EP0459073A1

EP0459073A1 - Tooth-pick holder including a device for automatically delivering single tooth-picks

Info

Publication number: EP0459073A1
Application number: EP90830394A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ching-Kao Wu
Original assignee: WU CHING KAO
Current assignee: WU CHING KAO
Priority date: 1990-05-30
Filing date: 1990-09-06
Publication date: 1991-12-04
Also published as: IT219702Z2; IT9021274V0; IT9021274U1

Abstract

There is disclosed a tooth-pick holder (1) including a device for automatically delivering single tooth-picks comprising a box-like body defining, through a fixed slanted panel (4), provided with cross slots (13), therewith an underlying resiliently biassed small frame (8) cooperates, a tooth-pick holding recess (10), the small frame, in particular, being provided with a restraining wall (15) which, as it is lowered, allows a tooth-pick (11) to slide under a slot (3) formed through a side portion and, as it is raised, pushes outward the tooth-pick.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tooth-pick holder including a device for automatically delivering single-tooth-picks.
As is known, tooth-picks are usually held in holding vessels of very different shapes.
However, as the tooth-picks are loosely arranged in a holding vessel, that is in a not packaged condition, serious hygienic problems occurs, since the tooth-picks are subjected to the action of atmospheric powder as well as possible sprays of food materials, beverages and the like.
Moreover, as a tooth-pick is to be removed for use, it is necessary to grip it by the fingers which can soil other tooth-picks held in the holding vessel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a tooth-pick holder which is adapted to enclose a plurality of tooth-picks in a condition efficiently protected from powder, sprays and the like.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a tooth-pick holder which is specifically designed for automatically delivering single tooth-picks.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a tooth-pick holder which is adapted to facilitate the gripping of a tooth-pick to be used.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a tooth-pick holder, including a device for automatically delivering single tooth-picks, characterized in that it essentially comprises a two-volume box-like body defining, through a fixed slanted panel, provided with cross slots, therewith an underlaying resiliently biassed frame cooperates, said frame being adapted to turn about a longitudinal axis, by operating an actuating push-button, a recess for holding said tooth-picks, said frame being provided, on the side thereof opposite to its pivot side, with a restraining wall which, as it is lowered, allows a tooth-pick to slide under a slot formed through a side portion and, as it is raised, outward pushes said tooth-pick.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the tooth-pick holder according to the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred embodiment thereof which is illustrated, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the subject tooth-pick holder;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the subject tooth-pick holder;
Figure 3 is an exploded view of the subject tooth-pick holder;
Figures 4 and 5 show two cross section views of the subject tooth-pick holder with its movable frame respectively arranged at a raised and at a lowered position;
and
Figure 6 is a schematic side view illustrating the tooth-pick holder according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings, the tooth-pick holder according to the present invention comprises a box-like body, indicated overally at the reference number 1, which is provided with a side lug 1' having a reduced height.
More specifically, the box-like body is provided, at the top thereof, with slotted guides adapted to restrain a sliding cover 2, whrereas, through its side lug, there is formed a top longitudinal slot 3.
The portion of larger height of the box-like body defines, by means of a slanted panel 4, supported by corresponding ridges 5 formed on the bottom wall thereof 6, and by the pivot axis 7 of a small frame 8, in turn supported by a pair of uprights 9, having a concave profile top portion, a recess 10 for holding a plurality of tooth-picks 11.
Through the mentioned slanted panel, which is provided with a restraining wall 12, there are moreover formed cross slots 13.
The small frame 8, in turn, is resiliently biassed by a pin spring 14, or other operatively equivalent member, and is provided with cross shaped ridges adapted to engage in the slots of the mentioned slanted panel.
The frame is moreover provided, at the side thereof opposite to its pivot side, with a restraining wall 15, having a slanted side 15' and including a lug 16 which longitudinally extends and thereon there is formed a vertical ridge 17, adapted to operate as a push-button provided for engaging in a corresponding opening 18 formed through the side portion of the mentioned box-like body.
In this connection it should be moreover pointed out that on the bottom of the box-like body there are moreover provided restraining tooth pins 19, and, on the side lug of said body, there being provided a slanted portion 20 acting against the corresponding slanted side 15' of the wall 15.
By pressing the push button 17, the small frame is caused to lower and, accordingly, one of the tooth-picks at the lowermost end of the slanted panel 4 is caused to slide so as to be arranged under the slot 3 of the side lug 1' of the box-like body.
As the push-button is released, the frame will be brought again to contact the slanted panel, thereby pushing the tooth-pick 11 outside of said slot 3, according to the arrangement shown in Figure 1.
From the above disclosure and from the Figures of the accompanying drawings it should be apparent that the subject tooth-pick holder fully achieved the intended aim and objects.
While the invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiment is susceptible to several modifications and variations all of which will come within the spirit and scope of the appended Claims.

Claims

A tooth-pick holder, including a device for automatically delivering single tooth-picks, characterized in that it essentially comprises a two-volume box-like body defining, through a fixed slanted panel, provided with cross slots, therewith an underlaying resiliently biassed frame cooperates, said frame being adapted to turn about a longitudinal axis, by operating an actuating push-button, a recess for holding said tooth-picks, said frame being provided, on the side thereof opposite to its pivot side, with a restraining wall which, as it is lowered, allows a tooth-pick to slide under a slot formed through a side portion and, as it is raised, outward pushes said tooth-pick.
A tooth-pick holder, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said box-like body comprises a side lug of reduced height, said box-like body being moreover provided with top slotted guides adapted to restrain a sliding cover.
A tooth-pick holder, according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the increased height portion of said box-like body defines, through a slanted panel supported by corresponding ridges formed on the bottom wall of said box-like body and by the pivot axis of a frame in turn supported by a pair of uprights having a concave profile top portion, a recess adapted to hold a plurality of tooth-picks.
A tooth-pick holder, according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that through said slanted panel, which is provided with a restraining wall, there are formed a plurality of cross slots and in that said frame is resiliently biassed by a pin spring, said frame being provided with cross ridges adapted to engage in said slots of said slanted panel.
A tooth-pick holder, according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that said frame is provided, at the side thereof opposite to its pivot side, with a restraining wall having a slanted side and including a longitudinally extending lug thereon there is formed a vertical ridge defining said push-button and adapted to be engaged in a corresponding opening formed through the side portion of said like body.
A tooth-pick holder, according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that on the bottom of said box-like body there are provided tooth pins and that on the side lug of said box-like body there is provided a slanted portion acting against the corresponding slanted side of said wall restraining said frame.