Integrated Toothbrush Applicator for Simultaneous Oral Care
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oral care systems require separate toothbrushes and kits for applying oral care agents, leading to space inefficiency, forgetfulness, and inefficiency in application, especially during travel, as they are not conveniently portable and apply agents one tooth at a time.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush design with an applicator fluidly coupled to a store of oral care material, featuring a depression in the handle with a concave applicator surface that matches teeth contours for simultaneous application, and a cover that alters between storage and use states to protect the material and facilitate easy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional separate toothbrush and oral care agent kit are used, then storage space is required for multiple devices, but portability and convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the toothbrush and oral care agent dispensing system into a single integrated device. The toothbrush handle incorporates a reservoir for storing oral care material and an applicator for dispensing it, eliminating the need for separate toothbrush and oral care agent kit, thus improving portability while maintaining multiple oral care functions
2Productivity
If conventional oral care agent application is used, then application to single tooth at a time is achieved, but time consumption and effectiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator transitions from point-contact (single tooth) to surface-contact (multiple teeth) by using a contoured surface that matches the facial surfaces of multiple teeth. This dimensional change from applying to one tooth at a time to simultaneously applying to multiple teeth dramatically increases application speed and effectiveness
3Ease of operation
If oral care material is stored in separate container, then material protection is achieved, but ease of use and portability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir containing oral care material and the applicator for dispensing it are integrated into the toothbrush handle as a single unit. This merger maintains material protection through the enclosed reservoir while dramatically improving ease of use and portability by eliminating the need to carry separate containers and application devices
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional travel oral care setup is used, then oral care treatment is possible, but portability during travel is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the toothbrush, oral care material reservoir, and applicator into one compact device, the patent creates a travel-friendly oral care solution that maintains full functionality. Users can carry this single integrated device during travel, eliminating the bulk of multiple separate products while retaining the ability to perform complete oral care routines including both brushing and oral care material application
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
Enables efficient, simultaneous application of oral care agents to multiple teeth, improving convenience and portability by integrating the applicator and storage within a single device, reducing the need for multiple products and enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
an applicator forming at least a portion of the floor of the depression, the applicator fluidly coupled to the store of the oral care material
Data Source
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AI summary
A toothbrush having an applicator for dispensing an oral care material to a user's oral cavity. In one aspect, the toothbrush comprises a body comprising a handle portion, a head portion and a longitudinal axis; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the head portion; a store of an oral care material in the body; a depression formed in the handle portion of the body, the depression comprising a floor; and an applicator forming at least a portion of the floor of the depression, the applicator fluidly coupled to the store of the oral care material.