Toothbrush Head Basin Cavity for Automatic Dentifrice Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oral care implements with integrated dentifrice or oral care materials require complex manufacturing processes, making them costly and difficult to produce in a cost-effective manner, and often necessitate manual dispensing or separate dispensers for efficient use.
Innovation Solution
An oral care implement design featuring a handle and head with a basin cavity, an aperture for liquid dispensing, and an applicator loaded with oral care material, allowing for automatic dispensing and simplified manufacturing by integrating the dispensing mechanism into the toothbrush head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate dispenser is used for dentifrice, then dispensing function is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the dentifrice reservoir and dispensing mechanism directly into the toothbrush head structure. The reservoir is formed as an integral part of the head body, and the dispensing aperture is built into the head structure, eliminating the need for separate dispenser components while maintaining the dentifrice dispensing function.
2Ease of operation
If manual dispensing action is required, then user control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs capillary wick material that automatically draws dentifrice from the reservoir through capillary action without requiring manual intervention. The wick material self-regulates the dispensing process by absorbing and transporting the dentifrice to the applicator area, achieving automatic dispensing while maintaining user control through passive mechanical means.
3Manufacturing precision
If complicated manufacturing steps are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the toothbrush into distinct modular components: handle, head, reservoir, applicator assembly with wick material, and cleaning elements. Each component can be manufactured separately using standard processes and then assembled through simple connection methods, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining precision where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The head structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the reservoir, provides the dispensing aperture, supports the applicator assembly with wick material, and mounts the cleaning elements. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps required, simplifying manufacturing while achieving precise integration of functions.
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 solution enables cost-effective manufacturing and automatic dispensing of oral care materials during use, enhancing user convenience and reducing production complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the applicator formed of a capillary material and loaded with an oral care material
Data Source
AI summary
An oral care implement and a method of forming the same. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement having a handle and a head. The head has a basin cavity formed therein which has an open top end. An aperture is formed into the basin cavity that forms a passageway to an outer surface of the head. An applicator is positioned within the basin cavity so that a portion of the applicator protrudes through the aperture. The oral care implement also includes a head plate with a plurality of tooth cleaning elements mounted thereon. The head plate is coupled to the head and encloses the open top end of the basin cavity.