BLING TOOTHBRUSH

Abstract

A diamond-like cover for a toothbrush may improve the appearance of the toothbrush. In one embodiment, the toothbrush may include an elongated member including a head with bristles. The body may include a cover with a plurality of slots, each of the plurality of slots containing an ultrasonically sealed diamond-like element.

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates to a toothbrush and, more particularly, to a process for applying diamonds, or diamond-like objects, on a toothbrush.

BACKGROUND

Users of various devices, such as mobile phones, often purchase accessories for their devices. One such accessory is a cover for the device. The device cover may include shiny elements, such as imitation diamonds, to give a shiny appearance. These shiny elements are generally glued onto the device and have a tendency to fall off over the use of the cover. For this reason, toothbrushes lack such a cover. Thus, an improved way to attach the shiny elements to the cover of the device, such as a toothbrush, may be beneficial.

SUMMARY

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide solutions to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully identified, appreciated, or solved by current device covers.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated member having a head with bristles. The apparatus also includes a body having a cover with a plurality of slots. Each of the plurality of slots is configured to contain a diamond-like element.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated member comprising a head with bristles, and a body having a cover with a plurality of slots. Each of the plurality of slots is configured to contain an ultrasonically sealed diamond-like element.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a process for applying diamond-like elements is provided. The process includes creating, by a molding machine, a cover comprising a plurality of slots. The process also includes ultrasonically sealing, by an ultrasonic machine, a plurality of diamond-like elements into the plurality of slots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of certain embodiments of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. While it should be understood that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of a toothbrush, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of a toothbrush, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates another side view of a toothbrush, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of a toothbrush having a button, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of a toothbrush having a button, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2C illustrates another side view of a toothbrush having a button, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2D illustrates a bottom view of a toothbrush, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of a toothbrush, such as that shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a computing system for a toothbrush, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for applying particles to a toothbrush or a cover of the toothbrush, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a cover with a plurality of slots, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a cover and a plurality of elements with rivets, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a first cover with a plurality of slots, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a first cover and a second cover to secure elements, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments of the present invention pertain to a toothbrush. In one embodiment, the toothbrush includes a cover with a plurality of slots. Each of the slots includes an ultrasonically sealed diamond-like element. It should be appreciated that the embodiments are not limited to diamond-like elements, but may include any type of element, such as another gem-like element, a gold-like element, etc.

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of a toothbrush 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Toothbrush 100 includes an elongated section 105. At the distal end of elongated section 105, a toothbrush head 110 having bristles 115 is provided.

Toothbrush 100 also includes a body 120. Body 120 includes a cover 125 having a plurality of diamond-like elements 130 and a gripping portion 135. Cover 125 may be removable to allow a user of toothbrush 100 to customize his or her toothbrush 100. Cover 125 may include a plurality of slots. Each of the plurality of slots is either the same in size or different in size, depending on the size(s) of diamond-like element(s) 130, as well as the design of toothbrush. Gripping portion 135 allows a user of toothbrush 100 to place his or her thumb on gripping portion 135 to firmly hold toothbrush 100.

As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, another gripping portion 145 is provided on the reverse side of toothbrush 100. This allows a user to firmly grip toothbrush 100 using his or her fingers, e.g., an index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and/or pinky finger. Gripping portions 135, 145 provide the brush with a functional ergonomic design, allowing the user to grip toothbrush 100. It should be appreciated that gripping portions 135, 145 may be suitable for both right hand users and left hand users. This is contrary to current toothbrush designs, as toothbrushes are generally suitable for right handed users only. A more detailed explanation of the gripping portions of toothbrush 100 will be described below with respect to FIGS. 2B and 2C.

It should also be appreciated that toothbrush 100 also includes a stand 150 configured to maintain toothbrush 100 in an upright manner. This prevents toothbrush 100 from contacting a surface, such as a bathroom countertop, reducing the overall number of microbes traversing the surface of bristles 115. On the opposite side of bristles 115, a tongue cleaner 140 is provided. Tongue cleaner 140 allows a user to clean his or her tongue, cheek, or both, while brushing his or her teeth. In certain embodiments, tongue cleaner 140 may be composed of plastic material that may be part of the mold of toothbrush 100. In other embodiments, tongue cleaner 140 may be any material, such as rubber, that would be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of a toothbrush 200 having a button 255, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Toothbrush 200 includes similar features to those discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1C. For example, toothbrush 200 may include an elongated section 205 having a brush head 210 with bristles 215 and a tongue cleaner 240 (see FIGS. 2B and 2C). Toothbrush 200 may also include a body 220 having a cover 225 with diamond-like elements 230 embedded on each of the slots, a first grip portion 235, a second grip portion 245 (see FIGS. 2B and 2C), a brush stand (or base) 250.

First and second grip portions 235, 245 are configured to allow a user to firmly grip toothbrush 200 in an ergonomic manner. In this embodiment, second grip portion 245 includes an index finger indentation 245a configured to allow a user to grip toothbrush 200 with his or her index finger, a central finger indentation 245b configured to allow the user to grip toothbrush 200 with his or her middle finger and ring finger, and a pinky finger indentation 245c configured to allow the user to grip toothbrush 200 with his or her pinky finger.

In this embodiment, toothbrush 200 includes a button 255 configured to cause toothbrush 200 to play music and in some embodiments, light up to provide an illuminating/crystallized effect. In order for the user of toothbrush 200 to view the illuminating effect, toothbrush 200 or cover 225 may be transparent. By having a transparent cover, when the light emitting devices (LEDs, not shown) illuminate through diamond-like elements 230, a crystallized effect is realized, and light is refracted through the diamond-like elements.

In some embodiments, the LEDs are configured to light up for a predefined period of time where no music is played. In other embodiments, where music is played by toothbrush 200, the LEDs may illuminate for the duration during which the music is played. In certain embodiments, the LEDs may illuminate in accordance with the beat of the music, providing the user of toothbrush 200 with more entertainment.

It should be appreciated that base 255 may include a plurality of slots 260 (see FIG. 2D), allowing audio (e.g., music) to be heard by the user. By placing slots 260 in base 255, or the bottom of toothbrush 200, the volume of the audio will not be decreased when the user is brushing his or her teeth. Further, the audio itself will not be muffled when the user grips the toothbrush.

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of a toothbrush 300, according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, FIG. 3 shows a back view of a toothbrush, such as that shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A. In this embodiment, toothbrush 300 may include a tongue cleaner 305 and grip 310. Grip 310 allows the index finger and middle finger to grip the brush properly. An explanation of grip 310 is provided above with respect to FIGS. 2B and 2C.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a computing system 400 for a toothbrush, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Computing system 400 may include a bus 405 or other communication mechanism that can communicate information and at least one processor 410, coupled to bus 405, that can process information. At least one processor 410 can be any type of general or specific purpose processor. Computing system 400 may also include memory 420 that can store information and instructions to be executed by at least one processor 410. Memory 420 can be comprised of any combination of random access memory (“RAM”), read only memory (“ROM”), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, or any other type of computer readable medium. Computing system 400 may also include a communication device 415, such as a network interface card, that may provide access to a network.

The computer readable medium may be any available media that can be accessed by at least one processor 410. The computer readable medium may include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media, and communication media. The communication media may include computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data and may include any information delivery media.

At least one processor 410 can also be coupled via bus 405 to at least one button 445. At least one button 445, together with the at least one processor 410, when pressed by a user, may cause music module 430 to play music that can be heard via speaker 450. At least one button 445 with the at least one processor 410 may also activate LED lights 440, causing illumination to occur according to the beats of the music.

According to one embodiment, memory 420 may store software modules that may provide functionality when executed by at least one processor 410. The modules can include an operating system 425 and a music module 430, as well as other functional modules 435. Operating system 425 may provide operating system functionality for computing system 400. Because computing system 400 may be part of a larger system, computing system 400 may include one or more additional functional modules 435 to include the additional functionality.

It should be noted that some of the system features described in this specification have been presented as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom very large scale integration (VLSI) circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, graphics processing units, or the like.

A module may also be at least partially implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. An identified unit of executable code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions that may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not be physically located together, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module. Further, modules may be stored on a computer-readable medium, which may be, for instance, a hard disk drive, flash device, random access memory (RAM), tape, or any other such medium used to store data.

Indeed, a module of executable code could be a single instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated herein within modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may be collected as a single data set, or may be distributed over different locations including over different storage devices, and may exist, at least partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram 500 illustrating a process for applying particles to a toothbrush or a cover of the toothbrush, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process begins with creating, by a molding machine, a mold at 505 with embedded slots. Each slot within the mold is based on the size and shape of the element (e.g., the imitation diamond) that will be inserted into each of the slots. At 510, paint is applied by a machine to the mold. At 515, each element is inserted into each of the slots and an ultrasonic machine ultrasonically seals each element into the slots at 520 to prevent the elements from falling out.

FIG. 6 is a diagram 600 illustrating a cover 605 with a plurality of slots 610, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a locking mechanism 615 is included around each of the plurality of slots 610. As each element 620 is placed into each of the plurality of slots 610, locking mechanism 620 is configured to contract, allowing element 620 to be locked in slot 610 after insertion by locking mechanism 620, preventing element 620 from falling out of cover 605. Stated differently, this embodiment allows each element 620 to be snapped into cover 605.

In another embodiment, an element may have rivets, allowing the locking mechanism to securely lock the element. FIG. 7 is a diagram 700 illustrating a cover 705 and a plurality of elements 720 with rivets 725. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of elements 720 includes rivets 725. As each element 720 is inserted into each of a plurality of slots 710, a locking mechanism 715 is configured latch to rivet 725 of element 720. This allows element 720 to be secured within cover 705, preventing element 720 from falling out. In other embodiments, element 720 may include grooves (not shown) instead of rivets, allowing element 720 to be screwed onto cover 705.

FIG. 8A is a diagram 800 illustrating a first cover 805 with a plurality of slots 810, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, each of a plurality of elements 815 are inserted into each of the plurality of slots 810. As shown in FIG. 8B, a second cover 820 having a plurality of slots 825 is placed on first cover 805 to secure each of the plurality of elements 815. A seal 830 is used to secure and connect first cover 805 with second cover 820. In certain embodiments, however, second cover 820 may be ultrasonically sealed to first cover 805 to secure each element 815 in each of the plurality of slots 810.

It will be readily understood that the components of the invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the invention.

The features, structures, or characteristics of the invention described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. For example, the usage of “certain embodiments,” “some embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in certain embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in other embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment or group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the invention as discussed above may be practiced with steps in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations that are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the invention has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. In order to determine the metes and bounds of the invention, therefore, reference should be made to the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an elongated member comprising a head with bristles; and

a body comprising a cover with a plurality of slots, each of the plurality of slots containing a diamond-like element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each diamond-like element is ultrasonically sealed into each of the plurality of slots.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is a replaceable cover with a plurality of diamond-like elements.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body of the apparatus further comprises a plurality of slots, each of the slots containing an ultrasonically sealed diamond-like element.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a button configured to activate audio stored in memory of the apparatus for a predefined period of time.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a button configured to activate a plurality of light emitting devices to create an illuminating effect through each diamond-like element for a predefined period of time.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the body comprises a transparent cover configured to allow light to pass through each diamond-like element for the predefined period of time.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a base configured to hold the apparatus in an upright manner, reducing a number of microbes that contact the bristles of the apparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of slots comprises a locking mechanism configured to contract when the diamond-like element is inserted in a slot, and configured to secure the diamond-like element in the slot.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of slots comprises a locking mechanism configured to latch into a rivet of the diamond-like element when the diamond-like element is inserted into a slot.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second cover comprising a plurality of slots configured to be placed on the first cover, and configured to secure each diamond-like element to the first cover.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

an elongated member comprising a head with bristles; and

a body comprising a cover with a plurality of slots, each of the plurality of slots containing an ultrasonically sealed diamond-like element.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the cover is a replaceable cover.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the body, the cover, and the elongated member of the apparatus are transparent.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the body comprises a button configured to activate audio stored in memory of the apparatus for a predefined period of time.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the body comprises a button configured to activate a plurality of light emitting devices to create an illuminating effect through each diamond-like element for a predefined period of time.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a base configured to hold the apparatus in an upright manner, reducing a number of microbes that contact the bristles of the apparatus.

18. A method, comprising:

creating, by a molding machine, a cover comprising a plurality of slots; and

ultrasonically sealing, by an ultrasonic machine, a plurality of diamond-like elements into the plurality of slots.