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Science: Body: Teeth: Toothbrush
BrushTube   (+3, -3)  [vote for, against]
Why not combine the brush and the paste?

I propose a short toothbrush, say half the length of a normal toothbrush, with a threaded end used to screw onto the cap of a standard tube of toothpaste.

The hollow core of the toothbrush end allows the paste to flow through and out of holes between the bristles.

(picture those dish sponges with dish soap in the handle)

Buy the tube of paste, throw out the cap, and you're ready for a month of hastle-free brushing. Who wants to spend time finding BOTH the brush the paste twice a day, especially when people keep carrying the tube off to who knows where? This way both will always be readily at hand (or should that be 'at tooth'?)

Thanks for looking...
-- victor, Feb 26 2008

it didn't take long to find that there is already a patent pending. http://www.patentst...6685375-claims.html
[xandram, Feb 26 2008]

another http://www.patentst...7004662-claims.html
[xandram, Feb 26 2008]

and more... http://www.freepate...ne.com/6729789.html
[xandram, Feb 26 2008]

Fresh & Go http://www.freshangousa.com/
Billed as a travel toothbrush. [Canuck, Feb 26 2008]

Autoloading Toothbrush by tenebrius Autoloading_20toothbrush
Prior art? [Canuck, Feb 26 2008]

Refillable travel toothbrush https://www.go-ohso.com/about.html
Closer, but not exactly the same. [Canuck, Feb 26 2008]

I think this sounds like a great idea. I bunned it, but am going surfing to see if something like this is around...

I'll get back to you. In the meantime....+
2 mins. later- see links
-- xandram, Feb 26 2008


Not just patented, but Baked (not exactly using a standard tube, but close enough)!

And prior art?
-- Canuck, Feb 26 2008


Thanks for the comments guys. I found some of those links as well prior to posting.

The difference here is that I'm not suggesting a one-use item like Fresh & Go, or a specialized cartridge system. I'm suggesting a threaded end that fits on a standart tube of toothpaste.

Anyway, thanks for the comments.
-- victor, Feb 26 2008


I've seen, but never tried, those travel brushes. My reason was the same as my objection to this. The toothpaste is going to fill up in the bristles. When brushing, I like to get the paste on top of the bristles, just like in the commercials, and push it into my teeth. To get that, this brush is going to take a lot more toothpaste.
-- baconbrain, Feb 26 2008


I can address that problem. Instead of extruding at the bristle level add a few of those flexi-fingers but make them hollow. The paste extrudes through these capillaries thus not globing up the bristles.
-- WcW, Feb 26 2008


//I can address that problem// hee hee - that sounds so english, I bet its not.
-- po, Feb 26 2008



random, halfbakery