Toothbrush Sanitizer Kit

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a novel kit for sanitising or sterilising a toothbrush and to methods related thereto.

Background of the invention

Contamination of toothbrushes bristles by bacteria and other types of germs is a concern in the dental hygiene field. Users conventionally return a used toothbrush to a holders or rack, etc. in wet condition the used toothbrush will often be contaminated with bacteria, food particles, etc. Even if the toothbrush is not returned contaminated, when the bristles are wet, e.g. after use, they are vulnerable to contamination when stored unprotected in an area that is exposed to ambient air in or near a bathroom. For example, it is estimated that, in a bathroom when a toilet is flushed, 750,000 germs are sprayed into the atmosphere. Wet toothbrush bristles provide an ideal environment for invasion by airborne bacteria or other germs. Even though the bristles subsequently become dry and even though they may be thoroughly rinsed with water immediately prior to the next use, some residual contamination remains. Furthermore, after repeated cycles of brushing, storing and rinsing, there is the potential for contamination build-up that has an adverse impact on a user's dental care and oral hygiene.

Therefore, there has long been a need for a means of protecting and/or sterilising a toothbrush in between use.

Recent developments have provided a toothbrush sterilisation assembly which comprises a UV sterilisation assembly. Whilst such assemblies are generally effective, they are expensive to manufacture and/or purchase and require an electricity supply, for example in the bathroom which in many domestic situations is not available or is undesirable.

US Patent No. 6,702,113 describes a toothbrush sanitizing assembly having a detachable toothbrush and receptacle. A receptacle cover is an integral part of the toothbrush and is attached to the neck of the toothbrush. Mateable threads, a snap fit mechanism or other type of detachable fastening means are positioned near the top of the receptacle sidevvall and on the receptacle cover. In use, the brush head is immersed in a liquid antiseptic contained in the receptacle by fastening the cover to the receptacle with the detachable fastening means. However, the assembly suffers from the disadvantage that, inter alia, it requires a bulk supply of sterilizer solution to be stored by the user and the integral receptacle cover renders the toothbrush cumbersome and uncomfortable to use.

We have now surprisingly found a sterilization unit and a sterilization assembly that is suitable for use with a conventional toothbrush and which is disposable. Furthermore, a plurality of such sterilization units and which may be utilised in an array.

Summary of the Invention

Thus, according to a first aspect of the invention we provide a toothbrush sterilisation unit which comprises a sterilisation medium receptacle adapted to be house a sterilisation medium and a penetrable cover.

The receptacle may be full or substantially full of a sterilisation medium.

Preferably the receptacle comes pre-filled with a sterilisation medium. The sterilisation medium may comprise a variety of different media, although it is preferably a liquid or solution. The media may comprise any conventionally known sterilisation agents, for example conventional agents may be used such a sodium bicarbonate or dental antiseptic liquids, such as Listerine®.

The penetrable cover preferentially comprises a plastics strip, e.g. a thin plastic membrane. The thin plastic membrane may be such that it may be pierced by the toothbrush, when the user wishes to insert the toothbrush into the sterilisation solution receptacle. Thus, the membrane will be bonded to the walls of the sterilisation medium receptacle. Advantageously, the sterilisation medium receptacle will be provided with a lip, e.g. a peripheral lip, which acts, inter alia, as a bonding surface for the membrane. A variety of bonding methods may be used, although preferably the membrane is bonded to the receptacle using an adhesive. The membrane may include a weakened region facilitating the piercing of the membrane by the user.

Alternatively, the membrane may already be pierced, i.e. it may comprise an aperture. Preferentially the membrane is provided with one or more slits, such as a cross slit, which is substantially closed until the toothbrush is inserted. When the membrane already comprises a slit or aperture the sterilisation unit may be provided with a cover, e.g. a foil or plastic strip which may be peeled away. Such a peelable cover or lid

may itself comprise a variety of materials, such as paper, synthetic resin film, or aluminium foil, or a laminated layer.

Thus, the cover or lid will include an adhesive or an adhesive coating, e.g. around the periphery of the lid, enabling it to bond to the membrane. However, in such a case the adhesive bonding the lid will a peel-off adhesive, such that the Hd may be peeled away whilst leaving the membrane in position

The sterilisation medium receptacle may be manufactured using conventional methods known per se. Preferably the receptacle may comprise an injection moulded pot.

Preferably as hereinbefore described, the sterilisation medium receptacle is provided pre-filled with a sterilisation agent. Thus, according to a further aspect of the invention we provide a toothbrush sterilisation unit which comprises a sterilisation medium receptacle and a penetrable cover wherein the receptacle is pre-filled with a sterilisation medium as hereinbefore described.

The receptacles, whether or not pre-filled, may be provided individually. However, preferably the receptacles may be provided as an array comprising a plurality of such receptacle conjoined. The number of receptacles in such an array may vary, but may be, for example from 2 to 10, or from 2 to 6 or from 2 to 4.

According to a further aspect of the invention we provide a toothbrush sterilisation assembly which comprises one or more optionally pre-filled sterilisation medium

receptacles; and a holder adapted house one or more of said sterilisation medium receptacles.

The holder of the assembly may advantageously include other features, such as a wall mounting, a holding region for a toothpaste container, e.g. a toothpaste tube, etc.

Thus, we further provide a kit comprising a toothbrush sterilisation assembly, one or more toothbrush sterilisation receptacles and optionally a toothbrush.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention we provide a method of sterilising a toothbrush which comprises pushing a toothbrush through a penetrable cover of a sterilisation medium receptacle containing a sterilisation medium.

When the penetrable cover preferentially comprises an aperture or slit and a peelable cover or lid is provided, the method may include the removal of the peelable lid.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a toothbrush and a single sterilisation medium receptacle;

Figure 2 is a schematic front view of an array of sterilisation medium receptacles;

Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of an array of sterilisation medium receptacles housed in an assembly, each of the sterilisation medium receptacles is shown at a different stage of use;

Figure 4 is a perspective representation of the assembly of the invention being assembled; and

Figure 5 is a perspective representation of the assembly of the invention in use.

Referring to Figure 1, a toothbrush sterilisation unit 1 comprises a sterilisation medium receptacle 2. a sterilisation medium 3 and a toothbrush 4. The receptacle comprises walls 5, a closed end 6 and an open end 7, the open end 7 is provided with a peripheral lip 8.

Referring to Figure 2, an array 9 of sterilisation medium receptacles 2a-d each of which is conjoined by each of their adjacent lips 8a-c.

Referring to Figure 3 a toothbrush sterilisation assembly 10 comprises a holder 11 and an array 9 of sterilisation medium receptacles 2a-d housed therein. The holder also includes an aperture 12 adapted for holding a toothpaste container (not shown), e.g. a toothpaste tube.

Receptacle 2a has a lid 13 in place. Receptacles 2b has the lid 13 removed and the membrane 14 can be seen with cross slit 15. In order to show construction of the unit,

receptacle 2c has the membrane 14 removed exposing the peripheral lip 8, the walls 5 and the base (closed end) 6. Receptacle 2d has a toothbrush 4 in situ.

Referring to Figure 4 a toothbrush sterilisation assembly 10 comprises a holder 11 and an array 9 of sterilisation medium receptacles 2a-d. A toothbrush 4 is also shown.

The membrane 4 is removed to expose the construction of the receptacle. The holder

11 is provided with a profiled aperture 16 which is profiled to correspond with the array 9. Each receptacle 2a-d is wider at its open end 7 than its closed end 6, such that when the array 9 is in place, the lip 8 of each of the receptacles 2a-d will rest upon the rim 17 of the profiled aperture 16.

Referring to Figure 5 a toothbrush sterilisation assembly 10 comprises a holder 11 and an array 9 of sterilisation medium receptacles 2a-d. A toothbrush 4 is also shown inserted into a receptacle. The membrane 4 is removed to expose the construction of the receptacle. The holder 1 1 includes an aperture 12 adapted for holding a toothpaste container (not shown), e.g. a toothpaste tube.