CROSS-REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to South African provisional patent application number 2013/07310, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to oral hygiene instruments. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to oral hygiene instruments which may be secured to a finger of a user and used to clean teeth.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Oral hygiene instruments such as toothbrushes are commonly used by people to clean their teeth, gums and tongues, and to generally help promote good oral hygiene. Toothbrushes are mostly used with toothpaste, which is a paste or gel dentifrice which may further aid in the removal of dental plaque and residual food from teeth and may also assist in suppressing halitosis, tooth and gum disease by, for example, delivering active ingredients to the teeth and gums.

Many changes and modifications have over the years been made to what may be referred to as the conventional toothbrush. For example, finger brushes exist which have a thimble-like casing on which a plurality of bristles is disposed. Finger brushes are typically used to clean the teeth of babies, pets or other people who can generally not brush their own teeth. The conventional toothbrush consists of a head of tightly clustered bristles mounted on a handle, and are available with a large variety of bristle textures, sizes and forms. The bristles are most commonly made from synthetic fibres, although animal hair bristles are stills sometimes used. Some toothbrushes have a plurality of fine, silicone bristles, either exclusively or in combination with conventional bristles, which may also make them better suited for brushing tongues. Other variants include disposable toothbrushes which are typically given to airline passengers and which may be designed to be somewhat smaller in size than conventional toothbrushes making them better suited to travelling where space may be at a premium.

While the abovementioned oral hygiene instruments address many needs, there remains at least some problems which are not addressed. For example, disposable toothbrushes may still be too bulky to carry in large quantities, and are also relatively expensive to manufacturer. Furthermore, while convenient to use, disposable toothbrushes still require the user to carry a separate tube of toothpaste.

There is accordingly a need for an oral hygiene instrument which will at least partially addresses at least some of the above limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention, there is provided an oral hygiene instrument comprising

an elongate, generally planar, tape-like body defining first and second major opposed surfaces;

a cleaning area on the first major surface; and

a fastening arrangement configured to secure the body in position after wrapping the body around a suitable carrier,

the cleaning area defining a plurality of resiliently flexible bristles thereon, and having an oral hygiene agent deposited on one or more of the first major surface, cleaning area and bristles.

Further features of the invention provide for the fastening arrangement to be further configured to secure a section of the body on the second major surface back onto the first major surface of the body after wrapping the body around the carrier; for the cleaning area to be positioned at or near a middle portion of a longitudinal axis of the body; for the bristles to be deposited onto the body during manufacturing; for the bristles to be integrally formed with the body; and for the bristles to be manufactured from a suitable material selected from silicone, polypropylene, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polylactic acid, natural rubber, cellulose acetate, and Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).

Still further features of the invention provide for the oral hygiene agent to be a hardened toothpaste; and for the oral hygiene agent to be activated upon contact with water.

Yet further features of the invention provide for the fastening arrangement to be an adhesive applied to the second major surface of the body, preferably at or near an end region thereof; or, alternatively, for the fastening arrangement to include an elongate malleable element disposed inside the body and optionally a cooperating frictious coating applied to the second major surface of the body; or alternatively for the fastening arrangement to be provided by properties inherent to the tape, including its malleability.

The invention further provides an oral hygiene instrument dispenser containing a plurality of oral hygiene instruments as described above, the dispenser having a casing containing the oral hygiene instruments, and an access opening through which they may be removed from the casing; each one of the plurality of oral hygiene instruments being frangibly attached to an adjacent oral hygiene instrument along a short edge thereof, forming a strip of oral hygiene instruments; the strip of oral hygiene instruments being stacked or rolled, as the case may be, inside the casing, such that an oral hygiene instrument may be pulled through the access opening of the dispenser by a user and torn free of the adjacent oral hygiene instrument. Further features of the invention provide for the strip of oral hygiene instruments to be manufactured in a continuous process; for individual instruments to be separated along lines of weakness forming tear lines between them; and for the lines of weakness to be perforations in the bodies of the instruments.

The invention further provides a method of manufacturing an oral hygiene instrument, the method comprising the steps of:

disposing a plurality of resiliently flexible bristles on a cleaning area of a first major opposed surface of an elongate, generally planar, tapelike body;

depositing an oral hygiene agent on one or both of the first major surface of the body and the bristles; and,

providing the instrument with a fastening arrangement configured to secure a section of the body on a second major surface back onto the first major surface of the body after wrapping the body around a suitable carrier.

A further feature of the invention provides for the step of providing the instrument with a fastening arrangement to comprise depositing a non-toxic adhesive to the second major surface of the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying representations in which:

Figure 1 is a three dimensional view of an oral hygiene instrument according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of an oral hygiene instrument according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a front view of an oral hygiene instrument according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a side view of an oral hygiene instrument according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a three dimensional view of an oral hygiene instrument dispenser according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 to 4 illustrate an oral hygiene instrument (100) according to embodiments of the invention. The oral hygiene instrument (100) includes an elongate, generally planar, tape-like body (1 10), defining first (1 12) and second (1 14) major opposed surfaces. The body (1 10) has a plurality of bristles (120) disposed on a portion, hereinafter referred to as the cleaning area, of the first major surface (1 12) thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the bristles (120) are disposed on a middle region of the body's longitudinal axis, the bristled portion spanning the width of the tape. The oral hygiene instrument includes an oral hygiene agent (130) which is deposited on the first major surface (1 12) of the body (1 10) and/or the bristles (120). The tape further includes a fastening arrangement (not shown) configured to secure a section of the body (1 10) on the second major surface (1 14) back onto the first major surface (1 12) of the body (1 10) after wrapping the body (1 10) around a suitable carrier, in this example a user's finger.

Embodiments of the invention anticipate a variety of materials out of which the body (1 10) may be manufactured. For example, the body (1 10) may be manufactured from any one of the group of: Polypropylene; Polyhydroxyalkanoates; Polylactic Acid; Cellulose Acetate; or Linear low- density polyethylene (LLDPE). The width of the body (1 10) is intended to, for example, be similar to the length of a distal phalange of a user's index finger, which may be obtained or determined from average measurement data relating thereto such as, for example, anthropometric data. It is anticipated that the width of the tape may vary as different sizes of tape might be applicable for different end users. In some embodiments, the width of the tape is less than or equal to 30 mm. The length the tape is preferably greater than 50 mm and no greater than 80 mm.

Embodiments of the invention anticipate that the width of the portion over which the bristles are placed may be similar to the width of the tape. The length of the portion over which the bristles may be placed may vary between 14 mm and 18 mm. In some embodiments of the invention, bristles may be disposed on the whole of the first major surface (1 12) of the body (1 10).

The fastening arrangement, according to embodiments of the invention, may be an adhesive which is applied to the second major surface (1 14) of the tape (1 10). As the instrument is intended to be used intraorally, the adhesive is preferably non-toxic and safe for oral usage. An exemplary adhesive is Alcolex 9003. In alternate embodiments, the fastening arrangement may include an elongate malleable element, such as a thin wire, disposed inside the body and, optionally, a frictious coating applied to the second major surface (1 14) of the body. In some embodiments of the invention, the body (1 10) may be selected as conventional sticky tape, in which case the fastening arrangement could be provided by the adhesive bottom layer of the tape. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the fastening arrangement may be provided by properties inherent to the tape such as, for example, its malleability.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the resilient bristles (120) are manufactured from silicone, although the invention anticipates the bristles being made from any one or more materials from the group including: Silicone; Polypropylene; Polyhydroxyalkanoates; Natural Rubber; Nylon; and any other suitable material.

Embodiments of the invention anticipate that the plurality of bristles (120) may be either a plurality of separate fibres or alternatively a plurality of tufts. The dimensions of the bristles or tufts could be varied. In some embodiments of the invention, a base layer (122), being of the same material as the bristles, is disposed onto the first major surface of the tape (1 12). The plurality of bristles (120) may then be attached to this base layer (122). The base layer may alleviate stress concentrations between the body and the bristles.

In yet further embodiments of the invention, the bristles may be manufactured from a hardened oral hygiene agent or other appropriate material such that the bristles may serve as both an oral hygiene agent and bristles. In another embodiment, the bristles may have deposited thereon or therein, as the case may be, an oral hygiene agent which may be released through, for example, apertures in the bristles or the like; or as a result of friction between the agent and teeth or alternatively dissolution of the agent in water or saliva.

The vertical length of the bristles may vary between 3 mm and 8 mm and the bristles may be provided in any number of shapes, for example one or more combinations of cylinders, cones and tetrahedrons. In the illustrated embodiment, the bristles are cone shaped.

The oral hygiene agent (130) may be any appropriate agent such as toothpaste, gel, or toothpowder. In some embodiments of the invention, the agent may be hardened or dried. The agent is disposed on the bristles (120) and, in some embodiments, may be disposed on the first side of the tape (1 12) and/or cleaning area as well, forming a layer. The oral hygiene agent may also be disposed in the bristles and released via apertures provided therein. In some embodiments, it is envisaged that the agent could be activated upon, for example, exposure to either one or both of saliva and water. The agent (130) may be provided in a variety of flavours and may include a breath freshener. Furthermore, the agent (130) may consist of any suitable active ingredient so as to provide additional benefits such as, for example anti-sensitivity and the like.

It is further envisaged that any number of the oral hygiene instruments of the invention may be provided together in a suitable dispenser. The dispenser may have a plurality of the oral hygiene instruments according to embodiments of the invention stored therein, and may provide an access opening through which oral hygiene instruments may be dispensed individually time. Such a dispenser (160) is illustrated in Figure 5 and includes a casing (161 ) which provides an access opening or slit (162), through which the instruments may be dispensed. Each one of the plurality of oral hygiene instruments (100) is frangibly attached along a short edge thereof to an adjacent oral hygiene instrument to form a strip of oral hygiene instruments. The strip of oral hygiene instruments may then be stacked or rolled, as the case may be, inside the dispenser, such that an oral hygiene instrument may be pulled through the slit of the dispenser by a user and torn free of the adjacent oral hygiene instrument. In other embodiments, oral hygiene instruments may be individually wrapped so as to avoid contamination. In some embodiments of the invention, the dispenser and oral hygiene instruments may be provided separately. It is anticipated that the dispenser (160) may include a reel around which the strip of instruments may be rolled.

Further embodiments of the invention provide a method of manufacturing an oral hygiene instrument. The method may comprise a series of steps, the first being the step of providing a suitable tape that could be used in the manufacture of the instruments. The step of providing a tape may include further steps of cutting the tape to size, which may include, for example, the step of performing slit-die extrusion with an added cutting function to cut pieces of tape to the correct size. It should be appreciated that instead of clean cuts, the tape may simply be perforated between adjacent instruments, thereby providing lines of weakness along which it may be torn to separate adjacent instruments.

At a next step in the method, a plurality of resiliently flexible bristles are disposed or deposited on at least a portion of the first surface of the tape. This step may be performed in a variety of ways including, for example, moulding, extrusion, thermoforming, or any other applicable process. In some embodiments of the invention, the bristles are disposed on the first surface of the tape by applying liquid silicone via a nozzle.

Once the bristles have been disposed on the tape, an oral hygiene agent is deposited on the first side of the tape and/or the bristles. This step may be performed in any applicable manner making use of any applicable process. An exemplary process includes depositing an oral hygiene agent such as toothpaste onto the bristles and drying the toothpaste to form a dried oral hygiene agent which may be activated upon contact with water.

The method extends to a final step of providing the tape with a fastening arrangement by means of which a section of the second major surface of the tape may be secured back onto a section of the first major surface, after having wrapped the instrument around a suitable carrier, preferably the finger of a user. In some embodiments of the invention, the steps of providing a tape and providing the tape with a fastening arrangement may be performed as a single step of providing a tape with a suitable adhesive applied to the second side major surface thereof.

In some embodiments of the invention, the oral hygiene instruments may be manufactured as a strip of a plurality of oral hygiene instruments. The strip may then be rolled up or folded. It should be appreciated that the strip of oral hygiene instruments may be manufactured in a continuous process.

It is anticipated that any one or more components, methods, processes, or embodiments of the invention may be implemented, manufactured, processed, or the like using biodegradable and/or recyclable materials, processes, etc. The oral hygiene instruments may be provided in a variety of different colours and parts of the oral hygiene instrument may have a pattern or design printed thereon.

In use, a user may pull an oral hygiene instrument form the dispenser through the access aperture or slit, and tear it loose from an adjacent oral hygiene instrument. The user may then wrap the instrument around his or her index (or other) finger, and secure the instrument back onto itself by means of the fastening arrangement. It should be appreciated that, to achieve optimal manoeuvrability and operation, the instrument may be secured so that the bristled cleaning area is positioned above, and project from, the palm of the finger to which the instrument is secured. Securing of the instrument to the finger may require the user to first remove a protective layer to reveal an adhesive disposed on the second major surface of the body such that the instrument is operable to adhere to the finger once applied and to be held captive in use. The user may then activate the oral hygiene agent deposited on the bristles and/or tape by bringing the instrument into contact with either water or saliva. The user may then begin brushing his or her teeth by, for example, engaging the bristles with his or her teeth and urging the bristles in a scrubbing motion over the teeth. After the teeth have been cleaned to the user's satisfaction, the instrument may be removed from the finger by the user by unwinding it and may thereafter be discarded. By using, for example, the index finger to move the bristles over the teeth, the user may find it easier to feel or sense where to brush which may make the brushing process easier than when using, for example, a conventional toothbrush. The invention accordingly provides an oral hygiene instrument which may be more compact and mobile than existing oral hygiene instruments. The oral hygiene instrument is also disposable and, having an oral hygiene agent deposited thereon at the time of manufacture, may further aid mobility and compactness as it alleviates the need for the user to carry an additional tube of toothpaste or other cleaning agent. The oral hygiene instrument according to embodiments of the invention may be particularly useful for travel, or may also be kept in, for example, a pocket or handbag to allow for convenient use in situations where one ordinarily may not have had an oral hygiene instrument, such as a conventional toothbrush, handy.

It is envisaged that the oral hygiene instrument according to embodiments of the invention may be particularly useful in aeroplanes, replacing convention disposable oral hygiene instruments, as a potentially cheaper and more environmentally friendly solution.

The above description is by way of example only and it should be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention.