Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02325277 2000-11-16
A BRUSH OR COMB HEAD AND HOLDER THEREFOR
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLACTIONS
This application is entitled to the benefit of US Provisional Application,
Serial number # 60/171,451, filed dated, 12/22/1999 and claims the priority of
US patent
application number 09/598,385 filed on June 21, 2000 and the priority of
patent
application number 09/638,067 filed 8/15/2000, the entire contents of which
are hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND--FIELD OF INVENTION
Bristle bundles forming a brush head on the tip of a toothbrush head-sector,
with an
orifice within, which links to an accordion dentifrice cartridge by an
underlying tube.
Several additional versions have been designed. One is a switchable,
disposable brush-
head plate that serves as an opening and closing mechanism of conveyance of
dentifrice from an accordion cartridge. Another version is of a non-
switchable,
disposable brush-head plate. Yet another version of a comb-brush is
implemented as
alternative embodiment.
BACKGROUND-DESCRIPTOPN OF RELATED ART
It is apparent that a majority of population lacks oral care awareness, which
subsequently aggravated to a variety of serious oral ailments. To a large
extend, the
shortcoming can be improved primarily by having a tooth brushing after each
meal. It is
understandable that somehow, not convenient to carry the bulky household
toothbrush
and a clumsy tube of toothpaste in one's hand bag or sachet, not to mention
stacking
one in one's pocket. Although there had been suggestion of prior art which
claimed to
have built several types of toothbrush trying to meet such a need. So far none
had been
able to offer the kind of features that this invention offers.
This invention relates to a brush head on the tip of a toothbrush head-sector
with an
orifice surrounded by bristle implants, which links to an accordion cartridge
by an
CA 02325277 2000-11-16
2
underlying tube. Several alternative versions have been designed. One is a
switchable,
disposable brush-head plate that serves as an opening and closing mechanism,
thus
controlling a thoroughfare of conveyance of dentifrice from an accordion
cartridge.
Another version is of a non-switchable, disposable brush-head plate, and yet
still another
version of a comb-brush all of which can be disposed of or replaced by
screwing on and
off at the mid-joint or female screw-joint in different versions. All versions
set forth in this
invention enable the user to carry the brush on all occasions for spontaneous
use.
The use of toothbrush of the type, which intended to dispense toothpaste from
an
attached container onto the bristles had been suggested in prior art shown in
U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,615,635; 5,832,940; 5,860,522. French Pat. 2,629,322. German
Auslegeschrift
No. 2,639062; 29,719,257.4; 29,815,277Ø
The German invention DE 2,639,062 did not show as to how the dentifrice is
introduced
to the bristles from the cylinder and how refill could be fulfilled. Without a
clear indication
as to how it could be activated, rendered the invention unserviceable.
The French invention 2,629,322 also failed to demonstrate as to how the
dentifrice is to
be transfused onto the bristles and how refill could be replenished, rendering
this
invention a mere conjecture.
The other German invention DE 29,719,257.4 provided only a sketch of the
general
outlook of his concept with no reveal of its novel functionality.
Yet German invention DE 29,815,227.0 is another conjecture which lacks detail
description of his invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,635 to K. H. Kim (1986). The shape of the brush-head was
designed with the middle part jutting out. This protruding part on the brush
would scratch
on the teeth during brushing. The brush-head comprises of two parts, rendering
replacement more cumbersome. Moreover, special size toothpaste tube has to be
CA 02325277 2000-11-16
3
manufactured to accommodate this invention. Without the availability of a
right size
toothpaste tube, the invention would become unserviceable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,940 to Darryl Embry et al (1998). The invention of
collapsible
cover did not offer any particular advantage to the users. There is no mention
as to how
the dentifrice is conveyed to the bristles. It failed to deliver to the users
the service it
claimed to offer in the first instance.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,522 to Jae Ho Lee (1999). The invention claimed to be a
toothbrush case. Such an invention could not have superceded the idea of
simply
packing a toothbrush and toothpaste tube in one's travelling kit. This
invention also could
not curtail the cumbersome of which the inventor purported to overcome when he
conceived the design.
SUMMARY
In accordance with the present invention relates to a brush head on the tip of
a
toothbrush head-sector with bristle implants surrounding an orifice, which
links to an
accordion cartridge by an underlying tube. Several alternative versions have
been
designed. Alternative one is a switchable, disposable brush-head plate that
serves as an
opening and closing mechanism, controlling conveyance of dentifrice from an
accordion
dentifrice cartridge. Alternative two versions are a non-switchable,
disposable brush-
head plate, and yet still another version of a comb-brush is to be implemented
as
additional embodiment. All versions set forth in this invention enables the
user to carry
the toothbrush on all occasions for spontaneous use.
The design also comprises interchangeable and replaceable parts, providing a
versatile
aspect.
Objects and Advantages
This invention avails the public with a convenient oral cleansing toothbrush
for the
enhancement of good dental habit and oral hygiene. The invention stresses the
importance of its portability coupled by a refillable and replaceable
dentifrice cartridge,
CA 02325277 2000-11-16
4
making tooth cleansing no longer restricted as a household affair but rather a
chore that
can be taken care of away from home. The toothbrush is made from hard & semi-
soft,
non-toxic emission plastic resin, in a shape of a marker-pen. The brush head
is
replaceable. The dentifrice cartridge can be replaced or refilled with an
adapter. It is
aesthetically designed so it can be stacked into one's pocket or sachet, thus
fulfilling the
ultimate purpose of bringing it to work or to travel for spontaneous use.
It is user friendly, economical to acquire and easy to maintain.
It is with these pre-requisites in mine that the toothbrush is made.
DRAWING FIGURES
In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different
alphabetic
suffixes.
Fig. 1 is an external appearance of a fully assembled toothbrush.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a toothbrush with major components.
Fig. 2A is an external view of a complete toothbrush with head-cap on.
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a brush-head sector implanted with bristle bundles
at the tip,
surrounding a brush-head orifice, leading by an underlying tube, linking to
the accordion
dentifrice cartridge via a mid-joint.
Fig. 4A is a diagram of an accordion dentifrice cartridge half inflated.
Fig. 4B is a front top-view of the said cartridge.
Fig. 4C is a side view of the said cartridge fully inflated with dentifrice.
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a pull-off handle, detached from the mid-joint.
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing that the accordion cartridge being loading onto
the mid-joint.
Fig. 7A is a perspective view of a large and small size twin-adapter screwed
together.
Fig. 7B is a perspective view of a twin adapter separated from one another.
Fig. 7C is a diagram showing refill is being fulfilled by screwing a domestic
toothpaste
tube onto an adapter before screwing onto the mid-joint on the handle.
Fig. 8A is a diagram of a female screw-joint on a handle with right swing
door.
Fig. 8B to 8E are diagrams showing handles with different designs with cavity
for storing
the accordion dentifrice cartridge.
CA 02325277 2000-11-16
Fig. 9A is a cross-sectional side view of a switchable brush-head plate, with
an
additional sliding space between catch-rifts underneath and an orifice in the
middle
thereon.
Fig. 9B is a bottom view of the said plate showing a pair of click-marks, a
front and a
rear catch-rifts and an orifice.
Fig. 9C is a top view of the said plate, showing a pair of convex ridges on
both sides of
the plate with brush-head orifice showing (in gray), bristle cradle (in
black), a left and
right concave click-marks on the ridges.
Fig. 9D is a cross-sectional front view of the said plate showing ridges.
Fig. 10A is a cross-sectional front view of a receptor, showing two troughs
with a
receptor orifice in the middle.
Fig. 10B is top view of the said receptor, showing a pair of troughs, a pair
of front click-
marks and a pair of rear click-marks, built inside the troughs.
Fig. 10C shows a brush-head sector with receptor, having a front and rear left
click-
marks thereon.
Fig. 11 and Fig. 12A are diagrams showing an assembly of a head-sector joining
a
handle.
Fig. 12B shows a motion of pushing forward onto the brush-head plate opens the
thoroughfare of conveyance of dentifrice onto the bristle cradle from the
accordion
dentifrice cartridge via the underlying tube.
Fig. 12C shows a motion of pushing inward on the tip of the brush-head plate
disengages the finro orifices, thus blocking the thoroughfare of conveyance of
dentifrice.
Fig. 13A shows a head-sector with receptor designed for a non-switchable
disposable
brush-head plate without front and rear click-marks thereon.
Fig. 13B is a non-switchable brush-head plate, which is designed without the
additional
sliding space between the front and rear catch-rifts thereon.
Fig. 13C shows a handle with chamber storage into where dentifrice is stored.
Fig. 13D is a diagram depicting refill process with an elongated adapter via
the tail refill
inlet.
Fig. 13E is a diagram, showing a cross-sectional side view of a comb-brush.
CA 02325277 2000-11-16
6
Fig. 13F is a diagram, showing a cross-sectional side view of a comb-brush
that can be
screwed onto the handle via mid-joint, linking an accordion cartridge that
stores hair
cream to facilitate hair combing.
Fig. 13G is a diagram of an external appearance of the comb-brush with handle.
Fig. 14 is an isometric view of a head-cap, showing an orifice-lock inside the
said cap.
Fig. 15 shows the orifice-lock is put in place over the brush-head orifice
upon capping.
Reference Numerals In Drawings
(20) Switchable disposable brush-head plate.
(22) Bristle bundles.
(24) Bristle cradle.
(25) Brush head.
(26) Brush-head sector orifice.
(28) Underlying tube.
(30) Head-sector receptor.
(32) Head-sector orifice.
(34) Brush-head plate orifice.
(36) Handle.
(38) Accordion dentifrice cartridge.
(39) Mid-joint.
(40) Accordion bottom.
(41) Toothpaste passage.
(42) Female screw-joint on handle.
(43) Cartridge connector.
(44) Not in use.
(45) Joint-cavity.
(46) Not in use.
(47) Stop rift.
(48) Male screw-joint on brush-head sector.
(49) Trough-less brush-head receptor with bristle bundles & male screw- joint.
CA 02325277 2000-11-16
7
(50) Right receptor concave trough.
(51 Left receptor concave trough.
)
(52) Right front click-mark inside the trough
of receptor.
(53) Left front click-mark inside the trough
of receptor.
(54) Right rear click-mark inside the trough
of receptor.
(55) Left rear click-mark inside the troughs
of receptor.
(56) Right convex ridge.
(57) Left convex ridge.
(58) Right concave click-mark on brush-head
ridge.
(59) Left concave click-mark on brush-head
ridge.
(60) Front catch-rift.
(61) Rear catch-rift.
(62) Additional sliding space between catch-rifts.
(64) Right swing door.
(66) Left swing door.
(68) Sliding door.
(70) Flip door.
(71) Pull-off handle.
(72) Door latch.
(73) Long pull-off handle.
(74) Head-cap.
(75) Push rail.
(76) Orifice lock.
(77) Push lever.
(78) Clip.
(80) Household toothpaste tube.
(82) Tail refill inlet.
(84) Chamber storage.
(86) Chamber wall.
(88) Reinforcing tail rim.
(90) Tail-cap.
(92) Elongated refill adapter.
CA 02325277 2000-11-16
8
(93) Large size female screw refill
adapter.
(94) Small size female screw refill
adapter.
(95) Large size male screw refill
adapter.
(96) Small size male screw refill
adapter.
(97) Front comb orifice.
(98) Rear comb orifice.
(99) Front comb underlying-tube.
(100) Rear comb underlying-tube.
(101) Comb rib.
(102) Comb brush.
"A" suffixes denote similar parts on non-switchable disposable brush-head
plate
(20A) Non-switchable disposable brush-head
plate.
(22A) Bristle bundles.
(24A) Bristle cradle.
(28A) Underlying tube.
(30A) Head-sector receptor.
(32A) Receptor orifice.
(34A) Brush-head plate orifice.
(42A) Handle female screw joint.
(48A) Male screw joint on brush-head receptor.
(50A) Right receptor concave trough.
(51A) Left receptor concave trough.
(56A) Right convex ridge.
(57A) Left convex ridge.
(60A) Front catch-rift on non-switchable
brush-head plate.
(61A) Rear catch-rift on non-switchable brush-head
plate.
DESCRIPTION - From Fig. 1 to Fig. 7C - Preferred Embodiment.
CA 02325277 2000-11-16
9
A preferred embodiment of present invention of a toothbrush is illustrated
from Fig. 1 to
Fig. 7C.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush without head-cap.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a toothbrush with major parts.
Fig. 2A is an external view of a complete toothbrush with head-cap on.
Fig. 3 shows a brush-head 25 on the tip of a brush head sector 49 implanted
with bristle
bundles 22 surrounding a brush-head orifice 26, leading to a male screw-joint
48.
Fig. 4A is a side view of a deflated accordion dentifrice cartridge 38.
Fig. 4B is an elevated front view of the said cartridge 38.
Fig. 4C shows an inflated accordion dentifrice cartridge 38.
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a pull-off handle 71, detaching from the mid-joint
39.
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing that the accordion dentifrice cartridge being
loaded into the
joint-cavity 45 onto the cartridge connector 43 on the mid-joint 39.
Fig. 7A is a perspective view of a large and small size twin adapter screwed
together.
Fig. 7B is a perspective view of the said twin adapter separated from one
another.
Fig. 7C is a diagram showing refill is being transfused from a domestic
toothpaste tube
80, by attaching onto one of the two adapters into the mid-joint.
Figs. 8A to 8E, 9A to 9D, 10A to 10C, Fig. 11, Fig. 12A-12C.
Additional Embodiment I.
Fig. 8A is a diagram that shows the handle 36 with a right swing door 64.
CA 02325277 2000-11-16
Fig. 8B is a handle with sliding door 68.
Fig. 8C shows the said handle with a flip door 70.
Fig. 8D shows the said handle with a left swing door 66.
Fig. 8E shows a long pull-off handle.
Fig. 9A shows a switchable disposable brush-head plate 20 which has an
additional
space 62, allowing motions of pushing forward and inward on the brush-head
plate over
the pair of troughs 50, 51 on the receptor 30, the functionality of which is
shown in Fig.
12A and Fig. 12B.
Fig. 9B is a bottom view of brush-head plate 20, which shows the front and
rear catch-
rifts 60, 61 and click-marks 58, 59.
Fig. 9C is the top view of brush-head plate 20, showing convex ridges 56 and
57 with the
orifice 26 (in gray), bristle cradle 24 (in black) and a pair of concave click-
marks 58 and
59 on the convex ridges.
Fig. 9D is a cross-sectional front view of the brush-head plate 20, showing
right and left
convex ridges 56, 57 on both sides of the plate 20.
Fig. 10A is a front view of a head-plate receptor 30, showing a right and left
trough 50
and 51.
Fig. 10B is a top view of the receptor 30, showing the front right and left
click-marks 52,
53 and pair of rear click-marks 54 and 55.
Fig. 10C is a cross-sectional side view of a receptor 30 and the left view of
front and rear
click-marks 53, 55 inside the receptor troughs 50 and 51.
CA 02325277 2000-11-16
11
Fig. 11 and Fig. 12A show that the head sector 48 and handle sector 36 are
being
attached at the screw joint 42 on a handle.
Fig. 12B shows that a push fonivard motion at the bottom of brush-head plate
20 will
force the brush-head orifice 26 to be engaged with receptor orifice 32
underneath to be
vertically in position with one another. The vertical alignment will open the
thoroughfare
of dentifrice to be transfused from the accordion cartridge 38, onto the
bristle cradle 24,
via the underlying tube 28. When the 2 orifices 26 and 32 are vertically
connected, click-
marks 58 and 59 on the plate 20 will grip with a pair of front click-marks 52
and 53 inside
the troughs, locking the brush-head plate 20 firmly on the receptor 30.
Fig. 12C shows that a push on the tip of the brush-head plate 20 inward will
disengage
the 2 orifices 26 and 32 to be drifted apart, thus closing the thoroughfare of
conveyance
of dentifrice. When this happens, a pair of click-marks 58 and 59 on the brush-
head
plate 20 will grip with the rear pair of click-marks 54 and 55 in the trough
on the receptor
30, locking the plate's movement. The open and blocking mechanism will also
safeguard spill of unwanted toothpaste and keep the dentifrice fresh and
uncontaminated. The extend of slidability of plate 20, are governed by the
catch-rifts,
troughs and the click-marks built therein.
Fig. 13A-13D, Fig. 14, Fig. 15 8~ Fig 16. Additional Embodiment I I.
Fig. 13A is a receptor 30A, which is a similar design of 30 but without the
click-marks 52,
53, 54 and 55 in the troughs. It is a receptor for a non-switchable disposable
brush-head
plate 20A with a male screw joint 48A that can be screwed onto the female
screw joint
42A of a chamber-handle 84, which contains a cavity into where toothpaste is
stored.
Dentifrice can be conveyed onto the bristle bundle 22A by simply compressing
on the
chamber-wall 86. Refill can be conducted with an elongated adapter 92 through
the tail
refill inlet 82.
CA 02325277 2000-11-16
12
Fig. 13B shows a non-switchable disposable brush-head plate. It is non-
switchable
because the distance between the front 60A and rear 61A catch-rifts are the
same in
length to that of the receptor 30A, fitting into one another neatly upon
mounting.
Fig. 13C is a handle that is designed without accordion cartridge. The top and
bottom
parts of the chamber are molded with heavier plastic material forming a
handle, while the
walls of the handle are molded with thinner soft plastics. Conveyance of
dentifrice can
be affected by compressing on the supple chamber wall 86.
Fig. 13D shows that refill of chamber storage 84, can be conducted by poking
the
elongated adapter 92 deep into the chamber via the tail refill inlet 82 by
attaching a
household toothpaste tube 80.
Figs. 13E, 13F, 13G, 14 & 16. -- Alternative Embodiment.
Fig. 13E is a diagram, showing a comb-brush containing a pair of orifices and
a pair of
underlying tubes.
Fig. 13F is a diagram of a comb-brush attached onto a handle with a cartridge
containing
hair-cream.
Fig. 13G is a complete external diagram of the said comb-brush with a handle.
Fig. 14 is an isometric view of the head cap 74, showing the position of the
orifice-lock
76 inside the cap.
An external view of a complete toothbrush is shown in Fig. 16.
Advantages
From the description above, a number of advantages of this invention become
evident:
(a) Bristle implants on the tip of a brush head-sector with an orifice, which
links to an
accordion dentifrice cartridge by an underlying tube.
(b) The design of replaceable, disposable brush-head is economical and
environmental
friendly.
CA 02325277 2000-11-16
13
(c) The size of the toothbrush is made within the confine of portability. To
achieve that,
it is designed to a size similar to that of a marker pen, so it can be carried
around,
put into pocket or sachet, providing an all-time oral cleansing facility away
from
home.
(d) The adoption of the accordion dentifrice cartridge ensures easy
transfusion of
dentifrice to the brush-head. The accordion design makes it easy to squeeze.
Refill
can be fulfilled easily. The content in cartridge is about 8g. As only a dab
of
dentifrice is needed for each tooth brushing, the content will be enough for
about 10
14 applications after each refill. New cartridge can also be replaced if so
desired.
(e) A twin adapter of large and small screw-size is designed to facilitate
refill from a
domestic tube by simply screwing one of the two onto the mid-joint. Supply of
domestic toothpaste is readily available in the market. Refill of non-
switchable
version is via the tail refill inlet with an elongated adapter.
(f) The switchable version of the brush-head plate serves many advantages. It
is easy
to mount onto the receptor. Control of flow of dentifrice is easy. It can also
be
replaced when worn out.
(g) The orifice-lock built inside the cap in non-switchable version is a
design that
safeguards the unintended spill of dentifrice. Moreover, it keeps the
toothpaste
fresh and free from contamination.
(h) Various handle designs facilitate manufacturing specifications.
Operation
The following is the method in which the toothbrush of preferred embodiment
operates.
Firstly, pull off the head-cap 74. It can be tucked onto the tail to serve as
an extension.
Pull apart the pull-off handle 71 at the mid-joint 39. Push the accordion
bottom 40
forward. The motion forces a needed amount of toothpaste to the bristle
bundles 22 via
brush-head sector orifice 26. When the needed amount of toothpaste had been
infused
in between the bristles, stop the squeeze and push back the pull-off handle
71. Lightly
moisture the bristles 22 before brushing. After brushing, gush the bristles
with water,
lightly shake, dry it with paper-towel or tissue before putting on the head-
cap.
CA 02325277 2000-11-16
14
The brush-head sector 49, can be replaced by screwing off the sector from the
mid-joint
39. Refill can be conducted at the mid-joint by screwing any major brand
toothpaste
tube 80 directly onto it with a choice adapter 93 or 95.
Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scopes
Accordingly reader will see that this invention embrace all aspects needed to
facilitate
the goal of " brush after eating, plaque gets the beating", by accomplishing
the following
criteria.
It is an item that can be carried around to work, to travel or any occasion
for
spontaneous use.
It is user friendly, easy to operate by person of any age.
It is aesthetically designed so that it can be stacked into any pocket or
sachet.
It is designed to contain a toothpaste cartridge, which is refillable or
replaceable.
The brush-head in any model is replaceable.
The reader will see that the toothbrush of the invention provides a flexible,
easy to
operate, user friendly, cost effective coupled by the multi-feature contained
therein is
providing a one-coup action in attaining one's oral hygiene. The user
friendliness can be
appreciated by persons of almost any age. When my above description contains
many
specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of
the invention,
but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many
other
variations are possible.
