Toilet – Nail device – Compound tools
Patent
1985-02-28
1987-03-24
Mancene, Gene
Toilet
Nail device
Compound tools
132 93, A61C 1500
Patent
active
046517600
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a toothpick made from plastic in the shape of an oblong body with an essentially triangular cross section, which body decreases in size towards a pointed end portion, and which body manually can be inserted in interproximal cavities.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Toothpicks are used for stimulation of the gum, for removing film on teeth, for removing food particles in interproximal cavities and for similar dental hygienic purposes. Removal of tooth film, covering the teeth in the area towards the gum margin, is particularly important for preventing caries and parandentosis.
The usual shape of a toothpick is a protracted body with a relatively small sectional area with triangular shape for insertion in the mouth in order that it by manual control can strike the teeth and gum and serve its purpose, i.e. to clean and stimulate the gum. While in use the toothpick is held between the fingers and is manipulated to produce the necessary movement.
The hitherto known toothpicks are straight and are made of wood, metal or plastic. They are inserted into the space between neighbouring teeth and are pressed so hard that the sides of the toothpick strikes the sides of the teeth. For the toothpick to withstand this it should possess a certain amount of strength and rigidity to be strong enough in its longitudinal direction. The toothpick cannot easily be compressed in its transverse direction and thus it cannot adjust its shape to the cavity to be cleaned, and it will also tend to break while in use. Thus such toothpicks tend to damage the gum and may occasionally do more harm than good. Especially where negative papillae occur, damage of the gum may easily occur, as the pointed end of the toothpick easily penetrates the skin and damages this. Moreover, it is difficult and often even impossible to apply toothpicks in the area of the back of the mouth as it is not possible to insert a toothpick from the side of the tongue.
Thus an efficient cleaning of the tooth surfaces, in order that all bacteria film is removed efficiently from these surfaces and in order to stimulate the gum, cannot be achieved by the hitherto known toothpicks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages of the hitherto known toothpicks and at the same time to aim at an efficient cleaning and stimulation without causing damage to teeth or gum, and this is achieved by means of a toothpick which has a pointed end that curves upwardly from the under side of the toothpick. Thus, in a simple way and by simple means, a toothpick is achieved that may easily be inserted into the interproximal cavities without the pointed end penetrating the gum even where negative papillae occur, as the pointed end being inserted horizontally points upwards, and like a ski or runner slides across the top of the gum without damaging the parts of the gum projecting upwardly on both sides of the cavity. Thus a considerable risk of damaging the gum when using the toothpick is eliminated.
By supplying the toothpick with a notch along the under side, the gum with normal papil is protected, as there is room for the gum in the notch while the toothpick is being inserted and used.
By decreasing the size of the notch towards the front portion of the toothpick, an expedient material distribution is achieved without causing damage to the gum, the notch being narrower and the sectional area of the toothpick becoming smaller.
By making the toothpick compressible in its transverse direction at its widest point, it may be applied even if the papil is damaged or repair particles from bridges, crowns and fillings remain, or if the cavity is otherwise narrowed.
By supplying the toothpick with transverse, yielding flaps, an efficient remocval of film on teeth surfaces is achieved above all, as the flaps will strike along all sides of the teeth, even at places where particles of repair material or the like remain. Furthermore, when the toothpick is b
REFERENCES:
patent: 973842 (1910-10-01), Baird
patent: 1451380 (1923-10-01), Thum
patent: 3910293 (1975-07-01), Lemelson
patent: 4271854 (1981-09-01), Bengtsson
patent: 4314574 (1982-09-01), Inerte
Mancene Gene
Stone Cary E.
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