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Tooth whitener applicator and methodRelated Patent Categories: Dentistry, Method Or Material For Testing, Treating, Restoring, Or Removing Natural TeethTooth whitener applicator and method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070166666, Tooth whitener applicator and method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a tooth whitener applicator and method. In the prior art, it is known to whiten teeth using various well known tooth whitening compositions. However, the tooth whitening process is often cumbersome and messy. Most dentists offer services involving tooth whitening, however, for the average patient, it is expensive to have the dentist perform the whitening services. As such, a need has developed for a tooth whitening applicator that is both inexpensive and easy to use. [0002] Applicant is aware of U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,297 to Chari et al. which discloses an apparatus for application of a tooth desensitizing composition. Chari et al. fail to teach or suggest tooth whitening and disclose the use of a swab-type applicator that retains and dispenses a tooth desensitizer onto the teeth. Chari et al. disclose a separate filter disc designed to prevent shards of glass from an ampule containing the desensitizing solution from escaping into the mouth of the patient. The present invention differs from the teachings of Chari et al. in several respects. First, the present invention contemplates application of a tooth whitening composition rather than a tooth desensitizing composition. Second, the present invention contemplates evacuating the interior of the glass ampule containing a monodose of the tooth whitening composition so that its shelf life is extended. Third, the present invention contemplates use of a brush to dispense the tooth whitening composition with the brush doubling as the filter preventing glass shards from entering the mouth of the patient. The tooth whitening composition is somewhat more viscous than the tooth desensitizing composition taught by Chari et al. Due to its increased viscosity, the wad-type applicator of Chari et al. would not be suitable for use in dispensing the tooth whitening composition of the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates to a tooth whitener applicator and method. The present invention includes the following interrelated objects, aspects and features: [0004] (1) In a first aspect, the present invention contemplates an apparatus for practicing the method thereof. The apparatus includes a glass ampule having a monodose of a tooth whitening solution vacuum sealed therein. The ampule is contained within a cylindrical plastic sleeve closed at one end and enclosed at its other open end by the proximal termination of a brush-type applicator. An adhesive such as glue is used to adhere the periphery of the brush to the inner surfaces of the open end of the plastic sleeve. [0005] (2) The bristles preferably have circular cross-sections so that when they are tightly packed together and peripheral bristles are adhered to the plastic cylinder, interstices between adjacent bristles are sufficiently large enough to permit flow through of the tooth whitening composition while being sufficiently small enough to prevent shards of glass from the ampule, when broken open, to pass therethrough. [0006] (3) A cardboard sleeve surrounds the plastic cylinder to protect the user from the glass ampule when broken. [0007] (4) The bristles of the brush applicator are sized and configured to permit brushing between teeth into the tooth enamel. It is in these areas where stains often accrue, namely, the inter-proximal areas of the teeth. Thus, a brush rather than a wad is chosen due to its effectiveness with regard to the anatomy of the teeth that are being treated. [0008] (5) The method of using the inventive apparatus is as follows: [0009] (a) A tooth whitening solution such as, for example, hydrogen peroxide, is vacuum sealed within a glass ampule; [0010] (b) The glass ampule is placed within a plastic cylinder having one end closed and the other end open; [0011] (c) The open end of the plastic cylinder is sealed by the proximal end of a brush through the use of adhesive applied therebetween; [0012] (d) The brush is provided with bristles that are tightly adjacent one another and have spaces therebetween permitting flow of tooth whitening composition therethrough; [0013] (e) A protector preferably made of cardboard is placed over the plastic cylinder; [0014] (f) When it is desired to use the inventive apparatus to whiten the user's teeth, the glass ampule is squeezed through the cardboard protector until it shatters, releasing the tooth whitening composition into the plastic cylinder; [0015] (g) The tooth whitening composition flows between the bristles of the brush while the tightly packed bristles act as a filter preventing the shards of glass from the ampule from traveling therebetween; [0016] (h) The cardboard protector is pulsated to dispense the tooth whitening composition through the bristles and the bristles are run over the teeth of the user particularly in the inter-proximal areas until the tooth whitening composition is completely applied to the teeth; [0017] (i) The elevated viscosity of the tooth whitening solution allows it to adhere to the teeth, rather than running off of them, for a sufficient period of time so that the tooth whitening composition effectively operates to whiten the user's teeth; [0018] (j) After a prescribed time period, the mouth is rinsed to rinse away the tooth whitening composition. [0019] As such, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a tooth whitener applicator and method of applying tooth whitener. [0020] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an invention in which tooth whitening composition is vacuum sealed within a glass ampule. [0021] It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus in which a brush with tightly packed bristles is used to dispense the tooth whitening composition onto the teeth. [0022] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus wherein a cardboard sleeve is placed over a plastic cylinder enclosing the glass ampule. [0023] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a method of using the apparatus to whiten the user's teeth. [0024] These and other objects, aspects and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the appended drawing figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0025] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the inventive applicator with the cardboard protector thereof shown in phantom. [0026] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the cardboard protector with the internal chamber thereof shown in phantom. [0027] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the applicator brush of the present invention. [0028] FIG. 4 shows an end view of the brush applicator. [0029] FIG. 5 shows a magnified view of a portion of the view of FIG. 4 to show further details. SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0030] Reference is first made to FIG. 1 in which the apparatus of the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and is seen to include a preferably cylindrical plastic sleeve 11 containing an ampule 13 preferably made of glass in which is vacuum sealed a measured quantity of tooth whitening solution 15, preferably a monodose of that solution. The tooth whitening solution may, if desired, consist of a composition of hydrogen peroxide having increased viscosity over the composition of hydrogen peroxide commonly sold by the bottle. Continue reading about Tooth whitener applicator and method... Full patent description for Tooth whitener applicator and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Tooth whitener applicator and method 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 Tooth whitener applicator and method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Apparatus for teaching, demonstration, or simulation, of orthodontic temporary anchorage device placement and the use thereof Next Patent Application: Methods and apparatus to provide training against improvised explosive devices Industry Class: Dentistry ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Tooth whitener applicator and method patent info. 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