Dental floss with case

Abstract

To provide a dental floss with a case which is unlikely to cause dusts, foreign matter, and unwanted bacteria to enter a storage space of the dental floss from outside the case, keeps the hygienic state of the dental floss, and enables a user to easily take out the dental floss from the case.SOLUTION: A dental floss with a case includes a paper case 14 which has: a body 15 having a floss package winding up the dental floss 12 into an almost disk-shape and a flat-shaped storage space 17 capable of storing the floss package inside, and to which the discharge port 19 of the dental floss communicating with the storage space opens; and a lid 16 capable of covering the discharge port. The floss package is configured to be disposed freely movably with a gap between the inner wall of the storage space and both sides of one side and the other side in the axial direction of the nearly disc-shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to dental floss with a case, and more particularly to dental floss with a case that stores wound dental floss and allows a user to pull it out of the case for use. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a dental floss case in which wound dental floss is stored in the case and, when in use, the dental floss can be taken out of the case through a dental floss withdrawal hole provided in the case (Patent Document 1).

[0003] In such a conventional dental floss case, one end of the packaged dental floss wound around the core is pulled from outside the case, and the dental floss is unwound from the package inside the case. Therefore, the user can take out the dental floss from the case without directly touching it. Also, since the dental floss of the length to be pulled out is unwound from the case, the user can use the dental floss of the desired length and keep the remaining dental floss in the case. Then, the user can use the dental floss pulled out from the case with a dental floss cutter to separate the dental floss of the amount to be used from the remaining portion.

[0004] In this case, since the upper cover of the conventional dental floss case covers the upper area, the dental floss pull-out hole is not exposed to the outside when the upper cover is closed. Therefore, there is little possibility that dust, foreign matter, germs, etc. will enter the case from the outside through the dental floss pull-out hole. Therefore, it is easy to keep the dental floss in the case hygienic. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-204556 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Such a conventional dental floss case is entirely formed by injection molding of synthetic resin. The inner peripheral surface of the winding core is loosely fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of a convex shaft molded integrally with the case inside the case, and the package of dental floss wound on this winding core can rotate around the winding core to unwind the dental floss. The shaft is formed by joining a convex part protruding inward from one side of the case divided in the axial direction to a convex part protruding inward from the other side.

[0007] At this time, since the shaft is fixed inside the case, the center of the package from which the dental floss is unwound from the periphery is always in a constant position. On the other hand, the dental floss pull-out hole is made small to reduce the intrusion of dust, foreign objects, germs, etc. For these reasons, depending on how worn out the dental floss is, it may be forced to bend significantly when being pulled out from inside the case to outside the case. In this way, the dental floss may be subject to large friction from the periphery of the dental floss pull-out hole, making it difficult to pull out. Moreover, the surface may be damaged by friction.

[0008] In addition, the dental floss unwound from the package may get caught on the shaft before it reaches the dental floss pull-out hole, making it difficult to pull out. In such a state, the dental floss is more likely to bend significantly when it is pulled out from inside the case to outside the case.

[0009] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a dental floss with a case that allows a user to easily remove the dental floss from the case while maintaining the hygienic condition of the dental floss inside the case. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] (1) The present invention provides a dental floss with a case, comprising: a floss package in which dental floss is wound up in an approximately disk-like shape; and a paper case having a main body with a flattened storage space inside which the floss package can be stored, the main body having an opening for the dental floss to be dispensed and communicating with the storage space, and a lid capable of covering the opening, wherein the floss package is configured to be freely positioned with a gap between the inner wall of the storage space and both one side and the other side in the axial direction of the approximately disk-like shape.

[0011] That is, since the opening on the top surface of the main body is connected to the storage space, the dental floss is less likely to be subjected to friction from the surroundings while being pulled out of the storage space, and the possibility of the pulling being hindered is low. As a result, the user can easily remove the dental floss from the case. At the same time, since the lid covers the opening, it is difficult for dust, foreign objects, germs, etc. to enter the storage space. Therefore, the dental floss inside the case can be kept in a sanitary state.

[0012] In addition, because the case is made of paper, the lid can be easily opened and closed. Moreover, because it is not made from petroleum-based materials, it places less strain on the global environment when disposed of after use.

[0013] Furthermore, the dental floss with case of the present invention has a structure in which there is a gap on both sides of the floss package in the axial direction within the storage space, and the floss package is not supported by an axis, protrusion, etc. on the storage space side or the floss package side. Therefore, the floss package can freely move in the radial direction of the approximately disk shape within the flat storage space. As a result, when the dental floss is pulled out from the feeding port, the floss package can move to a position where the dental floss is least likely to get caught and is easiest to feed. In this way, the dental floss with case of the present invention allows the user to easily remove the dental floss from the case.

[0014] In addition, since the floss package is not supported by shafts, protrusions, etc., the dental floss is not likely to get caught on such shafts, protrusions, etc. after being unwound from the floss package. Therefore, the user can easily remove the dental floss from the case.

[0015] (2) Furthermore, the main body and the lid may be connected at one long side of the top surface of the case which is formed into an approximately rectangular prism shape overall when the lid is closed, the dispensing opening may be opened on the upper surface of the main body, which is the upper surface of the main body, and the lid may be configured to rotate around the one long side and cover the upper part of the main body, which is a part of the main body including the upper surface of the main body.

[0016] That is, in the dental floss case of the present invention, the outlet is connected to the storage space, but the lid can cover the upper part of the main body, including the upper surface of the main body where the outlet is open. Therefore, there is little risk of dust, foreign matter, germs, etc. entering the storage space from outside the case through the outlet. And the dental floss in the case can be kept hygienic.

[0017] In addition, because the lid is connected to the main body and rotates relative to the main body, the user can close the lid immediately after use, reducing the possibility of accidentally leaving the lid open for a long time or losing the lid, etc. This makes it easier to keep the dental floss in the case hygienic.

[0018] (3) Furthermore, the main body and the lid may be connected at one long side of the top surface of the case which is formed into an approximately rectangular prism shape overall when the lid is closed, the feed opening may be opened on the main body top surface which is the upper surface of the main body, and the lid in the closed state may have a lid top wall located on its upper surface which forms the top surface, a lid front wall which continues downward from the lid top wall on the other long side of the top surface, and a pair of lid side walls which intersect and are continuous with the lid top wall and intersect and are continuous with the lid front wall, respectively, and the lid top wall, the lid front wall and the pair of lid side walls may be configured to cover an upper part of the main body which is a part of the main body including the main body top surface.

[0019] That is, the lid has not only a top lid wall but also a front lid wall and a pair of side lid walls, and these top lid wall, front lid wall and side lid walls are continuous with each other, so that the lid can surround the periphery of the top surface of the main body included in the upper part of the main body that they cover. Therefore, by closing the lid, there is less risk of dust, foreign objects, germs, etc. entering the storage space from outside the case through the extension opening.

[0020] In addition, since the lid has a front wall and a pair of side walls, the contact area between the inside of the lid and the upper part of the main body is large. This reduces the possibility that the lid will rotate in an opening direction once closed and the case will open on its own due to friction between them. This allows the floss package to remain hygienic for a longer period of time.

[0021] (4) The floss package may also be formed by winding the dental floss around a core.

[0022] That is, since the floss package has a winding core, the wound dental floss can be unwound regularly all the way to the end. Therefore, the dental floss is less likely to get tangled and can be easily pulled out.

[0023] (5) The storage space may have a substantially square cross section when viewed in the axial direction.

[0024] That is, because the storage space is flat and has a generally square cross section, the floss package can move about the same distance in either radial direction of the generally disk shape within the space. Therefore, the floss package can move a relatively short distance to a position that makes it easy to dispense the dental floss. And the user can easily remove the dental floss from the case.

[0025] In addition, since the storage space has a substantially square cross section, the dead space required to store the substantially disk-shaped floss packages can be relatively small.

[0026] (6) The dental floss coated with wax may be wound around the floss package.

[0027] That is, since the dental floss is wound in the floss package with the wax applied to it, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the dental floss coming loose from the floss package even when the dental floss is not being pulled. Therefore, the dental floss can be unwound relatively regularly and is less likely to become tangled during the unwrapping. As a result, the user can easily remove the dental floss from the case.

[0028] In addition, the dental floss coated with wax is less likely to come undone when it is moved within the storage space. Therefore, even when the dental floss is pulled out from the pull-out opening and the floss package is moved to a position where the dental floss can be easily pulled out, the dental floss is less likely to come undone. Thus, the dental floss is less likely to become tangled along the way, and the user can easily remove the dental floss from the case.

[0029] (7) The main body may also be provided on its upper surface with a cutter capable of cutting the dental floss.

[0030] That is, since the dental floss with case of the present invention is equipped with a cutter, dental floss can be used anywhere without having to carry a separate cutting tool such as scissors.

[0031] In addition, because the cutter is mounted on the top surface of the main body and the lid closes to cover the upper part of the main body including the top surface of the main body, the cutter is not exposed to the outside of the case when the lid is closed. Therefore, the user can safely transport or carry the dental floss with the case.

[0032] Furthermore, by closing the lid after cutting the dental floss taken out of the feeding opening with the cutter, the remaining dental floss left between the feeding opening and the cutter is not exposed to the outside of the case. Therefore, there is a low possibility that dust, foreign matter, germs, etc. will adhere to the remaining dental floss. In this way, the dental floss can be kept in a sanitary condition. Effect of the Invention

[0033] Thus, the present invention provides a dental floss with a case that can keep the dental floss inside the case in a sanitary state, and also provides a dental floss with a case that allows a user to easily remove the dental floss from the case. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a dental floss with a case according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1A is a plan view of a floss package of dental floss with a case according to the present invention, and FIG. [Diagram 3] 1A is a perspective view of the case for dental floss with a case according to the present invention with the lid closed, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the case for dental floss with a case according to the present invention with the lid open. [Figure 4] 2A is a right side view of the case of the dental floss with case according to the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the case taken along line AA. [Diagram 5] 1 is an exploded view of the case of the dental floss with case according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 shows six views of the case of the dental floss with case according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a front end view of the case of the case-attached dental floss of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 1A is a plan view of the dental floss with case according to the present invention with the lid open, and FIG. [Figure 9] 8(b) shows a front view of the dental floss with case of FIG. 8(b) with the floss package moved toward the upper left corner. [Figure 10] 10 shows a front view of the dental floss with case of FIG. 9 with a reduced amount of dental floss wound thereon. [Figure 11] 1A is a front view of a modified example of the dental floss with a case according to the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a front view of a floss package of the dental floss with a case according to the same modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] An embodiment of the cased dental floss of the present invention is illustrated with reference to Figs. 1 to 11. In Fig. 1, 11 is the cased dental floss. Fig. 1 shows one end of dental floss 12. One dental floss 12 is formed of many threads made of synthetic resin such as nylon. The other end of the dental floss 12 is wound up in a floss package 13 shown in Figs. 2(a) and (b). Here, the package refers to a form in which a thread-like body is wound up. The wound form of dental floss is called a floss package. The floss package 13 is stored inside a case 14 shown in Fig. 1. The case 14 has a main body 15 and a lid 16. In each figure, the direction of the arrow U indicates the upward direction of the cased dental floss, and the direction of the arrow D indicates the downward direction. The direction of the arrow F indicates the forward direction of the cased dental floss, and the direction of the arrow B indicates the backward direction. The direction of the arrow L indicates the leftward direction of the cased dental floss, and the direction of the arrow R indicates the rightward direction.

[0036] The case 14 is generally formed in a rectangular prism shape when the lid 16 is closed on the main body 15. In this embodiment, the case 14 is generally formed in a rectangular prism shape with a horizontal cross section having a left-right longitudinal direction. The case 14 is made of paper, and the inside is waterproofed. The main body 15 of the case 14 has a storage space 17 in which the floss package 13 can be stored. The storage space 17 will be described in detail later. The main body 15 has an upper surface, the main body upper surface 18, on which an outlet 19 for the dental floss 12 is opened, which communicates with the storage space 17. As shown in FIG. 1, the outlet 19 is formed in a triangular shape with one apex facing right, and is located near the left end of the main body upper surface 18 and approximately in the center in the front-rear direction. The main body upper surface 18 is inclined so that the rear side is higher than the front side.

[0037] The main body 15 and the lid 16 are connected at the top rear edge 21, which is the rear long side of the top surface 20 of the case 14 when the lid 16 is closed. The lid 16 can rotate around the top rear edge 21. That is, the lid 16 rotates forward from the open state of FIG. 1 around the top rear edge 21. As a result, the lid 16 can be closed on the main body 15. When the lid 16 is closed on the main body 15, it can cover the main body upper part 22, which is a part of the upper side of the main body 15 including the main body upper surface 18. Since the payout opening 19 is opened on the main body upper surface 18, the payout opening 19 is covered by the lid 16. The main body upper part 22 is located above the imaginary line in FIG. 1.

[0038] FIG. 2(a) shows a plan view of the floss package 13, and FIG. 2(b) shows a front view of the same. The floss package 13 has a center line C in the front-rear direction, and the dental floss 12 is wound in a substantially disk shape around the center line C. The floss package 13 also has a cylindrical winding core 23. The center line of the winding core 23 coincides with the center line C of the floss package 13. The winding core 23 is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene. The floss package 13 is formed by winding the dental floss 12, which has been applied with wax, around the winding core 23. The wax used here is an industrial petroleum wax, such as microcrystalline wax. Since the dental floss 12 is applied with wax, it is difficult to unravel except when it is being fed out of the case.

[0039] The front end of winding core 23 protrudes slightly forward from the front end face of floss package 13. Similarly, the rear end protrudes slightly rearward from the rear end face of floss package 13. Because the front and rear ends of winding core 23 protrude, it is difficult for the end faces of floss package 13 to come into close contact with the front and rear inner walls of storage space 17. This reduces the possibility that wax applied to dental floss 12 will adhere to the inside of storage space 17.

[0040] FIG. 3(a) shows a perspective view of the case 14 in a state where the lid 16 is closed relative to the main body 15. FIG. 3(b) shows a perspective view of the case 14 in a state where the lid 16 is open. In the closed state of FIG. 3(a), the lid upper wall 25 located on the upper surface of the lid 16 constitutes the top surface 20 of the entire case 14. The lid 16 also has a lid front wall 27 that continues downward from the lid upper wall 25 at the top surface front edge 26, which is the front long side of the top surface 20. The lid 16 also has a pair of left and right lid side walls 28a and 28b that are perpendicular to the lid upper wall 25 and the lid front wall 27, respectively, and continue to the lid upper wall 25 and the lid front wall 27, respectively. Thus, the lid upper wall 25, the lid front wall 27, the left lid side wall 28a, and the right lid side wall 28b form a substantially triangular prism-shaped space whose inner surfaces are long in the left and right directions.

[0041] The lid upper wall 25, the lid front wall 27, the left lid side wall 28a and the right lid side wall 28b cover the main body upper part 22 when the lid 16 is in the closed state shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0042] Fig. 4(a) shows a right side view of the case 14. Fig. 4(b) shows a right side cross-sectional view of the case 14 cut in the direction of AA shown in Fig. 3(a). Both views show the state in which the lid 16 is closed on the main body 15. In addition to the main body top surface 18, the main body 15 has a main body front wall 29 which is the front wall, a main body rear wall 30 which is the rear wall, main body side walls 31a, 31b which are a pair of left and right side walls, and a main body bottom wall 32 which is the bottom wall. The inside of the main body side wall 31a is shown in Fig. 4(b).

[0043] A portion of the space of the triangular prism described above is indicated by reference numeral 33 in Fig. 4(b). This portion is surrounded by the main body upper surface 18, the lid upper wall 25, a portion of the front wall 27, and portions of the left and right lid side walls 28a, 28b. The space surrounded by the main body upper surface 18, the lid upper wall 25, a portion of the front wall 27, and portions of the left and right lid side walls 28a, 28b is called the lid inner space 33. The payout opening 19 is located within the lid inner space 33, i.e., it is covered by the lid 16.

[0044] Meanwhile, a cutter 34 for cutting dental floss 12 is attached to a position slightly to the right of the center in the left-right direction on the main body top surface 18. As shown in Fig. 1, a user can slide dental floss 12 taken out from the feeding opening 19 under the cutter 34 and cut it using the right edge of the cutter 34 by pulling it forward, upward, left, etc. The cutter 34 is made of metal. The feeding opening 19, the cutter 34, and the dental floss 12 that is fed out from the feeding opening 19 and remains on the main body top surface 18 after being cut by the cutter 34 are located in the lid inner space 33.

[0045] 4(b), the storage space 17 is a space surrounded by the main body front wall 29, the main body rear wall 30, the main body top surface 18, the main body bottom wall 32, and the left and right main body side walls 31a, 31b. The storage space 17 has a substantially square cross section when viewed in the front-rear direction.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4(b), a claw-shaped locking claw 35 extends forward from the main body top surface 18. Meanwhile, a concave locking hole 36 is recessed in the inside of the lid front wall 27 at a position where the locking claw 35 comes into contact with the inside of the lid 16 when the lid 16 is closed. Therefore, when the lid 16 is rotated forward to close it relative to the main body 15, the locking claw 35 engages with the locking hole 36, and the lid 16 can be maintained in a closed state. Thereafter, when the lid 16 is to be rotated backward, the locking claw 35 disengages from the locking hole 36, and the lid 16 can be opened relative to the main body 15.

[0047] FIG. 5 shows a development of the case 14. The two-dot chain lines indicate the fold lines, and the solid lines indicate the cut lines. Among the fold lines, the fold lines marked with a V in the figure indicate valley fold lines, and the other fold lines indicate mountain fold lines. FIG. 6 shows six views of the case 14, and the reference numbers given to the parts of the case 14 shown so far are reprinted. In the development of FIG. 5, the parts with branch numbers indicate the parts that are folded and overlapped to form the lid top wall 25 or the lid front wall 27. That is, the parts 25-1, 25-2, and 25-3 in the development overlap each other in order from the outside of the case 14 to form the lid top wall 25. Also, the parts 27-1, 27-2, and 27-3 in the development overlap each other in order from the outside of the case 14 to form the lid front wall 27. Here, the parts 27-2 on both the left and right sides of the figure are inner flaps, and are sandwiched between the parts 27-1 and 27-3 to form the lid front wall 27. Thus, the lid upper wall 25 and the lid front wall 27 are formed from multiple overlapping sheets of paper material. On the other hand, only the portion 18 in this developed view constitutes the main body upper surface 18 having the cutout for the payout port 19, and no other portion of the portion 18 overlaps with this. In other words, the main body upper surface 18 is formed from only one sheet of paper material.

[0048] 7 shows an end view of the case 14 as seen from the front when the case 14 is cut along a plane in the left-right and top-bottom directions including the feeding opening 19. As shown in the development view of FIG. 5, the main body top surface 18 is made of only one sheet of paper material. As a result, the feeding opening 19 penetrates vertically from the top of the main body top surface 18 to the storage space 17, and other paper materials do not obstruct the passage of the dental floss 12. In this way, the feeding opening 19 is opened on the main body top surface 18 so as to communicate with the storage space 17.

[0049] FIG. 8(a) shows a plan view of the dental floss with case 11 with the lid 16 open. FIG. 8(b) shows a front view of the dental floss with case 11. In each figure, the dental floss 12 and the floss package 13 in the storage space 17 are shown by hidden lines. The dental floss 12 is wound around the floss package 13 in a clockwise direction when viewed from the front. After being unwound from the floss package 13, it is guided to the outside of the case 14 through the feeding port 19. Then, it is cut by the cutter 34, and the dental floss 12 that has been cut off can be used by the user to clean the oral cavity. In this state, the dental floss 12 outside the case 14 extends between the feeding port 19 and the cutter 34, so that the user can pick up the extended dental floss 12 with his or her fingers and pull it out from the feeding port 19 when using it next time. At this time, the dental floss 12 in the storage space 17 is pulled as the dental floss 12 is pulled out from the feeding port 19, causing the floss package 13 to rotate clockwise. Then, a new piece of dental floss 12 is unwound from the floss package 13.

[0050] The length of this floss package 13 in the front-to-rear direction is smaller than the length of storage space 17 in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, floss package 13 is not supported by any shafts, protrusions, etc. between it and storage space 17. Furthermore, when viewed from the front, the diameter of floss package 13 is smaller than the left-right and top-to-bottom dimensions of storage space 17. As a result, floss package 13 can be positioned with a gap between the inner wall of storage space 17 and both the front and rear sides of floss package 13. Furthermore, floss package 13 can freely move in the left-right and top-to-bottom directions within storage space 17.

[0051] With the above configuration, the dental floss 12 is less likely to be interfered with while being pulled out from the storage space 17 because the pull-out opening 19 on the top surface 18 of the main body is connected to the storage space 17. As a result, the user can easily remove the dental floss 12 from the case 14.

[0052] On the other hand, although the feeding opening 19 is connected to the storage space 17, the lid 16 can cover the upper part 22 of the main body including the upper surface 18 of the main body where the feeding opening 19 is opened. Therefore, there is little risk of dust, foreign matter, germs, etc. entering the storage space 17 from the outside of the case 14 through the feeding opening 19. This allows the dental floss 12 in the case 14 to be kept in a sanitary state.

[0053] Furthermore, because the lid 16 is connected to the main body 15 and rotates relative to the main body 15, the user can close the lid immediately after use, and there is a low possibility of accidentally leaving the lid 16 open for a long period of time or losing the lid 16. This makes it easier to keep the dental floss 12 in the case 14 sanitary.

[0054] In addition, because the case 14 is made of paper, it is so light that the pivoting lid 16 can be opened and closed with the fingers of one hand. In addition, because it is not made from petroleum-derived materials, it places a small burden on the global environment when disposed of after use.

[0055] Next, the lid 16 has not only the lid upper wall 25 but also the lid front wall 27 and the pair of lid side walls 28a, 28b, and these lid upper wall 25, lid front wall 27, and lid side walls 28a, 28b are continuous with each other, so that the lid can surround the periphery of the main body upper surface 18 included in the main body upper part 22 that they cover. These can then close the lid inner space 33. Therefore, by closing the lid 16, there is less risk of dust, foreign matter, germs, etc. entering the storage space 17 from the outside of the case 14 through the feed opening 19.

[0056] In addition, because the lid 16 has the lid front wall 27 and the pair of lid side walls 28a, 28b, the contact area between the inside of the lid 16 and the main body upper part 22 of the main body 15 is large. Then, due to friction between them, the lid 16, once closed, is unlikely to rotate in an opening direction and the case 14 to open by itself. Therefore, the floss package 12 can be kept in a sanitary state for a long time.

[0057] Furthermore, the main body 15 has a locking claw 35 and the lid 16 has a locking hole 36, and when the lid 16 is closed, the locking claw 35 and the locking hole 36 engage with each other. Therefore, the lid 16 can be kept closed until a user separates them in an attempt to open the lid 16. This allows the floss package 12 to be kept sanitary for a longer period of time.

[0058] Next, the floss package 13 of the case-attached dental floss 11 has a structure in which there is a gap on both sides in the front-rear direction in the storage space 17, and is not supported by an axis, a protrusion, or the like on the storage space 17 side or the floss package 13 side. Therefore, the floss package 13 can freely move in the radial direction of the approximately disk shape in the flat storage space 17. As a result, when the dental floss 12 is pulled out from the feeding port 19, the floss package 13 can move to a position where the dental floss 12 is least likely to get caught and is easy to feed out. For example, compared to the state of FIG. 8(b), when the dental floss 12 is pulled out from the feeding port 19, the floss package 13 is pulled by the dental floss 12 as shown in FIG. 9. Therefore, the floss package 13 can move as close to the upper left corner as possible in the storage space 17. As a result, the dental floss 12 is less likely to bend significantly when passing through the feeding port 19, and the friction it receives when pulling out can be reduced. In this way, the user can easily remove the dental floss 12 from the case. Also, damage to the dental floss 12 caused by friction can be reduced.

[0059] 10, even when the dental floss 12 is pulled out and the amount of dental floss 12 wound around the winding core 23 decreases, the dental floss 12 does not bend significantly when passing through the payout opening 19. If the winding core 23 were supported at about the center of the storage space 17 in a plan view, there is a high possibility that the dental floss 12 would bend significantly when passing through the payout opening 19 when the amount of dental floss 12 wound around it decreases.

[0060] In addition, since the floss package 13 is not supported by an axis, a protrusion, or the like, the dental floss 12 is unlikely to get caught on such an axis, a protrusion, or the like after being unwound from the floss package 13. Therefore, the user can easily take out the dental floss 12 from the case 14. Although FIG. 8(a) shows a state in which the floss package 13 remains at a substantially central position in the front-to-rear direction of the storage space 17, for example, the case-attached dental floss 11 may be lying with its front or back side facing down, in which case it is considered that the floss package 13 is in contact with the front or back inner wall of the storage space 17. However, since the dental floss 12 and the winding core 23 are both made of a light material, the floss package 13 can be lifted up lightly, and when the dental floss 12 is pulled, the dental floss 12 can easily pass under the floss package 13 and move toward the payout port 19. Therefore, even in such a case, there is little risk that the dental floss 12 will get caught somewhere.

[0061] Next, since the floss package 13 has the winding core 23, the wound dental floss 12 can be unwound regularly to the end. Therefore, the dental floss 12 is less likely to get tangled midway and can be easily pulled out.

[0062] Next, since the storage space 17 has a flat shape and a substantially square cross section, the floss package 13 can move approximately the same distance in each diameter direction within the space. Therefore, the floss package 13 can move a relatively short distance to the upper left corner of the storage space 17. Then, the user can immediately remove the dental floss 12 from the case 14. For example, if the storage space is not a substantially square shape as shown in FIG. 9 but an extremely vertically or horizontally elongated rectangle, the distance to the upper left corner of the storage space will be long depending on the position of the floss package 13 before the movement. In such a case, it is difficult for the user to efficiently remove the dental floss 12 from the case 14.

[0063] In addition, since storage space 17 has a substantially square cross section, the dead space required to store substantially disk-shaped floss packages 13 can be relatively small.

[0064] Secondly, since dental floss 12 is wound in floss package 13 with wax applied thereto, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of dental floss 12 coming undone from floss package 13 even when dental floss 12 is not being pulled. Therefore, dental floss 12 can be unwound relatively regularly and is less likely to become tangled during the unwrapping process. As a result, the user can easily remove dental floss 12 from case 14.

[0065] In addition, dental floss 12 coated with wax is less likely to come undone when moving within storage space 17. Therefore, there is little risk of dental floss 12 coming undone while floss package 13 moves, for example, from the position in Figure 8(b) to the position in Figure 9 by pulling dental floss 12 from the feeding opening. Thus, dental floss 12 is less likely to become tangled along the way, and the user can easily remove dental floss 12 from case 14.

[0066] Next, since the dental floss with case 11 is equipped with a cutter 34, the dental floss 12 can be used anywhere without having to carry a separate cutting tool such as scissors.

[0067] In addition, because the cutter 34 is mounted on the upper surface 18 of the main body and the lid 16 is closed so as to cover the upper part 22 of the main body including the upper surface 18 of the main body, when the lid 16 is closed, the cutter 34 is contained within the space inside the lid 33 and is not exposed to the outside of the case 14. Therefore, the user can safely transport or carry the dental floss with case 11.

[0068] Furthermore, by closing the lid 16 after cutting the dental floss 12 taken out from the feeding opening 19 with the cutter 34, the remaining dental floss 12 left between the feeding opening 19 and the cutter 34 remains in the lid inner space 33 and is not exposed to the outside of the case 14. Therefore, there is a low possibility that dust, foreign matter, germs, etc. will adhere to the remaining dental floss 12. In this way, the dental floss 12 can be kept in a sanitary state.

[0069] [Variations] 11(a) and (b) show modified examples of the embodiment of the dental floss with case of the present invention. In the front view of FIG. 11(a), 111 denotes the dental floss with case. One end of dental floss 112 is pulled out to the outside of case 114, and the other end is wound up in floss package 113 and stored inside body 115 of case 114. Case 114 has body 115 with opening 119. Case 114 also has lid 116 that covers a part of the upper side of body 115 and can cover opening 119.

[0070] As shown in the front view of Figure 11 (b), dental floss 112 is wound around center line C of a substantially disk-shaped floss package 113. However, this floss package 113 does not have a winding core. Therefore, the other end of dental floss 112 is located at the center of floss package 113 without being wound around anything.

[0071] The other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment of the dental floss with case 11 described above.

[0072] When dental floss 112 is pulled out further from the state shown in Figure 11 and the amount of dental floss 112 wound around floss package 113 decreases, the angle at which dental floss 112 bends as it passes through payout port 119 remains the same as the angle of dental floss 12 shown in Figure 10.

[0073] Furthermore, since the case-equipped dental floss 111 according to this modified example does not have a winding core made of synthetic resin such as polypropylene, there is no need to dispose of such a winding core, and the burden on the global environment is small.

[0074] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0075] For example, the floss package may have a pair of front and rear flanges, each of which may be formed in a disk shape when viewed from the front, or in a doughnut shape disposed around the winding core, in which case the dental floss is wound around the winding core between the front flange and the rear flange.

[0076] In addition, the front end or rear end of the core does not have to protrude forward or rearward from the end face of the floss package, respectively. In this case, the dental floss can be prevented from getting caught on the protruding portion.

[0077] The core may be made of a material other than synthetic resin. For example, the core may be made of a paper tube. In that case, like the body and lid of a paper case, the core may be disposed of after use with less impact on the global environment. [Industrial Applicability]

[0078] The present invention is a case-attached dental floss comprising dental floss for cleaning between a user's teeth and a case attached thereto, and can be utilized for cleaning between a user's teeth. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 11, 111 Dental floss with case 12, 112 Dental floss 13, 113 Floss Package 14, 114 cases 15, 115 Main unit 16, 116 lid 17 Storage Space 18 Top of main body 19, 119 Outlet 20 Top 23 Winding core 33 Lid inner space 34 Cutter

Claims

1. The dental floss package is a package in which dental floss is wound into a substantially disk-like shape, and the case is made of paper and has a body having a flat storage space inside in which the floss package can be stored and an opening for dispensing the dental floss that communicates with the storage space, and a lid that can cover the opening; The floss package is configured to be movably disposed at intervals between the inner wall of the storage space and both sides of the approximately disk-shaped container in the axial direction. A dental floss with a case.

2. the main body and the lid are connected to each other at one long side of a top surface of the case that is generally formed in a substantially rectangular prism shape when the lid is closed, The payout port is opened on the upper surface of the main body, The lid is configured to rotate about the one long side and to cover an upper part of the main body, which is a part of the main body including the upper surface of the main body.

2. The dental floss with case according to claim 1 .

3. the main body and the lid are connected to each other at one long side of a top surface of the case that is generally formed in a substantially rectangular prism shape when the lid is closed, The payout port is opened on the upper surface of the main body, The lid in the closed state has a lid upper wall located on its upper surface forming the top surface, a lid front wall continuing downward from the lid upper wall on the other long side of the top surface, and a pair of lid side walls intersecting and continuing with the lid upper wall and intersecting and continuing with the lid front wall, The lid upper wall, the lid front wall, and the pair of lid side walls are configured to cover an upper part of the main body, which is a part of the main body including the main body upper surface.

2. The dental floss with case according to claim 1 .

4. The floss package is formed by winding the dental floss around a core.

4. The dental floss with case according to claim 1, wherein the dental floss is attached to a surface of the dental floss.

5. The storage space has a substantially square cross section when viewed in the axial direction.

4. The dental floss with case according to claim 1, wherein the dental floss is attached to a surface of the dental floss.

6. The dental floss coated with wax is wound in the floss package.

4. The dental floss with case according to claim 1, wherein the dental floss is attached to a surface of the dental floss.

7. A cutter capable of cutting the dental floss is provided on the top surface of the main body.

4. The dental floss with case according to claim 2 or 3.

Images