Ergonomic Toothbrush Storage and Toothpaste Dispensing System with Special Applicability to Persons with Limited Use of Hands or Arms

Abstract

An innovative ergonomic toothbrush holder and toothpaste dispensing system that is particularly useful and helpful for people with limited motion in their hands and arms. This system allows the toothbrush to remain upright in a hygienic enclosure and further allows an individual to easily uncover the toothbrush and apply toothpaste with one hand. The present invention has the further attribute of storage in a hygienic enclosure that is also suitable for travel.

1 . An innovative ergonomic toothbrush holder and toothpaste dispensing system that is particularly useful for people with limited motion in their hands and arms, comprising:
 a. toothbrush,   b. a closed lower cylinder,   c. a movable upper shell apparatus that can open and close at the top,   d. various mechanisms within the closed lower cylinder and movable upper shell that allow the toothbrush to emerge from an opening in the movable upper shell, and   e. a base with a metallic top which also serves as a mechanism for removing the top from a toothpaste tube.   
     
     
         2 . A system as in  claim 1  where the toothbrush can mechanically move up and down within the movable shell and protrude from an opening at the top of the movable upper shell. 
     
     
         3 . A system as in  claim 1  where there is a strong magnet fixed in the bottom of the closed lower cylinder. 
     
     
         4 . A system as in  claim 1  where the various mechanisms allow the toothbrush to move up in the upper shell as the upper shell is lifted, lock the toothbrush in place, and allow the toothbrush to protrude through the opening in the top of the movable upper shell as the movable upper shell is lowered. 
     
     
         5 . A system as in  claim 1  where the closed lower cylinder is held firm to the base by the magnet in the bottom of the cylinder. 
     
     
         6 . A system as in  claim 1  where the opening in the top of the movable upper shell is closed and opened by movement of a flexible closure device. 
     
     
         7 . A system as in  claim 1  where all functions can be performed with one hand. 
     
     
         8 . A holder to be used in conjunction with a toothbrushing system that is made of metal, wood, or strong plastic 
     
     
         9 . A holder as in  claim 8  where the holder is in the shape of a closed cylinder or closed inverted truncated conic section. 
     
     
         10 . A holder as in  claim 8  where the holder has a ferrous top that will attract a magnet. 
     
     
         11 . A holder as in  claim 8  where there is contains a hole in the top or side that is sized to accommodate the cap of a toothpaste tube and that has raised ridges that can grip the cap of a toothpaste tube and allow a user to unscrew the cap by turning the toothpaste tube. 
     
     
         12 . An innovative ergonomic toothbrush holder that is particularly useful for people with limited motion in their hands and arms, comprising:
 a. toothbrush,   b. a closed lower cylinder,   c. a movable upper shell apparatus that can open and close at the top,   d. various mechanisms within the closed lower cylinder and movable upper shell that allow the toothbrush to emerge from an opening in the movable upper shell, and   
     
     
         13 . A system as in  claim 12  where the toothbrush can mechanically move up and down within the movable shell and protrude from an opening at the top of the movable upper shell. 
     
     
         14 . A system as in  claim 12  where the various mechanisms allow the toothbrush to move up in the upper shell as the upper shell is lifted, lock the toothbrush in place, and allow the toothbrush to protrude through the opening in the top of the movable upper shell. 
     
     
         15 . A system as in  claim 12  where the opening in the top of the movable upper shell is closed and opened by movement of a flexible closure device. 
     
     
         16 . A system as in  claim 12  where all functions can be performed with one hand.