U.S. patent application number 11/731651 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for brush rite.
Invention is credited to Rah-Zah Latour, Cleo Thompson.
Application Number | 20070231052 11/731651 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38559148 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070231052 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Latour; Rah-Zah ; et
al. |
October 4, 2007 |
Brush rite
Abstract
Brush Rite is a toothbrush with a toothpaste dispenser inside of
it. The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a handle
with a bulb pump, a reservoir indicator window and fill port along
with a head connected to one end of the handle having bristles,
holes and rubber eyelets. To use the preferred embodiment of Brush
Rite, an individual would insert the nozzle of a refill tube of
toothpaste into the fill port, causing the rubber cover to open.
The refill tube of toothpaste would be squeezed to allow toothpaste
to flow into the handle and the nozzle would then be removed,
allowing the rubber cover to shut. When a user wanted to brush his
teeth, he could use the bulb pump to pressurize the handle and move
the toothpaste. The toothpaste would be forced from the handle to
the head and eventually out onto the bristles after passing through
the holes and rubber eyelets. The reservoir indicator window could
be monitored to insure adequate amounts of toothpaste remained in
the handle for subsequent use.
Inventors: |
Latour; Rah-Zah; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Thompson; Cleo; (Los Angeles,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Raymond M. Galasso;Galasso & Associates LP
P.O. Box 26503
Austin
TX
78755-0503
US
|
Family ID: |
38559148 |
Appl. No.: |
11/731651 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60787410 |
Mar 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/188R ;
401/270 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 11/0062 20130101;
A46B 11/0096 20130101; A46B 11/0079 20130101; A46B 2200/1066
20130101; A46B 11/0041 20130101; A46B 11/0072 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/188.R ;
401/270 |
International
Class: |
A46B 11/02 20060101
A46B011/02; A47L 13/22 20060101 A47L013/22 |
Claims
1. A tooth cleaning device comprising: (a) a handle; (b) a head
connected to the handle; (c) a pumping mechanism operatively
attached to the handle; (d) a plurality of bristles located on the
head; and (e) a first hole in the head underneath the plurality of
bristles.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the handle is approximately
cylindrical.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the head is approximately
rectangular.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the handle and the head are made
of plastic.
5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a fill port located on
one end of the handle.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein the fill port is approximately
circular.
7. The device of claim 5 further comprising a one-way cover over
the fill port.
8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a reservoir indicator
window located on the handle.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein the reservoir indicator window is
transparent.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein the pumping mechanism is a bulb
pump.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein the bulb pump is made of
rubber.
12. The device of claim 10 wherein the bulb pump is approximately
oval.
13. The device of claim 10 wherein the bulb pump protrudes slightly
from the top and bottom of the handle.
14. The device of claim 1 further comprising a first eyelet above
the first hole and beneath the plurality of bristles.
15. The device of claim 14 wherein the first eyelet is made of
rubber.
16. The device of claim 1 further comprising a second hole and a
third hole located in the head underneath the plurality of
bristles.
17. The device of claim 16 further comprising a second eyelet above
the second hole and a third eyelet above the third hole.
18. A tooth cleaning device comprising: (a) a handle; (b) a head
connected to the handle; (c) a bulb pump operatively attached to
the handle and protruding from the handle; (d) a plurality of
bristles located on the head; and (e) a first eyelet above a first
hole underneath the plurality of bristles; (f) a second eyelet
above a second hole underneath the plurality of bristles; (g) a
third eyelet above a third hole underneath the plurality of
bristles; (h) a fill port with a one way cover located on one end
of the handle; and (i) a reservoir indicator window on the handle.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This United States Non-Provisional Patent Application claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/787,410
entitled "Brush Rite" filed on Mar. 30, 2006.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The disclosures made herein relate generally to the tooth
cleaning industry. The invention discussed herein is in the general
classification of alternative toothbrushes.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Most individuals utilize a variety of hygiene products as
they prepare for their day. Shampoo, soap, deodorant and toothpaste
constitute just some of these products. Traditionally, toothbrushes
having a handle and a head with bristles are most commonly used in
conjunction with toothpaste for cleaning teeth. Electric
toothbrushes are also increasingly popular, but they are difficult
to travel with and can be expensive.
[0004] Toothpaste is applied to the bristles of a traditional
toothbrush before an individual brushes his teeth. Toothpaste can
come in a variety of containers but is most often stored and
dispensed from a tube with an opening on one end sealed with a
screw-on cap. Unfortunately, when children use toothpaste, they
often misplace the cap and/or create a mess when attempting to
apply the toothpaste to the bristles of a toothbrush.
[0005] Hence, there is a need in the art for a convenient to use,
inexpensive, durable, safe and effective toothbrush capable of
dispensing toothpaste onto the bristles of the toothbrush,
eliminating the need for traditional toothpaste tubes.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] Brush Rite is a toothbrush with a toothpaste dispenser
inside of it.
[0007] The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a handle
with a bulb pump, a reservoir indicator window and fill port along
with a head connected to one end of the handle having bristles,
holes and rubber eyelets.
[0008] The principal object of this invention is to provide a
device that can dispense toothpaste and be used to brush teeth.
[0009] Another object of this invention is to provide an affordable
device for dispensing toothpaste and brushing teeth.
[0010] Another object of this invention is to provide a safe device
for dispensing toothpaste and brushing teeth.
[0011] Another object of this invention is to provide a device that
is easily used for dispensing toothpaste and brushing teeth.
[0012] Another object of this invention is to provide a refillable
device for dispensing toothpaste and brushing teeth.
[0013] Yet another object of this invention is to provide a durable
device for dispensing toothpaste and brushing teeth.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention cut along the line A-A of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The preferred embodiment of Brush Rite is comprised of at
least some of the following: a handle with a a bulb pump, a
reservoir indicator window and fill port along with a head
connected to one end of the handle having bristles, holes and
rubber eyelets.
[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention. An approximately cylindrical
handle 1 transitions into an approximately rectangular head 2. The
handle 1 is five inches long with a one inch diameter and the head
2 is two inches long, one inch wide and has a height tapering from
one inch to one-quarter of an inch in this preferred embodiment
though the exact dimensions may vary widely and are not critical to
the invention. Both the handle 1 and the head 2 are made of plastic
in this preferred embodiment though other materials are also
suitable.
[0018] A fill port 3 is located on one end of the handle 1. The
fill port 3 is circular in this preferred embodiment and has rubber
cover 4. The fill port 3 is designed and dimensioned to accept the
nozzle of a refill tube of toothpaste. The rubber cover 4 only
opens one way into the handle 1 to prevent flow of the toothpaste
out of the fill port in this preferred embodiment. The interior of
the handle 1 forms a reservoir for the toothpaste in this preferred
embodiment.
[0019] A reservoir indicator window 5 is located on one side of the
handle 1. The reservoir indicator window 5 is narrow, approximately
rectangular and transparent in this preferred embodiment to allow a
user to see into the handle 1 to determine how much toothpaste is
inside the handle 1. The reservoir indicator window 5 is four
inches long and one eighth of an inch in height in this preferred
embodiment though any size would be appropriate to ascertain the
toothpaste level inside the handle 1.
[0020] A bulb pump 6 made of rubber is located on the handle 1. The
bulb pump 6 allows a user to pressurize the interior of the handle
1, forcing toothpaste toward the head 2. The bulb pump 6 is oval in
shape and protrudes slightly from the top and bottom of the handle
1. Although the exact size of the bulb pump 6 is not critical to
the invention, the bulb pump 6 is approximately two inches long in
this preferred embodiment.
[0021] A plurality of bristles 7 is located at the far end of the
head 2 as with conventional toothbrushes. Three holes (not
pictured) are located underneath the plurality of bristles 7 and
allow toothpaste from the handle 1 to exude through the head 2 and
onto the plurality of bristles 7.
[0022] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention cut along the line A-A of FIG.
1. A hole 20 located under the plurality of bristles 7 can be seen.
A rubber eyelet 21 is also visible located above the hole 20 and
beneath the plurality of bristles 7. Rubber eyelets are located
over each of the holes beneath the plurality of bristles 7 to allow
toothpaste to flow out of the head 2 but not back into the head 2.
The size of the hole 20 is not critical to the invention but should
be adequate to permit easy flow of toothpaste through it. The
diameter of the hole 20 is one-third of an inch in this preferred
embodiment.
[0023] To use the preferred embodiment of Brush Rite, an individual
would insert the nozzle of a refill tube of toothpaste into the
fill port, causing the rubber cover to open. The refill tube of
toothpaste would be squeezed to allow toothpaste to flow into the
handle and the nozzle would then be removed, allowing the rubber
cover to shut. When a user wanted to brush his teeth, he could use
the bulb pump to pressurize the handle and move the toothpaste. The
toothpaste would be forced from the handle to the head and
eventually out onto the bristles after passing through the holes
and rubber eyelets. The reservoir indicator window could be
monitored to insure adequate amounts of toothpaste remained in the
handle for subsequent use.
[0024] The Brush Rite will incorporate well-known pumping
technology within the handle of the device to squeeze toothpaste
through the handle and onto the bristles. In the preferred rubber
bulb design, squeezing the rubber bulb packs together air molecules
and increases their pressure. When the pressure is high enough, a
one-way valve allows this pressurized air to flow into the handle.
A second one-way valve allows the bulb to refill with outside air
when the bulb is no longer being squeezed. Once the handle has been
filled with large numbers of air molecules, these molecules exert
substantial outward forces on the inner surfaces of the handle,
pushing toothpaste up the handle and out of the holes under the
bristles in the head. The more molecules there are inside the
pocket, the more often they collide with the surfaces and the more
force they exert on those surfaces. These outward forces from the
air molecules allow the rubber bulb to keep its shape.
[0025] A variety of alternative pump mechanisms or pressurizing
designs also could be utilized. For example, a piston could be
pressed into a cylinder within the handle of a toothbrush. Trapped
air molecules would be packed more tightly together and their
pressure would rise as the cylinder moved. The mechanical work
being done would also transfer energy to the air, causing the air's
temperature to rise. Air always accelerates toward regions of lower
pressure, so the pressurized air will tend to flow through any
opening that leads to lower pressure--such as holes under the
bristles in the head. A one-way valve at the base of the cylinder
allows this pressurized air to flow out of the cylinder and enter
the holes underneath the bristles. Each time an individual pushes
down on the piston, the air inside the cylinder pressurizes and it
accelerates and flows toward the lower pressure of the holes
underneath the bristles. As the piston is pulled out of the
cylinder, a second one-way valve allows new air to enter the
cylinder from outside so that the process can be repeated.
[0026] Other well-known methods of moving and pumping the
toothpaste through the handle and into the head could also be
incorporated in alternative embodiments of this invention.
[0027] The materials utilized for Brush Rite may vary widely but
will likely include plastic components.
[0028] The plastic used in the production will ideally be selected
for durability and longevity. Thermoplastics are commonly used in
the manufacturing of components similar to those used in this
invention. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other similar
thermoplastic materials would be among those with the necessary
traits. Members of this family are recognized universally as being
versatile and of high quality.
[0029] The plastic components of Brush Rite can also be formed with
the use of plastic molding techniques, such as injection molding or
blow molding. Injection molding requires melted plastic to be
forcefully injected into relatively cool molds. As the plastic
begins to harden, it takes on the shape of the mold cavity. This
technique is ideal for the mass production of products.
Alternatively, blow molding, a form of extrusion, could be
utilized. Blow molding involves a molten tube being pushed into a
mold. Compressed air then forces the molten tube against the cold
walls of the mold.
[0030] It should be obvious that the components of the present
invention can be of various shapes and sizes. It should also be
obvious that the components of the invention can be made of
different types of plastics or other suitable materials and can be
of any color.
[0031] It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that
changes or modifications may be made to the above-described
embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of
the invention. It should therefore be understood that this
invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described
herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications
that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth
in the claims.
* * * * *