Interproximal flosser handle

• US 6,422,867 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2000
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: De Leo, Theodore, Stephens, William B., Williams, Brian R., Calliott, Lynne M., Lang, Kenneth J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUMGARNER, MELBA N
• Application Number:
  US09/746,598
• Publication Number:
  US 20010034006A1
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 433/118, 433/116, 433/119, 433/142, 433/143, 433/147, 433/82, 433/125, 132/322
• US Class Current: 433/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/047 power-driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2204/002 using batteries

Abstract

A handle housing that is modular and easily assembled and disassembled for maintenance and cleaning. The handle housing has an integrally-formed orientation shape (e.g. S-shape) to keep it from tipping onto the flossing tip. The handle housing also includes the rocker arm, cam drive (together the drive train), motor, power supply and bobbin for full functionality, with linear, reciprocating motion created by the drive train for effective cleaning.

Claims

1. An interproximal flossing device comprising:

a handle housing;

a motor;

a drive train;

a flossing tip;

a power supply;

said flossing tip attached to said drive train;

said motor, drive train, and power supply positioned within said housing and operably connected to move said flossing tip; and

wherein said handle housing defines at least one orienting surface thereon to keep said flossing tip from contacting a support surface upon which said flossing device rests;

said orienting surface including at least three points defining a plane; and

wherein when said handle housing is set upon the support surface with said flossing tip in contact with the support surface, said flossing device is configured to adjust to a rest position wherein said at least points of said orienting surface are in contact with the support surface and said flossing tip is elevated above the support surface.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein

said handle housing further comprises at least one side along the length of said handle housing; and

said at least one orienting surface extends along said at least one side of said handle housing.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said at least one orienting surface is S-shaped.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein

said at least one orienting surface comprises a first orienting surface and a second orienting surface;

said handle housing comprises a first side and a second side;

wherein each of said first side and said second side extend along a length of said handle housing; and

wherein said first side is opposite said second side on said handle housing; and

wherein said first orienting surface extends along said first side of said handle housing and said second orienting surface extends along said second side of said handle housing.

5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said handle housing comprises:

a handle;

a lower housing;

an upper housing; and

a boot covering at least a portion of said upper housing.

6. A device as defined in claim 5, further comprising:

a shroud for snugly fitting over at least a portion of said upper housing and all of said boot.

7. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said shroud comprises indicia for differentiating between said shroud and at least one second shroud.

8. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein said indicia comprises color-coding of said shroud and the at least one second shroud.

9. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said at least one orienting surface extends along said handle, said lower housing, and said upper housing.

10. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said at least one orienting surface is bent between 30 and 50 degrees relative to the length of the handle.

11. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said lower housing is bent between 30 and 50 degrees relative to the length of the handle;

and

said at least one orienting surface extends along said lower housing.

12. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said boot tightly covers at least at portion of said upper housing.

13. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said boot tightly covers at least a portion of said upper housing in a substantially water-tight manner.

14. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said handle housing comprises a generally cylindrical shape at a first end of said handle and gradually changes to comprise a shape of three sides with a generally triangular cross-section at a second end of said handle, and through said lower housing and said upper housing.

15. A device as defined in claim 14, wherein an edge resulting from the intersection of two of said three sides of said shape with said generally triangular cross-section forms at least part of said at least one orienting surface.

16. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one orienting surface is formed in substantially a single plane.

17. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one orienting surface is curvilinear.