Tooth brushing timer

• US 5,570,325 A
• Filed: 03/20/1996
• Issued: 10/29/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harry S. Arpadi
• Original Assignee: Harry S. Arpadi
• Inventors: Arpadi, Harry S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US08/618,924
• Time in Patent Office: 223 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/93, 368/107-109, 368/223, 221/2, 221/3, 221/15, 222/192, 222/638, 434/215, 434/216, 434/263
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0008 with means for controlling duration, e.g. time of brushing
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 47/00 Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece clockwork cases for special purposes G04B37/12; clocks with magnifying glass built in the face G04B39/00; time-pieces in which parts or cases produce special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects, G04B45/00, particularly with inscriptions or pictures moved by hand G04B45/003, with specially shaped cases or parts G04B45/0069; combination of writing or drawing implements with devices for indicating time B43K29/087; combined with cameras, projectors, or photographic printing apparatus G03B29/00
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/00 Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/06 by flowing-away of a prefixed quantity of fine-granular or liquid materials, e.g. sand-glass, water-clock
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0084 Dental hygiene

Abstract

Tooth brushing timer device for presenting an amusing visual representation of the time required for a child to brush his or her teeth. The timer device comprises a housing, a static character face disposed at the front of the housing, and a visual indicator disposed behind the face. The face includes an aperture at the mouth region of the face so that a teeth portion of the visual indicator is visible through the aperture. The teeth portion of the visual indicator is capable of showing a white color for representing clean teeth and a non-white color, such as off-white or yellow, for representing non-clean teeth. Preferably, the visual indicator includes an hour glass timer, a liquid crystal display or a rotary timer. When the timer device is activated, the teeth portion animates a gradual transition from a non-white color to a white color for a predetermined period of time. In addition, the timer device may stand alone or include one or more compartments for bathroom amenities.

Claims

1. A timer device for providing a dynamic, visual indication of time progression while a user brushes his or her teeth, the timer comprising:

a housing having a front surface;

a static facial representation of a particular character disposed on said front surface of said housing, said facial representation having an aperture for displaying a particular image therethrough; and

a timing-based indicator disposed on one side of said facial representation having a dynamic smile representation exposed through said aperture of said facial representation, said smile representation of said timing-based indicator having a first color for representing non-clean teeth and a second color for representing clean teeth,

wherein said timing-based indicator provides a gradual kinetic transition of said smile representation from said first color to said second color for a predetermined period of time.

2. The timer device of claim 1, wherein said first color is darker than said second color.

3. The timer device of claim 2, wherein said second color is a white color and said first color is a non-white color.

4. The timer device of claim 1, wherein said housing includes at least one compartment for holding a bathroom amenity.

5. The timer device of claim 1, further comprising a support stand disposed on a back surface opposite said from surface for supporting said housing at a substantially upright position.

6. The timer device of claim 1, wherein said timing-based indicator is an hour glass timer having a first container with sand therein, a second container and a constricted neck connecting said first and second containers to allow said sand to pass from said first container to said second container.

7. The timer device of claim 6, wherein said hour glass timer has a first position for displaying said first container through said aperture of said facial representation and a second position for displaying said second container through said aperture of said facial representation as said sand passes from said first container to said second container for said predetermined period of time.

8. The timer device of claim 7, wherein:

said timing-based indicator includes a background image disposed adjacent to said hour glass timer opposite said aperture of said facial representation;

said particular image displayed through said aperture includes an obstructed view and an unobstructed view; and

said obstructed view displays said sand through said aperture and said unobstructed view displays said background image through said aperture.

9. The timer device of claim 7, wherein said hour glass timer includes a handle disposed on said facial representation for rotating said hour glass timer between said first position and said second position.

10. The timer device of claim 1, wherein said smile representation is a liquid crystal display having a first dark color for representing non-clean teeth and a second light color for representing clean teeth.

11. The timer device of claim 10, wherein said timing-based indicator includes a control circuit for monitoring said predetermined period of time and controlling said gradual kinetic transition of said smile representation.

12. The timer device of claim 10, wherein a viewing area of said liquid crystal display is partitioned into a plurality of distinct sections.

13. The timer device of claim 10, wherein said liquid crystal display is initially said first color at the beginning of said predetermined period of time and an increasing portion of said liquid crystal display gradually changes from said first color to said second color throughout said predetermined period of time so that said liquid crystal display is said second color at the end of said predetermined period of time.

14. The timer device of claim 10, wherein said liquid crystal display has a top portion and a bottom portion and said liquid crystal display gradually changes color from said top portion to said bottom portion over said predetermined period of time.

15. The time device of claim 10, wherein said timing-based indicator includes a button disposed on said facial representation for initiating said predetermined period of time and said continuous kinetic transition of said smile representation.

16. The timer device of claim 1, wherein:

said timing-based indicator is a rotary timer that includes a rotating platter having a center portion disposed on a front portion of said timing-based indicator;

said rotating platter includes a first peripheral surface section having said first color that represents non-clean teeth and a second peripheral surface section having said second color that represents clean teeth.

17. The timer device of claim 16, wherein said rotary timer has a first position for displaying said first peripheral surface section through said aperture of said facial representation and a second position for displaying said second peripheral surface section through said aperture of said facial representation as said rotating platter rotates about said center portion for said predetermined period of time.

18. The timer device of claim 17, wherein said rotary timer includes a handle disposed at said center portion for initiating said predetermined period of time and rotably returning said rotating platter to said first position.