Method and apparatus for removing debris from between and around teeth
First Claim
1. An apparatus for removing debris from between and around teeth, comprising:
- a) a housing having a handle and an operating head, said operating head including a pair of hollow tines;
b) flossing means operably associated with said operating head for removing debris from between and around teeth, said flossing means including a support member for supporting a flossing material to extend in a first direction between the pair of hollow tines and at least a portion of said support member being disposed in said hollow tines; and
,c) drive means operably associated with said flossing means for displacing said portion of said support member disposed in said housing in the first direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to an automatic dental flosser having a housing which includes a handle and an operating head. The operating head includes a pair of hollow tines which extend in a first plane. A flossing assembly is operably associated with the operating head for removing debris from between and around teeth. The flossing assembly includes a support member for supporting a flossing material. A first portion of the support member is disposed in the hollow tines while a second portion of the support member is removed therefrom. A drive member is operably associated with the first portion of the flossing assembly for linearly displacing the support member. A stop is provided intermediate the upper and lower surfaces of the hollow tines for regulating the proximity of the flossing material to the oral tissues of an individual. Further, an adjustable protective cover encases the second portion of the support member which is removed from the hollow tines.
75 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus for removing debris from between and around teeth, comprising:
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a) a housing having a handle and an operating head, said operating head including a pair of hollow tines; b) flossing means operably associated with said operating head for removing debris from between and around teeth, said flossing means including a support member for supporting a flossing material to extend in a first direction between the pair of hollow tines and at least a portion of said support member being disposed in said hollow tines; and
,c) drive means operably associated with said flossing means for displacing said portion of said support member disposed in said housing in the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for removing debris from between and around teeth, comprising:
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a) a main body member having first and second ends; b) an operating head being disposed adjacent said first end of said main body member and extending at an angle to said main body member, said operating head including a pair of tines; c) flossing means operably associated with said operating head for removing debris from between and around teeth, said flossing means including a support member for supporting a flossing material such that at least a portion of the flossing material extends in a first direction between said pair of tines and at an angle to said main body member; and
,d) drive means operably associated with said flossing means for displacing said support member linearly in the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for removing debris from between and around teeth, comprising:
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a) a main body member having first and second ends; b) an operating head being disposed adjacent said first end of said main body member, said operating head including a pair of tines; c) flossing means operably associated with said operating head for removing debris from between and around teeth, said flossing means including a support member for supporting a flossing material, at least a portion of said support member extends between said pair of tines and at an angle to said main body member; and
,d) a drive means operably associated with said flossing means for linearly displacing said support member in at least a first direction, said drive means having an output shaft extending at an angle to the first direction and substantially parallel to said main body member. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for removing debris from between and around teeth, comprising:
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a) a main body member having first and second ends; b) an operating head being disposed adjacent said first end of said main body member, said operating head including upper and lower surfaces; c) flossing means operably associated with said operating head for removing debris from between and around teeth; d) drive means operably associated with said flossing means for displacing said flossing means in at least a first direction; and
,e) stop means for restricting movement of said flossing means relative to teeth of an individual, said stop means being disposed intermediate said upper and lower surfaces of said operating head, said stop means including a retaining member and means for adjusting the position of said retaining member. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of removing debris from between and around teeth, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a main body member having first and second ends; b) providing an operating head disposed adjacent the first end of the main body member, the operating head including upper and lower surfaces; c) providing flossing means operably associated with the operating head for removing debris from between and around teeth; d) providing drive means operably associated with the flossing means for displacing the flossing means in at least a first direction; e) providing stop means for restricting movement of the flossing means in at least a first direction relative to the teeth of an individual; and
,f) providing means for adjustably positioning the stop means intermediate the upper and lower surfaces of the operating head. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for removing debris from around and between teeth, comprising:
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a) a main body member having first and second ends; b) an operating head being disposed adjacent said first end of said main body member; c) flossing means operably associated with said operating head for removing debris from between and around teeth, said flossing means including a support member for supporting a flossing material; d) a drive means operably associated with said flossing means for displacing said support member in at least a first direction; and e) shielding means hingedly connected to said operating head for shielding said support member, said shielding means being adapted to be moved between a first position in which said shielding means covers said support member and a second position in which said shielding means is removed from said support member. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification