DENTAL HYGIENE DISPENSER
United States Patent 3860147
A dental hygiene dispenser mountable on a wall for dispensing a dentifrice onto a toothbrush. Modules suitable for holding cups, toothbrushes, and the like, are attachable to the dispenser as by hooks and mating openings. A collapsible dentifrice tube is arranged in a discharge element and engaged by a pair of rollers rotatably mounted on a carriage having portions threadingly engaging threaded rods turnable by a mechanism including gear wheels affixed to the threaded rods and racks associated with the gear wheels. The racks are pivotally mounted on a slidable support member having a projection extending through a slot in the dispenser housing arranged extending away from the discharge element. Movement of the projection as by a toothbrush turns the threaded rods and discharges dentifrice onto the toothbrush. The racks ride over the gear wheels against the bias of one spring as another spring returns the support member to its rest position.
US Patent References:
Dispenser for toothpaste
Ritterbusch - December 1936 - 2064357
Automatic paste dispenser
Grandman - December 1938 - 2140007
Interlock
Regenhardt - October 1945 - 2386343
Automatic toothpaste dispenser
Zebnik - June 1958 - 2837243
/3201883.html
Schleisner-Meyer - August 1965 - 3201883
Dispenser for toothpaste
Ritterbusch - December 1936 - 2064357
Automatic paste dispenser
Grandman - December 1938 - 2140007
Interlock
Regenhardt - October 1945 - 2386343
Automatic toothpaste dispenser
Zebnik - June 1958 - 2837243
/3201883.html
Schleisner-Meyer - August 1965 - 3201883
Inventors:
Vessio, Robert J. (Brick Town, NJ)
Valeri, Frank E. (Brick Town, NJ)
Leask, George M. (Brick Town, NJ)
Peterson, Richard W. (Manasquan, NJ)
Valeri, Frank E. (Brick Town, NJ)
Leask, George M. (Brick Town, NJ)
Peterson, Richard W. (Manasquan, NJ)
Application Number:
05/358934
Publication Date:
01/14/1975
Filing Date:
05/10/1973
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
222/102, 222/105
International Classes:
B65D35/28; B65D35/24; B65D35/54
Field of Search:
222/102,101,105,106,96,95,93 312/111 74/30,29
Primary Examiner:
Reeves, Robert B.
Assistant Examiner:
Marmor, Charles A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
O'brien, Clarence Jacobson Harvey B.
Claims:
What is claimed as new is as follows
1. In a dispenser having means for mounting a collapsible container and means for engaging a container and selectively dispensing a material from same, the engaging means including a mechanism for changing linear motion to rotary motion, the improvement wherein the mechanism includes a pair of rotatably mounted gear wheels, a support member slidably mounted and arranged for reciprocating movement, a pair of racks pivotally mounted on the support member and arranged for engaging the gear wheels, and means for resiliently biasing the racks against the gear wheels, the racks engaging and turning the gear wheels in one direction of movement of the support member and riding over the gear wheels in the return direction of movement.
2. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the engaging means further includes a pair of threaded rods arranged in a plane, a pair of rollers arranged extending between the threaded rods and embracing a container, a carriage having a pair of threaded hole portions each arranged in threaded engagement with a respective threaded rod, and a bracket portion arranged for connecting adjacent ends of the rollers to the threaded hole portions, and the threaded rods connected to the gear wheels for rotation therewith and thereby for selectively moving the rollers in a plane parallel to the threaded rods.
3. A structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the mounting means includes a frame, and a material discharge element mounted on the frame and arranged for receiving a discharge portion of the container.
4. A structure as defined in claim 3, wherein the collapsible container is a dentifrice tube, the frame is provided with a slot extending from the discharge nozzle, and the supporting member is provided with a projection arranged extending through the slot for being engaged by a toothbrush and moved in a direction turning the threaded rods to deposit a quantity of dentifrice on the toothbrush.
5. A structure as defined in claim 4, wherein the turning means further includes means for biasing the support member toward a rest position.
6. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the turning means further includes means for biasing the support member toward a rest position.
7. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the mounting means includes a frame, and a material discharge element mounted on the frame and arranged for receiving a discharge portion of the container.
8. A structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the collapsible container is a dentifrice tube, the frame is provided with a slot extending from the discharge nozzle, and the supporting member is provided with a projection arranged extending through the slot for being engaged by a toothbrush and moved in a direction turning the threaded rods to deposit a quantity of dentifrice on the toothbrush.
9. A dental hygiene dispenser system, comprising, in combination:
1. In a dispenser having means for mounting a collapsible container and means for engaging a container and selectively dispensing a material from same, the engaging means including a mechanism for changing linear motion to rotary motion, the improvement wherein the mechanism includes a pair of rotatably mounted gear wheels, a support member slidably mounted and arranged for reciprocating movement, a pair of racks pivotally mounted on the support member and arranged for engaging the gear wheels, and means for resiliently biasing the racks against the gear wheels, the racks engaging and turning the gear wheels in one direction of movement of the support member and riding over the gear wheels in the return direction of movement.
2. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the engaging means further includes a pair of threaded rods arranged in a plane, a pair of rollers arranged extending between the threaded rods and embracing a container, a carriage having a pair of threaded hole portions each arranged in threaded engagement with a respective threaded rod, and a bracket portion arranged for connecting adjacent ends of the rollers to the threaded hole portions, and the threaded rods connected to the gear wheels for rotation therewith and thereby for selectively moving the rollers in a plane parallel to the threaded rods.
3. A structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the mounting means includes a frame, and a material discharge element mounted on the frame and arranged for receiving a discharge portion of the container.
4. A structure as defined in claim 3, wherein the collapsible container is a dentifrice tube, the frame is provided with a slot extending from the discharge nozzle, and the supporting member is provided with a projection arranged extending through the slot for being engaged by a toothbrush and moved in a direction turning the threaded rods to deposit a quantity of dentifrice on the toothbrush.
5. A structure as defined in claim 4, wherein the turning means further includes means for biasing the support member toward a rest position.
6. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the turning means further includes means for biasing the support member toward a rest position.
7. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the mounting means includes a frame, and a material discharge element mounted on the frame and arranged for receiving a discharge portion of the container.
8. A structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the collapsible container is a dentifrice tube, the frame is provided with a slot extending from the discharge nozzle, and the supporting member is provided with a projection arranged extending through the slot for being engaged by a toothbrush and moved in a direction turning the threaded rods to deposit a quantity of dentifrice on the toothbrush.
9. A dental hygiene dispenser system, comprising, in combination:
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a dispenser system, and particularly to a dispenser for dentifrices and the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It has been proposed to provide dispensers for dentrifrices. In particular, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,004,015, 2,064,357, and 2,712,400, for example, show dispensers using threaded rods as feed screws to advance one or more rollers along a collapsible toothpaste tube when the rods are turned by a suitable actuating mechanism.
The known mechanisms for achieving the desired roller advance, however, are complex in construction, with attendant cost and maintenance problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a clean, efficient, and simple device for applying a dentifrice to a toothbrush.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved mechanism for actuating dispensing rollers used with collapsible containers.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a dental hygiene dispenser system affording sanitary storage of dentifrices, toothbrushes, cups, and the like.
These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by providing in a dispenser: a discharge element for mounting a collapsible container, a pair of rollers arranged engaging the collapsible container for dispensing material from same upon an advance of the rollers along the container, a pair of threaded rods threadingly engaged with a carriage rotatably supporting the rollers, and a mechanism for selectively turning the threaded rods and dispensing material from the container; the improvement wherein the mechanism for turning the threaded rods includes a pair of gear wheels, a gear wheel mounted on a respective threaded rod for rotation therewith, a support member slidably mounted on a dispenser frame and arranged for reciprocating movement with respect thereto, a pair of racks pivotally mounted on the support member and arranged for engaging the gear wheels, and a spring resiliently biasing the racks against the gear wheels, the racks engaging and turning the gear wheels in one direction of movement of the support member and riding over the gear wheels in the return direction of movement.
A further spring is advantageously provided for causing the support member to move in the other direction of movement to the initial, or rest, position of the support member.
An advantageous feature of a dental hygiene dispenser system according to the present invention is the provision of modules suitable for holding toothbrushes, cups, and the like, and having hooks engageable in openings provided on a housing of the dispenser unit.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a dental hygiene dispenser system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an accessory module forming part of a dental hygiene dispenser system according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 6--6 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 7--7 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but showing various elements in a moved position.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view, with some parts removed, taken generally along the line 10--10 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a slidably arrangeable dispenser actuating member according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a dental hygiene dispenser system 10 is formed by a dentifrice dispenser 12 and flanking modules 14 and 16. The modules are mounted on dispenser 12 as by a plurality of hooks 18 provided on modules 14 and 16 and arranged for mating with openings 20 provided on side walls of dispenser 12. These openings 20 are best shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Although modules 14 and 16 are illustrated as holding, for example, cups and toothbrushes, it is to be understood that modules may be provided suitable for holding any appropriate articles as desired.
Dispenser 12 may be mounted on a wall 22 as by slots 24 (FIG. 4) and conventional screws 26. In this manner, dispenser 12 may be conveniently mounted as desired on a, for example, bathroom wall, and the like.
The basic construction of module 16 will now be discussed with reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings. Although only module 16 is being discussed in any detail, it is to be understood that module 14 includes the same basic components as module 16. Module 16 is formed by a frame 28, a rear wall 30, and a door 32 pivotally mounted as by conventional hinges 34. A handle 36 on door 32 facilitates opening and closing of the door. If desired, a conventional latch arrangement (not shown) may be provided for retaining door 32 in a closed position. Hooks 18 may be arranged on a side wall portion of frame 28. The particular side wall portion on which hooks 18 are arranged is discretionary and depended on the ultimate arrangement of modules and dispenser. Further, modules may be hooked to modules in a manner not shown, but similar to that for modules 14 and 16, to increase storage space. Alternatively, wider modules (not shown) may be used.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 10 of the drawings, dispenser 12 has a housing 38 formed by a frame 40, a rear wall 42, and a cover 44 pivotally mounted on wall 42 as by conventional hinges 46. As is best seen from FIG. 3 of the drawings, cover 44 also forms what would otherwise be the top portion of frame 40. The latter does include a floor 48 in which is defined a slot 50, the purpose of which will be set out below.
Floor 48 of frame 40 is provided with a bracket portion 51 provided with an opening into which a discharge element 52 is inserted. A collapsible dentifrice container in the form of a conventional toothpaste tube 54 is arranged with its discharge portion received in a threaded bore of discharge element 52. In this manner, a toothpaste tube 54 is mounted in housing 38.
Tube 54 is engaged for purposes of having toothpaste, and the like, selectively dispensed from it by an arrangement including a pair of threaded rods 56 and 58 arranged in housing 38 extending between floor 48 of frame 40 and a partition 59 forming a false cover or top portion of frame 40. A pair of rollers 60 and 62 are arranged extending between threaded rods 56 and 58 and embracing tube 54. These rollers 60, 62 are rotatably mounted to the threaded rods for being advanced thereby as by a carriage 64 having spaced end portions with threaded bores 66 and 68, and an intermediate bracket portion 70 to which the rollers are rotatably mounted in a conventional manner. As can be readily appreciated from the drawings, threaded bores 66 and 68 are arranged in threaded engagement with threaded rods 56 and 58. A drive train 72 is connected to the threaded rods for selectively turning same and moving rollers 60 and 62 in a plane parallel to the longitudinal extent of the threaded rods.
Drive train 72 has a pair of gear wheels, provided with teeth suitable to the particular operation. Each gear wheel 74, 76 is mounted on a respective threaded rod 56, 58 for rotation therewith. A support member 78 (FIG. 11) is slidably mounted in slot 50 of frame 40, and is arranged for reciprocating movement with respect to floor 48 of frame 40. This support member 78 is provided with a projection 80 arranged extending through slot 50 for being engaged by a toothbrush and moved in a direction turning threaded rods 56, 58 to deposit a quantity of dentifrice on the toothbrush. A pair of racks 82, 84 are pivotally mounted on spaced portions of support member 78, and are arranged for engaging gear wheels 74, 76 due to the influence of a spring 86, which may be a conventional coiled compression spring, resiliently biasing racks 82, 84 against the gear wheels. This arrangement permits racks 82, 84 to engage and turn gear wheels 74, 76 in one direction of movement of support member 78, that direction being away from discharge element 52 along the extent of slot 50, and to ride over gear wheels 74, 76 in the return direction of movement. The return direction of movement may be facilitated by a spring 88, which may be a conventional coiled spring mounted on pin 90 projecting from wall 42 and a pin 92 provided on support member 78.
FIGS. 3 and 9 of the drawings show a toothbrush 94 engaging a surface 96 of projection 80 to move support member 78 in the direction causing a quantity of material, such as a dentifrice, to be dispensed from tube 54. As can best be appreciated from the same figures of the drawings, slot 50 is arranged extending from the centrally located bore in discharge element 52 so that a dentifrice, and the like, will be dispensed on the bristles of a dispenser-actuating toothbrush 94. A pointed edge 97 is provided on sliding support member 78 to cut the dentifrice, and the like, off cleanly when support member 78 is returned to its normal, or rest, position under the bias of spring 88. Bracket portion 51 is provided with a recess matching pointed-edge 97 for matingly receiving the edge, as is shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Projection 80 is sized to pass through the enlarged portion of slot 50, and be retained in the narrower portion.
Bosses 98 and 100 are arranged on floor 48 of frame 40, and are furnished with centrally located bores for receiving a shaft portion of threaded rods 56 and 58. The upper planar surface of bosses 98, 100 form bearing surfaces for gear wheels 74 and 76.
A gear assembly 102, best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, is arranged in housing 38 above partition 59. This gear assembly 102 has pinions 104 and 106 mounted on threaded rods 56 and 58, respectively, for rotation therewith. Gears 108 and 110 are mounted on partition 59 for rotation with respect thereto, and are arranged meshing with one another and with pinions 104 and 106. A handle 112 is connected to one of the gears, gear 110 being shown in the drawings, to permit manual manipulation of gear assembly 102 to position carriage 64 relative to a tube 54.
To install a dispenser system 10 according to the present invention, dispenser 12 is first mounted on a wall 22 as by screws 26 arranged in slots 24. Modules 14 and 16 may now be hooked onto dispenser 12 as desired. Dispenser housing 38 may now be opened by rotating cover 44 upwardly. A suitable handle (not shown) may be provided for this purpose as desired. A toothpaste tube 54, for example, may now be vertically positioned as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 8, and 9 of the drawings. The tail or upper end of tube 54 is inserted between the two carriage rollers 60 and 62, while the discharge end of tube 54 is inserted into discharge element 52 as by mating screw threads. Discharge element 52 may be in the form of an adapter which is first screwed onto the discharge opening of tube 54 and then inserted into the bore provided in bracket portion 51. In this manner, different size discharge elements 52 may be provided for adapting various size toothpaste tubes to the dispenser.
Basically, toothpaste, and the like, is supplied to toothbrush 94 by simply pushing the bristle end of the toothbrush 94 against surface 96 of projection 80. This causes a displacement of support member 78 which exposes the hole through bracket portion 51 in discharge element 52. Support member 78 serves a dual purpose, in that it provides a stop for the flow of dentifrice after a toothbrush stroke is completed, and it initiates the actuation of the flow of dentifrice onto the toothbrush 94 by its connection with the internal gearing system.
As the sliding support member 78 is pushed inward against spring 88, racks 82 and 84 are pulled into engagement with gear wheels 74 and 76 which in turn rotate the threaded rods 56 and 58. Rotation of the threaded rods transmits circular motion to a linear downward motion of carriage 64. The internal threads of the threaded bores 66 and 68 of carriage 64 mate with the threads of threaded rods 56 and 58 to cause this advance. As carriage 64 moves downward, tube 54, which is arranged between the carriage rollers 60, 62, is squeezed uniformly inward. In this manner, the toothpaste, and the like, is forced out of the opening at the bottom of tube 54 through the discharge element 52 and the opening in bracket portion 51. The stroke of toothbrush 94 is directly aligned with the opening, thus enabling the toothpaste to flow evenly along the length of the brush during the stroke.
As toothbrush 94 is retracted, spring 88 pushes the sliding support member 78 back to its original, or rest, position, thereby stopping the dentifrice flow. Threaded rods 56, 58 will not be rotated on the return stroke of support member 78 due to the mechanism design. Spring 86 forces the two ratchet arms against gear wheels 74, 76 during the dispensing stroke to ensure engagement of racks 82 and 84 with the gear wheels, but the design of the rack and gear wheel teeth causes the racks to ride over the gear wheel teeth against the bias of spring 86 on the return stroke.
To install a new tube 54 in dispenser 12, the old tube is first removed by cranking the gear assembly 102 arranged at the top of the cabinet or housing 38. Racks 82 and 84 should be squeezed by hand toward one another against the bias of spring 86 during this cranking. This disengages the racks from the gear wheels and enables free rotation of the threaded rods such that carriage 64 moves upward to the top of the assembly far enough to remove the used tube. Carriage 64 can now be re-located in a position as required by the size of the new tube or other collapsible container. operated
As can be readily understood from the above description and from the drawings, a dispenser 12 provides a simple, efficient, and easily oeprated and maintained dentifrice dispensing device capable of using standard toothpaste tubes, and the like, while simultaneously providing a dental hygiene dispenser system permitting suitable modules to be readily attached to the dispenser for including appropriate functions in the system as required and desired.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a dispenser system, and particularly to a dispenser for dentifrices and the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It has been proposed to provide dispensers for dentrifrices. In particular, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,004,015, 2,064,357, and 2,712,400, for example, show dispensers using threaded rods as feed screws to advance one or more rollers along a collapsible toothpaste tube when the rods are turned by a suitable actuating mechanism.
The known mechanisms for achieving the desired roller advance, however, are complex in construction, with attendant cost and maintenance problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a clean, efficient, and simple device for applying a dentifrice to a toothbrush.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved mechanism for actuating dispensing rollers used with collapsible containers.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a dental hygiene dispenser system affording sanitary storage of dentifrices, toothbrushes, cups, and the like.
These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by providing in a dispenser: a discharge element for mounting a collapsible container, a pair of rollers arranged engaging the collapsible container for dispensing material from same upon an advance of the rollers along the container, a pair of threaded rods threadingly engaged with a carriage rotatably supporting the rollers, and a mechanism for selectively turning the threaded rods and dispensing material from the container; the improvement wherein the mechanism for turning the threaded rods includes a pair of gear wheels, a gear wheel mounted on a respective threaded rod for rotation therewith, a support member slidably mounted on a dispenser frame and arranged for reciprocating movement with respect thereto, a pair of racks pivotally mounted on the support member and arranged for engaging the gear wheels, and a spring resiliently biasing the racks against the gear wheels, the racks engaging and turning the gear wheels in one direction of movement of the support member and riding over the gear wheels in the return direction of movement.
A further spring is advantageously provided for causing the support member to move in the other direction of movement to the initial, or rest, position of the support member.
An advantageous feature of a dental hygiene dispenser system according to the present invention is the provision of modules suitable for holding toothbrushes, cups, and the like, and having hooks engageable in openings provided on a housing of the dispenser unit.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a dental hygiene dispenser system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an accessory module forming part of a dental hygiene dispenser system according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 6--6 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 7--7 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but showing various elements in a moved position.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view, with some parts removed, taken generally along the line 10--10 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a slidably arrangeable dispenser actuating member according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a dental hygiene dispenser system 10 is formed by a dentifrice dispenser 12 and flanking modules 14 and 16. The modules are mounted on dispenser 12 as by a plurality of hooks 18 provided on modules 14 and 16 and arranged for mating with openings 20 provided on side walls of dispenser 12. These openings 20 are best shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Although modules 14 and 16 are illustrated as holding, for example, cups and toothbrushes, it is to be understood that modules may be provided suitable for holding any appropriate articles as desired.
Dispenser 12 may be mounted on a wall 22 as by slots 24 (FIG. 4) and conventional screws 26. In this manner, dispenser 12 may be conveniently mounted as desired on a, for example, bathroom wall, and the like.
The basic construction of module 16 will now be discussed with reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings. Although only module 16 is being discussed in any detail, it is to be understood that module 14 includes the same basic components as module 16. Module 16 is formed by a frame 28, a rear wall 30, and a door 32 pivotally mounted as by conventional hinges 34. A handle 36 on door 32 facilitates opening and closing of the door. If desired, a conventional latch arrangement (not shown) may be provided for retaining door 32 in a closed position. Hooks 18 may be arranged on a side wall portion of frame 28. The particular side wall portion on which hooks 18 are arranged is discretionary and depended on the ultimate arrangement of modules and dispenser. Further, modules may be hooked to modules in a manner not shown, but similar to that for modules 14 and 16, to increase storage space. Alternatively, wider modules (not shown) may be used.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 10 of the drawings, dispenser 12 has a housing 38 formed by a frame 40, a rear wall 42, and a cover 44 pivotally mounted on wall 42 as by conventional hinges 46. As is best seen from FIG. 3 of the drawings, cover 44 also forms what would otherwise be the top portion of frame 40. The latter does include a floor 48 in which is defined a slot 50, the purpose of which will be set out below.
Floor 48 of frame 40 is provided with a bracket portion 51 provided with an opening into which a discharge element 52 is inserted. A collapsible dentifrice container in the form of a conventional toothpaste tube 54 is arranged with its discharge portion received in a threaded bore of discharge element 52. In this manner, a toothpaste tube 54 is mounted in housing 38.
Tube 54 is engaged for purposes of having toothpaste, and the like, selectively dispensed from it by an arrangement including a pair of threaded rods 56 and 58 arranged in housing 38 extending between floor 48 of frame 40 and a partition 59 forming a false cover or top portion of frame 40. A pair of rollers 60 and 62 are arranged extending between threaded rods 56 and 58 and embracing tube 54. These rollers 60, 62 are rotatably mounted to the threaded rods for being advanced thereby as by a carriage 64 having spaced end portions with threaded bores 66 and 68, and an intermediate bracket portion 70 to which the rollers are rotatably mounted in a conventional manner. As can be readily appreciated from the drawings, threaded bores 66 and 68 are arranged in threaded engagement with threaded rods 56 and 58. A drive train 72 is connected to the threaded rods for selectively turning same and moving rollers 60 and 62 in a plane parallel to the longitudinal extent of the threaded rods.
Drive train 72 has a pair of gear wheels, provided with teeth suitable to the particular operation. Each gear wheel 74, 76 is mounted on a respective threaded rod 56, 58 for rotation therewith. A support member 78 (FIG. 11) is slidably mounted in slot 50 of frame 40, and is arranged for reciprocating movement with respect to floor 48 of frame 40. This support member 78 is provided with a projection 80 arranged extending through slot 50 for being engaged by a toothbrush and moved in a direction turning threaded rods 56, 58 to deposit a quantity of dentifrice on the toothbrush. A pair of racks 82, 84 are pivotally mounted on spaced portions of support member 78, and are arranged for engaging gear wheels 74, 76 due to the influence of a spring 86, which may be a conventional coiled compression spring, resiliently biasing racks 82, 84 against the gear wheels. This arrangement permits racks 82, 84 to engage and turn gear wheels 74, 76 in one direction of movement of support member 78, that direction being away from discharge element 52 along the extent of slot 50, and to ride over gear wheels 74, 76 in the return direction of movement. The return direction of movement may be facilitated by a spring 88, which may be a conventional coiled spring mounted on pin 90 projecting from wall 42 and a pin 92 provided on support member 78.
FIGS. 3 and 9 of the drawings show a toothbrush 94 engaging a surface 96 of projection 80 to move support member 78 in the direction causing a quantity of material, such as a dentifrice, to be dispensed from tube 54. As can best be appreciated from the same figures of the drawings, slot 50 is arranged extending from the centrally located bore in discharge element 52 so that a dentifrice, and the like, will be dispensed on the bristles of a dispenser-actuating toothbrush 94. A pointed edge 97 is provided on sliding support member 78 to cut the dentifrice, and the like, off cleanly when support member 78 is returned to its normal, or rest, position under the bias of spring 88. Bracket portion 51 is provided with a recess matching pointed-edge 97 for matingly receiving the edge, as is shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Projection 80 is sized to pass through the enlarged portion of slot 50, and be retained in the narrower portion.
Bosses 98 and 100 are arranged on floor 48 of frame 40, and are furnished with centrally located bores for receiving a shaft portion of threaded rods 56 and 58. The upper planar surface of bosses 98, 100 form bearing surfaces for gear wheels 74 and 76.
A gear assembly 102, best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, is arranged in housing 38 above partition 59. This gear assembly 102 has pinions 104 and 106 mounted on threaded rods 56 and 58, respectively, for rotation therewith. Gears 108 and 110 are mounted on partition 59 for rotation with respect thereto, and are arranged meshing with one another and with pinions 104 and 106. A handle 112 is connected to one of the gears, gear 110 being shown in the drawings, to permit manual manipulation of gear assembly 102 to position carriage 64 relative to a tube 54.
To install a dispenser system 10 according to the present invention, dispenser 12 is first mounted on a wall 22 as by screws 26 arranged in slots 24. Modules 14 and 16 may now be hooked onto dispenser 12 as desired. Dispenser housing 38 may now be opened by rotating cover 44 upwardly. A suitable handle (not shown) may be provided for this purpose as desired. A toothpaste tube 54, for example, may now be vertically positioned as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 8, and 9 of the drawings. The tail or upper end of tube 54 is inserted between the two carriage rollers 60 and 62, while the discharge end of tube 54 is inserted into discharge element 52 as by mating screw threads. Discharge element 52 may be in the form of an adapter which is first screwed onto the discharge opening of tube 54 and then inserted into the bore provided in bracket portion 51. In this manner, different size discharge elements 52 may be provided for adapting various size toothpaste tubes to the dispenser.
Basically, toothpaste, and the like, is supplied to toothbrush 94 by simply pushing the bristle end of the toothbrush 94 against surface 96 of projection 80. This causes a displacement of support member 78 which exposes the hole through bracket portion 51 in discharge element 52. Support member 78 serves a dual purpose, in that it provides a stop for the flow of dentifrice after a toothbrush stroke is completed, and it initiates the actuation of the flow of dentifrice onto the toothbrush 94 by its connection with the internal gearing system.
As the sliding support member 78 is pushed inward against spring 88, racks 82 and 84 are pulled into engagement with gear wheels 74 and 76 which in turn rotate the threaded rods 56 and 58. Rotation of the threaded rods transmits circular motion to a linear downward motion of carriage 64. The internal threads of the threaded bores 66 and 68 of carriage 64 mate with the threads of threaded rods 56 and 58 to cause this advance. As carriage 64 moves downward, tube 54, which is arranged between the carriage rollers 60, 62, is squeezed uniformly inward. In this manner, the toothpaste, and the like, is forced out of the opening at the bottom of tube 54 through the discharge element 52 and the opening in bracket portion 51. The stroke of toothbrush 94 is directly aligned with the opening, thus enabling the toothpaste to flow evenly along the length of the brush during the stroke.
As toothbrush 94 is retracted, spring 88 pushes the sliding support member 78 back to its original, or rest, position, thereby stopping the dentifrice flow. Threaded rods 56, 58 will not be rotated on the return stroke of support member 78 due to the mechanism design. Spring 86 forces the two ratchet arms against gear wheels 74, 76 during the dispensing stroke to ensure engagement of racks 82 and 84 with the gear wheels, but the design of the rack and gear wheel teeth causes the racks to ride over the gear wheel teeth against the bias of spring 86 on the return stroke.
To install a new tube 54 in dispenser 12, the old tube is first removed by cranking the gear assembly 102 arranged at the top of the cabinet or housing 38. Racks 82 and 84 should be squeezed by hand toward one another against the bias of spring 86 during this cranking. This disengages the racks from the gear wheels and enables free rotation of the threaded rods such that carriage 64 moves upward to the top of the assembly far enough to remove the used tube. Carriage 64 can now be re-located in a position as required by the size of the new tube or other collapsible container. operated
As can be readily understood from the above description and from the drawings, a dispenser 12 provides a simple, efficient, and easily oeprated and maintained dentifrice dispensing device capable of using standard toothpaste tubes, and the like, while simultaneously providing a dental hygiene dispenser system permitting suitable modules to be readily attached to the dispenser for including appropriate functions in the system as required and desired.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.