Toothpaste dispenser having a slip clutch drive mechanism

An apparatus for dispensing toothpaste from a collapsible toothpaste tube onto a toothbrush which comprises:

• a housing;
• battery powered motor means located within said housing;
• means for powering said motor means located within said housing;
• output shaft means directly associated with said motor means;
• threaded shaft means positioned within said housing;
• coupling means directly associated with and integral with said motor output shaft means and said threaded shaft means so as to rotate said threaded shaft means upon rotation of said output shaft means, said coupling means comprising a wheel means on said output shaft means which frictionally engages groove means on said threaded shaft means so as to drive said threaded shaft means and allow for slipping between said wheel means and said groove means in the event of excessive load on said threaded shaft means;
• roller means associated with said shaft means so as to move on said shaft means as said shaft means rotates;
• outlet means associated with said housing through which said toothpaste from said collapsible tube is expelled;
• closure member provided with a through bore positioned beneath said outlet means and reciprocally movable across said outlet means between a first position where said outlet is closed to a second position where said through bore communicates with said outlet means so that said outlet is opened, said closure member further including an extension which lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of movement of said closure member, said extension being provided with a recess;
• first switch means associated with said motor means for actuating said motor means by said power means so as to rotate said shaft means;
• a toothbrush received in said recess for moving said closure member from said first position to said second position wherein said closure member directly engages said first switch means so as to actuate said motor means such that said roller means moves on said shaft means and said toothpaste is applied to said toothbrush;
• second switch means associated with said motor means for reversing the polarity of said motor means so as to selectively rotate said shaft means in a clockwise and counterclockwise manner upon actuation of said motor means such that said roller means moves in a first direction and a second direction on said shaft means;
• third switch means associated with said power means and actuated by said roller means for actuating light indicating means when said roller means has moved in said first direction so as to completely dispense the contents of said collapsible tube;
• and
• further including a baffle wall positioned above said closure member and defining with said housing a chamber in which said closure member reciprocates, said through bore prevents accumulation of toothpaste in said chamber, said baffle wall being provided with a dish-shaped indentation for supporting said toothpaste tube.