EP3995044B1 - Toothbrush cap and dental hygiene system - Google Patents

Description

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 variations, as manually operated toothbrushes or combined with an electric drive.

In common toothbrush applications, the toothbrush is placed on the vanity, sink or other surface after use, or placed in a toothbrush cup, for example. This means the toothbrush is ready for the next use. When traveling, the toothbrush is often stored directly in a toiletry bag.

Protective caps are known, particularly for use when traveling, which hold the bristles of the toothbrush or the brush head and thus protect them from dirt or damage. Complete toothbrush caps or toothbrush containers are also known, which hold and protect the entire toothbrush. A disadvantage of these known toothbrush caps is that the mechanical protective effect provided is generally 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 uses. On the other hand, toothbrushes should not simply be placed on a surface during daily use, as this could cause the bristles to become dirty.

The document is used as an example of a well-known protective cap CN 201 861 075 U cited, in which a toothbrush with a protective cap slidably mounted on a toothbrush neck is disclosed, toothbrush bristles being exposed by opening the protective cap.

Another example of a known protective cap is in document WO 01/52695 A1 disclosed, in which a toothbrush that can be pulled out of the protective cap is shown. A distinction is made between a retracted position in which a toothbrush bristle head and a toothbrush handle are substantially inside the protective cap and an extended position in which the toothbrush bristle head and the toothbrush handle protrude from the protective cap to facilitate practical use by a user.

Also the document EP 0 818 160 A2 discloses a protective cap, the protective cap defining a cavity sized and shaped such that the protective cap receives a brush portion of a toothbrush and has a compartment for receiving a tablet of disinfectant material therein. In addition, a lid and a base of the protective cap accommodate a handle of the toothbrush.

The object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush cap which, on the one hand, offers transport protection if necessary, and at the same time enables hygienic storage of the toothbrush in daily use without having to remove the toothbrush from a closed or partially closed container each time for use.

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

Advantageous embodiment variants of the toothbrush cap according to the invention are the subject 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. In the closed state of the toothbrush cap, the first half-shell and the second half-shell form a substantially closed receiving space for receiving at least a 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 in the area of the hinge for attaching a toothbrush handle.

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 in the open state, 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 becoming 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 Recess 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 has 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 in the open state of the toothbrush cap. 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 in the area of the hinge each have at least one stop for limiting an opening angle of the first half-shell to the second half-shell in the open state of the toothbrush cap, and the stop of the first half-shell forms 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, while at the same time keeping the dimensions of the toothbrush cap small.

The first half-shell and/or the second half-shell preferably have a cutout for passing a tap brush neck into the receiving space when the toothbrush cap is closed. As a result, essentially only the toothbrush head is received in the receiving space when the toothbrush cap is closed, and the toothbrush neck protrudes from the toothbrush cap. This design variant of the toothbrush cap ensures 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 the toothbrush cap from being accidentally opened.

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 independently. Preferably the second is Locking element arranged on the stop or stops to limit the opening angle.

Preferably, the receptacle for attaching a toothbrush handle has a cross section 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.

• Figur 1 zeigt eine erfindungsgemäße Zahnbürstenkappe in einem geschlossenen Zustand in einer perspektivischen Darstellung.
• Figur 2 zeigt die erfindungsgemäße Zahnbürstenkappe in einem offenen Zustand in einer Seitenansicht.
• Figur 3 zeigt die erfindungsgemäße Zahnbürstenkappe in dem geschlossenen Zustand in einer Ansicht von oben.
• Figur 4 zeigt die die erfindungsgemäße Zahnbürstenkappe in dem offenen Zustand in einer Ansicht von oben.
• Figur 5 zeigt ein erfindungsgemäßes Zahnhygienesystem mit einer Zahnbürste und der Zahnbürstenkappe, wobei die Zahnbürste an der Zahnbürstenkappe in deren offenen Zustand befestigt ist.
• Figur 6 zeigt das erfindungsgemäße Zahnhygienesystem mit der Zahnbürste und der Zahnbürstenkappe, wobei ein Zahnbürstenkopf der Zahnbürste in einem Aufnahmeraum der Zahnbürstenkappe aufgenommen ist.

Advantageous embodiments of the toothbrush cap according to the invention and the dental hygiene system according to the invention, as well as alternative embodiment 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.

Figure 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 the pivotable connection of the half-shells 2 and 3 between the closed state and a, in Figure 2 shown, open state connected. The first half-shell 2 and the second half-shell 3 form in the in Figure 1 shown, closed state of the toothbrush cap 1, a substantially closed receiving space 5 for receiving at least a part of a toothbrush 6, preferably a toothbrush head 7. Recording room 5 is in Figure 6 can be seen, in which the toothbrush cap 1 is also shown in the open state. In the open state of the toothbrush cap 1, 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 shot 8 is in Figure 4 can be seen, 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 in the open state of the toothbrush cap 1, the toothbrush cap 1 can, as in Figure 5 and in Figure 6 shown, can be attached to the toothbrush handle 9 in the open state. This allows the toothbrush cap 1 to be used as a stand or holder for the toothbrush 6 in the open state. At the same time, the toothbrush cap 1 can be used as transport protection for the toothbrush 1 when closed. By using it as a stand or holder, the risk of the toothbrush head 7 becoming dirty when not in use is also reduced.

As in Figure 4 and Figure 6 As can be seen, 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 in the open state Toothbrush cap 1 on. This has the advantage that the toothbrush cap 1 provides a secure stand for the toothbrush 6 when the toothbrush cap 1 is open. The recess 10 is also in Figure 3 can be seen which the toothbrush cap 1 according to the invention in the closed state Figure 1 in a view from above.

The first half-shell 2 and/or the second half-shell 3 preferably have a stop 11 in the area of the hinge 4 for limiting an opening angle α of the first half-shell 2 to the second half-shell 3 in the open state of the toothbrush cap 1. This stop 11 is in Figure 1 and Figure 2 visible. The stop 11 ensures that the first half-shell 2 and the second half-shell 3 assume the opening angle α 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 when open, but rather at a slight angle to the support surface of a washbasin, for example. Due to the angled installation position, the toothbrush cap 1 only rests on the storage surface with two longitudinal edges so that no bacteria or contaminants settle in the contact area between the washbasin support and the toothbrush cap 1.

According to the in Figure 1 In the preferred embodiment shown, the first half-shell 2 and the second half-shell 3 each have at least one stop 11 in the area of the hinge 4 for limiting the opening angle α of the first half-shell 2 to the second half-shell 3 in the open state of the toothbrush cap 1. In addition, the stop 11 of the first half-shell 2 forms the receptacle 8 for fastening the toothbrush handle 9 with the stop 11 of the second half-shell 3 in the open state, as in Figure 4 and Figure 6 is visible. In this way, a secure attachment of the toothbrush handle 9 to the toothbrush cap 1 is achieved by means of the stops 11, while at the same time the dimensions of the toothbrush cap 1 can be kept small. This means that no separate guide or separate attachment for the toothbrush handle 9 is required. Preferably, the receptacle 8 for fastening the toothbrush handle 9 has a cross section adapted to the toothbrush handle 9 to be fastened, whereby a positive receptacle of the toothbrush handle 9 is provided.

As in Figure 6 As can be seen, the first half-shell 2 and/or the second half-shell 3 preferably has a cutout 12 for passing a toothbrush neck 13 into the receiving space 5 in the closed state of the toothbrush cap 1. Figure 6 shows the toothbrush cap 1 in the open state, with such a cutout 12 being provided in both the first half-shell 2 and 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. Figure 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, the toothbrush neck 13 of the toothbrush 6 passing through the cutouts 12. This embodiment variant of the toothbrush cap 1 ensures that the toothbrush cap 1 can only accommodate the toothbrush head 7 of a toothbrush 6. This achieves small dimensions of the toothbrush cap 1 and at the same time maintains the full functionality of the toothbrush cap 1.

As in Figure 6 As can be seen, 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 recesses in the opposite half-shells 2 and 3, respectively. Other forms of locking elements 14 are generally 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 in Figure 1 is visible. The second locking element or elements 15 are preferably arranged on the stop 11 or the stops 11 to limit the opening angle α. According to the preferred embodiment, the second locking element 15 is arranged in the form of a projection on one or all stops 11. In the open state, these projections preferably engage in corresponding recesses in an opposite stop 11. This state is in Figure 2 shown. This ensures that the toothbrush cap 1 according to the invention remains in the open state and does not close independently.

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

The dental hygiene system 20 according to the invention is in Figure 5, Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown. 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 (9)

1. A toothbrush cap (1) comprising 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, in the closed state of the toothbrush cap (1), the first half-shell (2) and the second half-shell (3) form an essentially closed receiving space (5) for receiving at least part of a toothbrush (6), preferably a toothbrush head (7), the first half-shell (2) and/or the second half-shell (3) having a cutout (12) for passing through a toothbrush neck (13) into the receiving space (5) in the closed state of the toothbrush cap (1),
   characterized in that,
   in the open state of the toothbrush cap (1), the first half-shell (2) and the second half-shell (3) form a receptacle (8) in the area of the hinge (4) for attaching a toothbrush handle (9) to the toothbrush cap (1), with the receptacle (8) enclosing the toothbrush handle (9) in the open state and being arranged between the two half shells (2, 3) in order to provide the toothbrush (6) with a secure footing.
2. A toothbrush cap (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle (8) for attaching the toothbrush handle (9) to the toothbrush cap (1) comprises a recess (10) in the first half-shell (2) and/or the second half-shell (3) for passing through 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. A toothbrush cap (1) according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first half-shell (2) and/or the second half-shell (3) have/has a stop (11) in the area of the hinge (4) for limiting an aperture angle (α) of the first half-shell (2) relative to the second half-shell (3) in the open state of the toothbrush cap (1).
4. A toothbrush cap (1) according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that 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 an aperture angle (α) of the first half-shell (2) relative to the second half-shell (3) in the open state of the toothbrush cap (1), and, in the open state, the stop (11) of the first half-shell (2) forms with the stop (11) of the second half-shell (3) the receptacle (8) for attaching the toothbrush handle (9).
5. A toothbrush cap (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first half-shell (2) and/or the second half-shell (3) comprise(s) at least one first locking element (14) for locking the half shells (2, 3) in the closed state.
6. A toothbrush cap (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first half-shell (2) and/or the second half-shell (3) comprise(s) at least one second locking element (15) for locking the half shells (2, 3) in the open state.
7. A toothbrush cap (1) according to claim 6, and any 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 aperture angle (α).
8. A toothbrush cap (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the receptacle (8) for attaching a toothbrush handle (9) has a cross-section adapted to the toothbrush handle (9) to be attached.
9. A dental hygiene system (20) comprising a toothbrush (6) with a toothbrush head (7) and a toothbrush handle (9), and a toothbrush cap (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8.

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