Travel toothbrush

Abstract

The present invention, in one aspect is directed to a toothbrush comprising an elongate handle and a brushing head. The elongate handle has first and second portions. The first portion includes a generally rectangular shaped body with grip means for facilitating holding the toothbrush during use. The second portion includes an elongate body having a securing means for retaining the brushing head in a fixed position relative to the elongate handle. An axis extends between the first and second portions of the elongate handle such that the brushing head is angularly tilted relative to the axis.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A toothbrush comprising: an elongate handle and a brushing head, said elongate handle having a first and second portion, said first portion including a body providing a grip for facilitating holding said toothbrush during use, and said second portion including an elongate body having a securing means at an end remote from said first portion, for mounting said brushing head in a fixed position relative to said elongate handle, wherein said body includes a hollow region for storing at least one brushing head.  
     
     
         2 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said body includes a handle axis extending between said first and second portions of said elongate handle and a brush axis of said brushing head, and wherein said securing means is such that said brush axis is angularly tilted relative to said handle axis.  
     
     
         3 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said brush axis is provided at one of an acute angle and an obtuse angle relative to said handle axis.  
     
     
         4 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said securing means includes opposed mounting surfaces perpendicular to said brush axis and a bore extending between said mounting surfaces and wherein said brushing head includes a shaft for engaging said bore of said securing means.  
     
     
         5 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said bore and said shaft of said brushing head include complementary threads.  
     
     
         6 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein sides of said body are substantially rectangular and said body has a substantially square cross-section.  
     
     
         7 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said body includes a series of inwardly arched concaved regions longitudinally distributed along said sides of said body, whereby each of said inwardly arched concaved regions is adapted to facilitate gripping said toothbrush whilst in use.  
     
     
         8 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said body includes a removable lid for closing said hollow region, whereby said at least one brushing head can be confined within said body by said lid.  
     
     
         9 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 6  or  7 , wherein said body includes at least one hole to permit air to enter and circulate within said hollow region and to dry moist or wet brushing heads.  
     
     
         10 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said acute angle is in the range of approximately 65-70°, and said obtuse angle is in the range of approximately 120-125°.  
     
     
         11 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said body and said lid each include at least one hole therethrough to said hollow inner volume, to permit air to enter said and exit said hollow inner volume from separate holes.  
     
     
         12 . A toothbrush comprising: 
 (a) an elongate handle moulded from a plastic material, which includes a first and second end portion, said elongate handle having a body at one end having a hollow inner volume, open at a free end thereof and having side surfaces of a generally waved shape to facilitate gripping of said toothbrush whilst in use;    (b) on at least one of said side surfaces, at least one hole through to said hollow inner volume, to permit air flow access to said hollow inner volume of said elongate handle;    (c) a removable lid for closing said open free end of said hollow inner volume;    (d) a brushing head, wherein said brushing head is connected to said angled securing means; and    (e) an angled securing means for securing said brushing head to said second portion.    
     
     
         13 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 12 , further including at least one replacement brushing head stored in said hollow inner volume of said elongate handle.  
     
     
         14 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said elongate handle has an axis extending longitudinally throughout its length between said lid means and said angled securing means, and wherein said angled securing means is annularly shaped, said angled securing means having a first surface and a second surface, whereby said brushing head connects to either said first surface or said second surface.  
     
     
         15 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said axis and said first surface of said angled securing means form an acute angle.  
     
     
         16 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said acute angle is in the range of approximately 65-70°.  
     
     
         17 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said axis and said second surface of said angled securing means form an obtuse angle.  
     
     
         18 . The toothbrush as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said obtuse angle is in the range of approximately 120-125°.  
     
     
         19 . A method of providing a brushing head of a toothbrush for use and for protecting the brushing head, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing a toothbrush with a body and providing a hollow region within said body for storing said at least one brushing head;    (b) providing a lid for closing said hollow region, to confine said at least one brushing head within said hollow region to protect said at least one brushing head;    (c) providing at least one hole in at least one of said body and said lid for permitting air flow through said hollow region to reduce moisture in said hollow region;    (d) providing said toothbrush with a securing means, and in use, mounting a brushing head to said securing means; and    (e) removing said brushing head from said securing means when not in use; and    (f) storing said brushing head in said hollow region.    
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said storing step comprises: 
 (a) removing said lid means for providing access to said hollow region;    (b) placing said brushing head in said hollow region; and    (c) replacing said lid means for confining said at least one brushing head within said hollow region.