# US 4,332,497 A · Combination toothbrush and toothpaste dispenser

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- Number: US 4,332,497 A
- Document ID: US4332497A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/123,882
- Filed: 1980-02-22
- Granted: 1982-06-01
- Earliest claimed: 1980-02-22
- Inventors: Gonzalo C. Rodriguez
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4332497A

## CPC

- A46B 5/0095: {Removable or interchangeable brush heads}
- A46B 11/0024: {with a permanently displaceable pressurising member that remain in position unless actuated, e.g. lead-screw or ratchet mechanisms, toothpaste tube twisting or rolling devices}
- A46B 11/0048: {where a tube is twisted along length}
- A46B 17/04: Protective covers for the bristles
- A46B 2200/1066: Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures (A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04)
- A46B: BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G)

## Abstract

Disclosed is a fountain toothbrush and a hollow handle, which are connected together to dispense toothpaste from a reservoir in the handle to the bristles of the toothbrush. Within the handle is a flexible tube which is secured at one end of the handle to prevent rotation and secured to a rotatable knob at the other end of the handle for rotation. Extending from the handle and through the toothbrush to the bristles is a conduit for extruding toothpaste to the bristles when the knob is rotated to twist the flexible tube thereby dispensing paste from the reservoir. Also provided is a cover for the toothbrush, which includes a stopper for sealing the conduit in the toothbrush.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A combination fountain toothbrush and toothpaste reservoir comprising:
a fountain toothbrush having a brush head portion and a stem means having a male coupling means;
a hollow handle having a first end and a second end and having female coupling means on said first end to engage the male coupling means of said stem means;
a conduit means extending through said fountain toothbrush, communicating with said hollow handle;
an elongated flexible tube reservoir means having a first open end for discharging toothpaste to said brush head and a second open end for receiving toothpaste to fill said reservoir, wherein said reservoir means is disposed in said hollow handle, said first open end being secured to said first end of said hollow handle; and
twisting means, connectable to said second end of said hollow handle, for twisting said flexible tube reservoir means to dispense toothpaste therefrom, said twisting means comprising a rotatable knob and a clamping means for clamping the second end of said flexible tube reservoir means to said rotatable knob;
wherein said female coupling means of said hollow handle includes at least one pair of downwardly facing flexible flap means for clamping the first end of said flexible tube reservoir means between said flap means and the internal wall of said hollow handle when said male coupling means is inserted into said female coupling means.

### Claim 2

A combination fountain toothbrush and toothpaste reservoir comprising:
a fountain toothbrush having a brush head portion and a stem means having a male coupling means;
a hollow handle having a first end and a second end and having female coupling means on said first end to engage the male coupling means of said stem means;
a conduit means extending through said fountain toothbrush, communicating with said hollow handle;
an elongated flexible tube reservoir means having a first open end for discharging toothpaste to said brush head and a second open end for receiving toothpaste to fill said reservoir, wherein said reservoir means is disposed in said hollow handle, said first open end being secured to said first end of said hollow handle; and
twisting means, connectable to said second end of said hollow handle, for twisting said flexible tube reservoir means to dispense toothpaste therefrom, said twisting means comprising a rotatable knob and a clamping means including an inner male portion and a flexible arcuate tab means for coupling the second end of said flexible tube reservoir means between said tab means and the external wall of said inner male portion when said twisting means male portion and tab means are inserted into said hollow handle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A combination fountain toothbrush and toothpaste reservoir as in claim 1 or claim 1, wherein said conduit means is provided with an opening in said brush head portion, and including cover means for receiving and protecting said head portion when not in use, and stopper means carried by said cover means, said stopper means being positioned and arranged for closing said opening in said brush head portion to seal said conduit when the toothbrush is positioned within said cover means.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

A combination fountain toothbrush and toothpaste reservoir as in claim 2 wherein said arcuate clamping members comprise external protrusions and said hollow handle includes in its second end internal annular grooves for axially locking said knob rotatably within said hollow handle.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

A combination fountain toothbrush and toothpaste reservoir as in claim 3 wherein said rotatable knob includes clamping means for said flexible tube reservoir, including a fill tube means for connection to commercial toothpaste tubes for filling, and arcuate clamping means for locking engagement with said hollow handle and for sealingly securing said second end of said reservoir around said fill tube means, where rotation of said knob will twist said flexible tube reservoir to dispense toothpaste to said fountain toothbrush.