Abstract:
An oral hygiene device including a combination toothbrush and semi-hard toothpaste in a container. The semi-hard toothpaste includes baking soda flavoring and a hardener.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an oral hygiene device for use when traveling and more particularly to a combination dentifrice and toothbrush and to a semi-hard dentifrice stick for use in the oral hygiene device. 
     2. Prior Art and Objects 
     The need for an oral hygiene device for use when away from home has been long recognized. The need is obvious and has been felt by virtually everyone. A variety of attempts to meet the need have been provided. The major difficulty appears to have been the dentifrice which has been understandably standard toothpaste such as would be used at home. Toothpaste in a tube or can, which is soft is well known, and readily commercially available. Its effectiveness is accepted but when kept in a pocket or pocketbook, due to a cap coming off or a puncture in the container, such toothpaste can result in spillage with all the resultant problems. 
     One attempt at what appears to have been intended as a combination toothbrush and toothpaste dispenser is shown in the Hennings Patent, Des. 403,512. A handle is provided which stores toothpaste and which dispenses toothpaste by pressing a lever on the side of the handle to force the lever toward the toothbrush mounted on one end of the handle thereby forcing toothpaste from the handle into the toothbrush by means of a channel in an extension on which the toothbrush is mounted. Obviously, accidental movement of the lever will result in the spillage as just previously discussed. Also, as with all combinations of a toothbrush and dentifrice using toothpaste where the toothpaste is forced into bristles of the toothbrush, the paste will hardened when exposed to the air and thus will clog the channel from the paste container to the bristles of the toothbrush. 
     The Chaudhri et. al. Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,553, discloses a handle which forces toothpaste into the bristles of a toothbrush through a channel in a member on which the toothbrush bristles are mounted when the handle is turned. The handle also contains mouthwash and dental floss. The problem of an undesired release of paste as well as hardening of the paste in the channel remains the areas of concern. The device is also comparatively complex and thus will be comparatively expensive. 
     The Fey Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,158, meets some of the problems by using a capped unit with a tube of toothpaste. Spillage should therefore be retained in the cap but a channel is used to force the toothpaste into the bristles of the toothbrush and hardening can occur thereby blocking the channel. Spillage within the cap, althlugh preferable to spillage directly into a pocket, is still not desirable. 
     The Smith Patents, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,388,011 and 4,457,64, teach a complicated and thus apparently expensive device for feeding either soft products, such as toothpaste or hardened sticks, such as lipstick. The embodiment of the Smith device for use with a toothbrush is limited to the use of a soft paste with all of the problems previously associated with the use of paste. 
     The Hanson Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 2,512,935, teaches a handle which is cylindrical and into which a toothbrush mounted on a hollow tube can be placed for storage. Upon removal, the toothbrush can be mounted on one end of the handle. A compartment is located on the end of the hollow tube to store which is most probably a powder, can be stored. Another compartment within the device is provided to store makeup. 
     A semi-hard dentifrice permits application by placing the dentifrice directly onto the teeth. Plugging of a conduit by drying toothpaste is not possible. Spillage is also not possible. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a combination toothbrush and dentifrice that can be carried easily without spillage. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combination toothbrush and dentifrice that can easily used when traveling even without bathroom facilities. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dentifrice that is semi-hard and which can be used with the combination toothbrush and dentifrice. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combination toothbrush and dentifrice that is simple in design and that can be economically produced and that is durable. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combination toothbrush and dentifrice that prevents spillage or damage to clothing from either the toothbrush or the dentifrice while also preventing contamination to the toothbrush and the dentifrice. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art as the description thereof proceeds. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A semi-hard dentifrice is provided as well as a combination toothbrush and dentifrice using a semi-hard dentifrice. The toothbrush and the dentifrice are mounted in axial alignment but directed in opposite directions. Each is secured in a holder which is part of a case in which the toothbrush and the dentifrice are mounted. Either the toothbrush or the dentifrice may optionally be mounted so as to retractable into the holder. Caps are provided to mount over the dentifrice and the toothbrush. 
     The dentifrice is essentially uses baking soda as a cleaning agent and forms the baking soda into a semi-hard stick by use of hardeners and optimally along with a flavoring. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the oral hygiene device with the toothbrush and the dentifrice retracted and with the caps in place. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view with the toothbrush and the dentifrice extended and the caps removed. 
     FIG. 3 is a pictorial view with the cap over the dentifrice removed and with the dentifrice extended and with the cap over the toothbrush in place. 
     FIG. 4 is a pictorial view with the toothbrush extended and the cap over the toothbrush removed and with the cap over the dentifrice in place. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 4 ., an oral hygiene device is shown including in combination both a toothbrush  11  and a dentifrice  13 . The entire oral hygiene device is mounted and enclosed within a case  15  which has several parts. It is most preferred that the oral hygiene device be produced in one piece with both the toothbrush  11  and the dentifrice  13  in the same case  15  as both are essential to one another and one may be separated from one another if not retained within one case  15 . 
     The case  15  has a center section  17  and a brush mount  19  and a dentifrice mount  21 . The brush mount  19  and the dentifrice mount  21  are secured to the center section  17  and extend fron the center section  17  in opposite directions but are axially aligned with one another. The brush mount  19  and the dentifrice mount  21  in their simplest form are a sleeve, most likely cylindrical, in which the toothbrush  11  and the dentifrice  13  are respectively fixedly mounted. In a more advanced embodiment, the dentifrice  13  and the toothbrush  11  may be retractable into their respective mounts  19  , 21  and may then be advanced from their respective mounts  19 ,  21  to be used. The means for advancing and retracting the toothbrush  11  and the dentifrice  13  are known in the art and have been used for many years in lipstick containers and lip balm containers. The advancing and retracting of the dentifrice  13  and the toothbrush  11  may be activated by turning the propel-repel dispenser  22  in which the dentifrice mount  15 - 21  and the brush mount  19  respectively, are located. The propel-repel dispenser  22  is shown in simplified form as such dispenses  22  already exist. Other, more simple versions of a propel-repel dispenser  22 , may only require a lever (not shown) on the side of the mounts  19 , 21  which can be pressed in the desired direction and placed into a notch to hold either the dentifrice  13  or the toothbrush  11  in the desired position. The mechanisms for retracting and advancing the dentifrice  13  and the toothbrush  11  are known and thus are not being described in detail herein. One example of a mechanism for retracting and advancing, also referred to as propel-repel dispensers is described in the Swensen Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,881 and a different version is described in the Morel Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,133. However, these patents are cited only as examples to show the existence of such dispensers and are not necessarily intended to be the exact design or designs of propel-repel devices that ultimately are used for the oral hygiene device. 
     The center section  17  of the case  15  includes a center rim  23 . The case  15  most likely is tubular in shape for ease of production as well as convenience of use, but a square, rectangular or even oval cross section is possible. Extending in both directions from the center rim  23  are a pair of lips  25  having a diameter or size smaller than the center rim  23  but larger than the brush mount  19  and the dentifrice mount  21 . 
     The toothbrush  11  and the dentifrice  13  are both covered by caps  27 . The caps  27  are shaped to fit securely over the lips  25  and abut the center rim  23 . The caps  27  may be clear or opaque or completely block sight of the dentifrice  13  and the toothbrush  11 . The cap  27  to be placed over the toothbrush  11  preferably has small openings  29  about its end to permit ventilation for the toothbrush  11  to permit the toothbrush  11  to dry after each use. 
     In use, first the cap  27  over the dentifrice mount  21  is removed and, if a propel-repel design is used, the dentifrice is extended. The cap  27  over the toothbrush  11  is left in place to use as a handle to apply the dentifrice  13  by rubbing the dentifrice  13  on the teeth. The dentifrice  13 , which has a consistency similar to lip stick, is rubbed on the teeth, most likely the front teeth. The cap  27  is then placed back over the dentifrice  13  and the cap  27  located over the toothbrush  11  is then removed and the toothbrush  11  is then used in the usual manner. A limited amount of water is of assistance, but the teeth can be cleaned without water if the situation so requires. 
     The production of the dentifrice as a semi-hard stick is vital to the oral hygiene device. Possibly other formulas for the production of a semi-hard stick of dentifrice will be developed. Any other such semi-hard stick dentifrice  13  in the form of a semi-hard stick could be used with the oral hygiene device. One dentifrice  13  that is semi-hard and which works satisfactory as the dentifrice  13  in the oral hygiene device includes ingredients as follows: 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 INGREDIENTS 
                 PURPOSE 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Baking Soda 
                 Abrasive cleanser 
               
               
                 Calcium Ion 
                 Carrot Derivative - Protects Tooth Enamel 
               
               
                 Calcium Carbonate 
                 Mineral Polishing Agent - Natural Chalk 
               
               
                 Glycerin 
                 Moisturizer and Binder 
               
               
                 Sodium Lauryl Sulphate 
                 Coconut Oil Derivative - Foaming Cleanser 
               
               
                 Carrageenin 
                 Sea Kelp Gel - Soothing Agent for Gums 
               
               
                 Oil of Peppermint 
                 Flavoring 
               
               
                 Calcium Ascorbate 
                 A Form of Vitamin C - Good for Gums 
               
               
                 Sea Salt 
                 Cleanser 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The above ingredients are combined in the following manner: 
     Equal amounts of baking soda and all of the above listed ingredients, with the exception of glycerin, in an amount approximately by volume twenty percent (20%) of the mixture of baking soda with the other ingredients. The mixture is formed into a desired shape and allowed to dry for five to ten hours. 
     The vital ingredients are baking soda mixed with glycerin as a binder and a moisturizer. This combination alone will provide a dentifrice but the benefits of the various other ingredients listed above will be lacking. 
     It is to be understood that the drawings and description matter are in all cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, rather than as limiting the same in any way, since it is contemplated that various changes may be made in various elements to achieve like results without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.