Generating a chemical agent in situ

• US 9,445,878 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2013
• Issued: 09/20/2016
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lin, James
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cohen, Brian W
• Application Number:
  US14/107,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20140106309A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 205626-639
• 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

A method of cleaning teeth by providing a device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The device may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The device may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.

Claims

1. A method of whitening teeth, the method comprising:

placing an anode of a first set of electrodes proximate an application site within a user'"'"'s mouth;

generating oxygen at the anode; and

applying an electrical potential across a second set of electrodes proximate the anode of the first set of electrodes while in the presence of the generated oxygen to generate ozone from the oxygen, the second set of electrodes arranged such that the anode of the first set of electrodes is located between the second set of electrodes.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating oxygen comprises applying an electrical potential across the first set of electrodes while in the presence of an electrolyte.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, for the step of applying an electrical potential across the first set of electrodes, the electrical potential is about 1.5 volts or more.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, for the step of applying an electrical potential across the second set of electrodes, the electrical potential is about 0.7 volts.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the electrolyte is saliva within the user'"'"'s mouth.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second sets of electrodes are provided on a device selected from the group consisting of a toothbrush, a tongue scraper, a tooth whitening applicator, and a gum stimulator.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second sets of electrodes are provided on a toothbrush and within a field of tooth cleaning elements.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the tooth cleaning elements have a height that is greater than a height of the first and second sets of electrodes.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the first set of electrodes are connected to a first voltage source and the second set of electrodes are connected to a second voltage source, the first voltage source and the second voltage source capable of providing different voltages.

9. A method of generating ozone proximate an application site, the method comprising:

placing an anode of a first set of electrodes proximate the application site;

generating oxygen at the anode by applying an electrical potential of about 1.5 volts or more across the first set of electrodes while in the presence of an electrolyte; and

applying an electrical potential of about 0.7 volts across a second set of electrodes proximate the anode of the first set of electrodes while in the presence of the generated oxygen to generate ozone from the oxygen.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the electrolyte comprises saliva.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the application site is a user'"'"'s mouth.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the first and second sets of electrodes are provided on a device selected from the group consisting of a toothbrush, a tongue scraper, a tooth whitening applicator, a gum stimulator, a scrub brush, a sponge, and a razor.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the first and second sets of electrodes are provided on a toothbrush and within a field of tooth cleaning elements.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the tooth cleaning elements have a height that is greater than a height of the first and second sets of electrodes.