Dental cradle systems

Abstract

The dental cradle is a dishwasher safe, injection-molded thermoplastic polymer device for holding toothbrushes and other dental hygiene instruments, which prevents bacteria from developing by allowing toothbrushes and other dental hygiene instruments to air dry in a horizontal position rather than dripping from a vertical position into a cup holder that promotes a bacteria-breeding environment. The dental cradle can be manufactured and sold as a kit in combination with a tooth brush, a tooth scraper, and a tooth mirror.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application is a continuation-in-part and is related to and claims priority from pending non-provisional application Ser. No. 14 / 454,815 filed Aug. 8, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference.COPYRIGHT NOTICE[0002]A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or impl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known toothbrush holder art, the present invention provides a novel dental cradle. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a free-standing accessory intended for use on a sink counter or fit in a medicine cabinet in a bathroom, and designed to hold toothbrushes, and dental hygiene implements such as mirrors and picks, in secure, form-fitting cradles to prevent the accumulation of water and thus bacteria buildup which occurs with conventional, cup-style toothbrush and implement holders. Public dental health is thus promoted.

[0014]The top section comprises a series of horizontal cradles for holding multiple dental hygiene implements in a separated and organized manner, allowing a user to easily view and subsequently utilize the dental hygiene implement of a user's preference. The series of horizontal cradles on the top section may comprise two sets of grooves, parallel and separated from each other to allow dental hygiene implements to be placed therein.

[0015]The dental cradle device prevents accumulation of sitting water to prevent bacteria growth, by holding dental hygiene implements in a horizontal position in the series of horizontal cradles. This method of use prevents bacteria from migrating up the handle and contaminating the head of the dental hygiene implement as happens in a vertical type tooth brush holder. The series of horizontal cradles are form-fitting to securely hold dental hygiene implements by the handle to allow the head of the dental hygiene implement to air dry. The dental hygiene implement head extends beyond the top section to allow air drying and bacteria free storage, while holding the handle from the bottom side to allow the handle to air dry as well.

[0016]The stem section is attached to the bottom side of the top section to allow the top section to be raised above a surface, and is manufactured in different heights for space constraints and consumer preference. The base section is attached to a lower side of the stem section to provide vertical stability of the dental cradle device, and comprises a flat bottom to allow placing of the dental cradle device on a flat planar surface for use. Dental hygiene implements are able to be placed in the series of horizontal cradles to allow storage and air drying in a horizontal position, thus preventing bacteria growth as with traditional cup-style holders.

Problems solved by technology

There is no lack of attractive, traditional, cup-style toothbrush holders on the market, and although these may look terrific and tasteful by the bathroom sink, you're eventually going to get, using a holder that inevitably collects and retains water, a mouth full of bacteria.

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