TOOTHPICK DEVICE

• US 3,672,378 A
• Filed: 05/05/1971
• Issued: 06/27/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ralph H. Silverman
• Original Assignee: Ralph H. Silverman
• Inventors: Silverman, Ralph H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Guida, Antonio F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eskovitz, J. N.
• Application Number:
  US05/140,181
• Time in Patent Office: 419 Days
• Field of Search: 132/89,90,93
• US Class Current: 132/329
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/02 Toothpicks

Abstract

A molded plastic toothpick device includes a picking end having a triangular cross-section with two of the legs of the triangle being equal in length. The two walls of the picking end are concave and curved complementary to the shape of the teeth for easy insertion into the spaces therebetween. The picking end is tapered to a blunt free end. A handle formed integrally with the picking end includes a first cylindrical portion for rotating the device in the fingers to correctly insert the device in spaces between both the upper and lower teeth. An end portion of the handle has three flat walls and a curved wall to insure a stable grip on the device once the picking end has been inserted between the teeth and for good maneuverability. The end surface of the handle portion is roughened to provide an abrasive for removal of minor stains from the surface of the teeth. The toothpick device may be impregnated with a pleasant tasting substance during the molding process if desired.

Claims

1. A toothpick device for removing food particles and the like from between adjacent teeth, said toothpick device including in combination;

a picking end and a handle connected thereto, said picking end having a triangular cross-section with at least two of the walls of the triangle being concave and curved generally complementary to the curvature of said teeth, said two walls being substantially equal in length with the third wall of said triangle being shorter, and said picking end being tapered along the body thereof to a generally blunt free end for easy entry between said teeth without injury to the gum and said handle including first and second portions, said first portion being cylindrically shaped for easy rotation about its longitudinal axis in the fingers of a user to rotate said picking end to a first position for insertion of the free end thereof into the interdental spaces of the upper teeth and to a second position rotated substantially 180* about said axis for insertion into the interdental spaces of the lower teeth and the second portion having a generally rectangular cross-section with flat side wall surfaces extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said cylindrically shaped portion for holding the toothpick device securely between the fingers subsequent to the insertion of the free end of the picking end between the teeth while probing therebetween.

2. A toothpick device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the end surface of said handle is roughened to provide an abrasive surface for rubbing against the surface of the teeth to remove stains therefrom.

3. A toothpick device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said picking end and handle are integrally formed of a resilient, relatively pliable material.

4. A toothpick device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said material is polypropylene.

5. A toothpick device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first handle portion is attached to and formed integrally with said picking end and said second handle portion is formed integrally with said first handle portion and wherein said second handle portion further includes a curved top wall connecting said flat side walls, said curved top wall permitting a gentle rolling action of said toothpick device in the fingers of a user subsequent to the insertion of the picking end between said teeth.

6. A toothpick device for removing food particles and the like from interdental spaces in the human mouth, said device comprising, in combination;

an integrally formed plastic picking end and handle, said picking end having a triangular cross-section with two of the walls of the triangle being substantially equal in length, said last-mentioned walls being concave and curved generally complementary to the curvature of the teeth adjacent said interdental spaces, said picking end being tapered along the body toward the free end thereof for easy entry into said interdental spaces, the third wall of said triangle being shorter than said first-mentioned two walls and being slightly concave to accommodate gum tissue adjacent said interdental spaces without injury thereto, said handle including first and second portions, said first portion being adjacent said picking end and being cylindrically shaped for easy rotation about its longitudinal axis in the fingers of the user to rotate the picking end to a first position for insertion of the free end thereof into said interdental spaces of the upper teeth and to a second position rotated substantially 180* about said axis for insertion into said interdental spaces of the lower teeth and a second portion integrally formed with and at the free end of said cylindrically shaped portion and having relatively flat side surfaces extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said cylindrically shaped portion for gripping the device in the fingers of a user subsequent to the insertion of the free end of the picking end into said interdental spaces.