Biodegradable Cardboard Flossing Device to Reduce Plastic Waste
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional dental floss and flossing devices contribute to plastic waste due to their non-biodegradable materials, posing an environmental challenge, especially with disposable floss picks, while many individuals, particularly children, face difficulty in manual flossing.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable dental floss device composed of a cardboard body with a grip, arms, and a void, secured with biodegradable dental floss, using a bonding agent, offering a durable and eco-friendly alternative for dental hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable floss picks are made from plastic or plastic-coated materials, then they remain rigid enough for effective dental flossing, but they accumulate extensive waste estimated at thousands of tons a year
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from plastic to biodegradable materials (cardboard, bamboo, wood, or natural fibers) while maintaining the structural rigidity needed for flossing through proper material selection and structural design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures combining biodegradable materials (cardboard body, bamboo or natural fiber floss) to achieve both rigidity for functionality and biodegradability for environmental sustainability
2Ease of operation
If traditional dental floss is used, then it is simple and effective, but it requires manual manipulation that many individuals, particularly children, find difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flossing function into distinct components: a handle for holding, arms for positioning, and floss for cleaning, making the device easier to operate while maintaining simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-positioning with the floss automatically extending between the teeth when the user inserts it, reducing the manual manipulation difficulty without requiring complex mechanisms
3Object-generated harmful factors
If biodegradable materials are used for the floss device body, then environmental impact is minimized, but the material must remain rigid enough to use for dental flossing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects specific biodegradable materials (cardboard, bamboo, wood) and adjusts their physical parameters through processing to achieve the required rigidity while maintaining biodegradability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines biodegradable materials in composite structures (cardboard body with reinforced edges, bamboo or natural fiber floss) to achieve both structural strength and environmental sustainability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides effective dental flossing while minimizing environmental impact through biodegradability and ease of use, addressing the waste issue and usability challenges.
Implementation Method 1
the segment of dental floss is secured to the first arm via journalling through a first hole in the first arm and being bonded to the first arm, and the segment of dental floss is secured to the second arm via journalling through a second hole in the second arm and being bonded to the second arm
Data Source
AI summary
A biodegradable dental floss device formed from a body formed from cardboard and a segment of dental floss. The body comprises a grip, a first arm extending from the grip; a spacer extending from the grip perpendicular to the first arm; and a second arm extending from the spacer parallel to the first arm such that a void is formed between the first arm, the spacer and the second arm. The segment of dental floss is secured to the first arm and to the second arm such that the segment of dental floss extends across the void. The segment of dental floss is secured to the first arm via journalling through a first hole in the first arm and being bonded to the first arm, and secured to the second arm via journalling through a second hole in the second arm and being bonded to the second arm.