Abstract:
An oral care implement including a customizable element and related methods are described. A method of marketing an oral care implement and a face plate may include exposing a primary oral care implement for sale and exposing a plurality of distinct faceplates each removably attachable to the oral care implement. A user may be permitted to select at least one of the removable faceplates. Upon selection of the at least one of the removable faceplates by the user, the oral care implement and the selected faceplate may be provided to the user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/416,694, filed on Mar. 9, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,499,397, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/159,313, filed on Jun. 26, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,161,591, which is a national stage entry under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2008/065700, filed Jun. 4, 2008, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains to an oral care implement, in particular, to a toothbrush with a customizable element. Individuals exhibit many forms of poor oral health including tooth decay, periodontal diseases and bad breath (halitosis). Tooth decay and periodontal disease are typically caused by harmful bacteria within the mouth. When the harmful bacteria mixes with proteins present in saliva, a film of plaque is formed on the teeth and soft tissue. If the plaque is not removed, it can attack the teeth and create cavities. Additionally, the plaque will attack the soft tissue within the mouth and cause gum disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Many individuals, especially young children, do not regularly brush their teeth or perform interdental cleaning of their teeth. Such habits may be attributed to the individual regarding tooth brushing as a mundane duty with few pleasurable aspects. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The present invention pertains to an oral care implement with a customizable element. 
         [0004]    In one aspect, an oral care implement, with an oral care region having cleaning elements for engaging oral tissue and a body for gripping the implement including a handle with a front and a removable faceplate is described. The removable faceplate may be transparent or translucent and may also include design features. The faceplate may provide protection to a user inscription surface on one of the surfaces of the handle which may be configured to receive user indicia that may later be removed and further indicia provide. 
         [0005]    In another aspect, a motorized electric oral care implement, with an oral care region having cleaning elements for engaging oral tissue, a body for gripping the implement including a handle having a removable faceplate, and an electric power source, such that the faceplate is electrically coupled to the electrical power source when the faceplate is in an attached state is described. The power source powers visual and/or audio features of the faceplate providing entertainment and interest to the user. 
         [0006]    In another aspect, a method of marketing an oral care implement and a face plate is described. The method may include the steps of: exposing a primary oral care implement fir sale; exposing a plurality of distinct faceplates each removably attachable to the oral care implement; permitting a user to select at least one of the removable faceplates; and providing the oral care implement and the selected faceplate to the user. 
         [0007]    Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective front and rear views of one embodiment of an oral care implement, such as a toothbrush; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are illustrative perspective views of the toothbrush having a handle for displaying a customized printing in a disassembled and assembled state, respectively; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an illustrative bottom view of the toothbrush of  FIG. 4 , taken along line  5 - 5 ; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are illustrative perspective views of the toothbrush in another configuration for displaying customized printing in a disassembled and assembled state, respectively; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are illustrative perspective views of the toothbrush in another configuration for displaying customized printing in a disassembled and assembled state, respectively; and 
           [0013]      FIGS. 10A-C  are illustrative configurations of a method of marketing a customizable toothbrush and/or its complimentary faceplate. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    In the following description, certain embodiments are discussed in terms of a toothbrush (e.g. a form of an oral care implement), but could be in the form of other personal care implements. For example, a toothbrush can be used for personal hygiene, such as oral care purposes. Further, it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0015]      FIGS. 1-2  illustrate an oral care implement, such as a toothbrush, generally designated with the reference numeral  100 . The toothbrush  100  generally includes a head  101  and a handle  103 . 
         [0016]    The handle  103  is generally an elongated member dimensioned so that a user can readily grip and manipulate the toothbrush  100 . The handle  103  may be formed of many different shapes, lengths and with a variety of constructions. In one construction, the handle  103  has a neck portion  105  positioned adjacent the head  101 . The neck portion  105  may be a narrowed region on the handle  103  between head  101  and the part of the handle normally gripped by the user. Nevertheless, the neck portion  105  could be the region between the head  101  and the part of the handle normally gripped by the user. In another construction, the handle  103  is integrally formed with the head  101 . Other attachment configurations also are possible. 
         [0017]    The head  101  may include an oral care region comprising one or more tooth cleaning elements  111 . As used herein, the term “tooth cleaning elements” or “cleaning elements” includes any type of structure that is commonly used or is suitable for use in providing oral health benefits (e.g., tooth cleaning, tooth polishing, tooth whitening, massaging, stimulating, etc.) by making contact with portions of the teeth and gums. Such tooth cleaning elements include but are not limited to tufts of bristles that can be formed to have a number of different shapes and sizes, and elastomeric cleaning members that can be formed to have a number of different shapes and sizes, or a combination of both tufts of bristles and elastomeric cleaning members. 
         [0018]    In one construction, the one or more tooth cleaning elements  111  are formed from a plurality of bristles. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tooth cleaning elements  111  are bristle regions having different shapes, however, it is understood that a number of different configurations of oral care implements may be utilized. The one or more tooth cleaning elements  111  may be attached to the head  101  by known methods, such as being fit within recesses formed in the head  101  along a front portion  107  of the toothbrush  100  ( FIG. 1 ). The head  101  also may be configured to be detached from the neck  105  or handle  103  and replaced with a new head  101 , if desired. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 3-5  illustrate an alternative construction of toothbrush  100 . In this construction, the toothbrush  100  is configured to facilitate user customizability by providing a visual design surface. The visual design surface may include any type of printing including graphics, design, articles, photographs, or other creations in a tangible medium, such as a paper type format, for example, shown and described herein as a customized printing  900 . As illustratively shown by  FIGS. 3-5 , a handle  103  having a generally rectangular cross-section shape in this configuration may generally include a plurality of sides illustratively referred to as the front  121 , the rear  122 , the left side  123  and the right side  124 . In order to facilitate extensive customizability in the appearance of the oral care instrument and in particular the handle  103  of the toothbrush  100 , one or more sides of the handle  103  may be configured to house the visual design surface. Thus, any of the aforementioned types of printing can be provided on handle  103 , and handle  103  further may be formed to hold, protect, and display the customized printing  900  provided by the user. 
         [0020]    In order to house the customized printing  900 , a faceplate  203  and at least one surface of the handle  103 , for example, front  121 , can be used to abut the customized printing on two opposing sides so as to hold, protect and/or display the customized printing. The visual design surface, which is customized printing  900  in the illustrated embodiment, is visible from an exterior of faceplate  203 . Here, the front  121  of the handle  203  and faceplate  203  may be snapped together utilizing a fastening mechanism to hold these two complimentary components together. In certain embodiments, complimentary sizing causing frictional engagement of the exterior border of the faceplate  203  with a complimentary receiving footprint of the front  121  of the handle  103  can be used to cause a snap attachment to occur, as is well known. 
         [0021]    It is noted that the faceplate  203  may be configured with internal protrusions or cut-outs. One such example is cut-out  950 , shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Cut-out  950  is formed to allow a control button  115  for a powered toothbrush to be manipulated by a user even if the faceplate  203  is attached, since the control button passes through the cut-out  950 . Cutout  950  is an aperture configured to complimentary surround the control button  115  so as to not destroy the functionality of the toothbrush  100 . Because the cut-out  950  may be sized to snugly fit around the control button  115 , and may assist or completely perform the function of holding the faceplate  203  to the front  121  of the handle  203 , it may also be considered in certain configurations as a fastening mechanism for holding the faceplate  203  to the front  121  of the handle  203  in order to display a customized printing  900 , which is shown here with a complimentary cut-out  950  to allow for the control button  115  to remain accessible. Numerous other fastening mechanisms may be used, including any type of male and female mated components, snap, button, or screw attachment mechanisms as is appreciated in the art. 
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is an illustrative bottom view of the toothbrush and illustrates one embodiment of the engagement of the faceplate  203  with the front  121  of the handle  103 . Faceplate  203  here includes a pair of arms  233  that are complimentary shaped to frictionally engage the front  121  of the handle  103 . Here, the arms  233  are shaped and the rigidity of the material, e.g. a plastic of any type well known in the art or other like materials used, provide for a snap fit onto the handle  103 . The arms  233  hold the faceplate  203  on to the handle  103  and to front  121  thereby ensuring that the customized printing  900  is firmly secured to the toothbrush  100 , and more particularly to handle  103 . Further, depending on the specific configuration, the arms  233  or other fastening mechanisms may be formed to prevent particles from the environment, including moisture and water, from contacting the printing and potentially damaging the printing. For example, the customized printing may be sealed in a generally waterproof compartment when the faceplate  203  is attached to or engaged with handle  103 . 
         [0023]    For ease of explanation and understanding, the handle  103  and complimentary faceplate  203  used to house customized printing  900 , as they are illustratively shown in  FIG. 3 , may be considered as being in a disengaged or disassembled or storage position. In contrast,  FIGS. 4 and 5  are perspective and section views, respectively, of the handle  103 , customized printing  900 , and complimentary faceplate  203  in an engaged, assembled or in-use position. 
         [0024]    To facilitate the display of the customized printing  900 , the printing must be placed in a shape complimentary to the compartment in which it will be housed in handle  203 . A customized printing may be purchased or otherwise acquired already in a shape suited for display in the handle of the toothbrush. Alternatively, any printing may be formed into an appropriate shape and sizing to be displayed in the described fashion. For example, faceplate  203  may be used as a template for tracing an outermost boundary of any printing. By cutting and/or forming the printing to the template shape and size, the user is able to configure practically any printing in a paper-like medium for placement in the handle  103  of the toothbrush  100 . This extreme workability permits the described oral care assembly to possess virtually unlimited customizability for users to create oral care assemblies having desirable visual appearances, regardless of a user&#39;s particular style, taste, imagination or interest preferences. 
         [0025]    Further, to facilitate viewing of the customized printing of a user, the faceplate in at least one configuration is transparent, such that the customized printing is visible from an exterior of the faceplate. In other embodiments, the faceplate may be translucent. As such the faceplate may be composed of any of the known generally transparent materials in the art including various plastics. Among the materials that may be utilized include Acrylic (polymethlamethacrylate), Butyrate (cellulose acetate butyrate), Lexan (polycarbonate), and PETG (glycol modified polyethylene terphthalate). However, numerous transparent and/or translucent materials may be utilized as is well know in the art. These transparent/translucent materials, including plastics, may be formed into shapes that are complimentary to the general shape of the handle  103 , and more specifically the shape of the front  121  of the handle  103 , to enable a complimentary fit as described herein. Further, the faceplate  203  may be composed of a transparent/translucent material that includes a design incorporated into the material as is known in the art. For example a colored pattern may be placed within the transparent material such that the pattern within the faceplate is visible to the user, while features, structures and indicia on an opposing side of the faceplate from the user are still recognizable, viewable and readable. Further, consistent with various desired themes as described herein the design incorporated herein in may be indicia of sports teams, celebrities, television, movie or radio programming and various other displays that would be of interest to a user. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are illustrative perspective views of a toothbrush having a visual design surface in another configuration shown in disassembled and assembled states, respectively. In this configuration, user customizability is facilitated as the toothbrush  100  has a handle  103  with a visual design surface in the form of a user inscription surface  129  that permits a user to write, draw, color, sketch, paint or otherwise place indicia on toothbrush  100 . Here, handle  103  houses the user inscription surface  129 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the user inscription surface  129  may be housed on the front  121  of the handle  103 . As such, the user inscription surface  129  may be a portion of the front  121  of the handle  103  or may be the entire front  121  of the handle  103 . Alternatively, although not depicted, the user inscription surface  120  may from the entirety of the handle  103  such that a user may write, draw, color, sketch, paint or otherwise place indicia on any portion of the handle  103  or even the entirety of the toothbrush, if the entirety of the toothbrush but for the cleaning elements  111  were formed as the user inscription surface  103 . In  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the user inscription surface  129  is formed to form a substantial entirety of front  121 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the handle  103  in a disassembled state. In this disassembled state a user may write, draw, color, sketch, paint or otherwise place indicia on the user inscription surface  129  with any tool or implement, as long as a writing fluid can be received by the material that forms the user inscription surface  129 . 
         [0028]    Accordingly, the user inscription surface  129  may be made of any of a number of materials that are known in the art to receive writing, drawing, coloring, sketching, painting or otherwise placing indicia on a surface. For example, dry erase board materials may be used such that a user may use dry erase markers. Further, in at least one configuration the user inscription surface may be made of one of a melamine resin, polyester coated steel or enamel steel similar to the materials used in dry erase or whiteboards. Any writing surface and writing implement that allows for user customization, editing revision and/or erasure may be used with respect to the user inscription surface. User indicia implement  999  is shown in  FIG. 6  to demonstrate one illustrative example of a user customizing the handle by writing on user inscription surface  129  of the handle  103 . Of course, any other form of user customization may be performed consistent with what is shown here and what is known in the art. 
         [0029]    Because dry erase and other materials often use water as the agent to cause or assist in erasing, and toothbrushes typically get wet when used, a toothbrush  100  having a handle  103  with a user inscription surface that is completely exposed when it is used may not be preferred by a user, as the customized indicia that the user has added to the handle  103  is likely to be smeared or erased by either the water that accumulates on the handle during use, or alternatively by smearing when a user grips the handle  103 . Accordingly, the removable transparent cover  203  may be utilized and configured to protect the user inscription surface  129  when the handle  103  is in an assembled state, as is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . In the assembled state, the customized surface is viewable by the user, while the indicia itself on the user inscription surface  129  is substantially or completely protected from the user&#39;s grip, from water and/or from other environmental factors depending on the particular configuration. As described and as is known in the art, the fastening mechanism and the dimension of the handle  103  and faceplate  203  may be made such that water and other environmental elements may be prevented from contacting the user inscription surface. Thus, a customizable and modifiable handle  103  is provided that is protected by the faceplate  203  from damage or erasure. Further, the customizable and modifiable handle  103  may be edited or completely changed by removing the faceplate  203  and erasing the previous indicia, and replacing it with new indicia (e.g placed in disassembled state and then edited). Then, when the toothbrush  100  is to be used, the faceplate  203  is reattached placing the handle  103  and toothbrush  100  in an assembled state. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are illustrative perspective views of the toothbrush  100  in another configuration for displaying customized printing in a disassembled and assembled state respectively. Similar to the previous described configurations, the illustrated toothbrush  100  may include a faceplate  203  complimentarily configured to the handle  103  so as to fit together in an assembled position. Here, a wide variety of thematic faceplates  203  are contemplated such that users, for example, children or sports fans, may collect a series of faceplates and use them in alternating fashion. For example, a series of faceplates  203  might include all the characters from a cartoon such that each faceplate  203  includes a design specific to a certain character in the cartoon. As the user desires, the faceplates may be used in alternative fashion depending on the user&#39;s desires, preferences, and entertainment wishes. Another illustrative example consistent with these principles is a sports series of faceplates  203 . Oftentimes sports fans support many of the sports teams from a given city. For example, a sports fan in Chicago may support the large sports team from Chicago. These teams may include the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, and the Chicago Blackhawks. The same would be the case for someone from Washington, D.C. They might desire Washington Redskins, Washington Wizards, Washington Nationals, and Washington Capitals faceplates such that, depending on what time of year it is, the faceplate on their toothbrush  100  would display support for a different one of those teams. Alternatively, individual faceplates may be made and/or traded similar in fashion to when baseball or other sports trading cards are purchased and traded. Accordingly, a series of faceplates may be packaged and sold with or without a toothbrush configured and dimension such that the faceplate(s)  203  fits in complimentary fashion on the toothbrush. While the principles have been demonstrated herein with respect to the above examples, any thematic principle may be used consistent with the principles described herein to provide entertainment or artistic and creative expression. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 10A-C  are illustrative configurations of a method of marketing a customizable toothbrush  100  and/or its complimentary faceplate  203 . In  FIG. 10A , an illustrative package containing a faceplate  203  and a replacement head for a motorized electrical toothbrush  100  is shown. Consistent with the principles described above, the faceplate  203  may be configured to have any of numerous graphic designs, colorings or thematic appearances for entertainment of the purchaser.  FIG. 10B  illustrates marketing and sales of a toothbrush  100  with a series of thematically related faceplates  203 . Thus the purchaser selects the type of toothbrush and then can select from various pre-packaged sets of faceplates  203 . One illustrative set is shown in which the theme is a location-based sports theme, e.g. Chicago sports teams. Thus, one particular type of toothbrush  100  may be manufactured, however, it is customizable to practically any user depending on the user&#39;s interest, location or style. Accordingly, a user-customized toothbrush is provide while still keeping manufacturing costs down, since a generic toothbrush is modified by user identification and selection of faceplates  203  that fit on complimentary fashion on the toothbrush  100 . Also,  FIG. 10C  illustrates marketing of a toothbrush  100  with a handle  103  having a user inscription surface  129  in a single package, along with a plurality of varying indicia implements  999  that the user may use to write, draw, color, sketch, paint or otherwise place indicia on the user inscription surface  103 . Additionally, as described above, the toothbrush  100  in at least one configuration is uniquely customizable to a user. With the toothbrush  100  and the customizable faceplate  203  in hand, a user can acquire or form any graphic, etc., that is in a paper-like medium, into a shape and size complimentary with the toothbrush  100  and faceplate  203 . In some instances, this may be accomplished by purchasing a pre-formed customized printing  900  or may be accomplished by forming any printing into the requisite shape and size by using the faceplate  203  or other portions of the toothbrush  100  as a template. As described, there are numerous methods of marketing or selling the described customizable toothbrush  100  for user enjoyment and entertainment. 
         [0032]    While the described customization has been applicable to oral care implements of practically any variety or type, a motorized electrical oral care implement such as a motorized electrical toothbrush enables permits further customizability in compliment with the electrical power source. For example, the handle  103  as well as any of the various faceplates  203  may be complementary configured to house electrical connectors such as electrical leads to allow for an electrical circuit to be formed and electrical power be supplied to the faceplate  203 . As such, faceplates  203  may have illumination, sound picture or other entertainment features that are reliant on electrical power. Faceplates  203  may be configured so when they are in an assembled state they are powered, and when they are in a disassembled state they are not powered. Further, the faceplates may be electrically wired such that when the control button  115  of the toothbrush is in an on position, the toothbrush is powered and the cleaning elements are moved, but also the faceplate is powered and energized. Accordingly, the faceplate  203  may display blinking lights, animation, music and virtually any other entertaining stimulus. Accordingly, users of the toothbrush may be encouraged to spend time on oral care since there is an entertainment incentive to extend use of the oral care instrument. Even further, sophisticated oral care instruments may even be formed in accordance with the above described principles wherein the faceplate  203  houses a portable audio player, such as an MP3 player or similar music player. Likewise, an LCD display screen may be housed in the faceplate such that video imagery or audio and video imagery is displayed on the oral care instrument. Since many electrical toothbrushes are plugged in from time to time in a wall outlet in a bathroom, such an oral care instrument could efficiently serve as a visual or audio entertainment source in a bathroom, much the way certain homes or hotels have radios or televisions in bathrooms to provide entertainment while people shower, apply make-up or otherwise prepare for their day. 
         [0033]    As discussed, the inventive aspects are described in reference to any oral care instrument and may also be specifically practiced by a manual toothbrush or a powered toothbrush with moving tooth cleaning elements  111 . While the various features of the toothbrush  100  work together to achieve the advantages previously described, it is recognized that individual features and sub-combinations of these features can be used to obtain some of the aforementioned advantages without the necessity to adopt all of these features. 
         [0034]    While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.