Patent Publication Number: US-2006011209-A1

Title: Oral hygiene products dispenser stand and dispensing station

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of Invention  
      The present invention relates to an oral hygiene products dispenser stand and, more particularly, to an oral hygiene products dispenser stand for dispensing mouthwash and disposable cups and for sanitizing and storing toothbrushes.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      It is well known that a daily oral hygiene routine that includes the use of a sanitary toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss and mouthwash should be consistently practiced in order to prevent the onset of tooth decay, gum disease and other undesirable oral and dental conditions. However, many people fail to consistently practice a thorough and proper daily oral hygiene routine despite having such knowledge. It is believed that the inconvenient location of the various products and devices needed to practice a proper oral hygiene routine may be a major contributing factor to this problem.  
      In a typical household bathroom, toothbrushes may be stored in a holder, such as a drinking glass, which is placed on or near a countertop adjacent to a sink. Toothpaste and dental floss may be stored in a different location, such as in a medicine cabinet or drawer. Mouthwash and/or fluoride rinses may be stored in yet another location, such as in a closet or cabinet. Disposable cups, if they are present at all, may be stored in a dispenser that is mounted to a wall at a location other than where the toothbrushes are stored. Thus, the various essential products and devices that must be utilized in order to practice a thorough and proper daily oral hygiene routine are typically scattered throughout the bathroom and some may simply be “out of sight and out of mind.” 
      The improper storage and sanitation of oral hygiene products and devices can give rise to health concerns. Toothbrushes, in particular, can harbor disease-causing bacteria and germs if not properly sanitized and stored. While consumers are often advised to begin using a new toothbrush at least every three months, they are generally not informed that proper toothbrush sanitation can reduce the spread of household germs and illnesses. There is a need for a convenient and safe method of sanitizing a toothbrush that will help prevent the spread of household germs.  
      Some equipment for organizing and dispensing oral hygiene products is known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,193 to Dennis discloses a dental storage apparatus that includes a container for mouthwash, a cup dispenser and various compartments for oral hygiene products such as toothpaste, floss, and toothbrushes. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,600 to Riddick et al. discloses an oral hygiene dispenser including a compartment for a mouthwash bottle, a disposable cup dispenser, and gripping elements for holding toothbrushes. While the general concept of organizing oral hygiene products in a single location is known in the art, there exists a need for an improved apparatus for organizing oral hygiene products. Additionally, there exists a need for such an apparatus that also provides for an effective and convenient method of sanitizing toothbrushes.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In view of the foregoing, the present invention is directed toward an improved oral hygiene products dispenser stand. The oral hygiene products dispenser stand of the present invention is designed to serve as a convenient central storage and dispensing station for oral hygiene products such as toothbrushes, mouthwash, disposable cups, and dental floss, which are essential for practicing a thorough and proper daily oral and dental hygiene routine. In addition to serving as a convenient central storage location for dental and oral hygiene products, the oral hygiene products dispenser stand according to the invention also sanitizes toothbrushes to prevent or retard the growth of bacteria and the spread of germs.  
      The oral hygiene products dispenser stand according to the invention comprises a base, a truss connected to and extending upwardly from the base, and a shelf connected to and supported by the truss. A disposable cup dispenser is attached to the shelf. Dental floss can be stored and dispensed from the top of the disposable cup dispenser. A bottle of antiseptic fluid such as mouthwash, fluoride rinse or other oral sanitizing solution can be placed on the base through an opening formed in the shelf. At least one and more preferably a plurality of toothbrush holders are supported by the shelf. Each toothbrush holder comprises a hollow receptacle having an open upper end through which the brush head end of a toothbrush can pass, a closed lower end, and a partition disposed between the open upper end and the closed lower end. The partition divides the hollow receptacle into a lower compartment defined as that portion of the receptacle from the closed lower end to the partition and an upper compartment defined as that portion of the receptacle from the partition to the open upper end. The partition prevents the brush head end of a toothbrush from entering the lower compartment. In addition, the partition includes a drain system for allowing an antiseptic fluid to flow from the upper compartment to the lower compartment through the partition at a rate of from about 0.05 ounces per minute to about 2 ounces per minute. Thus, the brush head end of the toothbrush can be submerged in antiseptic fluid for a period of time sufficient to properly sanitize the brush head end of the toothbrush, and can be permitted to air dry prior to the next use.  
      The top of a mouthwash bottle resting on the base preferably extends through the opening formed in the shelf. The mouthwash bottle preferably includes a child-safe dispensing pump closure that facilitates the convenient dispensing of a predetermined amount of mouthwash into a disposable cup, which may be obtained from the cup dispenser. The oral hygiene products dispenser stand according to the invention can either rest on a countertop or be attached to a wall. When coupled with a bottle of antiseptic fluid, the oral hygiene products dispenser stand according to the invention provides a convenient and compact oral hygiene products dispensing station.  
      The foregoing and other features of the invention are hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the present invention may be employed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an oral hygiene products dispenser stand according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a side plan view of the oral hygiene products dispenser stand shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a toothbrush holder component of an oral hygiene dispenser stand according to the invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a side plan view of a second embodiment of an oral hygiene products dispenser stand according to the invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the fully assembled dispenser stand shown in  FIG. 3  supporting a bottle of mouthwash.  
       FIG. 5  is a third embodiment of an oral hygiene dispenser stand according to the invention.  
       FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a disassembled oral hygiene products dispenser stand shown in  FIG. 5 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show views of a first embodiment of an oral hygiene products dispensing stand  10  according to the invention. The stand  10  comprises a base  20 , a truss  30  that is connected to and extends upwardly from the base  20 , and a shelf  40  that is connected to the truss  30 . A disposable cup dispenser  50  is attached to the shelf  40 . In the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the disposable cup dispenser  50  includes a tail portion  60  that extends downwardly to the base  20  to provide additional support for the shelf  40 .  
      The base  20  is preferably planar and has a top surface  70  and a bottom surface  80 . It will be appreciated that the base  20  may be shaped in any manner that is suitable for supporting a bottle. Preferably, the top surface  70  of the base  20  is shaped to support the bottle in an upright orientation. To this end, the top surface  70  of the base  20  may be provided with a rim and/or a depression (not shown) that cradles the bottle and supports it in an upright position.  
      The bottom surface  80  of the base  20  may include one or more feet  90 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The feet  90  preferably prevent the stand  10  from sliding on a smooth surface such as a countertop. It will be appreciated that other types of attachment means such as suction cups or VELCRO-type hook and loop fasteners, for example, can also be used.  
      The function of the truss  30  is to suspend the shelf  40  above the base  20 . Thus, the configuration of the truss  30  is not per se critical. In the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the truss  30  is a substantially planar member that is positioned at an angle relative to both the shelf  40  and the base  20  so that the base  20 , truss  30  and shelf  40  together define the shape of a ”Z” (or reverse “Z”, depending upon the side being viewed).  
      The truss  30  is preferably provided with an opening  100  that is of sufficient size to allow for the passage of a bottle that is placed on the base  20 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the truss  30  is a solid sheet having a circular or rounded opening  100 . It will be appreciated that the shape of the opening  100  in the truss is largely a matter of aesthetic design choice, and that a variety of shapes and sizes can be used.  
      The base  20  and the shelf  40  may be substantially parallel to each other as shown in  FIG. 2 , or the base  20  and the shelf  40  may not be parallel to each other (e.g., see  FIG. 4 ). The base  20  and shelf  40  are preferably aligned such that the shelf  40  is generally positioned above the base  20 . Preferably, the base  20  and the shelf  40  have approximately the same dimensions, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
      The shelf  40  is also provided with an opening  110  that is large enough to allow for the passage of a bottle of antiseptic fluid such as mouthwash or fluoride rinse through the shelf  40  to the base  20 . The shape of the opening  110  is not critical. The opening  110  in the shelf  40  shown in  FIG. 1  is circular, but other shapes could be used.  
      The bottom of the bottle rests upon a top surface  70  of the base  20  and the top of the bottle preferably extends through the opening  110  formed in the shelf  40 . The middle of the bottle is preferably disposed in the opening  100  formed in the truss  30 .  
      In the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a plurality of passages  120  is formed in the shelf  40 . Each passage  120  receives a toothbrush holder  130 . Each toothbrush holder  130  is sized to receive the brush head end  140  of a toothbrush  150 , leaving at least a portion of the handle end  160  of the toothbrush  150  exposed.  
      The passages  120  may be formed in any desired location on the shelf  40 . Preferably, the passages  120  are formed along a peripheral edge of the shelf  40  opposite the connection point to the truss  30  so that the toothbrush holders  130  do not contact the truss  30 . However, because of the preferred “Z-shaped” configuration of the stand  10  and the angle of the truss  30 , in alternate embodiments, passages could also be formed within the truss  30  to allow the lower portion of the toothbrush holders  130  to pass therethrough.  
      With reference to  FIG. 3 , each toothbrush holder  130  comprises a hollow receptacle  170  having an open upper end  180  through which the brush head end  140  of a toothbrush  150  can pass, a closed lower end  190 , and a partition  200  disposed between the open upper end  180  and the closed lower end  190 . The partition  200  divides the hollow receptacle  170  into a lower compartment  210  defined as that portion of the hollow receptacle  170  from the closed lower end  190  to the partition  200 , and an upper compartment  220  defined as that portion of the hollow receptacle  170  from the partition  200  to the open upper end  180 . The partition  200  supports the brush head end  140  of the toothbrush  150  and prevents it from entering the lower compartment  210 . The partition  200  also includes at least one drain  230  that allows antiseptic fluid to flow from the upper compartment  220  to the lower compartment  210  through the partition  200  at a rate of from about 0.05 ounces per minute to about 2 ounces per minute.  
      To sanitize a toothbrush  150 , a user simply inserts the brush head end  140  of the toothbrush  150  into the toothbrush holder  130  through the open upper end  180  until the brush head end  140  contacts the partition  200 . The bristles  240  of the toothbrush  150  are thus immersed in an antiseptic fluid such as mouthwash, which may be introduced into the upper compartment  220  before or after the brush head end  140  of the toothbrush  150  is inserted into the toothbrush holder  130 . The antiseptic fluid contacts and thereby sanitizes the brush head end  140  of the toothbrush  150 , killing any bacteria and/or germ material that may be trapped or concealed within the bristles  240 . The antiseptic fluid flows from the upper compartment  220  to the lower compartment  210  through the drain  230  over a preferred time period preferably ranging from about 30 seconds to 1 hour. After the antiseptic fluid has drained from the upper compartment  220 , the bristles  240  of the toothbrush  150  are able to air dry.  
      Preferably, the lower compartment  210  is releasably attached to the upper compartment  220  using a suitable attachment means. For example, the lower compartment  210  may be provided with threads that engage with threads formed on the upper compartment  220 , allowing the two parts to be separated by a twisting motion. Alternatively, the lower compartment  210  may comprise a resilient collar that makes a friction-fit onto the upper compartment  220 . Thus, when the lower compartment  210  fills with antiseptic fluid drained from the upper compartment  220 , the lower compartment  210  may be separated and removed from the upper compartment  220  to be emptied and then reattached.  
      In the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each toothbrush holder  130  is provided with a lift tab  250  that extends outwardly from the toothbrush holder  130  adjacent to the open upper end  180 . The lift tab  250 , which may be of any shape, provides a gripping surface that allows a user to withdraw a toothbrush holder  130  from the passage  120  in the shelf  40 . The lift tab  250  also prevents the toothbrush holder  130  from passing completely through the passage  120 . The lift tab  250  thus acts as a stop when it makes contact with the shelf  40 .  
      In a second embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 4 , the toothbrush holders  130  do not include a lift tab  250 . In such embodiment, the diameter of toothbrush holder  130  is slightly larger near the upper open end  180  than the diameter of the toothbrush holder  130  near the lower closed end  190 . The passages  120  are sized to permit passage of the lower closed end  190 , but not the upper open end  180 . Thus, the toothbrush holders  130  are retained in the passages  120  at or near the midpoint of the toothbrush holders  130 . Because a substantial portion of each toothbrush holder  130  extends above and below the shelf  40 , there is no need for a lift tab  250  to remove the toothbrush holder  130  from the shelf  40  in this embodiment.  
      The disposable cup dispenser  50  is attached to the shelf  40 , preferably in a notch  260  formed in the shelf  40 . In the embodiments of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the disposable cup dispenser  50  includes a tail portion  60  that extends downwardly and contacts the base  20 . The tail portion  60  preferably terminates in a tooth that is received in a groove or opening formed in the base  20 . The tooth and groove preferably have a snap-fit engagement, which assists in securing the disposable cup dispenser  50  to the stand  10 . Once connected to the base  20 , the tail portion  60  provides support to the disposable cup dispenser  50  and prevents lateral motion of the disposable cup dispenser  50  relative to the shelf  40  and base  20 . While a tail portion  60  is shown in the embodiments of the invention shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , alternative support means can be provided to support and prevent lateral motion of the disposable cup dispenser  50 . For example, in the third embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a spar  360  is used to provide additional support between the base  20  and the shelf  40 .  
      It will be appreciated that the disposable cup dispenser  50  can be attached to any part of the shelf  40 . In the embodiments of the invention shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the disposable cup dispenser  50  is attached to a rear side of the shelf  40  opposite of the front side of the shelf  40  where the toothbrush holders  130  are attached. In the presently most preferred third embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 5 , the disposable cup dispenser  50  is attached to the front side of the shelf  40  with the toothbrush holders  130 . If desired, two or more disposable cup dispensers  50  could be attached to the shelf  40 .  
      One or more disposable cups  270  may be inserted into the disposable cup dispenser  50 . Disposable cups  270  are loaded into the disposable cup dispenser  50  by pushing a stack of cups  270  upwardly into a mouth  280  of the disposable cup dispenser  50 . After the stack of cups  270  have been loaded into the disposable cup dispenser  50  through the mouth  280  of the dispenser  50 , a single disposable cup  270  may be selectively removed through the mouth  280  of the dispenser  50  simply by gripping and pulling the cup  270  downwardly from the dispenser  50 .  
      Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the disposable cup dispenser  50  can be provided with a lid  290  that can be removed to provide access to the interior portion of the disposable cup dispenser  50 . In this embodiment, a stack of disposable cups  270  can be loaded into the disposable cup dispenser  50  from the top for dispensing through the mouth  280 .  
      With reference to the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 4 , a container of dental floss  300  can optionally be secured to the top of the disposable cup dispenser  50 . When the container of dental floss  300  is empty, it can be removed from the top of the disposable cup dispenser  50  and replaced with a new container of dental floss  300 .  
       FIG. 5  shows the presently most preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the stand  10  is configured to receive a bottle  310  containing an antiseptic fluid such as mouthwash. The bottle  310  is preferably provided with a pump  320  having a spout  330 . A pump  320  allows a user to dispense antiseptic fluid such as mouthwash without lifting the bottle  310 . Preferably, the pump  320  is configured to dispense a predetermined volume of antiseptic fluid from the bottle  310  that does not exceed the volume capacity of the disposable cups  270  retained in the disposable cup dispenser  50  or the upper compartment  220  of the toothbrush holders  130 .  
      The pump  320  encourages the use of disposable cups  270 , which are far more sanitary for dispensing antiseptic fluids such as mouthwash than using the cap of the bottle  310  as a cup, than sharing a cup among several users, or than dispensing mouthwash into one&#39;s mouth directly from the bottle itself. Preferably, the pump  320  is a child-safe pump that can be locked or otherwise secured so that small children cannot access to the contents of the bottle  310 .  
      In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the pump  320  is configured to pivot on a vertical axis. The toothbrush holders  130  are attached to the perimeter of the shelf  40  beneath where the spout  330  of the pump  320  as is situated as the pump  320  is pivoted. Thus, a user can pivot the pump  320  until the spout  330  is positioned over a toothbrush holder  130 , and then use the pump  320  to dispense antiseptic fluid directly into the upper compartment  220  of the toothbrush holder  130  without removing the toothbrush holder  130  from the shelf  40 .  
      The oral hygiene products dispensing stand  10  according to the invention is primarily intended for placement on a countertop adjacent to a sink in a bathroom. The stand  10  is aesthetically pleasing, and it serves as an oral hygiene products dispensing station. All of the products necessary for good oral hygiene are collected in a single location, and the products are readily available for use.  
      It will be appreciated, however, that the stand  10  can be mounted to a wall, if desired. To facilitate optional wall mounting, the stand  10  may be provided with knockouts  340  (see  FIG. 1 ), which may be removed from the shelf  40  and base  20  to expose mounting openings  350  for mounting the stand  10  to a wall. Nails, screws or other fasteners can be inserted at proper locations in the wall, and then the stand  10  can be suspended from the fasteners using the mounting openings  350 .  
      The oral hygiene products dispenser stand according to the invention can be formed as a unitary, integral component using thermoplastic materials by conventional injection molding means. More preferably, however, the stand comprises several components that are assembled to form the stand. The components can be joined together by a snap-fit arrangement using projecting fingers that engage with mating slots formed on adjoining components. Alternatively, the individual components can be joined together by providing mating beads and channels on the components.  FIG. 6  is an view of the disassembled oral hygiene dispenser stand shown in  FIG. 5 . The disassembled stand can be packaged together with one or more oral hygiene products for shipment and sale.  
      Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.