DENTAL FLOSS DISPENSERS, FLOSSING TOOLS AND TOOTHBRUSH FLOSSER

• US 20010039955A1
• Filed: 06/01/1999
• Published: 11/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James J. Murphy
• Original Assignee: James J. Murphy
• Inventors: WINTERS, STEVEN NEBEKER, EVANS, TIMOTHY S., LARSON, BRENT A.
• Application Number:
  US09/323,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20010039955A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 132/309
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0071 Toothbrushes with flossing arrangements A61C15/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/043 Containers, dispensers, or the like, e.g. with cutting means A61C15/046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/046 Flossing tools

Abstract

A dental floss dispenser having a shape or attaching elements which allows it to be held during flossing. One embodiment has a finger spool which is worn on the finger tip or finger during flossing. The dental floss dispenser may also incorporate a finger grip so that the dispenser can be held by the lower fingers, a contoured shape to better fit the hand of the user, a wide or weighted base for easy pick-up, or a U-shaped indentation for quickly grabbing dental floss at the commencement of flossing. A take up spool is designed to be used during the flossing procedure as an anchor for the dental floss to thereby allow the user to floss without wrapping floss around a finger or fingers. The take up spool is incorporated into the handle of a toothbrush. By using the dispenser or the take up spool in the flossing procedure, time is saved and flossing becomes more convenient and efficient.

Claims

1. A dental cleaning device comprising a hand held substantially elongated element which is rotated during use to collect or advance a length of dental floss or the like, having a means at or nearer one end for securing dental floss or the like, said elongated element having a section which is shaped or textured or both shaped and textured to allow said element to have improved qualities for hand holding, and having a section which is shaped or textured or both shaped and textured to allow said element to be more effectively rotated by one or more digits of the hand which is holding said element.

2. A dental cleaning device comprising a hand held assembly which secures a rotating take up element for collecting or advancing a substantially long strand of dental floss or the like, said take up element being repeatedly rotated by a squeezing and releasing motion of said hand held assembly using one or more of the middle to lower fingers of the hand, and said finger or fingers also being used to securely hold said dental cleaning device as it is used as anchor for one end of the strand currently being used for cleaning, whereby leaving two or more of the upper digits of said hand free to manipulate the strand during cleaning.

3. A dental cleaning device comprising a hand held assembly which secures a rotating take up element for collecting or advancing dental floss or the like, said take up element being caused to rotated by directly rolling said take up element with one or more digits of the hand.

4. A toothbrush handle performing the function of a take up element for collecting or advancing dental floss or the like, said handle having a means for securing dental floss and the like, and said handle having a shape or texture or both a shape and texture allowing for effective rotating of said handle by the hand.

5. A dispenser of dental floss or the like, comprising:

(a) a connecting element for substantially securing said dispenser during cleaning of the user'"'"'s teeth by one or more middle to lower fingers of the hand thus leaving one or more upper digits of the hand free to maneuver the dental floss or the like within the user'"'"'s mouth; and

(b) a substantial supply of dental floss or the like within said dispenser.

6. A dispenser of dental floss or the like, comprising:

(a) a spool wound with dental floss or the like;

(b) a sleeve around said spool which is rotatable relative to said spool;

(c) a hollow portion in said dispenser and in said spool large enough for the user'"'"'s finger tip to be inserted into said hollow portion;

(d) a hole in said sleeve through which dental floss or the like is dispensed;

(e) a means for restraining the rotation of the spool when the dispenser on the user'"'"'s finger tip is pressed into the user'"'"'s palm whereby causing the dental floss to be tensioned for use.

7. A dispenser of dental floss or the like, comprising:

(a) a spool wound with dental floss or the like;

(b) a removable and replaceable covering for said spool; and

(c) a hollow portion in said spool large enough for the user'"'"'s finger or finger tip to be inserted into said hollow portion.

8. A dispenser of dental floss or the like, comprising:

(a) a substantial supply of dental floss or the like within said dispenser; and

(b) dispenser body shaped to fit substantially matingly in the user'"'"'s hand so that said dispenser can be sufficiently secured by one or more middle to lower fingers of the band whereby leaving one or more upper digits of the hand free to maneuver the dental floss or the like within the user'"'"'s mouth.

9. A cutting element for dental floss and the like, having the dispenser or the flossing tool containing it, substantially shaped around said cutting element such that it is not possible for the user to contact the cutting element in such a way which would result in any harm or injury to said user.