EP0504299A1

EP0504299A1 - Electric toothpaste dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP0504299A1
Application number: EP91901626A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Min Ki Choi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-12-06
Filing date: 1990-12-06
Publication date: 1992-09-23
Also published as: JPH05504748A; NO922245L; JP2608218B2; WO1991008144A1; EP0504299A4; AU650437B2; AU6979391A; NO922245D0

Abstract

L'invention se rapporte à un distributeur électrique de pâte dentifrice, qui a pour but d'éliminer les inconvénients des distributeurs de pâte dentifrice de la technique actuelle, lesquels souffrent d'un mauvais équilibre et d'une mauvaise uniformité de la force de compression s'exerçant sur le tube de pâte dentifrice, ainsi que d'un mauvais alignement entre le tube et les rouleaux de l'unité d'entraînement. La présente invention élimine ces inconvénients grâce à une crémaillère (242) et une longue vis (240) qui assurent une force de compression uniforme et bien régulée sur le tube, et grâce à des rouleaux (263, 264) qui appliquent une force de compression équilibrée et uniforme sur le tube. Un tel distributeur comprend un logement (212) contenant une unité (280, 285) d'actionnement automatique et de désobstruction du bec de décharge, ainsi qu'une unité de serrage adaptable (290) destinée à retenir le tube entre ses mâchoires. Une unité d'entraînement (230) est montée à l'intérieur du logement et entraîne un chariot (260) qui comprime le tube sur toute sa longueur. Un système de commande actionne l'unité d'entraînement et l'inversion automatique de sa marche.The invention relates to an electric toothpaste dispenser, which aims to eliminate the drawbacks of toothpaste dispensers of the prior art, which suffer from poor balance and poor uniformity of the compression force. exerted on the tube of toothpaste, as well as a misalignment between the tube and the rollers of the drive unit. The present invention eliminates these drawbacks by means of a rack (242) and a long screw (240) which provide a uniform and well regulated compression force on the tube, and by means of rollers (263, 264) which apply a compression force. balanced and uniform on the tube. Such a dispenser comprises a housing (212) containing a unit (280, 285) for automatic actuation and unblocking of the discharge spout, as well as an adaptable clamping unit (290) intended to retain the tube between its jaws. A drive unit (230) is mounted inside the housing and drives a carriage (260) which compresses the tube over its entire length. A control system activates the drive unit and automatically reverses its operation.

Description

ELECTRIC TOOTHPASTE DISPENSER

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an electric toothpaste dispenser and, more particularly, is concerned with a toothpaste dispenser which is operated by depressing a button with a toothbrush. When the dispenser is empty a user merely replaces the toothpaste container.

Description of the Prior Art

The typical toothpaste tube in use today has been in use for many years after gaining wide acceptance. This typical toothpaste tube is relatively easy to use although it has a few shortcomings. Some of the shortcomings include leakage from the tube due to cracks and tears forming in the walls of the tube, leakage between the mouth and the cap of the tube due to the combination of failing to properly tighten the cap onto the tube and the placement of improper pressure upon the tube, wasted toothpaste remaining in the tube due to uneven squeezing or rolling of the tube, the inconvenience of unscrewing and replacing a cap every time toothpaste is to be used and problems related to the application of too much pressure to the tube resulting in additional wasted toothpaste and toothpaste spillage onto the counter and sink. All of these problems are compounded when the toothpaste tube is used by children. installation of an electrically driven toothpaste dispenser to be pleasing.

Several toothpaste dispensing apparatii have been disclosed in the past. U.S. Patent No. 3,198, 389 to Dunning discloses a toothpaste dispensing cabinet which uses two rollers to roll down a tube of toothpaste. U.S. Patent No. 4,234,104 to Apuzzo et al describes a toothpaste dispenser having a motor for driving two rollers down a tube of toothpaste. The outlet from the dispenser includes a closure and a manually operated switch is included to reverse the motor. U.S. Patent No. 4,258,864 to Karamanolis et al describes a toothpaste dispenser with a motor which drives a roller down a tube of toothpaste. A manually operated switch is used to retract the roller and a gate is used to close off the outlet. U.S. Patent No. 4,403,714 to Kane describes a toothpaste dispenser with a motor driven roller which compresses paste out of a horizontally mounted tube of paste. The tube is threaded into an adapter and the outlet is covered by a lever 21. The motor is reversed by a manual switch. U.S. Patent No. 4,629,095 to Smith describes a toothpaste dispenser which is carried by a wheel for driving the tube through a pair of pinch rollers. The tube of paste is inverted and threaded into an aperture which is closed off by a flap closer.

The patents described above have several shortcomings. They fail to recognize the importance of having pliable rollers which will provide an evenly distributed squeeze across the tube. Resiliency in the rollers is desired to accommodate different sized tubes and obstructions in the tubes. While some of the patents do mention that the rollers may be spring mounted, they fail to recognize that spring created resiliency will result in an imbalanced or uneven squeeze across the tube. Another problem is that these patents fail to provide drive to the rollers. Only the patent to Dunning, U.S. Patent No. 3,198,389, provides rotational drive to the rollers. However, the drive is provided by a pulley system which will be expensive to construct and will encounter problems due to slippage of the pulley. These patents also have drawbacks relating to the guidance of the toothpaste tube between the rollers when the rollers begin at the bottom of the tube and when the tube is improperly aligned or oriented with respect to the rollers. These drawbacks are important since a dispenser must accommodate various sizes of toothpaste tubes as well as bent toothpaste tubes and adjust for improperly aligned toothpaste tubes. Additionally, these patents fail to address problems related to the rollers forcing the tube to collapse against the housing

or the outlet or pulling the tube out of the outlet due to the reversal of the rollers or frictional forces from the rollers. These patents also require that a switch be manually activated, as opposed to automatically activated, to reverse a roller assembly which has completed its compressing motion across the toothpaste tube.

Additionally, no device is described for adapting to, connecting to and holding the tube within the housing. Since toothpaste tubes are made of various sizes and designs it is important to include adjustable or adaptable structures to hold the tube and to connect to the mouth of the tube. The patents described above further fail to recognize the importance of making the outlet nozzle removable so that clogged toothpaste can be removed.

Further shortcomings include the failure to recognize other features which can be added for ease of operation of the dispenser including the addition of an easily accessible button which will activate the dispenser and clear the nozzle of the dispenser of toothpaste. The dispenser can also be made more convenient by including a wall mount and a toothbrush holder which is mounted on the outside for accessibility while being removable for ease of cleaning. Additionally, these patents use alternating current to power the motor which increases the risk of electrocution.

The need therefore exists for an electric toothpaste dispenser which is easily mountable and accessible for holding toothbrushes while allowing for cleaning, which prevents the likelihood of electrocution through the use of a d/c converter, which will provide proper and efficient drive to the rollers, which will provide an even and pliable squeeze to the tube of toothpaste, which will hold a tube of toothpaste in position while being adaptable to accommodate various sizes and designs of toothpaste tubes and which will allow for ease of controlling the dispenser without a mess or the drying of toothpaste.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the toothpaste dispenser.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view taken along section line 2-2 of Fig. 1 to show the interior of the housing.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the dispenser taken along section line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the drive assembly taken along section line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the drive assembly taken along section line

5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail view partially broken along section line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a detail view partially broken along section line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail view partially broken along section line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a detail view taken along section line 9-9 of Fig. 3 showing one grasping assembly in cross-section.

Fig. 10 is a detail view partially broken along section line 10-10 of

Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit employed for controlling the toothpaste dispenser of Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of the d/c converter employed in the toothpaste dispenser of Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the dispenser showing such embodiment from the interior of the housing. Fig. 14 is a front elevational view the embodiment of Fig. 13 showing such embodiment from the interior of the housing.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is an assembly view showing the grasping assembly and the nozzle assembly of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 13 - 15.

Fig. 17 is a view of the grasping assembly shown in the "grasping" position.

Fig. 18 is a view of the grasping assembly shown in the "open" position.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken along line 19-19 of Fig. 14 showing details of the nozzle assembly.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an electric toothpaste dispenser designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs. The most important feature of this invention is the combination of a fixed rack and a long screw to provide an even and properly controlled squeeze on the toothpaste container. The dispenser includes pliable rollers to apply a balanced and even squeeze across the toothpaste tube. When the rollers have reached the top of the tube, the control system will automatically reverse the motor so that the rollers roll back down below the tube. The outlet nozzle is adaptable to the mouth of the tube and the tube is adjustably held. The present invention includes additional important accessories including an easily accessible activation button, a wall mount, a removable toothbrush holder and a d/c converter.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a toothpaste dispensing apparatus which includes a housing having a nozzle clearing and automatic activating assembly and an adaptable grasping assembly located within the housing for holding the toothpaste container. A drive assembly is mounted within the housing and drives a carriage for squeezing along the length of the toothpaste container. A control system is also included for activating the drive assembly and for automatic reversal of the drive assembly.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown the electric toothpaste dispenser apparatus 10. Referring now to

Fig. 2, the electric toothpaste dispenser 10 generally includes a housing 12, a toothpaste container 20, a drive assembly 30, a carriage assembly 60, a nozzle assembly 80 and first and second grasping assemblies 90a and 90b.

Referring back to Fig. 1, the dispenser 10 includes a housing 12 with a door 14. The dispenser 10 also includes a toothbrush holder 16, a d/c converter 17 with a/c wall socket plug-in prongs 18 and electrical cord 19, a nozzle assembly 80 and a push button 100. Access to the interior region of the housing 12 is made through the door 14 which is large enough to allow the convenient insertion by hand of a toothpaste container or tube 20. The door 14 has two hinges 140 and 141 and a latch 142 which snaps into a groove in the housing 12 for holding the door 14 in a closed position. The door 14 also includes a window 143 for viewing the toothpaste container 20 so that a user can determine the brand and amount of toothpaste which has been used. The electric toothpaste dispenser 10 is activated by depressing the push button 100 with a toothbrush 22 or other device. This causes toothpaste 24 to be dispensed out of the nozzle assembly 80. Lights 15a and 15b are located on the housing 12. Light 15a is preferably blue and turns on when toothpaste 24 is being dispensed through the nozzle assembly 80. Light 15b is preferably red and turns on when the toothpaste container 20 is empty.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the interior of housing 12 is shown. A wall 13 separates a lower section 130 of the housing 12 from an upper section 131. Drive assembly 30 generally includes motor 32 and gear train 40. Gear train 40 transfers drive or torque to carriage assembly 60.

Current from the d/c converter 17 runs through the cord 19 into the lower section 130 for powering motor 32. When the push button 100 is depressed it will close the first switch S1 which turns on light 15a and activates the motor 32 in the forward or toothpaste dispensing direction. A frame 34 is attached to the end of the motor 32. The other end of the frame 34 is attached to a planetary gear 48 which is in turn attached to a gear box 50. The internal components of the gear box 50 transfer torque or drive to a long screw 58. When the long screw 58 is rotated it will transfer torque to or drive carriage assembly 60. More specifically, carriage assembly 60 will move along threads 58e causing pinion 59 to turn on rack 57 which is installed parallel to the long screw 58. The rack 57 is attached to the housing 12 with screws 122a, 122b, 122c and 122d which are threaded through rack mounting supports 57a, 57b, 57c and 57d and into casings 123a, 123b, 123c and 123d which are affixed to the housing 12. The pinion 59 transfers torque or drive to the carriage assembly 60. As the carriage assembly 60 rides up the length of the long screw 58 it will squeeze toothpaste out of the toothpaste container 20. When the carriage assembly 60 approaches the top of the toothpaste container 20 it will force toggle bar 110 to strike or close reverse switch or second switch S2. The reverse switch S2 will turn on light 15a and automatically activate the motor 32 in the reverse direction such that the carriage assembly 60 will ride downward until a prong 68 strikes or opens a third switch S3. In this position the carriage assembly 60 will rest below the lower end of the tube of toothpaste 20 so that the empty tube or container may be removed for disposal and a new container may be installed. The toothpaste container 20 is held around the neck 26 of the container 20 by a first and a second grasping assembly 90a and 90b.

The nozzle assembly 80 includes a lever 88 for the lowering of a tube fitting 86 into the mouth 28 of the toothpaste container 20. Once the tube fitting 86 is in place within or against the mouth 28 of the toothpaste container 20, toothpaste 24 can flow through the tube fitting 86 and out spout 82.

The toothbrush holder 16 could be mounted on either side of the housing 12 by any suitable means of attachment such as a hole and channel formed in the side of the toothbrush holder 16 for sliding over a projecting rivet head 16a. The toothbrush holder 16 has receptacles 16b for receiving toothbrushes 22. Referring to Fig. 3, the electric toothpaste dispenser 10 also includes a wall mount plate 130 which may be screwed or attached by other suitable means of attachment to a wall 131 or other structure. The mounting plate 130 has openings which receive prongs 132a, 132b, 132c ( not snown) and 132d (not shown ) fixed on housing 12. The prongs 132a, 132b, 132c and 132d are slid into the openings on mounting plate 130 and the housing 12 is lowered until the prongs 132a,

132b, 132c and 132d grasp around and the housing 12 rests on the mounting plate 130. Housing 12 may include other accessories.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, portions of the drive assembly 30 for driving carriage assembly 60 are shown. Frame 34 is attached by a screw 36 to the motor 32. The drive shaft 38 driven by the motor 32 transmits torque to gear train 40 through a pinion gear 42 located at the other end of the drive shaft 38. Gear train 40 ends with long screw 58.

The pinion gear 42 meshes with three idle gears 44a, 44b and 44c

( not shown) which are equiangularly arranged around the pinion gear 42. Opposite the point of contact between the idle gears 44a, 44b and 44c and the pinion gear 42, the idle gears 44a, 44b and 44c mesh with a planetary gear 48. The planetary gear 48 remains stationary. The idle gears 44a, 44b and 44c are pinned to a revolution disc 52. As the pinion gear 42 drives the three idle gears 44a, 44b and 44c the idle gears 44a, 44b and 44c will rotate about their central axis on shafts 46a, 46b and 46c (not shown) as well as orbit within the planetary gear 48. Revolution disc 52 is seated within but does not mesh with the planetary gear 48. Hence, the orbital motion of the idle gears 44a, 44 b and 44c will cause the revolution disc 52 to turn. The revolution disc 52 has a keyed opening in the center for engaging a notch 54a in worm gear 54. The worm gear 54 is supported at the other end by a worm bush 54b. The worm gear 54 transmits torque to a worm wheel 56. Worm wheel 56 is pinned or attached by other suitable means over the end of the long screw 58. A gear box

50 is attached to the planetary gear 48 for enclosing the worm gear 54 and the worm wheel 56 and holding the worm bush 54b in place. A washer 54c is placed between the worm bush 54b and the worm gear 54. The gear box 50 also contains two long screw bushes 58a and 58b for support of long screw 58. Wave washers 58c and 58d are placed between the long screw bushes 58a and 58b and the worm wheel 56.

Details of the carriage assembly 60 are shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.

The carriage assembly 60 generally includes an upper bracket 61, a lower bracket 65, a first roller 70, a second roller 74, a roller gear box 69, roller padding 70a and 74a and first and second guide plates 78a and 78b.

The lower bracket 65 has a vertical neck 66 having a threaded aperture for engaging the long screw 58 and has lower bearing cavities 67a and 67b for supporting and guiding both the first roller 70 and the second roller 74. A prong 67e on lower bracket 65 rides in guide channel

57e of rack 57 for stabilization of carriage assembly 60. The upper bracket 61 has a vertical bore therethrough which seats over the outer circumference of the neck 66 of the lower bracket 65, upper bearing cavities 62a and 62b for supporting and guiding both the first and the second rollers 70 and 74 and bearing walls 63a and 63b having holes for support of both the first and second guide plates 78a and 78b.

As the long screw 58 is driven, the threading in the neck 66 will ride upon the long screw threading 58e. The neck 66 is long enough to engage approximately twentv-six millimeters of the long screw 58 in order to stabilize the carriage assembly 60. The roller wheels 71 and 75 in both the first and second rollers 70 and 74 are supported within the bearing cavities 62a and 62b and 67a and 67b of the upper and lower brackets 61 and 65 when the brackets are attached together by screws or other suitable means of attachment. As best seen in Fig. 8, both brackets 61 and

65 include a continuous cavity 62a and 67a therethrough to accommodate first roller 70 and a partial cavity 62b and 67b to support the roller wheel

75 of the second roller 74.

A pinion 59 is attached to the first roller 70 at one end. A first roller drive gear 72 is pinned or attached by other suitable means to the other end of the first roller 70. A second roller drive gear 76 is pinned or attached by other suitable means to the other end of the second roller

74. The first roller drive gear 72 meshes with a second roller drive gear

76. Additionally, each roller 70 and 74 is coupled to its respective drive gear 72 and 76, preferably by a hex shaped bore ( not shown ) in each drive gear 72 and 76 which engages a hex shaped shaft section (not shown ) on each roller 70 and 74. A roller gear box 69 is pinned over the ends of the first and second rollers 70 and 74 between two washers 73a and 73b and 77a and 77b and retained by clips 73c and 77c. The roller gear box 69 has two lower holes for support of the first and second rollers

70 and 74 and two upper bearing walls 69a and 69b having holes for support of the first and second guide plates 78a and 78b. As the long screw 58 turns, the upper and lower brackets 61 and 65 will move together in either an upward or downward direction depending upon the respective forward or reverse drive beins provided by the motor 32. During this upward or downward motion of the brackets 61 and 65, contact between the rack 57 and pinion 59 will impart motion to the first roller 70. The first roller 70 drives the second roller 74.

Both rollers 70 and 74 are covered with roller padding 70a and 74a which is made of a pliable material such as rubber, foam or foam rubber.

The pliable material is useful for guiding the toothpaste container 20 between the rollers 70 and 74 when the carriage assembly 60 begins at the bottom 21 of the toothpaste container 20, for obtaining a better squeeze on the toothpaste container 20 and for rolling over creases and other obstructions on toothpaste containers 20 of various sizes.

The distance between the rollers 70 and 74 and the thickness of the padding 70a and 74a creates a sufficient squeeze upon the toothpaste container 20 to remove the toothpaste while not impeding the motion of the rollers 70 and 74 and the carriage assembly 60. The open space between the rollers 70 and 74 when covered with padding 70a and 74a is preferably

0.5 millimeters and the thickness of the pads is preferably 2.5 millimeters.

Both the first guide plate 78a and the second guide plate 78b are attached to pins 79a and 79b which ride and are clamped within the holes on the upper bracket 61 and the roller gear box 69. Leaf springs 79c,

79d, 79e and 79f are seated at both ends of the guide plates 78a and 78b to urge the guide plates 78a and 78b to an angle of approximately 45 ° from the horizontal. Washers 79g, 79h, 79i and 79j are located on pins 79a and 79b which are retained by clips 79k, 79l, 79m and 79n. However, the guide plates 78a and 78b may be rotated against the force of the leaf springs

79c, 79d, 79e and 79f to a horizontal position. The guide plates 78a and

78b help to guide the lower end 21 of the toothpaste container 20 to the open space between the first and the second rollers 70 and 74 when the carriage assembly 60 starts at the bottom 21 of the toothpaste container

20.

The guide plates 78a and 78b function to direct a toothpaste container 20 which is not installed parallel to the axial direction of the first and second rollers 70 and 74 to the open space between such rollers when the carriage assembly 60 begins at the bottom 21 of a new container of toothpaste 20. A toothpaste container 20 may be installed such that the major cross-sectional axis of the container is anywhere within a 360 range of the axial direction of the first and second rollers 70 and 74. The guide plates will force the toothpaste container to rotate so that the major cross- sectional axis will be parallel to the axial directions of rollers 70 and 74 except in one situation. This situation occurs when the bottom 21 of the toothpaste container 20 is wider than the upper ends of guide plates 78a and 78b when the guide plates 78a and 78b are forced to the horizontal position. In this situation the angular range that the toothpaste container 20 can be rotated away from the axial direction of the first and second rollers 70 and 74 and still be rotated or guided between such rollers will be decreased to an angle where the bottom 21 of the toothpaste container 20 is within the extremities of the width between the upper ends 78c and 78d of guide plates 78a and 78b when the guide plates 78a and 78b are in the horizontal position.

The guide plates 78a and 78b are also useful for guiding a slightly bent toothpaste container to the open space between the padded rollers 70 and 74 as well as guiding a toothpaste container which is partially empty before being inserted within the electric toothpaste dispenser 10. Since the guide plates 78a and 78b are allowed to rotate toward a horizontal position against the force of the leaf springs 79c, 79d, 79e and 79f, the guide plates 78a and 78b will not obstruct the approach of the carriage assembly 60 to the top of the housing 12. This allows the rollers 70 and

74 to roll to the top 23 of the toothpaste container 20 before the second switch 112 is closed thus minimizing the amount of toothpaste left within the toothpaste container 20 before the drive assembly 30 is reversed in direction.

A toggle bar 110 is seated within a toggle bar holder 111 which is attached by screws or other suitable means of attachment to the housing 12. When the carriage assembly 60 has reached the top 23 of the toothpaste container 20, the upper bracket 61 will drive the toggle bar 110 up to close the second switch S2. The second switch S2 automatically reverses the drive assembly 30 causing the carriage assembly 60 to ascend or ride back down the length of toothpaste container 20 until the prong 68 on the lower bracket 65 strikes the third switch S3 which turns the motor 30 off. At this time light 15b will be activated to inform a user that a new toothpaste container 20 should be installed. Referring now to Fig. 9, the details of the grasping assemblies 90a and 90b are shown. Both grasping assemblies 90a and 90b include an assembly housings 96a and 96b, respectively, which are attached by screws or other suitable means of attachment to the housing 20. Both grasping assemblies 90a and 90b include upper and lower clamps 92a and 92b and

94a and 94b, respectively. Both the upper clamps 92a and 92b and the lower clamps 94a and 94b are held together within the assembly housings

96a and 96b which restrict both vertical motion and motion in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the Fig. 9 drawing. However, the clamps 92a and 92b and 94a and 94b are allowed to move horizontally upon compression springs 98a and 98b and 99a and 99b which urge the clamps 92a and 92b and 94a and 94b, respectively, in opposing directions. Ends 92c and 92d on the upper clamps 92a and 92b, respectively, are concave to mesh with the threaded neck 26 of the toothpaste container 20. Ends 94c and 94d on the lower clamps 94a and 94b, respectively, are concave to grasp under the threads and around the neck 26 located on typical American toothpaste containers. In some situations depending upon the design of the toothpaste container 20, only either the upper or the lower clamps 92a and 92b or 94a and 94b will be needed.

The user of the electric toothpaste dispenser 10 is able to operate the grasping assemblies 90a and 90b merely by reaching within the housing and pulling the upper and lower clamps 92a and 92b and 94a and 94b apart and either removing or inserting a toothpaste container 20. Since the grasping assemblies 90a and 90b are spring loaded they will adjust or adapt to the neck size of the toothpaste container 20 installed.

Figs. 9 and 10 show details of the nozzle assembly 80 and the push button 100. The push button 100 has a cap 102 and a downwardly extending prong 104. A compression spring 106 is seated over the prong

104 and compressed between the cap 102 and the housing 12 to hold the push button 100 in an upright position against a retainer 108. In this position the first switch SI will be open. When the push button 100 is depressed the prong 104 will close the first switch S1. This will activate the motor 32 in the forward direction to drive the carriage assembly 60 up the toothpaste container 20.

The nozzle assembly 80 includes a cup cover 84, a nozzle adjustment lever 88, a spout 82, a tube fitting 86 and a spring 85. A cup 81 is threaded at its upper end for attachment of the cup cover 84 and has an opening at the lower end to allow the tube fitting 86 to pass therethrough.

The cup 81 is affixed to the top of the housing 12. The spout 82 has an elbow 82a to deliver the toothpaste 24 to an area over or above the push button 100. A shoulder 83 is located just below the elbow 82a. The nozzle adjustment lever 88, cup cover 84 and spring 85 are seated over the lower end of spout 82 and held in place between shoulder 83 and tube fitting 86 which is threaded to the lower end of spout 82. The tube fitting 86 has a conical neck portion 87 for lowering, adapting or connecting to the mouth 28 of the toothpaste container 20 mounted within the housing 12.

This allows for toothpaste container mouths of various sizes to be accommodated. The upper end of the tube fitting 86 includes a flange 88.

This flange 88 limits the downward motion of the tube fitting 86 when the flange 88 contacts the bottom of the cup 81. Spring 85 forces the tube fitting 86 downward to maintain contact with the mouth 28 of the toothpaste container 20 while toothpaste 24 is being dispensed from the container 20.

As shown in Fig. 9, the nozzle adjustment lever 88 has a collar 88a which fits around the spout 82. A portion of the collar 88a has an inclined surface 88b which wedges against the inclined surface 82b on the spout 82. Thus by moving lever 88, the spout 82 will adjust or move in an axial direction either to lower or raise the tube fitting 86 from the mouth 24 of the toothpaste container 20.

At times toothpaste can dry within the spout 82 causing the spout 82 to be blocked. When this occurs the nozzle assembly 80 may be removed for soaking in warm water or for dislodging in some other manner.

Nozzle assembly 80 is removed by unscrewing cup cover 84 from cup 81.

There are two problems which the present invention overcomes as the carriage assembly 60 ascends or descends along the toothpaste container 20. The first problem occurs when the toothpaste container 20 collapses either diagonally or toward the nozzle assembly 80. The second problem occurs when the neck 26 of the toothpaste container 20 is pulled out of the first and second grasping assemblies 90a and 90b. Both problems are affected by vibration and non-vertical forces exerted by the rollers 70 and 74. However, the first problem is primarily created by the exertion of too much vertical force in the upward direction, and the second problem is primarily created by the exertion of too much vertical force in the downward direction.

The interaction between the long screw 58, brackets 61 and 65, rack 57, pinion 59 and padded rollers 70 and 74 creates a smooth rolling motion along the toothpaste container 20 and makes the vibration and non-vertical forces negligible as compared to the rigidity of the toothpaste container

20 and the holding and stabilization abilities of the grasping assemblies 90a and 90b.

The upward and downward forces on the toothpaste container 20 are created by rollers 70 and 74 as carriage assembly 60 ascends or descends along the toothpaste container 20 and created by frictional contact between the padded rollers 70 and 74 and the toothpaste container 20. In the present invention these forces tend to balance each other out. However, the resilient mounting of the tube fitting 86 in nozzle assembly 80 will maintain contact with the mouth of the toothpaste container 20 and the holding and stabilization abilities of grasping assemblies 90a and 90b will hold the neck 26 regardless of any net force exerted by rollers 70 and 74 due to the ascending or descending motion of carriage assembly 60 and friction.

The present invention is also designed so that the rate of ascension or descension of the carriage assembly 60 and the rotational speed of rollers 70 and 74 will squeeze or compress the toothpaste container 20 to obtain a desirable flow rate of the toothpaste 24 out of the nozzle assembly

80.

The drive assembly or motor 30 operates at a speed of 5000 rotations per minute. Through the motor 32 and gear system 40 the long screw 58 is driven at 34.5 rotations per minute. The carriage assembly 60 either ascends or descends 1 millimeter per revolution of the long screw 58 depending upon the direction that motor 32 is driven. This results in the carriage assembly 60 moving at a rate of 34.5 millimeters per minute or

0.575 millimeters per second. Although other drive assemblies 30 may be devised and used, this illustrates the preferred drive speed of the carriage assembly 60 in order to obtain a desirable flow rate of toothpaste

24 out of the spout 82 and in order to hold the container 20 in place without causing container 20 to collapse or be jarred from grasping assemblies 90a and 90b.

Referring to Fig. 11, circuitry for the control system of the present invention is shown. When the first switch S1 is closed the circuit is completed and the motor 32 will start running in the forward direction to squeeze toothpaste out of the toothpaste container 20. When the push button 100 is released and the first switch S1 is open, activating pulse signal generating device Q sends a signal which turns on the third transistor TR₃ and the third transistor TR₃ in turn puts the relay RL into motion. This reverses the direction of the motor 32 which causes the carriage assembly 60 to descend. The amount of time that the third transistor TR₃ sends the signal to the relay RL in order to reverse the motor 32 is predetermined and adjustable. It is preferred that this amount of time be set at 0.5 seconds or approximately thereabout. This automatic reversal feature whicn operates for a set predetermined amount of time once the push button 100 is released is designed to release any pressure on the toothpaste container 20 to prevent excess ieakage of the toothpaste

24 from the nozzle assembly 80 once the push button 100 is released.

When the toggle bar 110 closes the second switch S2, the relay RL will be set into operation through the contact point of the transistor TR and the third switch S3. In this position the motor 32 will run in the reverse direction. The transistor TR₃ stays in the "on" position by its self-maintaining circuit until it is restored to the original position. When the carriage assembly 60 " bottoms" the third switch S3 is opened. This turns the second transistor TR₃ off and the RL is restored to its normal condition. Consequently, the original state of the circuit system is recovered.

In some situations it may be desirable to reverse the direction of the motor 32 before the second switch S2 is closed. One such situation will occur when a user wishes to replace a container 20 of toothpaste or to rearrange the positioning of the toothpaste container 20. This manual reversal of the motor 32 can be achieved bv reaching within the housing

12 and raising the toggle bar 110 by hand to close the second switch S2. As an option, a fourth switch S4 (shown oniy in Fig. 11 ) could be added to the exterior of the housing 12 in order to manually reverse the motor 32. Fig. 12 illustrates tne preferred circuitry for the d/c converter. Referring to Figs. 13 and 14 another embodiment of the invention is shown. This electric toothpaste dispenser 210 consists of a nousing 212, a toothpaste container 220, a drive assembly 230, a carriage assembly 260, a nozzle assembly 280 and a grasping assembly 290.

In this embodiment the toothpaste container 220 is held in an inverted position. The first switch S1 is located at the bottom of the housing 212 for activating the drive assembly 230 in a forward direction.

Once the carriage assembly 260 has advanced a sufficient distance along the toothpaste container 220, switch S2 will be activated by a prong 276 to reverse the direction of the drive assembly 230. Carriage assembly 260 will then retract until switch S3 is activated by a prong 274. Switch S3 will stop the drive assembly 230. Once a new toothpaste container 220 is inserted within housing 212 the drive assembly 230 can be activated at an increased speed by pressing switch SF until carriage assembly 260 is at the base of the toothpaste container 220 at which time switch SI is used to continue the advancement of carriage 260.

The drive assembly 230 includes a motor 232 which is operated by a/c or d/c electricity which drives a worm gear 234. Worm gear 234 drives worm wheel 236 and worm wheel 236 drives gear 238 which in turn drives gear 239 to rotate long screw 240. A rack 242 is fixed within housing 212 parallel and adjacent to long screw 240. The combination of the long screw

240 and rack 242 drives carriage assembly 260.

Carriage assembly 260 includes a carriage block 262 which has a vertically threaded aperture for engaging long screw 240, two squeezing rollers 263 and 264, and pinion gears 265 and 266 which are extended to the rollers 263 and 264 through the carriage block 262. The pinion gears

265 and 266 mesh with the thread of rack 242.

A guide assembly 270 attached to the other end of the carriage assembly 260 holds carriage assembly 260 between two walls 213 and 214 within housing 212. The guide assembly 270 includes a guide channel 272 which fits around walls 213 and 214. As the carriage assembly 260 moves, guide assembly 270 will move along walls 213 and 214 to prevent the vibration or the incline of the carriage assembly 260. Carriage assembly 260 also includes prongs 274 and 276 for activating switches S3 and S2.

Referring to Fig. 16, 17 and 18, the tube grasping assembly 290 is fixed within the housing. It generally includes a round plate or cam 291, a holder plate 295 and grasping wings 299a, 299b and 299c. Holder plate 295 which has a hole in the center and three prongs 296a, 296b and 296c which are equiangulariy spaced to engage grooves 292a, 292b and 292c in cam 291 and three holes located in grasping wings 299a, 299b and 299c. The holder plate 295 also includes a small hole 297 to hold one end of spring 298. The cam 291 has a small hole 293 to hold the other end of spring 298, three holes 294a, 294b and 294c at the margin to engage the prongs of the grasping wings 299 and a hole through the center. A release lever 300 is fixed by a pin (not shown) to an arm 301 of cam 291.

Figs. 17 and 18 show the assembled toothpaste grasping assembly 290. When a new toothpaste tube is to be positioned, a user pushes the lever 300 to let the grasping wings 299 spread out ( Fig. 18), then inserts the mouth of the toothpaste tube into the holes through the center of holding plate 295 and cam 291 and then releases lever 300. Tne tnree grasping wings 29b will then be biased to their orisina. position ( Fig. 17 ) by spring 298 to grasp the mouth or neck αf the toothpaste container.

The grasping assembly is adaptable to the diameter and threading of the mouth of the tootnpast e container and when used in combination with nozzle assembh 280 is αiso adaptable to the heig ht or depth of the mouth of the toot hpaste container.

Referring to Figs. 16 and 19 the nozzle assembly 280 generally includes a nozzle plate 281 and a cover plate 285. Nozzle plate 281 includes a nozzle 282 and a threaded casing 283 for the securing of a partially threaded screw 284.

Cover plate 285 includes a holy 286 at one corner which houses a smooth portion of partially threaded screw 284. A wall 287 biases against a spring 288. The other end of spring 288 is biased against a wall 216 located on housing 212. Housing 212 also includes walls 217 and 218 which define a channel 219 leading into the interior of housing 212 allowing the passage of a tooth brush to push cover plate 285.

When a user desires toothpaste a toothbrush will be inserted through channel 219 and pressed against cover plate 285 which pivots around partially threaded screw 284 to automatically activate switch S1. Simultaneously, cover plate 285 will clear nozzle 282 allowing toothpaste to flow therethrough. Cover plate 285 is flush with nozzle 281 such that when cover plate 285 is biased over nozzle 282 the nozzle will be sealed or covered and such that when cover plate 285 is pivoted across nozzle 282 excess toothpaste which could dry and clog over nozzle 282 will be swept, cleared or cleaned away.

Fig. 20 shows the electric circuit system for the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 13 - 19. When the automatic switch S1 is "on" as activated by a toothbrush, the motor turns on and the toothpaste is squeezed. When switch 1 is off by removing the toothbrush, the motor turns "off" which creates a clog pulse for a moment (about 0.5 seconds ) at clog circuit Q (a counterclockwise rotational clog pulse circuit) to turn the transistor (TR3 ) "on" for a moment (about 0.5 seconds) and "on/off" relay RL turns "on" simultaneously and causes relays RL1 and RL2 to shift from point (a) to point (b) at the contact point to reverse the motor fox: the clog pulse moment and to stop the toothpaste's natural flow.

When the toothpaste tube is almost empty the switch S2 turns "on" to turn TR1 "on" and RL turns "on" simultaneously and the motor turns counterclockwise. Although the switch S2 turns "off" automatically by the descent of the carriage assembly 260 as the transistor TR2 was already "on" and "on and off" relay RL is maintained in the "on" state. The motor runs counterclockwise until the carriage assembly 260 touches switch S3

"off" and TR2 "off" and causes RL to turn "off" causing the rollers to stay at their initial location. After the toothpaste tube is set, to insert the end of the toothpaste tube 220 between the rollers 263 and 264 a user touches switch S1 so that the carriage assembly descends (this action can be speeded by alternatively depressing button SF ). When a tube needs to be repiaced during use the user touches switch S2 to make the carriage assembly ascend.

Resistance for limited current R is connected directly to S1 between point (a) and the motor so that it reduces the clockwise speed of the motor when the rollers squeeze the toothpaste tube and accelerate the counterclockwise speed. Manual switch SF is parallel with the resistance

R above mentioned and switch S1. The speed of the motor by the manual switch SF is increased and the carriage descends quickly until the rollers strike the bottom or end of the toothpaste tube. The carriage assembly

260 descends slowly when the switch S1 is touched by a toothbrush.

The preferred embodiment of this invention has been shown and described above It is to be understood that minor changes in the details, construction and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A toothpaste dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

a drive assembly mounted in the housing for providing drive to the toothpaste dispenser;

a first roller driven by said drive assembly;

a second roller driven by said drive assembly and juxtapositional with respect to said first roller such that said first and said second rollers will move along a length of and squeeze a toothpaste container;

means for grasping the toothpaste container for holding and stabilizing the toothpaste container within the housing; and control means located on the housing for activating said drive assembly.

2. The toothpaste dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said drive assembly is automatically reversible.

3. The toothpaste dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and said second rollers are pliable and uniform.

4. The toothpaste dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first and a second pliable pad which cover said first and said second rollers, respectively, to provide a uniform and pliable squeeze to the toothpaste container.

5. The toothpaste dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said drive assembly includes:

a means for driving which drives a long screw; a carriage assembly defining at least two bearing cavities for supporting said first and said second rollers and a threaded hole through which said long screw passes for driving said carriage assembly;

a rack fixed to the housing parallel to said long screw;

a first pinion driven by said rack as said carriage assembly is driven by said long screw for di'iving said first roller; and a second pinion driven by said rack as said carriage assembly is driven by said long screw for driving said second roller.

6. The toothpaste dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said grasping means is adaptable to toothpaste containers of various sizes.

7. The toothpaste dispensing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said adaptable grasping means comprises: a holder plate fixed to the housing;

a cam plate resiliently mounted on said holder plate; and a plurality of grasping wings mounted on said holder plate and biased toward the toothpaste container by said cam plate.

8. The toothpaste dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an automatically activating and flow clearing means for the dispensing of toothpaste.

9. The toothpaste dispensing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said automatically activating and flow clearing means comprises:

a nozzle mounted on said housing;

a resiliently mounted cover plate biased over said nozzle and pivotal across said nozzle to clear said nozzle for the dispensing of toothpaste; and

a switch attached to said housing and offset from said nozzle such that when said cover plate is pivoted to clear said nozzle, said control means will be automatically activated.

10. The toothpaste dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises:

an automatically activated first switch located proximate said nozzle for driving said drive assembly in a forward direction; a second switch located within and at one end of the housing which is automatically activated by a first prong carried by said first and said second rollers for reversing the direction of said drive assembly;

a third switch located at the other end of the housing which is automatically activated by a second prong carried by said first and said second rollers to stop the reverse drive of said drive assembly; and

a speed switch located on the housing whereby the speed of said drive assembly can be increased.

11. The toothpaste dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises means for automatic reversal of the drive direction of said drive assembly for a predetermined amount of time activated when a forward driving switch is released whereby pressure will be taken off the toothpaste container to prevent the dispensing of toothpaste.

12. The toothpaste dispensing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said automatic reversal means reverses the drive direction of said drive assembly for approximately 0.5 seconds.

13. A toothpaste dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a housing; a means for driving mounted in the housing;

a long screw driven by said driving means;

a carriage assembly defining at least two bearing cavities and a threaded hole through which said long screw passes for driving said carriage assembly;

a rack fixed to the housing parallel to said long screw;

a first pinion driven by said rack as said carriage assembly is driven by said long screw;

a second pinion driven by said rack as said carriage assembly is driven by said long screw;

a first roller driven by said first pinion;

a second roller driven by said second pinion and juxtapositional with respect to said first roller such that said first and said second rollers will move along a length of and squeeze a toothpaste container;

an adaptable grasping means including a holder plate fixed to the housing, a cam plate resiliently mounted on said holder plate, and a plurality of grasping wings mounted on said holder plate and biased toward the toothpaste container by said cam plate, said adaptable grasping means being operable to stabilize the toothpaste container within the housing; a nozzle mounted on said housing; a resiliently mounted cover plate biased over said nozzle and pivotal across said nozzle to clear said nozzle for the dispensing of toothpaste;

a first switch attached to said housing and offset from said nozzle such that when said cover plate is pivoted to clear said nozzle, said first switch will be automatically activated; and a control means including said automatically activated first switch located proximate said nozzle for driving the toothpaste dispenser in a forward dix-ection, a second switch located within and at one end of the housing which is automatically activated by a first prong carried by said first and said second rollers for reversing the direction of said driving means, a third switch located at the other end of the housing which is automatically activated by a second prong carried by said first and said second rollers to stop said driving means, and a speed switch located on the housing whereby the speed of said driving means can be increased.