Patent Application
20220061516
The embodiments generally relate to toothbrushes and, more specifically, relate to toothpaste dispensing toothbrushes.
Toothbrushes are an oral hygiene instrument used to clean the teeth, gums, and tongue. The device often comprises a head of tightly clustered bristles, providing a surface atop which toothpaste can be applied. The head is mounted to a handle, allowing the user to hold the toothbrush while the head and bristles clean the mouth.
Throughout the years, various toothbrush configurations have been developed. Consumers can purchase heads having bristles with varying textures, sizes, and forms. For example, soft toothbrush bristles may be preferable to hard due to the abrasive qualities of a hard bristles, which may cause damage to the enamel and gums. One major advancement in recent years is the development of the electric toothbrush. It has been shown that the electric toothbrush, which provides multi-directional bristle movement, may reduce the incidence of gingivitis and plaque when compared to regular side-to-side brushing with a manual brush.
Manual and electric toothbrushes alike require the user to apply toothpaste to the bristles for adequate cleaning of the teeth, gums, and tongue. This process is time consuming, tedious for compromised users, and requires a sufficient supply of toothpaste which can be forgotten or misplaced.
This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Embodiments described herein provide a toothpaste dispensing toothbrush comprising a handle including an interior cavity to store a toothpaste therein. A dispensing element is provided within the interior cavity to dispense the toothpaste onto a head in fluid communication with the interior cavity via a conduit. A plurality of apertures are provided on the front side of the head to permit the egress of toothpaste onto the head along with a plurality of bristles positioned on the front side of the head to provide abrasion to the teeth, gums, and tongue during brushing.
The embodiments allow the user to store toothpaste in a container positioned within the interior cavity of the toothbrush handle and selectively dispense the toothpaste onto the bristles before use, thus reducing the need for storing toothpaste separately from the toothbrush and manually transferring the toothpaste from the toothpaste tube onto the bristles.
In one aspect, the dispensing element is an Archimedes screw.
In one aspect, a rotationally engaged disc is in operable communication with the dispensing element.
In one aspect, a lock prevents the rotation of the rotationally engaged disc.
In one aspect, a latch retains the toothbrush in an unfolded position during use. The latch may be disengaged to allow folding of the toothbrush during storage.
In one aspect, a hinge is in operable communication with a door to permit access to the interior cavity.
In one aspect, a rubber gasket is positioned between the disc and the interior wall of the interior cavity to prevent the egress of toothpaste.
A complete understanding of the present embodiments and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are to the described apparatus. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood therefrom.
Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components and procedures related to the apparatus. Accordingly, the apparatus components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitation or inferences are to be understood therefrom. Furthermore, as used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship, or order between such entities or elements.
In general, the embodiments provide a toothbrush having an integrated toothpaste storage component and means for dispensing the toothpaste onto the bristles. The embodiments allow the user to store toothpaste in a container positioned within the interior cavity of the toothbrush handle and selectively dispense the toothpaste onto the bristles before use, thus reducing the need for storing toothpaste separately from the toothbrush and manually transferring the toothpaste from the toothpaste tube onto the bristles.
As used herein, the term “toothpaste” relates to various forms of abrasives used in conjunction with a toothbrush for oral hygiene. Toothpaste may include tooth gel, tooth powder, and other dentifrices known in the arts.
In some embodiments, the lock 109 may be in communication with a latch to permit the toothpaste to fold into a storage configuration when not in use or during travel.
In some embodiments, the handle 100 is comprised of a hollow tube adapted to contain a plurality of toothpaste tubes. The toothpaste tubes are stored within the handle 100 of the toothbrush and are dispensed via apertures positioned on the head of the toothbrush.
In some embodimens, the head may pivot via a screw mechanism allowing the user to selectively position the toothbrush into an in-use or storage configuration.
Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.
An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.
