Flavored function specific toothpicks

Abstract

A flavored toothpick and a method for preparing such, the product exhibiting improved capacity for delivering flavor and additives to the user, among other advantages. The toothpick may be prepared by pretreating the wooden substrate to increase porosity and decrease hardness. The toothpick is then immersed in a solution containing an additive, a masking agent, and a sweeting agent, where the toothpick absorbs the solution. Alternatively, the toothpick may be placed with the solution in a sealed chamber under vacuum pressure to infuse the toothpick with the additive solution and any desired flavoring.

1 . A flavored toothpick comprising a substrate of unitary construction, the substrate being formed of a wood material, the substrate having been pre-treated using a pretreatment flowing or agitated wash, so that heavy cellulose and other constituents of wood of the toothpick are carried away, to obtain an increase in porosity and a decrease in hardness. 
     
     
         2 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is straight. 
     
     
         3 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is formed of birch wood. 
     
     
         4 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 1 , wherein the wood material is pre-treated using a wash of warm water in the temperature range of approximately 150° F. 
     
     
         5 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 1 , wherein the hardness of the toothpick is decreased by more than 50%. 
     
     
         6 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 1 , wherein the porosity of the substrate is increased by more than 30%. 
     
     
         7 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 1 , wherein the toothpick is infused with a biologically active compound. 
     
     
         8 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 7 , wherein the toothpick is also infused with a masking agent and a sweetener to accompany the biologically active compound. 
     
     
         9 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 1 , wherein the flavored toothpick comprises a flavoring infused into the substrate so as to approach a nearly homogeneous distribution. 
     
     
         10 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 1 , wherein the wash comprises a solution with a pH above 7. 
     
     
         22 . A flavored toothpick comprising a substrate of unitary construction, the substrate being formed of a wood material, the substrate having been pre-treated using a wash comprising a solution with a pH above 7 to obtain an increase in porosity and a decrease in hardness. 
     
     
         23 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 22 , wherein the substrate is straight. 
     
     
         24 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 22 , wherein the substrate is formed of birch wood. 
     
     
         25 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 22 , wherein the hardness of the toothpick is decreased by more than 50%. 
     
     
         26 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 22 , wherein the porosity of the substrate is increased by more than 30%. 
     
     
         27 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 22 , wherein the toothpick is infused with a biologically active compound. 
     
     
         28 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 26 , wherein the toothpick is also infused with a masking agent and a sweetener to accompany the biologically active compound. 
     
     
         29 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 22 , wherein the flavored toothpick comprises a flavoring infused into the substrate so as to approach a nearly homogeneous distribution. 
     
     
         30 . The flavored toothpick of  claim 22 , wherein the wash is flowing or agitated so that heavy cellulose and other constituents of wood of the toothpick are carried away.