U.S. patent application number 11/102664 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-12 for dipstick-type applicator for tooth whitener and skin care medication.
This patent application is currently assigned to GoSMILE, INC.. Invention is credited to Jonathan B. Levine, Dominick Montano.
Application Number | 20060228158 11/102664 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37083294 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060228158 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Levine; Jonathan B. ; et
al. |
October 12, 2006 |
Dipstick-type applicator for tooth whitener and skin care
medication
Abstract
A dipstick-type applicator for tooth whitener and skin care
medication includes a housing defining an internal chamber sealed
when an applicator is received therein. A quantity of liquid
medication is hermetically sealed within the chamber. The
applicator consists of a gripping portion, a stem, and at the
distal end of the stem, a tip made of a flexible absorbent material
having a flat angled distal surface that is specifically designed
to best coat the user's teeth with tooth whitener or the user's
skin with skin care medication. A wiper within the housing has a
reduced diameter opening, through which the tip of the applicator
must travel to remove the tip from the chamber filled with liquid
medication. The relationship between the outer dimensions of the
tip and the opening in the wiper is such that excess liquid
medication is removed from the tip as it is removed from the
chamber.
Inventors: |
Levine; Jonathan B.; (New
York, NY) ; Montano; Dominick; (Pelham Manor,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
H. JAY SPIEGEL - H. JAY SPIEGEL & ASSOCIATES
P.O. BOX 11
MOUNT VERNON
VA
22121
US
|
Assignee: |
GoSMILE, INC.
|
Family ID: |
37083294 |
Appl. No.: |
11/102664 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/130 ;
401/122 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2200/1018 20130101;
A45D 34/045 20130101; A61M 35/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/130 ;
401/122 |
International
Class: |
A45D 33/00 20060101
A45D033/00; A46B 11/00 20060101 A46B011/00 |
Claims
1. An applicator device for applying medication to a user
comprising: a) a housing having an opening allowing access to a
chamber; b) a quantity of medication within said chamber; c) an
applicator having an applicator tip insertable within said chamber;
and d) a wiper extending at least partially about a periphery of
said opening and sized to remove excess medication from said tip as
said tip is removed from said chamber.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said housing is cylindrical.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein said opening is at one end of
said housing and an opposite end of said housing is defined by an
end wall.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said opening is generally
circular.
5. The device of claim 3, wherein said opening is generally
circular.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein said quantity comprises
sufficient medication for a single treatment.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein said medication is hermetically
sealed within said chamber.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein said wiper includes a generally
circular opening smaller than outer dimensions of said chamber.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein said wiper comprises a sleeve
installed within said housing, and having said opening at a distal
end thereof.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein said applicator includes a stem
proximal of and attached to said tip.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein said applicator includes a hand
grip proximal of said stem.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein said hand grip includes concave
surfaces adapted to receive a user's fingers.
13. The device of claim 1, wherein said tip is made of a resilient
absorbent material.
14. The device of claim 11, wherein said tip is made of a resilient
absorbent material.
15. An applicator device for applying medication comprising: a) a
cylindrical housing having a circular opening allowing access to a
chamber; b) a single-dose quantity of liquid medication within said
chamber; c) an applicator having an applicator tip insertable
within said chamber, said tip having a circular cross-section and a
flat applicator surface; and d) a wiper extending at least
partially about a periphery of said opening and sized to remove
excess medication from said tip as said tip is removed from said
chamber.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein said liquid medication is
hermetically sealed within said chamber.
17. The device of claim 15, wherein said wiper comprises a sleeve
installed within said housing and having an opening at a distal end
thereof.
18. The device of claim 15, wherein said applicator includes (1) a
stem proximal of and attached to said tip; and (2) a hand grip
proximal of said stem.
19. The device of claim 18, wherein said hand grip includes concave
surfaces adapted to receive a user's fingers.
20. The device of claim 15, wherein said tip is made of a resilient
absorbent material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a dipstick-type applicator
for tooth whitener and skin care medication.
[0002] Tooth whitening systems are becoming more and more popular
of late. The aspect of the tooth whitening industry that is
presently showing the most growth is that aspect in which kits are
purchased by the ultimate users so that tooth whitening can be
carried out within one's home, rather than having to suffer the
inconvenience of having to visit the dentist's office.
[0003] Applicants have found that the most effective way to package
tooth whitener is in a system in which the ultimate user employs an
applicator combined with a single dose of tooth whitener, of
sufficient volume to allow a single tooth whitening to be
conducted. In this regard, to enhance the shelf life of a tooth
whitening substance, for example, one made of peroxide gels, it is
best to provide that tooth whitener vacuum-packed or otherwise
hermetically sealed. Thus, when the vacuum-seal is broken, the
shelf life of the tooth whitening substance is dramatically
shortened. A tooth whitening system which only causes a single dose
of tooth whitener to be released from vacuum storage would be
advantageous so that the user is always employing relatively fresh
tooth whitener.
[0004] Some applicator systems that are currently on the market are
messy to use including the use of strips in which the tooth
whitening substance can be removed onto the fingers, hands and
clothing of the user, and other applicators for liquid tooth
whitener in which dripping can often occur. As such, a need has
developed for a tooth whitening system including an applicator that
is easy and effective to use, precludes dripping of the tooth
whitening substance and staining of the clothing and hands of the
user, while also maintaining the tooth whitening substance fresh
until the moment of use.
[0005] Similar issues arise concerning application of skin care
medication. It is important that skin care medication be maintained
hermetically sealed until the moment of application to enhance
shelf life and effectiveness. As such, it would be advantageous to
provide an applicator for skin care medication that fulfills these
goals.
[0006] It is with these thoughts in mind that the present invention
was developed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a dipstick-type applicator
for tooth whitener and skin care medication. The present invention
includes the following interrelated objects, aspects and
features:
[0008] (1) In a first aspect, the present invention contemplates a
generally cylindrical housing having a closed end and an open end
designed to receive a dipstick-type applicator. The housing defines
an internal chamber that is sealed when the applicator is received
therein.
[0009] (2) For this purpose, in the preferred embodiment,
complementary threads on the applicator and housing intermesh when
the distal end of the applicator is inserted within the chamber to
seal the chamber. In fact, before use, in the preferred embodiment,
a quantity of tooth whitening substance such as, for example,
peroxide gel or a skin care medication such as, for example,
benzoyl peroxide, vitamin E or retinol, is placed within the
chamber, the applicator is assembled to the housing and, in a
manner well known to those skilled in the art, any air within the
chamber is evacuated to provide a vacuum seal (hermetically sealed
chamber).
[0010] (3) The applicator consists of a gripping portion, a stem,
and at the distal end of the stem, a tip made of a flexible
absorbent material. In the preferred embodiment, the tip has a flat
angled distal surface that is specifically designed to best coat
the user's teeth with tooth whitener. The same surface is equally
effective in coating the user's skin with a skin care
medication.
[0011] (4) In an important aspect of the present invention, a wiper
is received within the housing and has a reduced diameter opening,
through which the tip of the applicator must travel to remove the
tip from the chamber filled with tooth whitener or skin care
medication. The relationship between the outer dimensions of the
tip and the opening in the wiper is such that excess liquid is
removed from the tip as it is removed from the chamber. In this
way, dripping of liquid, once the tip has been removed from the
chamber, is substantially precluded.
[0012] (5) As explained above, the inventive applicator is equally
usable in applying skin care medications. Such skin care
medications may be used to treat such conditions as acne,
blemishes, rosacea as well as wrinkles. Single dose hermetically
sealed formulations that may be applied in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention may include salicylic acid,
benzoyl peroxide, vitamin E, retinol, AHA, and alpha lipoic acid.
These medications are stabilized through hermetic sealing and are
provided in a single dose such that the applicator may be used and
then discarded.
[0013] As such, it is a first object of the present invention to
provide a dipstick-type applicator for tooth whitener and skin care
medication.
[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
such a device in which a single dose of medication is vacuum packed
within a chamber of a housing.
[0015] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide such a device in which an applicator includes an absorbent
tip having an angled surface configured to best apply tooth
whitener to the outer surfaces of the teeth of the user or skin
care medication to the user's skin.
[0016] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide such a device in which a wiper is provided to wipe excess
medication from the tip as it is removed from the housing's
chamber.
[0017] These and other objects, aspects and features of the present
invention will be better understood from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment when read in conjunction
with the appended drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of the
inventive device including the housing and applicator.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG.
1 but with the applicator and housing assembled together.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the wiper
that is shown installed within the housing in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the details of the
wiper portion of the applicator.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the hand gripping portion of the
applicator.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] With reference, first, to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present
invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and
is seen to include a housing 11 and an applicator 40. The housing
11 includes a distal wall 13, side walls 15 which may, if desired,
be cylindrical, and a proximal open end 17. Within the proximal
opening 17, a cylindrical recess 19 is provided, which includes
female screw threads 21 for a purpose to be described in greater
detail hereinafter. A shoulder 23 surrounds an opening 24 that
leads distally to an internal chamber 25 that is sized and
configured to receive a single dose of tooth whitener such as, for
example, peroxide gel.
[0024] As explained above, the present invention is equally
effective in applying a single dose of a skin care medication such
as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin E, retinol, AHA, and
alpha lipoic acid. The following description is specific to
application of tooth whiteners but should be understood to be
equally applicable to applying skin care medication to the user's
skin.
[0025] With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, within the
chamber 25 a wiper 30 is provided that includes a generally
cylindrical side wall 31, a distal end 32 having a reduced diameter
opening 33 therethrough, a proximal opening 34 and, peripheral to
the opening 34, an enlarged annular shoulder 35 having a distal
annular surface 36 designed to sit on the shoulder 23 as shown in
FIG. 1 when the wiper 30 is assembled to the housing 11. For this
purpose, the wiper 30 has annular protrusions 37 and 38 which snap
into annular grooves 26 and 27 (FIG. 1) to hold the wiper 30 in
assembled relation with respect to the housing 11 as seen in FIG.
1. The passageway 39 through the wiper 30 may, if desired, be
cylindrical.
[0026] With reference, now, to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, in particular, it
is seen that the applicator 40 includes a hand gripping portion 41,
a stem 43, and a tip 45.
[0027] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the hand gripping portion
is seen to include an annular convex surface 44 that is designed to
be comfortably gripped by the fingers of the user. This surface
terminates at a shoulder 45 leading to a cylindrical portion 47
having male screw threads 49 designed to enmesh with the female
screw threads 21 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the housing 11. As seen from a
comparison of FIGS. 1 and 5, the gripping portion includes an
internal recess 51 that receives the proximal end of the stem 43
which proximal end is designated in FIG. 1 by the reference numeral
53. The distal end 55 of the stem 43 includes an internal
passageway 57 sized to receive the proximally extending stem 59 of
the tip 45 which is seen in FIG. 4. FIG. 1 shows the stem 59
received within the passageway 57 of the stem 43.
[0028] The tip 45 preferably has a circular cross-section and has
an angled surface 61 that is sized and configured to best apply
tooth whitener to the teeth of the user. The tip 45 is preferably
made of a soft absorbent material such as that which is sold under
the Trademark "HYTREL."
[0029] FIG. 2 shows the applicator 40 assembled to the housing 11
with the threads 21 and 49 enmeshed and the tip 45 contained within
the chamber 25. As should be clear from FIG. 2, the opening 33 in
the wiper 30 is sized such that the tip 45 must be flexible and
resilient to allow it to traverse the opening 33 since, as shown in
FIG. 2, the dimensions of the tip 45 are slightly larger than the
dimensions of the opening 33.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, before
use, the chamber 25 is filled with sufficient quantity of tooth
whitener in a liquid form to facilitate conducting a single tooth
whitening treatment of all of the user's teeth. Before use, in a
manner well known to those skilled in the art, the chamber 25 is
evacuated of air so that the tooth whitener is vacuum-packed
therein.
[0031] When it is desired to whiten one's teeth using the inventive
device 10, one need merely grip the housing 11 and twist the
applicator 40 gripping the surfaces 44 thereof. Once the applicator
40 begins to rotate with respect to the housing 11, the vacuum seal
is broken. The tip 45 is immersed in tooth whitener and when it
traverses the opening 33 of the wiper 30, a significant amount of
the tooth whitener is wiped off, thereby precluding dripping of the
tooth whitener once the tip 45 is removed from the chamber 25.
Furthermore, the relationship between the dimensions of the opening
33 and the tip 45 is such that an appropriate quantity of tooth
whitener is retained on the tip 45 to effectively apply to the
user's teeth. The user begins applying tooth whitener to the teeth
and periodically dips the tip 45 back within the chamber 25 to
replenish the supply of tooth whitener thereon.
[0032] When a single tooth whitening application has been completed
by the user, the user need merely re-attach the applicator 40 to
the housing 11 and discard the entire device 10 as a unit.
[0033] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
housing and the structures of the applicator besides the tip 45 and
of the wiper are made of a plastic material such as, for example,
translucent polypropylene. If desired, the wiper may be made of a
material such as that which is known as "EVA". As explained above,
the tip 45 may be made of a suitable soft resilient liquid
absorbent material such as, for example, that which is sold under
the Trademark "HYTREL". Other materials may suitably be used for
the various structures of the present invention provided the
effectiveness of its use as a single dose tooth whitening or skin
care medication container and applicator is not compromised.
[0034] As such, an invention has been disclosed in terms of a
preferred embodiment thereof which fulfills each and every one of
the objects of the invention as set forth hereinabove, and provides
a new and useful dipstick-type applicator for tooth whitener and
skin care medication of great novelty and utility.
[0035] Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations in
the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those
skilled in the art, without departing from the intended spirit and
scope thereof.
[0036] As such, it is intended that the present invention only be
limited by the terms of the appended claims.
* * * * *