US2233831A - Sanitary toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

March 4, 1941.

M. O. BURKE SANITARY TOOTHBRUSH f Filed June 28. 1958 Patented Mar 4, 1 941 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Madison Otey Burke, Richmond, Va.

Application June 28, 1938, Serial No. 216,407

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in toilet articles and pertains particularly to an improved tooth cleaning device or brush and gum massager.

The present invention has for its primary object to provide a .tooth brush or cleaner having a removable or detachable cleaning unit of a discardable nature which may be destroyed after cleansing the teeth so that by the provision of a number of these cleaner heads or caps the user of the toothbrush may be assured of a .clean and sanitary head piece with which to brush the teeth each'time such brushing is required. v

Another object of the invention is to provide in aitooth cleaning device, a handle having a head portion, and a cleaning unit adapted to be slipped over the head portion of the handle and secured thereto in a novel manner whereby it may be easily and quickly attached or detached.

The invention broadly contemplates the provision of a handle body having a head portion and having a slot in the handle adjacent the head portion, with a cloth cap or cover member designed to be slipped-over the head portion of the handle and having an end extension or tail 0 forinsertion through the slot of the handle for binding engagement therein to retain the cap in place while in use.

taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not to be confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes'or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claim.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the tooth cleaner embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device, showing, the side opposite from that shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the handle, per se.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the brushing portion of the device.

Referring now more particularly to the draw- I ing, the numeral I generally designates the handle portion of the tooth cleaning device embodying the present invention which comprises the elongated section 2 which is held in the hand and the head portion 3 over which the tooth cleaning cap is mounted. This handle may be formed of metal or any other suitable material which will withstand boiling or other sterilizing processes and is provided adjacent the inner end of the 4, the narrow or crotch portion of which is head portion 3 with the tapered or wedge like slot directed toward the head 3, as shown.

The numeral 5 generally designates the cap which is placed over the head 3 and with which the cleaning operation of the teeth is performed. This cap is in the form of a stall or pouch, being of elongated design and having the top portion 6 and'the under or working portion ors-urface I with .the said portion {extended at the end where the opening 8 is formed to provide the tail portion 9. The cap may be formed of any suitable fabric material and the surface or face portion 1 may be roughened or otherwise suitably cap will be prevented from coming ofi of the handle head. The device may then be used by brushing the teeth with the cap and after the brushing or cleansing operation has been completed, the cap removed and either boiled so as to be made sterile for subsequent usecr it may be discarded and a complete new or clean and sterile cap applied the next time the brush is to be used.

As a convenience in cleaning between the teeth, particularly for dislodging particles of food which may be secured between the teeth, the end of the handle remote from the head portion 3 may be tapered or pointed as shown, to serve in the nature of a tooth pick, such pointed end being indicated generally by the numeral I0.

I claim:

A toothbrush of the character described, comprising an elongated flat body constitutinga handle, said body having a wedge slot formed therethrough inwardly of one end and having the point of said slot directed toward the said end, the portion of said body between said slot and the adja- .cent end of the body constituting a'fiat solid head, a brushing unit for attachment to said head comprising an elongated stall-like body of fabric ma-.

the slot and drawn toward the adjacent head .to-

be wedged in thelnarrow end of the slot.

MADISON OTEY BURKE.

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