U.S. patent application number 12/317664 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-23 for toothbrush holder.
Invention is credited to Richard D. Ruppert.
Application Number | 20090184015 12/317664 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40875590 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090184015 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruppert; Richard D. |
July 23, 2009 |
Toothbrush holder
Abstract
The present invention relates to a sanitary toothbrush holder
that holds toothbrushes in place to hang up right or upside down
resulting in a cleaner brush that is air dried. It provides a
better, easier and secure method of storing the brush after use. It
is especially effective for children to place the brush against the
holder with little difficulty.
Inventors: |
Ruppert; Richard D.; (Ottawa
Hills, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EMCH, SCHAFFER, SCHAUB & PORCELLO CO
P O BOX 916, ONE SEAGATE SUITE 1980
TOLEDO
OH
43697
US
|
Family ID: |
40875590 |
Appl. No.: |
12/317664 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61011847 |
Jan 23, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/362.2 ;
15/167.1; 24/303 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 17/02 20130101;
Y10T 24/32 20150115; A46B 2200/1066 20130101; A47K 1/09
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/362.2 ;
15/167.1; 24/303 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20060101
A45C011/00; A46B 9/04 20060101 A46B009/04; A44B 21/00 20060101
A44B021/00 |
Claims
1. A toothbrush holder for use with a toothbrush having a metallic
element comprising: a magnetic block for engaging the metallic
element in the toothbrush and for removably securing the toothbrush
to the block; and a securing means for mounting the magnetic block
on a surface that is convenient for a user of the toothbrush.
2. The holder of claim 1 wherein the magnetic block is at least
partially covered in a plastic material to facilitate cleaning the
holder.
3. The holder of claim 2 wherein the magnetic block is embedded in
the plastic material.
4. The holder of claim 1 wherein the securing means is an adhesive
that is placed on one surface of the magnetic block, the adhesive
being sufficient to secure the block to the surface.
5. The holder of claim 1 wherein the securing means is a threaded
fastener that can be positioned in at least one aperture in the
magnetic block to secure the magnetic block to the surface.
6. The holder of claim 1 wherein the securing means is a metal
plate that is secured to one side of the surface and the magnetic
block is positioned on the other side of the surface, the magnetic
force of the magnetic block securing the magnetic block to the
metal plate to removably secure the magnetic block to the
surface.
7. The holder of claim 1 wherein the securing means is a metal
plate that is secured to the surface, the magnetic force of the
magnetic block securing the magnetic block to the metal plate to
removably secure the magnetic block to the surface.
8. A toothbrush for use with a magnetic holder comprising: a head
having bristles positioned thereon, the bristles being disposed for
brushing the teeth of a user; a handle connected to the head, the
handle extending from the head; a piece of metal is secured to
either the head or the handle for securing the toothbrush to the
magnetic holder.
9. The toothbrush of claim 8 wherein the piece of metal is bonded
to the exterior of the handle or the head.
10. The toothbrush of claim 8 wherein the piece of metal is
embedded in the handle or the head.
11. The toothbrush of claim 10 wherein the piece of metal is
positioned close enough to the exterior surface of the handle or
the head to allow the magnetic holder to removably secure the
toothbrush to magnetic holder.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application No. 61/011,847, filed on Jan. 23, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is generally directed to a holder that
can be utilized to position toothbrushes in a convenient location
and a toothbrush for use with the holder. A Toothbrush is an
awkwardly shaped device that is used on a daily basis but is
difficult to store in between uses. As the toothbrush is used in
the mouth on the teeth of the user, it is important that the
toothbrush be maintained in a sanitary environment. It is also
important that the toothbrush be stored in a way that allows the
brush to dry between uses. In the past, various toothbrush holders
have been designed that have a slot for the handle of the
toothbrush but the slot is not large enough to allow the brushes on
the end of the toothbrush to pass through the slot. Frequently this
style of holder has several slots positioned around a center
section that can be used to hold a cup or other container. The
brushes of the toothbrush engage the holder and introduce sanitary
concerns for this type of storage. In addition, it is not always
easy to position the handle in the slot and frequently the
toothbrushes will fall and come into contact with other less
sanitary surfaces in the bathroom. The toothbrushes in such a
holding device are also frequently in close proximity to the
toothbrush of other users and this can be a less than desirable
sanitary condition. Frequently, toothbrushes are stored in a glass
between uses where the glass is positioned on a counter in the
bathroom. The use of a glass as storage device for a toothbrush has
the same deficiencies as the previously discussed holder.
[0003] Accordingly, there is a need for a toothbrush holder that
will store a toothbrush in a sanitary manner. It is also desirable
to have a holder that allows the toothbrush to be stored in a
convenient location where the toothbrush is easily removed and
replaced in the storage device. There is also a need for a
toothbrush that can be used with the holder to conveniently and
sanitarily store the toothbrush.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention is directed to a toothbrush holder that is
capable of suspending a toothbrush that contains a piece of steel
or iron in the handle. A battery operated (chargeable or
non-chargeable) toothbrush that contains iron or steel in the
handle of the brush can also be suspended on the magnetic
toothbrush holders.
[0005] The advantages of the invention are that the holder provides
for easy placement of the toothbrush against the holder especially
for children. Those with impaired hand function and senior citizens
may find this new holder easier to access and to remove and replace
the toothbrush back on the holder. The brush is held in the open
air for drying. The holder is spaced apart from the toothbrush and
the toothbrush is not likely to become soiled in a bathroom
medicine cabinet or vanity cabinet resulting in improved
sanitation. The holder can be attached to a medicine cabinet or a
utility cabinet made of iron or steel (metal). The magnetized
toothbrush holder can be attached to a plate of metal (iron or
steel) glued to a non-metal cabinet or a utility cabinet drawer.
The holder can be easily removed for cleaning and replaced when
desired. The magnetized toothbrush holder can be attached to a
mirror with the use of flat steel or iron plate glued to the back
of the mirror. The holder will be held in place by the magnetic
attraction between the magnet and the metal plate on the back of
the mirror. An anti-static paper can be attached to the holder to
enhance the attachment of the holder on the mirror. The holder may
be removed for purposes of cleaning the mirror and later replaced.
The holder allows more than one brush to be held in place and the
number of brushes held is dependent upon the design of the holder
and the available space for placement.
[0006] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a metal plate that can
be used to secure the toothbrush holder of the present
invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a front cross sectional view of the toothbrush
holder of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the magnet used in the
toothbrush holder.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view of the toothbrush
holder.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a toothbrush that can
be used with the holder.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a toothbrush that can
be used with the holder.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a toothbrush that can
be used with the holder.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the toothbrush holder
positioned in a medicine cabinet.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the toothbrush holder
positioned in a drawer.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the toothbrush holder
position on a mirror.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the holder positioned on
a mirror by a magnet.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a toothbrush that can be
used with the holder.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the holder used with the
toothbrush of FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0020] The present invention relates to a sanitary toothbrush
holder that holds toothbrushes in place to hang up right or upside
down resulting in a cleaner brush that is air dried. The toothbrush
can also be held in a horizontal orientation if that is more
convenient or preferred. It provides a better, easier and secure
method of storing the brush after use. It is especially effective
for children to place the brush against the holder with little
difficulty.
[0021] The present invention allows the toothbrush holder to be in
open view on a mirror or in a drawer and does not compromise the
sanitary aspects of the toothbrush. Located on a mirror it will
remind the user, especially children, of the presence of the brush
and encourage daily use.
[0022] The design of the holder can be different shapes as long as
the holder has sufficient magnetic material in the holder, and
brush can be different shapes as long as there is iron or steel in
the brush, usually the handle.
[0023] This invention, as shown in FIGS. 1-10, relates to a
magnetic toothbrush holder 10 for holding in place toothbrushes 21
containing iron or steel 27 (metal) in the handle 22 or head 23 of
the toothbrush. The toothbrush may be held upright or upside down
to easily allow the brush to dry in the open air. The toothbrush is
securely, but removably, held on the holder. The holder is a magnet
25 that can be encased in a plastic 30 such as epoxy, acrylic or
other suitable plastic types of materials which allows a brush with
metal in the handle or on the outside of the handle to be held in a
secure manner. Although a magnet 25 can be used to directly secure
a toothbrush 21, it has been found preferable to enclose or encase
the magnet in a plastic material to enhance the appearance and
sanitary condition of the toothbrush holder 10. It is important
that a significant portion of the magnetic attraction of the magnet
25 pass through or be present on the exterior-of the plastic cover
to allow the magnet to secure a toothbrush 21. The brush is easily
removed and replaced by children and may be placed in a conspicuous
location on a mirror or in a cabinet as a reminder for
children.
[0024] A toothbrush 21 with metal in the handle 22 and/or head 23,
or on the outside of its handle or head, as well as battery
operated toothbrushes 24 with metal in the handle, as shown in
FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, will be attracted to the toothbrush holder 10 and
held in place in an upright, upside down, or horizontal position.
In a preferred design the metal piece 27 is encased in the material
of the handle 22 or head 23 of the toothbrush 21. The metal piece
needs to be sufficiently close to the exterior surface of the
handle or head to allow the magnet 25 to releasably secure the
toothbrush 21 to the holder 10.
[0025] The toothbrush and the holder maybe designed to have
different shapes to accommodate being positioned on a mirror,
medicine cabinet or vanity cabinet of a bathroom. The holder 10 may
be composed of a plastic or acrylic resin 30 that encloses a magnet
25 of ferrite or magnetized metal.
[0026] The present invention, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, allows the
holder to be attached to different surfaces including iron or steel
(metal) medicine cabinets 35 and vanity cabinets or drawers. The
magnetic attraction of the magnet 25 in the holder 10 is sufficient
to secure the holder 10 on the metal surface of medicine cabinet or
vanity. An adhesive can also be placed on the surface of the holder
10 that is placed against the cabinet or vanity to assist in
securing the holder in the desired location.
[0027] The present invention, as shown in FIG. 9, permits cabinets
43 made of wood or composition material to be used by gluing a
plate 15 of iron or steel (metal) to the cabinet. The magnetic
toothbrush holder will be attracted to the plate of steel or iron
and held in position on the plate 15.
[0028] The present invention as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 may be
used on a mirror 45 by gluing a plate of metal 15 to the back side
of the mirror and attaching the magnetic toothbrush holder to the
front of the mirror. Anti-static paper 47 can be placed on the side
of the holder 10 that contacts the mirror to assist in securing the
toothbrush holder 10 to the mirror 45. The toothbrushes attached to
the holder are in full view of adults and children.
[0029] It should also be recognized that the magnetic piece could
be positioned on or in the toothbrush and that he metallic piece
could be positioned in the holder. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the
toothbrush 61 has a magnetic insert 65 in the handle 62 or head 63
of the toothbrush. The holder 70 has a metallic piece 76 that is
encased in plastic 30 as previously described. The magnet holds the
toothbrush on the holder through the attraction between the magnet
and the metallic piece. If the toothbrush contains the magnetic
insert, the toothbrush can be positioned on a magnetic surface such
as a medicine cabinet or a drawer without the need for a
holder.
[0030] Although the holder 10 has been described as being used with
toothbrushes 21, it should be recognized that the holder can be
used with other devices. In the bathroom, files, tweezers, nail
clippers and other metallic items could be stored on a holder to
such items in a handy and secure location. In addition,
traditionally non-metallic items like combs and brushes could be
stored on the holder by adding a metallic component to these
products. The holder could also be used in other rooms or locations
to conveniently store items that are frequently used. The items
would need to be metallic or have a metallic component added to the
items. The holder 10 would be mounted in one of the ways herein
described.
[0031] The above detailed description of the present invention is
given for explanatory purposes. It will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications can be
made without departing from the scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the whole of the foregoing description is to be
construed in an illustrative and not a limitative sense, the scope
of the invention being defined solely by the appended claims.
* * * * *