Disposable toothbrush head

Abstract

This present application discloses a disposable toothbrush head product that cleans the teeth and removes plaque, food particles and other unwanted debris from the mouth easily and safely. The disposable toothbrush head product is an individually wrapped, thin plastic or rubber toothbrush head with a series of shorter bristles. The bristles are coated with an activatable toothpaste, gel or other tooth cleaning solution. The brush head can be adhered to a finger using adhesive or a plastic ring for cleaning the teeth. Additionally, the product is a convenient toothbrush option for individuals looking to clean teeth while away from home.

Claims

1. A package containing a disposable toothbrush head, comprising; at least one sealed package enclosure sized and configured to hold a toothbrush head; the toothbrush head having a length and a width with the length being greater than the width, a first surface and a second surface, with the first surface having a plurality of bristles and the second surface having a finger attachment means; a solution provided on at least some of the plurality of bristles; and wherein the plurality of bristles is further comprised of a first set of helically shaped tip bristles defining a perimeter of the toothbrush head and a second set of crisscross shaped bristles provided in an interior area of the toothbrush head, and further wherein the first set of helically shaped tip bristles are longer than the second set of crisscross shaped bristles; and wherein the toothbrush head is biodegradable.

2. A package as recited in claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of sealed package enclosures with each enclosure having a single personal use toothbrush head.

3. A package as recited in claim 1, wherein the finger attachment means is one of an adhesive attachment, a physical loop or an adjustable clamp.

4. A package as recited in claim 2, wherein the plurality of packages comprises a plurality of different sizes of toothbrush heads for adults, pre-teens, children and infants.

5. A package as recited in claim 4, wherein the toothbrush head for adults ranges in length from 19 mm to 50 mm and has a width ranging from 25.4 mm to 12.7 mm, for children aged 0-2, the toothbrush head is at least 15 mm, for children 2-6 the toothbrush head size is at least 19 mm, for children 6-12 the toothbrush head size is at least 22 mm.

6. A package as recited in claim 1, wherein the first set of bristles is between 1 to 3 mm taller than the second set of bristles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product of the present invention having an adhesive backing in accordance with the disclosed structure;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a partially exploded view of one potential embodiment of the toothpaste gel coated bristles of the present invention used for cleaning the teeth and removing plaque, food particles and other debris therefrom in accordance with the disclosed structure;

(4) FIG. 3a illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product of the present invention having an adhesive backing with a releasable liner being peeled off in accordance with the disclosed structure;

(5) FIG. 3b illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product of the present invention having an adhesive backing and in the process of being applied to a user's finger in accordance with the disclosed structure;

(6) FIG. 3c illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product of the present invention having an adhesive backing that is releasably secured to a user's finger in accordance with the disclosed structure;

(7) FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product of the present invention attached to a user's finger and being used to clean a user's teeth and gums in accordance with the disclosed structure;

(8) FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product of the present invention sealed in a packaging and ready for use in accordance with the disclosed structure;

(9) FIG. 6a illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product of the present invention having a ring like structure for attachment to a user's finger in accordance with the disclosed structure; and

(10) FIG. 6b illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product of the present invention having a ring like structure and attached to a user's finger in accordance with the disclosed structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

(12) As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a disposable toothbrush product that easily, efficiently and effectively cleans plaque, food particles and other debris from the, tongue, teeth and gums of a user. There is also a long felt need in the art for a disposable toothbrush product that has a structure that conforms to the shape of the teeth, is easy to use and also does not damage the user's teeth or gums. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a disposable toothbrush product that is disposable, does not require the presence of an elongated handle portion, is an integral one piece structure, and is inexpensive to manufacture. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a disposable toothbrush product that has toothpaste pre-applied to its bristles, and that does not require a separate toothpaste tube to use the device. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for disposable toothbrush product that can be conveniently carried in a purse, pocket, or wallet for use while away from home, and that enables users to achieve a quick cleansing and freshening while on the go.

(13) The innovative product of the present invention features a disposable toothbrush head capable of cleaning teeth and gums and removing plaque, food particles and other debris from the user's tongue, teeth and gums. More specifically, the disposable toothbrush head of the present invention has a base with an adhesive strip or attachment ring on an exterior surface, thereby allowing the head to be removably adhered or attached to a user's finger. In an alternate embodiment, a finger ring or band may be attached to the exterior surface for attaching the toothbrush head to the user's finger. Bristles are present on an interior surface of the base, opposite the exterior surface on which the adhesive strip or attachment ring is disposed, and the bristles have varying surface patterns and are generally shorter in height than bristles present on a conventional toothbrush heads. The bristles of the present invention are also coated with a toothpaste gel before being wrapped, sealed or packaged for sale. In design, the overall contour of the disposable toothbrush head product resembles dimensions of the heads of conventional toothbrushes, and is flexible enough to move throughout the mouth to give an effective cleaning of the user's teeth and gums. The toothbrush head product of the present invention is preferably manufactured and sold with the toothpaste or other tooth cleaning solution applied to the bristles, and with a cover providing an airtight seal for the bristles and toothpaste. All of the parts of the toothbrush head are preferably composed of the same synthetic resin or food grade plastic. More specifically, a number of different synthetic resins may be employed including, without limitation, certain polyesters, including for example, polyethylene, polypropylene and one or more of the nylons (such as a nylon material marketed by Dupont®). Notwithstanding, the preferred material for the base is a polypropylene.

(14) Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one possible embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product 100 of the present invention. The disposable toothbrush head product 100 is preferably comprised of a plastic or rubber base material 102 and has an interior surface 1021 and an exterior surface 1022. A explained more fully below, the exterior surface 1022 of the product 100 comprises an adhesive strip, a finger ring, a band or the like for removably attaching the product 100 to a user's finger to clean the user's tongue, teeth and gums. Integrated bristles, including outer bristles 104 and inner bristles 106, extend outwardly from the interior surface 1021 of the base 102. The height of the bristles 104, 106 are preferably shorter than the bristles of a conventional toothbrush, which are about 10-11 mm, and the head product 100 is sized to accommodate most adults, and is approximately 25 mm in length. Nonetheless, other lengths of product 100 may be provided depending on the age of the user. For example, for children aged 0-2 the length is preferably about 15 mm, for children 2-6 the head size is about 19 mm, and for children 6-18 the head size is about 22 mm.

(15) The top portion of the inner bristles 104 are preferably coated with a toothpaste, gel, dental cleaning solution or coating 108, and the coating 108 is immediately activated when brought into contact with normal mouth fluids, i.e., water and saliva and is released by the scrubbing action of the bristles 104, 106 against the user's teeth and gums. The first and second set of bristles 104, 104 may also be provided in different arrangements, such as outer and inner bristles. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the toothpaste, gel or coating 108 may be present on the top portion of both the outer bristles 104 and the inner bristles 106. The outer bristles 104 and the inner bristles 106 may also have similar heights or different heights, as per different versions or embodiments of the head product 100. For example, the outer bristles 104 may be 1-3 mm taller than the inner bristles 106 to allow for reaching into crevices between the user's teeth. The base 102 may have also any shape, such as rectangular, oval, elliptical, or the like to provide different versions of the head product 100 to suit user need and/or preference.

(16) In an alternative embodiment, the toothbrush head 100 may measure approximately 2″ in length (50 mm) and 1 to ½″ (25.4 mm to 12.7 mm) in width, but different dimensions may also be used based on the demands, age and types of the individual user. For example, as referenced above, the size of the toothbrush head 100 for children may be smaller than the head 100 manufactured for an adult. Nonetheless, the length and width of the head 100 preferably has a ratio of 1.5 to 1 to 2.5 to 1.

(17) Furthermore, the toothbrush head 100 may be discarded after a single use, or be reusable if so desired by the user. The toothbrush head 100 of the present invention provides an effective means of cleaning the user's tongue, teeth and gums, and maintaining oral hygiene, for example, after a meal, before a meeting or a date, and without the need to transport a bulky, regular sized toothbrush and separate toothpaste.

(18) FIG. 2 illustrates a partially exploded view of one potential embodiment of the toothpaste gel coated bristles of the present invention used for cleaning the teeth and gums, and removing plaque, food particles and other debris therefrom in accordance with the disclosed structure. More specifically, the outer bristles 104 and the inner bristles 106 are fixed and extend outwardly from the interior surface 1021 of the toothbrush head base 102. The bristles 104, 106 are relatively soft, pliable and are safe for use in cleaning teeth and gums in accordance with the guidelines of The American Dental Association (ADA). The bristles 104, 106 are also preferably tightly clustered and facilitate the cleaning of hard-to-reach areas of the user's mouth. In one embodiment, the inner bristles 106 have a toothpaste, gel or coating 108 applied on the top portion thereof to help facilitate the cleaning of the teeth and gums during use. The bristles 104, 106 also have rounded, conical or helical tips that will not damage the tooth enamel, and that do not irritate or hurt the user's gums. The bristles 104, 106 may be made of any type of nylon, and preferably Nylon-6 and other eco-friendly materials such as boar, biobased bristles (e.g. castor bean oil, tapioca and corn).

(19) In an alternate embodiment, the outer bristles 104 may also have the toothpaste, gel or coating 108 applied on the top portion thereof to help in cleaning of the user's teeth and gums during use. The bristles 104, 106 of the toothbrush head 100 may also be Crisscross bristles, which are useful in removing surface stains and help to break up plaque between teeth and maintain good oral hygiene. In a further alternative embodiment, the bristles 104, 106 may be charcoal infused bristles, or may be dual action polishing bristles that whiten between the user's teeth. The toothbrush head 100 of the present invention may further comprise multi-level bristles to remove plaque and food from the teeth and gum line to prevent tooth decay.

(20) FIG. 3a illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product of the present invention having a strip with an adhesive backing 302 with a releasable liner 300 being peeled off in accordance with the disclosed structure. It is contemplated that the toothbrush head 100 may comprise multiple adhesive strips or dots present on an exterior surface 1022 of the base 102. When the toothbrush head 100 is ready to be used by a user for cleaning his or her teeth, the adhesive strip cover 300 is removed completely and easily by a peeling action performed by the user. FIG. 3b illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product of the present invention having an adhesive backing 302 with the liner 300 already removed, and in the process of being applied to a user's finger in accordance with the disclosed structure. More specifically, the toothbrush head 100 is placed on a fingertip 312 of any finger 310 of the user to adhere the head 100 via the adhesive 302 onto the finger 310. The user's index finger, middle finger, ring finger or pinky finger may be used to facilitate cleaning of the user's teeth. Furthermore, the adhesive material of the strip 302 is pressure sensitive, hypoallergenic and can easily remain stuck to the fingertip 312 even when pressure is being applied during the teeth cleaning process. The adhesive material of the strip 302 is also water-proof, thereby keeping the head 100 fixed to the user's fingertip 312 throughout its use.

(21) FIG. 3c illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product of the present invention having an adhesive backing 302 that is releasably secured to a user's finger 310 in accordance with the disclosed structure. As per the embodiment, the adhesive strip 302 is fixed to the exterior surface 1022 of the head toothbrush 100, and has a relatively strong adhesive strength such that the head 100 does not detach from the fingertip 312 during the cleaning process.

(22) FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product 100 of the present invention attached to a user's finger and being used to clean the teeth 402 and gums of a user 400 in accordance with the disclosed structure. More specifically, during use, the individual 400 uses the toothbrush head 100 adhered on a fingertip 312 of an index finger 310 for cleaning the teeth 402, and other portions of the mouth. The user 400 takes the head 100 towards the mouth 404 and start rubbing the bristles 104, 106 of the head 100 on the teeth 402 in a direction both parallel and perpendicular to the direction of the finger 310, as with a traditional handheld toothbrush. During use, the toothpaste coating 108 on the bristles 104, 106 will be activated and released onto the surface of the user's teeth once coming into contact with the user's saliva and/or water. The toothpaste coating 108 is also released by the scrubbing action of the bristles 104, 106 against the user's teeth 402, thereby facilitating the cleaning of both the front and back side of the teeth 402, and removing unwanted plaque, food particles and other debris. The coating 108 also imparts a desirable flavor to the teeth and mouth, and freshens the user's breath. The bristles 104, 106 are also gentle on the gums. Once the cleaning process is complete, the user 400 removes the toothbrush head 100 from the fingertip 312 and properly discards the same. In this manner, the toothbrush head 100 of the present invention provides the user 400 with a relatively quick, efficient, easy and effective way of cleaning the user's teeth 402 on the go.

(23) FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product 100 of the present invention sealed in a packaging and ready for use in accordance with the disclosed structure. More specifically, the toothbrush head product 100 of the present invention is manufactured and sold with a toothpaste, gel or other coating or solution 108 applied to bristles 106 and/or 104, and with a cover 504 providing an airtight seal 502 around the head 100. The airtight seal 502 and the cover 504 allows the toothpaste or coating 108 to not dissipate over a reasonable shelf life of the product. The cover 504 is wide enough such that the tip of the coated bristles does not touch the cover 504, and the cover 504 may be of any shape in correspondence to the shape of the head 100. For example, the cover may have any geometric shape such as rectangular, oval, or the like. The individually wrapped disposable toothbrush head 100 of the present invention can be easily sold through convenience stores, supermarkets, stationery, vending machines and the like, and can be distributed for anytime, anywhere use. The package may also be sold as a larger package of disposable heads 100, which can be separated from one another for individual use. Individually wrapped disposable toothbrush head product 500 of the present invention is compact in size, lightweight, and can be carried easily in a pocket or in a purse by the user. The device is also hygienic, aesthetically pleasing and cost effective.

(24) FIG. 6a illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product 100 of the present invention having a ring like structure 600 for attachment to a user's finger 310, and FIG. 6b illustrates a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the disposable toothbrush head product 100 attached to a user's finger 310 in accordance with the disclosed structure. More specifically, the finger ring 600 is attached to an exterior surface 1022 of the base 102 of the toothbrush head 100. The finger ring 600 may be of a standard size, a predetermined user size, or may be adjustable in size to easily fit any finger size of the user. Further, the finger ring 600 structure can be made of plastic, paper, paperboard or any other similar light weight and durable material, and which is flexible to accommodate different sizes of fingers. The finger ring 600 of the toothbrush head 100 is worn like a normal ring on a finger 310 of the user, such that the base 102 of the toothbrush head 100 sits on a fingertip 312. The toothbrush head 100 is then inserted into the mouth of the user and moved around the teeth and other mouth areas for cleaning the teeth and gums, and removing plaque, food particles and other debris using the bristles 104, 106. Additionally, the finger ring 600 or adhesive strips 302 used to hold the toothbrush head 100 to the finger 310 are generally, centrally disposed on the surface of the toothbrush head to effectively balance the head on the finger while using the toothbrush head 100.

(25) The disposable toothbrush head product 100 of the present invention may be manufactured in a plain white color, or in a variety of different colors, patterns, or decorative prints. The decorative prints could be available in various themes and geometrical shapes such as lines, crosses, rectangles, triangles or sinusoidal lines, sports, logos, designs or a combination of any of these patterns. Further, a customized or personalized print, such as a user name and the like, could also be available on disposable toothbrush head product 100.

(26) In accordance with some embodiments, all of the components of the toothbrush head 100 of the present invention can be made from environment-friendly materials, such as recyclable or biodegradable materials. Examples of biodegradable materials that could be used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, biodegradable plastic, wood, bamboo, polyester, rayon fibers, polyurethane, resins, natural rubbers and nylon.

(27) The toothbrush head 100 of present invention is not limited to any particular size or any particular color. In some embodiments, an intended user and/or use may define a particular design and the appropriate size of the toothbrush head 100. For example, the toothbrush head 100 for cleaning a child's teeth would generally have a smaller size than a toothbrush head for cleaning an adult's teeth.

(28) The disposable toothbrush head 100 of present invention as shown in FIG. 5 may be packaged in toothbrush head container packages that may contain 10, 25, 50, 100 or 200 (or any number as desired by the user) individual heads. In addition, travel sized packages may also be available having a reduced number of heads ranging from 5 to 25 heads per package. The packages may be further segmented into different sized toothbrush heads 100. For example, a family package may have toothbrush heads 100 sized for adults, pre-teens, children and infants. Further, the individual toothbrush heads 100 are hygienically stored in the wrapped package 500. The disposable toothbrush head 100 of the present invention promotes more frequent cleaning of the teeth on the go and away from home, thereby resulting in better overall oral hygiene for the user.

(29) With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

(30) Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “disposable toothbrush head”, “toothbrush head”, “head” and “cleaning head” are interchangeable and refer to the disposable toothbrush head 100 of the present invention.

(31) Notwithstanding the forgoing, the disposable toothbrush head 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the disposable toothbrush head as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes of the disposable toothbrush head 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the disposable toothbrush head 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the disposable toothbrush head 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference. It is further contemplated that a single cleaning head 100 of the present invention may have varying dimensions, thereby allowing the user to choose a particular configuration and size for a specific application. The possibilities are endless.

(32) What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.