Dental floss holder

Abstract

The present invention provides a dental floss holder that enables a user to easily change the type of dental floss and its tension, while exhibiting good operability to the user. The dental floss holder includes: a rod-shaped handle portion that is held by the user; a head portion to which the dental floss is locked; and a constriction portion that connects the front end of the handle portion and the head portion to each other, the constriction portion being formed to be smaller than the connecting portions of both the handle portion and the head portion in the width direction and / or the thickness direction in the vicinity of the connecting portion of the constriction portion. A recessed portion extending in the thickness direction of the head portion is provided on the distal surface of the head portion; and a notch portion is formed in the longitudinal direction starting from the recessed portion so that the notch portion extends to the constriction portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dental floss holder in which a dental floss thread can be freely attached to and detached from the dental floss holder. Background Art

[0002] In order to prevent dental caries and periodontal diseases, it is generally known in oral care to use a toothbrush to clean the tooth surfaces, use dental floss or interdental brushes to clean between the teeth, and use a soft rubber cleaning tool dedicated to the tongue to clean the tongue surface. Such oral care is important in preventive medicine, but in many cases, the oral care performed by each person each time focuses entirely on cleaning the tooth surfaces with a toothbrush. Although dental floss and interdental brushes are effective in preventing dental caries and periodontal diseases, their widespread use tends to be hindered by, for example, the difficult and troublesome use of dental floss.

[0003] Here, the dental floss currently available on the market is mainly of the type used by winding around one's own finger, the disposable type in which the dental floss thread and the dental floss holder are integrally formed, and the like.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a dental floss holder that can be adjusted according to the length of the teeth so as not to damage the gums and clean between the teeth. In the dental floss holder, grooves are provided on each top of the bifurcated portion at the distal end of the handle and on the outer surface of the bifurcated portion, and the dental floss is wound around the groove on the outer surface of the bifurcated portion. Then, the dental floss thread contacts the distal ends of the teeth, which prevents the gums from being damaged by the dental floss thread extending between the tops of the bifurcated portion used for interdental cleaning. Patent Document 2 discloses a dental floss pick for interdental cleaning that is configured to enable replacement of the thread. In this technology, the replacement thread is tightly wound around the notch portion of the main body, thereby allowing the thread to clean between the teeth without slack and enabling replacement of the thread of the dental floss pick for interdental cleaning, so that the dental floss pick can be reused.

[0005] Prior Art Documents

[0006] Patent Documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application Publication No. H05-35112 Patent Document 2: Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3089827 Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical Problem

[0009] Since disposable dental floss is discarded after each use in oral cleaning, disposable dental floss in which the dental floss filament and the dental floss holder are integrally formed is uneconomical. In addition, during interdental cleaning, the tension of the dental floss filament attached to the dental floss holder cannot be finely adjusted, so that forcing the dental floss into the interdental area may cause breakage or damage to the gums. Here, according to the technology described in Patent Document 1, the dental floss wound around the groove on the outer surface of the bifurcated portion prevents gum injury, but the tension of the dental floss filament cannot be finely adjusted during interdental cleaning. In addition, according to the technology described in Patent Document 2, although the dental floss filament is configured to be replaceable, the tension of the dental floss filament cannot be finely adjusted during interdental cleaning, and the operability of the user during interdental cleaning may be impaired.

[0010] On the other hand, dental floss of the type used by winding around one's own finger allows for easy change of the type of dental floss and the degree of its tension for interdental cleaning, but this is unhygienic because the finger needs to be put into the mouth. In addition, finger pain caused by winding the dental floss filament around one's own finger and the time taken to become proficient may be a problem. In addition, in this type of dental floss, the user needs to keep the mouth open for a relatively long period of time for interdental cleaning, so jaw fatigue may be a problem.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a dental floss holder in which the type of dental floss and the degree of its tension can be easily changed and the operability of the user is good.

[0012] Solution to the problem

[0013] To achieve the above object, the dental floss holder of the present invention includes: a rod-shaped handle portion for the user to grasp; a head to which dental floss is locked; and a constriction portion connecting the distal end of the handle portion and the head, the constriction portion being formed to decrease in the width direction and / or thickness direction of the connection portion adjacent to both the handle portion and the head with respect to the connection portion. In the dental floss holder, a recess extending in the thickness direction of the head is formed on the distal surface of the head, and a notch portion is formed in the longitudinal direction starting from the recess portion, and the notch portion extends to the constriction portion.

[0014] Here, by the constriction portion (the constriction portion is formed to decrease in the width direction and / or thickness direction of the connection portion adjacent to both the handle portion and the head with respect to the connection portion) connecting the distal end of the handle portion and the head, the recess is formed on the distal surface of the head so as to extend in the thickness direction of the head, and the notch portion is formed in the length direction starting from the recess portion, one end of the dental floss can be locked to the head, and the other end of the dental floss can be a free end.

[0015] That is, for example, by threading dental floss through the notch portion, winding the dental floss passing through the notch portion around the constriction portion, and further threading the dental floss through the notch portion, the dental floss can be locked to the head.

[0016] Furthermore, the constriction portion allows the dental floss to wind around the constriction portion serving as a fixed position once it passes through the notch portion.

[0017] Furthermore, the dental floss wound and concentrated at the constriction portion will tighten the notch portion in the constriction portion, and the dental floss passing through the notch portion can be firmly fixed to the dental floss holder.

[0018] At this time, the tension of the wound dental floss is concentrated on the constriction portion.

[0019] Therefore, even if the user is a child or an elderly person, the dental floss can be easily fixed to the dental floss holder of the present invention.

[0020] Furthermore, the dental floss can be firmly fixed to the dental floss holder, so that the operability of the user is improved when using the dental floss holder to clean between teeth.

[0021] Furthermore, one end of the dental floss can be locked to the head, and the other end of the dental floss can be a free end, so that the user can pinch the other end to clean between teeth, and there is no need to wind the dental floss around his / her own finger to use the dental floss, and thus it will not cause pain to the user's finger.

[0022] Furthermore, the user can clean between teeth by pinching the other end portion of the dental floss, so that the user can easily change the tension degree of the dental floss while cleaning between teeth.

[0023] Furthermore, although it takes time to proficiently use the type of interdental cleaning where the dental floss is wound around the user's own finger, using the dental floss holder of the present invention eliminates the need to wind the dental floss around the user's own finger for use, thus eliminating the need for time to proficiently perform interdental cleaning.

[0024] Therefore, there is no need to keep the mouth open for a relatively long period of time for interdental cleaning, and the user's jaw is less likely to become fatigued.

[0025] In the interdental cleaning using the dental floss holder of the present invention, the interdental cleaning performed by locking one end of the dental floss to the head and pinching the other end is hygienic, because the interdental cleaning can be performed by putting the head of the dental floss holder of the present invention into the mouth and pulling the other end of the dental floss (the other end is a free end) with a finger from outside the mouth, and there is no need to put the finger into the mouth.

[0026] Furthermore, in the dental floss holder of the present invention, the head may have a stopper portion.

[0027] Here, the stopper portion is arranged to partially cover the notch portion.

[0028] Furthermore, the stopper portion prevents the dental floss from entering the notch portion on the side of the constriction portion that is farther than the stopper portion.

[0029] With such a stopper portion, one end of the dental floss can be easily locked to the constriction portion.

[0030] Furthermore, the notch portion may have an edge portion that turns back toward the concave portion at a predetermined acute angle as the notch portion extends from the recessed portion toward the constriction portion. At this time, the notch portion may be formed such that it has a predetermined angle with respect to an imaginary line extending longitudinally from the recessed portion in the section from the recessed portion to the edge portion.

[0031] Furthermore, in the dental floss holder of the present invention, the handle portion may be provided with a winding portion, and the winding portion is configured to allow the dental floss to be wound around the winding portion in the above configuration.

[0032] Advantages of the Present Invention

[0033] According to the present invention, a dental floss holder can be provided in which the type of dental floss and the degree of its tension can be easily changed, and the operability of the user is good. Description of the Drawings

[0034] Figure 1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of the dental floss holder in the first embodiment.

[0035] Figure 2 is a view for explaining the use state of the dental floss holder in the first embodiment.

[0036] Figure 3 is a view for explaining the details of the stopper portion in the dental floss holder in the first embodiment.

[0037] Figure 4 is a view for explaining the process of locking the dental floss to the dental floss holder.

[0038] Figure 5 is a view for explaining the removal of the dental floss from the dental floss holder.

[0039] Figure 6 is a view for explaining the storage of the free end of the dental floss locked to the dental floss holder.

[0040] Figure 7 is a view for explaining the details of the notch portion in the dental floss holder in the second embodiment. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. The configurations of the following embodiments are examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments.

[0042] <First Embodiment>

[0043] Reference will be made to Figure 1 describe an overview of the dental floss holder in the first embodiment. Figure 1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of the dental floss holder in the present embodiment. The dental floss holder 100 according to the present embodiment includes: a rod-shaped handle portion 10 for a user to grasp; a head portion 20 to which dental floss 40 is locked; and a constriction portion 30 connecting the distal end of the handle portion 10 and the head portion 20.

[0044] Here, the handle portion 10, the head portion 20, and the constriction portion 30 are integrally formed in the dental floss holder 100 of the present embodiment. The handle portion 10, the head portion 20, and the constriction portion 30 can be formed of a material such as synthetic resin or silicone, and their surfaces can be subjected to antibacterial treatment.

[0045] The handle portion 10 is a portion grasped by the user when the user uses the dental floss holder 100 and the dental floss 40 locked to the holder to clean between teeth. In the present embodiment, a finger support portion 11 is provided on the handle portion 10.

[0046] The finger support portion 11 is designed such that the user can easily press down one end of the dental floss 40 with a finger during the process of locking the dental floss 40 to the dental floss holder 100 described later, and the finger support portion 11 is formed in a circular protruding shape.

[0047] In addition, the handle portion 10 may be provided with a winding portion 12 described later.

[0048] The head portion 20 is a portion where the dental floss 40 is locked in the dental floss holder 100, and a recessed portion 21 extending in the thickness direction C of the head portion 20 is formed on the distal surface of the head portion 20.

[0049] In the present embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, by forming the recessed portion 21 at a substantially circular top, the head portion 20 is formed in a heart shape. Further, in the head portion 20, a notch portion 22 is formed from the recessed portion 21 in the length direction A.

[0050] The constriction portion 30 is formed to be reduced in the width direction B and / or the thickness direction C of the connection portion adjacent to both the handle portion 10 and the head portion 20 with respect to the connection portion. In the present embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, the constriction portion 30 is formed to be reduced in the width direction B.

[0051] However, it is not intended to be limited thereto. As long as the constricted portion 30 has a shape that allows the dental floss 40 passing through the notch portion 22 of the head 20 to be wound around a fixed position, the constricted portion 30 may be formed to decrease in the thickness direction C, or the constricted portion 30 may be formed to decrease in both the width direction B and the thickness direction C, which will be described later.

[0052] Then, the user can lock the dental floss 40 to the head 20 of the dental floss holder 100 in the following manner: passing the dental floss 40 through the notch portion 22 formed in the head 20 of the dental floss holder 100, once passing through the notch portion 22, winding the dental floss 40 around the constricted portion 30 multiple times, and further passing the dental floss 40 through the notch portion 22.

[0053] Here, Figure 2 is a view for explaining the usage state of the dental floss holder 100 in this embodiment.

[0054] In the case where the dental floss 40 is locked to the dental floss holder 100 as described above, the user can apply tension to the dental floss 40 by pinching one end (i.e., the free end 41) of the dental floss 40 to clean between the teeth. This will be described in detail later. Figure 4 The process of locking the dental floss 40 to the dental floss holder 100 as described above will be described in detail later.

[0055] For example, in this interdental cleaning using the dental floss holder 100 of this embodiment, by putting the head 20 of the dental floss holder 100 into the oral cavity and pulling the free end 41 of the dental floss 40 from outside the oral cavity with a finger, interdental cleaning can be performed.

[0056] In this case, there is no need to put a finger into the oral cavity, which is hygienic (more hygienic when the surface of the dental floss holder 100 is subjected to an antimicrobial treatment).

[0057] In addition, the head 20 is heart-shaped, that is, it is formed into a circular shape in the dental floss holder 100 of this embodiment, so as to prevent the oral cavity from being damaged by the head 20 as much as possible even when the dental floss holder 100 is put into the oral cavity.

[0058] In addition, with this shape of the head 20, even if the user is a child or an elderly person, the dental floss 40 can be easily introduced into the notch portion 22, and even in the case where the visibility of the user is poor (for example, when using in the bathroom), the dental floss 40 can be easily introduced into the notch portion 22.

[0059] Unlike the conventional type of dental floss 40 that is used by wrapping around one's own finger, the user can lock one end of the dental floss 40 to the dental floss holder 100 and pinch the other end to clean between the teeth. That is, since it is not necessary to wrap the dental floss 40 around one's own finger for use, the situation of causing pain to the user's finger is prevented as much as possible.

[0060] In addition, since it is not necessary to open the mouth for a relatively long period of time to clean the interdental space, the situation of causing jaw fatigue to the user is prevented as much as possible. In this interdental cleaning, the tension degree of the dental floss 40 is of course likely to change.

[0061] With the dental floss holder of the present invention, the dental floss 40 passes through the notch portion 22 formed in the head 20, and once the dental floss 40 passes through the notch portion 22, the dental floss 40 is wound around the constriction portion 30 multiple times, and the dental floss 40 further passes through the notch portion 22, whereby the dental floss 40 is locked to the head 20 of the dental floss holder 100.

[0062] By providing such a constriction portion 30, the dental floss 40 can be wound around a fixed position once it passes through the notch portion 22.

[0063] Accordingly, the notch portion 22 in the constriction portion 30 tightens the dental floss 40 concentrated at the constriction portion 30 by winding, and the dental floss 40 passing through the notch portion 22 is firmly fixed to the dental floss holder 100.

[0064] At this time, the tension of the wound dental floss 40 is concentrated on the constriction portion 30. Therefore, the dental floss 40 is stably fixed to the dental floss holder 100, and when using the dental floss holder 100 to clean between the teeth, the operability of the user is improved.

[0065] Then, even if the user is a child or an elderly person, the dental floss 40 can be easily fixed to the dental floss holder 100.

[0066] Here, in the dental floss holder 100 of the present embodiment, a stopper portion 25 is provided on the head 20. This will be described based on Figure 3 be described.

[0067] Figure 3 is a view for explaining the details of the stopper portion 25 in the dental floss holder 100 in the present embodiment.

[0068] As Figure 3As shown, the stopper portion 25 is provided to partially cover the notch portion 22. The stopper portion 25 prevents the dental floss 40 from entering the notch portion 22 further on the side of the contraction portion 30 than the stopper portion 25. Specifically, when the user passes the dental floss 40 along the notch portion 22 from the recessed portion 21 side in the longitudinal direction A, the dental floss 40 is prevented from entering the notch portion 22 by the stopper portion 25, and the user can no longer pass the dental floss 40 in the longitudinal direction A.

[0069] Accordingly, the dental floss 40 can be fixed to the dental floss holder 100 at a position suitable for interdental cleaning (a position where the head 20 does not interfere during interdental cleaning), thus improving the operability of the user.

[0070] In particular, even if the user is a child or an elderly person, the use of the dental floss holder 100 provided with such a stopper portion 25 allows for interdental cleaning with good operability. Such a stopper portion 25 is formed, for example, at a position 5 mm to 7 mm from the recessed portion 21.

[0071] Furthermore, such a stopper portion 25 facilitates locking one end of the dental floss 40 to the contraction portion 30.

[0072] That is, when one end of the dental floss 40 is locked to the contraction portion 30, for example, another part of the dental floss 40 is wound around a position where a predetermined length portion of the dental floss 40 starting from this one end overlaps with the contraction portion 30. The other part of the dental floss 40 only needs to be wound around the notch portion 22, where the predetermined length portion extends in the same direction as the longitudinal direction A through the stopper portion 25. Therefore, the other part of the dental floss 40 is easily wound around the position where the predetermined length portion overlaps with the contraction portion 30.

[0073] Next, the process for locking the dental floss 40 to the dental floss holder 100 will be described.

[0074] Figure 4 It is a diagram for explaining the process of locking the dental floss 40 to the dental floss holder 100.

[0075] First, as Figure 4 (a) shows, the dental floss 40 passes through the notch portion 22 formed in the head 20 of the dental floss holder 100. Here, when the user passes the dental floss 40 from the recessed portion 21 side through the notch portion 22, as described above, the formation of the recessed portion 21 facilitates the introduction of the dental floss 40 into the notch portion 22. At this time, the user can press down one end of the dental floss 40 using the finger support portion 11.

[0076] Then, as Figure 4 (b) shows, the dental floss 40 that has passed through the notch portion 22 is wound around the contraction portion 30 a plurality of times.

[0077] Then, as shown in Figure 4 (c), the dental floss 40 that has been wound around the constriction 30 multiple times passes through the notch 22 again, whereby the dental floss 40 is locked to the head 20 of the dental floss holder 100.

[0078] Accordingly, as described above, the notch 22 in the constriction 30 tightens the dental floss 40 concentrated at the constriction 30 by winding, and the dental floss 40 passing through the notch 22 is firmly fixed to the dental floss holder 100.

[0079] With the dental floss holder of the present invention, the dental floss 40 can be easily replaced. This will be described based on Figure 5 the following.

[0080] Figure 5 FIG. is a diagram for explaining the removal of the dental floss 40 from the dental floss holder 100.

[0081] In the dental floss holder 100 of the present embodiment, when the free end 41 of the dental floss 40 is pulled in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction A, the dental floss 40 is firmly fixed to the dental floss holder 100. On the contrary, as shown in Figure 5 FIG., when the free end 41 of the dental floss 40 is pulled in the longitudinal direction A, the restriction of the dental floss 40 by the notch 22 is released, so that the dental floss 40 can be very easily removed from the dental floss holder 100.

[0082] Accordingly, the type of the dental floss 40 can be changed with good operability, and only the dental floss 40 needs to be replaced each time it is used, which is hygienic and economical.

[0083] The handle portion 10 may be provided with a winding portion 12 configured to allow the dental floss 40 to be wound around it. Here, Figure 6 FIG. is a diagram for explaining the storage of the free end 41 of the dental floss 40 locked to the dental floss holder 100.

[0084] In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 6 FIG., the dental floss 40 can be stored by winding the free end 41 of the dental floss 40 around the winding portion 12.

[0085] Accordingly, the free end 41 of the dental floss 40 is stored in the winding portion 12, and when the dental floss 40 is, for example, pre-attached to the dental floss holder 100 in preparation for the next use, the dental floss 40 can be kept hygienic.

[0086] With the dental floss holder 100 described above, the type of the dental floss and the degree of its tension can be easily changed, and the operability of the user can be improved.

[0087] <Second Embodiment>

[0088] In the dental floss holder 100 of the second embodiment, the notch portion 22 has an edge portion 23 that turns back toward the recess portion 21 at a predetermined acute angle as it extends from the recess portion 21 toward the constriction portion 30.

[0089] In this configuration, the notch portion 22 can be formed to have a predetermined angle with respect to an imaginary line extending in the longitudinal direction A from the recess portion 21 in the section from the recess portion 21 to the edge portion 23. This will be described based on Figure 7 description.

[0090] Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining the details of the notch portion 22 in the dental floss holder 100 in this embodiment.

[0091] As Figure 7 shown, the edge portion 23 turns back toward the recess portion 21 at an acute angle α with respect to the notch portion 22 extending from the recess portion 21. Then, when the user passes the dental floss from the recess portion 21 side through the notch portion 22, the dental floss 40 is stopped by the edge portion 23.

[0092] Specifically, when the user passes the dental floss 40 from the recess portion 21 side along the notch portion 22 in the longitudinal direction A, it becomes difficult for the user to further pass the dental floss 40 in the longitudinal direction A because the notch portion 22 turns back toward the recess portion 21 through the edge portion 23.

[0093] Accordingly, the dental floss 40 can be fixed to the dental floss holder 100 at a position suitable for interdental cleaning, and thus the operability of the user is improved. For example, such an edge portion 23 is formed at a position 5 mm to 7 mm from the recess portion 21.

[0094] In addition, as Figure 7 shown, the notch portion 22 has an angle β with respect to an imaginary line L extending in the longitudinal direction A from the recess portion 21 in the section from the recess portion 21 to the edge portion 23. Accordingly, it is easier to block the dental floss 40 passing through the notch portion 22 by the edge portion 23.

[0095] Also, with the dental floss holder 100 described above, the type of dental floss and the degree of its tension can be easily changed, and the operability of the user can be improved.

[0096] <Other modifications>

[0097] The above embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the dental floss holder 100 described in the above-described embodiments can be formed to have a size similar to that of a toothbrush. Accordingly, the dental floss holder 100 can be placed and stored in a well-known toothbrush case.

[0098] Accordingly, the dental floss 40 can be pre - attached to the dental floss holder 100 in preparation for the next use, and in addition, the dental floss holder 100 can be placed in the case and carried. Then, even when the user is away from home, the dental floss holder 100 can be used to clean the interdental spaces after meals.

[0099] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0100] 10 Handle part

[0101] 20 Head

[0102] 21 Concave part

[0103] 22 Notch

[0104] 30 Shrinkage part

[0105] 40 Dental floss

[0106] 41 Free end

[0107] 100 Dental floss holder

[0108] A Longitudinal direction

[0109] B Width direction

[0110] C Thickness direction

[0111] L Imaginary line

Claims

1. A dental floss holder, comprising: A rod-shaped handle portion for a user to hold; A head to which dental floss is locked; And A constriction portion connecting a distal end of the handle portion and the head, the constriction portion being formed to decrease in a width direction and / or a thickness direction of a connection portion adjacent to the constriction portion with respect to both the handle portion and the head; wherein, A recess extending in a thickness direction of the head is formed on a distal surface of the head, A notch is formed in a longitudinal direction starting from the recess, and The notch extends to the constriction portion, and the dental floss holder is characterized in that The head has a stopper portion provided to partially cover the notch, and the stopper portion prevents the dental floss from entering the notch on the constriction portion side that is farther than the stopper portion.

2. The dental floss retainer according to claim 1, wherein, The notch has an edge portion that turns back toward the recess side at a predetermined acute angle as the notch extends from the recess toward the constriction portion.

3. The dental floss retainer according to claim 2, wherein, The notch is formed to have a predetermined angle with respect to an imaginary line longitudinally extending from the recess in a section from the recess to the edge portion.

4. The dental floss holder according to claim 1, wherein, The handle portion is provided with a winding portion configured to allow the dental floss to be wound around the winding portion.

5. The dental floss holder according to claim 1, wherein, One end of the dental floss is locked to the head, and the other end of the dental floss is pinched by a finger of the user.

Images