AN ORAL CARE IMPLEMENT AND METHOD OF DECORATING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an oral care implement and method of decorating the same, and more particularly to a method of applying a decorative cover to the body of an oral care implement such as a toothbrush handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kids' toothbrush handles are often fancifully decorated with colorful stickers having generic or licensed designs. Such designs are not only attractive and aesthetically pleasing, but usually drive the decision amongst a variety of brushes adorned with different designs.

It is known in the art to provide handle designs that are either two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The typical two-dimensional design is usually a decorative sticker or label of unlimited detail that is adhered or shrunk wrap to the handle and conforms to the shape of the handle. The production and application of the sticker adds an insignificant cost to the manufacture of the handle, as the sticker is manufactured separately and the application of such sticker usually requires a single manufacturing step. Such sticker or label provides a high level of flexibility for applying a complex decorative design to the handle of toothbrush. However, such decorative stickers or labels usually retain their two-dimensional character relative to a smooth, uncontoured or unsculpted handle. Three-dimensional designs can take many forms. For example, some designs are molded and form part of the handle structure as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,242. In another example, an undecorated and uncontoured handle could be inserted into a preformed three-dimensional decorated sleeve as shown in U.S. Patent D426,958, which sleeve could be manufactured in a more efficient manner separately from the toothbrush and solely contributes to the three-dimensional character of the handle. In the molded example, and possibly also the sleeve example, multiple paint operations applied to the three-dimensional feature are usually required to deliver an aesthetically pleasing, colorful design. Each paint operation delivers a particular color to a particular area of the design, which requires a separate manufacturing step at an incremental added cost. The more paint operations, the greater the cost.

US2003/0000030, on which the respective characterising portions of claims 1, 14 and 20 are based, discloses a toothbrush cover.

Manufacturers that use licensed designs must often comply with certain aesthetic requirements imposed by the licensor. Such requirements may require a certain level of detail that can only be accomplished with a certain number of paint operations, for example. However, if the number of paint operations makes the design too expensive to manufacture, then the licensee must negotiate the use of a simpler design to the potential commercial detriment of both the licensor and the manufacturer. There is a need, therefore, for a way to provide a three-dimensional design that is aesthetically intricate and economical to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention provides an oral care implement according to claim 1. Another aspect of the invention provides a kit according to claim 14. A further aspect of the present invention provides a method according to claim 20. Optional features are recited in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an oral care implement in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a cover to be applied to the implement of FIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 illustrates the cover of FIG. 2 applied to the implement of FIG. 1.
• FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a kit in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best mode or modes of the invention presently contemplated. Such description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but to be an example of the invention presented solely for illustration thereof, and by reference to which in connection with the following description and the accompanying drawings one skilled in the art may be advised of the advantages and construction of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an oral care implement 10, which will be illustrated and described herein for purposes of convenience as a toothbrush 10. Of course, other oral care implements, such as flossers, etc., are contemplated.

Toothbrush 10 generally comprises a head 20 with cleaning elements 30, 35 and a body 40 defined by a neck 50 and a handle 60. Toothbrush 10 of the current embodiment is illustrated as a powered toothbrush with a power element 70 included within the body 40 that drives one or both of the cleaning elements 30, 35 in a moving, rotational, dual-oscillating or counter-oscillating manner. Other ways of powering the cleaning elements 30, 35 are contemplated. Power element 70 could also energize other powered devices such as a light, sound generator or the like (not shown). However, it will be understood that the present invention is also applicable to a non-powered implement or toothbrush as well, and the discussion or illustration of a powered implement is not meant to be limiting.

A three-dimensional surface feature or design 80 is provided on the body 40, and more particularly the handle 60 in the illustrated embodiment, and is formed from a plurality of discontinuous surface contours that form a three-dimensional image. In the illustrated embodiment, the discontinuous surface contours include, but are not limited to, the arms, hands, face, legs, etc. of the cartoon character. The surface feature 80 could also be provided on the neck 50 portion exclusively or in addition to the handle 60. Surface feature 80 is generally integrally molded as part of the handle 60 in one manufacturing step, although it could be formed on the handle 60 after the handle shape is formed. In addition to the three-dimensional surface feature 80, the handle 60 includes at least one surface 90 that is not raised or three-dimensional and that is usually located on the rear of the handle 60.

The three-dimensional surface feature 80 is decorated through the application of a preferably two-dimensional cover 100 (FIG. 2) applied to at least a portion of the body 40. Cover 100 is provided with a decoration 110 that is complimentary, or matches the three-dimensional surface feature provided on the handle 60, such that when the cover 100 is applied to the handle 60 as shown in FIG. 3, the three-dimensional surface feature appears to be decorated by the decoration 110. In other words, the three-dimensional surface feature 80 transforms the two-dimensional decoration 110 into a three-dimensional decoration. Of course, the cover 100 preferably also includes other decoration 120 that is applied over the surface 90 that is not raised or three-dimensional, thus completing the decoration of the entire handle if desired.

The cover 100 is removably applied to the handle 60 and is preferably formed from a relatively thin film of plastic. Of course, other cover materials are contemplated. The cover is slideably attached to and retained on the handle by an end cap 65. Removal and replacement or an alternative use of the cover as desired by the user becomes possible.

FIG. 4 illustrates a kit 130 comprising a toothbrush 140 having a head 150 and a body 160, and a plurality of covers 170 retained in a storage receptacle 175. In this embodiment, a three-dimensional surface feature 180 in the shape of a star is provided on the body 160, with a complimentary decoration 190 provided on the cover 170. The toothbrush 140 may be initially provided in the kit 130 without a cover 170, wherein each cover 170 in the storage receptacle 175 has a different design that compliments the three-dimensional surface feature 180. Alternatively, the toothbrush 140 may be vended with a cover 170 already applied. Either way, the kit enables the user to vary the handle design as desired.

While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims.