EARLIEST PRIORITY DATE:

This Application claims priority from a patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 202141027119, filed on June 17, 2021 and titled “STRUCTURE FOR A TOOTHBRUSH”

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of a present disclosure relate to devices used for oral hygiene, and more particularly to a structure for a toothbrush.

BACKGROUND

A toothbrush is an oral hygiene instrument used to clean teeth, gums, and tongue. The toothbrush includes a head of tightly clustered bristles, atop of which toothpaste can be applied, mounted on a handle that facilitates the cleaning of hard-to-reach areas of a mouth of a user. Toothbrushes are available with different bristle textures, sizes, forms, and the like. Also, there is a plurality of types of toothbrushes with a plurality of different features benefitting the user in multiple ways.

However, some of the plurality of types of toothbrushes are cumbersome to use as the structure possess multiple storage spaces to store additional parts such as dental floss, toothpick, interdental brush head, or the like. Also, some of the plurality of types of toothbrushes are hard to operate because their connecting devices required a lot of strength or coordination to operate. There have been a plurality of connection or attachment devices to connect the top and bottom portions together in case of the toothbrush having disposable, replaceable or interchangeable top portion attached to the bottom portion of the toothbrush, thereby making such toothbrushes hard to operate for the user.

Hence, there is a need for an improved structure for a toothbrush which addresses the aforementioned issues. BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, a structure for a toothbrush is provided. The structure includes one or more brush heads. The one or more brush heads include a first predefined locking interface positioned on a first surface of the corresponding one or more brush heads. The first predefined locking interface also includes one or more first protrusions arranged at a first predefined spacing. The structure also includes a brush body. The brush body includes a second predefined locking interface positioned at a first end of the brush body. The second predefined locking interface includes one or more second protrusions arranged at a second predefined spacing. The second predefined locking interface is adapted to mechanically couple with the first predefined locking interface upon locking the one or more second protrusions with the one or more first protrusions using a locking mechanism.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a front view of a structure for a toothbrush with an ortho brush head as an illustration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the structure of FIG. 1 with a shrink-expand body part in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 (a) is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a conventional brush head of the structure of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 (b) is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a top view of a conventional brush head of the structure of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 (c) is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a front view of an ortho brush head of the structure of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 (d) is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a top view of an ortho brush head of the structure of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 (e) is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a side view of an interdental brush head of the structure of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 (f) is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a tongue cleaner brush head of the structure of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the structure of FIG. 1 with the shrink-expand body part of the structure in a shrunk state in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a front view of the structure of FIG. 2 in a de-coupled state in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a side view of the structure of FIG. 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a structure for a toothbrush. As used herein, the term “toothbrush” is defined as an oral hygiene instrument used to clean teeth, gums, and tongue. The toothbrush includes a head of tightly clustered bristles, atop of which toothpaste can be applied, mounted on a handle that facilitates the cleaning of hard-to-reach areas of a mouth of a user. In an embodiment, toothbrushes are available with different bristle textures, sizes, forms, and the like. Also, in an embodiment, there is a plurality of types of toothbrushes with a plurality of different features benefitting the user in multiple ways. Further, the structure described hereafter in FIG. 1 is the structure for the toothbrush disclosed in the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a front view of a structure (10) for a toothbrush with an ortho brush head as an illustration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the structure (10) may be composed of a predefined material. In one exemplary embodiment, the predefined material may include plastic, wood, rubber, bamboo, or the like. Also, in an embodiment, the structure (10) may include one or more first predefined dimensions. In one exemplary embodiment, the one or more first predefined dimensions may correspond to at least one of a length, a width, a diameter, a thickness, a volume, and the like. Thus, in one embodiment, the length of the structure (10) for the toothbrush may be in a range of about 180 millimetres (mm) to about 190 mm.

The structure (10) includes one or more brush heads (20). In one embodiment, the one or more brush heads (20) may include at least one of a conventional brush head (as shown in FIG. 3 (a) and FIG. 3 (b)), an ortho brush head (as shown in FIG. 3 (c) and FIG. 3 (d)), an interdental brush head (as shown in FIG. 3 (e)), a tongue cleaner brush head (as shown in FIG. 3 (f)), and the like. The one or more brush heads (20) include a first predefined locking interface (as shown in FIG. 5) positioned on a first surface of the corresponding one or more brush heads (20). The first predefined locking interface includes one or more first protrusions arranged at a first predefined spacing. In one embodiment, the one or more brush heads (20) may include one or more second predefined dimensions. In one exemplary embodiment, the one or more second predefined dimensions may correspond to at least one of a length, a width, a diameter, a thickness, a volume, and the like. The structure (10) also includes a brush body (30). As used herein, the term “brush body” refers to a handle of the toothbrush used by a user to hold the corresponding toothbrush comfortably and perform teeth brushing activity or teeth cleaning activity. In one embodiment, the brush body (30) may include one or more third predefined dimensions. In one exemplary embodiment, the one or more third predefined dimensions may correspond to at least one of a length, a width, a diameter, a thickness, a volume, and the like. Thus, in one embodiment, the length of the brush body (30) may be in a range of about 170 mm to about 180 mm.

The brush body (30) includes a second predefined locking interface (as shown in FIG. 5) positioned at a first end of the brush body (30). The second predefined locking interface includes one or more second protrusions arranged at a second predefined spacing. The second predefined locking interface is adapted to mechanically couple with the first predefined locking interface upon locking the one or more second protrusions with the one or more first protrusions using a locking mechanism. In an alternative embodiment, the second predefined locking interface may be adapted to mechanically de-couple from the first predefined locking interface upon implementation of a reverse locking mechanism.

Further, in an embodiment, the second predefined locking interface may include one or more fourth predefined dimensions. In one exemplary embodiment, the one or more fourth predefined dimensions may correspond to at least one of a length, a width, a diameter, a thickness, a volume, and the like. Thus, in one embodiment, the length of the brush body (30) may be in a range of about 70 mm to about 80 mm.

Subsequently, in one embodiment, the brush body (30) may include a gripping area (35) on an outer surface of the brush body (30). The gripping area (35) may be adapted to provide a grip for the user holding the toothbrush.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the structure of FIG. 1 with a shrink-expand body part (40) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one exemplary embodiment, the brush body (30) may also include the shrink-expand body part (40). The shrink-expand body part (40) includes a predefined length. The shrink-expand body part (40) is adapted to vary the predefined length within a predefined range upon performing a shrink-expand- based operation at a second end (45) of the brush body (30). In one embodiment, the predefined range may include about 50 mm to about 110 mm.

Suppose in one embodiment, the shrink-expand body part (40) may be in an expanded state. Then, the predefined length of the shrink-expand body part (40) may be about a maximum value which may correspond to about 110 mm. Now, the toothbrush may be comfortably used by the user for performing the teeth cleaning activity. Suppose the user is planning to travel and thus during travelling, the user may shrink the shrink- expand body part (40) upon performing the shrink-expand-based operation at the second end (45) of the brush body (30) and store the corresponding toothbrush in a shrunk state, thereby saving some space in storage used by the user while travelling. In one embodiment, the storage may include a purse, a carry bag, a suitcase, a trolley, or the like. Now, the predefined length of the shrink-expand body part (40) may be about a minimum value which may correspond to about 50 mm. Again, while using the toothbrush, the user may use the corresponding toothbrush in the shrunk state only or may expand the shrink-expand body part (40) to obtain the expanded state upon performing the shrink-expand-based operation at the second end (45) of the brush body (30).

In one exemplary embodiment, the shrink-expand-based operation may include a push-pull operation or a rotating push-pull operation. In one embodiment, the push- pull operation may refer to an operation corresponding to a pushing operation by the user at the second end (45) of the brush body (30) when changing from the expanded state to the shrunk state for the shrink-expand body part (40). In another embodiment, the push-pull operation may refer to an operation corresponding to a pulling operation by the user at the second end (45) of the brush body (30) when changing from the shrunk state to the expanded state for the shrink-expand body part (40).

Similarly, in one embodiment, the rotating push-pull operation may refer to an operation corresponding to pushing with rotation operation by the user at the second end (45) of the brush body (30) when changing from the expanded state to the shrunk state for the shrink-expand body part (40). In another embodiment, the rotating push- pull operation may refer to an operation corresponding to pulling with rotation operation by the user at the second end (45) of the brush body (30) when changing from the shrunk state to the expanded state for the shrink-expand body part (40). FIG. 3 (a) is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a front view of the conventional brush head (60) of the structure (10) of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 (b) is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a top view of the conventional brush head (60) of the structure (10) of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “conventional brush head” is defined as a brush head having bristles clustered all over a front surface of the brush head. Basically, in an embodiment, the conventional brush head (60) may include bristles (70) at a front surface of the conventional brush head (60). In one embodiment, the bristles (70) may be soft or hard. In one exemplary embodiment, the bristles (70) may be composed of at least one of nylon, one or more polymer-based materials, one or more organic materials, and the like.

Further, in one embodiment, the length of the conventional brush head (60) may include a range of about 45 mm to about 55 mm. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the width of the conventional brush head (60) may include a range of about 5 mm to about 10 mm.

FIG. 3 (c) is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a front view of the ortho brush head (80) of the structure (10) of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 (d) is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a top view of the ortho brush head (80) of the structure (10) of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “ortho brush head” is defined as a brush head having specially designed bristles to easily and effectively remove plaque around brackets and other orthodontic appliances. Basically, in an embodiment, the ortho brush head (80) may include the bristles (70) at a front surface of the ortho brush head (80).

Further, in one embodiment, the length of the ortho brush head (80) may include a range of about 45 mm to about 55 mm. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the width of the ortho brush head (80) may include a range of about 5 mm to about 10 mm.

FIG. 3 (e) is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a side view of the interdental brush head (90) of the structure (10) of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “interdental brush head” is defined as a brush head designed in a way to help to prevent gum disease by getting rid of pieces of food and plaque from between the teeth of the user. In one exemplary embodiment, the interdental brush head (90) may include a detachable brush (100). In one embodiment, the detachable brush (100) may be mechanically coupled to a body (110) of the interdental brush head (90) via a screw thread mechanism. In such embodiment, the screw thread mechanism may correspond to the locking of first outer threads on an outer surface of the detachable brush (100) with first inner threads on an inner surface of the body (110) of the interdental brush head (90) upon rotation. In another embodiment, the detachable brush (100) may be mechanically coupled to a body (110) of the interdental brush head (90) via a snug-fit mechanism. In such embodiment, the snug-fit mechanism may include positioning and pushing hard the detachable brush (100) into a hole associated with the body (110) of the interdental brush head (90) for tightly fixing the detachable brush (100) with the body (110) of the interdental brush head (90). In one exemplary embodiment, the detachable brush (100) may also include the bristles (70) designed such that a space between the teeth may get cleaned.

FIG. 3 (f) is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a front view of the tongue cleaner brush head (120) of the structure (10) of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “tongue cleaner brush head” is defined as an oral hygiene device designed to clean the bacterial build-up, food debris, fungi, dead cells, and the like from the surface of the tongue.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the structure (10) of FIG. 1 with the shrink-expand body part (40) of the structure (10) in the shrunk state in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the shrink-expand body part (40) may include one or more sub-parts (130). Also, in such embodiment, the one or more sub-parts (130) may include one or more fifth dimensions such that, the one or more sub-parts (130) get enclosed within one another when the shrink-expand body part (40) may be in the shrunk state. Thus, in one embodiment, the one or more sub-parts (130) may be hollow. In one exemplary embodiment, the one or more fifth predefined dimensions may correspond to at least one of a length, a width, a diameter, a thickness, a volume, and the like. Also, in one exemplary embodiment, the second end (45) of the brush body (30) may be held by the user for performing the shrink-expand-based operation. Basically, in an embodiment, when the shrink-expand body part (40) may be in the shrunk state, the length of the structure (10) may correspond to a range of about 100 mm to about 110 mm.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a front view of the structure (10) of FIG. 2 in a de-coupled state in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one exemplary embodiment, the one or more first protrusions (150) and the one or more second protrusions (180) may have a respective cavity (200). Also, in one exemplary embodiment, the one or more first protrusions (150) and the one or more second protrusions (180) may have a fist predefined shape. In such embodiment, the first predefined shape may include a circular, a square, a rectangular, a cylindrical, a cube, a cuboid, or the like. Moreover, in one embodiment, the cavity (200) of each of the one or more first protrusions (150) and the one or more second protrusions (180) may have a second predefined shape. In such embodiment, the second predefined shape may include a circular, a square, a rectangular, a cylindrical, a cube, a cuboid, or the like. Also, in one embodiment, a central axis of each cavity (200) may be parallel to the length of the structure (10).

In addition, in one embodiment, the second predefined locking interface (170) may have a cantilever beam-like structure. Further, in one embodiment, the locking mechanism may include a key-lock mechanism or a snug-fit mechanism. In one embodiment, the key-lock mechanism may include positioning the one or more first protrusions (150) at the second predefined spacing (190) and the one or more second protrusions (180) at the first predefined spacing (160). The key-lock mechanism may further include pushing and rotating a lock key pin (210) to pass through the corresponding cavity (200) of each of the one or more first protrusions (150) and the one or more second protrusions (180), thereby mechanically coupling the second predefined locking interface (170) with the first predefined locking interface (140). In one exemplary embodiment, the second predefined locking interface (170) may include a storage space (220). The storage space (220) may be adapted to hold the lock key pin (210).

Moreover, in one embodiment, the snug-fit mechanism may include positioning and pushing hard the one or more first protrusions (150) towards the second predefined spacing (190) and the one or more second protrusions (180) towards the first predefined spacing (160). In such embodiment, the one or more first protrusions (150) may get fixed tightly at the second predefined spacing (190) and the one or more second protrusions (180) may get fixed tightly at the first predefined spacing (160), thereby mechanically coupling the second predefined locking interface (170) with the first predefined locking interface (140).

In one exemplary embodiment, the reverse locking mechanism may correspond to a mechanism that is reverse of the locking mechanism. Thus, in one embodiment, the reverse locking mechanism may include a reverse key-lock mechanism or a reverse snug-fit mechanism. In one embodiment, the reverse key-lock mechanism may include rotating and pulling the lock key pin (210) from the respective cavity (200) of each of the one or more first protrusions (150) and the one or more second protrusions (180). The reverse key-lock mechanism may further include removing the one or more first protrusions (150) from the second predefined spacing (190) and the one or more second protrusions (180) from the first predefined spacing (160), thereby mechanically de-coupling the second predefined locking interface (170) with the first predefined locking interface (140).

Moreover, in one embodiment, the reverse snug-fit mechanism may include pulling hard the one or more first protrusions (150) away from the second predefined spacing (190) and the one or more second protrusions (180) away from the first predefined spacing (160). In such embodiment, the one or more first protrusions (150) may get separated from the second predefined spacing (190) and the one or more second protrusions (180) may get separated from the first predefined spacing (160), thereby mechanically de-coupling the second predefined locking interface (170) from the first predefined locking interface (140).

In one exemplary embodiment, the length of the one or more sub-parts (130) may include a range of about 20 mm to about 40 mm. Also, in one embodiment, the one or more sub-parts (130) may be mechanically coupled with each other via a holder or a locker (230) at one or more edges of the one or more sub-parts (130) in order to obtain the shrink-expand body part (40). Basically, in one embodiment, the one or more sub parts (130) may remain attached to each other during the expansion of the shrink- expand body part (40) for obtaining the expanded state. FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a side view of the structure (10) of FIG. 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the thickness of the one or more brush heads (20) when the one or more brush heads (20) may include the conventional brush head (60) or the ortho brush head (80) may include a range of about 5 mm to about 10 mm. Also, in an embodiment, the conventional brush head (60) and the ortho brush head (80) may include a tongue cleaner back (240) at a back surface of the conventional brush head (60) and the ortho brush head (80) respectively. Further, in one embodiment, the first surface (250) may lie beneath the tongue cleaner back (240), wherein, the first surface (250) may include the first predefined locking interface (140).

Various embodiments of the present disclosure enable a reduction in the cost of a single toothbrush, reduction of non-biodegradable content from trashed toothbrushes as the structure includes the brush head and the brush body which are detachably attached. Also, the presence of the expand-shrink body part in the structure provides ease for the user to carry the toothbrush while travelling as the toothbrush in the shrunk state saves some space in the storage used by the user while travelling.

Further, the cantilever beam-like structure for the second predefined locking interface enables the second predefined locking interface to bend based on usage of the toothbrush, thereby making the structure more flexible to use. Moreover, the structure is more efficient and user friendly as the key-lock mechanism is simple to implement and easy to operate.

While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.