Abstract:
A toothbrush which may be coupled to a toothpaste dispensing container has a body member. The body member has a channeling running a length of the body member. The channeling allows toothpaste to flow through the body member. A connector device is formed on a first end of the body member to allow the body member to be coupled to the toothpaste dispenser. A head member is coupled to a second end of the body member. The head member has at least one opening to allow the toothpaste to flow out through the head member. A plurality of bristles are coupled to the head member.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefits of the U.S. Provisional Application entitled “A TOOTHPASTE DISPENSING TOOTHBRUSH ADAPTABLE FOR USE WITH A TOOTHPASTE DISPENSER,” filed on Nov. 16, 2001, having a serial No. 60/332,747, and in the name of the same inventor. The provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to toothbrushes and, more specifically, to a toothbrush which may be easily connected to existing toothpaste dispensing devices and which will dispense the toothpaste from the toothpaste dispensing devices through the bristles of the toothbrush.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Individuals generally clean teeth by placing toothpaste onto a toothbrush. The toothpaste is generally dispensed from a separate toothpaste container onto the toothbrush. The individual will then move the bristles of the toothbrush across his/her teeth in order to remove any build-up on the individual&#39;s teeth.  
           [0006]    Unfortunately, there are several problems with present toothbrushes and methods of cleaning one&#39;s teeth. Present toothbrushes are not designed to adequately clean the surface of the user&#39;s teeth. Present toothbrushes do not promote a circular/vertical brush stroke. Current toothbrushes promote a horizontal stroke and ridging. Furthermore, current toothbrushes are not properly angled to allow the user to clean the rear teeth of the user utilizing the proper circular/vertical stroke. Furthermore, present toothbrushes only have bristles on one surface of the toothbrush. Thus, the user may only clean one surface of the mouth at a time.  
           [0007]    Due to the hectic pace of today&#39;s society, many people don&#39;t like to take the time to brush their teeth. Many people don&#39;t want to take the time to open a tube of toothpaste, squeeze the toothpaste onto the toothbrush, close the tube of toothpaste, and start brushing one&#39;s teeth. Many people are looking for an easier and more time efficient way of cleaning one&#39;s teeth.  
           [0008]    Therefore, a need existed to provide an improved toothbrush to overcome the above mentioned problems. The improved toothbrush must be angled to reach all areas of the user&#39;s mouth. The improved toothbrush must be angled to reach all areas of the user&#39;s mouth while using the proper circular/vertical brush stroke. The improved toothbrush must further have additional bristles to allow simultaneous cleaning of different surfaces of the user&#39;s mouth. The improved toothbrush must further be able to clean the mouth of the user in a more time efficient manner.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved toothbrush.  
           [0010]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved toothbrush that is angled to reach all areas of the user&#39;s mouth.  
           [0011]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved toothbrush that allows the user to access and clean the back teeth while utilizing the correct vertical/circular brush stroke.  
           [0012]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved toothbrush that has additional bristles to allow simultaneous cleaning of different surfaces of the user&#39;s mouth.  
           [0013]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved toothbrush that is able to clean the mouth of the user in a more time efficient manner.  
         BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
         [0014]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a toothbrush which may be coupled to a toothpaste dispensing container is disclosed. The toothbrush has a body member. The body member has a channeling running a length of the body member. The channeling allows toothpaste to flow through the body member. A connector device is formed on a first end of the body member to allow the body member to be coupled to the toothpaste dispenser. A head member is coupled to a second end of the body member. The head member has at least one opening to allow the toothpaste to flow out through the head member. A plurality of bristles are coupled to the head member.  
           [0015]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention a toothbrush which may be coupled to a toothpaste dispensing container is disclosed. The toothbrush has a body member. The body member has a channeling running a length of the body member wherein the channeling allows toothpaste to flow through the body member. A connector device is located on a first end of the body member to allow the body member to be coupled to the toothpaste dispenser. A plurality of openings are located on a second end of the body member. The openings allow the toothpaste to exit the body member. A plurality of bristles are coupled to the body member near the plurality of openings.  
           [0016]    The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the toothbrush of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the brush section of the toothbrush depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the head area of the brush section depicted in FIG. 2 taken along lines  3 - 3  showing the hollow interior of the brush section.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is side view of the brush section of the toothbrush depicted in FIG. 1 with a majority of the bristles removed.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a front view of the brush section of the toothbrush depicted in FIG. 1 with the body of the brush section in a non-angled position.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional front view of one embodiment of the handle section of the toothbrush of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is a cross-section top view of the handle section depicted in FIG. 6 taken along lines  7 - 7 .  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is a partial exploded view of the toothbrush of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is a front view of the handle section of the toothbrush of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 is a cut away view of a bottom portion of the handle section of the toothbrush of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0028]    Referring to the Figures wherein like numerals and symbols represent like elements, a toothbrush  10  is shown. The toothbrush  10  is comprised of two main section: the brush section  12  and the handle section  14 . It should be noted that the toothbrush  10  may be sold as separate components or as a combination of components. If sold as separate components, the components would be interchangeable.  
         [0029]    The brush section  12  is comprised of a tubular body member  16 . The tubular body member  16  is semi-flexible but still rigid. The tubular body member  16  is flexible enough so that one can bend the tubular body member  16  but rigid enough so that when the tubular body member  16  is bent, the tubular body member  16  will stay in the bent position. The curvature of the tubular body member  16  will help to offset the brush section  12  from the handle section  14 . The curvature will further allow the user to access and clean the back teeth as well as to promote the correct vertical/circular brush stroke.  
         [0030]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the tubular body member  16  is rigid. The tubular body member  16  is the same as described above except that the tubular body member  16  is made of a rigid material. The tubular body member  16  is preformed so as to be bent at a predetermined angle to offset the brush section  12  from the handle section  14  as well as to allow the user to access and clean the back teeth and to promote the correct vertical/circular brush stroke.  
         [0031]    At one end of the tubular body member  16  is an opening  18 . The opening  18  leads to an internal central channel  20 . The central channel  20  runs within the interior of the tubular body member  16 . The central channel  20  runs a majority of the length of the tubular body member  16 . One or more side channels  22  are fluidly engaged with the central channel  20 . The side channels  22  extend out from the central channel  20  and penetrate the exterior surface of the tubular body member  16 .  
         [0032]    At the end of the tubular body member  16  opposite from the opening  18  are bristles  24 . The bristles  24  extend out from the head  25  of the tubular body member  16 . The shape of the head  25  may vary. In accordance to one embodiment of the present invention, the head  25  is circular in shape (FIG. 8). The head  25  may further be a rectangular plane or a stem shape (FIG. 4).  
         [0033]    As stated above, the bristles will extend out from the head  25 . The bristles  24  are standard toothbrush bristles made out of nylon or similar material. The bristles  24  may further come in varying degrees of stiffness (i.e., soft, medium, stiff, etc.). However, unlike conventional toothbrushes, the bristles  24  are located on each side of the head  25  facing opposite directions or the bristles  24  may be located around the entire outer circumference of the top section of tubular body member  16 . Present toothbrushes only have bristles located on one surface (top surface) of the toothbrush. By having the bristles  24  facing opposite directions or located around the entire outer circumference of the top section of tubular body member  16 , one may brush and clean more than one area of the user&#39;s mouth. For example, one may brush the tops of both the upper and lower teeth at the same time. Thus, by having the bristles  24  located around the entire outer circumference of the top section of tubular body member  16 , one may be able to clean his/her teeth in an easier and faster manner.  
         [0034]    The end of the central channel  20  closest to the opening  18  will have threading  26 . The threading  26  will allow the tubular body member  16  to be coupled to a standard toothpaste dispenser  28  (i.e., toothpaste tube, twist type toothpaste dispenser, etc.). As may be seen more clearly in FIG. 9, the threading  26  of the tubular body member  16  will engage the threading  30  located on the output spout  32  of the toothpaste dispenser  28 . Once the tubular body member  16  is coupled to the toothpaste dispenser  28 , the toothpaste dispenser  28  will function as a handle for toothbrush  10 . As stated above, any standard toothpaste dispenser  28  may be used that utilizes a screw top. As may be seen in FIG. 1, a toothpaste tube is used as the standard toothpaste dispenser  28 . FIGS.  6 - 8  show newer cylinder toothpaste tubes as the standard toothpaste dispenser  28 . If a cylinder toothpaste tube is used as the toothpaste dispenser  28 , the toothbrush  10  may be stood in an upright position for easier storage.  
         [0035]    A cap is provided to be placed over the head  25  of the brush section  12 . The cap will keep air from entering the central channel  20 , the side channels  22 , and the toothpaste dispenser  28 . The cap will thus prevent the toothpaste from drying out and clogging the toothbrush  10 . The cap will further protect the bristles  24  from being damaged while the toothbrush  10  is not being used. A screw in end cap may also be provided. The screw in end cap will fit in the opening  18 . The screw in end cap will seal the toothbrush  10  for travel and storage.  
         [0036]    In operation, a user will dispense toothpaste from the standard toothpaste dispenser  28 . This may be done in several different manners depending on the type of standard toothpaste dispenser  28  being used. As may be seen in FIG. 1, if the toothpaste dispenser  28  is a tube, the user will squeeze the tube. If the toothpaste dispenser  28  is a twist type dispenser (FIG. 6), the user will twist the handle  32  to dispense the toothpaste. If the toothpaste dispenser  28  has a handle dispensing mechanism  34  (FIG. 8), the handle is moved forward to dispense the toothpaste.  
         [0037]    The toothpaste will then travel from the toothpaste dispenser  28  through the output spout  32 . The toothpaste will enter the tubular body member  16  of the brush section  12 . The toothpaste will travel through the central channel  20  and out of the side channels  22  onto the bristles  24 . The user may then grab the toothpaste dispenser  28  and use it as a handle to brush his/her teeth. The above operation is a simpler and more time efficient method for brushing one&#39;s teeth. Time and energy is saved since the toothpaste dispenser and the toothbrush are all one mechanism.  
         [0038]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.