Compact multi-use oral hygiene device

• US 5,348,028 A
• Filed: 10/05/1993
• Issued: 09/20/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Terry L. Gustavel
• Original Assignee: Terry L. Gustavel
• Inventors: Gustavel, Terry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAVIOLA JR, FRANK
• Application Number:
  US08/132,049
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• Field of Search: 132/308, 132/309, 132/310, 132/311, 132/321, 132/323, 132/324, 132/325, 401/123, 401/124, 401/125, 401/191, 15/167.1
• US Class Current: 132/309
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/00 Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water driven brush bodies A46B13/00; massage apparatus with liquid delivery A61H7/002, A61H2201/105; applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by liquid carrying members in general, e.g. by pads B05C1/00, B05D1/28
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0055 Brushes combined with other articles normally separate from the brushing process, e.g. combs, razors, mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0061 with a container for accessories, e.g. pills, polish, condoms, cells A46B11/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0071 Toothbrushes with flossing arrangements A61C15/04 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/0095 Removable or interchangeable brush heads
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 7/023 where the bristle carrier retracts or collapses, i.e. for storage
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/043 Containers, dispensers, or the like, e.g. with cutting means A61C15/046 takes precedence

Abstract

A dental hygiene kit comprises handle and toothbrush sections which may be separated for storing the brush in a compact relation with the handle. The handle includes an internal cavity for storing included dentifrice, a dental pick and dental floss. A removable cover containing air holes is provided to cover the brush bristles for sanitation purposes.

Claims

1. A dental hygiene kit having an operative and a stowed position, comprising:

a brush section formed from a flat shaft having a longitudinal axis having bristles attached perpendicular to a surface of said shaft and proximate to a first end of said shaft;

said surface further defining a groove extending from a second end of said shaft opposite said first end and parallel to the longitudinal axis for a predetermined distance;

an elongated handle defining a rectangular cross-section cavity with an open end and a closed end, said closed end defining a first slot external to said cavity and operative to receive in mated configuration the second end of said brush section and including a first raised portion formed on the interior of said first slot, said first raised portion configured to receive said groove of said brush section so as to place the kit in an operative position;

a second raised portion formed on the surface of said elongated handle, said second raised portion being larger than said first raised portion and said second raised portion defining a second slot having formed therein a third raised portion having the same dimensions as said first raised portion, said second slot and third raised portion operative to receive said second end of said shaft when disengaged from said first slot and placed in said second slot, placing said kit in a stowed position; and

an end cap dimensioned to fit snugly over the open end of said handle, enclosing said cavity.

2. The dental hygiene kit of claim 1, wherein said bristles, when the kit is in said stowed position, are positioned over and immediately adjacent said first slot.

3. The dental hygiene kit of claim 2, including an "L" shaped toothpick releasably mounted in a plurality of brackets formed on an interior surface of said cavity.

4. The dental hygiene kit of claim 3, including a bristle cap dimensioned to fit snugly over the bristles when said kit is in said stowed position, said end cap including a plurality of holes therein to facilitate drying when the kit is stowed.

5. The dental hygiene kit of claim 4, further including a container of dental flossing material wherein said end cap is dimensioned to receive, in friction fit, said container of dental flossing material such that when said end cap is positioned over said open end of said cavity said flossing container is positioned in said cavity.

6. The dental hygiene kit of claim 5, further including a tube containing a dentifrice and dimensioned to fit inside said cavity when said toothpick is mounted inside said cavity and said end cap including said flossing material container is positioned over said open end of said cavity.

7. A compact multi-use oral hygiene device having an operative and a stowed position, comprising:

a brush section formed from a flat shaft having a longitudinal axis having bristles attached perpendicular to a surface of said shaft and proximate to a first end of said shaft;

said surface further defining a groove extending from a second end of said shaft opposite said first end and parallel to the longitudinal axis for a predetermined distance;

an elongated handle defining a rectangular cross-section first cavity with an open end and a closed end, said closed end defining a first slot external to said cavity and operative to receive in mated configuration the second end of said brush section and including a first raised portion formed on the interior of said first slot, said first raised portion configured to receive said groove of said brush section so as to place the kit in an operative position;

a second raised portion formed on the surface of said elongated handle, said second raised portion being larger than said first raised portion and said second raised portion defining a smaller second cavity adjacent to and parallel to said first cavity and having an open end proximate to the open end of said first cavity and a closed end defining a second slot having formed therein a third raised portion having the same dimensions as said first raised portion, said second slot and third raised portion operative to receive said second end of said shaft when disengaged from said first slot and placed in said second slot, placing said kit in a stowed position; and

an end cap dimensioned to fit snugly over the open ends of said handle and said second raised portion, enclosing said first cavity and said second cavity.

8. The oral hygiene device of claim 7, wherein said bristles, when the kit is in said stowed position, are positioned over and immediately adjacent said first slot.

9. The oral hygiene device of claim 8, including a dental pick having first and second shaft sections, each section having a mating end operative to permit the sections to be joined to form a single shaft, each of said first and second shaft having an opposing end formed in an arcuate shape ending in a tapered tip, wherein said first and second shaft sections, in an unmated configuration, are dimensioned to permit placement of said shaft sections in said second smaller cavity and enclosure by said end cap.

10. The oral hygiene device of claim 9, including a bristle cap dimensioned to be emplaced over and cover said bristles when said kit is in said stowed position, said end cap including a plurality of holes therein to facilitate drying when the kit is stowed.

11. The oral hygiene device of claim 10, further including a container of dental flossing material wherein said end cap is dimensioned to receive, in friction fit, said container of dental flossing material such that when said end cap is positioned over said open ends of said first and second cavities said flossing container is positioned in said first cavity.

12. The oral hygiene device of claim 11, further including a tube containing a dentifrice and dimensioned to fit inside said first cavity when said end cap including said flossing material container is positioned over said open ends of said first and second cavity.