Toothbrush

Abstract

A toothbrush may comprise a handle including an internal cavity, a first opening for receiving objects in the cavity, and a second opening for a button. A neck of the toothbrush may comprise a linking portion and a head portion. The first opening and the linking portion may be sized so that the linking portion of the neck slides inside the first opening of the handle. A button element comprising a pressing portion and a sealing portion, may be formed of a flexible material and formed in the second opening of the handle to seal the second opening. An electronic module may comprise a light element that may be activated by the button. When assembled, the linking portion may be inserted in the first opening and the electronic module may be contained within the handle or within the handle and the neck.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to toothbrushes, and in particular toothbrushes for children. The invention also particularly relates to a toothbrush which has a timer element. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the toothbrush. The toothbrush is designed to be very simple so that it is cheap and easy to manufacture in large volumes with a low rate of defects.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]Toothbrushes are everyday devices for use in cleaning teeth. Teaching children good oral hygiene is important as this can establish good habits for a lifetime. It is well known that brushing teeth adequately takes a certain amount of time and it can sometimes be difficult for children to learn how long is enough. Various toothbrushes with built in timers are known. Timers typically work for two minutes as this is the recommended cleaning time. One known method of timing is to use a flashing light. The flashing light is activated by a button on the toothbrush...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a toothbrush with a simple construction and integrated electronic module. The handle, neck, and electronic module are separate components, making the toothbrush easy to assemble and produce in large volumes. The button is elastic and easy for children to activate, while also being strong enough to resist tearing. The design is secure and securely watertight with no need for welds between the parts of the handle. The battery cannot be accessed once the toothbrush is assembled, improving child safety. The electronic module is a complete and discrete part that can be inserted in the handle or neck and the handle. It does not need to be secured to the handle, thus it is "floating" within the handle. This design allows for adjustment of the exact position of the module and ensures the button of the handle is located next to the switch of the electronic component. The process is simple and easy to manufacture, minimizing labor costs.

Problems solved by technology

The button is moulded to the handle in such a way that the join is waterproof and difficult to remove.

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