Composite toothbrush having safety features and methods of making same

Abstract

A composite safety toothbrush is disclosed. The toothbrush apparatus detailed herein employs a composite head made from a rigid inner polymer material and a softer thermoplastic material surrounding the inner material. The softer material provides safety for prison toothbrush applications as well as elderly and patient care where care givers may brush the teeth of a patient. Innovative pin connectors in the inner toothbrush head assist in the composite formation. The toothbrush solution herein further importantly provides for a toothbrush having a flexible handle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains generally to toothbrush devices. More specifically, the invention relates to a composite toothbrushes with a composite toothbrush head including safety features, with added durability design, particularly useful for prisons, hospitals and patient/elderly care.

Description of the Prior Art

Prisons and other detention systems restrict certain hygiene items used by inmates to prevent the use of an otherwise safe device as a weapon. For example, conventional toothbrushes are not permitted to be used by many prison systems because they may be fashioned into a pointed shaft or rod or otherwise known as a shank, which could be used to endanger other inmates or themselves, as well as security personnel. Psychiatric and other mental health systems likewise require toothbrushes that cannot cause self-injury or harm to care givers or security personnel.

A previous attempt to provide a safe alternative toothbrush for use by inmates was a toothbrush simply having a brush head and a very short handle. However, such handle is so short that it must be grasped by only the thumb and forefinger of the user. Hence, this toothbrush is awkward to use. The fingers of the user may be required to enter the mouth to reach all of the teeth. Such a difficult to use toothbrush may only provide marginal teeth cleaning and be uncomfortable to use. Further ineffectual cleaning procedures may cause, or at the least contribute to, poor dental hygiene, thereby leading to costly dental procedures in some instances.

Toothbrushes having a flexible handle, therefore deterring inmates' ability to fashion into a shank have further been heretofore known. One such example was proposed by inventor Phillips, entitled “Flexible Toothbrush,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,686. This particular design has a handle portion, reference character sixteen, that is flexible. The handle portion is further coupled to a neck portion, reference character fourteen. The material used in the toothbrush design additionally comprises 50% thermoplastic rubber and 50% polypropylene. As compared to Philips however, the present invention incorporates added design benefits that improve wear characteristics and facilitate use.

Also of concern in the technical field is a bristle retention requirement. Particularly, the bristles must remain secured in place for reasonable longevity. This is of particular concern for prison toothbrushes because bristle retention is very poor when configured to flexible material. Accordingly, present inventor has experimented with composite toothbrush head designs. A related example is provided by Leversby et al., entitled “Toothbrush Structure,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,020. Leversby and his co-inventors describe a toothbrush design with two materials included in the molding process to generally improve strength of the toothbrush and provide a non-slip surface for grasping. There remains a need, however, for a toothbrush head being resilient for strength and bristle retention but however having an outer softer material.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above mentioned deficiencies associated with the prior art. More particularly, the present invention in a first aspect is a composite toothbrush comprising: a rigid polymer material comprising a first volume; a pliable flexible material comprising a second volume, wherein the second volume is greater than the first volume. Further, the pliable flexible material provides a softness applicable to safety in a prison environment or an institutional environment.

Also in this aspect, the invention is characterized as comprising an inner toothbrush head at least partially made from the rigid polymer material; and an outer toothbrush head at least partially made from the pliable flexible material. Also the invention comprises a flexible handle at least partially made from the pliable flexible material; and a pair of pin connectors protruding from the inner toothbrush head, the pin connectors assisting connecting the inner toothbrush head to the outer toothbrush head.

In still a second aspect, the invention is directed to a composite toothbrush having a composite head, the composite head comprising: a rigid inner core having a plurality of bristle holes for retention and holding a plurality of toothbrush bristles, the rigid inner core made from a 1^st material; and a pliable flexible material substantially or entirely surrounding the rigid inner core on a left and a right side in the bottom plan view underside aspect, the pliable flexible material being made from a 2^nd material.

Still further the invention in this aspect may be characterized wherein the composite head further comprises a tip of the rigid inner core being covered with the pliable flexible material; and an end of the rigid inner core opposite the tip further having the pliable flexible material adjacent thereto. Also further the composite head has an opposite side of the rigid inner core, the opposite side opposing a side having the plurality of bristle holes, the opposite side substantially covered by pliable flexible material. And further the composite head has a pair of pin connectors extending from the opposite side of the toothbrush head, the toothbrush head thereby being substantially encased by the pliable flexible material with the exception of the pin connectors and the side having the plurality of bristles not being fully encased in the pliable flexible material.

Yet further, the invention in this aspect may be characterized wherein the pair of pin connectors are offset diagonally with respect to a longitudinal axis of the toothbrush, the longitudinal axis being equidistance to each of the pair of pin connectors. Another feature of the invention is that the composite head toothbrush has a flexible handle at least partially made from the 2^nd material, the pliable material, the toothbrush further thereby being a safety toothbrush. Still further, the flexible handle further includes an enlarged curvilinear flat rear end portion wherein further the toothbrush is able to be flexed into substantially a “L” or “C” shape.

These, as well as other advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description and drawings. It is understood that changes in the specific structure shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention, such as a variety of positions for pin placement as described herein.

While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The invention can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of toothbrush embodiment made from a preferred method herein;

FIG. 2 is a profile view with a partial sectional view thereof taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the toothbrush embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an area circumscribed by line 4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the toothbrush embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is illustrative of a preferred position of a toothbrush illustrating flexing ability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Initially, with reference to FIG. 1, a flexible handle toothbrush 10 is shown that particularly answers a need in the prison, hospital or institutional applications. As shown, the toothbrush 10 has an inner toothbrush head 11 made with a first material. The first material is ideally comprised of a rigid polymer material, therefore providing structural integrity to the toothbrush 10 head 20 allowing for attachment of bristles 14, via the bristle holes 13, in the manufacturing process. Further, an outer toothbrush head 12 is manufactured from extrudable elastomer material, e.g. thermoplastic material, thereby making this material 12 soft and pliable, hence, safer for prison environments or patient care institutions. Additionally as shown, a handle portion 61 is comprised of the same flexible material as the outer toothbrush head 12.

With regard to FIG. 2, a profile of the toothbrush 10 is provided with a partial sectional view thereof taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 3. This together with FIG. 4, the composite toothbrush head 20 is shown with inner 11 and outer 12 portions having a pair (or more, or at least one) of pins 21, 22 at the interface thereof. Importantly, two separate single cavity molds are employed and a method step of molding the inner toothbrush head 11 preceding a step of molding the outer toothbrush head 12. In molding the outer toothbrush head 12, the inner toothbrush head 11 is inserted inside the outer toothbrush head 12 (plus handle 61) mold. The outer toothbrush plus handle mold will have a cavity to receive the inner toothbrush head having a plurality of bristle holes drilled thereto. Importantly, the composite toothbrush head 20 is devoid of glue. Rather, a thermoplastic bond is created in the manufacturing process wherein the inner 11 toothbrush head is molded to the outer toothbrush head 12. Further, the manufacturing of the composite head 20 will employ two single cavity molds.

With regard to FIG. 3, a top plan view of the toothbrush is shown particularly illustrating placement of the interfacing pins 21, 22 of the present invention. As stated pin connectors 21, 22 are employed to strengthen the mating between inner 11 and outer 12 toothbrush head. More specifically, the pins 21, 22 are offset diagonally and equidistant with respect to a longitudinal axis of the flexible handle toothbrush 10, as shown. Also, with regard to the pins, they are further employed to maintain the inner head 11 stationary while positioned in the cavity of the outer head (plus handle) mold. Also as contemplated by the present invention, the two or more pins 21, 22 can be positioned anywhere along the interface between inner 11 and outer 12 heads, as long as the inner head stays stationary in the cavity portion of the outer head 12 mold. FIG. 4 provides an enlarged view of the interface between the inner 11 and outer 12 toothbrush heads.

With regard to FIG. 5, the composite head 11, 12 is shown having a rigid inner core 11 that retains and holds a plurality of toothbrush bristles 14. As stated, the composite head rigid inner core 11 is made from a 1^st material. Generally, the inner core 11 is partially or wholly surrounded by softer material on various sides 31, 32, 33, 34, 36. Initially, the pliable flexible material surrounds the rigid inner core 11 on a left 31 and a right 32 side in the bottom plan view (FIG. 5) underside aspect; the pliable flexible material is particularly made from a 2^nd material forming the composite 11, 12. Also notably, the 2^nd material is cured around the 1^st material to provide a bond devoid of glue due to thermoplastic properties of the 2^nd material.

Further with regard to FIG. 5, a tip 33 of the rigid inner core 11 is covered with the pliable flexible material 12. An end 34 that transitions to a neck portion directly behind or adjacent to the end 34 further transitions to the toothbrush handle 61 has pliable flexible material configured thereto. The end 34 of the rigid inner core is opposite the tip 33. The end 34 is distinct from left 31 and right 32 sides.

Yet further with regard to FIG. 5, the invention is unique as compared to previous composite toothbrushes in that the pliable flexible material occupies more of the toothbrush 10 than any hard portion(s) having the rigid polymer material.

With further reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an opposite side 36 of the rigid inner core 11 is also substantially covered by pliable flexible material 12; in a preferred embodiment (FIG. 3), the opposite side 36 is covered with the exception of the pin connectors 21, 22 being made from the 1^st material. The opposite side 36 opposes a side 35 having the plurality of bristle holes 13. The pair of pin connectors 21, 22 extend from the opposite side 36 of the toothbrush inner head 11. The toothbrush inner head 11 could further be partially, substantially or wholly encased by the pliable flexible material. A notable exception would be the pin connectors 21, 22 and the side 35 having the plurality of bristles not being fully encased in the pliable flexible material.

With regard to FIG. 6, the preferred toothbrush has a flexible handle 61 at least partially (or wholly) made from the 2^nd material, the toothbrush thereby being a safety toothbrush suitable for prisons, institutions, or the like. As shown, the toothbrush can easily be bent into a shape of an “L,” or a “C.” More particularly, the flexible handle 61 has an enlarged curvilinear flat rear end portion and being comprised of flexible material thereby permitting the toothbrush to be flexed into substantially a “L” or “C” shape.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

While the particular Composite Toothbrush Having Safety Features and Methods of Making Same as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

Claims

1. A toothbrush comprising: a rigid polymer material comprising a first volume;a pliable flexible material comprising a second volume, wherein the second volume is greater than the first volume;a plurality of bristles coupled to the rigid polymer material for providing cleansing to a user's teeth; anda thermoplastic bond at an interface between the rigid polymer material and the pliable flexible material, the toothbrush thereby being a composite toothbrush.

2. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the pliable flexible material provides a softness applicable to safety in a prison environment or an institutional environment.

3. The toothbrush of claim 1, further comprising: an inner toothbrush head at least partially made from the rigid polymer material; andan outer toothbrush head at least partially made from the pliable flexible material.

4. The toothbrush of claim 3, further comprising: a flexible handle at least partially made from the pliable flexible material; anda pair of pin connectors protruding from the inner toothbrush head, the pin connectors made from the rigid polymer material and assisting connecting the inner toothbrush head to the outer toothbrush head.

5. A composite toothbrush comprising: a rigid polymer toothbrush head inner core having a plurality of bristle holes for retention and holding a plurality of toothbrush bristles, the rigid polymer toothbrush inner core made from a 1st material;a pliable flexible material partially surrounding the rigid polymer toothbrush head inner core on a left and a right side in a bottom plan view underside aspect, the pliable flexible material being made from a 2nd material; anda flexible handle at least partially made from the 2nd material wherein the flexible handle is able to be bent into an “L” or a “C” shape wherein the pliable flexible material comprises a greater volume than the rigid polymer toothbrush inner core material.