INCENTIVE KIT TO USE DENTAL FLOSS

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Technical Field

Well-known are the benefits in oral hygiene related to a frequent use of dental floss, representing the sole appropriate instrument to remove bacterial plaque and consequently prevent tartar formation in interstitial spaces and gingival pockets, where toothbrushes and interdental brushes are not able to do such appropriate function.

Unfortunately is also well-known the uncom- fortable use of this instrument, for time requested and tiring arms movement enforced, that, also in the countries where sensibility to problems of oral hygiene is diffused among population, is estimated that no more than 25 per cent of the population use dental floss regularly.

Moreover the most opportune time for an accurate oral hygiene is before to go bed, just when tiredness prevails and increase the perception of the uncomfortable use of dental floss. Objectives of the invention

The principal objective of this present invention, in the above mentioned field, is therefore to supply

means to facilitate the use of dental floss, making less irritating and more tolerable the engagement and physical effort required by the. use.

Another objective of this present invention is to make more precise and stable the introduction of dental floss between the teeth.

Still another objective of this present invention is to achieve previous objective through a modular and polyvalent apparatus, as much as possible adjustable to different utilization needs. .•

Still another objective of this present invention is to achieve previous objectives through a mean ^' suitable to be integrated with other equipment able to incentive the use of the hygienic instrument as it is. Further objective of this present invention is to approach young people to use dental floss parti- . ^• cularly making easier the application in the most appropriate time, before the user goes to bed.

Still further objective of this present invention is to achieve previous objectives through a device simple and effective, safe in functioning and relatively inexpensive taking into consideration the results by itself in practice obtained.

Abstract of the concept of solution These and also other objectives' are all achieved with

the incentive kit to use dental floss in accordance with this present invention, comprising stool to seat

(9) in correct posture in front of washbasin (1) with a lacking portion (11) of related sitting plane (12) to be replaced under the washbasin and little mirror (17) interfaced connected to the tap (8) of washbasin (1) equipped with mechanism of extension (15) and orientation (18,19) near to the user.

Identification of attached drawings Further characteristics and advantages of the kit in accordance with this present invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusively form, represented, by way of example and not as- a limit, in number two attached drawings, wherein it:

Drawing 1 shows the kit in accordance with this present invention in one of its position of replacing with minimum encumbrance;

Drawing 2 shows the kit in accordance with this present invention in one of its operative position.

Static description of exemplary embodiment With reference to these drawings, particularly drawing 1, with 1 is entirely indicated a common washbasin for bathroom of pe.destal-type 2, fixed ^' against a wall 3;

the washbasin 1 includes a sink 4, with the usual drain opening 5, defined by a curved front edge 6 and sink deck 7, over that is mounted a monobloc tap 8.

In front of washbasin 1 is entirely indicated with 9 a stool with three legs 10, presenting a lacking portion 11, for example slice-shaped, of the circular sitting plane 12.

Between monobloc tap 8 and the wall 3 is interlocked a pedestal 13, for the purpose elastically compressible, sideways to that, are pivoting on axle

^■ 14, two symmetrical telescopic sticks 15, twinned in the apical by a crossbeam 16, in the middle of that is positioned a little circular mirror 17, adjustable in the reclining, by lock rings 18 with springs 19 for the functions hereinafter specified.

Dynamic description of exemplary embodiment Concluded in this way the static description of a preferred embodiment example of the kit in accordance with this present invention, now hereinafter is being developed the dynamic, in oiiher words the operation: the user, when decide to use dental floss, with known technique must remain standing up, inclining himself towards bathroom mirror, with the

• uncomfortable obstacle of washbasin in front of himself, forcing him to an unnatural outstretched

position, maintaining that is 'obliged to handle with the elbows in mid-air; such a uncomfortable position suddenly wear down his strength, concentration and determination, with the result of an utilisation of dental floss more ^' often than not insufficient and ineffective.

With the incentive kit to use dental floss, in accordance of this present invention, otherwise, the user may sit down comfortably on the stool 9, move the little mirror 17 close to his mouth, rotating telescopic stick 15 on pivots 14 of pedestal 13, extending the same telescopic sticks 15, as well as adjusting the inclination of the little mirror 17 by the lock rings 18, in this way- positioning the mirror in the most convenient and appropriate position for him.

In this way the position is gradually adjusted, through the inclination of the bust forward and the ^{' •} contextual inclination of the mirror toward the user, becoming comfortable and effective.

At this point the user can make flossing operation leaning the elbows on the front edge 6 of washbasin 1, in a position stable and not fatiguing for the arms, propedeutic prerequisite for a prolonged flossing necessary to obtain adequate oral hygiene.

v - 6 -

The comfort of flossing may be increased providing the kit of little cushions with automatic coupling device (not showed) to the top front edge 6 of the sink, in order that the elbows may found a lean even more comfortable.

Moreover the kit may be further enriched with containers of various shapes, that may be connected, for example, to elastic pedestal 13 and/or to telescopic sticks 15, appropriate to contain anything necessary for oral hygiene, at the end of that the objects can be closed and repositioned in their less voluminous dimension.

In its way the stool 9, when not used, may be pushed against the pedestal 2 of washbasin 1, where, through the lacking portion 11 of sitting plane 12, remain accurately under the sink, taking up a very small area.

Embodiment alternatives Obviously in further alternative forms of embodi- ment, always falling within the concept of solution implicit into the exemplary embodiment above illustrated and hereinafter ^■ claimed, the kit in accordance to this present invention, may be realised with technical and mechanical equivalent elements, or equipped with further integrative devices, as well all

the structures of related components may be changed in any way appropriate to purpose; particularly: the configuration and shape of the stool may be in any way changed, holding fixed the innovative concept of the lacking portion in the sitting plane, that approach complementary to washbasin pedestal, otherwise, in absence of this, represent in any way appropriate solution in order that sitting plane replaced under washbasin doesn' t meet water drainpipes as obstacles.

Moreover, the stool may be also equipped with adjustable footrest.

The systems to regulate during the use the extension and inclination of little mirror, may be of any type, appropriate to the purpose, different from the example described; in this way, the extension and inclination shall be preferably adjustable by systems the more possible precise and immediate, to be quickly adapted to different needs of plurality users as the members of a family.

May be also conceived systems of automatic adjustment, provided that preferably shall make possible quick adaptations to changing user's needs.

May be conceived a different structure, parti- cularly appropriate for a portable or "travel" use

where the mirror pedestal is changed with a simple stick, in order to constitute, together with telescopic sticks and superior cross bar, a parallelogram, preferably deforming or folding up for the related store in its case, sustained by tension tie beams ensuring it to the wall by suction caps to fix to the tiles.

As regards to the mirror and its pedestal, may be conceived embodiment alternatives use-and-throw, with further simplifications and lower cost of components, also with the aim to become a courtesy gadgets for hotels.

May be conceived various types of accessories in addition to aforesaid containers, particularly elec- tronic products: over the mirror pedestal, below telescopic stick, may be conceived a fixed frame able to hold up a product of consumer electronic of small, portable-type dimensions; in fact a further incentive to use dental floss may be obtained furnishing the kit with one among the products of portable consumer electronic: radio, television with flat display LCD, mp3 reader, palm and pocket PC, web-cam, etc.

The mirror integrated with aforesaid components, also when not used, take the characteristics of a

"Console for washbasin".

Advantages of the invention

From detailed aforesaid description of a preferred embodiment example, as from aforesaid mention to some embodiment variants, appear clear that the kit in accordance with this present invention, presents the advantages related to obtain prefixed objectives and

^■ some more: it combines in fact a functional, modular, polyvalent and economical innovation, able to faci- litate oral hygiene using dental floss, breaking down great part of the inconveniences that interfere to an adequate systematic flossing.

Range of the protection required Having described the innovation in accordance with this present invention, with reference to one of its preferred embodiment forms, hereby is obviously required the protection of all possible embodiment forms with variants of standard fulfilment for the skilled in the art, that will not modify the invention without exit from expected objectives; hereby is

. intended, in aforesaid description and in following claims, to protect all the embodiment forms and variants falling within the concept of solution, the full spirit and purposes of this invention. Drawings - Legend of numbers

1. Washbasin

2. pedestal

3. wall

4. sink

5. drain opening

6. curved front edge of sink

7. sink deck

8. monobloc tap

9. stool

10. legs

11. lacking portion slice-shaped of sitting plane

^' 12. circular sitting plane

13. pedestal of the mirror

14, pivot axle of telescopic sticks 15. telescopic sticks

16. superior cross bar supporting little circle mirror

17. little circular mirror

18. lock rings for angular regulation 19. springs.