Bottle for dental hygiene product with timing mechanism

• US 7,515,507 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2006
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dr Fresh LLC (HRB Winddown, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Growmax Investments Limited
• Inventors: Nanda, Puneet
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska; Vit W
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAYES, SEAN PHILLIP
• Application Number:
  US11/407,820
• Publication Number:
  US 20060238338A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,083 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 248114-116, 222/30, 215/230
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 41/34 Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/248 the closure being provided with transient audible or visual signaling means, e.g. for indicating dispensing, or other illuminating or acoustic devices, e.g. whistles B65D55/026, B65D55/028 take precedence; for indicating incorrect storage B65D79/02
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/005 using electronic timing, e.g. counting means pulse time delay arrangements H03K5/13; modifications of electronic switches for introducing a time delay before switching H03K17/28
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A packaging system includes a bottle that holds a dental hygiene product. A closure is configured to be removably coupled to the bottle. The bottle defines an opening when the closure is removed from the bottle. The timing mechanism is coupled to at least one of the bottle and closure. The timing mechanism includes a sensory device and a timer. The timing mechanism measures a time period and provides an output after a preset period of time has elapsed.

Claims

1. A packaging system, comprising:

a bottle holding a mouthwash with antibacterial agents;

a closure configured to be removably coupled to the bottle, the bottle defining an opening when the closure is removed from the bottle;

a timing mechanism coupled to the closure, the timing mechanism including an electrical sensory device and a timer, the timer configured to operate during a period of time and the sensory device configured to provide an audible or visual output during or after the period of time; and

a sensor positioned within the closure and configured to detect the presence of a liquid within the closure, wherein the timing mechanism is configured to activate when the closure is removed from the bottle and the sensor detects a liquid within the closure.

2. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the sensory device comprises at least one selected from the following:

light, vibrator, and auditory device.

3. The packaging system of claim 1, further comprising means for modifying the period of time.

4. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein said period of time is about 30 seconds.

5. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the sensory device is positioned within a wall of the closure.

6. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the presence of a liquid within the closure when a liquid physically contacts the sensor.

7. A packaging system, comprising:

a bottle;

a closure configured to be removably coupled to the bottle, the bottle defining an opening when the closure is removed from the bottle, the closure further defining a space into which contents from the bottle can be poured; and

a timing mechanism positioned within the closure the timing mechanism including a sensory device, a timer, and means for activating the timer and sensory device when the contents from the bottle are poured into the closure

wherein the sensory device is a light and the light is configured to flash during a duration determined by the timer and the light begins to flash when the means for activating the timer and sensory device contacts the contents.

8. The packaging system of claim 7, wherein the contents is a mouthwash with antibacterial agents.

9. A method of using a dental hygiene product, the method comprising:

removing a cap from a bottle in which the dental hygiene product is stored;

pouring the dental hygiene product into the cap, the dental hygiene product activating a timing mechanism provided within or on the cap;

transferring the dental hygiene product from the cap to a user'"'"'s mouth; and

using the dental hygiene product for a period of time that is indicated by the timing mechanism.

10. A dental hygiene product, comprising:

a bottle having a body portion and a neck portion connected to the body portion, the body portion configured to hold a mouthwash with antibacterial agents;

a cap defining a cavity, the cap configured to be removably coupled to the neck portion of the bottle;

a timing device positioned within the cavity of the cap and configured to operate for a predetermined rinse time;

a sensory device coupled to at least one of the bottle or the cap, the sensory device providing an audible or visual output in response to a signal received from the timing device, the signal being received during or after expiration of the predetermined rinse time; and

a sensor positioned within the cavity and coupled to the timing device to activate the timing device when the mouthwash contacts the sensor.

11. The dental hygiene product of claim 10, further comprising a switch coupled to the timing device to activate the timing device.

12. The dental hygiene product of claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises at least two electrodes.

13. The dental hygiene product of claim 10, wherein the visual output is a light.

14. The dental hygiene product of claim 13, wherein the light is configured to flash during or after the predetermined rinse time.