Abstract:
The present invention is methods and devices for encouraging, educating, entertaining, and or motivating children to brush their teeth. In preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more characters are used, each with its own look and personality. The characters are used in a variety of forms and media as the shape of functional devices, advertising, education and entertainment. The characters may also be animated. The characters and their images, associated slogans and brand name may be used on a line of merchandise. The invention in a preferred embodiment includes a toothpaste dispenser or a toy in the shape of one of the characters. The toothpaste dispenser or toy, in a preferred embodiment, is able to talk to, play a song or otherwise communicate with the child to give entertaining, educational or motivating messages to the child regarding brushing their teeth. The invention in another embodiment includes one or more of the characters in the form of finger and or hand puppets. In a preferred embodiment of the hand puppet, the hand puppet has a body in the shape of a smile and toothbrush legs. In another embodiment of the invention, the character is presented in several media including, but not limited to, television, movies, websites, video games, board games, books, magazines, coloring books, stuffed animals, toys, puppets or figurines.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to methods and devices for encouraging and motivating children to brush their teeth. 
         [0002]    Toothpaste companies have recognized a need for interesting ways to invite, encourage and motivate children to brush their teeth. One such approach has been to license characters already familiar to children from television or movies and put these images on tubes of toothpaste. The marketing idea is that a child will be attracted to and therefore purchase a particular tube of toothpaste by virtue of recognizing a favorite character. However, the licensed character did little and in some cases nothing to encourage, educate, entertain or motivate the child to brush his or her teeth. 
         [0003]    From the foregoing it can be seen what is needed are methods and devices for encouraging and motivating a child to brush his or her teeth. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In at least one embodiment, a toothpaste dispenser having an appearance of a character is provided, the toothpaste dispenser comprising: a base; a support extending from a first end essentially vertically from the base; and a toothpaste tube holder located at a second end of the support opposite the first end, the toothpaste tube holder capable of being removably coupled to a toothpaste tube. 
         [0005]    In at least one embodiment, the base comprises at least indentation therein to receive a first end of a toothbrush and the toothpaste holder comprises at least one hook correspondingly located thereon to receive a second end of the toothbrush. 
         [0006]    In at least one embodiment, the toothpaste tube comprises at least one of facial and body features. 
         [0007]    In at least one embodiment, the toothpaste tube holder is cylindrically concave and sized to receive a toothpaste tube with a flip-top cap and frictionally retain the toothpaste tube therein. 
         [0008]    In at least one embodiment, the toothpaste tube holder has a plurality of air holes located annularly therein. 
         [0009]    In at least one embodiment, the toothpaste tube holder is cylindrically concave and wherein an internal surface of the cylindrical tube holder has threads sized to mate with threads on a dispensing end of the toothpaste tube. 
         [0010]    In at least one embodiment, the toothpaste tube comprises a dispenser having a conduit there through to dispense toothpaste from the toothpaste tube. 
         [0011]    In at least one embodiment, the base comprises a plurality of indentations therein each to receive a first end of a toothbrush and the toothpaste holder comprises a plurality of hooks each correspondingly located thereon to receive a second end of the toothbrush, the toothpaste tube comprises at least one of facial and body features, the dispenser comprising a plurality of toothbrushes, each having a shape of the character&#39;s leg, the indentations and hooks located on the dispenser for the toothbrushes to appear as legs extending from the toothpaste tube. 
         [0012]    In at least one embodiment, each of the toothbrushes comprises a bendable knew with a plurality of detents that lock in a shape in one of a plurality of configurations. 
         [0013]    In at least one embodiment, each of the toothbrushes comprise a friction surface. 
         [0014]    In at least one embodiment, at least one of the toothbrushes comprises a floss holder located at an end of the toothbrush opposite the bristles thereof. 
         [0015]    In at least one embodiment, the floss holder includes a first ridge and a second ridge located at an end of the toothbrush and has a slot formed between the first ridge and the second ridge, the floss holder further includes a groove located at approximately a right angle to the first ridge, second ridge and a slot between the ridges, the groove has a width and a depth slightly wider and deeper than a diameter of floss used in the floss holder, the floss usable by pulling the floss taught across the slot. 
         [0016]    In at least one embodiment, the base comprises a communication system operable to track and communicate to a user at least one of time spent brushing and a number of times teeth were brushed. 
         [0017]    In at least one embodiment, the toothpaste dispenser comprises animated at least one of facial and body features. 
         [0018]    In at least one embodiment, the animated feature comprises one of a mouth and eyelids. 
         [0019]    In at least one embodiment, the dispenser comprises at least one sensor that detects usage and causes the animated features to move in response to usage. 
         [0020]    In at least one embodiment, the dispenser dispenses toothpaste that changes from a first color to another color as the user brushes with the toothpaste. 
         [0021]    In at least one embodiment, the toothpaste comprises a compound that changes color when exposed to air. 
         [0022]    Additional aspects of the present invention will be apparent in view of the description which follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0023]    The invention will be described hereafter in detail with particular reference to the drawings. Throughout this description, like elements, in whatever embodiment described, refer to common elements wherever referred to and referenced by the same reference number. The characteristics, attributes, functions, interrelations ascribed to a particular element in one location apply to that element when referred to by the same reference number in another location unless specifically stated otherwise. All Figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dispenser embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the dispenser embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the dispenser embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a toothbrush of the dispenser embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a toothbrush of the dispenser embodiment of  FIG. 1  in a straight configuration. 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the toothbrush of  FIG. 5  in a bent configuration. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a toothbrush of the dispenser embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the alternate embodiment of a toothbrush of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a toothbrush of the dispenser embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the alternate embodiment of a toothbrush of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of finger puppet embodiments of the invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a hand puppet embodiment of the invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  is a front view of a toothpaste tube embodiment of the invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  is a front view of a alternate toothpaste tube embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0039]    All Figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. 
         [0040]    Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top”, and “side”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the preferred embodiments. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0041]    In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention includes methods and devices for entertaining, educating and motivating children to brush their teeth. When the word toothpaste is used. It also means tooth-gels, toothpowders and other chemical compositions for cleaning the teeth and gums. Overarching all the methods and devices, the invention includes one or more characters  8  that appear in a variety of embodiments. Each character  8  is preferably intended to captivate children, invite them to brush, educate them about brushing and generally entertain and generate fun. The present invention is described in the following Examples, which are set forth to aid in the understanding of the invention, and should not be construed to limit in any way the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow thereafter. 
         [0042]    In a preferred embodiment, the character  8  is broadly based on a smile. In this embodiment, each character  8  preferably has a face generally in the shape of a smile or a face having a distinctive smile, bright eyes and toothbrush-like legs with simulated “toothpaste” on the brush. As part of the invention, it is intended to create a variety of “looks” for the characters  8  through the addition of features such as lips, mouth shapes, eyelashes, eyebrows, mustaches, freckles, cheeks, eyewear, masks and other “disguises.” Of course, these features could be varied in both size, thickness, color, contour, texture and shape to produce various characters or emotions or expressions of a single character. Preferably, each character  8  has a name identifying the color, flavor or other attribute of a corresponding toothpaste. Examples of such names include, but are certainly not limited to: Beep Beep Berry, Hachoo Cherry, Whoa Watermelon, Shhtrawberry, Yippee Yemon, Berry Burp, Puckerlips Lemon, Kiss Kiss Kiwi, Uh-Oh Orange, Blowing Raspberries, Cherry Cheery, Blue-B-Boo, Strawberry Smooch, Lemon Sweetie, Lippy Lime, Lime Slime and Banana Blabba. Further, in addition or in the alternative, each character  8  has a unique sound, behavior, feeling or identifying feature of its face. 
         [0043]    In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a character  8  appears as a toothpaste dispenser shown in the drawings generally labeled  10 . The dispenser  10  includes a base  12  having at least one indentation  14 , a support  16  and a toothpaste tube holder  18 . The support  16  extends up from the base  12 , more or less vertically, and supports the toothpaste tube holder  18 . The toothpaste tube holder  18  holds a toothpaste tube  20  holding toothpaste  22  preferably where the toothpaste tube  20  is in the shape of the face or face and body of a character  8 . When assembled, the dispenser  10  preferably has the appearance of one of the characters  8 . 
         [0044]    The toothpaste tube holder  18  in the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  is cylindrically concave and sized to receive, in mating fashion, the flip-top cap  24  commonly found on toothpaste tubes  20 . In this way, the flip-top cap  24  of the toothpaste tube  20  is inserted into the toothpaste tube holder  18 . In a preferred embodiment of the toothpaste tube holder  18 , the flip-top cap  24  of the toothpaste tube  20  is frictionally retained in the toothpaste tube holder  18 . Although retaining the flip-top cap  24  within the toothpaste tube holder  18  by friction is the preferred way of retaining the toothpaste tube holder  18 , other means of retaining the toothpaste tube holder  18  may be used as will be clear to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, mechanical constraint. 
         [0045]    The toothpaste tube holder  18  in this embodiment also preferably includes at least one air hole  26  located around the toothpaste tube holder  18  to allow fresh air to circulate around the toothpaste tube holder  18 . In addition or in the alternative, the toothpaste tube holder  18  may also include at least one drain hole  28  located at or near the bottom of the toothpaste tube holder  18  to allow any moisture that may be present in the toothpaste tube holder  18  or on the flip-top cap  24  to drain from the toothpaste tube holder  18  to help keep the toothpaste tube holder  18  clean and sanitary. 
         [0046]    In an alternate embodiment of a toothpaste tube holder  18  shown in  FIG. 4 , the toothpaste tube holder  18  is again cylindrically concave. However, in this embodiment, the toothpaste tube holder  18  has threads  30  on its internal surface sized to mate with the threads commonly found on toothpaste tubes  20  having screw tops. The toothpaste tube holder  18  may either than itself act as a cap for the toothpaste tube  20  or, as shown in  FIG. 4 , have a conduit  32  connected to the toothpaste tube  20  and having a dispensing end  34  so that toothpaste  22  in the toothpaste tube  20  may flow from the toothpaste tube  20  through the conduit  32  and be dispensed out of the dispensing end  34 . The toothpaste tube holder  18  in this embodiment also preferably has means for closing the conduit  32  such as placing a cap  36  on the dispensing end  34 . The cap  36  may be of the type that screws on to the dispensing end  34  or may be a flip-top cap attached to the dispensing end  34  through a living hinge. 
         [0047]    As stated, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the toothpaste tube  20  is in the shape of the face or face and body of a character  8 . In a more preferred embodiment of the toothpaste tube  20 , the character  8 &#39;s face is in the shape of a smile as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The toothpaste tube  20  is set into the toothpaste tube holder  18  allowing easy access to the toothpaste tube  20  in the embodiment of  FIG. 3  and an easy and constant flow of toothpaste out of the toothpaste tube  20  in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . In use, the removable toothpaste tube  20  sits in the toothpaste tube holder  18  atop the support  16  giving the dispenser  10  the appearance of one of the characters  8 . It is clear that different characters  8  are presented by placing the toothpaste tube  20  associated with a particular desired character  8  in the toothpaste tube holder  18 . This way, a child can have his or her favorite character  8  displayed or various characters  8  can be displayed over time as a new toothpaste tube  20  with a new character  8  is placed in the toothpaste tube holder  18 . 
         [0048]    In preferred embodiments of the dispenser shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the dispenser  10  also has hooks  38  that hold toothbrushes  40  with bristles  42  on one end and a hole  44  on the opposite end. In this embodiment, the hooks  38  are attached to the toothpaste tube holder  18  so that the toothbrushes  40  hang down from the hooks  38  by the interaction between a hook  24  and a hole  44  on the toothbrush  40 . Although the hooks  38  have been described as being attached to the toothpaste tube holder  18 , they may also be attached to other parts of the dispenser  10  such as the support  16  or the base  12 . Other methods of holding the toothbrushes  40  besides hooks  38 , as will be well understood by those skilled in the art, may be used as well including but not limited to slots, slits or other openings or ledges in the base  12 , support  16  or toothpaste tube holder  18  dimensioned to hold a toothbrush  40  in a mechanical or frictional fit or being made of or lined with deformable material that mechanically or frictionally holds a toothbrush  40  and magnets (e.g., a magnet in a toothbrush  40  and another magnet in the dispenser  10 ). The dispenser can also contain other information  122  in the form of a book, CD, DVD or other means of storing information for encouraging, educating, entertaining and motivating children. 
         [0049]    In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the toothbrushes  40  are shaped to approximate the shape of legs of a character  8 . Consequently, in this embodiment the toothbrush  40  has “legs”  32  made of an upper leg  48 , a lower leg  50  and a knee  52  ( FIGS. 5-7 ). The legs  46 , in their configuration where the toothbrush  40  is being used to brush teeth, are preferably slightly bent at the knee  52  so that the toothbrush  40  facilitates proper brushing. 
         [0050]    In a preferred embodiment, the legs  46  have a knee  52  that is bendable. In other words, the knee  52  allows the upper leg  48  and the lower leg  50  to be bent around the knee  52  so that the upper leg  48  and the lower leg  50  may assume a configuration like that of a real bent leg. The knee  52  preferably has means for locking the knee, more preferably in the form of a protrusion and detent system or a threaded post and nut as are well understood in the art, that locks the knee in a straight configuration or a bent configuration as desired. In addition to making the legs  46  look like “real” legs, the knees  52 , when in the bent configuration, allow the toothbrush  40  to assume a configuration that may allow for easier handling and brushing behind teeth. If the child uses the toothbrush  40  in a bent configuration to brush his or her teeth, after use the legs  46  of the toothbrush may be straightened and then “clicked” into the original straight shape by “locking” the detent in this shape. 
         [0051]    The legs  46  also preferably have a length that allows them, when attached to the hooks  38 , to rest on the indentation  14  formed in the base  12 . The indentation  14  may have shapes or designs incorporated into or on the indentation  14  that may be associated with the character  8  of the dispenser  10  or associated with encouraging and motivating a child to brush his or her teeth. 
         [0052]    The legs  46  preferably have a coating  54  on at least a portion of the leg  46  that increases the friction along that portion of the leg  46  containing the coating  54 . The coating  54  is preferably a natural or artificial rubber surface that is either attached to or formed with the leg  46  and may contain ridges or bumps  56  to further increase the friction producing ability of the coating beyond that inherent in the material of the coating  54  alone. The coating  54  preferably extends entirely around the leg  46  where the coating  54  is located. Although the leg  46  preferably contains a coating  54  as described above, a coating  54  is not required. Further, the coating  54  may be made of any material that produces friction and is compatible with being used by children in a bathroom environment. In addition, may also extends around only a portion of the leg  46  where the coating  54  is located. 
         [0053]    In another embodiment of the dispenser  10 , at least one of the legs  46  has a floss holder  58 . In a preferred embodiment of the dispenser  10 , the floss holder  58  is located at an end  60  opposite the bristles  42 . In another embodiment of the dispenser  10 , the floss holder  58  is located at an end near the bristles  42 . The floss holder  58  holds floss  62 , both to store the floss  62 , but also in preferred embodiments so that the end  60  of the legs  46  can also be used to floss the user&#39;s teeth. The floss  62  may be conventional floss or may also be floss that is colored or flavored to match a color or flavor associated with a color or flavor of a character  8 . 
         [0054]    In the embodiment of the legs  46  shown in  FIGS. 8-11 , the floss  62  is located on a spool  64  that is located in a compartment  66  in the leg  46 . The spool  64  may either be permanently affixed within or formed as part of the compartment  66  so that the floss  62  is wound around the spool  64  in the compartment  66 . Alternately, the spool  64  is replaceably located in the compartment  66  so that the floss  62  is wound on the spool  64  away from the leg  46  and then brought to and located in the compartment  66 . In the latter embodiment, the spool  64  may be affixed within the compartment  66  by frictional connection, mechanical connection or other means that will be clear to those skilled in the art, the key being that the spool  64  is securely located in the compartment  66  when desired and removable from the compartment  66  when desired. 
         [0055]    In the embodiment of the dispenser  10  shown in  FIGS. 8-11 , access is had to the compartment  66  by pivoting the end  60  around a living hinge  68  so that the compartment  66  is exposed. In this embodiment, the compartment  66  is closed by pivoting the end  60  around the living hinge  68  back into contact with the main part of the leg  46  where the end  60  may be retained in contact with the leg  46  by techniques well understood in the art including but not limited to frictional contact, mechanical connection or adhesives. In this embodiment, the floss  62  may exit the compartment  66  through an exit hole  70  passing from outside the leg  46  into the compartment  66 . Although a living hinge  68  is used in this embodiment to allow access to the compartment  66 , the compartment  66  may be accessed by other means including, but not limited to, having an opening from the compartment  66  to the outside or having a door that opens around a hinge or is removable to allow access to the compartment  66 . 
         [0056]    In either embodiment of the spool  64 , the leg  46  also preferably includes a cutter  76  for cutting the floss  62 . The cutter  76  is preferably a simple sharpened edge, preferably metal attached to or embedded in the compartment  66 , such as is commonly used for cutting floss in traditional floss dispensing systems. 
         [0057]    The floss holder  58  shown in  FIGS. 8-11  is located at an end  60  opposite the bristles  42 . In this embodiment of the floss holder  58 , the floss holder  58  is able to rotate around the end  60 . Although the end  60  may rotate around the end  60 , it is preferable that the end  60  not rotate freely but instead rotate only when a certain amount of pressure is applied. This may be accomplished by placing the floss holder  58  on a rotating bearing  78 . The bearing  78  itself may either be of the type that rotates but only if a certain amount of force is applied. Or, the bearing  78  may rotate freely but the leg  46  may have a frictional contact between the floss holder  58  and the leg  46  at the end  60  so that friction between the floss holder  58  and the rest of the leg  46  holds the floss holder  58  in a desired configuration in normal use. In either way, the floss holder  58  may be rotated into a desired configuration for flossing teeth and be retained in this position in order to make flossing easier. 
         [0058]    In an alternate embodiment of the dispenser  10 , the floss holder  58  of any of the embodiments described herein is removably attached to the toothbrush  40 . This removable attachment may be accomplished by frictionally or mechanically coupling the floss holder  58  to the toothbrush  40  (e.g., through a frictional male/female coupling or mechanical finger/detent coupling) so that the floss holder  58  is retained in contact with the toothbrush  40  while the user is using the floss holder  58 . However, after using the floss holder  58 , the entire floss holder  58  is removed by overcoming the frictional or mechanical coupling so that the floss holder  58  can be discarded or have new floss  62  placed on it. In this embodiment, multiple floss holders  58  could be provided with the floss  62  already attached so that a new floss holder  58  with new floss  62  could be applied to a toothbrush  40  when the user desires to floss and then the floss holder  58  is removed from the toothbrush  40  after flossing and discarded. 
         [0059]    The floss holder  58  includes a first ridge  80  and a second ridge  82  located at the ultimate end of end  60  and has a slot  84  formed between the first ridge  80  and second ridge  82 . The floss holder  58  also includes a groove  86  located at approximately a right angle to the first ridge  80 , second ridge  82  and slot  84 . The groove  86  has a width and a depth slightly wider and deeper than the diameter of the floss  62  that will be used in the floss holder  58 . 
         [0060]    In use, a desired length of floss  62  is removed from the spool  64  and cut by the cutter  76  producing a piece of floss  62  having a first end  88  and a second end  90 . The user then aligns a middle portion  92  of the floss  62  in the groove  86  and wraps the first end  88  of the floss  62  several times around a portion of coating  54  located near the end  60  of the leg  46  leaving enough of the first end  88  not wrapped around the leg  46  to makes several such wraps for a purpose that will be explained hereafter. Frictional contact between overlapping strands of the first end  88  of the floss  62  and the coating  54  holds the first end  88  of the floss  62  in secure contact with the coating  54 . The free portion of the floss  62 , that is, the portion of the floss  62  extending from the portion of the first end  88  that is wrapped around the coating  54 , is stretched across the groove  86  between the first ridge  80  and second ridge  82  so that the middle portion  92  of floss  62  spans the slot  84 . The floss  62  is pulled tight so that the floss  62  is taught across the slot  84 . The portion of the first end  88  of the floss  62  that was previously not wrapped around the leg  46  in contact with the coating  54  is then wrapped over the second end  90  and wrapped several times around the leg  46  in taut contact with the coating  54 . As a result, the second end  90  of the floss  62  is held in secure and tight contact with the leg  46  at the coating  54 . This allows the middle portion  92  of the floss  62  to remain taut in the groove  86  spanning the slot  84  between the first ridge  80  and second ridge  82 . 
         [0061]    As stated above, the dispenser  10  includes a base  12 . In a preferred embodiment of the dispenser  10 , a suction cup  98  is placed under the base  12  allowing the base  12  to be firmly attached to a bathroom counter or other flat surface. Alternately, a clamp, adhesive or any other commonly used attachment mechanisms or methods may be used to attach the base  12  to a bathroom counter or other flat surface. 
         [0062]    Also in a preferred embodiment, the dispenser  10  includes a communication system  100  for communicating with the child user. For example, the dispenser  10  in one embodiment includes a communication system  100  having one or more buttons  102  or similar controlled device that, when pressed, cause the communication system  100  to do such things as emit laughter, voices, sounds made by a mouth, singing or aural or visual instruction about brushing teeth or starting or stopping timers (e.g., for the length of time spent brushing) or activating or incrementing counters (e.g., the number of times a child has brushed his or her teeth). As a result, the communication system  100  includes some way of communicating with the user such as through one or more speakers  104  or a graphical display  106  such as an LCD, LED or similar display. Such communication systems  92 , including speakers  104  and graphical displays  102 , are well understood in the art and may include or be controlled by a microprocessor or application specific integrated chip (ASIC) usually with a memory or other media (e.g., tape or disk) for storing and making available files, sounds and commands that, when called by pressing the buttons  102 , communicate with the child user. 
         [0063]    The communication system  100  may include effectors, such as end-effectors, that move in response to control signals from the microprocessor or ASIC. For example, an effector may interact with toothpaste tube  20 , which is preferably in the shape of the face or face and body of a character  8 , causing an aspect of the face or body of the character  8 , including a mouth or eyelids, to move or appear to move in response to commands from the microprocessor or ASIC that are preferably correlated with an aural or visual message or both from the dispenser  10  through the communication system  100 . In addition, the effectors, such as piezo-electric effectors and piezo-electric end-effectors, can be located directly on or connected to the toothpaste tube  20  so that activating the effector causes parts of the toothpaste tube  20  to move. Where such effectors are associated with features on the toothpaste tube  20  corresponding to, for example, a mouth or eyelids, activating the effectors causes the features to appear to move. Such communication systems  92  may be powered by a battery or by plugging the dispenser  10  into wall current. 
         [0064]    The function of the dispenser  10  is to replicate a character  8 , facilitate easy brushing and invite children to brush so that brushing may be done without assistance or with minimal assistance from adults. The addition of sound or other communication from the communication system  100  aids in the delivery of the desirable message and in the making the dispenser  10  more attractive to the child user. 
         [0065]    The invention in another embodiment includes a method for motivating children to brush their teeth. In this embodiment, colored toothpaste is provided to the child through a toothpaste tube  20 . The child is instructed, either by a message communicated from the communication system  100 , through advertising or other media including, but not limited to, books, comic books, TV shows, instructional videos, games, jingles, websites or songs to “brush until the color&#39;s gone.” 
         [0066]    An example of a song that a child might be taught through a character  8  or that a character  8  might sing, in any of the embodiments of the invention described herein, to help them internalize the message of “brush until the color&#39;s gone” is:
       When I go to brush.   I know what to do.   I brush until the color&#39;s gone.   And I smile a Toothy Smile.   Toothy Smile.   Toothy Smile.   I&#39;m a Toothy Fruity Smile.
 
Obviously, other songs may be constructed to communicate the desired message of “brush until the color&#39;s gone” or other messages promoting practices to enhance healthy teeth.
       
 
         [0074]    The basis for the statement “brush until the color&#39;s gone” is that colored toothpaste will gradually change from its original color to white as it is correctly being used to brush the teeth. As a result, after a sufficiently long time of brushing the teeth, the color of the toothpaste on the child user&#39;s teeth will change from its original color to white. This change will be apparent to the child user and the desire to achieve this color change will motivate the child user to continue brushing his or her teeth until the desired visible change has occurred. The natural tendency of the child user to effectuate this color change will be bolstered by the communication of the message “brush until the color&#39;s gone” from the invention in all its embodiments including through the communication system  100 . 
         [0075]    In addition to using colored toothpaste, it is also preferable to have flavored toothpaste in order to make the toothpaste more attractive to the child user. In a preferred embodiment, the flavor of the toothpaste corresponds to the food producing the flavor. For example, orange colored toothpaste may have the flavor of an orange and yellow colored toothpaste may have the flavor of a banana. Of course, other exotic colors and flavor combinations may be used. The combination of interesting and attractive colors with desirable and pleasing toothpaste flavors will also be an incentive to the child user to use the toothpaste and brush his or her teeth. 
         [0076]    The invention, in another embodiment shown in  FIG. 12-13 , includes at least one character  8  in the form of a finger or hand puppet  108 . One embodiment of the hand puppet  108  has a body  110  shaped like a smile preferably having a smiling face  112  and smiling eyes  114 . By “smiling face” I mean that the face is dominated by and is in part in the shape of a smile. By “smiling eyes” I mean that the eyes are large and bright. 
         [0077]    In addition, the puppet  108  preferably has toothbrush-like legs  116  with bristle-like members  118  at one end and what appears to be “toothpaste”  120  on the bristle-like members  118 . The puppet  108  may have a wide variety of possible “looks” by incorporating lips, mouth shapes, eyelashes, eyebrows, mustaches, freckles, cheeks, eyewear, masks and other “disguises” that generate a seemingly never-ending assortment of characters  8 . As stated above, all puppets  54  preferably have names identifying the color of corresponding toothpastes, and as stated above, incorporate a mouth sound, behavior, feeling or identifying feature of a face (e.g., Berry Burp, Puckerlips Lemon, Mustache Maraschino, Kiss Me Kiwi, Oh, oh Orange, Blowing Raspberries and Cherry Cheery). 
         [0078]    The hand puppet  108  can be used by the child user as a toy or can be used as part of an entertainment program, commercial or marketing as a spokes-character for the act of brushing or for the toothpaste  22  or toothbrush  40  itself. For example, the puppet  108  could appear on a television show, in an educational video or in a book, magazine or coloring book in an engaging and entertaining way such singing to, talking with, joking with and having fun with the children to educate, motivate and encourage the children to brush their teeth. In this way, the child user will develop an affinity for the character  8  and the message of good brushing habits espoused by the character  8 . 
         [0079]    The invention, in another embodiment shown in  FIG. 14-15 , includes at least one toothpaste tube  20  with or without a flip-top cap  24  and having an identifying feature of a face (e.g., Susie and Toothie Bandie). 
         [0080]    The invention in an embodiment includes a method for entertaining, educating and motivating children to brush their teeth. This method comprising the steps of: 
         [0081]    Creating a character  8  having features desirable or attractive to children; 
         [0082]    Providing a toothpaste dispenser  10 , toy or puppet  108  in the form of the character  8  wherein the dispenser  10 , toy or puppet  108  is capable of presenting visual or aural messages; 
         [0083]    Causing the dispenser  10 , toy or puppet  108  to present a visual or aural message encouraging, instructing or otherwise motivating a user of the dispenser  10 , toy or puppet  108  to brush their teeth. 
         [0084]    The invention in another embodiment includes a method for entertaining, educating and motivating children to brush their teeth. This method comprising the steps of: 
         [0085]    Creating a character  8  having features desirable or attractive to children; 
         [0086]    Providing a media displaying the character  8  wherein the media presents visual or aural messages; 
         [0087]    Causing the media to present a visual or aural message encouraging, instructing or otherwise motivating a user, viewer or listener of the media to brush their teeth. 
         [0088]    The description contained herein is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. Many variations and alternatives of the described technique and method will occur to one of ordinary skill in this art. Variations in form to the component pieces described and shown in the drawings may be made as will occur to those skilled in the art. Further, although certain embodiments of a dispenser  10  or puppet  108  have been described, it is also within the scope of the invention to add other additional components such as other hygiene products, clothes, wardrobe accessories, sports equipment or paraphernalia, logos or trademarks to name but a few possibilities or to make the character  8  in the form of a toy or pillow. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the attached claims. Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. 
         [0089]    As a result, while the above description contains many specific elements, dimensions, functions and parameters, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention but rather as examples of different embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 
         [0090]    While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, from a reading of the disclosure, that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention.