A dispenser for dispensing a liquid such as a tooth whitening gel can include a plunger and a housing having a first chamber that receives a first arm of the plunger and a second chamber that receives a second arm of the plunger. The housing can further include a first channel in fluid communication with the first chamber, a second channel in fluid communication with the second chamber, and a third channel formed at an intersection of the first and second channels. The housing can further include a static mixer than mixes a first liquid from the first chamber with a second liquid from the second chamber. The plunger may be disposed along a first axis and the third channel may be disposed along a second axis that intersects the first axis at an angle of between 10° and 170°.

BACKGROUND

Whitening of teeth in a home environment is now a common and routine oral care activity. The whitening process can include the use of oral care strips that are placed into contact with the surface of the teeth, where the oral care strips include an embedded whitener. Whitening may also include the use of a chemically active whitening solution placed within a tray. The tray is positioned over the teeth such that the whitening solution is in physical contact with the teeth. The tray remains in place over the teeth for a period of time during the whitening process.

The whitener itself can be a bleach or another chemically active whitening gel or solution that chemically reacts with tooth discolorations. Some prior tooth whiteners have been packaged as a homogeneous mixture of active and inactive ingredients within a container such as a plastic bottle. An amount of solution is dispensed by the user from the bottle onto the tray.

New whiteners are being continually developed. A more convenient and/or efficacious tooth whitening package that dispenses a tooth whitening product would be desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a dispenser can include a plunger having a first arm, a second arm, and a channel that spaces the first arm from the second arm, wherein the plunger is disposed along a first axis, a housing that defines a first chamber, a second chamber, a wall that separates the first chamber from the second chamber, a first channel in fluid communication with the first chamber, a second channel in fluid communication with the second chamber, and a third channel. The first channel and the second channel may intersect to connect with the third channel. The third channel may be disposed along a second axis that intersects the first axis at an angle of from 10° to 170°, and the dispenser may further include a nozzle at an end of the third channel.

In another embodiment, a dispenser for a tooth whitening solution can include a housing defining a first chamber, a second chamber, and an applicator, a first liquid disposed within the first chamber and a second liquid disposed within the second chamber, and a plunger comprising a first arm positioned to move within the first chamber and a second arm positioned to move within the second chamber. The dispenser can further include a first channel defined by the applicator and positioned to receive the first liquid from the first chamber, a second channel defined by the applicator and positioned to receive the second liquid from the second chamber, wherein the first channel and the second channel are connected at an intersection, a third channel defined by the applicator, wherein the third channel is in fluid communication with the first channel and the second channel at the intersection, and a nozzle at an end of the applicator and at an end of the third channel.

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of one or more embodiments of the present teachings. This summary is not an extensive overview, nor is it intended to identify key or critical elements of the present teachings, nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure. Rather, its primary purpose is merely to present one or more concepts in simplified form as a prelude to the detailed description presented later. Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

It should be noted that some details of the FIGS. have been simplified and are drawn to facilitate understanding of the present teachings rather than to maintain strict structural accuracy, detail, and scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. As used herein, the terms “sufficiently mix” and “sufficiently mixed” may be used to describe an amount or degree of mixing of components such that the components physically contact each other and could, can, or will chemically react with each other. In various implementations where the components are reactive in a manner making them incompatible for storage before use in contact with each other, the components may be segregated from one another when not in use, i.e., prevented by the structure of the dispenser from sufficiently mixing when not in use. As used herein, the term “incompatible” may be used to describe components of a formulation that, when mixed and then stored for a length of time, degrade one or more desired qualities of the combined formulation.

As discussed above, prior tooth whitening solutions have been packaged as a homogeneous mixture of active and inactive ingredients within a container such as a plastic bottle. The volume of solution within the container is suitable for several uses or whitening treatments. An amount of such solution is dispensed from the bottle onto the tray by the user. However, the amount of solution dispensed is at the discretion of the user, and thus the dosage may not be well controlled. A user may easily dispense an excess or insufficient amount of solution into a tray.

Additionally, new types of whiteners are being continually developed. Some new whiteners may include two (or more) components (e.g., ingredients, compounds, mixtures, or formulations) that are required to be mixed together during use so as to have a whitening effect, but may not be stored compatibly in physical contact with each other. For example, over a relatively shorter duration of time, the two components can be mixed together and are suitable for use as a tooth whitener. However, over a relatively longer duration of time, the components may chemically interact after mixing and can become either more inert, and thus less effective as a tooth whitener, or more chemically active in a manner that is damaging or otherwise unsuitable for physical contact with teeth, gums, or other oral tissues. Other components, such as an aqueous component and a hydrophobic component, may physically separate quickly after mixing, for example, during shipping and storage and prior to use, and thus become ineffective or otherwise unsuitable as a tooth whitener.

An embodiment of the present teachings can include a dispenser for a tooth whitener. A user may use the dispenser to both mix the components of the whitener immediately prior to use and dispense the whitener into a tray or directly onto the teeth or another surface. The dispenser may be designed to dispense a controlled amount of whitener, thereby ensuring that the volume of whitener dispensed is neither insufficient nor excessive. While the present teachings are described with reference to the mixing of two chemical components, it will be understood that embodiments may also include a dispenser for a single homogeneous solution, or a dispenser for mixing more than two chemical components.

FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view, andFIG. 2is an assembled perspective view, of an embodiment for a tooth whitener dispenser100. It will be understood thatFIGS. 1 and 2depict an exemplary assembly, and that a dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings may include other structures that are not depicted for simplicity, while various depicted structures may be removed or modified. Other dispenser constructions are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure.

The embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 2includes a piston or plunger102, a first housing section104, a second housing section106, a static mixer110, and an end cap112. During use, the first housing section104and the second housing section106are attached together to provide a dispenser housing.FIG. 1further depicts a first whitener component114, such as a first gel, and a second whitener component116, such as a second gel. In an embodiment, the first gel114and the second gel116are chemical components that are mixed together prior to use. Over a short duration of time, the gels114,116may be compatibly mixed but, over a longer duration of time, they may not be compatibly mixed and are incompatible. For example, over a longer duration of time, the mixed gels114,116may physically separate or chemically interact in an unfavorable manner such that the mixed gels become unsuitable for use as a tooth whitener.

In an embodiment, the plunger102may be a bifurcated plunger102including a first arm118and a second arm120separated by a channel122that spaces the first arm118from the second arm120. Each arm118,120may have a rounded “D”-shaped perimeter, or another shaped perimeter, depending on the design. The plunger102can further include a plunger seal124. In an embodiment, the plunger seal124may include a first O-ring or other plunger seal124A that encircles the first arm118and a second O-ring or other plunger seal124B that encircles the second arm120. Each O-ring may be positioned within a channel in one of the arms118,120such that each O-ring conforms to the shape of each arm118,120. The O-rings124A,124B may be manufactured from a flexible material, for example, a rubber, a silicon, a polymer, or another suitable material. In another embodiment, the plunger seal124may be manufactured integral with the plunger102such that the plunger102and plunger seal124are a single piece of material, for example, if the plunger102is manufactured from a semi-rigid material that functions sufficiently as a plunger, but has some flexibility to provide a seal through physical contact with the one or both of the first housing section104and the second housing section106. During use, the plunger seal124may prevent the gels114,116from being forced between the walls of the plunger102and the walls of the first housing section104and/or the second housing section106during dispensing of the gels114,116, as described in more detail below.

To reduce the amount of material that forms the plunger102, for example to decrease costs and weight, the plunger102may include an internal lattice structure126as depicted. Further, it is contemplated that the first housing section104and the second housing section106may be manufactured from a single piece of material using, for example, a molding process or an additive manufacturing process. The mixer110may be a separately manufactured, or manufactured as part of the housing.

The first housing section104may be manufactured to define a ring having an opening108therethrough. The second housing section106may be manufactured to define a pair of “D”-shaped chambers, including a first chamber128A and a second chamber128B, separated by a wall130. The wall130is elongated to extend through, and fit within, the ring130of the first housing section104. Prior to mixing, the first gel114is stored in the first chamber128A and the second gel116is stored in the second chamber128B. Prior to use, the gels114,116, which are whitener components, are stored separately and held in place within the chambers128closed in by the arms118,120, the first housing section104and the second housing section106, including the wall130.

The first housing section104and the second housing section106, when assembled, can together define a first channel140A, a second channel140B, and a third channel140C within an elongated applicator142. The first channel140A and the second channel140B intersect at the third channel140C, which is continuous with the first channel140A and the second channel140B. The third channel140C may end or terminate in a nozzle144from which whitener is dispensed during use of the dispenser100. Each of the channels140A-140C may be formed in one or both of the first housing section104and/or the second housing section106. When positioned on the end of the elongated applicator142, the end cap112covers the end of the elongated applicator142and the nozzle144, and prevents contamination of the end of the elongated applicator142and the nozzle144.

In the depicted embodiment, the static mixer110may be a helix-type static mixer that is positioned within the third channel140C. Other types of static mixers may be used. In some embodiments, the static mixer110may include one or more plates or baffles. The static mixer110may be integral with the walls of the third channel140C, such that the static mixing structures is formed integral with one or both of the first housing section and/or the second housing section. In an embodiment, the static mixer110and one of the housing sections104,106may be formed from one single continuous piece of material.

To prevent the first gel114and the second gel116from prematurely mixing within one or more of the channels140A-140C, the dispenser100may include one or more frangible seals. In an embodiment, a frangible seal150may be formed within the third channel140C at the intersection of the first channel140A and the second channel140B as depicted inFIG. 1. In this embodiment, the first gel114may enter the first channel140A and the second gel116may enter the second channel140B during storage of the dispenser100, but the frangible seal150at the intersection of the first channel140A and the second channel140B prevents mixing of gels114,116. In another embodiment, a first frangible seal152may be formed to block the first channel140A, and a second frangible seal154may be formed to block the second channel140B, to prevent the first gel114and the second gel116from entering the third channel140C and prematurely mixing. In another embodiment, all three frangible seals150-154may be used to prevent premature mixing of the gels114,116. The frangible seals150-154may be manufactured from a thin, flexible sheet, such as a rubber sheet, a silicone sheet, a foil sheet, a polymer sheet, or another suitable material. During storage, the one or more frangible seals150-154are unbroken and positioned to prevent the gels114,116from entering one or more of the channels140A-140C.

To prevent accidental actuation of the plunger102, the dispenser may include a locking mechanism. WhileFIGS. 1 and 2depict a locking mechanism in the form of a removable tab156that is pressure fit within a slot158in the plunger102, other locking mechanisms are contemplated. In the embodiment depicted, the removable tab156extends from a side of the plunger102and physically contacts a surface of the first housing section104when in the locked position as depicted inFIG. 2. The removable tab156prevents inadvertent actuation of the plunger102prior to intentional dispensing of the whitener.

During use of the dispenser100, a user may grasp the dispenser100with, for example, a thumb on a top surface of the plunger102and an index finger on a bottom surface of the second housing section106. The user removes the end cap112from the elongated applicator142, for example by sliding it from the elongated applicator142, and unlocks the locking mechanism, for example, by sliding the removable tab156from the slot158in the plunger102. The user then begins to pinch the dispenser100, which places pressure on the plunger102and depresses the plunger102, and forces the plunger102to slide or move within the chambers128A,128B. The pressure placed on the plunger102is transferred to the gels114,116and forces the gels114,116to rupture the one or more frangible seals150-154. The one or more frangible seals150-154may be sized and configured to rupture at a pressure that is sufficiently low that, during the application of pressure on the plunger102, the plunger seals124A,124B around the arms118,120of the plunger102prevent the gels114,116from being forced between the side of the plunger102and the inside edge of the chambers128A,128B, and out of the dispenser100through, for example, the opening108within the first housing section104.

After rupturing the one or more frangible seals150-154, the first channel140A is in fluid communication with the first chamber128A, and the second channel140B is in fluid communication with the second chamber128B. The third channel140C, being connected at the intersection of the first channel140A and the second channel140B, is in fluid communication with the first channel140A and the second channel140B, and is thus also in fluid communication with the first chamber128A and the second chamber128B.

During continued pressure as the plunger102continues to slide or move within the chambers128, the first gel114is forced to exit the first chamber128A and enter the first channel140A, and the second gel116is forced to exit the second chamber128B and enter the second channel140B. With continued pressure on, and sliding of, the plunger102, the first gel114and the second gel116then enter the third channel140C.

Upon entering the third channel140C, the first gel114and the second gel116may physically contact each other and may begin to mix. Continued pressure on, and sliding of, the plunger102then forces the gels114,116to travel through the static mixer110within the third channel140C. After passing completely through the static mixer110, the gels114,116may be sufficiently mixed just prior to use. Upon mixing, the first gel114and the second gel116form, for example, a homogenous or substantially homogenous tooth whitening gel304(FIG. 3).

Continued pressure on, and sliding movement of, the plunger102forces the mixed tooth whitening gel304to exit the nozzle144at the end of the elongated applicator142. The tooth whitening gel304may be dispensed from the nozzle144directly onto the user's teeth, into a recess302within a tray300as depicted in the perspective depiction ofFIG. 3, or onto another intermediate surface, e.g., an applicator appliance, before physically contacting the teeth of the user. The tray300, if used, is then placed over the user's teeth, with the teeth in the cavity302, where the tooth whitening gel304physically contacts and whitens the user's teeth.

As depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2, the first arm118of the plunger102is configured to move through the first chamber128A, and the second arm120of the plunger102is configured to move through the second chamber128B, in a generally first direction (e.g., vertically with respect to the orientation ofFIGS. 1 and 2) during dispensing of the gels114,116. As is further depicted, the gels114,116travel through the channels140A-140C of the elongated applicator142and exit the nozzle144in a generally second direction (e.g., horizontally with respect to the orientation ofFIGS. 1 and 2) during dispensing of the mixed gels114,116. In other words, the plunger102is disposed along, and configured to move along, a first axis200(FIG. 2), while the third channel140C is disposed along a second axis202, wherein the second axis202intersects the first axis200. In an embodiment, the second axis202may intersect the first axis200at an angle of from about 10° to about 170, or from about 30° to about 120°, or from about 60° to about 120°, for example about 90°. In another embodiment, the second axis may intersect the first axis at an angle of from about 30° to about 90°, or from about 60° to about 90°. In an embodiment, the elongated applicator142may be straight or curved.

It is contemplated that the plunger102, first housing section104, second housing section106, and end cap112may be manufactured from plastic, another polymer, or another suitable material. The plunger102, first housing section104, second housing section106, and end cap112may be manufactured from an opaque material, a translucent material, or a transparent material.

In an embodiment, a dispenser100may store a sufficient amount of gel114,116to whiten only a user's upper teeth or only a user's lower teeth. In this embodiment, if the user desires to whiten both the upper teeth and the lower teeth, the entire contents of a first dispenser100, less any waste that remains within the first dispenser, are placed into a first tray300and used to whiten the upper teeth. The contents of a second dispenser, less any waste that remains within the second dispenser, are placed into a second tray300and used to whiten the lower teeth.

In another embodiment, a dispenser100may store a sufficient amount of gel114,116to whiten both a user's upper teeth and lower teeth. In this embodiment, a first half of the contents of a dispenser100may be dispensed into a first tray300and a second half of the contents of the dispenser100may be dispensed into a second tray300. This embodiment may optionally include an indicator that indicates when half or approximately half of the gels114,116have been dispensed. The indicator may provide a visual or tactile indication once the first half of the contents is dispensed. In an embodiment, one or more transparent windows146in the first housing section104may align with one or more indicator marks148on the plunger102once the first half of the contents have been discharged from the dispenser100as depicted inFIG. 1. In this embodiment, the one or more indicator marks148are seen through the one or more windows146to provide a visual indication that the first half of the dispenser contents have been dispensed from the dispenser. In another embodiment (not individually depicted for simplicity), one or more recesses in the first housing section align with one or more bumps or other protrusions in the plunger102once the first half of the contents has been dispensed from the dispenser. In this embodiment, the one or more bumps enter the one or more recesses once the first half of the dispenser contents have been dispensed from the dispenser to provide a tactile indicator through the use of a detent mechanism that the first half of the dispenser contents have been dispensed from the dispenser. In another embodiment (not individually depicted for simplicity) a line or other mark on the plunger102may align with a reference point such as an opening rim around one or both chambers128in the first housing section104. In another embodiment (not individually depicted for simplicity), a bump on either the first housing section104or the second housing section106aligns with and enters the slot158that is part of the locking mechanism once half the whitener has been dispensed. In this embodiment, the slot158functions as both a part of the locking mechanism and as a part of a detent mechanism that indicates when half the whitener has been dispensed. Upon further pressure, the detent mechanism releases to allow dispensing of the remainder of the tooth whitener (less any waste).

It will be appreciated that, in theFIG. 1embodiment, the first arm118, the first chamber128A and the first channel140A are the same size as the second arm120, the second chamber128B, and the second channel140B, respectively. In this embodiment, approximately equal parts of the first gel114and the second gel116are mixed to form the tooth whitener304. In another embodiment, the structures may be sized differently so that unequal parts of the first gel114and the second gel116are mixed and dispensed to form the tooth whitener304. For example, the first arm118may have a first volume or cross sectional area and the second arm may have a second volume or cross sectional area, where the second volume or cross sectional area is different than, for example, two times (or another multiplier of), the first volume or cross sectional area. Similarly, the first chamber128A may have a first volume and the second chamber128B may have a second volume, where the second volume is different than, for example, two times (or another multiplier of), the first volume. Additionally, the first channel140A may have a first volume or cross sectional area and the second channel140B may have a second volume or cross sectional area, where the second volume or cross sectional area is twice (or another multiplier of) the first volume or cross sectional area. In this embodiment, the tooth whiter may include an amount of the second gel116that is, for example, twice an amount of the first gel114, or another amount depending on the formulation of the tooth whitener comprising the mixed first gel114and second gel116.

While the embodiments described above have been discussed relative to two or more liquids in gel form that are mixed to form a homogenous tooth whitener, it will be appreciated that embodiments may apply to two or more other liquids of the same, different, or varying viscosities for uses other than a tooth whitener. Further, while the embodiments described above may include a separate static mixer to mix the gels, other mixers, including a tortuous path molded along with the first housing section and the second housing section, are contemplated.

In an embodiment, a home tooth whitening kit may include a plurality of dispensers100. The number of dispensers may be equal to twice the number of whole-mouth treatments, where each dispenser includes a sufficient quantity of gel to treat either the upper teeth or the lower teeth, but not both. In another embodiment, the number of dispensers may equal the number of whole-mouth treatments, where each dispenser includes a sufficient quantity of gel to treat both the upper and lower teeth, where a first half of the gel in one dispenser is used to treat the upper teeth and the remaining second half of the gel is used to treat the lower teeth, or vice versa. In an embodiment, a home whitening kit may include two reusable trays, one for a user's upper teeth and one for a user's lower teeth. After a whitening treatment, the reusable trays are washed and reused for subsequent treatments. In another embodiment, a home whitening kit may include a number of disposable trays, where the number of disposable trays is equal to twice the number of whole-mouth treatments. After a whitening treatment, the disposable trays may be discarded or recycled.

Terms of relative position as used in this application are defined based on a plane parallel to the conventional plane or working surface of a workpiece, regardless of the orientation of the workpiece. The term “horizontal” or “lateral” as used in this application is defined as a plane parallel to the conventional plane or working surface of a workpiece, regardless of the orientation of the workpiece. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal. Terms such as “on,” “side” (as in “sidewall”), “higher,” “lower,” “over,” “top,” and “under” are defined with respect to the conventional plane or working surface being on the top surface of the workpiece, regardless of the orientation of the workpiece.