Single-Piece Flosser Body With Cantilevered Flexure Spool Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flossing devices are difficult to use, especially for those with limited dexterity or strength, and often require multiple moving parts, making them costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A flosser with a single-piece body featuring a source spool for dispensing floss and a take-up spool for collecting used floss, utilizing a cantilevered flexure assembly to control the rotation of the spools, allowing for easy advancement and collection of floss with one hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If mechanical flossers use many moving parts to dispense and collect floss, then the device can be used multiple times, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the source spool, take-up spool, flexure mechanisms, and body into a single integrated structure. The source button assembly and ratchet flexure are formed as one piece with the body, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining multiple-use functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The single-piece body structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural framework, houses the spools, contains the flexure mechanisms, and integrates the ratchet system. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of parts needed in the device
2Device complexity
If disposable flossing devices are used to avoid complexity, then the device structure is simple, but waste and litter generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be reusable rather than disposable, allowing the floss to be dispensed and collected multiple times. The take-up spool collects used floss for proper disposal while the main device structure remains in use, separating the disposable element (floss) from the reusable device
3Device complexity
If traditional flossing requires manual manipulation of floss between teeth, then no additional device is needed, but the operation becomes difficult for those with limited dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The floss is pre-loaded onto the source spool in the correct configuration before use. The device automatically manages the floss threading and tensioning, eliminating the need for the user to manually thread and manipulate the floss between teeth
Solution Approach 2:
The flexure mechanisms and ratchet system automatically manage the floss dispensing and collection processes. The source button assembly automatically engages and disengages the source spool, and the take-up spool automatically winds the used floss, reducing the skill and dexterity required
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 flosser enables efficient and easy flossing by allowing one-handed operation and reducing waste, as it can be used multiple times without generating excess litter.
Implementation Method 1
the take-up spool and the ratchet flexure are configured to ratchet rotation of the take-up spool in one direction
Implementation Method 2
a ratchet flexure also cantilevered from the body, the ratchet flexure configured to flex in a plane of rotation
Implementation Method 3
the source button assembly is cantilevered from the body and configured to permit rotation of the source spool when flexed, and prevent rotation of the source spool when released
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a flossing system, device, and/or method. In one general aspect, a flosser includes a source spool for dispensing floss and a take-up spool for collecting the floss. The flosser further includes a body having a source button assembly, where the source button assembly is cantilevered from the body and configured to permit rotation of the source spool when flexed, and prevent rotation of the source spool when released. The flosser also includes a ratchet flexure cantilevered from the body, where the take-up spool and the ratchet flexure are configured to ratchet rotation of the take-up spool in one direction, and where the source button assembly and/or the ratchet flexure are made from a single piece of the body. In some embodiments, the take-up spool can be rotated by a thumb to advance the floss such that the floss can be advanced with one hand.