Combined flosser and interdental brush instrument

Abstract

To provide a dental instrument that can facilitate the continuous use of dental floss threaders and interdental brushes in either order. [Solution] A combined flosser and interdental brush device is provided as an elongated body. The interdental brush and floss threader are located at opposing ends of the elongated body, and the elongated body is preferably flexible. The combination of the brush and flosser in a single combined elongated body provides easy access and combined use of the interdental brush and floss threader to maintain oral hygiene.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 346,136, filed on May 26, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention generally relates to dental appliances, and more particularly to dental cleaning appliances that can improve good dental habits and the regular practice of dental hygiene.

Background Art

[0003] The practice of good dental hygiene consists of brushing teeth multiple times a day and flossing at least once a day, possibly more. These dental habits include having at least a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss readily available at multiple times of the day.

[0004] However, since most people commute and / or attend school, it is necessary to obtain a pair set of such dental hygiene products at various places in daily life, which can be costly. These costs can be significant for those who have multiple daily places to be for a long time.

[0005] In addition, fairly frequently, even when such dental hygiene appliances can be assumed to be available at the time of use, they are not always immediately accessible or available throughout the day. Depending on the nature of some types of work, it may not provide the short work breaks necessary to engage in various significant forms of dental hygiene.

[0006] Furthermore, many people work long hours in diverse locations, sometimes outdoors, which makes it difficult to store such dental care components in various places or to carry such dental tools with them. Additionally, some people may find it difficult to readily access a sink and running water necessary for brushing their teeth. Consequently, such circumstances can lead to delays in engaging in necessary dental care, and if such neglect continues regularly, poor dental hygiene habits can result.

[0007] In addition to these challenges, certain individuals have more arduous dental hygiene needs due to the presence of dental components such as braces, dentures, and lingual bars that are permanent or difficult to remove and replace for dental hygiene purposes. Such dental components make it difficult for a person to access the entire tooth surface and / or gaps beneath them, due to the presence of the aforementioned dental components.

[0008] To address the complexities of cleaning teeth while wearing braces or dentures, several methods have been developed, such as floss threaders. However, such floss threaders can be cumbersome to use, often requiring the handling of small parts to access dental floss. Furthermore, such floss threaders can be easily lost or misplaced. Moreover, floss threaders alone cannot provide complete cleaning of the teeth. Often, especially for those who already possess the aforementioned dental supplies, another dental tool must be used in addition to the floss threader to provide complete cleaning. Thus, the complexity of needing to use two or more dental tools often means that such secondary tools are not adequately utilized or are ineffective, and therefore, this also results in a poor dental regimen and can lead to tooth decay. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] Therefore, there remains a need for solutions to at least one of the aforementioned challenges. For example, there is an established need for dental instruments that are readily available, easy to purchase, can be used by people with braces or dentures, and facilitate and encourage the regular achievement of thorough dental regimens. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This invention relates to a dental instrument that can facilitate the continuous use of a floss threader and an interdental brush in either order. Interdental brushes are often, but not always, necessary for cleaning the spaces between teeth, including orthodontic or prosthetic and any other dental components. The dental instrument described herein combines the use of a dental floss threader and an interdental brush in a single dental instrument. This single dental instrument, containing both dental tools, is easily accessible and easily portable. In addition, the presence of both tools in a single dental instrument ensures that both the interdental brush and the floss threader can be used in regular, continuous use. The combination of the presence of both components enhances the possibility that both dental components will be used and thus a complete and more regular dental hygiene regimen will be established.

[0011] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the combined flosser and interdental brush instrument includes an elongated body having an interdental brush at one end and a floss threader at the opposite end.

[0012] In a second embodiment, the combined flosser and interdental brush instrument may include an angled interdental brush. The angle of the interdental brush can provide specific access to gaps that are not easily accessible with a straight interdental brush.

[0013] In another embodiment, a combined flosser and interdental brush instrument may further include a plastic handle. The plastic handle may be of the type used for toothbrushes that can be held in the hand. The plastic handle can provide better control and maneuverability when using the interdental brush and floss threader.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, a combined flosser and interdental brush instrument may include a thumb-sized plastic handle. The thumb-sized plastic handle may have two interconnecting parts that facilitate the removal and replacement of the interdental brush or the exchange of interdental brushes of various sizes. The thumb-sized plastic handle can also provide better adjustment and maneuverability when the floss threader is in use.

[0015] In yet another embodiment, a combined flosser and interdental brush instrument may include a flexible tubular handle. The flexible tubular handle, due to its bendable nature and narrow circumference, can provide better adjustment and maneuverability for both the interdental brush and floss threader.

[0016] These and other objects, features, and embodiments of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of the following preferred embodiments.

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided to illustrate rather than limit the present invention, and in which similar reference numerals indicate similar elements. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] A perspective view of a composite flosser and interdental brush device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] A perspective view of a composite type flosser and angled interdental brush instrument according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 3]A perspective view of a composite flosser and interdental brush instrument having a plastic handle, according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is shown. [Figure 4] A perspective view is shown of a composite flosser and interdental brush instrument having a thumb-sized plastic handle, according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] A perspective view of a composite flosser and interdental brush instrument having a flexible tubular handle, according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] Throughout several drawings, the same reference number refers to the same part.

[0020] The following detailed description is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the embodiments or uses and applications described herein. Where used herein, the terms “typical” or “exemplary” mean “serving as an example, case, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “typical” or “exemplary” should not necessarily be construed as being preferable or advantageous to any other implementation. All implementations described herein are typical implementations presented to enable those skilled in the art to perform or use the embodiments of this disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For the purposes of this description herein, the terms “up,” “down,” “left,” “back,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” and “horizontal,” and their derivatives, refer to the present invention as oriented in Figure 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressions or theories presented or implied in the aforementioned technical field, background art, summary of the invention, or the following detailed description. It should be understood that the specific devices shown in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are merely typical embodiments of the inventive concept as defined in the attached claims. Therefore, the specific dimensions and other physical features relating to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting unless specifically stated in the claims.

[0021] As shown throughout the figures, the present invention relates to a convenient, readily available, combined flosser and interdental brush instrument capable of cleaning the teeth of a person, more specifically a person with orthodontic and prosthetic dental treatment, presenting a tool in which the combination of the presence of both a flosser and an interdental brush can facilitate and provide regular thorough cleaning of such teeth and thus the establishment of a regular dental regimen that results in improved and sustainable dental health.

[0022] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a combined flosser and interdental brush device 100 has an interdental brush 106 at one end of an elongated body 102 and a floss shredder 108 at an opposite end of the elongated body 102.

[0023] The elongated body 102 includes the interdental brush 106 and the floss shredder 108 directly connected to each other, and thus the expression "elongated body 102" is used interchangeably herein with the expression "combined flosser and interdental brush device 100".

[0024] The elongated body 102 can preferably have flexibility up to 180 degrees, but other smaller degrees of flexibility are also contemplated, such as up to 10 degrees to 150 degrees, 10 degrees to 120 degrees, 10 degrees to 90 degrees, 10 degrees to 75 degrees, 10 degrees to 60 degrees, 10 degrees to 45 degrees, and 10 degrees to 30 degrees.

[0025] The elongated body 102 can be made flexible by being bent at any point along the elongated body 102. For example, the elongated body 102 can be bent at an intermediate point 104. Alternatively, the elongated body 102 can be bent directly below a connection point connector 116, which serves to connect the floss shredder 108 and the interdental brush 106. The connection point connector can be made of a biodegradable material and / or a recyclable material such as polypropylene or bamboo.

[0026] Furthermore, the interdental brush 106 itself can be made such that it can be bent along the length of the interdental brush 106 with any of the above degrees of flexibility.

[0027] The entire elongated body 102 can preferably be made of the same or different materials.

[0028] In one embodiment, the interdental brush 106 and the floss threader 108 are made from the same common material. For example, the interdental brush 106 can be made from a central wire component 120 having plastic bristles 122, preferably polypropylene or nylon bristles 122, attached to and emerging from the wire component 120.

[0029] The bristles 122 of the interdental brush 106 may, for example, be tapered into a triangular shape, with the triangular tip 124 away from the connector 116, but other tapered shapes such as conical, tubular, or cylindrical may also be intended.

[0030] Interdental brushes 106 of various lengths and sizes are intended. Generally, interdental brushes can be approximately 2.54 cm (1 inch) to 7.62 cm (3 inches) in length, preferably 3.81 cm (1.5 inches) to 5.08 cm (2 inches) in length. The tapering of the interdental brush 106 can also be made to have any suitable and varied set of sizes. Interdental brushes 106 can be replaced with another new interdental brush 106 when the bristles of the previous interdental brush 106 become frayed, or interdental brushes 106 can be replaced with interdental brushes 106 of different sizes desired for different gaps between teeth.

[0031] Generally, the floss threader 108 can be a plastic material of a certain length in any suitable shape, tubular, conical, triangular, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the floss threader 108 can be a metal core wire length surrounded by a corresponding plastic coating. In addition, the floss threader 108 can be made from or surrounded by any plastic material such as polypropylene, polyurethane, polyisoprene, silicone, polyethylene, for example, low-density polyethylene or high-density polyethylene, with or without a metal core wire. In one embodiment, the floss threader 108 can be polypropylene.

[0032] The interdental brush 106 and floss threader 108 can preferably be made from an antimicrobial material or coated with an antimicrobial coating.

[0033] Floss threader 108 can be used with any type of floss. Preferably, the floss can be made from nylon, preferably waxed nylon. Alternatively, the floss can be made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material or nylon coated with PTFE. In addition, the floss can be a super-floss type dental floss made from a thread-like material having a harder cross-section at both ends, which can be used to clean around orthodontic teeth as understood by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the floss may include dental tape, which can be thicker and wider than conventional dental floss. Moreover, the floss can be flavored with a desired fruit flavor.

[0034] The Floss Threader 108 can have any suitable thickness, which can be about 0.1 mm to about 25 mm, preferably about 1 mm to about 20 mm, and most preferably about 5 mm to about 15 mm.

[0035] The length of the floss threader 108 can be any suitable size desired so that a person can handle it to pull the dental floss and insert it into their desired tooth position. For example, the length of the floss threader 108 can be 7.62 cm (3 inches) to about 15.24 cm (6 inches), preferably about 7.62 cm (3 inches) to about 12.7 cm (5 inches), and most preferably about 9.652 cm (3.5 inches) to about 10.16 cm (4 inches).

[0036] The floss threader 108 can be terminated with a loop 112. The loop 112 can have any suitable size. The loop 112 can have a circumference of about 2.54 cm (1 inch) to about 10.61 cm (4 inches), preferably about 3.81 cm (1.5 inches) to about 7.62 cm (3 inches). In other words, the loop 112 can have a diameter of 0.25 cm to about 1 cm, preferably about 0.25 cm to about 0.75 cm, most preferably about 0.5 cm. The loop 112 can have an unextended length of about 1.5 cm to about 3 cm, preferably about 2 cm, along the elongated body 102. The loop 112 can also be made sizing adjustable to accommodate teeth of various sizes and to accommodate the fact that some people may find the loop 112 to be too small to maneuverable.

[0037] Referring next to Figure 2, a combined flosser and interdental brush instrument 200 is shown by a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The reference numerals corresponding to similar elements of the conventional combined flosser and interdental brush instrument 100 described with respect to Figure 2 are indicated in Figure 2 by the same series of reference numerals 200 to 224.

[0038] In particular, the composite flosser and interdental brush instrument 200 may have a bend at the connection point connector 216, indicated at a 45-degree angle, although alternative angles are possible. For example, the connection point connector may be bent at an angle of 10 to 90 degrees, preferably 15 to 75 degrees, more preferably 20 to 60 degrees, and most preferably at about 45 degrees as described above.

[0039] In addition, the loop 212 may have a pointed extension 226 attached to one end. The pointed extension 226 may preferably be made of a malleable material that facilitates the insertion of the floss threader 208 into the desired gap between teeth, starting from the loop 212.

[0040] The pointed extension 226 can preferably be made of a biodegradable and / or recyclable plastic material such as polypropylene. The pointed extension 226 can vary in size depending on the depth of the interdental gap it must fit into. For example, the pointed extension 226 can be about 0.25 cm to about 3 cm in length, preferably about 0.5 cm to about 2 cm, and most preferably about 0.5 cm to about 1 cm. The pointed extension can have a thickness of about 0.25 mm to about 50 mm, preferably about 1 mm to about 25 mm.

[0041] Next, referring to Figure 3, a combined flosser and interdental brush instrument 300 is shown by a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The reference numerals corresponding to the similar elements of the conventional combined flosser and interdental brush instruments 100 and 200 described with respect to Figures 1 and 2 are shown in Figure 3 by the same series of reference numerals 300 to 326.

[0042] In particular, in the combined flosser and interdental brush instrument 300, the connection point connector 316 can be a plastic handle positioned between the interdental brush 306 and the floss threader 308. The plastic handle 316 can be sized to accommodate a human hand grip, and therefore, depending on differences in hand size, the plastic handle 316 can have various thicknesses and lengths.

[0043] Generally, the plastic handle 316 can have a shape and size that corresponds to that of a conventional toothbrush handle. For example, the plastic handle 316 may have a length of about 7.62 cm (3 inches) to about 15.24 cm (6 inches), preferably about 7.62 cm (3 inches) to about 10.16 cm (4 inches), and a width of about 0.5 cm to about 2.5 cm, preferably about 1 cm to about 2 cm. The plastic handle may preferably be made of a biodegradable and / or recyclable plastic material such as polypropylene.

[0044] The plastic handle 316 provides the user with the maneuverability and grip necessary for using the interdental brush 306 and floss threader 308.

[0045] Next, referring to Figure 4, a composite flosser and interdental brush instrument 400 is shown by a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The reference numbers corresponding to the similar elements of the conventional composite flosser and interdental brush instruments 100, 200, and 300 described with respect to Figures 1 to 3 are shown in Figure 4 by the same series of reference numbers 400 to 426.

[0046] In particular, in the combined flosser and interdental brush instrument 400, the connection point connector 416 can be a thumb-sized plastic handle 416 positioned between the interdental brush 406 and the floss threader 408. The thumb-sized plastic handle 416 can be large enough to accommodate a person's thumb, and therefore, due to differences in people's finger sizes, the thumb-sized plastic handle 416 can have various thicknesses and lengths.

[0047] Generally, a thumb-sized plastic handle 416 can be approximately 1.27 cm (1 / 2 inch) to 5.08 cm (2 inches) in length, preferably 1.905 cm (3 / 4 inch) to 2.54 cm (1 inch) in length, and approximately 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm in width, preferably 1 cm to 2 cm. The plastic handle can preferably be made of a biodegradable and / or recyclable plastic material such as polypropylene.

[0048] A thumb-sized plastic handle 416 can function to provide removal and replacement of the interdental brush 406 from the composite flosser and interdental brush instrument 400. Such removal and replacement can be achieved by the use of an interlocking socket and post system, as is known to those skilled in the art.

[0049] The thumb-sized plastic handle 416 provides the user with the maneuverability and grip necessary for using the interdental brush 406.

[0050] Next, referring to Figure 5, a composite flosser and interdental brush instrument 500 is shown by a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The reference numbers corresponding to the similar elements of the conventional composite flossers and interdental brush instruments 100, 200, 300, and 400 described with respect to Figures 1 to 4 are shown in Figure 5 by the same series of reference numbers 500 to 526.

[0051] In particular, in the combined flosser and interdental brush instrument 500, the connection point connector 516 can be a plastic tubular handle 516 interposed between the interdental brush 506 and the floss threader 508. More specifically, the plastic tubular handle 516 can be arc-shaped. The arc can be any suitable arc that would be appropriate for employing the interdental brush 506. For example, the arc can be about 10 degrees to about 180 degrees, more preferably about 20 degrees to about 120 degrees, even more preferably about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees, most preferably about 40 degrees to about 60 degrees, with about 45 degrees being one suitable arc.

[0052] The plastic tubular handle 516 can be made of a material that is bendable and malleable to achieve various arc angles, such as a malleable thermoplastic material, or a malleable plastic material including a bendable metal material with internal threads, such as any of the plastic materials described herein, polypropylene being one example.

[0053] In addition to the embodiments illustrated and / or described herein, alternative embodiments are intended. Alternative embodiments provide a method using a combined flosser and interdental brush. The loop of the flosser-threader may be such that a certain length of dental floss or dental tape is threaded through it in a loop. The loop of the flosser-threader can then be inserted into the interdental gaps and under orthodontic or dental prosthetic components, optionally with a pointed extension. The material of the flosser-threader is rigid enough to allow for quick and easy insertion of the flosser-threader between teeth. After inserting the floss through the flosser-threader, the flosser-threader can be withdrawn, allowing for flossing of the interdental gaps. The floss can then be withdrawn. After the floss has been withdrawn, the readily available interdental brush end of the flosser-threader can be used to clean the same gaps, reaching areas inaccessible to floss alone or plaque that cannot be easily removed. Such a method provides the quick use of both the flosser-threader and the interdental brush. The quick and easy joint positioning of the floss threader and interdental brush encourages the use of both, and therefore leads to the development of more comprehensive dental regimens.

[0054] In alternative embodiments, the combined flosser and interdental brush instrument does not include a handle or connecting connector, and therefore, when in use, the floss threader can first be passed through the appropriate gaps between a person's teeth without floss, and then the instrument can be pulled through the gaps to use the interdental brush without the need to withdraw the instrument from the person's mouth or use any dental floss.

[0055] Since many modifications, variations, and changes can be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention described above, all matters shown in the accompanying drawings in the above description are intended to be interpreted as illustrative rather than restrictive. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, it should be understood that any feature presented in an embodiment may be incorporated into any other embodiment. The scope of the present invention should be defined by the accompanying claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A composite flosser and interdental brush device comprising an elongated body having an interdental brush at one end and a floss threader at the other end.

2. The composite flosser and interdental brush device according to claim 1, further comprising an angled interdental brush.

3. The angled interdental brush provides specific access to gaps that cannot be easily accessed by a straight interdental brush, as described in claim 2.

4. The composite flosser and interdental brush instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a plastic handle.

5. The aforementioned plastic handle is of the type used for toothbrushes that can be held in the hand, as described in claim 4, a composite flosser and interdental brush device.

6. The composite flosser and interdental brush instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a thumb-sized plastic handle.

7. The composite flosser and interdental brush device according to claim 6, wherein the thumb-sized plastic handle has a length of approximately 1.27 cm (1 / 2 inch) to approximately 5.08 cm (2 inches).

8. The composite flosser and interdental brush device according to claim 6, wherein the thumb-sized plastic handle has two interconnecting parts that facilitate the removal and replacement of the interdental brush or the exchange of interdental brushes of various sizes.

9. The interdental brush has a central wire component from which plastic bristles protrude, as described in claim 1, a composite flosser and interdental brush device.

10. The composite flosser and interdental brush instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible tubular handle.

11. The flexible tubular handle is flexible up to 180 degrees, as described in claim 10, a composite flosser and interdental brush instrument.

12. The elongated body is flexible by being bent at any point along the elongated body, as described in claim 10, a composite type flosser and interdental brush instrument.

13. The elongated body is bent at an intermediate point, as described in claim 12, for the composite type flosser and interdental brush instrument.

14. The elongated body is bent directly below the connection point connector that connects the floss threader and the interdental brush, as described in claim 12.

15. The composite flosser and interdental brush instrument according to claim 10, wherein the plastic tubular handle is arc-shaped.

16. The composite type flosser and interdental brush device according to claim 15, wherein the arc is approximately 10 degrees to approximately 180 degrees.

17. The floss threader terminates with a loop, as described in claim 1, a combined flosser and interdental brush device.

18. The composite flosser and interdental brush instrument according to claim 17, wherein the loop has a pointed extension added to one end of the loop.

19. A method using a combined flosser and interdental brush instrument, wherein the combined flosser and interdental brush instrument comprises an elongated body having an interdental brush at one end and a floss threader at the opposite end, the floss threader having a loop at one end, and the method is as follows: Passing a certain length of dental floss or dental tape through the loop of the floss threader in a loop shape, The loop of the floss threader is inserted into the gaps between teeth and under orthodontic or dental prosthetic components. Using the aforementioned floss threader to floss the gap, Pulling out the aforementioned floss threader, Using the end of the interdental brush of the floss threader, clean the same gap between the teeth. Methods that include...

20. A method using a combined flosser and interdental brush instrument, wherein the combined flosser and interdental brush instrument comprises an elongated body having an interdental brush at one end and a floss threader at the opposite end, the floss threader having a loop at one end, and the method is as follows: The aforementioned floss threader is used to pass through the gaps between a person's teeth without using floss. The instrument is to be pulled into the gap so that the interdental brush passes through the gap, Methods that include...

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