AU2009356228A1

AU2009356228A1 - Eating utensil incorporating oral hygienic device

Info

Publication number: AU2009356228A1
Application number: AU2009356228A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jackson L. Crisp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-07
Filing date: 2009-12-07
Publication date: 2012-07-26
Also published as: EP2509469A1; EP2509469A4; CN102740743A; WO2011071481A1

Abstract

An eating utensil such as a disposable plastic fork, spoon, knife, or combination thereof, is combined with at least one oral hygienic device such as a toothpick, interdental pick, brush, tongue cleaner and/or a dental flosser for persona] use after eating in a location where oral hygienic facilities may not be otherwise available, in some embodiments the oral hygienic device may be permanently attached to the eating utensil, which can serve as a handle for using the oral hygienic device. In other embodiments the oral hygienic device may be displaced in a snap-off or bend-away manner at score lines to expose the oral hygienic device for use, either still attached to the utensil or removed for separate use, optionally configured with a thumb-finger grip tab.

Description

WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 EATING UTENSIL INCORPORATING ORAL HYGIENIC FACILITY FIELD OF THE INVENTION [00021 The present invention is in the fields of eating utensils and oral hygienic devices, more particularly the invention relates to an eating utensil that incorporates an oral hygienic device from a group that includes flossers, toothpicks, tongue-cleaners and oral brushes. Optimally one or more additional oral cleaning devices may be incorporated BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Eating activity often involves the use of disposable eating utensils, such as plastic forks, spoons and/or knives, typically at away-from-honie locations where facilities for oral hygienic cleaning after eating are unavailable. Such eating activity may include planned picnics, picnics-on-the-go, fast food, takeout, lunch boxes, bagged lunches at work, eating-on-the-go, delivered specialties, catered food engagements, entertainment events, birthdays, cocktail-parties, weddings and other parties. DISCUSSION OF KNOWN ART [0004] U.S. design patent D254,239 to Julius for a COMBINED FORK AND SEPARATABLE TOOTHPICK shows the ornamental design for the subject matter. [00051 U.S. design patent D463,231 to Sanders for EATING UTENSIL WITH TOOTHPICK INCORPORATED THEREIN shows a fork, spoon and knife each with a toothpick located on the front side near the handle end; presumably the toothpick is removably attached in each case. [00071 U.S. patent 2,877,547 for COMBINATION TOOTHPICK AND STIRRING OR EATING IMPLEMENT to Feaster discloses wooden spoons, forks and stirring sticks QTTDQTTTTTT CTTE' Q T (DTITY U I\ WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 2 configured with knockout-removable toothpicks. [0008] U.S. patent 2,072,777 to Takahashi for CUTLERY shows a spoon and a fork each with a pair of toothpicks removably attached on the rear side. [0009] U.S. patent 3,664,020 to Hammond et al for COMBINATION SPOON AND TOOTHPICK shows and discloses a toothpick and spoon combination including a handle portion with a separable toothpick member for use after eating. The combination utilizes support members fiom which the toothpick may be broken away. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [00101 It is a primary object of the present invention to provide disposable plastic utensils incorporating an oral hygienic device such as a straight or curved toothpick, oral brushes, tongue cleaners and dental floss along with one or more optional additional devices for maintaining good oral health at eating events where oral hygiene devices may not be otherwise available [0011] It is a further object to provide snap-off embodiments wherein an oral hygienic device, initially formed attached in a protective manner in an opening in the utensil handle, can be user-displaced in a snap-off manner and removed for separate usage, and either, to provide bend-away embodiments wherein a device, permanently attached in protective manner within the utensil handle, can be user-displaced in a bend away manner that exposes the still-attached device, ready for use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] The foregoing objects have been met in the present invention wherein a plastic eating utensil is combined with an oral hygienic device that can be molded integrally with the utensil handle, initially attached to die handle and typically protected by adjacent or. surrounding handle material. To deploy a protected device, one or more score lines configured in the handle enable user displacement of the device and/or selected area of handle material in a manner to expose the device ready for usage. User-displacement can be implemented in different embodiments as either non-separation bend-away or snap-off separation, depending on design choice of plastic material for resilience, and of score line configuration, particularly depth. A eating utensil incorporating oral hygienic facility is WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 3 now made for use after eating in a location where oral hygiene items may not be otherwise available. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00131 The above and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings. [00141 FIG. 1 shows a front view of a fork configured with an attached flosser holding floss at an angled orientation. [00151 FIG. 2 depicts a knife configured to incorporate a flosser holding floss oriented longitudinally. [00161 FIG. 3 depicts a spoon combined with a flosser and a snap-off key-shaped toothpick that includes a thumb-finger grip located within the flosser opening. [00171 FIG. 4 depicts a spork (spoon/fork) with a snap-off handle end portion that includes an attached flosser, toothpick and thumb-finger grip. [0017.11 NOTE: It is to be understood that the invention can be practiced with each handle/device configuration disclosed herein, in conjunction with in any one of four alternative utensil configurations shown in FIGS. 1-4, i.e. fork 10A, knife 12A, spoon 14A or spork 16A. Therefore in the following FIGs. 5-22, 40-44 the handle is shown cut-away at the lower end. [00181 FIG. 5 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with an attached tapered toothpick protected by a snap-off guard portion that includes a flosser. [00191 FIG. 6 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with an attached curved toothpick protected by a snap-off guard portion that includes a flosser.

WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 4 100201 FIG. 7 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with an attached interdental pick protected by a snap-off guard portion that includes a flosser. [0021] FIG. 8 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with an attached interdental brush protected by a snap-off guard portion that includes a Ilosser. [00221 FIG. 9 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with a flosser and a snap-off guarded straight toothpick. [0023] FIG. 10 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with flosser that can be angled at a bend line. [0024] FIG. 11 depicts a cut-away side view of the handle of FIG. 10 showing the angled flosger. 10025] FIG. 12 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle configured with an attached tapered toothpick and a foldably-attached flosser. [0026] FIG. 13 depicts a cut-away side view of the handle of FIG. 12 showing the combined flosser and toothpick in initial co-linear alignment. [0027] FIG. 14 depicts handle of FIG. 12 with the flosser folded back, exposing the toothpick. [0028] FIG. 15 is a side view of the subject matter of FIG. 14 showing the flosser folded back, exposing toothpick. [0029] FIG. 16 is cut-away front view of a utensil handle including a ftosser and a tongue cleaner. [0030] FIG. 17 is a cut-away side view of a utensil handle including a tlosser, a tongue cleaner and a bristle brush. [0031] WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 5 FIG. 18 is a cut-away front view of a utensil handle including a flosser and a bristle brush. 100321 FIG. 19 is a cut-away front view of a utensil handle including a flosser and a combination interdental pick and an interdental brush attached to a grip tab. 100331 FIG. 20 is a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with a dental flosser removably attached to a side edge of the handle. 100341 FIG. 21 is a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with a removable side-attached a flosser and a removable key-shaped toothpick with its tab located in the flosser opening. 100351 FIG. 22 is a cut-away front view of a utensil handle with a removably-attached side panel containing a flosser, a key-shaped curved toothpick and a key-shaped interdental brush removably attached to the side panel. 100361 FIG. 23 shows a fork with a curved toothpick attached at the end region alongside an adjacent guard tab that is attached to the handle in a manner to be displaceable at a score line. 100371 FIG. 24 shows a user's hands in process of displacing the toothpick of FIG.1 for exposure and use. 100381 FIG. 25 shows a fork with a curved toothpick extending fiom an end region that is score line-attached to the handle. 10039] FIG. 26 shows a fork with an edge-located tapered toothpick attached to an end tab that is score-line-attached to the handle. 100401 FIG. 27 shows a fork with an attached centered tapered toothpick guarded by an end tab thatis displaceably attached to the handle by a pair of score lines.

WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 6 [0041] FIG. 28 shows a fork with a centered curved toothpick attached to an end tab that is displaceably attached to the handle by a pair of score lines. [0042] FIG. 29 shows a fork with an end-located curved toothpick attached by a score line. [0043] FIG. 30 shows a fork vith an edge-located score-line-attached straight toothpick. [0044] FIG. 31 shows a fork with a centered score-line-attached straight toothpick. [0045] FIG. 32 shows a fork with an attached curved toothpick extending longitudinally fi-om the end of the handle, ready-to-use. [0046] FIG. 33 depicts a fork with an attached curved toothpick extending laterally from the end of the handle, ready-to-use. [0047] FIG. 34 depicts a fork configured with an attached ready-to-use flosser and a guarded centrally-located removably-attached straight toothpick. [0048] FIG. 35 depicts a fork configured with a user-displaceable combination flosser and edge located tapered toothpick [0049] FIG. 36 depicts a fork configured with a user-displaceable combination flosser and centrally-located tapered toothpick. [0050] FIG. 37 depicts a cutlery knife combined with a removable grip-tab toothpick. [0051] FIG. 38 depicts a spoon combined with a displaceable interdental pick configured with a grip-tab that initially constitutes the end region of the handle. [0052] FIG. 39 depicts a spork (spoon/fork) combined with a displaceable grip-tab oral brush WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 7 [0053] FIG. 40 is a fi-ont cut-away view of a utensil handle showing a tongue cleaner integrally formed in the end region of the handle. [0054] FIG. 41 is a out-away side view of the utensil handle of FIG. 40 showing the tongue cleaner of FIG. 40 on one side and a bristle brush located on the opposite side. [00551 FIG. 42 is a rear view of the utensil handle of FIG. 40 showing the bristle brush of FIG. 41 in the end region. [0056] FIG. 43 is a eut-away front view of a utensil handle configured with a straight grip-tab toothpick and a tongue cleaner in the end region. [0057] FIG. 44 is a rear view of the utensil handle of FIG. 43 equipped with straight grip-tab toothpick and an oral brush in the end region. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0058] FIG. I depicts an embodiment 10 of the invention wherein the utensil portion is a fork 10A having a handle portion 108 configured with an attached flosser 10C suspending a length of floss 10D across a ilosser gap formed by ends 10E and 10F holding the floss 10D oriented at a selected angle as shown. The floss 10D can be molded into the plastic of flosser gap ends 10E and 10F at manufacture. [0059] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment 12 wherein the utensil portion is a knife 12A having handle portion 12B containing a flosser 12C holding floss 12D in a longitudinal orientation as show. [0060] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment 14 wherein the utensil portion is a spoon 14A having handle portion 14B with an end region containing a flosser 14C and a hygienic device, in this embodiment a toothpick 14E, configured with an enlarged base end forming a thumb-finger grip tab that is located within the opening of ilosser 14C as shown. The toothpick portion extends down into a slot configured in handle portion 14B. The key-shaped toothpick 14E is removably held in place within die flosser opening by a WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 8 pair of snap-off score lines 14F at the bottom side of the tab. Alternatively such removable fastening could be located anywhere along any edge of the tab. [0061] FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment 16 wherein the utensil portion is a spork 16A (combination spoon/fork) having a handle portion 16B initially including an end region containing a flosser 16C. Handle 16B is also configured with a tapered toothpick 16D at one edge, and a snap-off score line 16E that enables snap-off removal of flosser 16C and toothpick 16D along with a finger grip region. Alternatively, the snap-off score line 16E could be relocated to extend across the base end of the toothpick, enabling snap-off of the toothpick alone. 100621 FIG. 5 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle 18 configured with a flosser 18A in the end region and an attached tapered toothpick 18B which, when flosser I8A is removed by snapping off at score lines 18C, exposes the toothpick 18B ready to use, attached to the handle 18. [0063] FIG. 6 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle 20 configured with a flosser 20A which, when snapped off at score lines 20C, exposes curved toothpick 20B. [0064] FIG. 7 depicts a fork cut-away front view of a utensil handle 22 configured with a flosser 22A which, when snapped off at score lines 22C, exposes an interdental pick 22B that is made sufficiently thin and abrasive to enable cleaning the interface region between the edges of adjacent teeth. [00651 FIG. 8 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle 24 configured with a flosser 24A which, vhen snapped off at score lines 24C, exposes an interdental bush 24B that is made sufficiently thin and abrasive to enable cleaning the interface region between the edges of adjacent teeth: [0066j FIG. 9 depicts a cut-away fi-ont view of a utensil handle 2G configured with a flosser 26A and a straight toothpick 26B that snaps off at score line 26C. [0067j FIG. 10 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle 28 configured with flosser 28A, oriented at a designated angle relative to handle 28 as enabled by a lateral bend line 28B configured in handle 28. 100681 FIG. 11 depicts a cut-away side view of a utensil handle 28 of FIG, 10 configured with flosser 28A, oriented at the designated angle relative to handle 28 as enabled by lateral bend line 28B. [00691 FIG. 12 depicts a cut-away front view of a utensil handle 30 in combination WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 9 with an attached flosser 30A and a tapered toothpick 20B Which is formed integrally with handle 30. Living hinge bend lines 30C are provided with special handle material to allow bending as much as 180 degrees. [00701 FIG. 13 depicts a cut-away side view of utensil handle 30 of FIG 12 showing the end region with flosser 30A initially in collinear alignment with handle 30. [0071] FIG. 14 depicts a cut-away front view of utensil handle 30 of FIGs 12 and 13 showing the end region -with flosser 30A having been bent forward 180 degrees at bend lines 30C (FIG. 12) exposing tapered toothpick 30B ready for use as shown. [0072] FIG. 15 depicts cut-away side view of utensil handle 30 of FIG 14 showing the end region with flosser 30A, as in FIG. 14, having been bent forward 180 degrees at bend lines 30C (FIG. 12) exposing tapered toothpick 30B ready for use as shown. [0073] FIG. 16 is cut-away front view of a utensil handle 32 including a flosser 32A and a tongue cleaner 32B ananged as shown. Tongue cleaner 32B can be implemented as a row of ridges that can be molded integrally with handle portion 32. Alternatively, the tongue cleaner can be implemented as at least one scraping edge, intended to scrape the tongue to remove debris while not causing injury to tongue. Furthermore, the region of handle portion 32 that contains the tongue cleaner could be made with permanent bends or flexible so as to make accessing the tongue easier; the tongue cleaner could be configured with at least one opening that allows debris from the scraping action to pass thru, preferably to a designated collection area. [0074] FIG. 17 is a cut-away side view of a utensil handle 34 including a flosser 34A, a tongue cleaner 34B and a bristle brush 34C. The side view of tongue cleaner 34B shows a saw tooth profile shape of the ridges, also applicable to tongue cleaner 32B (FIG. 16), with the ridge-tips being formed with a designated sharpness, appropriate to tongue cleaning. Brush 34 is typically fabricated as a separate item, with bristles of appropriate length and stiffness, and affixed to handle 32. [0075] FIG. 18 is a cut-away front view of the utensil handle 34, flosser 34A and brush 34C of FIG. 17. Optionally brush 34C could be implemented as any type of brush or oral brush, i.e. any brush that can be used orally, including but is not limited to bristle type oral brushes, interdental-type oral brushes, pad/fabricate-type of brushes and combinations thereof. The oral brush can be directly molded into the eating utensil handle WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 10 and/or applied to an eating utensil handle in a secondary assembly application. The portion of the utensil handle that contains the oral brush could be made with permanent bends or made flexible so as to make accessing teeth/tongue easier; and bristle-type oral brushes could varv in such areas as, but not limited to, count, arrangement, stiffness, color, width, length, material, attachment method to base and combinations thereof. 100761 FIG. 19 is a cut-away front view of a utensil handle 36 including a flosser 36A and a combination of two interdental devices attached to a finger grip tab 36B: an interdental brush 36C and an interdental pick 36D. both made sufficiently thin to perform cleaning in the interface between adjacent teeth. [00771 FIG. 20 is a cut-away front view of a utensil handle 38 with a dental flosser 38 removably attached to a side edge of handle 38. Score lines 38B at the attachment locations enable snap-off removal flosser 38A for separate usage. The extension region shown in the lower portion of flosser 3 8A provides a thumb-finger grip tab. [00781 FIG. 21 is a cut-away front view of a handle 40 with a side edge removably attached to a flosser 40A via a pair of snap-off fastenings 40B. A toothpick 40C is configured with an enlarged base end forming a thumb-finger grip tab that is located within the flosser opening; the toothpick portion extends down into a slot configured in a widened lower aim of flosser 40A. The key-shaped toothpick 40C is removably held in place within by a pair of snap-off score lines 40D at the bottom side of the tab. Alternatively such removable fastening could be located anywhere along any edge of the tab. Side mounting of the flosser 40A permits the option of configuring a device such as a tongue cleaner 40E as shown at the end of handle 40. Side mounting of devices such as toothpick 40C avoids any possible loss of mechanical strength in handle 40.due to handle openings. Locating the tab of key-shaped toothpick 40C in the flosser opening as shown avoids need for a side panel part and saves space. [0079] FIG. 22 is a cut-away front view of a handle portion 42 removably attached at a side edge thereof to a side panel 42B via a pair of snap-off fastenings 42C. Side panel 42B contains a flosser 42C along with one or more hygienic devices: in this embodiment a curved toothpick 42D with a grip tab and interdental brush 42E with a grip tab, each removably attached by snap-off fastening at two opposite side edges as shown. Side mounting of the flosser 42C in a side panel 42 B permits the option of configuring a WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 11 device such as a tongue cleaner 42F as shown at die end of handle 42. Mounting devices externally, e.g. in an external panel 42D, instead of in handle openings benefits the mechanical strength of utensil handle portion 42. Edge-mounted combinations/panels such as in FIGs. 21 and 22 have potential for marketing as stand-alone products. [0080] FIG. 23 depicts a fork 24 configured with an attached curved toothpick 24A, protected on one side by an adjacent guard tab 24B that is made user-displaceable at score line 24C so as to expose toothpick 24A for use. Depending on design selection of handle material and configuration of score line 24C, (a) in a bend-away embodiment, tab 24B can be bent back and held by a user to expose the toothpick for usage, but remains attached as a guard for future usage of the fork 24, whereas (b) in a snap-off embodiment, snap-off removal of guard tab 24B leaves toothpick 24A permanently exposed and unguarded. [00811 FIG. 24 shows a user's left hand 26A holding a fork 24 of FIG. 1 while the right hand 26B is shown in process of displacing the guard tab 24B at score line 24C, to expose toothpick 24A ready to use, remaining attached to fork 24 which serves as a handle. [00821 FIG- 25 depicts a fork 28 configured with a snap-off curved toothpick 28A, extending longitudinally fi-om the handle. In a primary version, toothpick 28A is made readily removable by snapping off at score line 28B, providing the toothpick separately with a thumb-finger grip. In a secondary version, score line 28B is made relatively stiff so that toothpick28A can be considered ready-to-use while remaining attached to fork 28 which serves as a handle. In still another version (FIG. 32), score line 28B is omitted. [00831 FIG. 26 depicts a fork 30 configured with a tapered toothpick 30A that is edge-located and attached to a user-displaceable end tab 30C. A score line 308, from the base end of toothpick 30A to the handle edge, enables a user to displace tab 30C and thus expose toothpick 30A for use; in a bend-away embodiment, toothpick 30A would remain attached to the handle along with bent back tab 30C, whereas in a snap-off embodiment toothpick 30A would be removed from the handle along with end tab 30C, which would serve as a thumb/finger grip tab to facilitate use of the toothpick 30A. [0084] FIG. 27 depicts a fork 32 configured with an attached toothpick 32A that is fully protected by a user-displaceable end tab 32B, which, when user-displaced at score WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 12 lines 32C, exposes toothpick 32A for use. In a bend-awav embodiment, end tab 32B remains attached to the handle of fork 32, facilitating subsequent further use of the fork. whereas in a snap-off embodiment, end tab 32B is snapped off (and typically discarded) to expose the toothpick 32A ready to use, attached to the fork 32 which serves as a hand grip. [0085] FIG. 28 depicts a fork 34 configured with a fully guarded curved toothpick 34A which, in a snap-off embodiment, when snapped off by user displacement at score lines 34B, includes a thumb-finger grip tab 34C. In a bend-away embodiment, when tab 34C is bent back by user displacement at score lines 34B, toothpick 34A becomes exposed, ready for use. [0086] FIG. 29 depicts a fork 36 configured with a partial ly-guarded curved toothpick 36A which, in a snap-off embodiment, when snapped off at score line 36B, includes a tiangular portion that can serve as a thumb-finger grip tab. [0087] FIG. 30 depicts a fork 38 configured with a partially-guarded straight toothpick 38A which, in a snap-off embodiment, snaps off at score line 38B for use as a separate item. [0088] FIG. 31 depicts a fork 40 with a fully guarded straight toothpick 40A which, in a snap-off embodiment, snaps off at score line 40B for use as a separate item, leaving the handle end 40C in place with its original outline shape intact. [0089] FIG. 32 depicts a fork 42 with an unguarded attached curved toothpick 42A, oriented longitudinally, ready to use. [0090] FIG. 33 depicts a fork 44 with an unguarded attached curved toothpick 44A, oriented laterally, ready to use. [0091] FIG. 34 depicts a fork 46 in combination with an attached flosser 46A, ready to use, and an initially attached straight toothpick 46B that snaps off at score line 46C for removal and separate usage. The floss in flosser 46A can be secured in place at the ends of the ilosser opening by molding into the plastic material at manufacture or by forcing the floss into narrow V-shaped grooves. [0092] FIG. 35 depicts a fork 48 configured with an edge-located semi-guarded tapered toothpick 48B and a flosser 48A with a score line 48 located to enable a user to expose toothpick 48B for use by dislocating toothpick 48B and a flosser 48A as a combo.

WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 13 Score line 48C is made sufficiently stiff to enable immediate use of flosser 48A with the combo attached in line with the fork 48 as shown, the fork serving as a handle. In a snap off embodiment, the combined toothpick 48B and flosser 48 can be snapped off from fork 48 at score line 48C, providing the combo of both dental cleaning devices ready to use as a separate unit. In a bend-away embodiment, the user can expose the toothpick 48B for use at any time by bending back the combo at score line 48C. [0093] FIG. 36 depicts a toothpick 50B and a flosser 50A in a combo configuration similar to that in FIG. 37 except that toothpick 50B, being centered in the handle, is initially fully guarded by surrounding handle material and is flanked by a pair of score lines 50C for user-displacement; otherwise the capabilities and method of use are as described in connection with FIG. 36. [0094] In a configuration similar to that in FIG. 36, the toothpick and its surrounding guard region opening could be inverted (i.e. rotated 180 degrees) to appear as in FIG. 27. Then, in a snap-off embodiment, the ilosser would snap off for separate use, exposing the toothpick ready for use (like 32A in FIG. 27), still attached to the fork. In a bend-away embodiment, the flosser would fold back to expose toothpick for use. [0095] FIG.37 is a front view of an embodiment 52 of the invention wherein the utensil portion is a cutlery knife 54; its handle 56 is configured in its end region with a fully guarded toothpick 56A' configured with an enlarged base tab 56A" that serves as a thumb-finger grip. In a snap-off embodiment, toothpick 56A' and its attached tab 56A" can be snapped off at score lines 56B and removed for separate use. [0096] FIG. 38 is a front view of an embodiment 58 of the invention wherein the utensil portion is a spoon 60; its attached handle 62 is configured with an interdental pick 62A' having an enlarged base tab 62A" that initially forms the end of handle 62 as shown. In a snap-off embodiment, toothpick 62A' and attached tab 62A" can be snapped off at a pair of score lines 62B and removed for separate use. In a bend-away embodiment, toothpick 62A' and attached tab 62A" can be deployed by the user bending tab 62A" back 180 degrees at the pair of score lines 62B, thus exposing interdental pick 62A' ready fbr use. [0097] FIG. 39 is a front view of an embodiment 64 of the invention wherein the utensil portion is a spork 66, i.e. spoon/fork, with attached handle 68 configured in its end WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 14 region with a fully guarded interdental brush 68A' with an attached enlarged base tab 68A" that serves as a thumb-fmger tab. In a snap-off embodiment, brush 68A' and attached tab 68A" can be snapped-off at score line 68B, located along the top edge of base tab 68A", and removed for separate use. In a bend-away embodiment, interdental brush 68A' and its attached tab 68A" can be bent away at score line 68B. [00981 FIG. 40 is a cut-away front view of an eating utensil handle portion 70 including a tongue cleaner 70A located in the end region. Tongue cleaner 70A can be implemented as a row of ridges that can be molded integrally with handle portion 70. Alternatively, tongue cleaner 70A can be implemented as at least one scraping edge, intended to scrape the tongue to remove debris while not causing injury to tongue. As a further option, the region of handle portion 70 that contains the tongue cleaner 70A could be made with permanent beinds or made flexible so as to make accessing the tongue easier; the tongue cleaner could be configured with at least one opening that allows debris from the scraping action to pass thru, preferably to a designated collection area. [0099] FIG. 41 is a cut-away side view of utensil handle 70 as in FIG. 40 showing a side view of tongue cleaner 70A, also showing a side view of a bristle brush 70B in the end region on the opposite rear side. The side view of tongue cleaner 70A shows a sawtooth profile shape of the ridges, with the ridge-tips being formed with designated sharpness, appropriate to tongue cleaning. Brush 70B is typically fabricated as a separate item, with bristles of appropriate length and stiffness, and aftixed to the end region of handle 70. 10100] FIG. 42 is a cut-away rear view of the utensil handle 70 and brush 70B of FIG. 41. Optionally brush 70B could be implemented as any type of brush that can be used orally, e.g. brisle-type oral brush, interdental-type oral brush, pad/fabricated-type of brush and combinations thereof The oral brush 70B can be directly molded into the eating utensil handle 70 and/or.procured separately and affixed to tie handle. The portion of the utensil handle 70 that contains the oral brush could be made with one or more permanent bends or made flexible so as to make accessing teeth/tongue easier; and bristle-type oral brushes could vary in such areas as, but not limited to, count, arrangement, stiffness, color, width, length, material, attachment method to base and combinations thereof WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 15 [01011 FIG. 43 is a cut-away front view of an eating utensil handle 72 including a fully guarded snap-off straight toothpick 72A' with a base tab 72A" and a tongue cleaner 72B located near the end of handle 72 as in FIG. 40. Toothpick 72A', along with its base tab 72A", snaps off at a pair of score lines 72C as shown, to be removed for separate use. [01021 FIG. 44 is a cut-away front view of the eating utensil handle 74 including a hilly guarded snap-ott straight toothpick 74A' attached to base tab 74A", as in FIG. 43, and a brush 74B located near the end of handle 74 as shown and described in connection with FIGs 41 and 42. [0103] In the present disclosure, wherever a plain toothpick is shown and/or described as the oral cleaning device; it is to be understood that the invention can be practiced incorporating, as an alternative, an interdental pick or a mold-incorporated interdental brush. [0104J While the invention is directed primarily to an unfulfilled need and expected demand in conjunction with disposable plastic eating utensils which are likely to be popular at picnics and other social or public eating events where regular dental cleaning facilities are unavailable, the invention could be practiced in conjunction with more pennanent type eating utensils intended for more general use. The material in the eating utensil can be metal or any material that can provide the desired break-away or bend-back embodiment. As an alternative to the generally one-piece construction shown for the eating utensil, it could be made from a plurality of parts joined by fastenings such as welding or adhesives. [0105] Standard fork, spoon or knife designs could include, but are not limited to, such features as ribbed-supports and similar structural/cosmetic elements. [01061 Sco'e lines, which provide removable initial attachment or bendable initial straightness, can be configured for particular type, location, shape and depth, i.e. thickness at the thinnest point. In the design of snap-of embodiments, the material is selected to be relatively brittle and the score line depth is made to enable a user to break the material at the score line. Generally the depth of the score line is chosen to make snap-off easy and convenient, however in special embodiments that require initial stiffness, the score line is made shallower, requiring greater force for snap-off separation. In the design of bend-away embodiments, a more resilient material is selected that can be WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 16 bent back 180 degrees without breaking off at die score line. [0107] Optional locations of score lines provide many potentially beneficial configurations/embodiments, e.g.: (a) for user displacement, i.e. snap-off or bend-away, of a device by itself, the score line is simply extended across an edge, typically the base, of the device as shown in FIGs 29-31, 37-39, 43 & 44. (b) similarly, an end portion area that forns a protective tab can be made to be displaceable at a score line located across its base as shown in FIGs 23 & 24; (c) for a device with one side edge forming part of the handle side edge, a score line extending from a side edge of the device to a corresponding side edge of the handle allows the device to remain permanently attached to the utensil handle or to the end portion (depending on device orientation) when the end portion is snapped-off or bent away fi-om the utensil handle, thus providing an attached thumb-finger grip tab to facilitate use of the device, as shown in FIGs. 26 & 27; (d) similarly, for a device located within the handle outline, a pair of score lines extending from side edges of the device base to corresponding opposite side edges of the handle allows the same capability as in (c), as shown in FIGs. 27, 28 & 38; and (e) a score line can be simply extend fully across the handle at a selected location, enabling the handle to be snapped off into two pieces (or bent-away) at the score line, typically leaving an area of handle material permanently attached to the device to serve as a thumb/finger grip tab, as shown in FIG. 25. [01081 As alternatives to the dental cleaning device being attached to the eating utensil in a permanent or break-away manner with score lines as shown, the invention could be practiced with such attachment made by other fasteners such as temporary glue, magnets, snap-fits, Velcro or the like. It could be arranged for break-away parts to be re attached. [01091 In embodiments where the dental cleaning device is a toothpick., extreme sharpness at the working end of die toothpick should be avoided as hazardous; instead the point should be made slightly rounded, sufficient to avoid injury, while still shaped optimally to provide effective cleaning capability. [01101 The dental cleaning device, shown as a toothpick or flosser, could also include WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 17 items such as a tooth brush, pad or fabric type of brush or tongue cleaner integrated into the eating utensil by attachment means such as mold-integration, adhesive or welding, or alternatively bundled in an eating-kit package including one or more eating utensils and/or related items such as a napkin. 10111] As an alternative to t1oss where a flosser is shown, a rigid, semi-rigid or tiexible thin fin or blade could be provided to clean between and around the teeth. 10112] For embodiments such as those shown in FIGs. 25, 32 and 33 where toothpick extends unguarded, a lid or cap of some kind could be included for use as a cover or sheath. 10113] The dental cleaning device could further provide an appropriately designed rough or raised surface, located on its surface or on that of the eating utensil, that could aid in the removal of debris located on the inner walls of the teeth. The debris removal would occur on the insertion and removal of the dental cleaning device. 101141 Supplemental items such as dental floss, tissue paper or mouth wash could be provided either separately, stored within or attached to the eating utensil body in some manner, optionally bundle-wrapped and/or hygienic eating utensils could be individually capped. [0115] While the invention has been shown practiced in the form of a fork, spoon, knife and spork, it is to be understood that the invention can be practiced in conjunction with other eating utensils including but not limited to chopsticks, tongs, any other commonly utilized eating utensils and combinations thereof [01161 It is to be understood that the invention could be configured with permanent/flex-ready bend and/or bends in the eating utensil handle that could make deployment of any dental hygienic devices, permanently/integrally formed in said handle and intended for use while still attached to said handle, more convenient/optimal to access a users oral features such as teeth and tongue. 101171 As an alternative to incorporating the dental cleaning device within or directly attached to the eating utensil. one or more cleaning devices and one or more eating utensil could be included separately side-by-side in sheet of plastic made and arranged to enable break-away removal for use. 101181 The invention may be embodied and practiced in other specific forms without WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 18 departing from die spirit and essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all variations, substitutions and changes which conic within the meaning and range of equivalency ofthe claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility, comprising: a utensil portion of a type selected from a group consisting of forks, spoons, knives and combinations thereof; a handle portion extending from said eating utensil portion to an end region of the handle portion; and an oral hygienic device of a type selected fi-om a group consisting of flossers. toothpicks, tongue cleaners and brushes, made in conjunction with and initially attached to said handle portion.

2. A combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 1 wherein said oral hygienic device is a flosser comprising; whereas said flosser is configured with two ends defining a flosser opening formed in conjunction with said handle portion; and a length of dental floss attached at each of the two ends of said flosser, extending across the flosser opening.

3. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 2 wherein said length of dental floss is oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction relative to said handle portion, made functionally taut and fastened permanently at each of the two ends of said flosser.

4. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 2further comprising: a hygienic device, selected from a group including a toothpick, an interdental pick, and an interdental brush, initially located and protected within an opening suirounded by material of said handle portion and initially attached removably to said handle portion; and at least one snap-off score line configured in said handle portion, made and arranged to initially hold said hygienic device in place and, upon snap-off by a user, to separate and expose said hygienic device for deployment. WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 20

5. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 2 further composing: a toothpick formed by a slot configured in said handle portion extending along a first side edge of said toothpick and to an opening thusly formed in a first side edge of said handle portion, a second and opposite side edge of said toothpick forming a portion of the first side edge of said handle portion, said toothpick being initially attached to said handle portion at a baseline of said toothpick; and a snap-off score line, configured on said handle portion collinear with the baseline of said toothpick, such that upon snap-off at said score line said toothpick becomes exposed ready for use as a dental cleaning device.

6. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 4 wherein: said hygienic device is a toothpick oriented longitudinally in said handle portion.

7. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 4 wherein: said hygienic device is a curved toothpick oriented longitudinally in said handle portion.

8. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 4 wherein: said hygienic device is an interdental pick, oriented longitudinally in said handle portion, made sufficiently thin and abrasive to enable cleaning and debris removal between adjacent teeth.

9. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 4 wherein: said hygienic device is an interdental brush, oriented longitudinally in said handle portion, made sufficiently thin and abrasive to enable cleaning and debris removal between adjacent teeth. WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 21

10. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 4 wherein: said hygienic device is a straight toothpick oriented longitudinally in said handle portion and having a first end free but protected by surrounding material and a second end initially attached to said handle portion at a baseline of the toothpick, said handle portion being configured with a score line extending across tie baseline, whereby the toothpick can be removed in a snap-off manner at the score line, ready for use.

11. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 2 wherein said dental flosser is located in the end region of said handle portion, the end region being demarked by a bend line, configured laterally across said handle portion, made and arranged to allow flexible bending at the bend line, thus enabling a user to deploy said dental flosser at a desired angle relative to said handle portion.

12. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 2 wherein said dental flosser is located in the end region of said handle portion, the end region being demarked by a lateral bend line at which a bend placed in said handle is made to hold the end region including said dental flosser for use at a predetermined angle of inclination.

13. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 2 further comprising: said flosser being located in the end region; a hygienic device formed within said handle portion as a permanent part thereof, oriented longitudinally and extending from a lateral baseline toward said flosser; a pair of bend lines extending collinearly from opposite ends of the baseline to corresponding side edges of said.handle portion, each bend line defining a region of said handle portion configured with resilient flexible material capable of repeated bending up to 180 degrees, whereby a user is enabled to fold back the end portion 180 degrees along with said flosser thus exposing said hygienic device extending fiom the thusly shortened handle portion, ready for use. WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 22

14. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 13 wherein said hygienic device is an interdental brush that is made sufficiently thin and abrasive to enable cleaning and debris removal between adjacent teeth.

15. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 13 wherein said hygienic device is a toothpick.

16. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 13 wherein said hygienic device is an interdental pick.

17. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 2 further comprising: a tongue cleaner located endmost in the end region of said handle portion; and said flosser being located in said handle portion, next-to-endmost, adjacent to said tongue cleaner.

18. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 2 further comprising: a tongue cleaner located endmost in the end region on a first side of said handle part an oral brush located endmost in the end region of a second and opposite side of said handle portion; and said flosser being located next-to-cndmost region of said handle portion.

19. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim further comprising: an oral brush located endmost in the end region of said handle portion; and said flosser being located in said handle portion, next-to-endmost, adjacent to said oral brush.

20. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 2 wherein said combination eating utensil and dental flosser is molded from plastic; and WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 23 said dental flosser is permanently located endmost in the end region of said handle portion; and said combination eating utensil and dental flosser is further configured with a combination device assembly, formed within a longitudinal opening in said handle portion, comprising: a thumb-finger grip tab of generally rectangular shape having first, second, third and fourth side edges numbered consecutively, the first side edge and the third and opposite side edge being removably attached in a snap-off manner to corresponding opposite side edges of the longitudinal opening; a first hygienic device aflixed at a baseline thereof to a second first side edge of said grip tab; a second hygienic device affixed at a baseline thereof to a fourth and opposite side edge of said grip tab; and said first and second hygienic devices being selected from a group including a straight toothpick, a curved toothpick, an interdental pick and an interdental brush.

21. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 2 wherein said dental flosser is configured with two arns straddling the flosser opening and each arm extending to a respective one of the two ends of said dental flosser; one of the arms is widened to form a thumb-finger grip tab; and said dental flosser is initially located adjacent to said handle portion with the two ends interfacing a side edge of said handle portion, removably fastened in place by at least one snap-off fastening joining a portion of one of the ends to the side edge of said handle portion.

22. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 2 further comprising: said dental flosser being configured with a narrow arm fonning a first edge of the flosser opening and a wide arm forming a second and opposite edge of the flosser opening, each arm extending to a respective one of the two ends of said dental flosser; said dental flosser being initially located adjacent to said handle portion with the two ends interfacing an edge of said handle portion, said flosser being removably WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 24 fastened in place by at least one snap-off fastening joining a portion of an edge of the flosser to a corresponding portion of an edge of said handle portion; said dental flosser being configured with a slot opening extending perpendicularly fiom a side edge of the flosser opening on the wide arm, and initially further comprising a key-shaped hygienic device selected from a group including a toothpick, an interdental pick and an interdental brush; the key-shaped hygienic device having a generally rectangular enlarged base end made and arranged to serve as a thumb-finger grip tab portion, said device being located with the tab portion contained within the flosser opening and with a narrow working part of the device extending from the tab portion into the slot opening; and the key-shaped hygienic device being removably fastened by snap-off attachment to at least one edge region of the flosser opening.

23. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 1, further comprising an integrally formed side panel removably attached to an edge of said handle portion, the side panel configured with at least one opening containing a removably attached hygienic device selected from a group including a flosser, toothpick, an interdental pick and an interdental brush.

24. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 1 comprising, in further combination. at least one hygienic device selected from a group that includes a straight toothpick., a curved toothpick, a bristle brush, an abrasive scrub pad, an interdental pick, an interdental brush and a tongue cleaner.

25. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim in claim 24 wherein said hygienic device is configured in a key shape having a relatively narrow working end portion and an opposite base end portion made wider and sufficiently large enough to serve as a thumb-fmger grip tab to facilitate deployment.

26. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 1 wherein said oral cleaning device comprises a toothpick, attached to the handle portion of said eating utensil, extending from the end region, exposed ready fi use. WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 25

27. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 1 wherein said oral cleaning device comprises a toothpick.

28. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim Iwherein said oral cleaning device comprises: a toothpick having a side edge initially forming a portion of a side edge of said handle portion, said toothpick having a base end initially attached to said handle portion along a portion of a baseline traversing said handle portion; and a score line, located along a selected portion of the baseline, made and arranged to enable a user to displace and expose said toothpick ready for use.

29. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 1 further comprising: said oral cleaning device being forced in the end region of said handle portion, in an opening therein surrounded by a protective end area of handle material: a base end of said oral cleaning device being permanently attached to said handle portion; and a pair of score lines, configured in said handle portion, extending from respective opposite side edges of the base end of said oral cleaning device to corresponding side edges of said handle portion, said score lines being made and arranged to enable a user to displace the protective end area and thus expose said oral cleaning device, remaining attached to said handle portion, ready for use,

30. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim I further comprising: said oral cleaning device being formed in an opening in said handle portion sun-ounded by a protective area of handle material, said oral cleaning device having a base end oriented toward and permanently attached to the end region; and a pair of score lines, configured in the end region, extending from respective WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 26 opposite side edges of the base end of said oral cleaning device to corresponding side edges of said handle portion, said score lines being made and arranged to enable a user to displace the end region and thus expose said oral cleaning device, remaining attached to the displaced end portion, ready for use.

31. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 1 further comprising: a curved toothpick, constituting said oral cleaning device, configured in the end region with a curved edge of said curved toothpick forming a portion of a curved end outline of said handle portion; a base end of said curved toothpick, directed toward said utensil portion; a snap-otT score line extending across the base end; and said curved toothpick being thusly protected on one side by an adjacent tab of handle material permanently attached to said handle portion, such tiat, upon snap-off at said score line, said curved toothpick becomes detached and exposed, ready for use as a separate item.

32. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim I further comprising: a toothpick, constituting said oral cleaning device, having a side edge thereof initially forcing a portion of a side edge of said handle portion; said toothpick being oriented with a base end thereof directed toward the end region; and a score line, configured across the base end of said toothpick, made and arranged to enable user-displacement of said toothpick to expose said toothpick ready for use.

33. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 1 further comprising: said oral cleaning device being initially formed in an opening in said handle portion, surrounded and protected by handle material; a base end of said oral cleaning device, initially attached to said handle portion; WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 27 and a score line, configured across the base end of said oral cleaning device, made and arranged to enable user-displacement and exposure of said oral cleaning device ready for use.

34. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 1 wherein said oral cleaning device is integrally formed from and permanently attached to said handle portion, extending generally longitudinally from the end region ready for use.

35. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 1 wherein said oral cleaning device is integrally formed from and permanently attached to said handle portion, extending generally laterally from the end region ready for use.

36. The combination eating utensil and oral cleaning facility as defined in claim 33, further comprising a dental flosser extending from the end region. ready for use.

37. The combination eating utensil and oral cleaning facility as defined in claim 28, further comprising a dental flosser extending fiom the end region, ready for use.

38. The combination eating utensil and oral cleaning facility as defined in claim 30, further comprising a dental flosser extending from the end region, ready for use.

39. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 1, wherein said eating utensil is a cutlery knife.

40. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 1 wherein said eating utensil is a spoon.

41. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 1, wherein said eating utensil is a spork.

42. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 1, WO 2011/071481 PCT/US2009/066977 28 wherein said oral cleaning device is a tongue cleaner integrally formed in the end region on a first side of said handle portion.

43. The combination eating utensil and oral hygienic facility as defined in claim 42, further comprising a bristle brush located in the end region on a second side of the handle, opposite the first side thereof.

44. The combination eating utensil and oral cleaning facility as defined in claim 1, wherein said oral cleaning device is an oral brush, located in the end region of said handle portion, selected from a group including a bristle brush and an abrasive scrubbing pad brush.

45. The combination eating utensil and oral cleaning facility as defined in claim 42 further comprising an additional oral cleaning device located in said handle portion between the tongue cleaner and said utensil portion, displaceably attached to adjacent handle material in at least one location configured with a score line enabling a user to displace and expose said additional oral cleaning device for use.

46. The combination eating utensil and oral cleaning facility as defined in claim 44 ftrtlier comprising an additional oral cleaning device located in said handle portion between the bristle brush and said utensil portion. displaceably attached to adjacent handle material in at least one location configured with a sodre line enabling a user to displace and expose said additional oral cleaning device for use.