EP1387647A1

EP1387647A1 - Flossing device with advancing and tensioning mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP1387647A1
Application number: EP01941495A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mark C. Bergman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-05-18
Filing date: 2001-05-18
Publication date: 2004-02-11
Also published as: WO2002094118A1

Abstract

A hand-held dental flossing device has a housing (4) with a handle (6) that may be held with one hand. A dental floss supply (14) is located in the housing (4) and a winding gear (22) is rotatably mounted to the housing (4). A free end of the dental floss strand (15) from the floss supply (14) is threaded through the housing (4) into a floss exit arm (92) of the housing (4) where it passes through an exit opening (86) to an exposed area (30) of the flossing arm (8). Used dental floss returns into the housing (4), via a receiving opening (34), where it passes through an optinal disinfectant supply (90) before or as it wound onto the winding gear (22). The winding gear has teeth (44) that cooperate with a stopper to form a one-way ratchet gear.

Description

FLOSSING DEVICE WITH ADVANCING AND TENSIONING MECHANISM

Cross-References to Related Applications

This patent application is related to U.S. Application Number 238,389, filed May 5,

1994, for FLOSSING DEVICE WITH ADVANCING AND TENSIONING MECHANISM, now United States Patent Number 5,495,863; and to co-pending United States Patent

Application titled DENTAL FLOSS WITH HIGH STRENGTH CORE AND WRAPPED

SHEATH, filed December 22, 2000, which are both incorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hand-held flossing device, which has a floss advancing mechanism and a simple-to-use tensioning mechanism for providing the floss with sufficient tension to be of practical use.

Description of the Related Art

Flossing regularly is important to dental health. However, flossing by holding the floss tightly between the user's two hands is cumbersome because it is hard to reach back teeth, and it is often hard to achieve sufficient tension without hurting one's hands. Moreover, it is not a sterile practice because the user's hands touch both fresh and used floss. To simplify flossing and avoid some of these problems, many flossing aids have been developed. In fact, an early flossing device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 754,851 issued Mar. 15, 1904 to Bessonet, which provides for a manually threaded fork and a tensioning screw to tighten the floss when

threaded. Because in this device the floss must be manually advanced and threaded, its use is

cumbersome.

Another flosser is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,666,877 to Cummer, which issued in

1928. Cummer notes that floss holders have the problem of maintaining the floss taut as it can stretch during use. He uses a spring-loaded actuator arm to try to solve the problem. U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,017 to Casselman, issued in 1973, discloses a floss holder that includes a

floss take-up reel for used floss. A new floss spool is insertable into and a used spool is removable from the device by means of a removable cover, which provides access to the

spools. New floss is pulled from the supply spool, threaded through the device and wrapped onto a take-up reel. A slide is movable to a position where the supply reel can rotate freely so

that floss can be advanced by rotating the take-up reel with the user's fingers. The slide is then

moved to a position where the supply reel is locked in place and tension on the floss may be increased by further rotating the take-up reel, due to a spring ratchet system. A problem with this system is maintaining tension. In addition, new floss must be threaded onto or separately

provided on a supply reel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,681 to Westbrook, et al. discloses a flosser that includes a take-up reel actuated to advance floss by a user pressing forward and downwardly on an actuator knob, which has notches that engage and advance the take-up reel. To lock the reel, the user lets go

of the knob which then retracts upwardly and rearwardly due to a spring bias, and locks the reel into place. The device is difficult to enhance the tension on the floss after the user releases

the knob. Yet another flosser is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,331 to Tanriverdi issued in

1993. It has supply and take-up reels. The floss is advanced by manually advancing the take-

up reel. A locking member prevents any rotation of the supply reel independent of the take-up reel. The take-up reel is rotated to feed new floss by manual advancement. Tension may be

provided by pressing and holding down a bulged portion of the case where the supply reel is located.

Other flosser devices are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos: 4,790,336;

5,038,806; 5,105,840; 4,660,584; 4,898,196; 5,029,593; 4,005,721; 4,817,642; 3,881,502; 3,592,203; 4,518,000; 4,151,851; 4,178,947; 4,008,728; 3,908,677; and 4,508,152.

What is needed is a flossing device that is simple to use in that it is easy to advance

floss and easy to provide enhanced tension to enable one to floss. What is also needed is a

flossing device which is easy to hold, safe to use, separates the new and used floss, is easy to

manufacture and is compact.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a hand-held flossing device

including a housing, preferably of plastic, which is generally toothbrush-shaped. The housing has a compartment for new floss, and a separate area for used floss. In a preferred

embodiment, there is a disinfectant supply comprising a germicide, antiseptic, anti-microbial,

or similar disinfecting composition for the used floss. The housing is preferably openable to

permit the user to replace a used spool with a new spool of floss; or a used disinfectant supply

with a new disinfectant supply. A winding reel is rotatably attached to the housing and the free

end of the floss is attached to the reel so that when the wheel is rotated, the floss will unwind from the new floss spool. Used floss may pass through the disinfectant supply and then wrap

around the winding reel. The reel preferably is combined with a winding gear and extends

outside the housing so that it can be advanced by the thumb or fingers of the user to advance

the floss. A one-way catch allows the winding gear to ratchet.

The housing has a handle area and an arm extending from the handle area. The

extending arm preferably has an F-shaped profile and comprises a floss exit arm and a floss

entrance arm. A tension knob or trigger is located on or in the housing. New floss passes from the spool through the tension trigger, through the floss exit arm of the extension arm and past

an open area where the floss is exposed. The floss then returns into the housing through a

receiving opening in the floss entrance arm and passes through an optional disinfectant supply. The floss then preferably attaches to the winding reel. The floss is advanced by winding the reel. The ratchet action of the reel with the one-way catch prevents loosening of the floss. To

tension the floss even more, the tension knob is pressed which pinches the floss to inhibit new

floss from being pulled from the spool and also enhances the tension. Further tension may be

applied to the floss by winding the take-up reel even more.

In a preferred embodiment, the knob is compression fit or friction fit into the housing

and has a slot through which a pin connected to the housing passes. The handle is tapered and

the housing is pen or pocketsize. A new floss spool is preferably coreless, i.e. , it does not

require a supply reel. The generally F-shaped profile of the extension arm provides better

tensioning, by making the exposed length of floss shorter, and also provides improved

maneuverability. There is a receiving opening in the floss entrance arm, and it preferably has

a generally elongated, conical (i.e. , funnel) shape to provide reduced friction on the floss. A

conical shaped receiving opening facilitates re-entry into the housing of used floss that may

have been shredded in use and assists the threading process during manufacturing or any

rethreading, but any appropriate shape may also be used.

Alternately, the receiving opening may be enlarged to facilitate re-entry and threading

of the dental floss strand. For example, width W. of the receiving opening may be substantially

larger than the width, W2, of the dental floss strand. Preferably, an exit opening in the floss

exit arm is also generally either enlarged, elongated, or funnel-shaped to facilitate the

threading process and advancement of the floss strand to the exposed area. The generally

enlarged, funnel or elongated shape of the exit and/or receiving openings additionally prevents

the edges of the openings from biting into the floss during ratcheting. Alternately, the receiving opening and/or exit opening may contain a roller mechanism to aid in the threading process and to pack the floss before it passes into, or out of, the respective opening.

A disinfectant supply comprising an anti-microbial, germicidal, anti-septic, anti¬

bacterial, or similar composition is optionally provided inside the flosser to apply a germicide,

or similar disinfecting composition, to the used floss. If there is a disinfectant supply, used

floss entering the housing through the receiving opening in the floss entrance arm preferably

passes through the disinfectant supply and is "wiped" with germicide as the used floss is

wound onto the winding reel. The disinfectant supply is especially advantageous in embodiments where the device is openable and the user removes and replaces the used floss.

The floss in the supply spool is round, oval, or eccentric, and is internally wound

which facilitates operation of the invention. The device preferably has a pocket clip and a

toothpick or a plaque pick is removably inserted into the device housing for convenience. The

device may be provided with a cover, which fits over the tapered housing at the F-shaped or J- shaped extension arm to improve appearance and to provide protection for the exposed portion

of the floss during storage. The device may be disposable or nondisposable with the new spool

compartment of the device being openable to insert another spool and the winding reel being

accessible to attach the end of the new spool.

The device is easy to hold. The simplicity of construction of the device and the ability

to easily enhance tension promotes use of the device to stop tooth decay. In fact, the device is

constructed so that it is easy for all to use regardless of age or ability, including the elderly who may have arthritis or the very young who may lack coordination. Moreover, the device provides a disinfecting agent and maintains separate sections for new and used floss to help prevent the spread of germs. It is quite useful for those with gum and mouth diseases and may even have application with HIV-positive persons.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages, features and aspects of the preferred embodiment of the

invention may be more apparent with reference to the detailed description to be read in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a flosser according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the flosser of FIG. 1 with its cover on;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the flosser with its side open to show internal components;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with a tensioning knob in the actuated position;

FIG. 5 is a partial view of the other side of the flosser with its side open to show the

other side of the internal components;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a flosser having an extension arm bent to the left when looking

down according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a flosser having a extension arm bent to the right when looking

down according to a third embodiment of the invention and in which the extension arm is pivotable left and right; FIG. 8 is a side view of a flosser bent downward according to a fourth embodiment of

the invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a flosser according to a fifth embodiment of

the invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the invention, where the extension arm

is bent downward;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a seventh embodiment of the invention where the extension

arm is pivotable up and down;

FIG. 12 is a side view of an eighth embodiment of the invention where the extension

arm has an F-shape and where the receiving opening is generally funnel-shaped;

FIG. 12a is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line 12a-12a of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the receiving opening of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a ninth embodiment of the invention where the flosser

comprises a disinfectant supply and where the receiving opening is generally funnel-shaped;

FIGS. 15a and 15b are side views of a tenth embodiment of the invention having an F-

shaped extension arm where floss from the exposed area fits into a groove on the entrance arm

and is wound around a knob; and

FIG. 16 is a side view of the flosser and disinfectant supply according to an eleventh

embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is

intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not

intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or

utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be

understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by

different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

In general, a flossing device according to the invention in a preferred embodiment has

an easy-to-use tensioning or locking button to increase the tension on the floss. In one

embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, a flosser 2 has a generally elongated

housing 4 including a handle 6 and an extension arm 8. Preferably, the device is shaped so that

it may be held like a toothbrush. There is a cover 10, which is fit over the extension arm 8 and

may be held thereon by a friction fit.

A spool 14 of floss 15 fits in a compartment 16 of the flosser. The floss spool is preferably round, oval, or eccentric and is internally wound. An eccentric shape, such as

substantially rectangular, allows one to maximize the amount of floss supply to fit whatever

design and shape exists for compartment 16 which, in turn, may be dictated by the handle design and shape. Internal winding enables the free end of the floss to be at the inside of the spool so that a winding reel for the floss supply is not needed, although one could be used

where externally winding the floss is desired.

The floss passes out of compartment 16 through a channel 18 past one side of a winding gear 22 and on through a tensioning button 24 having an aperture 26 through which the floss

passes. The floss continues on through channel 18 into the extension arm 8, which is

preferably generally J-shaped or F-shaped (and/or bent J- or F-shaped or pivotable J- or F-

shaped). The floss 15 exits the J- or F-shape to an exposed area 30 and returns into the housing

at a receiving opening 34 and passes through tensioning button 24 at an aperture 38. The floss

then passes to the winding gear 22 where it is fixed to an axle 40 (or winding reel) on an

opposite side of the gear as the floss when coming from spool 14. The axle 40 (winding reel) is

fixed to the gear so that rotation of the gear rotates the axle to wind the floss around the axle

and at the same time advance floss from spool 14. Gear 22 has serrations 44 on its periphery

which mesh with a ratchet arm 46 (FIG. 5), such as a spring clip. The ratchet arm and

serrations cooperate so that the winding gear rotates only in one direction to pull floss from

spool 14. The winding gear may be advanced by a user holding handle 6 by pulling or pushing

on an exposed portion of winding gear 22 proximate an opening 48 in the top of the housing. Whether the gear will be pulled or pushed depends on which way the serrations and ratchet

allow the gear to be wound. The portion of the floss wound on axle 40 is isolated in another

compartment 50 on the side of the gear 22 where the floss is attached to axle 40. The axle 40 is

rotatable with respect to the housing.

In the past, it has been difficult to achieve sufficient tension on the floss to perform flossing. Even where sufficient tension could be obtained, the mechanism to obtain it would be quite complex. In the invention, the single tensioning button 24 is used. It is preferably press fit into a channel in the housing and is normally kept in a first, low tension position (e.g. , FIG. 3) where the floss in channel 18 and the return floss pass substantially straight through the

button. After the user winds the floss to obtain fresh floss in the exposed area 30, the fresh

floss may be further tensioned by pressing button 24 so that the floss passing though the button 24 becomes out of alignment with the floss in channel 18 to lengthen the path of the floss and mainly to pinch it between the button and the housing, and thereby enhance the tension

thereon. (A horizontally slidable tensioning button which uses the same type of pinching action

may be used in place of a vertically movable button.) This pinching also inhibits advancing the

floss from spool 14. Accordingly, to further enhance the tension, the winding gear 22 may be

further wound, which will tighten the floss from the nearest point, i.e. , where it exits the

aperture 26 of the tension button 24 to the point where it attaches to axle 40.

The floss supply spool is, in effect, locked off by the tension button pinching the floss

between it and the housing. The floss which returns through button 24 to axle 40 passes

through a wide channel or no channel such that it will not be pinched by movement of the

button. Accordingly, the tension of the floss in the exposed area 30 is further enhanced by

ratchet action. The user then flosses until the exposed floss is spent. Then the user may further

advance the floss by moving the tensioning button back to the first position and by further winding gear 22. The user will then move the tensioning button back to the second position and

enhance the tension as needed for additional flossing. As can be seen from the drawings, the

operation of holding the flosser 2, advancing the floss using winding gear 22 and further

tensioning the floss using the tension button 24 can all be performed with one hand. The tension button 24 can be pushed from the top or bottom ot trie flossing device and so it is very simple to tension or release the floss.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, tensioning button 24 has an elongated hole 55 through which a pin 56 fixed to the housing 4 passes. The pin defines the limits of motion of the tensioning button so that the button will stay connected to the housing and so that the first and second positions of the button are defined.

The underside of handle 6 of the housing can have a pocket clip 60 attached to it similar

to a pocket clip on a pen. The housing may also have a slot 62 defined in it for receiving a

plaque pick 64 similar to a plaque or toothpick in a pocketknife. Housing 4 is preferably

injection-molded in left and right halves. The halves may be fixed together by known means,

such as screws 59, 66, glue, epoxy or by a sonic weld process. The flosser may be constructed to be disposable when the floss is used up or in such a way that the floss compartment 16 can

be exposed and the rest of the floss path so that the old floss can be removed and a new floss

spool can be inserted in the compartment with sufficient floss to be threaded to the rest of the

device and attached to axle 40 at its free end, e.g. , by means of a monofilament leader at the

free end.

The handle preferably tapers so that the handle can be sufficiently thick to readily hold

while the extension arm or flossing arm is sufficiently thin to be easy to maneuver within the

user's mouth. An extension arm having a J-shape instead of two V-shaped prongs avoids

sharp, exposed edges and is also easier to use in that the device may be held and used like a toothbrush. Yet, preferably, the extension arm is generally F-shaped, which further facilitates use and operation of the device by making the exposed length of floss shorter and providing better tension.

Alternative embodiments are shown in FIGS. 6-10 as follows:

FIG. 6 is the top view of a flosser substantially the same as the flosser of FIGS. 1-5,

except that the extension or flossing arm 8a is bent to the left, and FIG. 7 is the same as the

flosser of FIGS. 1-5, except that the extension arm 8b is bent to the right. These embodiments

may be easier for certain people to use to get at molars or wisdom teeth. This arm 8b is

pivotable left and right about a pin 65 (internally connected to handle 6), and is held at a

desired angle by a detent mechanism, including detent surface 67 of the handle and a projection

68 of the arm 8b. The embodiment of FIG. 8 is also the same as that of FIGS. 1-5, but it has

a handle 6a and slight downward bend of the flossing arm 8c, which may make it easier for

some users to reach different teeth. For the embodiment of FIG. 8, a suitable cover can be

designed. Obviously, any embodiment may be made with a suitable cover.

The embodiment of FIG. 9 shows a pocket-size version of the device which has the

same components as that of FIGS. 1-5, but has a handle 6b and a square-shaped cross section

and has a detent mechanism 70 to hold its cover 72. There may also be a plaque pick and clip

in this version. The spool in this version is longer and narrower, similar to the models shown

in FIGS. 10 and 11. However, the differences between the model of FIGS. 10 and 11 are that

FIG. 10 has a substantially angled extension arm 8d, while FIG. 11 has an up and down,

pivotable extension arm 8e. The extension arm of FIG. 11 is journaled to the rest of the housing about a pivot pin 80 and is held in place at the selected angle by means of tension detents 84 on the handle and a projection 82 on the extension arm similar to the side-to-side pivotable system of FIG. 7.

The embodiment of FIG. 12 shows a device having the same components as that of FIGS. 1-5, but having a generally F-shaped extension arm 8f including an exit opening 86 in the floss exit arm 92 and a receiving opening 34 in the floss entrance arm 94. The exit

opening 86 and receiving opening 34 preferably have an enlarged, funnel (cone with the

frustrum missing) or elongated shape to reduce friction on the floss. The shape of the opening

provides improved advancement of the floss 15, and smooth re-entry of used floss into the housing 4g and aids in manufacture by simplifying the threading process. A locking and

tensioning button 124 is preferably friction fit into a channel in the housing 4g. The tensioning

button 124 has first and second ends 126, 128 that define the limits of motion of the tensioning

button 124, so that it slides between an unlocked, or low tension, position and a locked, or

high tension, position.

As shown in FIG. 12, the tensioning button 124 is halfway between the unlocked and

locked positions. In the unlocked position (lower position of the button), used floss passes

substantially straight through an aperture 130 in the tensioning button 124. After the user

winds the floss to obtain fresh floss in the exposed area 30g, the fresh floss may be further

tensioned by pushing end 128 upward so that the used floss passing though the tensioning

button 124 is pinched, e.g., between the upper portion of the housing and the hole in the

button, thereby enhancing the tension thereon. (A horizontally slidable tensioning button that

uses the same type of pinching action may be used in place of a vertically movable button.)

This pinching also inhibits advancing the floss from spool 14. Accordingly, to further enhance the tension, the winding gear 22 may be further wound. Other means of pinching the floss or

otherwise fixing it at the button may be used, such as a clamp responsive to motion of the

button.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the receiving opening 34b and entrance arm

94. The outer edge of the receiving opening 34b may be rounded to further reduce friction on

the floss 15.

FIG. 14 shows a device that may also comprise a generally F-shaped extension arm 8

including an exit opening 86 in the floss exit arm 92, and a receiving opening 34 in the floss

entrance arm 94. The embodiment shown in FIG. 14 may additionally comprise a disinfectant

supply 90. A locking and tensioning button 124 is preferably friction fit into, or shaped to sit

in, a channel in the housing 4. The tensioning button 124 has first and second ends 126, 128

that define the limits of motion of the tensioning button 124, so that it slides between an

unlocked, or low tension, position and a locked, or high tension, position. The tensioning

button of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 also comprises a groove or channel 146, which is

preferably disposed slightly above the center point 148 of the tensioning button 124.

The floss 15 from the floss supply 14 sits in the groove 146 in the tensioning button

124, and is separated from the bottom half of the flossing arm by a ridge or septum 150 that

divides the top and bottom portions of the flossing arm 8. In the unlocked position, floss 15

glides substantially straight through groove 146 in the tensioning button 124. The user may

then advance fresh floss 15 from the floss supply 14, through the F-shaped portion of the

flosser arm 8, through opening 86, and to exposed area 30 by turning winding gear 22. To lock the tensioning button 124, the first end 126 is pushed downward so that the floss 15 sitting in groove 146 is displaced downward, thereby enhancing the tension thereon. (A horizontally slidable tensioning button that uses the same type of displacing action may be used in place of a

vertically movable button.). Alternately, the flosser may be configured so that the bottom end

128 is pushed upward in order to lock the tensioning button 124. To further enhance the tension of the floss 15 in exposed area 30, the winding gear 22 may be further wound. Used

floss returning to the housing 4 from the exposed area 30 is separated from the top portion of

the flossing arm 8 by the septum 150 and is wound onto the axle 40 as fresh floss 15 is

advanced to the exposed area 30 by turning winding gear 22 with the tensioning button 124 in

the unlocked position. If the flosser comprises a disinfectant supply 90, the used floss 15

preferably passes through, or is wiped by, the disinfectant supply as it passes through the

housing 4 to axle 40.

FIGS. 15a and 15b illustrate another embodiment of the invention having F-shaped

extension arm 8g including exit opening 86g in the floss exit arm 92g, and a receiving groove

or notch 132 in the floss entrance arm 94g. In this embodiment, a fresh floss supply path may

be configured as in any of the previously described embodiments so that fresh floss is guided to

the exposed area 30g.

In the embodiment of 15a, a winding gear 22 is disposed along the supply line. Fresh

floss exits through opening 86g in the floss exit arm 92g to the exposed area and is fit into a

groove or notch 132. A portion of the floss is then wound around a button or knob 134

disposed on the external surface of the housing 4g, preferably near the notch 132. The button or knob 134 may be disposed on the right, left, or both sides of the housing so that right or left-handed users can easily use the device. A plate or protrusion 138 having a raised portion 140 with sharp edges is disposed near the knob 134 and can be used to cut off used floss. The

plate 138 may be comprised of materials, including but not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel and plastic. Once the end of the floss 15 is wound around knob 143, fresh floss in the exposed area 30g can be further tensioned by rotating the winding gear 22.

The operation of further tensioning the floss in the exposed area 30g can be performed

with one hand. For example, the winding gear 22 may be positioned on the top or bottom of

the housing and rotated with the thumb while holding the device in one hand. In addition, or

alternatively, the embodiment of FIG. 15a may include a tensioning button 124a to tension the

floss in the exposed area (FIG. 15b). The tensioning button 124a works in essentially the same

manner as the tensioning button of FIG. 12. Once the floss 15 is wound around knob 134, the

floss 15 in the exposed area 30g may be further tensioned by pushing ends 126a or 128a on

tensioning button 124a. If a winding gear is also included, the winding gear 22 may be rotated

(clockwise in Fig. 15a) after pushing ends 126a or 128a to further enhance tension of the floss

15 in the exposed area 30g. A pawl (not shown) or ratchet arm (e.g. , as shown in FIGS. 1-5)

may engage the gear to prevent counterclockwise rotation. New floss may be threaded by disengaging the pawl so that the floss will freely feed.

The embodiments of FIGS. 1-15 may also include a disinfectant supply 90 (FIG. 16) to

disinfect used floss. The disinfectant supply includes an anti-microbial, antiseptic, germicidal,

or similar composition, and also helps prevent contamination of fresh floss. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-15, floss returning into the housing through receiving opening 34

passes through the disinfecting supply 90 before it is wound onto the winding gear 22, the floss being wiped with disinfectant. In the embodiment of FIGS. 15a and 15b, a disinfectant supply may be located in extension arm 8g, but is preferably located in entrance arm 94g and in

contact with groove 132, so that used floss is wiped with disinfectant as it passes in groove 132.

In all of the embodiments, the device may be reusable by making the floss supply spool re-loadable, and the winding gear rewindable (to remove used floss and to lock new floss into

it, e.g., by putting a slot in the axle 40 (winding reel or just the friction of wrapping some new

floss). A hinged door, slidable plate with tabs (like a battery compartment cover), or other

openable and closable structure may be provided in the housing for access to the spool area to

insert a new spool, and to the winding reel to remove the used floss. Alternatively, for example, instead of permanently attaching the two housing halves, these could be snap-fitted

together so that they may be unsnapped. This would simplify rethreading the new floss along

the supply path. FIGS. 12 and 12a show an example of a rethreadable device where the

housing halves snap-fit together by a snap-fit mechanism 140 at various locations of the

housing 4. Each mechanism 140 includes a pin 144 projecting from one housing half and a

ring 142 in the other housing half (FIG. 12a). The pin 144 friction fits inside the ring 142.

A winding reel could also extend externally of the housing 4 and thus the used floss can

be readily removed and the new floss readily wound thereon. The supplied floss may also be

externally located with respect to the housing 4. Accordingly, the floss can be externally

secured and/or externally windable.

Modifications and improvements of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the tensioning button may have first and second ends protruding from the sides of the housing rather than the top and the bottom of the housing. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:I claim:

1. A hand-held dental flossing device, comprising:

(a) a housing having a handle and an extension arm having a main body and a

top and a bottom;

(b) a dental floss supply disposed in the housing;

(c) a winding gear rotatably mounted to the housing for having a free end of a

dental floss strand from the supply attached to the gear, the winding gear having at least

a portion accessible from the exterior of the housing proximate the handle;

(d) means for tensioning the floss mounted to the housing and having floss

passing from the supply past the means for tensioning to the extension arm and

returning to the winding gear, the means for tensioning being movable from a floss

threading position where the floss strand is relatively loose so that it may be wound by

the winding gear to a floss locking position where the floss strand is locked so that the

floss is relatively tight and where, in response to further winding of the winding gear

with the means for tensioning in the floss locking position, the floss strand will be

further tensioned between the means for tensioning and the winding gear, wherein the

means for tensioning has a first portion accessible from outside the housing to actuate

the means for tensioning, whereby a user of the device can wind the floss and activate

the first means for tensioning using a hand which is holding the handle, and (e) a disinfectant supply comprising a disinfecting composition and being

disposed in the housing such that the dental floss strand passes through the disinfectant

supply as it returns to the winding gear from the extension arm.

2. The flossing device of claim 1, wherein the disinfecting composition comprises an

agent selected from the group consisting of anti-microbial, antiseptic, germicidal, anti-fungal

and anti-bacterial agents.

3. The flossing device of claim 1 wherein the extension arm further comprises a floss

exit arm and a floss entrance arm disposed generally perpendicular to a main body of the

extension arm.

4. The flossing device of claim 1 wherein the extension arm is generally F-shaped.

5. The flossing device of claim 1 further comprising a receiving opening and an exit

opening disposed oh the extension arm, wherein floss exiting the exit opening passes to an

exposed area, and floss entering the receiving opening from the exposed area passes to the

winding gear.

6. The flossing device of claim 5 wherein at least one of the receiving opening and exit

opening is generally funnel-shaped.

7. The flossing device of claim 5 wherein at least one of the exit opening and the

2 receiving opening is generally elongated in shape.

8. The flossing device of claim 1 wherein the main body of the extension arm

2 comprises an interior, and wherein the interior is divided by a septum.

9. A hand-held dental flossing device, comprising:

2 (a) a housing;

(b) a dental floss supply mounted to the housing;

4 (c) a winding gear rotatably mounted to the housing for having a free end of a

dental floss strand from the supply attached to the gear;

6 (d) a dental floss path formed in the housing from the supply to pass an exit

opening in an extension arm of the dental flossing device to an exposed area where the

s dental floss strand is exposed;

(e) a receiving opening formed in the extension arm to receive the dental floss

ιo strand from the exposed area;

(f) means for tensioning the floss mounted to the housing and having a floss

i2 threading position where the floss strand is relatively loose so that it may be wound by

the winding gear and a floss locking position where the floss strand is relatively tight so

i4 that winding the winding gear will further tension the floss strand; and wherein

(g) at least one of the receiving opening and exit opening is generally funnel-

i6 shaped.

10. The flossing device of claim 9 wherein the extension arm is generally F-shaped.

11. The flossing device of claim 9 further including a disinfectant supply comprising a

disinfecting composition.

12. The flossing device of claim 11, wherein the disinfectant supply is disposed in the

housing such that the dental floss strand passes through the disinfectant supply as it returns to the winding gear from the extension arm.

13. The flossing device of claim 11, wherein the extension arm includes a groove.

14. The flossing device of claim 13 further including a knob disposed on the housing,

such that floss from the exposed area moves through the groove and is wound onto the knob.

15. A hand-held dental flossing device, comprising:

(a) a housing having a handle and a generally F-shaped extension arm and a top

and a bottom;

(b) a dental floss supply mounted to in the housing;

(c) a winding gear rotatably mounted to the housing for having a free end of a

dental floss strand from the supply attached to the gear, the winding gear being

accessible from the exterior of the housing proximate the handle; s (d) means for tensioning the floss mounted to the housing and having a floss path from the supply past the means for tensioning to the extension arm and returning 10 to the winding gear, the means for tensioning being actuable between a floss threading position where the floss strand is relatively loose so that it may be wound by the i2 winding gear to a floss locking position where the floss strand is locked so that the floss

is relatively tight and where, in response to further winding of the winding gear with

i4 the means for tensioning in the floss locking position, the floss strand will be further

tensioned between the means for tensioning and the winding gear, wherein the means

i6 for tensioning has a means for actuating it accessible from an exterior of the housing;

(e) a receiving opening disposed in a receiving arm of the extension arm and an

is exit opening disposed in an exit arm of the extension arm; and

(f) a roller mechanism disposed in at least one of a the receiving opening and

20 exit opening, such that the dental floss strand moves through the roller mechanism as it

passes the through the receiving opening and/or the exit opening.

16. The flossing device of claim 15 further including a disinfectant supply comprising a 2 disinfecting composition.

17. The flossing device of claim 16 wherein the disinfectant supply is disposed in the

2 housing such that the dental floss strand passes through the disinfectant supply as it returns to

the winding gear from the extension arm.

18. The flossing device of claim 1, further comprising means for providing access to the dental floss supply and to the winding gear.

19. The flossing device of claim 9, further comprising means for providing access to the dental floss supply and the winding gear.

20. A hand-held flossing device comprising a housing having a handle, means for

holding floss, and a supply of at least one of an anti-septic, anti-bacterial agent, germicide, and

disinfectant for application to floss.