Smoking cessation oral hygiene device

• US 7,156,109 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2002
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark A. Sampson
• Original Assignee: Mark A. Sampson
• Inventors: Sampson, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson; John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOAN, ROBYN KIEU
• Application Number:
  US10/215,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20040025900A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,608 Days
• Field of Search: 132321-329
• US Class Current: 132/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/02 Toothpicks
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/04 Dental floss; Floss holders
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/046 Flossing tools

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved combination tooth pick/dental floss appliance, with the addition of, a food and or medicament pad. The tasks carried out by the invention are beyond basic flossing to include the delivery system of an attached medicament such as or combination of, nicotine, breath fresheners, antacids, fluoride, and teeth brighteners. This invention is most valuable to a person on the go, who does not have easy access to facilities to brush their teeth as desired. This combination dental tool with the accompanying medicament gives one the ability to cleanse one'"'"'s teeth as well as freshen one'"'"'s mouth whether it be after eating or smoking.

Claims

1. A smoking cessation apparatus facilitating dental floss-based tooth cleaning and oral hygiene, comprising:

a. a frame of one-piece integral construction including;

i. an elongated handle tapering from a floss and medicament holding end to a remote pointed toothpick end; and

ii. a U-shaped portion defining said floss and medicament holding end having a base of the U formed as an extension portion of said handle, extremities of legs of said U being adapted to retain dental floss stretched therebetween, said U-shaped portion being sufficiently small to fit easily into the mouth of an adolescent, said legs of said U being spaced apart than width of a large adult'"'"'s 12 year molar;

b. dental floss connected to and extending between said legs of said U proximate extremities thereof and spaced from said extension portion of said handle forming said base of said U;

c. a saliva-soluble orally administered hygienic medicament secured at least to said U-shaped portion; and

d. an air drawing tube integral with said elongated handle wherein said U-shaped portion includes at least one first mating surface and said medicament includes at least one second mating surface, said mating surface complementally contactingly engaging each other to retain said medicament in position on said frame.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first mating surface is formed in the legs of said U-shaped portion.

3. Apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first mating surface includes a groove.

4. Apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first mating surface groove is U-shaped.

5. Apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first mating surface comprises a pair of facing, convergingly sloping sides formed in said U-shaped member.

6. Apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first mating surface includes an undercut formed at the position of maximum proximity of said respective sloping sides.

7. Apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first mating surface is a step.

8. Apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first and second mating surfaces are complementally shaped steps.

9. Apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first mating surface groove has a V-shaped interior.

10. Apparatus of claim 2 wherein there are a plurality of first mating surfaces communicating with extremities of said legs of said U-shaped portion remote from said base.

11. Apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first mating surfaces face one another.

12. Apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first mating surfaces extend the lengths of said legs of said U.

13. Apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first mating surfaces face in a common direction.

14. Apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first mating surfaces face in opposite directions.

15. Apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first mating surfaces communicate with extremities of said legs of said U at said base of said U.

16. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first mating surface is formed in the base of said U-shaped portion.

17. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first mating surface extends parallel to said handle.

18. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said medicament includes a nicotine substance.

19. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said medicament includes a fluoride-based tooth enamel hardener.

20. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said medicament includes a breath freshener.

21. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said medicament includes a base for neutralizing stomach acid.

22. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said medicament includes a stomach acid production inhibitor.

23. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said medicament includes a tooth enamel whitener.

24. Apparatus of claim 23 wherein corresponding sides of said handle and said U-shaped portions are co-planar.

25. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said medicament has a groove formed in the periphery thereof for matingly contacting said U-shaped portion of said frame.

26. Apparatus of claim 25 wherein said groove is formed on three sides of said medicament.

27. Apparatus of claim 25 wherein said groove is formed on and extends the length of at least one side of said medicament.

28. A smoking cessation apparatus facilitating dental floss-based tooth cleaning and oral hygiene, comprising:

a. a frame of one-piece integral construction including;

i. an elongated handle tapering from a floss and medicament holding end to a remote pointed toothpick end; and

ii. a U-shaped portion defining said floss and medicament holding end having a base of the U formed as an extension portion of said handle, extremities of legs of said U being adapted to retain dental floss stretched therebetween, said U-shaped portion being sufficiently small to fit easily into the mouth of an adolescent, said legs of said U being spaced apart than width of a large adult'"'"'s 12 year molar;

b. dental floss connected to and extending between said legs of said U proximate extremities thereof and spaced from said extension portion of said handle forming said base of said U;

d. a saliva-soluble orally administered hygienic medicament secured at least to said U-shaped portion; and

e. an air drawing tube integral with said elongated handle;

wherein said legs of said U-shaped portion are sufficiently elastically deformable that when said medicament is pressed into place between said legs, said legs deform and elastically press against said medicament to retain the medicament in place therebetween.

29. Apparatus of claim 28 wherein said frame has planar sides.

30. Apparatus of claim 28 wherein said frame has at least one planar side.

31. Apparatus facilitating dental floss-based tooth cleaning and oral hygiene, comprising:

a. a frame of one-piece integral construction including;

i. an elongated handle tapering from a floss and medicament holding end to a remote pointed toothpick end; and

ii. a U-shaped portion defining said floss and medicament holding end having a base of the U formed as an extension portion of said handle, extremities of legs of said U being adapted to retain dental floss stretched therebetween, said U-shaped portion being sufficiently small to fit easily into the mouth of an adolescent, said legs of said U being spaced apart than width of a large adult'"'"'s 12 year molar;

b. dental floss connected to and extending between said legs of said U proximate extremities thereof and spaced from said extension portion of said handle forming said base of said U;

c. a saliva-soluble orally administered hygienic medicament secured at least to said U-shaped portion; and

d. an air drawing tube integral with said elongated handle,

wherein said U-shaped portion includes first mating surfaces and said medicament includes at least one second mating surface, said mating surfaces complementally contactingly engaging each other to retain said medicament in position on said frame;

wherein said legs of said U-shaped portion are sufficiently elastically deformable that when said medicament is pressed into place between said legs, said legs deform and elastically press against said medicament to retain the medicament in place therebetween;

wherein said first mating surfaces are formed in the legs of said U-shaped portion;

wherein said first mating surfaces include grooves;

wherein said first mating surfaces face one another;

wherein said first mating surfaces extend in a common direction substantially the lengths of said legs of said U;

wherein said first mating surfaces communicate with extremities of said legs of said U at said base of said U;

wherein said medicament includes a fluoride-based tooth enamel hardener,

wherein said medicament includes a breath freshener and a base for neutralizing stomach acid, a stomach acid production inhibitor, and a tooth enamel whitener;

wherein said frame has planar sides;

wherein each first mating surface groove is U-shaped and comprises a pair of facing, convergingly sloping sides formed in said U-shaped member and further includes an undercut formed at the position of maximum proximity of said respective sloping sides;

wherein said medicament has a groove formed in the periphery thereof for matingly contacting and engaging said U-shaped portion of said frame.