Sanitary toothbrush holder

Abstract

A toothbrush holder facilitates air drying of the toothbrush bristles after use while maintaining the surrounding areas sanitary if fluid drips from the bristles. The holder includes a base and first and second aligned posts extending upwardly from the base, each post having a top surface, the top surfaces configured to support a toothbrush handle. The second post top surface is spaced further from the base than the first post top surface so that an imaginary straight line between the top surfaces has a cant angle of about 4-10 degrees so that when a toothbrush handle is placed on the post top surfaces the toothbrush bristles are lower than the end of the handle most remote from the bristles. The base is positioned over a sink so that any fluid dripping from the toothbrush bristles goes directly into the sink bowl.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For more than one hundred years (e. g. see British Patent 6674 issued Mar. 25, 1896) there have been proposals for mechanisms that mount a toothbrush so that after use the bristles will be enveloped by ambient air thereby hastening drying action. A number of these proposals, such as British 6674, Swiss 180027, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,904,988, provide a mechanism that is built right into the toothbrush handle, so that purchase of specialty toothbrushes are required (that is they cannot be utilized with conventional toothbrushes). Other proposals mount the toothbrushes with accessory means so that they can be used with a conventional toothbrush and hold the brush so that the handle is horizontal (U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,472,058 and 4,854,457) or so that the bristles are higher than the handle (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,875,516, 6,622,978 and 6,758,446). One proposal that was apparently commercialized for at least some period of time and is viewable on the Pinterest website (called a double-ended toothbrushes horizontal holder) mounted two toothbrushes side-by-side on notched bars so that the handles were horizontal and so that the base for mounting the bars overlapped the toothbrush bristles. While all of these proposals do seem to allow the bristles of the toothbrush to be held away from other objects so that the bristles can air dry more effectively, they have drawbacks.

One of the most significant drawbacks of the above-identified proposals is that oftentimes during the after-use drying process fluid drips from the toothbrush bristles and lands on a surface that then needs to be cleaned. Such fluid is often water with at least a small amount of residual toothpaste, spittle, or other contaminants therein. For example in the Pinterest website commercial product the base for mounting the toothbrushes may become contaminated with fluid dripping from the bristles, providing an unsanitary, or at least unsightly, situation.

According to the invention, a holder for a conventional toothbrush is provided that eliminates the problems set forth above while still clearly distancing wet toothbrush bristles from other surfaces, and allowing the bristles to easily air dry. This is accomplished according to the invention by providing the holder so that the bristles are below the end of the toothbrush handle most remote from the bristles, and by positioning the holder so that the bristles overlie a sink bowl (e. g. a bathroom sink bowl). In this way any fluid (whether water alone or contaminated with residual toothpaste, spittle, or the like) dripping from the bristles after use will fall directly into the sink bowl, which bowl is easily cleaned during normal use of the sink, and as a result of the action of gravity liquid may drip more quickly from the bristles than in some previous proposals.

According to one aspect of the present invention a holder is provided for a toothbrush having a handle and a head with bristles. The holder comprises: a base; and at least first and second substantially aligned supporting structures (e. g. posts) extending upwardly from the base, the first post having a first top surface and the second post having a second top surface. The post first and second top surfaces are each configured to support a toothbrush handle; and the second top surface is spaced further from the base than the first top surface so that an imaginary straight line between the top surfaces has a cant angle (preferably about 4-10 degrees but other angles of at least 2 degrees are feasible) so that when a toothbrush handle is placed on the top surfaces the toothbrush head is lower than the end of the handle most remote from the head. The holder is preferably composed of plastic, such as ABS or high density polyethylene.

The holder according to the invention may further comprise third and fourth substantially aligned support structures (preferably posts) extending upwardly from the base and having third and fourth top surfaces, respectively. In this case the fourth top surface is spaced further from the base than the third top surface so that a straight line between the third and fourth top surfaces has a cant similar to that of the first and second posts so that when a toothbrush handle is placed on the third and fourth top surfaces the toothbrush head is lower than the end of the handle most remote from the head. Any number of other sets of support structures may be provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention the holder is in combination with a toothbrush having a handle and a head with bristles. In this combination the base is dimensioned so that when the toothbrush handle engages both the top surfaces the toothbrush head does not overlie the base, and the toothbrush head is closer to the first top surface than the second top surface.

According to a further aspect of the present invention the holder-toothbrush combination is in further combination with a sink having a ledge defining the top of a sink bowl. In this combination the base and toothbrush are positioned so that the toothbrush head and bristles extend past the ledge and overlie the sink bowl so that any fluid dripping from the toothbrush head and bristles drips directly into the bowl. The holder-toothbrush-sink combination may further comprises a front lip on the base adjacent the first post, which lip facilitates positioning of the base at the sink ledge.

The bottom of the base may be flat, or may have one or more suction cups operatively connected to it to positively hold the base in place adjacent a sink. Alternatively the bottom may be recessed so as to minimize the possibility of water pooling.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of air drying the bristles of a conventional toothbrush after use by a human to brush the human's teeth, utilizing a toothbrush holder and a bathroom sink bowl. The method comprises: a) positioning the holder adjacent the bathroom sink bowl; and b) placing the toothbrush on the holder so that the bristles overlie the sink bowl so that any fluid dripping from the bristles is deposited directly into the sink bowl. The toothbrush has a handle including an end thereof most remote from the bristles, and preferably b) is further practiced so that the toothbrush handle angles downwardly so that the bristles are lower than the handle end most remote from the bristles. Preferably b) is further practiced so that the handle angles downwardly between about 4-10 degrees, and so that the bristles point downwardly or substantially horizontally.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an effective holder for a toothbrush that allows sanitary drying of a toothbrush after use by mounting it in a particular way on the holder, and method of use. This and other objects of the invention will become clear from an inspection of the detailed description of the drawings, and from the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two exemplary toothbrush holders according to the present invention, one in combination with a toothbrush mounted thereon, and both next to the ledge of a bathroom sink, with the toothbrush bristles positioned over the sink so that any fluid dripping from it will drain directly into the sink bowl;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the holders and toothbrush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of one of the holders, per se, of FIGS. 1 & 2, and with optional suction cups extending downwardly from the bottom of the base;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the holder of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of a modified exemplary holder according to the invention having a lip for cooperation with a sink ledge; and

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the holder of FIG. 1 having a recessed configuration that minimizes the chances of water pooling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 & 2 show two exemplary holders 10 according to the present invention; the left holder 10 has a conventional toothbrush 12 mounted thereon, and the right holder 10 has no mounted toothbrush. Each holder 10 comprises a base 14 with first and second substantially aligned support structures. While the support structures may be bars, ledges, or have a number of other configurations, preferably the support structures are in the form of discrete posts 16, 17 as illustrated in the drawings, extending upwardly from the base 14. The first post 16 has a first top surface 18 and the second post 17 has a second top surface 19. As clearly seen in FIGS. 1-3 the post 16, 17 first and second top surfaces 18, 19, respectively, are each configured to support a handle 22 of the toothbrush 12. As also can be seen in FIGS. 1-4 the second top surface 19 is spaced further from the base 14 than the first top surface so that an imaginary straight line (such as that provided by a centerline of the toothbrush handle 22) between the top surfaces 18, 19 has a cant angle α (see FIG. 4) of at least about two degrees so that when a toothbrush handle 22 is placed on the top surfaces 18, 19 the toothbrush head 24, containing the bristles 26, is lower than the end 27 of the handle 22 most remote from the head 24.

While the cant angle α is at least about two degrees it is preferably about 4-10 degrees, and most desirably about seven degrees. Even though a 4-10 degree cant angle α is preferred the angle α can be significantly higher. However, if the angle α is more than about 40 degrees it is desirable to have some sort of retaining-mechanism to hold it in place so that it does not slide off of the posts 16, 17. The retaining-mechanism may be friction material at the tops 18, 19, an elastic band, or some sort of clip or latch.

While only two substantially aligned posts (or other supporting structures) 16, 17 are provided in the holder 10 in FIGS. 1-4 three or even more aligned posts may be provided depending upon the construction of the posts, such as the two sets of posts 16, 17 and 16′, 17′ in FIG. 5. In any case a toothbrush 12 held by the posts, regardless of how many, makes an angle α of at least about two degrees, with the toothbrush bristles 26 lower than the far end 27 of the handle 22.

As most clearly seen in FIGS. 1-3, the top surfaces 18, 19 may be configured to have longitudinal curved depressions 29 (like element 34 in U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,342) formed therein which receive the toothbrush handle 22. The longitudinal curved depressions 29 are wide and deep enough to comfortably hold a handle 22 therein while not being too wide and deep so as to allow too much movement of the handle 22. Alternatively the depressions 29 may have other shapes, such as being polygonal (e. g. rectangular) in cross-section, and may have friction-enhancing material, such as rubber, placed therein.

As seen in the drawings the posts 16, 17 have a shape roughly simulating that of a human's tooth, particularly a molar, but that is simply an aesthetic design feature, not a functional one. The posts 16, 17, or like supporting structures, can have almost any desired shape as long as they properly perform their function of supporting a toothbrush 12 so that liquid can drain from the bristles 26.

The holder 10 can be formed of plastic, such as ABS or high density polyethylene plastic or other plastic having properties comparable to ABS or HDPE, although other materials may be used as long as they wear well in a bathroom environment. The entire holder 10 can be formed in one piece (e. g. by injection molding) or the base 14 and the posts 16, 17 can be discrete pieces and can be assembled and held together by adhesive or mechanical fasteners (such as screws extending through the bottom of the base 14 into the bottoms of the posts 16, 17).

As seen in FIGS. 1 & 2 the left holder 10 is in combination with a toothbrush 12 having a handle 22 and a head 24 with bristles 26. As also seen therein the base 14 dimensions are such that when the toothbrush handle 22 engages both the top surfaces 18, 19 the toothbrush head 24 and bristles 26 do not overlie the base 14, and the head 24 is closer to the first top surface 18 than the second top surface 19.

Non-limiting exemplary configurations and dimensions of the base 14 are a rectangle with a width (if only one set of posts 16, 17 is provided) of about 35-45 mm, a length of about 55-65 mm, a height of about 3-15 mm, and with the distance from the end of the first post 16 to the front edge 31 of the base 14 of less than about 10-20 mm. The heights of the posts 16, 17 are preferably about 25-40 mm with the height of the post 17 at least about 4-10 mm higher than the height of the post 16. The distance between the posts 16, 17 may be about 30-45 mm.

As also seen in FIGS. 1, 2 & 5 the toothbrush-holder combination 10/12 is in further combination with a conventional bathroom sink 33 or the like having a ledge 34 defining the top of a sink bowl 36. The base 14 and toothbrush 12 are positioned adjacent the bowl 36 so that the toothbrush head 24 and bristles 26 extend past the ledge 34 and overlie the sink bowl 36. In this way, any fluid dripping from the toothbrush head 24 and/or bristles 26 drips directly into the bowl 36. In the holder-toothbrush combination 10/12 as seen in FIGS. 1 & 2 preferably the toothbrush handle 22 is mounted on the post top surfaces 18, 19, so that the bristles 26 point downwardly or sideways above the bowl 36, and the depressions 29 accommodate that.

In a method of drying the bristles of a toothbrush after a human uses the toothbrush 12 to brush her/his teeth he/she positions the holder 10 so that the front edge 31 of the base 14 is adjacent the ledge 34 of the sink bowl 36 (best seen in FIG. 2). After the bristles 26 are rinsed off using water from a faucet of the sink 33, the user places the toothbrush handle 22 on the post top surfaces 18, 19, as seen in FIGS. 1 & 2, so that the bristles 26 do not touch any object, are enveloped by ambient air for easy drying, and overlie the bowl 36 so that any water with or without contaminants (such as residual toothpaste and/or spittle) falls directly into the bowl 36 so that it is easily disposed of down the sink 33 drain whenever the sink 33 faucet is next operated. The method preferably contemplates the bristles 26 being lower than the end 27 of the handle most remote from the bristles 26, most desirably at a cant angle α of between about 4-10° so that the action of gravity facilitates movement of liquid from the bristles 26, with the bristles 26 pointing downwardly or substantially horizontally as seen in FIGS. 1 & 2.

As seen in the modification of the holder 10′ illustrated in FIG. 5 a front lip 40 may be provided extending downwardly from the front edge 31 of the base 14 adjacent the first post 16, which lip 40 facilitates positioning of the base 14′ at the sink ledge 34, the lip 40 engaging the surface of the sink 33 at the ledge 34. As also seen in this embodiment the holder 10′ has third and fourth posts 16′ (not actually visible, although its top surface 18′ is, in FIG. 5 because it is blocked by rear post 17′), 17′ which have the same relationships as the posts 16, 17, to mount a second conventional toothbrush 12 on the holder 10′. Any number of posts like 16, 17 can be mounted on the base 14 to accommodate a plurality of toothbrushes.

As also seen in FIGS. 3 & 4, one or more conventional suction cups 42 may be provided attached to the bottom 44 of the base 14 to securely, but readily removably, hold the base 14 in the desired position illustrated in FIGS. 1 & 2. Alternatively the bottom 44 of the base 14 may be flat and continuous or, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the bottom 44 may be recessed as indicated by reference numeral 50. When the bottom 44 has a recess 50 it minimizes the chance of water pooling and/or slippage of the base 14 on the area of the sink 33 adjacent the bowl 36.

While the invention has been herein shown and described in what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment thereof it is to be understood that the invention is to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims to cover all equivalent devices and procedures, limited only by the prior art.

Claims

1. A holder for a toothbrush having a handle and a head with bristles, said holder comprising: a base;at least first and second substantially aligned support structures extending upwardly from said base, said first support structure having a first top surface and said second support structure having a second top surface;said first and second top surfaces each configured to support a toothbrush handle; andsaid second top surface being spaced further from said base than said first top surface so that an imaginary straight line between said top surfaces has a cant angle of at least about two degrees so that when a toothbrush handle is placed on said top surfaces the toothbrush head is lower than the end of the handle most remote from the head.

2. A holder as recited in claim 1 wherein said support structures are posts.

3. A holder as recited in claim 2 further comprising third and fourth substantially aligned posts extending upwardly from said base and having third and fourth top surfaces, respectively; and wherein said fourth top surface is spaced further from said base than said third top surface so that an imaginary straight line between said third and fourth top surfaces has a cant angle of at least about two degrees so that when a toothbrush handle is placed on said third and fourth top surfaces the toothbrush head is lower than the end of the handle most remote from the head.

4. A holder as recited in claim 1 wherein the cant angle is between about 4-10 degrees.

5. A holder as recited in claim 3 wherein the cant angles are both between about 4-10 degrees.

6. A holder as recited in claim 1 wherein said holder is composed of plastic having properties comparable to ABS and HDPE.

7. A holder as recited in claim 2 wherein said base has a leading edge closer to said first post than said second post, and wherein the distance of said leading edge from said first post is less than about 20 mm.

8. A holder as recited in claim 2 wherein said first and second top surfaces are configured as longitudinal curved depressions.

9. A holder as recited in claim 2 wherein the cant angle is between about 4-10 degrees.

10. The combination of a holder as recited in claim 1 with a toothbrush having a handle and a head with bristles, said base dimensioned so that when said toothbrush handle engages both said top surfaces said toothbrush head and bristles do not overlie said base, and wherein said head and bristles are closer to said first top surface than said second top surface.

11. A combination as recited in claim 10 wherein said toothbrush handle is mounted on said top surfaces so that said bristles of said toothbrush head point downwardly or horizontally.

12. A combination as recited in claim 10 wherein said cant angle is about 4-10 degrees.

13. A holder-toothbrush combination as recited in claim 10 in further combination with a sink having a ledge defining the top of a sink bowl; and wherein said base and toothbrush are positioned so that said toothbrush head extends past said ledge and overlies said sink bowl so that any fluid dripping from said toothbrush head falls into said bowl.

14. A holder-toothbrush-sink combination as recited in claim 13 further comprising a front lip on said base adjacent said first post, which lip facilitates positioning of said base at said sink ledge.

15. A holder-toothbrush-sink combination as recited in claim 13 wherein said base has a bottom surface and wherein at least one suction cup is mounted on said bottom surface.

16. A holder-toothbrush-sink combination as recited in claim 13 wherein said base has a bottom surface and wherein said bottom is recessed to minimize the chance of water pooling.

17. A method of air drying the bristles of a toothbrush after use by a human in brushing the human's teeth, utilizing a toothbrush holder and a bathroom sink bowl, the method comprising: a) positioning the holder adjacent the bathroom sink bowl; and b) placing the toothbrush on the holder so that the bristles overlie the sink bowl so that any fluid dripping from the bristles falls directly into the sink bowl.

18. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein the toothbrush has a handle including an end thereof most remote from the bristles; and wherein b) is practiced so that toothbrush handle angles downwardly so that the bristles are lower than the handle end most remote from the bristles.

19. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein b) is further practiced so that the handle angles downwardly between about 4-10 degrees.

20. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein b) is practiced so that the bristles point downwardly or substantially horizontally.