Chewable toothbrush

#The present invention relates generally to toothbrushes. More particularly, the present invention relates to a toothbrush having a chewable bristle anchor.

#The prior art contains a vast number of different toothbrush designs. A manually operated toothbrush typically includes rows of bristles attached to a rigid head. The user holds the toothbrush against his teeth and moves the toothbrush to scrub the teeth. Conventional hand-held toothbrushes require manual manipulation to effectively clean the teeth. Some known toothbrushes are designed for a single use or for a limited number of uses. Such “temporary” of single-use toothbrushes also utilize a rigid bristle head and also require the user to manually manipulate the toothbrush.

#Although the prior art contains many toothbrushes, most do not divert from the manual operation of the standard design. Accordingly, there exists a need for a toothbrush that cleans teeth in a new and unconventional manner.

#A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in conjunction with the following Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the Figures.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush configured in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bristle anchor suitable for use with the toothbrush shown in FIG. 1

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush 100 configured in accordance with the present invention. The example embodiment described herein is suitable as a single-use, disposable toothbrush. Alternatively, toothbrush 100 can be configured for use as a multiple-use toothbrush. Toothbrush 100 generally includes a chewable bristle anchor 102 (hidden from view in FIG. 1, but shown in FIGS. 2-5), a plurality of bristles 104 attached to bristle anchor 102, and a handle 106 connected to bristle anchor 102. As described in more detail below, bristle anchor 102 includes a cavity that holds a wetting material such as a liquid or gel mouthwash. The wetting material is released from the cavity as the user chews the toothbrush 100. Prior to use, the wetting material is temporarily sealed within the cavity with a layer of wax and/or a layer of toothpaste.

#Bristle anchor 102 is preferably formed from a pliable material that allows bristle anchor 102 to be compressed when chewed. Bristle anchor 102 is formed such that it initially holds an uncompressed shape (as shown in FIGS. 2-4). Although the shape of bristle anchor 102 may vary for a given toothbrush, the example embodiments utilize an oblong and football-shaped anchor. Bristle anchor 102 is configured to compress upon itself in response to the application of an external force (such as a chewing force) and to return to the uncompressed shape in response to removal of the external force. FIG. 5 depicts bristle anchor 102 in a deformed or compressed shape resulting from the application of an external force F. Bristle anchor 102 can be formed from a resilient material having elastic memory that allows it to return to its original shape. As an example, bristle anchor 102 can be formed from any suitable plastic, rubber, nylon, composite, or other material. The hardness, resiliency, elasticity, tensile strength, and other physical properties of bristle anchor 102 can be selected according to the particular design.

#The bristles 104 can be attached to bristle anchor 102 in any suitable manner. For example, bristles 104 may be molded into bristle anchor 102, inserted and bonded into holes formed in bristle anchor 102, or the like. In a practical embodiment, bristles 104 may be located in a random manner or in a specific pattern suited to the shape, size, or application of toothbrush 100. For example, in one practical embodiment, the plurality of bristles 104 includes a plurality of short bristles 104a, each having a relatively low stiffness, a plurality of intermediate bristles 104b, each having a relatively intermediate stiffness, and a plurality of long bristles 104c, each having a relatively high stiffness (see FIG. 4). Short bristles 104a act as the first layer of bristles, which are applied to the users gum line. In use, the chewing motion causes the short bristles 104a to gently push against and massage the gum line, thus removing foreign material and plaque from the gum line. Intermediate bristles 104b act as the second layer of bristles. Intermediate bristles 104b clean plaque and debris below the gum line and reach in the crevices located between the teeth. The layer of intermediate bristles 104b also functions to clean the overall surface of each tooth and the gums. Long bristles 104c, clean and stimulate the bottom and roof of the mouth and the tongue. In one practical embodiment, short bristles 104a are each approximately ⅛ inch long, intermediate bristles 104b are each approximately ¼ inch long, and long bristles 104c are each approximately ⅜ inch long. For purposes of illustration, FIG. 4 only shows a small number of bristles 104; a practical toothbrush 100 includes a larger number of densely arranged bristles 104 (as shown in FIG. 1).