Toilet – Toothpick
Patent
1998-04-07
1999-01-05
Manahan, Todd E.
Toilet
Toothpick
132329, A61C 1500
Patent
active
058552154
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Toothpicks are generally provided as single items, or in containers holding a plurality of separate toothpicks. They may be of wood or synthetic plastics. It is not generally practical for an individual to carry single toothpicks in their pockets, purse, handbag, etc. The toothpicks are easily lost, readily broken, and it is not very hygienic. Furthermore, the containers for holding a plurality of toothpicks are not generally designed for personal use, but rather for offering toothpicks for use in public places, such as restaurants.
It is important that toothpicks, and especially the pick end or ends, be protected from damage. Further, where a plurality of picks are provided in a container or holder it is important that each pick be securely retained and protected in the container or holder until it is required.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide toothpicks in a toothpick holder which provides a convenient personal package and which protects the toothpicks from damage, and/or which reduces or overcomes some of the above mentioned problems, or at least which provides the public with a useful alternative.
Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a toothpick holder comprising a peripheral frame defining a space in which a plurality of toothpicks are confined, each toothpick comprising a handle and a blade and formed integrally with but separable from said peripheral frame at an end of the handle remote from the blade, and said peripheral frame providing protection for the toothpicks from forces applied in at least two orthogonal directions.
In a preferred form of the invention adjacent toothpicks may be oppositely disposed in the peripheral frame, the handle ends of adjacent toothpicks connected to opposite sides of the frame.
In a further preferred form of the toothpick holder of the present invention, the peripheral frame may have a base plate adapted to attach the toothpick holder in a match-book-type folder.
In a further preferred form, the toothpick holder may further comprise at least one holding means for retaining a used toothpick.
Preferably said holding means may comprise a receiving means on the peripheral frame, said receiving means adapted to receive the handle end of a toothpick and hold said toothpick securely in the peripheral frame.
Preferably the handle of each toothpick may have a polygonal cross-section, most preferably square.
In a preferred form of the invention said blade of each toothpick may have a triangular cross-section with an upper edge and angled sides forming a sharpened lower edge, said upper edge forming a point at one end, opposite the handle end, and said sharpened lower edge curving to meet said point of said upper edge to form the pick end of the toothpick.
Preferably, an angle between the sides of the blade at the sharpened lower edge may be between substantially 25.degree. and 30.degree., and most preferably substantially 27.degree..
In one preferred form of the invention the toothpick holder may be made of plastics material, and preferably manufactured as a single piece by injection moulding.
Other aspects of the present invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 Shows a plan view of a toothpick holder of the present invention in one embodiment.
FIG. 2 Shows views from each end of the toothpick holder of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 Shows A. a side view and B. a plan view of one embodiment of a toothpick of a toothpick holder of the present invention.
FIG. 4 Shows a front end view of the toothpick of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 Shows a plan view of a toothpick holder of the present invention in an alternative embodiment.
FIG. 6 Shows a toothpick holder of the present invention in a match-book-type folder.
DETAILS DESCRIPTION OF
REFERENCES:
patent: 2477194 (1949-07-01), Millard
patent: 2762501 (1956-09-01), Cameron
patent: 3136416 (1964-06-01), Goldrosen
patent: 3438486 (1969-04-01), Pinkas
patent: 4040433 (1977-08-01), Edison
patent: 5234009 (1993-08-01), Lemon et al.
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