U.S. patent application number 11/313177 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for toothbrush assembly employing moisture-draining and ventilation aperture.
Invention is credited to Sangyong Lee.
Application Number | 20060236485 11/313177 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37398889 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060236485 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Sangyong |
October 26, 2006 |
Toothbrush assembly employing moisture-draining and ventilation
aperture
Abstract
A tooth brush head assembly having a substantially rectangular
aperture passing therethrough for drainage of fluids associated
with use of the toothbrush, and for ventilation by allowing air to
pass therethrough, optionally a plurality of bristles that are
vertically clustered and mounted but without blockage of the
aperture, optionally at least one monofilament intrinsically having
two terminal ends wherein said monofilament is looped such that
each of said terminal ends of said monofilament itself ends outside
the aperture; and optionally a plurality of bristles that are
clustered and mounted in an angulature such that the angulature
passes across the aperture and is of such size, dimension and
location as to syngeristically improve drainage and
ventilation.
Inventors: |
Lee; Sangyong; (Rego Park,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mitchell A. Stein, Esq.;STEIN LAW, P.C.
Suite 4
24 Woodbine Avenue
Northport
NY
11768
US
|
Family ID: |
37398889 |
Appl. No.: |
11/313177 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11111173 |
Apr 21, 2005 |
|
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11313177 |
Dec 20, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/167.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46D 1/0253 20130101;
A46B 9/04 20130101; A46D 1/00 20130101; A46B 2200/1066
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/167.1 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/04 20060101
A46B009/04 |
Claims
1. A tooth brush head assembly having a substantially rectangular
aperture passing therethrough of substantial size sufficient to
provide for drainage of fluids and air ventilation associated with
use of the toothbrush.
2. The tooth brush head assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of bristles that are vertically clustered and mounted but
without blockage of the aperture.
3. The tooth brush head assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
(a) at least one monofilament intrinsically having two terminal
ends; and (b) said monofilament is looped such that each of said
terminal ends of said monofilament itself ends outside the
aperture.
4. The tooth brush head assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of bristles that are vertically clustered and mounted but
without blockage of the aperture, and further comprising: (a) at
least one monofilament intrinsically having two terminal ends; and
(b) said monofilament is looped such that each of said terminal
ends of said monofilament itself ends outside the aperture.
5. The tooth brush head assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of bristles that are clustered and mounted in an
angulature such that the angulature passes across the aperture and
is of such size, dimension and location as to syngeristically
improve drainage and ventilation.
6. A tooth brush head assembly having: (a) a substantially
rectangular aperture passing therethrough of substantial size
sufficient for drainage of fluids and air ventilation associated
with use of the toothbrush; (b) a plurality of bristles that are
vertically clustered and mounted but without blockage of the
aperture; (c) at least one monofilament intrinsically having two
terminal ends wherein said monofilament is looped such that each of
said terminal ends of said monofilament itself ends outside the
aperture; and (d) a plurality of bristles that are clustered and
mounted in an angulature such that the angulature passes across the
aperture and is of such size, dimension and location as to
syngeristically improve drainage and ventilation.
Description
CONTINUATION INFORMATION
[0001] The instant application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
Ser. No. 11/111,173 filed Apr. 21, 2005, for "Tooth Brush
Assemblies Employing Folded Filament Systems," the contents of
which are incorporated by reference and priority date claimed.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of toothbrush
assemblies and designs, and more particularly to such designs that
provide effective drainage of water and other materials (like
toothpaste and debris) that tend to adhere to, and remain behind on
the toothbrush, as well as ventilation by air flow, after
teeth-cleaning, creating a zone for germ growth, and more
particularly to a cleaning assembly for a tooth brush having an
aperture and, optionally, a plurality of cleaning heads.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The world of tooth brushes appears quite full with various
designs and appearances, from single to multiple heads, and from
manual to electrical apparatus. While this world has focused upon
the "design" of the handle and overall appearance, little attention
has been given to the actual brush itself.
[0004] Additionally, the tooth brush is a location that attracts a
world of germs, including bacteria, microbes, and the like, that
linger and often grow as the moisture of the toothbrush remains
trapped in the design of the tooth brush head. For example, a
Bristish study determined that about 100 million germs exist on a
single, ordinary toothbrush after use. USA Today reports that a
toothbrush may be the most serious threat to everyday health.
Recognizing these factors, its an object of the instant invention
to minimize the proliferation of germs on a tooth brush head by
providing a means for drainage of fluids (including water and
saliva) and with the same, the drainage of germs and ventilation by
air passing therethrough.
[0005] It has been determined herein that wet or moist tooth
brushes should be dried and are best if vented efficiently and
thoroughly for sanitization. Unfortunately, conventional
toothbrushes cannot meet this priority because of its intrinsic
design. Typically, no venting is apparent and the bristles attach
to a flat back, thereby holding water, saliva and germs without any
real ability for venting or drainage.
[0006] Angled bristle tufts and an elaborate opening are shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,416, yet the requirement that the "tufts cross"
in order to be effective and that the opening be of an elaborate
design teach away from the subject invention as shown hereinbelow.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,629 shows a double-sided toothbrush. U.S. Pat.
No. 5,875,516 shows a stand 1 to support a normal toothbrush to
allow gravity for drainage, but places no emphasis on redesigning
the tooth brush head. U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,624 shows a cylindrical
brush design but no aperture on the head, rather an aperture 18
shown at the base of the handle. U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,137 shows a
pressure sensitive brush which is essentially electric in anture,
but again does not show an aperture on the head for drainage.
[0007] Thus, it is observable in the art that there is a need for a
redesigned tooth brush head that provides drainage, as shown
hereinbelow.
[0008] Additionally, heretofore, tooth brushes have used a
monofilament. In other words, a single filament, comprised of a
nylon or similar material is used because of strength and purity,
moisture is not absorbed, the filament does not, by itself, provide
a haven for bacterial growth, and softness to hardness can be
controlled.
[0009] Softness is dependent upon thickness of the combined
monofilaments as a bristle. Generally, the thicker the bristle, the
greater the strength, the thinness of the bristle generally makes a
softer head.
[0010] Likewise, the monofilaments that comprise the bristle range
in size. The smaller the size (combined with the smaller the
bristle), the softer the toothbrush head. Reciprocally, the larger
the filament (combined with a larger bristle), the stronger the
head. Thus, monofilaments generally range in thickness from about
0.012 inches in diameter to about 0.008 in thickness. Even lower
monofilaments have been used. For example, Radius.RTM. claims a
monofilament thickness of about 0.067 inches.
[0011] It is thus an additional object of the instant invention to
provide drainage as well as a filament design that enables
synergistically enhances drainage as well as teeth cleaning, using
a looped series of monofilaments, as shown in greater detail
hereinbelow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The various features of novelty which characterize the
invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding
of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects
attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawings and
descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described
preferred embodiments of the invention.
[0013] The foregoing objects and other objects of the invention are
achieved through a tooth brush head assembly having a substantially
rectangular aperture passing therethrough for drainage of fluids
associated with use of the toothbrush. In this manner, the aperture
permits fluids, including water, saliva, bacteria, toothpaste and
the like to drain and is of such critical size and dimension as to
permit drainage while not interfering with the use of the tooth
brush.
[0014] Optionally a plurality of bristles that are vertically
clustered and mounted but without blockage of the aperture are
provided. These bristles are used to clean the teeth, but do not
block the aperture so as to avoid any blockage of drainage.
[0015] Optionally at least one monofilament intrinsically having
two terminal ends wherein said monofilament is looped such that
each of said terminal ends of said monofilament itself ends outside
the aperture is also provided. This design provides synergistic
drainage as well as brushing.
[0016] Optionally a plurality of bristles that are clustered and
mounted in an angulature such that the angulature passes across the
aperture and is of such size, dimension and location as to
syngeristically improve drainage.
[0017] Any one or more of these elements can be combined, with the
understanding that the combinations are themselves beneficial to
the overall features of providing cleaning, drainage and
ventilation associated with the subject invention.
[0018] Other features of the present invention will become apparent
from the following detailed description considered in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however,
that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration
and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which
reference should be made to the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote
similar elements through the several views:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a flat top-down view of the top of the head of
a tooth brush in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
instant invention showing the inventive drainage slot from the top
perspective;
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a flat bottom-view of the bottom of the head of
a tooth brush in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
instant invention showing the inventive drainage slot from the
bottom perspective;
[0022] FIG. 3 shows an overall perspective view combining the
elements of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the complete drainage slot in
the head of a toothbrush in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the subject invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a top-down view of the subject invention,
including a plurality of monofilaments grouped in a clustered
vertical array, each surrounding the drainage slot, as well as a
series of looped filaments also surrounding the drainage slot to
enable better teeth cleaning and drainage, in accordance with
another embodiment of the subject invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 shows one of the plurality of looped filaments as
shown in FIG. 4, indicating the use of monofilaments in a looped
array design, to be attached to the head of the tooth brush;
and
[0025] FIG. 6 shows an alternative top-down view of the subject
invention, including a plurality of monofilaments surrounding the
drainage slot but not crossing the same, in combination with
vertically mounted clusters of monofilaments, in accordance with
another embodiment of the subject invention.
[0026] Other aspects of the invention will be clear when the
FIGURES are viewed in connection with the specification and other
portions set forth herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] In accordance with the subject invention, FIG. 1 shows a
perspective view of top-down portion 8 of the head of a tooth brush
assembly, having a top portion of handle 6, a head portion 2, and
the top portion of a substantially rectangular aperture 4 for
drainage. Likewise, FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the
bottom-down portion 10 of the head of a tooth brush assembly, also
having a bottom portion of handle 6A, a head portion 2A, and the
bottom portion of a substantially rectangular aperture 4A for
drainage.
[0028] As can be seen in FIG. 3, FIGS. 1 and 2 have been combined
such that the portions so identified fit together for a complete
assembly of the tooth brush head. As can be seen, 4 and 4A together
create a substantially rectangular aperture that passes through the
head of the tooth brush in a manner that permits drainage.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows a top-down view of the subject invention, in
this instance having a series of vertically clustered monofilaments
12 for brushing teeth. In unique combination, also provided are
monofilaments 14 which, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 5, are
curvilinear 16 in design with attachment 18A and 18B for attachment
to the head of the tooth brush, ganged to surround the aperture 4
for assisting not just in tooth cleaning but also synergistically
in providing drainage.
[0030] Lastly, FIG. 6 shows an alternative design wherein
monofilament clusters 12 also include angularly positioned clusters
20 which do not cross. As is observable, in this manner fluids are
almost forced to drain through aperture 4 in this design.
[0031] Thus, as can be seen, the novel tooth brush head designs set
forth herein include a narrow rectangularly shaped opening through
the tooth brush head to enable drainage. This opening is urged as a
vent to prompt bristles to quickly and thoroughly drain and dry and
vent moisture and wetness. The opening also assisting in
ventilating the bristles by permitting air to enter from the back
of the tooth brush head. Likewise, there is less incidence of
fusing of toothpaste when the brush is wetted after use, as the
aperture will permit water to pass therethrough and remove such
fusing from occurring.
[0032] It should be appreciated that inasmuch as the aperture is
narrow, bristles are not placed in that region. To compensate for
missing bristles, angled bristled are provided, as in FIG. 6, as
well as folded filament bristles about the gap, as shown in FIGS. 4
and 5.
[0033] In terms of the size of the aperture, it is functional. The
aperture is of such size so that surface tension from the
intermolecular forces of attraction in a liquid are minimized and
drainage can occur.
[0034] While there have been shown, described and pointed out
fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred
embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions
and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device
illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in
the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is
the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the
scope of the claims appended hereto.
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