such as the label 30, by advertising material included
separately inside the cover sheet 18 or by advertising not
connected to the package 10. It will be apparent, of course, that
the indicators 28 may indicate the starting date of the service
period, the ending date of the service period, or any other point
of the service period, such as the mid-point.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, a similar package 32 having a plastic
base 34 which has been deformed to provide one or more recesses 36
for receiving a plurality of toothbrushes 38', 38", 38'", 38"". The
package 32 is closed by a cover or sheet 40, preferably
transparent, sealed about its periphery to the base 34.
[0023] Inside the package 32 are at least two and preferably either
three or four toothbrushes for reasons explained previously. The
toothbrushes are conveniently essentially identical having a body
41 having a handle end 42 and a bristle end 43 providing bristles
44.
[0024] The toothbrushes each provide one or more indicia or
indicators 46 designating a service period for each toothbrush. The
service periods are sequential, i.e. the toothbrush 38' shows a
service period of the first quarter of the year, the toothbrush 38"
shows a service period of the second quarter of the year, the
toothbrush 38'" shows a service period of the third quarter of the
year, and the toothbrush 38"" shows a service period for the fourth
quarter.
[0025] The package 32 preferably, but not necessarily, includes a
label 48 at any suitable location having instructions stating that
the individual toothbrushes are to be used during the service
periods designated by the indicators 46 and then discarded. Because
the service periods shown by the indicators 46 cover one complete
year, the user is induced to use the toothbrushes in sequence and
discard each toothbrush as its service period expires. An important
feature of the method of this invention is instructing users, or
potential users, of the meaning of the indicators 46 on the
toothbrushes. This may be accomplished by labeling on the package
32, such as the label 48, by advertising material included
separately inside the cover sheet 40 or by advertising not
connected to the package 32.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, a set 50 of toothbrushes 52 is
illustrated as having been removed from its package, the upper half
of the toothbrushes 52 having been deleted for purposes of
illustration. The toothbrushes 52 each include a body or handle end
54 providing one or more indicators 56 thereon indicating a service
period, the service periods being sequential and ideally adding up
to a complete year. The indicators 56 are numbers designating
months at the beginning and end of the service period although the
indicator may be numbers designating each month of the service
period.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 4, a set 58 of toothbrushes 60 is
illustrated as having been removed from its package, the upper half
of the toothbrushes 60 having been deleted for purposes of
illustration. The toothbrushes 60 each include a body or handle end
62 providing an indicator 64 thereon indicating a service period,
the service periods being sequential and ideally adding up to a
complete year. The indicators 64 are the names of the months
designating either the end or the beginning of the service
period.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 5, a set 66 of toothbrushes 68 is
illustrated as having been removed from its package, the lower half
of the toothbrushes 68 having been deleted for purposes of
illustration. The toothbrushes 68 each include a body or bristle
end 70 having one or more indicators 72 in any suitable location,
preferably on the side opposite the bristles indicating a service
period, the service periods being sequential and ideally adding up
to a complete year. The indicators 72 are patches of different
color designating the seasons, e.g. white is winter, green is
spring, red is summer and yellow is autumn. The service periods are
accordingly sequential and add up to a complete year. The user is
induced to use the toothbrushes sequentially during the designated
season and then discard each toothbrush in turn by suitable
instructions. It might be thought that one could simply provide
three or four toothbrushes of different color in a single package,
without suitable instructions, and accomplish the aims of this
invention. Nothing could be further from the truth. The indicators
72 have to be of a different color than the body of the toothbrush
and suitable instructions on and/or in the package become
necessary. Otherwise, there is nothing to inform or remind the user
of the significance of the colored indicators 72. In addition, or
in the alternative, the toothbrushes 68 may have indicators 74
designating the sequential service periods. The indicators 74 are
illustrated to be words designating the seasons.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 6, a set 76 of toothbrushes 78 is
illustrated as having been removed from its package. The
toothbrushes 78 each include a body or handle end 80 having one or
more two or three dimensional figures or symbols thereon
indisputably indicating a service period, the service periods being
sequential and ideally adding up to a complete year. A suitable two
dimensional figure could be, for example, a drawing of a snowflake,
pumpkin or the like. The symbols are indisputable symbols of the
seasons, such as a snow man 82 for winter, a helical spring 82' for
spring, a baseball player 82" for summer and a pumpkin 82"' for
autumn. It might be thought that one could simply provide three or
four toothbrushes having different symbols thereon in a single
package, without suitable instructions, and accomplish the aims of
this invention. Nothing could be further from the truth. The
symbols have to be indisputably indicators of sequential service
periods, of which the seasons are the obvious choice. Similarly,
the symbols might be indisputable symbols of holidays such as
Christmas, Easter, July 4 and Labor Day. The user is induced to use
the toothbrushes sequentially during the designated season and then
discard each toothbrush in turn by suitable instructions.
[0030] The provision of instructions is particularly important in
situations where the service period indicators on the toothbrushes
are susceptible of alternative interpretations, such as the colors
72 and the symbols 82, 82', 82", 82'".
[0031] Although this invention has been disclosed and described in
its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is
understood that the present disclosure of the preferred forms is
only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of
operation and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be
resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *