GB2183485A

GB2183485A - Dental floss holder

Info

Publication number: GB2183485A
Application number: GB08628627A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Macpherson Powell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-11-29
Filing date: 1986-12-01
Publication date: 1987-06-10
Also published as: GB8628627D0; GB8529465D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for holding a filament, notably a length of dental floss, which device comprises an elongated handle portion adapted to be held in the hand of a user, the handle portion terminating at one end thereof in a generally U-shaped jaw member comprising two generally parallel arm members extending from the handle portion, the free ends of the arm members being provided with means for securing thereto each end of a length of a filament so as to form a bowstring-like member spanning the open end of the jaw member, the bowstring-iike member having its longitudinal axis at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the handle member. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for Holding a Filament The present invention relates to a device for holding a filament, notably to a device for holding a length of dental floss taut and presenting it to the teeth of a user.

One of the problems of modern diets and eating habits is that food particles become wedged in the crevices between teeth and in the margin of the gums and are not removed. Whilst brushing the teeth and gums removes much of the food particles, some debris remains which can cause decay and other problems. The dental profession advocates the use of dental floss to remove this debris.

However, dental floss is awkward to use and this inhibits its use by many people.

I have now devised a device which holds dental floss and presents it in a form which can be readily used, thus overcoming one of the major impediments to its widespread acceptance by potential users.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for holding a filament, notably a length of dental floss, which device comprises an elongated handle portion adapted to be held in the hand of a user, the handle portion terminating at one end thereof in a generally U shaped jaw member comprising two generally parallel members extending from the handle portion, the free ends of the parallel members being provided with means for securing each end of a length of a filament thereto so as to form a bowstring-like member spanning the open end of the jaw member, the longitudinal axis of the string being at an angle to the longitudinal axix of the handle member, preferably at an angle of between 20 and 60 thereto.Preferably, the device is formed from a synthetic resin material by an injection moulding technique with the jaw member formed integrally with the handle portion. It is also preferred that the means for securing the filament comprise one or more circumferential grooves around the terminal portions of the arms of the jaw member into which grooves the filament can be wound circumferentially, at least one of the arms also being provided with a tapered axial slit extending from adjacent the free end of the arm to a position such that the circumferential groove lies intermediate the ends of the slit whereby the filament can be wound circumferentially into the groove around the free end of the arm to cause the slit at least partially to close and trap filament therein the free end of the filament can then be drawn axially into the slit so as to lock the filament against withdrawal.

As indicated above, the filament is preferably a length of dental floss and, for convenience, the invention will be described hereinafter in terms of the use of such a filament. Also, to aid understanding of the invention, it will be described with respect to a preferred form thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure lisa diagrammatic plan view of the device and Figure 2 is a detailed view of the filament securing means of the device of Figure 1.

The device comprises a handle portion 1 which terminates in a generally U shaped jaw member 2 having a length of dental floss 3 secured across its open end.

The handle 1 can be of any size and shape suitable for being held in the hand of a user to permit manipulation of the jaw member within the mouth of the user. For example, the handle can be of circular, triangular, squared or other cross-section and can be straight or curved axially. However, the handle typically comprises a section shaped to lie within the palm of a user so as to enable the user to manipulate the handle in all three axes and to rotate the handle about it longitudinal axis. A preferred form of handle portion comprises a generally plannar member having a generally pear or lobe plan shape which can be grasped in either hand of a user. Typically, the handle will be from 7 to 20 cms long and can be made from any suitable material, for example wood, metal such as stainless steel or aluminium, or a synthetic resin which may be fibre reinforced.However, it is preferred that the handle be made by injection or other moulding techniques using a synthetic resin, for example a styrenic, acrylic orvinylic polymer.

The handle portion terminates in a jaw member 2.

The jaw has a generally U shape and serves to support the dental floss 3 which is secured across the open end of the U. The arms 4 of the U extend from the handle 2 at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the handle. Where the handle is bent, cranked or otherwise does not conform to a straight line, the jaw member is at an angle to the overall longitudinal axis of that part of the handle which is to be grasped by the user.

The arms 4 of the U can take the form of straight arms projecting laterally from the end portion of the handle 1. However, it is preferred that they are faired into the handle so as to minimise the presence of sharp corners or angles which might cause damage or discomfort to a user. Thus, it is preferred to form the arms of the U as continuations of the body of the handle with the base 5 of the U faired into the body of the handle. The jaw member can be mounted with the centre of the base of the U offset to one side of or substantially co-incident with the longitudinal axis of the handle. In a particularly preferred form of the device of the invention, the jaw member 2 is formed as a U shaped termination at an angle to the axis of the handle. The handle is cranked adjacent the end thereof to facilitate manipulation of the U within the mouth of a user.

As stated above, the dental floss 3 is secured across the open end of the U of the jaw member 2 to provide a bowstring-like member. The floss can be secured to or adjacent the end of each arm 4 of the U by any suitable means, eg. by clamping screws or the like. However, a particularly preferred form of securing means comprises a circumferential groove 6 around the tip portion of one of the arms 4 with an axial floss locating groove 7 across the end of that arm. The floss is laid axially along that arm, along the locating groove 7 and is then wound into the circumferential groove 6, thus locking the floss onto that arm of the U.

The floss is then stretched taut across the open end of the U to the other arm. That other arm is preferably provided with a locating and securing means comprising two diametrically opposed tangential floss locating grooves 8 adjacent the free end of the arm. An axial cut is provided extending axially beyond the locating grooves so that the grooves lie intermediate the ends of the cut, preferably within 5 to 25% of the length of the cut adjacent the free end of the arm. The cut forms a slit 9 to receive the floss and an adjacent section 10 of the wall of the arm which can be clamped radially inwardly to trap the floss in the slit 9. In securing the floss to this arm of the device, the floss is stretched across the open end of the U and pulled into the slit 9. It is then wound around the arm and the section 10 using grooves 8 to locate the floss on the arm.

This causes the section 10 to clamp the floss in the slit 9 and thus secure it against withdrawal. The free end of the floss is then pulled into slit 9 to trap the end of the floss and the turns of floss around the arm from axial movement. The slit 9 can be formed extending from the free end of the arm as shown or can be formed in the opposite direction. If desired, slit 9 can be tapered so that it progressively grips the floss as it is pulled axially deeper into the slit. If desired, a close fitting cap can be pushed onto the free end of the arm to trap the floss in position on the arm.

The line which the dental floss adopts when secured in position across the U is at an angle to the axis of the handle. Preferably, the floss is offset from the axis of the handle to permit the floss to be manoeuvred within the mouth of a user to reach all the teeth. Typically, the floss is at from 20 to 60 to the axis of the handle and is offset wholly to one side of the axis of the handle as shown in the drawings. If desired, the jaw member can be attached to the handle by an adjustable mounting whereby the angle and offset of the jaw can be varied to suit individual requirements.

The device of the invention can be of any suitable size. However, a typical device has a handle 7 to 15 cms long having a jaw member with arms 4 from 0.5 to 3 cms long and with a spread of from 1 to 5 cms at the open end of the U, the jaw member being set at an angle of 30 to 45"C to the axis of the handle.

The securing means described above finds use wherever it is desired to anchor a filament against withdrawal, eg. during tying of a fishing fly or stringing a racquet. The invention therefore also provides an object having means for securing a fliament thereto, characterised in that the means comprises a member having two diametrically opposed tangential filament locating grooves adjacent a free end of the member; an axially extending cut, the grooves lying intermediate the ends of the cut; the cut forming an axial slit adapted to receive the filament and an adjacent section of the wall of the member which can be clamped radially inwardly to trap filament in the slit by winding the filament circumferentially into the locating grooves.

Claims

1. A device for holding a filament, notably a length of dental floss, which device comprises an elongated handle portion adapted to be held in the hand of a user, the handle portion terminating at one end thereof in a generally U shaped jaw member comprising two generally parallel arm members extending from the handle portion, the free ends of the arm members being provided with means for securing thereto each end of a length of a filament so as to form a bowstring-like member spanning the open end of the jaw member, the bowstring-like member having its longitudinal axis at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the handle member.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the longitudinal axis of the filament is to be at an angle of between 20 and 60 to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

3. A device as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the means for securing the filament comprise one or more circumferential grooves around the terminal portions of the arms of the jaw member into which grooves the filament can be wound circumferentially, at least one of the arms also being provided with an axially extending slit, the circumferential groove(s) lying intermediate the ends of the slit whereby the filament can be wound circumferentially into the groove around the free end of the arm to cause the slit at least partially to close and trap filament which has been drawn into the slit.

4. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the arms of the jaw shaped member are formed as continuations of the body of the handle with the base 5 of the arms faired into the body of the handle.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the other arm carries a transverse filament-locating groove across the free end thereof.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with respect to and as shown in either of the accompanying drawings.

7. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein a length of dental floss is secured across the open end of the jaw member.

8. An object having means for securing a filament thereto, characterised in that the means comprises a member having two diametrically opposed tangential filament locating grooves adjacent a free end of the member; an axially extending cut, the grooves lying intermediate the ends of the cut, the cut forming an axial slit adapted to receive the filament and an adjacent section of the wall of the member which can be clamped radially inwardly to trap filament in the slit by winding the filament circumferentially into the locating grooves.