Capsular toothpaste container and dispenser

Abstract

A toothpaste capsule which includes a capsular wall defining an interior storage space. The capsular wall can be composed of a material that allows the wall to be flexible and/or pliable, i.e., such that the capsular wall can be deformed. The capsular wall can also include a toothpaste dispensing pathway. The toothpaste dispensing pathway may be extendable through the capsular wall such that when a pressure at or exceeding a threshold pressure is applied to the toothpaste capsule, the toothpaste dispensing pathway can allow toothpaste to flow to an area exterior to the capsule. The toothpaste dispensing pathway may be defined by a predetermined area of weakness within the capsular wall, such as an incision in the capsular wall.

1 . A toothpaste capsule, comprising: 
 a capsular wall defining an interior storage space substantially filled with toothpaste; and    a predetermined area of weakness within the capsular wall, the predetermined area of weakness being substantially intact when the interior storage space of the toothpaste capsule is below a threshold pressure, thereby confining the toothpaste to the interior storage space, and the predetermined area of weakness rupturing to define an opening for dispensing the toothpaste when a first pressure at or greater than the threshold pressure is applied to the interior storage space of the toothpaste capsular wall,    wherein the threshold pressure is greater than that associated with typical packaging and handling of the capsule prior to use of the toothpaste in an oral hygiene setting, and is a pressure readily applicable by a user in an oral hygiene setting.    
   
   
       2 . A toothpaste capsule as in  claim 1 , wherein the capsule is constructed such that deformation of the capsular wall can cause pressure within the interior storage space to meet or exceed the threshold pressure thereby rupturing the wall and dispensing toothpaste.  
   
   
       3 . A toothpaste capsule as in  claim 2 , wherein the threshold pressure is easily applicable via normal grasping strength of a human.  
   
   
       4 . A toothpaste capsule as in  claim 1 , wherein the capsular wall, other than at the predetermined area of weakness, will not rupture at the threshold pressure.  
   
   
       4 . A toothpaste capsule as in  claim 1 , wherein the threshold pressure is about 15 psi.  
   
   
       5 . A toothpaste capsule as in  claim 1 , wherein the threshold pressure is about 20 psi.  
   
   
       6 . A toothpaste capsule as in  claim 1 , wherein the toothpaste capsule is constructed and arranged for a single application of toothpaste.  
   
   
       7 . A toothpaste capsule as in  claim 6 , wherein the toothpaste capsule has an interior storage volume of less than 2 mL.  
   
   
       8 . A toothpaste capsule as in  claim 6 , wherein the toothpaste capsule has an interior storage volume of less than 1.5 mL.  
   
   
       9 . A toothpaste capsule as in  claim 6 , wherein the toothpaste capsule has an interior storage volume of less than 1.0 mL.  
   
   
       10 . A toothpaste capsule as in  claim 6 , wherein the toothpaste capsule has an interior storage volume of less than 0.5 mL.  
   
   
       11 . A toothpaste capsule as in  claim 1 , wherein the capsular wall comprises gelatin.  
   
   
       12 . A toothpaste capsule as in  claim 1 , wherein the capsular wall comprises a polymer.  
   
   
       13 . A toothpaste capsule as in  claim 1 , wherein the capsular wall comprises a biodegradable material.  
   
   
       14 . A toothpaste capsule as in  claim 1 , wherein the capsular wall comprises at least one slit.  
   
   
       15 . A package of toothpaste capsules, comprising: 
 a plurality of toothpaste capsules contained in said package, each of said capsules comprising a non-consumable capsular wall defining an interior storage space substantially filled with a single application of toothpaste,    wherein the plurality of toothpaste capsules are not attached to one another in said package.    
   
   
       16 . A package of toothpaste capsules as in  claim 15 , wherein the toothpaste capsule has an interior storage volume of less than 2 mL.  
   
   
       17 . A package of toothpaste capsules as in  claim 15 , wherein the toothpaste capsule has an interior storage volume of less than 1.5 mL.  
   
   
       18 . A package of toothpaste capsules as in  claim 15 , wherein the toothpaste capsule has an interior storage volume of less than 1.0 mL.  
   
   
       19 . A package of toothpaste capsules as in  claim 15 , wherein the toothpaste capsule has an interior storage volume of less than 0.5 mL.  
   
   
       20 . A package of toothpaste capsules as in  claim 15 , wherein each capsule comprises a wall with a predetermined area of weakness within the capsular wall, the predetermined area of weakness being substantially intact when the interior storage space of the toothpaste capsule is at or below a threshold pressure, thereby confining the toothpaste to the interior storage space, and the predetermined area of weakness rupturing to define an opening for dispensing the toothpaste when a first pressure greater than the threshold pressure is applied to the interior storage space of the toothpaste capsular wall.  
   
   
       21 . A package of toothpaste capsules as in  claim 15 , wherein a plurality comprises at least 20 toothpaste capsules.  
   
   
       22 . A package of toothpaste capsules as in  claim 15 , wherein a plurality comprises at least 7 toothpaste capsules.  
   
   
       23 . A package of toothpaste capsules as in  claim 15 , wherein each toothpaste capsule is constructed and arranged for a single application of toothpaste.  
   
   
       24 . A package of toothpaste capsules as in  claim 15 , wherein the toothpaste capsules do not comprise caps.  
   
   
       25 . A method of dispensing toothpaste, comprising: 
 providing a toothpaste capsule comprising a wall defining an interior storage space substantially filled with toothpaste and a predetermined area of weakness within the wall;    applying a pressure to at least a portion of the wall;    causing the predetermined area of weakness to rupture in response to the pressure applied, thereby forming an opening in the wall; and    allowing toothpaste to flow to an area exterior to the capsule through the opening and onto an oral hygiene device.    
   
   
       26 . A method as in  claim 25 , wherein applying a pressure comprises applying less than or equal to about 10 psi.  
   
   
       27 . A method as in  claim 25 , wherein applying a pressure comprises applying less than or equal to about 20 psi.  
   
   
       28 . A method as in  claim 25 , wherein applying a pressure to the portion of the wall comprises applying a squeezing force.  
   
   
       29 . A method as in  claim 25 , wherein the toothpaste capsule is constructed and arranged for a single application of toothpaste.  
   
   
       30 . A method as in  claim 25 , wherein the toothpaste capsule has an interior storage volume of less than 2 mL.  
   
   
       31 . A method as in  claim 25 , wherein the toothpaste capsule has an interior storage volume of less than 1.5 mL.  
   
   
       32 . A method as in  claim 25 , wherein the toothpaste capsule has an interior storage volume of less than 1.0 mL.  
   
   
       33 . A method as in  claim 25 , wherein the toothpaste capsule has an interior storage volume of less than 0.5 mL.  
   
   
       34 . A method as in  claim 25 , wherein each capsule comprises a wall with a predetermined area of weakness within the capsular wall, the predetermined area of weakness being substantially intact when the interior storage space of the toothpaste capsule is at or below a threshold pressure, thereby confining the toothpaste to the interior storage space, and the predetermined area of weakness rupturing to define an opening for dispensing the toothpaste when a first pressure greater than the threshold pressure is applied to the interior storage space of the toothpaste capsular wall.