Oral treatment device

Abstract

A tooth sensitivity treatment device and an applicator tip thereof. A tooth sensitivity treatment device may be configured to dispense a sensitive formulation onto teeth of a user. The tooth sensitivity treatment device may also be configured to massage the sensitive formulation onto the teeth of the user after dispensing. The applicator may have a bottom end, a top end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The applicator may include an application portion that does not intersect the longitudinal axis. The application portion may have an outer surface oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The applicator may include an elastomeric material member and a rigid material member integrally coupled together. The elastic material member may form the entire application portion to increase flexibility while massaging the sensitive formulation onto the teeth of the user.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 343,894, filed on May 19, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art

[0003] Studies have shown that at least one in eight adults may suffer from tooth sensitivity, but such tooth sensitivity may be underreported. Different types of toothpastes are currently available that include tooth sensitivity treatments. While this is a good way to provide some treatment, especially since most people already brush their teeth twice a day, many consumers need more specific treatments that can be used at times other than when the user is brushing their teeth. Some dedicated tooth sensitivity treatments are available, but they do not adequately massage the formulation onto the teeth to maximize relief, or they require the user to massage the formulation onto the teeth with their fingers, resulting in a messy application process. Therefore, there is a need for a tooth sensitivity treatment device and / or an applicator thereof that can efficiently and effectively dispense and massage a sensitive formulation onto the user's teeth. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to an oral treatment device and an applicator end piece thereof. The oral treatment device may be a tooth sensitivity treatment device, and it may be configured to dispense a sensitive agent onto the teeth of a user. The tooth sensitivity treatment device may also be configured to massage the sensitive agent onto the teeth of the user after dispensing. The applicator may have a bottom end, a top end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The application portion may have an outer surface oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and the outer surface does not intersect the longitudinal axis. The applicator may include an elastic material component and a rigid material component integrally connected together. The elastic material component may form the entire application portion to increase flexibility while massaging the sensitive agent onto the teeth of the user.

[0005] In one aspect, the present invention can be a tooth sensitivity treatment device, which includes: a handle, the handle including a reservoir for containing a tooth sensitivity preparation; an applicator configured to be connected to the handle, the applicator including: a bottom end, a top end and a longitudinal axis extending between the bottom end and the top end; an inner surface defining a distribution channel, when the applicator is connected to the handle, the distribution channel is connected to the fluid of the reservoir of the handle; and an application portion for dispensing and massaging the tooth sensitivity preparation onto the user's teeth, the application portion having an outer surface oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis and a distribution hole, the tooth sensitivity preparation is dispensed through the distribution hole, and wherein the longitudinal axis does not intersect with the outer surface of the application portion.

[0006] In another aspect, the present invention may be an oral treatment device comprising: a handle comprising a reservoir for containing an oral treatment composition; an applicator configured to be connected to the handle, the applicator comprising: an inner surface defining a distribution channel, the distribution channel comprising a first portion extending along a first axis and a second portion extending along a second axis angled relative to the first axis; a connector portion comprising an outer surface formed of a rigid material, the connector portion being configured to engage with the handle when the applicator is connected to the handle; a main body portion comprising an outer shell formed of an elastic material and a core formed of a rigid material; and an applicator portion, the applicator portion comprising a distal section formed entirely of an elastic material, the applicator portion comprising a distribution hole forming an outlet of the distribution channel, the distal section of the applicator portion comprising a distal portion of the first portion of the distribution channel and the entire second portion of the distribution channel.

[0007] In yet another aspect, the present invention may be an applicator for dispensing and massaging a dental preparation onto a user's teeth, the applicator comprising: an elastic material component comprising a main body portion, an application portion and a longitudinal axis, the elastic material component comprising an inner surface defining an internal channel extending from an inlet opening in a bottom end of the elastic material component to a dispensing hole formed in the application portion, the internal channel comprising a first portion elongated along the longitudinal axis and a second portion angled relative to the first portion and extending to the dispensing hole; a rigid material component comprising a tubular portion nested within a proximal portion of a first portion of the internal channel of the elastic material component and a connecting portion configured to connect the applicator to a handle; wherein the distal portion of the applicator including the first portion of the internal channel and the distal-most portion of the entire second portion of the internal channel are formed solely by the elastic material component; and wherein the elastic material component and the rigid material component are integrally connected together to form an integral applicator assembly.

[0008] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 A front perspective view of a device for treating tooth sensitivity according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A front perspective view of a tooth sensitivity treatment device with its applicator detached from its handle;

[0012] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A front perspective view of an applicator of a tooth sensitivity treatment device;

[0013] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A rear perspective view of an applicator;

[0014] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A front view of an applicator;

[0015] Figure 6 for Figure 3 A side view of an applicator;

[0016] Figure 7 For along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII;

[0017] Figure 8 for Figure 3 An exploded view of the applicator showing its elastic components and rigid components;

[0018] Fig. 9 for Figure 1 A front view of a tooth sensitivity treatment device, wherein a cap covers the applicator;

[0019] Fig.10 For along Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view taken along line XX of ; and

[0020] Fig.11 According to one embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 A perspective view of a device for treating tooth sensitivity in which a sleeve is coupled to a handle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0022] The description of the illustrative embodiments according to the principles of the present invention is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are considered part of the entire written description. In the description of the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is intended only for the convenience of description and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Relative terms such as "lower", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical", "above", "below", "upward", "downward", "top" and "bottom" and their derivatives (e.g., "horizontally", "downwardly", "upwardly", etc.) should be interpreted as referring to the orientation shown in the drawings described later or in the discussion. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, these relative terms are only for the convenience of description and do not require the device to be constructed or operated in a specific orientation. Unless otherwise clearly described, terms such as "attachment", "attachment", "connection", "connection", "interconnection", etc. refer to the relationship in which the structures are fixed or attached to each other directly or indirectly through intermediate structures, as well as the attachment or relationship of both movable or rigid. In addition, the features and beneficial effects of the present invention are shown by reference to exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the present invention should obviously not be limited to such exemplary embodiments that show some possible non-limiting combinations of features that can exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0023] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an oral treatment device 1000 will be described. The oral treatment device 1000 generally includes a handle 100 and an applicator 200. In some embodiments, the applicator 200 may be detachable from the handle 100, for example to allow the handle 100 to be refilled after its contents are exhausted. However, the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments, and in other embodiments, the applicator 200 may be permanently attached to the handle 100, wherein the entire oral treatment device 1000 is discarded after the contents are exhausted.

[0024] The handle 100 includes a reservoir 110, which can be configured to hold an oral treatment composition (or, generally, an oral care composition). Of course, in embodiments where the device is not used to treat the oral cavity, the composition can be a skin care composition, a hair care composition, a lip care composition, or any other type of composition suitable for its intended purpose. Fig.10An oral treatment composition 50 is shown located in the reservoir 110 of the handle 100. The oral treatment composition 50 can be any composition specially customized for treating oral diseases (e.g., tooth and / or gum sensitivity, bad breath, tooth stains, gum inflammation, periodontal disease, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, ulcers, etc.). In a specific embodiment, the oral treatment composition 50 can include a tooth sensitivity composition. That is, the oral treatment device 1000 can be specially designed and configured to distribute and massage tooth sensitivity preparations onto the user's teeth. In some embodiments, the tooth sensitivity preparation can be an arginine-CaCO3 (calcium carbonate) preparation. The tooth sensitivity preparation can contain 30% to 40%, and more specifically about 35% calcium carbonate. The tooth sensitivity preparation can contain 15% to 25%, and more specifically 19% to 20% arginine bicarbonate solution, which can be distributed / delivered as a liquid or gel with 7% to 10%, and more specifically about 8% arginine. The term about as used herein can include a tolerance of plus or minus 0.5%. The tooth sensitivity preparation may be in the form of a liquid, which may be a gel.

[0025] Arginine bicarbonate is a salt of a naturally occurring source of arginine with known oral health benefits. Arginine is an amino acid naturally occurring in plants and can be obtained via natural fermentation of plant materials containing sugars (e.g., sucrose). Arginine can be dissolved in pure water and then treated with carbon dioxide gas to form an arginine bicarbonate solution, which is a more concentrated and convenient method of incorporating a desired amount of arginine (e.g., 8% by weight of the allocated arginine) into a formulation. Arginine bicarbonate can be used with calcium carbonate to help seal open dentinal tubules and thereby relieve the pain of tooth sensitivity.

[0026] Although the present invention describes that the oral care composition 50 is a tooth sensitivity preparation, the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments. In other embodiments, the oral treatment device 1000 can accommodate and dispense other types of oral care compositions, such as tooth whitening compositions, gum inflammation treatment compositions, breath fresheners, etc. In addition, although the device is described herein as a device for use in the oral cavity to treat oral care diseases, the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments. The device 1000 can be used to distribute and apply the composition to the skin outside the user's mouth, distribute and apply to the user's lips, distribute and apply to the user's hair, etc. Therefore, the device 1000 can be used for purposes other than those specifically described herein, and the composition can be changed as needed to treat the area to which it is applied.

[0027] The handle 100 may include a dispensing mechanism 120. The dispensing mechanism 120 may include an actuator 121. In an exemplary embodiment, the actuator 121 is a push button that protrudes from the bottom end of the handle 100. However, in other embodiments, the actuator 121 may be a button located at other locations along the handle 100. In addition, briefly referring to Fig.10 , the dispensing mechanism 120 may include a spring 122 and a lifting mechanism 123. Therefore, each time the actuator 121 is actuated, the lifting mechanism 123 can move a certain distance upward in the reservoir 110, so that the oral treatment composition 50 moves through the applicator 200 to be dispensed onto the user's teeth. Although the dispensing mechanism 120 is described herein as including a push button actuator and a lifting mechanism, the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments. In other embodiments, the dispensing mechanism 120 may include a rotating knob member, a squeezable / compressible handle, a pump assembly, etc. Therefore, the specific structure for dispensing the contents from the reservoir 110 does not limit the present invention in all embodiments.

[0028] The handle 100 may include a body portion 101 and a neck portion 102. The neck portion 102 may include an inner surface 104 and an outer surface 103, and the neck portion 102 may extend from the body portion 101 to a distal end 107. The inner surface 104 may include one or more engagement features 106, which are configured to engage with the applicator 200 to facilitate coupling the applicator 200 to the handle 100. The one or more engagement features 106 may include indentations, protrusions, threads, etc. that match similar or opposite style features on the applicator 200, as described in more detail below. The outer surface 103 of the neck portion 102 may also include one or more engagement features 105, which may be configured to engage with the cover or cap member 500 ( Fig.10 ) on the mating features.

[0029] The handle 100 can be formed of plastic (e.g., polypropylene, etc.). Alternatively, the handle 100 can be formed of metal or other generally rigid materials. The handle 100 can be rigid enough so that it is not easily squeezed by the user, and the dispensing mechanism 120 must be actuated to dispense the contents. In other embodiments, the handle 100 can be rigid (due to being formed of hard plastic), but can be squeezed. In an exemplary embodiment, the handle 100, and in particular its main body portion 101, has a cylindrical tubular shape. The exact shape of the handle 100 does not limit the present invention in all embodiments.

[0030] Reference Figures 3 to 7, the applicator 200 will be described in more detail. The applicator 200 includes a bottom end 201, a top end 202, and a longitudinal axis AA extending between the bottom end 201 and the top end 202. The applicator 200 includes a connecting portion 203, a body portion 204, and a head portion 250, wherein the connecting portion 203 is configured to engage the handle 100 when the applicator 200 is coupled to the handle 100. Each of the connecting portion 203, the body portion 204, and the head portion 250 forms an axial section of the applicator 200, such that the body portion 204 is axially located between the head portion 250 and the connector portion 203. Thus, the connecting portion 203 forms a proximal axial section of the applicator 200, the head portion 250 forms a distal axial section of the applicator 200, and the body portion 204 forms a central axial section of the applicator 200. The head portion 250 can include an applicator portion 205, described in more detail below, that is designed to engage the teeth during application of the oral treatment composition to the teeth.

[0031] The applicator 200 may include a flange 206 located between the connecting portion 203 and the main body portion 204. The flange 206 radially protrudes from the distal end of the connecting portion 203 adjacent to the main body portion 204. When the applicator 200 is coupled to the handle 100, the flange 206 may form a distal end 107 ( Figure 2 ) abutment surface or stop. Thus, flange 206 can prevent body portion 204 from entering and passing through the opening in the distal end 107 of neck portion 102 of handle 100 during coupling of applicator 200 to handle 100. When applicator 200 is coupled to handle 200, connecting portion 203 can be nested in neck portion 102 of handle 100, flange portion 206 can abut distal end 107 of handle 100, and body portion 204 and head portion 250 can protrude from distal end 107 of handle 100. Flange 206 can be a continuous annular flange, a discontinuous annular flange, a segmented flange, etc.

[0032] The body portion 204 may include a tapered section 208 located adjacent the flange 206 and a cylindrical or tubular section 209 extending from the tapered section 208 to the head portion 250 of the applicator 200. In other embodiments, the tapered section 208 may be omitted and the body portion 204 may be cylindrical for its entire length.

[0033] The applicator 200 includes an outer surface 260. The applicator 200 can be divided into a front surface portion 210 and a rear surface portion 211 by a coronal plane ZZ. Therefore, the outer surface 260 of the applicator 200 includes a front surface portion 210 and a rear surface portion 211 separated or separated by the coronal plane ZZ. The applicator 200 includes an alignment feature 212 positioned axially along the main body portion 204 and circumferentially along the rear surface portion 211. In an exemplary embodiment, the alignment feature 212 is a notch. However, the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments, but the alignment feature 212 can take other forms, such as a mark, a protrusion, etc. The alignment feature 212 can be located at a position adjacent to the flange 206 along the rear surface portion 211. The alignment feature 212 can extend upward from the flange 206 along the main body portion 204 to a desired distance.

[0034] The applicator 200 may include a proximal segment 213 that is nested within the handle 100 when the applicator 200 is coupled to the handle 100, and a distal segment 214 that protrudes from the distal end 107 of the handle 100. Thus, the proximal segment 213 may include the connecting portion 203, and the distal segment 214 may include the body portion 204, the head portion 250, and the flange 206. When the applicator 200 is coupled to the handle 100, the alignment feature 212 may be located along the distal segment 214 at a position adjacent to the flange portion 206 and / or adjacent to the distal end 107 of the handle 100.

[0035] The head portion 250 of the applicator 250 may include an application portion 205. The application portion 205 may be positioned axially along the head portion 250 and circumferentially along the front surface portion 210 of the applicator 200. Similar to the body portion 204 of the applicator 200, the rear surface portion 211 of the head portion 250 of the applicator 200 may be smooth and rounded. However, the front surface portion 210 of the head portion 250 of the applicator 200 that forms or includes the application portion 205 takes a different structure and configuration, as described in more detail below.

[0036] The application portion 205 is a portion of the applicator 200 configured to engage the user's teeth to massage the oral care composition thereon. The application portion 205 includes an outer surface 215 angled relative to the longitudinal axis AA. The outer surface 215 can be angled backward in a direction from the lower end of the outer surface 215 toward the top of the outer surface 215. In particular, the outer surface 215 of the application portion 205 is located in a plane BB that intersects the longitudinal axis AA at an acute angle. In some embodiments, the acute angle can be 5° to 20°, or more specifically 5° to 15°, or more specifically 8° to 12°. In addition, the longitudinal axis AA of the applicator 200 does not intersect the outer surface 215 of the application portion 205. In other words, the plane BB where the outer surface 215 of the application portion 205 is located only intersects the longitudinal axis AA at a certain distance beyond the top 202 of the applicator 200.

[0037] Applicator 200 includes a sagittal plane YY that divides applicator 200 into left and right sides (see Figure 5 ). In addition, as in Figure 6 As best seen in FIG. 1 , the portion of the front surface portion 210 of the body portion 204 of the applicator 200 that is located on the sagittal plane YY extends along an axis DD that intersects the outer surface 215 of the applicator portion 205. The axis DD may intersect the outer surface 215 of the applicator portion 205 at or along the dispensing orifice 223. This occurs due to the outer surface 215 of the applicator portion 205 being elevated relative to the front outer surface 210 of the body portion 204, and due to the outer surface 215 of the applicator portion 205 being angled posteriorly, as shown and described herein.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, a lower portion 216 of an outer surface 215 of the applicator portion 205 is elevated relative to a front surface portion 210 of an outer surface of the body portion 204. More specifically, the applicator portion 205 may include a lower edge portion 217 extending from the front surface portion 210 of an outer surface 260 of the body portion 204 to the lower portion 216 of the outer surface 215 of the applicator portion 205. The lower edge portion 217 may face downward toward the bottom end 201 of the applicator 200. Thus, the transition from the front surface portion 210 of the outer surface 260 of the body portion 204 to the outer surface 215 of the applicator portion 205 is not flush and seamless. Instead, there is a step from the front surface portion 210 of the body portion 204 to the outer surface 215 of the applicator portion 205, which adds some thickness and structural rigidity to the applicator portion 205 of the applicator 200.

[0039] The applicator 200 includes an inner surface 220 defining a dispensing passage 221. The dispensing passage 221 extends from an inlet opening 222 in the bottom end 201 of the applicator 200 to a dispensing aperture 223 in the applicator portion 205 of the head portion 250 of the applicator 200. The dispensing aperture 223 forms an opening in the outer surface 215 of the applicator portion 205.

[0040] The application portion 205 may also include a plurality of protrusions 218 protruding from the outer surface 215 of the application portion 205. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of protrusions 218 surround the dispensing hole 223. In an exemplary embodiment, the protrusions 218 have a diameter D1 and a height H1. The ratio of the diameter D1 to the height H1 may be in the range of 1.5:1 to 2:1, more specifically 1.6:1 to 1.8:1, and more specifically 1.65:1 to 1.75:1. Therefore, the diameter D1 of the protrusion 218 may be greater than the height H1 of the protrusion 218. This may be beneficial in certain embodiments in which the protrusion 218 is configured to massage an oral treatment composition (e.g., a tooth sensitivity preparation) onto the teeth. In particular, by forming the protrusions 218 having a diameter D1 greater than the height H1, the protrusions 218 will be quite strong, thereby allowing them to effectively massage the oral treatment composition onto the teeth. Although protrusions 218 may be formed of a resilient material as further described below, thereby giving them some flexibility, flexibility is minimized due to the ratio of diameter D1 to height H1. If protrusions 218 were taller and thinner, they would bend too much during contact with the teeth and thus be less effective in massaging the oral treatment composition onto the teeth and into the tubules of the teeth.

[0041] In one embodiment, the diameter D1 of the protrusion 218 can be 0.25 mm to 3 mm. In one embodiment, the height H1 of the protrusion can be 0.5 mm to 1.75 mm. In one embodiment, the ratio of the diameter D1 to the height H1 can be in the range of 0.1:1 to 6:1. In other embodiments, variations in the diameter D1 and the height H1 of the protrusion 218 can be possible, including making the protrusion 218 longer and thinner, or shorter and thinner, or longer and thicker, or shorter and thicker, or a combination of other modifications.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, twelve protrusions 218 are arranged around the dispensing hole 223. The present invention is not so limited in all embodiments, and in other embodiments there may be more or less than twelve protrusions 218. In addition, the protrusions 218 may not surround the dispensing hole 223 in all embodiments, but may be located along a portion of the circumference of the dispensing hole 223 instead of all. In addition, the spacing between the protrusions 218 may be modified from that depicted in the drawings.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter D2 of the dispensing hole 223 is at least twice the diameter D1 of the protrusion 218. In addition, the application portion 205 of the applicator 200 can have a width W2 measured between opposite sides thereof, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 2. The ratio of the width W2 of the application portion 205 to the diameter D2 of the dispensing hole 223 can be 2:1 to 2.5:1, and more specifically 2.2:1 to 2.4:1. Therefore, the width W2 of the application portion 205 can be slightly greater than twice the diameter D2 of the dispensing hole 223. In other words, the diameter D2 of the dispensing hole 223 can extend across 40% to 45% of the width W2 of the application portion 205. The enlarged dispensing hole 223 can reduce the phenomenon of seepage when the composition is dispensed.

[0044] The diameter D2 can be selected and modified according to the viscosity of the material being dispensed. For example, when the oral dispenser 1000 dispenses a composition with a higher viscosity, the diameter D2 of the dispensing hole 223 can be larger, and when the oral dispenser 1000 dispenses a composition with a lower viscosity, the diameter D2 of the dispensing hole 223 can be smaller. In some embodiments, the viscosity of the composition being dispensed can be 400,000 centipoise to 600,000 centipoise, and the embodiment can include a dispensing hole 223 with a larger pore size. In other embodiments, the same applicator can be used to dispense a material with a lower viscosity, such as a material with a viscosity of 100 centipoise or less. In such an embodiment, the diameter D2 of the dispensing hole 223 will be reduced. In one embodiment, the diameter D2 of the hole 223 can be 1mm to 5mm, more specifically 2mm to 4mm, more specifically 2mm to 3mm, and more specifically 2.5mm to 3mm.

[0045] In some embodiments, a check valve may also be incorporated into the applicator 200 or between the applicator 200 and the handle 100. For example, a check valve may be desirable when the oral dispenser 1000 dispenses a composition having a relatively low viscosity (i.e., a viscosity of 100 centipoise or less). Such a check valve will prevent the composition located in the dispensing channel 221 of the applicator 200 from flowing back into the reservoir 110 of the handle 100 after use. Compositions with higher viscosities will not easily flow back into the reservoir 110 due to the higher viscosity. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to prevent unused composition from flowing back into the reservoir 110 from the dispensing channel 221 to prevent any saliva that may have mixed with the unused composition in the dispensing channel 221 from entering the composition 50 in the reservoir 110 (which may produce contamination).

[0046] The dispensing channel 221 may include a first portion (or vertical portion) 224 and a second portion (or horizontal portion) 225. The first portion 224 may extend from the opening 222 in the bottom end 201 of the applicator 200 to the second portion 225 along an axis coaxial with the longitudinal axis AA of the applicator 200. The second portion 225 may extend at an angle relative to the first portion 224 and may extend from the distal end of the first portion 224 to the dispensing hole 223. In an exemplary embodiment, the second portion 225 is perpendicular to the first portion 224. In addition, the second portion 225 may extend along an axis CC that is inclined relative to the plane BB where the outer surface 215 of the application portion 205 of the applicator 200 is located. The length L3 of the second portion 225 may be greater than half of the thickness T1 of the applicator 200 measured from the outer surface 215 of the application portion 205 to the rear surface portion 211. The ratio of thickness T1 to length L3 may be in the range of 1.2:1 to 2:1, more specifically 1.3:1 to 1.7:1, and still more specifically 1.5:1 to 1.6:1. The second portion 225 of the distribution channel 221 may have a constant cross-sectional area as it extends from the first portion 224 of the distribution channel 221 to the distribution hole 223.

[0047] Forming the dispensing channel 221 in the manner described above can ensure that the user can better apply the composition to the posterior teeth and molars using the oral treatment device 1000. In particular, if the dispensing channel 221 only includes the vertical portion 224, the user may find it very difficult to apply the composition to the molars due to the angle at which the oral treatment device 1000 must be oriented relative to the user's mouth. By having the dispensing channel 221 include a second portion 225 that can extend vertically relative to the longitudinal axis AA of the oral treatment device 1000, the user can comfortably hold the device when dispensing and applying the composition to the posterior teeth and molars.

[0048] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the material composition of the applicator 200 will be described. Figure 8 As shown, the applicator 200 includes an elastic material component 300 and a rigid material component 400. The elastic material component 300 and the rigid material component 400 are integrally combined together during the manufacturing process to form the applicator 200. Generally, the rigid material component 400 can be injection molded onto the elastic material component 300 to produce the final assembled applicator 200. The elastic material component 300 can be a thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, silicone or other elastic, flexible, rubber material. The rigid material component 400 can be formed of a hard plastic (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, etc.).

[0049] The elastic material component 300 includes a connecting portion 310, a main body portion 320, and a head portion 330. The connecting portion 310 includes one or more holes 311. The rigid material component 400 includes the connecting portion 410 and the tubular portion 420. During manufacturing, the rigid material component 400 can be injection molded onto the pre-formed elastic material component 300. During such injection molding, the rigid material component 400 can enter / pass through the holes 311 in the connecting portion 310. This allows the connecting portion 410 of the rigid material component 400 to form the outer surface of the connecting portion 203 of the applicator 200, while the tubular portion 420 forms the core of the main body portion 204 of the applicator 200, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 Best seen in.

[0050] Thus, the connector 203 of the applicator 200 may include an outer surface 231 formed of the rigid material of the rigid material component 400 and an inner surface 232 formed in part of the rigid material of the rigid material component 400 and in part of the elastic material of the elastic material component 300. This is possible due to the holes 311 in the connecting portion 310 of the elastic material component 300. The outer surface 231 of the connector 203 formed by the rigid material component 400 may include one or more protrusions 233 configured to engage with the recesses in the neck portion 102 of the handle 100 for the purpose of coupling the applicator 200 to the handle 100. In other embodiments, the protrusions 233 may be omitted, and the engagement between the connector 203 and the handle 100 may be via a friction fit, a threaded engagement, or the like.

[0051] The main body portion 204 of the applicator 200 may include a shell 270 formed of the elastic material of the elastic material component 300 and a core 271 formed of the rigid material of the rigid material component 400. More specifically, the core 271 may be formed by the tubular portion 420 of the rigid material component 400. The shell 270 may include an inner surface 273 defining an internal passage. The core 271 may be located within the internal passage so that the outer surface 274 of the core 271 contacts the inner surface 273 of the shell 270. Therefore, along the main body portion 204 of the applicator 200, the inner surface 275 of the core 271 defines and surrounds the dispensing channel 221. The core 271 (i.e., the tubular portion 420) may include a distal end 276. In addition, the elastic material component 300 may include a downwardly facing shoulder 277. The distal end 276 of the core 271 or the tubular portion 420 of the rigid material component 400 may abut against the downwardly facing shoulder 277.

[0052] The tubular portion 420 of the rigid material component 400 may extend only slightly into the head portion 250 of the applicator 200. However, in other embodiments, this is not necessarily the case, and the tubular portion 420 may not extend into the head portion 250 of the applicator 200 at all. In either case, at least a majority of the head portion 250 of the applicator 200 (e.g., at least 90% or at least 95% of the length of the head portion 250 of the applicator 200) is formed entirely from the elastic material of the elastic material component 300. Thus, for example, the applicator 200 may have a length L1 measured from the base end 201 to the top end 202. The head portion 250 may include a distal segment 251 extending from the distal end 276 of the core 271 (which is the distal end of the tubular portion 420 of the rigid material component 400) to the top end 202 of the applicator 200. The distal segment 251 may have a length L2. The length L2 of the distal section 251 of the head portion 250 can be at least 20% of the length L1 of the applicator 200. More specifically, the length L2 of the distal section 251 of the head portion 250 can be 20% to 30% of the length L1 of the applicator 200. Therefore, the distalmost 20% to 30% of the applicator 200 is completely formed of an elastic material. Therefore, the distalmost 20% to 30% of the applicator 200, including most (if not all) of the application portion 205, has greater flexibility than the rest of the applicator 200, making it effective in dispensing and massaging the oral treatment composition onto the user's teeth and other oral surfaces.

[0053] The body portion 204 of the applicator 200 can have a length L4. The length L4 of the body portion 204 can be greater than the length L2 of the distal section 251 of the head portion 250. In one embodiment, the ratio of the length L4 of the body portion 204 to the length L2 of the distal section 251 of the head portion 250 can be 1.5:1 to 1.8:1, and more specifically 1.6:1 to 1.7:1.

[0054] The distal section 251 of the head portion 250 of the applicator 200, which is formed entirely of the elastomeric material 200, includes the distal portion 229 of the first portion 224 of the dispensing channel 221 and the entire second portion 225 of the dispensing channel 221. Thus, the L-shaped portion of the dispensing channel 221 is located within and / or formed by the distal section 251 of the head portion 250 and is completely defined by the elastomeric material component 300 of the applicator 200. In an exemplary embodiment, no axis perpendicular to the first axis (which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis AA) intersects the distal portion 229 of the first portion 224 of the dispensing channel 221 and also intersects the dispensing orifice 223.

[0055] The diameter or cross-sectional area of ​​the distal portion 229 of the first portion 224 of the distribution channel 221 can be smaller than the portion of the first portion 224 of the distribution channel 221 that is upstream of the distal portion 229. That is, the diameter or cross-sectional area of ​​the distribution channel 221 can be reduced at the distal portion 229 relative to the upstream portion of the distal portion 229. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter or cross-sectional area of ​​the distal portion 229 of the distribution channel 221 is constant, but this is not required in all embodiments. The diameter or cross-sectional area of ​​the second portion or horizontal portion 225 of the distribution channel 221 can be larger than the diameter or cross-sectional area of ​​the distal portion 229 of the first portion 224 of the distribution channel 221. The second portion 225 of the distribution channel 221 can extend from the distribution hole 223 to a wall formed by a portion of the inner surface of the head portion of the applicator.

[0056] The rigid material component 400 can be beneficial in facilitating the connection between the applicator 200 and the handle 100. The rigid material component 400 also provides structural integrity to the applicator 200 so that when the user massages the dispensed treatment composition onto the user's teeth and applies some force to the teeth with the outer contact surface 215 of the applicator portion 205, the applicator 200 will not simply bend in half and become unusable. Instead, the applicator 200 will maintain its upright configuration at least in part due to the tubular portion 420 of the rigid material component 400 being located within the interior of the elastic material component 300 along the main body portion 204 of the applicator 200. In addition, because the elastic material component 300 forms the entire outer surface of the applicator 200 that is intended to engage the user's teeth, a soft and conformal engagement is achieved.

[0057] The material construction of device 1000 is intended to be associated with a human finger. In particular, a human finger has a hard core (bone) and a softer outer shell (skin and tissue). Thus, rigid material component 400 is intended to be associated with the bone of the finger, and elastic material component 300 is intended to be associated with the skin of the finger. Thus, application using applicator 200 is similar to application using a finger, but is more hygienic.

[0058] Now refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the oral treatment device 1000 is shown in an assembled state. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In the embodiment, the applicator 200 is coupled to the handle 100. In addition, in Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In the embodiment, the cover or cap member 500 is coupled to the handle 100 or to the applicator 200 so that the applicator 200 is nested within the interior of the cover 500. In addition, in particular Fig.10, the engagement between the connecting portion 203 of the applicator 200 and the neck 102 of the handle 100 can be seen. In particular, the protrusion 233 of the connector 203 is nested in the recess in the inner surface of the neck 102. In addition, the outer surfaces of the cap 500 and the neck 102 have protrusions / recesses that cooperate with each other to facilitate the connection of the cap 500 to the handle 100. It should be understood that when the user actuates the actuator 121, the oral treatment composition 50 will be forced into the dispensing channel 221 of the applicator 200 until the oral treatment composition 50 is discharged through the dispensing hole 223. When dispensing the oral treatment composition 50, the user can directly engage the user's teeth / gums with the protrusions 218 of the application portion 205 of the applicator 200 to massage the oral treatment composition 50 onto the teeth / gums as desired.

[0059] As described above, the applicator 200 includes an alignment feature 212, which may be in the form of a notch or recess located on the rear portion of the applicator 200. Fig.10 As seen in the figure, the alignment feature 212 may not be physically engaged with the handle 100, but the alignment feature 212 may provide the user with only a visual tool by which to align the applicator 200 at the proper angle on the handle 100. In some embodiments, the handle 100 may include the alignment feature 112. The alignment feature 112 may be a texture on the outer surface of the handle 100 along the rear surface of the handle 100. Thus, the texture or other features forming the alignment feature 112 may be located only along the rear surface of the handle 100, rather than also along the front surface of the handle 100. The user may visually align the alignment feature 212 of the applicator 200 with the alignment feature 112 of the handle 100 to maximize the user's grip during use of the oral treatment device 1000.

[0060] Reference Fig.11 , further uses of alignment features 212 will be described. Fig.11As shown, the oral treatment device 1000 includes a handle 100 and an applicator 200, and also includes a sleeve 600, which is coupled to at least the lower portion of the handle 100 and surrounds at least the lower portion of the handle 100. The sleeve 600 can be used in some embodiments, but can be omitted in other embodiments. The sleeve 600 can be formed of an elastic material (e.g., a thermoplastic elastomer, etc.). The sleeve 600 can include a grip enhancement feature, which is formed by a plurality of grip protrusions 601 in an exemplary embodiment. However, the grip enhancement feature can take other forms, such as a dent instead of a protrusion, or a portion of the outer surface of the sleeve 600, which has a different friction coefficient from the rest of the outer surface of the sleeve 600, or a rough area on the outer surface of the sleeve 600, etc. In some embodiments, it may be desirable that the grip enhancement feature (e.g., the grip protrusion 601) is positioned only along the lateral side of the handle 100, rather than also along the rear and / or front of the handle 100. The alignment feature 212 can help ensure that the sleeve 600 is connected to the handle 100 in a desired orientation so that the gripping protrusion 601 (or other grip enhancing features or textured areas, such as a rough textured area, etc.) is located in a desired angular position along the handle 100 to enhance the user's grip during use of the oral treatment device 1000.

[0061] For example, a tool in the assembly line can identify and / or align with the alignment feature 212 of the applicator 200 so that the sleeve 600 can be attached to the handle 100 in a desired angular orientation. That is, the tool in the assembly line can hold or position the oral treatment device 1000 in a particular orientation so that when the sleeve 600 is coupled to the handle 100, the gripping protrusion 601 (or other textured surface) is positioned at a desired position relative to the applicator portion 205 of the applicator 200. Thus, the alignment feature 212 of the applicator 200 can be a mechanical alignment feature for adding a sleeve, label, or printing during manufacturing.

[0062] In addition, in some embodiments, the sleeve 600 can be a gripping feature formed of an elastic material, but the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments. In other embodiments, the sleeve 600 can be a label located on the outer surface of the handle 100, such as a sticker, engraving, printed pattern, etc. Such a label has a mark or other information imprinted thereon, and it may be desirable to have such a mark located at a specific angular position along the outer surface of the handle 100. The first alignment feature 212 of the applicator 200 can facilitate this by ensuring that the tools in the assembly line properly orient the oral treatment device 1000 before attaching the label to the handle 100, so that any such mark is located at a desired angular position along the handle 100.

[0063] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing individual values ​​and each value within the range. Any value within a range may be selected as the endpoint of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event that a definition in the present disclosure conflicts with a definition in a cited reference, the present disclosure shall prevail.

[0064] Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific examples (including currently preferred modes for carrying out the present invention), it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that there are multiple variations and permutations of the above-described systems and techniques. It should be understood that additional embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the present invention should be broadly interpreted as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An oral treatment device, comprising: a handle comprising a reservoir containing a tooth sensitive composition; An applicator configured to be coupled to the handle, the applicator comprising: a bottom end, a top end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said bottom end and said top end; an inner surface defining a dispensing passageway that is fluidly coupled to the reservoir of the handle when the applicator is coupled to the handle; and An application portion for dispensing and massaging the tooth-sensitive composition onto the teeth of a user, the application portion having an outer surface oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis and a dispensing hole through which the tooth-sensitive composition is dispensed, and wherein the longitudinal axis does not intersect the outer surface of the application portion.

2. An oral treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the distribution channel includes a vertical portion extending along a first axis coaxial with the longitudinal axis and a horizontal portion extending along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and inclined relative to the outer surface of the application portion, the horizontal portion extending from the distal end of the vertical portion to the distribution hole.

3. The oral treatment device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a plurality of protrusions protruding from the outer surface of the application portion, the plurality of protrusions surrounding the dispensing hole.

4. An oral treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the applicator is divided into an anterior surface portion and a posterior surface portion by a coronal plane, the application portion forming a part of the anterior surface portion, and the applicator further comprising a first alignment feature positioned along the posterior surface portion.

5. An oral treatment device according to claim 4, wherein the applicator includes a proximal segment nested within the handle and a distal segment protruding from the distal end of the handle, and wherein the first alignment feature of the applicator is a recess in the rear surface portion of the applicator located on a portion of the distal segment adjacent to the distal end of the handle, wherein the handle includes a front surface portion and a rear surface portion, the rear surface portion having a second alignment feature.

6. An oral treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the applicator also includes a tubular main body portion having an outer surface, and wherein at least a lower portion of the outer surface of the application portion is elevated relative to the outer surface of the tubular main body portion, and the application portion includes a lower edge portion extending from the outer surface of the tubular main body portion to the lower portion of the outer surface of the application portion, and the lower edge portion faces downwardly to the bottom end of the applicator.

7. The oral treatment device of claim 6, wherein the outer surface of the tubular body portion includes a front surface portion located on a sagittal plane of the applicator and extending along an axis that intersects the outer surface of the applicator portion.

8. An oral treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the outer surface of the applicator portion lies on a face oriented at an angle of 5° to 20° relative to the longitudinal axis of the applicator.

9. An oral treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the applicator comprises: an elastic member including an inner surface defining an inner channel, the elastic member including a head portion forming the application portion of the applicator, an elastic body portion, and an elastic connecting portion; a rigid component, the rigid component comprising a rigid connecting portion surrounding the elastic connecting portion of the elastic component and a rigid tubular portion protruding from a distal end of the rigid connecting portion, the rigid tubular portion being located within the internal channel of the elastic component along the elastic main body portion of the elastic component; and The elastic component and the rigid component are integrally combined together.

10. An oral treatment device according to claim 9, wherein the applicator has a length measured from the bottom end to the top end, and wherein the rigid component extends along no more than 80% of the length of the applicator, and the distalmost portion of the applicator extending along at least 20% of the length of the applicator is formed solely by the elastic component.

11. The oral treatment device of claim 10, wherein the distal-most portion of the applicator includes a portion of a vertical portion of the dispensing channel and a horizontal portion of the dispensing channel extending from a distal end of the vertical portion of the dispensing channel to the dispensing aperture.

12. An oral treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator further comprises a connecting portion configured to engage with the handle when the applicator is connected to the handle, a head portion, and a main body portion located between the connecting portion and the head portion, wherein the head portion comprises a rear surface and a front surface, and the application portion is positioned along the front surface of the head portion.

13. The oral treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the tooth sensitivity composition is an arginine-CaCO3 formulation.

14. An oral treatment device, comprising: a handle comprising a reservoir for containing an oral treatment composition; An applicator configured to be coupled to the handle, the applicator comprising: an inner surface defining a dispensing passage that is fluidly coupled to the reservoir of the handle when the applicator is coupled to the handle, the dispensing passage comprising a first portion extending along a first axis and a second portion extending along a second axis that is angled relative to the first axis; a connector portion including an outer surface formed of a rigid material, the connector portion being configured to engage the handle when the applicator is coupled to the handle; a main body portion including an outer shell formed of an elastic material and a core formed of the rigid material; and A head portion, comprising a distal section formed entirely of the elastic material, the head portion comprising a dispensing hole forming an outlet of the dispensing channel, the distal section of the head portion comprising a distal portion of the first portion of the dispensing channel and the entire second portion of the dispensing channel.

15. The oral treatment device of claim 14, wherein the applicator comprises a base end, a top end, and a length measured from the base end to the top end, and wherein the distal section of the head portion extends along 20% ​​to 30% of the length of the applicator.

16. An oral treatment device according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the second portion of the internal channel is perpendicular to the first portion of the internal channel, and wherein no axis perpendicular to the first axis intersects the distal portion of the first portion of the distribution channel and the distribution hole.

17. An oral treatment device according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the main body portion includes an inner surface formed by the rigid material and an outer surface formed by the elastic material, and wherein the connector portion includes an outer surface formed entirely by the rigid material and an inner surface formed partially by the rigid material and partially by the elastic material, the rigid material extending along the connector portion through one or more openings in the elastic material.

18. An oral treatment device according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the applicator includes a resilient material component and a rigid material component, the rigid material component including a tubular portion nested within the resilient material component along the main body portion of the applicator, the tubular portion including a distal end that abuts against a downwardly facing shoulder of the resilient material component.

19. An oral treatment device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the first portion of the distribution channel of the resilient material member comprises a proximal portion and the distal portion, at least a portion of the distal portion having a reduced diameter relative to the proximal portion.

20. An oral treatment device according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the applicator extends along a longitudinal axis coextensive with the first axis, wherein the head portion includes an application portion, the application portion includes an outer surface oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the longitudinal axis does not intersect the outer surface of the application portion.

21. The oral treatment device according to claim 20 further includes a plurality of protrusions protruding from the outer surface of the application portion, the plurality of protrusions being arranged around the dispensing hole, the plurality of protrusions having a diameter and a height, and a ratio of the diameter of the protrusion to the height of the protrusion is in the range of 1.5:1 to 2:

1.

22. An oral treatment device according to any one of claims 20 to 21, wherein the head portion includes a front surface and a rear surface, the main body portion is axially located between the head portion and the connector portion, and wherein the application portion is positioned along the front surface of the head portion, and wherein the main body portion has a greater length than the head portion.

23. An oral treatment device according to any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein the second portion of the distribution passage has a cross-sectional area as it extends from the first portion of the distribution passage to the distribution aperture.

24. An oral treatment device according to any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein the rigid material and the resilient material of the applicator are bonded to each other to form an integral unitary structure.

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