GB2471291A

GB2471291A - A water soluble disposable toothbrush

Info

Publication number: GB2471291A
Application number: GB0910832A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Mountain
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-23
Filing date: 2009-06-23
Publication date: 2010-12-29
Also published as: GB0910832D0

Abstract

A disposable toothbrush able to disintegrate or disassemble in an environmentally safe manner after its required design life through the dissolving of at least part of the main body of the toothbrush has at least part of the toothbrush body formed from water soluble plastics or polymer material. The toothbrush body preferably comprises rigid polyvinyl alcohol. The toothbrush body may be soluble in hot water, salt water, or water solutions having an elevated or lowered pH in comparison to the pH of potable fresh water, such that dissolution of the toothbrush can be triggered by factors outside the parameters of normal toothbrush use, such as water temperature or raised/lowered pH levels. The toothbrush may comprise non soluble components bound by a water soluble matrix. The outer surface of the toothbrush may be treated or coated to delay the onset of dissolution. The toothbrush body may include holes or pores allowing water to enter the body, to enable the toothbrush body to dissolve from the inside.

Description

A WATER SOLUBLE DISPOSABLE TOOTHBRUSH

DESCRIPTION

Modern disposable toothbrushes are typically made of moulded thermoplastic and nylon bristles. They are designed to be in use for approximately four to six weeks, after which they are disposed of, usually as part of normal household waste. The composite nature of most modern disposable toothbrushes means that there are few options for recycling, and the plastic composition means that they can last in landfill for many, many years. Indeed, common elements of flotsam washed ashore onto beaches around the world are discarded toothbrushes, demonstrating the longevity of this particular waste stream.

This invention relates to a disposable toothbrush that has the ability to disintegrate or disassemble in an environmentally safe manner after its required design life, through the dissolving of at least part of the main body of the toothbrush.

Polyvinyl alcohol polymers are petroleum derived plastics that are soluble in water. They can be moulded into hard plastics, and coloured in a similar way to coloured thermoplastics used for toothbrushes. Forms of polyvinyl alcohol are cold or hot water soluble; some affected by the pH of the water, for example. In order for the toothbrush to perform its function and not start to dissolve when being used to clean teeth, the process of dissolving would need to be triggered *..I : by factors outside the range of conditions experienced during normal teeth cleaning operations, * S.S or the design of the brush be engineered to delay the onset of the dissolving process. To fulfil * * the requirements of this invention, the form of polyvinyl alcohol could be hot water soluble; the :IS water soluble polymer could be coated in a temporary film or coating; or be of a form that is affected by pH conditions outside the range of normal use, for example, salt water. **I*

: A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the * accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a toothbrush, in profile, where the majority of the toothbrush is formed from water-soluble polymers, shown before dissolution.

Figure 2 shows a toothbrush, in profile, where the majority of the toothbrush is formed from water-soluble polymers, with the dissolvable parts shown dashed.

Figure 3 shows a toothbrush, in profile, showing the residual components, in this instance where only a nylon bristle component remains.

Figure 4 shows an example of a composite toothbrush combining non water-soluble and water-soluble components, shown before dissolution.

Figure 5 shows an example of a composite toothbrush combining non water-soluble and water-soluble components, with the dissolvable parts shown dashed.

Figure 6 shows an example of a composite toothbrush combining non water-soluble and water-soluble components, showing the residual components.

Figure 1 shows a toothbrush in which the majority of the toothbrush is formed from water-soluble polymer or plastic. It incorporates nylon bristles 1, and the main body of the toothbrush, 2, formed from water-soluble polymers or plastic. In this example, the bristles may be moulded directly into the main body, or into a non-water soluble head to hold the bristles.

Figure 2 shows the same arrangement as Figure 1, with the dissolvable parts of the brush shown dashed. It shows the bristle head, 3, and the water-soluble body, 4.

Figure 3 shows the residual components remaining after the main body of the toothbrush has dissolved. In this instance only the bristle head, 5, remains.

Figure 4 shows a composite toothbrush formed from both soluble and non-soluble components.

It features bristles, 6, held within a non-soluble head, 7. The main body of the toothbrush, 8, is formed from water soluble polymer or plastic. A flexible, non-soluble flexible link, 9, is shown in * : this example, with rubberised finger grips, 10 and 11, also moulded into the handle. S... * . * ***

* Figure 5 shows the same composite toothbrush as outlined in Figure 4, with the dissolvable :.. handle, 12, shown dashed.

Figure 6 shows the residual components of the composite toothbrush, remaining after the main **.

*..: body of the toothbrush has dissolved. It shows the bristles, 13 and non-soluble head, 14, the .: non-soluble flexible link, 15, and rubberised finger grips, 16. Other composite forms of toothbrush are possible.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A water soluble plastic or polymer toothbrush whereby either part or all of the toothbrush body is soluble in water.
2. A water soluble plastic or polymer toothbrush as claimed in claim 1 whereby the plastic or polymer used to form the main body of the toothbrush consists of rigid polyvinyl alcohol
3. A water soluble plastic or polymer toothbrush as claimed in claims 1 or 2, whereby the plastic or polymer forming the main body of the toothbrush is soluble in hot water.
4. A water soluble plastic or polymer toothbrush as claimed in claims 1 or 2, whereby the plastic or polymer forming the main body of the toothbrush is soluble in salt water.
5. A water soluble plastic or polymer toothbrush as claimed in claims I or 2, whereby the plastic or polymer forming the main body of the toothbrush is soluble in solutions of elevated or lowered pH, in contrast to the pH of potable fresh water.
6. A water soluble plastic or polymer toothbrush as claimed in claims 1 or 2, whereby non soluble components are held together in a water soluble matrix, to form a composite r. toothbrush.
7. A water soluble plastic or polymer toothbrush as claimed in claims 1 or 2, whereby the : **** outer surface of the toothbrush is coated in a film or similar coating to delay the onset of dissolution.
8. A water soluble plastic or polymer toothbrush as claimed in claims 1 or 2, whereby holes or pores within the water soluble handle of the toothbrush allow water to slowly enter the * .* handle, to enable the handle to dissolve from the inside.
9. A water soluble plastic or polymer toothbrush as herein described above and illustratedin the accompanying drawings or description.