DENTIFRICE-MEDICATION DISPENSING TOOTHBRUSH

Abstract: A vibrating toothbrush which includes a brushhead (18) mounted for vibrating movement, a reservoir (30) for containing dentifrice which is located in the handle (14) of the toothbrush, and fluid connecting means (32) connecting the reservoir (30) to the brushhead (18). The brushhead (18) includes either hollow bristles (80) or nozzles (87) in the brushhead (18) to permit egress of the dentifrice from the brushhead (18) in the area of the bristles. The brushhead (18) is driven so as to provide a scrubbing action for the teeth and to provide acoustical energy for acoustical cleansing as well. The action of the brushhead (18) and the load thereon will result in dentifrice being released out of the brushhead (18) or bristles (80) as needed, supporting cavitation and streaming for the acoustical energy, as well as providing the cleansing/therapeutic effect of the dentifrice.

Description: Description Γ-FNTT FΠTCE /MEDICATION DISPENSING TOOTHBRUSH Tf .r_hr. - Ca l Field This invention relates generally to dental hygiene devices and more specifically concerns a dentifrice/medication dispensing vibrating toothbrush. Background Art It is well-known that periodontal disease affects a significant portion of the population. It is also well-established that periodontal disease is primarily caused by complex aggregates of microorganisms, primarily bacteria, in the crevice regions between the teeth and the teeth and the gums. These aggregates are commonly referred to as dental plaque. While brushing with conventional toothbrushes and flossing are currently the standard methods of removing, disrupting and dispersing dental plague, such techniques have proven to be at best only partially effective, as indicated by the widespread incidence of periodontal disease in the population. U. S. Patent No. 4,787,847 is illustrative of a new development in toothbrushes which shows promise in reducing periodontal disease when used regularly. The device utilizes a transducer to produce vibrations in a brushhead, which results in mild cavitation being produced in the gingival (between teeth and gums) fluids in the mouth. This tends tc remove the subgingival plague and to demobilize motile bacteria therein. However, the device relies on the presence of saliva and toothpaste foam as the medium through which the acoustical energy is conducted and in which cavitation occurs. For many users of the device, th may not be sufficient, especially for the upper teet There is no means included in the device for supplyi fluid to assure an adequate medium. In another line of development, medicatio are known which are capable of inhibiting or killi bacteria responsible for periodontal disease, and t use of such medications has been promoted to the publi for such a purpose. Such medications may be used i toothpaste, mouthwash, or solutions applied to the area of interest. However, such medications are typicall expensive when used on a daily basis, have been found t stain teeth in some cases with prolonged use, and i other cases, such as when they are in a mouthwash, ar only marginally effective. Applying medication wit brushing is convenient for the user and results in th treated area simultaneously undergoing cleaning and th application of medication. However, medication i typically not carefully applied in controlled amount during brushing. There currently is no convenient wa of assuring the application of only therapeutic amounts so as to prevent waste of the medication, while stil being fully effective. In still another independent line o development in dentistry relating specifically t toothbrushes and toothpaste, it is known to includ structure for dispensing a dentifrice in an otherwis conventional toothbrush. In one approach, th toothbrush includes an attachment which dispense toothpaste in some manner onto the tips of the bristles Typically, these devices include a reservoir for storin the dentifrice and a means for pumping out th dentifrice from the reservoir onto the tips of th bristles. Examples of this approach include U.S. Paten No. 4,787,765 and U.S. Patent No. 4,695,177, both t Kuo. In another approach, dentifrice is dispense to the base of the toothbrush bristles. U.S. Patent No UTE SHEET 4,221,492 to Boscardin et al is an example of t approach, as is U.S.Patent No. 4,655,627 to Bradl which also discloses a self-sealing reservoir. U. S. Patent No. 4,039,261 to Evans show still further approach, involving hollow bristles, which the dentifrice is moved into the bristles at base thereof and then is moved through the brist under pressure to the tips. However, the bristles oversize and do not provide the typical brushing act for the teeth. Also, there is no provision of a cap similar element to prevent leakage and/or drying of dentifrice. The above-described dentifrice-dispens toothbrushes, however, have several disadvantages. T typically include complicated mechanisms for supply the dentifrice to the brushes, resulting in inconveni overall size of the toothbrush, high cost, reliability problems. Those devices whiph use pas have the additional problems of clogging and formation of hard, cake-like deposits, which prev reliable flow of the paste when needed. None of th devices supply fluid at a controlled rate which needed to assure a proper acoustical effect for vibrating toothbrush, as described above. Further, lack of fluid control makes such devices unsuitable use as applicators of therapeutic (medication) agen Disclosure of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention is toothbrush having a dentifrice dispensing capabili which includes a toothbrush assembly which include toothbrush body, a brushhead in the vicinity of one of the body having bristles extending therefrom, me for supporting said brushhead for vibrating movement means for driving said brushhead such that it vibrat The toothbrush further includes a reservoir dentifrice, means permitting release of dentifrice f the brushhead and means connecting said reservoir said release means, wherein said release means configured and arranged such that in operation of s brushhead dentifrice is discharged from the reserv through the release means. Brief Description of the Drawincrs Figure 1 is a simple schematic diagram of embodiment of the dentifrice-dispensing toothbrush the present invention. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the gene electrical structure of a vibrating toothbrush. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional diagram of embodiment of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a simple schematic diagram another embodiment of the dentifrice-dispensi toothbrush of the present invention. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional diagram of t embodiment of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional diagram showi an alternative embodiment of one portion of t structure of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional diagram showi one embodiment of the dentifrice reservoir portion the toothbrush of the present invention. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional diagram showi a variation of the reservoir embodiment of Figure 7. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Inventioη Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic diagr of one embodiment of the present invention, while Figu 2 shows the general electrical structure of electromechanical vibrating toothbrush. The prese invention is thus illustrated and described in t context of a particular toothbrush configuration, i. the vibrating toothbrush shown in Figure 2, but should be understood that the present invention can used in other toothbrushes in which the brushhead vibrated in some manner. Referring specifically to Figures 1 and 2, vibrating toothbrush includes a body 12 which conta drive electronics 14 located in a handle portion 13 a transducer 16, at the far end of which is positio a brushhead 18, which extends out from the toothbr body 12. The brushhead 18 is mounted for vibrati i.e. up/down or side to side, movement relative to body 12. The drive electronics 14 comprises basica a DC power supply 20, an oscillator 22, an amplifier and a transformer 26. The output of the transfor acts on a piezoelectric bimorph transducer to prod the movement of the brushhead. The toothbrush struct shown generally in Figure 2 is explained in more det in U.S. Patent No. 4,787,847, which is referred briefly above and which is incorporated by refere herein. Figure 1 shows, in the body 12 of toothbrush, a dentifrice reservoir 30 located in han portion 13, and a connecting tube element 32 wh provides fluid communication between reservoir 30 brushhead 18. Figure 3 shows the embodiment of Fig 1 in more detail. A section of body 12 is shown, well as the brushhead 18, which is supported within opening at the end of the body 12 by an isolat membrane 38. Within the brushhead 18 is a channel and a small chamber 43. A tube 44 is connected channel 42 in the brushhead 18 and extends in body toward handle 13. Tube 44 connects with one end o bell-shaped casing 46, which has an internal cham 48. At the other end of casing 46 is a membrane Extending from chamber 48 through membrane 52 outwardly therefrom is a narrow tube 54 which exte into a cap 53 at the front end of the dentifr reservoir 30. Such an arrangement permits replacem of the reservoir 30 without introducing air into SUBSTITUTESHEET other portions of the dentifrice delivery system. The reservoir 30 is preferably made in t form of a collapsible membrane in order to allow lu to .move from the reservoir without creating a vacu therein. The collapsible membrane reservoir 30 coul for instance, be a thin wall heat-sealed pouch of vin or polyurethane with a tube or rubber o-ring seal. Su a reservoir can be filled, sealed and supplied in a fo wrapped outer pouch to protect any solvents, e. alcohol, or oxygen for a gas-releasing dentifrice. T user will remove the membrane reservoir from its out pouch, attach it to the casing 46 and then prime t system by pushing in on the membrane until dentifri appears at the bristles. As an alternative to collapsible membrane, the reservoir 30 could include air vent. An alternate embodiment for the reservoir shown in Figure 7. In this embodiment, reservoir 37 positioned within the body of the toothbrush, typical in the handle portion thereof (not shown) . T reservoir 37 could also be located within a removab head assembly attached to the body of the toothbrus The reservoir 37 includes a door 39 which, in o embodiment, could be a thumb-activated sliding door. spring 41 biases the door 39 to its closed positio The door is not air tight, to provide a vent for th reservoir, but does prevent the dentifrice fluid fro leaking out. A tube 43 connects the reservoir 37 to feed tube 45 which is connected to the vibratin brushhead. The reservoir 37 could also include a wic element 47, such as a polypropylene felt, which extend between the reservoir 37 and the feed tube 45 in orde to prevent air bubbles in the reservoir from moving int the feed tube, thereby maintaining a continuous strea of fluid between the reservoir and the feed tube. Alternatively, referring to Figure 8, " flexible tube 49 with a weight 51 could be included in reservoir 37. The flexible tube is connected to or is an extension of connecting tube 43. The weight 51 is positioned near the free open end 55 of flexible tube 49, such that gravity would tend to hold the free open end of tube 49 in any fluid in reservoir 37, regardless of the orientation of the toothbrush and hence the reservoir. In addition, a sponge member could be placed in the reservoir 37. The sponge comprises a material which is able to store fluid, such as water or a medicine. The sponge will release the fluid as fluid is drawn out of the feed tube. Referring now again to Figure 3, a plurality of bristles 56 extend from one surface of the brushhead 34 and are in fluid communication with chamber 43 in the brushhead. A selected number of the bristles are hollow, to permit the correct amount of dentifrice to be dispensed. This arrangement permits the dentifrice to move from the reservoir through the tube 54, the casing 46, the tube 44 • and then into the channel 42, the chamber 43, and then through the hollow bristles to the ends thereof, such that in use of the device, the dentifrice is applied to the actual area of interest. Figures 4, 5 and 6 show another embodiment of the present invention and a further variation of a portion of that embodiment. Figure 4 is a simple schematic view of a vibrating toothbrush which includes a body portion 60 which has a brushhead 62 extending therefrom at one end 64 thereof. The brushhead 62 is mounted and driven for vibratory (i.e. up/down or side to side) action by a drive mechanism such as that described above with respect to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 3 and the structure shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,787,847. Referring to Figure 4, the brushhead 62 itself contains the dentifrice reservoir. When the dentifrice is depleted, the old brushhead is removed from the driving mechanism and a new one inserted. Figure 5 shows the brushhead portion of the body 60 of Figure 4, in which is mounted a supporting membrane 68. The drive plunger 70 is driven by a transducer (not shown) and includes at one end thereof a threaded portion 72 to which may be conveniently removably secured a brushhead 62. The brushhead 62 includes an interior chamber 74 in which is positioned the fluid reservoir 76 containing the dentifrice. The reservoir 76 comprises a collapsible membrane, so that atmospheric pressure, which is introduced through a pressure relief opening 78 in the brushhead 62, collapses the reservoir 76 as fluid is delivered therefrom. This prevents a vacuum from forming in the reservoir which would impede the flow of dentifrice therefrom. The reservoir 76 is in fluid communication with a plurality of hollow bristles 80 which extend from one side of the brushhead 62. Again, the number of hollow bristles is selected so that the desired amount of dentifrice is dispensed. In operation, the dentifrice is delivered from the reservoir through the hollow bristles to the tips thereof, where it is applied to the area of interest, as the bristles are brought into contact with the teeth and gums. Figure 6 shows a variation of the brushhead arrangement of Figures 4 and 5, which can also be used in the brushhead of Figure 1 and 3. Instead of hollow bristles, the bristles 84 are solid, with the area 86 of the brushhead from which the bristles 84 extend including one or more nozzle-like openings 87 therein, which are either in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir 88 in the brushhead (similar to reservoir 76 in Figures 4 and 5) or an internal chamber in the brushhead, like chamber 43 in Figure 3, which contains dentifrice delivered from a remote reservoir. Dentifrice is supplied to the area of interest by the action of the toothbrush in two ways. One way i through capillary action. Either with the hollo bristle embodiment or with a brush having tufts of soli bristles, as fluid is removed from the vicinity of th brushhead in the use of the device, capillary actio draws fluid from the reservoir to replenish what ha been used. The more fluid used, the more is replaced. This is true "demand feed" action. Capillary action ha been demonstrated over a frequency range of 100-300 Hz. A frequency of 140 Hz for the vibrating toothbrus provides very effective results. It has been found tha the supply of fluid when the toothbrush is under a heav load is nearly twice that when the toothbrush is unloaded. Again, the capillary feed action is due to the use of hollow bristles or by locating solid bristles sufficiently proximate to each other that capillar action occurs. The other way dentifrice is delivered is through the action of centrifugal force. Centrifugal force produced by the reciprocating vibration of the brushhead acts to force the dentifrice through the hollow bristles or through the nozzles in the brushhead to the vicinity of the tips of the bristles. In both instances, the surface tension properties of the dentifrice and the chambers are such that the dentifrice is retained behind the nozzle or the hollow bristles when the toothbrush is not vibrating, but when the toothbrush is vibrating, sufficient centrifugal force is produced to force the dentifrice out from the nozzles or the bristles. The rate of dispersion of the dentifrice is controlled by the amount of vibration energy of the brushhead, the size of the openings of the nozzles or in the bristles, and the number thereof, as well as the viscosity of the dentifrice. For a sinusoidal motion of the tip of the bristles of the brushhead, having an amplitude X(t) = X 0 Sinωt, the resulting centrifugal force on an incremental radial section Δr will be = A d X 0 2 ω 2 r Δr/G r - where A is the area of the fluid column, d is the density of the dentifrice, X 0 is the amplitude of the motion of the bristles, ω is the frequency of oscillation, r is the distance from the center of the motion, Δr is the radial thickness of the section, and G equals the gravitational acceleration. The factor G is included so that the force will be expressed in grams. For a column of fluid distributed from r=0 to r=r 0 , the resulting centrifugal force F c is: F C =A d X 0 2 ω/G r 0 - J °r dr = A d X 0 2 ω 2 /2G. In a specific example, where r 0 = 1.0 inches, f = 200 Hd (for water) = 16.3 g/inch 3 ' X 0 = 0.10 inches, and a tube diameter of 0.10 inches, the resulting force F c = 2.7 grams. This centrifugal force of almost 20 times that of the force of gravity on the same volume of fluid (0.008 inch 3 ) is sufficient to force a fluid through a nozzle or hollow bristle when the brushhead is vibrating, but no drop will move through the .nozzle or bristle when the vibration is not present. The centrifugal force is so much stronger than gravity that the fluid delivery performance of the toothbrush is relatively independent of position. The rate at which fluid is dispensed is controlled by the dimensions of the dispensing mechanism and the choice of fluid. This includes the size of the exit orifice for the fluid, the fluid pressure and the viscosity of the fluid. The fluid pressure is determined by centrifugal force considerations discussed above. It has been determined by the inventors that rate control under loads of + 15-20% are practical. While the dentifrice dispensed by the toothbrush of the present invention may be any one of a number of solutions, including a bacterial agent such as an antibiotic like chlorhexidine to control infection, other medications for various treatment and/or preventative purposes may be used, as well as cleansing or foaming agent, or even water, which wil aid the action of the energy of the vibratin toothbrush. The dosage of therapeutic solutions can b carefully controlled and administered t simultaneousl with the accomplishment of conventional oral hygiene. This can minimize stain buildup. Correct dosages will minimize systemic absorption of the medication. All of these types of solutions and others are included unde the general term dentifrice. Preferably, the dentifrice is a fluid. The medication or dentifrice to be used in the present invention can initially be in the form of a solid pellet, either in a porous bag or in a package form. The dentifrice/medication will be placed in the reservoir along with tap water in which the dentifrice will dissolve. The rate of dissolution can be controlled so that several separate applications may be made with a single pellet or the like. It should be understood that- certain modifications may be made to the present invention to improve its performance. For instance, the reservoir 30 in Figure 3 may be pressurized in some manner to aid in the flow of dentifrice or a small pump may be attached to the reservoir 30 or at some place along the tube connection to aid in the dispensing of the dentifrice. A small pump could be operated by the power source for the vibrating brushhead. In an example, a pump could be constructed with two one-way valves, surrounding a deformable member which is squeezed by the vibration of the transducer. In another variation, the reservoir 30 could be attachable to a water faucet or the like with a . flexible tube connecting the reservoir to the toothbrush. In another variation, the reservoir 30 could be refillable, with water or other dentifrice. In operation of the toothbrush of the present invention, power is supplied to commence vibration of the brushhead and hence the bristles thereon. This action of the bristles can be used to mechanically "scrub" the teeth to remove food particles and disrupt plaque reachable with the bristles. The user typically will concentrate on the sulcus and interdental regions of the teeth. The vibrating action of the brushhead also at the same time provides acoustical energy sufficient to support cavitation and streaming throughout the entire mouth area, including areas beyond the reach of the bristle contact. The dentifrice-dispensing feature of the present invention assures effective cavitation and streaming throughout the entire dental area with its active supply of fluid. The acoustical cleaning effect is thus more effective than that which would result by reliance on saliva and toothpaste alone. The present device thus combines the benefits of scrubbing bristles with controlled cavitation and streaming, accomplished by the combination of a source of vibration for a brushhead, an appropriate .brushhead design and means for supplying fluid at a controlled rate to the brushhead. It should also be noted that the disclosed fluid dispensing mechanism results in the bristles being continuously wet, but not excessively so, which would result in splattering when the device is not in the mouth or in causing the user to remove excess fluid by swallowing, etc., when the device is in actual use. Fluid is supplied basically on demand, to the extent actually needed to maintain effective cavitation and streaming. A further important advantage of the present invention occurs when the dentifrice is a medicine or chemical agent such as an antibacterial agent, i.e. chlorhexidine. Application of the sonic energy to a medicinal cavitation fluid enhances the effect of the medicinal or chemical agent, thus resulting in a synergistic effect between the acoustical energy of the toothbrush and the medicine or chemical agent. Althoug it is known generally that acoustic energy can intensif the effect of antibacterial and other chemical agents, the use of acoustic energy delivered by a toothbrus with concurrent delivery of a medicinal agent to provid an enhanced cleansing/medicinal effect for teeth is no believed to be known. Thus, a new dentifrice-dispensing toothbrus has been disclosed which delivers the dentifric reliably to an area of interest by virtue of th vibrating action of the toothbrush. This toothbrus permits a careful, accurate targeting of a particula location for application of a dentifrice medication. The apparatus of the present invention is capable of using the vibration driving source to supply the fluid to the bristles, without the need for a separate pump, although a separate pump can be used. Medication can be automatically applied in precisely controlled amounts during brushing, without the direct intervention of the operator. Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein for illustration, it should be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims which follow:

Claims: Claims 1. A toothbrush having a dentifrice dispensing capability, comprising: a toothbrush assembly including a toothbrush body, a brushhead in the vicinity of one end of the body having bristles extending therefrom, means for supporting said brushhead for vibrating movement, and means for driving said brushhead such that it vibrates, so that the toothbrush assembly is capable of producing a mechanical scrubbing of the teeth as well as producing an acoustical cleaning effect for the teeth and surrounding areas; a reservoir for dentifrice; means permitting release of dentifrice from said brushhead; and means connecting said reservoir to said release means, wherein said release means is arranged and configured such that in operation of said brushhead, dentifrice is discharged from said reservoir through the release means to support cavitation and streaming in the acoustical cleaning of the teeth and surrounding areas. 2. An apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the bristles are configured and arranged so that dentifrice is discharged by capillary action, in accordance with demand. 3. An apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said brushhead includes a small chamber therein which is in fluid communication with said release means and wherein said connecting means includes means connecting said reservoir with said small chamber in said brushhead. 4. An apparatus of Claim 3, wherein said reservoir is located relatively away from said brushhead. 5. An apparatus of Claim 1, wherein th reservoir includes a wicking member which extend between said reservoir and said connecting means. 6. An apparatus of Claim 1, wherein th reservoir includes a sponge to store the dentifrice. 7. An apparatus of Claim 3, including a flexible tube-like element positioned within the said reservoir and in fluid communication with said connecting means at an outlet end thereof, wherein said tube-like element includes a weighted portion in the vicinity of an inlet end thereof, such that the inlet end tends to remain in contact with fluid in the reservoir regardless of the orientation of the toothbrush. 8. An apparatus of Claim 3, including means for removably connecting said reservoir to said connecting means so as to permit convenient replacement of said reservoir when it is empty. 9. An apparatus of Claim 3, wherein said reservoir is refillable. 10. An apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said reservoir is located in the brushhead and is in fluid communication with said release means. 11. An apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said brushhead is driven at a freguency and amplitude sufficient that acoustic energy is supplied to the dentifrice with the brushhead, which facilitates cavitation of the dentifrice when the dentifrice exits from the release means. 12. An apparatus of Claim 10, wherein the brushhead is removably connected to said brushhead driving means. 13. An apparatus of Claim 2, wherein at least some of said bristles are hollow and are in fluid communication with said connecting means and hence said reservoir, said hollow bristles thereby defining said release means. 14. An apparatus of Claim 2 * , wherein said release means comprises nozzle-like openings in said brushhead, wherein said bristles are solid and arranged in tufts and wherein said nozzle-like openings are in fluid communication with said connecting means and hence said reservoir. 15. An apparatus of Claim 10, wherein said reservoir is made from a flexible material such that said reservoir tends to collapse as dentifrice is removed therefrom. 16. An apparatus of Claim 1, including means for pressurizing said reservoir. 17. An apparatus of Claim 1, including pump means connected to said connecting means to assist in movement of dentifrice from said reservoir to said release means. 18. An apparatus of Claim 8, including air vent means in said reservoir means. 19. An apparatus of Claim 9, including air vent means in said brushhead. 20. An oral hygiene apparatus, comprising: a housing; a brushhead extending from said housing, the brushhead having bristles which extend therefrom for brushing teeth; a source of acoustic energy within the housing; means coupling the acoustic , energy to the brushhead, such that the brushhead and hence the bristles thereon vibrate at a sufficient freguency and amplitude to both mechanically scrub the teeth and to support cavitation at the teeth and the immediate vicinity thereof; and means for supplying fluid to the brushhead at such a time and in such a manner as to support cavitation. 21. An apparatus of Claim 20, wherein the fluid is a medicinal agent and wherein the acoustic energy is such that the effect of the agent is enhanced. 22. An apparatus of Claim 20, wherein the brushhead is arranged such that the fluid is discharged at least partially by capillary action. 23. An apparatus of Claim 20, wherein the brushhead is arranged such that the fluid is discharged at least partially by centrifugal force. 24. A method of oral hygiene for teeth and the surrounding area, comprising the steps of: supplying to the teeth substantially simultaneously in time and space (a) acoustical energy produced by vibrating bristles on a brushhead and (b) a fluid, in such a manner as to maintain cavitation in the vicinity of the teeth, disrupting bacteria on the teeth and in areas surrounding the teeth which are not reachable by the bristles. 25. A method of Claim 24, wherein the fluid is a medicinal agent and wherein the acoustic energy interacts with the medicinal agent in such a manner as to enhance the effect of the medicinal agent. 26. A method of Claim 25, wherein the medicinal agent is initially in a solid from, but is dissolved prior to application thereof to the teeth. 27. A method of Claim 24, wherein the fluid is discharged at least partially by capillary action. 28. A method of Claim 24, wherein the fluid is discharged at least partially by centrifugal force. 29. An oral hygiene apparatus, comprising: a housing; a brushhead extending from said housing, the brushhead having bristles which extend therefrom for brushing teeth; a reservoir for dentifrice; means providing a luid connection between the reservoir and the brushhead; and means for vibrating the brushhead at a sufficient frequency and amplitude to scrub the teeth and simultaneously and automatically deliver dentifrice to the teeth. 30. An apparatus of Claim 29, wherein the vibration of the bristles is sufficient to support cavitation at the teeth and the surrounding area. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 25 May 1992 (25.05.92) ; original claims 22 and 23 cancelled; original claims 1,2 and 29 amended; new claims 3_-37 added; other claims unchanged (7 pages)] 1. A toothbrush having a dentifrice dispensing capability, comprising: a toothbrush assembly including a toothbrush 10 body, a brushhead in the vicinity of one end of the body, the brushhead including bristles, means for supporting said brushhead for vibrating movement., and means for driving said brushhead such that it vibrates, so that the toothbrush assembly is capable of producing 15 a mechanical scrubbing of the teeth as well as producing an acoustical cleaning effect for the teeth and surrounding areas; a reservoir for dentifrice; means defined in the brushhead permitting 20 release of dentifrice from said brushhead; and means connecting said reservoir to said release means, wherein said release means is so configured and arranged and wherein in operation said driving means vibrates said brushhead at such a 25 freguency and amplitude that dentifrice is drawn from said reservoir and moved through said release means to support cavitation and streaming in the acoustical cleaning of the teeth and surrounding areas. 30 2. An apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the bristles are so configured and arranged that when the driving means vibrates the brushhead at a frequency within a range of 100-300 Hz, dentifrice is discharged by capillary action, in accordance with demand. 5 3. An apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said brushhead includes a small chamber therein which is in fluid communication with said release means and wherein said connecting means includes means connecting said 2ϋ reservoir with said small chamber in said brushhead. 4. An apparatus of Claim 3, wherein said reservoir is located relatively away from said brushhead. 5. An apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the reservoir includes a wicking member which extends between said reservoir and said connecting means. 6. An apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the reservoir includes a sponge to store the dentifrice. 7. An apparatus of Claim 3, including a flexible tube-like element positioned within the said reservoir and in fluid communication with said connecting means at an outlet end thereof, wherein said tube-like element includes a weighted portion in the vicinity of an inlet end thereof, such that the inlet end tends to remain in contact with fluid in the reservoir regardless of the orientation of the toothbrush. 8. An apparatus of Claim 3, including means for removably connecting said reservoir to said connecting means so as to permit convenient replacement of said reservoir when it is empty. 9. An apparatus of Claim 3, wherein said reservoir is refillable. 10. An apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said reservoir is located in the brushhead and is in fluid communication with said release means. 2 i 11. An apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said brushhead is driven at a frequency and amplitude sufficient that acoustic energy is supplied to the dentifrice with the brushhead, which facilitates cavitation of the dentifrice when the dentifrice exits from the release means. 12. An apparatus of Claim 10, wherein the brushhead is removably connected to said brushhead driving means. 13. An apparatus of Claim 2, wherein at least some of said bristles are hollow and are in fluid communication with said connecting means and hence said reservoir, said hollow bristles thereby defining said release means. 14. An apparatus of Claim 2, wherein said release means comprises nozzle-like openings in said brushhead, wherein said bristles are solid and arranged in tufts and wherein said nozzle-like openings are in fluid communication with said connecting means and hence said reservoir. 15. An apparatus of Claim 10, wherein said reservoir is made from a flexible material such that said reservoir tends to collapse as dentifrice is removed therefrom. 16. An apparatus of Claim 1, including means for pressurizing said reservoir. 17. An apparatus of Claim 1, including pump means connected to said connecting means to assist in movement of dentifrice from said reservoir to said release means. 18. An apparatus of Claim 8, including air vent means in said reservoir means. 19. An apparatus of Claim 9, including air vent means in said brushhead. 20. An oral hygiene apparatus, comprising: a housing; a brushhead extending from said housing, the brushhead having bristles which extend therefrom for brushing teeth; a source of acoustic energy within the housing; means coupling the acoustic energy to the brushhead, such that the brushhead and hence the bristles thereon vibrate at a sufficient frequency and amplitude to both mechanically scrub the teeth and to support cavitation at the teeth and the immediate vicinity thereof; and means for supplying fluid to the brushhead at such a time and in such a manner as to support cavitation. 21. An apparatus of Claim 20, wherein the fluid is a medicinal agent and wherein the acoustic energy is such that the effect of the agent is enhanced. 24. A method of oral hygiene for teeth and the surrounding area, comprising the steps of: supplying to the teeth substantially simultaneously in time and space (a) acoustical energy produced by vibrating bristles on a brushhead and (b) a fluid, in such a manner as to maintain cavitation in the vicinity of the teeth, disrupting bacteria on the teeth and in areas surrounding the teeth which are not reachable by the bristles. 25. A method of Claim 24, wherein the fluid is a medicinal agent and wherein the acoustic energy interacts with the medicinal agent in such a manner as to enhance the effect of the medicinal agent. 26. A method of Claim 25, wherein the medicinal agent is initially in a solid form, but is dissolved prior to application thereof to the teeth. 27. A method of Claim 24, wherein the fluid is discharged at least partially by capillary action. 28. A method of Claim 24, wherein the fluid is discharged at least partially by centrifugal force. 29. An oral hygiene apparatus, comprising: a housing; a brushhead extending from said housing, the brushhead having bristles which extend therefrom for brushing teeth; a reservoir for dentifrice; means providing a fluid connection between the reservoir and the brushhead; and means for vibrating the brushhead at a sufficient frequency and amplitude to scrub the teeth, said vibrating means simultaneously and automatically drawing dentifrice from the reservoir and out through the brushhead. 30. An apparatus of Claim 29, wherein the vibration of the bristles is sufficient to support cavitation at the teeth and the surrounding area. 31. An apparatus of Claim 20, wherein said fluid supplying means includes bristles which have a hollow opening longitudinally therethrough and which extend from the brushhead, said hollow bristles being in fluid communication with a reservoir of fluid located in said housing. 32. An apparatus of Claim 20, wherein said fluid supplying means includes openings in said brushhead in the vicinity of the bristles which extend therefrom, said openings being in fluid communication with a reservoir of fluid located in said housing. 33. An apparatus of Claim 31, wherein the source of acoustic energy is capable of vibrating the brushhead at such a frequency and amplitude that fluid is discharged from the bristles at least partially by capillary action. 34. An apparatus of Claim 31, wherein the size of the hollow openings in the bristles is such and wherein the source of acoustic energy is capable of vibrating the brushhead at such a frequency and amplitude that fluid is discharged from the bristles at least partially by centrifugal force. 35. An apparatus of Claim 32, wherein the bristles are positioned on the brushhead relative to each other in such a manner and wherein the source of acoustic energy is capable of vibrating the brushhead at such a frequency and amplitude that fluid is discharged from the openings at least partially by capillary action. 36. An apparatus of Claim 32, wherein the size of the openings is such and wherein the source of acoustic energy is capable of vibrating the brushhead at such a freguency and amplitude that fluid is discharged from the openings at least partially by centrifugal force. 37. An apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said driving means includes an arm which extends from the toothbrush body, the brushhead being supported at one end of said arm, wherein the driving means further includes means for vibrating the arm and hence the brushhead, and wherein the connecting means extends through the arm and moves therewith.

Inventors: GIULIANI DAVID, MARTIN ROY W, GIULIANI, DAVID, MARTIN, ROY, W.
Applicants: GEMTECH INC, GEMTECH, INC.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: A61C15
IPC codes: A46B11, A46B13, A46B15, A61C17