WO2020220049A1

WO2020220049A1 - Disposable tooth brush and pick in compact card form factor

Info

Publication number: WO2020220049A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/030159
Authority: WO
Inventors: Betsalel MEDIONI
Original assignee: Medioni Betsalel
Priority date: 2019-04-25
Filing date: 2020-04-27
Publication date: 2020-10-29

Abstract

A compact, folding disposable toothbrush, comprising a planar rectangular substrate; and an outline of two symmetric halves of a toothbrush, each half sharing a foldable seam, the toothbrush being disposed within the substrate; and a gap separating die outline of the toothbrush from the substrate, the gap having one or bridging points joining the toothbrush to ire substrate, wherein the toothbrush is assembled by separating the toothbrush from the substrate and folding it at its seam to join the halves together.

Description

DISPOSABLE TOOTH BRUSH AND PICK IN

COMPACT CARD FORM FACTOR

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/838,765 filed April 25, 2019, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

OR

BACKGROUND

Field

[0002] The following description relates generally to a disposable toothbrush. More particularly, the following description relates to a disposable toothbrush (and optional pick(s)) housed within a compact credit card form factor.

Background

[0003] Travelers or persons away from their residence often experience a situation where they require their toothbrush, but do not have easy access to their toiletries case. Consequently, they find themselves going to the local store to purchase a non-disposable toothbrush solely for a single use. What is needed in tourist and travel industry is an easy to store (e.g., wallet, purse, pocket, etc.) toothbrush that can be of a limited use design or disposable (if desired) upon use.

SUMMARY

[0001] The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic

understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0002] In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a folding disposable toothbrush is provided, comprising: a planar rectangular substrate; and an outline of two symmetric halves of a toothbrush, each half sharing a foldable seam, the toothbrush being disposed within the substrate; and a gap separating the outline of the toothbrush from the substrate, the gap having one or bridging points joining the toothbrush to the substrate, wherein the toothbrush is assembled by separating the toothbrush from the substrate and folding it at its seam to join the halves together.

[0003| In another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, the above toothbrush is provided, further comprising a dental pick disposed within the substrate, having another gap between an outline of the pick and the substrate and having at least one bridging point joining the pick to the substrate; and/or wherein the substrate is formed from at least one of plastic, nylon, silicone, rubber, and wood; and/or wherein the substrate is approximately credit card sized; and/or wherein the substrate is between 1/8 - 1/2 inches thick.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Fig. 1 is a perspective top view of an exemplary bi-fold toothbrush embedded in a credit card sized substrate.

[0005] Fig, 2 is an illustration showing the exemplary toothbrush an optional toothpick removed from the substrate of Fig. 1.

[0006] Fig. 3 is a side view of an exemplary substrate, showing the relative thinness of the device in an unassembled form.

[0007] Fig.4 is a sketch of another exemplary embodiment wherein the head is entirely made of silicone.

[0008] Fig. 5 is a sketch of an assembled toothbrush with a silicon head (and bristles).

[0009] Fig. 6 is an illustration showing an assembled toothbrush from another perspective.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Various features are described below, which, in some embodiments can be used independently or in combination with other features from other embodments. These described embodments are not to be construed as the only modes or embedments possible, but are presented here to help explain how some of the inventive features are implemented.

[0011] The following description details one or more embodiments for a compact, disposable toothbrush with optional tooth picks and/or flossing implement Specifically, a toothbrush split into two folding halves are produced in a planar substrate, of approximate size to that of a credit card. The toothbrush can be“snapped” off from the substrate and folded together at a joint along its main longitudinal axis to bring one head of bristles of one half to meet the opposite side's head of bristles, forming the assembled brush head. Simultaneously, the body is joined together to form the requisite bulk for the toothbrush handle. In some embodiments, the bristles are pre - treated with a toothpaste, obviating the need to separately provide the toothpaste. The device is well suited for limited use, is compact, and of travel-friendly size. The substrate is

approximately the shape and size of a credit card, though smaller or larger sizes can be developed, according to design preference.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective top view of an embodiment 100 of an exemplary bi-fold toothbrush 120 embedded in a rectangular substrate 110. The rectangular substrate 110 is shown here as having lateral dimensions approximate to that of a credit card or thereabouts. Of course, it may be smaller or larger, according to design preference. The substrate 110 is thicker than the thickness of a credit card, but sufficiently thin to appear as having credit card form factor to a user. In experimental embodiments, the substrate 110 was approximately 1/8 - 1/2 inches thick. Of course, other thicknesses may be utilized. The substrate 110 can be made of a plastic, nylon, silicone, rubber, wood, etc., and can be various combinations thereof.

[0013] The substrate 110 contains the form of a split toothbrush 120, with ½ of the head

(10A) on one end A of the substrate 110 and the other ½ of the head (10B) on the other end B of the substrate 110. The end A & B may be similar in lengths or of different lengths, depending on the design chosen. Heads 10A, 10B are connected to adjoining body members 130 which are also split into halves along the length of the substrate 110. Each head/body member is paired to an opposite head/body member and“mirrored” along a mutual foldable seam 140 that runs along the“shared” end of the toothbrush 120. Bristles 140A are formed at head A and bristles 140B are formed at head B, both facing“outwardly.” Optional tooth picks or dental picks 150A, 150B are provided in the substrate areas at the ends of the members 130 that are not used for foe toothbrush 120. It is understood that the substrate 110 has gaps along the outer perimeter of foe toothbrush 120, allowing the toothbrush 120 to be easily released from the substrate 110 by applying sufficient pressure (or prying) to break one or more connecting bridges 160A, 160B between the substrate frame 170 and the toothbrush 120. The connecting bridges 160A/B can be located at other points about the substrate frame 170; A similar mechanism for releasing foe optional dental picks 150A/B from the substrate 110 can be used (e.g., bridging). Thus, foe toothbrush 120 and the optional picks 150A/B are“broken off” from the substrate 110. It is expressly understood that after being broken off from the substrate 110, the toothbrush 120 is assembled by folding it together at its seam 140 and gripped at its handle portion formed from joined members 130.

[0014] The head bristles 140A, I40B can be pre-pasted with a toothpaste (not shown). The toothpaste may be imbedded in the bristles or at end of the heads, or where the bristles join the head (understanding it may be easier for the paste to be resident on the head-to-bristle surface 145). In some embodiments, a section of the substrate 110 may be reserved as a reservoir for toothpaste. For example, one of the areas for the optional pick may contain toothpaste either in a small depression in the area or a toothpaste chamber may be situated there (allowing a user to squeeze out the toothpaste onto the assembled toothbrush 120).

[0015] It is noted here that the head bristles 140A/B can have a contour on their ends. For example, Fig l shows two rows of bristles, one tow with bristle tips angled in one direction and adjoining bristle tips angled in an opposite direction. This arrangement makes for more effective brushing. The contouring is only possible because the bristles are“flat” bristles. The number of bristles, type, location and shape of the bristles is a design choice, therefore, variations to what is shown is understood to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0016] Optional tongue scraper“bumps” 180 or“ridges” 185 are also available on foe surface of the heads 10A/B. Fig. 1 illustrates two different forms for the tongue scraper 180, however, any style or shape may be used. As non-limiting example, the bumps/ridges 180/185 may be replaced by short bristles, if so desired.

[0017] In some embodiments,“locking” of the toothbrush 120 during assembly can be accomplished by folding the heads 10A/B together to join optional mating elements on opposing sides (hot shown - obstructed from view). These mating elements may“snap” together. This helps the toothbrush 120 to stay together while being used. Other mating elements or mechanisms can be placed on other parts of the“flat” toothbrush. For example, such elements may be put on the handle sides 130. The use of mating elements or the like are well known in the art Therefore, mating element type, arrangement and so forth is with the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

[0018] it should be understood that in various embodiments, the bristles 104A,B and heads 10A,B containing the bristles may be of a same material, for example, silicone. And that the handle portion (members 130) can be made of a different material. Various portions or sections of the head may be made of silicone, for example only the portion bordering the bristles. [0019] Further, in some embodiments, optional dental picks 150A,B may be formed within the handle members 130, presuming the size of the dental picks 150A.B are sized to be accommodated therein.

[0020] While the Figs, illustrate a given“shape” of the exemplary toothbrush 120, it is expressly understood that the shape shown is illustrative of one of many possible shapes. And there various modifications and changes to the shape, orientation, etc. are fully within the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

[0021] Methods for manufacturing the exemplary device can be a single process or multi- processed. For example, injection molding, stamping, casting, 3-D printing, cutting, milling and so forth may be implemented. Upon manufacturing, the exemplary device can be protected from contamination via an encasement such as a clear plastic envelope, or an adhesive plastic plate covering both sides of the device, etc. Due to the flat form factor, this device can easily fit into purses, cards, wallets, etc. Also, it is understood that the device can be for single-use, due to the fact the toothbrush must be“broken” off from the device to be used.

[0022] Fig.2 is an illustration 200 showing the exemplary toothbrush 120 an optional toothpick 250A removed from the substrate of Fig. 1.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a side view of an exemplary substrate 110, showing the relative thinness of the device in an unassembled form.

[0024] Fig.4 is a sketch of another exemplary embodiment wherein the 410 head is entirely made of silicone.

[0025] Fig. 5 is a sketch of an assembled toothbrush 520 with a silicon head (and bristles).

[0026] Fig. 6 is an illustration showing an assembled toothbrush 620 from another perspective; and assists in showing the possible size if a credit card form factor Is used. As mentioned above other sizes can be implemented, according to design preference.

[0027] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is ciaimed is:

1. A folding disposable toothbrush, comprising;

a planar rectangular substrate; and

an outline of two symmetric halves of a toothbrush, each half sharing a foldable seam, the toothbrush being disposed within the substrate; and

a gap separating the outline of the toothbrush from the substrate, the gap having one or bridging points joining the toothbrush to the substrate,

wherein the toothbrush is assembled by separating the toothbrush from the substrate and folding it at its seam to join the halves together.

2. The toothbrush of claim 1 , further comprising a dental pick disposed within the substrate, having another gap between an outline of the pick and the substrate and having at least one bridging point joining the pick to the substrate.

3. The toothbrush of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is formed from at least one of plastic, nylon, silicone, rubber, and wood.

4. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the substrate is approximately credit card sized.

5. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the substrate is between 1/8 - 1/2 inches thick.