Powered toothbrush having a decorative facade

• US 20030213075A1
• Filed: 05/14/2002
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Chiaphua Industries Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Original Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Inventors: Gatzemeyer, John J., Hui, Fung Kut, Fattori, Joseph Edward, Dai, Tau
• Application Number:
  US10/145,196
• Publication Number:
  US 20030213075A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/22.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/225 Handles or details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2203/00 Means for making patients feel at ease during dental treatment, e.g. dental instruments in the form of toys

Abstract

The present invention relates to a powered toothbrush containing a decorative facade, which facade may be permanently attached to the brush handle or may be replaceable by the user.

Claims

1. A powered toothbrush assembly, comprising:

a head connected to a neck, said head having a plurality of bristles extending outwardly therefrom; and

a handle connected to said neck, said handle having a decorative facade mounted thereon

2. A powered toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said handle has an external housing thereabout and wherein said decorative facade conforms to the shape of said housing and is received and retained in a recessed portion thereof.

3. A powered toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said decorative facade comprises a body portion that is arcuate in shape and conforms to an arcuate shape of said handle.

4. A powered toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the body portion includes thinner sections at the distal ends thereof;

and wherein said recessed portion of said housing contains grooves which correspond to said thinner sections to receive and retain said thinner sections.

5. A powered toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said decorative facade contains a three dimensional design selected from the group consisting of a horse, a vehicle, a soldier, a fireman and a policeman.

6. A powered toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said decorative facade is permanently connected to said handle.

7. A powered toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said decorative facade is removably connected to said handle.

8. A powered toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said handle is arcuate in shape and conforms to an arcuate shape of said decorative facade.

9. A powered toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the grooves receive and retain the thinner sections of said decorative facade, enabling said decorative facade to be mechanically and removably attached to said handle.