WO2002069753A1

WO2002069753A1 - Oral cleaning device

Info

Publication number: WO2002069753A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/000798
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wayne Kevin Hirschowitz
Original assignee: Fingadent International Ltd
Priority date: 2001-03-02
Filing date: 2002-02-28
Publication date: 2002-09-12
Also published as: GB2389518B; GB0318052D0; GB2389518A; GB0105248D0

Abstract

An oral cleaning device comprising a hollow tube of non woven polypropylene of various grades closed except at one end resulting in a conical shape which is formed by ultrasonic welding of a continuous sheet of material and the resulting elongated tube having no corners, sharp angles or rough margins and allowing easy opening of the unsealed edge by means of major and minor tags that will enable the easy insertion of a finger into the device which may be used for the massaging of the gums, cleaning of the teeth and the administering of solutions and compounds of the teeth and the supporting tissues, which may have a therapeutic effect.

Description

ORAL CLEANING DEVICE

Description

This invention relates to a device for cleaning, massaging and maintaining t e overall hygiene of teet , gums and the interior of the s mouth in general. The invention also relates to a dispensing arrangement of such devices^ to the methods of manufacturing and storing/dispensing them and to the apparatus employed in the execution of such methods. Conventionally, teeth and gums are cleaned using a toothbrush. Toothbrushes suffer from several significant disadvantages. A toothbrush

10 cannot easily reach all facets of the teeth and for whatever reason is often hot used in the most effective manner. Toothpaste or gel must usually be used in conjunction with a toothbrush and such materials must be washed from the mouth using water after the cleaning process has been completed. An incorrectly used toothbrush can cause damage to the

15 teeth and gums. Oral sensitivities can be exacerbated by the use of a toothbrush and, even if the size of its cleaning head is reduced, infants and small children cannot easily use a toothbrush especially when unsupervised. The elderly especially can often find it physically difficult to hold a toothbrush sufficiently firmly for it to be employed in an ϊ ^'o effective manner. For both the elderly and edentulous persons, a toothbrush can be too abrasive and can cause ulceration and damage to the gums. Similar problems can be caused in teething babies* and the elderly

An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning and massaging

25 device that is clinically effective in its role, but which does not suffer from at least one and preferably all of the aforementioned disadvantages of conventional toothbrushes. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for cleaning and massaging a tooth, gum or other internal surface of the mouth. This device has a means for receiving at least an end portion of a human finger, such that it can be brought into cleaning or $ massaging contact with a tooth, gum or other internal surface of the mouth, by being pressed by the finger against said toothy gum or other internal surface of the mouth.

The first aspect of the invention comprises a tubular body having an 0 opening at one end and sized to receive a human finger. The material forming the device can be of an abrasive nature, but it is sufficiently soft and flexible that it cannot harm delicate tissues within the mouth. The tubular body of the first aspect of the invention is formed from two sheets of polypropylene material connected along adjoining edges by -5 ultrasonic welding with the additional capability to include a fluid impervious lining. The body has been specially shaped for greatest ease of use and efficacy. Robustness has been ensured by combining polypropylene, the optimum texture and structure thereof, it's shape and an effective method of strong and highly specialized ultrasonic welding. 0 The design is made possible by the combination of the ultrasonic welding technique employed and the use of a specially designed "drum". The use of this special "drum" in the welding machine is the crucial component in the manufacture of the device in accordance with it's exact specification. The "drum" holds the product blueprint in actual size. 5 This enables the device to be manufactured reliably in the precise tapered shape referred to above to the high quality and tolerances required. Furthermore the "drum" also facilitates the products unique storage and dispensing arrangements (see "Second aspect of the Invention" below). The use of polypropylene material also provides that all of the outer side of the tubular body provides a cleaning face that has abrasive qualities and combined with the texture and structure forms an effective vehicle for carrying and applying cleaning and prevention agents for maintaining teeth and oral health. Furthermore, polypropylene can be provided in various grades of abrasiveness to accommodate differing requirements eg.edentulous/dentate users, as well as being biocompatible. Whatever form is used it retains it's flexibility and it's capacity to effectively massage all parts of the mouth. The product is designed and manufactured to fit snugly and securely onto the finger without any awkward or inconvenient protrusions or rough edges.

The basic product facilitates the simple attachment of dental floss at the production stage. The use of the correct grade of polypropylene means that children can use the pouch itself for flossing if the floss chord is felt to be too abrasive.

The cleaning face with an abrasive surface can include additional items such as brisdes and protrusions and the pouch could be re-useable. The tubular body may be formed from two different grades of jpolypiropylene material having different rigidities, the arrangement of the materials being such that the opening is adapted to open on opposite faces of the tubular body on being moved relative to one another. The tubular body has one closed end and is arranged in the form of a pouch. The use of the non-woven polypropylene design with it's associated hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties and a plurality of pockets (which can act as a reservoir for a tooth, gum or mouth-cleansing agent) means that the pouch can be impregnated with a tooth, gum or mouth cleansing agent, or other therapeutic or cosmetic agent. Such an agent can be in the form of a liquid* a gel or even a dry powder. The combination of polypropylene and a dry agent therefore enable the application and use of the pouch in a dry form using natural salivation. The agent can include other additives, including carriers, preservatives or a quantity of a fluoride

The product and manufacturing design make the invention an economic proposition for everyday use.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispensing arrangement of devices in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, said arrangement comprising a plurality of devices ϊn accordance with the first aspect of the invention joined to one another so as to define an elongate strip, wherein each such device is connected to an adjoining device by at least one bridging member arranged to rupture and allow adjoining devices to be separated for use.

Preferably, adjoining devices are arranged such that the open end of each device is adjacent a closed end or ends of a neighbouring device or devices.

In a preferred embodiment, dispensing arrangements ϊn accordance with the second aspect of this invention comprise a pair of flexible sheets joined together so as to define the tubular bodies of the cleaning or massaging devices. Preferably, each adjacent device is joined to its neighbour by at ieast one portion of material forming a bridging member. In an embodiment, each cleaning or massaging device is joined to its neighbour by at least a pair of bridging members. Preferably, one of each pair of bridging members is stronger than the other and adjacent devices are arranged such that* when pulled away from one another* the weaker bridging member ruptures before the stronger and the resulting unequal force exerted upon one of said pair of cleaning or massaging devices causes its opening to gape, thereby to facilitate the insertion of a finger into the device.

Preferably, each device is provided with at least one handle located at its opening and arranged to facilitate its removal from a dispenser. In a further aspect of the invention, each device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention* or a dispensing arrangement in accordance with άic second aspect of the invention, is formed by a process involving ultrasonic welding of adjacent sheets of tube forming material.

In a further aspect, made possible by the manufacturing design, the present invention provides a bulk dispenser for multiple sterile dispensing of devices in accordance with its first aspect, in a low cost and handy package. Said dispenser comprises a container for accόfMήόdatihg a dispensing arrangement in accordance with the second aspect of the invention and a means of defining an opening through which said dispensing arrangement can pass, wherein the opening is dimensioned and arranged such that a first device in accordance with the invention can be pulled through the opening, but further pulling of the first device causes the bridging member or members between it and the adjacent device in the dispensing arrangement to rupture, releasing said first device.

The device is also available in other packaging arrangements eg. single sachets, multiple sachets etc. Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, or the arrangements shown in the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning or massaging device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a second perspective view of the device shown in Figures 1 &

2; Figure 3 is an exploded view of a dispenser for cleaning devices in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 shows the dispenser in an assembled state; and

Figure 5 shows a portion of a dispensing arrangement in accordance with the invention. The cleaning device for cleaning teeth and gums depicted in Figure 1 is in the form of a pouch 10. The pouch 10 is formed from first and second scallop shaped sheets 12 and 14 of non-woven polypropylene, secured along their adjacent edges by ultrasonic welding. An opening 16 into the pouch 10 is defined by a gap in the resulting weld line. The opening 16 leads into a cavity defined within the pouch 10. The opening

1 and the cavity are sized to receive a human finger as depicted in

Figure 1. The first scalloped shaped sheet 12 consists of a textured material having a roughened outer surface 13 suitable for cleaning teeth and gums. In alternative embodiments of the invention the roughened surface may include bristles or protrusions to enhance the cleaning effect of the device as it moves over the teeth and gums during its use.

The textured material of the first sheet 12 has greater rigidity than the material, which forms the second sheet 14 of the cleaning device. This difference in rigidity allows a user to open the opening 16 by gripping the cleaning device on opposite sides of the pouch 10 and gently sliding the two sheets 12 and 14 relative to one another,. This sliding action opens the opening 16, allowing a finger to be inserted into the opening 16 and the cavity within the pouch.

• The sheets 12 and 14 also define a pair of handle portions 17, which extend outwardly from the opposite sides of the opening 16. The device is completed with a length of dental floss IS, which is secured between the sheets 12 and 14 adjacent to the opening 1 a d by the ultrasonic weld holding the sheets 12 and 14 together:, The pouch 10 is used by inserting a finger through the opening 16 and into the cavity within the pouch 10 such that the pad of the finger locates against the inner surface of the first sheet 12 of the pouch 10. Thereafter, the pouch 10 is inserted into the mouth which is to be cleaned and, while retaining the pouch 10 on the finger, the outer surface 13 of the first sheet 12 is pressed into contact with and rubbed over the teeth arid gums, to thereby f emόve plaque aiid food material frόiri the teeth and gums. This rubbing action also has a massaging effect on the gums. It is envisaged that the cleaning device will be used without a cleaning paste or gel. However, the pouch 10 and, in particular, the first sheet 12 can be impregnated with a cleaning or medicated agent in a wet or dry form. In addition, the device may have a colour changing feature such that the device changes colour when brought into contact with a warm environment, plaque, or debris, or when exposed to a disclosing agent.

In addition various homeopathic, conventional and other solutions, medicaments, powders can be added to the device.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that the cleaning pouch is of a tubular construction having two open ends. The openings at each end of the tube being sized to allow a finger to be inserted into the tube and in this way allowing the cleaning device to be used in a similar way as is described above with reference to the pouch 10 depicted in the accompanying drawings.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a dispenser 30 for cleaning pouches 10, as depicted in Figures 1 and 2. In this dispenser 30, the pouches 10 are connected to one another in a side by side fashion, in the form of an elongated strip 22 (see Figure 5). The leading side edge 20 of each of the pouches 10 is joined to the trailing side edge 32 of the next pouch 10 in the strip 22 by a pair of bridges 33 and 34 of unequal thickness; bridge 33 being thicker than bridge 34. The elongate strip 22 is folded, concertina-wise, into the dispenser 30. The dispenser 30 is in the form of a conventional rectangular cubical box comprising a lid 24 and base tray 26. The latter are secured to one another by fractional engagement once the strip 22 of pouches 10 has been placed in the base tray 26. An opening 27 is formed through the lid 24 and is dimensional so as to allow the pouches 10 to be pulled through it, from the interior of the dispenser 30, and separated for use.

To extract a device from the dispenser, a user should grasp the free handle 17 of the first pouch 10 in the strip 22 and pull it and the first jpouch 10 out of the dispenser 30 through the opening 27. The friction between the emerging pouch 10 and the lid 24 is not so great that it prevents the pouch 10 from being pulled out of the dispenser 30 by the handle 17. However, once the first pouch 10 has emerged from the dispenser 30, the grip exerted by the opening 27 upon the strip 22 of pouches 10 is such that, if the user continues to pull on the first pouch 10, rather than cause the second pouch 10 in the strip 22 to follow the first out of the dispenser 30, the bridges 33 and 34 are caused to rupture to thereby release the first pouch 10 from the strip 22 and dispenser 30. The thinner of the two bridges 33 and 34 ruptures first and the resulting uneven force on the first pouch 10 causes its opening 16 to gape* allowing the easy insertion of a finger. The process can then be repeated for each consecutive pouch 10 in the strip 22, until all of the pouches 10 have been removed from the dispenser 30.

Claims

THE CLAIM:

1. An oral cleaning device comprising of a hollow tube of non woven polypropylene of various grades closed except at one end resulting in a conical shape which is formed by ultrasonic welding of a continuous sheet of material and the resulting elongated tube having no cornets, sharp angles or rough margins and allowing easy opening of the unsealed edge by means of major and minor tags that will enable the easy insertion of a finger into the device which may be used for the massaging of the gums, cleaning of the teeth and the administering of solutions and compounds to the teeth and supporting tissues, which may have a therapeutic effect.

2. The oral cleaning device of claim I wherein all the ultrasonically welded edges are sealed in such a manner that no sharp angles, corners or rough margins exist resulting in a smooth conically shaped end opposite to the unwelded open end.

3. The oral cleaning device of claim 2 wherein the individual units are joined together at specific points by major and minor tags allowing for dispensing and keeping the units attached in multiple sheets. 4. The oral cleaning device of claim 3 wherein the individual units when dispensed using the specialised tags will allow for automatic opening of the unsealed portion to allow easy access for a finger.

5. The oral cleaning device of claim 4 wherein the units are arranged in a specific alternating fashion with the opening of one unit alternating with the conical sealed end of the next unit fixed by special tags in order to allow for specific dispensing of multiple units.

6. The oral cleaning device of claim 5 wherein the material exhibits specialised fluid retentive and fluid repelling properties using minute "pockets" within its integral structure for the accurate deliverance of solution and removal of plaque and debris.

7. The oral cleaning device of claim 6 wherein a piece of floss may be attached by ultrasonic spot welding to the margin or comer at the open

5 end allowing the cleaning of the interproximal spaces between the teeth.

8. The oral cleaning device of claim 7 will allow the easy insertion of most or all of an adult finger.

9. The oral cleaning device of claim 8 can have a waterproof barrier between the inserted finger and the outside environment. 0 10. The oral cleaning device of claim 9 will not allow the free flow of fluids from the outside environment into the encapsulated inner environment due to the barrier where the finger is housed, thus allowing a sanitary and dry inner environment

11. The oral cleaning device of claim 10 wherein the device is comprised 5 of a folded piece of non-woven polypropylene using a custom made drum housing the blueprint for the individual units.

12. The oral cleaning device of claim 11 wherein the custom made drum is inserted into an ultrasonic welding machine that has been specifically modified to accept the sheets of polypropylene. o 13. The oral cleaiiihg device of claim 12 wherein the ultrasonic welding tip is applied at a very specific pressure to allow the optimum seal without the creation of rough edges or margins but yet strong enough to result in a total seal of the desired edge. 14. The oral cleaning device of claim 13 wherein the row of units are 5 packaged into multiple unit dispensers.

15. The oral cleaning device of claim 14 wherein the units can be packaged into sachets of single or multiple units. Ϊ6. The oral cleaning device of claim 15 wherein the device is sterilised within the sachet or multiple dispenser and the tag system allows a sterile dispensing system without contamination of subsequent units.

17. The oral cleaning device of claim 16 wherein the device is impregnated with a solution, powder, or medicament of therapeutic value.

18. The oral cleaning device of claim 17 wherein the device may be used as a carrier for tooth whitening solutions or therapeutic agents.

19. The oral cleaning device of claim IS wherein the device may be used in a wet or dry capacity.

20. The oral cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the device may be of various grades of thickness allowing a vast range of applications from the delicate tissues of the infant through to the thickened tissues of denture wearer in such a way that the deliverance of the therapeutic agent is effective and the selective abrasiveness is allowing the effective removal of debris and plaque.

21. The oral cleaning device of claim 20 wherein the device is impregnated with a colour changing agent oh contact with heat, moisture or any other specific initiator or in the form of a disclosing agent for plaque and debris removal.

22. The oral cleaning device of claim 21 wherein the device is presented with different flavours, colours or patterns within its body or applied to using a non toxic application.

23. The oral cleaning device of claim 22 wherein the device will be of varying sizes to fit a large or small finger thus giving multiple finger size application