EP2134223A1 - Device for dispensing toothpaste and a kit for oral hygiene containing the device - Google Patents

Device for dispensing toothpaste and a kit for oral hygiene containing the device

Info

Publication number
EP2134223A1
EP2134223A1 EP08719668A EP08719668A EP2134223A1 EP 2134223 A1 EP2134223 A1 EP 2134223A1 EP 08719668 A EP08719668 A EP 08719668A EP 08719668 A EP08719668 A EP 08719668A EP 2134223 A1 EP2134223 A1 EP 2134223A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
roller
tube
dispensing device
container
previous
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP08719668A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2134223B1 (en
Inventor
Alberto Dainelli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Da Vela Licia
Original Assignee
Da Vela Licia
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Da Vela Licia filed Critical Da Vela Licia
Publication of EP2134223A1 publication Critical patent/EP2134223A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2134223B1 publication Critical patent/EP2134223B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D35/00—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor
    • B65D35/24—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor with auxiliary devices
    • B65D35/32—Winding keys
    • B65D35/34—Winding keys connected to, or associated with, tube holders

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the sector of accessories for oral hygiene and refers particularly to a toothpaste dispensing device.
  • the invention also concerns an oral hygiene kit including said dispensing device.
  • WO 97/00818 discloses a device for squeezing a flexible tube containing a paste, such as toothpaste, essentially intended for installation in a vertical position and comprising a squeeze roller engaged on longitudinal toothed guides extending along a base serving as a support for the flexible tube, which, in operation, is placed between the base and the squeeze roller.
  • a handle is provided coaxial to the roller. The handle is connected to eccentric weights inside the roller that return the handle to its upwards rotated position after each use.
  • the handle is associated with an arm ending with a retaining pawl suitable for engaging in a toothed profile extending circumferentially inside the squeeze roller to prevent any free rotation of the roller.
  • WO 2004/066784 discloses a toothpaste dispenser again intended for installation in a vertical position, wherein the flexible tube containing the toothpaste is placed between a squeeze roller and an opposing surface.
  • the roller can slide longitudinally inside the seat containing the tube, driven by a toothed rod elastically sliding inside said seat, on which a roller retaining pawl engages.
  • the rod ends with an outer button, which, when it is pressed, induces a sliding action of the rod and a consequent sliding of the roller which causes the tube squeezing.
  • the pressure on the outer button is released, the roller remains in the position it has reached because the retaining pawl slides along the toothed rod, which returns elastically to its starting position without engaging with said rod.
  • WO 01/98163 discloses another toothpaste squeezing device with a housing in which the tube is placed and a cursor sliding internally along a motorized worm screw.
  • the cursor has a slot in which the tube engages and its sliding motion induced by the rotation of the worm screw compresses and squeezes the tube of paste.
  • WO 03/072450 which concerns a squeezing device, again intended for installation in a vertical position, comprising a tube supporting element and an outer cover that is pressed to compress the tube against a wall of the supporting element and thereby squeeze the tube.
  • This device has a limited squeezing efficiency because the force exerted on the tube is distributed over its whole surface and as a consequence the force that the user must apply to empty the tube completely is relatively great.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a device for dispensing toothpaste from a flexible tube containing said paste that is simple and efficient in structural terms and that the user can operate effortlessly and with ease.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an oral hygiene kit that includes the toothpaste dispensing device according to the invention, together with all the accessories needed to clean the teeth and the oral cavity.
  • a device for dispensing toothpaste from a flexible tube containing said paste which comprises a winding roller with means for removably retaining the rear end of the tube and suitable for winding the tube around itself as a result of a rotation around its own axis, during which the tube is passed between said roller and an opposing element, and pressed against the latter so as to squeeze the toothpaste from its open end.
  • a dispensing device of the above-described type in which the winding roller is revolvingly supported by a supporting structure inside a tubular housing fixed to said supporting structure.
  • the tubular housing has a longitudinal front opening and an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the roller facing said opening, thus defining an annular chamber therebetween that is wide enough to contain the tube after it has been compressed and wound up.
  • the means for removably attaching the tube to the roller are such that, when the roller is turned, the tube is forced to pass between said roller and the opposing element, thus being compressed and wound around said roller, and thereby making a quantity of toothpaste emerge from the opposite end of the tube corresponding to the extent of rotation imparted on the roller.
  • an oral hygiene kit comprises the above- mentioned dispensing device and at least one toothbrush inserted in a holder integrally attached to the tubular housing, a container for interdental brushes and the related accessories, a container for dental floss and a container for mouthwash, said containers being removably attached to the dispensing device.
  • figure 1 is a perspective view of the dispensing device according to the present invention
  • figure 2 is a side elevation view of the dispensing device of figure 1
  • figure 3 is a top plan view from above of the dispensing device of figure 1
  • figure 4 is a front view of the dispensing device of figure 1
  • - figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-section of the dispensing device taken along line V-V of figure 4
  • figure 6 is an exploded view of the dispensing device of figure 1
  • figure 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the dispensing device according to the present invention
  • - figure 8 is a perspective view of the dispensing device of figure 7 in a closed condition
  • figure 9 is a front view of the dispensing device of figure 7
  • figure 10 is a side view of the dispensing device of figure 7 in a closed
  • the dispensing device comprises a supporting frame 1, consisting in the present embodiment of a base 2, a pair of sides 3 rising parallel to one another from the base 2 and a rear wall 4 rising from the base 2 and attached to the two sides 3.
  • the supporting frame 1 contains an assembly, generally indicated by the numeral 5, for squeezing a tube containing a substance of pasty consistency, such as toothpaste (not shown in the figures) .
  • the squeezing assembly 5 comprises a winding roller 6, with its ends connected to two wheels 7 revolvingly supported by the sides 3 of the supporting frame 1, the axis of the roller 6 being perpendicular to the sides 3.
  • the squeezing assembly 5 also comprises an opposing roller 8, positioned underneath the winding roller 6 and revolvingly supported by two shoulders 9 extending upwards from the base 2, parallel to the sides 3.
  • the winding roller 6 is arranged in a housing 10 of substantially tubular shape with a wide front window 11, from where two arms 12 extend to support the tube.
  • the housing 10 is anchored to the base 2 by means of a wall 13 perpendicular to the base and ending with a foot 14 that can be attached with a screw to the base 2.
  • housing 10 can be fixed to base 2 by any other functionally equivalent means, for example of the snap fit type.
  • the term “front” is intended as the side of the squeezing assembly 5 occupied by the tube, while “rear” is the opposite side.
  • the winding roller 6 has a pocket 15 formed along a generatrix on its surface and shaped so as to contain the generally flattened, rear end of the tube that remains attached, albeit removably, to the roller 6 due to the moderate force required to insert said rear end in the pocket 15.
  • the tube rests on the arms 12, as shown n figure 2.
  • the two wheels 7 are integrally connected to the winding roller 6 by means of their axial sleeves 16, which engage in at the ends of the roller. As shown in figures 5 and 6, the two sleeves 16 have a substantially C-shaped cross-section that replicates the inside profile of the roller 6 in line with the pocket 15. The engagement of the pocket 15 in the sleeves 16 also prevents any angular displacement between the roller 6 and the wheels 7.
  • respective toothed wheels 17 positioned on the inner side of the wheels 7 are provided. Toothed wheels 17 engage with corresponding toothed wheels 18 situated at the ends of the opposing roller 8 and coaxial therewith. Respective pins 19 extend from the opposite, outer side of the wheels 7 and snap engage revolvingly inside seats 20 formed on the inner surface of the sides 3 of the supporting frame 1. Thus, when the wheels 7 are rotated, the winding roller 6 and the opposing roller 8 are turned in opposite directions.
  • the seats 20 are formed at the end of a respective channel 21, the depth of which is tapered from the upper edge of the sides 3 towards the seats 20.
  • the free ends of the pins 19 can slide in their respective channels 21 to snap engage in the seats 20.
  • the relative flexibility of the sides 3 is exploited to engage and disengage the pins 19 in and from the seats 20 (should the squeezing assembly 5 need to be removed from the supporting frame 1) .
  • the outer diameter of the winding roller 6 is considerably lower than the inner diameter of the tubular housing 10, to define an annular chamber 22 therebetween, as shown in figure 5, that is wide enough to contain several turns of the squeezed tube wrapped around the roller 6.
  • the tube engaged with its rear end in the pocket 15 in the roller 6 is entrained between the roller 6 and the cylinder 8, rotating in opposite directions, and forced to pass therebetween.
  • the tube is compressed and a dose of toothpaste proportional to the angular displacement imparted to the wheels 7 is squeezed from the open end of the tube, while a corresponding length of the tube is wound around the roller 6.
  • the wheels 7 have a toothed or knurled profile, for example as shown in the figures, that can be grasped with the palm of the hand or also using the fingers inserted between adjacent teeth.
  • the dispensing device can advantageously include means for containing instruments for use in dental hygiene.
  • means for containing instruments for use in dental hygiene for supporting a toothbrush, or two toothbrushes (as in the case illustrated) , two brush-covering sheaths 23 attached to a rod 24 supported by fins 25 extending above the tubular housing 10 are provided.
  • the brushed end of the toothbrush is inserted in the sheaths 23, which thus avoids it being exposed to the environment when not in use, while the handle of the toothbrush extends forward above the tube so that it is easy to reach.
  • the rod 24 has longitudinal grooves in which a ribbing 26 extending from the tubular housing 10 along the wings 25 engages.
  • the ribbing 26 can be inserted in different grooves, thereby varying the inclination of the sheaths 23 and consequently also of the toothbrush handles to adapt to the user's different needs.
  • Elastic means e.g. elastic flaps (not shown), can be provided at the inlet side of the sheaths 23 to press laterally against the toothbrushes and thus prevent them from being accidentally removed.
  • the pocket 15 can advantageously have a shaped inlet opening (not shown) to facilitate the insertion of tubes of toothpaste with rear ends of a complementary shape.
  • the above-described dispensing device can be supported either on the base 2 or the rear wall 4 , depending on the space available.
  • the supporting element in which the squeezing assembly 5 is installed consists of the movable part 30a of a container, generally indicated at 30 and intended for attaching to a wall with its fixed part 30b.
  • the movable part 30a is hinged to one side of the fixed part 30b so that, when the container 30 is opened, the movable part moves to a substantially horizontal position.
  • the arms 12 of the squeezing assembly are also substantially horizontal, whereas they are substantially vertical when the container is closed.
  • the squeezing assembly 5 comprises the same components and functions in the same way as the one previously described.
  • the movable part 30a of the container 30 comprises a rear wall 31, the free edge of which is hinged to the fixed part 30b, said rear wall 31 being formed with ribbing 32 on its outer surface for abutting on the wall to which the container is attached, whereby ensuring the proper positioning of the movable part 30a in the substantially horizontal position.
  • a snap fit closure 33 (or other, equivalent means) enables the movable part 30a to be removably connected to the fixed part 30b of the container 30.
  • the fixed part 30b advantageously contains useful accessories for dental and oral hygiene, such as dental floss, interdental brushes and related accessories, blister packs containing spare parts, etc, attached to its front wall 34, as shown in figure 9, while the holders for one or more interdental brushes are provided (but not shown) inside the fixed part 30a.
  • a bottle for mouthwash 36 is also provided in the base 35 of the movable part 30a and is arranged between the base 35 and the arms 12 of the squeezing assembly 5.
  • an oral hygiene kit comprises the toothpaste dispensing assembly, toothbrushes, dental floss, interdental brushes with the related accessories and a mouthwash, all inside a compact and optionally portable, ready and easy to use set .
  • the device according to the invention may also be motorized, by applying a preferably battery-powered motor of limited dimensions to the axis of the squeezing roller 6.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Brushes (AREA)
  • Cosmetics (AREA)

Abstract

A device for dispensing toothpaste from a flexible tube containing said paste, comprising a winding roller (6) with means (15) for removably retaining the rear end of the tube, the roller (6) being suitable for winding the tube around itself as a result of a rotation around its own axis, during which the tube is passed between the winding roller (6) and an opposing roller (8) and pressed against the latter in order to squeeze the toothpaste from its other end. An oral hygiene kit comprising a device for dispensing toothpaste from a tube containing said paste, at least one toothbrush inserted in a housing attached to said device, a container for interdental brushes and the related accessories, a container for dental floss and a container for mouthwash is also provided.

Description

TITLE
DEVICE FOR DISPENSING TOOTHPASTE AND A KIT FOR ORAL HYGIENE CONTAINING THE DEVICE
DESCRIPTION Technical Field of the invention
The present invention relates generally to the sector of accessories for oral hygiene and refers particularly to a toothpaste dispensing device. The invention also concerns an oral hygiene kit including said dispensing device.
State of the art
Numerous dispensing devices of the above-mentioned type are known. The feature common to said devices is the presence of a movable element that slides along the tooth paste tube, thereby squeezing it and consequently making its contents emerge from its open end.
WO 97/00818 discloses a device for squeezing a flexible tube containing a paste, such as toothpaste, essentially intended for installation in a vertical position and comprising a squeeze roller engaged on longitudinal toothed guides extending along a base serving as a support for the flexible tube, which, in operation, is placed between the base and the squeeze roller. To make the roller advance along the toothed guides a handle is provided coaxial to the roller. The handle is connected to eccentric weights inside the roller that return the handle to its upwards rotated position after each use.
The handle is associated with an arm ending with a retaining pawl suitable for engaging in a toothed profile extending circumferentially inside the squeeze roller to prevent any free rotation of the roller.
WO 2004/066784 discloses a toothpaste dispenser again intended for installation in a vertical position, wherein the flexible tube containing the toothpaste is placed between a squeeze roller and an opposing surface. The roller can slide longitudinally inside the seat containing the tube, driven by a toothed rod elastically sliding inside said seat, on which a roller retaining pawl engages. The rod ends with an outer button, which, when it is pressed, induces a sliding action of the rod and a consequent sliding of the roller which causes the tube squeezing. When the pressure on the outer button is released, the roller remains in the position it has reached because the retaining pawl slides along the toothed rod, which returns elastically to its starting position without engaging with said rod. WO 01/98163 discloses another toothpaste squeezing device with a housing in which the tube is placed and a cursor sliding internally along a motorized worm screw. The cursor has a slot in which the tube engages and its sliding motion induced by the rotation of the worm screw compresses and squeezes the tube of paste.
Devices of the above-described type are structurally complex, partly because they contain moving parts, and they are consequently relatively expensive. A structurally more straightforward device is disclosed in WO 03/072450, which concerns a squeezing device, again intended for installation in a vertical position, comprising a tube supporting element and an outer cover that is pressed to compress the tube against a wall of the supporting element and thereby squeeze the tube. This device has a limited squeezing efficiency because the force exerted on the tube is distributed over its whole surface and as a consequence the force that the user must apply to empty the tube completely is relatively great. Summary of the Invention
The object of the present invention is to provide a device for dispensing toothpaste from a flexible tube containing said paste that is simple and efficient in structural terms and that the user can operate effortlessly and with ease.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an oral hygiene kit that includes the toothpaste dispensing device according to the invention, together with all the accessories needed to clean the teeth and the oral cavity.
These objects are achieved by a device for dispensing toothpaste from a flexible tube containing said paste, which comprises a winding roller with means for removably retaining the rear end of the tube and suitable for winding the tube around itself as a result of a rotation around its own axis, during which the tube is passed between said roller and an opposing element, and pressed against the latter so as to squeeze the toothpaste from its open end.
According to one aspect of the invention, a dispensing device of the above-described type is provided in which the winding roller is revolvingly supported by a supporting structure inside a tubular housing fixed to said supporting structure. The tubular housing has a longitudinal front opening and an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the roller facing said opening, thus defining an annular chamber therebetween that is wide enough to contain the tube after it has been compressed and wound up. The means for removably attaching the tube to the roller are such that, when the roller is turned, the tube is forced to pass between said roller and the opposing element, thus being compressed and wound around said roller, and thereby making a quantity of toothpaste emerge from the opposite end of the tube corresponding to the extent of rotation imparted on the roller.
According to another aspect of the invention, an oral hygiene kit is provided that comprises the above- mentioned dispensing device and at least one toothbrush inserted in a holder integrally attached to the tubular housing, a container for interdental brushes and the related accessories, a container for dental floss and a container for mouthwash, said containers being removably attached to the dispensing device. Brief description of the drawings
Further characteristics and advantages of the toothpaste dispensing device and related oral hygiene kit according to the present invention will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given here as a non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a perspective view of the dispensing device according to the present invention; figure 2 is a side elevation view of the dispensing device of figure 1 ; figure 3 is a top plan view from above of the dispensing device of figure 1; figure 4 is a front view of the dispensing device of figure 1 ; - figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-section of the dispensing device taken along line V-V of figure 4: figure 6 is an exploded view of the dispensing device of figure 1; figure 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the dispensing device according to the present invention; - figure 8 is a perspective view of the dispensing device of figure 7 in a closed condition; figure 9 is a front view of the dispensing device of figure 7; figure 10 is a side view of the dispensing device of figure 7 in a closed condition; figure 11 is a top plan view of the dispensing device of figure 7 in a closed condition. Detailed description of the Invention
With reference to figures 1 to 6, the dispensing device according to the invention comprises a supporting frame 1, consisting in the present embodiment of a base 2, a pair of sides 3 rising parallel to one another from the base 2 and a rear wall 4 rising from the base 2 and attached to the two sides 3. The supporting frame 1 contains an assembly, generally indicated by the numeral 5, for squeezing a tube containing a substance of pasty consistency, such as toothpaste (not shown in the figures) . The squeezing assembly 5 comprises a winding roller 6, with its ends connected to two wheels 7 revolvingly supported by the sides 3 of the supporting frame 1, the axis of the roller 6 being perpendicular to the sides 3. The squeezing assembly 5 also comprises an opposing roller 8, positioned underneath the winding roller 6 and revolvingly supported by two shoulders 9 extending upwards from the base 2, parallel to the sides 3. The winding roller 6 is arranged in a housing 10 of substantially tubular shape with a wide front window 11, from where two arms 12 extend to support the tube. The housing 10 is anchored to the base 2 by means of a wall 13 perpendicular to the base and ending with a foot 14 that can be attached with a screw to the base 2. As an alternative, housing 10 can be fixed to base 2 by any other functionally equivalent means, for example of the snap fit type. It should be noted that, in the present description, the term "front" is intended as the side of the squeezing assembly 5 occupied by the tube, while "rear" is the opposite side. The winding roller 6 has a pocket 15 formed along a generatrix on its surface and shaped so as to contain the generally flattened, rear end of the tube that remains attached, albeit removably, to the roller 6 due to the moderate force required to insert said rear end in the pocket 15. When the rear end of the tube has been inserted in the pocket 15, the tube rests on the arms 12, as shown n figure 2.
The two wheels 7 are integrally connected to the winding roller 6 by means of their axial sleeves 16, which engage in at the ends of the roller. As shown in figures 5 and 6, the two sleeves 16 have a substantially C-shaped cross-section that replicates the inside profile of the roller 6 in line with the pocket 15. The engagement of the pocket 15 in the sleeves 16 also prevents any angular displacement between the roller 6 and the wheels 7.
Coaxially to the two sleeves 16, respective toothed wheels 17 positioned on the inner side of the wheels 7 are provided. Toothed wheels 17 engage with corresponding toothed wheels 18 situated at the ends of the opposing roller 8 and coaxial therewith. Respective pins 19 extend from the opposite, outer side of the wheels 7 and snap engage revolvingly inside seats 20 formed on the inner surface of the sides 3 of the supporting frame 1. Thus, when the wheels 7 are rotated, the winding roller 6 and the opposing roller 8 are turned in opposite directions.
As shown in figure 6, the seats 20 are formed at the end of a respective channel 21, the depth of which is tapered from the upper edge of the sides 3 towards the seats 20. As a result of a moderate force being exerted on the squeezing assembly 5, the free ends of the pins 19 can slide in their respective channels 21 to snap engage in the seats 20. The relative flexibility of the sides 3 is exploited to engage and disengage the pins 19 in and from the seats 20 (should the squeezing assembly 5 need to be removed from the supporting frame 1) .
The outer diameter of the winding roller 6 is considerably lower than the inner diameter of the tubular housing 10, to define an annular chamber 22 therebetween, as shown in figure 5, that is wide enough to contain several turns of the squeezed tube wrapped around the roller 6. In fact, due to the effect of a rotation imparted by the user to the wheels 7, the tube engaged with its rear end in the pocket 15 in the roller 6 is entrained between the roller 6 and the cylinder 8, rotating in opposite directions, and forced to pass therebetween. Because of the close distance between the surfaces of the roller 6 and the cylinder 8, which is considerably less than the thickness of the tube containing the toothpaste, the tube is compressed and a dose of toothpaste proportional to the angular displacement imparted to the wheels 7 is squeezed from the open end of the tube, while a corresponding length of the tube is wound around the roller 6.
To facilitate their rotation, the wheels 7 have a toothed or knurled profile, for example as shown in the figures, that can be grasped with the palm of the hand or also using the fingers inserted between adjacent teeth.
The dispensing device according to the invention can advantageously include means for containing instruments for use in dental hygiene. In particular, for supporting a toothbrush, or two toothbrushes (as in the case illustrated) , two brush-covering sheaths 23 attached to a rod 24 supported by fins 25 extending above the tubular housing 10 are provided. The brushed end of the toothbrush is inserted in the sheaths 23, which thus avoids it being exposed to the environment when not in use, while the handle of the toothbrush extends forward above the tube so that it is easy to reach. In particular, the rod 24 has longitudinal grooves in which a ribbing 26 extending from the tubular housing 10 along the wings 25 engages. Given the flexibility of the material used, the ribbing 26 can be inserted in different grooves, thereby varying the inclination of the sheaths 23 and consequently also of the toothbrush handles to adapt to the user's different needs. Elastic means, e.g. elastic flaps (not shown), can be provided at the inlet side of the sheaths 23 to press laterally against the toothbrushes and thus prevent them from being accidentally removed. There are also tubular seats 27 on the base 2, particularly in line with the rear wall 4, for housing containers for interdental brushes (not shown) .
The pocket 15 can advantageously have a shaped inlet opening (not shown) to facilitate the insertion of tubes of toothpaste with rear ends of a complementary shape.
The above-described dispensing device can be supported either on the base 2 or the rear wall 4 , depending on the space available.
In the embodiment shown in figures 7-11, the supporting element in which the squeezing assembly 5 is installed consists of the movable part 30a of a container, generally indicated at 30 and intended for attaching to a wall with its fixed part 30b. In particular, the movable part 30a is hinged to one side of the fixed part 30b so that, when the container 30 is opened, the movable part moves to a substantially horizontal position. In this condition, the arms 12 of the squeezing assembly are also substantially horizontal, whereas they are substantially vertical when the container is closed. The squeezing assembly 5 comprises the same components and functions in the same way as the one previously described. The movable part 30a of the container 30 comprises a rear wall 31, the free edge of which is hinged to the fixed part 30b, said rear wall 31 being formed with ribbing 32 on its outer surface for abutting on the wall to which the container is attached, whereby ensuring the proper positioning of the movable part 30a in the substantially horizontal position.
A snap fit closure 33 (or other, equivalent means) enables the movable part 30a to be removably connected to the fixed part 30b of the container 30. The fixed part 30b advantageously contains useful accessories for dental and oral hygiene, such as dental floss, interdental brushes and related accessories, blister packs containing spare parts, etc, attached to its front wall 34, as shown in figure 9, while the holders for one or more interdental brushes are provided (but not shown) inside the fixed part 30a. A bottle for mouthwash 36 is also provided in the base 35 of the movable part 30a and is arranged between the base 35 and the arms 12 of the squeezing assembly 5. Clearly, several other accessory lay-outs within the container are possible in addition to the one described above. All these different arrangements come within the scope of the invention.
According to the invention, an oral hygiene kit is also provided. The kit comprises the toothpaste dispensing assembly, toothbrushes, dental floss, interdental brushes with the related accessories and a mouthwash, all inside a compact and optionally portable, ready and easy to use set .
The device according to the invention may also be motorized, by applying a preferably battery-powered motor of limited dimensions to the axis of the squeezing roller 6.
Various modifications and alteration to the invention may be appreciated based on a review of the description. These changes and additions are intended to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing toothpaste from a flexible tube containing said paste, characterized in that it comprises a winding roller (6) equipped with means (15) for removably retaining the rear end of the tube, said roller (6) being suitable for winding the tube around itself following a rotation around its own axis, during which the tube is passed between said roller (6) and an opposing roller (8) , and pressed against the latter in order to squeeze the toothpaste from the opposite end of the tube .
2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said winding roller (6) is pivotally supported by a supporting flame (1) in a tubular housing (10) fixed to said supporting frame, said tubular housing (10) having a longitudinal front opening (11) and having an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of said roller (6) , facing said opening (11) , thereby defining an annular chamber (22) therebetween that is wide enough to contain the tube when it is compressed and wound up, said means (15) for removably retaining said tube on said winding roller (6) being such that, when the winding roller (6) is turned, the tube is forced to pass between said winding roller (6) and said opposing roller (8) to be compressed and wound around said roller (6) , whereby a dose of said paste corresponding to the amount of rotation imparted on the roller is forced to come out through the other end of the tube .
3. The dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein said means for retaining the rear end of the tube on the roller comprise a longitudinal pocket (15) on said winding roller (6) said rear end of the tube engaging by means of a moderate force in said pocket (15) .
4. The dispensing device according to any of the previous claims, wherein actuating wheels (7) are integrally attached to the ends of said roller (6) on the outside of said tubular housing (10) , revolvingly connected to the sides (3) of said supporting frame (1) .
5. The dispensing device according to any of the previous claims, wherein said opposing roller (8) is a cylinder parallel to said winding roller (6) and pivotally supported in said supporting frame (1) .
6. The dispensing device according to any of the previous claims, wherein means (17, 18) for the transmission of a rotary motion are provided between said winding roller (6) and said opposing roller (8) .
7. The dispensing device according to any of the previous claims, wherein two arms (12) extend from the front of said tubular housing (10) to support said toothpaste tube .
8. The dispensing device according to any of the previous claims, wherein at least one seat (23) is provided above said tubular housing (10) with a forward- facing inlet opening for containing a toothbrush.
9. The dispensing device according to claim 8, wherein said seat (23) is pivotally connected to said supporting frame (1) and can be locked in position at a chosen angle of inclination.
10. The dispensing device according to any of the previous claims, wherein respective pins (19) extend from said actuating wheels (7) for snap fit and pivotally engaging in seats (20) formed on the sides (3) of said supporting frame (1) .
11. The dispensing device according to any of the previous claims, wherein said actuating wheels (7) have a toothed or knurled profile.
12. The dispensing device according to any of the previous claims, wherein said supporting frame (1) is a mobile part (30a) of a container (30) .
13. The dispensing device according to claim 12, wherein said mobile part (30a) of said container (30) is pivotally connected to a fixed part (30b) suitable for being attached to a wall, the mobile part of said container being arranged in a substantially horizontal position when it is opened.
14. An oral hygiene kit characterized in that it comprises a device for dispensing toothpaste from a tube contains said paste according to any of the previous claims, as well as at least one toothbrush inserted in a holder connected to said tubular housing and at least one container for interdental brushes.
15. The oral hygiene kit according to claim 14, also comprising a container for dental floss and a container for mouthwash, said containers being removably attached to said supporting frame.
16. The oral hygiene kit according to claim 14, wherein a seat for housing the interdental brush container is provided along a rear wall of said supporting frame.
EP08719668A 2007-03-16 2008-03-13 Device for dispensing toothpaste and a kit for oral hygiene containing the device Not-in-force EP2134223B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000065A ITFI20070065A1 (en) 2007-03-16 2007-03-16 DEVICE FOR DELIVERING PASTA DENTIFRICIA AND KIT FOR ORAL HYGIENE CONTAINING THIS DEVICE
PCT/IB2008/050913 WO2008114173A1 (en) 2007-03-16 2008-03-13 Device for dispensing toothpaste and a kit for oral hygiene containing the device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2134223A1 true EP2134223A1 (en) 2009-12-23
EP2134223B1 EP2134223B1 (en) 2011-05-11

Family

ID=39620327

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08719668A Not-in-force EP2134223B1 (en) 2007-03-16 2008-03-13 Device for dispensing toothpaste and a kit for oral hygiene containing the device

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2134223B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE508672T1 (en)
IT (1) ITFI20070065A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2008114173A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GR1007245B (en) * 2010-03-23 2011-04-21 Μαρια Νικολαου Κατριμπουζα-Πεττα One-dose mouthwash combined with dental floss and inter-dental brush

Family Cites Families (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB593829A (en) * 1945-06-14 1947-10-27 Austin Read A combined holder and extruding device for tooth-paste tubes and similar flexible containers
US2003283A (en) * 1933-09-27 1935-06-04 Ulrich Fischer Tube paste dispenser
US2182606A (en) * 1939-02-06 1939-12-05 William J Ziegler Paste dispenser with cap
DE951165C (en) * 1954-10-14 1956-10-25 Willi Wirth Device for complete and non-destructive emptying of tubes
US2840273A (en) * 1955-01-17 1958-06-24 Harry W Mcewen Collapsible tube dispensing device
US3168220A (en) * 1961-11-20 1965-02-02 John E Gegner Device for the removal of material from tubes
US3204823A (en) * 1963-09-24 1965-09-07 Jr Cornelius B Watson Combined tube squeezer and support therefor
US3586213A (en) * 1969-10-20 1971-06-22 John B Gill Tube squeezer apparatus
US5692645A (en) 1995-06-22 1997-12-02 Choon Woo Ryu Flexible tube dispensing apparatus
US6401978B1 (en) 2000-06-21 2002-06-11 Innovative Injectors, Inc. Toothpaste dispenser
US6789703B2 (en) 2002-01-18 2004-09-14 Jean Pierre-Louis Toothpaste holder and dispenser
TR200200501A2 (en) 2002-02-26 2004-02-23 Behçet Karaboncuk Mehmet Tube squeezing machine.
US6662971B1 (en) * 2002-04-10 2003-12-16 Ryan R. Nguyen Automatic pressing mechanism
ITMC20030048A1 (en) * 2003-05-09 2003-08-07 Tecno Tecnologia & Disign Srl TOOL FOR Squeezing Toothpaste Tubes
US7520407B2 (en) * 2005-05-11 2009-04-21 Maxine Crosby Personal dental care unit

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2008114173A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2008114173A1 (en) 2008-09-25
ITFI20070065A1 (en) 2008-09-17
ATE508672T1 (en) 2011-05-15
EP2134223B1 (en) 2011-05-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR100406744B1 (en) Hair dye dispenser
US8439050B2 (en) Self-dispensing dental floss applicator
AU2011383574B2 (en) Oral care implement
US8371549B1 (en) Hold for a toothpaste tube and toothbrushes
US7392810B2 (en) Dental flossing cartridge system and driver attachments
WO2010132590A1 (en) Integrated toothbrush, toothpaste dispenser and holder with refresh cup cover
US20100159416A1 (en) Disposable dental prophylaxis instrument capable of discharging dentifrice material
NO764116L (en)
EP2134223B1 (en) Device for dispensing toothpaste and a kit for oral hygiene containing the device
KR20140147818A (en) Toothbrush with automatic paste dispensing mechanism
JP2008120460A (en) Hollow body
WO2005087047A1 (en) Self-contained dental care device
US20230346114A1 (en) Complete oral care toothbrush systems
WO2010122558A1 (en) Material dispensing system
US8353700B2 (en) Dental device and method of use
CN208837200U (en) Toothbrush
KR20060126336A (en) Feeder of dental cream
US7021497B2 (en) Device for compressing flexible tubes containing pastes, creams and the like provided with a receptacle for storing dental floss
GB2291800A (en) Toothbrush
WO2013068954A2 (en) An oral hygiene device
KR20020090698A (en) Device of auto discharge in a dentifrice
AU2014280980B2 (en) Oral care implement
WO2021116985A1 (en) A dispenser for dispensing a consumable
WO2015121692A1 (en) Composition and method of collapsible oral care system with dental cleaner, liquid, liquid holding tank or tube, liquid dispensers, interdental cleaners.
KR900009887Y1 (en) Tooth paste distributor

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20091009

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602008006867

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20110622

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: VDEP

Effective date: 20110511

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110811

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110912

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110812

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110822

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110911

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20120214

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20111123

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602008006867

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20120214

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120331

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20120313

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20121130

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120402

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120313

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120331

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120313

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120331

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602008006867

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20121002

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110811

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110511

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120313

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080313

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20121002