Total Kleen

Abstract

The Total Kleen is a toothbrush innovated with floss dispensed through it to clean between teeth and a LED inside of it that with a tooth whitening agent can be used to brighten teeth.

Description

PRIOR ART

U.S. Patent Documents

• U.S. Pat. No. 8,201,295 June 2012 Gatzemeyer
• U.S. Pat. No. D694,524 December 2013 Erskine-Smith
• U.S. Pat. No. D822,389 July 2018 Zwimpfer
• U.S. Pat. No. D324,774 March 1992 Elkerbout
• U.S. Pat. No. D787,189 May 2017 Fetwell et al.
• U.S. Pat. No. 18,653 November 1857 Wadsworth

FIELD OF INVENTION

This Invention is a device intended for use in the field of dentistry and for use by individuals to clean teeth and the inside of the mouth, specifically for general teeth cleaning, flossing in between teeth, and teeth whitening.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The idea of the toothbrush has been around for thousands of years according to records obtained by the Library of Congress. The idea of cleaning teeth and inside of the mouth was primitively done with frayed ends of sticks and also stiff animal hairs on bone and other materials. This idea was replaced by nylon material for bristles and made for mass production in 1885. This long history of humans wanting to clean their teeth and mouths establishes that humans want to keep oral hygiene a top priority.

The complete oral hygiene process recommend by dentists includes not only brushing teeth but also flossing between the teeth among other things. Many people have become more occupied with their appearance and feel whiter teeth are appealing and enhance their image. This sometimes is unattainable due to costs. The Total Kleen toothbrush combines all three of these major aspects of oral care and hygiene into one device. The toothbrushing, flossing and teeth whitening can all be done with one tool as shown in the drawings and description of my invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention that this patent submission is for, the Total Kleen is a toothbrush that incorporates the main two components of healthy oral hygiene recommended by most dentists, which are teeth brushing and flossing between the teeth. The need for both functions to be handheld in one unit arose from the busy lives that most people live. Most people are on the go daily and while many brush their teeth, many still do not floss missing a key component to great recommended oral health.

The Total Kleen takes on the physical form of a conventional toothbrush with a few innovations hidden within. The floss is hidden inside, and a LED is positioned behind the bristles for assistance with teeth whitening. This allows people to add flossing to their daily routine without adding any other additional device. The LED is a pushbutton option on the unit and in conjunction with a teeth whitening agent or toothpaste will assist with teeth whitening. Many people have begun to feel that their smile is important and that having a bright white smile is a sign of good oral hygiene. The LED incorporated is to assist with the cosmetics of teeth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the hand drawing of the Total Kleen with the description of all out components detailed;

FIG. 2 is a 3D rendering of the Total Kleen toothbrush showing the inner and outer components with the LED turned on;

FIG. 3 is a 3D rendering close up image of the floss compartment cover and floss clip in contrasting orange color;

FIG. 4 is a schematic type drawing showing the internal placement of the printed circuit board behind the head bristles;

FIG. 5 is a 3D rendering of the Total Kleen with the inner and outer components shown on the left and two images of the unit fully assembled on the right;

FIG. 6 is a fully assembled 3D rendering of the Total Kleen with the LED turned on.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The Total Kleen takes on the physical form of a conventional toothbrush with a few innovations hidden within. This allows people to add flossing to their daily routine without adding any other additional device. The Total Kleen has an inner hidden compartment inside of the toothbrush that is accessed through a cover that can be removed by pressing down and pulling away from the unit. Once the floss compartment cover is removed, the internal floss dispenser is shown. This is a flexible plastic ring that would allow floss to rotate. The plastic ring would be suspended within the toothbrush by two hooks. The flexible plastic ring would rotate around the hooks with floss attached. The rotated floss would be dispensed as needed and accessible through the floss clip located on the lower half of the toothbrush. The floss rotates inside of the brush and a small floss clip which keeps the floss attached can be pulled away from the unit at a desired length and used to floss between the teeth. The inside of the floss clip has three weighted rollers that should be made of stainless steel that will allow the floss to be pulled through the bottom hole outside of the floss clip once teeth flossing is completed and discarded. This allows for someone who brushes their teeth to also floss using their one toothbrush. Floss rolls can be discarded when completely used by accessing the floss compartment cover and a new roll snapped into replenish. The LED is inserted when manufactured and is not a component that will be made easily accessible to the end user. The LED is placed on a printed circuit board with the push button, resistors and capacitors in an inner plastic encapsulated portion of the unit to sit behind the bristles. The LED will be powered by a coin battery that will be accessible to the user for replacement. The battery compartment placed in an area to cause the least access to water.

The process of manufacturing is typically done in mass mechanically. The handles are made from plastic that is molded through well established injection molding methods. Injection molding uses plastic pellets that are heated, melted, and poured to fill a form shaped as the toothbrush handle, then cooled. For the Total Kleen there would be an opening in the head of the brush for the electronic components (printed circuit board and components). The bristles that are used to brush the teeth are usually made of nylon and inserted into the head of the brush in small rows and stapled down with metal staples for security. The bristles are then shaved and shaped for uniformity and safety.

The manufacturing of the printed circuit board that will include the push button and LED is also manufactured mechanically and uses a metallic solder or adhesive to secure all small components to the board directly. The circuit board is made of an industrial strength fiberglass. The use of 3D printers can make this process easier for individuals to duplicate on a smaller scale but finding a manufacturer that can create the unit is the best recommended process for creation.

Claims

1. The Total Kleen toothbrush will incorporate the use of an internal floss dispenser and contain the use of an LED, both internally to be used in conjunction with the functions of the teeth cleaning bristles on the toothbrush.

1. The floss dispensed will be accessible through the bottom of the toothbrush.

2. The LED will be accessible with a pushbutton located on the back of the head of the toothbrush, illuminating the bristles.