U.S. patent application number 09/801357 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-04 for finger toothbrush.
Invention is credited to Tanaka, Yoshikazu, Tsuji, Tomoko.
Application Number | 20010025644 09/801357 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18582394 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010025644 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsuji, Tomoko ; et
al. |
October 4, 2001 |
Finger toothbrush
Abstract
The inventions concern a finger toothbrush including a finger
sack portion having a friction surface at least on one outer side
thereof, an extension connected to an opening of the finger sack
portion, and a slit/slits or a hole/holes provided in a
substantially intermediate region of the extension, and a finger
toothbrush package unit, wherein a plurality of finger
toothbrushes, the friction surfaces of which are hermetically
sealed, are connected together. The finger toothbrush is
advantageously easy to attach and detach, hygienic, and free from
the danger of being inadvertently swallowed.
Inventors: |
Tsuji, Tomoko; (Kagawa-ken,
JP) ; Tanaka, Yoshikazu; (Kagawa-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PALMER & DODGE, LLP
ONE BEACON STREET
BOSTON
MA
02108-3190
US
|
Family ID: |
18582394 |
Appl. No.: |
09/801357 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/309 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 5/04 20130101; A46B
2200/1066 20130101; A45D 44/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/309 |
International
Class: |
A45D 044/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 7, 2000 |
JP |
062371/2000 |
Claims
1. A finger toothbrush comprising a finger sack portion having a
friction surface at least on one outer side thereof, an extension
connected to an opening of the finger sack portion, and a
slit/slits or a hole/holes provided in a substantially intermediate
region of the extension.
2. A finger toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the slit is
provided perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction
of the extension.
3. A finger toothbrush according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of
slits is arranged in parallel.
4. A finger toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the slit is
provided parallel to the longitudinal direction of the
extension.
5. A finger toothbrush package unit, wherein a plurality of finger
toothbrushes according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the friction
surfaces of which are hermetically sealed, are connected together.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a finger toothbrush which
is attached to a finger when used, and to a finger toothbrush
package unit. More specifically, the present invention relates to a
disposable finger toothbrush which can be easily attached to and
detached from the finger and which is hygienic, and to a package
unit of such finger toothbrushes.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] When brushing one's teeth or massaging the gums to prevent
tooth decay, pyorrhea or the like, a bar-shaped toothbrush having a
bar-shaped handle portion and a brush portion is usually used.
However, when using an ordinary bar-shaped toothbrush, the gums
might be damaged or remain partly un-brushed. To prevent these,
there has been provided a finger toothbrush which is attached to a
finger for use. Further, for those for whom it is difficult to use
a bar-shaped finger toothbrush, such as infants, the aged, or
physically handicapped persons, the finger toothbrush, which can be
attached to a finger to make it possible to brush one's teeth with
the finger, is highly useful.
[0003] A conventionally known example of the finger toothbrush is
composed of a flexible sleeve and brush provided on one side of the
sleeve (Japanese Patent Publication No.1970-3709, see FIG. 1) This
conventional toothbrush is easily detached from the finger and
might be inadvertently swallowed.
[0004] In view of this, there has been provided a finger toothbrush
which is free from the danger of inadvertent swallowing. The finger
toothbrush is produced by stacking together two sheets of non-woven
fabric so as to form a sack, and one of the non-woven fabric sheets
is extended from the opening of the sack to form a tongue-like
portion, an adhesive member being provided on the inner side of the
tongue-like portion (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No.1994-143,
see FIG. 2). However, this finger toothbrush has a problem in that,
when some water, powder or the like is on the finger, the adhesive
member cannot exhibit its adhesion effect, so that, when attached
to the finger, the toothbrush is easily detached therefrom, or the
sack main body is allowed to rotate when the finger is bent or
stretched. Furthermore, this finger toothbrush has some problem in
that, the liquid like substance coming from the mouth while it is
in use flows downwards along the tongue-like portion, thereby
contaminating the hand or the finger.
[0005] Apart from this, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.1998-503409
discloses a finger-mounted toothbrush comprising a fingerstall-like
cap part which can be placed on a finger, a bristled cleaning
element held on an action surface of the cap part, and a holding
part guided along the inner side of the finger, wherein the holding
part is a resiliently elastic holding shaft, which substantially
extends the interior of the palm of the hand in the mounted state
(See FIG. 3). This finger-mounted toothbrush is designed so as to
be easy to attach and detach and free from undesired rotation or
detachment and so as to be free from inadvertent swallowing.
However, the holding handle must be maintained in the gripped state
while the finger toothbrush is being used, so that this toothbrush
is rather difficult to use, in particular, for infants, the aged,
or physically handicapped persons, who have a weak grip.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been made with a view toward
solving the above problems in the prior art. It is accordingly an
object of the present invention to provide a finger toothbrush
which is easy to use for infants, the aged, and physically
handicapped persons, who have a weak grip and are hardly capable of
gripping things, which is not subject to undesired detachment from
the finger, which can be easily attached and detached, which is
hygienic, and which is free from inadvertent swallowing. Another
object of the present invention is to provide a finger toothbrush
in which it is possible to prevent the finger or the hand from
being contaminated when the toothbrush is attached or detached or
when it is in use.
[0007] After careful investigation, the present inventors have
succeeded in solving the above problems.
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, there are
provided:
[0009] (1) A finger toothbrush comprising a finger sack portion
having a friction surface at least on one outer side thereof, an
extension connected to an opening of the finger sack portion, and a
slit/slits or a hole/holes provided in a substantially intermediate
region of the extension;
[0010] (2) A finger toothbrush according to (1), wherein the slit
is provided perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal
direction of the extension;
[0011] (3) A finger toothbrush according to (2), wherein a
plurality of slits are arranged in parallel;
[0012] (4) A finger toothbrush according to (1), wherein the slit
is provided parallel to the longitudinal direction of the
extension; and
[0013] (5) A finger toothbrush package unit, wherein a plurality of
finger toothbrushes according to any one of (1) to (4), the
friction surfaces of which are hermetically sealed, are connected
together, for example side by side.
[0014] The finger toothbrush of the present invention has an
extension connected to the finger sack portion, and a slit/slits or
a hole/holes provided in the substantially intermediate region of
the extension, whereby it is possible to fasten the finger sack
portion to the finger so as not to come off solely by inserting one
finger of one hand into the finger sack portion, raising and
turning up the drooping end portion of the extension with the
fingers of the other hand to pass the finger through the slit or
the hole, and pushing down the extension. Further, as a result of
this fastening operation, it is possible to prevent liquid dripping
due to the turn-up portion formed at the base of the finger, making
it possible to prevent the finger or the hand from being
contaminated while the toothbrush is in use. Furthermore, since it
is possible to secure the finger sack portion in position due to
the slit or the hole, it is possible to prevent the finger
toothbrush from being detached from the finger, thereby eliminating
the danger of the toothbrush being inadvertently swallowed.
[0015] As for the finger toothbrush package unit of the present
invention, it is compact in size, and the friction surfaces are
hermetically sealed. Thus, it is hygienic and convenient when it is
distributed or stored for sale or when it is kept or carried about
on a trip or the like after the purchase.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional finger
toothbrush;
[0017] FIG. 2 shows another example of a conventional finger
toothbrush;
[0018] FIG. 3 shows still another example of a conventional finger
toothbrush;
[0019] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the finger toothbrush of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the finger toothbrush of
the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the friction surface of the
finger sack portion of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 sequentially shows how the finger toothbrush is
attached to the finger;
[0023] FIG. 8 shows how the finger toothbrush of the present
invention is detached from the finger after use;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the
finger toothbrush package unit of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 10 shows a finger toothbrush package unit according to
the present invention in which finger toothbrushes are connected
together; and
[0026] FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the finger toothbrush
package unit of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0027] The present invention will now be described in detail with
reference to the drawings. The present invention however should not
be limited thereby.
[0028] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the finger toothbrush of the
present invention. FIG. 4(a) is a front view of the obverse side of
a finger toothbrush, FIG. 4(b) is a side view thereof, and FIG.
4(c) is a backside view thereof. A finger sack portion (1) is a
sack-like portion into which a finger of the user, such as the
thumb or the index finger, is to be inserted. A long and narrow
extension (3) is connected to the opening of the finger sack
portion (1), and a slit (2) is provided in a substantially
intermediate region of the extension (3) so as to be perpendicular
to the longitudinal direction of the extension. Further, provided
on one side of the finger sack portion is a friction surface (5)
for brushing the teeth or massaging the gums. The region of the
extension (3) which is near the finger sack portion constitutes a
turn-up portion (4), and the region thereof which is near the
forward end of the extension constitutes a grip portion (6) for
attachment and detachment.
[0029] The dimensions showing in FIG. 4(c) are only given by way of
example. Various dimensions are possible according to use.
[0030] The finger sack portion (1) can be formed by shaping a
single piece of cloth-like material into a ring or by gluing
together two pieces of cloth-like material. The size of the finger
sack portion is determined such that the finger of the user can be
easily inserted into it and that it is not easily detached from the
finger. For an adult, the width of the portion near the forward end
is 20 to 30 mm, and more preferably, 25 to 30 mm, and the width of
the opening is 25 to 50 mm, more preferably, 35 to 45 mm, and most
preferably, approximately 40 mm. When the finger sack portion is
too short, there is too much play between it and the finger, and it
is subject to undesired detachment therefrom. On the other hand,
when the finger sack portion is too long, the finger does not reach
the forward end, making the toothbrush difficult to handle. The
length of the finger sack portion is preferably approximately 40 to
100 mm, and more preferably, approximately 60 to 80 mm.
[0031] The length of the extension (3) is preferably approximately
double the length of the finger sack portion (1). When it is too
short, it cannot cover the friction surface at the time of
attachment and detachment, which is inconvenient. When it is too
long, it results in a deterioration in terms of ease of handling
and compactness in size. For an adult, the length preferably ranges
from 100 to 240 mm, and more preferably, approximately 140 to 200
mm. It is desirable that the width of the extension be
approximately the same as the width of the opening of the finger
sack portion.
[0032] The region of the extension which is near the finger sack
portion constitutes the turn-up portion (4), which forms a turn-up
edge when the finger toothbrush is attached to the finger. Due to
this turn-up edge, it is possible to stop the liquid-like substance
coming from the mouth during brushing, thereby preventing liquid
dripping.
[0033] The length of the turn-up portion varies depending on the
position at which the slit or the hole is provided. It is desirable
that its length as measured from the finger sack portion range is
approximately 50 to 70 mm.
[0034] The region of the extension near the forward end constitutes
the grip portion (6). When the finger toothbrush is attached or
detached to or from the finger, the grip portion is gripped with
the fingers of the other hand to make it possible for the finger
sack portion or the other finger to be inserted into the slit.
[0035] The slit (2) is provided substantially in the intermediate
region of the extension. The length of the slit is preferably
smaller than the width of the opening of the finger sack portion,
and somewhat larger than 1/2 of the circumferential dimension of
the finger. By making the length of the slit smaller than the width
of the opening of the finger sack portion and somewhat larger than
1/2 of the circumferential dimension of the finger, the finger sack
portion is tightened when it is inserted into the slit, thereby
fastening it to the finger. For an adult, the size of the slit is
approximately 20 to 30 mm, and more preferably, approximately 20 to
25 mm.
[0036] The slit may be provided so as to be perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction of the extension, as shown in FIG. 4, or it
may be provided so as to be parallel to the longitudinal direction
of the extension, as shown in FIG. 5(a). Providing the slit so as
to be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the extension
is more advantageous in that the finger sack portion is more easily
secured in position and stabilized. It is also possible to provide
a plurality of slits in parallel, as shown in FIG. 5(b). This
arrangement is more desirable since it makes it possible to select
an appropriate slit for use corresponding to the length of the
finger of the user.
[0037] Instead of the slit, it is also possible, as shown in FIG.
5(c), to provide a hole into which the finger is to be inserted.
The configuration of the hole may be circular, elliptical, square,
or rectangular.
[0038] The friction surface (5) is used to clean the teeth, or to
massage the gums. It is possible for the friction surface to be
only arranged on one side of the finger sack portion or over the
entire periphery thereof. When the friction surface is only
arranged on one side of the finger sack portion, it is usually
arranged on the front side thereof. However, it is also possible to
arrange it on the backside thereof. Further, there is no particular
restriction regarding the configuration of the friction surface
arranged on the finger sack portion. It can be arranged so as to
extend over the entire range of the finger sack portion or to
extend over a portion thereof. FIG. 6 shows examples of the
configuration of the friction surface.
[0039] Further, there is no restriction regarding the material of
the friction surface as long as it can be used to clean the teeth
or massage the gums. For example, it is possible to provide brush
used for an ordinary toothbrush in the finger sack portion. It is
also possible to glue or attach the brush to the finger sack
portion. Instead of the brush, the friction surface may consist of
a surface with protrusions. A member having a surface with
protrusions may be glued or attached to the finger sack portion, or
a material having protrusions may be employed for the finger sack
portion so that the finger sack portion itself may exhibit
protrusions.
[0040] Further, it is also possible to apply a dentifrice or a
medicine for preventing dental caries, periodontitis, pyorrhea,
etc. to the friction surface beforehand so that the effective
ingredients may ooze out by friction when the finger toothbrush is
used.
[0041] In the following, how the finger toothbrush of the present
invention is attached, used and detached will be described.
[0042] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the
attachment process.
[0043] First, a right-hand or left-hand finger is inserted into the
finger sack portion (See FIG. 7(a)), and the grip portion, which is
at the forward end of the extension drooping downwardly, is gripped
by another hand finger and raised (See FIG. 7(b)). Then, the
extension is turned up, and the finger is caused to be inserted
into the slit or the hole (See FIG. 7(c)), and the extension is
further pushed down to attach the toothbrush to the finger (See
FIG. 7(d)). As a result of this attachment, the portion near the
opening of the finger sack portion is tightened by the slit or the
hole, whereby the finger sack is secured to the finger. Further, as
a result of this attachment, a turn-up edge (7) is formed at the
base of the finger, as shown in FIG. 7(d). Due to the formation of
the turn-up edge (7) at the base of the finger, it is possible to
receive, by means of the turn-up edge (7), the liquid-like
substance flowing out of the mouth while the finger toothbrush is
used, thereby preventing liquid dripping.
[0044] It is also possible to insert into the slit or the hole a
finger other than the one inserted into the finger sack. In this
case, loosing part is created in the turn-up portion, making it
possible to prevent liquid dripping.
[0045] The friction surface (5) of the finger toothbrush thus
attached is pressed against the teeth or the gums, and the finger
is moved side to side or up and down, whereby it is possible to
clean the teeth or massage the gums. While the toothbrush is in
use, it is possible to prevent liquid dripping due to the edge or
slack created in the turn-up portion, so that the finger or the
hand can be prevented from being contaminated. Furthermore, it is
possible to secure the finger sack portion in position by the slit
or the hole, so that there is no fear of the finger toothbrush
being detached from the finger. Thus, there is no danger of the
toothbrush being inadvertently swallowed.
[0046] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the process
for detaching the finger toothbrush of the present invention.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 8(a), by gripping the grip portion at the
end of the extension and raising it, the opening of the finger sack
portion is opened and the upper portion of the finger sack portion
becomes tightened, so that the finger sack portion can be easily
released and detached from the finger. Since there is no need to
grip the finger sack portion with the finger, there is no fear of
the finger being contaminated at the time of detachment.
[0048] Further, as shown in FIG. 8(b), while the grip portion at
the end of the extension is kept gripped with the finger, the
extension is turned up so as to cover the friction surface, and the
toothbrush can be removed from the finger by gripping it with
fingers, after the friction surface being covered with the
extension. In this case also, the finger toothbrush can be disposed
of, with the friction surface not being touched by the finger, so
that the finger is not contaminated at the time of detachment.
[0049] Further, by inserting the forward end portion of the
extension into the slit or the hole, it is possible to dispose of
the toothbrush after use such that the contaminated friction
surface is not exposed. Thus, the trash also can not be
contaminated.
[0050] Next, the material for the finger toothbrush of the present
invention will be described.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 4, the finger sack portion (1) is composed
of a sack formation member (a) and a part of a base member (b) (See
FIG. 4(b)).
[0052] The material of the sack formation member (a) may be the
same as or different from that of the base member (b). It is
desirable that the material of the sack formation member (a) is
smooth enough to allow the insertion of the finger, provides a good
feel to the finger inserted, and does not easily create stuffiness.
By performing embossment on the sack formation member (a) and/or
the base member (b), it is possible to make the materials of the
members (a) and (b) smooth, of a good feel, and free from
stuffiness. When different materials are used for the sack
formation member (a) and the base member (b), and the sack
formation member (a) is joined to the base member (b) by
thermocompression bonding, it is desirable for the material of the
sack formation member (a) to be one having an affinity for the
material of the base member (b). For example, an emboss film of
LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene) is used. It is desirable
for the thickness of the film to be approximately 30 .mu.m.
[0053] It is desirable for the material of the base member (b) to
be waterproof to prevent the hand from getting wet or being
contaminated with bacteria. Further, the material of the base
member (b) is required to provide a sufficient flexibility and
feeling to enable the member to conform to the movement of the
hand, and an appropriate level of strength. From the viewpoint of
cost and ease of processing, it is desirable to select a laminate
non-woven fabric and a laminate film. Examples of the material of
the base member (b) include a laminate non-woven fabric formed by
laminating a resin in which the proportion of LLDPE (linear low
density polyethylene) to LDPE (low density polyethylene) is 8:2 to
a non-woven fabric (2d (denier), a METSUKE (basic weight) of 20
g/m2) consisting of a PE (polyethylene)/PP
(polypropylene)-sheath-core-type spun bond, to a thickness of 13
.mu.m. When using a laminate non-woven fabric, it is desirable for
the laminate side to be on the inner side of the finger sack
portion, which comes into contact with the finger.
[0054] The friction surface may consist of brush or protrusions. It
is also possible to use a PFW (perforated web) as the material for
the friction surface. A PFW is obtained by forming a large number
of legged pores in a resin film by hot air jet, and the side on
which the leg portions (protrusions) are formed is used as the
friction surface. By using the side of the PFW having protrusions
as the friction surface, it is possible to enhance the teeth
cleaning effect. For example, it is desirable to adopt a PFW in
which LLDPE:LDPE=7:3 and which has a thickness of 30 .mu.m.
Further, it is possible to adopt a non-woven fabric which has
undergone raising as the material for the friction surface.
[0055] The finger toothbrush of the present invention is required
to be kept hygienic and be compact in size during distribution or
storage before use or when it is carried about after having been
purchased. After investigation for a hygienic and compact package
form, the present inventors have succeeded in obtaining a finger
toothbrush package unit in which a plurality of finger toothbrushes
according to the present invention are connected together, with the
friction surfaces of the finger toothbrushes being hermetically
sealed.
[0056] FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing examples of the package
unit of the present invention.
[0057] FIGS. 9(a) through 9(d) show different embodiments of the
package unit. By temporarily gluing a sheet-like object, indicated
by symbol d, to the friction surface, each package unit is formed,
with the friction surface being hermetically sealed. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 9(d), the sheet-like object d is joined to
the extension (3), whereby there is advantageously no need to
separate and dispose of the sheet-like object when using the finger
toothbrush.
[0058] FIG. 10 shows how a plurality of individual packages are
connected together. The plurality of packages connected together
can be bent in a bellows-like fashion, thereby realizing a package
unit which is still more compact in size (See FIG. 11).
[0059] Examples of the material of the sheet-like object covering
the friction surface include paper, an aluminum sheet and a resin
film. In particular, it is desirable for the sheet-like object
covering the friction surface to consist of a high-quality paper
which is 100% pulp and of a METSUKE (basic weight) of 30 to 50
g/m2.
[0060] Embodiments
[0061] The following specific embodiments of the present invention
should not be construed restrictively.
[0062] Embodiment 1
[0063] A sack formation member consisting of an LLDPE (linear low
density polyethylene) emboss film having a thickness of 30 .mu.m, a
base member consisting of a laminate non-woven fabric formed by
laminating a resin in which the proportion of LLDPE (linear low
density polyethylene) to LDPE (low density polyethylene) is 8:2 to
a non-woven fabric (2d (denier), a METSUKE (basic weight) of 20
g/m2) consisting of a PE (polyethylene)/PP
(polypropylene)sheath-core-type spun bond to a thickness of 13
.mu.m, and a friction surface material consisting of a PFW in which
LLDPE:LDPE=7:3 and which has a thickness of 30 .mu.m, were stacked
together such that the laminate side of the laminate non-woven
fabric is faced to the LLDPE emboss film, whereby a finger
toothbrush for adults having the dimensions as shown in FIG. 4(c)
was obtained.
[0064] Embodiment 2
[0065] Five finger toothbrushes as obtained in Embodiment 1 were
arranged in parallel at intervals, with their friction surfaces
facing downwards, on a high-quality-paper sheet which is 300 mm
long and 250 mm wide and which is 100% pulp and of a METSUKE (basic
weight) of 30 to 50 g/m2, and thermocompression bonding was
performed on the peripheral edge portions of the finger
toothbrushes, thereby attaching the finger toothbrushes to the
high-quality-paper sheet. The intermediate portions between the
finger toothbrushes were perforated to prepare a bellows-like unit
with perforations, thereby obtaining a finger toothbrush package
unit, which can be folded up at the perforations (See FIGS. 10 and
11).
[0066] Industrical Applicability
[0067] As described above, in the finger tooth brush and the finger
tooth brush package unit of the present invention, the finger sack
portion is inserted into the slit or the hole when the toothbrush
is used, which facilitates the attachment and detachment, is
hygienic, and eliminates the danger of the toothbrush being
inadvertently swallowed.
* * * * *