Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001 ] The present invention relates to a container system for sanitizing and
storing toothbrushes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is well known that the human mouth is home to many different types
of
microorganisms. It is also well known that these microorganisms may contribute
to periodontal disease, halitosis and other types of infection. It is
recommended
to brush and floss carefully to remove these germs. In the process, however,
bacteria are transferred from the user's mouth and collect on the bristles of
the
toothbrush head. No matter how thoroughly the toothbrush is rinsed, it is
virtually impossible to remove them all. In addition, the moist bristles of
the
toothbrush provide a fertile environment for colonization by microorganisms
that
are present in aerosols in the bathroom. Most of us would never consider
eating
or storing food in the bathroom, yet we think nothing of putting a toothbrush
that
has been stored in a less than hygienic environment, such as a bathroom
counter, into our mouths. This issue is particularly relevant after a
pathogenic
infection. Germs from the mouth are deposited on the toothbrush. This can lead
to re-infection with a pathogenic microorganism. In addition, toothbrushes are
often stored in racks close together. This means that germs from one
toothbrush
can be transferred to another. Thus, a typical toothbrush can harbor
microorganisms from the mouth and from the environment.
[0003] The problem of contaminated toothbrushes has long been recognized and
numerous attempts have been made to provide a means for the sanitary storage
of toothbrushes. Various types of toothbrush holders are described, for
example,
in United States Patent Nos. 4,570,652; 4,915,219; 4,995,509; 4,997,629;
5,107,987; 5,377,824; 5,566,823; 5,690,214; 5,922,292; 6,135,279 and
6,601,699. There are several problems associated with the prior art devices.
In
some cases the devices are complex to manufacture and therefore costly. In
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other cases, a plurality of toothbrushes are stored within a single reservoir
of
disinfectant providing an opportunity for cross-infection.
[0004] United States Patent No. 6,119,854 discloses a sanitary toothbrush
storage unit that includes a divider to provide separate compartments for each
toothbrush. However, the compartments form a unitary device whereby it is
necessary to change the sanitizing fluid in both compartments at the same
time.
[0005] United States Patent No. 6,360,884 discloses another type of toothbrush
holder that includes means for connecting a plurality of holders together. One
problem with this type of holder is that the entire toothbrush including the
handle
is put into a closed holder. This necessitates reaching into the container to
retrieve the toothbrush and introduces the possibility of additional
contamination
from the handle.
[0006] While there have been many attempts to provide means of storing a
toothbrush hygienically, there remained an unmet need for an efficient, cost-
effective toothbrush holder system that could be used to disinfect a
toothbrush
between uses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a device for the sanitary storage of a
toothbrush.
[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved toothbrush
holder
assembly.
[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
holder system for at least one toothbrush. The holder system comprises a
toothbrush holder compartment and a holder platform. The holder platform can
be either surface or wall mounted. The toothbrush holder compartment is
adapted to hold an amount of a disinfectant solution, such as a mouthwash
solution. Preferably, the toothbrush holder compartment is sized to hold the
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head/bristle portion of a toothbrush with a minimum of excess volume so as to
require a minimum amount of disinfecting solution to cover the bristle
portion.
The system is designed so that each toothbrush is stored in a separate
compartment to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
[0010] The toothbrush holder assembly of the present invention typically
includes
a plurality of toothbrush compartments mounted on a holder platform. Multiple
units of the system can be used to adjust to the number of required
compartments. For example, if a basic system is provided with three toothbrush
compartments, two systems can be used to provide six compartments. A basic
system preferably comprises from two to six toothbrush holder compartments.
[0011] The toothbrush compartments and platform are preferably a clear
polyacrylic material. It is clearly apparent, however, that any material that
is
sufficiently rigid and non-porous could be used in the manufacture of the
device.
[0012] A preferred platform according to the present invention is adapted to
be
mounted on a vertical surface. The vertical surface could be a wall or a
cupboard
door. In one preferred embodiment, the platform comprises a planar backsheet,
a base and at least one receptacle for receiving a toothbrush compartment. The
receptacle may be open or closed ended.
[0013] In another embodiment, the receptacle is sized to frictionally engage
the
toothbrush holder compartment.
[0014] In another aspect of the invention (not shown), the platform is adapted
for
placement on a horizontal surface such as a counter top or a shelf. In one
embodiment, the holder comprises a planar backsheet and a base panel that
together form an "L" structure. Receptacles for receiving a toothbrush
compartment are mounted on the backsheet and the base panel rests on a
horizontal surface.
[0015] In another embodiment, the holder system comprises a base panel on
which receptacles for receiving toothbrush compartments are directly mounted.
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[0016] This summary of the invention does not necessarily describe all
features
of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] These and other features of the invention will become more apparent
from
the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings
wherein:
[0018] FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of a toothbrush holder assembly in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
[0019) FIGURE 2A shows a perspective view of a toothbrush compartment of the
system of Figure 1;
[0020] Figure 2B shows a side view of the toothbrush compartment of Figure 2A;
[0021 ] Figure 2C is an end view of the toothbrush compartment of Figure 2B;
[0022] Figure 3A is a side view of a support platform of the toothbrush holder
assembly of the invention;
[0023] Figure 3B is a front view of the support platform of Figure 3A; and
[0024] Figure 3C is a top view of the support platform of Figure 3B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Toothbrushes provide an environment for the growth of various different
types of micro-organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. Micro-
organisms
on a toothbrush can result in recurrent infections, especially infections of
the
mouth and throat. There is a need, therefore, for a means of storing a
toothbrush
that disinfects it and prevents it from becoming contaminated from the
environment. The present invention addresses this need by providing a novel
toothbrush holder assembly.
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[0026] In one preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the toothbrush
holder
assembly 10 comprises at least one toothbrush holder compartment 12 and a
platform 14 for holding the compartments. The system shown in Figure 1 is
adapted for mounting on a wall and includes apertures 16 for receiving a nail
or
screw. In another embodiment of a wall-mounted unit, the platform is
adhesively
mounted to the surface. Wall-mounted units can be affixed to a wall, a
cupboard
door, a drawer side or any other vertical surface. In another embodiment (not
shown), a platform is provided that is adapted for resting on a horizontal
surface.
[0027] As shown in greater detail in Figure 2, the toothbrush holder
compartment
12 comprises a base 20, a front wall 22, a rear wall 24 and two side walls 26,
28
which combine to form a reservoir 30. Figure 2A shows a perspective view of
the compartment, Figure 2B shows a side view and Figure 2C shows a top view.
The two side walls optionally include a flared end 34 at the open top end 36
of
the compartment. In this way, the open end is slightly larger than the rest of
the
compartment to facilitate putting the brush in the compartment and reduce
spraying of moisture. The front wall 22 of the compartment may be slightly
convex to form a curved front surface. Although not shown in the figures, it
is
clearly apparent that the reservoir could also be formed by a continuous
circular
or oval wall.
[0028] In use, the reservoir is filled with a disinfectant solution to a
volume
sufficient to cover the head/bristle portion of the toothbrush. While the open
end
of the reservoir may be flared wider, the perimeter of the reservoir is
generally
slightly larger than the size of the head of a toothbrush. Because of this,
the
volume of disinfectant that is required to cover the bristles is minimized.
Various
types of disinfectants can be used. For example, an antiseptic mouthwash
solution could be used or an antibiotic solution could be used.
[0029] An exemplary embodiment of a support platform is shown in Figure 3. The
platform 14 comprises a planar back sheet 40, a base 42 and at least one
receptacle 44 for receiving a toothbrush compartment. The receptacle is
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adapted to hold a toothbrush compartment. Although illustrated as an o pen
ended rectangular structure that snugly holds the compartment in place, it is
clearly apparent that the receptacle could have a closed bottom to hold the
compartment by gravity. It is also apparent that the shape of the receptacle
would be adapted according to the shape of the toothbrush compartment (i.e.
square, rectangular, circular, oval, etc...).
[0030] The backsheet may include apertures 16 for receiving a nail or screw
for
mounting, as shown, or it may be adhesively adhered to a vertical surface. The
platform is typically mounted on a wall or on the inside of a cupboard or
drawer
in a bathroom.
[0031] In another embodiment (not shown) a platform adapted for a horizontal
surface is provided. The surface-mounted platform may be affixed to the
surface
or it may be free standing. In one embodiment of a platform adapted for a
horizontal surface, the platform comprises a backsheet and a base. The
receptacles are attached to the backsheet and the base is sufficiently large
to
provide stability. In another embodiment, the platform comprises a base on
which receptacles for receiving the toothbrush compartments are mounted.
[0032] The present invention will be further illustrated in the following
examples.
EXAMPLES
Examale 1. Construction of a toothbrush holder assembly.
[0033] A toothbrush compartment is constructed of clear plastic using a mold.
The dimensions cited herein are approximate and encompass a variation of
about 20%. The side walls of the compartment are about 8-12, preferably about
10, cm long. At the bottom of the compartment, the side walls are 1 to 4,
preferably about 2.5, cm wide and at the top flared end, the side walls are
about
3-6 cm wide. The walls are about 0.1 to 0.2 cm thick and the base is about 1
to
3, preferably about 2, cm wide.
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[0034] A clear plastic platform is constructed. The backsheet is 15 to 30,
preferably about 20, cm long. It is about 6 to 9, preferably about 7.5, cm
wide.
The platform is adapted to hold three toothbrush compartments and thus there
are three receptacles for receiving the compartments. The receptacles are
about
6-7 cm long.
[0035] For use, a toothbrush compartment is inserted into a receptacle and
slides
down to rest on the base.
Example 2. Method of storina a toothbrush.
[0036] A toothbrush holder assembly as described in Example 1 is provided. At
least one toothbrush compartment is held in a receptacle. A volume of about 1
cc
to about 4cc disinfectant mouthwash is put into the receptacle. After
brushing,
the toothbrush is rinsed and then inserted into the toothbrush compartment
such
that the bristle portion is covered by the disinfectant mouthwash. Every 24
hours,
the disinfectant solution is emptied and refilled with fresh solution.
[0037] All citations are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0038] The present invention has been described with regard to one or more
embodiments. However, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a
number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the
scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
