Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
  • A47K5/18—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like for both soap and toothpaste or the like; in combination with holders for drinking glasses, toothbrushes, or the like ; Toothpaste dispensers; Dental care centers

Definitions

• the present invention generally relates to an electric toothpaste
• dispenser is empty a user merely replaces the toothpaste container.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Fifi. 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 lin
• 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 showin one grasping assembly in cross-section.
• Fig. .10 is a detail view partially broken along section line 10-10 o
• Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit employed fo controlling the toothpaste dispenser of Fig. 1.
• Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of the d/c converter employed in th toothpaste dispenser of Fig. 1.
• Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of th 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.
• 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 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.
• 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.
• the electric toothpaste dispenser 10 generally includes a housing
• nozzle assembly 80 a nozzle assembly 80 and first and second grasping assemblies 90a and
• the dispenser 10 includes a housing 12 with
• the dispenser 10 also includes a toothbrush holder 16, a d/c
• the door 14 has two hinges 140 and 141 and a latch 142 which snaps
• the door 14 also includes a window 143 for viewing the
• Lights l ⁇ a and 15b are located on the housing 12. Light 15a is preferably blue and turns on when toothpaste 24 is being dispensed
• Light 15b is preferably red and turns on
• housing 12 the interior of housing 12 is shown.
• a wall 13 separates a lower section 130 of the housing 12 from an upper
• Drive assembly 30 generally includes motor 32 and gear train
• Gear train 40 transfers drive or torque to carriage assembly 60.
• a frame 34 is attached to the end of the motor 32. The other end of the
• gear box 50 The internal components of the gear box 50 transfer torque
• carriage assembly 60 will move along threads 58e causing pinion 59 to turn
• the pinion 59 transfers torque or drive to the carriage assembly 60.
• toggle bar 110 to strike or close reverse switch or second switch S2.
• container 20 is held around the neck 26 of the container 20 by a first and
• the nozzle assembly 80 includes a lever 88 for the lowering of a
• tube fitting 86 is in place within or against the mouth 28 of the toothpaste
• toothpaste 24 can flow through the tube fitting 86 and out
• 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
• the toothbrush holder 16 has receptacles 16b
• dispenser 10 also includes a wall mount plate 130 which may be screwed
• 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
• Housing 12 may include other accessories.
• Frame 34 is attached by a screw
• Gear train 40 ends with long screw 58.
• the pinion gear 42 meshes with three idle gears 44a, 44b and 44c
• Revolution disc 52 As well as orbit within the planetary gear 48. Revolution disc 52
• the revolution disc 52 has a keyed opening in the
• the worm gear 54 is
• the worm gear 54 is supported at the other end by a worm bush 54b.
• the worm gear 54 is supported at the other end by a worm bush 54b.
• Worm wheel 56 is pinned or attached by other suitable means over the end of the long screw 58.
• a gear box
• Wave washers 58c and 58d are placed between the long screw
• the carriage assembly 60 generally includes an upper bracket 61, a lower bracket 61, and a lower bracket 61.
• 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 are 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
• bracket 61 has a vertical bore therethrough which seats over the outer
• cavities 62a and 62b for supporting and guiding both the first and the
• the neck 66 is long enough to
• roller wheels 71 and 75 in both
• first and second rollers 70 and 74 are supported within the bearing
• 65 include a continuous cavity 62a and 67a therethrough to accommodate
• a pinion 59 is attached to the first roller 70 at one end.
• roller drive gear 72 is pinned or attached by other suitable means to the
• a second roller drive gear 76 is pinned
• the first roller drive gear 72 meshes with a second roller drive gear
• 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
• roller gear box 69 is pinned over the
• gear box 69 has two lower holes for support of the first and second rollers
• roller 70 drives the second roller 74.
• rollers 70 and 74 are covered with roller padding 70a and 74a
• the pliable material is useful for guiding the toothpaste container 20
• padding 70a and 74a creates a sufficient squeeze upon the toothpaste
• rollers 70 and 74 when covered with padding 70a and 74a is preferably
• the thickness of the pads is preferably 2.5 millimeters.
• Both the first guide plate 78a and the second guide plate 78b are identical to both the first guide plate 78a and the second guide plate 78b.
• Washers 79g, 79h, 79i and 79j are located on pins 79a and
• the guide plates 78a and 78b function to direct a toothpaste
• first and second rollers 70 and 74 to the open space between such rollers
• a toothpaste container 20 may be installed such that the
• sectional axis will be parallel to the axial directions of rollers 70 and 74
• toothpaste container 20 is wider than the upper ends of guide plates 78a
• rollers 70 and 74 and still be rotated or guided between such rollers will
• the guide plates 78a and 78b are also useful for guiding a slightly
• the guide plates 78a and 78b are allowed to rotate toward a horizontal
• a toggle bar 110 is seated within a toggle bar holder 111 which is
• Both grasping assemblies 90a and 90b include an
• assemblies 90a and 90b include upper and lower clamps 92a and 92b and
• clamps 92a and 92b or 94a and 94b will be needed.
• the user of the electric toothpaste dispenser 10 is able to operate
• SHEET grasping assemblies 90a and 90b are spring loaded they will adjust or
• Figs. 9 and 10 show details of the nozzle assembly 80 and the push
• the push button 100 has a cap 102 and a downwardly
• the nozzle assembly 80 includes a cup cover 84, a nozzle adjustment
• a cup 81 is
• 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
• a shoulder 83 is located just below the elbow 82a.
• the tube fitting 86 has
• a conical neck portion 87 for lowering, adapting or connecting to the
• 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
• toothpaste container 20 while toothpaste 24 is being dispensed from the
• the nozzle adjustment lever 88 has a collar 88a
• the nozzle assembly 80 may be
• Nozzle assembly 80 is removed by unscrewing cup cover 84 from cup 81.
• the carriage assembly 60 ascends or descends along the toothpaste
• the first problem occurs when the toothpaste container 20
• rollers 70 and 74 are primarily created by the exertion of too much vertical force in the upward direction, and the second
• rollers 70 and 74 created by rollers 70 and 74 as carriage assembly 60 ascends or descends
• grasping assemblies 90a and 90b will be grasping assemblies 90a and 90b.
• rollers 70 and 74 hold the neck 26 regardless of any net force exerted by rollers 70 and 74
• the present invention is also designed so that the rate of ascension
• 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
• the drive assembly or motor 30 operates at a speed of 5000 rotations
• the carriage assembly 60 either
• transistor TR. sends the signal to the relay RL in order to reverse the motor 32 is predetermined and adjustable. It is preferred that this amount
• a fourth switch S4 (shown oniy in Fig. 11 ) could be adde
• FIG. 12 illustrates tne preferred circuitrv for trie d/c converter.
• FIGs. 13 and 14 another embodiment of the invention i
• This electric toothpaste dispenser 210 consists of a nousing 212
• a toothpaste container 220 a toothpaste container 220, a drive assembly 230, a carriage assembly 260
• nozzle assembly 280 a nozzle assembly 280 and a grasping assembly 290.
• the toothpaste container 220 is held in a
• the first switch SI is located at the bottom of th
• switch S2 will be activated by a prong 27
• Switch S3 will then retract until switch S3 is activated by a prong 274.
• the drive assembly 230 can be activated at an
• carriage assembly 260 is a
• the drive assembly 230 includes a motor 232 which is operated by
• Worm gear 234 drives
• worm wheel 236 and worm wheel 236 drives gear 238 which in turn drives
• a rack 242 is fixed within housing 212
• Carriage assembly 260 includes a carriage block 262 which has a
• a guide assembly 270 attached to the other end of the carriage
• assembly 260 holds carriage assembly 260 between two walls 213 and 214
• the guide assembly 270 includes a guide channel 272
• guide assembly 270 will move along walls 213 and 214 to prevent the
• 260 also includes prongs 274 and 276 for activating switches S3 and S2.
• the tube grasping assembly 290 is
• Holder plate 295 grasping wings 299a, 299b and 299c.
• 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
• the cam 291 has a small hole 293 to hold the other end
• 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
• grasping wings 29b will then be biased to their orisina. position ( Fig. 17 :
• the grasping assembly is adaptable to the diameter and threading of the
• nozzle assembh 280 is ⁇ iso adaptable to the heig ht or depth of th" m ⁇ ut.
• the nozzit assembly 280 generally
• Nozzle plate 281 includes a nozzle plate 281 and a cove]' l t' 285.
• Nozzle plate 281 includes a nozzle plate 281 and a cove]' l t' 285.
• a nozzle 282 a d includes a threaded casing 283 for the securing of a
• Coyer ulate 285 includes a holy 286 at one corner which houses a
• spring 288 The other end of spring 288 is biased against a wall 216
• Housing 212 also includes walls 217 and 218 which are located on housing 212.
• cover plate 285 will clear nozzle 282 allowing toothpaste to
• Cover late 285 is flush with nozzle 281 such that when cover plate 285 is biased over nozzle 282 the nozzle will be sealed
• Fig. 20 shows the electric circuit system for the embodiment of the
• relay RL turns “on” simultaneously and causes relays RL1 and RL2 to shift
• Manual switch SF is parallel with the resistance

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Dentistry (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Tubes (AREA)
• Cosmetics (AREA)
• Brushes (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=27348624

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Families Citing this family (2)

Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 1990
  • 1990-12-06 JP JP3501961A patent/JP2608218B2/ja not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1990-12-06 AU AU69793/91A patent/AU650437B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1990-12-06 EP EP91901626A patent/EP0504299A1/de not_active Ceased
  • 1990-12-06 WO PCT/US1990/007161 patent/WO1991008144A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
• 1992
  • 1992-06-05 NO NO92922245A patent/NO922245L/no unknown

Patent Citations (5)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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