Dental floss application

Abstract

The invention relates to a dental floss applicator 2 in the form of a closed loop 4 made from a section 7 of dental floss 6, which is connected to itself at its ends to form the loop 4. The closed loop design 4 allows the user to use the dental floss 6 more easily without having to wrap it around individual fingers. The user can tighten the loop 4 with several or all fingers and, for example, gently insert it into the interdental spaces with their index fingers or thumbs, easily placing a piece of unused dental floss 6 for each tooth.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to a dental floss application that significantly simplifies the use of dental floss for the user. Background of the invention

[0002] Dental floss is known for cleaning the spaces between teeth. Daily flossing promotes oral health. However, many people have difficulty using dental floss, which typically involves wrapping a piece of floss around a finger of each hand and then pulling it taut. The floss is then used to clean biofilm from between the teeth. Many people have motor difficulties with this method.

[0003] To simplify the use of dental floss, floss picks, such as those known from DE 20 2010 000 290 U1, have been developed. These picks consist of a length of dental floss stretched between two parallel prongs, which, together with a holder, define an approximately semicircular area. One straight side of this area is formed by the stretched floss. The holder has a handle through which the user can insert the floss into the mouth and move it between the teeth to clean the teeth in that area.

[0004] These floss picks are also frequently perceived as disadvantageous, as inserting the plastic floss pick into the mouth is often considered unpleasant, and gently positioning the picks between the teeth is often impossible, potentially even causing injury. Furthermore, all interdental spaces are cleaned with the same piece of floss, which can lead to hygiene problems. The non-reusable nature of the plastic holders is also a drawback. Summary of the invention

[0005] Based on this, one object of the invention is therefore to provide a method for cleaning teeth in the interdental space that is improved in terms of application and hygiene.

[0006] The problem is solved by a dental floss application for cleaning interdental spaces according to the present invention, which is designed as a closed loop made from a section of dental floss.

[0007] A section of dental floss refers to a piece of dental floss of a specific length. A loop is defined as a closed loop formed from this section of dental floss. To create the loop, the end of the floss section is connected to itself. This can preferably be done by a knot or, more preferably, by a material-bonded connection.

[0008] To use, the user takes the dental floss between several or all fingers of the right and left hand, without having to wrap individual fingers. The loop-shaped floss applicator immediately creates tension, allowing the floss to be gently inserted into the space between the teeth using two index fingers or the thumbs. The floss, now taut, can then be guided along the side of the tooth with an up-and-down motion relative to the tooth, and if necessary, also along the circumference of the loop. This removes the biofilm from the tooth, which is then carried away by the floss. Any residue from the floss can fall into the mouth and be rinsed away by the user.

[0009] The term dental floss refers to a thread or strip material suitable and intended for cleaning the spaces between teeth. The loop design eliminates the need for the user to wrap the floss around their fingers, which many people find unpleasant. It also eliminates the need to insert a floss pick into the mouth, which can regularly cause injury. The use of dental floss is therefore simplified by the floss applicator according to the present invention. Furthermore, the loop allows the floss to be moved circumferentially between the fingers after cleaning an interdental space, ensuring that each interdental space, or even each tooth, is cleaned with a fresh piece of floss. This makes the use of the floss applicator more hygienic than previously known methods of flossing.

[0010] Preferably, the loop has a circumference of 15 to 40 cm. This circumference makes flossing particularly easy due to the loop's generous size, which is easily accessible by hand. At the same time, this circumference allows for cleaning each interdental space, or even each tooth within the interdental space, with a single unused piece of floss, which is then moved between the fingers before cleaning the next tooth. The circumference can preferably be adapted to different target groups, such as children or adults, or even to different hand sizes. Designs with a loop circumference of 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 cm are preferred. Preferably, the floss applicator can be offered in various circumferences so that the user can choose the one that best suits their needs.

[0011] Preferably, the loop is formed from a section of dental floss, the ends of which are bonded together by a material-bonded connection, preferably welded or glued. Material-bonded connections are suitable as an alternative to knots, as they simplify the production of the dental floss applicator, particularly on an industrial scale. Welding the section to itself is especially preferred.

[0012] Preferably, the dental floss is made from a material selected from at least one of the following: polyamide, polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene, natural silk, rayon, or natural fiber, preferably from at least two of these materials. The aforementioned materials have proven advantageous for the production of dental floss. In particular, polyamide, polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene, and rayon can be produced on an industrial scale while adhering to existing hygiene standards.

[0013] The dental floss is preferably unwaxed, waxed, abrasive, flocked, and / or coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluoride, chlorhexidine, or other additives. This allows for a wider range of users, as some prefer waxed floss while others prefer unwaxed. A PTFE coating facilitates smooth flossing, while a fluoride coating enables the application of fluoride to the interdental spaces. A chlorhexidine coating provides an antibacterial effect in these spaces. Depending on the specific application, a coating with one or more of these substances may be preferred.

[0014] Preferably, the loop has a visually identifiable marker to define a fixed point. This fixed point allows the user to visually monitor the loop's position. This enables the user to control which part of the floss applicator they are using to clean a tooth and to adjust it by moving the floss applicator between their fingers.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, it is preferred that the loop has a tactilely perceptible marker to define a fixed point. This can be achieved, for example, by thickening the dental floss in the area of ​​the fixed point. The tactilely perceptible marker allows the user to identify the fixed point even if it is not visible to them, for example, if it is located in the oral cavity. In this context, it is preferred that the fixed point is formed in a connection area of ​​the section where it is joined to itself. In particular, if a material bond between the section and itself is formed in the connection area, for example, by welding, it is easy to shape this material bond in such a way as to create a tactilely perceptible marker.

[0016] In the present invention, the term "one," "a," or "an" does not refer to a specific number of the components thereby designated, but explicitly includes the possibility that the claimed subject matter may comprise one or more additional components besides the single component. Thus, the term is also to be understood as "one or more." If, on the other hand, the number of specified components is meant to be one, this is indicated by "exactly one."

[0017] The embodiments described above can be combined by a person skilled in the art in any way possible within the framework of the teaching of the invention, even deviating from the references to the claims. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1: a perspective view of an example of a dental floss application; Fig. 2. An example of a section of dental floss before the preparation of the dental floss application. Fig. 3: an example of using the dental floss applicator; Fig. 4-6: Details of various examples of a section of dental floss application; Fig. 7: various examples of dental floss application; and Fig. 8 - 13: Examples showing the possibilities of tensioning the dental floss during flossing. Detailed description of the drawings

[0018] The embodiments shown here are merely examples of the present invention and should therefore not be interpreted as limiting. Alternative embodiments considered by a person skilled in the art are likewise covered by the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 shows a dental floss application 2 comprising a loop 4 made of dental floss 6. The loop 4 is a closed loop formed from a section 7 of dental floss 6; it has a constant circumference and therefore cannot contract or loosen. The section 7 has a length that essentially corresponds to the circumference of the loop 4. The ends of the section 7 are joined together to form the closed loop, preferably by knotting, welding, or gluing, and particularly preferably by welding.

[0020] The dental floss application 2 is used, for example, by a user inserting two or more fingers 8 into the loop 4 of dental floss 6 and tensioning the loop 4 by a corresponding movement of the fingers 8. The tensioned dental floss 6 is inserted into an interdental space in the user's mouth so that the dental floss 6 essentially forms a C-shape against a tooth and runs through the interdental space. The loop 4 is then preferably moved back and forth both circumferentially and up and down along the tooth to loosen any biofilm in the interdental space from the tooth. The loop 4 is then withdrawn from the interdental space, and the next interdental space is treated accordingly until all interdental spaces have been treated.Here, the user has the option of moving the loop 4 further relative to the fingers 8 when moving from one interdental space to the next, so that each interdental space is cleaned by an unused piece of dental floss 6. This enables hygienic interdental cleaning. Details on this will be provided below in connection with [reference to relevant section]. Fig. 3 discussed.

[0021] The loop 4 preferably has a circumference of 15 to 40 cm [centimeters]. This size has proven advantageous because, on the one hand, it allows for easy handling of the dental floss application 2. On the other hand, this circumference allows for the use of an unused piece of dental floss 6 for cleaning each interdental space.

[0022] The dental floss 6 is preferably made of polyamide, polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene, natural silk, rayon, and / or natural fiber. The term "dental floss 6" here also refers to a dental tape, which is not a thin thread but a band with a width greater than its thickness. Preferred widths of dental tapes range from 0.5 to 3 mm, while the preferred diameter of conventional dental floss ranges from one to several tenths of a millimeter.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 shows section 7, dental floss 6, before making the loop 4 (see figure). Fig. 1) Section 7 has two connection areas 10, which are preferably joined together by a material bond to form the loop 4. The connection areas 10 are located at the ends, i.e., they are formed in the region of the ends 11 of section 7. The length 12 of section 7 corresponds to the circumference 16 of the loop 4, except for a length 14 of a connection area 10. In this example, the dental floss 6 is designed as a dental band with a width 18 of approximately 1.0 to 2.5 mm. The thickness of the dental band is significantly thinner and is, for example, in the range of approximately one to several tenths of a millimeter.

[0024] The lengths 12, 14 are determined in a longitudinal direction 20 of section 7. The extent of section 7 in longitudinal direction 20, i.e., the length 12, is significantly greater than the width 18 transverse to this longitudinal direction 20 (or to the thread diameter if dental floss is used); in particular, the length 12 is greater than the width 18 by a factor of at least 10, preferably at least 15.

[0025] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates the application of the dental floss applicator 2. This applicator is threaded into an interdental space 28 between a first tooth 30 and a second tooth 32, which are shown schematically, and is moved in the directions 34 to remove biofilms (not shown). The dental floss applicator 2 is only partially shown. By moving the dental floss applicator 2, the floss 6 of the dental floss applicator 2 removes this biofilm from the second tooth 32 in the interdental space 28. Hard components can fall off the dental floss applicator 2, while the viscous components of the biofilm are carried away by the dental floss 6. By repositioning the applicator 2, the first tooth 30 in the interdental space 28 can then be cleaned. Here, the loop 4 is preferably moved slightly further circumferentially between the fingers 8 (see Figure 3). Fig. 1) so that an unused piece of dental floss 6 can be used to clean the first tooth 30. The directions of movement 34 include an upward and downward movement with respect to tooth 30, 32 and / or a circumferential movement with respect to the dental floss application 2.

[0026] Fig. Figure 4 shows a detailed example of a design of the dental floss applicator 2. Here, the loop 4, which is only partially shown, has an optical marker 22 that defines a fixed point 24 of the loop 4. This fixed point 24 allows the user to estimate how far the loop 4 extends between their fingers 8 when cleaning different interdental spaces (see Figure 4). Fig. 1) was moved by the user. The optical marking 22 is preferably formed by a limited coloring of the dental floss.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, how Fig. Figure 5 shows that a haptic marker 26 can also be attached, which defines the fixed point 24 for the user. Here, the user can perceive the marker haptically, even if it is currently positioned in the oral cavity and possibly not visible.

[0028] Fig. Figure 6 shows an example in which this haptic marking 26 is formed in the connection area 10, where section 7 is connected to itself to form the loop 4. In particular, if section 7 is bonded to itself, the haptic marking 26 can be created simultaneously during the connection process, for example by forming a correspondingly perceptible weld or adhesive bond that creates a noticeable weld point or weld seam.

[0029] Fig. Figure 7 shows various examples of a dental floss application 2, whose loop 4 has different circumferences. The dental floss application 2 shown at the top of the image has the smallest loop 4, and the dental floss application 2 shown at the bottom has the largest loop 4. The circumference of the loops 4 increases steadily from top to bottom. The examples of dental floss application 2 shown here depict sections 7 of dental floss 6, which are connected to themselves at the ends 11 of section 7 via a knot 36. For clarity, section 7, the ends 11, and the knot 36 are shown only in the topmost example of a dental floss application 2.

[0030] It has been found that the size of the loop (16) required for easy insertion of the floss applicator (2) depends primarily on the size of the user's hands. Therefore, it is preferable to offer the floss applicator (2) in different sizes to allow users to purchase the one with the best size for them. In particular, it is also preferable to offer a sample pack containing floss applicators (2) of different sizes, i.e., with loops (4) of different sizes, to allow users to determine the optimal size through trial and error.

[0031] The Fig. Figures 8 to 12, in turn, show various ways of holding the loop 4 of the dental floss applicator 2 with several or all fingers 8 and stretching it between the fingers 8 and thumb 38 of a left hand 40 and a right hand 42. For the sake of clarity, not all fingers 8 are labeled. A fingertip of the right hand 42 or the left hand 40, possibly together with a thumb 38 of the other hand, is particularly preferred as a finger 8 for stretching the loop 4 of the dental floss applicator 2 (see especially Figure 8). Fig. 8, Fig. 11 and Fig. 12) or one finger 8 of each hand 40, 42 (cf. Fig. 9) or several fingers 8 of both hands (cf. Fig. 10, Fig. 13).

[0032] The invention relates to a dental floss applicator 2 in the form of a closed loop 4 made from a section 7 of dental floss 6, which is connected to itself at its ends to form the loop 4. The closed loop design 4 allows the user to use the dental floss 6 more easily without having to wrap it around individual fingers. The user can tighten the loop 4 with several or all fingers and, for example, gently insert it into the interdental spaces with their index fingers or thumbs, easily placing a piece of unused dental floss 6 for each tooth. List of reference symbols 2. Application of dental floss 4 loops 6 dental floss Section 7 8 fingers 10 Connection area 11 End of section 12 Length of the section 14 Length of the connection area 16 Circumference of the loop 18 Width of dental floss 20 Longitudinal direction 22 optical marking 24 Fixed point 26 haptic markings 28 Interdental space 30 first tooth 32 second tooth 34 Direction of movement 36 knots 38 thumbs up 40 left hand 42 right hand QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2010 000 290 U1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Dental floss application (2) for cleaning interdental spaces (28) which is formed as a closed loop (4) from a section (7) of dental floss (6). [2] Dental floss application (2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the loop (4) has a circumference (16) of 15 to 40 cm. [3] Dental floss application (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the loop (4) is formed from a section (7) of dental floss (6) whose ends (11) are joined together by a material bond, preferably welded or glued. [4] Dental floss application (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the dental floss (6) is made of a material selected from at least one of the following materials: polyamide, polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene, natural silk, rayon or natural fiber. [5] Dental floss application (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the dental floss (6) is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluoride, chlorhexidine or other additives. [6] Dental floss application (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the loop (4) has an optically recognizable marking (22) for defining a fixed point (24). [7] Dental floss application (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the loop (4) has a haptically recognizable marking (26) for defining a fixed point (24). [8] Dental floss application (2) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the fixed point (24) is formed in a connection area (10) of the section (7) in which it is connected to itself.

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