Dental hygiene appliance

Abstract

A portable dental hygiene appliance is made up of two separable components. The first component consists of an enclosed compartment in which toothpaste, sealed within an airtight bag or in caplet form, is located. At one end of the compartment a dental element, such as a toothpick, floss support, rigid tooth cleaning element, is located for ease of use. At the other end of the component there is an accessway with an opening leading to the compartment. The second component includes a toothbrush at one end and a blade or similar piercing device at the other. During normal transport of the appliance, the two components can easily be carried adjacent each other. When the user needs to brush his or her teeth, the blade in the second component is inserted into the accessway of the first component in order to pierce or puncture the sealed bag or caplet containing the toothpaste. The compartment, which is resiliently flexible in nature, can then be squeezed, forcing the toothpaste through the accessway, out of the first component and onto the toothbrush of the second component. After use, the components are designed to be readily disposed of or reused.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] Individuals who travel away from home frequently find themselves without a toothbrush, toothpaste, or other necessary items of dental hygiene. Others may find the need to brush or floss their teeth during the workday or for social occasions, but may not have ready access to a toothbrush, floss, or other needed dental accessories. For these individuals and others in similar need, a readily transportable, easily disposable dental hygiene appliance would be of great value. [0002] While there are a number of such devices disclosed in the prior art, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,530,129; 6,009,886; 6,347,860; 6,526,991, none of these items offer a dental appliance which is simple to use, easily and cleanly transportable, effective in operation, and readily disposal. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a dental hygiene appliance which overcomes the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art. [00...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a dental hygiene appliance which is easy to use and is readily transportable and which can be disposed of easily, quickly, and cleanly.

[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dental hygiene appliance which may be equipped with a variety of dental care elements, such as floss, toothpick, or a rigid tooth cleaning attachment.

[0007] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a dental hygiene appliance which, while easy to use, readily transportable and easily disposable, ensures good dental hygiene.

[0008] These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, a portable dental hygiene appliance which is made up of two separable components. The first component consists of an enclosed compartment in which toothpaste, sealed within an airtight bag or in caplet form, is located. At one end of the compartment a dental element, such as a toothpick, floss support, rigid tooth cleaning element, is located for ease of use. At the other end of the component there is an accessway with an opening leading to the compartment. The second component includes a toothbrush at one end and a blade or similar piercing device at the other. During normal transport of the appliance, the two components can easily be carried adjacent each other. When the user needs to brush his or her teeth, the blade in the second component is inserted into the accessway of the first component in order to pierce or puncture the sealed bag or caplet containing the toothpaste. The compartment, which is resiliently flexible in nature, can then be squeezed, forcing the toothpaste through the accessway, out of the first component and onto the toothbrush of the second component. After use, the components are designed to be readily disposed of or reused.

Problems solved by technology

Individuals who travel away from home frequently find themselves without a toothbrush, toothpaste, or other necessary items of dental hygiene.

Others may find the need to brush or floss their teeth during the workday or for social occasions, but may not have ready access to a toothbrush, floss, or other needed dental accessories.

While there are a number of such devices disclosed in the prior art, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,530,129; 6,009,886; 6,347,860; 6,526,991, none of these items offer a dental appliance which is simple to use, easily and cleanly transportable, effective in operation, and readily disposal.

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