Device for delivering substances to a selected environment such as the human mouth and method for making the same
An article of manufacture delivers a substance to a selected environment. In an embodiment, the article includes a substrate with at least a portion formed of a porous first material into which an active ingredient is impregnated, and a protective layer of a second material extends over a surface area of said portion to reduce degradation of the active agent. The article may be an oral device, such as a toothpick or chewing stick. The porous first material may be bamboo, and the protective layer is optional. An optional anti-stick layer covering a portion of the protective layer is also disclosed. A method for producing the oral device is also disclosed.
1 . An article of manufacture adapted to deliver a desired substance to a selected environment, comprising:
(A) a substrate having at least a portion thereof that is formed of a selected porous first material;
(B) an active agent impregnated in said portion; and
(C) a protective layer formed of a second material extending over a surface area of said portion, said layer being operative to reduce degradation of said active agent.
2 . An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said protective layer of material is selected to break down in the selected environment.
3 . An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said substrate is entirely formed of said porous first material.
4 . An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said active agent is a volatile oil.
5 . An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said active agent is selected from a group consisting of: flavors, anti-craving compounds, medicaments, herbal extracts, analgesics, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, and fatty acids.
6 . An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said second material is selected from a group consisting of: gum arabic, inulin and mixtures thereof.
7 . An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the selected environment is a human mouth, said portion of said substrate being sized and adapted to be placed in the mouth of a person.
8 . An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said substrate is configured as an elongated rod.
9 . An article of manufacture according to claim 8 wherein said elongated rod is configured as a toothpick.
10 . An article of manufacture according to claim 1 including an anti-sticking compound applied to the protective layer.
11 . An oral device adapted to be received in a person's mouth, comprising:
(A) a substrate having at least an insert portion thereof that is formed of bamboo and that is sized and adapted to be placed in the mouth of a person; and
(B) an active agent impregnated within said insert portion.
12 . An oral device according to claim 11 including a protective layer formed of a second material extending over a surface area of said portion, said layer being operative to reduce degradation of said active agent.
13 . An oral device according to claim 12 wherein said second material is selected such that said protective layer will break down in an oral environment.
14 . An oral device according to claim 12 including an anti-sticking compound applied to the protective layer.
15 . An article of manufacture according to claim 11 wherein said substrate is entirely formed of said porous first material.
16 . An article of manufacture according to claim 11 wherein said active agent is a volatile oil.
17 . An article of manufacture according to claim 11 wherein said active agent is selected from a group consisting of: flavors, anti-craving compounds, medicaments, herbal extracts, analgesics, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, and fatty acids.
18 . An article of manufacture according to claim 11 wherein said substrate is configured as an elongated rod.
19 . An article of manufacture according to claim 18 wherein said elongated rod is configured as a toothpick.
20 . An oral device adapted to be received in a person's mouth, comprising:
(A) a substrate having at least an insert portion thereof that is formed of a selected porous material and that is sized and adapted to be placed in the mouth of a person;
(B) an active agent impregnated within said insert portion; and
(C) a protective layer of material extending over a surface area of said insert portion, said layer being operative to reduce degradation of said active agent; and
(D) an anti-stick layer formed over at least a portion of said protective layer.
21 . A method of producing an oral device that adapted to be received in a person's mouth, comprising:
(A) providing a substrate having at least an insert portion thereof that is formed of a selected porous material and that is sized and adapted to be placed in the mouth of a person;
(B) impregnating said insert portion with an active agent; and
(C) forming a protective layer of second material over a surface area of said insert portion wherein said layer is operative to reduce degradation of said active agent.