CA2329381A1 - Toothpaste dispensing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A housing for toothpaste dispensing containers with means to accommodate various pumps, squeeze-type tubes and replaceable cartridges. The housing allows for toothpaste to be cleanly, accurately and easily deposited onto a toothbrush with the use of one hand. Holders are attachable to the housing to give contamination-free storage of toothbrushes and means are provided to allow for the unit to be affixed to a vertical surface or remain free-standing on a wash basin counter.

Description

TOOTHPASTE DISPENSING UNIT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a toothpaste dispensing unit, more particularly a unit for use with squeeze-type tubes, pumps and replaceable cartridges of toothpaste, that is operable with one hand.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
All known manually-operated toothpaste pumps and tubes require the use of two hands and a certain degree of care and control to operate. This can be challenging for the elderly, the young and some handicapped persons, resulting in a messy counter top and dispenser. Toothpaste tubes are often left with the caps off, causing a hardening of the contents in and around the nozzle of the tube. When a pump is used as a dispensing means, toothpaste hardens around the spout and valve and often falls onto pump parts, rather than onto the toothbrush.
Furthermore, most pumps consist of a one-piece moulding of the pump to the toothpaste container, which is not cost-effective, as the entire unit must be discarded each time the toothpaste is exhausted.
Storage space can also be a problem, as it is often limited in small bathrooms, particularly when they are shared by many people. Toothpaste and toothbrushes are often stored together in beakers or on racks, which causes clutter and exposes the brushes to cross-contamination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a means whereby various pumps can be incorporated into a system that allows toothpaste to be dispensed with greater ease, accuracy and cleanliness using only one hand.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a more cost-effective pump that can be used with squeeze-type tubes. It is a further objective of the invention to provide a replaceable cartridge that can be used with the more cost-effective pump. A
further objective of the invention is to conserve space by providing a clean, tidy and self-contained toothpaste and toothbrush storage system that protects toothbrushes from cross-contamination.
With regard to the first objective, a pump housing that immobilises a pump unit in an inverted, vertical position is provided. Modified versions of the housing are available to accommodate the pumps that are currently available on the market, under the brand names of Aquafresh, Colgate, and Henkel. The means of immobilisation ranges from a means to engage a peripheral recess in the pump body, to a means to engage a screw thread on the body of the pump, thereby securing the pump within the housing. Also incorporated into the housing is a swing trigger which, when pressed upon with a toothbrush, with the use of just one hand, activates a trigger on the pump, thereby opening the pump outlet valve and allowing the toothpaste to be dispensed. The swing trigger also acts to guide the toothbrush so as to ensure accuracy and ease of use. As with the means of immobilisation, the swing trigger is also modified for adaptation to the various types of pumps.
The important objective of providing a more cost-effective pump is achieved by making available a reusable and easily cleaned take-apart pump to be used within the housing. The pump is composed of a trigger, a pliable displacement chamber, a back float valve and a front flap valve. When the pump trigger is depressed by the swing trigger, the flexible displacement chamber distorts, reducing the volume within the chamber, and causing the float valve to shut in order to prevent toothpaste from regressing back into the attached container. At the same time, the front flap valve opens to allow toothpaste to be expelled through the spout.
The swing trigger for use with the take-apart pump may be equipped with elastic bands to assist in properly guiding the swing when it is pushed on by a toothbrush toward the rear of the housing to compress the trigger on the pump.
One of the bands also aids in raising and lowering a shield on the spout of the pump to control the flow of toothpaste. When the toothpaste has been dispensed, and the toothbrush is withdrawn, the elastics compress to return the swing trigger back into its original position and close the spout shield so that toothpaste cannot leave the spout when the dispenser is not in use.
A connecting attachment is provided to the take-apart pump so that it can be used, within the housing, in conjunction with most known squeeze-type toothpaste containers. The bottom surface of the attachment contains engaging threads, allowing it to be screwed into the pump, while the upper surface is equipped internally, with a threaded, small-diameter hole which can accept the nozzle of a toothpaste tube.
Regarding the objective of providing a replaceable cartridge for use with the housing and the inverted pump, a pack consisting of a rigid, tubelike cartridge is attached to the pump by the mating together of threads. This replaceable pack utilizes atmospheric pressure, so that when the displacement chamber is empty, and the pressure is reduced, the back flap valve will open, causing toothpaste to flow out of the pack and into the chamber. A follower piston moves down incrementally as the atmospheric pressure becomes greater than the pressure inside the container.
Lastly, the objective of hygienic toothbrush storage is achieved in a preferred embodiment by the attachment of two tumblers, or prongs, into slots located on opposing sides of the housing. Each tumbler requires little space and accepts only one toothbrush for storage, yet can still hold sufficient water for efficient mouth rinsing. The prongs, which are also releasably attached to the housing, require even less space, while still allowing for adequate, contamination-free storage of toothbrushes when the unit is affixed to a wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail, and will be better understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a variation of the housing in use with a commercially available pump, with accessories, including: toothbrush storage, rinsing tumblers, wall bracket and two-side adhesive tape;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the housing variation, with accessories, as shown in figure 1, with toothpaste being dispensed;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of a variation of the housing in use with varying sizes of a pump;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a variation of the housing in use with a different pump, with accessories as above;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a variation of the housing with accessories, as shown in Figure 4, with toothpaste being dispensed;
Figure 6 is a sectional view of a variation of the housing in use with the pump shown in Figure 4;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a variation of the housing in use with another type of pump, with accessories as above;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the housing variation, as shown in Figure 7, with toothpaste being dispensed;
Figure 9 is a sectional view of a variation of the housing in use with the pump of Figure 7;
Figure 9a is a sectional view of the housing variation, as shown in Figure 9, with toothpaste being dispensed;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the housing, with an inverted take-apart pump secured inside, in use with a squeeze-type tube with accessories;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of the housing, as shown in Figure 10, with toothpaste being dispensed;
Figure 12 is a sectional view of the housing, with the inverted take-apart pump inside, in use with a squeeze-type tube of toothpaste;
Figure 12a is a sectional view, showing the positions of the valves within the pump, while toothpaste is being dispensed from the tube;
Figure 12b is a sectional view, the positions of the valves after toothpaste has been dispensed, and replacement occurs;
Figure 13 is a sectional view of the housing, coupled with the inverted pump, in use with a replaceable cartridge of toothpaste;
Figure 13a is a sectional view, showing the positions of the valves within the pump, while toothpaste is being dispensed from the cartridge;
Figure 13b is a sectional view, showing the positions of the valves within the pump, and the follower piston moving downwards within the cartridge, after toothpaste has been dispensed; and Figure 14 is a perspective view of the replaceable cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figures 1-3 show a pump housing unit 1 for dispensing a viscous substance such as toothpaste, adapted for use with a pump 2. Pump 2 is disclosed in U.S.
Patent 4,684,044 assigned to Realex Corporation and is used on dispensers for the AQUAFRESH brand of toothpaste sold by Smith, Kline, Beecham. A further detailed description of the pump will therefore be omitted. The housing 1 includes an upper surface 3, having a threaded annular hole 4, which allows passage of the inverted pump 5, while supporting the shoulder 6 of pump 5. Threaded hole 4 mates with the moulded threads on the pump 2 to hold the pump upside down and immobile within the housing 1, during the discharge of the toothpaste 7.
Pump housing 1 is also provided with a swing trigger 8 to guidingly receive a toothbrush 9. When a toothbrush 9 is pushed against swing trigger 8, it pivots rearwardly about pin 24 to depress a trigger 14 on pump 10, which simultaneously opens outlet valve 11 and extrudes toothpaste onto the toothbrush.
Advantageously, each side of pump housing 1 is equipped with a toothbrush holder 12, with a removable base13 for easy cleaning. The holders 12, which can also act as rinsing tumblers, house a toothbrush 9 in a manner to prevent cross-contamination from other brushes.
A wall bracket 14 is removably attached to housing 1 so that it can be affixed to a wall using for example double-sided adhesive tape 15. Screws 16 which fit into slots 17 in the rear of housing 1 are provided as an alternate means of attachment, or if attaching the unit to a wall is not desirable, the housing can be used free-standing on the washbasin counter top.
Figure 1 shows the AQUAFRESH pump 2 secured in a stationary position within housing 1, while Figure 2 shows housing unit 1 with pump 2, after the completion of a dispensing stroke. Figure 3 shows housing 1 in use with the various sizes of AQUAFRESH pumps that are currently available on the market. This figure best illustrates a shoulder 8a on swing trigger 8 that pushes against pump trigger 14 when a toothbrush is used to push against the swing trigger itself.
Figures 4-6 show a pump housing 19, adapted to fit a pump type dispenser 20 used for COLLATE brand toothpaste. Pump 20 lacks moulded threads to mate with threads formed into the housing. Another means of attachment of the pump to the housing is therefor required. One solution is shown in Figure 4 wherein a split collar 23 having a semi-circular recess 21, formed therein is removably connected to the housing such as by means of a pin 44. The housing's upper surface has a correspondingly sized and shaped opposingly oriented semi-circular recess 21 therein. The periphery of recess 21 is sized to fit into a peripheral recess 22 formed in the pump body as manufactured to securely connect the pump to the housing when pin 44 is inserted.
Figures 4 and 6 show pump 20 secured in a stationary position within the housing 19, while Figure 5 shows the housing 19 with the pump 20 in use, and at the end of a dispensing stroke . At the end of the dispensing stroke shown in Figure 5, swing trigger 8 by virtue of having been pushed inwardly by a toothbrush 9, is shown positioned toward the rear of the housing 19, after it has depressed the pump trigger 25, to open the pump outlet valve 26 so that toothpaste 7 can be expelled from the pump spout onto the toothbrush 9. Also shown in Figures 4 and 5 are the rinsing tumblers 12, wall brackets 14 and screws 16 for affixing the unit to a wall.
Figures 7-9a show a housing 27 adapted for use with a pump 28 of the type manufactured by Schwarzkopf & Henkel of Dusseldorf, Germany (hereinafter "Henkel"). In Figures 7 and 9 the pump 28 is shown immobilized and inverted within the housing 27 by a mating of the complimentary screw threads 29 on the housing 27 and pump unit 28. The housing 27 is provided with a swing trigger 30 which engages a trigger 31 on the pump, allowing toothpaste to be dispensed.
Figures 8 and 9a show the unit at the end of a dispensing stroke after the swing trigger 30 has depressed pump trigger 31 to compress the pliable displacement chamber 32 of the pump so that toothpaste is expelled from the pump spout 34 and onto a toothbrush 9.
Figures 10 - 12b show an inverted Henkel-type pump 36, secured within the housing 35 and in use with a common squeeze-type toothpaste tube 40.
Pump 36 has been modified for use in connection with the present dispenser, and the modifications will be described in greater detail below. Pump 36 utilizes the same principals of operation as the Henkel pump. These principals will be readily apparent to those persons skilled in the art by merely examining the pump.
Briefly however, the pump utilizes a follower piston, activated towards the front of the container by atmospheric pressure, but which does not need means to preclude backward movement of the piston since the displacement chamber 32 is separated from it by a back pressure float valve. The depressing of the pump trigger causes the flexible displacement chamber to distort, reducing the volume within the chamber, causing the float valve to shut and stop regression of toothpaste back into the container, and making the front flap valve open to allow the expelling of toothpaste through the spout. After this operation, the front flap valve closes, atmospheric pressure moves the follower piston down causing the float valve to open and allow replacement within the displacement chamber of the toothpaste just evacuated.
Figure 10 illustrates how a squeeze-type toothpaste container40 can be either screwed directly into a tube connector 37, or, if the engaging threads do not mesh, via a tube connector convertor 45 into which the threads can be pushed for a compressive friction fit, which will enable most squeeze-type toothpaste containers on the market to be used with the present device. Since most squeeze-type toothpaste tube containers are filled at speed, much air is included in the tube, and the mass of toothpaste contained in the tube, so instructions will be included on how to evacuate that air from within the tube before connecting the tube with the dispenser.
Once the air is evacuated from the tube 40, the empty part of the tube 40 is flattened and folded over and pressure kept on the filled part of the tube 40 so that toothpaste remains flush with the tube nozzle opening whilst the tube 40 is being screwed into the tube connector 37. When the tube 40 is connected to pump 36, it is necessary to prime the pump by keeping the flattened empty part of the tube folded over, and applying pressure on the filled part of the tube 40 until toothpaste is seen to arrive at the end of the see-through spout 42. The system is now ready to dispense toothpaste.
Illustrated also in Figure 10 is the housing holding bracket 47 with adhesive tape 48, which can either be affixed to a vertical surface, engaging the projecting supports 56 in the slots 49 in the rear of the housing 35, or fixed on a countertop surface engaging the projecting supports 56 in the slots 50 at the front of the housing 35.
_7_ If the dispenser is used with an electric toothbrush, an adapter 46 is wedged between spaced-apart toothbrush guides 57 on the swing trigger 44, thus allowing for pinpoint delivery of a small button of toothpaste onto the small circular bristle pad on most electric toothbrushes. Guides 57 are disposed on either side of swing trigger 44 for engaging the end of toothbrush 9.
Figure 11 shows the system at the peak of the dispensing stroke when the toothbrush 9 has pushed back the swing trigger 44 around the swing trigger axle 55, so that nubs 54 positioned on trigger 44 as shown push up against displacement ring 53 (Figure 12) causing the displacement chamber 39 (Figure 12) to distort and reduce its holding volume, the effect of which is enhanced by the inclusion within the chamber 39 of void-filling washers 51 and 52 (Figure 12). In a preferred embodiment there are two upper washers 51 which are both relatively soft and compressible, and a single rigid or semi-rigid lower washer 52. These three washers perform the following functions:
(a) They greatly reduce the volume of the displacement chamber, making the evacuation of toothpaste (Accomplished through the holes in the washers) more efficient and the likelihood of air voids more remote.
(b) Washers 51 deform to suit each toothpaste tube as the geometry of air voids and toothpaste flow varies from tube to tube. The deformation of the washers tends to block the formation of air voids to such an extent that pumps equipped with the washers ought to be able to evacuate practically all the toothpaste in a tube, creating such a strong vacuum within the tube that the body of the tube collapses to an area within the bounds of the tube shoulder.
(c) Rigid washer 52 bears against a shoulder 75 (Figure 12) along the upper periphery of the displacement chamber to prevent washers 51 from extruding into the displacement chamber and blocking the chamber's outlet.
The swing trigger 44 is held in a stand-by mode position as shown in Figure 10 by a resilient member such as an elastic band 58 which stretches under pressure from the toothbrush 9 allowing the trigger 44 to swing to the rear of the dispenser.
This elastic band 58 cooperates with another elastic band 59 which acts to swing the spout closer 43 clear of the spout 42, once the override deterrent of elastic 58 has been removed by the swinging back of trigger 44. The nubs 54 on trigger 44 are _g_ positioned such that they do not engage and lift displacement ring 53 until spout closer 43 has cleared the end of spout 42, so that toothpaste 7 does not begin to issue from spout 42 until such clearance occurs. With the upward movement of displacement platform 53 and the reduction of volume within chamber 39, a flap valve 38 closes, stopping regression of air and toothpaste into tube 40, and flap valve 41 opens allowing the evacuation of toothpaste 7 from the spout 42. Upon withdrawing the toothpaste-loaded toothbrush 9, pressure is removed from elastic 58 and it contracts to return trigger 44 to the stand-by mode, overriding elastic 59.
Elastic 59 is kept in position by a retaining hook 60 on the spout closer 43 with elastic 59 being fed through a hole 61 in the rear of the trigger 44 and down to an elastic band retainer 62. Elastic 58 is kept in place by the elastic band retainer 62 and by threading elastic 58 through the front opening 63 of the housing 35 and round the outside of housing 35.
The present device differs from the art because it uses the collapsability of the toothpaste tube 40, since it utilises a closed system that creates a vacuum behind the toothpaste mass, and partial vacuum ahead of that mass. Dispensing strokes cause the evacuation of toothpaste because of volume reduction within chamber 39, and refilling of the chamber 39 with toothpaste 7 from the tube 40 because of the pressure differential between the two.
The vacuum created can be strong enough to cause the almost-empty tube 40 to bend over as it collapses and for the reduction chamber 39 to be held in the reduced volume mode. In most cases the advantage of being able to use the pliability of tube 40 disappears as the sides of the tube 40 begin to feel the effect of the strengthening dish at the base of the tube nozzle but by that time sufficient toothpaste has been evacuated from tube 40 to make the discarding of the tube economical.
Occasionally small air voids will occur despite preparing the tube but these voids can be cleared either by rapid pumping of swing trigger 44 or by the priming procedure outlined above. Otherwise the system when used with a squeeze-type collapsible toothpaste container acts entirely on conditions within the closed system and not according to outside influences as with all other known toothpaste pump systems.
_g_ Figure 12 is a sectional view of the system in the stand-by mode and showing a slot 52 prepared to accept a toothbrush holder 51 such as prongs when the unit is fixed to a vertical surface. Figure 12a is as Figure 12 but in the dispensing mode and shows flap valve 38 closed whilst flap valve 41 is open to evacuate toothpaste 7 onto the toothbrush 9. Figure 12b is as Figure 12 but shows valve 38 open and valve closed just after completion of the dispensing stroke, with the reduced pressure in the displacement chamber 39 causing toothpaste to flow from tube 40 and making valve 41 close.
Figures 13 to 13b show pump 36 connected to a replaceable cartridge 64 of toothpaste instead of a squeeze tube 40. The volume reduction operation for the displacement chamber 39 remains the same as when a tube 40 is used with the unit.
However, the replacement cartridge 64 utilizes a follower piston 65 that moves downwards when atmospheric pressure is greater than the pressure within the replaceable cartridge 64. Cartridge 64 attaches to pump 36 with a threaded nozzle 66 which meets with a tube connector 37 of pump 36. The pump is primed by pushing down on follower piston 65 until toothpaste appears at pump spout 42, after which normal dispensing of toothpaste will occur upon dispensing strokes of swing trigger 44 and follower piston 65 will move down incrementally with each dispensing stroke.
Figure 13a shows the valve positions at the peak of the dispensing stroke.
Figure 13b shows the valve positions at the end of the dispensing stroke where atmospheric pressure causes valve 38 to open allowing toothpaste 7 to move from the container 64 and moving down the follower piston 65 until pressure within the chamber 39 and container 64, the reduced pressure in chamber 39 has kept valve 41 closed and so it remains when pressure is equalised.
Figure 14 is a perspective view of pack 64 with seal cap 67, follower piston 65, screw nozzle 66 (to fit tube connector 37) and printed shrink wrap 68.
Figures 15 to 28 illustrate the individual components of pump 36 and their assembly.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are meant to be illustrative of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications, which would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. The only limitations to the scope of the present invention are set out in the following appended claims.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A dispenser for a viscous substance, comprising:
a housing;
a reservoir for said viscous substance;
pump means actuatable to discharge said substance from said reservoir; and lever means pivotally connected to said housing means actuatable between a first at rest position, and a second pump actuating position, wherein pressing on said lever means using a receptacle intended to receive said viscous substance thereon moves said lever means from said first to said second positions thereof to actuate said pump means and cause a discharge of said viscous substance.