The invention concerns a device for cleaning oral cavity, notably interdental space and teeth in the form of a strip of plastic film, a method of production of the device for cleaning oral cavity, notably interdental space and teeth and a use of strip of plastic film to produce a device for cleaning oral cavity, notably interdental space and teeth.

Prior art knows simple devices for cleaning oral cavity in the form of dental floss or toothpicks. However, their use carries some disadvantages. Traditional toothpicks are rigid and not adaptable to individual shape of interdental space. Because of its thickness a toothpick is suitable only to remove food particles, without cleaning interdental space. In addition, toothpicks generally do not meet hygiene requirements. Many toothpicks are put inside one packaging, which, after opening, compromises their hygienic properties. Also, for unit packaging it is often the case that the pointed toothpick pierces the packaging, which compromises its hygienic properties. Using dental floss requires special private space. Moreover, its effective use is not easy and requires some experience and practice. These disadvantages are eliminated by the device for cleaning oral cavity, notably interdental space and teeth according to the invention. The device can be packed in an individual sealed packaging. Cleaning is carried out in a different manner than with traditional toothpicks. The device of the invention is thin, flat and flexible, allowing cleaning interdental space by moving it between the teeth, which substantially improves cleaning efficiency. In addition, the device can have a slight centre notch along its entire length, allowing it to be bent easily and consequently giving the device greater rigidity.

The device for for cleaning oral cavity, notably interdental space and teeth, according to the invention, is characterised in that it is made of an elongated strip of plastic film of a thickness of 50-300 microns and has a shape similar to a rectangle.

Preferably, the plastic film is made of hard PVC.

Preferably, the surface of the film is rough, notably knurled.

Preferably, the device of the invention is 8-15 millimetres wide and 30-70 millimetres long.

Preferably, at least one short side has a sharpened end, notably in the shape of a triangle.

Preferably, at least one short side has a rounded end.

Preferably, the apparatus of the invention is covered with an aroma and flavour substance.

Preferably, the device according to the invention has a slight centre notch along its entire length, allowing it to be bent easily and consequently giving the device greater rigidity. The method of production of the device for cleaning oral cavity, notably interdental space and teeth, made of plastic foil, according to the invention, is characterised in that

1) the rolled plastic film is unrolled and then cut into strips of desired width;

2) plastic film cut into strips, which are subsequently rolled into coils;

3) the strips of plastic film rolled into coils are installed in a production machine;

4) in a production machine strips are unrolled from coils;

5) then the strips are carried to a module that cuts the strips to a given size and shape, thus, forming the device for cleaning oral cavity, notably interdental space and teeth;

6) finished devices are grabbed and held in place by automatic pliers and then are put into sachets;

7) sachets, after the devices are put into them, are heat-sealed and cut out from the paper band from which they are made, and then packed automatically or manually into multipacks.

Preferably, the input material is hard PVC foil rolled into a coil of any width, length and diameter.

Preferably, the roll of film is cut into strips 8-15 mm wide.

Preferably, before being cut to a given size and shape, thus, forming the device, the strips pass through a module with flavour and aroma substance.

Preferably, the strips are carried to a module which cuts them to a length between 30 mm and 70 mm Preferably, before cutting the strip a slight notch at its centre can be made to help to bend the device therefore giving it greater rigidity.

Preferably, sachets are made of one band or two bands of paper coated on one side with polypropylene, polyethylene or metallised foil or of a band of aluminium foil coated on one side with polypropylene or polyethylene, with the strip of paper or aluminium foil unrolled during the production process.

Preferably, logos, trademarks or advertising can be printed on the sachets.

Preferably, printing is made during unrolling the band of paper or aluminium foil in the production process.

Preferably, printing is made in a separate device before the commencement of the manufacturing process, and the printed band of paper or aluminium foil is installed in a production machine.

Preferably, printing is made using digital or flexographic printers.

The use a strip of plastic film, according to the invention, to produce a device for cleaning oral cavity, notably interdental space and teeth.

Preferably, the plastic film has a thickness of 50-300 microns and a shape similar to a rectangle.

Preferably, the surface of the film is rough, notably knurled.

The device for cleaning oral cavity, notably interdental space and teeth was made in reference to the accompanying drawing.

The device for cleaning oral cavity, notably interdental space and teeth, according to the invention is made of an elongated strip of plastic film of a thickness of 150 microns and has two sharp ends and a shape similar to a parallelogram. The used material can be hard PVC or other plastic material with similar properties. Surface of the foil is embossed, which increases the effectiveness of cleaning teeth and interdental space, and additionally scrapes food particles off the teeth. The ends of the device are pointed, which allows a more accurate picking out of food particles, particularly in the narrow gaps between the teeth. In addition, the device is covered with an aroma and flavour substance, which, after cleaning, leaves the feeling of freshness in the mouth. For this purpose, aromas and flavours used in the food industry or for oral hygiene can be used. They include: Dentarom Fresh, Dentarom Wintergreen, Dentarom Spearmint, Dentarom Peppermint, Dentarom Coffee, Dentarom Cola. These substances can additionally contain fluorine compounds or other agents that provide additional effects.

The method of production of the device for cleaning oral cavity, notably for cleaning teeth and interdental space, made of plastic film, preferably knurled, is the following: roll of plastic film of a thickness of 160 microns (i.e. of hard PVC) is unrolled and then cut into strips of desired width, usually the roll of film is cut into strips 8-15 mm wide, which are subsequently rolled into coils. The strips of plastic film rolled into coils are installed in a production machine, such as a sachet making machine. In the production machine the strips are unrolled from coils and passed through a module with flavour and aroma substance which covers their surface (this phase can be omitted if a device does not need to have an aroma or taste). A slight notch can be made on the surface of the strips to help to bend the device therefore giving it greater rigidity. Then the strips are carried to a module that cuts the strips to a given size and shape, thus, forming the device for cleaning teeth and oral cavity. The length of the device generally shall be between 30 mm and 70 mm. Finished devices are grabbed and held in place by automatic pliers and then put into sachets. Sachets, depending on the need, are made of one band or two bands of paper coated on one side with polypropylene, polyethylene or metallised foil or of a band of aluminium foil coated on one side with polypropylene or polyethylene, with the strip of paper or aluminium foil unrolled during the production process. Sachets, after the devices are put into them, are heat-sealed and cut out from the paper band from which they are made, and then packed automatically or manually into multipacks. In order to maintain better hygienic properties, the devices are put in hermetically sealed sachets.

Additionally, logos, trademarks or advertising can be printed on the sachets. It can be done in two alternative ways:

1) printing is made during the unrolling of the band of paper or aluminium foil in the production process;

2) printing is made with a separate device (i.e. a digital or flexographic printer) before the commencement of the manufacturing process, and the printed band of paper or aluminium foil is installed in a production machine.