Removable cover system for toothbrushes

• US 5,048,144 A
• Filed: 09/21/1990
• Issued: 09/17/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Beier Howlett
• Original Assignee: Edward A. Andrews
• Inventors: Andrews, Edward A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hornsby, Harvey C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Till, Terrence R.
• Application Number:
  US07/586,565
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 15/184, 15/167.1, 401/202, 401/213, 401/269, 401/98
• US Class Current: 15/184
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 17/04 Protective covers for the bristles
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04

Abstract

A thin wall, U-shaped in cross-section, elongated cover is shaped to fit over the bristles and the bristle end of a toothbrush for covering and protecting the bristles. The free ends of the legs defining the U-shape of the cover, are provided with engaging formations for frictionally engaging the sides of the bristle carrying portion of the brush handle. The cover is formed of a springy plastic material so that the bristle carrying portion is resiliently clamped between the engaging formations of the legs. Thus, the cover may be manually applied upon and removed from the brush and will be tightly held upon the brush by the springy clamping action and the frictional engagement of the cover legs.

Claims

1. A removable cover system for a toothbrush having an elongated handle with a flattened bristle portion having a rear end and a forward end with side edges, with an elongated hand grip portion integral with and extending from the forward end of the bristle portion, and the bristle portion having an upper face which numerous bristles are mounted so as to extend upwardly from said upper face, comprising:

a thin wall, elongated cover member made of a springy plastic material formed in a generally U-shaped cross-section shape with a base and integral depending legs;

the lower, free edge portions of the legs normally being located on the opposite side edges of the brush bristle portion and being formed with integral, engagement portions which are shaped to frictionally engage against their adjacent bristle portion edges and resiliently press against them, for holding the cap upon the bristle portion so that the cap extends over, and covers, the bristles and said leg engagement portions being formed by a bowed in cross-section strip formed integral with the lower free edge portions of each of the legs and including integral flaps formed on each of the opposite ends of the cover member, with the flaps being still and extending from the cap base towards the brush bristle portion for covering the opposite ends of the bristles mounted upon the bristle portion, and a gap between the side edges of said flaps and each of their adjacent cap legs so that the legs may resiliently flex independently of the flaps.

2. A removable cover system for a toothbrush as defined in claim 1, and said leg engagement portions being formed by a bowed in cross-section strip formed integral with the lower free edge portions of each of the legs.

3. A removable cover system for a toothbrush as defined in claim 2, and said strips bowing outwardly, that is, opening towards each other so that each grips and overlaps an adjacent edge of the brush bristle portion.

4. A removable cover system for a toothbrush as defined in claim 2, and said strips bowing inwardly, that is, opening in opposite directions from each other, and grooves formed along the side edges of the bristle portion and shaped to receive said bowed strips for frictionally interlocking the cap to the bristle portion.

5. A removable cover system for a toothbrush as defined in claim 2, and with the lower, free ends of the legs each having at least one elongated indentation, which extends inwardly, that is, towards the strip on the opposite leg, with said indentations pressing against the side edges of the bristle portion due to the resiliency of the legs of the cover member.

6. A removable cover system for a toothbrush as defined in claim 5, and said indentations extending longitudinally of the U-shaped member, that is, generally parallel to the free edges of the legs.

7. A removable cover system for toothbrushes as defined in claim 5, and said indentations extending upwardly, along the legs toward the base of the cover member, relative to the bristle portion, so that said indentations spring grip against the adjacent edges of the bristle portion at spaced apart locations thereof.