EP1265516A1 - Procedes et appareil permettant d'encourager l'utilisation de fil de soie dentaire - Google Patents

Procedes et appareil permettant d'encourager l'utilisation de fil de soie dentaire

Info

Publication number
EP1265516A1
EP1265516A1 EP00917858A EP00917858A EP1265516A1 EP 1265516 A1 EP1265516 A1 EP 1265516A1 EP 00917858 A EP00917858 A EP 00917858A EP 00917858 A EP00917858 A EP 00917858A EP 1265516 A1 EP1265516 A1 EP 1265516A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
dental floss
shape
container
coupling
providing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00917858A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1265516A4 (fr
Inventor
Michael B. Perlin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SMILEY TOOTH FLOSS Corp
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1265516A1 publication Critical patent/EP1265516A1/fr
Publication of EP1265516A4 publication Critical patent/EP1265516A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C15/00—Devices for cleaning between the teeth
    • A61C15/04—Dental floss; Floss holders
    • A61C15/043—Containers, dispensers, or the like, e.g. with cutting means

Definitions

  • the field of the invention is dental hygiene.
  • nylon or polyethylene threads are employed in some dental flosses to prevent breakage
  • other dental flosses utilize Gore-Tex or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to assist gentle abrasion of plaque.
  • PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene
  • the dental floss may be coated or impregnated with a scented or aromatized composition to augment the aesthetic appeal.
  • improved materials for dental floss generally help to reduce breakage or to improve gliding, one may perceive the improvement as rather a reduction in annoyance than a motivation to regularly floss.
  • dental floss is packaged in a generally box-shaped container. While a box-shaped container may be sufficient for mere storage of the dental floss, box-shaped containers tend to be unattractive, and are often impracticable where such containers are carried with a person, and therefore reduce the likelihood of using dental floss.
  • box-shaped containers tend to be unattractive, and are often impracticable where such containers are carried with a person, and therefore reduce the likelihood of using dental floss.
  • Endelson, R.A. describes in U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,755 a credit card shaped dental floss container, which can conveniently be carried in a person's wallet.
  • a dental floss container is in the shape of an anthropomorphic tooth.
  • the creative oth-shaped dental floss container may tend to serve more as a toy than as an instructional tool to encourage use of dental floss.
  • the "Plaque Attacker Dental Floss Knot” a package is entirely omitted and a plurality of precut dental floss is bundled together in a knot.
  • potential problems may arise due to the exposure of the remaining precut segments of dental floss to moisture or other undesirable hygienic conditions, thereby rendering floss knots often unattractive to users.
  • dental floss is replaced by a rotating filament that is inserted into an interdental space (e.g., Interclean Appliance by Braun/OralB).
  • Interclean Appliance by Braun/OralB
  • Cleaning of interdental spaces with a rotating filament is advantageous because rotating filaments are generally less damaging to the gingiva surrounding the teeth.
  • cleaning with rotating filaments typically requires the purchase of a battery-operated device, and the filaments have to be periodically replaced which further adds significant costs.
  • interdental spaces may also be cleaned with a focused stream of water from an oral irri- gator. Oral irrigation is especially desirable where bridges, dentures or crowns at least partially obstruct or prohibit the use of dental floss.
  • the present invention is directed to a method of encouraging use of dental floss.
  • a person is educated that the use of dental floss promotes health of teeth
  • the education is coupled to providing dental floss in a container having a shape and color of a healthy tooth, thereby encouraging the person to use dental floss by displaying a desirable outcome of regularly using floss.
  • the coupling comprises temporal, structural and proximal coupling, wherein preferred temporal coupling comprises educating and providing the person with the dental floss within lhour.
  • Preferred structural coupling comprises providing a pictogram or printed instruction and presenting the pictogram or printed instruction on the container, and preferred proximal coupling comprises providing a printed instruction and presenting the printed instruction on a package enclosing the dental floss container.
  • the step of educating comprises a pictogram or printed instructions, which may or may not be printed onto the floss container.
  • the dental floss is preferably fabricated from nylon, polyethylene (PE) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and the shape of the container has a shape of a triple-root molar, a double-root molar, a premolar or an incisor.
  • a dental floss is flavored with an aroma of a fruit
  • a dental floss container has a shape of the fruit.
  • the aroma is artificial
  • contemplated fruits include a strawberry, a raspberry, a cherry, a banana, a coconut, and an apple.
  • Figure 1 is a flowchart of a method of encouraging a person to use dental floss according to the inventive subject matter.
  • Figures 2A-C are perspective views depicting exemplary dental floss dispensers according to the inventive subject matter.
  • FIGS 3 A-F are side views of further exemplary dental floss dispensers according to the inventive subject matter. Detailed Description
  • a general method 100 of encouraging a person to use dental floss has a step 110 in which the person is educated that using a dental floss promotes a healthy tooth, and another step 120 in which the education is coupled with providing dental floss in a container having a shape and color that signifies a healthy tooth, thereby encouraging the person to use the dental floss.
  • the person is a young teenager, which is educated by two pictograms depicting how to properly use dental floss and a brief printed statement that emphasizes that proper flossing reduces plaque formation and thereby promotes healthy teeth. Both the pictograms and the statement are preferably printed onto the dental floss container.
  • the dental floss is a mint-flavored waxed nylon tape, and preferably disposed in a spool within a holding space of the dental floss container.
  • the dental floss container has a shape of a double-root molar with an overall height of 4-5cm, and a preferably white or slightly off-white color.
  • the top portion of the container further has a lid that is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and a portion of the dental floss that is not on the spool is accessible from the outside of the container when the lid is in the open configuration.
  • the dental floss is cut from the supply on the spool utilizing a metal tongue that is coupled to the top portion of the container by cutting the floss in a movement of the floss relative to the container.
  • the user need not be limited to a young teenager, but may include various alternative members within the demogra- phic spectrum.
  • education of children age 5 to 12 years i.e., while the children still have their 'baby' teeth
  • regular flossing habits may be engrained more effectively than in older persons.
  • persons in the age group 13-30, and older are also contemplated.
  • a preferred interpersonal education may be an instruction on why and how to use dental floss by a dental hygienist, a parent, a schoolteacher, or even a member of the peer group of the person.
  • Preferred education on radio or television may include an infomercial on why and how to use dental floss, preferably by a dentist or dental hygienist, and education by providing printed material preferably includes booklets, pamphlets, or flyers.
  • the printed information is either disposed on the dental floss container, or a on a package enclosing the dental floss container.
  • especially preferred information comprises a pictogram and/or written instructions on why and how to use dental floss.
  • one goal of the education is a demonstration or description of the desired outcome of using dental floss, i.e., a picture, symbol, or description of a healthy tooth, wherein the picture, symbol or description is identical or exhibits strong resemblance to the shape and color of the dental floss container.
  • a dental floss container having shape and color of a healthy tooth will encourage the person to utilize dental floss. It should be especially appreciated that utilizing dental floss not only promotes healthy teeth, but also improves the health condition in body compartments other than the interdental space, including the gingiva, periodontal pockets, general oral cavity, and even the heart and lung [e.g., Ill effects of improper oral hygiene procedure. J Am Dent Assoc. 1980 Sep;101(3):476-80].
  • contemplated dental floss containers may be displayed on the outer surface of contemplated dental floss containers.
  • the education may further include providing information on differences in the material used for the dental floss, and information related to gingival health. Consequently, it is contemplated that appropriate dental floss in the dental floss container may be fabricated from a variety of materials, including natural and synthetic materials. For example, it is contemplated that appropriate dental floss is fabricated from nylon, PE, or PTFE.
  • contemplated dental floss may also comprise additives, including microbeads, a pharmacologically active substance, a substance or composition to enhance taste/flavor, an antibacterial substance, etc.
  • step of educating is coupled in a temporal coupling to providing the dental floss
  • educating and providing the person with the dental floss is preferably performed within one hour.
  • alternative times may include several minutes or hours, or one or more than one day may also be appropriate.
  • educational elements including pictograms and printed instructions are provided, and that the educational elements are presented on the dental floss container.
  • step of educating is coupled in a proximal coupling to providing the dental floss
  • educational elements including pictograms and printed instructions are provided, and that the educational elements are presented on a package enclosing the dental floss container.
  • the shape of the container has a shape of a double-root molar, and a general representation of an exemplary tooth-shaped dental floss container is depicted in Figure 2A.
  • the tooth-shaped dental floss container 10 in Figure 2A has an upper portion 20 and a foot portion 30.
  • the upper portion has an upper surface 26 A, and a plurality of sides 26B.
  • On one side 26B of the upper portion 20 is an opening 22, through which dental floss 40 is threaded from a supply of dental floss (not shown) disposed within the container.
  • a metal tongue 24 is situated next to opening 22, wherein the metal tongue can be used to hold and cut the dental floss at a desired length by inserting the floss between the container and the tongue and tearing the floss by moving the floss relative to the container.
  • the shape of the container need not be restricted to a double-root molar, but may in fact have a shape of a triple-root molar, a premolar, a canine, or an incisor.
  • the proportions of the dental floss container are identical or at least similar to the proportions of a human tooth, it is contemplated that alternative proportions are also appropriate.
  • the tooth shaped dental floss container may have a foot portion that is shorter than the upper portion (e.g., the foot portion may have an overall length of between 0.9-0.1 times the overall height of the upper portion), other containers may have an extended foot portion that is longer than the upper portion (e.g., the foot portion may have an overall length of between 1.1-4.0 times the overall height of the upper portion), so long as the tooth shaped dental floss container still signifies a healthy tooth.
  • the term "signifies a healthy tooth” as used herein means that the tooth is a visual representation of a teaching (i.e., education) of a healthy tooth.
  • a tooth shaped dental floss container with a foot having two white root shaped extensions and a white upper portion signifies a healthy tooth.
  • a relative abstract shape may be appropriate, so long as the shape still signifies a healthy tooth.
  • Abstract shapes of teeth may be especially advantageous, where the container is formed from a flat pack dispenser, and an exemplary abstract shape is shown in Figure 2C.
  • contemplated materials include natural and synthetic polymers, metals, and any reasonable combination thereof.
  • contemplated materials are polyethylene, polystyrene, and metals, including aluminum, chromi- urn, and alloys.
  • the shape of the dental floss container need not be restricted to a single tooth, but may comprise two or more teeth, and in an especially contemplated aspect the container may comprise a bitewing as shown in Figure 2B.
  • the bitewing 110 has an upper jaw 120 and a lower jaw 130, wherein the dental floss 140 is stored between the jaws (not shown), and the dental floss is pulled out from the container through the jaws, or through two teeth in the upper or lower jaw.
  • the foot may be sized and dimensioned such that the foot prevents water from being drawn via capillary action to the upper portion of the container, and especially contemplated feet have a height of at least 10%, more preferably at least 20% and even more preferably more than 40% of the overall height of the upper portion.
  • contemplated containers have their largest horizontal circumference in a position on the upper portion other than where the upper surface of the upper portion joins the sides of the upper portion (e.g., a convex configuration of the sides).
  • This configuration is especially advantageous where the dental floss container is utilized in a wet environment (e.g., a countertop in a bathroom), because the foot portion together with the point of largest circumference will position the upper surface away from a potential source of capillary water, when the container falls from an upright to a horizontal position.
  • a wet environment e.g., a countertop in a bathroom
  • containers with convex sidewalls and a foot that is narrower than the footprint of the upper portion are especially contemplated herein.
  • the upper portion may have a lid that is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.
  • lids are pivotably coupled to one side of the upper portion by a flexible connection that is preferably made from the same material as the container, and the upper surface of the lid may thereby have a shape and form similar to the surface (i.e., anatomy) of a tooth.
  • the dental floss container has a lid, it is contemplated that the opening and the tongue are located on the upper surface of the upper portion of the container such that the opening and the tongue are covered by the lid when the lid is in a closed configuration.
  • contemplated cutting mechanisms include devices in which the dental floss is cut without a movement of the floss relative to the container.
  • the foot portion and the upper portion may be movably coupled to each other such that the foot portion may partially slide into the upper portion.
  • foot and upper portion may have an overlapping area, and within the overlapping area an opening in corresponding positions with a pair of blades attached thereto.
  • a person is encouraged to more regularly use dental floss by providing a dental floss with an aroma of a fruit, wherein the dental floss is at least partially enclosed by a dental floss container that has a shape of the fruit.
  • the dental floss is preferably a nylon dental floss impregnated with an artificial strawberry aroma
  • the dental floss container is a strawberry-shaped flat pack-type container with a snap- type lid covering the area where the dental floss exits the container. It is also preferred that the strawberry-shaped container has a strawberry red color.
  • dental floss Various types of dental floss, techniques and aromas used to flavor dental floss are known in the art and are contemplated for use herein. Furthermore, the inventive subject matter is not limited to a particular type of dental floss, and a wide variety of dental floss other than nylon are contemplated, including cotton, PE, and PTFE. Likewise, various aromas other than an artificial strawberry aroma are appropriate, including natural and synthetic fruit aromas such as raspberry, cherry, bana- na, coconut, and apple aroma.
  • the shape of the dental floss container symbolizes a fruit, wherein the aroma on the dental floss determines the actual fruit that is used for the container.
  • a banana-flavored dental floss has a banana-shaped dental floss container.
  • Other contemplated shapes include a raspberry shape, a cherry shape, a tape, and exemplary fruit-shaped dental floss containers are shown in Figures 3A-F.
  • non-fruit containers may bear resemblance to vegetables producing undesirable breath, including an onion or a garlic bulb, thereby reminding a person to use dental floss after a meal containing such vegetables.
  • contemplated containers may further include in the stem a loop, opening or other element to which a key ring or suction cup may be affixed.
  • a flat pack-type format for contemplated containers is preferred, other formats including injection molded or otherwise formed containers are also appropriate.
  • the same considerations apply as for the tooth-shaped dental floss container previously described.
  • the dental floss container may have the shape of a cartoon character.
  • Cartoon character-shaped dental floss containers are especially advantageous, where it is an objective to motivate children to use dental floss more regularly. It is especially contemplated that cartoon character-shaped dental floss containers may be used in coupled with a teaching of a cartoon character to encourage using dental floss more regularly to render utilizing dental floss more appealing to children by providing a non-parental role model.
  • contemplated characters include Pokemon characters (e.g., Weepinbell, Tentacool, Geodude, etc.), Disney characters (e.g., Mickey Mouse, Goofy, The little Mermaid, etc.), Teletubby characters, Warner Brothers characters (e.g., Bugs bunny, Duffy Duck, etc.) and so forth.
  • the teaching educates children that regularly using dental floss promotes healthy teeth, and may be provided by various methods, including TN-ads, printed booklets, flyers, stickers, etc.
  • the dental floss in cartoon character-shaped dental floss containers may also be scented or aromatized to further increase the appeal of using dental floss.
  • the step of coupling the teaching with providing the dental floss the same consideration apply as already described above for the coupling of the education with providing the dental floss in the method of encouraging a person to use dental floss.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé permettant d'encourager une personne à utiliser un fil de soie dentaire, ladite personne étant informée que l'utilisation dudit fil de soie dentaire favorise la santé des dents. Ce fil de soie dentaire est placé dans un récipient (10) possédant une forme et une couleur symboles d'une dent saine (20)(30). Selon certains aspects, le récipient (10) de fil dentaire possède la forme d'une dent (20)(30), d'autres récipients (10) pouvant avoir la forme d'une prothèse (110). Selon d'autres aspects, le fil dentaire peut être parfumé par un arôme de fruit, et le récipient (10) peut présenter une forme de fruit (Figs. 3a-3f).
EP00917858A 2000-03-10 2000-03-10 Procedes et appareil permettant d'encourager l'utilisation de fil de soie dentaire Withdrawn EP1265516A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2000/006397 WO2001067928A1 (fr) 2000-03-10 2000-03-10 Procedes et appareil permettant d'encourager l'utilisation de fil de soie dentaire

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1265516A1 true EP1265516A1 (fr) 2002-12-18
EP1265516A4 EP1265516A4 (fr) 2004-10-06

Family

ID=21741138

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00917858A Withdrawn EP1265516A4 (fr) 2000-03-10 2000-03-10 Procedes et appareil permettant d'encourager l'utilisation de fil de soie dentaire

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1265516A4 (fr)
JP (1) JP2003526431A (fr)
AU (1) AU2000238765A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001067928A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7273327B2 (en) * 2003-06-20 2007-09-25 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US8322939B2 (en) 2003-06-20 2012-12-04 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
AU2011236127B2 (en) * 2004-08-11 2012-06-07 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
KR101416602B1 (ko) 2014-03-24 2014-07-09 주식회사 태영넷 치실케이스

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4308880A (en) * 1980-09-11 1982-01-05 Graves Rodney J Animated dental floss dispenser
US4986289A (en) * 1986-11-04 1991-01-22 Mcwhorter Charles E Packaged pre-cut dental floss product
US5097964A (en) * 1991-01-28 1992-03-24 Fitz Steven D Dental floss dispenser
EP0560386A1 (fr) * 1992-03-13 1993-09-15 Ingrid Richter Récipient ayant la forme de fruits, légumes ou quelconque autre forme

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD257402S (en) * 1978-10-31 1980-10-14 Denton David H Dental floss dispenser
USD311259S (en) * 1987-05-20 1990-10-09 Smith Rosemary M Dental floss container
US4903687A (en) * 1988-08-18 1990-02-27 Lih Sheng Ke Portable dental cleaning system
US5353820A (en) * 1992-02-06 1994-10-11 Gillette Canada Inc. Flavored dental cleaning article and method

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4308880A (en) * 1980-09-11 1982-01-05 Graves Rodney J Animated dental floss dispenser
US4986289A (en) * 1986-11-04 1991-01-22 Mcwhorter Charles E Packaged pre-cut dental floss product
US5097964A (en) * 1991-01-28 1992-03-24 Fitz Steven D Dental floss dispenser
EP0560386A1 (fr) * 1992-03-13 1993-09-15 Ingrid Richter Récipient ayant la forme de fruits, légumes ou quelconque autre forme

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO0167928A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2001067928A1 (fr) 2001-09-20
AU2000238765A1 (en) 2001-09-24
JP2003526431A (ja) 2003-09-09
EP1265516A4 (fr) 2004-10-06

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