Patent Publication Number: US-8533893-B2

Title: Disposable toothbrush

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure relates to dental hygiene, and more particularly to a toothbrush with biodegradable bristles suitable for a single use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Twigs of the arak or mustard tree ( Salvadora persica ) have long been used as a dentifrice. Twigs typically one hand span in length and suitable for chewing, known as the miswak, are known in Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures; in particular, the benefits of chewing the miswak are documented in Islamic literature. More recent studies suggest that the miswak is an anti-plaque agent, prevents gum disease, can aid in smoking cessation, and has a positive effect on the immune system. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of the miswak in 1986. 
     The miswak is much less well known in Western cultures, where generally a dentifrice is brushed over the teeth rather than chewed. It is desirable to adapt the miswak to a toothbrush which can be conveniently used and carried, and discarded after a single use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure provides a single-use, disposable toothbrush offering the dental hygiene benefits of a miswak chewing stick. According to an aspect of the disclosure, the toothbrush has a toothbrush body having a recess at one end thereof, and a plurality of  Salvadora persica  bristles received in the recess; the length of the bristles is greater than the depth of the recess so that the bristles extend from the toothbrush body. The toothbrush body has a handle at an end thereof opposite the recess; the handle may have a concave portion to provide convenient handling for a user. The bristles are press-fitted into the recess. 
     The toothbrush body may advantageously be formed of a biodegradable material, so that the entire toothbrush is biodegradable. In addition, the bristles may have a flavoring. 
     The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred features of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the disclosure that follows. Additional features of the disclosure will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure in its broadest form. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a toothbrush embodying the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the toothbrush of  FIG. 1 , showing further details of the toothbrush handle. 
         FIG. 2B  shows the handle of the toothbrush of  FIG. 2A , without bristles. 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of a toothbrush in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view showing the handle of the toothbrush of  FIG. 3A , without bristles. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In embodiments of the disclosure, a toothbrush that has cut and flared pieces of Miswak (hereby called “Miswak bristles”) forming the toothbrush bristles at one end of the toothbrush, and a convenient handle at the other end. The entire toothbrush may be discarded after a single use. The miswak bristles, being made from plant material, are biodegradable. The body of the toothbrush may advantageously also be biodegradable (e.g. made from biodegradable plastic). 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a toothbrush with miswak bristles, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Toothbrush  1  has bristles  10  at one end of toothbrush body  20 . The bristles are fitted into a head portion  10  of the toothbrush body; a handle  12  forms the opposite end. In this embodiment, the head portion  10  has cylindrical symmetry, and the bristles, head portion and handle are along the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush body. Alternatively, the toothbrush body may also be configured so that the bristles are at an angle to the handle. In another embodiment, the bristles extend from the toothbrush body at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush body. 
     Compared to a traditional miswak chewing stick, the toothbrush bristles are short; in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the bristles are approximately ¾ inch long overall, with approximately ½ inch extending forward from the head portion. Each bristle also has a much smaller diameter than a chewing stick. 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the toothbrush of  FIG. 1 , showing more details of the head portion  11  and handle  12 . The bristles  10  are received into a recess in the head portion  11 . Handle  12  is configured to provide a convenient grip for the user. The handle is slightly flattened; that is, the end of handle  12  opposite the head portion is oval in shape. Handle  12  has concave portions  15  on opposite sides thereof; one such concave portion is shown in  FIG. 2A . Concave portion  15  may have small raised areas or knobs  16 . 
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the toothbrush body  20 . As best shown in  FIG. 2B , head portion  11  has a recess  21  formed therein for receiving bristles  10 . Although in this embodiment the head portion  10  is cylindrical, recess  21  need not be cylindrical. The shape and depth of the recess are chosen to hold the bristles tightly in the head portion. As shown in  FIG. 2B , recess  21  has four lobes; the four intersections of the lobes form edges extending along the axis of the head portion and intruding radially into the recess. The bristles  10  are typically press-fitted into the recess. A bristle falling out of the recess during use may simply be spat out. Although miswak naturally imparts a pleasant fragrance in the mouth, the bristles may be treated with a natural flavoring (e.g. mint). 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are cross-section views of the toothbrush and toothbrush body, respectively, in accordance with this embodiment. As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , recess  21  in head portion  11  has a depth approximately half the length of the bristles  10 , to minimize the number of bristles falling out during use. 
     It will be appreciated that numerous other configurations of the toothbrush body are possible. For example, the forward end of the handle, adjacent the head portion, may have a right-angle bend so that the bristles extend from the head portion at right angles to the handle. 
     While the disclosure has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is evident in view of the foregoing description that numerous alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to encompass all such alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure and the following claims.