Patent Publication Number: US-6988638-B2

Title: Toothpaste dispensing figurine

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to health and beauty aids and more specifically to a toothpaste dispensing figurine having the external appearance of at least a portion of a being, e.g., at least a portion of an action figure, or having the external appearance of at least a portion of some other non-cap object, e.g., a vehicle or at least a portion of a vehicle. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Toothpaste tubes typically include a mechanism allowing the tube to be repeatedly opened to dispense the paste and closed to prevent the paste from drying out or being inadvertently dispensed. Various closure mechanisms have been developed for that purpose, including threaded caps and lids, flip-top caps, self-opening and closing pumps, and valves or apertures that open, allowing paste to flow when the tube is squeezed, advanced by a threaded diaphragm, or forced by a plunger, etc. As used herein, the term “toothpaste” means toothpaste and/or or tooth gel as those terms are commonly understood, as well as other pastes and gels used to assist the cleaning and/or whitening and/or polishing of one&#39;s teeth. 
   The vast majority of the known prior art toothpaste dispenser closure mechanisms are purely functional in nature and have a utilitarian look to them. At most they may have design characteristics that make them more attractive or effective as a closure mechanism. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed toward a toothpaste dispenser figurine having an outward appearance of a being, such as an action figure, a person (e.g., a historical figure or a sports personality), an animal, or a fictional character or creature, or a portion of a being, such as a head portion, a bust portion, etc. In a more general sense, the present invention is directed toward a toothpaste dispenser figurine having an outward appearance of an animate or inanimate non-cap object, e.g., a vehicle or a portion of a vehicle. This makes dispensing toothpaste (or some other gel or paste) fun and interesting for the user and provides marketing opportunities for goods and services, such as tying the being represented on the dispenser figurine to various media, e.g., a major motion picture. The term “being” as used herein includes the entity itself and preferably also includes any associated apparel, accessories, gear, equipment, and other accessories. The term “non-cap object” as used herein means any animate or inanimate object that does not have an appearance consisting of one or more of the closure mechanisms listed above, e.g., threaded caps and lids, flip-top caps, self-opening and closing pumps, etc. 
   The various embodiments of the dispenser figurine of the present invention have in common a body, at least a portion of which has an outward appearance in the form of a portion of a being or some other non-cap object, means for connecting the dispenser figurine to a tube of toothpaste (or a tube of some other gel or paste), a conduit extending through the body through which the toothpaste passes, and an exit port through which the paste (or gel) is dispensed or otherwise exits the dispenser figurine. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, embodiments of the invention are illustrated. These drawings, together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description given below, serve to example the principles of this invention. 
       FIGS. 1A–C  illustrate a first embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of the first embodiment completely assembled.  FIG. 1B  shows a perspective exploded view of the components comprising the first embodiment.  FIG. 1C  shows a perspective view of the first embodiment in use. 
       FIGS. 2A–C  illustrate a second embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of the second embodiment completely assembled.  FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of the components comprising the second embodiment.  FIG. 2C  shows a perspective view of the third embodiment in use. 
       FIGS. 3A–C  illustrate a third embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of the third embodiment completely assembled.  FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of the components comprising the third embodiment.  FIG. 3C  shows a perspective view of the third embodiment in use. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective sectional view showing a cutaway portion of a dispensing figurine made in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, as mated to a representative tube of toothpaste. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective sectional view showing a cutaway portion of a dispensing figurine, showing a body half that accepts any one of a number of different attachment modules providing various attachment means. 
       FIGS. 7A–7I  show sectional views of various attachment modules providing various means for attaching the dispensing figurine of the present invention to a tube of paste. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention is a dispensing figurine that mates to a tube of toothpaste (or a tube of some other gel or paste). Four different embodiments are shown in  FIGS. 1–3  and  5 . Like elements are labeled with an identical number among the different figures. All of the various embodiments of the dispensing figurine  10  according to the present invention are constructed to attach to a container  12  at a container end  14 . A “figurine” is a small carved or molded figure, such as a statuette, and expressly includes representations of entire beings and, in the alternative, portions thereof, e.g., busts, heads, etc., and also expressly includes representations of other entire non-cap objects (e.g., vehicles) and, in the alternative, portions thereof. The container  12  may be of any conventional type, chosen for its suitability to contain the contents to be dispensed by the figurine, e.g., a tube, box, bag, sack, capsule, canister, or bottle, and is preferably a tube of toothpaste (or a tube of some other gel or paste), including but not limited to free-standing tubes of toothpaste (not shown in the figures) and the more conventional crimped-end tubes of toothpaste (shown in some of the figures). 
   The dispensing figurine  10  is preferably used to dispense a gel substance  16 , which is most preferably toothpaste. Toothpaste is typically contained and sold in a tube as illustrated in the figures. In general, however, the gel substance  16  might be toothpaste, a food item (such as candy paste), bubble gum paste, or glue, or virtually any other paste, foam, viscous liquid, or gel. 
   The various embodiments of the dispenser figurine  10  of the present invention preferably include a body  20 , at least a portion of which has an outward appearance in the form of a portion of a being, an entry port  22  through which the paste or gel enters the body  20 , attachment means for attaching the dispenser figurine  10  to a tube  12  of toothpaste (or a tube  12  of some other gel or paste), a dispensing conduit  24  extending through at least a portion of the body  20  through which the toothpaste (or other paste or gel) passes, and an exit port  26  through which the paste or gel is dispensed or otherwise exits the dispensing figurine  10 . 
   The exterior of the body of the figurine  10  is preferably formed in the image of a non-cap object, e.g., a building or a vehicle or a being, or a portion thereof. The represented non-cap object might represent an archetype such as a space ship, an automobile, a truck, a race car, a whale, an airplane, a rocket, a submarine, a boat, a ship, etc. The exterior of the body of the figurine  10  is more preferably formed in the image of a person, animal, creature, or other being, or a portion of a being, such as a head portion, a bust portion, etc. The represented being may for example be an actual being such as a historical figure, sports star, movie star, politician, or a well-recognized animal such as Lassie. The represented being might also be a fictional being, such as an action figure, a movie character, a cartoon character, or a book character, e.g., any of the various PoKéMoN characters. The represented being also might not be any specifically identifiable being, but rather represent an archetype such as an army soldier, porpoise, giraffe, or a fantasy creature. 
   The figurine may be made from any convenient material and in virtually any convenient manner. It is preferably made of a thermoplastic polymer (e.g., PVC or some of the various styrene-based compounds sold under the KRATON trademark that are suitable for food-grade containers) and formed by injection molding techniques, as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art. It may alternatively be made of other materials. Preferably the material from which the figurine  10  is made will not contaminate the contents of the container  12  dispensed by the figurine  10  and will permit mass production at a relatively inexpensive cost. 
   One convenient method of manufacturing a dispensing figurine  10  with a dispensing conduit  24  is to first make the body  20  of the figurine in two halves  20   a  and  20   b  (for example as illustrated in  FIGS. 1B ,  2 B and  3 B), which are then affixed together. The halves may be affixed to each other in virtually any conventional manner, such as by ultrasonic welding or with use of an adhesive. The dispensing conduit  24  preferably extends from the entry port  22  of the body  20  of the figurine  10 , through the body of the figurine, and to an exit port  26  in the body of the figurine  10 . The exit port  26  is preferably but not necessarily located in or near the top of the figurine  10 . The dispensing conduit  24  is preferably formed by one or more internal walls  30  integrally formed in each half  20   a ,  20   b  of the body  20 . When the halves  20   a ,  20   b  are affixed, the opposing walls  30  on each half  20   a ,  20   b  mate together forming the dispensing conduit  24  through which the paste  26  passes through the body  20  from entry port  22  to exit port  26 . 
   In the alternative, the dispensing conduit  24  may be formed of a separate piece  32 , e.g., a piece of flexible tubing  32  ( FIG. 3B ). If a tube  32  is employed as conduit  24  it is preferably at least somewhat flexible to allow easy assembly of the overall figurine assembly. This alternative has the advantage of easily directing the flow of paste  26  from the entry port  22  to exit port(s)  26  positioned at virtually any location on the body  20 , including locations for which forming a conduit  24  with internal wall  30  by injection molding ( FIGS. 1B ,  2 B, and  4 ) would be problematic at best, and impossible at worst. If the dispensing conduit  24  comprises a separate element from the body  20  of the figurine  10 , such as tube  32 , it may be first inserted in one half  20   b  of the body  20  of the figurine, and preferably affixed to the entry port  22  at one end  34  and affixed to the exit port  26  at the other end  26  (e.g., using an adhesive or ultrasonic welding), before the two body halves  20   a ,  20   b  are affixed together. The most important aspect of the dispensing conduit  24  is that it places the exit port  26  in fluid communication with the entry port  22 , which places the exit port  26  in fluid communication with the exit port  48  of the tube  12  ( FIG. 4 ). This can be done using a number of different structures in addition to or in the alternative to those discussed above, including by way of example having relatively thin-walled body halves  20   a ,  20   b  and using most if not all of the internal volume of the body  20  as a dispensing conduit  24  through which the paste  16  passes from the entry port  22  to the exit port  26 . 
   The container end  14  of the dispensing figurine  10  mates with, attaches to, contacts with, or is in fluid communication with, the container  12  using virtually any attachment structure that keeps the two components attached together under normal use and that prevents the contents of the container from leaking from the point of attachment during normal use. One attachment means is illustrated in  FIGS. 1B ,  2 B,  3 B, and  4 , with the tube  12  shown in  FIG. 4  mated to half  20   b  of body  20 . The container  12  in  FIG. 4  is a common type of tube used to dispense toothpaste, having a hollow tube portion  40  in which the toothpaste or tooth gel is contained, a flattened, crimped end  42 , and an opposite end  44  (typically frustoconical in shape) having a slightly tapered, threaded projection  46 . Projection  46  has an exit port  48  through which the paste or gel is typically dispensed from the tube  12 ), and ordinarily accepts a slightly tapered, threaded cap having mating threads on an internal surface and having a knurled external surface (not shown). The attachment means in  FIGS. 1B ,  2 B,  3 B, and  4  is a threaded, internal surface  50  of the body  20  proximate (and preferably forming) entry port  22  that is sized to match and having threads  52  that correspond to operate with the threaded projection  46  of the toothpaste tube  12 . The threaded, internal surface  50  is preferably, but not necessarily, slightly tapered to match the slight taper of the threaded projection  46  of tube  12 . The threaded, internal surface  50  is preferably positioned adjacent the entry port  22 . The threaded, internal surface  50  may be made of a relatively rigid material, but is preferably made of a compliant (slightly elastic) material, such as PVC or another thermoplastic polymer that is suitable for food-grade containers, e.g., some of the various compliant styrene-based compounds sold under the KRATON trademark that are suitable for food-grade containers. The threaded, internal surface  50  is preferably sized, tapered, and threaded to match commonly used tubes  12 ; however, in the alternative, the internal surface  50  can be preferably sized and tapered, and even potentially threaded, to accept, attach to, and form an acceptable seal (without an excessive amount of paste of gel escaping during use) with a number of differently sized, tapered, and/or threaded tubes  12 . The level of compliance (i.e., the level of elasticity) of the material chosen to form the threaded, internal surface  50  will affect the ability of the threaded, internal surface  50  to be suitably used with differently sized, tapered, and/or threaded tubes  12 . The threaded, internal surface  50  is preferably part of and made integrally with the body  20 , with half of the threaded, internal surface  50  preferably being injection molded into each half  20   a ,  20   b  of the body  20 .  FIG. 7A  shows an example of a threaded, tapered surface  50   a  that can function as an attachment means.  FIG. 7B  shows an example of a threaded, stepped surface  50   b  that can function as an attachment means. The surfaces described in this paragraph can be, but need not necessarily be, integrally formed with the halves  20   a ,  20   b  of body  20  using either the same material or a different material, or separately formed via an attachment module (FIGS.  6  and  7 A– 7 I) using either the same material or a different material as the halves  20   a ,  20   b.    
   In the alternative to the threaded, internal surface  50 , the attachment means can be an internal surface having one or more internal flanges or ridges or the like, similar in cross-section to threads, and that engage at least a portion of the threads of a threaded extension  46 . Like the internal threaded surface  50  discussed above, this alternative internal surface is preferably, but not necessarily, slightly tapered to match the slight taper of the threaded projection  46  of tube  12 . There is preferably, but not necessarily, a plurality of such internal flanges or ridges, which are preferably, but not necessarily, continuous and concentric. This alternative internal surface is preferably made of a compliant material, such as PVC or another thermoplastic polymer that is suitable for food-grade containers, e.g., some of the various compliant styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers sold under the KRATON trademark that are suitable for food-grade containers.  FIG. 7C  shows an example of a tapered surface  50   c  having a plurality of concentric flanges  51  that can function as an attachment means.  FIG. 7D  shows an example of a stepped surface  50   d  having a plurality of concentric flanges  51  that can function as an attachment means. The surfaces described in this paragraph can be, but need not necessarily be, integrally formed with the halves  20   a ,  20   b  of body  20  using either the same material or a different material, or separately formed via an attachment module (FIGS.  6  and  7 A– 7 I) using either the same material or a different material as the halves  20   a ,  20   b.    
   In the alternative the attachment means can be a smooth (i.e., without threads, flanges, ridges, or the like), tapered internal surface preferably made of a compliant material, such as PVC or another thermoplastic polymer that is suitable for food-grade containers, e.g., some of the various compliant styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers sold under the KRATON trademark that are suitable for food-grade containers, that accepts the threaded extension  46  of a tube  12 .  FIG. 7E  shows an example of a tapered smooth surface  50   e  that can function as an attachment means.  FIG. 7F  shows an example of a non-tapered, smooth surface  50   f  that can function as an attachment means.  FIG. 7G  shows an example of an inverted-tapered smooth surface  50   g  that can function as an attachment means. The surfaces described in this paragraph can be, but need not necessarily be, integrally formed with the halves  20   a ,  20   b  of body  20  using either the same material or a different material, or separately formed via an attachment module (FIGS.  6  and  7 A– 7 I) using either the same material or a different material as the halves  20   a ,  20   b.    
   Various other configurations for tapered surfaces, stepped surfaces, non-tapered surfaces, and inverted-tapered surfaces might also be suitable as attachment means to attach to a threaded extension  46  of a tube of toothpaste (or some other paste or gel), including by way of example, but not of limitation, barbed surfaces  50   h  (e.g., that shown in  FIG. 7H ), texturally patterned surfaces  50   i  (e.g., that shown in  FIG. 7I ), surfaces having randomly distributed portions of extending material (not shown) surfaces having haphazardly distributed portions of extending material (not shown), surfaces having randomly distributed portions of extending material (not shown), etc. All of these alternative surfaces surface are preferably made of a compliant material, such as PVC or another thermoplastic polymer that is suitable for food-grade containers, e.g., some of the various compliant styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers sold under the KRATON trademark that are suitable for food-grade containers. The surfaces described in this paragraph can be, but need not necessarily be, integrally formed with the halves  20   a ,  20   b  of body  20  using either the same material or a different material, or separately formed via an attachment module (FIGS.  6  and  7 A– 7 I) using either the same material or a different material as the halves  20   a ,  20   b.    
   For all the various attachment means described above, a gasket material (not shown) can optionally be added to assist in forming an acceptable seal between the dispensing figurine  10  and the tube  12 . 
   For the various attachment means described above, the figurine  10  is mated with the container  12  by fitting the threaded projection  46  into the body and twisting the figurine with respect to the container  12 , so that their respective threads engage and attach the figurine to the container  12 . 
   In the alternative, an attachment means having a movable portion (not shown) can be used. For example, an attachment means having a movable portion that takes at least two positions, in one “free” position allowing insertion and removal of threaded extension  46  and in the other “captured” position holding and preferably forming a seal with threaded extension  46 . The attachment means comprising a movable portion is preferably biased into captured position, e.g., by a spring, so that firmly squeezing a fixed or movable region of body  20  puts the movable portion in the free position and releasing it allows the spring to put the movable position in the captured position. 
   As another alternative, an attachment means comprising an adhesive can be used. The container end  14  of the dispensing figurine preferably comprises a surface  56  ( FIG. 4 ) that engages the surface  44  of the tube  12 . The attachment means can comprise an adhesive (not shown) applied between the surface  54  of the figurine  10  and the surface  44  of tube  12 . This adhesive preferably also forms a seal between the tube  12  and the figurine  10 . In the alternative, a different seal, e.g., one of the structures described above, can be used to form a seal with the tube  12 . The surface  54  is preferably frustoconical to match the frustoconical surface  44  of tube  12 . Additionally, the surface  54  is preferably continuous so that contact with the tube surface  44  is made continuously around the threaded extension  46  of tube  12  so that adhesive can function to both attach and seal the figurine  10  and the tube  12 . 
   Other common attachment means are known in the art and intended to come within the scope of the attachment means, including snap-on arrangements and all combinations and permutations of the various attachment means. It is preferred, however, that the attachment means used permits the dispensing figurine  10  to be easily attached, detached and reattached to the container  12 . This facilitates re-use of the dispensing figurine  12  when the container  12  is empty, either by re-filling the container  12  or placing the figurine  10  on a different container. 
   As discussed above, the exterior of the body  20  of the dispensing figurine  10  preferably has the outward appearance of a being or a portion of a being. The exterior of the body  20  of the dispensing figurine  10  more preferably has the outward appearance of a head  60  and torso  62  of a being, with the attachment means, e.g., threaded, internal surface  50 , positioned on the body  20  so that the tube  12  extends from the torso  62  and gives the appearance that the toothpaste tube is an additional portion of the being. Most preferably, the exterior of the body  20  of the dispensing figurine  10  has the outward appearance of a head  60  and torso  62  of a being, with the attachment means, e.g., threaded, internal surface  50 , positioned on the body  20  so that the tube  12  extends from the torso  62  and gives the appearance that the toothpaste tube  12  is in approximately the position of and takes the place of one or more limbs (e.g., legs) of the being, as exemplified by  FIGS. 1A ,  2 A,  3 A, and  4 . Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the dispensing figurine  10  represents only a portion of the represented being. 
   Alternatively, the figurine  10  may be used in conjunction with a bottom piece  80  such as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the portion of the container  12  extending away from the figurine  10  fits inside the bottom piece  80 . The bottom piece  80  may attach to the figurine  10  by any conventional method, such as for example a threaded attachment (similar to the preferred attachment between the figurine  10  and the container  12 ). In the alternative, or in addition thereto, the figurine  10  and the bottom piece  80  might also include mating flanges (not shown) which allow a snap-on attachment. In the alternative, the dispensing figurine  10  can merely sit on the bottom piece  80 , with the figurine  10  and attached tube  12  being easily lifted from the bottom piece  80 . The external appearance of the bottom piece  80  preferably provides a remaining portion of the being partially represented by the body  20  of figurine  10 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , where the bottom piece  80  has an outward appearance of the missing legs of the figurine  10  in  FIG. 5 . The bottom piece  80  (in conjunction with the dispensing figurine  10 ) preferably functions to permit the being to stand or to assume some other pose. In addition to providing sufficient room inside the bottom piece  80  to accommodate and conceal the remaining portion of the tube  12  not concealed by the figurine  10 , the bottom piece can also be sized to provide sufficient space for other objects, such as a toothbrush, a comb, a package of dental floss, etc. 
   The dispensing figurine  10  may include moveable parts such as the rotatable arm  70  illustrated in  FIGS. 1–3 . The rotatable arm  70  preferably includes a generally circular insert  72  with an inside flange  74 . Each of the two body halves  20   a ,  20   b  preferably has a corresponding hemispherical groove  76   a ,  76   b  which, when the halves  20   a ,  20   b  are affixed together, surround the insert  72 . The flange  74  is thus caught inside the torso  62  of the figurine  10  by the grooves  76   a ,  76   b  such that the arm  70  is prevented from separating from the torso  62 , but may rotate with respect thereto.  FIG. 3A  includes an arrow showing the direction of rotation for the arm  70  using the above-described means. Other means of providing moving parts are known in the art and suitable for the present invention, such as captive ball-in-sockets, etc. The represented being might also have a rotatable head, a removeable hat, or other such moveable parts. If a moveable part is employed, it is preferred that the permitted movement at least roughly mimic how the represented being might be expected to act. As further explained below, the moveable parts may provide a closure mechanism, or other functionality, in operation of the dispensing figurine  10 . 
   The figurine  10  preferably comprises a closure mechanism  90 , having a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the closure mechanism preferably prevents the contents of the container  12  from exiting through the exit port  26 . In the open position, the contents of the container  12  are free to be dispensed from or otherwise exit through the exit port  26 . The closure mechanism may be part of the container  12 , part of the figurine  10 , or a separate element on its own, but preferably is part of or operates in conjunction with the figurine  10 . If it is part of or operates in conjunction with the figurine  10 , the closure mechanism may be located at or near the entry port  22  of the figurine  10 , at or near the exit port  26  of the figurine  10 , or anywhere in between; it is preferably located at the exit port  26 . It may operate by any conventional means, such as a threaded screw top (e.g., a threaded, removable head or hat or apparel or other piece of the being, all not shown) covering the exit port  26  from the outside of the figurine  10 . 
   There are two preferred closure mechanisms. The first, illustrated in  FIG. 1 , employs a flip-top as a closure mechanism. In this embodiment, the figurine  10  preferably includes a cover  92 , which is preferably integrally formed with half  20   b  and hinged thereto with integral flexible hinge  93 . The cover  92  preferably includes a cover projection  94 , which extends down into the exit port when the cover  92  is closed. An extension  96  of the exit port  26  in  FIG. 1  is helpful but not required; the cover projection  94  is preferably long enough to extend down into and form a seal with the extension  96  or some other portion of the exit port  26 . Other seals will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The cover  92  may be held in its closed position, for example, by a cover flange along the inside rim of the cover  92  and an opposing flange on the main body  20  of the figurine  10 . 
   The second preferred closure mechanism, illustrated in  FIG. 3 , employs a flexible tube  32  as the dispensing conduit  24  in the figurine  10 . The tube  32  engages a tube channel  97  in an extended insert  98  of the rotatable arm  70 . When the arm  70  is positioned on one position (e.g., the position illustrated in  FIG. 3A ), the contents of the container  12  are free to flow through the conduit  24  (tube  32 ) and exit through the exit port  26 . If the arm  70  is rotated sufficiently far, the corresponding rotation of the insert  98  binds (e.g., pinches-off) the tube  32  such that the contents of the container  12  will be held in the container  12  and will not readily flow through the tube  32  to the exit port  26 . Such rotation may occur in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Preferably additional grooves  76   a ′ and  76   b ′ are provided on body halves  20   a ,  20   b , respectively, to keep insert  98  in place. Preferably the insert  98  fits between the grooves tightly enough so that, when the arm is in the “closed” (pinched-off) position, the pressure from the contents in the tube does not cause the arm to rotate to the “open” position. 
   Virtually any closure mechanism suitable for toothpaste can be adapted into the body  20  of the dispensing figurine  10  according to the present invention, including by way of example but not of limitation any combination or permutation of the various closure mechanisms listed in the Background of the Invention hereof and those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Other closure mechanisms might also be adapted to the present invention, e.g., an aperture that functions as an iris. 
   Operation and use of the figurine  10  does not necessarily require a closure mechanism. The embodiments of  FIGS. 2 and 5 , for example, do not include a closure mechanism. The contents of the container in these embodiments are free to exit the container at any time. Therefore this embodiment is particularly useful when the container holds a paste or gel substance which is viscous enough to prevent it from exiting the container without pressure being applied to the container (as shown for example in  FIG. 2C ). In the alternative, the conduit  24  in these embodiments can be modified to include the type of known squeeze-type valves (not shown) in which pressure from the paste or gel  16  when squeezing tube  12  provides sufficient force to automatically open the valve and when the tube  12  is released, the valve is closed. 
   The body  20  of figurine  10  may also be characterized by being able to accept and removably retain an object external to the body  20  and/or the bottom piece  80 , e.g., a toothbrush. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5  the figurine  10  may include one or more toothbrush slots  100   a ,  100   b  into which the handle  102  of a toothbrush  104  may be placed. The toothbrush  104  may then be held by friction fit or interference fit within the toothbrush slots  100   a ,  100   b . The toothbrush slots must surround the toothbrush only far enough that the toothbrush will remain in the toothbrush slots without external support. Preferably the toothbrush slots are incorporated as part of the being represented by the figurine  10  and located as part of the being that is used to hold an object. For example, in  FIG. 5  they are incorporated as part of a fireman&#39;s hands. 
   In  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4 , the various attachment means shown as having been molded integrally with the halves  20   a ,  20   b  of the body  20 .  FIG. 6  shows an alternative body half  120  that accepts any one of a number of different attachment modules (e.g.,  FIGS. 7A–7I ) providing various attachment means. There will typically be two mating halves  120   a ,  120   b , as discussed above in connection with halves  20   a ,  20   b . The body halves  120   a ,  120   b  preferably have an opening  122  that accepts various attachment modules  124  shown in  FIGS. 7A–7I . Of course, all of the other surfaces forming attachment means described herein can be embodied in a similar attachment module  124 . In some of the attachment modules  124  (e.g.,  124   b ,  124   d , and  124 ), a wall  126  forming the surface  50  is the same wall  126  that forms outer surface  128  of the attachment module  124 . In some of the other of the attachment modules  124  (e.g.,  124   c ,  124   f , and  124   i ), an inner wall  130  forming the surface  50  is separate from and spaced via space  132  from an outer wall  134  that forms outer surface  128  of the attachment module  124 . This space  132  provides room for the inner wall  130  and thus surface  50  to flex when receiving threaded portion  46  of a tube  12 . The remainder of the attachment modules  124  (e.g.,  124   b  and  124   h ) are essentially a hybrid of the two foregoing exemplary structures, having both a wall  126  forming part of the surface  50  that is the same wall  126  that forms part of outer surface  128  of the attachment module  124  and an inner wall  130  forming the other part of the surface  50  that is separate from and spaced via space  132  from an outer wall  134  that forms the rest of outer surface  128  of the attachment module  124 , with the space  132  providing room for the inner wall  130  and thus surface  50  to flex when receiving threaded portion  46  of a tube  12 . In  FIG. 7I , the inner wall  130   i  is connected to the outer wall  134   i  at the top of the structure shown in that Figure. In  FIG. 7F , the inner wall  130   f  is connected to the outer wall  134   f  at the bottom of the structure shown in that Figure. Other connection points are possible. One of the various attachment modules  124  are held in the opening  122  in the halves  102   a ,  120   b , e.g., with adhesive, by ultrasonic welding, or by the halves  120   a ,  120   b  trapping and holding the module  124  in place therebetween. 
   While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail, the present invention is not to be considered limited to the precise modules and module arrangements disclosed herein. Various adaptations, modifications and uses of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, and the invention is to cover all such adaptations, modifications and uses falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. For example, although the various figurines  10  are shown as being formed of two body halves  20   a ,  20   b , or  120   a ,  120   b , the body  20  of the various dispensing figurines  10  according to the present invention can be formed in a single integral unit, or formed from three or more portions, with or without a separate attachment module  124 . Similarly, although the various figurines  10  are shown as having an attachment means being formed at a joining point of two body halves  20   a ,  20   b , or  120   a ,  120   b , the attachment means can be formed on virtually any portion of the body  20 , e.g., by locating the opening  122  at various other locations and by routing the conduit  24  accordingly. While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.