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  Dipstick-type applicator for tooth whitener and skin care medicationUSPTO Application #: 20060228158Title: Dipstick-type applicator for tooth whitener and skin care medication Abstract: A dipstick-type applicator for tooth whitener and skin care medication includes a housing defining an internal chamber sealed when an applicator is received therein. A quantity of liquid medication is hermetically sealed within the chamber. The applicator consists of a gripping portion, a stem, and at the distal end of the stem, a tip made of a flexible absorbent material having a flat angled distal surface that is specifically designed to best coat the user's teeth with tooth whitener or the user's skin with skin care medication. A wiper within the housing has a reduced diameter opening, through which the tip of the applicator must travel to remove the tip from the chamber filled with liquid medication. The relationship between the outer dimensions of the tip and the opening in the wiper is such that excess liquid medication is removed from the tip as it is removed from the chamber. (end of abstract) Agent: H. Jay Spiegel - H. Jay Spiegel & Associates - Mount Vernon, VA, US Inventors: Jonathan B. Levine, Dominick Montano USPTO Applicaton #: 20060228158 - Class: 401130000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Coating Implements With Material Supply, Supply Container And Independent Applicator, Applicator Includes Container Closure Or Overlies Material, Blade-like Or Pad-like Applicator The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060228158. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a dipstick-type applicator for tooth whitener and skin care medication. [0002] Tooth whitening systems are becoming more and more popular of late. The aspect of the tooth whitening industry that is presently showing the most growth is that aspect in which kits are purchased by the ultimate users so that tooth whitening can be carried out within one's home, rather than having to suffer the inconvenience of having to visit the dentist's office. [0003] Applicants have found that the most effective way to package tooth whitener is in a system in which the ultimate user employs an applicator combined with a single dose of tooth whitener, of sufficient volume to allow a single tooth whitening to be conducted. In this regard, to enhance the shelf life of a tooth whitening substance, for example, one made of peroxide gels, it is best to provide that tooth whitener vacuum-packed or otherwise hermetically sealed. Thus, when the vacuum-seal is broken, the shelf life of the tooth whitening substance is dramatically shortened. A tooth whitening system which only causes a single dose of tooth whitener to be released from vacuum storage would be advantageous so that the user is always employing relatively fresh tooth whitener. [0004] Some applicator systems that are currently on the market are messy to use including the use of strips in which the tooth whitening substance can be removed onto the fingers, hands and clothing of the user, and other applicators for liquid tooth whitener in which dripping can often occur. As such, a need has developed for a tooth whitening system including an applicator that is easy and effective to use, precludes dripping of the tooth whitening substance and staining of the clothing and hands of the user, while also maintaining the tooth whitening substance fresh until the moment of use. [0005] Similar issues arise concerning application of skin care medication. It is important that skin care medication be maintained hermetically sealed until the moment of application to enhance shelf life and effectiveness. As such, it would be advantageous to provide an applicator for skin care medication that fulfills these goals. [0006] It is with these thoughts in mind that the present invention was developed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention relates to a dipstick-type applicator for tooth whitener and skin care medication. The present invention includes the following interrelated objects, aspects and features: [0008] (1) In a first aspect, the present invention contemplates a generally cylindrical housing having a closed end and an open end designed to receive a dipstick-type applicator. The housing defines an internal chamber that is sealed when the applicator is received therein. [0009] (2) For this purpose, in the preferred embodiment, complementary threads on the applicator and housing intermesh when the distal end of the applicator is inserted within the chamber to seal the chamber. In fact, before use, in the preferred embodiment, a quantity of tooth whitening substance such as, for example, peroxide gel or a skin care medication such as, for example, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin E or retinol, is placed within the chamber, the applicator is assembled to the housing and, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art, any air within the chamber is evacuated to provide a vacuum seal (hermetically sealed chamber). [0010] (3) The applicator consists of a gripping portion, a stem, and at the distal end of the stem, a tip made of a flexible absorbent material. In the preferred embodiment, the tip has a flat angled distal surface that is specifically designed to best coat the user's teeth with tooth whitener. The same surface is equally effective in coating the user's skin with a skin care medication. [0011] (4) In an important aspect of the present invention, a wiper is received within the housing and has a reduced diameter opening, through which the tip of the applicator must travel to remove the tip from the chamber filled with tooth whitener or skin care medication. The relationship between the outer dimensions of the tip and the opening in the wiper is such that excess liquid is removed from the tip as it is removed from the chamber. In this way, dripping of liquid, once the tip has been removed from the chamber, is substantially precluded. [0012] (5) As explained above, the inventive applicator is equally usable in applying skin care medications. Such skin care medications may be used to treat such conditions as acne, blemishes, rosacea as well as wrinkles. Single dose hermetically sealed formulations that may be applied in accordance with the teachings of the present invention may include salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin E, retinol, AHA, and alpha lipoic acid. These medications are stabilized through hermetic sealing and are provided in a single dose such that the applicator may be used and then discarded. [0013] As such, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a dipstick-type applicator for tooth whitener and skin care medication. [0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device in which a single dose of medication is vacuum packed within a chamber of a housing. [0015] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a device in which an applicator includes an absorbent tip having an angled surface configured to best apply tooth whitener to the outer surfaces of the teeth of the user or skin care medication to the user's skin. [0016] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a device in which a wiper is provided to wipe excess medication from the tip as it is removed from the housing's chamber. [0017] These and other objects, aspects and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the appended drawing figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] FIG. 1 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of the inventive device including the housing and applicator. [0019] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 1 but with the applicator and housing assembled together. [0020] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the wiper that is shown installed within the housing in FIGS. 1 and 2. [0021] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the details of the wiper portion of the applicator. Continue reading... Full patent description for Dipstick-type applicator for tooth whitener and skin care medication Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Dipstick-type applicator for tooth whitener and skin care medication patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Dipstick-type applicator for tooth whitener and skin care medication or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Rotary applicator of a cosmetic product and distributor comprising the said applicator Next Patent Application: Applicator and material dispensing system Industry Class: Coating implements with material supply ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Dipstick-type applicator for tooth whitener and skin care medication patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.82343 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error |
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