Patent Application
20070113363
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to dental hygiene and, more particularly, to a single-use, all incorporated disposable toothbrush arrangement. Specifically, the present invention relates to a disposable toothbrush that is adapted for use with an applicator member designed for readily and easily accessing all areas of the teeth during cleaning.
2. Description of the Prior Art
For many years, dentists and oral hygienists have recommended that teeth be brushed after every meal and even snacks. Unfortunately, strict adherence to such a regimen is often difficult when using conventional toothbrushes and toothpastes, since these articles are traditionally too large and bulky to easily and inconspicuously carry in one's pocket or purse. For people who work or travel extensively, for airline passengers, for hikers or backpackers and many others as well, this is especially difficult due to the bulkiness and potential mess a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste can be in such situations. Moreover, trying to convince school age children to carry such items with them to school and then to use them at school is virtually impossible.
In response to this predicament, there have been many attempts to develop a low-cost disposable toothbrush that can be carried in a purse or pocket and then discarded after having been used only once to brush one's teeth. While these devices represent improvements over traditional toothbrushes and toothpaste for brushing while away from home, they nonetheless tend to have certain limitations and shortcomings inherent in their designs. A number of these devices involve the use of a clip, pad or rigid tube that fits over or onto the end of a finger. Examples of these devices are illustrated in U.S. Pat. U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,172, U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,428, U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,005, U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,482, U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,273, U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,599 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,252. Unfortunately, these devices still tend to be somewhat bulky and cumbersome. In addition, they can also be difficult to maneuver as well as keep in proper position when in use.
Other prior art devices are in the form of simply smaller toothbrushes of standard-design as well as kits that include a typical toothbrush design made from inexpensive plastic material along with toothpaste or dentifrice. Examples of these are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,793,381, U.S. Pat. No. 3,917,420, U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,719, U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,009, U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,059 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,860. One of the major problems with these types of designs is that they are almost as bulky as a standard toothbrush. While these devices offer some reduction in bulk and may tend to eliminate a separate tube of toothpaste, they are still inconveniently sized packages to carry in a purse or pocket.
Finger mounted toothbrushes that have taken the form of a rolled latex finger cover that can be unrolled onto a finger have significant advantages over the above. Examples of such devices include those illustrated in U.S. Patents No. 3,368, 668, U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,562, U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,774, U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,765, U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,739 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,587. Unfortunately, these arrangements also have their limitations. For example, the brush portions of such devices tend to be exposed to compressive forces that deform and damage the bristles of the brush. Many can become useless after a period of storage time due to the compression of the bristles and the smearing of the pre-applied dentifrice. In addition, the bristles of the device tend to slip around on the finger during use, and the typically thin latex cover can be readily torn if used too vigorously. Finally, with the devices applied to only one finger, the accessibility of certain portions of the mouth is quite difficult. Therefore, there remains a need in the art for a disposable toothbrush device that overcomes the aforementioned problems, and the present invention addresses and solves these particular problems in the art.
Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide a disposable tooth cleaning device.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a disposable toothbrush adapted to fit over a user's finger and thumb to apply the toothbrush to one's teeth.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a disposable toothbrush adapted to fit over an independent applicator member which can be in the form of a pencil or an elongated applicator enclosed with the toothbrush.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a one-time use toothbrush that can be formed from a sheath made of plastic, fabric or treated paper so that it is economically disposable.
To achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a disposable tooth cleaning device is disclosed for use with an application member. The device includes a support element having a first and a second surface, and a plurality of bristles project from the first surface of the support element. A tooth cleaning agent is disposed on the bristles and is adapted for activation upon contact with water. Finally, an attachment mechanism is secured to the second surface of the support element and is adapted for releasably securing the support element to an application member for use of the tooth cleaning device.
In one application of the invention, the support element is in the form of a sheath having a closed end for mounting the bristles and an open end for receiving an application member. In one form of this application, the sheath includes a pair of elongated members each having a closed end carrying the bristles, the elongated members forming a joint open end for receiving a pair of application members in the form of an individual's thumb and index finger.
In another form, the attachment mechanism includes a plurality of gripping elements adapted for removably securing an application member to the support element second surface. In one aspect of this form, the support element sheath includes an extension portion projecting outwardly from the closed end with the extension portion mounting the bristles. In another aspect, the support element is sized and shaped for removably securing an application member in the form of a finger or an elongated stick-like member.
Another modification of the invention involves the support element being in the form of a pad having the bristles disposed on one surface thereof. In this modification, the attachment mechanism may include a tacky-layer for releasable attachment to a finger end. Moreover, the support element may be in the form of a pair of such pads for releasable attachment to the ends of an individual's thumb and index finger for cooperative tooth cleaning movement. Alternately, the attachment mechanism may include a plurality of gripping elements adapted for removably securing an application member to the support element second surface, and the sheath may be made from a variety of materials including latex rubber, injection molded plastic, woven fabric and treated paper.
Yet another modification of the invention includes a disposable tooth cleaning device having a support element. The support element may have first and second members with each such member having an outer and an inner surface. A plurality of bristles project from the outer surface of each support element member. A tooth cleaning agent is disposed on the bristles and is adapted for activation upon contact with water. Finally, an attachment mechanism is secured to the inner surface of each support element member and is adapted for releasably securing the first and second support element members to an individual's thumb and index finger, respectively, for use of the disposable tooth cleaning device.
Still another modification of the invention is in the form of a disposable tooth cleaning device for use with an application member. The device includes a support element having inner and outer surfaces. A plurality of bristles project from the outer surface of the support element. A tooth cleaning agent is disposed on the bristles and is adapted for activation upon contact with water. Finally, an attachment mechanism is provided in the form of a plurality of gripping elements secured to the inner surface of the support element and are adapted for releasably securing the support element to an application member for use of the tooth cleaning device.
The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with a description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Referring now to
It should be understood that the support element 12,12′ may be made of any appropriate material. In preferred form, the material for the element 12 is injection molded plastic, preferably containing latex or some other flexible agent. In this manner, the front end portion 18 may project outwardly in the form of an elongated plate 24 while providing some flexibility to the device 10 during use. Alternatively, the preferred material for the support element 12′ is woven fabric, latex rubber or treated waterproof paper.
The support element 12, 12′ includes a patch of bristles 26 projecting outwardly from the outer surface 14 proximate the front end portion 18 thereof. The bristles 26 are of typical standard design for tooth cleaning bristles and include a tooth powder or paste pre-applied and/or impregnated therein. Any type of appropriate tooth cleaning and/or whitening agent may be utilized with the present invention.
The interior cavity 22 of the support element 12 includes an attachment mechanism preferably in the form of a plurality of gripping elements 28 disposed along the interior surface 16. In preferred form, the gripping elements 28 are in the form of inclined projections and are designed to removably retain an applicator element 30 in the cavity 22. Alternatively, any type of roughened surface topography may be utilized as the gripping elements 28. It should be understood, however, that any type of member may be used as the gripping element 28 as long as it provides a sufficiently rough surface to firmly hold the applicator element 30 within the receptacle 22 during use of the device 10.
The applicator element 30 may be in the form of a stick-like member 32 or a finger 34. The applicator element 32 may be any desired elongated member, such as a pencil and the like, or it may be specifically packaged with the support element 12 for use therewith. When the applicator element 30 is packaged with the support element 12, it is sized for firm fit within the receptacle 22 and is disposable along with the rest of the device 10. The only requirement for the applicator element 30 is that it be of sufficient size to fit within the cavity 22 as well as be retained therein during the brushing of teeth with the device 10. The applicator element 32 may also include a flossing brush 36 positioned at the end thereof opposite the support element 12. In preferred form, the flossing brush 36 projects orthogonally outwardly from the applicator element 32.
The embodiment illustrated in
Referring now to
The elongated members 44, 46 are sized and shaped to permit a person to insert their index finger and thumb therein as illustrated in
The material for the sheath 38 may be selected from any appropriate material and is preferably made from fabric, preferably woven, latex-containing plastic, or treated paper. The treated paper must be treated to be waterproof and must be of sufficient strength to prevent tearing during use of the device 10′
Referring now to
As can be seen from the above, the present invention provides an inexpensive and convenient disposable tooth cleaning device. The present invention is adapted to be utilized with an applicator member in the form of a separate stick or a person's index finger and thumb. In either event, the present invention permits a person to easily clean their teeth without having to twist and convolute their hand to reach all areas of the mouth. Moreover, the present invention is constructed form materials which, although inexpensive to manufacture, are nonetheless of sufficient strength to withstand the vigorous movement a person makes with the device to accomplish tooth cleaning tasks. Finally, the present invention is compact and avoids the bulk and mess of certain prior art disposable toothbrushes.
The foregoing description and the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in varying modifications and alternate embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the foregoing description of the present invention is exemplary only, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited to the claims as interpreted in view of the prior art. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.
