Technical Area

This invention relates to an improved toothbrush and, in particular, to one-use toothbrushes.

Background to the Invention

There have previously been proposed single-use toothbrushes and these may be provided with a small tube of toothpaste to be used thereon and on some occasions these have been packaged to occupy a minimal space, for use in vending machines or the like.

However, whilst these toothbrushes have to a greater or lesser degree satisfied their main function, they have nevertheless been somewhat limited, both in this and generally.

Outline of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush of this general type which is more satisfactory than previous forms. ,The invention, in a first aspect, provides a single-use toothbrush having a head and handle, bristles on one side of the head, a reservoir of toothpaste associated with the head the contents of which can be moved into connection with the bristles so that when the brush is to be used, the toothpaste may be moved from the reservoir to be in contact with the bristles from which it is spread into the users mouth.

In a preferred form of the invention the handle can be hollow, at least in part, and the hollow portion of the handle can be adapted to receive a mouthwash and to be sealed to retain the mouthwash therein.

The toothbrush assembly may be packed in an outer container so that it can be dispensed from a dispensing machine without any likelihood of contamination of the head of the toothbrush. In order to assist this, the head and handle may be able to be separated.

Description of an Embodiment of the Invention

Jn order that the invention maybe more readily understood and put into practice, one particular embodiment of toothbrush made in accordance with the invention will be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig 1 is a perspective view of the brush of the invention; Rg 2 is a longitudinal section of the brush as supplied to the user; and

Rg 3 is a section similar to Rg 2 with the paste delivered and the mouthwash container open.

Referring to the drawings, the toothbrush 10 has a body at one end of which there is a handle 11 and the other end there is a head 12 which has the toothbrush bristles 13 in a formation which is conventional.

On the back of the head 12, that is, on the side away from the side from which the bristles 13 extend, there is a container 14 which can hold sufficient toothpaste 15 for a single use.

This container 14 can be of a flexible material, such as a synthetic rubber or plasties material, and there may, if required, be provided between the container and the back of the toothbrush a frangible seal 16.

Beneath the container there can be an aperture 17 passing through the body of the toothbrush and this aperture may be basically centrally thereof.

The arrangement is such that when a person wishes to use the toothbrush it is necessary to deform the container 14 which, if there is a frangible seal 16, causes the toothpaste to provide pressure thereon and to cause it to rupture and permit the toothpaste 15 to pass through the aperture 17 in the head located there- -A- bβneath and to enter into the head of the toothbrush within the- body of the bristles

13 of the brush (See Rg 3).

The toothbrush can then be used in the normal manner to effect the cleaning of the user's teeth and the location of the toothpaste within the bristle area of the brush enables the ready dissemination of the paste while the brush is being used.

The reservoir is of such a size that it does not cause an obstruction in the user's mouth and, if required it may be made of a material which is not elastic so that when the toothpaste is expelled therefrom, the reservoir remains in the collapsed position which it has assumed during delivery of the toothpaste.

It will be seen that the toothbrush provides a readily accessible, metered quantity of toothpaste for the primary purpose of the brush.

The brush of the invention has a second substantial feature and that is that the handle 11 , or at least part of this, is hollow.

In a preferred form the handle may be in the form of an extended cylindrical or other shaped tube 20 which is closed at the end 21 at which it is connected to the head portion. The closure may be formed by portion of the body 13 being shaped to enter the open end of the tube and it may be welded or adhesively secured thereto. This tube 20 is also closed or can be closed at its other end 22. As shown in the drawings the closure can be by a cap 23 which is preferably of a resilient material having a skirt 24 which can seal onto the tube 20. Alternatively, the closure could be a stopper which enters into the tube and in either case can be threaded onto the tube rather than being a frictional fit thereon.

The closure at the outer end may simply include or be a frangible member to ensure good protection for the contents of the tube.

The tube 20 acts as a receptacle for a mouthwash. Once the person has finished cleaning their teeth, they can simply open the end of the handle and can place the mouthwash in their mouths so as to complete the cleaning operation and leave their breath fresh smelling.

If required, the hollow handle portion may be separable from the body so that the assembly can be packed in a minimum volume and before use the handle can be connected to the body in any required way and it will be appreciated that the form of connection is selected to ensure that the mouthwash is not disturbed during this.

Whilst there has been described herein one particular embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made in this without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.