Abstract:
An oral care implement ( 1 ) includes a head ( 12 ), a handle ( 10 ), a neck portion ( 11 ) connecting the head and the handle, and a reservoir ( 15 ) which contains at least one active agent. The implement has an activator ( 22 ) for activating a delivery device which delivers the active agent to one or more outlets ( 50 ). A powered delivery device ( 18 ) disposed in the head to deliver a liquid from the reservoir via the outlet. A wide variety of types of active agents may be administered at appropriate and accurate doses for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefit.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/994,342, filed Nov. 23, 2010, which is a national state entry under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2008/064630, filed May 23, 2008, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an oral care implement including a delivery system for a fluid. Oral care implements, particularly toothbrushes, are typically used by applying toothpaste to a bristle section followed by brushing regions of the oral cavity, e.g., the teeth, tongue, and/or gums. Some toothbrushes have been equipped with fluid reservoirs and systems for delivering auxiliary active agents, such as whitening agents, breath freshening agents, and the like. 
     Some efforts have been made to configure toothbrushes to deliver active agents at the time of brushing. Commonly assigned U.S. 2007/0154863 A1, for example, describes an oral care implement having a reservoir containing an active agent and a user-activated pump for delivering the active agent through a channel and out of one or more outlets. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an oral care implement including a delivery system for a fluid. 
     In one aspect, the oral care implement may have a displaceable reservoir, which contains a liquid substance. 
     In one aspect, the oral care implement may have a delivery device actuator, such as a switch, for activating a delivery device, such as a pump disposed in the head or other portion of the implement. The delivery device may deliver a predetermined amount of the substance, to one or more outlets. The outlets may be located in the vicinity of the tooth cleaning elements, e.g., bristles, and/or other portion(s) of the oral care implement. 
     The oral care implement enables a wide variety of active agents to be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, reducing sensitivity of the teeth or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling. 
     The oral care implement advantageously may be manufactured at relatively low cost, is easy to use, and may deliver a medium through one or more outlets upon a user activating a switch. By locating a reservoir in the neck portion, the distance that the medium is dispensed to the head is minimized. With this configuration, the implement also is less prone to clogging, the volume of the reservoir may be reduced, and the reservoir may be more easily replaced for changing or replenishment of the active agent. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a toothbrush construction having a liquid delivery system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary cross-section view of the toothbrush construction of  FIG. 1  including a powered delivery device in the head of the toothbrush. 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  are schematic cross-section views taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1  showing a displacement of a reservoir as a liquid is withdrawn from the reservoir. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a control circuit for operating a pump. 
         FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of a control system for operating a pump. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a representative operation of a piezoelectric pump construction as liquid flows from the pump from the reservoir via a fluid pathway. 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of an alternative toothbrush construction having a reservoir disposed in a neck portion. 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the toothbrush of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of a toothbrush having a piezoelectric pump in the head portion with a reservoir in a neck portion. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the toothbrush of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of an alternative toothbrush construction with the pump located next to the head and the reservoir in the neck. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a toothbrush  1  having a handle  10 , a head  12 , and a neck portion  11  connecting the handle  10  and head  12 . The head contains tooth cleaning elements  5 , such as bristles and/or elastomeric cleaning elements or the like. A reservoir  15  is provided in the handle  10  for storing a liquid medium having an active agent. In an alternative construction shown in  FIGS. 7-11 , the reservoir  15  may be provided within the neck portion  11  of the toothbrush. The handle  10  or other exterior portion of the toothbrush  1  may contain a delivery device actuator or switch, such as a user-actuated button  22 , for activating a delivery device, such as a pump  18 . The pump  18  may be located upstream or downstream of the reservoir  15 . 
     In one construction, a micro piezoelectric pump  18  is positioned beneath the cleaning elements  5  in the toothbrush head. In order to deliver active ingredients or active agents to a desirable location or to avoid dogging from residue toothpaste, the outlet(s) of the micro piezoelectric pump  18  are located at desirable locations, such as, in the vicinity of the bristles (top of the brush head), on the side of the brush head opposite the cleaning elements (bottom of the brush head), at the distal tip of the brush head (the very front tip of the brush), or on the sidewalls of the brush head. Upon activation of the switch  22 , the pump  18  draws a quantity of the medium from the reservoir  15  through a channel toward the head. The medium is delivered through one or more outlets  50  located within the bristle field. As shown in  FIG. 2 , outlets  50  may be spaced along the length of the bristle section to help disperse the medium throughout the bristle field. Optionally, a plurality of outlets may be provided on both the surface of the head that contains the tooth cleaning elements as well as the opposite the surface of the head, e.g., for delivering the same active agent from a common supply or different active agents from separate supplies. 
     In one construction, the bristles comprised hollow lumens or the like and the liquid medium having an active agent is delivered through the bristles. The liquid may also be delivered simultaneously through outlets  50  located at different portions of the toothbrush  1 , for example to aid in the application of the active agent to different areas of the mouth. Although reference is made to a plurality of outlets, it is contemplated that a single outlet could be used. 
     The switch for activating the pump  18  may be a button  22 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , or it may be another type of switch such as a touch or heat sensitive type of switch, user-activated toggle switch, rotating dial. Engaging the button  22 , such as, by depressing the button  22 , may activate a timing circuit which causes the pump  18  to operate for a period of time which, in turn, causes a predetermined amount of the medium containing the active agent to be pumped from the reservoir  15  and through the outlets  50 . The pump has a power source, such as a battery  21 , which may be located in the handle portion  10 . The timing circuit causes the pump  18  to operate for a time period which either may be preset or may be adjustable, for example, by using a slidable variable control, rotatable variable dial or digital preset control. The time interval also may vary depending on the active agent or the amount of time programmed by the user or manufacturer. 
     The medium containing the active agent may be incorporated into a sealed reservoir  15  during manufacture of the toothbrush  1 , in which case the toothbrush  1  may be disposed of after the supply of the active agent is exhausted. Alternatively, the reservoir  15  may be refillable through an inlet (not shown), or may be replaceable, e.g., by inserting a replaceable cartridge into a recess in the toothbrush. A cartridge may be provided with a sharpened element which penetrates a membrane in the recess to permit the medium to flow from the cartridge. The cartridge may be spring-loaded to stay in place after insertion into the recess, and can have a seal to prevent unwanted leakage of the active agent. The cartridge may be disposable or refillable. Other methods of providing a refillable and/or replaceable cartridge or the like may be used. 
     The pump  18  may be coupled to the head  12  by various known methods including bonding, molding, melting, and mechanical fixing. The pump  18  can also be integrated into the head  12  to save space and cost by bonding/molding drive element directly in a cavity in the head. Alternatively, the pump  18  or the reservoir  15  may be coupled to the handle portion  10  of the toothbrush  1  by similar means. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , reservoir  15  can be provided in a displaceable construction, such as a collapsible bag or container, connected to the micro piezoelectric pump  18  via a fluid pathway  19 , such as flexible tubing. The tubing can be embedded in the brush handle  10  or a channel directly molded in the brush handle. The reservoir  15 , when provided as a collapsible bag or container, may be used so that air bubbles are not generated during transportation of active ingredients or agents and brushing. In addition, the collapsible bag or container ensures that negative pressure does not build up in the container as to reduce pumping rate after a portion of active ingredients or agents has been withdrawn by the micro piezoelectric pump  18 . The collapsible bag or container can store enough material for about 60-120 uses, where each use will consume about 10-50 μL (micro-liters) of fluid or 10-100 μL of fluid. Nevertheless, other values are possible. 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  show cross-sectional views of the toothbrush  1 , taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 3A-3C  show the radial displacement of the compressible reservoir  15  as liquid is depleted from the reservoir, with f 1 , f 2 , and f 3  representing the width of the reservoir in  FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C , respectively. The width as used here is one of the many ways that may be used to measure the radial displacement. The elements  34  and  36  represent the surface and thickness of the toothbrush body, respectively. As can be appreciated, as the pump  18  operates, negative pressure (e.g. suction pressure) is provided in the tubing and reservoir. As the liquid in the reservoir  15  is depleted by flowing to the head  12 , the reservoir  15  is compressed to maintain fluid contact with the pump. For example,  FIG. 3A  shows a reservoir with a width of f 1  when the liquid is at a maximum. As the liquid is depleted by flowing to the toothbrush head portion  12  via the flexible tube  19  and pump  18 , the width of reservoir  15  becomes smaller as shown in  FIG. 3B , where f 2  is less than f 1 . As the liquid is further depleted the reservoir  15  is compressed further as shown in  FIG. 3C , having width f 3 , where f 3  is less than f 2 . Hence, width f 3  is less than width f 2  and width f 1  is less that width f 2 . Nevertheless, the container may become smaller in the longitudinal axial direction during operation of the pump  18 . With respect to longitudinal displacement, the distal end of the reservoir may displace in the direction of the head of the toothbrush. 
     The active agent may be delivered in a dose appropriate for its intended purpose. The amount may be controlled by controlling the duration the pump  18  operates after the button  22  is pressed. The duration of dispensation will depend on the desired dose and the flow rate of the medium, and typically ranges from about 1 second to 5 minutes, often from about 5 seconds to about 2 minutes, and may range from about 10 seconds to 30 seconds. The dispensing action may begin either immediately after the button  22  is pressed, or a predetermined delay may be programmed. 
     Suitable devices are commercially available for delivering the medium from the reservoir  15  to the outlet(s). The pump may deliver the medium through a variety of different actions that are mechanical, electrical, or a combination thereof, depending on the pump structure. In one example, a micro piezoelectric pump, such as model mp5, manufactured by Bartels Mikrotechnik GmbH may be used. Nevertheless, other pumping devices can be used. 
     In one construction, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the micro piezoelectric pump  18  may be driven by a miniature circuit  9  that includes an integrated circuit (IC) driver  40 . The miniature circuit  9  may further include, for example, resistors R 1  and R 2 , capacitors C 1  and C 2 , at least one switch S 1 , and a low voltage direct current (DC) source B 1  (such as, a 1.5 volts or 3.0 volts battery) in order to power the driver  40 . The driver,  40 , such as, a Surpertex HV 852 low noise and inductorless driver is a high voltage and low alternating current power source. The driver  40  converts the low voltage DC input from B 1  to a high voltage alternating current (AC) output across the pump  18 . For example, at 3.0 volts DC input, the driver  40  develops at least 150V peak-to-peak AC voltage, and draws around 23.8 mA 24 mA of current from the battery. At these values, the pumping rate for the micro piezoelectric pump  18  is around 10 μL/second for water at room temperature. The push button switch S 1  is the trigger for timer when S 1  is closed briefly the pump will run a predetermined time, and shut off itself based on the values of R 2  and C 2 . The miniature circuit  9  can have a very low quiescent supply current of about 1 μA, obviating the need for a separate power switch to control the power when the pump is not in operation. 
     The circuit including the driver  40  draws a current of about 30 mA when it is running for energy efficient operation. Nevertheless, other values are possible for the current. The circuit can be provided on a conventional circuit board in various sizes. In one construction, the circuit board may measure around 8×13 mm 2  in size so that it can readily fit into the toothbrush handle  10 . 
     to  FIG. 5 , a control system  50 , as an alternative to or in conjunction with one or more aspects of circuit  9  in  FIG. 4 , may be used to drive the piezoelectric pump  18  of the toothbrush  1 .  FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram for one or more constructions of a control system  50  for driving the pump  18 . One or more of the components shown in  FIG. 5  may be included within one or more printed circuit boards. 
     The toothbrush  1  may include a control system  50 , a power supply  47  operatively connected to one or more elements of the system  50 , and a display  49  operatively connected to one or more components of the system  50 . Power supply  47  may include one or more power components, such as a battery or a wired connection to a power source, providing for electrical power to electrical components of the toothbrush  1 . The display  49  may display information, such as, switching time (activation or deactivation), pump rate, or other desired information. 
     In one or more constructions, the control system  50  may include a switch circuitry  41 , a timer circuitry  43 , and a memory  45 . The control system  50  is operatively coupled to memory  45 . Memory  45  stores data installed or programmed by the user. Memory  45  may be any programmable type in which nonvolatile storage can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. Possible alternatives include flash memory, flash ROM, RAM with battery backup. It should be understood that data formatted for toothbrush  1  may tie downloaded to memory  45  or data may be preloaded in the memory. 
     Switch circuitry  41  may include hardware, software, computer-readable instructions, or other components to allow for activating or deactivating the operation of the piezoelectric pump  18 . The switch circuitry  41  may be configured to perform the functions for processing signal(s) performing computer-readable instructions, and reading from and writing to a memory  45  associated with the toothbrush  1 . 
     Timer circuitry  43  may include hardware, software, computer-readable instructions, or other components to allow for counting up or counting down time and for outputting such information (for example, switching time) in suitable form for use by the display  49 . Timer circuitry  43  may include a crystal oscillator for counting seconds, minutes, etc. Timer circuitry  43  may be configured to perform the functions for processing signal(s) performing computer-readable instructions, and reading from and writing to a memory  45  associated with the toothbrush  1  operating in a timer mode. 
     The control system  50  may activate the pump  18  by a switch,  41  with a timer where the pump is turned OFF (that is, deactivated) automatically after a predetermined time. This activation switch,  41  may be controlled by a button  22  that may be located below the toothbrush neck  11  or elsewhere on the toothbrush  1 , such as, between the toothbrush head  12  and handle  10 . The duration of time that the pump is turned ON or activated may be adjusted as desired by the user. 
     The operation of the piezoelectric micro pump  18  is illustrated using  FIGS. 6A and 6B . The micro pump  18  includes, an actuator  31  fixed on a flexible membrane  33 , which is placed on top of the pump chamber  35 , and two double valve flaps  37  and  39 . The two double valve flaps  35  and  37  act as a control for the liquid, allowing liquid to flow only in one direction, namely towards the outlet  50 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6A , when the double flap valve  37  is open (at position “a”) and the double flap valve  37  is closed (at position “d”), liquid L from the flexible tube  19  is allowed to flow into the chamber  35  through the pump&#39;s input side I. It is to be understood that the negative pressure in the chamber caused by the upward movement of the membrane enables flow of the liquid. After the chamber  35  fills up to an allowable or determined quantity, the flap  37  closes by moving to position “b” as shown in  FIG. 6B , and does not let in more liquid into the chamber  35 . It is to be understood that downward movement of the membrane cause a positive pressure in the chamber such that backflow of the liquid is caused against the chamber-side portion of the flap  37 . At the same time, the double valve flap valve  39  opens by moving to position “c” to enable the liquid L in the chamber  35  to flow out of the chamber  35  into output O. This output liquid flows through one of the outlets of the toothbrush head portion  12 . 
     In one construction, a kit includes a toothbrush and at least one cartridge containing an active agent. A user may select among multiple cartridges for a desired treatment. If the active agents have different intervals of application, the toothbrush may be provided with a feature, for example, a dial or a slider, to enable the user to select the appropriate setting. Similarly, a single cartridge can come pre-loaded with multiple active agents that may be selectively accessed and delivered by a switch or the like. The kit can also include a dentifrice if desired. 
       FIGS. 7-11  show a toothbrush construction in which the reservoir  15  is positioned at the bottom of the neck portion  11 . A relatively short (e.g., about 10-20 mm) channel connects the reservoir  15  to outlet(s) located in the head portion. 
     Advantageously, by locating the reservoir  15  in the neck portion  11 , the distance that the medium is dispensed to the head is minimized. In this way the implement is less prone to clogging, the required volume of the reservoir  15  may be reduced, or the reservoir  15  may be more easily replaced for changing or replenishment of the active agent. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , the cross-sectional area denoted in the “b” dimension of the handle portion  10  may be suitably selected to provide sufficient storage space for the battery  21 , such as an AAA type or other generally cylindrical battery, while also providing ergonomic characteristics to permit easy gripping and manipulating of the toothbrush. The neck portion  11  has a cross-sectional area denoted in the “a” dimension which is generally less than that of the handle portion  10  and may be suitably selected to provide sufficient storage space for the reservoir  15 . Either or both of the neck portion  11  and handle portion  10  may have contours such that the respective cross sectional area (“a” and/or “b”) is non-uniform. Given these considerations, the ratio of the average cross-sectional area of the handle portion “b” to the average cross-sectional area of the neck portion “a” usually satisfies the relationship 1&lt;b/a≦5, (e.g., the ratio of b over a is greater than one and less than or equal to five) and often 1.2≦b/a≦4 (e.g, ratio of b over a is greater than 1.2 and less than or equal to four). Nevertheless, other values of the ratio are possible. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , micro piezoelectric pump  18  is positioned beneath the bristles  5  in the toothbrush head. Upon activation of the switch  22 , the pump  18  draws a quantity of the medium from the reservoir  15  through a channel toward the head. The length of the channel (d) may range, for example, from about 10 to 20 mm. The medium is delivered through one or more outlets and through the bristles  5  as indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded view showing the various components of the toothbrush of  FIG. 9 . A metal battery contact  25   a  is coupled to the end cap  25  which encloses the battery  21 . The neck section  11  houses the reservoir  15 . 
     The toothbrush  1  optionally may be provided with compartments and/or access panels for access to the various components, such as the power source and reservoir. The power source may be, for example, a replaceable or rechargeable battery. 
     Optionally, a user-activated switch, such as a dial (not shown), can have multiple settings for selecting one of several active agents. For example, the dial can have a first setting for oxidizer/whitener treatment, a second setting for breath freshener treatment, and a third setting for antimicrobial treatment. The dial setting instructs the timing circuit to activate the pump  18  for a time interval appropriate for the selected active agent. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the handle  10  may include a sheath or sleeve  20  which extends in the longitudinal direction of the handle  10  and is made of electrically conductive material. Both the handle  10  and the sleeve  20  are open to the rear, thus forming a cavity which can be closed from the rear by a threaded closure part  25 . The battery  21  may be a commercially available, non-rechargeable cylindrical battery, with a defined power, e.g. 1.5 V. Alternatively, a button cell or rechargeable storage battery could be used as a power source. 
     A spring contact  29  for the positive pole of the battery  21  is fitted in the sleeve  20 , on a transverse wall, and is connected to the pump  18  via an electric line  26 . The electrical connection can be interrupted by means of the switch  22 . 
     The closure part  25  may be provided with a threaded stub  25   a  made of an electrically conductive material and can be screwed into the handle  1  and/or into the sleeve  20 . The threaded stub  25   a  may be provided with a contact surface which, with the closure part  25  screwed in, comes into abutment against the negative pole of the battery  21  inserted into the sleeve  20 . The negative pole is electrically connected to the drive circuit  18  via the threaded stub  25   a , the sleeve  20  itself, and a line  27  which connects the sleeve  20  to the pump  18 . Instead of being transmitted via the electrically conductive sleeve  20 , it would also be possible for the power from the negative pole to be transmitted in some other way, for example using wires or an electrically conductive plastic. 
     The toothbrush  1  may be used by applying toothpaste to the bristles and brushing the teeth in a conventional manner. The active agent may be administered by activating the switch, e.g., depressing button  22 , to activate the pump  18 , which causes the medium containing the active agent to be delivered though the outlet(s). The switch may instruct the timing circuit to activate the pump  18  for a predetermined time, which in turn dispenses the active agent in a predetermined amount. Alternatively, the active agent may be administered in a user-defined amount, for example, dispensation may occur tor the duration that the button  22  is depressed. The active agent may then be applied to the teeth using the bristles. The active agent may be administered before, during, or after brushing. 
     In the toothbrush constructions described herein, the active agent itself may be contained in the reservoir  15 . In other words, it is not necessary to generate the active agent internally or in situ. This simplifies the construction of the toothbrush and avoids the need to handle any byproducts associated with the synthesis of the active agent. Alternatively, an agent in one reservoir may be delivered via a delivery device to another reservoir where it is “activated,” where it is then delivered via another delivery device to the one or more outlets. A delivery system in the toothbrush constructions may employ multiple connections that are direct or indirect. 
     Non-limiting examples of active agents which can be used include antibacterial agents, such as chlorhexidine, cetyl pyridininum chloride, triclosan, stannous compounds, herbal extracts and zinc compounds; oxidative or whitening agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, sodium percarbonate, and PVP-H 2 O 2 ; supercharged fluoride delivery ingredients (such as dicalcium phosphate dihydrate and others disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,956); tooth sensitivity ingredients, such as KNO 3 ; occluding agents, such as Novamin® bioactive glass, sodium silicate, and arginine salts such as arginine bicarbonate; gum health actives, including those which reduce inflammation pathways and/or interfere in bacterial processes which produce inflammatory stimuli, such as polyphenols (such as baicalin and catechin), herbal extracts and triclosan; nutritional type ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, vitamin E, and folic acid; tartar control or anti-stain ingredients, including phosphate salts, polyvinylphosphonic acid, PVM/MA copolymer; enzymes, such as those used for plaque disruption; sensate ingredients, such as those providing cooling, tingle, or heat sensations; flavors and flavor ingredients; anti-cavity or enamel repair agents; breath freshening ingredients; oral malodor reducing agents; anti-attachment agents, such as ethyl lauroyl arginate and silicone polymers; diagnostic solutions, such as plaque-indicator dyes; colorants or other aesthetic agents; and combinations thereof. Examples of flavors and flavor ingredients include essential oils, menthol, carvone, and anethole, and various flavoring aldehydes, esters, and alcohols. Examples of essential oils include oils of spearmint, peppermint, wintergreen, sassafras, clove, sage, eucalyptus, marjoram, cinnamon, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange. 
     The active agent and/or its medium can be selected to complement a toothpaste formula, such as by coordinating flavors, colors, aesthetics, or active ingredients. A flavor can be administered to create a gradual flavor change dining brushing, which presently is not possible using toothpaste alone. 
     The active agent may be compatible with toothpaste, or may be unstable and/or reactive with typical toothpaste ingredients. Non-limiting examples of components which tend to be unstable and/or reactive with typical toothpaste ingredients include hydrogen peroxide, sodium, fluoride, various calcium salts, cetyl pyridinium chloride, ethyl lauroyl arginate, silicone polymers, enzymes, and chlorhexidiene. The active agent also may be a tooth cleaning agent to boost the overall efficacy of brushing. Such tooth cleaning agents may or may not be compatible with the toothpaste ingredients. 
     The active agent can be provided in any suitable vehicle, such as in aqueous solution or in the form of gel or paste. In one example of an implementation, oxygen can aid in oxidation processes such as tooth whitening or air to enhance whole mouth flavor sensation. The use of air can increase the rate of diffusion of the flavor in the mouth. Non-limiting examples of vehicles include water, monohydric alcohols such as ethanol, poly (ethylene oxides) such as polyethylene glycols such as PEG 2M, 5M, 7M, 14M, 23M, 45M, and 90 M available from Union Carbide, carboxymethylene polymers such as Carbopol® 934 and 974 available from B.F. Goodrich, and combinations thereof. The selection of a suitable vehicle will be apparent to persons skilled in the art depending on such factors as the properties of the active agent and the desired properties of the medium, such as viscosity. 
     The quantity of the medium dispensed may vary over a wide range depending on such factors as the identity of the active agent and its concentration in the medium. The quantity usually ranges from about 1 to about 500 μL per use, more usually from about 10 to about 100 μL. For example, the pump  18  may be configured to deliver 10 μL of 20% cetylpyridinium chloride gel over a period of 30 seconds, e.g., for application during the first 30 seconds of brushing the teeth. An advantage of this delivery is that ingredients incompatible with the toothpaste are exposed to the toothpaste as little as possible. 
     The reservoir  15  may contain a quantity of the active agent medium intended for a single use or a small number of uses, or may facilitate repeated use over an extended period of time, e.g., up to several months or several years (if used with a toothbrush having a replaceable head for example). The size of the reservoir  15  may be selected to be compatible with the desired overall dimensions of the toothbrush  1 , particularly the neck portion  11 , as well as such factors as the stability of the active agent and the quantity of medium administered during each application. 
     The supply of active agent in the reservoir  15  may be free or substantially free of components which are incompatible with the active agent and/or the medium containing the active agent, such as incompatible toothpaste components as previously identified. In one aspect, the reservoir  15  may be free or substantially free of toothpaste, as toothpaste is separately applied to the bristles by the user. Alternatively as noted above, an active agent may be originally retained in one reservoir and then transferred to another reservoir where it is activated just prior to delivery, which may be useful in certain conditions or circumstances. 
     The following examples are provided for illustrative purposes and should be construed as illustrative and not limiting. 
     Example 1 
     Table I illustrates a cetylpyridinium chloride concentrate that may be dispensed from a toothbrush reservoir during brushing as an antibacterial agent. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE I 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 Wt % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Carbopol 974P 
                 1-2 
               
               
                   
                 PEG 600 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 FD&amp;C blue #1(1% solution in water) 
                 0.5 
               
               
                   
                 Cetylpyridinium chloride 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 Water 
                 Q.S. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 2 
     Table II shows a hydrogen peroxide solution that may be dispensed from a toothbrush reservoir during brushing as a whitening booster. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE II 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 Wt % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Carbopol 974P 
                 1-2 
               
               
                   
                 Hydrogen peroxide 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 Water 
                 Q.S. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 3 
     Table III illustrates a hydrogen peroxide gel that may be dispensed from a toothbrush reservoir during brushing as a whitening liquid. The gel also may be applied post-brushing for tooth whitening. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE III 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 Wt % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Water 
                 10.07 
               
               
                   
                 Carbopol 974 
                 1.00 
               
               
                   
                 95% Ethyl alcohol 
                 34.8 
               
               
                   
                 Glycerin 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                 PEG 600 
                 10.00 
               
               
                   
                 PEG 2M 
                 14.00 
               
               
                   
                 Hydrogen peroxide 
                 25.00 
               
               
                   
                 85% Phosphoric acid 
                 0.05 
               
               
                   
                 Monobasic sodium phosphate 
                 0.05 
               
               
                   
                 Total 
                 100.00 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 4 
     Table IV shows a phosphoric acid solution that may be dispensed from a toothbrush reservoir during brushing as a whitening liquid. The solution has a pH of about 4.0. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE IV 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 Wt % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Purified water 
                 25.1 
               
               
                   
                 Carbopol 974 
                 1.00 
               
               
                   
                 95% Ethyl alcohol 
                 34.8 
               
               
                   
                 Glycerin 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                 PEG 2M 
                 15.00 
               
               
                   
                 Urea peroxide 
                 18.00 
               
               
                   
                 85% Phosphoric acid 
                 0.10 
               
               
                   
                 Monobasic sodium phosphate 
                 1.0 
               
               
                   
                 Total 
                 100.00 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 5 
     Table V illustrates another hydrogen peroxide solution that may be dispensed from a toothbrush reservoir during brushing as a whitening booster. The composition alternatively may be applied to the teeth after brushing as a whitening agent. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE V 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 Wt % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Carbopol 974P 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 95% ethyl alcohol 
                 34.8 
               
               
                   
                 Glycerin 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 PEG 600 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 PEG 2M 
                 14 
               
               
                   
                 85% phosphoric acid 
                 0.05 
               
               
                   
                 Monobasic sodium phosphate 
                 0.05 
               
               
                   
                 Hydrogen peroxide 
                 25 
               
               
                   
                 Water 
                 Q.S. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 6 
     Alternative liquid whitening gels are prepared by modifying the base formula of Example 5 by adding either (1) 2 to 5 wt % polyethylene (PE) powder having an average particle size of 6 to 8 microns; (2) 1 to 5 wt % polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) powder having particle size of 5 to 6 microns; (3) 0.8 to 2.5 wt % polypropylene (PP) powder having a particle size of 4 to 50 microns; (4) 2 to 5 wt % PE powder and 0.11 to 0.4 wt % titanium dioxide powder having a particle size of 10 to 45 microns. Examples of gels having the polymer and/or inorganic titanium powders incorporated in the base formula are shown in Tables VI and VII. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE VI 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 G 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
                 E 
                 F 
                 (wt 
               
               
                   
                 (wt %) 
                 (wt %) 
                 (wt %) 
                 (wt %) 
                 (wt %) 
                 (wt %) 
                 %) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Base 
                 99.0 
                 98.0 
                 95.0 
                 98.0 
                 95.0 
                 99.2 
                 97.5 
               
               
                 Formula 
               
               
                 +PE 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 2.0 
                 5.0 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 +PTFE 
                 1.00 
                 2.0 
                 5.0 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 +PP 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 0.8 
                 2.5 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE VII 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 GA 
                 H 
                 I 
                 J 
                 K 
                 L 
               
               
                   
                 (wt %) 
                 (wt %) 
                 (wt %) 
                 (wt %) 
                 (wt %) 
                 (wt %) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Base Formula 
                 99.5 
                 97.90 
                 97.80 
                 97.60 
                 94.90 
                 99.5 
               
               
                 +PE 
                 — 
                 2.00 
                 2.00 
                 2.00 
                 5.00 
                 — 
               
               
                 +TiO 2   
                 — 
                 0.10 
                 0.20 
                 0.40 
                 0.10 
                 0.5 
               
               
                 +TiO 2   
                 0.5 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 coated mica 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 7 
     Table VIII shows another exemplary composition of a liquid whitening gel that may be dispensed from a reservoir of a toothbrush during brushing as described herein. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE VIII 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Liquid Gel Formula 
                 Wt % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Carbomer 
                 1.00 
               
               
                   
                 PEG 600 
                 9.96 
               
               
                   
                 BHT 
                 0.03 
               
               
                   
                 Glycerin 
                 4.98 
               
               
                   
                 Water 
                 17.00 
               
               
                   
                 Ethyl alcohol 
                 34.67 
               
               
                   
                 PEG 2M 
                 13.95 
               
               
                   
                 H 2 O 2 (35%) 
                 17.93 
               
               
                   
                 Sodium Phosphate 
                 0.05 
               
               
                   
                 Phosphoric acid 
                 0.05 
               
               
                   
                 Titanium dioxide 
                 0.38 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 8 
     Table IX example shows the composition of a breath protection gel that is dispensed from a toothbrush reservoir as described herein. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE IX 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 Wt % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Carbopol 974P 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 PVM/MA copolymer 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 Triclosan 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 Ethyl alcohol 
                 40 
               
               
                   
                 Zinc gluconate 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 Water 
                 Q.S.