GB2393642A

GB2393642A - Adjustable dual-function toothbrush applicator

Info

Publication number: GB2393642A
Application number: GB0224942A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Spalding
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-02
Filing date: 2002-10-28
Publication date: 2004-04-07
Also published as: GB0222777D0; GB0224942D0

Abstract

A brush head 4 that connects to a stemmed handle 1 is attached to a reservoir of tooth cleaning agent by an adaptor 2. The handle is adjustable by being able to retract into the toothpaste supply. With the handle fully retracted a securing cap 3 fastens to the adaptor as does a bristle cover 7. The bristle cover prevents the toothpaste from drying out. In use, pressure on the reservoir causes cleaning agent to flow though the handle to the brush head and out through holes (5, figure 2) at the base of the bristles. The toothbrush applicator would ideally be made of plastics or resin based materials.

Description

l Adiustable length dual-functional toothbrush-aoolicator The Invention

relates to a portable dual use toothbrush-applcator that can adjust to variable lengths when Integrated within a toothpaste or gel supply The toothbrush-applcator can be used as a standalone toothbrush when removed from the supply The toothbrush-applcator Includes a hollow round-stem handle, which can be used as a standalone toothbrush when attached to the brush head, a protective bristle cover, toothbrush handle end-plug, securing cap and adaptor Well-known toothbrushes and applicators suffer from disadvantages such as....

Complicated structural designs, which relies on many moving components like plunger mechanisms or pumps Most toothbrushes or applicators come either in one fixed length, or are not dual functional, nor do they have the option to extend or retract directly from a toothpaste or gel supply.

Normally combined toothbrush type applicators are supplied with refillable or disposable cartridges which can restricts the amount of toothpaste supply a toothbrush applicator can hold, because of the housing size, or the shape of the supply Toothbrush's overall sizes can be a disadvantage, If the toothbrush stem protrudes from the toothpaste supply too much This can limit the 'compact' portability; it could also be messy If the supply needs to be disassembled for packing purposes, or even worst when unpacking you find toothpaste everywhere Toothbrushes will normally rely on externally applied toothpaste to the bristles portion of the brush head, which usually means that the toothpaste and toothbrush are two separate Items therefore are not combined as one Often close alignment of the toothpaste to bristles Is needed, this can be especially difficult for younger children and senior citizens and those people with disabilities A steady hand Is required to maintain a straight and even flow of toothpaste over the brush head

MY invention The objective of the Invention Is to provide a simple yet practical means of applying toothpaste through a hollow retractable portable toothbrush-applcator. The applicator can be Integrated within a supply of toothpaste or used as a standalone toothbrush The Invention differs from others because; the toothbrush-applcator 'hollow stem handle' Is Inserted directly Into a toothpaste tube or reservoir supply. It can be considered as 'all in one' toothbrush-applcator The hollow stem handle portion of the toothbrush, can be conveniently submersed Into the toothpaste or gels supply when not in use, leaving only the brush-head portion exposed making it Ideal for traveling purposes The toothbrushapplcator can be extended or retracted from within a toothpaste or gel supply The toothbrush-applcator attaches to the neck of a toothpaste tube or reservoir I supply via a universal adaptor or by similar securing means.

Operating' Is applied by external pressure, by pressing the toothpaste tube or reservoir, which then allows the toothpaste or gel to flow or travel through the 'toothbrush-applcator' Into the hollow stemmed handle and on through to the brush head and bristles. The amount of toothpaste Is determined, by the amount of 'depressing' pressure applied to the toothpaste tube or reservoir The toothbrush-applcator achieves variable extending lengths making it suitable for children, adults and senior citizens The supply of pastes or gels can be delivered directly from a flexible type toothpaste tube. It can also be attached to venous different shaped or sized toothpaste or gel tubes A portion of the toothbrush-applcators stemmed handle usually remains within the toothpaste tube or reservoir supply This can add some additional rigidity to the toothpaste tube when the supply gets low The toothbrush-applcator handle can extend to form a longer handle when extended from the toothpaste or gel supply The toothbrush-applicator Is Ideally conveniently suited for travelling purposes, as no secondary packaging Is required

DESCRI PTION

The stemmed handle portion of the toothbrush-applcator is straight with a round circumference diameter, the lower portion has a small tapered end to receive the 'end plug'.

The stemmed handle portion Ideally could be made out of a rigid resinbased material The 'end plug' can be Inserted Into the hollow end of the toothbrush to avoid drying and clogging of the toothpastes or gels The plug Is stored conveniently In the top of the protective bristle cover until needed The plug could be manufactured from the same material as the toothbrush-applcator or a softer rubber-based material might also be suitable.

The adaptor could be made out of a similar hard-based resin material, with a softer type of rubber material on the inside If required The adaptor could accommodate various types of threads to ensure a tight at It is envisaged that the adaptor will have external and internal threads or have a similar means of attachment The securing cap Will screw on to the external threads of the adaptor or could be secured by alternative means Alternatively a selection of adaptors could be supplied with the toothbrush-applcator.

A low level Indicator coloured line or small circular recess can be used to indicate that the toothbrush-applcators stemmed handle' has reached its full length of travel extension before being removed as a standalone toothbrush or until, a replacement toothpaste tube or reservoir Is inserted When the toothpaste or gel supply Is empty the toothbrushapplicator can then be easily detached from the supply either by unscrewing the securing cap to release the toothbrush handle portion of the applicator from the adaptor, or by unscrewing the adaptor from the toothpaste tube, both are a similar process The toothbrush-applcator can be manufactured as a one-pece Item or separately as a brush head and handle The brush head portion has a narrow neck, which has 4 or 5 holes to allow the paste or gels to travel through the brush head The lower portion part of the brush head has a similar attachment as the stemmed handle A brush head can be replaced accordingly with the option of a locking means between the brush head and the stemmed-handle when required Different shaped brush heads or textured bristle tufts could also be selected Preferably the brush head will have a close fitting cap to protect the bristles of the brush and to avoid drying and clogging of the toothpastes or gels, and to keep the brush head clean when travailing An Interference fit would be required when attaching the protective cap onto the brush head and adaptor It Is envisaged that a 360-degree or 180- degree type of brush head extending from the central longitudinal axis would be supplied with the applicator. The protective cap could be manufactured out of a clear soft type plastic material.

A preferred embodiment of the invention referring to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 Showing a view of the stemmed-handle portion of the toothbrush-applcator The adaptor Is also Illustrated on the lower portion of the stemmed-handle.

Figure 2 Shows the brush head sections with outlet holes.

Figure 3 & 6 Securing cap with Internal thread.

Figure 4 Shows 'end plug' Figure 5 A protective bristle cover Figure 7 Shows the universal adaptor with Internal and external threads Figure 8 A cross-secton side view of the toothbrush-applicator As shown In figure 1, & 8, the top of the stemmed handle (1) has a shouldered thread to allow it to be secured to the brush head (4) figure 2 The stemmed handle (1) has a round diameter to enable it to be inserted through the adaptor (2) the stemmed handle (1) extends and retracts through the adaptor (2).

As shown in figure 2 the brush head (4) has exit holes (5) to allow the toothpaste or gels to travel through it Separating the brush head (4) from the stemmed handle (1) Is the securing cap (3) as shown In figure 3 & 6 & 8 This releases or secures the stemmed handle (1) to the adaptor (2) as shown In figures 1,7,8 The adaptor (2) as seen In Figures 1,7,8 is used to secure the toothpaste or gel supply to the toothbrush-applcator The end plug Fig 4 Item (6) can be removed from the top of the protective brush cap Fig 5 Item (7) to seal the lower end portion of the applcator- stemmed handle Fig 1 Item (1) when used with the brush head Fig 2 (4) as a standalone toothbrush Shown in Figure 5 Is the protective brush cap Item (7) that secures to the adaptor Fig 1 item (2) to prevent toothpaste or gel supply from drying out

Claims

I CLAIMS

1 A dual functional adjustable toothbrush-applcator comprising stemmed handle portion, universal adaptor, end plug, a textured brush head, bristles cover a securing cap

2 A toothbrush-applicator as In Claim 1 where the round stemmed hollow handle

portion can adjusts to variable lengths whist still integrated within a supply

3 A toothbrush-applcator as in Claim 1 & 2 where the handle portion of applicator & brush head can be used as a standalone toothbrush when detached from the supply

4 A toothbrush-applcator as Claim 1 & 2 where the stemmed handle can travel I through the universal adaptor directly Into the supply

5 A toothbrush-applcator as in claim 1 where the brush head having textured bristle tufts extending from the central axis around and along the stem with exit holes for gels or pastes to travel through it.

6 A toothbrush-applcator as in Claim 1,2,3 where the adaptor is used to secure the l toothbrush-applcator onto venous different external shaped and sized toothpaste l or gel supplies 7 A toothbrush-applcator as In preceding claims where the securing cap can be secured to the adaptor 8 A toothbrush-applcator End plug' as In Claim 1 can be removed from the bristles cover to seal the lower portion of the stemmed handle as claimed in any preceding claim 9 A toothbrush-applcator as in claim 1, which the bustles cover, attaches to the outer surface of the adaptor as In claim 6 10 A toothbrush-applcator as In claim 1, which the bristles cover, attaches to the top of the brush head 11 A toothbrush-applcator as claimed In any proceeding claim, which is made from plastic or resn-based materials 12 A toothbrush-applcator as described and Illustrated In accompanying drawings