CN102740743A - Eating utensils including oral hygiene implements - Google Patents

Abstract

A eating utensil, such as a disposable plastic fork, spoon, knife, or combination thereof, in combination with at least one oral hygiene device, such as a toothpick, interdental pick, brush, tongue cleaner, and/or a dental flosser, for personal use after eating in a location where oral hygiene implements are not otherwise available. In some embodiments, the oral hygiene device can be permanently attached to the eating utensil, which can serve as a handle for using the oral hygiene device. In other embodiments, the oral hygiene device can be moved at the score lines in a snapping or bending manner to expose the oral hygiene device for use, the oral hygiene device remaining attached to the appliance, or removed for separate use, the oral hygiene device optionally being configured with a thumb-grip tab.

Description

Eating utensils including oral hygiene implements

field of invention

The present invention is in the field of eating utensils and oral hygiene devices, in particular it relates to an eating utensil comprising an oral hygiene device from the group consisting of dental floss sticks, toothpicks, tongue cleaners and oral brushes. One or more additional oral cleaning devices may preferably be included.

Background of the invention

Mealtime activities often involve the use of disposable eating utensils such as plastic forks, spoons and/or knives, often at locations far from home, where post-meal oral hygiene cleaning kits are not available. Such meal events may include planned picnics, impromptu picnics, quick meals, takeout, lunchboxes, bagged work meals, impromptu meals, delivered specials, engagements with food provided, entertainment, birthdays, cocktail parties, weddings, and other parties .

Discussion of Known Technology

U.S. Design Patent No. D254,239 to Julius, entitled "COMBINED FORK AND SEPARATABLE TOOTHPICK," shows decorative design as a subject.

U.S. Design Patent D463,231 to Sanders, entitled "EATINGUTENSIL WITH TOOTHPICK INCORPORATED THEREIN," shows a fork, spoon, and knife, all in front near the end of the handle. There is a toothpick on the side; presumably in each case the toothpick is removably attached.

Feaster's U.S. Patent No. 2,877,547 entitled "COMBINATION TOOTHPICK AND STIRRING OR EATING IMPLEMENT" discloses wooden spoons, forks configured with toothpicks that can be removed by tapping and stir bar.

US Patent No. 2,072,777 to Takahashi entitled "CUTLERY" shows a spoon and a fork, both having a pair of toothpicks removably attached on the rear side.

U.S. Patent No. 3,664,020 to Hammond et al. entitled "COMBINATION SPOON AND TOOTHPICK" shows and discloses a toothpick and spoon combination including a handle portion that Features a detachable toothpick member for use after meals. The combination uses a support member from which the toothpick is detachable.

purpose of invention

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide disposable plastic utensils including oral hygiene devices such as straight or curved toothpicks, oral brushes, tongue cleaners and flossers and One or more optional additional devices for maintaining good oral hygiene during mealtime activities where oral hygiene devices are acquired.

Another object is to provide a snap-off embodiment wherein an oral hygiene device initially attached in a protective manner formed in an opening in the handle of the appliance can be moved by the user in a snap-off manner and removed for separate use; moreover , It is yet another object to provide a curved embodiment wherein a device permanently attached in a protective manner within the handle of the appliance can be moved by the user in a curved manner that exposes the still attached device ready for use.

Summary of the invention

The above objects have been achieved by the present invention, in which a plastic eating utensil is combined with an oral hygiene device which may be integrally molded with the utensil handle, initially attached to the handle, and generally controlled by adjacent or surrounding handles. Material protection. To deploy a protected device, one or more scorelines disposed in the handle allow the user to move the device and/or selected areas of the handle material in a manner to reveal the device ready for use. In various embodiments, the user movement action can be implemented as a non-separating bend or snap-separating, depending on the design choices for the elasticity of the plastic material, as well as for the score configuration, especially the depth. An eating utensil that includes an oral hygiene implement is now manufactured for use after a meal in locations where oral hygiene items are not otherwise available.

Brief description of the drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a front view of a prong configured to attach a floss pick that holds dental floss in an angled orientation.

Figure 2 shows a knife configured as a floss pick including a retaining floss that is longitudinally oriented.

Figure 3 shows a spoon in combination with a floss pick and a snap-off key toothpick, the spoon including a thumb grip in the opening of the floss pick.

Figure 4 shows a spork (spoon/fork) with a snap-off handle end section including an attached floss pick, toothpick and thumb grip.

[0017.1] NOTE: It should be appreciated that any of the four alternative utensil configurations shown in Figures 1 to 4, i.e., fork 10A, knife 12A, spoon 14A, or spork 16A, can be used with each of the handles disclosed herein /device configuration to practice the present invention. Therefore, in the following Figures 5 to 22, and 40 to 44, the handle is shown with its lower end cut off.

Figure 5 is a cut-away front view of the handle of the appliance with an attached wedge-shaped toothpick protected by a break-off guard comprising a floss pick.

Figure 6 is a cut-away front view of the handle of the appliance with a curved toothpick attached, protected by a break-off guard comprising a floss pick.

Figure 7 is a cut-away front view of the handle of the appliance with an attached interdental pick protected by a break-off guard comprising a floss stick.

Figure 8 is a cutaway front view of the implement handle with an attached interdental brush protected by a break-off guard portion including a floss stick.

Figure 9 is a cut-away front view of an implement handle with a floss pick and a snap-off guard straight toothpick.

Figure 10 is a cutaway front view of an implement handle having a floss pick that can be angled at the bend line.

Figure 11 is a cutaway side view of the handle shown in Figure 10 showing the angled floss pick.

Figure 12 is a cutaway front view of an implement handle configured with a wedge-shaped toothpick attached and a floss pick attached in a foldable fashion.

13 is a cutaway side view of the handle shown in FIG. 12 showing the combined floss pick and toothpick initially in collinear alignment.

Figure 14 shows the handle shown in Figure 12 with the floss pick folded back to expose the toothpick.

Figure 15 is a side view of the subject matter shown in Figure 14, illustrating the floss pick being folded back to expose the toothpick.

Figure 16 is a cutaway front view of an implement handle including a floss pick and a tongue cleaner.

Figure 17 is a cutaway side view of an implement handle including a floss pick, a tongue cleaner and a bristle brush.

Figure 18 is a cutaway front view of an implement handle including a floss pick and a bristle brush.

19 is a cut-away front view of an implement handle including a floss pick and an interdental pick and interdental brush combination attached to a handle tab.

20 is a cutaway front view of an appliance handle having a floss pick removably attached to a side edge of the handle.

21 is a cut-away front view of an implement handle with a removable side-attached floss pick and a removable key-shaped toothpick with tabs in the floss pick opening.

22 is a cut-away front view of an appliance handle having a removably attached side panel comprising a floss stick, a key-shaped bent toothpick, and a key-shaped interdental brush, the three Both are removably attached to the side panels.

Figure 23 shows a fork with a curved toothpick attached to the end region next to the adjacent guard tab attached to the handle in such a way that the scribe can be moved Protective tabs.

Figure 24 shows the user's hand moving the toothpick shown in Figure 1 to be exposed and used.

Figure 25 shows a fork with a curved toothpick extending from the end region attached to the handle along a score line.

Figure 26 shows a fork with a wedge-shaped toothpick positioned at the edge attached to an end tab attached to the handle along a score line.

Figure 27 shows a fork with a wedge-shaped toothpick attached to the center protected by an end tab removably attached to the handle by a pair of score lines.

Figure 28 shows a fork with a centrally located curved toothpick attached to an end tab removably attached to the handle by a pair of score lines.

Figure 29 shows a fork with a curved toothpick positioned at the end attached by a score line.

Figure 30 shows a fork with a straight toothpick attached along the score line positioned at the edge.

Figure 31 shows a fork with a centrally located straight toothpick attached along the scribe line.

Figure 32 shows the fork with an attached curved toothpick extending longitudinally from the end of the handle ready for use.

Figure 33 shows the fork with a curved toothpick attached, extending transversely from the end of the handle, ready for use.

Figure 34 shows a prong configured with an attached ready-to-use floss pick and a guarded centrally located straight toothpick removably attached.

Figure 35 shows a fork configured with a user-movable combination of a floss stick and a wedge-shaped toothpick positioned at the edge.

Figure 36 shows a fork configured to have a user-removable combination of a floss stick and a centrally positioned wedge-shaped toothpick.

Figure 37 shows the cutlery knife combined with a removable handle tab toothpick.

Figure 38 shows the spoon in combination with a removable interdental pick configured to have a handle tab initially constituting the end region of the handle.

Figure 39 shows a spork (spoon/fork) combined with a removable handle-tab oral brush.

Fig. 40 is a cutaway front view of an appliance handle illustrating a tongue cleaner integrally formed in the end region of the handle.

Fig. 41 is a cutaway side view of the handle of the implement of Fig. 40, illustrating the tongue cleaner of Fig. 40 on one side, and the bristle brush on the opposite side.

Figure 42 is a rear view of the handle of the implement shown in Figure 40 illustrating the bristle brush shown in Figure 41 in the end region.

43 is a cutaway front view of an implement handle configured with a straight grip tab toothpick and a tongue cleaner in the end region.

FIG. 44 is a rear view of the implement handle shown in FIG. 43 equipped with a straight grip tab toothpick and an oral brush in the end region.

A detailed description

Figure 1 shows an embodiment 10 of the present invention, wherein the utensil part is a fork 10A having a handle part 10B configured to have an attached dental floss stick 10C that uses a dental floss 10D A length of 10 spans the floss stick gap formed by ends 10E and 10F, which fix the direction of floss 10D at a selected angle, as shown. At the time of manufacture, the floss 10D may be molded into the plastic of the floss stick gap ends 10E and 10F.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment 12 in which the utensil portion is a knife 12A having a handle portion 12B comprising a floss stick 12C which holds a dental floss 12D longitudinally as shown .

Figure 3 shows an embodiment 14 wherein the utensil portion is a spoon 14A having a handle portion 14B having an end region comprising a dental floss stick 14C and a sanitary device, in this embodiment the The sanitary device is a toothpick 14E configured to have an enlarged bottom end forming a thumb grip tab that sits within the opening of the floss stick 14C, as shown. The toothpick portion extends down into a slot provided in the handle portion 14B. A key-shaped toothpick 14E is removably held in place within the floss pick opening by a pair of snap-off scores 14F on the underside of the tab. Alternatively, the removable fastener may be located anywhere along any edge of the tab.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment 16 in which the utensil part is a spork 16A (spoon/fork combination) having a handle part 16B initially comprising an end region having a floss stick 16C. The handle 16B is also configured with a wedge-shaped toothpick 16D at one edge, and a snap-off score 16E that allows the floss pick 16C and toothpick 16D to be snapped out together with the finger grip area. Alternatively, snap-off score 16E may be repositioned to extend through the bottom end of the toothpick, thereby simply snapping off the toothpick.

Figure 5 is a cut-away front view of the implement handle 18 configured with a floss pick 18A located at the distal region and an attached wedge-shaped toothpick 18B, when the floss pick 18A is removed by snapping off at the score line 18C , the implement handle reveals toothpick 18B attached to handle 18 ready for use.

Figure 6 is a cut-away front view of an implement handle 20 configured with a dental floss pick 20A which, when broken at score line 20C, exposes a curved toothpick 20B.

Figure 7 is a cut-away front view of a fork configured to have an implement handle 22 of a dental floss stick 22A which, when broken at the score line 22C, exposes an interdental pick 22B, which is made sufficiently Fine and sufficiently abrasive to clean the interface area between adjacent tooth margins.

Figure 8 is a cutaway front view of an implement handle 24 configured to have a dental floss stick 24A which, when broken at score line 24C, reveals an interdental brush 24B which is made sufficiently thin to And is abrasive enough to clean the interface area between adjacent tooth edges.

Figure 9 shows a cutaway front view of an implement handle 26 configured with a dental floss stick 26A and a straight toothpick 26B broken off at score line 26C.

FIG. 10 is a cut-away front view of an implement handle 28 configured with a dental floss pick 28A oriented at a specified angle relative to the handle 28, which angle is determined by a side profile configured in the handle 28. achieved by bending line 28B.

FIG. 11 is a cutaway side view of the implement handle 28 shown in FIG. 10 configured to have a dental floss pick 28A oriented at a specified angle relative to the handle 28 as defined by side bend line 28B. realized.

FIG. 12 shows a cutaway front view of the implement handle 30 in combination with an attached floss pick 30A and a wedge-shaped toothpick 20B integrally formed with the handle 30 . The Living Hinge Flex Line 30C has a special handle material that allows up to 180 degrees of bending.

FIG. 13 is a cutaway side view of the implement handle 30 shown in FIG. 12 , showing the end region with a floss pick 30A initially in collinear alignment with the handle 30 .

FIG. 14 is a cut-away front view of the implement handle 30 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, showing the end region having the floss stick 30A bent forward 180 degrees at bend line 30C (FIG. 12), Expose wedge-shaped toothpick 30B ready to use, as shown.

FIG. 15 is a cutaway side view of the implement handle 30 shown in FIG. 14 showing the end region having the floss stick 30A bent forward generally at bend line 30C (FIG. 12) as shown in FIG. 14. 180 degrees to expose the wedge-shaped toothpick 30B ready to use, as shown.

Figure 16 is a cutaway front view of an implement handle 32 comprising a floss pick 32A and a tongue cleaner 32B arranged as shown. Tongue cleaner 32B may be implemented as an array of ridges that may be integrally molded with handle portion 32 . Alternatively, the tongue cleaner may be implemented as at least one scraping edge intended to scrape the tongue to remove debris without injuring the tongue. Additionally, the area of the handle portion 32 that includes the tongue cleaner can be made with a permanent bend or made flexible for easier access to the tongue; the tongue cleaner can be configured with at least one opening that allows for a scraping action The debris passes through to preferably reach the designated collection area.

17 is a cutaway side view of an implement handle 34 including a floss pick 34A, a tongue cleaner 34B, and a bristle brush 34C. The side view of the tongue cleaner 34B shows the sawtooth profile shape of the ridges, which also applies to the tongue cleaner 32B (FIG. 16), where the ridge tips are formed with a prescribed sharpness for cleaning the tongue. The brush 34 is usually made as a separate item, having bristles of suitable length and hardness, and attached to the handle 32 .

18 is a cut-away front view of the implement handle 34, dental floss pick 34A, and brush 34C shown in FIG. 17. FIG. Alternatively, brush 34C may be implemented as any brush or oral brush, i.e., any brush that can be used in the oral cavity, including but not limited to bristle-type oral brushes, interdental-type oral brushes, pad/fabric-type brushes, and the aforementioned combination of items. The oral brush can be molded directly into the handle of the utensil and/or applied to the handle of the utensil in a secondary assembly application. The portion of the implement handle that includes the oral brush can be made with a permanent bend or made flexible for easier access to the teeth/tongue; and some aspects of the bristle type oral brush can vary such as, but not limited to, total, Arrangement, hardness, color, width, length, material, method of attachment to the substrate, and combinations of the above.

19 is a cut-away front view of an appliance handle 36 comprising a dental floss stick 36A and a combination of two interdental devices, one interdental device, attached to a finger grip tab 36B. The brush 36C and an interdental pick 36D, both are made thin enough to clean at the interface between adjacent teeth.

FIG. 20 is a cut-away front view of an implement handle 38 having a dental floss pick 38 removably attached to a side edge of the handle 38 . The score line 38B at the attachment location allows for snap-off removal of the floss pick 38A for separate use. The extended area shown in the lower portion of dental floss pick 38A provides a thumb grip tab.

21 is a cutaway front view of the handle 40 having the handle 40 removably attached to one side edge of the floss pick 40A by a pair of snap-off fasteners 40B. Toothpick 40C is configured to have an enlarged bottom end forming a thumb grip tab that is positioned within the floss pick opening; in a slot. A key-shaped toothpick 40C is removably held in place by a pair of snap-off scores 40D on the underside of the tab. Alternatively, the removable fastener may be located anywhere along any edge of the tab. The side mounting of the floss pick 40A allows the possibility of providing a device such as a tongue cleaner 40E at the end of the handle 40, as shown. The side mounting of the toothpick 40C etc. avoids any possible loss of mechanical strength of the handle 40 due to the handle opening. Positioning the tabs of the keyed toothpick 40C in the floss stick opening as shown eliminates the need for side panel sections and saves space.

22 is a cut-away front view of handle portion 42 removably attached to one side panel 42B at one side edge of the handle portion by a pair of snap-off fasteners 42C. Side panel 42B includes a floss pick 42C, and one or more sanitary devices: in this embodiment, the sanitary devices are curved toothpicks 42D with a handle tab and interdental picks with a handle tab. Brushes, 42E, are each removably attached to two opposite side edges by snap-off fasteners, as shown. The side mounting of the floss stick 42C in the side panel 42B allows the possibility of deploying devices such as a tongue cleaner 42F at the end of the handle 42, as shown. The mechanical strength of the handle portion 42 of the appliance is facilitated by mounting the device not in the handle opening but externally, for example in an external panel 42D. An edge mounted combination/board such as that shown in Figures 21 and 22 may be sold as a stand-alone product.

Figure 23 shows a fork 24 configured to have an attached curved toothpick 24A protected on one side by an adjacent guard tab 24B which is made to be accessible by the user at scribe line 24C. Move to expose toothpick 24A for use. Depending on the design choice of the handle material and the configuration of the score line 24C, (a) in the curved embodiment, the tab 24B can be bent back and held by the user to expose the toothpick for use, but still remain attached as a guard. but (b) in the snap-off embodiment, the snap-off removal of the guard tab 24B leaves the toothpick 24A permanently exposed and unguarded.

Figure 24 shows the user's left hand 26A holding the fork 24 shown in Figure 1, while the right hand 26B is shown moving the guard tab 24B at the score line 24C to expose the toothpick 24A ready for use, still attached to serve as a handle Fork 24.

Figure 25 shows the fork 28 configured with a snap-off curved toothpick 28A extending longitudinally from the handle. In a first form, the toothpick 28A is easily removed by snapping off at the score line 28B, thereby providing the toothpick separately with a thumb grip. In the second form, the score line 28B is made relatively stiff so that the toothpick 28A can be considered ready for use while remaining attached to the fork 28 which acts as a handle. In another version (FIG. 32), dashed line 28B is omitted.

Figure 26 shows the fork 30 configured with a wedge-shaped toothpick 30A positioned at the edge and attached to a user-removable end tab 30C. Score 30B extending from the bottom end of toothpick 30A to the edge of the handle allows the user to move tab 30C, thereby exposing toothpick 30A for use; Attached to the handle, but in a snap-off embodiment, the toothpick 30A would be removed from the handle along with the end tab 30C, which would serve as a thumb/finger grip tab to facilitate use of the toothpick 30A.

Figure 27 shows a fork 32 configured with an attached toothpick 32A fully protected by a user-movable end tab 32B which, when moved by the user at score line 32C, Toothpick 32A is exposed for use. In a curved embodiment, the end tab 32B remains attached to the handle of the fork 32, which facilitates future reuse of the fork, but in a snap-off embodiment, the end tab 32B is snapped off (and typically discarded) to expose the A toothpick 32A is ready for use, attached to a fork 32 serving as a handle.

Figure 28 shows the fork 34 configured with a fully guarded curved toothpick 34A which, in a snap-off embodiment, includes a thumb grip when the toothpick is snapped off by user movement at score line 34B. Shank tab 34C. In the curved embodiment, when the user bends tab 34C back by moving at score line 34B, toothpick 34A is exposed and ready for use.

Figure 29 shows a prong 36 configured to have a partially shielded curved toothpick 36A which, in a snap-off embodiment, includes tabs that can be used as thumb grips when the toothpick is snapped off at score line 36B. a triangular part of .

Figure 30 shows the prong 38 configured with a partially shielded straight toothpick 38A which, in the snap-off embodiment, snaps off at score line 38B for use as a separate item.

Figure 31 shows a fork 40 with a fully shielded straight toothpick 40A which, in a snap-off embodiment, snaps off at the score line 40B for use as a separate item, leaving the handle end 40C in place , while keeping the original shape of the end of the handle intact.

Figure 32 shows the fork 42 with an unshielded attached curved toothpick 42A, oriented longitudinally and ready for use.

Figure 33 shows the fork 44 with an unshielded attached curved toothpick 44A, oriented laterally and ready for use.

Figure 34 shows the prong 46 in combination with an attached floss pick 46A ready for use and an initially attached straight toothpick 46B which snaps off at score line 46C for removal and separate use. The floss in the floss stick 46A can be secured in place at the open end of the floss stick by being molded into the plastic material during manufacture or by forcing the floss into a narrow V-shaped groove .

FIG. 35 shows a prong 48 configured to have a half-shielded wedge-shaped toothpick 48B positioned at the edge and a floss stick 48A, wherein the score line 48 is positioned so that the user can pass the toothpick 48B and dental floss. Sticks 48A are displaced as a unit to expose toothpicks 48B for use. The score line 48C is made stiff enough so that when the floss pick 48A is used directly, the combination also attaches together with the prong 48, which acts as a handle as shown. In a snap-off embodiment, the combined toothpick 48B and floss pick 48 can be snapped off from the prongs 48 at the score line 48C, thereby providing a combination of two prophy devices ready to be used as a separate unit. In the curved embodiment, the user can expose toothpick 48B for use at any time by bending the combination back at score line 48C.

Figure 36 shows a toothpick 50B and a dental floss pick 50A in a combined configuration similar to that shown in Figure 37, except that the toothpick 50B is located in the center of the handle and is initially fully shielded by the surrounding handle material , and on both sides are a pair of scribed lines 50C for the user to move. In other respects, the performance and usage are as described in conjunction with FIG. 36 .

In a configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 36 , the toothpick and its surrounding shielded area opening may be inverted (ie, rotated 180 degrees) as presented in FIG. 27 . Thus, in a snap-off embodiment, the floss pick snaps off for separate use, exposing the toothpick ready for use (like 32A in FIG. 27 ), still attached to the fork. In the curved embodiment, the floss pick folds back to expose the toothpick for use.

Figure 37 is a front view of an embodiment 52 of the present invention, wherein the utensil part is a cutlery knife 54; the end region of the handle 56 of the cutlery knife is provided with a fully protected toothpick 56A' configured to have a Enlarged bottom tab 56A", which serves as a thumb grip. In a snap-off embodiment, toothpick 56A' and its attached tab 56A" can be snapped off at score line 56B and removed for use in separate use.

38 is a front view of an embodiment 58 of the present invention wherein the utensil portion is a spoon 60; the attached handle 62 of the spoon is configured with an interdental pick 62A' having an enlarged bottom surface. piece 62A", which tab initially forms the end of handle 62, as shown. In a snap-off embodiment, toothpick 62A' and attached tab 62A" can be snapped off at a pair of score lines 62B and removed, for separate use. In a curved embodiment, the toothpick 62A' and attached tabs 62A" are deployed such that the user bends the tabs 62A" back 180 degrees at the pair of score lines 62B, thereby exposing the interdental pick 62A 'Ready to use.

Figure 39 is a front view of an embodiment 64 of the present invention, wherein the utensil part is a spork 66, i.e. spoon/fork, wherein the attached handle 68 is arranged in the end region of the spork, the end region having a Fully shielded interdental brush 68A' with an attached enlarged bottom surface tab 68A" that acts as a thumb tab. In the snap-off embodiment, the brush 68A' and the attached Tab 68A" can be snapped off at score line 68B located along the top edge of bottom tab 68A" and removed for separate use. In a curved embodiment, interdental brush 68A' and its attached Tab 68A" may bend at score line 68B.

Figure 40 is a cutaway front view of an eating utensil handle portion 70 including a tongue cleaner 70A in the end region. Tongue cleaner 70A may be implemented as an array of ridges that may be integrally molded with handle portion 70 . Alternatively, the tongue cleaner 70A may be implemented as at least one scraping edge that is used to scrape the tongue to remove debris without injuring the tongue. As another possibility, the area of the handle portion 70 that includes the tongue cleaner 70A can be made with a permanent bend or made flexible for easier access to the tongue; the tongue cleaner can be configured with at least one opening that Debris from the scraping action is passed to preferably reach a designated collection area.

Figure 41 is a cross-sectional side view of the implement handle 70 as shown in Figure 40, wherein a side view of the tongue cleaner 70A is illustrated, while a side view of the bristle brush 70B is illustrated in the upper end region on the opposite rear side view. The side view of the tongue cleaner 70A illustrates the sawtooth profile of the ridges with the ridge tips formed with a specified sharpness suitable for cleaning the tongue. The brush 70B is generally made as a separate item, having bristles of suitable length and hardness, and is attached to the handle 70 at the end region.

FIG. 42 is a cutaway rear view of the implement handle 70 and brush 70B shown in FIG. 41 . Optionally, brush 70B can be implemented as any brush that can be used in the oral cavity, for example, bristle-type oral brushes, interdental-type oral brushes, pad/fabric-type brushes, and combinations of the foregoing. The oral brush 70B can be molded directly into the utensil handle 70, and/or obtained separately and attached to the handle. The portion of the implement handle 70 that includes the oral brush can be made with one or more permanent bends or made flexible for easier access to the teeth/tongue; and some aspects of the bristle type oral brush can vary, such as But not limited to, total number, arrangement, hardness, color, width, length, material, method of attachment to the bottom surface, and combinations of the above.

Figure 43 is a cut-away front view of an eater handle 72 including a fully shielded snap-off straight toothpick 72A' with bottom tab 72A" and tongue cleaner 72B near the end of handle 72 as shown in Figure 40. Toothpick 72A' and its bottom tab 72A" are snapped off at a pair of score lines 72C as shown to be removed for separate use.

44 is a cut-away front view of the eater handle 74 comprising: a fully shielded snap-off straight toothpick 74A' attached to the bottom tab 74A", as shown in FIG. 43; and A brush 74B is located near the end of the handle 74 as illustrated and described in connection with FIGS. 41 and 42 .

In the present invention, wherever an ordinary toothpick is illustrated and/or described as an oral cleaning device, it should be understood that the present invention can alternatively be combined with an interdental pick or a toothpick by molding. interdental brush to achieve.

While the present invention is primarily directed to an unmet need and anticipated need associated with disposable plastic eating utensils, these may be popular at picnics and other social or communal dining events where conventional dental cleaning implements are not available , but the invention may also be practiced in conjunction with more permanent tableware for more general use. The material in the eating utensil can be metal, or any material that can provide the desired curved or backward curved embodiment. As an alternative to the shown generally unitary construction of the eating utensil, the eating utensil may be made of multiple parts joined by fastening means such as welding or adhesives.

Standard fork, spoon or knife designs may include, but are not limited to, features such as ribbed supports and similar structural/decorative elements.

Scores that provide removable initial attachment or bendable initial straightness can be configured to a specific type, location, shape and depth, ie thickness at the thinnest point. In the snap-off embodiment design, a relatively brittle material is chosen, and the score line depth is made to allow the user to break the material at the score line. Typically, the score depth is selected for ease and convenience in breaking, but in special embodiments where initial stiffness is required, the score is made shallower, requiring greater force to break apart. In the design of the curved embodiment, choose a more elastic material that can bend back 180 degrees without breaking at the score line.

The optional placement of dashes offers many potentially beneficial configurations/implementations, such as:

(a) For user movement, i.e., breaking or bending of the device itself, the score line extends only across one edge, usually the bottom surface of the device, as in Figures 29-31, 37-39, 43 and Figure 44.

(b) similarly, an end portion region forming a protective tab may be made to move at a score line positioned across the underside of the tab, as shown in Figures 23 and 24;

(c) For devices having one side edge forming part of the side edge of the handle, a score line extending from one side edge of the device to a corresponding side edge of the handle allows the device to remain permanently attached to the implement handle or end portion (depending on the orientation of the device), thereby providing an attached thumb grip tab for ease of use of the device, as shown in Figures 26 and 27;

(d) Similarly, for devices located within the outer contour of the handle, a pair of score lines extending from the side edges of the bottom surface of the device to the corresponding opposite side edges of the handle achieve the same performance as in (c), as shown in Figure 27 , shown in Figure 28 and Figure 38; and

(e) The score may extend completely through the handle only at selected locations, so that the handle can be snapped in two (or bent) at the score, usually with one area of handle material permanently attached to the device for use in Make thumb/finger grip tabs as shown in Figure 25.

As an alternative to prophy devices attached to eating utensils permanently or snap off by means of scribes as shown, such prophylaxis can be achieved by other fastening means such as temporary glue, magnets, snaps, Velcro, etc. attached to practice the invention. Arrangements can be made for reattachment of the broken section.

In embodiments where the prophy device is a toothpick, the danger of extreme sharpness at the active end of the toothpick should be avoided; instead, the tip should be made slightly rounded enough to avoid injury while still having an optimal shape to Provides effective cleaning function.

Dental cleaning devices shown as toothpicks or floss sticks may also include items such as toothbrushes, pad or fabric type brushes or tongue cleaners that are integrated into eating utensils by attachment methods such as molded integration, Glued or welded, or the prophy unit is bundled into a meal kit including one or more meal utensils and/or napkins and other related items.

As an alternative to flossing (a floss pick is shown), rigid, semi-rigid or flexible thin fins or blades are available for cleaning between and around teeth.

For embodiments such as those shown in Figures 25, 32 and 33, where the toothpick is extended without protection, some kind of cap or cap may be included to serve as a cover or housing.

The prophy device may further provide a properly designed rough or raised surface on the surface of the device or on the surface of the eating utensil that may assist in the removal of debris from the inner walls of the teeth. Removes debris when inserting and removing the prophy unit.

Additional items such as dental floss, tissue or mouthwash may be provided separately, held in some fashion within, or attached to, the eating utensil body, optionally bundled and/or Or hygienic tableware can be packaged separately.

Although the invention is illustrated as being practiced in the form of a fork, spoon, knife, and spork, it should be understood that the invention may be practiced in conjunction with other eating utensils including, but not limited to, chopsticks, tongs, any other commonly used eating utensils , and combinations of these terms.

It should be appreciated that the present invention may be configured to have a permanent/ready to flex bend and/or bends in the eater handle that enables the deployment of any dental hygiene device that is permanently/ready to flex Integrally formed in the handle and intended to be used while remaining attached to the handle for easier/better access to oral organs such as the user's teeth and tongue.

As an alternative to incorporating the prophy device into or directly attached to the eating utensil, one or more cleaning devices and one or more eating utensils may be separately incorporated in a side-by-side manner into a plastic sheet that is Manufactured and arranged for snap-off removal for use.

The present invention may be embodied and practiced in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. Accordingly, all aspects of the embodiments of the invention are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description; All changes, substitutions and alterations within the meaning and scope should belong to the scope of the present invention.

Claims (46)

1. A combination of eating utensils and oral hygiene tools, comprising: an utensil part of a type selected from the group consisting of forks, spoons, knives and combinations thereof; a handle portion extending from the eating utensil portion to an end region of the handle portion; and An oral hygiene device of a type selected from the group consisting of dental floss sticks, toothpicks, tongue cleaners and brushes, the oral hygiene device is manufactured with the handle portion and initially attached connected to the handle section. 2. A combination of eating utensils and oral hygiene tools as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oral hygiene device is a dental floss stick; and the floss pick is configured to have two ends defining a floss pick opening formed with the handle portion; and A length of dental floss is attached at each of the two ends of the floss stick, extending through the floss stick opening. 3. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 2, wherein said length of floss is oriented in a generally longitudinal direction relative to said handle portion, functionally made taut state, and is permanently fastened at each of the two ends of the dental floss pick. 4. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 2, further comprising: A hygienic device selected from the group consisting of a toothpick, an interdental pick, and an interdental brush, the sanitary device initially positioned within and protected by an opening surrounded by the material of the handle portion, and initially is removably attached to the handle portion; and At least one snap-off score, disposed in the handle portion, is manufactured and arranged to initially hold the sanitary device in place and, when broken off by a user, separate and expose the sanitary device to for deployment. 5. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 2, further comprising: A toothpick formed by a slot disposed in said handle portion, the slot extending along a first side edge of said toothpick and extending into a first side edge thus formed in said handle portion a second and opposite side edge of said toothpick forming part of the first side edge of said handle portion to which said toothpick was initially attached at a baseline of said toothpick; and a snap-off score disposed on said handle portion collinear with the base line of said toothpick so that when the score is broken off, the toothpick is exposed ready for use as a dental cleaning device. 6. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 4, wherein: The sanitary device is a toothpick oriented longitudinally in the handle portion. 7. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 4, wherein: The sanitary device is a curved toothpick oriented longitudinally in the handle portion. 8. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 4, wherein: The sanitary device is an interdental pick that is longitudinally oriented in the handle portion, manufactured to be thin enough, and sufficiently abrasive to enable cleaning and debris removal between adjacent teeth. remove. 9. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 4, wherein: The sanitary device is an interdental brush oriented longitudinally in the handle portion, manufactured to be sufficiently thin and abrasive enough to enable cleaning and debris removal between adjacent teeth. 10. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 4, wherein: The sanitary device is a straight toothpick oriented longitudinally in the handle portion and having a first end free but protected by surrounding material and initially attached to the handle at a baseline of the toothpick A second end of the portion, the handle portion is configured to have a scoring line extending through the base line, by which the toothpick can be snapped out at the scoring line for ready use. 11. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 2, wherein said dental floss stick is located in the end region of said handle portion, said end region being demarcated by a curved line, configured to span across The handle portion, is manufactured and arranged to allow flexible bending at the bend line, thereby enabling a user to deploy the floss stick at a desired angle relative to the handle portion. 12. The combination of eating utensil and oral hygiene implement as claimed in claim 2, wherein said dental floss stick is located in the end region of said handle portion, which end region is distinguished by a transverse bending line, at which bending line A bend placed in said handle is made to secure the end region comprising said floss pick for use at a predetermined angle of inclination. 13. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 2, further comprising: said dental floss pick located in the end region; a sanitary device formed within the handle portion as a permanent part of the handle portion, longitudinally oriented, and extending from a transverse base line toward the floss stick; a pair of bend lines extending co-linearly from opposite ends of the base line to respective side edges of the handle portion, each bend line defining an area of the handle portion configured to having a resiliently flexible material capable of repeated bending up to 180 degrees, whereby a user can fold back the end portion together with the floss pick 180 degrees, thereby exposing the sanitary device extending from the thus shortened handle portion ready to use. 14. The combination of eating utensils and oral hygiene implements as claimed in claim 13, wherein the hygiene device is an interdental brush, which is made thin enough and abrasive enough to be able to rub teeth between adjacent teeth. Cleaning and debris removal in between. 15. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 13, wherein the hygiene device is a toothpick. 16. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 13, wherein the hygiene device is an interdental pick. 17. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 2, further comprising: a tongue cleaner located at the extreme end in the end region of the handle portion; and As for the dental floss stick, the dental floss stick is located in the handle portion, near the end, and adjacent to the tongue cleaner. 18. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 2, further comprising: a tongue cleaner positioned at the extreme end in the end region on a first side of the handle portion; an oral brush positioned at the second and opposite side of the handle portion the most terminal in the terminal region; and As for the dental floss stick, the dental floss stick is located in the area near the end of the handle portion. 19. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 2, further comprising: an oral brush distally located in the end region of the handle portion; and The dental floss stick, the dental floss stick is located in the handle portion, near the end, adjacent to the oral brush. 20. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 2, wherein the combination eating utensil and dental floss pick is molded from plastic; and said dental flosser is permanently located at the extreme end in the end region of said handle portion; and said combination of eating utensil and dental flosser is further configured to have a longitudinal opening formed in said handle portion A combination device assembly, the combination device assembly comprising: a thumb grip tab having a generally rectangular shape with consecutively numbered first, second, third and fourth side edges, the first side edge and the third and opposite side edges Removably attached to respective opposite side edges of the longitudinal opening by snapping off; a first sanitary device attached to the second first side edge of the handle tab at a baseline of the first sanitary device; a second sanitary device attached to a fourth and opposite side edge of said handle tab at a baseline of the second sanitary device; and The first and second hygienic devices are selected from a group consisting of straight toothpicks, curved toothpicks, interdental picks and interdental brushes. 21. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 2, wherein said floss stick is configured to have two arms spanning the floss stick opening and each arm extends to a respective one of said ends of said floss stick; One of the arms is widened to form a thumb grip tab; and said dental floss pick is initially positioned adjacent said handle portion with both ends in contact with a side edge of said handle portion, the dental floss pick being removably secured in place by at least one snap-off fastener, A portion of one of the ends is thereby engaged with the side edge of the handle portion. 22. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 2, further comprising: The dental floss pick configured to have a narrow arm forming a first edge of the dental floss stick opening and a wide arm forming a second and wide arm opening of the dental floss pick opposite edges, each arm extending to a respective one of the ends of said floss pick; said dental floss stick, which is initially positioned adjacent to said handle portion, the two ends contacting an edge of said handle portion, is removably fastened by at least one snap-off fastener being held in place so as to engage a portion of an edge of the floss pick with a corresponding portion of an edge of the handle portion; The dental floss pick is configured to have a slot opening extending vertically from a side edge of the dental floss stick opening on the wide arm, and the dental floss stick initially further includes a key-shaped hygienic device, the key-shaped sanitary device selected from a group comprising toothpicks, interdental picks and interdental brushes; The key-shaped sanitary device, which has a generally rectangular enlarged bottom end, is manufactured and arranged to serve as a thumb grip tab portion, said device being positioned such that the tab a tab portion is included within the floss pick opening, and a narrower active portion of the device extends from the tab portion into the slot opening; and The key-shaped sanitary device is removably secured to at least one edge region of the floss pick opening by snap-off attachment. 23. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 1, further comprising, an integrally formed side panel removably attached to an edge of said handle portion, the side panel The plate is configured to have at least one opening including a removably attached sanitary device selected from the group consisting of a floss stick, a toothpick, an interdental pick, and an interdental brush. 24. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement as claimed in claim 1, comprising in further combination at least one sanitary device selected from the group consisting of straight toothpicks, curved toothpicks, stiff brushes, abrasive scrubbing pads , interdental picks, interdental brush and tongue cleaner. 25. The combination of eating utensil and oral hygiene implement as claimed in claim 24, wherein the sanitary device is configured in a key shape, the key shape has a relatively narrow effective end portion, and an opposite bottom end portion, The bottom portion is made wider and large enough to serve as a thumb grip tab to assist in deployment. 26. The combination of eating utensil and oral hygiene implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oral cleaning device comprises a toothpick attached to said handle portion of said eating utensil, extending from said end region , exposed ready to use. 27. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 1, wherein said oral cleaning device comprises a toothpick. 28. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 1, wherein said oral cleaning device comprises: A toothpick having a side edge initially forming part of a side edge of said handle portion, said toothpick having a bottom end initially along a a portion is attached to the handle portion; and A score line positioned along a selected portion of the base line, manufactured and arranged to enable a user to move and expose said toothpick ready for use. 29. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 1, further comprising: said oral cleaning device formed in the end region of said handle portion, in an opening in said handle portion surrounded by a protected end region of handle material; a bottom end of the oral cleaning device permanently attached to the handle portion; and a pair of score lines disposed in the handle portion extending from respective opposite side edges of the bottom end of the oral cleaning device to respective side edges of the handle portion, The score line is manufactured and arranged to enable a user to move the guard end region and thus expose the oral cleaning device ready for use, which remains attached to the handle portion. 30. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 1, further comprising: said oral cleaning device formed in an opening in said handle portion surrounded by a protected area of handle material, said oral cleaning device having a bottom end oriented towards the end region, and is permanently attached to the end region; and a pair of score lines disposed in the end region extending from respective opposite side edges of the bottom end of the oral cleaning device to respective side edges of the handle portion, the score lines being fabricated and arranged To enable a user to move the tip region, and thus expose the oral cleaning device ready for use, the oral cleaning device remains attached to the moved tip portion. 31. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 1, further comprising: a curved toothpick constituting said oral cleaning device, arranged in the end region, a curved edge of said curved toothpick forming part of a curved distal outer contour of said handle portion; a bottom end of said curved toothpick, the bottom end being oriented towards said implement portion; a snap-off score extending through the base; and said curved toothpick, which is thus protected on one side by an adjacent tab of handle material permanently attached to said handle portion, so that when broken at the score line, said curved toothpick separates and emerges, Ready to use as a separate item. 32. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 1, further comprising: a toothpick constituting said oral cleaning device, a side edge of the toothpick initially forming part of a side edge of said handle portion; said toothpick is oriented with a bottom end of the toothpick oriented towards the end region; and A score line, configured across the bottom end of the toothpick, is fabricated and arranged to enable a user to move the toothpick, thereby exposing the toothpick ready for use. 33. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 1, further comprising: said oral cleaning device initially formed in an opening in said handle portion surrounded and protected by handle material; a bottom end of the oral cleaning device initially attached to the handle portion; and A score line, configured across the bottom end of the oral cleaning device, is manufactured and arranged to enable a user to move and expose the oral cleaning device ready for use. 34. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 1, wherein said oral cleaning device is integrally formed with said handle portion and is permanently attached to said handle portion such that from the end region Overall extends lengthwise, ready to use. 35. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 1, wherein said oral cleaning device is integrally formed with said handle portion and is permanently attached to said handle portion such that from the end region The overall is extended laterally and is ready to use. 36. The combination eating utensil and oral cleaning implement of claim 33, further comprising a ready-to-use dental floss pick extending from the end region. 37. The combination eating utensil and oral cleaning implement of claim 28, further comprising a ready-to-use dental floss pick extending from the end region. 38. The combination eating utensil and oral cleaning implement of claim 30, further comprising a ready-to-use dental floss pick extending from the end region. 39. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 1, wherein the eating utensil is a cutlery knife. 40. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 1, wherein the eating utensil is a spoon. 41. The combination eating utensil and oral hygiene implement of claim 1, wherein the eating utensil is a spoon fork. 42. The combination of eating utensils and oral hygiene implements as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oral cavity cleaning device is a tongue cleaner, which is at the end region on a first side of said handle portion Formed in one piece. 43. The combination of eating utensils and oral hygiene implements as claimed in claim 42, further comprising, a bristle brush positioned on a second side of the handle in the end region, the second side Opposite to the first side of the handle. 44. The combination of eating utensils and oral cleaning implements as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oral cleaning implements are an oral brush, the oral brush is located in the end region of the handle portion, and the oral brush is selected from the group consisting of A set of brushes with one stiff bristle brush and one abrasive scrub brush. 45. The combination eating utensil and oral cleaning implement of claim 42, further comprising, an additional oral cleaning device positioned between the tongue cleaner and the implement portion. The handle portion, removably attached to adjacent handle material at at least one location, is configured to have a score line that enables a user to move and expose the additional oral cleaning device for use . 46. The combination of eating utensil and oral cleaning implement as claimed in claim 44, further comprising, an additional oral cleaning device, the additional oral cleaning device is located between the bristle brush and the utensil part. The handle portion, removably attached to adjacent handle material at at least one location, is configured to have a scoreline therein that enables a user to move and expose the additional oral cleaning device for use.

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