Dental flosser assembly having a disposable part and means for adjusting floss tension

Abstract

The present invention provides a handheld dental flosser that has means for adjusting floss tension and more efficiently cleans the tooth surface (including the front, back, and interdental surfaces) around the contour of the tooth. [Solution] A dental flosser assembly or dental flosser includes a handle member 202 and a U-shaped section, the handle member including a U-shaped seat 232. The U-shaped seat has a U-shaped trough 234 defined within the U-shaped seat, the U-shaped seat includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposing first and second sides, and the U-shaped seat includes a first arm section and a second arm section. The U-shaped section has a first arm and a second arm spaced apart from each other, the U-shaped trough includes a bottom surface and an upper opening, the upper opening opens into the first side of the U-shaped seat, and the U-shaped section is received within the U-shaped trough through the upper opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to tooth and oral cleaning devices, and more particularly to a hand-held dental flosser (e.g., dental floss pick or dental floss holder) having means for adjusting floss tension.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, the spaces between teeth and the surfaces of teeth can be cleaned by various methods such as brushing, mechanically-driven water jets, and dental floss or dental tape or similar threads. Dental floss is a string made of thin fibers and is generally used to remove food and plaque from teeth.

[0003] One of the main causes of tooth decay and one of the important causes of periodontal disease is the formation of plaque on the surfaces of teeth. Once removed, new plaque can form again within 24 hours. Therefore, at least once daily floss use is required to maintain optimal oral hygiene and health.

[0004] Because the procedure for using typical dental floss is difficult and cumbersome, many people do not floss their teeth regularly. The use of a hand-held dental flosser (also known as a floss holder or floss pick) makes floss use more convenient and easier. Generally, a dental flosser includes two tip portions extending from a thin plastic body (or handle). A floss strand is stretched between the two tip portions. As an example, a typical dental flosser is disclosed in U.S. Design Application No. D618396 entitled "Dental floss pick". Typical dental flossers are often made from hard, non-flexible plastic materials and the floss strand between the two tip portions is fixed.

[0005] The main drawbacks of a typical dental flosser are as follows: Because the tension of the floss bundle is fixed, the relatively high tension required for the action of properly inserting the dental floss between teeth, which requires the floss bundle to maintain tension, prevents the floss bundle from bending around the contour of the teeth away from the interdental space. As a result, it is not easy to properly clean plaque and bacteria from tooth surfaces other than the interdental surfaces.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a handheld dental flosser that is improved, has means for adjusting floss tension, and cleans the tooth surface (including the front, back, and interdental surfaces) more efficiently around the contour of the tooth. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a dental flosser having a removable U-shaped section, according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1: Decomposed perspective view of a dental flosser. [Figure 3] Side view of dental flosser (Figure 1) [Figure 4] Perspective view showing a portion of the dental flosser in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Perspective view of the U-shaped part attached to the floss attachment member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following descriptions and drawings are illustrative and should not be construed as limitations. Numerous specific details are provided to help you better understand this disclosure.

[0009] One concept of the present invention relates to a handheld dental flosser. The dental flosser includes a U-shaped section having two spaced-apart arms (a first arm and a second arm) and a handle connected to the U-shaped section. The dental flosser further comprises a floss bundle. The floss bundle has a first end and a second end. The first end of the floss bundle is fixedly attached to the first arm of the U-shaped section, so that the position of the first end of the floss bundle does not move relative to the first arm of the U-shaped section. The attachment position may be at the end of the first arm of the U-shaped section, or in the vicinity of the end of the first arm of the U-shaped section. The second end of the floss bundle is attached to a floss bundle attachment piece. The user can move the second end of the floss bundle by manually (or mechanically or electrically) manipulating the floss bundle attachment piece to increase, decrease, or maintain the tension of the floss bundle. The middle section of the floss bundle is slidably mounted on the second arm of the U-shaped section, so that the middle section of the floss bundle is slidable relative to the second arm of the U-shaped section. To slidably mount the middle section of the floss bundle to the second arm of the U-shaped section, components of a mounting mechanism, such as a fixed pulley, pivot, wheel, rotor, channel, passage, hole, or other suitable means, may be applied. The mounting mechanism may be located at the end of the second arm of the U-shaped section or in the vicinity of the end of the second arm of the U-shaped section. The mounting mechanism allows the floss bundle to be slidable while preventing it from completely separating from the second arm of the U-shaped section.

[0010] One concept of the present invention relates to a handheld dental flosser. The dental flosser comprises a U-shaped section having two spaced-apart arms, a handle connected to the U-shaped section, and a sliding member section separated from the handle (or U-shaped section) or detachably connected to the handle (or U-shaped section). In some embodiments, the U-shaped section, the handle, and the sliding member section are all manufactured from the same suitable material (e.g., plastic) and manufactured using an injection molding process. In some embodiments, the dental flosser is manufactured as a single-piece molded product having the U-shaped section, the handle, and the sliding member section connected to each other. The sliding member section may be connected to the handle or U-shaped section at a narrow connection point, and the user can apply force to the connection point to separate the sliding member section from the handle or U-shaped section, thereby making the sliding member a separated element.

[0011] The dental flosser further comprises a floss bundle. In some embodiments, the floss bundle is injection-molded in place together with the dental flosser. The floss bundle has two ends. The first end of the floss bundle is fixed and embedded in the first arm of the U-shaped section (i.e., the arm distal to the handle). The second end of the floss bundle is fixed and embedded in the sliding member. There are several ways to firmly secure the ends of the floss bundle. One example of a method is to extend the ends of the floss bundle from the plastic material during the injection molding process and then heat or burn the ends of the floss bundle to bond them to beads having a larger diameter than the floss, thereby preventing the floss bundle from being pulled out of the plastic material.

[0012] The middle portion of the floss bundle passes through a channel in the second arm of the U-shaped section. This channel is created when the floss bundle is injection-molded in situ together with the terminal flosser. The middle portion of the floss bundle is slidable within the channel in the second arm of the U-shaped section.

[0013] The floss bundle has three contact points (or contact areas) with respect to the dental flosser. The floss bundle has a first end fixed to the first arm of the U-shaped section. This is the first contact point. The floss bundle has a second end fixed to the sliding member. This is the second contact point. Between its first and second ends, the floss bundle also contacts the second arm of the U-shaped section by passing through a channel or some other mounting mechanism within the second arm of the U-shaped section. This is the third contact point. In this concept, the function of the second arm of the U-shaped section with respect to the floss bundle is similar to that of a fixed pulley, and the second arm allows the floss bundle to be mounted on the second arm and slide around the second arm. The length of the floss bundle between its ends is fixed. However, the portion of the floss bundle between the first and second arms of the U-shaped section is adjustable by the user.

[0014] In some embodiments, the dental flosser includes a longitudinal guide groove or channel in the handle. The groove or channel is dimensioned such that a sliding member can be fitted into the groove or channel and slide along it. The user may fit the sliding member into the groove or channel and then slide the sliding member along the groove or channel using their thumb or other fingers. When the sliding member is moved in one direction, it increases the tension of the floss bundle. When the sliding member is moved in another direction, it decreases the tension of the floss bundle. Thus, the user can adjust the tension of the floss bundle as desired by sliding the sliding member along the guide groove.

[0015] One concept of the present invention relates to a dental flosser or dental flosser assembly. The dental flosser or dental flosser assembly includes a handle member, a U-shaped section, a floss bundle attachment member, and a floss bundle. The handle member includes a proximal end and a distal end. The U-shaped section is detachably fixed to the distal end of the handle member and has a first arm and a second arm spaced apart from each other. The floss bundle attachment member is attached to the handle member and movable relative to the handle member, at least between a first and second position. The floss bundle is of length and has a first end and a second end, with the first end of the floss bundle fixed to the first arm of the U-shaped section and the second end of the floss bundle attached to the floss bundle attachment member. In some embodiments, the second arm includes a channel defined through the second arm, and the middle portion of the floss bundle extends into the channel, thereby a portion of the floss bundle extending between the first and second arms. In some embodiments, the floss bundle attachment member includes a contact member which is rotatable between an engaged position and a released position. The contact member includes a contact surface which contacts the handle in the engaged position and does not contact the handle in the rotated released position. In some embodiments, the U-shaped portion includes a connecting portion extending from the U-shaped portion. The connecting portion is received in a pocket defined at the distal end of the handle member so as to detachably secure the U-shaped portion to the handle member. In some embodiments, the connecting portion includes a bottom portion which is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the U-shaped portion is fixed to the handle member, and in the unlocked position, the U-shaped portion is detachable from the handle member. In some embodiments, the handle member includes a U-shaped seat, and the U-shaped portion is received within the U-shaped seat. In some embodiments, the second arm includes a channel projection member extending from the second arm. The U-shaped seat includes a U-shaped trough defined in the U-shaped seat. The U-shaped trough includes a bottom surface. A channel trough is defined by a channel projection member and the bottom surface of a U-shaped trough, and a floss bundle extends through the channel trough. In some embodiments, the first arm includes a first receiving member, and the second arm includes a second receiving member. The first projection member is received within the first receiving member, and the channel projection member is received within the second receiving member.In some embodiments, one of the U-shaped seat and U-shaped portion includes an alignment projection, and the other of the U-shaped seat and U-shaped portion includes an alignment recess, with the alignment projection receiving within the alignment recess. In some embodiments, the U-shaped seat includes a U-shaped trough defined within the U-shaped seat. The U-shaped seat includes a notch communicating with the U-shaped trough. The U-shaped portion includes a tab member receiving within the notch. In some embodiments, a space is defined between the U-shaped seat and the tab member. In some embodiments, the handle includes a slot defined through the handle. The floss bundle mounting member includes a contact member and a male member extending from the contact member. At least a portion of the male member extends into a slot, the male member includes a integrally molded hinge, and the contact member is rotatable around the integrally molded hinge between an engaged position and an unengaged position. In some embodiments, a male member defines a first axis, the male member including a first end attached to a contact member and a second end facing the contact member, the second end of the male member extending into the slot when the contact member is located outside the slot. In some embodiments, the handle and U-shaped portion are coplanar and define a first plane, which is divided into the handle and the U-shaped portion. In some embodiments, the handle includes a slot defined through the handle, the floss bundle mounting member includes a male member, at least a portion of which extends into the slot. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the floss bundle mounting member is rotatable relative to the handle to apply tension equal to the width of the floss. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the floss bundle mounting member can move toward or away from the distal end to apply tension equal to the width of the floss. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the floss bundle mounting member can move toward or away from the distal end to apply tension equal to the width of the floss.

[0016] One concept of the present invention relates to a dental flosser or dental flosser assembly. The dental flosser or dental flosser assembly includes a handle member, a U-shaped section, a floss bundle attachment member, and a floss bundle. The handle member includes a U-shaped seat. The U-shaped seat has a U-shaped trough defined therein, and the U-shaped seat includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposing first and second sides, and the U-shaped seat includes a first arm section and a second arm section. The U-shaped section has a first arm and a second arm spaced apart from each other. The U-shaped trough includes a bottom surface and an upper opening, the upper opening opening to the first side of the U-shaped seat, and the U-shaped section is received within the U-shaped trough through the upper opening. The first arm includes a first projection member extending from the first arm, and the second arm includes a channel projection member extending from the second arm, the first projection member includes a distal end, and the channel projection member includes a distal end. The distal end of the first projection member extends into and is received within the first receiving member defined in the U-shaped seat, and the distal end of the second projection member extends into and is received within the second receiving member defined in the U-shaped seat. The first plane extends and divides into the first and second arms of the U-shaped section, and the second plane extends and divides into the first and second arm portions of the U-shaped seat. The first and second planes are substantially parallel when the U-shaped section is received and positioned within the U-shaped trough. The floss bundle mounting member is attached to and movable relative to the handheld member at least between the first and second positions. The floss bundle has length and has a first end and a second end. The first end of the floss bundle is fixed to the first arm of the U-shaped section, and the second end of the floss bundle is attached to the floss bundle mounting member. The floss bundle mounting member is movable between a first position and a second position to increase or decrease the tension of the floss bundle. In some embodiments, the second arm includes a channel defined through the second arm, and the middle portion of the floss bundle extends into the channel, thereby a portion of the floss bundle extending between the first and second arms.In some embodiments, the floss bundle mounting member includes a contact member which is rotatable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and the contact member includes a contact surface which contacts the handheld member in the engaged position and does not contact the handheld member in the rotated disengaged position. In some embodiments, one of the U-shaped seat and U-shaped portion includes an alignment projection, and the other of the U-shaped seat and U-shaped portion includes an alignment recess, with the alignment projection being received within the alignment recess. In some embodiments, the U-shaped seat includes a notch communicating with a U-shaped trough, and the U-shaped portion includes a tab member received within the notch. In some embodiments, a space is defined between the U-shaped seat and the tab member. In some embodiments, the handheld member includes a slot defined through the handheld member, with a male member extending from the contact member, at least a portion of the male member extending into the slot, the male member including a integrally molded hinge, and the contact member rotatable around the integrally molded hinge between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In some embodiments, a male member defines a first axis, the male member including a first end attached to a contact member and a second end facing the contact member, the second end of the male member extending into the slot when the contact member is located outside the slot. In some embodiments, a hand member includes a slot defined through the hand member, and a floss bundle attachment member includes a male member, at least a portion of which extends into the slot. In some embodiments, the floss bundle attachment member is fixed to a U-shaped section before being attached to the hand member. In some embodiments, the hand member includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposing first and second sides, the top surface, bottom surface, and opposing first and second sides of the U-shaped section correspond to the top surface, bottom surface, and opposing first and second sides of the hand member, and the floss bundle attachment member is provided on the first side of the hand member. In some embodiments, the first arm portion includes a first groove defined in the first arm portion, which communicates with a U-shaped trough, the second arm portion includes a second groove defined in the second arm portion, which communicates with a U-shaped trough, and a portion of the floss bundle extends from the first arm through the first groove and through the second groove to the second arm.In some embodiments, the first receiving member defines at least partially the first groove, and the second receiving member defines at least partially the second groove. In some embodiments, the first receiving member includes a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall that together define the first opening. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the distal end of the first projection member is received within the first opening.

[0017] Figures 1 to 5 show a dental flosser application 230 including a handle member 202 and a U-shaped section 12, the U-shaped section 12 being removably fixed to the distal end 202b of the handle member. In one preferred embodiment, the dental flosser application 230 or the handle member 202 includes a groove or slot 28. The floss bundle attachment member 16 preferably includes a contact member 32. The handle member 202 of the dental flosser application 230 includes a U-shaped seat 232, within which the U-shaped section 12 is received and positioned. The U-shaped seat 232 includes a U-shaped trough 234 defined within the U-shaped seat, the U-shaped trough 234 is configured to receive the U-shaped section 12 therein. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the U-shaped section 12 includes a tab member 236 extending outward from the U-shaped section 12. When the U-shaped portion 12 is received within the U-shaped trough 234, the tab member 236 is received within the notch of the U-shaped seat portion 232. The tab member 236 can be used to pull out or remove the U-shaped portion 12 from the U-shaped trough 234 and the U-shaped seat portion 232. As shown in Figure 4, in one preferred embodiment, the tab member 236 is spaced apart from the U-shaped seat portion 232. This allows a user to insert their claw or other object into the space 239 and engage with the tab member 236 to remove the U-shaped portion.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3, the U-shaped seat portion 232 may include an alignment projection 240, which is received in an alignment recess 242 defined in the U-shaped portion 12. The alignment projection 240 and the alignment recess 242 help to position and align the U-shaped portion 12 when it is placed in the U-shaped trough 234. The alignment projection 240 and the alignment recess 242 may be reversed such that the alignment projection 240 is provided on the U-shaped portion and the alignment recess 242 is provided on the U-shaped seat portion 232.

[0019] In one preferred embodiment, the second arm of the U-shaped section 12 includes a channel projection member 244 extending from the second arm. The U-shaped trough 234 has a bottom surface 246. The channel projection member 244 and the bottom surface 246 of the U-shaped trough 234 define a channel 29 through which the floss bundle 26 extends. As shown in Figure 2, the first arm 22 includes a first receiving member 248, the second arm 24 includes a second receiving member 250, the first projection member 252 is received by the first receiving member 248, and the channel projection member 244 is received by the second receiving member 250.

[0020] In one preferred embodiment, the second arm of the U-shaped section 12 includes a channel projection member 244 extending from the second arm. The U-shaped trough 234 includes a bottom surface 246. The channel projection member 244 and the bottom surface 246 of the U-shaped trough 234 define a channel 29 through which the floss bundle 26 extends. As shown in Figure 2, the portion of the U-shaped seat 232 related to the first arm 22 (hereinafter referred to as the first arm portion 231) may include a first receiving member 248, and the portion of the U-shaped seat 232 related to the second arm 24 (hereinafter referred to as the second arm portion 233) may include a second receiving member 250, the first projection member 252 is received by the first receiving member 248, and the channel projection member 244 is received by the second receiving member 250. The first arm portion 231 may include a first groove 235, which is defined in the first arm portion 231 and communicates with the U-shaped trough 234. The second arm portion 233 may include a second groove 237, which is defined in the second arm portion 233 and communicates with the U-shaped trough 234. A portion of the floss bundle may extend from the first arm 22 through the first groove 235 and through the second groove 237 to the second arm 24.

[0021] It will be understood that the handle member 202 and the detachable assembly 218 (at least one of the floss bundle attachment member, U-shaped section, and floss bundle) of the present invention are available for sale separately. In particular, a user may purchase or obtain a separate detachable assembly that can be used with the same handle member. Figure 18 shows an exemplary detachable assembly 218, which includes a U-shaped section 12, a floss bundle 26, and a floss bundle attachment member 16. The U-shaped section 12 and the floss bundle attachment member 16 can be mounted together and manufactured using the same mold. The floss bundle attachment member 16 may be configured to be removed or separated from the U-shaped section 12 by the consumer or user. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the U-shaped section 12 and the floss bundle attachment member 16 may be manufactured separately and may be removed before being available to the end user.

[0022] The aforementioned patent documents, application documents, and other references, including those described in the attached application documents, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The aspects of this disclosure may be modified, as necessary, to provide further embodiments of this disclosure by applying the systems, functions, and concepts described in the various references mentioned above.

[0023] Therefore, although the present invention has been described with illustrative examples, it will be understood that all terms used in this disclosure are descriptive and not limiting. Furthermore, many variations, modifications, and substitutions can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A dental flosser assembly, A handheld member including a U-shaped seat, wherein the U-shaped seat has a U-shaped trough defined therein, the U-shaped seat includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposing first and second sides, and the U-shaped seat includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion, A U-shaped portion having a first arm and a second arm spaced apart from each other, wherein the U-shaped trough includes a bottom surface and an upper opening, the upper opening opens to the first side surface of the U-shaped seat, the U-shaped portion is received within the U-shaped trough via the upper opening, the first arm includes a first projection member extending from the first arm, the second arm includes a channel projection member extending from the second arm, the first projection member includes a distal end, the channel projection member includes a distal end, and the distal end of the first projection member is the U-shaped The U-shaped portion extends into a first receiving member defined in the seat portion and is received within the first receiving member, the distal end of the second projection member extends into a second receiving member defined in the U-shaped seat portion and is received within the second receiving member, the first plane extends and divides to the first arm portion and the second arm portion of the U-shaped portion and divides to the first arm portion and the second arm portion of the U-shaped seat portion, and when the U-shaped portion is received and positioned within the U-shaped trough, the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel, A floss bundle attachment member is attached to the handheld member and is movable relative to the handheld member, at least between the first and second positions, A floss bundle having a length and a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the floss bundle is fixed to the first arm of the U-shaped part, and the second end of the floss bundle is attached to the floss bundle attachment member, and the floss bundle attachment member is movable between the first position and the second position to increase or decrease the tension of the floss bundle, including, Dental flosser assembly.

2. The second arm includes a channel defined through the second arm, and the middle portion of the floss bundle extends into the channel, thereby a portion of the floss bundle extending between the first arm and the second arm. The dental flosser according to claim 1.

3. The floss bundle attachment member includes a contact member, the contact member is rotatable between an engaged position and a released position, the contact member includes a contact surface, the contact surface contacts the handheld member in the engaged position and does not contact the handheld member in the rotated released position. The dental flosser according to claim 1.

4. The U-shaped seat portion and one of the U-shaped portions include an alignment projection, the U-shaped seat portion and the other of the U-shaped portions include an alignment recess, and the alignment projection is received within the alignment recess. The dental flosser according to claim 1.

5. The U-shaped seat portion includes a notch that communicates with the U-shaped trough, and the U-shaped portion includes a tab member received within the notch. The dental flosser according to claim 1.

6. A space is defined between the U-shaped seat portion and the tab member. The dental flosser according to claim 5.

7. The handgrip member includes a slot defined through the handgrip member, a male member extending from the contact member, at least a portion of the male member extending into the slot, the male member including a integrally molded hinge, and the contact member rotatable around the integrally molded hinge between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The dental flosser according to claim 3.

8. The male member defines a first axis, the male member including a first end attached to the contact member and a second end facing the contact member, the second end of the male member extending into the slot when the contact member is located outside the slot. The dental flosser according to claim 7.

9. The hand-held member includes a slot defined through the hand-held member, and the floss bundle attachment member includes a male member, with at least a portion of the male member extending into the slot. The dental flosser according to claim 1.

10. The floss bundle attachment member is fixed to the U-shaped portion before being attached to the handheld member. The dental flosser according to claim 1.

11. The hand-held member includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposing first and second sides, the top surface, bottom surface, and opposing first and second sides of the U-shaped seat correspond to the top surface, bottom surface, and opposing first and second sides of the hand-held member, and the floss bundle attachment member is provided on the first side of the hand-held member. The dental flosser according to claim 1.

12. The first arm portion includes a first groove defined in the first arm portion, the first groove communicating with the U-shaped trough, the second arm portion includes a second groove defined in the second arm portion, the second groove communicating with the U-shaped trough, and a portion of the floss bundle extends from the first arm through the first groove and the second groove to the second arm. The dental flosser according to claim 1.

13. The first receiving member defines the first groove at least partially, and the second receiving member defines the second groove at least partially. The dental flosser according to claim 12.

14. The first receiving member includes a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall that together define the first opening. The dental flosser according to claim 1.

15. At least a portion of the distal end of the first projection member is received within the first opening. The dental flosser according to claim 14.

Images