Toothpaste Tube Nozzle for Controlled Fluoride Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current toothpaste formulations and delivery systems fail to effectively control the amount of fluoride and other active ingredients applied during brushing, particularly in children, leading to potential ingestion hazards and non-compliance with oral hygiene routines.
Innovation Solution
A toothpaste delivery kit featuring multiple tubes with unique properties, including a deformable toothpaste tube with a tapered nozzle that regulates the amount of toothpaste dispensed, allowing for controlled application and encouraging proper brushing habits through interactive and customizable flavor and color combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If children use flavored toothpaste to encourage brushing, then brushing motivation is improved, but fluoride ingestion risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of toothpaste by adjusting viscosity to a specific range (30,000-300,000 cps) and specific gravity (1.20-1.40), causing the toothpaste to extrude in a controlled bead pattern rather than a continuous stream. This parameter modification allows children to apply toothpaste to brush bristles without excessive dispensing, reducing fluoride ingestion risk while maintaining appeal through flavor and color.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle acts as an intermediary device between the toothpaste tube and the brush, regulating the flow of toothpaste through its specific geometry (conical shape with tapered opening). This intermediary structure controls the amount of toothpaste that reaches the brush, preventing over-application while still providing sufficient product for effective brushing.
2Reliability
If adults apply sufficient toothpaste for effective brushing, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but product waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
By modifying the toothpaste's rheological parameters (viscosity and specific gravity) and the nozzle geometry, the system enables precise control over the amount of toothpaste dispensed. This allows adults to apply only the necessary amount for effective brushing without wasting product, as the controlled extrusion prevents excessive dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothpaste tube with regulated nozzle is designed to self-regulate the dispensing amount based on user application pressure. The system automatically controls the flow characteristics through its engineered parameters, eliminating the need for users to manually measure or regulate toothpaste application.
3Ease of operation
If a standard toothpaste tube is used, then ease of use is maintained, but control over application amount is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the tube's nozzle parameters (conical geometry with specific opening size) and toothpaste physical parameters (viscosity, specific gravity) to achieve controlled extrusion. This maintains ease of use through simple squeezing motion while precision-controlling the application amount through the regulated flow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulated nozzle serves as an intermediary that translates general user pressure into controlled toothpaste flow. It mediates between the user's simple squeezing action and the need for precise application control, maintaining ease of use while achieving precision in product dispensing.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a toothpaste composition, tube, and delivery system/kit. The disclosure also provides methods for use of the toothpaste composition and/or delivery system/kit.