| WO2004105548A1 | 2004-12-09 | |||
| WO2006063423A1 | 2006-06-22 |
| US4294269A | 1981-10-13 | |||
| US6672783B1 | 2004-01-06 | |||
| US6609848B1 | 2003-08-26 | |||
| RU100370U1 | 2010-12-20 | |||
| US6311358B1 | 2001-11-06 |
| Claims My claims: 1. Collapsible oral care system, which contains the following: toothbrush; handle; head, which can be combined with the handle and has bristles suitable for cleaning teeth at one end; interdental dental care implements which can be combined with the handle or the head, i.e. interdental dental care floss holder, i.e. interdental dental care dental broom, i.e. interdental toothpick; a tube or tank which can be combined with the handle and can hold dental care or dental cleaning liquid, wherein when the toothbrush is collapsed, the mouth of the tube or tank is located close to the bristles on the head and when the toothbrush is collapsed, the liquid from the tube or tank can be applied directly to the bristles. 2. The oral care system as per claim 1 , wherein the handle is hollow at one end in a manner that the bristles on the head are located within the cavity when the toothbrush is collapsed. 3. The oral care system as per claim 1 , wherein the tube or tank is located in the larger cavity of the handle. 4. The oral care system as per claim 3, wherein the tube or tank is prevented from falling out of the handle as the opening of the cavity in the handle holding the tube or tank is blocked in an openable or removable manner. 5. The oral care system as per claim 1 , wherein in the open state of the toothbrush the liquid from the bristles which can be combined with the head, or from the backplate of these bristles, the liquid can be applied to the mouth, the teeth, the tongue, the palate and to the gums. 6. The oral care system as per claim 5, wherein in the open state of the toothbrush, the bristles located on the head are located further from an end of the handle. 7. The oral care system as per claim 1 , wherein the head and the handle may not be separated from each other without external force whether in the open or collapsed state of the toothbrush. 8. The oral care system as per claim 1 , wherein the body geometry thereof may expand or contract by breaks or bends towards any single or multiple points in space from the longitudinal central axis of the handle, and may take on any regular or irregular geometric or figurative body geometry. 9. Collapsible oral care system, containing toothbrush; handle; head which can be combined with the handle, equipped with bristles; tube, which can be combined with the handle and which holds dental care or dental cleaning liquid, wherein the edges of the lateral surfaces of the cavity that is located within the handle and is suitable for holding the tube are at a suitable distance from each other so that a human hand can exert pressure on the tube in the gap between the edges and thus the liquid can move from the tube onto the bristles in the collapsed state of the toothbrush. 10. The oral care system as per claim 9, wherein exerting pressure on the tube may be assisted by a rolling or sliding, cylindrical or square body located within the cavity in the handle; (i) such body being able to be moved along a fixed path within the cavity in the handle; or (ii) such body being able to be moved freely within the cavity in the handle. 11. Collapsible oral care system, which consists of a toothbrush; handle; head which can be combined with the handle, equipped with bristles; liquid holding tube, which can be combined with the handle, wherein the tube is made from crushable material and in the collapsed state of the toothbrush, squeezing or dispensing the liquid onto the bristles is ensured by the squeeze plate located at the end of or combined with the tube. 12. The oral care system as per claim 1 1 , wherein the squeeze plate is a geometrically rigidified body, the two lateral walls of which can be pressed towards each another. 13. The oral care system as per claim 12, wherein the squeeze plate has ears on its side lateral walls. 14. The oral care system as per claim 1 1 , wherein the edges of the lateral surfaces of the cavity that is located within the handle and is suitable for holding the tube are at a suitable distance from each other so that the ears of the squeeze plate ensuring the squeezing of the liquid from the tube are held together by the edges, which form a rail, so that the squeeze plate can be pushed by exerting force on its ears, and this way the liquid can move from the tube onto the bristles in the collapsed state of the toothbrush. 15. The oral care system as per claim 1 1 , wherein the edges of the lateral surfaces of the cavity that is located within the handle and is suitable for holding the tube are at a suitable distance from each other so that the ears of the squeeze plate ensuring the dispensing of the liquid from the tube are held together by the edges, which form a guide groove, in which the squeeze plate can be pushed by exerting force on its ears, and this way the liquid can move from the tube onto the bristles in the collapsed state of the toothbrush. 16. The oral care system as per claim 15, wherein the width of the grooves formed in the lateral surfaces of the cavity that is located within the handle and is suitable for holding the tube controls the amount of liquid dispensed from the tank, with the squeeze plate pushed along the groove and jumping into the next notch ensuring that a controlled amount of liquid is dispensed onto the bristles. 17. The oral care system as per claim 1 1 , wherein the squeeze plate is part of the tube, is welded, soldered, glued, heated, cast as one piece or produced as a single unit using any known manufacturing technology. 18. The oral care system as per claim 1 1 , wherein the squeeze plate is an element separate from the tube. 19. The oral care system as per claim 18, wherein grooves are formed in the bottom of the tube, which engage the hooks implemented next to the ears of the squeeze plate when the squeeze plate is appended to the tube. 20. The oral care system as per claim 8, wherein the hooks formed next to the ears of the squeeze plate are engaged by the plate fixed onto the bottom of the tube when the squeeze plate is affixed to the tube. 21. Collapsible oral care system, which contains: toothbrush; handle; head which can be combined with the handle, equipped with bristles; tank, which can be combined with the handle and which holds dental care or dental cleaning liquid, wherein the wall of the tank is rigid or is braced and in the closed state of the toothbrush, dispensing of the liquid onto the bristles is ensured by the pressure inside the tank. 22. The oral care system as per claim 21 , wherein the pressure inside the tank is ensured by a mechanic, mechatronic or pneumatic structure, such structure being: (i) part of the tank, or (ii) connected to the tank. 23. The oral care system as per claim 21 , wherein the pressure inside the tank is ensured by gas- filled cartridge, such cartridge being: (i) part of the tank, or (ii) connected to the tank. 24. Collapsible oral care system, containing: toothbrush; a handle; head which can be combined with the handle, equipped with bristles; tube or tank, which can be combined with the handle and which holds dental care or dental cleaning liquid, wherein the mouth of the tube or tank is designed so that it is engaged by the opening in the wall separating the two cavities within the handle, preventing the tube or tank from moving within the handle due to inertia. 25. The oral care system as per claim 24, wherein the parts shaped to bulge out from the surface of the mouth of the tube or tank snap into the borehole formed in the wall separating the two cavities of the handle, to the extent that this connection can be released manually. 26. The oral care system as per claim 24, wherein the bulge formed on the surface of the mouth of the tube or tank slopes downward towards the rim of the mouth outflow orifice for the length of surface between the base of the mouth and the rim of the mouth outflow orifice, and slopes upward towards the rim of the orifice for the length of the surface opposite, with the mouth getting stuck in the borehole implemented in the wall separating the two cavities within the handle, to the extent that this connection can be released manually. 27. The oral care system as per claim 26, wherein the gap in the wall separating the two cavities within the handle, which accommodates the mouth, is implemented as the geometric negative of the bulge on the mouth. 28. The oral care system as per claim 24, wherein the liquid in the tube or tank is prevented from flowing out by a plate which can be folded down from the head, such plate: (i) being located on the head near the bristles; (ii) attaches to the handle with the eyes formed on the surface of the plate when folded down, blocking the mouth orifice. 29. Collapsible oral care system, which contains: toothbrush; handle; head, which can be combined with the handle and has bristles suitable for cleaning teeth at its end; tube or tank, which can be combined with the handle and which can hold dental care or dental cleaning liquid, wherein the mouth of the tube or tank in the handle is blocked by a slide, which can be moved in the guiding grooves that are parallel to the plane of the wall separating the cavities in the handle and are located next to that wall, thereby preventing: (i) the liquid in the tube or tank from escaping when not wanted; (ii) the tube or tank from moving due to inertia within the handle. 30. The oral care system as per claim 29, wherein the site of the slide-guiding groove is implemented in the handle at opposite sides of the cavity suitable for accommodating the bristles. 31. The oral care system as per claim 29, wherein the slide is a geometrically rigidified body, with ears implemented on its two lateral edge surfaces, and the slide can be slid along the groove by exerting force on its ears. 32. The oral care system as per claim 29, wherein the mouth of the tube or tank, by virtue of its shape, closely fits a lateral surface of the slide, so that the design of a lateral surface of the slide: (i) functions as a rail which closely surrounds the depression formed on the mouth of the tube or tank, along which depression the slide can move as on a guiding rail; (ii) the slide functions as a cap combined with the mouth when the slide is closed. 33. The oral care system as per claim 29, wherein the slide, when it's open, is located slid away from the mouth, at which time the liquid can get from the tube or tank onto the bristles in the closed state of the toothbrush. 34. The oral care system as per claim 29, wherein movement of the slide can be ensured by a hook, as a semi-automatic system, which can be folded down from the head, the end of which is shaped as a half-wedge, such hook, when folded down, located by the vertical plane of the bristles, and the hook engages a groove in a lateral surface of the slide and moves the slide together with the head so that: (i) when the head is collapsed, the hook pushes the open slide in front of itself, then, when the slide reaches its closed position due to the pushing, the half-wedge shaped head of the hook engages the groove in the surface plane of the slide; (ii) when the head is being opened, the head of the hook, which was engaged when the head was collapsed, pulls the slide into its open position, after which the hook can be manually folded back onto the head. 35. The oral care system as per claim 29, wherein the movement of the slide in the grooves can be caused by a slide plate which can be opened down from the head, such slide plate, when folded down, located by the vertical plane of the bristles: (i) the slide keeps its mouth-blocking, cap, mouth-opening, tank-fixing and tube-fixing functions; (ii) the slide plate, in its folded-down state, is guided by the section between the bristles and the wall separating the cavities within the handle in a manner that when the head is opened or closed, the slide plate slides into and out of, respectively, the recess made on the mouth of the tube or tank. 36. Collapsible oral care system, which consists of: toothbrush; a handle; a head which can be combined with the handle, equipped with bristles; a liquid holding tube or tank, which can be combined with the handle, wherein the head and the handle, when combined, may be open or closed or in a state in between with respect to each other, with the combination of the head and the handle being implemented in the form of a detachable, movable joint. 37. The oral care system as per claim 36, wherein the combination of the head and the handle is ensured by a spindle with one or more stems and one or more borehole housing(s) implemented as the negative geometry counterpart of such spindle, on the connecting parts of the head and the handle: (i) the spindle is implemented on the handle and the borehole housing is implemented on the head; (ii) the spindle is implemented on the head and the borehole housing is implemented on the handle. 38. The oral care system as per claim 37, wherein the borehole housing is made of a flexible material so that the spindle can be separated from the borehole housing by bending, without lasting change to the material structure of the borehole housing. 39. The oral care system as per claim 36, wherein the combination of the head and the handle is ensured by a separate spindle running through borehole housings implemented at the ends of the head and the handle; (i) the surface of the spindle may be smooth, implemented so that the spindle gets stuck in the borehole housings when connecting to the borehole housings; (ii) the spindle may be grooved or threaded, in which case the inside of the borehole housings must be designed to match the surface design of the spindle; (iii) the end of the spindle may be implemented with or without a head. 40. The oral care system as per claim 37, wherein the connection of the spindle and the borehole housing, when the head and the handle move, projected onto the geometrical longitudinal axis of the handle: (i) ensures the opening and closing of the head by movement upwards; (ii) ensures the opening and closing of the head by lateral movement. 41. The oral care system as per claim 40, wherein when the head is moved laterally with respect to the geometrical longitudinal axis of the handle, the wall of the cavity in the handle, designed to accommodate the bristles combined with the head, can be opened wholly or partially, thus ensuring that the bristles can be freely removed from the cavity. 42. The oral care system as per claim 36, wherein the combination of the head and the handle is ensured by one or more arms attached to a point on the head and on the handle each, with the arms able to rotate around these points of attachment. 43. The oral care system as per claim 36, wherein movement of the head and the handle is made possible by rails or grooves implemented parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the handle and by a pin constrained to move in such rails or grooves: (i) with the rail or groove implemented on the handle and the pin implemented on the head; (ii) with the rail or groove implemented on the head and the pin implemented on the handle; (iii) the pin gets engaged or stuck at the two ends of the rail or groove and this condition can be released by manual force. 44. The oral care system as per claim 43, wherein when the head is moved longitudinally with respect to the geometrical longitudinal axis of the handle, the wall of the cavity in the handle, designed to accommodate the bristles combined with the head, can be opened wholly or partially, thus ensuring that the bristles can be freely removed from the cavity. 45. Collapsible oral care system, which contains: toothbrush; a handle; a head which can be combined with the handle, equipped with bristles; a tank or tube, which can be combined with the handle and which holds the dental care or dental cleaning liquid, wherein the head and the handle, when combined and open or closed with respect to each other, such position can be fixed and the fixing can be released by manual force. 46. The oral care system as per claim 45, wherein on the head and the handle a pin and a channel are implemented in a manner that they can engage each other when the head and the handle are closed, where the pin and the channel snap or are stuck together and ensure that the closed position is fixed: (i) the channel is implemented in the handle and the pin in the head; (ii) the channel is implemented in the head and the pin in the handle. 47. The oral care system as per claim 46, wherein the pin and the channel may be replaced by a linking component of opposite charges or pores throughout or on the surface; i.e. an adherent surface, Velcro, magnet or any detachable joining material produced using a known manufacturing method. 48. The oral care system as per claim 46, wherein the pin and the channel may be replaced by a separate element combined with the head and the handle, the structural axis of which primarily by runs through holes in the head and the handle perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the handle, securing the head and the handle in their closed position by rotating bodies at the ends of the spindle, such bodies having a diameter or diagonal larger than the width of the borehole; (i) the angle of inclination of the spindle and the boreholes may not be higher than the point where the connecting surface of the spindle reaches the touching edges of the head or the handle; (ii) to ensure undisturbed operation of the tube or tank, the lower body of the spindle has to turn level with the framing surface plane of the handle; (iii) for the lower body to turn, the arresting feature implemented to emerge from the surface plane of the handle must fit into the negative-shape recess located in the head. 49. The oral care system as per claim 45, wherein securing of the close position is ensured by the design of the rim of the cavity in the handle for accommodating the bristles and by the design of the edges of the head at the base of the bristles, so that when the toothbrush is closed, the rim and the edge snap or get stuck together. 50. The oral care system as per claim 45, wherein securing of the closed position is ensured by a body that can be folded down from the head, where such body: (i) is located on the head near the bristles, on one side; (ii) when folded down, attaches to the external surface of the handle or to the internal surface of the cavity accommodating the bristles; (iii) if it attaches to the wall separating the cavities within the handle, then it should connect to such a point on the wall that if a slide plate is also used, it does not interfere with the movement of the slide plate. 51. The oral care system as per claim 45, wherein the securing of the open position is ensured by the joining of an arresting pawl implemented in the head or in the handle and a channel implemented as its negative geometry in the handle or in the head, which prevents the toothbrush from jackknifing when in the position designed for use. 52. Collapsible oral care system, which consists of: toothbrush; a handle; a head which can be combined with the handle, with bristles located at the end; liquid-holding tube or tank, which can be combined with the handle, wherein the bristle housing receiving and securing the filaments of the bristle combined with the head: (i) forms a single body with the head; (ii) the bristle housing receiving and securing the bristle filaments comprises a separate body, which can be combined with the head; 53. The oral care system as per claim 52, wherein the bristle filaments are implemented as: wire or thread; with smooth surface or with surface features; and are produced by any known manufacturing technology, from any known material. 54. The oral care system as per claim 53, wherein certain bristle filaments or all filaments in the bristle housing may be made: (i) from materials harder or softer than the bristle filaments used for cleaning teeth; (ii) with a design thicker or thinner than the bristle filaments used for cleaning teeth; (iii) with or without a channel. 55. The oral care system as per claim 52, wherein the surface of the bristle housing may be: (i) smooth; (ii) furrowed towards any one or more points in space, in one or more layers; (iii) bulge outwards at one or more points. 56. The oral care system as per claim 52, wherein the oral care component combined with the bristle housing may be a sponge or of a spongy structure. 57. The oral care system as per claim 52, wherein the geometry of the separate bristle housing, when joined to its negative geometry implemented in the head, hitches or gets stuck, and the body geometry: (i) one or more transversal or longitudinal grooves; (ii) nest; (iii) on or more pins; (iv) one or more spindles, which may be furrowed or threaded on the surface, in which case the inside of the negative body must be designed so that it matches the surface design of the spindle. 58. The oral care system as per claim 57, wherein the body geometry ensuring the joining of the bristle housing may be replaced by a linking component of opposite charges or pores throughout or on the surface; i.e. a adherent surface, Velcro, magnet or any detachable joining material produced using a known manufacturing method. 59. The oral care system as per claim 52, wherein depending on the distance between the point where the separate bristle housing combined with the head is joined to the head and the end point of the bristle housing on the opposite side, the element may comprise a separate unit of use. 60. Collapsible oral care system, which contains the following: toothbrush; a handle; a head, which can be combined with the handle and which has bristles also suitable for the cleaning of teeth located at its end; a tube or tank, which can be combined with the handle and which may hold dental care or dental cleaning liquid; an interdental floss holder, which can be combined with the handle or the head, wherein the floss holder consists of at least one stem; at least a joining part where the stem meets the handle or the head or the case which can be combined with the handle or the head; the part longitudinally opposite the joint to the handle, the head or the case must end in at least one additional branch, such branch and the stem design or the branches of that part hold secure, in a fixed manner, the thread or wire stretched between them. 61. The oral care system as per claim 60, wherein joining of the stem to the handle, the head or the case may be ensured by: a pin; a smooth or furrowed spindle, for which negative geometry, a borehole or channel must be implemented in the component to which it is joined. 62. The oral care system as per claim 61 , wherein the joining feature involving a pin or spindle enables the stem to be opened laterally, upwards or downwards with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the handle, from the handle, the head or the case. 63. The oral care system as per claim 60, wherein the joining and the opening of the stem may be ensured by a rail implemented in the stem or the handle or the head or the case and by a corresponding negative geometry, along which joining surface the stem may be slid; (i) at both ends of the rail of the pair of bodies and at one end of the negative geometry of the rail an arresting pawl and an arresting groove must be implemented. 64. The oral care system as per claim 60, wherein the joining and opening of the stem may be ensured by one or more arms linking the stem to the handle or the head or the case, where such joints may be: (i) detachable; (ii) non-detachable. 65. The oral care system as per claim 60, wherein the thread or wire stretched in a fixed manner across the branch and the stem feature or between the branches may be; (i) of a smooth surface or with surface features; (ii) hollow or solid; (iii) produced with any known manufacturing technology, from any known material. 66. The oral care system as per claim 60, wherein both ends of the stem end in at least one additional branch each or in more branches, with such branch and stem feature or such branches holding secure, in a fixed manner, the thread or wire stretched between them. 67. The oral care system as per claim 60, wherein the branches of the floss holder may be of the same or of varying length. 68. The oral care system as per claim 60, wherein the securing of the floss holder in the head or the handle or the case may be: (i) by snapping or getting stuck; (ii) after the joint is released, the floss holder comprises a separate unit of use which is independent from the head, the handle and the case. 69. The oral care system as per claim 60, wherein the floss holder may be: (i) part of the structure of the head; (ii) part of the structure of the handle; (iii) part of the structure of the separate case which is combined with the head or the handle. 70. The oral care system as per claim 69, wherein the case can be combined with the handle or the head in a detachable or fixed manner. 71. The oral care system as per claim 70, wherein the detachable case may be attached to the handle or the head by a linking component of opposite charges; opposite pores; opposing body geometry, i.e. a adherent surface, Velcro, magnet or any detachable joining material produced using a known manufacturing method. 72. The oral care system as per claim 60, wherein the body holding the floss holder, combined with the head or the handle or the case, may be equipped with a cover plate or may be open. 73. Collapsible oral care system, which consists of: toothbrush, handle; a head which can be combined with the handle and which has bristles also suitable for the cleaning of teeth located at its end; a liquid-holding tube or tank, which can be combined with the handle; interdental toothpick, which can be combined with the handle or the head, wherein the one or more toothpick(s): (i) is/are located in one or more recesses implemented in the head, the handle or the case; (ii) may be combined with the head or the handle or the case in an openable or detachable manner; (iii) is/are held in a case which is combined with the handle or the head or the case in a detachable or fixed manner. 74. Collapsible oral care system, the content of which: toothbrush; handle; head which can be combined with the handle and which has bristles at its end; liquid-holding tube or tank, which can be combined with the handle, wherein the elastic deflection rigidity of the head may be weakened in the segment between the bristles combined with the head and the point where the head connects to the handle: by reducing the diameter; by implementing grooves; by weakening the material; or via any known manufacturing technology. 75. Collapsible oral care system, which has: toothbrush; handle; a handle, which can be combined with the handle and which has bristles also suitable for cleaning teeth at its end; tube or tank, which can be combined with the handle and which can hold dental care or dental cleaning liquid; interdental dental broom, which can be combined with the handle or the head, wherein the dental broom: (i) consists of at least one connecting part at its point of connecting to the handle or the head or the case which can be combined with the handle or the head; (ii) combined with a stem, the stem consists of at least one connecting part at its point of connecting to the handle or the head or the case which can be combined with the handle or the head. 76. The oral care system as per claim 75, wherein the dental broom is a component consisting of a rubbing surface combined with an axis starting from an end point of connection, where the rubbing surface may be: (i) the surface design of the material of the axis; (ii) combined with the material of the axis on the whole surface or at certain points of the surface by gluing, melting, welding, boring, lacing or by using another known manufacturing technology. 77. The oral care system as per claim 75, wherein the dental broom is combined with the stem and is a part of the stem extended along its longitudinal axis, which; (i) is attached longitudinally to the stem in a fixed manner, or; (ii) jackknifing at one point of the stem; (iii) implemented from the same material as the stem. 78. The oral care system as per claim 75, wherein one or more dental broom(s) of different sizes or of different materials or with different axis surface designs, combined with the stem, is/are attached to a given point on the stem or to a lateral or bilateral axis or pin combined with the stem: (i) in a detachable manner; (ii) in a rotatable manner. 79. The oral care system as per claim 78, wherein such detachable and rotatable attachment may be ensured by: ring; pin; threaded feature; any feature implemented by a known manufacturing method; with one or more bodies or geometries. 80. The oral care system as per claim 75, wherein the attachment of the dental broom or the stem of the dental broom to the handle, the head or the case may be ensured by: a pin; a smooth or furrowed spindle, for which negative geometry, a borehole or channel must be implemented in the component to which it is joined. 81. The oral care system as per claim 80, wherein the joining feature involving a pin or spindle enables the dental broom or the stem of the dental broom to be opened laterally, upwards or downwards with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the handle, from the handle, the head or the case. 82. The oral care system as per claim 75, wherein the joining and the opening of the dental broom or the stem of the dental broom may be ensured by a rail implemented in the stem or the handle or the head or the case and by a corresponding negative geometry, along which joining surface the stem may be slid; (i) at both ends of the rail of the pair of bodies and at one end of the negative geometry of the rail an arresting pawl and an arresting groove must be implemented. 83. The oral care system as per claim 75, wherein the joining and opening of the stem of the dental broom may be ensured by one or more arms linking the stem to the handle or the head or the case, where such joints may be: (i) detachable; (ii) non-detachable. 84. The oral care system as per claim 75, wherein when the dental broom moves with respect to the longitudinal plane of the stem, the handle, the head or the case, depending on the choice of the points of connection: (i) it moves along a pre-determined arc or arcs; (ii) it moves in any direction until impact; (iii) it cannot be fixed in a changed position; (iv) it can be fixed in a changed position, in a releasable manner. 85. The oral care system as per claim 75, wherein the securing of the dental broom with or without a stem in the head or the handle or the case may be: (i) by snapping or getting stuck; (ii) after the joint is released, the dental broom with or without a stem comprises a separate unit of use which is independent from the head, the handle and the case. 86. The oral care system as per claim 75, wherein the dental broom with or without a stem may be: (i) part of the structure of the head; (ii) part of the structure of the handle; (iii) part of the structure of the separate case which is combined with the head or the handle. 87. The oral care system as per claim 75, wherein the case can be combined with the handle or the head in a detachable or fixed manner. 88. The oral care system as per claim 75, wherein the detachable case may be attached to the handle or the head by a linking component of opposite charges; opposite pores; opposing body geometry; i.e. an adherent surface, Velcro, magnet or any detachable joining material produced using a known manufacturing method. 89. The oral care system as per claim 75, wherein the body holding the dental broom with or without a stem, combined with the head or the handle or the case, may be equipped with a cover plate or may be open. |
Subject matter of the invention
The subject matter of the invention is a primarily oral care system which can bring into a single kit the various elements of oral care, i.e. the toothbrush, which has also tongue and gum cleaning functions, i.e. the toothpaste or other dental care or oral care liquid, with the tank or tube holding it, i.e. the interdental cleaning elements, the floss holder with one or more heads, the dental broom, the toothpick. The main claims of the invention do not limit the invention exclusively to the area of oral care; the invention could also be applied in the field of hand or nail cleaning, for example, or household cleaning, for example. This depends on the materials used for the elements of the invention; e.g. the use of bristles made from stronger material, and a suitable liquid, would enable the invention to be used for the cleaning of hands and nails, or as a household cleaner.
Background of the invention
The goal was to develop an implement which can integrate the various elements of oral care into a single unit, so that using the kit is simple routine for the everyday user and so that the replaceable elements, i.e. consumables of the kit can be replaced simply and routinely. Also, when the kit is collapsed, its external part or housing should offer maximum protection from soiling to the components of the kit, e.g. the bristles, the interdental cleaner, and should protect the storage environment of the kit from the condition of its elements, such as the bristle washed with water, or the toothpaste, for example. Another task was to ensure that the desired amounts of toothpaste could be applied to the brush - primarily to the surface or inside of the brush - inside the collapsed kit. Another task was to ensure that whether the kit was open or closed, the toothpaste could not leave the tank or tube unless the user wanted it so. Another task was to ensure that the individual elements of the kit were detachable and moveable with respect to one another but could still be attached to one another, so that whether the kit is open or closed, the movement of the individual components does not exceed what is necessary and adequate to use the implement.
Another task was to ensure that the interdental cleaners could appear in the invention both as an integrated element of the invention and as a separate element attachable to the implement. There have been numerous attempts at creating a compact oral care kit. The goal resolved by the invention, the solution for which is contained in the claims, is not ensured by prior art.
With simple and also therefore cost-effective solutions allowing simple and routine use, the invention can bring together into a single kit at least four elements of oral care, i.e. the toothbrush, toothpaste, interdental cleaner, toothpick, making a container for these unnecessary. The inte- grated nature of the invention makes it easier to be stored at home by the user, which is an advantage even for more spacious households with many amenities. In households lacking amenities, or where many people live in a small space, the invention is essential in fostering oral care, dental and gum protection habits, as the invention can be stored in virtually any reasonable space and the solutions inherent in it can fulfil high standards of hygiene. Additionally, users may keep the invention with them during the day, e.g. in their pocket or bag, and may use it in their work or other activity environment, may take it with them when travelling, all this by having to take only a single implement with them rather than four or five. Additionally, the main elements of the invention can also be used separately and therefore the use of the kit can be adapted to the user's usage habits. The viability of the individual elements of the invention as separate implements also helps optimise production and distribution, adapting to the needs of specific market zones.
Summary
The main components of the collapsible oral care system according to the invention, as specified in the main claims, are: head, handle, tank, interdental cleaner, which can be a dental broom, floss, or any implement suitable for cleaning the spaces between teeth. The head is similar to the bristle part of a toothbrush. It is an elongated object, with the material at its end being suitable for cleaning the teeth or the tongue; this material is usually bristles but may also be rubbery or sponge-like. The tank or tube, which can be combined with the handle, is a hollow object for holding a special cream or liquid for cleaning or caring for the teeth. The handle is an object which can be combined with the head and which is suitable for hiding the bristles on the head when not in use, in a manner so that the cream or liquid can be applied directly onto the brush from the tank which can be combined with the handle; also, the shape of the handle is conducive to the head part being gripped by hand when the kit is in use, i.e. when it is used to clean teeth. The interdental cleaner is an object or set of attached objects which can be combined with the head or the handle and is suitable for cleaning the gaps, spaces and more hidden places between the teeth. These units represent separate functional groups within the invention. The units, which can be separated effectively by grouping, are connected, which can manifest in various ways physically. This connection is what makes these inventions, units, which are also viable separately, a single system as specified in the claims. The units may also appear as separate units, which can be connected, and therefore form a modular system. Of the known solutions, this connection can be implemented in the form of any type of joint, such as form-fitting, snap joint or even by magnetic or electric linkage. The units may be inherently attached to one another, able to move relative to one another but unable to be separated; in simple words: openable. Our of the known solutions, this can be implemented as rotation around an axis to open, linear movement along a curve, or even a free-moving solution. It may also be a combination of the two above solutions, i.e. attachable and openable. To sum it up, the central function of the dental cleaning system comprising the subject of the invention consists of a toothbrush-like head, onto which the cream or liquid can be applied from the tank, while it is protected from external impacts by the handle part functioning as the toothbrush handle. By moving the toothbrush-like head, onto which cream or liquid has been supplied, in relation to the handle, we get a ready-to-use toothbrush. The other dental care implements combined with the head or the handle similarly can be used in a similar manner. The kit may be implemented as a modular system, where users put the implement together from the separate components they choose. It may also be implemented as an implement collapsible like a folding knife, or as a combination of these two solutions. For example, as a folding toothbrush with separate, appendable floss or dental broom set, or as a detachable, combinable toothbrush with toothpick. This way, users may keep with themselves at all times a ready-to-use kit suitable for complete oral care.
Of the examples shown, the most obvious one is to expand upon the folding toothbrush type. In this case, we take a general toothbrush as the basis, cut it in half at the middle and fold it in two. The two parts we get this way are the head with the bristles, and the handle. The handle should be constructed so that it creates a protected place for the bristles when folded. This protected place is called a nest or cavity. The handle houses a tank in a manner so that the mouth of the tank faces the bristles, so that it is suitable for applying the cream or liquid onto the bristles when the user exerts force on another part of the tank by hand or via a squeezing structure designed for this purpose, e.g. via a squeeze plate. A tank of preferred embodiment may also be an elastically compressible tube similar to existing toothpaste tubes. Once the head is folded out from the handle, the toothbrush is ready to be used; it is sufficiently rigid and is shaped like a traditional toothbrush; also, the cream or liquid does not flow out from it. In this arrangement, there can be an interdental cleaner, such as a floss holder, on the side of the head opposite the bristles. On this side of the head, a small floss holder can be opened or taken out from below a cover, to be folded back or snapped out and replaced after use.
Brief description of the Figures
Certain possible examples of implementation and certain features of certain preferred solutions of the invention are described by referring to the following Figures. In line with the rules inherent in this invention, the description of the possible embodiments serving as the basis of the Figures should be interpreted in conjunction with the relevant drawings, and should be considered parts interpreting rather than limiting the full written description. The Figure is the dental cleaning kit as per the invention:
Fig. 1 : as the side view from a distance of an embodiment, collapsed,
Fig. 2: in its open state, in one form of operation, as a toothbrush, Fig. 3: with the head of one of its units of use, the interdental floss holder, in one version of its open state,
Fig. 4: with the toothpick pulled out from its recess,
Fig. 5: with the attachable case holding the floss holder,
Fig. 6: view from a distance of a potential form of implementation of the cream or liquid tube,
Fig. 7: shows the position of the tube when the toothbrush is collapsed, with a slide blocking the path of the liquid,
Fig. 8: shows the application of the cream from the tube onto the brush head,
Fig. 9: depicts the compressed tube, with the squeeze plate compressed,
Fig. 10: the tube is full and is waiting to be placed in the cavity designed for this purpose in the handle, in one of the ways,
Fig. 1 1 : a possible solution for squeezing the liquid out from the tube,
Fig. 12: a possible solution for squeezing the cream out from the tube,
Fig. 13: a possible solution for replacing the tube,
Fig. 14: a possible solution for connecting the squeeze plate, which helps squeeze the cream out from the tube, to the end of the tube,
Fig. 15: a possible solution for connecting the squeeze plate, which helps squeeze the cream out from the tube, to the end of the tube,
Fig. 16: a possible solution for fixing the mouth of the tank to the handle,
Fig. 17: the folding floss holder to be attached to the kit, with a case, in its open state, with its cover open,
Fig. 18: the removable floss holder to be attached to the kit, with multiple heads, with its case,
Fig. 19: a possible way to join the handle and the head,
Fig. 20: a possible mechanism for securing the joining of the handle and the head when the kit is closed, as a snap joint,
Fig. 21 : a possible mechanical solution for opening the head,
Fig. 22: a possible mechanical solution for opening the head,
Fig. 23: a possible solution for closing the tank and attaching it to the handle, Fig. 24: the folding dental broom to be attached to the kit, with its case, with its cover open
Fig. 25: the folding dental broom integrated into the kit, with its cover closed, in one of the ways it is ready to be used,
Fig. 26: the folding dental broom integrated into the kit, with one of the ways for opening
it
Fig. 27: a possible solution for replacing the bristles.
Detailed description
The following description of the preferred embodiments only serves as an example and does not in any way aim to limit the invention or the fields of application or use of the invention.
Words such as "attached", "appended", "combined", "affixed" as well as similar expressions and synonyms refer to a connection where the components are connected directly or indirectly to one another by a suitable technical solution, and are fixed or linked to one another by movable or fixed joints or connections, unless specifically indicated otherwise in the description. The individual features and advantages of the invention are illustrated by the embodiment examples. Consequently, the invention is clearly not limited by these embodiment examples, which illustrate certain non-limiting combinations of features existing on their own or in other combinations; the invention's field of application is defined by the claims enclosed.
Figure 1 shows only an example of a preferred embodiment of the collapsible dental cleaning kit as per the invention, in its collapsed state. This way it is easy to store the kit or to put it in one's pocket. In the figure one can identify the head part 100 above, handle 200 below, with tank 300 in its cavity 205, and squeeze plate 500, slide 600 and toothpick 700. These embody the individual main functions of the invention. These bodies may be produced by any suitable procedure, including without limitation injection moulding, milling or 3D printing. They may be made of any material suitable for the function, including without limitation polymers, composites, metals. Depending on the material, these components may be made from a continuous block of material or may be assembled using suitable joining elements. The invention is clearly not limited by the material or manner of production used. Head part 100 is depicted as fixed to handle 200 in a detachable manner, at rest. The long opening in the side of handle 200 is guiding groove 210, used to linearly constrain squeeze plate buttons 510 on both sides of squeeze plate 500, which helps to compress tank 300. Similarly, the smaller opening on the side of handle 200, which is oriented vertically in Figure 1 , is slide guiding groove 220, which constrains slide guiding button 610 of slide 600 to move in a linear manner. This slide 600 is for preventing the dental care cream or liquid from escaping when the kit is collapsed, and also prevents the dislocation of tank 300. Tank 300 holds cream or liquid 320 suitable for oral care, which can be any active or inactive oral care preparation. The various embodiments of the invention may contain liquids of the following types, without limitation: toothpaste, teeth whitener, antibacterial, enamel protecting, against sensitive teeth, anti-inflammatory, against loss of binding, with fluoride, against the formation of tartar, substance affecting the senses, perfume, colouring agent. Other embodiments of this invention can nevertheless be used for storing and dispensing any other type of suitable liquid, and this invention is clearly not limited to the exclusive use of any special oral care system or oral care preparation. The head of toothpick 700 is seen inside cavity 240 implemented inside handle 200.
The same preferred example is seen, in its open state, in Figure 2, where the bristles 1 10 belonging to head 100 as well as cavity 230 hiding bristles 100 in Figure 1 are clearly visible. Bristles 1 10 correspond to the bristle part of known toothbrushes; structurally, they may be filamentous or spongy, but any structure suitable for dental care may be used, regardless of its material, as long as it is suitable for the function, including without limitation nylon and polibutyl- ene terephthalate. Bristles 110 fundamentally form a fixed element of handle 100, but bristles 1 10 may also be implemented as a replaceable bristle head 1 1 1. Figure 27 shows a possible way of implementation of replaceable bristles 110. One of the possible functions of the invention is floss holder 400. Figure 3 depicts the toothbrush in its compact state but with floss holder 400 opened from the specially designed part of head 100. In Figure 4, toothpick 700 is removed from the recess 240 implemented within handle 200 for this purpose. This function is best implemented as removable rather than fold-out. Figure 5 depicts the separate interdental implement attachable to the handle 200, in the form of floss holder 400. Like the toothbrush, floss holder 400 is collapsible and can be hidden in a case 800 designed for this purpose, which can be fixed onto handle 200 using bolts 810 or any other suitable means of joining. Figure 6 shows tank 300, used in the toothbrush depicted in Figures 1 to 4, separately. Here it is apparent that squeeze plate 500 can be affixed to tank 300 in the factory, or may be formed from the material of the latter, if the material is flexible enough that squeeze plate buttons 510 can be pressed together with two fingers by an average person. The design of mouth 310 of tank 300 preferably features a narrowing 311 on the external casing, or a similar geometrical feature, which secures tank 300 to an element of handle 200 designed for this purpose or to a separate element designed for this purpose, e.g. slide 600, protecting it from dislocation. As tank 300 is a consumable part, it can be replaced in the kit; for good hygiene, it is best distributed with a plaster 312 on its mouth 310. For the sake of clarity, handle 200 is not depicted in Figures 7 to 9, but it is a necessary element of the invention. Thus in Figure 7 the position of tank 300, squeeze plate 500 and slide 600 in handle 200 can be seen. Slide 600 is pulled onto mouth 310 in order to prevent dental care cream or liquid 320 from escaping. This slide 600 can be slid by way of slide guide buttons 610, constrained to follow a linear path by slide guiding grooves 220 implemented in handle 200, thereby allowing the cream or liquid 320 to be released. In the solution depicted in Figure 23, slide 600 is attached to head 100 in a manner that when the kit is in use, it can be folded into recess 130 designed for this purpose so that it does not interfere with brushing teeth. By pushing squeeze plate buttons 510 of squeeze plate 500 with two fingers towards the bristles, tank 300 may be compressed, while handle 200 does not let it move. This way the content of tank 300 can be applied onto brush 1 10 efficiently, as shown in Figure 8. Figure 9 depicts the empty tank 300, with compressed squeeze plate buttons 510, so the unit can be easily removed from handle 200. It may only be removed if slide 600 is moved, so that it does not block the narrowed part 31 1 of tank 300. Once tank 300 is removed, a new, full tank 300 may be inserted into handle 200. This also requires that slide 600 is moved, and squeeze plate buttons 510 need to be pressed towards each other so that the tank can be inserted into handle 200, as seen in Figure 10. Once it is inserted, squeeze plate buttons 510 snap into guiding groove 210 due to their flexible material, thereby returning to their state at rest as shown in Figure 7. Figure 11 shows another possible implementation of handle 200 and tank 300. In this case, squeeze plate 500 is replaced by a cylindrical body, and guiding groove 210 is shaped differently. Figure 13 depicts the same solution, disassembled, where narrowing 31 1 on mouth 310 of tank 300 is clearly visible, just like the geometrical feature in handle 200 designed to accommodate it, which prevents tank 300 from dislocation when closed. Tank 300 is prevented from falling out of handle 200 by cover 250, which snaps into groove 251 designed for this purpose or can be secured in another manner. The possible embodiment shown in Figure 12 does not require a separate squeeze unit because users may use the specially designed window 211 to squeeze the cream or liquid 320 from the tube in the traditional manner, with their fingers. Figures 14 to 15 each show a possible solution for attaching squeeze plate 500, which is separate from tank 300. In both drawings, pressing squeeze plate buttons 510 of squeeze plate 500 towards each another will open hooks 520, which fit into the specially designed recess 330 of tank 300. A possible manner of fixing tank 300 to handle 200 is seen in Figure 16, where recess
230 is seen in the section of handle 200, with borehole 231 on the wall facing tank 300, which is suitable for accommodating mouth 310 so that knobs 313 snap into it. Opening 310 and knobs 3 3 should be designed so that an average user can easily snap them into and out of borehole
231 by hand. There are numerous ways for joining head 100 to handle 200. One of the simplest ones is where spindle 101 on head 100, fitting into retaining pieces 201 at the appropriate place on handle 200, allows the two parts move by pivoting. Handle 200 should be made from sufficiently elastic material so that the retaining pieces 201 can be easily opened by an average user but they keep the head 100 secure when at rest. The function of spindle 101 may be fulfilled by a screw, pin or any other technical solution which allows brush 110 to be put in recess 230 when the kit is closed and which is sufficiently rigid to be used as a toothbrush when the kit is open. The rigidity required for use both when the kit is used and when it is collapsed can be ensured in numerous ways, too. An example is depicted in Figure 20, where head 100 and handle 200 are joined by spindle 101 and depression 201 as a snap joint. This connection may be placed in various positions on head 100 and handle 200, and may be replaced by any technical solution, e.g. a locking slide or a magnetic joint. Figures 21 to 22 depict good solutions for connecting head 100 and handle 200. Figure 21 shows how the two components are linked by two spacer bars 120, allowing them to move, in this case, in a parallelogram pattern. Similarly, the solution in Figure 22 moves in a parallel, but linear manner, with the movement made linear by rail 203 designed for this purpose. In Figure 22, the gate component 204 at the left end of handle 200 blocks the recess part 230. If gate 204 is folded down or to the side, or opened in any manner, head 100 can move relative to handle 200. In line with the claims, a preferred embodiment of the interdental cleaning implement might be that it is a separate but attachable component of the dental hygiene kit, as shown in Figure 5. A possible embodiment of this is shown in Figure 17. Here, floss holder 400 may be hidden in a specially designed recess 801 under cover 802, inside case 800, which might be a component attachable to head 00 or handle 200. Out of the numerous possible embodiments it is worth pointing out the solution depicted in Figure 18, with case 800 holding several floss holders 400 in various sizes. In this case, floss holder 400 contains two floss strings 401 , usefully but not necessarily of different thickness, at the two ends of the body, for cleaning spaces of various sizes between the teeth. If requested, several floss holder branches 412 may be designed to hold taut several floss strings 401. The function of dental broom 451 is similar to that of floss holder 400, and may appear in a similar manner in the dental cleaning kit as per the claims. It may be implemented as a separate unit, which can be combined with the dental cleaning kit. A possible embodiment is depicted in Figure 24. As in Figure 17, the interdental cleaning unit can be folded out from a case 800 here as well; in this case, the diameter of the spindle of dental broom 451 may vary, to clean the different spaces between the teeth. These dental brooms 451 may even be replaceable, including without limitation by having eyelets 453 at their end by which to be fixed to spindle 450 of dental broom stem 452. Dental broom stem 452 may also be removable or replaceable with respect to case 800. Figures 25 and 26 each depict an example for attaching integrated dental broom 451. The solution shown in Figure 26 is similar to that in Figure 25, but is shaped slightly differently. In this case, dental broom stem 452 can be opened to the side with respect to head 100. Following this line of thought, numerous technical solutions could be listed which all perform or fulfil the same function. Although the description provided above show individual possible embodiments of this invention, it is obvious that numerous additions, changes and replacements may be made without deviating from the spirit and application of this invention as specified in the claims. To professionals, it is also obvious especially that the embodiments of this invention may have a different shape, structure or arrangement, may have different proportions and dimensions, and may have different elements, materials and components, without deviating from the spirit or essential features of the invention. The expert will appreciate that the invention can also be used after changes affecting various structural properties, arrangement, ratios, dimensions, materials, components or other properties which arise during the practical use of the invention and which can meet specific environment-related or usage needs without deviating from the fundamental principles of this invention. The embodiments presented herein should therefore be considered to be of illustrative and non-limiting nature in all respects, as the field of application of the invention is determined by the claims and are not restricted by the above description or by the embodiments.