US2059608A

US2059608A - Powder dispensing can

Info

Publication number: US2059608A
Application number: US620643A
Authority: US
Inventors: William A Rochester
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1932-07-02
Filing date: 1932-07-02
Publication date: 1936-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 1953-11-03

Description

Nov. 3, 1936; v w. A. ROCHESTER POWDER DISPENSING CAN Filed July 2, 1932 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Ila-l Il|2 E INVENTOR- u) QUWM ATTORNEY 'William A. Runhashzr Nov. 3, 1936. w. A. ROCHESTER 2,059,608

POWDER DISPENS ING CAN Filed July 2, 1932 2 Shets-Sheet 2 24/. 45' w v [m] /5 INVENTOR William A. Rulzhesiar BY v v ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for dispensing materials semi-liquid, or freely fiowing solids, especially powdered or granulated, from cans or containers; and particularly'to measuring dis- 5 pensers of the type particularly suitable for tooth powders, which have a receptacle or recess or spout from which a predetermined quantity of the powder may be released or ejected at a single operation. 7 l Adapted to a specific case, as in a tooth powder can, the invention provides a means of transferring the powder to the brush in quick, easy, simple, direct movement, and of an exact quantity. It avoids the spilling and waste of powder,

15 the uncertainty of amount ejected, and saves time in applying powder to the brush. It removes the unsanitary conditions and extra movements involved in placing the powder in the palm of the hand or on other surface before applying 20 it to the brush.

One object of this invention is to provide a device for dispensing predetermined quantities of tooth powder in a simplefquick and easy manner and so constructed and operated as to permit accurate deposit of the powder on the brush.

Another object of this invention is to provide a powder can or container from which successive portions-of powder, as tooth powder or other freely flowing solids-maybe positively and smoothly 90 pushed, forced, moved, ejected or discharged through an opening or orifice in the can from V which it may wholly and smoothly drop or otherwise be directed to the desired position, without misdirection and waste or spilling of the powder,

35 especially when it is desired to deposit the powder on a relatively small area as that of a toothbrush. Another object of the invention is to move or push or force the material from the inside, through I an opening, to the outside of the container by 40 positive mechanical force as produced manually or by a spring or; otherwise, thus avoiding the disadvantages of trying to release material such as powder from a sharp edged orifice by mere force of gravity.

45 'Another object of the invention is to produce a material moving device of such character as to permit the material to readily free or detach itself therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a material dispensing device operable in response to external mechanical pressure applied'in a direction toward the material dispensing opening.

Another object of the invention is to provide 55 a material dispensing device movable in a straightline direction for pushing the material outside the container to the receiving medium.

Another object of the invention is to provide a material'dispensing device movable through more than one opening in the surface of the con- 5 tainer.

Other objects will be apparent from the specification and drawings.

In this invention, I provide a material dispensing device for positively pushing or moving or forcing a portion of the material or contents of a container through an opening or orifice therein of suitable size and location, from the inside to the outside of the container where,-by reason of the shape and character of the material moving means, .the portion freely and readily detaches itself and drops or is applied to the receiving medium. The material is positively pushed through the opening in response to spring, or manual orother force, by a member of such character that the material-will readily free itself therefrom by force of gravity. Thisv material pushing member may be a single surface or a cylindrical recess or receptacle open at its functional top and bottom and having sides from which the material will readily slide under force of gravity. The device is movable-and may move slidably through openings in opposite sides of the container and subjected to a finger-pressing actuation. v

I am aware of the patents to Henry, 1,326,053; Greaza, 1,270,512; Mason, 1,710,233, and Korn, 1,592,980. None of these provide the advantages of my invention.

In the accompanying drawings, there are H- lustrated tooth powder dispensers embodying this inventions- Figure '1 is a perspective view showing a powder can in closed position and the powder dispensing recess normally inside the powder can. 40

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the powder can in open position and the powder discharge receptacle outside the can in a position discharging powder to the desired spot.

Figure 3 is a. view in side elevation of a modification' of'the slidaole powder carrier-shown in Figures 1 and 2 but having a powder discharge recess orreceptacle at each end thereof. l 1

Figure 4 is a front elevational view p r ly in cross-section of a. modification of the carrier device shown in'Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 5 is a view, partly in cross-section, showing the powder dispensing ,devicein closed position and arranged lengthwise of *the'canl Figure 6 is a view similar toFigure 5 but showa i tion.

Figure 7 is a view of a modified carrier slidably inserted through the top of a powder can.

Figures 8, 9, and 10 are views partly in crosssection, illustrating a powder dispensing device adapted for support, lengthwise of and at the top of the can. M

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another modification of the powder dispensing device.

Figure 12 is a view of another modification of the powder dispensing device.

Figure 13 is a view illustrating another modification of dispensing device adapted for pivoted movement.

Figures 14 and 15 are views illustrating respectively open and closed positions of another modification of dispensing device adapted for pivoted movement. In Figure 1 there is shown a powder can 9 of metal or other suitable material for holding a dry powder, as toothpowder, or other freely fiowing solids. The top surface of the can 9 as well as the bottom surface may be fiat as shown. The side surfaces of the can 9 may be fiat, as shown, or curved or other shape, if desired.

At or adjacent the functional bottom of the can 9 at the base of the powder column, there is a movable member or carrier III of metal or other suitable material having a rectangular-shaped straight line direction in relatively close-fitting openings in opposite sides of; the can 9 adjacent the bottom thereof as shown.

A spring I2 is adapted to normally. hold the powder discharge recess II on the inside of the can 9 as shown in Figure 1. Member I9 fixed to the carrier I0, may serve as a finger button for moving the carrier I9 as well as a stop for limiting the amount of travelot the carrier III. Member I4 fixed to the opposite end of the carrier III adjacent the powder discharge recess II,

may also serve as a stop to prevent the outermost side of the powder discharge recess II from sliding within the can 9; and being conformed to the surface of the can 9, the member Il may also serve as a seal or valve for preventing leakage of the powder when the powder discharge recess II is normally within the can 9 as shown in E8- ure 1.

The overall length ofthe carrier I9 from end I9 to end I4 is approximately that of the distance between the openings in the can 9 plus the width of the powder discharge recess from side H to side I9 so that when the button, I3 is pressed in- -wardly, the powder discharge recess II will be outside the can 9 and'the side I9 thereof in approximate alignment' with the surface of the can 9 as shown in Figure 2.

. The discharge receptacle II is constructed. as

ing the powder dispensing device in open positransverse to the direction of motion of the compartment II in order that powder therein may readily and smoothly release itself therefrom.

An oblong-shaped powder discharge recess II having dimensions approximately long by V4" wide by high as shown'in Figure 1, has been found to be satisfactory for use with a toothbrush.

The carrier II) may be slidably mounted, centrally of the can 9 as shown or' otherwise, and adjacent the functional bottom of the can 9 where it may, by force of gravity, perform its function of emptying step by step all the powder from the can 9. If placed at the mechanical top 'as shown in Figures 5-10, such mechanical top becomes the functional bottom when the can is turned or inverted for use.

'The carrier I9 may carry upright rods or pieces (not shown) to disturb the contents of the can as well as to act as stops for the car-' rier. Shorter pieces (not shown) may be used to act as stops only. Expanded end pieces II employed to act as stops as well as a seal for powder may be employed with or without the upright pieces.

The space or spaces inside the can 9 alongside the carrier Ill may be blocked 01! to prevent wasting powder that may otherwise be left there.

The operation of the powder ejecting device shown in Figures 1 and'2 is as follows. The can 9 may be held inone hand between the thumb and fingers and the toothbrush I5 may be held in the other hand. Pressing the member I3 of the carrier III with, say the middle finger, the powder discharge'recess II is moved from the inside to the outside of the can 9, permitting the powder therein to drop through the open bottom to a. desired spot on the brush I5, as shown in Figure 2. Upon releasing the finger pressure from the member I9, the spring I2 draws the recess II within the can 9 where it is again filled with powder through the open top by force of gravity. The action may be repeated as another application of powder is required on the brush Ii. The action is very quick and simple and deposits the powder portions where wanted without rolling, shaking or jarring the can 9 and without wasting the powder.

In Figure 3 is ,shown a carrier, similar to that shown in Figuresfll and 2, but having two powder discharge recesses Ila instead of one. The retrieving spring INs omitted. Each recess I la. alternatively functions to discharge powder from the can 9 as it-is lmoved from the inside to the outside of the can 9 by pressure applications alternatively to the end portions Ila. Each recess Ila-is open at its functional top and bottom and closed at its sides Ila and "a and closed on its.

remaining two sides also. The frictional 'fit' of the slidable carrier Illa in the openings in the can 9 is such as to prevent leakage of powder. to hold the carrier against too easy sliding movement andyet permit it to be moved smoothly and without jerks. An indentation (not shown). as made by a punch impression in the bottom surface of the can 9 and the bottom surface of thecarrier Ila, in contact therewith, may be added for the same purposeto hold the carrier- Ila against too easy sliding movement.

, In Figure 4 there is shown a powder recess IIb as before illustrated but moved by a rod or bar IT. The opening in the can 9 through which the bar I1 passes, is made sufficiently closely fitting to prevent leakage of powder. The spring lib may be omitted if desired. The operation is similar to that of the modification shown in Figures 1 and 2.

In Figures 5 and 6, acarrier and powder re1 cess Ho, similar to that shown in Figure 4, is shown adapted for movement lengthwise of the can I8 which has a countersunk bottom 13 within which are the finger button 13c and retrieving spring I20. The finger button l3c is connected by a rod lie to the back-piece I60 of the powder receptable I la. The end piece Me of the receptable I I0 is similar to the end piece H of Figs. 1 and 2, Ma of Fig. 3, and Mb of Fig. 4.

Figure 5 illustrates the normal position of the recess lie within the can l8 when the can is held in inverted position for use. When the finger button He is pressed, the recess I I0 moves outside the can l8, as shown in Figure 6, and discharges powder to the desired spot.

In Figure 7, there is shown -a modification in which a powder discharge recess or spout Hd connected with a finger button or end piece l3d is adapted to move through oppositely disposed side openings in a constricted portion at the top of a can 20. The recess lid comprises a backpiece or partition "id and an end piece Md and also two sides connecting the ends Md. and I60! like the receptacles H, Ha, llb, Hc shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive. The can is inverted for use when the powder that has fallen in the receptacle Hd may be dispensed by pressing the finger on the finger button l3d and thereby moving the powder within the, measuring receptacle lid from the inside of the can 20 to the outside thereof where such powder may drop to the de- 'sired receiving medium as before described. In Fig. 7, the dispenser lid is shown of the single type as the measuring dispenser H of Figs. 1 and 2 or lib of Fig. 4 but it may be of the dual type as the two dispensers ila of Fig. 3. I

In Figs. 1 to '7 incl, all of the powder receptacles Ill, Ha, lib, Ho, and lid are alike. Each is cube-shaped or oblong-shaped as shown but may be of other configurations as cylindrical.

Each is open at its top and bottom and closed on its sides which are preferably smooth and of such shape as to permit the powder to readily detach itself therefrom and drop from its functional bottom opening without agitation of the cans 9, It or 20 to release the powder. The sides iii, Mia, 06b, M50 and ltd thereof are partitions and act to push or force the powder through the visible opening in the can. The sides M, Ma, Mb, i le, and M02 thereof conform to the shapes of the respective can openings and act as valves or seals to prevent leakage of powder when normally in contact with the respective can openings.

In Figure 8, the can 33 includes a slidable carrier 3i which has a cylindrical powder-discharge receptacle or recess 32 similar to that recess ll ends 33 and 3 i and closed on all sides 35. The

recess 32 is adapted to be slidably moved from a position inside the can 3t to a position outside the can 33 as shown in Figure 8, where the inside sides or walls 35 of the recess 32 are in alignment with the orifices 3t and 37! which preferably are larger than the openings 33and 34. The alignment position may be determined by the stops 38. The width and height of the receptacle 32 as in the case of receptacle ll of Figures 1 to '7 inclusive are made such asto readily drop the desired quantity of powder on the brush B5. The receptacle 33 may be circular or square-shaped or of other cross-section.

In operation, the carrier 3| is moved inside the can and the recess 32 allowed to fill with loose powder. Holding the can 30 in one hand, the first finger and thumb may be used to move the carrier 3| outwardly from the can 30 in the position shown in Figure 8. When thereoess 32 is aligned with the orifice 31, the powder therein drops onto the brush 15 held in the other hand. The sharp-edged orifices, being in alignment with the sides of the. receptacle 32 and preferably larger than the

end openings

33, 34, do not interfere with the normal and smooth dropping of the powder to the brush l5.

Figure 9 shows a modificationsimilar to Figure 8 but adapted to fill the recess 32 through orifioe 39 and aligned orifices 4|] and 44.

Figure 10 shows'a modification which dispenses with all sharp edged orifices and alignment therewith. The recess 32 is filled with powder when the carrier 3| is moved inside the 'can 30. Upon withdrawal of the carrier 30 to the position shown in Figure 10, the powder drops, without shaking two sides l6 and 4| but open at its two remaining sides.

In otlrer words, the member 40 consists of two movable, transverse plates, a partition iii of square, circular or other shape, and an end closure member M for normally closing the opening 42 in the can 9a. A rod or bar 43 or other connecting means joins partition IS with closure member 4! that they may move together. A series of partitions it (not shown) along the rod Ill, 43 may be employed. The partition l6 may be of dimensions smaller than those of the opening 32 for convenience in assembly. The end closure member may be in the form of a self-centering beveled valve as shown, or similar to the member M shown in Figure 1.

In operation, pressureon finger button 13 moves partition l6 and valve it. The partition it pushes the powder in the recess Ml through the opening 32 onto the brush lb. The spring l2, if employed, retrieves the recess 30 to its position shown in Figure 11.

In Figure 12, there is illustrated anoth'errnodification in which the partition Hi secured to the rod or bar ii normally closes the opening 32 adjacent the functional bottom of the can 3b. The member Eiilsecured to the bottom of the can 9b acts as a bearing for, the rod ll slidable through an opening therein, and also as an abutment for the spring 42 if used. This arrangement may be adapted to an opening in the mechanical top of a can of the type I 8 shown in Figs 5 and 6 or 33 shown in Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive.

Referring to Figure12, in operation, the finger button i3 is pressed inwardly in a direction to- ,ward the can ill) for a short distance, say A, to

, purpose.

1. The container 90, as heretofore described, may be of metal, paper, or other suitable material and has an opening therein at any convenient position, preferably adjacent its functional bottom as shown in Fig. 13.

Movable and fitting within the opening in the can 90, from the closed position as shown in crosssection in Fig. 13 to the open position as in dotted lines, there is provided a powder receptacle 6| of metal or other suitable material, similar to that designated as ll in Figs. 1 to 7'; which is open at its functional top and bottom and closed on its sides. The sides 62 and I6 of the receptacle 6| are shown converging and constituting a cylinder having an open bottom that is larger in area than that of its open top and having an axis transverse to its arcuate direction of motion.

The shape of the receptacle 6| as viewed in a direction toward the open top or bottommay be rectangular, square-shaped, circular or otherwise as desired as in the case of the receptacles II or 35 heretofore described in connection with Figs. 1 to 10. As shown in Fig. 13, it is rectangular and has a mean length from side partition 16 to side 62 of approximately a height and width of approximately yyx and freely moves in a square opening approximately x in the side of the can 80. These dimensions have been found satisfactory for dispensing tooth powder to a tooth brush l5. The'size of the receptacle may be modifiedas desired to suit the receiving medium.

The member 62, to which is secured the dispensing receptacle 6|, is pivoted at a fulcrum 63 secured to the can 90, and may have a finger tab 64 for moving the dispensing receptacle 6| from positions inside to outside the can 90 and vice versa. Or it may have a member 66 having a finger button-61 secured thereto for the same The can 90 may have a countersunk portion 68 in order that the operating member 66 and its finger button 61 may be in alignment with the surface of the can "90 when the dispensing receptacle 6! is in normally closed position as shown in cross-section in Fig. 11%. Or the countersunk portion 66 may be omitted (not shown) and the operating member 66 arranged oblique to the surface of the can So for closed position of the dispensing receptacle 6!.

A spring (not shown), fiat, spiral, or otherwise, may be provided in a manner that is obvious to those skilled in the art, for holding and retrieving the receptacle 6| to normally closedposition. e

The portion 69 of the can 90 may be omitted and the member 62 adapted to fill the open area thereof when the receptacle 6| is in normally closed position as shown in Fig. 13.

Instead of being operated by the finger tab 6|- or by the control lever member 66, the receptacle 6| may be operated by a plunger pivotally secured to the side partition l6 (not shown) and extending through a close-fitting opening in the opposite side of the can 90 similar to that shown in Fig. 4, for example. The plunger finger button may, it"desired,v move in a countersunk portion of the can So to avoid protrusion beyond the outermost surface of the can So.

Normally the receptacle 6| is positioned inside the can 90 where it fills with powder. Upon lifting the finger tab 64 or pressing the finger button 61 or pushing the plunger (not shown) previously referred to, the receptacle 6| moves in an arcuate path about a center of rotation 63, to a position outside the can 90. A stop member may stop the movement, if desired. As the receptacle 6| so moves, the innermost side I6 operates as before described to push powder through the opening in the can ac onto the brush l5. In the position shown in Fig. 13, the width of the receptacle 6| and its corresponding opening in the can So are less than the width of the brush I6 to avoid spilling the powder.

Figures 14 and illustrate, respectively, the open and closed positions of a powder dispensing receptacle 8| which is movable in an arcuate path by rotation about the pivot 63, from a position inside to a position outside the can 911. The receptacle 8| may have a finger tab 64 for this purpose. Also it may have a stop extension 10. The receptacle BI is in the shape of a partly enclosed sector, open at its arcuate portion, enclosed at its

sides

82 and 83 and enclosed at its innermost side l6 and its outermost side 84. A portion 85 of the can 9d may extend down into the recess to limit the quantity of powder that may be moved through the opening in the can lid for avoiding the spilling of powder. The width of the receptacle 8| from side 82 to side 83 is preferably less than the width of the receiving medium; about is satisfactory for use with a tooth brush.

The receptacle 8| is normally within the can 9d as shown in Fig. 15. By lifting the finger tab 64- or by pushing a plunger (not shown) similar to that shown as l3, I! in Fig. 4, the receptacle 8| is rotated on the pivot 63 to a position shown in Fig. 14. The partition or innermost side i6 functions to push a portion of powder through the opening in the can where, in the position shown in Fig. 14, it rests on the surface 84. By tilting the can 9, the powder will slide to the receiving medium placed below the outer edge 64 of the surface 84.

While I have illustrated the invention in these embodiments, such modifications as may occur to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A powder dispensing device having a viewable dispensing side opening at an end in the powder container part thereof, and movable dispensively pressure-operated powder dispensing means including a finger pieceand also including operatively viewable fiat smooth-surfaced means of uniform thickness disposed perpendicular to the direction of its motion and having a powder entrance portion normally facing the other end of said device for pushing powder portions viewably through said viewable dispensing opening and for normally closing said dispensing opening in non-dispensing position, said device being elongated and having such side to side width as to permit being operatively held in one hand only and said dispensing means having such size, shape and movable relation with respect to said device as to permit pressure to be applied to said finger piece by a finger of said same hand to move said powder pushing means with respect to said dispensing side opening.-

2. A powder dispensing device having a view.- able dispensing side opening at an end thereof, and movable dispensively pressure-operated powder dispensing means including a finger piece and also including operatively viewable fiat smoothsurfaced means of uniform thickness disposed perpendicular to the direction of its motion and having a powder entrance portion normally facing the other end of said device for pushing powder portions viewably through said viewable dis- 7 3. A powder dispensing device having a viewable dispensing opening, and dispensively pressure-operated dispensing means including an operatively viewable measuring dispensing walled spout having viewable separate inter-connecting entrance and discharge openings of area not greater than the brush surface of a toothbrush and being viewably movable through said dispensing opening and axially disposed perpendicular to the direction of motion of said spout, said dispensing means being so disposed with respect to said device as to permit said spout openings to move completely through said dispensing opening.

4. A powder dispensing device having a viewable dispensing side opening at an end in the powder containing part thereof, and dispensively pressure-operated dispensing means includingan operatively viewable measuring dispensing spout having viewable interconnecting separate en trance and discharge openings viewably and completely movable through said dispensing opening to the outside of said device, said entrance and discharge openings being axially disposed perpendicular to the direction of motion of said spout, and said discharge opening having at least one dimension not greater than the smallest brush surface dimension of a toothbrush.

5. A powder dispensing device having a viewable dispensing side opening at an end thereof, and dispensively pressure-operated dispensing means of substantially uniform exterior cross-' section substantially through the length thereof and including an operatively viewable measuring dispensing walled spout having viewable separate interconnecting entrance and discharge openings viewably movable through said dispensing opening and axially disposed perpendicular to the direction of motion of said spout, and having at least one dimension not greater than the smallest brush surface dimension of a toothbrush.

6. A powder dispensing device having a viewable dispensing side opening at an end thereof, and dispensively pressure-operated dispensing means including a finger piece operatively connected with an operatively viewable measuring dispensing walled spout having viewable separate interconnecting entrance and discharge openings axially disposed perpendicular to the direction of motion of said spout and viewably movable through said dispensing opening, said discharge opening having at least one dimension not greater than the smallest brush surface dimension of a toothbrush, and said device and said finger piece having such size and disposition as to permit being held in one hand and to permit pressure to be applied to said finger piece by a finger of the same hand to move said spout through said dispensing opening.

7. A powder dispensing device having a viewable dispensing side 'opening in the powder container part thereof, and dispensively pressureoperated dispensing means including a finger piece operatively connected with an operatively viewable measuring dispensing walled spout having viewable interconnecting separate entrance and discharge openings viewaoiy movable through said dispensing opening and axially disposed perpendicular to the direction of motion of said spout, said discharge opening having at least one dimension not greater than the smallest brush surface dimension of a toothbrush, and said device and said finger piece having such size and disposition I as to permit being held in one hand and to permit pressure to be applied to said finger piece by a finger of the same hand to move said spout through said dispensing opening.

8. A powder dispensing device having a viewable dispensing side opening in a constricted part thereof, and dispensively pressure-operated dispensing means of substantially uniform exterior cross-section throughout the greater part of the length thereof and including an operatively viewable measuring dispensing vertically walled spout disposed at an extreme end of said dispensing means and having viewable separate interconnecting entrance and discharge openings viewably and slidably movable through said dispensing opening to the outside of said device.

9. An operatively invertible powder dispensing device having such elongated shape and side-toside width as to permit being operatively held by one hand and having oppositely disposed side openings including a viewable dispensing side opening at an end in a constricted part thereof, slidable dispensing means movable through said openings and including an operatively viewable measuring dispensing walled spout slidably movable and adjustable completely through said dispensing opening,- said means having a length not greater than the maximum side-to-side width of said device and a substantially uniform exterior cross-section throughout vthe greater part of its length and being dispensively operable by said same hand in response to finger pressure thereon in a straight-line direction towards said dispensing opening, said spout having four enclosing side walls and viewable separate top and bottom interconnecting rectangular shaped end openings of equal area axially disposed perpendicular to the direction of motion thereof, said end openings having at least one dimension not greater than the smallest brush surface dimension of a toothbrush, the outermost side of said spout being of uniform thickness and disposed at an extreme end of said slidable dispensing means and forming a closure for said dispensing opening irrone position of said spout and the innermost side of said spout forming a powder closure for said dispensing opening in dispensing position, and stop means on said slidable dispensing means to limit movement of said spout between said positions.

10. A powder dispensing device having a plurality of viewable dispensing openings, dispensively pressure-operated dispensing means movable as a unit through said plurality of openings, said means having a plurality of dispensively viewable measuring dispensing spouts, each having separate entrance and discharge openings axially disposed'perpendicular 'to the direction ofmotion of said dispensing means, said entrance openings being dispensively viewable, one of said spouts being disposed at one extreme and of said means and movable through one of said dispensing openings and another of said spouts being disposed at the other extreme end of said means and movable through another of said openings. A

11. A powder dispensing device having a plurality of viewable openings, dispensively pressureoperated dispensing means movable as a unit through said plurality of openings, said means having a plurality of vertically walled compartments disposed at the extreme ends thereof, and stopmeanscomprisingawallof at least one of said compartments for limiting the movement of said dispensing means, at least one of said compartments having an internal dimension between the walls thereof not greater than substantially /4 inch.

12. A portable tooth powder dispensing device for accurately dispensing a measured quantity of tooth powder to the brush surface of a toothbrush, said device being vertically elongated, having such side-to-side width as to permit being operatively held by its sides in one hand and having viewable oppositely disposed openings in the sides at an end thereof, said side openings being of equal area and axially disposed horizontally, at least one of said side openings being a powder dispensing opening, a walled measuring spout having an operatively vertical axis and oppositely disposed powder entrance and discharge openings, said spout discharge opening having at least one horizontal 'side-to-side internal dimension not greater than the minimum width dimension of said brush surface, a finger piece so disposed outwardly of said device as to permit operative contact with a finger of said same hand, and means including a horizontally slidable member movable through said side openings whereby,

upon pressing said finger piece inwardly by said finger, said spout is moved outwardly 'and horizontally through said dispensing side opening.

13. A portable tooth powder dispensing device for accurately dispensing a measured quantity of tooth powder to the brush surface of a toothbrush, said device being elongated, having such side-to-side width as to permit being operatively held by its sides in one hand, and having a constricted portion at an end thereof, said constricted portion having viewable oppositely disposed openings in the sides thereof, said side openings being of equal area and axially disposed horizontally, at least one of said side openings being a powder dispensing opening, a walled measuring spout having an operatively vertical axis and oppositely disposed powder entrance and discharge openings, said spout discharge opening having at least one horizontal side-to-slde internal dimension not greater than the minimum width dimension of said brush surface, a finger piece so disposed outwardly of said device as to permit operative contact with a finger of said same hand, and means including a horizontally slidable member movable through said side openings, whereby upon pressing said finger piece in,- wardly by said finger, said spout is moved outwardly and horizontally through said dispensing side opening. WILLIAM A. ROCHESTERJ