Detachable Oral Hygiene Device Head Handle Floss Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oral hygiene devices with floss storage capabilities are cumbersome, affecting user access and grip during use, and often lead to floss contamination due to water ingress.

Innovation Solution

An oral hygiene device with a detachable head and handle configuration, where a cavity for floss storage becomes accessible when the head and handle are partially disconnected, allowing easy access and affixing a floss strand to both components for convenient use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If floss is stored in external housings at the grip area or base of the handle, then floss storage capability is provided, but user grip on the handle becomes less than optimal or accessing floss requires changing grip

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloss storage capabilityVSAvoiduser grip

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The floss storage cavity is nested within the handle structure itself, specifically formed in the distal end of the handle. This integration allows the floss to be stored within the handle's internal volume without adding external housings that would interfere with the user's grip. The cavity is accessible through an opening in the handle's outer surface, enabling floss access without requiring grip changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If floss is stored in housings at the base of the handle, then floss storage is provided, but accessing floss requires changing one's grip on the handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloss storage capabilityVSAvoidtime to access floss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The floss is affixed to both the head and handle components, creating a self-contained system where the floss is automatically positioned and ready for use when the components are assembled. The user simply needs to detach the head from the handle to access the floss cavity, eliminating the need for additional grip changes or complex access procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If water is used to rinse the toothbrush, then oral hygiene is maintained, but water can enter the floss storage area and ruin and contaminate the stored floss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoral hygiene maintenanceVSAvoidfloss contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The floss storage cavity is designed as a separate, isolated compartment within the handle, with the opening positioned to allow water to flow over the external surface without penetrating into the internal cavity. The cavity is accessible through a controlled opening that can be protected or covered when not in use, preventing water ingress during rinsing while maintaining the ability to access floss when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2299869B1Oral hygiene device with floss storage capability

Publication Date: 2017.09.20 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO

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AI summary

An oral hygiene device (100) is provided having a head (20) and a handle (30). The handle (30) is configured to accommodate a user's hand grip when the head (20) is inserted into a user's mouth. The head is further configured to accommodate, at a distal end of the handle (30), a proximal end (22) of the head (20). One of the head (20) and the handle (30) is provided with a cavity (50) configured to receive a supply of floss (60). The cavity (50) becomes accessible when the head (20) and the handle (30) are at least partially detached from one another.