Elastomeric cartridge with slitted nozzle tip

Abstract

A toothbrush having an elongated handle provided at one end with a head comprising a surface from which bristles project in the usual manner. Within and extending longitudinally of the handle is an elongated cartridge chamber terminating at the head end of the handle with an opening communicating at one end with the chamber and at its other end with the bristled surface. The cartridge chamber is adapted to receive therein an elongated, tubular, flattenable, dentifrice cartridge insertable through an opening at the end of the chamber remote from the head. A dispensing member slidable longitudinally of and within the chamber is engageable with the cartridge to flatten such cartridge progressively from the remote end of the handle toward the head end thereof, thereby dispensing the dentifrice into the bristles of the toothbrush through an elastomeric, tubular cartridge tip disposed in the opening in the toothbrush head and extending beyond the bristled surface. The dispensing tip is provided with a peripheral wall of nonuniform thickness in cross section, such peripheral wall being provided adjacent the terminus of the tip, and within the bristles of the toothbrush head, with a self-closing slit extending longitudinally of the tip. In one form, the peripheral wall of the tip, when viewed in cross section, comprises nonconcentric inner and outer substantially circular walls, the slit being formed in the thinnest portion of the peripheral wall to facilitate opening of the slit in response to the development of pressure in the dentifrice by the slide member. In another form, the peripheral wall of the tip has a substantially circular outer cross section and a laterally elongated inner cross section with the slit being formed in one of the thicker portions of the peripheral wall for the same purpose.