GB2313774A

GB2313774A - Dentifrice applicator

Info

Publication number: GB2313774A
Application number: GB9611675A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ahmet Ersal Mehmet
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-06-05
Filing date: 1996-06-05
Publication date: 1997-12-10
Also published as: GB9611675D0

Abstract

A dentifrice applicator has a handle with open-ended recess 18 receiving a cartridge of liquid dentifrice whose nozzle 16 is frictionally gripped in a cylindrical handle recess. To discharge dentifrice, the cartridge is pushed towards its nozzle either to release pressurised dentifrice or to pump dentifrice, which is then passed via passages 12 and 28 to an applicator head which may be bristled. Passage 28 may exit in or adjacent the bristled surface, or in an opposite surface. A removable cap may close the open handle end while remaining spaced from the cartridge end.

Description

Dentifrice applicators This invention relates to dentifrice applicators, and particularly to devices for applying a liquid dentifrice directly to the teeth or gums of the user.

Whereas it is well known to apply toothpaste to the bristles of a toothbrush and then to brush the paste over the tooth surfaces to clean them by friction, not all dentifrices lend themselves to being so applied. When the dentifrice is in the form of a liquid containing at least some components which react chemically with plaque and other undesirable substances, application by means of a toothbrush is messy and ineffective.

The present invention aims at providing an applicator by means of which a liquid dentifrice may be sprayed directly into the oral cavity and on to the teeth. The applicator is intended to fit on to the outlet end of a dentifrice cartridge from which the liquid may be dispensed. The head of the applicator has in it outlet passages for the dentifrice. The cartridge is thrown away when empty, and the applicator when worn out. As these periods are different, material for both the cartridge and the applicator is conserved.

Accordingly the present invention provides a liquid-dentifrice applicator which is as claimed in the appended claims.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of an applicator of the present invention fitted with a cartridge containing liquid dentifrice; Figure 2 is a front elevation, part in section, of the combination shown in Fig. 1, and Figure 3 is a section, in slightly larger scale, showing how the head of the cartridge fits into the applicator.

The cartridge 2 contains a liquid dentifrice. The contents may be under pressure from a fluid propellant, or the cartridge may be of the pump type, in which forcible reciprocation of the cartridge nozzle is sufficient to prime the cartridge and then to expel its contents. Projecting from the head 4 of the cartridge is a cylindrical nozzle 6. When in position in the applicator, the nozzle is held in a friction grip by the walls of a cylindrical recess 8 having an O-ring seal 10 at its inner end. The seal acts to ensure that all the dentifrice is discharged into the respective end of a longitudinal passage 12 in the applicator, and not into the recess 8. In order to dispense dentifrice, the nozzle has to be displaced towards the head. This is done by applying force to the exposed end of the cartridge to push the main body further into the applicator to effect the necessary relative movement between the head and the nozzle. The applicator 14 is made of a suitable plastics material, preferably by an injection rnoulding process. Its handle end 16 is hollow, forming a recess 18 for the main body of the cartridge, the recess 18 being contiguous with recess 8.

When the applicator is to be transported with a cartridge in place, accidental discharge of dentifrice is prevented by a cap 20. This has inner lugs 22 intended to contact the end of the cylindrical skirt 24 in order to stop the cap from exerting force on the projecting end of the cartridge. The cap itself is a friction fit on the skirt, so that it may readily be pushed into place, and pulled off when the applicator is to be used.

At its other end, the passage 12 in the applicator body terminates in the head 26 of the applicator, from which project bristles' 28; The passage 12 is in communication with the outside surface of the head 26 through at least one outlet passage 28. In known manner, the head has projecting from it the bristleg2'of natural or synthetic material, although these are not essential. The passage 28 may have its outlet end in the surface from which the bristles project, but it may terminate either in adjacent surfaces, so that the dentifrice does not fall on the bristles, or in a surface opposite to that from which the bristles project. This is to take account of the fact that some formulations of liquid dentifrice react chemically with the material to be removed from on or within dental interstices, so that it is not essential to remove such material by friction. Thus in its simplest form the applicator may merely spray liquid dentifrice into the oral cavity. The products of the reaction between the material to be removed and the dentifrice may then be removed by swallowing or spitting. However, it is believed that most users would expect to brush their tooth and gum surfaces, which is why the applicator would usually carry a brush head. If the passage 28 terminates in the surface from which the bristles project, it would be desirable to ensure that the roots of the bristles are spaced from the passage 28 so that the emergent jet or spray of dentifrice does not fall on the bristles.

The handle 16 merges into the neck of the applicator by an annular shoulder 32.

This enables the applicator to be held between two fingers straddling the shoulder 32, and with the thumb of the same hand contacting the exposed end of the cartridge 2, so that the release of dentifrice may be controlled by a simple squeezing action.

In known manner, the applicator would usually be sold with a bristle guard 30 of transparent material.

Accordingly it will be seen that the present invention provides an applicator for liquid dentifrices, by means of which liquid dentifrice may be applied directly where needed in the user's oral cavity. After deposition, some forms of applicator may be used as a brush to remove loosened plaque and the products of the reaction between dental plaque and debris and the dentifrice.

Claims

1 A dentifrice applicator in the form of a longitudinal body having a hollow handle adapted to receive the nozzle end of a cartridge of fluid dentifrice, the body having in it a passageway leading from a recess in the handle to a head of the applicator via a hollow stem, the head having in it at least one outlet passage in communication with the passageway, and in which force may be applied to the body of the cartridge to move it towards its nozzle to discharge dentifrice into the passageway.

2 An applicator as claimed in claim 1, in which the base of the cartridge projects from an open end of the cartridge recess in the handle, whereby the user may control the discharge of the dentifrice by pushing the cartridge into the recess.

3 An applicator as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the cartridge recess is contiguous with a cylindrical recess of a diameter which is a friction grip on the outlet nozzle of the cartridge, whereby the nozzle remains stationary relatively to the rest of the cartridge.

4 An applicator as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the open end of the handle recess is able to be closed by means of a cap which, when seated firmly on the handle, remains spaced from the cartridge.