Lip exfoliating toothbrush

Abstract

A toothbrush allows the lips to be exfoliated and cleaned while brushing the teeth. The toothbrush has a device that serves to exfoliate the lips while brushing the teeth and gums, eliminating the need for the user to complete both activities separately. The device for exfoliating the lips is connected to the handle of a toothbrush such that when an individual is brushing the teeth and gums, the device contacts the individual's lips. The lip exfoliating device can be bristles, a fabric pad, sponge or other means for exfoliating the skin and can be detachable.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to toothbrushes, and more particularly, to a toothbrush that exfoliates and cleans the lips while brushing the teeth.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Dry, dehydrated skin is a major problem for millions of people. Dehydrated skin lacks water and dry skin lacks skin lipids, although the skin usually suffers from both problems. Skin lipids are bilayers of phospholipids in the outer layer of skin. Skin is typically characterized as consisting of several layers. The outermost layer is the stratum corneum, which is composed partially of skin lipids.

[0005] Skin lipids act as a barrier to the penetration of most substances into the lower layers of the skin. The skin lipids also prevent water loss from the skin. The quantity and composition of skin lipids vary from place to place on the body. The quantity and composition of skin lipids can be affected by environmental factors as well. The skin lipid barrier is easily diminished by exposure to chemicals, soaps, or other environmental irritants such as wind, cold, or sunlight. When lipids are missing or damaged, external irritants can penetrate into the lower layers of skin and moisture can escape to the skin surface where it will evaporate. Thus, the quality of the skin lipid barrier may not always be adequate to perform its protective and water-retentive functions properly.

[0006] The stratum corneum is also composed of dead skin cells. Dead cells generally shed themselves from the skin. However, over time, the shedding process slows down. This can also add to dryness of the skin and require deep cleaning to remove the dead skin cells.

[0007] Dry, dehydrated skin leaves the skin looking red, flaky, and cracking. Dry skin may also allow harmful pathogens and irritants access to the inner layers of the skin.

[0008] Exfoliation of the skin can help treat dry, dehydrated skin. An exfoliating agent is used to remove dead skin cells. Exfoliation exposes healthier living layers of skin to allow moisturizers and other agents to more efficiently improve dry and dehydrated skin. This provides a smoother and softer surface as well as allows living skin cells to grow and remain healthy. Use of an exfoliating agent can also remove foreign matter, such as makeup and debris, from the skin.

[0009] A number of exfoliating agents are well known in the art. Many exfoliating agents contain abrasive particles to remove dead cells. An example of such an agent and one of the predominant products on the market for exfoliation of the skin is the loofah sponge. A loofah is a natural vegetable of a fibrous structure which, when dried and processed, provides an effective abrasive surface for skin treatment. Exfoliating creams, brushes, cloths, and pads are also known. For examples, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,138 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,498.

[0010] Even in its natural state, the skin on the lips often has an ineffective skin lipid barrier. In addition, lips are unique in that they are exposed to more harmful agents than other parts of the body. Lips, unlike other areas of the body, are virtually always exposed to environmental hazards such as wind, sun, and cold. Further, many lip cosmetics such as traditional lipsticks can also contribute to these harmful effects on the lips. As a result of these factors, the skin lipid barrier is ineffective and loses its ability to retain water. This makes the lips susceptible to dehydration and frequent chapping, dryness, and cracking. In addition, the skin of the lips contains dead skin cells that need to be removed. Exfoliating the lips regularly helps to alleviate this problem. Specifically, the use of a cotton pad or washcloth to exfoliate the lips is known.

[0011] Combination toothbrushes, or toothbrushes that perform multiple functions, are also known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,050 discloses a toothbrush that includes a device for mounting dental floss on the handle of the toothbrush. The flossing device allows a section of floss to be stretched across an opening in the handle to enable a user to floss the teeth without touching the floss and to provide a more convenient oral hygiene product. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,600 discloses a combination toothbrush and toothpaste dispenser. However, neither of these references disclose or teach a toothbrush for exfoliating the lips.

[0012] Thus, it would be desirable to have a toothbrush that exfoliates and cleans the lips while brushing the teeth and gums, eliminating the need for a person to separately exfoliate the lips and brush the teeth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] This invention relates to a toothbrush with a device that exfoliates the lips. The toothbrush has a device for brushing the teeth and gums and a device for exfoliating the lips, both of which are connected to a substrate. The device for exfoliating the lips is connected to the substrate of the toothbrush such that when an individual is brushing the teeth and gums, the device contacts the individual's lips. The lip exfoliating device can be bristles, a fabric pad, sponge or other means for exfoliating the skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush with an exfoliating pad in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toothbrush with exfoliating bristles in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a toothbrush with exfoliating bristles in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring first to FIG. 1, a toothbrush 5 includes a substrate 10, a plurality of bristles 20 for brushing the teeth and gums, and an exfoliating device 30 on substrate 10.

[0018] Bristles 20 are attached to substrate 10. In the typical toothbrush, bristles 20 are attached so that bristles 20 are perpendicular to substrate 10. Bristles 20 can be spaced in groups, in even distributions, or other types of arrangements. Bristles 20 are usually made of nylon, plastic, or other similar polymer. Substrate 10 is preferably one piece and constructed of plastic. Substrate 10 can be flexible.

[0019] In the FIG. 1 embodiment, lip exfoliating device 30 of toothbrush 5 is a pad. Exfoliating pad 30 can be permanently attached to substrate 10 and has a length and a thickness that are effective to exfoliate the lips. For example, exfoliating pad 30, which extends outwardly from substrate 10, can have a length of a fourth of an inch to three inches and a thickness of between a tenth of an inch to one inch. Exfoliating pad 30 preferably has a length of one inch and a thickness of an eighth of an inch.

[0020] Exfoliating pad 30 can be mounted on substrate 10 such that exfoliating pad 30 is on a portion of substrate 10 (such as the top), or even a part of a side of substrate 10. Preferably, exfoliating pad 30 completely surrounds substrate 10, covering the entire surface area of a portion of the length of substrate 10.

[0021] Exfoliating pad 30 can be mounted on substrate 10 such that the space between bristles 20 and exfoliating pad 30 can be up to four inches. Preferably, exfoliating pad 30 is mounted such that the space between exfoliating pad 30 and bristles 20 is approximately a fourth of an inch away from bristles 20 on substrate 10.

[0022] Exfoliating pad 30 can be constructed of any type of fabric or material with a textured surface. Some examples of types of fabrics that are suitable for exfoliating pad 30 are cotton, polyester, rayon, nylon, linen, acetate, lycra, spandex, dacron, olefin, acyrlic, silk, or denim. Blends of the aforementioned fabrics can also be used.

[0023] FIGS. 2 and 3 depict another embodiment of the invention in which a plurality of bristles 40 form a lip exfoliating device. Exfoliating bristles 40 can be embedded in substrate 10 in the same way that bristles 20 are embedded in substrate 10. Preferably, exfoliating bristles 40 are attached to substrate 10 such that exfoliating bristles 40 extend outwardly at a perpendicular angle from substrate 10, although exfoliating bristles 40 can be attached at any desired angle. Exfoliating bristles 40 can be evenly distributed, spaced in groups or placed in any other arrangement on substrate 10 suitable for achieving their lip-exfoliating purpose.

[0024] Exfoliating bristles 40 can be mounted on substrate 10 such that the space between bristles 20 and exfoliating bristles 40 is up to four inches. Preferably, exfoliating bristles 40 are affixed to substrate 10 such that the space between exfoliating bristles 40 and bristles 20 is approximately a fourth of an inch.

[0025] Exfoliating bristles 40 can have any length or height that is effective to exfoliate the lips. For example, exfoliating bristles 40 can extend a fourth of an inch to three inches along the length of substrate 10. Exfoliating bristles 40 can have any height that would allow bristles 20 to contact the teeth and exfoliating bristles 40 to contact the lips. For example, exfoliating bristles 40 can have a height of between a tenth of an inch to one inch. In the preferred embodiment, exfoliating bristles 40 extend approximately one inch along the length of substrate 10 and have a height of a fourth of an inch measured from the surface of substrate 10.

[0026] Exfoliating bristles 40 can be mounted on substrate 10 such that exfoliating bristles 40 are on a portion of substrate 10 (such as the top), or even a part of a side of substrate 10. In the preferred embodiment, exfoliating bristles 40 surround the entire surface area of a portion of substrate 10.

[0027] Exfoliating bristles 40 can be constructed of the same type of material that can be used for bristles 20, although a softer material is preferred. Nylon, plastic, silk, or other similar polymers are preferred materials for exfoliating bristles 40.

[0028] Any of the lip exfoliating devices described herein can alternatively be temporarily attached to the toothbrush and can be removed or replaced. Such lip exfoliating devices can be connected to substrate 10 using any type of fastening device, such as velcro fasteners, elastic bands, rivets, or other fasteners.

[0029] Thus, there has been described a toothbrush that efficiently exfoliates the lips while brushing the teeth and gums. This toothbrush combines two necessary hygiene processes, eliminating the need to brush the teeth and gums and exfoliate the lips separately.

[0030] Whereas the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various changes and modifications will be suggested to one of ordinary skill in the art, and it is intended that the invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A toothbrush, comprising:

a substrate;

means attached to said substrate for brushing teeth; and

means connected to said substrate for exfoliating lips.

2. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said exfoliating means is detachable.

3. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said exfoliating means comprises a plurality of bristles spaced around at least a portion of said substrate.

4. The toothbrush of claim 3 wherein said plurality of bristles are spaced all 360° around said substrate.

5. The toothbrush of claim 3 wherein said plurality of bristles are nylon.

6. The toothbrush of claim 3 wherein said plurality of bristles are plastic.

7. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said exfoliating means comprises a pad around at least a portion of said substrate.

8. The toothbrush of claim 7 wherein said pad surrounds all 360° of said substrate.

9. The toothbrush of claim 7 wherein said pad is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, nylon, linen, rayon, acetate, lycra, spandex, dacron, olefin, acrylic, silk, and denim.

10. The toothbrush of claim 7 wherein said pad is constructed of a blend of at least two materials selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, nylon, linen, rayon, acetate, lycra, spandex, dacron, olefin, acrylic, silk, and denim.

11. A toothbrush, comprising:

a substrate;

means attached to said substrate for brushing teeth; and

means for exfoliating lips, said exfoliating means connected to said substrate such that said exfoliating means contacts a user's lips during brushing of teeth.

12. The toothbrush of claim 11 wherein said exfoliating means is spaced up to 4 inches from said means for brushing teeth.

13. The toothbrush of claim 11 wherein said exfoliating means is spaced up to 2 inches from said means for brushing teeth.

14. The toothbrush of claim 11 wherein said exfoliating means is spaced ¼ of an inch from said means for brushing teeth.

15. The toothbrush of claim 11 wherein said exfoliating means is detachable.

16. The toothbrush of claim 11 wherein said exfoliating means comprises a plurality of bristles spaced around at least a portion of said substrate.

17. The toothbrush of claim 16 wherein said plurality of bristles are spaced all 360° around said substrate.

18. The toothbrush of claim 16 wherein said plurality of bristles are nylon.

19. The toothbrush of claim 16 wherein said plurality of bristles are plastic.

20. The toothbrush of claim II wherein said exfoliating means comprises a pad around at least a portion of said substrate.

21. The toothbrush of claim 20 wherein said pad surrounds all 360° of said substrate.

22. The toothbrush of claim 20 wherein said pad is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, nylon, linen, rayon, acetate, lycra, spandex, dacron, olefin, acrylic, silk, and denim.

23. The toothbrush of claim 20 wherein said pad is constructed of a blend of at least two materials selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, nylon, linen, rayon, acetate, lycra, spandex, dacron, olefin, acrylic, silk, and denim.

24. A toothbrush, comprising:

a substrate;

means attached to said substrate for brushing teeth; and

means for exfoliating lips wherein said exfoliating means extends outwardly from said substrate such that said exfoliating means contacts a user's lips during brushing of the teeth.

25. The toothbrush of claim 24 wherein said exfoliating means extends outwardly from said substrate one tenth of an inch to one inch.

26. The toothbrush of claim 24 wherein said exfoliating means extends outwardly from said substrate one eighth of an inch to one fourth of an inch.

27. The toothbrush of claim 24 wherein said exfoliating means extends outwardly from said substrate one fourth of an inch.

28. The toothbrush of claim 24 wherein said exfoliating means is detachable.

29. The toothbrush of claim 24 wherein said exfoliating means comprises a plurality of bristles spaced around at least a portion of said substrate.

30. The toothbrush of claim 29 wherein said plurality of bristles are spaced all 3600 around said substrate.

31. The toothbrush of claim 29 wherein said plurality of bristles are nylon.

32. The toothbrush of claim 29 wherein said plurality of bristles are plastic.

33. The toothbrush of claim 24 wherein said exfoliating means comprises a pad around at least a portion of said substrate.

34. The toothbrush of claim 33 wherein said pad surrounds all 360° of said substrate.

35. The toothbrush of claim 33 wherein said pad is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, nylon, linen, rayon, acetate, lycra, spandex, dacron, olefin, acrylic, silk, and denim.

36. The toothbrush of claim 33 wherein said pad is constructed of a blend of at least two materials selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, nylon, linen, rayon, acetate, lycra, spandex, dacron, olefin, acrylic, silk, and denim.

37. A toothbrush, comprising:

a substrate;

a tooth brushing device attached to said substrate; and

a lip exfoliating device wherein said lip exfoliating device contacts a user's lips during brushing of teeth.

38. The toothbrush of claim 37 wherein said lip exfoliating device is detachable.

39. The toothbrush of claim 37 wherein said lip exfoliating device comprises a plurality of bristles spaced around at least a portion of said substrate.

40. The toothbrush of claim 39 wherein said plurality of bristles are spaced all 360° around said substrate.

41. The toothbrush of claim 39 wherein said plurality of bristles are nylon.

42. The toothbrush of claim 39 wherein said plurality of bristles are plastic.

43. The toothbrush of claim 37 wherein said lip exfoliating device comprises a pad around at least a portion of said substrate.

44. The toothbrush of claim 43 wherein said pad surrounds all 360° of said substrate.

45. The toothbrush of claim 43 wherein said pad is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, nylon, linen, rayon, acetate, lycra, spandex, dacron, olefin, acrylic, silk, and denim.

46. The toothbrush of claim 43 wherein said pad is constructed of a blend of at least two materials selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, nylon, linen, rayon, acetate, lycra, spandex, dacron, olefin, acrylic, silk, and denim.

47. The toothbrush of claim 37 wherein said lip exfoliating device extends outwardly from said substrate one tenth of an inch to one inch.

48. The toothbrush of claim 37 wherein said lip exfoliating device extends outwardly from said substrate one eighth of an inch to one fourth of an inch.

49. The toothbrush of claim 37 wherein said lip exfoliating device extends outwardly from said substrate one fourth of an inch.

50. The toothbrush of claim 37 wherein said lip exfoliating device is spaced up to 4 inches from said tooth brushing device.

51. The toothbrush of claim 37 wherein said lip exfoliating device is spaced up to 2 inches from said tooth brushing device.

52. The toothbrush of claim 37 wherein said lip exfoliating device is spaced ¼ of an inch from said tooth brushing device.