FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is in the fields of eating utensils and oral hygienic devices, more particularly the invention relates to an eating utensil that incorporates an oral hygienic device from a group that includes flossers, toothpicks, tongue-cleaners and oral brushes. Optimally one or more additional oral cleaning devices may be incorporated

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Eating activity often involves the use of disposable eating utensils, such as plastic forks, spoons and/or knives, typically at away-from-hom e locations where facilities for oral hygienic cleaning after eating are unavailable. Such eating activity may include planned picnics, picnics-on-the-go, fast food, takeout, lunch boxes, bagged lunches at work, eating-on-the-go, delivered specialties, catered food engagements, entertainment events, birthdays, cocktail-parties, weddings and other parties.

DISCUSSION OF KNOWN ART

[0004] U.S . design patent D254,239 to Julius for a COMBINED FORK AND

SEPARATABLE TOOTHPICK shows the ornamental design for the subject matter.

[0005] U.S. design patent D463,231 to Sanders for EATING UTENSIL WITH TOOTHPICK INCORPORATED THEREIN shows a fork, spoon and knife each with a toothpick located on the front side near the handle end; presumably the toothpick is removably attached in each case.

[0007] U.S. patent 2,877,547 for COMBINATION TOOTHPICK AND STIRRING OR EATING IMPLEMENT to Feaster discloses wooden spoons, forks and stimng sticks configured with knockout-removable toothpicks.

[0008] U.S. patent 2,072,777 to Takahashi for CUTLERY shows a spoon and a fork each with a pair of toothpicks removably attached on the rear side.

[0009] U.S. patent 3,664,020 to Hammond et al for COMBINATION SPOON AND TOOTHPICK shows and discloses a toothpick and spoon combination including a handle portion with a separable toothpick member for use after eating. The combination utilizes support members from which the toothpick may be broken away.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is a primaiy object of die present invention to provide disposable plastic utensils incorporating an oral hygienic device such as a straight or curved toothpick, oral brushes, tongue cleaners and dental floss along with one or more optional additional devices for maintaining good oral health at eating events where oral hygiene devices may not be otherwise available

[0011] It is a further object to provide snap-off embodiments wherein an oral hygienic device, initially formed attached in a protective manner in an opening in the utensil handle, can be user-displaced in a snap-οff manner and removed for separate usage, and further, to provide bend-away embodiments wherein a device, permanently attached in protective manner widiin die utensil handle, can be user-displaced in a bend- away manner that exposes the still-attached device, ready for use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The foregoing objects have been met in the present invention wherein a plastic eating utensil is combined with an oral hygienic device that can be molded integrally with the utensil handle, initially attached to die handle and typically protected by adjacent or . surrounding handle material. To deploy a protected device, one or more score lines configured in the handle enable user displacement of the device and/or selected area of handle material in a manner to expose the device ready for usage. User-displacement can be implemented in different embodiments as either non-separation bend-away or snap-oil ^' separation, depending on design choice of plastic material for resilience, and of score line configuration, particularly depth. A eating utensil incor porating oral hygienic facility is now made for use after eating in a location where oral hygiene items may not be otherwise available.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The above and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings.

[0014]

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a fork configured with an attached flosser holding floss at an angled orientation.

[0015]

FIG. 2 depicts a knife configured to incorporate a flosser holding floss oriented longitudinally.

[0016]

FIG. 3 depicts a spoon combined with a ilosser and a snap-off key-shaped tootlipick that includes a thumb-finger grip located within the flosser opening.

[0017]

FIG. 4 depicts a spork (spoon/fork) with a snap-off handle end portion that includes an attached flosser, toothpick and thumb-finger grip.

[0017.1]

NOTE: It is to be understood that the invention can be practiced with each handle/device configuration disclosed herein, in conjunction with in any one of four alternative utensil configurations shown in FIGS. 1-4, i.e. fork 10A, knife 12A, spoon 14A or spork 16A. Therefore in the following FIGs. 5-22, 40-44 the handle is shown cut-away at the lower end.

[0018]

FIG. 5 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with an attached tapered toothpick protected by a snap-off guard portion that includes a flosser.

[0019]

FIG. 6 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with an attached curved toothpick protected by a snap-off guard portion that includes a flosser. [0020]

FIG. 7 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with an attached interdental pick protected by a snap-off guard portion that includes a flosser.

[0021]

FIG. 8 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with an attached interdental brush protected by a snap-off guard portion that includes a flosser. .

[0022]

FIG. 9 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with a flosser and a snap-off guarded straight toothpick.

[0023]

FIG. 10 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with flosser that can be angled at a bend line.

[0024]

FIG. 11 depicts a cut-away side view of the handle of FIG. 10 showing the angled flosser.

[0025]

FIG. 12 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle configured with an attached tapered toothpick and a foldably-attached flosser.

[0026]

FIG. 13 depicts a cut-away side view of the handle of FIG. 12 showing the combined flosser and toothpick in initial co-linear alignment.

[0027]

FIG. 14 depicts handle of FIG. 12 with the flosser folded back, exposing the toothpick.

[0028]

FIG. 15 is a side view of the subject matter of FIG. 14 showing the flosser folded back. exposing toothpick.

[0029]

FIG. 16 is cut-away front view of a utensil handle including a flosser and a tongue cleaner.

[0030]

FIG. 17 is a cut-away side view of a utensil handle including a flosser, a tongue cleaner and a bristle brush.

[0031] FIG. 18 is a cut-away front view of a utensil handle including a flosser and a bristle brush.

[0032]

FIG. 19 is a cut-away front view of a utensil handle including a flosser and a combination interdental pick and an interdental brush attached to a grip tab.

[0033]

FIG. 20 is a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with a dental flosser removably attached to a side edge of the handle.

[0034]

FIG. 21 is a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with a removable side-attached a flosser and a removable key-shaped toothpick with its tab located in the flosser opening.

[0035]

FIG. 22 is a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with a removably-attached side panel containing a flosser. a key-shaped curved toothpick and a key-shaped interdental brush removably attached to the side panel.

[0036]

FIG. 23 shows a fork with a curved toothpick attached at the end region alongside an adjacent guard tab that is attached to the handle in a manner to be displaceable at a score line.

[0037]

FIG. 24 shows a user's hands in process of displacing the toothpick of FIG.1 for exposure and use.

[0038]

FIG. 25 shows a fork with a curved toothpick extending from an end region that is score- line-attached to the handle.

[0039]

FIG. 26 shows a fork with an edge-located tapered toothpick attached to an end tab that is score-line-attached to the handle.

[0040]

FIG. 27 shows a fork with an attached centered tapered toothpick guarded by an end tab that is displaceably attached to the handle by a pair of score lines. [0041]

FIG. 28 shows a fork with a centered curved toothpick attached to an end tab that is displaceably attached to the handle by a pair of score lines.

[0042]

FIG. 29 shows a fork with an end-located curved toothpick attached by a score line.

[0043]

FIG. 30 shows a fork with an edge-located score-line-attached straight toothpick.

[0044]

FIG. 31 shows a fork with a centered score-line-attached straight toothpick.

[0045]

FIG. 32 shows a fork with an attached curved toothpick extending longitudinally ii om the end of the handle, ready-to-use.

[0046]

FIG. 33 depicts a fork with an attached curved toothpick extending laterally from the end of the handle, ready-to-use.

[0047]

FIG. 34 depicts a fork configured with an attached ready-to-use flosser and a guarded centrally-located removably-attached straight toothpick.

[0048]

FIG. 35 depicts a fork configured with a user-displaceable combination flosser and edge- located tapered toothpick

[0049]

FIG. 36 depicts a fork configured with a user-displaceable combination flosser and centrally-located tapered toothpick.

[0050]

FIG. 37 depicts a cutlery knife combined with a removable grip-tab toothpick.

[0051]

FIG. 38 depicts a spoon combined with a displaceable interdental pick configured with a grip-tab that initially constitutes the end region of the handle.

[0052]

FIG. 39 depicts a spork (spoon/fork) combined with a displaceable grip-tab oral brush [0053]

FIG. 40 is a fiont cut-away view of a utensil handle showing a tongue cleaner integi ally formed in the end region of the handle.

[0054]

FIG. 41 is a cut-away side view of the utensil handle of FIG. 40 showing the tongue cleaner of FIG. 40 on one side and a bristle brush located on the opposite side.

[0055]

FIG. 42 is a rear view of the utensil handle of FIG. 40 showing the bristle brush of FIG.

41 in the end region.

[0056]

FIG. 43 is a cut-away front view of a utensil handle configured with a straight grip-tab toothpick and a tongue cleaner in the end region.

[0057]

FIG. 44 is a rear view of the utensil handle of FIG. 43 equipped with straiglit grip-tab toothpick and an oral brush in the end region.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment 10 of the invention wherein the utensil portion is a fork 10A having a handle portion 10B configured with an attached fiosser 10C suspending a length of floss 10D across a fiosser gap formed by ends 10E and 10F holding the floss 10D oriented at a selected angle as shown. The floss 10D can be molded into the plastic of fiosser gap ends 10E and 10F at manufacture.

[0059] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment 12 wherein the utensil portion is a knife 12A having handle portion 12B containing a fiosser 12C holding floss 12D in a longitudinal orientation as shown.

[0060] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment 14 wherein the utensil portion is a spoon 14A having handle portion 14B with an end region containing a fiosser 14C and a hygienic device, in this embodiment a toothpick 14E, configured with an enlarged base end forming a thumb-finger grip tab that is located within the opening of fiosser 14C as shown. The toothpick portion extends down into a slot configured in handle portion 14B. The key-shaped toothpick 14E is removably held in place within the fiosser opening by a pair of snap-off score lines 14F at the bottom side of the tab. Alternatively such removable fastening could be located anywhere along any edge of the tab.

[0061] FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment 16 wherein the utensil portion is a spork 16A (combination spoon/fork) having a handle portion 16B initially including an end region containing a flosser 16C. Handle 16B is also configured with a tapered toothpick 16D at one edge, and a snap-off score line 16E that enables snap-off removal of flosser 16C and toothpick 16D along with a finger grip region. Alternatively, the snap-off score line 16E could be relocated to extend across the base end of the toothpick, enabling snap-off of the toothpick alone.

[0062] FIG. 5 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle 18 configured with a flosser 18A in the end region and an attached tapered toothpick 18B which, when flosser 18A is removed by snapping off at score lines 18C, exposes the toothpick 18B ready to use, attached to the handle 18.

[0063] FIG. 6 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle 20 configured with a flosser 20A which, when snapped off at score lines 20C, exposes curved toothpick 20B.

[0064] FIG. 7 depicts a fork cut-away front view of a utensil handle 22 configured with a flosser 22A which, when snapped off at score lines 22C, exposes an interdental pick 22B that is made sufficiently thin and abrasive to enable cleaning the interface region between the edges of adjacent teeth.

[0065] FIG. 8 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle 24 configured with a flosser 24A which, when snapped off at score lines 24C, exposes an interdental brush 24B that is made sufficiently thin and abrasive to enable cleaning the interface region between the edges of adjacent teeth:

[0066] FIG. 9 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle 26 configured with a flosser 26 A and a straight toothpick 26B that snaps off at score line 26C.

[0067] FIG. 10 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle 28 configured with flosser 28A, oriented at a designated angle relative to handle 28 as enabled by a lateral bend line 28B configured in handle 28.

[0068] FIG. 11 depicts a cut-away side view of a utensil handle 28 of FIG, 10 configured with flosser 28A , oriented at the designated angle relative to handle 28 as enabled by lateral bend line 28B.

[0069] FIG. 12 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle 30 in combination witli an attached ilosser 30A and a tapered tootlipick 20B which is formed integrally witli handle 30. Living hinge bend lines 30C are provided with special handle material to allow bending as much as 180 degrees.

[0070] FIG. 13 depicts a cut-away side view of utensil handle 30 of FIG 12 showing the end region with Ilosser 30A initially in collinear alignment with handle 30.

[0071] FIG. 14 depicts a cut-away front view of utensil handle 30 of FIGs 12 and 13 showing the end region with ilosser 30A having been bent forward 180 degrees at bend lines 30C (FIG. 12) exposing tapered toothpick 30B ready for use as shown.

[0072] FIG. 15 depicts cut-away side view of utensil handle 30 of FIG 14 showing die end region with flosser 30A, as in FIG. 14, having been bent forward 180 degrees at bend lines 30C (FIG. 12) exposing tapered toothpick 30B ready for use as shown.

[0073] FIG. 16 is cut-away front view of a utensil handle 32 including a flosser 32A and a tongue cleaner 32B arranged as shown. Tongue cleaner 32B can be implemented as a row of ridges that can be molded integrally witli handle portion 32. Alternatively, the tongue cleaner can be implemented as at least one scraping edge, intended to scrape the tongue to remove debris while not causing injury ⁷ to tongue. Furthermore, the region of handle portion 32 that contains the tongue cleaner could be made with pennanent bends or flexible so as to make accessing the tongue easier; the tongue cleaner could be configured with at least one opening that allows debris from the scraping action to pass thin, preferably to a designated collection area.

[0074] FIG. 17 is a cut-away side view of a utensil handle 34 including a ilosser 34A, a tongue cleaner 34B and a bristle brush 34C. The side view of tongue cleaner 34B shows a saw tooth profile shape of the ridges, also applicable to tongue cleaner 32B (FIG. 16), with the ridge-tips being formed with a designated sharpness, appropriate to tongue cleaning. Brush 34 is typically fabricated as a separate item, with bristles of appropriate length and stiffness, and affixed to handle 32.

[0075] FIG. 18 is a cut-away front view of the utensil handle 34, ilosser 34A and brush 34C of FIG. 17. Optionally brush 34C could be implemented as any type of brush or oral brush, i.e. any brush that can be used orally, including but is not limited to bristle- type oral brushes, interdental-type oral brushes, pad/fabricate-type of brushes and combinations thereof. The oral brush can be directly molded into the eating utensil handle and/or applied to an eating utensil handle in a secondary assembly application. The portion of the utensil handle that contains the oral brush could be made with permanent bends or made flexible so as to make accessing teeth/tongue easier; and bristle-type oral brushes could vary in such areas as, but not limited to, count, arrangement, stiffness, color, width, length, material, attachment method to base and combinations thereof.

[0076] FIG. 19 is a cut-away front view of a utensil handle 36 including a flosser 36A and a combination of two interdental devices attached to a finger grip tab 36B: an interdental bush 36C and an interdental pick 36D, both made sufficiently thin to perform cleaning in the interface between adjacent teeth.

[0077] FIG. 20 is a cut-away front view of a utensil handle 38 with a dental flosser 38 removably attached to a side edge of handle 38. Score lines 38B at the attachment locations enable snap-off removal ilosser 38A for separate usage. The extension region shown in the lower portion of ilosser 38A provides a thumb-finger grip tab.

[0078] FIG. 21 is a cut-away front view of a handle 40 with a side edge removably attached to a flosser 40A via a pair of snap-off fastenings 40B. A toothpick 40C is configured with an enlarged base end forming a thumb-finger grip tab that is located within the flosser opening; the toothpick portion extends down into a slot configured in a widened lower aim of ilosser 40A. The key-shaped toothpick 40C is removably held in place within by a pair of snap-off score lines 40D at the bottom side of the tab.

Alternatively such removable fastening could be located anywhere along any edge of the tab. Side mounting of the ilosser 40A permits the option of configuring a device such as a tongue cleaner 40E as shown at the end of handle 40. Side mounting of devices such as toothpick 40C avoids any possible loss of mechanical strength in handle 40.due to handle openings. Locating the tab of key-shaped toothpick 40C in (he flosser opening as shown avoids need for a side panel part and saves space.

[0079] FIG. 22 is a cut-away front view of a handle poilion 42 removably attached at a side edge thereof to a side panel 42B via a pair of snap-off fastenings 42C. Side panel 42B contains a ilosser 42C along with one or more hygienic devices: in tliis embodiment a curved toothpick 42D with a grip tab and interdental brush 42E with a grip tab, each removably attached by snap-off fastening at two opposite side edges as shown. Side mounting of the flosser 42C in a side panel 42 B permits the option of configuring a device such as a tongue cleaner 42F as shown at the end of handle 42. Mounting devices externally, e.g. in an external panel 42D, instead of in handle openings benefits the mechanical strength of utensil handle portion 42, Edge-mounted combinations/panels such as in FIGs. 21 and 22 have potential for marketing as stand-alone products.

[0080] FIG. 23 depicts a fork 24 configured with an attached cwved toothpick 24A, protected on one side by an adjacent guard tab 24B that is made user-displaceable at score line 24C so as to expose toothpick 24A for use. Depending on design selection of handle material and configuration of score line 24C, (a) in a bend-away embodiment, tab 24B can be bent back and held by a user to expose the toothpick for usage, but remains attached as a guard for future usage of the fork 24, whereas (b) in a snap-off embodiment, snap-off removal of guard tab 24B leaves toothpick 24A permanently exposed and unguarded.

[0081] FIG. 24 shows a user's left hand 26 A holding a fork 24 of FIG. 1 while the right hand 26B is shown in process of displacing the guard tab 24B at score line 24C, to expose toothpick 24A ready to use, remaining attached to fork 24 which serves as a handle.

[0082] FIG. 25 depicts a fork 28 configured with a snap-off curved toothpick 28A, extending longitudinally from the handle. In a primary version, toothpick 28A is made readily removable by snapping off at score line 28B, providing the toothpick separately with a thumb-finger grip. In a secondary version, score line 28B is made relatively stiff so that toothpick28A can be considered ready-to-use while remaining attached to fork 28 which serves as a handle. In still another version (FIG. 32), score line 28B is omitted.

[0083] FIG. 26 depicts a fork 30 configured with a tapered toothpick 30A that is edge-located and attached to a user-displaceable end tab 30C. A score line 30B, from the base end of toothpick 30A to the handle edge, enables a user to displace tab 30C and thus expose tootlipick 30A for use; in a bend-away embodiment, tootlipick 30A would remain attached to the handle along with bent back tab 30C, whereas in a snap-off embodiment, tootlipick 30A would be removed from the handle along with end tab 30C, which would serve as a thumb/finger grip tab to facilitate use of the toothpick 30A.

[0084] FIG. 27 depicts a fork 32 configured with an attached toothpick 32A that is fully protected by a user-displaceable end tab 32B, which, when user-displaced at score lines 32C, exposes toothpick 32A for use. In a bend-away embodiment, end tab 32B remains attached to the handle of fork 32, facilitating subsequent further use of the fork, whereas in a snap-off embodiment, end tab 32B is snapped off (and typically discarded ) to expose the toothpick 32A ready to use, attached to the fork 32 which serves as a hand grip.

[0085] FIG. 28 depicts a fork 34 configured with a fully guarded curved toothpick 34A which, in a snap-off embodiment when snapped off by user displacement at score lines 34B, includes a thumb-finger grip tab 34C. In a bend-away embodiment when tab 34C is bent back by user displacement at score lines 34B, toothpick 34A becomes exposed, ready for use.

[0086] FIG. 29 depicts a fork 36 configured with a partially-guarded curved toothpick 36A which, in a snap-off embodiment, when snapped olf at score line 36B, includes a triangular portion that can serve as a thumb-finger grip tab.

[0087] FIG. 30 depicts a fork 38 configured with a partially-guarded straight toothpick 38A which, in a snap-off embodiment, snaps off at score line 38B for use as a separate item.

[0088] FIG. 31 depicts a fork 40 with a fully guarded straight toothpick 40A which, in a snap-off embodiment, snaps off at score line 40B for use as a separate item, leaving the handle end 40C in place with its original outline shape intact.

[0089] FIG. 32 depicts a fork 42 with an unguarded attached curved toothpick 42A, oriented longitudinally, ready to use.

[0090] FIG. 33 depicts a fork 44 with an unguarded attached curved toothpick 44A, oriented laterally, ready to use.

[0091] FIG. 34 depicts a fork 46 in combination with an attached flosser 46A, ready to use, and an initially attached straight toothpick 46B that snaps off at score line 46C for removal and separate usage. The floss in flosser 46A can be secured in place at the ends of the flosser opening by molding into the plastic material at manufacture or by forcing the floss into narrow V-shaped grooves.

[0092] FIG. 35 depicts a fork 48 configured with an edge-located semi-guarded tapered toothpick 48B and a flosser 48A with a score line 48 located to enable a user to expose toothpick 48B for use by dislocating toothpick 48B and a flosser 48A as a combo. Score line 48C is made sufficiently stiff to enable immediate use of ilosser 48A with the combo attached in line with the fork 48 as shown, the fork serving as a handle. In a snap- off embodiment, the combined toothpick 48B and flosser 48 can be snapped off from fork 48 at score line 48C, providing the combo of both dental cleaning devices ready to use as a separate unit. In a bend-away embodiment, the user can expose the toothpick 48B for use at any time by bending back the combo at score line 48C.

[0093] FIG. 36 depicts a toothpick 50B and a flosser 50A in a combo configuration similar to that in FIG. 37 except that toothpick 50B, being centered in the handle, is initially fully guarded by surrounding handle material and is flanked by a pair of score lines 50C for user-displacement; otherwise the capabilities and method of use are as described in connection with FIG. 36.

[0094] In a configuration similar to that in FIG. 36, the toothpick and its surrounding guard region opening could be inverted (i.e. rotated 180 degrees) to appear as in FIG. 27. Then, in a snap-off embodiment, the ilosser would snap off for sepai ate use, exposing die toothpick ready for use (like 32A in FIG. 27), still attached to the fork. In a bend-away embodiment, the flosser would fold back to expose toothpick for use.

[0095] FIG.37 is a front view of an embodiment 52 of the invention wherein the utensil portion is a cutlery knife 54; its handle 56 is configured in its end region with a fully guarded toothpick 56A' configured with an enlarged base tab 56A" that serves as a thumb-finger grip. In a snap-off embodiment, toothpick 56 A' and its attached tab 56 A" can be snapped off at score lines 56B and removed for sepai ate use.

[0096] FIG. 38 is a front view of an embodiment 58 of the invention wherein the utensil portion is a spoon 60; its attached handle 62 is configured with an interdental pick 62A ¹ having an enlarged base tab 62A" that initially forms the end of handle 62 as shown, hi a snap-off embodiment toothpick 62A' and attached tab 62A" can be snapped oft ^' at a pair of score lines 62B and removed for separate use. In a bend-away

embodiment, toothpick 62A' and attached tab 62A" can be deployed by the user bending tab 62A" back 180 degrees at the pair of score lines 62B, thus exposing interdental pick 62A' ready for use.

[0097] FIG. 39 is a front view of an embodiment 64 of the invention wherein the utensil portion is a spork 66, i.e. spoon/fork, with attached handle 68 configured in its end region with a fully guarded interdental brush 68A' with an attached enlarged base tab 68A" mat serves as a thumb-finger tab. In a snap-off embodiment, brush 68A' and attached tab 68A" can be snapped-off at score line 68B, located along the top edge of base tab 68A", and removed for separate use. In a bend-away embodiment, interdental brush 68A' and its attached tab 68A" can be bent away at score line 68B.

[0098] FIG. 40 is a cut-away front view of an eating utensil handle portion 70 including a tongue cleaner 70A located in the end region. Tongue cleaner 70A can be implemented as a row of ridges that can be molded integrally with handle portion 70. Alternatively, tongue cleaner 70A can be implemented as at least one scraping edge, intended to scrape the tongue to remove debris while not causing injury to tongue. As a fuilher option, the region of handle portion 70 that contains the tongue cleaner 70A could be made with permanent bends or made tlexible so as to make accessing the tongue easier; the tongue cleaner could be configured with at least one opening that allows debris from the scraping action to pass tliru, preferably to a designated collection area.

[0099] FIG. 41 is a cut-away side view of utensil handle 70 as in FIG. 40 showing a side view of tongue cleaner 70A, also showing a side view of a bristle brush 70B in the end region on the opposite rear side. The side view of tongue cleaner 70A shows a sawtooth profile shape of the ridges, with the ridge-tips being formed with designated sharpness, appropriate to tongue cleaning. Brush 70B is typically fabricated as a separate item, with bristles of appropriate length and stiffness, and affixed to the end region of handle 70.

[0100] FIG. 42 is a cut-away rear view of the utensil handle 70 and brush 70B of FIG. 41. Optionally brush 70B could be implemented as any type of brush that can be used orally, e.g. bristle-type oral brush, interdental-type oral brush, pad/fabricated-type of brush and combinations thereof. The oral brush 70B can be directly molded into the eating utensil handle 70 and/or- procured separately and affixed to the handle. The portion of the utensil handle 70 that contains the oral brush could be made with one or more permanent bends or made flexible so as to make accessing teedi/tongue easier; and bristle-type oral brushes could vary in such areas as, but not limited to, count, arrangement, stiffness, color, width, length, material, attachment method to base and combinations thereof. [0101] FIG. 43 is a cut-away front view of an eating utensil handle 72 including a fully guarded snap-off straight toothpick 72A' with a base tab 72A" and a tongue cleaner 72B located near the end of handle 72 as in FIG. 40. Toothpick 72A', along with its base tab 72A", snaps off at a pair of score lines 72C as shown, to be removed for separate use.

[0102] FIG. 44 is a cut-away front view of the eating utensil handle 74 including a fully guarded snap-off sti aight toothpick 74A' attached to base tab 74A", as in FIG. 43, and a brush 74B located near the end of handle 74 as shown and described in connection with FIGs 41 and 42.

[0103] In the present disclosure, wherever a plain toothpick is shown and/or described as the oral cleaning device, it is to be understood that the invention can be practiced incorporating, as an alternative, an interdental pick or a mold-incorporated interdental bmsh.

[0104] While the invention is directed primarily to an unfulfilled need and expected demand in conjunction with disposable plastic eating utensils which are likely to be popular at picnics and other social or public eating events where regular dental cleaning facilities are unavailable, the invention could be practiced in conjunction with more permanent type eating utensils intended for more general use. The material in the eating utensil can be metal or any material that can provide the desired break-away or bend-back embodiment. As an alternative to the generally one-piece construction shown for the eating utensil, it could be made from a plurality of parts joined by fastenings such as welding or adhesives.

[0105] Standard fork, spoon or knife designs could include, but are not limited to, such features as ribbed-supports and similar structural/cosmetic elements.

[0106] Score lines, which provide removable initial attachment or bendable initial straightness, can be configured for particular type, location, shape and depth, i.e.

thickness at the thinnest point. In the design of snap-of embodiments, the material is selected to be relatively brittle and the score line depth is made to enable a user to break the material at the score line. Generally the depth of the score line is chosen to make snap-off easy and convenient, however in special embodiments that require initial stiffness, the score line is made shallower, requiring greater force for snap-off separation. In the design of bend-awav embodiments, a more resilient material is selected that can be bent back 180 degrees without breaking off at tlie score line.

[0107] Optional locations of score lines provide many potentially beneficial configurations/embodiments, e.g.:

(a) for user displacement, i.e. snap-off or bend-away, of a device by itself, the score line is simply extended across an edge, Typically the base, of the device as shown in FIGs 29-31, 37-39, 43 & 44.

(b) similarly, an end portion area that forms a protective tab can be made to be displaceable at a score line located across its base as shown in FIGs 23 & 24;

(c) for a device with one side edge forming part of the handle side edge, a score line extending from a side edge of tlie device to a corresponding side edge of tlie handle allows the device to remain permanently attached to the utensil handle or to the end portion (depending on device orientation) when the end portion is snapped-off or bent- away fr om the utensil handle, thus providing an attached thumb-finger grip tab to facilitate use of tlie device, as shown in FIGs. 26 & 27;

(d) similarly, for a device located within the handle outline, a pair of score lines extending from side edges of the device base to corresponding opposite side edges of the handle allows the same capability as in (c), as shown in FIGs. 27, 28 & 38; and

(e) a score line can be simply extend fully across the handle at a selected location, enabling the handle to be snapped off into two pieces (or bent-away) at the score line, typically leaving an area ofhandle material permanently attached to the device to serve as a thumb/finger grip tab, as shown in FIG. 25.

[0108] As alternatives to the dental cleaning device being attached to the eating utensil in a permanent or break-away manner with score lines as shown, the invention could be practiced with such attachment made by other fasteners such as temporary glue, magnets, snap-fits, Velcro or the like. It could be arranged for break-away parts to be reattached.

[0109] In embodiments where the dental cleaning device is a tootlipick, extreme sharpness at the working end of tlie tootlipick should be avoided as hazardous; instead tlie point should be made slightly rounded, sufficient to avoid injury, while still shaped optimally to provide effective cleaning capability.

[0110] The dental cleaning device, shown as a toothpick or flosser, could also include items such as a tooth brush, pad or fabric type of brush or tongue cleaner integrated into the eating utensil by attachment means such as mold-integration, adhesive or welding, or alternatively bundled in an eating-kit package including one or more eating utensils and/or related items such as a napkin.

[0111] As an alternative to floss where a flosser is shown, a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible thin fin or blade could be provided to clean between and around the teeth.

[0112] For embodiments such as those shown in FIGs. 25, 32 and 33 where toothpick extends unguarded, a lid or cap of some kind could be included for use as a cover or sheath.

[0113] The dental cleaning device could further provide an appropriately designed rough or raised surface, located on its surface or on that of the eating utensil, that could aid in the removal of debris located on the inner walls of the teetli. The debris removal would occur on the insertion and removal of the dental cleaning device.

[0114] Supplemental items such as dental floss, tissue paper or mouth wash could be provided either separately, stored within or attached to the eating utensil body in some manner, optionally bundle-wrapped and/or hygienic eating utensils could be individually wrapped.

[0115] While the invention has been shown practiced in the form of a fork, spoon, knife and spork, it is to be understood that the invention can be practiced in conjunction with other eating utensils including but not limited to chopsticks, tongs, any other commonly utilized eating utensils and combinations thereof.

[0116] It is to be understood that the invention could be configured with

permanent/flex-ready bend and/or bends in the eating utensil handle that could make deployment of anv dental hygienic devices, permanently/integrally fonned in said handle and intended for use while still attached to said handle, more convenient/optimal to access a users oral features such as teeth and tongue.

[0117] As an alternative to incorporating the dental cleaning device within or directly attached to the eating utensil, one or more cleaning devices and one or more eating utensil could be included separately side-by-side in sheet of plastic made and arranged to enable break-away removal for use.

[0118] The invention may be embodied and practiced in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considei ed in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all variations, substitutions and changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.