Annular Dental Floss Fork with Parallel Rods

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dental floss fork devices are uncomfortable, slow, and require frequent thread replacement due to the oblique positioning of flat dental floss, which causes breakage and unpleasant sensations, especially when used between tightly spaced teeth.

Innovation Solution

A dental floss fork with straight, parallel rods and an annular dental floss that forms a closed loop, allowing easy insertion and long-lasting use, with a guide system for tensioning and easy replacement, and a flat thread of reduced thickness for comfortable and efficient interdental cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a flat dental floss is used in conventional forks with curved or oblique arms, then the floss can be mounted on the device, but it becomes oblique with respect to the spaces between the teeth causing difficult insertion and frequent breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidthread breakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using straight parallel arms instead of curved or oblique arms. This inversion changes the orientation of the dental floss from oblique to parallel with the interdental spaces, enabling easy insertion and preventing breakage. The straight arms allow the floss to be inserted in a straight line rather than at an angle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the fork arms from curved/oblique to straight/parallel. This parameter change aligns the dental floss with the natural orientation of interdental spaces, transforming the insertion from a difficult oblique maneuver to a simple straight-line action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a thin and flat thread is used to penetrate between tightly spaced teeth, then it can enter with less difficulty, but it still causes unpleasant sensations and requires frequent substitution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of penetrationVSAvoidthread longevity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using straight parallel arms instead of curved or oblique arms. This inversion changes the orientation of the dental floss from oblique to parallel with the interdental spaces, enabling easy insertion and preventing breakage. The straight arms allow the floss to be inserted in a straight line rather than at an angle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the fork arms from curved/oblique to straight/parallel. This parameter change aligns the dental floss with the natural orientation of interdental spaces, transforming the insertion from a difficult oblique maneuver to a simple straight-line action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the dental floss is arranged in a loop that is too short, then it cannot be correctly guided around the body of the device, but if it is longer it would not last long between replacements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrect guidanceVSAvoidthread lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using straight parallel arms instead of curved or oblique arms. This inversion changes the orientation of the dental floss from oblique to parallel with the interdental spaces, enabling easy insertion and preventing breakage. The straight arms allow the floss to be inserted in a straight line rather than at an angle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the fork arms from curved/oblique to straight/parallel. This parameter change aligns the dental floss with the natural orientation of interdental spaces, transforming the insertion from a difficult oblique maneuver to a simple straight-line action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11517410B2Device for cleaning teeth

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 CAVALIERE FRANCESCO

AI summary

Device for cleaning teeth which comprises a dental floss fork provided with a grippable handle and with two rods with free ends spaced from each other and a dental floss, which is mounted with a bridge section between the free ends of the two rods of the dental floss fork. The dental floss has annular extension and the dental floss fork is provided with a guide, in which the dental floss is housed, for supporting it along its annular extension. The dental floss is slidably mounted within the guide.