Portable Toothbrush With Bead Retention and Integrated Dentifrice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toothbrushes often require additional packaging, are costly, and lack a integrated mechanism for cleaning between teeth, while also failing to provide a self-contained rupturable dispenser for dentifrice, which can become stale due to improper sealing.
Innovation Solution
A compact, portable toothbrush design featuring a toothpick integrated with the handle and a rupturable gel capsule or dentifrice dispenser within the bristle block, allowing for efficient cleaning between teeth and breath freshening without the need for water or additional packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If toothpaste is integrated into the toothbrush through an integrated channel, then teeth cleaning function is provided, but manufacturing cost increases and toothpaste becomes dry and stale due to improper sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush is divided into separate functional components: the brush head with bristles and the separate gel capsule containing toothpaste. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently and optimally, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while avoiding the sealing problems of integrated channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The gel capsule containing toothpaste is nested within the bristle block structure. The capsule is positioned among the bristles, allowing it to be held securely without requiring complex external packaging or channels, thus reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining integration.
2Reliability
If an outer bag is used to package the toothbrush and dispenser, then protection and portability are provided, but cost increases and the dispenser and toothbrush are not provided as one complete connected unit
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser and toothbrush are merged into a single integrated unit where the gel capsule is embedded within the bristle block. This eliminates the need for separate outer packaging while ensuring the components remain connected and protected during transport through their integrated structure.
3Ease of operation
If a rupturable dispenser is provided separate from the toothbrush, then dentifrice dispensing is achieved, but the components are not integrated as one complete unit requiring additional packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The rupturable gel capsule is nested within the bristle block, creating a unified structure where the dispenser and toothbrush are one complete connected unit. The capsule is positioned among the bristles and held by retaining members, achieving integration without additional packaging.
4Ease of operation
If the toothbrush is designed for waterless use with pre-applied cleaning agent, then portability and simplicity are improved, but the cleaning agent may become stale without proper sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The gel capsule is enclosed in a flexible, sealable membrane that maintains the freshness of the cleaning agent while allowing the capsule to be compressed during use. The flexible sealing prevents staleness while enabling waterless portability.
Data Source
AI summary
An oral care toothbrush includes a head mounted to one end of the handle containing a plurality of oral care elements. An oral care accessory is mounted to the opposite end of the handle. An oral care dispenser is mounted in the head within the cleaning field defined by the oral care elements. The oral care dispenser may be held in place by a plurality of prongs located in the field defined by the oral care elements. The toothbrush may be made of small size and of lightweight so as to be readily portable for use away from the home.