Abstract:
An oral care product dispenser having an internal mechanism to apply a dose of oral care product to a toothbrush or the like. More specifically an oral care product dispenser with ergonomic grips for easy handling and reduced chance of slippage from a user&#39;s hands. The dispensing device dispenses a predetermined amount of toothpaste, thereby eliminating waste and greatly reducing the mess associated with toothpaste tubes.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY TO FILED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/661,924 filed Jun. 20, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to a toothpaste dispenser that may eliminate waste. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Currently there are a number of solutions for easily dispensing toothpaste. Some of these solutions attempt to eliminate wasting toothpaste, but these solutions fail to meet the needs of the industry because they dispense toothpaste in an automated predetermined dose. Other solutions attempt to provide a portable solution for dispensing predetermined amounts of toothpaste, but these solutions are similarly unable to meet the needs of the industry because they do not combine portable features with reduced excess toothpaste after a dose is expelled. Other cases used to store toothpaste also fail to include the addition of ergonomic features to provide ease in handling. Still other solutions seek to eliminate the unsightly tubes of toothpaste, but these solutions also fail to meet industry needs because there is no way to customize the unattractive tube of toothpaste. 
         [0004]    Therefore, there currently exists a need in the industry for an apparatus that is ergonomic, portable, customizable, and eliminates waste of oral care products. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The various embodiments of the invention described herein advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a device that facilitates the use of a toothpaste (or any other oral or grooming product in a tube) tube such that a user does not have to squeeze and eliminates waste and provides user with a predetermined amount of toothpaste or oral care product. It would be desirable to have an apparatus that is ergonomic and portable which can be used to dispense predetermined amounts of toothpaste. Furthermore, it would also be advantageous to have an apparatus that will eliminate unsightly toothpaste tubes. 
         [0006]    In this example embodiment, a tube of toothpaste is totally enclosed in an ergonomically designed case, which has a battery operated roller mechanism which is controlled using a push button. In a related embodiment, the batteries are charged with solar cells or with line power. In yet another related embodiment, the device operates directly from line power. 
         [0007]    In one example embodiment, an oral care product dispenser comprises a base having a base platform and an outer casing forming an internal cavity having a lid, a nozzle and a push button control disposed thereon, wherein said lid being hingeably connected to said outer casing. In addition, a battery compartment internally disposed within the internal cavity and an oral care product compartment having a roller mechanism in electrical communication with said battery compartment, wherein said oral care product compartment comprises a substantial portion of the internal cavity and wherein said roller mechanism comprises at least one roller and a track mechanism for the roller. In one example embodiment, the oral care product is selected from the group consisting of toothpaste, tooth whitening agent; and denture cream. The oral care product dispenser comprises a second roller and at least one ergonomic grip on the casing. 
         [0008]    In a related embodiment, a method of using a dispenser comprises the steps of positioning a toothpaste tube externally positioned member adjacent to the internal surface of the nozzle and disposing a toothpaste tube terminal end within the roller mechanism. A toothbrush is placed within an adjacent proximity of the external orifice of the nozzle and activating an electrical signal, wherein the electrical signal communicates with the roller mechanism activating the roller to squeeze a toothpaste tube and a quantity of toothpaste is expelled from the nozzle. The electrical signal is then deactivated to provide the termination of toothpaste from being expelled from said nozzle. 
         [0009]    Among other things, the invention may provide a battery operated toothpaste device that does not suffer from any of the problems or deficiencies associated with prior solutions. The various embodiments described herein can also be used with other oral care and grooming products that require a pre-measured amount. In another embodiment, the dispensing device is also usable with lotions, oils, creams and adhesives or other items that are dispensed through a tube. 
         [0010]    The invention will now be described in further detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIGS. 1A-1B  describe perspective view of one embodiment of the dispenser with an outer cover removed and a perspective view of one embodiment of the dispenser with outer cover disposed on dispenser. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the dispenser. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    The various embodiments of the invention described herein are directed to eliminate waste and provide an apparatus for squeezing toothpaste or any other oral healthcare or grooming product. In particular, the dispenser is configured to deliver a personalized amount of toothpaste. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  2 , in this example embodiment, a dispenser  10  provides a casing  15  with optional ergonomic grips  20 , push button  75 , a lid  70  and a roller mechanism  50 . Dispenser  10  is battery operated to control roller mechanism  50  inside. In a related embodiment, the ergonomic grips  20  are not included. 
         [0015]    In this example embodiment, dispenser  10  provides for a means to dispense an oral care product in an efficient and uniform delivery method. In one particular embodiment, dispenser  10  comprises a generally rectangular cubical shape. Dispenser  10  may also include ergonomic grips  20  that provide a substantially concave portion on two opposed surfaces. Although  FIGS. 1B and 2  depict a generally rectangular cube shaped dispenser, any dispenser shape is within the scope of the invention. Shapes that provide for a central portion region to enclose a toothpaste tube, such as a cylindrical shape, and provide the user with the ability to easily hold the dispenser  10  are preferred. 
         [0016]    In a related embodiment, ergonomic grips  20  are located on each side of the dispenser  10 . Ergonomic grips  20  provide a means of grasping dispenser  10  without straining the hand or wrist. Ergonomic grips  20  also provide a level of comfort for the user when applying an oral care product to a toothbrush. Although a rubber or plastic material may be used for the grips and the dispenser, any number of materials within the scope of the invention. It may be desirable to have ergonomic grips  20  comprising of material that is also waterproof. A dishwasher safe material will also provide for ease in occasional cleaning of dispenser  10 . In yet another related embodiment, an ergonomic grip is molded into the case surface by forming a plurality of bumps, a set of raised lines or protrusions that serve as a grip. 
         [0017]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1B , dispenser  10  is shown with an external cover removed. In these example embodiments, dispenser  10  includes a base  25  that includes a base platform  30  and optionally a base wall  35  which extends from the base platform  30 . Base platform  30  and the base wall  35  define structure to place dispenser  10  on a surface. A battery compartment  40  is typically located in a position adjacent base platform  30 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , battery compartment is typically defined between the base platform  30  and a toothpaste compartment  45 . 
         [0018]    Dispenser  10  provides a convenient toothpaste delivery mechanism. In one preferred embodiment, dispenser  10  is powered by at least one battery. The battery may be a disposable battery of various sizes and voltages. In a related embodiment, dispenser  10  may include a recharge station. In yet another embodiment, roller  55  may utilize a similar motor mechanism to perform the actual rolling similar to the motors used in standalone electric toothbrushes with rotary heads/tips. 
         [0019]    In this example embodiment, toothpaste compartment  45  is a substantial portion of the internal cavity of dispenser  10 . Toothpaste compartment  45  typically includes at least one roller mechanism  50  which includes a roller  55 , an axel  65  and a track  60 . Roller mechanism  50  has a roller  55  start end (S) and a roller finish end (F). A pair of generally elongated, parallel, spaced-apart tracks  60  are provided in the roller mechanism  50 . It should be appreciated, as shown in  FIG. 1A , that roller  55  provides not only the means of evacuated toothpaste from dispenser  10  when activated, but may also secure a toothpaste container in place within toothpaste compartment  45 . 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown dispenser  10  with a lid  70 . In some embodiments, lid  70  is pivotally attached to the dispenser  10  at a hinge (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 2  lid  70 , when in an opened position will reveal a nozzle  80 . 
         [0021]    The method of using dispenser  10  described herein includes providing a toothpaste tube, which contains a supply of toothpaste, disposed in toothpaste compartment  45 . The terminal portion (the opposed end relative to the toothpaste tube opening) of the toothpaste tube is placed between at least one roller  55  and either the interior wall of toothpaste compartment  45  of a second roller. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1B and 2 , the external portion of dispenser  10  comprises a push button  75  that controls the amount and flow rate of toothpaste from dispenser  10 . Push button  75  is slidably connected to at least one side portion of dispenser  10 . When in use push button  75  is engaged to an “on” position and toothpaste is removed from dispenser  10  by activating a roller  55 . In order for a user to stop the flow of toothpaste from nozzle  80 , push button  75  is moved to an “off” position. 
         [0023]    To operate the mechanism, an easy to push button  75  is used as well as a lid  70  that is easily opened. There is a toothpaste level indicator so the user always knows how much toothpaste is remaining. When the toothpaste is dispensed, roller  25  moves only so much such that the amount dispensed is predetermined so there is no waste. 
         [0024]    In an alternative embodiment, dispenser  10  provides a motion sensor (not shown) adjacent nozzle  80 . In at least this embodiment, upon placement of a toothbrush beneath or adjacent to the nozzle  80  opening, the motion sensor senses motion of the toothbrush thereby actuating the roller mechanism  50 . Consequently, the roller  55  will squeeze the tube of toothpaste towards finish end (F). Thus, the roller  55  compresses the toothpaste tube forcing the toothpaste from the spout and onto a toothbrush. 
         [0025]    When a toothbrush is removed from the position adjacent to nozzle  80 , the motion sensor terminates operation of roller mechanism  50 . Therefore the toothpaste is evacuated from a toothpaste container in a consistent dose. In this embodiment, lid  70  is placed in a closed position and will deactivate motion sensor, and thus will prevent the inadvertent expelling of toothpaste. 
         [0026]    Over time, as the toothpaste is dispensed from tube  12 , pinch roller assembly  42  will gradually move along the tube closer to second end  18  of the tube. To accommodate this, drive cable  74  is sufficiently long and flexible, or can be coiled within the confines of cover member  84  or  86 , so as to play out or move with the pinch roller assembly. 
         [0027]    When toothpaste tube is empty it may be removed by sliding roller  55  towards (S) along track  60 . The toothpaste container is then removed from toothpaste compartment  45 . Once the emptied toothpaste tube is removed a replacement tube may be placed in the toothpaste compartment  45  and the terminal end is placed between roller  55  and the internal wall of toothpaste compartment  45  or a second roller. 
         [0028]    Dispenser  10  also hides unsightly tubes of toothpaste as well as provides excellent portability. In addition, dispenser  10  is configured in a manner to provide for the installation of a variety of toothpaste tubes. For instance, toothpaste tubes can be any of a wide variety of commercially available toothpaste tube constructions wherein the outlet opening is located in an externally positioned member through which toothpaste is conventionally dispensed and which is adapted to be squeezed to remove toothpaste from the toothpaste container. 
         [0029]    Dispenser  10  may also be fitted with an optional feature that allows users to customize the casing for dispenser  10 . Removable “skins” are available to provide custom branding, such as skins that cover laptops or cellular phones. In a related embodiment, other materials that are dispensed from tubes are also usable including lotions, oils, cream, suntan lotions or heavy viscous liquids. 
         [0030]    While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.