Dentifrice Dispenser

Abstract

A container for dispensing a water-sensitive dentifrice. The container has two chambers and a divider with an opening to allow a few dentifrice unit-doses to pass through. A method for dispensing a water-sensitive dentifrice using a dual chambered container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dentifrice container comprising:
 (a) a storage chamber;   (b) a dispensing chamber;   (c) a divider separating the storage chamber and the dispensing chamber comprising an opening; and   (d) a lid.   
     
     
         2 . The dentifrice container of  claim 1 , wherein the divider comprises an upper surface of the divider. 
     
     
         3 . The dentifrice container of  claim 2 , wherein the upper surface of the divider is sloped away from the storage chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The dentifrice container of  claim 1 , wherein the divider comprises a lower surface of the divider. 
     
     
         5 . The dentifrice container of  claim 4 , wherein the lower surface of the divider is sloped towards the dispensing chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The dentifrice container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises an opening member. 
     
     
         7 . The dentifrice container of  claim 6 , wherein the opening member is a lever, a ridge, depression, raised portion in the lid, button, or switch. 
     
     
         8 . The dentifrice container of  claim 1 , wherein the divider does not have any raised portions surrounding the perimeter of the opening. 
     
     
         9 . The dentifrice container of  claim 1 , wherein the dentifrice container comprises a window. 
     
     
         10 . The dentifrice container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is transparent. 
     
     
         11 . A method of dispensing a dentifrice comprising:
 (a) Providing a container comprising:
 (i) a storage chamber, 
 (ii) a dispensing chamber, 
 (iii) a divider separating the storage chamber and dispensing chamber comprising an opening, wherein the opening connects the storage chamber and the dispensing chamber, 
 (iv) a lid; 
   (b) Providing at least one unit-dose of dentifrice in the storage chamber;   (c) Manipulating the container to allow at least one unit-dose of dentifrice to move from the storage chamber through the opening in the divider to the dispensing chamber;   (d) Opening the lid of the container;   (e) Selecting at least one unit-dose of dentifrice that has moved from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising orienting the container to allow the unit-doses of dentifrice to fall back through the opening in the divider to the storage chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the unit-dose of dentifrice is moisture sensitive. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the unit-dose of dentifrice is a nonwoven web. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the lid is originally in the closed position. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the container comprises an opening member, wherein the opening member is a lever, a ridge, depression, raised portion in the lid, button, or switch. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein an upper surface of the divider is sloped away from the storage chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the opening member folds back on an upper surface of the lid. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein opening the lid to the container comprises rotating the lid, sliding the lid, screwing the lid, or folding the lid. 
     
     
         20 . A dentifrice container comprising:
 (a) a storage chamber;   (b) a dispensing chamber;   (c) a divider separating the storage chamber and the dispensing chamber comprising an opening; and   (d) a lid comprising a lever.