| US5020554A | 1991-06-04 | |||
| US5267579A | 1993-12-07 |
Claims
[1] What is claimed is:
1. A flossing device with internal floss feed comprising: a body having a handle adapted for gripping by the human hand and a flossing head, one end of which is adapted for insertion into the human mouth, storage means for storing a spool from which floss is discharged, feed means for feeding said floss to the said flossing head, spanning means for spanning said floss between the two points on said flossing head, said spanning means sized for insertion of the said floss between the teeth of a user, return means for returning used portions of the said floss from the said flossing head, advance means for advancing said floss through the said feeding means and said return means, housing means for housing the said feed means and the said return means, and cutting means for cutting spent portions of the said floss.
2. A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in claim 1, wherein said storage means comprises a hollow compartment within said handle for holding a spool of said floss, a removable cap for sealing the end of the said hollow compartment, and a threading aperture for allowing passage of said floss from within said compartment to the said feed means.
3. A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in claim 1, wherein said feed means comprises a feed gear rigidly affixed to the first end of a rotatable axle mounted through a portion of the said flossing head and a feed drive gear rigidly affixed to the first end of a rotatable drive axle pin mounted through the said flossing head and in interconnecting, geared juxtaposition with the said feed gear, whereby floss can pass between the said feed gear and the said feed drive gear, only by advancing the said feed gear and the said feed drive gear, such that said floss is pulled from the said spool and advanced beyond the said feed gear and said feed drive gear, and a feed capstan for guiding the said floss from threading aperture to the said feed gear.
4. A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in claim 1, where in the axle pin is pushed towards the drive axle pin by a flexible rubber or plastic to ensure snug and taut interconnections between the feed gear and drive feed gear from one side, and the return gear and return drive gear from the other side, and a rigid plastic part located between the said flexible rubber or plastic and the axle pin to ease the rotation of axle pin and evenly distribute the pressure exerted by flexible rubber to the axle pin, and two oval apertures on a portion of the said flossing head in which the rotatable axle pin is mounted, and make it possible for the axle pin to move toward the drive axle to ensure snug and taut interconnection between the feed gear and drive feed gear as well as between the return gear and return drive gear.
5. A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in claim 1, wherein the said spanning means comprise a pair of tines at the end of the said flossing head at a distance from the said handle, each tine having a free end, the first one of said tines having a guide groove for guiding the said floss from said feed means to the said free end of the said first tine, a tine groove at the said free end of each of the said tines for guiding the said floss from the said first tine to the second said tine, and a second guide groove in said second tine for guiding the said floss from said second tine to said return means.
6. A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in claim 3, wherein said return means comprises a return drive gear rigidly affixed to the second end of the said drive axle and a return gear rigidly affixed to the second end of the said axle pin, said return drive gear having a diameter greater than that of the said feed drive gear, resulting in the said floss being kept in a taut state between the said tines, and said return drive gear in interconnecting, geared juxtaposition with the said return gear; said floss intended to pass between the said return drive gear and the said return gear such that said floss is pulled from the said tines and advanced beyond the said return drive gear and said return gear.
7. A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in claim 5, wherein said advance means comprises a floss advance lever rotatably and ratchetingly attached to the said drive axle pin within the housing by means of a clutch bearing , said clutch bearing is rigidly affixed to the floss advance lever from its outer casing and rigidly affixed to the said drive axle from its inner casing, said clutch bearing adapted to engage the floss advance lever and the drive axle pin in a ratcheting manner, thereby allowing said floss advance lever to advance the said feed drive gear and the said return drive gear in only one direction, and, said floss advance lever advancing the said feed drive gear and the said return drive gear, said feed drive gear and said return drive gear, in turn, driving the said feed gear and said return gear.
8. A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in claim 7, wherein the said floss advance lever advances the floss by the single action of being pressed upward which creates and maintains the sufficient tension on the floss resulting in a taut and snug floss between the tines; without the need for manually turning the gears on one or both sides,
The clean floss being kept separated from the used portion, thereby preventing it from becoming contaminated prior to being used.
9. A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in claim 1, wherein the said housing means comprises a cover, removably affixed, enclosing the said feed means and the said return means, respectively,
The return means cover being open at the top and bottom thereof, thereby aiding in cleansing of the said return means.
10. A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in claim 7, wherein the said cutting means comprises a floss cutter affixed to the flossing device.
11. A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in claim 2, further comprising sealing means for sealing said storage means from intrusion of water during cleaning of the said flossing device, said sealing means comprising a tile located at the end of the said housing means and against the portion of the hollow compartment of the handle containing the said threading aperture, to prevent infiltration of water into the said hollow chamber during washing of the said flossing device.
12. A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in claim 1, wherein said flossing head further comprises vibratory means for aiding in stimulating the gums and removing dental debris.
13. A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in claim 10, wherein the said vibratory means comprises a motor and an eccentric head.
14. A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in claim 11, wherein the said electric motor is powered by a battery inside of the said flossing device.
15. A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in claim 11, wherein said electric motor is powered by an electrical cord and plug for connection to an external power supply.
16. A flossing kit comprising a flossing device and threading means for threading floss through the said flossing device, said flossing device comprising: a body having a handle adapted for gripping by the human hand and a flossing head, an end of which is adapted for insertion into the human mouth, storage means for storing a spool from which floss is discharged, feed means for feeding the said floss to the said flossing head, spanning means for spanning the said floss between two points on the said flossing head, said spanning means sized for insertion of the said floss between the teeth of a user, return means for returning a used portion of the said floss from the said flossing head, advance means for advancing the said floss through the said feeding means and the said take up means, housing means for housing the said feed means and the said return means, and cutting means for cutting the spent portions of the said floss; said threading means comprising: a needle having a shaft, a finger ring at the first end of the said shaft and an eye at the second end of the said shaft, said shaft being adapted to be place through the said threading aperture and through the said hollow compartment, said eye being adapted to receive an end of the said floss for pulling the said floss through the said hollow compartment and the said threading aperture.
11 |
Description
FLOSSING DEVICE WITH INTERNAL FLOSS FEED
Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention
[1] The present invention relates to dental hygiene products. More particularly, the invention comprises a flossing device with internal storage of floss and an internal feed mechanism for progressing fresh floss through the flossing head
2. Description of the Prior Art
[2] Numerous flossing devices have been disclosed over the years, many with internal storage for the floss, and many of those with feed mechanisms for advancing the floss through the flossing tines.
[3] Of particular note are U.S. Patents 6,526,994 to Santoro on March 4, 2003;
5,823,207 to Bushman on October 20, 1998; 5,947,133 to Kossak, et al., on September 7, 1999; 5,816,271 to Uros on October 6, 1998; and 5,269,331 to Tanriverdi on December 14, 1993.
[4] In each case cited above, floss is fed from a supply spool, through the tines and back to a take up spool, with all motivational forces being applied to the either the supply spool, the take up spool or both. In none of the above are the motivational forces applied directly to the floss, as in the present invention.
[5] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invenDtion as claimed.
Summary of the Invention
[6] Dentists recommend regular flossing as one of the best ways to maintain dental hygiene and health. Many people, however, find the act of flossing clumsy and difficult. Flossing by hand requires stretching floss between the fingers of both hands and then working the fingers into the mouth, flossing a given area of the mouth, advancing the floss through the fingers and then flossing another area of the mouth. The advancing of the floss is important in order to prevent the spreading of germs and debris from one area of the mouth to another. By means of the internal mechanism provided by the present invention, the floss is easily refreshed by pushing the floss advance lever forward.
[7] The present invention provides a flossing device which has a chamber within its hollow handle in which a spool of floss is stored. The free end of the floss is threaded through an array of feed gears to a pair of tines at the head of the device and back to the take up gears for take up. The floss is maintained taut between the tines of the head for effective flossing. In an alternate embodiment, an electrically operated vibrator is
housed in the flossing head to aid in stimulating the gums and removal of dental debris. [8] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a flossing device which is easy to use. [9] It is another object of the invention to provide a flossing device which stores the floss internally. [10] It is a further object of the invention to provide a flossing device which is self feeding. [11] Another object of the invention is to provide a flossing device which can easily provide fresh floss for each tooth to be flossed. [12] It is, again, an object of the invention to provide a flossing device which maintains the floss in a taut state between the tines of the head for effective flossing. [13] Still another object of the invention is to provide a flossing device which isolates clean floss from contaminated floss. [14] A further object of the invention is to provide a flossing device which can easily be washed and cleaned after use without making the floss in the storage chamber wet or contaminated. [15] An additional object of the invention is to provide a flossing device with vibratory action to aid in gum stimulation and removal of dental debris. [16] It is an object of the invention to provide improved eleDments and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. [17] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specif icaDtions and drawings.
Brief Description Of Drawings [18] Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
[19] Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of the flosser of the present invention.
[20] Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the flosser of the present invention.
[21] Fig. 3 is a top view of the flosser of the present invention.
[22] Fig. 4 is a cross sectional side view of the flosser of the present invention at line
4-4 of Fig 3. [23] Fig. 5 is a partial top, partially cut away view of the flosser of the present invention at 5 of Fig. 3. [24] Fig. 6 is a partial side, cut away view of the left side of the flosser of the present invention at line 6-6 of Fig. 5.
[25] Fig. 7 is a partial side, cut away view of the right side of the flosser of the present invention at line 7-7 of Fig. 5.
[26] Fig. 8 is an exploded top perspective view of the flosser of the present invention.
[27] Fig. 9 is a side view of the threading tool of the flosser of the present invention.
[28] Fig. 10 is a plan view of the flosser of the present invention with an oscillating head.
[29] Fig. 11 is a side, cut away view of the flosser of the present invention at line 11-11 of Fig. 10.
Detailed Description of the preferred embodiments
[30] The flosser 100 of the present invention, as shown in its assembled state at Figs. 1 and 2, is depicted in further detail at Figs. 3 through 8.
[31] The flosser 100 has a body 102 having a hollow handle 104 portion at a first end; handle 104 having a threaded cap 106 at the first end of handle 104 portion and a threading aperture 108 at the second end of handle 104. Handle 104 is dimensioned and configured to comfortably fit into a human hand.
[32] At a second end of body 102 is a head 110, head 110 extending longitudinally from the second end of handle 104. Head 110 is solid and substantially flat on its upper and lower surfaces, and is dimensioned and configured for the free end of head 110 to comfortably fit within a human mouth. At the free end of head 110 is a pair of tines 112f and 112r which are angled downwardly from the free end of head 110 at an angle which allows easy access to the teeth. (In the preceding and hereinafter, the designation T next to a number will refer to the feed side of the flosser 100 and the designation 'r' the return side.) Each of tine 112f and 112r has a groove 114f and 114r, respectively, formed at the end thereof, the grooves 114f and 114r being substantially in a plane with one another. Tines 112f and 112r each have a guide groove 124f and 124r respectively, and head 110 has grooves 126f and 126r, formed proximate the edge thereof to aid in guiding floss 202 along the length thereof.
[33] Proximate the juncture with handle 104, head 110 floss feed assembly 150 mounted within and on the two opposing sides of head 110 proximate its juncture with handle 104. Interior of head 110 is a feed assembly housing well 151 formed along the longitudinal axis of head 110 proximate its juncture with handle 104. (While feed assembly housing well 151 could be closed at the bottom, as illustrated, it could likewise be formed passing fully through head 110). The floss feed assembly 150 consists of a floss feed gear 152 rotatably mounted at a first end of an axle pin 158, which is mounted through head 110 and feed assembly housing well 151 and substantially normal thereto. A return gear 160 is, likewise, rotatably mounted at the second end of axle pin 158, feed gear 152 and return gear 160 being on opposite sides of head 110.
[34] A feed drive gear 156 is rigidly mounted at a first end of an drive axle pin 162, which is mounted through head 110 and feed assembly housing well 151, substantially normal thereto. A return drive gear 164 is, likewise, rigidly mounted at the second end of drive axle pin 162.
[35] Axle pin 158 and drive axle pin 162 are positioned and feed gear 152 and return gear 160 and feed drive gear 156 and return drive gear 164 are dimensioned and supported by a flexible part 170 such that feed gear 152 engages feed drive gear 156 snugly, and the return drive gear 164 engages return gear 160 snugly.
[36] A floss advance lever 166 has a first, free end and a second attachment end. An aperture 165 is formed through the floss advance lever 166 proximate the attachment end. A clutch bearing 168 is rigidly fixed to the aperture 165 from its outer case and the drive axle pin 162 is rigidly fixed to clutch bearing 168 from its inner case within feed assembly housing well 151 that allows the floss advance lever 166 to rotate the drive axle pin 162 ratchet- like, on a forward stroke of floss advance lever 166 and move freely on the back stroke of floss advance lever 166, thereby rotating feed drive gear 156 and return drive gear 164 in only one direction.
[37] Caps 116f and 116r enclose the feed and return sides of feed assembly 150, respectively. It is preferable that feed assembly housing 148 leaves the top and bottom of the feed open to aid in the rinsing of the feed assembly 150 with running water. Flexible part 170 is a flexible rubber or plastic which exerts pressure to axle 158 through part 171 acting as a spring and makes the engagements between the feeding gears 152 and 156 as well as return gears 164 and 160 quite snug and taut to each other so that without the rotation of the gears, the floss can't advance. Part 171 which is made of rigid plastic evenly distributes the pressure exerted by the flexible part 170 to axle 158 and eases the rotation of the floss feed gear 152. The two apertures 176f and 176r are quite circle while the two apertures 174f and 174r are oval in longitudinal direction of the body 102. This oval shape of the apertures 174f and 174r allows axle pin 158 to move towards drive axle 162 by means of pressure exerted on axle pin 158, and as a result maintain both feed gear and drive feed gear as well as return gear and drive return gears in snug and taut state. This prevents the floss from slipping between the gears and compensates for any tolerance in diameters of the gears beyond the acceptable figures.
[38] A feed capstan 172 guides the floss coming out from the threading aperture to the feeding gear 152.
[39] A floss cutter 180, as is typically found on floss dispensers is mounted on the lower surface of head 110.
[40] A light weight, flexible tile 182, configured to conform to the face of the juncture wall between hollow handle 104 and head 110, aids in preventing water from in-
filtrating the interior of handle 104 through the threading aperture 108 during washing. Tile 182 has sufficient flexibility to allow the floss to easily pass through the threading aperture 108 while still conforming to the surface of the wall around threading aperture 108.
[41] In a second embodiment of the flosser IOOA (Figs. 10 and 11), a vibrator 400 may be added to the head 110 of flosser IOOA. Vibrator 400 consists of a motor 402 with an eccentric head 404. Motor 400 is powered by an electrical cord (not shown) or battery (not shown) housed in the hollow handle 104. The vibration of vibrator 400 provides improved stimulation of the gums and cleaning of the teeth over the flosser 100, without the vibrator 400.
[42] A threading needle 300 (Fig. 9) is provided to aid in the threading of floss through the threading aperture 108 of handle 104. Threading needle 300 has a shaft 302 which may be inserted through threading aperture 108 from head 110, and extended out the end of handle 104. A finger ring 304 is at a first end of the shaft 302 and an eye 306 at the second end. The end of floss 202 from spool 200 may be threaded through the eye 306 of needle 300 before withdrawing needle 300 from threading aperture 108. The floss 202 is then threaded through the flosser 100, as further defined herein below.
[43] Referring now to Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 7 floss 202 from a spool 200 is fed through threading aperture 108 to the floss feed assembly 150, using needle 300. The end of the floss 202 is then fed through feed gear 152 and feed drive gear 156 looped around the capstan 172, then into the groove 126f. The floss 202 is then fed along the guide groove 124f of a first tine 112f, through the tine groove 114f of the same tine 112f and then through the tine groove 114r of the second tine 112r. In use, the floss 202 between the tines 112 becomes soiled with food debris. The floss 202 is then fed through guide groove 124r and groove 126r and then back to the floss feed assembly 150 where it passes between the return drive gear 164 and return gear 160 before passing to the floss cutter 180, where spent floss 202 may be cut off.
[44] Return drive gear 164 has a larger diameter than does feed drive gear 156, thereby ensuring that the floss 202 is constantly under tension, preventing slack in the floss 202 between the tines 112. It should be noted that floss 202 travels through channel 126f when if is clean and through channel 126r when it is soiled throughout the system.
[45] In use, the tines 112 of the flosser 100 should be placed within the mouth, with the floss 202 passing into the gap between two adjacent teeth. After flossing between the two teeth, the flosser 100 should be removed from the mouth and the floss 202 advanced between the tines 112 by the ratcheting action of floss advance lever 166. This action should be repeated after flossing each pair of adjacent teeth. The used floss 202 may be periodically cut off by cutter 180. After flossing, the tines should be cleaned by rinsing with running water, and the flosser 100 left to dry.
[46] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.