TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention pertains to the field of dental hygiene, and more specifically to a multi-functional toothbrush to be used as brush, floss, tongue cleaner, and mouthwash sprayer.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Nowadays, due to the high educational standard and living standard in the developed or advanced countries, nearly all people living there are well aware of the importance of oral hygiene and the need of regular tooth brushing, so as to effectively remove food deposits that can lead to bacterial buildup and result in dental problems, e.g., caries (cavities). However, merely brushing the teeth is not likely to remove all, or nearly all, of the residual food deposits and plaque that accumulate in the mouth, particularly between the teeth. Accordingly, nearly all dentists and oral hygiene specialists always recommend regular flossing between the teeth in order to remove deposits that typically cannot be removed by tooth brushing.
[0004] While most people probably recognize the value of regular flossing, the actual act of flossing between the teeth is often relatively more difficult than brushing. Many people who floss regularly may do so incorrectly. Use of an improper technique of drawing the floss back and forth laterally across the bases of the teeth has been known to actually cut grooves across the bases of the teeth after prolonged and continuous doing of this action, thus causing much more harm than good to the teeth. Therefore, there is a need of toothbrush assist in flossing automatically.
[0005] Toothbrushes provide an environment for the growth of various different types of micro-organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. Micro-organisms on a toothbrush can result in recurrent infections, especially infections of the mouth and throat, therefore, automatic disinfection of toothbrush is required.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need to overcome above mentioned problems of prior art by providing a toothbrush that facilitate in providing various functions such as brush, floss, tongue cleaner, and mouthwash sprayer with a single toothbrush.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a multi-functional toothbrush that is used in brushing, flossing, and tongue cleaning.
[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a multi-functional toothbrush that stores mouthwash to clean the mouth.
[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a multi-functional toothbrush that sterilizes the bristles.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a multi-functional toothbrush that is refillable and reusable.

SUMMARY
[0012] Aspect of the present invention pertains to the field of dental hygiene. In particular, to a multi-functional toothbrush to be used as brush, floss, tongue cleaner, and mouthwash sprayer.
[0013] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a multi-functional toothbrush having a body configured to receive at least one of a plurality of cleaning appliances, one or more push buttons disposed on the body, and each of the push buttons configured to initiate at least one operation upon actuation, a control unit operatively coupled to the one or more push buttons and an electric motor, and the control unit including one or more processors coupled with a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors and configured to receive instruction from the actuated at least one of the one or more push buttons, actuate an electric motor for a pre-defined time, in response to the received instruction, and correspondingly activate the received cleaning appliance to perform the associated operation, and a power supply mean may be disposed in the body and configured to supply power to the one or more push buttons, the control unit, and the electric motor.
[0014] In an aspect, at least one operation may include brushing, flossing, tongue cleaning, and oral rinsing.
[0015] In aspect, the body may include a first part to store water, and a second part to store a liquid, and the liquid is a mouthwash.
[0016] In an aspect, the cleaning appliances may include a head portion having bristles, wherein upon activation of the associated push button, the head portion rotates and facilitates in brushing the teeth.
[0017] In an aspect, the multi-functional toothbrush may include a cap having a disinfectant unit, and upon accommodating the head portion in the cap, the control unit may activate the disinfectant unit several times in a day for a pre-defined time to sterilize the bristles.
[0018] In an aspect, the cleaning appliances may include a floss unit, and the floss unit having a nozzle to dispense water stored in the body, and upon activation of the associated push button the water is dispensed in mouth.
[0019] In an aspect, the cleaning appliances may include a tongue cleaner unit configured to clean the tongue, and upon activation of the associated push button, the tongue cleaner can move in between a first position and a second position.
[0020] In an aspect, the cleaning appliances can include a mouthwash unit, and the mouth wash unit can have a sprayer, and upon activation of the associated push button, the sprayer gets activated to dispense the stored liquid in the mouth.
[0021] In an aspect, the power supply mean may include a plug and electrical cord for plugging into an electrical outlet receptacle in order to supply electrical power to the multi-functional toothbrush.
[0022] In an aspect, the power supply mean may include any or a combination of rechargeable battery, rechargeable cell, electrochemical cells, storage battery, secondary cell, and capacitor bank for supplying power to the multi-functional toothbrush.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0024] The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary perspective view of proposed multi-functional toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary front side view of proposed multi-functional toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary back side view of proposed multi-functional toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 2C illustrates an exemplary view of cleaning appliances of proposed multi-functional toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of proposed multi-functional toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0031] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0032] As used herein the description and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0033] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosures as defined by the appended claims. Embodiments explained herein relate to the field of dental hygiene. In particular, the present invention provides a multi-functional toothbrush to be used as toothbrush, floss, tongue cleaner, and mouthwash sprayer. The multi-functional toothbrush is a all in one assembly for maintaining a healthy dental hygiene on a daily basis.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the proposed multi-functional toothbrush 100 (interchangeably referred as toothbrush 100, herein) can have a body 102 such as handle to hold the toothbrush 100. The toothbrush 100 can include one or more cleaning appliances 104 (collectively referred as cleaning appliances 104, and individually referred as cleaning appliance 104) configured to be detachably couple on neck 106 of the body 102. The cleaning appliances 104 can include but not limited to head portion, floss unit, tongue cleaner unit, and mouthwash unit, each of the cleaning appliances 104 can be operatively coupled with a control unit 110 to receive instructions.
[0035] In an embodiment, each of the cleaning appliance 104 can be made with projections on its lower part, and the neck of the body 102 can have corresponding grooves, designed in such a way that when the projections of the cleaning appliance 104 enter the grooves of the neck 106, fixation of the cleaning appliance 104 can be achieved, which prevents the cleaning appliance from falling out of the body of the toothbrush. To use the invention in order to achieve the technical result and to solve the technical problem, it is necessary to use each of the cleaning appliances 104 and the body 102 as a single unit. For example, to use a tongue cleaner unit, it needs to be coupled to the body 102, and then it can be used.
[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the body 102 can be made from a light-weight, moldable and durable plastic being transparent or colored or combinations thereof or is made from a lightweight, formable and durable metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. The body 102 can be made of a variety of materials having sufficient rigidity to maintain the structural integrity of body 102 under the intended use. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, wood, metal, ceramic or plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, polyurethane and epoxy resins.
[0037] In an embodiment, one or more push buttons 108 can be disposed on the body 102, and each of push buttons 108 can be configured to perform at least one operation including brushing, flossing, tongue cleaning, and oral rinsing.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, a toothbrush 100 having a body 102, that can further include a first part 102-1 and a second part 102-2, the first part 102-1 can be configured to store the mouthwash, that can be used to prevent bed smell from the mouth, and the second part 102-2 can be configured to store water inside to toothbrush, that can be used while flossing the mouth. For example, 100 ml mouthwash can be stored in the first part 102-1 of the body 102, and 300 ml water can be stored in the second part 102-2 of the body 102.
[0039] In an embodiment, one or more push buttons 108 can be disposed on the body 102, and each of push buttons 108 can be configured to perform at least one operation including brushing, flossing, tongue cleaning, and washing of teeth. For example, five push buttons 108 can be provided on the body 102, a power button 108-1 can be pressed to turn on or off the toothbrush 100, a first push button 108-2 can be pressed when the head portion is coupled to the body 102, and the user needs to brush the teeth, a second push button 108-3 can be pressed, when the floss unit is coupled to the body 102, to spray water for flossing in the mouth, a third push button 108-4 can be pressed, when the tongue cleaner unit is coupled to the body 102, and facilitates in tongue cleaning, and a fourth push button 108-5 can be pressed, when the mouthwash unit is coupled to the body 102, that facilitates in spraying mouthwash in the mouth of the user.
[0040] In an embodiment, a power supply mean (not shown) can be disposed in the body and configured to supply power to the one or more push buttons 108, the control unit 110, and an electric motor 110. The power supply mean can include a plug and electrical cord for plugging into an electrical outlet receptacle in order to supply electrical power to various components of multi-functional toothbrush. In addition, the power supply mean can include any or a combination of rechargeable battery, rechargeable cell, electrochemical cells, storage battery, secondary cell, and capacitor bank for supplying power to the multi-functional toothbrush.
[0041] In an embodiment, an indicator 206 can be positioned on front side of the body 102, and the indicator 206 can be configured to indicate power supply. For example, when power supply is turned on the indicator 206 can indicate a green light. Also, battery level can be displayed on the indicator 206, when the battery level is low, red light can be shown on the indicator 206.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG.2 B, a first inlet 202 and a second inlet 204 can be provided on back side of the body 102. The user can open the first inlet 202 to refill liquid (i.e. mouthwash) in the first part 102-1 of the body 102, and the water can be refilled into the second part 102-2 of the body 102 by opening the second inlet 204. For example, the first inlet 202 and the second inlet 204 can be detachably coupled to the body 102, a small part can be coupled, and the user can lift the required inlet by a small part provided with each of the inlet, to refill.
[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 2C, each of the cleaning appliances 104 can be detachably coupled to the body 102. The cleaning appliance can include a head portion 104-1 can have bristles on one side of the head portion 104-1, and upon activation of the first push button 108-2, the head portion 104-1 can rotate that facilitates in brushing the teeth. For example, when the user needs to brush the teeth, the head portion can be attached to a neck 106 of the body 102, and by pressing the first push button 108-2, the brushing can be performed easily, the user is required to hold the toothbrush in the mouth, and the bristles can be rotated automatically to brush the tooth properly.
[0044] In an embodiment, a cap 208 having a disinfectant unit (not shown) can be provided, the cap 208 can be fit over the bristle of the head portion. When the head portion 104-1 can be accommodated in the cap 208, the control unit can be activated to sterilize the bristles provided in the head portion 104-1 automatically. The disinfectant unit can be activated several times in a day for a pre-defined time to sterilize the head portion, and the disinfectant unit can be ultraviolet-C (UV-C) lamps positioned in the cap.
[0045] In an embodiment, the cleaning appliance can include a floss unit 104-2 having a nozzle and pumping means, and upon activation of the second push button 108-3, the floss unit 104-2 can be activated to dispense the water stored in the second part 102-2 of the body 102 using the pumping means. For example, when the user needs to floss, the floss unit 104-2 can be attached to a neck 106 of the body 102, and by pressing the second push button 108-3, the flossing can be performed easily, by spraying water in the mouth, the user can move the toothbrush in the mouth, where water is required.
[0046] In an embodiment, the cleaning appliance can include a tongue cleaner unit 104-3 having tongue cleaning means, and upon activation of the third push button 108-4, the tongue cleaner unit 104-3 can be activated to move in between a first position and a second position. For example, when the user needs to clean the tongue, the tongue cleaner unit 104-3 can be attached to a neck 106 of the body 102, and by pressing the third push button 108-4, the tongue cleaning can be performed easily, as the tongue cleaner unit 104-3 can be moved up and down automatically.
[0047] In an embodiment, the cleaning appliance can include a mouth wash unit 104-4 having a sprayer, and upon activation of the fourth push button 108-5, the sprayer can be activated to dispense the stored liquid (i.e. mouthwash) in the mouth. For example, when the user needs to do oral rinse, the mouth wash unit 104-4 can be attached to a neck 106 of the body 102, and by pressing the fourth push button 108-5, the pre-defined amount of mouthwash can be dispensed in the mouth, and the user can rinse teeth, gums, and mouth easily. For example, the mouthwash can be an antiseptic mouthwash solution or an antibiotic solution.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 3, toothbrush 100 can include a control unit 110, positioned in a body 102 of the toothbrush. The control unit 110 can be including one or more processors coupled with a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors. The one or more processors can be a general-purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a controller, a state machine, gated logic, discrete hardware components, or any other suitable device or combination of devices that can perform calculations or other manipulations of information.
[0049] In an embodiment, the memory can include programmable software instructions that can be executed by the processor(s). The processor(s) can be embodied as a single processor or a number of processors. The processor(s) and the memory can each be, for example located entirely within a single computer or other computing device. Information, such as program instructions, data representative of sensor readings, can be stored in a computer or processor readable medium such as a memory internal to the processor or a memory external to the processor, such as a Random Access Memory (RAM), a flash memory, a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, or any other suitable storage device.
[0050] In an embodiment, the control unit 110 can be operatively coupled with one or more push buttons 108, an electric motor 302, and cleaning appliances 104. The electric motor 302 can include but not limited to AC motor, DC motor, rotary motor, vibration motor, magnetic suspension motor and the likes. In an exemplary embodiment, electric motor 302 can include an electromagnetic vibration device, which may be an electromagnetic oscillator, or a piezoelectric transducer, or electromagnetic vibration devices of other forms, but they do not depart from the scope of protection of the present application.
[0051] In an embodiment, when a head portion 104-1 is attached on the body 102, and the associated button is pressed, the control unit 110 can actuate the electric motor 302, and instruct the electric motor to rotate the bristles at a pre-defined speed for a pre-defined time, that can facilitate in brushing the teeth. For example, shaft can be provided in the head portion that can be coupled to the electric motor and the bristles head, and facilitates in rotating the bristles that can brush the teeth automatically.
[0052] In an embodiment, when a floss unit 104-2 is attached on the body 102, and the associated button is pressed, the control unit 110 can actuate the electric motor 302, and instruct the electric motor 302 to activate pumping means for a pre-defined time to dispense a pre-defined amount of water at a controlled pressure from a nozzle from the floss unit 104-2, that targets plaque and debris between teeth and below the gum line where toothbrush bristles can't reach. Accurate targeted cleaning is performed on food debris or various foreign substances in the oral cavity are taken out, thereby greatly improving the cleaning effect. Moreover, the use process is safer and more convenient.
[0053] In an embodiment, when a tongue cleaner 104-3 is attached on the body 102, and the associated button is pressed, the control unit 110 can actuate the electric motor 302, and instruct the electric motor 302 to move the tongue cleaner up and down for a pre-defined time, that can facilitate in cleaning the tongue in a proper manner.
[0054] In an embodiment, when a mouthwash unit 104-4 is attached on the body 102, and the associated button is pressed, the control unit 110 can actuate the electric motor 302, and instruct the electric motor 302 to dispense the pre-defined amount of mouthwash stored in the body 102 in the mouth, and the user can rinse teeth, gums, and mouth easily.
[0055] In an embodiment, the control unit 110 can be further configured to activate a disinfectant unit i.e. UV-C positioned in the cap 208 for a pre-defined time to sterilize the bristles provided in the head portion. For example, sterilization can be done for at least 30 seconds and 3-4 times in a day to prevent contaminants from entering into the bristles.
[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, the control unit 110 can be configured to activate the cleaning appliances 104 for a pre-defined time, such as brushing (3-minute), flossing (2-minute), tongue cleaning (2-minute), and sterilization (30-seconds).
[0057] It should be noted that, the structures disclosed and described in the present disclosure may be replaced by other structure with the same effect, and the embodiments described in the present disclosure are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Though the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been introduced and described in the specification, persons skilled in the art should know that these embodiments are merely described by way of example, and persons skilled in the art may make various changes, improvements, and replacements without departing from the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be defined in accordance with the spirit and scope of the appended claims of the present disclosure.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0058] The present disclosure provides a multi-functional toothbrush that is used in brushing, flossing, and tongue cleaning.
[0059] The present disclosure provides provide a multi-functional toothbrush that stores mouthwash to clean the mouth.
[0060] The present disclosure provides a multi-functional toothbrush that sterilizes the bristles.
[0061] The present disclosure provides a multi-functional toothbrush that is refillable and reusable.

We Claims:

1. A multi-functional toothbrush 100, comprising:
a body 102 configured to receive at least one of a plurality of cleaning appliances 104;
one or more push buttons 108 disposed on the body, wherein each of the push buttons configured to initiate at least one operation, upon actuation;
a control unit 110 operatively coupled to the one or more push buttons and an electric motor, wherein the control unit including one or more processors coupled with a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors and configured to:
receive instruction from the actuated at least one of the one or more push buttons 108; and
actuate an electric motor 302 for a pre-defined time, in response to the received instruction, and correspondingly activate the received cleaning appliance to perform the associated operation; and
a power supply mean disposed in the body and configured to supply power to the one or more push buttons, the control unit, and the electric motor.

2. The multi-functional toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one operation include brushing, flossing, tongue cleaning, and oral rinsing.

3. The multi-functional toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body 102 include a first part 102-1 to store water, and a second part 102-2 to store a liquid, wherein the liquid is a mouthwash.

4. The multi-functional toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of cleaning appliances comprises a head portion having bristles, wherein upon activation of the associated push button, the head portion rotates and facilitates in brushing the teeth.

5. The multi-functional toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multi-functional toothbrush comprises a cap having a disinfectant unit, wherein upon accommodating the head portion in the cap, the control unit activates the disinfectant unit several times in a day for a pre-defined time to sterilize the bristles.

6. The multi-functional toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of cleaning appliances comprises a floss unit, wherein the floss unit having a nozzle to dispense water stored in the body 102, wherein upon activation of the associated push button the water is dispensed in mouth.

7. The multi-functional toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of cleaning appliances comprise a tongue cleaner unit configured to clean the tongue, wherein upon activation of the associated push button, the tongue cleaner moves in between a first position and a second position.

8. The multi-functional toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of cleaning appliances comprises a mouthwash unit, wherein the mouth wash unit having a sprayer, wherein upon activation of the associated push button, the sprayer gets activated to dispense the stored liquid in the mouth.

9. The multi-functional toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power supply mean comprises a plug and electrical cord for plugging into an electrical outlet receptacle in order to supply electrical power to the multi-functional toothbrush
10. The multi-functional toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power supply mean comprises any or a combination of rechargeable battery, rechargeable cell, electrochemical cells, storage battery, secondary cell, and capacitor bank for supplying power to the multi-functional toothbrush.