GB2351015A

GB2351015A - Chewable toothbrush

Info

Publication number: GB2351015A
Application number: GB9913983A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Kennedy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-06-17
Filing date: 1999-06-17
Publication date: 2000-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-17
Also published as: GB9913983D0; GB2351015B

Abstract

A chewable toothbrush comprises a soft hollow bristle C,D covered sphere B which has toothpaste contained within it, wherein the toothpaste is released through holes A in the spheres outer surface upon the user chewing the sphere. The bristles may be of two different lengths with the shorter inner bristles being arranged in an octagonal pattern (see figure 3). An object of the invention is to provide a brush which does not require the users hands in holding a handle, however an alternative embodiment is described which has a round 'lollipop' like handle for use by children (see figure 4).

Description

235101.5 BRISTLE BALL An all-in-one dual bristle ball, teeth cleaning

system, which is placed in the mouth and chewed, (not edible), thus releasing the toothpaste filled centre into the mouth. As the ball is chewed, the bristles work together Mh the toothpaste to clean the teeth.

The bristle ball is a new way of teeth cleaning comparable only to the toothbrush and toothpaste system. The conventional toothbrush is hand held and a separate toothpaste has to be used in relation to the toothbrush. The toothbrush has limitations in that it has to be held in either the right or left hand, while administering the toothpaste, with the other freehand. Upper limb movement is necessary to apply the toothbrush and toothpaste. The common stance with using the traditional toothbrush necessitates standing static in front of a mirror, whilst cleaning your teeth and is a time consuming activity. This activity carried out normally twice a day, is an almost impossible task with anybody who has limited or no upper body mobility, i.e. semi disabled people.

1 An object of this invention is to provide an all-in-one tooth cleaning system, which is less time consuming, gives freedom of movement to both arms enabling a person to carry out other activities, at the same time, whilst cleaning your teeth. Can be used by moderately disabled persons, with upper limb disabilities.

The bristle ball is a round, soft, hollow, sponge casing filled with toothpaste. The bristle ball has three holes on either side of the sphere to release the toothpaste on mastication. The sponge ball itself is surrounded by short inner bristle, inter spaced between these are longer length bristles. This is a two-tier brush teeth-cleaning system with shorter bristle and longer outer bristles, which work together cleaning the teeth on chewing. As the ball is chewed and moved around in the mouth, the toothpaste in the centre of the ball is thus released, acting together with the mouth's natural saliva to form a paste. The person chews the bristle ball making sure that the bristles are brushing against the upper and lower, inner and outer teeth. This action is carried out for several minutes, until the person is satisfied that they have cleaned their teeth. Upon completion, of rotating the bristle ball around in the mouth, the bristle ball is then discarded. The bristle ball is a disposable item, not to be swallowed. The mouth is then vmshed out in the usual way with water.

3 The Bristle Ball itself is made of construction of fight plastic for the bristles. The casing itself could be made from sponge, rubber or similar materials.

A preferred embodiment of the inventions will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which FIGURE 1 A dissected view of the bristle ball (A) Holes that release the toothpaste (B) The actual hollow shell (C) Short Inner bristles (D) Longer outer bristles (E) Shell casing membrane FIGURE 2 Full external view of the bristle ball FIGURE 3 (A) Shows alternative view of inner bristles FIGURE 4 (A) Shows bristle ball mounted on a round stick 4 As shown in Figure 1 (A) there are small holes that release the toothpaste from the toothpaste filled centre.

Figure 1 (B) shows the actual centre of the bristle ball itself, which when empty is hollow, (on manufacture would be filled with toothpaste).

Figure 1 (C) shows short inner bristles.

Figure 1 (D) shows longer outer bristles.

Figure 1 (E) shows the shell casing membrane itself.

Figure 2 shows the external view of the bristle ball itself.

Figure 3 (A) shovis an alternate to the short inner bristles; i.e. they have eight pointed star effect, specifically designed for inner contour irregular teeth.

Figure 4 (A) is a hand held stick type that could be attached on manufacture to the bristle ball, then placed in the mouth, like a lollipop, cleaning the mouth by a brushing and cheWng action. The junior bristle bail stick type is a safety feature.

Claims

An object of this invention is to provide an all-in-one tooth cleaning system, which is less time consuming, gives freedom of movement to both arms enabling a person to carry out other activities, at the same time, wflilst cleaning your teeth. Can be used by moderately disabled persons, with upper limb disabilities. The bristle ball is a round, soft, hollow, sponge casing filled with toothpaste. The bristle ball has three holes on either side of the sphere to release the toothpaste on mastication. The sponge ball itself is surrounded by short inner bristle, inter spaced between these are longer length bristles. This is a two-tier brush teethcleaning system with shorter bristle and longer outer bristles, which wvrk together cleaning the teeth on chewing. As the ball is chewed and moved around in the mouth, the toothpaste in the centre of the ball is thus released, acting together with the mouth's natural saliva to form a paste. The person chews the bristle ball making sure that the bristles are brushing against the upper and tovmr, inner and outer teeth.

This action is carried out for several minutes, until the person is satisfied that they have cleaned their teeth. Upon completion, of rotating the bristle ball around in the mouth, the bristle ball is then discarded. The bristle ball is a disposable item, not to be swallowed. The mouth is then washed out in the usual vtray with water.

6
2. A bristle ball as claimed in Claim 1, wflerein the bristle ball see Figure3 (A), the inner bristles are octagonal shaped in size and completely surrounds the actual bristle casing itself, as with Claim 1, Figure 1 the longer outer bristles are the same.
3. A bristle ball as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the bristle ball see Figure 4 (A) has a round stick attached to the bristle ball itself, this is specifically for junior use, which would be used like a lollipop for safety reasons.