CN104026860A - Mouth caring system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a mouth caring system and method. The mouth caring system comprises a mouth caring tool such as a toothbrush. The mouth caring tool comprises a plurality of tooth joint elements and a cavity suitable for detachably containing a distributor for containing mouth caring agents. In an embodiment, the distributor can be structured to be a distributing pen with an applying device at one end. A user can disassemble the distributor from the toothbrush, apply the mouth caring agents to the surface of the mouth, and assemble the distributor in the toothbrush again to bring convenience to storage.

Description

Oral care systems

The application is dividing an application of the application number submitted to December in 2009 23 is 200980163157.3, denomination of invention is " oral care systems " application for a patent for invention.

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to oral care systems, external member and method, and relates to particularly system, external member and the method that comprises the toothbrush with unlimited cavity, and this cavity keeps holding the removable distributor of oral cavity nursing agent.

Background technology

Oral care product or agent apply by different way.For example, in hard-core situation, for the common technology of tooth whitening products, be the die of casting people tooth the plate mat that this kind of die shape is provided.Then, people only need to brighten composition and add to plate mat and plate mat is applied to his/her tooth.This plate mat stops and in placely continues for some time and be then removed.After several times treatment, tooth little by little bleaches.Another technology is to use a kind of, and this has the composition of brightening on a surface.This kind of bar is applied to people's tooth and stops lasting about 30 minutes in place.After several times apply, tooth little by little bleaches.Another technology is to use little brush will brighten composition to be applied to tooth.This kind of brush dental whitening composition is applied to people's tooth during dip in getting back to container repeatedly.After several times treatment, tooth little by little bleaches.

For the problem of existing toothbrushing technique, be that saliva in face is held catalatic enzyme.This kind of enzyme is by the decomposition of catalysis peroxide.Brush can apply some whitening products to picking up some catalases during tooth and this catalase being taken back in bottle.Now, this kind of catalase in bottle can make the peroxide degradation in bottle.Another problem for this rear technology is that it is not suitable for using in conjunction with the anhydrous composition that brightens.In the case, brush can will be taken back in bottle from the moisture in face saliva.This will be due to decompose hydroperoxide active component likely and has adverse effect to brightening composition.In addition,, if people's each brush that cleans after using, the moisture from wet brushing all may enter in bottle.

Although the system based on plate mat is applicable to, many people do not use them because this system tends to cause uncomfortable and/or uncomfortable reality.In addition, in order to use, brighten plate mat, user must remain on plate mat and required composition on hand.This not only need will have extra storage area in very narrow bathroom cabinet, but also requires user to remember to use whitening system.In addition, these systems based on plate mat are not easy to carry in transportation and/or travelling.

Except applying and having any problem aspect some oral care products, pretty troublesome and inconvenient for user while storing.Oral care product conventionally must with MC tooth cleaning device for example toothbrush separate storage because oral care product packing and toothbrush are always generally independent the and different parts of regarding oral care regimen as.

Wish be adopt more portable, compact and easily mode store oral care product and distribution and apply these oral care products to oral surfaces.

Summary of the invention

Embodiments of the invention provide effectively, compact and portable oral care systems, and this system is combined in the oral care implement such as toothbrush and oral care product or agent distributor in highly portable housing.Advantageously, this type of embodiment is specially adapted to convenient transportation and/or travelling.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to the toothbrush in its handle with unlimited cavity, and this cavity keeps holding the removable distributor of oral cavity nursing agent reservoir.In some one exemplary embodiment, oral care systems is included as active or inactive oral cavity nursing agent, and it can include but not limited to brightening agent, enamel protective agent, sensitive agent, fluorochemical agent, tartar protective agent, or other agent.Distributor removably docks and is stored in the handle of toothbrush at least in part, makes the grip of distributor outstanding to allow user to remove easily and use distributor from toothbrush.Distributor can fully remove from toothbrush, makes user can apply easily oral cavity nursing agent to his/her tooth, and then distributor is reinserted in toothbrush to facilitate storage.In a preferred embodiment, distributor can be lip pencil member.Toothbrush is fastened on distributor in handle removedly and not regularly, makes distributor to remove repeatedly and to reinsert wherein.In certain embodiments, distributor fills to reuse applicable to user again.

According to an one exemplary embodiment, a kind of oral care systems according to the present invention comprises the toothbrush with handle, and this handle has the removable portion that limits and form the hand-held dispenser that is suitable for holding and distribute oral cavity nursing agent.The removable portion of handle can comprise the major part of handle, comprises in certain embodiments the lateral side of handle and the part of bottom.Distributor comprises oral cavity nursing agent is dispensed to the applicator on the target surface in user oral cavity.

According to another embodiment, alternative oral care systems comprises toothbrush, and this toothbrush comprises: handle, and it limits longitudinal axis and has near-end, far-end and top section; Be connected to the head of handle far-end; And distributor, it comprises: longitudinally elongated housing, and it has therein with the far-end of applicator and relative near-end; Be arranged in housing for preserving the reservoir of oral cavity nursing agent, this reservoir becomes fluid to be communicated with distributor.Distributor is attached to the top section of toothbrush handle removedly also detachably oral cavity nursing agent is applied to the target surface in user oral cavity.

According to another embodiment, a kind of oral care systems comprises: toothbrush, and it comprises the handle for grasping, the top section that this handle limits longitudinal axis and has near-end, far-end and be attached to regularly handle far-end and extand rearward to near-end; Be attached to the neck of handle far-end; Be connected to neck and there is the head of a plurality of tooth joint elements; And user's removable portion of the restriction oral cavity nursing agent distributor of handle.Distributor comprises: longitudinally elongated housing, and it has therein far-end and near-end with applicator; Be arranged in housing for preserving the reservoir of oral cavity nursing agent, this reservoir becomes fluid to be communicated with distributor.Distributor be attached to removedly toothbrush handle top section and can from be arranged on storing state handle move to from handle, fully dismantle apply state to oral cavity nursing agent is assigned to user's oral cavity.

A kind of method is provided for distributing and applies oral cavity nursing agent to the surface in user oral cavity.In one embodiment, the method comprises: toothbrush is provided, and this toothbrush has handle and by the detachable oral cavity nursing agent distributor of handle supporting, this distributor comprises the applicator that becomes fluid to be communicated with reservoir of holding the reservoir of oral cavity nursing agent and being positioned at far-end; The portions of proximal relative with applicator from handle along the outside pivotable distributor of horizontal direction; Applicator is exited vertically from the jacket portions of sealing of handle; Distributor is fully removed from handle; And use distributor that oral cavity nursing agent is applied to oral surfaces.

In preferred one exemplary embodiment, any applicable oral cavity nursing agent all can be in conjunction with using according to embodiment of the present invention and method in literary composition.Therefore, MC therapy system can be the system of any type, includes but not limited to dental whitening, enamel protection, antiallergy, fluoride, tartar protection/control etc.Unless claimed especially, the present invention is not limited to oral care systems or the oral cavity nursing agent of any particular type clearly.

Accompanying drawing explanation

With reference to the following drawings, will the feature of preferred embodiment be described, element similar in accompanying drawing gives mark similarly.

Fig. 1 is the rear view that comprises according to an embodiment of the invention the oral care systems of toothbrush and oral cavity nursing agent distributor.

Fig. 2 is the front perspective view of the oral care systems in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is the front perspective view of the oral care systems in Fig. 1, and wherein distributor removes from toothbrush.

Fig. 4 is the perspective view of the distributor of the oral care systems in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is the longitudinal cross-section view of the distributor in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is the longitudinal cross-section view of handle of the toothbrush of the oral care systems in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 A is oral care systems in Fig. 1 longitudinal cross-section view in storing state.

Fig. 7 B is the close up view of the region VII in Fig. 7 A.

Fig. 8 is the longitudinal cross-section view of the distributor of the cap with the applicator sealed of alternative according to the present invention.

Fig. 9 is the longitudinal cross-section view with the toothbrush that stores cavity, and this cavity design becomes in order to take according to the distributor in Fig. 8 of the present invention (having cap).

Figure 10 is the longitudinal cross-section view of the toothbrush in Fig. 9, and wherein, the distributor in Fig. 8 (having cap) is not fixedly secured in storing cavity.

Figure 11 is the longitudinal cross-section view with the toothbrush that stores cavity, and this cavity design becomes in order to take according to the distributor in Fig. 8 of the present invention (not being with cap).

Figure 12 is the longitudinal cross-section view of the toothbrush in Figure 11, and wherein, the distributor in Fig. 8 (not being with cap) is not fixedly secured in storing cavity.

Figure 13 is the close up view of the region XIII in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is according to the side view of the prehension end from the outstanding distributor of toothbrush handle of an embodiment, and wherein, prehension end is configured as to be convenient to grasp.

Figure 15 is according to the side view of the prehension end from the outstanding distributor of toothbrush handle of another embodiment, and wherein prehension end is configured as and is convenient to grasp.

Figure 16 is according to the lateral elevational view of the second alternative of the oral care systems that comprises toothbrush and oral cavity nursing agent distributor of the embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17 is its exploded side elevation view, and wherein distributor is shown and dismantles from toothbrush.

Figure 18 is the rear view of the oral care systems in Figure 16, and wherein, distributor is arranged in toothbrush.

Figure 19 is its front perspective view.

Figure 20 is its rear view, and wherein distributor fully removes from toothbrush.

Figure 21 is the rear end view of the oral care systems in Figure 16, and wherein distributor is arranged in toothbrush.

Figure 22 is the rear end view of the oral care systems in Figure 16, and wherein distributor fully removes from toothbrush.

Figure 23-25 are respectively top view, lateral elevational view and the bottom views of the distributor of the oral care systems in Figure 16.

Figure 26 is its side sectional view.

Figure 27 is the amplification partial side cross sectional view of the proximal part of the distributor in Figure 26.

Figure 28 is the amplification partial side cross sectional view of the far-end jacket portions of the toothbrush handle that removed of distributor.

Figure 29 is that it amplifies partial side cross sectional view, and wherein distributor is arranged in jacket portions.

Figure 30 is the complete side sectional view of the handle portion of the toothbrush in distributor has been arranged on.

Figure 31 shows the rear end of top section or the enlarged perspective of near-end that protuberance (tab) toothbrush handle disposed thereon is installed.

Figure 32 shows recess to be installed and to be locked protuberance and is arranged on the rear end of distributor wherein or the enlarged perspective of near-end.

Figure 33 shows the rear end of distributor or the amplification lateral elevational view of near-end that recess and locking protuberance are installed.

Figure 34 shows the rear end of distributor body or the enlarged perspective of near-end that end cap cover partly removes from distributor.

The specific embodiment

According to the description of the explanatory embodiment of principle of the present invention, be intended to read by reference to the accompanying drawings, this accompanying drawing will be recognized as a part for whole written description.In the description of disclosed embodiments of the invention, to direction or directed any mentioning, be to be only intended to be intended to for convenience of description and not limit the scope of the invention by any way in the text.Relativity term as " ", " going up ", " level ", " vertically ", " top ", " below ", " go up ", " under ", " top " and " end " and derivative (for example, " flatly ", " down ", " up " etc.) thereof should regard as represent as describe subsequently or as described in the orientation as shown in accompanying drawing.These relativity terms be only for convenience of description and and the equipment that do not require with certain orientation structure or operation, but except pointing out clearly like this.Term refers to structure therein directly or by getting involved structure secured to one another or attached relation indirectly as " attached ", " attached ", " connection ", " connection ", " interconnection " and similar term, and the attached or relation of activity or rigidity, but except pointing out in addition clearly.In addition, feature of the present invention and benefit are by illustrating with reference to preferred embodiment.Therefore, the present invention obviously should not be limited to this type of preferred embodiment of some possible non-limiting combinations or further feature combination that feature that can individualism is shown; Scope of the present invention by invest this claim limit.

In the description of disclosed embodiments of the invention, to direction or directed any mentioning, be to be only intended to be intended to for convenience of description and not limit the scope of the invention by any way in the text.In addition, feature of the present invention and benefit are by illustrating with reference to preferred embodiment.Therefore, the present invention obviously should not be limited to illustrate some of the feature that can provide separately possible but this type of preferred embodiment of non-limiting combination or further feature combination; Scope of the present invention by invest this claim limit.

Now will the preferred embodiments of the present invention be described about a kind of possible MC or therapy system.The embodiment of this oral care systems can include but not limited to following dose: brightener for tooth, antiseptic, enamel protective agent, anti-allergic agent, antiphlogistic, antitack agent, fluoride, tartar control/protective agent, spices, can sensates, colouring agent etc.Yet other embodiments of the invention also can be used for storing and distributing the oral cavity nursing agent of any applicable type and the present invention not obviously to be limited to individually any specific oral care systems or agent.

Referring to Fig. 1-3, shown oral care systems 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.Oral care systems 100 for compact, easily carry, self-contained, user-friendly system, it comprises that user carries out desirable MC the treatment procedure required member being necessary and chemical property.As below will more described in detail, oral care systems 100 conventionally adopts the form of improved toothbrush in an one exemplary embodiment, and this improved toothbrush has the removable distributor being at least partially disposed in its handle.Because distributor is positioned at the handle of toothbrush self, therefore oral care systems 100 is easy to carry in travelling, easily use, and reduced required storage area amount.In addition, together with toothbrush is accommodated in distributor, therefore the unlikely mistake of user put distributor and be more prone to utilize distributor and maintain dental care program because the inclusion of brushing teeth and reminding user being dismantled to distributor simply and apply distributor.

Oral care systems 100 comprises toothbrush 200 and distributor 300 substantially.Although in literary composition about toothbrush is described to the present invention as one in two main members of oral care systems 100, but should be understood that, other alternative oral care implement also can be used within the scope of the invention, what comprise tongue cleaner, tooth polisher and have a tooth joint element specially designedly has a handle utensil, wherein, this tooth joint element is designed to improve activating agent in the distributor effect to tooth especially.In addition,, although toothbrush 200 is preferably manual toothbrush, toothbrush can be electric toothbrush in other embodiments of the invention.Should be understood that, system of the present invention can be for example, by making distributor 300 be filled with any oral care materials (realizing the oral cavity nursing agent of desired oral cavity effect) for the oral care need of various expected.In one embodiment, oral cavity nursing agent, preferably not containing (also not having) toothpaste, substitutes because distributor is intended to strengthen the scheme of brushing teeth.Oral cavity nursing agent and/or its medium may be selected to be in order to supplement formulation of tooth-paste, for example, by adjusting taste, color, aesthetic property or active component.

Toothbrush 200 comprises handle portion 210, neck part 220 and head part 230 substantially.Handle 210 provides a kind of mechanism to user, and by this mechanism, he/her can easily grasp and handle toothbrush 100.Handle 210 can the various manufacture methods known to widely be formed by many difformities, size, material and those skilled in the art, as long as it can be accommodated in distributor 300 wherein as being described in more detail below.If desired, handle 210 can comprise the grip part 211 of the applicable quality of being made by mollielast material.Handle 210 can be unibody construction or multi-piece type structure.Handle 210 along the longitudinal axis A-A extends to far-end 213 from near-end 212.As will be below described in more detail about Fig. 6, cavity 240 is formed in handle 210.Opening 215 is arranged on the near-end 212 of handle 210 and the path that enters cavity 240 is provided, and via this path, distributor 300 can insert and regain.Although be positioned at the near-end 212 of handle at illustrative embodiment split shed 215, this opening also can be positioned at other position on handle 210 in other embodiments of the invention.For example, opening 215 can be positioned on the vertical surface of handle 210 and for microscler so that the enough entrances that lead to cavity 240 to be provided, as further described about the alternative as shown in Figure 16 in the text.

Handle 210 is transitioned into neck 220 at far-end 213 places.Although neck 220 has less cross-sectional area than handle 220 substantially, the invention is not restricted to this.Neck 220 is only for to be in the transitional region between handle 210 and head 230, and in a conceptive part that is recognized as handle 210.In this way, head 230 is connected to the far-end 213 (via neck 220) of handle 210.

That the head 230 of toothbrush 200 and handle 220 preferably used is molded, milling, cutting or other applicable technique and form single monolithic construction.Yet, in other embodiments, handle 210 and head 230 can form independent member, these members are operably connected by any applicable technology as known in the art at the subsequent stage of manufacture process, include but not limited to heat or ultrasonic bonding, tight fit assembling, coupling sleeve, bonding or securing member.No matter whether head 230 and handle 210 are that monoblock type or multi-section can not limit the present invention by part structure (comprising interconnection technique), but except stating especially.In some embodiments of the invention, head 230 can be used technology well known in the art and dismantle (with replaceable) from handle 210.

Head 230 comprises front surface 231, rear surface 232 and periphery surface 233 substantially.Front surface 231 and the rear surface 232 of head 230 can adopt various shapes and profile, wherein none restriction the present invention.For example, front surface 231 and rear surface 232 can be smooth, wavy or their combination.In addition, if desired, rear surface 232 also can comprise the additional structure for oral cleaning or tooth joint, for example soft tissue cleanser or tooth polishing structure.An example of soft tissue cleanser is to comprise a plurality of umbos and or the elastomer liner of convex ridge.An example of tooth polishing structure can be elastomer element, for example prophy cup (a plurality of) or elastomer brushing device.In addition,, although head 230 is widened with respect to the neck 220 of handle 210 conventionally, it may be only the continuous extension of handle 210 or narrow portion in some constructions.

Front surface 231 comprise from its extension in case with for example set of tooth joint element 235 of oral cleaning element of clean and/or polishing contiguously of oral surfaces and/or interdental spaces.Although the set of tooth joint element 235 is preferably applicable to scrub tooth, substitute cleaning teeth or except cleaning teeth, the set of this cleaning element 235 also can be used for polishing tooth.As used herein, term " tooth joint element " is used for representing to can be used for being cleaned, polishing or cleaned by relevant Surface Contact any structure of tooth and/or soft oral cavity tissue (such as tongue, cheek, gums etc.) on common meaning.The typical examples of " tooth joint element " includes but not limited to brushing cluster, filament bristle, fiber bristles, nylon brush hair, covered with spiral brush, rubber bristles, elastomer excrescence, flexible polymer excrescence, their combination and/or the structure that comprises this type of material or combination.Applicable elastomeric material comprises any biocompatible elastomeric material that is applicable to oral hygiene apparatuses.For best comfort level and cleaning benefit is provided, elastomeric material preferably has scope at the hardness property of A8 to A25 Shore hardness.The styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) that a kind of preferred elastomeric material Wei You GLS Corp. manufactures.Yet, from the SEBS material of other manufacturer or described hardness range and other outer material also can adopt.

Tooth joint element 235 of the present invention can any mode as known in the art be connected on head 120.For example, bunch planting (IFT) or can be used for installing cleaning element/tooth joint element without grappling bunch planting (AFT) in bail/anchor log, mould.In AFT, plate or diaphragm are for example fixed in brushhead by ultrasonic bonding.Bristle extends through this plate or diaphragm.Bristle free end in one side of plate or diaphragm is carried out cleaning function.Brush end on the opposite side of plate or diaphragm by heating and fusing together and grappling is in place.The cleaning element of any applicable form all can be used in broad practice of the present invention.As alternative, bristle can be installed on bunch piece or section by the applicable opening extending through in bunch piece, makes the base portion of bristle be installed in bunch piece or bunch piece below.

The independent structure that toothbrush 200 and distributor 300 are non-integral, their special designs become in order to when being not fixedly secured when (being called storing state in literary composition) in assembled state together when in disassembly status fully separation each other when (being called the state of applying in literary composition).Toothbrush 200 and distributor 300 show in storing state and show in applying state in Fig. 3 in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.Distributor 300 can and apply between state (Fig. 3) at storing state (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) and handles slidably and move, wherein in storing state, (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) distributor is docked in toothbrush handle part 210, and (Fig. 3) distributor is removed from handle portion 210 as required by user in applying state.To describe in more detail for the nested of distributor 300 and the distributor docking system departing from and the associated structural elements that comprises toothbrush 200 and the distributor 300 of this docking system now.

Referring now to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5,, schematically shown distributor 300.Distributor 300 is microscler tubular type lip pencil structure.Distributor 300 has the housing 301 extending between prehension end 302 (it is at the conceptive near-end that is recognized as) and distribution end 303 (it is at the conceptive far-end that is recognized as).Annular groove 304 is formed in the outer surface 305 of housing 301.Although groove 304 is positioned near the mid point of housing 301 length, groove 304 can be positioned at desirable any position on housing 301.In addition,, although groove 304 is shown as the conduit of simple and clear restriction, this groove can form by the curvature and/or the profile that tilt gradually of housing 301 in other embodiments.

Housing 301 comprises internal layer 306 and outer 307.Internal layer 306 preferably consists of to provide for the necessary structural intergrity of distributor 300 enough firm material.For example, internal layer can be by making by molded rigid plastics.Can molding thermoplastic plastics be preferred.Applicable plastics comprise ethene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl compound and polyester for example polymer and the copolymer of PETG.Yet selected plastics (multiple) must be with compatible and should not suffer erosion or degrade because of oral cavity nursing agent by being stored in oral cavity nursing agent in distributor 300.

Outer 307 preferably by soft elastic material for example elastomeric material make.Applicable elastomeric material comprises thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) (TPE) or for other similar material of oral care product.Outer 307 elastomeric material can have the Scar sclerometer of scope between A13 to A50 Shore hardness to be measured, but this extraneous material also can adopt.The preferable range of Scar sclerometer grade is between A25 to A40 Shore hardness.Although coated molding construction is preferred for skin 307, applicable deformable thermoplastic material for example TPE also can form thin layer and utilizes suitable adhesive or be attached on internal layer 306 by other means.Yet, it should be noted in some embodiments of the invention, housing 301 can consist of homogenous material layer.

Referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 A, housing 301 forms internal chamber, and this chamber limits reservoir 308 for preserving desirable oral care materials or product, and it can be any activity or inactive oral cavity nursing agent.Oral cavity nursing agent and/or its carrier can be any form for example solid or flowable materials, include but not limited to the liquid component that viscosity paste/gel or viscosity are less.Preferably, oral cavity nursing agent is flowable material in a preferred embodiment.Any applicable oral cavity nursing agent all can be used for the present invention.For example, oral cavity nursing agent comprises brightening agent, includes but not limited to hold the peroxide of dental whitening composition.The United States Patent (USP) sequence No.11/403 that transfers this assignee submitting on April 13rd, 2006, discloses the applicable peroxide that holds dental whitening composition in 372, and the full content of this patent sequence is incorporated herein by reference.Although brightener for tooth is preferred a kind of in activating agent in the present invention, any other care agent that other is applicable to all can be used in conjunction with embodiments of the invention, and is therefore stored in reservoir 308.The oral cavity nursing agent envisioning can be active or inactive component, include but not limited to antiseptic, oxidant or brightening agent, enamel strengthening or healant, tooth resist, antiallergy component, the agent of gums health active, nutrition composition, tartar control or anti-stain component, enzyme, sensates component, fragrance or taste component, breath freshening component, antozostomatic, antitack agent or sealant, diagnostic solutions, occlusive agent, antiphlogistic, dry alleviation component, the active catalyst that improves arbitrary these agent, colouring agent or aesthetic property component, and their combination.Oral cavity nursing agent is preferably in one embodiment not containing (also not having) toothpaste.Replace, activating agent aims to provide the additional oral care benefit except only scrubbing people's tooth.Other applicable oral cavity nursing agent can comprise lipstick or other material that conventionally can use with semisolid.

Reservoir 308 is fluidly connected in applicator 309, and applicator 309 is given prominence to from the distribution end 303 of housing 301 by transmission channel 310.Transmission channel 310 is delivered to applicator 309 by oral cavity nursing agent from reservoir 308.Certainly, in certain embodiments, transmission channel may and nonessential or can be only the extension of reservoir or the space of connection reservoir and applicator (or the opening in distribution end).Then user makes applicator 309 press and/or crumple to apply oral cavity nursing agent to his/her tooth against his/her tooth, and this is preferably after brushing teeth.This applies process the spitting image of pen and/or the marker of the standard of use.

Applicator 309 can or have the material of fibrillation tissue to form by bristle, porous or sponge material.Applicable bristle comprises any conventional bristle material, for example nylon or PBT.Spongy material can be any conventional foamed material, for example amine fat vacuole foam.There is the surface of fibrillation tissue can comprise various thermoplastics.In the use of bristle, transmission channel 310 will be delivered to composition near bristle ends.Conventionally, single transmission channel will be there is.For sponge and the surface that has fibrillation tissue, conventionally will exist the passage of a plurality of small diameters to composition is assigned to more equably on user's tooth.In one embodiment, have the material of fibrillation tissue to have substantially smooth surface, this surface has many outstanding fibrillation that reach about 3 millimeters.This kind has the surface of fibrillation tissue that micro-brush surface is provided.Yet, the invention is not restricted to surface and/or structure that this and applicator 309 can be any type that stickum can be applied on tooth hard surface, but comprise the openings/apertures mouth not covering.

Transmission channel 310 can be the tubular conduit of the applicable size with hollow passage, or it can consist of porous material.The mechanism that activating agent is transferred to applicator 309 (or aperture) distribution end from reservoir 308 can strictly be passed through compression/extruding, gravity and/or their combination of capillarity, machinery or chemical pump action, distributor 300.In one embodiment, at least a portion of housing 301 can be constructed to be permeable to laterally be out of shape, to make user can push distributor 300, thereby increases the pressure in reservoir 308 and via applicator 309, outwards promotes oral cavity nursing agent from reservoir 308.In this kind of embodiment, check valve can be formed in distributor to allow that air gets back in reservoir, make distributor body 301 after using, recover its not by compression/without the state being out of shape.In other embodiments, piston-like mechanism can be used for brightening agent to be delivered to applicator 309 from reservoir 308.Certainly, other mechanism and effect also can be used for realizing distribution object.In the illustrated embodiment of distributor 300, by adding cross wall 312, near distribution end 303, produce overflow chamber 311.Cross wall 312 separates reservoir 308 and overflow chamber 311 and fully sealing.Transmission channel 310 extends through cross wall 312 and passes overflow chamber 311, thereby reservoir 308 is fluidly attached to applicator 309.The porous material that is sleeve 313 forms can be positioned in overflow chamber 311.Overflow chamber 311 can reduce the excessive oral cavity nursing agent that arrives applicator 309 or leak from distributor 300 to greatest extent.Overflow chamber 311 not in all embodiment of distributor all need to, this depends on transmission mechanism used.

The details of above-mentioned distributor 300 is not recognized as restriction the present invention, but except recording in the claims clearly.Should be understood that, the CONSTRUCTED SPECIFICATION of distributor body and fluid delivery system thereof can greatly change.

Yet in one embodiment, friendly convenient for oral care systems 100 is travelled for user, the activating agent volume in reservoir 308 and/or reservoir may be selected to be so that oral care systems 100 can be with and boards a plane.Due to greatly, about 2002, in single container, can be with the liquid volume of boarding a plane to be restricted in the U.S. and other country, be typically about 3 ounces.Activating agent volume in reservoir 308 and/or reservoir 308 is chosen as to meet applicable statutory standard, and this may change with country and/or passing in time with country.The volume of the activating agent in reservoir 308 and/or reservoir 308 can be at least 8 ounces or enough by domestic consumer, used at least two weeks.

In addition, in some embodiments of the invention, applicator 309 can be omitted from distributor 300.In this kind of embodiment, desirable oral care materials is carried the reservoir from distributor 300 308 via the aperture that only has distribution end 303.According to the type of oral care materials used, this kind of aperture can be used as liquid or pasty state oral care materials to distribute and/or be injected into nozzle or the port of desirable oral surfaces.This kind of layout is particularly when useful when compressible/squeezable distributor body is combined.Using semi-solid oral care materials for example in the embodiment of lipstick, aperture can only provide the path from reservoir, via this path, semi-solid oral care materials maybe can be extended slidably and be regained by any applicable conventional axial or rotation extension mechanism outstanding.

Referring now to Fig. 6, Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B,, the details of the toothbrush 200 of the nested volume that is provided for distributor 300 in docking or storing state will be described in.The handle 210 of toothbrush 200 comprises that size and shape forms to take in the internal cavity 240 of distributor 300.The cardinal principle tubular housing that cavity 240 extends and limited by internal surfaces/walls 241 for the longitudinal axis A-A along handle 210.Opening 215, it is substantially transversely directed and be positioned at the near-end 212 of handle 210 in one embodiment, and the path from toothbrush 200 outsides to internal cavity 240 is provided.Opening 215 its size and shapes form to allow distributor 300 slip turnover internal cavities 240.The size and shape of cavity 240 is substantially corresponding to the size and shape of distributor 300, and as below about making as described in Fig. 7 A distributor 300 not regularly but be fastened on removedly in handle 210.

Cavity 240 comprises vertical section B and vertical section C.Its size and shape of the section B of cavity 240 forms to take in the housing 301 of distributor 300, and the distally distribution end 303 that its size and shape of section C of cavity 240 forms to take in applicator 309 and distributor 300.More specifically, section B has cross-sectional profiles and Xray films, and their cardinal principles are corresponding to the cross-sectional profiles that is nested in the part in cavity 240 and the Xray films of the housing 301 of distributor 300.Similarly, section C has cross-sectional profiles and Xray films, and their cardinal principles are corresponding to the cross-sectional profiles and the Xray films that are nested in the distally distribution end 303 in cavity 240 of the housing 301 of applicator 309 and distributor 300.Certainly, the present invention is not limited to this kind of correspondence in all embodiments.

Continuation is referring to Fig. 6, Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B, cavity 240 has substantially tapered cross section for the most of longitudinal length that comprises the cavity of section A and section B, wherein, this cross section is along with its forward/far-end 213 away from opening 215 towards handle portion 210 moves and reduces.In docking or storing state, the tapered cross section of cavity 240 helps guiding distributor 300 and makes distributor 300 be centered to appropriate location and be placed in cavity 240.It is consistent with the respective tapered shape with distributor 300 that the cross-sectional area of section C is preferably significantly less than the cross-sectional area of section B.As shown in the best in Fig. 6, the plane of opening 215 preferably removes distributor and distributor is inserted cavity 240 again from cavity 240 to further help about longitudinal axis degree angled transversally in one embodiment.

Continuation is referring to Fig. 6, Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B, and the inwall 241 of cavity 240 comprises circular ridge 242, and this circular ridge 242 is designed in order to not to mate regularly with the annular groove 304 of distributor 300 when in storing state.Circular ridge 242 and groove 304 provide for distributor 300 being fastened on removedly to the locking system of the handle portion 210 of toothbrush 200.In a possible embodiment, circular ridge 242 is preferably on cross section to be protruded shape and groove 304 and can have complementary recessed cross section to promote level and smooth between convex ridge and groove but the joint (referring to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 A) of locking.Certainly, other matched shape and/or feature also can be used on distributor 300 and wall 241, replace for distributor 300 being fastened on removedly to the groove/ridge arrangement of the handle portion 210 of toothbrush 200.Circular ridge 242 can form as shown at the section B of cavity 240 and the transition part between section C.

Continuation is referring to Fig. 6, Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B, and the inwall 241 of cavity 240 also can further comprise annular shoulder 243, and this shoulder 243 is preferably placed near the far-end 213 of handle portion 210 as shown.Annular shoulder 243 provides near the outstanding structure that produces the less distally cross-sectional area of section C the far-end 213 of handle portion 210 with the form of applicator end bearing (receptacle) 400.Although annular shoulder 243 is shown as rectangle bight or edge, it can adopt various shape and cross section profile or profile, comprises angled edge, bending radius or arcuate edge etc.Annular shoulder 243 is configured to and is suitable for engaging mutually when distributor 300 fully inserts in cavity 240 the distally distribution end 303 of distributor 300.This provide for the retainer of distributor 300 housing 301 distribution end 303 in case prevent cavity inner wall 241 the most front laterally/excessive insertion between vertical distal end wall 401 and the free end of applicator 309 with contact, this free end can cause oral cavity nursing agent from distributor " drainage " or leak into cavity, and this can produce confusion and the loss of oral cavity nursing agent.Therefore, annular shoulder 243 preferably produces little spacing (referring to Fig. 7 B) between the free end of applicator 309 and the distal end wall 401 of cavity 241.Bearing 400 is further preferably constructed and size forms in order to applicator 309 is received in wherein and can be roughly and the shape of applicator and in the same size, provides the circumferential spacing being applicable to simultaneously to also prevent that the side direction between applicator and end bearing 400 from engaging Leakage prevention between the two.Certainly, in some embodiments of the invention, annular shoulder can omit, and wherein cavity 241 and distributor 300 can be preferably and be configured so that mutually between the end of applicator 309 and the distal end wall of cavity 401, to keep little spacing when distributor 300 is fully settled and be docked in the cavity 241 of toothbrush 200 handle portions 210.Annular shoulder 243 and cooperate with the structure of distributor 300 and will below describe in more detail.

Now simultaneously referring to Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B, will the structure cooperation between distributor 300 and toothbrush 200 in storing state be described in more detail.As shown in the figure, oral care systems 100 is in storing state.When in storing state, distributor 300 is positioned in the cavity 240 of toothbrush 200 handles 210 as shown slidably.Most of length of distributor 300 is nested in the cavity 240 of toothbrush, and more preferably at least 75% length of distributor 300 is nested in the cavity 240 of toothbrush 200.

When in docking or storing state, the annular groove 304 of distributor 300 receives the circular ridge 242 of cavity 240 inwalls 241 matchingly, thereby distributor 300 is not fixedly secured on its position.The coupling of groove 304 and convex ridge 242 makes distributor fastening in place, overcomes the coupling reciprocation between groove 304 and convex ridge 242, thereby distributor 300 is shifted out to use from toothbrush 200 until user applies enough power.Overcoming the required shear force really of coupling joint will be controlled by size separately and the tolerance of groove 304 and convex ridge 242.

The elastic outer layer 307 of distributor also promotes that the free-standing between distributor 300 and toothbrush 200 is fastening, because outer 307 are subject to the convex ridge 242 of inwall 241 and/or the compression of other parts.In addition, the compression of elastic outer layer 307 has increased the size that overcomes the required power of CONTACT WITH FRICTION between inwall 241 and the outer surface 305 of distributor 300 housings 301.

Coupling between groove 304 and convex ridge 242 is also carried out another function, also mates reciprocation and between wall 242 and the outer surface 305 of distributor 300, forms gas-tight seal.This kind of gas-tight seal anti-sealing enters cavity 240 with other fluid that may damage the integrality of applicator 309 and/or the behavior of oral cavity nursing agent.The compression of elastic outer layer 307 has also strengthened this kind of effect.Except when distributor stops water and other unnecessary fluid to enter outside cavity 240 when storing state, gas-tight seally also prevent that applicator from becoming dry during non-use time.

When in docking or during storing state, annular shoulder 243 also contributes to play and during non-use time, maintains integrality and the oral cavity nursing agent of applicator 309 and/or the effect that utilizes toothbrush 200 to scrub.More specifically, when in storing state, the outer surface 305 of annular shoulder 243 contacts (and compression slightly) housing 301, thus form the second isolated gas-tight seal and/or barrier of the section B of the section C of internal cavity and cavity 240.Therefore, in storing state, exist protection section C and applicator 309 to avoid two of external environment condition gas-tight seal.Certainly, only can adopt one or the other.And, gas-tight seally also can form by only contact between the outer surface 305 at distributor 300 and inwall 241.

By the formed gas-tight seal leakage that applicator 309 is unnecessary and/or dry that may contribute to especially to prevent of annular shoulder, because can obtain little free volume in the section C of cavity 240.In other embodiments, distributor 300 can be contacted and is not fixedly secured in the cavity 240 at toothbrush 200 by only compressed fit between distributor and inwall 241 and/or friction surface.

Referring now to Fig. 8,, according to the present invention, shown the alternative of distributor 300A.Except distribution end 303A is suitable for having the cap 330A being fastened on it and consists of homogenous material layer 306A, distributor 300A is identical with the distributor 300 in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.For fear of redundancy, omitted in distributor 300A with distributor 100 in the detailed description of those roughly the same members.Yet for the purpose of reference and knowing, label identical except having increased letter suffix " A " is for identifying identical part.

The distribution end 303A of the housing 301A of distributor 300A comprises the surface characteristics (groove 315A form ringwise) for mating with corresponding construction (convex ridge 331A form ringwise).Mating between the annular groove 215A of housing 301A and the circular ridge 331A of cap 330A is not fixedly secured to housing 301A by cap 330A, thereby seals applicator 309A to prevent spilling and/or becoming dry of activating agent.Although groove/convex ridge matching component is illustrated as, cap 330A is held in place, also can adopts other surface characteristics and the structure that can match each other and engage and/or cooperate.The structure and the method that cap are attached to tubular body are well-known in the art.

The housing 301A of distributor 300A is also individual layer 306A structure.The material of individual layer 306A should provide the necessary rigidity of structure compatible with oral cavity nursing agent.

Referring now to Fig. 9,, shown that special design becomes in order to take in the toothbrush 200A with the distributor 300A that maintains cap 330A on it.Except internal cavity 240A is differently configured as, take in the distributor 300A with cap 330A, toothbrush 200A is identical with the toothbrush 200 in Fig. 1-7B.For fear of redundancy, omitted in toothbrush 200A with toothbrush 200 in the detailed description of those roughly the same members.Yet for the purpose of reference and knowing, label identical except having increased letter suffix " A " is for identifying identical part.

The internal cavity 240A of toothbrush 200A has the section C of the cap 330A that is designed to take in distributor 300A.Because cavity 240A takes in distributor 300 and attached cap 330A thereof, thus need in wall 241A, not form shoulder, because cap 330A is formed for the second gas-tight seal of applicator 309A.Distributor 300A (having cap 330A) is shown in toothbrush 200A in storage location in Figure 10.

, simultaneously referring to Figure 11-13, shown the toothbrush 200B that is designed to especially take in the distributor 300A that there is no cap 330A on it now.Except the section C of internal cavity 240B is differently configured as to take in the distributor 300A that is not with cap 330A, toothbrush 200B is identical with the toothbrush 200 in Fig. 1-7B.For fear of redundancy, omitted in toothbrush 200B with toothbrush 200 in the detailed description of those roughly the same members.Yet for the purpose of reference and knowing, label identical except having increased letter suffix " B " is for identifying identical part.

The section C of cavity 240B is designed to take in not the applicator 309A with the distributor 300A of its cap.The fact of special concern is that the section C of cavity 240B is designed to be positioned in order to coupling the annular groove 315 at the distribution end 303A place of distributor 300A especially.Particularly, inwall 241B also comprises the circular ridge 244B of the section C that is arranged in cavity 240B.When distributor 300A in toothbrush 200B when storing state (not being with cap), the annular groove 315B of circular ridge 244B and distributor 300B matches, thus sealing and seal applicator 309A.

Conceptive, the inwall 240B profiling of the section C of cavity 240B is identical with the structure of cap 330A.Therefore,, even if cap 330A removes, protection and preservation to the par of applicator 309A (and activating agent) have still been realized.Therefore, if desired, groove 304A can omit.The similar face feature of distributor 300A (being illustrated as groove 315A) can be used for: (1) fastening cap 330A to protect applicator 309A during transporting and/or when selling; (2) help in storing state, distributor 300A to be not fixedly secured in cavity 240B; (3) sealing and protection applicator 309A in storing state.

Due to the above-mentioned changeability between cap 330A and the section C of cavity 240A, oral care systems 100B is particularly suitable for selling as external member.Once cap 330A has removed and use in conjunction with toothbrush 200B, the distributor 300A of displacement can sold without be careful cap 330A in the situation that.

The oral care systems 100 of Fig. 1-7B also can be used as external member and sells.Arbitrary external member all can comprise at least one toothbrush 200 and preserve a distributor 300 of oral cavity nursing agent.In other embodiments, external member can comprise at least one toothbrush 200 and a plurality of distributor 300; Each distributor 300 is all preserved different oral cavity nursing agent formulation (such as brightening, enamel protection, antiallergy, fluoride, tartar protection etc.).Distributor 300 also can utilize encoded mark and/or color to indicate to identify and corresponding to being contained in inner concrete MC formulation.In the another embodiment of external member, toothbrush 200 can have the replaceable head 230 of user and external member can comprise one or be preferably the structure of a plurality of this kind of dissimilar heads and/or cleaning of teeth/joint element 235 and/or tongue cleaner.

, simultaneously referring to Figure 14 and Figure 15, oral care systems 100C and 100D have been shown now.Except prehension end 302B, the 302C of distributor 300B, 300C is shaped so that user can easily catch distributor 300B, 300C so that from toothbrush 200 removes, oral care systems 100C and 100D are identical with the oral care systems 100 of Fig. 1-7B.Distributor 300B has expanding end and distributor 300C has bulbous end portion.

Figure 16-34 show the alternative according to oral care systems of the present invention, and it can be oral care systems 500 in certain embodiments.In this kind of embodiment, as further described below, toothbrush handle has longitudinally elongated opening, and it leads to the cavity that is applicable to receive removedly therein distributor.In this kind of alternative toothbrush handle, this opening forms along the main longitudinal component of handle, and previously about the opening 215 in the handle portion 210 of the toothbrush 200 system 100 (for example, referring to Fig. 6) Suo Shu, is roughly being arranged in near-end 212 parts of handle and was axially aiming at longitudinal axis.In addition, although oral cavity nursing agent distributor 300 substantially axially inserts handle 210 and internal cavity 240 thereof and removes from handle 210 and internal cavity 240 thereof, during in this kind of alternative oral care systems embodiment 500, distributor inserts handle to lateral/transverse at least in part to place and install.In addition, as in literary composition for this kind of alternative further as described in, thereby distributor self can form being grasped and advantageously provided approaching rapidly and major part easy to use distributor by user of toothbrush handle.

First referring to Figure 16-19, the alternative of oral care systems 500 substantially comprises toothbrush 600 and is arranged on removedly distributor 700 wherein now.Except as the difference mentioned especially in the description of oral care systems 500 below, toothbrush 600 and distributor 700 for as already described in the text oral care systems 100 and member thereof for can structure, manufacture and functional aspect be similar to substantially toothbrush 200 and distributor 300.

Distributor 700 can move applying between state shown in the storing state shown in Figure 16 and Figure 17, in storing state, distributor docks or is arranged in toothbrush handle 610, and in applying state, distributor 700 is dismantled or removes and prepare for oral care regimen from handle 610.

Continuation is referring to Figure 16-20, and toothbrush 600 comprises handle portion 610, neck part 620 and head part 630 substantially.Handle 610 can be unibody construction or multi-piece type structure.Handle 610 along the longitudinal axis A-A extends to far-end 613 from near-end 612.Handle 610 comprise limit top surface or top side 652 top section 660, limit the base section 661 of basal surface or bottom side 653, and between top side and bottom side, extend a pair of relatively and the periphery or lateral surface or the side 650,651 that separate.The top section 660 of handle 610 is attached to regularly far-end 613 parts (being also distal sheath part 661 in one embodiment) of handle and longitudinally extands rearward to the near-end 612 of handle 610.Therefore,, as further explaination in the text, top section 660 forms the bracketed part that removably engages and support distributor 700 of handle 610.Handle 610 is transitioned into neck 620 at far-end 613 places of handle, and this neck 620 is via handle 610 supports head 630.Although neck 620 can have less cross-sectional area with respect to handle 620 conventionally, the invention is not restricted to this.

Continuation is referring to Figure 16-20, and the toothbrush head 630 of toothbrush 600, neck 620 and handle 610 can form single monolithic construction, or the independent structure that these members can form regularly or removably fit together in other embodiments.In certain embodiments, thereby head 630 is attached to neck 620 removedly, form the replaceable head of user, this kind of replaceable head of user allowed the head that head that custom replaceable cleaning of teeth/joint element has worn and torn or exchange have alternative types cleaning element.Head 630 comprises front surface 631, rear surface 632 and side direction or periphery surface 633 substantially.Front surface 631 comprises that from its extension for example tooth joint element 635 to contact a plurality of oral cleaning elements of oral surfaces and/or interdental spaces.Tooth joint element 635 conventionally can for example about tooth joint element 235, have been described in literary composition by various types of cleaning elements those formed.

Referring to Figure 16-22, in preferred one exemplary embodiment, handle 610 comprises the removable portion that limits and form hand-held dispenser 700, and this distributor 700 is suitable for holding oral cavity nursing agent and oral cavity nursing agent is assigned on the target surface in user oral cavity.Therefore, the major part of toothbrush handle 610 and preferably most of along circumferentially and longitudinally the two cuts to form the microscler cavity 640 extending longitudinally opening wide to a great extent, this cavity 640 has the opening of entering 615 to receive removedly and support distributor 700 along lateral side 650,651 and the bottom 653 of handle 610.Opening 615 with respect to the longitudinal axis A-A of toothbrush handle 610 vertically and laterally the two extension, make near-end 612, the lateral side 650 of toothbrush handle, 651 and bottom side 653 be structurally significantly to open wide, simultaneously only top side 652 for the structure of sealing, as shown in the best in Figure 20 and Figure 22.When distributor 700 is arranged in toothbrush handle 610, distributor 700 and more specifically housing 701 comprise the major part of toothbrush handle 610 as shown at this kind of alternate exemplary oral care systems 500.In one embodiment, the housing 701 of distributor 700 forms the below part of toothbrush handle 610 or the major part of below half portion substantially.Therefore toothbrush handle 610 only has top section 660 and partial side 652 in the region of contiguous cavity 640, thereby exposes the downside of handle top side 652.Therefore the top side 652 of handle 610 only provides for distributor 700 being arranged on to supporting core or the framework of toothbrush 600 belows, wherein near the handle farthest side part transition part in neck part 620, distributor 700 substitutes and forms the lateral side 650,651 of toothbrush handle and the major part of bottom side 653.Advantageously, than the embodiment shown in Fig. 1-3, widthwise size or diameter that the maximum cross section size of the housing 701 of distributor 700 or diameter are not limited to toothbrush handle, this is different from as shown the handle 210 (referring to Fig. 1-3 and Fig. 7 A) of the major part that must size forms to take in therein distributor 300.In some cases, when wishing, it is large as much as possible that this allows that the size of distributor 700 and the related volume capacity of reservoir 708 are made for, and is mainly only limited to for by the selected expection size of population of toothbrush 600 being cosily engaged in user's hand.

Mainly referring to Figure 17, Figure 20 and Figure 31, toothbrush handle 610 and more specifically top side 652 limit perimeter sides to, rear and front mounting edge 655, and these edges 655 structures and size form in order to mate when distributor is attached to toothbrush 600 and to engage corresponding periphery mounting edge 763 on distributor body 701 (in Figure 23-24 and Figure 34 shown in the best).Preferably, the edge 655 of handle 610 and the edge 763 of distributor body 701 are aimed at mutually respectively to form relative uniformly in conjunction with peripheral surface when linking, to maintain seamlessly transitting so that the comfortable object of user between handle 610 and distributor body 701.In certain embodiments, all or a part of periphery mounting edge 763 on distributor 700 can form the elastomeric flexible grip part 753 further describing in other place in the text.The basal surface 753 of distributor 700 further preferably profiling is the correspondence surface 653 that is transited into smoothly coupling handle 610.

Referring now to Figure 17, Figure 20, Figure 22 and Figure 28,, in toothbrush handle 610, with the one exemplary embodiment that enters the cavity 640 of opening 615, there is axial length L (Figure 20), this length L preferably extend until between far-end 613 and near-end 612 measured handle 610 axial lengths at least half, and more preferably until the major part of decreased food with increase to greatest extent distributor 700 reservoir 708 volume storage volume and in order to promote to grasp distributor.In preferred one exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figure 22, opening 615 and respective cavities 640 are extended until the approximate height H of handle 610 and half of girth of surpassing.

The forefront part of cavity 640 preferably is circumferentially sealed to form by the far-end 613 of toothbrush handle 610 and is constructed and be applicable to receive therein the distally distribution end 703 of distributor 700 and the cardinal principle tubular sheath part 656 of applicator 709 as shown in the best in Figure 20, Figure 22 and Figure 28.This jacket portions 656 that finishes total incapsulation promotes make distributor 700 securely be docked in handle 610 and protect applicator 709 to avoid damage when being attached to the docking of toothbrush 600 or storing state when distributor.Far-end or the front end of jacket portions 656 seal, the rear end of jacket portions be open wide to receive therein the distally distributor tip 703 of distributor.In certain embodiments, holder 654 can provide jacket portions 656 in cavity 640 foremost, and its structure is also applicable to receive and is arranged in applicator 709 (referring to Figure 29) further to help the axially outstanding connector 750 of fastening distally distribution end 703.

The rear section of distributor 700 is removably fastened to toothbrush handle 610 via the locking mechanism arranging towards handle near-end 612.Referring to Figure 20, Figure 23, Figure 24 and Figure 31-33, distributor locking mechanism 800 can be arranged and be formed by the protuberance cooperating and recess locking in an one exemplary embodiment.Distributor body 701 comprises the isolated installation recess 800 in a pair of lateral/transverse ground, and this is constructed and be applicable to receive to installation recess 800 and is arranged on a pair of laterally isolated installation protuberance 801 on toothbrush handle 610.In one embodiment, install on the downside of top side 652 that protuberance 801 is arranged on toothbrush housing 610 and towards longitudinal axis A-A to projecting inward and comprise the narrower section 803 of the place ahead enlarged section 802 and rear, as shown in the best in Figure 31.Recess 800 is installed and is correspondingly comprised the narrower section 805 of the place ahead enlarged section 804 and rear, as shown in the best in Figure 32 and Figure 33.Locking recess 800 also comprises the locking protuberance 806 being arranged in rear section 805, and it is outwards outstanding from distributor 700 lateral/transverse ground.When distributor 700 is mounted to toothbrush handle 610, the enlarged section 802 of installation protuberance 801 becomes the corresponding enlarged section 804 that is positioned in the corresponding enlarged section 804 that recess 800 is installed and engages installation recess 800, and the narrower section 803 of installation protuberance 801 becomes the corresponding narrower section 805 that is positioned in the corresponding narrower section 805 that recess 800 is installed and engages installation recess 800.The rear section that the locking protuberance 806 that recess is installed frictionally engages the narrower section 803 that protuberance 801 is installed to move via distinctive " interlock " removedly but securely distributor 700 is attached to toothbrush handle 610.Due to the upside 652 of the toothbrush handle 610 of contiguous cavity 640 preferably on thickness relatively thin with to a certain extent for flexible at least in part, therefore when protuberance 801 being installed engaging installation recess 800 toothbrush handle in response to distributor 700 is inserted in wherein can with respect to longitudinal axis A-A lateral/transverse deflection.The enlarged section 802 of protuberance 801 is installed will be tended to first engage distributor body before narrower section 803.Section 803 is received in below protuberance 806 in the lock part 807 of recess 800 and their bullets (or interlock) return inwardly in place to complete installation in locking.Figure 29 and Figure 30 show distributor 700 fully to place or be arranged on the cross sectional view in toothbrush handle 610.

To further describe distributor 700 now.Figure 23-26 show the various views of alternative distributor 700, and wherein Figure 26 is the longitudinal cross-section view of distributor 700.In one embodiment, distributor 700 is lip pencil structure microscler and that cardinal principle is tubular, and it may be similar to described in the text distributor 300 (referring to Fig. 5, Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B) about functional and total structure.Yet some features of distributor 700, comprise attachment means, structure for being removably mounted to handle 610, and further feature improves, and as present, will further describe.

Continuation is referring to Figure 23-26, and distributor 700 is included in the housing 701 extending between near-end 702 and distally distribution end 703.As noticed in literary composition, housing 701 can be taken as for substantially forming the removable portion of toothbrush handle 610.In certain embodiments, housing 701 can comprise internal layer and skin, is similar to the internal layer 306 and outer 307 of the housing 301 shown in Fig. 5.As alternative, in the embodiment as shown in the best in Figure 26, housing 701 has by the preferred firm formed relative single layer enclosure of material constructs, this firm material can be relatively firm rigid plastics/polymer, for example, be similar in the text the thermoplastic about material described in the internal layer 306 of housing 301.This provides the rigidity of structure for distributor 700.In certain embodiments, at least a portion of housing 701 can comprise flexibly deformable flex section, with allow that user pushes and the inclusion of the distributor that pressurizes to carry active oral care agents.

Optional is, in certain embodiments, the at least a portion in housing 701 outsides for example can comprise, by the formed soft non-slippage elastic grip of for example elastomeric material portion 752 (, as in the text about as described in the skin 307 of housing 301) so that anti-slip and comfortable grasping surface to be provided to user.Because distributor 700 in the embodiment at this alternative oral care systems 500 substitutes and form the main functional parts of toothbrush handle 610, therefore elastic grip portion 752 preferably covers at least a portion of the exposed portions serve of distributor 700 in being arranged on handle 710 time and more preferably most of in certain embodiments.This allows that by user distributor 700 is easy to catch, particularly after brushing teeth, with wet hand, catches and promote distributor 700 to remove and be again inserted in toothbrush handle 610.In at least one embodiment, grip part 752 can cover the major part of below half portion of distributor 700 and housing 701, comprise the basal surface of housing or the part (referring to for example Figure 21, Figure 23-26 and Figure 34) of bottom side 753 and lateral surface or lateral side 754,755.Grip part 752 is without the top surface or 766Huo distally, the top side distributor tip 703 that cover distributor, because these parts will be nested in toothbrush handle 610 when distributor is placed in handle.Elastic grip portion 752 can be attached to housing 701 by any applicable conventional means (including but not limited to co-molded and adhesive) used in this area and that describe in the text.

Continuation is referring to Figure 23-26, and housing 701 forms internal chamber, and this internal chamber is defined for the reservoir 708 of preserving desired oral cavity nursing agent.Available oral cavity nursing agent describes in detail in the text.Reservoir 708 is fluidly connected in applicator 709, and this applicator 709 is outstanding forward from the distribution end 703 of housing 701.In this kind of embodiment of distributor 700, omitted the coordinate of transmission channel 310 and overflow chamber 311 (referring to the description in for example Fig. 4 and Wen).Replace, the oral cavity nursing agent that comprises fluid directly contacts with applicator 709, as shown in the best in Figure 26 and Figure 29.Applicator 709 can comprise internal flow conduit 756, and this conduit 756 is fluidly communicated with to promote to utilize oral cavity nursing agent wetting applicator equably with reservoir 708.

Referring to Figure 23-26 and Figure 29, applicator 709 can be by bristle, porous or sponge material, or the material that has fibrillation tissue that is similar to the applicator 309 of having described in literary composition forms.Applicator 709 comprises mast part 757, and this mast part 757 is received in distally distribution end 703 and frictionally engages this distally distribution end 703 so that applicator is remained in housing 701 in one embodiment.Applicator 709 also comprises reception and remains on removedly the connector 750 in applicator.In one embodiment, connector 750 can be formed by polypropylene or elastomeric material (their example is described in the text).In a possible one exemplary embodiment, connector 750 be included in fore head 762 and adjacency in rear extension mast part 760, should be received in removedly the axial aperture in front end for example in path 758 that is formed at applicator 709 in rear extension mast part 760.

Path 758 is fluidly communicated with and is provided for distributing from distributor 700 aperture of can flow oral cavity nursing agent or other oral cavity nursing agent with the flow-catheter 756 of applicator 709.Preferably, path 758 has less cross section internal diameter and flow area with constraint and regulates oral cavity nursing agent flowing from distributor 700 than the flow-catheter 756 of adjacency.The viscosity of the flowed oral cavity nursing agent based on carrying by distributor, those skilled in the art can easily determine that the suitable internal diameter (being also aperture size) for path 758 leads to user's desired distribution flow rate to set up product.Applicator 309 than the porous type shown in Fig. 4, it does not have mobile transmitting catheter or the path opened wide that fully extends through applicator and lead to outside, in applicator 709, aperture distribution system used is advantageously better applicable to distribute more oral cavity nursing agent or the product of viscosity, for example gel and paste.

Continuation, referring to Figure 23-26 and Figure 29, comprises that the connector 750 of head 762 and mast 760 can be substantial cylindrical in shape.Connector 750 also can comprise that annular flange flange 761 is excessively inserted into (referring to Figure 26 and Figure 29) in path 758 to prevent connector.

In addition referring to Figure 28 and Figure 29, removable connector 750 also can comprise a plurality of flexible annular ribs 751 of radially giving prominence to of some functions now.Rib 751 is configured to and is applicable to make the cylindrical shaped receptacle 654 of complementary structure be flexibly out of shape and frictionally engage with it, and this cylindrical shaped receptacle 654 is at the inner part place, forefront that is arranged on internal cavity 640 near far-end 613 of toothbrush handle 610.Rib 751 is removably fastened on distally distribution end 703 in toothbrush handle 701.Connector 750 also provides additional benefits, comprise while filling distributor 700 during manufacture, prevent oral cavity nursing agent overflow, reduce the chance that oral cavity nursing agent leaks after the fabrication stage, and applicator 709 ends that expose at chien shih in user uses keep clean.

Referring to Figure 26, Figure 27 and Figure 34, what the rear end of distributor 700 or near-end 702 parts comprised sealed distributor near-end 702 can attached cap 900.Thereby cap 900 can form and be used as button with inner shaft 904 mechanisms of propelling distributor 700 and via applicator 709 delivering oral care agent by flexible elastomeric material in certain embodiments.Cap 900 compresses to carry out propulsion functions and is then back to its original shape.The toothbrush 600 being fully placed in one when distributor 700 for the pattern of scrubbing and when distributor 700 from toothbrush dismounting in case apply oral cavity nursing agent to tooth these two time, cap also provides comfort level to user.In one embodiment, cap 900 preferably includes annular flange flange 901, and this annular flange flange 901 engages and is formed on the proximal end of distributor 700 or the groove on rear end.Flange 901 is preferably by make to advantageously provide during manufacture process for cap being pressed on distributor 700 to surface in place after distributor is filled with oral cavity nursing agent than the more firm material of cap 900.The proximal part 702 of distributor body 701 can comprise the convex ridge 765 that is arranged near the one or more liftings of ring edge 764, and the corresponding one or more annular grooves 902 (referring to Figure 27) on these convex ridge 765 joint caps 900 are so that fastening cap and the anti-leakage sealing in rear portion providing for distributor.In certain embodiments, as shown, axially extension rod 904 can be arranged on cap 900 to further cap is fastened to distributor body 701 forward.As shown in the best in Figure 27, bar 904 can comprise a plurality of axially isolated serrations, and these serrations are configured in order to engage the maintaining body 905 in the near-end 702 that is arranged on distributor 700.

To exemplary method that use toothbrush 600 and distributor 700 be described briefly now.Distributor 700 with connector 650 is filled with oral care materials and is inserted in toothbrush 600.Offer user be as shown in Figure 16 in storing state with the toothbrush 600 of distributor 700.Distributor 700 is fully placed as shown and is fastened in toothbrush handle 610, wherein, engage to 660 lockings of near rear section near-end 702 of housing 701 and the cantilevered top section of handle 610 (via the installation protuberance 801 shown in Figure 31-33 and locking protuberance 806) distally distribution end 703 with the jacket portions 656 of handle be frictionally engaged slidably (referring to Figure 29).After user utilizes toothbrush 600 to complete his/her tooth is scrubbed, or as alternative before scrubbing his/her tooth, user catch distributor body 701 (if providing preferably at grip 752 places) and by the direction that initial edge is substantially transverse to longitudinal axis A-A apply power F and near-end 702 places or near outwards and away from toothbrush handle 610, pull the portions of proximal of distributor 700.Because distally distributor tip 703 is still placed in the jacket portions 656 (for example, referring to Figure 29) of toothbrush handle 610, therefore this initial action being applied by user is to utilize distributor tip to be used as the pivotal action of pivoting point.Latter half of or nearside half portion of distributor by therefore first with the angle about toothbrush handle and longitudinal axis A-A for example, away from toothbrush handle 610 (referring to Figure 16 and apply power F) pivotable in bow-shaped route.The locking protuberance 806 of distributor body 701 discharges the installation protuberance 801 (referring to Figure 31-33) on toothbrush handle 610 and protuberance is installed and from the installation recess 800 of distributor body, is exited.This makes the near-end 702 of distributor 700 throw off and connect with toothbrush handle 610.User next can be by sliding backward distributor 700 and extract or exit distally distributor tip 703 from the jacket portions 656 of toothbrush handle 610 towards rear end or the near-end 612 of handle on the roughly axial direction of axis A-A along the longitudinal.Distributor 700 connectors 750 of contiguous applicator 709 remain in the holder 654 in toothbrush handle 610, thereby expose applicator.Then user can fully exit distributor 700 from toothbrush 600, and as shown in Figure 17, distributor 700 is fully thrown off and connected with toothbrush in applying state now.Then user utilizes applicator as required oral cavity nursing agent to be applied to the other parts in tooth and/or oral cavity.

For distributor 700 is turned back in toothbrush handle 610 again, user simply repeats above-mentioned steps on the contrary.Then distributor 700 turns back to the storing state shown in Figure 16.Although it should be noted that distributor 300 is by only distributor being applied to axial force and motion and removing and again insert from toothbrush 200 from toothbrush 200, the combination of 700, the distributor laterally and axially force and motion of these two by as described above and removing from toothbrush 600.

According to a further aspect in the invention, toothbrush handle 610 also can comprise window 657, as shown in the best in Figure 19.In preferred one exemplary embodiment, window 657 can consist of relatively limpid and transparent insert 658, and this insert 658 is arranged on having in the perforate 659 of complementary shape with respect to this insert in handle 610.Window insert 658 can form independent parts and by any applicable means used in this area for example adhesive, heat or ultrasonic bonding be attached to handle 610, or can be co-molded with handle.Preferably, window 657 is positioned on toothbrush handle 610, makes at least a portion of the applicator 709 of distributor 700 when distributor 700 is arranged in handle 710 visible through window.Window 657 informs that consumer/user exists another product to be combined in toothbrush 600.In some possible embodiment, the different distributors 700 that hold different oral cavity nursing agents or formulation (such as brightening, enamel protection, antiallergy, taste etc.) all can adopt.The distally distribution end 703 of applicator 709 and/or distributor body 701 can be carried out color coding and/or be comprised that mark is with corresponding with the oral cavity nursing agent formulation that is contained in particular type wherein.This will allow user identifies rapidly which formulation at present and is contained in the distributor 700 that is placed in toothbrush 600.This kind of dissimilar distributor 700 can be included in the external member as described with reference to toothbrush 200 and distributor 300 in the text.

Although foregoing description and accompanying drawing have been described the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be appreciated that and can make various increases, modification as in the spirit and scope of the invention defined in the appended claims in the situation that and substitute not deviating from.Particularly, will be clear that for those skilled in the art, the present invention can adopt other form, structure, layout, ratio, size and utilize other element, material and member implement and do not depart from its essence or fundamental characteristics.What those skilled in the art will recognize that is, the present invention can be combined in the multiple modification of structure used in enforcement of the present invention, layout, ratio, size, material and member etc. and use, and these modification are specially adapted to specific environment and operation requirements and do not depart from principle of the present invention.Therefore it is all illustrative and nonrestrictive in all respects that current the disclosed embodiments are regarded as, and scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims and is not limited to foregoing description or embodiment.

Claims (5)

1. for non-therapeutic purposes, oral cavity nursing agent is dispensed to a method for oral surfaces, comprises:

Toothbrush is provided, described toothbrush has handle and by the detachable oral cavity nursing agent distributor of described handle supporting, described distributor comprises the reservoir and the applicator that becomes fluid to be communicated with described reservoir being positioned on far-end that holds oral cavity nursing agent, wherein, described applicator is by bristle, porous material or there is the material of fibrillation tissue to form;

The portions of proximal relative with described applicator along horizontal direction from distributor described in the outside pivotable of described handle;

Described applicator is exited with from distributor described in described handle release vertically from the jacket portions of sealing of described handle; With

Use described distributor that described oral cavity nursing agent is applied to oral surfaces.

2. method according to claim 1, is characterized in that, locking protuberance and described distributor that described pivotable step makes to be formed on described toothbrush handle are disengaged.

3. method according to claim 1, is characterized in that, the described holder form of step from handle that exit vertically removed described applicator.

4. method according to claim 1, is characterized in that, described in exit step and remove the connector extending from described applicator.

5. method according to claim 1, is characterized in that, described pivotable step makes to be formed on locking protuberance on described distributor and the installation protuberance on described handle is disengaged.