ORAL CARE DEVICE

• US 20160354188A1
• Filed: 08/17/2016
• Published: 12/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Original Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Inventors: Jimenez, Eduardo J., Hohlbein, Douglas J., Cai, Heng, Kennedy, Sharon, Mintel, Thomas, Russell, Bruce M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,307,235 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0022 with an electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/04 Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/244 for cleaning of the tongue
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/00 Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses instruments acting like a sandblast machine A61C3/025; tooth polishing discs or holders therefor A61C3/06; devices for cleaning between the teeth A61C15/00; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/16 Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/066 Bleaching devices; Whitening agent applicators for teeth, e.g. trays or strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0548 Oral electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/26 Electromedical brushes; Electromedical massage devices massage devices in general A61H; Combs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/322 Electromedical brushes, combs, massage devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/44 Applying ionised fluids ion generators H01J37/00
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/02 Hydrogen or oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/04 by electrolysis of water
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/13 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis

Abstract

An oral care device such as an oral care implement or a toothbrush. The oral care device may include a handle and a head. The head may have a plurality of cleaning elements extending therefrom. The head may comprise an open space or cavity. A plurality of electrodes may be located within the open space or cavity. The electrodes may be coupled to a voltage source. The electrodes may be used to generate a chemical agent via the application of an electrical potential across the electrodes when in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine hypochlorite, ions, peroxides, and/or other chemical agents.

Claims

1. An oral care device comprising:

a handle;

a head coupled to the handle, the head defining an open space and having a front surface and an opposite rear surface;

a plurality of cleaning elements extending from the front surface of the head; and

a plurality of electrodes located within the open space of the head.

2. The oral care device according to claim 1 further comprising an opening in the front surface of the head that provides a passageway into the open space, and wherein the open space is located between the front and rear surfaces of the head.

3. The oral care device according to claim 1 wherein the open space is a channel extending entirely through the head from the front surface of the head to the rear surface of the head.

4. The oral care device according to claim 1 wherein the open space is located between the front and rear surfaces of the head, and wherein each of the plurality of electrodes is located entirely within the open space.

5. The oral care device according to claim 4 wherein no portion of any of the electrodes protrudes from the front or rear surfaces of the head.

6. The oral care device according to claim 1 wherein the open space is bounded by a sidewall of the head, and wherein the plurality of electrodes are coupled to the sidewall of the head in a spaced apart manner.

7. The oral care device according to claim 6 wherein the head has a longitudinal axis and the plurality of electrodes comprise at least one anode coupled to the sidewall of the head on a first side of the longitudinal axis and at least one cathode coupled to the sidewall of the head on a second side of the longitudinal axis that is opposite the first side of the longitudinal axis.

8. The oral care device according to claim 7 wherein the at least one anode extends from the sidewall towards the longitudinal axis of the head and wherein the at least one cathode extends from the sidewall towards the longitudinal axis of the head.

9. The oral care device according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of cleaning elements define a field of cleaning elements having a distal end spaced from the front surface of the head, and wherein the field of cleaning elements defines a channel extending from the distal end of the field of cleaning elements to the open space.

10. The oral care device according to claim 1 further comprising a voltage source operably coupled to each of the plurality of electrodes.

11. The oral care device according to claim 10 wherein the voltage source comprises one or more batteries located within a compartment in the handle.

12. An oral care device comprising:

a handle;

a head coupled to the handle, the head having a front surface and an opposite rear surface, a first opening formed into the front surface of the head and providing a passageway into a channel in the head; and

a plurality of electrodes coupled to the head and positioned within the channel.

13. The oral care device according to claim 12 wherein no portion of the plurality of electrodes protrudes beyond the front or rear surfaces of the head.

14. The oral care device according to claim 12 wherein the channel extends through the head from the first opening in the front surface of the head to a second opening in the rear surface of the head, the channel being defined by an annular sidewall of the head.

15. The oral care device according to claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of electrodes is coupled to the annular sidewall of the head in a spaced apart manner.

16. The oral care device according to claim 12 further comprising a cleaning element field on the head formed from a plurality of cleaning elements extending from the front surface of the head to a distal end of the cleaning element field.

17. The oral care device according to claim 16 wherein the cleaning element field defines a passageway extending from an opening in the distal end of the cleaning element field to the channel in the head.

18. An oral care device comprising:

a handle;

a head coupled to the handle, the head comprising a cavity and an opening forming a passageway into the cavity; and

a plurality of electrodes located within the cavity.

19. The oral care device according to claim 18 further comprising a plurality of cleaning elements extending from the head, the plurality of cleaning elements arranged so as to define a passageway into the cavity.

20. The oral care device according to claim 18 wherein the cavity is bounded by an inner sidewall of the head, and wherein the plurality of electrodes are coupled to the inner sidewall and extend into the cavity.