Toothpaste Droplet with Dissolvable Membrane and Bristle Tail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional toothpaste tubes fail to control the amount of toothpaste applied during brushing, leading to health risks from excessive ingestion, environmental waste, and inconvenience, especially for children and seniors.
Innovation Solution
A droplet of toothpaste with a dissolvable outer membrane, embedded into the toothbrush bristles, which dissolves with water or saliva to release the toothpaste, eliminating the need for squeezing or swallowing and providing a pre-measured, waste-free, and easy-to-use solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional toothpaste tubes are used, then toothpaste can be dispensed continuously, but the amount of toothpaste applied cannot be controlled leading to excessive ingestion
Solution Approach 1:
The toothpaste is divided into individual single-use droplets, each containing a pre-measured amount. This segmentation allows precise control of the quantity applied while eliminating the risk of excessive ingestion, as each droplet represents a controlled dose that can be easily monitored.
2Loss of substance
If traditional toothpaste tubes are used, then toothpaste can be stored and reused, but waste and mess occur due to inability to control the amount used
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses disposable single-use droplets instead of reusable tubes. Each droplet is designed for one-time use, eliminating waste from partially used tubes and mess from squeezing. The simplicity of the disposable droplet design reduces the complexity of delivery systems while minimizing substance loss.
3Quantity of substance
If capsules containing toothpaste are used, then the amount can be pre-measured, but the capsules cannot hold onto the brush and require adapted delivery systems
Solution Approach 1:
The droplet uses a flexible membrane shell that can deform to fit into the bristles of any toothbrush. This thin film structure allows the pre-measured toothpaste capsule to adapt to different toothbrush types without requiring specialized delivery systems, maintaining both precise measurement and universal compatibility.
4Reliability
If fluoride-containing toothpaste is used, then dental cavities are prevented, but health risks occur from excessive ingestion
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting toothpaste into individual droplets with pre-measured fluoride content, the invention maintains the cavity-prevention benefits of fluoride while eliminating the harm of excessive ingestion. Each droplet contains a safe, controlled amount that can be easily monitored, ensuring reliable protection without toxic exposure.
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 droplet system ensures the right amount of toothpaste is used for each brushing, reducing ingestion risks, minimizing waste, and being convenient for all users, including children and seniors, while being adaptable to any toothbrush type.
Implementation Method 1
the outer membrane is formed from dissolvable film strip technology which, in use, dissolves when water is poured on the droplet, to release the toothpaste therein
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to delivery of toothpaste and provide a novel and non-obvious device, method, and system for delivering toothpaste to a user. In one embodiment of the invention, a droplet for delivering toothpaste to a user can be provided. The droplet can include a dissolvable outer membrane defining a volume with toothpaste inside the volume. The outer membrane can include a tail portion, which is configured to be embedded into the bristles of a toothbrush. The droplet further can include one or more extensions coupled to the outer surface of the outer membrane, the one or more extensions can have a triangular shape, a barb shape or the like. In one aspect of this embodiment, the droplet further can include a logo, a cartoon character, a word or the like printed on the outer membrane.