TOOTHPASTE AND SOLUTION CAPSULE STORAGE AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS
A water-soluble capsule (1) for storing and dispensing single-use toothpaste (3) or other substance, each capsule preferably having a finger handle (4) and a storage container (5) for holding a desired supply of capsules. Each capsule has an exterior skin (2) that is pierceable by a capsule piercing pin (9, 11) so that squeezing the capsule dispenses the substance. Alternatively, a capsule may have a weak point (12) so that squeezing the capsule (1) causes the weak point (12) to rupture and release the substance (3) from the capsule (1).
This application claims the priority benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 63/059,306 filed on Jul. 31, 2020.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to liquid storage devices and more particularly, capsules for storing toothpaste and other liquid form compositions and delivering the contents of the capsule when needed by a user.
Current conventional toothpaste storage and dispensing devices consist of metal or plastic tubes or holders that must be squeezed completely to fully use the contents. Unfortunately, due to the latter squeezing requirement, most often some of the contents are wasted. Another problem with conventional toothpaste holding devices is that such devices often dispense toothpaste in a messy manner leaving toothpaste on the cap of the tube and surrounding areas. In addition to the latter problems, an even bigger problem occurs from the disposal of such conventional devices because the metal and plastic tubes are not environmentally friendly as such are not biodegradable and thus clog up landfills.
Thus, a need exists for a storage and dispensing system that is capable of storing and dispensing toothpaste or other solutions in an easy and convenient single-use amount that reduces waste and is environmentally friendly.
Past attempts to address some of these issues include the following references, but none disclose a structure and method like the present invention.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a single-use capsule for storing and dispensing toothpaste.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a toothpaste capsule that is environmentally friendly by being water soluble.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a storage device that conveniently stores the toothpaste holding capsules that is convenient and easy to use manner.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a capsule made of water-soluble film having a finger handle to make it easy to hold during application of the toothpaste on a toothbrush or in the mouth. Each capsule would be stored and held until use in a dispenser container having a thirty-day or desired supply of capsules.
One method of use involves removal of a capsule from the dispensing container, puncturing the capsule with a small pin held in a thimble or on the underside of the top cover of the dispensing container, squeezing the capsule to dispense the toothpaste onto a toothbrush and discarding the water-soluble capsule in water to dissolve. Alternatively, the capsule may have a weak point in the film or outer skin which will rupture when the capsule is squeezed to allow the toothpaste or other substance contained therein to dispense from the capsule.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:
For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:
-
- 1. capsule, generally
- 2. capsule skin
- 3. toothpaste
- 4. capsule handle
- 5. capsule storage and dispensing container, generally
- 6. supply of capsules
- 7. exterior
- 8. container cover
- 9. capsule piercing pin
- 10. underside of container cover
- 11. thimble
- 12. weak point
Referring to the drawing figures,
The final drawing,
It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is described, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and/or drawings.
Claims
1. A capsule for holding and dispensing a desired substance, said capsule comprising:
- A capsule skin surrounding an interior having a predetermined volume in the interior; and
- a desired substance in the interior.
2. The capsule of claim 1 further comprising:
- an extension on the capsule skin of the capsule for holding the capsule between a user's fingers.
3. The capsule of claim 1 wherein the capsule skin is made of a water-soluble film.
4. The capsule of claim 1 wherein the capsule skin is pierceable by a capsule piercing tool to release the substance contained in the capsule.
5. The capsule of claim 1 wherein the exterior skin contains a weak point so that when the capsule is squeezed the weak point will rupture, thereby causing the substance to be dispensed from the capsule.
6. The capsule of claim 1 wherein the desired substance is toothpaste;
7. A storage container for holding and dispensing toothpaste and other substances, said capsule having a capsule skin surrounding an interior having a predetermined volume in the interior and a desired substance in the interior, said container comprising:
- a capsule holding section having sufficient volume to hold a desired supply of capsules; and
- a cover for closing said container, said cover having a topside and an underside, the underside containing a capsule piercing pin for piercing the skin of the capsule to release the substance contained therein.
8. A method of using a capsule to hold and dispense a desired substance, the capsule having a capsule skin surrounding an interior having a predetermined volume in the interior and a desired substance in the interior, wherein the capsule skin is pierceable by a pin-like tool to release the substance contained in the capsule, said method comprising the steps of:
- removing the capsule from a container;
- piercing the capsule skin of the capsule using a capsule piercing pin; and
- squeezing the capsule to release the substance contained therein.
9. A method of claim 8 wherein the desired substance is toothpaste;
10. A method of using a capsule to hold and dispense a desired substance, said capsule having a capsule skin surrounding an interior having a predetermined volume in the interior and a desired substance in the interior, wherein the exterior skin contains a weak point so that when the capsule is squeezed the weak point will rupture, thereby causing the substance to be dispensed from the capsule, said method comprising the steps of:
- removing a capsule from the container; and
- squeezing the capsule until the weak point ruptures to cause the substance to dispense from the capsule.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the desired substance is toothpaste.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 20, 2021
Publication Date: Feb 3, 2022
Inventor: Marcel H. Lussier (Naples, FL)
Application Number: 17/380,560