Abstract:
An integrated oral health hygiene system including at least one oral health care product such as an electric toothbrush, dental floss and dental rinse/wash. In addition, the system includes a retractable toothbrush and an aperture to storage multiple devices including but not limit to batteries, pills, toothpick and others.

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
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     RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a portable oral hygiene kit, more particularly to a fully, integrated oral health maintenance regimen. 
     2. Discussion of the Background 
     Brushing one&#39;s teeth is one of the most important parts of healthy hygiene. Good oral hygiene includes regular tooth brushing, flossing, and use of mouthwash in addition to regular visits to a dentist for professional cleaning and general oral care. Good oral hygiene mitigates dental plaque and tartar build-up which can cause, among other things, cavities, gingivitis, premature tooth decay and/or gum disease. 
     Most of the time people away from home are unable to brush their teeth after lunch or immediately following a snack. The longer food particles remain in the mouth, the more susceptible teeth become to the formation of cavities and decay. 
     Currently, several devices for tooth brushing, flossing, and mouthwash are provided separately. Having different and separate devices to accomplish oral hygiene increases the space for storing and cost. Further, traveling with the proper products can be a hazard or a problem due to legal requirements and dimensions of the devices used to clean the mouth. 
     Therefore, there is a need to provide consumers with a compact, convenient and hygienic means of brushing, flossing, and freshening breath while on the go. A compact and portable oral hygiene kit would allow users to have access to proper oral hygiene at all times. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the limitations of the previous toothbrush kits. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide consumers with a convenient and hygienic means of brushing, flossing, and freshening breath while on the go. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide consumers with an effective and expedient means of brushing teeth. This is a practical approach to healthy, oral hygiene and it provides a quick and sanitary solution. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an oral hygiene kit with a properly ventilated case that can be carried. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a compact and portable electric toothbrush assembly with toothpaste, dental floss and with mini breath freshener. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a disposable toothbrush assembly with an appurtenance to protect the toothbrush&#39;s body from airborne germs and bacteria when not in use. 
     It is still another object of the invention is to provide a disposable toothbrush assembly integral with an aperture to storage multiple devices including but not limited to batteries, pills and toothpick. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portable toothbrush assembly with various toothpastes, dental floss and mouthwash breath freshener that may be economically manufactured. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a portable electric toothbrush assembly with retractable toothbrush providing a compact structure. 
     The invention itself, both as to its configuration and its mode of operation will be best understood, and additional objects and advantages thereof will become apparent, by the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     The Applicant hereby asserts, that the disclosure of the present application may include more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other. 
     Further, the purpose of the accompanying abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, constitute part of the specifications and illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  shows the general structure of the present invention in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows the retractable section of the portable electric toothbrush in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows the portable electric toothbrush with the brush part retracted in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  show sectional views from  FIG. 4  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6A  through  FIG. 6E  shows the brush part in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows the brush part adjusted to the upper body part of the electric toothbrush in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows the brush part adjusted to the upper body part of the electric toothbrush in combination electric motor in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows the brush part adjusted to the upper body and middle part of the electric toothbrush in combination electric motor in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  shows the brush part adjusted to the upper body part of the electric toothbrush in combination electric motor and flat batteries in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  through  FIG. 13  show the upper body part battery chamber of the electric toothbrush in combination electric motor and flat batteries in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  shows a more detailed retractable section of the portable electric toothbrush in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16  show sectional views from  FIG. 4  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  shows a more detailed portable electric toothbrush in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19  show the assembling of the lower part or end cap in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  and  FIG. 21  show a more detailed lower part or end cap in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  shows the cutting device attached to the end cap in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  shows a more detailed assembling of the portable electric toothbrush in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  and  FIG. 25  show the inner assembling of the portable electric toothbrush with battery chamber in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26  through  FIG. 28  show a first exemplary embodiment of the hygienic material holder of the portable electric toothbrush with hollow shaft in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 29  is an isometric view of the first exemplary embodiment of the hygienic material holder with hollow shaft in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 30  and  FIG. 31  show the hygienic material holder hollow shaft of the portable electric toothbrush in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 32  through  FIG. 34  show a second exemplary embodiment of the hygienic material holder of the portable electric toothbrush with hollow shaft in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 35  shows a more detailed assembling of the portable electric toothbrush with the second exemplary embodiment of the hygienic material holder in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 36  is an isometric view of the second exemplary embodiment of the hygienic material holder with hollow shaft in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 37  is an isometric view of a third exemplary embodiment of the hygienic material holder with hollow shaft in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 38  is an isometric view of the second exemplary embodiment of the hygienic material holder hollow shaft in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  show a portable hygiene kit  1  comprising an electric toothbrush assembly  2  a retractable brush unit  5 , a storage section  3  and a flossing unit  4 . The retractable brush unit  5  is attached to the electric toothbrush assembly  2  by mean of a pin bar  6  serving as a pivot for the retractable brush  5 . The portable hygiene kit  1  is explained in more detail below. 
     The retractable brush unit is explained in more detail from  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 6E . The brush unit  5 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , is attached to the electric toothbrush assembling  2  housing  2   h  by means of a pin bar  6 . The brush unit  5  comprises a brush  5 A at a first distal end of the brush unit  5  and an interactive zone  7  at a second distal end. A recess  5 B, configured to at least receive the brush unit body and brush  5 A, extends from the electric toothbrush assembly  2  towards the storage section  3 . A first exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present invention comprises a recess  5 B with increasing depth towards the storage unit  3 , further the recess  5 B have a second recess  5 C within, wherein said second recess  5 C is configured to fit the brush  5 A.  FIG. 4  shows the electric toothbrush assembly  2  wherein the retractable brush unit  5  is placed inside the recess  5 B. As shown the recess  5 B, more particularly a second recess  5 C serves as a cover for the brush  5 A in order to avoid contact with the environmental hazards and contamination. 
       FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  shows sectionals from  FIG. 4  in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  FIG. 5A  shows the retractable brush unit  5  inside the recess  5 B and second recess  5 C.  FIG. 5B  is directed to the electric toothbrush assembly  2  and storage unit  3  configurations in accordance with the principles of the present invention to fit the brush unit  5 . As mentioned the second recess  5 C serves as a cover to the brush  5 A. Further electric toothbrush assembly  2  comprises a displacement limiter  2 A, wherein said displacement limiter  2 A limits the retractable brush unit&#39;s  5  displacement until reaching a position wherein the interactive zone  7  is efficiently positioned to interact with the actuator, which will be explained below. Further, the retractable brush&#39;s position assists for a better reaching of the tooth while holding the portable hygiene kit  1  during mouth washing process. 
       FIG. 6A  through  FIG. 6E  is directed to the brush unit&#39;s  5  details. As mentioned, the brush unit  5  comprises a angled main body or shaft SH with a brush  5 A located at a first distal end and an interactive zone  7  at a second distal end in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The interactive zone  7  is selected from a material that interacts with the actuator to provide motion to the brush unit  5 . In the instant case the interactive zone  7  is a zone made of magnets which interact with a magnetic field provided by the actuator which is describe below. The brush unit  5  further comprises a sliding section comprising a first curved body  6 B and a stop region  6 A. The sliding section, more particularly the first curved body  6 B slide through an electric toothbrush assembly  2  while being hold with respect to the electric toothbrush assembly&#39;s  2  housing  2   h  by means of pin bar  6 . The first curved body  6 B comprises a smooth surface which slides over the housing  2   h  during the retracting and opening process of the retractable brush unit  5 . 
     Further, in the exemplary embodiment of the brush tip in accordance with the principles of the present invention as shown  FIG. 6C  through  FIG. 6E  comprises a detachable or changeable brush tip  51 , connected to the shaft SH by means of a receiving shaft end  55 . The brush tip  51  comprises a locking mean, wherein said locking mean includes a protrusion  53  with a perpendicular extension  54 . Receiving shaft end  55  comprises a fixing mean including a recess  56  configured to receive the protrusion  53  with said perpendicular extension  54  for fixing the brush tip  51  to the shaft SH. During the engaging or disengaging process of the removable brush tip  51  the protrusion  53  is aligned with said perpendicular extension  54  to enter the recess  56 , as shown in  FIG. 6D . Once the protrusion is inserted inside the recess  56 , the brush tip  51  is twisted, as shown in  FIG. 6E , for fixing the brush tip  51  to the receiving shaft end  55 . Recess  56  is shaped to avoid the up and down displacement of the brush tip  51 . 
       FIG. 7  through  FIG. 9  are directed to the actuator in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The actuator which is at least partially or completely located inside the electric toothbrush assembly&#39;s  2  housing  2   h  comprises a battery B, integrated circuit IC and a bobbin C. The battery is electrically connected to the coil C in order to supply energy through the integrated circuit IC which controls the current supplied from the battery to the coil C producing a magnetic field.  FIG. 8  shows the connection between elements. As presented, the coil C interacts with the interactive zone  7  in order to produce vibration. The IC changes controls the magnetic field polarity at the coil C in such a way that attracts and repulses the interactive zone  7 . The coils can be embedded in the following material; ferromagnetic material in order to increase the magnetic field, plastic material with high magnetic permeability in order to avoid damages to the coils or a combination of the both.  FIG. 9  is directed to the actuator comprising a switch S to control the activation of the actuator or the flow of energy trough the components. 
       FIG. 10 through 13  disclose more detail directed to the arrangement of the power supply inside the electric toothbrush assembly  2  housing  2   h . A chamber  200  is located inside the electric toothbrush assembling  2  housing  2   h  providing enough space to fit the power supply or batteries. This first exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present invention comprises the use of flat batteries BAT 1 , BAT 2  in such way that the space is reduced. A positive terminal POS extending from the chamber  200  is connected to the switch and a negative terminal NEG is connected to integrated circuit IC as show in  FIG. 12 . Further an opening having a cap  2 C provided for the chamber  200  in order to introduce the batteries BAT 1 , BAT 2 . The batteries are sealed or water tight inside the chamber  200 . The cap  2 C comprises a contacting area NEG 1  for better contact with the batteries. Further a cap recess  2 D assists with the screwing action of the cap  2 C in order to seal the chamber  200 . 
     Further  FIG. 14  through  FIG. 16  are directed to the vibration transferred to the brush unit  5 . As mentioned above the coils C generate a magnetic field promoting the reciprocal motion or vibration of the interactive zone  7  which is transferred to the brush  5 A by means of the shaft SH. The electric toothbrush assembly housing  2   h  comprises a resilient material R at the pin bar  6  in order to suppress the vibration transferred to the housing  2   h . The housing perimeter increases as one moves towards the opposite end of the portable hygiene kit  1  or away from the brush unit  5  as clearly shown in  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 17  through  FIG. 22  is directed to the flossing unit assembly  4 .  FIG. 17  is a first exemplary embodiment of the flossing unit assembly  4  located at a second distal end of the portable hygiene kit  1 . The flossing unit assembly  4  is disengaged or engaged to the second distal end of the portable hygiene kit  1  by attaching means such as screw surface  31 . Inside the screw surface a protrusion  41  is located, as shown in  FIG. 19 , which engages with the receiving hollow shaft  4 B located at the flossing unit assembly  4 . The flossing unit further comprises a cutter recess  41  with a cutter  42  located at the walls of the flossing unit assembly  4 . The cutter serves to cut the amount of the dental floss H needed. The dental floss, as shown in  FIG. 20  and  FIG. 21 , is stored inside the flossing unit assembly  4  around the hollow shaft  4 B. 
     The cutter  42 , which engages in the cutter recess  41 , is made of a material strong enough to provide a physical separation between the dental floss and the portion needed or wanted for flossing. In the instant case, a hard polymer is preferred although other material may be used. The cutter  42  can be integrally made with the flossing unit wall or separated as shown in  FIG. 22 . The cutter  41  comprises a first curved body  410  that assist with the engagement of the cutter  42  at the cutter recess  41 . Further the cutter  42  comprises a second curved body  411  that assist with the cutting procedures of the dental floss H. 
       FIG. 23  through  FIG. 38  are directed to the storage unit  3  and the different exemplary embodiments in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  FIG. 23  provides a clear example of the assembling procedures of the portable hygiene kit  1  wherein the electric toothbrush assembly  2  is coupled to the storage unit  3 , wherein said storage unit comprises a hygienic material holder  3 A having a base  3002 , a mouthwash retainer  33 , a paste retainer  32 , wherein said mouthwash retainer  33  and paste retainer  32  surrounds a holder hollow shaft  300 . 
       FIG. 24  discloses a first exemplary embodiment use of the hygiene material holder  3 A wherein the batteries are located inside the holder hollow shaft  300 . The present embodiment provides enough area to cover the batteries and terminal extend from said holder hollow shaft  300  in order to provide energy for the actuator. 
       FIG. 25  discloses a second exemplary embodiment use of the hygiene material holder  3 A in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The present embodiment does not provide space for the batteries but further provide space for storing other materials at the holder hollow shaft  300 . The batteries are enclosed in chamber  200  as explained above for  FIG. 10  trough  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 26  troughs  FIG. 28  are directed to a first exemplary embodiment of the hygiene material holder  3 A. As mentioned above, the hygiene material holder  3 A comprising a base  3002 , a mouthwash retainer  32 , a paste retainer  33 , wherein said mouthwash retainer  32  and paste retainer  33  surrounds a holder hollow shaft  300 . The mouthwash retainer  32  comprises a mouthwash output  321  and said paste retainer  33  comprises a paste output  331 . The mouthwash retainer  32  and paste retainer  33  are configured to provide a space while surrounding the holder hollow shaft  300 , wherein said space is aligned with the portion of the storage unit forming the recess  5 B and brush recess  5 C for receiving the retractable brush unit  5 . As mentioned the holder hollow shaft  300  may receive batteries, as shown in  FIG. 30 , or other material such as pills P 1  and tooth picks T, as shown in  FIG. 31 . 
       FIG. 32  through  FIG. 38  are directed to a second exemplary embodiment of the hygienic material holder  3 A. In this case the hygienic material holder  3 A comprises a base  3002 , a mouthwash retainer  33  and a chamber  3000 , as shown in  FIG. 32  through  FIG. 34 . Further,  FIG. 35  presents the assembly of said second exemplary embodiment of the hygiene material holder  3 A inside the storage unit  3 . 
       FIG. 36  shows more details of the second exemplary embodiment of the hygienic material holder  3 A. The chamber  3000  comprises a second holder hollow shaft  3001  and an open space  3002 .  FIG. 37  shows a division between the second holder hollow shaft  3001  and the open space  3002  as an alternative, however these two sections can be provided with separation as shown in  FIG. 36 . Different from the first second exemplary embodiment of the hygienic material holder  3 A, the second exemplary embodiment of the hygienic material holder  3 A comprises the chamber  3000  to receive a paste tube P 2  at the open space  3002 . The second holder hollow shaft  3001  further serves to receive other material such as pills P 1  and tooth picks T. 
     The invention is not limited to the precise configuration described above. For example a portable hygiene kit  1  comprising a toothbrush assembly  2  a non-retractable brush unit  5 , a storage section  3  and a flossing unit  4 , as shown in  FIG. 39  can be provided base on the disclosure as explained above. Further, a cover  500  can be provided to avoid contamination. While the invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention after considering this specification together with the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by this invention as defined in the following claims and their legal equivalents. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if any, are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. 
     All of the patents, patent applications, and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. All, or substantially all, the components disclosed in such patents may be used in the embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof. The details in the patents, patent applications, and publications incorporated by reference herein may be considered to be incorporable at applicant&#39;s option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patently distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.