BACKGROUND ART Toothbrush holders have been in existence almost as long as toothbrushes. Their function is simply to provide a place for a toothbrush between uses. There are several prevalent ways in which people store their toothbrushes between uses. One of the most common toothbrush holders is a simple loop. Typically, the loop is a circle of ceramic or other hard material that the toothbrush is placed through. The internal diameter of the loop is such that it is large enough to permit a toothbrush handle to enter, but small enough to prevent the toothbrush head from falling through. , Thus, the toothbrush is suspended from such a loop. The loop may be attached to a wall, or it may be incorporated into a freestanding device, such as a cup. Such devices permit a toothbrush to start to dry between uses, but the evaporation process may take a few hours or more. The exposed nature of the toothbrush in a loop, in conjunction with the lengthy drying time, allows a wide variety of common viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens to come into contact with the toothbrush and survive. This creates a germ problem. The germ problem has been addressed in several ways.

The most common manner to deal with the toothbrush germs is to make a toothbrush holder from an ordinary tumbler or glass.

The glass or tumbler is filled with a sanitizing solution, and a toothbrush is placed in the glass to tumbler to soak. Typical sanitizing solutions work well, but their liquid nature requires that the toothbrush holder be emptied while traveling. There are several other problems with this arrangement.

The tops of the tumblers or glasses are open. The toothbrush is easy to insert and remove, but dirt and germs can enter the sanitizing solution without impediment. Although many of the germs will be killed, the sanitizing solution may be overwhelmed eventually and the germs could have a fertile breeding ground. In addition, any sediment or other insoluble solids will accumulate at the bottom of the tumbler or glass. A toothbrush in such a tumbler or glass rests in direct contact with the insoluble debris at the bottom. Thus, what is needed is a toothbrush holder that holds a toothbrush in a liquid sanitizing solution and away from the insoluble debris, and performs these tasks without leaking.

U. S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0121449, published on September 5,2002, discloses a toothbrush holder.

However, the device does not require a lid that is attached to a toothbrush. Further, the device does require receptacles for a plurality of toothbrushes and a lid that completely encloses the plurality of toothbrushes.

U. S. Patent No. 4,880, 020, issued to Jeffrey S. Schurgin on November 14,1989, discloses a traveling toothbrush holder.

However, the device does not require a lid that is attached to a toothbrush. Further, the device is not liquid-tight and is intended for travel.

U. S. Patent No. 4,915, 219, issued to Anthony Ottimo on April 10,1990, discloses a disinfecting toothbrush container.

However, the device does not require a lid that is attached to a toothbrush. In addition, the device requires a plurality of chambers to hold a plurality of toothbrushes.

U. S. Patent No. 5,107, 987, issued to Frank J. Palazzolo on April 28,1992, discloses a toothbrush holder. However, the device does not require a lid that is attached to a toothbrush.

Further, the device requires a lid that seals the toothbrush within the device.

U. S. Patent No. 5,922, 292, issued to Frithjof Hecker on July 13,1999, discloses a care station for toothbrushes.

However, the device does not require a lid that is attached to a toothbrush. In addition, the device requires that an aerosol disinfectant is stored for use within the device.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a toothbrush holder. The toothbrush holder includes a container having a hollow interior.

The container has a neck extending from and defining an opening for the container. The neck is generally cylindrical and has inside and outside surfaces defining inside and outside diameters.

A lid is removably engaged to the neck of the container. The lid has an aperture defined therein. The lid is made of a soft and pliable material whereby the material of the lid will conform to the handle of a toothbrush inserted through the aperture.

Another embodiment of the invention is a toothbrush holder including a container having a hollow interior. The container has a neck extending from the container and defining an opening for the container. The neck is generally cylindrical and has inside and outside surfaces defining inside and outside diameters. The holder includes a toothbrush having a handle. A lid is disposed on the handle of the toothbrush. The lid is removably engaged to the neck of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sanitizing toothbrush holder according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a sanitizing toothbrush holder, with toothbrush removed, according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sanitizing toothbrush holder according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a sanitizing toothbrush holder according to the present invention with the lid broken away.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a sanitizing toothbrush holder according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a sanitizing toothbrush holder according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The device is a toothbrush holder, more specifically a sanitizing toothbrush holder that includes a container for holding a sanitizing solution, and a lid for holding a toothbrush. The container and the lid form a sealed vessel to hold the toothbrush in the sanitizing solution.

The container is a one suitable for holding a sanitizing solution and has an opening large enough to permit the head of a toothbrush through. The opening is sealed with a lid to make the container liquid-tight. The lid has a hole in its middle to permit a toothbrush handle to pass through. The lid fits snugly around the toothbrush handle to prevent the sanitizing solution from leaking. In use, the lid remains in place on the toothbrush handle. The lid does not interfere with the use and operation of the toothbrush.

The sealed and leak-proof container permits the user to keep a clean toothbrush at home or to take and maintain a clean toothbrush while traveling. This device reduces the risk of contamination and infection from exposure to germs, and eliminates the mess created by leaking sanitizing solution.

Fig. 1 shows a toothbrush stored in a sanitizing toothbrush holder. A container 10 is made from a nonporous material suitable for holding a sanitizing solution B. A sanitizing solution B is placed inside the container 10. In the preferred embodiment, the sanitizing solution is an antiseptic solution that is safe for oral use. A lid 12 fits into the opening inside the top of the container 10. The lid 12 has an aperture 14 in it so that a toothbrush handle A can fit through the lid 12. A toothbrush handle A is pressed through the aperture 14 in the center of the lid 12.

The lid 12 is preferably made from a flexible and resilient material, such as rubber or polyurethane, so that when the toothbrush handle A is inserted through the aperture 14 the material surrounding the aperture 14 conforms to the toothbrush handle A to hold the toothbrush handle in place and form a seal.

The lid 12 is placed into the top of the container 10 so that the toothbrush head C is immersed in the sanitizing solution B.

The toothbrush head C is immersed in the sanitizing solution B, but the toothbrush head C does not rest on the bottom of the container 10. Thus, germs on the toothbrush head C are killed by the sanitizing solution B, and the toothbrush head C does not contact any debris or sediment in the bottom of the container 10.

In the preferred embodiment, the lid 12 is made of a flexible and resilient material, such as rubber or polyurethane, so that when the lid 12 is placed into the top of the container 10, the sanitizing solution B does not leak from the container 10 or from the aperture 14. In the preferred embodiment, the container 10 is made of a transparent material that is impervious to the effects of the sanitizing solution B, such as glass or plastic. The external surface of the container 10 may be formed into an aesthetically pleasing pattern. The lid 12 may be manufactured as an integral part of the toothbrush handle A to eliminate any possibility of a leak. Alternatively, the lid 12 may be made to fit a wide variety of toothbrush handles,

or molded to fit select models of toothbrushes, including manual or powered toothbrushes.

Fig. 2 shows a tapered, friction-fit lid 12 used in a container 10 with a tapered neck 16. The lid 12 resembles a conventional stopper, with smooth and tapered sides. The lid 12 is made from a material that is soft enough to deform slightly and conform to the tapered neck 16 for proper sealing. The lid 12 is made from a rubber or plastic material with a coefficient of friction high enough to adhere inside the tapered neck 16.

Fig. 3 shows an externally threaded lid 20 for use in a container 10 having an internally threaded neck 18. The externally threaded lid 20 is similar to the lid 12 described in Figs. 1 and 2, but further comprises a generally cylindrical threaded portion 21 having threads formed on an exterior surface. The externally threaded lid 20 has a liquid-tight aperture 120 for engaging a toothbrush handle A. The threaded portion 21 of the externally threaded lid 20 is screwed into the internally threaded neck 18 of the container 10. The toothbrush is stored by fully screwing the externally threaded lid 20 into the internally threaded neck 18 of the container 10. In the stored position, the sanitizing toothbrush holder will not leak, and the toothbrush head C is suspended within the container 10 and fully immersed within the sanitizing solution B. The externally threaded lid 20 may have a small flange and it may match the contours and shape of the container 10.

Fig. 4 shows an internally threaded lid 24 for use in a container 10 having an externally threaded neck 22. The internally threaded lid 24 is similar to the lid 12 described in Figs. 1 and 2, but further comprises a generally cylindrical threaded portion 25 having threads formed on an interior surface. The internally threaded lid 24 has a liquid-tight aperture 124 for engaging a toothbrush handle A. The threaded portion 25 of the internally threaded lid 24 is screwed onto the externally threaded neck 22 of the container 10. The toothbrush is stored by fully screwing the internally threaded lid 24 onto

the externally threaded neck 22 of the container 10. In the stored position, the sanitizing toothbrush holder will not leak, and the toothbrush head C is suspended within the container 10 and fully immersed within the sanitizing solution B.

Fig. 5 shows an externally keyed lid 28 for use in a container 10 with an. internally keyed neck 26. The internally keyed neck has at least one, and preferably two, keyways 126 defined in an inner surface of the internally keyed neck 26.

The externally keyed lid 28 is similar to the lid 12 described in Figs. 1 and 2, but further comprises a generally cylindrical keyed portion 29 having an exterior surface, with at least one and preferably two keys 129 disposed on the exterior surface.

The externally keyed lid 28 has a liquid-tight aperture 128 for engaging a toothbrush handle A. The externally keyed lid 28 is secured into the internally keyed neck 26 of the container 10 by aligning the external keys 129 of the lid 28 with the internal keyways 126 inside the neck 26 of the container 10, and pushing the keys 129 into the keyways 126. Once the externally keyed lid 28 is fully seated in the internally keyed neck 26, the lid 28 is twisted to engage the external keys 129 of the lid 28 within the keyways 126 of the neck 26. In the stored position, the sanitizing toothbrush holder will not leak, and the toothbrush head C is suspended within the container 10 and fully immersed within the sanitizing solution B. The externally keyed lid 28 may have a flange to aid in sealing the container 10.

The flange may be shaped to match the shape and contours of the container 10. 10.

Fig. 6 shows an internally keyed lid 32 for use in a container 10 with an externally keyed neck 30. The externally keyed neck 30 has at least one, and preferably two, keys 130 defined on an outer surface of the externally keyed neck 30.

The internally keyed lid 32 is similar to the lid 12 described in Figs. 1 and 2, but further comprises a generally cylindrical keyed portion 33 having an interior surface, with at least one and preferably two keyways 133 defined in the interior surface.

The internally keyed lid 32 has a liquid-tight aperture 132 for engaging a toothbrush handle A. The internally keyed lid 32 is secured onto the externally keyed neck 30 of the container 10 by aligning the internal keyways 133 of the lid 32 with the external keys 130 on the neck 30 of the container 10, and pushing the keys 130 into the keyways 133. Once the internally keyed lid 32 is fully seated in the externally keyed neck 30, the lid 32 is twisted to engage the internal keyways 133 of the lid 32 within the external keys 130 of the neck 30. In the stored position, the sanitizing toothbrush holder will not leak, and the toothbrush head C is suspended within the container 10 and fully immersed within the sanitizing solution B.

The preferred embodiments of the invention provide a liquid-tight container for a toothbrush. The container is aesthetically pleasing. The toothbrush handle passes through the sealing mechanism without compromising the liquid-tight characteristics. A lid is required to seal the sanitizing toothbrush holder. The sanitizing toothbrush holder may be adapted to use with every type of toothbrush known.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.