Teeth cleaning implement

Abstract

A teeth cleaning implement includes a deformable hollow body having a volume of dentrifice secured within a central void of the body. Bristles are secured about the outer surface of the body. A plurality of apertures in environmental communication with the central void of the body are placed about and through the outer surface of the body to permit the passage of the dentrifice.

Claims

1. A teeth cleaning implement, comprising: a hollow, frangible body, having an outer surface and an interior; a plurality of bristle bundles attached to said outer surface and extending outwardly therefrom; a plurality of pores disposed about said body, capable of providing fluid communication between an environment and said interior; a port located on said outer surface, capable of providing fluid communication with said interior; and, a plug removably insertable into said port; wherein said interior is capable of receiving an amount of a substance therein.

2. The implement of claim 1, wherein said body is spherical.

3. The implement of claim 1, wherein said plurality of bristle bundles each further comprises: at least one first bristle; and; at least one second bristle; wherein a length of each first bristle is lesser than a length of each second bristle.

4. The implement of claim 1, wherein said plug, when fully inserted into said port, maintains a continuous outer profile with said body.

5. The implement of claim 4, wherein said plug further comprises a slot capable of receiving a driving member to manipulate said plug relative to said body.

6. The implement of claim 1, wherein said body comprises a synthetic material suitable for single usage.

7. The implement of claim 6, wherein said resilient synthetic material is a soft gel material.

8. A kit, comprising: a teeth cleaning implement, comprising: a hollow, frangible body, having an outer surface and an interior; a plurality of bristle bundles attached to said outer surface and extending outwardly therefrom; a plurality of pores disposed about said body, capable of providing fluid communication between an environment and said interior; a port located on said outer surface, capable of providing fluid communication with said interior; and, a plug removably insertable into said port; and, a case configured to retain said implement therein, comprising a pair of case halves each having a first side hinged connection and a single securing fasteners located at a second side; wherein said interior is capable of receiving an amount of a substance therein.

9. The implement of claim 8, wherein said body is spherical.

10. The implement of claim 8, wherein said plurality of bristle bundles each further comprises: at least one first bristle; and; at least one second bristle; wherein a length of each first bristle is lesser than a length of each second bristle.

11. The implement of claim 8, wherein said plug, when fully inserted into said port, maintains a continuous outer profile with said body.

12. The implement of claim 11, wherein said plug further comprises a slot capable of receiving a driving member to manipulate said plug relative to said body.

13. The implement of claim 8, wherein said body comprises a synthetic material suitable for single usage.

14. The implement of claim 13, wherein said resilient synthetic material is a soft gel material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a teeth cleaning implement 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and,

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carrying case 50 configured to retain an individual teeth cleaning implement 10 therein, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view (taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,

(5) FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view (taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1), according to an alternate embodiment 15 of the present invention.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

(6) 10 teeth cleaning implement 15 alternate embodiment 20 body 21 sidewall 22 alternate sidewall 25 port 27 plug 28 slot 30 bristle bundle 31 first bristle 33 second bristle 40 pore 50 case 51a first case half 51b second case half 52a first fastener 52b second fastener

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(7) The present invention is directed to a teeth cleaning implement 10. In one (1) embodiment of the present invention, the teeth cleaning implement 10 may comprise a soft gel material suitable for effective and comfortable use while being masticated by a user. Other embodiments 15 include more resilient material intended for multiple uses, or single usage only. Either embodiment is envisioned to encompass different sizes.

(8) Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a perspective view of a teeth cleaning implement 10. In a preferred embodiment, the teeth cleaning implement 10 comprises a body 20 with a sidewall 21 fashioned as a spherical shape with an inner volume for housing toothpaste or other types of dentrifice. The outer surface of the sidewall 21 comprises a plurality of bristle bundles 30 affixed thereto. The sidewall 21 also has a plurality of pores 40 spaced between the bristle bundles 30 such that the toothpaste or dentrifice may transfer from inside the body 20 to the mouth of the user. The sidewall 21 is of a material enabling a user to deform the implement 10, thereby forcing dentrifice to emanate from the interior through the pores 40. The bristle bundles 30 are affixed to the sidewall 21 and randomly disposed thereabout. The bristle bundles 30 extend outwardly from the body 20 and are used to clean a user's teeth while moving throughout a user's mouth. The bristle bundles 30 are designed to move throughout the user's mouth and help with brushing. Brushing helps remove food and plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that can irritate the gums. It is appreciated that the amount of bristle bundles 30, as well as the location of them and the extent to which they extend outward, can be varied. In at least one (1) embodiment, each bristle bundle 30 comprises a plurality of first bristles 31 and a plurality of second bristles 33. The first bristles 31 each comprises an extended length, relative to the body 30, lesser than that of each of the second bristles 33.

(9) The body 20 may be spherical or may be another geometrical shape. The body 20 comprises an inner volume and an outer surface. The inner volume is able to be filled with a substance such as toothpaste or other dentrifice through a port 25. The port 25 preferably has plug 27 that seals the port 25. In a preferred embodiment, the plug 27, when fully seated in the port 27, maintains a continuous outer profile with the body 20. The plug 27 preferably comprises a slot 28 or other means to grasp and threadably or otherwise remove the plug 27 from the port 25. The alternate sidewall 22 comprises durable material that allows the alternate embodiment 15 to realize longevity in use, or preferably the sidewall 21 comprises an inexpensive synthetic material suitable for one-time use. The dentrifice used can be of a type suitable for consumption. The exact specifications, materials used, and method of use of the teeth cleaning implement 10, 15 may vary upon manufacturing.

(10) Referring now to FIG. 2, a carrying case 50 is provided that is configured to securely retain the implement 30 therein. The case 50 has a first case half 51a and a second case half 51b hingedly connected at corresponding sides thereof. On the sides opposing the hinged connection, the first case half 51a has a first fastener 52a that is removably securable to a second fastener 52b of the second case half 51b.

(11) Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, sectional views of the preferred embodiment 10 and alternate embodiment 15, respectively, are herein described. As can be seen in FIG. 3a, the sidewall 21 has a thickness enabling limited use of the preferred embodiment 10. In FIG. 3b, the alternate sidewall 22 has a much larger thickness, thereby enabling the alternate embodiment 15 to be reused many more times than the preferred embodiment 10. The alternate sidewall 22 incorporates a resilient synthetic material capable of withstanding repeated use. All other features are identical between the preferred embodiment 10 and the alternate embodiment 15.

(12) The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.