EP1387647A1 - Porte-fil dentaire comprenant un mecanisme d'avancement et de tension - Google Patents

Porte-fil dentaire comprenant un mecanisme d'avancement et de tension

Info

Publication number
EP1387647A1
EP1387647A1 EP01941495A EP01941495A EP1387647A1 EP 1387647 A1 EP1387647 A1 EP 1387647A1 EP 01941495 A EP01941495 A EP 01941495A EP 01941495 A EP01941495 A EP 01941495A EP 1387647 A1 EP1387647 A1 EP 1387647A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
floss
housing
supply
tensioning
winding gear
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Withdrawn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
EP01941495A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Mark C. Bergman
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.)
Individual
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 EP1387647A1 publication Critical patent/EP1387647A1/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Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • A61C15/046—Flossing tools

Definitions

  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • the device is difficult to enhance the tension on the floss after the user releases
  • 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
  • flossing device which is easy to hold, safe to use, separates the new and used floss, is easy to
  • the present invention provides a hand-held flossing device
  • the housing 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.
  • a disinfectant supply comprising a germicide, antiseptic, anti-microbial,
  • the housing is preferably openable to
  • a winding reel is rotatably attached to the housing and the free
  • Used floss may pass through the disinfectant supply and then wrap
  • the reel preferably is combined with a winding gear and extends
  • a one-way catch allows the winding gear to ratchet.
  • the housing has a handle area and an arm extending from the handle area.
  • extending arm preferably has an F-shaped profile and comprises a floss exit arm and a floss
  • 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
  • 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.
  • the knob is compression fit or friction fit into the housing
  • the handle is tapered and
  • a new floss spool is preferably coreless, i.e. , it does not
  • conical shaped receiving opening facilitates re-entry into the housing of used floss that may
  • the receiving opening may be enlarged to facilitate re-entry and threading
  • width W. of the receiving opening may be substantially
  • exit arm is also generally either enlarged, elongated, or funnel-shaped to facilitate the
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • the device is easy to hold. The simplicity of construction of the device and the ability
  • the device is
  • 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.
  • 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
  • FIG. 6 is a top view of a flosser having an extension arm bent to the left when looking
  • FIG. 7 is a top view of a flosser having a extension arm bent to the right when looking
  • FIG. 8 is a side view of a flosser bent downward according to a fourth embodiment of
  • FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a flosser according to a fifth embodiment of
  • FIG. 10 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the invention, where the extension arm
  • FIG. 11 is a side view of a seventh embodiment of the invention where the extension
  • FIG. 12 is a side view of an eighth embodiment of the invention where the extension
  • 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
  • FIGS. 15a and 15b are side views of a tenth embodiment of the invention having an F-
  • FIG. 16 is a side view of the flosser and disinfectant supply according to an eleventh
  • a flossing device in a preferred embodiment has
  • a flosser 2 has a generally elongated
  • the device including a handle 6 and an extension arm 8.
  • the device is shaped so that
  • 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.
  • substantially rectangular, allows one to maximize the amount of floss supply to fit whatever
  • 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
  • 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
  • the floss 15 exits the J- or F-shape to an exposed area 30 and returns into the housing
  • the axle 40 (winding reel) is
  • Gear 22 has serrations 44 on its periphery
  • ratchet arm 46 (FIG. 5), such as a spring clip.
  • the winding gear may be advanced by a user holding handle 6 by pulling or pushing
  • axle 40 is
  • 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
  • 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
  • the winding gear 22 may be
  • the floss supply spool is, in effect, locked off by the tension button pinching the floss
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • spool can be inserted in the compartment with sufficient floss to be threaded to the rest of the
  • axle 40 at its free end, e.g. , by means of a monofilament leader at the
  • the handle preferably tapers so that the handle can be sufficiently thick to readily hold
  • extension arm or flossing arm is sufficiently thin to be easy to maneuver within the
  • An extension arm having a J-shape instead of two V-shaped prongs avoids
  • 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.
  • FIGS. 6-10 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,
  • FIG. 7 is the same as the extension or flossing arm 8a
  • This arm 8b is
  • a detent mechanism including detent surface 67 of the handle and a projection
  • FIG. 8 is also the same as that of FIGS. 1-5, but it has
  • a suitable cover can be any suitable cover.
  • FIG. 9 shows a pocket-size version of the device which has the
  • FIGS. 1-5 same components as that of FIGS. 1-5, but has a handle 6b and a square-shaped cross section
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • opening 86 and receiving opening 34 preferably have an enlarged, funnel (cone with the
  • tensioning button 124 is preferably friction fit into a channel in the housing 4g.
  • 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
  • the tensioning button 124 is halfway between the unlocked and
  • the fresh floss may be further
  • button 124 is pinched, e.g., between the upper portion of the housing and the hole in the
  • the winding gear 22 may be further wound. Other means of pinching the floss or
  • FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the receiving opening 34b and entrance arm
  • the outer edge of the receiving opening 34b may be rounded to further reduce friction on
  • FIG. 14 shows a device that may also comprise a generally F-shaped extension arm 8
  • the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 may additionally comprise a disinfectant
  • a locking and tensioning button 124 is preferably friction fit into, or shaped to sit
  • the tensioning button 124 has first and second ends 126, 128
  • buttons of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 also comprises a groove or channel 146, which is
  • the floss 15 from the floss supply 14 sits in the groove 146 in the tensioning button
  • the flosser may be configured so that the bottom end
  • the winding gear 22 may be further wound. Used
  • the flosser comprises a disinfectant supply 90, the used floss 15
  • the disinfectant supply preferably passes through, or is wiped by, the disinfectant supply as it passes through the
  • 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
  • a fresh floss supply path may
  • a winding gear 22 is disposed along the supply line. Fresh
  • 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.
  • plate 138 may be comprised of materials, including but not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel and plastic.
  • winding gear 22 may be positioned on the top or bottom of
  • FIG. 15a may include a tensioning button 124a to tension the
  • the tensioning button 124a works in essentially the same
  • floss 15 in the exposed area 30g may be further tensioned by pushing ends 126a or 128a on
  • winding gear 22 may be rotated
  • a pawl (not shown) or ratchet arm e.g. , as shown in FIGS. 1-5)
  • New floss may engage the gear to prevent counterclockwise rotation. New floss may be threaded by disengaging the pawl so that the floss will freely feed.
  • FIGS. 1-15 may also include a disinfectant supply 90 (FIG. 16) to
  • the disinfectant supply includes an anti-microbial, antiseptic, germicidal,
  • floss returning into the housing through receiving opening 34
  • a disinfectant supply may be located in extension arm 8g, but is preferably located in entrance arm 94g and in
  • 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
  • openable and closable structure may be provided in the housing for access to the spool area to
  • FIGS. 12 and 12a show an example of a rethreadable device where the
  • Each mechanism 140 includes a pin 144 projecting from one housing half and a
  • a winding reel could also extend externally of the housing 4 and thus the used floss can
  • the supplied floss may also be readily removed and the new floss readily wound thereon.
  • the supplied floss may also be readily removed and the new floss readily wound thereon.
  • the supplied floss may also be readily removed and the new floss readily wound thereon.
  • the supplied floss may also be readily removed and the new floss readily wound thereon.
  • the supplied floss may also be readily removed and the new floss readily wound thereon.
  • the supplied floss may also be readily removed and the new floss readily wound thereon.
  • the supplied floss may also be readily removed and the new floss readily wound thereon.
  • the floss can be externally located with respect to the housing 4. Accordingly, the floss can be externally located with respect to the housing 4. Accordingly, the floss can be externally located with respect to the housing 4. Accordingly, the floss can be externally located with respect to the housing 4. Accordingly, the floss can be externally located with respect to the housing 4. Accordingly, the floss can be externally located with respect to the housing 4. Accordingly, the floss can be externally located with respect to the housing 4. Accordingly, the floss can be externally located with respect to the housing 4. Accordingly, the floss can be externally
  • 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.

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)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un porte-fil dentaire portatif comprenant un logement (4) doté d'une poignée (6) pouvant être tenue par une main. Une alimentation de fil dentaire (14) est placée dans le logement (4) et un engrenage d'enroulement (22) est monté rotatif dans le logement (4). Une extrémité libre du ruban de fil dentaire (15) provenant de l'alimentation de fil dentaire (14) est enfilée à travers le logement (4) dans un bras de sortie de fil dentaire (92) du logement (4) où elle passe à travers une ouverture de sortie (86) dans une zone exposée (30) du bras de fil dentaire (8). Le fil dentaire utilisé retourne dans le logement (4), via une ouverture de réception (34), où il passe à travers une alimentation facultative de désinfectant (90) avant l'enroulement sur l'engrenage d'enroulement ou pendant cet enroulement (22). L'engrenage d'enroulement présente une dent (44) coopérant avec une butée, de manière à former un engrenage à cliquet monodirectionnel.
EP01941495A 2001-05-18 2001-05-18 Porte-fil dentaire comprenant un mecanisme d'avancement et de tension Withdrawn EP1387647A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2001/015990 WO2002094118A1 (fr) 2001-05-18 2001-05-18 Porte-fil dentaire comprenant un mecanisme d'avancement et de tension

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1387647A1 true EP1387647A1 (fr) 2004-02-11

Family

ID=21742582

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01941495A Withdrawn EP1387647A1 (fr) 2001-05-18 2001-05-18 Porte-fil dentaire comprenant un mecanisme d'avancement et de tension

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1387647A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002094118A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4110227A4 (fr) 2020-02-24 2024-03-20 Richard P. Bushman Porte-fil dentaire avec tendeur de fil dentaire
WO2023218325A1 (fr) * 2022-05-09 2023-11-16 Bushman Richard P Porte-fil dentaire avec tendeur de fil dentaire

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3746017A (en) * 1972-02-14 1973-07-17 J Casselman Dental floss holder and applicator
US4518000A (en) * 1983-04-27 1985-05-21 Leverette Edward H Dental floss applicator
US5105840A (en) * 1990-05-16 1992-04-21 Giacopuzzi Guy G Dental floss holder
US5269331A (en) * 1991-12-04 1993-12-14 Tanriverdi Verdi F Automatic locking and adjustable tension controlled dental flosser

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO02094118A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2002094118A1 (fr) 2002-11-28

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