| CLAIMS 1. A toothbrush cleaner including: a primary cleaning formation for cleaning a toothbrush; a receptacle for receiving a volume of liquid; a dispensing outlet for dispensing the liquid from the receptacle to the cleaning formation; and a means for causing the device to vibrate for assisting the cleaning of the toothbrush; such that pressure applied to the receptacle causes the liquid therein to be dispensed to the cleaning formation via the dispensing outlet. 2. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the toothbrush cleaner further includes a housing for housing the vibrating means and the receptacle, the receptacle being a void defined in the housing being sized and shaped to receive either a replaceable container containing the volume of liquid therein or the volume of liquid directly therein. 3. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the toothbrush cleaner further includes a secondary cleaning formation for cleaning out food or other fibres from between the bristles of the toothbrush that the primary cleaning formation cannot clean out. 4. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the primary cleaning formation is releaseably attachable to the housing via corresponding releasable attaching means, thereby allowing the primary cleaning formation to be replaced with other primary cleaning formations. 5. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the corresponding releasable attaching means are sliding attaching means or clipping attaching means. 6. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the clipping attaching means comprises of male formations on the housing or primary cleaning formation correspondingly attachable to female formations on the other of the housing or primary cleaning formation. 7. A toothbrush cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the primary cleaning formation comprises a brush head base having a plurality of cleaning bristles sized and shaped to clean between the bristles of the toothbrush extending therefrom, the releasable attaching means being located on a side of the brush head base opposite the side from which the cleaning bristles extend. 8. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 7, wherein the lengths of the bristles extending from the brush head base are substantially similar to or greater than the lengths of the bristles of the toothbrush. 9. A toothbrush cleaner according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the receptacle is accessible for the purposes of replacing the container or refilling it with the liquid via an appropriately sized and shaped replacement or refill aperture defined in the housing, and further wherein the liquid is a disinfectant liquid 10. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the replacement or refill aperture is sealable with a plug. 11. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the plug is integral with a first cap being movable between a first position, wherein the plug is positioned within the replacement or refill aperture with the first cap covering the portion of the housing defining the replacement or refill aperture, and a second position, wherein the plug and the first cover are removed from the replacement or refill aperture and the portion of the housing defining the replacement or refill aperture respectively, thereby allowing the receptacle to be charged with the replaceable container or the volume of liquid directly. 12. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 11 , wherein the first cap is hingedly connected to the housing at a location proximate the portion of the housing defining the replacement or refill aperture. 13. A toothbrush cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the toothbrush cleaner further includes a second cap movable between an operative position, wherein the primary cleaning formation is exposed for use, and a second position, wherein the primary cleaning formation is concealed by the second cover during non-use. 14. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 13, wherein the second cap is hingedly connected to the housing at a location proximate the portion of the housing to which the primary cleaning formation is releasably attachable. 15. A toothbrush cleaner according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the dispensing outlet is one or more hollow cleaning bristles through which the liquid held directly in the receptacle or in the replaceable container is transferable to the primary cleaning formation. 16. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 15, wherein the liquid is transferable automatically or as a result of a squeezing action applied to the housing by the fingers of a user. 17. A toothbrush cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vibrating means is an electrically powered motor comprising of a rotor having a centre of mass off the axis about which the rotor rotates. 18. A toothbrush cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vibrating means is located proximate the portion of the housing to which the primary cleaning formation is releasably attachable so as to efficiently impart vibrations from the vibrating means to the toothbrush. 19. A toothbrush cleaner according claim 17 or claim 18 read together with claims 11 to 16, wherein the vibrating means is operable via a switch actuated by the squeezing of the housing or the opening and closing of the first and/or second caps. 20. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 2 or any one of the other preceding claims read together with claim 2, wherein the housing is made from a resilient material. 21. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 20, wherein the resilient material is a plastic-like or polymeric material. 22. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 3 or any one of the other preceding claims read together with claim 3, wherein the secondary cleaning formation is a comb or brush being releasably attachable to the housing. 23. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 3 or any one of the other claims 1 to 21 read together with claim 3, wherein the secondary cleaning formation is a comb or a brush movably attached to the housing. 24. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 23, wherein the housing defines a slot in which at least a portion of the secondary cleaning formation is slidably movable, the secondary cleaning formation being movable relative to the housing between an extended position, wherein the teeth or the bristles of the secondary cleaning formation extend past the portion of the housing to which the primary cleaning formation is releasably attachable, and a retracted position, wherein the teeth or the bristles of the secondary cleaning formation are retracted to a position whereby the teeth or the bristles of the secondary cleaning formation do not extend past the portion of the housing to which the primary cleaning formation is releasably attachable. 25. A toothbrush cleaner according any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the lengths of the teeth or bristles of the secondary cleaning formation are substantially similar to or greater than the lengths of the bristles of the toothbrush. 26. A toothbrush cleaner according any one of the preceding claims wherein the toothbrush cleaner further includes a chamber into which the bristle portion of the toothbrush is receivable, the primary cleaning formation being located within the chamber such that the primary cleaning formation and the bristles of the toothbrush come in contact with each as the bristle portion of the toothbrush is reciprocated into and out of the chamber. 27. A toothbrush cleaner according any one of the preceding claims wherein the toothbrush cleaner further includes a light source powered by an independent power source or by a common power source powering the vibrating means and the light source, the independent power source and/or the common power source being a normal battery, a rechargeable battery or a kinetic energy power source powered by the movement of the toothbrush cleaner. 28. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 27, wherein the light source is an ultra violet light source for sterilising the primary cleaning formation, the secondary cleaning formation and/or the bristles of the toothbrush onto which the light is directed onto, the light source capable of being switched on and off by a switching mechanism. 29. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 28 read together with claim 11 and claim 13, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode located on the first and/or second caps, such that the movement of the first and/or second caps can direct light emitted from the light source. 30. A toothbrush cleaner substantially as herein described and illustrated. |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
THIS invention relates to a toothbrush cleaner. More specifically, the invention relates to a toothbrush cleaner for cleaning between the bristles of a toothbrush.
Hygiene and cleanliness are of utmost importance to human beings and have become part of a repetitive daily routine for most. Generally, this routine comprises, amongst others, of brushing our teeth with a toothbrush.
Although toothbrushes are used for the purposes of cleaning, it is very rare that these toothbrushes themselves are ever cleaned. Regular use causes the build up of plaque and food fibres in the bristles of the toothbrush. Dirt and germs may also settle into the bristles whilst out of use on the edge of a basin, on a window sill of the bathroom or in a cup and in contact with the other toothbrushes.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush cleaner for cleaning toothbrushes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a toothbrush cleaner including:
a primary cleaning formation for cleaning a toothbrush;
a receptacle for receiving a volume of liquid;
a dispensing outlet for dispensing the liquid from the receptacle to the cleaning formation; and
a means for causing the device to vibrate for assisting the cleaning of the toothbrush;
such that pressure applied to the receptacle causes the liquid therein to be dispensed to the cleaning formation via the dispensing outlet.
The toothbrush cleaner may further include a housing for housing the vibrating means and the receptacle, the receptacle being a void defined in the housing being sized and shaped to receive either a replaceable container containing the volume of liquid therein or the volume of liquid directly therein. Typically, the toothbrush cleaner further includes a secondary cleaning formation for cleaning out food or other fibres from between the bristles of the toothbrush that the primary cleaning formation cannot clean out.
The primary cleaning formation may be releaseably attachable to the housing via corresponding releasable attaching means, thereby allowing the primary cleaning formation to be replaced with other primary cleaning formations for different applications or where the primary cleaning formation is worn due to use. Generally, the corresponding releasable attaching means are sliding attaching means or clipping attaching means. Where the releasable attaching means is clipping attaching means, the clipping attaching means may comprise of male formations on the housing or primary cleaning formation correspondingly attachable to female formations on the other of the housing or primary cleaning formation.
Preferably, the primary cleaning formation comprises a brush head base having a plurality of cleaning bristles sized and shaped to clean between the bristles of the toothbrush extending therefrom. More preferably, the releasable attaching means are located on a side of the brush head base opposite the side from which the cleaning bristles extend. Most preferably, the lengths of the bristles extending from the brush head base are substantially similar to or greater than the lengths of the bristles of the toothbrush.
The receptacle may be accessible for the purposes of replacing the container or refilling it with the liquid via an appropriately sized and shaped replacement or refill aperture defined in the housing. Typically, the replacement or refill aperture is sealable with a plug. Generally, the plug is integral with a first cap being movable between a first position, wherein the plug is positioned within the replacement or refill aperture with the first cap covering the portion of the housing defining the replacement or refill aperture, and a second position, wherein the plug and the first cover are removed from the replacement or refill aperture and the portion of the housing defining the replacement or refill aperture respectively, thereby allowing the receptacle to be charged with the replaceable container or the volume of liquid directly. Preferably, the first cap is hingedly connected to the housing at a location proximate the portion of the housing defining the replacement or refill aperture.
The toothbrush cleaner may further include a second cap movable between an operative position, wherein the primary cleaning formation is exposed for use, and a second position, wherein the primary cleaning formation is concealed by the second cover during non-use. Preferably, the second cap is hingedly connected to the housing at a location proximate the portion of the housing to which the primary cleaning formation is releasably attachable.
Generally, the dispensing outlet is one or more hollow cleaning bristles through which the liquid held directly in the receptacle or in the replaceable container is transferable to the primary cleaning formation. Typically, the liquid is transferable automatically or as a result of a squeezing action applied to the housing by the fingers of a user.
Preferably, the vibrating means is an electrically powered motor comprising of a rotor having a centre of mass off the axis about which the rotor rotates. The vibrating means may be located proximate the portion of the housing to which the primary cleaning formation is releasably attachable so as to efficiently impart vibrations from the vibrating means to the toothbrush. More preferably, the vibrating means is operable via a switch actuated by the squeezing of the housing or the opening and closing of the first and/or second caps. Most preferably, the housing is made from a resilient material, such as a plastic-like or polymeric material. The secondary cleaning formation may be a comb or brush being releasably attachable to the housing. Preferably, the secondary cleaning formation is a comb or a brush movably attached to the housing. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the housing defines a slot in which at least a portion of the secondary cleaning formation is slidably movable, the secondary cleaning formation being movable relative to the housing between an extended position, wherein the teeth or the bristles of the secondary cleaning formation extend past the portion of the housing to which the primary cleaning formation is releasably attachable, and a retracted position, wherein the teeth or the bristles of the secondary cleaning formation are retracted to a position whereby the teeth or the bristles of the secondary cleaning formation do not extend past the portion of the housing to which the primary cleaning formation is releasably attachable.
The lengths of the teeth or bristles of the secondary cleaning formation may be substantially similar to or greater than the lengths of the bristles of the toothbrush.
In an alternative embodiment, the toothbrush cleaner may further include a chamber into which the bristle portion of the toothbrush is receivable, the primary cleaning formation being located within the chamber such that the primary cleaning formation and the bristles of the toothbrush come in contact with each as the bristle portion of the toothbrush is reciprocated into and out of the chamber.
Preferably, the liquid held directly in the receptacle or in the replaceable container is a disinfectant liquid.
The toothbrush cleaner may further include a light source powered by an independent power source or by a common power source powering the vibrating means and the light source. Typically, the independent power source and/or the common power source is a normal battery, a rechargeable battery or a kinetic energy power source powered by the movement of the toothbrush cleaner. Preferably, the light source is an ultra violet light source for sterilising the primary cleaning formation, the secondary cleaning formation and/or the bristles of the toothbrush onto which the light is directed onto, the light source capable of being switched on and off by a switching mechanism. More preferably, the light source is a light emitting diode located on the first and/or second caps, such that the movement of the first and/or second caps can direct light emitted from the light source. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a cross sectional side view of the toothbrush cleaner in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a side view of the toothbrush cleaner in use relative to a toothbrush;
Figure 3 shows a side view of the toothbrush cleaner, showing the releasable attaching means between the toothbrush cleaner and the cleaning formation;
Figure 4 shows a cross sectional side view of the toothbrush cleaner being refilled;
Figure 5 shows a side view of the toothbrush cleaner in a not in use form;
Figure 6 shows a front view of a particularly preferred embodiment of the toothbrush cleaner having a secondary cleaning formation;
Figure 7 shows a side view of the particularly preferred embodiment of the toothbrush cleaner of figure 6 with the secondary cleaning formation in an extended position; and
Figure 8 shows a side view of the particularly preferred embodiment of the toothbrush cleaner of figure 6 with the secondary cleaning formation in a retracted position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A toothbrush cleaner according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is designated generally with reference numeral 10 in figure 1. The toothbrush cleaner 10 comprises a primary cleaning formation 12, a receptacle 14, a dispensing outlet 16, a vibrating means 18 and a squeezable housing 20. With specific reference to figure 2, the primary cleaning formation 12 is in the form of a brush head comprising a brush head base 12A and a plurality of bristles 12B extending therefrom. The bristles 12B are sized and shaped to pass between the bristles 40 on the head of a toothbrush 24 so as to remove foreign objects therefrom. Preferably, the bristles 12B extending from the brush head base 12B of the brush head 12 have lengths substantially similar to or greater than the lengths of the bristles 40 of the toothbrush 24.
With specific reference to figure 3, the brush head 12 and the housing 20 of the toothbrush cleaner 10 comprise of correspondingly releasable attachment means 26 for allowing a user to interchange the brush head 12 for different applications or where the brush head 12 is worn and requires replacement. Although the releasable attaching means 26 has been illustrated as clipping attaching means having male formations on the housing 20 correspondingly engageable with female formations (not shown) on a side of the brush head base 12A opposite to the side from which the bristles 12A extend, it will be appreciated that the male formations may be located on the brush head 12 and the female formations located on the housing 20. It will be further appreciated that sliding attaching means or any other type of attaching means may be used instead of the clipping attaching means illustrated in the accompanying figures.
Referring now to figure 4, the receptacle 14 is a void 28 defined in the housing 20 adapted for directly receiving a volume of liquid, preferably a disinfectant liquid. The receptacle 14 is refillable with liquid via a refill aperture 30, which refill aperture 30 is closable by a plug 32 when refilling is not required. A first cap 34, hingedly attached to the housing, closes over the refill portion of the housing 20 thereby covering the plug 32 and the refill aperture 30.
In an alternative embodiment, the plug 32 and the first cap 34 are integral such that when the first cap 34 closes over the refill portion of the housing 20, the plug 32 seals the refill aperture 30. It will be appreciated that instead of refilling the receptacle 14 with the liquid directly, the receptacle 14 may be charged with a replaceable container that contains the liquid therein, the receptacle 14 being accessible to the replaceable container via a slightly larger sized refill aperture 30.
The liquid held directly in the receptacle 14 or in the replaceable container is dispensable onto the primary cleaning formation 12 via a dispensing outlet 16. Although the dispensing outlet 16 has been illustrated as a separate channel extending between the receptacle 14 and the primary cleaning formation 12, it will be appreciated that one or more of the bristles 12B extending from the brush head base 12A of the brush head 12 may be hollow and accordingly double up as both a bristle and the dispensing outlet 16. When the primary cleaning formation 12 of the toothbrush cleaner 10 is not in use, a second hingedly connected cap 36 is closable over the primary cleaning formation 12 to keep it clean.
To further assist the cleaning of the toothbrush 24, the toothbrush cleaner 10 further includes a means for vibrating 18, as illustrated in figures 1 and 4. The vibrations from the vibrating means 18 are imparted to the toothbrush 24 during cleaning. Typically, the vibrating means 18 is a battery powered motor having a rotor with a centre of mass off the axis about which the rotor rotates.
Figures 6 to 8 show a particularly preferred embodiment of the toothbrush cleaner 110, which toothbrush cleaner 110 further includes a secondary cleaning formation 113 for removing food or other fibres from the bristles 40 of a toothbrush 24. The secondary cleaning formation 113 is preferably in the form of a comb having a plurality of teeth 115, wherein the length of the teeth are substantially similar to or greater than the length of the bristles 40 of a toothbrush 24.
The comb 113 is slidably movable, relative to the housing 120, along a slot 117 defined in the side of the housing 120. The comb 113 is movable along the slot 117 between an extended position as shown in figure 7, wherein the teeth 115 of the comb 113 extend past the portion of the housing 120 to which the brush head 112 is releasably attachable, and a retracted position as shown in figure 8, wherein the teeth are retracted to a position where the teeth 115 of the comb 113 do not extend past the portion of the housing 120 to which the brush head 112 is releasably attachable.
In use, and with the toothbrush cleaner 10 in the not in use form as shown in figure 5, a user opens the second cap 36, thereby exposing the brush head 12. With his or her fingers the user squeezes the housing 20 thereby forcing disinfectant liquid to dispense from the receptacle 14 onto the bristles 12B extending from the brush head base 12A of the brush head 12 via the dispensing outlet 16. As illustrated in figure 2 and while holding the housing 20 between the fingers, the user may brush the bristles 40 of the toothbrush 24 by moving the bristles 12B of the brush head 12 back and forth therethrough, thereby imparting disinfectant fluid onto the bristles 40 of the toothbrush 24 and cleaning any foreign objects, dirt or germs from between the bristles 40. The vibrating means 18, imparting vibrations from the toothbrush cleaner 10 to the toothbrush 24, further assist the cleaning of the toothbrush 24. The vibrating means 18 may be switched on and off by a switch (not shown), preferably activated by the opening and closing of the second cap 36 or by the squeezing action applied by the user to the housing 20. The housing 20 is preferably made from a resilient material, such as a plastic material, to allow the housing 20 to return to its original shape after having been squeezed by the user. Food or other fibres, which cannot be removed from the bristles 40 of the toothbrush 24 by the brush head 12, can be removed by combing the comb 113, positioned in the extended position as shown in figure 7, through the bristles 40 of the toothbrush 24. After use, the comb 113 is retractable into the retracted position as shown in figure 8 and the second cap 36 is closed over the brush head 12.
To refill the receptacle 14 with disinfectant liquid, the first cap 34 is opened and the stopper 32 is removed from the refill aperture 30, allowing the liquid to be poured into the receptacle 14. It will be appreciated that where replaceable containers are used, the opening action of the first cap 34 would expose the replacement aperture defined in the housing through which the replaceable container can be replaced.
Although the invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications or variations of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, the toothbrush cleaner may be used for the cleaning of any other implement having bristles, fingers or teeth, i.e. hair brushes or combs. Further, the toothbrush cleaner may include an ultra violet light source for the purposes of sterilising the primary cleaning formation, the secondary cleaning formation and/or the bristles of the toothbrush onto which the ultra violet light is directed.