Toothbrush Having Internal Toothpaste Storage and Dispensing Capability

Abstract

A toothbrush constructed to store and dispense the toothpaste directly onto a brushing head is described. The toothbrush comprises a handle and brushing head. The handle contains a toothpaste storage area fluidly coupled to one or more toothpaste dispensing members located within the brushing head.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability comprising:
 a handle portion having a first end, a second end and a main body separating said first and said second end, said main body having a plurality of surfaces arranged about a space thereby forming a handle interior region, said handle interior region sized and shaped to receive and store a material therein;   a brush head portion fluidly connected to said handle portion, said brush head portion having a first brush head end, a second brush head end, and a brush head body separating said first brush head end and said second brush head end, said brush head body having a plurality of surfaces interconnected to form a brush head interior region, at least one fluid dispensing component, and at least one tooth cleaning member.   
     
     
         2 . The toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability according to  claim 1  wherein said handle interior region includes a lumen sized and shaped to store said material therein. 
     
     
         3 . The toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability according to  claim 1  wherein said material is toothpaste. 
     
     
         4 . The toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one tooth cleaning member is a toothbrush bristle. 
     
     
         5 . The toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one fluid dispensing component is an opening sized and shaped to allow a material within said brush head interior region to be dispensed to an outer surface of said brush head body. 
     
     
         6 . The toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability according to  claim 1  wherein said brush head body comprises a plurality of fluid dispensing components. 
     
     
         7 . The toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability according to  claim 1  wherein said brush head body comprises at least one fluid passageway for transporting a material to an outer surface of said brush head body. 
     
     
         8 . The toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability according to  claim 1  wherein said brush head body comprises a plurality of fluid passageways for transporting a material to an outer surface of said brush head body. 
     
     
         9 . The toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one fluid dispensing component is fluidly coupled to said at least one fluid passageway. 
     
     
         10 . The toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability according to  claim 1  wherein said handle portion is made of a flexible or bendable material. 
     
     
         11 . The toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability according to  claim 1  wherein said handle portion comprises an outer portion made of a rigid material and an inner portion made of a flexible or bendable material. 
     
     
         12 . The toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability according to  claim 1  wherein said handle portion further comprises a mechanical actuator for moving a material stored within said handle portion interior to said brush head portion. 
     
     
         13 . The toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability according to  claim 12  wherein said mechanical actuator includes a material transport assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability according to  claim 13  wherein said material transport assembly includes a platform constructed and arranged to move about a threaded rod. 
     
     
         15 . The toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability according to  claim 14  wherein said platform is movably coupled to an adjustment knob. 
     
     
         16 . The toothbrush having internal storage and dispensing capability according to  claim 13  wherein said platform is movably coupled to a motor.