EP1898764A1

EP1898764A1 - Single-handed controlled toothpaste dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP1898764A1
Application number: EP06763778A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Schinke
Original assignee: Symrise AG
Current assignee: Symrise AG
Priority date: 2005-06-28
Filing date: 2006-06-20
Publication date: 2008-03-19
Also published as: DE202005010417U1; WO2007000395A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a toothpaste dispensing device which comprises a toothpaste channel (30) comprising an inlet which can be connected to a toothpaste container (110) and a dispensing opening from where the toothpaste (111) can be applied to the toothbrush (2), and a conveying device (31, 50) which is used to convey toothpaste through a toothpaste channel. The invention is characterised by an actuation device (10, 20) which is arranged in such a manner that it co-operates with the conveying device when the toothbrush head (1) is arranged in the region of dispensing opening of the toothpaste channel, in order to convey toothpaste through the toothpaste channel and to apply to the toothbrush head.

Description

One-hand toothpaste dispenser

The invention relates to a toothpaste dispensing device comprising a toothpaste channel with an inlet opening, which can be connected to a toothpaste container, and a dispensing opening, from which toothpaste can be applied to a toothbrush, and a conveyor device for conveying toothpaste through the toothpaste

Toothpaste channel.

Such toothpaste dispensers are known and are used, for example, on toothpaste dispensers having an integrated toothpaste container. In these known toothpaste dispensers, pressing a lever, slide button, slider, or the like, a conveyor is operated to challenge toothpaste from the toothpaste container. The user expediently holds the toothpaste dispenser in one hand and the toothbrush in the other hand in order to carry out the application process.

A major disadvantage of these known toothpaste dispensers is that the handling requires a certain dexterity in order to achieve a clean order of the toothpaste on the toothbrush. The handling of Known toothpaste dispenser falls in particular elderly or people with a physical disability sometimes difficult and then represents a significant daily recurring burden for these people.

The application of toothpaste on the toothbrush must on the one hand meet hygienic requirements and on the other hand run comfortably for the user. Furthermore, for a sufficient oral hygiene of the order of toothpaste with a certain minimum amount required, this amount should not be significantly exceeded for reasons of economy, that is, a maximum amount should be maintained.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothpaste dispenser which allows easier and safer operation than known toothpaste dispensers.

This object is achieved by a toothpaste dispensing device mentioned at the beginning which has an actuating device which is arranged to cooperate with the conveying device in the region of the dispensing opening of the toothpaste duct in order to convey toothpaste through the toothpaste duct and apply it to the toothbrush head ,

The toothpaste dispensing device according to the invention enables one-handed application of the toothpaste to the toothbrush by triggering the application process by the toothbrush head, when the toothbrush head is arranged in the region of the dispensing opening. As a result, on the one hand, a more comfortable application process is achieved and, on the other hand, a hygienic and user-friendly application process is made possible. The actuating device can be designed in many ways, for example in the form of an elastic bellows, a lever, slider, knob, a spring or the like. The toothbrush head is preferably brought into direct contact with a part of the actuator so as to exercise the application process. For this purpose, the actuating device is preferably in the region of Dispensing opening arranged. In particular, the actuating device can be arranged so that a toothbrush head arranged below the dispensing opening can be brought into contact with a part of the actuating device.

It is particularly preferred if the actuating device comprises an actuating lever or actuating slide which can be brought into contact with a toothbrush head in order to receive a force from the toothbrush head and to transmit it to the conveying device. An actuating lever or actuating slide is a simple yet robust mechanical solution that can achieve a reliable application of toothpaste. The operating lever or spout, for example, be arranged so that it can be brought into contact with the longitudinal end of the toothbrush on the toothbrush head and can be moved by a force in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush. In this case, the actuating lever or -schütten be formed so that it acts directly on the conveyor or this is done with the interposition of other actuators. In particular, the actuating device may also be an integral part of the conveying device, for example when an elastic bellows is arranged so that it can be brought into contact with the toothbrush head and a conveying effect is achieved by compressing the bellows.

In the aforementioned preferred embodiment, it is particularly preferable that the operating lever or shed is formed to receive a pressing force from the toothbrush head. This is particularly easy for a user to use.

Furthermore, it is preferred in the embodiment with actuating lever or -schütten, when the operating lever or -schütten is arranged in the direction of gravity in the operating state below the discharge opening. As a result, a simple order is achieved by the toothpaste can fall from the discharge opening by gravity on the toothbrush and consequently a risk of contamination of the device can be largely avoided. A further advantageous embodiment comprises a guide device for guiding the toothbrush head. This ensures that the brush head is arranged in a defined position relative to the discharge opening. It can be provided on the one hand, that a defined position or a defined movement is achieved. As a result, the order of the toothpaste is carried out targeted to the toothbrush head and further simplifies the operation.

In this case, in particular, the guide device may be formed on the actuating lever or -schütten. As a result, the toothbrush head can be targeted in a predetermined position on the actuating lever or -schütten be recognized and then guided in the power transmission targeted.

Furthermore, it is particularly preferred if the actuating device is designed so that the toothbrush head is guided along during the application process of the toothpaste under the discharge opening to apply a toothpaste strip on the toothbrush head. As a result, a conventional and advantageous order form of the toothpaste is achieved on the toothbrush head with the toothpaste dispensing device according to the invention, without difficult handling would be required. By the leadership of the toothbrush head is ensured in a particularly simple manner that the application direction coincides with the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush and thus achieved a clean and targeted order. Furthermore, the device according to the invention can be developed by elastic means for returning the actuating and / or the conveying device after an actuating or conveying operation. As a result, the toothpaste dispenser is automatically returned to a starting position after each application process, which allows a new order process immediately. The elastic means may for example be formed by plastic or rubber elements, springs of any type or the like.

A further development of the toothpaste dispenser according to the invention comprises a stop for limiting the travel of the actuating device and / or the conveyor to apply a predetermined amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush head. This ensures that on the one hand a predetermined amount is applied in a single operation and on the other hand, the toothpaste is applied only in a predetermined range, which is determined by the beginning and end of the actuation path, and hereby an order on other parts than the brushes Toothbrush avoided. The abutment can also be provided, for example, in that the aforementioned elastic means are deformed so far after a certain path length that they have a defined step-like increase in the opposing force, for example by the elastic means becoming block.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the actuating device has a releasably attached to the actuating lever or spill element which is to bring the brush head with the tooth in contact. This is particularly advantageous for easy cleaning of potentially contaminating parts of the toothpaste dispenser. The releasable fastened element can be designed, for example, as the guide device described above on the actuating lever.

The toothpaste dispensing device according to the invention can be further developed by a toothpaste container, which communicates with the inlet opening. It is in principle possible to provide the toothpaste dispenser according to the invention without a toothpaste container, so that a user acquires the toothpaste separately in a different manner and brings it into connection with the inlet opening. In many cases, however, the toothpaste dispenser can already be provided with a preferably filled toothpaste container and thus offered ready for immediate use. In this case, the toothpaste container may preferably be exchangeable in order to replace it after complete emptying against a full toothpaste container. It is particularly preferred if the toothpaste dispensing device is further developed by a device arranged in the region of the inlet opening for piercing a closure of a toothpaste container. This makes it possible to bring a toothpaste container in the form of a sealed example, by a seal cartridge with the toothpaste dispenser in conjunction and thereby automatically open the seal. This further simplifies the operability of the toothpaste dispenser according to the invention.

Finally, it is preferred to provide the toothpaste dispenser with means for attaching the toothpaste dispenser to a surface, particularly a wall, a sink, or the like. retrain. As a result, the operation is further simplified because slipping, tipping over or the like during the application process can be safely prevented by the attachment.

Another aspect of the invention is a toothpaste container for use in a toothpaste dispenser having a dispensing port closed with a removable or pierceable closure. This toothpaste container allows environmentally friendly and convenient reuse of the toothpaste dispenser by being used as a refill pack.

The toothpaste dispenser of the invention is preferably applied to a method of applying toothpaste to a toothbrush, with the steps

Arranging a toothbrush head in the region of a delivery opening of a toothpaste duct, which has an inlet opening, which is connectable to a toothpaste container, and

Conveying toothpaste through the toothpaste passage by means of a conveyor, the toothbrush head actuating an actuator cooperating with the conveyor to convey toothpaste through the toothpaste passage and apply it to the toothbrush head. This Method allows a particularly simple, comfortable and safe application of toothpaste on a toothbrush.

It is preferred that the toothbrush head a force, preferably a compressive force, applied to an actuating lever or actuating slide and this force is on the conveyor transfer.

A further development is that the toothbrush head is arranged in the direction of gravity in the operating state below the discharge opening.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the tooth brush head is guided by means of a guide device, preferably guided along the discharge opening to apply a toothpaste strip on the toothbrush head.

It is also advantageous if the actuating and / or the conveying device is reset after an actuating or conveying operation by elastic means.

Finally, it is preferred that a predetermined amount of toothpaste is applied to the toothbrush.

A preferred embodiment will be described with reference to the figures. Show it:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the toothpaste dispensing device according to the invention of obliquely laterally behind, with inserted

Toothpaste container

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device according to FIG. 1, viewed obliquely from the front, FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the device according to FIG. 1 in the function of applying toothpaste;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view according to FIG. 2 in the function according to FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 shows a view of the detachable guiding device of the device of FIGS. 1-4,

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the connection mechanism between toothpaste container and toothpaste dispenser obliquely from the top front,

7 is a perspective view of a toothpaste container for the device according to the invention obliquely from below,

FIGS. 8a-k show the functional sequence of a toothpaste dispensing operation according to the view of FIG. 1, and FIG

FIGS. 9a-9c show the functional sequence as in FIGS. 8a-k according to the view of FIG.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the toothpaste dispenser according to the invention comprises a guide device 10, in which a toothbrush head 1 of a toothbrush 2 can be used.

The guide device 10 is detachably connected to a carriage 20 which is horizontally displaceable relative to a toothpaste passage housing 30. The guide device is attached to one side of a vertical wall 21 of the carriage 20. On the opposite side of this wall 21, a helical compression spring 40 is arranged, which is supported on the inner wall of a housing 100 and thus pushes the carriage 20 in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. A horizontal conveyor section 31 is formed on the toothpaste channel housing 30 from which extends a conveyor carriage 50 movable relative to this conveyor section with nose 51 formed therein.

On the upper end of the toothpaste channel housing 30, there is disposed a toothpaste container 110 from which toothpaste can be delivered through the toothpaste passage.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the toothbrush 2 can be inserted into the guide device 10 and then pushed into the housing 100 in its longitudinal direction such that the carriage 20 shifts horizontally against the pressure force of the spring 40 relative to the toothpaste passage housing 30. As a result of this displacement, an upper horizontal edge 22 of the carriage 20 abuts the nose 51 after a certain travel distance and moves the conveyor carriage 50 horizontally out of the conveyor section 31. As a result, a toothpaste strand 111 is applied from the dispensing opening (not visible) from the toothpaste container 110 to the brushes 3 of the toothbrush head 1.

The helical compression spring 40 is compressed and pushes the carriage 20 together with the guiding device 10 fastened therein when the toothbrush 2 is returned from the housing 100 back into the initial position according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to Figure 5, the guide device 10 comprises two lateral walls 11 and 12 which guide the toothbrush head 1 laterally, a lower support surface 13 which serves as support for the toothbrush head 1 and a stop surface 14, via which transmit the force for moving the carriage 20 becomes.

Referring to FIG. 6, the toothpaste container 110 may be removed from the housing 100. In the connection adapter 101, an inlet opening 102 is formed for the toothpaste. The inlet opening 102 is switched as Pipe section formed and can thereby pierce a closure 114 of the toothpaste container 110.

FIG. 7 shows the connection flange 112 of the toothpaste container 110. The connection flange 112 is of circular design and has a concentrically arranged opening 113 which is closed by a seal 114 made of pierceable material.

With reference to FIGS. 8a-k and 9a-k, the functions of the toothpaste dispensing device according to the invention can be easily recognized when these figures are traversed from a to k in the manner of a flip-book. It can be seen that the toothbrush is inserted into the housing and in this case a toothpaste strand is dispensed onto the brushes and the toothbrush can then be removed again with applied toothpaste strand from the housing.

Claims

claims

A toothpaste dispenser comprising a toothpaste port (30) having an entrance port connectable to a toothpaste container (110) and a delivery port, from

Toothpaste (111) on a toothbrush (2) can be applied, and a conveying device (31, 50) for conveying toothpaste through the

Toothpaste channel, characterized by an actuator (10, 20) arranged to cooperate with the delivery device when disposing a toothbrush head (1) in the region of the delivery port of the toothpaste duct for delivering toothpaste through the toothpaste passageway and applying it to the toothbrush head.

A toothpaste dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator comprises an actuating lever or actuating slide (10, 20) which can be brought into contact with a toothbrush head to receive a force from the toothbrush head and transfer it to the conveyor.

3. toothpaste dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that the actuating lever or spill is formed to receive a pressure force from the toothbrush head.

4. Toothpaste dispenser according to one of the preceding claims 2-3, characterized in that the actuating lever or -schütten is arranged in the direction of gravity in the operating state below the discharge opening.

5. Toothpaste dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a guide device (10) for guiding the toothbrush head.

6. Toothpaste dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims 2-4 and claim 5, characterized in that the guide device (10) on the actuating lever or -schütten (20) is formed.

A toothpaste dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator is adapted to guide the toothbrush head under the dispensing opening during the application process of the toothpaste to apply a toothpaste strip to the toothbrush head.

8. Toothpaste dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by elastic means for returning the actuating and / or the conveying device after an actuating or conveying operation.

A toothpaste dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a stop (100) for limiting the travel of the actuator and / or the conveyor to apply a predetermined amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush head.

10. Toothpaste dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating device has a releasably attached to the actuating lever or -schütten element (10) which is to be brought into contact with the toothbrush head.

11. Toothpaste dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a toothpaste container (110) which communicates with the inlet opening (102).

12. Toothpaste dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a arranged in the region of the inlet opening

Device (102) for piercing a closure (114) of a toothpaste container.

13. Toothpaste dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by means for attaching the toothpaste dispenser to a surface, in particular a wall, a sink o.a ..

Toothpaste container for use in a toothpaste dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a dispensing opening closed by a removable or pierceable closure.