Dental Floss Dispenser Texture-Inducing Roller Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental floss with a smooth surface is ineffective in removing plaque and oral debris, and existing dispensers fail to maintain texture during storage and use, potentially causing abrasion or losing texture during transportation and dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A dental floss cartridge with a texture-inducing structure, such as rollers, that imparts a three-dimensional pattern or embeds ingestible crystals onto the floss within the dispenser, ensuring texture is applied just before use, and a twist-inducing mechanism to enhance debris removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dental floss is stored in a dispenser during transportation and use, then it is protected and easily dispensable, but the texture on the floss surface is lost or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The texture is applied to the floss surface just before use within the dispenser, rather than being pre-applied during manufacturing. The texture-inducing structure is positioned to contact the floss as it unwinds from the reel, ensuring texture application occurs at the optimal moment before the floss reaches the user, thus preventing texture loss during storage and transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
A texture-inducing structure (such as a textured roller or embossing mechanism) is introduced as an intermediary component within the dispenser. This intermediary applies the texture to the floss surface through mechanical contact as the floss passes by, allowing texture application without requiring pre-texturing of the entire floss roll, thereby preserving texture integrity during storage.
2Ease of operation
If the floss surface is made smooth for easy handling, then it is more comfortable to use, but it becomes ineffective in removing plaque and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The floss maintains a smooth surface for most of its length to ensure comfortable handling, but a textured section is applied locally to the portion that contacts the teeth and gums during flossing. This localized texturing provides the necessary plaque-capturing edges while the rest of the floss remains smooth for ease of manipulation by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The texture is applied to the floss surface just before use within the dispenser, rather than being pre-applied during manufacturing. The texture-inducing structure is positioned to contact the floss as it unwinds from the reel, ensuring texture application occurs at the optimal moment before the floss reaches the user, thus preventing texture loss during storage and transportation.
3Reliability
If texture is applied to the floss surface before dispensing, then plaque removal effectiveness is improved, but the texture is lost or damaged during transportation and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The texture is applied to the floss surface just before use within the dispenser, rather than being pre-applied during manufacturing. The texture-inducing structure is positioned to contact the floss as it unwinds from the reel, ensuring texture application occurs at the optimal moment before the floss reaches the user, thus preventing texture loss during storage and transportation.
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 textured floss effectively captures and removes plaque and debris, reducing the risk of abrasion and maintaining effectiveness throughout use, while the twist configuration aids in more thorough cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
a texture-inducing structure arranged within the housing and configured to impart texture onto at least one of the first and second surfaces of the dental floss
Implementation Method 2
embeds ingestible crystals onto the floss within the dispenser
Implementation Method 3
a twist-inducing mechanism to enhance debris removal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4C
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A dental floss cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge includes a housing, a roll of dental floss comprising a polymer such that the dental floss has a first surface and a second surface, a floss exit opening in the housing through which the floss is configured to exit, a texture-inducing structure arranged within the housing and configured to impart texture onto at least one of the first and second surfaces of the dental floss prior to or during the dental floss passing through the floss exit opening, and a cutting device on an exterior of the housing configured to cut the dental floss into a desired length.