Toothbrush with toothpaste in handle

Abstract

A toothbrush having a hollow threaded tube that is threadably attached to a tube of toothpaste. The toothbrush has a hollow tube with a closed top end head portion. The head portion has a plurality of apertures and bristles on one side and a filling cavity with flexible membrane on the opposing side of the head. The toothbrush has a rigid member flexibly attached to the hollow tube so that the rigid member is generally adjacent the tube of toothpaste in operation. A cap is releaseably attached to the rigid member and can be used as a rinse cup.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/892,943 filed Mar. 5, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to toothbrushes and, more particularly, this invention relates to toothbrushes that dispense toothpaste by attaching to tubes of toothpaste.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is generally well known in the prior art, toothbrushes that attach to a tube of tooth paste such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,492 issued to Thames, Jr. teaches a threaded connection. U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,642 issued to Dillingham teaches a water reservoir. U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,001 teaches a pump mechanism for an integral toothpaste cartridge.

None of the cited references do not include a reservoir for toothpaste, pump and threaded connection to a tube of toothpaste, provision for a cap and rigid member to support the tube of toothpaste.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a toothbrush threadably attachable to a tube of toothpaste. The toothbrush is a hollow tube with a top closed end and a bottom internally threaded end adapted to engage the threaded neck of a tube of toothpaste. The hollow tube at the top close end has a head with a first side and an opposing second side. There are a plurality of bristles and a plurality of apertures on the first side of the head and a flexible membrane on the opposing second side of the head. The flexible membrane forms a cavity with the interior hollow portion of the tube. In the preferred embodiment the flexible membrane is convex. To operate the toothbrush, the user depresses the convex membrane and forces toothpaste through the plurality of apertures. The membrane returns to its original position.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a toothbrush that assemble with a tube of toothpaste into a unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush convenient for travel.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush that has a rigid member that permits a tube of toothpaste to be efficiently dispensed without excessive folding.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush with a cap that can be used as a rinse cup.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush with a filling cavity to efficiently deliver a predetermined volume of toothbrush to the user.

Another object is to provide a kit with the tooth brush and toothpaste.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the device.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components that have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIG. 1-3 an elongate hollow tube 11 has a bottom end 12 that has an interior thread that mates with the threaded neck of a conventional tube of toothpaste 10. The interior of hollow tube 11 is in fluid communication with tube of toothpaste 10. The top closed end of hollow tube 11 is head 20. Head 20 has a first side and an opposing second side. The first side of head 20 has at least one aperture 21 through the first side of head 20 that is in fluid communication with the interior of hollow tube 11. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of apertures 21 is provided. A plurality of bristles is attached to the first side of head 20.

The second opposing side of head 20 has a flexible membrane 23 that forms a cavity. The cavity is in fluid communication with the interior of hollow tube 11 and apertures 21. The flexible membrane 23 is preferably manufactured of one of rubber, other elastometric material or plastic. In operation, the user depresses the flexible membrane 23 dispensing toothpaste through apertures 21. The cavity then refills and the membrane returns to its original position. In the preferred embodiment, the volume of toothpaste is portion controlled.

In the preferred embodiment, a rigid member 26 with a predetermined shape is flexibly attached to hollow tube 11. In operation the rigid member 26 is generally adjacent to toothpaste tube 10. The rigid member 26 allows the user to squeeze toothpaste from toothpaste tube 10 without excessive folding and allows the user to use the toothpaste tube 10 in combination with rigid member 26 as a handle.

In the preferred embodiment a cap 24 is releaseably attached to rigid member 26. Cap 24 acts as a cover for the toothbrush and when removed as a rinse cup. The cup is attached preferably with a plastic snap fastener.

Further the toothbrush may be provided in a kit with a tube of toothpaste unassembled.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A toothbrush attachable to a tube of toothpaste with a threaded neck comprising:

a. an elongate hollow tube with a top end and a bottom end,

b. a threaded interior diameter at said bottom end of said hollow tube for threadably attaching said hollow tube to such threaded neck of such tube of toothpaste;

c. a head member at said top end of said hollow tube having a closed upper end, a first side and an opposing second side;

d. a plurality of apertures in said first side of said head in fluid communication with said hollow tube for dispensing such tooth paste;

e. a plurality of bristle attached to said first side of said head;

f. a flexible membrane in attached to said second opposing side of said head forming a cavity, said cavity in fluid communication with said hollow tube and said apertures, when in operation said flexible membrane is depressed by user such toothpaste is dispensed through said plurality of apertures.

2. A toothbrush according to claim 1 further having a cover with a predetermined shape and size releaseably attached to such tube of toothpaste.

3. A toothbrush according to claim 2 wherein said cover is transparent.

4. A toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein said flexible membrane has a convex shape forming a cavity with a predetermined volume.

5. A toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein said convex flexible membrane after being depressed by user returns to its convex shape.

6. A toothbrush attachable to a tube of toothpaste with a threaded neck comprising:

a. an elongate hollow tube with a top end and a bottom end,

b. a threaded interior diameter at said bottom end of said hollow tube for threadably attaching said hollow tube to such tube of tooth paste;

c. a rigid member flexibly attached to said hollow tube with a predetermined shape so that in operation said rigid member is generally adjacent to such tube of toothpaste;

d. a head member at said top end of said hollow tube having a closed upper end, a first side and an opposing second side;

e. a plurality of apertures in said first side of said head in fluid communication with said hollow tube for dispensing such toothpaste;

f. a plurality of bristle attached to said first side of said head; and

g. a flexible membrane in attached to said second opposing side of said head forming a cavity, said cavity in fluid communication with said hollow tube and said apertures, when in operation said flexible membrane is depressed by user such toothpaste is dispensed through said plurality of apertures.

7. A toothbrush according to claim 6 further having a cover with a predetermined shape and size releaseably attached to said rigid member.

8. A toothbrush according to claim 7 wherein said cover is transparent.

9. A toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein said flexible membrane has a convex shape forming a cavity with a predetermined volume.

10. A toothbrush according to claim 9 wherein said convex flexible membrane after being depressed by user returns to its convex shape.

11. A kit comprising:

a. a tube of toothpaste with a threaded exterior neck;

b. an elongate hollow tube with a top end and a bottom end,

c. a threaded interior diameter at said bottom end of said hollow tube for threadably attaching said hollow tube to such tube of tooth paste;

d. a rigid member flexibly attached to said hollow tube with a predetermined shape so that in operation said rigid member is generally adjacent to said tube of toothpaste;

e. a head member at said top end of said hollow tube having a closed upper end, a first side and an opposing second side;

f. a plurality of apertures through said first side of said head in fluid communication with said hollow tube for dispensing such tooth paste;

g. a plurality of bristle attached to said side of said head member wherein said plurality of apertures is located;

h. a flexible membrane in attached to said second opposing side of said head forming a cavity, said cavity in fluid communication with said hollow tube and said apertures, when in operation said flexible membrane is depressed by user such toothpaste is dispensed through said plurality of apertures; and

i. a cover with a predetermined shape and size releaseably attachable to said rigid member.