WO2009082752A1

WO2009082752A1 - Hygienic toothbrush and method of using same

Info

Publication number: WO2009082752A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/088259
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrick Clarkson Ryan
Original assignee: Patrick Clarkson Ryan
Priority date: 2007-12-23
Filing date: 2008-12-23
Publication date: 2009-07-02
Also published as: US20110114124A1

Abstract

A hygienic toothbrush and method of hygienically storing the toothbrush. The toothbrush uses a cover operably coupled to the elongated body of the toothbrush to protect the bristles of the toothbrush when it is not being used. The cover is adapted to provide hygienic covering and a storage compartment is provided in the handle of the toothbrush body for storing the cover when not in use. Treatment of the toothbrush or specifically the cover and connector that are nearest the bristles with antibacterial chemicals are provided.

Description

HYGIENIC TOOTHBRUSH AND METHOD OF USING SAME

BACKGROUND

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[ooi] The present invention relates generally to hygienic toothbrushes and methods of hygienically using the toothbrushes to clean a person's teeth. More specifically, the present invention relates to hygienic toothbrushes having accessories and methods of using the accessories to protect surfaces of the toothbrushes from microbes, including bacteria, fungi, and protozoan parasites, and from viral or other airborne contamination.

2. RELATED ART

[002] Toothbrushes have been used for many years to clean ones teeth. Only in the more recent past has the importance of a sanitary brush become well known. Toothbrushes are often stored in the bathroom and a bathroom can be a very unclean place. Even if it appears to be clean on the surface, airborne contaminants, viral agents, and bacterial agents abound and thrive under such conditions. These same airborne contaminants (e.g. fecal material from a flushed toilet), bacterial and viral agents are the cause of illness and disease.

[003] There is a need for a hygienic toothbrush that is economical, easily used and effective in prevention of microbial, viral, or airborne contamination. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[004] A first aspect of the present invention provides a toothbrush assembly, comprising: an elongated toothbrush body having a bristled head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, wherein the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment; a cover comprising an open side enabling the cover to be placed over the bristles; an elongated connector comprising a first end operably coupled to the toothbrush body between the bristled head and the storage compartment and a second end operably coupled to the cover, whereby the cover is movable between a first position wherein the open side of the cover faces the bristled head so that the cover is disposed over the bristles to protect them when not in use and a second position wherein the cover is protected within the storage compartment when the brush is in use; and means operable between the toothbrush body and the connector for selectively retaining the cover in the first and second positions. loos] A second aspect of the present invention provides a toothbrush assembly, comprising: an elongated toothbrush body having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, wherein the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment; a cover comprising an open side enabling the cover to be placed over the bristles, whereby the cover is movable between a first position wherein the open side of the cover faces the bristled head so that the cover is disposed over the bristles to protect them when not in use and a second position wherein the cover is protected within the storage compartment because the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment when the brush is in use.

[006] A third aspect of the present invention provides a method for hygienically cleaning the teeth of a person, comprising: providing a toothbrush assembly wherein the toothbrush assembly comprises an elongated toothbrush body, having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, wherein the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment; covering the storage compartment, when the toothbrush is not in use, with a cover having an open side enabling the cover to be placed over the bristles to protect them from microbial, viral, or airborne contaminants, or sealing the cover in the storage compartment when the brush is in use, wherein the cover is cleaned to remove the microbial, the viral, or the airborne contaminants before sealing it in the storage compartment.

[007] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a toothbrush assembly, comprising: an elongated toothbrush body having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising: an opening extending from a first surface to an opposite surface, wherein both first and second surfaces are in parallel planes, and a replacable lid over the opening and flush with the first surface; a cover including an open face enabling the cover to be placed over the bristles and a closed face opposite the open face; an elongated connector including a first end pivoted to the toothbrush body between the bristled head and the opening, and a second end operably coupled to the cover, whereby the cover is movable between a first position, wherein the open face of the cover faces the bristled head so that the cover is disposed over the bristles to protect them when not in use and a second position, wherein the open face faces a bottom of the opening, and closed face faces the replacable lid, so that the cover may be protected from environmental contaminants within the storage compartment when the brush is in use; and means operable between the toothbrush body and the connector for selectively retaining the cover in the first and second positions.

[008] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides A toothbrush, comprising: an elongated toothbrush body, having first and second ends, and a first surface, thereon, comprising: a bristle head operably coupled to the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body at the first end of the elongated toothbrush body; and an opening in the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body at the second end of the elongated toothbrush body, wherein the opening is an entrance of a storage compartment in the second end of the elongated toothbrush body, wherein a volume of the cavity of the storage compartment is defined by lateral walls and a bottom of the storage compartment, and wherein the bottom of the storage compartment has a second surface thereon; a protective bristle cover having an open face enabling the protective bristle cover to be placed over the bristles; an elongated connector having a first end pivoted to the toothbrush body between the bristled head and the opening, and a second end operably coupled to the protective bristle cover, so that the protective bristle cover is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the bristled head and encloses the bristles to protect them when not in use, and wherein in the second position, the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the second surface of the bottom of the storage compartment.

[009] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides A method of protecting the bristles of a toothbrush, comprising:providing an elongated toothbrush body, having first and second ends, and a first surface, thereon, comprising: a bristle head operably coupled to the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body at the first end of the elongated toothbrush body; and an opening in the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body at the second end of the elongated toothbrush body, wherein the opening is an entrance of a storage compartment in the second end of the elongated toothbrush body, wherein a volume of the cavity of the storage compartment is defined by lateral walls and a bottom of the storage compartment, and wherein the bottom of the storage compartment has a second surface thereon; a protective bristle cover having an open face enabling the protective bristle cover to be placed over the bristles; an elongated connector having a first end pivoted to the toothbrush body between the bristled head and the opening, and a second end operably coupled to the protective bristle cover, so that the protective bristle cover is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the bristled head and encloses the bristles to protect them when not in use, and wherein the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the second surface of the bottom of the storage compartment in the second position; and pivoting the first end of the elongated connector radially to move the protective bristle cover from the first position to the second position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[ooio] Fig. 1 depicts a front elevation view of a toothbrush assembly having a lid operably coupled to a storage compartment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[ooii] Fig. 2 depicts a top plan view of a storage compartment lid of a toothbrush assembly, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[ooi2] Fig. 3 depicts a side elevation view of a toothbrush assembly having a covered brush head and covered storage compartment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[ooi3] Fig. 4 depicts a side elevation view of a toothbrush assembly having a cover enclosed in a storage compartment covered by a lid, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[ooi4] Fig. 5 depicts a connector for connecting a cover to a toothbrush handle, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[ooi5] Fig. 6 depicts an expanded side elevation view of the toothbrush assembly illustrated in Fig. 3, with embodiments of the present invention;

[ooi6] Fig. 7 depicts a cross sectional view along the longitudinal axis of a storage compartment lid, illustrated in Fig. 2, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[ooiη Fig. 8 depicts a cross sectional view along the horizontal axis of a storage compartment lid, illustrated in Fig. 2, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; [0018] Fig. 9 depicts a side elevation view of a storage compartment having a recessed lip, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[ooi9] Fig. 10 depicts an elevation view of a toothbrush assembly having a cover in a storage compartment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0020] Fig. 11 depicts an elevation view of a toothbrush assembly having a covered brush head and covered storage compartment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; loon] Fig. 12 depicts an elevation view of a toothbrush assembly having a covered brush head and covered storage compartment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0022] Fig. 13 depicts an elevation view of a toothbrush assembly having a lid operably coupled to a storage compartment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0023] Fig. 14 depicts an elevation view of a cover for a toothbrush assembly, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0024] Fig. 15 depicts a cross sectional view along a horizontal axis of a cover of a toothbrush assembly, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0025] Fig. 16 depicts a cross sectional view along a vertical axis of a cover of a toothbrush assembly, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 17 depicts a side elevation view of a toothbrush assembly having a covered brush head and covered storage compartment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; [0027] FIG. 18 depicts an elevation view of a toothbrush having an elongated connector and a bristle head cover, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 19 depicts a longitudinal cross sectional view of the toothbrush, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0029] FIG 20 depicts a side elevation view of the toothbrush, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 21 depicts a plan view of the elongated connector of the toothbrush taken along the line 21 - 21 in FIG. 20, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[oo3i] FIG. 22 depicts an elevation view of the toothbrush, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

[0032] FIG. 23 depicts a side elevation view of the toothbrush, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0033] It is an object of this invention to provide a sanitized hygienic toothbrush by protecting the bristles of the brush from coming in contact with harmful microbes, including bacteria, fungi, or protozoan parasites, viral agents, or contaminants, e.g. fecal contaminants, including airborne contaminants when the brush is not in use. Hereinafter, harmful contaminants means disease causing microbes, including bacteria, fungi, or protozoan parasites, viral agents, or contaminants, e.g. fecal contaminants, including airborne contaminants for humans. This object may be accomplished because the cover keeps the contaminants from settling on the brush bristles when brush is not in use. It is recommended (but not necessary) that a procedure of rinsing the brush head in an antiseptic/ antibacterial (such as Listerine®) be used prior to placing the cover over the bristles to kill any bacterial/ viral agents transferred from the users mouth. This procedure used in combination with the present invention will result in potential health benefits. Still another related advantage is that the present Hygienic Toothbrush with cover solves a major health concern in that it also prevents contamination by insects. The common housefly and other disease carrying insects love to frequent bathrooms.

[0034] It is another object of this invention to provide the user with a hollow storage compartment with lid that is always with the toothbrush for hygienically storing the cover when the toothbrush is in use. This is accomplished with my hygienic toothbrush since the hollow storage compartment with lid is permanently adjoined to the handle as detailed in the figures, making it much more likely to be used on a consistent basis. The cover may be protected from coming in contact with harmful microbes, including bacteria, fungi, or protozoan parasites, viral agents, or contaminants, e.g. fecal contaminants, including airborne contaminants when the brush is in use by placing the cover in the hollow storage compartment and preventing the harmful contaminants from entering the hollow storage compartment when the toothbrush is in use by closing the lid. This object may be accomplished because the lid of the hollow storage compartment keeps the contaminants from settling on the cover bristles when brush is not in use. It is recommended (but not necessary) that a procedure of rinsing the cover and hollow storage compartment with an antiseptic/ antibacterial (such as Listerine®) prior to placing the cover in the hollow storage compartment to kill any bacterial/ viral agents transferred from the users mouth. This procedure used in combination with the present invention will result in potential health benefits.

[0035] My hygienic toothbrush with cover is constructed of various "plastic" materials, while the mesh side panels may be constructed of a fibrous woven or mesh like plastic material.

[0036] It is still another object of the inventor to provide a toothbrush with hollow storage compartment and lid that is always in one piece. In the case of my hygienic toothbrush with hollow storage compartment and lid, the toothbrush cover is simply maneuvered into the hollow storage compartment in the brush handle for a cleaner temporary hollow storage until the user is finished brushing. When the user is not brushing their teeth the brush cover is easily maneuvered to cover and protect the bristles. An advantage of designing the toothbrush and hollow storage compartment with lid as one piece is that the hollow storage compartment will actually be used to hygienically store the cover. Storing the cover in a non attached hollow storage compartment with lid may result in the cover being lost rendering it ineffective.

[0037] It is another object of the inventor to prevent cross contamination between covers of toothbrushes being stored in close proximity. Covers in a conventional Toothbrush holder are often in close contact with other toothbrush covers. Even the briefest contact can cause a transmission of harmful contaminants from one brush head to another. A family member that is sick or "coming down with something" can easily contaminate another family members brush with these harmful bacterial/viral agents. My hygienic toothbrush with hollow storage compartment and lid prevents this contact and therefore prevents the transmission of these agents and illness associated with them. [0038] It is still another object of the inventor to produce a Hygienic Toothbrush that is space efficient. The cover of my Hygienic Toothbrush with hollow storage compartment and lid is constructed in such a way that it is spacious enough so that the bristles do not contact the inner surface of the cap, when in a closed/ covering position; thereby inhibiting bacterial growth, yet small enough so that it fits within the hollow storage compartment with lid in the handle structure, completely out of the way, when the user is brushing a user's teeth.

[0039] Other objects, features, and advantages will become obvious to those skilled in the art from the following descriptions and accompanying drawings.

[0040] Fig. 1 depicts a toothbrush assembly 5, comprising: an elongated toothbrush body 7 having a bristled head BH at one end and a handle H at a second end. The handle H comprising a storage compartment 16. The hollow storage compartment 16 comprising a lid 45. The lid 45 may be operably coupled to the hollow storage compartment 16. A recess 47 is provided adjacent and below the lid 45 for insertion of a user's finger or alternatively, a lever to pry open the lid 45. The lid 45 may be a solid backside 12d of a cover 12, the cover 12 further comprising an open face 12b enabling the cover 12 to be placed over the bristles B.

[oo4i] In one embodiment, the toothbrush assembly 5 is constructed of various "plastic" materials, while the mesh side panels 12a may be constructed of a fibrous woven or mesh like plastic material.

[0042] In one embodiment, the toothbrush assembly 5 comprises a single-piece elongated connector 14 comprising a first end 37 operably coupled to the elongated toothbrush body 7 in groove 10 between the bristled head BH and the hollow storage compartment 16 and a second end 8 operably coupled to the cover 12, whereby the cover 12 is movable between a first position (as depicted in Fig. 3, and described in associated text), wherein the open face 12b of the cover faces the bristled head BH so that the cover 12 is disposed over the bristles B to protect them when not in use and a second position (depicted in Fig. 4 and described in associated text) wherein the cover 12 is protected within the storage compartment 16 when the brush 5 is in use; and a first end 37 of single-piece elongated connector 14 in groove 10 between the toothbrush body 7 and the single-piece elongated connector 14 for selectively retaining the cover 12 in the first and second positions. Hereinafter, "single-piece connector" is defined as a connector having a single piece between a first end 37 and a second end 8 where the first end 37 is operably coupled to the toothbrush assembly 5 between the bristle head BH and the handle H, and the second end 8 is operably coupled to the cover 12, or any intermediary parts of the single-piece elongated connector 14 between the second end 8 and the cover 12.

[0043] The cover 12 may have a plurality of sides, including an open face 12b, porous sides 12a, running along a longitudinal axis 24 of the toothbrush 5, end panels 12c, running perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 24, and a solid back panel 12d, situated opposite the open face 12b, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 14. The two side panels 12a being substantially ventilated with holes 11 to expose maximum bristle B surface area to the air, and yet to minimize possibility of contamination of said bristle head BH. The two end panels 12c being of substantially solid construction, and not perforated/ ventilated. The back panel 12d is solid to prevent contaminants from infiltrating, and the open face 12b is open, since this is the bristle-receiving end of the cover 12. [0044] The bristle head BH, bristles B, or cover 12 may have a round, square, pyramidal, rectangular, rhomboid or any other appropriate shape.

[0045] The single-piece elongated connector 14 has a first end 37 and a second end 8.

The first end 8 may be operably coupled to groove 10 in the handle H. The second end

8 may be operably coupled to caliper 15, having arms 15a and 15b, each arm 15a, 15b being terminated with a compression point or nib 20. The nibs 20 may be inserted into holes 12e and operably coupled to the cover 12 through holes 12e located in the cover

12, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 14, so that the cover piece 12 is free to rotate 360 degrees on the compression point or nib 20 of the single-piece elongated connector 14 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 14. Hereinafter, "operably coupled" or "operably coupling" means linking the rotation of the end 37 of the single-piece elongated connector 14 about the groove 10 or the holes 12e of the cover 12 abut the compression points or nibs 20,

[0046] Alternatively, the cover may swivel on a pin/axle running between the compression point or nib 20.

[0047] The hollow storage compartment 16 is a hole in the handle H, so that it forms an opening 17 in the handle H. The hollow storage compartment 16 has a recessed rim

39.

[0048] In one embodiment, the toothbrush 5 may include an electric powered sonic vibrator 1 , for providing brushing motion when one is using the toothbrush 5 to clean a user's teeth.

[0049] Fig. 2 depicts a top plan view of a lid 45 of a hollow storage compartment 16 of a toothbrush assembly 5, and is an exploded view of the lid 45 depicted in Fig. 1 and described in associated text. The lid 45 is mechanically and physically attached to a lid arm 33 at point 43, the lid arm 33 ending in a pivot end 35. The lid 45 is operably coupled to a groove 31 of the hollow storage compartment 16. [0050] The lid 45 also may have recesses 49 and 51, as depicted in Figs. 7 and 8 that mirror the shape of the recessed rim 39, so that an airtight seal may be formed when the lid 45 is placed into the recessed rim 39 of the storage compartment 16. The opening 17 may be closed by positioning lid 45 over the opening 17, so the storage compartment 16, and the cover 12 therein, may be isolated from harmful contaminants that may be in the atmosphere. The lid 45 may also have compression points or nibs 41a, 41b, that enable the seal formed when the lid 45 is placed in the recessed rim 39 to be essentially completely sealed because the compression points or nibs 20 exert pressure against the recessed rim 39. The storage compartment 16 may be adapted in size to allow insertion of the caliper 15 and the cover 12 so that the lid 45 may close the opening 17.

[oo5i] Fig. 3 depicts a side elevation view of the toothbrush assembly 5 in a first position 2 wherein the open face 12b of the cover 12 faces the bristled head BH so that the cover 12 is disposed over the bristles B to protect them when not in use. [0052] Fig. 4 depicts a side elevation view of the toothbrush assembly 5 in a second position 3 wherein the cover 12 is protected within the hollow storage compartment 16 when the brush 5 is in use; and means operable, such as the end 37 of the single - piece connector 14, between the toothbrush body 7 and the single-piece elongated connector 14 for selectively retaining the cover 12 in the first 3 and second positions 2. [0053] In moving from the first position 3 to the second position 2, or from the second position 2 to the first position 3, depicted in Figs. 3, 4, the single-piece elongated connector 14 runs along groove 18 running along the longitudinal axis 24 of the body 7 of the toothbrush 5, so that an exposed surface 6 of the single-piece elongated connector 14 becomes coplanar with the surface 6' of the body 7 of the toothbrush that is adjacent to the groove 18.

[0054] Fig. 5 depicts an expanded front elevation view of the single-piece elongated connector 14 for operably coupling a cover 12 to the toothbrush body 7 of toothbrush 5 shown in Fig. 1 and described in associated text.

[0055] Fig. 6 depicts an expanded side elevation view of the groove 10 in the body 7 of the toothbrush assembly 5 illustrated in Figs. 1 , 3, and 4. Fig. 6 depicts an expanded view of the first end 37 of the single-piece elongated connector 14 that may pivot in the groove 10, so that the single-piece elongated connector 14, caliper 15 and cover 12 may run from the first position 3 to the second position 2, and vice versa, in the groove 18 along the longitudinal axis 24 of the toothbrush 5. loose] Fig. 7 depicts a cross sectional view along the longitudinal axis 24 of the lid 45 of the hollow storage compartment 16, illustrated in Fig. 2. The lid 45 may consist of a plurality of layers 41a, b. The lid 45 may have a groove opening 53 that extends through layer 41b of the lid 45 into the hollow storage compartment 16 so that the second end 8 of the lid 45 may extend essentially completely through layer 41b of the lid 45. The presence of the groove opening 53 in the layer 41b of the lid 45 does not cause an interruption in the seal that forms when the recessed lip 49, 51 physically and mechanically meets the recessed rim 39 of the storage compartment 16 because the layer 41 a forms a seal with the surface 6 (Fig. 4) of the single-piece elongated connector 14 that is coextensive with the seal formed when the recessed lip 49, 51 physically and mechanically meets the recessed rim 39 of the storage compartment 16. Therefore, the recessed lips 49, 51 and the layer 41a of the lid 45 may essentially completely form a seal with the recessed lip 39 and the surface 6 of the single-piece elongated connector 14, allowing the single-piece elongated connector 14 to extend through the layer 41b with interrupting the essentially completely sealed storage compartment 16 when the second end 8 of the single-piece elongated connector 14, the caliper 15, and cover 12 are placed inside the storage compartment 16 for protection from harmful contaminants, as depicted in Fig. 4. The lid 45 may have a recessed lip 49 and compression points or nibs 41a that enable the seal formed when the lid 45 is placed in the direction of the arrow 4 in the recessed rim 39 of the storage compartment 16, depicted in Fig. 9 and described in associated text infra, to be essentially completely sealed because the compression points or nibs 41a exert pressure against the recessed rim 39. The continuity of the recessed lip 49 may be interrupted by groove opening 53 that extends essentially completely through layer 45b of the lid 45 running along the longitudinal axis 24 of the toothbrush body 7 of the toothbrush assembly 5. [0057] Fig. 8 depicts a cross sectional view along a horizontal axis running orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 24 of the lid 45 of the hollow storage compartment 16, illustrated in Fig. 2. The lid 45 may have a recessed lip 51 and compression points or nibs 41b that enable the seal formed when the lid 45 is placed in the direction of the arrow 4 in the recessed rim 39 of the storage compartment 16, depicted in Fig. 9 and described in associated text infra, to be essentially completely sealed because the compression points or nibs 41b exert pressure against the recessed rim 39.

[0058] Fig. 9 depicts a side elevation view of the hollow storage compartment 16 having a recessed lip 39 as shown in Fig. 1 and described in associated text. [0059] In moving from the first position 3, depicted in Figs. 3, 4, i.e., from the position in which the cover 12 covers the bristles B to the second position 2 in which the cover and caliper 15 are stored in the hollow storage compartment 16, the opening 17 may be essentially completely sealed by positioning lid 45 over the opening 17, so the storage compartment 16, and the cover 12 therein, may be isolated from harmful contaminants that may be in the atmosphere. The portion of the single-piece elongated connector 14 from the first end 37 to the second end 8 may advantageously extend completely through the groove opening 53 of the lid 45 that has been illustrated in Fig. 7 and described supra, so only one irregularity may be present in the seal formed around the rim 39 of the storage compartment 16, instead of more than one irregularity that would be introduced if the portion of the single-piece elongated connector 14 from the first end 37 to the second end 8 were not one piece.

[0060] Fig. 10 depicts an elevation view of a toothbrush assembly 55 having a cover 67 for protecting bristles B' from harmful contaminants stored in a hollow storage compartment 63. The cover 67 may be operably coupled to a single-piece elongated connector 60 having a first end 57 in pivot groove 59 of the toothbrush assembly 55 and a second end 61 operably coupled to the cover 67. Of the assembly 55, a slidable lid 65 of the storage compartment 63 may slide on the storage compartment rim 68 in a direction running along the longitudingal axis 94 of the assembly 55. A grip 66 on the lid 65 enables a user to more easily apply sliding force to the slidable lid 65 in order to move the slidable lid 65 in a direction running along the longitudinal axis 94 of the assembly 55.

[oo6i] Fig. 11 depicts an elevation view of the toothbrush assembly 55 in a first position having a cover 67 covering bristles B' and slidable lid 65 essentially completely sealing the hollow storage compartment 63.

[0062] Fig. 12 depicts an elevation view of a toothbrush assembly 70 in a first position having a cover 72 covering brush head BH' and hinged lid 82 covering hollow storage compartment 81. A recess 74 is provided to enable a user to exert opening force to open the hinged lid 82, wherein the hinge rotates on an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 104 of the assembly 70.

[0063] Fig. 13 depicts an elevation view of a toothbrush assembly 85 in a second position having a hinged lid 100 for a hollow storage compartment 95 operably coupled to a body 91 of the assembly 85 by hinge 97. The hinged lid 100 may cover the storage compartment 95 by rotation of the hinged lid 100 about an axis running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 124 of the assembly 85. A channeled groove 91 having opening 102 of the hinged lid 97 may essentially completely form a seal with the body 91 to protect the cover 92 in the storage compartment 95 from harmful contaminants. [0064] Fig. 14 depicts an expanded elevation view of a cover 12 shown in Fig. 1 for a toothbrush assembly 5 having an optional hole 12e for rotation of the cover about the compression point or nib 20. Alternatively, the cover 12 may be intended to be used separately and independently from the single-piece elongated connector 14 to protect the bristles B from harmful contaminants. [0065] Figs. 15 and 16 depict cross sectional views along horizontal and vertical axes, respectively of the cover 12 of the toothbrush assembly 5, as depicted in Fig. 14. The cover 12 may have a recessed lip 12f and compression points or nibs 13a, b that enable the seal formed when the cover 12 is placed in the direction of the arrow 4 (as depicted in Figs. 7-9) in the recessed rim 39 of the storage compartment 16, depicted in Fig. 9 and described in associated text infra, to be essentially completely sealed because the compression points or nibs 13a, b exert pressure against the recessed rim 39.

[0066] Fig. 17 depicts a side elevation view of a toothbrush assembly 200 having a cover 210 covering bristle head 211 and a lid 230 covering a hollow storage compartment 231. The assembly 200 does not have a single-piece elongated connector operably coupled to the cover 210. The handle H comprising a storage compartment 231. The hollow storage compartment 231 comprising a lid 230. The lid 230 may be operably coupled to the hollow storage compartment 231. A recess 235 is provided adjacent and below the lid 230 for insertion of a user's finger or alternatively, a lever to pry open the lid 230. The lid 230 is mechanically and physically attached to a lid arm 240, the lid arm 240 ending in a pivot end 245. The lid 230 is operably coupled to a groove 250 of the hollow storage compartment 231. The lid 230 may be a solid backside 12d of a cover 12 that does not include the single-piece elongated connector 14, the cover 12 further comprising an open face 12b enabling the cover 12 to be placed over the bristles B.

[0067] Fig. 17 depicts a second aspect of the present invention, providing a toothbrush assembly 200, comprising: an elongated toothbrush body 220 having a bristle head 211 at one end and a handle H at a second end, the handle H comprising a hollow storage compartment 231 , the hollow storage compartment 231 comprising a lid 230, wherein the lid 230 is operably coupled to the hollow storage compartment 231 ; a cover 210 comprising an open face enabling the cover 210 to be placed over the bristles 213, whereby the cover 210 is movable between a first position wherein the open face of the cover 210 faces the bristled head 211 so that the cover 210 is disposed over the bristles 213 to protect them when not in use and a second position wherein the cover 210 is protected within the hollow storage compartment 231 because the lid 230 is operably coupled to the hollow storage compartment 231 when the brush200 is in use. [0068] In one embodiment, a method for hygienically cleaning the teeth of a person, comprising: providing a toothbrush assembly 5, 55, 70, 85, or 200, wherein the toothbrush assembly 5, 55, 70, 85, or 200 comprises an elongated toothbrush body 7, 91 , and 220, having a bristle head BH, BH', and 211 at one end and a handle H at a second end, the handle H comprising a hollow storage compartment 16, 63, 81 , 95, and 231 , the hollow storage compartment 16, 63, 81 , 95, and 231 , comprising a lid 45, 65, 82, and 230 wherein the lid 45, 65, 82, and 230 is operably coupled to the hollow storage compartment 16, 63, 81 , 95, and 231 ; covering the bristles B, B', and 213, when the toothbrush assembly 5, 55, 70, 85, or 200 is not in use, with a cover 12 and 210 having an open face enabling the cover12, and 210 to be placed over the bristles B, B', and 213 to protect them from microbial, viral, or airborne contaminants, or sealing the cover 12 and 210 in the hollow storage compartment 16, 63, 81 , 95, and 231 when the toothbrush assembly 5, 55, 70, 85, or 200 is in use, wherein the cover 12 and 210 is cleaned to remove the microbial, the viral, or the airborne contaminants before sealing it in the hollow storage compartment 16, 63, 81 , 95, and 231. [0069] FIG. 18 depicts an elevation view of a toothbrush 300 having an elongated connector 320 and a bristle head 310 and bristles 314 that run orthogonally to the plane of the bristle head 310. The toothbrush 300 includes a pivotable coupling 317, such as a hinge, or an expandable opening, a storage compartment 319 and a replacable lid 313.

[0070] FIG. 19 depicts a longitudinal cross sectional view of the toothbrush 300 depicted in FIG. 18, in which the elongated connector 320 is between a first position P₁ in which the protective bristle head cover 332 covers the toothbrush bristles 314 and a second position P₂ in which the protective bristle head cover 332 is stored in a cavity 330 of the storage compartment 319. At least one nub(s) 305, 315, or any appropriate compression fitting, extend in a perpendicular direction from the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body 321. The replacable lid 313, depicted in FIG. 18, may be operably coupled to the first surface 318 by hinge 335, or any appropriate joining device. The elongated connector 320 comprises an opening 330 in the second end 360.

[oo7i] In one embodiment, the toothbrush 300, comprises an elongated toothbrush body 321, having first and second ends 570, 560, and a first surface 318, thereon. The elongated toothbrush body 321 comprises a bristle head 310 operably coupled to the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 at the first end 370 of the elongated toothbrush body 321. The elongated toothbrush body 321 has an opening 330 in the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 at the second end 360 of the elongated toothbrush body 321. The opening 330 is an entrance of a storage compartment in the second end 360 of the elongated toothbrush body 321. A volume of the cavity 330 of the storage compartment 319 is defined by lateral walls 323 and a bottom 325 of the storage compartment 319. The bottom 325 of the storage compartment 319 has a second surface 327 thereon.

[0072] FIG 20 depicts a side elevation view of the toothbrush 300, and shows an embodiment in which the elongated toothbrush body 321 comprises a protective bristle cover 332 having an open face 340 enabling the protective bristle cover 332 to be placed over the bristles 314, depicted in FIGS 18-19 and described herein. The elongated connector 320 may have a first end Ci pivoted to the elongated toothbrush body 321 between the bristled head 314 and the opening 330, and a second end C₂ operably coupled to the protective bristle cover 332, so that the protective bristle cover 332 is movable between a first position P₁ and a second position P₂. In the first position Pi, the open face 325 of the protective bristle cover 332 faces the bristled head 310 and encloses the bristles to protect them when not in use. In the second position P₂, the open face 340 of the protective bristle cover 332 faces the second surface 327 of the bottom 325 of the storage compartment 319.

[0073] FIG. 21 depicts a plan view of the elongated connector 320 of the toothbrush 300 taken along the line 21 - 21 in FIG. 20. In one embodiment, the elongated connector 320 comprises a male nub 334 pivotably coupled between the first end 370 and the second end 360 and the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body 321. The elongated toothbrush body 321 has an expandable opening 337, depicted in FIG. 19, positioned so the male nub 334 releasably fits into the opening 337 when the protective bristle cover 332 is in the first positionPi, and the expandable opening 337 has released the male nub 334 when the protective bristle cover is in the second position P₂. [0074] In one embodiment, the elongated toothbrush body 321 of the toothbrush 300 comprises an expandable opening 337 in the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 between the first end 370 and the second end 360 and the elongated connector 320 has a male nub 334 protruding from the surface 345 of the elongated connector 320 in the direction of the expandable opening 337 so the male nub 334 releasably fits into the expandable opening 337 when the protective bristle cover 332 is in the first position P₁, and the expandable opening 337has released the male nub 334 when the protective bristle cover 332 is in the second position P₂. [0075] Alternatively, in one embodiment, the elongated connector 320 comprises an [0076] expandable opening 317 between the first end 370 and the second end 360 and the elongated toothbrush body 321 has a male nub 334 protruding from the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 in the direction of the expandable opening 317 so the male nub 334 releasably fits into the expandable opening 317 when the protective bristle cover 332 is in the first position P₁, and the expandable opening 337has released the male nub 334 when the protective bristle cover 332 is in the second position P₂..

[0077] FIG. 22 depicts an elevation view of the toothbrush 300. In one embodiment, the elongated connector 320 comprises a C-clamp 347 for clamping the elongated connector 320 to the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 so the operably coupled protective bristle cover 332 encloses the bristles 314 of the bristled head 310, wherein the c-clamp 347 has flexible arm pieces 349 that each wrap around respective sides 329 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 when the protective bristle cover 332 is in the first position P₁, and the flexible arm pieces 349 release the sides 329 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 when the protective bristle cover 332 is in the second position P₂.

[0078] FIG. 23 depicts a side elevation view of the toothbrush 300. In one embodiment, a replacable lid 313 pivotably coupled to the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 and essentially completely flush with the first surface 318 when the lid 313 covers the cavity 330 of the storage compartment 319, so that the inside environment of the storage compartment 319 does not communicate with the outside environment of the storage compartment 319. FIG. 23 illustrates that the replacable lid 313 may open or close in the direction of the arrow 352 when the elongated connector and protective bristle cover 332 is in the storage compartment 319. [0079] In another embodiment, a replacable lid 313 pivotably coupled by hinge 335 to side 329 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 and essentially completely flush with the first surface 318 when the lid 313 covers the cavity 330 of the storage compartment 319, so that the inside environment of the storage compartment 319 does not communicate with the outside environment of the storage compartment 319. FIG. 23 illustrates that the replacable lid 313 may open or close in the direction of the arrow 352 when the elongated connector and protective bristle cover 332 is in the storage compartment 319.

[0080] The elongated connector is preferably made of a flexible material, such as low or high density polyethylene (PE), low or high density polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), and sheet metal. [0081] In another embodiment, a replacable lid 313 may be pivotably coupled by hinge 335 to any outer surface of the second end 360 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 and essentially completely flush with the first surface 318 when the lid 313 covers the cavity 330 of the storage compartment 319, so that the inside environment of the storage compartment 319 does not communicate with the outside environment of the storage compartment 319. FIG. 23 illustrates that the replacable lid 313 may open or close in the direction of the arrow 352 when the elongated connector and protective bristle cover 332 is in the storage compartment 319.

[0082] In another embodiment, FIG. 18 depicts a recess 362 running along a perimeter of the cavity 330 of the storage compartment 319, FIG. 18 depicts compression fittings 371 around a periphery of the replacable lid 313 which may be compressibly inserted into the recess 362 that runs along a perimeter of the cavity 330 of the storage compartment.

[0083] FIG. 23 depicts an embodiment in which the second end 360 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 has the lateral walls 323 or the bottom 327 of the storage compartment 319 comprises an opening 372 to the outside environment. [0084] FIGS. 20 and 22 depicts an embodiment of the toothbrush 300 in which the pivotable coupling 317 is a male compression fitting and extends from a face 345 of the first end Ci of the elongated connector 320 opposite the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 into an expandable opening 317 between the first 370 and second ends 360 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 , so the first end Ci of the elongated connector 320 is pivotable between the first P₁ and second P₂ positions. [0085] In an embodiment, the expandable opening 317 between the first 370 and second ends 360 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 into which the male compression fitting compressibly fits essentially completely extends from the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 to the opposing surface of the elongated toothbrush body 321. loose] In an embodimentjn which the pivotable coupling 317 extends from the first end Ci of the elongated connector 320 and includes a spherically shaped compression fitting that compressibly fits into the expandable opening 317 in the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 between the first and second ends 370, 360 of the toothbrush body 321 , so the first end Ci of the elongated connector 320 is pivotable between the first P₁ and second P₂ positions.

[0087] In an embodiment, the first end Ci of the elongated connector 320 pivots radially between about 0° and 360° about the hole 317 between the first and second ends 370, 360 of the toothbrush body 321 when the protective bristle cover 332 is moved from the first position P₁ to the second position P₂ and return the protective bristle cover 332 to the first position P₁.

[0088] In an embodiment, the second end C₂ of the elongated connector 320 is operably coupled to the protective bristle cover 332 using one piece construction. [0089] In an embodiment, only sides 580, as depicted in FIG. 20, of the protective bristle cover 332 that are parallel to the bristles 314 of the bristle head 310 are porous. [0090] In an embodiment, sides 580 of the protective bristle cover 332 that are parallel to the bristles 314 of the bristle head 310 are porous and a proximal end of the protective bristle head cover 332 includes a opening 385. [oo9i] In an embodiment, a proximal end of the protective bristle cover 332 has at least one opening 385.

[0092] In an embodiment, the protective bristle cover 332 and the elongated connector

320, or the entire toothbrush 300 have been treated with an antibacterial solution. The antibacterial solution may be an aqueous solution of from about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide in water or isopropanol. Alternatively, it may be an aqueous solution from about 0.01 to about 30 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide or isopropanol.

[0093] FIG. 18 depicts an embodiment, in which a portion of the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 that faces the opening 340 of the protective bristle cover

332 forms at least one nub(s) 305, 315 that run in the orthogonal direction with respect to the first surface 318, and an edge 385 of the protective bristle cover 332 that faces the first surface 318 of the of the elongated toothbrush body 321 is expandable so that the expandable edge forms a releasable compression fit over the at least one nub(s)

305, 315 when the protective bristle cover 332 is in the first position P₁.

[0094] A method 400 of protecting the bristles 314 of a toothbrush 300, comprising: a step 405 in which an elongated toothbrush body 321 , having first and second ends

370, 360, and a first surface 314, thereon, is provided. The toothbrush 300 comprises a bristle head 310 operably coupled to the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 at the first end 370 of the elongated toothbrush body 321. The toothbrush

300 comprises an opening 337 in the first surface 318 of the elongated toothbrush body

320 at the second end 360 of the elongated toothbrush body 321 ,

[0095] The opening 317 is an entrance of a storage compartment 319 in the second end

360 of the elongated toothbrush body 321. A volume of the cavity 330 of the storage compartment 319 is defined by lateral walls 323 and a bottom 325 of the storage compartment 319. The bottom 325 of the storage compartment 319 has a second surface 327 thereon. A protective bristle cover 332 having an open face 340 enabling the protective bristle cover 332 to be placed over the bristles 314. An elongated connector 320 having a first end Ci pivoted to the toothbrush body 321 between the bristled head 310 and the opening 317, and a second end C₂ operably coupled to the protective bristle cover 332, so that the protective bristle cover 332 is movable between a first position P₁ and a second position P₂. In the first position P₁, the open face 340 of the protective bristle cover 332 faces the bristled head 310 and encloses the bristles 314 to protect them when not in use. The open face 340 of the protective bristle cover 332 faces the second surface 327 of the bottom 325 of the storage compartment 319 in the second position P₂.

[0096] In a step 410 of the method 400, the first end C1 of the elongated connector 320 is pivoted radially to move the protective bristle cover 332 from the first position P₁ to the second position P₂.

[0097] In an embodiment of the step 410 of the method 400, a user of the toothbrush lifting the protective bristle cover away from the bristle head of the elongated toothbrush body by flexing the second end of the elongated connector and pivoting the second end of the elongated connector to the second position.

[0098] The method 400 may comprise a step of treating only the protective bristle cover and the elongated connector or the entire toothbrush 300 with an antibacterial solution. [0099] The antibacterial solution may be an aqueous solution of from about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide in water or isopropanol. Alternatively, the antibacterial solution may be an aqueous solution of from about 0.01 to about 30 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide in water or isopropanol. [ooioo] In an embodiment of the step 410 of the method 400, the first end of the elongated connector pivots radially between about 0° and 360° when the protective bristle cover is moved from the first position to the second position and returned to the first position.

[ooioi] In an embodiment of the step 410 of the method 400, the first end of the elongated connector pivots radially in a plane that is parallel with the first surface of the toothbrush body when the protective bristle cover is moved from the first position to the second position and returned to the first position.

[ooio2] In an embodiment of the step 410 of the method 400, the first end of the elongated connector pivots radially in a plane that is orthogonal to the first surface of the toothbrush body when the protective bristle cover is moved from the first position to the second position and returned to the first position and wherein the first end of the elongated connector rotates 180°, so that the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the bristled head and encloses the bristles to protect them when not in use, and wherein the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the second surface of the bottom of the storage compartment in the second position. [ooio3] In an embodiment of the step 410 of the method 400, the first end of the elongated connector pivots radially 90° in a plane that is orthogonal to the first surface of the toothbrush body when the protective bristle cover is moved from the first position to the second position and returned to the first position and wherein the first end of the elongated connector rotates 180°, so that the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the bristled head and encloses the bristles to protect them when not in use, and wherein the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the second surface of the bottom of the storage compartment in the second position. [ooio4] The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to a singular preferred embodiment shown herein but may be practiced in different embodiments conceiving of differing fibers, fabrics, and arrangement and manipulations thereof. The invention in such broader aspects is limited only by the claims hereinafter made.

Claims

I claim:

1. A toothbrush assembly, comprising: an elongated toothbrush body having a bristled head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, wherein the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment; a cover comprising an open side enabling the cover to be placed over the bristles; an elongated connector comprising a first end operably coupled to the toothbrush body between the bristled head and the storage compartment and a second end operably coupled to the cover, whereby the cover is movable between a first position wherein the open side of the cover faces the bristled head so that the cover is disposed over the bristles to protect them when not in use and a second position wherein the cover is protected within the storage compartment when the brush is in use; and means operable between the toothbrush body and the connector for selectively retaining the cover in the first and second positions.

2. A toothbrush assembly, comprising: an elongated toothbrush body having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, wherein the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment; a cover comprising an open side enabling the cover to be placed over the bristles, whereby the cover is movable between a first position wherein the open side of the cover faces the bristled head so that the cover is disposed over the bristles to protect them when not in use and a second position wherein the cover is protected within the storage compartment because the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment when the brush is in use.

3. A method for hygienically cleaning the teeth of a person, comprising: providing a toothbrush assembly wherein the toothbrush assembly comprises an elongated toothbrush body, having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, wherein the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment; and covering the storage compartment, when the toothbrush is not in use, with a cover having an open side enabling the cover to be placed over the bristles to protect them from microbial, viral, or airborne contaminants, or sealing the cover in the storage compartment when the brush is in use, wherein the cover is cleaned to remove the microbial, the viral, or the airborne contaminants before sealing it in the storage compartment.

4. A toothbrush assembly, comprising: an elongated toothbrush body having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising: an opening extending from a first surface to an opposite surface, wherein both first and second surfaces are in parallel planes, and a replacable lid over the opening and flush with the first surface; a cover including an open face enabling the cover to be placed over the bristles and a closed face opposite the open face; an elongated connector including a first end pivoted to the toothbrush body between the bristled head and the opening, and a second end operably coupled to the cover, whereby the cover is movable between a first position, wherein the open face of the cover faces the bristled head so that the cover is disposed over the bristles to protect them when not in use and a second position, wherein the open face faces a bottom of the opening, and the closed faces the replacable lid so that the cover may be protected from environmental contaminants within the storage compartment when the brush is in use; and means operable between the toothbrush body and the connector for selectively retaining the cover in the first and second positions.

5. The toothbrush assembly of claim 4, wherein the elongated connector between the toothbrush body and the cover is non-flexably attached to the cover and to the toothbrush body.

6. The toothbrush assembly of claim 4, comprising arms and the means operable between the toothbrush body and the arms of the connector for selectively retaining the cover in the first and second positions comprising fitting grooves, such that the arms of the elongated connector for connecting said cover to the handle of toothbrush click into the grooves and lock the cover into place in the opening of the handle.

7. The toothbrush assembly of claim 4, wherein the cover, complete with arms, is attached to the handle via a C Clamp.

8. The toothbrush assembly of claim 4, wherein the sides of the cover that are orthogonal to the open face and run along a longitudinal axis of the cover, are porous.

9. The toothbrush assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one of the sides of the cover that are orthogonal to the open face and run along a horizontal axis of the cover, are open.

10. A toothbrush, comprising: an elongated toothbrush body, having first and second ends, and a first surface, thereon, comprising: a bristle head operably coupled to the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body at the first end of the elongated toothbrush body; and an opening in the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body at the second end of the elongated toothbrush body, wherein the opening is an entrance of a storage compartment in the second end of the elongated toothbrush body, wherein a volume of the cavity of the storage compartment is defined by lateral walls and a bottom of the storage compartment, and wherein the bottom of the storage compartment has a second surface thereon; a protective bristle cover having an open face enabling the protective bristle cover to be placed over the bristles; an elongated connector having a first end pivoted to the toothbrush body between the bristled head and the opening, and a second end operably coupled to the protective bristle cover, so that the protective bristle cover is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the bristled head and encloses the bristles to protect them when not in use, and wherein in the second position, the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the second surface of the bottom of the storage compartment.

11. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the elongated connector comprises a male nub pivotably coupled between the first end and the second end and the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body has an expandable opening positioned so the male nub releasably fits into the opening when the protective bristle cover is in the first position, and the expandable opening has released the male nub when the protective bristle cover is in the second position.

12. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the elongated toothbrush body comprises an expandable opening in the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body between the first end and the second end and the elongated connector has a male nub protruding from the surface of the elongated connector in the direction of the expandable opening so the male nub releasably fits into the expandable opening when the protective bristle cover is in the first position, and the expandable opening has released the male nub when the protective bristle cover is in the second position.

13. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the elongated connector comprises an expandable opening between the first end and the second end and the elongated toothbrush body has a male nub protruding from the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body in the direction of the expandable opening so the male nub releasably fits into the expandable opening when the protective bristle cover is in the first position, and the expandable opening has released the male nub when the protective bristle cover is in the second position.

14. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the elongated connector comprises a c-clamp for clamping the elongated connector to the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body so the operably coupled protective bristle cover encloses the bristles of the bristled head, wherein the c-clamp has flexible arm pieces that each wrap around respective sides of the elongated toothbrush body when the protective bristle cover is in the first position, and the flexible arm pieces release the sides of the elongated toothbrush body when the protective bristle cover is in the second position.

15. The toothbrush of claim 10, comprising a replacable lid pivotably coupled to the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body and essentially completely flush with the first surface when the lid covers the cavity of the storage compartment, so that the inside environment of the storage compartment does not communicate with the outside environment of the storage compartment.

16. The toothbrush of claim 10, comprising a replacable lid pivotably coupled to the side of the elongated toothbrush body and essentially completely flush with the first surface when the lid covers the cavity of the storage compartment, so that the inside environment of the storage compartment does not communicate with the outside environment of the storage compartment.

17. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the elongated connector is made of a flexible material.

18. The toothbrush of claim 17, wherein the flexible material is selected from the group consisting of low or high density polyethylene (PE), low or high density polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchlohde (PVC), and sheet metal.

19. The toothbrush of claim 10, comprising a replacable lid pivotably coupled to any portion of the end of the elongated toothbrush body and essentially completely flush with the first surface when the lid covers the cavity of the storage compartment, so that the inside environment of the storage compartment does not communicate with the outside environment of the storage compartment.

20. The toothbrush of claim 19, comprising compression fittings around a periphery of the replacable lid which have been compressibly inserted into a recess that runs along a perimeter of the cavity of the storage compartment.

21. The toothbrush of claim 19, wherein the pivotable coupling is a hinge.

22. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the lateral walls or the bottom of the storage compartment comprises an opening to the outside environment.

23. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the pivotable coupling is a male compression fitting and extends from a face of the first end of the elongated connector opposite the first surface of the elongated toothbrush into an expandable opening between the first and second ends of the toothbrush body, so the first end of the elongated connector is pivotable between the first and second positions.

24. The toothbrush of claim 23, wherein the expandable opening between the first and second ends of the toothbrush body into which the male compression fitting compressibly fits essentially completely extends from the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body to the opposing surface of the elongated toothbrush body.

25. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the pivotable coupling extends from the end of the elongated connector and includes a spherically shaped compression fitting that compressibly fits into an expandable opening in the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body between the first and second ends of the toothbrush body, so the first end of the elongated connector is pivotable between the first and second positions.

26. The toothbrush of claim 25, wherein the first end of the elongated connector pivots radially between about 0° and 360° about the hole between the first and second ends of the toothbrush body when the protective bristle cover is moved from the first position to the second position and return the protective bristle cover to the first position.

27. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the second end of the elongated connector is operably coupled to the protective bristle cover using one piece construction.

28. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein only sides of the protective bristle cover that are parallel to the bristles of the bristle head are porous.

29 The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein sides of the protective bristle cover that are parallel to the bristles of the bristle head are porous and a proximal end of the protective bristle head cover includes a opening.

30. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein a proximal end of the bristle protection protective bristle cover has at least one opening.

31. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the protective bristle cover and the elongated connector have been treated with an antibacterial solution.

32. The toothbrush of claim 31 , wherein the antibacterial solution is selected from the group consisting of an aqueous solution of from about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide or isopropanol.

33. The toothbrush of claim 10, comprising the toothbrush being treated with an antibacterial solution.

34 The toothbrush of claim 33, wherein the antibacterial solution is selected from the group consisting of an aqueous solution of from about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide or isopropanol.

35. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein a portion of the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body that faces the opening of the protective bristle cover forms at least one nub(s) that runs in the orthogonal direction with respect to the first surface, and an edge of the protective bristle cover that faces the first surface of the of the elongated toothbrush body is expandable so that the expandable cover forms a releasable compression fit over the at least one nub(s) when the protective bristle cover is in the first position.

36. A method of protecting the bristles of a toothbrush, comprising: providing an elongated toothbrush body, having first and second ends, and a first surface, thereon, comprising: a bristle head operably coupled to the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body at the first end of the elongated toothbrush body; and an opening in the first surface of the elongated toothbrush body at the second end of the elongated toothbrush body, wherein the opening is an entrance of a storage compartment in the second end of the elongated toothbrush body, wherein a volume of the cavity of the storage compartment is defined by lateral walls and a bottom of the storage compartment, and wherein the bottom of the storage compartment has a second surface thereon; a protective bristle cover having an open face enabling the protective bristle cover to be placed over the bristles; an elongated connector having a first end pivoted to the toothbrush body between the bristled head and the opening, and a second end operably coupled to the protective bristle cover, so that the protective bristle cover is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the bristled head and encloses the bristles to protect them when not in use, and wherein the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the second surface of the bottom of the storage compartment in the second position; and pivoting the first end of the elongated connector radially to move the protective bristle cover from the first position to the second position.

37. The method of claim 36, comprising: a user of the toothbrush lifting the protective bristle cover away from the bristle head of the elongated toothbrush body by flexing the second end of the elongated connector and pivoting the second end of the elongated connector to the second position.

38. The method of claim 36, comprising treating only the protective bristle cover and the elongated connector with an antibacterial solution.

37. The method of claim 38, wherein the antibacterial solution is selected from the group consisting of an aqueous solution of from about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight hydrogen or isopropanol.

38. The method of claim 36, comprising treating the toothbrush with an antibacterial solution.

39 The method of claim 38, wherein the antibacterial solution is selected from the group consisting of an aqueous solution of from about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide or isopropanol.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein the first end of the elongated connector pivots radially between about 0° and 360° when the protective bristle cover is moved from the first position to the second position and returned to the first position.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein the first end of the elongated connector pivots radially in a plane that is parallel with the first surface of the toothbrush body when the protective bristle cover is moved from the first position to the second position and returned to the first position.

42. The method of claim 36, wherein the first end of the elongated connector pivots radially in a plane that is orthogonal to the first surface of the toothbrush body when the protective bristle cover is moved from the first position to the second position and returned to the first position and wherein the first end of the elongated connector rotates 180°, so that the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the bristled head and encloses the bristles to protect them when not in use, and wherein the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the second surface of the bottom of the storage compartment in the second position.

43. The method of claim 36, wherein the first end of the elongated connector pivots radially 90° in a plane that is orthogonal to the first surface of the toothbrush body when the protective bristle cover is moved from the first position to the second position and returned to the first position and wherein the first end of the elongated connector rotates 180°, so that the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the bristled head and encloses the bristles to protect them when not in use, and wherein the open face of the protective bristle cover faces the second surface of the bottom of the storage compartment in the second position.