WO2001095828A1

WO2001095828A1 - Card equipped with detachable toothpicks

Info

Publication number: WO2001095828A1
Application number: PCT/FR2001/001814
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lionel Michel Pradel
Original assignee: Lionel Michel Pradel
Priority date: 2000-06-13
Filing date: 2001-06-12
Publication date: 2001-12-20
Also published as: FR2809944B1; FR2809944A1; AU6762901A

Abstract

The invention concerns a card perforated by a window (3) enclosed on all sides (31-34) by strips (15-18) forming a frame rigidifying the card (1), while the toothpicks (2) are arranged in said window (3) being separated in pairs by interstices (32) and linked by at least a sectile hasp (23) to one edge (34) of the window (3). The rigidity of said card (1) is maintained whatever the number of toothpicks (2) it contains and the toothpicks are easily accessible.

Description

CARD EQUIPPED WITH DETACHABLE TOOTHPICKERS

The invention relates to a card fitted with detachable toothpicks. Toothpicks are used in the field of oral hygiene to remove food trapped between two teeth. It is known to arrange toothpicks on a table, in a jar, or to present them in an individual package, for example with a meal tray. This implies that a user ^" generally has access to a toothpick only at mealtimes, except to keep a toothpick on him which, given its small dimensions, is very easy to lose.

It is known from US-A-4, 832, 184 to produce a card provided with detachable toothpicks formed individually by cutting out this card. The toothpicks must be detached from the card by a knockout which is not always easy given their small transverse dimensions. To allow this knockout, the card must not be too rigid, so that the toothpicks ultimately obtained are very flexible, to the point that they do not always allow sufficient effort to be exerted on food trapped between two teeth. In addition, the rigidity of the card strongly depends on the number of toothpicks it contains. It can therefore be difficult to handle when it contains only one or two toothpicks. In addition, there is a risk of soiling a toothpick due to impurities accumulated under the nails of a user and likely to contaminate it during routing. Furthermore, FR-A-2 784 286 shows several embodiments of a set of ready-to-use toothpicks which do not necessarily induce knocking down toothpicks provided in a card but which allows their detachment by folding. Such assemblies constitute significant progress with regard to handling, but the rigidity and / or the dimensions of the cards equipped with toothpicks can be influenced by the number of toothpicks contained in such. sets. In the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7, toothpicks are formed in individual holes, by means of fold or cut lines, and must be knocked out to be separated from the card. When knocking out a toothpick, you must exert pressure on your side with your fingers, which can cause the tip to get dirty. In addition, whatever the embodiment considered, the card must be shaped in several operations, the marking of the folding or cutting lines being carried out by recovery.

It is to these drawbacks that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing an alternative solution to that known from FR-A-2 784 286, which gives a card equipped with toothpicks good rigidity, while its handling is easier than that of known devices and that it can form a support for a promotional message, regardless of the number of toothpicks that it carries.

In this spirit, the invention relates to a card equipped with detachable toothpicks each connected by at least one breakable bridge to a main part of the card, characterized in that the toothpicks are grouped and separated two by two by interstices inside a window surrounded on all its sides by strips of material from this main part which together form a frame for stiffening the card.

Thanks to the invention, the fact that the toothpicks are grouped in the central window, makes it possible to surround this window with strips of material of sufficient width to give the card a rigidity suitable for its use. In addition, the dimensions of the window facilitate access to toothpicks which are not embedded in individual housings. In particular, you can grab each toothpick by its handle, without interfering with its tip.

According to advantageous but not compulsory aspects of the invention, this card incorporates one or more of the following characteristics:

- The toothpicks are arranged in the thickness of the card, inside the window. So the toothpicks do not protrude from the two lateral sides of the card, so that the latter retains generally flat surfaces on which a message, promotional or of a technical nature, which can be easily read, may be affixed. - The toothpicks are juxtaposed in the window and each comprise an active part, intended to come into contact with the teeth of the user, and a handle intended to be taken in hand by the user, each toothpick being connected at the aforementioned edge of the window at one end of its handle opposite its active part. Thus, the toothpicks can easily be detached by a leverage with respect to this end while their active part is not torn or deformed during this manipulation. This active part can therefore be shaped without a sharp edge, which limits the risk of injury when using toothpicks.

- The toothpicks are connected to the edge of the window independently of each other, which makes it possible to detach them independently of each other. - The card forms at least a space for receiving at least one promotional or technical message and / or a courtesy mirror. This aspect of the invention makes it possible to give the card a commercial and / or technical character since its two opposite surfaces can serve as a support for a message, such a message being able to be printed and / or affixed in the form of an adhesive strip. . In this case, provision can be made for the receiving space to be hollowed out on a lateral face of the card, which allows an adhesive applied in this space not to exceed beyond the main surface considered of the card. .

- The card is covered, on at least one of its lateral faces, with an adhesive film at least partially repositionable and capable of isolating the window containing the toothpicks from the ambient atmosphere. This film prevents dirt from accumulating around the toothpicks inside the window and its repositionable nature allows access to the window as many times as necessary to remove a toothpick. This film advantageously forms a support for at least one promotional or technical message and / or a courtesy mirror. This film can extend on the two lateral sides of the card and be personalized according to the desired use. This film contributes to the proper functioning of the toothpicks in the window and in the thickness of the card. In particular, it can be provided that the film is not adhesive in its portion or portions situated opposite the window containing the toothpicks, which prevents the toothpicks from being sticky when they are handled.

- The card is equipped with at least one stiffening rib extending along one of its edges. The positioning of such a rib along an edge of the card does not substantially interfere with the generally planar nature of the lateral surfaces of the card, which makes it possible to affix messages and / or a mirror thereto. One can in particular provide that the repositionable adhesive film is received in a space defined between stiffening ribs formed on two distinct edges of the card. The ribs thus prevent untimely detachment of the film at the edges considered of the card.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of a card equipped with toothpicks in accordance with its principle, given only to as an example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a card according to the invention in use; - Figure 2 is a section along line II-II in Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is an enlarged view of detail III in Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 during a subsequent step in the use of the card of Figures 1 and 2;

- Figure 5 is a section along line VV in Figure 1 while the card is in storage configuration and

FIG. 6 is a view on a larger scale of detail VI in FIG. 5.

The card 1 shown in Figure 1 is obtained by molding plastic material, such as, for example, an impact polystyrene. This card has a length L and a width 1 similar to those of a conventional credit card. Its thickness e is between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably between 1 and 1.5 mm, more preferably of the order of 1.25 mm. We note 11 and 12 the longitudinal edges of card 1. We note 13 and: 14 its transverse edges which are shorter than edges 11 and 12.

The card 1 is equipped with several toothpicks 2 arranged side by side in a through window 3 provided in the card 1. The window 3 is of generally rectangular shape with its largest dimension generally parallel to that of the card 1. We note 31 and 32 the longitudinal edges of window 3 and we note 33 and 34 its transverse edges.

A strip of material 15 of the card 1 is formed between edges 11 and 31. Likewise, a strip of material 16 is formed between edges 12 and 32 while a strip of material

17 is formed between the edges 13 and 33. A strip of material

18 is also formed between the edges 14 and 34, this strip having a width greater than that of the strips 15 to 17 which have substantially the same width. Strips 15 to 18 together form the main part of card 1.

The width of the bands 15 to 18 is chosen sufficiently so that the card has a satisfactory rigidity, this rigidity not being or being little influenced by the number of toothpicks present in window 3. Thus, the bands 15 to 18 form a stiffening frame for the card 1.

In practice, for a card of length L between

80 and 90 mm and width 1 between 50 and 60 mm, the width of the strips 15 to 17 is between 10 and 15 mm while the width of the strip 18 is between 25 and

35 mm.

As shown in Figure 2, toothpicks 2 are arranged in the thickness of the card 1. The thickness e 'of the toothpicks 2 is less than or equal to the thickness e of the card 1, so that they do not protrude beyond the lateral faces la and lb of the card 1. The toothpicks 2 each comprise an active part 21 of generally triangular shape and the end 21a of which is rounded. This limits the risk of injury when using a toothpick 2. Each toothpick 2 also includes a handle 22 intended to be taken in hand by the user and the end 22a opposite to the part 21 is connected, by a breakable bridge 23, to the edge 34 of the window 3.

The toothpicks 22 are not interconnected, in the sense that there are interstices 35 without material between two adjacent toothpicks 2. It is therefore possible to handle each toothpick 2 independently of the neighboring toothpicks, in particular when it is necessary to detach one of the toothpicks relative to the main part of the card 1 consisting of the bands 15 to 18. The card 1 is covered with a film 4. This film extends on the two opposite faces 1a and 1b of card 1 and is provided with a layer 41 of repositionable adhesive at the bands 15 to 18 of card 1 As a variant, provision may be made for the layer 41 of adhesive of the film 4 to be formed of permanent adhesive for the part of the film 4 intended to cover one face of the card 1, for example the face 1b, while it is formed of repositionable adhesive for the part of the film intended to cover the other side, for example the side 1a.

According to another variant, the layer 41 of adhesive may be formed of permanent adhesive, in its part intended to cover the strip 17 on the side of the face 1a, and of repositionable adhesive, in its part intended to cover the other sections. of the face there.

The adhesive can also be applied to the card 1 before the film 4 is put in place.

The adhesive used is of "food" quality.

In all cases, no adhesive is provided or the adhesive layer is neutralized by a cover on the parts of the inner face of the film 4 which are intended to be arranged opposite the window 3, as shown for part 42 of the inner face of the film 4 visible in the figure

1. This measure avoids pollution of the toothpicks 2 with adhesive and facilitates the lifting of the film 4 when it is necessary to access the window 3 and the toothpicks 2.

The outer surface 43 of the film 4 advantageously carries a promotional or technical message, which makes it possible to give the card of the invention a commercial and / or security character making it possible to envisage its distribution ^" by an advertiser or a network of advertisers affixing their identity and / or an advertising message on the surface 43.

According to a variant not shown of the invention, the surface 43 can also be equipped, on one side of the card 1, with a courtesy mirror, for example made from Mylar (registered trademark) or a material equivalent.

Film 4 has a triple function. It isolates the toothpicks 2 from the environment of the card and thus ensures a hygienic function. It can carry technical and / or commercial information and thus acts as a vector of information. It contributes to the correct alignment of the toothpicks 2 in the window 3, in the thickness of the card, and thus ensures a guiding function by preventing the tips of the toothpicks from catching on obstacles.

As can be seen more particularly from FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, when a user wishes to access the toothpicks

2, it suffices to lift the film 4 from the edge 14 of the card 1 while the film 4 remains in place on the opposite face 1b of the card to the level of the edge 13. This movement is represented by the arrow F _λ . The user then has free access to the toothpicks 2 and can lift one of them as shown by the arrow F ₂ in Figure 3 by exerting, on its active part 21, a movement relative to the trigger guard 23 corresponding, which results in the rupture of this trigger guard and in the release of the toothpick 2 considered.

The lifting movement of the toothpick 2 can be assisted by exerting, through the film 4, on the side where it remains in place, an effort F ₃ for lifting the part of the card 1 located between the strips 11 and 12, that is to say in particular toothpicks 2. This facilitates accessibility to toothpicks because the card is slightly arched, as shown in FIG. 4, which has the effect of freeing the parts 21 of the toothpicks 2 from the edge 33 of the window 3.

The edges 11, 12 and 14 of the card 1 are each provided with a stiffening rib 11a, 12a, 14a sometimes called a godron. No rib is provided at the edge 13 because the latter is surrounded, on its two sides, by the film 4.

In the example shown, a rib is provided, on the edges 11, 12 and 14, only on the side of the upper face 1a of the card 1. Of course, such a rib could be provided, at these edges, on the two faces 1a and 1b of the card.

The ribs 12a and 14a are interrupted at a corner 19 of the card 1. This interruption facilitates the take-off of the corresponding corner 49 of the film 4 and the lifting of the film. Of course, the ribs 11a and 14a could also be interrupted at the corner of the card 1 connecting the edges 11 and 14.

In addition to their function of stiffening the card

1, the edges 11a, 12a and 14a define between them a volume for receiving the film 4 which is thus protected against untimely detachment, in particular when the card 1 is stored in a wallet or a card holder.

The upper face 1a of the card 1 is equipped with a recessed recess lç_ making it possible to receive an adhesive film 5 the upper face 53 of which can be coated with a message of a technical or promotional nature. The fact that the housing lç_ is recessed in relation to the main surface of the face 1a allows the visible face 53 of the film 5 not to exceed beyond the main surface of the face 1a, so that it does not influence the planar nature of the film 4 and in particular of its surface 43. Thus, the message carried on the surface 43 is not distorted at the level of the film 5.

According to a variant not shown of the invention, a promotional message can be printed, for example by pad printing, in the housing there. In this case, the depth of the housing lç_ can be significantly less than in the case of the use of a film, or even zero.

According to another variant of the invention, an inscription can be molded or engraved at the bottom of the housing.

According to another variant of the invention, the film 5 can be replaced by a courtesy mirror, for example made of plastic material based on Mylar. This vanity mirror is protected against scratches and / or dirt by the film 4 which covers it most of the time.

According to a variant not shown of the invention, provision can be made for the layer 41 of adhesive to be neutralized at the level of the film 5 or of the housing 1c, particularly when a mirror is used. According to a variant not shown of the invention, the card 1 could be provided with several windows, of the type of window 3, in each of which would be received several toothpicks. In this case, around each window strips of material large enough for the rigidity of the card to be satisfactory.

Given its geometry, the card 1 can be obtained by injection, in a single operation, without the need for recovery for the definition of toothpicks 2. The bridges 23 constitute flow paths of the plastic material constituting the toothpicks teeth 2 during molding of card 1.

Claims

1. Card equipped with detachable toothpicks each connected to a main part of said card by at least one breakable trigger guard, characterized in that said toothpicks (2) are grouped and separated two by two by interstices (35) to the interior of at least one window (3) surrounded on all its sides (31-34) by strips of material (15-18) of said main part forming a stiffening frame for said card (1).

2. Card according to claim 1, characterized in that said toothpicks (2) are arranged in the thickness (e) of said card, inside said window (3).

3. Card according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said toothpicks (2) are juxtaposed in said window (3) and each comprise an active part (21) and a handle (22) intended to be taken in hand by the user, each toothpick being connected to said edge (34) at one end (22a) of its handle opposite its active part.

4. Card according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said toothpicks (2) are connected to said edge (34) independently of each other.

5. Card according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it forms at least one space (lç_) for receiving at least one message (5), promotional or technical, and / or a mirror courtesy.

6. Card according to claim 5, characterized in that said receiving space (le.) Is recessed on a side face (la) of said card (1).

7. Card according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is covered, on at least one of its lateral faces (la, lb), with an adhesive film (4), at least partially repositionable and suitable for isolating said window (3) from the ambient atmosphere.

8. Card according to claim 7, characterized in that said film (4) forms a support (43) for at least one message, promotional or technical, and / or a vanity mirror.

9. Card according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that said film (4) is not adhesive in its portion (s) (42) located opposite said window (3).

10. Card according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that said film (4) contributes to the alignment of said toothpicks (2) in said window (3) and in the thickness of said card.

11. A card according to one of the preceding claims, characterized ^'in that it is equipped with at least one rib (lla, 12a, 14a) of stiffening extending along an edge (11, 12, 14 ) of said card (1).

12. Card according to claim 7 and 11, characterized in that said film (4) is received in a space defined between stiffening ribs (11a, 12a, 14a) formed on two separate edges (11, 12, 14) of said card.