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(11) | EP 1 110 477 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Artificial tooth storage box |
| (57) An artificial tooth storage box (2) includes at least one crescent tooth rest (3)
formed on a bottom thereof for supporting an artificial tooth set (1) in the box.
The box has a cover (21) openably closing an open top thereof. A rubber pad (211)
of a predetermined thickness and size is attached to an inside surface of the cover
(21) whereby when the cover is closed, the rubber pad engages with the artificial
tooth set (1) and is deformed thereby for securely retaining the artificial tooth
set in position. A partition is formed in the box to define a chamber (5) in which
a toothbrush (6) and a dental floss (8) are received. A rest board (4) is formed in
the chamber and defines a first recess (41) and a second recess (42) for partially
receiving and supporting the toothbrush and dental floss. A disinfectant container
(7) may also be disposed in the chamber. |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to an artificial tooth storage box, and in particular to a handy box within which, besides artificial teeth, cleaning devices, such as a toothbrush, a dental floss and a disinfectant, are additionally contained.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] When an artificial tooth set is not in use and removed out of the mouth by an employer, it is occasionally laid inside the mouth-rinsing-mug or on a table. Not only does the employer of the artificial teeth feel boring in maintaining the artificial teeth this way, but also other people feel disgusting. Furthermore, on the occasions after meals and outside the home, it is inconvenient for the employers of the artificial teeth to clean their artificial teeth. Therefore, the employers of the artificial teeth frequently have odd flavor in their mouths. The odd flavor may also causes undesired damage to the employers of the artificial teeth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the problem discussed above by providing an artificial tooth storage box. The artificial tooth storage box is capable to receive and securely retain an artificial tooth set therein without damage caused by collisions.
[0004] Another object of the present invention is to provide an artificial tooth storage box defining a chamber therein for receiving a toothbrush, a dental floss and a disinfectant agent for cleaning an artificial tooth set disposed therein.
[0005] In accordance with the present invention, an artificial tooth storage box comprises at least one crescent-shaped tooth rest for supporting an artificial tooth set in the box. The box has a cover openably closing an open top thereof. A rubber pad is attached to an inside face of the cover for engaging with the artificial tooth set and deforms to securely retain the artificial tooth set in position when the cover is closed. A partition is formed in the box to define a chamber for receiving a toothbrush and a dental floss. A rest board is formed in the chamber and defines a first recess and a second recess for retaining the toothbrush and the dental floss with tail ends thereof rising up for being ready to pick up when the cover is opened. A disinfectant container may also be placed in the chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an artificial tooth storage box constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is also a perspective view showing the artificial tooth storage box in use;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of an artificial tooth storage box constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is also a perspective view showing the artificial tooth storage box in use;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the artificial tooth storage box of the present invention; and
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the artificial tooth storage box in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an artificial tooth storage box in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The artificial tooth storage box 2 comprises a cover 21 openably closing an open top thereof. The artificial tooth storage box 2 includes an S-shaped tooth rest 3 formed on a bottom thereof. The S-shaped rest 3 is composed of two crescent portions respectively supporting an upper jaw artificial tooth set and a lower jaw artificial tooth set which are collectively designated by reference numeral 1 as shown in Figure 2. A rubber pad 211 having a predetermined thickness and size is attached to an inside surface of the cover 21. An L-shaped partition (not labeled) is formed in the box 2 to define an L-shaped chamber 5 for receiving a toothbrush 6 and a dental floss 8 therein. A rest board 4 is formed in the chamber 5 and defines a first shallow recess 41 and a second deep recess 42 for supporting the toothbrush 6 and the dental floss 8.
[0008] The toothbrush 6 has a brittle comprising a long portion and a short portion, both having corrugated surface for facilitating cleaning the artificial teeth 1. The toothbrush 6 has a handle comprising an arc-shaped tail section 61 for conveniently gripping purposes.
[0009] Figure 2 shows the artificial storage box 2 in use. The S-shaped tooth rest 3 supports the upper jaw and lower jaw artificial tooth sets 1. The toothbrush 6 is partially received in the recess 41 and the dental floss 8 is received in the recess 42. When the toothbrush 6 is received in the recess 41, the tail section 61 thereof rises up. The arc shape of the tail section 61 prevents the toothbrush 6 from sliding off the rest board 4 thereby allowing a user to conveniently gripping and picking up the toothbrush 6. Similarly, when the dental floss 8 is received in the recess 42, a tail end of the dental floss 8 rises up, allowing the user to readily pick up the dental floss 8.
[0010] A disinfectant container 7 is positioned in the chamber 5 with the toothbrush 6 for disinfecting and cleaning the artificial teeth 1.
[0011] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 3, an artificial tooth storage box 2 includes a crescent tooth rest 9 formed on a bottom thereof for supporting an artificial tooth set 1. The box 2 has a cover 21 openably closing an open top thereof. A rubber pad 211 having a predetermined thickness and size is attached to an inside surface of the cover 21. An L-shaped partition (not labeled) is formed in the box 2 to define a chamber 5 for receiving a toothbrush 6 and a dental floss 8. A rest board 4 is formed in the chamber 5 and defines a first recess 41 and a second recess 42 for supporting the toothbrush 6 and the dental floss 8. Similar to the first embodiment, the toothbrush 6 has a long bristle and a short bristle with a corrugated surface for more effectively cleaning the artificial teeth 1. The toothbrush 6 has a handle comprising an arc-shaped tail section 61 for conveniently gripping purposes. Figure 4 shows the artificial tooth storage box 2 in use.
[0012] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the artificial tooth storage box 2 in use with the cover 21 opened. The tail section 61 of the toothbrush 6 and that of the dental floss 8 rise up by being supported by the rest board 4. Figure 6 shows when the cover 21 is closed. The rubber pad 211 contacts the artificial tooth set(s) 1 and is deformed thereby for securely retaining the artificial tooth set(s) 1 in position. The deformation of the rubber pad 211 prevents the artificial tooth set(s) 1 from being damaged by means of collisions. The tail section 61 of the toothbrush 6 and that of the dental floss 8 are depressed down by the cover 21 whereby the toothbrush 6 and the dental floss 8 are retained between the cover 21 and the rest board 4. When the cover 21 is opened, the tail section 61 of the toothbrush 6 and the dental floss 8 rise up for being easy to grip.
[0013] While the above description contains many specifications, these shall not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention but rather as an exemplification of preferred embodiments thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments presented, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
1. An artificial tooth storage box comprising at least one crescent tooth rest formed
on a bottom thereof adapted to support an artificial tooth set.
2. The artificial tooth storage box as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the box comprises a cover openably closing an open top thereof, a resilient
member being mounted to an inside surface of the cover for engaging with and thus
retaining the artificial tooth set in position.
3. The artificial tooth storage box as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the resilient member comprises a rubber pad.
4. The artificial tooth storage box as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a partition is formed in the box to define a chamber in which a rest board
is formed, the rest board defining a first recess partially receiving and supporting
a toothbrush therein and a second recess receiving a dental floss therein.