TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to napkin bands, and more particularly the invention relates to napkin bandS that hold a length of dental floss.

BACKGROUND

[0002] When diners eat out, such as going to restaurants, bar-b-ques, picnics, or anywhere else, they often wish they could remove food that may be stuck in their teeth after the meal. One solution is a restaurant may supply toothpicks, however, toothpicks are known to cause injury to the gums, and may not work well in removing food from between the teeth. Also, many restaurants do not carry toothpicks.

[0003] Thus there is a need for a device for that overcomes the above listed and other disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention relates to a napkin band, the napkin band comprising: a generally rectangular portion; a sealed pocket located generally along the length of the rectangular portion; a length of dental floss located inside the pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The present disclosure will be better understood by those skilled in the pertinent art by referencing the accompanying drawings, where like elements are numbered alike in the several figures, in which:

[0006] Figure 1 is front view of the napkin band installed on utensil wrapped in a napkin; [0007] Figure 2 is a front view of an unrolled napkin band; and

[0008] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the napkin band showing how it may be attached to itself.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Figure 1 shows a front view of the napkin band 10. The napkin band 10 is shown holding a napkin 14 and silverware/plasticware 18 together.

[0010] Figure 2 shows the napkin band 10 unrolled. The napkin band comprises a main generally rectangular portion 12. The napkin band 10 comprises a connecting means 22 at one end of the rectangular portion 12. In one embodiment, the connecting means 22may be an adhesive strip located on the inside of the napkin band 10. The rectangular portion 12 has a longitudinal pocket 26 that holds a length of dental floss 30. The floss 30 is shown in dashed lines to indicate it is inside the pocket 26. The longitudinal pocket 26 may be formed by folding a portion of the rectangular portion 12 over itself and sealing it closed to form the longitudinal pocket 26. The pocket 26 may be sealed closed using an adhesive. The longitudinal pocket may be sealed such that the interior of the pocket 26 and the dental floss 30 is kept in a sanitary condition. The rectangular portion 12 has a length L, and a height H _B . The pocket 26 has a height Hp. The rectangular portion 12 may have an optional perforated portion 34. The perforated portion 34 may extend across the entire height of the band H _B . The perforated portion 34 may be near one end of the rectangular portion 12, or may be closer to the middle of the length L of the rectangular portion 12. In other embodiments, the perforated portion may just extend along the pocket 26, e.g. along the height of the pocket H _P . The napkin band may be made out of paper, plastic, or any other suitable material. In embodiments, without the perforated portion, the material should be one that can be easily ripped or torn by a user to access the dental floss 30 in the pocket 26.

[0011] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the napkin band 10 with the adhesive strip 22 about to adhere to the outside of the napkin band 10.

[0012] The napkin band has many advantages. The invention is an improvement to a regular napkin band, in that it includes a pocket that runs along the length of the band when the band is unrolled. Inside the pocket will be a length of dental floss that the diner can use after his or her meal. In one embodiment, the diner can simply rip the band in half in order to access the dental floss in the pocket. In one embodiment the pocket may be made of the same material as the napkin band, simply folded over and attached to the napkin band with adhesive. An adhesive may be used to attach the napkin band to itself when it is wrapped around a napkin and utensils.

[0013] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", and "third", and the like may be used herein to modify elements performing similar and/or analogous functions. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.

[0014] While the disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all

embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.