Patent Publication Number: US-8979410-B2

Title: Infant toothbrush and method

Description:
This invention relates to devices and methods for brushing and cleansing the teeth of infants. 
     When the first teeth of infants emerge (usually at an age around 6 months or so), the teeth should be brushed in order to prevent decay and infection before the baby teeth fall out and are replaced by adult teeth. 
     Brushing the teeth of infants often is troublesome and difficult, for a number of reasons. One of the main reasons is that the infant is uncomfortable with the unfamiliar feel of a toothbrush in his or her mouth and does not allow tooth brushing without squirming and other forms of protest. 
     Although the available designs vary, a common form of infant toothbrush is one which is worn on the finger of the caregiver, more or less like a thimble. 
     It is believed that the finger with a brush on it is unfamiliar to the infant and causes discomfort and protest by the infant. This makes it difficult to do a good job in cleansing the teeth. 
     Applicant also has recognized that the teeth of the infant should be rinsed to remove dentifrice and other coatings which may remain on the infant&#39;s teeth after brushing. At the present time, rinsing is a difficult task for the caregiver. The caregiver must obtain a cup or other container of water and pour the water into the infant&#39;s mouth with one hand while trying to keep the infant&#39;s mouth open with the other hand, all making for a difficult and cumbersome operation. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an infant toothbrush and cleansing method which eliminate or alleviate the foregoing problems. 
     Specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide an infant toothbrush which is shaped like an object familiar to the infant so as not to create undue protest, and to permit better cleansing. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide such a toothbrush with which is relatively easy to position the bristles against the tooth or teeth of the infant, despite squirming or other movement of the infant. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide such a toothbrush which is relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to handle with one hand, and effective in cleaning the infant&#39;s teeth. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a means for relatively easily rinsing the infant&#39;s mouth after brushing to remove unwanted residue from the brushing. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide such a device which is portable and can be safely carried in the purse or pocket of the caregiver so that the teeth can be brushed easily when away from the infant&#39;s home; a device which is sanitary to carry and resistant to leakage. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide such a device which easily can be disassembled for thorough cleaning. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects are met by the provision of an infant toothbrush with a nipple-shaped brush support structure with bristles on the tip of the nipple. The support structure has a hollow passageway and holes exiting the passageway in the vicinity of the bristles. A flexible compressible bulb is securely attached to the support structure, and is filled with water or other hygienic liquid for use in wetting the brush and rinsing the infant&#39;s mouth. 
     Preferably, the bristles on the nipple are wider than usual; they extend approximately at least half way around the circumference of the nipple, and preferably all the way around the nipple. This provides maximum scrubbing surface area available to brush the tooth or teeth of a squirming infant, and alleviates the difficulty in having only a narrow brush which is relatively difficult to manipulate into proper position. 
     The bulb is attached to the base portion with its interior in communication with the passageway through the base portion. Preferably, the attachment means is quick and easy to use by simply pressing the upper lip of the bulb against a closure projection extending from the bottom of the base member so that the bulb can be removed from the base member with a simple pull, and can be replaced simply by pressing the two elements together. 
     Preferably, a tight-fitting cap fits over the exterior of the brush so as to protect and keep it sanitary when it is carried in a pocket or purse. 
     Also, it is preferable that a simple valve be positioned in the passageway through the toothbrush to prevent the flow of liquid from the bulb through the passageway until a certain predetermined minimal pressure is applied to the bulb, thus keeping the liquid from being dispensed into the passageway until it is desired to do so. When dispensing is desired, hand pressure is applied to the bulb. This valve feature minimizes leakage which might occur if the bulb receives a minor impact or compression, or is turned upside-down during handling and storage. 
     Although water is preferred as the liquid contained in the bulb and used for rinsing, other liquids known for use in rinsing the mouth, such as baby mouthwashes, etc. can be used instead. In either event, the caregiver is able to use pure and untainted liquids, and is able to dispense the liquids with one hand. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in or apparent from the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       IN THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an infant toothbrush constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional, partially broken-away, enlarged view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view similar to that of  FIG. 3 , showing another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged, partially broken-away view of the upper edge portion of a component of the device shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a broken-away, enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a broken-away, bottom plan view of the structure shown in  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of  FIGS. 6 and 7  in an open operational condition. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an infant toothbrush  10  forming one embodiment of the present invention. The device  10  includes a support structure in the form of a nipple. The support structure includes a relatively broad base portion  12  with a narrow mid-section  26 , a narrow nipple portion with a tip  16 , and a reduced neck portion  24 . A rim or flange  22  around the bottom edge also is provided. 
     Secured to the support structure is a squeeze bottle or bulb  14 . 
     A brush is formed of soft bristles  18  which extend around the entire periphery of the tip of the nipple. Although the bristles  18  are shown in  FIG. 1  extending all the way around and on top of the nipple, it also is possible to provide them over a less extensive area, such as one half of the circumference of the nipple, or over other areas, as needed. The broad expanse of bristles makes it easier to apply the bristles to the infant&#39;s teeth. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , as well as  FIG. 1 , the base structure has a central passageway  34  extending from a downwardly-extending projection  38  to an enlarged cavity  36  in the tip of the nipple. A plurality of holes  20  extend from the cavity  36  to the exterior of the nipple in the vicinity of the brush bristles  18 . Five holes  20  are shown in the drawings, and eight holes would be used in the entire circumference of the nipple. 
     Although the holes  20  are shown arranged along a circumferential line, they also can be distributed over other parts of the nipple. Although eight holes  20  are used in the nipple shown, larger or smaller numbers of holes can be used so as to preferably provide a slow or moderate rate of flow of liquid into the infant&#39;s mouth. 
     The bulb  14  preferably has a high degree of elasticity. It has an upper opening with a rim which is fitted into an annular groove  39  around the projection  38 . Preferably, the diameter D of the opening to the bulb (see  FIG. 5  as well as  FIG. 3 ), is made smaller than the diameter of the groove so that the opening of the bulb should be stretched to fit the rim into the groove and thus secure the bulb to the support with an interference fit. 
     A liquid  42  is placed in the bulb, and the bulb is attached to the base member. When the bulb  14  is squeezed, liquid will flow through the passageway  34  and the holes  20  to the mouth of the infant to rinse the teeth and the mouth. Preferably, relatively small amounts of liquid are used so as not to cause the infant to gag or choke. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an outer cap  28  is provided. It is made with a circumferential groove  30  near its lower edge, which can be pressed down against the lip or flange  22  and snapped into place on top of the toothbrush assembly. This will keep the toothbrush hygienic, when carried in a purse, pocket or other receptacle. 
     The structure shown in  FIG. 4  is the same as that shown in  FIG. 3 , except the bulb  44  has a different shape than the bulb  14 . The bulb  44  is slimmer and holds less liquid  46 , but may be easier and more comfortable for the caregiver to hold while brushing and rinsing the teeth. 
       FIG. 5  shows the upper edge of the bulb  44  (and is representative of the upper edge of the bulb  14 ) and shows the upper opening or entrance  47  and the ring  48  around its edge. Again, the diameter D is less than the diameter of the projection  38  in the groove  39  so that an interference fit is formed when the bulb is pressed against the projection  38 . 
     The lower side walls of the projection  38  are angled so as to guide the projection into the inlet opening of the bulb. 
     The number and size of holes  20  which are used to dispense the liquid can be varied as desired. However, it is preferred that at least two holes be provided, preferably at widely-spaced points around the circumference of the nipple, so as to provide a plurality of liquid delivery points. 
       FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8  show a valve structure which can be used in the structure shown in  FIGS. 1-5  if needed to prevent leakage. A relatively thin, flexible membrane is provided at  50  to form a very simple valve covering the inlet to the passageway  34 . 
     As it is shown in  FIG. 7 , the valve is formed by two slits  52  and  54  which cross one another at right angles in the vicinity of the end of the passageway. The membrane  50  is secured to the bottom surface of the projection  38 . 
     The valve is set to prevent flow of liquid until a threshold pressure level is reached by squeezing the bulb. The valve is dimensioned and set to remain closed while the bulb  14  or  44  is turned upside down, or is slightly compressed or hit during normal handling and storage in a pocket or purse. Then, when strong compression is applied by squeezing the bulb, the valve opens, as shown in  FIG. 8 , to allow liquid to flow in the direction of the arrows  51 . 
     The valve also may be set to retard back-flow of liquid from the passageway  34  into the bulb, if desired. 
     The materials of which the toothbrush  10  is made can be silicone rubber, latex or other sanitary, flexible, washable, dishwasher-proof substances now used for baby bottle nipples or other infant products. Preferably, the materials should be BPA-free. 
     The enlarged cavity  36  in the tip of the nipple can be made smaller than that shown to ensure that the nipple walls are thicker and the nipple is stiff enough to allow adequate scrubbing pressure to be used in brushing the infant&#39;s teeth. The nipple also preferably is soft enough to simulate an ordinary baby bottle nipple to comfort the infant. The wall thickness of the cavity  36  can be set to maintain both adequate stiffness and softness. 
     The material of the bulbs  14  and  44  preferably is transparent or translucent to allow the liquid level in the bulb to be visible. 
     The toothbrush and rinsing device shown and described above has a number of advantages. 
     First, shaping the support member like the nipple on a baby bottle is believed to soothe the infant and minimize protest. Thus, it is more likely that the infant is less resistant when the toothbrush is inserted into the infant&#39;s mouth. This can improve the cleansing process. 
     By distributing bristles around a substantial portion of the periphery of the nipple, it is relatively easy hold the bristles against the teeth to be brushed. Less hunting and delay is needed. 
     Providing the rinsing and wetting liquid in a bulb attached to the nipple is extremely helpful to the caregiver. The water or other liquid is readily at hand, and only one hand is needed to manipulate the toothbrush structure, thus leaving the other hand of the caregiver free to hold the infant, or perform other tasks. 
     Moreover, the water or other rinsing liquid can be carried with the toothbrush device in a pocket or purse, or in any other handy container while traveling away from the convenience of home. Sanitation is maintained, and leakage is minimized. 
     The above description of the invention is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes or modifications in the embodiments described may occur to those skilled in the art. These can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.