Dentifrice Dispenser and Oral Care System Comprising the Same

Abstract

Disclosed is a dentifrice dispenser, comprising: a container defining a chamber storing a dentifrice and having an orifice through which the dentifrice is dispensable from the chamber; and a permanent magnet connected to the container for retaining an oral care implement with the container. Also disclosed is an oral care system, comprising: a dentifrice dispenser according to any preceding claim; and an oral care implement; wherein the oral care implement comprises a second magnet or a metal portion that is magnetically attractable to the permanent magnet.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to a dentifrice dispenser and to an oral care system comprising the dentifrice dispenser and an oral care implement.

[0002] It is known to provide dentifrice, such as toothpaste, in a tube having an opening through which the dentifrice is dispensable. However, in order to dispense the dentifrice from the tube onto the head of an oral care implement, such as a toothbrush, a user has to squeeze the tube while at the same time aligning the head of the oral care implement with the opening of the tube. Carrying out these two processes simultaneously can be difficult or impossible for some users, such as children, individuals with disabilities, and others who are challenged by low strength, coordination or motor control in the fingers, hands or arms.

[0003] There is a need for a dentifrice dispenser that helps a user dispense dentifrice onto the head of an oral care implement. There is a need for an oral care system that helps a user dispense dentifrice onto the head of an oral care implement of the oral care system.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention provides a dentifrice dispenser, comprising: a container defining a chamber storing a dentifrice and having an orifice through which the dentifrice is dispensable from the chamber; and a permanent magnet connected to the container for retaining an oral care implement with the container.

[0005] Optionally, the permanent magnet is mounted on, or is partially or fully embedded in, the container. Optionally, the permanent magnet is mounted on the container. Optionally, the permanent magnet is partially embedded in the container. Optionally, the permanent magnet is fully embedded in the container. Preferably, the permanent magnet is non-detachably connected to the container.

[0006] Optionally, the permanent magnet is partially or fully embedded between components of the container. Alternatively, the permanent magnet may be partially or fully embedded in material of one component of the container.

[0007] Optionally, the container comprises a vessel defining the chamber, and a cap device connected to the vessel and defining the orifice, wherein the permanent magnet is mounted on, or is partially or fully embedded in, the cap device.

[0008] Optionally, the cap device comprises a base defining the orifice and a closure movable relative to the base between a closed position, at which the closure isolates the orifice from an exterior of the dispenser, and an open position, at which the orifice is in fluid communication with the exterior of the dispenser.

[0009] Optionally, the cap device comprises an arm, and wherein the permanent magnet is mounted on, or is partially or fully embedded in, the arm. Further optionally, the arm extends from the base. Still further optionally, the base is unitary with the arm.

[0010] Optionally, the container comprises an arm, and the permanent magnet is mounted on, or is partially or fully embedded in, the arm.

[0011] Optionally, the arm is elongate in a direction extending away from the vessel.

[0012] Optionally, the arm is elongate in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container.

[0013] Optionally, the permanent magnet is at a distal end of the arm.

[0014] Optionally, the cap device is formed from a plastic. Further optionally, the plastic is a thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate.

[0015] Optionally, the permanent magnet comprises ferromagnetic material. Further optionally, the ferromagnetic material comprises one or more of iron, nickel, cobalt, lodestone, a compound of rare earth elements, an alloy of rare earth elements, an alloy of iron, an alloy of nickel, and an alloy of cobalt.

[0016] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an oral care system, comprising: any of the dentifrice dispensers described above; and an oral care implement; wherein the oral care implement comprises a second magnet or a metal portion that is magnetically attractable to the permanent magnet.

[0017] Optionally, the oral care implement comprises a handle and a head. Further optionally, the second magnet or the metal portion is magnetically attractable to the permanent magnet to bring the oral care implement into contact with the dentifrice dispenser with the head aligned or alignable with the orifice. Optionally, the second magnet or the metal portion is comprised in the head.

[0018] Optionally, the oral care implement is a toothbrush.

[0019] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a dentifrice dispenser according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with a closure of a cap device of the dentifrice dispenser at a closed position relative to a base of the cap device;

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an oral care system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the oral care system comprising the dentifrice dispenser of FIG. 1 and a toothbrush, wherein the closure of the dentifrice dispenser is at an open position relative to the base of the cap device, and the toothbrush is connected to the container of the dentifrice dispenser;

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a partial close-up perspective view of the oral care system of FIG. 2;

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a dentifrice dispenser according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with a closure of a cap device of the dentifrice dispenser at a closed position relative to a base of the cap device; and

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view through the dentifrice dispenser of FIG. 4, with the closure of the dentifrice dispenser at an open position relative to the base of the cap device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0027] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a dentifrice dispenser 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The dentifrice dispenser 1 comprises a container 10 and a permanent magnet 20 that is non-detachably connected to the container 10. Each of the container 10 and the permanent magnet 20 will be described in turn.

[0029] The container 10 comprises a flexible vessel 11, which vessel 11 comprises a sealed first end 12 and an elongate annular wall 13 extending from the sealed end 12 and defining a chamber 14 therein. Within the chamber 14 there is stored a dentifrice (not shown). At an opposite longitudinal second end 15 of the wall 13 from the first end 12, the vessel 11 has an opening (not shown) through which the dentifrice is dispensable from the chamber 14. The container 10 also comprises a cap device 16 connected to the vessel 11 at the longitudinal second end 15 of the wall 13. The cap device 16 is of greater rigidity or hardness than the vessel 11 and defines an orifice 17 (see FIG. 2) in fluid communication with the opening of the vessel 11, through which orifice 17 the dentifrice is dispensable from the chamber 14 and from the container 10 as a whole. The cap device 16 comprises a base 18, which defines the orifice 17, and a closure 19, which is connected to the base 18 by a hinge and is movable relative to the base 18 by bending the hinge. The closure 19 is rotatable relative to the base 18 between a closed position (see FIG. 1), at which the closure 19 isolates the orifice 17 from an exterior of the dispenser 1, and an open position (see FIGS. 2 and 3), at which the orifice 17 is in fluid communication with the exterior of the dispenser 1.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the cap device 16 is a unitary component. That is, the base 18 is unitary with the closure 19. In other words, the base 18 is integrally formed with the closure 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge is a living hinge. In variations to the illustrated embodiment, the base 18 and the closure 19 are separate components connected together by a non-living hinge.

[0031] The cap device 16, and each of the base 18 and the closure 19 of the cap device 16, has a circular cross section. The container 10 has a longitudinal axis C-C that extends through the sealed end 12 of the vessel, perpendicularly to the respective circular cross sections of the cap device 16, base 18 and closure 19 (when at the closed position), and through the respective centre points of the respective circular cross sections of the cap device 16, base 18 and closure 19 (when at the closed position).

[0032] The container 10, and more specifically the cap device 16, comprises an arm 21 extending from the base 18 in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis C-C of the container 10 and away from the vessel 11. The arm 21 is elongate in the direction in which the arm 21 extends away from the base 18 and from the vessel 11. The arm 21 has a proximal end 23 connected directly to the base 18 and a longitudinally opposed second distal end 22 distal from the base 18. The base 18 is unitary with the arm 21. That is, the base 18 is integrally formed with the arm 21. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the arm 21 is unitary with (i.e. integrally formed with) the cap device 16.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the cap device 16 and the arm 21 are formed from plastic, specifically a thermoplastic polymer. In the illustrated embodiment, the thermoplastic polymer is polypropylene, but in other embodiments the thermoplastic polymer may be polyethylene terephthalate or another thermoplastic polymer.

[0034] The permanent magnet 20 is for connecting an oral care implement to the container 10, thereby to attach the oral care implement to the dentifrice dispenser 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the permanent magnet 20 is partially embedded in material of the arm 21 at the distal end 22 of the arm 21, so that a portion of the permanent magnet 20 is exposed at the distal end 22 of the arm 21. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the permanent magnet 20 is considered partially embedded in material of each of the container 10, the cap device 16 and the arm 21. In variations to the illustrated embodiment, the permanent magnet 20 is adhered to the distal end 22 of the arm 21 so as to be mounted to the arm 21, or is fully embedded in the material of the arm 21 so that no portion of the permanent magnet 20 is exposed. Preferably, the connection of the permanent magnet 20 to the container 10 is such that the permanent magnet 20 is retained in position relative to the orifice 17.

[0035] In variations to the illustrated embodiment, the permanent magnet 20 may be connected to the container 10 in some other way. For example, in some embodiments, the arm 21 is omitted and the permanent magnet 20 is mounted on, or partially or fully embedded in, material of a different portion or component of the container 10, such as the cap device 16, the base 18 or the vessel 11. In some embodiments, the permanent magnet 20 is partially or fully embedded between components of the container 10, such as components that together define the cap device 16, the base 18 or the vessel 11. In some such embodiments that include an arm 21, the permanent magnet 20 is partially or fully embedded between components that together define the arm 21.

[0036] The permanent magnet 20 comprises ferromagnetic material. In the illustrated embodiment, the ferromagnetic material comprises iron. In variations to the illustrated embodiment, the ferromagnetic material comprises one or more of iron, nickel, cobalt, lodestone, a compound of rare earth elements, an alloy of rare earth elements, an alloy of iron, an alloy of nickel, and an alloy of cobalt. The permanent magnet 20 is distinguished from other types of magnet, such as an electromagnet.

[0037] The dentifrice dispenser 1 of the illustrated embodiment is usable with an oral care implement, such as a toothbrush, comprising a magnet or a metal portion that is magnetically attractable to the permanent magnet 20. FIGS. 2 and 3 show an oral care system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the oral care system comprising the dentifrice dispenser of FIG. 1 and such an oral care implement in the form of a toothbrush 30.

[0038] The toothbrush 30 comprises a head 32, a handle 36, and a neck 34 connecting the head 32 to the handle 36. The head 32 includes cleaning elements 33 in the form of bristles. The neck 34 is of smaller cross sectional area that the head 32 and the handle 36. In variations to the illustrated embodiment, the head 32 may be connected directly to the handle 36 without a narrowed neck therebetween. A magnet 38 is comprised in the head 32 of the toothbrush 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnet 38 is fully embedded in the head 32, but in other embodiments the magnet 38 may be partially embedded in the head 32 so that a portion of the magnet 38 is exposed, or may be mounted onto the head 32. In this embodiment the magnet 38 is a permanent magnet.

[0039] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, when the closure 19 of the cap device 16 is in the open position relative to the base 18 of the cap device 16, the orifice 17 of the base 18 is in fluid communication with the exterior of the dispenser 1. The magnet 38 of the toothbrush 30 is introducible to the dispenser 1 with the head 32 of the toothbrush 30 approximately aligned with the orifice 17. The permanent magnet 20 magnetically attracts the magnet 38 of the toothbrush 30 until the toothbrush 30 is brought into contact with the dispenser 1 with the head 32 aligned or alignable with the orifice 17. The magnets 20, 38 then cooperate to retain the head 32 of the toothbrush 30 at a fixed distance from the container 10. With the head 32 at this fixed distance from the container 10, the user need make only small adjustments to the position of the toothbrush 30 relative to the dispenser 1 (such as rotation of the toothbrush 30 or container 10 about its respective longitudinal axis relative to the other of the toothbrush 30 and the container 10) in order to align the head 32 with the orifice 17 with the cleaning elements 33 fully or substantially facing the orifice 17.

[0040] With the head 32 aligned with the orifice 17 with the cleaning elements 33 fully or substantially facing the orifice 17, and with the permanent magnet 20 attracting the magnet 38 to retain the toothbrush 30 in contact with the dispenser 1, the user can then focus on appropriately squeezing the vessel 11 in order to reduce the volume of the chamber 14, thereby to dispense some of the dentifrice from the chamber 14 through the opening of the vessel 11 and the orifice 17 onto the head 32 of the toothbrush 30. Accordingly, the dispenser 1 helps a user dispense dentifrice onto the head of an oral care implement by assisting with positioning of the head 32 relative to the dispenser 1. Once a desired volume of the dentifrice has been dispensed, the toothbrush 30 can be pulled away easily from the dispenser 1, against the attractive force of the permanent magnet 20, for use in an oral care session. The closure 19 is then movable relative to the base 18 to the closed position.

[0041] In variations to the illustrated embodiment, the cap device 16 is omitted, and the container 10 may comprise just the vessel 11 and a one-piece, preferably rigid, closure for opening and closing the opening of the vessel 11. In such variations, the opening of the vessel 11 is the orifice 17 of the container 10. Moreover, in such variations, the permanent magnet 20 may be mounted on, or partially or fully embedded in, the vessel 11.

[0042] Furthermore, in variations to the illustrated and/or described embodiments, the toothbrush 30 may comprise a metal portion instead of the magnet 38, which metal portion is magnetically attractable to the permanent magnet 20.

[0043] Furthermore, in variations to the illustrated and/or described embodiments, the magnet 38 or metal portion of the toothbrush 30 may be comprised in one of the neck 34 and the handle 36 of the toothbrush 30, rather than in the head 32. In some such variations, the arm 21 of the container 10 may be suitably configured so as to ensure that the head 32 of the toothbrush 30 is aligned or alignable with the orifice 17, when the permanent magnet 20 has attracted the magnet 38 or metal component of the toothbrush 30 to bring the toothbrush 30 into contact with dispenser 1.

[0044] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a dentifrice dispenser 2 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Like reference numerals used in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 4 and 5 indicate like components.

[0045] The dentifrice dispenser 2 comprises a container 10 and a permanent magnet 20 connected to the container 10. The container 10 of this embodiment is the same as the container 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, except that the permanent magnet 20 is fully embedded in the material of the arm 21. Accordingly, no portion of the permanent magnet 20 is exposed.

[0046] The dispenser 2 may be varied as per the above-described possible variations to the dispenser 1 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0047] Similarly to the dentifrice dispenser 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3, the dentifrice dispenser 2 of FIGS. 4 and 5 is usable with an oral care implement, such as a toothbrush, e.g. the toothbrush 30 discussed above, comprising a magnet or a metal portion that is magnetically attractable to the permanent magnet 20. An oral care system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises the dentifrice dispenser 2 of FIGS. 4 and 5 and such an oral care implement. The permanent magnet 20 has sufficient strength to attract the magnet 38 or metal portion of the oral care implement, even though the permanent magnet 20 is distanced from the oral care implement by some of the material of the arm 21.

[0048] The oral care system comprising the dentifrice dispenser 2 and an oral care implement may be usable in the same manner as the above-described oral care systems comprising the dentifrice dispenser 1 and an oral care implement, or the described variations thereof. In the interests of conciseness, detailed description of oral care systems comprising the dentifrice dispenser 2 and an oral care implement will not be provided.

[0049] Moreover, the oral care system comprising the dentifrice dispenser 2 and an oral care implement may be varied as per the above-described possible variations to the oral care system comprising the dentifrice dispenser 1 and an oral care implement.

[0050] In variations to each of the illustrated embodiments, the container 10 may take a different form to that illustrated, so long as the container 10 defines a chamber storing a dentifrice and having an orifice through which the dentifrice is dispensable from the chamber.

Claims

1. A dentifrice dispenser, comprising: a container defining a chamber storing a dentifrice and having an orifice through which the dentifrice is dispensable from the chamber; and a permanent magnet connected to the container for retaining an oral care implement with the container.

2. The dentifrice dispenser of claim 1, wherein the permanent magnet is mounted on, or is partially or fully embedded in, the container.

3. The dentifrice dispenser of claim 2, wherein the permanent magnet is partially or fully embedded between components of the container.

4. The dentifrice dispenser of claim 2, wherein the permanent magnet is partially or fully embedded in material of one component of the container.

5. The dentifrice dispenser of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a vessel defining the chamber, and a cap device connected to the vessel and defining the orifice, wherein the permanent magnet is mounted on, or is partially or fully embedded in, the cap device.

6. The dentifrice dispenser of claim 5, wherein the cap device comprises a base defining the orifice and a closure movable relative to the base between a closed position, at which the closure isolates the orifice from an exterior of the dispenser, and an open position, at which the orifice is in fluid communication with the exterior of the dispenser.

7. The dentifrice dispenser of claim 6, wherein the cap device comprises an arm, and wherein the permanent magnet is mounted on, or is partially or fully embedded in, the arm.

8. The dentifrice dispenser of claim 7, wherein the arm extends from the base.

9. The dentifrice dispenser of claim 8, wherein the base is unitary with the arm.

10. The dentifrice dispenser of claim 1, wherein the container comprises an arm, and wherein the permanent magnet is mounted on, or is partially or fully embedded in, the arm.

11. The dentifrice dispenser of claim 7, wherein the arm is elongate in a direction extending away from the vessel.

12. The dentifrice dispenser of claim 7, wherein the arm is elongate in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container.

13. The dentifrice dispenser of claim 7, wherein the permanent magnet is at a distal end of the arm.

14. The dentifrice dispenser of claim 5, wherein the cap device is formed from a plastic, such as a thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate.

15. The dentifrice dispenser of claim 1, wherein the permanent magnet comprises ferromagnetic material, optionally wherein the ferromagnetic material comprises one or more of iron, nickel, cobalt, lodestone, a compound of rare earth elements, an alloy of rare earth elements, an alloy of iron, an alloy of nickel, and an alloy of cobalt.

16. An oral care system, comprising: a dentifrice dispenser according to any preceding claim; and an oral care implement; wherein the oral care implement comprises a second magnet or a metal portion that is magnetically attractable to the permanent magnet.

17. The oral care system of claim 16, wherein the oral care implement comprises a handle and a head, and wherein the second magnet or the metal portion is magnetically attractable to the permanent magnet to bring the oral care implement into contact with the dentifrice dispenser with the head aligned or alignable with the orifice.

18. The oral care system of claim 17, wherein the second magnet or the metal portion is comprised in the head.

19. The oral care system of claim 16, wherein the oral care implement is a toothbrush.