Patent Application
20230309758
The present invention relates generally to dental hygiene and oral care, and more specifically to an apparatus for storing, dispensing, and monitoring oral care products such as toothpaste and mouthwash in a convenient, efficient, and intelligent manner.
Dental hygiene is crucial for maintaining overall health, as it helps prevent various oral diseases and contributes to a person's well-being. Tooth decay, cavities, and gum diseases are common problems that can be mitigated through proper dental care, including regular brushing and rinsing with mouthwash. Toothpaste and mouthwash play significant roles in preventing tooth decay, with fluoride in toothpaste strengthening teeth enamel and mouthwash aiding in overall oral hygiene.
Conventional toothpaste storage and dispensing methods, such as using tubes, present several disadvantages. Users often struggle to extract toothpaste from the tube as it nears depletion, and the tube may collapse or rupture due to repeated squeezing. Additionally, the manual squeezing process can be time-consuming and cumbersome. Similarly, mouthwash storage bottles can be inconvenient to use, as they require pouring the liquid into a separate container or cap for consumption.
There is a need for an innovative solution that addresses these issues and streamlines the oral care process by providing an efficient, user-friendly method of storing and dispensing oral care products. The present invention aims to meet this need by combining a toothpaste dispenser and an automatic mouthwash dispenser into a single apparatus, thereby simplifying and enhancing the oral care experience.
Several attempts have been made to develop improved toothpaste dispensers and mouthwash dispensers, but these efforts typically address only one aspect of oral care. For example, some inventions focus on developing a more efficient toothpaste dispenser but neglect to incorporate mouthwash dispensing capabilities. Similarly, other inventions may tackle the issue of mouthwash dispensing but not consider toothpaste storage and dispensing. Thus, there is a gap in the market for a single apparatus that effectively integrates both toothpaste and mouthwash dispensing.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,896,196B2 describes a dispensing system which utilizes a controller in conjunction with a photodetector in order to provide automatic dispensing to a user when an object enters a target area. A controller is programmed to pulse a light source that is mounted proximate the photodetector. The controller constantly monitors the voltage at the receiving signal of the photodetector, and evaluates the difference in voltage from the light pulsed on and off. The controller sums the differences, and constantly updates the differences over a designated period to create an average difference value. The average difference value is summed with a target offset value and compared to a momentary voltage difference. When the momentary difference exceeds the sum of the target offset value and average difference, the controller sends a signal to a dispense mechanism which dispenses a fluid or other product on the object.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,714,413B2 describes a liquid dispenser having a body capable of attaching to an upright support surface. The body having a top wall, sidewalls, and a bottom wall, and a first orifice present in the bottom wall. The first orifice leads into an intermediary chamber said intermediary chamber having a second orifice. The second orifice may be located substantially opposite said first orifice. The intermediary chamber having an open end for admitting a control mechanism, with the control mechanism axially or reciprocally disposed within the intermediary chamber. Also present is a refill opening that is disposed along the sidewalls.
US20200197966A1 describes a fluid dispenser includes a housing, a pump, an outlet nozzle, a reservoir, a liquid passage, an air passage, and a refill container. The pump and reservoir are attached to the housing, and both the outlet nozzle and the reservoir are in fluid communication with the pump. The reservoir has at least one engagement member, and the liquid passage and the air passage are located in the engagement member. The refill container has at least one sealing member, and the refill container is configured to be releasably attached to the reservoir such that the refill container is in fluid communication with the reservoir. When the refill container is attached to the reservoir, the engagement member engages the sealing member to cause the liquid passage and the air passage to be in fluid communication with the refill container.
EP1920692A1 discloses a dispenser comprising a tube with a mouth piece and a housing with an opening and a positioning unit in the middle for the tube. There is a switch, a motor, a drive device and a control unit. The opening has a brush for loading of semi-fluid medium. The housing may have a back wall, side walls which are linked to the back wall, as well as a base and a cover plate. The drive device may comprise numerous gears.
It is within this context that the present invention is provided.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a combined toothpaste and mouthwash dispenser apparatus that offers a convenient and efficient method of storing, dispensing, and monitoring oral care products, thereby improving the overall oral care experience.
Another objective of the invention is to incorporate intelligent features, such as automatic user presence detection, product level monitoring, and wireless communication with electronic devices, enhancing the functionality and convenience of the apparatus.
A further objective is to minimize product waste, minimize the likelihood of toothpaste tube collapse or rupture, and simplify the dispensing process through vacuum dispensing or motor-based solutions for toothpaste and automated dispensing systems for mouthwash. This also helps to reduce the effort and time required to access and dispense toothpaste and mouthwash, making the process more appealing and encouraging better oral care habits, and eliminating the need for manual pouring and minimizing spills or contamination.
An additional objective is to provide an all-in-one compact solution that saves space and includes a cup holder for holding disposable cups to facilitate mouthwash use.
Finally, the invention aims to facilitate user engagement in dental hygiene routines by allowing the apparatus to monitor usage and enabling users to easily keep track of their oral care habits through connected applications.
To achieve these aims, the present invention provides a combined toothpaste and mouthwash dispenser apparatus that integrates both mechanical toothpaste dispensing and automated mouthwash dispensing systems. The apparatus comprises a body with multiple compartments for toothpaste, mouthwash, and control box housing electronic components. Refillable storage compartments are securely covered by a lid.
Enhanced features of the invention may include sensors for detecting user presence, identifying user requirements, dispensing oral care products, and monitoring product levels in the compartments. The apparatus may be capable of wirelessly communicating with electronic devices, such as smartphones or personal computers, to transfer information and notifications related to product levels and usage. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a cup holder for disposable cups, providing an all-in-one space-saving solution.
To implement these features, electronic circuitry, including a microcontroller, supports the functionality of the apparatus and manages various components, such as DC pumps for dispensing mouthwash and initiating cleaning operations. The apparatus can be powered by rechargeable/replaceable batteries or plugged into a power socket.
In summary, the present invention addresses the disadvantages associated with conventional toothpaste and mouthwash storage and dispensing methods by providing a user-friendly, integrated apparatus with enhanced features. This invention has the potential to improving daily dental hygiene practices, making oral care more efficient, convenient, and engaging for users of all ages.
Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Common reference numerals are used throughout the figures and the detailed description to indicate like elements. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the above figures are examples and that other architectures, modes of operation, orders of operation, and elements/functions can be provided and implemented without departing from the characteristics and features of the invention, as set forth in the claims.
The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments to illustrate the principles of the invention. The embodiments are provided to illustrate aspects of the invention, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalent; it is limited only by the claims.
Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
The terms “first,” “second,” and the like are used herein to describe various features or elements, but these features or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature or element from another feature or element. Thus, a first feature or element discussed below could be termed a second feature or element, and similarly, a second feature or element discussed below could be termed a first feature or element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
The terms ‘apparatus’, ‘device’, and ‘dispenser’ may be used interchangeably throughout this document. The term ‘oral hygiene products/solutions’ may be used to represent both ‘toothpaste’ and ‘mouthwash’.
The present invention relates generally to dental hygiene apparatuses, and more particularly, to a dental hygiene apparatus that integrates a mechanical toothpaste dispenser and an automated mouthwash dispenser into a single compact unit for efficient storage and dispensing of oral care products.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the invention.
Referring now to
As shown in
The toothpaste storage compartment (110) is designed to hold a toothpaste reservoir that can be easily refilled by the user. The mechanical toothpaste dispenser (140) includes an exterior pushbutton mechanism for dispensing toothpaste. The toothpaste may be dispensed via vacuum dispensing or by using a motor-based solution. The mouthwash storage compartment (120) holds a mouthwash reservoir that can also be refilled by the user. The automated mouthwash dispenser (150) comprises a battery-powered infrared sensor and a pump/valve system that detects when a human hand or cup (160) is positioned below a nozzle of the dispenser (150) and automatically dispenses mouthwash.
Additionally, the apparatus includes a cup holder (170) for holding disposable cups that may be used for mouthwash, further increasing the convenience of the apparatus. The cup holder (170) may be attached to the exterior of the body (100), and the cup (160) may be held under the mouthwash dispenser (150) as shown.
As can be seen, the toothpaste storage compartment (110) is detachable to facilitate changing of containers once one is empty. It can be mounted to the housing (100) via magnetic attachment points (112) and slide rails and protects the toothpaste container from being dislodged from the dispensing mechanism (140).
The main body (100) has an opening (102) formed in the front wall for a user to place their toothbrush to catch dispensed toothpaste. The main body (100) also has a catch tray (104) that doubles as a shelf for placing the cup (160) beneath the nozzle of the mouthwash dispenser (150).
The mouthwash storage compartment comprises a removable cap (122) and a cover (124) to enable quick and easy refilling of the reservoir. It also has a glass fronted portion (126) in the present example to allow users to visually monitor the current fluid levels. A mini DC pump connected to the controller may be used to control the dispensing operation for the mouthwash, dispensing it through a system of pipes. Alternatively an opening with a solenoid valve could be used.
The cup holder (170) also has a glass fronted portion (172) and a removable cap (174) with a snap lock (176).
Another optional feature of the example configuration is the provision of a toothpick storage box (132) on the front of the body (100), and an LED indicator (134) for showing when the device is turned on.
The control box (130) houses the electronic components, including a microcontroller, such as an ESP32-WROOM, and related circuitry that enables the working of the sensors and related components of the apparatus. The microcontroller is programmed to manage the working of all the other components and receives inputs and sends output instructions to various components connected to it via connection pins. Other components of the apparatus may include a battery percentage identifier, power converter, infrared sensors, and cleaning initiation circuitry.
The apparatus further includes a plurality of sensors to detect the presence of a user, identify user requirements, and dispense one or more oral hygiene products stored within the apparatus intelligently. Sensors provided within the storage compartments may be capable of continuously monitoring the amount of product remaining within the compartment. Upon detecting low storage, the device may be configured to communicate the same to a user's personal electronic device.
The apparatus may be powered by means of a rechargeable or replaceable battery, or it may be plugged into a power socket. Furthermore, the apparatus may wirelessly communicate with electronic devices of the users, such as smartphones or personal computers, to transfer information between the device and the user electronic device.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a service/maintenance button for initiating cleaning of the storage compartments. A mini DC pump connected to this button is operated to push a water flow through a piping system into the compartments for the purpose of cleaning them. This feature ensures that the apparatus remains clean and hygienic for continued use.
The apparatus includes a plurality of wired connections to transfer power to the device and to aid data communication between various sensors and electronic/electrical components. These connections ensure the seamless functioning of the apparatus and its various components.
The microcontroller may include one or more processors to process the data received from the sensors and perform the operations programmed by the user. The processors may include, but are not limited to, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors, special-purpose computer chips, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), computers, various analog to digital converters, digital to analog converters, and other support circuits.
A memory module may be provided to store and run instructions provided by the user during processing. The memory may store any number of pieces of information, data, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the system to carry out various functions in accordance with various example embodiments.
The apparatus may communicate through wired or wireless networks with paired electronic devices such as smartphones. In one implementation, the network may be a wireless network, a wired network, or a combination thereof. The network may be implemented as one of several types of networks, such as an intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet, and the like.
The apparatus saves space, time, and effort when it comes to maintaining and promoting oral hygiene. The apparatus helps in maintaining an adequate stock of oral hygiene products through its monitoring and notifying functionalities. The apparatus further saves space by providing an all-in-one compact solution. The apparatus may also help users keep track of their dental hygiene routine by allowing the apparatus to monitor usage and by letting users easily keep track of the usage by means of connected applications.
In summary, the proposed apparatus provides an integrated solution for storing and dispensing dental hygiene products, making the process of maintaining oral hygiene more convenient, efficient, and enjoyable for users. The compact design of the apparatus allows for easy installation and use in various settings, such as homes, offices, and hotels. The intelligent features of the apparatus, such as the monitoring of product levels and the ability to communicate with personal electronic devices, provide users with a modern, technologically advanced solution for promoting dental health and hygiene.
While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and as follows in the scope of the appended claims.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The disclosed embodiments are illustrative, not restrictive. While specific configurations of the apparatus have been described in a specific manner referring to the illustrated embodiments, it is understood that the present invention can be applied to a wide variety of solutions which fit within the scope and spirit of the claims. There are many alternative ways of implementing the invention.
It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.
This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/325,325, filed 30 Mar. 2022.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63325325 | Mar 2022 | US |
