# US 10,117,506 B2 · Finger puppet toothbrush

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- Number: US 10,117,506 B2
- Document ID: US10117506B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/788,205
- Filed: 2017-10-19
- Published: 2018-04-19
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2016-10-19
- Assignees: The Brushies LLC
- Applicants: The Brushies LLC
- Inventors: Colleen Crowley; Hilary Fritsch
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10117506B2

## CPC

- A46B 5/04: shaped as gloves or finger-stalls {or other special holding ways, e.g. by the tongue}
- A46B 1/00: Brush bodies and bristles moulded as a unit
- A46B 15/0089: {Brushes with figurines such as animals on the handle}
- A46B 2200/1066: Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures (A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04)
- A46B 2200/1086: Toothbrush for cleaning animal teeth specifically
- A46B: BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G)

## Abstract

A finger puppet toothbrush may include character features, such as an imitation animal body, arms, legs, teeth, eyes, tail, etc. The various character features may provide different brushing functions to the toothbrush. However, due to the disguised appearance of the functional features as character parts, small children may be enticed to use the toothbrush more willingly and develop proper dental hygiene.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A toothbrush comprising:
an imitation character body comprising a closed end and an open end, wherein the imitation character body is cylindrical, wherein the imitation character body comprises a hollow interior;
a reinforcing ring adjacent to the open end of the imitation character body;
a top appendage coupled to a top surface of the imitation character body, wherein the top appendage comprises a first ridge and a second ridge, wherein a height of the first ridge is greater than a height of the second ridge;
a platform coupled to the imitation character body, wherein the platform comprises a planar surface; and
a plurality of first bristles extending from the planar surface of the platform.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the first ridge and the second ridge form a tongue scraper.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The toothbrush of claim 1, further comprising a forward appendage configured to assist in removal of the toothbrush from a finger.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The toothbrush of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of second bristles distributed around a perimeter of the platform.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the toothbrush is injection molded.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the imitation character body, the top appendage, the platform, and the plurality of first bristles comprise an elastomeric material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein a radius of a base of the closed end is greater than a radius of the imitation character body.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the closed end comprises a face of a character.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first bristles form teeth of the imitation character body.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The toothbrush of claim 9, wherein the imitation character body is a superhero, a robot, a princess, a cartoon character, a political figure, a parent, a friend, a pet, a monster, a puppet character, a dinosaur, a monkey, a pig, or a whale.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the first ridge and the second ridge are configured to scrape bacteria from a tongue.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The toothbrush of claim 11, wherein the top appendage of the imitation character body is configured to assist in removal of the toothbrush from a human finger.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The toothbrush of claim 12, further comprising eyes on the closed end of the imitation character body.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The toothbrush of claim 13, wherein a radius of the reinforcing ring is greater than a radius of the imitation character body.