Elastomeric Dental Flossing Strip with Stretchable Handles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental flossing devices are uncomfortable and difficult to use, leading to low acceptance among the general public, particularly for younger individuals and those with sensitive gums, as they require manual dexterity, time, and can cause discomfort and bleeding.
Innovation Solution
A dental flossing device with elastic handles and a resiliently stretchable flossing strip made from materials like silicone rubber, capable of elongating up to 800% of its original length, allowing easy insertion into inter-proximal spaces and improving cleaning efficacy while being gentle on gums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional rigid flossing sticks are used, then structural strength is maintained, but ease of insertion into inter-proximal spaces deteriorates and gum damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible flossing strip made of elastomeric material that can deform to fit into inter-proximal spaces between teeth. The strip's flexibility allows it to conform to the contours of teeth and gums, enabling easy insertion while maintaining sufficient structural integrity through the elastomeric properties of the material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by changing the physical state of the flossing device from rigid to elastic. The elastomeric material allows the flossing strip to undergo elastic deformation, changing its shape and size parameters dynamically during use. This enables the strip to adapt to different inter-proximal space dimensions while maintaining strength through elastic recovery.
2Ease of operation
If conventional flossing methods are used, then cleaning capability is achieved, but user comfort deteriorates and bleeding occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elastomeric flossing strip gently conforms to gum contours without causing mechanical trauma. The material's elasticity allows it to flex around tooth surfaces and gum lines, providing effective cleaning while minimizing stress on delicate gum tissue, thereby preventing bleeding and improving user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses elastomeric material that combines the properties of flexibility and strength. This composite-like material structure provides both the softness needed for gum comfort and the durability required for effective debris removal, resolving the contradiction between cleaning capability and user comfort.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual dexterity is required for proper flossing, then cleaning precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric flossing strip performs self-adjusting actions by automatically conforming to the shape of inter-proximal spaces through elastic deformation. The material's inherent elasticity allows it to adapt to different tooth configurations without requiring precise manual manipulation, reducing the need for user skill while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by using an elastomeric material that can dynamically change its shape and flexibility in response to applied forces and geometric constraints. This dynamic adaptation allows the flossing strip to automatically adjust to different inter-proximal space geometries, maintaining cleaning precision across various oral conditions without requiring high user dexterity.
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 makes flossing more comfortable and effective, allowing for easier access to all teeth spaces, reducing discomfort, and increasing user acceptance by providing a more pleasant experience, thus promoting better oral hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
at least one resiliently stretchable flossing strip... ability of the flossing strip to be stretched (elongated) in the range of about 50% to 800% of its initial (original) length under a stress/stretching force applied by fingers of a user, while ensuring complete return of the flossing strip to its original length when said stretching force is no longer applied
Data Source
AI summary
A dental flossing device is made of an elastic material. Its central structure is a resiliently stretchable elastic, bridge strip with a cross section having different shapes. When stretched, the strip has a changeable diameter to help remove debris between teeth. The strip includes corrugations or spirals along its length and may include different drugs or flavors to give the user a medicine or a taste while cleaning the teeth. At each end of the strip, there is an elastic opposing handle. Handles may be bridged by two or more stretchable strips. The two handles may have different dimensions and thicknesses, as well as different profiles; they may be resiliently stretchable so as to serve themselves as additional flossing members. The device may comprise more than two handles and more than one flossing strip and thus may form various configurations such as ring-like, chain-like, star-like, etc. A method for making the dental flossing device out of the elastic material includes molding the elastic, bridge strip and integrally molding the elastic opposing handles at opposite ends of the strip.