Sonic Flossing System with Disposable Holder and Compressible Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing teeth cleaning systems are inefficient, painful, and costly when trying to clean between teeth and vibrates the mouth between teeth and gums, lacking in safety, convenience, and economy.
Innovation Solution
A flossing system with a handle and drive mechanism that generates sonic vibrations, a coupling head with a replaceable holder and tension-free floss, and a compressible stop to secure and control the floss between teeth, ensuring safe, painless, and efficient cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If existing teeth cleaning systems are used to clean between teeth and vibrate the mouth, then cleaning function is provided, but the system causes trauma to soft tissues and is painful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable floss holders that are discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for repeated sterilization and reducing the risk of infection and tissue trauma from contaminated equipment. Each new holder provides a fresh, sterile flossing experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a water reservoir and irrigation mechanism as an intermediary between the cleaning system and the oral cavity. This allows gentle water flow to soften and clean interproximal surfaces before flossing, reducing tissue trauma and making the overall process more comfortable and less painful.
2Ease of operation
If existing flossing systems are used, then cleaning between teeth is achieved, but the systems are inconvenient and lack safety features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pre-attached floss on the holder in a ready-to-use configuration, eliminating the need for users to manually thread or prepare floss. The floss is pre-positioned and secured, ensuring safe and convenient immediate use without preparation steps that could compromise safety or convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the flossing system into separable components: a reusable handle and disposable holders. This segmentation allows the complex safety features (irrigation, vibration control) to be concentrated in the handle while the simple holder provides convenient, safe floss delivery, improving overall reliability and ease of operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing teeth cleaning systems are used, then cleaning function is provided, but the systems are costly to manufacture and use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the expensive reusable handle (containing motor, battery, irrigation system) from the inexpensive disposable holder. This allows the high-cost components to be manufactured once and reused, while the low-cost holders are mass-produced cheaply, reducing both manufacturing complexity and consumer cost per use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses disposable holders made from inexpensive materials that are discarded after one use. This eliminates the need for expensive sterilization processes and complex durability features in the holder, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and consumer expense while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
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 system provides effective cleaning and vibration between teeth and gums in a safe, convenient, and economical manner, reducing trauma to soft tissues and minimizing floss shredding, while being durable and cost-effective to manufacture and market.
Implementation Method 1
a drive mechanism that generates sonic vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A handle has distal and proximal ends and a drive mechanism. Operational components on the handle include ON and OFF controls and a vibrating coupler to create sonic vibrations. A coupling head has a distal and a proximal ends. The proximal end is formed with a coupling recess. A replaceable holder has a central base and two outwardly extending fingers. The fingers have free ends with a piece of floss secured there between. The central base has a shape for coupling to and uncoupling from the coupling head. The length of the floss between the fingers is from 5 to 10 percent greater than the distance between the fingers. A compressible stop is on the base of the holder between the fingers. The remainder of the fingers are devoid of a compressible stop.