Abstract:
Brush device which dispenses fluid material such as toothpaste or paint is equipped with a dispenser and brush. The dispenser comprises a liquid material container and a plunger therein which is manually actuated to pressure out the liquid material from the container. The brush body is detachably connected to a liquid material container using a screw mate and elongated hub engagement. The material is pressured by the plunger to enter into a series of conduits incorporated into a body of the brush and, through the openings of the head of the brush, finally pushed out to the bristles of the brush. When the fluid in the container is completely used up, the dispenser is reloaded with new fluid by sliding a plunger of the dispenser.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    I. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a brush. More specifically, the present invention relates to brush that provides fluid material such as toothpaste or paint to the bristles from a liquid container directly connected to the brush. 
         [0003]    II. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    There have been also proposed other various kinds of combination of a toothbrush and a toothpaste container. However, they are impractical in that they have complicated structure for toothbrush and thus, the use of such container increases the overall expense associated with oral hygiene. The prior proposals also do not take into account the fact that after the toothpaste has been completely consumed, it is very difficult for user to clean the toothpaste container and recharge it with a fresh supply of toothpaste. Those proposals are potentially messy during dispensing and reloading toothpaste because they are adapting a squeeze ball or thread directly contacting toothpaste. They are also unsanitary as a result of a toothpaste build-up therein and the inner components. 
         [0005]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,207 Konraqd et all discloses a disposable toothpaste container for use with a toothbrush. However, many disadvantages are present in this combination. For example, the container is disposal element intended for one-time usage. Since a threaded pin is extending generally axially together with paste within the chamber, it is not sanitary. Moreover, a piston threadedly connected to the pin makes its movement too slow and it cannot clean the brush after completion of toothpaste. The joint section between the container and brush stem is by screw engagement, but it is too weak and easily broken or deformed even with a normal operational pressure, especially when it is used by children users. 
         [0006]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved brush device overcoming the disadvantages of the prior arts by providing a dispenser which is more sanitary, structurally robust, easily reloaded and dispensable, and cost effective. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A novel and improved brush device for dispensing fluid material is described. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a brush device comprises a dispenser forming a liquid-containing container and pressing out the fluid material within the container by sliding a plunger therein, the dispenser having a external screw threaded collar and a elongated hub at and toward the opposite side of the plunger; a brush including a brush body and a bristle-carrying brush head formed integrally with the brush body; and a channel delivering the fluid material from the container to the bristles, the channel formed axially extending through the external screw threaded collar and elongated hub of the dispenser, the brush body and head, and outlet opening toward the region of the bristles formed within the brush head. The part of the channel formed in the brush body includes internal screw threads and a cylindrical conduit. Further, the internal screw threads are adapted to mate with the external screw threaded collar. Further, the cylindrical conduit substantially fits with the diameter of the elongated hub. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the brush is a toothbrush and the fluid material is toothpaste. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the brush is a paint brush and the fluid material is paint. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a toothbrush device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view of a toothbrush device cover according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view of a dispenser part of a toothbrush device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of a ejecting section of a dispenser of a toothbrush device with partly sectional view according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a view showing reloading toothpaste from a conventional toothpaste tube into a container of a toothbrush device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an elevational view of a brush part of a toothbrush device with partly sectional view according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a longitudinal sectional view of a toothbrush device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view of a brush part of a paint brush device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    A toothbrush device  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . A toothbrush device  10  comprises a dispenser part  11  and a toothbrush part  12  which are detachably connected. The dispenser  11  includes loaded toothpaste  14 , but it could be any other liquid material such as paint, oil, liquid medication, or water in connection with specific usage of the brush. The dispenser  11  comprises a plunger  13  and a container  18 . The plunger  13  is used for pressing toothpaste  14  within the container  18  in order to eject it. Once the dispenser  11  is detached from the toothbrush  12 , the plunger  13  is also used for reloading toothpaste  14  from a separate toothpaste tube into the container  18  when it is needed to recharge toothpaste, as will be described with regard to  FIG. 5 . The plunger  13  is also used to clean the toothbrush  12  with water or detergent as liquid material. The brush part  12  comprises a tubular brush body  15   a , brush neck  15   b , and brush head  15   c  at one end thereof. The head  15   c  carries rows of bristles  17 . From the end of the container  18  extending through the brush part  12  is a channel  19  which communicates via openings  16  in the brush head  15   c  with the bristle area  17 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view of a toothbrush device cover  20  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The cover  20  comprises an upper cover cap  21  and lower cover cap  22 . The joint section  23  can be configured according to conventional engagement methods such as screw threaded mate, friction engagement, or annular groove and protrusions. 
         [0019]    A dispenser part  11  of a toothbrush device according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 3 . The dispenser  11  forms a liquid-containing container such as toothpaste  14 . The plunger  13  is pushed and slid into the container  18  imposing pressure on the toothpaste  14  within a container  18 . The dispenser  11  has an external screw threaded collar  37  and an elongated hub  38  at the opposite side of the plunger  13 . The plunger  13  has a guiding disk  32  and rod  33  having a plurality of ribs thereon. The plunger head disk  34  has an annular groove  35  which have a rubber ring (not shown) to create a tight seal against the container inner wall. A channel delivering the toothpaste from the bottom of the container  18  to the bristles of the brush is formed extending through the screw threaded collar  37  and elongated hub  38 , which will be disclosed in more detail with regard to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of an ejecting section of a dispenser of a toothbrush device with partly sectional view according to one embodiment of the present invention. At the rear end of the container  18 , an external screw thread collar  37  and an elongated hub  38  are provided. A channel  19  is formed from the end of the container  18  extending through the screw threaded collar  37  and elongated hub  38 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the length of the elongated hub  38  is about one or two centimeters. As will be described in more detail with regard to  FIGS. 6 to 8 , the external threaded collar  37  is adapted to mate with the internal screw threads  62  of the brush  12 . For tighter sealing from leakage of toothpaste, a rubber rings may be interposed between the container  18  and the bottom face  61  of brush, which is well known to the person skilled in the art. The diameter of the elongated hub  38  is substantially the same as the diameter of the cylindrical conduit  72  of the brush. This will prevent the leakage of toothpaste which pasts the channel  19 . Moreover, this will increase strength of the engagement between the dispenser part  11  and the brush part  12  and  80  which is one of advantages of the present invention over the prior arts. 
         [0021]    The dispenser  11  according to one embodiment of the present invention makes it easy to reload the toothpaste whenever it is needed.  FIG. 5  is a view showing reloading toothpaste from a conventional toothpaste tube  50  into the container of the dispenser part  11 . Once the container  11  is detached from the brush  12  and  80 , the cap  53  of the toothpaste tube is opened and the elongated hub  38  and  38  of the dispenser is inserted into the opening  52  of the toothpaste tube  50 . By pulling back the plunger  13 , a desired amount of toothpaste is conveniently transferred to the container of the dispenser  11 . Optionally, some marks or scales may be made on the wall of the container for amount control. The dispenser is then attached to the brush part  12  and  80  as discussed above with regard to  FIG. 4  to use the reloaded fresh toothpaste. In another embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser  11  is equipped with a finger grip at the entrance of the container  18  as shown here to facilitate sliding forward or backward the plunger  13  imposing pushing or pulling pressure to the toothpaste. Furthermore, in case the remains of toothpaste with the channel are concern, cleaning water or detergent can be conveniently taken into the container of the dispenser  18  and pushed into the channel  19  to remove them therefrom, which is another advantage of the present invention. 
         [0022]    A brush part  12  of a toothbrush device according to one embodiment of the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The brush  12  is used in combination with the material dispenser  11  and  18  detachably connected thereat. The brush  12  comprises a brush body  15   a , brush neck  15   b  and brush head  15   c . It is well understood to the person skilled in the art that the brush neck  15   b  may not be present according to the some embodiments of the present invention where shorter length is preferable. It is also well appreciated to the person skilled in the art that the brush body  15   a  and the brush neck  15   b  may be provided as a one unit rather than two separate sections according to the embodiment of the invention. The brush head  15   c  has bristles  17 . The brush neck  15   b , if any, is formed integrally with the brush body  15   a  and brush head  15   c . A channel  19  delivering toothpaste to the bristles is formed within the brush  12 . The channel  19  is extending through the brush body  15   a , brush neck  15   b , and brush head  15   c , and outlet openings formed within the brush head  15   c  toward the region of the bristles  17 . At the bottom face of the brush  61 , internal screw threads  62  are provided which form the beginning part of the channel  19 . This is more clearly understood with reference to  FIG. 7  which is a longitudinal sectional view of a toothbrush device  12  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0023]    In  FIG. 7 , the part of the channel formed in the brush body  15   a  includes internal screw threads  62  and a cylindrical conduit  72 . The channel  19  is comprised of body section  72 , neck section  74  and head section  76 . The part of the channel formed in the brush neck  74  is tapered toward the part of the channel formed in the brush head  76 . The part of the channel formed in the brush head is diverged into two outlet openings  16   a  and  16   b  leading to the region of bristles  17 . The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of openings may vary and it is still within the scope of the present invention. It is also well understood to the person skilled in the art that the brush neck  15   a  may not be present and that the brush body  15   a  and the brush neck  15   b  may be provided as a one unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0024]    In  FIG. 7 , the diameter of the part of channel formed in the brush head  76  is smaller than the diameter of the part of channel formed in the brush body  72 . And accordingly the part of the channel  74  is adapted to be tapered toward the part of the channel formed in the brush head  76 . This will be helpful for tight engagement between the dispenser  11  and the brush  12  and avoidance of leakage of toothpaste from the joint section therebetween. As discussed with reference to  FIG. 4 , the internal screw threads  62  are adapted to mate with the external thread collar  37 , and the diameter of the cylindrical conduit  72  is substantially the same as the diameter of the elongated hub  38 . This will prevent the leakage of toothpaste which passes the channel  19  and increase the strength of the engagement between the dispenser part  11  and the brush part  12  which are advantages of the present invention over the prior arts. 
         [0025]    Even if the preceding embodiment is described with regard to a toothbrush, it is well appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the inventive idea is applicable to various kinds of brushes including paint brush, oil applying brush, medication applying brush, water dispensing brush, and other liquid material dispensing brushes. For example, an elevational view of a brush part of a paint brush device  80  is shown at  FIG. 8  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The paint brush  80  is no different from the toothpaste brush  12  in  FIG. 6  except that the appearance of the brush neck  81  is adapted to the shape of the brush head  82  and the bristles  83  which serve the specific requirement of each paint activity. 
         [0026]    Thus, brush device for dispensing liquid material by using plumber means has been described. The description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. The various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the inventive faculty. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.