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Patent application title:

Retractably Clean Toothbrush, with retractable, disposable bristles and audio/visual reminder system

Publication number:

US20100037408A1

Publication date:
Application number:

12/193,030

Filed date:

2008-08-17

Abstract:

This new toothbrush will have a detachable head of bristles and a storage area for new bristles, so that with just the push of a button, the old, dirty bristles drop off, and a new head of bristles slide out. It will also have a built in reminder that flashes red when it's time to replace it. An LED light (and/or a speaker with a voice recorded on a small computer chip for the more upscale consumer), along with a simple timer device, will remind people that it is time to replace the old bristles with a new set. The new bristle heads will be kept in a storage area in the handle, and additional heads can be in a separate container, much like the blades of a disposable razor. When the handle and container are empty, a refill of new bristles can be purchased at a price for everyday consumers as well as our more elite buyers. In order to shield the bristles that are in use against contamination from other sources when the toothbrush is not in use, the bristle head can be retracted back into the handle's storage area.

Inventors:

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Classification:

  1. Human necessities
  2. Brushware

A46B7/04 »  CPC main

Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body interchangeably removable bristle carriers

A46B7/023 »  CPC further

Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body in an expanding or articulating manner where the bristle carrier retracts or collapses, i.e. for storage

A46B15/00 »  CPC further

Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements

A46B15/0002 »  CPC further

Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process

A46B15/001 »  CPC further

Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements; Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with a controlling means with means indicating the remaining useful life of brush

A46B15/0061 »  CPC further

Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements; 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

A46B2200/1066 »  CPC further

Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications; For human or animal care Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures

A46B9/04 IPC

Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body; Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups for toothbrushes Arranged like in or

A46D3/04 IPC

Preparing, i.e. Manufacturing brush bodies Machines for inserting or fixing bristles in bodies

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the area of dental hygiene. The invention relates particularly to an improved design of toothbrush with retractable, disposable bristles and a method of notifying the user that it is time to replace the bristles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention idea for a toothbrush that has new bristles come out when you slide the old ones out and push the bottom button to make a new one release came to me during the flu season, but even more so when our daughter was washing out her toothbrush and dropped it in dirty water. She said she was bathing it to get the germs out so she could use it in the morning, but the water was too dirty, so the toothbrush had to be thrown away. This can become expensive when someone has a cold, the flu or some other illness that contaminates their toothbrush every time they use it.

And, for those people who may have had one too many the night before and may want to get a fresh toothbrush after they have brushed out all those germs the next day—instead of going out and buying another toothbrush, they can push the button on the bottom of the toothbrush; the old bristle head drops off in the trash, and a new set of bristles are available.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

So, this new toothbrush will have a detachable head of bristles and a storage area for new bristles, so that with just the push of a button, the old, dirty bristles drop off, and a new head of bristles slide out.

It will also have a built in reminder that flashes red when it's time to replace it. An LED light (and/or a speaker with a voice recorded on a small computer chip), along with a simple timer device, will remind people that it is time to replace the old bristles with a new set.

The new bristle heads will be kept in a storage area in the handle, and additional heads can be in a separate container, much like the blades of a disposable razor. When the handle and container are empty, a refill of new bristles can be purchased, and the handle refilled.

In order to shield the bristles that are in use against contamination from other sources when the toothbrush is not in use, the bristle head can be retracted back into the handle's storage area.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is the overall view of the Retractably Clean Toothbrush.

FIG. 2 is the location of the release button which releases a new set of bristles and ejects the old bristles.

FIG. 3 is the location on the toothbrush from which the new bristles would be dispensed.

An un-numbered Figure below FIGS. 1-3 shows an alternate version with a clock/radio in a chrome handle.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of replacing the bristles on a toothbrush quickly without needing to replace the entire toothbrush.

2. A method of protecting the bristles of a toothbrush against contamination when the toothbrush is not in use.

3. A method of reminding the owner of a toothbrush that the bristles on the toothbrush are old and need to be replaced by a visual signal.

4. A method of reminding the owner of a toothbrush that the bristles on the toothbrush are old and need to be replaced by an audio signal.

Resources

Images & Drawings included:

Fig. 01 - Retractably Clean Toothbrush, with retractable, disposable bristles and audio/visual reminder system
Fig. 01
Fig. 02 - Retractably Clean Toothbrush, with retractable, disposable bristles and audio/visual reminder system
Fig. 02

Sources:

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