BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to an improved combination toothbrush and dental floss dispenser and, more particularly, to a toothbrush having a dental floss dispenser in the handle thereof.

The present invention is directed to various improvements in such a combination by providing a handle diameter and length designed to provide maximum orthopedic gripping action by the user, ease of removal and replacement of the brush attachment to provide brush styles as desired by the user, ease of storage, dispensing and replacing of dental floss, and an end cap for maintaining the cleanliness of the floss and floss cutter. The present invention, more particularly, involves an improvement to the inventions described and claimed in Applicant's copending U. S. application Serial No. 189,083, filed May 2, 1988. The earlier disclosure describes the basic structure of the combined toothbrush and dental floss holder. In considering this structure, it would be advantageous to provide a combined toothbrush

and dental floss holder having improved waterproof properties and improved attachment/detachment capabilities for the end cap. Also, it would be advantageous to provide a combined toothbrush and dental floss holder which facilitates grasping, withdrawing and cutting the dental floss.

SUMMARY

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a combination toothbrush and dental floss holder which has improved waterproof properties.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined toothbrush and dental floss holder which retains the platform in a secure manner during removal of the end cap.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a longitudinally extending cutting tower from the second side of the platform for elevating the dental floss above the dental floss opening and for facilitating grasping and withdrawing the dental floss. The cutting tower also supports the cutter means. Preferably, the cutting tower includes a first and second opening. The cutter means includes a metal base having first and second ends for engaging the first and second openings of the cutting tower and holding the cutter on the cutting tower.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a dental floss guide on the cutting tower for centering dental floss on top of the cutting tower and aligning the dental floss for cutting.

Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a combination toothbrush and dental floss holder comprising a body having first, second and third parts and a platform. The

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first part is a toothbrush attachment. The second part has first and second ends and includes a cavity for receiving a spool of dental floss. The first end of the second part releasably connects to the toothbrush attachment. The third part is a cap which releasably connects to the second end of the second part. The platform has first and second sides and releasably attaches to the second end of the second part. The platform includes a dental floss opening for the passage of dental floss from the first side to the second side of the platform. The second side of the platform includes a longitudinally extending cutting tower for spacing the dental floss above dental floss opening and supporting the cutter means.

In the invention, the cap, when it is releasably attached to the second part, preferably covers the platform to protect the dental floss and the cutting means. According to the instant design, the brush is made more waterproof due to the way in which the end cap attaches to the brush. The attachment design also insures that the platform remains securely attached as the cap is unscrewed. Advantageously, the cutting tower includes a dental floss guide for centering the dental floss on top of the cutting tower and aligning the dental floss for cutting. Preferably, the cutting tower also provides for ease in grasping the floss.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The features of this invention which are believed

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to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with its objects and the advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the combination toothbrush and dental floss holder of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIGURE 1 with the insides removed for clarity;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view, partly in cross-section, of the device of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of one embodiment of the platform of the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is another elevational view of the platform of Figure 4 showing the cutting means;

FIGURE 7 is yet another elevational view of the platform of Figure 4 with dental floss cutter removed;

FIGURE 8 is an exploded view showing the attachment of the cutter means on the cutting tower of the platform of Figure 4;

FIGURE 9 is an elevational view of the cutter means of Figure 8;

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FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of the support;

FIGURE 11 is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the platform of the present invention;

FIGURE 12 is a longitudinal cross-section view of Figure 11;

FIGURE 13 is another elevational view of the platform of Figure 11 showing the cutting means;

FIGURE 14 is yet another elevational view of the platform of Figure 11 with the dental floss cutter removed;

FIGURE 15 is an exploded view showing the attachment of the cutter means on the cutting tower of the platform of Figure 11;

FIGURE 16 is a top plan view of the platform of Figure 11.

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the cap end of the present invention;

FIGURE 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cap end of the present invention;

FIGURE 19 is an assembly view, partially in cross-section, of the device of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 20 is a cross-sectional view of the cap end of the present invention with the insides removed for clarity;

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FIGURE 21 is an enlarged elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the cap end of the present invention showing the alternative tower of Figure 11; and

FIGURE 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cap end of the present invention showing the alternative tower of Figure 11.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring_.now to the drawings and particularly to FIGURES 1-3, the present invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and generally includes a body having a first part 12, a second part 14, and a third part 16. The first part 12 is a toothbrush attachment having a brush 18 which may be of any desired material and style. The second part 14 is generally cylindrically shaped and includes a cavity 20 for receiving a spool of dental floss 22. Preferably, the spool of dental floss 22 unwinds from the inside to the outside. The second part 14 has first and second ends in which the first end is releasably connected, such as by threads 26, to the brush attachment 12. Various types of brush attachments 12 may be attached as desired by the user. The part 14 is of a diameter and length to provide an orthopedic gripping action giving the user maximum control and maneuverability. The third part 16 is a cap and is releasably connected, such as by threads 28, to the second end of the second part 14.

Referring now to FIGURES 2-7, a platform 30 having first and second sides is releasably connected, such as by threads 32, to the second end of the cylindrical part 14. The platform 30 includes a dental floss opening 42 for the passage of dental floss 22 from the first side to the second side of the platform 30. A cutting tower 44 is provided extending longitudinally from

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the second side of the platform 30 for spacing dental floss 22 away from the dental floss opening 42 to facilitate grasping and withdrawing the dental floss and for supporting a cutter means 46 for cutting the dental floss 22. Referring to FIGURES 2 and 6 particularly, the cutting tower 44 includes a dental floss guide 48 for centering dental floss 22 on top of the cutting tower 44 and aligning the dental floss for cutting. Preferably, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, the cutting tower 44 includes first and second openings 50 and 52. Referring to FIGURE 9, the cutter means 46 includes a metal base 54 having first and second ends 56 and 58 for engaging the openings 50 and 52, respectively, of the cutting tower 44 for holding the cutter 46 on the cutting tower 44. Preferably, the cutting means 46 includes dual cutters 60.

An alternate cutting tower is shown in Figures 11-16. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the cutting tower 44a extends longitudinally from the platform 30. The tower 44a, at its distal end, extends axially to form a guide surface 70 for receiving the dental floss. The surface 70 has an aligning guide 72 extending along the surface 70 for receiving the floss and guiding same along the surface. The aligning guide 72 is shown in Figures 13-14 and 16, for example. The remaining structure is the same as that shown in Figures 4-10 and is given the same reference numbers.

In use, the combination toothbrush and dental floss holder 10 of the present invention provides for the easy removal and replacement of the brush attachment 12 by the threaded connection 26 to provide assorted brushes as desired. The parts 14 and 16 provide a handle with an enlarged diameter to provide maximum gripping action, control and comfort for the user. Whenever desired, the dental floss 22 may be pulled out to the desired length and cut off by the cutter 46 after removing the end cap

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16. The cutting towers 44 and 44a facilitate grasping and withdrawing the dental floss by spacing the dental floss above the dental floss opening 42 in the platform. The dental floss guide 48 helps center the dental floss on top of the cutting tower 44 and align the dental floss for cutting.

When it is desired to insert the roll of dental floss 22, the cap 16 and support platform 30 are removed and the roll of dental floss is inserted in the cavity 20 in part 14. The end of the dental floss 22 is fed then through the opening 42 and the device is reassembled. It is to be noted that the cap 16 slides past the platform 30 and in its closed position, as best see in FIGURES 17-22, connects directly with the second end of the cylindrical part 14, and protects the dental floss 22 and cutter means 46 from water and contamination when they are not being used. Parts 14 and 16 and the platform 30 can be made from a variety of materials, including light weight non-corrosive metals or transparent thermal plastics. In the preferred embodiment, they are made from termal injectable plastics.

The toothbrush of the instant invention can be made to a variety of dimensions. By way of example, the diameter of the handle at its widest point ranges between about 22.5 mm and 23.5 mm, perferably from about 22.5 mm to 23 mm. The length of the handle, or second part, is between about 90 mm and 92 mm, preferably between about 90 mm and 91 mm. The length of the cap is between about 34.7 mm and 35.1 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the toothbrush has an overall length of 190.1 mm.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as other inherent therein. The novel features characteristic of this invention are set forth in the appended claims. While a presently

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preferred embodiment of the invention has been given for the purpose of disclosure, various changes, modifications and alternative constructions to the preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternatives constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is