Patent ID: 7350526
Filing Date: 2008-04-01
Classification: A46B

Abstract:
1. A disposable toothbrush with toothpaste applicator mechanism comprising; (a) a multiplicity of bristles; (b) a plurality of apertures located between the bristles; (c) a hollow compartment for accommodating a predetermined quantity of toothpaste, the hollow compartment is of quadrilateral cross-section; (d) a bore connecting the plurality of apertures and the hollow compartment, the bore is of circular cross-section; (e) a plunger comprising a base, a stem, and a head, the plunger is of quadrilateral cross-section and the cross-sectional area of the stem less than that of the base and the head, wherein the head of the plunger achieves a substantially gapless interface inside the hollow compartment such that the plunger can slide inside the hollow compartment for pushing the toothpaste into the bore and out from the plurality of apertures, wherein the base of the plunger abuts the bottom of the toothbrush when the toothpaste is completely pushed out of the hollow compartment; (f) the hollow compartment including an opening at its bottom, which receives the stem of the plunger and is adapted to prevent the head of the plunger from being pulled out of the hollow compartment; (g) a locking member secured over the stem of the plunger for preventing accidental dispensation of the toothpaste before using the toothbrush, the locking member comprises a horizontal panel, two vertical panels projecting perpendicularly from two edges of the horizontal panel, and a catching member located on a free end of the vertical panels that is opposite to the horizontal panel, wherein the inner surface area formed by the horizontal and vertical panels is substantially equal to the outer surface area of the stem of the plunger; (h) the catching member of the locking member comprising a projection with a right-angled triangular cross-section and comprises an inclined face, a horizontal face and a vertical face, the vertical face in the plane of connection to the vertical panel, wherein the vertical panels of the locking member are resiliently deformed while engaging or disengaging the locking member; and wherein the locking member is removed and the plunger is pushed into the hollow compartment to extract the toothpaste out from the plurality of apertures.