US20070231052A1

US20070231052A1 - Brush rite

Info

Publication number: US20070231052A1
Application number: US11/731,651
Authority: US
Inventors: Rah-Zah Latour; Cleo Thompson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-30
Filing date: 2007-03-30
Publication date: 2007-10-04

Abstract

Brush Rite is a toothbrush with a toothpaste dispenser inside of it. The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a handle with a bulb pump, a reservoir indicator window and fill port along with a head connected to one end of the handle having bristles, holes and rubber eyelets. To use the preferred embodiment of Brush Rite, an individual would insert the nozzle of a refill tube of toothpaste into the fill port, causing the rubber cover to open. The refill tube of toothpaste would be squeezed to allow toothpaste to flow into the handle and the nozzle would then be removed, allowing the rubber cover to shut. When a user wanted to brush his teeth, he could use the bulb pump to pressurize the handle and move the toothpaste. The toothpaste would be forced from the handle to the head and eventually out onto the bristles after passing through the holes and rubber eyelets. The reservoir indicator window could be monitored to insure adequate amounts of toothpaste remained in the handle for subsequent use.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This United States Non-Provisional Patent Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/787,410 entitled “Brush Rite” filed on Mar. 30, 2006.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to the tooth cleaning industry. The invention discussed herein is in the general classification of alternative toothbrushes.

BACKGROUND

Most individuals utilize a variety of hygiene products as they prepare for their day. Shampoo, soap, deodorant and toothpaste constitute just some of these products. Traditionally, toothbrushes having a handle and a head with bristles are most commonly used in conjunction with toothpaste for cleaning teeth. Electric toothbrushes are also increasingly popular, but they are difficult to travel with and can be expensive.
Toothpaste is applied to the bristles of a traditional toothbrush before an individual brushes his teeth. Toothpaste can come in a variety of containers but is most often stored and dispensed from a tube with an opening on one end sealed with a screw-on cap. Unfortunately, when children use toothpaste, they often misplace the cap and/or create a mess when attempting to apply the toothpaste to the bristles of a toothbrush.
Hence, there is a need in the art for a convenient to use, inexpensive, durable, safe and effective toothbrush capable of dispensing toothpaste onto the bristles of the toothbrush, eliminating the need for traditional toothpaste tubes.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Brush Rite is a toothbrush with a toothpaste dispenser inside of it.
The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a handle with a bulb pump, a reservoir indicator window and fill port along with a head connected to one end of the handle having bristles, holes and rubber eyelets.
The principal object of this invention is to provide a device that can dispense toothpaste and be used to brush teeth.
Another object of this invention is to provide an affordable device for dispensing toothpaste and brushing teeth.
Another object of this invention is to provide a safe device for dispensing toothpaste and brushing teeth.
Another object of this invention is to provide a device that is easily used for dispensing toothpaste and brushing teeth.
Another object of this invention is to provide a refillable device for dispensing toothpaste and brushing teeth.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a durable device for dispensing toothpaste and brushing teeth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention cut along the line A-A of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of Brush Rite is comprised of at least some of the following: a handle with a a bulb pump, a reservoir indicator window and fill port along with a head connected to one end of the handle having bristles, holes and rubber eyelets.
FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. An approximately cylindrical handle 1 transitions into an approximately rectangular head 2. The handle 1 is five inches long with a one inch diameter and the head 2 is two inches long, one inch wide and has a height tapering from one inch to one-quarter of an inch in this preferred embodiment though the exact dimensions may vary widely and are not critical to the invention. Both the handle 1 and the head 2 are made of plastic in this preferred embodiment though other materials are also suitable.
A fill port 3 is located on one end of the handle 1. The fill port 3 is circular in this preferred embodiment and has rubber cover 4. The fill port 3 is designed and dimensioned to accept the nozzle of a refill tube of toothpaste. The rubber cover 4 only opens one way into the handle 1 to prevent flow of the toothpaste out of the fill port in this preferred embodiment. The interior of the handle 1 forms a reservoir for the toothpaste in this preferred embodiment.
A reservoir indicator window 5 is located on one side of the handle 1. The reservoir indicator window 5 is narrow, approximately rectangular and transparent in this preferred embodiment to allow a user to see into the handle 1 to determine how much toothpaste is inside the handle 1. The reservoir indicator window 5 is four inches long and one eighth of an inch in height in this preferred embodiment though any size would be appropriate to ascertain the toothpaste level inside the handle 1.
A bulb pump 6 made of rubber is located on the handle 1. The bulb pump 6 allows a user to pressurize the interior of the handle 1, forcing toothpaste toward the head 2. The bulb pump 6 is oval in shape and protrudes slightly from the top and bottom of the handle 1. Although the exact size of the bulb pump 6 is not critical to the invention, the bulb pump 6 is approximately two inches long in this preferred embodiment.
A plurality of bristles 7 is located at the far end of the head 2 as with conventional toothbrushes. Three holes (not pictured) are located underneath the plurality of bristles 7 and allow toothpaste from the handle 1 to exude through the head 2 and onto the plurality of bristles 7.
FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention cut along the line A-A of FIG. 1. A hole 20 located under the plurality of bristles 7 can be seen. A rubber eyelet 21 is also visible located above the hole 20 and beneath the plurality of bristles 7. Rubber eyelets are located over each of the holes beneath the plurality of bristles 7 to allow toothpaste to flow out of the head 2 but not back into the head 2. The size of the hole 20 is not critical to the invention but should be adequate to permit easy flow of toothpaste through it. The diameter of the hole 20 is one-third of an inch in this preferred embodiment.
To use the preferred embodiment of Brush Rite, an individual would insert the nozzle of a refill tube of toothpaste into the fill port, causing the rubber cover to open. The refill tube of toothpaste would be squeezed to allow toothpaste to flow into the handle and the nozzle would then be removed, allowing the rubber cover to shut. When a user wanted to brush his teeth, he could use the bulb pump to pressurize the handle and move the toothpaste. The toothpaste would be forced from the handle to the head and eventually out onto the bristles after passing through the holes and rubber eyelets. The reservoir indicator window could be monitored to insure adequate amounts of toothpaste remained in the handle for subsequent use.
The Brush Rite will incorporate well-known pumping technology within the handle of the device to squeeze toothpaste through the handle and onto the bristles. In the preferred rubber bulb design, squeezing the rubber bulb packs together air molecules and increases their pressure. When the pressure is high enough, a one-way valve allows this pressurized air to flow into the handle. A second one-way valve allows the bulb to refill with outside air when the bulb is no longer being squeezed. Once the handle has been filled with large numbers of air molecules, these molecules exert substantial outward forces on the inner surfaces of the handle, pushing toothpaste up the handle and out of the holes under the bristles in the head. The more molecules there are inside the pocket, the more often they collide with the surfaces and the more force they exert on those surfaces. These outward forces from the air molecules allow the rubber bulb to keep its shape.
A variety of alternative pump mechanisms or pressurizing designs also could be utilized. For example, a piston could be pressed into a cylinder within the handle of a toothbrush. Trapped air molecules would be packed more tightly together and their pressure would rise as the cylinder moved. The mechanical work being done would also transfer energy to the air, causing the air's temperature to rise. Air always accelerates toward regions of lower pressure, so the pressurized air will tend to flow through any opening that leads to lower pressure—such as holes under the bristles in the head. A one-way valve at the base of the cylinder allows this pressurized air to flow out of the cylinder and enter the holes underneath the bristles. Each time an individual pushes down on the piston, the air inside the cylinder pressurizes and it accelerates and flows toward the lower pressure of the holes underneath the bristles. As the piston is pulled out of the cylinder, a second one-way valve allows new air to enter the cylinder from outside so that the process can be repeated.
Other well-known methods of moving and pumping the toothpaste through the handle and into the head could also be incorporated in alternative embodiments of this invention.
The materials utilized for Brush Rite may vary widely but will likely include plastic components.
The plastic used in the production will ideally be selected for durability and longevity. Thermoplastics are commonly used in the manufacturing of components similar to those used in this invention. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other similar thermoplastic materials would be among those with the necessary traits. Members of this family are recognized universally as being versatile and of high quality.
The plastic components of Brush Rite can also be formed with the use of plastic molding techniques, such as injection molding or blow molding. Injection molding requires melted plastic to be forcefully injected into relatively cool molds. As the plastic begins to harden, it takes on the shape of the mold cavity. This technique is ideal for the mass production of products. Alternatively, blow molding, a form of extrusion, could be utilized. Blow molding involves a molten tube being pushed into a mold. Compressed air then forces the molten tube against the cold walls of the mold.
It should be obvious that the components of the present invention can be of various shapes and sizes. It should also be obvious that the components of the invention can be made of different types of plastics or other suitable materials and can be of any color.
It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A tooth cleaning device comprising:

(a) a handle;

(b) a head connected to the handle;

(c) a pumping mechanism operatively attached to the handle;

(d) a plurality of bristles located on the head; and

(e) a first hole in the head underneath the plurality of bristles.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the handle is approximately cylindrical.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the head is approximately rectangular.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the handle and the head are made of plastic.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising

a fill port located on one end of the handle.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the fill port is approximately circular.

7. The device of claim 5 further comprising

a one-way cover over the fill port.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising

a reservoir indicator window located on the handle.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the reservoir indicator window is transparent.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the pumping mechanism is a bulb pump.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the bulb pump is made of rubber.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the bulb pump is approximately oval.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein the bulb pump protrudes slightly from the top and bottom of the handle.

14. The device of claim 1 further comprising

a first eyelet above the first hole and beneath the plurality of bristles.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the first eyelet is made of rubber.

16. The device of claim 1 further comprising

a second hole and a third hole located in the head underneath the plurality of bristles.

17. The device of claim 16 further comprising

a second eyelet above the second hole and a third eyelet above the third hole.

18. A tooth cleaning device comprising:

(a) a handle;

(b) a head connected to the handle;

(c) a bulb pump operatively attached to the handle and protruding from the handle;

(d) a plurality of bristles located on the head; and

(e) a first eyelet above a first hole underneath the plurality of bristles;

(f) a second eyelet above a second hole underneath the plurality of bristles;

(g) a third eyelet above a third hole underneath the plurality of bristles;

(h) a fill port with a one way cover located on one end of the handle; and

(i) a reservoir indicator window on the handle.