TWI462711B - Oral care kit - Google Patents

Description

Oral care kit

This application relates generally to toothbrushes and, more particularly, to a kit having a toothbrush and an oral care dispenser containing oral health care materials.

The benefits of good oral hygiene are well known. However, toothbrushes are often forgotten when traveling or leaving home. Hotels, health care centers, nursing homes, hospitals, day care centers, schools, airlines, etc. need a disposable toothbrush with limited function or number of uses. It can be economically provided without toothbrush and/or water supply. Discard the individual and after use. Such toothbrushes can be used in vending machines or in large quantities for easy portability anywhere.

Various types of disposables, limited number of uses, or portable toothbrushes are known in the art. There is an urgent need for an improved portable toothbrush.

In some embodiments, the oral care kit includes at least one oral health implement that includes a grip and a head at one end of the grip. The head has at least one cleaning element that projects outwardly from the head. At least one dispenser is separated from the oral care implement. The dispenser includes an amount of the oral care material. A package includes the at least one oral health device and the at least one dispenser. The package has at least two components connected to each other. Each component has a separate closed chamber. The package has at least one separable connector for one of the chambers and the other of the chambers A separation.

In some embodiments, the oral care kit includes a plurality of oral care implements, each oral care implement including a grip and a head at one end of the grip. The head has at least one cleaning element projecting outwardly from the head and shaped into a recess for retaining an oral health care material. At least one dispenser is provided that is separate from the oral care implements. The dispenser includes an amount of the oral care material. The dispenser has an orifice for dispensing the oral care material. The width of the aperture is less than or equal to the width of the recess. A package includes the plurality of oral health devices and the at least one dispenser.

In some embodiments, the oral care kit includes a sachet for an annular reservoir of an oral health care material, the annular reservoir being constructed to surround a central opening. The bladder has a slit, slit or perforation for forming a tear in a portion of the reservoir to form a dispensing nozzle. One oral health care implement is sized such that one portion of the oral health care implement is adapted to pass through the central opening. The oral health care implement is constructed to tear a portion of the reservoir along a slit, slit or perforation.

Other areas of applicability of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. The detailed description and specific examples are intended to be illustrative and not restrict

The following is intended to be illustrative only and not to limit the details of the invention. The invention may be more completely understood from the detailed description and drawings.

The description of the preferred embodiments below is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention, the application or use of the invention.

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar elements in the figures are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Figures 1 through 4 illustrate an oral care toothbrush 10 comprising a head 12 and a grip 14. The head 12 can be a refill head such that it is removably attached to the grip 14, or the head 12 can be permanently attached to the grip 14.

Most of the grip 14 and portion of the head 12 can be molded from a variety of rigid materials, including plastics, resins, and the like, such as polypropylene. The end portion of the grip 14 (i.e., the end that is not at the end of the head 12) is attached to the attachment 16. In some embodiments of the invention, the accessory 16 can be a toothpick. The toothpick 16 is formed from a resilient and flexible thermoplastic elastomer. The attachment 16 can be a refill and thus removably attached to the grip 14. The attachment 16 can also be permanently attached to the grip 14. Attachment 16 provides a mechanism for removing dirt between the teeth. The soft elastomer forming the attachment 16 provides a more comfortable interdental cleaning. However, the attachment 16 can be made of a rigid hard material similar to the major portion of the grip 14, or simply a rubber or elastic toothpick that is adhesively or otherwise attached to the end of the grip 14.

The portion 18 of the grip 14 can also be formed from a resilient and flexible thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic elastomer forming the attachment 16 and the grip portion 18 may be a thermoplastic vulcanate (TPV) composed of a mixture of polypropylene and EPDM (ethylene-propylene ternary), the city of EPDM. The trademark sold is SANTOPRENE (trademark), which is exclusively used in the United States. It is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,393,796, or VYRAM (trademark), which is another TPV consisting of a mixture of polypropylene and natural rubber. Both SANTOPRENE and VYRAM (trademark) are elastomers produced by Advanced Elastomer Systems. Other suitable elastomers include: KRATON, a trademark for the block copolymer (SBC) sold by Shell, and DYNAFLEX G 2706 (trademark), a thermoplastic elastomer sold by GLS Corporation and using KRATON (trademark) ) Made of polymer.

The grip 14 may further include a plurality of depressions, projections, or ridges that project from a portion of its surface, which provides a decorative appearance of the grip 14 and enhances the grip of the grip 14 during use of the toothbrush 10. The recess may be formed of the same material as the grip 14 soft elastomer portion 18 or may be formed of the same material as the main portion of the grip 14 (e.g., a rigid material such as polypropylene). All or part of the grip 14 can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, wood, metal, or various biodegradable natural materials. It is preferred that the grip portion 14 of the grip 14 between the spaced apart resilient portions 18, 18 be formed into a generally flat or elliptical shape rather than a cylindrical shape to facilitate gripping of the grip.

As shown in Fig. 4, another portion of the head 12, which defines a head bristles or cleaning element block 22, may also be formed from a resilient and flexible thermoplastic elastomer, such as for forming a grip. Part 18 of the thermoplastic elastomer. The cleaning block 22 can include one or more pockets 24 and an opening 30 disposed on the surface thereof, as desired. The cleaning block 22 further includes a plurality of cleaning elements, which may be conventional thin wires, preferably nylon, or elastic bristles or fingers 26 that extend outwardly from the outer surface of the head 12. In the particular embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 in an optimal manner, all of the cleaning elements 26 extend outwardly from the outer surface of the cleaning block 22 by the same distance to create a generally flat surface. However, it may be replaced with some of the elements 26 being longer or shorter than the other elements 26. The variable length cleaning element 26 is illustrated in Figure 14 as a dot out tip 26a, and for clarity of illustration and focus on the variability of the element, the cleaning element 26 is only shown in solid lines. Main body portion 26b.

As used herein, the term "cleaning element" is intended to cover cleaning elements or massaging elements that are arranged in a circular, elliptical, or oval cross-sectional shape or have any desired shape, including straight and sinusoidal portions. It should be understood that the particular illustrated cleaning elements are for demonstration purposes only. However, the implementation of the features herein may be performed in the same or different configurations (eg, nail or in-mold tufting (IMT) bristle techniques) and/or the same or different bristle materials (eg, nylon bristles, snails). Various combinations of wire bristles, rubber bristles, and the like. Likewise, although the cleaning elements 26 illustrated in Figures 1 through 4 are generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the head 12, some or all of the cleaning elements 26 may be at different angles to the outer surface of the head 12. It is thus possible to select a combination of configuration, material, and orientation to achieve a particular desired result, such as enhanced cleansing, bright teeth, fresh breath, whitening of the teeth, and/or gum massage.

In some embodiments, the cleaning elements 26 can be in the form of bristles made of conventional materials, such as nylon, and made from a combination of materials to provide suitable stiffness in an economical manner. For example, the cleaning element 26 can be made of a flexible material such as TPE and less expensive materials such as LIDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene) or EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer) or TPE. Cleaning element 26 can be made from a blend of TPE with LLDPE, EVA, or polypropylene. It is preferred to combine the two materials to provide a stiffness of less than 600 MPa. Blends of materials can produce the properties of conventional nylon bristles while also reducing costs. For example, the conventional flocking method can be replaced by an injection molding method with a lower manufacturing cost. The replaceable elastomeric material is a single material, such as a hard TPE (ie, a hardness of A-80), a straight LLDPE or a straight EVA.

Cleaning element 26 can have any desired shape. For example, the cleaning element 26 has a cylindrical shape of the same diameter throughout its length. The replaceable cleaning elements 26 taper from the root of each cleaning element (extending from the head 22 to the cleaning outer end). In some embodiments, in order to provide a small, lightweight toothbrush, the components of the toothbrush 10 are preferably of a small size. Thus, for example, each cleaning element 26 can extend outwardly from the outer surface of the cleaning block 12 by a distance of no greater than 10 mm, and preferably no greater than 8 mm, and most preferably no greater than 6 mm. When a tapered cleaning element is used, the root diameter should be no greater than 1.5 mm, preferably no greater than 1 mm, optimally no greater than 0.7 mm or no greater than 0.5 mm or no greater than 0.3 mm. The diameter at a distance of no more than 6 mm from the bottom of the cleaning element can be reduced to no more than 0.2 mm. The tapered relationship of the diameter at a distance above the diameter of the root may be in the range of not more than 1 mm at a distance of not more than 10 mm, and not more than 0.6 mm at a distance of not more than 8 mm, preferably at a distance. Not more than 6 mm is not more than 0.2 mm. Preferably, the entire toothbrush 10 has a length of no greater than 5 inches, preferably no greater than 4 inches, and more preferably no greater than 3.75 or 3 or 2.50 inches, and may range from 2 to 4 inches.

In some embodiments, the cleaning element 26 has a diameter change at its proximal end such that the cleaning element 26 has a different bristle thickness and stiffness in different field regions or axial stiffness as measured by the longitudinal axis of the bristles. In this configuration, the bristles 26b in the inner or central region are stiffer than the bristles 26c in the outer peripheral region. The cleaning element 26 of the carrier 80 can taper towards its distal end.

The variable stiffness configuration of the field of cleaning elements 26 forms a structure that increases radial flow control of the oral care solution/material during brushing operations for effective cleaning. This feature is particularly useful for low viscosity oral care solutions. However, a higher viscosity oral care solution can also be used for the toothbrush 10. The cleaning elements 26 can flex independently. In this regard, during the brushing operation, the free ends (eg, the tips) of the stiffer cleaning elements 26b are less curved for the respective vertical axes than the outer cleaning elements 26c (eg, near the surrounding bristles). Thus, a portion of the dentifrice remains in the central region of the head for a longer period due to the reduced dynamic bending or action of the stiffer bristles. The sweep or oscillating motion transfers a portion of the retained liquid to the area outside the cleaning element. Although the outer cleaning element 26c is less stiff, dynamic bending relative to its vertical axis additionally causes the outer bristles to receive a portion of the dentifrice from the central region of the cleaning element. In this configuration, however, the combination of the variable stiffness bristle field of the mechanically scrubbed tissue surface and the advantageous effect of applying the oral care material to the oral cavity by the dispenser provides for effective cleaning of the tissue surface in the mouth. In this manner, the bristle field provides a limited flow of dentifrice or other oral health care material to the outer bristles and maintains sufficient flexibility to provide greater user comfort and better oral tissue cleansing.

The head 12 can be bent 10 degrees for the grip 14 and is less than the camber 1 to the head of Figure 4. An angle in the range of 8° to 12° can help improve the user's brushing technique. The material from which the block 22 is made may be the same as some or all of the bristles 26 and portions of the grip. The material from which the grip 14 can be made can be the same as that of the block 22 and/or the bristles 26.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the cleaning element 26 defines a cleaning zone for the head 22. Preferably, the cleaning element 26 extends outwardly from the cleaning block 22, as shown in FIG. However, features herein may also be implemented such that the extent to which the cleaning elements extend is greater or less than that shown in FIG.

As noted above, the cleaning block 22 can include one or more optional pockets 24 that are designed to receive and retain oral health care material therein. The size of one or more pockets 24 can be varied to accommodate different amounts of dentifrice, toothpaste, or tooth cleaning gel toothpaste or other oral care material for use during operation of the component 26 extending from the block 22. In the case of teeth, the oral care material is delivered to the teeth whereby the oral care material can be used to enhance the cleaning of the teeth. In some embodiments, the toothbrush 10 is manufactured to contain stuffed toothpaste, toothpaste, or tooth cleaning gel toothpaste and the user can reuse the dispenser by refilling the dentifrice, toothpaste, or tooth cleaning gel toothpaste. . In other embodiments, the toothbrush 10 is configured to be part of a kit that has a separate packaged oral care in which the user places the hand on the cleaning element 26 or the pocket 24, if any. material.

In some embodiments, the pocket is in the form of a cushioned socket 28. The shock-proof groove 28, the opening 30 and the material constituting the bristle block 22 provide a shock-proof effect.

The user applies oral health care material to the bristles 26 of the toothbrush head 12. The oral care material can be a toothpaste, a gel, a mouthwash, a powder, or a similar dentifrice or oral hygiene, or a combination thereof. The material constituting the oral care material can be preferably consumed by the user of the toothbrush 10, so that no water, a wash basin, or a waste container is required for the oral health care material to be spit out.

The oral care material can comprise an active agent. Non-limiting examples of useful active agents include antibacterial agents, whitening agents, anti-allergic agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-adhesive agents, plaque indicators, flavorants, sensates, breath fresheners , gum health agents and coloring agents. Examples of such agents include metal ionic agents (eg, stannous ionic agents, copper ionic agents, zinc ionic agents, silver ionic agents) triclosan; triclosan monophosphate, chlorhexidine, Alexidine, hexetidine, sanguinarine, benzalkonium chloride, salicylanilide, domiphen bromide, hexadecane Cetylpyridinium chlofide, tetradecylpyridinium chloride, N-tetradecyl-4-ethylpyridinium chloride (TDEPC), Otto Octonidine, delmopinol, octapinol, nisin, essential oils, furanones, bacteriocins, flavans Flavans), flavonoids, folic acids, vitamins, minerals, hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, sodium percarbonate, PVP-H2O2, polymer-bonded peroxides, potassium nitrate, plugging agents (occluding agents), bioactive glass, arginine, arginine bicarbonate, bacalin, polyphenols, ethyl pyruvate, dithioethe Guanidinoethyl disulfide), taftar control agents, anti-stain ingredient, phosphate, polyvinylphosphonic acid, PVM/MA copolymer; enzyme, glucose oxidase, papain (papain), figin (ficin), ethyl lauroyl arginate, menthol, carvone, and anethole, various flavoring aldehydes Flavoring aldehydes, esters and alcohols, spearmint oils, peppermint oil, wintergreen oil, sassafras oil, clove oil, rat tail Sage oil, eucalyptus oil, marjoram oil, cinnamon oil, lemon oil, lime oil, grapefruit oil , and / or orange oil.

The active agent may be compatible with the toothpaste or it may be unstable and/or reactive with typical toothpaste ingredients. The active agent can also be a tooth cleanser to promote overall brushing efficacy.

The active agent can be provided in any suitable vehicle, such as in an aqueous solution or in the form of a gel, paste (ointment) or powder. The carrier can have a variety of visual aesthetics, including clear solutions or gels or opaque solutions or gels. Non-limiting examples of carriers include water, monohydric alcohols (e.g., ethanol), poly(ethylene oxides) [e.g., poly(ethylene) Polyethylene glycols, such as PEG 2M, 5M, 7M, 14M, 23M, 45M, and 90M] available from Union Carbide, carboxymethylene polymers (for example, Carbopol available from BF Goodrich. 934 and 974), and combinations of them. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the choice of suitable carrier will depend, for example, on the nature of the active agent and the desired characteristics of the medium (e.g., viscosity).

In use, the user applies oral health care material to the cleaning element 26. The user can then brush his teeth with the toothbrush 10. The user can also use the accessory 16 to clean the teeth before or after brushing. After the user uses the toothbrush 10, the toothbrush 10 can be discarded, but not necessarily, easily and economically.

In some embodiments, the conventional multi-component injection molding operation, which is commonly used to make toothbrushes, molds the entire structure of the toothbrush 10, including the head 12, the grip 14, and the attachment 16, into an integrated structure. Thus, the toothbrush 10 can be made economically and quickly. While the toothbrush 10 can be of various sizes and sizes, the preferred toothbrush 10 is small in shape, the head 12 is small enough to cover one tooth at a time, and the grip is thinner than a conventional daily toothbrush grip. Thus the toothbrush 10 is convenient to carry or save space.

The toothbrush 10 has a number of advantages including: the cosmetic benefits of brushing the teeth when the user is out and away from the water source. The cosmetic benefits achieved by the toothbrush 10 include cleaning the residue between the teeth with the attachment 16, cleaning the tooth surface (especially the front teeth) with the cleaning element 26 and the oral care solution, and refreshing the breath with the oral care solution.

In addition to cosmetic benefits, the toothbrush 10 also provides the economics of making a low cost toothbrush quickly and economically. The toothbrush 10 is also provided for maintaining the oral cavity A healthy body that does not require toothpaste, water, mouthwash, and its storage containers. Therefore, it is also very convenient to use the toothbrush 10.

In addition, the toothbrush 10 provides at least one benefit in preventing the spread of waterborne diseases. For example, the toothbrush 10 eliminates the customary practice of mixing local water with toothpaste. This feature is useful in military applications where portable water sources are limited or where water conservation is required or the troops' oral health is maintained (eg, in a desert combat environment). In another case, the toothbrush 10 has an environment for outdoor camping to prevent diseases caused by water-borne bacteria.

Although the toothbrush illustrated in Figures 1 through 4 is a manual, disposable, toothbrush, the features herein may be embodied such that the head includes one or more movable portions that drive the cleaning elements electrically or electrically. The movable portion can vibrate in a rotational manner or longitudinally vibrate relative to the longitudinal axis of the head or laterally or laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head. The movable portion is vibrated in a direction to enter and exit the outer surface of the head. The movable portion can swing back and forth with respect to the outer surface of the head. The movable portion can continuously rotate in the same direction instead of vibrating. Any suitable drive mechanism can be used to provide the desired motion to the moveable portion. When a plurality of movable portions are used, all of the movable portions may have the same motion type and direction, or different combinations of motions may be used.

Since the toothbrush 10 is intended to be a small, lightweight toothbrush, the weight of the toothbrush 10 is preferably less than 3 grams, however this is an option and the toothbrush 10 can have a greater weight. The small size allows it to be fully grasped by the palm of an adult. The size of the head 12 corresponds to the size of the individual teeth or the size of the individual teeth and the area of the teeth. The head 12 can be made in any suitable shape and is of a maximum lateral dimension or diameter of no more than 13 mm. A circular, elliptical, oval or tri-lobal shape is preferred, preferably no more than 12 mm, and most preferably no more than 11 mm. When the head 12 is non-circular, a maximum lateral dimension of 14 mm is preferred.

As shown in Fig. 2, the angle of the head 12 to the longitudinal axis of the grip 14 can be between 0 and 90 degrees. The preferred angle is between 20 and 70 and more preferably between 30 and 60. The cleaning elements may be perpendicular to the outer surface of the head 12 or may have an angle to the outer surface, for example, in the range of 60° to 90° or 75° to 90°.

In a particular embodiment, the cleaning element can be hollow, such as a hollow bristles, which can absorb the medicament by capillary action. This feature is particularly useful for children when a medicament or other form of taste can be dispensed from a hollow cleaning element. It is also possible to leach the antimicrobial material by the cleaning element. In a particular embodiment in which the cleaning element is used to dispense oral health care material, the cleaning element itself can be considered an oral care dispenser without the need for an additional dispenser.

Although specific parameters and characteristics of the cleaning elements are given above, other cleaning elements that do not include such parameters and characteristics may be used in implementing the features herein.

Figures 5 through 6 illustrate other variations in which the cleaning elements are in the form of a single block having an irregular outer surface. As shown in Fig. 5, the block 34 is similar to steel wool for home cleaning or part of a Velcro, such as a hook or loop.

Figure 6 is a variation where the cleaning element 36 is a single block of sponge, foam or cotton which can be used as a cotton swab for oral care materials. In some embodiments, the cleaning element 36 provides oral care material Absorption container. The outer surface of the cotton swab is generally flat or has an irregular surface. In such embodiments, the cleaning element 36 can be impregnated with an oral care material or can be immersed in the mouth cavity health care material to absorb the material so that the cleaning element 36 can also function as an oral care dispenser. This swab-type cleaning element is mild to children, especially babies.

In some embodiments, element 36 is a one-piece melamine foam that is a foam-like material composed of a formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer. Melamine foams are commercially available from BASF Corporation of Ludwigshafen, Germany, and also by Procter & Gamble under the name MR.CLEAN MAGIC ERASER'TM. The melamine foam is an effective abrasive cleaner. The open cell foam has micropores and is used like a very fine sandpaper to enter tiny grooves and potholes on the surface of the tooth being cleaned. On a larger scale, the material feels soft.

Implementation of the features herein can segment the toothbrush 10 into different components depending on the purpose of manufacture and assembly. The segmented components can also be removably joined together to make the components interchangeable, thereby making it possible to replace different components in the combination. Accordingly, the head 12 can be removably attached to the grip 14, for example, the head 12 illustrated in FIG. 7 is removably secured to the grip 14 by a snap fitting 38, which Fastener 38 can be of any suitable construction as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The concept of removably interconnecting can also be used to removably secure the oral care accessory 16 (e.g., a toothpick) to the grip 14. Therefore, as described below in the description of Figures 12 and 13, the toothbrush and its various groups can be The pieces are packaged in a plurality of toothbrushes and/or a plurality of different components, such as a head, a dispenser, or an accessory, in the same package.

Figure 8 illustrates another embodiment in which a piezoelectric crystal 40 is provided at the junction of the grip 14 and the head 12 to allow the head 12 to vibrate during use. Alternatively, the head 12 can be mounted to a rotating shaft that is extended by the grip and has an eccentric weight on the shaft to vibrate the head.

Although Figures 1 through 3 illustrate the oral care attachment 16 in the form of a toothpick, other types of attachments 42 can be used, as shown in FIG. The illustrated attachment 42 can be secured to the end of the grip 14, similar to the mounting of a toothpick. This arrangement can be removable or permanently installed. Examples of such oral care accessories 16/42 include: a tongue scraper, a floss preserver, or an interproximal brush. Likewise, the attachment may be a cotton swab or foam similar to cleaning element 36 of Figure 6, or a single block of rough material, such as cleaning element 34 of Figure 5.

Figure 10 illustrates another variation in which the toothbrush is specifically designed for use by a child. By using any suitable ornament or cartoon 44 on the toothbrush, such as on the grip or at any other suitable location including the back of the head, the usage rate can be increased. The ornament 44 is removably mounted to retain the child after it has been thrown away from other portions of the brush. Other embodiments that are particularly suitable for use in children include the application of desirable properties of various types of oral care materials, materials containing special tastes, materials that numb teeth, anti-sensitive materials, or various agents.

The toothbrush can also be made in different parts of the toothbrush in different colors. For example, relative to the rest of the grip 14 made of a rigid material, soft Elastomer 18 can be made in different colors, such as contrasting colors. Likewise, the head 12 can be made in a different color than the rigid portion of the grip and/or the color of the soft elastomer portion 18. The cleaning elements 26 can be made in different colors. Accessories 16/42 on the same line, such as toothpicks or other accessories, can be made in different colors. The colors are contrasting or complementary to each other. Thus, for example, the various colors may be slightly different in color or shade.

The dispenser can be dispensed with any suitable oral care product. Such products include, but are not limited to, toothpaste, toothpaste or a mouthwash that can be a vial of gel, powder or liquid. The dispenser can be individually contained within the package containing the toothbrush 10. The material may be flavored and may be combined with a different set of fragrances and/or different characteristics, such as pharmaceuticals, numb materials, and the like.

The toothbrush 10 and its various components can be formed by any suitable method. For example, multi-component injection molding can be used to couple various components, such as cleaning element 26 and head 12 and/or grip 14. This can be done automatically or divided into several processes. The grip 14 can be formed into a hollow extruded grip by a rotocast blow mold.

Figure 11 is a variation in which the package 54 contains one or more toothbrushes 10 and a plurality of other components 56 (which may be accessories or dispensers or other components). These components may contain a small vial of mouthwash. Preferably, the package 50 or 54 can be hermetically sealed to ensure freshness.

It is apparent that the feature herein provides an oral health care toothbrush that is small in size and portable, and that is convenient to use when out of the country, such as traveling, in the absence of a water source.

The features herein can be implemented to combine various types of "brushing" The components of the way. In this sense, the features can be used in any oral care device or the like, not just a toothbrush. When used as a toothbrush or the like, there are several advantages in this feature because its size and configuration take into account the hygienic use, for example, the fingers do not need to extend into the entrance cavity, and can be designed to be suitable for immediate use in public places.

Figures 12 through 16 illustrate an embodiment of an oral care kit 90. Figure 12 illustrates an oral care kit 90 comprising a plurality of oral care implements 10 and at least one dispenser 96 separate from the oral care implements 10. For example, the oral care implement 10 can be any of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 through 10. Each oral care implement 10 is a disposable toothbrush that includes a grip 14 having a head 12 at the end of the grip. In some embodiments, the head has an optional pocket 24 that is vacant to receive one of the oral health care materials described above. The head 12 has at least one cleaning element 26 that projects outwardly from the head and can be configured as shown in FIG. The grip 14, cleaning element 26, elastomer portion 18, cleaning block 22, anti-shock 28 and opening 30 have been described above and are not repeated for simplicity. In some embodiments, the second end of each grip 14 has an attachment 16, such as a toothpick. Other embodiments have different attachments 42 at the ends of the grip 14 opposite the head 12, as described above in the description of Figures 9 and 10.

Referring again to Figures 12 through 16, in some embodiments, the plurality of oral health appliances 10 are all identical to one another. In other embodiments, various oral health appliances are included. These different oral health appliances may include two or more of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 through 10, for example. In addition, each variant of the oral health appliance 10 is deemed necessary. Each has a different color for identification.

In some embodiments, the pocket 24 extends only partially through the head to enable preservation of the oral care material 99, such as a liquid, latex, ointment, gel, powder or other oral care material. In some embodiments, the pockets 24 can hold liquids, latexes, ointments, gels, powders, or other oral care materials.

Although FIG. 4 illustrates the opening 30 in the center of the pocket 24, other embodiments omit the opening 30. If there is an opening 30, the opening can hold additional oral care material when in use.

In other embodiments, the head has no pockets 24. If the cleaning element 26 is a bristles, a continuous field of bristles or foams across the head 12 is provided. Alternatively, the cleaning element without the recess may be a continuous field of plastic hooks or loops 34, as described above in the description of Figure 5, or a single block of sponge, foam or cotton 36, as above Explain the description in Figure 6. An oral care material (ointment, powder, gel, liquid or the like) is placed on the cleaning element 26. In some embodiments, the cleaning elements 26 are designed to preserve or absorb oral health care materials that are dispensed by a user by hand. The oral health care material that is absorbed during dispensing is then expelled onto the user's teeth and gums during brushing.

In some embodiments, a single blister pack 92 holds all of the plurality of oral care implements 10. A single blister pack 92 can be folded for tight storage within the kit 90, as shown in FIG. In other embodiments, a plurality of oral care implements 10 are contained within two smaller blister packs that can be disposed back to back and with the cleaning elements facing away from each other for tight storage in the set Within 90 (ie, The flat side of the blister pack faces each other). In an alternate embodiment, the kit 90 includes more than two blister packs (eg, 4 blister packs, each having 2 or 3 oral care implements 10).

The blister pack 92 includes a plurality of cavities 92c having a plurality of cavities 92c (Fig. 16), each having a longitudinal axis A (Fig. 15) for receiving the oral care implement 10, which are oriented The grip 14 of each oral health appliance is aligned with the longitudinal axis of each cavity. In some embodiments, the cavity 92c of the blister pack 92 is shaped to conform to the shape of the oral care implement 10. In other embodiments, the cavity 92c is substantially rectangular or block shaped to accommodate oral health appliances of various shapes.

In some embodiments, as shown in Fig. 16, the blister pack 92 is a single blister pack that is foldable about an axis B aligned with the longitudinal axis A of the cavity 92c. Thus, the plurality of oral care implements 10 can be disposed back to back in a single blister pack with the cleaning elements 26 facing away from each other for intimate storage within the kit 90.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 12, Figures 13, 15 and 16, the grip 14 of each oral health implement 10 has a second end opposite the head 12 (i.e., The position of the attachment 16 in FIGS. 12 to 16; and the plurality of oral health appliances 10 are alternately in a first orientation in which the head 12 faces the first direction (eg, upward) and the second end faces and a second direction opposite in direction; and a second orientation wherein the head faces the second direction (eg, downward) and the second end faces the first direction. For oral care appliance designs where the head 12 is wider than the second end 16, alternately arranging the orientation of the continuous oral care implement to reduce the distance (and blister) of adjacent oral care implements The total footprint of the package 92).

In some embodiments, the blister pack 92 has a separable connector (eg, perforation 92p) between each pair of adjacent oral care implements 10. The detachable connector 92p facilitates folding of the blister pack, or one or more oral health care implements 10 are separated from the blister pack 92.

In some embodiments, the blister pack 92 is formed using a form-fill-seal process. The blister pack 92 is formed from a roll of transparent flat sheets or films by a thermoforming process. In some embodiments, the plate or film is comprised of polyvinyl chloride. In other embodiments, the plate or film is comprised of polyvinylidene chloride, polychlorotrifluoro ethylene, or a cyclic olefin copolymer. The oral care implements are placed on the panel or film and the blister pack 92 is closed (sealed) on a blisterline. The blister pack 92 includes a shaped base web 92w defining a cavity 92c in which the oral care implement 10 is mounted. The blister pack 92 further includes a backing card or lidding foil 92f (Fig. 16) for housing the oral care implement in the package 92. The thermoplastic adhesive bonds the mesh body 92w to the support card or cover foil 92f.

The set 90 includes at least one dispenser 96. Any number of dispensers 96 can be provided. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, a single relatively large dispenser 96 with sufficient oral care material can be provided for use with each oral care implement 10 one or more times. Alternatively, an individual dispenser can be provided for each oral health appliance as described below in describing Figures 17-20B. Although the dispenser 96 of Figures 12 to 14 is a tubular body, Other embodiments may include different dispenser types, such as bottles, pumps, cans, boxes, pouches, or other containers. In addition to the convenience and cost factors, the type of dispenser 96 is selected based on the type of oral care material. In some embodiments, the dispenser 96 has a narrow nozzle 96n, as shown in FIG. 14, to deliver a small amount of oral health care material 99 into the pocket 24.

In an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 14A, the opening 30 completely penetrates the back of the head 12. The shape of the opening 30 behind the head 12 is shaped to mate with a nozzle 96n of a separate dispenser 96 (e.g., pump, bottle, tube or the like) that supplies oral care material such that the nozzle can be coupled to the head. The oral health care material is supplied from behind the head without leaking. For example, the opening 30 can be threaded with a hole in the nozzle, or the opening and nozzle can have a matching taper. If a head 12 is provided without the pockets 24, the oral care material can travel through the cleaning elements (or plurality) 26 (eg, bristles) rather than resting on the top of the bristles.

In the configuration of Figure 14A, the oral care material is dispensed by a nozzle behind the head 12 to the space between the bristles 26. In another embodiment (not shown), the bristles are hollow and the head includes channels to spread the oral care material through the passageway into the voids of the bristles from behind the head. In this particular embodiment, the bristles comprise a permeable material for delivering the absorbed oral health care material to the tooth surface during brushing.

In another variation (not shown), the cleaning element is a monolithic sponge, foam or cotton having a profile as shown in Figure 6 and a hollow interior for passing behind the head. Open to receive oral care materials. Oral health materials are delivered to the air through openings in the back of the head Inside the cave. The oral care material is then released through the material of the cleaning element during brushing.

In another embodiment illustrated in Figure 14B, each oral care has a recess or pocket 28 for receiving and retaining the oral care material 99, and the width of the dispensing nozzle 96n' is less than or equal to the recess. The width. The nozzle 96n' optionally has at least one lateral opening 96o coupled thereto for receiving and dispensing the oral care material 99 while the tip end of the nozzle 96n' is in contact with the bottom of the recess or pocket 28. Thus, the tip end of the nozzle 96n' can be seated tightly against the bottom of the pocket without clogging or interfering with the dispensing of the oral care material 99.

In some embodiments, the height 96h of the opening 96o (the distance from the nozzle tip to the shoulder of the opening 96o) is approximately equal to the depth of the pocket 28 to facilitate the filling of the pocket while the tip of the nozzle 96n' is against the pocket 28. The bottom is seated. This also provides visual aid to assist the user in determining when the pocket 28 is completely filled.

In other embodiments, the height 96h of the opening 96o can be selected and shaped such that the opening 96o engages features of the head 12 (eg, cleaning element 26) and acts as a depth gauge to position the tip of the nozzle 96n' with the pocket The bottom of 28 has a predetermined distance. This ensures that the tip of the nozzle 96n' is unobstructed for dispensing oral care material.

The dispenser 96 includes an amount of oral care material 99. In some embodiments, the oral care material 99 is a breath freshening liquid, a toothpaste or a dentifrice, a mouthwash, a fluoride rinse, or the like. In other embodiments, the oral care material can be an indicator of a marking material to provide a gum disease or cancer, or additional Mark the area of the cleaned teeth. In some embodiments, the oral care material comprises a timed release material for release of the active ingredient or blowing agent. For example, a timed release active ingredient can be used in a waterless setting where the user maintains the oral care material in the user's mouth after stopping brushing.

In some embodiments, where the oral care material has a relatively low viscosity, the cleaning element (eg, the absorbent block of sponge, foam or cotton 36 of Figure 6) is advantageously used as an absorbent container and to prevent oral cavity The health care material overflows if the user does not hold the toothbrush 10 in a manner that the head 12 is fully horizontally oriented. Therefore, the user can empty one or two hands to replace the lid of the oral care material dispenser 96, for example. Once the cleaning element 36 is placed in the user's mouth, the brushing action releases the oral care material from the absorbent container of the cleaning element 36.

In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 14C, in a toothbrush 10 having a cleaning element 26 (e.g., bristles), an absorbent container 27 is provided as an insert. The absorbent container 27 can be a block of any of the materials mentioned above in describing the cleaning element 36 of Figure 6, including cotton, sponge or foam, such as a melamine foam, which is derived from formaldehyde-melamine. A foam-like material composed of a sodium hydrogen sulfite copolymer. This may provide a combined benefit of bristles 26 that can extend into the gap, as well as the application of oral care materials and a soft absorbent insert 27 that polishes the surface of the teeth with mild abrasion resistance. In the case of a single block cleaning element 36, the absorbent insert 27 prevents spillage of the oral care material if the user does not hold the toothbrush 10 in a fully horizontal orientation of the head 12 and the user can vacate one or two hands. Once the cleaning element 27 is placed Upon entering the mouth of the user, the brushing action releases the oral care material from the absorbent container of the cleaning element 36.

In some embodiments, the plurality of oral care implements 10 comprise a plurality of oral care implements, and the amount of oral care care material in the dispenser contains oral care material having a dose greater than or equal to the number of oral care implements. For example, in Figures 12 through 15, the kit 90 has 10 oral health appliances 10, and the body of the oral care material 96 has at least 10 oral health care materials. For use as a disposable toothbrush, this amount is sufficient to dispense at least one dose of oral health care material 99 into the pocket 24 of each oral care implement 10 (or cleaning element 26, if no pockets are present). Tube 96 may contain a greater amount of oral health care material (eg, 20 or 30 doses), as desired.

In some embodiments (not shown), the kit includes two or more dispensers 96, each having an oral care material 99 of a different formulation, flavor or color, as desired. This allows the user to individually select the formulation, flavor and/or color of the oral care material 99 for each oral care implement 10.

Figures 17, 18A and 18B illustrate an alternative dispenser and package configuration 70. In some embodiments, an oral care material dispenser 60 in the form of one or more pockets is provided. The pouch 60 can comprise a single dose of oral care material 69, or a greater number (e.g., up to 3 doses). The pouch 60 is formed from a thin, flexible polymeric film, and each pocket has a slit, slit or perforation 68 which provides a means for tearing the pouch by hand. Each pocket has a nozzle portion 67 that is co-located and shaped to form a dispensing nozzle when the slit, slit or perforation is torn.

The pouch may be generally annular in shape with a reservoir 64 for holding oral care material 69. The reservoir 64 surrounds the central opening 63 and includes an end 66 having a reduced width. The bladder 60 can be configured to have a slit 65a or crack adjacent the width reduction end 66 of the reservoir 64. The slit or slit 65a forms a frangible seal that extends generally radially, which is configured to be tearable to form a nozzle portion 67 for dispensing the oral care material 69 from the bladder 60. Perforations 68 may be added to one or both sides of the nozzle portion 67 to assist in tearing the dispenser 60, as desired.

In some embodiments, the annular reservoir 69 extends at a 270 to 330 degree angle centered on the central opening 63 of the pocket. In some embodiments, the annular reservoir 69 extends at an angle of 300 to 330 degrees centered on the central opening 63.

Materials and methods for forming a capsule can be used in any of the materials and methods described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,705,680, 4,728,508, 4,770,324, 5,041,279, or 5,096,698, or International Patent Application Publication No. WO 95/01921. Bag 60, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Other methods of making pockets can be used.

In some embodiments, the toothbrush 10 is used as a tool to open the bladder 60, as shown in Figure 18B. The central opening 63 of the bladder 60 is placed adjacent the head 12 of the toothbrush 10 during packaging such that the head 12 of the toothbrush 10 is within the bladder 60. When the user is ready to use the toothbrush 10, he/she pulls the toothbrush 10 out of the pouch 60. In some embodiments, the user grasps the bladder 60 with one hand at the end 61 of the end of the frangible seal 37 and grasps the brush head 12 with the other hand. Pulling (away from the end 61) the toothbrush 12 in the direction of the slit or slit 65a, and for tearing the pocket The frangible seal 67 of 60 is such that when the toothbrush 10 is removed from the bladder, the dispensing aperture 67 of the bladder is opened for dispensing the oral care material 69. Figure 18A illustrates a package 70 in which the bladder 60 is positioned on the head 12 of the toothbrush 10 during packaging to facilitate the step of opening the bladder with the toothbrush 10 as a tool when the toothbrush and bladder are removed from the package 70.

In other embodiments, the step of opening the bladder 60 (by cutting the frangible seal 67) is separate from the step of pulling the toothbrush 10 out of the bladder. Instead of tearing the frangible seal 67, the toothbrush 10 is moved along its longitudinal axis. The seal 67 is then broken by tearing the bladder 60 along the slit 65a and/or the perforations 68. If desired, a second slit 65b along the outer edge of the bladder 60 can be provided to tear the frangible seal with the hand without having to use the toothbrush 10 or any other tool to complete the tear.

In some embodiments, the pouches 60 are separate packages that are individually placed within a blister pack or bag that houses the toothbrush 10. For example, a blister pack can have two rows and ten straight rows of chambers. The chamber in a row contains a toothbrush 10. The other series of chambers contain a pocket 60. There are toothbrushes and pockets 60 each time. The two courses have separable connectors in between. The detachable connector is one of a group consisting of a perforated area of the package having a region of cuts or slits that readily tears or breaks a film or strip of one of the materials. Or at least one adhesive joint joining the separate shaped parts of the package. Another detachable connector is mounted between each pair of adjacent straight rows. Thus, the user can easily separate the line from the blister pack by hand to form a separate set ("sub-set") of a toothbrush 10 and a dispenser 60. Similarly, users who want to travel abroad can tear off N-containing as needed. A straight line (N toothbrushes and N pockets, where N is an integer).

In other embodiments, a plurality of pockets 60 are formed along a continuous sheet of plastic with a separable connector (eg, perforations, slits, or the like) between each adjacent pocket 60. The pouch 60 strips can be separated from the blister pack of the toothbrush 10 (i.e., not attached).

19A illustrates another embodiment in which a plurality of oral care implements 10 are packaged in a first package, such as one or more blister packs 80, and a pocket 81 is formed as part of the same blister pack 80. Share. The blister pack 80 has two rows and ten straight rows of chambers, but any number of straight rows can be used. The chamber 83 in a row contains a toothbrush 10. The other column chamber 82 contains a pocket 81. Each of the rows has a toothbrush 10 and a pocket 81. The two courses have separable connectors (e.g., perforations) 86 therebetween. Another separable connector (e.g., perforation) 85 is mounted between each pair of adjacent straight rows. Therefore, the user can easily separate the N straight rows from the blister pack 80 by hand to form a separate set of N toothbrushes 10 and N dispensers 60 ("second set"), where N is 1 The integer to C-1, the total number of straight lines in this C blister pack 80.

Figure 19B is an enlarged detail view of a chamber 82 containing a bladder 86. In this embodiment, the polymeric membrane forming the bladder 81 is the same as that forming the blister pack 80, and the separable connector 86 separating the toothbrush chamber 83 from the bladder chamber 82 is also provided for tearing the bladder The member of the nozzle 84 of the bag 81. Thus, a single perforation line 86 can be formed between the course of the pocket chamber 82 and the course of the toothbrush chamber 83. (The perforations are interrupted at each nozzle member 87 of each bladder 81 to prevent leakage of oral care material). With a single action, the user can make one of the pocket chambers 82 associated with the toothbrush The chamber 83 separates and also opens the nozzle 84 of the pocket 81 of the chamber 82. The action of tearing the perforations 86 creates an open bladder 81 dispensing nozzle.

The reservoir for housing the oral care material in each pocket 81 is approximately pentagon shaped with a narrow portion for forming the nozzle 84. However, the reservoir can be of any convenient shape such as, but not limited to, rectangular, square, trapezoidal, circular, elliptical, oval, or the like.

It is common for those skilled in the art to understand that the horizontal and vertical straight lines are designed to be as needed, and that the same package can be rotated by 90 degrees, in which case the course is vertical and straight.

20A and 20B illustrate variations of the packages of Figures 19A and 19B, each of which is formed separately from the film forming the pocket chamber 182 of the blister pack 80. The bladder 187 can be removed from the chamber 182 as desired without cutting the separable connector 186 that separates the bladder chamber 182 from the respective toothbrush chamber 83. Similarly, after removal, the pouch 187 can be placed back into the chamber 182 for disposal after use once or if the reservoir 181 of the pouch 187 contains more than two doses of oral care material for reuse. The pocket chamber 182 can be separated from the respective toothbrush chamber 83 by tearing the blister pack material along a perforated line 186 as desired. Each pouch 187 has a different separable connector 185 (e.g., perforation, slit or slit) for tearing the film of the pouch 187 and opening the nozzle aperture of the pouch for dispensing oral care material.

In other respects, the arrangement and construction of the set 180 is similar to that of the set 80 (Figs. 19A and 19B) and will not be repeated.

Referring again to Figures 12, 13, 15, and 16, the oral care kit 90 can optionally include an outer package, such as a clamshell container. 91. An overwrap may be included to protect the pouches and/or other accessories and to prevent accidental separation from the rest of the kit 90. The outer package 91 can also be used to store a separate oral care material dispenser, such as a tube 96, a pump, a can, or the like. The outer package may also provide a number of contoured compartments for storing the toothbrush 10 or the dispenser 96 during the dispensing or brushing operation.

In some embodiments, the outer package 91 comprises two pre-formed plastic sheets or a piece that is folded in half and then fused to the edges. The sheet comprises a transparent polymer that is durable and harder than the blister package web 92w by selecting the thickness of the material or polymeric material.

The outer package 91 includes at least one transparent shell 91 having a first opening 94 shaped to receive a plurality of oral health care implements 10 and a second opening 98 shaped to receive the dispenser 96. The second opening 98 is separated from the first opening 94.

In some embodiments, the clamshell package 91 has two symmetrical halves 91a, 91b (shown in Figure 13), each of which is shaped to accept a blister pack 92 or a blister pack. The blister pack contains a subset of a plurality of oral health appliances 10. Each of the halves 91a, 91b is shaped to form a portion of each of the applicators 96.

In some embodiments, each of the halves 91a, 91b is shaped to accept at least a portion of at least one blister pack 92 that includes a subset of the plurality of oral care implements 10. In some embodiments, the clamshell package 91 has two halves 91a, 91b, each of which is shaped as part of a mesh body 92w that can each accept a blister pack 92, as shown in FIG. . Each half 91a, 91b is shaped Each of them can accept a portion of the dispenser 96. In some embodiments having a single blister pack 92 folded about axis B (shown in Figure 16), the halves of the clamshell 91 each receive each half of the folded blister pack, as shown in Figure 13 .

In some embodiments, the outer package 91 has slots 93 for hanging the set 90 or the hooks of the store. A larger slot (not shown) for use as a grip can be provided as needed.

In other embodiments, the two portions of the clamshell 91 are not mirror images of each other, but include a first face with a deeper recess and a second face with a shallower (or no) recess. Other variations of the clamshell 91 can accommodate blister packs (or plurality) 92 and dispensers (or plurality) 96 of shapes and configurations.

An embodiment of a method of manufacturing a kit 90 includes providing at least one blister pack containing a plurality of oral health care implements, and folding the at least one blister pack 92 about its axis B such that the two portions of the mesh body 92w face Opposite Direction. At least one blister pack 92 is inserted into the clamshell package 91; and at least one dispenser (e.g., tube 96 having the nozzle 96n) is inserted into the clamshell. The dispenser 96 is separate from the blister pack 92 and contains an amount of oral care material 99. The clamshell package 91 is shaped to receive a first opening 94 that accepts at least one blister pack 92 and a second opening 98 that is shaped to accept the dispenser 96. The clamshell package 91 is then sealed to have at least one blister pack 92 and a dispenser 96 therein.

In some embodiments, the blister pack has a first side and a second side, and the providing step includes: arranging the plurality of oral health care implements in each of the cavities such that the continuous oral care implements alternately The first orientation, wherein the first side adjacent to the head of the oral health care appliance, and the second side adjacent to the second end; and the second orientation, wherein the second end of the oral health care appliance is adjacent to the first The edge, and the second side adjacent to the head. In some embodiments, a perforation 92p is made in each of a pair of adjacent oral care implements 10 in the blister pack 92.

In some embodiments, the method of using the oral care kit 90 includes opening the clamshell package 91 and removing the blister pack 92 from the clamshell package. The blister pack 92 includes a plurality of cavities 92c each containing the oral care implement 10. Each oral care implement 10 includes a grip 14 having a head 12 at a first end of the grip thereof, the head having at least one cleaning element 26 projecting outwardly from the head, the head being shaped to hold the oral cavity At least a recessed pocket 24 of the health care material.

The user removes one of the oral care implements 10 from the blister pack 92. The user removes the dispenser 96 from the clamshell package 91. The dispenser 96 is separated from the oral care implement 10. The user dispenses a dose of oral health care material 99 from the dispenser 96 into the pocket 24 from which the oral care implement 10 is removed. The user utilizes the unloading oral health care implement with the oral care material 99 thereon to perform a dental care procedure, such as brushing the user's teeth.

In some embodiments, the user discards the removed oral care implement 10 after one use. In some embodiments, for each oral care implement 10, the user repeats the steps of unloading the oral care implement from the package 92, dispensing the oral care material 99 onto the oral care implement, and performing a dental care operation, And discard the removed oral health care equipment after use.

In some embodiments (not shown), the kit 90 includes a variant of at least two oral health appliances and at least two dispensers each containing a different oral health care material. The user coordinates the selection of one of the oral care implements and the choice of oral care material. In some embodiments, the color of the grip 14 and dispenser 96 is added as needed to indicate a suggested pairing of the differentiated oral care implement 10 with each of the differentiated oral care materials 99. For example, in some embodiments, the oral care implements have different grip colors for each cleaning element or accessory, and for each oral care implement, the dispenser containing the corresponding recommended oral care material has the same color .

Other embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the disclosure herein. It is intended that the present specification and embodiments be construed as

Ranges are used as a shorthand to describe each and every value within the range, as used throughout. Any value within this range can be selected as the end of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in entirety. If the definitions in this disclosure conflict with the definitions in the cited references, this disclosure is determined.

10‧‧‧ Oral Health Toothbrush

12‧‧‧ head

14‧‧‧ grip

16‧‧‧Annex

18‧‧‧Parts

22‧‧‧Brushing or cleaning component blocks

24‧‧‧ recess

26‧‧‧Elastic bristles or fingers

26a‧‧‧ Pointed tip

26b‧‧‧Main part, cleaning element

26c‧‧‧External cleaning elements

27‧‧‧Absorption container

28‧‧‧Anti-shock

28‧‧‧ recesses or pockets

30‧‧‧ openings

34‧‧‧ Cleaning components

36‧‧‧ sponge, foam or cotton

37‧‧‧Fracture seals

38‧‧‧fasteners

40‧‧‧Piezoelectric crystal

42‧‧‧Annex

44‧‧‧ decorations or comics

50‧‧‧Package

52‧‧‧No

54‧‧‧Package

56‧‧‧Other components

60‧‧‧Oral health care material dispenser

End of 61‧‧‧

62‧‧‧No

63‧‧‧Central opening

64‧‧‧Storage

65a‧‧‧ incision

65b‧‧‧second incision

End of 66‧‧‧

67‧‧‧Nozzle section

68‧‧‧ cracks, cuts or perforations

69‧‧‧ oral health materials

70‧‧‧Packaging

80‧‧‧ blister packaging

81‧‧‧ pocket

82, 83‧‧ ‧ chamber

84‧‧‧Nozzles

85, 86‧‧‧ separable connectors

86‧‧‧Single perforation line

87‧‧‧Nozzle parts

90‧‧‧ Oral Health Kit

91‧‧‧ clam shell container

91‧‧‧Overpack

91a, 91b‧‧ symmetrical half

92‧‧‧blister packaging

92c‧‧‧cavity

92f‧‧‧Support card or cover foil

92p‧‧‧Perforation

92w‧‧‧ polymer mesh

93‧‧‧Slots

94‧‧‧First opening

96‧‧‧ dispenser

96h‧‧‧height

96n‧‧‧ nozzle

96n'‧‧‧ dispense nozzle

96o‧‧‧ lateral opening

98‧‧‧ second opening

99‧‧‧ oral health materials

180‧‧‧ set

181‧‧‧Storage

182‧‧‧ pocket chamber

185, 186‧‧‧ separable connectors

187‧‧‧ pocket

A‧‧‧ vertical axis

B‧‧‧ axis

The front elevational view of Fig. 1 shows an oral health care toothbrush with a toothpick attached thereto; the second figure shows the side elevational view of the toothbrush of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 shows the rear elevation of the toothbrush of Figs. 1 to 2; Figure Figure 4 is a broken cross-sectional view of the head of the oral care toothbrush; the side elevational view of Figures 5 to 6 illustrates other forms of oral health care toothbrush head; the broken side elevational view of Figure 7 is based on the alternative The embodiment illustrates a head that is detachably fitted with a grip; the fracture cutaway elevational view of FIG. 8 illustrates a vibrating toothbrush head according to an alternative embodiment; and the pre-fracture elevation of Figures 9 through 10 The portion of the grip that is partially cut away is illustrated in accordance with an alternative embodiment; the front elevational view of Figure 11 illustrates the toothbrush in a packaged and displayed state; the front view of Figure 12 illustrates a plurality of oral care Oral care kit for appliances.

Figure 13 is a side elevational view of the oral care kit of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a view of the oral care implement and the dispenser in Fig. 12 in use.

Figures 14A and 14B illustrate variants of the nozzle configuration.

Figure 14C shows the head with an absorbent insert.

The front view of Fig. 15 illustrates the expanded blister pack of Fig. 12.

Figure 16 is an isometric view of the blister pack of Figure 15 when folded.

The plan view of Figure 17 illustrates an annular pocket for dispensing oral health care material.

The side elevational view of Fig. 18A illustrates a blister pack containing the toothbrush to which the capsular bag of Fig. 17 is mounted. Figure 18B shows the opening of Figure 18A The step of the pouch.

Figure 19A is a plan view of an alternative blister package design. Figure 19B is an enlarged detail view of the pouch of Figure 19A.

The plan view of Fig. 20A illustrates a variation of the blister package of Fig. 19A. Figure 20B is an enlarged detail view of the pouch of Figure 20A.

10‧‧‧ Oral Health Toothbrush

12‧‧‧ head

14‧‧‧ grip

16‧‧‧Annex

24‧‧‧ recess

26‧‧‧Elastic bristles or fingers

90‧‧‧ Oral Health Kit

91‧‧‧Overpack

92‧‧‧blister packaging

93‧‧‧Slots

94‧‧‧First opening

96‧‧‧ dispenser

98‧‧‧ second opening

Claims (20)

An oral health care kit comprising: at least one oral health care appliance comprising a grip and a head at one end of the grip, the head having at least one cleaning element projecting outwardly from the head At least one dispenser separate from the oral care implement, the dispenser comprising a quantity of an oral health care material and having a dispensing nozzle; a package comprising the at least one oral health implement and the at least one dispenser </ RTI> having at least two separate components of the first component and the second component that are interconnected, the package having at least one detachable connector separating the first component from the second component, wherein the oral health care implement is The dispenser is in the second component, wherein the oral care has a recess for receiving and retaining the oral care material, and the width of the dispensing nozzle is less than or equal to the width of the recess. The oral health care kit of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of oral health appliances and a dispenser for each of the oral health care appliances; and a plurality of separate components; wherein Each of the oral care implements and each of the dispensers are housed in a separate component, and each The individual components are separated from the other adjacent separate component by at least one separable connector such that each individual component is manually separated from the remainder of the package. The oral care kit of claim 1 or 2, wherein the detachable connector is one of the group consisting of: a perforated area of the package, the package having a cut or An area of the slit that readily tears or breaks a film or strip of one of the materials, or at least one adhesive joint that joins the separately formed part of the package. The oral care kit of claim 1 or 2, wherein the package is a blister pack, and each detachable connector is a perforated area of the package. The oral health kit of claim 1 or 2, wherein: the package is a blister pack having a row of oral health appliances and a row of dispensers, and each of the oral health appliances has a An applicator adjacent thereto, wherein each of the straight rows of the blister packs each comprise one of the oral care implements and one of the dispensers, and each pair of adjacent straight rows has a detachable connector therebetween . The oral care kit of claim 1 or 2, wherein the dispenser is a pouch containing an oral care liquid, gel, ointment or powder. The oral health care kit of claim 6, wherein the pouch has: a slit, a slit or a perforation for tearing the pouch by hand; and a nozzle portion positioned and shaped to be in the crack, The dispensing nozzle can be formed when the slit or perforation is torn. The oral care kit of claim 7, wherein: one of the components forms the pouch, and the separable connector separating the separate components is the one that can be used to tear the pouch by hand Crack, cut or perforation. The oral health care kit of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of oral health care appliances, and the oral health care material has at least as many doses as the oral health care appliance; and a plurality of independent components Wherein the dispenser and each of the oral health appliances are housed in separate individual components, and each individual component is separated by at least one detachable connector Separate from another adjacent component such that each individual component can be separated from the rest of the package by hand. The oral health kit of claim 1, wherein: the oral care has an opening extending through the head, and the dispenser comprises a nozzle sized and shaped to cooperate with the opening for The oral care material is dispensed from behind the head. The oral care kit of any one of claims 1, 2, 9 and 10, wherein the dispenser comprises a nozzle having a lesser side opening coupling to receive and dispense the oral care material. The oral care kit of any one of claims 1, 2, 9, or 10, wherein the cleaning element of the oral health care implement comprises a wear resistant foam. The oral health care kit of any one of claims 1, 2, 9, or 10, wherein the cleaning element of the oral health care implement is a piece of formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer. An oral health care kit comprising: a plurality of oral health care appliances, each of which comprises a a grip and a head at one end of the grip, the head having at least one cleaning element projecting outwardly from the head, and a recess formed to hold an oral health care material; at least one and the same a dispenser for separating an oral care implement, the dispenser comprising an amount of the oral care material, the dispenser having an aperture for dispensing the oral care material, the aperture having a width less than or equal to a width of the recess; and a A package containing the plurality of oral health care implements and the at least one dispenser. For example, the oral health care kit of claim 14 wherein the oral care material has at least as many doses as the oral care implement in the dispenser. The oral care kit of claim 14 or 15, wherein the orifice has at least one side opening coupled to receive and dispense the oral care material. The oral health care kit of claim 14 or 15, wherein: the package has at least three components connected to each other, each component having a separate closed chamber, the dispenser and the plurality of oral health care appliances respectively Storing in one of the independent closed chambers, and the package has a plurality of separable connectors, the plurality of The separable connectors are each between one of the separate closed chambers and another adjacent independent closed chamber. The oral care kit of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the cleaning element of at least one of the plurality of oral health care implements comprises a formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer. The oral health care kit of claim 14 or 15, wherein the cleaning element of the oral health care implement is a single piece of wear resistant foam. The oral health care kit of claim 19, wherein the wear resistant foam is a formaldehyde-melamine-sodium hydrogen sulfite copolymer.