초록 ▼

A hygienic toothbrush comprises a bristle cover movably secured to the elongated body of the toothbrush to protect the bristles of the toothbrush when it is not being used. A storage compartment with a removable lid is provided in the handle of the toothbrush body for storing the cover when not in u

A hygienic toothbrush comprises a bristle cover movably secured to the elongated body of the toothbrush to protect the bristles of the toothbrush when it is not being used. A storage compartment with a removable lid is provided in the handle of the toothbrush body for storing the cover when not in use.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A toothbrush assembly, comprising: an elongated toothbrush body having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, wherein the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment so as to allow the s

1. A toothbrush assembly, comprising: an elongated toothbrush body having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, wherein the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment so as to allow the storage compartment to be opened and closed as desired;a cover comprising an open side enabling the cover to be placed over the bristle head;an elongated connector comprising a first end pivotably coupled to the toothbrush body between the bristle head and the storage compartment and a second end operably coupled to the cover, whereby the cover is movable between a first position wherein the open side of the cover faces the bristle head and the cover is disposed over the bristles to protect them when not in use and a second position wherein the cover is protected within the storage compartment by closing of the lid when the brush is in use; andmeans for selectively retaining the cover in the first or second position. 2. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongated connector is pivotably coupled to the toothbrush body such that the elongated connector pivots about an axis transverse to the direction of elongation of the toothbrush body. 3. The toothbrush assembly of claim 2, wherein the first end of the elongated connector is formed to define a transverse member fitting into and retained by a corresponding transverse groove in the toothbrush body. 4. The toothbrush assembly of claim 2, wherein the second end of the elongated member is bifurcated, defining opposed arms between which the cover is retained by means permitting the cover to be pivoted with respect to the elongated member, whereby the open side of the cover can face the interior of the storage compartment when in the second position. 5. The toothbrush assembly of claim 4, wherein said means permitting the cover to be pivoted with respect to the elongated member comprises opposed nubs on the opposed arms fitting into corresponding bores in the cover. 6. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongated connector is pivoted to the body of the toothbrush about an axis generally perpendicular to a surface of the toothbrush body extending between the bristle head and handle. 7. The toothbrush assembly of claim 6, wherein the elongated connector is pivoted to the body of the toothbrush by a joint comprising a pin having a head of larger diameter formed on one of the elongated connector and body of the toothbrush retained in a bore formed in the other of the elongated connector and body of the toothbrush. 8. The toothbrush assembly of claim 7, wherein said pin is split to allow it to be inserted into said bore. 9. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, wherein said lid of said storage compartment is hinged to the body of said toothbrush at one side or end of the storage compartment for movement between open and closed positions. 10. The toothbrush assembly of claim 9, wherein said storage compartment is sized to receive the bristle head, and said lid is of corresponding dimension. 11. The toothbrush assembly of claim 9, wherein the handle of said toothbrush is essentially hollow, such that interior of said handle forms said storage compartment, and wherein said lid essentially completes a surface of the handle of the toothbrush. 12. The toothbrush assembly of claim 11, wherein said lid is hinged to the body of said toothbrush at the end of the handle opposite the bristle head. 13. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, wherein said lid of said storage compartment slides between open and closed positions in channels formed in the body of said toothbrush and extending along an open side of said storage compartment. 14. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second lid for closing the open side of the cover. 15. The toothbrush assembly of claim 14, wherein said lid for closing the open side of the cover is attached to one side or end of the cover by a living hinge. 16. The toothbrush assembly of claim 14, wherein said lid for closing the open side of the cover fits over the bristle head so as to enclose the bristle head within the cover. 17. The toothbrush assembly of claim 14, wherein said lid for closing the open side of the cover is secured to the cover by a snap-fit connection, so as to secure the lid to the cover. 18. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, further comprising a source of bactericidal radiation in the cover arranged to irradiate the bristles. 19. In combination, the toothbrush assembly of claim 18 and a docking station comprising a power supply for said source of bactericidal radiation and connection means for energizing said source of bactericidal radiation when said toothbrush assembly is returned to said docking station. 20. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, further comprising an ultrasonic vibratory source disposed in the body of the toothbrush. 21. The toothbrush assembly of claim 20, further comprising batteries for powering said ultrasonic vibratory source. 22. In combination, the toothbrush assembly of claim 21 and a docking station comprising battery charging circuitry and connection means for charging said batteries when said toothbrush assembly is returned to said docking station. 23. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, wherein said cover comprises a back wall and a continuous side wall joined to the periphery of said back wall, said side wall including opposed sides and opposed ends, and wherein at least the sides of the cover are porous. 24. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, wherein the body of the toothbrush, the elongated connector, and the bristle cover are molded of one or more plastic materials. 25. The toothbrush assembly of claim 24, wherein said plastic materials are selected from the group consisting of low or high density polyethylene (PE), low or high density polypropylene (PP), and polyvinylchloride (PVC). 26. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, further comprising means for retaining the cover over the bristle head. 27. The toothbrush assembly of claim 26, wherein said means for retaining the cover over the bristle head comprises a C-shaped clip secured to the elongated connector and adapted to grip the body of the toothbrush and secure the cover over the bristles. 28. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1 wherein the cover includes a drain hole. 29. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, wherein said lid of the storage compartment is pivotably coupled to the elongated toothbrush body and fits essentially completely flush with a surface of the toothbrush when the lid is closed. 30. The toothbrush of claim 29, wherein protrusions on one of the lid and body of the toothbrush cooperate with recesses formed on the other of the lid and body of the toothbrush so as secure the lid in the closed position, closing the storage compartment. 31. The toothbrush of claim 29, wherein the pivotable coupling between the lid and body of the toothbrush is formed by a hinge. 32. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein a drainage opening is provided in the storage compartment. 33. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, wherein said cover and elongated connector are molded as an integral member. 34. A method of protecting bristles of a toothbrush, comprising the steps of: a. providing a toothbrush assembly, comprising: an elongated toothbrush body having a bristle head at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, wherein the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment so as to allow the storage compartment to be opened and closed as desired;a cover comprising an open side enabling the cover to be placed over the bristle head;an elongated connector comprising a first end pivotably coupled to the toothbrush body between the bristle head and the storage compartment and a second end operably coupled to the cover, whereby the cover is movable between a first position wherein the open side of the cover faces the bristle head and the cover is disposed over the bristles to protect them when not in use and a second position wherein the cover is protected within the storage compartment by closing of the lid when the brush is in use;means for selectively retaining the cover in the first or second position;b. when it is desired to employ the brush, removing the cover from the bristle head, pivoting the elongated connector such that the bristle head is disposed in the storage compartment, and closing the lid of the storage compartment; andc. when employment of the brush is complete, opening the lid of the storage compartment, removing the cover from the storage compartment, pivoting the elongated connector so that the open face of the cover is over the bristle head, and securing the cover over the bristle head. 35. The method of claim 34, comprising the further step of treating the toothbrush with an antibacterial solution. 36. The method of claim 34, comprising the further step of treating the cover with an antibacterial solution. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the antibacterial solution is selected from the group consisting of an aqueous solution of from about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight hydrogen or isopropanol, and silver-bearing solutions. 38. The method of claim 34, comprising the further step of irradiating the bristles with bactericidal radiation when the cover is placed over the bristle head. 39. A toothbrush assembly, comprising: an elongated toothbrush body having a bristle head, comprising: a bristle head body having a quantity of bristles extending from one side of said bristle head body, at one end and a handle at a second end, the handle comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a lid, wherein the lid is operably coupled to the storage compartment so as to allow the storage compartment to be opened and closed as desired;a cover comprising an open side enabling the cover to be placed over the bristle head;whereby the cover is movable between a first position wherein the open side of the cover faces the bristle head and the cover is disposed over the bristles to protect them when not in use and a second position wherein the cover is protected within the storage compartment by closing of the lid when the brush is in use; andmeans for selectively retaining the cover in the first or second position. 40. The toothbrush assembly of claim 39, wherein said cover is of clam-shell configuration, comprising two mating halves joined at a hinge extending in a direction generally parallel to the axis of elongation of the toothbrush body, whereby to close the cover over the bristle head the user urges the two mating halves together. 41. The toothbrush assembly of claim 40, wherein one of said two mating halves of said clam-shell cover comprises a hook fitting over the bristle head to secure the cover thereover. 42. The toothbrush assembly of claim 39, wherein said cover comprises a back wall conforming to the peripheral shape of said bristle head and a side wall extending from said back wall for a distance sufficient to enclose said bristle head, and a lid pivoted to said side wall, whereby to close the cover over the bristle head the user disposes the bristle head body in juxtaposition to the back wall of the cover, such that the side wall is disposed around said bristle head body and said bristles, and closes the lid over said bristles.