Patent Publication Number: US-8523472-B2

Title: Dentifrice container with oral care implement holder

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an oral care system, in particular, to a container with an oral care implement holder. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     While it is important to clean one&#39;s teeth regularly throughout the day, doing so can be difficult. The difficulty may result from the fact that a person usually does not have an oral care implement, such as a toothbrush, and a dentifrice, such as toothpaste, available to them throughout the course of a day. For example, at work, at a restaurant, during travel, such items might not be readily available. Further, having to carry separate items such as a toothbrush, a separate dispenser for dentifrice, etc. can be cumbersome. Additionally, carrying the toothbrush into a foreign environment has the potential to expose the toothbrush to unsanitary conditions. Generally, the toothbrush can be exposed to germs or other pathogens. Additionally, the toothbrush can be exposed to other unwanted substances. For example, during transport in a travel bag, an exposed toothbrush has the potential to come into contact with lotions, shampoo, hair, etc. The toothbrush should be kept sanitary to avoid potential health complications which may arise if an unsanitary toothbrush is used. One way of keeping the toothbrush sanitary, is to enclose the toothbrush in a separate container. However, such an additional container would further add to the number of items a user must carry. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention pertains to an oral care system with an oral care implement and a dentifrice container. 
     In one aspect, a oral care system that may include an oral care implement and a dentifrice container which are engagable so as to form a compact, convenient, portable oral care system which maintains the oral care instrument in a sanitary condition. 
     In one aspect of the invention, an oral care implement has a handle and a head with a tooth cleaning element. The oral care implement is collapsible to be configurable between a “use” and a “transport” state. Further, the oral care system has a dentifrice container with a cavity for holding dentifrice and a dispensing outlet. Further, when the oral care implement is in the “transport” state, it is engagable with the dentifrice container for securing the oral care implement to the dentifrice container. 
     Another aspect of this invention is directed to a dentifrice container engaged with an oral care implement to form an assembly unit. The dentifrice container has a top portion and a bottom portion which engage with opposite longitudinal ends of the oral care implement to hold the oral care implement between said top and bottom portions of the dentifrice container. 
     Yet another aspect of this invention is directed to a dentifrice container with a cavity for holding dentifrice, a dispensing outlet and opposing first and second sidewalls. Further, the container has a top portion which extends laterally beyond the first sidewall and a bottom portion which extends laterally beyond said first sidewall. The top portion is superimposed above the bottom portion and also the top portion, bottom portion and sidewall together form a storage channel. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an oral care system according to one or more aspects of an illustrative embodiment wherein portions of the oral care system are engaged and the oral care implement is in a transport state. 
         FIG. 2A  is a front view of the oral care system of  FIG. 1 , wherein portions of the oral care system are disengaged and the oral care implement is in a use state. 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic top view of an oral care system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of an oral care system according to one or more aspects of an alternative illustrative embodiment wherein portions of the oral care system are engaged and the oral care implement is in a transport state. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the oral care system of  FIG. 3 , wherein portions of the oral care system are disengaged and the oral care implement is in a use state. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of an oral care implement according to one or more aspects of an illustrative embodiment shown in an intermediary state. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of an oral care implement according to one or more aspects of an illustrative embodiment shown in an intermediary state. 
         FIG. 7   a  is a front view of an oral care system according to one or more aspects of an alternative illustrative embodiment wherein portions of the oral care system are engaged. 
         FIG. 7   b  is a front view of the oral care system of  FIG. 7   a , wherein portions of the oral care system are disengaged. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, the invention is discussed in terms of a toothbrush, but could be in the form of other oral care implements including simply a tissue cleansing implement. Further, it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B illustrate an oral care system of the present invention. The oral care system includes an oral care implement, such as a toothbrush,  100  and a dentifrice container  200 . The toothbrush  100  generally includes a head  101 , a handle  102  and a neck portion  103  for connecting the head  101  and the handle  102 . 
     The handle  102  is generally an elongated member that is dimensioned for the user to readily grip and manipulate the toothbrush  100 . The handle  102  may be formed of any desired shape or length and in any desired configuration or construction. In the illustrative embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the handle  102  has a sidewall that is shaped to be complementary to and to mate with an applicable sidewall of the dentifrice container  200  as described below. In the depicted embodiment the handle  102  has a convex and concave exterior along its length. Further, the handle  102  has an hourglass shape. These convex and concave surfaces  109  perform a dual purpose of allowing the user to more easily grip the toothbrush, but also mating with corresponding convex and concave surfaces  203  of the dentifrice container  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A , the dentifrice container  200  has sidewalls  203  shaped with curved contours  208  and the toothbrush handle  102  is ergonomically shaped with curved contours  109 . Curved contours  208  of the dentifrice container  200  correspond to curved contours  109  of the toothbrush handle  102 . Therefore, when the toothbrush handle  102  is engaged with the dentifrice container  200 , the curved contours  208  and  109  mate to create a compact assembled unit. As shown in the  FIG. 2A , concave and convex surfaces of both the toothbrush handle  102  and dentifrice container  200  extend along a length from the top to the bottom of each the toothbrush handle  102  and dentifrice container  200 . While the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-4  have curved surfaces, the structure is not limited to such surfaces. In fact, any surfaces, such as angular or rectangular, may be used as long as the nesting/mating feature of the toothbrush  100  to the dentifrice container  200  is realized. Accordingly, it may be complementary shaped, but need not be. 
     Further, the toothbrush handle  102  can act as a sidewall of the assembled unit. In this configuration, the ergonomic shape of the toothbrush handle  102  provides curved contours in the shape of the assembled unit so as to enable comfortable gripping of the assembled unit by the user. 
     The head  101  includes a tooth cleaning element  104 . In one embodiment, the tooth cleaning element  104  is a plurality of bristles connected to the head. It is understood that the bristles are preferably made from nylon although other materials could be used. The bristles also preferably have a generally circular cross-sectional shape, but could have other cross-sectional shapes as well. The diameter of the bristles can vary depending on the desired cleaning action of the bristles. It is recognized that tooth cleaning element  104  may include elastomeric elements in addition to or in lieu of the bristles. The toothbrush  100  may, but need not, include a pliable cushioning member  108 . This pliable cushioning member  108  can be used in assist in the gripping and the manipulating of the toothbrush  100 . 
     In an illustrative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A , the toothbrush  100  includes an engaging member  105 , a top surface of the handle  106 , and a bottom surface of the handle  107 . The toothbrush  100  also includes an upper portion of the handle  110  and a bottom portion of the handle  111 . As described below, the engaging member  105  engages with the dentifrice container  200  to secure the toothbrush  100  to the dentifrice container  200 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the engaging member  105  may be positioned on the bottom surface of the handle  107 . The engaging member  105  can have a variety of forms. For example, the engaging member  105  may be a protrusion, slot, spring loaded button, etc. This is not an exhaustive list, but rather merely illustrative. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other forms of the engaging member  105  that are within the scope of this invention. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2A , the engaging member  105  is a protrusion. 
     As shown in illustrative embodiments  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the toothbrush  100  is collapsible. As indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 6 , the collapsible toothbrush  100  can be moved between a “use” state such as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 4  and a “transport” state such as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . In a “use” state the brush is extended so that the head  101  and neck  103  are exposed in order to allow the user to brush their teeth. In a “transport” state the entire head  101  and the neck  103  are completely enclosed within the handle  102  to prevent foreign matter from contacting any portion of the head  101  or neck  103 . The enclosure of the head  101  and the neck  103  is advantageous because, when the toothbrush  100  is used, the head  101  of the toothbrush  100  and at least a portion of the neck  103  are placed in the user&#39;s mouth. As mentioned above, health complications can be caused by using a toothbrush with an unsanitary head. Therefore, this feature can keep the entire head  101  and the neck  103  sanitary when the toothbrush  100  is not being used. 
     In an embodiment such as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , toothbrush  100  may additionally include a tissue cleaning element  130 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the tissue cleaning element  130  may be positioned on the back of the head  101  of toothbrush  100 . The tissue cleaning element  130  may be a pad composed of elastic material. The tissue cleaner may include a plurality of nubs  133  extending for cleaning between the papillae of the tongue. The nubs  133  may be conically-shaped or shaped in any desired configuration known in the art. The tissue cleaning element  130  can be used to reduce oral malodor problems or remove oral epithelial cells. However, the toothbrush  100  need not include a tissue cleaning element  130 . It is recognized that the tissue cleaning element is encased in handle  102  in the “transport” state. 
     The oral care system also includes a dentifrice container  200 . The dentifrice container  200  generally includes a top  201 , a bottom  202 , sidewalls  203  and a storage channel which can retain a toothbrush. As commonly known, the internal design of the dentifrice container  200  forms a compartment for holding dentifrice, such as toothpaste or gel. The dentifrice container  200  also includes a dispenser  204  for dispensing the dentifrice and a lid  205 . The dentifrice container  200  also includes engaging members  206  and  207 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 2A , the dispensing member  204  and the lid  205  are positioned at a top  201  of dentifrice container  200 . However, this particular positioning of the dispensing member  204  and the lid  205  is not required. The lid  205  may be hinged to the dentifrice container  200 . However, the lid  205  may be attached to the dentifrice container  200  in many other ways such as snap fit, tethered, etc. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the lid  205  is configured to cover the dispenser  204 . This can prevent the dentifrice from leaking or otherwise being unintentionally dispensed from the dispenser  204 . Also, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lid  205  can cover a portion of the toothbrush  100  when the toothbrush  100  is engaged with dentifrice container  200 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lid  205  can cover a portion of the handle  102  of the toothbrush  100 , such as the bottom surface of the handle  107 . 
     In one embodiment, the opening of the lid  205  releases the toothbrush  100 . For example, as seen from  FIG. 2A , if the lid  205  of the dentifrice container  200  is opened, the toothbrush  100  may be removed. However, as shown in  FIG. 1 , when the lid  20 D is closed, the toothbrush  100  is retained by the dentifrice container  200 . In this way, the toothbrush  100  is retained even when the oral care system is being carried. This is also shown in  FIG. 2B  which discloses a top schematic view of the dentifrice container  200  and the toothbrush  100 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2B  the toothbrush handle  102  is retained in the dentifrice container  200  by the lid  205 . This method of securing the toothbrush  100  with the lid  205  of the dentifrice container  200  ensures the toothbrush  100  will not be inadvertently detached from the dentifrice container  200  during travel. This is because, such an embodiment requires the lid  205  to opened in order for the toothbrush  100  to be released. Hence, the lid  205  aids in preventing disengagement of the toothbrush handle  102  from the dentifrice container  200  by restraining the movement of the toothbrush handle  102  in, for example, a horizontal or vertical direction. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the lid  205  of the dentifrice container may remain closed when disengaging the toothbrush  100  from the dentifrice container  200 . In this way, if the lid  205  were to remain closed, the toothbrush  100  could still be disengaged from the dentifrice container  200  by pulling the toothbrush  100  out of a friction fit with engaging member  206 . 
     An illustrative embodiment of the compact assembled unit is shown in  FIG. 1 . This aspect of the invention can make the portable oral care system convenient for users. For example, it is more convenient to carry or store such an assembled unit as opposed to two or three separate pieces. In other words, the user will not have to carry a separate toothpaste dispenser, a separate toothbrush and a separate toothbrush container. This assembled unit also can prevent misplacement of one of portions of the oral care system because the portions of the oral care system are engagable. Further, the ergonomic shape of the assembled unit allows for easier gripping of the structure. The nesting or mating features of the toothbrush handle  102  with the dentifrice container  200  provides the compact structure. While the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  demonstrates curved, convex and concave surfaces, any surfaces are contemplated so long as the nesting/mating feature of the toothbrush to the dentifrice container  200  is realized. For example, other angular or rectangular surfaces are included within the scope of this feature. 
     One method of engagement of the toothbrush  100  with dentifrice container  200  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The handle  102  is engageable with the dentifrice container  200  so that the bottom surface of the handle  107  is engaged with the lid  205  of the dentifrice container, and a top surface of the handle  106  is engaged with a bottom  202  of the dentifrice container  200 . Such engagement can be accomplished several ways. For example, in the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , engaging member  206  is positioned at a top surface of the bottom  202  of the dentifrice container  200 . Further, in the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , engaging member  206  is a protrusion. This is, however, one embodiment of the engaging member  206  and should not be construed as limiting. Additionally, engaging member  206  may be molded, elastic, spring loaded, etc. As shown in  FIG. 2A , another engaging member of the dentifrice container, engaging member  207 , may be positioned at the lid  205  of the dentifrice container  200 . The engaging member  207  could take several forms, however, in one embodiment, the engaging member is merely a vertical sidewall of the lid. This vertical sidewall of the lid may retain the toothbrush  100  by engaging toothbrush engaging member  105 . Alternatively, the engaging member  207  could be a configured portion on the inside of the lid  205 . In this way, the engaging member  207  would be adapted to mate with engaging member  105  of the toothbrush  100 . Regardless of their form, the dentifrice container&#39;s engaging members  206  and  207  can engage the handle  102  of the toothbrush  100 .  FIG. 1  shows both the toothbrush&#39;s engaging member  105  engaged with dentifrice container&#39;s corresponding engaging member  207  and the dentifrice container&#39;s engaging member  206  engaged with a top surface of the handle  106 . 
     Therefore, as can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the toothbrush  100  can be reliably engaged and secured to dentifrice container  200  by engaging the toothbrush engaging member  105  with dentifrice engaging member  207  and engaging the top surface of the handle  106  with dentifrice engaging member  206 . Accordingly, the top surface of the handle  106  can be covered to ensure sanitary protection. This is advantageous because if the top surface of the handle  106  becomes contaminated, such contamination can be easily transferred to the neck portion  103  and head  101  of the toothbrush. As mentioned above, using a toothbrush with an unsanitary head can cause health complications. Therefore, it is desirable to have the top surface of the handle  106  covered to ensure sanitary protection. In the collapsible toothbrush described above, while the toothbrush is in the “transport” state, the head  101  and neck  103  of the toothbrush  100  is enclosed within the handle  102  of the toothbrush and therefore kept sanitary. 
     While a collapsible toothbrush alone provides a first level of protection for ensuring the toothbrush remains sanitary, the covering of the top surface of the handle  106  provides the portable care system with a “double” sanitary ensuring feature. Consider the contact between the top surface of the handle  106  and the neck  103  of the toothbrush  100  while the toothbrush  100  is in the “use” state or when the toothbrush  100  is converted from the “transport” state to the “use” state or vice versa. Further, consider the generally close proximity of the top surface of the handle  106  to the neck  103  and the head  101  of the toothbrush  100  while the toothbrush is in the “use” state. Even in the “transport” state, the exterior of the toothbrush, such as the top surface  106  may be contaminated. 
     If the top surface of the handle  106  becomes contaminated, it may transfer contamination to the head  101  and neck  103  of the toothbrush once the head  101  and neck  103  of the toothbrush  100  are exposed during opening of the toothbrush  100  to the “use” state. Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the dentifrice container  200  is designed to cover a top surface of the handle  106  which is near the head  101  and neck  103  of the toothbrush  100 . By covering the top surface of the handle  106 , the sanitary state of the head  101  is better ensured. Therefore, the above described feature provides a “double” sanitary ensuring feature. Initially, the toothbrush  100  can be converted to a “transport” state. This ensures the head  101  and neck  103  are kept sanitary. Secondly, the dentifrice container  200  can keep the top surface of the handle  106  covered. This prevents contamination of such surfaces even while stored in a purse, gym bag, desk, locker, etc. Therefore, there will be no contamination by transference from top surface of the handle  106  to the neck  103  or head  101 . 
     In an alternative embodiment of the oral care system, the dentifrice container  200  may include a protective member  210 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the protective member  210  encloses the upper portion of the handle  110 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the protective member  210  may be an awning-type of device which surrounds and encloses the handle  102 . In this way, the protective member  210  can serve at least two purposes. First, the protective member  210  prevents foreign matter from contacting the upper portion of the handle  110 . This can be advantageous because, as described above, even when the toothbrush is in the “transport” state, foreign matter can come into contact with the handle  102 . This foreign matter has the potential to be transferred to the neck portion  103  and head  101  of the toothbrush  100 . 
     In the collapsible toothbrush  100  described above, when the toothbrush  100  is converted from the “transport” state to the “use” state to expose the head  101  and neck portion  103 , the neck portion  103  contacts the upper portion of the handle  110 . This contact between the upper portion of the handle  110  and the neck portion  103  and the generally close proximity of the upper portion of the handle  110  with both the next portion  103  and the head  101  can make transfer of foreign matter from the upper portion of the handle  110  to the neck portion  103  and the head  101  likely. Therefore, preventing foreign matter from initially accumulating on the upper portion of the handle  110  would substantially diminish the likelihood of such contamination of the head  101  and the neck portion  103 . Hence, the protective member  210  would substantially prevent such contamination. This covering of the upper portion of the handle  110  provides the portable care system with a “double” sanitary ensuring feature. Initially, the toothbrush  100  can be converted to a “transport” state. This ensures the head  101  and neck  103  are kept sanitary. Secondly, the dentifrice container  200  can keep the top the upper portion of the handle  110  covered. This prevents contamination of such surfaces even while stored in a purse, gym bag, desk, locker, etc. Therefore, there will be no contamination by transference from the upper portion of the handle  110  to the neck  103  or head  101 . 
     A second purpose of the protective member  210  is to aid in retaining the toothbrush  100  in engagement with the dentifrice container  200 . By enclosing the upper portion of the handle  110 , the protective member  210  assists in retaining the toothbrush  100  in engagement with the dentifrice container  200 . The protective member  210  aids in preventing disengagement of the toothbrush handle  102  from the dentifrice container  200  by restraining the movement of the toothbrush handle  102  in, for example, a horizontal or vertical direction. 
     In this alternative embodiment, the dentifrice container may include an engaging interface  209 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the engaging interface  209  is a recess. However, a recess is not required and the engaging interface may take many other forms. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the engaging interface  209  is positioned at a bottom portion of the dentifrice container  200 . The engaging member  105  of the toothbrush  100  can engage with the engaging interface  209  to secure the toothbrush  100  to the dentifrice container  200 . 
     As with the previous embodiment, in this illustrative alternative embodiment, the dentifrice container  200  has curved contours  208  which correspond to the curved contours  109  of the ergonomic toothbrush  100 . Therefore, when the toothbrush  100  is engaged with the dentifrice container  200 , the curved contours  208  and  109  mate to create a compact assembled unit. Further, the toothbrush  100  can act as a sidewall of the compact assembled unit. In this configuration, the ergonomic shape of the toothbrush provides curved contours in the shape of the assembled unit so as to enable comfortable gripping of the assembled unit by the user. As shown in the  FIG. 4 , concave and convex surfaces of both the toothbrush handle  102  and dentifrice container  200  proceed along a length from the top to the bottom of each the toothbrush handle  102  and dentifrice container  200 . While the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  have curved surfaces, the structure is not limited to such surfaces. In fact, any surfaces, such as angular or rectangular, may be used. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the compact assembled unit can make the portable oral care system convenient for users. For example, it is more convenient to carry or store such an assembled unit as opposed to two or three separate pieces. In other words, the user will not have to carry a separate toothpaste dispenser, a separate toothbrush and a separate toothbrush container. This assembled unit also can prevent misplacement of one of portions of the oral care system because the portions of the oral care system are engagable. Further, the ergonomic shape of the assembled unit allows for easier gripping of the structure. 
     The compact nature of this portable oral care system is advantageous over the carrying separate items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste dispenser, container for enclosing the toothbrush, etc. Therefore, this compactness allows the portable oral care system to be kept in many places such as a purse, gym bag, desk, locker, etc. 
     Further, the oral care system&#39;s retaining features prevent the toothbrush handle  102  from be inadvertently disengaged from the dentifrice container  200 . This allows the portable oral care system to be kept in many places such as a purse, gym bag, desk, locker, etc. without concern of misplacing or losing a portion of the oral care system. 
     Further, the portable care system has a “double” sanitary ensuring feature. This “double” sanitary ensuring feature is provided by both the collapsible toothbrush  100  and the dentifrice container  200 . Initially, the toothbrush  100  can be converted to a “transport” state. This ensures the head  101  and neck  103  are kept sanitary. Secondly, the dentifrice container  200  can keep the top surface of the handle  106  and the upper portion of the handle  110  covered. This prevents contamination of such surfaces even while stored in a purse, gym bag, desk, locker, etc. Therefore, there will be no contamination by transference from either the upper portion of the handle  110  or top surface of the handle  106  to the neck  103  or head  101 . This feature allows the user to store the portable oral care system in a purse, gym bag, desk, locker, etc. with greater confidence that the toothbrush will not be contaminated. 
     An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 7   a . In this illustrative embodiment the toothbrush  100  engages with the lid  205  the dentifrice container  200 . The lid  205  has an engaging member  207 . In the illustrated embodiment the engaging member  207  includes the edges of an aperture through the top of the lid  205 . The engaging member  207  may also be configured so that a vertical sidewall of the lid removed as shown in  FIG. 7   b , but this is not required. The removal of the vertical side wall allows easier insertion and removal of the toothbrush  100  from the dentifrice container  200 . In this illustrated embodiment, the head  102  of the toothbrush extends through the aperture in the lid  205  of the dentifrice container  200  and the neck  103  of the toothbrush  100  is held by the engaging member  207 . 
     This embodiment has the ability to prevent the lid  205  from opening inadvertently. For example, as seen in  FIG. 7   a  while the toothbrush  100  is engaged with the lid  205  of the dentifrice container, the lid  205  cannot be pivoted to be opened because the toothbrush neck  103  will prevent the pivotable movement of the  205 . 
     In this embodiment, the toothbrush  100  may be held in the dentifrice container  200  solely by the engaging member  207  or may include other engaging members either on the toothbrush  100  or the dentifrice container  200 . For example, another engaging member may be positioned at the bottom of the handle  102  and yet another engaging member may be positioned at the top surface of the bottom of the dentifrice container  200 . These two additional engagement members may be operable with each other to secure the toothbrush to the dentifrice container along with the engaging member  207 . 
     While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.