AT524037B1 - Toothbrush cap and dental hygiene system - Google Patents

Abstract

Toothbrush cap (1) with a first half-shell (2), a second half-shell (3), and a hinge (4) for the pivotable connection of the half-shells (2, 3) between a closed state and an open state of the toothbrush cap (1), wherein the first half-shell (2) and the second half-shell (3) in the closed state of the toothbrush cap (1) form a substantially closed accommodation space (5) for accommodating at least part of a toothbrush (6), preferably a toothbrush head (7), the first half-shell (2) and the second half-shell (3) in the open state of the toothbrush cap (1) in the region of the hinge (4) forming a receptacle (8) for attaching a toothbrush handle (9) to the toothbrush cap (1).

Description

description

TOOTHBRUSH CAP AND DENTAL HYGIENE SYSTEM

The invention relates to a toothbrush cap according to the preamble of claim 1 and a dental hygiene system according to claim 10.

Toothbrushes are known in many variants, as manually operated manual toothbrushes or combined with an electric drive.

In the usual applications of toothbrushes, the toothbrush is placed on the washbasin, the sink or any other storage surface after use, or placed, for example, in a toothbrush cup. This means that the toothbrush is ready to hand for the next use. When travelling, the toothbrush is often stowed directly in a toiletry bag.

Protective caps are known in particular for use when traveling, which accommodate the bristles of the toothbrush or the brush head and thus protect them from dirt or damage. Complete toothbrush caps or toothbrush cases are also known which accommodate and protect the entire toothbrush.

A disadvantage of these known toothbrush caps is that the provided mechanical protective effect is usually not necessary for daily use, except when transporting the toothbrush. As a result, the toothbrush caps are often misplaced and only offer a limited range of use. On the other hand, toothbrushes should not simply be placed on a surface even during daily use, as this could soil the bristles.

The object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush cap which, on the one hand, offers transport protection if required, and at the same time allows hygienic storage of the toothbrush in daily use without removing the toothbrush from a closed or partially closed container each time it is used to have to.

This object is achieved by a toothbrush cap having the features of claim 1 and a dental hygiene system having the features of claim 10.

Advantageous variants of the toothbrush cap according to the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The toothbrush cap according to the invention comprises a first half-shell, a second half-shell, and a hinge for pivotally connecting the half-shells between a closed state and an open state of the toothbrush cap. When the toothbrush cap is in the closed state, the first half-shell and the second half-shell form a substantially closed accommodation space for accommodating at least part of a toothbrush, preferably a toothbrush head.

In the open state of the toothbrush cap, the first half-shell and the second half-shell also form a receptacle for attaching a toothbrush handle in the region of the hinge.

By providing the receptacle for attaching the toothbrush handle in the open state of the toothbrush cap, the advantage is achieved that the toothbrush cap can be attached to the toothbrush handle in the open state. This enables a user of the toothbrush cap according to the invention to use it as a stand or holder for the toothbrush when it is open, and at the same time as transport protection when the toothbrush cap is closed. Using it as a stand or holder also eliminates the risk of the toothbrush head getting dirty when not in use and allows the bristles of the toothbrush head to air dry.

According to the preferred embodiment of the toothbrush cap according to the invention, the receptacle for attaching the toothbrush handle to the toothbrush cap comprises a cutout in the first half-shell and/or the second half-shell for passing the toothbrush handle between the first half-shell and the second half-shell when the toothbrush cap is open. This achieves the advantage that the toothbrush cap provides a secure stand for the toothbrush when the toothbrush cap is open.

Preferably, the first half-shell and/or the second half-shell has a stop in the area of the hinge for limiting an opening angle of the first half-shell to the second half-shell when the toothbrush cap is in the open state. This ensures that the first half-shell and the second half-shell have the optimal opening angle in the open state in order to accommodate the toothbrush neck in the receptacle.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first half-shell and the second half-shell each have at least one stop in the region of the hinge to limit an opening angle of the first half-shell to the second half-shell when the toothbrush cap is open, and the stop forms the first half-shell with the stop of the second half-shell in the open state, the receptacle for attaching the toothbrush handle. This achieves a secure attachment of the toothbrush handle to the toothbrush cap, with the toothbrush cap having small dimensions at the same time.

The first half-shell and/or the second half-shell preferably have a cutout for the passage of a tap brush neck into the receiving space when the toothbrush cap is in the closed state. As a result, essentially only the toothbrush head is received in the receiving space when the toothbrush cap is in the closed state, and the toothbrush neck protrudes from the toothbrush cap. This embodiment variant of the toothbrush cap means that the toothbrush cap has small dimensions and at the same time provides full functionality.

According to the preferred embodiment of the toothbrush cap according to the invention, the first half-shell and/or the second half-shell also comprise at least one first locking element for locking the half-shells in the closed state. This prevents accidental opening of the toothbrush cap.

In addition, the first half-shell and/or the second half-shell preferably comprise at least one second locking element for locking the half-shells in the open state. This ensures that the toothbrush cap according to the invention remains in the open state and does not close on its own. The second locking element is preferably arranged on the stop or the stops for limiting the opening angle.

Preferably, the receptacle for attaching a toothbrush handle has a cross section that is adapted to the toothbrush handle to be attached. This achieves a mechanically stable connection between the toothbrush handle and the toothbrush cap.

The dental hygiene system according to the invention comprises a toothbrush with a toothbrush head and a toothbrush handle, and the toothbrush cap according to the invention.

Advantageous configurations of the toothbrush cap according to the invention and the dental hygiene system according to the invention, as well as alternative variants are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

Figure 1 shows a toothbrush cap according to the invention in a closed state in a perspective view.

Figure 2 shows the toothbrush cap according to the invention in an open state in a side view.

Figure 3 shows the toothbrush cap according to the invention in the closed state in a view from above.

Figure 4 shows the toothbrush cap according to the invention in the open state in a view from above.

Figure 5 shows a dental hygiene system according to the invention with a toothbrush and the toothbrush cap, the toothbrush being attached to the toothbrush cap in its open state.

Figure 6 shows the dental hygiene system according to the invention with the toothbrush and the toothbrush cap, with a toothbrush head of the toothbrush being accommodated in a receiving space of the toothbrush cap.

FIG. 1 shows a toothbrush cap 1 according to the invention with a first half-shell 2 and a second half-shell 3 in a closed state. The first half-shell 2 and the second half-shell 3 are connected by means of a hinge 4 for pivotally connecting the half-shells 2 and 3 between the closed state and an open state illustrated in FIG. In the closed state of the toothbrush cap 1 shown in FIG. The receiving space 5 can be seen in FIG. 6, in which the toothbrush cap 1 is also shown in the open state. When the toothbrush cap 1 is in the open state, the first half-shell 2 and the second half-shell 3 also form a receptacle 8 in the area of the hinge 4 for fastening a toothbrush handle 9 . This receptacle 8 can be seen in FIG. 4, in which the toothbrush cap 1 is shown in the open state in a view from above. By providing the receptacle 8 for attaching the toothbrush handle 9 when the toothbrush cap 1 is open, the toothbrush cap 1 can be attached to the toothbrush handle 9 when it is open, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. This enables the toothbrush cap 1 to be used as a stand or holder for the toothbrush 6 in the open state. At the same time, when closed, the toothbrush cap 1 can be used to protect the toothbrush 1 during transport. The use as a stand or holder also reduces the risk of the toothbrush head 7 getting dirty when not in use.

As can be seen in Figure 4 and Figure 6, the toothbrush cap 1 in the preferred embodiment shown in the figures has a recess 10 in the first half-shell 2 and/or in the second half-shell 3 for the passage of the toothbrush handle 9 between the first half-shell 2 and the second half-shell 3 when the toothbrush cap 1 is open. This achieves the advantage that the toothbrush cap 1 provides a secure stand for the toothbrush 6 when the toothbrush cap 1 is in the open state. The recess 10 can also be seen in FIG. 3, which shows the toothbrush cap 1 according to the invention in the closed state according to FIG. 1 in a view from above.

Preferably, the first half-shell 2 and/or the second half-shell 3 in the area of the hinge 4 has a stop 11 for limiting an opening angle a of the first half-shell 2 to the second half-shell 3 when the toothbrush cap 1 is in the open state. This stop 11 can be seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. The stop 11 ensures that the first half-shell 2 and the second half-shell 3 assume the opening angle a predefined by the stop 11 in the open state. As a result, the half-shells 2 and 3 are not placed flat on a shelf in the open state, but at a slight angle to the support surface, for example a washbasin. Due to the angled set-up position, the toothbrush cap 1 only rests with two longitudinal edges on the shelf, so that no bacteria or dirt can settle in the contact area between the washstand support and the toothbrush cap 1.

According to the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first half-shell 2 and the second half-shell 3 in the area of the hinge 4 each have at least one stop 11 for limiting the opening angle a of the first half-shell 2 to the second half-shell 3 when the toothbrush cap is open 1 on. In addition, the stop 11 of the first half-shell 2 forms the contact with the stop 11 of the second half-shell 3 in the open state.

8 for fastening the toothbrush handle 9, as can be seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. As a result, the toothbrush handle 9 is securely fastened to the toothbrush cap 1 by means of the stops 11, while at the same time the dimensions of the toothbrush cap 1 can be kept small. As a result, no separate guide or separate attachment for the toothbrush handle 9 is required. The receptacle 8 for attaching the toothbrush handle 9 preferably has a cross section that is adapted to the toothbrush handle 9 to be attached, as a result of which a form-fitting receptacle for the toothbrush handle 9 is provided.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the first half-shell 2 and/or the second half-shell 3 preferably has a cutout 12 for guiding a toothbrush neck 13 into the receiving space 5 when the toothbrush cap 1 is in the closed state. FIG. 6 shows the toothbrush cap 1 in the open state, such a cutout 12 being provided both in the first half-shell 2 and in the second half-shell 3 . When closed, the two cutouts 12 together form a hole in the toothbrush cap 1 through which the toothbrush handle 13 can pass. FIG. 7 shows the toothbrush cap 1 in the closed state, with a toothbrush head 7 of the toothbrush 6 accommodated in the receiving space 5, with the toothbrush neck 13 of the toothbrush 6 passing through the cutouts 12. This embodiment variant of the toothbrush cap 1 means that the toothbrush cap 1 can only hold the toothbrush head 7 of a toothbrush 6 . As a result, small dimensions of the toothbrush cap 1 are achieved and at the same time the full functionality of the toothbrush cap 1 is retained.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the first half-shell 2 and/or the second half-shell 3 according to the preferred embodiment of the toothbrush cap 1 according to the invention comprises at least one first locking element 14 for locking the half-shells 2 and 3 in the closed state. The toothbrush cap 1 shown in the figures has two first locking elements 14 on opposite sides of the half-shells 2 and 3, which are designed in the form of tabs with projections which engage in corresponding depressions in the respective opposite half-shell 2 and 3, respectively. Other forms of locking elements 14 are well known to those skilled in the art. This prevents the toothbrush cap 1 from being opened unintentionally.

In addition, the first half-shell 2 and/or the second half-shell 3 preferably comprise at least one second locking element 15 for locking the half-shells 2 and 3 in the open state, which can be seen in FIG. The one or more second locking elements 15 are preferably arranged on the stop 11 or the stops 11 for limiting the opening angle a. According to the preferred embodiment, the second locking element 15 is arranged in the form of a projection on one or all of the stops 11 . In the open state, these projections preferably engage in corresponding depressions in a respectively opposite stop 11. This state is shown in FIG. This ensures that the toothbrush cap 1 according to the invention remains in the open state and does not close itself.

The toothbrush cap of the present invention can be used with a variety of toothbrushes 1 and is reusable.

The dental hygiene system 20 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. The dental hygiene system 20 includes the toothbrush 6 with the toothbrush head 7, the toothbrush handle 9, and the toothbrush cap 1 according to the invention.

Claims (10)

patent claims 1. Toothbrush cap (1) with a first half-shell (2), a second half-shell (3) and a hinge (4) for the pivotable connection of the half-shells (2, 3) between a closed state and an open state of the toothbrush cap (1) , wherein the first half-shell (2) and the second half-shell (3) in the closed state of the toothbrush cap (1) have a substantially closed receiving space (5) for receiving at least part of a toothbrush (6), preferably a toothbrush head (7) form, characterized in that the first half-shell (2) and the second half-shell (3) in the open state of the toothbrush cap (1) in the region of the hinge (4) have a receptacle (8) for attaching a toothbrush handle (9) to the toothbrush cap (1) train. 2, toothbrush cap (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle (8) for fastening the toothbrush handle (9) to the toothbrush cap (1) has a recess (10) in the first half-shell (2) and/or the second half-shell (3) for the passage of the toothbrush handle (9) between the first half-shell (2) and the second half-shell (3) in the open state of the toothbrush cap (1). 3. Toothbrush cap (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first half-shell (2) and/or the second half-shell (3) in the area of the hinge (4) has a stop (11) for limiting an opening angle ( a) the first half-shell (2) to the second half-shell (3) in the open state of the toothbrush cap (1). 4. Toothbrush cap (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first half-shell (2) and the second half-shell (3) in the region of the hinge (4) each have at least one stop (11) for limiting an opening angle ( a) of the first half-shell (2) to the second half-shell (3) in the open state of the toothbrush cap (1), and the stop (11) of the first half-shell (2) with the stop (11) of the second half-shell (3) in open state forms the receptacle (8) for attaching the toothbrush handle (9). 5. Toothbrush cap (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first half-shell (2) and/or the second half-shell (3) has a cut-out (12) for the passage of a tap brush neck (13) into the receiving space (5 ) in the closed state of the toothbrush cap (1). 6. Toothbrush cap (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first half-shell (2) and/or the second half-shell (3) has at least one first locking element (14) for locking the half-shells (2, 3) in include closed state. 7. Toothbrush cap (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first half-shell (2) and/or the second half-shell (3) has at least one second locking element (15) for locking the half-shells (2, 3) in include open state. 8. Toothbrush cap (1) according to claim 7 and one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the second locking element (15) is arranged on the stop (11) or the stops (11) for limiting the opening angle (a). . 9. Toothbrush cap (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the receptacle (8) for fastening a toothbrush handle (9) has a toothbrush handle (9) to be fastened with a cross-section adapted. A dental hygiene system (20) comprising a toothbrush (6) having a toothbrush head (7) and a toothbrush handle (9), and a toothbrush cap (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9. 4 sheets of drawings