Patent Publication Number: US-5026191-A

Title: Rechargeable and disposable toothbrush

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention relates generally to toothbrushes and more specifically it relates to an improved fountain toothbrush which provides a toothpaste storage compartment in the handle so that the toothpaste can be dispensed directly onto the bristles therefrom. 
     There are available various conventional toothbrushes which do not provide the novel improvements of the invention herein disclosed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved fountain toothbrush that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
     Another object is to provide an improved fountain toothbrush that has a toothpaste storage compartment in the handle so that the toothpaste can be dispensed directly onto the bristles therefrom. 
     An additional object is to provide an improved fountain toothbrush in which the dispensing mechanism in the handle can be removed and replaced so that another supply of toothpaste can be refilled within the storage compartment thus allowing the toothbrush to be used continuously. 
     A further object is to provide an improved fountain toothbrush that is simple, easy to use and disposable. 
     A still further object is to provide an improved mountain toothbrush that is economical in cost to manufacture. 
     Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
    
    
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2, showing the follower in greater detail held by the key tracks. 
     FIG. 4 is a partial exploded perspective view of a modified rotary knob in which the hook members are retained onto the rib ring through the slots when the rotary knob fits over the rib ring. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of another modification. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrates an improved fountain toothbrush 10 consisting of a tubular removable handle 12 having a toothpaste storage compartment 14 with a removable seal 13 at an inner end 22. A head 16 with a plurality of bristles 18 thereon has a conduit 20 therein. The head 16 is removably connected by screw threads to the end 22 of the handle 12 with the conduit 20 connecting the toothpaste storage compartment 14 in the handle 12 directly to the bristles 18 on the head 16. A rotary mechanism 24 is provided for forcing toothpaste 26 in the toothpaste storage compartment 14 through the conduit 20 to the bristles 18. A guide and seal remover sleeve 23 is mounted internally on the head 16 for breaking the seal 13 on the handle 12 when the handle is mounted on the head 16. The seal 13 may be manually removed. 
     The rotary mechanism 24 includes a snap-off rotary knob 28 removably attached to the other end 30 of the tubular handle 12 opposite the head 16. An elongated removable screw 32 is mounted at one end to the rotary knob 28 and extends into the toothpaste storage compartment 14 in the handle 12. A follower 34 is threaded on the screw 32 while a structure 36 is for preventing rotation of the follower 34 with the screw 32. When the rotary knob 28 is turned in the right direction the follower 34 will travel towards the head 16 on the screw 32 to urge the toothpaste 26 through the conduit 20 to the bristles 18. 
     The structure 36 includes the storage compartment 14 in the handle 12 having elongated key tracks 38 on the inner surface thereof. The follower 34 has key ways 40 that travel along the elongated key tracks to prevent the rotation of the follower 34 with the screw 32. 
     FIG. 4 shows a modification that includes a rib ring 42 having a pair of oppositely disposed transverse slots 44. The rib ring 42 is affixed to the other end 30a Of the tubular handle 12a opposite the head 16. The rotary knob 28a has a pair of oppositely disposed hook members 46. The hook members are retained onto the ring 42 through the slots 44 when the rotary knob 28a fits over the rib ring 42. An alignment arrow 48 is carried mn the tubular handle 12 above one of the slots 44 so that the rotary knob 28a can be properly positioned to remove the hook members 46 from the rib ring. 
     It should be noted that by eliminating the removable connection at end 22, the toothbrush can be marketed as a disposable item. 
     FIG. 5 shows a modified improved fountain disposable toothbrush 10b consisting of a tubular handle 12b having a toothpaste storage compartment 14b therein. A head 16b with a plurality of bristles 18b thereon has a conduit 20b therein. The head 16b is connected to one end 22b of the handle 12b with the conduit 20b connecting the toothpaste storage compartment 14b in the handle 12b directly to the bristles 18b on the head 16b. A manually operated valve 50 is carried in the handle 12b between the toothpaste storage compartment 14b and the conduit 20b in the head 16b. 
     A snap-off rotary knob 28b removably attached to the other end 30b of the tubular handle 12b opposite the head 16b. An elongated screw 32b is mounted at one end to the rotary knob 28b and extends into the toothpaste storage compartment 14b in the handle 12b. A follower 34b having an elongated internally threaded collar 52 is threaded on the screw 32b. The storage compartment 14b in the handle 12b has elongated slots 54 on the inner surface thereof. The follower 34b has keys 56 that travel along the elongated slots 54 to prevent the rotation of the follower 34b with the screw 32b. When the manually operated valve 50 is activated and the rotary knob 28b is turned in the right direction the follower 34b will travel towards the head 16b  to urge the toothpaste 26b through the conduit 20b to the bristles 18b. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.