Toothbrush sanitizer
US5023460A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 30, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 30, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2/10
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A toothbrush sanitizer has a housing containing a centrally located elongated ultraviolet bulb surrounded by cavities for receiving standing toothbrushes. The cavities having one side open to receive ultraviolet light, have highly reflective surfaces to reflect light passing through said open side toward all sides of the toothbrushes, and have bottom contours which make the toothbrushes self-aligning. An electronic circuit lights the ultraviolet bulb with a short on, long off duty cycle. The initial on cycle is longer than the rest of the on cycles and occurs immediately after the cover is closed. A labyrinth seal permits passage of a cooling updraft of air while blocking an escape of ultraviolet light.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.