Abstract:
A replaceable toothpaste-dispensing toothbrush is a device designed to combine a toothbrush head with a housing for toothpaste. This combination includes a mechanism for passing g the toothpaste from the housing to the bristles on the toothbrush. The user is thus enabled to easily transport all elements of teeth cleaning. A circular spring-loaded snapping mechanism for mounting disposable brush heads. Also incorporated is a toothpaste injector that seals in the unused toothpaste. Finally a cartridge loading, piston driven dispensing mechanism is introduced in the present invention.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to devices comprising bristles for scrubbing teeth using toothpaste. The toothpaste is stored within the device and can be applied to said bristles by an internal mechanism. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The daily hygiene routine for teeth is to apply toothpaste to the surface of bristles on the head of a toothbrush and to move the brush in a back and forth motion to remove plaque and debris from the surface of the teeth. Commonly the toothpaste is stored in a tube separate from the toothbrush and is applied externally by squeezing the toothpaste onto the bristles attached to a plastic handle. This arrangement requires the storage of a toothpaste tube as well as a toothbrush. Also the tube itself poses various problems. Tubes often leak toothpaste that can be messy. In addition, the excess part of the tube can be cumbersome as it becomes empty. There are alternate designs that use pumps. These designs can also be messy and use an excess of packaging material that increases cost and waste. 
     The awkwardness of carrying both a tube and a brush can be very inconvenient during transportation. It is a common recommendation of the dental profession to brush one&#39;s teeth after every meal. Since most people eat at least one meal a day away from the home, it would be very desirable to have a compact and clean device that the user could transport to brush their teeth. It would also be desirable in such a device to apply the toothpaste as easily as possible. 
     The devices that exist in the prior art for combining toothpaste storage with brushing devices consist of various deficiencies that do not exist in the present invention. All of them use different mechanisms for the dispensing of toothpaste that are not as efficient as the present invention. They require more parts and will not be as effective. The outlet design of the present invention is unique and greatly reduces the risk of clogging. In addition the detachable toothbrush design of the present invention departs from the prior art and is an improvement in ease and reliability. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,717,101 to Ambrose V. Handel is a device for storing toothpaste and applying the toothpaste to the bristles of an included brush. This design is different from and less efficient then the present invention. The brush head is mounted to the device by a screw-in mechanism. This is a great deal more cumbersome then the snap design of the replaceable toothpaste-dispensing toothbrush. There is also the risk of the threads becoming stripped, rendering the device ineffective. The toothpaste is excreted through a hole in the brush base. This design is shared with all of the inventions in the prior art and has some important inherent flaws. Toothpaste becomes hard when it dries. This drying will occur when the paste is exposed to air and causes a blockage in flow. The present invention includes a novel design feature that encloses the unused toothpaste so that it will not harden due to exposure to the air. The device uses a replaceable cartridge design similar to the present invention but the mechanism for dispensing the toothpaste is significantly different. The Handel &#39;101 design uses a sliding applicator that includes a knife that cuts through the casing of the cartridge while the toothpaste is forced out by the applicator. This design is problematic since the toothpaste is exposed to the device and can create build up of toothpaste on the inner components. Also the device will become difficult to use as the knife dulls. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,341 to Kyu Ho Kwak discloses a combination mechanism, but like the Handel &#39;101 design the Kwak &#39;341 design includes a dispensing mechanism that is different then the present invention. The mechanism of Kwak &#39;341 is a sliding applicator that is curved to apply force to a tube inserted within the device thus squeezing toothpaste from the tube. The tube comprises a spout that feeds the toothpaste into a pipe that in turn excretes the toothpaste onto the bristles of a brush head. This device will require greater force then the present invention and can become caught easily if the tube develops wrinkles. Another drawback is that the Kwak &#39;341 design does not disclose a replaceable head for the brush portion. This is a serious drawback since the use of a single brush should be ended when the bristles become soft and frayed. Without a removable design the entire device would have to be replaced every time the bristles wear out. 
     The device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,095 to Pierre E. Picard uses a dispenser applicator that applies pressure to the cartridge by a disc that rotates a threaded rod that in turn forces a disc into the cartridge. This system for dispensing requires several more parts then the present invention and a more complicated combination that can easily be jammed and broken. In addition this will be more costly to produce. The mounting of the brush head varies greatly from the present invention. It slides into a groove where the head enters an internal chamber and the paste exits a hole adjacent to the brushes. The head is then slid back out for brushing. There are several drawbacks to this design the Paste will clog up the chamber where the brush is inserted and the groove will wear due to frictional use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,663 to John Micaletti et al. is a design for a unit that has two major differences from the present invention. The brush face is detachable on the Micaletti &#39;663 patent as opposed to the brush head. The problem with this design is that it incorporates a permanent passageway between the cartridge and the brush face that can become clogged over time. In addition this would become unsanitary after repeated use since a permanent fixture would be in constant contact with the users mouth. The loading system differs from the present invention. The cartridge in the Micaletti &#39;663 patent is side loaded into a separate column whereas the present invention uses a rear loading design and a single column that would be less expensive to produce. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,152 to Peter Martin Ward describes a spring-loaded mechanism for a replaceable brush head. The latching design is distinct from that of the present invention since it uses a lateral spring to activate a lock down released by the press of a button. The lock down binds the brush head to the main body. The present invention however use a circular spring that is attached to the replaceable head and that is activated by squeezing two buttons to alter the angle of two hooks. Squeezed thusly these hooks will engage a ridge on the end of the main body. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 375,407 to Harold J. Smith discloses a unit that has a brush head mounted by a screw mechanism like the one described in Handel &#39;101. In addition the dispensing mechanism relies on a soft side incorporated in the housing that would be squeezed to force the toothpaste from the inserted tube. This would not eliminate the problems faced with the common tube because the tube could not be squeezed thoroughly and the user will be required to use greater force as the tube becomes less full. In addition this soft-sided material will harden and crack. 
     Therefore a need exists for a novel and enhanced method for combining a toothbrush and a toothpaste storage device so that the toothpaste can be dispensed directly from the storage device to the toothbrush head. This device should be reusable and durable. It should also be easy to keep clean. In this respect, the replaceable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of combining tooth brushes with toothpaste storage and dispensing devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of mobile dental hygiene devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved combination of convenience and utility, and overcomes the abovementioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved replaceable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush which has all of the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a toothpaste dispensing toothbrush which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in combination thereof. 
     In furtherance of this objective, the toothpaste dispensing toothbrush comprises a toothbrush head wherein said toothbrush head comprises a hole connected to a pipe that passes to the base of said toothbrush head. The base of said toothbrush head further comprises a hollow brush platform that comprises a plurality of holes passing through the walls of said platform. A circular spring is mounted in the center of said platform and attached to the perimeter of said spring is a plurality of hooks comprising a head and a button. Said button passes through said holes in said walls of said platform. The head of said hooks protrude beyond an opening in said platform. The toothpaste-dispensing toothbrush also comprises a reusable toothpaste dispenser that comprises an opening wherein said opening comprises a lip shaped to receive said head of said hooks. 
     There has been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
     The present invention may in addition comprise a toothpaste injector that consists of a pair of rubber flaps that form a slit and are mounted on a base that comprises a hole. Connecting said hole in said base is a pipe. Said pipe connects said injector to said hole in said brush head. 
     An additional aspect of the toothpaste-dispensing toothbrush is the design of a toothpaste dispensing mechanism that comprises a toothpaste dispenser housing. This housing comprises a chute in which may be inserted a cartridge containing paste. The bottom of said cartridge comprises a detachable disk. The wall of said toothpaste dispenser housing comprises a slit through which passes a rib attached to a manually activated pad. Said rib is attached to a L-shaped beam that passes through the center of said chute and is connected to a disc that acts as a piston that presses said disc at the bottom of the cartridge. Said cartridge disc then presses the toothpaste out of the cartridge through a spout located opposite of said bottom. 
     In order to hold said cartridge in place said toothpaste-dispensing housing further comprises a partition. Said partition comprises a cone shape with a hole at the apex. Said spout of said cartridge passes through said hole in said partition. 
     To allow access to said dispensing housing for inserting new cartridges, said housing further comprises a second opening connected to said chute. Attached to said housing adjacent to said second opening is a cover that is in turn attached by a hinge and a detachable snap mechanism. 
     Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved replaceable toothpaste-dispensing toothbrush that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved replaceable toothpaste-dispensing toothbrush that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved replaceable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such replaceable toothpaste dispensing toothbrushes economically available to the buying public. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new replaceable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
    
    
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the replaceable toothpaste-dispensirig toothbrush of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the replaceable toothpaste-dispensing toothbrush of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom sectional view of the replaceable toothpaste-dispensing toothbrush of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a midpoint sectional view of the replaceable toothpaste-dispensing toothbrush of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a midpoint sectional view of the replaceable toothpaste-dispensing toothbrush of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the detachable mounting mechanism of the replaceable toothpaste-dispensing toothbrush of the present invention. 
     The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-6, a preferred embodiment of the flashlight sleeve of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . 
     In FIG. 1, a top perspective view of a new and improved replaceable toothpaste-dispensing toothbrush  10  of the present invention for mobile dental hygiene is illustrated and will be described. Shown is a replaceable toothbrush mount  12 . Said mount  12  comprises a rectangular brush head  16 . Said brush head comprises a face where are attached a plurality of bristles  18 . Said bristles  18  are arranged in circular bunches to optimize the cleaning utility of said bristles. Said replaceable toothbrush mount  12  further comprises a brush neck  20  attached to said rectangular brush head  16 . A cylindrical brush platform  22  is in turn attached to said brush neck  20 . Said platform  22  comprises a circular wall  24  that comprises a pair of holes  26  located directly across from one another. Said holes  26  are square and receive square buttons  28 . Said holes  26  and buttons  28  can instead be circular or ovate. Said mount  12  would be made of plastic produced in an industrial mold process. Said bristles  18  might be made of a softer plastic that will allow said bristles to flex during the brushing process and conform to the shaped of the user&#39;s teeth. 
     In FIG. 1, a cylindrical toothpaste housing  30  is also shown. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention said housing  30  comprises a first and a second end. Said first end is demountably attached to said cylindrical brush platform  22 . Attached to said second end is a cover  32 . Said cover  32  is attached on one side by a hinge  34  and on the other side by a snap. The wall of said housing  30  comprises a slit  38  that extends from said second end to a midpoint. A thumb activated dispenser pad  40  is also shown in FIG.  1 . Said pad  40  comprises a base  42  and a rib  44 . Said rib  44  passes through said slit  38  and said base  42  rests on the surface of said housing  30 . Said base comprises a plurality of ridges to increase the friction between said pad and the user&#39;s thumb. When the user applies force said pad  40  slides along said slit  38  in the direction of said force. Said housing  30  may be made of plastic produced in an industrial mold process. Said pad  40  may comprise plastic or a combination of plastic and rubber. 
     In FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the replaceable toothpaste-dispensing toothbrush  10  from the side. Said replaceable toothbrush mount  12  comprises a cylindrical brush platform  22 . Said platform in turn comprises a cavity  46  at its bottom. At the center of said platform  22  and extending within said cavity  46  is a cylindrical spring mount  48 . Attached to the circumference of said cylindrical spring mount  48  is a circular spring  50 . Said cylindrical spring mount  48  comprises a hole  52  at its bottom. Attached to said platform  22  is a brush neck  20  that is in turn attached to a rectangular brush head  16 . The face of said brush head  16  comprises a hole  54 . Connecting said hole in said face to said hole in said cylindrical spring mount is a tubular passage  56 . Connected to said hole  54  in said face is an outlet pipe  58 . Said toothbrush mount  14  further comprises a toothpaste injector  60  that comprises a base  62  and a pair of flaps  64 . Said base  62  comprises a hole  66  which is connected to the opposite end of said outlet pipe  58 . Said injector would be molded from rubber so that said flap would have the appropriate flexibility combined with resiliency. 
     Also shown in the sectional side view of FIG. 2 is said cylindrical toothpaste housing  30 . Said housing  30  comprises an outer wall  68 , a first end, a second end, and a chute  70  connecting said first end to said second end. Said housing also comprises a partition  72  attached to the inner surface of said outer wall  68 . Said partition  72  is cone shaped and comprises a hole  74  at its apex. Said hole  76  lines up with said hole  52  in said cylindrical spring mount  46  when said mount is connected to said housing  30 . Said outer wall  68  comprises a slit through which passes said rib  44  on said dispenser pad  40 . Attached to said pad  40  is an L-shaped beam  76  that extends within said chute  70 . Attached to the other end of said L-shaped beam is a disc  78 . Attached to said second end is a cover  32 . When said second end is open a toothpaste cartridge  80  may be inserted into said chute  70 . 
     In FIG. 2 said cylindrical toothpaste cartridge  80  is illustrated installed within said chute  70  of said housing  30 . Said cartridge  80  comprises a cylindrical case  82  with a cone shaped top  84  that is attached to a spout  86  at its apex. Said spout  86  is cylindrical and inserts through said hole  74  in said partition  72 . The bottom of said cartridge  80  comprises a detachable disc  88 . Said disc  88  will detach when submitted to pressure by said disc  80  attached to said L-shaped beam  76 . A sealant such as wax or paraffin would be a possible bonding agent for mounting said disc to said cartridge. 
     In FIG. 3 a sectional view of the cylindrical toothpaste housing  30  is shown. The circular cross section of said outer wall  68  is shown with an opening where said slit  38  is located. Passing through said slit  38  is said rib  44  of said thumb activated dispensing pad  40 . Attached to said rib on the exterior of said housing  30  is said base  42  upon which the user applies pressure when dispensing. Attached to said rib  44  on the inside of said housing  30  is a brace  90  that extends beyond the edges of said slit  38  so that said dispensing pad  40  will remain flush against said outer wall  68  of said housing  30 . Attached to said dispensing pad  40  is an L-shaped beam  76 . Shown is the bottom of said beam  76  which projects from said pad  40  to the middle of said chute  70 . The upper branch of said L-shaped beam  76  extends up the middle of said chute  70  where it attaches to said dispensing disc  78 . Said beam and said disc may be made of plastic or an inexpensive metal. Attached to the inner side of said outer wall  68  are three brackets  92 . Said brackets  92  are rectangular and extend along said chute  70 . The inner surface of said brackets  92  are curved and lie along a circle having a diameter that matched the outer diameter of said cylindrical cartridge  80 . Said Cartridge  80  is slid within said brackets  92  and held in place. Said cartridge  80  could be made of a variety of lightweight, easily moldable and inexpensive materials. Some examples might be plastic, foil, or wax lined cardboard. 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of said cylindrical toothpaste housing  30  at a midpoint beyond said thumb activated dispensing pad  40 . Again is shown said outer wall  68  of said housing  30  and said slit  38  that it comprises. Said brackets  92  are pictured and comprise a curved inner surface for receiving said cartridge  80 . Said cartridge  80  is shown as a cross section of its case  82  and illustrated within is said toothpaste. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the uniquely designed toothpaste dispensing mechanism of the present invention. Incorporated in this design is a pair of rubber flaps  64 . Said flaps  64  are connected to a base  66  and extend together to form a slit  94 . Said flaps  64  are made of a stiff material with some flexibility such as rubber. When said toothpaste is pressed forward by said thumb activated pad  40 , said flaps  64  are forced apart and said toothpaste will be injected among said bristles  18  on said surface of said brush head  16 . When the force is no longer applied, said flaps  64  reseal to maintain said toothpaste unexposed to the air. Said base  62  comprises a hole  66  through which passes an outlet pipe  58 . Said pipe  58  is attached to said passage  56  in said replaceable toothbrush mount  12  and through which the toothpaste is transported. 
     In FIG. 6 the unique mounting mechanism of the present invention is illustrated. The replaceable toothbrush mount  12  comprises a cylindrical brush platform  22 . Said platform  22  comprises an outer wall  24  that further comprises a pair of square holes  28 . Said platform also comprises an inner cylindrical spring mount  48  attached to its center. Between said wall  24  of said platform  22  and said spring mount  48  is a cavity  46 . Around the circumference of said cylindrical spring mount  48  is a circular spring  50  made of metal that will flex when pressure is applied. Attached to the outer surface of said circular spring  50  is a pair of hooks  96 . Said hooks  96  comprise a head  98  that further comprises a rectangular button  28 . Said button  28  passes through said hole  26  in said wall  24  of said brush platform  22 . The first end of said cylindrical toothpaste housing  30  comprises a circular edge that further comprises a lip  100 . When said brush platform  22  of said replaceable toothbrush mount  12  is pressed against said housing  30 , the slanted edge of said hooks  96  will be pressed inward and said circular spring  50  will allow said hooks  96  to pass said lip  100  of said first end of said housing  30 . After said hook  96  passes said lip  100 , said hook will snap back in place and prevent said replaceable toothbrush mount  12  from detaching. When the user desires to release said mount  12  then the user presses said buttons  28 . The force will contract said circular spring  50  and force said hooks  96  inwards so that the hooks can pass beyond said lip  100  and said mount  12  can be removed. 
     Said cylindrical spring mount comprises a hole  52  that is connected to said passage  56  in said replaceable toothbrush mount  12 . Inserted into said hole  52  in said spring mount  48  is said spout  86  of said cartridge  80 . Said spout  86  of said cartridge  80  also passes through said hole  74  at the apex of said cone-shaped partition  72 . Said cartridge  80  comprises a chamber  102  inside which is held said toothpaste. Said cartridge  80  is inserted inside said chute  70  of said toothpaste dispensing housing  30  where it rests against said partition  72 . 
     While a preferred embodiment of the replaceable toothpaste-dispensing toothbrush  10  has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, any suitable flexible material may be used instead of the fabrics that have been described. And although the attaching of flashlights has been described, there are slight variations, such as shape and size that would make the invention appropriate for other light sources or other similar devices. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.