GB2521803A

GB2521803A - Improvements in Electric Toothbrush Travel Containers

Info

Publication number: GB2521803A
Application number: GB1302850.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerard Mccall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-19
Filing date: 2013-02-19
Publication date: 2015-07-08
Also published as: GB201302850D0

Abstract

A storage container for an electric toothbrush comprises: a casing 2 capable of withstanding moderate pressure and internal moulds 11, 12, 13 capable of securing one or more toothbrush components; the case may include perforations for increased ventilation and an antibacterial or antifungal material; the case is preferably made from a dishwasher safe plastic.

Description

Improvements in Electric Toothbrush Travel Containers This invention pertains generally to the field of toothbrush travel containers and in particular electric toothbrush travel containers.

The brushing of one's teeth is necessary for prevention of oral hygiene problems such as tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. Tooth decay results from a build up of plaque which combines with ingested starch and sugars to produce enamel eroding acid. Gum disease has been identified as the most common cause of adult tooth loss and has additionally been linked to the occurrence of strokes and heart attacks. Tooth brushing removes plaque and has been recommended twice a day after meals by the British and American Dental Associations.

A number of toothbrushes which combat oral hygiene problems are available on the market. These can broadly be separated into two categories, these being manual toothbrushes and electnc toothbrushes. Studies indicate that electnc toothbrushes have been shown to significantly reduce gum disease and may remove up to 11% more plaque than manual toothbrushes.

Typical electnc toothbrushes generally comprise two component parts, namely a motor driven drive shaft situated within an actuating handle and a detachable brush element which may be coup'ed to the drive shaft when brushing takes place. An actuating button or the 111cc is typically used on the handle to activate the motor and turn the drive shaft.

Travclling or any activity which pcrpctuatcs bcing outsidc ofonc's daily routine requires that the necessary hygiene products be taken along. Good oral hygiene practice would thus encourage individuals to take their electnc toothbrushes rather than utilising manual travel toothbrushes. This presents the problems of hygienic transfer of the toothbrush or its components and accidental activation of the drive mechanism whilst in transit. The latter may occur when sufficient pressure is applied to the toothbrush actuating mechaffism. This either flattens the battery or reduces the charge (depending on the toothbrush type) thus eliminating the advantages of using an electrical toothbrush rather than a manual one; as well as producing a constant buzzing sound which some might find tiresome or annoying. Toothbrush components thus need to be stored accordingly when in transit in order to avoid these problems.

It should be noted that power toothbrushes may be battery operated or rechargeable. This discussion pertains to both rechargeable electric toothbrushes as well as batteiy operated toothbrushes, provided that the batteries are in place to power the drive mechanism whilst the toothbrush is in transit.

Electric toothbrushes were originally developed in 1954 as an aid for individuals with limited motor skills and abihties, but have since become a useful addition to oral hygiene routines for all individuals, thus perpetuating a larger market and growing need for adaptability in implementation and use.

Toothbrush travel containers aim to provide a hygienic environment for the contents in transit as well as providing internal securing means for the component parts.

The prior art shows a number of devices which address these aims in various ways.

GB2263229 discloses an electric toothbrush and cover which protects the toothbrush drive shaft from contaminants and impact forces. The cover is secured by a notch in the toothbrush handle. Prevention of unintended activation of the toothbrush is accomplished by means of a safety interlock. The invention combats dnve shaft exposure when the brush head is removed, contamination and accidental activation of the toothbrush while in transit.

US3287076 provides an electric toothbrush storage device comprised of a removable rack within a storage case. The toothbrush may be fitted to the removable rack when in transit or storage and the rack maybe removed for cleaning purposes. Storage case material properties and hence ability to withstand impact forces are not addressed.

CA2052629 comprises a toothbrush storage travel case consisting of two hollow mating parts secured by snap locking into detent dimples in opposing walls. The device however relates only to manual toothbrushes and does not allow for multiple compartment storage for a detached brush head and toothbrush handle of an electric toothbrush. Whilst it may withstand impact forces, the lack of an internal securing means suggests that if an electric toothbrush handle were to be placed inside then knocking against the internal walls whilst in transit may cause activation.

USD474034 provides an ornamental design for a toothbrush travel case. The design includes a top to base hinged structure and internal securing projections. There does not appear to be any particular securing projection that would hold the drive shaft nor is any case material specified. 1-lence maximum impact forces it may be able to withstand are not discernible.

JP8 164930 describes a toothbrush transport case comprised of paper. Slip prevention means are provided for inner positioning of the toothbrush, but the paper composition suggests its sturdiness is limited in transit where sufficient impact force may cause deformity of the package. The case does not appear suitable for an electric toothbrush in transit.

U55095924 discloses a travel toiletry storage container comprising hinged rectangular sections. Ventilation holes for air circulation are provided and the toiletries, not specific to electric toothbrushes, may be secured by internal moulded projections.

Devices and methods detailed in the prior art address the need for hygienic transport of oral hygiene items. Secure transport resulting in undamaged goods is also addressed.

The present invention aims to improve upon toothbrush travel containers known in the prior art by providing internai securement means together with a material composition for the container which can withstand moderate pressure. These two features provide the advantage that accidental activation of the drive shaft of the electnc toothbrush can be avoided. In a preferred embodiment ventilation holes are provided for improved hygiene.

The container should preferably be lightweight, compact and durable. The matenal should preferably be of a dishwasher safe composition for ease of cleaning. More preferably still the material should have anti fungal and anti bacterial properties.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a storage container for an electnc toothbrush comprising: a casing formed of a material capable of withstanding moderate pressure and at least one internal mould adapted to secure a toothbrush component.

In the preferred embodiment the internal rnoud is shaped to secure a toothbrush drive shaft. A storage container in accordance with the invention prevents accidental activation of the toothbrush drive shaft whilst it is in the container. The toothbrush is maintained within a hygienic environment whflst in storage and transit. The container provides easy access together with secure placement.

Preferably the container is hinged. Preferably the hinges are positioned from the top to the base of the casing. The material is likely to be plastic. The plastics material will preferably exhibit anti fungal and anti bacterial properties.

In one embodiment the internal moulds may additionally secure an electric toothbrush brush component.

Preferably the ventilation holes or perforations are positioned on the lid of the container. This aflows ventilation and hence air circulation when the container is placed upon a shelf or suchlike. Alternatively the peiforations may be positioned in any practical position on the container to assist ventilation.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic external view of an example of an embodiment of the toothbrush Uavel container; and Figure 2 is a schematic view of an example of an embodiment of the internal securing moulds for positioning the toothbrush components.

Figure 3 shows the schematic view of Figure 2, showing an electric toothbrush and a plurality of brush heads when secured within the securing moulds.

In the figures like references denote like or correspondrng parts.

Figure 1 is a schematic external view of the travel container 1. The container comprises four side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall. In the preferred embodiment the case is formed with hinges 4. The hinges 4 are located from the top of the container to the base of the container.

In the embodiment illustrated the top wall, or lid 2, contains perforations 3 for ventilation purposes. This allows for increased circulation of air within the container and hence improves the travel and storage hygiene of the enclosed toothbrush components. It is not imperative that the ventilation holes 3 are provided in the lid. In an alternative embodiment the ventilation holes may be positioned in an alternative location on the external walls of the container which still allows for practical air circulation. What is important is that the ventilation holes are in flow communication with the internal moulds within which the toothbrush components are held so that air may reach them.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of an example of an embodiment of the internal securing moulds, illustrating the internal structure of the electric toothbrush travel container. In this embodiment two internal securing moulds ii are shown. One mould 12 is shaped to hold an electric toothbrush activating handle. The other mould 13 is shaped to hold a brush head. In an alternative embodiment there may be only one shttp://www.ipo.gov.ukltypes/patent/p-manage/p-abroadlp-worldwide. htmecuring mould which may accommodate only the activating handle. Moulds have advantages over brackets when holding components securely. Brackets may break off and eave the component without full support. The mould provides support for the entire component. The moulds are dimensioned such that the activation handle and the brush head of a standard size electric toothbrush are held securely when placed within the mould.

The container is formed of a material which will withstand moderate pressure applied externally to the container, such that the wall of the container does not deform inwardly. In this way any external pressure applied to the container will not transfer to an activating handle placed within the securing mould 12. This means that the activating handle will not be switched on accidentally. Any suitable material which has the requisite physical properties may be used. It is envisaged that the material will be a plastics material.

Preferably the material is lightweight and durable. Even more preferably the matenal is dishwasher safe so that it may be cleaned with maximum convenience and hygiene. The plastics material is likely to have anti fungal and anti bacterial properties.

The container is of a size to hold a standard electric toothbrush. The container may have dimensions of 40mm x 40mm x 190mm. However the container may be sized to any compact convenient dimensions which facilitate simple storage during travel. The brush heads that can be contained within the container may comprise standard brush heads, or altematively flossing heads and 1 0 other dental devices.

The containers may be manufactured in any convenient form. In one embodiment the casing may be manufactured as one integral case which may be opened via an integral hinge. Alternatively the container may be formed of two separate parts which can be snap fit together. This embodiment is not illustrated. It is envisaged that the moulds 11 are formed as one piece with the wall of the casing. However it is not outside the scope of the invention for the moulds to be formed of a separate moulded insert which is located within the external casing. The moulds may be entirely in one section of the casing with the other side merely forming a cover. Alternatively the moulds may be formed in both sections.

In this specification, the word "comprise" has its normal dictionary meaning, to denote non-exclusive inclusion. That is, use of the word "comprise" (or any of its derivatives) to include one feature or more, does not exclude the possibihty of also including further features.

All of the features enclosed in this specification Uncluding any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutuafly exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose. unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic senes of equivalent or similar features.

Claims

CLAIMS: I. A storage container for an electric toothbrush comprising: a casing formed of a material capable of withstanding moderate pressure and at least one internal mould adapted to secure a toothbrush component.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the casing is provided with perforations in flow communication with the at least one internal mould.
3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the perforations may be positioned on a lid of the container.
4. A device according to claim 1. 2 or 3 wherein the container is hinged.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the hinges are positioned from the top to the base of the casing.
6. A device according to any of claims I to 5, wherein the material is plastic.
7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the material includes anti fungal properties.
8. A device according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the material includes antibacterial properties.
9. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the material is lightweight.
10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the material is dishwasher safe.
11. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the at east one internal mould is adapted to secure an electric toothbrush activation handle.
12. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein an internal mould is adapted to additionally secure an electric toothbrush brush component.
13. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the dimensions of the container are be 40mm x 40mm x 180mm.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: CLAIMS: 1. A storage container for an electric toothbrush. thc storagc container comprising: -a substantially rigid casing provided with a base portion and a top portion; and -at least one internal securing mould within the casing, adapted to secure a toothbrush component, substantially throughout the length of the toothhmsh component 2. A storage container according to claim 1, wherein the casing is provided with at least one ventilation hole in flow communication with the at least one internal securing mould.IC) 15 3. A storage container according to claim 2, wherein the at least one ventilation hole is positioned within the top portion of the casing.4. A storage container according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the base portion 0) is secured to the top portion by at least one hinge.5. A storage container according to claim 4, wherein the at least one hinge comprises a living hinge, formed within the moulding of the casing.6. A storage container according to any of claims 1 to 5. wherein the material is plastic.A storage container according to claim 6 wherein the material includes anti lungal properties.8. A storage container according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the material indudes antibacterial properties.9. A storage container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the material is 1 igbtweight.10. A storage container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material is dishwasher safe.11. A storage container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one internal securing mould is adapted to secure an electric toothbrush activation handle.12. A storage container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one internal securing mould is adapted to additionally secure at least one electric toothbrush brush component.13. A storage container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein LI') the dimensions of the container are 40mm by 40mm by 180mm.i_n
14. A storage container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein 0 the casing comprises a first internal securing mould configured to Q') 20 releasably secure an electric toothbrush activating handle, and a plurality of additional internal securing moulds configured to support a plurality of brush heads.
15. A storage container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the casing comprises a substantially tubular shape.
16. A storage container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one internal securing mould and the casing comprise one piece, the at least one internal securing mould being formed within the casing
17. A storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the at least one internal securing mould comprises an insert.

I S. A storage container as bereinheicre described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.