The present invention relates to a combined toothbrush and toothpaste casing.

Background of invention

Toothbrush casings, or holder cases, are common travelling equipment for keeping the toothbrush clean and hygienic during travels. The toothbrush is protected within the casing, which may comprise a container part and a cover, or cap, part for enclosure during storage, and can easily be accessed before use by disassembling or opening the casing.

Thus, a conventional travelling kit consists of toothbrush, toothbrush casing, and a tube with toothpaste.

The multiple components involve a risk of forgetting, or accidently leaving a component behind, while away from home. Furthermore, the multiple components may not be manageable by two hands. For example, when using a hand for applying paste to the toothbrush or when brushing teeth, at least one of the components are commonly placed on a surface for practical reasons. This may not be hygienic, especially when brushing teeth in dirty places, such as public restrooms.

A more simple toothbrush for travelling has been disclosed in GB 2,359,738. The device is an all-in-one toothbrush and paste, where the paste is contained within the body of the toothbrush, and delivered to the brush head by a plunger.

For optimal dental hygiene, a toothbrush should be replaced at regular intervals.

Furthermore, for travelling purposes, disposable and compact kits are advantageous. Thus, for cost efficiency reasons, it may be advantageous that the paste container can be refilled or is configured to be disposable, and/or that the toothbrush is cheap and optionally disposable. Thus, there is a need for more simple toothbrush travelling kits, especially kits where the toothbrush and/or paste are compactly arranged and may be easily and cost efficiently replaced, refilled or disposable. Summary of invention

The present invention provides a combined toothbrush and toothpaste casing for storage of toothbrush and paste during travels, where the casing is compact and operable with one hand, and further may be disposable. Thus, the invention is user friendly and hygienic to use even in dirty surroundings. The present invention further provides a casing wherein the toothbrush may be easily replaced with a new toothbrush for optimal dental hygiene, and where the paste may be refilled for optimal cost efficiency and minimum environmental impact.

One aspect of the invention therefore relates to a combined toothbrush and toothpaste casing, comprising a toothbrush compartment and a toothpaste compartment. The casing in a further aspect further comprises a sealed slot extending longitudinally within the toothpaste compartment. A plunger may be provided and be engaged with the toothpaste compartment through the sealed slot. Thereby toothpaste can preferably be dispensed from the casing upon translation of the plunger.

Description of Drawings

The invention will in the following be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the toothbrush and paste casing 1 as seen in cross section.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the paste compartment 3 as seen in front view. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the toothbrush and paste casing 1 as seen in cross section, where the cover 5 is closed.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the toothbrush and paste casing 1 as seen in cross section, where the cover 5 is opened. Detailed description of the invention

An exemplary embodiment of the combined casing 1 for a toothbrush and toothpaste is shown in Figure 1 . The casing is shown in cross section, and seen to comprise a toothbrush compartment 2 and a toothpaste compartment 3 for storing respectively one or more toothbrushes and toothpaste.

The casing 1 may have any shape suitable for storing toothbrushes and paste. Thus, possibly the cross sectional shape of the casing includes shapes that are selected from: cylindric, rectangular, ovalic, square, irregular, or any combination thereof. An example of an irregular shape is a figure eight shape, i.e. the cross section of the casing has the shape of the number eight, such that both compartments 2, 3 are circular in cross section.

To be suitable to store one or more toothbrushes, the casing should have an elongated shape with the longitudinally direction extending in the orientation of the toothbrush.

The toothbrush compartment 2 and toothpaste compartment 3 may also have any suitable shapes, such as cylindrical, rectangular, oval, square, irregular, or any combination thereof. The shape of the first compartment may be different from the second compartment.

For easy dosage of the paste, the shape of the toothpaste compartment 3 is advantageously a regular shape, such as cylindrical, implying that the cross sectional shape of the compartment is circular.

In an embodiment of the invention, the cross sectional shape of the toothpaste compartment 3 is selected from the group consisting of: circular, rectangular, oval, square, irregular, and any combination thereof, and more preferably is circular. Advantageously the casing is made of a transparent material, such that it is easy to clean, maintain clean, and/or to see the amount of toothpaste contained. Examples of transparent materials include plastics, such as injection molded plastics.

In an embodiment of the invention, the casing is transparent. Cover

For hygienic transport and easy accessibility to the toothbrush and paste before and after use, it is advantageous that the casing can easily be opened and closed. Thus, the casing may comprise of a container 6 and a cover 5. The casing may further comprise a hinge 4 which connects the cover 5 to the container 6, such that the casing easily can be opened and closed.

The cover may constitute a variable amount of the casing, and thus the relative proportions between container and cover may vary. In accordance with this, in the preferred embodiments comprising a hinge, the hinge may be placed at any distance along the longitudinal casing. Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment, where the cover and hinge are placed at one end of the casing. Figure 3 shows an embodiment, where the cover constitute a larger amount of the casing, and where the hinge is placed further away from the end of the casing.

The cover 5 and/or container 6 may further comprise locking means, such that the cover can be detachably locked to the container.

In an embodiment of the invention, the casing further comprises a hinge 4 connecting a cover 5 of the casing with a container 6 of the casing. In a further embodiment, the casing further comprises locking means for detachably locking the cover 5 to the container 6.

For optimal hygienic use in dirty surroundings, e.g. in public washrooms, it is advantageous that the casing can be held with one hand, while the cover can be opened, closed, unlocked, and locked by use of the same one hand. This way, the toothbrush and the casing most practically remains within the hands of the user, and no items need to be placed on a surface. Thus, the hinge 4, cover 5, container 6, and optionally the locking means are advantageously adapted to be operated by a thumb or a finger.

In an embodiment of the invention, the casing is configured such that the casing 1 can be held with one hand, and the cover 5 can be opened, closed, unlocked, and locked by use of said one hand. Toothbrush compartment

The toothbrush compartment 2 may have a size and shape suitable for one or more toothbrushes.

For repeated use of the toothbrush and optimal dental hygiene, it is advantageous that the toothbrush is not permanently humid after use. If the toothbrush is humid for a longer time after use, it may be subject to detrimental bacterial activity. In an embodiment of the invention, the toothbrush compartment 2 comprises one or more openings for air passage to the surroundings.

Toothpaste compartment

The toothpaste compartment is configured to be able to dispense toothpaste from the compartment to the user and the user's toothbrush.

The toothpaste may be dispensed through a toothpaste outlet 10, such as a tube opening, which further may be accessed by removing a cap 13 as shown in Figure 1 . The cap may further be detachably attached to the tube in a similar manner as the cover 5, such that the cap can be removed and re-assembled using only the same hand as the hand holding the casing. Thus, the casing is configured to be held with one hand, while the cap is opened or closed, and optionally the cap is removed and stored, by use of the same one hand. In another embodiment, the cap 9 is attached or fixed to the cover, such that when the cover is opened or closed, the cap is simultaneously removed from, or attached to, the tube opening, while using only the same hand as the hand holding the casing. Figures 3 and 4 show embodiments of a cap attached to a cover, when the cover is

respectively closed and opened.

For cost efficiency, it is advantageous that the toothpaste can be refilled or disposed of. This may be obtained by refilling paste into the compartment via the outlet opening 10, and/or by refilling paste through a toothpaste inlet opening. The same opening may act as both outlet and inlet as illustrated in Figure 1 . In an embodiment of the invention, the toothpaste compartment 3 is configured such that paste can be refilled. In a further embodiment, the toothpaste compartment 3 further comprises a toothpaste inlet and/or a toothpaste outlet 10, wherein paste is refilled through the inlet. In a further embodiment, the same opening 10 acts as toothpaste inlet and outlet.

For further compact and user friendly refilling, the toothpaste compartment may be adapted to fit disposable cartridges of paste. Refill of paste may then also be obtained by replacing the disposable cartridges comprising the paste.

In an embodiment of the invention, the toothpaste compartment 3 further comprises a disposable cartridge comprising toothpaste, and wherein paste is refilled by replacing the disposable cartridge. To further improve the hygienic and user friendliness of the casing, the casing may be configured to be disposable. This may be obtained by use of cheap and disposable materials, such as disposable toothbrushes, and/or the casing may contain disposable amounts of toothpaste. In an embodiment of the invention, the casing 1 is configured to be disposable, e.g. configured to be disposed of when the toothpaste compartment is substantially empty.

Plunger system

Toothpaste is preferably dispensed and supplied to the user via a plunger 7. The plunger 7 is preferably configured such that when the plunger 7 is translated, e.g. along the longitudinal direction of the casing, toothpaste is pressed towards the outlet opening 10 thereby advancing toothpaste within the second compartment, and may be supplied to the user through the outlet opening 10. In a manner similarly to the operation of the cover 5, the plunger is configured to be translated with one hand while holding the casing with said one hand. Thus, all operations involving the casing may be performed with one hand, which provides optimal hygienic use, especially in less hygienic surroundings, e.g. public restrooms. In an embodiment of the invention, the casing is configured such that the plunger 7 may be translated with one hand while holding the casing with said one hand.

The plunger 7 may be engaged with the toothpaste compartment 3 through the sealed slot 11 as exemplified in Figure 1 . Thus, the plunger may be translated, or activated or advanced, through the sealed slot. The sealed slot 11 is shown as a dotted line in Figure 2, and is seen to extend longitudinally in a surface of the toothpaste

compartment. For easy translation of the plunger 7 through the sealed slot 11 , the casing may further comprise a slide 9 that is configured to translate the plunger. The slide may be placed on the external side of the toothpaste compartment, and solidly connected to the plunger through the sealed slot as illustrated in Figures 1 -2. This way, the casing may easily be held with one hand, while the slide is operated with the same hand, e.g. by use of the thumb or a finger, while holding the casing with the rest of the same hand.

In an embodiment of the invention, the casing further comprises a slide 9 configured to translate the plunger 7. In a further embodiment, the slide 9 is placed on the external side of the toothpaste compartment 3, and is solidly connected to the plunger 7 through the sealed slot 11.

For user friendliness, it is advantageous that the slide 9 is easily advanced or translated within the longitudinal sealed slot 11 , such that the user do not have to apply high force to translate the plunger. To ease the translation, the plunger 7 and the slide 9 may be connected by a transition element 8, such as a pin, where the transition element 8 is the part in contact with the sealed slot 11 as sketched in Figure 1 . To minimize the force needed to advance the slide 9, the transition element may have a size or shape configured for advancing in the sealed slot 11. Advantageously, the transition element 8 has a smaller size than the slide 9, and/or the sealed slot 11 , thereby minimizing the force needed to opening the sealed slot to the surroundings, and/or the transition element may further be configured for easy advancement in the sealed slot, e.g. by having an acute or pointed shape in the direction of advancement. In an embodiment of the invention, the plunger 7 and the slide 9 is solidly connected by a transition element 8. In a further embodiment, the transition element 8 is configured for advancing in the sealed slot 11. The slide 9, the plunger 7, and optionally the transition element 8, must be solidly connected, and able to withstand the tensile- and shear stresses which may occur due to friction when the slide is advanced through the sealed slot 11. To maximize the strength of the parts and the assembly of parts, it may be advantageous that the parts are formed by one piece, such as formed by injection molded plastics.

In an embodiment of the invention, the plunger 7, the slide 9, and optionally the transition element 8 is formed by one piece.

To further ease the activation and advancement of the slide 9, it may be advantageous that the slide has a shape with one or more protruding features. Thus, the slide may comprise a circular protrusion, a squared protrusions, and/or protrusions with a contoured surface, such as a corrugated and/or grooved surfaces. An example of a slide with corrugated surface is shown in Figure 2, and Figure 1 shows an example of slide with the shape of a squared protrusion.

In an embodiment of the invention, the slide 9 comprises a protrusion, such as a protrusion selected from the group of: circular, squared, contoured, corrugated, grooved protrusions, and any combinations thereof. The slide 9 may be further configured to be easily operated by a thumb or a finger, while holding the casing with the same hand. Figure 1 shows an embodiment, where the slide has the shape of cube. Figures 2-4 shows embodiments where the slide is in the form of a plate. Sealed slot

The casing is preferably configured to store toothpaste under substantially air free conditions. The sealed slot 11 facilitates that the amount of air entering the toothpaste compartment 3 is minimized, when the slide 9 is advanced within the sealed slot. By the term "sealed slot" is meant a slot, wherein air access through the slot is prevented by the slot being in compression and/or by membranes placed on the external or internal side of the slot, i.e. covering the slot in front or behind. In an embodiment of the invention, the toothpaste compartment 3 comprises a sealed slot 11. In a further embodiment of the invention, the toothpaste compartment 3 is sealed by at least one membrane. The membrane may comprise a material with air tight properties, such as a plastic or rubber membrane, and the membrane may be placed on the internal side of the toothpaste compartment.

In a further embodiment, the sealed slot is formed by two abutting surfaces on each side of the slot being in compression. The abutting surfaces may be comprised within toothpaste compartment itself, or by one or more membranes placed in front or behind the slot.

A sealed slot may be formed by a membrane rolled into a cylinder. The slot is formed where the edges of the membrane meet, and the edges may be configured to be in compression. The membrane may be placed on the internal side of the toothpaste compartment.

A sealed slot may also be formed by two elongated membranes, where parts of the membranes are abutting. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of two elongated membranes 12, where the abutting surfaces form the sealed slot 11. The membranes may be placed on the internal side of the toothpaste compartment and/or on the external side of the toothpaste compartment.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sealed slot 11 is formed by at least one membrane. In a further embodiment, the sealed slot 11 is formed by two elongated membranes abutting each other in compression.

The advancement of the slide 9 and optionally the transition element 8, occurs advantageously within the sealed slot 11. This way, cutting open a membrane as the slide advances is avoided, which may require considerable force. Depending on the degree of compression, the membranes may be in air tight compression. Airtight compression may further be obtained, when the membranes comprise elastically and/or plastic-elastic materials. Advantageously, the degree of compression is configured such the slide is sufficiently easy to move, and at the same time the compression is sufficient for the slot to be in airtight compression both behind and in front of the slide 9. Thus, as the slide 9 is advanced in the sealed slot, the slot will be sealed both behind and in front of the advancing slide.