Tip for dental flossing device

• US 20010035194A1
• Filed: 06/15/2001
• Published: 11/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Narayanan, Ravikumar S.
• Application Number:
  US09/883,013
• Publication Number:
  US 20010035194A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 132/321
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/07 with vibratory drive, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/02 Toothpicks

Abstract

A flossing tip for a power dental flossing device. The tip is elongated and includes a base portion, a central portion having a generally rectangular cross-section, and an end portion. The base portion supports the tip when the tip is coupled to the dental flossing device. The central portion couples the base portion to the end portion. The end portion is inserted between a pair of adjacent teeth of a user, and helps guide and orient the tip between the adjacent teeth. When in use, the rectangular cross-section of the tip provides multiple points of contact against a tooth for cleaning, and also helps maintain the tip in proper orientation with respect to the teeth.

Claims

1. A tip for a power dental flossing device, comprising:

a base portion for supporting the tip when coupled to the dental flossing device;

a central portion having a substantially rectangular cross-section, and having a first end and a second end, said first end coupled to said base portion; and

an end portion coupled to said second end of said central portion, for insertion between a pair of adjacent teeth of a user.

2. The tip of

claim 1

, wherein the central portion has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of sides, wherein the top and bottom surfaces having a substantially equal width, and the sides have a substantially equal height, and wherein the height of the sides are larger than the width of the top and bottom surfaces.

3. The tip of

claim 1

, wherein the central portion has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of sides, wherein at least one of the sides is curved.

4. The tip of

claim 3

, wherein the at least one of the sides is curved inwardly.

5. The tip of

claim 3

, wherein the at least one of the sides is indented.

6. The tip of

claim 1

, wherein the central portion has a top surface having a first width proximate the base portion, and having second width proximate the end portion, the first width being larger than the second width.

7. The tip of

claim 1

, wherein the central portion has at least one side having a first height proximate the base portion, and having second height proximate the end portion, the first height being larger than the second height.

8. The tip of

claim 1

, wherein at least one strip of reinforcing material is embedded within the central portion.

9. The tip of

claim 1

, wherein the central portion has a plurality of edges, said edges being rounded to reduce impact on the user'"'"'s gums during use.

10. The tip of

claim 1

, wherein the end portion has a curved end.

11. The tip of

claim 1

, wherein the central portion has at least one side having a cross-hatched surface treatment thereon.

12. The tip of

claim 1

, further comprising a core formed from a reinforcing material, wherein said core is embedded within the central portion.

13. A method of flossing teeth with a dental flossing device, comprising:

providing a tip with a substantially rectangular cross-section adapted to be inserted between a pair of teeth of a user, the tip adapted to be attached to the dental flossing device;

providing for the user to insert the tip between the pair of teeth; and

providing for the user to activate the power dental flossing device, thereby moving the tip at least vertically upwardly and downwardly along at least a portion of one side of one of the pair of teeth for cleaning.

14. The method of

claim 13

, further comprising providing at least one strip of reinforcing material embedded within the central portion.

15. The method of

claim 14

, wherein as the tip is moved at least vertically upwardly and downwardly along at least a portion of one side of one of the pair of teeth for cleaning, the tip compresses between the pair of teeth.