US20090095318A1 - Self-dispensing dental floss applicator - Google Patents
Self-dispensing dental floss applicator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090095318A1 US20090095318A1 US12/122,881 US12288108A US2009095318A1 US 20090095318 A1 US20090095318 A1 US 20090095318A1 US 12288108 A US12288108 A US 12288108A US 2009095318 A1 US2009095318 A1 US 2009095318A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- floss
- self
- dental floss
- spool
- housing
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- Abandoned
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- 241000628997 Flos Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 149
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 6
- 210000003811 finger Anatomy 0.000 description 5
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004809 Teflon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006362 Teflon® Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000002925 dental caries Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000007565 gingivitis Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000116 mitigating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000003239 periodontal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000003813 thumb Anatomy 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C15/00—Devices for cleaning between the teeth
- A61C15/04—Dental floss; Floss holders
- A61C15/046—Flossing tools
Abstract
A self-dispensing dental floss applicator has a U-shaped elongated housing with two hollow prongs set perpendicularly to the body at one end and a larger opposite end to contain a locking mechanism, a dispensing mechanism, a spool of fresh floss and a spool of used floss.
Description
- The present invention relates to tooth flossing and, more specifically, to a self-dispensing dental floss applicator usable for inserting a string or ribbon of dental floss between two single teeth and cleaning the gap between these teeth by repeatedly moving the floss back and forth and up and down.
- Dentists recognise dental flossing as a necessary and effective part of teeth cleaning and plaque removing. Flossing is indeed the only effective method for cleaning between the teeth to remove plaque build-up, which is the primary cause of gingivitis, periodontal and tooth decay. For good results, flossing should be performed daily. Beside the related applications of the applicant, today there is not any practical, well-designed device that gives consumers a high level of satisfaction with regard to usage, hygiene, etc. Finger flossing continues to be the most common method used by people even though it is primitive and does not provide good results especially for the rear teeth.
- A dental floss applicator is known from
EP 0 661 026 B1. According toEP 0 661 026 B1 a self-dispensing dental floss applicator is known revealing a generally U-shaped housing, having a space for a spool of floss at its one end and two hollow prongs extending parallel to each other at its other end, the floss being spanned between the free ends of the prongs and passed from the spool through a locking mechanism, a guiding section, the hollow prongs back to the guiding section and the locking mechanism wherein the locking mechanism consists of a casing, rotatably mounting a lever with double eccentric acting on two grip pads and a grip pad spring provided between said grip pads and said casing. The self-dispensing dental floss applicator known from the prior art needs the power of the fingers of the user to move the floss and is therefore less comfortable and moves the floss very slowly. Furthermore the used floss has to be cut by the user and therefore the applicator known from the prior art is less hygienic in use. - It is an object of the invention to create a self-dispensing dental floss applicator mitigating the disadvantages of the prior art and being easy to handle and less expensive in production.
- The above mentioned problems will be solved by a self-dispensing dental floss applicator with a generally u-shaped housing having a space for a spool of floss at its one end and two hollow prongs at its other end, the floss being spanned between the free ends of the two prongs and passed from the spool through a locking mechanism, a guiding section, the hollow prongs back through the guiding section and the locking section, wherein the housing contains a second spool and that the first spool contains the fresh floss and that the second spool is for accumulating the used floss, wherein the second spool contains a gear wheel to drivingly connecting the gear wheel with a drive unit.
- According to the invention it is advantageous that the gear wheel meshes a rack with gear teeth slidingly accommodated in a cavity of the housing.
- Furthermore, it is helpful that the rack is in connection with a shaft, which can be easily operated with a lever.
- According to another embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the rack is biased by a spring, such that the spring exercises a longitudinal force along its axis pushing the rack forward. The spring is preferably a spiral spring or another type of spring.
- Furthermore, it is of advantage that the shaft and the rack are connected by another spring-type element or spring element.
- According to another embodiment of the invention, it is of advantage that the housing of the applicator contains an opening in the rear end of the housing allowing a driving gear wheel to be at least partly introduced through the opening to mesh the gear wheel within the housing.
- Furthermore, it is of advantage that the driving gear wheel is part of a base element. According to another embodiment it is of advantage that the base element contains an electric motor, at least one battery and a switching element to start or stop the electric motor. Instead of a battery another power supply means may be provided too.
- According to another inventive embodiment, it is helpful that the switching element is a micro switch being easily operated by introducing the rear end of the applicator in a recess of the base.
- Furthermore, it is of advantage that the base comprises a guiding element like a positioning groove which is in operational connection with an element of the housing of the applicator.
- The above and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 shows different views of an inventive floss dispensing applicator; -
FIG. 2 shows different sectional views of the inventive applicator; and -
FIG. 3 shows details of the inventive applicator; -
FIG. 4 shows details of an embodiment of the inventive applicator; and -
FIG. 5 shows details of an embodiment of an inventive applicator. -
FIG. 6 shows details of the locking mechanism of the inventive self-dispensing dental floss applicator. -
FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 both show different views of an inventive floss dispensing applicator. The applicator consists of ahousing 1, which is preferably u-shaped and made of plastic material. Thehousing 1 allows performing flossing in the most practical and user friendly way and especially with easy reach of the rear molar teeth. At the rear end of the housing there is aspool 3 arranged to provide fresh floss. Thisspool 3 may be removed and exchanged if the fresh floss is fully used and therefore the fresh floss spool is empty. Thespool 3 is located in a section of the housing which is covered by thecap 2. Thecap 2 protects and holds thespool 3 in position. - At the front end of the
housing 1 there are twohollow prongs 4 a, 4 b arranged to provide a predetermined floss tension for flossing. The floss is fed through the prongs and kept under tension. Especially the floss is fed from thespool 3 through one of theprongs 4 a, 4 b to thesecond prong 4 b, 4 a to a used floss spool. - In the prongs are
borings borings borings - Within the housing there is a
locking casing 5 which houses a locking mechanism of the made of alever 6 an axle andgrip pads 7, 17 andsprings 8. The core elements are quickly removed by pulling them out of thehousing 1 in vertical direction. - The
lever 6 is designed as a double eccentric lever to provide locking and tension of the floss. Additionally thelever 6 is a dispensing actor in a mechanical version of the applicator. As can be seen inFIG. 1 , thelever 6 is located at least partly in thehousing 1 and consists of a part not located in the housing. - The
grip pads 7, 17 are divided inlower grip pads 17 a, 17 b andupper grip pads 7 a, 7 b. The both types of grip pads are designed to exercise pressure on floss under rotation oflever 6 and action ofspring 8. The grip pads are made of metal or of plastic material. Thegrip pads 7, 17 both contain saw teeth pattern. - The
spring 8 is made of metal or of e.g. plastic material and is located below the lower grip pads. Thespring 8 is made as curved strip spring. - The lever axle 9 is preferably made of metal or plastic material and keeps the
lever 6 in a defined position and allows thelever 6 to turn around the axle 9. -
FIG. 1 shows the guiding partition in the view from below situated at the top ofFIG. 1 . Similarly they can be seen onFIG. 2 .FIG. 4 shows additionally guidingpartitions 10 inside thehousing 1 which can be provided in the housing ofFIGS. 1 or 2 too, but they are not seen. The guiding partitions are used to guide the floss from the fresh floss spool to thebores 13 or from thebores 13 to the used floss spool. Reference sign 11 denotes a bore to guide fresh floss from the locking mechanism to thebore 13 a, whilereference sign 12 denotes a bore to guide used floss from thebore 13 to the used floss spool or to locking mechanism. As can be seen inFIG. 4 , thebores 11 and 12 are almost parallel and they are located between thelever 6 mechanism and theprongs 4. - In
FIG. 4 thefresh floss 15 is shown while the usedfloss 16 is shown too. Both the fresh and the used floss are almost parallel within thehousing 1 and thefresh floss 15 is spanned between theprongs 4 a, 4 b to allow the flossing. The used floss is floss already used which will be reeled on a usedfloss spool - The used
floss spool 18 is located in thehousing 1 and covered by thecap 14 which protects and holds the spool and gear within thehousing 1. Thespool 18 contains he used floss which is reeled and the spool contains a large gear, which goes in rotary motion when the floss is dispensed in the electrical version of the applicator. - As can be seen in
FIG. 4 , the applicator may contain anadditional tension pin 19 and anadjustable screw 20 to increase the floss tension and to provide additional floss tension. -
FIG. 2 shows the usedfloss spool 21 with a small gear wheel which is going into rotary motion when the floss is dispensed. Additionally to the spool with the small gear wheel the applicator contains a mechanism to drive thegear wheel 21. This mechanism contains ashaft 22 which transmits a linear movement of the shaft into a rotational movement of thegear wheel 21. The shaft is therefore provided with gear teeth in linear arrangement as can be seen asrack 23. In case the shaft is moved linear thegear wheel 21 is turned around the axis of the gear wheel. As can be seen theshaft 22 transmits movement of therotating lever 6 to therack 23. The rack is part of the rack-and-pinion-gear device to transmit a linear movement into a rotational movement. Since the rack is moving against the force of thespring 24, thespring 24 is able to actuate therack 23 accordingly. - The
spring 24 is realised as cylindrical spring but can be realised as other type of spring if necessary. The spring provides a required pressure onrack 23 to push the rack back in starting position when thelever 6 is rotated forward to lock the floss between thegrip pads 7, 17. - When the
lever 6 is rotated backward the floss will be dispensed and when the lever is rotated forward the floss dispensing mechanism will be stopped. - According to
FIG. 2 thehousing 1 contains adispensing mechanism casing 25, which is the rear part of thehousing 1 of the applicator. The casing 25 houses theshaft 22 therack 23 and thespring 24. Therefore, the casing can be designed as having a longitudinal hollow bore containing the above mentionedparts 22 to 24. According to another embodiment of the invention, the casing can be installed in a cavity of thehousing 1 of the applicator, preferably before thespool 21 is installed in thehousing 1 and maintained in position bycover 14. - According to
FIG. 2 , theshaft 22 and therack 23 are movable relative to each other. They bothelements spring 26 is provided betweenshaft 22 andrack 23 to allowshaft 22 to remain in position in thecasing 25 while the rack is free to slide. The spring may have a second function such that thespring 26 pushes the rack back in the upper position such that the rack frees itself from the teeth of thegearwheel 18 when going back in its resting position, what can be seen inFIG. 3 . - The embodiment of the
FIGS. 4 and 5 is provided with anelectrical base 27. Thebase 27 is preferably a molded plastic part including a recess for the reception of the applicator or of at least the rear end of the applicator. The base comprises an element to allow a stable positioning of the base, i.e. a socket. - As can be seen in
FIG. 4 , the applicator can be positioned such that the rear end of thehousing 1 is accommodated within thebase 27. Within the housing there is an opening such that agear wheel 33 can protrude through this opening to mesh thegear wheel 18 of the applicator. Thegear wheel 33 is part of thebase 27. - According to
FIG. 5 , thebase 27 includes abase cover 28 which closes the bottom of the almostsemi-spherical base 27. The base cover is almost flat and allows a tight closure of the base. Preferably the closure is watertight. The cover is preferably made of plastic material. The fixation of thebase cover 28 can be done using three screws or with other fastening means. - Within the base is an
electrical motor 29 provided. Preferably theelectric motor 29 is a low voltage DC-motor, e.g. a 1.5 V DC-motor. At the drive shaft of themotor 29 is a gear wheel provided which meshes an other gear wheel in driving connection. This double gear wheel can be seen inFIG. 5 and is denoted byreference sign 33. The double gear wheel allows the driving connection between the electric motor and thegear wheel 18. The electric motor is connected via electrical leads with a power supply, e.g. with batteries. As power supply twobatteries batteries FIG. 5 thebatteries FIG. 5 , the batteries are disposed in a battery storage room which is closed by abattery cover 31, which can be of the clip-on type. Thiscover 31 protects and holds the batteries in their cavity inside thebase 27. To operate the electric motor amicro switch 32 is provided to switch the electric motor on or off. Preferably themicro switch 32 will be activated when the applicator is inserted in the cavity of the base and is pressed downward in the direction of the base. Accordingly the micro switch is adjusted to receive the rear part of the applicator when the applicator is inserted in the cavity of the base and switches the electric motor on. - Within the base is at least one holding
part 34 or a holding strap which holds theelements strap 34 in position inside thebase 27. - Furthermore, fastening means 36 are used to hold the
base cover 28 in position and to fasten the base cover. According to the shown embodiment ofFIG. 5 three screws are used as fastening means 36. - Additionally, as can be seen in
FIG. 5 , apositioning groove 37 is provided in the base which co-operates with a positioning element of the applicator to allow the applicator to be placed properly within the base during a dispensing action. - Additionally, as can be seen in
FIG. 3 , ananti-return device 38 is provided which preventsspool 18 and/or 21 to rotate back after it has been in rotary motion to reel used floss on wheel and hence dispensed new fresh floss between the prongs. Therefore, the anti-return device is a flexible element with a teeth portion which co-operates with a teethed portion of awheel 18 and/or 21 to allow only a rotation in one direction of the wheel. - According to the invention, the applicator allows a floss locking mechanism. The presence of two curved strip springs 8 a, 8 b placed underneath the lower
gripping pads 17 a, 17 b ensures that the pressure exercised by thegripping pads 7, 17 on the floss is almost constant independent of the floss characteristics or floss materials e.g. Nylon or Teflon, string or ribbon, waxed or non-waxed and thickness tolerances are. - Furthermore, a thin partition in the
casing 5 of the locking mechanism between the fresh floss and used floss ensures that no direct contact exists between the two paths for fresh and used floss. Therefore there is no direct contact between fresh floss and used floss in any part of the applicator making it extremely hygienic. Furthermore, floss spools, both fresh 3 and usedfloss - After each use of the applicator, the user is asked to wash the frontal part of the applicator, i.e. the prongs and the spanned floss under the tap before a new part of floss is dispensed between the prongs. This practice means used floss is relatively clean before being stored in its spool.
- According to an inventive embodiment, a change in tightness of floss is possible. Should the user wants to obtain a tighter floss beyond what the mechanism already provides, he just needs to unscrew the
little screw 20 which will receive downward pressure from thelever 6 when this one is in final locked position. As such, extra pressure will be exercised on the usedfloss string 16 frompin 19 as it passes through it. - The introduction of the dual function of the lever in the mechanical version of the self-dispensing dental floss applicator is generally favourable. The mechanical version of the inventive self-dispensing dental floss applicator according to
FIGS. 1 to 3 relies on finger power to obtain floss dispensing. It is a lower cost and slower version of the electrical model described according toFIGS. 4 and 5 yet it performs the same function. The doubleeccentric lever 6 continues to play a floss locking role. - For ease of use, the action to lock the floss is by pressing forward
lever 6 with the thumb and unlock by pulling it backward with the index finger. When thelever 6 reaches almost 45 degrees forward, the fresh floss is locked between thegripping pads lever 6 is pressed down completely. The added feature of theextra tension pin 19 allows creating more tension on the floss if/when required by the user. - The lever plays also the added role of floss dispenser. By pulling the
lever 6 backward with the index finger, ashaft 22 in the sliding mechanism is moved backward and the rack-and-pinion gear system floss spool 21. Hence, the usedfloss 16 is pulled away from theprongs 4 a and 4 b at the end of the applicator. The user just needs to action the lever backward a few times to get a new part of fresh floss to be spanned between the prongs of the applicator. The lever is brought back to its neutral position thanks tospring 24 and spring/pin 26 in the sliding mechanism. It has to be noted that spring strength ofspring 24 is far stronger thanspring 26.Device 26 allowsshaft 22 to slide away fromrack 23 which in turn moves up and disengages itself from the teeth ofgearwheel 21 before reaching its resting position The usedfloss spool 21 can only rotate in one direction as asmall blocking mechanism 38 prevents it from unreeling. -
FIGS. 4 and 5 show a fully electrical self-dispensing floss applicator to provide ultimate user-friendliness and easy dispensing of floss. The inventive applicator is a combination of a light ergonomic applicator and a stable compact electrical base. In order to fully control the movement of floss between teeth and avoid hurting gums, it is critical that the applicator be as light, user-friendly and ergonomic as possible. - The incorporation of an electrical motor, a gear box and a set of batteries in the applicator itself would create a heavy, unbalanced and bulky applicator. Such characteristics would make it very difficult and almost impractical for the user to floss safely and effectively.
- The electrically driven applicator of
FIGS. 4 and 5 has essentially a similar design as the mechanical version described above according toFIGS. 1 to 3 . The main difference is thatlever 6 needs only to perform the locking function and, as such the sliding dispensing mechanism is not needed. The usedfloss reel 18 incorporates a large gearwheel that allows it to be set in rotary motion from outside the casing. -
FIG. 6 shows details of the locking mechanism of the inventive dental floss applicator in different sectional views. Sectional view mm shows thelever 6 in an open position, perpendicular to thehousing 1, where bothfresh floss 15 and usedfloss 16 are free to move such that floss dispensing is performed. The free movement of the floss is possible since the bothelements - Sectional view nn and sectional view oo show the lever in a 45 degree position where
fresh floss 15 is locked (sectional view nn), while the usedfloss 16 is being tensioned (sectional view oo) by the dispensing mechanism. - Sectional view p and sectional view rr show the
lever 6 in the final locked position, alligned withhousing 1. The sections pp and rr showfresh floss 15 and usedfloss 16 totally locked under pressure exercised bylever 6 ongrid pads 7 a and 7 b and bysprings 8a and 8 b ongrip pads 17 a and 17 b respectively. - A
compact base 27 contains the electrical motor, the gearbox and the set of two e.g. AA batteries. By holding vertically and pressing down the unlocked applicator in the cavity located at the top of thebase 27, a smallmicro switch 32 activates the electrical motor, which in turn sets thedouble gearwheel 33 in rotary motion. Apositioning groove 37 that receivesshape 38 ensures the applicator is placed properly on the base. The usedfloss spool 18 in the applicator is set in rotary motion and the flossed is dispensed rapidly. The user just needs to press thelever 6 forward in locked position while the floss is dispensed electrically by the base. The key feature here is the speed and ease at which dispensing of floss is made. Here again, theextra tautness feature 19 exists according to one inventive embodiment. The applicator is ready for use. - One of the great advantages of such design is that a family does not need as many electrical bases as they need applicators. One base per bathroom is enough as it can be used by many applicators. Additionally, 1.5 Volt AA batteries can be of a disposable or rechargeable nature. The base is compact enough to accompany the user during trips away from home. The base also plays the role of applicator stand when not in use.
- The invention relates to a self-dispensing dental floss applicator that has a U-shaped
elongated housing 1 with twohollow prongs 4 a, 4 b set perpendicularly to the body at one end and a larger opposite end to contain the locking mechanism, the dispensing mechanism, thespool 3 of fresh floss and thespool 18 and/or 21 of used floss. The locking mechanism composed of acasing 5, an axle 9, twolower grip pads 17 a, 17 b, twoupper grip pads 7 a, 7 b, twostrip springs 8 a, 8 b and alever 6 with two eccentric friction parts is used to hold the floss in position thus creating the right tension on the floss. According to an embodiment of the invention, atension pin 19 containing ascrew 20 is provided to increase floss tension if/when needed by the user. Rotating thelever 6 up unlocks the floss. Further repeated rotations of the lever backward action the sliding mechanism containing a rack-and-pinion gear springs floss 21 to rotate. Hence, new fresh floss is spanned between the prongs. In a separate embodiment, the applicator is placed on the electrical base and pressing it down will cause the spool of usedfloss 18 to rotate, hence pulling new fresh floss between the prongs in a very fast and easy manner. Pushing back thelever 6 to its locked position ensures the floss is tightly locked with the right tension. -
- 1 housing
- 2 cap
- 3 spool
- 4 prong
- 5 casing
- 6 lever
- 7 grip pad
- 8 spring
- 9 axle
- 10 guiding partition
- 11 bore
- 12 bore
- 13 bore
- 14 cap
- 15 fresh floss
- 16 used floss
- 17 grip pad
- 18 spool
- 19 pin
- 20 screw
- 21 spool
- 22 shaft
- 23 rack
- 24 spring
- 25 casing
- 26 spring
- 27 base
- 28 base cover
- 29 electrical motor
- 30 battery
- 31 battery cover
- 32 switch
- 33 gear wheel
- 34 holding part
- 35 screw
- 36 fastening means
- 37 positioning groove
- 38 anti-return device
Claims (14)
1. Self-dispensing dental floss applicator comprising:
a generally u-shaped housing 1 having a space for a spool 3 of floss at its one end and two hollow prongs 4 a, 4 b at its other end, the floss being spanned between the free ends of the two prongs 4 a, 4 b and passed from the spool through a locking mechanism, a guiding section 10, the hollow prongs 4 a, 4 b back through the guiding section 10 and the locking section, wherein the housing 1 contains a second spool 18, 21 and that the first spool 3 contains the fresh floss and that the second spool 18, 21 is for accumulating the used floss, wherein the second spool 18, 21 contains a gear wheel to drivingly connecting the gear wheel with a drive unit.
2. Self-dispensing dental floss applicator according to claim 1 , wherein the gear wheel meshes a rack with gear teeth slidingly accommodated in a cavity of the housing.
3. Self-dispensing dental floss applicator according to claim 2 , wherein the rack 23 is in connection with a shaft 22, which can easily operated with a lever 6.
4. Self-dispensing dental floss applicator according to claim 2 , wherein the rack 23 is biased by a spring 24 such that the spring exercises a longitudinal force along its axis pushing the rack 23 forward.
5. Self-dispensing dental floss applicator according to claim 2 , wherein the shaft and the rack are connected by a spring element.
6. Self-dispensing dental floss applicator according to claim 1 , wherein the housing contains an opening in the rear end of the housing allowing a driving gear wheel to be introduced through the opening to mesh the gear wheel within the housing.
7. Self-dispensing dental floss applicator according to claim 1 , wherein the driving gear wheel is part of a base element.
8. Self-dispensing dental floss applicator according to claim 7 , wherein the base element contains an electric motor, at least one battery and a switching element 32 to start or stop the electric motor.
9. Self-dispensing dental floss applicator according to claim 8 , wherein the switching element is a micro switch to be operated by introducing the rear end of the applicator in a recess of the base.
10. Self-dispensing dental floss applicator according to claim 8 , wherein the base comprises a guiding element like a positioning groove which is in operational connection with an element 38 of the housing 1 of the applicator.
11. Self-dispensing dental floss applicator according to claim 1 , characterised in that a tighter floss is achievable by unscrewing the screw 20 located in a pin 19 which will receive downward pressure from the lever 6 when it is in a final locked position, therefore an extra pressure will be exercised on the used floss string 16 from pin 19 as it passes through it.
12. Self-dispensing dental floss applicator according to claim 1 , characterised in that a locking mechanism 5, 6, 7 a, 7 b, 8 a, 8 b, 9, 17 a, 17 b is provided such that the locking mechanism consists of a casing 5 rotatably mounting a double eccentric lever 6 acting on two grip pads 7 a, 7 b and locking the floss on the two grip pads 17 a, 17 b under upward pressure of at lest one spring 8 a, 8 b.
13. Self-dispensing dental floss applicator according to claim 1 , characterised in that the floss spools of fresh and used floss are located in two separate compartments located in the housing 1 closed by covers 2, 14.
14. Self-dispensing dental floss applicator according to claim 13 , characterised in that the floss spools are not in direct contact with any part of the human body while the self-dispensing floss applicator is in normal use for flossing.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP07118180A EP2047821B1 (en) | 2007-10-10 | 2007-10-10 | Self-dispensing dental floss applicator |
EP07118180.4 | 2007-10-10 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090095318A1 true US20090095318A1 (en) | 2009-04-16 |
Family
ID=39226821
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/122,881 Abandoned US20090095318A1 (en) | 2007-10-10 | 2008-05-19 | Self-dispensing dental floss applicator |
US12/682,409 Expired - Fee Related US8439050B2 (en) | 2007-10-10 | 2008-10-06 | Self-dispensing dental floss applicator |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/682,409 Expired - Fee Related US8439050B2 (en) | 2007-10-10 | 2008-10-06 | Self-dispensing dental floss applicator |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20090095318A1 (en) |
EP (3) | EP2047821B1 (en) |
AT (2) | ATE526901T1 (en) |
DK (3) | DK2047821T3 (en) |
ES (3) | ES2374173T3 (en) |
HK (2) | HK1156202A1 (en) |
PL (3) | PL2047821T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009047227A2 (en) |
Cited By (4)
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US20100037912A1 (en) * | 2008-08-15 | 2010-02-18 | Gilbert Baughman | Dental floss apparatus |
US20110041870A1 (en) * | 2009-08-19 | 2011-02-24 | Russell Kalbfeld | Dental flosser |
US20120042897A1 (en) * | 2010-08-23 | 2012-02-23 | Raybould Justin M | Flossing tool and dispenser |
US11382728B2 (en) * | 2020-11-18 | 2022-07-12 | Sdc U.S. Smilepay Spv | Floss dispenser |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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EP2047821B1 (en) * | 2007-10-10 | 2011-10-05 | Joel Tiphonnet | Self-dispensing dental floss applicator |
US20100139689A1 (en) * | 2008-12-08 | 2010-06-10 | Victor Couch | Electrically powered dental flossing device with sanitary and disposable floss containing unit |
US10034729B2 (en) | 2010-09-20 | 2018-07-31 | Roman Kozak | Dental tape and floss holder with installation cassette |
US10806551B2 (en) | 2010-09-20 | 2020-10-20 | Roman Kozak | Dental tape and floss holder with installation cassette |
US8505557B1 (en) * | 2011-03-29 | 2013-08-13 | Charles Louis Urso | Powered dental cleaner |
RU2524781C1 (en) * | 2012-12-19 | 2014-08-10 | Федеральное казенное учреждение здравоохранения "Медико-санитарная часть Министерства внутренних дел Российской Федерации по Кемеровской области" | Device for tooth care |
USD993539S1 (en) | 2020-12-23 | 2023-07-25 | Flaus Llc | Flosser head |
USD992822S1 (en) | 2020-12-23 | 2023-07-18 | Flaus Llc | Flosser |
USD1004203S1 (en) | 2020-12-23 | 2023-11-07 | Flaus Llc | Flosser body |
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Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20100037912A1 (en) * | 2008-08-15 | 2010-02-18 | Gilbert Baughman | Dental floss apparatus |
US20110041870A1 (en) * | 2009-08-19 | 2011-02-24 | Russell Kalbfeld | Dental flosser |
US20120042897A1 (en) * | 2010-08-23 | 2012-02-23 | Raybould Justin M | Flossing tool and dispenser |
WO2012027208A2 (en) * | 2010-08-23 | 2012-03-01 | Raybould Justin M | Flossing tool and dispenser |
WO2012027208A3 (en) * | 2010-08-23 | 2012-05-18 | Raybould Justin M | Flossing tool and dispenser |
US11382728B2 (en) * | 2020-11-18 | 2022-07-12 | Sdc U.S. Smilepay Spv | Floss dispenser |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US8439050B2 (en) | 2013-05-14 |
EP2335642A2 (en) | 2011-06-22 |
HK1140667A1 (en) | 2010-10-22 |
EP2335642A3 (en) | 2011-12-07 |
EP2047821A1 (en) | 2009-04-15 |
DK2047821T3 (en) | 2012-01-16 |
HK1156202A1 (en) | 2012-06-08 |
WO2009047227A2 (en) | 2009-04-16 |
WO2009047227A3 (en) | 2009-10-22 |
ES2410785T3 (en) | 2013-07-03 |
ES2374173T3 (en) | 2012-02-14 |
ES2373004T3 (en) | 2012-01-30 |
PL2335642T3 (en) | 2013-10-31 |
US20100229888A1 (en) | 2010-09-16 |
EP2047821B1 (en) | 2011-10-05 |
EP2197389B1 (en) | 2011-09-21 |
DK2335642T3 (en) | 2013-06-10 |
EP2197389A2 (en) | 2010-06-23 |
EP2335642B1 (en) | 2013-03-20 |
PL2047821T3 (en) | 2012-03-30 |
ATE526901T1 (en) | 2011-10-15 |
ATE525037T1 (en) | 2011-10-15 |
PL2197389T3 (en) | 2012-02-29 |
DK2197389T3 (en) | 2012-01-16 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |