Abstract:
A squeezable hermetically sealed vessel contains a whitening compound and an elongated applicator tip extending outwardly from the vessel. A cap closed and seals the applicator tip and the vessel, but may be removed under manual force. Once the cap is removed, the walls of the vessel may be squeezed together to urges the contents of the vessel to flow through a fluid passage through the elongated applicator tip to reach an accommodating surface. The accommodating surface may either be impregnated with a different material that reacts with the contents of the vessel upon contact or covers a chamber that in turn contains such a different material.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a dispenser and an applicator that leaves two reactive substances separate until time of use. Such uses may include a tooth whitening or polishing system, a treatment for skin and other dermatologic applications, a delivery system for glues or other commercial compounds wherein the substrates are separate until delivery, pharmaceuticals, hemostatic agents, sealants and many other uses. With respect to tooth whitening or polishing in particular, one of the two substances may be hydrogen peroxide and/or carbamide peroxide that is isolated from the other of the two substances, such as sodium bicarbonate. The substances are subsequently mixed together at the time of use, for and during application of the mixture on the targeted surface. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Peroxide is the active ingredient in many tooth whitening products. There are two types—carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide—both work similarly. The peroxide breaks down into H 2 0 and a free radical oxygen (a highly reactive oxygen with an unpaired electron), allowing the reactive oxygen to contact the enamel layer of the teeth, thereby oxidizing stain and bleaching the tooth. . The reactive oxygen can travel through the enamel of the tooth into the dentinal structure that contains the color pigments. The color pigments are vaporized by the oxidation procedure and thus lightening the overall tooth. Used properly and in safe concentrations, peroxide will not damage the enamel or any other part of teeth Carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea which then continues to breakdown into ammonia (NH 3 ).Hydrogen peroxide is very unstable and can be stabilized either through formulation, i.e. carbamide peroxide or through a hermetically sealed delivery system such as a strip, a dissolvable film or an ampoule. 
         [0005]    A mixture of hydrogen peroxide based whitening compounds with sodium bicarbonate produces notable effervescence in whitening if used immediately after mixing them together. As a result, the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide based whitening compounds is enhanced because of the mixing with the sodium bicarbonate. This is a result of the sodium bicarbonate raising the ph above the threshold of a ph of 9.5 which creates the most reactive perhydroxyl molecule vs. a free radical oxygen formation. The perhydroxyl molecule at the time of use is ideal for tooth whitening as a greater oxidation reaction occurs. 
         [0006]    The elements necessary for tooth whitening is the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide and the amount of time the hydrogen peroxide is on the teeth. Teeth whitening systems contain different strengths of peroxide. Those with higher concentrations of peroxide can produce faster, more dramatic whitening of teeth. However, there is an increased risk of creating temporary but uncomfortable tooth sensitivity with the higher concentration formulas. Products with a lower concentration of peroxide carry less risk of unpleasant side-effects, but they do not whiten as quickly as those with higher concentrations. Successful tooth whitening without sensitivity occurs with high frequency of use vs. high concentration of the whitening gel that can cause sensitivity and harm the soft tissues. 
         [0007]    Some teeth whitening products are Ph buffered, to reduce the likelihood and severity of side effects of the low ph associated with carbamide peroxide gels. The carbamide peroxide gels can be ph buffered up to a certain amount to reduce the side effects but cannot be packaged higher than a ph of 5.5. for stability reasons. Carbamide peroxide breaks down to hydrogen peroxide combined and urea (an aqueous solution This breaks down even further to NH 3  (ammonia) and we don&#39;t know the long term consequences of ammonia in the mouth for a long period of time. Carbamide peroxide is found in over-the-counter tray and gel systems and professional tooth whitening tray and gel formulas, light-activated tooth whitening gels and whitening toothpastes. Tooth whitening products containing carbamide peroxide typically range from concentrations of less than 10% to about 22%, which has the equivalent of hydrogen peroxide of 3% and 7.3% respectively. Professional products may contain as much as 35% carbamide peroxide which has an equivalent of 12% hydrogen peroxide. The new whiteners today use hydrogen peroxide in a unique delivery system to avoid the breakdown products, i.e. the ammonia breakdown by-product of the carbamide peroxide gel. 
         [0008]    Hydrogen peroxide is found in whitening strips, dissolvable film, and paint on whiteners like an ampoule. These unique delivery systems create a hermetically sealed environment, thus not allowing oxygen in or out keeping the hydrogen peroxide gel stable until used. 
         [0009]    Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) helps clean teeth, freshen breath and neutralize mouth acids that can destroy tooth enamel. Used for decades for dental care, the FDA recognizes it as safe. It has been mixed conventionally with whitening compounds to whiten teeth. It has the effect of raising the ph of tooth whitening gels and creates a highly reactive perhydroxyl molecule. 
         [0010]    Magnesium peroxide is recognized as an oxidizer that whitens teeth and aluminum oxide is recognized as a tooth surface polisher. 
         [0011]    A need to improve conventional techniques for whitening teeth is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,577, U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,475, U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,482 B2 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,413. 
         [0012]    Various approaches have evolved for at-home teeth whitening procedures (without the need for the dental practitioner). Among the early at-home teeth whitening systems was a paste or gel containing carbamide peroxide that was placed in a dentist administered tray or an over-the-counter boil and bite plastic guard. The gel or paste was applied to tooth surfaces by, for example, the placement of the tray in the mouth, a toothbrush, a cotton swab, etc., as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,413. 
         [0013]    There are many well-known two-part substrates that, when combined or mixed, form a desired reaction. Such materials may be sealants, adhesives, hemostatic agents, whitening agents, and numerous other equivalent two-part materials that when combined form a material having desired properties, as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,475. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,475 discloses a single use applicator of chemical or medicament material to be applied to a surface to be treated. The material, which may be a stable, inactive solid powder, is placed on an absorbent portion of the applicator. A liquid activating agent is released onto the absorbent portion of the applicator to activate the otherwise stable, inactive solid powder. The activated powder is applied to surfaces of the tooth with the applicator to whiten and polish the tooth. The absorbent portion may be a cotton swab. 
         [0015]    Conventional dispensers that dispense contents from bottles and tubes trap significant amounts of their contents in corner regions. Users therefore, are generally unable to retrieve such trapped contents. Such dispensers may leak if not sealed securely. 
         [0016]    It would be desirable to keep two reactants isolated from each other within a dispenser, yet allow them to blend together to form a blended mixture at the time of desired application of the blended mixture to the tooth being treated. It is further desired to apply the blended mixture to the treatment area of the tooth in a direct and even manner of application. 
         [0017]    It is also desired to minimize an amount of the contents of the dispenser that cannot be retrieved by a user by preventing the contents from becoming trapped at corners of the dispenser. It is further desired to securely seal the dispenser to prevent leakage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The present invention is directed to a tooth whitening and polishing system that does not require a professional, such as a dentist, to provide assistance or application. 
         [0019]    The present invention comprises a dispenser that includes a squeezable vessel or fluid container, an applicator tip that defines a fluid passage, a compliant surface at a distal end of the applicator tip, and a cap that closes and seals the applicator tip. A compliant surface is a surface that is yielding or accommodating, as exemplified by foam. The contents of the squeezable vessel or fluid container may be urged out under manual pressure by squeezing together walls of a hollow body of the vessel or fluid container into a flattened condition from a non-flattened condition. The compliant surface may be porous and impregnated with a different material from the contents of the vessel or fluid container, or may cover a chamber that contains such a different material. The applicator tip is elongated to define a length sufficient to reach even deep and hard to reach tooth surfaces to be treated. 
         [0020]    As an example, the contents of the vessel or fluid container may be a whitening compound gel whose active ingredient includes hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The different material that impregnates the porous compliant surface may be a solid powder such as sodium bicarbonate or baking soda. The porous, compliant surface may be sponge-like. The sodium bicarbonate or baking soda may be in cake form if the porous compliant surface covers a chamber that contains the different material. 
         [0021]    When a user squeezes the vessel, its content (e.g., tooth whitening compound gel) passes through (is urged through) the fluid passage to reach the compliant surface where it mixes or blends with the solid powder to preferably produce foam. The foam is applied to the teeth by pressing the compliant surface against the areas of the teeth to be treated and applies the whitening gel, generally, evenly in a squeegee-like manner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings, while the scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of the dispenser of the present invention with a filled vessel closed by a cap. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows an isometric view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 , with the filled vessel open due to separation from the cap. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-section longitudinally through the filled vessel closed by the cap of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-section longitudinally through the filled vessel of  FIG. 2 , without showing the cap. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-section longitudinally of the vessel of  FIG. 4  in a flattened condition after squeezing out contents. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-section longitudinally through the vessel for the filled vessel of  FIG. 4 , without the contents, to allow view of the interior of the vessel. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  shows an end view of the filled vessel of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  shows an opposite end view of the filled vessel of  FIG. 7  to show the applicator tip. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  shows a side view of the filled vessel and applicator tip of  FIG. 4  to illustrate the angle of inclination of the compliant tip. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  shows an isometric view of an empty vessel in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  shows an isometric view of the empty vessel of  FIG. 10  with a soft, elastomeric application tip. 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  shows a top plan view of the empty vessel of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  shows a top plan view of the empty vessel with the soft, elastomeric application tip of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 14  shows a top plan view of the empty vessel of  FIG. 12 , also showing section lines  15 - 15 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 15  shows a cross section across  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 16  shows a right side view of the vessel of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 17  shows a rear plan of the vessel of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 18  shows a front plan view of the vessel of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 19  shows a detail view of the portion marked B of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 20  shows an isometric view of the vessel of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 21  shows an isometric view of the soft, elastomeric application tip of  FIGS. 11 and 13 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 22  shows a front view of the soft, elastomeric application tip of the embodiment of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 23  shows a detailed view of  FIG. 22 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 24  shows a top view of the soft, elastomeric application tip of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0047]      FIG. 25  shows a bottom view of the soft, elastomeric application tip of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0048]      FIG. 26  shows a right side view of the soft, elastomeric application tip of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0049]      FIG. 27  shows a left side view of the soft, elastomeric application tip of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0050]      FIG. 28  is an isometric view of a dispenser that includes a cap closing the vessel of  FIGS. 11 and 13 . 
           [0051]      FIG. 29  is top view of the dispenser of  FIG. 28 . 
           [0052]      FIG. 30  is bottom view of the dispenser of  FIG. 28 . 
           [0053]      FIG. 31  is a right side view of the dispenser of  FIG. 28 . 
           [0054]      FIG. 32  is a front view of the dispenser of  FIG. 28 . 
           [0055]      FIG. 33  is a left side view of the dispenser of  FIG. 28 . 
           [0056]      FIG. 34  shows an isometric view of a foam sponge application tip in accordance with the invention with a foam sponge tip (shown prior to inserting the foam sponge into a recess). 
           [0057]      FIG. 35  shows an isometric view of the foam sponge application tip embodiment of  FIG. 34  after the foam sponge is inserted into the recess. 
           [0058]      FIG. 36  shows an isometric view of an application tip in accordance with the invention having tabletized inserts. 
           [0059]      FIG. 37  shows an isometric view of application tip in accordance with the invention having treated blotter paper. 
           [0060]      FIGS. 38-40  are progressive top views showing a capped dispenser in accordance with the invention assembled ready for fill, heat sealed and trimmed for the finished product, respectively. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0061]    Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a cap  10  covers and seals an applicator tip  26  that extends from a vessel or fluid container  20 . The cap  10  is molded with a lateral hole  16  that mates with a correspondingly shaped lug  38  when the cap  10  is in the closed position and assists in retaining the cap  10 . Turning to  FIG. 3 , the mating structure for the applicator tip  26  and cap  10  includes a stopper  12  and a sealing bead  18  that cooperate with each other in the mated condition to seal the applicator tip  26  by the cap  10 . To effectuate this, the stopper  12  passes through an opening in the compliant surface  40  to reach the mated condition. The cap  10  has the stopper  12  and the applicator tip  26  has the sealing bead  18 . 
         [0062]    An applicator tip  26  is elongated to terminate at a distal end where there is a porous and compliant surface  40 , which may be of a foam or sponge material. The compliant surface  40  is used to evenly apply the whitening compound  44  ( FIG. 3 ) to the tooth surfaces being treated and can additionally be used to gently scrub the tooth surface. 
         [0063]    In  FIG. 3 , the stopper  12  passes through the porous and compliant surface  40  to seal a fluid passage  32  that projects outwardly from a body of the vessel or fluid container  20 . A sealing bead  18  provides an annular type seal with the cap  10  to prevent leakage of the contents of the vessel or fluid container  20 . 
         [0064]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , the vessel or fluid container  20  may be squeezed in the direction indicated by arrows F, although such squeezing may occur at other areas and does not require pressure from two opposite sides or areas; pressure on one side or area may also be sufficient. A whitening compound  44  (or, for other applications, the corresponding compound) is urged through the fluid passage  32  and through the passage  48  of the applicator tip  26 , where the whitening compound  44  mixes with sodium bicarbonate, producing a reactant  46  that becomes accessible on the porous and compliant surface  40 . 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , it can be seen that the vessel or fluid container  20  is able to flatten under manual squeezing pressure, allowing almost all of the contents to be expelled from the interior volume  50 . The sides  56  conform closely to the contours of bulkhead  52 . There are lugs  38  that act to further force remaining fluid from the vessel interior  50 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 6  shows a bulkhead  52  attaching applicator tip  26  to fluid container sides  56 , having a wedge shape, allowing said sides  56  to drape. 
         [0067]    Turning to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , opposite end views of the vessel or fluid container  20  with applicator tip  26  are depicted. Sides  56  ( FIG. 6 ) come to a sharp seam without sidewalls, allowing them to collapse flat. 
         [0068]    Turning to  FIG. 9 , an angle of inclination B of the compliant surface  40  is preferably within a range of 30° to 45° for optimal application of the activated reactants on the compliant surface  40 . That is, the reactants become active by squeezing on the surface, thereby causing the whitening compound contents (e.g., hydrogen peroxide or other contents for other applications) to move within the vessel or fluid container  20  through the applicator tip  26  and to deposit onto the impregnated absorbent, compliant surface  40  (impregnated with sodium bicarbonate, baking soda or other substrates for other applications). 
         [0069]    If desired, additional ingredients may be added, such as ingredients suited to polish teeth, for added benefit. 
         [0070]    Turning to  FIGS. 10 and 12 , a further embodiment of a dispenser is depicted that includes a vessel  60  that has an integrally formed rigid substructure  62 . Turning to  FIGS. 11 and 13 , a dispenser  70  is shown that includes the vessel  60  of  FIGS. 10 and 12  and includes a contoured, soft, elastomeric application tip  72  that is fitted over or with the rigid substructure  62 . The contoured, soft, elastomeric application tip  72  allows for squeegee like, even spreading of the gel over the tooth surfaces and its softness helps prevent injury to the gums or teeth (or skin, etc. for other applications) that is more apt to occur with harder material. 
         [0071]    The rigid substructure  62  may be elongated with a central tube  64  that extends in a direction of elongation of the rigid substructure  62 . On both sides may be formed a series of spaced apart channels  66  that likewise extend in a direction of elongation of the rigid substructure  62  substantially parallel to each other. 
         [0072]    Turning to  FIGS. 13-14 , the structure of the vessel  60  can be seen in greater detail. The rigid structure  62  preferably widens toward the central tube  64  from the opposite ends to define an elliptical outline broken by the spaced apart channels  66  (see  FIG. 19 ). Turning to  FIGS. 21-27 , the structure of the contoured, soft, elastomeric application tip  72  can be seen in greater detail. The contoured, soft, elastomeric application tip  72  includes a recess  74  at one end and a slot  76  that spaces two symmetric legs  78  apart from each other. The shape of the contoured, soft, elastomeric application tip  72  may be such that it diverges outwardly from the recess  74  to a location near the recess and then converges or tapers along the symmetric legs  78  until termination. The symmetric legs may each have grooves  79  spaced apart from each other.  FIGS. 28-33  show the dispenser  70  in greater detail when closed by a cap  80 . The cap  80  may be formed with structures that complement the symmetric legs  78  and slot  76  of  FIG. 25  so as to engage and seal off the dispenser  70 . 
         [0073]    Referring to  FIGS. 34-35 , a preferred embodiment is depicted for attaching a bicarbonate of soda treated sponge foam pad  90  to the tip  100 . The sponge foam pad  90  is formed of a die cut open cell foam rubber that has been dipped in a solution of bicarbonate of soda and allowed to dry. This treated sponge foam pad  90  is then attached to a recess  112  at an end of the tip  100  with adhesive or heat sealing. The sponge foam pad  90  holds a quantity of treated gel at the tip  100  during application without having the gel drain or slide off. This allows for thicker, more even coating. 
         [0074]    Alternately, as seen in  FIG. 36 , the tip  100  can have additional ribbing in the form of tabletized inserts  120 , which captures powdered or tabularized bicarbonate of soda. The tabletized inserts  120  are fitted into complementary-shaped channels  122  in the end of the tip  100 . 
         [0075]    Alternatively, treated blotter paper material  130  (see  FIG. 37 ) can replace the sponge material of the sponge foam pad  90  of  FIGS. 34-35  at the tip  100 . This provides a means of capturing larger amounts of powder in the grooves of the tip by sealing to the perimeter, thereby forming a cover. 
         [0076]      FIGS. 38-40  show a progression of views for filling the dispenser  70  with contents to be dispensed. Initially, the dispenser  70  and cap  80  are formed separately, with the dispenser  70  being open at opposite ends. One of the open ends is closed and sealed by cap  80 . Thus, the assembly is ready to be filled as in  FIG. 38 . After filling the dispenser through the open end with contents to be dispensed, the opening is closed by heat sealing inwardly from the periphery (within heat seal area  130 ) in the manner of  FIG. 39 . The portion of the dispenser between the heat seal and the periphery may be trimmed off (trim area  132 ) to yield the finished product of  FIG. 40 . 
         [0077]    As stated above, the applicator of the present invention may be used other than for teeth whitening or polishing. For instance, the following applications are contemplated: dermatological applications by delivering skin treatment applications; adhesives, such as epoxies, sealants, pharmaceutical treatments, remedies and drugs; naturopathic applications; and many others. 
         [0078]    While the foregoing description and drawings represent the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.