Special receptacle or package – Nonspooled filamentary material
Patent
1997-01-27
1998-06-23
Ackun, Jacob K.
Special receptacle or package
Nonspooled filamentary material
206 635, 206823, A61C 1504
Patent
active
057692254
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to packages for dental floss and, more particularly, to a plurality of separate elongate dental floss packages.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known for food establishments to provide individually packaged toothpicks for use after meals. The toothpicks are generally contained in an elongate paper or plastic enclosure substantially conforming to the length of the toothpick. In this manner, toothpicks can be gratuitously provided in a generally sanitary and inexpensive fashion to patrons after each meal.
Commonly, dental floss is provided to the end user in a relatively rigid plastic housing containing a spool upon which a length of dental floss sufficient for multiple uses is wrapped. A small cutting blade is normally provided on the housing adjacent one side of the spool such that a free end can be dispensed from the spool past the blade until a sufficient length of dental floss has been taken off the spool before the piece of floss is cut at the blade for use. Typically, such a plastic container is kept at home in the medicine cabinet for use at home. While such a plastic container is suitable for home use, it is not economical for food establishments to gratuitously provide such a container to their patrons for use after meals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of packages of dental floss are provided which are suitable for use by food establishments and the like.
In one form of the invention, the packages include multiple, separate elongate enclosures having a width and a length. The length is at least nine times as great as the width. The separate enclosures are each independently moveable from the other enclosures. A piece of dental floss is individually sealed in each enclosure.
The enclosure length is preferably approximately three and one-half inches (31/2") and the enclosure width is preferably approximately three-eighths of an inch (3/8").
The dental floss pieces can each be configured in the shape of a figure-eight ("8") in the enclosures.
The enclosures can be formed from a flexible plastic material.
In one form, the pieces of dental floss each have ends that are freely moveable in the enclosures.
The pieces of dental floss each are of a predetermined length. The length is preferably sized sufficiently for a single use.
In another form, the packages are provided in combination with a cup-shaped container having a wall defining a dental floss package receiving space and an opening through which the packages can be removed from the space. The wall preferably has a height that is less than the length of the plastic enclosures so that the enclosures can project through the container opening as they rest in the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package of dental floss according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a production line for heat-sealing the packages with a piece of dental floss therein; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of dental floss packages in a cup dispenser.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates an elongate package 10 containing a piece of dental floss 12 therein. The package 10 is of the type normally used to contain individual toothpicks, and as such, has a length that is several times greater than its width. Preferably, the length of the package 10 is at least nine (9) times greater than the width and can be approximately three and one-half inches (31/2") while the width is approximately three-eighths of an inch (3/8"). The dental floss package 10 can be formed by a variety of means, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. FIG. 3 schematically illustrates one method of forming the packages 10 according to the present invention. The dental floss piece 12 can be wound on two spools 14 and 16 and removed therefrom to be placed in the package 10 such that the dental floss piece 12 substantially has a
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