HYGIENIC CONTAINER FOR TOOTHBRUSHES AND BRUSHES IN GENERAL

Abstract: This invention consists of a device for containing and at the same time disinfecting toothbrushes or brushes in general. It has the advantage of being equipped with a closing system that keeps the bristles isolated from the external environment, while a tablet (15), placed on its base (12), produces vapours that prevent the spreading of germs and bacteria.

Description: "HYGIENIC CONTAINER FOR TOOTHBRUSHES AND BRUSHES IN GENERAL" Description Technical Field The present invention relates to the technical sector of the production of accessories providing greater hygiene in domestic or public rooms. In particular, it concerns the production of containers for toothbrushes, toilet brushes or brushes of other kind, f t to contain the ob ect, but above all to preserve it in perfect hygienic conditions, thanks to the anti-bacterial action deriving from the evaporation of a properly studied tablet. Background Art Expert of this field know different kind of containers for toothbrushes. Said containers normally have a cylindrical shape and the toothbrush is put inside with the handle down and the bristles up. Scientific researchers have proven that this habit lets the toothbrush exposed to the action of germs and bacteria that enter the user' s mouth and often cause diseases and infections. In order to avoid these drawbacks, electric hygienic containers are known, which use the rays produced by a bright source in order to kill the external agents. Nevertheless, these solutions are not very practical, because their cost is high and the use of electric current n rooms where water is largely used is not advisable. Other containers are also known, where the toothbrush is inserted with the bristles directed downwards, but even these solutions do not perfectly solve the hygienic problem and above all do not offer satisfactory solutions to guarantee a perfect closure of the same container. For brushes of other kind, we know only products having cylindrical or other shape, which contain the brushes without producing any disinfecting effect on them, so causing the spreading of germs and bacteria. Disclosure of invention The present invention principally a ms at eliminating the above-mentioned drawbacks, providing the technical solution of realizing a hygienic container equipped with a closing system and a housing compartment for a tablet that produces disinfecting vapours. We reached this result, according to the present invention, providing the technical solution having the characteristics described in the separate claims. Other characteristics of this invention are the object of dependent claims. The advantages resulting from the present invention essentially consist of the fact that it's possible to obtain a container where the toothbrushes are placed is such a way that the bristles do not come into contact with the external environment; that the container has a suitably fitted compartment for the housing of a tablet that may fade away homogeneously; that it is easy to be realized and cheap; that it can be manufactured in different sizes for holding brushes of different kind with the same disinfecting effect. Reduced to its essential structure and with reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, a container for toothbrushes and brushes in general, according to the invention, comprises: means to hold the toothbrush or brush with the bristles directed downwards, with a cylinder (9) equipped with an opening (11) for the insertion of said object; means to close the container, once the toothbrush or brush is inserted, with another internal cylinder (4) that can rotate inside the first one (9) and has un upper surface (8) that, following the rotation, comes under the opening (11) closing it; means to hold a disinfectant tablet that produces vapours, with a compartment (13) on the base (12) , equipped with a projection (14) and able to contain a tablet (15) that has a notch (16) perfectly fitting into said projection (14); means to allow the vapours produced by the tablet to reach the bristles (2), with a series of holes (6) found on the base of the rotating cylinder (4). Conveniently, the external cylinder (9) has a covering surface (10) on its top, over which there is an opening (11) that allows the toothbrush to enter the container. Conveniently, said covering (10) is connected to the cylinder (9) n such a way that they form a single body. Conveniently, said covering (10) is formed by a lid, separated by the cylinder (9), which can be removed by raising it over the cylinder or by turning it around a hinge placed in a point of its perimeter, or by other suitable means. Conveniently, the cylinder (9) is transparent and permits to see the inside of the container. Conveniently, the inner rotating cylinder (4) has two blunt sides (5, 5A) and an internal perpendicular duct (18) as large as the toothbrush or brush can be held with its own bristles. Conveniently, the cylinder (4) has a series of holes (6) on its base, through which the vapours produced by the tablet reach the bristles. Conveniently, the cylinder (4) has an opening (7) on its upper surface (8), which corresponds to the opening (11) of the cylinder (9), so that, when they are put one under the other, the toothbrush or brush can enter the container. Conveniently, said cylinder (4) can rotate inside the first one (9), so that, by moving the opening (7), it closes the opening (11) and consequently the container. Conveniently, the base (12) has an enlarged support (17) n order to keep the container balanced in a vertical position. Conveniently, the compartment (13) holding the tablet has a projection (14) of any shape that fits into the corresponding notch (16) of the tablet (15), so that the latter doesn't move and fades away homogeneously. Conveniently, the container consists of a base (12), comprising the tablet, over which the rotating cylinder (4) and the external cylinder (9) that are fitted together, are placed. Conveniently, the container may be dismantled and assembled again for the standard cleaning operations. Conveniently, this device is made of forming plastic. Conveniently, the containers may be single or multiple: in the latter case, they are integrated in devices and the external cylinder consists of the cylinder that is found inside a bigger solid. We' re now going to describe the function of the present invention. Firstly we assemble the container, including the tablet on its base; then we insert the toothbrush or brush, with the bristles directed downwards, through the opening (11) under which we found the opening (7) of the cylinder (4) that do not obstruct its way. Once the toothbrush is inserted, we take its handle (1) and we make it rotate, so that the entire cylinder (4) rotates inside, and particularly the surface (10) that closes the opening (11) and consequently the container (Fig. 3) . In such a position, the toothbrush or brush receives the vapours produced by the tablet on the base, through the holes (6) and, in the meantime, it results isolated from the external environment. When we want to take it out, it's sufficient to make the handle rotate in the opposite direction and bring the opening (7) under the opening (11) n order to be able to extract the toothbrush or brush. In practice, the manufacturing details may, however, vary as regards shape, size, position of elements, and type of materials used, but still remain within the range of the idea proposed as a solution and, consequently, within the limits of the protection granted by this patent for invention. Brief description of drawings These and further advantages and characteristics of the present invention can be better understood by every expert in this field by reading the following description and referring to the enclosed drawings, given as practical examples of the invention, but not to be considered restrictive. - Fig. 1 shows the exploded view of the invention at issue, with a toothbrush (3) above, equipped with a handle (1) and bristles (2). Underneath, we find the rotating device (4) having a cylindrical shape, with two grooves (5, 5A) along its sides and with an internal duct (18) where the bristles of the toothbrush are placed, after being inserted through the opening (7) on the upper surface (8) . It's then depicted the external cylindrical container (9) that has a covering surface (10) on its top, with an opening (11). The base (12) of the invention has an enlarged support (17) and a circular compartment (13) ; on the inner perimeter of said compartment there is a projection (14) that fits perfectly into the notch (16) on the body of the tablet (15) it holds; - Fig. 2 shows the assembled invention, with the toothbrush inserted into it. Once the bristles (2) are inserted into the duct (18) of the rotating cylinder (4) through the double opening (7-11), we rotate the handle (1) of the toothbrush in a clockwise direction, so that the disc (8) of the rotating cylinder (4) closes the opening (11); - Fig. 3 shows the device closed, following the rotation of the handle (1), with the opening (11) closed by the upper surface (8) of the cylinder (4); - Fig. 4 finally shows the top view of the detail of the base (12) of the container, with the compartment (13) for the tablet and its projection (14); also the tablet (15) is shown, with the notch (16) that fits perfectly into the projection (14) . Even if these drawings refer only to a container for toothbrushes, the same technical solution can be used for any kind of brush.

Claims: CLAIMS 1) Container for toothbrushes and brushes in general characterised by the fact that it comprises: means to hold the toothbrush or brush with the bristles directed downwards, with a cylinder (9) equipped with an opening (11) for the insertion of said object; means to close the container, once the toothbrush or brush is inserted, with another internal cylinder (4) that can rotate inside the first one (9) and has un upper surface (8) that, following the rotation, comes under the opening (11) closing it; means to hold a disinfectant tablet that produces vapours, with a compartment (13) on the base (12), equipped with a projection (14) and able to contain a tablet (15) that has a notch (16) perfectly fitting into said projection (14); means to allow the vapours produced by the tablet to reach the bristles (2), with a series of holes (6) found on the base of the rotating cylinder (4). 2) Container according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the external cylinder (9) has a covering surface (10) on its top, over which there s an opening (11) that allows the toothbrush to enter the container. 3) Container according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that said covering (10) is connected to the cylinder (9) m such a way that they form a single body. 4) Container according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that said covering (10) is formed by a lid, separated by the cylinder (9), which can be removed by raising it over the cylinder or by turning it around a hinge placed in a point of its perimeter, or by other suitable means. 5) Container according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the cylinder (9) is transparent and permits to see the inside of the container. 6) Container according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the inner rotating cylinder (4) has two blunt sides (5, 5A) and an internal perpendicular duct (18) as large as the toothbrush or brush can be held with its own bristles. 7) Container according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the cylinder (4) has a series of holes (6) on its base, through which the vapours produced by the tablet reach the bristles . 8) Container according to claims 1 and 6, characterized by the fact that the cylinder (4) has an opening (7) on its upper surface (8), which corresponds to the opening (11) of the cylinder (9), so that, when they are put one under the other, the toothbrush or brush can enter the container. 9) Container according to claims 1 and 6, characterized by the fact that said cylinder (4) can rotate inside the first one (9), so that, by moving the opening (7), it closes the opening (11) and consequently the container. 10) Container according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the base (12) has an enlarged support (17) in order to keep the container balanced in a vertical position. 11) Container according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the compartment (13) holding the tablet lies on the base but it's separated from it, in such a way that it floats. 12) Container according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the compartment (13) holding the tablet has a projection (14) of any shape that fits into the corresponding notch (16) of the tablet (15), so that the latter doesn't move and fades away homogeneously. 13) Container according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it consisrs of a base (12) , comprising the tablet, over which the rotating cylinder (4) and the external cylinder (9) that are fitted together, are placed; in this way, it may be dismantled and assembled again for the standard cleaning operations . 14) Container according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it is made of forming plastic. 15) Container according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the containers may be single or multiple: in the latter case, they are integrated in devices and the external cylinder consists of the cylinder that is found inside a bigger solid.

Inventors: CONTI ANDREA, CONTI, ANDREA
Applicants: CONTI ANDREA, CONTI, ANDREA
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A46B17
IPC codes: A46B17, A61L2