Interdental brush device and container

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a nonprovisional application claiming the priority benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/808,579, filed on May 26, 2006, incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to an interdental brush device and container therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,885 discloses an interdental brush for removing tooth stain. It is compact, portable and sized like a pen so as to conveniently fit within one's purse or pocket. However, the device will typically get wet after use. Moisture can then leak into one's purse or pocket. Additionally, the device has small outside surface area which makes it unsuitable for printing labels, descriptive text, barcode, etc.

OBJECTS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a combination interdental brush device and container suitably sized for carrying in one's pocket or purse.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination interdental brush device and container to allow for a sealed and sanitary packaging.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a combination interdental brush device and container that provides a visual tamper indicator.

In summary, the present invention provides an interdental brush device and container combination, comprising a longitudinal container and an interdental brush device disposed within the container. The interdental brush device comprises a handle; a first interdental brush disposed at one end of the handle; an extension removably secured to the other end of the handle; a second interdental brush disposed at the other end of the handle; and a second cap removably enclosing the second brush. The extension is hollow with an open end for being removably secured to the one end as a first cap.

The container provides a sealed interior to keep the interdental brush clean and tamper proof prior to purchase. The container also keeps any moisture that could be retained in the brush after use from leaking and staining one's purse or pocket. The interdental brush can be of any type, shape or form, as long as it fits within the container. The container is advantageously sized to provide an outside surface for printing or affixing thereto labels, descriptive text, barcode, etc.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an assembly view showing the container of FIG. 1 and an interdental brush disposed within the container.

FIG. 3 is a perspective assembly view of an interdental brush sealed shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along a longitudinal axis of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A longitudinal cylindrical container 2 used in the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 1. The cylindrical container contains a cap 4 and a base 6, as best shown in FIG. 2. The cap 4 fits around a recessed portion 7 around the opening of the base 8 to provide an overlapping tight fit. A tape 11 (shown in phantom lines) may be disposed in an overlapping manner over the juncture 9 between the cap and the base to completely seal the inside of the container. The tape 11 when torn will advantageously provide a visual indicator if the container has been tampered with.

The container 2 includes within an interdental brush device 8, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,885, incorporated herein by reference. The device 8 is substantially cylindrical to conveniently fit within the container 2. The container 2 seals the interdental brush device 8 for a sanitary packaging. The interdental brush 8 includes a longitudinal handle 10, at the end of which is disposed an interdental brush 12. Each brush 12 is protected by a cap 14 removably secured to the respective end of the handle 10. Each cap includes an opening 16 to allow moisture to escape from the brush 12 after use.

The interdental brush device 8 is completely enclosed within the container 2 to protect the device 8 from contamination and prevent water or moisture that escapes through the opening 16 from staining a person's purse or pocket. The container 2 is suitably sized to fit within a person's pocket or purse. The container 2 advantageously provides sufficient surface area for imprinting labels, descriptive material, barcode, etc.

While this invention has been described as having preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modification, uses and/or adaptations following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.