US1576750A - Dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

March 16 1926.

W. W. KINSLEY DISPENSING DEVICE Filed DBC 6 Wl TIVESSES @45M Ame/ms Petented Met. 1e, 1926.

UNITED STATES i WILLIAM W. KINSLE'Y, 0F JAMESIOWN, KANSAS.

m'srnnsme nEvIcn.

Application med December a, 1922. serial No. 605,244'.

i o'f parts so designed and arranged that the length and diameter of the preferably gen'- erally cylindrical holder are not materially in excess of those of the usual tooth brush handles, fountain pens or the like; and a fountain tooth brush so constructed that the holderis a housing which may be readily opened and which when closed may contain a readily renewable dentifrice tube; that the holder is provided .with a removable housing cap for the bristles of the brush head and .adapted to aid in the performance of a novel sterilizing function relative to the bristle tufts when the brush is not in use, that the extrusionmeans for the denti- 'frice in the dentifrice tube is adapted vto extrude practically 100% of the dentifrice and yet without twisting any of the portions of the tube or connecting any part of the tube to the extrusion means or wrapping any such part around any part-of -th'e extrusion means and indeed solely as the result of rolling and squeezing the tube exactly as such tube is emptied when tube of the familiar kind `is held in the hand; and that the entire instrument is comparatively inexpensive as compared with its manifold advantages.

These advantages, and the invention itself, will be more clearly understood from the following description, when taken in connection with.- the accompanying draw- Y ing showing a preferred embodiment.

ment, with a bristle-protecting cap surround- In said drawingy Fig. 1 is a side elevation of said embodiing the bristles and with such cap shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the brush head, detached; v y

l Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the doublythreaded rotatable feed-tube, partially broken away and partially in section;

' 5 isa transverse section on line 5-5 of Flg. 2;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on line. 6-6 of Fig. 2 5

Fig. 7 1s a transverse section on line l7--7. of Fig. 2, with the generally spherically roller-squeezer in elevation;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the fixed innermost tube; and

Fig. 9 is al perspective view of the squeezer-journalling traveler for the rotatable-feed tube, detached.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the collapsible tube. e

Similar reference characters refer to sim- .ilar parts throughout the several views of the drawing. Referring now particularly to the details of the drawing, the combined handle and outer shell of the new tooth brush is indicated at 9. This member is externally threaded at 10 and 11, so that an internally` threaded cap 12- may be mounted on the outer shell, as indicated in Fig. 1, preferably to tightly seal the bristle-carrying brush head when the brush is' not in use, or as indicated in Fig. 2, to expose the bristle tufts 13.

These tufts, preferably slightly more 'spaced than in the ordinary tooth brush, are

carriedby a shaped hollow brush head 14 providing a dentifrice feeding canal 15 openmg intov a suitable plurality of discharg e orifices 16, arranged in alternation with t e bristle tufts. f A t The brush head has external threads l17 as indicated in Fig. 3, so that the head may be screwed tight into the internally threaded forward or open end of what may be termed the inner xed ,tube 18; since such tube (shown best in Fig. 8) is the innermostpermanent tube of the fountain brush, for directly housing the collapsible and replaceable dentifrice-supplying tube or magazine tube 19. The said tube 18 is fixed to the outer shell 9 by the external threads marked 20 in Fig. 8,. and by means, if desired, of a set screw as indicated at 21 in Fig; 6. The threaded connection between the brush head 14e and the fixed inner tube 18, however, is necessarilyan im ermanent one, since brush head 14 must be disconnected each time a new magazine tube 19 is to be substituted. This .brush head carries an internally-threaded terminal enlargement of canal 15, by means itl of which the usual externally threadedtubes are desirably formed of nickel or an mouth-stem of the magazine tube may be secured as illustrated in Fig. 2. Such mouthstem of the magazine tube is marked 22 1n Figs. 10 and 2, but in Fig. 1() the mouth-stem carries the usual closing cap 23 to be dlscarded before the magazine tube is mounted in the new device as just described. I

In order to facilitate the introduction of a new magazine tubethat is, to permit the tube to be first inserted into-the interior of fixed inner tube 18, and thereupon to secure the brush head 14 into fixed inner tube and onto the mouth-stem of the magazlne tube, at one operation, the magazine tube, 1n addition to being of a more reduced diameter than usual, to fit in the relatively thm fountain brush of the rese-nt invention, carries a transversely projecting pin marked 24 1n Figs. 10 and 6, for reception by a longitudinal slot in the fixed tube marked 25 in Figs. (i and 8. Such arrangement lprevents the ma azine tube from turning'relatively elther to 51e brush head or the fixed inner tube.

The only other parts included in the new device are means for squeezin the magazine tube at any time mounted 1n the brush as just described, that is, for extrudingthe dentrifrice 26 in such magazine tubeinto the canal 15 and thence through the orifices 16 on to the bristle tufts 13. Such means includes the following parts: Between the outer shell 9 and the fixed inner tube 18 directly surroundi the vmagazine tube, 1S a rotatable feed tlile 27, internally doubly threaded as shown most clearly in Fig. A plate-like traveler 28 has at opposlte sldes a series of teeth marked 29 in Fig. 9 for engaging the internal threads of rotatable feed tube 27, so that as the :feed tube is rotated in one direction or the other, the traveler moves axially of the feed tube in one direction or the other. The inner fixed tube 18 is longitudinally slotted on opposite sides as at 30 to permit the movement just described. As shown best. in Fig. 9, the traveler 28 forms at its forward end a yokefixedl suspending a pair of shaft journalling lfixtures 31 for pivotally mounting on a pin 32, a generally spherical member 33, which may be properly termed the rollersqueezer. Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the rotatable feed tube 27, at its rear end, beyond the rear end of the fixed inner tube, carries a reduced generally cylindrical portion 35 revoluble in a similarly shaped hole in the rear end wall of the casing, as shown clearly in Fig. 2. The portion 35 protrudes sufiiciently to permit the mounting thereon of a knurled operating knob-34, by any suitable means, as by the threaded connection and the set screw indicated in Fig. 2. Such knob is housed by the cap 12 when the cap is arranged as shown in Fig. 2.

The cap, casing and various permanent alloy'thereof, in view of the thinness of the parts and the fine threads; and the adj acency of the traveler 28 and pin 32 to the rollersqueezer, which latter member is preferably of rubber, makes it important that these mounting parts should be of a similar metal. Indeed, baser metal parts should be entirely eliminated if the novel hygienic features of the new device are to be preserved. The rubber of the roller-squeezer should be fairly hard to act in a p-roper manner; and a rubber like that used for the rollers of clothes-wringers is recommended.

Operation.

Normally, the new device is stored or carried, as in the pocket, like a fountain pen, due to its smoothly cylindrical shape and generally small dimentions rendered possible by the combination of parts present, with the cap afiixed as in Fig. 1. When it is desired to use the tooth brush, the cap is removed, the knob is turned sufficiently to move the roller-squeezer from the full-line position in Fig. 2 toward the broken line position thereof, the cap is screwed on the rear end of the outer shell of the handle as in Fig. 2, and the brush used in the ordinary way.y When the contents ofthe magazine tube have been completely extruded, the knob is turned in the reverse direction to retract the roller-squeezer all the way, the brush head 14 is unscrewed from the handle proper, thus disengaging the brush head from the outer shell, and the empty magazine tube is dropped out by tilting the device, a new magazine tube is inserted` and the brush head is secured in place again, simultaneously screwing up the latter into the outer shell and on to the new magazine tube.

These additional comments may be made: The journalling fixtures or wings 31 of Fig. 9 are preferably spherical cones, that is, have rounded outermost surfaces forming relatively minute yet smooth continuations of the exterior of the roller-squeezer, and

do the final work of completely emptying the magazine tube when the rubber roller is moved to the left from the position shown in Fig. 2 and on to the double walls of the magazine tube. The combination of these inelastic spherical cones and the resiliently compressible roller makes it veryeasy to turn the knob 34 and at the same time insures that the very last vestige of dentifrice will be extruded from each longitudinal subdivision of the magazine tube as the roller passes over the same. Thev roller has been described as substantially spherical, but the same may be elliptic or any suitable shape, so long as it is crowned sufficiently to act substantially as just -described when the magazine tube is shaped snugly to fit in the inner fixed tube 18. The special magazine v tion.

engaged, as above described` is not nicessary. Further, the magazine tube is preferably shaped in side elevation as indicated at `35 in Fig. 2, contrary to the conventional double taper of such device, to facilitate complete extrusion of the dentifrice as above described, all the way from the ex-l treme tapered end of the tube. It will thus be seen that there has been provided a device well adapte-d to attain all the ends and objects of the invention hereinabove indicated, `but before closing this specification some recommendations should be made, directly related to the kindv of dentifrice to be used to obtain all the anticipated benefits of the device. It is of course understood that the dentrice recommended cannot be claimed herein, and that the claims appended must necessarily be limited to theI new structural combinations provided. Nevertheless, one lof the principal objects of the present invention is to furnish a truly and attractively hygienic dental instrument to encourage more regular cleaning ofand attention 'to the teeth than heretofore; as is now generally recognized to be one of the fundamental requisites for insuring the general health of mankind. Recalling then that the parts are so designed that when the cap 12 is arranged as in Fig. 1, the brush head 14 is intended to be tightly air-sealed to the joint between the cap and main casing, the

dentifrice supplied in the lmagazine tube should contain enough alcohol (or thymol,"

or any other suitable volatile ingredient) so that the fumes there from maintain ,the brush` when it is tightly covered bythe cap as in Fig. 1, in a sterile or asceptic condi- Also the content of pumice stone, chalk or similar cakable substance should not be excessive; but this diminution of abrasives is desirable, as prolonging the integrity of the teeth enamel. Further, of. course, the chemistry of the dentrifrice should be such as to show no reaction tothe metal parts of the device which it may pos;

sibly contact. As to the alcohol content, it

may be explained that alcohol is so much more volatile 'than water, that suiicient alcohol fumes will always be set up, not only to fill the cap interior, ybut to be absorbed by the Water in the bristles, which should be washed, but left wet after each brushing perfectly asceptic condition despite their wetness. I

If the bristles may be kept wet, and yet sterile, that condition is of course ideal. It is ver likely that with the cap closed `an intere ange occurs between the two liquids, the water in the bristles and the alcohol, but

with the Water taking up more alcohol than the alcohol takes up water; as a yresult of which, each time the cap is removed for using the brush, the bristles will be found to be saturated with. a dilute solution of alcohol and water, thus minimizing the usual distaste for using a tooth brush with wet bristles. Any dentifrice to attain the foregoing or analogous advantages mayy of course be used.

Specific dimensions and other incidental characteristics of the various parts would be here given in detail, in addition to the foregoing, were it not thought that this'specification would be verbose beyond warrant, and beyond the requirement of the statute as to the full, clear and exact disclosure required.

It is obviousthat the various materials, shapes and dimensions of the elements of the deviceare'immaterial to the present invention, within the scope of protection contemplated by the appended claims; as the structural details of the drawing are only illustrative of a possible way of carrying out the invention. n

I claim: t

1. In a device of the kind described, a tubularcasing adapted to receive a collapsible tube, a rotatable device movable length- Wise of the casing to squeeze the collapsible tube transversely, a threaded tube surrounding'said rotatable squeezing device and fixed against endwise movement and rotatable in opposite directions to .advance and retract the rotatable device longitudinally of the casing.

2. In a device of the character described, an inner and an outer tubular casing, said inner casing adapted to receive a collapsible tube, means movable longitudinally of the innerl casing to squeeze the tube therein, and means disposed between the inner and youter casing and operable vfrom the exterior of the teeth, to maintain said bristles in a the rotatable sleeve.

the character described,

4. In a device of the kind described, a tu bular casing adapted to receive a collapsible tube, a rotatable device adapted to squeeze said collapsiblev tube transversely and comprising a substantially spherlca-l rubber roller, auxiliary squeezing instrumentalities disposed at the opposite ends of the axis of said rotatable squeezing device and adapted to act in addition to said roller during its entire extruding travel, and means operable from the exterior of said casing for moving the squeezing device lengthwise of the casing.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein the auxiliary squeezing instrumentalities comprise journaling means for the opposite ends of the axis of the rubber squeezing roller, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein the auxiliztry squeezing instrumentalities comprise journa'lling means for the opposite ends of the ueezing roller, said journals including sp erical cones, as and for the purpose set forth.

WILLIAM W. KINSLEY.

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