Brush that delivers beneficial agents

• US 6,135,126 A
• Filed: 06/09/1999
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microlin LLC
• Original Assignee: Microlin LLC
• Inventors: Joshi, Ashok V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Philogene, Pedro
• Application Number:
  US09/328,949
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 132/112, 132/113, 132/114, 132/115, 132/116, 132/148, 132/311, 132/308, 15/167.1, 433/29, 433/89, 433/216
• US Class Current: 132/308
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0016 with enhancing means
• 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: A46D 1/006 Antimicrobial, disinfectant bristles, handle, bristle-carrier or packaging

Abstract

A brush having a handle and associated surface application portion, which brush handle contains a beneficial agent generator. The brush typically has a stem with first and second ends, the first end serving as a handle. Bristles are associated with the stem'"'"'s second end. A beneficial agent generator (such as an electrochemical gas generating cell) that generates a fluid comprising an oxidizing agent is encased within the stem. For treating teeth, the generator will generally be chosen to generate an oxidizing agent such as a peroxide, ozone, oxygen, or mixtures thereof. When the generator requires it, the brush will also include a battery and a switch associated with the stem and in electrical contact with the generator. The switch may be associated with the first stem end and will be in operable (e.g., electrical) contact with the electrochemical gas generating cell and the battery. When the brush is used to brush teeth, it will generally also include a vent or port, in fluid communication with the electrochemical gas generating cell, for venting undesired fluids (e.g., hydrogen gas) from the second end of the toothbrush, such as the first stem end. The invention may be used in various useful methods such as cleaning, bleaching, and sanitizing tooth or other surfaces.

Claims

1. A device for treatment of a surface with an oxidizing agent comprising:

a base and bristles associated therewith, the bristles being oriented for application to a surface; and

an oxidizing agent generator incorporated within the base for generating, and, in turn, supplying an oxidizing agent to the bristles for application to the surface.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent generator includes an electrochemical cell comprising:

a cathode for reducing oxygen in a feed gas to negative ions, neutral species, or mixtures thereof;

an electrolyte for transporting the ions, neutral species or mixtures thereof therethrough; and

an anode communicating with the electrolyte for oxidizing the negative ions, neutral species or mixtures thereof to generate an oxidizing agent for supply to the surface upon actuation of electrical circuitry operably associating the cathode, anode, and electrolyte.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the electrochemical cell generates oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, ozone, or mixtures thereof.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the generation of oxygen occurs according to a one, two or four electron process.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the negative ions comprise peroxide ions in their various protonated and unprotonated forms.

6. The device according to claim 2, wherein the negative ions comprise superoxide ions including their protonated form.

7. The device according to claim 2, wherein the oxidizing agent generation includes means for preforming electrolysis of water.

8. The device according to claim 2, wherein the oxidizing agent generator includes means for performing electrolysis of oxides, hydroxides, carbonates of metal and their mixtures.

9. The device according to claim 2, further comprising a catalyst positioned proximal the electrochemical cell.

10. The device according to claim 2, further comprising a switch for activating and deactivating the electrochemical cell, the switch being associated with a first end of the base and in electrical contact with the electrochemical cell.

11. The device according to claim 10, further comprising a battery encased within the first end of the base.

12. The device according to claim 11, further comprising a switch for activating and deactivating the electrochemical cell, the switch associated with the first end of the base and in electrical contact with the electrochemical cell and the battery.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent comprises a mixture of gaseous components, the gaseous components selected from the group consisting of peroxides, oxygen, ozone and carbon dioxide.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base includes a stem portion and a head portion.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent generator generates oxygen according to an electrochemical process and includes a power source which applies a potential difference between a cathode and anode to concentrate oxygen atoms from ambient air.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the power source comprises a primary or rechargeable battery.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent generator comprises a photoelectrochemical cell, a battery, and a switch, the photoelectrochemical cell comprising a light source having a wavelength greater than 180 nanometers, and a catalyst layer, the battery and photoelectrochemical cell encased within the base.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein fluid generated by the oxidizing agent generator contains at least one oxidizing agent selected from the group of oxidizing agents consisting of peroxides, ozone, oxygen and mixtures thereof.

19. The device according to claim 17, wherein the catalyst layer comprises TiO₂.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent generator comprises a corona discharge cell encased within the base which is powered by a battery also encased within the base.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the oxidizing agent is selected from at least one of the group consisting of oxygen, ozone, carbon dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, or mixtures thereof.

22. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a vent, in fluid communication with the oxidizing agent generator, for venting undesired fluids or gasses from the device.

23. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises two interconnectable portions, a first portion associated with a first end, and a second portion associated with a second end.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the oxidizing agent generator is enclosed within the first portion.

25. The device according to claim 23, wherein the second portion comprises a tubular member having a lumen, the lumen providing fluid communication between the oxidizing agent generator and the bristles.

26. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an ultrasonic frequency generator.

27. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the bristles are comprised of a conductive material, and a plurality thereof serve as an anode and a cathode, and wherein a power supply is encased within the base and is in operable electrical connection with the anode and cathode.

28. A process for treating a surface comprising:

providing a device comprising a base having first and second ends and bristles associated with the base, means for generating an oxidizing agent associated with the base, and an actuator operably associated with the means for generating an oxidizing agent;

actuating the actuator and, in turn, generating an oxidizing agent;

associating the oxidizing agent with the bristles of the device; and

brushing the surface with the bristles for a period of time.

29. The process according to claim 28, wherein the step of generating an oxidizing agent includes the step of generating at least one of the group consisting essentially of hydrogen peroxide, oxygen, and ozone.