Patent Application
20190216214
This invention relates generally to a dental instrument, and more particularly to a toothbrush having a duel pick type utensil.
Dental instruments for use in brushing teeth have existed for centuries. Today's tooth brushes typically include an elongated handle with a head at one end that includes a mass of bristles. Some toothbrushes include a rubber pick at the opposite end from the head. The pick is oriented generally perpendicular to the handle.
Toothbrushes have also been designed to include a hollow handle so that a removable bristled pick may be stored within the handle. This type of toothbrush is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,015,293; 9,167,882 and Des296,271. These types of toothbrushes provide only limited types of pick applications or styles.
Accordingly, it is seen that a need remains for toothbrush that can provide a variety of different styles of pick type accessories. It is to the provision of such therefore that the present invention is primarily directed.
A toothbrush comprises an elongated handle having a brush head and a storage compartment extending into the elongated handle oppositely disposed from the brush head. The toothbrush also has a pick utensil removably coupled to the elongated handle. The pick utensil has a central gripping portion, a bristle flosser coupled to the central gripping portion having a central stem and a mass of flexible bristle filaments extending from the central stem. The central stem is longitudinally aligned with the elongated handle when the pick utensil is coupled to the elongated handle. The pick utensil also has a toothpick portion coupled to the central gripping portion oppositely disposed from the bristle flosser. The toothpick portion is longitudinally aligned with the elongated handle when the pick utensil is coupled to the elongated handle.
With reference next to the drawings, there is shown a toothbrush 10 according to a preferred form of the present invention. The toothbrush 10 includes an elongated gripping portion, handle, or handle portion 12 terminating at one end with an enlarged head or head portion 14. The handle 12 also includes a second end with a hollow, tubular sleeve or distal portion 16 oppositely disposed from the head 14. The hollow distal portion 16 defines an interior channel, storage compartment or chamber 18.
The backside of the head 14 may include soft bumps or ridges which generally form a gum massager 20. The front side of the head 14 includes a mass or array of bristles 22 which are intended to contact the user's teeth. A rupturable gel capsule containing toothpowder, toothpaste, or other tooth cleaning gel dentifrice may be positioned within the mass of bristles 22.
The toothbrush 10 also includes a removable pick accessory or pick utensil 24 which is configured to be removably coupled to the elongated handle 12 and partially positioned within the storage chamber 18. The pick utensil 24 includes a central gripping portion 26 which has an exterior configuration that generally conforms with the exterior configuration of the distal portion 16 of the handle to provide a smooth or uniform appearance when coupled together.
The pick utensil 24 also includes a first end 28 which has a narrowed shoulder 30 that has an exterior configuration that is sized and shaped to be releasably and telescopically received within storage chamber 18 of the distal portion 16. The first end 28 also includes a first tooth flossing component in the form of a bristle flosser 32 having a central stem 34 from which a mass of flexible bristle filaments 36 radially extend. The central stem 34 is generally longitudinally aligned with the gripping portion 26 so that it is also longitudinally aligned with the handle 12 when coupled to the handle 12.
The pick utensil 24 also includes a second end 38 which has a narrowed shoulder 40 that has an exterior configuration that is sized and shaped to be releasably and telescopically received within storage chamber 18 of the distal portion 16. The second end 38 also includes a second tooth flossing component in the form of a tapered toothpick or toothpick portion 42 which is intended to fit between and remove debris from adjacent teeth. The toothpick portion 42 is generally longitudinally aligned with the gripping portion 26 so that it too is also longitudinally aligned with the handle 12 when coupled to the handle 12.
Lastly, the pick utensil 24 includes a cap 45 which is configured to telescopically fit over either the first or second end 28, 38 through cooperation with their respective shoulders 30, 40.
In use, the pick utensil 24 may be coupled to the elongated handle 12 with the pick first end 28 pressure fitted within the storage compartment 18. This positioning allows the pick utensil's second end 38 to be exposed and the toothpick portion 42 to be longitudinally aligned with the handle 12. The longitudinal alignment of the toothpick portion 42 provides for better control and reach in placing the toothpick portion 42 in contact with the user's teeth.
Similarly, the pick utensil 24 may be coupled to the elongated handle 12 with the pick second end 38 pressure fitted within the storage compartment 18. This positioning allows the pick utensil's first end 28 to be exposed and the bristle flosser 32 to be longitudinally aligned with the handle 12, specifically the central stem 34 of the bristle flosser 32 is longitudinally aligned with the handle 12. Again, the longitudinal alignment of the bristle flosser 32 provides for better control and reach in placing the bristle flosser 32 in contact with the user's teeth.
It should be understood that the longitudinal alignment of both the bristle flosser 32 and the toothpick portion 42 allows either portion to be telescopically fitted within the storage compartment 18 of the handle 12. This construction also allows for the pick utensil to be coupled to the handle so that both the bristle flosser 32 and the toothpick portion 42 may be used with the user grasping the elongated handle 12 for better manipulation and positioning of these components during use. It should be noted that such a positioning and use is not able to be achieved through the toothbrush disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. Des296,271.
Of course, the toothpick utensil 24 may also be used while completely removed from the handle 12. Thus, the removability of the toothpick utensil allows it to be utilized both with or without the handle so as to improve usability.
The cap 45 provides a protective cover over the exposed ends of the pick utensil while also providing a uniform appearance.
It should be understood that the toothbrush and all its components may be made of conventional materials, such as a polymer.
It thus is seen that a toothbrush is now provided which overcomes problems associated with the prior art. While this invention has been described in detail with particular references to the preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that many modifications, additions and deletions, in addition to those expressly recited, may be made thereto without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
