Abstract:
A combination toothbrush and toothpaste dispenser device includes a caddy that accepts tube of toothpaste and guides an integral toothpaste squeezer along a predetermined track. The squeezer is generally wedge-shaped and may be moved parallel and/or inwardly to the axis of the caddy. A modular and detachable toothbrush head mates with the caddy and includes a shaft with a central bore for delivering toothpaste to the toothbrush bristles. A refresh cup is further supplied to store and protect the combination device while not in use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/778,850, filed on May 12, 2010 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/177,524, filed on May 12, 2009, entitled “INTEGRATED TOOTHBRUSH, TOOTHPASTE DISPENSER AND HOLDER WITH REFRESH CUP COVER,” the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, including any references therein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Toothpaste is typically supplied to consumers in a squeezable tube container. When desired, consumers squeeze the tube to extrude a desired amount of toothpaste onto a toothbrush. After use, the toothbrush and toothpaste are put aside and stored, typically separately, until next required. 
         [0003]    Various devices and implements, such as slotted keys or tube “squeezers,” assist consumers to dispense toothpaste out of tubes and onto toothbrushes. These devices, like the toothbrush and toothpaste tube, are typically a separate component. When stored in a toothbrush holder, a tooth brushing routine may involve as many as four separate components, i.e., a toothbrush, toothpaste tube, squeezer and holder. 
         [0004]    The prior art includes examples of combination toothbrush and toothpaste dispensers. One such example is U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,165 issued to Costanza on Jan. 4, 1966. This patent includes a cylindrical barrel 12 that contains a dentifrice (such as toothpaste) and a sliding plunger 14 for dispensing toothpaste onto a toothbrush via an internal channel in the combination device. The toothpaste may be manually filled into the barrel; alternatively, a custom manufactured barrel, which is “prepacked with toothpaste,” may be substituted. (&#39;165 Pat. at col. 2, 11. 54-62.) The components of the combination device, including the brush, are affixed to each other. Other examples of combination devices include U.S. Pat. D459,585 S issued to Moreno et al. on Jul. 2, 2002; U.S. Pat. D439,413 S issued to Klein on Mar. 27, 2001; and U.S. Pat. D347,944 issued to Honora on Jun. 21, 1994. 
         [0005]    Despite these examples of prior art, there exists a long-felt and ongoing need for a new and improved system for integrating a toothbrush with a toothpaste dispenser and holder as well as a system of supplying toothpaste onto a toothbrush head in an efficient manner. There further exists a need for an integrated unit that may be used hygienically by more than one person. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The preferred embodiments comprise an integrated oral hygiene device, intended for consumer use, including a toothpaste caddy that accepts commonly sold sizes of tubes of toothpaste. The caddy includes a slot that guides a toothpaste squeezer along a predetermined track. In a preferred embodiment, the squeezer includes a wedge-shaped section and may be moved parallel and/or inwardly to the longitudinal axis of the caddy. The toothpaste tube may be easily replaced through a hinged or detachable end cap. A modular and detachable toothbrush mates with the caddy and includes a shaft with a central bore through which toothpaste may be forced by operation of the squeezer. In a preferred embodiment, the toothbrush head includes a plurality of projections adapted to fit into mating slots located on the caddy. Alternative embodiments of mounting the toothbrush head to the caddy, including by reversing the location of the slots and tabs or by providing a plurality of locking shoulders, are described and will be appreciated by persons of skill in the art. A refresh rinse cap cover is further supplied to store and protect the toothbrush while not in use and to serve as a rinse cup post brushing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a exploded perspective view of certain components of an integrated device in accordance with the disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a external perspective view of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a cutaway perspective view of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an external perspective view of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged cutaway perspective view of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation of a caddy portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a top elevation of a caddy portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a caddy portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is an end view of a caddy portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.  FIG. 9A  is an end view of a caddy portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure and is an alternative embodiment to that illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is an end view of an end cap portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a side elevation of an end cap portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of an end cap portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a front elevation of a toothbrush portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view of a toothbrush portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a side elevation of a toothbrush portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  is a sectional view of a toothbrush portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  is an end view of a toothbrush portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.  FIG. 17A  is an end view of a toothbrush portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure and is an alternative embodiment to that illustrated in  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  is a front elevation of a refresh cup cap of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 19  is a front sectional view of a toothpaste squeezer in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0026]      FIG. 20  is a side sectional view of a toothpaste squeezer in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 21  is a top view of a toothpaste squeezer in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 22  is a exploded perspective view, similar to  FIG. 1 , of certain components of an integrated device in accordance with the disclosure; 
           [0029]      FIG. 23  is a cutaway perspective view of the end cap of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0030]      FIG. 24  is also a cutaway perspective view of the end cap of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 25  is a side elevation of a caddy portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0032]      FIG. 26  is a top elevation of a caddy portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0033]      FIG. 27  is a sectional view of a caddy portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0034]      FIG. 28  is an end view of a caddy portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0035]      FIG. 29  is a cutaway perspective view of the end cap of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure 
           [0036]      FIG. 30  is a perspective view of the bottom portion of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0037]      FIG. 31  is a perspective view of a toothpaste squeezer in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 32 and 33  are end views of a toothpaste squeezer in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0039]      FIG. 34  is a comparison side view of two different toothpaste squeezers made in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0040]      FIGS. 35-37  are cutaway perspectives of an integrated device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; and 
           [0041]      FIGS. 38-40  are perspective view of a toothpaste squeezer in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]    A toothbrush device  1  including a toothbrush head  2 , a caddy  3 , a toothpaste squeezer  4 , an end cap  7  and a refresh cup  8  are illustrated in perspective form in  FIGS. 1-4 . The device  1  is part of an oral hygiene system that is intended for consumer use.  FIG. 1  illustrates several components including a longitudinal slot  5  in caddy  3  that guides a squeezer  4  along a predetermined track. An ordinary toothpaste tube, indicated by reference numeral  6 , may be inserted into caddy  3 . In addition, a detachable and modular toothbrush head  2  mates with caddy  3 . As illustrated in the cutaway view of  FIG. 3 , the squeezer includes a generally wedge-shaped section and further includes a contoured section that accommodates a thumb or finger. In a preferred embodiment, the caddy  3  further includes grip strips, such as those indicated by reference numeral  9 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 22-24  likewise illustrate perspective views of an alternative embodiment of toothbrush device  101  including a toothbrush head  102 , a caddy  103 , a toothpaste squeezer  104 , an end cap  107  and a refresh cup  108 . The device  100  is part of an oral hygiene system that is intended for consumer use.  FIG. 22  illustrates several components including a longitudinal slot  105  in caddy  103  that guides a squeezer  104  along a predetermined track  105  ( FIG. 26 ). An ordinary toothpaste tube, indicated by reference numeral  6 , may be inserted into caddy  103 . The caddy in either illustrated embodiment accepts ordinary toothpaste tubes. Persons of skill in the art will further appreciate that caddy  3  or caddy  103  may be sized to fit smaller or larger “standard” sizes of toothpaste tubes, including travel sizes. As indicated in  FIG. 22 , a detachable and modular toothbrush head  102  mates with caddy  103 . The squeezer  104  includes a generally wedge-shaped section ( FIG. 31 ) and further includes a contoured section that accommodates a thumb or finger ( FIG. 22 ). In a preferred embodiment, the caddy  103  further includes grip strips, such as those indicated by reference numeral  109 . The grip strips  109  are generally oriented opposite to the squeezer  104 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 22 , the strips  109  circumferentially extend more than 180 degrees for enhanced hand traction. 
         [0044]    Upon depressing and advancing the squeezer along its track, the toothpaste in the tube  6  is extruded out of the toothpaste tube. A central bore in the toothbrush head  2  (illustrated in  FIGS. 13-16 ) fluidly communicates toothpaste from the toothpaste tube and provides a pathway for the toothpaste to reach bristles on the toothbrush. The toothbrush bristles are preferably attached to the head  2  through in-molded technology. 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged cutaway view of an end of an assembled integrated tooth brushing device. This view illustrates a toothbrush  2  mated to a caddy  3 , wherein the toothbrush is enclosed by a refresh cup  8 . The refresh cup  8  preferably snap fits onto caddy  3  thereby allowing ready access to the toothbrush when desired. Cup  8  protects the toothbrush while not in use and further serves as a rinse cup after brushing. In a preferred embodiment, cup  8  is made with antimicrobial materials. An example of this arrangement is illustrated in  FIG. 5  in which a caddy  3  includes one or more annular tongues, indicated by reference numeral  10 , that press fit into one or more annular groves located on refresh cup  8 , which arrangement of tongues and grooves may be reversed. Although illustrated as a snap fit, the refresh cup  8  may be coupled to the caddy  3  through any suitable fastening means. 
         [0046]    In preferred embodiments, the caddy  3  accepts an ordinary toothpaste tube. Side, top, sectional and end views of such a caddy are illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 , respectively.  FIGS. 25-27  likewise illustrate such views in an alternative embodiment. Sectional view  FIG. 8  of one embodiment illustrates a sleeve  15  which accepts the threaded end of an ordinary toothpaste tube. Sectional view  FIG. 27  likewise illustrates the threaded end of such a toothpaste tube in an alternative embodiment. A toothpaste tube, such as tube  6 , is placed into the cavity of caddy  3  or caddy  103 . As further indicated by the end view of  FIG. 9 , the caddy  3  includes slots  12  and  13  for accepting a toothbrush head.  FIG. 28  illustrates a similar, but alternative, embodiment of the caddy. The caddy and toothbrush may be made of any suitable material and, in a highly preferred embodiment, are molded using ABS plastic. 
         [0047]    An end cap  7  serves to enclose the toothpaste tube in caddy  3 .  FIGS. 10-12  illustrate a suitable end cap in a preferred embodiment. The end cap  7  includes a plurality of projections, such as indicated by reference numeral  14 , that fit into sockets  25  and  26  in caddy  3 . The projections  14 , in combination with sockets  25  and  26 , act as a hinge that allows the end cap  7  to pivot into an open position. After a toothpaste tube is loaded, the end cap  7  may be pivoted back into a closed position. The end cap  7  further may be entirely detachable from the caddy  3 . 
         [0048]    Alternatively, the end cap may be a snap fit design.  FIGS. 23-24  and  FIG. 30  illustrate such a design. End cap  107  includes annular sections  107   a  and  107   b  that press fit into an annular projection  103   b  in caddy  103  ( FIG. 24 ). Portion  103   a  of the side wall of the caddy  103  is flared to a similar outside dimension of the end cap  107   a , and further includes a ridge  103   c  that contacts annular section  107   a  as an end stop ( FIG. 23 ). Annular section  107   a  extends in a longitudinal direction beyond annular section  107   b , which permits section  107   a  to act as a guide for closing end cap  107 . Advantageously, annular projection  103   b  may be formed into a wall of caddy  103 . The projection may be a constant dimension or may be tapered. If tapered, end cap  107  is increasingly frictionally engaged as it is placed upon caddy  103  until annular section  107   a  contacts ridge  103   c .  FIG. 23  further illustrates toothpaste tube  6  and squeezer  104  in a functional relationship, both of which are located within caddy  103 . End cap  107  may be made from a more pliable and elastic material than caddy  103 . This permits the end cap to stretch over the projections  103   b  formed in the distal end of caddy  103 . 
         [0049]    In yet a further refinement, illustrated in  FIG. 29 , end cap  107  is tethered to the caddy  103  through a strap  110 . In this illustrated embodiment, the strap includes a retaining section  111  that slides into the same slot  105  used by squeezer  104 . The strap allows end cap  107  to be separated from, but still tethered to, caddy  103 . The strap  111  may be removed from the slot by rotating the retaining section  111 , thereby permitting the end cap to be completely detached. A perspective view of the end cap  107  connected with caddy  103  is illustrated in  FIG. 30 . Notch  127  aligns the caddy  103  with the end cap  107 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 13-17  illustrate an example of a toothbrush head  2  or toothbrush head  102 . For clarity purposes, these figures illustrate a toothbrush head without bristles. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that suitable bristles will be attached to the head through any known techniques, including in-molding technology, such as described by U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/062,199 to Moskovich et al., filed Apr. 3, 2008, and published as US 2008/0244849 A1, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0051]    In a preferred embodiment, the toothbrush head  2  includes a stem  20  with a hollow portion that defines a channel for the passage of toothpaste from the tube to an area proximate to the bristles. The toothbrush head  2  includes a plurality of projections, indicated by reference numerals  17  and  18 , that fit into slots in the caddy  3  or caddy  103 , indicated by reference numerals  12  and  13  ( FIG. 9 ). The toothbrush head  2  is preferably modular and detachable, which allows multiple users to hygienically use the same caddy  3 . A central bore  19  passes through the toothbrush head  2  and fluidly communicates with the sleeve  15  ( FIG. 8 ) on caddy  3 . Pressure caused by contact between the squeezer  4  or squeezer  104  and toothpaste tube  6  causes toothpaste to be extruded and flow through the central bore  19  until reaching an aperture  16  located adjacent to bristles on the toothbrush head  2 . 
         [0052]    An exemplary toothpaste squeezer is illustrated in the front, side and top views of  FIGS. 19-21  respectively. The squeezer  4  includes a generally wedge-shaped section and includes a contoured section  23  defined by chamfered sections  24  and  25 . It has been experimentally determined that an integrated toothbrushing device with a squeezer of the shape generally illustrated in  FIGS. 19-20  more effectively dispenses toothpaste from an ordinary toothpaste tube than other known types. 
         [0053]    As readily seen by comparing  FIG. 19  to  FIG. 1 , the squeezer  4  includes a stem portion  29  that fits into a slot  5  in caddy  3 . The top contoured section  23  of the squeezer  4  remains external to caddy  3  whereas the lower wedge-shaped portion  28  is located within caddy  3 . As the squeezer  4  travels along slot  5  (see  FIG. 1 ), the wedge-shaped section makes contact with the toothpaste tube  6  and extrudes toothpaste from within. The stem portion  29  of the squeezer  4  exceeds the thickness of the wall of the caddy  3 , which allows for controlled movement in an axially inward or outward direction. A user may therefore place greater or lesser pressure upon the toothpaste tube by varying the amount of squeezer travel along the track and varying the inward depth of contact with the tube. The design of the squeezer  4  provides additional functional flexibility, including the ability to raise or lower wedge depressor portion of squeezer  4  while traveling along glide track. This permits improved depth contact with toothpaste tube and further facilitates ease in loading toothpaste tube into the caddy opening. 
         [0054]    An alternative squeezer design is illustrated in  FIGS. 31-33 . This design is smaller than that illustrated in  FIGS. 19-21 . Either squeezer may be used depending on the application and desired force. The side-by-side comparison of the different squeezers is illustrated in FIG.  34 . The squeezer design of  FIG. 31  further includes grip strips  104   a . Such strips also may be utilized in connection with squeezer  4 . 
         [0055]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 31-33 , the wedge shaped portion of squeezer  104  flares in a circumferentially outward direction when viewed from front to back. The leading surface to contact the toothpaste tube is thus reduced in size when compared with the trailing surface. This design enables the squeezer to initially meet with less resistance when extruding toothpaste from the toothpaste tube. The flared trailing surface also advantageously insures that a maximum amount of toothpaste is ultimately extracted from the tube as the squeezer travels down the track along both the longitudinal and transverse axes. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 35-37  illustrate yet another embodiment. In one embodiment of the invention, the integrated toothbrush, dispenser, caddy and cap, as measured from the end of refresh cap  208  to the bottom of end cap  207 , is approximately 6.765 inches in length, which is suitable for a variety of applications. This length will accommodate a range of standard size toothpaste tubes from 0.75 ounces or 0.85 ounces or 2.7 ounces. The product further may be scaled depending on application, for example to a 9 inch travel size in to accommodate larger toothpaste tube sizes, including the commonly available size of 2.7 ounces. The integrated toothbrush device is designed to accept only a single tube of toothpaste at a time, but  FIG. 35  illustrates for exemplary purposes a comparison of two different sizes of toothpaste tubes ( 6   a  and  6   b ) inside caddy  203 . A reduced size unit, including for use by children, may also be appropriately scaled. Based on the materials selected, the caddy, such as caddy  203 , will outlast the modular toothbrush heads. In a preferred embodiment, the caddy will tolerate at least four changes in toothbrush heads. 
         [0057]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 36-37 , toothbrush head  202  includes detentes  210  and caddy  203  includes detentes  211 , which together secure the toothpaste tube when loaded in the cavity. Detentes  210  and  211  interact with, and are positioned to recognize, threads on the tube of toothpaste and thereby tightly couple the inserted toothpaste tube to the toothbrush head and improve optimum dispensing functionality of toothpaste from the tube. The tube may be removed from the head and the caddy by overcoming the resistive force of the detents, including by pulling the tube in an outward direction or through rotations. Detents, such as detent  210 , are located on an internal portion of the stem of the toothbrush head. Likewise, reference numeral  211  of  FIG. 37  identifies a detent on the caddy for engaging and stopping the travel of a toothpaste tube. Persons of skill in the art will understand that multiple detents in different arrangements are possible. 
         [0058]    The embodiment of  FIGS. 35-37  further includes a refinement on the toothbrush head  202  and squeezer  204 . Toothbrush head  202  includes a stem portion  220  with a shoulder  217 . In this embodiment, toothbrush head  202  is inserted into the caddy  203  and then locked in place by rotation. When rotated, shoulder portion  217  of the head  202  contacts a mating shoulder  218  on a wall of caddy  203 . Squeezer  204 , which is illustrated in cross-section in  FIG. 35 , has a reduced surface for contacting the toothpaste tube when compared with the squeezers of other embodiments.  FIGS. 38-40  further illustrate squeezer  204  in several perspective views, which illustrate novel aspects of this squeezer design, including beveled edges, grip strips  204   a , and a flared wedge shape design when viewed from front to back. As illustrated in these figures, the wedge shaped section further includes a bottom flat portion  204   b . The web shaped section of the squeezer includes a rear semicircular section, indicated by surface  204   c  and circumference  204   e , and a frontward tapering generally triangular cross-section that projects from the rear semicircular section and in which the triangular cross-section is defined by bottom flat portion  204   b , side  204   d  and surface  204   c.    
         [0059]    Although illustrated in  FIG. 1  in an exploded view, the toothbrush system as described above typically will be used by consumers as an integrated unit. A consumer will load an ordinary toothpaste tube into the cavity of the caddy and further mount a toothbrush head. The design of the caddy permits ready assembly and disassembly of the toothbrush head to allow multiple users to conveniently use a single caddy and to replace old nylon toothbrush heads with a new snap-on replacement. By controlling the operation of the squeezer, both along the track and in an axially inward direction, the consumer may dispense a desired amount of toothpaste. Also, the design of the squeezer maximizes the amount of toothpaste to be extruded from the tube, thereby reducing the amount of wasted toothpaste. 
         [0060]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0061]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0062]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.