Combination absorbent applicator, wipe for teeth and oral applicator

A combination absorbent applicator, wipe for teeth and oral applicator comprising a sheath having a closed distal end and an open proximal end for receipt of a fingertip or finger. An abrasive absorbent material pad is on an exterior surface of the sheath adjacent the closed distal end. The abrasive absorbent material pad can be applied to teeth, gums, tongue and lips for cleaning and treatment thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The instant invention relates generally to dental hygiene devices and more 
specifically it relates to a combination absorbent applicator, wipe for 
teeth and oral applicator. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Numerous dental hygiene devices have been provided in prior art. For 
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,941 to Dunn; 5,107,562 to Dunn; 5,213,428 to 
Salman and 5,287,584 to Skinner all are illustrative of such prior art. 
While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they 
address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present 
invention as heretofore described. 
DUNN, GARY D. 
FINGER-MOUNTED TOOTHBRUSH 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,941 
A handless toothbrush formed of an elastomeric material. The toothbrush, in 
a first embodiment, axially receives the distal end of a finger and has an 
opening that registers with a fingernail when the brush is worn properly. 
In a second embodiment, the brush axially receives the entire extent of a 
finger when fully deployed. Prior to deployment, the toothbrush is in the 
form of a bag member that has been turned partially inside out, so that 
the bottom part of the bag member is encased within its folded back upper 
part, so that the outside surfaces of both the bottom and the top parts 
are maintained in a substantially sterile condition. A third embodiment 
adds additional reverse folds and an adhesive strip covered by said folds 
that maintains the brush against slippage. 
DUNN, GARY D. 
DISPOSABLE FINGER-MOUNTED TOOTHBRUSH WITH HOLDING MEANS 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,562 
A toothbrush of the type worn on a human finger. The toothbrush includes an 
inner part that is wholly received within another part when the toothbrush 
is in a stored condition prior to use. The outer part includes an upper 
flap and a lower flap that are releasably secured to one another about 
their respective peripheral borders. When the top flap is peeled back, the 
bottom flap separates from the top flap and the inner part of the 
toothbrush, upon which are mounted the bristles of the brush, is exposed. 
The user of the device grasps the lower flap after it has separated from 
the upper flap, and this grasping maintains the toothbrush on the user's 
finger throughout the time the toothbrush is in use. 
SALMAN, NASSER 
BIODEGRADABLE TOOTHBRUSH 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,428 
A disposable toothbrush formed of a biodegradable material, such as 
biodegradable plastic. The toothbrush would fit, preferably, over the 
index finger of a user. By using the index finger, it is easy to reach any 
part of the teeth by locating the toothbrush, so as to apply a brushing 
action to the upper and lower teeth, with the toothbrush located on the 
outside or inside of the index finger. A toothbrush cap provides an 
opening for receipt of an index finger of a user. On a flattened portion 
of the toothbrush cap, are defined two to four rows of short bristles, 
preferably three sixteenths inches in height. These bristles may be formed 
integrally with the toothbrush cap or include bristles imbedded in the 
cap. These bristles are impregnated with dehydrated toothpaste, which 
bonds with the bristles to form a defined layer on top of the bristles. 
Upon contact with water, the impregnated toothpaste would hydrolyze to aid 
in brushing of the teeth for a single use. Upon completion of brushing, 
the toothbrush would be disposed of in its entirety. 
SKINNER, JOHN R. 
TOOTHBRUSH 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,584 
This invention relates to a novel finger toothbrush. More particularly, 
this invention pertains to a unique toothbrush, which can fit on a finger 
of a user for brushing the teeth of the user or the teeth of another human 
being or animal. The invention comprises a base portion with a plurality 
of bristles secured in and protruding from the base. A first curved finger 
gripping device extends from a first side of the base away from the 
bristles with a second curved finger gripping device extending from a 
second side of the base away from the bristles. Friction enhancing devices 
are formed in the interior facing surfaces of the first and second finger 
gripping device. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a combination 
absorbent applicator, wipe for teeth and oral applicator that will 
overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
Another object is to provide a combination absorbent applicator, wipe for 
teeth and oral applicator, comprised of a soft latex sheath with an 
abrasive absorbent material pad thereon, worn on a finger of a person, so 
that the abrasive absorbent material pad can be applied to the teeth, 
gums, tongue and lips for cleaning and treatment. 
An additional object is to provide a combination absorbent applicator, wipe 
for teeth and oral applicator, that is enclosed in a compact portable 
package, which contains a single supply of toothpaste or medicated gel, 
dental floss and a toothpick, to be conveniently placed into a wallet, 
pocket or purse. 
A further object is to provide a combination absorbent applicator, wipe for 
teeth and oral applicator that is simple and easy to use. 
A still further object is to provide a combination absorbent applicator, 
wipe for teeth and oral applicator that is economical in cost to 
manufacture. 
Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may 
be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, 
attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are 
illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific 
construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended 
claims.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently 
throughout the attached drawings. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference 
characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 
through 9 illustrate a combination absorbent applicator, wipe for teeth 
and oral applicator 12, comprising a sheath 14 having a closed distal end 
16 and an open proximal end 18 for receipt of a fingertip or finger 20. An 
abrasive absorbent material pad 22 is on an exterior surface 24 of the 
sheath 14 adjacent the closed distal end 16. The abrasive absorbent 
material pad 22 can be applied to teeth 26, gums 28, tongue 30 and lips 
32, for cleaning and treatment thereof. 
The sheath 14 is fabricated out of soft latex biodegradable material 34. 
The abrasive absorbent material pad 22 can be secured to the exterior 
surface 24 of the sheath 14, adjacent the closed distal end 16. The 
abrasive absorbent material pad 22 can also be integral with the exterior 
surface 24 of the sheath 14, adjacent the closed distal end 16. 
FIGS. 1 through 4 show a compact portable package 36, to enclose the sheath 
14 with the abrasive absorbent material pad 22 therein in a sanitary 
manner. The package 36 can be conveniently placed into a wallet 38, as in 
FIG. 1, and any other article, transported from place to place and then 
opened, to allow the sheath 14 with the abrasive absorbent material pad 22 
to be removed from the package 36 and used. 
The compact portable package 36 includes a pair of transparent plastic 
sheets 40, placed one upon another. A heat seal seam 42 is about the 
perimeter of the sheets 40, so as to form a compartment 44 to retain the 
sheath 14 with the abrasive absorbent material pad 22 therein. 
The compact portable package 36 further contains a piece of dental floss 46 
placed within the compartment retaining the sheath 14 with the abrasive 
absorbent material pad 22. When the piece of dental floss 46 is removed 
from the compartment 44, it can be used to clean between the teeth 26. 
The sheets 40 have an additional heat seal seam 48 between opposite side 
edges thereof, so as to form two compartments 44 and 50. The first 
compartment 44 will retain the sheath 14 with the abrasive absorbent 
material pad 22 and the piece of dental floss 46 therein. A single supply 
of toothpaste or medicated gel 52 is placed within the second compartment 
50. When the single supply of toothpaste or medicated gel 52 is removed 
from the second compartment 50, it can be placed upon the abrasive 
absorbent material pad 22 and used. 
A second compact portable package 54, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, consists of 
the sheets 40 having two spaced apart additional heat seal seams 56 
between opposite sides thereof, so as to form three compartments 58, 60 
and 62. The first compartment 58 will retain the sheath 14 with the 
abrasive absorbent material pad 22 therein. A piece of dental floss 46 is 
placed within the first compartment 60. When the piece of dental floss 46 
is removed from the first compartment 60, it can be used to clean between 
the teeth 26. A toothpick 63 is placed within the second compartment 60. 
When the toothpick 63 is removed from the second compartment 60, it can be 
used to pick food particles from between the teeth 26. A single supply of 
toothpaste or medicated gel 52 is placed within the third compartment 62. 
When the single supply of toothpaste or medicated gel 52 is removed from 
the third compartment 62, it can be placed upon the abrasive absorbent 
material pad 52 and used. 
A third compact portable package 64, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, consists of 
the sheets 40 having three spaced apart additional heat seal seams 65 
between opposite sides thereof, so as to form four compartments 66, 68, 70 
and 72. The first compartment 66 will retain the sheath 14 with the 
abrasive absorbent material pad 22 therein. A piece of dental floss 46 is 
placed within the second compartment 68. When the piece of dental floss 46 
is removed from the second compartment 68, it can be used to clean between 
the teeth 26. A toothpick 63 is placed within the third compartment 70. 
When the toothpick 70 is removed from the third compartment 70, it can be 
used to pick food particles from between the teeth 26. A single supply of 
toothpaste or medicated gel 52 is placed with the fourth compartment 72. 
When the single supply of toothpaste or medicated gel is removed from the 
fourth compartment 72, it can be placed upon the abrasive absorbent 
material pad 22 and used. 
The major use of applicator 12 is a wipe for sensitive teeth 26 instead of 
using a toothbrush. The applicator 12 can also be used for cleaning the 
teeth 26, as shown in FIG. 6 and to apply medication for denture sores and 
canker sores on the lips 32, gums 28 and tongue 30, as shown in FIG 6A. 
The applicator 12 is used one time and then disposed of, so as to maintain 
sanitary conditions in and about the mouth. 
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
12 combination absorbent applicator, wipe for teeth 
14 sheath 
16 closed distal end of 12 
18 open proximal end of 12 
20 fingertip or finger 
22 abrasive absorbent material pad at 14 
24 exterior surface of 14 
26 teeth 
28 gums 
30 tongue 
32 lips 
34 soft latex biodegradable material for 14 
36 first compact portable package 
38 wallet 
40 transparent plastic sheet 
42 heat seal seam in 36 
44 first compartment in 36 
46 piece of dental floss 
48 additional heat seal seam in 36 
50 second compartment in 36 
52 single supply of toothpaste or medicated gel 
54 second compact portable package 
56 additional heat seal seam in 54 
58 first compartment in 54 
60 second compartment in 54 
62 third compartment in 54 
63 toothpick 
64 third compact portable package 
65 additional heat seal seam in 64 
66 first compartment in 64 
68 second compartment in 64 
70 third compartment in 64 
72 fourth compartment in 64 
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or 
more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods 
differing from the type described above. 
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and 
described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to 
be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various 
omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and 
details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by 
those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of 
the present invention. 
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of 
the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, 
readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, 
from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential 
characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.