U.S. patent application number 17/300550 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-03 for bacteria resistant automatically self sanitizing oral care appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to Pet Projects Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Thomas Duran Merritt. Invention is credited to Thomas Duran Merritt.
Application Number | 20220031060 17/300550 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005947045 |
Filed Date | 2022-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220031060 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Merritt; Thomas Duran |
February 3, 2022 |
Bacteria resistant automatically self sanitizing oral care
appliance
Abstract
Disclosed is a toothbrush with oligodynamic properties. This is
achieved with a small current produced as a result of the
dissimilar materials from which it is constructed. A small piece of
zinc metal. attached to the device at a specified location acts as
a sacrificial anode in order for any corrosion which will naturally
occur, to occur at the replaceable anode, and nowhere else on the
toothbrush. The bristles of the tooth brush are much longer than
those of a conventional toothbrush in order to spend a longer
period of time in contact with the teeth and gums thereby causing
the desired effect to be more pronounced.
Inventors: |
Merritt; Thomas Duran;
(Albuquerque, NM) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Merritt; Thomas Duran |
Albuquerque |
NM |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Pet Projects Inc.
Miami
FL
|
Family ID: |
1000005947045 |
Appl. No.: |
17/300550 |
Filed: |
August 16, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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16602264 |
Sep 3, 2019 |
|
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17300550 |
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62765530 |
Sep 4, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46D 1/0207 20130101;
A46D 1/006 20130101; A46B 2200/1066 20130101; A46B 5/00 20130101;
A46D 3/005 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A46D 1/00 20060101
A46D001/00; A46B 5/00 20060101 A46B005/00; A46D 3/00 20060101
A46D003/00 |
Claims
1. From a selection including mild steel, brass, copper, silver, or
gold, a stamped formed metallic piece with the piece including a
plurality of perforations on one distal end of the piece, the
perforations for the purpose of accepting bristle tufts to be
secured to the perforations
2. The invention recited in claim 1 further including the placement
of a zinc sacrificial anode at a preselected location on the
metallic piece.
3. The invention recited in claim 1 wherein wire bristle tufts are
secured to the perforations on the metallic piece by means of a low
flowing temperature silver bearing solder.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation in part of
application Ser. No. 16/602,264 and claims benefit of co-pending
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/765,530 filed on Sep. 4,
2018, entitled BACTERIA RESISTANT AUTOMATICALLY SELF SANITIZING
ORAL CARE APPLIANCE that application being incorporated herein, by
reference, in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to an oral or dental care device, in
particular, that device which is commonly referred to as a
toothbrush.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] It is a well known fact that tooth decay is the result of
bacteria deposited on the teeth from food and drink, especially
sugary drinks. Tooth decay is prevalent throughout the world and
even with all of the advances in tooth care now available, there is
no decrease in dentists. Through negligence, that is, not regularly
cleaning the teeth, these bacteria will erode the protective enamel
of the tooth and cause pits or cavities to form, thereby resulting
in the necessity for expensive professional dental care.
[0004] The normal preventative measure taken to prevent bacteria
from remaining on the teeth, is a regular cleaning or brushing of
the teeth, preferably after each meal and before bedtime, using a
toothbrush in combination with one of the myriad brands of
toothpaste. This good practice works well, and in most cases, does
prevent cavities. However, after the brushing, bacteria remains on
the toothbrush and is possibly transferred again to the teeth the
next time it is used. This is also why it is unheard of to use
someone else's toothbrush.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,775 to Robinson teaches a toothbrush
utilizing wire for bristles. The wire is defined as "superelastic",
being constructed from a nickel-titanium alloy. This type of wire
was originally manufactured for the medical field for use in the
manufacture of stents used in cardiovascular purposes. Its
advantage was that this wire had the ability to stretch and return
to its original shape at the temperature most common to the human
body, 37 degrees C. There is no clear explanation as to why this
would be advantageous in the use of a toothbrush; however it is
preferred by Robinson. Robinson further discloses that the bristles
formed of this wire are of uneven length, that is to say some
bristles are longer than others. This idea was also disclosed by
Plotka U.S.2011/0138554A in Jun. 16, 2011. The shaped memory alloy
wire bristles of Robinson are stated to be installed at fixation
points, separate a minimum distance, however the means or method of
attachment of the bristles shown in the drawing figures to these
fixation point, or what can otherwise be interpreted as micron
sized holes, is not disclosed anywhere in the document, a
disadvantage. The complexity of the disclosure will result in an
expensive manufacturing cost, another disadvantage. Regarding
Plotka, no patent is disclosed, however a publication of the patent
application is referred to. Both Robinson and Plotka make use of
microbial nanoparticles of zinc, silver, or copper by embedding
these nanoparticles within the bristles for the purpose of creating
an anti-microbial environment. These coatings have a tendency to
wear off in a short period of time, thereby shortening the useful
life of the device, thereby creating another disadvantage.
[0006] Another prior art disclosure Dreisen et al U.S. Pat. No.
6,009,589 in contrast to the previously disclosed art, concentrates
on the mounting of bristles composed of bacteria killing wire with
a "separate attachment means" which appears to be a small collar of
silver at its base of each tuft of bristles secured with silver
anchoring plates, thereby resulting in the oligodynamic effect.
Another part, the bristle carrier, is silver as well, another
expense and time consumption of manufacture, thereby another
disadvantage. Along the same line of thought, yet slightly
different than Dreisen is a Korean disclosure KR 16-02 8181781 of
2/15, actually a publication describing an anti bacterial
toothbrush. The toothbrush bristles are comprised of synthetic
resins of silver coatings placed upon an anti bacterial member
which also functions as a bristle holding means. As with Dreisen,
this extra part simply increases complexity as well as time needed
for the manufacturing process, a disadvantage.
[0007] This leaves but one remaining disclosure, Burgov,
RU-214121238 of 11/99. The Bugrov patent is unique in that it
teaches, as opposed to other disclosures, that a toothbrush with
oligodynamic properties can function as a germ killer inside the
oral cavity, that is, the mouth. This is accomplished by using the
dissimilar metals from which it is composed, combined with a
separate brass component to create a flowing, low amperage galvanic
current, which is alleged to kill germs. A problem occurs if this
separate brass component ever is lost or misplaced, a realistic
scenario and distinct possibility. If this situation ever occurs,
then an error is produced, and the brush loses its germ killing
capabilities. Further, if this separate brass piece is left in the
assigned place of design, then the brush will suffer what is known
as anodic dissolution, (Burgovs' words). This presents a major
disadvantage.
[0008] It is no surprise that none of the above mentioned
disclosures have not appeared at the market place, at least in the
U.S.A. The several disadvantages had to be known by the creators of
these devices, including the extensive use of silver, a great
expense in mass production, expense being the chief obstacle.
Another issue plaguing all of the above disclosures other than
Bugrov is the principle of oligodynamic, that is to say, germ
killing metals. Each and every mentioned or disclosed toothbrush
can achieve the function of killing germs when not in use without
doubt that is, while it sits alone, not in use. Only Bugrov
purposely teaches germ or microbe elimination during actual use
within the oral cavity or mouth. This capability is necessary if
the toothbrush is to be truly effective. Otherwise, simply placing
the bristles of an ordinary tooth brush in contact with a
germicidal element or even boiling water will have a germ killing
effect, thus a simple way of eliminating the need, expense, and
complexity of oligodynamic toothbrushes altogether. What is needed
is a true germ and bacteria killing toothbrush which kills germs
not only while inactive or not in use, but while being used within
the mouth. Such a toothbrush which eliminates high cost of
manufacture, therefore inexpensive, eliminating complexity, thereby
providing simplicity while remaining effective as a true germ
killer is described in detail herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is necessary to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior
art. This is accomplished by eliminating complexity. The toothbrush
handle and bristle carrier will be comprised of a one piece
stamped, perforated, metallic element. The stamping, which gives
the metal component its form, and the perforations, which are
locations to place the bristles are completed in one operation,
thus saving time. The formed, perforated metallic element is now
ready to accept the bristle tufts, which are manufactured in a
separate operation. This procedure involves gathering several
separate wire bristles, approximately 20 in number, and binding
them together at one end with a low flowing temperature, silver
bearing solder. The solder which binds the bristles together,
forming a tuft, also serves as the medium which retains the tuft
within the prior made perforations. The required number of tufts is
placed in the perforations until the task is completed. Next, and
finally, a section of zinc is attached to the handle at a specified
location. The attachment means can be a metal screw or possibly a
rivet. This section of zinc serves as a sacrificial anode which
prevents corrosion from occurring anywhere else on the device. Once
assembled according to these instructions the part assumes the form
of a functional toothbrush with oligodynamic characteristics.
[0010] It is accordingly an object of the present invention to
provide a tooth brush that is resistant to bacteria and is
therefore self sanitizing as well, while both in use and not in
use.
[0011] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as a bacteria resistant toothbrush, it is nevertheless not intended
to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and
structural changes may be made therein without departing from the
spirit of the invention and within the scope and equivalents of the
claims.
[0012] The construction and method of operation of the invention,
however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof
will be best understood from the following description of specific
embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric or perspective view of the
inventive bacteria resistant self sanitizing toothbrush
illustrating all of its functional components.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the invention with emphasis on
the location and means of securing the sacrificial anode.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the invention showing the bristle
tuft retaining perforations on a stamped metallic element.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates the components comprising a tuft of
bristles including silver soldered bristles comprising an insertion
end.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] With reference to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment, the
basic components of the toothbrush are shown, where 10 is the
invention. 11 is the shaped and perforated metallic component which
serves as a handle to hold the toothbrush and a holder for the
tufts of bristles 13. Perforations 12 are located at one distal end
of the shaped metallic component are for the purpose of retaining
tufts 13 by means of a combination of the perforations and the
soldered ends 14 of the tufts. This is accomplished by inserting
the tuft into the perforation and re heating the soldered tuft end
14 until the solder on it flows and secures the tuft in place.
Preferably the stamping operation is simultaneous with the creation
of the perforations, that is to say both operations are completed
at once. The bristles 20 are composed of a nearly hair thin fine
wire. A common type wire to use is EDM wire illustrated in FIG. 4
as part of tuft 13. Each tuft is assembled by gathering together a
group of approximately 20 wire bristles and binding them together
at one end with a low temperature, silver bearing solder, thereby
forming the tuft 14. The insertion end of the tuft is shown in FIG.
4. It is important to understand that each bristle 20 is of a
length at least double the size of bristles on a conventional,
ordinary toothbrush. The reason for this being is that this causes
the bristle to spend more contact time on the teeth and gums,
thereby improving the germ killing effect. The low temperature
silver bearing solder serves as the means of securing tuft 13 into
perforation 12 of metallic component 11. The use of silver as the
bonding agent is the origin of the galvanic action occurring in the
device. Galvanic dissolution is prevented by placement of a
sacrificial anode 15 at a specific location shown on the device in
the drawing figures.
* * * * *