GB2144032A - Improved device for use in dental hygiene - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for cleaning the teeth comprises a brush head (1) the base portion (3) of which is integral with or bonded to a sheath (4) adapted to be worn as a finger stall, the sheath (4) being of flexible and/or resilient material that will conform to the finger in such a manner that the brush head (1) is effectively supported upon the finger tip whilst allowing articulation of the finger in application of the brush to the teeth. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved device for use in dental hygiene This invention concerns improvements in and relating to devices for use in dental hygiene.

Conventional devices for use in cleaning the teeth include toothpicks, dental floss and various forms of toothbrush. Toothbrushes have been designed in various forms with a view to aiding the user in gaining access with the brush head to all parts of the teeth, or for improving the portability of the toothbrush when travelling, for example by means of folding or otherwise collapsible constructions of the brush handle. There is, however, a conflict between the requirements for a shaped brush handle capable of being used to provide optimum access to all of the interstices between the teeth, and one which is of a shape convenient for storage and transport.

The present invention provides a tooth cleaning device comprising a brush head so adapted for attachment to the end of a human finger that the finger itself can be utilised for direct application of the brush head to the teeth.

The fact that with a device in accordance with the invention the brush head can be caused to adopt the desired position relatively to the teeth to be cleansed by articulation of the finger, enables far more versatile use of the brush head than could possibly be obtained if it were attached to a handle requiring to be grasped in the hand of the user.

Conveniently, the means whereby the brush head may be carried on the finger comprises a sleeve of flexible material that may also serve the function of providing a hygienic barrier between the finger and the mouth of the wearer.

Preferably, the protective sleeve is in the form of a sheath of latex rubber or the like such as is conventionally utilised as a finger stall, the brush head being attached to or integrally bonded with a closed end of the sleeve.

Such a construction not only provides for more effective cleaning of the teeth but may be packed into a very small space by rolling or folding the flexible sheath. Such a device is thus eminently suitable for use in travel or for sale from vending machines or the like.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device in accordance with the invention and, Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 with the device turned through 90 .

Referring to the drawings, a tooth cleaning device comprises a brush head 1 comprising bristles or filaments 2 embedded in a suitable base portion 3, the base portion 3 being bonded to or integral with a sheath 4 shaped to be worn over a human finger, for example the index finger. The sheath 4 may be formed of latex rubber or other suitable flexible and/ or resilient material that will conform to the finger in such a manner that the brush head 1 is effectively supported upon the finger tip whilst allowing articulation of the finger in application of the brush to the teeth.

Whilst the invention has been described above by way of example, it will be appreciated that various alterations and modifications may be made thereto as may be apparent to one skilled in the art. For example, the brush head, instead of being attached to a sheath for fully enclosing an index finger, may be attached to a grip or sleeve of more rigid material capable of firmly engaging upon the finger tip, in which case the remainder of the finger may either by exposed or sheathed by means of a supplementary sleeve. Moreover, although the brush head 1 is illustrated as a conventional bristle brush, it may be replaced by any other suitable applicator having the capacity for cleaning the surfaces and/or interstices of the teeth.

1. A tooth cleaning device comprising a brush head so adapted for attachment to the end of a human finger that the finger itself can be utilised for direct application of the brush head to the teeth.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the means whereby the brush head may be carried on the finger comprises a sleeve of flexible material that may also serve the function of providing a hygienic barrier between the finger and the mouth of the wearer.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective sleeve comprises a closed sheath of the nature of a finger stall, the brush head being attached to or integrally bonded with the closed end of the sheath.

4. A tooth cleaning device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improved device for use in dental hygiene This invention concerns improvements in and relating to devices for use in dental hygiene. Conventional devices for use in cleaning the teeth include toothpicks, dental floss and various forms of toothbrush. Toothbrushes have been designed in various forms with a view to aiding the user in gaining access with the brush head to all parts of the teeth, or for improving the portability of the toothbrush when travelling, for example by means of folding or otherwise collapsible constructions of the brush handle. There is, however, a conflict between the requirements for a shaped brush handle capable of being used to provide optimum access to all of the interstices between the teeth, and one which is of a shape convenient for storage and transport. The present invention provides a tooth cleaning device comprising a brush head so adapted for attachment to the end of a human finger that the finger itself can be utilised for direct application of the brush head to the teeth. The fact that with a device in accordance with the invention the brush head can be caused to adopt the desired position relatively to the teeth to be cleansed by articulation of the finger, enables far more versatile use of the brush head than could possibly be obtained if it were attached to a handle requiring to be grasped in the hand of the user. Conveniently, the means whereby the brush head may be carried on the finger comprises a sleeve of flexible material that may also serve the function of providing a hygienic barrier between the finger and the mouth of the wearer. Preferably, the protective sleeve is in the form of a sheath of latex rubber or the like such as is conventionally utilised as a finger stall, the brush head being attached to or integrally bonded with a closed end of the sleeve. Such a construction not only provides for more effective cleaning of the teeth but may be packed into a very small space by rolling or folding the flexible sheath. Such a device is thus eminently suitable for use in travel or for sale from vending machines or the like. The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device in accordance with the invention and, Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 with the device turned through 90 . Referring to the drawings, a tooth cleaning device comprises a brush head 1 comprising bristles or filaments 2 embedded in a suitable base portion 3, the base portion 3 being bonded to or integral with a sheath 4 shaped to be worn over a human finger, for example the index finger. The sheath 4 may be formed of latex rubber or other suitable flexible and/ or resilient material that will conform to the finger in such a manner that the brush head 1 is effectively supported upon the finger tip whilst allowing articulation of the finger in application of the brush to the teeth. Whilst the invention has been described above by way of example, it will be appreciated that various alterations and modifications may be made thereto as may be apparent to one skilled in the art. For example, the brush head, instead of being attached to a sheath for fully enclosing an index finger, may be attached to a grip or sleeve of more rigid material capable of firmly engaging upon the finger tip, in which case the remainder of the finger may either by exposed or sheathed by means of a supplementary sleeve. Moreover, although the brush head 1 is illustrated as a conventional bristle brush, it may be replaced by any other suitable applicator having the capacity for cleaning the surfaces and/or interstices of the teeth. CLAIMS

1. A tooth cleaning device comprising a brush head so adapted for attachment to the end of a human finger that the finger itself can be utilised for direct application of the brush head to the teeth.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the means whereby the brush head may be carried on the finger comprises a sleeve of flexible material that may also serve the function of providing a hygienic barrier between the finger and the mouth of the wearer.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective sleeve comprises a closed sheath of the nature of a finger stall, the brush head being attached to or integrally bonded with the closed end of the sheath.

4. A tooth cleaning device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.