Toothbrush Handle Loop

Abstract

The toothbrush handle loop is a loop attached to the handle of a toothbrush which enables the toothbrush to be hung perpendicular to the ground in open air, toothbrush handle up and toothbrush head down. The toothbrush handle loop also allows identifying features selected by the toothbrush user to be added to the loop for identification or ornamentation.

Claims

1) A loop as a support system for suspending a toothbrush from any suitable protrusion, consisting of a loop of any size and manufactured of any material, which is attached to the handle of a toothbrush;

2) The loop as defined in claim (1), whether embedded in the handle of the toothbrush during the manufacturing process, or inserted later through a hole in the handle of the toothbrush created during the handle manufacturing process;

3) The loop as defined in claim (1), whether a continuous loop, or a loop joined by a knot or a clasp allowing it to separate and be re-joined;

4) The loop as a support system for personalized user identification or ornamentation materials;

5) The loop as defined in claim (4), whether embedded in the handle of the toothbrush during the manufacturing process, or inserted later through a hole in the handle of the toothbrush created during the handle manufacturing process; and

6) The loop as defined in claim (4), whether a continuous loop, or a loop joined by a knot or a clasp allowing it to separate and be re-joined.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0014] Attached are drawings of the loop design. The dashed lines represent a standard toothbrush. The toothbrush is the standard item in which the loop design is embodied and does not constitute part of the claimed loop design. There is also a box showing a close-up view of the loop design.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows the loop design wherein the loop is embedded in the toothbrush handle.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows the loop design where there is an opening inserted in the toothbrush handle through which the loop material is run and the ends joined together to create the loop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The toothbrush handle loop consists of a loop inserted in the handle of a toothbrush. The loop is used to hang or suspend the toothbrush upside down in the open air (i.e. with the toothbrush head at the lowest point and perpendicular to the ground) from any location with a protrusion suitably sized to fit within the loop. For example, the toothbrush can be hung from a wall peg, or a specially-designed toothbrush holder manufactured to accommodate the loop which might hang on the wall or from a vanity-top stand in the bathroom. The toothbrush can also be hung from a tree branch while camping, or any other suitable location specific to the environment. Hotels can incorporate either a wall peg or a countertop stand in their bathroom design. A hotel guest would hang his toothbrush with the loop over a drip collection tray, and housekeeping would clean the drip tray underneath as part of the room cleaning process, providing a clean environment for guests to store their toothbrush.

[0018] The loop can be constructed of any material (string, nylon, synthetic resin or plastic, metal links, etc.), and can vary in color and texture for purposes of appearance. The loop can be manufactured in any size which is suitable to hang the toothbrush from varying sizes of supports. The loop can have a separating clasp or knot allowing the loop to be temporarily opened for purposes of attaching additional items to the loop for user identification purposes (name tag, color coding, etc.), or for purposes of temporarily opening the loop to allow the user to hang the toothbrush from a specific item (e.g. hook or rack in a hotel room).

[0019] Generally toothbrush handles are molded out of melted plastic. The melted plastic is injected into a mold, and the plastic hardens when it cools.

[0020] The loop can be inserted in the toothbrush handle using one of two methods during manufacturing. First, the loop can be inserted in the toothbrush handle while the handle is being molded. FIG. 1 shows the loop design wherein the loop is embedded in the toothbrush handle.

[0021] Alternatively, a small hole can be left in the handle of the toothbrush while it is being molded, and the loop can be strung through the hole after the handle is manufactured. The ends of the loop can be closed permanently, or a knot or a clasp can be used to allow the loop to be opened or closed at will.

[0022] The toothbrush handle loop will provide the following benefits: [0023] By hanging perpendicular to the ground in the open air with the toothbrush head hanging downward (as opposed to leaning at an angle in a cup with the toothbrush head facing up), the contaminated water will drain faster from the toothbrush head, and the toothbrush head will dry faster. Additionally, the dirty water will drain downward directly from the head to the area underneath, as opposed to flowing from the head to the handle and drying halfway down the handle. When the user rinses the toothbrush head before his or her next use, more of the bacteria will be washed away as opposed to being stuck all along the handle. This will be conducive to a reduction in the number of bacteria which are dependent on moisture, food particles, etc. to survive. A tray, bowl, or some other collector for the drain off from the toothbrush can be placed under the toothbrush. Such an item can be manufactured to be dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. [0024] By hanging upside down, the toothbrush head can also be lowered into a cup of antibacterial solution for storage (e.g. antiseptic mouthwash), which is also proven to reduce the amount of bacteria. [0025] By hanging upside down, the toothbrush can be isolated and kept from contact with other toothbrushes and their contaminants. [0026] The loop can be used to attached name tags or other identifying items such as colored beads, etc., which will help avoid infection by mistakenly using another user's toothbrush. The loop can have a knot or clasp allowing these items to be attached after purchase of a toothbrush with a loop. [0027] A hanging system for toothbrushes with the loop can be provided in areas away from the home such as hotels. For example, a hotel can install hooks or pegs in the bathroom wall in each room, or provide a standalone storage device, with collection trays for the runoff from the toothbrush underneath. A traveler can hang his toothbrush upon checking into his room, and housekeeping can clean the drip tray as part of the room cleaning process, providing a sanitary storage area for the toothbrush.