WO1999005987A1 - Tooth whitening system - Google Patents

Tooth whitening system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999005987A1
WO1999005987A1 PCT/US1997/013570 US9713570W WO9905987A1 WO 1999005987 A1 WO1999005987 A1 WO 1999005987A1 US 9713570 W US9713570 W US 9713570W WO 9905987 A1 WO9905987 A1 WO 9905987A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vial
teeth
polishing
whitening
sleeve
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/013570
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael R. Anderson
Original Assignee
Anderson Michael R
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Anderson Michael R filed Critical Anderson Michael R
Priority to AU39047/97A priority Critical patent/AU3904797A/en
Priority to PCT/US1997/013570 priority patent/WO1999005987A1/en
Publication of WO1999005987A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999005987A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C19/00—Dental auxiliary appliances
    • A61C19/06—Implements for therapeutic treatment
    • A61C19/063—Medicament applicators for teeth or gums, e.g. treatment with fluorides
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C19/00—Dental auxiliary appliances
    • A61C19/06—Implements for therapeutic treatment
    • A61C19/063—Medicament applicators for teeth or gums, e.g. treatment with fluorides
    • A61C19/066—Bleaching devices; Whitening agent applicators for teeth, e.g. trays or strips
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
    • A61C17/005—Devices for dental prophylaxis

Definitions

  • the invention applies to the field of dental care; more particularly to systems and devices designed to enhance the whiteness and reflective quality of human teeth.
  • Teeth have also been bleached to improve whiteness.
  • Bleaching systems are provided by dentists and are available for home use as well. While bleaching systems are also effective, they involve the oral use of strong
  • the present invention addresses all of the desired features for a tooth whitening system identified as lacking in any single invention of the prior art.
  • the invention adapts some of the mechanical technology long employed by dentists to provide safe and effective tooth whitening.
  • the invention avoids the use of strong chemicals while providing an easy to use, low cost system which can be used in any convenient location.
  • the present invention includes a novel tooth whitening elongated member and
  • the tooth whitening elongated member can be constructed from five
  • components include a frangible, hermetically sealed container, a tooth whitening solution disposed within the container and a flexible vial having an
  • the frangible container is located inside of
  • the vial which has wicking applicator material in the open first end of the vial and extending axially out of the vial.
  • the applicator material may be applied to a person's teeth to whiten them.
  • a safety sleeve having an open first end and a closed second end is sized to fit closely and slidably over the vial.
  • the frangible, hermetically closed container is in the form of a glass ampoule.
  • the vial is in the form of a flexible tube with an open first end and a closed second end.
  • the tooth whitening solution comprises a solution of colostrum, hydrogen peroxide, water with stabilized oxygen, flavoring, sodium saccharin and Poloxmer
  • the method for whitening teeth includes the use of the tooth whitening elongated member as described above and a series of other steps.
  • whitening elongated member is positioned so that the applicator material extends
  • the applicator material is rubbed on the teeth to apply the whitening solution to them.
  • the teeth are rinsed and the polishing phase of the method is begun.
  • the teeth are rinsed with a solution comprising hydrogen peroxide; water; polysorbate 20; xylitol; flaror; acesulfame K; polaxamer
  • the tooth whitening elongated member is provided with the vial placed in the safety sleeve in a first position. Next, the sleeve is removed from the vial and the vial squeezed to rupture the container. In another variant of the method of the present invention the vial is placed into the sleeve in a second position so that the applicator material and the open first end of the vial extend axially outward from the safety sleeve so that the fingers of the user are further
  • a polishing machine which includes a mandrel; a means of
  • polishing tip frictionally fitted to the mandrel is provided along with tooth polishing
  • the polishing compound is applied to the polishing tip.
  • the polishing tip is applied to teeth while closing the switch and moving the polishing tip back and
  • polishing compound is reapplied to the polishing tip as
  • the polishing tip is
  • polishing tip is washed with water.
  • the mandrel of the polishing machine is then dried and the polishing tip is replaced on the mandrel.
  • the tooth polishing compound may be provided in individual application packages. These individual
  • packages are broken open and squeezed to eject the polishing compound.
  • the method may be practiced by providing a polishing compound comprising water; sodium lauryl sulfate; pumice; Carbomer Ultra; Polysorbate 20; T.E.A.; sodium saccharin; flavoring; sodium benzoate; calcium
  • Figure 1 is a perspective side view of the tooth whitening elongated member
  • Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the Figure 1 embodiment taken
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the Figure 1 embodiment showing
  • Figure 4 is a side view of the polishing machine with the polishing tip
  • Figure 5 is a side perspective view of the polishing tip; and Figure 6 is a plan view of the individual application packages of the polishing compound.
  • Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the tooth whitening elongated member 10 which can be constructed from five components. These components include a frangible, hermetically sealed container 14, a tooth whitening solution disposed within the
  • container 18 and a flexible vial 22 having an open first end 26 and a closed second
  • the frangible container 18 is located inside of the vial 22 which has wicking applicator material 34 in the open first end 26 of the vial 22 and extending axially out
  • a safety sleeve 38 having an open first end 42 and a closed second end
  • the applicator material 34 in the first end 26 of the vial 22 and the applicator material 34 may be applied to a
  • applicator material 34 and the open first end 26 extend axially outward from the
  • container 14 is in the form of a glass ampoule.
  • the vial 22 is in the form of a flexible tube with an open first end 26 and a closed second end 30.
  • the tooth whitening solution 18 comprises a solution of hydrogen peroxide; water with stabilized oxygen; flavoring; sodium saccharin; Poloxmer 407; and colostrum.
  • the method for whitening teeth includes the use of the tooth whitening
  • whitening elongated member 10 is provided with the vial 22 placed in the safety sleeve 38 in a first position. Next, the sleeve 38 is removed from the vial 22. In a
  • the vial 22 is placed into the sleeve 38
  • vial 22 extend axially outward from the sleeve 38.
  • the tooth whitening elongated member 10 is positioned so that the applicator
  • the applicator material 34 is rubbed on the teeth to apply the
  • whitening solution 18 to them.
  • the teeth are rinsed with a solution comprising hydrogen peroxide; water; polysorbate20; xylitol; flaror; acesulfame K; polaxamer 407; sodium benzoate; potassium sorbitol; PPG26 Buteth 26/Peg 40; hydrogenated
  • Figure 4 illustrates a polishing machine 50 which includes a mandrel 54; a means 58 of providing torque to the mandrel 54; a power supply 62 for the means; a handle 66 for positioning the mandrel 54; and a switch 70 for controlling the means
  • a deformable polishing tip 74 frictionally fitted to the mandrel 54 is provided
  • polishing compound 78 is applied to
  • the polishing tip 74 which is further illustrated in Figure 5, is
  • polishing compound 78 is reapplied to the polishing tip 74 as required.
  • the teeth are rinsed with a a solution comprising hydrogen peroxide;
  • polishing tip 74 is next removed from the polishing machine 50 and the polishing tip
  • polishing tip 74 is replaced on the mandrel 54.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a variant on the method of the present invention in which
  • the tooth polishing compound 78 may be provided in individual application packages
  • the method may be practiced by providing a polishing
  • compound 78 comprising water; sodium lauryl sulfate; pumice; Carbomer Ultra;
  • Polysorbate 20 T.E.A.; sodium saccharin; flavoring; sodium benzoate; calcium disodium EDTA; stabilized oxygen; and colostrum.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
  • Cosmetics (AREA)

Abstract

The invention includes a tooth whitening elongated member and method for using the member along with other apparatus and compounds. The member comprises a hermetically sealed frangible container holding a tooth whitening solution. The frangible container is enclosed in a flexible vial with a closed end and an open end. The open end of the vial contains wicking applicator material. A safety sleeve may be provided. The applicator material is applied to the teeth to whiten them. The teeth are then rinsed. The next step in the whitening process involves applying a polishing compound using a portable hand-held polishing machine which includes a rotary polishing tip. After polishing is completed, the polishing tip is removed from the polishing machine and cleaned with water. The polishing machine is then dried and the polishing tip reinstalled. The whitening solution, polishing compound, and rinsing solution may include stabilized oxygen and colostrum.

Description

TOOTH WHITENING SYSTEM Related Applications
This application includes the use of novel compounds, the details of which are fully described in pending application Serial No. 08/863,419, the contents of which are herein specifically incorporated by reference.
Field of Invention
The invention applies to the field of dental care; more particularly to systems and devices designed to enhance the whiteness and reflective quality of human teeth.
Background of the Invention It has long been recognized that tooth color is a significant factor in facial appearance. The common perception is that a whiter or brighter tooth color enhances the effect of smiling and generally leads to a more attractive appearance. Periodic professional dental cleaning and polishing has been routinely used to enhance the
whiteness of teeth. This process, while effective, is far too costly and time consuming
to be used on a regular basis.
Other methods used to enhance tooth whiteness include replacing outer tooth
surfaces with crowns or veneers. While such procedures enhance tooth whiteness
substantially, they are extremely expensive and tend to be more prone to breakage than unsurfaced teeth. Teeth have also been bleached to improve whiteness.
Bleaching systems are provided by dentists and are available for home use as well. While bleaching systems are also effective, they involve the oral use of strong
chemicals which may have toxic side effects.
What is needed is a tooth whitening system which is safe, effective, convenient and low cost. To date, none of the prior art inventions have achieved all of these objectives.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention addresses all of the desired features for a tooth whitening system identified as lacking in any single invention of the prior art. The invention adapts some of the mechanical technology long employed by dentists to provide safe and effective tooth whitening. At the same time the invention avoids the use of strong chemicals while providing an easy to use, low cost system which can be used in any convenient location.
The present invention includes a novel tooth whitening elongated member and
methods for using the tooth whitening elongated member and other apparatus and
compounds. The tooth whitening elongated member can be constructed from five
components. These components include a frangible, hermetically sealed container, a tooth whitening solution disposed within the container and a flexible vial having an
open first end and a closed second end. The frangible container is located inside of
the vial which has wicking applicator material in the open first end of the vial and extending axially out of the vial. When the vial is held with the applicator material
positioned below the closed end of the vial and the vial is squeezed to rupture the container the solution flows into the applicator material in the first end of the vial and
the applicator material may be applied to a person's teeth to whiten them.
In a variant of the invention a safety sleeve is provided having an open first end and a closed second end is sized to fit closely and slidably over the vial. When the first end of the vial is removably placed in the sleeve in a first position the applicator
material is adjacent the closed second end of the sleeve. When the vial is placed in the safety sleeve in a second position the applicator material and the open first end extend
axially outward from the safety sleeve, thereby further protecting a person's fingers
while rupturing the container. In another variant of the present invention the frangible, hermetically closed container is in the form of a glass ampoule. In yet another variant, the vial is in the form of a flexible tube with an open first end and a closed second end. In yet another
variant the tooth whitening solution comprises a solution of colostrum, hydrogen peroxide, water with stabilized oxygen, flavoring, sodium saccharin and Poloxmer
407.
The method for whitening teeth includes the use of the tooth whitening elongated member as described above and a series of other steps. First, the tooth
whitening elongated member is positioned so that the applicator material extends
below the closed second end of the vial and sufficient pressure is applied to the vial so that the frangible container is broken and the whitening solution is released and flows
downward into the applicator material. After waiting until the whitening solution to saturate the applicator material the applicator material is rubbed on the teeth to apply the whitening solution to them. Next the teeth are rinsed and the polishing phase of the method is begun.
In a variant of the invention the teeth are rinsed with a solution comprising hydrogen peroxide; water; polysorbate 20; xylitol; flaror; acesulfame K; polaxamer
407; sodium benzoate; potassium sorbitol; PPG26 Buteth 26/Peg 40; hydrogenated castorn oil; stabilized oxygen; and colostrum.
In another variant of the invention the tooth whitening elongated member is provided with the vial placed in the safety sleeve in a first position. Next, the sleeve is removed from the vial and the vial squeezed to rupture the container. In another variant of the method of the present invention the vial is placed into the sleeve in a second position so that the applicator material and the open first end of the vial extend axially outward from the safety sleeve so that the fingers of the user are further
protected when the container is ruptured..
A polishing machine is provided which includes a mandrel; a means of
providing torque to the mandrel; a power supply for the means; a handle for
positioning the mandrel; and a switch for controlling the means. A deformable
polishing tip frictionally fitted to the mandrel is provided along with tooth polishing
compound. The polishing compound is applied to the polishing tip. The polishing tip is applied to teeth while closing the switch and moving the polishing tip back and
forth gently over teeth. Polishing compound is reapplied to the polishing tip as
required. Next the teeth are rinsed.
As maintenance for the polishing machine and polishing tip, the polishing tip is
next removed from the polishing machine and the polishing tip is washed with water. The mandrel of the polishing machine is then dried and the polishing tip is replaced on the mandrel.
As a variant on the method of the present invention the tooth polishing compound may be provided in individual application packages. These individual
packages are broken open and squeezed to eject the polishing compound.
As a further variant, the method may be practiced by providing a polishing compound comprising water; sodium lauryl sulfate; pumice; Carbomer Ultra; Polysorbate 20; T.E.A.; sodium saccharin; flavoring; sodium benzoate; calcium
disodium EDTA; stabilized oxygen; and colostrum.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective side view of the tooth whitening elongated member
with the safety sleeve removed;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the Figure 1 embodiment taken
along the line 2-2;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the Figure 1 embodiment showing
the frangible container after squeezing taken along the line 2-2;
Figure 4 is a side view of the polishing machine with the polishing tip
removed;
Figure 5 is a side perspective view of the polishing tip; and Figure 6 is a plan view of the individual application packages of the polishing compound.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the tooth whitening elongated member 10 which can be constructed from five components. These components include a frangible, hermetically sealed container 14, a tooth whitening solution disposed within the
container 18 and a flexible vial 22 having an open first end 26 and a closed second
end 30. The frangible container 18 is located inside of the vial 22 which has wicking applicator material 34 in the open first end 26 of the vial 22 and extending axially out
of the vial 22. A safety sleeve 38 having an open first end 42 and a closed second end
46 is sized to fit closely and slidably over the vial 22.
When the first end 26 of the vial 22 is removably placed in the sleeve 38 in a first position the applicator material 34 is adjacent the closed second end 46 of the
sleeve 38. When the vial 22 is withdrawn from the sleeve 38 with the applicator
material 34 being held below the closed end 30 of the vial 22 and the vial 22 is
squeezed to rupture the container 14 the solution 18 flows into the applicator material
34 in the first end 26 of the vial 22 and the applicator material 34 may be applied to a
person's teeth to whiten them.
When the vial 22 is placed in the safety sleeve 38 in a second position the
applicator material 34 and the open first end 26 extend axially outward from the
sleeve 38, thereby further protecting a person's fingers while rupturing the container 14 In a variant of the present invention the frangible, hermetically closed
container 14 is in the form of a glass ampoule. In another variant, the vial 22 is in the form of a flexible tube with an open first end 26 and a closed second end 30. In yet another variant the tooth whitening solution 18 comprises a solution of hydrogen peroxide; water with stabilized oxygen; flavoring; sodium saccharin; Poloxmer 407; and colostrum.
The method for whitening teeth includes the use of the tooth whitening
elongated member 10 as described above and a series of other steps. First, the tooth
whitening elongated member 10 is provided with the vial 22 placed in the safety sleeve 38 in a first position. Next, the sleeve 38 is removed from the vial 22. In a
variant of the method of the present invention the vial 22 is placed into the sleeve 38
in a second position so that the applicator material 34 and the open first end 26 of the
vial 22 extend axially outward from the sleeve 38.
The tooth whitening elongated member 10 is positioned so that the applicator
material 34 extends below the closed second end 30 of the vial 22 and sufficient
pressure is applied to the vial 22 so that the frangible container 14 is broken and the
whitening solution 18 is released and flows downward into the applicator material 34
(See Figure 3). After waiting until the whitening solution 18 becomes visible on the
applicator material 34, the applicator material 34 is rubbed on the teeth to apply the
whitening solution 18 to them. Next the teeth are rinsed with a solution comprising hydrogen peroxide; water; polysorbate20; xylitol; flaror; acesulfame K; polaxamer 407; sodium benzoate; potassium sorbitol; PPG26 Buteth 26/Peg 40; hydrogenated
castorn oil; stabilized oxygen; and colostrum. Next, the polishing phase of the method is begun.
Figure 4 illustrates a polishing machine 50 which includes a mandrel 54; a means 58 of providing torque to the mandrel 54; a power supply 62 for the means; a handle 66 for positioning the mandrel 54; and a switch 70 for controlling the means
58. A deformable polishing tip 74 frictionally fitted to the mandrel 54 is provided
along with tooth polishing compound 78. The polishing compound 78 is applied to
the polishing tip 74. The polishing tip 74, which is further illustrated in Figure 5, is
applied to teeth while closing the switch 70 and moving the polishing tip 74 back and
forth gently over teeth. Polishing compound 78 is reapplied to the polishing tip 74 as required. Next the teeth are rinsed with a a solution comprising hydrogen peroxide;
water; polysorbate 20; xylitol; flaror; acesulfame K; polaxamer 407; sodium benzoate; potassium sorbitol; PPG26 Buteth 26/Peg 40; hydrogenated castorn oil; stabilized oxygen; and colostrum.
As maintenance for the polishing machine 50 and polishing tip 74, the
polishing tip 74 is next removed from the polishing machine 50 and the polishing tip
74 is washed with water. The mandrel 54 of the polishing machine 50 is then dried
and the polishing tip 74 is replaced on the mandrel 54.
Figure 6 illustrates a variant on the method of the present invention in which
the tooth polishing compound 78 may be provided in individual application packages
82. These individual packages 82 are broken open and squeezed to eject the polishing
compound 78.
As a further variant, the method may be practiced by providing a polishing
compound 78 comprising water; sodium lauryl sulfate; pumice; Carbomer Ultra;
Polysorbate 20; T.E.A.; sodium saccharin; flavoring; sodium benzoate; calcium disodium EDTA; stabilized oxygen; and colostrum.

Claims

1. A tooth whitening elongated member comprising:
a frangible, hermetically closed container; a tooth whitening solution disposed within said container; an elongated flexible vial having an open first end and a closed second end;
said container being disposed within said vial; and
wicking applicator material disposed within said open first end of said vial and extending axially out from said first end.
2. A tooth whitening elongated member as described in Claim 1, further comprising:
a safety sleeve having an open first end and a closed second end; said sleeve being sized to fit closely and slidably over said vial; and
said vial being removably disposed within said sleeve in a first position
whereby the first end of the vial is inserted in the sleeve with its applicator material adjacent the closed end of the sleeve; and when the vial is withdrawn from the sleeve with the applicator material being disposed below the closed
end of the vial, and the vial is squeezed the container is ruptured to permit the
solution to flow into the applicator material in the first end of the vial for
application to a person's teeth to whiten them.
3. A tooth whitening elongated member as described in Claim 1, wherein said vial is disposed within said sleeve in a second position so that said applicator and said open first end extend axially outward from said sleeve, thereby further protecting a person's fingers while rupturing the container.
4. A tooth whitening elongated member as described in Claim 1 wherein said frangible, hermetically closed container is in the form of a glass ampoule.
5. A tooth whitening elongated member as described in Claim 1 wherein said vial is in the form of a flexible tube with an open first end and a closed second end.
6. A tooth whitening elongated member as described in Claim 1 wherein said tooth whitening solution comprises a solution of hydrogen peroxide; water with stabilized oxygen; flavoring; sodium saccharin; poloxmer 407; and colostrum.
7. A method for whitening teeth comprising the following steps:
providing a tooth whitening elongated member as described in Claim 1;
holding said tooth whitening elongated member so that said applicator
material extends below said closed second end of said vial; applying sufficient pressure to said vial so that said frangible container is broken and said whitening solution is released and flows downward into said applicator material; waiting until said whitening solution has saturated said applicator material; rubbing said applicator material on teeth to apply said whitening solution thereto; and rinsing teeth.
8. The method for whitening teeth as described in Claim 7 wherein the teeth are rinsed with a solution comprising hydrogen peroxide; water; Polysorbate20; xylitol; flaror; Acesulfame K; polaxamer 407; sodium benzoate; potassium sorbitol; PPG26 Buteth 26/Peg 40; hydrogenated castorn oil; stabilized oxygen; and colostrum.
9. The method for whitening teeth as described in Claim 7, further comprising the following step:
providing said safety sleeve with said vial being disposed within said sleeve in said first position;
sliding said sleeve off of said vial;
placing said vial into said sleeve in said second position so that said
applicator material and said open first end of said vial extend axially outward from said sleeve, thereby further protecting a person's fingers while rupturing the container.
10. A method for whitening teeth as described in Claim 7, further comprising the
following steps: providing a polishing machine; said polishing machine including a mandrel; a means of providing
torque to said mandrel; a power supply for said means; a handle for positioning said mandrel; and a switch for controlling said means; providing a deformable polishing tip frictionally fitted to said mandrel; providing tooth polishing compound; applying said polishing compound to said polishing tip; applying said polishing tip to teeth while closing said switch; moving said polishing tip back and forth gently over teeth; reapplying said polishing compound to said polishing tip as required; and rinsing teeth.
11. The method for whitening teeth as described in Claim 10 wherein the teeth are rinsed with a solution comprising hydrogen peroxide; water; Polysorbate20; xylitol;
flaror; Acesulfame K; polaxamer 407; sodium benzoate; potassium sorbitol; PPG26
Buteth 26/Peg 40; hydrogenated castorn oil; stabilized oxygen; and colostrum.
12. A method for whitening teeth as described in Claim 10, further comprising the
following steps:
removing said polishing tip from said polishing machine; washing said polishing tip with water; drying said mandrel of said polishing machine; and
replacing said polishing tip on said mandrel.
13. The method for whitening teeth as described in Claim 10, further comprising the following steps: providing said tooth polishing compound in individual application
packages;
breaking open one of said application packages; and squeezing said application package to eject said polishing compound.
14. The method for whitening teeth as described in Claim 10, further comprising the following step:
providing a polishing compound comprising water; sodium lauryl
sulfate; pumice; "Carbomer Ultra" (carbomer); polysorbate 20; "T.E. A." (triethanolamine); sodium saccharin; flavoring; sodium benzoate; calcium
disodium EDTA; stabilized oxygen; and colostrum.
AMENDED CLAIMS
[received by the International Bureau on 15 September 1998 (15.09.98); original claims 1,2,7 and 9 replaced by new claims 1 and 7; remaining claims unchanged
(5 pages)]
1. A tooth whitening elongated member comprising:
a frangible, hermetically closed container;
5 a tooth whitening solution disposed within said container;
an elongated flexible vial having an open first end and a closed
second end;
said container being disposed within said vial;
wicking applicator material disposed within said open first end of said
10 vial and extending axially out from said first end;
a safety sleeve having an open first end and a closed second end;
said sleeve being sized to fit closely and slidably over said vial; and
said vial being removably disposed within said sleeve in a first
position whereby the first end of the vial is inserted in the
15 sleeve with its applicator material adjacent the closed end of
the sleeve; and when the vial is withdrawn from the sleeve
with the applicator material being disposed below the closed
end of the vial, and the vial is squeezed the container is
ruptured to permit the solution to flow into the applicator
20 material in the first end of the vial for application to a person's
teeth to whiten them.
3. A tooth whitening elongated member as described in Claim 1 , wherein said
vial is disposed within said sleeve in a second position so that said applicator and said open first end extend axially outward from said sleeve, thereby
further protecting a person's fingers while rupturing the container.
4. A tooth whitening elongated member as described in Claim" 1 wherein said
frangible, hermetically closed container is in the form of a glass ampoule.
5. A tooth whitening elongated member as described in Claim 1 wherein said
vial is in the form of a flexible tube with an open first end and a closed
second end.
6. A tooth whitening elongated member as described in Claim 1 wherein said
tooth whitening solution comprises a solution of hydrogen peroxide; water
with stabilized oxygen; flavoring; sodium saccharin; poloxmer 407; and
colostrum.
7. A method for whitening teeth comprising the following steps:
providing a tooth whitening elongated member as described in Claim
i; providing a safety sleeve with said vial being disposed within said
sleeve in said first position;
sliding said sleeve off of said vial;
placing said vial into said sleeve in said second position so that said
applicator material and said open first end of said vial extend axially outward from said sleeve, thereby further protecting a
person's fingers while rupturing the container,
holding said tooth whitening elongated member so that said applicator
material extends below said closed second end of said vial;
applying sufficient pressure to said vial so that said frangible
container is broken and said whitening solution is released and
flows downward into said applicator material;
waiting until said whitening solution has saturated said applicator
material;
rubbing said applicator material on teeth to apply said whitening
solution thereto; and
rinsing teeth.
8. The method for whitening teeth as described in Claim 7 wherein the teeth are
rinsed with a solution comprising hydrogen peroxide; water; Polysorbate20;
xylitol; flaror; Acesulfame K; polaxamer 407; sodium benzoate; potassium
sorbitol; PPG26 Buteth 26/Peg 40; hydrogenated castorn oil; stabilized
oxygen; and colostrum.
10. A method for whitening teeth as described in Claim 7, further comprising the
following steps: providing a polishing machine; said polishing machine including a mandrel; a means of providing
torque to said mandrel; a power supply for said means; a
handle for positioning said mandrel; and a switch for
controlling said means;
providing a deformable polishing tip frictionally fitted to said
mandrel;
providing tooth polishing compound;
applying said polishing compound to said polishing tip;
applying said polishing tip to teeth while closing said switch;
moving said polishing tip back and forth gently over teeth;
reapplying said polishing compound to said polishing tip as required;
and
rinsing teeth.
11. The method for whitening teeth as described in Claim 10 wherein the teeth
are rinsed with a solution comprising hydrogen peroxide; water;
Polysorbate20; xylitol; flaror; Acesulfame K; polaxamer 407; sodium
benzoate; potassium sorbitol; PPG26 Buteth 26/Peg 40; hydrogenated castorn
oil; stabilized oxygen; and colostrum.
12. A method for whitening teeth as described in Claim 10, further comprising
the following steps:
removing said polishing tip from said polishing machine; washing said polishing tip with water;
drying said mandrel of said polishing machine; and
replacing said polishing tip on said mandrel.
13. The method for whitening teeth as described in Claim 10, further comprising
the following steps:
providing said tooth polishing compound in individual application
packages;
breaking open one of said application packages; and
squeezing said application package to eject said polishing compound.
14. The method for whitening teeth as described in Claim 10, further comprising
the following step:
providing a polishing compound comprising water; sodium lauryl
sulfate; pumice; "Carbomer Ultra" (carbomer); polysorbate 20;
"T.E.A." (triethanolamine); sodium saccharin; flavoring;
sodium benzoate; calcium disodium EDTA; stabilized oxygen;
and colostrum.
STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19
Claims 1 and 2 have been combined into amended claim 1. This combination adds the element of a safety sleeve to the elongated flexible vial of the tooth whitening elongated member. Thus the present invention may be distinguished over the disposable applicator for nail polish or other liquid disclosed in Chernack (PCT/US84/00363) and cited by the Authorized Officer as relevant to claims 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7. Likewise, claims 7 and 9 have been combined into amended claim 7 to include the method of utilizing the safety sleeve with the tooth whitening elongated member. As claims 4 and 5 now depend from amended claim 1, the Authorized Officer's assertion of relevance should now be obviated.
As Wagner (U.S. Patent No. 5,611,687) cited by the Authorized Officer as relevant to claims 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 includes "means for drawing the oral hygiene preparation to the applicator tip by capillary action." (claim 1, lines 44-46), and as this element is missing from the present invention, Applicant feels that no amendment is necessary to avoid Wagner.
PCT/US1997/013570 1997-07-31 1997-07-31 Tooth whitening system WO1999005987A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU39047/97A AU3904797A (en) 1997-07-31 1997-07-31 Tooth whitening system
PCT/US1997/013570 WO1999005987A1 (en) 1997-07-31 1997-07-31 Tooth whitening system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1997/013570 WO1999005987A1 (en) 1997-07-31 1997-07-31 Tooth whitening system

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WO1999005987A1 true WO1999005987A1 (en) 1999-02-11

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WO (1) WO1999005987A1 (en)

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WO2001062177A1 (en) * 2000-02-23 2001-08-30 3M Innovative Properties Company Packaged applicator assembly
US8920168B2 (en) 2007-01-24 2014-12-30 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having fluid delivery system
US9237798B2 (en) 2010-03-04 2016-01-19 Colgate-Palmolive Company Fluid dispensing oral care implement
US9402700B2 (en) 2011-03-09 2016-08-02 Colgate-Palmolive Company Interdental cleaning device
US9554641B2 (en) 2012-10-26 2017-01-31 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
WO2021102455A1 (en) * 2019-11-21 2021-05-27 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral treatment device

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Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001062177A1 (en) * 2000-02-23 2001-08-30 3M Innovative Properties Company Packaged applicator assembly
US6413087B1 (en) 2000-02-24 2002-07-02 3M Innovative Properties Company Packaged applicator assembly
US10092086B2 (en) 2007-01-24 2018-10-09 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having fluid delivery system
US8920168B2 (en) 2007-01-24 2014-12-30 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having fluid delivery system
US9167886B2 (en) 2007-01-24 2015-10-27 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having fluid delivery system
US11160360B2 (en) 2007-01-24 2021-11-02 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having fluid delivery system
US10238203B2 (en) 2010-03-04 2019-03-26 Colgate-Palmolive Company Fluid delivery apparatus
US9648943B2 (en) 2010-03-04 2017-05-16 Colgate-Palmolive Company Fluid dispensing oral care implement
US10912378B2 (en) 2010-03-04 2021-02-09 Colgate-Palmolive Company Fluid delivery apparatus
US9237798B2 (en) 2010-03-04 2016-01-19 Colgate-Palmolive Company Fluid dispensing oral care implement
US9402700B2 (en) 2011-03-09 2016-08-02 Colgate-Palmolive Company Interdental cleaning device
US9554641B2 (en) 2012-10-26 2017-01-31 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10639136B2 (en) 2012-10-26 2020-05-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
WO2021102455A1 (en) * 2019-11-21 2021-05-27 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral treatment device
CN114727859A (en) * 2019-11-21 2022-07-08 高露洁-棕榄公司 Oral treatment device

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