Toothbrush with integral toothpaste dispenser

Abstract

The present application is directed towards a toothbrush which provides an integral toothpaste dispenser. The toothbrush is configured to allow the user to selectively apply amounts of toothpaste to the user's teeth. Generally, the toothbrush handle contains an internal cavity which is configured to store toothpaste. The toothpaste is dispensed by squeezing the handle, thereby compressing the internal cavity moving a portion of the toothpaste from the internal cavity to the head of the toothbrush via a conduit. The internal cavity can be refilled with toothpaste by way of an inlet located at the bottom of the handle assembly.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A toothbrush for applying a toothpaste to a dental surface, the toothbrush comprising:
 a handle assembly comprising:
 a body portion having an internal cavity for storing the toothpaste, the body portion comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end has a top orifice communicating with the internal cavity and the bottom end has a bottom orifice communicating with the internal cavity, the top orifice for discharging toothpaste from the internal cavity and the bottom orifice for refilling the internal cavity with toothpaste; and 
 an end cap which operably couples with the bottom end of the body portion in order to close the bottom orifice; 
   a head assembly attachably removable to the handle assembly comprising:
 a shoulder portion having an inlet operably configured to couple with the top end top orifice of the body portion; 
 a neck portion; 
 a head portion providing an outlet and a matrix of bristles surrounding the outlet; and 
 a conduit extending between the shoulder portion inlet and the head portion outlet for transferring the toothpaste stored in the internal cavity of the body portion to the head portion; 
 wherein the conduit integrally extends through the shoulder portion, the neck portion, and the head portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom end of the body portion comprises an external threading and the end cap comprises an internal threading which is operably configured to couple with the bottom end external threading, thereby the end cap is operably attachably removable to the body portion bottom end. 
     
     
         3 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder portion attaches with the top end of the body portion by way of a rotation friction type fit. 
     
     
         4 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the head further comprises a bristle surface, wherein the outlet is positioned approximate the center of the bristle surface. 
     
     
         5 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , further comprising a tongue scraper having an abrasive surface positioned on a rear side of the head portion opposite of the bristles. 
     
     
         6 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover configured to shroud over the head assembly coupling with the shoulder portion of the head assembly. 
     
     
         7 . A toothbrush for applying a toothpaste to a dental surface, the toothbrush comprising:
 a handle assembly comprising:
 a body portion having an internal cavity for storing the toothpaste, the body portion comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end has a top orifice communicating with the internal cavity and the bottom end has a bottom orifice communicating with the internal cavity, the top orifice for discharging toothpaste from the internal cavity and the bottom orifice for refilling the internal cavity with toothpaste; 
 an end cap which operably couples with the bottom end of the body portion in order to close the bottom orifice, wherein the end cap rotates onto the bottom end of the body portion via each of the bottom end and the end cap having respective reciprocating threading; 
   a head assembly attachably removable to the handle assembly comprising:
 a shoulder portion having an inlet operably configured to couple with the top end top orifice of the body portion, wherein the shoulder portion attaches with the top end of the body portion by way of a rotation friction type fit; 
 a neck portion; 
 a head portion providing an outlet and a matrix of bristles surrounding the outlet; and 
 a conduit extending between the shoulder portion inlet and the head portion outlet for transferring the toothpaste stored in the internal cavity of the body portion to the head portion; 
 wherein the conduit integrally extends through the shoulder portion, the neck portion, and the head portion. 
   
     
     
         8 . The toothbrush of  claim 7 , wherein the head further comprises a bristle surface, wherein the outlet is positioned approximate the center of the bristle surface. 
     
     
         9 . The toothbrush of  claim 8 , further comprising a tongue scraper having an abrasive surface positioned on a rear side of the head portion. 
     
     
         10 . The toothbrush of  claim 9 , further comprising a cover configured to shroud over the head assembly coupling with the shoulder portion of the head assembly. 
     
     
         11 . A toothbrush for applying a toothpaste to a dental surface, the toothbrush comprising:
 a handle assembly comprising:
 a body portion having an internal cavity for storing the toothpaste, the body portion comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end has a top orifice communicating with the internal cavity and the bottom end has a bottom orifice communicating with the internal cavity, the top orifice for discharging toothpaste from the internal cavity and the bottom orifice for refilling the internal cavity with toothpaste; and 
 an end cap which operably couples with the bottom end of the body portion in order to close the bottom orifice, wherein the end cap rotates onto the bottom end of the body portion via each of the bottom end and the end cap having respective reciprocating threading; 
   a head assembly attachably removable to the handle assembly comprising:
 a shoulder portion having an inlet operably configured to couple with the top end top orifice of the body portion, wherein the shoulder portion attaches with the top end of the body portion by way of a rotation friction type fit; 
 a neck portion; 
 a head portion providing an outlet and a matrix of bristles surrounding the outlet, wherein the head comprises a bristle surface, wherein the outlet is positioned approximate the center of the bristle surface; and 
 a conduit extending between the shoulder portion inlet and the head portion outlet for transferring the toothpaste stored in the internal cavity of the body portion to the head portion; 
 wherein the conduit integrally extends through the shoulder portion, the neck portion, and the head portion. 
   
     
     
         12 . The toothbrush of  claim 11 , further comprising a tongue scraper having an abrasive surface positioned on a rear side of the head portion. 
     
     
         13 . The toothbrush of  claim 12 , further comprising a cover configured to shroud over the head portion coupling with the shoulder portion of the head assembly.