Abstract:
A combination brush and dispenser apparatus for paste materials to be applied by brushing action, is provided as a brushing section with a first passage and portal leading to brush bristles and a matching dispensing section which supplies regulated amount of the material through a second passage into the first passage. The dispenser may optionally include a unitary apparatus with the two sections permanently attached, or a multi-section apparatus in which the brushing and dispensing sections are separable. Various forms of dispensing devices are described for controlling the quantity of paste material supplied to the brushing section for each separate use of the apparatus.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a Continuation in Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/010,589 filed 13 Dec. 2004, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Applications Ser. No. 60/634,507 filed 29 Nov. 2004 and Ser. No. 60/653,226 filed 15 Feb. 2005, the subject matter of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a combination toothbrush with toothpaste dispenser built in the unit. The invention may so be used to dispense any types of viscous liquids or paste that are in a flowable form. Basic applications for the Invention are for brushing teeth and dispensing toothpaste or gels, but is also intended for dispensing viscous paste materials such as medications, caulks, paints, foods and hygiene liquid products and similar products. 
   The Invention also is designed to be disposable as a whole assembly, as a unitary apparatus, or provided in two parts as an optionally disposable base and/or brush head replacement, either or both of which may be disposable or refillable. An important feature of the Invention is the use of a pointed plunge-type dispenser which enters a passage to the brush head and pushes a predetermined quantity of past-like material onto the bristles of the brush, and optionally, together with a tapered neck cavity in a brush section, into which the plunge-type dispenser can enter for the purpose of controlling and minimizing the dispensed amount of material. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention pertains to a manual brush with built in or attachable reservoir for paste or similar materials and can be designed to dispense the proper amount of paste with every use. The Invention is comprised of an upper brush section, including application bristles, and a lower dispensing (and measuring) section. In addition the Invention can be used and then disposed of and/or reused by means of replacement of base or replacement of toothbrush head or by refills from existing paste-like products. The dispensing section of the Invention includes a unique tapered pointed plunge dispenser which contributes to the uniform and precisely measured dispensing of paste material through a controlled port onto the bristles of the brush section. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  is a vertical cross-section view of a vertical or straight brush section of one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 1B  is a vertical cross-section view of a tilted similar brush section of another embodiment; 
       FIG. 1C  is a view similar to  FIG. 1A , with another form of port gate controlling the egress of paste into the brush section; 
       FIG. 1D  is a view similar to  FIG. 1B , with another form of port gate controlling the egress of paste into the brush section; 
       FIG. 1E  is a frontal view of the brush section shown in  FIGS. 1A &amp; 1C ; 
       FIG. 1F  is a frontal view of the brush section shown in  FIGS. 1B &amp; 1D ; 
       FIG. 1G  is a rear view of the brush section shown in  FIGS. 1A &amp; 1C ; 
       FIGS. 2A ,  2 B &amp;  2 C are vertical cross-sectional views of two forms of a paste storage &amp; dispensing section which can be used with the various brush sections shown in  FIGS. 1A-1F ; 
       FIGS. 3A-3D  are similar cross-sections of modifications of the brush sections, with the addition of threaded bottom ends for removable attachment to compatible paste storage and dispensing sections; 
       FIGS. 4A  (sheet  5 ),  4 B &amp;  4 C are vertical cross sections of additional paste storage &amp; dispensing section having internally threaded necks for attaching to threaded bottom ends of brush sections as in  FIGS. 3A-3D ; 
       FIG. 5  is a vertical cross-section taken though an assembly of a lower storage and dispensing section, as in  FIG. 4C , and an upper brush section, as in  FIG. 3A  or  3 D, and including an optional cover for the brush section; 
       FIG. 6  is a vertical cross-section taken though an assembly of a lower storage and dispensing section, as in  FIG. 4C , and an upper brush section, as in  FIG. 1B  or  3 B; 
       FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, &amp;  7 C are elevation views, from a side, of the fingers grips and open/close device for controlling ports into the bristles of brush sections; 
       FIG. 8  is vertical cross-section through another embodiment of dispensing apparatus; 
       FIGS. 9A &amp; 9B  are vertical cross-sections taken though a brush section (as in  FIGS. 3A &amp; 3D ; 
       FIGS. 10 &amp; 11  are further vertical cross-sections of the dispensing section ( FIG. 10 ) and the unitary assembly of brush and dispensing sections, showing details of the supports for a cover; 
       FIGS. 12A ,  12 B,  12 C &amp;  12 D illustrate details of adaptors for engaging paste refill adaptors for use in renewing material supply in the dispensing sections; 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a modified construction of a dispensing mechanism; 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate a horizontal cross-section of the embodiments of detent-type mechanisms allowing vertical motion of the plunge dispenser part without rotation, taken through section line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a partial enlargement of the detent and pusher mechanisms, taken in the region indicated on  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a vertical cross-section of anther embodiment of dispensing mechanism; 
       FIG. 17  is a foreshortened vertical cross-section of another embodiment of dispensing mechanism; 
       FIG. 18  is a horizontal cross-section through the lower portion paste dispenser area of  FIG. 17 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   When turning the dispensing bases such a shown in  FIGS. 2A through 2C  and  4 A through  4 C, and  FIGS. 3 ,  16  and  17  the toothpaste is moved through the shaft of the neck and onto to the toothbrush. All of the brush sections and dispensing sections can be disposable after the paste material is depleted from the dispensing section or when usage is no longer needed. Also, the dispensing sections such as in  FIGS. 4B and 4C  can be refillable with a regular tube of toothpaste or other such material by screwing an adapter  67  or  83  ( FIG. 12A , or  12 C) onto the top of the dispensing sections  FIGS. 4B  &amp; C. The toothbrush head sections shown in  FIGS. 3A through 3D  and  9 A can also be disposable after so many recommended uses. 
   The base of the Invention can be used as a unit that is purchased as one piece and disposable after paste is dispensed per  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C,  5 ,  10 ,  13 ,  16  and  17   
   The body structures of all sections illustrated in the drawings can be made of suitable materials such as plastic, rubber or glass as a whole or part assembly. 
   Bristles may be made of nylon, plastic or other suitable standard manufacturer&#39;s material. 
   The size and shape of all the section embodiments may vary in height and diameter, for example taking into consideration the amount of paste material that one may wish to be stored in them. For example one may desire a unit which will be designed to supply paste-like material from under 7 days up to 30 or more days of usage before liquid is depleted from  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C,  4 A,  4 B,  4 C,  5 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  11 ,  13 ,  16 , &amp;  17  as a whole or part of an assembly. 
     FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C,  1 D,  1 E,  1 F, and  1 G illustrate two forms of a brush head ( FIGS. 1A ,  1 D show straight brushes;  FIGS. 1B ,  1 C &amp;  9  are tilted) with two different open &amp; close devices  6 ,  13 , &amp;  21  for dispensing toothpaste to the brush bristles  2  and  3 . All of these Figures show generally the same purpose of dispensing toothpaste through a hollow neck shaft  5  and its passage  8 . 
   These  FIGS. 1A through 1G  can connect to dispensing sections as in  FIGS. 2A through 2C  as one unit; see  FIG. 6 .  FIGS. 2A through 2C  show the base or dispensing sections that stand up as shown in FIGS.  5 , 6 , 10  and  11 . 
   The invention holds the paste material in sections cavities  28 . 
     FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C,  4 A,  4 B,  4 C,  5 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  11 ,  13 ,  16  and  17 , although specifically different from each other, all function in the same way by turning the base of the Figure clockwise or counter clockwise depending on the thread design. 
   A turn and lock mechanism (of known construction) can be incorporated in the dispensing sections that will let the threads lock when advancing, but which will not let the threads retract. 
   Seven different dispensing section base designs are disclosed, as well as five different ways to move the pointed plunge dispenser  11 . 
   When turning the base of the dispensing mechanisms illustrated in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C,  4 A,  4 B,  4 C,  5 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  11 ,  13 ,  16  and  17 , the pointed plunge dispenser  11 , which is common to the somewhat different units, will dispenses the toothpaste up the toothpaste neck shaft  15  as far as possible so very little toothpaste is left in the neck shaft, and is mostly fed out onto the bristles  2  and  3  of the brush section. 
     FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C,  3 D,  9 A and  9 B illustrate replaceable brush sections that screw and unscrew onto the top of the dispensing sections shown in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C,  10 ,  13 ,  16  and  17 ; see threaded necks  50  and  57 . 
   The brush sections illustrated in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C,  3 D,  9 A and  9 B also dispense paste material through the neck shaft  15  via its internal passage  8 , and are similar to the brush sections illustrated in  FIGS. 1A through 1G .  FIG. 5  illustrates attaching (threading together) brush sections such as in  FIGS. 3A through 3D  and  FIGS. 4A through 4C  as a whole assembly. 
     FIGS. 4A through 4C  are illustrations of dispensing sections that include a base  40 ,  44 , &amp;  49  which allow those sections to stand up. Cavities  28  ( FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C,  4 A,  4 B,  4 C,  5 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  11 ,  13 ,  16  and  17 ) hold paste material and dispense toothpaste through the shaft necks  15  and out of portal hole  7  and onto the bristles  2  by turning the base of the assembly per  FIGS. 5 and 6 ; see  FIG. 5  for overall combined assembly 
   Five different base designs are illustrated in  FIGS. 4A through 4C , and all these bases can turn clockwise or counter clockwise depending on thread direction. 
   There are three different ways to move the pointed plunge dispenser  11 , per  FIGS. 4A through 4C . The pointed plunge dispenser moves up the shaft walls of cavity  28  and can move with the base while turning or can move straight up the shaft walls in one position while turning the base per  FIGS. 13 ,  15  &amp;  16 . The pointed plunge dispenser  11  can be designed with a rubber seal located within the paste holder cavity  28  at the lower perimeter of the pointed plunge dispenser to keep liquids from dispensing into the base of the shaft  37 . 
     FIGS. 5 and 11  show a plastic dome cover  51 , over the entire assembly, which will protect the assembly when packaging or storing. Dome cover  51  may apply to all versions of the Invention (but is not required); see for example  FIGS. 5 ,  10  and  11  which represent units ready for sale. 
   Dispensing the proper amount of the paste material will depend upon height and size of threads in relationship to the size and dimensions of a whole assembly, how many uses of the assembly are desired, e.g. a few applications of toothpaste per day compared to rapidly repeating applications of another paste material. 
   The outside of the dispensing sections, for example as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  11  can be provided with vertical lines that will line up with each other to inform a user how much paste material to dispense when turning the base to dispense paste material. 
   The finger operated open/close device  6  will allow a user to open and or close the portal hole  7  that dispenses paste material onto the bristles  2 . The tapered bristle design, item  3  helps the toothpaste to start dispensing at the bottom of the toothbrush bristles then onto the bristle tops. Located at each side of the portal hole is a set of full size bristles that will hold the paste in place and act as a barrier wall when turning the base of the unit as a whole assembly and by natural gravity force will allow paste to reach the top of the bristle brushes. A portal hole  7  can be located anywhere within the head of the bristles ( FIGS. 1E ,  1 F, &amp;  1 G) and be closed with an included manually operable plastic plug device  5  (optional) carried at the end of an arm  13 . Arm  13  also is fitted with an operating tab  6  and is mounted within an external slide on the backside of neck  15 , or with a C-shaped slide  9  which reaches partly around the neck. 
     FIGS. 7A ,  7 B and  7 C illustrate the open close devices along with a small grouping of tapered bristles  52  and  53  which can function as a paste pusher and will push the paste up the tapered bristles and close the end of the brush head when the open close device is in a closed position. 
     FIGS. 7A ,  7 B and  7 C show open close devices which can be used with  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C,  1 D,  3 A,  3 B,  3 C,  3 D,  9 A and  9 B as portal closures.  FIG. 7D  shows a paste pusher  53  located at the end of the open close device with full height straight line (or curved radius) bristles used that will close the end of the toothbrush head when the open close device is in a closed position.  FIG. 7A ,  7   b  and  7 C, items  52  and  53  are not required for a working assembly in part or whole as shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C,  1 D,  1 E,  1 F,  3 A,  3 B,  3 C,  3 D,  9 A and  9 B, but will help the paste go in the proper direction when closing portal hole  7 . 
     FIG. 8  is a base assembly as whole and shows a threaded plunge dispenser  63  that will screw up into the cavity (toothpaste holder)  28  and will operate in the same manner as  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C,  4 A,  4 B,  4 C,  10 ,  13  and  16 . 
   Per  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C,  4 A,  4 B,  4 C,  8 ,  10 ,  13  and  16 , the pointed plunge dispenser can be attached to the bottom of the toothpaste dispenser base as a whole. 
     FIG. 8  shows at the bottom  66  of the dispensing section a threaded plunge dispenser  63 ,  65  These can be separate pieces per  FIGS. 10 ,  4 A,  4 B and  4 C. 
   The brush head shown in  FIG. 9A  is similar to those shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3D  except the base of neck has internal threads  54  that will thread onto the neck  58  of the dispensing unit shown in  FIG. 10  as a whole. 
   The brush section illustrated in  FIG. 9B  is similar to those shown in  FIGS. 9A ,  3 C and  3 D except the inside neck is tapered to conform to the shape of the pointed plunge dispenser  11 , which will narrow the cavity passage  8  in shaft  15  and minimize waste of the paste material. Note that  FIG. 9B  includes an open/close device similar to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , and has an internally threaded lower neck that will screw onto the top of the dispensing unit base shown in  FIG. 10   
   The exposed outer threads  57  can be closed with a plastic cap  56  and/or plastic dome cover  51 .  FIG. 10  also includes U-hook design  59  which will seat the plastic dome higher on the outer tube  30 . 
   The hollow plunge dispenser base  60  will allow the plunge dispenser base to be deeper and higher and will eliminate the bottom stop  36  (see  FIGS. 2A , B, C, &amp; D and  4 A, B &amp; C). 
     FIG. 11  is a complete assembly of a tilted brush section and a dispensing section similar to  FIG. 6  and fitted with a cover having an appropriately tilted upper end. 
     FIGS. 12A and 12B  show universal adapters that will screw onto the tops of the dispensing sections shown in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C,  10 ,  13 ,  16  and  17  which will allow the dispensing section base unit to be refilled. 
     FIGS. 12C and 12D  are universal adaptors that will screw onto the tops of  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C,  10 ,  13 ,  16  and  17  which will to used to dispense all types of materials. 
   The embodiment of dispensing section shown in  FIG. 13  is similar to those shown in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C and  10  except an outer plastic sleeve  70  has been added which will keep the figure the same size in length and keep the figure from shrinking in height.  FIGS. 14A and 14B  are cross-section views each taken though the region indicated on  FIG. 13 . Each shows one of two different designs which, by turning the base  30 , will move the inner sleeve up into the upper assembly of the paste dispenser. 
     FIG. 15  is an enlarged partial cross-section of the outer perimeter rim  74  that holds the bottom outer sleeve  70  together with the exterior sleeve  29  of a paste dispenser. Turning the base of the assembly will allow the inner sleeve  30  to move up into the upper assembly  34 , via the threads  34 , 35 . The perimeter sleeve rim  74  will lock into the upper body assembly  29 , while the lower outer sleeve  70  will slide around the backside rounded notch area of the sleeve rim while turning the outer sleeve 
   Splines  71  ( FIG. 14A ) or splines  72  ( FIG. 14B ) will work in conjunction with the outer and inner sleeves, allowing the inner sleeve to move up into the upper body via hidden threads  34 ,  35  while turning the slip cover sleeve  70 . 
   A continuous molded plastic ring  75  (on rod  46 ) slides within a slot located at the base of the pointed plunge dispenser  11 , which allows the pointed plunge dispenser to move straight upward within the chamber  28 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 16  shows a slip cover sleeve  70 , that when separating from upper assembly and moving downward and away from the upper body assembly  29 , and inserting to the next key lock by turning the outer sleeve with key stubs  77  into the vertical key lock  76  and away from the upper body assembly, then turning the slip cover sleeve  70 , will move the inner sleeve upward into the upper body assembly item  29 , top body toothpaste dispenser. 
   The vertical key lock  76  can be staggered down the inner sleeve instead of a vertical keyway and still produce the same function as in  FIG. 16 . 
   The construction shown in  FIG. 17  works similarly to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C except the paste dispenser base is no longer needed and paste material is concealed in one compartment. 
   When turning the base  79  in  FIG. 17  the inner threaded shaft  81  will raise pointed plunge dispenser  80  upward around the inner threaded shaft  81 . The diameter of inner threaded shaft  81  can be enlarged if there is need for greater leverage, and still operate the same. 
     FIG. 17  illustrates ball bearings  78  placed around of base so twist handle base  79  will turn easily and adequate pushing force will be transferred to the bearings  78 . 
     FIG. 18  is the cross section view through  FIG. 17  and shows the deformed circular shape of the plunge dispenser base and the interior wall  82  of the paste cavity that will keep the pointed plunge dispenser concentric with the threads as vertically. That cross sectional shape may be changed so long as the shape does not interfere with paste movement. 
   INDEX OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
   
       
         1 . Tapered Brush Head 
         2 . Brush Bristles 
         3 . Tapered Bristles 
         4 . Bristles Beyond 
         5 . Paste Stopper 
         6 . Finger Open/Close device to allow the flow and stopping of paste when used. 
         7   a . paste portal hole. 
         8 . paste cavity shaft. 
         9   a . Backside of finger open/close device. 
         10 . The Backside of paste 
         11 . Pointed plunge dispenser, dotted line represents cavity is empty; solid lines represent unused position. 
         12 . Bottom of neck shaft. 
         13 . Slide shaft 
         14 . Raised mound for paste stopper. 
         15 . paste neck. 
         16 . paste stopper 
         18 . Backside of brush head. 
         19 . Straight brush head. 
         20   a . Threaded bottom of neck shaft 
         22 . slide track 
         23 . notch area recessed in brush 
         24 . tapered edge of slide track cavity 
         27 . slide shaft in an open position 
         28 . paste cavity holder 
         29 . top of body paste dispenser. 
         30   a . body paste base 
         30   c . A click and lock device 
         31   a . tapered base edge 
         32 . Threaded hidden cavity 
         34 . hidden threads located within item  32   
         35 . threaded inside cavity in item  30  bottom 
         36   a . Bottom stop 
         37 . air cavity at base of item  30   
         39 . base screw that will screw into item  38   
         40   a . standing base 
         40   b . rough exterior skin or groove lines 
         41   a . grooved arches 
         42   a . hole inserts 
         42   b . Hole inserts 
         43 . straight shafts insert into item  42   
         44 . tapered base 
         45   a . treaded invert into item  11   
         46 . tapered single shaft 
         47 . tapered base 
         48 . straight round base. 
         49   a . grooved insert 
         49   b . dome 
         50 . tapered inverted threads 
         51 . Dome cover 
         52 . paste pusher 
         53 . Tapered bristle paste pusher 
         53   c . Rounded full height bristles 
         55 . Taper and thickened inside neck wall 
         56 . Screw on plastic cap top 
         57 . Exposed outer threads 
         58 . Rim ledge 
         59 . Outer U-hook design 
         60 . Hollow plunge dispenser base 
         61 . Universal adapter 
         62 . Inside threaded walls 
         63 . Threaded plunge dispenser 
         64 . Smooth inside shaft wall 
         65 . Swirl design 
         66 . Bottom of body paste base 
         67 . Top end of adaptor 
         68 . Bottom end of  FIG. 12A   
         69 . Bottom end of  FIG. 12B   
         70 . slip cover sleeve 
         71 . Slip cover sleeve notch 
         72 . Plastic Tee molded with item  70   
         73 . Notched base of inner sleeve 
         74 . Perimeter sleeve rim 
         75 . Perimeter slide notch 
         76 . Key lock 
         77 . Key stubs 
         78 . Ball bearing base 
         79 . Twist handle base 
         80 . raised and threaded base 
         81 . Inner treaded shaft 
         82 . Inner wall of paste cavity holder.