Abstract:
An oral care implement is disclosed comprising: an oral care region having cleaning elements; a body coupled to the oral care region; a gas outlet operably coupled to a gas source, the gas outlet disposed in the oral care region; an oral care material source storing an oral care material; an oral care material outlet operably coupled to the oral care material source, the oral care material outlet disposed in the oral care region; and wherein the oral care material outlet is spaced apart from the gas outlet. In another aspect, an oral care implement is disclosed comprising an oral care region having an elastomeric tooth cleaning element and an air outlet positioned adjacent the air outlet so that an air stream existing the air outlet causes a dynamic vibratory flexing action of at least a portion of the elastomeric tooth cleaning element.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/255,985, filed Oct. 22, 2008, which in turn claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/981617, filed Oct. 22, 2007, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains to an oral care implement, in particular, to a toothbrush with an air flossing system. Individuals exhibit many forms of poor oral health including tooth decay, periodontal diseases and bad breath (halitosis). Tooth decay and periodontal disease are typically caused by harmful bacteria within the mouth. When the harmful bacteria mixes with proteins present in saliva, a film of plaque is formed on the teeth and soft tissue. If the plaque is not removed, it can attack the teeth and create cavities. Additionally, the plaque will attack the soft tissue within the mouth and cause gum disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Many individuals, especially young children, do not regularly brush their teeth or perform interdental cleaning of their teeth. Such habits often can be attributed to the individual regarding tooth brushing as a mundane duty with few pleasurable aspects. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention pertains to an oral care implement with an air flossing system. 
         [0004]    In one aspect, an oral care implement includes an oral care region having cleaning elements for engaging oral tissue. A body is provided for gripping the implement. An air source is disposed in the body for proving pressurized air to an air outlet. The air outlet is disposed in the oral care region for injecting the pressurized air to clean debris from the oral tissue. 
         [0005]    In another aspect, an oral care implement includes an oral care region having at least one cleaning element for engaging oral tissue. An air device is provided which delivers pressurized air. An air outlet is disposed in the oral care region and is operatively connected to air device. Further, the oral care implement includes a motion-producing device capable of moving the cleaning element during release of pressurized air from the air outlet. 
         [0006]    In another aspect, a docking station for recharging the oral care implement has an air reservoir or an air pump, or both. 
         [0007]    In a further aspect, an oral care implement is disclosed comprising: an oral care region having cleaning elements; a body coupled to the oral care region; a gas outlet operably coupled to a gas source, the gas outlet disposed in the oral care region; an oral care material source storing an oral care material; an oral care material outlet operably coupled to the oral care material source, the oral care material outlet disposed in the oral care region; and wherein the oral care material outlet is spaced apart from the gas outlet. 
         [0008]    In yet another aspect, an oral care implement is disclosed that comprises: an oral care region having at least one cleaning element; a body coupled to the oral care region; an air source for storing pressurized air; an air outlet disposed in the oral care region and operably coupled to the air source; an elastomeric tooth cleaning element extending from a surface of the oral care region; and wherein the elastomeric tooth cleaning element is positioned on the oral care region adjacent the air outlet so that the air stream causes a dynamic vibratory flexing action of at least a portion of the elastomeric tooth cleaning element. 
         [0009]    Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective front and rear views of an oral care implement, such as a toothbrush, according to one or more embodiments of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are schematic representations of alternative toothbrush constructions according to one or more embodiments of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 5-7  are a schematic representations of the toothbrush cleaning action in an oral cavity; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are schematic representations of an alternative toothbrush construction according to one or more embodiments of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a schematic representation of an alternative toothbrush construction according to one or more embodiments of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a schematic representation of an alternative toothbrush construction and docking station according to one or more embodiments of the invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is an example functional block diagram of components of a control system according to one or more embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    In the following description, the invention is discussed in terms of a toothbrush (e.g. a form of an oral care implement) but could be in the form of other personal care implements. For example, a toothbrush can be used for personal hygiene, such as oral care purposes. Further, it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0018]      FIGS. 1-2  illustrate an oral care implement, such as a toothbrush, generally designated with the reference numeral  100 . The toothbrush  100  generally includes a head  102  and a handle  103 . 
         [0019]    The handle  103  is generally an elongated member dimensioned so that a user can readily grip and manipulate the toothbrush  100 . The handle  103  may be formed of many different shapes, lengths and with a variety of constructions. In one construction, the handle  103  has a neck portion  105  positioned adjacent the head  101 . The neck portion  105  may be a narrowed region on the handle  103  between head  101  and the part of the handle normally gripped by the user. Nevertheless, the neck portion  101  could be the region between the head  101  and the part of the handle normally gripped by the user. In another construction, the handle  103  is integrally formed with the head  101 . Other attachment configurations also are possible. 
         [0020]    The head  101  may include an oral care region comprising one or more tooth cleaning elements  111 . As used herein, the term “tooth cleaning elements” or “cleaning elements” includes any type of structure that is commonly used or is suitable for use in providing oral health benefits (e.g., tooth cleaning, tooth polishing, tooth whitening, massaging, stimulating, etc.) by making contact with portions of the teeth and gums. Such tooth cleaning elements include but are not limited to tufts of bristles that can be formed to have a number of different shapes and sizes and elastomeric cleaning members that can be formed to have a number of different shapes and sizes, or a combination of both tufts of bristles and elastomeric cleaning members. 
         [0021]    In one construction, the one or more tooth cleaning elements  111  are formed from a plurality of bristles. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tooth cleaning elements  111  are bristle regions having different shapes, however, it is understood that a number of different configurations of oral care implements may be utilized. The one or more tooth cleaning elements  111  may be attached to the head  101  by known methods, such as being fit within recesses formed in the head  101  along a front portion  107  of the toothbrush  100  ( FIG. 1 ). The head  101  also may be configured to be detached from the neck  105  or handle  103  and replaced with a new head  101 , if desired. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , toothbrush  100  includes head  101  with an air flossing outlet  109  surrounded by the tooth cleaning elements  111 . Toothbrush  100  includes an air inlet  113  for receiving ambient air to be stored in a rechargeable air reservoir or air cartridge  117  for storing pressurized air. In air inlet is connected to an air pump/compressor  119 . The both the reservoir  117  and pump/compressor  119  serve as pressurized air sources to air flossing outlet  109 . The air inlet  113  may have a filter to trap air borne particulates before storage in the reservoir. To prevent over-pressurizing the reservoir  117 , a pressure relief valve  122  may be provided in the handle  103 . The relief valve  122  may be preset to open and release air from the reservoir at predetermined pressure, such as 50 to 60 p.s.i. Alternatively, the pump/compressor  419  may be preset to stop operation at a specific pressure or range of pressure in lieu using a pressure relief valve. 
         [0023]    Toothbrush  100  may include an air pressure button  115  for controlling pressurized air provided to the reservoir  117 . In operation, the engagement of button  115  by the user initiates the operation of air pump/compressor  119 . Button  115  may be used for releasing the pressurized air to enable an air flossing operation of the teeth of user. In operation, the button  115  may control the opening and closing of an air valve  123 . For example, the air valve  123  may be connected to a relay or solenoid component for opening closing. Also, the air components can be connected together via air conduit  118 , such as tubing or other hollow pathway to enable air flow. In an alternative construction shown in  FIG. 4 , toothbrush  100 ′ may not include a reservoir  117  for pressurized air storage. In such a construction, the pressurized air is directly transferred from the pump/compressor  119  to air outlet  109 . Nevertheless in both constructions, the provided pressure at air outlet  109  may range from 15.0 pounds per square inches (p.s.i.) to 30.0 p.s.i. 
         [0024]    The controlled release of the pressurized air from the outlet  109  provides for interdental cleaning of the teeth of a user. The outlet  109  is provided in the form of an orifice. The orifice can be of different sizes and shapes, such as circular, rectangular, square or triangular. In one construction, the orifice has a circular shape. The diameters of the orifice may range from 0.50 mm to 2.00 mm. Nevertheless, other diameters are possible. Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , as can be appreciated in operation, the pressurized air exits from the air outlet  109  in the form of an air stream  500 . The air stream can be delivered at a constant rate or could be pulsated at a predetermined rate, as discussed with regard to  FIG. 12 . The air stream  500  interacts with dentifrice and water within the field of cleaning elements  111 . It is understood that the air-dentifrice-water interaction creates a high pressure bubble matrix  503 . A schematic representation of flow of air stream  500  and cleaning action is shown in  FIG. 7 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , as can be appreciated, the velocity of the bubbles  503  against the tooth surfaces  505  generally conform to the curvature of the teeth, penetrates into the interproximal areas between the teeth and sweeps away the plaque and debris. The loosened plaque and debris are received by the cleaning elements  111  of the head  101 . The effective cleaning of the interproximal areas  507  between the teeth provides a floss-like clean. While one air outlet may be used in the toothbrush  100 , the inventive aspect may be practiced with a plurality of air outlets, such as two or three outlets. 
         [0025]    In an alternative construction of the toothbrush  200  shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , the tooth cleaning elements of head  201  may include a variety of tooth cleaning elements which can be used for wiping, cleaning and massaging the user&#39;s teeth and gums. In the illustrated construction of  FIG. 12 , tooth cleaning elements include distal tooth cleaning elements  203   a - b  disposed at a distal end  121  of head  201 , peripheral tooth cleaning elements  205   a - 1 , longitudinal tooth cleaning elements  207   b - c  disposed along longitudinal axis a-a, arcuate tooth cleaning elements  209   a - d  and  211   a - b , and proximal cleaning elements  213   a , b . Tooth cleaning elements  205 ,  207 ,  211  and  213  can be provided as tufts of bristles whereas tooth cleaning elements  209  can be formed as elastomeric walls segments. Nevertheless, other forms and types of tooth cleaning elements may be used. 
         [0026]    In this construction, air outlet  109  is provided generally in the center of the arcuate tooth cleaning elements structure near the distal end  121 . Nevertheless, the air outlet  109  can be disposed at other locations on the head  201 , such as generally in the center of the other arcuate tooth cleaning element structure. In the example of the arcuate elastomeric wall segments, as can be appreciated that the air stream causes a dynamic vibratory flexing action of individual segments with respect to their vertical axis, which in-turn enhances the cleaning action of the distal tip (e.g., wiping edge) of the segment  209  against the tooth surface. Additionally, the interior space defined between the arcuate elements  209  enables the elements to from a nozzle structure/configuration  250  to direct the air stream into the interproximal areas of between the teeth. The gaps  212  formed between the arcuate segments  209   a - d  enables some controlled flow of the fluid and air flow to other regions of the head  101  during brushing. 
         [0027]    It should be appreciated that the nozzle configuration could be formed by tightly packed, elongate bristle tufts. Further, in lieu of gaps between the elements, the nozzle configurations could have completely closed sidewall structures in other constructions. While four arcuate segment cleaning elements  209   a - d  are shown surrounding each of the generally cleaning elements  207 , the inventive aspects may be practiced with more or fewer arcuate segments. While the arcuate segments form a generally circular structure, the segments can form an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape or other shapes in cross-section. Nevertheless, other shapes are possible to form the nozzle-like structure. Hence, the pressurized air stream of toothbrush  100  has synergistic benefits of providing a floss-like clean and improved surface cleaning of the tooth. 
         [0028]    The elastomeric material of the cleaning elements has a hardness property in the range of A15 to A35 Shore hardness; A20 to A30 Shore hardness; or A25 to A28 Shore hardness. As an example, one elastomeric material is styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) manufactured by GLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SEBS material from other manufacturers or other materials within and outside the noted hardness range could be used. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , in an alternative construction, toothbrush  300  may operation in conjunction with a docking station  400 . Toothbrush  300  includes the features of toothbrush construction  100 , expect for on-board pump/compressor  119 . The docking station  400  comprises cavity  452  for seating, receiving and/or storing the handle  103  of the toothbrush  300 . The docking station  400  may include an air inlet  413  for receiving ambient air to be stored in a reservoir  417  for storing pressurized air received via the air inlet  413  from air pump/compressor  419 . The air inlet  413  may have a filter to trap air borne particulates. To prevent over-pressurizing the reservoir  417 , a pressure relief valve  422  may be provided. The relief valve  422  may be preset to open and release air from the reservoir  417  at predetermined pressure, such as 50 to 60 p.s.i. Alternatively, the pump/compressor  419  may be preset to stop operation at a specific pressure in lieu using a pressure relief valve. 
         [0030]    Docking station  400  may include an air pressure button  415  for controlling pressurized air entry into the reservoir  417 . In operation, the depression or otherwise engagement of button  415  initiates the operation of air pump/compressor  419 . Docking station  400  may further include a button  412  for releasing the pressurized air into the rechargeable reservoir in the toothbrush handle  103 . In operation, the button  412  controls the opening and closing of an air valve  423  to fill the reservoir  119  of toothbrush  300 . An input  431  is operative connected to the air valve  423 . Air input  431  works in cooperating with the air inlet  113  of toothbrush  300 . The connection between air input  431  and air inlet  113  can be air tight seal based on a threaded connection, press-fit, and the like. Docketing station  400  may include a control system  401  which may comprise one or more printed circuit boards to controlling the operation pump/compressor  419  in conjunction with button  412 ,  415 . In alternative construction, the docking station  400  may not have a reservoir  417  for pressurized air storage. In such a construction, pressurized air is directly transferred to the reservoir of toothbrush handle  103  by the pump/compressor  419  in the docking station  400 . In other constructions of the docking station  400 , a power source such as a battery or the like, is provided in the interior cavity to power the air storage and filling features. Alternatively, the docking station  400  may to draw electric power from a household outlet. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , toothbrush  100  includes a front portion  107  and a rear portion  109 . A thumb gripping portion  115  is provided so that a user may hold the toothbrush  100  with their thumb resting on gripping portion  115 . Thumb gripping portion  115  may be formed of a pliable, cushioning material that is depressible as a user presses their thumb against it. In one or more constructions, as described herein, the thumb gripping portion  115  may serves as an actuator to control operation of the toothbrush features. For example, thumb gripping portion  115  may serve as a button to turn control a device associated with the toothbrush  100  “on” and/or “off”. For example, the device may be the on-board pump or an air valve for controlling the pressurized air. 
         [0032]    In a powered toothbrush construction, thumb gripping portion  115  serves as a button to change a mode of operation of the toothbrush  100 . Button  115  enables a user to change the mode of operation to any of a number of different operations. (e.g., an air flossing only mode, a vibratory only mode, or air flossing/vibratory mode). For example, depression or other engagement of button  115  may change the mode of operation to air floss only mode. In the air floss mode, an air stream is provided from the outlet. A subsequent engagement of button  115  may change the mode of operation moving cleaning element mode (e.g., vibratory head or oscillating head portion). A subsequent engagement of button  115  may change the mode of operation to combination air flossing/moving cleaning element mode. Nevertheless, the specific order of the engagement events of the button  115 , does not limit the scope of the inventive concepts. Further, the toothbrush  100  may have two or more buttons or actuators for controlling the modes of operation. 
         [0033]    In another construction, toothbrush  100  may be a powered toothbrush including motion-producing device that drives a powered element, such as movable cleaning elements  111  with an activation/deactivation or “on/off” button, such as button  115 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-4 , in another construction, toothbrush  100  may include a motion-producing device  130  to define a vibratory head  102 . A wide variety of motion-producing devices (e.g., vibratory devices) can be used to produce vibrations over a wide range of frequencies. Various types of vibratory devices are commercially available, such as transducers. One example of a vibratory device provides frequencies in the range of about 100 to 350 kHz. The vibration frequencies may be of different waveforms, including sinusoid, square, sawtooth and the like. Nevertheless, other values and waveforms are possible. A vibratory device may be located in head of the toothbrush or neck thereof. When activated, vibratory device is powered by battery (and controlled by electronics on circuit board or switching system) so as to induce vibrations in head of the toothbrush and thereby enhances teeth-cleaning action imparted by the tooth cleaning elements. In alternate constructions, a vibratory device may include a micro motor attached to a shaft, with the shaft coupled to an eccentric rotating about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. In still other constructions, a vibratory-producing device includes an eccentric that is driven by a micro motor in a translatory manner. 
         [0035]    A switch, such as a button, toggle switch, rotating dial, or the like, can be provided for activating the vibratory device, such a switch/button  115  of toothbrush  100 . A vibratory device often has a power source, such as a battery. Activating the switch can cause the vibration-producing device to operate for a user-defined interval (e.g., during the time that a button is depressed or a switch is in an engaged position), or alternatively can activate a timing circuit that causes the vibratory device to operate for a predetermined interval. If a timing circuit is used, the associated interval either may be preset or may be adjustable, e.g., by a user-activated switch. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , in an alternative construction, toothbrush  500  may include an active agent feature. Toothbrush  500  may include the features of toothbrush constructions  100 ,  100 ′,  200 , and  300 . An active agent outlet  150  may be provided with the field of cleaning elements  111 . The toothbrush  500  can be supplied with one or more cartridges or reservoirs  151  containing active agent(s). Multiple cartridges can be provided, for example, for supplying different active agents or a replacement supply of the same active agent. The outlet  150  is connected to the reservoir  151  via a conduit  153 . Depending on the type of active agent used and the location of the air outlet  109  and an active agent outlet, the active agent can be administered before, during, or after initiation of air stream. As can be appreciated, the active agent and air stream interaction on the oral surfaces can improve plaque removal/bacterial removal interdental areas. In one construction, a user-activated switch, such as a dial (not shown), can have multiple settings for selecting one or more 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. 
         [0037]    Non-limiting examples of active agents which can be used include antibacterial agents, such as chlorhexidine, cetyl pyridininum chloride, triclosan, zinc salts, and; oxidative or whitening agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, sodium percarbonate, and PVP-H 2 O 2 ; supercharged fluoride delivery ingredients; tooth sensitivity ingredients, such as KNO 3 ; occluding agents, such as Novamin® bioactive glass 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, bachalin, polyphenols, triclosan, ethyl pyruvate, and guanidinoethyl disulfide; 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; diagnostic solutions, such as plaque-indicator dyes; and combinations thereof. 
         [0038]    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. Flavoring agents typically are provided at a concentration of about 0.1 to about 2 wt % based on the weight of the composition, more usually from about 0.1 to about 0.5 wt %. 
         [0039]    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 during brushing, which presently is not possible using toothpaste alone. 
         [0040]    The active agent can be provided in any suitable vehicle, such as in aqueous solution or in the form of gel or paste. 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 90M 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. 
         [0041]    As described herein with respect to  FIG. 12 , a control system  600  for toothbrush constructions  100 ,  100 ′,  200 ,  300 , and  500  may be included to control the air stream for the “floss-like” clean.  FIG. 12  illustrates a block diagram of components in one or more constructions of control system  600 . One or more of the components shown in  FIG. 12  may be included within one or more printed circuit boards. Possible alternatives include flash memory, flash ROM, RAM with battery backup. Control system  600  may include a pump control  619  operatively connected to one or more components of the system  600  and a user interface  615 , such button  115 . 
         [0042]    Mode selection circuitry  621  may include electrical circuitry, software, computer-readable instructions, or other components to allow for changing the mode of operation of the toothbrush  100 . For example, mode selection circuitry  621  may receive and process an input signal to change the mode of operation from an air floss mode to moving-cleaning element mode of operation. Mode selection circuitry  621  may be configured to perform the functions for processing signal(s) performing computer-readable instructions, and reading from and writing to a memory (not shown) associated with the toothbrush  100  switching between different modes of operation. 
         [0043]    Timer circuitry  622  may include hardware, software, computer-readable instructions, or other components to allow for counting up or counting down time. Timer circuitry  622  may include a crystal oscillator for counting seconds, minutes, etc. Timer circuitry  622  may be configured to perform the functions for processing signal(s) performing computer-readable instructions, and reading from and writing to a memory (not shown) associated with the toothbrush  622  operating in a timer mode for two (2) minutes for air flossing mode. In one arrangement, the air floss mode can end after an elapsed time of 2 minutes. 
         [0044]    Control system  600  may include a valve control  623  operatively connected to one or more components of the system  600  to controlling release of air for flossing, including a constant stream of air or pulsating stream of air. The pulsation frequency can may be of different waveforms, including sinusoid, square, sawtooth and like. The control system circuitry  600  may include hardware, software, computer-readable instructions, or other components to enable control the air flow. For example, the control system  600  may include memory of a programmable type in which nonvolatile storage can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. 
         [0045]    As discussed, the inventive aspects may be practiced for a manual toothbrush or a powered toothbrush with moving tooth cleaning elements. While the various features of the toothbrush  100  work together to achieve the advantages previously described, it is recognized that individual features and sub-combinations of these features can be used to obtain some of the aforementioned advantages without the necessity to adopt all of these features. 
         [0046]    While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.