Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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DENTIFRICE DISPENSER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a dentifrice dispenser and methods of use
thereof. More particularly,
the present invention relates to a two-chambered dispenser separated by a
divider comprising an
opening that allows one or a few unit-doses of oral care compositions to pass
through the opening
upon inverting the dispenser.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dentifrice compositions are typically formulated as a paste that can be
squeezed out of a tube; and
usually include a fluoride agent, abrasives, calcium sources, surfactants,
whitening agents, humectants,
thickening agents, and other formulation ingredients. Typically, dentifrice
compositions must be
carefully formulated to avoid reactivity in the tube, but retain reactivity in
the oral cavity. In many
cases, ingredients must be substituted or removed to balance reactivity in the
tube with in mouth
benefits.
Solid forms of unit-doses of dentifrice can alleviate many reactivity concerns
amongst typical
dentifrice ingredients in the liquid phase. However, solid forms of unit-doses
of dentifrice can be
sensitive to water. Thus, new dentifrice dispensers are needed to dispense
solid forms of unit-doses
.. of dentifrice without the introduction of water. As such, the present
invention is directed to new
dispensers and methods of their use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Disclosed herein is a dentifrice container comprising a storage chamber, a
dispensing chamber, a
divider separating the storage chamber and the dispensing chamber comprising
an opening, and a lid.
Also disclosed herein is a method of dispensing a dentifrice comprising
providing a container
comprising (i) a storage chamber, (ii) a dispensing chamber, (iii) a divider
separating the storage
chamber and dispensing chamber comprising an opening, wherein the opening
connects the storage
chamber and the dispensing chamber, and (iv) a lid; providing at least one
unit-dose of dentifrice in
the storage chamber; manipulating the container to allow at least one unit-
dose of dentifrice to move
from the storage chamber through the opening in the divider to the dispensing
chamber; opening the
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lid of the container; and selecting at least one unit-dose of dentifrice that
has moved from the storage
chamber to the dispensing chamber.
Also disclosed herein is a dentifrice container comprising a storage chamber;
a dispensing chamber; a
divider separating the storage chamber and the dispensing chamber comprising
an opening; and a lid
comprising a lever.
Disclosed herein is a dentifrice container (10) comprising a storage chamber
(15), a dispensing
chamber (20), a divider (22) separating the storage chamber (15) and the
dispensing chamber (20)
comprising an opening (25), and a lid (30).
Also disclosed herein is a method of dispensing a dentifrice comprising
providing a container (10)
comprising (i) a storage chamber (15), (ii) a dispensing chamber (20), (iii) a
divider (22) separating
the storage chamber (15) and dispensing chamber (20) comprising an opening
(25), wherein the
opening (25) connects the storage chamber (15) and the dispensing chamber
(20), and (iv) a lid (30)
in a closed position; providing at least one unit-dose of dentifrice (40) in
the storage chamber (15);
manipulating the container (10) to allow at least one unit-dose of dentifrice
(40) to move from the
storage chamber (15) through the opening (25) in the divider (22) to the
dispensing chamber (20);
opening the lid (30) of the container (10); and selecting at least one unit-
dose of dentifrice (40) that
has moved from the storage chamber (15) to the dispensing chamber (20).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of a container with a lever associated with a lid.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a container, which is being shaken and inverted.
FIG. 3 is a top view of a container with a unit-dose of dentifrice visible
through a window on a lid.
FIG. 4 is a side, perspective view of a user selecting a unit-dose of a
dentifrice from a dispensing
chamber.
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FIG. 5 is a top, perspective view of a user selecting a unit-dose of a
dentifrice from a dispensing
chamber with a device.
FIG. 6 is a top, perspective view of a container with a ridge associated with
a lid.
FIG. 7 is a top, perspective view of a container with a transparent lid.
FIG. 8 is a top, perspective view of a container with a transparent lid that
can be opened by a button.
FIG. 9 is a top, perspective view of a container with a window on a lid that
can be opened with a
switch.
FIG. 10 is a top, perspective view of a container with a window on a lid and a
sloped upper surface of
a divider.
FIG. 11 is a side, perspective view of a container with a window on the lid
and a refilling unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Recently, novel oral care compositions comprising layers of nonwoven webs have
been created. While
dentifrice reactivity is typically manipulated through formulation design, the
use of a unit-dose oral
care composition allows for reactivity to be dramatically lowered prior to use
by separating the
components in the solid phase, where reactivity is lower, or physically
separating the ingredients
through assembly design of the layers or through compartmentalization of the
unit-dose.
Nonwoven webs dissipate, dissolve, and/or form into a foam in the presence of
water in order to deliver
the oral care active ingredients to the proper locations in the oral cavity.
This unique behavior is
advantageous if the transition from the solid phase occurs when in contact
with water present in the
oral cavity or on the brush head; however, special care must be taken to
prevent contact between a
unit-dose of dentifrice and water until it reaches a brush head or the oral
cavity.
Thus, nonwoven web-based dentifrices are water-sensitive, and new dispensers
and methods for
dispensing these dentifrices are needed to prevent contact with water until
ready for use by the
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consumer. As such, the present invention is directed to new dispensers and
methods of their use to
prevent contact between the nonwoven web-based dentifrices and water until
brushing.
The following non-limiting FIGURES represent possible embodiments of the
container and methods
of use of said container disclosed herein.
The present invention is directed to a container (10) that can dispense a unit-
dose of dentifrice (40)
and methods of use of said container to dispense a unit-dose of dentifrice
(40), in certain embodiments,
as shown in FIG. 1-4. The dentifrice can be held in a storage chamber (15)
until a consumer
manipulates the container (10). A consumer can move the container or apply
motion to the container,
such as by shaking or inverting the container, as shown in FIG. 2, which
causes the unit-dose of
dentifrice (40) to pass from the storage chamber (15) through an opening (25)
in a divider (22) into a
dispensing chamber (20). The consumer can visually inspect, as shown in FIG.
3, if at least one unit-
dose of dentifrice (40) that passed through the opening (25) by looking
through a transparent portion
of the lid, or window in the lid (35), or dispensing chamber (20) or by
opening the lid (30). The
consumer can select a unit-dose of dentifrice (40) residing in the dispensing
chamber (20). Then, the
consumer can cause the container (10) to allow the remaining unit-doses of
dentifrice (40), if any, to
pass back through the opening (25) and into the storage chamber (15).
The present invention is thus based on the surprising discovery that a
container can be used to dispense
a solid form of dentifrice by reducing or eliminating the introduction of
water to the remaining doses
of dentifrice. By using this container, the consumer will only need to touch a
single unit-dose of
dentifrice (40). Additionally, this container can be manipulated with a single
hand.
The foregoing summary is not intended to define every aspect of the invention,
and additional aspects
are described in other sections. In addition, the invention includes, as an
additional aspect, all
embodiments of the invention narrower in scope in any way than the variations
defined by specific
paragraphs set forth herein. For example, certain aspects of the invention
that are described as a genus,
and it should be understood that every member of a genus is, individually, an
aspect of the invention.
Also, aspects described as a genus or selecting a member of a genus should be
understood to embrace
combinations of two or more members of the genus. With respect to aspects of
the invention described
or claimed with "a" or "an," it should be understood that these terms mean
"one or more" unless context
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unambiguously requires a more restricted meaning. The term "or" should be
understood to encompass
items in the alternative or together, unless context unambiguously requires
otherwise. If aspects of
the invention are described as "comprising" a feature, embodiments also are
contemplated "consisting
of" or "consisting essentially of" the feature.
5
As used herein, "translucent" is understood to describe a material that allows
some electromagnetic
radiation to pass through. A translucent material allows some light to pass
through, such that some
objects cannot be seen distinctly. Thus, a translucent material allows the
consumer to see the material
held within the translucent material, but in certain instances without much
detail.
As used herein, "transparent" is understood to describe a material that allows
nearly all
electromagnetic radiation to pass through. A transparent material allows most
of the light to pass
through. Thus, a consumer will generally be able to see detailed images of
other materials through
transparent materials.
As used herein, "opaque" is understood to describe a material that does not
allow nearly any light or
electromagnetic radiation to pass through. Thus, a consumer will not generally
be able to see other
materials through opaque materials.
As used herein, "moisture sensitive" is understood to describe a material that
react with water and/or
the water vapor typically present in air. In the present disclosure, water
and/or the water vapor
typically present in air can dissolve the nonwoven web forming materials,
releasing the contents of
the dentifrice.
Features of the compositions and methods are described below. Section headings
are for convenience
of reading and not intended to be limiting per se. The entire document is
intended to be related as a
unified disclosure, and it should be understood that all combinations of
features described herein are
contemplated, even if the combination of features is not found together in the
same sentence, or
paragraph, or section of this document. It will be understood that any feature
of the methods or
compounds described herein can be deleted, combined with, or substituted for,
in whole or part, any
other feature described herein.
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All measurements referred to herein are made at 25 C unless otherwise
specified.
The components of the present compositions and methods are described in the
following paragraphs.
.. Storage Chamber
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, storage chamber (15) can be the void formed by
the interior surface
(12) of storage chamber (15) and the divider (22). The storage chamber (15)
can hold the unit-doses
of dentifrice (40) when the container is not in operation or being
manipulated. The storage chamber
(15) cross-sectional shape can be circular, rectangular, cylindrical, oval,
triangular, polygonal, or any
other shape that can hold solid or semisolid compositions along the
longitudinal axis (LA), as shown
in FIG. 1. The storage chamber cross-sectional shape can vary or be
essentially consistent along the
longitudinal axis (LA), as shown in FIG. 1.
The storage chamber (15) can be a unitary piece, but may include separate non-
structural elements,
such as labels, grip structures, etc associated with the exterior surface (11)
of the storage chamber (15).
The storage chamber (15) can comprise different regions of different
materials, which are intrinsically
or chemically bonded to one another as a part of the manufacturing process.
The storage chamber (15) can be made out of any material suitable for use as a
dentifrice container.
The storage chamber can be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible. For example, the
storage chamber (15) can
be made out plastic, metal, and/or glass. The storage chamber (15) can
comprise an exterior surface
(11) of the storage chamber (15) and an interior surface (12) of the storage
chamber (15). The exterior
surface (11) of the storage chamber (15) and the interior surface (12) of the
storage chamber (15) can
form the wall (17) of the storage chamber (15), as shown in FIG. 1, that can
have a thickness of from
.. about 1 mm to about 10 cm, from about 1 mm to about 1 cm, or from about 10
mm to 1 cm. The wall
(17) of the storage chamber (15) thickness may vary along the longitudinal
axis of the container (10)
by controlling the parison thickness profile in an extrusion blow molding
process.
The storage chamber (15) can be a unitary piece of molded plastic along with
the divider (22) and the
dispensing chamber (20). For example, the storage chamber (15) can be made
from polyethylene,
polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene
chloride, and/or
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acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The storage chamber (15) can also be a
separate piece of material,
such that the storage chamber (15) can be replaced to refill the unit-doses of
dentifrice (40).
The storage chamber (15) can be larger in total volume than the dispensing
chamber (20). The storage
.. chamber (15) can be greater than 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 200%,
250%, or 500%
larger in volume than the dispensing chamber (20). The storage chamber (15)
can be from 10% to
1000%, from 20% to 500%, or from 30% to 250% larger in volume than the
dispensing chamber (20).
As in FIG. 1, the storage chamber (15) can be located below the dispensing
chamber (20) and separated
by the divider (22) when the container (10) resides on its base (13). The
storage chamber (15) is
defined by a wall (17) having an interior surface (12) and an exterior surface
(11), said wall serves to
provide a side and a bottom portion of the storage chamber (15). The interior
surface (12) of the
storage chamber (15) may have one or more coatings to enhance the exit of the
unit-dose of dentifrice
(40) from the storage chamber (15). The exterior surface (11) of the storage
chamber (15) may have
an irregular surface to increase grip of the container (10). The wall (17) of
the storage chamber (15)
may be formed from one or more layers. The wall (17) of the storage chamber
(15) may be produced
by any conventional method, such as blow molding or injection molding.
The storage chamber (15) can be opaque, transparent, and/or translucent. The
storage chamber (15)
can comprise a window (16) to allow the consumer to visually inspect the
contents of the storage
chamber (15) and determine when a new container or refill to the container
needs to be purchased.
The window of the storage chamber can be translucent or transparent in an
otherwise opaque storage
chamber (15). The thickness of the window (16) can be the same or a different
thickness than the wall
(17) of the storage chamber (15).
The storage chamber (15) can be separated from the remaining portions of the
container (10), such as
the divider (22), dispensing chamber (20), and lid (30) by any conventional
means, such as by
screwing, snapping, or any other method for removably connecting two parts of
a container.
Refilling Unit
The container (10) can be designed to allow for a refilling unit (50), as in
FIG. 11.
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As shown in FIG. 11, the refilling unit (50) can be the void formed by the
interior surface (52) of
refilling unit (50) and the dispensing chamber (20). The refilling unit (50)
can hold the unit-doses of
dentifrice (40) when the container is not in operation or being manipulated.
The refilling unit (50)
cross-sectional shape can be circular, rectangular, cylindrical, oval,
triangular, polygonal, or any other
shape that can hold solid or semisolid compositions.
The refilling unit (50) can be a unitary piece, but may include separate non-
structural elements, such
as labels, grip structures, etc associated with the exterior surface (52) of
the storage chamber (20). The
refilling unit (50) can comprise different regions of different materials,
which are intrinsically or
chemically bonded to one another as a part of the manufacturing process.
The refilling unit (50) can be made out of any material suitable for use as a
dentifrice container. The
refilling unit (50) can be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible. For example, the
refilling unit (50) can be made
out of plastic, metal, and/or glass. The refilling unit (50) can comprise an
exterior surface (51) of the
refilling unit (50) and an interior surface (52) of the refilling unit (50).
The exterior surface (51) of
the refilling unit (50) and the interior surface (52) of the refilling unit
(50) can form the wall (53) of
the refilling unit (50), as shown in FIG. 11, that can have a thickness of
from about 1 mm to about 10
cm, from about 1 mm to about 1 cm, or from about 10 mm to 1 cm. The wall (53)
of refilling unit
(50) thickness may vary along the longitudinal axis of the container (10) by
controlling the parison
thickness profile in an extrusion blow molding process. The refilling unit
(50) may also be formed
utilizing an injection molding process or a thermoforming process.
For example, the refilling unit (50) can be made from polyethylene,
polypropylene, polystyrene,
polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and/or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The
refilling unit (50) can
also be a separate piece of material, such that refilling unit (50) can be
replaced to refill the unit-doses
of dentifrice (40).
As in FIG. 11, the refilling unit (50) can be located below the dispensing
chamber (20) when the
container (10) resides on its base (13). The refilling unit is defined by a
wall (53) having an interior
surface (52) and an exterior surface (51), said wall serves to provide a side
and a bottom portion of the
refilling unit (50). The interior surface (52) of the storage chamber (15) may
have one or more coatings
to enhance the exit of the unit-dose of dentifrice (40) from the refilling
unit (50). The wall (53) of the
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refilling unit (50) may be formed from one or more layers. The wall (53) of
the refilling unit (50) may
be produced by any conventional method, such as blow molding or injection
molding. The refilling
unit (50) can store the unit-doses of dentifrice (50) until the container (10)
is operated or manipulated.
The refilling unit (50) can be opaque, transparent, and/or translucent. The
refilling unit (50) can
comprise a window to allow the consumer to visually inspect the contents of
the refilling unit (50) and
determine when a new container or refill to the container needs to be
purchased. The window of the
refilling unit (50) can be translucent or transparent in an otherwise opaque
refilling unit (50).
In FIG. 11, the refilling unit (50) can reside inside the storage chamber
(15). The storage chamber
(15) and the refilling unit (50) can be translucent or transparent to allow
for a consumer to see through
the wall (17) of the storage chamber (15) and the wall (53) of the refilling
unit (50) to see how many
unit-doses of dentifrice (40) are remaining.
The refilling unit (50) can be separated from the remaining portions of the
container (10), such as the
storage chamber (15) divider (22), dispensing chamber (20), and lid (30) by
any conventional means,
such as by screwing, snapping, or any other method for removably connecting
two parts of a container.
A refilling unit (50) or a second storage chamber (15) with unit-doses of
dentifrice (40) can be re-
associated with the container using any conventional means, such as by
screwing, snapping, or any
other method for re-joining two parts of a container.
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Dispensing chamber
As shown in FIG. 3-10, the dispensing chamber (20) can hold the unit-doses of
dentifrice (40) after
the container (10) has been manipulated. As shown in FIG. 4, the dispensing
chamber (20) can be
the void created by the interior surface (27) of the dispensing chamber (20),
the divider (22), and the
5 interior surface (34) of the lid (30). The dispensing chamber (20) can be
circular, rectangular,
cylindrical, oval, triangular, polygonal, or any other cross-sectional shape
shape that can hold solid or
semisolid compositions along the longitudinal axis (LA), as shown in FIG. 1.
The dispensing chamber
(20) cross-sectional shape can vary or be essentially consistent along the
longitudinal axis (LA), as
shown in FIG. 1.
The dispensing chamber (20) can be smaller in total volume than the storage
chamber (15). The
dispensing chamber (20) can be less than 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 75%, 100%,
200%, 250%, or
500% smaller in volume than the storage chamber (15). The dispensing chamber
(20) can be from
10% to 1000%, from 20% to 500%, or from 30% to 250% smaller in volume than the
storage chamber
(15).
As in FIG. 4, the dispensing chamber (20) can be located above the storage
chamber (15) and separated
by the divider (22) when the container (10) resides on its base (13). As shown
in FIG. 1, the dispensing
chamber (20) can be defined by a wall (28) having an interior surface (27) and
an exterior surface (21),
said wall (28) serves to provide a side portion of the dispensing chamber
(20). The top portion of the
dispensing chamber (20) can be defined by the interior surface (34) of the lid
(30). The bottom portion
of the dispensing chamber (20) can be defined by the divider (22).
The dispensing chamber (20) can be made out of any material suitable for use
as a dentifrice container.
The dispensing chamber (20) can be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible. For
example, the dispensing
chamber (20) can be made out plastic, metal, and/or glass. The interior
surface (27) of the dispensing
chamber (20) or the upper portion (26) of the divider (22) may have one or
more coatings to enhance
the exit of the unit-dose of dentifrice (40) from the dispensing chamber (20).
The exterior surface (21)
of the dispensing chamber (20) may have an irregular surface to increase grip
of the container (10).
The wall (28) of the dispensing chamber (20) may be formed from one or more
layers. The wall (28)
of the storage chamber (20) may be produced by any conventional method, such
as blow molding or
injection molding.
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The interior surface (27) of the dispensing chamber (20) may be sloped towards
an opening (25) in
the divider (22) to facilitate the return of the unit-doses of dentifrice (40)
back through the opening
(25) after use by a consumer. The slope of the interior surface (27) of the
dispensing chamber (20)
can be defined in angular degrees from about 90 degrees to about 180 degrees,
from about 100 degrees
to about 170 degrees, from about 110 degrees to about 160 degrees, from about
120 degrees to about
150 degrees, or from about 130 degrees to about 140 degrees based on the angle
formed between the
interior surface (27) of the dispensing chamber (20) and the upper surface
(26) of the divider (22), as
shown in FIG. 4 and 5.
The dispensing chamber (20) can be a unitary piece of molded plastic along
with the divider (22) and
the storage chamber (15) or the dispensing chamber can be a piece of molded
plastic separate from
the divider and/or storage chamber. For example, the dispensing chamber (20)
can be made from
polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride,
polyvinylidene chloride,
and/or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
The dispensing chamber (20) can rotate in relation to the storage chamber
(15), such as around a
central axis. The rotation can allow for the dispensing chamber (20) to have
multiple holes, only one
of which is open at a time to allow for the selection of a dentifrice based on
size, shape, or number.
The container can comprise a window in the dispensing chamber (20). The window
can be used by
the consumer to see if any and how many of the contents have been deposited
into the dispensing
chamber (20) prior to opening the lid (30). The dispensing chamber (20) can be
opaque, transparent,
and/or translucent in total.
Divider
As shown in FIG. 2, a divider (22) can be positioned between the storage
chamber (15) and the
dispensing chamber (20). The divider (22) can be circular, rectangular,
cylindrical, oval, triangular,
polygonal, or any other shape. The divider (22) can be sized to match the
shape and size of the overall
container. The divider may be an integral part of the storage chamber (15)
and/or the dispensing
chamber (20) or may be a separate component.
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As in FIG. 2, the divider (22) can comprise an opening (25) to allow the
contents to move from the
storage chamber (15) to the dispensing chamber (20) or vice versa. The edges
of the opening (25) can
be beveled, rounded, square, or concave. The edges of the opening (25) can be
coated with a material
to ease passage through the opening. The number and location of the opening
(25) in the divider (22)
can be optimized to allow for the correct number or size of unit-dose of
dentifrice (40) to pass through
the divider (22).
The opening (25) can be a single opening or can be multiple openings. The
opening (25) can be placed
in the center of the divider and/or any place on the divider.
The opening (25) can be circular, rectangular, cylindrical, oval, triangular,
polygonal, or any other
shape. The opening (25) can be sized to be slightly larger than the unit-dose
of dentifrice (19). The
opening (25) can be 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 200%, 250%, or 500%
larger in cross-
sectional area than the single unit-dose of dentifrice (40). The surface area
of the unit-dose of
dentifrice (40) can be the surface area of the largest surface present on the
unit-dose of dentifrice, or
the face of the unit-dose of dentifrice (40).
As in FIG. 2, the divider (22) can comprise an upper surface (26) of the
divider (22) and a lower
surface (23) of the divider (22) to form the divider (22). The divider (22)
may be made from any
material suitable for use as a dentifrice container. For example, the divider
(22) can be made out
plastic, metal, and/or glass. The divider (22) can be made out of a single
piece of molded plastic along
with the dispensing chamber (20) and the storage chamber (15). For example,
the divider (22) can be
made from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyvinyl
chloride,
polyvinylidene chloride, and/or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
The opening (25) can be sloped towards the storage chamber (15) to facilitate
the return of the contents
to the storage chamber (15) from the dispensing chamber (20). In FIG. 10, the
upper surface (26) of
the divider (22) has a slope to prevent water or other impurities from falling
into the storage chamber.
A plateau (29) can be formed surrounding the opening. The opening (25) can be
sloped towards the
dispensing chamber (15) to facilitate the transport of the contents to the
dispensing chamber (20) from
the storage chamber (15) when the container is manipulated. In FIG. 10, the
interior surface (27) of
the dispensing chamber (22) and the upper surface (26) of the divider (22) are
sloped to encourage the
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unit-doses of dentifrice (40) to remain in the dispensing chamber (20) until
the container (10) is
manipulated and to prevent any water from being introduced into the storage
chamber (15).
As in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, The lower surface (23) of the divider (22) can also
be sloped towards the
dispensing chamber (20) to facilitate the escape of unit-doses of dentifrice
(40) from the storage
chamber (15) to the dispensing chamber (20) when the container (10) is
manipulated.
The slope of the divider (22) can originate at any point from the edge of the
opening (25). The slope
can originate at a point from 1 mm to 5 mm, 5 mm to 10 cm, 10 mm to 5 cm, 100
mm to 1 cm, less
than 10 cm, less than 5 cm, or less than 1 cm from the edge of the opening
(25). The slope can
terminate at the edge of the opening (25). The slope can also terminate prior
to the edge of the opening
(25) leaving a non-sloped plateau (29) region that surrounds the opening (25),
as in FIG. 10.
The divider (22) may have no raised portions surrounding the perimeter of the
opening (25). The
divider can also have a raised portion surrounding the perimeter of the
opening (25).
The divider (22) may be opaque, transparent, and/or translucent. The
coefficient of friction of the
upper surface (26) of the divider (22) and/or the lower surface (23) of the
divider (22) can be
manipulated to ease passage or retard passage of a unit-dose of dentifrice
(40) through the divider (22).
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Lid
As shown in FIG. 1, the lid (30) can be any lid (30) for closing the
container. The lid (30) can be any
cover that can serve to close the container (10) and form a closed or at least
a partially closed
dispensing chamber (20). The lid (30) can prevent moisture from entering the
container upon closure.
The lid (30) may include an attached portion that fits over and/or within the
opening (25) when the lid
is in the closed position to further protect the unit-doses of dentifrice (40)
residing in the storage
chamber (15).
The lid (30) can be partially or completely detached from the container. For
example. the lid (30) can
be closed by placing the lid (30) on top of or inside of the container (10),
screwing into the container
(10) using threads, snapping over raised threads, snapping inside the top of
the container (10), sliding
the lid (30) on top of the container (10), and/or any other suitable method to
close a detached lid (30).
As in FIG. 4, the lid (30) can be removably associated with the container (10)
by any conventional
means, such as by way of a hinge (43), assembly, piece of molded plastic, rail
system, and/or any other
suitable method to close an attached lid (30). The attached lid (30) can be
closed by any conventional
means, such as by placing the lid (30) on top or inside the top of the
container (10), screwing into the
container (10) using threads, snapping over raised threads, snapping into the
container (10), sliding
the lid (30) on top of the container (10), rotating the lid (30) onto the top
of the container (10), and/or
any other suitable method to close an attached lid (30).
As shown in FIG. 1, the lid (30) can be further affixed with an opening member
(32) to facilitate the
opening of the lid (30) with a single hand while holding the container (10)
with the same hand. The
opening member (32) can be integral with the lid (30) or may be a separate
component associated with
the lid (30) by any conventional means, such as overmolding, adhesive, melt,
etc. The opening
member (32) can be a lever (as in FIG. 1), bar, a ridge (36, as in FIG. 6),
depression, or any other
raised, depressed, or protruded portion to provide the user with additional
gripping locations to rotate,
slide, screw, pry, pull, push, snap, and/or any other suitable method to open
and close a lid (30) on a
container (10). The lid (30) can automatically resume its previous resting
state in which it closes or
partially closes the dispensing chamber (20) once the consumer stops applying
pressure to open the
container. An automatically closing lid (30) can use a means known in the art,
such as a spring, hinge,
and/or folded plastic to automatically close the lid (30) of the container
(10).
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The lid (30) can be opened by using the opening member (32) to rotate, slide,
screw pry, pull, push,
or snap the lid (30) off the container (10). The lid (30) can be opened by
applying pressure to the
opening member (32). The lid (30) can also automatically open upon release of
the lid (30). The lid
5 .. (30) can be opened by pressing a button (37, as in FIG. 8), switch (38,
as in FIG. 9), toggle, lever, or
any other member that releases the lid (30) from remaining in the closed state
where the lid (30) closes
or partially closes the dispensing chamber (20).
As in FIG. 1, the opening member (32) can be positioned such that it does not
extend or only partially
10 extends (as compared to being fully extended) past the exterior surface
(39) of the lid (30); for
example, it may be folded back on the upper surface (31) of the lid (30) when
not in use. The opening
member (13) can be folded back on the upper surface (31) of the lid (30) when
not in use with a hinge
(33), spring, and/or folded plastic. The opening member (32) may also slid
back on the upper surface
(31) of the lid (30).
The lid (30) can be a tamper resistant, child resistant, and/or tamper evident
lid.
As in FIG. 3, the container (10) can comprise a window (35) in the lid (30).
The window (35) can be
used by the consumer to see if any and how many of the contents have been
deposited into the
dispensing chamber (20) prior to opening the lid (30). The window (35) on the
lid (30) can be
translucent or transparent. There can be one or more windows (35) on the lid
(30). The window (35)
can be the same or different thickness as the thickness of the lid (30). The
window (35) can be circular,
square, triangular, or any other shape that is effective at allowing the
consumer to look through the lid
(30) to see how many unit-doses of dentifrice (40) are residing in the
dispensing chamber (20) after
manipulation of the container (10).
The lid (30) can be entirely translucent or transparent to allow for visual
inspection of the contents
deposited into the dispensing chamber (20).
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Unit-dose Oral Care Composition
As shown in FIG. 1-4, the container (10), disclosed herein, can dispense unit-
dose oral care
compositions, such as, for example, unit-doses of dentifrice (40). However,
the container (10) can also
dispense any solid or semi-solid compound. Preferably, the compounds can be
moisture sensitive.
Alternatively, the contents of the container (10) can be a dentifrice, gum,
mint, candy, pill, vitamin,
lozenge, pod, pocket, solid/soluble foam, film, nonwoven web, detergent,
shampoo, conditioner,
cleaning product, pouch, tablet, or any other solid capable of being moved
within this container. The
contents of the container can be a dentifrice in the form of a nonwoven web.
The contents of the
container can be a unit-dose of dentifrice.
The amount, in mass and/or volume, of the unit-dose oral care composition is
determined based on the
desired type of unit-dose oral care composition. For example, a unit-dose
dentifrice can be sized to
deliver the correct amount of fluoride in a single use according to local laws
and regulations, such as
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monograph, which allows
formulations of 850 to 1150
ppm and/or 1500 ppm of fluoride ions. Additionally, a unit-dose dentifrice can
be sized to deliver the
correct amount or ratio of other ingredients, such as, for example,
antimicrobial agents, abrasives,
surfactants, flavors, metal ions, etc. Similarly, a unit-dose mouth rinse can
be sized to deliver the
correct amount of mouth rinse ingredients, such as, for example, fluoride
ions, antimicrobial agents,
abrasives, surfactants, flavors, metal ions, etc.
The unit-dose oral care composition can be in the form of a pouch, a droplet,
a solid open cell foam, a
solid closed cell foam, a fibrous composition, a paste composition, a gel
composition, a tablet
composition, a strip composition, a tape composition, and/or an assembly of
one or more of the forms
described in this paragraph.
The unit-dose of dentifrice can comprise at least one nonwoven web layer. The
nonwoven web layer
can dissolve upon contact, which can release oral care active agents, such as,
for example, anti-caries
agents, anti-plaque-agents, anti-calculus agents, anti-halitosis agents, and
desensitizers. Additionally,
the dissolution of at least one nonwoven web layer can release aesthetic
agents, such as, for example,
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flavors, whitening agents, and sweeteners. Other agents can be released upon
the dissolution of the
nonwoven web layer, such as humectants, surfactants, binders, abrasives, and
other ingredients.
For a nonwoven web-based unit-dose of dentifrice to be effective, the nonwoven
web layer should not
contact water until it reaches the oral cavity. If a consumer reaches into a
container, the water and oils
present on the consumer's hand can contaminate the remaining, unselected unit-
doses of dentifrice by
at least partially dissolving the nonwoven web layer on any unit-dose of
dentifrice that he or she
incidentally touches while reaching for a dose.
The disclosed container (10) alleviates this concern by only dispensing a
single or a few unit-doses of
dentifrice (40) upon manipulating the container (10). The consumer can then
select a single unit-dose
of dentifrice (40) without touching any of the other doses. The remaining,
unselected doses can be
quickly returned to the storage chamber (15) without having to be handled.
Additionally, the disclosed
container (10) prevents water introduction to the unit-doses of dentifrice
(40) by having a lid (30) and
an opening (25), which can be smaller than the latitudinal cross-sectional
area of the storage chamber
(15). Finally, the container (10) can have a slope along the upper surface
(26) of the divider (22) to
prevent any water accidently introduced to the dispensing chamber (20) from
reaching the remaining
unit-doses of dentifrice (40) residing in the storage chamber (15).
.. The disclosed container (10) can further comprise a desiccant to further
remove humidity from the
container during storage or upon use.
Method
Also disclosed herein is a method to dispense a unit-dose of dentifrice from
the container (10)
.. disclosed herein. Additionally, disclosed herein is a method to dispense
moisture sensitive contents
from the container (10).
As in FIG. 2, a container (10) can be provided with a storage chamber (15), a
dispensing chamber
(20), a divider (22), and a lid (30) in the closed position as described
herein. The storage chamber
(15) can hold the unit-doses of dentifrice (40), when the container resides on
its base (13).
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As in FIG. 2, the container (10) can be manipulated by having a user
manipulate or move the container
(10) in such a way to allow the unit-doses of dentifrice (40) to move through
the divider (22)
comprising an opening (25) and into the dispensing chamber (20). The container
can be manipulated
by inverting, shaking, upending, swirling, stirring, throwing, rotation, or
any other motion allowing
the contents to move into the dispensing chamber (20). Upon cessation of the
user's manipulation,
the container (10) can be returned to its original position with the base (13)
of the container (10)
directed towards the ground or floor.
The user can then visually inspect the container (10) to see if any of the
unit-doses of dentifrice (40)
were deposited into the dispensing chamber (20). The dispensing chamber (20)
can be visually
inspected through a window in the dispensing chamber (20), a window in the lid
(35, as in FIG. 3), a
transparent and/or translucent dispensing chamber (20), a
transparent/translucent lid (30, as in FIG.
7), and/or opening the lid (30) to the container, as in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5.
.. If zero unit-doses of dentifrice (40) were deposited into the dispensing
chamber (20), the manipulation
of the container (10) can be continued until at least one unit-dose of
dentifrice (40) is deposited into
the dispensing chamber (20).
If one unit-dose of dentifrice (40) was deposited into the container (10), the
user can open the lid (30)
and select the piece.
If more than one unit-doses of dentifrice (40) were deposited into the
dispensing chamber (20), the
user can either open the lid (30) and select a single piece or try to orient,
angle, and/or rotate the
container to allow the excess pieces to fall back through the opening (25) in
the divider (22) to the
storage chamber (15) prior to opening the lid (30).
As in FIG. 11, the container (10) can comprise a refilling unit (50) that can
be used to store the unit-
doses of dentifrice (40) prior to the operation and/or manipulation of the
container (10) as described
herein.
FIG. 1 is a side view of a container (10) of the present invention when
resting on a base (13) of the
container (10). The container (10) comprises a storage chamber (15), a
dispensing chamber (20), a lid
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(30), and an opening member (32) with a hinge (33) to facilitate the opening
member folding back on
the upper surface (31) of the lid (30). Unit-doses of dentifrice (40) are
visible in the storage chamber
(15). The storage chamber (15) comprises a wall (17) with an interior surface
(11) and exterior surface
(12).
FIG. 2 is a side view of a container (10) being manipulated. The base (13) of
the container (10) is
inverted and/or shaken so that the unit-doses of dentifrice (40) falls from
the storage chamber (15)
through the opening (25) and into the dispensing chamber (20), but kept from
falling out of the
container by the interior surface (34) of the lid (30), which is in the closed
position and affixed with
an opening member (32) comprising a hinge (33). The lower surface (23) of the
divider (22) is sloped
towards the dispensing chamber (20) to facilitate the movement of the unit-
doses of dentifrice (40)
into the dispensing chamber (20).
FIG. 3 is a top view of the container (10) after a unit-dose of dentifrice
(40) has been transferred from
the storage chamber (15) to the dispensing chamber (20). The consumer can look
through the
transparent window (35) on the lid (30). A unit-dose of dentifrice (40) is
visible resting on the divider
(22), next to the opening (25).
FIG. 4 is a side, perspective view of a user selecting a unit-dose of a
dentifrice (40) from a dispensing
chamber (20) while the container is on its base (13) with a hand (41). The
unit-doses of dentifrice (40)
are resting on the divider (22). The interior surface (27) of the wall (28) of
the dispensing chamber
(20) is sloped. The upper surface (26) of the divider (22) is not sloped,
which leaves a plateau (29),
as in FIG. 10, for the unit-doses of dentifrice (40) to rest on prior to
return to the storage chamber (15)
through the opening (25) in the divider (22).
FIG. 5 is a side, perspective view of a user selecting unit-dose of a
dentifrice (40) from a dispensing
chamber (20) while the container is on its base (13) with a device, such as a
toothbrush (42). The unit-
doses of dentifrice (40) are resting on the divider (22). The interior surface
(27) of the wall (28) of
the dispensing chamber (20) is sloped. The upper surface (26) of the divider
(22) is not sloped, which
leaves a plateau (29) for the unit-doses of dentifrice (40) to rest on prior
to return to the storage
chamber (15) through the opening (25) in the divider (22), as in FIG. 10.
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FIG. 6 is atop, perspective view of a container (10) with a ridge (36)
associated with a lid (30), which
facilitates the opening of the lid (30). A unit-dose of dentifrice (40) is
visible through the window
(35) while resting on the upper surface (26) of the divider (22).
5 FIG. 7 is atop, perspective view of a container (10) with a fully
transparent lid (30). The unit-dose of
dentifrice (40) is visible through the transparent lid (30), resting on the
upper surface (26) of the divider
(22) next to the interior surface (27) of the wall (28) of the dispensing
chamber (20).
FIG. 8 is atop, perspective view of a container (10) with a fully transparent
lid (30) that can be opened
10 by pressing a button (37). The user can apply pressure to the upper
surface (31) of the lid (30) to place
it back in the closed position. The unit-dose of dentifrice (40) is visible
through the transparent lid
(30), resting on the upper surface (26) of the divider (22) next to the
interior surface (27) of the wall
(28) of the dispensing chamber (20).
15 FIG. 9 is a top, perspective view of a container (10) with a window (35)
on a lid (30) that can be
opening with a switch (38). The user can apply pressure to the lid (12) to
place it back in the closed
position. The user can apply pressure to the upper surface (31) of the lid
(30) to place it back in the
closed position.
20 FIG. 10 is atop, perspective view of a container (10) in the open
position. The unit-doses of dentifrice
(40) are resting on the upper surface (26) of the divider (22). The upper
surface (26) of the divider
(22) is sloped away from the storage chamber (15) to prevent water from
entering the storage chamber
(15). The interior surface (27) of the wall (28) of the dispensing chamber
(20) is sloped. The unit-
doses of dentifrice (40) are visible through a window (16) of the storage
chamber (15)
FIG. 11 is a side, perspective view of a container (10) comprising a refilling
unit (50). A unit-dose of
dentifrice (40) is resting on the inner surface (52) of the refilling unit
(50). The wall (53) of the refilling
unit (50) and the wall (17) of the storage chamber (15) are transparent, such
that a consumer can view
the unit-dose of dentifrice (40) residing in the refilling unit (50). The lid
(30) has a transparent window
(35) such that a consumer can look to see if a unit-dose of dentifrice (40)
has been deposited into the
dispensing chamber (20) upon manipulation of the container (10).
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Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent
or application and any
patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or
benefit thereof, is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or
otherwise limited. The
citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect
to any invention disclosed
or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other
reference or references, teaches,
suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any
meaning or definition of a
term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same
term in a document
incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in
this document shall
govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated
and described, it would
be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and
modifications can be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended
to cover in the appended
claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this
invention.
