Tongue scraper adapted for engagement with a toothbrush

Abstract

A dental hygiene device formed of a toothbrush component having an elongated handle and bristles extending from a first surface and a scraper component with a scraping edge positioned on a first side a body portion. The scraper component is employable in an as-used position to scrape the tongue surface of a user and engageable in a cavity in the toothbrush handle to a stored position. In the stored position, the scraping edge is positioned away from possible contact with the user's hand or storage surfaces which the device may occupy to prevent contamination by germs and bacteria.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 449,409 filed Mar. 4, 2011 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. The present invention relates to oral hygiene implements. More particularly the disclosed device relates to a toothbrush and tongue scraper combination allowing the user to carry a single instrument for multiple oral hygiene modes of use.[0003]2. Prior Art[0004]The importance of oral hygiene is conveyed to most people at a very young age with brushing and flossing being the means to provide proper oral care. Maintaining oral hygiene can save money by reducing dental office visits as well providing self confidence in knowing that your teeth are clean and your breath is fresh. Further, such care will tend to minimize tooth decay and physical problems and concurrently maintain reasonably fresh breath.[0005]A common misconception, however, is that bad breath ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]The tongue scraper portion of the instrument generally consists of an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end. At the proximal end is situated a scraping means such as a protruding body portion from the member forming the handle communicating between the proximal and distal ends. The handle portion is generally of a cross section configured for cooperative engagement with the toothbrush handle and of a flexible in nature so as to serve as a means to limit the amount of pressure the user may impart to their tongue to prevent injury thereto.

[0017]When the scraper is rotated and thereby deployed to the as-used position, the user can grasp the handle portion of the scraper as opposed to handling it at or near the brushing bristles of the toothbrush body itself as mentioned in prior art toothbrush / tongue scraper combinations. Alternatively, the tongue scraper portion can rotate to an engaged position on the back surface of the toothbrush handle, enabling use of either.

[0018]The scraping component body defining the scraping means on the proximal end of the tongue scraper portion, employs a flat surface to scrape the tongue, and is positioned on the side adjacent to the back of the toothbrush body to cooperatively engage therewith, to ensure flush engagement when in the stored position. A means to removably engage the scraper component, for temporary engagement when in the stored position is achieved by a removable engagement means such as a snap fit, tongue and groove, or the like. This also allows for replacement of the scraper over time with new scraper components.

[0022]It is an object of the invention to provide a single dental hygiene instrument having a combination toothbrush and tongue scraper in a variety of modes that is altogether easily used, sanitary, and convenient.

Problems solved by technology

A common misconception, however, is that bad breath comes from dirty teeth.

However, this requires the user to palm both the bristles of the brush, and the tongue scraping component during use of the other, which is less than appealing and sanitary.

Although providing a convenient scraping means, the positioning of a scraping component at one exterior end of a toothbrush for daily employment, is generally unsanitary due to the user using their hands to use it, as well as its placement on bathroom surfaces.

Consequently devices with exposed scrapers have been less than successful.

Furthermore, there is the constant problem of cross-contamination because the user employs their hands over the scraping end when handling the device as a toothbrush.

As a result, bacteria and germs can be transferred to the brushing bristles from the tongue scraper side of the instrument, which is again unsanitary and unappealing.

Further, when employed subsequent to brushing, the user must grip the brush end of the instrument which is then wet and undesireable, in addition to the cross-contamination that is certain to occur.

However, the flexible nature of the tongue scraper permitting a rolled up storage position does not seem to provide as effective of a scraping means as would a rigid counterpart.

Furthermore, the addition of a roll up mechanism seems to add unnecessary complexity to a conventionally simple toothbrush design.

It also seems that cleaning and maintaining cleanliness of such a tongue scraper would be more difficult then just having a separate tongue scraper on its own.

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