Toothbrush with a sterilising cap

Abstract

The assembly includes a toothbrush 1 and a matching cap 2. The toothbrush has a stem 3 and a head 4 which is provided with a platform 6 carrying a group of bristles 7 which project to one side of the

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to toothbrushes, and particularly a toothbrush provided with a sterilising cap. BACKGROUND According to researchers, as many as 1.2 million bacteria may typically be found on a single used toothbrush. It has been reported that 70% of used toothbrushes are contaminated with potentially harmful bacteria and other pathogens, such as staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus, E. Coli, influenza viruses and yeast fungus. The risk of becoming sick from using a toothbrush is often increased due to the way in which toothbrushes are kept. Bathrooms are the perfect place for bacteria to multiply because they are often warm and damp. In addition, toothbrushes are often kept in close proximity to a lavatory, where the simple act of flushing can launch microscopic droplets of water into the air laden with dirt and pathogens. Dentists recommend changing a toothbrush every three months. They also advise keeping toothbrushes dry and immersing the brush in hydrogen peroxide or alcohol-based mouthwash at regular intervals, but few people adhere to this guidance. Particular problems can arise when travelling. A wide variety of toothbrush covers and cases are available to prevent the bristles from becoming contaminated or bent in transit. Such covers are also designed to keep the toothbrush dry by allowing moisture to evaporate, but in many cases the toothbrush is kept in a waterproof travel bag, which itself maintains a warm, damp environment in which bacteria can multiply and contaminate the toothbrush head. In the UK it is currently very difficult (if not impossible) to get an appointment with an NHS dentist and this is affecting the majority of families and their children's teeth. NHS facts and figures show that child tooth decay and extractions are the highest ever with no sign of any reduction. Anything which encourages greater attention to oral hygiene and regular tooth brushing is therefore welcome. The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of toothbrush assembly which enables and encourages users to periodically sterilise a toothbrush in an effective and convenient manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION When viewed from one aspect the present invention proposes a toothbrush assembly of a toothbrush and a matching cap. The toothbrush has a stem and a head which carries a group of bristles projecting to one side of the stem. The cap comprises a container for a sterilising liquid. The head is provided with a first sealing surface surrounding the group of bristles and the cap has a second sealing surface adapted to engage the first sealing surface such that, in use, the container encloses the bristles and sterilising liquid in a liquid-tight manner. The toothbrush can be more effectively sterilised using a smaller quantity of liquid, and since the toothbrush may be vigorously agitated with the cap in place more thorough cleansing may be achieved. In various embodiments the group of bristles project from a platform having a side face which incorporates the first sealing surface. The platform may be fixed with the head or rotatable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a first kind of toothbrush; Figure 2 is a side view of a second kind of toothbrush. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring firstly to Fig. 1, a toothbrush assembly is shown which includes a manual toothbrush 1 and a cap 2. The toothbrush 1 has a stem 3 in the form of a gently cranked handle which is used for manually manipulating the toothbrush in use. A head 4 is integrally moulded at one end of the handle, the head being of a flat elongate shape which merges into the handle at one end. A front face 5 of the head 4 has an integrally moulded platform 6, also of flat elongate shape, which carries a group of bristles 7 which project from the head to one side of the handle 3. The platform 6 has a continuous side face 10 which is provided with a first sealing formation 11 in the form of an endless shallow groove which extends in a continuous ring around the platform 6 surrounding the bristles 7. The cap 2, comprises a container for a sterilising liquid and may, for example, be moulded of clear plastic. The cap is generally cup shaped with an end wall 12 surrounded by a continuous side wall 13 defining a single opening 14. The interior of the side wall is provided with a second sealing formation 15 in the form of a shallow endless rib which extends in a continuous ring around the opening 14. The cap 2 is configured such that it can be clipped onto the head 4 to completely enclose the bristles 7, thus protecting them from contamination or damage. The second sealing ring 15 may engage the first sealing ring 11 with the rib engaging the shallow groove to form a liquid-tight seal. Before engaging the cap 2, a small quantity of sterilizing liquid such as hydrogen peroxide or alcohol-based mouthwash may be placed in the cap so that the bristles are bathed in the liquid, effectively cleaning the bristles of any harmful bacteria or other pathogens. If the cap is substantially filled with sterilizing liquid it will tend to overflow when the bristles are lowered into the liquid, which ensures that the bristles are completely immersed in liquid. Alternatively, if a smaller quantity of sterilizing liquid is used the toothbrush can be vigorously shaken with the liquid-filled cap in place. The resulting agitation will help to distribute the sterilising liquid between and around the bristles for more effective cleansing. Referring now to Fig. 2, a toothbrush assembly is shown which includes an electrically operated toothbrush 1 and a cap 2. The toothbrush 1 has an elongate stem 3 of generally circular cross-section which releasably connects the toothbrush with a battery operated motor unit 20 which is held in the hand during use. A drive coupling within the stem 3 transmits reciprocating drive from the unit 20 to a head 4 which is integrally moulded at one end of the stem. The head is of generally cylindrical shape and contains a drive spindle which extends transverse to the stem 4 to transmit reciprocating rotational drive to a circular or oval platform 6 which is rotatably mounted at one side of the head 4. The platform 6 carries a group of bristles 7 which project from the head to one side of the stem 3. The platform 6 has a continuous side face 10 which is provided with a first sealing formation 11 in the form of an endless shallow groove which extends in a continuous ring around the platform 6 surrounding the bristles 7. The cap 2, comprises a container for a sterilising liquid and may, for example, be moulded of clear plastic. The cap is generally cup shaped with an end wall 12 surrounded by a continuous side wall 13 defining an opening 14. The interior of the side wall is provided with a second sealing formation 15 in the form of a shallow endless rib which extends in a continuous ring around the opening 14. The cap 2 is configured such that it can be placed onto the platform 6 to completely enclose the bristles 7, thus protecting them from contamination or damage. The second sealing ring 15 may engage the first sealing ring 11 with the rib engaging the shallow groove to form a liquid-tight seal. Before engaging the cap 2, a small quantity of sterilizing liquid such as hydrogen peroxide or alcohol-based mouthwash may be placed in the cap so that the bristles are bathed in the liquid, effectively cleaning the bristles of any harmful bacteria or other pathogens. If the cap is substantially filled with sterilizing liquid it will tend to overflow when the bristles are lowered into the liquid, which ensures that the bristles are completely immersed in liquid. Alternatively, if a smaller quantity of sterilizing liquid is used and the drive unit is operated with the liquid-containing cap in place, the resulting agitation will help to distribute the sterilising liquid between and around the bristles for more effective cleansing. Since the cap 2 engages the platform 6 there is no requirement to provide a seal between the platform and the internal drive mechanism within the head 4 to prevent loss of liquid. It will be noted that in both of the embodiments described above the rib 15 and the groove 11 may be interchanged. In other embodiments of the toothbrush assembly different forms of sealing formation may be used to retain the cap 2 on the platform 6 and maintain an effective seal. For example, the interior of the cap and the outer face 10 of the platform 6 could engage each other in a wedging manner. In any embodiment the cap 2 or the platform 6 could be provided with a flexible elastomeric sealing ring which deforms to engage the opposing face in a liquid-tight sealing manner. Since the assembly of toothbrush and cap will generally be sold together they provide an incentive for users to get into the habit of regular sterilisation of their toothbrushes. Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art.

Claims

1. A toothbrush assembly of:- a toothbrush (1) having a stem (3), a head (4), and a group of bristles (7) projecting from the head to one side of the stem;- a cap (2) to enclose the group of bristles;characterised in that the head has a first sealing surface (11) surrounding the group of bristles, the cap comprises a container for a sterilising liquid, and the container has a second sealing surface (15) adapted to engage the first sealing surface such that, in use, the container encloses the bristles and sterilising liquid in a liquid-tight manner.

2. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1 wherein the group of bristles project from a platform (6) having a side face (10) which incorporates the first sealing surface (11).

3. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein the platform (6) is integrally formed with the head.

4. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein the platform (6) is rotatably mounted on the head.

5. The toothbrush assembly of any preceding claim wherein one of the first sealing surface (11) and the second sealing surface (15) comprises a continuous groove.

6. The toothbrush assembly of any preceding claim wherein one of the first sealing surface (11) and the second sealing surface (15) comprises a continuous rib.

7. The toothbrush assembly of any preceding claimwherein at least one of the first sealing surface (11) and thesecond sealing surface (15) comprises an elastomeric sealingring.

8. The toothbrush assembly of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first sealing surface (11) and the second sealing surface (15) comprise complimentary faces which are mutually engageable in wedging manner.

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