GB2318284A

GB2318284A - Toothbrush

Info

Publication number: GB2318284A
Application number: GB9621668A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Joseph Pooley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-10-17
Filing date: 1996-10-17
Publication date: 1998-04-22
Also published as: GB9621668D0

Abstract

A toothbrush is attached to a cap 1 screwed to a storage tube 2 which also contains toothpaste. For use, the cap is unscrewed, and screwed the other way to the tube so that the brush projects.

Description

X = BRUSH = This invention is a two piece combined toothbrush and tube of toothpaste.

Toothpaste applied to a conventional toothbrush is well known as probably the best method of providing dental hygiene. It is often stated that regular brushing of the teeth promotes fresh breath as well as plaque removal, which help prevents tooth decay.

Obtaining dental hygiene away from domestic or hired utility facilities (ie, the home or a hotel room) often proves inconvenient or unsatisfactory. Chewing gum, breath freshening sprays, dental floss and even the brushing action obtained by the biting of certain consumables such as particular fruit can provide some limited form of dental hygiene. The carrying of a toothbrush and toothpaste would seem to provide the best option for supplying transient dental hygiene. However, even if available in a smaller scale the transporting of a standard toothbrush and paste often proves impractical and inconvenient.

According to the present invention there is provided a combined dental toothbrush and tube of toothpaste comprising a screw fit reversible cap with integral brush, attached to the cap, via a reasonable securing thread is the tube which contains a small amount of toothpaste. The tube accepts the cap/brush in two directions, one direction the brush is extended for cleaning and placed in the second direction the brush is stored within the tube. The toothpaste can be applied to the brush whilst the cap is not attached to the tube.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in Isometric view the dental brush tube in the stored direction/position.

Figure 2 shows in Isometric view the dental brush in the extended/cleaning direction/position.

Referring to the drawing the dental brush tube comprises an internally threaded screw fit reversible cap with integral brush 1 and 4, secured to the tube 2 and 3 by a reasonable thread.

When not in use the dental brush tube is secured in the stored position as shown in Fig 1. The cap with integral brush 1, possible one piece moulded plastic or polymer, is internally threaded end to end for a stay clean reversible action. The tube 2 and 3 may be of cylindrical shape as drawn or could potentially be end flattened near one end 2, comparable to contemporary marketed tube shapes.

When the dental brush tube is required for cleaning, it is placed into the extended position as shown in Fig 2. The Brush heads 4 width could be close to the diameter measurement of the tube aperture to promote a cleaning action on insertion/removal of the brush head 4 from the tube.

The amount of toothpaste within the tube 2 could be so that the brush is held clear as shown in Fig 1. The tube 2 and 3 could be of shape retaining plastic/polymer construction to encourage the toothpaste to be held at one end 2, away from the brush, through maybe surface tension and or a vacuum effect.

Applying the toothpaste to the brush is accomplished when the cap is not secured to the tube and a possible squeezing of the tube could eject the toothpaste from the tube 2 and 3.

The tube could possible be portable and easily be discreetly carried if required. Possible overall dimensions could be a maximum diameter of approximately 12mm, stored, as shown in Fig 1, length approximately 65mm and extended, as shown in Fig 2, length approximately 95mm.

The dental brush tube may well benefit from being marketed at price of less than about 1, in maybe chemists, sweatshops, general stores or similar outlets, and could therefore also be possible conceived as a disposable product.

Claims

1 A combined dental toothbrush and tube of toothpaste comprising a screw fit reversible cap with integral brush, attached to the cap, via a reasonable securing thread is the tube which can contain an amount of toothpaste. The tube accepts the cap in two directions, one direction is extended for cleaning and one direction for storage with the brush stored inside the tube.

2 A combined dental toothbrush and tube of toothpaste as claimed in Claim 1 which has an internally reasonable threaded end to end cap to facilitate a stay clean operation.

3 A combined dental toothbrush and tube of toothpaste as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the brush width is of a similar dimension to the tube's aperture to promote cleaning of the brush on insertion or removal to or from the tube.

4 A combined dental toothbrush and tube of toothpaste as claimed in Claim 1 wherein means of holding the paste in one end of the tube is provided.

5 A combined dental toothbrush and tube of toothpaste as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cap has a reversible fitting feature and contains an integral brush.

6 A combined dental toothbrush and tube of toothpaste as described herein with reference to Figures 1-2 of the accompanying drawing.