US1841761A - Tooth cleaner and polisher - Google Patents

Description

Patented Jan. 19, 15 32 STiTES UNETE ATE? FFICE TOOTH CLEANER AND POLTSHER Application filed July 31,

This invention relates to tooth cleaners and polishers and has for an object to provide a capsule grip and housing for the tooth cleaning and polishing element and shank thereof whereby a compact article is produced which may be conveniently carried in the watch pocket or vest pocket.

A further object of the if vention is to provide a tooth cleaner and polisher having a 0 combined grip and housing of the capsule type comprising detachably associated shells, one of which is adapted to hold the shank of the tooth cleaning and polishing element in axial alinement with the shells when in operative position and also to hold said shank secure when reversed in the capsule when in inoperative or concealed position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide the capsule grip and housing with sufficientspace in one of the shells thereof to house a carton of dental floss and also to provide s id shell with an integral mirror and with a removable cap carrying an additional mirror. As a result of this construction a miniature compact assembly of all necessary polishing and cleaning devices as well as mirrors for inspecting the teeth, is produced, the whole assembly measuring approximately two inches in length when closed.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, it being understood that various modifications may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claim without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the o advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification,

Figure l is a perspective view of the device showing the relative size thereof with respect to a hand,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional viewthrough the device closed, and

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device open. Referring now to the drawings in which BO-like characters of reference designate similar 1930. Serial No. 472,030.

parts in the various views, the device is shown to comprise a combined grip and housing in the form of a capsule comprising shells 10 and 11. The shells are preferably removably connected at their meeting portions by screw threads 12.

The shell 10 is open at both ends, one of the ends being restricted and internally pro 7 vided with screw threads 13. The shell 11 is closed at one end and in the closed end wall there is disposed a mirror 14L which may be integrally attached. to the wall in any preferred manner. Said closed end carries a disk base 15 which likewise is equipped with a mirror 16, the base being preferably threaded onto the shell, as shown at 17.

The shell 11 is provided with ventilating openings 18. Preferably, the shell 11 is substantially one inch in length and thus forms a container for a dental floss carton 19 which preferably is formed of metal and is of sufficient diameter to be easily removed from and replaced in the shell.

By referring now particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the tooth cleaning and polishing member comprises a shank 20, the end of the shank terminating in a hollow head 21. A cleaning and polishing element is secured to the head and comprises a single short tuft 22 of comparatively stiff bristles, such as badger hair, boar bristles, wood fiber, or like material. The bristles are rubber set and embedded in a socket 23 which is provided with a screw threaded neck 24 for re-movably securing the element in the head. 21, the latter being provided with internal screw threads to receive said neck.

The shank 20 is screw threaded at the end thereof opposite the head, as shown at 25 to engage in the above mentioned screw threads 13 in the open end of the shell 10. Normally, when the shells of the capsule are closed, as shown in Fig. 2, the shank extends axially within and is housed by the shells and the base of the shank forms a closure for the open end of the shell 10.

The shell 10 may be removed and the shank 2O reversed from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3, the screw threaded end 25 of the shank again being engaged with,

the screw threads 13 of the shell 10 to position end screwed into and forming a closure for the shank in prolongation of the axis of the capsule, as shown in Fig. 3. In this position of the parts the capsule forms a grip by means of which the tooth cleaning and polishing tuft 22 may be effectively manipulated to scour the teeth from the gums to the biting edges thereof whereby to effectively remove stains, mucus film, tartar and the like, the ca sule in this position of parts forming an e cient grip by means of which the necessary great pressure may be applied to the tuft 22 to ena le the latter to effectively perform its work.

It will be pointed out that the mirrors 14 and 16 may be used to inspect the teeth while the dental floss container may be easily removed to apply the dental floss to the teeth during cleansing thereof. Thus, in a single unitary assembly there are provided all the necessary members for effectively cleaning and polishing the teeth so as to expose their true luster.

The capsule comprising the shells 10 and 11 forms a combined grip and housing for the shank 20 and tuft 22 of the cleaning and polishing device and it will be pointed out that when the latter is disposed selectively in either its operative or closed position, the base of the shank is securely held in the open end of the shell 10 and forms a closure therefor so that dirt and foreign matter cannot gain ingress to the interior of the capsule. The bristles of the tuft are maintained dry and in a sanitary condition through the instrumentality of the openings 18 which adequately vent the shells of the capsule to the atmosphere.

It will also be pointed out that the base 15 carrying the mirror 16 forms a flat support for the capsule grip and housing so that the same ma be stood upright on end when either in close position, as shown in Fig. 2, or in $eraive or in open position, as shown in ft will be further noted that the entire assembly is extremely compact and is of such proportions as to be readily carried in the vest pocket or watch pocket.

It will be pointed out that while screw thread connections have been illustrated and described, slip or smooth friction connections may be substituted therefor, or even other types of joints employed to detachably secure the parts together.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

A tooth cleaning and polishing device comprising a pair of detachably associated shells adapted to form a combined housing and grip, one of the shells being tapered and being open at both ends, the other shell being cylindrical and being closed at one end to provide a flat base upon which the capsule may be stood upright, and a reversible shank having one the outer open end of the tapered shell, said shank termmating opposite its threaded end in a cleaning and polishing bristle tuft, said shank being adapted to be selectively extended in prolongation of the axis of both shells when in operative position and being adapted to be reversed and housed within both shells when in inoperative position, the screw threaded connection between said shank and the first named capsule maintaining said shank rigid in either operative or inoperative position;

In testimony signature.

whereof I aflix mly; S

RIE T.

HARRY R.

Images