Oral Care Assembly and Method of Use

This disclosure is directed to an oral care assembly.

The history of the toothbrush dates back thousands of years, to the ancient Babylonians and Egyptians. Today, toothbrushes can be found in many shapes and sizes. While the bristles are usually made of nylon, the softness of the bristles can vary widely, depending on the customer's preferences. The length of the handle and the materials from which the handle is made can also both vary according to customer wants and needs. More recent designs also include cordless, battery-powered motorized toothbrushes as well.

Portable motorized toothbrushes have made today's on-the-go lifestyle easier for frequent travelers, commuters, and busy parents alike. In addition, many people have prescription or over-the-counter medications or other consumables that they wish to also take with them when they are away from their home for work or leisure. Having to pack so many small items creates many problems, the most common of which is limited space when it comes to travel, shipping, or storing these items. In addition, when packing many small items such as toothbrushes and pill bottles or small candy cases, there is an increased chance that these smaller items will be misplaced or lost altogether—which can be a critical issue for some people in terms of their hygiene and their health.

To address the aforementioned needs, embodiments of the present disclosure proved a detachable cordless toothbrush assembly and pill dispenser device that function as separate modules and join together to create a single, small, travel—and storage-friendly compact unit. The head of the cordless toothbrush may be inverted downward into the device to achieve this small size and easy storage presentation.

By combining the portable motorized toothbrush with a travel and storage container for pills and other consumables, embodiments of the present disclosure helps to alleviate many concerns and inconveniences for travelers and commuters in today's on-the-go world. Its compact size also makes storage of items more convenient.

In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide for a single device that comprises at least two units, a motorized toothbrush unit in its collapsed position joined to a second unit that is a medication or consumables dispensing unit.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide that the two units are separated at the securement member junctions, and the medical or consumables dispensing unit is engaged for use.

In another aspect, and exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide that the two units are separated at the securement member junctions, the toothbrush head is lifted into its full extended position, and the toothbrush is used as a manual or motorized device.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

A new oral care assembly unitof the present disclosure is depicted throughout. This oral care assembly unitis a new way to keep a toothbrush compact for ease of storage, good hygiene, and especially travel and to also keep track of the consumables dispenser which may dispense pills or medications, as well as a wide variety of other consumables to the user at the press of a button. Keeping these two devices connected as a single unit and collapsed as shown indecreases the risk of loss or exposure of the oral cavity to germs during and after travel and storage.

depicts that the oral care assembly unitincludes at least two modules: a first module, which may be referred to as a toothbrush module, and a second module, which may be referred to as a dispenser modulefor dispensing consumables. The toothbrush modulemay be moveable or convertible between at least two positions. Toothbrush modulemay be moveable between a collapsed position (as shown inand) and a deployed, extended, or fully upright position (as shown in, and). When the toothbrush moduleis in the collapsed position, the collapsed position or orientation assists with easy carrying, travel, and storage, as shown more fully in. The two modules, toothbrush moduleand dispenser module, may be selectively connected and carried as a single unit, as illustrated in. Additionally, the two modules, toothbrush moduleand dispenser module, may be selectively disconnected and used independently as shown in. Either module could be engaged and used while the two modules are joined as a single unit.

depicts the toothbrush modulein its deployed or fully upright position. The toothbrush modulehas a top endD spaced apart from a bottom endH defining a vertical or first direction therebetween, a front surfaceGopposite a rear endGdefining a transverse direction or second direction therebetween, and a first sideEopposite a second sideEdefining a lateral or third direction therebetween. In one embodiment, the vertical direction, the transverse direction, and the lateral direction are orthogonal to each other.

The toothbrush headdefines the top or upper end of toothbrush modulein the deployed or fully upright position. The shape of this toothbrush headis defined by the top endD, first sideEand second sideE, as well as a front-facing surfaceGand a rear-facing surfaceG. The first sideEand the second sideEextend vertically downward from top endD to the lower endH of head. The front-facing surfaceGand a rear-facing surfaceGextend vertically downward from top endD to a lower endH of head. The lower endH has a greater or wider dimension relative to the top endD. As such, a neckJ is defined near the lower endH of the head.

As with most toothbrush designs and models, the toothbrush headhas bristlesA that may be composed of a variety of different natural and synthetic materials, as the user or manufacturer wishes. BristlesA extend outwardly in a cantilevered manner to free terminal ends. BristlesA are located toward the top endD of the head. While described in the generic form herein, this toothbrush headmay be replaced by any brand or design of toothbrush head to fit the device without violating the spirit of the present disclosure.

In one exemplary embodiment, first sideEincludes or defines at least one grooveB. GrooveB can be embodied as a short slot or depression that is located below the bristlesA relative to the vertical direction. The grooveB can have a length that is aligned in the vertical or first direction and a width that is aligned in the lateral or third direction. The groove may have dimension measured in the first direction that is greater than its dimension measured in the third direction. The groove helps to aid in the user's grip when raising the toothbrush headinto its full upright position and lowering the toothbrush headinto its fully collapsed position. Any type of alteration of the surface (either raised or lowered) of the sidesE could be used to aid the user in this action without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, instead of a grooveB, there may be a raised detent, protrusion or rib that is located below the bristlesA relative to the vertical direction. The detent, protrusion or rib can have a length that is aligned in the vertical or first direction and a width that is aligned in the lateral or third direction. The detent, protrusion or rib may have dimension measured in the first direction that is greater than its dimension measured in the third direction. The detent, protrusion or rib helps to aid in the user's grip when raising the toothbrush headinto its full upright position and lowering the toothbrush headinto its fully collapsed position. Additionally, it Is possible for the grooveB, detent, protrusion or rib to be located above or at equal height with bristlesA. Further alternatively, the grooveB, detent, protrusion, or rib could be located on or extend from either of the front surfaceGor rear surfaceG, either above or below the bristlesA.

depicts that the bottom endH of toothbrush headdefines an apertureF. The apertureF is in open communication with a bore that extends vertically upward from the bottom endH into the body of the head. The shape of the bore is complementary to anchoring componentB, discussed below. The bore within the body of headmay extend adjacent or beyond the neckJ of the head. As such, the shape of the bore may account for the widened lower endH, the neckJ, and the narrower upper portion of the headdefined between the front surfaceGand rear surfaceG. Within the bore, and interior the body of the head, there may be a first securement memberC. In one embodiment, the first securement memberC is a magnet, however the securement memberC may be any component that effectuates a releasable connection of the headto the pivoting base(described below).

With continued reference to, the toothbrush moduleincludes a basethat pivots as described herein. Baseis configured to releasably connect with toothbrush head. Accordingly, headmay be replaced after bristlesA have worn or if replacement with another brand or style of toothbrush head is desired by the user. Baseincludes a second securement memberA, anchoring component or anchorB, and a bottom componentC. The anchorB is shaped or configured as or similar to an elongated plate that extends upward from the bottom componentC to an upper terminal end. In one embodiment, the upper terminal endG of anchorB is rounded or curved. The rounded or curved configuration of the upper terminal endG of the anchorB assists with inserting through the apertureF and into the bore formed within the body of head. The anchorB extends downward from the curved or rounded upper end downwardly toward the base componentC. The lower end of the anchorB is widened relative to the upper end. In the widened lower end of the anchorB is formed a depression or hole that receives the second securement memberA. In one embodiment, the hole and second securement memberA are both centrally located. The widened lower end of the anchorB and the second securement memberA are located vertically above the base componentC when the toothbrush moduleis in its deployed or fully upright position.

As stated previously, the toothbrush headreleasably connects with the base. When connected, anchorB of pivoting base headfits within the bore on head. This top anchoring componentB contains the second securement memberA that complements the first securement memberC located in the interior space or bore of the toothbrush head. The interior cavity or bore of the toothbrush headis defined by the space occupied by this top anchoring componentB via the openingF, as well as by the inclusion of first securement memberC, which in the present embodiment is contemplated to be a magnet, as previously mentioned. Any type of other magnetic or mechanical securement member may be used as securement membersC andA without violating the spirit of the present disclosure.

The first securement memberC aligns with the second securement memberA of the pivoting base head. These securement members may function in mechanical or magnetic ways that differ from that shown in the present disclosure, but their overall function is to keep the toothbrush headsecured to and aligned with the necessary components of the pivoting base head's top anchoring componentB, even when the motorized component of the toothbrush moduleis in use.

With continued reference to base, the bottom componentC has a front surfaceCand a rear surfaceC, and a first sideCand second sideC. The front surfaceCmay be convexly curved between the first sideCand the second sideC, however it is possible for the front surfaceCto be flat and planar. A ledgeBmay be formed at the top or near the upper end of the bottom componentC. The ledgeBreceives or contacts the lower endH of the head when the headis connected base. AnchorB extends upward from the ledgeB.

Basemay be formed or cast as a single piece of plastic or other synthetic material. However, the basemay also be assembled from separate components that connect together. In either case, the bottom componentC has an axisD around which the toothbrush headand the pivoting baserotate for storage of the toothbrush modulein the collapsed position.

The first sideCof the bottom componentC defines a depression or cutout that extends in the transverse or second direction. A stub axleE is located within the depression and extends in the lateral direction. The stub axleE defines a pivot axisD for the baseand the toothbrush headto pivot. More particularly, when the toothbrush headis connected to the base, they pivot together about the pivot axisD defined by stub axleE.

Located within the cutout or depressionF of the bottom component of the pivoting baseC, and circumscribing the stub axleE are parts that will help rotate and stabilize the toothbrush headas it rotates between the fully upright toothbrush position and the collapsed toothbrush position about axisD. Starting with the parts closest to the exterior of the pivoting base housing, there is a right pivot lockand a left pivot lock. Moving toward the interior and along pivoting base head axisD, there is a right pivot springand a left pivot spring, as displayed in. The right pivot springand the left pivot springare shown inas being torsion springs in the present embodiment but could also be any other type of spring. Additionally, the pivot locksandand springsandare a generic mechanism shown in the present embodiment for illustrative purposes, that can include any type or style of components that assist, bias, and/or lock the toothbrush headinto its fully upright position as shown inand also in its collapsed position as shown in.

Toothbrush modulefurther comprises a housing. Housingmay also be referred to as a pivoting base housing. Housingincludes a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side, a side, a front end, and a rear end. The housingmay be generally C-shaped when viewed from above. Stated otherwise, a vertically aligned slotA is defined between spaced apart vertical edgesB defining the slotA therebetween. The slot is sized to accommodate the movement of the headthrough the slot as the headpivots between the collapsed position and the deployed or fully upright position.

On the interior surface of the housingis a receiverC that is shaped complementary to stub axleE on the base. In one embodiment, receiverC may be a hook-shaped member that extends inwardly in a cantilevered manner from an inner surface of the side of the housing. ReceiverC is configured to support the stub axleE in a pivoting connection or operative interaction. The receiverC is located more central than the slotA so as to position the pivot axisD centrally through the housingwhen baseis connected to housingvia receiverC being operatively connected to stub axleE.

The pivoting baseand its attendant internal components, such as springs,and locks,are covered by the pivoting base housing, as illustrated inand demonstrated more fully in a cross-sectional view in. While these pieces are described separately herein, it is possible that they may be manufactured or cast as a single piece by the manufacturer of the product without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

Toothbrush modulefurther includes a handle. The handle includes a top endB opposite a bottom endC, a first sideD opposite a second sideE, and a front-facing surfaceF opposite a rear-facing surfaceG. The handle housingconnects with pivoting base housing. More particularly, the top endB of the handle is operatively connected to the bottom end of the housingby a lugA, which is raised above the top surface of the handle housingB and designed to fit securely or snap into the interior space of the pivoting base housing. Handlemay comprise a first side sectionD and a second side sectionE that selectively join together to form the assembled handle. When the first side sectionD and the second side sectionE are joined together, then meet along a vertically aligned seam or union and define an interior space of volume therein within which components of the handle are housed. It is also possible that a manufacturer may produce the exterior surface of the handle housingas a single piece of plastic or other synthetic material without violating the scope of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the toothbrush moduleis a powered toothbrush that is configured to vibrate or otherwise agitate the bristlesA on the headof the toothbrush. As such, this exemplary embodiment enables the handleof the toothbrush moduleto function as a housing for the component parts of the toothbrush motor or vibramotor(i.e., a vibrating motor or vibrator), a battery (which may be rechargeable or single-use) that powers the motor or vibramotor, as well as a purpose-built storage spacefor the toothbrush module in its collapsed position.

This handle housingfeatures a top lugA that fits securely into the interior cavity or bottom endD of the pivoting base housing. The lugA may be positioned offset to one side from the portions of the cavity of the base housingthat is occupied by the pivoting and locking mechanism components as described, to affix the handleand the base housingtogether. In one embodiment, handle housingis formed from plastic or resin material with which the other exterior components of the toothbrush moduleare made. Its exterior facing sidesC may be straight, diagonal, slightly curved, or otherwise, as to the preference of the manufacturer, without deviating from the spirit of the present disclosure.

Approximately halfway between the top endB and the bottom endC of the handle, on the exterior-facing side of the handle housing, there is a button switchthat controls the interior motorthat powers the vibrating action of the toothbrush head, as shown in. Button switchis in operative electrical communication with vibramotor or motorand the power source, such as batteryB, to change the operational state of the motor between off and on. This location of buttondoes not necessarily need to have this precise physical orientation in all finished products; rather, it may be moved to accommodate functional needs or ergonomic or ornamental designs. Additionally, the device that turns on or turns off the motor does not need to be a button. Rather, a throw switch may be utilized in lieu of the button switch. Further alternatively, any other type of switch can be used that is in operative electrical communication with the vibramotor or motorto effectuate switching the motor between its on-state and its off-state.

Storage spacemay be located vertically below the button switchon the exterior of the handle housing. As such, when the toothbrush module is not in use and the toothbrush headis collapsed into its storage position, as shown inand in cross-section in, the control button switchis obscured from view and shielded from outside interaction (i.e., covered) by the toothbrush headand the toothbrush bristlesA, as shown in. This feature guards against unintentional engagement of the motorwhile traveling, handling, or storing the device.

The lower portion of handle housingfeatures a toothbrush head backstop partition. This partitionacts as a wall that bounds and defines the outward-facing side of the toothbrush modulewhen the module is in its upright position for use of the device. When the toothbrush headis rotated downward into its collapsed position, this partitionseparates a toothbrush storage cavityof the handle housingfrom the interior components of the battery and motor apparatus. The toothbrush storage cavityis open to the outside world when the toothbrush module is in its fully upright position. When in the collapsed position, this cavity's volume is defined by the presence of the toothbrush head, including the toothbrush bristlesA, which will constitute the bulk of this volume, and the exterior dimension of the toothbrush module will be defined by the rear-facing surfaceGof the toothbrush head.

The bottom of the handle housingfeatures a battery doorthat may be removed for easy replacement of the batteryB that will supply the power for the action of the motor. Alternatively, if batteryB is a rechargeable battery, the doormay be absent and there by a charging port on the bottom of housinginstead. The batteryB rests with its positive end on this terminal relayD, which may be attached or affixed to the battery dooritself. Directly above the battery's negative terminal is negative terminal relayA. Positioned adjacent to this negative terminal relayA is the motor. The motoris connected to a circuit boardC, which, together with the battery and attendant relays, comprise the majority of the interior cavityof the handle housing.

As previously discussed, the toothbrush headis collapsible. This collapsing action is achieved by rotating the toothbrush headand the pivoting base housingaround the pivoting base head axisD, as shown in action in cross-sectional view at a 45° angle in. Once the rotation has moved or pivoted about 180° about the pivot axisD from the starting point of the upright toothbrush position, the toothbrush headcomes to rest in the interior cavity of the handle housing, as shown in cross-section in. Namely, the bristlesA are stored within storage spaceand the front surfaceGis positioned closely adjacent and covers button switch.

Still referring to, the toothbrush moduleis shown in the collapsed position. In this collapsed position, the toothbrush bristlesA are facing the interior of the device, as shown in. The rotation of toothbrush headhas been halted by the toothbrush backstop partition, as shown in. This toothbrush backstop partitionis more fully visible in, where it is shown that this is simply a piece of plastic or other material built into the handle housingagainst which the toothbrush headand toothbrush bristlesA come to a rest. This prevents a full 360° rotation of the toothbrush headand the pivoting base housingaround the pivoting base head axisD and fully stops the toothbrush head's rotation after about 180° from the fully upright position.

Storage of the toothbrush modulein the collapsed position accomplishes several goals. The first of these is the secure storage of the moduleeither separately or affixed to the dispenser module. If joined, the two modules,are designed to take up the smallest possible space for storage and travel purposes. In addition, by joining two such smaller devices into one unit as is seen inet seq., most travelers are less likely to misplace the unit than they would be to misplace each single device.

The storage of the toothbrush modulein the collapsed position may also achieve a hygienic purpose, by positioning the toothbrush bristlesA facing the enclosed interior of the handle housingand thus shielding the toothbrush bristlesA from contamination with outside bacteria, viruses, or other phages or compounds that might induce illness if introduced to the human oral cavity. In the collapsed position, the toothbrush moduleis secured in the present embodiment by the right pivot lockand the left pivot lock.

While the mechanism inside of the pivoting base housingin the present embodiment is comprised of a right pivot lock, right spring, left spring, the left pivot lock, it is understood that these particular members could be replaced in the design of the toothbrush module by any members that secure the toothbrush headin its upright position but that also allow for the lowering of toothbrush headto rotate into its collapsed position as shown inand further described herein.

It is noted that any brand or variety of toothbrush head may be modified to fit onto the toothbrush modulefor use with the motorized toothbrush. Modifications to such designs of other manufacturers' toothbrush heads must of course be made to secure the toothbrush headto the pivoting base headfor use with the present embodiment. These options are all contemplated and included within this disclosure as potential avenues for modification by manufacturers and licensees in the future.

While the present embodiment of the toothbrush moduleas disclosed herein describes a collapsible toothbrush that is designed to be raised and lowered by a user's hand, it is also contemplated that this action may be accomplished by an electrical control and apparatus to be included within the present design.

As presently illustrated, the raising and lowering of the toothbrush headis accomplished by the user's manual actions. To raise the toothbrush headfrom its collapsed position, the user must simply grip the toothbrush headat the grip grooveB or other designated surface area as preferred by the manufacturer, and then manipulate the toothbrush headand manually raise it into the fully upright position as shown inet seq.

After the toothbrush moduleis in its fully right position, the user then engages the internal motorby pressing the button switchon the exterior-facing side of the toothbrush moduleas shown in. This button engages the internal circuitryC that is powered by the batteryB that is located within the handle housing. Such engagement causes the motorto vibrate the pivoting base headand the toothbrush head, to allow the user to then use the device as directed by his or her dentist or as is commonly used in the field of art.

When the user is finished using the toothbrush as a motorized device, he or she then simply disengages the motorby again engaging the button switchthat then stops the electrical current flowing from the batteryB to the motor-controlling circuitryC and thus, the motorceases to function. The toothbrush modulemay then be reset to its collapsed formfor hygiene, storage, and/or travel purposes.

In its present form, it is contemplated that the motorized action of the toothbrush module will be powered by existing circuitry and disposable or rechargeable/reusable battery technology. As previously discussed, the circuitry will be located on the interior side of the handle housing, as illustrated inand. As can be seen in's cross-sectional view, when the toothbrush module is in its collapsed position, the front-facing surfaceGof the toothbrush headrests parallel to the toothbrush backstop partition, which in turn keeps the toothbrush headfrom touching the circuit boardC. Of course, this circuit boardC may be modified or even relocated within the interior cavity of the handle housing, as required or necessitated by the design or manufacture of a particular embodiment of the device deviating from the spirit of the present disclosure.

If the battery is a replaceable battery, the battery will be able to be removed and reinserted via the battery doorlocated on the bottom or downward-facing side of the handle housing, as illustrated more fully in. This battery is displayed in the present embodiment to be a standard AA 1.5V disposable battery, but any type or style of battery may be used to power the motorized action of the toothbrush moduleas desired by a particular manufacturer. Indeed, if the battery selected for inclusion and use with the device is not disposable but is instead given a fixed position within the handle housing, the battery doormay be removed from the design altogether.

The second module of the oral care assembly device is the dispenser modulefor a plurality of consumables, as shown inmore detail in cross-sectional view in. The dispenser modulehas a top endspaced apart from a bottom enddefining a vertical or first direction therebetween, a front surfaceopposite a rear-facing surfacedefining a transverse direction or second direction therebetween, and a first sideA opposite a second sideB defining a lateral direction therebetween. In one embodiment, the vertical direction, the transverse direction, and the lateral direction are orthogonal to each other.

In one embodiment, the rear-facing surfaceis complementary to the rear-facing surfaceGof the toothbrush module, discussed above, such that moduleand moduleare configured to fit together back-to-back. Within the housing components of each of these modules, the toothbrush moduleand the dispenser module, there are additional securement membersand, respectively, presently contemplated and displayed inas magnets that secure the two modules together for easy storage and/or travel. An alternative embodiment of the present design could include these securement membersandas being any components that create and effectuate a releasable connection between the toothbrush moduleand the dispenser module. For example, corresponding male-to-female mechanical connections can be used to connect moduleand module.

In the present embodiment, the exterior housing of the dispenser moduleincludes at least two components, namely, a top dispenser housingand a lower dispenser housing, as shown more fully in. Alternatively, these housing piecesandmay be formed or cast as two horizontally complementary pieces that secure together at a vertical line intersection, or as a single piece of plastic or other synthetic material, thereby making up the outer dispenser housing. However, in the present embodiment disclosed and discussed herein, these housing components are displayed as separate components that connect together. One exemplary feature of the housing pieces of the dispenser moduleis that they complement and are designed to connect to the corresponding pieces of the toothbrush moduleto join the entire oral care assemblyas a single unit.

In the present embodiment, the top dispenser housingand the lower dispenser housinghave at least four vertical sides,,A, andB. On the top dispenser housing, the lateral sidesA andB are longer in width than their corresponding sides on the lower dispenser housing. In one embodiment, the vertical direction, the transverse direction, and the lateral direction of these sides are orthogonal to each other, as shown in. It is contemplated, however, that the exterior design could include differently oriented or slightly curved sides in place of the more squared-off presentation displayed in the figures herein, as the manufacturer or licensee desires, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The top surfaceof the dispenser module includes a dispenser doorand an apertureA defined in a lower depending memberA that extends downwardly from a lower surface of the door. The aperture in the lower depending memberA allows for the connection of the dispenser doorto rest flush with the rest of the top surface, as shown inand in cross-sectional view in. This dooroccupies at least most of the top surfacein the present embodiment, but may, of course, vary in design and presentation, perhaps not even being located on the top surfaceat all, depending on the ergonomic and/or ornamental design needs of the manufacturer or licensee. All of these alternative embodiments are contemplated within this disclosure.