Dental cleaning kit

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a dental cleaning kit that may include a biodegradable or non- biodegradable finger sleeve and an attached toothpick for effective removal of plaque and calculus. The toothpick is designed with strategically angled components, and may be detachable from the finger sleeve, enabling easy maneuverability and efficient use in difficult- to-reach or confined spaces. The finger sleeve may be embedded with at least a surfactant, a preservative, a disinfectant, a moisturizer, and / or a soothing agent, that become activated through contact with liquids during the rubbing of teeth surfaces, while the toothpick is configured to clean interdental areas.

Description

[0001] DENTAL CLEANING KIT

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of dental hygiene and oral care kits, particularly to a disposable, biodegradable or non-biodegradable materials dental cleaning kit configured for effective plaque and calculus removal, and maintaining oral cleanliness.

[0004] BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0005]

[0002] Plaque removal from teeth forms part of oral health protection since its accumulation at supra-gingival levels leads to various dental and systemic diseases. These traditional plaque control methods involve a toothbrush, dental floss, and other interdental cleaning aids. However, these conventional methods always appear to pose a challenge to those with reduced dexterity, such as the elderly or physically disabled persons. Moreover, conventional toothbrushes are usually made from non- biodegradable plastics that contribute to the global plastic waste crisis, causing a major problem in pollution. Conventional toothbrushes and toothpaste typically require access to a setting with running water for effective use, limiting their functionality in environments without a water source. Additional constraints include the need for manual application of toothpaste and subsequent rinsing, making them less convenient for use in situations such as travel, outdoor activities, or emergencies where water access is limited or unavailable.

[0006]

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 3,934,299 discloses a device configured to be worn on the finger for cleaning the teeth, wherein the device has an outer surface provided with a fabric texture with the fabric being impregnated with a dentifrice material. The device has a tab at the open end thereof for facilitating the placement of the device on a finger.

[0007]

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 5,213,428 discloses a disposable toothbrush formed of a biodegradable material such as biodegradable plastic. The toothbrush would fit, preferably, over the index finger of a user. By using the index finger, it is easy to reachany part of the teeth by locating the toothbrush so as to apply a brushing action to the upper and lower teeth, with the tooth brush located on the outside or inside of the index fin ger. A toothbrush cap provides an opening for receipt of an index finger of a user. On a flattened portion of the toothbrush cap, are defined two to four rows of short bristles, preferably 3 / 16 inches in height. These bristles may be formed integrally with the toothbrush cap or include bristles imbedded in the cap. These bristles are impregnated with dehydrated toothpaste which bonds with the bristles to form a defined layer on top of the bristles. Upon contact with water, the impregnated toothpaste would hydrolyze to aid in brushing of the teeth for a single use. Upon completion of brushing, the toothbrush would be disposed of in its entirety.

[0008]

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 5,348,153 discloses a disposable teeth cleaning kit includes a finger mounted toothbrush having a substantially cylindrical elastic sheath with a closed end and an open end. The sheath can be provided with internal longitudinal torque ridges to prevent rolling of the sheath during use. Brush means is disposed on the sheath adjacent its closed end and the sheath is adapted to be furled into a compact configuration wherein the furled portion forms a substantially annular rim bounding an area spanned by the closed end portion of the sheath and the brush means. The brush means is sized and configured to be surrounded and protected by the rim during storage and can be sealed in a protective sterile pod if de sired. In use, the toothbrush is unfurled onto a user's finger whereupon the finger is manipulated in the user's mouth to clean the teeth. When the teeth are cleaned, the brush is unfurled from the user's finger and dis carded in an appropriate refuse receptacle.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010]

[0006] It is object of the present disclosure to provide a dental cleaning kit, including:

[0011] A finger sleeve configured to snugly fit over a user's finger and embedded with moisture-dissolvable cleaning agents activated by water or other liquids; and A toothpick attached to the finger sleeve via a connection stripe, the toothpick is configured for interdental cleaning, Wherein the toothpick may be solid or hollow.

[0007] In aspects of the present disclosure, the dental cleaning kit may be made of a biodegradable or non-biodegradable synthetic and / or natural non-woven fabric.

[0012]

[0008] In aspects of the present disclosure, the moisture-dissolvable cleaning agents may include a surfactant, a preservative, a disinfectant, a moisturizer, and / or a soothing agent.

[0013]

[0009] In some aspects, the soothing agent may include Aloe Vera.

[0014]

[0010] In aspects of the present disclosure, the connection stripe may be flexible to allow the toothpick to fold on the finger sleeve.

[0015] [OH] In aspects of the present disclosure, the finger sleeve may include an elongated hollow extrusion, a dome-shaped tip, and a ring encircling the opening to fit over the finger.

[0016]

[0012] In aspects of the present disclosure, the toothpick may include a curved portion and an elongated portion with an upper and lower tip for interdental plaque removal.

[0017]

[0013] In some aspects, the toothpick may also be detachable from the sleeve, allowing for ease of use, improved maneuverability, and convenient replacement or cleaning.

[0018]

[0014] In aspects of the present disclosure, wherein the curved portion of the tooth pick, the elongated portion, the upper tip, and the lower tip may be hollow.

[0019]

[0015] In aspects of the present disclosure wherein the curved portion, the elongated portion, the upper tip, and the lower tip may be solid, and could be detached from the sleeve for convenience.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020]

[0016] The disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, without restricting the scope of the disclosure, and in which:

[0021]

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a back-perspective view of a dental cleaning kit configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022]

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a front-perspective view of dental cleaning kit configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024]

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present disclosure provides a dental cleaning kit. This dental cleaning kit may include a finger sleeve 1, a toothpick 2, and a connection stripe 4.

[0025]

[0020] The finger sleeve 1 may include an elongated hollow extrusion 11 connected to a dome shaped tip 12 at the upper end and a protrusion 13 that may encircle an opening 3 at the lower end of the finger sleeve 1. The finger sleeve 1 may be configured to snugly fit over a user’s finger.

[0026]

[0021] The finger sleeve 1 may be fabricated from biodegradable or non-biodegradable synthetic and natural non-woven nonwoven fabric by utilizing at least an air or a spun- lace technique. The non-woven fabric may be embedded with at least one moisture- dissolvable cleaning agent which may be activated upon contact with at least water or any type of liquid, wherein the cleaning agent may include a surfactant configured to effectively remove food particles and plaque, a preservative designed to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth, a disinfectant incorporated to eliminate harmful microorganisms, a moisturizer formulated to assist in plaque removal, and / or a soothing agent to soothe the gums. The soothing agent may include Aloe Vera.

[0027]

[0022] In embodiments of the present the present disclosure, the toothpick 2 may be attached to the elongated extrusion 11 of the finger sleeve 1 via the connection stripe 4,wherein the toothpick 2 may be detachable from the connection stripe 4. The toothpick 2 may include an upper tip 21, a lower tip 22, a curved portion 23, and an elongated portion 24.

[0028]

[0023] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the upper tip 21, lower tip 22, curved portion 23 and the elongated portion 24 may be hollow or solid.

[0029]

[0024] The toothpick 2 may be composed of the same nonwoven material as the finger sleeve 1, wherein it may be heat-treated to provide additional rigidity. The toothpick 2 may be integrated into the finger sleeve 1 or detached for independent use. Wherein the connection stripe 4 may utilized as a structural link between the finger sleeve 1 and the toothpick 2. The connection stripe 4 may also be made of the same material. The connection stripe 4 may be flexible, allowing the toothpick 2 to be folded against the finger sleeve 1 when not in use, or extended during cleaning for ease of access to interdental areas.

[0030]

[0025] The upper tip 21 may be configured to facilitate the removal of interdental plaque and calculus. The upper tip 21 is connected to the curved member 23, wherein the curved portion 23 is connected to the elongated portion 24 and the lower tip 22.

[0031]

[0026] In embodiments of the present disclosure, a user may utilize the dental cleaning kit by inserting his / her finger into the finger sleeve 1 through the opening 3. The finger sleeve 1 embedded with a cleaning agent, may then be moistened with water, saliva or other liquids to activate the cleaning agent. Once activated, the user may rub the sleeve against the surfaces of their teeth in a back-and-forth motion, removing food particles and plaque from the tooth surfaces. The user may utilize the toothpick 2 by extending it away from the finger sleeve 1 via the connection stripe 4. The upper tip 21 of the toothpick 2 may be inserted into the spaces between the teeth to remove interdental plaque and calculus. The flexible configuration of the toothpick 2 may allow for maneuvering to clean between tight interdental spaces.

[0032]

[0027] The use of the term “and” in the claims is used to mean “and / or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to a collective nature only. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0028] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and / or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a defacto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.

[0033]

[0029] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter belongs. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are now described.

[0034]

[0030] While the present disclosure has been made in detail and with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various additions, omissions, or amendments can be made without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMSreceived by the International Bureau on 18 May 2026 (18.05.2026)What is claimed is:

1. A dental cleaning kit, comprising:A finger sleeve configured to snugly fit over a user's finger and embedded with moisture-dissolvable cleaning agents activated by water or other liquids; andA toothpick attached to the finger sleeve via a connection stripe, the toothpick is configured for interdental cleaning,wherein the dental cleaning kit is made of a biodegradable or non-biodegradable synthetic and natural non-woven fabric, and wherein the toothpick comprises a curved portion and an elongated portion with an upper and lower tip for interdental plaque removal, the ergonomic design ensures optimal control and accessibility, even in areas where direct access is limited.

2. The dental cleaning kit of claim 1, wherein the moisture-dissolvable cleaning agents comprise a surfactant, a preservative, a moisturizer, and / or a soothing agent.

3. The dental cleaning kit of claim 3, wherein the soothing agent comprises Aloe Vera.

4. The dental cleaning kit of claim 1, wherein the connection stripe is flexible to allow the toothpick to fold on the finger sleeve.

5. The dental cleaning kit of claim 1 , wherein the finger sleeve comprises an elongated hollow extrusion, a dome-shaped tip, and a ring encircling the opening to fit over the finger.

6. The dental cleaning kit of claim 1, wherein7. The dental cleaning kit of claim 1, wherein the toothpick is detachable from the connection stripe.

8. The dental cleaning kit of claim 1, wherein the curved portion, the elongated portion, the upper tip, and the lower tip are hollow.The dental cleaning kit of claim 1, wherein the curved portion, the elongated portion, the upper tip, and the lower tip are solid.

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