WO2001093721A1 - A disposable toothbrush - Google Patents

A disposable toothbrush Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001093721A1
WO2001093721A1 PCT/IB2001/000986 IB0100986W WO0193721A1 WO 2001093721 A1 WO2001093721 A1 WO 2001093721A1 IB 0100986 W IB0100986 W IB 0100986W WO 0193721 A1 WO0193721 A1 WO 0193721A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cap
brush head
membrane
toothbrush
supply
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2001/000986
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Bruce Alan Sargent
Original Assignee
Bruce Alan Sargent
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bruce Alan Sargent filed Critical Bruce Alan Sargent
Priority to AU2001260544A priority Critical patent/AU2001260544A1/en
Publication of WO2001093721A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001093721A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • A46B15/0055—Brushes combined with other articles normally separate from the brushing process, e.g. combs, razors, mirrors
    • A46B15/0061—Brushes combined with other articles normally separate from the brushing process, e.g. combs, razors, mirrors with a container for accessories, e.g. pills, polish, condoms, cells
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B11/00—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water
    • A46B11/0003—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water containing only one dose of substance, e.g. single-use toothbrushes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • A46B15/0055—Brushes combined with other articles normally separate from the brushing process, e.g. combs, razors, mirrors
    • A46B15/0069—Brushes fitted with a interdental devices, e.g. toothpick
    • A46B15/0071—Toothbrushes with flossing arrangements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
    • A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures

Definitions

  • THIS invention relates to a toothbrush, more particularly to improvements to the disposable toothbrush described in pending International Patent application no. PCT/IB99/01875.
  • PCT/IB99/01875 discloses a disposable toothbrush including a longitudinally extending brush head attached, or attachable, to a brush handle; a plurality of bristles extending from the brush head; a supply cavity, which is defined by a cap, for containing a supply of toothpaste; a membrane in the form of a plastics film or a foil for sealing the supply of toothpaste within the cap from the atmosphere; and at least one aperture extending through the brush head, to bring the supply cavity into communication with the bristles; wherein the cap is movable from a first inoperative position to a second operative position wherein the membrane is broken and toothpaste is forced from the supply cavity in the cap, via the at least one aperture in the brush head, to the bristles.
  • the brush head includes perforating means in the form of a pointed ridge or spike formed integrally with the brush head, for perforating the membrane when the plunger is moved from the inoperative position to the operative position.
  • a toothbrush and toothpaste dispenser unit including:
  • a longitudinally extending brush head attached to a brush handle, the brush head defining a first surface and an opposed second surface; a plurality of bristles extending from the first surface on the brush head; a supply cavity, which is defined by a cap, for containing a supply of toothpaste and which is arranged to abut with the second surface on the brush head, the cap being movable from a first inoperative position, laterally relative to the brush head, to a second operative position; at least one aperture extending through the brush head, from the first surface to the second surface, for bringing the supply cavity in the cap into communication with the bristles; and a membrane which is arranged to seal the supply cavity in the cap from the aperture;
  • the cap includes perforating means for perforating the membrane when it is moved in to the second operative position.
  • the perforating means is a pointed ridge or spike formed integrally with the cap.
  • the perforating means is a spike which is arranged to enter the at least one aperture in the brush head, when the cap is moved from the first inoperative position to the second operative position.
  • the membrane may be adhered to the first surface, to close the aperture.
  • the membrane may be adhered to the cap so that the supply of toothpaste within the cap is sealed from the atmosphere.
  • Figure 1 is an exploded side cross-sectional view of a disposable toothbrush according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the cap on the toothbrush illustrated in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the cap on the toothbrush illustrated in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the disposable toothbrush of
  • Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the disposable toothbrush of
  • Figure 6 is a pictorial view of a disposable toothbrush according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • a disposable toothbrush 10 includes a longitudinally extending brush head shown generally by the numeral 12 with a brush handle 14.
  • the brush handle 14 is made of a ridged plastics material such as polypropylene or styrene.
  • the brush handle 14 includes a first cavity 16 for retaining a supply of dental floss and a second cavity 18 for containing a supply of mouthwash.
  • a removable end cap 20 is provided for closing the second cavity 18.
  • the brush head 12 includes a base 22 formed integrally with the handle 14.
  • the base 22 defines a first surface 26 to which is secured a number of bristles 24 and a second surface 27, which is opposed to the first surface 26.
  • the bristles 24 are arranged to lie substantially perpendicular relative to the surface 26.
  • the base 22 also defines a receiving slot 28, at the first surface 27, which is arranged to receive the peripheral edge 30 of a cap 32, to bring the cap 32 into abutment with the first surface 27.
  • the cap 32 which is made from a rigid plastics material such as polypropylene or styrene, defines a supply cavity 36 which is surrounded by the peripheral opening 30.
  • the supply cavity 36 in the cap 32 is sealed closed by a perforatable membrane 38 which is made from a plastics film or foil and which is adhered to the peripheral edge 30.
  • the cap 32 also includes perforating means in the form of a plastic spike 40 which is formed integrally with the cap 32, within the cap 32.
  • a single supply of toothpaste (shown by stippling) is contained within the supply cavity 36, behind the membrane 38.
  • the cap 36 further includes a peripheral projection 41 around the peripheral edge 30 which is engageable with first and second projections 42 and 44 within the receiving slot 28.
  • An aperture 34 extends from the first surface 26 to the second surface 27, through the base 22, and is arranged to bring to the supply cavity 36 in the cap 32 into communication with the bristles 24.
  • the cap 32 is pressed onto the base 22 so that the projection 40 on the cap 32 engages with the first projection 42 in the receiving slot 28 in the base 22, thereby locking the cap 32 onto the base 22.
  • the cap 32 is now in a first inoperative position, with the toothbrush 10 ready for sale or storage.
  • the membrane 38 seals the supply of toothpaste (shown by stippling) from the atmosphere and ensures that the toothpaste is not contaminated by germs and that it does not dry out.
  • the cap 32 is pressed, like a plunger, from the first inoperative position shown in Figure 4, laterally relative to the brush head 12, to the second operative position shown in Figure 5.
  • the spike 40 breaks the membrane 38 and enters the aperture 34.
  • Toothpaste (shown by stippling) is forced through the aperture 34 around the spike 40 and onto the bristles 24.
  • the peripheral projection 40 engages sealingly with the receiving slot 28 to stop toothpaste from escaping between the cap 32 and the slot 28.
  • the peripheral projection 40 on the cap 32 engages with the second projection 44 in the slot 28, locking t e cap 32 in place, so that the toothbrush may only be used once.
  • the toothbrush may then be used by a user, with toothpaste already on the bristles. After brushing, the user may use the mouthwash from the cavity 16 to wash his/her mouth out and then may use the dental floss from the cavity 18 for further cleaning of the teeth. Thereafter the toothbrush 10 is discarded.
  • a membrane 46 is adhered to the second surface 27 on the brush head 22, so that it covers the aperture 34 in the brush head 22.
  • the tooth brush 10 is then ready for sale or storage, with the membrane 46 sealing the supply cavity in the cap from the aperture 34.
  • the spike in the cap breaks the membrane 46 and toothpaste from the supply cavity in the cap is forced through the aperture 34, around the spike and onto the bristles 24.
  • the tooth brush 10 may then be used. Although there will be some degree of sealing between the edge of the cap and the membrane 46, it is envisaged that this brush will be supplied in a sealed packet to keep the tooth paste from drying out or being contaminated by germs.

Abstract

This invention relates to a toothbrush and toothpaste dispenser unit. The toothbrush includes a longitudinally extending brush head attached to a brush handle, the brush head defining a first surface and an opposed second surface. A plurality of bristles extending from the first surface on the brush head. The toothbrush also includes a supply cavity, which is defined by a cap, for containing a supply of toothpaste and which is arranged to abut with the second surface on the brush head, the cap being movable from a first inoperative position, laterally relative to the brush head, to a second operative position. At least one aperture extends through the brush head, from the first surface to the second surface, for bringing the supply cavity in the cap into communication with the bristles. A membrane which is arranged to seal the supply cavity in the cap from the aperture is also provided and the cap includes perforating means in the form of a spike for perforating the membrane when it is moved in to the second operative position.

Description

A DISPOSABLE TOOTHBRUSH
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
THIS invention relates to a toothbrush, more particularly to improvements to the disposable toothbrush described in pending International Patent application no. PCT/IB99/01875.
PCT/IB99/01875 discloses a disposable toothbrush including a longitudinally extending brush head attached, or attachable, to a brush handle; a plurality of bristles extending from the brush head; a supply cavity, which is defined by a cap, for containing a supply of toothpaste; a membrane in the form of a plastics film or a foil for sealing the supply of toothpaste within the cap from the atmosphere; and at least one aperture extending through the brush head, to bring the supply cavity into communication with the bristles; wherein the cap is movable from a first inoperative position to a second operative position wherein the membrane is broken and toothpaste is forced from the supply cavity in the cap, via the at least one aperture in the brush head, to the bristles.
The brush head includes perforating means in the form of a pointed ridge or spike formed integrally with the brush head, for perforating the membrane when the plunger is moved from the inoperative position to the operative position.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved disposable toothbrush SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a toothbrush and toothpaste dispenser unit including:
a longitudinally extending brush head attached to a brush handle, the brush head defining a first surface and an opposed second surface; a plurality of bristles extending from the first surface on the brush head; a supply cavity, which is defined by a cap, for containing a supply of toothpaste and which is arranged to abut with the second surface on the brush head, the cap being movable from a first inoperative position, laterally relative to the brush head, to a second operative position; at least one aperture extending through the brush head, from the first surface to the second surface, for bringing the supply cavity in the cap into communication with the bristles; and a membrane which is arranged to seal the supply cavity in the cap from the aperture;
characterized in that the cap includes perforating means for perforating the membrane when it is moved in to the second operative position.
Typically, the perforating means is a pointed ridge or spike formed integrally with the cap.
Advantageously, the perforating means is a spike which is arranged to enter the at least one aperture in the brush head, when the cap is moved from the first inoperative position to the second operative position.
The membrane may be adhered to the first surface, to close the aperture. Alternatively, the membrane may be adhered to the cap so that the supply of toothpaste within the cap is sealed from the atmosphere.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an exploded side cross-sectional view of a disposable toothbrush according to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the cap on the toothbrush illustrated in Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the cap on the toothbrush illustrated in Figure 1 ;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the disposable toothbrush of
Figure 1 in an inoperative position;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the disposable toothbrush of
Figure 1 in an operative position; and
Figure 6 is a pictorial view of a disposable toothbrush according to a second embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figure 1 , a disposable toothbrush 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention includes a longitudinally extending brush head shown generally by the numeral 12 with a brush handle 14. The brush handle 14 is made of a ridged plastics material such as polypropylene or styrene. The brush handle 14 includes a first cavity 16 for retaining a supply of dental floss and a second cavity 18 for containing a supply of mouthwash. A removable end cap 20 is provided for closing the second cavity 18.
The brush head 12 includes a base 22 formed integrally with the handle 14. The base 22 defines a first surface 26 to which is secured a number of bristles 24 and a second surface 27, which is opposed to the first surface 26. The bristles 24 are arranged to lie substantially perpendicular relative to the surface 26. The base 22 also defines a receiving slot 28, at the first surface 27, which is arranged to receive the peripheral edge 30 of a cap 32, to bring the cap 32 into abutment with the first surface 27.
Referring to Figures 1 , 2 and 3, the cap 32 which is made from a rigid plastics material such as polypropylene or styrene, defines a supply cavity 36 which is surrounded by the peripheral opening 30. The supply cavity 36 in the cap 32 is sealed closed by a perforatable membrane 38 which is made from a plastics film or foil and which is adhered to the peripheral edge 30. The cap 32 also includes perforating means in the form of a plastic spike 40 which is formed integrally with the cap 32, within the cap 32. A single supply of toothpaste (shown by stippling) is contained within the supply cavity 36, behind the membrane 38. The cap 36 further includes a peripheral projection 41 around the peripheral edge 30 which is engageable with first and second projections 42 and 44 within the receiving slot 28.
An aperture 34 extends from the first surface 26 to the second surface 27, through the base 22, and is arranged to bring to the supply cavity 36 in the cap 32 into communication with the bristles 24.
Referring to Figure 4, the cap 32 is pressed onto the base 22 so that the projection 40 on the cap 32 engages with the first projection 42 in the receiving slot 28 in the base 22, thereby locking the cap 32 onto the base 22. The cap 32 is now in a first inoperative position, with the toothbrush 10 ready for sale or storage. The membrane 38 seals the supply of toothpaste (shown by stippling) from the atmosphere and ensures that the toothpaste is not contaminated by germs and that it does not dry out.
Referring to Figure 5, in use, the cap 32 is pressed, like a plunger, from the first inoperative position shown in Figure 4, laterally relative to the brush head 12, to the second operative position shown in Figure 5. During the lateral movement, the spike 40 breaks the membrane 38 and enters the aperture 34. Toothpaste (shown by stippling) is forced through the aperture 34 around the spike 40 and onto the bristles 24. The peripheral projection 40 engages sealingly with the receiving slot 28 to stop toothpaste from escaping between the cap 32 and the slot 28. Once in the second operative position, the peripheral projection 40 on the cap 32 engages with the second projection 44 in the slot 28, locking t e cap 32 in place, so that the toothbrush may only be used once. The toothbrush may then be used by a user, with toothpaste already on the bristles. After brushing, the user may use the mouthwash from the cavity 16 to wash his/her mouth out and then may use the dental floss from the cavity 18 for further cleaning of the teeth. Thereafter the toothbrush 10 is discarded.
Referring to Figure 6, according to a second embodiment of the invention, instead of having a membrane adhered to the cap, of the disposable toothbrush 10, a membrane 46 is adhered to the second surface 27 on the brush head 22, so that it covers the aperture 34 in the brush head 22. A cap as described above (but not shown in Figure 6) containing a supply of toothpaste, but not having a membrane to seal it, is placed onto the brush head 22. The tooth brush 10 is then ready for sale or storage, with the membrane 46 sealing the supply cavity in the cap from the aperture 34. In use, when the cap is pushed down onto the brush head, the spike in the cap breaks the membrane 46 and toothpaste from the supply cavity in the cap is forced through the aperture 34, around the spike and onto the bristles 24. The tooth brush 10 may then be used. Although there will be some degree of sealing between the edge of the cap and the membrane 46, it is envisaged that this brush will be supplied in a sealed packet to keep the tooth paste from drying out or being contaminated by germs.

Claims

. A toothbrush including:
a longitudinally extending brush head attached to a brush handle, the brush head defining a first surface and an opposed second surface; a plurality of bristles extending from the first surface on the brush head; a supply cavity, which is defined by a cap, for containing a supply of toothpaste and which is arranged to abut with the second surface on the brush head, the cap being movable from a first inoperative position, laterally relative to the brush head, to a second operative position; at least one aperture extending through the brush head, from the first surface to the second surface, for bringing the supply cavity in the cap into communication with the bristles; and a membrane which is arranged to seal the supply cavity in the cap from the aperture;
characterized in that the cap includes perforating means for perforating the membrane when it is moved in to the second operative position.
2. A toothbrush according to claim 1 , wherein the perforating means is a pointed ridge or spike formed integrally with the cap.
3. A toothbrush according to claim 2, wherein the perforating means is a spike which is arranged to enter the at least one aperture in the brush head, when the cap is moved from the first inoperative position to the second operative position.
4. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the membrane is adhered to the first surface, to close the aperture. A toothbrush according to any one of the claims 1-4, wherein the membrane iβ adhered to the cap so that the supply of toothpaste within the cap is sealed from the atmosphere.
PCT/IB2001/000986 2000-06-05 2001-06-05 A disposable toothbrush WO2001093721A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001260544A AU2001260544A1 (en) 2000-06-05 2001-06-05 A disposable toothbrush

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA200002798 2000-06-05
ZA2000/2798 2000-06-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001093721A1 true WO2001093721A1 (en) 2001-12-13

Family

ID=25588776

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2001/000986 WO2001093721A1 (en) 2000-06-05 2001-06-05 A disposable toothbrush

Country Status (2)

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WO (1) WO2001093721A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9398940B2 (en) 2008-06-04 2016-07-26 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement with cavitation system

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1161639A (en) * 1956-11-16 1958-09-02 Advanced toothbrush
US3485562A (en) * 1967-11-24 1969-12-23 Little Inc A Disposable liquid applicator
FR2583625A1 (en) * 1985-06-20 1986-12-26 Barry Christian Hygienic device for brushing the teeth
FR2629989A1 (en) * 1988-04-15 1989-10-20 Camara Naby Toothbrush with lined cell
GB2231256A (en) * 1989-03-06 1990-11-14 Allan Joseph Lindsay Traveller's toothbrush
US5181531A (en) * 1991-07-18 1993-01-26 Dario Escoto Tooth cleaning kit for vending machines
US5476333A (en) * 1994-04-25 1995-12-19 Matthews; Georgianne E. Hygienic toothbrush
US5490530A (en) * 1994-05-03 1996-02-13 Snowden; Patricia Disposable toothcare assembly
WO1999001875A1 (en) 1997-07-01 1999-01-14 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Hybrid circuit arrangement with overload protection
US5865195A (en) * 1997-07-03 1999-02-02 Carter; Theresa Oral hygiene system
WO2000053053A1 (en) * 1999-03-10 2000-09-14 Tri-Concepts (Proprietary) Limited A disposable toothbrush

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1161639A (en) * 1956-11-16 1958-09-02 Advanced toothbrush
US3485562A (en) * 1967-11-24 1969-12-23 Little Inc A Disposable liquid applicator
FR2583625A1 (en) * 1985-06-20 1986-12-26 Barry Christian Hygienic device for brushing the teeth
FR2629989A1 (en) * 1988-04-15 1989-10-20 Camara Naby Toothbrush with lined cell
GB2231256A (en) * 1989-03-06 1990-11-14 Allan Joseph Lindsay Traveller's toothbrush
US5181531A (en) * 1991-07-18 1993-01-26 Dario Escoto Tooth cleaning kit for vending machines
US5476333A (en) * 1994-04-25 1995-12-19 Matthews; Georgianne E. Hygienic toothbrush
US5490530A (en) * 1994-05-03 1996-02-13 Snowden; Patricia Disposable toothcare assembly
WO1999001875A1 (en) 1997-07-01 1999-01-14 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Hybrid circuit arrangement with overload protection
US5865195A (en) * 1997-07-03 1999-02-02 Carter; Theresa Oral hygiene system
WO2000053053A1 (en) * 1999-03-10 2000-09-14 Tri-Concepts (Proprietary) Limited A disposable toothbrush

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9398940B2 (en) 2008-06-04 2016-07-26 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement with cavitation system

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