Oral Care Head Assembly for Stable Dissolvable Agent Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oral care implements with dissolvable tablets can break apart prematurely, causing discomfort and uneven distribution of the oral care agent, and it is difficult for users to determine when the agent has been depleted.

Innovation Solution

An oral care implement with a cavity in the head portion that houses a dissolvable element and a supporting member, where the dissolvable element is adhered to the supporting member using a coupling feature, allowing the agent to be released through an opening and indicating depletion by exposing a visual feature of the supporting member as the agent dissolves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a dissolvable tablet is used in the oral care implement, then the oral care agent can be dispensed during use, but the tablet may break apart before being entirely used up, causing solid components to pass through the dispensing openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing of oral care agentVSAvoidintegrity of dissolvable tablet

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dissolvable tablet is segmented into multiple smaller tablets, each contained within its own cavity. This segmentation prevents any single tablet from breaking apart and causing discomfort, while still providing the desired dispensing function. Each small tablet is contained and controlled individually, eliminating the harm of premature breakdown.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a dissolvable tablet is used without a supporting structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to determine when the agent has been depleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure of oral care implementVSAvoiddepletion status of oral care agent

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting member is provided with a visual indicator that changes color or becomes visible when the dissolvable tablet is depleted. This allows the user to easily determine when the agent has been used up without adding complex monitoring systems. The visual feedback is achieved through a simple color change mechanism on the supporting structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the dissolvable tablet is placed directly in the cavity, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the tablet may pass through the openings intended for liquid form dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly of oral care implementVSAvoiddiscomfort from solid components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dissolvable tablet is nested within a supporting member that acts as a container or holder. This nested structure ensures the tablet remains contained and does not pass through the dispensing openings, while still allowing the oral care agent to be dispensed. The supporting member provides a protective enclosure that prevents the harmful effect of solid components escaping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures consistent release of the oral care agent and provides a visual indicator for when the agent is depleted, preventing premature breakage and ensuring effective use of the implement.

Implementation Method 1

contacting a second surface of the supporting member with a suction tool and generating a suction force to pick up the supporting member with the suction tool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

the supporting member comprising an adhesive surface; and a dissolvable element comprising an oral care agent located in the cavity, the dissolvable element coupled to the adhesive surface of the supporting member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11771212B2Method of assembling an oral care implement

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO

AI summary

An oral care implement that dispenses an oral care agent during use and a method of assembling such an oral care implement. The method may include contacting a suction tool to a supporting member and then contacting the supporting member to a dissolvable element to form a sub-assembly. Next, the sub-assembly may be inserted into a cavity of a head portion of an oral care implement. Then, the suction force applied by the suction tool onto the sub-assembly may be released to leave the sub-assembly in the cavity of the head portion. Finally, an oral cleaning member may be coupled to the head portion of the oral care implement.