Fluid delivery apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10238203-B2
Application number	US-201715486808-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 13, 2017
Priority date	Mar 4, 2010
Publication date	Mar 26, 2019
Grant date	Mar 26, 2019

Abstract

A fluid delivery apparatus including a reservoir containing at least one fluid. A capillary channel extends from the reservoir to deliver the fluids stored in the reservoir through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, an applicator formed of a capillary material is located within the outlet. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a housing defining a reservoir; at least one fluid stored in the reservoir; and a capillary channel in fluid coupling with the at least one fluid, the capillary channel including a first capillary member and a second capillary member that circumferentially surrounds the first capillary member such that the first and second capillary members are concentric.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid delivery apparatus comprising:
a housing defining a reservoir;
at least one fluid stored in the reservoir;
a capillary channel in fluid coupling with the at least one fluid, the capillary channel comprising a first capillary member and a second capillary member that circumferentially surrounds the first capillary member such that the first and second capillary members are concentric;
a valve disposed in the housing and in communication with a vent opening disposed in the housing, the valve being operative to introduce external air into the reservoir via the vent opening; and
an end cap disposed on a proximal end of the housing, the valve being seated in the end cap, wherein the end cap is a two-piece component including a handle plug that closes off the proximal end of the housing and a valve plug secured to the handle plug; and
wherein the valve is retained in the end cap by being trapped between the valve plug and the handle plug.

2. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first and second capillary members are disposed adjacent to and in surface contact with one another.

3. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 2 wherein an inner surface of the second capillary member is in surface contact with an outer surface of the first capillary member.

4. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first capillary member has a first fluid flow rate and the second capillary member has a second fluid flow rate, the first and second fluid flow rates being different.

5. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the capillary channel further comprises a third capillary member that circumferentially surrounds the second capillary member such that the first, second, and third capillary members are concentric.

6. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the first capillary member has a first fluid flow rate, the second capillary member has a second fluid flow rate, and the third capillary member has a third fluid flow rate, at least two of the first, second, and third fluid flow rates being different.

7. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the reservoir and the capillary channel are located within a body of an oral care implement.

8. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the body of the oral care implement comprises:
a head;
a handle, the reservoir located in the handle; and
an outlet located on the head and in fluid coupling with the capillary channel;
wherein the at least one fluid flows from the reservoir to the outlet via the capillary channel.

9. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising an applicator formed of a porous or fibrous material positioned on the head so as to be at least partially exposed via the outlet.

10. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the capillary channel comprises a capillary tube.

11. A fluid dispensing oral care implement comprising:
a head and a handle;
an outlet located on the head;
a reservoir located in the handle and having at least one fluid disposed therein; and
a capillary channel in fluid coupling with the at least one fluid in the reservoir and with the outlet to carry the fluid from the reservoir to the outlet for dispensing into a user's mouth, the capillary channel comprising a plurality of concentric members each having different fluid release characteristics;
a storage cap removably attachable to the head of the oral care implement, the storage cap including a sealing socket configured to substantially conform to the shape of the outlet and an open bottom, wherein when the storage cap is attached to the oral care implement head, the sealing socket is operative to at least partially seal the outlet to minimize evaporative loss of the fluid and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements protrude through the open bottom of the storage cap.

12. The fluid dispensing oral care implement according to claim 11 wherein the capillary channel comprises a first ring-shaped capillary member and a second ring-shaped capillary member that circumferentially surrounds the first ring-shaped capillary member such that the first and second ring-shaped capillary members are concentric.

13. The fluid dispensing oral care implement according to claim 12 wherein the fluid flows through the first ring-shaped capillary member at a first flow rate and wherein the fluid flows through the second ring-shaped capillary member at a second flow rate, the first and second flow rates being different.

14. The fluid dispensing oral care implement according to claim 11 further comprising an applicator positioned on the head so as to be at least partially exposed through the outlet for direct contact with a user's oral surfaces, wherein the applicator is in fluid coupling with the capillary channel.

15. A fluid delivery apparatus comprising:
a housing defining a reservoir;
at least one fluid stored in the reservoir;
a capillary channel in fluid coupling with the at least one fluid and an outlet, the capillary channel comprising a first flow section and a second flow section that are in fluid communication with one another, the first flow section is adjacent to the reservoir and the second flow section is adjacent to the outlet; and

wherein the first flow section has a first fluid flow rate and the second flow section has a second fluid flow rate, the second fluid flow rate being greater than the first fluid flow rate;
a valve disposed in the housing and in communication with a vent opening disposed in the housing, the valve being operative to introduce external air into the reservoir via the vent opening; and
an end cap disposed on a proximal end of the housing, the valve being seated in the end cap, wherein the end cap is a two-piece component including a handle plug that closes off the proximal end of the housing and a valve plug secured to the handle plug; and
wherein the valve is retained in the end cap by being trapped between the valve plug and the handle plug.

16. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the second flow section comprises a volume equal to a predefined dose of the fluid and wherein the second flow section empties its volume completely during a single use.

17. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the first and second fluid flow rates are controlled by modifying any of one or more of the following characteristics of the first and second flow sections: (1) transverse cross-sectional area; (2) transverse cross-sectional shape; (3) length; and (4) material of construction.

Assignees

• Colgate Palmolive Co

Inventors

• Jimenez Eduardo
• Rooney Michael
• Moskovich Robert
• Boyd Thomas
• Kennedy Sharon
• Patel Madhusudan
• Gatzemeyer John
• Sorrentino Alan

Classifications

• A46B11/0062

  Brushes where the reservoir is specifically intended for being refilled when empty · CPC title

• A46B11/0082 Primary

  Means for closing, sealing or controlling the flow using capillary action · CPC title

• A46B2200/1066

  Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures (A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04) · CPC title

• A46B15/0081

  Brushes with a scraper, e.g. tongue scraper · CPC title

• A46B11/001 Primary

  with integral reservoirs (A46B11/0003, A46B11/0006 take precedence) · CPC title