Combination toothbrush and toothpaste dispenser

Disclosed is a combination toothbrush and toothpaste dispenser. The toothpaste dispenser has a top and a container located therein. The container has a top and a bottom, and toothpaste located within the container. The container is compressible. The toothbrush includes a head portion which has a plurality of bristles extending therefrom and at least one hole extending thereinto. The toothbrush also includes a stem portion having a channel extending therethrough. The channel has first and second opposing ends. The first end is in fluid communication with the at least one hole and the second end is in fluid communication with the top of the container. The toothbrush is reciprocally mounted to the toothpaste dispenser, whereby reciprocation of the toothbrush relative to the toothpaste dispenser from a first position to a second position compresses the container to pump the toothpaste from the container, through the channel, and through the at least one hole and to the bristles for brushing. In one embodiment, the toothbrush is fixed at one end of the container. In another embodiment, the toothbrush is incrementally expelled from the container as the container collapses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 It is sometimes desirable to combine a toothbrush and a toothpaste
 dispenser in the same article. Such a combination is ideal for travelers
 who generally desire to pack as few items as possible. Additionally, such
 a combination may be attractive for children, encouraging them to brush
 their teeth more often.
 It is known, as disclosed in U.S. Pat No. 4,787,765, to incorporate a pump
 which uses a reciprocating action between a toothbrush and an integrated
 toothpaste dispenser to dispense toothpaste from the dispenser onto the
 free ends of the bristles. As a user pushes the toothbrush head into the
 dispenser, toothpaste is pumped from the dispenser through a nozzle and
 onto the bristles. U.S. Pat No. 5,096,321 discloses a combination
 toothbrush and toothpaste dispenser which incorporates a pump on the
 dispenser to pump toothpaste through a hollow cavity within the toothbrush
 to distribute toothpaste to the bristles. One drawback to these inventions
 is that the mechanisms required to pump the toothpaste are relatively
 complex and costly to manufacture.
 It would be beneficial to provide a combination toothbrush and toothpaste
 dispenser which dispenses the toothpaste to the bristles through a hollow
 cavity within the toothbrush by means of a reciprocating pumping action of
 the toothbrush with respect to the toothpaste dispenser which incorporates
 a relatively simple operating mechanism and is inexpensive to manufacture.
 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 In one aspect, the present invention is a combination toothbrush and
 toothpaste dispenser. The combination comprises a toothpaste dispenser and
 a toothbrush. The toothpaste dispenser has a top and a container located
 therein. The container has a top and a bottom, and toothpaste located
 within the container. The bottom of the container is movable toward the
 top of the container. The toothbrush includes a head portion and a stem
 portion. The head portion has a plurality of bristles extending therefrom
 and at least one hole extending thereinto. The stem portion has a channel
 extending therethrough. The channel has first and second opposing ends.
 The first end is in fluid communication with the at least one hole and the
 second end is in fluid communication with the top of the container. The
 toothbrush is reciprocally mounted to the toothpaste dispenser, whereby
 reciprocation of the toothbrush relative to the toothpaste dispenser from
 a first position to a second position compresses the container to pump the
 toothpaste in a first direction from the container, through the channel,
 and through the at least one hole and to the bristles, and reciprocation
 of the toothbrush from the second position to the first position moves the
 bottom of the container toward the top of the toothpaste dispenser.
 In a second aspect, the invention is also a combination toothbrush and
 toothpaste dispenser. The combination comprises a toothpaste dispenser and
 a toothbrush. The toothpaste dispenser includes a container. The container
 has a top and a bottom, and toothpaste is located within the container.
 The top of the container is movable toward the bottom of the container.
 The toothbrush includes a head portion and a stem portion. The head
 portion has a plurality of bristles extending therefrom and at least one
 hole extending thereinto. The stem portion has a channel extending
 therethrough. The channel has first and second opposing ends, the first
 end being in fluid communication with the at least one hole and the second
 end extending into and being in fluid communication with the container.
 The second end is outwardly movable from the container. The toothbrush is
 reciprocally mounted to the toothpaste dispenser, whereby reciprocation of
 the toothbrush relative to the toothpaste dispenser from a first position
 to a second position compresses the container to pump the toothpaste from
 the container, through the channel, and through the at least one hole and
 to the bristles, and reciprocation of the toothbrush from the second
 position to the first position extends the second end of the stem portion
 from the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
 Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience
 only and is not limiting. The words "lower" and "upper" designate
 directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words
 "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from,
 respectively, the geometric center of the combination toothbrush and
 toothpaste dispenser and designated parts thereof. The word "a" is defined
 to mean "at least one". The terminology includes the words above
 specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
 In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like elements
 throughout.
 Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a first preferred embodiment of a combination
 toothbrush and toothpaste dispenser 10 (hereinafter "dispenser 10")
 comprises a toothbrush, generally indicated at 12, a cartridge holder,
 generally indicated at 14. A dental floss dispenser, generally indicated
 at 16, can be optionally provided.
 The toothbrush 12 is similar to a conventional toothbrush, and is comprised
 of a head portion 18, a plurality of bristles 20 which extend from the
 head portion 18, and a stem portion 22. The toothbrush 12 can be a
 one-piece body construction with bristles 20 or can be a multi-piece body
 (not shown) if desired. Referring to FIG. 2, the stem portion 22 includes
 a first, top end 22a, located proximate to, and preferably forming part
 of, the head portion 18, and a second, bottom end 22b, located within the
 cartridge holder 14. However, unlike a conventional toothbrush, the stem
 portion 22 has a hollow channel 24 extending through the length of the
 stem portion 22. The channel 24 has a first, top end 24a and a second,
 bottom opposing end 24b. The top end 24a is in fluid communication with
 the head portion 18. At least one hole 26 is located on the bristle side
 of the head portion 18 and extends from the surface of the head portion 18
 into the top end 24a of the channel 24 to allow toothpaste 27 to exit the
 channel 24 at the head portion 18 as will be discussed in more detail
 herein. Although a single hole 26 is preferred, those skilled in the art
 will realize that more than one hole 26 can be used. Preferably, the hole
 26 is sufficiently large to prevent any toothpaste 27 in the hole 26 from
 hardening and clogging the hole 26 between uses. The stem portion 22 is
 open at the bottom end 24b of the channel 24 and is in fluid communication
 with toothpaste 27 in the cartridge holder 14.
 As shown in FIG. 2, the stem portion 22 includes a first knob 28 extending
 from the exterior of the stem portion 22 between the top and bottom ends
 22a, 22b for reasons that will be explained. A second knob 29 extends from
 the exterior of the stem portion 22 at the bottom end 22b. The top end of
 the toothbrush 12 above the knob 28 is generally longitudinally co-axial
 with respect to the cartridge holder 14, although those skilled in the art
 will realize that the toothbrush 12 can be angled, as the orientation of
 the top end of the toothbrush 12 with respect to the cartridge holder 14
 will not affect the operation of the dispenser 10.
 Preferably, the toothbrush 12 is constructed from a pliable plastic or like
 material that enables the toothbrush 12 to at least slightly bend without
 breaking, although those skilled in the art will realize that other
 materials can be used.
 Still referring to FIG. 2, the toothbrush 12 is reciprocally mounted in the
 cartridge holder 14 for pump-like action from the toothbrush 12 with
 respect to the cartridge holder 14. The cartridge holder 14 includes a
 hollow shell 30 having a top end 30a which is preferably tapered at least
 slightly inward for reasons that will be explained, and a bottom end 30b
 which can be, but needs not necessarily be, open. The interior of the
 shell 30 includes a plurality of upwardly facing ratchet teeth 31
 extending from below the top end 30a to the bottom end 30b. Preferably,
 the ratchet teeth 31 extend around the entire interior of the shell 30,
 although those skilled in the art will realize that the ratchet teeth 31
 can extend only around several portions of the interior of the shell 30.
 Preferably, the shell 30 is made of a thermoset plastic such as a
 polyolefin, polyurethane, polystyrene, polycarbonate or other relatively
 rigid polymer. Preferably, the shell 30 is capable of being molded.
 A compressible container or cartridge 32, which holds the toothpaste 27, is
 located within the shell 30. The cartridge 32 has an open top end 32a and
 a closed bottom end 32b, The cartridge 32 includes a neck 34 having a top
 end 34a located at the top of the cartridge 32 which extends above the top
 30a of the shell 30. The neck 34 is attached to the outside of the second
 end 22b of the stem portion 22 over the second knob 29. Preferably, the
 neck 34 is attached to the stem portion 22 with a press or interference
 fit, although those skilled in the art will realize that other types of
 connections, such as a threaded connection, can be used.
 The neck 34 preferably includes a lip 36 extending around the outer
 perimeter of the top end 34a of the neck 34. A biasing element, preferably
 in the form of a helical spring 40, is mounted around the exterior of the
 neck 34 such that a top end 40a of the spring 40 is engaged with the lip
 36 and a bottom end 40b is engaged with the tapered top end 30a of the
 shell 30 as shown in FIG. 2. The spring 40 biases the toothbrush 12 to a
 first, generally upward, uncompressed or extended position. Preferably,
 the spring 40 is sized to be continuously biased between the lip 36 and
 the top end 30a of the shell 30, although those skilled in the art will
 realize that the spring 40 need not be continuously biased. The spring 40
 allows for reciprocal motion between the toothbrush 12 and the cartridge
 holder 14 in a manner to be described.
 The top 32a of the cartridge 32 is open and in fluid communication with the
 bottom end 24b of the channel 24. The bottom 32b of the cartridge 32
 includes at least one tang 41 extending generally axially/downwardly and
 radially/outwardly from the exterior of the bottom 32b of the cartridge
 32. The bottom 32b of the cartridge 32 is upwardly movable along the
 length of the shell 30 toward the top 32a. The at least one tang 41
 engages with the ratchet teeth 31 on the shell 30 in a manner which will
 be explained.
 Preferably, the cartridge 32 is generally accordion shaped to reduce its
 interior volume when compressed, although those skilled in the art will
 realize that the cartridge 32 can be other shapes, as long as the
 cartridge 32 reduces in interior volume when compressed. The cartridge 32
 is preferably constructed from a polymeric material, although those
 skilled in the art will realize that other materials can be used. The neck
 34 is preferably made from the same material as the cartridge 32, but is
 preferably thicker than the wall of the cartridge 32 so as to be
 relatively incompressible relative to the cartridge 32.
 A cap 42 is located on the first end 30a of the shell 30, exterior of the
 spring 40 and the lip 36 and houses the spring 40 and the lip 36.
 Preferably, the cap 42 is snapped onto the shell 30 such that a lip 42a in
 the cap 42 engages a tang 30c at the top of the shell 30, although those
 skilled in the art will realize that the cap 42 can be affixed to the
 shell 30 by other methods, including but not limited to, a threaded
 connection.
 The dental floss dispenser 16 is mounted on the cartridge holder 14
 proximate to the bottom of the dispenser 10, allowing the user to draw a
 desired length of dental floss 50 from the dispenser 16 and sever the
 dental floss 50 at a cutter 52. Construction of dental floss dispensers is
 well known and is not an object of the present invention. Those skilled in
 the art will realize that the dental floss dispenser 16 is optional and
 need not be installed in the dispenser 10.
 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toothbrush 12 is removably insertable into
 an open end of a transparent, generally elongated hollow cover 60 such
 that an open end 60a of the cover 60 is releasably attachable to the cap
 42. Preferably, the cap 42 includes a circumferential lip 42b which
 interferingly, yet releasingly, engages the open end 60a of the cover 60.
 The cover 60 preferably includes a plurality of air holes 62 located
 through a closed end 60b to release moisture from inside the cover 60 and
 reduce the build up of mildew on the toothbrush 12.
 The shell 30 is configured to allow a user to pick up the dispenser 10 by
 the shell 30 and hold the shell 30 while brushing his/her teeth. The
 exterior of the shell 30 can include a formed grip 15 for children or
 others who may have trouble gripping the shell 30. The formed grip 15 may
 be shaped to include individual gripping tracks for each finger.
 Preferably, the formed grip 15 is made of a soft plastic or rubber to
 enable the user to firmly grip the exterior of the shell 30, especially if
 the shell 30 is wet, as may be the case. The grip 15 can be a separate
 member, as shown, affixed by suitable means (e.g. adhesive or solvent weld
 or mechanical fastener) or molded as part of the shell 30. The bottom end
 30b of the shell 30 (or the floss dispenser 16, if used) can act as a base
 for the dispenser 10, which allows the dispenser 10 to stand vertically on
 a surface S, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
 Preferably, the cartridge 32 contains a predetermined maximum amount of
 toothpaste 27 such that the dispenser 10 is disposable. More preferably,
 the cartridge 32 is sized to contain at least eight (8) ounces (226 grams)
 of toothpaste 27. However, the amount of toothpaste 27 contained within
 the cartridge 32 is not limiting. Those skilled in the art will realize
 that the toothpaste 27 can be in either paste or gel form, as long as the
 toothpaste 27 is sufficiently viscous to allow the toothpaste 27 to
 generally remain in the channel 24 after being pumped into the channel 24
 and not flow back into the cartridge 32.
 Preferably, the toothbrush 12 and the cartridge holder 14 are a single unit
 and the entire combination can be thrown away after the toothpaste 27 is
 exhausted from the cartridge 32. However, those skilled in the art will
 realize that the toothbrush 12 can be separable from the cartridge holder
 14 for connection to a second cartridge holder (not shown) when the
 toothpaste 27 in the cartridge 32 has been exhausted.
 Operation of the dispenser 10 is as follows. Initially, the dispenser 10 in
 the condition as seen in FIG. 2. To use the dispenser 10, the user removes
 the cap 60 from the dispenser 10. The user then pumps the toothbrush 12 in
 and out (upward and downward) of the cartridge holder 14. Initially, the
 user may have to pump the toothbrush 12 several times to fill the channel
 24 before toothpaste 27 is seen at the bristles 20.
 When the toothbrush 12 is pumped down into the cartridge holder 14, the
 cartridge 32 is compressed, reducing the interior volume of the cartridge
 32. The knob 28 on the stem portion 22 prevents the toothbrush 12 from
 being pushed into the cartridge holder 14 more than a desired amount. The
 at least one tang 41, which is engaged with a ratchet tooth 31, prevents
 the bottom 32b of the cartridge 32 from moving downward as the stem
 portion 22 is pushed downward. Preferably, the cartridge 32 is compressed
 along the accordion lines of the cartridge 32, although those skilled in
 the art will realize that the cartridge 32 need not be compressed along
 accordion lines, as long as the cartridge 32 is compressed. Toothpaste 27
 in the cartridge 32 is pumped upward and into the second end 24b of the
 channel 24. The toothpaste 27 or any toothpaste already in the channel 24
 is forced up the channel 24, through the at least one hole 26, and is
 dispensed to the bristles 20 for brushing.
 When the toothbrush 12 is pushed down, as shown in FIG. 3, the tapered
 first end 30a of the shell 30 prevents movement of the spring 40 past the
 first end 30a of the shell 30, compressing the spring 40 between the first
 end 30a of the shell 30 and the lip 36, storing energy in the spring 40.
 Pulling the toothbrush 12 up or, alternatively, allowing the energy stored
 in the spring 40 to push the toothbrush 12 up, draws the entire cartridge
 32 upward. The toothpaste 27 in the channel 24 prevents air from entering
 the cartridge 32 through the channel 24 and subsequently prevents the
 cartridge 32 from expanding. As the cartridge 32 moves upward, the at
 least one tang 41 rides up at least one ratchet tooth 31. Subsequent
 operation of the dispenser 10 further compresses the container 32 and
 discharges toothpaste 27 up the stem portion 22 to the bristles 20. If
 desired, the user can pull dental floss 50 from the dental floss dispenser
 16 for use in flossing by removing a length of dental floss 50 from the
 dispenser 16 by using the cutter 52 in a known manner.
 In an alternate version of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,
 a check valve 170 can be installed in a channel 124 located within a stem
 portion 122 to ensure that toothpaste 127 that is pumped above the check
 valve 170 is not drawn back into a cartridge 132 when the toothbrush 112
 moves to the second position. The check valve 170 includes a flapper 172
 having a free end 172a and a fixed end 172b. Although not shown, the stem
 portion 122 can be made from a plurality of pieces to facilitate insertion
 of the check valve 170 into the stem portion 122.
 Operation of the alternate version of the first embodiment is similar to
 the operation of the first version of the first embodiment as described
 above, with the added feature that, as the toothbrush 112 is compressed
 from an initial position as shown in FIG. 4, the flapper 172 pivots about
 the fixed end 172b and the free end 172a is forced upward to an open
 position as shown in FIG. 5, opening a path of fluid communication through
 the channel 124 from the container 132, past the flapper 172, to bristles
 120. When the toothbrush 112 is released, the toothbrush 112 begins to
 return to its initial position from the compressed position and any
 suction forces which may be created in the cartridge 132 by the toothbrush
 112 returning to its original position draw the toothpaste 127 located
 above the flapper 172 in the channel 124 downward. The toothpaste 127 in
 the channel 124 above the flapper 172 acts to close the flapper 172 to its
 original position. As the toothbrush 112 continues to return to its
 initial position, the entire cartridge 132 is pulled up the shell 130 in a
 manner similar to the manner described in the first version of the first
 embodiment. Toothpaste 127 in the channel 124 above the flapper 172 is not
 drawn back into the cartridge 132.
 A second embodiment of the combination toothbrush and toothpaste dispenser,
 generally indicated as 210, is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The dispenser 210
 includes a toothbrush 212 and a cartridge holder 214. A floss dispenser
 216 can be fixed to the bottom of cartridge holder 214, or alternatively
 omitted, as described above in the description of the first embodiment.
 The toothbrush 212 includes a head portion 218 with a plurality of
 bristles 220 extending therefrom. The toothbrush 212 also includes a stem
 portion 222 having a first, top end 222a fixedly connected to, and forming
 part of, the head portion 218 and a second, bottom end 222b, located
 distal from the top end 222a. A channel 224 having a first, top end 224a
 and an opposing, second, bottom end 224b extends through the stem portion
 222. The head portion 218 includes at least one dispensing hole 226
 extending thereinto which fluidly communicates the top end 224a of the
 channel 224 to the bristles 220. However, those skilled in the art will
 realize that more than one dispensing hole 226 can be used.
 A retainer 227 is located on the outer perimeter of the stem portion 222
 within the dispenser 214. Preferably, the retainer 227 is generally
 annular, although those skilled in the art will realize that the retainer
 227 can be other shapes. The outer perimeter of the stem portion 222,
 proximate to the second end 222b, includes a plurality of downwardly
 facing ratchet teeth 228. The stem portion 222 is long enough to extend
 into the dispenser 214, but short enough to allow the stem portion 222 to
 reciprocate in the dispenser 214 as will be discussed.
 The dispenser 214 includes a generally annular hollow shell 230 which has a
 generally closed top end 230a having an opening 230c through which the
 stem portion 222 extends, and a closed bottom end 230b. The exterior of
 the top end 230a includes a circumferential lip 231 to releasably secure a
 cover. The shell 230 includes a plurality of downwardly facing ratchet
 teeth 232 located around an inner perimeter thereof. Preferably, the
 ratchet teeth 232 extend around the entire interior of the shell 230,
 although those skilled in the art will realize that the ratchet teeth 232
 can extend only around several portions of the interior of the shell 230.
 The interior of the shell 230 also includes a shelf 234 extending inward
 from the interior perimeter of the shell 230. The shelf 234 is located
 between the retainer 227 and a toothpaste cartridge 238. Preferably, the
 shelf 234 is generally annular, although those skilled in the art will
 realize that the shelf 234 can be other shapes, as well. The shelf 234
 includes a central opening 234a located as shown in FIG. 6, which is
 generally co-axial with the opening 230c and which is sized to allow the
 stem portion 222 to reciprocate therethrough. The bottom end 230b of the
 shell 230 (or the floss dispenser 216, if used) can act as a base for the
 dispenser 210, which allows the dispenser 210 to stand vertically, as
 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
 The toothpaste cartridge 238 having a top end 238a and a bottom end 238b
 and containing toothpaste 240 is located within the shell 230. The bottom
 end 224b of the channel 224 extends into and is in fluid communication
 with the cartridge 238. The bottom end 222b of the stem portion 222 is
 outwardly movable from the container 238 in a manner to be further
 explained later herein. The top end 238a of the cartridge 238 is outwardly
 flared to engage the ratchet teeth 232 on the shell 230. Preferably, the
 top end 238a of the cartridge 238 is flared around the entire perimeter of
 the top end 238a, but those skilled in the art will realize that the top
 end 238a can be flared around only part of the perimeter, as long as the
 top end 238a is engageable with the ratchet teeth 232 on the shell 230.
 The top end 238a also includes an opening 241 generally co-axial with the
 opening 234a of the shelf 234 through which the stem portion 222 of the
 toothbrush 212 extends. The opening 241 is sized to generally seal the
 stem portion 222 passing therethrough, but also to allow the ratchet teeth
 228 on the stem portion 222 to be pulled upward through the opening 241
 during an upward stroke of the toothbrush 212, but to not allow the
 ratchet teeth 228 on the stem portion 222 to be pushed into the opening
 241 during a downward stroke of the toothbrush 212. The cartridge 238 is
 collapsible such that the top 238a of the cartridge 238 is movable toward
 the bottom 238b of the cartridge 238. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the
 cartridge 238 is preferably accordion shaped, but those skilled in the art
 will realize that the cartridge 238 can be other configurations, as long
 as the cartridge 238 collapses when compressed.
 A helical spring 244 is located within the shell 230 between the retainer
 227 and the shelf 234. The stem portion 222 is disposed inside the spring
 244 along a longitudinal axis of the spring 244. The spring 244 biases the
 toothbrush 212 to a first upward position.
 Dental floss 250 is located within and is dispensable from the dental floss
 dispenser 216 as described above in the first embodiment. The floss 250 is
 severable from the floss dispenser 216 by a floss cutter 252, as is well
 known in the art.
 A transparent, generally elongated hollow cover 260 having a free end 260a
 and a closed end 260b with a plurality of air holes 262 in the closed end
 260b is releasably attachable to the cartridge holder 214. Preferably, the
 open end 260a of the cover 260 engages the lip 231 on the top end 230a of
 the shell 230 in an interfering, yet easily separable relationship,
 although those skilled in the art will realize that other connections can
 be used.
 Preferably, the dispenser 210 in constructed of the same materials as the
 dispenser 10 as described above, although those skilled in the art will
 realize that the dispenser 210 can be constructed from other materials as
 well.
 Operation of the second embodiment of the dispenser 210 will now be
 discussed. The cover 260 is removed from the shell 230. To dispense
 toothpaste 240 from the cartridge 238 to the bristles 220, the user pushes
 down on the toothbrush 212 relative to the cartridge holder 214, moving
 the toothbrush 212 from the first position to a second, downward,
 compressed position. The retainer 227 compresses the spring 244 between
 the retainer 227 and the shelf 234, storing energy in the spring 244. The
 ratchet tooth 228 of the stem portion 222 which is engaged with the top
 end 238a of the cartridge 238 pushes down on the top end 238a of the
 cartridge 238, compressing the cartridge 238. The flared top end 238a of
 the cartridge 238 moves down at least one shell ratchet 232, reducing the
 interior volume of the cartridge 238, and forcing toothpaste 240 to be
 pumped from the cartridge 238 into the bottom end 224b of the channel 224.
 The toothpaste 240 travels up the channel 224 from the bottom end 224b to
 the top end 224a, out the at least one dispensing hole 226, and to the
 bristles 220 for brushing.
 When the toothbrush 212 is released relative to the cartridge holder 214,
 the energy stored in the spring 244 forces the toothbrush 212 upward and
 outward relative to the cartridge holder 214 to the first position by
 acting against the retainer 227 and the shelf 234. The shell ratchet tooth
 232 which is engaged with the flared top 238a of the cartridge 238
 prevents the cartridge 238 from expanding. As the toothbrush 212 moves
 upward relative to the cartridge holder 214, at least one stem ratchet
 tooth 228 extends from the opening 241 in the cartridge 238, returning the
 toothbrush 212 to its first, upward position relative to the cartridge
 holder 214.
 Subsequent pumps of the toothbrush 212 relative to the cartridge holder 214
 repeat the process described above, sequentially compressing the cartridge
 238 downward in the shell 230 from the top 238a of the cartridge 238.
 Dental floss 250 can be dispensed from the dental floss dispenser 216 in a
 known fashion, and the floss 250 can be separated from the dispenser 216
 by using the floss cutter 252 in a known manner.
 Preferably sized for adults, a smaller version of the dispenser 10, 210 can
 be produced on a smaller scale for children, and can be provided without
 the dental floss dispenser 16, 216. Additionally, the dispenser 10, 210 as
 disclosed herein is ideal for traveling. A smaller version of the
 dispenser (not shown), containing approximately two (2) to four (4) ounces
 (57 to 113 grams) of toothpaste, can be sized to fit into a typical
 shaving or travel bag. However, those skilled in the art will realize that
 other volumes of toothpaste can be used without departing from the spirit
 and scope of the present invention.
 It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be
 made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad
 inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this
 invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it
 is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the
 present invention as defined by the appended claims.