WO2013117943A1

WO2013117943A1 - Toothpaste dispensing toothbrush

Info

Publication number: WO2013117943A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/050303
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jatinder Dhami
Original assignee: Jatinder Dhami
Priority date: 2012-02-09
Filing date: 2013-02-11
Publication date: 2013-08-15
Also published as: GB201202237D0; GB2490194B; GB2490194A; US20130205524A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a toothbrush (I ) comprising a toothpaste; dispenser (3) that is removably connectable to a head (2), wherein when connected the toothpaste dispenser (3) can dispense toothpaste from a dispensing aperture, through a passage (17) formed in a shaft of the head (2) and out through at least one aperture (14) formed in a brush portion (13) of the head (2). As the head (2) is removably connected to the dispenser (3) it is possible for a user to replace either the head (2) or dispenser (3) when needed. For example, a dispenser (3) can be changed when it is empty. Alternatively, a head (2) can be replaced when a different user wants to use the toothbrush (1), when a head (2) is too worn or when it a user desires 'to use a different shape or hardness head (2).

Description

TITLE

Toothpaste Dispensing toothbrush Field of invention- The present invention relaies to oral hygiene and provides an improved toothbrush _.that ca dispense toothpaste or gel through a removable and interchangeable head.

.Background

People brush their teeth using a toothbrush and a toothpaste, gel or other similar -product. Typically they- will use a simple .handheld toothbrush onto. -the head of which they will place a suitable amount of toothpaste or gel dispensed either from a tube or a mechanical dispenser. As an alternative to a simple toothbrush, some people use electric toothbrushes. Electric toothbrushes generally have head portions that can be removably -connected to a base portion wherein the base portion includes a battery and a motor which, serves to oscillate and/or rotate and/or reciprocate an attached head when in use. The heads are replaceable to enable multiple users to use a single base portion and to allow a user to replace worn out head portions without the need to replace the much more expensive base portion. There have been attempts to- combine toothpaste or gel dispensers: with toothbrushes. This has been done for reasons of convenience. In particular, it would no longer be necessary -to have separate toothpaste and toothbrush in order to brush one's teeth. This might be particularly advantageous when travelling. However, none of these attempts have produced a commercially viable product. In light of this there is a need for an improved combined toothpaste or gel dispenser and toothbrush. Any such device should be robust, practical and commercially viable.

Summar of Invention

The present invention provides a toothbrush comprising;

toothpaste dispenser having a dispensing aperture located within a connector; and a head having a connecting portion at a first end, a brush portion and a shaft formed between the first end and the second end: wherein a passage fo transport of toothpaste from the connecting portion to the brush portion is formed through the shaft, the passage having an opening at the connecting portion at a first end and being connected to at least one aperture formed in the brush portion at a second end;

wherein the head is removably connectable to the dispenser and when connected, the connecting portion of the head is connected to the connector, of the toothpaste dispenser and toothpaste may be dispensed from the dispensing aperture of the_: dispenser, through the passage, to the brush portion of the head; and

the connector of the toothpaste dispenser and the connecting portion of the head cooperate to form a removable .snap-fit connection and the connector and connecting portion are substantially oval in shape such that they can not rotate relative to one another when they are removably connected. It is to be noted that the term "toothpaste" used throughout this specification is intended to encompass any toothpaste, gel or similar product that might be dispensed from a dispenser and used with a toothbrush to. clean one's teeth. Unless otherwise specified, .none of the embodiments of the current invention are limited to any specific toothpaste or gel and it is to be understood that the skilled person would be immediately able to understand which toothpastes, gels or similar products are suitable for use with any given embodiment of the invention.

The present invention is advantageous over previous toothbrushes that incorporated a toothpaste dispenser as it combines a removable head with a toothpaste dispenser, This allows more than one user to use the same toothbrush as each user may have their own disposable head that they simply attach to the toothpaste dispenser when they wish to use the toothbrush. Furthermore, having a removable head allows the toothpaste dispenser to be easily changed when it is empty without the need to change the head at the same time. This is advantageous as a toothbrush head may not necessarily be ready for replacement at the same time as the toothpaste dispenser becomes empty. Additionally, the toothbrush of the present invention dispenses toothpaste directly through the head. This can be significantly advantageous as it allows toothpaste only to he; d spensed where it is actually used and may also allow additional toothpaste to be dispensed during use of the brush.

The connecting portion of the head and. the connector of the toothpaste dispenser form a removable connection when the head is connected to the toothpaste dispenser. The removable connection must be robust enough that the toothbrush can be used in a substantially conventional manner without the head becoming unintentionally detached from the dispenser. However, the head must be able to be easily removed from the dispenser when the user desires to do so,

The connector of the toothpaste dispenser and the connecting portion of the head cooperate to form a removable snap-fit connection. That is the connector of the toothpaste dispenser and the connecting portion_, of the head are shaped and formed such that it is possible to push one into the other until a resilient member in one of the connector and the connecting portion engage a cooperative aperture or groove in the other of the connector and connecting portion thereby forming a relativel strong but removable connection.._.

The connector and. connecting portion are shaped such that they cannot rotate relative to one another when they are removably connected. In particular, the connection is not rotatable and substantially circular. Instead, the connector of the toothpaste dispenser and the connecting portion of the head are substantially oval in shape, it is to be understood that the although generally oval in shape, it is not essential that the toothpaste dispenser and the connecting portion both form a complete oval Each component may comprise one or more sections of an oval such that each component, forms at least 50% of an oval and more preferabl at least 70% of an oval. The important factor is that each component is substantially oval and thereby removably connecting the components prevents relative rotation thereof, in order to make the snap-fit connection it may be preferable that the connection is double- walled, rather than single- wailed. That is, it may be preferable that one of the connector of the toothpaste dispenser and the connecting portion of the head comprises an inner wall surrounding and extending coaxial! outwards from an end of the_: dispensing aperture or an end of the passage and a cooperative^' outer wail spaced from the inner wall and extending coaxialiy outwards from an end of the dispensin aperture or an end of the passage; and the other of the connector of the toothpaste dispenser and th connecting portion of the head comprises cooperatively formed apertures for receiving the inner wall and the outer wall when the head is removably connected to the dispenser. Having a doubie-walled snap-fit connection is advantageous as the removable: connection may be subject to significant stress when the toothbrush is being used. A doubie-walled snap-fit connection is much more likely to be able to withstand such stress than a single- walled snap-fu connection.

The brush portion of the head may have either a single aperture connected to the passage or a plurality of apertures connected to the passage. In some embodiments of the invention a single aperture may be preferred due to simplicity of design. However, it is generally envisaged that is preferable that the brush portion of the head will have a plurality of apertures connected to the passage. This is because a plurality of .^•apertures can allow toothpaste to be distributed to ail parts of the brush portion and thai distribution can be much more even than would be possible with a single aperture.

If the brush portion has a plurality of apertures the apertures may all be substantially the same size and shape. Alternati vely, each of the plurality of apertures may be sized and/or shaped such that, when in use, substantiall the same amount of toothpaste is dispensed from each aperture. It is anticipated that the: skilled person will be readily able to determine a_. suitable size and shape for each aperture in order to meet this requirement. For example, apertures that are a further distance from the toothpaste dispenser may be larger than^' apertures that are closer to the toothpaste dispenser. The size and shape of each aperture may be dependent on the distance .from the toothpaste dispenser and/or their position In the brush portion of the head. in some embodiments of the invention which comprise a plurality of apertures in the brush portion of the head it ma be preferable that the apertures are positioned in a single row, .which, extends along the direction in which the passage extends. This construction may be preferred as it. is simpler than alternative constructions. In_. particular, it can allow a relatively narrow and straight passage to be used, Alternatively, it may be preferable that, the plurality of apertures are positioned in two or more rows, each extending along the direction in which the passage extends or in any other pattern on the brush portion of the head. Such constructions may be preferred as they may provide a more even distribution of toothpaste, over the brush portion of the head when the toothbrush is in use.

The, or each, at least one aperture will extend from the passage to an oute surface of the brash portion and may have any shape that allows toothpaste to pass therethrough. For. example,, it may be preferable hat the, or each, aperture is tubular_* This may be preferred as it is a simple shape that is easily formed, Alternatively, the, or each, .aperture may be frustoconieal. This may be preferred as it may provide more even distribution of toothpaste than a tubular aperture and may be less likely to become blocked with toothpaste in between uses of the toothbrush. A frustoconieal aperture may be oriented with either its wide radius substantially at the: outer surface of the brush portion or at the passage. The choice of aperture shape will depend upon considerations such as the eve distribution of dispensed toothpaste, the potential blocking of the apertures by toothpaste between uses of the toothbrush and aesthetic considerations:.

Advantageously, the dispenser of the toothbrush may be substantially any type of dispenser that could easily be held by a user and used as a toothbrush handle when the toothbrush is in use. in such embodiments the head and the passage will be relatively short and_: the user will hold the dispenser to operate the toothbrush. However, it is to be understood that it is possible for the head and the passage to be relatively longer and that a user may hold the head portion when using the ioothbnish, In advantageous embodiments of the invention the head portion is relatively short, the dispenser is held by a user when the toothbrush is in use and the dispenser is a conventional plunger- type dispenser. The dispenser comprises a button for activating the dispensing of toothpaste from the dispenser. This may be particularly preferable if the dispenser is a plunger-type dispenser, it is preferable that the dispenser is substantially cylindrical and the button and the dispensing aperture are located at a first end of the dispenser. A cylindrical dispenser may be preferred as it can result in a toothbrush that has substantially the same form as a conventional electronic toothbrush and, as a result, users will be comfortable with using the resulting toothbrush. Positioning the button at the sam end of a tubular dispenser as the dispensing aperture may be advantageous as it may be a more ergonomic and intuitive position for such a button than any othe position. Furthermore, positioning a button on an end of a tubular dispenser, rather than one a side, will reduce the likelihood of the button being accidentally pressed by a user when they are gripping the dispenser in order to use the toothbrush. If the button and dispensing aperture are positioned on an end of a tubular dispenser i t may be preferable thai the dispensing aperture and the button are positioned to extend in a direction parallel to an axis: of the dispenser. Additionally or alternatively, the dispensing: aperture may be positioned to extend in a direction parallel to an axis of the dispenser and the button may be positioned such that when the head is connected to the dispenser the button is positioned substantially behind the head or substantially in front of the head. Tt is currently considered advantageous to position a button either directly behind the head or directly in front of the head when the head is removably connected to the dispenser. However, the button may be located in any other position that is considered appropriate by a designer of a toothbrush according to the present invention.

In orde to form a toothbrush that is easy to use and has a similar shape to current toothbrushes, it may be preferable that the dispenser is substantially cylindrical, the aperture is located at a first end of the dispenser and, when connected to the dispenser, the head extends in a direction substantially parallel to an axis of the dispenser. However, ^'it is to be appreciated that, when connected to the dispenser, the head may extend in any other direction relative to the dispenser that a designer considers appropriate.

If, when removably connected to a tubular dispenser, the head extends in a direction parallel to the axis of the dispenser it may be advantageous that the head extends substantially along the axis of the dispenser. This may be preferred as it may provide the most resilient construction of the toothbrush. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention it may be preferable for the head to extend parallel to the axis of a tubular dispenser but be offset from that axis for reasons of aesthetics or ergonomics. In particular, offsetting the head from "the axis may better allow the positioning of the button on an end of a dispenser.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the preferred embodiments that are shown in the drawings and are discussed below.

Drawings

Figure 1 is a toothbrush;

Figure 2 is a cutaway diagram of the toothbrush of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an exploded diagram of the toothbrush of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-section of an upper cover of a toothpaste dispenser of the toothbrush of Figures 1 to ¾

Figure 5 is a button of the toothbrush of Figures 1 to 4;

Figure 6 is a cross-section of an upper portion of a toothpaste dispenser of the toothbrush of Figures 1 to 5 including the upper cover of Figure 4 and the button of Figure S;

Figure ? is a. cross-section of an upper cover of a toothpaste dispenser of a toothbrush according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a button of th toothbrush of the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a cross-section of an upper portion of a toothpaste dispenser of the toothbrush of the embodiment of the invention including the upper cover of Figure 7 and the button of Figure 8 ; Figure 10 is a cross-section of a connecting portion of a head and a connector of a toothpaste dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the head and the dispenser are not connected;

Figure 10a shows detail of the connector of Figure 10;

Figure 1 1 is a cross-section of a connecting portion of a head and a connector of a toothpaste dispenser according to the embodiment of Figure 10 wherein the head and the dispenser are connected;

Figure 12 is a cross-section of a connectin portion of a head and a connector of a toothpaste dispenser, wherein the head and the dispenser are not connected;

Figure 12a shows detail of the connector of Figure 12;

Figure 13 is a cross-section of a connecting portion of a head and a connector of a toothpaste dispenser according to the embodiment pf Figure 12 wherein the head and the dispenser are connected; and

Figures 14 to 1 show six alternative embodiments of the second end of a head according to the present invention.

A toothbrush 1 is shown in Figures 1 to 3. The toothbrush 1 comprises a head 2 and a toothpaste dispenser 3. The head 2 and the dispenser 3 can be removably connected, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, by means of a snap-fit .connection 4. The snap-fit connection 4 is formed by connecting portion 5 formed at a first, end of the head 2 and a connector 6 formed at an upper end of ^'the dispenser 3.

The dispenser 3 is a substantially conventional tubular plunger-type dispenser and, as such, comprises a button 7 for dispensing toothpaste, a plunger 8, a container 9, a piston 10, a stopper 16 and a lower cover 1 1. The dispenser 3 also comprises a tube 1 that extends from an opening in the plunger 8, through an upper cover 19, to the connector 6 such that when the dispenser is operated toothpaste is dispensed through the connector. It is t be understood that the ski lied person will■ readily understand the operation of a plunger-type dispenser and therefore its operation will not be discussed further. The dispenser 3 is substantially tubular and the button 7 and the connector 6 are located at an upper end of the dispenser 3. They both extend in a direction, parallel to the axis of the dispenser 3 but are offset from that axis. The head comprises a central passage 17 that extends from the connecting portion 5 to a brush portion 13. For clarity, the brush portion 13 is shown without bristles. However, it is to be understood that in reality all. of the brush portions illustrated in the Figures would have bristles. The brush portion 13 has a plurality of apertures 14 located at a brushing face 15. The apertures 14 extend from the passage 17 through the brushing face 15 such that when toothpaste is dispensed from the dispenser 3 through, the passage 1^*2 the toothpaste will emerge, through the apertures 14 at the brushing face 15 of the head 2.

The toothbrush 1 is operated in the following manner. When it is desired to use the toothbrush 1 a head 2 is removably connected to the dispenser 3 using the snap- fit connection 4. Toothpaste is then dispensed from the dispenser 3 by pressing the button 7, When toothpaste begins to be dispensed .through the apertures 14 at the brush portion 13 of the head 2 the user will then brush their teeth, holding the container 9 of the dispenser 3. If the user desires additional toothpaste at any time when brushing their teeth they may simply press the button 7 on the dispenser without the need to stop brashing their teeth. If a different user wishes to use the toothbrush 1 they may do so using their own head 2, To do this they would first remove the head 2 that the previous user had been using and attach their own head 2 to the toothbrush using the connecting portion 5 of the head 2. Similarly, if the dispenser 3 runs out of toothpaste it can be simply removed from a head 2 and either replaced with a. full dispenser 3 or refilled and then reconnected to the head.

The upper cover 19 of the dispenser 3 of the toothbrush ! of Figures 1 to 3 is shown in Figure 4_; the button 7 is shown in Figure 5 and an upper portion of the dispenser 3 including the upper cover 19 and the button 7 is shown in Figure 6. Together Figures 4 to 6 show how a substantially conventional plunger-type dispenser 3 has been modified to arrive at the dispenser 3. In particular, the button 7 is formed such that it can be offset -from the axis of the dispenser 3 b t that pressing the button: 7 downwards -still presses the plunger 8 of the. dispenser downwards and results in toothpaste being dispensed. Similarly, the Figures show how the passage 12 is formed such that toothpaste can pass out of the dispenser to the connector 6 when the button is pressed.

The upper cover 19 of the dispenser 3 of an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 7, a button 7 of the embodiment i shown in Figure 8 and the upper portion of a. dispenser 3 of the embodiment including the upper cover 19 and the button 7 is shown in Figure 9. The toothbrush of Figures: 7 to 9 is substantially the same as the toothbrush of Figures 1 to 6 the only differences being the form and mounting of the button 7 and the direction in which the button 7 is pressed to dispense toothpaste. Otherwise, all the features of the toothbmsh of Figures 7 to 9 are identical to those of the toothbrush of Figures 1 to 6, Therefore, the same reference numerals have been used to indicate the same features of each embodiment.

In contrast with the toothbrush of Figures i to 6, the button 7 of the toothbmsh of Figures 7 to is mounted normal to the axis of the dispenser 3. That is, the button 7 is substantially horizontall mounted and must be pressed inwards i order for the dispenser 13 to dispense toothpaste. To allow the button 7 to function it has a cam surface 20 that is shaped such that it provides a downwards force on the plunger 8 when the button 7 is pressed inwards. Providing a horizontally mounted button 7 ma be preferred as. some users may find it more ergonomic and easier to use. A snap-fit connection 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 10, 10a and 1 1 , The snap-fit connection 4 allows a head 2 to be removably connected to a toothpaste dispenser 3 such that the central passage 17 of the head is joined to the passage 12 of the dispenser 3 and that toothpaste may be dispensed through the passage 12 of the dispenser 3 into the central passage 17 of the head 2. The snap-fit connection 4 is formed b a connecting portion 5 of the head 2 and a connector 6 of the dispenser, - π -

The snap-fit connection of Figures 10, 10a and 1 1 is double walled in order to provide added strength and resilience as compared to a conventional single walled snap-fit connection.. In particular,_, the connector 6 of the dispenser 3 comprises an inner wall 23 surrounding and extending eoaxialiy outwards from the passage 12 of the dispenser 3 and a cooperative outer wall 24 spaced at a constant distance ._.from the inner wall 23 and also extending eoaxialiy outwards from the central passage. The outer wall 24 includes a circumferential groove 25. The connecting portion 5 of the head 2 also comprises a inner wall 21 and an outer wall 22 in substantially the same manner as the comieetor 6 of the dispenser. The inner wail 21 of the connecting portion 5 includes a circumferential ridge 26 that is cooperatively located to engage wit the circumferential groove 25 when the connecting portion 5 is removably connected to the connector 6.

The inner walls 21 , 23 and outer wails 22, 24 are: sized and shaped such that when the head 2 is removably connected to the dispenser 3 the inner wall 23 of the connector 6 fits inside the inner wall 21 of the connecting portion 5,. the outer wail 24 of the connector 6 fits around the inner wall 21 of the connecting portion 5 and inside the outer wall 22 of the connecting portion 5 and the outer wail 22 of the connecting portion 6 fits around the outer wall 24 of the connector 6, as shown in Figure 1 L The snap-fit connection is formed by the circumferential ridge 26 being located within the circumferential groove 25.

As can be seen in Figure 10a, in order to prevent rotation of the head 2 relative to the dispenser 3, the inner and outer walls 21 , 22, 23 and 24 are not circular but are substantially oval in shape. This means that the head 2 can only be attached to the dispenser 3 when they are in the correct rotational alignment and once connected they cannot be rotated relative to one another, for example when the toothbrush 1. is in use.

•A bayonet mount that is outside the scope of the present invention is show in Figures 12, 12a and 13. The bayonet mount operates in a substantially conventional manner. In the embodiment of the Figures the connecting portion 5 forms a male side of the mount and has two connecting pins 2? and the comieetor 6 forms the female side of the mount and has a matching L- shaped, receptor slots 28. In order to engage the connecting portion 5 with the connector 6 the pins 27 are aligned with the slots 28, the head 2 is pushed down such that, the pins 27 enter the slots 28 and the head is then rotated until the pins 27 reach the end of the slots. The end. of each slot 28 and the radially outer end of each pin 27 is formed uch that there is a friction fit between the pins 27 and the slot 28 when the pins 27 are positioned at the end of each slot. This prevents the connection 4 being accidentally unconnected when a user is brushing their teeth. In order to remove a head 2 from a dispenser 3 ^'the above process is reversed.

As the bayonet mount itself prevents relative rotation of a head 2 relative to a dispenser 3 when they are removably connected to one another and because it is necessar for the two portions of a bayonet mount to be circular, both the connector 6 and the connecting portion 5 are substantially circular. The circular connector 6 can be seen in Figure 12a.

Figures 1 to .19 show the upper part of six alternative embodiments of heads 2 of toothbrushes according; to the present invention. As: the heads 2 of the present invention are interchangeable any of the alternative heads 2 of Figures 14 to 1 can be used with any dispenser that has a connector 6 that matches the connecting portion 5 of the head. It is to be noted that, for clarity. Figures 14 to 19 show the heads 2 without bristles. Furthermore, only an. upper part, of each head 2 is shown and, as a result, the connector 6 of each head is not shown. A first head 2a is shown in Figure 14. This head has three apertures 14. The apertures 14 are equally spaced along a brushing face 15 of the head 2a and are aligned with the passage 17. Each aperture: 14 is tubular and has an axis that, is substantially normal to an axis of the passage 17 and to the brushing face 1 5. In order to allow equal paste dispensing through each aperture .14, the apertures have different diameters. In particular, the aperture 14 closest to an upper end of the head 2a has the largest diameter and the aperture 14 closest to the connector. 6 has the smalles diameter. A seeohd head 2b is shown in Figure 15. The head has six apertures 14. The six apertures 14 are arranged in two lines of three. Each line of three apertures .14 are equally spaced along a brushing face 15 of the head 2b and are aligned with an edge of the passage 17. Providing two rows of apertures 14, rather than a single row, may be preferable in order to provide more even distribution of toothpaste through the bristles of the brush. In order to provide even paste dispensing, the diameter of eaeh of the apertures 14 of eaeh row of three apertures 14 is varied in the same manner as the apertures 14 of the head 2a of Figure 14. Each aperture 14 is tubular. However, unlike the apertures 14 of Figure 14, the apertures 14 of Figure 15 are angled away from a direction that is normal to the axis of the passage 17 to support more thorough dispensing through the bristles of the brush, it is to be understood that the specific angles shown in Figure 15 are an example only and the optimum angling of any specific aperture 14 would be able to be determined by a skilled person. A third head 2c is shown in Figure 16. The third head 2c is substantially the same as the first head 2a except that each aperture 14 is frustocontcai rather than tubular. The narrow end of each aperture 14 is positioned at the passage 1 7 and the wide end of each aperture 14 is: positioned at the brushing face 1 . Having fritsioconical apertures Error! Hyperlink reference not valid, 14 may be advantageous as it may allow dried! paste to be expelled from the apertures more easily,

A fourth head 2d is shown in Figure 17. The fourth head 2d is substantially the same as the first head 2a except that each of the apertures 1 is angled away from a direction that is normal to the axis of -the passage 17 in the same manner as the apertures 14 of the second head 2b. Angling the apertures 14 in this manner can provide improved paste dispensing,

A fifth head 2e is shown in Figure 1 8. The fifth head 2e has only a single aperture 14 that is positioned centrally in a small substantially circular brushing face 15. The aperture 14 is tubular and is normal to the axis of the passage 17 in the same manner as the apertures 14 of the first head 2a, Having a small brushing face 15 with a single aperture 14 may be advantageous as it can provide a toothbrush 1 that can access more areas of trie mouth than a toothbrush using a larger head,

A sixth head 2f is shown in Figure 19. As with the fifth head 2e, the sixth head 2f has only a single aperture 14 that is positioned centrally in a small substantially circular brushing face 15. The aperture 14 is frustoeonieal and has an axis that is normal to the axis of th passage 17 in the same manner as the apertures 14 of the third head 2e. This head 2f combines the ad vantages of the fifth head 2e and the third head 2c. It is to be noted that any of the six heads 2a, 2b. 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f -may be interchanged with one another by a user according to his needs and desires as appropriate. For example, a user may wish to use the second head 2b for the majority of their brushin and then switch to the sixth head 2f when a smaller head is required to reach less accessible areas.

Claims

1. A toothbrush comprising:

a toothpaste dispenser having a dispensing aperture located within a connector and a button for activating the dispensing of toothpaste from the dispenser; and 5 a head having a connecting portion at a first end, a brash portion and a shaft formed between the first end and the second end; wherein a passage for transport of toothpaste from the connecting portion to the brush portion is formed through the shaft, the passage having an opening at. the connecting portion at a first end and being connected to at least one aperture formed in the brush portion at a second end:

O wherein the head is removably connectah!e to the dispenser and when connected, the connecting portion of the head is connected to the connector of the toothpaste dispenser and toothpaste may be dispensed from the dispensing aperture of the di spenser, through the passage, to the brush portion of the head; and

the connector of the toothpaste dispenser and the connecting portion of the5 head cooperate to form a removable snap-fit connection and the connector and connecting portion are substantially oval in shape such that they can not rotate relative to one another when they are removabl connected,

2, A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein:

Q one of the connector of the toothpaste dispenser and the connecting portion of the head comprises an inner wall surrounding and extending coaxially outwards from an end of the dispensing aperture or an end of the passage and a cooperative outer wall spaced from the inner wall and extending coaxially outwards from an end of the: di spensing aperture or an end of the passage ; and

5 the other of the connector of the toothpaste dispenser and the connecting portion of the head comprises cooperativel formed apertures for receiving the inner •wail and the outer wall when the head is removably connected to the dispenser. 0

3. A toothbrush according to an preceding claim, wherein the passage is connected to a single aperture formed in the brush portion of the head.

4. A toothbrush according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the passage is connected to a plurality of apertures formed in the brush portion of the head.

5. A toothbrush according to claim 4, wherein, each of the. plurality of apertures is sized such that when in use substantially the same amount of toothpaste is dispensed from each aperture,

6. A toothbrush according to claim 5, wherein the apertures are positioned in a single row, which extends along the direction in which the passage extends,

7. A toothbrush according to claim 6, wherein the apertures are positioned in two o more rows, each extending along the direction in which the passage extends.

8. A toothbrush according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one aperture extends from the passage to an outer surface of the brush portion and is tubular,

9. A toothbrush according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one aperture extends from the passage to an .outer surface of the brush portion and is frustoconicai.

10. A toothbrush according to any preceding eiaim, wherein the dispenser is a plunger-type dispenser.

1 1 , A toothbrush according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser is substantiaily cylindrieal and the button and the aperture are located at a first end of the dispenser,

12. A toothbrush according to claim 1 1 , wherein the aperture and the button are positioned to extend in a direction parallel to an axis of the dispenser.

13. A toothbrush according to claim Π or claim 1 , wherein the aperture is positioned to extend in a direction parallel to an axis of the dispenser and the button is positioned such that when the head is connected to the dispenser the button is positioned substantially behind the head,

14. A toothbrush according to any preceding claim wherein the dispenser is substantially cylindrical, the aperture is located at a first end of the dispenser and, when connected to the dispenser, the head extends in a direction substantially parallel to an axis of the dispenser,

15. A toothbrush according to claim 14, wherein, when connected to the dispenser, the head extends along the axis of the dispenser .

16. A toothbrush according to claim 14, wherein, when connected to the dispenser, the head is offset from the axis of the dispenser.