Toilet – Toilet kit – Including toothbrush
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-02
2001-06-19
Lewis, Ralph A. (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Toilet kit
Including toothbrush
C132S311000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247477
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to dental hygienic appliances and more particularly to a single appliance readily adaptable for multiple oral hygiene tasks.
2. Antecedents of the Invention
The toothbrush constituted the universal oral hygiene appliance. Usage of the toothbrush has been augmented by the employment of dental floss as well as toothpicks.
The need for a portable personal dental hygiene appliance led to the development of personal dental picks, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,548 and U.S. Pat. Des. 350,415, both of which issued to Applicant herein. Additional personal oral hygiene products included dental scalers, tongue cleansers, e.g. U.S. Pat. Des. No. 354,624, abrasive tooth stain removers, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,291, portable battery powered tooth polishers, interdental stimulators, e.g. U.S. Pat. Des. No. 110,936, interproximal brushes, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,358, and the like.
The multiplicity of available personal oral hygiene tools rendered it cumbersome to carry on one's person the appropriate tool for each occasion. There was a need, therefore, for a portable oral hygiene appliance which could be utilized for a multiplicity of oral hygiene tasks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In compendium, the present invention comprises a dental appliance which includes a handle configured as a cylindrical pen shaped barrel. The open end or ends are plugged with a reversible cylindrical carrier. Affixed to the carrier is a dental implement which projects axially. The dental implement may comprise any of a number of dental devices such as a pick or a scaler. The opposite end of the carrier includes a universal affixment post for mounting an additional dental implement. The additional dental implement may comprise any of a number of oral hygiene device attachments including, for example, an interproximal brush, a prophy cup, a burnishing head, an interdental stimulator, a stain remover, a toothbrush head, etc. The end or ends of the barrel which include the cylindrical plugs may each be covered with a cap in simulation of a pen. The interior of the barrel may be utilized to carry the attachments.
From the foregoing compendium, it will be appreciated that it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a multifunction dental appliance of the general character described which is not subject to the disadvantages of the antecedents aforementioned.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a multifunction dental appliance of the general character described which is suited for a plurality of oral hygiene tasks.
A consideration of the present invention is to provide a multifunction dental appliance of the general character described which is easy to use.
A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a multifunction dental appliance of the general character described which is relatively low in cost.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a multifunction dental appliance of the general character described which is well adapted to be carried about in one's pocket or purse.
Another consideration of the present invention is to provide a multifunction dental appliance of the general character described which is well suited for economical mass production fabrication.
A still further aspect of the present invention is to provide a multifunction dental appliance of the general character described which presents the inconspicuous appearance of a writing implement when not in use.
A still further feature of the present invention is to provide a multifunction dental appliance of the general character described which is well suited for both general purpose daily oral hygiene as well as for efficient removal of stains from tooth surfaces.
To provide a multifunction dental appliance of the general character described which is well suited for efficient removal of plaque is yet another consideration of the present invention.
Further aspects, features and considerations of the present invention in part will be obvious and in part will be pointed out hereinafter.
With these ends in view, the invention finds embodiment in certain combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and series of steps by which the said aspects, features and considerations and certain other aspects, features and considerations are attained all as more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings and the scope of which will be more particularly pointed out and indicated in the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 110936 (1938-08-01), Wiseman
patent: D. 350415 (1994-09-01), Wagner
patent: D. 354624 (1995-01-01), Gupta
patent: D. 382368 (1997-08-01), Hsu
patent: 1473766 (1923-11-01), Healy
patent: 1586302 (1926-05-01), Funk
patent: 1813360 (1931-07-01), Priest
patent: 2601244 (1952-06-01), Boulicault
patent: 2653598 (1953-09-01), Torino
patent: 3949768 (1976-04-01), Doyle
patent: 4006750 (1977-02-01), Chodorow
patent: 4023580 (1977-05-01), Pieters
patent: 4326548 (1982-04-01), Wagner
patent: 4572223 (1986-02-01), Rosenfeld
patent: 4643677 (1987-02-01), Kim
patent: 4880382 (1989-11-01), Moret et al.
patent: 4919156 (1990-04-01), Gipson
patent: 4946389 (1990-08-01), Weissenburger
patent: 5074005 (1991-12-01), Mach
patent: 5097852 (1992-03-01), Wu
patent: 5118291 (1992-06-01), Varaine
patent: 5538023 (1996-07-01), Oczkowski et al.
patent: 5832940 (1998-11-01), Embry et al.
patent: 5881745 (1999-03-01), Landis
patent: 5906213 (1999-05-01), Diffendal
patent: 5927889 (1999-07-01), La Flower
patent: 5934295 (1999-08-01), Gekhter et al.
patent: 5940923 (1999-08-01), Gunning
patent: 5975901 (1999-11-01), Kennedy
patent: 6099309 (2000-08-01), Cardarelli
Doan Robyn Kieu
Lewis Ralph A.
Natter & Natter
LandOfFree
Multifunction dental appliance does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Multifunction dental appliance, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Multifunction dental appliance will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2486564