US3100065A - Holder for pressurized toothpaste dispensers - Google Patents

Description

1963 H. w. GROSS 3,100,065

HOLDER FOR PRESSURIZED TOOTHPASTE DISPENSERS Filed Aug. 3, 1960 Hilbert M. Gross INVENTOR.

BY Wm 3,169,065 HOLDER FSR PRESSURTZED TGOTHEPASTE DISPENSERS Hilbert W. Gross, 1311 Hamilton St, Allentown, Pa. Filed Aug. 3, 1960, Ser. No. 47,246 1 Claim. (or. 22218tl) This invention relates to an improved support and holder for a pressurized can of paste-like material, for example, toothpaste or the like. This holder is especially, but not necessarily, designed and appropriately adapted for use by children who, under prevailing practice, find it diflicult to properly handle and operate currently used pressure-type cans.

Unlike cans which require shaking before use, toothpaste and similar dispensing cans must be held upright when being used. In fact, it is important as the printed directions specify, that the can must stand upright for effective and economical use. Manifestly, youngsters are prone to disregard instructions. It follows that the instant invention is such in construction and mode of use that it will satisfactorily solve the problem.

Briefly summarized, a preferred embodiment of this invention has to do with a vertically elongated can holder herin described as a receiver. The receiver is provided with a receptacle portion and the can is removably fitted therein. A horizontal base is provided to firmly seat the can in its intended upstanding dispensing position. The lever has one end pivoted atop the holder so that the lever may swing in a vertical arc or path about horizontal pivoting axes. The other and free end of the lever has a suitable handle or finger-piece. A median portion of the lever has means to depress and operate the valve means, usually a so-called push-button at the top of the can.

The invention features a lever of novel shape and form. This lever provides a suitably accessible easy-to-use finger-grip or handle, the purpose of which is self-evident even to youngsters. Therefore, all that the user has to do is to push the finger-piece down to trip the valve or push-button on the dispenser. This can be done with one hand and the toothbrush can be held underneath the discharge nozzle with the other hand. Consequently the user does not have to bother with any special directions or instructions of how to go about using the dispensing can.

The invention is also desirable in that it is preferably provided with a bracket or suitable attaching means whereby the holder with the can located therein is constantly in vie-w and therefore provides the desired daily reminder to brush ones teeth regularly. Instead of having to reach into the medicine cabinet or elsewhere, the user finds the can ready for instant use. It follows, as experience has shown, that users brush more often because of the convenience and aid which the instant invention offers. Also, since there are no instructions to confuse youngsters the can is always situated in the intended and properly usable upright position.

It is believed that this invention will be adopted for use in motels and hotels where more sanitary and personalized service will be offered to guests.

Then too, novelty is predicated on the incorporation in the wall portion of the receiver of simple and expedient conveniently located hooks which may be employed as tooth brush holders. In fact, the holders herein disclosed are highly suitable for the type of a brush which has a rubber tip for interdental stimulation, most types of holders now in use being unsatisfactory for this type of a toothbrush.

In addition, it is an objective to provide a type of a holder which can be so made that it will be restricted to the use of a particular brand of toothpaste. That is to "ice say, the holder can be made to fit only the one brand can. Hence, the company selling that particular brand could afford to commercialize the companion holder to the advantage of the promoting company.

Then too, novelty is predicated on the adoption and use of a holder which lends itself to production from colorful commercial plastic materials, ceramics, or stainless steel. Consequently, this promotional aspect of the overall concept will help to spread the popularity of toothpaste in pressurized cans suitable as a permanent bathroom fixture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a holder constructed in accordance with the invention and showing how the can of toothpaste is used in conjunction therewith.

FIG. 2 is a central vertical sectional view through the holder with the toothpaste can appearing in phantom lines.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view with the can removed.

Although the body portion of the holder may be aptly described using terminology other than that adopted here, the holder proper is here designated as a receiver. However, it could be called a container if so desired. In any event, the numeral 6 designates a vertically elongated receptacle-type receiver having a fiat bottom 8 constituting a base for the bottom of the insertable and removable pressurized can of toothpaste 10. A vertical elongated wall 12 which may be said to be substantially circular in cross-section is attached to and rises from the bottom or base. It will be noticed that the central front portion of the wall is cut away to provide an opening or slot 14 which exposes the can. The rear upper portion 16 of the wall has a slot 18 formed therein to accommodate the adjacent end portion 20 of the aforementioned handleequipped lever 22. This portion of the lever is provided with journals or pins 23 journaled for operation in bearings 24 provided therefor on opposite sides of the slot 18. The lever has its median portion twisted as at 26 to provide a handle portion 28 and the free end of the handle portion terminates in a suitable finger-piece or grip 30. This grip 30 is desirable in that it projects well out beyond the open front and it will be self-evident, even to a child, that its purpose is to be that of a handle or finger-grip. The portion 32 of the handle has a depending flange 34 which is attached to and carries a disk-like plate 36 which is herein described as a depressor for the push-button means 38 at the top of the can 10 which means serves, as is obvious, to open the valve and to permit the toothpaste to discharge through the nozzle 41 It is important to note particularly in connection with FIG. 2 that when the can 10 is in position in the receptable portion of the holder or receiver the depressor 36 is of course spaced vertically above but at about 12 to the plane of the base or bottom 8. Also, the angle and shape of the flange 34 is such that the depressor 36 occupies a fil'rn position and directly atop the push-button after the lever has been depressed. Depressor 36 must be at an angle of about 12 so that the back edge of the plate strikes push-button first at rear of button because push-button is affixed at front of can. This will allow lighter pressure to express contents of can. The depressor is circular or disk-like as is the button 38 and it is of a diameter less than the button as is clear from FIG. 1. The lever, as a unit, is at an oblique angle to the horizontal position of the depressor 36. Stated otherwise, the lengthwise axis of the lever is at a 15 angle. This is important in that the slight downward movement of the lever when it is being operated imposes the operating pressure of the depressor 36 properly and suitably. The length of the bracket will vary depending upon the type of material used in manufacturing this item. The more rigid the material the smaller the bracket needed. If a plastic is' used a longer bracket is necessary to prevent give or bending of the unit when-pressure is applied. The length maybe as long as the container itself. Likewise if a metal such as stainless steel is used a smaller bracket such as indicated on the drawings may be used.

While it is within the purview of the invention to set the holder on a sink, drainboard or other handy surface it is preferred that it be mounted in asuspended easily accessible position. To this end, an attaching bracket or fixture 42 is provided. This bracket has a central U- shaped portion (FIG. 3) 44 which is secured to the median back portion of the Wall 12 as'shown in FIG. 2. The length of the bracket is such that attaching earsor wings 46 are provided and these have holes 48 therein to accommodate attaching screws (not shown). Obviously, it is within the purview of the invention to dispense with screws and to apply adhesive media on the attachable surfaces of the ears so that the bracket may be glued in place.

It will alsobe noticed that the diametrically opposite top edges 50 incline downwardly and forwardly toward the slot or opening 14. Then too, tongues 52 are struck out and bent upon themselves into general C-shaped form and these constitute and provide satisfactory tooth brush holders as is believed to be self-evident.

The fact is, that all of the features adopted and used here are more or less in the self-evident category. In other words, when one purchases this holder he will know at once how to install it without any complicated or confusing directions. It will be evident that the receiver provides a sort of a container for the can it and the can can be readily inserted and removed. The container being only slightly larger in diameter than the can, so there will be case of removing, and when placing in position it will be held in proper position so the depressor button will be properly and easily in position to require no other adjustment or positioning outside of having nozzle in the front. Once the can is in position and the lever has been raised up to assume the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device is ready for use. In fact, all that is necessary is to make sure that the depressor 36 rests firmly and properly on the push-button 38. Then, and

after that, all that one has to do is to press the fingerpiece 30 down in order to depress the button 38.

Although but two toothbrush holders 52 are shown it will be understood that additional and similar holders may, if desired, be provided.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly tall suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the-invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

In combination, a vertically cylindrical receiver having a flat circular horizontal base portion and a cylindrical vertical wall, said wall having a vertical front slot, a can of pressurized dental cream confined removably in the receiver, said can standing upright on the base portion and being partially encompassed by the Wall and exposed to view by way of said slot, said receiver being the only means for maintaining said can in a stationary upright position, and a vertically pivoted lever mounted atop the Wall of said receiver, said mounting including a circular opening formed by rearwardly curling the upper edge of said wall, a slot which is perpendicular to said opening to receive the end .of said pivoted lever to be mounted, and a pin lodged in said circular opening and passing through said mounted end of the lever for pivotally retaining such end in relation to the receiver, said lever having a handle at its free swingable end and being disposed, when in use, at an upwardly inclined oblique angle, the upper end of said can having a valve tripping button spaced vertically from the plane of said base, and

the medial portion of said lever having a button depresser resting atop the button, an attaching and supporting bracket carried by a rearward upper central portion of said wall, and upper edge portions of said wall curved to form toothbrush holders.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Meuwly Dec. 19, 196 1

Images