U.S. patent number 3,902,509 [Application Number 05/296,251] was granted by the patent office on 1975-09-02 for disposable device for cleaning teeth.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Colgate-Palmolive Company. Invention is credited to George H. Fuller, Werner O. Tundermann.
United States Patent |
3,902,509 |
Tundermann , et al. |
September 2, 1975 |
Disposable device for cleaning teeth
Abstract
A disposable device for cleaning teeth is disclosed. The device
is made of a high wet strength material which is shaped and sealed
in the form of a "pocket" or flat thimble. Adhered to the outer
surface of the device is encapsulated flavor and other suitable
substances, such as polishing agent, bacteriostat, or the like. The
thimble is slipped over a finger and rubbed over all the surfaces
of the teeth to remove the adhering food and plaque films which
cause stains and mouth odors.
Inventors: |
Tundermann; Werner O. (Colonia,
NJ), Fuller; George H. (Colonia, NJ) |
Assignee: |
Colgate-Palmolive Company (New
York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
23141238 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/296,251 |
Filed: |
October 10, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
433/142;
15/104.94; 206/229; 401/7; 15/104.93; 15/227; 206/472; 433/216 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C
15/02 (20130101); A46B 5/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A46B
5/04 (20060101); A46B 5/00 (20060101); A61C
15/02 (20060101); A61C 15/00 (20060101); A45D
044/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;132/84,88.5,88.7 ;401/7
;32/1 ;15/104.94 ;206/46 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McNeill; G. E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Koch, Esq.; Kenneth A. Grill, Esq.;
Murray M. Sylvester, Esq.; Herbert S.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tooth cleaning device comprising a body of material shaped to
provide a pocket having a sealed end, a pair of sealed edges, and
an open end for receiving the finger tip of the user, said sealed
end and edges forming a stiff lap edge comprising at least two
layers of said material heat sealed together said body of material
comprising a laminate of an outside layer of a high wet strength
fibrous material and an inner layer of a water impervious
thermoplastic material, said outer layer having adhered to its
outer surface a substance selected from the group consisting of
flavoring agents, polishing agents, bacteriostats, dentifrices, and
mixtures thereof, said lap edges being adapted to physically remove
foreign material from between the teeth of the user.
2. The tooth cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the
water-impervious, thermoplastic material is polyethylene.
3. The tooth cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said substance is
an encapsulated flavoring agent.
4. A tooth cleaning device according to claim 1 wherein said pair
of sealed edges are oppositely opposed and are separated at said
closed end by at least one and not more than two straight line
sealed members, said sealed members and sealed edges forming
pointed junctions, suitable for removing foreign matter from
between the teeth.
5. A tooth cleaning device according to claim 4 wherein said sealed
member forms an angle of not more than 90.degree. with at least one
of said sealed edges.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a tooth cleaner and, more particularly,
to an inexpensive, disposable tooth cleaner for use by travelers
and others in situations where use of the ordinary tooth brushing
equipment is not convenient.
Plaque which builds up on the teeth should be removed from the
teeth as frequently as possible. Since plaque is responsible for
harboring injurious organisms on the teeth, its frequent removal is
desirable. In addition, the feel of the teeth to the tongue is very
pleasant after removal of plaque from the teeth.
At the present time, it is customary for people to rely upon
toothbrushes and dental cream or tooth powder for the day to day
cleansing of their teeth and gums. Toothbrushes are effective for
this purpose, and, in the ordinary home environment, they are
entirely satisfactory.
The tooth cleaning device of the present invention is in the form
of a pocket or cot which is of any size and shape as to be easily
slipped over the finger. Because of a high-friction interior, the
device will be retained on the finger during use irrespective of
the shape of the device.
The device is fabricated from a high wet strength material such as
high wet strength paper or woven or non-woven fabric, laminated to
or coated with a water-impervious material. The inner material is
preferably heat-sealable for ease of fabrication. Alternatively,
the device can be fabricated from a high wet-strength, waterproof
thermoplastic material such as polyethylene, in which case it will
not require a coating of water-impervious material. The device is
shaped and sealed in the form of a pocket or flat thimble, with the
water-impervious material on the inside in the case of a two-ply
material. Adhered to the outer surface of the device is
encapsulated flavor and, if desired, other suitable substances for
treating the teeth such as polishing agent, bacteriostat, soap or
detergent, and the like. Typical substances include kaolin,
precipitated chalk, commercial dental cream, fine pumice, iris root
powder, magnesium oxide, water-soluble soap or detergents, etc. The
adhesive may be any suitable binding agent such as natural or
synthetic gums, starches, etc.
The pocket or flat thimble is slipped over the finger and rubbed
over all the surfaces of the teeth, most especially on the front
visible flat surfaces, to remove the adhering food and plaque films
which cause decay, stains, and mouth odors.
The water-impervious lining, whether used as a single ply material
for the cot or as a lining, serves a dual purpose in the tooth
cleaning device of the present invention; it maintains the strength
of the device when wet, and it keeps the device from slipping off
the finger when in use. The interior of the device feels much like
a plastic glove, i.e., it is somewhat sticky. This high friction
between the device and the finger is desirable, as it keeps the
device on the finger during use. This enables the device to be of
any convenient and esthetically appealing shape, as the device does
not need to be shaped to fit the finger snugly. Additionally, as
the device is kept on the finger by virtue of the high friction
between the finger and the lining, there is no need to make the
device in a wide variety of sizes to provide a perfect fit for the
finger of each user.
An additional feature of the device of the present invention is
that the edge of the lap bonding around the device is stiff enough
to be useful for removing food that may be caught between the
teeth. A border is formed when two sheets of material are bonded
together to form the cot-shaped device which is stiff enough to
function as a toothpick. The cot may be formed from the joining of
two sheets or from folding one sheet over upon itself. The sheets
to form the cot may be bonded together by heat-sealing when the
interior of the device is a thermoplastic like polyethylene, or a
hot melt adhesive may be provided on the inside surface for
heat-sealing.
The disposable tooth cleaning devices of the present invention can
be folded flat and assembled and packaged in a fashion similar to a
matchbook. This is a very convenient method for carrying a supply
of the devices. A single device can be removed when needed simply
by lifting the cover of the book and removing the device from the
enclosed folded stack of devices.
Other means of packaging the devices to protect them from
contamination until the moment of use include enclosing the device
in an envelope or protective covering of plastic film, cellophane,
or cellulosic sheet, which may be sealed by heat or in another
manner and may be stripped off just before use.
The outer surfaces of the tooth cleaning devices of the present
invention can be fabricated from any material that has relatively
high wet strength and will not disintegrate from abrasive contact
with the teeth which occurs during use. Standard commercial high
wet strength paper is satisfactory, as well as woven and non-woven
fabrics. Additionally, high wet strength waterproof thermoplastics
such as polyethylene may be used. The surface of the paper, fabric,
or plastic may be creped, embossed, or provided with any other
suitable texture to provide additional abrasive action to aid in
plaque removal.
The inside surfaces of the tooth cleaning device may be made from
any suitable water-resistant or water-repellant material. Any
plastic film, coating, or wax may be used, so long as it provides a
water-resistant inner surface. Polyethylene film has been found to
be a particularly suitable lining material.
The flavor which is adhered to the outer surface of the device is
encapsulated to protect it against changes in its physical and
chemical properties. The encapsulating material used must be
water-soluble in order to release the flavoring materials when the
device is in contact with the moisture in the mouth. One example of
an encapsulating medium is an aqueous hydrophilic colloid which may
have as its sole major component a protein-based material such as
casein, soy protein, or other vegetable or animal protein or
proteins which are capable of forming colloidal dispersions in
water, which can be gelled either by changes in temperature or by
changes in concentration, and which when dehydrated form a
substantially air-impervious capsule. Alternatively, the sole or
major component of the hydrophilic colloid may be a non-protein
based material such as vegetable gum, e.g., gum arabic, gum
tragacanth, locust bean gum, and the like. These vegetable gums
have the advantage of not reacting with the aldehydes contained in
aromas, flavors, and the like, and, where only flavors are to be
encapsulated, are preferable to a protein material as the major
component of the capsule wall. Other materials which may comprise
the hydrophilic colloid include cellulose and starch ethers,
solubulized cellulose and starch products, carboxypolymethylenes,
styrene-maleic acid reaction products, polyvinyl alcohols,
polysaccharide B-1459, and dextran.
The stability of the encapsulated flavor can be further increased
by incorporating into the flavor constituents an antioxidant before
the flavor is emulsified in the colloid solution prior to
encapsulation. The most effective and useful antioxidants are
butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole, used either
by themselves or in combination with each other or with other
antioxidants, such as propyl gallate. The quantity of the
antioxidants incorporated into the capsules depends on the
stability requirements of the products in use and is limited only
by their effect on the flavor of the final product.
The preferred flavoring materials for use in the devices of the
present invention are those that will leave a fresh, clean taste in
the mouth after use of the device, such as peppermint, spearmint,
wintergreen, cloves, or anise. Other flavorings that may be used
include fruit flavors such as cherry, lemon, lime, orange, etc.
Other materials that may be adhered to the outer surface of the
device to aid in treating the teeth include bacteriostats, soap or
detergents, dentifrices, and the like. Where a more positive
abrasive action is desired, polishing agents which also aid in
treating the teeth such as kaolin, precipitated chalk, fine pumice,
iris root powder, and the like may be adhered to the device.
The devices can be produced in a wide variety of shapes, as they do
not depend on their shape to remain on the finger during use. The
sizes, flavors and colors of the devices may likewise be varied to
broaden their acceptance and appeal. For example, certain flavors
may be associated with certain colors for purposes of ready
identification of flavors.
The device of the present invention is conveniently sized for
carrying on the person so that it is readily at hand whenever
cleaning of the teeth is necessary or desirable. Additionally, the
device is very inexpensive and, because of its small size, is
completely disposable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, several preferred embodiments of the
invention are illustrated. Obviously, changes in form may be made
within the scope of the invention.
FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D illustrate some of the possible shapes
which can be used for the tooth cleaning devices of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 shows an assembly of a plurality of tooth cleaning devices
of the present invention packaged in a fashion similar to matches
in a matchbook.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to FIG. 1A, a tooth cleaning device 11 is formed of two
sheets of a high wet strength material which have been joined in
such a manner at three sides as to provide stiff lap edges, 12. The
stiff lap edges can be used to clean between the teeth in the
manner of a toothpick or dental floss. The cot is of a size to fit
over a finger at the opening at the bottom 13.
Referring to FIG. 1B, a tooth cleaning device 14 may be made from
one sheet of high wet strength material which is folded over upon
itself so that the water-impervious layer is on the inside and
sealed at the top and one side to form stiff lap edges 15. The
opening for the finger 16 is at the bottom of the device.
Referring to FIG. 1C, a tooth cleaning device having a pentagonal
shape 17 is formed of two sheets of high wet strength material
joined at four sides to provide stiff lap edges 18. The high wet
strength material may be a layer of water-impervious material
coated or laminated onto a high wet-strength paper, or may be a
high wet-strength, waterproof thermoplastic material. The bottom of
the device, which is not sealed, is the situs of the opening for
the finger 19.
Referring to FIG. 1D, another tooth cleaning device 20 may be made
from one sheet of high wet-strength, material which is folded over
upon itself so that the water-impervious surface is on the inside
and sealed at the top and one side to form stiff lap edges 21. The
opening for the finger 22 is at the bottom of the device.
Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of tooth cleaning devices can be
assembled and packaged in a matchbook-type folder 23 for
conveniently carrying a supply of the devices. A single tooth
cleaning device 11 can be removed by lifting the cover of the book
and tearing it out along a perforated line 24.
* * * * *