Toothbrush sterilizing device

Abstract

A sterilizing device 1 for toothbrushes 3 comprising: a cabinet 6 vented at the rear, a hinged door forming an air-tight seal, and means located on the inner face of the opening door 2 for housing too

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to devices which are used to sterilize toothbrushes. Background The use of toothbrushes is a global daily practice among adults and children and consists of hand toothbrushes and various electrically aided versions. The user rinses the head of the brush after use, which may involve using their fingers to ‘splay’ the bristles to aid the water rinsing during the process. This does have an effect on removing particles from the bristles but it is limited to its effectiveness on smaller particles and levels of bacteria will remain. The prior art therefore shows that there is a need for a more effective way of cleaning toothbrushes after or before use which is able to eliminate bacteria that not only remains in the bristles but also on the neck and handle areas. The present invention aims to provide a device which can eliminate bacteria and has means to vertically house multiple toothbrushes in a holding rack preferably located on the inner face of an opening door, within an air tight cabinet unit which sprays hot steam onto the toothbrushes to clean them and has a system to do so. Summary of the invention According to the present invention there is provided a sterilizing device for toothbrushes, which is a device that has means to house toothbrushes vertically disposed in a holding rack located on the inner face of an opening door, within an air tight cabinet unit, which sprays hot steam onto the toothbrushes to clean and sterilize them and has a system to do so. This is comprised of the cabinet unit, being vented at the rear, which is a housing that is visually similar to a small travel refrigerator, having an opening door to its front which closes onto the cabinet unit, with an airtight door seal on the door edge and the cabinet unit edge, which creates a sealed closure. Within the unit is a water tank which is re-filled by the user and which, with the aid of the system, produces said steam. The sterilizer is powered by an external AC mains power source, for example; 220V / 110V, which is converted into low-voltage DC suitable for the electronic components, and a power supply unit (PSU) steps down the AC voltage using a transformer and rectifies it into DC using a diode bridge. A voltage regulator (LM7805) provides a stable output voltage (5V) to power the Arduino, sensors, relays, and other electronic components and further to this the power system includes capacitors to filter noise and ensure smooth operation. To confirm the system is receiving power, and inform of its status, LED’s are provided externally on the device. During use when the Power On button is pressed the Arduino (the microcontroller) initializes and performs a system check, in addition to this the water level sensor checks if there is sufficient water in the tank and if the water level is insufficient, the system halts, and a warning signal (LED or buzzer) is activated, if the water level is adequate, the heater is powered on. For the heating and temperature control the heater is connected to a relay controlled by the Arduino, when activated, the heater begins heating the water in the sterilization chamber and the temperature sensor (LM35) monitors the water temperature continuously and sends readings to the Arduino. The Arduino uses these temperature readings to regulate the heater, if the temperature is below the required sterilization range (70°C or above), the heater stays on. Once the desired temperature is reached, the Arduino cycles the heater on and off as needed to maintain it. As the water boils, it produces steam the steam is directed to the toothbrush compartment through nozzles designed to spray steam evenly on the toothbrush. This ensures all surfaces are exposed to high-temperature steam for effective sterilization. An additional feature is a Boost button which is a user-activated feature to be used if the user notices the temperature has dropped, which may be due to extended operation or environmental factors, pressing the Boost button signals the Arduino to temporarily increase the power to the heater. This ensures the water quickly returns to the desired sterilization temperature. The sterilization process runs for a pre-set duration, for example 5-10 minutes, programmed into the Arduino, the timing ensures sufficient exposure to steam to kill bacteria and germs effectively, after the timer expires, the Arduino turns off the heater and stops the steam generation. The device further includes very important safety measures which include low water protection wherein the water level sensor ensures the heater does not operate without enough water, preventing overheating or damage to the system. Overheating protection is also provided and if the temperature sensor detects an unsafe temperature (above 100°C), the Arduino shuts off the heater and activates an alert. Power Isolation, is provided wherein a relay isolates the high-power heater from the low-power Arduino circuit, ensuring user safety and preventing electrical damage. After the sterilization process is complete, the user can turn off the system using the Power Off button. The Arduino shuts down all active components, leaving the system in a safe state, providing power of and re-set. Further features include a small LCD or OLED screen display system status for example; "Heating", "Sterilizing", "Complete") and error messages (e.g., "Low Water"), as a display mode. A re-fill hole for the water tank and a water drain plug hole are located to the side of the cabinet unit and there is a door mirror above the small LCD / OLED screen to the front. Automatic Shut-Off is also provided if the system detects inactivity for a prolonged period, it can power down automatically to save energy. These elements and features are shown in electrical route and circuit component mapping form in Figure 4. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the Patent Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sterilizing device for toothbrushes which has all the advantages of the prior art toothbrush sterilizing devices and none of the disadvantages. It is another object of the present invention to provide a new sterilizing device for toothbrushes which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sterilizing device for toothbrushes which is of durable and reliable construction. An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sterilizing device for toothbrushes which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labour, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a product available to the buying public. Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sterilizing device for toothbrushes which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. Brief description of figures Figure 1 shows a dimensional view of the sterilizing device for toothbrushes with the door opened. Figure 2 shows a dimensional view of the sterilizing device for toothbrushes with the door closed and showing the users operational features. Figure 3 shows a dimensional view of the rear of the sterilizing device for toothbrushes. Figure 4 shows the electrical route and circuit component mapping for the sterilizing device for toothbrushes. Detailed description of figures A typical embodiment of the sterilizing device for toothbrushes is shown in Figure 1. It comprises the device 1, which has means to house toothbrushes 3 which are each vertically disposed in a holding rack 4 and 10 located on the inner face of an opening door 2, within an air tight cabinet unit, which sprays hot steam onto the toothbrushes via steam nozzles 7 to clean and sterilize them. This is comprised of the cabinet unit which is a housing that is visually similar to a small travel refrigerator, having the opening door 2 with hinges 5 to its front which closes onto a cabinet unit 6, with the airtight door seal on the door edge 9 and the cabinet edge 8, which create a sealed closure. The cabinet unit interior 11 has an additional shelf 12 directly below the lower toothbrush holding rack 10 when the door is closed and the cabinet unit exterior 13 provides the shaping for the device which corresponds with the door 2 shape. The device 1A further has a cabinet exterior control and indicator side 14 having a re-fill hole for the water tank 15 and a water drain plug hole 17 to remove water when required and a level indicator window 16 for the water level in the tank, the tank being housed within the device 1A. To be shown. To the front of the door 2A is a door mirror 18 and a small LCD or OLED information screen 19 which shows the current status of the device when in use. The cabinet unit 6A has a bottom 20 which may have standing means such as rubber or plastic feet to prevent marking surfaces and to gain improved purchase. The door 2A is shown in this Figure with its depth and outer surface 22 which corresponds exactly with the shape of the cabinet unit 6A, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows the device 1B rear with the cabinet unit exterior 13 to this side and the outer surface 22B, as referred to in the previous Figure. The cabinet unit 6B rear is vented 21 to help maintain the cooling of the device and the water tank 23 is housed internally and contains at least 1.5 litres to provide water for creating the steam. The working features of the device are as follows; beginning with the water tank 23 which is re-filled via the re-fill hole 15 by the user and which, with the aid of the system, produces said steam. Internally the following components are found within the system, the sterilizer within the device is powered by an external AC mains power source for example; 220V / 110V, which is converted into low-voltage DC suitable for the electronic components, and a power supply unit (PSU) steps down the AC voltage using a transformer and rectifies it into DC using a diode bridge. A voltage, regulator located internally, (LM7805) provides a stable output voltage (5V) to power the Arduino, sensors, relays, and other electronic components. Further to this the power system includes capacitors to filter noise and ensure smooth operation and to confirm the system is receiving power, LED’s are provided externally on the device. During use, when the Power On button is pressed the Arduino (the microcontroller) initializes and performs a system check, in addition to this the water level sensor checks if there is sufficient water in the tank 23. Should the water level be insufficient, the system halts, and a warning signal (LED or buzzer) is activated, if the water level is adequate, the heater is powered on. For the heating and temperature control the heater is connected to a relay controlled by the Arduino, when activated, the heater begins heating the water in the sterilization chamber and the temperature sensor (LM35) monitors the water temperature continuously and sends readings to the Arduino. The Arduino uses these temperature readings to regulate the heater, if the temperature is below the required sterilization range (70°C or above), the heater stays on. Once the desired temperature is reached, the Arduino cycles the heater on and off as needed to maintain it. As the water boils it produces steam, the steam is then redirected to the toothbrush compartment through nozzles 7 designed to spray steam evenly on the toothbrushes 3. This ensures all surfaces are exposed to high-temperature steam for effective sterilization. An additional feature is a Boost button which is a user-activated feature to be used if the user notices the temperature has dropped, for example; due to extended operation or environmental factors), pressing the Boost button signals the Arduino to temporarily increase the power to the heater, this ensures the water quickly returns to the desired sterilization temperature. The sterilization process runs for a pre-set duration, for example; 5-10 minutes, programmed into the Arduino, the timing ensures sufficient exposure to steam to kill bacteria and germs effectively, after the timer expires, the Arduino turns off the heater and stops the steam generation. The device 1 further includes very important safety measures which include low water protection wherein the water level sensor ensures the heater does not operate without enough water, preventing overheating or damage to the system. Overheating protection is also provided and if the temperature sensor detects an unsafe temperature, for example; above 100°C, the Arduino shuts off the heater and activates an alert. Power isolation, is provided wherein a relay isolates the high-power heater from the low-power Arduino circuit, ensuring user safety and preventing electrical damage. After the sterilization process is complete, the user can turn off the system using the Power Off button. The Arduino shuts down all active components, leaving the system in a safe state, providing power off and re-set. Further features include a small LCD or OLED screen display system status, for example; "Heating", "Sterilizing", "Complete") and error messages (e.g., "Low Water"), as a display mode. Automatic Shut-Off is also provided if the system detects inactivity for a prolonged period, it can power down automatically to save energy. These elements and features are shown in electrical route and circuit component mapping form in Figure 4.

Claims

1) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes comprising; a device which has a cabinet unit being vented at the rear, with a hinged door that has an air tight seal, with means to house toothbrushes vertically disposed in a holding rack, located on the inner face of the opening door, within the airtight cabinet unit, which sprays hot steam onto the toothbrushes to clean them and has a system, with various safety features, to do so, within the system is a water tank inside the device which is re-filled by the user and which, with the aid of the further components of the system, produces said steam, a Power On button activates the device and a sterilizer is powered by an external AC mains power source (220V / 110V), which is converted into low-voltage DC suitable for the electronic components, and a power supply unit (PSU) steps down the AC voltage using a transformer and rectifies it into DC using a diode bridge, a voltage regulator (LM7805) provides a stable output voltage (5V) to power the Arduino (the microcontroller), various sensors, relays, a boost button and operation switches and other electronic components including a small LCD or OLED screen display, a heater and further to this the power system includes capacitors to filter noise and ensure smooth operation, to confirm the system is receiving power LED’s are provided externally on the device and a water level indicator window shows how full the tank is, a water re-fill hole for the water tank and a water drain plug hole are located to the side of the cabinet unit and there is a door mirror located on the front of the door.2) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 1 wherein an airtight door seal on the door edge and the cabinet unit edge create a tight closure.3) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device is vented at the rear to help maintain the cooling of the device during use.4) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 1 wherein, in use, when the Power On button is pressed the Arduino (the microcontroller) initializes and performs a system check, in addition to this a water level sensor checks if there is sufficient water in the tank.5) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 4 wherein, in use, if the water level is insufficient, the system halts, and a warning signal (LED or buzzer) is activated, if the water level is adequate, the heater is powered on.6) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 5 wherein for the heating and temperature control the heater is connected to a relay, controlledby the Arduino (microcontroller), when activated, the heater begins heating the water in the sterilization chamber and the temperature sensor (LM35) monitors the water temperature continuously and sends readings to the Arduino.7) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 6 wherein the Arduino uses these temperature readings to regulate the heater, if the temperature is below the required sterilization range (70°C or above), the heater stays on, once the desired temperature is reached, the Arduino cycles the heater on and off as needed, to maintain said temperature.8) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 7 wherein, in use, as the water boils, it produces steam the steam is directed to the toothbrush compartment through said nozzles which are designed to spray steam evenly on the toothbrush, this ensures all surfaces are exposed to high-temperature steam for effective sterilization.9) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 1 wherein the Boost button is a user-activated feature to be used if the user notices the temperature has dropped, for example; due to extended operation or environmental factors, pressing the Boost button signals the Arduino to temporarily increase the power to the heater.10) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 9 wherein, in use, the increased power to the heater as facilitated by the Arduino ensures the water quickly returns to the desired sterilization temperature.11) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 10 wherein, in use, the sterilization process runs for a pre-set duration, for example; 5-10 minutes, which has been programmed into the Arduino, the timing ensures sufficient exposure to steam to kill bacteria and germs effectively, after the timer expires, the Arduino turns off the heater and stops the steam generation.12) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 1 wherein the important safety features include low water protection wherein, the various sensors include a water level sensor which ensures the heater does not operate without enough water, preventing overheating or damage to the system.13) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 1 wherein the various sensors include overheating protection which is provided if the temperature sensor detects an unsafe temperature, for example above 100°C, the Arduino shuts off the heater and activates an alert.14) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 1 wherein power isolation is provided wherein a relay isolates the high-power heater from the low-power Arduino circuit, ensuring user safety and preventing electrical damage.15) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 1 wherein, in use, after the sterilization process is complete, the user can turn off the system using the Power Off button. The Arduino shuts down all active components, leaving the system in a safe state, providing power of and re-set.16) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 1 wherein the small LCD or OLED screen display system shows the current status, for example; "Heating", "Sterilizing", "Complete" and error messages "Low Water", as a display mode.17) A sterilizing device for toothbrushes as claimed in claim 1 wherein, in use, Automatic Shut-Off is also provided if the system detects inactivity for a prolonged period, it can power down automatically to save energy.A

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