HYGIENIC TOOTHBRUSH AND METHOD OF USING SAME
A hygienic toothbrush comprises a bristle cover movably secured to the elongated body of the toothbrush to protect the bristles of the toothbrush when it is not being used. A storage compartment with a removable lid is provided in the handle of the toothbrush body for storing the cover when not in use.
This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT application PCT/US2008/088259, filed 23 Dec. 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to hygienic toothbrushes and methods of hygienically using the toothbrushes to clean a person's teeth. More specifically, the present invention relates to hygienic toothbrushes having accessories and methods of using the accessories to protect surfaces of the toothbrushes from microbes, including bacteria, fungi, and protozoan parasites, and from viral or other airborne contamination.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONToothbrushes have been used for many years to clean one's teeth. Only in the more recent past has the importance of a sanitary brush become well known. Toothbrushes are often stored in the bathroom and a bathroom can be a very unclean place. Even if it appears to be clean on the surface, airborne contaminants, viral agents, and bacterial agents abound and thrive under such conditions. These airborne contaminants (e.g. fecal material from a flushed toilet), bacterial and viral agents can be the cause of illness and disease.
There is a need for a hygienic toothbrush that is economical, easily used, and effective in prevention of microbial, viral, or airborne contamination.
The present inventor discloses in U.S. Pat. No. 7,246,400 a hygienic toothbrush provided with a cover to keep the bristles of the brush clean when not in use. The cover is affixed to the handle of the toothbrush, so as to be movable between a first position in which it covers the bristles and a second position in which the bristles are exposed so that the brush can be employed for cleaning one's teeth. In the second position the cover is received in a storage compartment in the handle. The present invention relates to further improvements on the toothbrush disclosed therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to the present invention, the toothbrush disclosed in the prior patent of the present inventor is further improved upon in several distinct aspects. A first of these is to provide a lid for the storage compartment for the bristle cover in the handle of the toothbrush, so as to prevent contaminants from settling on the cover when the brush is in use. Several embodiments of brushes providing this additional level of contamination protection are disclosed herein. Other improvements are also disclosed herein.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a toothbrush assembly is provided comprising an elongated toothbrush body having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, wherein the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment; a cover having an open side enabling the cover to be placed over the bristles; an elongated connector comprising a first end operably coupled to the toothbrush body between the bristled head and the storage compartment and a second end operably coupled to the cover, whereby the cover is movable between a first position, in which the cover is disposed over the bristles to protect them when not in use, and a second position, in which the cover is protected within the storage compartment when the brush is in use; and means for selectively retaining the cover in the first and second positions.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a toothbrush assembly is provided comprising an elongated toothbrush body having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, wherein the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment; and a cover for the bristles, the cover being movable between a first position, in which the cover is disposed over the bristles to protect them when not in use, and a second position, in which the cover is disposed within the storage compartment and protected by the lid of the storage compartment when the brush is in use.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method for hygienically cleaning the teeth of a person is provided, comprising the steps of providing a toothbrush assembly comprising an elongated toothbrush body, having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, the lid being operably coupled to the storage compartment; covering the bristles when the toothbrush is not in use with a cover to protect them from microbial, viral, or airborne contaminants, and sealing the cover in the storage compartment when the brush is in use, wherein the cover is cleaned to remove any microbial, viral, or other airborne contaminants before sealing it in the storage compartment.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a toothbrush assembly is provided comprising an elongated toothbrush body having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, a bristle cover, the handle comprising a storage compartment for receiving the bristle cover when the brush is in use, the storage compartment defining an opening extending from a first surface to an opposite surface, wherein the first and second surfaces are in parallel planes, and having a replacable lid fitting flush with the first surface over the opening to close it, an elongated connector including a first end pivoted to the toothbrush body between the bristle head and the opening, and a second end operably coupled to the cover, whereby the cover is movable between a first position, in which the cover is disposed over the bristles to protect them when not in use, and a second position, wherein the cover is disposed in the opening in the handle, the opening then being closed by the replacable lid, so that the cover may be protected from environmental contaminants when the brush is in use; and means for selectively retaining the cover in the first and second positions. The cover is generally a box having an open side for receiving the bristles, to protect them. The cover and elongated connector are preferably arranged so that the open face of the cover is disposed toward the bottom of the storage compartment when disposed therein.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a toothbrush is provided comprising an elongated toothbrush body, having first and second ends, and having a first surface, a bristle head operably coupled to the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body at the first end of the elongated toothbrush body, a storage compartment in the second end of the elongated toothbrush body, wherein the storage compartment is defined by lateral walls and a bottom surface, a protective bristle cover to be placed over the bristles, an elongated connector having a first end pivoted to the toothbrush body between the bristle head and the opening, and a second end operably coupled to the protective bristle cover, so that the protective bristle cover is movable between a first position and a second position, such that in the first position, the protective bristle cover encloses the bristles to protect them when not in use, and in the second position the bristle cover is disposed in the storage compartment such that an open face of the protective bristle cover faces the bottom surface of the storage compartment.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a method of protecting the bristles of a toothbrush is provided, comprising the steps of providing an elongated toothbrush body having first and second ends and a first surface therebetween, a bristle head on the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body at the first end of the elongated toothbrush body, a storage compartment in the second end of the elongated toothbrush body, the storage compartment being defined by lateral walls and a bottom, a protective bristle cover to be placed over the bristles, an elongated connector having a first end pivoted to the toothbrush body between the bristled head and the storage compartment, and a second end operably coupled to the protective bristle cover, so that the protective bristle cover is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the protective bristle cover encloses the bristles to protect them when not in use, and wherein in the second position the bristle cover is disposed in the storage compartment. Preferably, an open face of the protective bristle cover faces the bottom of the storage compartment when in the second position. The elongated connector is pivoted about an axis fixed with respect to the body of the toothbrush in order to move the protective bristle cover from the first position covering the bristles to the second position in the storage compartment. The axis about which the elongated connector pivots may be transverse with respect to the body of the toothbrush, in which case the bristle cover must also be pivoted to the elongated connector so that the open face of the bristle cover can face the bottom of the storage compartment when disposed therein, or may be perpendicular to the body of the toothbrush, in which case the cover can be formed integrally with the elongated connector.
The toothbrush of the invention may also comprise an ultrasonic actuator for vibrating the bristles, to get better cleaning action. The cover may also incorporate a source of ultraviolet radiation, to sterilize the bristles.
The invention will be better understood if reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
It is an object of this invention to provide a toothbrush made hygienic by protecting the bristles of the brush from coming in contact with harmful contaminants, including bacteria, microbes, fungi, protozoan parasites, viral agents, or other contaminants, e.g. fecal contaminants, when the brush is not in use. This object is accomplished by provision of a protective cover that prevents contaminants from settling on the brush bristles when the brush is not in use, and is further accomplished by provision of a closable storage compartment in which the cover is stored while the brush is in use, protecting the cover itself from such contaminants. It is recommended (but not necessary) that the brush head be rinsed in an antiseptic/antibacterial solution (such as Listerine®) prior to placing the cover over the bristles to kill any bacterial/viral agents transferred from the user's mouth. This procedure used in combination with the present invention will result in potential health benefits. Still another related advantage is that the present hygienic toothbrush with cover solves a major health concern in that it also prevents contamination by insects. The common housefly and other disease carrying insects love to frequent bathrooms.
It is another object of this invention to provide the toothbrush with a hollow storage compartment with lid that remains assembled to the toothbrush for hygienically storing the cover when the toothbrush is in use. Because the hollow storage compartment with lid is permanently adjoined to the toothbrush, it is much more likely to be used on a consistent basis. The cover may be protected from coming in contact with harmful contaminants while the brush is in use by placing the cover in the hollow storage compartment and closing the lid. Again, it is recommended (but not necessary) that the cover and hollow storage compartment be rinsed with an antiseptic/antibacterial solution (such as Listerine®) prior to placing the cover in the hollow storage compartment to kill any bacterial/viral agents transferred from the user's mouth. This procedure used in combination with the present invention will result in potential health benefits.
The hygienic toothbrush with cover of the invention is constructed principally of various plastic materials. The cover may include mesh side panels of a fibrous woven or mesh-like plastic material, so as to allow the bristles to dry after use.
As noted, it is an object of the invention to provide a toothbrush with a hollow storage compartment and lid that are assembled to the remainder of the toothbrush. The toothbrush cover is readily maneuvered into the hollow storage compartment in the brush handle for temporary storage during brushing. When the user is finished brushing, the brush cover is similarly readily maneuvered to cover and protect the bristles. An advantage of designing the toothbrush and hollow storage compartment with a lid that is not detached from the toothbrush in use is that the hollow storage compartment will be more likely to be used to hygienically store the cover. Storing the cover, for example, in a separate storage compartment with lid may result in the cover being lost, rendering it ineffective.
It is another object of the inventor to prevent cross contamination between toothbrushes stored in close proximity. Toothbrushes in a conventional toothbrush holder are often in close contact with one another. Even the briefest contact can cause a transmission of harmful contaminants from one brush head to another. A family member that is sick or “coming down with something” can easily contaminate another family member's brush with harmful bacterial or viral agents. The hygienic toothbrush of the invention with hollow storage compartment and lid prevents this contact and therefore prevents the transmission of these agents and illness associated with them.
It is still another object of the invention to produce a hygienic toothbrush that is space efficient. The hygienic toothbrush of the invention, with bristle cover, hollow storage compartment, and lid is constructed in such a way that the cover is spacious enough so that the bristles do not contact the inner surface of the cover when in a closed position, thereby inhibiting bacterial growth, yet is small enough so that it fits within the hollow storage compartment with lid in the handle structure, completely out of the way, when in use brushing a user's teeth.
Other objects, features, and advantages will become obvious to those skilled in the art from the following descriptions and accompanying drawings.
The toothbrush 5 is constructed principally of various plastic materials, while ventilated side panels 12a of the cover 12 may be constructed of a fibrous woven or mesh plastic material.
In the embodiment of
As illustrated in
The bristle head BH, bristles B, and cover 12 may have corresponding round, square, pyramidal, rectangular, rhomboid or other appropriate shapes.
In one embodiment, the toothbrush 5 may include an electric powered sonic vibrator 1, for providing brushing motion when one is using the toothbrush 5 to clean one's teeth. This embodiment is discussed further below in connection with
The hollow storage compartment 16 is defined by a recess in the handle H, sized to receive the cover 12. The hollow storage compartment 16 may have a peripheral recess 39 for receiving a lid 45, as discussed below.
The lid 45 also may have a peripheral mortise 49 and 51, as depicted in
In both first and second positions, the spine 14a of elongated connector 14 may lie in a groove 18 running along the surface of the body 7 of the toothbrush 5, so that an exposed surface of the spine 14a of the elongated connector 14 becomes essentially coplanar with the surface of the body 7 of the toothbrush adjacent to the groove 18.
As discussed above,
Thus, according to the invention, a method for hygienically cleaning the teeth of a person according to the invention comprises the steps of: providing a toothbrush assembly 5, 55, 70, 85, or 200, wherein the toothbrush assembly 5, 55, 70, 85, or 200 comprises an elongated toothbrush body 7, 91, or 220, having a bristle head BH, BH′, or 211 at one end and a handle H at a second end, the handle H comprising a hollow storage compartment 16, 63, 81, 95, or 231, the hollow storage compartment 16, 63, 81, 95, or 231, comprising a lid 45, 65, 82, 100, or 230 wherein the lid 45, 65, 82, 100, or 230 is operably coupled to the hollow storage compartment 16, 63, 81, 95, or 231; covering the bristles B, B′, and 213, when the toothbrush assembly 5, 55, 70, 85, or 200 is not in use, with a cover 12 or 210 having an open face enabling the cover 12 or 210 to be placed over the bristles B, B′, or 213 to protect them from microbial, viral, or other airborne contaminants, and sealing the cover 12 or 210 in the hollow storage compartment 16, 63, 81, 95, or 231 when the toothbrush assembly 5, 55, 70, 85, or 200 is in use. Preferably, the cover 12 or 210 is cleaned to remove any microbial, viral, or other airborne contaminants before sealing it in the hollow storage compartment 16, 63, 81, 95, or 231.
Thus,
In another aspect of the invention,
As shown in
In the embodiment of
Further, in the specific variant of this embodiment shown in
In a further variant also shown in
In a further variant, also shown in
In each embodiment, the protective bristle cover 332 and the elongated connector 320, or the entire toothbrush 300 are preferably treated with an antibacterial solution. The antibacterial solution may be an aqueous solution of from about 0.01 to about 30 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide in water or isopropanol. Alternatively, it may be a commercial mouthwash/disinfectant, silver-containing composite chemical or any other suitable antimicrobial.
The invention also includes a method of protecting the bristles 314 of a toothbrush 300 in which an elongated toothbrush body 321, having first and second ends 370, 360, and a first surface 314, thereon is first provided. The toothbrush 300 comprises a bristle head 310 operably coupled to the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 at the first end 370 of the elongated toothbrush body 321. The toothbrush 300 comprises an opening 337 in the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body 320 at the second end 360 of the elongated toothbrush body 321. The opening 317 is an entrance of a storage compartment 319 in the second end of the elongated toothbrush body 321. A volume of the cavity 330 of the storage compartment 319 is defined by lateral walls 323 and a bottom 325. The bottom 325 of the storage compartment 319 has a second surface 327 thereon. The toothbrush also comprises a protective bristle cover 332 having an open face 340 enabling the protective bristle cover 332 to be placed over the bristles 314. An elongated connector 320 is also provided, having a first end C1 pivoted to the toothbrush body 321 between the bristled head 310 and the opening 317, and a second end C2 operably coupled to the protective bristle cover 332, so that the protective bristle cover 332 is movable between a first position P1 and a second position P2. In the first position P1, the open face 340 of the protective bristle cover 332 faces the bristled head 310 and encloses the bristles 314 to protect them when not in use. The open face 340 of the protective bristle cover 332 faces the second surface 327 of the bottom 325 of the storage compartment 319 in the second position P2.
Thus, in practice of the method of the invention, the first end C1 of the elongated connector 320 is pivoted radially to move the protective bristle cover 332 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. A user of the toothbrush may lift the protective bristle cover away from the bristle head of the elongated toothbrush body by flexing the second end of the elongated connector and pivoting the second end of the elongated connector to the second position. The method may also comprise a step of treating only the protective bristle cover and the elongated connector or the entire toothbrush 300 with an antibacterial/antimicrobial solution. The antibacterial/antimicrobial solution may be an aqueous solution of from about 0.01 to about 30 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide in water or isopropanol or a silver-containing antibacterial/antimicrobial solution.
In an embodiment of the method of the invention, the first end of the elongated connector pivots radially between about 0° and 360° when the protective bristle cover is moved from the first position to the second position and returned to the first position. Depending on the constructional details of the toothbrush, the elongated connector is pivoted about an axis transverse to the direction of elongation of the toothbrush body, or about an axis that is generally perpendicular thereto.
In a further aspect of the method of the invention, in an embodiment of the toothbrush wherein the elongated connector is pivoted about an axis transverse to the body of the toothbrush, the bristle cover is pivoted about the end of the elongated connector, so that the open face of the cover faces the bottom of the storage compartment.
Thus, in
The elongated connector and other parts of the toothbrush of the invention are preferably molded of a somewhat flexible plastic material, such as low or high density polyethylene (PE), low or high density polypropylene (PP), or polyvinylchloride (PVC).
The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to a singular preferred embodiment shown herein but may be practiced in different embodiments including differing materials, components, and arrangement and manipulations thereof. The invention in such broader aspects is limited only by the claims hereinafter made.
Claims
1. A toothbrush assembly, comprising:
- an elongated toothbrush body having a bristled head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, wherein the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment;
- a cover comprising an open side enabling the cover to be placed over the bristles; an elongated connector comprising a first end operably coupled to the toothbrush body between the bristled head and the storage compartment and a second end operably coupled to the cover, whereby the cover is movable between a first position wherein the open side of the cover faces the bristled head so that the cover is disposed over the bristles to protect them when not in use and a second position wherein the cover is protected within the storage compartment when the brush is in use; and means operable between the toothbrush body and the connector for selectively retaining the cover in the first and second positions.
2. A toothbrush assembly, comprising:
- an elongated toothbrush body having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, wherein the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment;
- a cover comprising an open side enabling the cover to be placed over the bristles, whereby the cover is movable between a first position wherein the open side of the cover faces the bristled head so that the cover is disposed over the bristles to protect them when not in use and a second position wherein the cover is protected within the storage compartment because the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment when the brush is in use.
3. A method for hygienically cleaning the teeth of a person, comprising:
- providing a toothbrush assembly wherein the toothbrush assembly comprises an elongated toothbrush body, having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, wherein the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment; and
- covering the storage compartment, when the toothbrush is not in use, with a cover having an open side enabling the cover to be placed over the bristles to protect them from microbial, viral, or airborne contaminants, or sealing the cover in the storage compartment when the brush is in use, wherein the cover is cleaned to remove the microbial, the viral, or the airborne contaminants before sealing it in the storage compartment.
4. A toothbrush assembly, comprising:
- an elongated toothbrush body having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising: an opening extending from a first surface to an opposite surface, wherein both first and second surfaces are in parallel planes, and a replacable lid over the opening and flush with the first surface;
- a cover including an open face enabling the cover to be placed over the bristles and a closed face opposite the open face;
- an elongated connector including a first end pivoted to the toothbrush body between the bristled head and the opening, and a second end operably coupled to the cover, whereby the cover is movable between a first position, wherein the open face of the cover faces the bristled head so that the cover is disposed over the bristles to protect them when not in use and a second position, wherein the open face faces a bottom of the opening, and the closed faces the replacable lid so that the cover may be protected from environmental contaminants within the storage compartment when the brush is in use; and means operable between the toothbrush body and the connector for selectively retaining the cover in the first and second positions.
5. The toothbrush assembly of claim 4, wherein the elongated connector between the toothbrush body and the cover is non-flexibly attached to the cover and to the toothbrush body.
6. The toothbrush assembly of claim 4, comprising arms and the means operable between the toothbrush body and the arms of the connector for selectively retaining the cover in the first and second positions comprising fitting grooves, such that the arms of the elongated connector for connecting said cover to the handle of toothbrush click into the grooves and lock the cover into place in the opening of the handle.
7. The toothbrush assembly of claim 4, wherein the cover, complete with arms, is attached to the handle via a C Clamp.
8. The toothbrush assembly of claim 4, wherein the sides of the cover that are orthogonal to the open face and run along a longitudinal axis of the cover, are porous.
9. The toothbrush assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one of the sides of the cover that are orthogonal to the open face and run along a horizontal axis of the cover, are open.
10. A toothbrush, comprising:
- an elongated toothbrush body, having first and second ends, and a first surface, thereon, comprising: a bristle head operably coupled to the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body at the first end of the elongated toothbrush body; and an opening in the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body at the second end of the elongated toothbrush body, wherein the opening is an entrance of a storage compartment in the second end of the elongated toothbrush body, wherein a volume of the cavity of the storage compartment is defined by lateral walls and a bottom of the storage compartment, and wherein the bottom of the storage compartment has a second surface thereon; a protective bristle cover having an open face enabling the protective bristle cover to be placed over the bristles; an elongated connector having a first end pivoted to the toothbrush body between the bristled head and the opening, and a second end operably coupled to the protective bristle cover, so that the protective bristle cover is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the bristled head and encloses the bristles to protect them when not in use, and wherein in the second position, the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the second surface of the bottom of the storage compartment.
11. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the elongated connector comprises a male nub pivotably coupled between the first end and the second end and the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body has an expandable opening positioned so the male nub releasably fits into the opening when the protective bristle cover is in the first position, and the expandable opening has released the male nub when the protective bristle cover is in the second position.
12. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the elongated toothbrush body comprises an expandable opening in the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body between the first end and the second end and the elongated connector has a male nub protruding from the surface of the elongated connector in the direction of the expandable opening so the male nub releasably fits into the expandable opening when the protective bristle cover is in the first position, and the expandable opening has released the male nub when the protective bristle cover is in the second position.
13. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the elongated connector comprises an expandable opening between the first end and the second end and the elongated toothbrush body has a male nub protruding from the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body in the direction of the expandable opening so the male nub releasably fits into the expandable opening when the protective bristle cover is in the first position, and the expandable opening has released the male nub when the protective bristle cover is in the second position.
14. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the elongated connector comprises a c-clamp for clamping the elongated connector to the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body so the operably coupled protective bristle cover encloses the bristles of the bristled head, wherein the c-clamp has flexible arm pieces that each wrap around respective sides of the elongated toothbrush body when the protective bristle cover is in the first position, and the flexible arm pieces release the sides of the elongated toothbrush body when the protective bristle cover is in the second position.
15. The toothbrush of claim 10, comprising a replacable lid pivotably coupled to the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body and essentially completely flush with the first surface when the lid covers the cavity of the storage compartment, so that the inside environment of the storage compartment does not communicate with the outside environment of the storage compartment.
16. The toothbrush of claim 10, comprising a replacable lid pivotably coupled to the side of the elongated toothbrush body and essentially completely flush with the first surface when the lid covers the cavity of the storage compartment, so that the inside environment of the storage compartment does not communicate with the outside environment of the storage compartment.
17. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the elongated connector is made of a flexible material.
18. The toothbrush of claim 17, wherein the flexible material is selected from the group consisting of low or high density polyethylene (PE), low or high density polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), and sheet metal.
19. The toothbrush of claim 10, comprising a replacable lid pivotably coupled to any portion of the end of the elongated toothbrush body and essentially completely flush with the first surface when the lid covers the cavity of the storage compartment, so that the inside environment of the storage compartment does not communicate with the outside environment of the storage compartment.
20. The toothbrush of claim 19, comprising compression fittings around a periphery of the replacable lid which have been compressibly inserted into a recess that runs along a perimeter of the cavity of the storage compartment.
21. The toothbrush of claim 19, wherein the pivotable coupling is a hinge.
22. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the lateral walls or the bottom of the storage compartment comprises an opening to the outside environment.
23. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the pivotable coupling is a male compression fitting and extends from a face of the first end of the elongated connector opposite the first surface of the elongated toothbrush into an expandable opening between the first and second ends of the toothbrush body, so the first end of the elongated connector is pivotable between the first and second positions.
24. The toothbrush of claim 23, wherein the expandable opening between the first and second ends of the toothbrush body into which the male compression fitting compressibly fits essentially completely extends from the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body to the opposing surface of the elongated toothbrush body.
25. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the pivotable coupling extends from the end of the elongated connector and includes a spherically shaped compression fitting that compressibly fits into an expandable opening in the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body between the first and second ends of the toothbrush body, so the first end of the elongated connector is pivotable between the first and second positions.
26. The toothbrush of claim 25, wherein the first end of the elongated connector pivots radially between about 0° and 360° about the hole between the first and second ends of the toothbrush body when the protective bristle cover is moved from the first position to the second position and return the protective bristle cover to the first position.
27. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the second end of the elongated connector is operably coupled to the protective bristle cover using one piece construction.
28. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein only sides of the protective bristle cover that are parallel to the bristles of the bristle head are porous.
29. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein sides of the protective bristle cover that are parallel to the bristles of the bristle head are porous and a proximal end of the protective bristle head cover includes a opening.
30. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein a proximal end of the bristle protection protective bristle cover has at least one opening.
31. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the protective bristle cover and the elongated connector have been treated with an antibacterial solution.
32. The toothbrush of claim 31, wherein the antibacterial solution is selected from the group consisting of an aqueous solution of from about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide or isopropanol.
33. The toothbrush of claim 10, comprising the toothbrush being treated with an antibacterial solution.
34. The toothbrush of claim 33, wherein the antibacterial solution is selected from the group consisting of an aqueous solution of from about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide or isopropanol.
35. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein a portion of the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body that faces the opening of the protective bristle cover forms at least one nub(s) that runs in the orthogonal direction with respect to the first surface, and an edge of the protective bristle cover that faces the first surface of the of the elongated toothbrush body is expandable so that the expandable cover forms a releasable compression fit over the at least one nub(s) when the protective bristle cover is in the first position.
36. A method of protecting the bristles of a toothbrush, comprising:
- providing an elongated toothbrush body, having first and second ends, and a first surface, thereon, comprising: a bristle head operably coupled to the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body at the first end of the elongated toothbrush body; and an opening in the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body at the second end of the elongated toothbrush body, wherein the opening is an entrance of a storage compartment in the second end of the elongated toothbrush body, wherein a volume of the cavity of the storage compartment is defined by lateral walls and a bottom of the storage compartment, and wherein the bottom of the storage compartment has a second surface thereon; a protective bristle cover having an open face enabling the protective bristle cover to be placed over the bristles; an elongated connector having a first end pivoted to the toothbrush body between the bristled head and the opening, and a second end operably coupled to the protective bristle cover, so that the protective bristle cover is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the bristled head and encloses the bristles to protect them when not in use, and wherein the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the second surface of the bottom of the storage compartment in the second position; and
- pivoting the first end of the elongated connector radially to move the protective bristle cover from the first position to the second position.
37. The method of claim 36, comprising: a user of the toothbrush lifting the protective bristle cover away from the bristle head of the elongated toothbrush body by flexing the second end of the elongated connector and pivoting the second end of the elongated connector to the second position.
38. The method of claim 36, comprising treating only the protective bristle cover and the elongated connector with an antibacterial solution.
37. The method of claim 38, wherein the antibacterial solution is selected from the group consisting of an aqueous solution of from about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight hydrogen or isopropanol.
38. The method of claim 36, comprising treating the toothbrush with an antibacterial solution.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the antibacterial solution is selected from the group consisting of an aqueous solution of from about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide or isopropanol.
40. The method of claim 36, wherein the first end of the elongated connector pivots radially between about 0° and 360° when the protective bristle cover is moved from the first position to the second position and returned to the first position.
41. The method of claim 36, wherein the first end of the elongated connector pivots radially in a plane that is parallel with the first surface of the toothbrush body when the protective bristle cover is moved from the first position to the second position and returned to the first position.
42. The method of claim 36, wherein the first end of the elongated connector pivots radially in a plane that is orthogonal to the first surface of the toothbrush body when the protective bristle cover is moved from the first position to the second position and returned to the first position and wherein the first end of the elongated connector rotates 180°, so that the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the bristled head and encloses the bristles to protect them when not in use, and wherein the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the second surface of the bottom of the storage compartment in the second position.
43. The method of claim 36, wherein the first end of the elongated connector pivots radially 90° in a plane that is orthogonal to the first surface of the toothbrush body when the protective bristle cover is moved from the first position to the second position and returned to the first position and wherein the first end of the elongated connector rotates 180°, so that the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the bristled head and encloses the bristles to protect them when not in use, and wherein the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the second surface of the bottom of the storage compartment in the second position.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 23, 2008
Publication Date: May 19, 2011
Inventor: Patrick Clarkson Ryan (Newport, RI)
Application Number: 12/734,706
International Classification: A46B 15/00 (20060101); A46B 9/04 (20060101); A46B 5/02 (20060101);