TOOTHPASTE DISPENSER WITH AN INTEGRATED TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER

DISTRIBUTRICE DE DENTIFRICE AVEC PORTE-BROSSE A DENTS INTEGRE

English Abstract

A toothpaste dispenser comprises a generally cylindrical toothpaste
container for storing a quantity of toothpaste, a fluid pump mechanism
for dispensing toothpaste, and a toothbrush. The generally cylindrical
toothpaste container is formed in a single mould. The top portion of the
toothpaste container forms a vertical slit which is capable of slidably
receiving the toothbrush in order to hold the neck of the toothbrush.
Alternatively, the bottom portion of the toothpaste container forms a
vertical hole which is capable of slidably receiving the toothbrush in
order to hold the handle of the toothbrush. This invention relates to
toothpaste dispensers, and the principal use of the invention is for
dispensing toothpaste and holding toothbrushes.

French Abstract

Une distributrice de dentifrice comprend un contenant de dentifrice généralement cylindrique pour stocker une certaine quantité de dentifrice, un mécanisme de pompe de fluide pour distribuer le dentifrice et une brosse à dents. Le contenant de dentifrice généralement cylindrique est formé dans un seul moulage. La partie supérieure du contenant de dentifrice forme une fente verticale qui est capable de recevoir par glissement la brosse à dents pour retenir le cou de la brosse à dents. Alternativement, la partie inférieure du contenant de dentifrice forme un trou vertical qui est capable de recevoir par glissement la brosse à dents pour retenir le manche de la brosse à dents. La présente invention a trait aux distributrices de dentifrice et la principale utilisation de l'invention consiste à distribuer le dentifrice et à retenir les brosses à dents.

Claims

Claims
.cndot. The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A toothpaste dispenser comprising:

o a generally cylindrical toothpaste container for storing a quantity
of toothpaste, the toothpaste container having a top portion and a
bottom portion, the generally cylindrical toothpaste container
having a substantially circular cross section, the top portion of
the generally cylindrical toothpaste container having portions
defining a central hole, the bottom portion of the generally
cylindrical toothpaste container having portions defining two
vertical holes;

o a fluid pump mechanism for dispensing toothpaste, the fluid pump
mechanism securely inserted into the central hole of the top portion
of the generally cylindrical toothpaste container, the fluid pump
mechanism having an outlet, the fluid pump mechanism having a
resting position and a dispensing position; and

o two toothbrushes, each toothbrush having a top portion defining a
brush and a bottom portion defining a handle;

each vertical hole of the generally cylindrical toothpaste container
being capable of slidably receiving each toothbrush in order to hold
the handle of each toothbrush, each vertical hole continuously
extending from the bottom portion of the generally cylindrical
toothpaste container to the top portion of the generally cylindrical
toothpaste container, each vertical hole having a substantially
circular cross section, the outlet of the fluid pump mechanism
positioned higher than the top portion of each toothbrush when each
toothbrush is placed in each vertical hole and the fluid pump
mechanism is either in the resting position or in the dispensing
position.


2. The toothpaste dispenser as defined in claim 1, in which the generally
cylindrical toothpaste container is formed in a single mould.


3. The toothpaste dispenser as defined in claim 1, in which the generally
cylindrical toothpaste container is made of PET plastic material.


4

Description

CA 02497399 2011-08-09
Description

Title
= Toothpaste Dispenser with an Integrated Toothbrush Holder
Technical Field

= This invention relates to toothpaste dispensers, more particularly to a
toothpaste dispenser with an integrated toothbrush holder.

Background Art

= There are many instances where it would be desirable to be able to
provide a stand-alone toothpaste dispenser which has a fluid pump
mechanism and an integrated toothbrush holder.

= A number of patents disclose toothpaste dispensers in many different
configurations.

= These prior art arrangements either do not have a fluid pump mechanism,
or do not have an integrated toothbrush holder. Moreover, none of the
prior art toothpaste dispenser is formed in a single mould.

= The applicant has discovered that if a quantity of gel-type toothpaste is
dispensed from a fluid pump mechanism without a cover on the spout, the
tip of the spout will not dry out, although careful choice of the
diameter of the intake tube, careful selection of the size of the spout,
and careful control of the viscosity of the toothpaste are required.
Description of the Invention

= It is a primary object of the invention to provide a stand-alone
toothpaste dispenser which is not wall-mounted.

= It is another object of the invention to provide a toothpaste dispenser
which has a fluid pump mechanism.

= It is another object of the invention to provide a toothpaste dispenser
which has an integrated toothbrush holder.

= It is another object of the invention to provide a toothpaste dispenser
which is formed in a single mould.

= A toothpaste dispenser comprises a generally cylindrical toothpaste
container for storing a quantity of toothpaste, a fluid pump mechanism
for dispensing toothpaste, and a toothbrush. The generally cylindrical
toothpaste container is formed in a single mould. The top portion of the
toothpaste container forms a vertical slit which is capable of slidably
receiving the toothbrush in order to hold the neck of the toothbrush.
Alternatively, the bottom portion of the toothpaste container forms a
vertical hole which is capable of slidably receiving the toothbrush in
order to hold the handle of the toothbrush.

Brief Description of the Figures in the Drawings
1


CA 02497399 2011-08-09

= In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention:

o Figure 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a toothpaste dispenser
according to the invention;

o Figure 2 is a side view of the invention of Figure 1;
o Figure 3 is a top view of the invention of Figure 1;

o Figure 4 is a front view of another embodiment of a toothpaste
dispenser according to the invention;

o Figure 5 is a side view of the invention of Figure 4; and
o Figure 6 is a top view of the invention of Figure 4.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

= In one embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 (a front view) and
in Figure 2 (a side view), a toothpaste dispenser comprises a generally
cylindrical toothpaste container 1-1 for storing a quantity of
toothpaste, a fluid pump mechanism 1-2 for dispensing toothpaste, and a
toothbrush 1-3.

= The toothpaste container 1-1 has a top portion 1-4 and a bottom portion
1-5. The top portion 1-4 of the toothpaste container 1-1 has portions
defining a central hole.

= The fluid pump mechanism 1-2 is securely inserted into the central hole
of the top portion 1-4 of the generally cylindrical toothpaste container
1-1. The fluid pump mechanism comprises an outlet 1-6.

= The toothbrush 1-3 has middle portions defining a neck.

= The top portion 1-4 of the toothpaste container 1-1 forms a vertical slit
which is capable of slidably receiving the toothbrush 1-3 in order to
hold the neck of the toothbrush 1-3. The outlet 1-6 of the fluid pump
mechanism is positioned higher than the top portion 1-4 of the toothbrush
when the toothbrush is placed in the vertical slit.

= Figure 3 shows a top view of the toothpaste dispenser, whose generally
cylindrical toothpaste container 1-1 has a substantially circular cross
section. The generally cylindrical toothpaste container 1-1 may have a
substantially rectangular cross section.

= The generally cylindrical toothpaste container 1-1 may be transparent.
The generally cylindrical toothpaste container 1-1 may be formed in a
single mould. The generally cylindrical toothpaste container 1-1 may be
made of PET plastic material.

= In another embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4 (a front view)
and in Figure 5 (a side view), a toothpaste dispenser comprises a
generally cylindrical toothpaste container 2-1 for storing a quantity of
toothpaste, a fluid pump mechanism 2-2 for dispensing toothpaste, and a
toothbrush 2-3.

= The toothpaste container 2-1 has a top portion 2-4 and a bottom portion
2-5. The top portion of the toothpaste container 2-1 has portions
defining a central hole.

2


CA 02497399 2011-08-09

= The fluid pump mechanism 2-2 is securely inserted into the central hole
of the top portion 2-4 of the generally cylindrical toothpaste container
2-1.

= The toothbrush 2-3 has bottom portions defining a handle.

= The bottom portion 2-4 of the toothpaste container 2-1 forms a vertical
hole which is capable of slidably receiving the toothbrush 2-3 in order
to hold the handle of the toothbrush 2-3. The vertical hole extends from
the bottom portion 2-5 of the toothpaste container to the top portion 2-5
of the toothpaste container.

= Figure 6 shows a top view of the toothpaste dispenser, whose generally
cylindrical toothpaste container 2-1 has a substantially circular cross
section. The generally cylindrical toothpaste container 2-1 may have a
substantially rectangular cross section.

= The generally cylindrical toothpaste container 2-1 may be transparent.
The generally cylindrical toothpaste container 2-1 may be formed in a
single mould. The generally cylindrical toothpaste container 2-1 may be
made of PET plastic material.

3

Representative Drawing