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Device for reminding the user when to dispose of a toothbrush

a technology for reminding users and toothbrushes, applied in the direction of identification means, packaging foodstuffs, instruments, etc., can solve the problems of toothbrushes not working as effectively or efficiently, users waiting too long, and bristles on worn toothbrushes tend to fray and flare outwards

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-02-26
ULTIMO JUDITH
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

It is quite common for users to wait too long to replace a toothbrush.
Bristles on a worn toothbrush tend to fray and flare outwards.
Once this breakdown starts to happen, the toothbrush fails to work as effectively or efficiently as one with bristles that are standing straight up.
Specifically, the devices and arrangements of the present invention are compatible and work well with any type of toothbrush while many of the prior art devices are not as versatile.

Method used

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  • Device for reminding the user when to dispose of a toothbrush
  • Device for reminding the user when to dispose of a toothbrush
  • Device for reminding the user when to dispose of a toothbrush

Examples

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first embodiment

[0024]A first embodiment of the present invention 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6. this invention 10 comprises a vessel 11 with a cap 12 rotatably engaged with said vessel 11. The cap has an opening (i.e., hole) 22 to allow access to a toothbrush 15 and a second opening (i.e., hole) 13 to allow the user to see the name of the month 14 located on the vessel 11. An interior support structure 21 is contained within the vessel 11. The interior support structure 21 holds at least four containers 17. The containers 17 have a soft material 16 fixedly engaged with the container 17 in order to that allow a toothbrush 15 to be inserted and held upright. A spring 18 is located beneath the container 17 and between the container and the interior support structure 21. The portion of the surface of the vessel 14 that may be seen through the window in the cap 13 displays time-related information, such as the months of the year sequentially around the vessel or specific dates corresponding to...

second embodiment

[0026]the present invention 31 is displayed in FIGS. 6 through 9. This second embodiment of the present invention comprises a hollow flexible form 23 that can be stretched and fitted over the handle of a toothbrush 15. The hollow flexible form 23 may be molded or cut from extruded material. Many modern elastomers can be molded or extruded to create such a form. The month or date that the toothbrush should be replaced in may be embossed 24 on the surface of the device, see FIGS. 6 and 7. When the flexible form 23 comprises a transparent material, the date on which the toothbrush 15 should be replaced may alternatively be written or printed on a card 25 and placed into an interior receptacle 26 in the flexible form 23, see FIGS. 8 and 9.

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Abstract

This invention discloses a device for reminding a user about when to change his toothbrush. In a first embodiment, the present invention is a storage device for four toothbrushes to be disposed of, one at a time, on a regular basis, such as every three months. The storage device has at least four compartments intended to hold one toothbrush each. As the top is rotated the next compartment is opened, thus exposing the next toothbrush in sequence. The top also rotates to show the name of the month or the date on which the toothbrush is to be disposed of, or the date on which the toothbrush was first used. In this manner, the user is reminded as to when to change the toothbrush. A second embodiment of the present invention is a molded elastic form that adds a soft grip texture to the toothbrush handle and includes a date or the name of a month and is also intended to remind the user when it is time to dispose / change his toothbrush.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY [0001]This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60 / 965,826, filed on Aug. 23, 2007. Application 60 / 965,826 is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention is a device for reminding a user about when to dispose of a toothbrush.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Many dentists routinely recommend that a toothbrush be replaced regularly. It is quite common for users to wait too long to replace a toothbrush. Bristles on a worn toothbrush tend to fray and flare outwards. Once this breakdown starts to happen, the toothbrush fails to work as effectively or efficiently as one with bristles that are standing straight up. Most dentists consider changing a toothbrush regularly to be a good practice.[0006]The prior art describes devices related to toothbrushes and timing devices related to toothbrushes. U.S. Pat. No. 6,606,755 describes a toothbrush that is p...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A45C11/00A45D44/00A46B17/00
CPCA45C11/24A45C2011/007A45C2200/05A47K1/09A46B15/001A46B15/0085A46B17/00A46B5/00
Inventor ULTIMO, JUDITH
Owner ULTIMO JUDITH
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