PATENT ABSTRACT
A dental device including a handle and a channel. An applicator positioned within the handle via the channel, the channel including ribs and bulges that secure the applicator into a number of different positions and/or lengths.

PATENT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to a dental device for application and removal of various materials and solutions to teeth and gums. More specifically, this invention relates to a dental device including a handle and an applicator positionable within the handle via a half-exposed channel, the channel including ribs and bulges that secure the applicator into a number of different positions and/or lengths. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Handle instruments are generally used in dentistry to facilitate application and removal of various materials and solutions. 
         [0005]    Conventional handle instruments can be classified into two categories, single-piece handles and interchangeable handles. Single piece handles are non-adjustable and include an integrally formed applicator. Interchangeable handles include an opening that is designed to accept another piece, generally an applicator tip. 
         [0006]    These conventional handle instruments each have various short comings. Single-piece non-adjustable handles are limited to a single type of applicator and cannot vary in length. While conventional interchangeable handles are limited to the design of their exclusive accessories. Conventional interchangeable handles have a fixed indentation that accepts an applicator to a set position and depth that cannot be altered, limiting the usefulness of the handle. 
         [0007]    In view of the above statements, there is a need for a dental device which can accept standard applicator tips in various positions, allowing for length adjustments providing greater accessibility and ease of use for a dentist. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a dental device that accepts a variety of applicators and allows for length adjustments. 
         [0009]    According to one embodiment of this invention, the dental device includes an elongated handle, an opening extending into a channel in the elongated handle. Formed into a wall of the channel is at least one of a rib and/or a bulge. In a preferred embodiment, the rib comprises a pair of ribs that each extend in a plane from opposing walls of the channel. The bulge comprises at least two bulges that extend from opposing walls in an alternating staggered pattern. Preferably, the pair of ribs are positioned closer to the opening than the bulges. 
         [0010]    An applicator can be positioned within the channel in a friction fit with at least one of the opening, the wall, the rib, the bulge and/or the channel. The applicator includes a body and a tip portion. The body is preferably a cylindrical body but can be any shape that can fit within the channel and form the friction fit. The tip portion can be of any shape necessary for a dental procedure but generally includes a tapered portion and a point that is frocked with bristles. 
         [0011]    To use the handle, a dentist inserts an appropriate applicator for a dental procedure in the channel. The dentist inserts the applicator to an appropriate depth for the procedure while the ribs and bulges securely hold the applicator at this appropriate depth. 
         [0012]    Other objects and advantages of this invention are apparent to those skilled in the art, in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended claims and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a dental tool, according to one embodiment of this invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the dental tool shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the dental tool shown in  FIG. 1  with an applicator; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the dental tool shown in  FIG. 1  with a second applicator; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the dental tool shown in  FIG. 1  with a third applicator. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the present invention provides dental device  10  that includes elongated handle  12 , elongated handle  12  including first end  14  and an opposite second end  16 . Elongated handle  12  preferably includes contoured grip  18 . Dental device  10  is preferably formed in a unitary molded body, for instance, with an injection molded plastic construction. Dental device  10  may be formed of any other suitable material that is generally flexible, sterile, non-toxic and/or preferably inexpensive so as to promote disposability. Dental device  10  is preferably formed of a material that can be autoclaved and reused multiple times. 
         [0019]    Dental tool  20  can be connected to elongated handle  12  at first end  14 . Dental tool  20  is preferably formed with elongated handle  12  into a unitary molded body. Dental tool  20  may include a proximate end connects with first end  14  and a tapered portion to a distal end. At the distal end, dental tool  20  may include an instrument useful for a dental procedure including for example, but not limited to, a pick, a scrapper, a spatula, a mirror, a probe and a hook. 
         [0020]    Opening  22  is formed in second end  16  and extends coaxial with elongated handle  12  to form channel  24 . Channel  24  can be of any shape including, but not limited to, a cylinder or a square-shaped channel. In a preferred embodiment, channel  24  includes first wall  26  and second wall  28 . First wall  26  and second wall  28  are generally opposing sides of channel  24 . First wall  26  and second wall  28  can have well defined areas, such as opposing sides of a square-shaped channel. Alternatively, first wall  26  and second wall  28  can have less well defined areas, such as opposing arcs of a cylindrically-shaped channel. 
         [0021]    Rib  30  can be formed on first wall  26  and/or second wall  28 . Rib  30  is generally flat and rectangular shaped extending generally at a right angle to first wall  26  and/or second wall  28 . Alternatively, rib  30  can be of any shape and/or extend at any angle from the first wall  26  and/or second wall  28  in order to form a friction fit with applicator  40 . In one embodiment, first wall  26  and second wall  28  include a plurality of ribs  30 . In a preferred embodiment, a first rib extends from first wall  26  and a second rib extends from second wall  28  and the first rib is co-planar with the second rib. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 , four ribs extend from each of first wall  26  and second wall  28  such that each rib is positioned in a plane with another rib on the opposing wall  26 ,  28 . 
         [0022]    Bulge  32  can be formed on first wall  26  and/or second wall  28 . In one embodiment, first wall  26  and second wall  28  include a plurality of bulges  32 . Bulge  32  is a section of a cylinder with a curved section of the cylinder extending from one of first wall  26  or second wall  28 . Alternatively, bulge  32  can be of any shape in order to form a friction fit with applicator  40 . In a preferred embodiment, a first bulge extends from first wall  26  and a second bulge extends from second wall  28 . The first bulge offset from the second bulge. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , dental tool  20  includes four bulges  32 , two bulges  32  on each wall, in an alternating staggered pattern. 
         [0023]    Generally, rib  30  is smaller in size relative to bulge  32  and rib  30  is positioned closer to second end  16  than bulge  32 . Alternatively, rib  30  can be larger than bulge  32  and/or bulge  32  could be positioned closer to second end  16  than rib  30 . 
         [0024]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 , channel  24  is exposed along a portion of a length of handle  12  forming slot  34 . Slot  34  provides a view of the position of applicator  40  within channel  24 . Slot  34  also eases the placement of applicator  40  into channel  24  by allowing air pressure to be released. Without slot  34  the friction fit of applicator  40  could prevent air from escaping out of opening  22 , hindering placement of applicator  40 . Alternatively, dental device  10  can be designed without slot  34 . 
         [0025]    Dental device  10  of this invention accepts applicator  40  in opening  22  and into channel  24 . In general, applicators are used to apply a dental composition to a tooth surface or region. Applicator  40  includes body  42  that fits into opening  22  and channel  24  and forms a friction fit with at least one of opening  22 , first wall  26 , second wall  28 , rib  30  and/or bulge  32 . In  FIG. 3 , body  42  consists of a cylindrical shape. However, body  42  could be of any shape including, but not limited to, a square or a triangular shape that can form a friction fit as described above. 
         [0026]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , applicator  40  includes tip portion  44 , which tapers from body  42  to point  46 . Tip portion  44  is preferably frocked with a plurality of bristles  48 . Preferably, applicator  40  is pliable to permit tip portion  20  to be bent in a desired position or configuration as necessary for various dental procedures. 
         [0027]    In one preferred embodiment of this invention, at least one weakened portion  50  can be formed in applicator  40  and located within an area of tip portion  20 . According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, weakened portion  50  comprises a reduced a diameter shoulder. Alternatively, weakened portion  50  may comprise some other structure or treatment to applicator  40  that permits tip portion  44  to be bent in a desired position or configuration. 
         [0028]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , applicator  60  includes tip portion  64 , connected to body  62 , tip portion  64  further including brush head  66  and bristles  68 . Preferably, applicator  60  is pliable to permit tip portion  64  to be bent in a desired position or configuration as necessary for various dental procedures, tip portion  64  can also include a weakened portion to ease bending of applicator  60 . 
         [0029]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , applicator  70  can comprise a device as taught by U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/181,148, filed on 27 Jul. 2007. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/181,148 is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and is made a part hereof, including but not limited to those portions which specifically appear hereinafter. Applicator  70  includes body  72  and access handle  73  that is preferably formed at a distal end of body  72 . Access handle includes tip portion  74  preferably tapers to point  76 . Tip portion  76  is further preferably flocked with a plurality of bristles  78 . 
         [0030]    According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, tip portion  76  is freely pliable into a desired configuration. 
         [0031]    In one preferred embodiment of this invention, at least one weakened portion  80  can be formed in access handle  73 . Weakened portion  80  permits a user to bend or to snap off access handle  73  from body  72 . Weakened portion  80  preferably comprises a reduced diameter shoulder formed between body  72  and access handle  73 . Weakened portion  80  may alternatively comprise some other structure or treatment to applicator  70  that permits a clean break between body  72  and access handle  73 . 
         [0032]    The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element, part, step, component, or ingredient which is not specifically disclosed herein. 
         [0033]    While in the foregoing detailed description this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.