Abstract:
A toothbrush mat for storing a toothbrush between brushings and a method for manufacturing same are disclosed. The toothbrush mat includes an elongated mat body and a flap. After assembly, the mat body and flap cooperate to define a pocket having an opening that is dimensioned and arranged to receive the bristle end of a toothbrush.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This case claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/920,195 filed Mar. 27, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to hygiene and more particularly to the storage of a toothbrush between uses. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Most people prefer to store their toothbrush in a hygienic manner between uses. A sanitary environment is typically desired in which: (a) no other objects are likely to contact the toothbrush, and (b) rapid drying of a wet toothbrush is promoted, or at least not hampered. These conditions are readily provided in one&#39;s own home. 
         [0004]    But when away from home, such as at a hotel, hospital, or spa, hygienic storage of a toothbrush is often problematic. In particular, these establishments do not typically stock their guest quarters with a device that will prevent a drying toothbrush from coming into contact with other objects or otherwise limit its exposure to potentially unsanitary conditions. 
         [0005]    What options do travelers have? Hotel guests are often understandably reluctant to place a toothbrush on a bathroom vanity where the bristles of the toothbrush could come into contact with wastewater. Hygiene aside, some travelers are unwilling to place a toothbrush on a countertop due to a perceived unsightliness. It is possible to store a toothbrush in the nearly ubiquitous hotel-room drinking glass. But anyone familiar with recent findings concerning unsanitary room-cleaning practices will likely be dissuaded from doing so. 
         [0006]    Travelers often transport toothbrushes in travel containers that are generally adequate for transporting a dry toothbrush. But these containers are not suitable for toothbrush storage between daily brushings. If a travel container were to be used for this purpose, a residue of toothbrush liquids (e.g., toothpaste, saliva, water, etc.) would likely accumulate in the container after only a few uses, rendering it unhygienic. And it is undesirable to routinely dispose of these travel containers due to cost and convenience considerations. 
         [0007]    A variety of storage devices are known in the art for storing toothbrushes between regular brushings; a few such devices are discussed below. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,050 to McClellan et al. depicts a toothbrush holder having individual disposable liners. The disposable liners are placed in a toothbrush receptacle in a reusable toothbrush holder. A toothbrush can then be placed within the disposable liner between uses, and the liner is replaced as desired. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,855 to Heller describes a disposable toothbrush holder having four legs that support a plurality of toothbrush receptacles in the form of holes in the holder body. A toothbrush is stood on end by placing it through one of the holes to facilitate drying between uses. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,027 to Leonard describes a stackable, disposable toothbrush holder that resembles an inverted disposable drinking cup. Holes in the top of the holder admit toothbrushes and support them on end. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,379 to Estvold describes a disposable toothbrush holder that is constructed of a single sheet of material, which is folded to have a triangular cross-section. The triangular holder is stood on one face. Two holes provided in the top of the holder provide support for toothbrushes between brushings. 
         [0012]    These patented methods and systems appear to be satisfactory for their intended purpose. But disposable toothbrush holders are bulk items and a hotel&#39;s decision to use such a product will be very sensitive to pricing and, hence, the supplier&#39;s manufacturing cost. Even if some of the manufacturing cost could be defrayed by leaving a toothbrush holder in a partially unassembled state, the hotel or its guests would incur the inconvenience of assembly. Although simple stand-up type toothbrush holders address some of these drawbacks, they typically permit the toothbrush liquids to drip down the handle of the toothbrush, creating a mess. 
         [0013]    A need remains, therefore, for a disposable toothbrush holder that is easy to use, effective, easy to make and inexpensive. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention provides a way to store a toothbrush between brushings while avoiding some of the costs and disadvantages of the prior art. 
         [0015]    The illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises a toothbrush mat. In the illustrative embodiment, the toothbrush mat has an elongated body (“mat body”) and a flap that overlies a portion of the body. A standoff, which in the illustrative embodiment is a folded portion of the flap, creates and maintains a gap between the flap and the underlying portion of the mat body. The flap (and standoff) and the portion of the mat body that the flap overlies define a pocket for receiving the bristle end of a toothbrush. 
         [0016]    The pocket includes an access way that permits the bristle end of a toothbrush to pass into the pocket. In the illustrative embodiment, the access way is formed by leaving at least one edge of the flap “free” (i.e., unattached to the mat body). 
         [0017]    In the illustrative embodiment, the pocket includes a vent, which is disposed at the opposite end of the pocket from the access way. The combination of the access way and the vent facilitates air flow through the pocket. The air flow promotes drying of toothbrush bristles after brushing. The toothbrush mat is waterproof, or at least water resistant, to resist deterioration by toothbrush liquids for an extended period of use. 
         [0018]    A further aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing the toothbrush mat that is disclosed herein. Some embodiments of the method comprise the operations of:
       providing a mat;   coating the mat with a water resistant coating if it is not inherently water resistant;   folding an end of the mat back onto a portion of itself to form a flap, thereby defining a mat body, a fold, and a flap;   forming a vent in the flap, wherein the vent is proximal to the fold; and forming a pocket by adhering at least one edge of the flap to the mat body in a manner that creates a gap therebetween, wherein the pocket is dimensioned and arranged to store a bristle end of the toothbrush.       
 
         [0023]    A toothbrush mat as described herein is capable of storing a toothbrush between uses in a hygienic manner by keeping the toothbrush bristles away from potentially unclean surfaces (e.g., bathroom countertops, vanities, and the like). Furthermore, the toothbrush mat decreases the likelihood that persons handling the toothbrush will directly contact the bristles (e.g., housekeeping personnel needing to move the toothbrush during room cleaning, etc.). Additionally, the toothbrush mats disclosed herein will also prevent a toothbrush that is stored therein from inadvertently rolling or sliding onto unclean surfaces. 
         [0024]    The toothbrush mat described herein is simply made from inexpensive materials and can therefore be considered to be disposable. Yet, since it is water resistant, the toothbrush mat is sufficiently robust for multiple uses before disposal. As a consequence, the toothbrush mats described herein advantageous for use by anyone who is away from home, needs to brush, and who is not provided with a traditional non-disposable toothbrush holder. This situation is commonly encountered by guests in hotels and spas, patients in hospitals, workers in their workplace, and health club members in locker rooms, to mention but a few examples. Of course, a toothbrush mat in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the invention can be used at home as well, in lieu of or in addition to traditional toothbrush holders or fixtures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a toothbrush mat in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  depicts a toothbrush being used in conjunction with the toothbrush mat of  FIG. 1 , wherein the bristle-end of the toothbrush is within a pocket of the toothbrush mat. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  depicts a back view of the toothbrush mat showing a vent. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  depicts a pre-assembly plan view of a mat form that is assembled to form the toothbrush mat of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIGS. 5A-5D  depict, diagrammatically, the assembly of the toothbrush mat form into the toothbrush mat via partial rotation, around various fold lines, of portions of a flap. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  depicts a first alternative embodiment of a mat form that can be assembled into a toothbrush mat in accordance with the present teachings. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  depicts a second alternative embodiment of a mat form that can be assembled into a toothbrush mat in accordance with the present teachings. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  depicts a back view of an embodiment of a toothbrush mat, wherein a first embodiment of a coupling element is disposed on the back of the toothbrush mat. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  depicts a side view of an embodiment of a toothbrush mat showing a second embodiment of a coupling element disposed thereon. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  depicts an alternative embodiment of the toothbrush mat of  FIG. 1 , wherein the toothbrush mat includes an integral stand. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  depicts a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing a toothbrush mat. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]      FIG. 1  depicts toothbrush mat  100  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Toothbrush mat  100  comprises mat body  102 , flap  103 , access way  108 , pocket  110 , and vent  112 , interrelated as shown. Flap  103  comprises flap top  104  and flap standoff  106 , in addition to any other features. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  depicts toothbrush mat  100  in use, wherein bristle end  216  of toothbrush  214  is disposed in pocket  110 . Bristle end  216  is inserted into pocket  110  via access way  108 . Vent  112 , in cooperation with access way  108 , facilitates air flow through pocket  108  to promote drying of bristle end  216  of the toothbrush.  FIG. 3  depicts an end-on view of toothbrush mat  100  from the flap end, wherein vent  112  is embodied as an opening in a portion of flap standoff  106 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  depicts mat form  400  which, when assembled, forms toothbrush mat  100 . In the illustrative embodiment, mat form  400  is segregated into four regions: mat body  102 , flap top  104 , flap standoff  106 , and flap adhesion tabs  418 . The flat top, flap standoff, and flap adhesion tabs are each considered to be elements of flap  103 . 
         [0039]    Mat Body. In the illustrative embodiment that is depicted in  FIG. 4 , mat body  102  is defined as the region bounded between distal mat edge  418  and proximal mat edge  420 . The relative reference locations “proximal” and “distal” are defined with respect to the end of the mat body that is closest to the flap. Hence, mat edge  420  is considered to be the “proximal” mat edge and mat edge  418  is the “distal” mat edge. In the illustrative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , proximal mat edge  420  coincides with first lateral fold line A-A. 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, length L MB  of mat body  102  is at least as long as most conventional toothbrushes. A typical length L MB  for mat body  102  will therefore be in the range of about six inches (15 millimeters) to about ten inches (254 millimeters). More typically, length L MB  of mat body  102  is in a range of about eight inches (203 millimeters) to about nine inches (229 millimeters). In a presently preferred embodiment, length L MB  of mat body  102  is about eight and three-quarters inches (222 millimeters). 
         [0041]    Standoffs. In the illustrative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , flap  103  includes flap standoffs  106 A,  106 B, and  106 C that separate flap top  104  from mat body  102 . Standoff segment  106 A is defined as the region between first lateral fold line A-A and second lateral fold line B-B. Standoff segment  106 B is defined as the region between longitudinal fold line C-C 1  and longitudinal fold line D-D 1  and standoff segment  106 C is defined as the region between longitudinal fold line C-C 2  and longitudinal fold line D-D 2 . The three segments are collectively referenced as “flap standoff  106 .” 
         [0042]    As will be clear in conjunction with  FIGS. 5C and 5D  and the accompanying description, and with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the illustrative embodiment, flap standoff  106  creates and maintains a gap or space between flap top  104  and the underlying portion of mat body  102  in an assembled toothbrush mat. This gap enables the bristle end of a toothbrush to be readily inserted into pocket  110 . 
         [0043]    Typically, but not necessarily, all of the standoff segments  106 A,  106 B, and  106 C have the same length L S . In some embodiments, standoff segment  106 A has a different length, which can be longer or shorter than standoff segments  106 B and  106 C. For example, in some embodiments, standoff segment  106 A is shorter than standoff segments  106 B and  106 C. This tends to flare flap top  104  outward at access way  108 , thereby facilitating insertion of the bristle end of the toothbrush into pocket  110 . In any case, length L S  should be suitably selected to provide a snug fit for the bristle end of a toothbrush while also providing easy access to pocket  110 . 
         [0044]    It is notable that in embodiments in which flap  103  and mat body  102  are flexible, as will be typical, stresses induced by the various folds, etc., will cause flap top  104  and mat body  102  to bow outward, thereby increasing the gap between the flap top and mat body (increasing to a maximum near the longitudinal centerline of each). This phenomena should be accounted for when establishing the length L S  of standoff  106 . As a consequence, the length L S  is advantageously less than the nominal width of the bristle end of a toothbrush (i.e., as when the toothbrush is inserted on edge, as depicted in  FIG. 2 ). It has been found that a length L S  for the standoff that is within the range of about one-sixteenth of an inch (1.5 millimeters) to about four-sixteenths of an inch (six millimeters) is suitable when used in conjunction with a flap and mat body that are made from a flexible material (e.g., laminated paper, etc.). In a presently preferred embodiment, length L S  for the standoff is about three-sixteenths of an inch (about 5 millimeters). 
         [0045]    Flap Top. In the illustrative embodiment that is depicted in  FIG. 4 , flap top  104  is defined as the region bounded in the longitudinal direction between proximal flap edge  422  and distal flap edge  424 . In the illustrative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , proximal mat edge  422  coincides with second lateral fold line B-B. Flap top  104  is bounded in the lateral direction by right longitudinal fold line C-C 1  and left longitudinal fold line C-C 2 . 
         [0046]    Proceeding inward from lateral edges C-C 1  and C-C 2 , the profile of flap edge  422  changes from straight to inwardly arcuate. This creates a lunate-shaped opening between proximal mat edge  420  and a portion of proximal flap edge  422  that ultimately becomes vent  112  in assembled toothbrush mat  100 . 
         [0047]    In some embodiments, length L F  of flap top  104  is at least as long as the bristled portion of most conventional toothbrushes. More typically, flap top  104  is about twice as long as the bristled portion of a toothbrush. As a consequence, a typical length L F  for flap top  104  will be in the range of about one and one-quarter inches (32 millimeters) to about two and one-half inches (64 millimeters). More typically, length L F  for flap top  104  will be in the range of about one and one-half inches (38 millimeters) to about two and one-half inches (64 millimeters). In a presently preferred embodiment, L F  for flap top  104  is about two and one-quarter inches (57 millimeters). 
         [0048]    Width W F  of flat top  104  is typically within the range of about two to four widths of a toothbrush lying on edge (i.e., bristles extending laterally). A nominal width from the back of the bristle support to the end of the bristles is a little more than about one-half inch (about thirteen millimeters). Therefore, width W F  of flap top  104  will typically be in the range of about one inch (25 millimeters) to about two inches (51 millimeters). The width of mat body  102  is typically, but not necessarily the same as width W F  of flap top  104 . 
         [0049]    It is to be understood that, as desired to accommodate unusual-sized toothbrushes or for any other reason, the length or width of mat body  102  or flap top  104  can fall outside the given ranges such that the lengths and widths can be longer or shorter than specified above. For example, in some embodiments, the length L MB  of mat body  102  is substantially the same as length L F  of flap top  104 . 
         [0050]    Adhesion Tabs. In the illustrative embodiment, the right and left flap adhesion tabs  418  are defined as the regions that are laterally outward of respective fold lines D-D 1  and D-D 2 . As will become clearer in conjunction with  FIGS. 5C and 5D  and the accompanying description, flap adhesion tabs  418  are adhered to mat body  102  (after flap  103  is “folded” over the mat body) to stabilize flat top  104 . Flap adhesion tabs  418  are sized to provide sufficient surface area to ensure that adhesion will not be lost under normal usage conditions. (To the extent that the bristle end of a toothbrush is in pocket  110 , the bond created between mat body  102  and flap adhesion tabs  418  will be under tension.) It has been found that flap adhesion tabs  418  that have a length that is about the same as length L F  of flap top  104  and have a width that is about one-third the width W F  of flap top  104  is suitable for this purpose. 
         [0051]    Aesthetics. The various edges of mat body  102 , flap  103 , etc., can be straight, gently curved, or otherwise as desired for aesthetics or other considerations. In the illustrative embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 , distal mat edge  418  and distal flap edge  424  are curved to provide a pleasing appearance. 
         [0052]    Materials of Construction. It will be appreciated that to resist exposure to toothbrush liquids, toothbrush mat  100  should be waterproof or water resistant. As a consequence, in some embodiments, this is accomplished by forming mat form  400  from an inherently waterproof material, such as a plastic. In some other embodiments, a non-waterproof or non-water-resistant primary material is treated with a coating that imparts water resistance or a water proof characteristic to the toothbrush mat. For example, in some embodiments, a primary material is laminated to impart water resistance. Desirable, but not necessary attributes of the selected primary material is that it is inexpensive, readily cut, lightweight, flexible/bendable, and suitable for receiving print and coloring, among any other attributes. Examples of suitable non-waterproof or non-water-resistant primary materials include, without limitation, paper, cardboard, and/or card stock. The water-resistant coating is suitably selected from plastic and/or wax, or other materials known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0053]    Assembly. Once mat form  400  is appropriately treated (e.g., laminated, etc.), the formation of toothbrush mat  100  involves little more than a series of partial rotations (i.e., folds) about various fold lines. This process is illustrated in  FIGS. 5A through 5B . 
         [0054]    For  FIGS. 5A and 5B , mat form  400  is viewed from the perspective depicted in  FIG. 4  as View A. This perspective is an eye-level view along the surface of mat form  400  in the direction indicated. 
         [0055]      FIG. 5A  depicts the partial rotation or folding of flap adhesion tabs  418  and flap standoffs  106 B and  106 C about respective right and left fold lines C-C 1  and C-C 2 . This rotates the flap standoffs and flap adhesions tabs from the orientation depicted in  FIG. 4 , in which all of mat form  400  lies flat in a plane, to an orientation in which flap standoffs  106 B and  106 C and flap adhesion tabs  418  are upright (on end), perpendicular to mat body  102  and flap top  104 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 5B  depicts the partial rotation of flap adhesion tabs  418  about fold lines D-D 1  and D-D 2 . This rotates the flap adhesions tabs from the orientation depicted in  FIG. 5A , to one in which the adhesion tabs are oriented in a plane that is substantially parallel to flap top  104  and mat body  102 . This rotation also defines standoffs  106 B and  106 C. 
         [0057]    For  FIGS. 5C and 5D , mat form  400  is viewed from the perspective depicted in  FIG. 4  as View B. This perspective is an eye-level view from the side of mat form  400  in the direction indicated. 
         [0058]      FIG. 5C  depicts partial rotation or folding of flap standoff  106 A and flap top  104  about fold line A-A. This rotates the flap standoff segment and flap top from the orientation depicted in  FIG. 4  to an orientation in which flap standoff  106 A and flap top  104  are on end, perpendicular to mat body  102 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 5D  depicts partial rotation of flap top  104  about fold line B-B. This positions flap top  104  over a portion of mat body  102  and also defines standoff  106 A. In other words, this effectively forms pocket  110 . 
         [0060]    The sequence of folds or partial rotations about various fold lines described above effectively converts or assembles mat form  400 , as depicted in  FIG. 4 , into toothbrush mat  100 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . It is to be understood that the folding process, as described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 5A through 5D , is provided for pedagogical purposes, and is not intended to limit variations of this process. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are a variety of ways to conduct the assembly process. For example, there is some ability to change the order in which the folding operations are performed. The initial fold, for instance, could be performed about fold line A-A (rather than C-C 1,2 ) and then followed with a fold about fold line C-C 1,2 , then D-D 1,2 , and then finally about fold line B-B. Furthermore, folds (a partial rotation about a fold line) will not necessarily be ninety degrees, as depicted. In conjunction with this disclosure, those skilled in art will be able to develop a variety of different ways to assemble a mat form into a toothbrush mat. 
         [0061]    Adhesion. To maintain flap top  104  in position, flap adhesion tabs  418  are adhered to mat body  102 . This is suitably accomplished using an adhesive, such as glue or tape, which is preferably non-toxic. In some embodiments in which flap adhesion tabs  418  and mat body  102  are made from plastic or otherwise coated with plastic, a thermal bonding process can be used wherein heat, etc., is applied to melt the plastic to form a plastic “weld.” These and other bonding techniques will be familiar to those skilled in the art. 
         [0062]    Ventilation. As previously described, in some embodiments, pocket  110  includes a vent. In the illustrative embodiment, vent  112  is disposed at the opposite end of the pocket from the access way  108 . The combination of the access way and the vent facilitates air flow through the pocket. The air flow promotes drying of toothbrush bristles after brushing. 
         [0063]    Vent  112  can take a variety of forms and can vary in (1) size, (2) number of vents, (3) location on the pocket, (4) shape. Furthermore, in some embodiments, toothbrush mat  100  does not include vent  112 ; rather, drying is effected via access way  108 . 
         [0064]    Additional Alternative Embodiments. A variety of flap configurations are possible. In the illustrative embodiment, flap  103  is an integral part of mat form  400  of  FIG. 4 . In some other embodiments (not depicted), however, flap  103  and mat body  102  are separate pieces that are attached to one another to form a toothbrush mat in accordance with the present teachings. In some of such embodiments, flap  103  is attached to mat body  102  (at mat edge  420 , etc.) and then folded over the mat body in the manner previously described. In some other of these embodiments, flap  103  is situated over mat body  102  in its final position and then attached to the mat body. 
         [0065]      FIG. 6  depicts mat form  600 , which is an alternative to mat form  400  for forming a toothbrush mat in accordance with the present teachings. In mat form  600 , flap  603  depends from a lateral edge of mat body  602 , rather than being “in-line” with the mat body. As a consequence, to form pocket  110 , flap standoff  606 A and flap top  604  are partially rotated about fold line E-E, flap top  604  is partially rotated about fold line F-F, flap standoff  606 B and flap adhesion tab  618  are partially rotated about fold lines G-G, and flap adhesion tab  618  is partially rotated about fold line H-H. 
         [0066]    Unlike the partially arcuate flap edge  422  of mat form  400 , mat form  600  includes flap  604  having flap edge  622  that is straight. As a consequence, to form a vent in this region, flap edge  622  is not adhered to mat edge  620  after flap top  604  is rotated to its final position over mat body  602 . Flap  603  will therefore be bound to mat body  602  along only its lateral edges. 
         [0067]      FIG. 7  depicts mat form  700 , which is another alternative to mat form  400 . Like mat form  600 , flap  703  of mat form  700  depends from a lateral edge of the mat body. But unlike mat form  600  or mat form  400 , mat form  700  does not provide discrete flap standoffs. Rather, mat body  702  and flap top  704  share a common boundary, which is fold line I-I. Likewise, flap adhesion tab  718  and flap top  704  have a common boundary at fold line J-J. 
         [0068]    In the absence of a flap standoff, flap top  704  is advantageously somewhat wider than mat body  702 . As a consequence of this width differential, flap  704  will be forced to bow “outward,” away from mat body  702 . This will create the gap that facilitates inserting the bristle end of a toothbrush into the pocket that is created. 
         [0069]    In some additional embodiments (not depicted), flap  703  comprises neither flap standoffs nor flap adhesion tabs. In the absence of the flap adhesion tabs, the edge of the flap top is adhered to the mat body. 
         [0070]      FIGS. 8 through 10  depict embodiments whereby a toothbrush mat in accordance with the present teachings can be positioned vertically.  FIG. 8  depicts a back view of toothbrush mat  800 . This toothbrush mat has swatch  826 A of hook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro®, etc.) attached to its back surface. A second swatch  826 B of hook and loop fastener is provided for attachment (via an adhesive backing, etc.) to a vertical surface, such as a tile backsplash, etc. Contacting swatch  826 A on the back of toothbrush mat  800  to complementary swatch  826 B will couple the toothbrush mat to the vertical surface to which swatch  826 B is adhered. 
         [0071]      FIG. 9  depicts a side view of toothbrush mat  900 . This toothbrush mat includes hook  926  such as may be formed from the same material as the toothbrush mat. Hook  926  is suitable for engaging a horizontally disposed member, such as a towel rack or the like that is present in a bathroom. When so engaged, toothbrush mat  900  will hung in a vertical orientation. 
         [0072]      FIG. 10  depicts a side view of toothbrush mat  1000 . This toothbrush mat includes integral stand  1028 . The stand is an extension of mat body  1002 . To support toothbrush mat  1000 , stand  1028  advantageously weighs more than the upright portions of the toothbrush mat. As a consequence, a small weight  1030  is disposed on stand  1028 . Alternatively, in some embodiments, stand  1028  is formed from a more dense material than mat body  1002  and flap  1003 , or a greater thickness of material is used to form stand  1028 . 
         [0073]    In some embodiments, the toothbrush mats disclosed herein will include printed matter, such as a hotel logo, a brand name, or other useful indicia. Such information will typically appear on the flap top and/or mat body (e.g., flap top  104  and mat body  102  of toothbrush mat  100  of  FIG. 1 ). For example, in some embodiments, a picture of a toothbrush is depicted on the surface of mat body  102 . An “arrow” is located directly above the toothbrush image that points in the direction of the pocket. The words “Insert Bristles Under Flap” appear above the arrow for the purpose of providing additional directions, such as might be required for a first-time user. 
         [0074]      FIG. 11  depicts method  1100  for manufacturing a toothbrush mat, such as toothbrush mat  100 . 
         [0075]    In accordance with operation  1102 , a toothbrush mat form is provided. The mat form, such as mat forms  400  or  600  for example, can be stamped or cut in known fashion. 
         [0076]    In embodiments in which the mat form does not comprise a water resistant material, the mat form is coated with a material to impart water resistance, in accordance with operation  1104 . As previously described, this can take the form of a lamination process, etc. 
         [0077]    In the illustrative embodiment, and as a function of the configuration of the mat form being used, operation  1106  requires folding the mat form to define a flap top, in addition to any other features (i.e., flap standoffs and/or flap adhesion tab(s)). 
         [0078]    Operation  1108  recites forming a vent in the flap. In some embodiments, as a function of the configuration of the mat form, this operation is performed simultaneously with folding operation(s)  1108 . That is, a vent is formed as the folding occurs. To the extent that not all embodiments of a toothbrush mat described herein include a vent, this operation is considered to be optional. 
         [0079]    In accordance with operation  1110 , a pocket is formed by adhering at least one edge of the flap to the mat body in a manner that creates a gap between the flap top and the underlying portion of the mat body. It is to be understood that in some embodiments, the flap includes discrete “adhesion tabs” that are adhered to the mat body. For use in this description and the appended claims, the phrase “adhering . . . the flap” is understood to mean adhering the flap adhesion tabs, the flap top (or anything else that is coupled to the flap top) to the mat body. 
         [0080]    Toothbrush mats described herein can be pre-assembled and packaged individually. Alternatively, the mat forms can be distributed in bulk and then assembled by a end user, such as a hotel chain. In the case of bulk distribution of mat forms, such as mat form  400 , etc., the mat forms can be organized as a “tear-off pad” (i.e., as in a paper tablet in which single sheets are removably bound at one edge and can be removed one at a time), in a roll (i.e., like toilet paper), or in any other suitable form as is known in the art. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the toothbrush mats (or mat forms) described herein can be sold with a toothbrush as a kit. 
         [0081]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations of the invention can easily be devised by those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure and the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the following claims