GB2234893A - Toothbrush covers - Google Patents

Abstract

Toothbrush covers, particularly for the prevention of cross infection, are adapted to enclose at least pan of the bristle portion (2) of a toothbrush and carry ventilation means (5) to allow air to flow around the bristles. The cover may possesses clamp means (not shown) adapted to grip the toothbrush handle (1). The cover may take the form of a rectangular box whose inside dimensions exceed the outer dimensions of the head of a toothbrush. The cover may be fabricated from sheet material by folding, by injection moulding or by extrusion followed by cutting into appropriate lengths. The toothbrush cover may include means, such as a magnetically attractable plate (10), so that it can be easily attached to a vertical supporting surface such as a wall or cabinet. <IMAGE>

Description

TOOTHBRUSH COVERS This invention relates to toothbrush covers, particularly for the prevention of cross infection.

In many households although individuals possess and use their own toothbrushes they are stored together when not in use. The toothbrushes are frequently stored in beakers or tumblers with the bristle ends upwards. It is most important for the bristles to be open to the air so that they can dry after use.

When toothbrushes are stored in this manner the bristles of different brushes frequently touch each other. This contact allows transfer of bacteria, if present, and cross infection between users so that a oral infections, such as gingivitis, may spread rapidly through a household.

It is an object of the present invention to provide protection means whereby toothbrushes may be stored together in a manner in which allows them to dry but which prevents trånsfer of infection between them.

According to the present invention there is provided a toothbrush cover adapted to enclose part of the bristle portion of a toothbrush and carrying ventilation means to allow air to flow around the bristles.

The covers may totally enclose the bristle end of the toothbrush and remain in position under the action of gravity. In an alternative embodiment the covers may partially enclose the bristles and remain in position by a clamp means which grips the toothbrush handle.

The covers that totally enclose the bristle portion of the toothbrush may take the form of a rectangular box whose inside dimensions exceed the outer dimensions of the head of a toothbrush. Such a box shaped cover may be fabricated from sheet material by folding or by injection moulding. In the latter case the corners may be rounded by design of the mould.

Ventilation means in the covers takes the form of slots or perforations in the sides of the cover. The size of the individual apertures should be sufficiently great that water is not retained by surface tension forces. The apertures may be square, round rectangular or any other shape which can be moulded into the cover or pierced after the cover has been formed. To assist drainage vertical slots are preferred. In one embodiment the outer surface of the cover carries small protrusions to ensure that water is not trapped between neighbouring covers; this can occur with smooth sided covers due to surface tension effects.

The cover may include reinforcing ridges or humps to improve rigidity.

The cover is preferably fabricated from a resilient synthetic polymer. In the case of injection moulded covers thermoplastic polymers such as polystyrene, polyolefins, particularly polypropylene, polyacetals, acrylic resins, and copolymers such as ABS may be used.

Covers made from sheet may be fabricated from some grades of the above polymers and also cellulose acetate and polyesters. Preferred polymers are those which can be subjected to heat or chemical sterilisation treatments without degredation.

The synthetic polymers used to form the covers may contain the customary additives such as plasticisers, antioxidants, dyes and pigments. The use of dyes and pigments allows the covers to be made in a range of colours which indicate the ownership of different toothbrushes.

The toothbush cover may initially form part of the protective packaging in which the toothbrush is supplied.

Before use the packaging is removed and the cover portion separated from the remainder of the package by cutting or snapping off. In order to prevent the ingress of dust during storage the complete package, or the cover portion with perforations, is enveloped in a thin protective film in known manner.

In one preferred embodiment a vertical surface of the cover contains, or has attached to it, a magnetically attractable element. The element may be in the form of a strip, wire, disc or plate of a magentically attractable material or may be itself magnetic. The element engages a magnet or, if it is itself magnetic, a plate of a magnetically attractable material. The attractive force when the element is engaged must be sufficient to support the cover and its enclosed toothbrush. The supporting magnet may be attached to supporting surface, such as a wall or shelf, in known manner, for instance by enclosure in a polymers fitting attached by adhesive, screws or other fixing means.

The magnetisable element may be made from steel or iron and implanted within the material comprising the cover.

Alternatively the element may be attached to the surface of the cover by the use of adhesives, ultra-sonic welding or by other well known methods. If the element is external to the cover it should comprise a corrosion resistant material or be varnished or otherwise protected from corrosion likely to be caused by the humid environment to which it will be subjected.

In an alternative embodiment the cover carries a flange at its upper end which is pierced so that it may be carried by a protrusion, such as a hook or nail, on a supporting surface.

Rack fitments may be provided which carry one or more coverered toothbrushes and which are attached to a supporting surface.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the upper portion of a toothbrush, Figure 2 is a side view of the toothbrush with a cover according to the invention, Figure 3 is a plan view of the toothbrush and cover shown in Figure 2, Figure 4 is a side view of an alternative form of toothbrush cover according to the invention, Figure 5 is a cross section of an alternative embodiment of the toothbrush cover according to the invention, Figure 6 is a cross section of the embodiment of Figure 5 attached to a toothbrush, Figure 7 is a side view of a toothbrush cover according to the invention which carries a support means, and Figure 8 is a plan view of the cover shown in Figure 7.

A toothbrush, see Figure 1, has a handle 1 fabricated from a rigid material and two or more rows of bristles 2. The upper end of the toothbrush handle 3 is normally rounded.

The bristles 2 are fixed in the handle 1 by adhesive or mechanica-l locking means. After use water is retained by the bristles due to their hydrophilic nature and due to the action of surface tension. It is essential that the bristles of a toothbrush are allowed to dry thoroughly after use. For this reason they are usually stored upright in a beaker or on a rack.

A protective cover, see Figure 2, has an outer surface 4, carrying perforations 5 which allow air to enter. In use and as shown the inside upper surface of the cover rests on The rear of the outer surface 4 may optionally carried an adhesively attached plate 10 of a ferromagnetic material.

The plate 10 engages a magnet, not shown, which is attached to a supporting surface, i.e. a wall, shelf or cabinet, in known manner. The plate 10 allows the cover and any toothbrush contained in it to be supported magnetically when not in use.

In alternative embodiment, see Figure 4, the cover has an outer surface 6 pierced with ventilation holes 7 and covered with protrusions 8. The protrusions 8 ensure that when two or more toothbrushes with covers are in contact with each other, for instance when they are all stored in the same beaker, moisture is not retained.

In a further embodiment, see Figure 5, the cover is open at both ends and along one vertical face. The cover has a back portion 11 having hingeably connected sides 12 and 13 directed inwardly. The sides 12 and 13 together with the back 11 are pierced with apertures, not shown, which permit the passage of air. The cover is formed from a resilient material which allows the sides 12 and 13 to be forced outwards without cracking or splitting. The outer ends of the sides 12 and 13 terminate in gripping portions 14 and 15. The gripping portions 15 and 16 are formed with a curved profile to enable them to grip a toothbrush handle without slipping. In use, see Figure 6, the gripping portions 15 and 16 of the sides 12 and 13 engage the sides of a toothbrush handle 1 and retain the cover so that it shields the bristles 2.

The embodiment of the cover shown in figures 5 and 6 may be manufactured easily by extrusion. The extruded strip is pierced with ventilation apertures by punching after which the strip is cut into short lengths. Each length of strip should be longer that the bristle portion of the toothbrush with which it is to be used.

In a further embodiment, see Figures 7 and 8, the cover has an outer surface 17 pierced with circular ventilation holes 18. The rear surface 19 carries ridges 20 which improve the rigidity of the cover. The upper end of the rear surface 19 is extends upwardly in the form of a flange 21 pierced with an aperture 22. The lower end of the cover has a retaining ledge 23 formed by restriction of the width of the cover before the brush inlet 24.

When not in use the cover and associated toothbrush may be hung from a protrusion, not shown, which enters the aperture 22. The brush inlet 24 has a smaller cross sectional area than the associated toothbrush but which allows the head of a toothbrush to be inserted due to the relience of the bristles. The brush within the cover will be prevented from slipping out by the ledge 23 which forms a rest for the lower tufts of bristles.

Claims (16)

1. A toothbrush cover adapted to enclose part of the bristle portion of a toothbrush and carrying ventilation means to allow air to flow around the bristles.

2. A toothbrush cover as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the cover is adapted to totally enclose the bristle end of a toothbrush.

3. A toothbrush cover as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the cover has the form of a rectangular box whose inside dimensions exceed the outer dimensions of the head of a toothbrush.

4. A toothbrush cover as claimed in claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the lower end of the cover is restricted in one dimension to form a ledge.

5. A toothbrush cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover is fabricated from sheet material by folding.

6. A toothbrush cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the cover is fabricated by injection moulding.

7. A toothbrush cover as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the cover partially encloses the bristles and possesses clamp means adapted to grip the toothbrush handle.

8. A toothbrush cover as claimed in claim 7 characterised in that the cover is fabricated by extrusion followed by cutting into appropriate lengths.

9. A toothbrush cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ventilation means consists of slots or perforations in the sides of the cover.

10. A toothbrush cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover carries protrusions.

11. A toothbrush cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover forms part of the protective packaging for a tooth brush.

12. A toothbrush cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover carries support means.

13. A toothbrush cover as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that the support means comprises a magnetically attractable element.

14. A toothbrush cover as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that the support means comprises a flange extending upwardly and pierced with an aperture.

15. Toothbrush covers as claimed in claim 1 and as here described.

16. Toothbrush covers as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.