IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE APPARATUS AND MATERIALS FOR CLEANING THE TEETH
Year: 1857

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Frederick Wieland at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd April 1857.
I, JOHN FREDERICK WIELAND, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE APPARATUS AND MATERIALS FOR CLEANING THE
TEETH," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to the so constructing and arranging tooth brushes
or cleansing apparatus for the mouth that extreme portability may be secured
in such articles, and to a novel and improved tooth powder or cleansing
composition.
Under one modification of this improved apparatus, it takes the form of a
short cylindrical tubular case or holder, of ivory, bone, or other material,
externally resembling the cylindrical cases of portable shaving or lather
brushes. This case is solid or closed up, immoveable at one end, whilst the
other end has a deep head cap screwed upon it. When this head cap is screwed
off it discloses the actual tooth brush contained within it. This brush is of
the ordinary construction, except that the handle is very short, projecting but
a short distance beyond the brush head, this short handle being formed with
a screwed end. As this brush lays in the case its screwed handle ends euters
into a small recess in the inner face of the solid end of the case, so as to
economise length. When removed from its case for use the end of the short

page_text: for use.
brush handle is screwed into a tapped hole at one side of the solid end piece,
a stop being so contrived that when screwed in in this way the bristles or
brushing surface shall always turn outwards clear of the line of the holding
case, which is now the thick portion of the handle. The brush is now complete
If two brushes are required for one case, then they are reversed as
regards their positions in the case, the short handle of one being opposite to
the bristles of the other, so as to pack well and save room. The second brush
may be of the curved kind, and to add to the convenience of its use it may
be screwed into the solid end of the case somewhat out of line with the axis
of the case.
The deep head cap of the case is so made that it answers as
the receptacle for a supply of toothed powder, being in two pieces, screwed
one to the other, with the cavity for the powder between them.
According to another modification of the apparatus, the case is of thin
metal, of rectangular transverse section. Onc.end of this is solid, whilst the
other is removeable, and slides on and off longitudinally, being held in its
place either by stiff friction or by a detent catch. One or more brushes may
be contained in this case, their short handles being thin and wide, and notched
on one side for a spring detent catch in the solid end of the case to enter
into when the brushes are put up for use. A shallow space is formed along
one side of the case, being provided with a long flanged cover, so as to hold
the supply of tooth powder. Where considerable quantities of tooth powder
are to be carried about for use, or when it is necessary to keep the powder
well closed up from the air, it is kept in a wide cylindrical glass bottle or
jar. This bottle has a small shoulder formed upon its upper edge, upon
which a thin metal lid or cover with a short flange or turned-up rim fits
when the bottle is closed. This lid has an annular fitting piece of cork upon
its inner face to bear hard down upon the edge of the bottle. This arrange-
ment preserves the tooth powder fresh and good, whilst the bottle has a neat
appearance, owing to the edge of the cover being flush with the exterior of
the bottle. The tooth powder is composed of Peruvian bark and orris root,
with a portion of quinine, a mixture of which is a most effectual cleanser
and sweetener. With apparatus of this kind the traveller can always render
himself independent of circumstances, for he can always have a complete
apparatus with him when absent from home, whilst it does not encumber
him with objectionable bulk.