A TOOTHPICK WITH IMPROVED OPERATING MECHANISM FOR EFFICIENT INTERDENTAL CLEANING OF TEETH

Abstract

ABSTRACT A TOOTHPICK WITH IMPROVED OPERATING MECHANISM FOR EFFICIENT INTERDENTAL CLEANING OF TEETH The present invention pertains to a dental toothpick for removing food and plaque deposits from areas of the teeth and gums. The present invention provides unique solution pertaining to inter-dental cleaning with three portions: i.e. operating portion, grip portion and intermediate arched portion. The operational portion have acute pin point tip that can be inserted between teethes to accumulated plaque or food particles. The overall design of toothpick provides easy to reach and safe to operate property when compared with conventionally available toothpicks. The invention also provides coating of the rubber layer over the whole plastic skeletal portion that further provides unique covering in terms of soft surface that diminish chances of injury while operation. The present invention provides easy safe and efficient inter-dental cleaning of interior portion of mouth cavity due to its intrinsic structural property i.e. ring shape griping portion having rubber coat and arced shaped intermediate portion.

Specification

Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)

1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION: "A TOOTHPICK WITH IMPROVED OPERATING MECHANISM FOR EFFICIENT INTERDENTAL CLEANING OF TEETH"
2. APPLICANTS:
(a) Name : DR. SNEHAL DHATRAK
(b) Nationality : INDIAN
(c) Address : FLAT NO 4 GOVINDA APT
BEHIND SHRI GURUJI HOSPITAL
VIVEKANAND NAGAR, ANANDWALLI
GANGAPUR ROAD
NASHIK 422013
MAHARASHTRA INDIA


PROVISIONAL
The following specification describes the invention. COMPLETE
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.


FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of dental instruments. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus or toothpick for removing food and plaque deposits from areas of the teeth and gums that are not accessible with a toothbrush.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Traditional toothpicks, whether made from wood or plastic, are commonly used to remove food particles from accessible areas in the mouth, particularly between the outer surfaces of teeth. However, these standard tools often fall short when it comes to effectively cleaning the inner sides of the spaces between teeth. This challenge has inspired the development of a new interdental cleaning tool that features a resilient outer covering. This design allows the tool to compress as it's inserted into the narrow gaps between teeth, subsequently expanding to effectively clean the inner surfaces.
Existing interdental cleaning tools typically consist of a body made from resin, featuring a grip portion for easy handling and a shaft that extends from it. The leading end of the shaft is usually equipped with a resin cleaning head that may include bristles. When using these tools, the user holds the grip while the shaft bends to accommodate the positioning of the teeth, allowing the cleaning portion to reach between them. For instance, when addressing back teeth, the shaft often requires a significant bend to navigate effectively, facilitating thorough cleaning in those hard-to-reach areas.
This innovative design not only enhances cleaning efficiency but also addresses the limitations of conventional tools, making oral hygiene more effective and comfortable.
Toothpicks have long been utilized to eliminate debris between teeth; however, they often fail to produce an effective cleaning action when inserted between adjacent teeth. Most conventional toothpicks are made from wood or poorly constructed plastic, which can lead to gum irritation and even bleeding. Moreover, these tools typically lack the strength needed for prolonged cleaning effectiveness once positioned between the teeth.
Examining the current use of interdental brushes reveals additional issues. While these brushes aim to improve oral hygiene, their sole reliance on brushing can sometimes stimulate the gums, leading to frequent bleeding. Furthermore, they may not adequately remove food particles and plaque, reducing their overall effectiveness. Continuous use of interdental brushes can also result in unpleasant odours due to poor cleanliness, particularly from bacterial growth.
A significant shortcoming of both toothpicks and interdental brushes is their inability to scrub away residue or extraneous buildup from the teeth effectively. This limitation underscores the need for an improved tool that not only cleans but also scrubs and scrapes away stubborn deposits.
Food debris and bacterial plaque can accumulate on teeth over time if they are not effectively scraped. This invention introduces a novel scraping mechanism designed specifically to remove such residue, addressing a gap in existing dental tools.

It is widely recognized within the dental community that brushing alone often fails to clean teeth thoroughly, especially in the areas between them. As a result, flossing and other cleaning methods are recommended alongside brushing to maintain optimal oral hygiene. The proper use of toothpicks can also significantly enhance this routine, particularly in cleaning the spaces between teeth.
While many types of toothpicks are available and commonly used, most have circular or square cross sections, which present several disadvantages. Given that the gap between two adjacent teeth has a triangular cross section, traditional toothpicks do not fit well within these spaces. Consequently, when used for cleaning, they fail to make effective contact with the proximal surfaces of the teeth, leading to inadequate removal of food particles.
Additionally, the mismatch in cross-sectional shape can irritate and injure the gum tissue between adjacent teeth. Traditional toothpicks also lack sharp rear edges, limiting their ability to penetrate into the deeper pockets of the gaps, further diminishing their cleaning effectiveness.
This invention seeks to resolve these issues by introducing a toothpick design that more closely aligns with the natural geometry of the spaces between teeth, ensuring a more effective and gentle cleaning action.
Effective oral hygiene necessitates a consistent and thorough cleaning regimen to eliminate food particles and plaque from teeth. While toothbrushes are the most commonly used tools for this purpose, they often fall short in cleaning specific areas, particularly the interproximal spaces between adjacent teeth and the surfaces near or beneath the gum line.
The interproximal space, which is somewhat triangular in shape, typically contains gingival tissue known as the gingival papilla. The gums, or gingiva, cover the alveolar bone and surround the teeth, playing a crucial role in oral health. Proper alignment and contact between adjacent teeth create the necessary spacing for the gingival tissue to attach securely, providing protection for both the teeth and underlying bone. A shallow pocket, or sulcus, forms near the gum line at the junction of the tooth and gum, further complicating cleaning efforts.
Moreover, teeth do not have a uniform shape; they often feature indentations or developmental depressions on their surfaces. These irregularities can make thorough cleaning challenging, even for dental professionals. In particular, the developmental depressions on the opposing vertical surfaces of adjacent teeth can be especially difficult to access and clean effectively.
Given these challenges, it is evident that there is a need for improved dental tools that can adequately reach and clean these hard-to-access areas, ensuring better oral hygiene and overall dental health.
Traditionally, dental floss has been the primary tool for patients to remove plaque from between their teeth outside of a dentist's office. When used correctly, dental floss can effectively clear plaque from interproximal spaces through a sliding action. However, the shape of teeth often causes the floss to ride along the corners, preventing it from effectively reaching developmental depressions. Additionally, tight contacts between adjacent teeth can make it challenging to insert the floss. While it is sometimes possible to force it through, this can traumatize sensitive gum tissue due to the rebound effect.
Furthermore, dental floss is inadequate for cleaning the gum line pockets on the lingual (tongue-side) or facial (cheek-side) surfaces of the teeth.
In addition to floss, several rigid toothpick-type devices have been developed for dental cleaning and scraping. For instance, U.S. Patent No. 2,016,597 describes a triangular, tapered device designed to clean teeth and stimulate gums. Its tapered shape allows it to fit into interproximal spaces, and the triangular cross-section enables engagement with tooth surfaces. However, this design can become lodged between tightly adjacent teeth and is often too bulky for effective sub-gingival cleaning.
As plaque accumulates in areas that these tools cannot adequately clean, gum irritation increases, deepening the pockets between teeth and gums. This environment fosters further plaque build-up and can lead to gingivitis, an inflammation of the gum tissue. If the condition progresses deeper, it is classified as periodontal disease, which involves inflammation of the tissues supporting the teeth. Often referred to as pyorrhoea, this disease becomes more prevalent with age and is characterized by red, swollen gums that may bleed easily during brushing. In advanced cases, the gum tissue can thicken and scar, potentially receding and exposing tooth roots. As periodontal disease progresses, the attachment of the gum to the tooth is lost, leading to resorption of the alveolar bone and eventual tooth looseness, which can result in tooth loss.
Both gingivitis and periodontal disease are primarily caused by microorganisms that form plaque on the surfaces of teeth, particularly within the gingival pocket or sulcus and in developmental depressions. As plaque calcifies, it transforms into calculus or tartar, which is much harder and cannot be effectively removed with regular brushing or dental floss; instead, it requires professional chiseling to eliminate.
Prevention is critical when it comes to these dental issues. Unfortunately, traditional cleaning methods come with several significant drawbacks. For instance, dental floss necessitates the use of both hands for effective manipulation and is most effective when used in front of a mirror. This limitation makes it difficult to use floss during idle moments, such as while watching television or commuting.
Due to the limitations of these tools, many individuals have resorted to chemical solutions to eliminate bacteria in the mouth. However, this approach can have undesirable side effects, as these chemicals often indiscriminately kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria essential for oral health.
Using dental floss can also be cumbersome, particularly in areas where teeth are in close contact-often at the crowns. To successfully insert floss between teeth, it typically needs to be forced through these tight contact areas. However, when there isn't enough space, this can lead to the floss shredding or breaking instead of passing through, further complicating effective cleaning.
Interdental cleaners, including toothpicks, have been used for many years, with plastic toothpicks gaining popularity in recent times. An early example is found in JP-1979-170098U, which describes a toothpick with a hard synthetic resin body partially coated with a softer synthetic resin. This soft portion is designed to help remove dental plaque and debris from the teeth.
Interdental brushes, on the other hand, typically consist of a spine with multiple bristle filaments attached. The spine is often made from twisted metal wire, which secures the bristles. Various patents, including EP 0 680 707 B1, US 4,691,404, and others, detail different designs of interdental brushes. For instance, EP 0 680 707 B1 introduces brushes with varying bristle thicknesses to provide different sensations of hardness across the brush.
EP 1862090B1 introduces an interdental brush featuring a resilient transition portion with a hollow cavity. This design allows the spine to bend smoothly when inserted into hard-to-reach spaces, particularly at the back of the mouth. The resilient portion also provides cushioning, protecting gums and teeth from potential damage during use.
US 3,720,975 addresses insertion challenges by employing a conical brush head. In this design, the bristles at the distal end are shorter than those closer to the handle, facilitating initial entry into the cervical areas of adjacent teeth and creating a wedge for the longer bristles behind them. However, this conical shape often results in a short effective stroke length, quickly becoming too thick for comfortable insertion into the interdental space.
Similarly, US2005/257338 A1 also features a conical brush design with a tapering tip to simplify entry into interdental spaces. This patent discusses various embodiments with tapering tips, achieved by rotating the brush head to form cutting edges that shape the bristles. While innovative, this approach can complicate manufacturing, requiring intricate cutting processes that increase production costs.
Despite the availability of these interdental cleaners and toothpicks in the market, many still present significant drawbacks. Some toothpicks have weak structures that lead to breakage during use, while others feature inefficient brush portions that fail to clean thoroughly. Additionally, certain toothpicks can be uncomfortable to grip and may slip during use. Overall, many existing interdental cleaning tools are difficult for users to handle effectively.
There is a clear demand for a user-friendly device that promotes thorough daily teeth cleaning alongside regular brushing, aiming to prevent plaque accumulation in interproximal spaces, developmental depressions, and gum line pockets. This approach is essential for thwarting the formation of tartar.
Prevention is key to effective oral health. Unfortunately, many existing devices have significant limitations. For instance, dental floss typically requires two hands for proper use, and is most effective when utilized in front of a mirror. This restricts its use during idle moments, such as while watching television or commuting. As a result, some individuals resort to chemical solutions to eliminate bacteria in the mouth. However, this can have unintended consequences, as beneficial bacteria are often destroyed along with harmful ones.
Thus, there is a pressing need for a toothpick design that addresses the shortcomings of previous options, providing a superior oral hygiene tool for preventive dentistry. An ideal oral hygiene device would offer various features to enhance the experience of maintaining dental health.
Moreover, improvements are still necessary for facilitating the smooth insertion of an interdental cleaning tool between back teeth. Users are looking for tools that offer excellent usability, particularly in these challenging areas.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide a toothpick with rubber coating for efficient interstitial tooth space cleaning and method of manufacturing.
The main objective of the present invention is to provide a toothpick with rubber coating for efficient interstitial tooth space cleaning and method of manufacturing.
Yet another objective of the present invention is providing toothpick made up of plastic core skeletal structure and coated with upper rubber layer for efficient.
A further object of the invention is to device that the device effectively and efficiently cleans or flosses the area between the teeth, and also the area between the inter-dental papilla and the inter proximal surface of the tooth, it is desirable to provide an alternative dental flossing device using a flossing filament with increased effectiveness and efficiency.
Another object of the present invention is to provide eco-friendly process for manufacturing with recyclable plastic waste.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for interdental cleaning which does not requires brush or bristles as the operation part and only relied on pin point tip of the distal end portion coated with rubber for smooth cleaning of the interdentally accumulated plaque.
Further, object of the present invention is to provide head with holding gear that provide elevated grip and slit that bar opening of compass beyond certain angular limit.
Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide inter-dental cleaner which comprises a gripping portion and a cleaning portion formed by an elongate body made from a thermo plastic material.
Another object of the present invention is to provide process of molding plastic part that have easy to adapt and cost effective approach over the state of art technology.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an interdental cleaning tool which can improve the cleaning property on a side surface of a tooth and between teeth while suppressing a decrease in the insert ability of a cleaning portion between teeth.
Further, object of the present invention is to provide the inter-dental cleaner which is improved over prior art and which eliminates or at least mitigates the drawbacks discussed above.
Another object of the present invention is to provide the toothpick with holding means having hollow ring, connect inclined transition portion and operation portion.
A further object of the invention is to provide process for manufacturing the said device through two part mold assembly that provides fast and finished product in the economical way.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide solution in form of apparatus or toothpick which will overcome the drawbacks of existing toothpicks which are harmful for gums as their structure and designs are not accessible in given area of inter-dental triangles of gingival.
Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus which is designed professionally by the Dentist considering anatomical structures of gums and teeth.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the following Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a dental toothpick for removing food and plaque deposits from areas of the teeth and gums. The present invention provides unique solution pertaining to inter-dental cleaning with three portions: i.e. operating portion, grip portion and intermediate arched portion. The operational portion have acute pin point tip that can be inserted between teethes to accumulated plaque or food particles. The overall design of toothpick provides easy to reach and safe to operate property when compared with conventionally available toothpicks. The invention also provides coating of the rubber layer over the whole plastic skeletal portion that further provides unique covering in terms of soft surface that diminish chances of injury while operation. The present invention provides easy safe and efficient inter-dental cleaning of interior portion of mouth cavity due to its intrinsic structural property i.e. ring shape griping portion having rubber coat and arced shaped intermediate portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Other Objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following brief description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 illustrates perspective side view of apparatus or toothpick (10)
Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective side view of apparatus (10) by end user operating demonstration where the easy to use and effective control can be seen from the diagram
Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective side view of molar teeth cleaning by the apparatus (10)
Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective top view and side view of apparatus (10) that demonstrates grooves and essential portion of apparatus with common numbering
Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective top view side view with dimension of each component in preferred embodiment of the apparatus
Fig. 6 illustrates apparatus (15) in another embodiments
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanied drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments, as depicted in different figures as described above and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
Fig, 1 describes perspective apparatus of toothpick (10) that have following portions:
i. Griping portion (20)
ii. Intermediate arced Portion (30)
iii. Operating portion (40)
The apparatus or toothpick provided herewith contains rubber coated gripping portion, intermediate arced portion and operating portion. The rubber coating in the apparatus (10) serves different objectives in the present invention i.e. gripping portion serves as alleviated holding means to operate toothpick in minute degree, coating at intermediate portion provides smooth operation in case of encountering with other teeth, coating at operation portion provides soft operation that minimize the gum injury during close encounter with inter-dental cleaning. The grooves (for reference 22) provided on the outer circumference serves dual purpose i.e. effective gripping through grooves and also provides pockets for heat stamp or press which interlocks the rubber over the plastic ring.
Fig.1 illustrates a perspective side view of apparatus or toothpick (10) that denotes essential components with rubber coating. The coating of rubber contains inventive features that provides unique object to the present apparatus considering uniform coating or thickness in the all three parts of the apparatus. The said coating is difficult to withstand or make integrated structure as operation portion (40) have acute tip of the plastic, gradual cone shape arrangement at Intermediate arced portion (30) and ring shaped conical shape of gripping means (20). The Intermediate Grooves (41) provided in the apparatus serves identical object of slot (22), interlocking rubber portion with plastic skeletal at intermediate region.
Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective side view of end user operating demonstration where the easy to use and effective control can be seen from the diagram. The said figure depicts the crucial aspect of the operation for the present apparatus (10). As illustrated in the figure the end user can hold gripping portion (20) where pointing finger (15) is passed into cavity (23) [as shown in Fig. 1] while the thumb (25) rested on corresponding outer surface of gripping portion (20). The said operating practice provides minute degree control over the fine angular movement of the tip (42) [as shown in Fig. 1], where the pointing finger (15) will provide pivotal movement to the apparatus (10) and thumb (25). The apparatus (10) provides fine control to the end user for efficient inter-dental cleaning through intrinsic design characteristics of three parts as,
• Gripping portion (20) provides fine-tuned degree control of the apparatus inside the mouth cavity
• Intermediate arced Portion (30) provides connecting means with effective curvature that ultimately facilitates to deliver pivotal movement of the gripping portion (20) to operating portion (40) particularly end tip (42) for effective cleaning of inter-dental region in the mouth
• Operating portion (40) provides tool to effectively clean the inter-dental space with one sharp tip (42) without any brush or bristles at the direct contact of teeth
Fig. 3 depicts the operating condition of the apparatus in molar region of teeth. The said figure demonstrates the inter-dental cleaning of inner part of the moth cavity. The design of the apparatus (10) facilitates the use of apparatus with ease (as depicted in Fig. 2), where the said apparatus due to its intrinsic inventive constructional features provides access to interior region of molar teethes. The area which does not easy to access provides efficient cleaning to end user who selects the present apparatus. The construction feature described in the earlier para implied to the present figures also. The following constructional feature in the present invention,
• Gripping portion (20) of having grooved on outer surface and circular hole in the center to have pivotal movement
• Intermediate arced Portion (30) having gradual inclined angular portion with 45 degree to 90 degree disposal of operating tip
• Operating portion (40) having single tip that pin point acute tip (42) that provides single point of contact which can penetrate space of inter dental teeth
The present invention provides following aspects of the apparatus (10),
• In first aspect an inter-dental cleaner which comprises a gripping portion and a cleaning portion formed by an elongate body made from a thermo plastic material. The cleaning portion has a coating which comprises a heat-vulcanized rubber material and which forms peripheral tip (42). An inter-dental cleaner of this kind is advantageous since the combination of materials and the heat-vulcanization provides a favourable balance between stiffness and flexibility. The active part of the cleaner contributes to an efficient cleaning process.
• In a second aspect, an inter-dental cleaner is suggested which comprises a gripping portion and a cleaning portion formed by an elongate body made from a thermo plastic material. The cleaning portion is provided with a coating with a heat-vulcanized rubber material forming peripheral. The heat-vulcanized rubber material comprises a thermo set silicone based rubber. This design is favourable, since the durability of the silicone rubber enhances the use of the inter-dental cleaner.
• In a third aspect is directed to an inter-dental apparatus to provide the tool with three portion in which each parts designed with optimum size to render easy, safe and effective cleaning wherein gripping portion provides finite degree control through lateral and angular movement of device for marginal narrow space in molar portions of teeth in upper and lower side
• In a forth aspect of the present invention is to provide rubber coated apparatus that coves the whole plastic device with tight intercross conjugation through dedicated slot or pocket in gripping (20) and intermediate arced Portion (30) through heat process of injection moulding where rubber will be locked in plastic slots
• In a fifth aspect is directed to an inter-dental cleaner with a gripping portion and a cleaning portion made from a thermoplastic material. The cleaning portion is provided with a coating which comprises a heat-vulcanized rubber material and which forms peripheral, flexible brush members. Furthermore, the cleaning body portion tapers towards the free end of the same and it is provided with axial ridges and groove.
The silicone material is a thermoset rubber which has proven to be very useful for this kind of manufacturing process and which has the aimed-at properties of the interdental cleaner, in terms of adhesion to the substrate of the toothpick, efficient cleaning suitable flexibility and comfortable gripping and use. Preferable materials for the substrate to which the coating is applied are polyamides, in particular polyamide type.
In one embodiment, the rubber material comprises a thermoset rubber, preferably silicone based rubber which has specific favorable properties. The heat vulcanization creates chemical crosslinks in the thermoset rubber which enhances the structure of the interdental cleaner.
The applicant has developed the concept of a composite material by combining plastic and rubber parts to provide strength and weight optimization, considering their individual availability in the market.
This feature enhances the longevity of the compass, particularly considering that users, often children, may inadvertently misuse the compass by fully extending it in a casual manner.
Fig. 4 presents a perspective side sectional view of the apparatus (10) of the present invention. The said figure provides side view and top view of the apparatus (10). This apparatus (10) manufactured from plastic part using an environmentally friendly extrusion process, contributes strength to apparatus when affixed to the rubber. This precise dimensional alignment of the plastic and rubber components collectively facilitates ease of assembly and imparts economic advantages to the toothpicks. The said figureprovide depiction about the apparatus (10) for interdental cleaning which does not requires brush or bristles as the operation part and only relied on pin point tip of the distal end portion coated with rubber for smooth cleaning of the interdentally accumulated plaque.
Fig. 5 denotes the dimension of each essential portion or part in the apparatus (10). The dimension of each component is crucial in the present apparatus as finite combination all component will going to provide efficient cleaning. Therefore, as preferred embodiment applicant has provided dimension of the component in Fig. 5 where height, width and length of overall apparatus has been provided. It is submitted that these data do not limit the scope of invention in any manner.
Fig. 6 depicts possible variant of the present apparatus (10) as another preferred embodiment. The said apparatus (16) identical arrangement of operating portion where tip dimension and inclined intermediate portion are same as provided in the previous embodiment (10). The gripping portion (17) has been multi-facet arrangement with fine gripping. The said facets may be depending on the ultimate dimension of the gripping portion. The user can axially rotatefor effective movement of the tip. The present apparatus does not require to provide loop or hole at gripping portion due to intrinsic design arrangement (i.e. multi-facet)of the present apparatus provided in instant embodiment.
The present invention boasts a manufacturing process that yields benefits in terms of environmental impact and carbon footprint, achieved by conscientiously considering these factors during the development of each component.
It is observed that state of art provides toothpicks with single material i.e. plastic, wood or metal content. It is pertaining to note the toothpick made up of having major content of plastic then it lead to provides light weight characteristic but related to possibility of injury and alleviated user experience manufactures faces compromised on the counter part. In contrary, if the toothpicks made up of major content of plastic then strength and user experience was satisfactory but due to intrinsic property of sharp edges the final product might be risky to use. In order to prepare the composite compass following points need to be provided:
• Intactness of diversified materials (i.e. Rubber and Plastic)
• Cost of product
• Complexity in manufacturing specifically to combine or joint the rubber and plastic parts
In order to bring combined property of the plastic and rubber the present invention designed or crafted with the mindfulness to take advantageous properties of plastic i.e. light weight and cost effectiveness and on the other hand rubber used with the perspective to provide immunity from injury in gums due to softness of the material.
The injection molding preferred in the two part where different plastic material can be conjugated with regards to have two different characteristic into one final product. This plastic molding technology combines two materials or two different color materials into one ending plastic part using a two part injection molding machine.
The process of selection of material is crucial as while using a two part injection molding technology process, the choice of material will be the most important factor for the project's success. Two completely opposite polymers can be used for a ready-to-use product. The process uses the two part injection molding process mainly due its advantage to use for products that have to meet several special function or appearance requirements. For example, some products must be waterproof, drop-resistant, and dust-proof. Other products must have a variety of colors on the surface to meet aesthetic requirements. Some products may also require a good grip and touch. This includes realizing effects such as a soft-touch surface, an ergonomic design, a two-tone appearance, water tightness of a product, shock absorption, moisture resistance or making plastic parts anti-slip.
The advantage for two part molding process are:
• High precision and stable quality
• Good structural strength and long service life
• Good appearance
• It lowers production costs and increases the value of composite products
The present invention relates to provide specifically crafted rubber and plastic parts that corresponds with each other to provide special grooves and pockets that facilitates arrangement in rubber and plastic without use of adhesives.
The present invention provides environment friendly product through use of recycled plastic as a raw material to prepare the plastic components i.e. basic skeletal of apparatus having gripping, operating and intermediate portions of apparatus.
The present invention also satisfies the International standards provided in the state of the art for quality, safety and user comfort experience in the field of dental products.
The use of harsh chemical during plastic component manufacturing is avoided in the process that also provides environmental friendly approach to the present process.
For preferred method of plastic recycling following steps followed in the present invention:
i. Collection of plastic waste
The first stage of recycling plastic waste involves the collection of discarded plastic materials. This can be done through various channels, such as curbside collection, drop-off centers, or specialized recycling programs. Efficient collection systems ensure a steady supply of plastic waste for recycling facilities.
ii. Sorting and categorizing
Once collected, the plastic waste goes through a sorting process. Here, different types of plastics are separated based on their composition, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), HDPE (high-density polyethylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and more. Sorting enables effective recycling since different types of plastics require different recycling methods.
iii. Shredding and washing
After sorting, the plastic waste undergoes shredding, where it is broken down into smaller pieces. These shredded pieces are then thoroughly washed to remove any contaminants, such as dirt, labels, or residual content. Cleaning the plastic ensures a higher quality of recycled material.
iv. Melting and pelletizing
The cleaned plastic shreds are melted down and formed into small pellets through a process called extrusion. These pellets serve as the raw material for manufacturing new plastic products. The melting and pelletizing stage is crucial for transforming plastic waste into a usable form.
v. Manufacturing plastic arm through molding products
The recycled plastic pellets are now ready to be utilized in the production of plastic parts arm. By using recycled plastic, applicant contributes to a circular economy and reduce their dependence on virgin plastic.
vi. End-of-life options
Eventually, product of presently molded may reach to the end of their life cycle. At this stage, various end-of-life options exist, including further recycling, composting, or energy recovery through incineration. Implementing effective waste management strategies ensures that recycled plastic waste is not wasted but is utilized in the most environmentally friendly manner. The present invention is easy for dissemble also that provides unique advantage for use recycle the used plastic parts. Plastic waste is a pervasive problem in our modern society, with billions of tons produced each year. Unfortunately, a significant portion of plastic waste ends up in landfills or as litter in our oceans, causing severe pollution and harm to wildlife. To address this issue, recycling plastic waste has emerged as a vital solution.
Plastic recycling plays a pivotal role in reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste. By recycling plastic, we can conserve natural resources, minimize energy consumption, and prevent the release of harmful greenhouse gases during the production of new plastic materials. Additionally, recycling helps divert plastic waste from landfills and reduces the need for virgin plastic production, which requires significant amounts of fossil fuels.
Plastic waste has become a significant environmental concern, with its detrimental effects on ecosystems and human health. Recycling plastic waste is crucial to mitigate these issues and conserve resources. In this article, we will explore the step-by-step process of recycling plastic waste and discuss its environmental benefits, challenges, and future prospects.
Reference numerical:
10. Apparatus or toothpicks
15. Pointer finger
20. Gripping portion
25. Thumb
22. Grooves or slot
23. Hole
30. Intermediate arced Portion
40. Operating portion
41. Intermediate Grooves
42. Tip
, Claims:I claim,
1. A Toothpick device (10) with improved operating mechanism for efficient interdental cleaning of teeth comprising,
at least one holding means as gripping portion (20) to firmly grasp the toothpick device;
at least one connecting means as an Intermediate Arced Portion (30) to connect the holding means and operating means in angular manner;
at least one acute means as operating portion (30) to remove plaque for efficient interdental cleaning of teeth with minute momentum received from gripping portion and conveyed through intermediate arced portion;
Wherein, the gripping portion (10), intermediate arced portion and operating portion are coated with resilient means to prevent any severe contact with adjacent teeth and gums to avoid injuries while operation.
2. The Toothpick with improved operating mechanism for efficient interdental cleaning of teeth as claimed in claim 1 wherein,
the gripping portion (20) is circular ring structure that have central hole to facilitate pivotal movement of the device though thumb and pointer finger.
3. The Toothpick with improved operating mechanism for efficient interdental cleaning of teeth as claimed in claim 1 wherein,
the intermediate arced portion (30) have inclined portion that gradually bends, towards the operating portion, with the range upto 90 degree.
4. The toothpick with improved operating mechanism for efficient interdental cleaning of teeth as claimed in claim 1 wherein,
the gripping portion (20) and the Intermediate arced Portion (30) have grooves (22) and pockets that provides interlocking to the upper layer of resilient coating without use of an adhesive.
5. The toothpick with improved operating mechanism for efficient interdental cleaning of teeth as claimed in claim 1 wherein,
the base skeletal of the device prepared from the recycled plastic that will be coated with resilient rubber to provide thin cover to the device.
6. The process for manufacturing the Toothpick with improved operating mechanism for efficient interdental cleaning of teeth as claimed in claim 1 wherein,
a two part continuous mold used in the process to provide finite finished arrangement to the upper layer of resilient coating to the skeletal structure of recycled plastic material.
Dated 08th November 2024

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