ADJUSTABLE DENTAL TOOTHPICK DEVICE

The present model relates to the field of after meal teeth cleaning devices more commonly referred to as toothpicks.

As is known, at the end of each meal the need often arises to eliminate the annoying presence of any food residue that may remain between the teeth. The object most widely used for the purpose of removing said residue is the toothpick.

The most popular type of toothpick available is made of birch wood and in its most common form is pointed at both ends. Albeit less commonly toothpicks are also known to be made of plastic; the latter being intended to compensate for the lack of flexibility in wood.

Whatever the material used toothpicks known in the art have a number of drawbacks mostly relating to their increased thickness which prevents them from passing completely through the interdental space.

It follows that for the removal of food residue occuring between molars within the oral cavity for example, inconvenient repeated opening of the mouth needs to take place. And due to the thickness of the toothpick, failing as it does to pass completely through the interdental space and therefore intervening only superficially, the results are generally disappointing.

In cases such as these the use of interdental floss is the ideal solution but in addition to it being rarely available when eating out using it is too laborious.

The purpose of the present model is therefore to provide a new device which is capable of combining the advantages and characteristics of the toothpick already known in the art, such as its slender shape and hardness, with those of dental floss which are evident in its flexibility and ability to fit within any dental gap.

In conclusion, this is a tool that is capable operating effectively, slipping between the teeth with just the right consistency for correct, complete and hygienic removal of residual food particles.

The idea of a new way of working on the problem stems from a personal observation regarding the occasional alternative use of plastic drinking straws.

The idea for this new device, object of the present model, comes from having noticed that occasionally plastic straws, which are normally regarded as an object to be used for drinking, are also inappropriately used for cleaning teeth. The present model is described below, in a preferred non-limiting embodiment, according to other embodiments, within the scope of the patent, with the aid of the figures contained within the three attached drawings which illustrate:

Fig. 1 a perspective view of the toothpick, according to the present model;

Fig. 2, a side view with a sectional view of one end of the toothpick of figure 1 ;

Fig. 3, a side view of the toothpick of figure 1 upon which letters have been printed;

Fig. 4, an example showing the toothpick of figure 1 in use.

With reference to the attached figures, the toothpick model, object of the present application, has the shape of a straw 1 with flattened sides and obliquely cut pointed ends 2.

Given that the toothpick, which is made of a soft and non-toxic material such as HD polypropylene for example, features flattened sides it is adapted such that its curved part can be gently inserted within the spaces between the teeth. It is thus able to easily remove any small particles of food that remain stuck in those places between the teeth that traditional toothpicks cannot reach.

In such circumstances the hollow part of the "polypropylene (PP-HD high density) tube" changes its circular cross-section characteristic such that by being squeezed it assumes an elliptical form.

It is interesting to note that due to the molecular tension of the "HD polypropylene tube" it never becomes completely flat but instead tends to resume its original shape thus creating a "bending effect" which is very useful when using the instrument.

A careful analysis of the prototypes developed and tested for this purpose has led to the definition of an optimal shape and size for the instrument, which, considering its peculiar ability to enter between teeth in a simple and effective way can thus be referred to as an "interdental toothpick".

The interdental toothpick has a very pronounced "rhomboid-shape" which has been specifically designed for its intended use and which has the following optimised measurements: base length 55mm, height 5mm, with acute angles of 30 degrees, as per figure 1 attached.

So as to more readily accustom users to this new solution the optimal interdental toothpick length of 63.5mm is quite close to the 65mm length of its common wooden namesake instrument.

The thickness of the hollow part of around 1.5mm gives a soft and pleasant ergonomic grip to the toothpick that is enhanced with use. With use the hollow part also takes on the role of a container for the very small residues of food which become trapped inside. The thickness of the polypropylene film of which the interdental toothpick is made is defined in one of its preferred embodiments at around 200 microns, but this value is not binding and is subsequently susceptible to variation.

This variation in thickness can lead to the implementation of specific interdental toothpicks, which according to the resulting degree of flexibility and firmness can meet more personalised consumer needs.

The model involves the use of materials of the highest quality which are certified and that comply with the most stringent regulations, such as the ministerial norm dated 21/03/1973 (and its subsequent amendments) regarding the control of suitability for materials intended to come into contact with foodstuffs or for personal use.

Another important peculiarity of the model, object of the present patent application, consists in the possibility offered by the particular shape of the toothpick which means that it can carry printing and can therefore be customised.

In fact its height of around 5mm for a length of at least 25mm allows for a useful area 3 for the printing of logos, trademarks and short messages by companies that wish to advertise themselves. This results in the combination of the usefulness of the instrument with advertising.

Producing the interdental toothpick in dozens of colour variations and with many print variants will be particularly useful to this purpose and will guarantee a pleasing personalisation effect.

In order to obtain tubes of the same shape whose major axis measures around 5mm the customisable interdental toothpick production process provides for the extrusion of HD polypropylene by means of an elliptically shaped spinneret.

Personalised printing will then follow which will be carried out in sequence directly onto the elliptical tube.

To this end pad printing is the most suitable method for reproducing in a simple way and with high fidelity and resolution drawings, messages and decorations, even upon convex surfaces such as that of the present device.

By means of a rotary cutter a precise cut will be made every 55mm with an angle of 30° which will thereby define the original "rhomboid-shape" of the object.

Packaging will then follow using specific packaging machines for both single parts and sets of assorted pieces.

The last important phase of the processing cycle which precedes distribution is the sterilisation of the customised interdental toothpick. Sterilisation by means of devices that emit gamma rays should be the most appropriate method for the purpose. Gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic waves, of the same kind as light and "X- rays" that pass through matter, destroying or reducing any microbial content without leaving any residue, without alteration and without any increase in temperature. They have a high penetrating ability and are particularly effective when dealing with products that have already been packaged.