Dental flossing device

• US 20020106607A1
• Filed: 02/07/2001
• Published: 08/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Amir Horowitz
• Original Assignee: Amir Horowitz
• Inventors: Horowitz, Amir
• Application Number:
  US09/777,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20020106607A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/047 power-driven

Abstract

A flossing device having two times. An advancing mechanism advances an end of a piece of floss from the end of one tine to the end of the other tine so that a segment of the floss spans the inter-tine space. In use, an inter-dental space is placed in the inter-tine space and a segment of floss is advanced from one tine through the inter-dental space to the second tine. The end of the floss segment is locked to the second tine; and the floss is vibrated so as to floss the inter-dental space.

Claims

1. A flossing device comprising:

(a) a first tine and second tine, each tine having a distal end, the distal ends being separated by an inter-tine space; and

(b) an advancing mechanism capable of advancing an end of a piece of floss from the distal end of the first tine to the distal end of the second tine so that at least a segment of the floss spans the inter-tine space.

2. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a clamp clamping an end of the floss to the second tine.

3. The device according to claim 1 further comprising an activating mechanism capable of generating a vibration of a segment of floss spanning the intertine space.

4. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a retrieving mechanism capable of drawing a segment of floss spanning the intertine space from the intertine space.

5. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a processor configured to execute a flossing routine comprising steps of:

(a) activating the advancing mechanism so as to advance an end of a piece of floss from the distal end of the first tine to the distal end of the second tine so that at least a segment of the floss spans the inter-tine space;

(b) activating a clamp so as to clamp the end of the floss to the second tine;

(c) activate an activating mechanism capable of generating a vibration of the segment of floss spanning the intertine space for a predetermined amount of time; and

(d) activate a retrieving mechanism capable of drawing the segment of floss spanning the intertine space from the intertine space.

6. The flossing device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following:

(a) a supply of floss;

(b) a floss cutter located at the distal end of the first tine;

(c) a floss receptacle for receiving pieces of used floss.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the first tine is detachable from the device.

8. A method of flossing an inter-dental space between two teeth comprising the steps of:

(a) placing the inter-dental space in an intertine space of a flossing device having a first tine and a second tine;

(b) advancing a segment of floss from the first tine through the inter-dental space to the second tine;

(c) locking an end of the floss to the second tine; and

(d) vibrating the segment of floss so as to floss the inter-dental space.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

(a) cutting the segment of floss with a floss cutter associated with the first tine; and

(b) advancing the segment of floss into a floss receptacle.

10. The method according to claim 8 further comprising steps of attaching the first tine to the device.

11. The method according to claim 8 further comprising a step of detaching the first tine from the device.