Oral care device
Oral care devices are provided that include a pumping assembly for dispensing a fluid, e.g., a dentifrice, from the oral care device.
This invention relates to oral care systems and methods of their use.
BACKGROUNDConventional toothbrushes, having tufts of bristles mounted on a head, are generally effective at removing plaque from the flat surfaces of teeth and the areas between teeth and along the gumline that can be accessed by the bristles. Typically, a consumer manually squeezes a globule of paste from a tube onto the bristles of the conventional brush prior to placing the brush in their mouth. After paste is deposited on the bristles, the brush is placed in their mouth and brushing commences. As a further development on conventional toothbrushes, U.S. Ser. No. 2002/0108193 proposes a sonic power toothbrush that is capable of dispensing additives at the head of the brush. The head can vibrate relative to the body of the brush due to sonic frequency vibrations that are transmitted to the brush head.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, the invention features an oral care device that includes (a) an elongated housing including, at a distal portion of the housing, a head dimensioned to fit within a user's mouth; (b) a fluid conduit defining at least a portion of a fluid passageway in the housing, the fluid conduit having a compressible region disposed in the housing; and (c) a motorized pumping assembly configured to compress the fluid conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of the length of the fluid conduit to draw fluid into the compressible region and to transfer fluid out of the compressible region along the fluid passageway toward an outlet at the distal portion of the housing. The compressible region of the fluid conduit defines a path that is not semi-circular. Preferably the path is also not generally circular. In some implementations, the path defined by the compressible region is substantially straight, i.e., it has a radius of curvature greater than half the diameter of the housing in cross-section. The radius of curvature may in some cases be greater than 2 inches. In other implementations, the path defined by the compressible region may include one or more localized arcuate areas, but in such implementations the path will also include generally linear areas. The geometry of the compressible region allows the pumping assembly to have a relatively small profile, so that the pumping assembly fits within the elongated housing without the diameter of the housing becoming unwieldy. The geometry of the compressible region also facilitates removal of the fluid conduit from the housing, which is advantageous for reasons which will be discussed below.
Some implementations include one or more of the following features. The pumping assembly may be configured to compress the conduit progressively with a series of multiple discrete compression events. The pumping assembly further comprises a rotatable shaft that includes a raised spiral, which may be continuous or discontinuous. For example, the spiral may include a discontinuous arrangement of protrusions extending outwardly from a surface of the rotatable shaft. The spiral may be configured to compress the conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of the length of the conduit as the shaft rotates. The pumping assembly may further include a compression element positioned between the shaft and the conduit such that the compression element is displaced by the shaft to compress the conduit in the compressible region when the shaft is rotated. The compression element may be capable of being displaced by the shaft when the shaft is rotated to multiple angular positions. The compression element may be configured to be displaced in a direction substantially transverse to the fluid path. For example, the compression element may be displaced linearly when the shaft is at a selected angular position. Alternatively, the compression element may be displaced in a rotational or bending motion, or by buckling the compression element.
The oral device may include multiple compression elements positioned between the shaft and the conduit such that the compression elements are capable of being displaced by the shaft when the shaft is rotated, which may be arranged in one or more linear array(s).
The oral care device may include an electric motor configured to rotate the rotatable shaft, e.g., at a selected rate or frequency in response to a signal from a controller located within the housing or at differing selected rates or frequencies. The controller may be programmed to increase or decrease the rate or frequency at which the motor rotates the rotatable shaft, e.g., in response to input from a user.
The long axis of the fluid conduit may be substantially parallel to or coaxial with the long axis of the housing. The oral care device may further include a fluid reservoir located within the housing that is capable of communication with the fluid path. The pumping assembly may be located downstream of the fluid reservoir. The oral care device may include multiple fluid conduits disposed within the housing, each fluid conduit defining a fluid passageway, and the fluid conduits may each have a compressible region. The multiple fluid passageways may converge within the housing to combine fluid upstream of the outlet.
The oral care device may be configured so that all of the fluid passageway is replaceable.
In another aspect, the invention features an oral care device that includes a housing including a fluid passageway for directing fluid within the housing and, at a distal portion of the housing, a head dimensioned to fit within a user's mouth, and a reversible pumping assembly configured to transfer fluid along the passageway.
Some implementations include one or more of the features described above. Some implementations may include one or more of the following features.
The reversible pumping assembly may be configured to transfer fluid along the fluid passageway in a direction away from the outlet at the distal portion of the housing. The reversible pumping assembly may include an electric motor. The electric motor may be configured to rotate a rotatable shaft in either a first direction or in an opposite second direction in response to a signal from a controller located within the housing. The oral care device may include a fluid reservoir within the housing and fluidly connected to the fluid passageway, and the reversible pumping assembly may be configured to introduce fluid into the fluid reservoir. The reversible pumping assembly may be configured to introduce fluid from the fluid passageway into the fluid reservoir while the pumping assembly is running in reverse.
In a further aspect, the invention features an oral care device including a housing including a head, a handle and a neck connecting the head and the handle, the head being dimensioned to fit within a user's mouth, and an energy source for powering the oral care device, in which the housing includes a separable cartridge component that contains a fluid reservoir and the energy source.
The energy source may be, for example, a battery. The energy source may be electrically connected to a motor configured to drive a pump assembly, e.g., such as the pump assemblies described above.
In yet another aspect, the invention features an oral care device that includes a housing having a movable head configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, a handle and a neck connecting the head and the handle, the housing defining a housing axis extending between the handle and the head that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation, a fluid passageway located within the neck of the housing and extending to an outlet at the head, and a drive member connected to the head at a location spaced from the housing axis, the drive member being configured to rotate the movable head about the axis of rotation.
Some implementations may include one or more of the following features. In some implementations at least a portion of the fluid passageway extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation or co-extends with the axis of rotation. The outlet and the axis of rotation may be spaced-apart from each other. The oral care device may include a drive assembly configured to move the drive member. The drive member may be connected to the head at a location spaced a distance (d) between about 0.05 and about 0.2 inch from the housing axis, e.g., about 0.075 and 0.150 inch from the housing axis, for example about 0.125 inch.
The invention also features methods of providing oral care using the oral care devices described above. For example, the invention features a method including reducing an uncompressed volume (V0) of a fluid conduit positioned within the oral care device by compressing the fluid conduit to a compressed volume (Vc) within a compressible region defining a path that is not semicircular, wherein the compressed volume (Vc) remains substantially constant as the fluid conduit is compressed progressively along a length (L) to transfer fluid along a fluid passageway within the oral care device. The fluid conduit may be compressed progressively along L by a series of discrete compression events, e.g., using the pumping assemblies described above.
The invention also features a method including, with a series of successive, side-by-side compression events, compressing a fluid conduit progressively in a compressible region along at least a portion of a length of the fluid conduit to draw fluid into the compressible region and to transfer fluid out of the compressible region along a fluid passageway and toward a fluid outlet at a head of an oral care device. The compressible region may be substantially linear.
In another aspect, the inveniton features an oral care device including (a) a housing including, at a distal portion of the housing, a head dimensioned to fit within a user's mouth; (b) a fluid conduit defining at least a portion of a fluid passageway in the housing; (c) a pouch disposed within the housing, the pouch comprising a pouch body including two sidewalls defining a volume therebetween; and (d) a fitment providing communication between the pouch body and the fluid conduit. In some implementations, the sidewalls are joined along at least one longitudinal side edge by a seam. In some implementations the fitment has a height to width aspect ratio of less than one, the height and width being measured along minor and major axes, respectively, at an end of the fitment disposed between the sidewalls.
The pouch volume may increase from an original, unfilled volume as the pouch is filled with content, and decrease as the pouch is emptied. When the pouch is substantially emptied, the pouch volume may be substantially equivalent to the original, unfilled volume.
In a further aspect, the invention features an oral care device including (a) an elongated housing including, at a distal portion of the housing, a head dimensioned to fit within a user's mouth; (b) a fluid conduit defining at least a portion of a fluid passageway in the housing, the fluid conduit having a compressible region disposed in the housing; and (c) a motorized pumping assembly configured to compress the fluid conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of the length of the fluid conduit to draw fluid into the compressible region and to transfer fluid out of the compressible region along the fluid passageway toward an outlet at the distal portion of the housing; wherein the pumping assembly is configured to compress the conduit progressively with a series of multiple discrete compression events.
The invention also features an oral care device that includes (a) an elongated housing including, at a distal portion of the housing, a head dimensioned to fit within a user's mouth; (b) a fluid conduit defining at least a portion of a fluid passageway in the housing, the fluid conduit having a compressible region disposed in the housing; and (c) a motorized pumping assembly configured to compress the fluid conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of the length of the fluid conduit to draw fluid into the compressible region and to transfer fluid out of the compressible region along the fluid passageway toward an outlet at the distal portion of the housing, the motorized pumping assembly including a drive shaft that is disposed substantially parallel to a plane defined by the compressible region. This relative arrangement of the drive shaft and compressible region provides a compact geometry which allows the pumping assembly to fit within the elongated housing without the diameter of the housing becoming unwieldy.
The features described above can be combined in any desired combination, with each other and with other features of the oral care devices that will be described below.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Referring to
Turning to
Referring to
Referring now to
As can be seen more clearly in
Generally, the motor 34 and the gearing (e.g., gears 52 and 54) can be selected as desired. A suitable motor 34 is a FF-130SH, available from Mabuchi. In some embodiments, the gearing is selected to reduce speed by about 23:1.
Referring now to
Generally, the sizes and dimensions of each of the fingers can be selected as desired. As shown, each of the fingers 56 is of substantially identical dimensions having a width Wf (e.g., from about 0.05 inch to about 0.2 inch, such as about 0.1 inch) and a length L (e.g., from about 0.4 inch to about 0.6 inch, such as about 0.5 inch) and is shaped to reduce the volume occupied by the fingers within the housing. Referring particularly to
Design of the fingers 56 depends, at least in part, on the screw design and tube 60 design. Each finger 56 is designed to compress a region of the tube 60 that is roughly equal to the width of the respective finger 56. The distance between each finger and the adjacent finger is minimized (e.g., about 0.015 inch) for pumping efficiency.
In general, materials for forming the fingers 56 can be selected as desired. Materials preferable for forming the array of fingers include elastic materials having high resistances to fatigue failure (e.g., due to the repeated displacement of the fingers) and capable of withstanding, at least for a reasonable time (e.g., 180 uses or more), the rolling and sliding contact between the fingers 56 and the spiral 50. A suitable plastic material is DELRIN® plastic. Any suitable method can be employed for forming the fingers, such as molding (e.g., injection molding), casting and machining.
Referring now to
Generally, the dimensions of the screw 48 can be selected as desired. Preferably, however, the screw 48 design depends, at least in part, on the design of the fingers 56 and the design of the tube 60 within compressible region 58 in order to achieve pumping action to transfer fluid along the passageway 40. As discussed above with regard to the fingers, materials preferable for forming the screw can endure, at least for a reasonable time (e.g., 180 uses, or more), the rolling and sliding contact between the spiral 50 and the fingers 56. A suitable plastic material is DELRIN® plastic. Any suitable method can be used to form the screw 48, such as molding (e.g., injection molding the screw or over-molding plastic onto, for example, a metal shaft) and machining.
Referring to
Referring particularly to
Referring to
By utilizing the above-described pump assembly, fluid can be positively displaced without backflow and, as mentioned, without any need for a backflow-preventive device, such as a check valve (although a check valve can be used, if desired). The pump assembly described above is particularly well suited to pump slurries, viscous, shear-sensitive and aggressive fluids. Additionally, the fingers, motor, gears, screw, and other internal components can be isolated from the fluid as the fluid travels along the passageway 40, which, in some cases, can increase the life span of the oral care device 12.
Head Drive Assembly Referring back to
Movement of the rotatable head 20 is accomplished, in part, by use of a cam and follower system that translates rotational output of the motor 36 into linear motion used to drive the drive shaft 42 backward and forward. Referring particularly to
Connected to follower 88 is an intermediate drive shaft 100. Intermediate drive shaft 100 is slidably positioned within a guide assembly 102 that is secured directly to the housing 16. Referring to
Referring to
As can be seen, the available space within the neck 26 of housing 16 is relatively limited. As a result, the drive shaft 42 is shaped to facilitate placement of both the fluid-carrying tube 82 and the oscillating drive shaft 42 within the neck 26 of the housing 16. Shown more clearly in
Referring now to
Referring also to
Referring to
Extending from the base 136 is an array of bristle tufts 138. Although each tuft 138 is shown as a solid mass in the drawings, the tufts are actually each made up of a great mass of individual plastic bristles. The bristles may be made of any desired polymer, e.g., nylon 6.12 or 6.10, and may have any desired diameter, e.g., 4-8 mil. The tufts 138 are supported by the base 136, and may be held in place by any desired tufting technique as is well known in the art, e.g., hot tufting or a stapling process. The tufts 138 may also be mounted to move on the base 136, as is well known in the toothbrush art. For a more detailed discussion of brush heads, Applicants refer to pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/666,497, filed Sep. 9, 2003, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Generally, tufts 138 and fluid outlet 140 (along with opening 124) may be positioned where desired. Referring to
It is not required, however, that the valve 122 and associated fluid outlet 140 be positioned centrally within the rotatable head 20 or that the fluid outlet be aligned with the axis of rotation 134 of the rotatable head 20. For example, referring to
Referring now to
Because each of components 152 and 154 contain a portion of fluid passageway 40, in order to reduce or, in some cases, to prevent fluid leakage when components 152 and 154 are separated, each of the components 152 and 154 includes a valve 160 and 162, respectively, having a “normally closed” construction. The valves are disposed at an end of the associated conduit, e.g., to close substantially the entire fluid passageway associated with each component when the components are disengaged.
Referring to
Referring to
To seal the fluid passageway 40 from the surroundings when the valves are mated, cartridge valves 162 and/or 200 can include a sealing ring 201 (e.g., an O-ring) positioned within a recess 192 extending inwardly from an outer surface 194 of the cartridge valve. In some embodiments, the sealing ring provides a fluid-tight seal, but not an airtight seal. In some cases, the sealing ring provides both a fluid-tight and an airtight seal. The sealing ring can be sized to contact an inner surface 190 of the valves 160 and/or 322.
Referring to
In some embodiments, an alternative valve assembly is used that closes the fluid passageway 40 in only one component, when the components are separated. Referring to
As valve 252 is mated with fitment 254, turning to
Generally, the materials for forming the fitment and valves, including the poppets and springs, can be selected as desired. Suitable materials for forming the valves include polyethylene (e.g., HDPE), polypropylene, acrylonitrile-based co-polymer (e.g., BAREX® available from BP p.l.c), acetal (POM), or corrosion resistant metals, such as stainless steel. Suitable materials for forming the poppets include elastomers such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), nitrile rubber (NBR), fluorocarbons (e.g., VITON® fluorocarbons, available from DuPont Dow Elastomers L.L.C.), combinations of these materials and any of these materials used in combination with a harder material such as stainless steel. The valves can be formed by any suitable method including molding (e.g., injection molding) and/or machining, with common joining processes such as ultrasonic or laser welding, adhesives and the like.
Components 152 and 154 are designed to be replaceable. By “replaceable”, we mean that components 152 and 154 are interchangeable by the consumer with other like components to form an assembled oral care device, and that replacement can normally be effected by the consumer without damage to the oral care device. As can be appreciated from the above description, because the entirety of fluid passageway 40 is carried by components 152 and 154, the entirety of fluid passageway 40 is also replaceable. In other words, any part of oral care device 12 that touches fluid is replaceable. This facilitates use of different types of fluids with the oral care device without undesired mixing of the fluids and repair of the oral care device (e.g., due to fluid passageway rupture, valve malfunction, and the like). This also helps to maintain the oral care device in a sanitary condition during extended use.
To assemble the oral care device 12, components 152 (head assembly) and 154 (cartridge) both attach to component 156 by independent mechanical snap latching mechanisms 137 (
Referring back to
While the controller can be programmed as desired, as one example, the controller is designed such that depressing button 404 initiates both motors 34 and 36 and depressing button 406 initiates only one of the motors 34, 36, such as motor 36. By depressing button 404 both head movement and fluid flow can be initiated. By depressing button 406, only one of fluid flow and head movement can be initiated. Depressing button 404 or 406 can also halt the associated motor(s) subsequent to initiation. In cases where button 406 initiates and halts only motor 36, a user can, for example, brush without additional fluid delivery and can rinse the oral care device 12 while the head rotates. The fluid level switch 408 allows a user to choose between preselected rates of fluid delivery, such as high (e.g., about 1.1 g/minute), medium (e.g., about 1 g/minute) and low (e.g., about 0.9 g/minute) rates. Three LED's 410 can selectively illuminate to indicate a selected fluid delivery level. As an alternative or in addition, an LCD display can be included to convey a fluid delivery level and/or can be used to display other information such as level of fluid in the oral care device 12 and/or status of battery charge.
As mentioned above, the controller 400 can be programmed as desired. Preferably, the controller 400 is programmed to adjust a paste delivery level subsequent to initiation of the motor 34. In some embodiments, the controller is programmed such that a relatively large bolus of fluid is delivered soon after motor 34 is initiated, e.g., to have enough paste to begin brushing, and then the level of paste delivery is decreased, e.g., to a lower delivery level throughout the remaining portion of the brushing cycle. The level of paste delivery may be decreased, for example, by intermittent bursts of fluid and/or by slower rates of fluid delivery. As an example, the controller may be programmed to provide three delivery settings, low, medium and high. In one embodiment, at the low delivery setting, the controller is programmed to deliver a bolus by activating the motor 34 for about seven seconds. After about seven seconds, the controller intermittently activates the motor 34 for about 0.75 seconds and deactivates motor 34 for about 2.4 seconds (i.e., cycles the motor on and off at these intervals). In the same embodiment, at the medium delivery setting, the controller is programmed to deliver a bolus by activating the motor 34 for about seven seconds, and then to cycle the motor on for about 0.75 seconds and off for about 1.63 seconds. At the high delivery setting, the controller is programmed to deliver a bolus by activating the motor 34 for about seven seconds and then to cycle the motor on for about 0.75 seconds and off for about 1.2 seconds. Depending on the desired programming of the controller 400, more or fewer user interface controls can be used to initiate various functions.
Docking StationWhen not in use, oral care device 12 can be coupled with docking station 14. Docking station 14 can be connected to an electrical outlet (not shown) or other suitable power supply.
Referring to
Referring now to
Referring to
The motor 284 is mounted, using a bracket 294, on a support plate 296 that is secured to a floor 298 (see
Referring again to
Generally, motor 284 can be selected as desired. A suitable motor is a FF130SH, available from Mabuchi. The screw 286, the fingers 290 and the displacement sequence can be identical to those described above with reference to
Downstream of the pump assembly 282, tube 276 is connected to a drive assembly 316 (
Referring back to
With reference to
Upon activation of the limit switch and expiration of the selected period of time, the controller is programmed to determine if a pressure switch (not shown) has been actuated. The pressure switch is plumbed into the passageway 278 (or, in some embodiments, into passageway 40 of oral care device 12) and will actuate when pressure in the passageway exceeds a preselected threshold, e.g., eight psi (preferably between six and ten psi). If this threshold is exceeded, this indicates that the fluid passageway 40 in the oral care device is full. Once the valves are mated, if the fluid path in the oral care device is not already full (i.e., if the pressure switch is not activated) then the pumping assembly 282 is activated and pumps fluid from the reservoir 274 in the docking station to the fluid passageway 40 within component 154 of the oral care device 12, refilling the supply of fluid within the fluid path of the oral care device 12.
If, however, the controller detects that the pressure switch is actuated prior to activating the pumping assembly 282 (i.e., if the fluid passageway of the oral care device is already full when the oral care device is placed on the docking station), the motor 284 is not activated and the valve 322 is retracted until a rear limit switch (not shown) is actuated.
During a refill operation, when pressure in the passageway reaches the threshold the pressure switch is actuated and the controller signals the motor 284 to deactivate to discontinue pumping of fluid and signals the drive assembly 316 to retract the valve 322 to its starting, closed position. As an alternative, in some embodiments, upon actuation of the pressure switch, the controller opens a bypass valve that directs fluid back to the fluid reservoir. A similar operation can also be accomplished, for example, by use of a pressure relief valve, which does not require a pressure switch. The rear limit switch actuates when the valve 322 is retracted to its starting position.
As explained above, the fluid passageway 40 is filled until pressure within the passageway reaches the preselected threshold, indicating that the component 154 has reached a predetermined capacity. As an over-spill prevention measure, the controller can deactivate motor 284 after a selected time period (e.g., one minute, preferably between 30 seconds and 2 minutes) has lapsed, regardless of whether the pressure switch has actuated. This can prevent the docking station 14 from emptying the fluid reservoir 274 (e.g., in the event of a valve mating problem or a broken component 154). When the valves 322 and 200 are mated (
In some embodiments, only one motor housed within the docking station 14 is used to drive the valve 322 and to pump fluid along the fluid passageway 278. In these cases, a clutch can be used to selectively engage the motor with the drive assembly and the pump assembly. In some cases, the pump assembly 38 within the oral care device 12 is used to pull fluid from the fluid reservoir of the docking station to refill the passageway 60 within the cartridge component 154. This can render unnecessary the pumping assembly 282 within the docking station 14.
Referring now to
As assembled, the oral care device 400 includes a distal portion 406 at which a movable head 408 and neck 410 is located and a proximal portion 412 at which a handle 414 is located. The head 408 is sized to fit within a user's mouth for brushing, while the handle 414 is graspable by a user and facilitates manipulation of the head 408 during use. The oral care device 400 includes a user interface 416 in the form of an on/off button.
As noted above, the cartridge component 404 is separable from the body component 418 (see
Referring now to
The head drive assembly is similar to the head drive assembly of the oral care device 12, discussed above, in that the drive shaft 42 is connected to the rotatable head 408 using an offset design that facilitates placement of a fluid outlet at the head 408 and a tube 422 forming the fluid passageway 40 within the neck 410 of the housing 402. The drive shaft 42 is moved by use of a cam and follower system that translates rotational output of the motor 36 into linear motion used to drive the drive shaft 42 backward and forward. In some embodiments, the head drive assembly is substantially identical to that shown by
As can be seen by
Each of the housing components 404 and 418 contains a portion of fluid passageway 40. In order to reduce or, in some cases, to even prevent fluid leakage from the fluid passageway 40 when components 404 and 408 are separated, valves 160 and 162 having a “normally closed” configuration are provided at the proximal end of the body component 418 and at the distal end of the cartridge component 404, respectively. (Suitable valves having a “normally closed” configuration are shown, for example, in
Referring now to
Referring now to
An alternative screw embodiment 700 is shown by
As indicated above, the oral care device can include more than one fluid passageway. Referring to
Referring to
Referring now to
Extending into the pouch body 872 and having an end 882 (
Referring now to
The pouch including fitment is constructed such that the volume of the pouch body increases from an original, unfilled volume as the pouch is filled with content, the volume decreasing as the pouch is emptied. When the pouch is substantially emptied, such as at least about 95 percent empty, the volume of the pouch is substantially equivalent to the original, unfilled volume (e.g., the volume is within at least about 40 percent of the original, unfilled volume, preferably at least about 20 percent of the original unfilled volume, such as at least about 10 percent of the original unfilled volume), with shoulders 888 and 890 of the pouch collapsed substantially flat. This construction can allow the pouch to be emptied without significant material fatigue, e.g., allowing the pouch to be refilled and reused, and can facilitate use of stiffer materials for forming the sidewalls.
Pouches 850 and 900 can have a laminate structure that includes inner and outer layers that form the sidewalls 852, 854, or the sidewalls can be of unitary structure having only a single layer. In embodiments having multiple layers forming the sidewalls, the layers can be of differing materials, or each of the layers can be of the same material. To form the pouches 850 and 900, the pouch body can be formed of a single sheet of plastic film (or multiple sheets e.g., two sheets) of plastic film that is folded in half and sealed on the folded edge and the two open edges. The fitment is then inserted into the open edge and the edge is sealed with the fitment disposed between the two sidewalls. In some embodiments, as noted above, the folded edge may not be sealed. In some embodiments, the pouch body is rounded on one end and a continuous rounded seam seals the rounded end of the pouch body (not shown).
Suitable materials for forming the pouch body include acrylonitrile co-monomer, acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer (e.g., BAREX® resin), polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, fluoropolymers, e.g., PCTFE or CTFE, polyethylene terephthalate or a combination thereof. The fitment can also be formed of any suitable material, such as acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer (e.g., BAREX® resin). The sidewalls (or at least a layer of the sidewalls) may comprise a laminate structure including an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer comprising a material having a flexural modulus of at most about 500,000 psi. In some embodiments, the sidewall (or at least a layer of the sidewall) is between about 25 and 100 microns thick.
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. An oral care device comprising:
- an elongated housing including, at a distal portion of the housing, a head dimensioned to fit within a user's mouth;
- a fluid conduit defining at least a portion of a fluid passageway in the housing, the fluid conduit having a compressible region disposed in the housing;
- wherein the compressible region of the fluid conduit defines a path that is not semicircular; and
- a motorized pumping assembly configured to compress the fluid conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of the length of the fluid conduit to draw fluid into the compressible region and to transfer fluid out of the compressible region along the fluid passageway toward an outlet at the distal portion of the housing.
2. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the pumping assembly is configured to compress the conduit progressively with a series of multiple discrete compression events.
3. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the conduit has a substantially constant compressed volume (Vc) in the compressible region while the conduit is compressed in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of its length.
4. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the pumping assembly further comprises a rotatable shaft that includes a raised spiral.
5. The oral care device of claim 4, wherein the spiral is continuous.
6. The oral care device of claim 4, wherein the spiral comprises a discontinuous arrangement of protrusions extending outwardly from a surface of the rotatable shaft.
7. The oral care device of claim 4, wherein the spiral is configured to compress the conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of the length of the conduit as the shaft rotates.
8. The oral care device of claim 4, wherein the pumping assembly further comprises a compression element positioned between the shaft and the conduit such that the compression element is displaced by the shaft to compress the conduit in the compressible region when the shaft is rotated.
9. The oral care device of claim 8, wherein the compression element is capable of being displaced by the shaft when the shaft is rotated to multiple angular positions.
10. The oral care device of claim 8, wherein the compression element is displaced in a direction substantially transverse to the fluid path.
11. The oral care device of claim 8, wherein the compression element is displaced linearly when the shaft is at a selected angular position.
12. The oral care device of claim 8, wherein the compression element is displaced in a rotational motion.
13. The oral care device of claim 8, wherein the compression element is displaced in a bending motion.
14. The oral care device of claim 8, wherein the compression element is displaced by buckling the compression element.
15. The oral care device of claim 8 comprising multiple compression elements positioned between the shaft and the conduit such that the compression elements are capable of being displaced by the shaft when the shaft is rotated.
16. The oral care device of claim 15, wherein the compression elements are arranged in a linear array.
17. The oral care device of claim 15, wherein the compression elements are arranged in multiple linear arrays.
18. The oral care device of claim 15, wherein the compression elements are displaced sequentially by the spiral of the shaft to compress the conduit in the compressible region to transfer fluid along the fluid path.
19. The oral care device of claim 15, wherein the compression elements are arranged to compress the conduit in a series of compression events applied sequentially along the length of the conduit.
20. The oral care device of claim 15 comprising a flexible membrane positioned between the rotatable shaft and the conduit, the compression elements being integral with the flexible membrane.
21. The oral care device of claim 20, wherein the compression elements extend outwardly from the flexible membrane.
22. The oral care device of claim 15 comprising a flexible membrane positioned between the compression elements and the conduit.
23. The oral care device of claim 8, wherein the compression element includes a secured end that is connected to a support member and a free end forming a finger, the free end being positioned between the shaft and the conduit such that the free end is capable of being displaced by the shaft when the shaft is rotated to a selected angular position.
24. The oral care device of claim 23 comprising multiple compression elements, each including a secured end connected to a support member and a free end to form an array of fingers, the free ends being positioned between the shaft and the conduit such that the free ends are capable of being displaced by the shaft when the shaft is rotated.
25. The oral care device of claim 24, wherein the secured ends of the array of fingers are interconnected.
26. The oral care device of claim 23, wherein a flexible membrane is positioned between the free end of the finger and the conduit.
27. The oral care device of claim 8 wherein the compression element has a pair of ends that are secured to a support member, the compression element being configured to buckle between the secured ends when the shaft is rotated to compress the conduit in the compressible region.
28. The oral care device of claim 4, wherein the pumping assembly comprises an electric motor configured to rotate the rotatable shaft.
29. The oral care device of claim 28, wherein the electric motor rotates the rotatable shaft at a selected rate or frequency in response to a signal from a controller located within the housing.
30. The oral care device of claim 29, wherein the controller is configured to rotate the rotatable shaft at differing selected rates or frequencies.
31. The oral care device of claim 30, wherein the controller is programmed to increase or decrease the rate or frequency at which the motor rotates the rotatable shaft.
32. The oral care device of claim 30, wherein the controller increases or decreases the rate or frequency the motor rotates the rotatable shaft in response to input from a user.
33. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the long axis of the fluid conduit is substantially parallel to or coaxial with the long axis of the housing.
34. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the fluid conduit comprises a tube.
35. The oral care device of claim 1 further comprising a fluid reservoir located within the housing that is capable of communication with the fluid path.
36. The oral care device of claim 35, wherein the pumping assembly is located downstream of the fluid reservoir.
37. The oral care device of claim 1 comprising multiple fluid conduits disposed within the housing, each fluid conduit defining a fluid passageway.
38. The oral care device of claim 37, wherein the fluid conduits each have a compressible region.
39. The oral care device of claim 38, wherein the pumping assembly is configured to compress each of the fluid conduits in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of their lengths to transfer fluid along an associated fluid path toward an outlet at the distal portion of the housing.
40. The oral care device of claim 37, wherein the multiple fluid passageways converge within the housing to combine fluid upstream of the outlet.
41. The oral care device of claim 37 comprising multiple fluid outlets, each fluid outlet fluidly connected to an associated fluid conduit.
42. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the head is movable with respect to the housing.
43. The oral care device of claim 42, wherein the head includes a movable portion that is movable with respect to the housing and a fixed portion.
44. The oral care device of claim 43, wherein at least one of the movable portion and the fixed portion includes an array of bristles extending outwardly from a base.
45. The oral care device of claim 43, wherein the outlet is positioned in the fixed portion.
46. The oral care device of claim 43, wherein the outlet is positioned in the movable portion.
47. The oral care device of claim 43, wherein the outlet is positioned between the movable and static portions.
48. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the head comprises a brush.
49. The oral care device of claim 1 or 48, wherein the head comprises an elastomeric cup.
50. The oral care device of claim 49, wherein the elastomeric cup extends outwardly from a base and around at least a portion of the fluid outlet.
51. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the head comprises a pick.
52. The oral care device of claim 1 in the form of a dispensing toothbrush.
53. The oral care device of claim 1 comprising a replaceable cartridge component.
54. The oral care device of claim 53, wherein the replaceable cartridge component includes at least a portion of the fluid conduit.
55. The oral care device of claim 1 or 53 comprising a separable body component.
56. The oral care device of claim 55, wherein the separable body component includes the motorized pumping assembly.
57. The oral care device of claim 1 or 53 having a replaceable head component.
58. The oral care device of claim 57, wherein the head component includes the head, neck and fluid outlet.
59. The oral care device of claim 1 comprising an inlet fluidly connected to the fluid conduit, the inlet configured to fluidly connect with a docking station to allow fluid to be introduced through the inlet.
60. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein all of the fluid passageway is replaceable.
61. The oral care device of claim 60 comprising an inlet in fluid communication with the fluid conduit.
62. The oral care device of claim 61, wherein the inlet comprises a valve.
63. The oral care device of claim 60 comprising first and second components, each component forming at least a portion of the housing and including a portion of the fluid passageway.
64. The oral care device of claim 63, wherein respective fluid passageways of the first and second components are fluidly connected by a valve.
65. The oral care device of claim 64, wherein one of the first and second components is a replaceable cartridge component and the other of the first and second components is a replaceable head and neck component.
66. An oral care device comprising:
- a housing including a fluid passageway for directing fluid within the housing and, at a distal portion of the housing, a head dimensioned to fit within a user's mouth; and
- a reversible pumping assembly configured to transfer fluid along the passageway.
67. The oral care device of claim 66 comprising a fluid conduit defining the fluid passageway.
68. The oral care device of claim 67 wherein the pumping assembly is configured to compress the fluid conduit in a compressible region progressively along at least a portion of the length of the fluid conduit to draw fluid into the compressible region and to transfer fluid out of the compressible region along the fluid passageway toward an outlet at the distal portion of the housing.
69. The oral care device of claim 68, wherein the pumping assembly further comprises a rotatable shaft that includes a raised spiral.
70. The oral care device of claim 69, wherein the spiral is configured to compress the conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of the length of the conduit as the shaft rotates.
71. The oral care device of claim 69, wherein the pumping assembly further comprises a compression element positioned between the shaft and the conduit such that the compression element is displaced by the shaft to compress the conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of the length of the fluid conduit as the shaft rotates.
72. The oral care device of claim 71 comprising multiple compression elements positioned between the shaft and the conduit such that the compression elements are capable of being displaced by the shaft as the shaft rotates.
73. The oral care device of claim 72, wherein the compression elements are displaced sequentially by the spiral of the shaft to compress the conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of the length of the fluid conduit to transfer fluid along the fluid path.
74. The oral care device of claim 68, wherein the pumping assembly is configured to compress the conduit progressively with a series of multiple compression events.
75. The oral care device of claim 68, wherein the reversible pumping assembly is configured to transfer fluid along the fluid passageway in a direction away from the outlet at the distal portion of the housing.
76. The oral care device of claim 66, wherein the reversible pumping assembly includes an electric motor.
77. The oral care device of claim 76 wherein the electric motor rotates a rotatable shaft in either a first direction or in an opposite second direction in response to a signal from a controller located within the housing.
78. The oral care device of claim 66 further comprising a fluid reservoir within the housing and fluidly connected to the fluid passageway.
79. The oral care device of claim 78, wherein the reversible pumping assembly is configured to introduce fluid into the fluid reservoir.
80. The oral care device of claim 79, wherein the reversible pumping assembly is configured to introduce fluid from the fluid passageway into the fluid reservoir while running in reverse.
81. An oral care device comprising:
- a housing including a head, a handle and a neck connecting the head and the handle, the head being dimensioned to fit within a user's mouth; and
- an energy source for powering the oral care device;
- wherein the housing comprises a separable cartridge component that includes a fluid reservoir and the energy source.
82. The oral care device of claim 81, wherein the energy source comprises a battery.
83. The oral care device of claim 82, wherein the battery is rechargeable.
84. The oral care device of claim 82, wherein the battery is disposable.
85. The oral care device of claim 81, wherein the energy source is electrically connected to a motor configured to drive a pump assembly.
86. The oral care device of claim 85, wherein the pump assembly is configured to transfer fluid along a fluid passageway toward an outlet located at the head at the distal end of the housing.
87. The oral care device of claim 85, wherein the pump assembly is configured to compress a fluid conduit in a compressible region progressively along at least a portion of its length to transfer fluid along a fluid passageway.
88. The oral care device of claim 85, wherein the pump assembly comprises a rotatable shaft that includes a raised spiral.
89. The oral care device of claim 88, wherein the pump assembly comprises a fluid conduit having a compressible region and defining at least a portion of the fluid passageway, and the pumping assembly comprising a compression element positioned between the shaft and the conduit such that the compression element is displaced by the shaft to compress the conduit in the compressible region as the shaft rotates.
90. The oral care device of claim 89 comprising multiple compression elements positioned between the shaft and the fluid conduit such that the compressible elements are sequentially displaced by the shaft as the shaft rotates to progressively compress the fluid conduit in the compressible region.
91. An oral care device comprising:
- a housing having a movable head configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, a handle and a neck connecting the head and the handle, the housing defining a housing axis extending between the handle and the head that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation;
- a fluid passageway located within the neck of the housing and extending to an outlet at the head; and
- a drive member connected to the head at a location spaced from the housing axis, the drive member being configured to rotate the movable head about the axis of rotation.
92. The oral care device of claim 91, wherein at least a portion of the fluid passageway extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.
93. The oral care device of claim 91, wherein at least a portion of the fluid passageway co-extends with the axis of rotation.
94. The oral care device of claim 91, wherein the outlet and the axis of rotation are spaced-apart from each other.
95. The oral care device of claim 91 comprising a drive assembly configured to move the drive member.
96. The oral care device of claim 95, wherein the drive assembly includes an electric motor.
97. The oral care device of claim 95, wherein the drive assembly includes a cam comprising a track and a follower connected to the track, and the drive member.
98. The oral care device of claim 97, wherein the track extends outwardly from an outer surface of a shaft.
99. The oral care device of claim 97, wherein the track is defined by an internal surface of a cup.
100. The oral care device of claim 91, wherein the head includes a static portion and a movable portion.
101. The oral care device of claim 100, wherein the head includes an array of bristles extending from a base at the static portion.
102. The oral care device of claim 100, wherein the head includes an array of bristles extending from a base at the movable portion.
103. The oral care device of claim 100, wherein the outlet is located at the movable portion.
104. The oral care device of claim 100, wherein the outlet is located at the static portion.
105. The oral care device of claim 100, wherein the outlet is located between the movable and static portions.
106. The oral care device of claim 91 comprising multiple fluid outlets located at the head.
107. The oral care device of claim 91, wherein the drive member is connected to the head at a location spaced a distance (d) between about 0.05 and about 0.2 inch from the housing axis.
108. The oral care device of claim 107, wherein d is between about 0.075 and 0.150 inch.
109. The oral care device of claim 107, wherein d is about 0.125 inch.
110. A method of providing oral care using an oral care device, the method comprising:
- reducing an uncompressed volume (V0) of a fluid conduit positioned within the oral care device by compressing the fluid conduit to a compressed volume (Vc) within a compressible region defining a path that is not semicircular;
- wherein the compressed volume (Vc) remains substantially constant as the fluid conduit is compressed progressively along a length (L) to transfer fluid along a fluid passageway within the oral care device.
111. The method of claim 110, wherein the fluid conduit is compressed progressively along L by a series of discrete compression events.
112. The method of claim 110, wherein the reducing step includes displacing a compression element.
113. The method of claim 112, wherein the compression element is displaced by a shaft having a raised spiral.
114. The method of claim 113 further comprising rotating the shaft.
115. The method of claim 114, wherein the shaft is rotated by an electric motor.
116. A method of providing oral care using an oral care device, the method comprising:
- with a series of successive, side-by-side compression events, compressing a fluid conduit progressively in a compressible region along at least a portion of a length of the fluid conduit to draw fluid into the compressible region and to transfer fluid out of the compressible region along a fluid passageway and toward a fluid outlet at a head of the oral care device.
117. An oral care device comprising:
- a housing including, at a distal portion of the housing, a head dimensioned to fit within a user's mouth;
- a fluid conduit defining at least a portion of a fluid passageway in the housing;
- a pouch disposed within the housing, the pouch comprising a pouch body including two sidewalls defining a volume therebetween, the sidewalls being joined along at least one longitudinal side edge by a seam; and
- a fitment providing communication between the pouch body and the fluid conduit.
118. The oral care device of claim 117, wherein the sidewalls comprise acrylonitrile co-monomer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, fluoropolymers, polyethylene terephthalate or a combination thereof.
119. The oral care device of claim 117, wherein the sidewalls comprise acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer.
120. The oral care device of claim 119, wherein the fitment comprises acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer.
121. The oral care device of claim 117, wherein the pouch body has a shoulder configured to be collapsed substantially flat.
122. The oral care device of claim 117, wherein the fitment is attached to the sidewalls at an edge of the pouch body.
123. The oral care device of claim 117, wherein the fitment is attached at a face of the pouch body, the fitment extending through an opening defined by the associated sidewall.
124. The oral care device of claim 117, wherein the sidewalls comprise a laminate structure including an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer comprises a material having a flexural modulus of at most about 500,000 psi.
125. The oral care device of claim 117, wherein the sidewalls comprise a film between about 25 and 100 microns thick.
126. The oral care device of claim 117, wherein the sidewalls are joined along two, opposite longitudinal side edges by respective seams.
127. The oral care device of claim 117, wherein the sidewalls are joined at a longitudinal side edge by a fold.
128. An oral care device comprising:
- a housing including, at a distal portion of the housing, a head dimensioned to fit within a user's mouth;
- a fluid conduit defining at least a portion of a fluid passageway in the housing;
- a pouch disposed within the housing, the pouch comprising a pouch body including two sidewalls defining a volume therebetween; and
- a fitment providing communication between the pouch body and the fluid conduit;
- wherein the fitment has a height to width aspect ratio of less than one, the height and width being measured along minor and major axes, respectively, at an end of the fitment disposed between the sidewalls.
129. The oral care device of claim 128, wherein the height to width aspect ratio is at most about 0.65.
130. The oral care device of claim 128, wherein the sidewalls are joined along at least one edge by a seam.
131. The oral care device of claim 128, wherein the sidewalls are joined along two, opposite longitudinal side edges by respective seams.
132. The oral care device of claim 128, wherein the sidewalls are joined along at least one side edge by a fold.
133. The oral care device of claim 128, wherein the sidewalls comprise acrylonitrile co-monomer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, fluoropolymers, polyethylene terephthalate or a combination thereof.
134. The oral care device of claim 128, wherein the sidewalls comprise acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer.
135. The oral care device of claim 134, wherein the fitment comprises acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer.
136. The oral care device of claim 128, wherein the pouch body has a shoulder configured to be collapsed substantially flat.
137. The oral care device of claim 128, wherein the fitment is attached to the sidewalls at an edge of the pouch body.
138. The oral care device of claim 128, wherein the fitment is attached at a face of the pouch body, the fitment extending through an opening defined by the associated sidewall.
139. The oral care device of claim 128, wherein the sidewalls comprise a laminate structure including an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer comprising a material having a flexural modulus of at most about 500,000 psi.
140. The oral care device of claim 128, wherein the sidewalls comprise a film between about 25 and 100 microns thick.
141. An oral care device comprising:
- a housing including, at a distal portion of the housing, a head dimensioned to fit within a user's mouth;
- a fluid conduit defining at least a portion of a fluid passageway in the housing;
- a pouch disposed within the housing, the pouch comprising a pouch body including two sidewalls defining a volume therebetween; and
- a fitment providing communication between the pouch body and the fluid conduit;
- wherein the volume increases from an original, unfilled volume as the pouch is filled with content.
142. The oral care device of claim 141, wherein the volume decreases as the pouch is emptied.
143. The oral care device of claim 141, wherein, when substantially emptied, the volume is substantially equivalent to the original, unfilled volume.
144. The oral care device of claim 141, wherein the fitment has a height to width aspect ratio of less than one, the height and width being measured along minor and major axes, respectively, at an end of the fitment disposed between the sidewalls.
145. The oral care device of claim 144, wherein the height to width aspect ratio is at most about 0.65.
146. The oral care device of claim 141, wherein the sidewalls are joined along at least one edge by a seam.
147. The oral care device of claim 141, wherein the sidewalls are joined along two opposite longitudinal side edges by respective seams.
148. The oral care device of claim 141, wherein the sidewalls are joined along at least one side edge by a fold.
149. The oral care device of claim 141, wherein the sidewalls comprise acrylonitrile co-monomer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, fluoropolymers, polyethylene terephthalate or a combination thereof.
150. The oral care device of claim 141, wherein the sidewalls comprise acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer.
151. The oral care device of claim 150, wherein the fitment comprises acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer.
152. The oral care device of claim 141, wherein the pouch body has a shoulder configured to be collapsed substantially flat.
153. The oral care device of claim 141, wherein the fitment is attached to the sidewalls at an edge of the pouch body.
154. The oral care device of claim 141, wherein the fitment is attached at a face of the pouch body, the fitment extending through an opening defined by the associated sidewall.
155. The oral care device of claim 141, wherein the sidewalls comprise a laminate structure including an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer comprising a material having a flexural modulus of at most about 500,000 psi.
156. The oral care device of claim 141, wherein the sidewalls comprise a film between about 25 and 100 microns thick.
157. An oral care device comprising:
- an elongated housing including, at a distal portion of the housing, a head dimensioned to fit within a user's mouth;
- a fluid conduit defining at least a portion of a fluid passageway in the housing, the fluid conduit having a compressible region disposed in the housing; and
- a motorized pumping assembly configured to compress the fluid conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of the length of the fluid conduit to draw fluid into the compressible region and to transfer fluid out of the compressible region along the fluid passageway toward an outlet at the distal portion of the housing;
- wherein the pumping assembly is configured to compress the conduit progressively with a series of multiple discrete compression events.
158. An oral care device comprising:
- an elongated housing including, at a distal portion of the housing, a head dimensioned to fit within a user's mouth;
- a fluid conduit defining at least a portion of a fluid passageway in the housing, the fluid conduit having a compressible region disposed in the housing; and
- a motorized pumping assembly configured to compress the fluid conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of the length of the fluid conduit to draw fluid into the compressible region and to transfer fluid out of the compressible region along the fluid passageway toward an outlet at the distal portion of the housing, the motorized pumping assembly including a drive shaft that is disposed substantially parallel to a plane defined by the compressible region.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 3, 2004
Publication Date: Dec 8, 2005
Inventors: William Brown (Peabody, MA), Alexander Chenvainu (Sudbury, MA), Thomas Christman (Lexington, MA), Karen Claire-Zimmet (Waltham, MA), Mark Farrell (Medfield, MA), Marks Meadows (Boston, MA), Marc Ortins (Woburn, MA)
Application Number: 10/861,253