[001] The present invention relates generally to toothbrushes but more

particularly to toothbrush having a notch and means to hygienically hold the toothbrush after use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] A lot of toothbrush holders consist in horizontal plates located near the bathroom sink and having holes therein to put toothbrushes. The problem is that the bristles of the toothbrushes are constantly resting on the holder's surface and, besides deforming the shape of the bristles, the bristles are left in a damp environment because the holder does not drain properly and after using the toothbrush, saliva, toothpaste, and water are allowed to settle in and produce a breeding ground for bacteria and cross-infection between household members. Besides holders, toothbrushes are also placed in a drinking glass which results in even less drainage.

[003] Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved toothbrush that can be used for providing an inexpensive way to be held in a cantilever fashion which is hygienic because it allows the toothbrush bristles to air dry without touching any surface. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[004] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantages which are:

[005] To provide for a toothbrush which can be supported in a cantilever fashion so that the toothbrush can be allowed to hygienically dry without touching the bristles onto any surface.

[006] In order to do so, the notched toothbrush has a handle portion; a neck portion; and a head portion that includes a brush portion thereon; wherein the handle portion includes at least one notch adapted to hook onto a holding member such that the toothbrush can be held at an angle away from a vertical axis of the holding member wherein excess water, saliva, toothpaste, and any bacteria associated therewith can drip down and away from the toothbrush and holding member.

[007] The notched toothbrush has at least one notch that is cut into the handle at an angle relative to the length of the toothbrush, such that the toothbrush is adapted to be placed on the holding member at the angle away from the vertical axis of the holding member. [008] In a preferred embodiment, the notched toothbrush has at least one notch that is curved and adapted to hook onto a curved lip portion of a drinking glass.

[009] The notched toothbrush has at least one notch that is straight and adapted to hook onto an end seam of a toothpaste tube.

[0010] The notched toothbrush comprises two notches separated along the length of the handle portion, and wherein one of the two notches is a straight notch adapted to hook onto a straight holding edge of the holding member, and wherein one of the two notches is a curved notch adapted to hook onto a curved lip portion of a drinking glass.

[0011] A combination of a notched toothbrush and a toothbrush holder, the notched toothbrush comprising a handle portion; a neck portion; and a head portion that includes a brush portion thereon; wherein the handle portion includes at least one notch adapted to hook onto a holding member; and the toothbrush holder comprising a base portion, a holder portion, and holding members extending from the holder portion and having holding edges thereon, such that the toothbrush can be placed on one of the holding edges and held at an angle away from a vertical axis of the toothbrush holder, wherein excess water, toothpaste, and any bacteria associated therewith can drip down and away from the toothbrush and toothbrush holder. [0012] In yet another embodiment, the holder portion includes five holding members, wherein the five holding members includes two holding members on an opposite side of the holder portion from another two holding members, and one holding member within the hole.

[0013] In yet another embodiment, a toothbrush kit includes a notched toothbrush, a toothbrush holder, and an outer packaging member adapted to hold the kit together, wherein the notched toothbrush comprising a handle portion; a neck portion; and a head portion that includes a brush portion thereon; wherein the handle portion includes at least one notch adapted to hook onto a holding member; wherein the toothbrush holder comprising a base portion, a holder portion, and holding members extending from the holder portion and having holding edges thereon, such that the toothbrush can be placed on one of the holding edges and held at an angle away from a vertical axis of the holding member wherein excess water, toothpaste, and any bacteria associated therewith can drip down and away from the toothbrush and holding member; and wherein the outer packaging member is adapted to surround and enclose the toothbrush and holder in order to store and carry the toothbrush and holder together. [0014] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0015] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. [0016] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [0017] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

[0018] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figs. 1a-b Isometric view and detail of the toothbrush.

[0020] Fig. 2 Isometric view of the toothbrush with a holder made from the packaging. [0021] Fig. 3 Isometric view of the toothbrush inside the packaging.

[0022] Fig. 4 Isometric view of the toothbrush hooked onto a glass.

[0023] Fig. 5 Isometric view of the toothbrush hooked onto a tube.

[0024] Fig. 6 Side view of the invention showing that the angle of the notch can be any given of a wide range of angles.

[0025] Figs. 7a-b Isometric views of a proprietary stand that can take more than one toothbrush, seen with and without toothbrushes, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] A notched toothbrush (10) has a handle part (14), a neck part (13) and a head part (11). The head part (11) has a brush portion (15). At least one notch (12) made into its handle part (14) and into which is inserted a holding member (16) from a holder (18). The holder (18) can be any of a number of objects such as the seam (20) of a toothpaste tube (22) or a drinking glass (26), or can be made from a packaging (24) used to package the notched toothbrush (10) itself. Typically, a holder (18) has a base portion (31), a holder portion (24, 30), and holding members (16) extending from said holder portion and having holding edges (17) which can be inserted into the notch (12). [0027] When a toothbrush (10) has more than one notch (12), there can be a narrow notch (12') a wider curved notch (12") for use on a drinking glass (26).

[0028] To facilitate insertion, the notches (12) can have a wider opening which makes it easy to insert onto any type of holder (18). As shown in fig. 6, the angle that the notch (12) is made in the handle part (14) can be any one of a wide variety of angles which would allow for the toothbrush (10) a range as shown by the angle (a). Therefore, the angle is not specific but can be any angle that would provide a practical way to hang the toothbrush (10).

[0029] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. [0030] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.