Patent Publication Number: US-11019917-B2

Title: Oral/facial care brush with dispenser

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to oral care and facial care instruments, and more particularly to oral care toothbrushes and facial and eye care brushes having built-in product dispensing capability. 
     Toothbrushing generally involves squeezing dentifrice onto a toothbrush head prior to brushing. It is known that greater convenience can be achieved by providing a tooth brush having a built in reservoir from which the dentifrice is dispensed during brushing. Despite the appeal of such a dispensing, reservoir-filled toothbrush, and the many designs for them that have been suggested in patent literature over the past several decades, such category of toothbrush product has not become commercially popular with consumers. Some designs render the toothbrush system too costly by including electric drive train components. Other designs are less reliable and unnecessarily difficult for children to use, such as by including a bulky piston and screw design for collapsing the reservoir. Other designs render the toothbrush system too unsanitary, if not properly cleaned. 
     Other than convenience and ease of use, another challenge of dispensing-type toothbrushes is that of reliably transporting the dentifrice from a built-in reservoir to the toothbrush head. Typically the dentifrice has to be squeezed from a reservoir through a relatively long (compared to the neck of a toothpaste tube) but narrow conduit whose dimensions are constrained by the toothbrush neck. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings and inconveniences of prior toothbrush configurations described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The personal care brush of the present invention is for dispensing a personal care product to the eyes, face or mouth from a limited dose cartridge stored in the device handle through the brush head among the brush bristles of the brush. The brush includes a brush head and an elongated body, configured as a unitary handle and head structure or as separate handle and brush head elements that are attached together. The preferred embodiment is for a toothbrush. However, other embodiments of the invention are a shaving brush, makeup brush, mascara brush, and eyebrow gel brush. 
     The handle portion has an exposed groove for receiving a dentrifice container that stores one to six doses of dentrifice. The groove leads to a channel that runs through the brush head to an opening at a bristle frame side of the brush head. A pushing member is manually advanced along the groove to push dentrifice from the dentrifice container into the channel and out through the opening. A latch is located at a backside of the brush head and is movable relative to an axis of the toothbrush. The latch has a first position for brushing and a second position for facilitating exposure of the channel for channel cleaning. 
     The pushing member runs in a track along the groove in the elongated body. When the dentrifice container is positioned in the groove, the pushing member is manually advanced along the track to squeeze dentrifice from the container into the channel. In some embodiments the elongated body is metered so that during manual movement of the pushing member one can hapticly feel when the moving member has reached a position at which one dose of dentrifice has been dispensed. Metering is implemented to provide for one or more doses, in accordance with a dosage capacity of the dentrifice container and the length of the groove. 
     In some embodiments one of a base support portion and a bristle frame portion of the brush head is hinged relative to the other so as to rotate about the hinge relative to the other. The latch is moved to the second position which releases the movable portion of the brush head to be moved so as to expose the channel formed between the bristle frame portion and bristle frame portion for cleaning. In another embodiment, the latch covers the channel. When the latch is moved distally, the channel underlying the latch is exposed for cleaning. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toothbrush having a single dose dispensing capability, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the toothbrush of  FIG. 1  with a pin at the upper portion of the loading chamber revealed and with dentrifice capsules stored in the storage chamber revealed. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the upper portion of the toothbrush brush of  FIG. 1  feature with the pin and crushed dentrifice capsule at the upper portion of the loading chamber revealed, and the roller at the lower portion of the loading chamber revealed. 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic side view of the advancing mechanism of the toothbrush of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a schematic view of the advancing mechanism of  FIG. 4A , viewed from proximally as extending along the toothbrush longitudinal axis, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic side view of the advancing mechanism of the toothbrush of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a schematic view of the advancing mechanism of  FIG. 5A , viewed from proximally as extending along the toothbrush longitudinal axis, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the upper portion of the toothbrush of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7A  is a schematic side view of a movable barrier structure for puncturing a dentrifice capsule loaded within the loading chamber of a toothbrush, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7B , is a schematic view of the movable barrier structure for puncturing a dentrifice capsule loaded within the loading chamber of the toothbrush of  FIG. 7A , viewed from proximally as extending along the toothbrush longitudinal axis, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a movable barrier structure for collapsing a dentrifice capsule loaded within the loading chamber, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial view of the upper portion of the toothbrush of  FIG. 1  configured for being washed (without the side door), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the top portion of a toothbrush having a side door for facilitating washing of the toothbrush interior, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a toothbrush, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of the bristle face side of an upper portion of the toothbrush in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of a dentrifice container for use with the toothbrush embodiment of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  is a diagrammatic view of the pushing member having an axle that moves along a track, while the dentrifice container is situated in the groove of the toothbrush in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross sectional diagrammatic view of the handle portion of a toothbrush having alternative metering guide embodiments for aiding in the dispensing of dentrifice, (e.g., a wheel has an axle dropped into a recess (i.e., metering guide) along a track in the sidewalls of a groove in the handle portion; a bump (i.e., metering guide) on the front face of the handle portion). 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view of back side of an upper portion of the toothbrush in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 11  showing the latch in a locked position. 
         FIG. 17  is a plan view of back side of an upper portion of the toothbrush in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 11  showing the latch in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective side of the upper portion of the toothbrush in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 11  showing the bristle frame portion in a locked position. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective side of the upper portion of the toothbrush in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 11  showing the bristle frame portion rotated about a hinge while the latch is in the unlatched position. 
         FIG. 20  is a plane rear view of the upper portion of the toothbrush in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details may be set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. Detailed descriptions of well-known components are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention. 
     First Toothbrush Embodiments 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , a toothbrush  100  is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The toothbrush  100  generally includes an elongated body  102  having a handle portion  104  and a head portion  106 . Tooth cleaning elements  116  (e.g., bristles) extend from the head portion  106 . The toothbrush  100  is intended to be used in a manner that the tooth cleaning elements  116  clean a user&#39;s teeth. Although the illustrated toothbrush  100  is in the form of a manual toothbrush, in other embodiments the toothbrush  100  may be a powered toothbrush. 
     The body  102  of the toothbrush  100  generally extends along a longitudinal axis  109  from a proximal end  114  to a distal end  112 . Because the body  102  may, in certain embodiments, be a non-linear structure, the longitudinal axis of the body  102  may also be non-linear in certain embodiments. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments, and in certain other embodiments the body  102  may have a simple linear arrangement and thus a substantially linear longitudinal axis. 
     The handle portion  104  of the toothbrush  100  is an elongated structure extending from the proximal end  114  to the toothbrush head portion  106 . The handle portion  104  provides the mechanism by which the user can hold and manipulate the toothbrush  100  during use. The handle portion  104  includes an outer surface that includes a front surface  108  and an opposing rear surface  110 . In the exemplified embodiment, the handle portion  104  is generically depicted as being straight. However, in other embodiments the handle portion  104  may have contours for user comfort. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the handle portion  104  is formed of a rigid plastic material, for example polymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl compounds and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate. In other embodiments the handle portion  104  can be formed of any material that is not incompatible with the dentrifice that is stored therein. The handle portion  104  also may include a resilient material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, as a grip cover that is molded over portions of or the entirety of the handle portion  104  to enhance gripping of the handle portion  104  during use. For example, portions of the handle portion  104  that are typically gripped by a user&#39;s palm during use may include a thermoplastic elastomer or other resilient material to further increase user comfort. 
     The head portion  106  of the toothbrush  100  is coupled to the handle portion  104  and includes a front surface  117  and an opposing rear surface  119 . In the exemplified embodiment, the head portion  106  is formed integrally with the handle portion  104  as a single unitary structure using a molding, milling, machining or other suitable process. However, in other embodiments the handle portion  104  and the head portion  106  may be formed as separate components which are operably connected at a later stage of the manufacturing process by any suitable technique known in the art, including without limitation thermal or ultrasonic welding, a tight-fit assembly, a coupling sleeve, threaded engagement, adhesion, or fasteners. Typically, the head portion  106  is formed by any of the materials described above for the handle portion  104 . 
     The head portion  106  of the toothbrush  100  has a plurality of tooth cleaning elements  116  (e.g., bristles) extending from the front surface  117 . Common examples of “tooth cleaning elements” include, without limitation, bristle tufts, filament bristles, fiber bristles, nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, elastomeric protrusions, flexible polymer protrusions, combinations thereof and/or structures containing such materials or combinations. Suitable elastomeric materials include any biocompatible resilient material suitable for uses in an oral hygiene apparatus. To provide optimum comfort as well as cleaning benefits, the elastomeric material of the tooth or soft tissue engaging elements has a hardness property in the range of A8 to A25 Shore hardness. One suitable elastomeric material is styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) manufactured by GLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SEBS material from other manufacturers or other materials within and outside the noted hardness range could be used. 
     The tooth cleaning elements  116  are connected to the head portion  106  in any manner known in the art. For example, staples/anchors, in-mold tufting (IMT) or anchor free tufting (AFT) could be used to mount the cleaning elements/tooth engaging elements to the head portion  106 . In AFT, a plate or membrane having tuft holes therein is formed separately from the body  102  of the toothbrush  100 . Bristles or other tooth cleaning elements are positioned within the tuft holes. The free ends of the bristles on one side of the plate or membrane perform the cleaning function. The ends of the bristles on the other side of the plate or membrane are melted together by heat to be anchored in place. After the bristles are properly coupled to the head plate, the head plate is secured to the brush head such as by ultrasonic welding. 
     In an exemplary embodiment the toothbrush  100  is hollow having an inner cavity  120  extending from an opening  128  at the proximal end  114  to a closed end in the head portion  106  toward the distal end  112  of the toothbrush  100 . In such embodiment the inner cavity  120  is divided into a storage chamber  122  and a loading chamber  124 . A divider or barrier  126  is located in the cavity  120  to separate the storage chamber  122  from the loading chamber  124 . The barrier  126  may be a separate piece inserted into the cavity  120 , or may be an integral portion of the unitary structure forming the toothbrush body  102  or handle portion  104 . 
     The storage chamber  122  serves to store a plurality of single dose dentifrice capsules  132 , such as in a line along the longitudinal axis. The dentrifice capsules  132  are inserted through the opening  128  into the chamber  122  for storage. The opening  128  is closed by a closing structure  130 . Illustrated is a plug that mates with the opening  128  to close the cavity  120  so as to prevent any stored capsules  132  from falling out of the toothbrush  100 . The plug may be made of an elastomer or other material adapted to withstand repeated insertion and removal. In some embodiments the plug may be made of a rigid material and be threaded to screw into an opening  128  having corresponding threads. In still other embodiments the closing structure  130  may be a hinged door formed as part of the handle portion  104  and that clicks into and out of a locking position. 
     The loading chamber  124  is located more distal than the storage chamber  122  and extends from the handle portion  104  into the head portion  106 . Along a side surface  111  of the handle portion  104  is an opening  142 . In some embodiments the opening  142  has no cover so as to remain open at all times. In other embodiments the opening  142  is closed by a cover  144 , such as a hinged door or a separate detachable cover piece. A single dentrifice capsule  140  is inserted through the opening  142  into a lower portion  148  of the loading chamber  124  along the handle portion  104 . The dentrifice capsule  140  is moved within the loading chamber  124  to the head portion  106 , then collapsed to release the dentrifice from within the capsule  140 . The head portion  106  includes an opening  146  at the front surface  117  among the tooth cleaning elements  116 . When the capsule  140  is collapsed, the dentrifice  150  exits through the opening  146  to the tooth cleaning elements  116 . (See  FIGS. 1 and 3 .) The loading process and related structures are described in more detail below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an upper portion of the toothbrush body  102  is illustrated, with the upper portion of the loading chamber  124  revealed to show a collapsed capsule  140  therein, along with a sharp pointed protrusion for perforating the outer wall material of the capsule  140 . The remainder of the loading chamber  124  and inner cavity  120  are shown in phantom view. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the toothbrush  100  includes an advancing mechanism  154  that moves the loaded capsule  140  from a lower portion  148  of the loading chamber  124  to a more distal upper portion  152  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the loading chamber  124  in the head portion  106 . Referring to  FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B , an embodiment of the advancing mechanism  154  includes one or more roller sets  156  (e.g.,  156   a,b ) and a slider grip  158 . The rollers rotate about an axis defined by an axle  160 . The slider grip  158  is coupled to the axle  160  by a frame  157  to move the entire advancing mechanism  154  longitudinally within the loading chamber  124 . A user places their finger on the slider grip  158  and pushes the slider grip  158  along a track  162  (see  FIG. 1 ) to advance the advancing mechanism  154  longitudinally. During longitudinal movement the rollers  156  roll within the loading chamber  124 .  FIGS. 1 and 3  show the advancing mechanism  154  in an initial retracted position.  FIG. 3  also shows in phantom the slider grip  158  for when the advancing mechanism  154  is advanced distally to move the capsule  140  to a position behind the brush cleaning elements  116  in the toothbrush head  106 . Longitudinal motion of the advancing mechanism  154  in  FIG. 4A  is to the left and right in the plane of the drawing sheet. Longitudinal motion of the advancing mechanism  154  in  FIG. 4B  is into and out of the plane of the drawing sheet. In the illustrated embodiment the frame  157  positions the rollers  156  more distal than the sliding grip  158 , so as to allow the advancing mechanism to advance the capsule  140  into the head portion  106  and collapse the capsule  140 . The relative location of the rollers  156  and siding grip  158  along the longitudinal axis  109  will vary according to the embodiment so as to be able to collapse the capsule  140  between the rollers  156  and a distal barrier structure  174 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , in an alternative embodiment the advancing mechanism  154 ′ includes a piston  156 ′ coupled to the slider grip  158 , in addition to rollers  156   b  and an axle. The piston  156 ′ moves within the inner cavity  120 , and more specifically within the loading chamber  124  along the same path as for the roller embodiment. Longitudinal motion of the advancing mechanism  154 ′ in  FIG. 5A  is to the left and right in the plane of the drawing sheet. Longitudinal motion of the advancing mechanism  154 ′ in  FIG. 5B  is into and out of the plane of the drawing sheet. In the illustrated embodiment the frame  157  positions the piston  156 ′ more distal than the sliding grip  158 , so as to allow the advancing mechanism to advance the capsule  140  into the head portion  10  and collapse the capsule  140 . The relative location of the piston  156 ′ and the siding grip  158  along the longitudinal axis  109  will vary according to the embodiment so as to be able to collapse the capsule  140  between the piston  156 ′ and a distal barrier structure  174 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , an upper portion of the toothbrush body  102  is illustrated, with a movable barrier mechanism  170  shown uninstalled from the head portion  106 . The movable barrier mechanism  170  includes a slider grip  172  portion and the barrier structure  174  portion. The barrier structure protrudes from an underside of the slider grip  172  at or towards a distal end of the slider grip  172 . In various embodiments, the barrier structure  174  has a generally pointed structure  176  mounted to or formed as part of the barrier structure  174 . Although  FIGS. 2, 3, and 6  illustrate the pointed structure  176  as being a pin-like structure, in other embodiment the pointed structure may vary to be conical, pyramid-shaped, wedge shaped, or another pointed or anvil-like shape to aid in puncturing the capsule  140 . For example, a point (e.g., as for a pin or cone) or a pointed edge (e.g., as for a wedge) may be formed. Alternatively, the pin-like tip may instead be blunted, or be a blunt face.  FIGS. 7A and 7B  depict a movable barrier mechanism  170 ′ having a barrier portion  174 ′ with a pyramid-shaped structure  176 ′. In still other embodiments, the barrier portion  174  need not have a pointed structure, but instead may be blunted or have a flat face, such as shown for barrier portion  174  of the movable barrier mechanism  170 ″ of  FIG. 8 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , any of the various embodiments of the movable barrier mechanism  170  (or  170 ′,  170 ″) slide along a track opening  180  at the rear face  119  of the toothbrush head portion  106 . The various embodiments of the movable barrier mechanism include a rail  182  (see  FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8 ) which runs within the track opening  180 . The slider grip  172  and the barrier structure  174  are wider than the rail  182  so as to keep the rail  182  in the track opening  180 . In some embodiments, the track opening  180  has a wider portion (not shown) at either a distal or proximal end of the opening  180  so as to allow for removal and or re-installation of the movable barrier mechanism  170 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the slider grip  172  has a longitudinal length greater than or approximating the longitudinal length of the track opening  180 . By having such a length, the slider grip portion  172  covers the track opening  180  while the slider grip portion  172  is at its most distal position toward the distal end  112  of the toothbrush  100 . Also, the roller  156  and piston  156 ′ have an outer dimension that generally conforms to cross section of the inner channel  220  so as to prevent or limit dentrifice from passing proximally beyond the advancing member  254  when the single dose capsule  150  is collapsed between the advancing member  254  and the barrier structure  274 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the loading and usage of the toothbrush  100  is now described. To use a capsule stored in the toothbrush, the user removes the closing structure  130  (e.g., plug) from the proximal end  114  of the toothbrush  100  and removes a capsule from among capsules  132  stored in the storage chamber  122 . The closing structure  130  then is re-inserted to close the storage chamber  122 . 
     To load the capsule into the loading chamber  124  for usage, the door  144  in the side of the toothbrush body  102  is opened (or in another embodiment a cover (in place of the door  144 ) is removed.) In some embodiments, there is no covering to the opening  142  to the loading chamber  124 , so that the opening  142  is always exposed and the loading chamber therein is always accessible. The capsule  140  is loaded through the opening  142  into the loading chamber  124 , while the advancing mechanism  154  is in the retracted proximal position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Accordingly, the capsule  140  is positioned in the loading chamber distal to the roller  156  (or piston  156 ′.) 
     The user then places their finger on the slider grip  172  of the movable barrier mechanism  170  and moves the barrier mechanism  170  proximally toward the handle portion  104  of the toothbrush  100 , until the proximal end of the track opening  180  is reached, or until further proximal movement is blocked by the capsule  140 . In some embodiments, after the the barrier mechanism  170  makes contact with the capsule  140 , the user continues to move the barrier mechanism  170  so as to puncture the capsule  140  with the generally pointed structure  176  or other structure, as per the embodiment. 
     Next, the user moves the capsule  140  distally into the head portion  106 , by placing their finger on the slider grip  158  of the advancing mechanism  154  and advancing the slider grip  158  in the distal direction. The rollers  156  or piston  156 ′ abut the capsule  140  and are part of the advancing mechanism  154 . Accordingly, as the slider grip  158  is moved distally the roller or piston moves the capsule  140  into the toothbrush head portion  106  behind the tooth cleaning elements  116 . As the user moves the slider grip  158  of the advancing mechanism  154 , the barrier mechanism  170  in contact with the capsule  140  also is moved distally under the force communicated through the advancing mechanism  154  and capsule  140 . In particular, the slider grip  158  moves distally within track  162  by the user&#39;s finger. Correspondingly, the rail  182  of the movable barrier mechanism  170  moves distally along track opening  180  by force conveyed through the advancing mechanism  154  and capsule  140 . Before the slider grip  158  reaches the distal end of slider track  162 , the barrier mechanism  170  reaches the distal end of its path. In particular, the barrier mechanism can move no further in the distal direction. Therefore, when the user continues pushing the slider grip  158  of the advancing mechanism  170  further in the distal direction, the capsule  140  is collapsed between the roller(s)  156  (or piston  156 ′) and the barrier portion  174  (or more specifically, the pointed structure  176 / 176 ′, if present, of the barrier portion  174 .) The dentrifice  150  within the capsule  140  is thereby squeezed out of the capsule  140  as the capsule is collapsed under the force exerted by the user in the distal direction at the slider grip  158 . Because the volume the capsule  140  occupies is closed (i) by the slider grip  172  of the barrier mechanism  170  at the rear surface  119  of the head portion  106 , (ii) by the roller  156  or piston  156 ′ at the proximal end of the capsule, and (ii) by the barrier structure  174  at the distal end of the capsule, (iv) the dentrifice is forced out the opening  146  at the front face  117  of the toothbrush head portion  106  at the base of the teeth cleaning elements  116 . The dentrifice is forced out to be among the tooth cleaning elements. 
     With the dentrifice now among the teeth cleaning elements  116 , the user can brush their teeth using the toothbrush  100  and the single dose of dentrifice  150  forced from the capsule  140 . 
     To unload the collapsed capsule  140 , the barrier mechanism  170  and advancing mechanism  154  are moved back in the proximal direction so that the collapsed capsule  140  is moved from the upper portion of the loading chamber back toward or into the lower portion of the loading chamber  124 . For example, the user may place their finger on the slider grip  172  of the barrier mechanism  170  and slide proximally so that the rail  182  moves proximally in the track opening  180 . The force applied in the proximal direction at the slider grip  172  is communicated through the capsule  140  to the rollers  156  or piston  156 ′ thereby moving the advancing mechanism backwards. Thereby, the slider grip  158  of the advancing mechanism also is moved back toward its starting position. The slider grip  158  then may be moved further in the proximal direction to reach its initial starting position for loading capsules. Alternatively, instead of forcing the slider grip  172 , the slider grip  158  of the advancing mechanism  154  may be moved by the user proximally along track  162 . The collapsed capsule  140  is removed through the opening  142  once the capsule has been moved proximally enough for the user to grip and remove the collapsed capsule. The user also can simply shake the toothbrush  100  to force the collapsed capsule  140  out of the opening  142  once the capsules been moved back to the lower portion  148  of the loading chamber  124 . Of course, any combination of the above movements can be used to remove the collapsed capsule  140 . 
     Although dentrifice is driven from the capsule  140  through the opening  146  to the tooth cleaning elements  116  when collapsing the capsule  140 , there may be residual dentrifice left in the loading chamber  124 . The user may run water through the opening  146  and the track  180  to clean the upper portion of the loading chamber  124 , such as shown in  FIG. 9 . In some embodiments, such as shown in  FIG. 10 , the toothbrush  100  includes a door  190  at a side surface of the toothbrush head portion  106 . The door  190 , for example, is hinged, and may be moved into and out of an open position. The door, for example, clicks into a closed position to remain securely closed. A grip on the door  190  or separation at the door enclosure allows a user to move the door  190  out of the clicked engaged position using a fingernail or instrument. With the door  190  open, the user runs water over the brush head portion  106  so as to clean the tooth cleaning elements  116 . Water  194  also may be directed through the opening  146  in the head portion  106  to access the loading chamber  124 . The water  194  flows out the opening  192  left by the open door  190 . Further, by positioning the barrier mechanism  170  at its most distal position, water also flows out through the openings  162  and/or  142  to clean the lower portion of the loading chamber  124 . Of course the water can be driven in the opposite directions also through the various openings in the toothbrush head portion  106  and handle portion  104 . 
     A capsule is elongated and may be ellipsoidal or cylindrical so as to have rounded or flat ends. The capsule is made of a material compatible with dentrifice and suitable for storing products to be used orally. For example, cellulose or other materials used in forming capsule for dietary supplements may be used. Thin plastic materials also may be used, since the capsule is not being ingested. In some embodiments the capsule may have perforations to make breaking the capsule easier when the capsule is collapsed by the pressure applied between the rollers  156  and barrier portion  174 . In another embodiment the capsule is elongated and includes a thin foil or thin plastic covering (e.g., membrane) at the distal end which may be more easily punctured by the barrier structure  174 , and which may more easily move aside as the dentrifice  150  is forced from the capsule when the capsule is being collapsed. In some embodiments the covering has a different material composition than longitudinal walls of the single dose capsule. In other embodiments the covering has a different wall thickness than longitudinal walls of the single dose capsule. In other embodiment the capsule has a uniform wall thickness and uniform wall material composition. 
     Second Toothbrush Embodiments 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11-20 , a toothbrush  200  is illustrated in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention. The toothbrush  200  generally includes an elongated body  201  formed by a handle portion  204  and a brush head portion  205 . The brush head  205  includes a base support portion  206  and a bristle frame portion  203 . Tooth cleaning elements  216  (e.g., bristles) extend from the bristle frame portion  203 . The toothbrush  200  is intended to be used in a manner that the tooth cleaning elements  216  clean a user&#39;s teeth. Although the illustrated toothbrush  200  is in the form of a manual toothbrush, in other embodiments the toothbrush  200  may be a powered toothbrush. 
     The body  201  of the toothbrush  200  generally extends along a longitudinal axis  209  from a proximal end  214  to a distal end  212 . Because the body  201  may, in certain embodiments, be a non-linear structure, the longitudinal axis of the body  201  may also be non-linear in certain embodiments. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments, and in certain other embodiments the body  201  may have a simple linear arrangement and thus a substantially linear longitudinal axis. 
     The handle portion  204  of the toothbrush  200  is an elongated structure extending from the proximal end  214  to the toothbrush brush head portion  205 . The handle portion  204  provides the mechanism by which the user can hold and manipulate the toothbrush  200  during use. The handle portion  204  includes an outer surface that includes a front surface  208  and an opposing rear surface  210  (See  FIG. 16 ). In the exemplified embodiment, the handle portion  204  is generically depicted as being straight. However, in other embodiments the handle portion  204  may have contours for user comfort. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the handle portion  204  is formed of a rigid plastic material, for example metals, fiberglass, polymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl compounds and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate. In other embodiments the handle portion  204  can be formed of any material that is not incompatible with the dentrifice that is stored therein. The handle portion  204  also may include a resilient material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, as a grip cover that is molded over portions of or the entirety of the handle portion  204  to enhance gripping of the handle portion  204  during use. For example, portions of the handle portion  204  that are typically gripped by a user&#39;s palm during use may include a thermoplastic elastomer or other resilient material to further increase user comfort. 
     The head portion  205  of the toothbrush  200  is coupled to the handle portion  204  and includes a front surface  217  ( FIG. 12 ) and an opposing rear surface  219  ( FIG. 16 ). In the exemplified embodiment, the base support portion  206  is formed integrally with the handle portion  204  as a single unitary body  201  using a molding, milling, machining or other suitable process. In another embodiment, it is the bristle frame portion  203  that instead is formed integrally with the handle portion  204  as a single unitary body  201  using a molding, milling, machining or other suitable process. In still other embodiments the handle portion  204  and either one or both of the brush head portion  205  (i.e., the base support portion  206  and the bristle frame portion  203 ) may be formed as separate components which are operably connected at a later stage of the manufacturing process by any suitable technique known in the art, including without limitation thermal or ultrasonic welding, a tight-fit assembly, a coupling sleeve, threaded engagement, adhesion, or fasteners. Typically, the head portion  205  is formed by any of the materials described above for the handle portion  204 . 
     The bristle frame portion  203  of the toothbrush  200  has a plurality of tooth cleaning elements  216  (e.g., bristles) extending from the front surface  217 . Common examples of “tooth cleaning elements” include, without limitation, bristle tufts, filament bristles, fiber bristles, nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, elastomeric protrusions, flexible polymer protrusions, combinations thereof and/or structures containing such materials or combinations. Suitable elastomeric materials include any biocompatible resilient material suitable for uses in an oral hygiene apparatus. To provide optimum comfort as well as cleaning benefits, the elastomeric material of the tooth or soft tissue engaging elements has a hardness property in the range of A8 to A25 Shore hardness. One suitable elastomeric material is styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) manufactured by GLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SEBS material from other manufacturers or other materials within and outside the noted hardness range could be used. 
     The tooth cleaning elements  216  are connected to the bristle frame portion  203  in any manner known in the art. For example, staples/anchors, in-mold tufting (IMT) or anchor free tufting (AFT) could be used to mount the cleaning elements/tooth engaging elements to the bristle frame portion  203 . In AFT, a plate or membrane having tuft holes therein is formed separately from the body  201  of the toothbrush  200 . Bristles or other tooth cleaning elements are positioned within the tuft holes. The free ends of the bristles on one side of the plate or membrane perform the cleaning function. The ends of the bristles on the other side of the plate or membrane are melted together by heat to be anchored in place. After the bristles are properly coupled to the head plate, the head plate is secured to the brush head such as by ultrasonic welding. 
     In an exemplary embodiment the toothbrush  200  has an exposed groove  220  along the handle portion  204  extending toward the brush head portion  205 . The groove  220  serves as storage space for a dentifrice container  232  ( FIGS. 13-14 ), such as in a line along the longitudinal axis  209 . The length, depth and width of the groove  220  are prescribed so as to fit a dentrifice container  232  of a size that stores one or more doses of dentrifice  234  ( FIG. 14 ). In a preferred embodiment the container  232  stores one dose. In another preferred embodiment, the contained  232  stores 2 doses. In still another preferred embodiment the container  232  stores 3 doses. It is preferable that the number of doses be limited to 6 or less so that the container  232 , groove  220  and handle portion  204  are not too bulky, but instead result in a toothbrush  200  of a comfortable ergonomic size suitable for travel. 
     In an exemplary embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the dentrifice container  232  is an elongated cylinder filled with dentrifice  234 . In some embodiments the container  232  has a cross section in the shape of a half circle, so as to rest flat along a floor of the groove  220 . At a proximal end  235 , the container  232  has a flat portion  237 . At the opposite end  238  the container  232  has a bulbous handle  241  which allows a user to grip the container  232  at the handle  241  to insert and extract the container  232  from the groove  220 . The dentrifice  234  is forced out through an opening  243  at the end  238  of the container  232 . A foil or other membrane  245  covers the opening  243  prior to use. A user peels off the foil, and inserts the container  232  into the groove  220  for use. The end  238  fits into an opening  247  of the channel  224 . The channel  224  extends through the body  201  from the handle portion  204  into the head portion  205 . A portion of the channel  224  extends through the head portion to an opening  246  in the front face  217  of the bristle frame portion  203 . A distal portion of the channel  224  extends in a space defined between the base support portion  206  and the bristle frame portion  203 . The channel  224  ends at the opening  246  in the front face  217  of the bristle frame portion  203 , so that the dentrifice  234  exits opening  246  to reside among the bristles  216 . 
     A pushing element  254  is positioned in the groove  220 . Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , in an exemplary embodiment the pushing element  254  includes a wheel  256  that is rolled along the channel  220  by a user&#39;s finger. The wheel  256  includes an axle  258 . Each end of the axle  258  protrudes into a respective track  263  defined in each of two sidewalls  221  of the groove  220 . When the container  232  is to be installed the wheel  256  is located toward the proximal end  214  of the handle portion  204 . The membrane  245  is removed from the end  238  of the container  232 . The bottom end  235  of the container at the flat portion  237  is slid under the wheel  256 . The container  232  then is slid distally so that the end  238  is mated into the opening  247  of the channel  224 . The container  232  is now loaded and ready for use. 
     To dispense dentrifice  234  to the bristles  216 , the user rolls the wheel  256  with their finger in the distal direction so as to squeeze the dentrifice distally out of opening  243 , into the opening  247 , through the channel  224 , and out of the opening  246 . In some embodiments, the handle portion  204  is configured to meter the doses of dentrifice  234 , such as for a toothbrush  200  and dentrifice container  232  configured to dispense a plurality of doses. For example, in some embodiments one or more bumps  267  ( FIG. 15 ) are positioned on the handle portion  204  adjacent to the groove  220  at intervals from the distal end  214 . Each interval corresponds to the dispensing of a single dose. As the user moves the wheel  256  distally squeezing the dentrifice forward, the user&#39;s finger encounters a bump to hapticly detect completion of the dispensing of one dose. To dispense another dose, the user advances the wheel  256  from the first bump  267  until the user feels the next bump. In this manner, the user can meter the doses so as to use a prescribed amount of dentrifice, and thereby avoid using excess dentrifrice. The final dose is dispensed when the wheel reaches the handle of the container  232  toward the end of the groove  220 . In another embodiment, a bump or a recess  265  is located along the track  263 . The axle  258  rolls over the bump or into the recess  265  along the track  263  so as to provide haptic feedback to the user indicating that a dose has been dispensed. The bumps  267  or recesses  265  are spaced at intervals corresponding to the dispensing of a single dose.  FIG. 14  shows two sets of recesses  265  spaced at intervals so as to correspond to a container  232  for dispensing three doses. The first dose is metered by the most proximal recess  265 . The second dose is metered by the most distal recess  265 . The third dose is metered by the wheel  256  reaching the handle  241  near the distal end of the groove  220 . 
     Occasionally it is desirable to clean the toothbrush channel  224 . To do so, the dentrifice container  232  is removed. In addition, the channel  224  is exposed to make cleaning easier. For example, in some embodiments the bristle frame portion  203  is hinged to the base support portion  206 . A latch  275  locks the bristle frame portion  203  to the base support portion  206 . The latch  275  moves along a groove  277  on the rear surface  219  of the base support portion  206 .  FIG. 16  shows the latch  275  in a position where the bristle frame portion  203  is secured to the base frame portion  206 .  FIGS. 17-19  shows the latch  275  in a position where the bristle frame portion  203  is not secured at the distal end  212  to the base support portion  206 . The latch  275  is movable from the latched position to the unlatched position, and from the unlatched position too the latched position as indicated by the arrows  279 . In an example embodiment, the distal end of the latch  275  has an L-shape with an arm portion  281  extending toward the bristle frame portion  203 . A protrusion  283  extends proximally from the arm  281 . When the latch  275  is in the latched position, the protrusion  283  extends into a recess  285  at the distal end of the bristle frame portion  203 . When the latch  275  is moved out of the latched position, the latch  275 , along with its arm  281  are moved distally separating the protrusion  283  from the recess  285 . 
     For the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , when the latch  275  in the unlocked position, the bristle frame portion  203  is movable relative to the base support portion  206 . In one embodiment, a proximal end of the bristle frame portion is connected to the base support portion  206  by a thin flexible strip  207  ( FIG. 12 ), which serves as hinge allowing the bristle frame portion  203  to move about an axis defined by the strip  207 . In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the hinge instead is formed by a male and female coupler  289 . In one embodiment a pin  291  extends from the base support portion  206  into a female recess  293  in the bristle frame portion  203  at each side of the bristle frame portion  203 . The pin  291  defines an axis of rotation that allows the bristle frame portion  203  to move along an arc  295  while the latch  275  is in the unlatched position. Alternatively, the pin(s)  291  is located on the bristle frame portion  203  and extends into female recess(es)  293 , which instead are located on the base support portion  206 . 
     With the bristle frame portion  203  rotated, the inner surfaces of the bristle frame portion  203  and base support portion  206  are exposed. While the latch  275  is in the latched position, such surfaces are in contact and define a portion  297  of the channel  224  therebetween. The user then can easily clean the channel portion  297  and the bristle frame portion&#39;s opening  246 . In addition, the user can run water and/or extend a pin through the remaining portion of the channel  224  extending to the groove  220  in the handle portion  204 . As a result, the toothbrush  200  is easily cleaned. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the bristle frame portion  203  instead is rigidly coupled to or integrally formed with the handle portion  204 , and the base support portion  206  is instead movable relative to the bristle frame portion  203  and handle portion  204  when the latch  275  is in the unlatched position. In such embodiment the base support portion  206  is coupled to the bristle frame portion by the thin flexible strip (analgous to strip  207 ) or by the coupler  289 . 
     In still another alternative embodiment as shown in  FIG. 20 , a latch  275 ′ and groove  277 ′ extend more proximal and extend deeper (compared to the latch  275 ) into the base support portion  206  to the channel  224 . The latch  275 ′ is movable in the distal direction (and in some embodiments removable) to expose the channel  224  for cleaning. In such an embodiment it is preferable that the latch  275 ′ and groove  277 ′ extend in the proximal direction along the back surface  219  of the base support portion  206  and the back surface  210  of the handle portion  204  to a position nearly opposite the groove  220 , so as to minimize the length of the channel  224  that is not exposed when the latch  275 ′ is moved distally.  FIG. 20  shows the latch  275 ′ moved distally exposing a portion of the channel  224 . The groove  277 ′ extends proximally so that its proximal end is be slightly more proximal than the distal end of the groove  220 . Accordingly, when the latch  275 ′ is removed or extended distally beyond the opening  246  in the bristle frame portion  203 , the entire channel  224  is exposed for cleaning. In such embodiment the base support portion  206  and bristle frame portion  203  are formed together as a head portion and do not hinge relative to each other. Such head portion is formed integrally with the handle portion  204  or as a separate structure. 
     Although the preferred embodiment described is for a toothbrush, the invention also encompasses other facial, eye and mouth product brushes having a personal care product capsule stored in the handle which is dispensed through an internal channel to the brush head. The capsule stores a single application, or two applications, or three applications, or a limited number of applications, such as used in a day or over a weekend for travel. Further, in some embodiments the brush includes a storage chamber for storing an extra capsule(s) than the capsule installed for dispensing. Further, a brush embodiment configured for dispensing one type of product also may dispense another type of product by loading a container of the other type of product. For example, a container configured the same as described above for storing dentrifice may instead store mouthwash. Accordingly, the brush may dispense alternative mouth care products according to the contents stored in the container in the toothbrush. The containers are substituted to dispense the alternative products. Similarly, a brush having the structural features described herein is configured in a smaller dimension to apply product from a smaller container. The container stores any of makeup, mascara, or eyebrow gel. The brush dispenses one product, then when the container is changed dispenses another type of product. Accordingly, the brush of this invention is configured as a tooth brush, shaving brush, or makeup/mascara/eye-gel brush by changing the size and shape of the handle and brush head while retaining the features for the dispensing mechanism and for facilitating cleaning. 
     The invention is intended to extend to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made in form and details without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.