Collapsible Toothbrush Handle With Nested Segments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Full-sized toothbrushes can become sources of disease-causing organisms if not properly maintained, and existing disposable toothbrushes are not designed for compact storage or reuse.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible toothbrush with nested segments forming a rigid handle and integrated dental floss for enhanced oral hygiene, allowing for compact storage and easy extension for use, featuring a brush head with bristles and a filament for flossing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If full-sized toothbrushes are used for home cleaning, then effective oral hygiene is achieved, but the toothbrush can become a source of disease-causing organisms if not properly maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoral hygiene effectivenessVSAvoidbacterial retention
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The toothbrush is designed as a disposable product with a collapsible handle that can be compacted for storage. After use, the entire toothbrush is discarded, eliminating the problem of bacterial retention while maintaining effective oral hygiene through the brush head and integrated floss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If disposable toothbrushes are used for single use, then bacterial retention is prevented, but the toothbrush cannot be stored compactly or reused

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacterial retentionVSAvoidstorage compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is divided into multiple telescopic segments that can nest within each other, allowing the disposable toothbrush to be compacted to a fraction of its extended length for space-efficient storage in travel cases or packaging while maintaining the ability to provide full oral hygiene functionality when extended

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic segments are designed to nest within one another like nested dolls, with each segment containing the next smaller segment, enabling the handle to collapse to a compact size for storage while easily extending to full length for use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of moving object

If a collapsible handle with nested segments is used, then storage compactness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage compactnessVSAvoidhandle structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is divided into multiple telescopic segments that can nest within each other, allowing the compact toothbrush to be stored in a small sealed plastic package until used. The segments are nested within one another and upon extension form an interference fit with each adjacent interior and exterior segment thereby forming a rigid handle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic segments are designed to nest within one another like nested dolls, with each segment containing the next smaller segment, enabling the handle to collapse to a compact size for storage while easily extending to full length for use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The collapsible design ensures a sterile toothbrush can be stored compactly and easily extended for use, providing effective oral hygiene while minimizing waste and preventing bacterial retention.

Implementation Method 1

The segments are nested within one another and upon extension form an interference fit with each adjacent interior and exterior segment thereby forming a rigid handle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference fit:

Data Source

PatentUS9248564B1Toothbrush with collapsible handle
Publication Date: 2016.02.02 UBETO GERMAN J

AI summary

A compact toothbrush includes a head with a collapsible handle allowing it to be stored in a small sealed plastic package until used. Puncturing the seal of the packaging allows access to the sterile collapsed toothbrush therein. The toothbrush has a brush head with bristles extending from one side, and an opening containing one or more segments nested within one another forming a handle. The inner-most segment is pulled outward, away from the brush head, with the adjacent outer segments following. Upon extension the segments form an interference fit with each adjacent interior and exterior segment forming a rigid handle. A filament, such as dental floss is contained within the toothbrush. An end of the filament extends from the end of the handle opposite the brush head, and when the handle is extended a user can pull the filament from the toothbrush and use the filament to floss their teeth.