Patent Publication Number: US-7223039-B1

Title: Pocket automatic assembly for washing and maintaining dental hygiene

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a continuation of pending International Patent Application PCT/HR2005/000030 filed on Apr. 29, 2005 which designates the United States and claims priority from Croatian patent application P20040540A filed on Jun. 14, 2004, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is related to the maintenance of the dental and mouth space hygiene by means of a pocket automatic assembly that is activated by one thumb press on the assembly cover. So, as the brush comes out of the assembly, simultaneously on it there is also the tooth paste. It has also the possibility of filling the assembly with paste and of replacing the wasted brush. According to the international patent classification (IPC), it is classified as A 61 C-maintenance of the dental and mouth hygiene. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Throughout the years one of the problems is, how to make the pocket assembly for washing and maintaining the dental and mouth hygiene that would not be bigger than of the first size. An assembly that could easily be carried in the pocket or handbag. An assembly that would last longer than the other ones on the market. This problem had to be solved in a way that the assembly contains both the tooth paste and the brush, and that it could be activated by one move of the first thumb. The problem was particularly difficult to be solved due to the small size of the assembly, the small number of its composing parts, the drying and stopping up of the channels for the tooth paste passage, then due to the adjustment of the entire cycle in the assembly in order that all actions would terminate simultaneously. So, that, when the brush comes out, simultaneously on it also the tooth paste would be in the position that conditions its correct using at the teeth cleaning. An assembly that would enable the filling with a new tooth paste after the paste doses are spent, and an assembly in which only the brush head would be replaced in case of being worn out. Also, an assembly had to be invented, which could be used by both the left- and right-handed person. It was necessary to satisfy the daily needs for washing and maintaining the teeth hygiene outside the home, at work, during the voyage and at school. Naturally, to make an assembly that would be simple and safe for being used both by the children and the adults. 
   Up to now, many solutions of this problem have been proposed and made, with more or less success on the market. All proposed assembly devices required a certain time to be used for the teeth cleaning. Some tried to pack a small brush in two parts and a small dose of the tooth paste for two washings into a small box, and after being used it was thrown away into the garbage. Such types of products required a complicated use and didn&#39;t achieve the desired results on the wider market. Some others tried to make a channel for the passage of the tooth paste onto the brush through the brush itself. The paste reservoir would be placed into the brush handle, and the tooth paste has been pressed through the channel on the brush, by turning the axle and by lifting the piston. But, they encountered the problem of the paste drying and of the stopping-up of the small channel diameters in the brush due to its dimensions. It is very difficult to clean the channels in this assembly, because it is impossible to reach them. This assembly type is of a normal tooth brush size (180 cm), and there were no pocket measures. Also, it required a certain number of moves in order to activate and use them. All mentioned assemblies are complicated for the production and putting together, and they raise the price of the product on the market. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The primary scope of the invention is to activate the pocket automatic assembly with one move of the first thumb in a way that, at the brush coming out, on it there would be also the tooth paste for washing and maintaining the teeth and mouth. That the position of the brush, when coming out of the assembly, would condition the correct use and the teeth washing from above downwards. That the pocket automatic assembly would be made according to the anatomy and the size of the first. That it is universal both for the left- and right-handed person and that it is safe for using and light at transport. Also, that it is possible to refill the assembly after the 9 tooth paste doses are empty as well as to replace the brush head when it is worn-out. Also, that all parts can be easily disassembled and assembled for a regular cleaning and maintenance of the assembly. 
   The secondary scope of the invention is to secure, improve and connect in one whole the assembly with as few parts as possible, in order to obtain such a functional assembly that is more durable than the other ones offered on the market. Also, that its parts are safe for use and that they can perform all the necessary activities in the cycle at the activating. That the process at composing the assembly parts can be made by the machine, in order to get the least possible production price that will be competitive to the other products of a similar assignment on the market. 
   The further scope of the invention is to enable, that the outer casing of the entire assembly can be used for the marketing purpose as an advertising panel. The pocket automatic assembly, as a personal thing, becomes a suitable present to any person, and sending in the same time the mentioned advertising message on the very assembly. 
   The additional scopes and advantages of the invention will partly be presented in the following description and partly will be learned through the invention application. 
   The pocket automatic assembly for cleaning and maintaining the dental and mouth hygiene according to this invention comprises the outer casing of the assembly that consists of two parts: the casing of the handle (static) and the casing of the reservoir (dynamical); by pressing the reservoir casing downwards, certain activities in the assembly itself are activated, firstly, the opening of the assembly cover, then, simultaneously the lifting of the handle with the brush head by means of a spring and the filling of the brush with the tooth paste; the handle with the brush and paste rotates after the filling for 90° in the desired sense depending on the either left-handed or right-handed user; after stopping the handle with the brush head on a normal height of 18 cm, the further downward motion of the handle is blocked by pressing on the automatically adjusted cover of the assembly casing in the direction towards the handle, in the reservoir casing there is a piston with wings and a tail that help to press out the tooth paste on the brush; the wings on the piston move on the lateral sides of the reservoir interior and the tail of the piston moves on the outer side of the cylinder casing; after the pocket assembly is used and the brush is washed, the reservoir casing is returned into the initial position and the handle is returned into the handle casing, then, the cover of the pocket assembly is closed. After emptying the 9 doses of the tooth paste in the assembly, the filling of the assembly with a new tooth paste is enabled in a way that the casing of the assembly reservoir is drawn downwards to the end of the container top, the little piston is returned on the reservoir bottom and the filling of the tooth paste along the entire reservoir is performed, after filling the reservoir, the casing of the assembly is returned into the initial position and the cover of the assembly is closed. 
   The advantage is also given at the replacement of the brush when it is worn out, in a way that it can be easily taken off the pin on the brush handle, and a new brush head can be inserted and fixed, it is sufficient to push the brush head on the wedge and it fastens itself alone by means of it&#39;s pincers at the pin on the handle. 
   Primarily, the device for pressing the handle and the brush head upwards includes the spring that is placed, when folded, in the opening on the bottom and on the handle itself, i.e. on the spring guide in the inner part of the bottom of the handle casing and of the upper part of the inner opening in the brush handle. The spring can also be of conical shape, with a mild inclination of its slopes, in order to avoid its lateral curving during the folding. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The Figures are presented as spatial views (isometric drawings) onto the entire assembly and onto the assembly parts denoted from 1 to 8. 
     The first two  FIGS. 1 and 2  represent the assembly in the closed position and in the activated open position. The other Figures represent the assembly parts with the denoted position on them. 
     Also, the top-views on the assembly and the assembly parts are presented, and they are denoted by the sign (′) above the Figure number. Also, they contain the denoted position on them. 
     All positions on the Figures of the assembly and the assembly parts are denoted with two-digit numbers from 10 to 41. Each position on the assembly part has its unique number that represents it on all Figures, where it can be seen. 
       FIG. 1  presents the spatial view on the closed automatic assembly, constructed in accordance with the described invention 
     FIG.  1 ′ presents the top view of the bottom of the pocket automatic assembly 
       FIG. 2  presents the spatial view of the open pocket automatic assembly that is constructed in accordance with the described invention 
       FIG. 3  presents the spatial view of the casing of the brush head handle 
     FIG.  3 ′ presents the top view of the bottom of the brush head handle 
       FIG. 4  presents the spatial view of the spring, which has a greater diameter on the bottom and a smaller one on the top 
       FIG. 5  presents the spatial view of the handle with the pin for the brush head 
     FIG.  5 ′ presents the top view drawing of the bottom of the brush head handle 
       FIG. 6  presents the spatial view to the brush head 
     FIG.  6 ′ presents the top view drawing of the bottom of the brush head 
       FIG. 7  presents the spatial view on the reservoir casing Figure T presents the top view drawing of the bottom of the reservoir casing 
     FIG.  7 ′ presents the top view drawing of the bottom of the reservoir casing 
       FIG. 8  presents the spatial view of the piston in the reservoir for pressing the tooth paste 
     FIG.  8 ′ presents the top view drawing of the reservoir piston 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The elements on the Figures are described by the two-digit numbers. 
   Element  10  identifies a casing of the brush handle. 
   Element  11  identifies a space where the brush handle is placed. 
   Element  12  identifies a closer of the assembly cover. 
   Element  13  identifies an opening on the bottom of the handle casing for the air under-pressure and the water discharge from the casing at the cleaning. 
   Element  14  identifies an elastic groove about which rotates the brush handle for 90° to the left or to the right. 
   Element  15  identifies side grooves-sliders, which serve for connecting the assembly and for the sliding at the reservoir casing. 
   Element  16  identifies impressed feet for blocking the reservoir piston on them, when the tooth paste leaves the reservoir. 
   Element  17  identifies a space of the spring guide in the inner bottom of the handle casing. 
   Element  18  identifies lateral sides of the bristles corrector in the assembly. 
   Element  19  identifies a spring made of the Stenly-stile material, of the mild conical shape. 
   Element  21  identifies a circular groove for fixing the brush head to the handle. 
   Element  22  identifies a wedge for preventing the rotation of the brush head on it. 
   Element  23  identifies cross grooves for closing the bottom of the brush casing. 
   Element  24  identifies a spiral groove for the handle rotation for 90°. 
   Element  25  identifies an opening in the handle for placing the spring. 
   Element  26  identifies a brush head with the bristles. 
   Element  27  identifies an elastic pincers on the bottom of the brush head. 
   Element  28  identifies a groove for connecting the brush head with the pin on the handle. 
   Element  29  identifies a reservoir casing. 
   Element  30  identifies lateral furrows for connecting the sliders with the handle casing. 
   Element  31  identifies an assembly cover on the reservoir casing. 
   Element  32  identifies a space in the reservoir for the tooth paste. 
   Element  33  identifies laterally pressed feet for lifting the reservoir piston as the tooth paste doses are consumed. 
   Element  35  identifies an opening for delivering the tooth paste on the brush bristles. 
   Element  36  identifies elastic springs for opening the assembly cover. 
   Element  37  identifies a furrow for closing the assembly cover with the handle casing. 
   Element  38  identifies a reservoir piston. 
   Element  39  identifies a piston holders that prevent for curving in the reservoir. 
   Element  40  identifies lateral elastic wings that serve for lifting the piston upwards, as the reservoir gets empty. 
   Element  41  identifies an elastic piston tail that serves for blocking the piston motion at the getting-out of the tooth paste. 
   Element  42  identifies a toothed inclined part of the reservoir casing, made according to the hand first anatomy. 
   Referring to FIGS.  1  and  1 ′ it can be seen, that the assembly from the outer side comprises the casing of the brush handle  10 , and the reservoir casing  29 , with the elastic cover of the entire assembly  31 . On the top view drawing, FIG.  1 ′, it can be seen that the entire assembly is rounded, without sharp angles. That gives to it the possibility of being used for the marketing purpose, as an advertising panel. The assembly part  42  where the thumb of the hand comes is slightly toothed, so that it might not slide under the thumb of the hand. 
   In  FIG. 2  it can be seen, how the assembly looks like when it is open, handle  20  with brush head  26  is rotated for 90°. The rotation sense depends on, whether a left-handed or right-handed person uses it. Assembly cover  31  is entirely open to enable a smooth extension of handle  20  with brush head  26  and the tooth paste. Handle  20  with brush head  26  stops at the end of spiral groove  24  on it. At that, elastic small springs  36  help cover  31  by tensioning it into that position. For using the assembly it is necessary to press cover  31  with the thumb towards handle  20  of the brush head, in order to block its downward motion.  FIG. 3  presents the important parts on the casing of handle  10  of the brush head, such as closer  12  of the assembly cover. Elastic furrow  14  provides the rotation of the handle with brush head in handle casing  10 . Correctors  18  retain the brush bristles when the brush head is retracted into the closed position. Feet  16  block the piston at the tooth paste pressing-out on the brush head are placed. Openings  13  on the bottom of the brush handle casing for the water discharge during the assembly cleaning can be seen. Openings  13  serve to prevent also the creation of the under-pressure at the handle coming out from the casing. Grooves  15  are left and right grooves for the connecting of the assembly with the reservoir casing. They serve to enable a smooth sliding of the reservoir casing on them and to prevent the tooth paste leaking from the reservoir. 
   In  FIG. 4  spring  19  is presented, which has its narrower part into the opening in the handle  25  of  FIG. 5  of the brush head, and leans with its wider part against the bottom of inner part  17  of the handle casing. In such a way it presses the handle upwards and in the same time rotates it via the groove on handle  24  and the elastic furrow  14 . Spring  19  has the form of a cone, with a slight inclination to prevent its curving at the folding-up. 
     FIG. 5  presents handle  20  of the brush head, which consists of handle body  20 , and the pin  22 . Opening  25  for placing spring  19  is positioned through the handle body from the bottom to the pin. The pin itself consists of two parts. The first upper one fixes the brush head to the handle and prevents its rotation and swaying. The other lower part of the pin has a circular groove that firmly connects the brush head to prevent its failing out of the handle  21 . On the handle bottom four grooves  23  lean against the handle casing, and in such a way they close the opening for the air and the water discharge  13 . According to this embodiment, the brush head, seen in  FIG. 6 , can be replaced after it is worn out. It can be easily connected to the handle via the pin  22  in the handle  21  and the groove  28  in the brush head, and the elastic pincers  27  that connect them firmly with handle  20 . On the brush back there is vertical groove  26 , in which enters elastic furrow  14  that is placed on handle casing  10 . In the inner space of the brush head itself there is groove  28  with elastic pincers  27 , through which passes wedge  22  with circular groove  21 . 
   In  FIG. 7  the appearance of reservoir casing  29  can be seen. It is open by its entire length for an easier filling with the tooth paste  32 .  FIG. 7  presents the appearance and disposition of the lateral feet  33  for lifting the piston upwards, as the reservoir gets empty. As seen in FIG.  1 ′, furrows  30  enter into grooves  15  on the casing of the brush head casing. In such a way they slide on them. 
   The last part of the assembly is presented in  FIG. 8  and represents the piston  38  of the reservoir that moves in the assembly by means of the wings and tail. Wings  40  enter in lateral feet  33  in the inner part of the reservoir casing, and tail  41  enters into the feet on the handle casing  16 . Wings  40  and tail  41  on the little piston are elastic and have the tendency of stretching. In such a way they always lean against the little feet on handle casing  16  and reservoir casing  33 . In  FIG. 8  piston holder  39  is seen. Piston holder  39  prevents the piston curving in the reservoir. 
   The assembly functions as follows. The downward sliding of the reservoir casing  29  relative to the handle casing  10  causes the piston  38  to move upwardly incrementally one step of the stepped series of feet in the reservoir casing  29  to extrude toothpaste from the reservoir space  32  through the opening  35  into the corrector  18  where the bristles of the brush head  26  are located. The travel of the piston  38  is stopped by the action of the piston tail  41  hitting the stops of the feet  16  of the handle casing. The bristles are thereby loaded with toothpaste extruded by the piston. 
   The sliding force will cause the assembly cover  31  to be opened. (Alternatively, the assembly cover  31  can be opened manually by releasing the closer  12  from the cover  31 ). When the cover is opened, the brush handle  20  with the brush head  26  are released and move upwardly due to the force applied by the spring  19 . After the brush head  26  is extended from the handle casing  10 , the brush head  26  rotates to a selected position depending on the orientation of the groove  24  in handle  20 . Thumb pressure on the cover  31  towards the handle prevents retraction of the brush head  26 . 
   After use, the brush handle  20  with the brush head  26  are pushed back into the handle casing  10 , and the assembly cover  31  is latched in place by closer  12 . Upward sliding force is applied to the reservoir casing  29  relative to the handle casing  10  to position the reservoir casing  29  in its original position relative to the handle casing  10 . 
   After emptying of the assembly of toothpaste, the tooth paste dose in the reservoir can be refilled. The reservoir casing is moved upwardly relative to the handle casing  10  to retract the reservoir piston  38 . This motion is repeated until the reservoir piston  38  is retracted to the downward position and the entire reservoir  32  length can be filled with toothpaste. After the reservoir is refilled, the parts are returned to their initial position and the cover of the assembly is closed. 
   The brush head  26  can be replaced when it is worn out, extending the useful life of the assembly. Also, the entire assembly can be easily disassembled for cleaning and washing of its inner parts and then reassembled. 
   The invention of the pocket automatic assembly enables a practical, durable and useful device that can be economically produced and arranged by means of the machine in one whole. In such a way it can achieve a small competitive production cost even to an ordinary tooth brush. Also, this assembly enables the sale of spare brush heads. It is much better than all at present known devices of this purpose. Also, it includes all necessary improvements, as at activating it by one move of the first thumb so also at filling it with the tooth paste after emptying the reservoir and at the possibility of replacing the worn-out brush head with a new one. Its application is at work, in the school as well as in the terrestrial, air and maritime transport.