Signals and indicators – Indicators – Chemically activated type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-02
2001-11-13
Gutierrez, Diego (Department: 2859)
Signals and indicators
Indicators
Chemically activated type
C116S200000, C116S208000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314907
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a use indicator for a device and, more particularly, to a use indicator coupled to a device to signal a predetermined amount of use of the device as measured in the amount of vibration experienced by the device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With improvements in toothbrush technology, power toothbrushes such as acoustic or sonic toothbrushes that vibrate at sonic frequencies, approximately 200 to 500 Hz, have been developed and are now widely used. A typical power toothbrush includes a toothbrush body that functions as a handle and a toothbrush head that is removably coupled to the toothbrush body. The toothbrush head includes a plurality of bristles affixed thereto. The toothbrush body includes a toothbrush driver that is adapted to vibrate the toothbrush head and, thus, the bristles affixed thereto. When the bristles on the toothbrush head vibrate against a user's teeth, the vibrating bristles both scrub contaminants off the tooth enamel and massage the adjacent soft gum tissue.
After some use, however, the toothbrush bristles tend to be broken down, split, or otherwise become ineffective for cleaning teeth or massaging gum tissue. Also, during prolonged use of a sonic toothbrush, its bristles may become unsanitary through accumulation of biodegradable debris and bacteria, especially around and in the bristles' sockets.
Thus, a need exists for a use indicator suitable for use with a power toothbrush, which is adapted to notify a user when to replace a toothbrush head before it loses its effective brushing ability or becomes unsanitary. Preferably, such a use indicator should be able to produce an easily detectable indication to a user after a predetermined period of time or period of use of the toothbrush. Such indicator would also find use with other devices where use of the device could be related to vibration of the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A device use indicator, which is designed to signal a predetermined amount of use of a device such as a power toothbrush, by measuring the amount of vibration of the device, is provided. The indicator is adapted to be coupled or attached to a device. The indicator includes a first disk, a second disk, and an intermediate layer interposed between the two disks. The first disk retains a chemical therein. In operation, when the device to which the use indicator is attached is used, vibration of the device and, thus, the use indicator, triggers release of the chemical from the first disk to the second disk. The chemical, when thus released from the first disk and received by the second disk, causes a detectable indication after a predetermined amount of the chemical released from the first disk is received by the second disk. The detectable indication, for example, a change in pH or color or shade change produced in the second disk, signals a user that the device has been used for a predetermined amount of time as measured in the amount of its vibration. To contain the disks, chemicals, and intermediate layer, some type of encapsulation is preferably provided.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the second disk of the use indicator may also retain a chemical therein that, when combined with the chemical that migrates from the first disk to the second disk upon vibration of the use indicator, produces a chemical reaction within the second disk to cause a detectable indication. For example, the two chemicals may comprise an acid and a base, or a base and an acid, to effect an acid-base titration in the second disk. To provide a visible report of the acid-base titration, the second disk may include a pH-indicating dye that changes its color in response to the acid-base titration.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a device use indicator of the present invention may be used in connection with a power toothbrush, such as an acoustic toothbrush, so as to signal when to replace a toothbrush head before the toothbrush's bristles become too worn or unsanitary.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the chemicals retained in the first and second disks may be in liquid form, and as the liquid transfers from the first disk to the second disk the chemical reaction within the second disk may form a gas. The gas thus formed may create pressure that can be utilized to perform some mechanical functions. One such function would be to move a piston. The movement of the piston can be made visible from the outside of the device.
In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention, a device use indicator of the present invention may be used in connection with various devices, whose abnormal or undesirable operation is indicated by their vibration or unsymmetrical movement, for example a household washing machine. When used with these devices, the use indicator of the invention advantageously signals abnormal operation of the device to a user and, further, may perform some mechanical function to stop the device's abnormal operation, for example, by interrupting power input to the device.
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Harris Ward Edwin
Hench Brian D.
Iyer Lokanathan M.
Guadalupe Yaritza
Gutierrez Diego
Optiva
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