Abstract:
A disposable device for cleaning teeth which incorporates cleaning and/or fluoride components is disclosed. An open compartment defines an elongated volume and an elongated opening extending around the periphery of the top of the volume. A flange is disposed adjacent to the periphery of the top of the volume. The flange is integral with the compartment. This compartment is configured to be substantially flat. A closure member is disposed over the flange. This closure member is secured around the entire periphery of the top of the volume. The closure member may be removed when it is so desired. The compartment can be sealed. The tubular member is contained in the compartment. A quantity of toothpaste is disposed in the compartment.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a disposable device for cleaning teeth which incorporates cleaning and/or fluoride and/or other components. 
       CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Brushing of the teeth on a regular basis is critical to maintenance of good dental health. Tooth decay occurs when food material, for example, and especially, sugary food material, resides in the mouth for a period of time, acting as a culture medium and food for bacteria. If the food is positioned adjacent to a tooth, the culturing bacteria will tend to cause tooth decay. The problem is particularly serious when such culturing of the bacteria occurs for an extended period of time, for example about 36 hours. Sweet foods, such as cookies, cake and the like, if not properly removed from the teeth, are particularly quick to grow bacteria and if not promptly removed from the mouth, will evolve into a serious decay-promoting condition relatively quickly. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, it is important that the materials be properly removed from the mouth. However, as a practical matter, few people have the opportunity to brush their teeth during the day, or while on the move. Moreover, even if brushing is done, it does not remove particles of food lodged between the teeth. Accordingly, flossing, typically on a daily basis, is required. However, here again, few people move about their chores during the day with a toothbrush and floss on their person. When people are traveling, the situation is compounded. 
         [0006]    Moreover, in recent years, travel has become increasingly common in the United States and throughout the world. When traveling, individuals require personal health items, such as toothpaste, shampoo, conditioners and so forth. Many hotels provide such items to their guests, typically placing them in guest rooms. Typically, while not often furnished, toothbrushing devices may comprise an inexpensive toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste to be used by the traveler. Alternatively, many travelers bring their own toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste which may commonly be found in a small travel size package. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with the invention, a disposable toothbrush is provided which makes the provision of a separate toothpaste containing package unnecessary. The same is achieved using an open compartment that defines an elongated volume and an elongated opening extending around the periphery of the top of the volume. A flange is disposed adjacent to the periphery of the top of the volume. The flange is integral with the compartment. This compartment is configured to be substantially flat. A closure member is disposed over the flange. This closure member is secured around the entire periphery of the top of the volume. The compartment is thus sealed. A finger mountable, for example tubular, member may be contained in the compartment. The closure member may be removed when desired. A quantity of toothpaste is disposed of in the compartment. 
         [0008]    The flange may be substantially planar in configuration. 
         [0009]    The compartment may be comprised of a bottom and sidewalls. 
         [0010]    The toothpaste may be deposited on the tubular member. 
         [0011]    The tubular member may have a surface which is uneven. 
         [0012]    The open compartment may have an additional tooth-pick sub-compartment. 
         [0013]    The open compartment may have an additional brush sub-compartment. 
         [0014]    The open compartment may have an additional floss-pick compartment. 
         [0015]    There may be an additional separate reservoir where toothpaste is contained. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The operation of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the toothbrushing kit of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the toothbrushing kit of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a front plan view of the toothbrushing kit of the invention showing the opening of the kit; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a prospective view from the bottom of the toothbrushing kit of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the of the toothbrushing kit of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a prospective view of a brush that is useful in the kiy of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the brush of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the brush of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the toothbrushing kit of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the toothbrushing kit of the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the toothbrushing kit of the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is another alternative embodiment of a toothbrush useful in the inventive toothbrushing kit and incorporating ridges; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a view of a single-compartment alternative version of the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a view of an alternative toothbrushing kit incorporating a tooth-pick compartment according to the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a view of an alternative toothbrushing kit incorporating a brush compartment according to the invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a view of an alternative toothbrushing kit incorporating a floss compartment according to the invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of another alternative brush useful in the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of yet another alternative brush useful in the invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of still another alternative brush in the invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of yet still another alternative brush in the invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 21  is yet still another alternative embodiment of a brush useful with the invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the brush of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 23  is an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the toothpaste is contained in a separate reservoir; 
           [0040]      FIG. 24  is a view similar to  FIG. 16 , but with improved floss-pick; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 25  is a view of the floss-pick of  FIG. 24  in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the inventive kit  10  comprises a tray  12 . Tray  12  is integral with a flange  14 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . A foil  16  is disposed over the top surface  18  of flange  14 . The bottom surface  20  of foil  16  is secured to the top surface  22  of flange  14  by contact adhesive (such as a self adhesive material), heat sealing, or any other suitable means. Such seal is conducted over, for example, the entire area of top surface  22 , except for portion  24  which is defined by an interface boundary  26 , between that portion of flange  14  which is adhered to foil  16  and that portion of flange  14  which is not adhered to foil  16 . ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0043]    This ensures that while the contents of tray  12  are hermetically sealed from the atmosphere by foil  16 , a corner  28  may be pried upwardly in the direction of the arrow  30 , thus allowing the entire foil  16  to be peeled upwardly as illustrated in  FIG. 3  and then removed entirely leaving tray  12  with its contents behind. Foil  16  may be metallic, or it may be a simple plastic film. Foil  16  may also be a metallized plastic film, such as Mylar (trademark). 
         [0044]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , tray  12  includes a pair of compartments  32  and  34  which house brushes  36  and  38 . Compartments  32  and  34  are elongated, as illustrated most clearly in  FIG. 5 . Compartments  32  and  34  are of conventional construction, similar to those used for packaging butter, jelly, honey and other disposable items. Brushes  36  and  38  have inner diameters  40 , which are sufficiently large to receive the index finger of a user. See  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0045]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment, brushes  36  and  38  are, for example, circular in cross-section, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 . However, when brushes  36  and  38  are inserted into compartments  32 , they are compressed into an oval shape, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0046]    While, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, both brushes are of substantially equal diameter, alternatively, one may be large enough to receive the index finger and the other one may be large enough to receive the middle finger, if it is desired to have a kit in which it is possible to use two fingers simultaneously to cleanse the teeth. Alternatively, the brushes may be used one at a time, and be of, for example, identical dimension. 
         [0047]    When it is desired to use the inventive brushes, foil  16  or the alternative plastic film is pulled of by grasping and pulling corner  28 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Foil  16  is pulled by the user until it is detached from tray  12 , and may be discarded as the inventive system contemplates a single use. Cover  16  is used to seal the tray because the cleaner material, which adheres to or is impregnated in brushes  36  and  38 , will become dried out and less effective and pleasant to use without a cover. 
         [0048]    One then inserts the index and middle finger into the brushes and applies the toothpaste to the teeth with a forward up and down and/or with forward and rearward motion to scrub the teeth. A wide variety of motions may be used, for example, elliptical or circular scrubbing. 
         [0049]    While it is not necessary to do so, it is useful for the user to rinse out the mouth prior to beginning the brushing operation. This has two effects. First, it removes excess material from the mouth, thus reducing the volume of material which must be dealt with by the inventive brushes. This is particularly important, because the brushes have a relatively shallow brushing volume which can become fouled easily if excessive material remains. 
         [0050]    The second advantage of such rinsing with water is that spreading of the toothpaste is promoted and the comfort associated with the same is achieved. In addition, if the mouth has been rinsed with water, a more concentrated toothpaste may be used, thus increasing the amount of active ingredient which may be effectively adhered to the brushes. Use of gel or some gel concentrated toothpaste is contemplated in accordance with the invention. 
         [0051]    While up-and-down motion will also work to effectively clean the teeth, brushing and scrubbing motion should be directed away from the gum line to avoid driving particulate matter into the region between the face of the teeth and the edge of the gums, where such material will tend to culture bacteria which cause dental caries. 
         [0052]    In accordance with the preferred embodiment, scrubbers  36  and  38  may comprise any suitable material such as an open cell or closed cell foam plastic material, although open cell foam plastic materials, such as sponge-like materials with relatively small open pockets are preferred. The scrubbers are contained in tray  12  together with typical constituents of toothpaste formulas. In accordance with the invention, these may include fluorides, whiteners, mouthwash, antiseptics, plaque remover, mildly abrasive polishing compounds, baking soda, peroxide, anti-cavity agents, and so forth. These materials may be incorporated by being mixed into the general toothpaste formula. Alternatively, they may be present in discrete patches, microcapsules, or in some other form. 
         [0053]    In accordance with the invention, because the housing is hermetically sealed, the toothpaste formula in the housing remains fresh until it is used. 
         [0054]    In accordance with the invention, toothpaste may be deposited on the top-exposed side of each brush or scrubbers  36  and  38 , or, alternatively, may be deposited all around the brush. The pores in the sponge-like material of the brush, may be made sufficiently large to accommodate secure location of toothpaste on the brush. In accordance with the invention, toothpaste is maintained in a moist, pasty state, not unlike conventional toothpaste in a tube, on account of the hermetic seal which isolates the contents of the housing from the outside atmosphere. The result is that the toothpaste has sufficient adhesion to stay in place on the brush as it is removed from the housing and as the brush is handled by the user. 
         [0055]    In accordance with the invention, the brush may take the configuration of a cylindrical tube with two open ends. Alternatively, one of the ends of the tube may be closed. 
         [0056]    If a simple tube with two open ends is desired, foam tubing may be cut, for example, by feeding it onto a metallic rod with a domed end, after which the tube is cut, leaving a brush mounted on the rod for subsequent transport and, for example, rotation in front of a spray applicator of toothpaste. After such application the tubular toothbrush may be set into a housing for subsequent sealing and use by a consumer. 
         [0057]    Alternatively, if either of the brushes has a cylindrical configuration which is closed at one end, the brush may be formed by depositing plastic material in the melt state on a metal rod with a domed end, for example, by dipping the metal rod in the melted plastic, and allowing the plastic which forms the brush scrubber to cure for subsequent removal and subsequent processing. 
         [0058]    In the event that one desires that the toothpaste be on only the exposed side of the brush, the toothpaste may be applied after the brushes are positioned in the housing prior to closure of the housing by foil  16 . Conversely, in the event that it is desired that toothpaste be located around the entire cylindrical sidewall of the brush, toothpaste may be applied by any suitable mechanism, such as being sprayed on the tubes prior to placement into tray  12 . 
         [0059]    In the alternative embodiments of this specification, these embodiments have been numbered with reference numbers which are multiples of 100 higher than the numbers of corresponding or analogous parts of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , where practical, for purposes of clarity of illustration. 
         [0060]    In a accordance with the preferred embodiment, brushes  36  and  38  are cylindrical in cross-section, allowing them to be compressed, perhaps flat or oval-shaped as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , thus reducing the overall volume of the kits, while allowing the brushes to expand after the tray has been opened. If desired, the compartments may be made shallower and the brushes may be compressed into the compartments, so that when brushes  136  and  138  are compressed into compartments  132 , they are substantially flat, as illustrated  FIG. 10 . 
         [0061]    One alternative is for toothpaste  46  to be deposited in the bottom of compartments  32  and  34 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0062]    Another alternative is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . In this case, the brushes  238  include a plurality of annular grooves  242 . 
         [0063]    Still another alternative is illustrated in  FIG. 13 , where brushing kit  310  comprises a single compartment  332 . 
         [0064]    In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 14 , a brushing kit  410  comprises a tray  412  with a compartment for a toothpick  444 . The tray  412  is illustrated with the plastic or foil cover removed. 
         [0065]    In accordance the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 15 , a brushing kit  510  comprises a tray  512  with a compartment for a brushpick  548 . 
         [0066]    Yet another alternative is illustrated in  FIG. 16 , where a brushing kit  610  comprises a tray  612  with a compartment for a floss-pick  650 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 17  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a brush or scrubber  736  useful in the kit of the present invention in which brush bristle fibers  752  are incorporated into the foam plastic, which forms brush  736 . The position of the finger  740  of the user during a brushing operation is illustrated. 
         [0068]      FIG. 18  illustrates the brush of  FIG. 17 , but in which a quantity of toothpaste  746  is adhered to the outside of brush  736 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 19  is similar to the brush illustrated in  FIG. 18 , except that brush  836  has a closed end  854 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 20  shows a brush  936  similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 19  except that it includes a layer of lubricant  956  to promote insertion of the finger into the brush  936 . 
         [0071]      FIGS. 21-22  show yet another embodiment of the invention in which the brush has a closed end and is wound onto itself to form a substantially flat brush  1036 . Brush  1036  may be unrolled and mounted on the finger by placing the fingertip against inner end  1058  and unrolling the same until it is positioned as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 19 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 23  shows yet another alternative embodiment of the invention in which a toothbrushing kit  1110  contains toothpaste  1146  in a separate reservoir  1151 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 24  illustrates another alternative embodiment of the inventive kit  1210  similar to that of  FIG. 16 , except that floss-pick  1250  includes a hook  1260  for cleaning the space  1261  between the inside faces of teeth  1262  as illustrated in  FIG. 25 . 
         [0074]    While an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described, and several alternatives given in the above description, it is understood that some modifications of the same will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is meant to encompass such obvious modifications and is limited and defined only by the appended claims.