A dental flossing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to dental flossing device comprising: a body that supports a shaft and two arms extending from the body; each arm having a catch to receive a length of dental floss that passes through each catch and around at least part of the shaft and a manual activation mechanism connected to the shaft that when activated rotates the shaft in a first and second direction and thereby moves the length of dental floss so that it passes back and forth between the two arms.

Description

[0001] A DENTAL FLOSSING DEVICE

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to dental flossing device, in particular a device for moving a length of dental floss back and forth.

[0004] Regular dental flossing is recommended to completement brushing of teeth to remove all detritus and / or plaque from teeth, particularly where teeth are closely packed.

[0005] Flossing can be time-consuming and difficult to accomplish effectively. For example it be difficult to manipulate a length of floss and the lips and mouth at the same time to access the teeth, as well as ensuring that the floss is passed through and past teeth without moving the hand or hands holding the floss.

[0006] The present invention addresses these problems.

[0007] Prior Art

[0008] US20070204879 (CHEN et al) discloses a handle which houses a dental floss supply reel and a dental floss take-up reel in separate chambers.

[0009] WO200875138 (FILSOUF) discloses a flossing device having internal floss feed in which floss is advanced from a storage chamber inside the handle of the device, through feed gears, to a pair of spaced apart tines.

[0010] W09503750 (KOSSAK et al) discloses a dental flossing device characterized by a flossing circuit comprising a floss supply spool and a take-up spool mounted to a housing containing a gear train assembly adapted to rotate the take-up spool in a winding direction. US9510951 B2 (URSO) discloses a high-speed automatic dental flosser with a detachably connected flossing attachment.

[0011] US3667483A (MCCABE) discloses a dental floss reciprocator with arms projecting from a support frame.

[0012] US6526994B1 (SANTORO) discloses an apparatus for the mechanical cleaning of interdental spaces.

[0013] Summary of the Invention

[0014] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a dental flossing device comprising: a body that supports a shaft and two arms extending from the body; each arm having a catch to receive a length of dental floss that passes therethrough and along a groove provided around at least part of an end of the shaft; a cover cap is received on the end of the shaft with the groove; and a manually driven activation mechanism comprising a spur gear connected to the shaft and a toothed trigger that is biased to return to a first position so that that when pressed by a user the toothed trigger moves to a second position and drives the spur gear to effect rotation of the spur gear and thereby the shaft in a first direction and when released the toothed trigger is biased to return to the first position thereby driving the spur gear and the shaft in a second opposite direction causing the length of dental floss to pass back and forth between the two arms.

[0015] In this way a length of dental floss is arranged on the device and the length of floss between the two arms is presented to gaps between a user’s teeth. The dental floss between the two arms is moved (oscillates) back and forth by activation of the manual activation mechanism to assist with flossing between a user’s teeth, so that a user does not need to move the device to achieve this. In this way flossing is made easier and more effective as the user can hold the device in position and use the activation mechanism to move the floss.

[0016] The toothed trigger is biased to return to a first position so that the trigger is pressed to move the trigger from the first position, and when released it returns to the first position by means of being biased. The toothed trigger is a form of linear rack that enables rotation of the spur gear in both directions.

[0017] In preferred embodiments the activation mechanism moves the dental floss a distance back and forth that corresponds to the space between the catches at distal ends of the arms. In this way the same piece of dental floss passes back and first between a user’s teeth and gums.

[0018] Ideally the length of the arms is at least substantially the same as the distance between the catches or may be longer. For example, each arm may be longer than the space between the two catches on the arms. In this way the used dental floss does not pass beyond the length of the arms during oscillation and therefore is not presented to other parts of the device such as the body for optimal hygiene.

[0019] The body is a casing that houses the rotating shaft about which dental floss is connected and / or wrapped about so that as the shaft rotates in a first or second direction, the floss is moved.

[0020] Ideally the body is formed from a strong durable lightweight material such as synthetic plastics to be suitable for repeated use and to be easy to clean.

[0021] The shaft is supported by the body to allow rotation. The body is shaped to support and hold the shaft. Preferably the body houses a bearing within which the shaft rotates.

[0022] The shaft has a groove in which the floss sits. The groove acts to grip and guide the floss so that the floss stays on the shaft and moves with the shaft. The groove is provided at an end of the shaft that receives the cover cap. The groove is provided around at least part of the shaft and may be around the whole of the shaft.

[0023] In some embodiments the shaft may include opposed flexible flaps that define the groove into which the dental floss is received. In this way the flaps may be displaced to receive and hold the dental floss in the groove and the faps act to prevent accidental removal. Preferably the flaps are resiliently deformable so that they may deform and reform in response to positioning of the floss.

[0024] In some embodiments the groove is substantially V-shaped tapering to guide the floss from the groove opening to a narrower gap in which the floss sits.

[0025] In some embodiments the groove may have layer or coating to enhance grip of the floss. For example the groove may include a layer of silicone or may have a textured coating.

[0026] The groove may also act to guide the floss towards the catches at distal ends of the arms. For example the groove may be positioned on the shaft so that the groove is aligned with the catches. In this way the length or loop of floss is arranged substantially in the same plane as the groove and catches when fitted to the device to enable easy and smooth movement. In some embodiments the groove may be angled to direct the floss towards the catches for example if the groove is offset from the arms and / or catches.

[0027] In some other embodiments the shaft may have attachment points for receiving the length or loop of floss, such as one or more hook or flap about which the floss may be attached.

[0028] In some embodiments the shaft may have a textured surface so help grip the dental floss. For example the shaft may have a raised and lowered surface, or the shaft may be formed from or coated in a grip enhancing material. The two arms extend from the body defining a region of the device that is received into the mouth of a user.

[0029] Preferably the arms taper towards the distal end that has the catches so that the smallest part of the arm is presented to the user.

[0030] The arms have a smooth, curved exterior so that no sharp edges are presented to a user.

[0031] In some embodiments the arms may be curved or have an angled distal end to offset position of the catches from the body. This may assist a user to direct the in use floss to the desired position in the mouth reducing the level of elevation of the arm that may be required.

[0032] Each catch is preferably a U-shaped channel in which the floss sits so that it remains in place during use.

[0033] Ideally the channel is in the same plane as the groove on the shaft.

[0034] Preferably the catch may be formed from or include a stainless-steel portion for optimal hygiene and to be suitable for repeated use and easy cleaning. For example a metal piece may be arranged through the catch where the dental floss will run.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment the metal pieces are located on the catches using heat so that the metal pieces are heated and when applied to a catch that is formed from a meltable synthetic plastic the surface of the catch region deforms / melts so that the protective metal piece becomes fused to the plastic and will not separate and thus is not a risk to the user. For example the metal piece may become partially embedded in the material of the catch.

[0036] The metal piece may be a substantially U-shaped piece that is folded / bent from a sheet of metal to form the piece that is heated and fixed in place during manufacture. It is appreciated that when the metal piece is heat fitted it may become sunken to the catch and may create a recess on an upper edge of the inner faces of the catch where the piece melts the plastic catch as it is fitted into the groove of the catch.

[0037] In preferred embodiments the axis of the shaft is perpendicular to the axis of the arms.

[0038] The device has a cover cap that is received to an end of the shaft. The cover cap acts to prevent the floss detaching from the shaft during use.

[0039] In some embodiments the cover cap may be fitted so as to clamp the floss against the groove on the shaft so that it rotates with the shaft and is prevented from slipping.

[0040] The cover cap may be fitted by a threaded connection or push fit connection so that the cover cap can be easily connected and removed. This can make adding and removing dental floss easier.

[0041] Preferably the shaft and the spur gear are co-axial and may be a single part. This simplifies the design and removes the requirement for further gears.

[0042] The manual activation mechanism acts to move the floss when it is fitted about the shaft and catches. The manual activation mechanism is engaged with the shaft to cause rotation of the shaft in a first or second direction.

[0043] The manual activation mechanism includes a spur gear connected to the shaft and a toothed trigger that engages with the spur gear to effect rotation of the spur gear and thereby the shaft. The toothed trigger is moved to effect rotation. The movement is caused by a user manually pressing and releasing the toothed trigger. The toothed trigger is a form of linear rack that enables rotation of the spur gear in both directions. In a preferred embodiment the toothed trigger is a lever arranged on a pivot with a proximal end connected by the pivot and a distal end having teeth (a form linear rack) that engage with the spur gear. Ideally a region of the lever projects from the body for a user to press and release. In this way, when part of the projecting region is pressed this initiates rotation of the spur gear in a first direction and when the trigger is released this enables rotation in the second (opposite) direction.

[0044] By a user manually operating movement of the floss, the user can control the oscillating speed and intensity, helping to avoid damage to the gums.

[0045] The trigger is preferably biased to a first position. In this way when the trigger is displaced from the first position to a second position, it will return to the first position automatically when released.

[0046] Preferably the trigger is biased by means of at least one spring that is engaged with the toothed trigger (trigger). For example the at least one spring may be compressed when the trigger is pressed and when the trigger is released by a user the compressed spring is thereby released and the trigger springs back to the first position. In this way the floss that is engaged with the shaft moves back and forth (oscillates) as the trigger is pressed and released. In this way a user can repeatedly press and release the trigger to cause effective flossing without a need to move the body of the device. Advantageously the user can thereby select when to move the floss, for example only initiating oscillation of the floss once the floss is in the preferred position or oscillating the floss to aid with positioning the floss between adjacent teeth.

[0047] It is appreciated that alternative means may be provided to bias the trigger. For example a resiliently deformable material may be used to bias the trigger, such as a piece of rubber or a cellular structure such as foam. Additionally or alternatively the device may have a hydraulic or pneumatic unit to provide a bias return of the trigger. In preferred embodiments the device operates with a closed loop of floss that passes around the shaft and through both catches on the arms. The floss may be tied to form a loop, may be provided as a loop, or may be wrapped around the shaft to create a loop.

[0048] In some embodiments of the device the body may include a reel for holding floss so that a length of floss can be dispensed from the reel and arranged around the shaft and arms. In some embodiments part of the shaft may act as a reel so that floss can be wrapped around the shaft and dispensed as required. In this way a user can easily replace the floss after.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the device the dental floss may be dispensed from a first location on the body to the catches on the arms and secured at a second separate location on the body. In this way once flossing is complete, the used floss is removed and disposed of and does not return to the body, such as to the shaft or on to a first reel that holds clean floss. This ensures optimal hygiene. For example in an embodiment where the shaft acts a reel for the dental floss, the dental floss may be dispensed from a first part of the shaft, passed through the catches on the arms and then received to a second part of the shaft so that the floss forms a loop around the shaft and catches that oscillates when the trigger is pressed. Advantageously this configuration prevents used floss contaminating unused floss that is held on the first part of the shaft.

[0050] In another embodiment the device may include a second separate reel or a second separate shaft so that the floss is dispensed from the first shaft or the first reel and is secured on or about the second shaft or the second reel so that the floss passes from a first shaft / reel, through the catches of both arms and is received by a second shaft / reel. This creates a length of floss that is secured to the device at first and second points of the floss (one point at the first shaft / reel and a second point at the second shaft / reel) so that the floss is able to oscillate back and forth without used floss contaminating unused floss that is stored on the first shaft / reel. It is appreciated that the floss when arranged on the device for use may not form a complete loop but may be secured at first and second ends (for example between first and second reels as described above) so that the length of floss can oscillate.

[0051] In a preferred embodiments an outer face of the body has a floss cutter so that a length of floss can be cut to the desired length for use and / or to cut and remove used floss.

[0052] In some embodiments the second shaft or reel may be on an opposed side of the body to where the floss is dispensed from the first shaft / reel. A floss cutter may also be provided on the opposed side so that used floss can be removed and easily cut when use is complete.

[0053] In another embodiment the second shaft / reel may be coaxial with the first shaft / reel so that the floss is dispensed from and returned on the same axis creating a loop.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment the device has a lock to prevent rotation of the shaft. In this way oscillation can be prevented and specifically movement of the floss is prevented which may be helpful when adding or removing floss on the device. Preferably the lock is a sliding lock that may enter the shaft to prevent rotation of the shaft. Locking the shaft aids with arranging the dental floss on the device.

[0055] A preferred method of using the device includes the steps of:

[0056] - engaging a lock to lock the shaft in position;

[0057] - removing a cover cap;

[0058] - arranging a length or loop of dental floss around a groove of the now fixed shaft and through the two catches on the arms;

[0059] - replacing the cover cap to secure the floss to the shaft;

[0060] - activating the manual activation mechanism to oscillate the shaft and thereby the floss. It may be envisaged that the device as a whole is sized and styled appropriate to a toothbrush or similar, being portable and capable of standing on its end.

[0061] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

[0062] Brief Description of Figures

[0063] Figure 1 shows a front isometric view of an embodiment of the device;

[0064] Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ;

[0065] Figure 3A shows a cross section of the device;

[0066] Figure 3B shows a trigger part of the activation mechanism;

[0067] Figure 3C shows a second cross section of the device;

[0068] Figure 4 shows a right side of the device;

[0069] Figures 5 shows a left side of the device;

[0070] Figure 6 shows a top view of the device; and

[0071] Figure 7 shows a bottom view of the device.

[0072] Detailed Description of Figures

[0073] The Figures show a preferred embodiment of the dental flossing device 100.

[0074] The device 100 has a body 10 that supports a shaft 20 and two arms 30, extending from the body 10. Each arm has a catch 35 to receive a length of dental floss (not shown) that passes through each catch 35 and around the shaft 20.

[0075] The catch has a metal piece 35A formed from stainless steel to reduce wear of the dental floss.

[0076] A manual activation mechanism 40 is connected to the shaft 20 to move the dental floss so that it passes back and forth (oscillates) between the two arms 30 as indicated by the arrows between the catches in Figures 1 and 2.

[0077] The body 10 has a stop 50 that is moveable between a first position in which the shaft 20 is free to turn and a second position in which the stop 50 prevents the shaft from turning.

[0078] The stop 50 is a sliding lock that moves up from the first position to the second position in which an end 51 of the sliding lock is receive to a hole 24 on the shaft 20 to prevent turning (see Figure 3A).

[0079] An outer surface of the stop 50 has a raised and lowered surface 52 to provide a grip means for a user to easily slide the stop 50 up and down.

[0080] The body 10 is substantially rectangular. A front face ‘A’ has a cover cap 21 that connects to the shaft 20.

[0081] The cover cap 21 is fitted to the shaft 20 by a screw thread connection (see Figure 3A).

[0082] The shaft 20 rotates within a bearing 22 that is mounted in the body 10 (see Figure 3A). The floss (not shown) passes around the shaft 20 and the through the catches 35. The floss is locked in place to the shaft 20 by sitting in the groove 25 and by the cover cap 21 . This forces the floss to move with the shaft 20. A rear end of the shaft 20 is a spur gear 23. In this way the shaft 20 and spur gear 23 are one coaxial part that passes through the body 10. An end of the spur gear 23 is received to a recess 1 1 on an inner surface of the body 10 to locate the spur gear 23 (See Figure 3A).

[0083] The manual activation mechanism 40 has a lever 41 that is connected to the body 10 at a pivot 42 and has a toothed end 43 (linear rack) that engages with the spur gear 23.

[0084] The toothed end 43 has a slot 44 that receive a guide node 12 that limits range of movement of the lever 41. The slot 44 length determines the range of movement and is intended to reflect the distance between the two arms 30, so that the same length of floss moves back and forth in this region.

[0085] A mid-region 45 of the lever 41 projects from the body 10 so that a user can press and release the mid-region 45 of the lever 41 of the activation mechanism 40.

[0086] The trigger 41 is biased by means of a spring 13. A compression spring 13 extends between an inner wall of the body 10 and a surface of the lever 41. The spring 13 is arranged between two members 14, 15. A first member 14 is provided on an inner face of the body 10. The second member 15 is provided on an inner face of the lever 41. The members 14, 15 locate ends of the compression spring 13.

[0087] When the biased trigger 41 is pressed at the projecting region 45, the trigger 41 is moved from a first position (as shown in Figure 3B) to a second position (not shown in the Figures) in which the spring 13 is compressed. The trigger 41 is thereby biased to return to the first position by means of the spring 13 that is compressed. When pressure is released from the trigger 41 at the projecting region 45, the trigger 41 will return to the first position by means of the spring 13 be release and able to decompress. The manual activation mechanism 40 includes: the lever 41 , the pivot 42, the toothed end 43, the slot 44 that receives the guide node 12, the mid-region 45, the spring 13, arranged between two members 14, 15 and the spur gear 23 (connected to the shaft 20) that engages with the toothed end 43. These parts provide a simple, reliable manually activated mechanism to turn the shaft in first and second directions to oscillate the floss.

[0088] The device 100 has a floss cutter 60 on our outer face of the body 10. This allows lengths of floss to be cut.

[0089] The body 10 has feet 16 so that the device 100 can be placed on a surface and the body 10 is slightly elevated from the surface by means of the feet 16.

[0090] The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims1. A dental flossing device comprising: a body that supports a shaft and two arms extending from the body; each arm having a catch to receive a length of dental floss that passes therethrough and along a groove provided around at least part of an end of the shaft; a cover cap is received on the end of the shaft with the groove; and a manually driven activation mechanism comprising a spur gear connected to the shaft and a toothed trigger that is biased to return to a first position so that that when pressed by a user the toothed trigger moves to a second position and drives the spur gear to effect rotation of the spur gear and thereby the shaft in a first direction and when released the toothed trigger is biased to return to the first position thereby driving the spur gear and the shaft in a second opposite direction causing the length of dental floss to pass back and forth between the two arms.

2. A device according to claim 1 including a sliding lock that enters the shaft to prevent rotation of the shaft.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the shaft and the spur gear are co-axial.

4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the toothed trigger is biased by means of at least one spring that is engaged with the toothed trigger.

5. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the toothed trigger is biased by a resiliently deformable material.

6. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the toothed trigger is biased by a hydraulic or pneumatic unit.

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the biased toothed trigger has a slot that receives a node to control range of movement of the toothed trigger.

8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the floss arranged on the device is a closed loop.

9. A device according to any preceding claim including a first reel from which dental floss is stored and dispensed.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the shaft acts as the first reel.1 1. A device according to claim 9 or claim 10 including a second shaft or a second reel to receive an end of a length of dental floss dispensed from the first reel.

12. A device according to any preceding claim including a dental floss cutter.

13. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the length of each arm is at least substantially the same as the distance between the two catches so that used dental floss does not extend beyond the arms during passing back and forth (oscillation).

14. A method of using the device described in claims 2 to 13 having the steps of: engaging the lock to lock the shaft in position; removing a cover cap; arranging a length or loop of dental floss around a groove and through the two catches on the arms; replacing the cover cap to secure the floss to the shaft; using the manual activation mechanism to oscillate the shaft and thereby the floss.

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