Fluid dispensing oral care implement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9237798-B2
Application number	US-201313846686-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 18, 2013
Priority date	Mar 4, 2010
Publication date	Jan 19, 2016
Grant date	Jan 19, 2016

Abstract

A fluid dispensing oral care implement with fluid delivery system. The implement includes a storage member containing a fluid. A channel formed of one or more wicking or capillary members extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver fluid(s) through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, the fluid outlet is comprised of a wicking or capillary material and is disposed in the head of the implement. In some embodiments, the implement may include a valve and a specially configured storage cap. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, tooth sensitivity, plaque and/or tartar control, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A fluid dispensing oral care implement, comprising:
a head including at least one tooth cleaning element;
a storage member for storing a fluid;
at least one fluid outlet disposed in the head; and
a channel fluidly coupling the storage member to the outlet, wherein the channel transfers fluid at a first fluid flow rate to the outlet and the outlet transfers fluid to a user at a second fluid flow rate, the first fluid flow rate being different than the second fluid flow rate.

2. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 1 , wherein the channel is formed of a first wicking material and the outlet is formed of a second wicking material.

3. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 2 , wherein the first wicking material is the same as the second wicking material.

4. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 3 further comprising a lateral offset between the outlet and the channel.

5. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 4 wherein the outlet and the channel are unitary.

6. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 2 , wherein the first wicking material has an associated characteristic first wicking flow rate and the second wicking material has an associated characteristic second wicking flow rate different than the first flow rate, the second wicking material of the outlet being fluidly coupled to the first wicking material of the channel, wherein the fluid flows via capillary action through the first wicking material and second wicking materials at different wicking flow rates.

7. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 2 , wherein the storage member is formed of a third wicking material different than the first and second wicking materials, the third wicking material having an associated characteristic flow rate that is different than an associated characteristic flow rate of the first and second wicking material, wherein the storage member and the channel operate to cause the fluid flows through the storage member and channel at different flow rates.

8. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 1 , further comprising a flow restrictor disposed between the storage member and the channel, the fluid flowing through the flow restrictor at a reduced rate of flow that is smaller than a rate of flow through at least one of the storage member and the channel.

9. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 8 , wherein the flow restrictor comprises a reduced cross-sectional area between the storage member and the channel.

10. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 8 , wherein the flow restrictor is a valve or orifice.

11. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 1 , wherein the channel is disposed at least partially within the storage member.

12. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 11 , wherein the channel and the storage member are cylindrical in shape and concentrically aligned with each other.

13. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 1 , wherein the fluid outlet includes an extension having an exposed portion protruding outwards from a surface of the head of the oral care implement.

14. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 13 , wherein the fluid outlet is disposed at least partially within a tissue cleaner attached to the head of the oral care implement.

15. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 1 , wherein the storage member is made of a wicking material.

16. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 15 , wherein the channel and the storage member are longitudinally elongated, the channel having an end in fluid communication with the storage member that is smaller in cross-sectional area than the storage member.

17. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 1 further comprising a handle having a transparent portion, wherein the storage member is visible through the handle.

18. A fluid dispensing oral care implement, comprising:
a head and a handle, the head having a front surface and an opposing rear surface, at least one tooth cleaning element extending from the front surface;
a storage member for storing a fluid;
an opening formed through the rear surface of the head;
a channel formed of a first wicking material extending from the storage member to a fluid outlet, the fluid outlet formed of a second wicking material and exposed through the opening; and
a tissue cleanser disposed on the rear surface of the head, wherein the fluid outlet is exposed through an aperture in the tissue cleanser.

19. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 18 , wherein the first wicking material is the same as the second wicking material.

20. A fluid dispensing oral care implement comprising:
a head and a handle, the head having a front surface and an opposing rear surface, at least one tooth cleaning element extending from the front surface;
a storage member for storing a fluid;
an opening formed through the rear surface of the head;
a channel formed of a first wicking material extending from the storage member to a fluid outlet, the fluid outlet formed of a second wicking material and exposed through the opening; and
an outlet extension in fluid communication with the fluid outlet and protruding outwards from the fluid outlet in a direction transverse to the head.

21. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 20 further comprising a tissue cleanser disposed on the rear surface of the head, wherein the outlet extension projects outward from the rear surface of the head beyond an outer surface of the tissue cleanser.

22. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 20 wherein the outlet extension has a lateral width that is substantially coextensive with a width of the fluid outlet.

23. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 20 further comprising a longitudinal axis, the outlet extension and the opening in the rear surface of the head elongated along and axially aligned with the longitudinal axis.

24. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 23 wherein the outlet extension and the opening in the rear surface of the head extend from a distal end of the head rearward towards a proximal end of the head for a distance covering a majority of an axial length of the head.

25. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 24 further comprising a tissue cleanser disposed on the rear surface of the head, the tissue cleanser substantially circumferentially surrounding the outlet extension and the opening.

26. A fluid dispensing oral care implement comprising:
a head and a handle, the head having a front surface and an opposing rear surface, at least one tooth cleaning element extending from the front surface;
a storage member for storing a fluid;
an opening formed through the rear surface of the head;
a channel formed of a first wicking material extending from the storage member to a fluid outlet, the fluid outlet formed of a second wicking material and exposed through the opening; and
a flow restrictor positioned between the storage member and the channel, the fluid flowing through the flow restrictor at a reduced rate of flow relative to a rate of flow through the storage member.

27. The fluid dispensing oral care implement of claim 26 wherein a transverse cross-sectional area of the channel is smaller than a transverse cross-sectional area of the storage member.

Assignees

• Colgate Palmolive Co

Inventors

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

Classifications

• A46B2200/1066

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

• A46B11/001 Primary

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

• A46B15/0081

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

• 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