Abstract:
An improved dispenser for pastes is disclosed comprising a variable volume paste chamber, a dispenser nozzle communicating with the chamber for dispensing paste, a displaceable element displaced by room pressure, as a result of a reduced pressure in the paste chamber, an actuating member, accessible from outside the container and displaceable from an inactive to an active position, an elastic element, a means for applying a force to the elastic element in such a way as to reduce the volume of the chamber, thereby causing said paste to be dispensed through said dispenser nozzle, when said actuating member is displaced from the inactive to the active position, a kinematism for kinematically connecting the actuating member to the means for applying a force to the elastic element when the actuating member is displaced to its active position, and for allowing the elastic element elastically to return to its base configuration when the actuating member is returned to its inactive position, and a support means for holding the paste container in a predetermined position when a force is applied to the elastic element.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of dispensers. More particularly, the invention relates to a paste dispenser, wherein a dispenser head may be actuated and paste may be dispensed in metered fashion with the use of only one hand. A rigid container for the paste is employed within which a unit is displaceable based on a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of a pumping chamber.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Toothpaste is a well known dentifrice that effectively prevents tooth decay. Toothpaste is generally contained in a collapsible tube and is applied to a toothbrush to facilitate the cleaning of teeth. Several drawbacks are associated with the usage of a conventional tube for the dispensing of toothpaste therefrom. Since toothpaste is dispensed by squeezing the tube, a significant amount of toothpaste remains in the tube due to the inability of deforming the tube to such an extent so as to allow for the removal of the entire amount of the semi-fluid material. Also, an uncontrollable amount of toothpaste may be applied to a toothbrush, often resulting in unnecessary waste. At times, the cap of the toothpaste tube is misplaced and a significant amount of toothpaste is liable to dry, proximate to the aperture through which the toothpaste is released. Furthermore, the application of toothpaste to a toothbrush is an awkward procedure, in which two hands are generally needed for accurate and speedy dispensing.  
           [0003]    Numerous prior art toothpaste dispensers, which overcome some of the aforementioned drawbacks, are known. For example, GB 2150105 discloses a dispenser that incorporates a means for mounting and moving a collapsible container relative to an evacuating means. Upon insertion of a toothbrush into a recess, a closure arm bears against an dispenser head lever, thereby moving the container a predetermined distance by the interengagement of a pinion and rack. DE 19808864 discloses an apparatus that includes a slide which is horizontally displaced upon insertion of a toothbrush, whereby a protrusion carried by the slide engages another member which uncovers the aperture through which toothpaste is dispensed. The slide is also provided with teeth which are engageable with a ratchet-toothed gear, the rotation of which causes rollers to squeeze a toothpaste tube. DE 3417312 is directed to a metering device which comprises a stationary housing part and a movable housing part. By pivoting the movable housing part relative to the stationary housing part, an actuating element is pressurized so that the required quantity of the substance to be metered is dispensed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,362 discloses a dispenser which comprises a rotatable power source for rotating a pair of pinch rollers, which move along a toothpaste tube to collapse a portion of the tube to thereby dispense toothpaste. All of these references are characterized by having a relatively large number of moving parts, resulting in a higher cost and a higher chance of malfunction.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,088,636 discloses a dispenser for a fluent mass, which is discharged therefrom as the effective volume of the container forwardly of a piston means is decreased, after which the volume is increased to create a partial vacuum, thereby allowing atmospheric pressure rearwardly of the piston means to act thereon and to move it forwardly in the container, so that the effective volume of the container is again decreased.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,268,123 provides a similar dispenser, without application of pressure to the fluent mass during the initial phase of decreasing the effective volume forward of the piston means. The device comprises means for resisting movement of the piston means in a rearward direction while permitting its movement in a forward direction within the container. Similar arrangements are taught in e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,978,037, 4,991,744 and 6,047,862.  
           [0006]    Dispensers having a flexible membrane, which is flexed by means of a dispenser head following the depressing thereof, so that the membrane is longitudinally displaced in a rearward direction to allow for the decreasing of the effective volume of the container, are taught in e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,847,GB 2,161,222, U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,496, U.S. Pat Nos. 4,936,493, 4,962,851. Paste is dispensed from the dispensers of the aforementioned citations with the use of two hands, and is at times an awkward procedure.  
           [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a toothpaste dispenser described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,862. In FIG. 1 said dispenser is generally designated by  5  and is provided with reservoir  2 , pump head  3  and dispensing orifice  7 . Closure  8  generally covers nozzle  7 , and is separated therefrom during the dispensing of toothpaste. Reservoir  2  is cylindrical and contains toothpaste within pumping chamber  6 , defined by the region between pressurizing means  9  and a follower piston, generally designated by  15 . Distal end  10  of the dispenser which may have a larger outer diameter than container  2 , is adapted to admit air to the distal end of unit  15 . Toothpaste does not come in contact with air, and therefore cannot dry.  
           [0008]    An exploded drawing of an exemplary incrementally displaceable unit  15  is shown in FIG. 2. Unit  15  comprises three elements: piston  18 , clamp module  27  and disc  32 . Piston  18  is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,037, and is provided with a plurality of circumferential fields  19  and  20 , wherein each adjacent field is separated by a radially oriented groove  22  and  23 , respectively. Each field  20  is disposed closer to the outer wall of centrally disposed seat  13  than a corresponding field  19 . The piston is provided with distal lip  25  and proximate lip  26 . Lips  25  and  26  have an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner wall of a tubular paste container and serve as a seal.  
           [0009]    By means of clamp module  27 , unit  15  is displaceable in only one direction, i.e. towards dispenser head  3 , after dispenser  5  has been loaded with toothpaste. Clamp module  27  is shaped in the form of a star, with radially oriented prongs  29  interspersed between circumferential spacers  30 , and is made of spring steel. The center of clamp module  27  is formed with aperture  31  having a diameter substantially equal to the outer wall of seat  13 . Aperture  31  allows the clamp module to be pressed fit with diaphragm  18 , such that each spacer  30  contacts distal lip distal lip  25 . The diameter spanned by the ends of prongs  29  is slightly larger than the inner wall of container  2 , and since the prongs are angled in a direction away from distal lip  25 , displacement of unit  15  in a direction away from dispenser head  3  is prevented.  
           [0010]    Disc  32  is the means by which unit  15  is displaced, as will be described hereinafter. Disc  32  is planar and circular, and is provided with peg  34  protruding from the proximate side thereof. Peg  34  is insertable within seat  13 , so that disc  32  is carried by piston  18  as the latter is displaced.  
           [0011]    All the methods described above have not yet provided satisfactory solutions to the problem of providing an inexpensive toothpaste dispenser with a minimal number of moving parts, which can apply toothpaste to a toothbrush by the use of only one hand and capable of dispensing a metered amount of toothpaste.  
           [0012]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothpaste dispenser which can apply toothpaste to a toothbrush by the use of only one hand.  
           [0013]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a toothpaste dispenser which is capable of dispensing a metered amount of toothpaste.  
           [0014]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a toothpaste dispenser which is inexpensive with a minimal number of moving parts.  
           [0015]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toothpaste dispenser wherein the toothpaste cannot dry.  
           [0016]    Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0017]    The present invention relates to an improved dispenser for pastes comprising:  
           [0018]    a) a paste container having a wall,  
           [0019]    b) an elastic means having a base configuration, being deformable by application of a force thereto and elastically returning to said base configuration when said application of a force is discontinued,  
           [0020]    c) a displaceable element,  
           [0021]    d) said wall, elastic means and displaceable element defining a variable volume paste chamber,  
           [0022]    e) a dispenser nozzle communicating with said chamber for dispensing paste therefrom,  
           [0023]    f) said displaceable element being displaced by room pressure, as a result of a reduced pressure in said paste chamber, towards said elastic means upon the return of said elastic means to said base configuration,  
           [0024]    g) an actuating member, accessible from outside the container and displaceable from an inactive to an active position,  
           [0025]    h) means for applying a force to said elastic means to deform said elastic means, in such a way as to reduce the volume of said chamber, thereby causing said paste to be dispensed through said dispenser nozzle, when said actuating member is displaced from the inactive to the active position, and  
           [0026]    i) a kinematism for kinematically connecting said actuating member to said means for applying a force to said elastic means to deform said elastic means, when said actuating means is displaced to its active position, and for allowing said elastic means elastically to return to said base configuration thereof when said actuating means is returned to its inactive position.  
           [0027]    Preferably:  
           [0028]    1) the wall of the paste container is tubular and the elastic means and the displaceable element are located at its opposite ends;  
           [0029]    2) the actuating means comprise a swinging member that can be manually swung from the inactive to the active position by applying a force to it, more preferably through a toothbrush, and is provided with spring means to return it to the inactive position when the force is no longer applied to it;  
           [0030]    3) the dispenser nozzle is normally in an inoperative position in which it does not communicate with the paste chamber and is displaceable, upon actuation of the actuating means, to an operative position in which it communicates with the paste chamber to allow dispensation of the paste therefrom;  
           [0031]    4) the dispenser nozzle is operatively connected to the actuating means and to the elastic means and is a part of the said kinematism, whereby it is displaced to its operative position concurrently with the application of a force to the said elastic means.  
           [0032]    5) a housing, more preferably a rigid, fixed housing, is provided for reciving and supporting a paste dispenser at a time, each paste dispenser being more preferably engageable with said housing, e.g. by means of projections engaging recesses provided in said housing, and protruding therefrom as far as necessary for the actuating means to be operated and for the paste to be received from the dispensing nozzle;  
           [0033]    6) the displaceable element is a piston.  
           [0034]    The displaceable element actually becomes displaced by increments, corresponding to the amount of paste discharged each time, though it has no such mechanical limitation, and because of this can be said to be incrementally displaceable.  
           [0035]    As referred to herein, the “proximate” part of the dispenser is the one close to the dispenser head from which the paste is dispensed and the “distar” part is the one distant from the dispenser head. In use, the proximate part is generally the lower one and the distal part is the upper one. “Inwards” means in a direction towards the interior of the container, “outwards” means in a direction towards the exterior of the container, “longitudinal” is in a direction parallel to the length of the container, and “lateral” direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction.  
           [0036]    In an embodiment, the container is permanently attached to the housing. In another embodiment, the container is releasably attachable to the housing.  
           [0037]    The container is preferably attached to the housing by means of protrusions formed on the at least one outer wall of the container, said protrusions being insertable within similarly shaped tracks formed within the housing. Preferably, the protrusions extend longitudinally downwards along the container. Alternatively, the container can be attached to the housing by means of threading.  
           [0038]    The housing is preferably provided with an air inlet, the incrementally displaceable unit being displaceable in a proximate direction due to a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the pumping chamber of the dispenser, the pumping chamber achieving a partial vacuum upon discharge of paste from the pump chamber.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0039]    In the drawings:  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a toothpaste container according to the prior art;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 2 is an exploded drawing of an incrementally displaceable unit according to the prior art;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a toothpaste container, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal cross sectional view of the container of FIG. 3;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the proximate container wall of the container of FIG. 3;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing, showing the displacement of the elastic means, in accordance with the container of FIG. 3;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 7 is a front view of a toothpaste dispenser, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser, cut along plane A-A of FIG. 7, showing the actuating member in a rest position;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser, cut along plane A-A of FIG. 7, showing the dispenser head being actuated in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the proximate container wall, cut along plane B-B of FIG. 10, showing the distal end of a dispenser head;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 12 is a partial longitudinal cross sectional view of a container, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 10, showing the elastic means in a rest position;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 13 is a partial longitudinal cross sectional view of a container, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 10, showing the elastic means in a displaced position;  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the rear and top of a dispenser in accordance with the present invention, showing a means by which a container is releasably attached to the housing; and  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 15 depicts different alternatives for limiting a downward movement of container, wherein FIGS. 15 a  to  15   c  are, respectively, a side view of a container having an enlarged top end, a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an inwardly extending step disposed at the bottom of a track, and a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the top of a container illustrating a recess formed outwardly with respect to the container. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0055]    FIGS.  3 - 10  illustrate one preferred embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention, wherein a dispenser head is pivotable by an actuating means upon insertion of a toothbrush within an opening formed within the housing  110  of the dispenser.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic drawing of a container, generally designated as  35 , which is housed, and fixedly attached in this embodiment, to stationary housing  110 . The container  35  is placed upside down, viz. in such a position that the paste is dispensed from its bottom. Container  35  comprises rigid outer wall  36  having two diametrically opposed and longitudinally oriented rectangular protrusions  94  (see FIG. 11), curvilinear proximate container wall  37  and dispenser head  33 . Dispenser head  33  is provided with notch  56 , inclined nozzle  7  and closure cap  8 , which normally covers nozzle  7 , and is separated therefrom during the dispensing of toothpaste. Nozzle  7  is bent at an angle (about 45 degrees in this embodiment) to form an inclined, proximate portion and a straight distal portion (see e.g. FIGS. 8 and 9). Outer wall  36  is preferably tubular and contains toothpaste within paste or pumping chamber  6 , defined by the region between the elastic means consisting in an annular plate  39  and a displaceable unit  15  (see FIG. 4).  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal section of container  35 . Paste  38  is contained within pumping or paste chamber  6 , and is defined as the volume between displaceable unit  15 , comprising piston  18 , clamp module  27  and disc  32 , and elastic means  39 . Elastic means  39  is a resilient pressurizing means which is provided at its proximate end with an annular nozzle extension  45 , through which paste  38  flows when element  39  exerts a pressure on the paste contained in the pumping chamber, said extension having an outer diameter significantly smaller than that of element  39 . Element  39  is attached, e.g. by heat sealing or by cement, to a proximate portion of wall  36 , so that it may be deformable in a distal direction, yet capable of returning to its base configuration. Housing  110  (FIG. 3) is a support means for holding container  35  in a predetermined position when a force is applied to elastic means  39 .  
         [0058]    As shown in FIG. 5, nozzle extension  45  is encircled by collar  49 , which is integrally formed with proximate container wall  37 , and is connected thereto by spacer  51  and by a planar member (not shown), which is substantially parallel to elastic means  39  (FIG. 4). Proximate container wall  37  is formed with a recess  57  on each side of spacer  51 . A spring (not shown) is insertable between nozzle extension  45  and collar  49 .  
         [0059]    Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, each side wall of dispenser head  33  is perpendicular to substantially flat surface  28 , which is normally horizontally disposed. Each side wall is provided with an inclined distal border  61 , extending from relatively long border  62  to relatively short side wall appendage  60 . A seat is formed at the proximate end of border  61 . Each appendage  60  is configured in such a way that it is insertable in a corresponding recess  57  (FIG. 5), whereby dispenser head  33  is firmly retained by opposite sides of proximate container wall  37 , yet is allowed to pivot about pivot P within said recess.  
         [0060]    The straight portion  47  of nozzle  7  is provided with a pair of pins  59 , which are coaxial and laterally protrude from the outer wall of the nozzle. Each pin is retained by a seat formed in the corresponding side wall. As dispenser head  33  is inserted into proximate container wall  37 , nozzle  7 , which is seated in the dispenser head by means of pins  59 , comes in contact with said nozzle extension  45  of elastic means  39 . Upon upwardly (as seen in the drawings) depression of surface  28 , dispenser head  33  is rotated in a clockwise direction. Accordingly, appendage  60  is also rotated in a clockwise direction, causing the wall of the seat to press and displace pins  59  longitudinally in a distal direction, viz. upwardly as seen in the drawings and as will occur in the normal use of the paste dispenser. Said displacement of pins  59  causes a distal displacement of nozzle extension  45  and therefore a deformation of elastic means  39  in a distal direction, thereby reducing the volume of pumping chamber  6  and causing the discharge of toothpaste. After release of dispenser head  33 , elastic means  39  immediately returns to its base configuration. A helical spring (not shown) placed around nozzle portion  45  further assists dispenser head  33  and nozzle  7  to return to their inactive positions after the proper amount of toothpaste has been dispensed.  
         [0061]    As elastic means  39  is displaced, the volume of pumping chamber  6  is diminished, causing toothpaste contained therein to be submitted to pressure. The pressurized toothpaste, the pressure of which is dependent on the degree of movement of means  39 , then flows through nozzle  7  in metered fashion and is discharged onto a toothbrush. The dimensions of the various parts of the device are such that the discharged paste falls on the bristles of the toothbrush, as shown in FIG. 9. Following discharge of the toothpaste, a partial vacuum develops within pumping chamber  6 . The pressure differential between the ambient pressure outside of the pumping chamber and the partial vacuum within said chamber acts on disc  32  (FIG. 4), which is part of the displaceable element  15 , to incrementally displace said disc and said element in a proximate direction, until pumping chamber  6  attains the volume of the remaining amount of non-discharged toothpaste.  
         [0062]    As illustrated in FIG. 7, dispenser  40  is enclosed, in this embodiment, in housing  41 , which may be affixed to a planar surface or conveniently mounted on a wall. Housing  41  has any convenient shape and has a hollow interior. It is formed with opening  42  between upper portion  43  and lower portion  44  thereof Opening  42  has a sufficient width and height to accommodate the insertion of a toothbrush through it. Container  35  is fixedly or removably attachable in an upside-down position to the interior of housing  41 , e.g. by means of longitudinal protrusions  94  or by threading, such that pumping chamber  6  of the container is located within upper portion  43  and dispenser head  33  is accessible through opening  42 . Housing  41  has an air inlet (not shown), which assists in the displacement of displaceable unit  15  due to the pressure differential between the interior and exterior of pumping chamber  6 , as described hereinbefore.  
         [0063]    Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the dispenser is adapted to receive an actuating means. The actuating means is, for example, a rigid rectangular strip  46 , e.g. metallic, which extends along the height of opening  42 . Strip  46  is swingable about pin  48  placed within seats (not shown) formed in opposite sidewalls of lower portion  44  of the housing. Surface  28  is formed with slot  56  (FIG. 6) having a gap substantially equal to, or slightly larger than, the thickness of strip  46 . The upper end of strip  46  is inserted within slot  56 , thereby allowing the strip to engage the dispenser head.  
         [0064]    Strip  46  is biased by compression spring  52 , which is attached at one end to an intermediate point of said strip and at the other end to rear wall  54  of the housing. After toothbrush  55  is inserted within opening  42  and contacts strip  46 , the strip swings in a counterclockwise direction, causing spring  52  to compress. Strip  46  then applies a force to the outward side of slot  56  (see FIGS. 6A and 6B) and causes dispenser head  33  to swing in a clockwise direction and to separate closure cap  8  from nozzle  7 . The maximum swing of dispenser head  33  is defined by contact point C (FIG. 9) between dispenser head  33  and rear wall  54  of the housing. The swinging of dispenser head  33 , which engages nozzle  7  by means of pins  59  (FIGS. 6A and 6B), produces a force applied to nozzle  7  in the distal direction. Nozzle  7  in turn presses against and displaces nozzle portion  45 , as well as elastic means  39  integrally formed therewith, into the pumping chamber. Toothpaste can therefore be dispensed through nozzle  7  onto toothbrush  55 . Upon retraction of toothbrush  55 , strip  46 , dispenser head  33 , nozzle  7  and nozzle portion  45  return to their rest positions.  
         [0065]    Said strip  46  with spring  52  constitutes, in this embodiment, the actuating member. The distal portion of nozzle  7  constitutes, in this embodiment, the means for applying a force to the elastic means to deform said means. The dispenser head  33  and pins  59  constitute, in this embodiment, the means for kinematically connecting said actuating member to said means for applying a force to said elastic means.  
         [0066]    Preferably, the width of strip  46  is significantly larger than that of dispenser head  33 , so as to increase the contact area of the strip and to simplify the actuation of the dispenser by means of a toothbrush. A wider strip also reduces the possibility that strip  46  be dislodged from slot  56  during intermittent pivoting of dispenser head  33 , which may cause the strip to slide in a lateral direction. There is also a chance that strip  46  may slide if toothbrush  55  is introduces into opening  42  at an angle to the strip. To further prevent the dislodging of the strip, the upper lateral ends of strip  46  may be provided with a protrusion (not shown) perpendicular to the upper edge of the strip. A stopper may be added (not shown) to limit the inward travel of dispenser head  33  during pivoting, to further prevent the dislodging of strip  46  from slot  56 .  
         [0067]    FIGS.  10 - 13  illustrate another preferred embodiment of a dispenser, designated by numeral  70 , according to the present invention wherein an elongated dispenser head with a curvilinear cross section can be swung by engagement of a toothbrush with a seat formed therein.  
         [0068]    As shown in FIG. 10, container  75  is positioned in an upside-down position within housing  77 . Container  75  is tubular and is provided with proximate container wall  79 , which is that portion of the container wall that is proximate to pumping chamber  6 . The container may be removable from the housing, but in this embodiment is permanently affixed to the housing by affixing means  80 , e.g. cement. Front face  82  of the housing is provided with an opening, which allows for the insertion of toothbrush  85  through it. A recess  86  is formed in the volume between extension  88 , housing bottom  76 , rear face  87  and dispenser head  72 , and allows the latter to swing in a counterclockwise direction without contacting rear face  87 .  
         [0069]    Dispenser head  72  has a rear portion  73  that is substantially straight and normally vertically disposed. Said rear portion terminates in curved segment  78 , which is convex and curves until arcuate seat bottom  68 . Top portion  65  of the dispenser head is substantially vertical and extends to seat top  66 . Concave seat  74  is formed between seat top  66  and the seat bottom  68  and is capable of receiving toothbrush  85 . The shape of seat  74  is compatible with that of toothbrush  85 , such that an inward movement of toothbrush  85  into seat  74  causes dispenser head  72  to swing in a counterclockwise direction, thereby pressurizing toothpaste contained within container  75  and resulting in toothpaste to be dispensed from nozzle  71  onto the toothbrush. Upon removal of toothbrush  85  from seat  74 , dispenser head  72  swings in a clockwise position to its rest position. The outward swing of dispenser head  72  is limited by extension  88 , which is perpendicular to the lower portion of front face  82 .  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 11 illustrates a lateral sectional view of proximate container wall  79 , showing the distal end of the dispenser head. Nozzle  71 , which has a distal straight portion and a proximate inclined portion, as shown in FIG. 13, is integrally formed with proximate container wall  79 . Proximate container wall  79  is also formed with parallel support plates  90   a  and  90   b , which outwardly extend from nozzle  71 , in a direction opposite to rear portion  73  of the dispenser head, and are perpendicular to, nozzle  71 . Proximate container wall  79  is also formed with inclined support plates  92   a  and  92   b , which are arranged such that the contact surfaces of support plates  90   a,    90   b,    92   a  and  92   b  are coplanar. Inclined support plates  92   a  and  92   b  are provided with a corresponding opening for the seating therein of the dispenser head. Each parallel support plate is provided with a wedge-shaped protrusion  94 , which laterally protrudes therefrom, towards the corresponding inclined support plate. The distal end associated with rear portion  73  of the dispenser head is curved with respect with the illustrated lateral cross-section. Sidewalls  95   a  and  95   b  are integrally formed with, and substantially perpendicular to, rear portion  73 , wherein each sidewall is seated in a corresponding inclined support plate by peg  96 . Each sidewall longitudinally extends in a distal direction from base  93 , which defines the boundary between solid dispenser head  72  and between the sidewalls, as clearly seen in FIG. 12, and which may not necessarily have an entirely lateral disposition with respect to the sidewalls. Parallel abutment plates  97   a  and  97   b,  which are connected to each other by spacer  98 , longitudinally extend from base  93 . The distal vertically disposed member of nozzle  71 , which is integrally formed with proximate container wall  79 , is interposed between each abutment plate.  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 12 illustrates the pressurizing means associated with this embodiment. The pressurizing means is provided with a proximate annular nozzle extension  101 , a distal annular conduit  103 , and flexible membrane  104  positioned between, and perpendicular to, the longitudinal axes of nozzle extension  101  and conduit  103 . Nozzle extension  101  is concentric to, and mates with nozzle  71 , and is integrally formed with flexible membrane  104 , which is provided with a peripheral protrusion  106  having a diameter substantially equal to that of the inner wall of proximate container wall  79 . Nozzle extension  101  is supported by parallel support plates  90   a  and  90   b,  as well as by inclined support plates  92   a  and  92   b.    
         [0072]    As shown in FIG. 13, upon actuation of dispenser head  72 , wherein the latter swings in a counterclockwise direction as described hereinabove, abutment plates  97   a  and  97   b  pivot in a similar direction and abut the wall of nozzle extension  101  at abutment point A, which is disposed outward with the respect to the wall of the vertical nozzle member. As the abutment plates contact the nozzle extension, membrane  104  is flexed, causing nozzle extension  101  and conduit  103  to be distally displaced, thereby reducing the volume of pumping chamber  6  and facilitating the discharge of toothpaste  38  through conduit  103 , nozzle extension  101  and nozzle  71 . Due to the springiness of membrane  104 , nozzle extension  101  returns to its rest position upon release of the toothpaste from dispenser head  72 , and abutment plates  97   a  and  97   b  are consequently caused to be lowered.  
         [0073]    The dispenser may be provided without an opening in its front face, such that dispenser head  72  protrudes from container bottom  106  (FIG. 15). Rear face  87  (FIG. 11) and side walls of the housing (not shown) may be longer than front face  82 , to provide added protection to dispenser head  72 .  
         [0074]    Said dispenser head  72  constitutes, in this embodiment, the actuating member. Annular nozzle extension  101  constitutes, in this embodiment, the means for applying a force to the elastic means to deform said means. Abutment plates  97   a  and  97   b  and rear portion  73  of the dispenser head constitute, in this embodiment, the means for kinematically connecting said actuating member to said means for applying a force to said elastic means.  
         [0075]    [0075]FIG. 14 illustrates a means for releasably attaching container  105  to housing  110 . Top face  111 , which is representative of a cross sectional cut of the housing, has a solid outer zone and an interior opening adapted to receive container  105 . The interior opening is comprised of a circular central aperture  107 , which has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of container  105 , and a pair of rectangular tracks  115 , diametrically opposed one to another. Container  105  is attachable to housing  110  by means of longitudinal rectangular protrusions  94  formed on the outer wall of container  105 , each of which is insertable within a corresponding similarly shaped track  115 .  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 15 depicts different alternatives for limiting a downward movement of container  105 . As shown in FIG. 15 a , container  105  is provided with a top distal end  119  with a larger diameter than aperture  107  (FIG. 14) of housing  110  into which the container can be inserted. Further downward displacement of container  105  is prevented when top end  119  abuts top face  111  of the housing.  
         [0077]    In FIG. 15 b,  a downward movement of container  105  is limited by inwardly extending step  121 . Step  121  is essentially perpendicular to the outer wall of housing  110  and is added to the bottom of a corresponding track  115 , at a predetermined height above housing bottom  106 . Length L of step  121  is essentially equal to the width of protrusion  94 , which laterally projects from container wall  122 , to allow for maximum contact between the step and the protrusion on one hand, yet allowing the bottom of container  105  to descend at least to housing bottom  106  without interference with the inward edge of step  121 . Step  121  preferably has a width greater than the thickness of a corresponding protrusion  94  (not shown) so as to further maximize contact between the step and protrusion and to compensate for slippage. In this configuration, the top end of container  105 , which is not necessarily larger than aperture  107  (FIG. 14), protrudes from the top face (not shown) of housing  110  at the rest position of the container within the housing, thereby facilitating removal of the container from housing  110 .  
         [0078]    [0078]FIG. 15 c  illustrates a way of easily removing container  105  from housing  110 , even though the top of the container is coplanar with top face  111  of the housing at the rest position of container  105  within the housing, e.g. step  121  is proximate to housing bottom  106 . Top face  111  of the housing is formed with recess  125  outwardly spaced from outer wall  122  of the container. Recess  125  preferably slopes downward from top face  111  to a lower location adjacent to outer wall  122  of the container. By means of recess  105 , the top end of the container is therefore accessible and capable of being removed from the housing.  
         [0079]    With employment of the present invention, the dispensing of toothpaste is a less awkward procedure. Only one hand is needed to apply toothpaste since the toothbrush itself initiates actuation of the dispenser head of the toothpaste container, and consequently even a handicapped person who has use of only hand can independently brush his own teeth.  
         [0080]    It will be appreciated that the housing, container, displaceable unit, elastic means, actuating means and longitudinal protrusions of the container may have any other suitable size, shape, orientation or configuration that enables the one-hand dispensing of toothpaste onto a toothbrush in metered fashion with a minimal number of moving parts, whereby the remaining toothpaste is prevented from drying. Likewise, the apparatus of the present invention may be employed for the one-hand dispensing therefrom of any other desired paste, such as glue and mustard.  
         [0081]    While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried into practice with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.