WO1992006648A1 - Fil dentaire - Google Patents

Fil dentaire Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1992006648A1
WO1992006648A1 PCT/AU1991/000260 AU9100260W WO9206648A1 WO 1992006648 A1 WO1992006648 A1 WO 1992006648A1 AU 9100260 W AU9100260 W AU 9100260W WO 9206648 A1 WO9206648 A1 WO 9206648A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
loop
floss
means according
dental
dental floss
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1991/000260
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Stafford John Watts
Original Assignee
Stafford John Watts
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 Stafford John Watts filed Critical Stafford John Watts
Publication of WO1992006648A1 publication Critical patent/WO1992006648A1/fr

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
    • A61C15/041—Dental floss

Definitions

  • This invention relates to dental hygiene and more particularly to dental floss.
  • Dental floss is a thread used for cleaning between the teeth and consists of a length of lightly waxed yarn comprising about 50 silk or silk-like filaments. It is supplied to consumers in a dispenser enclosing from about 25 metres to 50 metres in length of spooled thread, the dispenser having a blade adapted to cut off an end portion of the dental floss.
  • One end of the cut off portion to be used is then wound around a finger (usually the middle finger) of one hand, the opposite end is wound around a finger of the other hand, the dental floss is stretched taut and is inserted between adjacent teeth, usually by use of the index finger and thumb. The floss is then drawn backwards and forwards between the teeth to remove interdental debris (if any) plaque etc. and to promote dental hygiene.
  • Another form of dental floss available is a bow shaped device having a length of floss stretched between the arms and which is then inserted between the teeth.
  • this device is pre-tensioned and so taut that it is hard to use, especially by the novice.
  • the invention consists in means for promoting dental hygiene comprising an endless loop of dental floss having a substantially uniform cross section.
  • the loop is from 200mm to 300mm in circumference.
  • a floss loop is individually packaged while in a second embodiment a plurality of floss loops are formed with each loop attached to an adjacent loop by one or more threads, which are preferably frangible.
  • the invention consists in a method of promoting dental hygiene comprising the steps of:
  • three fingers of each hand are inserted in the loop and the loop is tensioned during flossing by means of one or both of the first finger and thumb.
  • Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in side elevation.
  • Figure 2 shows the first embodiment in end
  • Figure 3 shows a cross section of a portion of the embodiment of figure 1.
  • Figure 4 shows diagrammatically an enlargement of figure 3.
  • Figure 5 shows the embodiment of figure 1 in
  • Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of the invention. Best mode for carrying out invention
  • a means for promoting dental hygiene indicated generally at 1 and composed of dental floss 2 in the form of an endless loop.
  • Floss 2 is a waxed floss or yarn which may be composed of one strand or a number of strands 3.
  • the yarn may be formed from a number of strands twisted together, a number of fibres laid together with little or no twist, or a mono filament with or without twist.
  • Each strand may in turn consist of spun fibres or one or more filaments with or without twist.
  • floss 2 comprises a number of from 30 to 60 strands, and more preferably of from 45 to 55 strands 3 of a silky filamentous matter lightly twisted together and wax impregnated.
  • the floss may optionally be impregnated with a flavour or aroma and or with a bacteriostat and or other functional agents.
  • the fibres may be silk, cotton, or other suitable natural fibres or artificial fibres or filaments or a combination of these such as is known in the art for use in flossing.
  • Some, or all of the strands may additionally include brush like fibres which, when rubbed against the teeth, expand randomly, creating a thicker diameter sponge like strand to more effectively remove debris.
  • Dental floss for use in the invention may be an impregnated dental floss such as described in U.S.
  • Loop 1 is illustrated in a generally circular configuration in figure 1 but may of course, being flexible, adopt an infinite number of other
  • loop 1 may vary from for example 50mm to 120mm in diameter but is desirably of from 75mm to 90mm in diameter, that is to say
  • the cross sectional area is substantially constant over any length of floss of the loop. It will be understood that the cross sectional area of the floss of the loop will normally vary noticeably with the thickness of the yarns, the degree of twist and the degree of waxing and other factors.
  • substantially uniform is herein meant that the cross section is not substantially enlarged by knots or joints beyond the normal variation in thickness of the thread.
  • the purpose of maintaining a substantially uniform cross section is that when a portion of the loop is inserted between the teeth, the loop can be circulated or reciprocated without a joint or knot engaging the teeth.
  • Fingers 8, 9, 10 are inserted through the loop and the hands separated to draw the loop taut.
  • the uppermost taut portion 11 is inserted between adjacent teeth and manipulated in reciprocation
  • the tension bearing area extends over more than one finger of each hand. Consequently the loop is comfortable to hold. As successive lengths of the floss become frayed or otherwise unusable, the loop is merely circulated between the hands. It is not necessary to rewind from one finger onto another as with prior art. In addition, no additional dental floss is required merely to hold the loop. All the floss of the loop is available for flossing between the teeth. Indeed, the loop can be circulated while between the teeth in a manner difficult if not impossible with a cut-off length of prior art floss.
  • the user can readily determine which portions of the loop have been used and which remain unused which further assists in avoiding cross infection.
  • the loop circumferential length is desirably selected so that a desired taut length is provided when the fingers are inserted in the loop while maintaining the loop as a whole in tension.
  • Loops according to the invention may be packaged individually for example in a sealed paper straw in a manner similar to that in which individual tooth picks are sometimes supplied.
  • the sealed package including content may be sterilized, for example by irradiation and may be marketed in sterilized packages.
  • connection One loop can then be torn or severed from its neighbour or neighbours for use as previously described.
  • a single end loop may be removed from the plurality by tearing or severing the adjacent thread link 5.
  • Desirably link 5 corresponds in diameter to one or two strands of the 50 or so strands of loop 4 and so has no substantial effect on the cross-sectional area of the floss of the loop.
  • the pair of filaments may be wound into 25 turns about the core to provide a first loop 1 composed of 50 filamentory yarns 3.
  • the bobbin next feeds a short length 5 of filament pair before winding a second loop 4, and so on, to provide a chain of indeterminate length of loops each joined to a proceeding loop by a connecting bridge 5.
  • the loops may be prevented from unravelling by waxing, or by use of an adhesive or by inclusion of one or more thermoplastic filaments which may be melted by use of hot air, microwave energy hot plates, laser or other means to seal with other filaments, so as to prevent the loops from unravelling and to maintain the endless loop shapes.
  • the connecting links may be partly severed or weakened adjacent the loops.
  • the bobbin need not be moved around the former but instead the former may be moved around the bobbins or both may move relatively to wind the loops.
  • Two bobbins each with a single yarn may be used in place of a single bobbin wound with a pair of yarns although in the example a yarn pair is used. More or less than two yarns may be employed to form the embodiment.
  • Other known apparatus may also be used to form successive connected loops.
  • the loops may be severed one from another by a blade or thermal means if individual loops are required or the chain may be wound onto bobbins and packaged so that consumers can tear off or cut off a single end loop as desired.
  • a plurality of loops 4 may be wound in successive "figure of eight" configuration and after stabilization by waxing may be partly die-cut at the intersection of adjacent loops.
  • Two parallel strands may be joined at intervals to create loops of the desired diameter by heat sealing, etc.

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)
  • Brushes (AREA)

Abstract

Une des caractéristiques de cette invention concerne un système favorisant l'hygiène dentaire comprenant un enroulement sans fin de fil dentaire ayant une section transversale pratiquement uniforme. Dans des formes d'exécution préférées, l'enroulement a une circonférence comprise entre 200 mm et 300 mm et il peut être emballé individuellement ou bien plusieurs enroulements de fil dentaire peuvent être emballés de sorte que chaque enroulement soit relié à l'enroulement adjacent par un ou plusieurs fils qui sont de préférence sécables.
PCT/AU1991/000260 1990-10-15 1991-06-19 Fil dentaire WO1992006648A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPK281590 1990-10-15
AUPK2815 1990-10-15
AU7407991 1991-04-04
AU74079/91 1991-04-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1992006648A1 true WO1992006648A1 (fr) 1992-04-30

Family

ID=25637490

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1991/000260 WO1992006648A1 (fr) 1990-10-15 1991-06-19 Fil dentaire

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1992006648A1 (fr)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2349338A (en) * 1999-03-27 2000-11-01 Douglas Howard Miller Inter-dental cleaning devices
US6371133B1 (en) * 1996-05-01 2002-04-16 Loops, L.L.C. Variable-guage tooth-flossing loops
EP2160146A2 (fr) * 2007-06-28 2010-03-10 Erez Benn Kazes Dispositif de fil dentaire
JP2014008379A (ja) * 2012-06-28 2014-01-20 Mariko Ishibashi 指を掛けるリング付きデンタルフロス
US8726917B2 (en) 2011-10-04 2014-05-20 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Stretch floss band
ES2527457A1 (es) * 2013-07-23 2015-01-23 Universidad De Sevilla Dispositivo para limpieza interdental y procedimiento para su presentación y uso
US9757113B2 (en) 2013-07-31 2017-09-12 Medos International Sàrl Adjustable graft fixation device
US9974643B2 (en) 2013-03-11 2018-05-22 Medos International Sàrl Implant having adjustable filament coils
US10052094B2 (en) 2013-03-11 2018-08-21 Medos International Sàrl Implant having adjustable filament coils
US10405968B2 (en) 2013-12-11 2019-09-10 Medos International Sarl Implant having filament limbs of an adjustable loop disposed in a shuttle suture

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3897796A (en) * 1974-08-27 1975-08-05 Forrest E Erickson Dental floss
US3943949A (en) * 1974-11-26 1976-03-16 Johnson & Johnson Flavored dental articles
AU6480880A (en) * 1979-10-05 1981-04-28 Aikman, Leslie Dental floss loops and methods for producing them
US4315516A (en) * 1980-09-19 1982-02-16 Joseph Zappel Continuous chain formed from a multiplicity of loops formed from dental floss material and apparatus for producing the same
US4315517A (en) * 1978-10-31 1982-02-16 Krag Mark D Device for cleaning teeth to prevent the formation of plaque
DE3226129A1 (de) * 1982-07-13 1984-01-19 Marion 1002 New York N.Y. Donovan Faden zum reinigen der zaehne, verfahren zu seiner herstellung und vorrichtung zur durchfuehrung des verfahrens
US4440184A (en) * 1982-06-25 1984-04-03 Smith Eric L Dental flossing device
US4523600A (en) * 1980-05-28 1985-06-18 Marion Donovan Dental flossing product
US4550741A (en) * 1980-12-12 1985-11-05 Dental Preventech, Inc. Device for cleaning teeth to prevent the formation of plaque
US4836226A (en) * 1987-11-20 1989-06-06 Wolak Ronald G Endless article for cleaning teeth

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3897796A (en) * 1974-08-27 1975-08-05 Forrest E Erickson Dental floss
US3943949A (en) * 1974-11-26 1976-03-16 Johnson & Johnson Flavored dental articles
US4315517A (en) * 1978-10-31 1982-02-16 Krag Mark D Device for cleaning teeth to prevent the formation of plaque
AU6480880A (en) * 1979-10-05 1981-04-28 Aikman, Leslie Dental floss loops and methods for producing them
US4523600A (en) * 1980-05-28 1985-06-18 Marion Donovan Dental flossing product
US4315516A (en) * 1980-09-19 1982-02-16 Joseph Zappel Continuous chain formed from a multiplicity of loops formed from dental floss material and apparatus for producing the same
US4550741A (en) * 1980-12-12 1985-11-05 Dental Preventech, Inc. Device for cleaning teeth to prevent the formation of plaque
US4440184A (en) * 1982-06-25 1984-04-03 Smith Eric L Dental flossing device
DE3226129A1 (de) * 1982-07-13 1984-01-19 Marion 1002 New York N.Y. Donovan Faden zum reinigen der zaehne, verfahren zu seiner herstellung und vorrichtung zur durchfuehrung des verfahrens
US4836226A (en) * 1987-11-20 1989-06-06 Wolak Ronald G Endless article for cleaning teeth

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6371133B1 (en) * 1996-05-01 2002-04-16 Loops, L.L.C. Variable-guage tooth-flossing loops
GB2349338A (en) * 1999-03-27 2000-11-01 Douglas Howard Miller Inter-dental cleaning devices
EP2160146A2 (fr) * 2007-06-28 2010-03-10 Erez Benn Kazes Dispositif de fil dentaire
EP2160146A4 (fr) * 2007-06-28 2011-09-28 Erez Benn Kazes Dispositif de fil dentaire
US8726917B2 (en) 2011-10-04 2014-05-20 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Stretch floss band
JP2014008379A (ja) * 2012-06-28 2014-01-20 Mariko Ishibashi 指を掛けるリング付きデンタルフロス
US9974643B2 (en) 2013-03-11 2018-05-22 Medos International Sàrl Implant having adjustable filament coils
US10052094B2 (en) 2013-03-11 2018-08-21 Medos International Sàrl Implant having adjustable filament coils
US10856967B2 (en) 2013-03-11 2020-12-08 Medos International Sàrl Implant having adjustable filament coils
US10898178B2 (en) 2013-03-11 2021-01-26 Medos International Sàrl Implant having adjustable filament coils
US11896475B2 (en) 2013-03-11 2024-02-13 Medos International Sarl Implant having adjustable filament coils
ES2527457A1 (es) * 2013-07-23 2015-01-23 Universidad De Sevilla Dispositivo para limpieza interdental y procedimiento para su presentación y uso
US9757113B2 (en) 2013-07-31 2017-09-12 Medos International Sàrl Adjustable graft fixation device
US10441265B2 (en) 2013-07-31 2019-10-15 Medos International Sàrl Adjustable graft fixation device
US10405968B2 (en) 2013-12-11 2019-09-10 Medos International Sarl Implant having filament limbs of an adjustable loop disposed in a shuttle suture
US11534288B2 (en) 2013-12-11 2022-12-27 Medos International Sarl Implant having filament limbs of an adjustable loop disposed in a shuttle suture

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