Retractable dental hygiene article with chamber

Abstract

The invention features a dental hygiene article that includes a retractable portion and a chamber portion for use in conjunction with the same, as well as methods of use to promote good oral hygiene practices. In general, the invention is directed to a dental hygiene article, such as a toothbrush, wherein the device includes a retractable proximal portion that contains one or both of a head assembly and a stem portion, a chamber portion that is configured for receiving the retractable proximal portion, and a handle portion, which may be detachable. Accordingly, when the retractable portion is in a retracted configuration the head assembly is encased within the chamber, which may then be filled with an additive, such as a fluid medicament, disinfectant, cleaning solution, or the like, so as to treat the head assembly prior to use.

1 . A dental hygiene article, comprising: 
 a retractable proximal portion comprising a head assembly and a stem portion;    a distal handle portion;    and a chamber portion, connecting said proximal portion and said distal portion, and configured for receiving said proximal portion.    
   
   
       2 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 1 , wherein said stem portion is capable of retracting through said chamber and into a lumen of the distal portion.  
   
   
       3 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 1 , wherein said stem portion comprises a plurality of segments, configured for sequentially retracting one within the other.  
   
   
       4 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 3 , wherein said chamber portion is configured for receiving said proximal portion when the segments of said stem portion are in a retracted configuration.  
   
   
       5 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 4 , wherein said chamber is configured to completely contain said head assembly and said stem portion after the segments of the stem portion are completely retracted.  
   
   
       6 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 4 , wherein said head assembly is pivotably connected to said stem portion and configured to collapse into and be completely contained within said chamber after collapsing.  
   
   
       7 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 6 , wherein said stem portion further comprises one or more notches for facilitating said collapse of the toothbrush head assembly into the chamber.  
   
   
       8 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 6 , wherein said chamber comprises a divider that defines a stem portion receiving sub-chamber and a head assembly receiving sub-chamber.  
   
   
       9 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 8 , wherein said head assembly receiving sub-chamber is further configured for receiving an additive from an external source.  
   
   
       10 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 9 , wherein said additive is prevented from entering said stem portion receiving sub-chamber by said divider.  
   
   
       11 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 8 , wherein said external source comprises a fill port attached to said chamber portion.  
   
   
       12 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 1 , wherein said chamber further comprises a fill port adapted for receiving an additive.  
   
   
       13 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 12 , wherein a lumen of said fill port is separated from a lumen of the chamber by a removable separator.  
   
   
       14 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 13 , wherein said additive is prevented from entering said chamber by said separator.  
   
   
       15 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 12 , wherein said chamber further comprises a second fill port adapted for receiving an additive.  
   
   
       16 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 15 , wherein said first and second fill ports comprise a first and second lumen that are both separated from a lumen of the chamber by a first and second removable divider.  
   
   
       17 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 11 , wherein said additive comprises a member selected from the group comprising: an antibacterial medicament, an antimicrobial medicament, an antibiotic medicament, a procoagulant, an analgesic, an anti-inflammatory agent, an antiseptic, a whitener, an immunoglobulin, an antibody, a monoclonal antibody specific for  S. epidermidis , monoclonal antibody specific for  P. aeruginosa , monoclonal antibody specific for  S. aureus , monoclonal antibody specific for  S. sanguis , monoclonal antibody specific for  S. mutans , monoclonal antibody specific for  Bacteroides gingivalis , monoclonal antibody specific for Streptococci, monoclonal antibody specific for Enterococci, lidocaine, amylase inhibitors, hibiscus, hibiscus-acid, roselle tea or extracts thereof, tannin, starch blockers, glucosidase-inhibitors, fluoride, chlorhexidine, green tea or extracts, anise, tea tree oil and extracts, epinephrine, oil of cloves, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, aspirin, diflunisal, fenoprofen calcium, naproxen, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, tolmetin sodium, indomethacin, an anti-tussive, a benzonatate, a caramiphen edisylate, a menthol, a dextromethorphan hydrobromide, a chlophedianol hydrochloride, a narcotic analgesics, morphine, heroin, hydromorphone, metopon, oxymorphone, levorphanol, codeine, hydrocodone, xycodone, nalorphine, naloxone, naltrexone, a stimulant, caffeine, nicotine, an analgesic antipyretic, a salycilate, phenylbutazone, indomethacin, phenacetin, iron salt, ferric sulfate, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), hydrogen peroxide, tetracycline, sodium bicarbonate, and lysozyme.  
   
   
       18 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 1 , wherein said head assembly comprises a toothbrush head assembly.  
   
   
       19 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 18 , wherein said tooth brush head assembly comprises bristles extended there from.  
   
   
       20 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 1 , wherein said head assembly is detachable from said stem portion.  
   
   
       21 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 1 , wherein said proximal portion is adapted for removal from said chamber portion.  
   
   
       22 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 1 , wherein said distal portion is adapted for removal from said chamber portion.  
   
   
       23 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 3 , wherein said stem portion further comprises a biased spring to facilitate retraction of said stem portion.  
   
   
       24 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 23 , wherein said distal portion further comprises an actuator to effect retraction of said stem portion.  
   
   
       25 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 3 , wherein said stem portion further comprises a biased spring to facilitate extension of said stem portion.  
   
   
       26 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 25 , wherein said distal portion further comprises an actuator to facilitate extension of said stem portion.  
   
   
       27 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 1 , wherein said distal portion comprises a removable floss dispenser and outlet port.  
   
   
       28 . The dental hygiene article according to  claim 1 , wherein said head assembly further comprises a loop configured for use in removing head assembly from said chamber.  
   
   
       29 . A dental hygiene article according to  claim 1 , wherein said head assembly is pivotably attached to said stem portion and said stem portion is pivotably attached to said chamber portion.