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.

1 . A toothbrush, comprising:
 a handle formed of a first material, comprising:   an internal cavity, a first opening for receiving objects in the internal cavity, and a second opening for a button;   a neck comprising a linking portion, a collar, a neck portion and a head portion, wherein the first opening in the handle and the linking portion of the neck are sized so that the linking portion of the neck slides inside the first opening of the handle and has a tight fit, and the collar limits the distance that the neck slides into the handle;   a button element comprising a pressing portion and a sealing portion, wherein the button element is formed of a second material different to the first material, the second material is more flexible than the first material, and the button element is formed in the second opening of the handle to seal the second opening; and   an electronic module comprising a light element, the light element configured to be activated by the button;   wherein, when assembled, the linking portion of the neck is inserted in the first opening of the handle and the electronic module is contained within the handle, or the electronic module is contained within the handle and the neck.   
     
     
         2 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein, when assembled, the internal cavity is completely sealed and waterproof. 
     
     
         3 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein the neck is secured in position in the handle by an interference fit pin that extends through both a hole in the handle and a hole in the linking portion of the neck. 
     
     
         4 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member located between the neck and the handle when assembled. 
     
     
         5 . A toothbrush according to  claim 4 , wherein a first distance between the collar and the hole in the linking portion of the neck, and a second distance between the first opening and hole of the handle are both sized to compress the sealing member when assembled. 
     
     
         6 . A toothbrush according to  claim 4 , wherein the sealing member is a silicone ring. 
     
     
         7 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic module is floating within the handle or the handle and the neck, or the electronic module is not secured to the handle or the neck, or the electronic module is sized so that it sits securely within the handle and substantially extends the length of the handle. 
     
     
         8 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic module is smaller than the internal cavity, and has one or more tabs extending outwardly therefrom, the one or more tabs sized to contact the interior of the internal cavity, so that the electronic module sits securely within the handle. 
     
     
         11 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic module comprises a light element, a switch, and a timer, wherein, when the toothbrush is assembled, the switch is located behind the button. 
     
     
         12 . A toothbrush according to  claim 11 , wherein the light element flashes for a defined period when activated by the switch, and the neck has a neck cavity for receiving the light element. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the neck is made from a translucent or transparent material. 
     
     
         15 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein the head portion of the neck has at least one recess or bore for receiving at least one set of bristles. 
     
     
         16 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises an external cavity carrying a suction cup, wherein the suction cup is made from a flexible material or made from the second material. 
     
     
         17 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle does not comprise any welds. 
     
     
         21 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are the only openings of the handle. 
     
     
         22 . A toothbrush according to  claim 1 , wherein the neck does not have any external openings which communicate with the internal cavity. 
     
     
         23 . A process for manufacturing a toothbrush comprising the steps of:
 molding a handle from a first material, using a single shot injection molding process;   molding a neck using the single shot injection molding process;   forming a button from a second material, more flexible than the first material, in the handle using a second shot injection molding process;   inserting an electronic module in the handle; and   inserting a linking portion of the neck in the handle;   wherein an electronic module is completely contained within the handle, or the handle and neck, and an internal cavity of the handle is sealed at the first and second openings of the handle.   
     
     
         24 . A process for manufacturing a toothbrush according to  claim 23 , further comprising the steps of:
 securing the neck to the handle using an interference fit pin, and   forming a suction cup using a second shot injection molding process.   
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A process for manufacturing a toothbrush according to claim  17 , further comprising the step of securing at least one set of bristles in a head portion of the neck. 
     
     
         27 . A process for manufacturing a toothbrush according to  claim 23 , wherein the process does not include ultrasonic welding. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled)