WO1982000576A1

WO1982000576A1 - Toothbrush container with dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO1982000576A1
Application number: PCT/US1981/000953
Authority: WO
Inventors: R Patik
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-07-03
Filing date: 1981-07-06
Publication date: 1982-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 1983-01-03
Also published as: JPS57501312A; EP0055772A1; EP0055772A4

Abstract

Article compact permettant de porter avec soi une brosse a dents et un distributeur pour un materiau fluide. L'article permet a un utilisateur de prendre avec lui de maniere appropriee une brosse et un distributeur sans salir ou endommager l'article ou les materiaux en contact avec celui-ci. Un corps allonge (10) definit une cavite de reception creuse du materiau fluide (50) s'ouvrant vers l'exterieur a une extremite de ce corps avec une tige de brosse a dents a diametre reduit (20) maintenue de maniere centrale, et vers l'exterieur de l'autre extremite du corps. Un capuchon creux (22) est monte de maniere telescopique et amovible sur la tete (24) de la brosse a dents et la tige est supportee de maniere liberable depuis l'autre extremite du corps. De plus, un premier capuchon de fermeture (34) est supporte de maniere amovible a partir de la premiere extremite du corps et ferme l'extremite externe de la cavite. Le capuchon de fermeture comprend une pompe de distribution actionnee par un piston et supportee a partir de ce capuchon. La pompe comprend un dispositif d'actionnement a mouvement de va-et-vient (40) et un bec de decharge (48) dispose a l'exterieur du capuchon de fermeture. Le dispositif d'actionnement comprend une tige tubulaire avec un mouvement de va-et-vient se projetant vers l'exterieur depuis le capuchon de fermeture pourvu d'une crosse de piston (44) pouvant engager un crochet sur son extremite externe.Compact item allowing to carry with you a toothbrush and a dispenser for a fluid material. The article allows a user to conveniently take a brush and dispenser with it without soiling or damaging the article or the materials in contact therewith. An elongated body (10) defines a hollow receiving cavity for the fluid material (50) opening towards the outside at one end of this body with a toothbrush of reduced diameter (20) held centrally, and outward from the other end of the body. A hollow cap (22) is mounted telescopically and removably on the head (24) of the toothbrush and the rod is releasably supported from the other end of the body. In addition, a first closure cap (34) is removably supported from the first end of the body and closes the outer end of the cavity. The closure cap includes a dispensing pump actuated by a piston and supported therefrom. The pump comprises a reciprocating actuating device (40) and a discharge spout (48) disposed outside the closure cap. The actuating device comprises a tubular rod with a reciprocating movement projecting towards the outside from the closure cap provided with a piston stock (44) capable of engaging a hook on its external end.

Description

TOOTHBRUSH CONTAINER WITH DISPENSER

Technical Field

My invention relates to toothbrushes and particularly to toothbrushes to be carried with the user.

Background Art

Various instances occur wherein travelers wish to carry with them a compact toothbrush assembly as well as a mouthwash or mouth deodorant fluent material. Various forms of compact toothbrushes including removable closures for the toothbrush heads- thereof heretofore have been pro¬ vided, but most of these previously known devices have not proven satisfactory. In addition, many of the previously known forms of compact toothbrush assemblies have not in- eluded structure for containing a supply of mouthwash or mo deodorant fluent material. Accordingly, a need exists for a compact toothbrush for use by travelers and which include structure for containing a fluent mouthwash or mouth deodor ant material. Examples of previously known forms of compact toothbrush including some of the general structural and operational features of the instant invention are disclosed in U. S. Pat. Nos. 1,349,110, 2,233,522, 2,317,111 and 2,934,975.

Disclosure of Invention

The compact toothbrush of the instant invention includes a handle defining body from one end of which a centrally disposed and diametrically reduced support shank extends including a free end. The free end of the support shank includes a toothbrush head and a hollow cap is pro¬ vided for telescoping over the toothbrush head and the shank and releasable support from the associated hand grip defining body end. The opposite end of the hand grip defining body defines an endwise outwardly opening recess or cavity in which fluent mouthwash or mouth deo¬ dorant material may be contained and a closure cap is provided for removably closing the outer end of the cavity. The closure cap includes a plunger actuated pump which may be operated from the exterior of the body and is provided with an exterior discharge neck.

In a first form of the toothbrush the toothbrush shank is permanently mounted to the body, in a second form the toothbrush shank is formed integrally with the associated end of the body and in a third form of the toothbrush, the toothbrush shank is removably supported from the asso¬ ciated hand grip defining body. Finally, in a fourth form of the toothbrush, the toothbrush shank supporting end of the body is open and closed by a plug secured within the body and with which the toothbrush shank is integrally formed.

The main object of this invention is to provide a compact toothbrush which may be readily carried by persons who travel.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a convenient compact toothbrush including a cover for the toothbrush head portion thereof.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a compact toothbrush including a cavity therein which fluent mouthwash or mouth deodorant material may be contained.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a toothbrush in accordance with the immediately preceding object and including a plunger actuated pump whereby fluent mouthwash or mouth deodorant material may be discharged unde pressure from the toothbrush as required.

OMPI A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a toothbrush in accordance with the preceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construc- tion and easy to use so as to provide a device which will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively troub free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accom¬ panying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numeral refer to like parts throughout.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the compact toothbrush of the instant invention in a fully closed position and supported from a suitable support hook;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 2—2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the hand grip end of the toothbrush illustrating the removable closur cap for the fluent material receiving cavity and portions of the piston plunger operated dispensing pump;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illus¬ trating a second form of toothbrush shank;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illus¬ trating a third form of toothbrush shank; Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustr ing a fourth form of toothbrush shank; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a modified form of closure cap for the fluent material receiving cavity end of the toothbrush and modified cap also may be supported from a suitable hook structure. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, and to Figures 1 and 2 in particular, the numeral 10 generally designates a first form of toothbrush constructed in accord- ance with the present invention. The toothbrush includes an elongated hand grip defining body including a diametrical and externally threaded end 14 on one end. The end 14 includes a blind bore 16 formed therein in which the base end 18 of a toothbrush shank 20 is non-removably secured. The toothbrush shank 20 includes an outer free end 22 de¬ fining a toothbrush head including bristles 24. A hollow cap 26 including one internally threaded open end 28 is removably threaded over the diametrically reduced and ex¬ ternally threaded end 14 in order to enclose the head 22 and the shank 20 within the hollow cap 26.

The end of the body 12 remote from the diametrically reduced end 14 includes an endwise outwardly opening cavity 30 formed therein and a diametrically reduced and externally threaded terminal end 32 over which an internally threaded closure cap 34 is removably threaded. The closure cap supports a piston plunger operated pump 36 internally thereo including a check valve equipped pick up tube 38 extending inwardly to the innermost portion of the cavity 30. The pump 36 additionally includes an externally projecting re- ciprocal and check valve equipped piston actuator 40 which is spring biased to an outermost position by a compression spring 42. The outer end of the actuator 40 includes a cross head 44 supported therefrom and the cross head 44 may be conveniently supportively engaged with a wall mounted hook 46 or the like for support of the toothbrush 10 from the hook 46. The actuator 40 is hollow and includes a discharge neck 48 communicated, with the interior of the actuator 40 and spaced inward of the cross head 48. It will be noted that upon reciprocation of the actuator 40 fluent material 50 from within the cavity 30 is pumped therefrom an discharged through the neck 48 under pressure.

With attention now invited more specifically to Figure 4 of the drawings, there may be seen a modified form of body 12* with which the base end 18' of a shank 20' correspond¬ ing to the shank 20 is integrally formed.

In Figure 5 of the drawings, there may be seen in a further modified form of body referred to in general by reference numeral 12' ' including a blind threaded bore 17 in which the base end 18' ^* of a toothbrush shank 20'^* corresponding to the toothbrush 20 is removably threadedly engaged. In Figure 6 of the drawings there may be seen yet anothe modified form of body 112 corresponding to the body 12 but which includes an open end 113. A plug 115 is sealingl secured in the open end 113 and integrally supports the bas end 118 of a toothbrush shank 120 therefrom. Finally, with attention invited more specifically to Figure 7'of the drawings, there may be seen a closure .cap 34" corresponding to the closure cap 34 but which does not support a pump corresponding to the pump 36 therefrom. In addition, the closure cap 34'is not internally threaded and is adapted to be frictionally engaged with an externally smooth diametrically reduced end corresponding to the termin end 32. However, the closure cap 34' includes an outer sup¬ port shank 40' supported therefrom and^* including an outer en enlarged head 44^* corresponding to the head 44 thus enabling the cap 34' to be supported from the hook 46.

The fluent material 50 may comprise a mouthwash or mouth deodorant material. Additionally, if a supply of mouthwash or mouth deodorant is not desired, the cavity 30 may be utilized to contain a dentifrice. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modi¬ fications 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.

OMPI

Claims

Clai s

1. A combined toothbrush, toothbrush enclosure and fluent material reservoir assembly, set assembly comprising an elongated body defining a hollow fluent material receiving cavity therein opening outwardly of one end of said body, means for manually expelling fluent material from said hollow fluent material receiving cavity, said expelling means having an oriface for expelling said fluent material, the other end of said body including a toothbrush shank supported there from, projecting outwardly of said other body end and including an outer free end, a toothbrush head support from said outer free end, a first closure cap removabl supported from said one end and closing the outer end of said cavity, and a hollow cap removably telescoped over said toothbrush head and said shank, and releasabl supported from the other end of said body

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said closure cap includes said expelling means which comprises a piston plunger operated dispensing pump supported therefrom including a pickup tube extending inward of said cavit to a point adjacent the inner end thereof, said pump including a reciprocal actuator and discharge spout disposed externally of said closure cap.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said actuator inclu a reciprocal tubular shank projecting outwardly from said closure cap equipped with a hook engageable cross head on it s outer end portion.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said discharge spou is carried by the outer end of said tubular shank in- ward of said cross head and communicates with the in¬ terior of said tubular shank.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said toothbrush shank is formed integrally with said other end of said body.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said toothbrush shank is removably supported from the other end of said body.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said other end of said body is open and closed by a plug sealingly closing the other end of said body, said toothbrush shank being formed integrally with said plug.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said closure cap is removably frictionally engaged with said one end of said body.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said closure cap ■ is removably threadedly engaged with said body.

OMPI