Fountain toothbrush

Abstract

A toothbrush includes a handle connected to a head and bristles projecting from the top of the head. A channel runs longitudinally through the handle between a first opening and a second opening such that the first opening is in communication with the second opening through the channel. The first opening is arranged at a proximate end of said channel and said second opening is arranged at a distal end of the channel, the proximate end being closer to the head than the distal end. The channel and the first and second openings are arranged so that a substantially downward running stream of water directed into one of the first opening and the second opening is redirected through the channel and out of the other of the first opening and the second opening to form a fountain when the toothbrush is held substantially horizontally. A direction of a flow of the fountain at the other of the first opening and the second opening having an upward component so that a user, i.e., holder of the toothbrush can easily reach the fountain for oral rinsing.

1 . A toothbrush, comprising a handle portion connected to a head portion, each of said handle portion and said head portion having a top and a bottom, and bristles projecting from the top of said head portion, said handle portion having a first end proximate said head portion and a second end arranged distally from said head portion, said handle defining a channel running longitudinally therethrough between a first opening and a second opening such that said first opening is in communication with said second opening through said channel, said first opening being arranged at a proximate end of said channel and said second opening being arranged at a distal end of said channel, said proximate end being closer to said head portion than said distal end.  
   
   
       2 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein said channel and said first and second openings are arranged so that a substantially downward running stream of water directed into one of said first opening and said second opening is redirected through said channel and out of the other of said first opening and said second opening to form a fountain when said toothbrush is held substantially horizontally, a direction of a flow of said fountain at said other of said first opening and said second opening having an upward component.  
   
   
       3 . The toothbrush of  claim 2 , wherein the direction of the flow of said fountain at the other of said first opening and said second opening is approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said handle at the other of said first opening and said second opening.  
   
   
       4 . The toothbrush of  claim 2 , wherein the other of said first opening and said second opening comprises said second opening and the direction of the flow of said fountain at said second opening has a component directed toward said second end of said handle.  
   
   
       5 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein both of said first and second openings are arranged on said top of said handle.  
   
   
       6 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein both of said first and second openings are arranged on said bottom of said handle.  
   
   
       7 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump arranged in said handle for pumping fluid in said channel toward said second opening.  
   
   
       8 . The toothbrush of  claim 7 , further comprising an electric motor drivably connected to said pump.  
   
   
       9 . The toothbrush of  claim 8 , wherein the bristles are moveable relative to said head portion and said electric motor is also drivably connected to said bristles.  
   
   
       10 . The tooth brush of  claim 7 , wherein said second opening is smaller than said first opening.  
   
   
       11 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein said one of said first opening and said second opening is smaller than the other of said first opening and said second opening.  
   
   
       12 . The toothbrush of  claim 11 , wherein a ratio of an area of said one of said first opening and said second opening to the other of said first opening and said second opening is in the range of 1 to 16.  
   
   
       13 . The toothbrush of  claim 11 , wherein an area of said one of said first opening and said second opening is approximately nine times greater than an area of the other of said first opening and said second opening.  
   
   
       14 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein both the first and second openings are arranged on a longitudinal half of the handle that is distal from said head portion.  
   
   
       15 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein said toothbrush further comprises an electric motor having connections for receiving an electric power supply, and movable bristles actuatable by said electric motor.