MATERIAL SHAPING ASSEMBLY
The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser includes a shape template with a length and a plurality of apertures formed within the length and a template-holding toothpaste cap. The plurality of apertures are arranged in a linear configuration with at least two of the plurality of apertures having a shape different from one another and the cap is shaped to removably physically couple to a neck of a toothpaste tube. The cap has a mouth with inwardly-disposed wall elements forming a pair of inwardly-facing U-shaped channels adapted to slidably secure the shape template within. The cap also has an inner surface defining a toothpaste-guiding channel extending through the cap and defining a passageway for passing toothpaste from an interior of the tube through one of the plurality of apertures when the shape template is secured within the mouth.
The present invention relates generally to an extrusion shaper for a pasty material, and more particularly relates to a multi-orifice shape-producing toothpaste cap assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt is indisputable that oral hygiene is key to the health and longevity of one's teeth. Regular brushing with toothpaste, which removes dental plaque and tartar from teeth, is the easiest way to prevent cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Research has shown that oral hygiene, by removing bacteria from the mouth, is not only beneficial to the teeth, but is also important to one's overall health.
Although adults realize the benefits of oral health, many children do not embrace the process or the need to perform multiple brushings per day. Over the years, several devices have been introduced to the consumer market with the goal of encouraging children to brush well and more often. Examples of these devices include toothbrushes shaped like characters, toothbrushes that play music, toothbrushes with varying sizes of handles, toothpaste with sparkles and mixed colors, and many others.
One device that provides an alternative to the traditional round tubular shape given to toothpaste as it is extruded from its storage tube is shown in
Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONBriefly, in accordance with the present invention, disclosed is a shape-producing toothpaste dispenser that includes a shape template with a length and a plurality of apertures formed within the length and a template-holding toothpaste cap. The plurality of apertures are arranged in a linear configuration with at least two of the plurality of apertures having a shape different from one another and the cap is shaped to removably physically couple to a neck of a toothpaste tube. The cap has a mouth with inwardly-disposed wall elements forming a pair of inwardly-facing U-shaped channels adapted to slidably secure the shape template within. The cap also has an inner surface defining a toothpaste-guiding channel extending through the cap and defining a passageway for passing toothpaste from an interior of the tube through one of the plurality of apertures when the shape template is secured within the mouth.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a circular inwardly-facing portion adapted to engage the neck of the tube.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the cap includes threads disposed on the inner surface, the threads being adapted to mate with a standard toothpaste tube.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, a line of weakness is disposed along the length, the line of weakness allowing the shape template to bend at an approximately 90-degree angle without breaking.
In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, a tab is disposed at an end of the shape template, the tab being operable to limit an amount of slidable movement of the shape template within the U-shaped channels.
In accordance with a further feature, the present invention includes an area along the length of the shape template free of apertures and proximal to the tab, the area disposed to seal an interior of the toothpaste tube from the environment when aligned with the passageway.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes a method of extruding toothpaste from a tube, where the method includes physically coupling an extrusion cap to a neck of a toothpaste tube, the extrusion cap shaped to removably mate with the tube of toothpaste and has a circular inwardly-facing inner surface and a mouth having inwardly disposed wall elements forming a pair of inwardly facing U-shaped channels. The method further includes sliding a shape template within the U-shaped channels to align an aperture formed within the shape template with an inner diameter of the neck, the shape template having a proximal extent, a distal extent, a length connecting the proximal extent to the distal extent, and a plurality of apertures formed within the length between the proximal extent and the distal extent, the aperture having a shape different from at least one other of the plurality of apertures.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the method includes applying pressure to the tube of toothpaste whereby toothpaste within the tube of toothpaste is extruded through the aligned aperture.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.
The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
The present invention provides a novel toothpaste cap that is capable of producing any one of a plurality of uniquely-shaped toothpaste extrusions. Selection between one aperture and another is easily made by positioning of a shape template along the novel toothpaste cap, the shape template being instantly exchangeable with a replacement shape template that provides an entirely different plurality of shaped orifices.
Referring now to
The shape template 206, in the embodiment of
In addition, the cap portion 204 is provided with a shape template holding portion 212 that slidably engages the shape template 206 and secures it in one of a plurality of positions so that one of the plurality of apertures 210a-n is aligned with the outlet of the toothpaste tube 202, i.e., the inner diameter of the neck of the toothpaste tube 202.
In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
Referring now to
In the particular embodiment shown, at one extent of the passageway 402 is a raised ring 406. The raised ring 406, when present on the cap portion 204, provides a seal against an inner surface of the shape template 206 that faces the toothpaste tube 202 when the shape template 206 is within the shape template holding portion 212. The seal 406 helps prevent toothpaste from flowing between the junction of the cap portion 204 and the inner surface of the shape template 206 when the toothpaste is being forced through passageway 402. In one embodiment, the inner surface of the shape template 206 is provided with an indentation having a shape that mates with a shape of ring 406. When the shape template 206 is moved to align one of the apertures 210a-n with the neck of the toothpaste tube 202, an alignment between the ring 406 and the indentation provides a tactile feedback to the user and indicates that the template 206 is in a proper location. The ring 406 can be provided in any shape. In addition, the ring 406 can be provided on the inner surface of the shape template 206 and the indentation can be provided on the cap portion 204. In other embodiments, alignment can be achieved by a combination of raised and indented areas on the cap portion 204 that correspond to a reverse combination of raised and indented areas on the shape template 206.
Also shown in
The present invention provides advantages over the previously-known devices due, at least in part, to the fact that multiple shape templates 206 can be easily utilized with the same cap portion 204. One simply needs to slide a first shape template 206 out of the channels 302a, 302b of the shape template holding portion 212 and insert a new shape template, having shapes different from those formed in the first shape template 206. This unique feature allows the user to obtain a plurality of templates and a corresponding even greater plurality of unique shapes so that the user never gets bored of the same shape.
It should be noted that the present invention is not necessarily limited to attachment to toothpaste tubes. In alternative embodiments, the mouth 304 of the cap 200 is sized to attach to other material dispensers, such as a CHEEZE WIZ can, peanut butter tubes, cake icing dispensers, and more.
A toothpaste shaper has been disclosed that features positionable and replaceable shape templates that are easily and quickly slidably positioned from one shaped aperture to another. The invention provides shaped orifices that are easy to use, requiring less dexterity than prior-art devices. In addition, the present invention provides shaped orifices that are always visible, which makes the device easily used and understood by persons of all ages. Other features of the invention have also been disclosed that add further versatility to the apparatus but are not necessary and are not intended to be limited to the particular details disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A shape-producing toothpaste dispenser comprising:
- a shape template having a length and a plurality of apertures formed within the length, the plurality of apertures arranged in a linear configuration with at least two of the plurality of apertures having a shape different from one another; and
- a cap shaped to removably physically couple to a neck of a toothpaste tube, the cap having: a mouth with inwardly-disposed wall elements forming a pair of inwardly-facing U-shaped channels adapted to slidably secure the shape template within; and an inner surface defining a toothpaste-guiding channel extending through the cap and defining a passageway for passing toothpaste from an interior of the tube through one of the plurality of apertures when the shape template is secured within the mouth.
2. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface comprises:
- a circular inwardly-facing portion adapted to engage the neck of the tube.
3. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the cap further comprises:
- threads disposed on the inner surface, the threads being adapted to mate with a standard toothpaste tube.
4. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a line of weakness disposed along the length, the line of weakness allowing the shape template to bend at an approximately 90-degree angle without breaking.
5. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a tab disposed at an end of the shape template operable to limit an amount of slidable movement of the shape template within the U-shaped channels.
6. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 5, further comprising:
- an area along the length of the shape template free of apertures and proximal to the tab, the area disposed to seal an interior of the toothpaste tube from the environment when aligned with the passageway.
7. In combination with a toothpaste tube having a neck with external threads, the improvement comprising:
- a shape template having a proximal extent, a distal extent, a length connecting the proximal extent to the distal extent, and a plurality of apertures formed within the length between the proximal extent and the distal extent, each aperture having a shape different from at least one other of the plurality of apertures; and
- a cap shaped to removably mate with the tube of toothpaste, the cap having: a mouth having inwardly disposed wall elements forming a pair of inwardly facing U-shaped channels adapted to slidably secure the shape template within; and a circular inwardly-facing surface, the inwardly-facing surface sized to physically couple to the toothpaste tube and define a passageway for passing toothpaste from an interior of the tube through one of the plurality of apertures when the shape template is secured within the inwardly facing U-shaped channels.
8. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the inwardly-facing inner surface further comprises:
- threads adapted to mate with external threads on the neck of the toothpaste tube.
9. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 7, further comprising:
- a line of weakness disposed along the length, the line of weakness allowing the shape template to bend at an approximately 90-degree angle without breaking.
10. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 9, further comprising:
- a tab disposed at an end of the shape template operable to limit an amount of slidable movement of the shape template within the U-shaped channels.
11. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 10, further comprising:
- an area along the length of the shape template free of apertures and proximal to the tab, the area disposed to seal an interior of the toothpaste tube from the environment when aligned with the passageway.
12. A method of extruding toothpaste from a tube, the method comprising:
- physically coupling an extrusion cap to a neck of a toothpaste tube, the extrusion cap shaped to removably mate with the tube of toothpaste and having: a circular inwardly-facing inner surface; and a mouth having inwardly disposed wall elements forming a pair of inwardly facing U-shaped channels; and
- sliding a shape template within the U-shaped channels to align an aperture formed within the shape template with an inner diameter of the neck, the shape template having a proximal extent, a distal extent, a length connecting the proximal extent to the distal extent, and a plurality of apertures formed within the length between the proximal extent and the distal extent, the aperture having a shape different from at least one other of the plurality of apertures.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the physically coupling comprises:
- aligning threads disposed on the circular inwardly-facing inner surface of the cap with external threads on the neck.
14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:
- bending the shape template at an approximately 90-degree angle along a line of weakness disposed along the length, the line of weakness allowing the shape template to bend without breaking.
15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:
- sliding the shape template within the U-shaped channels until a tab disposed at an end of the shape template contacts a portion of the U-shaped channels.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the contact between the tab and the U-shaped channels aligns an area along the length of the shape template free of apertures and proximal to the tab with the inner diameter of the neck and seals an interior of the toothpaste tube from the environment.
17. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:
- applying pressure to the tube of toothpaste whereby toothpaste within the tube of toothpaste is extruded through the aligned aperture.
18. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:
- entirely removing the shape template from the U-shaped channels and inserting a different shape template into the U-shaped channels.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 13, 2009
Publication Date: Feb 17, 2011
Inventor: Eric Radzwill (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Application Number: 12/541,010
International Classification: B65D 35/38 (20060101);