US2468733A - Teeth cleaning unit - Google Patents

Description

May 3, 1949. M. BOULICAULT TEETH CLEANING UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 24, 1946 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS May 3, 1949.

Filed A ril 24, 1946 15 4 M /le M. BOULICAULT TEETH CLEANING UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VINVENT OR figam/ .Zoubkaq/Z ATTORNEYS Patented May 3, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

' This invention relates to improved teeth cleaning units and more particularly to a teeth cleaning assembly containing a tooth brush and all accessories for the proper care of the teeth assembled together in a compact and attractive unit I ordinarily carried by the individuals or otherwise are not conveniently available or accessible throughout the day. 7

It is the purpose of this invention to provide a teeth cleaning assembly which presents a compact, convenient and attractive unit. The dentifrice is contained in a dispenser holder sanitarily housed within a sealed and dust-proof compart ment in the handle section of the unit. In the particular form of the invention shown in this applicatiomthe brush section may also be sanitarily housed within the handle section, and may be readily detached from and reattached to the handle section in use position to provide a convenient instrumentality tothoroughly clean the teeth. The unit may be equipped with a compartment for containing a drying agent for drying the brush bristles. The drying agent may also have incorporated therein a sterilizing compound effective to sterilize the brush bristles when in housed position within the handle section. The sterilizing compartment may be associated with either the handle section or the brush section, and is provided with passages in direct communi cation with the brush compartment to eiiect thorough drying of the brush bristles in a short interval of time.

A dental floss receptacle may also form a part of the unit, and may be associated with either the dentifrice holder or the brush section of the unit. Various forms of dentifrice holders may be provided for containing dentifrice in powdered, paste or stick form, each holder being designed for interchangeable association with the teeth cleaning unit. Each holder is constructed so that the contained dentifrice when not in use may be housed in the tubular handle section of the unit,

with the holder providin a closure cap for the end of the tubular handle section.

The Complete unit, including the tooth brush and teeth cleaning accessories, is assembled in a compact and sturdy manner and is of such size and form that it may be conveniently carried in the pocket or purse. The unit and the parts thereof may be formed of plastics or metal, and may be molded or shaped into various attractive forms. The unit is so constructed that the brush bristles are fully protected from dirt, contamination and damages and may be maintained at all times in a thoroughly sanitary condition. Teeth cleaning units, constructed in accordance with this invention, encourage and make convenient the proper cleaning and care of the teeth.

In order that a clearer understanding of this invention may be had, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the improved teeth cleaning unit showing all of the parts thereof in contained assembled position.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the unit showing the parts thereof in detached position, some of the parts being shown in cross section and other parts in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross sectional view of the unit as viewed in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the dentifrice holder designed to contain a dentifrice stick, and a detachable receptacle associated therewith designed to contain a spool of dental floss.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the unit as viewed in the direction of the arrows 55 of Figs. 1 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of an assembled teeth cleaning unit of modified form and wherein the drying compartment is associated with the brush section of the unit.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of another modified form of teeth cleaning unit wherein the dental floss receptacle is associated with the brush section of the unit.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view, partly in section, of the modified unit shown in Fig. 7, and

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a teeth cleaning unit of more simplified form.

Similar reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings and specification.

The improved teeth cleaning unit made in accordance with this invention comprises a brush crystals 13.

section I detachably and reversibly secured to one end of a tubular handle section '2. The tubular handle section 2 has a brush compartment a. designed to receive and house the brush portion of the brush section. The tubular handle section I is also provided with a compartment b designed to receive and contain a dentifrice holder 3. The tubular handle section 2 may comprise a relatively straight section of tubing formed either of plastic or metal, and may be circular, elliptical or polygonal in cross section. One end of the tubular handle section may be provided with internal threads or a friction surface lfi by means of which the brush section may The opposite end of the tubular handle section 2 is also provided with internal threads or a friction surface H by means of which the dentifrice holder 3 may be detachably secured to the handle section. The brush compartment 0. and the dentifrice compartment bof the tubular handle section are separated by 'a transverse partition wall 12 so that there is no communication between the brush co'mpart'r'nnt'a. and the dentifrice compartment'b.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and *7, the tubular handle section 2 is provided with a drying compartment designed to con- 'tain a drying agent, such as suitable drying The drying compartment 0 is de- 'fined between a partition wall l2 and a perforated wall It spaced from the wan -12, both walls being fixed to the interior surface of the tubular wall of the handle section *2. The perforated wall Hi is provided with small holes or perforations l providing communicating passages between the brush compartmenta and the drying "compartment 0.

The brush section I comprises a stem portion to which one or more rows of brush bristles 21 are firmly secured. Thelower end of the stem portion 20 merges into a base portion 22. The base portion 22 and the stem portion 28 maybe molded from a suitable plastic and the base portion is provided with a circumferentially extending rim portion 23 designed to provide a shoulder which seats against the adjacent end 16 0f the tubular han'dle'section 2.

2:; and being provided with an external friction or threaded surface directly adjacent to the collar portion 23. The friction or threaded surface 25 of the half portion 24 is designed to frictionally engage the threaded or friction surface ID of the handle section 2 to detachabl-y secure the brush section to the handle section 2 when the stem portion '20 and brush bristles 2| are housed within the brush compartment a of the handle section. The other half portion 25 provides an attractive-closure end for the handle section when the brush bristles 2| are housed within the compartment a.

The outer periphery of the half portion 26 is provided with a friction or a threaded surface 21 immediately adjacent to the collar portion 23 to permit attachment of thebrush section I to the handle section -2 when the brush section is in use positionas-indicated in Fig. 2, in which position the half portion 26 will extend into the tubular end of the handle section 2. The base portion 22 of th stem section thus provides'the be detachably and reversibly secured thereto frice stick 30.

upper end 42 or the tion I is The head portion 3|, v the'tubular casing wall '35 of the holder may be .portion3l of the "dehtifrice holder 3.

means for detachably and reversibly securing the stem section I to thehandle section 2 both in housed position as shown in Fig. 1, and in use position as indicated in Fig. 2. The base portion 22 of the handle section is attractively shaped and formed to provide an attractive rounded end for the unit when the brush bristles are in housed position, and also provides an attractive merging connection between the handle section Land the brush stem 29 when the brush section is attached to the handle section in teeth cleaning position.

The dentifrice holder 3 may be constructed in varying forms to best accommodate the dentifrice utilized. In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the

dentifrice holder is designed to contain a dentifrice stick 30.

The dentifrice holder 3 as shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive is provided with an elliptical shaped head portion 3| having an inset shoulder 32 designed to fit snugly against the adiacent'endofthe'handle section 2. A neck portion 33 extends fromth'e shoulder'portion 32 and is designed to telescope into the adjacent end of the handle section 2.

The neck portion 33 is provided with a friction or threaded surface 34 designed to cooperate with the friction or threaded surface H of the handle section to detachably secure the dentifrice holder to the handle section.

A tubular casing walk-35 rises from the neck portion 33 and isdesigned to contain the denti- The lower end of thedentifrice stick 30 'is rembva'bly and replaceably supported in a cup shaped elementsifihaving-a bottom wall 31 and a tubular side wall 38 designed to telescope within the tubular casing wall 35. The

cup shaped element 36 is provided with a projecting ear 39 designed to project through and slide within an-elongated slot M! in the tubular casing wall 35. The outer surface M of the projecting ear 39 may be knurled so that it may be easily grasped by the thumb to telescope and manipulate the cup shaped element 3t within the tubular casing wall 35 and thus eject the upper end of the dentifrice stick '30 beyond the v tubular casing wall 35 to the extent requiredto deposit'the desired quantity of dentifrice o'ntlfle brush bristles. It will be appreciated'th atthe dentifrice holder 3 is removable from the handle section 2 so as to conveniently permit'theappli'cation of dentifrice to the brush bristles 2! when the brush secarranged "in teeth cleaning position. the neck portion 33 and economically molded froma suitable plasti'cin one piece. The 'cupelem'ent 36 may also be molded of plasticas desired. "The out'er'surface der forming"wallfladesigned'to seat against the end of the head "portion 3| of the holder. A tubular neck portion 49 extends upwardly from the shoulder 'forming wall "48 of the floss receptacle 45, providing with the dome shaped wall 41 thereof "a suitable containing-cavity for the spool -sertion and removal of the floss "are fully protected fromcontainination.

s of dental floss 46. The tubular neck portion 49 of the floss receptacle extends into a conforming cavity 59 provided in the head portion 3! of the holder, and the neck portion 49 of the floss receptacle may be provided with a suitable thread formation to engage conforming threads 5! surrounding the cylindrical cavity of the head portion 3!. It will be appreciated that the floss receptacle 55 can thus be removably detached from the head portion 3| of the dentifrice holder, as shown particularly in Fig. 2, to permit inspool 46 from the floss receptacle 45.

The dome shaped wall 47 of the floss receptacle may be provided with a small hole 52 through which the floss thread i fi may be withdrawn. The withdrawn floss thread 46' maybe severed to the length desired by drawing the withdrawn floss thread 46' against the cutting" edge of a knife element 53 stamped out from the dome shaped wall 4'! of the floss receptacle. The exterior surface t? of the dome shaped wall 4! may -be suitably knurled to provide a finger grip.

'The teeth cleaning unit illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive provides all the accessories necessary for the proper care'of the teeth. The parts thereof when fully assembled in closed position Moisture left on the brush bristles 2| after the teeth have been cleaned is withdrawn by'the drying action of the drying c ystals It contained with- 1 in the drying compartment directly adjacent the housed brush bristles.

The solid partition wall :2 prevents any moisture moving from the brush compartment a to the dentifrice compartment 1). The unit, with the assembled parts in closed position, provides a convenient instrument for the care of the teeth which can be carried in the pocket or purse. All parts are protected against I 'dust and contamination and the clothing or purse in which the unit is carried is not in an way soiled by contact with the closed'unit.

When the teeth are to be 'cleanedthe base portion 22 of the brush section may be easily manipulated with the fingers to remove the brush section from the handle section 2,the brush section quickly reversed in position, and the half portion 26 inserted into the adjacent end of the handle section and attached thereto to provide a convenient instrument for brushing the teeth. The dentifrice holder 3 is detached from the head section 2 and the desired deposit of dentifrice placed on the brush by manipulating the "cup element 35 which supports the lower end of the dentifrice stick 30. The dentifrice holder can then be replaced and reattached to the handle section. The instrument is then used to clean the teeth and when finished the brush section is detached from the handle section 2, reversed in position, and the half portion 24 associated with the brush stem is inserted into the brush compartment a and the half portion 26 manipulated so that the friction surface of the base portion 22 will firmly engage the friction surface N3 of the handle section.

There is illustrated in Fig. 6 a teeth cleaning unit similar to that illustrated and shown in Figs. 1 and 2, modified to the extent that the drying compartment 0 is contained within the base portion 22 of the brush section. As shown in Fig. 6,

the base portion 22 of the brush section is-made in two parts comprising a containing part 55 to which a dome shaped closure part 55 is detachably secured. The container part 55 comprises adome shaped containing-wall 51 which merges into and is integral with the stem portion 26 of the brush section. The dome shaped containing wall 51 presents an interior cavity providing a compartment 0 for containing the drying crystals iii. The containing wall 57 is provided with a series of small holes or openings 58 providing conducting passages between the brush compartment a of the handle section and the drying compartment c in the brush section. The upper portion of the containing wall 5? is generally cylindrical in form and is provided with a lateral extending exterior rim portion 23 designed to seat against the adjacent end it of the handle section. The containing wall 51 presents a friction or threaded surface 25 directly below the rim portion 23 adapted to engage with the friction or threaded surface I0 of the handle section to detachably secure the brush section in housed position to the handle section. The containing wall 5? is also provided with a friction or threaded surface Lil directly above the rim portion 23 for detachably securing the brush section in use position to the handle sec-tion.

The containing part and the dome shaped cover part 56 of the base portion 22 shown in Fig. 6 may be made from a suitable plastic. The cover part has an 'inturned shoulder portion '56 designed to seat against the upper end of the containing wall 5] and is provided with a plug portion which has a friction or threaded exter: nal surface 62 designed to engage a corresponding friction or threaded surface 63 provided internally of the containing wall 5?. The cover par may be provided with a suitable knurled surface it and may be removed from the containing part 55 to permit insertion of a fresh supply of drying crystals it in the drying compartment c of the brush section.

In the construction shown in 6 it be 0 noted that the base portion 22 presents the same exterior appearance and form as the global portion 22 of the brush section shown in Fig, i and is applied or attached to the handle section 2 in t e same manner. The drying compartment c in the base portion 22 shown in Fig. 6 corn municates as by holes 53 with the brush compartment at of the handle section so that thugh drying of the brush bristles can be effected. It will thus be appreciated that a drying compartment 0 may be provided in the handle section, or in the base portion 32 of the brush section, or in both the handle section and the section, to insure rapid drying of the moistened bristles.

There is shown in Fig. '7 and Fig. 8 a further alternative arrangement wherein the floss receptacle is associated with the base portion 22 of the brush section, rather than with the portion 3! of the dentifrice holder 3 as shown. Figs. 1 to 5 inciusive. The head portion 35 of he dentrifrice holder 3 as shown in Fig. 7 may thus be made substantially solid and without a floss receptacle associated therewith. In associating the floss receptacle with the base portion 22 of the brush section as shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the base portion 22 presents a containing part 65 having an upwardly extending c1 indrical wall 65 providing a spool receiving cavity the The cavity is closed by the floss receptacle having a dome shaped wall 4?, an inturned shoulder forming wall 58 and a tubular wall :39 which extends into the cavity defined by the cylindrical wall 6% of the containing part 65 of the brush section. The containing part 55 of the brush section is provided with a friction or threaded sure -is guided in its verticalmovement bythe face directly'below therimportion 23 adapted to engage the friction surface ID of the handle section to detachably-secure'the brush section in housed-position to the-handle-section. The-eontainingpart 6515 also provided with a threaded --or friction surface-2l directly above therirnportion 2 3 todetachably secure the brush section in use position-to the handle sect-ion. The-floss receptacle-dti may bedetached from the containing .part "55 spool is to of the brush section when afresh floss be inserted. When the brush section is in use position the floss receptacle 45attached to the containing part 65 thereof extends into the tubular handle section-2 without interference.

There is shown inFigs. 7 and 8 a modified form of ejector type holder for supporting and containing the dentifrice stick 30. In this form 'of the invention, the lower end-of the dentifrice stick is supported in a. cup element 3 6 having a bottom wall 31 and a tubular side wall 38. The cup element 36 slides within a tubular sleeve 35 fixed to 'or formed integral with the neck portion -33 of the head portion 3|. The cup element 35 is provided with a projecting ear 39 which extends through alongitudinally extending slot 4-0 formed in the tubular sleeve 1 35.

An exterior sleeve (it surrounds and encases the inner sleeve and seats against the upper end of the collar portion 33. The inner surface of the outer sleeve it is provided with a helical groove t! into which the projecting ear 3 9-projects.

Upon detachment of the head portion 3! from the tubular handle sectionZ, the dentifrice-stick may be ejected from the upper end ofthe outer sleeve 44 by holding the outer sleeve 4d and rotating the head portion 3I. The cup'element 36 into which the ear 39 associated with the cup element projects. The projecting end of the car 33 tracks in the spiral groove -61 provided on the inner surface of the'outer sleeve 44, causing the cup element-36 to ride upwardly within the inner sleeve when the outer sleeve -44 is rota-ted. Thus the dentifrice stick 30 ma be ejected from the upper end of the'outer sleeve 44 and drawn into the outer sleeve '44 by holding the outer sleeve 44 andmanipulating the head portion 3i.

There is shown in Fig. 9 a teeth cleaning-unit ofsimple form and inexpensive in design which has no floss receptacle and no drying compartment.

In this simplifiedform of the invention the base portion 22 of the brush section may be -made solid throughout as in the form shown in Fig. 1, and the head section 3! of the dentifrice holder 3 may also be made solid in construction asin the form shown in Fig. 7.

The various embodiments of this invention shown in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusiveare intended to illustrate the various forms and arrangement of parts which may be interchangeably incorporated in a practical and economical teeth cleaning unit. 'As these various modificationsillustrat 'the drying compartment 0 may form a part of the handle sectionll, or a part of the base portion 2-2 of the brush sectiomor both drying compartments may be provided if desired in a single unit. The dental floss receptacle 45 may be associated with the head portion 43 0f the-dentifrice holder as shown in'Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, or the floss receptacle 45 may be associated with the base portion '22 of the brush section as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. In the most simplified form both the drying compartment and the floss receptacle may be eliminated from the unit as shown in Fig. 9. Thus it will be appreciated that various and alter-naslot 40, a

frice stick when not in use preferences. to be produced economically, so that when the portion for detachably securing the tive arrangements of the parts may be provided within the contemplation of this invention.

The dentifrice holder shown in Figs. '1 to 9 inclusive is particularly designed to receive the dentifrice in stick form and presents a'highly convenient holder which fully protects the dentiand which provides means to eject the dentifrice stick to permit the desired quantity of dentifrice to be supplied to the brush.

The brush sections may be made in various forms with different arrangements of brush bristles best designed to satisfy varied customer The brush section is so designed as bristles have been worn in use, the used brush section can be discarded and replaced. A plurality of brush sections may be boxed in a single carton for sale, so that the user is provided with a constant supply of his preferred form of brush. Where the base portion 22 of the brush is provided with the drying compartment 0 containing the drying crystals l3 as shown inFig. 6, the drying crystals may have sufficient drying life to last out the life of the brush'bristles, so that a fresh supply of drying crystals is supplied to the unit with each replaceable brush section.

The improved teeth cleaning unit disclosed in this patent need not be substantially-largerthan a 'goo'd sized fountain pen and thus can be conveniently carried in the pocket or purse. All necessary implements for the proper'car e of the teeth may be variously and conveniently arranged as indicated, and'maintaine'd in afresh and "sterile condition for individual and personal use. The dentifrice, contained in the various types of holders as above described, is fully protected against contamination in the dentifrice compart- 'ment of the hollow handle section. This improved teeth cleaning unit, having associated therewith allthe necessary teeth cleaning accessories, provides a convenient and .practical instrumentfor the proper care of the teeth.

What is claimed is:

1'. A teeth cleaning unitincluding in combination, a tubular handle section having a brush compartment and a dentifrice compartment, a brush section comprising a brush stem supporting the brush bristles and a "base portion at the base end of the brush stem, said base portion providing a closure for the brush compartment of the tubular handle section, 'means associated with said base portion for detachably securing said brush section to said tubular handle section in use position, means associated with said base brush section to the handle section with thebrush stem and brush bristles in housed position within the brush compartment of said handle section, a drying compartment having a perforated wall presenting passages through which moisture in the brush tion, a tubular handle section having a brush compartment, a dentifrice compartment, and a drying compartment interposed between said brush and dentifrice compartments, said drying compartment being defined by a solid partition Wall sealing off the drying compartment from the dentifrice compartment and a perforated partition wall spaced from said solid partition wall separating the drying compartment from the brush compartment, a brush section comprising a brush stem supporting the brush bristles and a base portion at the base end of the brush stem, said base portion having means associated therewith for securing said brush section to said tubular handle section, a dentifrice holder include ing a head section providing a closure for the dentifrice compartment of said tubular handle section, said head portion having means for containing and supporting dentifrice, and means for detachably securing said head portion to the tubular handle section with the dentifrice supported thereby in housed position within the dentifrice compartment.

3. A. teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handle section having a brush compartment, a dentifrice compartment, and a drying compartment interposed between said brush and dentifrice compartments, said drying compartment being defined by a solid partition wall sealing off the drying compartment from the dentifrice compartment and a perforated partition wall spaced from said solid partition wall separating the drying compartment from the brush compartment, a brush section comprising a brush stem supporting the brush bristles and a base portion at the base end of the brush stei: said base portion providing a closure for the brush compartment of the tubular handle section, means associated with said base portion for detachably securing said brush section to said tubular handle section in use position, means associated with said base portion for detachably securing the brush section to the handle section with the brush stem and brush bristles in housed position within the brush compartment of said handle section, a dentifrice holder including a head portion providing a closure for the dentifrice compartment of said tubular handle section, said head portion having means for containing and supporting a, dentifrice, and means for detachably securing said head portion to the tubular handle section with .the dentifrice supported thereby in housed position within the dentifrice compartment.

4. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handle section having a brush compartment, a brush section comprising a brush stem supporting the brush bristles-and a base portion at the base end of the brush stem, means associated with said base-portion and said hanle section for securing said brush section to said handle section in teeth cleaning position and alternately in housed position within the brush compartment of the handle section, said base portion having a containing part providing a compartment for a drying agent for drying the brush bristles said containing part having a-plu rality of small openings extending through the wall thereof adjacent the-base end of the brush stem providing communicating passageways between the drying 'compartment'and the brush compartment when-the brush stem is in housed position within said brush compartment.

5. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handle section having a brush compartment, a brush section comprising a brush stem supporting the brush bristles and a base portion at the base end of the brush stern, means associated with said base portion and said handle section for securing said brush section to said handle section in teeth cleaning position and alternately in housed position within the brush compartment of the handle section, said base portion having a containing part providing a compartment for a drying agent for drying the brush bristles, said containing part having a plurality of small openings extending through the wall thereof adjacent the base end of the brush stem providing communicating passageways between the drying compartment and the brush compartment when the brush stem is in housed position within said brush compartment, said base portion having a detachable cap element providing a closure for said drying compartment.

6. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handle section having a brush compartment and a dentifrice compartment, a brush section comprising a brush stem supporting the brush bristles and a base portion at the base end of the brush stem, means associated with said base portion and said handle section for securing said brush section to said handle section in teeth cleaning position and alternately in housed position within the brush compartment of the handle section, said base portion having a containing part providing a compartment for a drying agent for drying the brush bristles, said containing part having a plurality of small openings extending through the wall thereof adjacent the base end of the brush-stem providing communicating passageways between the drying compartment and the brush compartment when the brush stem is in housed position within said brush compartment, said base portion having a detachable cap element providing a closure for said drying compartment, :3, dentifrice holder in cluding a head portion providing a, closure for the dentifrice compartment of said tubular handle section, said head portion having means for containing and supporting a dentifrice, and means for detachably securing said head portion to the tubular handle section with the dentifrice supported thereby in housed position within the dentifrice compartment.

7. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handle section having a dentifrice compartment, 2. brush section connected to said tubular handle section, a dentifrice holder including a head portion providing a closure for the dentifrice compartment of said tubular handle section, said head portion having means for containing and supporting a dentifrice, and means for detachably securing said head portion to the tubular handle section with the dentifrice supported thereby in. housed position within the dentifrice compartment, said head portion hav-. ing a dental floss receptacle detachably secured to the outer end thereof, said receptacle having an end closure wall, a collar portion designed to contain dental floss extending from said end 010- sure wall and into a conforming cavity in said head portion, and an aperture in said end clo-' sure wall through which the floss thread may be withdrawn. i

8. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handle section having a dentifrice compartment, .2. brush section connected to said tubular handle section, a dentifrice holder including a head portion providing a closure forv aaesyrsa the dentifrice compartment of-said tubular hancontaining and supporting a dentifrice, and means for detachably securing said head portion to the tubular handle section with the dentifricesupported thereby in housed position within the dentifrice compartment, said head portion having a dental floss receptacle detachably secured to the outer end thereof, said receptable having a dome shaped end closure wall having an outer surface conforming to the outer surface of said head portion, a collar designed to contain a-spoolof dental floss extending from said end closurewall into a conforming cavity in said head portion, an aperture in said end closure wall through which the floss thread may be withdrawn, and a cutting element associated with said end closure wall by means of which the floss thread may be severed.

9. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handle section having a brush compartment, a brush section comprising a brush stem supporting the brush bristles and abase portion at the base end. of the brush stem, means associated with said base portion andsaid handle section for securing said brush section to said handle section, said base portion havinga dental floss receptacle detachably secured thereto,- said receptacle having a containing wall, a collar portion designed to contain dental floss extending a into a conforming cavity in said base portion and an aperture in said containing wall through which the floss thread may be withdrawn.

10. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handle section having a brush compartment, a brush section comprisinga brush stem supporting the brush bristles and a base portion at the base end of the brush stern, means associated with said base portion and said handle section for securing saidbrush section to said handle section in teeth cleaning position and alternately in housing position within the brush compartment, ofthe handle section, said base portion having a dental floss receptacle detachably secured thereto, said receptacle having a dome shaped containing wall having an outer surface conforming to the outer, surfaceofsaid base portion, said receptacle having a, collar portion designed to contain a spool of dental floss extending into a conforming cavity in said base portion, an

which aperture in said containing wall through the floss thread may be withdrawn, and a cutting element associated with said containing wall by means of which the, floss threadmay be severed.-

11. A dentifrice holder designed to be associated with the tubular handle section of Va teeth cleaning unit, said holder comprising a head portion designed to provide a closure for the open end of said tubular handle section, said head portion having a shoulder designed to abut the end of said tubular handle section, a collar portion designed to-extend. into said tubular handle sec-v tion, and means associated with, said head portion designed to contain and support a dentifrice in housed position within said hollow handle section, said. means comprising a casingwall projecting from said head portion and adapted to be housed within said tubular handle section, and areceptor element for supporting the lower end of a dental stick adapted to reciprocate in said casing wall.

12. A dentifrice holder designed to be associated with the tubular handle section of a teeth cleaning unit, said holder comprising a head portion designed to provide a closure for the open designed to extend into said tubular handle-section, said collar portion having means for detachably securing said head portion-to-said' hol low handle section, and meansassociated with,

said head portion; designed to co-ntain-and-supw port a dentifrice in-housed position within said, hollow handle section, said means comprising a. casing wall projecting from said head portion and adapted to be housed withinsaidtubular handle section,and a receptor-element for sup porting the lower endof adental'stick adapted: to reciprocate insaid casing wall.

13. A dentifrice holder designed to be associ-- ated with the tubular handle section of a teeth. cleaning unit, said holder comprising a head portion designed to provide a closurefo-r the open: end of said tubular handle section, said headpor tion having a shoulder designed to abut the end-= of said tubular handle section, a collar portion designed to extend into said tubular'handle: section, said collar portion having means for detachably securing said head portion to said hollowhandle section, and'means associated with said:- head portion designed to-contain and support a dentifrice in housedposition within said hollowhandle section, said means comprising a casing wall projecting from said head portion; andadapted to be housed within said tubular handle section, and a receptor elementfor supporting the lower end of a dentalstick adapted to reciprocate in said casingwall, and means associated with said receptor element for manipulatingthe receptor element'within said casingwall.

14. A dentifrice holder; designed-to be associated with the tubular handle section of a teeth cleaning unit, said holder comprising a head portion designed to provide aclosure' for the open. end of said tubular handle-section, said head portion having a shoulder designed to abut the-endof saidtubular handle section, a collar portion designed to extend into saidtubularhandle section, and meansassociatedwith saidheadportiondesigned to contain and gsupport a dentifrice in housed position within, said; hollow handle section, said .means .comprising a casin wall projecting from saidihead portionand adapted to be housed within saidtubul-arhandle section, and; a receptor element for,,suppprting the lowerendg of a dental stickadaptedto reciprocate in said;

casing wall, and means associatedwith said receptor element for manipulating the, receptor element within said casing wall;

MARCEL BOULICAULT;

REFERENCES CITED The following references are-of record inthefile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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