Toothpaste dispenser

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube, such as a toothpaste tube. The toothpaste dispenser includes dual arms affixed to the tube that are used to reposition the contents of the tube and maintain the tube in modified configurations. The toothpaste dispenser of embodiments of the present invention allows for the product contained in the tube to be more readily compressed and dispensed from the tube relative to manual compression alone, thereby leaving less product in the tube when the tube is discarded.

1 . An apparatus for dispensing the contents of a compressible tube, comprising:
 a compressible tube configured to contain toothpaste, wherein said tube comprises a nozzle and an opposing sealed end; and   dual arms comprising at least two bendable segments and at least two unbendable segments, wherein said dual arms are permanently affixed to said sealed end, wherein said dual arms are configured to selectively reposition the toothpaste within said tube, and wherein said dual arms are configured to manipulate and maintain the configuration of said tube.   
     
     
         2 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said dual arms comprise a polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said dual arms comprise mating hook and loop fastener strips. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising hook and loop strips affixed to said tube, wherein said mating hook and loop fastener strips and hook and loop strips engage each another to maintain the configuration of said tube. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for dispensing the contents of a compressible tube, comprising:
 a compressible tube configured to contain toothpaste, wherein said tube comprises a nozzle and an opposing sealed end; and   a single-component reinforcement rod, wherein said reinforcement rod comprises a slit running partially lengthwise therein for selectively repositioning the toothpaste within said tube and engaging and manipulating the configuration of said tube, wherein said tube is positioned within said slit, and wherein said reinforcement rod comprises dual bendable portions.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said reinforcement rod is permanently affixed to said sealed end of the tube. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said reinforcement rod is releasably affixed to said sealed end of the tube.