Flow-Modulating Toothbrush Device and Relative Processes for Conserving Potable Water

Abstract

A flow-modulating toothbrush device and relative processes for conserving potable water are introduced. It comprises a brush-head member and neck portion, connecting with a body-handle member for maneuvering the device in the process of brushing the teeth. An insertable reservoir facility provides a water source. An ancillary conduction tube facility having alternative means for channeling water directly from a sink faucet into the device. Water in the reservoir facility is pressurized for means of subsequent flows through conduction tube members. A flow activation technique urges the water from the containment facility to the brush-head member. Due to flow modulation, and known, predetermined, water-volume requirements in brushing one's teeth, only a modicum of potable water is withdrawn in the process; this is the minus withdrawal allotment factor of the device. Being generally employed, the device would conserve vast volumes of potable water globally, affecting electrical energy, drought conditions, hydrology, and climate.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A flow-modulating toothbrush device and relative processes for conserving potable water, the device comprising:
 a. a brush-head member, having a neck portion extending to, and functionally connecting with a first end of a body-handle member,   b. the body-handle member, for, at least, holding and maneuvering the device in the process of brushing the teeth of a user of the device,   c. an insertable reservoir facility, disposed within the body-handle member, being directly refillable from, at least, a sink faucet, for supplying water to the device,   d. a flow modulation means, disposed within the body-handle member, for varying the pressures of flows of water from the body-handle member,   e. conduction tube members, disposed within the body-handle member having at least one ancillary conduction tube facility means, disposed exteriorly to the body-handle member, and having means of water conduction from a water source, through the device then to the mouth and teeth of the user of the device, and   f. a flow activation means, causing continual emissions of streams of water onto, and about, the teeth and gums, such that, by use of the reservoir facility, the user withdraws just the modicum of water necessary for an adequate cleaning of the teeth in a brushing session, without the wastage incurred by the free-flowing water excesses typically expected from customary practice, and from customary use of conventional toothbrushes.   
     
     
         2 . The flow-modulating toothbrush device of  claim 1  wherein said the neck portion, further facilitating conduction means for supplying flows of water through the neck portion to the brush-head member, and amid brush-head bristles of the brush-head member, further to the teeth and gums in the mouth of the user of the device. 
     
     
         3 . The flow-modulating toothbrush device of  claim 1  wherein said flow modulation means further comprising a flow control element for means of varying the pressures of the flows of water being conducted into the device through one or more conduction tube members, within the body-handle member, or through, the ancillary conduction tube facility means exterior to the body-handle member, the flow control element being disposed upon the surface of the body-handle member, the flow control element further controlling the flow modulation means of water being conducted through the device by one or more conduction tube members, the flow modulation means further coordinating with, and being manipulated by the flow control element, disposed about the surface of the body-handle member. 
     
     
         4 . The flow-modulating toothbrush device of  claim 1  wherein said conduction tube members, further facilitating compression actuation means by urging water from the insertable reservoir facility. 
     
     
         5 . The flow-modulating toothbrush device of  claim 1  wherein said insertable reservoir facility being inserted into the second end of the body-handle member, the insertable reservoir facility further facilitating effusion of water by the compression actuation means of the conduction tube members for urging water from the insertable reservoir facility, further having a compression-sealing reservoir cap for means of effecting of effusions from the insertable reservoir facility. 
     
     
         6 . The flow-modulating toothbrush device of  claim 1  wherein said ancillary conduction tube facility means, being exterior to the body-handle member, further having capability for drawing water directly from a water source comprising a sink faucet, the ancillary conduction tube facility means, further having adaptability means for connection between the second end of the body-handle member and with the sink faucet, the ancillary conduction tube facility means being optionally, and alternatively, utilized when extended, uninterrupted, flows of water may be desired by the user, rather than the insertable reservoir facility, the ancillary conduction tube facility means, still further having connection and adaptation means for both appropriate sealing for secure connection at both ends of the tube, and for delimiting expected high-pressure forces of water-line plumbing pipes. 
     
     
         7 . The flow-modulating toothbrush device of  claim 6  wherein said ancillary conduction tube facility means, further having connection and adaptation means, further involve the user connecting the water source end of the ancillary conduction tube facility means to, at least, a sink faucet, and connecting the water distribution end of the ancillary conduction tube facility means to the body-handle member, the user noting adjustable water pressure level, at distribution end, prior to insertion into body-handle member. 
     
     
         8 . The flow-modulating toothbrush device of  claim 1  wherein the flow activation means further involve the user's pressing the brush-head member against the teeth, and lifting it therefrom, initiating a corresponding, and contiguous, interactive, process between a buttressed bristle pad and flow occlusion elements within the brush-head member, thereby engaging a flow-releasing/flow-obstructing process, thus causing issuance of flows of water from the brush-head member, and the pre-proportioned limits of the reservoir facility, such that the user may brush his, or her, teeth, while conserving volumes of vital potable water. 
     
     
         9 . Processes for conserving potable water, the processes comprising the steps:
 a. providing a flow-modulating toothbrush device, comprising:
 1. a brush-head member, having a neck portion extending to, and functionally connecting with a first end of a body-handle member, 
 2. the body-handle member for, at least, holding and maneuvering the device in the process of brushing one's teeth, 
 3. an insertable reservoir facility for supplying water to the device, the insertable reservoir facility being inserted into a second end of the body-handle member, 
 4. flow control elements, for manipulating flow modulation means for conducting water through the device, employing one or more conduction tube members, within the body-handle member, or conducting water from a sink faucet water source, or employing an ancillary conduction tube facility means, disposed exteriorly to the body-handle member, an optional, alternative utility, as may be preferred by a user, 
 5. the conduction tube members, disposed within the body-handle member, further facilitating compression actuation means for urging water from the insertable reservoir facility then through the conduction tube members, and the neck portion of the brush-head member, 
 6. the ancillary conduction tube facility means, disposed exteriorly to the body-handle member, further having means of conduction of water from a water source to the body-handle member then through the device to the mouth and teeth of a user of the device, the ancillary conduction tube facility means, still further having a connection and adaptation means for both, appropriate connection sealing at both ends of the tube facility, and means for delimiting normally-expected high-pressure forces of water-line plumbing pipes, the ancillary conduction tube facility means, further having optional, alternative-utility, as may be preferred by a user, and 
 7. a buttressed bristle pad within the brush-head member, the buttressed bristle pad providing flow activation means for contiguous contact against flow occlusion elements, so alternately releasing and blocking flows of water passing through the conduction tube members within the body-handle member, or through the ancillary conduction tube facility means exterior to the body-handle member, such that the brush-head member, being pressed against the teeth and gums of the user, the activation element being compressed, causing the flows of water from the insertable reservoir facility, or from the ancillary conduction tube facility means withdrawing from the sink faucet, 
   b. a user, holding the fully assembled device by the body-handle member,   c. dislodging the insertable reservoir facility from the body-handle member,   d. filling the insertable reservoir facility with water from, at least, a sink faucet,   e. optionally, placing a water-soluble toothpaste cleansing gel lozenge onto the water surface,   f. securely re-inserting, by moderate pressing, the reservoir facility into the body-handle member of the device, which act, initiating pneumatic compression means for actuation against the contents of the insertable reservoir facility, and so urging a small portion of the water contents of the insertable reservoir facility through the conduction tube members, to the buttressed bristle pad and flow occlusion elements within the brush-head member, the flow remaining static here but compressed until being caused to flow to the teeth and gums,   g. further, pressing brush-head bristles against the teeth and gums, so causing flow activation of the compressed but static volumes of water in the insertable reservoir facility to then intermittently flow through the conduction tube members within the body-handle member and through the neck portion then through to the brush-head member, mouth, teeth, and gums of the user, the flows being intermittent, involving a repeated contiguous interactive process between the buttressed bristle pad and the flow occlusion elements as the brush-head member is pressed against, and lifted from, teeth and gums for repositioning, or for stopping the flow to end the session of brushing, and   h. finally, modulating the conduction of water flows through the device, and into the mouth against the teeth and gums of the user, such that the flows of water increase, or decrease, commensurate with varying the flow control elements for, at least, low, moderate, rinse, and extended, upon utilization of ancillary conduction tube, or the higher-capacity brush-head cover/container of the device, at the optional preference of the user, such that the user withdraws just the modicum of water, from a predetermined capacity of the reservoir facility, an allotment that is necessary for adequately brushing the teeth, without the common wastage incurred by the typical free-flowing water excesses to be expected from customary behavioral practice of users employing conventional toothbrushes, further thereby conserving tremendous amounts of both, electrical energy, and potable water, worldwide and, moreover positively affecting the hydrologic cycle in light of global warming concerns;   whereby, the flow-modulating toothbrush device may both brush one's teeth and, at the same time, conserve considerable volumes of potable water; in this way, pointing out the significance of the union of two typically independent but operationally interconnected events: brushing one's teeth for dental hygiene in the bathroom, on one hand, and conservation of tremendous volumes of potable water, on the other hand. Accordingly, local, and global water conservation efforts and global societies, generally, would experience a radical change from conventional thinking about water conservation with respect to a water-wiser focus on the simple act of the brushing of one's teeth.