Dental Floss Holder Mechanism for One-Motion Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The low usage of dental floss can be attributed to the lack of effective and easy-to-use floss holders and the inconvenience of applying floss with bare hands.
Innovation Solution
A floss accessory with a housing and pivotally mounted holders that allow for single-move operation to dispense, tighten, and cut floss, featuring a mechanism to transfer angular movement for grip and tension adjustment, and a blade for easy severing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional floss holder is used, then floss can be dispensed, but it requires multiple steps (dispensing, tightening, cutting) and is inconvenient to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple floss handling functions (dispensing, holding, tightening, and cutting) into a single integrated device. The housing contains the floss supply, the holders grip and tension the floss, and the blade cuts it—all within one unified structure that operates through a single pivoting motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The floss accessory performs multiple functions simultaneously: it dispenses floss from the housing, holds the floss between the prongs of the holders, tensions it through the pivoting action, and cuts it with the blade. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate tools or multiple manual steps.
2Ease of operation
If floss is applied directly with bare hands, then no additional device is needed, but it is painfully inconvenient and ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The floss accessory serves as an intermediary tool between the user and the floss. Instead of handling floss directly with bare hands, the user operates the device which then manipulates the floss through its mechanical components (holders, tensioning mechanism, blade), providing both comfort and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs the floss handling operations automatically through its mechanical design. When the user pivots the holders, the system automatically dispenses the required floss length, tensions it through the geometric constraints of the mechanism, and positions it for cutting—no manual manipulation of the floss itself is needed.
3Ease of operation
If multiple separate devices are used for dispensing, holding, and cutting floss, then each function can be optimized, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges what would traditionally be separate tools (floss dispenser, floss holder, floss cutter) into a single integrated device. The housing, holders, blade, and floss supply are combined into one unit that performs all functions through a coordinated mechanical system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each component of the device is designed to perform multiple roles: the housing both stores and dispenses floss, the holders both grip and tension it, and the entire mechanism works together to sequence the operations of dispensing, holding, and cutting within a single operational cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for holding dental floss in tension, comprises of two components that form two sets of pivoted arms that holds the floss in tension between them; a means that host a repository of floss, such as a spool for example; and a means to anchor the dental floss that also hosts a sharp object to sever the excessive floss segment. Angular movement happens when the said two pivoted components move close to and away from each other. The said angular movement is then transformed to the horizontal sliding movement of a separate module which in turn locks the said repository of the spool, stopping it from dispensing more floss; changes the overall body length of the said apparatus; and drive a means which anchor and grip tight the floss. Together the locked repository, gripping anchor, and changing of the device length tighten the floss being held between the said two sets of the pivoted arms.