# US 4,396,238 A · Toothbrush holder

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 4,396,238 A
- Document ID: US4396238A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/232,336
- Filed: 1981-02-06
- Granted: 1983-08-02
- Earliest claimed: 1980-02-07
- Assignees: Pervisa S.A.
- Inventors: Jorge V. Torruella
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4396238A

## CPC

- A47K 1/09: Holders for drinking glasses, tooth brushes, hair brushes, or the like
- A46B 17/04: Protective covers for the bristles
- A46B 2200/1066: Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures (A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04)
- A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A46B: BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G)

## Abstract

A toothbrush holder comprises a box fastened to a vertical surface and lid hingedly attached to the box. The lid includes a leaf which is deflected upon insertion in the box of a toothbrush and causes the lid to automatically close over the brush head.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A toothbrush holder for shielding the bristle head of a toothbrush, said toothbrush including said head and an extended handle, comprising:
a box, said box having at least a back member, side panels extended from opposite sides of said back member, the top and front of said box being open, the bottom of said box including a restricted opening whereby said handle may be passed through said box between said top and said bottom;
a lid, one of said lid and said side panels having pins extending therefrom and engaging in holes in the other one of said lid and side panels whereby said lid is pivotably mounted to said side panels, said lid in a first pivoted position exposing said open box top for passage therethrough of said handle, said lid in a second pivoted position being adapted to cover said open front and open top of said box, said lid having a leaf extending between said side panels, said leaf obstructing the passage of said brush head through said box, the force of said head against said leaf causing said lid to pivot on said pins whereby the front and top of said box are covered, said brush being supported on said leaf.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The toothbrush holder as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising means for reversibly securing said lid to said back element, said lid being in said second pivoted position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The toothbrush holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means for securing is a tab extending from said back member, said lid and said tab being adapted for frictional sliding engagement to secure said lid.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 3)

The toothbrush holder as claimed in claim 3 or 1, and further including guide means for aligning and centering said brush head within said box, said alignment being in the direction of motion of said brush from said top to said bottom.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A toothbrush holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein said guide means include parallel flanges connected to said back member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A toothbrush holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said box and said side panels are integral.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A toothbrush holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pins are connected to said lid, said pins engaging holes in said side elements, whereby said lid is pivotably mounted.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A toothbrush holder as claimed on claim 1, and further comprising means for attachment of said toothbrush holder to a surface, said means for attachment being connected to said box.