Please direct this question to Gitana. How can I determine if there is
a device on the market that will dry and disinfect a toothbrush.? Is
ther an existing patent for this device? Is such a device on the
market already. Thanks
Ralphie

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Request for Question Clarification by gitana-ga on 09 Dec 2002 09:35 PST

Dear Ralphie,

Thank you for requesting me.  I have been out of touch because I just
gave birth to my first child. I will begin working on your question
today. Thanks also to all the researchers who contacted me about this
question.

gitana

Dear Ralphie,

There are several toothbrush sanitizing products on the market, but I
have found only one that claims to both dry and sanitize.

The DM-2001 sterilizes toothbrushes with UV light and dries them with
a heater.
This product is manufactured by Dentio:
DENTIO CO., LTD 
http://www.dentio.co.kr/usa/index.html

864-7, Kwanyang-dong, Dougan-Gu
Anyang-City, Kyungki-Do, korea
TEL    82-31-424-0221
FAX    82-31-422-8296


This product is distributed by Saebyul International.
SAEBYUL International
http://www.saebyul.net/ProductDescription.files/dentio.htm

6F, Royal Bldg. 1459-12, 
Seocho-dong, Seocho-Gu  Seoul, Korea
Tel : +(82)-2-588-4094, 
Fax : +(82)-2-3474-3414, 
E-mail : saebyulchoi@hotmail.com

The price is listed as a “sample price” of $36.00, which may indicate
the model is still in the test-marketing phase.   The price listings
also appear to be intended for large-quantity orders.  There is an
order form link (top right-hand corner) but it does not provide
shipping info nor does it ask for customer payment information.

Beauty Korea World also appears to distribute the DM-2001 but there is
no ordering information available on their web site.  You may need to
download Korean Text Display Support in order to view this site (the
prompt automatically comes up and it took me about 30 seconds to do
this).

http://www.bkworldco.com/html/health01_2.htm

304Ho, Shinsung Businesstel, 
1-1588, Seocho- Dong, Seocho-Ku,
Seoul, 137-070 Korea       
TEL : 822-582-8879     
Fax : 822-582-8896       
C.P 8216-740-3938


As you can see, all of these companies are Korean.  I checked and
found that this specific product is not patented in the U.S.


As for other drying/sanitizing products:

Dryers:
The DM-1000, also manufactured by Dentio, will dry toothbrushes with a
heater but not sanitize them.  Information about this product can be
found at the same sites listed above.


Sanitizers:
The Otres Toothbrush Sanitizer:
For $57.94, this product uses ozone to sanitize brushes overnight. 
You can order it at the following site:
http://www.cyclopss.com/otres.html

The Toothbrush Sanitizer also uses ozone, but only holds two brushes. 
You can order it for $29.95 at:
http://www.uniquehousewares.com/ToothBrush.html

The Emjoi Dentapure sanitizer uses Ultra Violet Rays to kill germs on
your toothbrush.  This product is priced at $47.95 (replacement UV
bulbs are $14.00 each).  You can order it at:
http://www.emjoi.com/productpages/oral/oralproducts/aboutdentapure.htm

Toothbrushmate TM uses a disinfecting solution to kill toothbrush
germs. A kit containing “2 brush stands, 2 bottles of sanitizer and 2
high quality, ergonomic-handled toothbrushes” costs $15.95 and can be
ordered at:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/jamarklabs/brusmattoots.html


By searching at the U.S. Patent Office I found the following products:

“Device and method for disinfecting the brush heads of toothbrushes”
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,123,477.WKU.&OS=PN/6,123,477&RS=PN/6,123,477

“Sanitizing toothbrush holder”
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=14&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ft00&s1=toothbrush&s2=dryer&OS=toothbrush+AND+dryer&RS=toothbrush+AND+dryer

“Toothbrush Sanitizer”
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ft95&s1=toothbrush&s2=sanitizer&OS=toothbrush+AND+sanitizer&RS=toothbrush+AND+sanitizer

I am no expert on the subject but, from all the information I found, 
it seems that if you sanitize your toothbrush there may be no hygienic
need to dry it.  In the same vein, if you were to have to choose
between drying and sanitizing your toothbrush it makes more hygienic
sense to sanitize than to simply dry it as germs can breed even on dry
toothbrushes.

I hope this information is helpful.  If you require more assistance
please request a clarification and allow me to respond before you rate
this answer.  I will also be very happy to address any other questions
you have in the future.  Again, thank you for requesting me; it made
my day.

Gitana

I've alerted Gitana.

The device for drying a toothbrush is called a towel and these can be
obtained from most department stores.

A search on the US Patent Office website (http://www.uspto.gov/patft/)
for "toothbrush AND dry AND disinfect" show this result:

Pat. No. 6,123,477 - Device and method for disinfecting the brush
heads of toothbrushes.

It describes an apparatus for disinfecting a toothbrush in either a
dry or wet state. However, it does not describe a method for drying a
toothbrush.

Actually, while I thought I was able to contact Gitana, my attempt was
unsuccessful.  I'll try again.  It's possible you'll have to wait; I
have no idea if Gitana will get the message.

ralphie.....I have also alerted gitana-ga about your question. She has
been out for a few days, but is expected to be back very soon. I feel
sure she will get to your question promptly. Thank you for being
patient!
crabcakes

A simple solution. Alcohol will do both. Dries fast, and kills germs.