U.S. patent application number 17/093744 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-29 for dispenser for oral care composition.
The applicant listed for this patent is The Procter & Gamble Company. Invention is credited to Ming Qi, Dong Ruan, Lei Tian.
Application Number | 20210122535 17/093744 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005292612 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210122535 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruan; Dong ; et al. |
April 29, 2021 |
Dispenser For Oral Care Composition
Abstract
A dispenser having a nozzle, wherein the distal opening is
larger than the proximate opening, has an improved user experience
in dosing oral care compositions (such as toothpaste on a
toothbrush).
Inventors: |
Ruan; Dong; (Beijing,
CN) ; Qi; Ming; (Beijing, CN) ; Tian; Lei;
(Beijing, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Procter & Gamble Company |
Cincinnati |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005292612 |
Appl. No.: |
17/093744 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/0838 20130101;
B65D 35/44 20130101; B65D 35/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/08 20060101
B65D047/08; B65D 35/08 20060101 B65D035/08; B65D 35/44 20060101
B65D035/44 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 19, 2019 |
CN |
201921561436.2 |
Claims
1. A dispenser (1) for an oral care product, comprising: a base (9)
functionally attachable to a container containing an oral care
composition (not shown); a nozzle (13) extending from the base (9),
having a proximal opening (19) at the interface of the nozzle (13)
and the base (9), and an opposing distal opening (17); a
longitudinal axis (15) intersecting a centroid of a cross section
of the proximal opening (19) and a centroid of a cross section of
the distal opening (17); wherein the distal opening (17) has a
cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the
proximal opening (19); and wherein the nozzle (13) is capable of
being in fluid communication with the functionally attached
container containing the oral care composition.
2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of
the distal opening (17) is 5% to 115% larger than the
cross-sectional area of the proximal opening (19), preferably 10%
to 70%, more preferably 20% to 46% larger.
3. The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
the nozzle (13) further comprising a middle opening (21) in-between
the proximal opening (19) and the distal opening (17), wherein the
middle opening (21) cross-sectional area: is larger, preferably 3%
to 55% larger, than the cross-sectional area of the proximal
opening (19); but is smaller, preferably 3% to 30% smaller, than
the cross-sectional area of the distal opening (17).
4. The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
the distal opening (17) has the same cross-sectional shape as the
proximal opening (19); preferably the distal opening (17) and the
proximal opening (19) each have a circular shape; more preferably a
middle opening (21), in-between the proximal opening (19) and the
distal opening (17), also has a circular cross-sectional shape.
5. The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
the nozzle (13) has a height measured along the longitudinal axis
(15), from 3 mm to 20 mm, preferably from 4 mm to 12 mm.
6. The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
the cross-sectional area of the distal opening (17), proximate
opening (19), and a middle opening (21) longitudinally midway
in-between the distal opening (17) and proximate opening (19), is
each independently from 15 mm.sup.2 to 205 mm.sup.2, preferably
from 30 mm.sup.2 to 115 mm.sup.2.
7. The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, further
comprising a cap (3) for releasably capping the nozzle (13)
closed.
8. The dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the cap (3) is
hinged (5).
9. The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
the nozzle (13) and base (9) have a height, measured along the
longitudinal axis (15), from 2 mm to 20 mm, preferably from 3 mm to
13 mm.
10. The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
the base (9) comprises threading, preferably inwardly facing
threading (11).
11. The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, further
comprising a skirt (7) extending circumferential outward and around
at least the base (9).
12. The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, further
comprising a container containing an oral care composition
functionally attached to the base, preferably the oral care
composition is a toothpaste paste composition; preferably the
container and base (9) are functionally attached to each other by
threading.
13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the paste composition
comprises a viscosity from 150,000 centipoise to 850,000
centipoise.
14. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the container is a tube,
preferably a flexible tube and wherein the paste composition is
toothpaste.
15. The dispenser of according to any of the preceding claims, made
from plastic, preferably wherein the plastic is polypropylene, more
preferably injection molding of said plastic.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a dispenser suitable
for oral care compositions such a toothpaste.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many commercial toothpaste packages have: a flexible tube
body (to contain the toothpaste before dispensing); and a
functionally attached dispenser having a cylindrical nozzle. The
nozzle is in fluid communication with the contents of the tube
body. When a user squeezes the flexible tube body, a dose of
toothpaste is extruded through the cylindrical nozzle of the
dispenser and dispensed onto a tooth brush head. The nozzle
diameter/geometry is critical for defining a user's experience in
dispensing a desired tooth paste volume out from the package. Based
on unpublished consumer testing, dosage is an important factor for
an overall tooth brushing experience. Too large a dosage may waste
toothpaste (making the user feel as value is being lost) as well as
may frustrate the user given the efforts associated with getting
get rid of extra toothpaste (e.g., additional rinsing). On the
other hand, if a dosage is too small, it may not provide enough
cleaning benefit to teeth or freshening benefit to the oral cavity.
Further complicating matters is the diversity of tooth brushes
available to users. From example, some classic manual toothbrush
brushes may have relatively large heads while smaller heads may be
associated with some power brushes and specialty tooth brushes
(e.g., children or gum sensitivity).
[0003] Another challenge in dosing is the relatively viscous nature
of toothpaste. To this end, some consumers report that a relatively
high viscous toothpaste connotes quality. However, with this
viscosity, there are challenges for some consumer segments (e.g.,
elderly) to exert enough pressure on classic packages of toothpaste
to dose it with the most desired level of control and/or quantity.
Thus, there is a continuing need to provide a dispenser that can
improve the dosing experience using a single dispenser designs to
serves the needs among a myriad of user segments, toothbrushes, and
to do so with a relatively viscous composition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention attempts to address one or more of
these needs by providing a dispenser, suitable for dispensing oral
care composition, with a nozzle having a broadening nozzle opening
that generally increases the dosing amount (using the same force in
an otherwise classic dispenser). One aspect of the present
invention provides a dispenser for an oral care product. The
dispenser comprising a base which is functionally attachable to a
container containing an oral care composition (e.g., flexible
tube). The dispenser further comprises a nozzle, which extends from
the base. The dispenser has a proximal opening at the interface of
the nozzle and the base and an opposing distal opening. A
longitudinal axis intersects a centroid of a cross section of the
proximal opening and a centroid of a cross section of the distal
opening. The distal opening has a cross-sectional area larger than
the cross-sectional area of the proximal opening. The nozzle is
capable of being in fluid communication with the functionally
attached container containing the oral care composition. An example
of such a container is a flexible tube. An example of an oral care
composition is a paste, preferably a toothpaste.
[0005] One advantage of the dispenser is a dispensing a dose of
oral care composition that is wider than some classic dispensed
doses thereby increasing the surface area to facilitate better
dispersion or the oral care composition when administered in an
oral cavity. This is particularly advantageous with relatively high
viscous oral care compositions, such as pastes, which may not
disperse as readily as comparatively less viscous compositions.
[0006] One advantage of the dispenser herein is to minimize changes
to existing products to minimize costs and capital investment, yet
improve the user experience.
[0007] These and other aspects of the present invention will become
more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative
in nature and not intended to limit the invention defined by the
claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative
embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the
following drawings, and in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front, cross section view, of a dispenser;
and
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Features and benefits of the various embodiments of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description, which includes examples of specific embodiments
intended to give a broad representation of the invention. Various
modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
this description and from practice of the invention. The scope of
the present invention is not intended to be limited to the
particular forms disclosed and the invention covers all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
[0012] As used herein, the articles including "the", "a" and "an"
when used in a claim or in the specification, are understood to
mean one or more of what is claimed or described.
[0013] As used herein, the term "plurality" means more than
one.
[0014] As used herein, the terms "comprise", "comprising",
"include", "including", are meant to be non-limiting, i.e., other
steps and other ingredients which do not affect the end of result
can be added. Accordingly, the terms "consisting essentially of"
and "consisting of" are embodied in the term "comprising". As used
herein, "consisting essentially of" means that the devices,
apparatuses, methods, components, and/or compositions may include
additional ingredients, but only if the additional ingredients do
not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the
claimed devices, apparatuses, methods, components, and/or
compositions.
[0015] An "oral care composition" is means a composition, which in
the ordinary course of usage, is not intentionally swallowed for
purposes of systemic administration of particular therapeutic
agents but is rather retained in the oral cavity for a time
sufficient to contact dental surfaces (i.e., tooth) and/or oral
tissues for treatment. The oral care product may be in various
compositional forms including toothpaste, dentifrice, tooth gel,
subgingival gel, denture cleaning composition, denture adhesive, or
the like. A preferred oral care composition is a paste composition,
preferably a toothpaste composition.
[0016] An "oral care product" means packaging containing one or
more doses, preferably a plurality of doses, of oral care
composition. A dispenser is part of the packaging that contains the
oral care composition.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a dispenser (1) for an oral care
product is provided. The dispenser (1) comprises a base (9). The
base (9) is functionally attachable to a container containing an
oral care composition (not shown). The container is preferably a
tube, preferably a flexible tube, more preferably a flexible
toothpaste tube that is squeezable by a user to extrude the
contained oral care composition from the subject tube through the
functionally attached dispenser (1). The base (9), for example, may
have threading, preferably internal facing threading (11), for
functionally attaching the container (wherein the container has
complimentary threading, preferably complimentary outward facing
threading (not shown)). The dispenser (1) further comprises a
nozzle (13). The nozzle (13) extends from the base (9 (along a
longitudinal axis (15)). The nozzle (13) is in fluid communication
with the functionally attached container. The nozzle (13) extending
from the base (9), has a proximal opening (19) at the interface of
the nozzle (13) and the base (9). A distal opening (17) opposes the
proximal opening (19). The longitudinal axis (15) intersects a
centroid of a cross section of the proximal opening (19) and a
centroid of a cross section of the distal opening (17). The
longitudinal axis (15) orthogonally intersects these cross
sections. The nozzle (13) has a broadening nozzle opening. That is,
the distal opening (17) has a cross-sectional area larger than the
cross-sectional area of the proximal opening (19). In one example,
the cross-sectional area of the distal opening (17) is 5% to 115%
larger than the cross-sectional area of the proximal opening (19),
preferably 10 to 70%, more preferably 20 to 46% larger.
[0018] Still referring to FIG. 1, the nozzle (13) further comprises
a middle opening (21) in-between (relative to the longitudinal axis
(15)) the proximal opening (19) and the distal opening (17).
Preferably the longitudinal axis (15) orthogonally intersects the
cross section of the middle opening (21), more preferably
intersects the centroid of the middle opening cross section.
Preferably the middle opening (21) cross-sectional area is larger,
preferably 3% to 55% larger, than the cross-sectional area of the
proximal opening (19). The middle opening (21) cross-sectional area
is smaller, preferably 3% to 30% smaller, than the cross-sectional
of the distal opening (17). Preferably the shape of these cross
sections (i.e., of the distal opening, middle opening, and/or
proximate opening) are the same, more preferably are each circular.
That is, the distal opening (17) has the same cross-sectional shape
as the proximal opening (19). Preferably the distal opening (17)
and the proximal opening (19) cross sections each have a circular
shape. More preferably the middle opening (21) also has a circular
cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional area of the distal
opening (17), proximate opening (19), and the middle opening (21)
is each independently from 15 mm.sup.2 to 205 mm.sup.2, preferably
30 mm.sup.2 to 115 mm.sup.2 (appreciating cross-sectional area of
the middle opening is larger than that of the proximate opening,
and the cross-sectional area of the distal opening is larger than
that of the middle opening).
[0019] Still referring to FIG. 1, the nozzle (13) has a height,
measured along the longitudinal axis, from 3 mm to 20 mm,
preferably from 4 mm to 12 mm. The dispenser may comprise a cap (3)
for releasably capping nozzle (13) closed. The is preferably hinged
(5) (so as not to be lost or misplaced). The nozzle (13) and base
(9) (but without the cap (3)) has a height, measured along the
longitudinal axis (15), from 2 mm to 20 mm, preferably from 3 mm to
13 mm Lastly, a skirt (7) extends circumferentially outward and
around at least the base (9), preferably below the base (9) (to
visually hide the attachment between the base and the container
(not shown).
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1. The
dispenser (1) comprises a nozzle (13) which the longitudinal axis
(15) intersects. Starting at the outermost opening and descending
deeper into the nozzle (13) along the longitudinal axis (15), the
nozzle (13) has a distal opening (17) middle opening (21), and a
proximate opening (19). A skirt (7) extends circumferentially
outward and around at least the base (not shown in FIG. 2). A cap
(3) is attached by way of a hinge (5). The dispenser is made from
plastic. Preferably the plastic is polypropylene. Preferably the
dispenser is made by way of injection molding of said plastic.
[0021] The dispenser described herein, is particularly useful for
use with an oral care composition (especially a toothpaste) having
a viscosity range from 150,000 centipoise to 850,000 centipoise
("cP"). A method for assessing viscosity is described. The
viscometer is Brookfield.RTM. viscometer, Model DV-I Prime with a
Brookfield "Helipath" stand. The viscometer is placed on the
Helipath stand and leveled via spirit levels. The E spindle is
attached, and the viscometer is set to 2.5 RPM. Detach the spindle,
zero the viscometer and install the E spindle. Then, lower the
spindle until the crosspiece is partially submerged in the paste
before starting the measurement. Simultaneously turn on the power
switch on the viscometer and the helipath to start rotation of the
spindle downward. Set a timer for 48 seconds and turn the timer on
at the same time as the motor and helipath. Take a reading after
the 48 seconds. The reading is in cP.
[0022] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."
[0023] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced
or related patent or application and any patent application or
patent to which this application claims priority or benefit
thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety
unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any
document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to
any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in
any combination with any other reference or references, teaches,
suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent
that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts
with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document
incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to
that term in this document shall govern.
[0024] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *