Abstract:
An improved dental hygienic kit for use in brushing teeth which includes a flexible body element containing toothpaste, and a diameter restrictor that is engageable with an accompanying ergonomically-shaped toothbrush element to meter a suitable quantity of toothpaste thereon upon withdrawal of the toothbrush from the flexible body element, to ensure minimal toothpaste waste and spillage which is unique and non obvious.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application does not claim priority to any previously filed application. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates generally to portable dental hygienic kits and, more particularly, to an improved dental hygienic kit with a flexible body which is preferably disposable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Dental hygienic kits are known in the art, and are frequently used by individuals who are on the go. New travel rules and regulations regarding the limitation of quantity of liquids and liquid-like substances (e.g., pastes) that can be transported have been implemented in the travel industry. Furthermore, children can have short and limited attention spans when it comes to dental hygiene and the associated, and thus may need something creative, fun and unique to attract their attention. As such, a need exists in the art to provide an improved portable dental hygienic kit that is inexpensive, flexible, efficient, convenient, disposable and fun to use. 
     In the prior such art devices, dental hygienic kits typically consist of non-disposable, hard containers, with a 360 degree bristle mascara-like toothbrush and having refillable toothpaste. There are numerous problems associated therewith. For example, the non-disposable assembly is generally expensive (due in part to its non-disposable components). The container wherein the toothbrush is disposed is firm, rigid, and non-flexible and as such cannot be manipulated (leaving wasted tooth paste disposed therein). The non-disposable hard prior art containers for dental hygienic kits are small and frequently require constant refilling (which is messy and inconvenient). Furthermore, the 360 degree “mascara like” brush is ineffective and causes irritation to the interior surface of a user&#39;s lips. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable and advantageous to provide an improved dental hygienic kit. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect of the present invention, the improved dental hygienic kits include a new and innovative flexible body element that defines a portion of the exterior of the dental hygienic kit and functions to facilitate bending and twisting of the flexible body element to minimize content (i.e., toothpaste) waste. The dental hygienic kit of the present invention is also enjoyable to use due to its unique design and the potential customization aspects associated therewith. 
     The improved dental hygienic kit hereof includes a removable brush-bearing element (i.e., a bristle brush with grippable handle means connected thereto), a sealing element, and a flexible body element. A brush having bristles is provided for removable use operatively connected to the grippable handle means thereby defining a “brush-bearing element” for insertion and removal into the flexible body element. 
     The flexible body element forms the receptacle for storing and dispensing a measured quantity of toothpaste (or other similar cleaning paste/liquid substances) within the flexible body element. The flexible body element has flexible walls, a closed bottom, and a substantially rigid, closable top with an aperture including a sealing element for mating engagement with said brush-bearing element. Furthermore, the flexible body element includes a diameter restrictor disposed adjacent to the end of the flexible body element internally for insertion within and withdrawal therefrom of the brush-bearing element to retain thereon a measured quantity of toothpaste. 
     The preferred functionality of the inventive dental hygienic kit is to be disposable in nature. Therefore, the flexible body element can be provided in various lengths, depending on the user&#39;s needs and the length of the brush-bearing element. The flexible body element of the preferred embodiment is of a size that can hold an approved measured quantity of toothpaste (as defined according to TSA regulations). 
     The sealing element has female/male threaded components disposed directly on the brush-bearing element and on the aperture end of the flexible body element. Specifically, the flexible body element is longitudinally disposed from said brush-bearing element on said removable toothbrush and disposed circumferentially therearound for mating engagement with said flexible body element sealing element. The sealing element thereby convertibly seals the toothpaste contents disposed within the flexible body element and helps to prevent drying out, while providing access to the toothpaste contents upon removal therefrom of said toothbrush. 
     The male and female threaded components can be interchanged on and between (1) the brush-bearing element; and (2) the flexible body element—depending on the design and the user&#39;s needs. For example, the brush-bearing element can have the male threaded component and the flexible body element can have the female component. The sealing element has numerous purposes associated therewith including maintaining an air seal (i.e., between the flexible body element and the brush-bearing element) to avoid toothpaste spoilage, and the facilitation of the removal of excess toothpaste from the inserted brush-bearing element when removed from the flexible body element. 
     It is also contemplated that the sealing element has a locking element associated therewith. Specifically, the sealing mechanism locks the brush-bearing element into place when closed—to prevent spillage of toothpaste (i.e., similar to automotive gas cap technology with a twisting locking mechanism—and thus to prevent spillage and to be air tight). 
     In such preferred embodiments, the bristles of the brush preferably extend outwardly in a substantially single radial direction for operational use in the brushing of the teeth, while materially avoiding engagement with the inner surface of the lips, so as to assure complete and effective cleaning thereof. The bristles of the toothbrush can be in various lengths and sizes to facilitate the use thereof, as preferred by the user. 
     The grippable handle means preferably can be cylindrical, or round in shape, or other conveniently grippable shapes. A cap-like grippable handle means is also contemplated in such preferred embodiments. Furthermore, it is alternatively contemplated that the grippable handle means can be long and thin similar to the traditional toothbrush design known in the art. 
     The flexible body element is designed to be squeezed and manipulated by a user. After some use of the contents (i.e., toothpaste), the user can roll up the flexible body element up, similar to the traditionally known ways involving toothpaste tubes. Also, a twist tie mechanism is further contemplated to retain the flexible body element in proximal vicinity to and in contact with the bristle brush element for utilization of the remaining toothpaste. 
     It is also contemplated that the grippable handle means can be formed in various shapes, colors and have various prints or designs disposed thereon depending on the target audience. For example, the grippable handle means may be provided in the shape of the head of a child&#39;s favorite animal. In preferred embodiments, the grippable handle means has rubber grips disposed therearound to prevent slippage when handling. It is also contemplated that the flexible body element may have various colors and various prints disposed thereon. Some examples include sporting team prints, children&#39;s prints, animal prints, patter, or number prints, etc. The printing of images and colors on the flexible body element and/or on the grippable handle means makes the dental hygienic kit entertaining to use for all ages. 
     Moreover, the dental hygienic kit can be used by young children as a learning tool on the appropriate amount of toothpaste to use when brushing their teeth. The dental hygienic kit also reduces the waste and mess that can be caused by the use of toothpaste. 
     In such preferred embodiments, the flexible body element is most preferably made from a non-corrosive plastic material. And, it is also contemplated that the flexible body element is to be formed from a non-corrosive metal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the improved dental hygiene kit in storage mode; 
         FIG. 2  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the improved dental hygienic kit in storage mode; 
         FIG. 3  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the improved dental hygienic kit in use mode; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmented cross sectional view of the improved dental hygienic kit showing the brush-bearing element being removed; 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmented cross sectional view of the improved dental hygienic kit showing the brush-bearing element removed; and 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the flexible body element of the improved dental hygienic kit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the improved dental hygiene kit in storage mode is depicted. The exterior of improved dental hygienic kit  100  is shown. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the improved dental hygiene kit in storage mode is depicted. The improved dental hygienic kit  100  is formed by flexible body element  110  and brush-bearing element  120 . Flexible body element  110  is for storing and dispensing a measured quantity of toothpaste  160 , and brush-bearing element  120  having removable bristle brush  130  disposed within flexible body element  110  is for use to clean a user&#39;s teeth and mouth. Flexible body element  110  comprises flexible walls  112 , closed bottom  114 , and a substantially rigid, closable top  116 , with aperture  180  including sealing element  150  for mating engagement with brush-bearing element  120 . Closed bottom  114  of flexible body element  110  preferably comprises a substantially flat seal. Flexible body element  110  is preferably elongated in shape, and preferably cylindrical in shape. As shown in the Figs. hereof, flexible body element  110  is preferably composed of a flexible plastic material. Metals and other similar flexible materials known in the art may be substituted as the material for forming flexible body element  110 . 
     Brush-bearing element  120  comprises grippable handle means  140  disposed at the one end thereof for manually gripping and controlling use of brush-bearing element  120 . Grippable handle means  140  further has handle grips  145  for traction purposes when a user handles brush-bearing element  120 . Brush-bearing element  120  comprises bristle brush  130 , and is operatively connected to grippable handle means  140  with bristles  135  disposed at the opposite end thereof and extending outwardly therefrom in a substantially single radial direction for operational use in the brushing of a users teeth while materially avoiding engagement with the inner surface of the lips. Other similarly functional formats are set forth in other embodiments. Grippable handle means  140  of improved dental hygienic kit  100  preferably is substantially larger in diameter than brush-bearing element  120 , for ease of use. 
     Improved dental hygienic kit  100  further has sealing element  150  longitudinally disposed from brush-bearing element  120  on bristle brush  130  and disposed circumferentially therearound for mating engagement with flexible body element  110 , thereby convertibly to seal toothpaste  160  of flexible body element  110  from drying out, while simultaneously providing access to toothpaste  160  upon removal therefrom of said toothbrush. Sealing element  150  of improved dental hygienic kit  100  further comprises a grippable cap for flexible body element  110  and thereby is unitarily formed with grippable handle means  140 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a longitudinal cross sectional view of the improved dental hygienic kit in use mode is depicted. Sealing element  150  further comprises operationally engageable male thread element  152  and female thread element  154 . Male thread element  152  is disposed on flexible body element  110 . Female thread element  154  is disposed within grippable handle means  140  of brush-bearing element  120 . It is further contemplated that male thread element  152  is disposed on brush-bearing element  120  and female thread element  154  is disposed interiorly within flexible body element  110 . 
     Flexible body element  110  further comprises diameter restrictor  170  disposed internally of flexible body element  110  and sealing element  150  for insertion of bristle brush  130  within and withdrawal therefrom of brush-bearing element  120  to retain thereon a measured quantity of toothpaste. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a fragmented cross sectional view of the improved dental hygienic kit in use showing the brush bearing element being removed is depicted. When purchased, dental hygienic kit  100  has a predetermined amount of toothpaste  160  disposed within flexible body element  110 . Dental hygienic kit  100  comes in stored form as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . To use, a user suitably manipulates flexible body element  110  to ensure that toothpaste  160  is in contact with bristles  135  on bristle brush  130 . The user then grasps grippable handle means  140  of brush-bearing element  120  and unscrews brush-bearing element  120  in a counter-clockwise direction, thus unlocking brush-bearing element  120  from flexible body element  110 . The user then proceeds to pull brush-bearing element  120  in an outward direction from flexible body element  110 . Bristle brush  130  having toothpaste  160  passes outwardly through diameter restrictor  170  and exits aperture  180 . Diameter restrictor  170  is formed in selected size and shape to leave a residue desired and thusly a metered amount of toothpaste  160  on bristles  135  of bristle brush  130 . Now that brush-bearing element  120  having a desired amount of toothpaste  160 , has exited flexible body element  110 , the brush-bearing element  120  is ready for hygienic use. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a fragmented cross sectional view of the improved dental hygienic kit showing the brush bearing element removed is depicted. Specifically, the drawing shows brush-bearing element  120  having a metered amount of toothpaste  160  removed from flexible body element  110 . A user can now brush his/her teeth with bristles  135  having a metered amount of toothpaste  160  in direct contact with the user&#39;s teeth. Bristles  135  formed in appropriate size, shape and disposition to avoid substantial contact with a user&#39;s mouth interior including the inner lip surfaces, to reduce material irritation and bleeding. 
     Once a user is finished brushing his/her teeth, brush-bearing element  120  is rinsed, shaken dry and inserted back into flexible body element  110 . Once inserted, the user twists the grippable handle means  140  of brush-bearing element  120  to lock firmly into place for storage. The improved dental hygienic kit  100  is thusly disposable and inexpensive. Toothpaste  160  preferably further has a disinfectant property associated therewith to allow multiple uses without the fear of bacterial growth and potential infection. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the flexible body element of the improved dental hygienic kit. Specifically, in this alternate embodiment, flexible body element  110  further has twist-tie mechanism  190 , which allows a user to roll up flexible body element  110  and then to tie closed the rolled portion of flexible body element  110  to facilitate use of substantially the entire amount of toothpaste  160 . 
     Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail herein, it is to be clearly understood that the same is intended by way of illustration and example only, and is not intended to be taken by way of limitation. For example, in some implementations, the gripping handle means and flexible body element can be disposed in various alternative shapes and configurations. Thus, it is recognized that numerous other variations exist, including both narrowing and broadening variations of the appended claims.