GB2122495A

GB2122495A - Dental floss instrument

Info

Publication number: GB2122495A
Application number: GB08219072A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Kenneth Levine
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-07-01
Filing date: 1982-07-01
Publication date: 1984-01-18

Abstract

An instrument to facilitate the use of dental floss in the removal of "plaque" from the teeth has a body which is arched or angled from a handle portion (1) towards a free end at which there is provided at least one abutment and a recess (6) to receive and retain, e.g. by wedging and/or cross over action, one end portion of a length of floss. The other end portion is wrapped round the index finger of the other hand from which the instrument is grasped, and the intermediate length then pulled taut by movement of the finger. The arched and hooked nature of the instrument facilitates placing of one end of the floss in all quarters of the mouth. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dental floss instrument This invention relates to the use of dental floss to clean the teeth.

With increasing knowledge of periodontal disease, and the dissemination of educational material relating to this disease, it has become known that the problem oftooth loss can be prevented wholly or partially by a simple daily exercise, generally known as "flossing the teeth". This consists of rubbing a surgical threadlike material around each tooth. The floss is usually held between two fingers, i.e. by wrapping it round the fingers a fewtimes so thatthe intervening length can be stretched taut between the fingers. It is usual to use the index fingers of both hands for the purpose. The one finger is then inserted in the middle of the mouth, and the otherfinger placed between the cheek and teeth and an up an down and to and fro rubbing action initiated.The procedure is difficultto exercise, espe ciallyforthe back teeth, and is cumbersome even for a manually skilled person.

Numerous devices to aid the user in "flossing the teeth" have been proposed, but have hitherto always made use of a rigid Y-shaped body with which the floss is stretched between the tips of the two arms of the "Y", imitating the use ofthe two index fingers. As the two "fingers" share the same stem, the use ofthe Y-shaped body severely limits the movement of the "fingers", in the mouth.

The primary object ofthe invention isto provide a novel instrument, for use in flossing the teeth, which facilitates entry of one end of the floss into all quarters of the mouth, e.g. to the rear ofthe teeth orthe remote side oftheteeth, and with which the action of moving the floss relative to the tooth is made much simpler than with use of two indexfingers, or the devices known hitherto.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a methodofflossingtheteeth utilisingthe improved instrument of my invention.

According to a first aspect ofthe invention, an instrument, for use in manipulating dental floss in the mouth, comprises a body having an arched or angled configuration from a handle end towards a free end, the free end portion of the body having abutment means projecting therefrom for engagement by a piece of dental floss to retain the floss against lateral movement relative to the free end portion.

In afirst preferred embodiment, the abutment means are formed as two curved hooks which are laterally spaced to define a recess to receive the floss.

At least part of the length ofthe body commencing from the abutment means is grooved along the outside ofthe arched or angled configuration to receivethefloss,anda projection is provided onthe body, e.g. atthe end of said groove, to serve as an anchoraboutwhich an end portion orthefloss may be wound.

In a second preferred embodiment, the abutment means is a hook, and two grooves are provided on the body and terminate at one end at each side ofthe hook.

In a third embodiment, the abutment means bounds a tapered recess into which the floss can be wedged.

The body may include a substantially linear handle portion, a substantially linear shank portion extending from an end of said handle portion and at an angle thereto, and a substantially linear stem portion extending from the free end of said shank portion and at an angle thereto, the free end portion of said stem having said abutment means.

According to another aspect ofthe invention, a method of using dental floss in the cleaning ofthe teeth, includes the steps of securing to the instrument described above, when grasped in a hand, one end portion of a piece of dental floss being engaged with the abutment means atthefree end thereof, and securing the other end portion ofthe dental floss to a finger maintained remote from the instrument.

The present invention is hereinafter particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. lisa side elevation of a first embodiment of flossing instrument; Fig. 2 is a partial side elevation, to a much enlarged scale, to show the head end of the flossing instrument; Fig. 3 is a partial front elevation on the same scale as Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a partial plan view, on the same scale as Fig.

2; Fig. 5 is a perspective elevation to show a first possible mode of use of the instrument in conjunction with the index finger of one hand; Fig. 6 is a view similarto that of Fig. 5, butwiththe instrumentturned through 90" for use in a lateral direction.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of flossing instrument; Fig. 8 is a front elevation ofthe instrument of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 shows an alternative possible method of use, applicable to the instrument of Figs. 1-5, orto the instrument of Figs. 7 and 8, Figs. 10-14 and Figs. 15 through 17.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are respectively a plan, underplan, and side elevation of a further embodiment; Fig. 13 is a view of a detail of Fig. 12, to a larger scale.

Fig. 14 is a section taken on the line XIV-XIV of Fig.

12; Fig. 15 is an elevation to showthe use of a still further embodiment; Fig. 16 is a side elevation,to an enlarged scale, of an end portion ofthe embodiment of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is an end elevation, to an enlarged scale, of the embodiment of Fig. 15.

Referring to Figs. 1-6, a first embodiment offlossing instrument comprises a handle 1 from one end of which extends at a slight angle, a tapered shank2.

From the free end of the shank 2 there extends again at a slight angle, a tapered stem 3. The angling ofthe shank 2 with respectto the body 1, and that of the stem 3 with respect to the shank 2, results in an "overhang" formation seen in Fig. 1 which permits entry of the free end ofthe stem 3 into all positions required in the mouth.

The free end of the stem is provided with abutment means in the form of two hooks 4,4which are spaced laterally by a gap 5 and which bound an opening 6.

Along the back upper edge ofthe stem 3 there is formed a shallow groove 7 which opens at the upper end into the gap 5, and which at its lower end terminates adjacent a button 8 secured, e.g. moulded, on the upper surface ofthe shank 2 adjacent to where itjoins to the stem 3.

In a first method of use, a length of dental floss 9 (see Figs. 5 and 6) is wound once around the button 8,the free end being if necessary clamped by the thumb 11 againstthe body 1 to stop it unwinding. The other end ofthe floss is laid in the groove 7 at the back of the stem and is passed into the gap 5 between the hooks 4 and is then wrapped several times round the index finger 10. The instrument as a whole is easily held firmly in the hand by grasping the body 1 between the thumb 11 and the palm ofthe hand, and the other fingers may be curled round the body for greater support. The index finger 10 is then moved awayfrom the instrument to pull the intermediate length offloss taut between the two.From this starting position, the stem 3 ofthe instrument can be readily passed into the mouth to the rear of a tooth, or between a tooth and the cheek, whilst retaining the intermediate length of floss sufficiently taut to permit both an up and down and ato andfro movementto be carried out.

In a first alternative arrangement, shown in Fig. 6, the instrument has been turned through 90 as compared with Fig. 5, and the stem 3 is assumed to be facing into the plane ofthe drawing. The floss is engaged, as before, aboutthe finger 10 at one end, and about the button 8 at the other end. However, in this case, the floss passes along the groove 7, then through the gap 5 between the abutment hooks 4, and then laterally through the opening 6through one of the hooks. This gives an alternative positioning of the instrumentwith the angled formation at right angles to the plane of the intermediate portion of the floss, and can facilitate insertion ofthe instrument head behind a tooth or atthe side of a tooth.

Although not illustrated, it will be appreciated that the position of Fig. 6 can be reversed, with the stem 3 ofthe instrument imagined as projecting from the plane ofthe drawing towards the viewer, again to give a further alternative position to assist entry of the head ofthe instrument where required in the mouth.

Referring nowto Figs. 7-9, there is shown a second embodimentofflossing instrument having a handle 1 a from one end of which extends at a slight angle a tapered shank 2a. From the free end of this shank there extends, again at a slight angle, a tapered stem 3a.

The free end portion ofthe stem is provided with abutment hook4awhich bounds an opening 6a.

Along the back upper face ofthe stem 3a, there are formed respective shallow grooves 7a, 7b, which at their upper end terminate adjacentthe opening 6a, and which atthe lower end terminate adjacent the button 8a.

In use, according to a second method, (see Fig. 9), a length of dental floss is wound once round the button 8a and the free end may be clamped by the thumb. The free end is then wrapped at one end several times round the indexfinger Fof one hand. The other end of the floss is laid in one or other ofthe grooves 7a, 7b depending on which one is more remote from the finger F, and is then passed through the opening 6a of the hook 4a. By suitable movement ofthe two hands thefloss maybe given an up and down, and also at and fro movement in the mouth.

Such an instrument provides the advantages of the rigidity ofthe other instruments already known in the art, but avoids the disadvantages of having both ends ofthe floss held by "fingers" which are both carried on a common stem and are thus immovable relatively one with respectto the other. The use of one rigid "finger" and the one mobile finger ensures the maximum facility when usingthefloss.

The instrument can be readily manufactured as an integral one-piece moulding of a suitable plastics material, and can be easily cleaned with a brush, or sterilised in hot water, ora suitable solution. Engagement ofthefloss with the instrument is simply a matter of placing the floss in the gap 5 (Fig. 1-5) or in the opening 6a (Figs. 7-8) and along the groove 7 or 7a or7b and then winding thefree end aboutthe button 8, or8a.

Referring to Figs. 10-14, the body 11 ofthe instrument includes a stem 12 having a rounded tip.

Along part ofthe upperface ofthe stem 1 2there is a wall 13 which, atthefree end ofthe stem 12, extends outwardly at a some lesser curvature so as to define, with the curved end surface ofthe stem, a tapered recess 14 adapted to receive and hold, by wedging action, a piece of dental floss which is laid along the body 1 1,from a securing button 15, along the upper surface 16 ofthe stem 12, at one side orthe other ofthe wall 13, then into the recess 14where it becomes wedged, andthence laterallyto the user's other hand orfinger.

The body of the instrument may be recessed, or hollow, to contain a store of dental floss ready for use, the required length being merely pulled out atthetime required, and then anchored by winding aboutthe button 8, or clamped againstthe body bythethumb or finger, similarlytothe manner shown in Fig. 5.

Referring nowto Figs. 15,16 and 17, there is shown a further embodiment and its manner of use. In this embodiment,the length of dental floss 2 is held securely by the instrument at two points, viz. at a first point which is intermediately along the body ofthe instrument, and at a second pointwhich is at the end ofthe instrument which can be inserted into the mouth. The instrument has a body 17 which includes a stem 18 on which is provided a securing button 19.

The underside of the button 19 is a frusto-conical and may have a relatively steep angle, i.e. nearer to cylindrical, or a relatively shallow angle, i.e. providing an acute-angled gap between it and the stem 18. With a steep angle, the dental floss 2 may become secured about the button 19 by a simple cross-over engagement, i.e. as the floss is passed at least once aboutthe button, the floss is pulled taut onto itself, and thereby becomes held by the button. With a shallow angle, the floss 22 becomes wedged in the acute-angled gap, and is thus held by wedging action. A combination of cross-over hold and wedging hold may be obtained by appropriate selection ofthe angle ofthe underside of the button.

The floss 22 is then passed along the top surface 1 8a of the stem 18 which may be plane, or have a groove (not shown). At its free end, the stem 18 has a substantially square-cut plane end face 18b, with radiused corners. Centrally on the end face there is provided a wedging element 20 which has equal and opposite wedging surfaces 20a and 20b. Each of these wedging surfaces forms, with the end face 18b, an acute-angled gap 21,21 adapted to receive the length offlossand cause itto become wedged therein.

The floss 22 passes across the end surface 18bfora firsttime at one side ofthe wedging element 20, then into one ofthe wedging gaps 21, then back across the endsurface '18b in the reverse direction at the other side of the wedging element 20, then into the other of the wedging gaps 21, and then a second time, in the initial direction, across the end surface 1 8b at the one side ofthe wedging element 20, and passes thence to the forefinger23 round which it is engaged for several turns, as at24.

Itwill be seen from Fig. 17 thatthe floss forms a sing le whole loop about the wedging element 20, and that loop is wedged twice at opposite portions. The length of floss might be, for example, about eighteen inches.

The preferred manner of use ofthe instrument is that a clean portion ofthe length of floss may be advanced from time to time, so thatthe clean zone may be applied in the mouth. The presence ofthe button 19facilitatesthis inthat,oncea portion has been used, i.e. intermediate the stem 18 and the finger 23, the floss is unwound from the button 19, and a fresh short length is allowed to pass to the free end of the stem 18. The end of the soiled floss is disengaged from the wedging element 20, and an end ofthe clean length is wedged in position at the end ofthe stem, about the wedging element 20, the clean length then extending from the wedging element 20 to the finger 23.

The floss may pass, initially, at either side of the wedging element 20. Whether the engagement ofthe floss.-aboutthe wedging element 20 is clockwise or anti-clockwise is immaterial.

The cross-over hold obtained on the floss 22 by the button 19 is appropriate to thefunction of using the button as a holding means, because the floss can be simply released by the thumb 24, holding it against the instrument 17, and the cross-over loop about the button 19then becomes slack without the floss needing to become completely disengaged from the button 19. The cross-over hold no longer applies, so thatthe new length of floss can slide along the stem 18 towardsthefree end thereof. On the other hand, the floss must beveryfirmly held during use, and the double wedging action ofthewedging element 20 ensures this.

Referring particularlyto Figs. and 17, itwill be seen that the wedging element 20 is elongated and has first and second ends. Afirstwedging surface extends towards one end, and a second wedging surface extends towards the other end. The respective gaps diverge away from each other in opposite directions.

The cross-over and wedging actions may be utilised singly or in combination at any point of securing or engaging of the floss on the instrument.

CLAIMS (filed on 23June83) 1. An instrument, for use in manipulating dental floss in the mouth, comprising a body having an arched orangled configuration from a handle end towards a free end, the free end portion of the body having abutment means projecting therefrom for engagement by a piece of dental floss to retain the floss against lateral movement relative to the free end portion.

2. An instrument, as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least part of the length ofthe body commencing from the abutment means has grooving along the outside ofthe arched or angled configuration to receive the floss.

3. An instrument, as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, comprising a projection on the body to serve as an anchoraboutwhich an end portion ofthefloss may be wound.

4. An instrument, as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least part ofthe length ofthe body commencing from the abutment means has grooving along the outside of the arched configuration to receive the floss, and wherein said projection is disposed atan end of said grooving.

5. An instrument, as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein said body includes a substantially linear handle portion, a substantially linear shank portion extending from an end of said handle portion and at an anglethereto, and a substantially linear stem portion extending from the free end of said shank portion and at an angle thereto, the free end portion of said stem having said abutment means.

6. An instrument, as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein said abutment means are formed astwo curved hooks which are laterally spaced to define a recess to receive the floss.

7. An instrument, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to Swherein said abutment means is a hook, and wherein two grooves are provided on the body and terminate at one end at each side of the hook.

8. An instrument, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the abutment means defines, with the free end of the body, a tapered recess into which the dental floss may be wedged.

9. An instrument, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the abutment means is a wedging element.

10. An instrument, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the wedging element extends from the free end ofthe body and at least one wedging gap is bounded by an end face ofthe body and an opposed wedging surface ofthewedging element.

11. An instrument, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the wedging element is elongated and has first and second ends, a first wedging surface thereof extend ing towards said first end, a second wedging surface thereof extending towards said second end, the respective gaps diverging away from each other in opposite directions.

12, An instrument, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the abutment means provides cross

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. appropriate selection ofthe angle ofthe underside of the button. The floss 22 is then passed along the top surface 1 8a of the stem 18 which may be plane, or have a groove (not shown). At its free end, the stem 18 has a substantially square-cut plane end face 18b, with radiused corners. Centrally on the end face there is provided a wedging element 20 which has equal and opposite wedging surfaces 20a and 20b. Each of these wedging surfaces forms, with the end face 18b, an acute-angled gap 21,21 adapted to receive the length offlossand cause itto become wedged therein. The floss 22 passes across the end surface 18bfora firsttime at one side ofthe wedging element 20, then into one ofthe wedging gaps 21, then back across the endsurface '18b in the reverse direction at the other side of the wedging element 20, then into the other of the wedging gaps 21, and then a second time, in the initial direction, across the end surface 1 8b at the one side ofthe wedging element 20, and passes thence to the forefinger23 round which it is engaged for several turns, as at24. Itwill be seen from Fig. 17 thatthe floss forms a sing le whole loop about the wedging element 20, and that loop is wedged twice at opposite portions. The length of floss might be, for example, about eighteen inches. The preferred manner of use ofthe instrument is that a clean portion ofthe length of floss may be advanced from time to time, so thatthe clean zone may be applied in the mouth. The presence ofthe button 19facilitatesthis inthat,oncea portion has been used, i.e. intermediate the stem 18 and the finger 23, the floss is unwound from the button 19, and a fresh short length is allowed to pass to the free end of the stem 18. The end of the soiled floss is disengaged from the wedging element 20, and an end ofthe clean length is wedged in position at the end ofthe stem, about the wedging element 20, the clean length then extending from the wedging element 20 to the finger 23. The floss may pass, initially, at either side of the wedging element 20. Whether the engagement ofthe floss.-aboutthe wedging element 20 is clockwise or anti-clockwise is immaterial. The cross-over hold obtained on the floss 22 by the button 19 is appropriate to thefunction of using the button as a holding means, because the floss can be simply released by the thumb 24, holding it against the instrument 17, and the cross-over loop about the button 19then becomes slack without the floss needing to become completely disengaged from the button 19. The cross-over hold no longer applies, so thatthe new length of floss can slide along the stem 18 towardsthefree end thereof. On the other hand, the floss must beveryfirmly held during use, and the double wedging action ofthewedging element 20 ensures this. Referring particularlyto Figs. and 17, itwill be seen that the wedging element 20 is elongated and has first and second ends. Afirstwedging surface extends towards one end, and a second wedging surface extends towards the other end. The respective gaps diverge away from each other in opposite directions. The cross-over and wedging actions may be utilised singly or in combination at any point of securing or engaging of the floss on the instrument. CLAIMS (filed on 23June83)

1. An instrument, for use in manipulating dental floss in the mouth, comprising a body having an arched orangled configuration from a handle end towards a free end, the free end portion of the body having abutment means projecting therefrom for engagement by a piece of dental floss to retain the floss against lateral movement relative to the free end portion.

over engagement ofthe floss in which the floss is passed at least once aboutthe abutment means and is pulled taut on itself.

13. An instrument, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the floss is secured to the abutment means by both wedging and cross over engagement.

14. An instrument, for use in manipulating dental floss in the mouth, comprising an elongated body of arched or angled configuration along its length and including a handle end portion and afree end portion, and an abutment means projecting from said free end portion and defining with said free end portion first recess which has an open end and a closed end, said recess tapering from said open end to said closed end such thatsaid floss can be forced along and become gripped within said recess.

15. An instrument, as claimed in claim 14, wherein said abutment means is elongated and has a first end portion and a second end portion, said first recess being defined between said first end portion of the abutment means and said free end portion of the body, said second end portion of said abutment means defining a second recess with said free end portion of the body, said second recess having an open end and a closed end and tapering from said open end to said closed end such that said floss can be forced along and become gripped within said reces s,the first and second recesses tapering in opposite directions.

16. An instrument, for use in manipulating dental floss in the mouth, substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 to 5, orfigs. 6to 9, orfigs. 10to 14, orfigs. 15 to 17 of the accompanying drawings.