IP Library Granted Patent US 8,561,244
Granted Patent B2
US 8,561,244 · App. 13/620,717 · Granted Oct 22, 2013

Illuminated flashing toothbrush and method of use

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,561,244
App. No.
13/620,717
Granted
Oct 22, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A toothbrush can include a handle and a head. At least one bristle can be attached to the head. The toothbrush can also have an illumination member, an illumination circuit and an activation device. A pliant base on the handle can be used to activate the activation device to initiate the illumination circuit.

Claims (56)

1. A toothbrush comprising:

a handle with an internal cavity, the internal cavity being sealed in a substantially fluid tight manner;

a light generation mechanism configured to be fully assembled prior to insertion into the internal cavity comprising:

one or more elongate members;

a battery connected to and fixed in position with respect to the one or more elongate members;

a switch electrically coupled to the battery;

a light electrically coupled to the switch, wherein the switch and the light are connected to the one or more elongate members such that the light generation mechanism is configured to be fully assembled in a self-contained manner prior to insertion into the internal cavity;

a head having a plurality of bristles, the head connected to the handle;

a pliant material of a material different from the handle and connected to the handle, wherein the pliant material covers the switch such that a force applied on the pliant material is configured to flex the pliant material and cause the switch to activate the light; and

wherein the one or more elongate members surround the battery.

2. The toothbrush of claim 1 , wherein the switch comprises a post extending from a base.

3. The toothbrush of claim 1 , wherein the pliant material is connected to the handle at an end of the handle opposite the head.

4. The toothbrush of claim 1 , wherein the switch and the light are positioned on opposite sides of the one or more elongate members.

5. The toothbrush of claim 1 , wherein the switch extends outwardly away from the one or more elongate members.

6. A toothbrush comprising:

a handle with an internal cavity that is sealed in a fluid tight manner;

a light generation mechanism positioned within the internal cavity of the handle, the light generation mechanism comprising:

one or more elongate members;

a battery connected to and fixed in position with respect to the one or more elongate members;

a switch electrically coupled to the battery;

a light electrically coupled to the switch, wherein the switch and the light are connected to the one or more elongate members such that the light generation mechanism is configured to be fully assembled in a self-contained manner prior to insertion into the internal cavity;

a head having a plurality of bristles, the head connected to the handle;

a pliant material of a material different from the handle and connected to the handle, wherein the pliant material covers the switch such that a force applied on the pliant material flexes the pliant material and causes the switch to activate the light; and

wherein the one or more elongate members surround the battery.

7. The toothbrush of claim 6 , wherein each of the one or more elongate members extends along the length of the handle.

8. The toothbrush of claim 6 , wherein the switch is configured to activate the light such that the light blinks for a set period of time.

9. The toothbrush of claim 6 , wherein the pliant material covers the switch such that the pliant material does not contact the switch when the pliant material is in an unstressed condition.

10. The toothbrush of claim 6 , wherein the light is positioned between the battery and the head of the toothbrush.

11. The toothbrush of claim 6 , wherein the pliant material provides a fluid tight seal of the internal cavity.

12. The toothbrush of claim 6 , wherein the switch comprises a post extending from a base.

13. The toothbrush of claim 12 , wherein the switch is positioned such that the force applied on the pliant material flexes the pliant material and causes the post to move in a direction towards the base to activate the light.

14. The toothbrush of claim 12 , wherein the switch is positioned such that the force applied on the pliant material moves the post in a direction towards the head of the toothbrush to activate the light.

15. The toothbrush of claim 12 , wherein the pliant material surrounds the post.

16. The toothbrush of claim 6 , wherein the pliant material is connected to the handle at an end of the handle opposite the head.

17. The toothbrush of claim 6 , wherein the switch and the light are positioned on opposite sides of the one or more elongate members.

18. The toothbrush of claim 6 , wherein the switch extends outwardly away from the one or more elongate members.

19. A toothbrush comprising:

a handle with an internal cavity, the internal cavity being sealed in a substantially fluid tight manner;

a light generation mechanism configured to be fully assembled prior to insertion into the internal cavity comprising:

one or more elongate members;

a battery connected to and fixed in position with respect to the one or more elongate members;

a switch electrically coupled to the battery;

a light electrically coupled to the switch, wherein the switch and the light are connected to the one or more elongate members such that the light generation mechanism is configured to be fully assembled in a self-contained manner prior to insertion into the internal cavity;

a head having a plurality of bristles, the head connected to the handle;

a pliant material of a material different from the handle and connected to the handle, wherein the pliant material covers the switch such that a force applied on the pliant material is configured to flex the pliant material and cause the switch to activate the light; and

wherein the switch extends outwardly past the one or more elongate members.

20. A toothbrush comprising:

a handle with an internal cavity that is sealed in a fluid tight manner;

a light generation mechanism positioned within the internal cavity of the handle, the light generation mechanism comprising:

one or more elongate members;

a battery connected to and fixed in position with respect to the one or more elongate members;

a switch electrically coupled to the battery;

a light electrically coupled to the switch, wherein the switch and the light are connected to the one or more elongate members such that the light generation mechanism is configured to be fully assembled in a self-contained manner prior to insertion into the internal cavity;

a head having a plurality of bristles, the head connected to the handle;

a pliant material of a material different from the handle and connected to the handle, wherein the pliant material covers the switch such that a force applied on the pliant material flexes the pliant material and causes the switch to activate the light; and

wherein the switch extends outwardly past the one or more elongate members.

Assignments (9)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 13, 2022
From: L. PERRIGO COMPANY; PBM NUTRITIONALS, LLC; PERRIGO DIABETES CARE, LLC; RANIR, LLC; OMEGA PHARMA INNOVATION & DEVELOPMENT NV; PERRIGO PHARMA INTERNATIONAL DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 060362/0887 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 10, 2020
From: HIGH RIDGE BRANDS, CO.; FRESHCORP, INC.; CHILDREN ORAL CARE, LLC; DR. FRESH, LLC; BETTER ALLIANCE LIMITED; DEAN SPIRIT LIMITED; GROSVENOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS LIMITED
To: RANIR, LLC
Reel/Frame 052890/0575 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (SECOND LIEN) Recorded Apr 4, 2017
From: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC
To: CHILDREN ORAL CARE, LLC; DR. FRESH, LLC; HIGH RIDGE BRANDS CO.
Reel/Frame 042150/0365 →
NOTICE AND CONFIRMATION OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS - FIRST LIEN Recorded Jan 12, 2017
From: DR. FRESH, LLC
To: BMO HARRIS BANK N.A.
Reel/Frame 041348/0620 →
NOTICE AND CONFIRMATION OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS - SECOND LIEN Recorded Jan 12, 2017
From: DR. FRESH, LLC
To: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 041348/0660 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 30, 2014
From: FRESH MERGE, LLC
To: DR. FRESH, LLC
Reel/Frame 034104/0703 →
MERGER Recorded Oct 28, 2014
From: DR. FRESH, INC.
To: FRESH MERGE, LLC
Reel/Frame 034052/0324 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 27, 2014
From: NANDA, PUNEET
To: DR. FRESH, INC.
Reel/Frame 034038/0635 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2012
From: NANDA, PUNEET
To: CHILDREN ORAL CARE, LLC
Reel/Frame 029413/0260 →