Folding, disposable toothbrush

Abstract

A foldable toothbrush comprises a bristle arm including bristles and a handle arm formed from sheet plastic. The bristle arm includes toothbrush bristles. The bristle arm and handle arm are attached via a grommet that allows for relative rotation of the arms in an arc in arc in the plane that generally includes the two arms of the toothbrush and that is generally perpendicular to the bristle axis. Because the materials are economical and readily available and manufacture is simple, the cost of the brushes is low enough such that the brush can be considered disposable after a single use.

1 . A folding toothbrush comprising: 
 a bristle arm including means for cleaning teeth and stimulating gums, said cleaning means having an end attached to said bristle arm and a free end, said attached end and said free end defining a bristle axis;    a handle arm;    an attachment means for attaching said bristle arm and said handle arm such that at least one of said bristle arm and said handle arm can be positioned relative to each other by rotation in an arc in the plane that generally includes the two arms of the toothbrush and that is generally perpendicular to the bristle axis.    
   
   
       2 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  in which the means for cleaning teeth and stimulating gums is bristles.  
   
   
       3 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  in which the attachment means is an annular grommet.  
   
   
       4 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  in which the attachment means is a solid rivet.  
   
   
       5 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  in which the attachment means is a brad.  
   
   
       6 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  in which the bristle arm is manufactured from sheet plastic.  
   
   
       7 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  in which the handle arm is manufactured from sheet plastic.  
   
   
       8 . The toothbrush of  claim 6  in which the sheet plastic is of a thickness within a range between 0.008 inch and 0.5 inch inclusive.  
   
   
       9 . The toothbrush of  claim 6  in which the plastic is of a thickness within a range between 0.01 inch and 0.1 inch inclusive.  
   
   
       10 . The toothbrush of  claim 7  in which the sheet plastic is of a thickness within a range between 0.08 inch and 0.5 inch inclusive.  
   
   
       11 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  further including dental floss attached to the handle arm.  
   
   
       12 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  further including a detachable toothpick integrally formed in the handle arm.  
   
   
       13 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  in which the handle arm and the bristle arm are manufactured from cardboard.  
   
   
       14 . The toothbrush of  claim 12  in which the cardboard is laminated for water resistance.  
   
   
       15 . The toothbrush of  claim 12  in which the cardboard is of a thickness within the range of 0.02 inches to 0.25 inches inclusive.  
   
   
       16 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  in which at least one handle is made of bamboo.  
   
   
       17 . The toothbrush of  claim 6  in which the plastic is vinyl.  
   
   
       18 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  in which toothpaste is applied to the toothbrush in advance of purchase by a consumer.