WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A storage device for at least one toothbrush, the toothbrush comprising a handle and a head with bristles, the storage device comprising a support and at least one reservoir, said support maintaining the toothbrush, when in place, in a position where the bristles face substantially downwards in said at least one reservoir, said at least one reservoir being sized and shaped to receive at least the downward-facing bristles of the toothbrush.
2. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein said at least one reservoir has a depth sufficient so that, when in place, the downward-facing bristles are free from touching a bottom of the reservoir.
3. The storage device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a lid for covering at least part of said device.
4. The storage device of claim 1 , 2 or 3, further comprising a casing for receiving the toothbrush.
5. The storage device of claim 4 when depending on claim 3, wherein said lid is connected to said casing, and wherein said casing and said lid define a passage for air circulation within said casing.
6. The storage device of claim 5, wherein said lid is hinged to said casing.
7. The storage device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said support comprises a handle support member, an extended reservoir handle member, a snap-type fixation provided on said at least one reservoir or a combination thereof.
8. The storage device of any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a lid- abutting member extending slightly above a wall of the casing.
9. The storage device of any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the casing further comprises casing support members for distancing a bottom of said casing from a surface on which said casing is placed.
10. The storage device of claim 9 when depending on claim 8, having four Nd- abutting members and four casing support members in the form of four corner support members affixed to said casing at corners thereof.
11. The storage device of any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein said at least one reservoir is positioned inside said casing, at one end thereof.
12. The storage device of claim 11 , wherein said at least one reservoir is removable from said casing.
13. The storage device of claim 12, further comprising a stabilizing bar to stabilize said at least one reservoir, when positioned in said casing.
14. The storage device of any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein said casing is cuboid, with said lid being slightly larger in length and width than an open top face of said cuboid casing.
15. The storage device of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said at least one reservoir comprises up to 6 reservoirs.
16. The storage device of any one of claims 4 to 15, wherein said casing is made of laminated wood, plastic, stainless steel, silver or gold-plated material.
17. The storage device of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said at least one reservoir is made of stainless steel or plastic having a surface embedded with an antimicrobial substance.
18. The storage device of any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising antiseptic liquid in said at least one reservoir to a level at which said antiseptic liquid at least touches a free end of the bristles when the toothbrush is in place.
19. The storage device of any one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising an upwardly extending flange on at least a wall of said at least one reservoir.
20. The storage device of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein said at least one reservoir comprises a notch in a wall so that the whole head of the toothbrush may be received in said at least one reservoir.
21. A storage and cleaning kit for at least one toothbrush, the toothbrush comprising a handle and a head with bristles, said kit comprising a support and at least one reservoir, said support maintaining the toothbrush, when in place, in a position where the bristles face substantially downwards in said at least one reservoir, said at least one reservoir being sized and shaped to receive at least the downward-facing bristles of the toothbrush.
22. The kit of claim 21, wherein said at least one reservoir has a depth sufficient so that, when in place, the downward-facing bristles are free from touching a bottom of said reservoir.
23. The kit of claim 22, further comprising a casing having a bottom and upwardly extending walls, for receiving the toothbrush; and a lid connectable to one of said upwardly extending walls of said casing.
24. The kit of claim 23, wherein said kit comprises 4 reservoirs and wherein said casing is adapted to receive 4 toothbrushes.
25. The kit of any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein said support comprises a handle support member, an extended reservoir handle member, a snap-type fixation provided on said at least one reservoir or a combination thereof.
26. The kit of any one of claims 21 to 25, further comprising a fluid-delivery device for filling antiseptic liquid into said at least one reservoir.
27. The kit of any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein said at least one reservoir is pre-filled with antiseptic liquid, said kit further comprising a removable pellicle for individually and sealingly closing said at least one pre-filled reservoir.
28. The kit of any one of claims 21 to 27, further comprising a toothbrush.
29. The kit of any one of claims 21 to 28, further comprising a bottle of antiseptic liquid.
30. A method for storing and cleaning a toothbrush comprising a handle and a head with bristles between uses, said method comprising placing the toothbrush in a position where the bristles face substantially downwards, wherein a free end of the bristles is in contact with an antiseptic liquid in a reservoir.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the free end of the bristles is free from touching a bottom of said reservoir. |
TOOTHBRUSH STORAGE AND CLEANING DEVICE, KIT AND METHOD
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/932,320, filed May 31 , 2007 and of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/999,768, filed August 6, 2007. The entire contents of these applications are incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention generally relates to toothbrush storage between uses. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device, kit and method for storing and cleaning toothbrushes.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Conventionally, when a toothbrush is not being used, the head of the toothbrush is left exposed to the environment. This is the case, for example, when the toothbrush is either placed on a surface or held in a mug or a rack-type holder. Studies have found, however, that various pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms are commonly found between the bristles of toothbrushes after use, despite rinsing with water. Even some new toothbrushes directly from their packages were found to be contaminated with Staphylococcus epidermidis.
[0004] It is known that the above common family habits of storing toothbrushes between uses may favour further contamination of the toothbrushes by exposition to the humid bathroom environment, and even cross-contamination between toothbrushes of different family members. Ultimately, the contaminants may be transferred to the mouth of the user, possibly leading to oral diseases for example.
[0005] Although very few toothbrushes actually ever get cleaned between two uses, several techniques or devices have been proposed to this end. For example, it has been suggested to place toothbrushes in the dishwasher. Considering that the toothbrushes should ideally be cleaned after each use, using the dishwasher may become constraining.
Devices have been proposed that use UV radiation to kill bacteria on the toothbrush bristles. These devices, however, require electricity and may not be reliable on the long term.
[0006] The use of antiseptic liquids has also been suggested to clean the toothbrush bristles. It appears, for example, that soaking a toothbrush head in mouthwash sold under the Trade Mark LISTERINE for twenty minutes after use is sufficient to eliminate bacterial contamination. A number of devices using such liquids have been suggested for use in storing and cleaning a toothbrush between uses. Examples of these devices can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,904,362; U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,152; U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,823; U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,214; U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,279; U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,777. In these exemplary devices, one or more toothbrushes are placed in separate receptacles, which may contain a liquid treating agent, such as a cleaner, a dentifrice, a mouthwash, a disinfectant or other material. The toothbrushes are raised and lowered into the liquid treating agent. These devices are, however, relatively bulky, of generally complicated structure, and may be difficult to clean. In addition, portable travel toothbrush devices using sanitizing liquid often work on a given type of toothbrush head only, so that the liquid containing cap may sealingly fit around the toothbrush head. The bottom of such a cap may also be difficult to clean.
[0007] Thus remains a need for an alternative, efficient and simple-to-use-and- clean system for storing and cleaning toothbrushes of all kinds.
[0008] The present description refers to a number of documents, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extend that the incorporated subject-matter is not in contradiction with the explicit disclosure herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a storage device for at least one toothbrush, the toothbrush comprising a handle and a head with bristles, the storage device comprising a support and at least one reservoir, the support maintaining the toothbrush, when in place, in a position where the bristles face substantially downwards in the at least one reservoir, the at least one reservoir being sized and shaped to receive at
least the downward-facing bristles of the toothbrush.
[0010] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a storage and cleaning kit for at least one toothbrush, the toothbrush comprising a handle and a head with bristles, the kit comprising a support and at least one reservoir, the support maintaining the toothbrush, when in place, in a position where the bristles face substantially downwards in the at least one reservoir, the at least one reservoir being sized and shaped to receive at least the downward-facing bristles of the toothbrush.
[0011] In a particular embodiment of the above-mentioned device or kit, the at least one reservoir has a depth sufficient so that, when in place, the downward-facing bristles are free from touching a bottom of the reservoir.
[0012] In a further particular embodiment of the above-mentioned device or kit, a casing is provided to receive the toothbrush.
[0013] In a further particular embodiment of the above-mentioned device, a lid is provided for covering at least part of the device. The lid may be hinged or otherwise connected to the reservoir(s) or to the casing, when present.
[0014] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for storing and cleaning a toothbrush comprising a handle and a head with bristles between uses, the method comprising placing the toothbrush in a position where the bristles face substantially downwards, wherein a free end of the bristles is in contact with an antiseptic liquid in a reservoir.
[0015] In a particular embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the free end of the bristles is free from touching a bottom of the reservoir.
[0016] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0017] In the appended drawings:
[0018] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention, when open, with toothbrushes placed therein;
[0019] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the device of Figure 1, when closed; and
[0020] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a device according to another embodiment of the present invention, when open, with toothbrushes placed therein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring to Figure 1 , a perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The device D is comprised primarily of a cuboid casing 10 having a bottom 12 and upwardly extending walls, including end walls 14 and side walls 16. Attached along the top edge of one of the end walls 14 is hinge 18 which communicates between the end wall 14 and a lid 20. The lid 20 is of slightly larger length than that of the side walls 16 and of slightly larger width than the end walls 14. In this way, when closed, the lid 20 covers more than the open top face of the casing 10, for example extending by 0.5 cm all around the casing, thus protecting the interior of the casing from dust or other ambient contaminants such as insects. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device D of Figure 1 , when closed.
[0022] Each corner of the casing 10 has a corner support member 22 mounted thereon, which extends both above the top edge of the corner (from about 0.5 cm) and below the bottom edge of the corner of the casing, thus forming a lid-abutting member and serving as casing support member for distancing the bottom of the casing from the surface on which the casing is placed. These corner support members 22 provide for air circulation below (24) and in the interior volume of the casing (26) (see Figure 2), thus allowing at least the toothbrushes handles to dry between uses and avoiding moisture-induced mould below (24) or inside (26) the casing 10.
[0023] Within the casing 10 is disposed a removable rack of several reservoirs
28, of generally rectangular shape, separated by interior walls 30. Each reservoir 28 is of a size and shape to loosely accommodate the downward-facing bristles of a toothbrush head H. For example, it may be deep enough for the bristles not to touch the bottom of the reservoir when the handle L of the toothbrush T abuts against the edge of the reservoir rack. The casing 10 further comprises a handle support member 32 that helps maintaining the toothbrush in a substantially horizontal position, wherein the bristles face substantially downwards.
[0024] In use, the device D of Figure 1 may receive up to 4 toothbrushes, the downwards-facing bristles of each toothbrush being accommodated in one reservoir. An antiseptic liquid is advantageously added to the reservoirs, either before placing the toothbrushes in the casing or while the toothbrushes are in place, so as to simultaneously clean the back of the toothbrush heads H, and the tongue cleaners, if present. A fluid- delivery device such as a manual pump 34 shown in Figure 1 may be used to fill the reservoirs with antiseptic liquid. It is to be noted that a small quantity of antiseptic liquid is efficiently used in Device D. Indeed, it is sufficient that the liquid in each reservoir at least contacts the free end of the bristles when a toothbrush is in place, since the liquid naturally travels up on the bristles by capillarity to achieve its decontamination function. Advantageously, the reservoirs are washed once a week before replacing the antiseptic liquid.
[0025] It is to be understood that a device according to the present invention allows storing one's toothbrush in an ideal position for drying between two uses, without the water dripping along, thus contaminating, the toothbrush handle L. The device D is thus useful for storing toothbrushes even if the user is running out of antiseptic liquid.
[0026] In an embodiment where the bristle free ends do not touch the reservoir bottom, the bristles are not in contact with dead microorganisms which tend to sink into the antiseptic liquid and accumulate at the bottom of the reservoirs. A deposit is indeed observed at the bottom of the reservoirs after a week of use. The use of individual reservoirs allows to avoid cross-contamination between toothbrushes, as well as the use of various antiseptic liquids, of different colours or tastes for example.
[0027] Referring to device D' on Figure 3, a stabilizing bar 36 may be provided in the casing to help stabilize the rack of reservoirs. The bar 36 may be fixeably mounted via brackets (not shown), glued or otherwise mounted to an end wall 14 of the casing 10 so that the reservoir rack 28 can simply be slid below the bar 36. The bar 36 may also allow to prevent most antiseptic liquid from flowing out of the reservoirs upon movement of the casing, for example when opening or closing a drawer in which the casing would be placed.
[0028] A reservoir handle member 38 may also be provided on or attached to the reservoir rack, which facilitates its manipulation into and out of the casing. The reservoir handle member 38 may also help maintaining the handle of the toothbrush. Dimensions of the reservoir handle member 38 may be varied. It may for example extend below the toothbrush handle L, or at least part of it, thus possibly replacing the handle support member 32.
[0029] Flanges 40 may be further provided to limit splashing of the liquid between adjacent reservoirs and on the casing side walls 16. The number, size, shape and mounting of flanges on the walls 30 of the reservoirs may be varied. Flanges 40 may also simply constitute extensions of the reservoir walls.
[0030] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the casing 10 is 24 cm long and 12 cm wide. The lid 12 is 25 cm long and 13 cm wide. The walls 14 and 16 are 5.5 cm high.
[0031] The storage device of the present invention has a very simple structure, independent from that of the toothbrush(es) to be received therein, and is comprised of a very small number of pieces. Indeed, the storage device of the present invention may simply comprise a structure having a support and one or more reservoir(s), the support maintaining the toothbrush(es) in a position where the bristles face substantially downwards in the reservoir(s). Such simple structure contributes to its durability, as well as ease of use. It is in fact simplistic to use, fill, empty and clean, due to the limited size of the soaking reservoirs for example. As mentioned above, generally only limited quantities of antiseptic liquid are needed.
[0032] Providing a casing may further allow for a protection of toothbrushes from contaminants (dust, insects,...) commonly found in a bathroom environment. Moreover, a casing may be used to hide toothbrushes from sight if the casing is made of an opaque material. Due to its relatively small height, it may also readily be stored in a drawer. Alternatively, a casing may constitute a decorative object to be simply placed on a bathroom counter. In the device of the present invention, the casing 10, when present, may be varied as to its form and configuration. It may for example be ovoid.
[0033] In the absence of a casing, the toothbrush(es), or at least the head part thereof, may also simply be protected by a lid or a cover, which would be connected, for example, to the reservoir or reservoir rack by conventional means.
[0034] It is to be understood that the device according to the present invention may be of individual or familial format, for 1 up to 5 or 6 toothbrushes, for example 4. A familial format preferably comprises individual soaking reservoirs for each toothbrush.
[0035] The reservoirs may have various capacities, for example ranging between about 25 to about 50 ml. As an example, it is estimated that a device of the present invention comprising reservoirs of 25 ml would approximately use 4.5 L of liquid par year, per person, taking into account natural evaporation of the liquid and 3 uses per day. The reservoirs may obviously have various size and shape configurations, to accommodate various types of toothbrush heads. The edge of the reservoirs, against which the toothbrush handle L abuts, may also be notched or otherwise shaped so that the whole head of the toothbrush be received inside the reservoir, possibly immersed in antiseptic liquid. A snap- type fixation may also be provided on the edge of each reservoir for receiving the toothbrush handle L close to the head H, thus possibly playing the role of the support and replacing handle support member 32.
[0036] In an embodiment with a casing and a lid, the position and configuration of the lid may also be varied. For example, the lid may be fixed to a side wall of the casing, by means other than a hinge, such as snap engagement mechanisms to that the lid be fixeably removable. It may also be slideably mounted to the casing. The device of the present invention, when closed, preferably allows the passage of air so as to allow toothbrush handles to dry.
[0037] Still in an embodiment with a casing and a lid, the casing support members (part of 22 in Figure 1 or 3) of the casing may be varied as to form, configuration and position as soon as they meet their function of minimizing the contact between the bottom of the casing and the surface on which it is placed so as to allow air circulation. The lid-abutting members may also be varied as to form, configuration and position independently from the casing support members. For example, the lid-abutting members and casing support members may be completely distinct elements, and not necessarily positioned at corners of the casing.
[0038] It is to be understood that several materials may readily be used for the casing, non-limiting examples of which include: laminated wood, stainless steel, plastic or any silver-plated or gold plated material. In fact, any material substantially resistant to humidity could be used for the casing. In addition, several materials may be used for the reservoir or reservoirs. Such material should support prolonged contact with antiseptic liquid and be safe for human use. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials for soaking reservoirs include stainless steel and Microban™ plastic, i.e. a plastic having a surface embedded with an antimicrobial substance.
[0039] In the device of the present invention, the handle support member 32, if any, may also be varied as to its form, configuration and position. It may also be removable. The handle of the toothbrush may in fact be maintained by any support that maintains the toothbrush(es) in a position where the bristle free ends face substantially downwards in the reservoir(s).
[0040] It is to be understood that any kind and size of toothbrushes may be used, stored and cleaned in the device of the present invention, including but not limited to heads of electric toothbrushes, as shown in Figure 3. In that sense, the device of the present invention is universal. For example, toothbrushes having a head inclined from, for example, 5 to 15° towards the free ends of the bristles may also be used with a device according to the present invention. Such inclination of the toothbrush head may help immerse the bristles, at least their free ends, into the antiseptic liquid. Any kind of antiseptic liquid acceptable for contact with the oral mucosa may be used, such as any kind of mouthwash, may be used in the device of the present invention.
[0041] In a further aspect of the present invention, a toothbrush storage and cleaning kit is provided comprising a support and a reservoir for receiving downward facing bristles of at least one toothbrush, the support maintaining the toothbrush in a position where the bristles face substantially downwards in the reservoir. The commercial kit may comprise a casing with a lid connectable thereto. It may also comprise several reservoirs as well as, for example, a fluid-delivery device for filling antiseptic liquid in the reservoir or reservoirs, and/or one or more toothbrush, and/or a bottle of antiseptic liquid. One or more reservoir may also be pre-filled with antiseptic liquid and a removable pellicle provided for individually and sealingly closing the pre-filled reservoir(s).
[0042] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for storing and cleaning a toothbrush comprising a handle and a head with bristles between uses, the method comprising placing the toothbrush in a position where the bristles face substantially downwards, wherein a free end of the bristles is in contact with an antiseptic liquid in a reservoir. For example, the free end of the bristles is free from touching a bottom of the reservoir.
[0043] Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of specific embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the scope and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.
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