Patent Publication Number: US-2007113363-A1

Title: Disposable tooth cleaning device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      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&#39;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&#39;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.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      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&#39;s finger and thumb to apply the toothbrush to one&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      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:  
       FIG. 1  is a side perspective of one embodiment of a disposable toothbrush constructed in accordance with the present invention and illustrating its use with one form of application member;  
       FIG. 2  is a side perspective of the disposable toothbrush embodiment of  FIG. 1  and illustrating its use with a finger as an application member;  
       FIG. 3  is a side perspective of the disposable toothbrush embodiment of  FIG. 2  mounted on a finger as an application member;  
       FIG. 4  is a side perspective of an alternate embodiment of a disposable toothbrush constructed in accordance with the present invention and illustrating its use with one form of application member;  
       FIG. 5  is a side perspective of the disposable toothbrush embodiment of  FIG. 4  mounted on the illustrated application member;  
       FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of yet another embodiment of a disposable toothbrush constructed in accordance with the present invention and illustrating its position mounted on the hand of a user;  
       FIG. 7  is a side perspective of the disposable toothbrush embodiment of  FIG. 6  in an unmounted position;  
       FIG. 8  is a rear view of the disposable toothbrush embodiment of  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of yet another disposable toothbrush embodiment constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of the disposable toothbrush embodiment of  FIG. 9  and illustrating its position mounted on the hand of a user;  
       FIG. 11  is a side perspective of another disposasble toothbrush member embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 4  but illustrating an application member adapted to simultaneously function as a tongue scraper cleaning device; and  
       FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 11 .  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1-5 , a first embodiment of a disposable toothbrush  10  is illustrated. In this embodiment, the toothbrush  10  includes a support element  12  having a first or outer surface  14  and a second or inner surface  16 . The support element  12  includes a front or closed end portion  18  and an open end portion  20  opposite the front end portion  18 . The open end portion  20  forms an interior receptacle or cavity  22  that extends along a portion of the length of the support element  12  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , or alternatively along the entire length of the support element  12 ′ as illustrated in  FIGS. 4-5 .  
      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  FIGS. 4-5  preferably includes a receptacle cavity  22  that extends the entire length of the support element  12 . This arrangement provides a greater length for the applicator element  30  to be positioned within the support element  12 ′ for greater leverage when brushing the teeth. It also allows for direct application of pressure through the bristles  26  to teeth by the applicator element  30 . In one modification of this embodiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 11-12 , the applicator element  30 ′ may have a dual function. It includes a stick-like front portion  32 ′, similar to that of the previous embodiment, for insertion into a support element  12 ′. It also includes a rear portion  31  having a flat surface  33  and a thin edge  35 . The rear portion  31  is preferably in the form of a flat arcuate or curved blade element useful for scraping the surface of a tongue to clean an individual&#39;s tongue while also cleaning their teeth. The thin edge  35  is drawn across the tongue surface to effect the tongue scraping and cleaning action.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 6-8 , another embodiment of the invention is illustrated herein. In this embodiment, the device  10 ′ includes a support element in the form of a sleeve  38 . The sleeve  38  includes outer and inner surfaces  40 ,  42 , respectively, and is formed into a pair of elongated members  44 ,  46 , each of which has a closed distal end portion  48 ,  50 , respectively. The elongated members  44 ,  46  join together to form a single open end portion  52  at the end opposite the distal end portions  48 ,  50 . Each distal end portion  48 ,  50  carries a patch of bristles  54 ,  56 , respectively, on the outer surface  40  thereof. The bristle patches  54 ,  56  are preferably arranged opposite each other on their respective end portions  48 ,  50 .  
      The elongated members  44 ,  46  are sized and shaped to permit a person to insert their index finger and thumb therein as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In this manner, the bristle patches  54 ,  56  are arranged to be positioned on the inner end pads of the finger and thumb. As in the prior embodiments, a tooth powder or paste is disposed and impregnated into the bristle patches  54 ,  56 . An attachment mechanism in the form of gripping elements  28  is disposed along the interior surface  42  of each elongated member  44 ,  46  and function in the same manner as the gripping elements  28  of the previous embodiments, i.e. to assist in maintaining the device  10 ′ in position on the applicator member which in this embodiment is in the form of a person&#39;s index finger and thumb. In this manner, the individual wearing the device  10 ′ may easily reach all areas of their teeth in their mouth without having to twist and convolute their hand as in the prior art devices having only a single sheath carried on one finger.  
      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  FIGS. 9-10 , an alternate form of the above embodiment of  FIGS. 6-8  is illustrated. In this embodiment, the device  10 ″ is in the form of a pair of pads  60 . Each pad  60  includes a support element  62  sized and shaped to cover the finger or thumb pad of a person using the device. The support element  62  includes an outer surface  64  which carries a bristle patch  66  thereon. As in the prior embodiments, the bristle patch  66  includes is impregnated with a tooth powder or paste. The pad  62  also includes an inner surface  68  which carries an attachment mechanism preferably in the form of a tacky layer  70 . The tacky layer  70  is designed to enable a person to removably adhere the inner surface  68  to their index finger and thumb and temporarily retain them in position during use of the device  10 ″. Once the pair of pads  62  are in position on the individual&#39;s finger and thumb, the person utilizes the device  10 ″ in a manner similar to that of the device  10 ′ of the  FIGS. 6-8  embodiment:  
      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&#39;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.