Abstract: A dispensing container with a fitment, the fitment allows a dispensing pump on the dispensing container to be reused with another container. The container has a fitment secured into the container using a tamper-proof structure with the reusable dispensing pump of a structure to fit into this fitment. The fitment and the container neck are injection molded to maintain the close tolerances for the tamper-proof structure. The fitment has at least one drain aperture and at least one pressure equalization aperture. When the reusable dispensing pump is inserted into the fitment, liquid in the fitment can escape through the drain aperture into the container and pressure in the container is equalized through the pressure equalization aperture. The closure and upper part of the container are both of a conical structure to enhance alignment.
Abstract: An oral care implement comprises a head with a plurality of cleaning elements, and a light source incorporated into or adjacent the head. The light source is incorporated prior to the attachment of the cleaning elements. For ease of manufacturing and a cost-effective assembly. The cleaning elements are preferably preformed and attached to the head after the incorporation of the light source so that the provision of the light source does not require any post-processing that might impair the integrity of the head or cleaning elements.
Abstract: Methods of measuring a subject's Ayurvedic oral health are disclosed. The methods include examining the subject and assigning a health score for each of one or more Ayurvedic oral health parameters. The scores can be used to compare the Ayurvedic oral health of different populations, to assess changes in a subject's Ayurvedic oral health, and to assess the efficacy of Ayurvedic treatments.
Abstract: The invention provides an antiplaque oral composition containing an orally acceptable carrier and an antibacterial effective amount of compound (I): In the structure, R1 and R2 are independently a hydrogen atom or a lower C1-4 alkyl group and R3 and R4 are independently an alkenyl or alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, with the proviso that R3 and R4 are not both 2-propenyl or n-propyl when R1 and R2 are both hydrogen atoms. Also included are oral compositions containing the compound (I).
Abstract: A mechanical energy harvesting toothbrush may employ circuits and devices to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Such conversion can be done using piezoelectric devices to convert stresses and strains from bending of the toothbrush head and/or bristles during use, and can be done using electromagnetic generators involving passing a magnet through a coil to induce current. The resulting electric energy may be rectified, and stored in a storage device, such as a capacitor or rechargeable battery. A switching circuit may be configured to detect the level of energy stored in the storage device, and to close an electrical connection when a predetermined level of energy (e.g., a charge) has been reached. The predetermined level may correspond to a desired amount of brushing. The closing of the electrical connection may be used to power output devices when that desired amount of brushing has been reached.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 30, 2012
Date of Patent:
April 23, 2013
Assignee:
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Inventors:
Donghui Wu, Sharon Kennedy, John P. Rouse, John Gatzemeyer
Abstract: A vibrating toothbrush is provided with vibration-isolating zones that substantially isolate vibrations in the head and reduce vibrations transmitted to the handle without sacrificing structural integrity around the vibration-isolation zones. Such zones may generally comprise neck material that is reduced in cross-section, thinned, replaced by dampening material, or removed altogether to create transmission-inhibiting voids. The vibration-isolating zones may be further supported by the housing of the vibratory element to maintain the structural integrity around the zones and to thereby alleviating weakness conditions that might subject the toothbrush to fatigue and breakage conditions.
Abstract: An oral carrier strip for the delivery of an oral care composition to the oral cavity of a human or animal subject is provided. The strip includes a first portion adapted to contact a front facing side of a plurality of teeth. A second portion is provided to be folded around the teeth so as to contact a back facing side of the teeth. The first portion has a first perimeter patterned to substantially match a shape of an outer gingival tissue, and the second portion has a second perimeter opposite the first perimeter and patterned to match a shape of an inner gingival tissue. The second perimeter defines an aperture disposed in the second portion having a rounded notch positioned in a center portion of the strip, configured to prevent the strip from tearing when folded around the teeth.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 28, 2005
Date of Patent:
April 9, 2013
Assignee:
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Inventors:
Rensl Dillon, Mahmoud Hassan, David B. Viscio, Abdul Gaffar, Lisa Christina Beck
Abstract: An oral care instrument, such as a motorized toothbrush, which activates upon exposure to the oral environment of the user, is described. The electrical conductivity of saliva, optionally mixed with toothpaste and water, may be utilized to complete an electrical circuit that powers a motorized device within the instrument.
Abstract: The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to compositions useful for the removal of grease, lime scale, soap scum, feces, rust or other soils from surfaces such as those found in bathrooms, toilets and kitchens. Methods of removing soils and preventing soil adhesion are also contemplated.
Abstract: An ansate implement, especially a toothbrush, having improved tuft retention and a staple for use therewith. The staple has a specially designed topography that provides reliable anchoring and creation from cost effective materials. In one embodiment, the invention is an ansate implement comprising: a handle; a head connected to said handle and having at least one hole extending into the head from a surface; at least one cleaning element positioned in the hole; and a staple located in the hole anchoring the cleaning element in the tuft hole, the staple having a longitudinal axis and a first major surface, wherein a plurality of spaced apart grooves are formed into the first major surface, each of the grooves extending along a linear axis from a bottom edge of the staple toward a top edge of the staple, the linear axis intersecting the longitudinal axis at an acute angle of 40 to 70 degrees.
Abstract: A fragrance composition for control of kitchen malodor, kitchen cleaning and deodorizing products comprising them, and methods for the reduction of malodor utilizing them, the fragrance composition comprising a decyl aldehyde; an allyl amyl glycolate; cis-3-hexenyl acetate; a rose oxide; a terpinolene; and 2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carbaldehyde.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 3, 2009
Date of Patent:
March 26, 2013
Assignee:
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Inventors:
Joan E. Gambogi, Mary C. Brauchli, Gary J. Marr, Robert C. Vermeer
Abstract: An oral care implement (1) includes a head (12), a handle (10), a neck portion (11) connecting the head and the handle, and a reservoir (15) which contains at least one active agent. The implement has an activator (22) for activating a delivery device which delivers the active agent to one or more outlets (50). A powered delivery device (18) disposed in the head to deliver a liquid from the reservoir via the outlet. A wide variety of types of active agents may be administered at appropriate and accurate doses for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 23, 2008
Date of Patent:
March 19, 2013
Assignee:
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Inventors:
Donghui Wu, John P. Rouse, John Gatzemeyer, Sharon Kennedy
Abstract: A fluid dispensing oral care implement with fluid delivery system. The implement includes a storage member containing a fluid. A channel formed of one or more wicking or capillary members extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver fluid(s) through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, the fluid outlet is comprised of a wicking or capillary material and is disposed in the head of the implement. In some embodiments, the implement may include a valve and a specially configured storage cap. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, tooth sensitivity, plaque and/or tartar control, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 4, 2010
Date of Patent:
March 19, 2013
Assignee:
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Inventors:
Eduardo Jimenez, Thomas Boyd, Sharon Kennedy, Madhusudan Patel, John Gatzemeyer, Robert Moskovich, Alan Sorrentino, Michael Rooney