The present application relates generally to toothbrushes and, more particularly, to a toothbrush with a handle holding multiple replacement toothbrush heads.
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a toothbrush device useable by a user includes a toothbrush head having a base and toothbrush bristles for brushing teeth extending from a front face of the base and a snap-fit feature on an opposite back face of the base. A toothbrush head holder has a snap-fit feature mated with the snap-fit feature of the toothbrush head for detachably holding the toothbrush head in a use position to be used for brushing the user's teeth. A handle has one end connected to the toothbrush head holder. The handle has a compartment therein for storing replacement toothbrush heads, each of the replacement toothbrush heads has a base and toothbrush bristles for brushing teeth extending from a front face of the base and a snap-fit feature on an opposite back face of the base. The handle has a first section and a second section detachably connected together to form the compartment. The second section including one or more snap-fit features mated with the snap-fit features of the replacement toothbrush heads for detachably holding the replacement toothbrush heads in the compartment. The user can detach the second section from the first section to enable access the replacement toothbrush heads stored in the compartment such that the user can replace the toothbrush head in the toothbrush head holder with a replacement toothbrush head by snap-fitting the replacement toothbrush head in the toothbrush head holder, when desired.
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method of replacing a toothbrush head in a toothbrush device includes the steps of: (a) removing the toothbrush head from a toothbrush head holder of the toothbrush device, the toothbrush head holder detachably holding the toothbrush head; (b) accessing a replacement toothbrush head stored in a compartment in a handle of the toothbrush device connected to the toothbrush head holder by separating two snap-fitted sections forming the handle, wherein the replacement toothbrush head is detachably secured to one of the two sections; (c) removing the replacement toothbrush head from the one of the two sections; (d) reconnecting the two sections together by snap-fitting the sections to form the handle; and (e) securing the replacement toothbrush head in the toothbrush head holder to enable the toothbrush device to be used to brush a user's teeth.
Like or identical reference numbers are used to identify common or similar elements.
The toothbrush head 12 has a base 18 and toothbrush bristles 20 for brushing teeth extending from a front face 22 of the base 18. The opposite back face 24 of the base 18 has a snap-fit feature 25 mated with a corresponding snap-fit feature 27 in the toothbrush head holder 14. The snap-fit features 25, 27 form an annular snap-fit joint to securely hold the toothbrush head 12 in the use position.
The opposite back face 24 of the base 18 also has a textured surface 23 forming a tongue cleaner.
The handle 16 has a compartment therein for storing one or more replacement toothbrush heads 26 (shown in
The handle 16 comprises a first section 28 and a second section 30 (shown in
As shown in
The user can detach the second section 30 of the handle 16 from the first section 28 to enable access the one or more replacement toothbrush heads 26 stored in the compartment of the handle 16 such that the user can replace the toothbrush head 12 currently in the toothbrush head holder 14 with one of the replacement toothbrush heads 26 by snap-fitting a replacement toothbrush head 26 in the toothbrush head holder 14, when desired.
A portion 42 of the handle 16 can be made transparent such that the replacement toothbrush heads 26 in the compartment are visible to the user.
A thumb rest 44 can be provided on the second section 30 of the handle 16. The thumb rest can be a different color or material than the second section 30 for aesthetic purposes.
The handle and toothbrush head holder can comprise molded plastic material.
Having thus described several illustrative embodiments, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to form a part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. While some examples presented herein involve specific combinations of functions or structural elements, it should be understood that those functions and elements may be combined in other ways according to the present disclosure to accomplish the same or different objectives. In particular, acts, elements, and features discussed in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from similar or other roles in other embodiments.
Additionally, elements and components described herein may be further divided into additional components or joined together to form fewer components for performing the same functions. Accordingly, the foregoing description and attached drawings are by way of example only, and are not intended to be limiting.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20220240658 A1 | Aug 2022 | US |