ROMEO, Roberto (Via Niccolini, Parco Grazia snc, Caserta, I-81100, IT)
SILBERSTEIN, Beniamino (Via Acquaviva, Parco d'Angelo no.43, Caserta, I-81100, IT)
MILANI, Enrico (Via Sant'Antida no.17, Caserta, I-81100, IT)
DE VREESE, Guy (Kapitteldreef 33, Sint-Martens-Latem, B-9830, BE)
ROMEO, Roberto (Via Niccolini, Parco Grazia snc, Caserta, I-81100, IT)
SILBERSTEIN, Beniamino (Via Acquaviva, Parco d'Angelo no.43, Caserta, I-81100, IT)
MILANI, Enrico (Via Sant'Antida no.17, Caserta, I-81100, IT)
CLAIMS
1. Device for hygiene and care of the oral cavity comprising:
■ a finger glove for receiving a fingertip at the distal end thereof, and » an operational area, optionally comprising an active ingredient, provided on the external surface and near the distal end of the finger glove, characterized in that: the proximal end of the finger glove is provided with an extending part which is folded to cover the operational area and which is configured to be unfoldable to form a holding tab.
2. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the finger glove is essentially liquid tight.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the finger glove comprises essentially of one material, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene.
4. Device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the extending part of the finger glove has a length that corresponds to at least the half of the total length of the finger glove.
5. Device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the operational area is essentially texturized, and preferably comprises a mesh structure.
6. Device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the operational area comprises an operational layer, suitable for cleaning the oral cavity, and a supply layer, suitable for delivering the active ingredient, whereby the operational layer is connected to and near the distal end of the finger glove, thereby enclosing the supply layer in between them.
7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the supply layer comprises the active ingredient, preferably a dentifrice or detergent.
8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the supply layer is configured to release said active ingredient by applying pressure on said layer.
9. Device according to any of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the supply layer comprises essentially a spongy material.
10. Device according to any of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the supply layer comprises a flat, sealed chamber containing said active ingredient seeping out through holes or pores present in the chamber when pressure is applied.
11. Device according to any of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the operational layer is a texturized, fluid permeable layer and preferably comprises a mesh structure.
12. Device according to any of claims 6 to 11 , characterized in that the device is a laminate comprising:
■ a top layer and a carrier layer, forming the finger glove, whereby the carrier layer is provided with the extending part of the finger glove, and " the supply layer and the operational layer, forming the operational area, whereby the top layer and the operational layer are separated from each other by and connected to or near the distal end of the carrier layer, the supply layer enclosed in between the operational layer and the carrier layer.
13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the top layer and/or carrier layer comprises essentially a liquid impermeable material.
14. Device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the top layer and the carrier layer are at least partially connected along the outline of the top layer, whereby a slit is provided near the proximal end of the top layer.
15. Device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the top layer and the carrier layer are at least partially connected along the outline of the top layer, whereby at least part of the proximal end of the top layer is not connected.
16. Container comprising a number of devices according to any of claims 1 to 15, whereby said devices are folded in such that the extending part of the finger glove covers the operational area.
17. Container according to claim 16 comprising an opening, whereby the folded devices are placed in such that the extending part covering the operational area is faced away from said opening. |
DEVICE FOR CLEANING THE ORAL CAVITY AND CONTAINER COMPRISING SUCH
DEVICES FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to hygiene and care of the oral cavity and more specifically it relates to a device comprising a finger glove comprising an extending part configured to cover the operational area provided on said finger glove, and a container comprising a number of said devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is generally known that hygiene and care of the oral cavity is important for i.a. a good health and that this starts with regular teeth cleaning. To remove films and residues, such as plaque, and to keep a fresh breath, dentists strongly recommend brushing teeth after every meal. But in practice, these recommendations are often not feasible. Most working people and school children skip their after lunch brushing because their daily environment isn't fitted for cleaning teeth in the conventional way. Moreover, a lot of people find it inconvenient to carry a rather large toothbrush and toothpaste tube with them every day. For the same reasons also travelers often fail to brush their teeth after a meal.
Mints, gums and sprays are used to maintain a fresh breath but, because they aren't capable of (efficiently) removing films and residues, other solutions had to be found. Therefore, disposable devices were developed to substitute the conventional, bulky toothbrush. These devices are characterized in that they can be placed on a finger and have at least an element suitable for brushing or rubbing, and thereby cleaning, teeth.
US Patent No. 4,134,172 to Arce describes a toothbrush with a bristle-incorporating brushing element. This element is attached to a flexible sheath into which a person's finger can be inserted. Toothpaste can be carried separately in a small package or among the bristles of the brushing element. Furthermore, the sheath can be folded around the brushing element to provide a compact package, thereby allowing easy carrying of a single toothbrush or multiple units.
US Patent No. 5,213,428 to Salman provides a biodegradable toothbrush which is formed by a cap having an opening for receipt of an index finger. On a flattened portion of the cap two to four rows of short bristles are defined. These bristles are impregnated with dehydrated toothpaste which becomes activated upon contact with water. On an opposite site from the bristles the cap also comprises one or more capsules or voids, including any one of different hygiene products. For distribution purposes a sterile toothbrush may be sealed within a biodegradable plastic enclosure.
Both patents mentioned above are, after sealing, very small compared to a conventional toothbrush. However, they have the disadvantage of still exhibiting a relative large thickness, thereby making it impossible to achieve flat packages. This problem is delt with in the following patents.
The tooth cleaning device in US Patent No. 3,934,299 to Regester comprises a tubular body of terry cloth material having an opening allowing insertion of a finger. The body has a fabric surface which is impregnated with a dentifrice material. The device can be further packaged in a sealed envelope and stored until ready for use.
US Patent No. 5,524,764 to Kaufman et al. describes a combination absorbent applicator, wipe for teeth and oral applicator, preferably enclosed in a compact portable package, which contains a single supply of toothpaste or medicated gel, dental floss and a toothpick. This device comprises a sheath, with an opening for receipt of a finger(tip), fabricated out of soft latex biodegradable material, and an abrasive absorbent material pad secured to or integrated in the exterior surface of the sheath. The package can be conveniently placed into a wallet, pocket or purse.
US Patent No. 6,721 ,987 B2 to McDevitt et al. relates to a hollow member including a base web and a cleaning surface. The base web comprises an elastic and a non-elastic component, whereas the cleaning surface is texturized and can comprise looped bristles. The hollow member can include a first and second panel attached to each other, whereby the first panel is made of the elastic component and the second panel, made of the non-elastic component, comprises the texturized surface. Prior to being shipped and sold, the dental
wipes can be placed in various sealed packaging in order to preserve applied additives or to maintain the dental wipe in a sterile environment.
Most of the devices mentioned before are contained sterile in their package. However, after opening the package, the device has to be pulled out and placed on a finger. Thereby often contact occurs between a contaminating source, such as a finger, and a part of the device that will enter the mouth. Following patents try to cope with this problem.
In US Patent No. 5,068,941 to Dunn a toothbrush is provided having a sleeve member with at its forward, bottom and sides plural bundles of short, flexible bristle members fixedly secured.
To these bristles a suitable dentifrice is applied at the manufacturing facility. The toothbrushes, in a knocked down flat configuration, are sealed in an easy open sterile bag with at least one knocked down flat configured paper cup for mouth rinsing. The patent further describes different folds of the device, wherein the device is turned partially inside out to maintain the outer side walls of the toothbrush in a sterile condition.
US Patent No. 5,348,153 to Cole provides a disposable individual gelled instant toothbrush comprising a substantially cylindrical elastic sheath with brush means at its closed end portion. Preferably the brush means is impregnated with a dentifrice. The sheath is adapted to be rolled up or furled into a compact storage configuration wherein the furled portion of the sheath forms an annular peripheral rim with the portion of the sheath containing the brush means spanning the area encircled by the rim. Preferably the brush means is further covered and protected by a removable plastic cap that forms a sterile cover for the brush and which can be removed after unfurling the sheath onto a finger.
Although the devices of both patents are less susceptible to contamination, positioning of the device on the finger is more complex because one must be very careful not to touch an important part of the device while unfolding the device of US Patent No. 5,068,941 or while removing the plastic cap of the brush means of the device described in US Patent No. 5,348,153.
Regarding the prior art there is still room for improvements to devices providing hygiene and care to the oral cavity. The present invention solves the problems of the prior art by delivering
a device that is simple, easy and quick to position on a finger, prevents contamination during positioning, provides a tool for keeping the device at its place during brushing and prevents the device from becoming sticky after prolonged storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a device for hygiene and care of the oral cavity, according to claim 1 , comprising a finger glove and an operational area, whereby the finger glove has, at its proximal end, an extending part, which is folded to cover the operational area, and which is configured to be unfoldable to form a holding tab. The extending part of the finger glove can be used for better positioning of the device during and after insertion of a fingertip and is also handy for gripping and holding with one or more of the non-inserted fingers, thereby keeping the device at its place during application. Furthermore, the extending part can be folded over the operational area to prevent this area from becoming contaminated before application. To achieve this goal, the extending part of the finger glove comprises at least the half of the total length of the finger glove.
To improve comfort during brushing, and to overcome problems involving suitable washing and drying provisions, the inserted fingertip has to remain dry. The device of the present invention prevents contact between the finger and oral fluids by using an essentially liquid tight finger glove. In an embodiment, manufacturing of the device is simplified by using only one material for producing the finger glove, and preferably polyethylene or polypropylene is used.
The operational area of the device according to the present invention is designed to rub the teeth, thereby removing films and residues such as plaque, as well as other components in the oral cavity, such as the tongue, thereby cleaning them. Therefore, this area is essentially texturized and comprises preferentially a mesh structure.
In an embodiment of the present invention the operational area can be composed of at least an operational layer and a supply layer, whereby the operational layer is devised to clean the oral cavity as described before, while the supply layer is devised for the delivery of the active ingredient. Preferentially, for assuring a simple manufacturing, the operational layer is
connected to and near the distal end of the finger glove, enclosing the supply layer in between them.
The supply layer is impregnated with the active ingredient, which is preferably a dentifrice or detergent. This product is released by applying pressure on the supply layer, achieved by rubbing the operational area to the teeth or other components in the oral cavity. In one embodiment the supply layer is therefore essentially made out of a spongy material. In another embodiment, the supply layer comprises a flat, sealed chamber having holes and pores where the active ingredient seeps out when pressure is applied. By enclosing a separate layer that contains the active component, the operational layer doesn't become sticky before use, as is often the case with devices whereby the operational layer is impregnated with the active ingredient. As a result, stickiness of the device or the inside of container or package during storage for a relative long time is avoided by the device of the present invention.
Whereas the supply layer serves to deliver the active ingredient, the operational area is configured to remove films or residues of the teeth and/or to clean other components of the oral cavity. For achieving a good cleaning of the surfaces in the oral cavity, the operational layer is texturized and comprises preferably a mesh structure. This layer is further fluid permeable to allow mixing of the active ingredient with oral fluid or water.
In an embodiment the device is manufactured as a laminate comprising at least four layers, namely a top, carrier, supply and operational layer. The top layer and carrier layer form the finger glove, whereby the carrier layer is provided with the extending part of the finger glove. The operational area is formed, as described before, by the supply and operational layer. The top layer and operational layer are separated from each other by the carrier layer and both layers are connected to the latter to or near its distal end. As mentioned before, the supply layer becomes enclosed in between the operational layer and carrier layer.
The finger glove of the present invention can be provided at least partly liquid tight by making the top layer and/or carrier layer out of a liquid impermeable material. According to an embodiment the finger glove of the laminated device can further be made by connecting the top layer, over substantially its entire outline, to the carrier layer. A slit is made near the proximal end of the top layer to allow insertion of a fingertip in between both layers. In another
embodiment the opening for inserting the fingertip is achieved by only connecting the distal end and both flanks of the outline of the top layer to the carrier layer, thereby leaving the proximal end of the top layer unattached.
The present invention also discloses a container which comprises a number of the devices described before. In this container the devices are folded in such that the extending part of the finger glove covers the operational area. This way the operational area can't be touched when taking a device out of the container. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the container has an opening and the devices inside the container are placed in such that the extending parts covering the operational area are faced away from said opening. By providing the container as such, a finger can become inserted into the finger glove closest to the opening before simply pulling the device out of the container. This easy and quick way to retrieve a device is followed by using the extending part of the finger glove for adjusting the position of the device on the finger. During brushing the device can be held at its place by holding the extending part with one or more non-inserted fingers. Also, because the finger is already inserted in the device before removing it out of its container, contact between a contaminating source as a finger and the operational area is avoided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Fig. 1 illustrates a device according to the present invention, comprising a finger glove with crosswise folding line and an operational area.
Fig. 2 displays a container in which finger gloves are piled up, folded as demonstrated. Fig. 3 illustrates a front view (left) and back view (right) of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention.
Fig. 4 demonstrates a back view of another embodiment of the device of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A device of the present invention according to claim 1 is illustrated in Fig. 1. The device comprises a finger glove (1 ) with an operational area (2) on its external surface, provided on or near the distal end of the finger glove (1 ).
The finger glove (1) is essentially liquid tight, which can be accomplished by producing the finger glove (1 ) out of a substantially liquid tight material or by, for example, covering the surface or a part thereof with a liquid tight substance. The finger glove (1 ) can be made out of one material, whereby polyethylene, polypropylene or a mixture thereof are preferred. The extending part of the finger glove (1) of the present invention has a length being at least the half of the total length of the finger glove (1 ). To cover the operational area (2), the extending part can be reversibly bent, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, over a folding line (3), and preferably a crosswise folding line (3). Preferably, when defining the outside surface of the extending part as a prolongation of the external surface of the finger glove (1 ), the bending occurs in such that the covered operational area (2) faces the outside surface of the extending part.
The position of the folding line (3) on the extending part is determined in such that bending over this line results in covering of the operational area. Therefore, the folding line (3) exists at the beginning of the extending part in case the extending part comprises half the length of the finger glove. When the extending part is larger, the folding line (3) can also be positioned at the beginning of the extending part. In this case the extending part extends beyond the top of the finger glove after folding. The folding line (3) can also be present at the half of the total length of the finger glove (1 ), whereby, after folding, the proximal end of the finger glove (1 ) is approximately at the same height as its distal end. Furthermore, every position of the folding line (3) intermediate between both said positions is permitted.
The operational area (2) of the device is found on or near the distal end of the finger glove (1 ) and is a texturized area provided on the external surface of the finger glove (1 ). This area can be a part of the finger glove (1 ) itself or can be provided as a separate layer connected to the finger glove (1 ). Preferably the operational area (2) comprises a mesh structure. When the device is rubbed against the teeth or any other component in the oral cavity, the texturized structure of the operational area (2) disrupts films and removes residues present on the teeth or other components. The operational area (2) can optionally comprise and preferably be impregnated with an active ingredient such as a dentifrice or detergent, which further aids by cleaning and refreshing the oral cavity.
The present invention also discloses a container comprising a number of devices folded as previously described. Preferably the devices and the inside of the container are delivered sterile. Fig. 2 demonstrates an embodiment of such container and said folded device. The container in Fig. 2 comprises an opening (4) and the folded devices are placed inside the container in such that the extending part covering the operational area (2) is faced away from said opening (4). This way, a fingertip can be inserted in the device closest to the opening (4) before pulling it out of the container. Once released from the container the extending part of the finger glove (1 ) can be used for further positioning of the device on the fingertip. During rubbing the operational area (2) to the teeth or other components in the oral cavity, the device can firmly kept at its position by holding said extending part, for example, in between the non- inserted fingers and the palm of that hand. This way retrieval and application of a device is easy, simple and quick while the risk for contamination is minimized.
Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the device of the present invention. This device is made out of four layers, namely an operational layer (22), a supply layer (21 ), a carrier layer (11 ) and a top layer (12). The operational (22) and supply (21 ) layer form the operational area (2), while the carrier (11 ) and top (12) layer make up the finger glove (1 ). The supply layer (21 ) is impregnated with an active ingredient, such as a dentifrice or detergent, and serves to deliver this product when the device is rubbed to the teeth and/or other oral components. Therefore the supply layer (21 ) has to release the product by applying pressure on this layer (21 ). For this purpose, the supply layer (21 ) can be made of a spongy material, impregnated with the active ingredient. Another possibility is that the supply layer (21 ) comprises a flat, sealed chamber containing the active ingredient and having holes and pores through which the product seeps out only when pressure is applied. The mesh structure of the operational layer is suitable for cleaning teeth and/or other components in the oral cavity and is fluid permeable, as to allow mixing of the active ingredient delivered by the supply layer (21 ) with water and/or oral fluid. The carrier layer (11 ) comprises the extending part of the finger glove (1 ) while the top layer (12) comprises a horizontal slit (5) at its proximal end. Both layers are preferably made of a liquid impermeable material, such as polyethylene and/or polypropylene.
As can be seen in Fig. 3, the top layer (12) and operational layer (22) are connected each at a different side of the distal end of the carrier layer (11 ). The connection can occur by, for example, heat fusing or stitching the three layers together. The supply layer (21 ) is provided
in the device preferably by enclosing this layer (21) in between the operational (22) and carrier (11) layer. Since, as shown in Fig. 3, the connection can be made substantially over the entire outline of the top (12) and operational (22) layer, a slit (5) is provided in the proximal end of the top layer (12), before, during or after connecting the different layers, for allowing insertion of a fingertip in the finger glove (1 ).
Fig. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the device of the invention. This device has, as the device of Fig. 3, also four layers having preferably the same properties and purposes as described before. But, whereas the top layer (12) in Fig. 3 is connected to the carrier layer (11) over substantially its entire outline, the top layer (12) in Fig. 4 is only connected to the carrier layer (11 ) at its distal end and its sides. In this embodiment the proximal end (6) of the top layer (12) remains unconnected from the carrier layer (11 ), thereby providing the device with an opening for insertion of the fingertip. This way, no extra slit has to be made in the top layer (12).
EXAMPLE
A preferred embodiment of the device exists of a finger glove having a carrier and top layer, the former exhibiting a length of 14 cm, whereas the latter measures 6 cm. Both layers have a width of approximately 4 cm and have a rounded distal end. The device further comprises a supply and operational layer, the former having a length of about 3 cm, a width of approximately 2 cm and a rounded distal end, while the latter has the same dimensions and form as the top layer.
In the top layer a slit is cut at approximately 0.8 cm of the edge of its proximal end and approximately 0.5 cm from each side , whereby the slit has a height of about 0.5 cm and a width of about 3 cm. Subsequently the top, carrier and operational layer are placed with their rounded ends on top of each other and the supply layer is positioned, although lower than the rounded ends, in between the operational and carrier layer. Following, the top, carrier and operational layer are heat fused together over the entire outline of the top and operational layer, thereby enclosing the supply layer in between the operational and carrier layer.
The device is folded in half, in such that the extending part of the finger glove covers the operational area, which further results in the proximal and distal end of the device being on
top of each other and a folding line occurring at 7 cm of both ends. A hundred devices are folded that way before being placed in a box with their top layers directed towards the opening of the box. Retrieval and application of a device occurs by placing a fingertip through the slit in the top layer into the finger glove, pulling it out of the box, adjusting the position of the device on the fingertip by using the extending part and further clamping this part between the non-inserted fingers and the palm of the hand. The operational area can then be rubbed against the teeth for cleaning them. After use, the device is removed from the fingertip by pulling the extending part in the direction the fingertip points and the device is discarded.
Next Patent: SOLAR-OPERATED, AUTONOMOUS TOP ENTRY LAMP EMBODIED AS A COMPLETE UNIT OR RETROFIT KIT