TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to oral hygiene and, more particularly, to a cabinet for holding multiple toothbrushes and sterilizing the toothbrushes.

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] Oral hygiene is most import part of our life, and cleaning the mouth is essential to keep the human being healthy. It is well known that the human mouth is home to many different types of microorganisms. These microorganisms may contribute to periodontal disease, halitosis and other types of infection. Thus, recommended to brush and floss carefully to remove these germs. Toothbrushes kept in the holders are exposed to heat, dust, and light throughout the day, and used in the morning and late evening by just sprinkling water on the bristles. But the bristles are carrying dust and other harmful particles, no matter how thoroughly the toothbrush is rinsed, it is virtually impossible to remove them all. Moreover, the usual practice of placing toothbrushes makes it vulnerable to be infected by mosquitoes and other insects and animals. Thus, using these toothbrushes is very harmful to the oral and digestive systems. This issue is particularly relevant after a pathogenic infection. Germs from the mouth are deposited on the toothbrush. This can lead to re-infection with a pathogenic microorganism. In addition, toothbrushes are often stored in racks close together. This means that germs from one toothbrush can be transferred to another.
[0004] Currently, the problem is solved by temporarily covering the brushes and keeping them in a dry case. But still, keeping them in a case or covering them will not dehumidify them or make them clean. Also, making the toothbrushes dry in sunlight so that the bristles could be dried can’t be practiced on regular grounds.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need to overcome above mentioned problems of prior art by bringing a solution that facilitate in hanging the toothbrushes and dispense disinfectant automatically on the toothbrushes to sterilize the toothbrushes.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure a cabinet for holding toothbrushes that is closed from all sides, thus protect the toothbrushes from dust and other harmful micro-organisms to settle on the bristles.
[0008] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a cabinet that spray disinfectant on the toothbrushes to sterilize the bristles.
[0009] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a cabinet that is refillable and reusable.
[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a cabinet which alerts the user to replace the toothbrush.

SUMMARY
[0011] Aspect of the present invention relates generally to oral hygiene. In particular, to a cabinet for holding multiple toothbrushes and sterilizing the toothbrushes.
[0012] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a toothbrush sterilization cabinet including a housing, a first compartment provided in the housing to store disinfectant, a second compartment provided in the housing for receiving a one or more toothbrushes, and the second compartment may include a plurality of chambers for holding at least one bristle head of a toothbrush therein, an actuator may be fluidically coupled to the first compartment, and upon actuation of the actuator, the stored disinfectant may be dispensed from the first compartment to each of the bristle heads of the received toothbrushes, a display unit may be coupled to the housing, a control unit may be operatively coupled to the actuator and the display unit, 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 may be configured to actuate the actuator at one or more pre-defined times in a day to dispense the stored disinfectant for sterilizing each of the bristle heads of the received plurality of toothbrushes, activate an alert unit prior to pre-defined number of days from the expiry date of at least one of the toothbrush from the one or more toothbrushes, and display the expiry date on the display unit.
[0013] In an aspect, one or more nozzles may be disposed in the first compartment, and the one or more nozzles may be configured to dispense the disinfectant from the first compartment to the second compartment upon actuation of the actuator.
[0014] In an aspect, the display unit may be selected from a group consisting of light emitting diode (LED), liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED), and LED matrix.
[0015] In an aspect, each of the toothbrushes associated with an individual user, and the expiry date of each of the toothbrushes stored correspondingly, by receiving input from the display unit 112 when a new toothbrush is received in the toothbrush sterilization cabinet.
[0016] In an aspect, the alert unit may be selected from a group consisting of speaker, indicator light, and vibrator.
[0017] In an aspect, the actuator may include any or combinations of switch, relay, and button.
[0018] In an aspect, the housing may include a power source mean for supplying power to the actuator, the display unit, the control unit, and the alert unit.
[0019] 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 toothbrush sterilization cabinet.
[0020] In an aspect, the 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 toothbrush sterilization cabinet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] 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.
[0022] The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of proposed toothbrush sterilization cabinet, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of proposed toothbrush sterilization cabinet, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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 oral hygiene. In particular, the present invention provides a cabinet for holding multiple toothbrushes and sterilizing the toothbrushes.
[0029] 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. There is a need, therefore, for a means of storing a toothbrush that disinfects it and prevents it from becoming contaminated from the environment. The present invention addresses this need by providing a novel toothbrush sterilization cabinet.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the proposed toothbrush sterilization cabinet 100 (also referred to as cabinet 100, herein) can include a housing 102 for accommodating one or more toothbrushes and disinfectant. In an exemplary embodiment, the cabinet 100 can be compact and designed in such a way, which prevents falling off toothbrushes. The housing 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 housing 102 can be made of a variety of materials having sufficient rigidity to maintain the structural integrity of housing 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. The housing 102 can be constructed using conventional techniques such as molding, extruding, shaping, etc. to form a rigid geometric shape. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, the housing 102 can be shaped in any desired geometric shape provided such shape does not interfere with the principles of the invention as recited herein.
[0031] In an embodiment, cabinet 100 can be used by affixing the housing 102 to a horizontal surface such as, for example a wall, a cupboard door, a drawer side or any other vertical surface using a suitable attaching means. The housing 102 can be adapted for resting on a horizontal surface. Alternatively, the cabinet 100 can be a free-standing unit.
[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the toothbrushes can be of any brand, size, shape or type which includes bristle head and a handle. The handle normally has a relatively uniform thickness and includes a front surface, a rear surface, and side surfaces. The handle also generally includes a head portion, a body portion, a neck portion disposed between the head portion and the body portion, and a shoulder region or shank having sloped shoulder surfaces on the sides of the handle where the neck portion adjoins the body portion. The bristle head can be mounted on the head portion of the handle and the toothbrush is gripped in the user's hand by the body portion of the handle.
[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 102 can be designed in such a way that the housing can accommodate one or more oral care objects with toothbrushes such as tongue cleaner, dental floss, dental sticks, and the likes.
[0034] In an embodiment, the housing 102 can include a first compartment 104, and a second compartment 104, and the first compartment 104 can be positioned above the second compartment. The first compartment 104 can store disinfectant, and the second compartment 106 can be configured for receiving one or more toothbrushes. In another embodiment, the first compartment 104 can include an opening having a male threaded portion, and a cap having a female threaded portion, such that the male threaded portion can be connected with the female threaded portion to close the opening. The cap can be rotated in a first direction to close the opening and at the time of refilling the disinfectant, the cap can be rotated in second direction. The disinfectant can be made of isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, hydrogen peroxide, glycerol, but not limited to the likes, other various types of disinfectants can also be used, for example, an antiseptic mouthwash solution or an antibiotic solution could be used.
[0035] In an embodiment, the second compartment 106 can include one or more chambers 108 (collectively referred as chambers 108, and individually referred as chamber 108) for holding at least one bristle head of a toothbrush therein. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the chambers 108 can be easily adaptable to hold toothbrushes of various brands, sizes, shapes and types by varying the size of the chambers 108. Each of the chambers 108 can be formed by conventional means, i.e., molding, cutting, shaping, etc., using a deformable, flexible material such as rubber, foam or an elastomeric plastic material. Preferably, the chambers 108 can be formed from a rubber material.
[0036] In an embodiment, an actuator 110 can be fluidically coupled to the first compartment 104, and the actuator 110 can include any or a combination of switch, relay, button, and the likes. Upon actuation of the actuator 110, the stored disinfectant can be dispensed from the first compartment 104 to each of the bristle heads of the toothbrushes received in the chambers 108. In an embodiment, one or more nozzles 118 can be disposed in the first compartment 104 to dispense the disinfectant from the first compartment to the second compartment upon actuation of the actuator 110. The nozzles 118 can discharge a specific amount of the disinfectant onto the bristle-heads (i.e. being in the range of 2 to 4 ml of disinfectant or a preferred amount of 3 ml). The disinfectant can kill and destroy all microorganisms and viruses that are on bristle-heads of toothbrushes stored in the cabinet 100.
[0037] In an embodiment, the housing 102 can include a display unit 112 that can be configured to display information. The display unit 112 can be selected from a group consisting of light emitting diode (LED), liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED), and LED matrix.
[0038] In an embodiment, the housing 100 can include a control unit 114 operatively coupled to the actuator 110 and the display unit 112. The control unit 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] In an embodiment, the display unit 112 can provide an interface having one or more buttons that enables the user to input the expiry date of every new toothbrush. Each of the toothbrushes can be associated with an individual user, and the expiry date of each of the toothbrushes can be stored correspondingly, by receiving input from the display unit 112, when a new toothbrush is received in the cabinet 100. For example, a family have four members, a mother, a father, a son, and a daughter, each of the family member have a toothbrush, that can be of any brand, any shape or color. Whenever a new toothbrush is purchased, an expiry date is written on its cover, the user can input the date using the interface provided by the display unit 112. The expiry date of the toothbrush can be provided with the associated family member, for example, four member of the family are already added in a memory through the display unit, and now onwards, when the new brush is purchased, the member for whom the brush is purchased is selected from the display unit 112, and the expiry date can be added, for example, mother toothbrush expiry date is 18th Jan 2022, which can be stored in the memory.
[0041] In an embodiment, the control unit 114 can activate the display unit 112 to display information, when any of the toothbrush is about to expire, for example, before t2-3 days a message can be displayed that mother toothbrush is about to expire, only two days left.
[0042] In an embodiment, the control unit 114 can actuate the actuator 110 at one or more pre-defined times in a day to dispense the stored disinfectant for sterilizing each of the bristle heads of the received one or more toothbrushes. For example, instructions can be stored to sterilize the bristle heads after every two hours, thus after every two hours, the control unit 114 can actuate the actuator 110 that further activate one or more nozzles 118 to spray the disinfectant on each of the bristle heads of the hanged toothbrushes.
[0043] In an embodiment, an alert unit 116 is coupled to the housing 102, and the alert unit 116 can be any or a combination of speaker, indicator light, and vibrator. The alert unit 116 can be operatively coupled with the control unit 114, and the control unit 114 can activate the alert unit 116 prior to pre-define number of days from the expiry date of at least one of the toothbrush from the toothbrushes hanged in the cabinet 100. For example, mother toothbrush expiry date is 18th Jan 2022, the alert unit 116 can produce sound on 15th Jan 2022 to remind the user that toothbrush of mother is about to expire, thus purchase a new toothbrush for mother.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the indicator light can be in the form of a miniature light bulb, an LED or a fiber optic element. The indicator light can be of any color such as yellow, red, green, and can be activated by the control unit 114 2-3 days before to indicate that any of the toothbrush hanged in the cabinet 100 is about to expire. The user can check details of toothbrush on the display unit 112.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the housing can include a sensor to monitor quantity of the disinfectant in the first compartment 102. The sensor can be any or a combination of liquid level sensor, water level sensor, level detector, weight sensor, load cell, and the likes. When the quantity is found below a predefined amount, the control unit can activate the alert unit 116 to notify the user, and can display information on the display unit 112.
[0046] In an embodiment, the housing 102 comprises a power source mean 120 for supplying power to the actuator 110, the display unit 112, the control unit 114, and the alert unit 116. The power supply mean 120 can include a plug and electrical cord for plugging into an electrical outlet receptacle in order to supply electrical power to the toothbrush sterilization cabinet. In another embodiment, the power supply mean 120 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 toothbrush sterilization cabinet.
[0047] In an embodiment, battery information can be displayed on the display unit 112, or the alert unit 116 can be activated accordingly to remind the user to change the battery. For example, a compartment can be provided to hold the batteries in the housing, and the user can check the power level of the batteries on the display unit 112 to check for sufficient power of the batteries. If the batteries need replacement, the user simply removes the old batteries from battery compartment and replaces them with new batteries. Another way to charge the battery is that, the user can charge the battery by simply plugging the electrical cord and plug and into an electrical outlet receptacle to charge the batteries.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 2, an exemplary view of proposed toothbrush sterilization cabinet is disclosed. The cabinet 100 can include a housing 102 of a rectangle shape, but not limited to this, the housing can include a first compartment 104 to store disinfectant. The housing 102 can include a second compartment 106 that comprises one or more chambers 108 to receive one or more toothbrushes. Each chamber 108 can hold a toothbrush. An actuator 110 can be provided on the housing 102, that can be actuated automatically by the control unit 114 at a pre-defined time in a day to dispense the disinfectant from the first compartment on bristle heads of each of toothbrushes. A display unit 102 can be coupled on the housing to display information, including but not limited to expiry date of toothbrush, battery level, and amount of disinfectant.
[0049] The proposed cabinet 100 can provide users of toothbrushes with improved means to disinfect the toothbrushes while being stored. At the same time, the toothbrushes are kept free of insects, dust, hair, spray aerosols, etc. In addition, the cabinet 100 can be produced in a variety of colors to match the decor of the bathroom or room of the user.
[0050] The above described features, configurations, effects, and the like are included in at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, and should not be limited to only one embodiment. In addition, the features, configurations, effects, and the like as illustrated in each embodiment may be implemented with regard to other embodiments as they are combined with one another or modified by those skilled in the art. Thus, content related to these combinations and modifications should be construed as including in the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
[0051] Further, although the embodiments have been mainly described until now, they are just exemplary and do not limit the present invention. Thus, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will know that various modifications and applications which have not been exemplified may be performed within a range which does not deviate from the essential characteristics of the embodiments. For instance, the constituent elements described in detail in the exemplary embodiments can be modified to be performed. Further, the differences related to such modifications and applications shall be construed to be included in the scope of the present invention specified in the attached claims.
[0052] The present invention has been described with regard to one or more embodiments. However, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0053] The present disclosure provides a cabinet for holding toothbrushes that is closed from all sides, thus protect the toothbrushes from dust and other harmful micro-organisms to settle on the bristles.
[0054] The present disclosure provides a cabinet that spray disinfectant on the toothbrushes to sterilize the bristles.
[0055] The present disclosure provides a cabinet that is refillable and reusable.
[0056] The present disclosure provides a cabinet which alerts the user to replace the toothbrush.

Claims:

1. A toothbrush sterilization cabinet 100, comprising:
a housing 102;
a first compartment 104 provided in the housing 102 to store disinfectant;
a second compartment 106 provided in the housing for receiving a plurality of toothbrushes, wherein the second compartment comprises a plurality of chambers 108 for holding at least one bristle head of a toothbrush therein;
an actuator 110 fluidically coupled to the first compartment 104, wherein upon actuation of the actuator, the stored disinfectant is dispensed from the first compartment to each of the bristle heads of the received plurality of toothbrushes;
a display unit 112 coupled to the housing;
a control unit 114 operatively coupled to the actuator and the display unit, 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:
actuate the actuator 110 at one or more pre-defined times in a day to dispense the stored disinfectant for sterilizing each of the bristle heads of the received plurality of toothbrushes;
activate an alert unit 116 prior to pre-defined number of days from the expiry date of at least one of the toothbrush from the plurality of toothbrushes; and
display the expiry date on the display unit 112 .
2. The toothbrush sterilization cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more nozzles 118 are disposed in the first compartment 104, wherein the one or more nozzles 118 are configured to dispense the disinfectant from the first compartment to the second compartment upon actuation of the actuator 110.
3. The toothbrush sterilization cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display unit 112 is selected from a group consisting of light emitting diode (LED), liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED), and LED matrix.
4. The toothbrush sterilization cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the toothbrushes associated with an individual user, and the expiry date of each of the toothbrushes stored correspondingly, by receiving input from the display unit 112, when a new toothbrush is received in the toothbrush sterilization cabinet 100 .
5. The toothbrush sterilization cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alert unit 116 is selected from a group consisting of speaker, indicator light, and vibrator.
6. The toothbrush sterilization cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator 110 comprises any or a combination of switch, relay, and button.
7. The toothbrush sterilization cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing 102 comprises a power source mean 120 for supplying power to the actuator 110, the display unit 112, the control unit 114, and the alert unit 116.
8. The toothbrush sterilization cabinet as claimed in claim 7, wherein the power supply mean 120 comprises a plug and electrical cord for plugging into an electrical outlet receptacle in order to supply electrical power to the toothbrush sterilization cabinet.
9. The toothbrush sterilization cabinet as claimed in claim 7, wherein the power supply mean 120 comprises any or a combination of rechargeable battery, rechargeable cell, electrochemical cells, storage battery, secondary cell, and capacitor bank for supplying power to the toothbrush sterilization cabinet.