Abstract:
An applicator pad for cleaning and drying a surface prior to applying a material. The applicator pad cleans and dries a tooth prior to application of a wax material. The wax material may comprise a tooth whitening agent or a fluoride material. In one embodiment a plurality of flexible absorbent posts extend above the wax material surface. In another embodiment a grid extends above the wax material surface. In another embodiment two different wax material portions are divided by a fold line. In another embodiment a cleaning and drying portion is placed adjacent the wax material applying portion. Cleaning and drying of the tooth surface prior to the application of the wax material facilitates the adherence of the wax material onto the tooth surface. The applicator pad is particularly beneficial for tooth whitening and maintenance.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of International Application PCT/US2015/028898, with an international filing date of May 1, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/988,361 filed May 5, 2014, all of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates in general to applying a material to a moist surface, and particularly to applying a protectant or treatment material to a surface of a tooth. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Often a dental material must be applied to the surface of a tooth and held in position for a desired period of time. It is often difficult to apply a material to a wet or moist surface. This is especially problematic when applying a desired material, particularly hydrophobic materials, to a tooth surface in the mouth. Often the surface of the tooth is coated resulting in a lack of adhesion of the applied material. Therefore, it is difficult to apply a wax or protective material to the surface of the tooth so that it will remain on the tooth surface for a required or desired period of time. 
         [0004]    There have been attempts to provide a delivery system to apply a material to a tooth surface, such as a protectant or tooth whitening substance. One such material uses a protectant is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,480 entitled “Methods, Compositions, and Dental Delivery Systems for the Protection of the Services of Teeth” issuing to Homola et al. on Mar. 30, 1999, which is herein incorporated by reference. Therein disclosed is a barrier layer utilizing electrostatic charge of distribution to facilitate adherence of a material to a tooth surface. Another delivery system adapted for providing a tooth whitening substance is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,691 entitled “Delivery System for a Tooth Whitener Using a Strip of Material Having a Low Flexural Stiffness” issuing to Sagel et al. on Mar. 9, 1999, which is herein incorporated by reference. Therein disclosed is a delivery system for a tooth whitening substance including a strip of flexible material with a tooth whitening substance applied to the strip of material. The substance has adhesive attachment between the strip of material and the surface to hold the delivery system in place for a sufficient time to allow the active to act upon the surface. 
         [0005]    While these delivery systems have advanced the art they are not without their difficulties and complexities. The tooth whitener using a strip of material disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,691 is inconvenient in that it requires the strip to remain on the tooth to allow the active to act upon the surface which may be inconvenient and is cosmetically awkward. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there is a need for an easy and convenient device for applying a material to the surface of a tooth that will dry and clean the tooth surface prior to applying the material, and in particular a tooth whitening material or agent. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a plan view schematically illustrating the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a cross section taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a cross section taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view schematically illustrating another embodiment of the invention having absorbent posts or spacers. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view schematically illustrating the embodiment in  FIG. 5A  showing the flexibility of the absorbent posts or spacers. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5C  is a cross section schematically illustrating an embodiment with the absorbent posts or spacers having a rounded distal end. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6A  schematically illustrates another embodiment of the invention having an absorbent grid. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6B  is a cross section illustrating the structure of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6C  schematically illustrates the use of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-B  on a user&#39;s teeth. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  schematically illustrates another embodiment of the invention having an absorbent geometric grid. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view schematically illustrating another embodiment of the invention having a material coating on the transmissible cover. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8B  is a cross section of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8A . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9A  schematically illustrates another embodiment of the invention having a barrier film with holes. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9B  is a cross section of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9A . 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  schematically illustrates another embodiment of the invention having a water repelling grid. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  schematically illustrates another embodiment of the invention having a material impregnated top layer. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12A  is a cross section schematically illustrating another embodiment of the invention having a plurality of material portions or chambers and a fold line. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12B  is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention having two separated rectangular shaped material portions. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12C  is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention having curved or rounded anatomically shaped material portions. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12D  is a cross section schematically illustrating the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 12A  in use applying a material to the front and back of a tooth surface. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  schematically illustrates a structure of an embodiment of the invention having a medicinal or medicated carrier layer. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14A  is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the invention having a separate drying portion and a separate material applicator portion. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14B  is a cross section schematically illustrating the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 14A . 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    The present invention provides an applicator that cleans and dries a surface prior to the application of a material. A material to be applied to a surface, such as a moist surface of a tooth in a person&#39;s mouth, is contained between a flexible substrate and a transmissible cover. The transmissible cover permits the material to pass through when pressure is applied to the flexible substrate. The transmissible cover cleans and dries the surface prior to application of the material. In one embodiment flexible posts are formed on the flexible substrate. The flexible posts have a distal end above the material interspersed between the flexible posts. The distal end of the flexible post clean and dry the surface and bend when pressure is applied to the flexible substrate applying the material interspersed therebetween to a surface. In another embodiment a grid is formed on the flexible substrate and the material is interspersed within the grid. Another embodiment has a barrier film having holes therein placed between the transmissible cover and the material providing improved control of the dispensing of the material through the transmissible cover. In another embodiment the material is separated by a fold line forming an outer tooth pad and an inner tooth pad. This embodiment is applicable to simultaneously cleaning, drying, and applying material on the inside surface and the outside surface of a tooth. In yet another embodiment a combination applicator pad is divided into a drying portion and a material applicator portion. 
         [0032]    It is an object of the present invention to clean and dry a surface while applying a material. 
         [0033]    It is another object of the present invention to placing material on a moist surface with improved adhesion of the material to the surface. 
         [0034]    It is an advantage of the present invention that a transmissible cover cleans and dries the surface prior to the application of the material. 
         [0035]    It is an advantage of the present invention that it is a storage device for the material which is applied over teeth. 
         [0036]    It is another advantage of the present invention that the applicator is not required to remain on the surface after application of the material. 
         [0037]    It is yet another advantage of the present invention that cleaning, drying, and applying of the material is accomplished easily and quickly with a single device. 
         [0038]    It is a feature of the present invention that a transmissible cover separates a material to be applied from the surface the material is being applied to. 
         [0039]    It is another feature of the present invention that the transmissible cover or a structure placed on the transmissible cover cleans and dries the surface of a tooth prior to the application of a material. 
         [0040]    It is a feature of the present invention that the material applied may be a tooth whitening agent. 
         [0041]    These and other objects, advantages, and features will become readily apparent in view the following detailed description. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]      FIGS. 1-4  schematically illustrates an embodiment of the present invention for applying a wax, gel, liquid, or other material to the surface of a tooth or other moist surface. The cleaning, drying, and dispensing applicator pad  10  has an impervious flexible substrate  12  with a material  14  placed thereon. Material  14  may be a wax, gel, cream, liquid and other material to be applied to a moist or coated tooth or other surface. The material  14  may be a wax like material that is used to protect the tooth to prevent staining or discoloration so as to maintain and protect a tooth that has been whitened. Use of the invention will effectively eliminate the need for the frequently whitening of teeth. The present invention may also contain a tooth whitening agent, fluoride varnish material, fluoride material, or other material used in protecting or treating a tooth. The material  14  is covered with a transmissible cover  16 . A seal  18  is formed around the perimeter for holding the material  14  within the applicator pad  10 . The transmissible cover  16  may be made of any porous substance that can transmit the material  14  there through. The transmissible cover  16  may be made of a natural, cotton, or synthetic, plastic, fabric, machined sponges with holes, or similar like material. The top layer may also be treated to kill germs. 
         [0043]    In operation, the transmissible cover  16  is wiped or tapped across a tooth surface wiping it clean and absorbing any moisture. Subsequently or simultaneously, the applicator pad  10  is gently pressed pushing the material  14  through the transmissible cover  16  applying the material  14  to the cleaned surface of the tooth. Accordingly, the material  14  being applied to a clean surface of the tooth results in the material  14  forming a coating that adheres for an extended period of time to the tooth surface. The extended period of adhesion of the coating of material  14  on the tooth surface results in a tooth surface being protected or being treated for a longer period of time. Additionally, if a whitening agent is used, the whitening agent will adhere to the tooth surface providing longer period of time to be active without the need of the applicator to remain on the tooth surface. The whitening of teeth can actively occur without any visible indication or discomfort to the user. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 5A-B  schematically illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the cleaning, drying, and dispensing applicator pad  110  comprises a substrate  112  having a material  114  thereon. Absorbent posts  116  extend from the substrate  112  and have the material  114  dispersed there between. The absorbent posts  116  are flexible and when pressure is applied will slightly bend so that the material  114  is in contact with the tooth surface and is therefore applied to the surface of a tooth. The top surfaces of the absorbent posts  116  may be flat so as to effectively clean and absorb any moisture or coating on the tooth. The absorbent posts  116  are made of an absorbent material that may be either natural or synthetic. The absorbent posts  116  clean and dry the surface prior to application of the material improving adhesion of the material to the surface. This is particularly important for surfaces in the mouth, such as a tooth surface, that due to the conditions within the mouth and on the tooth surface often prevent materials from adhering. 
         [0045]      FIG. 5C  is a slightly modified embodiment having absorbent post  116 ′ that has a rounded distal end. The rounded distal end may provide improved comfort for a user. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 6A-C  illustrate another embodiment of the present invention having a raised grid  216 . The cleaning, drying, and dispensing applicator pad  210  has a flexible substrate  212  with a material  214  thereon. Placed on top of the substrate  212  is a raised grid  216  having the material  214  interspersed among the openings within the raised grid  216 . An adhesive layer  218  may be applied between the material layer  214  and the substrate  212  to aid in maintaining the material  214  in place.  FIG. 6C  illustrates the operation of the pad  210  in cleaning, drying, and applying a material to teeth  20  in a person&#39;s mouth  20 . The absorbent post illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-C  may also be configured or aligned to comprise a grid structure. 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of a cleaning, drying, and dispensing applicator pad  310  of the present invention. In this embodiment, an absorbent geometric grid  316  is placed on the substrate  312  with the material  314  placed within the openings in the absorbent geometric grid  316 . In this example the geometric grid forms a hexagon. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 8A-B  illustrate another embodiment of a cleaning, drying, and dispensing applicator pad  410  of the present invention. In this embodiment a medicated or medicinal material layer or material coating  424  is applied to the surface of a transmissible cover  416 . The substrate  412  having the material  414  placed thereon is covered by the transmissible cover  416 . The medicated carrier layer or material coating  424  placed on the transmissible cover  416  may be a cleaning, bonding, anti-fungal, or anti-bacteria agent. The material coating  424  therefore may be used to aid in the adherence of the material  414  when applied to the tooth or to kill germs and prevent bacteria growth. A seal  418  formed on the perimeter of the applicator pad  410  seals the material  414  therein. The seal  418  may be formed by an adhesive, pressure, heat or other means. A grid pattern on the transmissible cover is illustrated, but is not necessary. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 9A-B  illustrate another embodiment of a cleaning, drying, and dispensing applicator pad  510  of the invention. In this embodiment a barrier film  526  having holes  528  therein is placed between a transmissible cover  516  and the material  514 . The material  514  is placed on the substrate  512 . In this embodiment the holes  528  better regulate the flow of the material  514  onto and through the transmissible cover  516 . By appropriately sizing the holes  528 , transfer of the material  514  to the transmissible cover  516  may be controlled or prevented until a slight pressure is applied to the substrate  512 . Adhesive or glue may be used for adhering the transmissible cover  516  to the barrier film  26 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 10  illustrates another embodiment of a cleaning, drying, and dispensing applicator pad  610 . In this embodiment a water repelling grid  632  is placed on top of a transmissible cover  616 . A material  614  to be applied to the tooth  22  surface is placed between a flexible substrate  612  and the transmissible cover  616 . The water repelling grid  632  aids in cleaning the surface of a tooth  22  as well as pushing moisture off of the surface of the tooth  22  preparing it for receiving the material  614 . The material  614  is transmitted through the transmissible cover  614  upon the application of pressure to the substrate  612 . This provides a more effective cleaning of the tooth  22  surface. 
         [0051]      FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment of a clean, drying, and dispensing applicator pad  710  of the present invention. In this embodiment an impregnated top layer  716  is placed on the flexible substrate  712 . The impregnated top layer  716  may be made of any material capable of absorbing a material, such as cotton, cellulose, or other porous. The impregnated top layer  716  may be impregnated with a material to be applied to a tooth surface. A grid  732  is illustrated, but is not necessary. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 12A-D  illustrate other embodiments of the invention. These embodiments relate to a dual applicator pad  810 ,  810 ′, and  810 ″. In  FIG. 12A  a cross-section of a dual applicator pad  810  is illustrated. The dual applicator pad  810  comprises a flexible and bendable substrate  812  with a wax material  814  held within a mesh structure  832  and covered by a transmissible cover  816 . The mesh structure  832  provides some rigidity or strength to a portion of the dual applicator pad  810  facilitating folding along fold line  834 . The fold line  834  divides the dual applicator pad  810  into two portions or sections; an outer tooth pad  8160  and inner tooth pad  816 I. 
         [0053]      FIG. 12B  illustrates an embodiment of a dual applicator pad  810 ′ having different size and generally rectangular shaped pads, an outer tooth pad  8160 ′ and inner tooth  816 I′ separated by a fold line  834 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 12C  illustrates another embodiment of a dual applicator pad  810 ″ having different size curved or anatomically shaped pads; an outer tooth pad  8160 ″ and an inner tooth pad  816 I″. The anatomically shaped pads are shaped to better conform to a tooth surface when folded and positioned in the mouth for application of the material to the tooth surface. 
         [0055]      FIG. 12D  illustrates the use of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 12A-C . When the dual applicator pad  810  is folded about the fold line  834  the outer tooth pad  816 O is positioned adjacent an outer surface of the tooth  22  and the inner tooth pad  816 I is positioned adjacent the inner surface of the tooth  22 . This embodiment permits simultaneous application of the material  814  to the outer and inner surfaces of the tooth  22 . After the dual applicator pad  810  is folded around the tooth  22  the outer tooth pad  816 O and inner tooth pad  816 I may be gently pressed by two fingers to dispense or apply the material  814  through the transmissible cover  816  onto the inner and outer surfaces of the tooth  22 . In some applications, a different material may be placed in each outer tooth pad  816 O and inner tooth pad  816 I. 
         [0056]      FIG. 13  schematically illustrates another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment a medicament is additionally applied. The medicated applicator pad  910  comprises a transmissible cover  916  adjacent a medicated carrier layer  938  adjacent the material  914  held within a mesh  932  and placed on a flexible substrate  912 . When the transmissible cover  916  is placed adjacent the surface of a tooth  22  the medicament on the medicated carrier layer  938  is caused to pass through the transmissible cover  916 . The medicated applicator pad  910  may then be gently squeezed to apply the material  914 . Alternately, the application can occur in a single step by gently squeezing the medicated applicator pad  910  causing the material  914  to pass through the medicated carrier layer  938  picking up the medicament and then pass through the transmissible cover  916  for simultaneous placement on the surface of the tooth  22 . The transmissible cover  916  may be a water absorption layer and can be made of a cotton cloth. The medicated carrier layer  938  may contain any material such as a primer to treat a tooth surface for better bonding, medicine to kill germs, bleaching agents, fluoride varnish reagents, or materials to alter the hydrophobicity of a tooth surface. Another transmissible layer, not shown, can be inserted between medicated carrier layer  938  and material  814  in order to maintain separation of material  914  and medicated carrier layer  938 . 
         [0057]      FIGS. 14A-B  illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment a combination applicator pad  1010  comprises a material applicator portion  1040  and a drying portion  1042 . The material applicator portion  1040  comprises a transmissible cover  1016  adjacent a material  1014  placed on a substrate  1012 . A grid may be placed on the transmissible cover  1016 , but is not necessary. The drying portion  1042  comprises an absorbent material  1044  placed on the substrate  1012 . The absorbent material  1044  may be any material that readily absorbs moisture or fluid. 
         [0058]    Accordingly, the present invention provides an applicator pad that greatly facilitates and improves the application of a material to the surface of a tooth permitting the material to adhere to the tooth surface for a longer period of time. This is practically advantageous when used in combination with a wax or other protective material to prevent staining of a tooth between whitening treatments. The invention is also applicable to applying a tooth whitening agent and fluoride treatment. The invention may also be applied to other materials used for coating a wet and/or moist surface, such as a tooth.