Finger shaped tooth polisher

Abstract

A tooth polisher includes an elastic finger shaped finger cloth having two opposing sides for fitting tightly over a finger. A rough cloth is disposed on a first of said opposing sides polishes the teeth. A chamois cloth on the other of said opposing sides is soft and is used to buff the teeth after polishing with the rough cloth. A finger pull tab connects to said finger cloth between said rough cloth and said chamois cloth and allow the tooth polisher to be rotated to orient the rough cloth and chamois cloth.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/363,164, filed Mar. 6, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to tooth polishers for whitening, cleaning and polishing teeth and, in particular, to tooth polishers that can fit over a finger of the user or a toothbrush.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Martinez (U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,461) discloses a, “Tooth Cleaning Device.” The tooth cleaning device includes a tubular member (12). The tooth member is made of cloth. The tubular member mounts onto a mounting member (18). The mounting member can fit onto a user's finger (FIG. 1), or other object (FIGS. 4 and 6). Martinez does not show two surfaces and a tab between the surfaces.

[0006] Mittiga (U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,765) teaches a, “Finger Glove Comprising Areas Prepared for Oral Hygiene.” Mittiga shows a glove that fits over the finger. FIG. 7 shows a strip 108 composed of thick absorbent paper with a rough surface. Other embodiments have small pockets filled with toothpaste or similar material. Mittiga does not show two surfaces with a tab between the surfaces.

[0007] Baczkowski (U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,002) teaches a, “Combination Eyeglass Lens Polisher and Eyeglass Holder Device.” While Baczkowski relates to an eyeglass holder, it still teaches a pocket in which one slips their finger and polishes a surface. Most importantly, Baczkowski teaches a soft material such as a chamois, see col. 2, line 63.

[0008] Bora, Jr. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,731) teaches a, “Device for Oral Hygiene Care.” The device can be a cloth 20, with an adhesive 10 for wrapping into a cylinder; see FIG. 2. The cylinder can be attached to a stick (FIGS. 12-13). The patent also teaches preformed cylinders (FIGS. 4a-4c). A tab 16 is taught. The devices can be stored in a container 120; see FIG. 11. While showing a tab, the tab serves a different purpose: covering and releasing the adhesive, not for turning the device.

[0009] Regester (U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,299) teaches a, “Tooth Cleaning Device.” A tubular fits around a user's finger. The tubular body is surrounded by terry cloth. Regester does not teach two opposing surfaces of different abrasiveness with a tab therebetween.

[0010] Burrello (U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,005) teaches a “Single Use Dental Maintenance Device.” The device includes a tab 5 for attaching and detaching the device. The tab is not used for rotating the device.

[0011] Lutz (U.S. Pat. No. 3,124,824) teaches a, “Tooth Cleaning Device.” The tooth cleaning device includes a tab 18. The tab 18 is used for pulling the device onto one hand by grabbing the tab with the other hand. The tab is not used for rotating the device. In addition, the asymmetrical shape prevents rotation of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a tooth polisher which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that fits over a finger and polishes teeth.

[0013] With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a tooth polisher. The tooth polisher includes a finger cloth. The finger cloth has two opposing sides. A rough cloth is disposed on a first of the opposing sides. A chamois cloth is disposed on the other of the opposing sides.

[0014] In accordance with a further object of the invention, a tooth polisher includes an elastic finger shaped finger cloth having two opposing sides for fitting tightly over a finger. A rough cloth is disposed on a first of the opposing sides. A chamois cloth is disposed on the other of the opposing sides. A finger pull tab is connected to the finger cloth between the rough cloth and the chamois cloth.

[0015] In accordance with a further object of the invention, a tooth polisher includes an elastic toothbrush bristle shaped finger cloth having two opposing sides for fitting tightly over bristles of a toothbrush. A rough cloth is disposed on a first of the opposing sides. A chamois cloth is disposed on the other of the opposing sides. A finger pull tab is connected to the finger cloth between the rough cloth and the chamois cloth.

[0016] In accordance with a further object of the invention, a tooth polisher includes a handle. A polishing surface is disposed on the handle and has two opposing sides. A rough cloth is disposed on a first of the opposing sides. A chamois cloth on the other of the opposing sides.

[0017] In accordance with a further object of the invention, a tooth includes a handle having two opposing ends. A first polishing surface is disposed on a first of the opposing ends. A rough cloth covering the first polishing surface. A second polishing surface is disposed on a second of the opposing ends. A chamois cloth covers the second polishing surface.

[0018] In accordance with a further object of the invention, a dispenser for tooth polishers with finger pull tabs includes a box for holding the tooth polishers having a slit formed therein for pulling the tooth polishers from the box by the finger pull tabs. A folding lid connected to the box can cover the slit. A mirror is disposed on the lid.

[0019] In accordance with a further object of the invention, the tooth polisher may be used to clean and whiten the teeth of animals.

[0020] In accordance with a further object of the invention, the tooth polishers may be individually wrapped for improved sanitation.

[0021] Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0022] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in finger shaped tooth polisher, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

[0023] The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser for finger shaped tooth polishers;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a front view of a finger shaped tooth polisher;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the finger shaped tooth polisher;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the tooth polisher over a toothbrush; and

[0028] FIG. 5 is a front view of the tooth polisher over the toothbrush;

[0029] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the tooth polisher over the toothbrush;

[0030] FIG. 7 is a front view of a tooth polisher with a handle;

[0031] FIG. 8 is a rear view of the tooth polisher with a handle; and

[0032] FIG. 9 is a front view of a tooth polisher with two polishing surfaces.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 2 thereof, there is seen a front view of a tooth polisher generally marked with reference number 1.

[0034] The tooth polisher 1 is disposable. The tooth polisher 1 includes an elastic finger cloth 2. The elastic finger cloth 2 is sized to snuggly fit over a user's finger or other similarly shaped object.

[0035] A rough cloth 3 is attached to the front of the finger cloth 2. The rough cloth 3 is treated with a tooth whitening formula. The tooth whitening formula can be selected from any customary tooth whitening formula. In addition, the rough cloth 3 includes a breath freshener.

[0036] A soft chamois cloth 4 is included on a side of the finger cloth 2 that opposes the rough cloth 3. The chamois cloth 4 preferably is a synthetic chamois material. The soft chamois cloth 4 is soft and buffs the teeth after they have been polished by the rough cloth 3.

[0037] The rough cloth 3 and the chamois cloth 4 can be colored differently from each other to help users identify which cloth they are using.

[0038] A finger pull tab 5 is located on the finger cloth 2 between the rough cloth 3 and the chamois cloth 4. The finger pull tab 5 allows the tooth polisher 1 to be rotated to face the rough cloth 3 or the chamois cloth 4 toward the teeth to be scrubbed.

[0039] A plurality of the tooth polishers 1 can be placed in a dispenser that is generally marked with reference number 6. The dispenser is a box 7 with a slit 10 formed therein. The tooth polishers 1 are disposed within the box 7 so that they can be pulled in series from the box through the slit 10 by their finger pull tabs 5. The box 7 has a lid 8 that can be closed to protect the tooth polishers 1. The box 7 is preferably made from a durable plastic. Disposable replacement cardboard boxes (not shown in the drawings) containing a plurality of tooth polishers 1 can be inserted in the box 7 as a refill. A mirror 9 is placed on the inside of the lid 8. The mirror can be a glass mirror or made from a reflective metallic foil. The mirror 10 is used to see a user's teeth during polishing and allows the user to see the improvement throughout brushing.

[0040] FIGS. 4-6 show the tooth polisher 1 placed over the bristles 12 of a toothbrush 11. The elastic nature of the finger cloth 2 holds the tooth polisher 1 on the bristles 12. Again, the tooth polisher 1 can be rotated with the finger pull tab 5 to expose the rough cloth 3 or the chamois cloth 4. To complement the toothbrush, the finger cloth 2 can be smaller than a finger cloth 2 that is intended to be placed over a finger.

[0041] FIGS. 7-8 show a tooth polisher 1 with an integrated handle 13. Preferably, the handle 13 is plastic. A polishing surface 14 is divided between the rough cloth 3 and the chamois cloth 4. The handle 13 can be rotated to expose the rough cloth 3 or the chamois cloth 4.

[0042] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the tooth polisher 1 with an integrated handle 13 and two polishing surfaces 14. The polishing surfaces are placed at opposing ends of the integrated handle 13. One of the polishing surfaces has a rough cloth 3 and the other polishing surface has a chamois cloth 4.

[0043] To use the tooth polisher 1, the teeth are polished with the rough cloth 3. After polishing with the rough cloth, the chamois cloth 4 is used to buff the teeth. Noticeable differences are achieved immediately.

Claims

1. A tooth polisher, comprising:

a finger cloth having two opposing sides;

a rough cloth on a first of said opposing sides; and

a chamois cloth on the other of said opposing sides.

2. A tooth polisher, comprising:

an elastic finger shaped finger cloth having two opposing sides for fitting tightly over a finger;

a rough cloth being disposed on a first of said opposing sides for polishing teeth;

a whitening agent being disposed on said rough cloth;

a breath freshener being disposed on said rough cloth;

a soft chamois cloth being disposed on the other of said opposing sides for buffing the teeth after they have been polished;

a finger pull tab being connected to said finger cloth between said rough cloth and said chamois cloth.

3. A tooth polisher, comprising:

an elastic tooth-brush bristle shaped finger cloth having two opposing sides for fitting tightly over bristles of a toothbrush;

a rough cloth on a first of said opposing sides;

a chamois cloth on the other of said opposing sides;

a finger pull tab connected to said finger cloth between said rough cloth and said chamois cloth.

4. A tooth polisher, comprising:

a handle;

a polishing surface being disposed on said handle and having two opposing sides;

a rough cloth on a first of said opposing sides; and

a chamois cloth on the other of said opposing sides.

5. A tooth polisher, comprising:

a handle having two opposing ends;

a first polishing surface being disposed on a first of said opposing ends;

a rough cloth covering said first polishing surface;

a second polishing surface being disposed on a second of said opposing ends; and

a chamois cloth covering said second polishing surface.

6. A dispenser for tooth polishers with finger pull tabs, comprising:

a box for holding the tooth polisher according to claim 1 and having a slit formed therein for pulling the tooth polisher from the box by the finger pull tab;

a folding lid connected to said box for covering said slit; and

a mirror on said lid.