US1734429A - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 5, 1929. c. B. HANOVER TOOTHBRUSH Filed Jan. 16, 1928 C fiat 27L 2401f l/AELEJ' ANOVEA" F766 47' ToArA/EKr' Patented Nov. 5, 1929 PATENT OFFICE CHARLES B. HANOVER, or SPOKANE, WASHINGTON TOOTHBRUSH Application filed January 18, 1928. Serial No. 247,101.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in tooth brushes, and an object is to provide a sanitary tooth brush which may be manufactured at a very low cost so that after it has been used once or twice, 1t may, if desired, be thrown away and a new brush used the next time. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a tooth brush constructed of a fibrous 11 material such, for example, as wood or paper pulp/the brush comprising a body and handle integrally formed of sheet material, and thebodyhaving'a plurality of fibrous protuberances of like material, suitably mounted therein.

A further object is to provide a sanitary tooth brush comprising a body having a bandle portion integrally formed therewith and suitably reinforced to prevent bending, and

the entire brush, including the protuberances being constructed of a fibrous material such as paper pulp. i

The particular object of the invention therefore is to provide a sanitary brush constructedentirely of fibrous paper pulp material. 4

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings,'there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing one method of securing the protuberances to the body;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view on the line 44 of Figure 2, showing the means for reinforcing the handle;

' Figure 5 is a view showing a modified form of dsecuring the protuberances to the body; an

Figure 6 is a modification showing another method of securing the protuberances to the brush body.

The novel brush featured in this invention comprises a body 2 having a handle portion 3 integrally formed therewith and preferably longitudinally recessed or ribbed as indicated at 4, to suitably reinforce the handle so that it will withstand moderately rough usage.

A plurality of protuberances 5 are mounted in the body 2 and project outwardly therefrom as shown in Figure 1. In Figure 3, I have shown the protuberances made in the form of staples and inserted through apertures provided in the brush body. The pro-' tuberances are preferably mounted in the brush body while the material from which the latter is made is in a moist condition, so that they may readily be inserted through the apertures provided therein, as shown in Figure 3. The upper horizontal connections 6 of the protuberances may then be pressed into the upper surface of the body 2 to render the back of the brush comparatively smooth when finished. I have found from actual experience that when the protuberanc'es are thus mounted in the back 2, while the material from which the two parts are constructed its still more or less moist, then when the brush is thoroughly dried, as when completed, the protuberances will besecured in the back so that they cannot accidentally become disengaged therefrom.

In Figure .l', I have shown the handle 3 longitudinally recessed in order to reinforce it. In the drawing, I have shown the handle recessed from the top or back of the brush, but it is to be understood, of course, that the handle may be recessed from the opposite side with equal results.

Figure 5 illustrates a modifiedform of securing the protuberances 7 to the back 2. As here shown, the material from which the protuberances are made is formed to provide, folded-over portions or legs 8 which are adapted to be inserted into apertures provided in the brush back. A connection 9 connects together the portions 8 of the protuber ances. In the form here shown, the protuberan es are inserted from the face or front side of the back 2, while in Figure 3, the protuberances are inserted into the body from the back thereof.

Figure 6 illustrates another method of mounting the protuberances in the body 2. in the form here shown, the protuberances are in the form of tapered points driven into the body 2 from the backof the brush.

The important feature in this invention, as before stated, is to provide a brush constructed entirely of paper pulp or a similar fibrous material. The brush is preferably constructed of fibrous sheet material which may be conveniently shaped and formed by suitable dies and pun hes so that the brush may be manufactured at a very low cost. I have also found that the protuberances may be manufactured and mounted in the body 2 of the brush in a manner which will permit the entire brush to be manufactured at a cost sufficiently low to permit it to be thrown away each time it has been used, and a new one substituted therefor each time the teeth are cleaned.

The construction of the brush is such that it may conveniently be packed and sealed in individual air-tight cartons and dispensed in vending machines located in such places as hospitals, hotels, schools, trains, and various other places. The brushes are thus sealed in individual sealed cartons, the user may be assured that they will be absolutely sanitary and sterile, thus substantially eliminating all danger of mouth infection, often caused by using ordinary tooth brushes having hair bristles.

T he paper or fiber tooth brush featured in this invention is primarily designed to be used but once, and will therefore be sterile before usage. After each using, it may be discarded and a new one used the next time, thus preventing the carrying of more bacteria into the mouth each time the teeth are brushed or cleaned. it is becoming well known among authorities on this subject that the use of the ordinary tooth brush does not prevent the spread of disease and germs in the mouth, but rather tends to increase the spreading of the bacteria.

The material from which this novel tooth brush is constructed isof such consistency that the protuberances or bristles will not soften in the mouth with the average amount of use necessary forone cleaning so that, if

desired, the brush may be used two or three times, after which it should be discardedand a new brush used the nexttime. It is desirable, however, that the brush be used only once, thereby avoiding thepossibility of bacteria being carried into the mouth with the previously used brush, as it is known often results when a brush is used a second or third time, because of the fact that it is practically impossible to render an ordinary bristle brush absolutely sterile, after it has once been used.

he type of tooth brush now commonly used is of such material that it cannot be thoroughly sterilized after usage without injuring the bristles and the supporting means therefor. Because the sanitary brush featured in this invention is used but once, or possibly twice, and then discarded, it, of course, does not need to be sterilized and, as a result of a new brush being used each time the teeth are cleaned, the spreading of germs and disease in the mouth, which now often results from the use of the ordinary tooth brush, is practically prevented.

In the drawings, it will also be noted that the design of this novel brush is very similar to that of an ordinary tooth brush. It isto be understood, however, that the general design of the brush, including the protuberances may be varied in any manner desired withoutdeparting from the scope of the in \'S.-.i-l011.

I claim as my invention:

1. A tooth brush comprising a body portion and a handle portion integrally formed fibrous sheet material, protuberances of norous materialsecured in said body portion, a lon itudinally extending rib in said handle portion to strengthen the same against iateral pressure.

2. A toothbrush comprising a body portion and a handle formed integral therewith, both the body portion and handle composed. of a fibrous material, and the body portion provided with openings therethrough in which bristleprojections of fibrous material are fitted.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my h nd this 14th day of January, 1928.

CHARLES B. HANOVER.

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