Thetoothpaste pump, also known as atoothpaste pump dispenser, is a device used to contain and dispensetoothpaste, akin to a tube. Anautomatic toothpaste dispenser is a self-starting way to dispense toothpaste.
Several innovative designs have been developed[1][2][3][4]depending on the flow properties of the toothpaste.[5] One involves a rigid toothpaste pump made of a hard plastic and functions by pressing a knob on top rather than squeezing the tube.[6]Henkel were the first to sell their toothpaste in a pump in West Germany, and it was marketed in the United States beginning in 1984. A toothpaste pump was first marketed byMarks & Spencer in the United Kingdom in 1982.[6]Unilever andColgate began marketing their toothpaste pumps soon after.[6]
An automatic toothpaste dispenser is a wall-mounted or counter-top device used to dispensetoothpaste by pressing thetoothbrush against the inside plates of the dispenser, so it automatically squeezes an appropriate amount of toothpaste and avoids waste.[7][8][9][10] Most modern automatic dispensers incorporate a toothbrush holder, and in some of the advanced models the holder also functions as atoothbrush sanitizer.[11]
