Flasks 10, 110, 210 and 310 serve as a storage container for toothbrushes 2, 2A and serve are reservoirs for a treating solution, such as a cleaner, which can be used to clean, deodorize, sanitize, decontaminate or otherwise treat the toothbrush between brushings. Flask 10 has an upper section 14 se
Flasks 10, 110, 210 and 310 serve as a storage container for toothbrushes 2, 2A and serve are reservoirs for a treating solution, such as a cleaner, which can be used to clean, deodorize, sanitize, decontaminate or otherwise treat the toothbrush between brushings. Flask 10 has an upper section 14 separated from a lower section 22 by an intermediate section 18, which contains a constricted throat 20. A toothbrush 2 in an inverted position would be supported by an inwardly tapered surface 16 above the constricted throat 20. Toothbrush bristles 6 would be located in the enlarged lower section 22, which serves as a reservoir for the treating solution. The constricted throat 22 can be sealed so that overpressure in the lower section can enhance the action of the treating solution. A covered flask 110 can also be used to store or merchandise the toothbrush.
대표청구항▼
1. Apparatus for cleaning and storing a toothbrush, the apparatus comprising a flask having an upper section, open to permit insertion and extraction of a toothbrush, a lower section including a base configured to hold the flask in an upright position, the lower section forming a reservoir for holdi
1. Apparatus for cleaning and storing a toothbrush, the apparatus comprising a flask having an upper section, open to permit insertion and extraction of a toothbrush, a lower section including a base configured to hold the flask in an upright position, the lower section forming a reservoir for holding a fluid for cleaning the toothbrush, and an intermediate section forming a constriction between the upper section and the lower section, the upper section being tapered toward the intermediate section to form an upwardly facing interior surface, the constriction being deformable upon insertion of a handle of the toothbrush therethrough to form a pressure seal to limit escape of fluid from the lower section when the toothbrush is positioned in the flask.2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the intermediate section includes a continuous surface along which a seal can be established to prevent escape of the fluid in a vapor form.3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the constriction in the intermediate section has a noncircular cross section to continuously engage a peripheral surface extending completely around a handle on the toothbrush to limit escape of fluid from the lower section when the toothbrush is positioned in the flask.4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the upper section has a circular opening through which the toothbrush can be inserted and extracted.5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flask comprises means for packaging, shipping and storing individual toothbrushes.6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flask includes a removable cover attachable to close an opening in the upper section of the flask to enclose the toothbrush in the flask.7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flask is formed of a flexible material conformable to a toothbrush inserted into the flask.8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flask comprises a blow molded member.9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lower section is tapered toward the intermediate section to form a downwardly facing surface comprising means interfering with the bristles on the toothbrush to retard extraction of the toothbrush from the flask in the presence of a pressure within the lower section of the flask exceeding atmospheric pressure.10. An assembly comprising a toothbrush and a storage container including a removable lid, the storage container completely enclosing the toothbrush when the lid is placed on the storage container and comprising an upper section separated from a lower section by a constricted throat, the upper section having an open end through which the toothbrush can be inserted and removed, and the lower section forming a reservoir into which a fluid can be introduced, the constricted throat being large enough to permit insertion of a toothbrush head and bristles into the lower section, but smaller than a handle on the toothbrush so that a fluid can be introduced into the storage container to clean the toothbrush bristles and the same storage container can be used for packaging, shipment, storage and cleaning the toothbrush.11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the constricted throat is deformable to conform to a section of the toothbrush to seal the reservoir when the toothbrush is inserted into the constricted throat.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (12)
Seitzinger Jeana L., Apparatus for cleaning and storing dental appliances.
Grant, Robert P.; Kinmont, Malcolm; Momany, Tracy M.; Witham, Daniel L.; McGurk, Jonathan A.; Semersky, Frank E.; Balyeat, Barbara A.; Mukherjee, Sumit; Ryan, David M.; Groll, Robert J.; Geithmann, Martin T., Flask.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.