Patent Abstract:
A refillable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush has a toothpaste containing capsule for dispensing toothpaste through the bristle head of the toothbrush. The toothpaste capsule can be filled using any standard toothpaste tube. Grooves in the toothpaste passageway prevent clogging of toothpaste in the toothbrush. In an alternate embodiment, the dispensing toothbrush also contains a sonic vibrating device.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/319,441 filed on Mar. 31, 2010, entitled “Easy Brush” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Toothpaste dispensing toothbrushes are known in the prior art; however, several drawbacks have prevented them from finding wide spread use in the industry. The present invention seeks to solve these drawbacks, including preventing toothpaste clogs and allowing for easy cleaning of reusable parts as well as easy, cost effective replacement of replaceable parts. The present invention easily disassembles into three main components, each serving a specific, unique purpose, and each being specifically designed for replacement or cleaning. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved toothpaste dispensing toothbrush. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,622,984 to Gaebel discloses a toothbrush and toothpaste dispenser comprised of a hand manipulated rotating shaft with a transparent indicator window and is capable of dispensing toothpaste through the bristles. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,629 to Jordan discloses a toothpaste dispensing toothbrush that is capable of dispensing paste through the bristles. The toothbrush body has a hollow interior that stores a paste container and dispenses it through a stem. The device is controlled by a button that, when pressed, forces paste through the stem. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,073 to Trocino discloses a toothpaste dispensing toothbrush that contains a refillable paste container in the body. The refillable container is actuated by a plunger that, when twisted, forces toothpaste through the bristles of the brush. The brushing end of the toothbrush is removable and changeable. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,194 to Smith also discloses a toothpaste dispensing toothbrush wherein the paste container is actuated by a plunger that, when twisted, forces toothpaste through the bristles of the brush. However, the Smith device uses disposable paste containers rather than refillable ones. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,341 to Kwak, U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,897 to Craig and U.S. Pat. No. 4,116,570 to Parenti each disclose a toothbrush device with a built in standard toothpaste dispenser tube and a handle that slidably dispenses the paste through the bristles. 
     While effective in dispensing toothpaste, these prior art devices have several known drawbacks. Toothpaste regularly clogs the passageway, causing the brush to become inoperable until cleaned. Toothpaste storage means are either specially designed disposable tubes, which require higher costs to replace, or re-useable capsules that may be difficult to fill and clean. Furthermore, inadequate filling ports have been known to cause toothpaste to flow out of the port while filling, which creates an undesirable mess. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of toothpaste dispensing toothbrushes now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new toothpaste dispensing toothbrush wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when brushing their teeth. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a toothpaste dispensing toothbrush that can be easily disassembled for cleaning and maintenance. The present invention breaks down into three main components, each of which can be easily cleaned or replaced. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a toothpaste dispensing toothbrush that does not clog with toothpaste. The present invention has a plurality of groves in the toothpaste passageway to ensure moist toothpaste remains in the passageway. Moist toothpaste makes it easier to clear dried toothpaste from the outlet port of the toothbrush. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a universal fitting for a refillable toothpaste capsule. The present invention has a tapered inlet port on the refillable toothpaste capsule that is capable of receiving any size toothpaste tubes for clean, easy refilling. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  Shows a perspective view of the dispensing toothbrush. 
         FIG. 2  Shows a side cross sectional view of the dispensing toothbrush. 
         FIG. 3  Shows a perspective cross section view of the toothpaste capsule. 
         FIG. 4  Shows a front cross sectional view of the top of the toothpaste capsule joining to the tapered upper end of the toothbrush body. 
         FIG. 5  Shows a bottom cross sectional view of the toothpaste capsule inserted in the toothbrush body. 
         FIG. 6  Shows a perspective view of the toothbrush neck. 
         FIG. 7  Shows a side cross sectional view of the internal grooves near the toothpaste outlet port at the head end of the toothbrush neck. 
         FIG. 8  Shows a front cross sectional view of the tapered upper end of the toothbrush body joining with the toothbrush neck and toothpaste capsule. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view and  FIG. 2 , there is shown a front cross sectional view of the dispensing toothbrush. The toothbrush is made of three main components, including a neck  12 , a hollow toothbrush body  11 , and a toothpaste capsule  13 . The neck is intended to be removed and replaced when the bristles  14  are worn out. The upper bristle end of the neck  12  forms the toothbrush head  27 . The head has a plurality of bristles  14  on its exterior surface and a toothpaste outlet port  15  in between the bristles for dispensing toothpaste onto the bristles. At the lower end of the neck are two pressure grips  16  for removably attaching the neck to the top surface  50  of the body  11 . The body has a transparent slit  18  with graduated marking for monitoring the level of toothpaste in the toothpaste capsule. The capsule is preferably made from a transparent material so that the volume of toothpaste can be viewed. At the tapered upper end  51  of the body are two pressure grips  17  for attaching to the toothpaste capsule. A cap  23  covers the neck when the toothbrush is not in use. Use of the cap prevents bacteria from contaminating the bristles when the brush is not in use. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a perspective cross sectional view of the toothpaste capsule  13 , and  FIG. 4 , there is shown a front cross sectional view of the toothpaste capsule joining with the body. The capsule has an interior volume for storing toothpaste and a screw shaft  32  and plunger  31 . The screw shaft is attached to the upper surface and lower surface of the capsule. 
     A rotating knob  19  with threads  30  is screwed into the lower end of the capsule and is attached to the screw shaft. The knob can be unscrewed to access the interior of the capsule for cleaning. In an alternate embodiment, the knob can be formed as part of the toothpaste capsule. Rotating the knob causes the screw shaft to rotate. The plunger  31  is threadedly attached to the screw shaft so that rotation of the knob causes the plunger to traverse the screw shaft. The plunger has a soft rubber circumferential surface to ensure a tight seal between it and the interior walls of the capsule. Alternatively, the plunger can have an O-ring or similar sealing member to ensure a proper seal. 
     The upper surface of the capsule has an inlet port  28  and an outlet port  33 . The inlet port has a threaded, tapered interior for threadedly receiving various size toothpaste tubes. The threads are discontinuous to further accommodate a variety of difference size tubes. A toothpaste tube can be threadedly attached to the capsule inlet port for refilling the capsule with toothpaste. Once the capsule is filled, the toothpaste tube is removed and a threaded cap  25  is threadedly attached to the capsule inlet port to ensure toothpaste does not exit through it. The capsule outlet port  33  mates with the body inlet port  24  located on a mid surface  52  that separates the upper and lower ends of the body. When the knob is turned, toothpaste is forced out through the capsule outlet port and into a body passageway  26  inside the tapered upper end of the body. The interior side  38  of the capsule&#39;s upper surface  35  is sloped, causing the upper surface to have a tapered thickness. The thickness is greatest at the inlet port, which causes the plunger to contact the inlet side of the surface first, thus ensuring the last amount of toothpaste is forced out through the outlet port. The upper surface has a circumferential lip  39  for the pressure grips to grasp. The capsule can be inserted into the open base  53  of the tubular lower end  54  of the body  11  until it latches the pressure grips. To remove the capsule the pressure grips are pressed inward, causing them to release the capsule. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the non-circular shape of the toothpaste capsule  13  and body  11 . This is essential to restrain the rotational degree of freedom of the plunger, ensuring that it traverses the screw shaft. On opposite sides of the capsule&#39;s exterior surface are two longitudinal protrusions  29 . These protrusions align with longitudinal slits  43  on the interior surface of the body. Proper alignment of the capsule is important to ensure that the outlet port  33  mates with the inlet port  24  of the body. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a perspective view of the toothbrush neck. At the lower attach end  55  of the neck  12  is a neck inlet port  40  for receiving toothpaste from the body. An internal passageway  22  in the neck communicates toothpaste from the neck inlet port to the toothpaste outlet port  15  on the head. Also on the lower attach end of the neck is a cavity  41  for receiving a sonic vibrating device  21  which is commonly used in the oral hygiene industry for vibrating the neck and head of the toothbrush. The sonic vibrating device  21  is shown in  FIG. 2 , along with an on/off switch  20 . The sonic device is located in the tapered upper end of the body, with the vibrating head  56  protruding through the top surface of the body so as to communicate the vibrations to the neck when the neck is attached. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a cross sectional view of the clog resistant toothpaste passageway  36  in the head of the neck, near the outlet port. Toothpaste clogs have long been a drawback in the field of dispensing toothbrushes. The present invention solves this problem by forming a plurality of grooves  37  on the internal surface of the internal toothpaste passageway  36  in the neck. The grooves are only required near the bend in the passageway, just before the exit port  15 , as this is where clogging typically occurs. The grooves can be longitudinal, as shown, or a radial spiral. Radial grooves would be similar to a threaded interior with a large thread pitch. The grooves collect wet toothpaste in an airtight environment, thus preventing the toothpaste from drying out. The wet toothpaste in the grooves makes it easier to push out dried toothpaste near the outlet port. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a cross sectional view of the connection between the tapered upper end  51  of the body  11 , the neck  12 , and the capsule  13 . The neck is snapped onto the body with two pressure grips  16  grasping notches  44  on the side wall of the body. The inlet port  40  of the neck will mate with the outlet port  45  of the body. A body passageway  26  connects the inlet port  24  of the body with the outlet port  45  of the body for transferring toothpaste from the capsule to the neck. 
     In use an individual can remove the capsule from the toothbrush body, cap the outlet port to prevent paste from flowing out, screw a toothpaste tube into the universal inlet port and squeeze paste into the capsule. Once the capsule is filled, it can be inserted into the toothbrush and locked into place by the pressure tabs. The grooves will ensure its proper alignment so that the capsule and body ports align. The knob is turned and paste is dispensed through the head. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0