Toothbrush with a Toothpaste Dispenser

Abstract

Disclosed is a toothbrush with a built-in toothpaste dispenser. In one embodiment, the toothbrush includes a tubular body portion having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a toothbrush head having openings that are in fluid communication with a reservoir disposed within the body portion, wherein the reservoir is adapted to store toothpaste therein. The second end includes a dispensing mechanism having a piston that extends into the reservoir. The piston is connected to a piston rod, which is adapted to drive towards the first end of the body portion when rotatably engaged via a knob. In this way, the piston can be operated move the toothpaste through the reservoir and toward the toothbrush head.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A toothbrush with a toothpaste dispenser, comprising:
 a hollow body portion having a first end, a second end, and a reservoir in which a substance may be stored;   said first end having a toothbrush head having one or more openings thereon;   said second end having a dispensing mechanism;   said reservoir in fluid communication with said one or more openings;   wherein said substance within said reservoir is dispensed through said one or more openings when said dispensing mechanism is rotatably engaged.   
     
     
         2 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap that can be removably attached to said first end. 
     
     
         3 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein said substance comprises toothpaste. 
     
     
         4 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensing mechanism comprises:
 a piston rod having a piston attached at an upper end thereof;   said piston having a cross section with a diameter;   wherein said diameter of said cross section of said piston is substantially equal to a diameter of a cross section of said reservoir such that said piston fits tightly within said reservoir to move said contents;   a support rod for threadably securing said piston rod therein;   wherein said piston rod can move up and down within said support rod when said support rod is rotatably engaged.   
     
     
         5 . The toothbrush of  claim 4 , wherein said dispensing mechanism further comprises a knob attached to a lower end of said support rod. 
     
     
         6 . The toothbrush of  claim 4 , further comprising a stopper disposed between said piston and an upper end of said support rod. 
     
     
         7 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein each of said one or more openings comprises a gasket therearound. 
     
     
         8 . The toothbrush of  claim 7 , wherein said gasket comprises a plurality of flaps disposed around a perimeter of each of said one or more openings;
 said plurality of flaps adapted to automatically open when said contents are dispensed through said one or more openings.   
     
     
         9 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein each of said one or more openings is a one-way opening to prevent said contents from re-entering said one or more openings.