Disposable Pet Mouth-Cleaning Device with Bending Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for pet oral hygiene, such as toothbrushing and chew toys, are often ineffective and unpleasant for pets, leading to inadequate removal of plaque, tartar, and microorganisms, which can result in oral diseases and bad breath.
Innovation Solution
A single-use, disposable mouth-cleaning device with a base and side wall featuring protrusions that engage oral tissues, coupled with a lid sealed via threaded connection using heat and pressure or ultrasound, to clean the pet's mouth as it consumes a product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If toothbrush and toothpaste are used to clean the pet's mouth, then oral hygiene is improved, but the pet resists and the process becomes unpleasant and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device allows the pet to clean its own mouth by chewing on the device, transforming the cleaning action from owner-initiated to pet-initiated. The pet's natural chewing behavior activates the cleaning mechanism, eliminating resistance and making the process pleasant for the pet while maintaining effective plaque removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed as a single-use disposable item that is discarded after one cleaning session. This eliminates the need for repeated introduction of similar devices to the pet, reducing long-term resistance, and simplifies hygiene maintenance for the owner.
2Ease of operation
If chew toys are provided for the pet to chew on, then the pet enjoys the activity and less effort is required from the owner, but the cleaning effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the functions of a chew toy and a toothbrush into a single integrated structure. The exterior surface provides chewable texture for pet enjoyment, while the interior surface contains plaque-removing protrusions, combining the benefits of both approaches into one effective tool.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the device have different functions: the exterior surface is designed for chewing enjoyment while the interior surface contains the active cleaning elements. This local differentiation allows the device to serve multiple purposes effectively, with each region optimized for its specific function.
3Reliability
If a reusable mouth-cleaning device is used, then cleaning effectiveness can be maintained, but hygiene and contamination become concerns between uses
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed for single use only and is discarded after one cleaning session. This eliminates cross-contamination risks between uses and removes the need for cleaning or sterilizing the device itself, while maintaining effective plaque removal during the single use period.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is discarded after completing its cleaning function, and a fresh device is used for the next cleaning session. This ensures that each cleaning action is performed with a sterile, uncontaminated device, eliminating hygiene concerns while maintaining consistent cleaning effectiveness.
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
The device effectively cleans the pet's mouth by bending protrusions to remove plaque, tartar, and microorganisms, providing a more efficient and less labor-intensive alternative to traditional methods while ensuring hygiene and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The lid is coupled to the side wall by the manufacturer via threaded connection, using heat and pressure or using ultrasound
Implementation Method 2
the protrusions are configured to bend when contacted by the mouth of the pet as the pet consumes the product, thereby cleaning the mouth of the pet
Implementation Method 3
The lid is coupled to the side wall by the manufacturer via threaded connection, using heat and pressure or using ultrasound
Data Source
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AI summary
A mouth-cleaning device (100) for a pet. The device includes a base (110) and a side wall (120) extending from the base. The base and the side wall at least partially define an internal volume configured to receive a product. A plurality of protrusions (112, 122) extends from the base or the side wall, or both. The protrusions are configured to engage an oral tissue of a pet.