US20040016073A1

US20040016073A1 - Disposable toothbrush system

Info

Publication number: US20040016073A1
Application number: US10/207,715
Authority: US
Inventors: James Knutson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-25
Filing date: 2002-07-25
Publication date: 2004-01-29

Abstract

A disposable toothbrush system for maintaining a desired level of sanitation. The disposable toothbrush system includes a handle member having a detent member, a head member having a bore for removably receiving the handle member, an aperture within the head member for receiving the detent member, and a plurality of bristles extending from the head member. In an alternative embodiment, a pair of claws extending from the handle member catchably engage a pair of catch slots within the head member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to toothbrushes and more specifically it relates to a disposable toothbrush system for maintaining a desired level of sanitation.

2. Description of the Related Art

Toothbrushes have been in use for years. Conventional toothbrushes are typically comprised of a solid plastic handle having a broadened head portion wherein a plurality of bristles are molded within the broadened head portion. After brushing their teeth, the user typically rinses the bristles of the conventional toothbrush for later usage.

The main problem with conventional toothbrushes is that the bristles become contaminated with bacteria and debris over time. Another problem with conventional toothbrushes is that the bristles become worn and damaged after extensive usage thereby decreasing their effectiveness in cleaning teeth. A further problem with conventional toothbrushes that to have clean and strong bristles, the user must purchase an entire new toothbrush and discard the entire old toothbrush.

Examples of patented devices which may be related to the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,261 to Evans; U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,445 to Lagieski et a].; U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,732 to Shackelford; U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,145 to Griffith; U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,274 to James; U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,050 to Goldenberg; U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,890 to Morando; U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,446 to Rufo; U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,009 to Marshall; U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,234 to Aesenault et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,139,312 to Marano et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,717 to Marx et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 378,956 to Haba; and U.S. Pat. No. 440,049 to De Mond et al.

While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for maintaining a desired level of sanitation. Conventional toothbrushes are not suitable for extended usage by individuals.

In these respects, the disposable toothbrush system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of maintaining a desired level of sanitation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of toothbrushes now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new disposable toothbrush system construction wherein the same can be utilized for maintaining a desired level of sanitation.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new disposable toothbrush system that has many of the advantages of the toothbrushes mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new disposable toothbrush system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art toothbrushes, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a handle member having a detent member, a head member having a bore for removably receiving the handle member, an aperture within the head member for receiving the detent member, and a plurality of bristles extending from the head member. In an alternative embodiment, a pair of claws extending from the handle member catchably engage a pair of catch slots within the head member.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a disposable toothbrush system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

A second object is to provide a disposable toothbrush system for maintaining a desired level of sanitation.

Another object is to provide a disposable toothbrush system that allows for replacement of only the head portion and bristles thereby allowing reusing of the handle portion.

An additional object is to provide a disposable toothbrush system that is economical.

A further object is to provide a disposable toothbrush system that maintains a desired level of cleansing capabilities for the bristles.

Another object is to provide a disposable toothbrush system that reduce the transmission of diseases between people.

A further object is to provide a disposable toothbrush system that reduce germ and bacteria build-up.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: [0025]
FIG. 1 is an exploded upper perspective view of the present invention. [0026]
FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the present invention. [0027]
FIG. 3 is an exploded side cross sectional view of the present invention. [0028]
FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view of the present invention with the handle partially inserted within the head portion. [0029]
FIG. 5 is a side cross sectional view of the present invention with the handle fully inserted within the head portion. [0030]
FIG. 6 is an exploded top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. [0031]
FIG. 7 is a top view of the alternative embodiment. [0032]
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line [0033] 8-8 of FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 is a top cross sectional view of the alternative embodiment. [0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 9 illustrate a [0035] disposable toothbrush system 10, which comprises a handle member 20 having a detent member 22, a head member 30 having a bore 32 for removably receiving the handle member 20, an aperture 34 within the head member 30 for receiving the detent member 22, and a plurality of bristles 36 extending from the head member 30. In an alternative embodiment, a pair of claws extending from the handle member 20 catchably engage a pair of catch slots within the head member 30.
As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the [0036] handle member 20 has an elongate structure. The handle member 20 is preferably comprised of a straight structure, however various shapes and structures may be utilized to construct the handle member 20 similar to the shapes found in conventional toothbrushes. The handle member 20 may have various cross sectional shapes such as but not limited to circular, oblong, square, rectangular and the like.
As further shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a [0037] detent member 22 is positioned within the handle member 20 for selectively engaging the aperture 34 within the head member 30. The detent member 22 may be non-movably attached to the handle member 20. However, the detent member 22 is preferably movably and springably attached to the handle member 20 by a first spring 24 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5 of the drawings. The first spring 24 may be comprised of various spring structures such as but not limited to a leaf spring or compression spring. In the movable embodiment of the detent member 22, the detent member 22 movably extends through an opening within the handle member 20. As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, the detent member 22 is located past the center point of the handle member 20 towards the end of the handle member 20 received by the head member 30.
As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the [0038] head member 30 includes a bore 32, an aperture 34 and a plurality of bristles 36. The head member 30 may also have various shapes and structures as desired in order to form a toothbrush structure. The aperture 34 is positioned to receive the detent when a significant portion of the handle member 20 is positioned within the bore 32 of the head member 30.
As shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, when the [0039] handle member 20 is fully inserted into the bore 32 of the head member 30, the distal end of the handle member 20 is preferably adjacent the inner end of the bore 32. As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the bore 32 is formed for snugly receiving the handle member 20 with limited movement of the handle member 20 within the head member 30. It can be appreciated that the bore 32 may be positioned within the handle member 20 for receiving the head member 30.
FIGS. 6 through 9 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 6 through 9, a [0040] first claw 50 and a second claw 52 are pivotally attached within the handle member 20. A second spring 58 is positioned between the inner ends of the claws 50, 52 thereby forcing the claws 50, 52 into a closed position. A button member 54 having a lower tapered portion 56 is movably positioned within the handle member 20 between the claws 50, 52 thereby allowing selective separation of the claws 50, 52. As shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, a first catch slot 40 and a second catch slot 42 are positioned within the head member 30 for catchably receiving the claws 50, 52 respectively. An extended portion 38 preferably extends from the head member 30 for being slidably received within an end opening (not shown) within the handle member 20.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. [0041]
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. [0042]

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.



Index of Elements for Disposable Toothbrush System

□	ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□	10. Disposable Toothbrush System
□	11.
□	12.
□	13.
□	14.
□	15.
□	16.
□	17.
□	18.
□	19.
□	20. Handle Member
□	21.
□	22. Detent Member
□	23.
□	24. First Spring
□	25.
□	26.
□	27.
□	28.
□	29.
□	30. Head Member
□	31.
□	32. Bore
□	33.
□	34. Aperture
□	35.
□	36. Bristles
□	37.
□	38. Extended Portion
□	39.
□	40. First Catch Slot
□	41.
□	42. Second Catch Slot
□	43.
□	44.
□	45.
□	46.
□	47.
□	48.
□	49.
□	50. First Claw
□	51.
□	52. Second Claw
□	53.
□	54. Button Member
□	55.
□	56. Tapered Portion
□	57.
□	58. Second Spring
□	59.
□	60.
□	61.
□	62.
□	63.
□	64.
□	65.
□	66.
□	67.
□	68.
□	69.
□	70.
□	71.
□	72.
□	73.
□	74.
□	75.
□	76.
□	77.
□	78.
□	79.

Claims

I claim:

1. A disposable toothbrush system, comprising:

a handle member having an elongate structure, a first end and a second end;

a detent member attached to said handle member;

a head member having a bore extending longitudinally within for slidably receiving said second end of said handle member;

an aperture within said head member for selectively receiving said detent member; and

a plurality of bristles extending from said head member.

2. The disposable toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said second end of said handle member engages an inner end of said bore when fully secured.

3. The disposable toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said detent member is non-movably attached to said handle member.

4. The disposable toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said detent member is movably and springably attached to said handle member.

5. The disposable toothbrush system of claim 4, including a spring attached within said handle member and engaging said detent member thereby forcing said detent member outwardly from said handle member.

6. The disposable toothbrush system of claim 5, wherein said spring is comprised of a leaf spring.

7. The disposable toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said bore has a similar cross sectional shape as said handle member.

8. The disposable toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said detent member is positioned between a center point and said second end of said handle member.

9. The disposable toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said bore extends a substantial length of said head member.

10. The disposable toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said detent has a rounded upper portion.

11. A disposable toothbrush system, comprising:

a handle member having an elongate structure, a first end, a second end and a bore extending into said second end;

an aperture within said handle member;

a head member removably positionable within said bore of said handle member;

a detent member attached to said handle member and extendable into said aperture within said handle member; and

a plurality of bristles extending from said head member.

12. The disposable toothbrush system of claim 11, wherein said detent member is non-movably attached to said head member.

13. The disposable toothbrush system of claim 11, wherein said detent member is movably and springably attached to said head member.

14. The disposable toothbrush system of claim 13, including a spring attached within said head member and engaging said detent member thereby forcing said detent member outwardly from said head member.

15. The disposable toothbrush system of claim 14, wherein said spring is comprised of a leaf spring.

16. The disposable toothbrush system of claim 11, wherein said bore has a similar cross sectional shape as said handle member.

17. A disposable toothbrush system, comprising:

a handle member having an elongate structure, a first end, a second end and a bore;

a first claw and a second claw pivotally attached within said handle member;

a spring positioned between said first claw and said second claw for applying a closing force to said claws;

a head member having an extended portion for extending longitudinally within said bore of said handle member;

a first catch slot and a second catch slot extending into said head member for catchably receiving said first claw and said second claw respectively; and

a plurality of bristles extending from said head member.