U.S. patent application number 14/434320 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-24 for oral care system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Colgate-Palmolive Company. Invention is credited to Christine Boyke, Donghui Wu.
Application Number | 20150265041 14/434320 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47138185 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150265041 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boyke; Christine ; et
al. |
September 24, 2015 |
ORAL CARE SYSTEM
Abstract
An oral care system including an elongated member having tooth
cleaning elements and a store of oral care material. In one aspect,
the invention can be a toothbrush comprising a handle; a
through-slot extending through the handle; an elongated member
rotatably coupled to the housing for rotation about a rotational
axis, the elongated member comprising: a toothbrush head located on
a first side of the rotational axis; and a dispenser comprising a
store of oral care material located on a second side of the
rotational axis; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending
from the toothbrush head; the elongated member rotatable about the
rotational axis between: (1) a first state in which the toothbrush
head protrudes from the handle while the dispenser is nested within
the through-slot; and (2) a second state in which the dispenser
protrudes from the housing while the toothbrush head is nested
within the through-slot.
Inventors: |
Boyke; Christine; (Somerset,
NJ) ; Wu; Donghui; (Bridgewater, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Colgate-Palmolive Company |
Piscataway |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47138185 |
Appl. No.: |
14/434320 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
October 18, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2012/060768 |
371 Date: |
April 8, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/308 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 11/001 20130101;
A46B 15/0095 20130101; A46B 5/0075 20130101; A46B 5/0041 20130101;
A46B 2200/1066 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A46B 11/00 20060101
A46B011/00; A46B 15/00 20060101 A46B015/00 |
Claims
1. An oral care system comprising: a housing comprising a first
side surface and a second side surface opposite the first side
surface; a through-slot extending through the housing from the
first side surface to the second side surface and having an open
top end; an elongated member rotatably coupled to the housing for
rotation about a rotational axis, the elongated member comprising a
first portion located on a first side of the rotational axis and a
second portion located on a second side of the rotational axis; a
plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the first
portion of the elongated member; a dispensing orifice in the second
portion of the elongated, member through which an oral care
material stored in the elongated member can be dispensed; and the
elongated member rotatable about the rotational axis between: (1) a
first state in which the first portion of the elongated member
protrudes from the housing while the second portion of the
elongated member is nested within the through-slot; and (2) a
second state in which the second portion of the elongated member
protrudes from the housing, while the first portion of the
elongated member is nested within the through-slot.
2. The oral care system according to claim 1 wherein in the first
state the first portion of the elongated member protrudes from the
housing via the open top end of the through-slot, and wherein in
the second state the second portion of the elongated member
protrudes from the housing via the open top end of the
through-slot
3. The oral care system according to claim 1 wherein the dispensing
orifice is located at a terminal end of the second portion of the
elongated member.
4. The oral care system according to claim 1 wherein the plurality
of tooth cleaning elements are located adjacent a terminal end of
the first portion of the elongated member.
5. The oral care system according to claim 1 wherein the elongated
member further comprises a cap detachably coupled to the second
portion to enclose the dispensing orifice.
6. The oral care system according to claim I wherein in the first
state the housing forms a handle of a toothbrush device and the
first portion of the elongated member forms a neck and a head of
the toothbrush device.
7. The oral care system according to claim 1 wherein in the second
state the housing forms a handle for applying the oral care
material.
8. The oral care system according to claim 1 further comprising a
locking element for maintaining the elongated member in the first
state or the second state, wherein the locking element is alterable
between a locked state in which the locking element engages the
elongated member to prevent relative rotation between the elongated
member and the housing and an unlocked state in which the locking
element disengages the elongated member to allow relative rotation
between the elongated member and the housing.
9. (canceled)
10. The oral care system according to claim 8 further comprising
wherein the locking element is biased into the locked state.
11. The oral care system according to claim 8 wherein the first
portion of the elongated member comprises a first recess and the
second portion of the elongated member comprises a second recess,
and wherein when the elongated member is in the first state and the
locking element is in the locked state, the locking element
protrudes into the second recess, and wherein when the elongated
member is in the second state and the locking element is in the
locked state, the locking element protrudes into the first
recess.
12. (canceled)
13. The oral care system according to claim 8 further comprising an
actuator, the actuator operably coupled to the locking element to
alter the locking element between the locked state and the unlocked
state.
14. The oral care system according to claim 1 wherein the first
portion of the elongated member comprises a transverse
cross-sectional profile configured to matingly engage an inner
surface of the housing to maintain the elongated member in the
second state, and wherein the second portion of the elongated
member comprises a transverse cross-sectional profile configured to
matingly engage the inner surface of the housing to maintain the
elongated member in the first state.
15. The oral care system according to claim 14 wherein the
transverse cross-sectional profile of the first portion and the
transverse cross-sectional profile of the second portion are
located the same distance from the axis of rotation.
16. The oral care system according to claim 1 wherein the first and
second portions of the elongated member are integrally connected so
that rotation of one of the first or second portions about the
rotational axis results in corresponding rotation of the other one
of the first or second portions about the rotational axis.
17. The oral care system according to claim 1 wherein the first
portion has a first length and the second portion has a second
length. and wherein the first and second lengths are substantially
equal.
18. A toothbrush comprising: a handle; a through-slot extending
through the handle; an elongated member rotatably coupled to the
housing for rotation about a rotational axis, the elongated member
comprising: a toothbrush head located on a first side of the
rotational axis; and a dispenser comprising a store of oral care
material located on a second side of the rotational axis; a
plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the toothbrush
head; the elongated member rotatable about the rotational axis
between: (1) a first state in which the toothbrush head protrudes
from the handle while the dispenser is nested within the
through-slot; and (2) a second state in which the dispenser
protrudes from the housing while the toothbrush head is nested
within the through-slot.
19. The toothbrush according to claim 18 wherein the through slot
comprises an open top end, wherein in the first state the
toothbrush head of the elongated member protrudes from the handle
via the open top end of the through-slot, and wherein in the second
state the dispenser of the elongated member protrudes from the
handle via the open top end of the through-slot.
20. The toothbrush according to claim 18 wherein the toothbrush
head and the dispenser are integrally connected so that rotation of
one of the toothbrush head or the dispenser about the rotational
axis results in corresponding rotation of the other one of the
toothbrush head or the dispenser about the rotational axis.
21. An oral care system comprising: a housing; a member rotatably
coupled to the housing for rotation about a rotational axis; a
plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the member, a
dispensing orifice in the member through which an oral care
material stored in the member can be dispensed; and the member
rotatable about the rotational axis.
22. The oral care system according to claim 21 further comprising;
a through-slot extending through the housing; and the plurality of
tooth cleaning elements located on a first side of the rotational
axis while the dispensing orifice is located on a second side of
the rotational axis opposite the first side: and the member
rotatable about the rotational axis between: (1) a first state in
which the plurality of tooth cleaning elements are located outside
of the through-slot; and (2) a second state in which the dispensing
orifice is located outside of the through-slot.
23. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to an oral care
system, and specifically to an oral care system including a
toothbrush and at least one dispenser that are coupled to a
housing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Oral care products or agents are applied, in different ways.
For example, a common technique used the tooth whitening products
is to cast an impression of a person's teeth and provide a tray of
the shape of this impression. While tray-based systems are
suitable, many people do not use them due to the fact that they
tend to be uncomfortable and/or awkward. Moreover, in order to use
a whitening tray, a user must keep the tray and the required
components at hand. This not only requires extra storage space in
already cramped bathroom cabinets but also requires that the user
remember to use the whitening system. Furthermore, these tray-based
systems are not conveniently portable for transport and/or
travel.
[0003] In addition to difficulties in applying some oral care
products, storage is sometimes cumbersome and inconvenient for the
user. The oral care product must typically be stored separately
from oral care tooth cleaning implements such as a toothbrush since
the oral care product package and toothbrush heretofore are
generally treated as separate and distinct parts of an oral care
regimen. A more portable, compact and convenient way to store oral
care products, and to dispense and apply those oral care products
to oral surfaces is desired.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Embodiments of the present invention provide art efficient,
compact, and portable oral care system that combines an oral care
implement such as a toothbrush with an oral care product or agent
dispenser in a highly portable housing. Advantageously, such
embodiments are especially suited for easy transport and/or
travel.
[0005] In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care system
comprising: a housing comprising a first side surface and a second
side surface opposite the first side surface; a through-slot
extending, through the housing from the first side surface to the
second side surface and having an open top end; an elongated member
rotatably coupled to the housing for rotation about a rotational
axis, the elongated member comprising a first portion located on a
first side of the rotational axis and a second portion located on a
second side of the rotational axis; a plurality of tooth cleaning
elements extending from the first portion of the elongated member;
a dispensing orifice in the second portion of the elongated member
through which an oral care material stored in the elongated member
can be dispensed; and the elongated member rotatable about the
rotational axis between: (1) a first state in which the first
portion of the elongated member protrudes from the housing while
the second portion of the elongated member is nested within the
through-slot; and (2) a second state in which the second portion of
the elongated member protrudes from the housing while the first
portion of the elongated member is nested within the
through-slot.
[0006] In another embodiment, the invention can be a toothbrush
comprising: a handle; a through-slot extending through the handle;
an elongated member rotatably coupled to the housing for rotation
about a rotational axis; the elongated member comprising: a
toothbrush head located on a first side of the rotational axis; and
a dispenser comprising; a store of oral care material located on a
second side of the rotational axis; a plurality of tooth cleaning
elements extending from the toothbrush head; the elongated member
rotatable about the rotational axis between: (1) a first state in
which the toothbrush head protrudes from the handle while the
dispenser is nested within the through-slot; and (2) a second state
in which the dispenser protrudes from the housing while the
toothbrush head is nested within the through-slot.
[0007] In yet, another embodiment, the invention can be an oral
care system comprising: a housing; a member rotatably coupled to
the housing for rotation about a rotational axis; a plurality of
tooth cleaning elements extending from the member; a dispensing
orifice in the member through which an oral care material stored in
the elongated member can be dispensed; and the elongated member
rotatable about the rotational axis, the member is an integral
construction.
[0008] In still another embodiment, the invention can be an oral
care system comprising: a housing comprising a first side surface
and a second side surface opposite the first side surface; a
through-slot extending through the housing from the first side
surface to the second side surface and having an open top end; a
member rotatably coupled to the housing for rotation about a
rotational axis, the member comprising a first portion located on a
first side of the rotational axis, a second portion located on a
second side of the rotational axis, and a third portion located on
a third side of the rotational axis; a plurality of tooth cleaning
elements extending from the first portion of the elongated member;
a first dispensing orifice in the second portion of the elongated
member through which a first oral care material stored in the
second portion can be dispensed; and a second dispensing orifice in
the third portion of the elongated member through which a second
oral care material stored in the third portion can be dispensed;
and the member rotatable about the rotational axis between: (1) a
first state in which the first portion protrudes from the open top
end; (2) a second state in which the second portion protrudes from
the open top end; and (3) a third state in which the third portion
protrudes from the open top end.
[0009] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating: the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1A is a front view of an oral care system according to
one embodiment of the present invention including an elongated
member rotatably coupled to a housing and having a first portion of
the elongated member protrude from the housing, wherein the arrows
indicate the direction of rotation of the elongated member;
[0012] FIG. 1B is a front view of the oral care system of FIG. 1A
wherein the elongated member has been rotated so that a second
portion of the elongated member protrudes from the housing;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the oral care system
taken along line II-II of FIG. 1A;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a close-up view of area III of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVA-IVA
of FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating a mechanism for locking the
elongated member in place when the first portion of the elongated
member protrudes from the housing; and
[0016] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVB-IVB
of FIG. 1B in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating a mechanism for locking the
elongated member in place when the second portion of the elongated
member protrudes from the housing.
[0017] FIG. 5A is a front view of an oral care system according to
another embodiment of the present invention wherein the elongated
member comprises a first portion configured as a toothbrush, a
second portion configured as a first dispenser, and a third portion
configured as a second dispenser, and wherein the elongated member
is in a first state;
[0018] FIG. 5B is a front view of the oral care system of FIG. 5A
wherein the elongated member has been rotated to a second state;
and
[0019] FIG. 5C is a front view of the oral care system of FIG. 5A
wherein the elongated member has been rotated to a third state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses.
[0021] The description of illustrative embodiments according to
principles of the present invention is intended to be read in
connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be
considered part of the entire written description. In the
description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any
reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for
convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit
the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as "lower,"
"upper," "horizontal," "vertical," "above," "below," "up," "down,"
"top" and "bottom" as well as derivatives thereof (e.g.,
"horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly," etc) should be construed
to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the
drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience
of description only and do not require that the apparatus be
constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless
explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as "attached," "affixed,"
"connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and similar refer to a
relationship wherein structures inc secured or attached to one
another either directly or indirectly through intervening
structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or
relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the
features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference
to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention
expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments
illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features
that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the
scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended
hereto.
[0022] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described with respect to one or more possible oral care or
treatment systems. Embodiments of the oral care system include a
dispenser that may include, without limitation, one or more of the
following oral care fluids: tooth whitening, antibacterial, enamel
protection, anti-sensitivity, anti-inflammatory, anti-attachment,
fluoride, tartar control/protection, flavorant, sensate, colorant
and others. However, other embodiments of the present invention may
be used to store and dispense any suitable type of oral care fluid
and the invention is expressly not limited to any particular oral
care system or fluid alone. A more detailed, although still
non-exhaustive, listing of possible oral care materials that may be
stored in the dispenser of the present invention and utilized with
the oral care system will be provided below.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B concurrently, an oral care
system 100 is illustrated according to one embodiment of the
present invention. The oral Care system 100 is a compact readily
portable self-contained user-friendly system that comprises all of
the necessary components and chemistries for a user to perform a
desired oral care treatment routine. As will be described in
greater detail below, the oral care system 100 in one exemplary
embodiment generally takes the form of a housing having a
toothbrush and a dispenser that are pivotably or rotatably coupled
thereto. The oral care system 100 is portable for travel, easy to
use, and reduces the amount of required storage space. Furthermore,
since the toothbrush and dispenser are housed together, the user is
less likely to misplace the dispenser and ill be more inclined to
maintain the oral treatment routine with the dispenser since
brushing will remind the user to simply detach and apply the
contents of the dispenser.
[0024] The oral care system 100 generally comprises a housing 110
and an elongated member 120 rotatably coupled to the housing 110.
Specifically, the elongated member 120 is rotatably coupled to the
housing 110 for rotation about a rotational axis A-A. The elongated
member 120 comprises a first portion 121 located on a first side of
the rotational axis A-A and a second portion 122 located on a
second side of the rotational axis A-A. In the exemplified
embodiment, the second side of the rotational axis A-A at which the
second portion 122 is located is opposite the first side of the
rotational axis A-A at which the first portion 121. Thus, the first
and second portions 121, 122 extend from the rotational axis A-A at
180.degree. (angular) apart from one another, thereby forming a
substantially linear structure. In other embodiments, the first and
second portions 121, 122 extend from the rotational axis A-A at
other angular offsets, such as less than 180.degree., including
90.degree. or 120.degree. apart. In such embodiments, the second
side of the rotational axis A-A at which the second portion 122 is
located is not opposite from the first side of the rotational axis
A-A at which the first portion 121. In still another embodiment
(see e.g., FIG. 5 and related discussion below), the elongated
member 120 may comprise more than two portions extending from the
rotational axis A-A.
[0025] The elongated member 120 comprises various components that
assist a user in oral care as will be discussed in detail below.
The housing 110 provides a mechanism by which the user can hold and
manipulate the oral care system 100 during use. The housing 110 can
take on various shapes, sizes and configurations other than those
illustrated to enhance the comfort and gripability of the housing
110 to a user during use of the oral care system 100.
[0026] The first and second portions 121, 122 of the elongated
member 120 are integrally connected so that rotation of one of the
first or second portions 121, 122 of the elongated member 120 about
the rotational axis A-A results in corresponding rotation of the
other one of the first or second portions 121, 122 of the
elongated, member 120 about the rotational axis A-A. In certain
embodiments, the elongated member 120 may be formed as a one-piece
structure that includes both the first and second portions 121,
122. However, in other embodiments the first and second portions
121, 122 of the elongated member 120 can be separately formed and
connected at a later stage in the manufacturing process. Regardless
of the formation of the elongated member, the first and second
portions 121, 122 of the elongated member 120 are integrally
connected together and rotate together.
[0027] As will be discussed in more detail below, in the oral care
system 100 one of the first or second portions 121, 122 of the
elongated member 120 is always protruding from the housing 110 when
the other one of the first or second portions 121, 122 of the
elongated member 120 is retained within the housing 110. This is
due to the arrangement whereby the first and second portions 121,
122 of the elongated member 120 are oriented 180.degree. apart from
one another in the exemplified embodiment. For example, in FIG. 1A
the first portion 121 of the elongated member 120 is protruding
from the housing 110 while the second portion 122 of the elongated
member 120 is contained within the housing 110. Rotation of the
elongated member 120 one-hundred eighty degrees) (180.degree.)
about the rotational axis A-A in the direction indicated by the
arrows in FIG. 1A results in the configuration illustrated in FIG.
1B wherein the second portion 122 of the elongated member 120 is
protruding from the housing 110 while the first portion 121 of the
elongated member 120 is contained within the housing 110. Thus,
each of the first and second portions 121, 122 of the elongated
member are applied to a user's oral cavity separately to achieve
separate oral care benefits. Furthermore, in certain embodiments
each of the first and second portions 121, 122 of the elongated
member can be applied to a user's oral cavity sequentially so that
a combined oral care benefit can be achieved. It should also be
appreciated that the elongated member 120 may alternatively or
additionally rotate in an opposite rotational direction to that
depicted by the arrows in FIG. 1A.
[0028] In certain embodiments, the housing 110 is formed of a rigid
plastic material, such as for example without limitation polymers
and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butadiene vinyl compounds
and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate. Furthermore, in
certain embodiments the elongated member 120 is also formed of one
of the rigid plastic materials noted above. However, the invention
is not to be so limited in all embodiments and in certain other
embodiments the housing 110 and/or the elongated member 120 can be
formed of other materials. Furthermore, in some embodiments the
housing 110 and portions of the elongated member 120 may be
overmolded with a soft, resilient material, such as a thermoplastic
elastomer, to provide comfort to a user when gripping the housing
110 during use of the oral care system 100 to clean and/or sanitize
a user's oral cavity.
[0029] When the first portion 121 of the elongated member 120
protrudes from the housing 110 as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the first
portion 121 of the elongated member 120 forms a toothbrush device
that can be used by a user to brush and/or scrub his or her teeth.
In this state, the first portion 121 of the elongated member forms
a neck 126 and a head 127 of the toothbrush device while the
housing 110 forms a handle of the toothbrush device. The head 127
of the first portion 121 of the elongated member 120 has a first
surface 123 and an opposing second surface 124. A plurality of
tooth cleaning elements 125 extend from the first surface 123 of
the head 127 of the first portion 121 of the elongated member 120.
In the exemplified embodiment, the first portion 121 of the
elongated member 120 has a terminal end 128, and the plurality of
tooth cleaning elements 125 are located adjacent to the terminal
end 128 of the first portion 121 of the elongated member 120.
[0030] The exact structure, pattern, orientation and material of
the tooth cleaning elements 125 is not to be limiting of the
present invention unless so specified in the claims. As used
herein, the term "tooth cleaning elements" is used in a generic
sense to refer to any structure that can be used to clean, polish
or wipe the teeth and/or soft oral tissue (e.g. tongue, cheek,
gums, etc.) through relative surface contact. Common examples of
"tooth cleaning elements" include, without limitation, bristle
tufts, filament bristles, fiber bristles, nylon bristles, spiral
bristles, rubber bristles, elastomeric protrusions, flexible
polymer protrusions, combinations thereof and/or structures
containing such materials or combinations. Suitable elastomeric
materials include any biocompatible resilient material suitable for
uses in an oral hygiene apparatus. To provide optimum comfort as
well as cleaning benefits, the elastomeric material of the tooth or
soft tissue engaging elements has a hardness property in the range
of A8 to A25 Shore hardness. One suitable elastomeric material is
styrene-ethylenelbutylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS)
manufactured by GLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SEBS material from
other manufacturers or other materials within and outside the noted
hardness range could be used.
[0031] The tooth cleaning elements 125 of the present invention can
be connected to the head 127 of the first portion 121 of the
elongated member 120 in any manner known in the art. For example,
staples/anchors, in-mold tufting (IMT) or anchor free tufting (AFT)
could be used to mount the cleaning elements/tooth engaging
elements. In AFT, a plate or membrane is secured to the brush head
such as by ultrasonic welding. The bristles extend through the
plate or membrane. The free ends of the bristles on one side of the
plate or membrane perform the cleaning function. The ends of the
bristles on the other side of the plate or membrane are melted
together by heat to be anchored in place. Any suitable form of
cleaning elements may be used in the broad practice of this
invention. Alternatively, the bristles could be mounted to tuft
blocks or sections by extending through suitable openings in the
tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or
below the tuft block.
[0032] In certain embodiments, the head 127 of the first portion
121 of the elongated member 120 may also include a soft tissue
cleanser coupled to or positioned on its second surface 124. An
example of a suitable soft tissue cleanser that may be used with
the present invention and positioned on the second surface 124 of
the head 127 of the first portion 121 of the elongated member 120
is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,462, issued Dec. 5, 2006 to the
assignee of the present application, the entirety of which is
hereby incorporated by reference. In certain other embodiments, the
soft tissue cleanser may include protuberances, which can take the
form of elongated ridges, nubs, or combinations thereof. Of course,
the invention is not to be so limited and in certain embodiments
the head 127 of the first portion 121 of the elongated member 120
may not include any soft tissue cleanser.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1B and 2 concurrently, the oral care
system 100 will be further described. An oral care material 140 is
stored in the second portion 122 of the elongated member 120. The
second portion 122 of the elongated member 120 comprises a terminal
end 131. In the exemplified embodiment, a dispensing orifice 132 is
formed into the terminal end 131 of the second portion 122 of the
elongated member 120. The dispensing orifice 132 provides an
opening in the second portion 122 of the elongated member 120
through which the oral care material 140 contained within the
second portion 122 of the elongated member can be dispensed.
[0034] In the exemplified embodiment, the second portion 122 of the
elongated member 120 forms a dispenser 130 for containing a store
of the oral care material 140. The dispenser 130 is an elongated
structure having an inner surface 141 that defines a hollow
interior cavity 142 for storing the oral care material 140 therein.
In certain embodiments, the dispenser 130 may be refillable so that
a user can refill the oral care material 140 into the dispenser 130
after depletion thereof. However, in certain other embodiments upon
depletion of the oral care material 140 within the dispenser 130,
the entire oral care system 100 will be replaced. Thus, the amount
of the oral care material 140 may be indicative of the life-cycle
of the tooth cleaning elements 125 the oral care material 140 may
last for three months when used regularly, which is the time period
recommended for replacement of a toothbrush).
[0035] The dispenser 130 comprises an elongated body portion 133
and an applicator 134. In certain embodiments, the elongated body
portion 133 may be formed of a compressible material so that the
oral care material 140 contained therein can be dispensed. Of
course, the invention is not to be so limited and other techniques
for dispensing the oral care material 130 from the dispenser 130
can be used, such as for example a threaded screw coupled to an
elevator platform, a mechanical electrical or electromechanical
pump, or the like.
[0036] In the exemplified embodiment, the dispensing orifice 132 is
formed into the applicator 134 of the dispenser 130. In certain
embodiments, the applicator 134 may be formed of an elastomeric
material to provide comfort when applying the oral care material
directly onto a user's teeth and/or oral surfaces from the
dispenser 130. Specifically, when dispensing the oral care material
140 directly onto a tooth, the applicator 134 can be made to
contact the tooth directly to ensure that the oral care material
140 is adequately and sufficiently applied onto the tooth surface.
Forming the applicator 134 out of an elastomeric material makes
this direct dispensing process more comfortable for a user.
However, the invention is not to be so limited and in certain other
embodiments the applicator 134 may be formed of other materials,
including bristles, a porous or sponge material, or a fibrillated
material. Furthermore, in still other embodiments the applicator
134 may be omitted and the dispensing orifice 132 can be formed
directly into the dispenser 130 for dispensing the oral care
material 140 contained therein.
[0037] The elongated member 120 further comprises a cap 139
detachably coupled to the second portion 122 of the elongated
member 120. The cap 139 is detachably coupled to the second portion
122 of the elongated member 120 to enclose the dispensing orifice
132 and prevent accidental dispensing of the oral care material 140
from the second portion 122 of the elongated member 120 from
occurring. In certain embodiments, the cap 139 may include a
sealing member that protrudes into the dispensing orifice 132 to
perform the seal. In other embodiments, the cap 139 merely covers a
portion of or the entirety of the applicator 134 to prevent leakage
of the oral care material 140 stored therein. Furthermore, in some
embodiments a second cap may be provided to be detachably coupled
to the first portion 121 of the elongated member 120 so as to
provide protection to the tooth cleaning elements 125 extending
therefrom.
[0038] When the second portion 122 of the elongated member 120
protrudes from the housing 110 as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the
housing 110 forms a handle for applying the oral care material
contained within the second portion 122 of the elongated member
120. Thus, the housing 110 is used as the handle both when the
first portion 121 of the elongated member 120 is used to clean a
user's teeth and/or oral cavity and when the second portion 122 of
the elongated member is used to apply the oral care material 140
onto a user's teeth and/or oral cavity. As such, the housing 110
can be shaped in any desired ergonomic fashion to achieve a
comfortable gripping surface for a user.
[0039] The elongated member 120 comprises both tooth cleaning
elements 125 extending therefrom and the oral care material 140
stored therein for use in an oral care regimen. By forming the oral
care system 100 to include both the tooth cleaning elements 125 and
the oral care material 140, the oral care system 100 functions as a
stand-alone device for oral care that can achieve both tooth and
oral surface cleaning as well as other benefits achieved through
use of the oral care material 140 as will be discussed in more
detail below. In certain embodiments, the oral care system 100 may
merely be considered a toothbrush wherein the housing 110 forms the
handle of the toothbrush and the elongated member 120 comprises a
toothbrush head having tooth cleaning elements extending therefrom
and a dispenser containing an oral care material.
[0040] Referring briefly to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 4A and 4B
concurrently, the housing 110 comprises a first side surface 111
and a second side surface 112 opposite the first side surface 111.
A through-slot 115 extends through the housing 110 from the first
side surface 111 to the second side surface 112. Thus, each of the
first and second side surfaces 111, 112 comprises an opening that
provides access to the through-slot 115. The through-slot 115
provides a passageway for the first and second portions 121, 122 of
the elongated member 120 to pass through the housing 110 when the
elongated member 120 is rotated about the rotational axis A-A.
Thus, the through-slot 115 enables the elongated member 120 to
alternate between having the first portion 121 protruding from the
housing 110 and having the second portion 122 protruding from the
housing 110 and enables a full 360 rotation of the elongated member
120 about the rotational axis A-A.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the oral care system 100 comprises
a pin 117 upon which the elongated member 120 rotates. The pin 117
is an elongated cylindrical shaped pin that extends along the
rotational axis A-A. The pin 117 extends through a through-hole 118
formed into the elongated member 120. The distance from the pin 117
and the rotational axis A-A to the terminal end 128 of the first
portion 121 of the elongated member 120 is substantially equal to
the distance from the pin 117 and the rotational axis A-A to the
terminal end 131 of the second portion 122 of the elongated member
120. Furthermore, although the terminal end 131 of the second
portion 122 of the elongated member 120 is illustrated as being the
end of the applicator 134, in certain embodiments the terminal end
131 of the second portion 122 of the elongated member 120 can be
the end of the cap 139. This ensures that both the first and second
portions 121, 122 of the elongated member 120 fit within the
through-slot 115 of the housing 110.
[0042] The second portion 122 of the elongated member 120 has an
outer surface 129. Furthermore, the housing 110 has an inner
surface 113 that defines the through-slot 115. In the exemplified
embodiment, when the second portion 122 of the elongated member 120
is nested within the through-slot 115 as illustrated in FIG. 2, the
outer surface 129 of the second portion 122 of the elongated member
120 is in surface contact with the inner surface 113 of the housing
110. Thus, the width of the second portion 122 of the elongated
member 120 at the outer surface 129 is substantially equal to the
width of the inner surface 113 of the housing 110 that defines the
through-slot 115. Such a structural arrangement and relative sizing
of the components ensures that when the second portion 122 of the
elongated member 120 is located within the through-slot 115, it
will not rotate out of the through-slot 115 without a user applying
a force to rotate the elongated member 120.
[0043] Similarly, in the exemplified embodiment the first portion
121 of the elongated member 120 has an outer surface 139 at the
head portion 127 that is substantially equal in width to the outer
surface 129 of the second portion 122 of the elongated member 120.
Thus, when either of the first or second portions 121, 122 of the
elongated member 120 are located within the through-slot 115 of the
housing 110, the elongated member 120 is prevented from rotation
without some user assistance. Specifically, when the first or
second portions 121, 122 of the elongated member 120 are located
within the through-slot 115, the outer surfaces 139, 129 of the
first and second portions 121, 122 of the elongated member 120 rub
against the inner surface 113 of the housing 110 to form an
interference fit therebetween in order to maintain the elongated
member 120 in a particular state of rotation (i.e., in the first
state with the first portion 121 of the elongated member 120
protruding from the housing 110, or in the second state with the
second portion 122 of the elongated member 120 protruding from the
housing). Of course, it should be appreciated that the fit between
the outer surfaces 139, 129 of the first and second portions 121,
122 of the elongated member 120 and the inner surface 113 of the
housing 110 is not so tight as to prevent rotation, but merely to
prevent undesired and continuous rotation of the elongated member
120 without the user applying a force on the elongated member 120
or otherwise purposely rotating the elongated member 120.
[0044] Nonetheless, in certain other embodiments the widths at the
outer surfaces 139, 129 of the first and second portions 121, 122
of the elongated member 120 may be smaller than the width of the
inner surface 113 of the housing 110 that defines the through-slot
115 to ensure that the rotation of the elongated member 120 is not
retarded or prevented. However, in certain embodiments the oral
care system 100 includes a locking element 180 that is biased into
a locking position when one of the first or second portions 121,
122 of the elongated member 120 is located within the through-slot
to prevent rotation of the elongated member 120 without a user
disengaging the locking element 180, as will be discussed in more
detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Of course, other
locking systems can be used to prevent rotation of the elongated
member 120 when such rotation is undesirable, examples of which
will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4A
and 4B.
[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, the through-slot 115 further
comprises an open top end 116 which further enables the first
and/or second portions 121, 122 of the elongated member 120 to
protrude from the housing 110 and further facilitates rotational
movement of the elongated member 120 relative to the housing 110.
Thus, the elongated member 120 is rotatable about the rotational
axis A-A between a first state, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, in which
the first portion 121 of the elongated member 120 protrudes from a
distal end of the housing 110 via the open top end 116 of the
housing 110 while the second portion 122 of the elongated member
120 is nested within the through-slot 115, and a second state, as
illustrated in FIG. 1B, in which the second portion 122 of the
elongated member 120 protrudes from a distal end of the housing 110
via the open top end 116 of the housing 110 while the first portion
121 of the elongated, member 120 is nested within the through-slot
115. In this manner, when the first portion 121 of the elongated
member 120 protrudes from the housing 110, the tooth cleaning
elements 125 can be used to brush and/or otherwise clean a user's
teeth and oral surfaces while the housing 110 protects the second
portion 122 of the elongated member 120 and keeps the second
portion 122 of the elongated member 120 out of the user's way so as
not to interfere with the tooth brushing. Similarly, when the
second portion 122 of the elongated member 120 protrudes from the
housing 110, the oral care material 140 can be dispensed into a
user's oral cavity to provide various benefits to the user while
the housing 110 protects the first portion 121 of the elongated
member 120 and the tooth cleaning elements 125 against damage and
keeps the first portion 121 of the elongated member 120 out of the
user's way so as not to interfere with the oral care material 140
dispensing.
[0046] In certain embodiments, it is desirable to store the oral
care system 100 in the second state illustrated in FIG. 1B during
periods of non-use. This is because the second portion 122 of the
elongated member 120 comprises the cap 139 for protecting the
applicator 134 and preventing leakage of the oral care material 140
stored therein. However, the tooth cleaning elements 125 are not
protected against damage when the first portion 121 of the
elongated member 120 protrudes from the housing 110. Thus, by
storing the oral care system 100 with the first portion 121 of the
elongated member 120 nested within the through-slot 115 of the
housing 110, the tooth cleaning elements 125 can be protected and
the life-cycle of the oral care system 100 can be extended. Of
course, the oral care system 100 can be stored with either of the
first or second portions 121, 122 of the elongated member 120
protruding from the housing 110 as desired.
[0047] Referring again to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first portion 121 of
the elongated member 120 comprises a first recess 146. Similarly,
the second portion 122 of the elongated member 120 comprises a
second recess 147. In the exemplified embodiment, each of the first
and second recesses 146, 147 are illustrated as being square-shaped
recesses. However, the invention is not to be so limited and the
shape and relative size of the recesses 146, 147 is not to be
limiting, of the invention in all embodiments. Each of the first
and second recesses 146, 147 is a divot or indentation formed into
the first and second portions 121, 122 of the elongated member,
respectively. As will be discussed in more detail below, in one
exemplified embodiment a portion of the locking element 180 fits
into the first and second recesses 146, 147 to prevent rotation of
the elongated member 120.
[0048] The first recess 146 is located a first distance D.sub.1
from the rotational axis A-A. The second recess 147 is located a
second distance D.sub.2 from the rotational axis A-A. Furthermore,
the second distance D.sub.2 is the same or substantially equal to
the first distance D.sub.1. The first and second recesses 146, 147
provide a region on the first and second portions 121, 122 of the
elongated member 120 for the locking element 180 to engage the
first and second portions 121, 122 of the elongated member 120 to
prevent rotation of the elongated member 120 when such rotation is
undesirable, such as during use and storage of the oral care system
100. By maintaining the first distance D.sub.1 as the same as the
second distance D.sub.2, the locking mechanism 180 is able to
engage both of the recesses 146, 147 independently depending upon
which of the first or second portions 121, 122 of the elongated
member 120 is located within the through-slot 115 of the housing
110.
[0049] The first portion 121 has a first length L.sub.1 measured
from the rotational axis A-A to the distal end 128 while the second
portion 122 has a second length L.sub.2 measured from the
rotational axis A-A to the distal end 151 (FIG. 1A). In the
exemplified embodiment, the first and second lengths L.sub.1,
L.sub.2 are substantially equal to one another. In another
embodiment, the first and second lengths L.sub.1, L.sub.2 may not
be equal. In one such embodiment, the first length L.sub.1 is
greater than the second length L.sub.2. In another such embodiment,
the second length is greater than the first length L.sub.1.
[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 concurrently, the locking
element 180 will be described in more detail. The locking element
180 is used for maintaining the elongated member 120 in the first
state or the second state described above. Specifically, the
lacking element 180 prevents rotation of the elongated member 120
by engaging the recesses 146, 147 of the first and second portions
121 122 of the elongated member 120. The locking element 180
generally comprises a latch portion 181 and a biasing element 182.
Furthermore, an actuator 183 is operably coupled to the locking
element 180 to alter the locking element 180 between a locked state
and an unlocked state. In the embodiment exemplified in FIGS. 2 and
3, the second portion 122 of the elongated member 120 is nested
within the through-slot 115 of the housing 110 and the first
portion 121 of the elongated member 120 protrudes from the housing
110. In this position, the locking element 180 engages the recess
147 of the second portion 122 of the elongated member 120. More
specifically, the latch portion 181 of the locking element 180
protrudes into the recess 147 of the second portion 122 of the
elongated, member 120 to prevent the elongated member 120 from
rotating about the rotational axis A-A.
[0051] The locking element 180 is biased into the locked state,
illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the locking element 180, and
specifically the latch portion 181 of the locking element 180
engages the elongated member 120 to prevent relative rotation
between the elongated member 120 and the housing 110. More
specifically, the latch portion 181 of the locking element 180
protrudes into the recess 146, 147 of either the first or second
portion 121, 122 of the elongated member 120, depending upon which
one of the first or second portions 121, 122 of the elongated
member 120 are located within the through-slot 115. Thus, if the
first portion 121 of the elongated member 120 is located within the
through-slot 115, the latch portion 181 of the locking element 180
nests within the first recess 146 of the first portion 121 of the
elongated, member 120 to prevent rotation of the elongated member
120. If the second portion 122 of the elongated member 120 is
located within the through-slot 115 (as illustrated in FIGS, 2 and
3), the latch portion 181 of the locking, element 180 nests within
the second recess 147 of the second portion 122 of the elongated
member 120 to prevent rotation of the elongated member 120.
[0052] The locking element 180 is biased into the locked state via
the biasing element 182. In the exemplified embodiment, the biasing
element 182 is a torsion spring. However, the invention is not to
be so limited in all embodiments and in certain other embodiments
the biasing element 182 can be a compression spring, a tension
spring, a barrel spring, an extension spring, a coil spring, a
drawbar spring, a magazine spring, a spring pin, a cotter pin,
spring washers, wave springs or any other type of element capable
of biasing the locking element 180 into the locked state as
illustrated.
[0053] The locking element 180 is alterable between the locked
state discussed above and an unlocked state in which the locking
element 180 disengages the elongated member 120 to allow relative
rotation between the elongated member 120 and the housing 110.
Specifically, by actuating the actuator 183, the latch portion 181
of the locking element 180 is removed from the first or second
recess 146, 147 of the first or second portion 121, 122 of the
elongated member 120, respectively. When the latch portion 181 of
the locking element 180 is removed from the first or second recess
146, 147, the locking member 180 is in the unlocked state. The
actuator 183 must be actuated with enough force to overcome the
bias of the biasing element 182 in order to pull the latch portion
181 of the locking element 180 out of the first or second recess
146, 147. Upon removing the latch portion 181 of the locking
element 180 out of the first or second recess 146, 147, the locking
element 180 is in the unlocked state and relative rotation between
the elongated member 120 and the housing 110 is enabled.
[0054] When the elongated member 120 is in the first state such
that the first portion 121 of the elongated member 120 protrudes
from the housing 110 and the second portion 122 of the elongated
member 120 nests within the through-slot 115 (FIG. 1A), the locking
element 180 is in the locked state by having the latch portion 181
of the locking element 180 protrude into the second recess 147.
Similarly, when the elongated member 120 is in the second state
such that the second portion 122 of the elongated member 120
protrudes from the housing 110 and the first portion 121 of the
elongated member 120 nests within the through-slot 115 (FIG. 1B),
the locking element 180 is in the locked state by having the latch
portion 181 of the locking element 180 protrude into the first
recess 146. In certain other embodiments, the recesses 146, 147 may
be omitted and the lock state can be achieved by the locking
element 180 engaging the outer surface of the elongated member 120
with enough force to prevent rotation thereof relative to the
housing 110.
[0055] Of course, in certain other embodiments the locking element
180 can be altogether omitted. In such embodiments, the
interference fit or contact between the inner surface 113 of the
housing 110 and the outer surfaces 139, 129 of the first and second
portions 121, 122 of the elongated member 120, as discussed above,
can be used to maintain the elongated member 120 in the first
and/or second states and prevent rotation of the elongated member
120 relative to the housing 110. Furthermore, in other embodiments
relative rotation between the elongated member 120 and the housing
110 can be prevented by other mechanisms, including for example
without limitation a set screw, a slide lock, a magnetic lock, a
twist-lock, a button-type lock, an electronic lock, a pin lock, or
the like. In such embodiments, the component that engages the
elongated member 120 will be considered the locking element.
However, in still other embodiments the transverse cross-sectional
profiles of the first and second portions 121, 122 of the elongated
member 120 can be formed to maintain the elongated member 120 in
the first and/or second states, thereby serving, as a locking
mechanism, as discussed below.
[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B concurrently, an
alternative mechanism for maintaining the elongated member 120 in
the first and/or second states will be described. The embodiment
exemplified in FIGS. 4A and 4B can be utilized both with and
without the locking element 180 discussed above. Thus, in certain
embodiments both the mechanism discussed below and the locking
element 180 can be used in combination, to maintain positioning of
the elongated member 120 relative to the housing 110 and to prevent
undesirable rotation of the elongated member 120. However, in other
embodiments either only the locking element 180 discussed above or
only the alternative mechanism discussed below can be used. In
still other embodiments, neither the locking, element 180 nor the
alternative mechanism discussed below are utilized and rotation of
the elongated member 120 can be prevented simply by a user gripping
the housing 110 and preventing the elongated, member 120 from
sliding out of the through-slot, or any other techniques discussed
herein.
[0057] Referring first to FIG. 4A, the second portion 122 of the
elongated member 120 is illustrated nested within the through-slot
115 of the housing 110. Thus, in FIG. 4A the elongated member 120
is in the first state (i.e., the first portion 121 of the elongated
member 120 is protruding from the housing 110 and the second
portion 122 of the elongated member 120 is nested within the
through-slot 115 of the housing 110). The second portion 122 of the
elongated member 120 comprises a transverse cross-sectional profile
configured to matingly engage the inner surface 113 of the housing
110 to maintain the elongated member 120 in the first state.
[0058] Specifically, the inner surface 113 of the housing 110
comprises a first pair of spaced apart protuberances 105 on a first
side 101 of the inner surface 113 of the housing 110. The inner
surface 113 of the housing 110 also comprises a second pair of
spaced apart protuberances 106 on a second side 102 of the inner
surface 113 of the housing 110, the second side 102 being opposite
the first side 101. Each of the protuberances 105 on the first side
101 of the inner surface 113 of the housing 110 is aligned with one
of the protuberances 106 on the second side 102 of the inner
surface 113 of the housing 110. Furthermore, a first socket 103 is
formed between the pair of protuberances 105 on the first side 101
of the inner surface 113 of the housing 110 and a second socket 104
is formed between the pair of protuberances 106 on the second side
102 of the inner surface 113 of the housing 110.
[0059] As noted above, the second portion 122 of the elongated
member 120 comprises a transverse cross-sectional profile
configured to matingly engage the inner surface 113 of the housing
110. More specifically, the second portion 122 of the elongated
member 120 comprises a first protuberance 107 and a second
protuberance 108. When the second portion 122 of the elongated
member 120 rotates into the through-slot 115 of the housing 110,
the first protuberance 107 nests within the first socket 103 and
the second protuberance 108 nests within the second socket 104. In
this manner, the elongated member 120 is prevented from further
rotation about the rotational axis A-A without a force being
applied on the elongated member 120. Thus, forming the second
portion 122 of the elongated member 120 with the transverse
cross-sectional profile described above, and forming the inner
surface 113 of the housing 110 with the transverse cross-sectional
profile described above, creates a built-in locking mechanism that
assists with maintaining the elongated member 120 in the first
state. Of course, through user applied or other pressure, the
elongated member 120 can be rotated by applying force on the
elongated member 120 sufficient to disengage the protuberances 107,
108 of the second portion of the elongated member 120 from the
sockets 103, 104 in the inner surface 113 of the housing 110.
[0060] Referring now to FIG, 4B, the first portion 121 of the
elongated member 120 is illustrated nested within the through-slot
115 of the housing 110. Thus, in FIG. 4B the elongated member 120
is in the second state (i.e., the second portion 122 of the
elongated member 120 is protruding from the housing 110 and the
first portion 121 of the elongated member 120 is nested within the
through-slot 115 of the housing 110). The first portion 121 of the
elongated member 120 comprises a transverse cross-sectional profile
configured to matingly engage the inner surface 113 of the housing
110 to maintain the elongated member 120 in the first state.
[0061] Specifically, as discussed above, the inner surface 113 of
the housing 110 comprises the first pair of spaced apart
protuberances 105 on the first side 101 of the inner surface 113 of
the housing 110. The inner surface 113 of the housing 110 also
comprises the second pair of spaced apart protuberances 106 on the
second side 102 of the inner surface 113 of the housing 110, the
second side 102 being opposite the first side 101. As noted above,
the first socket 103 is formed between the pair of protuberances
105 on the first side 101 of the inner surface 113 of the housing
110 and the second socket 104 is formed between the pair of
protuberances 106 on the second side 102 of the inner surface 113
of the housing 110.
[0062] As noted above, the first portion 122 of the elongated
member 120 comprises a transverse cross-sectional profile
configured to matingly engage the inner surface 113 of the housing
110. More specifically, the first portion 122 of the elongated
member 120 (i.e., the head 127 of the toothbrush device) comprises
a first contoured side surface 175 and a second contoured side
surface 176. When the first portion 122 of the elongated member 120
rotates into the through-slot 115 of the housing 110, the first
contoured side surface 175 nests within the first socket 103 and
the second contoured side surface 176 nests within the second
socket 104. In this manner, the elongated member 120 is prevented
from further rotation about the rotational axis A-A without a force
being applied on the elongated member 120. Thus, forming the first
portion 122 of the elongated member 120 with the transverse
cross-sectional profile described above, and forming the inner
surface 113 of the housing 110 with the transverse cross-sectional
profile described above creates a built-in locking mechanism that
assists with maintaining the elongated member 120 in the second
state.
[0063] To ensure that each of the first and second portions 121,
122 of the elongated member 120 will engage the sockets 103, 104
formed into the inner surface 113 of the housing 110. the
protuberances 107, 108 on the first portion 121 of the elongated
member 120 are located the same distance from the axis of rotation
A-A as the first and second contoured side surfaces 175, 176 of the
second portion 122 of the elongated member 120. Stated another way,
the transverse cross-sectional profile of the first portion 121 of
the elongated member 120 that enables the first portion 121 of the
elongated member 120 to engage the sockets 103, 104 and the
transverse cross-sectional profile of the second portion 12 of the
elongated member 122 that enables the second portion 122 of the
elongated member 120 to engage the sockets 103, 404 are located the
same distance from the axis of rotation A-A.
[0064] As described herein, the oral care system 100 generally
comprises a plurality of tooth cleaning elements and a store of
oral care material. While the invention is described herein with
respect to the use of tooth cleaning elements as one of the two
primary components of the oral care system 100, it is to be
understood that other alternative oral cleaning mechanisms (as
alternatives to tooth cleaning elements) can be used within the
scope of the invention, including powered or movable tooth cleaning
elements, a tongue scraper, a gum and soft tissue cleanser, a water
pick, an interdental, device, a tooth polisher, tooth engaging
elements specially designed to increase the effect of the oral care
material on the teeth or any other type of component that is
commonly used for oral care. Thus, it is to be understood that the
inventive concepts discussed herein can be applied to any type of
oral cleaning mechanism unless a specific type of oral cleaning
mechanism is specified in the claims.
[0065] It is to be understood that the inventive system can be
utilized fur a variety of intended oral care needs by filling the
elongated member 120 with any oral care material, such as an oral
care fluid that achieves a desired oral effect. In one embodiment,
the oral care material is preferably free of (i.e., is not)
toothpaste as the oral care material is intended to augment not
supplant the brushing regimen. However, the invention is not to be
so limited and in other embodiments the oral care material may be
or may include toothpaste. The oral care materials and/or its
medium can be selected, to complement a toothpaste formula, such as
by coordinating flavors, colors, aesthetics, or active
ingredients.
[0066] The oral care materials contained within the elongated
member 120 may be a measured amount of a semi-viscous, yet
flowable, aesthetically pleasing, pleasant tasting oral care
composition that is dosed or metered through the dispensing orifice
and delivered directly into a user's oral cavity or onto the tooth
cleaning elements. The oral care material can either be a flowable
liquid and/or a solid that is easily dispensed for consumer use.
The flowable liquids may include, without limitation, pastes, gels,
rinses, foams, scrubbers, solids, liquids and or aerosols under
compressed air.
[0067] The oral care materials can be used for a variety of oral
care needs including but not limited to whitening, sensitivity, gum
health, stain-removal, enamel strengthening, mouthrinse, breath
spray, sanitizer solution for a toothbrush, a whole mouth care
solutions. The oral care material may also include active
ingredients typical of use in whole mouth oral care formulations.
The oral care material may also contain sweeteners, particulates,
and sensates capable of delivering unique benefits to the
consumer.
[0068] The oral care material can be used as a stand-alone
formulation. In some embodiments, the composition has the
capability and potential of containing and delivering active
ingredients, such as Fluoride Arginine, Triclosan, or the like,
while further providing potential cleaning, stain-removal,
whitening of the teeth surface with the incorporation of chemical
agents such as hydrogen peroxide, or polishing abrasives such as,
for example, silica dicalcium phosphate, precipitated calcium
carbonate or the like. The composition also has the capability of
delivering consumer perceivable visual signals via unique
colorants, shapes, stripes, sparkles, extruded forms etc, while
further delivering consumer perceivable sensory signals delivered
via unique flavors, sweeteners, sensates, or the like.
[0069] The oral care materials include materials that provide oral
health benefits to a user upon contact with a user's oral cavity.
In one embodiment, the oral care materials are fluidic materials.
For example, in certain embodiments the oral care materials include
a mouthwash solution that cleans the oral surfaces when applied
thereto and provides the user with breath freshening benefits. In
other embodiments, the oral care materials include a tooth cleaning
solution, such as a dentifrice. Of course, the oral care materials
are not to be in any way limiting of the present invention and may
include fluids having active or inactive agents that deliver
therapeutic, cosmetic, experiential and/or sensorial benefits to a
consumer during a tooth, soft tissue, tongue or interdental
cleaning regimen. Specifically, the oral care material can be an
anti-sensitivity agent, fluoride, a tartar protection agent, an
antibacterial agent, an oxidative or whitening agent, an enamel
strengthening or repair agent, a tooth erosion preventing agent, a
tooth sensitivity ingredient, a gum health active, a nutritional
ingredient, a tartar control or anti-stain ingredient, an enzyme, a
sensate ingredient, a flavor or flavor ingredient, a breath
freshening ingredient, an oral malodor reducing agent, an
anti-attachment agent or sealant, a diagnostic solution, an
occluding agent, a dry mouth relief ingredient, a catalyst to
enhance the activity of any of these agents, colorants or aesthetic
ingredients, arginine bicarbonate, chlorohexidine, triclosan, CPC,
zinc oxide and combinations thereof. As noted above, in certain
embodiments the oral care materials or at least one of the oral
care materials is free of a dentifrice as the oral care fluid is
intended to supplement traditional brushing of the teeth rather
than supplant it.
[0070] In one alternate embodiment (not illustrated), the second
portion 122 of the elongated member 120 can include a first
dispensing orifice and a second dispensing orifice. In one such
embodiment, the first dispensing orifice is fluidly coupled to a
first store of oral care material within the second portion 122
while the second dispensing orifice is fluidly coupled to a second
store of oral care material within the second portion 122. In this
manner, the second portion 122 can be utilized to apply two
different oral care materials, either concurrently or
consecutively. In one such embodiment, the second portion 122 can
include two separate hollow interior cavities 142 extending
side-by-side, in which the first and second stores of oral care
material are stored. As discussed above, these hollow interior
cavities 142 would be fluidly coupled to the first and second
dispensing orifices. In still another such embodiment, a single
dispensing orifice can be provided, that is fluid coupled to both
of the hollow interior cavities 142 so as to effectuate
point-of-use mixing of the first and second oral care materials
during dispensing through the dispensing orifice for immediately
prior thereto in a mixing chamber).
[0071] Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5C concurrently, an oral care
system 100A is illustrated according to an alternate embodiment of
the present invention. The oral care system 100A is identical to
the oral care system 100 discussed above with the exception that
the elongated member comprises three portions instead of two. Thus,
in order to avoid redundancy, only those aspects of the oral care
system 100A that differ from the oral care system 100 will be
discussed below. It is to be understood that non-contradictory
concepts described above for oral care system 100 are (or can be)
incorporated into the oral care system 100A. Moreover, for purposes
of simplicity, corresponding elements of oral care system 100 and
oral care system 100A will be given like reference numerals with
the addition of the suffix "A."
[0072] The oral care system 100A comprises a housing 110A and a
member 120A rotatably coupled to the housing 110A. The housing
110A, in the exemplified embodiment, is identical to the housing
100 discussed above. However, in other embodiments, the housing
110A can be widened to accommodate the two of the three portions
121A, 122A, 223A of the member 120A that are not being used.
[0073] The member 120A is rotatably coupled to the housing 110A for
rotation about a rotational axis X-X. The member 120 comprises a
first portion 121A located on a first side of the rotational axis
X-X, a second portion 122A located on a second side of the
rotational axis X-X, and a third portion 223A located on a third
side of the rotational axis X-X. In the exemplified embodiment, the
first, second and third portions 121A, 122A, 223A are angulary
equi-spaced from one another (i.e., about 120). In other
embodiments, other angular spacing can be implemented. Rotation of
one of the first, second or third portions 121A, 122A, 223A results
in corresponding rotation of the other ones of the first, second or
third portions 121A, 122A, 223A.
[0074] As discussed above for first portion 121, the first portion
121A is configured to be a toothbrush device in that a plurality of
tooth cleaning elements 125A are mounted thereto. Furthermore, as
discussed above with respect to the second portion 122, the second
portion 122A is configured to be a dispenser containing a store of
an oral care material. Additionally, similar to that described
above for the second portion 122, the third portion 223A is also
configured to be a dispenser containing a store of an oral care
material. Thus, the oral care system 100A comprises a toothbrush
device and two different dispensers. If desired, different oral
care materials can be included in each of the dispensers formed by
the second and third portions 22A, 223A respectively. The
structures and functioning of the dispenser of each the second and
third portions 122A, 223A is otherwise identical to that of the
dispenser formed by the second portion 122 discussed above and,
thus, requires no further explanation.
[0075] The member 120A rotatable about the rotational axis X-X
between: (1) a first state (FIG. 5A) in which the first portion
121A protrudes from the open top end 116A of the through slot 115A;
(2) a second state (FIG. 5B) in which the second portion 122A
protrudes from the open top end 116A of the through lot 115A; and
(3) a third state (FIG. 5C) in which the third portion 223A
protrudes from the open top end 116A of the through slot 115A.
[0076] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for
describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value
within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In
addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by
referenced in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a
definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference,
the present disclosure controls.
[0077] While the invention has been described with respect to
specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying
out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
there are numerous variations and permutations of the above
described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other
embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional
modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention
should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended
claims.
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