U.S. patent application number 11/548470 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-24 for toothbrush with integral forced air apparatus.
Invention is credited to Ashok V. Joshi.
Application Number | 20070113374 11/548470 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38541488 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070113374 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Joshi; Ashok V. |
May 24, 2007 |
Toothbrush With Integral Forced Air Apparatus
Abstract
Toothbrushes are provided which provide and direct a flow of air
to the head of the brush for delivery to the mouth of a user during
use. The toothbrushes may be produced to be modular and capable of
being assembled and disassembled as needed, with a power supply,
motor, fan, and head portion being replaceable, or they may
alternatively be constructed so as to be disposable. The
toothbrushes may additionally include a volume of a beneficial
agent to be dispensed with the flow of air to change, enhance, or
add to the properties of a dentifrice used during brushing. One
such beneficial agent may be ozone provided by an ozone chip
integrated into the toothbrush.
Inventors: |
Joshi; Ashok V.; (Salt Lake
City, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CERAMATEC, INC.
2425 SOUTH 900 WEST
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84119
US
|
Family ID: |
38541488 |
Appl. No.: |
11/548470 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60725503 |
Oct 11, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/405 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 17/022 20130101;
A46B 2200/1066 20130101; A61C 19/063 20130101; A46B 15/0016
20130101; A46B 15/00 20130101; A46B 15/0051 20130101; A46B 5/0095
20130101; A46B 15/0002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/405 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/04 20060101
A46B009/04 |
Claims
1. A toothbrush comprising: a housing connected with a head
portion; wherein the housing comprises an integral air apparatus
configured to force air through a channel extending from the
housing into the head portion; and wherein the head portion
comprises at least one gas emitter orifice through which air may
pass and a plurality bristles extending outward from the head
portion.
2. The toothbrush of claim 1, further comprising a heating
apparatus configured to raise the temperature of air being forced
through the channel.
3. The toothbrush of claim 3, wherein the temperature of the air
being forced through the channel is between about 10 degrees
Celsius and about 50 degrees Celsius.
4. The toothbrush of claim 3, wherein the temperature of the air
being forced through the channel is between about 25 degrees
Celsius and about 40 degrees Celsius.
5. The toothbrush of claim 2, wherein the temperature of the air in
the toothbrush is between about 1 degree Celsius and about 15
degrees Celsius above the ambient temperature.
6. The toothbrush if claim 4, wherein the temperature of the air in
the toothbrush is between about 5 degrees Celsius and about 10
degrees Celsius above ambient temperature.
7. The toothbrush of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir
configured to maintain a beneficial agent that capable of being
vaporized and carried with the flow of forced air through the
channel.
8. The toothbrush of claim 7, wherein the beneficial agent is
selected from a group consisting of oxidizing agents, whitening
agents, therapeutic agents, breath freshening agents,
gingivitis-treating compositions, pain-relieving agents, and
anti-inflammatory agents.
9. The toothbrush of claim 1, further compromising an ozonator
configured to introduce ozone into the flow of forced air.
10. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the integral air apparatus
comprises a fan and motor assembly.
11. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the housing further
comprises at least one louver configured to allow air into the
housing.
12. The toothbrush of claim 11, wherein the louver is configured to
block water from entering the housing.
13. A toothbrush comprising: a housing connected with a head
portion; wherein the housing comprises an integral air apparatus
configured to force air through a channel extending from the
housing into the head portion; wherein the head portion comprises
at least one gas emitter orifice through which air may pass and a
plurality bristles extending outward from the head portion; and a
heating apparatus configured to raise the temperature of air being
forced through the channel.
14. The toothbrush of claim 13, further comprising a reservoir
configured to maintain a beneficial agent that capable of being
vaporized and carried with the flow of forced air through the
channel.
15. The toothbrush of claim 14, wherein the beneficial agent is
selected from a group consisting of oxidizing agents, whitening
agents, therapeutic agents, breath freshening agents,
gingivitis-treating compositions, pain-relieving agents, and
anti-inflammatory agents.
16. The toothbrush of claim 13, further comprising an ozonator
configured to introduce ozone into the flow of forced air.
17. The toothbrush of claim 13, wherein the integral air apparatus
comprises a fan and motor assembly.
18. The toothbrush of claim 13, wherein the housing further
comprises at least one louver configured to allow air into the
housing.
19. The toothbrush of claim 18, wherein the louver is configured to
block water from entering the housing.
20. The toothbrush of claim 13, wherein the air in the toothbrush
is between about 10 degrees and about 50 degrees Celsius.
21. A toothbrush comprising: a housing connected with a head
portion; wherein the housing comprises an integral air apparatus
configured to force air through a channel extending from the
housing into the head portion; wherein the head portion comprises
at least one gas emitter orifice through which air may pass and a
plurality bristles extending outward from the head portion; a
heating apparatus configured to raise the temperature of air being
forced through the channel; and wherein the integral air apparatus
comprises a fan and motor assembly.
22. The toothbrush of claim 21, further comprising a reservoir
configured to maintain a beneficial agent that capable of being
vaporized and carried with the flow of forced air through the
channel.
23. The toothbrush of claim 22, wherein the beneficial agent is
selected from a group consisting of oxidizing agents, whitening
agents, therapeutic agents, breath freshening agents,
gingivitis-treating compositions, pain-relieving agents, and
anti-inflammatory agents.
24. The toothbrush of claim 1, further comprising an ozonator
configured to introduce ozone into the flow of forced air.
25. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the housing further
comprises at least one louver configured to allow air into the
housing.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to and claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/725,503 entitled
"TOOTHBRUSH WITH INTEGRATED FAN" and filed on Oct. 22, 2005 for
Ashok V. Joshi, which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to oral care
devices, and more particularly to toothbrushes adapted to provide a
flow of air through the brush head upon actuation by the user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Toothbrushes have been used as a hygienic aid in a variety
of cultures for many years. Increasingly, toothbrushes have been
used with a variety of compositions such as dentifrices
(compositions which aid in cleaning teeth) and other substances
which act to improve the smell of a user's breath, remove,
dislodge, or kill bacteria, or otherwise improve oral health. As
their popularity has increased, so has the industry behind the
production and sales of toothbrushes and associated cleaning
compositions.
[0004] It has been discovered that providing oxygen to
toothbrushes, and thus, to the oral cavity during brushing helps to
break up clumps of bacteria, thus facilitating their removal from
the surfaces of teeth and gums. Delivery of extra oxygen to the
oral cavity may also hinder the development of anaerobic bacteria
that are often responsible for unpleasant odors in breath. Some
difficulty is faced, however, in providing oxygen to the oral
cavity in a safe and convenient manner.
[0005] Additional difficulty is faced in the industry in devising
methods and means for administering a wide variety of beneficial
agents to the teeth and/or mouth. Some such agents may be
successfully delivered in dentifrice compositions, but others, due
to their chemical properties may be unsuited for delivery in this
manner. Others are useful only in such small quantities that
delivery is highly difficult.
[0006] Thus, it would be an improvement in the art to provide a
toothbrush device that provides a flow of air, including oxygen, to
the mouth during brushing. It would further be beneficial to
provide a toothbrush containing its own onboard supply of a
beneficial agent that can be vaporized and delivered from the
toothbrush.
[0007] Such a device and methods of its use are provided
herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention has been developed in response to the
present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the
problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved
by currently available toothbrushes. Accordingly, the present
invention has been developed to provide a toothbrush with an
integral forced air apparatus that overcome many or all of the
above-discussed shortcomings in the art.
[0009] The toothbrush may, in the described embodiments, include a
housing connected with a head portion. The housing may comprise an
integral air apparatus configured to force air through a channel
extending from the housing into the head portion. The head portion
includes at least one gas emitter orifice through which air may
pass and a plurality bristles extending outward from the head
portion.
[0010] In one embodiment, the toothbrush also includes a heating
apparatus configured to raise the temperature of air being forced
through the channel. Furthermore, the toothbrush may comprise a
reservoir configured to maintain a beneficial agent that capable of
being vaporized and carried with the flow of forced air through the
channel. Examples of suitable beneficial agents include, but are
not limited to, oxidizing agents, whitening agents, therapeutic
agents, breath freshening agents, gingivitis-treating compositions,
pain-relieving agents, and anti-inflammatory agents.
[0011] In a further embodiment, the toothbrush may include an
ozonator configured to introduce ozone into the flow of forced air.
Additionally, in one embodiment, the integral air apparatus
comprises a fan and motor assembly. Furthermore, the housing
further comprises at least one louver configured to allow air into
the housing, and the louver may be configured to block water from
entering the housing.
[0012] Other advantages and aspects of the present invention will
become apparent upon reading the following description of the
drawings and detailed description of the invention. These and other
features and advantages of the present invention will become more
fully apparent from the following figures and description, or may
be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth
hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In order that the manner in which the above-recited and
other features and advantages of the invention are obtained will be
readily understood, a more particular description of the invention
briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific
embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments
of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be
limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a toothbrush suitable for use with the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional
view of the toothbrush in accordance with the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional
view of one embodiment of a toothbrush having a heating apparatus
in accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional
view of one embodiment of a toothbrush having a reservoir in
accordance with the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional
view of one embodiment of a head portion in accordance with the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The presently preferred embodiments of the present invention
will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like
parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be
readily understood that the components of the present invention, as
generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be
arranged and designed in a wide variety of different
configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of
the embodiments of the toothbrush with integrated fan device of the
present invention, as represented in FIGS. 1-5, is not intended to
limit the scope of the invention as claimed, but is merely
representative of presently preferred embodiments of the
invention.
[0020] The toothbrushes provided in the present invention are
designed to provide and direct a flow of air to the head of the
brush for delivery to the mouth of a user during use of the
toothbrush. The toothbrushes of the present invention may produced
so as to be modular and capable of being assembled and disassembled
as needed, with the power supply, motor, fan, and head portion
being replaceable, or they may alternatively be constructed so as
to be disposable. Some such disposable embodiments may have a
projected life similar to that of bristles. In some embodiments,
this projected life is approximately three or four months. In other
embodiments, only the head portion with bristles is modular and
replaceable to allow the brush head to be swapped to provide new
bristles every three to four months as recommended by the American
Dental Association.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a toothbrush 100 suitable for use with the present
invention. In one embodiment, the toothbrush 100 comprises a
housing 102 connected with a head portion 104. The housing 102 may
be generally elongated in form and hollow in order to house various
elements which will be described in greater detail below with
reference to FIGS. 2-4. The exterior surface of the housing 102 may
be configured with an activation switch 106. As depicted, the
activation switch 106 may comprise a rocker-style switch.
Alternatively, the activation switch 106 may be any switch capable
of activating an electronic circuit.
[0022] In a further embodiment, the toothbrush 100 may also include
a channel 108 extending from the housing 102 to the head portion
104. As will be described in greater detail below, the channel 108
is configured to conduct gasses from the housing 102 to the head
portion 104. The gasses may include a mixture of air and a
beneficial agent. Alternatively, the gasses may comprise heated
air. The toothbrush 100 also is configured with a plurality of
bristles 110 extending from the head portion 104.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional
view of the toothbrush 100 in accordance with the present
invention. As depicted, the toothbrush 100 includes the housing 102
and the head portion 104. The head portion 104 comprises a number
of bristles 202 that may be widely varied to correspond with
various sizes and designs of toothbrushes, and at least one gas
emitter 204. The gas emitter 204 may comprise a simple opening in
the head portion 104, to allow the exit of a flow of air 68.
[0024] In some embodiments, the head portion 104 may include a
plurality of gas emitters 204 to allow escape of flows of air 206
from the head portion. In one instance, the gas emitters 204 will
all be positioned within the bristles 202. In others, emitters 204
may be positioned at a variety of locations on the head portion
104, including, but not limited to, the top, back, and/or sides.
The toothbrush 100 of FIG. 2 has a plurality of gas emitters 204
positioned within the field of bristles 202. One of ordinary skill
in the art will understand that a wide variety of potential
variations of position, size, and number of gas emitter 204
orifices are included within the scope of the present
invention.
[0025] The head portion 104 is continuous with the channel 108
extending from the housing 102 which delivers the flow of air 206
to the head portion 104, and which is continuous with orifices
which may comprise, or may simply be continuous with, the gas
emitters 204.
[0026] The housing 102 may contain a power supply or battery
portion 208, a motor portion 210, and an air apparatus 212. In some
embodiments, the battery 208, motor 210, and air apparatus 212 are
held in proper relation within the housing 102. In others, these
components may simply interconnect to make up a part of the housing
102. As described above, the housing 102 further comprises the
activation switch 106 for starting the motor 210 of the toothbrush
100 to operate the air apparatus 212.
[0027] In one embodiment, the air apparatus 212 comprises a fan
configured to move air or gas from the housing 102 through the
channel 108 and into the head portion 104. Although the toothbrush
100 is depicted in FIG. 2 having an axial-type fan, one skilled in
the art will recognize that the fan may be replaced with
centrifugal or radial fans, cross flow or tangential fans, the
flapping blade of a piezoceramic fan, etc.
[0028] The air apparatus (hereinafter "fan") 212 may be housed
within the housing 102 which includes at least one louver 214, and
in many cases, a plurality of louvers 214 to allow inflow of
outside ambient air into the toothbrush 100. The louver 214, in one
example, may comprise a traditional louver having a water
impermeable, but gas permeable, covering (not shown). The covering
may be configured to allow ambient air to enter the housing 102 but
not allow liquids to enter. Examples of coverings suitable for use
in the present invention include fabrics having a mesh size that
permits the passage of air but not liquid. One such fabric
includes, but is not limited to, Gore-Tex.RTM. as manufactured by
W.L. Gore and Associates of Newark, Del.
[0029] As fan 212 is operated, the flow of air 206 is produced from
an air chamber 216 and directed through the channel 108 of the
toothbrush 100 to the head portion 104, from which it is emitted.
This draws ambient air into the toothbrush 100 to become the flow
of air 206. Air emitted from the head portion 104 of the toothbrush
100 may enhance foaming of a dentifrice or other beneficial agent
used during brushing, may dislodge, break up, or loosen bacterial
colonies, and enhance the brushing experience for the user.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of
a toothbrush 300 having a heating apparatus 302 in accordance with
the present invention. In one embodiment, the toothbrush 300 is
illustrated to similarly include a housing 304 and a head portion
306. As with toothbrush 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the head portion 306
of toothbrush 300 of FIG. 3 comprises a number of bristles. As
above, one of ordinary skill in the art is aware that the number,
size, shape, and type of bristles may be varied widely within the
scope of the present invention to provide a large number of
differently-sized and shaped toothbrushes.
[0031] The head portion 306 also includes at least one gas emitter
308, in some instances in the form of an orifice connecting the
outside air to an interior channel 310, to allow exit of a flow of
air 312 produced by the toothbrush 300. As above, the head portion
306 may include a plurality of gas emitters 308 to allow escape of
flows of air 312 from the brush head portion 306. The gas emitters
308 may be positioned all, or partially within the field of
bristles. Emitters 308 may alternately be placed about the head
portion 306 on the top, back, and/or sides. One of ordinary skill
in the art will understand that a wide variety of potential
variations of position, size, and number of gas emitter 308
orifices are included within the scope of the present
invention.
[0032] The head portion 306 of toothbrush 300 is also continuous
with a channel 310 extending from the housing 304. As above, a flow
of air 312 is provided to the head portion 306. The flow of air 312
is propelled through orifices which may comprise, or may simply be
continuous with, the gas emitters 308.
[0033] The handle portion 304 of toothbrush 300 may be similar to
that provided in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that it includes a power supply
or battery portion 312, a motor portion 316, and a fan 318. In some
embodiments, the battery 312, motor 316, and fan 318 may be held
together by the housing 304, and in others they may interconnect.
The housing 304 may further comprise a power switch 320 for
operating the motor 316 of the toothbrush 300 to operate the fan
318.
[0034] As above, the housing 304 may include at least one louver
(now shown), and in many cases, a plurality of louvers to allow
inflow of outside ambient air. The fan 318 may generate the flow of
air 312 from an air chamber that is directed through the channel
310 of the toothbrush 300 to the head portion 306.
[0035] In a further embodiment, the toothbrush 300 may include the
heat apparatus 302 which may be configured to elevate the
temperature of the ambient air to a predetermined temperature. The
predetermined temperature is selected to maximize the cleaning
ability of toothpaste. Furthermore, the heated air may beneficially
eliminate germs and bacteria.
[0036] In one embodiment, the heat apparatus comprises a resistor
element configured to convert electricity into heat. As the flow of
air 312 passes over the element, the air is raised to a
predetermined temperature. For example, the predetermined
temperature may be in the range of between about 1 and 15.degree.
Celsius above the ambient temperature. Alternatively, the
predetermined temperature is in the range of between about 7 and
12.degree. Celsius above ambient temperature. In one embodiment,
the air forced through the toothbrush is between about 10 degrees
Celsius to about 50 degrees Celsius. In one embodiment, the air may
be heated or cooled to achieve a temperature in this range. In
another embodiment, the forced air is between about 25 degrees
Celsius and about 40 degrees Celsius. The toothbrush 300 may also
include a plurality of diverters 322 configured to direct the flow
of air through the heat apparatus 302
[0037] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of
a toothbrush 400 having a reservoir 402 in accordance with the
present invention. In one embodiment, the toothbrush 400 includes,
in combination with the fan and the heat apparatus, or without, the
reservoir 402 for maintaining a beneficial agent 404. The
beneficial agent 404, in one instance, is capable of being
vaporized and being carried with the flow of air into the mouth of
the user. Vaporization of the agent 404 may be passive, i.e., the
agent 404 is simply picked up by the flow of air and carried away;
or an optional vaporizing unit (not shown) may be included to
facilitate dispensing of the agent.
[0038] In some alternative embodiments, the reservoir 402 is
replaced by an ozonator in the form of an ozone chip. When the
toothbrush 400 is activated, the fan 406 starts and the ozone chip
activates to produce ozone which is carried with the flow of air
produced by the fan 406 into the mouth of the user. In some
embodiments, it is beneficial to provide a flow of air having a
concentration of ozone ranging from about 0 to about 10%.
[0039] As above, the flow of air containing the beneficial agent
404, in some cases including ozone, that is emitted from the head
portion 408 of the toothbrush 400 may enhance foaming of a
dentifrice or other beneficial agent used during brushing, may
dislodge, break up, or loosen bacterial colonies, and enhance the
brushing experience for the user. The additional presence of the
beneficial agent 404 may also impart additional properties to the
dentifrice, or may improve its efficacy.
[0040] A wide variety of beneficial agents 404 is potentially
useful with the toothbrushes 400 of the present invention. One
general family of such agents includes, but is not limited to,
agents such as oxidizing agents, capable of producing oxygen when
dispensed to the mouth. Some such agents include hydrogen peroxide,
ozone, and other similar substances. Other suitable beneficial
agents 404 to be dispensed from reservoir 402 of the toothbrush 400
include whitening agents, therapeutic compositions, generating
agents, and breath-fresheners.
[0041] Suitable therapeutic compositions include, without
limitation, antibacterial agents, gingivitis-treating compositions,
pain-relieving agents, anti-inflammatory agents, and many other
chemical entities suitable for oral administration. Seals may
additionally be provided to the head portions of the toothbrushes
of the present invention, and/or to the emitters to seal the device
during manufacturing, shipping, and storage prior to use.
[0042] Suitable beneficial agents could also include agents which
are not stable when mixed with a dentifrice composition for long
periods of time. In such situations, the toothbrush could be used
with conventional toothpaste, with the beneficial agent being
dispensed during brushing. Allowing the beneficial agent to be
dispensed during use of the toothbrush may provide the benefits of
the dentifrice and the beneficial agent that would otherwise be
unavailable to a user.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of
a head portion 500 in accordance with the present invention. In one
embodiment, the head portion 500 includes, as described previously,
a plurality of bristles 502 embedded in the head portion 500. In
one embodiment, the bristle bottoms are placed in holes formed or
bored in the head portion 500. Positioned underneath the bristles
502 is one end of the channel 504 that extends from the housing
(see FIGS. 1-4) to the head portion 500.
[0044] The head portion 500 also includes the gas emitters 506. As
depicted, the gas emitters 506 comprise orifices or apertures that
enable the flow of gas from the channel 504 to the ambient air.
Although the gas emitters 506 as depicted are located in between
bristles, the gas emitters may alternatively be formed in the head
portion 500 such that the flow of air or gas passes through one or
more bristles. For example, each bristle may comprise a hollow tube
configured to direct the flow of gas directly to the surface of the
teeth.
[0045] While specific embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind
without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention,
and are thus included within its scope.
* * * * *