Patent Publication Number: US-5630505-A

Title: Cover for toothbrush holder

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to special receptacles and containers adapted for special purposes, and more specifically to a specialized perforated cover adapted for placement over the bristled heads of one or more toothbrushes stored in a toothbrush holder or cup. The cover provides air flow therethrough to any toothbrushes contained thereunder to promote drying of the brushes, while simultaneously preventing contact with the brushes by insects or other potential airborne disease vectors. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The transmission of disease by various airborne vectors (flies and other insects and the like) has been known for a considerable time. Accordingly, the installation of window screens to prevent the entrance of such pests into the household interior, and other protective covers and containers for use in the kitchen or pantry, are well known. 
     However, one area of the home or business which receives little concern over such airborne insects and pests, is the bathroom, lavatory, or washroom. While most articles may be stored in a bathroom cabinet, chest, or other enclosure, toothbrushes are often stored in a holder exposed to the open air, so the bristles may dry between uses. This is desirable, as it is also well known that many bacteria and other microorganisms which are hazardous to humans, generally require a relatively warm and moist environment for incubation and are killed or at least rendered inactive in dry conditions. 
     Thus, the exposure of toothbrushes to the ambient environment may promote drying, but it also exposes the bristles to airborne carriers of bacterial and viral organisms which may cause various diseases. This is all the more evident in the bathroom environment, where the necessary sanitary conditions for the storage of toothbrushes and the like, are in extremely close proximity to other relatively unsanitary facilities, such as toilets and drains. 
     Accordingly, a need will be seen for a ventilated cover for a toothbrush holder or cup, which cover precludes passage of insects or other airborne disease vectors and the like, while simultaneously promoting the drying of the bristles of toothbrushes stored therein by means of air circulation through the multitude of small air passages in the cover. The cover may be adapted for placement over a conventional toothbrush cup or the like, or alternatively may be formed to fit with a specialized toothbrush container or holder. The cover may be formed of plastic or other durable but lightweight material, or alternatively may be formed of ceramic or a metal or plastic screen, as desired. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     U. S. Pat. No. 3,746,162 issued to Roy G. Bridges on Jul. 17, 1973 describes a Toothbrush Container comprising a small box which secures about the bristles of a toothbrush to enclose the head or bristle portion of the brush. The handle portion extends from an opening in one end of the box. A lid is provided to complete the closure of the box. By contrast, the present device is a cover for a cup or holder providing for the storage of a plurality of brushes, and seats upon an underlying cup or holder. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,652 issued to Michael Chavez on Feb. 18, 1986 describes a Toothbrush Container generally comprising a cylindrical container, and having a variety of interchangeable end portions providing for the containment of a disinfectant therein, and alternatingly for the drying of a toothbrush contained therein. Plural containers may be placed in a manifold container of disinfectant, and removed therefrom for drying after a period of time. The resulting device is quite complex and does not permit the use of a conventional toothbrush cup, as provided by at least one embodiment of the present invention, and does nothing to cover or protect a plurality of toothbrushes with a single cover. 
     U. S. Pat. No. 4,915,219 issued to Anthony Ottimo on Apr. 10, 1990 describes a Disinfecting Toothbrush Container wherein a flexible membrane divides the upper and lower portion of each individual toothbrush holder, in a container of a plurality of holders. The bottom portion contains a liquid disinfectant. A brush is inserted through a slit in the membrane, so the bristles are submerged in the disinfectant. A lid is also provided, but is disclosed as being liquid-tight, rather than permitting air circulation. The present cover includes a multitude of small air passages therethrough, to promote drying of the exposed bristles while simultaneously protecting them from contact with potential disease carriers. 
     U. S. Pat. No. 5,139,142 issued to Eric M. Simon on Aug. 18, 1992 describes a Disposable Toothbrush Cover comprising a relatively small sheet of thin, flexible plastic adapted to enclose only the head and bristles of a single toothbrush. The device functions as a disposable version of the case for a single toothbrush head of the Bridges 162 patent discussed further above. 
     U. S. Pat. No. 5,295,575 issued to Santos O. Gonzalez on Mar. 22 1994 describes a Toothbrush Holder And Room Odorizer, comprising an elongate container providing enclosure for a plurality of toothbrushes therein. One end of the device has a detachable portion with a drying agent therein, while the opposite end includes a symmetrical container having a room odorizer therein. No separate perforated cover adapted to fit atop a conventional toothbrush cup, is disclosed. 
     U. S. Pat. No. D-291,268 issued to Eric A. Stephenson on Aug. 11, 1987 describes a design for a Toothbrush Container, apparently comprising a relatively low, flat box having a pair of slotted rests therein providing for the placement of a plurality of toothbrushes therein. No ventilation is apparent from the disclosure, nor does any component mate with a conventional cup. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Design 301,660 issued to Emilio Ambasz on Jun. 20, 1989 describes a design for a Combined Toothbrush And Container Therefor, apparently comprising a toothbrush with a circumferentially ribbed handle integral therewith, and an identically configured elongate cover for the brush end of the device. No ventilation means is apparent, nor is the cover adapted to mate with a cup configured to contain a plurality of toothbrushes therein. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Design 310,913 issued to Emilio Ambasz on Oct. 2, 1990 describes a design for a Toothbrush And Container Set, apparently comprising a pair of identically configured toothbrushes and handles which mate with one another by means of cooperating channels and flanges in each portion. The assembled toothbrush pair provides complete enclosure for the brush portions of the toothbrushes in a single elongate case. No ventilation is apparent. 
     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. Design 310,915 issued to Emilio Ambasz on Oct. 2, 1990 describes a design for a Toothbrush And Container Set, wherein two brushes apparently pivot outwardly from a central handle. The handle portion provides a completely closed elongate container when the two brushes are folded therein. Again, no ventilation means is apparent in the device, and the design does not appear to be adaptable to a conventional toothbrush cup capable of holding a plurality of separate toothbrushes therein. 
     None of the above noted patents, taken either singly or in combination, are seen to disclose the specific arrangement of concepts disclosed by the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     By the present invention, an improved cover for a toothbrush holder is disclosed. 
     Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved cover for a toothbrush holder which is adapted to fit over a conventional toothbrush cup or the like, and to enclose the upwardly disposed bristle or head portions of a plurality of toothbrushes therein. 
     Another of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved cover for a toothbrush holder which includes ventilation means therein, comprising a plurality of small holes therethrough adapted to allow the passage of air therethrough but sufficiently small as to preclude passage of insects and similar airborne disease vectors therethrough. 
     Yet another of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved cover for a toothbrush holder which comprises a domed cap configuration to provide sufficient clearance. 
     Still another of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved cover for a toothbrush holder which may be formed of plastic, ceramic, or other suitable materials, but which may alternatively be formed of a metal or plastic screen. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved toothbrush holder which comprises a toothbrush cup, a disc adapted to fit therein and to hold a plurality of toothbrushes generally upright therein, and a ventilated cover adapted to fit with the cup and toothbrush supporting disc. 
     A final object of the present invention is to provide an improved cover for a toothbrush holder for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purpose. 
     With these and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed with reference being made to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly comprising a toothbrush cup, a specially formed disc adapted to fit within the top rim of the cup, and a ventilated cover adapted to fit over the disc, the assembly serving to hold and protectively cover one or more toothbrushes therein. 
     FIG. 2 is a partial elevation view in section of the completed assembly of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is a partial elevation view in section of an alternative embodiment of the assembly of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate cover embodiment, wherein the cover is formed of a screen. 
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the several figures of the attached drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the present invention will be seen to relate to a ventilated cover 10 for a toothbrush cup 12 and toothbrush placement disc 14 adapted to fit within the top of the cup 12. (It will be understood that the cover 10 may be provided separately or in combination with a toothbrush cup assembly comprising the cup 12, placement disc 14, and cover 10, if desired.) 
     The cover 10 generally comprises a dome 16 having a hollow interior 18 and a multitude of very small ventilation holes or perforations 20 which pass through the wall of the dome 16, which holes 20 provide for air circulation through the cover 10 and the bristle ends or heads B of any toothbrushes T which may be contained therein, thus encouraging the drying of the bristles B to preclude microbial growth therein and encourage sanitary storage of the toothbrushes T. The holes 20 are sufficiently small to preclude passage therethrough of various airborne insects and pests which often carry bacterial or microbial disease microorganisms, such as flies, mosquitos, and gnats, as well as other airborne pests of similar size and habits. Thus, the cover 10 provides two benefits, in that the insect borne microbial disease vector to toothbrushes T stored within the cover 10 is eliminated, and the moist environment conducive to microbial reproduction is also eliminated. 
     The cover 10 includes a base edge portion 22 of substantially the same diameter as that of the rim 24 of the cup 12, and adapted to fit closely therewith and to eliminate any substantial gaps or spaces therebetween when the cover 10 is removably placed over the top of the cup 12. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the toothbrush placement disc 14 has a periphery 26 with a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the rim 24 of the cup 12, and adapted to rest atop the rim 24 of the cup 12. The disc 14 also has an upper flange 28 and an opposite lower flange 30, with each flange 28 and 30 being inwardly offset from the periphery 26 of the disc 14 by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the rim 24 of the cup 12. Thus, the disc 14 may be removably placed atop the rim 24 of the cup 12, and positively located thereon by means of the lower flange 30 fitting closely within the rim 24 of the cup 12. 
     In a like manner, the base edge 22 of the cover 10 is adapted to fit closely about the upper flange 28 of the disc 14, and to rest upon the periphery 26 of the disc 14 when the cover 10, cup 12, and disc 14 are removably assembled together. The periphery 26 of the disc 14 is sandwiched between the rim 24 of the cup 12 and the base edge 22 of the cover 10, thus separating and spacing the cover 10 and the cup 12 from one another when the three components are removably assembled together. The inwardly offset upper flange 28 of the disc 14 serves to locate and position the cover 10 positively on the disc 14, thus also positively locating and positioning the cover 10 relative to the cup 12 due to the positive location of the disc 14 and cup 12 discussed above, when the components are removably placed together. 
     FIG. 3 provides a cross sectional elevation view of all alternative embodiment or configuration of the above assembly. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the cup 12 may have a smooth rim 24, which is devoid of any specially shaped flanges or other protuberances adapted to hold the disc or other component(s) therein. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the disc 14a is devoid of any upper or lower flanges, but is held within the upper rim 24a of the cup 12a by means of an inwardly extending flange 32 disposed immediately below the rim 24a. The disc 14a has a periphery 26a with a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the rim 24a of the cup 12a, but greater than the diameter of the inwardly extending flange 32, with this configuration thus providing for the removable placement and positive location of the disc 14a upon the inwardly extending flange 32 and within the cup 12a. 
     The cover 10a of FIG. 3 includes an inwardly offset base edge 22a, which has a diameter adapted to fit closely within the rim 24a of the cup 12a, thus being positively positioned relative to the cup 12a when the cover 10a is removably placed upon the cup 12a. (The height of the rim 24a extends upwardly sufficiently above the thickness of the disc 14a , to allow the base edge 22a of the cover 10a to seat within the rim 24a.) The diameter of the perforated dome portion 16a of the cover 10a is substantially the same as the diameter of the rim 24a of the cup 12a, to provide a uniform appearance for the assembly of the cover 10a, cup 12a, and toothbrush placement disc 14a, as well as to provide a sufficiently large interior volume 18a to provide ample clearance for any toothbrush bristle portions or heads B which may be contained therein. 
     The above described cover 10/10a, cup 12/12a, and disc 14/14a may be formed of any of a number of suitable materials. Plastic has been found to work well for all of the above components, as it is durable in the environment of intended use, resisting shattering or breakage when accidentally dropped upon a hard surface, and it may be provided in any of a virtually unlimited number of colors, patterns and/or designs. Alternatively, some persons may desire a somewhat heavier and harder material, and the shapes of the above described components are readily adaptable for formation of ceramic material, if so desired. However, it is understood that a plastic material may be more desirable, due to its increased resilience and resistance to breakage relative to ceramics. Each of the above described components 10/10a, 12/12a, and/or 14/14a may be monolithically formed as a single component with no separate component parts, using either plastic or ceramic material as desired. 
     It should also be noted that at least the dome portion 16/16a of the present cover 10/10a may be formed of a relatively thin sheet of metal, if desired, with the holes 20/20a being punched, drilled, or otherwise formed therein. Preferably, a corrosion resistant metal (e. g., stainless steel) is used, in order to resist the relatively high humidity generally found in the bathroom environment. In fact, the dome portion of the cover may be formed of a plastic, metal, or corrosion resistant metal screen 34, as shown on the dome portion 16b of the cover 10b of FIG. 4. The screen 34 is of a sufficiently fine mesh so as to preclude passage of flies, mosquitos, gnats, and other airborne pests therethrough, to function in the manner of the holes 20 and 20a of the covers 10 and 10a discussed above. 
     In summary, the present cover 10/10a/10b serves to provide air circulation to the bristle portions B of any toothbrushes T contained within a cup 12/12a thereunder, while at the same time precluding direct contact by any flies, mosquitos, gnats, or other airborne pests with the toothbrushes T or brush bristles B contained therein. The cover 10/10a/10b may be provided separately, or in combination with a toothbrush cup 12/12a and toothbrush placement disc 14/14a, as discussed above. The appropriate disc 14/14a is removably placed within the top of the cup or holder 12/12a, and one or more toothbrushes T removably placed within the cup 12/12a by passing the toothbrush handles downward through the passages 36/36a within the disc 14/14a to place and hold the brushes T substantially vertically within the cup 12/12a and to separate the brush bristle head portions B from one another. The cover 10/10a/10b is then placed atop the cup 12/12a and disc 14/14a to enclose and protect the toothbrushes T. 
     When a toothbrush T is needed, the cover 10/10a/10b is lifted from the underlying cup 12/12a and the brush T withdrawn. The wet. toothbrush T may be placed back into the cup 12/12a and the cover 10/10a placed thereover, thereby assuring the user that the toothbrush T will remain in a protected and sanitary condition and yet will receive sufficient air circulation to dry properly. The above described components and their construction of plastic, ceramic, or metal permits them to be cleaned readily and easily, as required or desired for sanitation, and thus provides a significant potential increase in household sanitation and family health. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.