Patent Application
20210251376
The disclosure relates to a dental cleaning system and methods of its preparation and use. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a disposable and biodegradable toothbrush, methods of its preparation, and methods of its use.
Existing toothbrushes are made of plastic and other durable materials that allow users to vigorously brush their teeth. However, toothbrushes are typically used for a short period of time ranging from a single use to a few weeks. Thereafter, users dispose the toothbrush as regular waste. Many toothbrushes may be made of material that cannot be recycled and/or does not biodegrade. Some toothbrushes may be made of recyclable and/or biodegradable material that requires certain optimal processing conditions to initiate the recycling and/or biodegradation process. Often, even with such optimal processing conditions, toothbrushes may take an extensive time to recycle and/or degrade, and the final recycling and/or degradation products may themselves form waste that pollutes the environment and is not fully innocuous.
In one embodiment, the disclosure may be directed to a disposable toothbrush. The disposable toothbrush may include a handle portion and a head portion coupled to the handle portion. The head portion of the disposable toothbrush may include a surface having dehydrated dentifrice deposited thereon, and a plurality of spaced bristles extending perpendicularly outwards from the surface for brushing teeth. The plurality of spaced bristles may include a first type of bristles and a second type of bristles. The first type of bristles may extend straight outwards from the surface of the head portion of the disposable toothbrush. The second type of bristles may form a concentric vortex extending outwards from the surface of the head portion of the disposable toothbrush.
In another embodiment, the instant disclosure may be directed to a disposable toothbrush that is biodegradable. The biodegradable, disposable toothbrush may include a handle portion and a head portion coupled to the handle portion. The head portion of the biodegradable, disposable toothbrush may include a surface and a plurality of spaced bristles extending perpendicularly outwards from the surface for brushing teeth. The plurality of spaced bristles may include a first type of bristles and a second type of bristles. The first type of bristles may extend straight outwards from the surface of the head portion of the biodegradable, disposable toothbrush. The second type of bristles may form a concentric vortex extending outwards from the surface of the head portion of the biodegradable, disposable toothbrush. The biodegradable, disposable toothbrush may be made of at least one of wood, compressed cardboard, compressed paper, TIPA, a heterogenous mixture of naturally synthesized biopolymers derived tobacco plants, polylactic acid (PLA), or a combination thereof.
In yet another embodiment, the instant disclosure may be directed to a method of producing any of the disposable toothbrushes described herein. The method may include depositing a dehydrated dentifrice powder on any of the disposable toothbrushes described herein. A suitable disposable toothbrush may include a handle portion and a head portion coupled to the handle portion. The head portion of the disposable toothbrush may include a surface and a plurality of spaced bristles extending perpendicularly outwards from the surface of the head portion. The plurality of bristles may be used to brush a user's teeth. The plurality of spaced bristles may include a first type of bristles and a second type of bristles. The first type of bristles may extend outwards from the surface of the head portion of the disposable toothbrush. The second type of bristles may form a concentric vortex extending outwards from the surface of the head portion of the disposable toothbrush.
The above and other features of the present disclosure, their nature, and various advantages will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Implementations of the disclosure are directed to a disposable toothbrush, method of preparation thereof, and packaging thereof. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a material” includes a single material as well as a mixture of two or more different materials; and the like.
As used herein, the term “about” in connection with a measured quantity, refers to the normal variations in that measured quantity, as expected by one of ordinary skill in the art in making the measurement and exercising a level of care commensurate with the objective of measurement and the precision of the measuring equipment. In certain embodiments, the term “about” includes the recited number ±10%, such that “about 10” would include from 9 to 11.
Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to illuminate certain materials and methods and does not pose a limitation on scope. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed materials and methods.
The disposable toothbrush described herein may includes a handle portion and a head portion coupled to the handle portion. The handle portion may be gripped by a user's hand during use. The disposable toothbrush may be suitable as an “on the go” dental hygiene product. For instance, the disposable toothbrush may be suitable for use for a limited number of times—such as a one-time use product. The disposable toothbrush described herein may be a compact, travel-size product that could fit in a consumer's pocket or travel bag. The disposable toothbrush may be fully biodegradable such that it readily decomposes and/or degrades when discarded (e.g., without being subjected to special optimal conditions for decomposition or biodegradation). The disposable toothbrush described herein may include a plurality of bristle types on its head portion arranged in various configurations for optimal cleaning and bacteria removal during use. The disposable toothbrush described herein may also include dehydrated dentifrice deposited on the surface of the head portion of the toothbrush in spaces between the plurality of bristles to allow for a full “on the go” experience to a user who does not wish to carry a dentifrice and a toothbrush separately. In certain embodiments, the disposable toothbrush described herein may also include other dental hygiene functionalities on its head portion, such as, for instance a tongue cleaner. The handle portion of the disposable toothbrush described herein may be ergonomically designed to adapt to a user's hand. The handle portion of the disposable toothbrush may also include anti-slip grips.
Methods of preparing the disposable toothbrush described herein may include depositing dehydrated dentifrice on any of the disposable toothbrushes described herein.
Suitable packaging for the disposable toothbrushes described herein may be such that isolate the toothbrush from environmental conditions that could contribute to the toothbrush's rapid decomposition and/or biodegradation. Suitable packaging may be ones that extend the lifetime of the biodegradable disposable toothbrushes described herein for a time period sufficient to allow the product to be sold and/or used by a consumer.
In
In certain embodiments, dehydrated dentifrice powder (e.g., dehydrated toothpaste) may be deposited on at least a portion of surface 120 of head portion 110. In one embodiment, the dehydrated dentifrice may be deposited on the portion of surface 120 comprising the first type of bristles and not in the remaining portions of surface 120 comprising the second type of bristles (option a). For instance, in
In certain embodiments, the first type of bristles may be tightly packed, particularly if the dehydrated dentifrice is deposited in the spaces between the first type of bristles, so as to ensure minimal (and substantially no) fall out of the dehydrated dentifrice powder therefrom. In certain embodiments, the second type of bristles may be tightly packed, particularly if the dehydrated dentifrice is deposited in the spaces between the second type of bristles, so as to ensure minimal (and substantially no) fall out of the dehydrated dentifrice powder therefrom. In certain embodiments, the first type of bristles and the second type of bristles may be tightly packed, particularly if the dehydrated dentifrice is deposited in the spaces between the first type of bristles and between the second type of bristles, so as to ensure minimal (and substantially no) fall out of the dehydrated dentifrice powder therefrom. If there are additional types of bristles (e.g., a third type, a fourth type, and so on), those additional types of bristles may also be tightly packed (particularly if the dehydrated dentifrice is deposited in the spaces between them for the same reason as outlined above).
When using any of the disposable toothbrushes described herein that have dehydrated dentifrice powder deposited thereon, the user may expose the surface of the toothbrush (containing the dehydrated dentifrice powder) to water. When the dehydrated dentifrice powder comes in contact with water, its structural integrity may strengthen, and the dehydrated dentifrice powder may form a tooth paste or a dental hygiene composition of another consistency suitable for brushing a user's teeth.
In certain embodiments, dehydrated dentifrice powder may be deposited on at least a portion of surface 120 of head portion 110. In one embodiment, the dehydrated dentifrice may be deposited on the portion of surface 120 comprising the first type of bristles and not in the remaining portions of surface 120 comprising the second type of bristles (option a). For instance, in
As discussed above with respect to
In one embodiment, the handle portion 150 may further include a slip resistant pad 160. The slip resistant pad 160 may be positioned on the front side of handle portion 150 in the center (i.e., equidistance from the top end and bottom end of handle portion 150 and equidistance from a first side 150a and a second side 150b of handle portion 150), as depicted in
The length of the disposable toothbrushes described herein (measured based on the length of the head portion, handle portion, and shank if one exists) may range from about 5 cm to about 25 cm, from about 7 cm to about 20 cm, or from about 10 cm to about 15 cm. The length of the disposable toothbrush should not be construed in a limited manner. Any toothbrush length that would maintain the properties of the toothbrush described herein (such as, being disposable, portable, compact or travel size in some instance, biodegradable, and so on) may be encompassed by this disclosure.
The embodiments depicted in
The embodiments depicted in
The rectangular surface 420 in
The various types of bristles may be positioned on the surface of the head portion of the disposable toothbrush in a variety of arrangements and patterns so as to maximize the efficiency of the toothbrush in removing bacteria from teeth being brushed therewith. In the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
In an alternative embodiment, rectangular surface 420 may switch the positioning of the first type of bristles 430 and the second type of bristles 440 in the embodiment depicted in
In the disposable toothbrush according to the embodiment depicted in
As discussed above with respect to
The plurality of bristles (e.g., first type of bristles 130, 430 and/or second type of bristles 140, 440 and/or the third type of bristles 470 and/or any additional type of bristles) may have a length ranging from about 0.5 cm to about 2 cm, from about 0.75 cm to about 1.5 cm, or from about 0.9 cm to about 1.2 cm. In one embodiment, the first type of bristles may be equal in length to at least one of the second type of bristles, the third type of bristles, or any additional type of bristles. In one embodiment, the first type of bristles may be longer than the second type of bristles (e.g., the length of the first type of bristles may be about 105%, about 110%, about 115%, about 120%, or about 125% of the length of the second type of bristles). In one embodiment, the second type of bristles may be longer than the first type of bristles (e.g., the length of the second type of bristles may be about 105%, about 110%, about 115%, about 120%, or about 125% of the length of the first type of bristles). In one embodiment, the first type of bristles may be longer than the third type of bristles (e.g., the length of the first type of bristles may be about 105%, about 110%, about 115%, about 120%, or about 125% of the length of the third type of bristles). In one embodiment, the third type of bristles may be longer than the first type of bristles (e.g., the length of the third type of bristles may be about 105%, about 110%, about 115%, about 120%, or about 125% of the length of the first type of bristles). In one embodiment, the third type of bristles may be longer than the second type of bristles (e.g., the length of the third type of bristles may be about 105%, about 110%, about 115%, about 120%, or about 125% of the length of the second type of bristles). In one embodiment, the second type of bristles may be longer than the third type of bristles (e.g., the length of the second type of bristles may be about 105%, about 110%, about 115%, about 120%, or about 125% of the length of the third type of bristles).
In certain embodiments, the disposable toothbrushes described herein may be made out of at least one of wood, compressed cardboard, compressed paper, TIPA, a heterogenous mixture of naturally synthesized biopolymers derived tobacco plants, polylactic acid (PLA), or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the plurality of spaced bristles may be made out of at least one of TWA, a heterogenous mixture of naturally synthesized biopolymers derived tobacco plants, polylactic acid (PLA), or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the disposable toothbrush described herein may further include beeswax. In some embodiments, beeswax may be used to maintain the integrity of the toothbrush structure, particularly during its exposure to water. A beeswax coating may be applied to any of the disposable toothbrushes described herein regardless of their primary material of construction. In one embodiments, the disposable toothbrushes described herein may be constructed of a plurality of compressed cardboard layers suitable to provide for a strong toothbrush that can maintain its structure even when subjected to vigorous brushing.
In certain embodiments, the disposable toothbrushes described herein are also biodegradable. In one embodiment, the disposable toothbrushes described herein decompose/disintegrate to components that are not harmful to the environment, such as, without limitations, water, carbon dioxide, and/or organic matter that bacteria can degrade. In certain embodiments, the disposable toothbrushes described herein may decompose/disintegrate without ensuring their exposure to optimal processing conditions. For instance, in certain embodiments, disposing the toothbrushes described herein outdoors or in the regular waste would still result in the toothbrush decomposing/disintegrating within up to about 2 years.
In some instances, the disposable toothbrushes described herein may decompose/disintegrate within up to about 18 months, up to about 12 months, up to about 10 months, up to about 8 months, up to about 6 months, up to about 4 months, up to about 14 weeks, up to about 12 weeks, up to about 10 weeks, up to about 8 weeks, up to about 6 weeks, or up to about 1 month.
In certain embodiments, the disposable toothbrushes described herein may maintain their structural integrity for at least about 1 week, at least about 2 weeks, at least about 3 weeks, at least about 4 weeks, at least about 5 weeks, at least about 6 weeks, at least about 7 weeks, at least about 8 weeks, at least about 9 weeks, at least about 10 weeks, at least about 3 months, at least about 4 months, at least about 5 months, at least about 6 months, at least about 7 months, at least about 8 months, at least about 9 months, at least about 10 months, at least about 11 months, or at least about 1 year.
In certain embodiments, the disposable toothbrushes described herein may be packaged in a packaging or a container that would prevent the toothbrushes' premature degradation so as to maintain its shelf life at least for a reasonably sufficient time to allow it to be purchased and/or used by a consumer.
In certain embodiments, the instant disclosure may be directed to a method of producing any of the disposable toothbrushes described herein. The method may include depositing a dehydrated dentifrice powder on at least a portion of the surface of the head portion of any of the disposable toothbrushes described herein.
In certain embodiments, the instant disclosure may be directed to a disposable toothbrush that has additional functionality, as depicted in
In the foregoing description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific materials, dimensions, processes parameters, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. The particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. The words “example” or “exemplary” are used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the words “example” or “exemplary” is simply intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X includes A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X includes A; X includes B; or X includes both A and B, then “X includes A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, or “one embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “an embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, or “one embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
The disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Various modifications of the disclosure in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
