Abstract:
A combination toothbrush and toothpaste dispenser, and method, are adapted for use by a child. The dispenser provides an easily actuatable activator that, when operated, discharges a predetermined amount of toothpaste from an orifice. The toothbrush is adapted to automatically lift the toothbrush head off of a support surface to a height near that of the dispenser orifice. As a result, a child may focus on manipulating one item at a time when loading a toothbrush with toothpaste.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/118,958, filed on Apr. 29, 2005 now abandoned. 

   FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   The present disclosure generally relates to oral hygiene products and methods and, more particularly, to such products and method adapted for children. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   The teaching and motivation of toddlers and young children is a subject of much attention in patent and general literature. In particular, numerous writings, devices, techniques, aides, and kits have been proposed to assist children, parents (or other caregivers), or both, with learning and performing oral hygiene tasks. A common challenge for a caregiver is to teach the child to perform a complete oral hygiene task, particularly where the task requires several steps. At the outset, a caregiver will often provide at least some assistance and instruction on how to complete the task. The ultimate goal, however, is for the child to be able to execute the oral hygiene task unassisted. The age at which a child will practice an oral hygiene task on his or her own is dependent upon many factors, some of which are psychological, some physiological, and some unique to each individual child. 
   Conventional oral hygiene products and methods are overly difficult for a child to use or perform. When performing tooth brushing, for example, current products typically require a child to simultaneously manipulate two separate items at some point in the process. When loading a brush with toothpaste, for example, the child must hold the toothbrush in one hand while dispensing toothpaste from a container with the other hand. Unfortunately, many children are unable to properly or efficiently perform this task, since they are at a stage of physiological development where muscle control and general coordination are limited. Consequently, oral hygiene apparatus and methods are needed that facilitate successful use by children. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toothbrush adapted for use by children; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a toothpaste dispenser adapted for use by children; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation view, in cross-section, of the toothpaste dispenser of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the toothbrush of  FIG. 1  positioned to receive toothpaste from the toothpaste dispenser of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the toothpaste dispenser discharging toothpaste onto the toothbrush; 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are a perspective view and a side elevation view, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of a toothpaste dispenser for use with a toothbrush; 
       FIGS. 7A-C  illustrate a further toothpaste dispenser embodiment for use with a toothbrush; 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate yet another embodiment of a toothpaste dispenser for use with a toothbrush; 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate an additional embodiment of a toothpaste dispenser for use with a toothbrush; 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate yet another embodiment of a toothpaste dispenser for use with a toothbrush; 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate an additional embodiment of a toothpaste dispenser for use with a toothbrush; and 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate a further embodiment of a toothpaste dispenser for use with a toothbrush. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Combinations of a toothbrush and a toothpaste dispenser, as well as methods for using such combinations, are disclosed that are particularly adapted for use by a child. Specifically, the combinations and methods allow a child to apply toothpaste to a toothbrush using a single hand. 
   As used herein, the term “comprising” means that the various components, ingredients, or steps, can be conjointly employed in practicing the present invention. Accordingly, the term “comprising” is open-ended and encompasses the more restrictive terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.” Other terms may be defined as they are discussed in greater detail herein. 
   As used herein a “caregiver” means a person other than the child, such as, a parent, babysitter, family member, teacher, day care worker, or other person who is able to provide sufficient assistance to the child to complete a personal hygiene task. For purpose of style and simplicity, the term “parent” will be used in this specification to refer generally to any caregiver and the use of this term is in no way intended to limit the scope of the aides described and claimed. 
   As used herein, a “compressing mechanism” includes any known manner of extracting toothpaste from a toothpaste container. Such compressing mechanisms may be manually or electrically operated. Known pump type compressing mechanisms include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,731 to Bitton; U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,780 to Levy; U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,922 to Varon; U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,521 to Back, each of which is incorporated by reference herein. Known squeeze-type compressing mechanisms include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,813 to Werner; U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,703 to Pierre-Louis; U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,509 to Prince et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,133 to Lopez et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,205 to Kohen; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,030 to Stangle, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Known types of electrically operated compressing mechanisms include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,773 to Choi and U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,714, both of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a toothbrush  20  adapted for use by a child. The toothbrush  20  includes a handle  22  having a proximal end  24  and a distal end  26 . An enlarged base  28  is coupled to the proximal end  24 . Tooth cleaning structure, such as bristles  30 , are coupled to the distal end  26  to form a brush head  32 . The brush head  32  defines a toothpaste receiving surface  33 , which in the illustrated embodiment is oriented at an angle with respect to the proximal end of the handle  22 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the handle  22  is contoured so that it may be comfortably gripped by a child. Accordingly, the handle  22  includes an enlarged section  34  and an angled portion  36  leading to the brush head  32 . In addition, the handle  22  and base  28  may carry graphics, icons, or other images to attract a child&#39;s attention. In the illustrated embodiment, the base  28  includes an image of a frog&#39;s hand  38 . 
   The base  28  may be shaped and or eccentrically weighted to maintain the toothbrush  20  in an angular orientation illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In the illustrated embodiment, the base  28  is formed substantially as a sphere. The sphere, by using internal voids, weights, or other means for introducing non-uniform mass, has a center of gravity CG that is spaced from a geometric center C of the sphere. In the illustrated embodiment, the center of gravity CG is spaced farther away from the handle proximal end  24  than the geometric center C. The sphere further has a mass sufficiently greater than the handle  22  and brush head  32 , so that the eccentrically located center of gravity CG forces the toothbrush to rotate about an exterior of the sphere to an equilibrium state, in which the handle  22  extends from the base  28  at an angle with respect to a plane defined by a support surface  40  on which the toothbrush  20  rests. In this position, the brush head  32  is held above the support surface  40 . The center of gravity CG is preferably located such that the toothbrush receiving surface  33  is automatically oriented generally towards the orifice  54 . The center of gravity CG may further be located, and or the outer surface of the enlarged base  28  may be appropriately shaped, such that the toothbrush  22  has a second equilibrium position, like the substantially vertical orientation illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate a toothpaste dispenser  50  adapted for use by a child. The dispenser  50  includes a housing  52  and a discharge orifice  54  extending therethrough. An activator  56  is positioned at a top of the housing  52  and is supported for reciprocating vertical motion between normal and actuated positions. A biasing element, such as spring  58 , extends between the housing  52  and a bottom of the activator  56  to apply a vertically upwardly directed biasing force to the activator  56 . A user may engage a top of the activator and apply a downward actuation force to overcome the bias force. A shroud  60  surrounds the spring  58  and extends between the housing  52  and the activator  56  to provide an attractive appearance. As best shown in  FIG. 3 , a stem  62  is coupled to the activator  56  and extends into an interior of the housing  52 . The container  52  preferably includes a slip resistant base  64  to prevent movement of the dispenser along the support surface  40  during use. 
   In the embodiment illustrated at  FIG. 3 , a toothpaste cartridge  70  is received within the dispenser housing  52 . Toothpaste cartridge  70  and dispenser housing  52  may be adapted to provide lock-and-key functionality such that only certain toothpaste cartridges will work with certain dispenser housings. The incorporation of lock-and-key functionality may utilize a variety of technologies including, but not limited to, mechanical and/or electrical means. The cartridge  70  is similar to the cartridge construction disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,158383, which issued to Glover et al. on Oct. 27, 1992, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. Accordingly, the cartridge  70  includes a sidewall  72 , a sliding lower piston  74 , a sliding upper piston  76 , and a fixed upper wall  78 . The lower and upper pistons  74 ,  76  sealingly engage an interior surface of the sidewall  72  to define an interior reservoir  80  for holding toothpaste. The lower piston  74  is adapted to move only in the upward direction, as is known in the art. The upper piston  76  may be releasably connected to the stem  62 , such as by mating threads, and is adapted to slide along the interior surface of the sidewall  72 . Accordingly, the upper piston  76  will move when an actuating force is applied or removed from the activator  56 . The fixed upper wall  78  includes a frustoconical portion  82  defining a spout  84 . The upper piston  76  includes a portion  86  that nests within the upper wall frustoconical portion  82  and extends across the spout opening to close the spout. The spout  84  fluidly communicates with the discharge orifice  54 . 
   The activator  56  has a normal position which prevents toothpaste from passing through the orifice  54 , as best shown in  FIG. 3 . In this position, the upper piston  76  is forced upward by the spring  58  (via the activator  56  and stem  62 ) so that it engages the fixed upper wall  78 . The portion  86  of the upper piston  76  is fully inserted into the frustoconical portion  82  of the upper wall  78  thereby to close off the spout and prevent toothpaste from flowing to the orifice. 
   To dispense toothpaste, a user applies a downward actuation force to the activator  56 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The actuation force must be sufficient to overcome the spring bias force to allow the activator to move in a downward direction. The downward direction of the activator  56  also forces the stem  62  and upper piston  76  to move downward. The lower piston  74  resists downward movement to remain in the same position, and therefore the volume of the reservoir is reduced. Simultaneously, the portion  89  of the upper piston  86  disengages the frustoconical portion  82  of the upper wall  78  to open the spout  84 . As a result, toothpaste from the reservoir is forced through the spout toward the orifice  54 . 
   When the activator  56  is subsequently released, it returns to the normal position under the force of the spring  58 . The stem  62  and upper piston  76  also move in an upward direction until the upper piston  76  again engages the upper wall  78 , thereby closing the spout  84 . The upward movement of the upper piston  76  draws toothpaste toward the piston  76 , which in turn pulls the lower piston  74  in an upward direction. With the lower piston  74  repositioned, the dispensing process may be repeated. 
   The dispenser may be designed so that the actuation force required to operate the activator  56  is within a child&#39;s physical capabilities. Accordingly, the actuation force is less than approximately 50 Newtons, and more preferably less than 25 Newtons. 
   When used together, the toothbrush  20  and dispenser  50  provide a combination particularly suited for use by children. As illustrated at  FIG. 5 , the dispenser orifice  54  is positioned at an orifice height X above the support surface  40 . The enlarged base  28  supports the brush head  32  at a brush head height Y, which is above the support surface  40  but below the orifice height X, so that the head  32  remains adjacent and below the orifice  54  when the toothbrush  20  is released. The brush head height Y may be approximately 1 to 5 centimeters below the orifice height X to provide sufficient space for the discharged toothpaste. 
   The passive positioning of the brush head  32  allows the child to focus on operating one oral hygiene article at a time, thereby simplifying the process of loading a toothbrush with toothpaste. The child may grasp the toothbrush  20  and position it on the support surface  40  in close proximity to the dispenser  50 . The child may then release the toothbrush  20 , so that the head  32  is raised above the support surface  40 . If necessary, minor adjustments to the position of the toothbrush  20  may be made to make sure the head  32  is vertically aligned with the orifice  54 . Additionally, one skilled in the art would appreciate that a variety of alignment techniques may be used to align head  32  and orifice  54 . One such example of an alignment technique includes the use of magnets  963  and  964  which may be located in head  32  and recess  965 , respectively. The activator  56  may then be operated to dispense toothpaste onto the head  32 . 
   While a specific type of dispenser has been disclosed, it will be appreciated that various other types of dispensers may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In general, the force that advances toothpaste to the orifice  54  may be supplied manually, electrically, pneumatically, or otherwise. Furthermore, if the toothpaste is provided in a flexible container, the dispenser may squeeze, roll, or otherwise compress the container to force the toothpaste from the container. The dispenser may be freestanding or mounted on a surface such as a wall. The following are specific alternative embodiments of the dispenser. 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a dispenser  100  adapted for mounting on a wall  102 . The dispenser includes a housing  104  carrying a flexible container  106  of toothpaste. The housing  104  further includes an orifice  108  in fluid communication with an interior of the flexible container  106 . The housing  104  may be positioned above the support surface  40  on which the toothbrush  20  lies, so that the brush head  32  is positioned below and proximate to an orifice  106 . In operation, a user may press the flexible container  106  inwardly to discharge toothpaste from the orifice  108 . 
     FIGS. 7A-C  illustrate a freestanding dispenser  110  that guides the toothbrush  20  to the appropriate position below an orifice. The dispenser  110  includes a base  112  defining a recess  113  sized to receive the brush head  32  and an orifice  114  positioned above the recess  113 . A hand pump/toothpaste cartridge  115  is releasably attached to the base  112  to place the toothpaste cartridge in fluid communication with the orifice  114 . In operation, the toothbrush  20  is guided by the recess  113  into position below the orifice  114  and the hand pump is subsequently operated to discharge toothpaste onto the brush head  32 . 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate a wall-mounted dispenser  120  having a peristaltic type pump. The dispenser  120  includes a housing  121  for receiving a container  122  of toothpaste. The container  122  includes an elongate tube  123  extending to a discharge orifice  124  of the housing. A rotatable handle  125  is coupled to rollers  126  positioned to engages and squeeze the tube  123  when rotated. The rollers  126  produce a peristaltic effect that draws toothpaste from the container  122  for discharge from the orifice  124 . 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a freestanding dispenser  130  having a manual pump. The dispenser includes a housing  132  enclosing a flexible container of toothpaste. A depressible button  134  is provided that is movable between normal and depressed positions. The orifice further includes an orifice  136  in fluid communication with the container of toothpaste. In operation, the button  134  is depressed to compress the flexible container, thereby to discharge toothpaste from the orifice  136 . 
     FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate two related dispenser embodiments resembling a frog head. The dispenser  140  of  FIG. 10A  includes a flexible pouch  142  defining an orifice  144 . When compressed, the flexible pouch  142  forces toothpaste out the orifice  144 . In  FIG. 10B , a dispenser  146  is actuated by placing the brush head  32  into a recess and cranking the toothbrush in a downward direction to advance toothpaste out an orifice  148 . 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a freestanding dispenser  150 . The dispenser  150  includes a base  152  defining an orifice  154  and a side receptacle  155  adapted to hold the toothbrush  20 . A flexible, ball-shaped container  156  of toothpaste is releasably coupled to the base  152  to place the orifice  154  in fluid communication with an interior of the container  156 . A user may directly engage and compress the container  156  to force toothpaste out the orifice  154 . 
     FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate a freestanding, manual pump style dispenser  160 . The dispenser  160  includes a toothpaste cartridge, such as a pump tube  162 , having a base  164 . As best shown in  FIG. 12B , the tube  162  includes a reciprocating upper portion  165  for pressurizing and advancing toothpaste within the tube toward an orifice  166 . A pump shroud  167  is disposed over a top portion of the tube  162 . The shroud  167  defines a recess  168  sized to receive the brush head  32 . Downward force applied to the shroud  166  will compress the upper portion  165  to discharge toothpaste from the orifice  166 . 
   While the foregoing examples illustrate manual compression mechanisms, it will be appreciated that dispensers having automatic or electrical compression mechanisms may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such electrical compression mechanisms may be similar to the prior art disclosures noted above. 
   The toothbrushes and dispensers disclosed herein may include images such as character graphics to encourage and motivate a child to brush his or her teeth. The character graphic may provide a source of entertainment and reassurance for the child and a buddy, or friend, who reduces stress and can be related to in a non-competitive fashion during the tooth brush learning period. The character may also provide positive reinforcement and encouragement to the child while the child is learning new skills and behaviors to clean themselves in a non-competitive or threatening manner. 
   Suitable character graphics can include animals, people, inanimate objects, natural phenomena, cartoon characters or the like, that may or may not be provided with human features such as arms, legs, facial features or the like. It may be desirable for the character graphic to be familiar to the child, such as an identifiable cartoon character. The character graphics should at least be a type that the child can relate to, examples of which could include animals, toys, licensed characters, or the like. Character graphics can be made more personable and friendly to the child by including human-like features, human-like expressions, apparel, abilities, or the like. In one optional embodiment it is desirable for a character to have a distinguishing feature or features, which in a pictograph can help in training, such as a frogs webbed hand. By way of illustration, an animal character graphic can be shown smiling, wearing clothing, playing sports, fishing, driving, playing with toys, or the like. In particular embodiments, the character graphic can desirably be created to project an appearance that could be described as friendly, positive, non-intimidating, silly, independent, inspirational, active, expressive, dauntless and/or persevering. 
   In one optional embodiment the indicia may optionally include a character graphic which is associated with a line of children&#39;s consumer products, especially personal cleansing products and the like. The character may be one of a family, group, team, or the like, each member of which is designed to be associated with, for example, a consumer product, a personal hygiene activity such as brushing teeth, an age group, stage of infant development and the like. Alternatively, all of the characters of a family, group, team, or the like, may be designed to be associated with the entire range of consumer products. 
   The association by the child of the character with the consumer product, hygiene activity etc., encourages and provides a way for the child to visualize through their imagination the character using the consumer product in the way intended. Furthermore, since this teaching is through the use of the child&#39;s imagination, there are none of the negative connotations associated with conventional parental instruction on how to use a consumer product. Instead of the child being subjected to parental nagging to do something the child really doesn&#39;t want to do, the child will actively use the consumer product as part of active learning play to interact with their new buddy, or friend, and imitate behavior. The interaction between the child and the character is only limited by the bounds of the child&#39;s imagination. The role of the caregiver or parent in then becomes one of actively encouraging imaginative play by the child with the character to use the consumer product correctly, instead of a being perceived by the child as a parent who stops play. Play is actively encouraged and new skills become part of play; “uninterrupted play”. Since the use of the product is essentially play, the child is eager to use the article of commerce and learn the skill. 
   A family or group of character graphics can be used to progress a child through a system of consumer products, especially personal cleansing products and the like. In this embodiment each character of the family or group, would be tailored to appeal to different groups of children. These groups may be based on age, development stages, regions, etc. Alternatively, a single character may be tailored for one particular group consumer products of line of consumer products which are different for children at different ages, development stages, etc. In this case the character may, for example, be of a different age depending on the consumer product and by which group of children the product is intended to be used. 
   The dispensers and toothbrushes illustrated herein include images depicting a frog character image. For example, the toothbrush  20  and dispenser  50  include frog hand images. Similarly, the dispensers  140 ,  146  of  FIGS. 10A and 10B , respectively, are shaped and include images that give the associated toothpaste containers the appearance of a frog head. While the graphics disclosed herein are related to a frog character graphic, it will be appreciated that other images may be provided, such as different animal character graphics, human character graphics, literary or popular character graphics, designs, or shapes, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
   Alternatively, or in addition to, the appearance, the toothbrush and dispenser may interact in more than one way with the child&#39;s senses. For example, actuation of the dispenser may cause initiation of a signal that, for example, causes the appearance of dispenser to change (e.g., a change in color or actuation of a light) or causes origination of a sound. In one alternative embodiment, once initiated, the signal may be maintained for a predetermined time so as to provide reinforcement of a desired behavior. For example, the predetermined time may be the time required for the child to thoroughly brush his or her teeth. 
   This embodiment is further illustrated by an audio assembly for generating a sound feature during or in response to certain operations, such as actuation of the activator or placement of the toothbrush near the orifice. As schematically illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the dispenser housing  52  may include a speaker  170  connected to an audio circuit  172 . A sensor  174  may be adapted to detect movement of the activator  56  and/or stem  62  and forward a signal to initiate the audio circuit  172 , thereby causing speaker to generate the sound feature. For example, the activator  56  may be movable between extended and retracted positions, and the sensor  174  may be adapted to detect when the activator (or stem  62 ) is in a proximate position, which may generally correspond to the retracted position, and forward a signal to the audio circuit  172  to deliver sound. The audio assembly may be contained entirely within the dispenser to generate a sound feature whenever a certain activity is performed. Alternatively, the elements of the audio assembly may be provided in separate components that must be matched for the sound feature to be generated. For example, the dispenser housing  52  may carry the speaker  170  and sensor  174  while the toothpaste cartridge  70  provides the audio circuit  172  responsive to the sensor  174 . 
   The audio feature may be particularly suited to a child and preferably promotes enthusiasm for using the toothbrush and/or dispenser. For example, the audio feature may provide a positive reinforcement upon successfully operating the dispenser, such as verbal or tonal encouragement. Additionally or alternatively, the audio feature may be a simulated animal sound or cartoon character voice. The audio feature may correspond to a visual feature provided on the toothbrush or dispenser. In the current embodiment, where the toothbrush and dispenser include frog character graphics, the audio feature may be a simulated “ribbit” or other noise typically associated with a frog. The audio feature need not match the frog character graphic, but may instead be provided as a simulated human voice, a series of notes, or other composition. Furthermore, the audio circuit may generate more than one type of sound which may be generated sequentially or randomly upon successful actuations of the activator or other activity, as desired. 
   All documents cited in the Detailed Description are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present disclosure. 
   While particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this disclosure.