In a groundbreaking redesign, Leighton Davies-Smith, the renowned designer behind popular writing instruments such as the Sharpie, has now turned his attention to teeth whitening. With a four-decade career in pen design and ink chemistry, Davies-Smith has brought his expertise to the world of oral care, specifically designing pens for teeth whitening. His work in controlling liquid flows and creating airtight seals has paved the way for the development and success of the Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen, a product that combines the mechanics of a pen with the chemistry of a teeth-whitening gel. While Davies-Smith’s expertise lies in pen design, he has successfully applied his holistic approach to ensure that the chemistry and design of the pen work seamlessly together, resulting in a satisfactory product. Beyond teeth whitening, Colgate-Palmolive, the conglomerate behind the pen, is exploring the potential of applying this technology to other products in their portfolio.
Teeth Whitening Gets a Redesign: Meet the Designer Behind the Sharpie
Read more about the Latest Money News
Leighton Davies-Smith: From Pen Design to Teeth Whitening
Leighton Davies-Smith has spent his career in the world of pen design and ink chemistry, working for well-known brands in the writing instrument market such as Sharpie, Parker, PaperMate, and Expo. With a background in electrochemistry, Davies-Smith has become an expert in formulating inks, refining nibs, and designing pen bodies. His expertise in pen design has now led him to venture into the teeth whitening industry, where he is applying his knowledge of liquid transfer and pen functionality to create innovative teeth whitening products.
Advising Colgate-Palmolive on Liquid Transfer
Colgate-Palmolive, a household and consumer goods conglomerate, approached Davies-Smith for his expertise in liquid transfer. They were looking to transfer a specially formulated hydrogen peroxide-based gel for teeth whitening, but needed a solution to apply the gel directly to the teeth without the need for additional infrastructure. Davies-Smith was able to apply his knowledge of controlling liquid flows in pen design to develop a solution for Colgate-Palmolive. This collaboration eventually led to Davies-Smith joining Colgate-Palmolive as a senior technical director.
Read more about the Latest Money News
Designing the Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen
Using his experience in pen design principles, Davies-Smith adapted his knowledge to create the Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen. He focused on understanding the mechanics of liquid flow and creating an airtight seal for optimal functionality. By incorporating a familiar pen-click motion, Davies-Smith was able to design a teeth whitening pen that was easy to use and provided controlled flow of the whitening gel.
The Challenge of Writing on a Surface Covered with Saliva
One of the challenges in designing a teeth whitening pen is the fact that it will be operating in the oral cavity, where saliva is constantly present. Unlike traditional pens that write on dry surfaces, teeth whitening pens need to be able to write on a surface covered with saliva. Davies-Smith worked to overcome this challenge by ensuring that the whitening formula could be absorbed quickly by the teeth, despite the presence of saliva.
Similarities Between Sharpie and Teeth Whitening Pen Design
Davies-Smith found that there are actually several similarities between the design principles of a Sharpie and a teeth whitening pen. Both pens rely on alcohol-based formulations that can be absorbed quickly. In addition, both pens require an airtight seal to prevent evaporation of the bleaching agent. By leveraging his knowledge of pen design and ink chemistry, Davies-Smith was able to apply these principles to the design of the Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen.
The Importance of an Airtight Seal
An airtight seal is crucial for teeth whitening pens, as it helps prevent evaporation of the bleaching agent. Davies-Smith worked closely with Colgate-Palmolive to determine the shape of the pen body and implement user-controlled flow mechanisms to ensure a secure seal when the pen is not in use. By prioritizing an airtight seal, the Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen is able to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the whitening gel.
Considering Holistic Design in Pen Creation
Davies-Smith learned the importance of holistic design early in his career when a project involving separate ink formulation and pen design elements went awry. Since then, he has approached pen design as a combination of chemistry, mechanics, ergonomics, design, and user experience. This holistic approach ensures that all elements work together seamlessly to create a satisfactory product. In the case of teeth whitening pens, Davies-Smith considers not only the chemistry of the whitening formula and the mechanics of the pen, but also the ergonomics of the pen body and the overall design aesthetic.
Expanding Beyond Teeth Whitening Products
Davies-Smith’s expertise in pen design and ink chemistry has led to potential applications beyond teeth whitening products. Colgate-Palmolive is currently exploring the possibility of applying the mechanics and chemistry developed for the Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen to other products in their portfolio, such as personal hygiene products and household cleaners. By leveraging the knowledge gained from the development of the teeth whitening pen, Davies-Smith may be able to innovate in other areas of the consumer goods industry.
Inventing the Optic White ComfortFit LED Teeth Whitening Kit
Building on his understanding of the chemistry behind the whitening formula in the teeth whitening pen, Davies-Smith invented the Optic White ComfortFit LED Teeth Whitening Kit. This kit utilizes a mouth-shaped panel of lights to speed up the activation of the bleaching agent in the gel. By combining the principles of liquid transfer and pen design with LED technology, Davies-Smith was able to create a product that enhances the effectiveness of the whitening process.
Seeking Instantaneous Results
While Davies-Smith acknowledges that instantaneous results are still a challenge in teeth whitening, he is dedicated to working towards a solution. Achieving immediate teeth whitening is a complex process that requires careful consideration of chemistry, mechanics, and user experience. However, with his expertise in pen design and ink chemistry, Davies-Smith is confident that continued innovation in the field will eventually lead to the development of teeth whitening products that provide instantaneous results.
In conclusion, Leighton Davies-Smith’s background in pen design and ink chemistry has proved invaluable in the development of innovative teeth whitening products. Through his collaboration with Colgate-Palmolive, he has been able to apply his knowledge of liquid transfer and pen functionality to create products such as the Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen and the Optic White ComfortFit LED Teeth Whitening Kit. With a focus on holistic design and a dedication to seeking instantaneous results, Davies-Smith is shaping the future of teeth whitening.
