Towelette for sanitizing items placed in mouth

Abstract

A moisturized towelette impregnated with a sanitizing agent. The sanitizing agent is ingestible and safe for human consumption. The towelette is used to sanitize food handling utensils prior to their use in touching food items to be consumed by individuals. An alternative is to sanitize children or infant toys, pacifiers and the like.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves the use of a towelette to clean the eating surfaces of utensils or plates and cups at a public establishment. It is well known and has been available to the public for a number of years the use of towelettes to clean one's person, namely hands and face, after eating with an individual sized towlette. These towelettes usually contain a sanitizing material and are moist to the touch and contained in an individual sized packet so that they can be readily transportable and used virtually anywhere. Typical examples of such products are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,057,467; 3,563,371; and 3,398,826.

While the prior art deals with a towelette impregnated with a cleansing material, this has been designed solely for the use of an individual after they have eaten and used to clean their hands and face. The present invention deals with a similar looking product, however, the sanitizing or cleansing chemical that is impregnated into the towelette is safe for human consumption. This unique idea of using a cleansing chemical that is safe for human ingestion is novel and not existing in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves the use of an individual sized towelette, which is impregnated with a safe, nontoxic odorless chemical that is capable of removing harmful airborne bacteria from utensils and other eating instruments. The present invention is intended for use in restaurants and take-out eating facilities and for distribution to customers to use to clean their utensils or other eating instruments prior to their use. The individual packets could be packaged in bulk so that they could be utilized by buffet or cafeteria style restaurants or school cafeterias. By distributing the present invention to consumers prior to their consumption of food items, will enable them to sanitize their utensils with the wipe, thus removing harmful airborne bacteria or anything else unsanitary thereon and insuring a clean and sanitary utensil for their use.

While the primary intended use is for eating utensils, which includes flatware, cups, plates, glasses, etc., the present invention could also be utilized by parents to clean children's or infant's pacifiers, teething rings and toys that may have become soiled or contaminated with bacteria, prior to giving the item to the child. The health benefits of the present invention are enormous.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a towelette impregnated with an ingestible sanitizing substance and a method of using such a towelette to cleanse eating utensils. Utensils is intended to include all food handling items such as cups, glasses, plates, flatware, etc. The towelette may comprise any suitable absorbent material, woven or non-woven, and most preferably comprises a non-woven material such as cotton, paper, rayon, or a mixture of these. Alternatively, the towelette may comprise any other conventional material which can absorb the sanitizing agent.

The sanitizing liquid may comprise any conventional liquid utilized in cleansing and sanitizing eating utensils and is safe for human consumption. The liquid would be odorless and tasteless.

The towelettes of the present invention may be produced by a number of methods. The general method is to cut a towelette to any desired size, and to impregnate the towelette with a small amount of the sanitizer.

The towelettes of the present invention are preferably packaged in individual sealed packets, as are well known in the art. However, packaging multiple towelettes in a single package, container or dispenser may be advantageous for commercial use.

Individually packaging the towelettes allows for ease of carrying in handbags or for uses such as on picnics. The towelette is also usable on items for small children or infants. The towelette can be used to sanitize a teething ring, pacifier, or child's toy. Such packet preferably includes a foil or plastic lined envelope wherein a single folded towelette is disposed before sealing, as known in the art.

While the preferred use of the present invention is for individual sized packets, the towelette of the present invention could be packaged in resealable containers. The use of resealable containers for towelettes is well known in the art as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,790. Also, individual packets could be packaged together, in bulk, for use by school cafeterias, public cafeterias or buffet restaurants.

Claims

1. A towelette package comprising an openable container and at least one moisturized towelette, wherein said at least one towelette comprises a sheet of material impregnated with an ingestible, sanitary liquid to sanitize an item.

2. A towelette package as recited in claim 1, wherein the item to be sanitized is a food utensil.

3. A towelette package as recited in claim 2, wherein multiple towelettes are contained in the package.

4. A towelette package as recited in claim 1, wherein the item to be sanitized is a children's toy.