Tooth Whitening Applicator Venting for Easy Sealed Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tooth whitening systems face issues with product effectiveness, composition clumping on applicators, and inconsistent application due to deficiencies in priming and application devices.
Innovation Solution
A tooth whitening apparatus with a container and an applicator assembly that can be altered between attached and detached states, featuring a vent groove on the rod member to reduce pressure in the container, ensuring easy attachment and consistent application of the whitening composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the applicator assembly is attached to seal the container cavity, then product effectiveness is improved by preventing evaporation, but pressure builds up in the cavity making assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The rod member incorporates vent grooves that create a porous-like structure allowing controlled pressure relief. These grooves enable gas to escape during assembly while maintaining the seal integrity when attached, resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and assembly ease.
2Manufacturing precision
If the applicator tip is immersed in the composition repeatedly, then consistent dosing is achieved, but the composition clumps on the applicator surface
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper component continuously contacts the applicator tip during each immersion cycle, continuously removing excess composition and preventing clump formation. This continuous action maintains both dosing consistency and composition uniformity across multiple uses.
3Reliability
If the applicator assembly is designed with engagement features for secure attachment, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is segmented into separate engagement features: threads on the rod member and corresponding threads on the container rim. This segmentation allows for secure attachment through simple rotational engagement without requiring complex integrated structures.
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 apparatus ensures effective and consistent application of the whitening composition, preventing evaporation, and maintaining product integrity by reducing pressure during attachment, thus enhancing user convenience and efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The outer surface of the rod member includes at least one vent groove that is elongated in a direction of the longitudinal axis to reduce a pressure in the cavity of the container when altering the applicator assembly into the attached state.
Data Source
AI summary
A tooth whitening apparatus which includes a container having a cavity containing a tooth whitening composition and an applicator assembly which includes a cap, a rod member coupled to the cap and protruding from a bottom end of the cap and having a longitudinal axis, an outer surface, and a distal portion, and an applicator tip coupled to the distal portion of the rod member. The applicator assembly is alterable between: (1) an attached state whereby the cavity of the container is sealed; and (2) a detached state whereby the applicator assembly is separated from the container to apply the tooth whitening composition onto a user's teeth. The outer surface of the rod member includes at least one vent groove that is elongated in a direction of the longitudinal axis to reduce a pressure in the cavity of the container when altering the applicator assembly into the attached state.