Abstract:
A dental kit including a first dental tool having a mirror and an illumination device, a second dental tool having a handle with a threadable or other suitable coupling and first and second tool heads selectively threadably or otherwise suitably connectable to the handle, and a container for holding the first and second dental tools. Also, a method including providing a dental kit having a first dental tool with a mirror and an illumination device and a second dental tool with a handle and first and second tool heads, switching the illumination device to an ON condition, selectively threading or otherwise coupling one of the tool heads to the handle, and using the first or second tool head as appropriate to probe, scrape, or clean the teeth while viewing the teeth with the first dental tool.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to dentistry tools and, more specifically, to dental kits for consumer use.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Professional dentistry can be an expensive undertaking for a consumer even for simple dentistry check-ups and cleanings. Oftentimes in simple dentistry check-ups and cleanings, a dental professional will view, probe or clean a patient&#39;s teeth with professional dentistry viewing, probing and cleaning tools without performing any complicated procedures. The outcome of such simple check-ups may nevertheless be an expensive bill.  
         [0003]     Some consumers may desire the capability of performing such simple check-up tasks and cleanings at home without going to the dentist and paying professional fees. Unfortunately, consumers may attempt to use household objects or other inappropriate tools to perform dental procedures. Performing dental procedures without proper dentistry tools can be ineffective, inefficient, or potentially dangerous.  
         [0004]     For example, an individual may wish to view the interior of his or her mouth with a wall mirror or a hand held mirror. Using these types of mirrors is ineffective because of the many obstructed areas in the individual&#39;s mouth. Also, lighting the interior of the individual&#39;s mouth is difficult because light is often blocked by the individual&#39;s hands or portions of the individual&#39;s mouth such as teeth, tongue and cheek.  
         [0005]     Accordingly, some consumers desire the capability to perform some simple dentistry procedures on themselves without excessive expenditure. The present invention provides a consumer dental kit that is convenient for the consumer to use and is economical. For example, this consumer dental kit can provide a first mirror usable in conjunction with a second mirror, such as, for example a wall mirror or a hand held mirror, so that the consumer can effectively view within his or her own mouth while he or she examines mouth, gum or teeth surfaces or while he or she probes or cleans selected portions thereof.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     A dental kit is provided having a first dental tool including a first handle, a mirror connected to the handle, and an illumination device operable to emit light toward the mirror such that the light reflects off of the mirror, a second dental tool including a second handle having a threadable coupling, a first tool head having a first threaded portion, and a second tool head having a second threaded portion, wherein the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion are complementary to the threadable coupling and one of the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion are engageable with the threadable coupling at a time to selectively threadably connect the one of the first tool head and the second tool head to the second handle, and a container for holding the first dental tool and the second dental tool.  
         [0007]     Also provided is a dental kit having a first dental tool including a first handle, a mirror connected to the handle at an end of the handle, a light source, e.g., a LED, connected to the handle and operable to emit light toward the mirror such that the light reflects off of the mirror, and an actuator connected to the handle and electrically coupled to the light source, the actuator being moveable between an ON position and an OFF position to respectively turn the light source on and off, and a second dental tool including a second handle having a threadable coupling with internal threads, a scraper tool head having a first externally threaded portion, and a probe tool head having a second externally threaded portion, wherein the first externally threaded portion and the second externally threaded portion are complementary to the internal threads of the threadable coupling and one of the first externally threaded portion and the second externally threaded portion are engageable with the internal threads of the threadable coupling at a time to selectively threadably connect the one of the scraper tool head and the probe tool head to the second handle.  
         [0008]     In addition, a method is provided for viewing, scraping and probing a user&#39;s teeth, the method including providing a dental kit including a first dental tool and a second dental tool, the first dental tool including a handle, a mirror connected to the handle and an illumination device operable to emit light toward the mirror such that light reflects off of the mirror, the second dental tool including a handle having a threadable coupling, a first tool head having a first threaded portion complementary to the threadable coupling, and a second tool head having a second threaded portion complementary to the threadable coupling. The method also includes switching the illumination device to an ON condition causing the illumination device to emit light toward the mirror, selectively threading one of the first tool head and the second tool head to the handle of the second dental tool by threadably engaging the one of the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion to the threadable coupling, and using the first tool head or the second tool head as appropriate to probe or scrape the teeth while viewing the teeth with the first dental tool.  
         [0009]     Further objects and advantages of the present invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a partially exploded perspective view of a dental kit embodying aspects of the invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a mirror dental tool of the dental kit shown in  FIG. 1 , shown with a portion cutaway to expose a power source (exemplified here as a battery) of the mirror dental tool.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a dental tool of the dental kit shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
       [0013]     Before at least one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention includes other embodiments and can be practiced or carried out in various different ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections and couplings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , dental kit  20  is illustrated and includes container  22  of any desired shape or construction, mirror dental tool  24  and a multi-headed dental tool  28 . Dental kit  20  is typically used by a consumer; however, dental kit  20  can be used by a dentist or other dental professional, such as a dental technician, a dental hygienist, etc. Mirror dental tool  24  is usable in combination with a second mirror (not shown), such as, for example a wall mirror or hand held mirror, by an individual to view the interior of his or her mouth, while multi-headed dental tool  28  is usable by an individual to probe, scrape, or clean teeth within his or her mouth.  
         [0015]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , container  22  is operable to hold mirror dental tool  24  and multi-head dental tool  28  therein. The container  22  is provided with recessed compartments configured to receive the items included in the kit  20 . As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , a separate compartment is provided for the handle  68  of the dental tool  28 . Likewise, separate compartments are provided for the heads  72 ,  76  of the dental tool  28 . Thus, container  22  provides protection to and a convenient packaging for mirror dental tool  24  and multi-head dental tool  28 . Dental kit  20  can be sold or provided to consumers with mirror dental tool  24  and multi-head dental tool  28  within container  22 . After the consumer obtains dental kit  20 , container  22  can be discarded or can be kept to store mirror dental tool  24  and multi-head dental tool  28 . The dental kit  20  can also be packaged on a card to which a heat-sealed blister is attached enclosing the kit  20 . This blister package may be designed to be hung on racks at the point of sale.  
         [0016]     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , mirror dental tool  24  includes handle  32  having wide portion  36  graspable by a user and narrow portion  40  extending from wide portion  36 . Handle  32  can be made of a variety of materials and be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In some constructions, handle  32  is made of plastic. In other constructions, handle  32  is made of metal. In yet other constructions, handle  32  is made of a plurality of materials. For example, a portion of wide portion  36  graspable by a user could be covered with a resilient rubber material and the underlying material could be plastic, metal, or some other material.  
         [0017]     Mirror dental tool  24  also includes mirror portion  44  connected to the end of narrow portion  40  and includes mirror  48  and rim  52  surrounding an edge of mirror  48  to retain mirror  48  within mirror portion  44 . Alternatively, the mirror can be affixed to the dental tool  24  by gluing or other suitable means without using the rim  52 . In the illustrated construction, mirror  48  is made of a reflective material having properties that inhibit fogging or steaming of the surface of mirror  48 . Mirror dental tool  24  further includes illumination device  56 , power source or battery  60 , and actuator or switch  64  that is electrically connected, in a conventional manner, to illumination device  56  and battery  60  to selectively provide and interrupt power between illumination device  56  and battery  60 . In the illustrated construction, illumination device  56  is a white light emitting diode (“LED”), however, LED  56  can be other colored LEDs and other types of illumination devices and still be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Illumination device  56  is connected to handle  32  in a position between switch  64  and mirror portion  44  and is oriented in a manner to emit light toward mirror  48  such that light reflects off of mirror  48  to illuminate the interior of an individual&#39;s mouth when mirror dental tool  24  is in use. It should be understood that LED  56  can be connected to handle  32  in other positions and have other orientations relative to mirror portion  44  and still be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as long as LED  56  is operable to emit light toward mirror  48 .  
         [0018]     In the illustrated construction, power source  60  is a conventional AA or AAA dry cell. Power source  60  can be a large variety of power providing devices, such as, for example a circular disc dry cell (frequently used in wristwatches). In the illustrated construction, mirror dental tool  24  is intended to be discarded after power source  60  is sufficiently drained, no longer providing sufficient power to illuminate LED  56 . In such a construction, power source  60  is permanently secured within mirror dental tool  24  and is not replaceable. A user can discard mirror dental tool  24  after power source  60  is sufficiently drained. In some constructions, mirror dental tool  24  is re-usable and power source  60  is replaceable with a new power source. In such a construction, a portion of handle  32  is removable to expose power source  60  located within handle  32 . Power source  60  is removed and a new power source is positioned within handle  32 . Power source replacement can be performed any number of times. In both the replaceable and non-replaceable power source versions, a resistor can be added to the electrical circuit to lengthen the life of the battery or other power source.  
         [0019]     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , switch  64  is moveable between an ON-position, in which power is allowed to flow from battery  60  to LED  56 , and an OFF-position, in which power is interrupted and prevented from flowing from battery  60  to LED  56 . When in the ON-position, LED  56  illuminates to emit light toward mirror  48 , while when in the OFF-position, LED  56  is not illuminated. In the illustrated construction, switch  64  is slideable between the ON-position and the OFF-position. In some constructions, switch  64  can be a depressible type switch. In other constructions, switch  64  can be a rotatable type switch.  
         [0020]     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , multi-head dental tool  28  includes handle  68  and a plurality of tool heads selectively connectable to handle  68 . Handle  68  can be made of similar materials as handle  32  and can include all of the alternatives of handle  32  listed above. Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, materials and alternatives of handle  68  will not be discussed herein. In the illustrated construction, the plurality of tool heads includes scraper tool head  72  and probe tool head  76 . Scraper tool head  72  is used to scrape and clean the user&#39;s teeth and probe tool head  76  is used to probe and clean between the user&#39;s teeth. Each of scraper tool head  72  and probe tool head  76  includes threaded portion  80  having external threads  84  thereon for inserting into threadable coupling  88  defined in handle  68  and engaging complementary internal threads  92  on the threadable coupling  88 . Engagement between complementary external threads  84  of either scraper tool head  72  or probe tool head  76  and internal threads  92  selectively threadably connects either scraper tool head  72  or probe tool head  76  to handle  68 . The male and female threaded parts can be reversed. Scraper tool head  72  and probe tool head  76  are selectively threadably connectable to handle  68  one at a time.  
         [0021]     It should be understood that multi-head dental tool  28  can include other types of tool heads and still be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In such cases, all of the tool heads are selectively connectable to handle  68  one at a time. Also, the tool heads may be connected to the handle by means other than threading, e.g., by friction fit, snap fit, or bayonet fit.  
         [0022]     Dental kit  20  is manufactured in such a manner to provide the consumer with an attractive and economical option for performing simple dentistry procedures within their own mouth. Dental kit  20  is so economical, an individual may discard the kit  20  when the kit becomes worn-out, inoperative, or for other reasons and purchase a new dental kit  20  without excessive expenditures. Also, dental kit  20  may provide an alternative to purchasing professional dental tools or spending money on dentistry check-ups that may include procedures performable by the consumer.  
         [0023]     In addition, dental kit  20  provides the consumer with dental procedures that promote good oral hygiene. For example, frequent viewing, probing, scraping and cleaning of an individual&#39;s teeth may improve the oral hygiene of the individual and help prevent tooth decay or other oral complications.  
         [0024]     Further, dental kit  20  includes single tools that perform multiple dental procedures and, therefore, the kit  20  is compact and less expensive than obtaining a plurality of tools that only perform a single procedure. For example, dentists include a single tool for viewing, a single tool for lighting, a single tool for probing, and a single tool for scraping and cleaning, while dental kit  20  includes a single tool for viewing and lighting and a single tool with multiple heads for probing, scraping, and cleaning.  
         [0025]     The constructions and embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.