US2419896A - Dentifrice applicator - Google Patents

Description

April 29, 1947. R. s. HOBELMANN 2,419,396

DENTIFRICE APPLICATQR Filed March 27, 1944 E0001 PH 6.5%

Patented Apr. 29, 1947 nnmmnrda nrmca'ron Rudolph G. Hobelmann, Baltimore, -Md., assignor I Baltimore, Md.

to The Davison Chemical Corporation,

Application March 27, 1944, Serial No. 528,271

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to tooth cleaning devices and more particularly to an applicator having a dentifrice incorporated therewith and designed for single use after which it may be discarded. A dentifrice applicator according to the concept of this invention is particularly adapted for use at times when personal tooth cleaning equipment may not be readily available such as in Pullman cars, hotels, and the like, where it maybe dispensed as an emergency toothbrush.

It is therefore one of the principal objects of this invention to provide a tooth cleaning device which incorporates a dentifrice and an applicator therefor in a single structure which may be readily stored, dispensed and handled and, when used once, may be discarded.

Another object of the invention is to provide a discardable applicator for dentifrice which is composed of a paper material in the form of a thimble which may be easily fitted over the forefinger of the user and by means of which a dentifrice carried by the applicator may be applied to the teeth.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character which has an embossed surface serving both as an aid in cleaning the teeth and in massaging the gums.

A still further object is to provide an applicator for dentifrice composed of paper which is substantially water resistant and will withstand its intended use without deteriorating.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a discardable dentifrice applicator which may be easily dispensed to the user in a sanitary condition in a fiat sealed envelope which readily adapts the device for easy storage and dispensing in mechanical dispensing apparatus or for convenient carrying on the person of the user.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements comprising my invention may be varied in con-i struction, proportions and arrangements, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical effect without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of my discardable tooth cleaning device shown on the forefinger of a user preparatory to use.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a paper blank from which the applicator shown in Figure 1 is folded.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a blank from which a modified form of applicator is folded.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view through the tip portion of an applicator formed from the blank shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a dentifrice applicator made in accordance with this invention and enclosed in a sealed envelope.

Describing my dentifrice applicator in more detail, it consists generally of a tubular, thimblelike member formed from a single sheet of flexible material, closed at one end, and adapted to be placed over the forefinger of a user as shown in Figure 1. Preferably the area of the thimble lying adjacent the ball of the finger is embossed to provide a better brushing surface and at least this area carries a dentifrice. To aid in placing the applicator on the finger and particularly to aid in removing the device after use, a tab is provided adjacent the open end.

While various fabrics or various types of paper may be used in the manufacture of the applicator, I have found that a rather hard and substantially waterproof material such as parchment paper is admirably suited for the purpose as this material, which is sufficiently flexible to conform to the shape of the finger, is still strong enough to withstand the limited use intended without deterioration. Papers which are softer than the mentioned parchment stock may also be employed but these papers are likewise preferably waterproofed such as by treating with a melamine solution or other suitable waterproofing agent.

The applicator is formed from a blank I of the selected material which is cut, as shown in Figure 2, in the form of a substantial trapezoid with a short tab- 2 extending from themid portion of the narrow end of the blank. One lateral edge of the blank is diagonally slit as shown at 3 dividing this edge into two adjacent tabs, 4 and 5. The central area of the blank at the narrow end is punched to form a series of stud-like embossments 6. As seen in Figure 2, the blank is divided longitudinally by folding lines I and 8, which diverge slightly from opposite ends of the tab 2, into a central trapezoidalpanel 9 and lateral wings I II and I I.

To form the applicator, the tab 2 is folded inwardly upon the surface of the panel 9, showing the concave surfaces of the embossments 6.

The wings i and II are 'also folded inwardly upon the panel 9 respectively upon the lines I and 8, the wing 'il overlying the wing II. The longitudinal tab is then secured to the free edge of the wing by a suitable adhesive and the tab 2 may be likewise secured to the overlapping wings. The tab 4 is not secured but is left free for the purposes to be set forth later. Folding and securing thus forms a fiat envelopelike structure of trapezoidal shape open at its longer parallel end.

The dentifrice which is carried by the applicator may be incorporated therewith in any desirable manner, and any type dentifrice may be used, but preferably it should be one having good handling and storing properties.

I have found several methods suitable for applying the dentifrice to the applicator. Tooth powder i2 may be applied to the area covered by the embossments with a suitable binder such as a water soluble gelatinsolution which may be applied either directly to the paper surface or as a film covering the powder, or both. In either case, when the applicator is moistened by the mouth, the dentifrice will be made available. Or commercial tooth paste may be applied and dried on the surface of the applicator and will function in the same way. In lieu of the above, the tooth powder may be incorporated with the paper itself in the form of a dispersion in the paper stock to give the desired action of the dentifrice. In this case a soft paper, more porous than parchment stock will be preferable, which paper can be waterproofed as above set forth to prevent undue shredding in use.

The applicator is preferably kept until ready for use in a sealed enclosure or envelope it of cellophane or other suitable material such as shown in Figure 5.

Some users prefer a paste dentifrice and for such, the modified form of applicator shown in Figures 3 and 4 is designed. In this form the blank IA is shaped and folded in a manner similar to that described above. In this case however 45 the embossments 6A are punch'ed to perforate the paper in the manner of a conventional nutmeg grater such as indicated at It. The paper stock for this applicator should be waterproof.

Paste dentifrice I5 is either applied to the inner surface of the punched area before folding the blank or inserted into the tip of the applicator after forming. The natural resiliency of the paper normally maintains the perforations substantially closed and retains the paste within the applicator. In use, however, it will be squeezed through the perforations and made available for its cleaning function. The waterproof paper stock will not absorb moistur from the paste, and when kept in the sealed container l2, the paste will remain moist and plastic until used.

In using the device, it is placed over the forefinger in the manner shown in Figure 1 with the embossed area lying over the ball of the finger. It will be recalled that the tab 4 is not secured to the opposite wing I, thus leaving, in effect, a slit down the back of the applicator as far as the second knuckle of the finger which permits the finger to be bent at this joint without rupturing and tearing the applicator. After use the device is withdrawn from the finger and discarded. Sometimes after use it will be found that that the moist applicator adheres closely to the finger, making it difficult to remove. In such cases the tab 4 serves as an aid to either draw 4 the device over the finger, or, in connection with the diagonalsliti.tostartaspirelteerendonwind" the paper from the finger.

In its normal fiat condition the applicators are easily stored or stacked in a vending apparatus, or carried by the user in pocket or handbag ready for use when desired. It is inexpensive to manufacture, easy 'to use, and, particularly because of the embossed cleansing surface, eflective in its tooth cleaning and messaging operation.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details Of construction herein set forth by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An applicator for dentifrice fabricated ontirely from paper and forming a thimble adapted to be placed on the flnger for cleaning the teeth, a plurality of perforated embossments in the paper in the area of the thimble adapted to lie adjacent the ball of the finger, and a dentifrice in the thimble adjacent th embossed area for discharge through the perforated embossments.

2. An applicator for dentifrice comprising a tapered tubular member closed at its smaller end and open at its larger end and formed from a single sheet of paper material, said member adapted to be placed over the finger for clu'ning the teeth, embossments adjacent the closed end on that side of the member adapted to lie edjacent the ball of the finger, a longitudinal slit adjacent the open end in the opposite side of said member and extending a portion of the length thereof to permit said member to be bent when placed over the finger, and a dentifrice carried by said member adjacent at least the closed end of said member. s

3. An applicator for dentifrice comprising a pered tubular member closed at its smaller end and open at its larger end and formed from a single sheet or paper material, said member adapted to be placed over the finger for cleaning the teeth, embossments adjacent the closed end on that side of the member adapted to lie ediacent the ball of the finger, a longitudinal slit adjacent the open endin the opp s te side of said member and extending a portion of the length thereof to permit said-member to be bent when placed over the finger, a diagonal slit communieating with said longitudinal slit and directed at an angle toward the closed end and serving to start a helical tear toward said closed end, a tab adjacent the diagonal slit, and a dentifrice carried by said member adjacent at least the closed end of said member.

RUDOLPH G. HOBEIMANN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

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