CN112293931B

CN112293931B - Device for mounting and/or dismounting a toothbrush head and toothbrush kit

Info

Publication number: CN112293931B
Application number: CN202010074737.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杜振源
Original assignee: Yu Muwen
Current assignee: Yu Muwen
Priority date: 2019-07-30
Filing date: 2019-07-30
Publication date: 2023-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-30
Also published as: CN112293931A; CN112293930A

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for mounting and/or dismounting a toothbrush head and a toothbrush kit. The means for mounting the toothbrush head comprises a lower housing and an upper housing pivotally mounted together; a lining member provided in the lower case; a toothbrush head mounting cavity is formed on the inner lining member, a step portion for supporting an edge portion of the toothbrush head body is formed on an inner wall thereof, and a protruding pressing portion capable of applying a force to a toothbrush head mounting portion of the toothbrush handle is formed on a surface of the upper housing facing the inner lining member at a position corresponding to the toothbrush head mounting cavity. The inner lining part can also be formed with a toothbrush head disassembling cavity, the inner wall of the inner lining part is formed with a step part for supporting the toothbrush handle, and the surface of the upper shell facing the inner lining part is formed with a protruding pushing column which can apply acting force to the toothbrush head body of the toothbrush head at the position corresponding to the toothbrush head disassembling cavity. According to the invention, the toothbrush head can be installed and/or removed in a labor-saving, simple and efficient manner.

Description

Device for mounting and/or dismounting a toothbrush head and toothbrush kit

The present application is a divisional application of chinese invention application No.201910694194.2 entitled "toothbrush and device for mounting and/or dismounting a toothbrush head" filed on 7/30 of 2019.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for mounting and/or dismounting a toothbrush head and a toothbrush kit.

Background

According to the recommendations of dentists, people should brush their teeth at least twice a day and change the toothbrush at least every three months, so the consumption of toothbrushes is extremely huge worldwide. When changing toothbrushes, one typically replaces the old toothbrush with a new one and disposes the old toothbrush as waste. However, the old toothbrush is only unsuitable for continued use of bristles on the toothbrush head, and the toothbrush handle is continued to be used, so that discarding the entire old toothbrush results in a great waste of resources and significantly increases the disposal amount of waste.

Accordingly, improvements to existing toothbrushes are needed.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior toothbrushes, and to provide an improved toothbrush which allows the handle to be reused in situations where bristles on the head are unsuitable for continued use in brushing, to increase resource utilization and reduce waste disposal.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for mounting and/or dismounting a toothbrush head which allows the toothbrush head to be easily mounted to and/or removed from a toothbrush handle.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush kit comprising means for mounting and/or dismounting a toothbrush head.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for mounting a toothbrush head comprising:

a lower housing;

an upper housing pivotally mounted to the lower housing; and

a liner member disposed in the lower shell;

wherein a brush head mounting cavity is formed on the inner lining member, a step portion supporting an edge portion of the brush head body is formed on an inner wall of the brush head mounting cavity, a protruding pressing portion is formed on a surface of the upper housing facing the inner lining member at a position corresponding to the brush head mounting cavity, and the pressing portion can apply a force to the brush head mounting portion of the brush handle to mount the brush head to the brush handle.

Preferably, the inner lining member further has a recess formed therein which communicates with the brush head mounting cavity and which is adapted to receive a portion of the toothbrush handle.

Preferably, the pressing portion is formed in a hollow lattice shape.

Preferably, the inner lining member further has a brush head accommodating chamber formed therein for accommodating a spare brush head.

Preferably, the inner lining member further has a cleaning brush accommodating chamber formed therein.

Preferably, the lining member is formed separately from the lower case and is mounted to the lower case.

Preferably, the lower casing is formed with a boss with a central cavity and a protrusion with a snap-in portion, and the bottom side of the lining member is formed with a positioning post and a protrusion with an opening, respectively, the positioning post being inserted into the central cavity and the snap-in portion being received in the opening.

The present invention also provides a toothbrush kit comprising:

a device for mounting a toothbrush head as described above; and

a toothbrush head and/or a toothbrush handle accommodated in the toothbrush head mounting cavity.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for removing a toothbrush head comprising:

a lower housing;

an upper housing pivotally mounted to the lower housing; and

a liner member disposed in the lower shell;

wherein, be formed with the brush head and dismantle the chamber on the inside lining part, be formed with the step portion that is used for supporting the toothbrush handle on the inner wall in brush head dismantles the chamber upper portion casing towards on the surface of inside lining part with the brush head dismantles the position that corresponds in chamber and is formed with outstanding pushing and pressing post, pushing and pressing post can be right the brush head body of brush head is exerted effort, in order to dismantle the brush head from the toothbrush handle.

Preferably, the inner lining member further has a recess formed therein which communicates with the brush head removing chamber and which is adapted to receive a portion of the brush handle.

The present invention also provides a toothbrush kit comprising:

a device for removing a toothbrush head as described above; and

a brush head and/or a brush handle accommodated in the brush head removing chamber.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head, comprising:

a lower housing;

an upper housing pivotally mounted to the lower housing; and

a liner member disposed in the lower shell;

wherein a brush head mounting cavity is formed on the inner lining member, a step portion supporting an edge portion of the brush head body is formed on an inner wall of the brush head mounting cavity, and a protruding pressing portion capable of applying a force to a brush head mounting portion of the brush handle to mount the brush head to the brush handle is formed on a surface of the upper housing facing the inner lining member at a position corresponding to the brush head mounting cavity; and

the toothbrush head disassembling cavity is formed on the lining part, the step part for supporting the toothbrush handle is formed on the inner wall of the toothbrush head disassembling cavity, the protruding pushing column is formed on the surface of the upper shell facing the lining part and corresponding to the toothbrush head disassembling cavity, and the pushing column can apply acting force to the toothbrush head body of the toothbrush head so as to disassemble the toothbrush head from the toothbrush handle.

Preferably, the pressing portion is formed in a hollow lattice shape.

The present invention also provides a toothbrush kit comprising:

a device for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head as described above;

a brush head and/or a brush handle accommodated in the brush head mounting chamber; and

The device for mounting and/or dismounting the toothbrush head according to the present invention enables the mounting and/or dismounting of the toothbrush head to be performed in a labor-saving, simple and efficient manner, thereby enabling the toothbrush handle to be reused to improve the resource utilization and reduce the waste disposal amount.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a toothbrush according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1a is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush of FIG. 1 and through a protruding peg on the toothbrush head;

FIG. 1b is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush of FIG. 1 and through a protruding peg on the toothbrush head;

fig. 2 is another schematic perspective view of a toothbrush according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a toothbrush according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3a is an enlarged schematic view similar to FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 3b is an enlarged schematic view similar to FIG. 3a with the toothbrush head and toothbrush handle in a separated state;

fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a toothbrush handle of a toothbrush according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is another schematic perspective view of a toothbrush handle of a toothbrush according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a toothbrush head of a toothbrush according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

fig. 7 is another schematic perspective view of a toothbrush head of a toothbrush according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic front view of a toothbrush head of a toothbrush according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic end view of a toothbrush head of a toothbrush in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

fig. 10 is a schematic bottom view of a toothbrush head of a toothbrush in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of a toothbrush head of a toothbrush in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

fig. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a toothbrush according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12a is a schematic cross-sectional view taken in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush of FIG. 12 and through a protruding peg on the toothbrush head;

FIG. 12b is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush of FIG. 12 and through a protruding peg on the toothbrush head;

fig. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a toothbrush head of a toothbrush according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

fig. 14 is another schematic perspective view of a toothbrush head of a toothbrush in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

fig. 15 is a schematic front view of a toothbrush head of a toothbrush according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic end view of a toothbrush head of a toothbrush in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

fig. 17 is a schematic bottom view of a toothbrush head of a toothbrush in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 18 is a schematic top view of a toothbrush head of a toothbrush in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a front view of the apparatus for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an end view of the apparatus for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a top view of the device for mounting and dismounting the toothbrush head shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the device for mounting and dismounting the toothbrush head shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the device for attaching and detaching a toothbrush head shown in FIG. 19 in an open state;

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the device for mounting and dismounting the toothbrush head shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 26 is a bottom side perspective view of the inner liner component of the apparatus for attaching and detaching a toothbrush head shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 27 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inner liner component of the apparatus for attaching and detaching a toothbrush head shown in FIG. 19 mounted to a lower housing;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing the installation of a brushhead using the apparatus for installing and removing a brushhead shown in FIG. 19, wherein one brushhead is placed in the brushhead installation chamber;

FIG. 29 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the installation of a toothbrush head using the apparatus for installing and removing a toothbrush head shown in FIG. 19, wherein a toothbrush handle is placed on the toothbrush head;

fig. 30 is a perspective view showing the installation of a toothbrush head using the apparatus for installing and removing a toothbrush head shown in fig. 19, in which the upper housing is rotated to be in a closed state;

FIG. 31 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the installation of a toothbrush head using the apparatus for installing and removing a toothbrush head shown in FIG. 19, wherein the toothbrush head has been installed on a toothbrush handle;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing the installation of a toothbrush head using the apparatus for installing and removing a toothbrush head shown in FIG. 19, in which the toothbrush head has been installed on a toothbrush handle has been removed;

FIGS. 33 and 34 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, showing removal of a brush head using the apparatus for mounting and removing a brush head shown in FIG. 19, wherein the brush head mounted on a brush handle is placed in a brush head removal cavity;

fig. 35 is a perspective view showing the removal of the brush head using the apparatus for mounting and removing the brush head shown in fig. 19, wherein the upper housing is rotated to be in a closed state;

FIG. 36 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing removal of the toothbrush head using the apparatus for mounting and removing a toothbrush head shown in FIG. 19, wherein the toothbrush head has been removed from the toothbrush handle;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing the removal of the brush head using the apparatus for attaching and removing the brush head shown in FIG. 19, wherein the handle and the brush head have been removed, respectively;

fig. 38 is a variation of the device for mounting and dismounting the toothbrush head shown in fig. 19-27;

fig. 39 is another variation of the device for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head shown in fig. 19-27; and

fig. 40 is a further variation of the device for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head shown in fig. 19-27.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to examples. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these exemplary embodiments are not meant to be limiting in any way.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a toothbrush according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 2 is another schematic perspective view of a toothbrush according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, a toothbrush 1 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a toothbrush handle 3 and a toothbrush head 5 detachably mounted to the toothbrush handle 3.

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a toothbrush handle of a toothbrush according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 5 is another schematic perspective view of a toothbrush handle of a toothbrush according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the toothbrush handle 3 includes a grip portion 3a for a user to grasp and a toothbrush head mounting portion 3b connected to the grip portion 3 a. Although the grip portion 3a and the brush head mounting portion 3b may be formed separately and then assembled together, the grip portion 3a and the brush head mounting portion 3b are preferably formed integrally. A first hole 7 is formed in the brush head mounting portion 3b. Although in the preferred embodiment the first apertures 7 are shown as four and are symmetrically distributed with respect to the longitudinal axis AA of the handle, it will be appreciated that the number of first apertures 7 may be less than four, for example three, two, or even one, the number of first apertures 7 may of course be more than four, and other distribution patterns may be employed as desired. Furthermore, although the first holes 7 are shown as through holes penetrating, it should be understood that the first holes may also be blind holes.

A second hole 9 penetrating may be further formed in the brush head mounting portion 3b. Although in the preferred embodiment the second holes 9 are shown as three and are distributed along the longitudinal axis AA of the toothbrush, it will be appreciated that the number of second holes 9 may be less than three, for example, two or even one, the number of second holes 9 may of course be more than three, and other distribution patterns may be employed as desired.

Fig. 6-11 schematically show a toothbrush head of a toothbrush according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in fig. 6 to 11, the brush head 5 of the toothbrush according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a brush head body 11, and bristles 13 mounted to a first side 11a of the brush head body 11. According to the invention, the toothbrush head 5 further comprises a protruding peg 15 formed on a second side 11b of the toothbrush head body 11 opposite the first side 11 a. The number and distribution of protruding sockets 15 on the toothbrush head 5 corresponds to the number and distribution of first holes 7 on the toothbrush head mounting portion 3b of the toothbrush handle 3, such that each protruding socket 15 on the toothbrush head 5 may be plugged into a corresponding first hole 7 on the toothbrush head mounting portion 3b of the toothbrush handle 3. As a result, the brush head 5 can be reliably attached to the brush head attachment portion 3b of the brush handle 3, as shown in fig. 1 and 2.

Although the brush head 5 can be reliably mounted to the brush head mounting portion 3b of the brush handle 3 by forming a tight fit between the protruding socket portion 15 and the first hole 7, in order to facilitate easier mounting and dismounting of the brush head 5 to and from the brush handle 3, the protruding socket portion 15 on the brush head 5 includes a root portion 15a extending from the brush head body 11 and an end portion 15b integral with the root portion 15a but of a larger size, as shown in fig. 3b, and a cut-out portion 15c extending from the end portion 15b to the brush head body 11 is also formed in the protruding socket portion 15. Correspondingly, the first hole 7 comprises a first portion 7a corresponding to the root 15a of the protruding plug 15, and a second portion 7b corresponding to the end 15b of the protruding plug 15 and having a larger size than the first portion 7a. The radial dimension of the root portion 15a of the protruding plug 15 is selected to be substantially the same as the radial dimension of the first portion 7a of the first hole 7 or slightly smaller than the radial dimension of the first portion 7a of the first hole 7, and the radial dimension of the end portion 15b of the protruding plug 15 is selected to be substantially the same as the radial dimension of the second portion 7b of the first hole 7 or slightly smaller than the radial dimension of the second portion 7b of the first hole 7. The head body 11, the projecting spigot 15 and/or the handle 3 are typically injection moulded from plastics material. When the protruding plug 15 is plugged into the corresponding first hole 7 in the brush head mounting portion 3b of the brush handle 3, the end 15b of the protruding plug 15 is pressed in contact with the side wall of the first hole 7, and the cut-out 15c allows the two parts of the end 15b to come close to each other and become smaller in radial dimension to pass through the first part 7a of the first hole 7. Once the end 15b of the protruding plug 15 passes through the first portion 7a of the first aperture 7, the end 15b of the protruding plug 15 enters the second portion 7b of the first aperture 7 and returns to its original size, thus securely locking the toothbrush head 5 with the toothbrush handle 3, as shown in fig. 3 a. Although in the preferred embodiment the cut-out 15c is shown as a cross cut through the side wall of the protruding spigot 15, the cut-out 15c may be formed as a cross, a petal, a hollow shape, or any other suitable shape that enables the radial dimension of the end 15b of the protruding spigot 15 to be reduced when squeezed.

In order to facilitate alignment of the protruding spigot 15 on the brush head 5 with the corresponding first hole 7 on the brush head mounting portion 3b when the brush head 5 is mounted on the brush handle 3, the periphery of the brush head mounting portion 3b of the brush handle 3 is formed with a flange 3c to define a concave space 3d for accommodating the brush head body 11. The dimensions of the concave space 3d substantially correspond to the dimensions of the head body 11 such that when the head body 11 is positioned in the concave space 3d, the protruding spigot 15 on the head 5 is aligned with the corresponding first aperture 7 on the head mounting portion 3b. Further, the size of the concave space 3d substantially corresponds to the size of the brush head body 11 also makes the gap between the brush head mounting portion 3b and the brush head body 11 as small as possible to prevent or reduce dirt or moisture from being pinched between the brush head mounting portion 3b and the brush head body 11 as much as possible.

Figs. 6-11 also show in detail the respective bristles 13 on the toothbrush head 5 according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention. The bristles 13 may be generally divided into three groups, namely, a first group of bristles 13a, which are arranged at the center of the brush head body 11, and a second group of bristles 13b and a third group of bristles 13c, which are symmetrically arranged at both sides of the first group of bristles in the longitudinal direction of the brush head body 11. Each group of bristles comprises a plurality of bristle tufts, which are grouped together by a plurality of bristles. The tufts of the first group of bristles 13a are arranged in a plurality of linear columns along the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush head body 11 and are spaced apart from one another, shown in the preferred embodiment as four columns, but it will be appreciated that fewer or more than four columns may be arranged. Each bristle tuft of the first set of bristles 13a is also disposed generally parallel to a plane P passing through the longitudinal axis BB of the head body 11 and generally perpendicular to the first side 11a of the head body 11. The bristle tufts in the second and third sets of

bristles

13b, 13c are arranged in a plurality of linear rows and spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush head body 11, two rows each being shown in the preferred embodiment, but it should be understood that fewer or more than two rows may be arranged. Each of the second group of bristles 13b and the third group of bristles 13c is also disposed generally obliquely outwardly relative to the plane P such that the gaps between the second group of bristles 13b and the third group of bristles 13c and the first group of bristles 13a progressively increase in a direction along the plane P away from the brush head body 11, as shown in fig. 9. Although in the preferred embodiment, the row of bristle tufts of the second and third sets of

bristles

13b, 13c that are distal from the first set of bristles 13a are inclined outwardly at a greater angle than the row of bristle tufts that are proximal to the first set of bristles 13a, it is also possible that the row of bristle tufts of the second and third sets of

bristles

13b, 13c that are distal from the first set of bristles 13a are inclined outwardly at the same angle as the row of bristle tufts that are proximal to the first set of bristles 13 a. The arrangement of the bristles is such that the first set of bristles 13a penetrate deeper into the crevices during brushing to remove debris between the crevices to enhance the cleaning effect on the teeth, while the second and third sets of

bristles

13b and 13c provide a massaging effect on the gums. More preferably, the bristle tufts of the first, second and third groups of

bristles

13a, 13b, 13C are generally located on the concave arcuate surface C at the ends thereof remote from the brush head body 11 when viewed from the end side of the brush head 5 so that the bristles better conform to the teeth and gums for further enhanced cleaning and massaging.

Figs. 12-18 show a toothbrush according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The toothbrush of the second preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 12-18 is substantially the same as the toothbrush of the first preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 1-11, except for the somewhat different arrangement of bristles. For the sake of simplicity, only the differences between the second preferred embodiment and the first preferred embodiment will be described below, and detailed descriptions of other parts will be omitted.

As shown in fig. 12 to 18, the toothbrush head 5 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a fourth group of bristles 13d disposed at an end of the toothbrush head body 11 remote from the toothbrush handle 3, in addition to the first group of bristles 13a, the second group of bristles 13b, and the third group of bristles 13c. In the preferred embodiment, the fourth set of bristles 13d comprises two rows of bristle tufts arranged in an arc, but it will be appreciated that one or more rows of bristle tufts may be provided. More preferably, each bristle tuft of the fourth set of bristles 13d is disposed obliquely outwardly with respect to the center of the arc. By providing the fourth group of bristles 13d, cleaning of teeth and massaging of gums can be further improved.

Although the brush head can be separated from the handle by means of a tool passing directly through the second aperture 9 in the handle, the invention proposes a device 20 specifically for mounting and dismounting the brush head. As shown in fig. 19-27, the means 20 for mounting and dismounting the toothbrush head includes a lower housing 21 and an upper housing 23 pivotally mounted to the lower housing 21. The upper housing 23 pivots relative to the lower housing 21 to open or close the means 20 for mounting and dismounting the toothbrush head. The device 20 for attaching and detaching a brush head further includes a lining member 25 attached to the lower housing 21, the lining member 25 having a brush head attaching chamber 27 formed thereon, the brush head attaching chamber 27 for receiving the brush head 5 to be attached, but a stepped portion 27a is formed on an inner wall of the brush head attaching chamber 27. In the preferred embodiment, the stepped portions 27a are formed at both longitudinal ends of the head mounting chamber 27, but it should be understood that it is also possible that the stepped portions 27a are formed at both longitudinal sides of the head mounting chamber 27. As shown in fig. 29, when the brush head 5 is placed in the brush head mounting chamber 27, the edge portion of the brush head body 11 of the brush head 5 is supported on the stepped portion 27a, thereby holding the brush head 5 in place in the brush head mounting chamber 27. Preferably, the inner lining member 25 may further be formed with a first recess 29 communicating with the head mounting cavity 27 and for receiving a portion of the toothbrush handle 3.

The inner lining member 25 is also formed with a brush head removing chamber 31, and the brush head removing chamber 31 is for accommodating a brush head and a part of a brush handle which have been mounted on a brush handle. A stepped portion 31a is also formed on the inner wall of the brush head removing chamber 31. In the preferred embodiment, the stepped portions 31a are formed at both longitudinal ends of the brush head removing chamber 31, but it should be understood that it is also possible that the stepped portions 31a are formed at both longitudinal sides of the brush head removing chamber 31. As shown in fig. 34, when the brush head 5 mounted on the brush handle is placed in the brush head removing chamber 31, the brush handle 3 is supported on the stepped portion 31a but the brush head body 11 of the brush head 5 is located inside the stepped portion 31a, thereby holding the brush head 5 mounted on the brush handle in place in the brush head removing chamber 31. Preferably, the inner lining member 25 may further be formed with a second groove 33 communicating with the brush head removing cavity 31 and for accommodating a portion of the brush handle 3.

The inner lining member 25 may further be formed with a cleaning brush receiving chamber 35 for receiving a cleaning brush 37. The cleaning brush 37 may be used for cleaning toothbrushes, in particular for removing dirt that may be caught between the brush head 5 and the brush handle 3. In the preferred embodiment, the cleaning brush receiving chamber 35 is formed between the brush head mounting chamber 27 and the brush head removing chamber 31, but it should be understood that the cleaning brush receiving chamber 35 may be formed at other locations, such as at the end sides of the brush head mounting chamber 27 and the brush head removing chamber 31, as shown in fig. 38.

The inner lining member 25 may further be formed with a brush head accommodating chamber 39 for accommodating the spare brush head 5. A through hole 41 corresponding to the protruding socket 15 on the brush head body 11 may be formed on the bottom wall of the brush head receiving chamber 39 for receiving the protruding socket 15 on the brush head body 11 so that the spare brush head 5 is stably placed in the brush head receiving chamber 39. In the preferred embodiment, there are two head receiving cavities 39 and are disposed on either side of the head mounting cavity 27 and the head removing cavity 31, respectively, but it should be understood that the number of head receiving cavities 39 may be more or less than two and may be disposed in other locations.

The lower housing 21 is formed with a boss 45 with a central cavity 43 and a projection 49 with a snap-fit portion 47. The bottom side of the lining member 25 is formed with a positioning post 51 and a projection 55 with an opening 53, respectively. By inserting the positioning posts 51 on the bottom side of the liner member 25 into the central cavities 43 of the posts 45 on the lower shell 21, the liner member 25 can be quickly positioned relative to the lower shell 21. By further pressing down the lining member 25, the catching portions 47 of the protruding portions 49 on the lower case 21 can be received in the openings 53 of the protruding portions 55 on the bottom side of the lining member 25, thereby reliably mounting the lining member 25 to the lower case 21, as shown in fig. 27. It should be appreciated that the liner component 25 may also be mounted to the lower shell 21 in other ways. Furthermore, although in the preferred embodiment the lining member 25 is formed separately from the lower housing 21, it is also possible that the lining member 25 is formed integrally with the lower housing 21.

A protruding pressing portion 57 is formed on the surface of the upper case 23 facing the lower case 21 or the lining member 25 at a position corresponding to the brush head mounting chamber 27. In the preferred embodiment, the pressing portion 57 is formed in a hollow lattice shape, but it may be other shapes as long as pressure can be applied to the toothbrush handle through it. Protruding push posts 59 are formed on the surface of the upper housing 23 facing the lower housing 21 or the inner lining member 25 at positions corresponding to the brush head removing cavities 31, the push posts 59 corresponding to the number and positions of the second holes 9 on the brush handle 3, and being capable of freely passing through the second holes 9. Furthermore, locking means such as a protrusion 61 formed on the lower housing 21 and a recess formed on the upper housing 23 for receiving the protrusion 61 are also formed on the lower housing 21 and the upper housing 23 to securely lock the lower housing 21 and the upper housing 23 together when the device 20 for attaching and detaching the toothbrush head is not in use. The various components of the device 20 for mounting and dismounting the toothbrush head may be substantially injection molded from plastic material.

Figs. 28-32 are schematic views showing the installation of toothbrush head 5 using means 20 for installing and removing the toothbrush head. The process of installing a toothbrush head using the apparatus 20 for installing and removing a toothbrush head will be described below in connection with fig. 28-32. First, the upper housing 23 is pivoted relative to the lower housing 21 to open the device 20 for mounting and dismounting the brush head, and then the brush head 5 is placed in the brush head mounting chamber 27 so that the protruding socket 15 on the brush head body 11 is directed to the upper side, as shown in fig. 28. Next, the toothbrush handle 3 is placed on the toothbrush head 5 such that the first hole 7 on the toothbrush head mounting portion 3b of the toothbrush handle 3 is aligned with the protruding peg 15 on the toothbrush head 5, as shown in fig. 29. Subsequently, the upper housing 23 is pivoted to a position closed with the lower housing 21, as shown in fig. 30. Next, the upper housing 23 is pressed downward so that the pressing portion 57 on the upper housing 23 contacts the head mounting portion 3b of the toothbrush handle 3 and applies a downward force to the head mounting portion 3b of the toothbrush handle 3. Since the brush head body 11 is supported on the stepped portion 27a of the brush head mounting chamber 27, the protruding socket portion 15 of the brush head 5 passes through the first hole 7 of the brush head mounting portion 3b, thereby mounting the brush head 5 to the brush handle 3, as shown in fig. 31. Finally, the upper housing 23 is pivoted again relative to the lower housing 21 to open the means 20 for mounting and dismounting the toothbrush head, and the toothbrush 1, which has been assembled, is removed for use, as shown in fig. 32.

Figures 33-38 are schematic views showing removal of the toothbrush head 5 using the means 20 for mounting and removing the toothbrush head. The process of removing the toothbrush head using the apparatus 20 for mounting and removing the toothbrush head will be described below in connection with fig. 33-38. First, the upper housing 23 is pivoted with respect to the lower housing 21 to open the means 20 for mounting and dismounting the brush head, and then the brush head 5 mounted on the brush handle 3 is placed in the brush head dismounting chamber 31 so that the brush handle 3 is directed to the upper side, as shown in fig. 33 and 34. Next, the upper housing 23 is pivoted to a closed position with the lower housing 21, as shown in fig. 35. Next, the upper housing 23 is pressed downward so that the pressing post 59 on the upper housing 23 passes through the second hole 9 on the brush head mounting portion 3b, contacts the brush head body 11 and applies a downward force to the brush head body 11. Since the brush holder 3 is supported on the stepped portion 31a of the brush head removing chamber 31, the push post 59 of the upper housing 23 causes the protruding socket 15 of the brush head 5 to be separated from the first hole 7 of the brush head mounting portion 3b, thereby removing the brush head 5 from the brush holder 3, as shown in fig. 36. Finally, the upper housing 23 is pivoted again with respect to the lower housing 21 to open the means 20 for mounting and dismounting the brush head, and the brush handle 3 and brush head 5, which have been separated, are taken out, as shown in fig. 37.

Fig. 38 is a variation of the device for mounting and dismounting the toothbrush head shown in fig. 19-27. As mentioned above, the device for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head shown in FIG. 38 differs from the device for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head described in connection with FIGS. 19-27 only in that: a cleaning brush accommodating chamber 35 is formed at the end sides of the brush head mounting chamber 27 and the brush head removing chamber 31.

Fig. 39 is another variation of the device for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head shown in fig. 19-27. The device for mounting and dismounting the toothbrush head shown in fig. 39 differs from the device for mounting and dismounting the toothbrush head described in connection with fig. 19-27 only in that: it does not include a brush head receiving cavity for receiving a spare brush head.

Fig. 40 is a further variation of the device for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head shown in fig. 19-27. The device for mounting and dismounting the toothbrush head shown in fig. 39 differs from the device for mounting and dismounting the toothbrush head described in connection with fig. 19-27 only in that: the cleaning brush receiving chamber 35 is formed at the end sides of the brush head mounting chamber 27 and the brush head removing chamber 31, and it does not include a brush head receiving chamber for receiving a spare brush head.

Furthermore, it should be understood that the bristle arrangement of the spare toothbrush head stored in the head receiving cavity is not limited to the arrangement shown in the preferred embodiment.

The device for mounting and dismounting the toothbrush head can be used for mounting and dismounting the toothbrush head in a labor-saving, simple and efficient manner.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that this detailed description is merely illustrative of the invention and is not intended to be limiting. For example, the protruding tab may be formed on the toothbrush handle and a hole formed on the toothbrush head body for receiving the protruding tab. The means for mounting and dismounting the brush head may be free of brush head mounting cavities and corresponding press sections or free of brush head dismounting cavities and corresponding push posts, so that it has only one of the functions of mounting and dismounting. In summary, the scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mounting a toothbrush head, comprising:

a lower housing (21);

an upper housing (23) pivotally mounted to the lower housing (21); and

a lining member (25) provided in the lower case (21);

wherein a brush head mounting cavity (27) is formed on the inner lining member (25), a step portion (27 a) supporting an edge portion of the brush head body is formed on an inner wall of the brush head mounting cavity (27), a protruding pressing portion (57) is formed on a surface of the upper housing (23) facing the inner lining member (25) at a position corresponding to the brush head mounting cavity (27), and the pressing portion (57) can apply a force to a brush head mounting portion of the brush handle to mount the brush head to the brush handle by applying the force to the brush head mounting portion.

2. The device for mounting a toothbrush head according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner lining member (25) is further formed with a groove (29) communicating with the toothbrush head mounting chamber (27) and for receiving a portion of the toothbrush handle.

3. The device for mounting a toothbrush head according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing portion (57) is formed in a hollow lattice shape.

4. The device for mounting a toothbrush head according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner lining member (25) is further formed with a toothbrush head receiving chamber (39) for receiving a spare toothbrush head.

5. The device for mounting a toothbrush head according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner lining part (25) is further formed with a cleaning brush receiving chamber (35).

6. The device for mounting a toothbrush head according to claim 1, characterized in that the lining part (25) is formed separately from the lower housing (21) and mounted to the lower housing (21).

7. The device for mounting a toothbrush head according to claim 6, characterized in that the lower housing (21) is formed with a boss (45) with a central cavity (43) and a projection (49) with a snap-in portion (47), the underside of the lining part (25) is correspondingly formed with a positioning post (51) and a projection (55) with an opening (53), the positioning post (51) being inserted into the central cavity (43) and the snap-in portion (47) being received in the opening (53).

8. The device for mounting a toothbrush head of claim 1, wherein a first aperture is formed in one of the toothbrush head body and the toothbrush head mounting portion, and a protruding tab is formed in the other of the toothbrush head body and the toothbrush head mounting portion, the force causing the protruding tab to pass through the first aperture to form a fit between the protruding tab and the first aperture.

9. A toothbrush kit, comprising:

a device for mounting a toothbrush head according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and

a brush head and/or a brush handle accommodated in the brush head mounting cavity (27).

10. A device for removing a toothbrush head, comprising:

a lower housing (21);

an upper housing (23) pivotally mounted to the lower housing (21); and

a lining member (25) provided in the lower case (21);

wherein a brush head removing cavity (31) is formed on the inner lining part (25), a step part (31 a) for supporting a brush handle is formed on the inner wall of the brush head removing cavity (31), a protruding pushing column (59) is formed on the surface of the upper shell (23) facing the inner lining part (25) at a position corresponding to the brush head removing cavity (31), and the pushing column (59) can apply an acting force to the brush head body of the brush head so as to detach the brush head from the brush handle by the acting force applied to the brush head body.

11. The device for removing a brush head according to claim 10, wherein the inner lining member (25) is further formed with a groove (33) communicating with the brush head removing chamber (31) and for accommodating a portion of the brush handle.

12. A device for removing a brush head according to claim 10, characterized in that the inner lining member (25) is further formed with a brush head accommodating chamber (39) for accommodating a spare brush head (5).

13. A device for removing a toothbrush head according to claim 10, characterized in that the inner lining part (25) is further formed with a cleaning brush receiving chamber (35).

14. The device for removing a toothbrush head according to claim 10, characterized in that the lining member (25) is formed separately from the lower housing (21) and is mounted to the lower housing (21).

15. The device for removing a toothbrush head according to claim 14, characterized in that a boss (45) with a central cavity (43) and a projection (49) with a snap-in portion (47) are formed on the lower housing (21), the underside of the lining member (25) is correspondingly formed with a positioning post (51) and a projection (55) with an opening (53), the positioning post (51) being inserted into the central cavity (43), and the snap-in portion (47) being received in the opening (53).

16. The apparatus for removing a toothbrush head according to claim 10 wherein a first hole is formed in one of the toothbrush head body and the toothbrush head mounting portion of the toothbrush handle, a protruding socket is formed in the other of the toothbrush head body and the toothbrush head mounting portion, the toothbrush head is mounted to the toothbrush handle by engagement between the protruding socket and the first hole, and a force applied to the toothbrush head body by the push post (59) causes the protruding socket to disengage from the first hole.

17. A toothbrush kit, comprising:

a device for removing a toothbrush head according to any one of claims 10 to 16; and

a brush head and/or a brush handle accommodated in the brush head removing chamber (31).

18. An apparatus for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head, comprising:

a lower housing (21);

an upper housing (23) pivotally mounted to the lower housing (21); and

a lining member (25) provided in the lower case (21);

wherein a brush head mounting cavity (27) is formed on the inner lining member (25), a step portion (27 a) supporting an edge portion of a brush head body is formed on an inner wall of the brush head mounting cavity (27), a protruding pressing portion (57) is formed on a surface of the upper housing (23) facing the inner lining member (25) at a position corresponding to the brush head mounting cavity (27), the pressing portion (57) is capable of applying a force to a brush head mounting portion of a brush handle to mount the brush head to the brush handle by the force applied to the brush head mounting portion; and

a toothbrush head detaching cavity (31) is formed on the lining part (25), a step part (31 a) for supporting a toothbrush handle is formed on the inner wall of the toothbrush head detaching cavity (31), a protruding pushing column (59) is formed on the surface of the upper shell (23) facing the lining part (25) at a position corresponding to the toothbrush head detaching cavity (31), and the pushing column (59) can apply an acting force to a toothbrush head body of the toothbrush head so as to detach the toothbrush head from the toothbrush handle through the acting force applied to the toothbrush head body.

19. A device for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head according to claim 18, characterized in that the lining element (25) is further formed with a recess (29) communicating with the toothbrush head mounting cavity (27) and for receiving a portion of the toothbrush handle (3).

20. A device for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head according to claim 18, characterized in that the lining element (25) is further formed with a recess (33) communicating with the toothbrush head dismounting chamber (31) and for receiving a portion of the toothbrush handle (3).

21. The device for attaching and detaching a brush head according to claim 18, wherein the pressing portion (57) is formed in a hollow lattice shape.

22. A device for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head according to claim 18, characterized in that the lining part (25) is further formed with a toothbrush head receiving cavity (39) for receiving a spare toothbrush head (5).

23. A device for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head according to claim 18, characterized in that the inner lining part (25) is further formed with a cleaning brush receiving chamber (35).

24. The apparatus for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head according to claim 18, characterized in that the lining member (25) is formed separately from the lower housing (21) and mounted to the lower housing (21).

25. The device for mounting and demounting a toothbrush head according to claim 24, characterized in that the lower housing (21) is formed with a boss (45) with a central cavity (43) and a projection (49) with a snap-in part (47), the bottom side of the lining part (25) is formed with a positioning post (51) and a projection (55) with an opening (53), respectively, the positioning post (51) being inserted into the central cavity (43) and the snap-in part (47) being received in the opening (53).

26. The apparatus for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head according to claim 18 wherein a first hole is formed in one of the toothbrush head body and the toothbrush head mounting portion, a protruding spigot is formed in the other of the toothbrush head body and the toothbrush head mounting portion, and a force applied to the toothbrush head mounting portion by the pressing portion (57) causes the protruding spigot to pass through the first hole so as to form a fit between the protruding spigot and the first hole;

the force exerted by the push post (59) on the toothbrush head body causes the protruding plug to disengage from the first aperture.

27. A toothbrush kit, comprising:

a device for mounting and dismounting a toothbrush head according to any one of claims 18 to 26;

a brush head and/or a brush handle accommodated in the brush head mounting chamber (27); and