US2491207A

US2491207A - Dental device

Info

Publication number: US2491207A
Application number: US728926A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Harry Preble; Mayes Alfred Kenneth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-02-15
Filing date: 1947-02-15
Publication date: 1949-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 1966-12-13

Description

VDec. 13, 1949 H. PREBLE, JR., rfrAL.

DENTAL DEVICE Filed Feb. 15, 1947 Y INVENToRs. HARRY PREBLLJR. ALFRED K. MAYEs uA T Tom/EY Patented Dec. 13, 1949 FMCE 'DENTAL BEViGE Harry Preble, 5r.,

1Iheni'icth Mayes,

Westport, Sonn., and Alfred' Arlington Heights, Mass.

Application February l5, 194'?, SerialNo; 728,926

4 Claims.

This invenion relates to dental devices, and more particularly, to a combined toothbrush and dentifrice container.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a combined toothbrush and container for' dentifrice in tablet form. The common form of a dentifrice is powdered, although liquid dentifrice have been marketed. Mo-re recently there has been' introduced dentifrice in tablet form. The `principal object of this invention is' to provide a convenient container for this new type of dentifrice whichV is associated with the toothbrush in a manner to enable a tablet to be extracted therefrom and used in conjunction with the toothbrush.

Another object oi the invention is to provide as combined toothbrush and dentifrice tablet contai'ner in which thebristlesofthe-brush' are fully encased and" protected when the unitary device is not in use. An' allied' Objectis to provide a unii tary' device' as described having a toothbrush component which' maybe readily adjusted from its noni-use position, in which its bristles are encased' and. protected, to an operative position presenting its bristlesI for convenient' use.

A further object of the invention is' to provide a unitaryv dental device as described in which the dentifrice tablet' container isv automatically closed at' the time'that the tootl'rbrushl component. is init's said' non-use position with the bristles thereof encased' and protected` Another' object7 ofr the invention is to provide a dental device' as described which willbe cornpact, comprised of" a relatively few number of partsonly three parts beingf employed, and easily manipula-todi; which will be sanitary and easy" to clean; which will' have a special provision' for ventilation; whichz will be convenient touse, presenting a convenient grip for the toothbrush; and which 'will hold the tablets in a manner to prevent inadvertent displacement from the' contai'ner'.

For the attainment of theseand such other objects as may appear or be pointed out, we have shown a preferredembodiment of our invention in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure lf is an elevational section through the improved device in its said: non-use position;

Figure 2 isf a perspective view ofthe device in this position;

Figure 3'k is an'- elevational section through the device With: the toothbrush component in midposition and the tablet compartment in open position, the toothbrush component being shown in d'ot-and-dashy lines in itsoperative extended position;

Figure-y 4' is a perspective viewv ofA the-body mem bera'nd the barrelmember separate d from. one another; but shown inl coordinated relation;

iigure-V 5 is a transverse; section. through. the

fio.

portion tabletcompartment taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 1, showing' this compartment closed;

Figurel 5A is a similar transversek section but showing:v the' tablet compartment' in open position;

Figure 6 is a transverse section through the brush` compartment taken on the line i-B of Figure 1.,A showing the brush bristles inv their nonuse,encased position; and' Figure 6A is a similar transverse section but showing the closed condition of the brush compartment upon withdrawal of the brush bristles and opening of the tablet compartment.

The improved device comprises but three parts,

i; viz., a toothbrush component 2d,v al body member lil, and a tubular closure or barrel 30; prefera'bly; all three parts are fabricated of plastic, althoughother suitable material may be used for one or more of the .three parts. Body member I0 a substantially'semiecylindrical shell portion I! whichv is divided byV an integral, circular pardition |22 into a tablet compartment I3 and a bristle compartment i4; The tablet compartment I3 extends between partition l2 and a head i5 which forms one end of the body mem- Figure 4. The brush compartment il!! extends between partition l2 and an integral, circular end plate I6. Head portion I5 is hollow, as best shown in Figure 1, and has a wall H adjacent the semi-cylindrical shell l l,. which is circular and of somewhat larger diameter than they diameter of the semi-cylindrical shell". l l' so thatA a recessed shoulder I8 is provided at the juncture with thel semi-cylindrical shell.

Barrel 3B is cylindrical or, rather, tubular, and open at one end, 38,`as best shown in Figurev 4; its other end is closed by an integral, circular end plate 35. The internai diameter of barrel 30 is somewhat larger than the diameter of semi cylindrical shell li and partition l2 and end plate It thereof, so that barrel 3U may be placed ini encircling relation to the semi-cylindrical shell lil and turned relative to the body member. The length' of barrel 39 is such that when placed in said encircling relation to the semi-cylindrical ber, asbest shown in shell il, itsend edge 38 abutsr the outer annularv portion: of wall l'i of the body member lil (including recessed shoulder I8) and its end plate 36 isi` disposed outwardly of, and adjacent to, the endplate it of the body member.

End plate iny oi the body member is' provided with a centralV aperture' it and the end plate 3S or the barrel is provided with a central aperture 3er", the two apertures aligning Jfor reception of a hollow rivet d, Figures l, 3. In addition to its vfunction in securing end plates I6, 35 for rotative movement, hollow rivet il serves as a ventilation opening to' admit air into brush bristle compartment: iii.

Toothbrush component Eolias a stem 2l at one end of which are provided the bristles 24. The other end of stem 2| has an enlargement 29 which is received between a pair of integral, parallel lugs 8, see Figures 4 and 2, projecting upwardly from the head portion I5 of the body member. Head portion I5 has, between its parallel lugs 1, 8, an opening I9, see Figure 4, wherethrough the lower portion of enlargement 29 of the toothbrush component clears. Parallel lugs I, 8 are provided with apertures, respectively, 'I, 8', Figure 4, and enlargement 29 is provided with an aperture 29', the three apertures being aligned for reception of a pin 6, Figure 2, for pivotally securing the toothbrush component to the body member.

Barrel 3G has an elongated slot 34 which is substantially the length of the bristle compartment I4 and of a width, see Figure 6, to permit bristles 24 to clear therethrough. Stem 2I has a projecting portion 25 at the bristle securement, which is of a length less than that or" bristle compartment I4, see Figure 1, so that it enters the compartment to a limited extent and is abutted and stopped by the edges of slot 34 of the barrel, as clearly shown in Figure 6. Projection 25 terminates short of the distal end of the stem 2| to provide a shoulder 25, see Figure 1. As clearly shown in this iigure, the end of the stem 2I extends beyond the end plate 36 to provide an overhanging lip at the shoulder 26. Bristle slot 34 of the barrel extends beyond the end plate 36, as clearly shown in Figure 4. The end plate I6 of the body member, see Figure 4, has an arcuate notch IBX of substantially the width of bristle slot 34 of the barrel. The object of arcuate notch IEX is to provide clearance for the projection 25 of the toothbrush component, see Figure 1.

Barrel 3B is provided with a second elongated slot 33 diametrically opposite the bristle slot 34 and extending for a length substantially that of the tablet compartment I3, to the open end 38 of the barrel. Slot 33 is considerably wider than the bristle slot 34 and is such that a dentifrice tablet-such as 3 in Figures l, 3, which has a diameter slightly less than the inside of the tablet compartment I3, may clear the slot 33, see Figure 5A, when being withdrawn from, or inserted in, the tablet compartment. Preferably, the width of slot 33 is such that the tablet (either in its bare form or fully or partially enclosed by wrappers) must be forced slightly in withdrawing it from the tablet compartment.

By reason of the said diametrical relation of the bristle slot 34 and the tablet slot 33, barrel 3D may be turned 180 between non-use and operative positions, as will now be described. In its non-use position, the barrel 30 is turned to present its bristle slot 34 in upward position, as in Figure 4, at the opening of bristle compartment I4, as in Figure 1 and Figure 6. Toothbrush component 20 is turned on its pivot 29', see Figure 1, to encase its bristles 24 within the bristle cornpartment I4, see also Figure 6. When barrel 30 is in this non-use position, its tablet slot 33 is lowermost, as in Figure 4 and in Figure 5; as clearly seen in the latter figure, barrel 3! cornpletely closes the tablet compartment I3.

To recapitulate, Figures 5 and 6 show the nonuse position, Figure 5 showing the tablet compartment I3 (which is closed) and Figure 6 showing the bristle compartment I4 (which is open, at barrel slot 34, but closed by the toothbrush component itself).

It will be noted from Figure 1 that the recessed portion of the toothbrush component, between projection 2I at the bristles and proximal enlargement 29, receives the barrel 30, or rather the wall thereof, which closes the tablet compartment.

In its non-use position the device is completely enclosed, as best seen in Figure 2, the toothbrush component, more particularly, the portion of its stem 2| at the bristles serving as a closure for the bristle opening of the barrel. The lugs 'I and 8 of the head portion II of the body member and the enlargement 29 of the toothbrush component present a flush surface, as shown.

When the toothbrush is to be used, it is turned on its pivot 29the lip or shoulder 26 at its distal end facilitating initial turning-from the closing position of Figure l (also Figure 2) to the solidline position of Figure 3, in which it is substantially normal to the body member. The toothbrush component is held in this position-by a spring 413, which will be fully described shortlyto facilitate the turning of the barrel to bring its tablet slot 33 from its lowermost position (Figures 4 and 5, in the non-use position of the device) to its upper position, as in Figures 5A and 3, to provide an opening for removal of a tablet 3. In this turned position of the barrel 30, its bristle slot 34 will be in lowermost position, Figure 6A, completely closing the bristle compartment I4.

To recapitulate, Figures 5A and 6A show the in-use position, Figure 5A showing the tablet compartment I3 (which is open) and Figure 6A showing the bristle compartment Iii (which is closed by the barrel 39) The barrel is then turned 180 to its closed position (Figures 5 and 6) and the toothbrush component 23 turned to its extended position, shown in dot-and-dash lines in Figure 3. The body member I0 with its barrel 30 serves as a convenient handle for the toothbrush; the body member is completely closed, see Figure 5, at the tablet compartment and there is merely the narrow bristle slot 34, see Figure 6, at the bristle compartment.

Spring 4I) mentioned above, as holding the toothbrush component 20 in substantially normal position, Figure 3, performs in all, three functions: (a) It maintains the toothbrush component in closed position, Figure 1; (b) it maintains the toothbrush component in normal position, Figure 3, and (c) it maintains the toothbrush component in extended position, Figure 3 (shown in dot-and-dash lines). Spring 40 is a strip of suitable spring material formed as a reverse -S, with a lower branch 4I resting on the floor of the hollow within head portion I I of the body member, and an upper branch 42. In the closed condition, Figure 1, the upper branch 42 abuts the iiat underside 29a of the enlargement 29 to exert an upward force thereupon, so that the turning of the toothbrush component, more particularly, its enlargement 29, is resisted by the spring which must be pressed downwardly in the turning of enlargement 29. In the extended position of the toothbrush, dotand-dash lines, Figure 3, the upper branch 42 of the spring-likewise shown in the dot-anddash lines-abuts the ilat surface 29C of the outer face of the toothbrush component, to resist the turning thereof and to maintain it in extended position. In the normal position of the toothbrush component, solid lines, Figure 3, the upper branch 42 abuts the end surface 29o of the enlargement, the spring 40 being in compressed condition and exerting an upward force which passes through pivot 29' to maintain the toothbrush component in the normal position as shown.

In the above description, the invention has been disclosed merely by preferred manner; but obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein which will still be comprised within its spirit, such as the employment of tablet compartment I3 for housing a powdered dentifrice. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or manner of practicing same, except in so far as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A dental device adapted for dispensing dentifrice tablets, comprising a body member closed at one end and divided into a bristle compartment at said end and a compartment adapted to contain the said dentifrice tablets at the opposite end, a toothbrush component pivotally mounted at the other end of the body member and having bristles at its distal portion, and a barrel closed at one end mounted in encircling relation to the body member and provided with slots opening into the said compartments, said ends of the body member and barrel being rotatively secured by a hollow rivet whereby the said bristle compartment is ventilated.

2. A dental device adapted for dispensing dentifrice tablets, comprising a body member divided into a bristle compartment and a compartment adapted to contain the said dentifrice tablets, a tooth brush component pivotally mounted at one end of the body member and having bristles at its distal portion, and a barrel mounted in encircling relation to the body member and rotatable about its longitudinal axis and provided with slots opening into said compartments, said toothbrush component being turnable from a closing position with its bristles disposed in the said bristle compartment to an extended position in substantial alignment with the said longitudinal axis oi the body member, and spring means for holding the toothbrush component in its said closing, and in its said extended, position.

3. A dental device adapted for dispensing dentirice tablets, comprising a body member divided into a bristle compartment and a compartment way of example and in adapted to contain the said dentifrice tablets. a toothbrush component pivotally mounted at one end of the body member and having bristles at its distal portion, and a barrel mounted in encircling relation to the body member and rotatable about its longitudinal axis and provided with slots opening into said compartments, said toothbrush component having a closing position with its bristles disposed in the said bristle compartment, an extended position in substantial alignment with said longitudinal axis of the body member, and an intermediate position, and spring means for holding the toothbrush component in any one of the said three positions.

4. A dental device adapted for dispensing a dentifrice, comprising a body member divided into a bristle compartment and a compartment adapted to contain the said dentifrice, a toothbrush component pivotally mounted at one end of the body member and having bristles at its distal portion, and a barrel mounted in encircling relation to the body member and rotatable about its longitudinal axis and provided with slots opening into said compartments, said toothbrush component being turnable from a closing position with its bristles disposed in the said bristle compartment -to an extended position in substantial alignment with the said longitudinal axis of the body member.

HARRY PREBLE, JR.

ALFRED KENNETH MAYES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the OTHER REFERENCES The decision of the Commissioner of Patents in Ex parte Iagan, 1911, C. D. 10.