TOOTHBRUSH/TOOTHPASTE FLUORIDE DOSING TOOTHBRUSH, SYSTEM AND METHOD
A toothbrush, system and method for use of same are provided to enable a user to deliver a consistent volume of toothpaste to deliver a correct dosage of fluoride to children to avoid fluorosis. It is particularly advantageous to employ the toothbrush which indicates a predetermined length of toothpaste to be applied matched to a dispenser having an orifice of a predetermined diameter so the diameter of the toothpaste applied to the predetermined length results in the correct fluoride dosage.
This claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/565,804 filed 1 Dec. 2011, incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis application relates generally to toothpaste dosing systems, and more specifically to toothbrush dosing systems able to meter the volume of dentifrice (toothpaste in gel or paste form) and fluoride dispensed onto a toothbrush.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe American Dental Association (ADA) recommends caregivers use fluoridated toothpaste for children over the age of 24 months, but the ADA also recommends children from two years to six years of age have only a “pea-sized” amount of toothpaste placed onto their toothbrush once or twice per day for brushing. Neither the amount of toothpaste nor the frequency of brushing is to be exceeded. Limiting the volume of toothpaste to a “pea-sized” amount is so important, that toothpaste tubes must be labeled with a statement regarding the “pea-sized” amount in order to display the ADA Seal of Approval.
Additional peer reviewed literature further recommends the “pea-sized” amount of dentifrice (toothpaste) be extended to include children up to the age of eight years. The effects of a particular dose of fluoride on a 1 year old, weighing approximately 10 kg, will be greater than on a 5-6 year old weighing 20 kg. To take account of this, the risk of fluorosis, for a particular dose of fluoride, can also be qualified as a dose per kg body weight (mg F/kg). The “pea-sized” recommendation comes from a consensus that a 0.25 mg amount of toothpaste is the best compromise between the risk of dental fluorosis, through ingestion of the paste, and achieving a therapeutic level of salivary born fluoride. This 0.25 mg volume of toothpaste is best described by the ADA, dentists, researchers and toothpaste companies as “pea-sized.”
A risk of exceeding 0.25 mg of toothpaste is that developmental problems with tooth structure can emerge. Dental fluorosis occurs because of the excessive intake of fluoride. Especially among children, ingestion of toothpaste is a cause of dental fluorosis. Ingestion of fluoride can severely damage tooth development in children between the ages of 3 months to 8 years. Teeth are generally composed of hydroxyapatite and carbonated hydroxyapatite; when fluoride is present, some fluorapatite is generated. Excessive fluoride can cause white spots, and in severe cases, brown stains or pitting or mottling of enamel. Fluorosis cannot occur once the tooth has erupted into the oral cavity. At this point, fluorapatite is beneficial because it is more resistant to dissolution by acids (demineralization). Although it is usually the permanent teeth which are affected, occasionally the primary teeth may be involved.
The recommendation to apply a “pea-sized” amount of toothpaste is not sufficient to protect children from the dangers of dental fluorosis. The problem with the “pea-sized” instruction is that different individuals will interpret “pea-sized” differently. Therefore, the instruction provides no guarantee that the correct amount of toothpaste will be dispensed. If much less than the 0.25 mg of toothpaste is dispensed, then the dosage of fluoride can be insufficient to be clinically anti-cariogenic. If more than 0.25 mg of toothpaste is dispensed, then the risk increases exponentially for dental fluorosis. Moreover, as children mature and begin to dispense toothpaste without parental supervision the problem of dispensing a “pea-sized” amount of dentifrice is compounded, because a young child will be even less likely than an adult to determine the proper amount of dentifrice to be dispensed to equal 0.25 mg of toothpaste. Varying toothbrush head sizes can further influence how much paste is applied. This can be especially problematic when a child shifts to a larger toothbrush head size after becoming habituated to dispensing toothpaste onto a small toothbrush head. Instead of dispensing the same small amount of toothpaste, the child often dispenses an amount of toothpaste that is proportional to the toothbrush head size. For example, if the child is used to covering the toothbrush head of a small toothbrush, the child is likely to cover the toothbrush head of a larger toothbrush, thereby applying too much toothpaste.
Therefore, a serious need exists for a fluoride dosing system precise enough yet simple enough to enable a child to dispense a “pea-sized” amount of dentifrice.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to a toothbrush, system and method for use of same are provided to enable a user to deliver a consistent volume of toothpaste to deliver a correct dosage of fluoride to children to avoid fluorosis. It is particularly advantageous to employ the toothbrush which indicates a predetermined length of toothpaste to be applied matched to a dispenser having an orifice of a predetermined diameter so the diameter of the toothpaste applied to the predetermined length results in the correct fluoride dosage.
In an embodiment the invention also relates to a toothbrush having a toothbrush head comprising a base and a plurality of bristles extending from the base, the plurality of bristles forming a surface for application of a dentifrice, the toothbrush head having one or more marking indicia on the base delineating a predetermined length along the base.
In an embodiment the invention also relates to a toothbrush head comprising a base and a plurality of bristles extending from the base, the plurality of bristles forming a surface for application of a dentifrice, the bristles having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end distal to the base, the toothbrush head having one or more marking indicia on the bristles spaced from the upper end of the plurality of bristles delineating a predetermined length along the head.
In an embodiment the invention also relates to a toothbrush head comprising a base and a first plurality of bristles extending from the base and a second plurality of bristles extending from the base, and a dentifrice receiving portion, wherein a bottom surface of the dentifrice receiving portion is defined by distal tips of the first plurality of bristles and at least one side wall of the dentifrice receiving portion is defined by axial lengths of the second plurality of bristles, and wherein the dentifrice receiving portion has a volume of from 90 to 275 cubic mm.
In an embodiment the invention also relates to a system for applying a correct and safe amount of fluoride-containing toothpaste. The system comprising:
-
- a dispenser or dispenser cap having an orifice sized to deliver a volume of dentifrice having a predetermined geometrical configuration; and
- a toothbrush head comprising a base and a plurality of bristles, the plurality of bristles forming a surface for receiving the volume of dentifrice from the dispenser or dispenser cap,
- the surface comprising one or more marking indicia collectively occupying a predetermined area of the surface,
- wherein the predetermined area is sized such that if the volume of dentifrice delivered from the dispenser cap rests on the plurality of bristles to contact the entire predetermined area, then the volume of dentifrice will be from 90 to 275 cubic mm.
In an embodiment the predetermined area is sized such that if the volume of dentifrice delivered from the dispenser cap rests on the plurality of bristles to contact the entire predetermined area and only the predetermined area, then the volume of dentifrice will be from 90 to 275 cubic mm.
In another embodiment the invention also relates to a system for applying a correct and safe amount of fluoride-containing toothpaste. The system comprising:
-
- a dispenser or dispenser cap having an orifice sized to deliver a volume of dentifrice having a predetermined geometrical configuration; and
- a toothbrush head comprising a base and a plurality of bristles, the plurality of bristles forming a surface for receiving the volume of dentifrice from the dispenser or dispenser cap,
- at least one member selected from the group consisting of the base, the upper end surface of the bristles and sidewalls of the bristles comprising one or more marking indicia collectively defining a first length of 2 to 27 mm,
- wherein a volume of dentifrice, delivered from the dispenser cap, having a second length equal to the first length will be from about 90 to 275 cubic mm.
Typically in this system at least one member is selected from the group consisting of the base, the upper end surface of the bristles and sidewalls of the bristles comprising one or more marking indicia collectively defining a first length of 15 to 18 mm. Preferably to encourage a lengthy line of toothpaste to encourage accurate dosage in a child size portion the dispenser cap orifice is sized to deliver the volume of dentifrice having the predetermined geometrical configuration to have a diameter of 3 to 5 mm.
In another embodiment the invention also relates to a system for applying a correct and safe amount of fluoride-containing toothpaste. The system comprising:
-
- a dispenser or dispenser cap having an orifice sized to deliver a volume of dentifrice having a predetermined geometrical configuration; and
- a toothbrush head comprising a base and a plurality of bristles, the plurality of bristles forming a surface for receiving the volume of dentifrice from the dispenser or dispenser cap,
- the surface having a first length in a longitudinal direction of 10 to 23 mm,
- wherein a volume of dentifrice, delivered from the dispenser cap, having a second length equal to the first length will be from about 90 to 275 cubic mm.
Preferably in this system the second length is in a range of 10 to 18 mm.
The invention also relates to a method for applying a correct and safe amount of fluoride-containing toothpaste using any of the toothbrushes or systems of the present invention to deliver 90 to 275 cubic mm of the dentifrice from the dispenser cap onto the plurality of bristles.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
It should be understood the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention as well as to the examples included therein. All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about,” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the term “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.
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TABLE 1 summarizes various toothpaste dispenser adapter opening 105 diameters “D” and corresponding toothbrush head lengths “L” parallel to a longitudinal axis “A”. In general, unless stated otherwise or apparent from the drawings, lengths described in the present application are dimensions parallel to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush and widths are dimensions transverse to the longitudinal direction and depths are perpendicular to bot length and width.
Applying a cylinder of toothpaste from a 3.25 mm-4.0 mm diameter opening pairs to a toothbrush head length beneficial for children.
One embodiment would be comprised of the marking indicia that would correlate to a 4 mm diameter opening of a toothpaste tube adaptor or toothpaste tube.
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The collective length of the marking indicia can be within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from any of 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5, 18, 18.5, 19, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5, 23, 23.5, 24, 24.5, and 27 mm. Preferably, the collective the length of the marking indicia is from 9 to 27 mm, more preferably 15 to 23 mm because a longer length is easier to apply with accuracy, but this is balanced with sizes appropriate for children.
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The length of the indentation can be within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit is typically 10, 10.5, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5, 18, or 18.5 mm. For example, the length of the indentation can be 10 to 15 mm; or preferably from 10 to 13 mm.
The width of the indentation 403 can be within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 3, 3.5, 4, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, and 8 mm. Preferably, the width of the indentation is from 4 to 6 mm.
The depth of the indentation 403 can be within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5 and 5 mm. Preferably the depth of the indentation 403 is 2 to 4 mm.
The indentation or dentifrice receiving portion 403 can have a volume within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The volume of dentifrice is determined by the dimensions of the walls and floor of the geometric indentation, when such dentifrice is filled within the boundaries of the respective indentation up to the indentation's cavosurface of the superior plane of the toothbrush bristle head. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, and 300 cubic mm. For example, the volume can be from 90 to 275 cubic mm or preferably 90 to 230 cubic mm. Various embodiments can ensure this volume of dentifrice is delivered to the bristles.
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The width 505 of the distal head and the width 508 of the base element can be independently selected within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 and 10 mm. For example, the width can be from 1 to 3 mm.
Collectively length 504 and length 507 define an overall length L of 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5, 18, 18.5, 19, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5, 23, 23.5, 24, 24.5, or 27 mm. Preferably, the collective the length “L” of the marking indicia is from 9 to 21 mm. The ratio of length 504 to length 507 is 1-0:0-1, preferably 0.8-0.2:0.2:0.8, more preferably 0.4-00.6:0.6-0.4. For example, the length 504 can be from 6 to 14 mm and the length 507 can be from 3 to 5.5 mm.
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According to various embodiments, toothbrush bristle head length marking indicia and dispenser elements can be designed to cooperate and to assist a user to apply a predetermined amount of dentifrice to a toothbrush. One goal in delivering a predetermined amount of dentifrice to a toothbrush is to control the amount of fluoride delivered to a user. At least according to the ADA, 0.25 grams of toothpaste is the ideal target, because this amount of toothpaste includes an appropriate dose of fluoride. For toothpaste containing different amounts of fluoride, different amounts of toothpaste would be recommended. As discussed above, to achieve 0.25 grams of toothpaste, the ADA currently recommends dispensing a “pea-sized” amount of toothpaste. This is because most toothpastes in the US comprise between 1,000 ppm and 1,100 ppm fluoride. In other countries this concentration can vary. For example, in the UK some toothpastes have fluoride concentrations of about 1,450 ppm.
By way of example, a toothpaste containing 1% fluoride typically is typically 10,000 ppm fluoride and a toothpaste containing 1% fluoride typically comprises 1 gram of agent (sodium fluoride) per 100 grams of solid (methyl cellulose gelatin).
For example, 1% of NaF would convert to 4,500 ppm of fluoride. (The 1% above converting to 10,000 ppm is for APF, which is a prescription gel that can be used at checkup in trays). In the United States, the standard concentration of fluoride in toothpaste is 1,000 to 1,500 ppm. Also in the United States, fluoridated toothpaste is formulated such that 1 gram of toothpaste contains 1.0 mg of toothpaste. Therefore, 0.25 grams of toothpaste would equal 0.25 mg of fluoride. 0.1% would equal 1,000 ppm of F ion in dentifrice.
To design suitable toothbrush bristle head length and/or marking indicia and dispenser elements various embodiments take into consideration the density of the particular toothpaste to be dispensed or the average density of a variety of particular toothpastes to be dispensed.
The volume of 0.25 mg of each of five different types of dentifrice was experimentally determined. The toothpastes evaluated were Colgate® Kids Gel; Colgate® Adult toothpaste; Colgate® Kids Gel 2 in 1 (mouthwash added); Crest® Kids Gel; and Sensodyne® Kids paste.
The materials employed in these experiments included a Mack® precision scale, which was sensitive to 0.001 grams; a syringe.
The following procedure was employed. First before each run, the scale was tarred. Second, the syringe was cleaned and placed onto the scale, which was then tarred again. Third, the syringe was loaded with 2 cc (2,000 cubic mm) of the dentifrice to be tested with the base of syringe's plunger at the distal margin of the 2 cc marking. Fourth, the outside of the syringe was wiped clean. Fifth, the syringe was weighed again to determine a weight of 2 cc of the dentifrice.
On average 2 cc (2,000 cubic mm) of all the dentifrices evaluated weighed 2.60 grams. Therefore, the average volume of 0.25 grams of these dentifrices can be calculated as follows in Equation I:
TABLE 2 provides the volumes calculated for 0.25 grams of each of the tested dentifrices.
According to various embodiments, toothbrush bristle head length and/or marking indicia and dispenser elements can be designed to cooperate so as to assist a user in applying a predetermined amount of dentifrice to a toothbrush.
The amount of dentifrice can be within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 0.15, 0.155, 0.16, 0.165, 0.17, 0.175, 0.18, 0.185, 0.19, 0.195, 0.2, 0.205, 0.21, 0.215, 0.22, 0.225, 0.23, 0.235, 0.24, 0.245, 0.25, 0.255, 0.26, 0.265, 0.27, 0.275, 0.28, 0.285, 0.29, 0.295, and 0.3 grams. For example, the amount of toothpaste can be 0.15 to 0.35 grams, more typically 0.2 to 0.3 grams; or from 0.25 to 0.3 grams. The desired amount of toothpaste can vary depending on the concentration of fluoride or other components in the toothpaste.
Equivalently, the amount of dentifrice can be within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 90, 100, 150, 170, 180, 190, 200, 220, 250, and 275 cubic mm. For example, the amount of toothpaste can be from 90 to 275, more typically 170 to 275 cubic mm, for example, from 150 cubic mm to 270 cubic mm. Furthermore, typically from 185 cubic mm to 220 cubic mm is especially preferred because it applies a correct dosage with toothpaste having a concentration of 1 mg of fluoride per 1 gram of toothpaste.
Once a desired amount of toothpaste is determined based on the concentration of fluoride or other components in the toothpaste, the configuration of marking indicia and dispenser elements according to various embodiments can be determined so as to assist a user in dispensing the desired amount of toothpaste.
In embodiments where the toothpaste dispenser dispenses toothpaste in the form of a rectangular prism, the volume of toothpaste dispensed can be calculated by Equation II, where V is the volume of toothpaste, L is the length of the rectangular prism, W is the width of the rectangular prism and H is the height of the rectangular prism.
V=L·W·H Eqn. II
For example, if 192 cubic mm of toothpaste is desired, a suitable rectangular prism could have L=12.8 mm; W=5 mm, and H=3 mm. The length of the desired prism can be used to determine a length of a marking indicia on toothbrush bristles and/or a toothbrush bristle head from the most distal end to the most proximal end. The width of the desired prism can be used to determine a width of the dispenser and/or a width of the marking indicia. The height of the desired prism can be used to determine a length or a width of a rectangular opening in a dispenser. As discussed above and as shown in the figures, the marking indicia on the toothbrush and/or the toothbrush bristle head need not be rectangular in shape. Therefore, the L and the W of the desired rectangular prism could also be used to determine the surface area of the marking indicia and or the surface area of the toothbrush bristle head (L·W).
Similarly, according to embodiments as illustrated in
In embodiments where the toothpaste dispenser dispenses toothpaste in the form of a cylinder, the volume of toothpaste dispensed can be calculated by Equation III, where L is the length of the cylinder and r is the radius of the cylinder.
V=L·π·r2 Eqn. III
For example, if 192 cubic mm of toothpaste is desired, a suitable cylinder could have a length of 15.25 mm and a diameter of 4 mm; or a length of 15.25 mm and a radius of 2 mm.
In embodiments where the toothpaste dispenser dispenses toothpaste in the form of a cone, the volume of toothpaste dispensed can be calculated by Equation IV, where r is the radius of the base of the cone, and H is the height of the cone from the base to the tip.
V=(1/3)·π·r2·H Eqn. IV
In embodiments where the toothpaste dispenser dispenses toothpaste in the form of a square-based pyramid, the volume of toothpaste dispensed can be calculated by Equation V, where B is the area of the base and H is the height of the pyramid from the base to the tip.
V=(1/3)·B·H Eqn. V
In embodiments where the toothpaste dispenser dispenses toothpaste in the form of a isosceles triangular prism, the volume of toothpaste dispensed can be calculated by Equation VI, where B is the breadth, H is the height, and L is the length of the isosceles triangular prism.
V=(1/2)·B·H·L Eqn. VI
In embodiments where the toothpaste dispenser dispenses toothpaste in the form of a half sphere, the volume of toothpaste dispensed can be calculated by Equation VII, where r is the radius.
V=((4/3)·π·r3)/2 Eqn. VII
In embodiments where the toothpaste dispenser dispenses toothpaste in the form of an ellipsoid, the volume of toothpaste dispensed can be calculated by Equation VIII, where a, b, and c are equatorial radii along the x, y, and z axes respectively.
V=(4/3)·π·a·b·c Eqn. VIII
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.
The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C §112, sixth paragraph. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C §112, sixth paragraph.
Claims
1. A toothbrush head comprising a base and a plurality of bristles extending from the base, the plurality of bristles forming a surface for application of a dentifrice, the bristles having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end distal to the base, the toothbrush head having one or more marking indicia selected from the group consisting of:
- indicia on the base delineating a predetermined length along the base, and
- indicia on the bristles spaced from the upper end of the plurality of bristles delineating a predetermined length along the head.
2. The toothbrush head of claim 1, wherein the indicia has the same length as the portion of the base from which the plurality of bristles extends.
3. The toothbrush head of claim 1, wherein the indicia has a shorter length than the portion of the base from which the plurality of bristles extends.
4. The toothbrush head of claim 1, wherein the toothbrush head has the one or more marking indicia on the base delineating a predetermined length along the base.
5. The toothbrush head of claim 1, wherein the toothbrush head has the indicia on the bristles spaced from the upper end of the plurality of bristles delineating a predetermined length along the head.
6. A toothbrush head comprising a base and a first plurality of bristles extending from the base and a second plurality of bristles extending from the base, and a dentifrice receiving portion, wherein a bottom surface of the dentifrice receiving portion is defined by distal tips of the first plurality of bristles and at least one side wall of the dentifrice receiving portion is defined by axial lengths of the second plurality of bristles, and wherein the dentifrice receiving portion has a volume of from 90 to 275 cubic mm.
7. A system comprising:
- a dispenser or dispenser cap having an orifice sized to deliver a volume of dentifrice having a predetermined geometrical configuration; and
- a toothbrush head comprising a base and a plurality of bristles, the plurality of bristles forming a surface for receiving the volume of dentifrice from the dispenser or dispenser cap,
- the surface comprising one or more marking indicia collectively occupying a predetermined area of the surface,
- wherein the predetermined area is sized such that if the volume of dentifrice delivered from the dispenser cap rests on the plurality of bristles to contact the entire predetermined area, then the volume of dentifrice will be from 90 to 275 cubic mm.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the predetermined area is sized such that if the volume of dentifrice delivered from the dispenser cap rests on the plurality of bristles to contact the entire predetermined area and only the predetermined area, then the volume of dentifrice will be from 90 to 275 cubic mm.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of bristles comprises a first plurality of the bristles extending from the base and a second plurality of the bristles extending from the base, the second plurality having lengths longer than the lengths of the bristles of the first plurality, and
- wherein the marking indicia comprises a dentifrice receiving portion of the surface as an indentation in the surface, wherein a bottom surface of the dentifrice receiving portion defines the predetermined area and is defined by distal tips of the first plurality of bristles, and at least one side wall of the dentifrice receiving portion is defined by axial lengths of the second plurality of bristles.
10. A system comprising:
- a dispenser, or dispenser cap, having an orifice sized to deliver a volume of dentifrice having a predetermined geometrical configuration; and
- a toothbrush head comprising a base and a plurality of bristles, the plurality of bristles forming a surface for receiving the volume of dentifrice from the dispenser or dispenser cap,
- at least one member selected from the group consisting of the base, the upper end surface of the bristles, and sidewalls of the bristles comprising one or more marking indicia collectively defining a first length of 2 to 27 mm,
- wherein a volume of dentifrice, delivered from the dispenser cap, having a second length equal to the first length will be from about 90 to 275 cubic mm.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one member selected from the group consisting of the base, the upper end surface of the bristles and sidewalls of the bristles comprising one or more marking indicia collectively defining the first length of 15 to 18 mm.
12. The system of claim 10, the orifice sized to deliver the volume of dentifrice having the predetermined geometrical configuration to have a diameter of 3 to 5 mm.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the toothbrush head comprises the base and a first plurality of the bristles extending from the base and a second plurality of the bristles extending from the base, and a dentifrice receiving portion as the indicia, wherein a bottom surface of the dentifrice receiving portion is defined by distal tips of the first plurality of bristles and at least one side wall of the dentifrice receiving portion is defined by axial lengths of the second plurality of bristles, and wherein the dentifrice receiving portion has a volume of from 90 to 275 cubic MM.
14. A system comprising:
- a dispenser, or dispenser cap, having an orifice sized to deliver a volume of dentifrice having a predetermined geometrical configuration; and
- a toothbrush head comprising a base and a plurality of bristles, the plurality of bristles forming a surface for receiving the volume of dentifrice from the dispenser or dispenser cap,
- the surface having a first length in a longitudinal direction of 10 to 23 mm,
- wherein a volume of dentifrice, delivered from the dispenser cap, having a second length equal to the first length will be from about 90 to 275 cubic mm.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first length is in a range of 10 to 18 mm, wherein a volume of dentifrice, delivered from the dispenser cap, having the second length equal to the first length will be from about 190 to 275 cubic mm.
16. A method for using the system of claim 7, comprising:
- delivering 90 to 275 cubic mm of the dentifrice from the dispenser cap onto the plurality of bristles.
17. A method for using the system of claim 10, comprising:
- delivering 90 to 275 cubic mm of the dentifrice from the dispenser cap onto the plurality of bristles.
18. A method for using the system of claim 14, comprising:
- delivering 90 to 275 cubic mm of the dentifrice from the dispenser cap onto the plurality of bristles.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 29, 2011
Publication Date: Jan 3, 2013
Inventor: John J. DAVIS (Troutville, VA)
Application Number: 13/339,439
International Classification: A46B 15/00 (20060101); A46B 17/00 (20060101); A46B 9/00 (20060101);