Sanitary toothbrush holder

[57] ABSTRACT

A sanitary toothbrush holder intended for holding a plurality of toothbrushes in a container completely enclosing the toothbrushes and providing a dehydrating and sanitizing atmosphere therein along with air circulation therethrough for drying the toothbrushes and holding the same in a sanitary manner, the container adapted to be mounted on a vertical surface, such as a wall, with the handle ends of the toothbrushes received in toothbrush holding recesses formed in the interior bottom of the container, the top of the container being open and adapted to be closed by a swinging horizontal cover having a compartment defined therein which is in communication with the interior of the container and which is intended to hold a plurality of sanitizing and dehydrating pellets which provide the desired atmosphere to the container interior.

Claims, 4 Drawing Figures

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PATENTED HAY 2 01975 3,884,635

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3,884,635

SANITARY TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to toothbrush holders and more particularly to a novel and improved toothbrush holder having a container for storing toothbrushes between uses and which provides an atmosphere therein of a sterilizing and dehydrating nature, the compartment being substantially closed to the surrounding atmosphere to prevent dirt and the like from contacting the brushes while in the container.

2. Description of the Prior Art

For storing and holding toothbrushes between times of using the same there are presently two general classes of forms of toothbrush holders available to the individual. The first class of forms comprises those devices where the toothbrushes are suspended or in some way supported in the open air which, while allowing for the proper drying of the toothbrush, also allows the toothbrushes to be contaminated by dirt, dust and other contaminants in the atmosphere so that the toothbrushes are dried and stored in an unsanitary manner. In the other class of storage devices the toothbrushes are suspended or rested in a container or holder which is closed to the atmosphere thus keeping the toothbrushes free from contamination, but such devices suffer the problem of not providing sufficient circulation of air about the toothbrush to dry the same so that the toothbrush soon becomes foul and unsanitary.

While attempts have been made in the prior art to overcome such problems encountered by the two classes of storage devices for toothbrushes, such as by providing powered circulatory means within a closed container and passing the air through chemical substances for drying the same, all of such devices are either complex in structure, expensive to manufacture, bulky and aesthetically displeasing, require constant maintenance on the part of the individual utilizing the same, or suffer other problems and difficulties in attempting to provide a satisfactory solution of the problem of storing toothbrushes in a sanitary manner while still permitting the adequate drying of the same so that the toothbrushes do not become foul.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention remedies and overcomes all of the foregoing deficiencies and disadvantages of presently available toothbrush storage and holding devices by providing a novel sanitary toothbrush holder intended for separately holding a plurality of toothbrushes in a vertical position in a container with the container protecting such toothbrushes from dust and contaminants in the atmosphere while providing a sanitizing and dehydrating atmosphere within the container for the proper drying of the toothbrushes in a sanitary manner.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a sanitary toothbrush holder for holding a plurality of toothbrushes in a sanitizing and dehydrating atmosphere while still permitting the toothbrushes to be readily selectively and individually removed from the container and replaced into the container without disturbing or contacting the other toothbrushes therein.

A further feature of the present invention provides a toothbrush container intended for holding a plurality of toothbrushes in a separate manner therein and in which a compartment is provided for the placing of sanitizing and dehydrating pellets with the fumes thereof being in communication with the container and with such compartment being accessible from exterior of the container for inserting and removing pellets thereinto without having to open the container.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a toothbrush holding container wherein the toothbrushes are held in vertical positions separate from each other so that they will readily dry in a protected manner.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a toothbrush holder for retaining a plurality of toothbrushes in an atmosphere generally free from bacteria and viruses which exist in the air, and permitting the toothbrushes to dry in a sanitizing atmosphere.

The provision of a toothbrush holding container for a plurality of toothbrushes, such as briefly outlined above, and possessing the stated advantages, constitutes the principal features of the present invention. The provision of a toothbrush holder which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; one which is devoid of moving parts and which therefore is unlikely to get out of order; one which is durably constructed and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manfacturer to withstand many years of intended usage; one which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance; one which holds a plurality of toothbrushes in a compact manner requiring a minimum of mounting space for the holder; and one which, otherwise, is well adapted to perform the services required of it, are further desirable features which have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is front perspective view of a sanitary toothbrush holder constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the toothbrush holder mounted on a vertical supporting surface;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush holder of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the toothbrush holder, with the cover partially broken away to show the interior of the container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings there is disclosed a sanitary toothbrush holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and which is designated generally by the reference numeral 10, the holder being comprised of an open top container 11 having a cover 12 with a compartment 13 disposed centrally thereof for holding a plurality of sanitizing and dehydrating pellets 14 therein. The holder 10 may be manufactured out of metal, wood, hard rubber, plastic, or any other suitable satisfactory material providing an

3,884,635 aesthetically pleasing and refined appearance. The preferred embodiment is fabricated of a high density polyethylene plastic to provide either a transparent toothbrush holder, or by introducing appropriate coloring dyes into the plastic prior to the fabrication of the holder, the holder may be provided in a variety of different colors attractive to the prospective purchaser.

The container 11 is of a hollow box-like shape having a horizontal bottom wall surface 21, opposed vertically extending side walls 22 and 23, a vertical front wall surface 24, and a vertical back wall surface 25, the walls defining therebetween interiorly thereof an elongated rectangular compartment 26 of suitable depth and width to hold therein a plurality of toothbrushes 15 each having a brush head portion 16 with an elongated shank 17 extending therefrom with the opposite end defining a handle end portion 18. Each of the wall surfaces 22-25 terminates at top peripheral edges 32-35 respectively with such edges lying substantially coplanar to define a horizontal plane extending parallel to the bottom surface 21 and spaced a distance upwardly therefrom greater than the length of a normal toothbrush 15.

Disposed centrally of the interior surface of the bottom wall surface 21 and extending therealong in a spaced apart manner is a plurality of boss members 40 each having a rectangular horizontal cross-section and projecting normal to the bottom surface, each boss member having a top horizontal surface 41 with a recess 42 defined interiorly of the boss and opening upwardly and outwardly of the top surface 41, the recesses being shown in the drawings as rectangular in shape with it being understood that such recesses may be of any size and configuration adapted to supportively receive therein the handle end portion 18 of a toothbrush 15 in a manner retaining the toothbrush supported therein and projecting substantially vertically therefrom. The boss members 40 and recesses 42 are disposed a sufficient distance apart and constructed in a manner to retain the toothbrushes stored separately from each other with the bristles of the brush head 16 spaced apart from the bristles of all other toothbrushes to permit air flow thereabout for drying the same in a sanitary manner.

For mounting the container 11 to a vertical surface, such as a wall or door 45 there is provided a pair of adhesive strips 46 mounted on the exterior surface of the back wall surface 25 and extending along the bottom and top edges thereof, such strips provided with an adhesive material on the exterior surface thereof adapted to firmly adhesively grip the vertical surface upon the strip being placed in adjacent juxtaposition therewith so as to mount the container 11 to such surface.

The cover 12 is substantially flat and is of a size and configuration to completely close the top opening of the compartment 26 in a manner to close the container 11, the cover including a front edge 54, a back edge 55, opposed end edges 52 and 53, an exterior surface 56, and an interior surface 57. The cover is of a rectangular configuration adapted to overlap the container 11 to close the compartment 26 with edges 52-55 overlapping container wall surface peripheral top edges 32-35 respectively.

The cover is hingedly connected at the corner portion interconnecting edges 52 and 55 by a suitable hinge 60 to the container side wall 22 adjacent the top corner thereof nearest the back surface 25 for swinging pivotal movement thereabout in a horizontal plane in the direction of arrows 58 to open and close the container.

Disposed centrally of the cover 12 and projecting downwardly and outwardly therefrom is the compartment 13 formed integrally with the cover, the compartment being of a hemi-spherical shape and having a plurality of openings 62 extending therethrough placing the interior of the cover compartment into communication with the interior of the container compartment 26. To close the cover compartment 13 there is provided a circular cover 63 having a lip 64 projecting diametrically from one edge thereof and which is adapted to be snugly received in the open top of the compartment 13 with the lip received in a complementary recess 65 formed in the cover 12 such that when in position the cover 63 lies co-planar with the cover 12 to seal the top of the compartment 13.

The compartment 13 is of a size and configuration adapted to receive therein a plurality of sanitizing pellets 14 which may be manufactured of materials having excellent hygroscopic characteristics to absorb moisture from the atmosphere, such as calcium chloride, silica gel, and the like, with such pellets being treated with an anti-bacterial sanitizing substance such that the fumes provided from the pellets would pass through openings 62 into container compartment 26 to provide a dehydrating and sanitizing atmosphere to the toothbrushes 15 within the container for drying the same in a sanitary manner.

To permit air circulation through the compartment 26 when the cover 12 is in the closed position, the cover is provide with a plurality of air vents 66 extending therethrough with the container front wall surface 24 being similarly provided with a plurality of air vents 67 disposed along the bottom edge thereof adjacent bottom surface 21 and extending therethrough, such vents being of a size and configuration and disposed in the relative surfaces to provide an air flow through the compartment 26 while still protecting the brushes 15 therein from dust, dirt and other air borne contaminants as the air flow therethrough would be of a smooth continuous motion where such contaminants would have already been dropped from the air due to the exceptionally slow motion thereof through the container.

Further, it is to be understood that the hinge 60 permits for the slight upward tilting of the cover 12 relative to the top edges of the container wall surfaces as the cover is swung between the open and closed position so as to permit the downward projecting compartment 13 to pass over the container wall edges.

In operation, the container 11 is either secured to a vertical surface 45 by adhesive strips 46, or is rested on a horizontal surface in a suitable manner on bottom surface 21, a supply of pellets 14 are inserted into compartment 13 with the compartment then being sealed by cover 63, with the individual toothbrushes 15 then being inserted into the compartment 26 with the handle end portions 18 engaged in associated separate recesses 42. The cover 12 is then placed in the closed position with the toothbrushes now being completely closed within the container and subjected to the dehydrating and sanitizing fumes from the pellets providing a drying and sanitizing atmosphere within the container while permitting a smooth continuous air flow through the air vents 66 and 67, such as designated by arrows 70, such air flow being treated by the fumes from the

3.884.635 pellets to maintain the desired atmosphere within the container. To remove a toothbrush from the container, the cover 12 is pivoted about hinge 60 to expose the top of the compartment 26, the desired toothbrush is removed therefrom, with the cover then being closed until further storage of the toothbrush is required.

There is thus provided a novel toothbrush holding container permitting a plurality of toothbrushes to be separately stored between usages in a manner protected from atmospheric dirt, dust and other contaminants while permitting air flow thereabout to properly dry the toothbrushes after use, such air flow being of a sanitizing nature so as to both sanitize and dry the toothbrushes, after which the sanitary atmosphere within the container retains the sanitary condition of the toothbrush until further use thereof.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.