US20170303674A1

US20170303674A1 - Sculpted handle toothbrush

Info

Publication number: US20170303674A1
Application number: US15/494,256
Authority: US
Inventors: Huy Kha Nguyen; Geoff Carroll; Stuart Stephen Alfred McIntosh
Original assignee: Children Oral Care LLC
Current assignee: Children Oral Care LLC
Priority date: 2016-04-21
Filing date: 2017-04-21
Publication date: 2017-10-26

Abstract

A toothbrush with a sculpted figurine. The toothbrush has a head that has multiple bristles. The toothbrush has a handle that has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the head and the second end has a base with a recessed portion. The toothbrush has a figurine. The figurine is positioned at least partially within the recessed portion of the base.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/325,921, titled “SCULPTED HANDLE TOOTHBRUSH,” filed on Apr. 21, 2016, and the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to oral hygiene, and more particularly to a toothbrush with a sculpted handle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Good oral hygiene is important for many people, particularly children. Children, however, may be uninterested in brushing their teeth due to their short attention spans. Moreover, when people brush their teeth they may become distracted and may have to place the toothbrush on the sink countertop to attend to the distraction. As such, people may place their toothbrush down on the sink counter or in a container. However, this may place the bristles of the toothbrush in a position that is in near-contact with another surface and may be unhygienic.
Accordingly, there is a need for a toothbrush that keeps the attention of children, provides easy handling of the toothbrush and is configured to position the toothbrush upright.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification is embodied in a toothbrush. The toothbrush has a head that has multiple bristles. The toothbrush has a handle that has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the head and the second end has a base with a recessed portion. The toothbrush has a figurine. The figurine is positioned at least partially within the recessed portion of the base.
These and other embodiments may optionally include one or more of the following features. The figurine may have a surface that is planar to the base. The surface of the figurine may be configured to balance and support the handle when the handle is in an upright position. The figurine may be removably attached to the base of the handle. The inner portion of the figurine may have a fastening device or a protruding portion that interlocks with the recessed portion. The figurine may have a protruding portion and the recessed portion may have a groove that is configured to receive the protruding portion of the figurine when the figurine is slid into the recessed portion to attach the figurine to the base. The figurine may have a fastening device. The fastening device may be configured to connect and attach the figurine to the base of the handle. The fastening device may be positioned on a surface of a portion of the figurine that is at least partially within the recessed portion when the figurine is attached to the base of the handle. The fastening device may be a screw that screws into a screw hole positioned within the recessed portion or a snap that snaps into a hole or with a snap attachment. The figurine may be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the base of the handle. The figurine may be integrally formed or molded with the base of the handle. The figurine may be integrally formed or molded with the base of the handle. The figurine may have at least two feet. The at least two feet and a surface of the base of the handle that is in between the at least two feet may form a surface that is planar and that may be configured to hold the toothbrush upright.
In another aspect, the subject matter is embodied in a toothbrush. The toothbrush has a head that includes multiple bristles. The toothbrush has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the head and the second end has a base. The toothbrush has a figurine. The figurine is positioned at the base of the handle. The figurine has a surface that is planar to the base. The surface of the figurine is configured to balance and support the toothbrush when the toothbrush is in an upright position.
In another aspect, the subject matter is embodied in a toothbrush. The toothbrush has a head. The head has multiple bristles. The toothbrush has a handle. The handle has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the head and the second end has a base. The toothbrush has a figurine that is positioned within a recessed portion of the base of the handle. The figurine has two feet that have a surface that is planar to the base. The surface of the two feet and the base are configured to balance and support the toothbrush when the toothbrush is in an upright position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings. Naturally, the drawings and their associated descriptions illustrate example arrangements within the scope of the claims and do not limit the scope of the claims. Reference numbers are reused throughout the drawings to indicate correspondence between referenced elements.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a toothbrush with a sculpted handle positioned upright according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the toothbrush with the sculpted handle of FIG. 1 according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the toothbrush with the sculpted handle of FIG. 1 laying on a flat surface according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the toothbrush with the sculpted handle of FIG. 1 laying on a flat surface according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the toothbrush with the sculpted handle of FIG. 1 according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the toothbrush with the sculpted handle of FIG. 1 that is removably attachable and detachable using grooves and protruding portions according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the toothbrush with the sculpted handle of FIG. 1 that is removably attachable and detachable using a screw-like device and hole according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective of the toothbrush with the sculpted handle of FIG. 1 that is removably attachable and detachable using a fastening device according to an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinarily skilled in the art that elements of the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Particular embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification may be implemented to realize one or more of the following advantages. The toothbrush may have at the base of the handle a sculpted figurine. The sculpted figurine enhances the attractiveness and playfulness of the toothbrush which encourages children to brush their teeth. Moreover, the sculpted figurines may be removably attached and interchangeable, such that the sculpted figurine may be removed and swapped with another sculpted figurine so that different sculpted figurines may be inserted or snapped into place to appeal to different children and/or tastes. By being removable and replaceable, the appeal of the toothbrush remains fresh and appeals to different children and tastes. The modularity of the sculpted figurines allow for the interchangeability of different sculpted figurines in a cost-effect manner.
Other benefits and advantages include positioning the toothbrush in an upright position. The sculpted figurine may be shaped to assist in positioning the toothbrush in an upright position. The sculpted figurine may provide a flat surface that is parallel to a supporting surface, such as a sink counter, so that when the toothbrush is an upright position, the flat surface of the sculpted figurine allows the toothbrush to at least partially rest on the supporting surface. Therefore, an individual may place the toothbrush upright on a surface, such as a sink counter, and not have to hold the toothbrush. When the toothbrush is upright, the toothbrush may be placed on the surface and the bristles of the toothbrush are not near or in contact with the surface which prevents any contamination of the bristles.
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a toothbrush 100 with a sculpted handle positioned in an upright position. The toothbrush 100 includes a head 102, a handle 104, and a figurine 106.
The head 102 has a front side and a back side. The front side of the head may have multiple bristles for brushing a user's teeth, shown in FIG. 1, for example. The back side of the head may be angular, such that the head is angled relative to a planar surface when the toothbrush lies on the planar surface, or the back side may be parallel and planar to the planar surface so that the back side of the head rests on the planar surface when the toothbrush 100 is laid down. The head 102 may be connected to an end of the handle 104.
The handle 104 may have a first end and a second end. The first end of the handle may be connected to the head 102. The second end of the handle 104 may be opposite the first end along a longitudinal axis of the toothbrush 100. The handle 104 may have a base 108 that is positioned at the second end.
The base 108 may have a bottom surface 114 that is parallel and planar to a surface 111 in which the toothbrush 100 may rest when upright, as shown in FIG. 3, for example. The base 108 may be wider than a middle portion of the handle 104 or the first end of the handle 104 that is closer to the head 102. The wider base 108 provides more surface area at the second end of the handle 104 to attach the figurine 106. A wider base 108 may accommodate a larger bottom surface of the base 108 that provides more surface area in which the toothbrush 100 may rest when upright.
The base 108 may have a recessed portion 112 that is connected, removably attached or integrally formed with at least a portion of the figurine 106, as shown in FIG. 3, for example. The edges of the recessed portion 112 and/or the surface of the base 108 may correspond to the edges and/or surface of the figurine 106. The surface of the figurine 106 may be flush with the surface of the base 108 and the edges of the figurine 106 may align with the edges of the recessed portion 112 and/or the base 108 when the figurine is attached, connected or formed with the base 108.
The figurine 106 may be poseable, similar to an action figure, where limbs or other portions of the figurine 106 may be manipulated into different positions, or may be static. The figurine 106 may resemble a character or person. For example, the figurine 106 may resemble a fictional comic book character or superhero, or may resemble a famous athlete or celebrity. Alternatively, the figurine 106 may be a geometric shape or other object, such as a car. The figurine 106 may include shapes, features, or designs for the purpose of attracting users to the toothbrush 100. For example, the figurine 106 shown in FIGS. 1-8 is a character from a movie series which may attract children or other users to use the toothbrush 100.
The figurine 106 may be made of the same material as that of the head 102 and/or the handle 104, or made of a different material. For example, the figurine 106, the head 102, and the handle 104 may be made of plastic. Alternatively, the head 102 and/or the handle 104 may be made of a first type of plastic, and the figurine 106 may be made of a second type of plastic or a metal or rubber material.
The figurine 106 may be formed when the toothbrush 100 is fabricated. The toothbrush 100, including the figurine 106, may be fabricated contemporaneously by any fabricating process, such as molding, sculpting, or additive manufacturing. For example, the shape of the figurine 106 may be a part of a mold for toothbrush 100. The mold is created, plastic is poured inside the mold, and the mold is removed. As a result, when toothbrush 100 is fabricated using the mold, the figurine 106 is also likewise fabricated in the same process. In another example, the entire toothbrush 100, including the figurine 106, is additively manufactured. In another example, the entire toothbrush 100, including the figurine 106, is sculpted from a single piece of material.
The figurine 106 may be formed separately from the head 102 and handle 104. The figurine 106 may be attached or joined to the handle 104 within the recessed portion 112 of the base 108. The entirety of the figurine 106 may be within the recessed portion 112, or a portion of the figurine 106 may be within the recessed portion 112 of the base 108. The figurine 106 may be attached or joined to handle 104 in the recessed portion 112 permanently using a permanent attachment material, such as glue, a contact adhesive or melted plastic. The figurine 106 may be integrally formed with the base 108 of the handle 104. For example, the figurine 106 may be welded or formed with the recessed portion 112 of the base 108 using ultrasonic welding. The figurine 106 may be removably attached or joined to the handle 104 using one or more grooves 116, screw-like devices 120 and corresponding screw-holes 122, fastening devices 124, or other attachment devices that may snap or attach the figurine 106 to the recessed portion 112 of the base 108.
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a toothbrush 100 with a sculpted handle 104 that is removably attachable and detachable using one or more grooves 116 and one or more protruding portions 118. The one or more grooves 116 may be positioned on the recessed portion 112 or an inner surface of the figurine 106. One or more corresponding protruding portions 118 or rails may be positioned on the inner surface of the figurine 106 if the one or more grooves 116 are positioned on the recessed portion 112 or on the recessed portion 112 if the one or more grooves 116 are positioned on the figurine 106. The one or more grooves 116 may interlock with the one or more corresponding protruding portions 118 so that the figurine 106 becomes attached to the base 108 of the handle 104. The one or more grooves 116 and/or the one or more protruding portions 118 may extend longitudinally along the handle 104 or the figurine 106. The length may extend, for example, from the neck of the figurine 106 to the waist of the figurine 106 so that when the figurine 106 is attached to the base 108 the one or more grooves 116 and the one or more protruding portions 118 are hidden from view. If a single groove 116 is used to form the attachment, the single groove 116 may be centered along the longitudinal axis of the handle 104 or along the center of the figurine 106.
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a toothbrush 100 with a sculpted handle 104 that is removably attachable and detachable using a screw-like device 120 and a corresponding screw-hole 122. The screw-like device 120 may be positioned on either the figurine 106 or the base 108, such as within the recessed portion 112, and the corresponding screw-hole 122 may be positioned on the other of the base 108 or the figurine 106. That is, if the screw-like device 120 is on the figurine 106 then the screw-hole 122 is positioned on the base 108 and if the screw-like device 120 is positioned on the base 108 then the screw-hole 122 is positioned on the figurine 106. The screw-like device 120 and/or the screw-hole 122 may be positioned in the center of the figurine 106 or the center of the recessed portion 112 of the base 108. The screw-like device 120 may be rotated into the corresponding screw-hole 122 to interlock and attach the figurine 106 to the base 108. When the figurine 106 and the base 108 are interlocked the edges and surfaces of the figurine 106 may align and be flush with the corresponding edges and surfaces of the base 108.
FIG. 8 is a perspective of the toothbrush 100 with the sculpted handle 104 that is removably attachable and detachable using a fastening device 124, such as snaps or fasteners. The fastening device may be positioned on the side or inner surface of the figurine 106 or on the side or recessed portion 112 of the base 108. The fastening device 124 may snap into a hole 126 to attach the figurine 106 with the base 108.
The recessed portion 112 of base 108 may be configured to accommodate multiple different interchangeable figurines. The multiple different interchangeable figurines may fit within the recessed portion 112 of the base 108. That is, the figurine 106 may be swapped, exchanged or otherwise interchangeable with another figurine. When a different figurine is inserted into the recessed portion 112, the surfaces of the newly-inserted figurine are flush with the surfaces of the base 108 and the edges of the inserted figurine correspond and align with the edges of the recessed portion 112. The edges and surfaces of the newly-inserted figurine are similar and match those of the handle 104. By allowing for interchangeable figurines to be removably attached to the base 108, the toothbrush 100 may appeal to different children with different tastes.
The shape of the figurine 106 may have a functional purpose. The figurine 106 has feet 110 allowing for the toothbrush 100 to stand in an upright position. As shown in FIG. 5, the bottom surface 114 of base 108 of the toothbrush 100 may not be wide enough to maintain an upright position of toothbrush 100 without use of supplementary structural support, such as the surface of the feet 110. Structural features of the figurine 106, such as feet 110, may provide the necessary structural support for toothbrush 100 to maintain an upright position, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The surface of the two feet 110 of figurine 106 may be planar to the surface 114 of the base 108 in between. The surface of the two feet 110 and the surface 114 of the base 108 provide a planar surface area that holds the toothpaste upright when placed on a level surface 111, such as a sink counter, as shown in FIG. 3, for example. The presence of the figurine 106 on the handle 104 may provide a larger surface area and detailed features to provide better grip of the toothbrush 100 by a user.
The figurine 106 may also include features to allow for an object to be attached to toothbrush 100. For example, the figurine 106 may include grooves or slots so that objects, such as accessories for decorating the figurine 106, may be attached onto the figurine 106. In another example, the figurine 106 may include a clip or slot for holding and supporting a power cord for toothbrush 100 when toothbrush 100 is an electric toothbrush.
The figurine 106 may be a power source for toothbrush 100 when toothbrush 100 is an electric toothbrush. The figurine 106 may be a removable external battery or part of a docking station to recharge an internal battery of toothbrush 100.
The foregoing description of the disclosed example embodiments is provided to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these examples will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the principles disclosed herein may be applied to other examples without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive and the scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A toothbrush comprising:

a head having a plurality of bristles;

a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the head and the second end having a base with a recessed portion; and

a figurine positioned at least partially within the recessed portion of the base.

2. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the figurine has a surface that is planar to the base and that is configured to balance and support the handle when the handle is in an upright position.

3. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the figurine is removably attached to the base of the handle.

4. The toothbrush of claim 3, wherein an inner portion of the figurine has a fastening device or a protruding portion that interlocks with the recessed portion.

5. The toothbrush of claim 4, wherein the figurine has the protruding portion, wherein the recessed portion has a groove that is configured to receive the protruding portion of the figurine when the figurine is slid into the recessed portion to attach the figurine to the base.

6. The toothbrush of claim 4, wherein the figurine has the fastening device, wherein the fastening device is configured to connect and attach the figurine to the base of the handle and is positioned on a surface of a portion of the figurine that is at least partially within the recessed portion when the figurine is attached to the base of the handle.

7. The toothbrush of claim 6, wherein the fastening device is a screw that screws into a screw hole positioned within the recessed portion or a snap that snaps into a hole or with a snap attachment.

8. The toothbrush of claim 3, wherein the figurine is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the base of the handle.

9. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the figurine is integrally formed or molded with the base of the handle.

10. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the figurine has at least two feet, wherein the at least two feet and a surface of the base of the handle that is in between the at least two feet form a surface that is planar and that is configured to hold the toothbrush upright.

11. A toothbrush comprising:

a head having a plurality of bristles;

a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the head and the second end having a base; and

a figurine that is positioned at the base of the handle and has a surface that is planar to the base and that is configured to balance and support the toothbrush when the toothbrush is in an upright position.

12. The toothbrush of claim 11, wherein the figurine has at least two feet and the surface that is planar to the base is a bottom surface of the at least two feet, wherein the at least two feet are spread a distance apart that is greater than the base of the handle.

13. The toothbrush of claim 11, wherein the figurine is removably attached to the base of the handle.

14. The toothbrush of claim 13, wherein the base of the handle has a groove and the figurine has a protruding portion, wherein the groove is configured to receive the protruding portion to attach the figurine to the base of the handle.

15. The toothbrush of claim 1, further comprising:

a fastening device that is configured to attach the figurine to the base of the handle, wherein the fastening device is positioned at the base of the handle or an inner portion of the figurine.

16. The toothbrush of claim 11, wherein a surface of the figurine is flush with a surface of the base of the handle when the figurine is attached to or integrally formed with the base of the handle.

17. The toothbrush of claim 11, wherein the figurine is integrally formed with the base of the handle.

18. A toothbrush comprising:

a head having a plurality of bristles;

a figurine that is positioned within a recessed portion at the base of the handle and has two feet that have a surface that is planar to the base, the surface of the two feet and the base being configured to balance and support the toothbrush when the toothbrush is in an upright position.

19. The toothbrush of claim 18, wherein the figurine is removably attached to the base of the handle.

20. The toothbrush of claim 18, wherein the figurine is integrally formed with the base of the handle.