GB2289845A

GB2289845A - Toothpick containing dental floss

Info

Publication number: GB2289845A
Application number: GB9510667A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lara Jose Santiago Minguez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-05-30
Filing date: 1995-05-25
Publication date: 1995-12-06
Also published as: ES2078193A1; GB9510667D0

Abstract

A breakable toothpick consists of a hollow rod (1) of small cross-section, tipped at both ends by pointed solid sections (2). A thread of dental floss (3) is housed inside the rod, secured by its ends to the solid sections. The rod is broken or snapped through its centre to free the dental floss, the halves (4) of the rod acting as handles during flossing. <IMAGE>

Description

TOOTHPICK FOR DENTAL HYGIENE This invention refers to a toothpick for dental hygiene designed to offer not only the function of a toothpick or dental cleaner as such but also a mouth cleaning or hygiene function.

Traditional toothpicks consist of a solid rod of small cross-section, pointed at both ends, made of a material which is suitable for such use, usually wood-based. The rod may be circular, square, rectangular, etc.

Toothpicks of such design have a single function only, using the pointed tips to remove any food particles which may have entered between the teeth.

However, an adequate cleaning operation may require the use of dental floss which can be fitted between the teeth.

While toothpicks are.in common use both in private homes and in hospitality establishments and the like, this is not the case with dental floss which is generally used only under prescription or the indication of dental specialists.

At all events, the toothpick and dental floss are separate elements, available on very different bases.

The subject of this invention is a toothpick designed to incorporate sufficient length of dental floss for one-person use. It is designed for use in either function, as a toothpick or as dental floss, without mutual interference.

According to this invention, the toothpick consists of a fine tubular rod made of material suitable for dental hygiene. Said tubular rod is tipped at both ends by solid sections which gradually taper to a point.

The tubular rod may be made of a plastic material suitable for such use. It breaks easily in the centre and may incorporate slits or break lines to make this easier.

According to a further characteristic of the invention, the tubular rod contains a thread of dental floss, much longer than said rod. The thread is attached by its ends to the solid sections of the rod forming the toothpick. The thread may be rolled in a spiral or folded lengthwise into several sections inside the tubular rod.

The toothpick in the invention can be used as such, to extract food particles introduced between the teeth, with either of the tips.

The tubular rod is broken or snapped crosswise through its centre to release the thread of dental floss which can be unrolled or extended for use for dental cleaning by introducing it between the teeth in the familiar manner.

With the design, the toothpick makes a thread of dental floss available at all times, giving it a double application or use and, in short, greater utility.

The following is a description of a design, without limitation, with the aid of the attached drawings in which: Figure 1 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-section of a toothpick designed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 shows the toothpick broken or snapped through its centre, with the thread of dental floss extended.

The toothpick shown in figure 1 consists of a rod (1) of tubular design and narrow crosssection, tipped at both ends in solid sections (2) which gradually taper to a point.

Said tubular rod (1) may be circular, rectangular, square, etc. It is made of the same material as its end portions or sections (2), which is suitable for the use to which the toothpick is to be put.

The tubular rod (1) houses a thread of dental floss (3) much longer than the tubular rod (1), which may be rolled inside said rod. The thread (3) ends are attached to the solid ends (2) of said tubular rod (1).

With this design, the toothpick can be used in its traditional role, with the ends (2) tipped in a point, to remove particles which may have lodged between the teeth.

The tubular rod (1) is broken or snapped across its centre to extract the thread of dental floss which can be extended as shown in figure 2, its end being attached to the halves of the toothpick. Said thread of dental floss (3) can be used as such for dental cleaning, in the familiar manner, by introducing it between the teeth. The two halves (4) of the toothpick make it easier to use the thread of dental floss (3), which is attached to them by its ends.

The invention provides a toothpick of traditional outward design in order to meet its usual function while, thanks to its tubular structure, a thread of dental floss (3) is available at any time for complete mouth hygiene.

The tubular rod (1), with its end sections (2), is approximately of the size of a traditional toothpick. The thread of dental floss (3) housed in the tubular rod (1) is sufficiently long for use as a tooth cleaning thread, for example between 25 and 50 cm.

Because of the reduced cross-section of the tubular rod (1) it is easy to snap crosswise: in addition, the rod may have slits or break lines to make this easier.

Claims

1. A toothpick for dental hygiene, where there is a tubular rod of narrow cross section, made from a material which is compatible with dental hygiene use, tipped at both ends by solid sections gently tapering to a point: said tubular rod being easily snapped in the centre, and containing a thread of dental floss much longer than said rod, said thread being attached by its ends to the solid sections of said rod.

2. A toothpick for dental hygiene, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.