Toothbrush sterilizer

• US 4,816,648 A
• Filed: 06/02/1987
• Issued: 03/28/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark R. Dusbabek
• Original Assignee: Mark R. Dusbabek
• Inventors: Dusbabek, Mark R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goldberg, E. A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa J.
• Application Number:
  US07/056,811
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 422/307, 219/521, 219/504, 219/505, 219/430, 219/438, 219/439, 219/441, 219/385, 219/386, 219/387, 219/200, 219/201, 312/206, 312/207
• US Class Current: 219/521
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 17/06 Devices for cleaning brushes after use
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 1/09 Holders for drinking glasses, tooth brushes, hair brushes, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/04 Heat A61L2/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/14 the material being non-metallic

Abstract

A toothbrush sterilizer includes a housing member having a well formed therein for allowing the bristle portion of the toothbrush to be inserted into the interior of the well. The interior of the well defines a sterilization cavity. A closure lid is mounted on the top surface of the well, the lid having an aperture formed therein for enabling of the handle of a toothbrush to pass therethrough. Simultaneously, the lid minimizes circulation of air out of the well. A heat transfer element is juxtaposed with the exterior surface of the well. A heating element is coupled to the heat transfer element and when activated, heats the heat transfer element. The heat transfer element in turn causes the sterilization cavity to be dry heated a sufficient amount to sterilize the toothbrush bristles of the toothbrush positioned within the sterilization cavity.

Claims

1. A toothbrush sterilizer comprising:

a housing member having a sterilization cavity formed therein for allowing a bristle portion of a toothbrush to be inserted into an interior of said cavity, said interior of said caivty defining said sterilization cavity, said sterilization cavity having four side walls and an interconnecting bottom wall;

a closure lid mounted on a top surface of said cavity, said lid having an aperture formed therein for enabling a handle of a toothbrush to pass therethrough and simultaneously minimizing air cirulation of air out of said cavity;

a heat transfer element defining a well surrounding the exterior surface of said cavity at an outer surface of said cavity bottom wall and at least a portion of said cavity side walls; and

a heating element coupled to said heat transfer element, said heating element when activated heating said heat transfer element, said heat transfer element in turn causing said sterilization cavity to be heated a sufficient amount to sterilize bristles of a toothbrush positioned in said sterilization cavity.

2. A toothbrush sterilizer in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cavity width is slightly greater than the width of a toothbrush in at least one dimension.