Toothbrush and Cup Set with Built-In Bristle Dewatering Mechanism

The problem

When a toothbrush is used, the bristles become saturated with water. In typical bathroom storage, the brush is placed upright in a cup or laid flat on a counter, leaving the bristles wet for extended periods. Because bathrooms are often enclosed spaces with limited airflow, the retained moisture remains trapped in the brush head until the next use.

The patent text notes that this condition means the bristles stay too wet, which creates an environment where moisture is maintained between brushing sessions. Users generally rely on passive air drying, but simply throwing away the moisture contained in the bristles after brushing does not fully dehydrate them. A standard cup holds the toothbrush but provides no active way to remove the water held within the bristle cluster before the brush is put away.

The solution

This patent describes an integrated toothbrush and cup system that incorporates mechanical dewatering directly into the storage action. The solution relies on three coordinated features housed within the unit:

1. A brush cup body (1) that houses a drinking cup region (3) and a cup (4), forming the main structure of the station.
2. A dewatering room (6) located inside the assembly, which contains the active drying components.
3. Inside the dewatering room, a brush holder clamping mechanism, a bristle poking mechanism, and a ventilation placing structure work together.

When the user finishes brushing and places the toothbrush (2) back into the cup, these mechanisms engage during the normal placing process. The clamping mechanism secures the brush, while the poking mechanism acts on the bristles to help separate the moisture they hold. The ventilation placing structure allows air to interact with the bristles. Additionally, a replaceable imitation deer-skin water-absorbing towel (18) is positioned over a plastic supporting sheet (8) secured by an elastic rubber band (17) at the top, providing further absorption.

Who it is for

• Bathroom accessory brands looking to add a functional, multi-step toothbrush storage product to their personal care lines rather than selling simple open cups.
• E-commerce sellers and Amazon FBA operators who focus on daily-use household items and need products with distinct mechanical features that stand out in search results.
• Wholesalers supplying hotels and hospitality where guests expect organized vanity setups and housekeeping needs to manage wet brushes efficiently between stays.
• Promotional product distributors sourcing practical, branded personal care items for corporate wellness programs or dental office giveaways.

How it works

The main parts

Operating steps

1. Rinsing - The user brushes their teeth and uses the drinking cup region (3) and cup (4) to rinse.
2. Insertion - The toothbrush (2) is inserted into the dewatering room (6). The clamping arm columns (703) and the clamping roller (705), covered with ten anti-skid rubber strips (706), guide and grip the brush handle. The smooth arc surfaces (704) allow the handle to slide into position against the large plastic bottom plate (701) and long connecting plastic strips (702).
3. Mechanical dewatering - As the brush is seated, the bristle poking mechanism interacts with the bristles. The tensile plate (707) moves within its limits, guided by the limiting plate (14) traveling inside the clamping groove (13) via the penetrating groove (12). The pushing convex point (16) on the backrest plate (15) assists the mechanical action to separate moisture from the bristles.
4. Absorption and ventilation - Separated water is caught by the replaceable imitation deer-skin water-absorbing towel (18) held by the elastic rubber band (17) on the plastic supporting sheet (8), while the ventilation placing structure allows air circulation around the bristles.

Applications

Daily home bathroom use

Families using shared bathrooms often leave wet toothbrushes in open cups. This integrated unit performs a dewatering action every time the brush is stored, addressing the issue of saturated bristles sitting idle between morning and evening routines.

Hospitality and hotel vanities

Hotel housekeeping staff must ensure bathroom amenities are ready for the next guest quickly. A self-contained brush and cup set that removes excess water during storage helps maintain a tidier vanity area without requiring manual drying of guest-provided or disposable brushes.

Dormitories and shared living spaces

Students or residents in shared accommodations have limited counter space and ventilation. Combining the drinking cup, brush holder, and dewatering room into one footprint keeps the sink area organized while acting on the moisture retained in the bristles.

Dental office patient kits

Dental practices frequently provide take-home oral care kits. Including a brush and cup system with a mechanical drying feature offers patients a structured way to store their brush, utilizing the poking and clamping mechanisms described in the design.

Where it is less suitable

• Electric toothbrushes - The clamping arm columns, penetrating grooves, and roller dimensions are described for a standard manual toothbrush handle; bulky electric brush heads and handles would require different tooling.
• Travel toothbrush cases - The unit integrates a drinking cup region and multiple internal plates, making it a stationary countertop item rather than a compact travel case.