WO2004033316A2 - Toothbrush package - Google Patents

Toothbrush package Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004033316A2
WO2004033316A2 PCT/US2003/031821 US0331821W WO2004033316A2 WO 2004033316 A2 WO2004033316 A2 WO 2004033316A2 US 0331821 W US0331821 W US 0331821W WO 2004033316 A2 WO2004033316 A2 WO 2004033316A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fibers
toothbrush
light
package
scintillating
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2003/031821
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2004033316A3 (en
WO2004033316A9 (en
Inventor
John Patrick Rouse
Martin Howard Klee
Robert C. Pierce
James Kemp
Albert C. Chen
Original Assignee
Colgate-Palmolive Company
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 Colgate-Palmolive Company filed Critical Colgate-Palmolive Company
Priority to MXPA05003764A priority Critical patent/MXPA05003764A/en
Priority to EP03774652A priority patent/EP1558112A4/en
Priority to CA002502241A priority patent/CA2502241A1/en
Priority to AU2003282767A priority patent/AU2003282767A1/en
Priority to BR0315224-3A priority patent/BR0315224A/en
Publication of WO2004033316A2 publication Critical patent/WO2004033316A2/en
Publication of WO2004033316A3 publication Critical patent/WO2004033316A3/en
Publication of WO2004033316A9 publication Critical patent/WO2004033316A9/en
Priority to US11/103,366 priority patent/US20050229345A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B17/00Accessories for brushes
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0003Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being doped with fluorescent agents
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B15/00Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • A46B15/0002Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B15/00Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • A46B15/0002Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
    • A46B15/0016Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with enhancing means
    • A46B15/0036Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with enhancing means with a lighting means, e.g. laser, bulb
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B15/00Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • A46B15/0087Brushes with decoration on or in the handle
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B5/00Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D23/00Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V33/00Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0005Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being of the fibre type
    • G02B6/0008Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being of the fibre type the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45DHAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
    • A45D33/00Containers or accessories specially adapted for handling powdery toiletry or cosmetic substances
    • A45D33/26Containers or accessories specially adapted for handling powdery toiletry or cosmetic substances combined with other objects
    • A45D33/32Containers or accessories specially adapted for handling powdery toiletry or cosmetic substances combined with other objects with illuminating means
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/10For human or animal care
    • A46B2200/1066Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2203/00Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
    • B65D2203/12Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means

Definitions

  • toothbrush purchases are often based on impulse decisions.
  • the appearance of a toothbrush and/or its packaging can play a role in formulating that purchase decision.
  • use of a toothbrush, particularly by juveniles can be enhanced if that brush has an attractive, novel appearance.
  • 5,588,084 provides additional detail of the scintillation enhancement flours and wave-shifting dyes uniformly dissolved into the core material of the fiber and the cladding which serves to protect the core and enables the fiber to function as an "optical pipe" .
  • the cladding has an index of refraction which is lower than that of the core so that the light rays are retained within the fiber's core and transported along its length to appear as visible light at the fiber ends. With scintillating fibers, the light emitted at the ends is gathered from ambient light entering the side of the fibers so that an LED and battery is not needed to generate the light emitted from the fiber ends.
  • Another patent related to scintillating fibers is U.S. Patent No. 6,078,052 issued June 20, 2000.
  • United States Patent No. 5,813,855 discloses an illuminated toothbrush wherein a powered light source in the toothbrush handle directs light toward cleaning elements or bristles in the toothbrush head.
  • the bristles are illumi- nated by the light traveling from the source in the handle through the toothbrush handle and to the head. There it impinges on a roughened surface of the bristles embedded in the head. That light then glows from the ends of the bristles.
  • Another lighted toothbrush is disclosed in U.S. Pat- ent No. 5,160,194 in which a battery operated light shines directly on the user's teeth.
  • This invention utilizes scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers to illuminate various consumer prod- ucts and packaging for such products.
  • the light emanating from the ends of such fibers is used to attract attention of the consumers to the products contained in the packaging.
  • the visible ends of the fibers appear to glow as if powered, e.g., by a battery operated bulb.
  • these fibers do not use any powered light sources to produce this effect.
  • the ambient light around the fibers is gathered through the sides of the fibers and is transmitted through the fibers like an optical pipe and emanates from the fiber end as a relatively bright light.
  • One illustrated embodiment of this invention is a toothbrush with a transparent or translucent handle. Embedded within the handle are an array of scintillating fluores- cent light collecting fibers which terminate near the base of the cleaning elements or bristles in the toothbrush head. If the fibers terminate at the base of the bristles, the light from the fibers can be distributed through all of the bristles so that the bristles adopt a glow. If a pinpoint of light is preferred, the scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers can be placed within the bristles so that they extend to or near the working surface of the bristles. This provides a bright light display within the bristles that draws the attention of potential consumers observing the toothbrush in the store.
  • the light within the bristles also provides an appealing and novel appearance that would attract one to use the toothbrush, especially juveniles. Since regular use is the most important element of oral hygiene, the novelty of a lighted brush provides an important inducement and reminder for juveniles to use the toothbrush. Because the scintillating/collecting fibers are continuously collecting ambient light and displaying it through the fiber ends the novelty look of the bristles is always presented to the user or potential customer as long as there is some ambient light around the toothbrush.
  • a package for the toothbrush preferably has a transparent or translucent portion generally corresponding to the area of the toothbrush containing the scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers. This allows ambient light around the package to enter the fibers and causes them to emit light at the ends of the fiber. That light shines out of the transparent/translucent portion of the package to attract potential customers who might be shopping for a toothbrush.
  • the ends of the scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers can be placed at various points along the length of the toothbrush (other than in the head) to create novel points of light on the toothbrush body. That lighting pattern can also be used to attract potential consumers or users .
  • the scintillating fluores- cent light collecting fibers can be embedded in the packaging of any number of consumer products, for example, a liquid soap dispenser or shampoo bottle. If that packaging material is translucent or transparent in the area of the fibers, ambient light will reach the fibers causing the ends of the fibers to emit light. That light can be used as an adjunct to graphics on the packaging, thereby attracting consumers and encouraging use after purchase. In all of these embodiments, different color lighting can be created by colored fibers, for example, using green, amber and red fibers.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a prior art toothbrush 2 using a battery powered light 4 in which that light is transmitted to the embedded bristles via fibers 6, but not the fibers of this invention.
  • Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a scintil- lating fluorescent light collecting fiber of this invention.
  • Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a toothbrush containing embedded fibers to illuminate the toothbrush bristles.
  • Figure 4 is a top plan view of a toothbrush pack- age containing a fiber illuminated toothbrush.
  • Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view in elevation showing scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers embedded within the toothbrush bristles.
  • Figure 6 is a top plan view of a powered toothbrush with the light collecting fibers in the handle.
  • Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a liquid soap dispenser bottle with the scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers illuminating ornamental features on the bottle.
  • FIG 2 schematically illustrates a typical scin- tillating fluorescent light collecting fiber 10 ( “ scintillating fiber " ) .
  • This scintillating fiber 10 collects light from many wavelengths, visible or not visible to the naked eye, along its length 12 and emits light at each end 14 of the fiber in the visible range. Thus, the light is always " on “ with this fiber and no powered light source is needed, for example, an LED and battery as has been used in the prior art such as the device disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,813,855 (See Figure 1).
  • FIG 3 illustrates scintillating fibers 10 em- bedded in toothbrush 16. They extend from the handle 18 to head 20 of the toothbrush. At least some portion of the toothbrush 16 should be transparent or translucent to allow ambient light to reach the outer surface 12 of fibers 10. As illustrated in this Figure, one end 14 of fiber 10 termi- nates immediately adjacent the cleaning elements or bristles 22 mounted in head 20 of toothbrush 16. The cleaning elements 22 may be mounted or affixed to the head 20 of toothbrush 16 in a manner that light emitted from one end 14 of fiber 10 is transmitted through the cleaning elements 22 so that the light is readily seen by a potential consumer of the toothbrush 16 when passing the area where toothbrushes are sold.
  • the lighted bristles 22 can form an attractive light pattern to encourage use of the toothbrush and thereby improve oral hygiene of potential users, particularly juveniles.
  • fibers 10 can be treated with various chemicals to emit various light colors from their ends 14. This provides an addi- tional attraction for consumers and users.
  • cleaning elements 22 Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used as the cleaning elements 22 in the embodiment of Figure 3 of this invention.
  • FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment for dis- playing the light gathered in scintillating fiber 10.
  • the scintillating fiber 10 is bent within head 20 so that the end 14 of fiber 10 extends above the face 21 of the head 20 to a terminus at or about the working end 23 of cleaning elements 22.
  • the ambient light gathered in fibers 10 is emitted as visible light from the ends 14 of scintillating fiber 10 at a point where the light is directly viewed by potential consumers or users.
  • This embodiment provides a brighter, more direct light within the cleaning elements 22.
  • the cleaning ele- ments themselves need not be transparent or translucent because they are not themselves transmitting light.
  • a package 24 containing toothbrush 16 is illustrated in Figure 4. At least that portion 26 of the package 24 overlying fibers 10 in the toothbrush 16 should be trans- parent or translucent to allow ambient light to reach scintillating fibers 10 and allow viewing of the light emitted from ends 14 of the fibers 10. To facilitate discussion, Figure 4 is shown without cleaning elements 22 in place. Such elements would typically be arranged relative to fiber ends 14 on head 22 in a manner similar to that shown in Figures 3 or 5.
  • cleaning elements is intended to be used in a generic sense which could include conventional fiber bristles or massage elements or other forms of cleaning elements such as elastomeric fingers or walls arranged in a circular cross-sectional shape or any type of desired shape including straight portions or sinusoidal portions. Where bristles are used, the bristles could be mounted to tuft blocks or sections by extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the tuft block.
  • the specific illustra- tion of the cleaning elements is merely for exemplary purposes.
  • the invention can be practiced with various combinations of the same or different cleaning element configurations (such as stapled or in-molded technology bristles, etc.) and/or with the same bristle or cleaning element mate- rials (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.)
  • Figures 3 and 5 illustrate the cleaning elements to be generally perpendicular to the face of head 20, some or all of the cleaning elements 22 may be angled at various angles. It is thereby possible to select the combination of cleaning element configurations, materials and orientations to achieve specific intended results to deliver additional oral health benefits, like enhanced cleaning, tooth polishing, tooth whitening and/or massaging of the gums .
  • Figure 6 illustrates a toothbrush 16A which includes a power driven movable disc or section 28 having ele- ents in the head 20 of toothbrush 16.
  • the movable section 28 could be oscillated rotationally such as by using the type of drive mechanism shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,625,916, or could move in and out using the type of drive mechanism shown in U.S. Patent No. Re 35,941; all of the details of both patents are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
  • the other types of drives referred to above could move section 28 in other manners and directions.
  • Figure 6 shows movable section 28 to be at the one end of the head 20, the movable section (s) 28 could be lo- cated at any desired location on the head 20.
  • the non-powered cleaning elements 22 in the Figure 6 embodiment can be lighted as described above.
  • scintillating fibers 10 can be embedded in transparent or translucent portions of the handle 18A of powered toothbrush 16A to emit light from the ends 14 of scintillating fibers 10.
  • a switch 30 can be used to regulate the powered features of the toothbrush 16A.
  • the scintillating fibers 10 of this invention have wide application in a variety of consumer products.
  • a liquid soap dispenser 32 is shown in Figure 7.
  • the scintillating fibers 10 are embedded in translucent or transparent portions of the dispenser 32.
  • At least one end 14 of fiber 10 is directed toward the sur- face of the dispenser. Visible light emitted from the end 14 of fiber 10 can be used to enhance decorative patterns contained in the side of container 32.

Abstract

Attractiveness of consumer products is enhanced by use of scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers (10) contained in those products. The fibers (10) collect ambient light of various wavelengths, some not visible, along their length which is collected within the fiber (10) and emitted as visible light at the ends (14) of the fibers (10). The emitted light can be used to enhance the consumer appeal of the product or promote its use. Specific consumer products disclosed include toothbrushes (16) and liquid soap dispensers (32).

Description

TITLE Toothbrush Package
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Consumer research shows that toothbrush purchases are often based on impulse decisions. Thus, the appearance of a toothbrush and/or its packaging can play a role in formulating that purchase decision. For marketing purposes, it is also helpful for the toothbrush or its packaging to have an eye-catching appearance on the shelf. Also, use of a toothbrush, particularly by juveniles, can be enhanced if that brush has an attractive, novel appearance. Others have taken various approaches to create a visually attractive toothbrush and/or its packaging.
One such approach is illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 4,779,173 issued December 24, 1986. This patent discloses a battery operated bulb in a toothbrush handle. Light from the bulb is transmitted to the head of the toothbrush through a plurality of plastic filaments (column 4, line 64 to column 5, line 24) . Another patent disclosing light from a power source, e.g. LED or laser, conveyed to a toothbrush head through fibers is U.S. Patent No. 5,030,090. United States Patent No. 5,121,462 discloses a process for making scintillating optical fibers. U.S. Patent No. 5,588,084 provides additional detail of the scintillation enhancement flours and wave-shifting dyes uniformly dissolved into the core material of the fiber and the cladding which serves to protect the core and enables the fiber to function as an "optical pipe" . The cladding has an index of refraction which is lower than that of the core so that the light rays are retained within the fiber's core and transported along its length to appear as visible light at the fiber ends. With scintillating fibers, the light emitted at the ends is gathered from ambient light entering the side of the fibers so that an LED and battery is not needed to generate the light emitted from the fiber ends. Another patent related to scintillating fibers is U.S. Patent No. 6,078,052 issued June 20, 2000.
United States Patent No. 5,813,855 discloses an illuminated toothbrush wherein a powered light source in the toothbrush handle directs light toward cleaning elements or bristles in the toothbrush head. The bristles are illumi- nated by the light traveling from the source in the handle through the toothbrush handle and to the head. There it impinges on a roughened surface of the bristles embedded in the head. That light then glows from the ends of the bristles. Another lighted toothbrush is disclosed in U.S. Pat- ent No. 5,160,194 in which a battery operated light shines directly on the user's teeth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention utilizes scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers to illuminate various consumer prod- ucts and packaging for such products. The light emanating from the ends of such fibers is used to attract attention of the consumers to the products contained in the packaging. To the consumer, the visible ends of the fibers appear to glow as if powered, e.g., by a battery operated bulb. However, these fibers do not use any powered light sources to produce this effect. The ambient light around the fibers is gathered through the sides of the fibers and is transmitted through the fibers like an optical pipe and emanates from the fiber end as a relatively bright light.
One illustrated embodiment of this invention is a toothbrush with a transparent or translucent handle. Embedded within the handle are an array of scintillating fluores- cent light collecting fibers which terminate near the base of the cleaning elements or bristles in the toothbrush head. If the fibers terminate at the base of the bristles, the light from the fibers can be distributed through all of the bristles so that the bristles adopt a glow. If a pinpoint of light is preferred, the scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers can be placed within the bristles so that they extend to or near the working surface of the bristles. This provides a bright light display within the bristles that draws the attention of potential consumers observing the toothbrush in the store.
The light within the bristles also provides an appealing and novel appearance that would attract one to use the toothbrush, especially juveniles. Since regular use is the most important element of oral hygiene, the novelty of a lighted brush provides an important inducement and reminder for juveniles to use the toothbrush. Because the scintillating/collecting fibers are continuously collecting ambient light and displaying it through the fiber ends the novelty look of the bristles is always presented to the user or potential customer as long as there is some ambient light around the toothbrush.
A package for the toothbrush preferably has a transparent or translucent portion generally corresponding to the area of the toothbrush containing the scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers. This allows ambient light around the package to enter the fibers and causes them to emit light at the ends of the fiber. That light shines out of the transparent/translucent portion of the package to attract potential customers who might be shopping for a toothbrush.
In other embodiments of the invention, the ends of the scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers can be placed at various points along the length of the toothbrush (other than in the head) to create novel points of light on the toothbrush body. That lighting pattern can also be used to attract potential consumers or users .
In other embodiments, the scintillating fluores- cent light collecting fibers can be embedded in the packaging of any number of consumer products, for example, a liquid soap dispenser or shampoo bottle. If that packaging material is translucent or transparent in the area of the fibers, ambient light will reach the fibers causing the ends of the fibers to emit light. That light can be used as an adjunct to graphics on the packaging, thereby attracting consumers and encouraging use after purchase. In all of these embodiments, different color lighting can be created by colored fibers, for example, using green, amber and red fibers.
More information regarding these fibers is avail- able from the Website of one manufacturer of such fibers, Poly-Optical Products, Inc. of Irvine, California (www.poly-optical.com) .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates a prior art toothbrush 2 using a battery powered light 4 in which that light is transmitted to the embedded bristles via fibers 6, but not the fibers of this invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a scintil- lating fluorescent light collecting fiber of this invention. Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a toothbrush containing embedded fibers to illuminate the toothbrush bristles.
Figure 4 is a top plan view of a toothbrush pack- age containing a fiber illuminated toothbrush.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view in elevation showing scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers embedded within the toothbrush bristles.
Figure 6 is a top plan view of a powered toothbrush with the light collecting fibers in the handle. Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a liquid soap dispenser bottle with the scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers illuminating ornamental features on the bottle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 2 schematically illustrates a typical scin- tillating fluorescent light collecting fiber 10 ( " scintillating fiber " ) . This scintillating fiber 10 collects light from many wavelengths, visible or not visible to the naked eye, along its length 12 and emits light at each end 14 of the fiber in the visible range. Thus, the light is always " on " with this fiber and no powered light source is needed, for example, an LED and battery as has been used in the prior art such as the device disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,813,855 (See Figure 1).
Figure 3 illustrates scintillating fibers 10 em- bedded in toothbrush 16. They extend from the handle 18 to head 20 of the toothbrush. At least some portion of the toothbrush 16 should be transparent or translucent to allow ambient light to reach the outer surface 12 of fibers 10. As illustrated in this Figure, one end 14 of fiber 10 termi- nates immediately adjacent the cleaning elements or bristles 22 mounted in head 20 of toothbrush 16. The cleaning elements 22 may be mounted or affixed to the head 20 of toothbrush 16 in a manner that light emitted from one end 14 of fiber 10 is transmitted through the cleaning elements 22 so that the light is readily seen by a potential consumer of the toothbrush 16 when passing the area where toothbrushes are sold. In a similar vein, the lighted bristles 22 can form an attractive light pattern to encourage use of the toothbrush and thereby improve oral hygiene of potential users, particularly juveniles. As previously discussed, fibers 10 can be treated with various chemicals to emit various light colors from their ends 14. This provides an addi- tional attraction for consumers and users.
Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used as the cleaning elements 22 in the embodiment of Figure 3 of this invention.
Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment for dis- playing the light gathered in scintillating fiber 10. In this embodiment, the scintillating fiber 10 is bent within head 20 so that the end 14 of fiber 10 extends above the face 21 of the head 20 to a terminus at or about the working end 23 of cleaning elements 22. Thus, the ambient light gathered in fibers 10 is emitted as visible light from the ends 14 of scintillating fiber 10 at a point where the light is directly viewed by potential consumers or users. This embodiment provides a brighter, more direct light within the cleaning elements 22. In this embodiment, the cleaning ele- ments themselves need not be transparent or translucent because they are not themselves transmitting light.
A package 24 containing toothbrush 16 is illustrated in Figure 4. At least that portion 26 of the package 24 overlying fibers 10 in the toothbrush 16 should be trans- parent or translucent to allow ambient light to reach scintillating fibers 10 and allow viewing of the light emitted from ends 14 of the fibers 10. To facilitate discussion, Figure 4 is shown without cleaning elements 22 in place. Such elements would typically be arranged relative to fiber ends 14 on head 22 in a manner similar to that shown in Figures 3 or 5.
The term "cleaning elements" is intended to be used in a generic sense which could include conventional fiber bristles or massage elements or other forms of cleaning elements such as elastomeric fingers or walls arranged in a circular cross-sectional shape or any type of desired shape including straight portions or sinusoidal portions. Where bristles are used, the bristles could be mounted to tuft blocks or sections by extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the tuft block.
It is to be understood that the specific illustra- tion of the cleaning elements is merely for exemplary purposes. The invention can be practiced with various combinations of the same or different cleaning element configurations (such as stapled or in-molded technology bristles, etc.) and/or with the same bristle or cleaning element mate- rials (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.) Similarly, while Figures 3 and 5 illustrate the cleaning elements to be generally perpendicular to the face of head 20, some or all of the cleaning elements 22 may be angled at various angles. It is thereby possible to select the combination of cleaning element configurations, materials and orientations to achieve specific intended results to deliver additional oral health benefits, like enhanced cleaning, tooth polishing, tooth whitening and/or massaging of the gums .
Figure 6 illustrates a toothbrush 16A which includes a power driven movable disc or section 28 having ele- ents in the head 20 of toothbrush 16. The movable section 28 could be oscillated rotationally such as by using the type of drive mechanism shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,625,916, or could move in and out using the type of drive mechanism shown in U.S. Patent No. Re 35,941; all of the details of both patents are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Alternatively, the other types of drives referred to above could move section 28 in other manners and directions. Although Figure 6 shows movable section 28 to be at the one end of the head 20, the movable section (s) 28 could be lo- cated at any desired location on the head 20.
The non-powered cleaning elements 22 in the Figure 6 embodiment can be lighted as described above. Alternatively or additionally, scintillating fibers 10 can be embedded in transparent or translucent portions of the handle 18A of powered toothbrush 16A to emit light from the ends 14 of scintillating fibers 10. A switch 30 can be used to regulate the powered features of the toothbrush 16A.
The scintillating fibers 10 of this invention have wide application in a variety of consumer products. One such product, a liquid soap dispenser 32, is shown in Figure 7. As illustrated, the scintillating fibers 10 are embedded in translucent or transparent portions of the dispenser 32. At least one end 14 of fiber 10 is directed toward the sur- face of the dispenser. Visible light emitted from the end 14 of fiber 10 can be used to enhance decorative patterns contained in the side of container 32.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A lighted consumer product comprising a body, portions thereof being sufficiently translucent or transparent to permit entry of ambient light, lengths of scintillating fluorescent light collecting fiber arranged in at least some of those portions of the body, at least one end of some of the fibers being directed toward the exterior surface of the body of the consumer product where light emitted from the end of the fiber can be seen by a person observing or using the consumer product.
2. The lighted consumer product of claim 1 comprising a toothbrush having cleaning elements in the head thereof.
3. The toothbrush of claim 2 wherein at least one end of at least some of the scintillating fluorescent light col- lecting fibers are located adjacent cleaning elements in the head of the toothbrush.
4. The toothbrush of claim 2 wherein at least some of the scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers have ends located out or near the working surface of the cleaning elements.
5. A package for a consumer product comprising an enclosure for that product, at least some portion of the enclosure being sufficiently transparent or translucent to allow entry of ambient light into the interior of the package, a consumer product within the package containing lengths of scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers, the ends of the fibers being located within the product in positions where they can be seen by one observing the package .
6. A package for a consumer product containing scintillating fluorescent light collecting fibers, the ends of which can be seen by one observing the package .
PCT/US2003/031821 2002-10-11 2003-10-09 Toothbrush package WO2004033316A2 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
MXPA05003764A MXPA05003764A (en) 2002-10-11 2003-10-09 Toothbrush package.
EP03774652A EP1558112A4 (en) 2002-10-11 2003-10-09 Toothbrush package
CA002502241A CA2502241A1 (en) 2002-10-11 2003-10-09 Toothbrush package
AU2003282767A AU2003282767A1 (en) 2002-10-11 2003-10-09 Toothbrush package
BR0315224-3A BR0315224A (en) 2002-10-11 2003-10-09 Illuminating consumer product and packaging for a consumer product
US11/103,366 US20050229345A1 (en) 2002-10-11 2005-04-11 Toothbrush package

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AU2003282767A1 (en) 2004-05-04
WO2004033316A3 (en) 2004-05-27
RU2316243C2 (en) 2008-02-10
EP1558112A2 (en) 2005-08-03
CA2502241A1 (en) 2004-04-22
KR20050062607A (en) 2005-06-23
EP1558112A4 (en) 2008-04-23
CN1719994A (en) 2006-01-11
BR0315224A (en) 2005-08-23
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WO2004033316A9 (en) 2004-07-01
US20050229345A1 (en) 2005-10-20

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