Abstract:
Disposable containers and stands for holding and supporting toothbrushes, the holder having an upper component and a lower component that can be snapped together to form the assembled holder.

Description:
STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/708,267 having a filing date of 18 Feb. 2010 and entitled Collapsible Disposable Toothbrush Holder And Blank Therefore, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/356,031 having a filing date of 18 Feb. 2010 and entitled Toothbrush Holder, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/379,420 having a filing date of 19 Nov. 2010 and entitled Toothbrush Holder, all of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to containers and stands for holding and supporting elongated items and relates more specifically to disposable containers and stands for holding and supporting toothbrushes. 
         [0004]    2. Prior Art 
         [0005]    Toothbrush holders are known, especially ceramic and plastic toothbrush holders present in the household bathroom. Toothbrush holders hold and support toothbrushes off of the counter for both health and aesthetic reasons. A vertically supported toothbrush dries more quickly and accumulates fewer germs than a toothbrush lying on the bathroom sink counter, and just looks better. 
         [0006]    Hotels, inns, cruise ships, medical facilities and the like typically do not provide a toothbrush holder and patrons have a choice: prop their toothbrush up in a glass, leave the toothbrush lying on the counter, place the toothbrush on a towel, or dry the toothbrush and place it back in the toiletry kit. None of these options are particularly appealing. 
         [0007]    Various toothbrush holders, disposable and non-disposable, have been developed. Several representative devices include: 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,902,145 to Wagner, which discloses a flat, compact case having a plurality of apertures in an upper wall through which the shanks or handles of toothbrushes may be extended, the case standing upright on a suitable surface, and with the heads of the brushes extended above the top of the case. The device further contemplates the provision of a trough-shaped bottom for maintaining the brushes uniformly in place in the holder and which bottom is provided with openings for drainage purposes. This is not a collapsible disposable device made from a blank. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,233,743 to Di Tirro, which discloses a molded one piece box-like rack having a pair of parallel integral sides and back and adapted to be mounted in vertical planes. The spaced sides include cooperating pairs of downwardly inclined horizontally aligned slots for supporting a comb therein. This also is not a collapsible device made from a blank. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,855 to Heller, which discloses a disposable toothbrush holder, particularly for the convenience and hygiene of visitors in motels and hotels, holds toothbrushes upright, bristle end up, for sanitary drying, supported in circular openings in a convex upper portion supported by integrally-formed legs. The holders can be molded economically from recyclable plastic material, and can be nested together for space-efficient packaging. This also is not a collapsible device made from a blank. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,228,976 to Pretorius, which discloses a toothbrush holder including a single piece of sheet material including spaced first and second end edges. A single fold area across the sheet material defines a holder portion and a base portion. The holder portion terminates in the first end edge and has a length relative to the base portion to impart a smooth sloping curvature to the holder portion without fold lines when the toothbrush holder is deployed. The base portion terminates at the second end edge. At least one toothbrush receiving orifice in the holder portion is sized to receive the shaft of the toothbrush. A key extends outwardly from the second edge, and a lock for receiving the key is disposed in the holder portion. The lock is spaced from the first end edge to angle the base portion and to deploy and support the holder portion in a position spaced from the base portion with the orifice in the base portion elevated. This is a device made from a blank but is not a box-like structure. 
         [0012]    U.S. Design Patent No. D570,144 to Scofield, which discloses an ornamental design for a disposable toothbrush holder that, in effect, has the appearance of a birdhouse or small house. The design has at least one hole in the “roof” of the design through which a toothbrush may be placed and held in a generally vertical orientation. 
         [0013]    There is thus a need for an inexpensive disposable toothbrush holder for meeting the needs of hotels and other inns, cruise ships, travel kits, households, hospitals and other medical facilities, camps, schools, emergency management organizations, and the like. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention is a disposable toothbrush holder formed from two pieces, namely, an upper piece and a lower piece. The toothbrush holder has a generally inverted cup-like component as the upper piece and a ridged or undulating shaped component as the lower piece. The upper piece and the lower piece fit together to form a generally hollow finished product. 
         [0015]    The upper piece has a top surface that has at least one hole or perforation leading to the interior of the holder through which a portion of the toothbrush(es), preferably the handle(s) or shank(s), pass. The lower piece has a shaped surface which the end of the toothbrush contacts so as to hold the toothbrush in a relatively unmoving and generally upright or slightly slanted position. Upper pieces can be stacked together for ease of shipping and storage and, likewise, lower pieces can be stacked together for ease of shipping and storage. The upper piece and the lower piece can be snapped together to form the finished product. The upper piece and the lower piece also can be unsnapped apart should the user want to clean and reuse the holder, rather than disposing of it. 
         [0016]    In a preferred usage, when the toothbrush is in the holder, at least a majority portion of the toothbrush handle is located within the interior of the holder and at least the brush portion of the toothbrush is located outside of the holder. The rim or edge of the holes or perforations in the top surface of the upper component supports the toothbrush such that the toothbrush is in a generally vertical orientation, plus or minus 0-40 degrees or so, and the holes or perforations prevent the toothbrush from falling over. The shaped lower piece allows two or more toothbrushes to be placed in the holder and to remain separated as the shaped portion of the lower piece helps prevent the toothbrushes from moving within the holder. 
         [0017]    The holder can be a hygienically and useful complementary item used by hotels and the like, and can sport advertising or other promotional material on the sides. The holder also can be used by the traveler, by campers, by vacationers and the like. Similarly, the holder can be used by hospitals and other medical facilities and emergency management organizations and the like to help prevent the spread of germs and diseases by providing for a clean, disposable toothbrush holder for each visitor to the facility. Optionally, the holder can have advertising printed thereon. 
         [0018]    These features, and other features and advantages of the present invention, will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which like reference numerals represent like components throughout the several views. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an assembled toothbrush holder according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an upper component of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1  shown from the bottom. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an upper component of the of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a sectional side view of an upper component of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a top view of an upper component of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a lip of an upper component of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a lower component of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1  shown from the top. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a lower component of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1  shown from the bottom. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a perspective sectional view of a lower component of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1  shown from the top. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a sectional side view of a lower component of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a top view of a lower component of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of a lip of a lower component of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a sectional perspective view of the assembled toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1  shown from the top. 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the assembled toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a sectional side view of the assembled toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a top view of the assembled toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  is a sectional view of a lip of the assembled toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  is a sectional side view of a stack of upper components of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an assembled toothbrush holder according to the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 20  is a perspective sectional view of the assembled toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 19  shown from the top. 
           [0039]      FIG. 21  is a side view of the assembled toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 19 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 22  is a sectional side view of the assembled toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 19 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 23  is a top view of the assembled toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 19 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 24  is a sectional view of a lip of the assembled toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 19 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0043]    The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, with  FIG. 1  being a perspective view of an assembled toothbrush holder according to the present invention. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an upper component or piece of one embodiment of the toothbrush holder of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a side view of this upper piece,  FIG. 4  is a sectional side view of this upper piece, and  FIG. 5  is a top view of this upper piece.  FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the lip of this upper piece of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a lower component or piece of one embodiment of the toothbrush holder of the present invention.  FIG. 8  is another perspective view of this lower piece.  FIG. 9  is a perspective sectional view of this lower piece,  FIG. 10  is a sectional side view of this lower piece, and  FIG. 11  is a top view of this lower piece.  FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the lip of this lower piece of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 13  is a sectional perspective view of one embodiment of the assembled toothbrush holder of the present invention.  FIG. 14  is a side view of this assembled toothbrush holder,  FIG. 15  is a sectional side view of this assembled toothbrush holder, and  FIG. 16  is a top view of this assembled toothbrush holder.  FIG. 17  is a sectional view of the lip of the assembled toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 18  is a sectional side view of a stack of upper pieces of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1  shown how the upper pieces can be stacked for shipping and/or storage. 
         [0048]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an assembled toothbrush holder according to the present invention.  FIG. 20  is another perspective sectional view of this assembled toothbrush holder.  FIG. 21  is a side view of this assembled toothbrush holder,  FIG. 22  is a sectional side view of this assembled toothbrush holder, and  FIG. 23  is a top view of this assembled toothbrush holder.  FIG. 24  is a sectional view of the lip of the assembled toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 19 . 
         [0049]    The present invention is directed to a disposable toothbrush holder  10  formed from an upper cup-like component  12  and a lower shaped component  26 . The representative example of the holder  10  disclosed herein is a hollow structure having a cylindrical side  22  and a top  24  as the upper component  12  and a shaped disc-like bottom as the lower component  26 . Other embodiments can have sides that are not cylindrical and as many sides as desired, various numbers and shapes of perforations or holes  14  on the top  24 , and various shapes and configurations of the surface of the lower component  26 . 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a general basic embodiment of the holder  10  is shown. Other suitable embodiments of a holder  10  constructed in accordance with aspects of the present invention are illustrated in the figures.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an assembled holder  10  according to the present invention. As can be seen, the holder  10  is a generally truncated conical or pyramidal shape having upper component  12  with a cylindrical side  22  and top  24 , and lower component  26 . In effect, holder  10  is a hollow structure. Top  24  has holes  14  therethrough allowing access to the interior of holder  10  through which a toothbrush  16 , preferably a toothbrush handle or shank, may be inserted. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 2-6  are views of upper component  12 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view generally from the bottom, of upper component  12  illustrating the hollow interior into which the toothbrush  16  handles are placed. 
         [0052]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the upper component  12  of the holder  10  shown in  FIG. 1  better illustrating a general shape of the holder  10 . Although side  22  can be of many different shapes, it has been found that the tapering shape, inwards from bottom to top, shown in the figures provides pleasing aesthetics as well as allowing for a larger diameter lower component  26  for greater stability. As shown in  FIG. 3 , side  22  has a change in the angle  22 A, which is for aesthetic purposes only. Top  24  is shown as an upwardly domed surface, which is for aesthetic purposes, but can be flat, downwardly domed, or otherwise. The circumference of top  24  connects to or transitions into the upper edge of side  22  as a preferably unitary structure. The bottom edge of side  22  connects to or transitions into a first rim  28  also as a preferably unitary structure. In other words, top  24 , side  22 , and rim  28  preferably are a unitary structure formed from a single piece of material, such but not limited to as plastic or paper. As discussed in more detail herein, rim  28  cooperates with a second rim  50  on the lower component  26  for connecting lower component  26  to upper component  12 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 4  is a sectional side view of the upper component  12  of the holder  10  shown in  FIG. 1  better illustrating the hollow interior and rim  28 . As can be seen, and as disclosed herein, top  24 , side  22 , and rim  28  preferably are a unitary structure formed from a single piece of material, with rim  28  curving or curling upwards and outwards from the bottom edge of side  22 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the embodiment of the holder  10  shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating an exemplary positioning of holes  14 . As will be seen herein, holes  14  can be any shape, so long as holes  14  can accommodate a toothbrush  16 , and can be present in any quantity. Four egg-shaped or pear-shaped holes  14  are shown in  FIG. 5  as being a preferred embodiment. Other shapes include but are not limited to circles, triangles, squares, stars, and other polygons, both regular and irregular.  FIG. 5  also shows how side  22  tapers outward from top to bottom in a preferred embodiment. 
         [0055]      FIG. 6  is a sectional detail of rim  28 . Rim  28  in the shown embodiment is a semi-circular structure extending outward from the bottom edge of side  22 . Rim  28  initially curves downward and outward, then outward, then upward and outward. Rim  28  can end curving slightly inward back towards side  22 . As disclosed herein, rim  28  cooperates with another rim  50  on lower component  26  so as to secure upper component  12  to lower component  26 . Rim  28  preferably is somewhat flexible so as to snap into the rim  50  on lower component  26 . Rim  28  preferably extends about the entire circumference or perimeter of upper component  12 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a lower component  26  of the toothbrush holder  10  shown in  FIG. 1  shown from the top. Lower component  26  has a shaped surface, which, in the illustrative embodiment shown, resembles an undulation or volcano. In the center of lower component  26  is a truncated peak  40  or rod-like rise. Extending radially from peak  40  are radial ridges  42 . Radial ridges  42  end at an annular ridge  44  proximal to the circumference of lower component  26 . Optional drainage holes  46  can be located in the valley  48  between peak  40  and annular ridge  44  between radial ridges  42 .  FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a lower component  26  of the toothbrush holder  10  shown in  FIG. 1  shown from the bottom and  FIG. 9  is a perspective sectional view of a lower component  26  of the toothbrush holder  10  shown in  FIG. 1  shown from the top. 
         [0057]      FIG. 10  is a sectional side view of a lower component of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1  showing more detail of the peak-valley-ridge shape. A toothbrush  16  placed in the holder handle side down will rest in valley  48 . More specifically, peak  40  and annular ridge  44  will guide the handle of toothbrush  16  into valley  48  where it will come to rest. Peak  40  and annular ridge  44  will maintain toothbrush  16  at a specific radial distance from the center of lower component  26 , and radial ridges  42  will maintain toothbrush  16  in a specific section of lower component  26 . The radial distance defined by valley  48  is such that toothbrush  16  will be maintained at a specific generally upright angle so as to help prevent holder  10  from tipping over and to help direct water and or other liquids to drainage holes  46 . Such a distance can be variable and can be anywhere along lower component  26  depending on the desired angle and the size of the holder  10 . Radial ridges  42  help prevent multiple toothbrushes  16  from touching each other within holder  10  and from moving about valley  48 . The number of radial ridges is variable, from none to as many will structurally fit on lower component  26 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 11  is a top view of a lower component of the toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating the concentric positioning of peak  40 , valley  48  and annular ridge  44 . In this illustrative embodiment, there are six equally spaced apart radial ridges  42 ; however, more or fewer, including no radial ridges  42  are suitable. It is preferable that the space between each radial ridge is at least as large as the toothbrush  16  handle thickness. 
         [0059]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of a lip of a lower component  26  of the toothbrush holder  10  shown in  FIG. 1  providing more detail of an embodiment of rim  50 . Rim  50  in the shown embodiment is a semi-circular structure having a flange  52  extending outward from the circumferential edge of lower component  26 . Rim  50  initially curves downward and outward, then outward, then upward and outward. Rim  50  can continue curving slightly inward back towards annular ridge  44 , and then preferably extends upward and outward forming flange  52 . As disclosed herein, rim  50  cooperates with rim  28  on upper component  12  so as to secure lower component  26  to upper component  12 . Rim  50  and flange  52  preferably are somewhat flexible so that rim  28  can snap into rim  50 . Flange  52  allows for rim  28  to be more easily guided into rim  50  as disclosed herein. Rim  50  preferably extends about the entire circumference or perimeter of lower component  26 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 13  is a sectional perspective view of the assembled toothbrush holder  10  shown in  FIG. 1  shown from the top showing how upper component  12 , particularly rim  28 , fits into lower component  26 , particularly rim  50 . The relative positioning of peak  40 , valley  48 , radial ridges  42 , and annular ridge  44  also can be seen. 
         [0061]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the assembled toothbrush holder  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . As disclosed herein, side  22  preferably slopes slightly outward from top to bottom. While side  22  can be cylindrical or a truncated cone, it also can have various aesthetic features, such as angle  22 A. 
         [0062]      FIG. 15  is a sectional side view of the assembled toothbrush holder  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . As can be seen in this illustrative embodiment, the lower circumference of upper component  12  is generally the same as the circumference of lower component  26 , specifically, the circumferences of rim  28  and rim  50  are such that rim  28  can fit within rim  50 . Further, the outer diameter of annular ridge  44  is less than, and preferably only slightly less than, the inner diameter of the lower portion (proximal to angle  22 A) of upper component  12  such that annular ridge  44  will not interfere with assembling the holder  10 . Toothbrush  16  is shown in a typical position, with brush end outside of holder  10 , and handle extending through hole  14  and resting in valley  48 . Peak  40  and annular ridge  44  maintain toothbrush  16  in a preferred position and angle, and radial ridges  42  prevent toothbrush  16  from moving about valley  48 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 16  is a top view of the assembled toothbrush holder shown in  FIG. 1 . Holes  14  are placed about the top surface of upper component  12 . Although four holes  14  are shown, any number from one to the number that can fit about top surface of upper component  12  can be used. Holes  14  preferably have a size and shape that can accommodate the handle of a toothbrush  16 . Valley  48 , radial ridges  42 , and annular ridge  44  can be seen through holes  14 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 17  is a sectional view of a lip of the assembled toothbrush holder  10  shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating the cooperation between rim  28  and rim  50 . Rim  50  fits within rim  28  in the assembled holder  10 . When assembling holder  10 , rim  28  is located above rim  50  and is lowered onto rim  50 . The bottom of rim  28  contacts flange  52  and forces it outwards. As upper component  12  and lower component  26  are preferably made of a material that can bend or flex, flange  52  flexes radially outward allowing rim  28  to fit within flange  50 . Once rim  28  passes below flange  52  and into rim  50 , flange  52  flexes back inwards, thus releasably securing rim  28  within rim  50 , and upper component  12  to lower component  26 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 18  is a sectional side view of a stack of upper components  12  of the toothbrush holder  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . Upper components  12  thus can be stacked for storage and transportation. Lower components  26  can be similarly stacked. 
         [0066]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an assembled toothbrush holder according to the present invention. This embodiment is included to illustrate that both upper component  12  and lower component  26  can have different shapes yet still result in the same function. In this embodiment, side  22  is more cylindrical and angle  22 A is greater than in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 20  is a perspective sectional view of the assembled toothbrush holder  10  shown in  FIG. 19  shown from the side and top. In this view, it can be seen that lower component  28  has a different peak-valley-annular ridge structure, and does not have radial ridges  42 . More specifically, peak  40  is lower and rounder, valley  48  is shallower, and annular ridge  44  is lower. Such a structural shape for lower component  26  still helps maintain toothbrush  16  in the preferred generally upright position. It also can be seen that rim  28  and rim  50  have a different structure. 
         [0068]      FIG. 21  is a side view of the assembled toothbrush holder  10  shown in  FIG. 19 , and shows a top surface of upper component  12  having a less pronounced dome shape. 
         [0069]      FIG. 22  is a sectional side view of the assembled toothbrush holder  10  shown in  FIG. 19 , and shows in greater detail an alternative shape of lower component  26 . Alternative structures of rim  28  and rim  50  also can be seen in greater detail, which will be disclosed in conjunction with  FIG. 24 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 23  is a top view of the assembled toothbrush holder  10  shown in  FIG. 19 , and shows alternative shapes for holes  14 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 24  is a sectional view of a lip of the assembled toothbrush holder  10  shown in  FIG. 19 , and shows in greater detail alternative structures for rim  28  and rim  50 . In this illustrative embodiment, rim  28  is simple an extension of side  22 , extending generally downwards. Rim  50  is a simple U-shaped configuration into which rim  28  releasably fits. Other structures for rim  28  and rim  50  also are suitable for the present invention. 
         [0072]    The assembled holder  10  preferably is between about 3.5 to 6.0 inches high and has diameters between about 2.5 to 4.0 inches, which is based on the size of the typical toothbrush and the typical bathroom counter. Larger and smaller dimensions are suitable. 
         [0073]    The holder  10  can be made of many different materials, with plastics, papers, sugars, and starches being preferred. As the holder is disposable, easily degrading materials are preferred, as well as thinner materials. 
         [0074]    In use, the assembled holder  10  can be placed on a surface and be used for supporting toothbrushes  16 . The holder  10  can be supplied by an innkeeper or the like to patrons, can be purchased by the ultimate user for personal use, can be given out or sold by commercial entities with advertising thereon for promotional purposes, as well as used in many other ways. As the holder  10  can be supplied in two parts, upper component  12  and lower component  26 , each stacked separately, it is easy to ship and to store. At the location of use, the holder can be assembled. After use, the holder  10  can be rinsed and reused, discarded or, preferably, recycled. 
         [0075]    The foregoing detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the appended figures have been presented only for illustrative and descriptive purposes. They are not intended to be exhaustive and are not intended to limit the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were selected and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications. One skilled in the art will recognize that many variations can be made to the invention disclosed in this specification without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.