Segmented Dental Floss Dispenser for Plaque Removal and Insertion

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dental flosses lack versatility in texture and stiffness, making them inadequate for effectively cleaning between teeth, especially for individuals with dental appliances or braces, as they either struggle to fit or fail to remove plaque efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A dental floss with alternating segments of different textures and stiffness, where smooth segments facilitate easy insertion and textured segments enhance plaque removal, combined with a dispensing unit that controls the release of floss fragments with specific properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If dental floss is made thin and smooth to easily pass through spaces between teeth, then ease of insertion is improved, but plaque removal effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidplaque removal effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The floss is divided into alternating segments of different textures (smooth and textured/coarse) along its length. This segmentation allows different portions of the floss to perform different functions: smooth segments for easy insertion and textured segments for effective plaque removal, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of insertion and plaque removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the floss are given different local qualities (smooth vs. textured surfaces). The smooth segments provide low friction for easy passage between teeth, while the textured segments provide high friction for effective plaque removal. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each section for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If dental floss is made thick and textured to remove plaque effectively, then plaque removal effectiveness is improved, but ease of insertion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplaque removal effectivenessVSAvoidease of insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The floss is divided into alternating segments of different textures (smooth and textured/coarse) along its length. This segmentation allows different portions of the floss to perform different functions: smooth segments for easy insertion and textured segments for effective plaque removal, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of insertion and plaque removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the floss are given different local qualities (smooth vs. textured surfaces). The smooth segments provide low friction for easy passage between teeth, while the textured segments provide high friction for effective plaque removal. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each section for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional floss is used with dental appliances or braces, then compatibility with appliances is maintained, but cleaning effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with dental appliancesVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The floss is divided into alternating segments of different textures (smooth and textured/coarse) along its length. This segmentation allows different portions of the floss to perform different functions: smooth segments for easy insertion and textured segments for effective plaque removal, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of insertion and plaque removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8443817B2Floss dispensing unit

Publication Date: 2013.05.21 SUNSTAR AMERICAS INC

AI summary

A dental floss dispensing unit comprising a housing and a supply spool coupled to the housing and having a length of floss wound thereabout. The supply spool being adjustable between a locked position, where the supply spool is fixed with respect to the housing, and an unlocked position, where the supply spool is free to rotate with respect to the housing.