Dental cleaning tool

• US 6,997,191 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2003
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alexander S. Nudo Sr
• Original Assignee: Alexander S. Nudo Sr
• Inventors: Nudo, Alexander S. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Willatt, Stephanie L.
• Application Number:
  US10/337,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20030140939A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 132323-327, 132/328
• US Class Current: 132/328
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/046 Flossing tools

Abstract

A pocket carried dental floss dispensing and cleaning device is provided to permit a user to open the device for use and close the device to secure the tool in a sanitary environment. A spool of dental floss is contained within a pivoting floss support arm removeably mounted a storage compartment. A knob is used to open the device and secure a line of floss during use.

Claims

1. A teeth and gum cleaning device, said device having housing for dispensing a line of dental floss, said device comprising,

a top portion and a bottom portion, said bottom portion having a storage compartment for housing said top portion in nesting relationship while in a closed position, said top portion pivotally connected to said bottom portion and operable to pivot to an open position in order to clean the teeth and gums of the user, said top portion further having an arm including a channel, a guide means for securing said line of floss in said channel, a pivoting flossing bridge for securing said line of dental floss for cleaning the teeth and gums of a user, and a removable reel of dental floss for dispensing said line of dental floss.

2. The teeth and gum cleaning device as recited in claim 1, said device having a housing made of antimicrobial material.

3. The teeth and gum cleaning device as recited in claim 1, said device having a housing made of plastic embedded with antimicrobial material.

4. The teeth and gum cleaning device as recited in claim 1, said device having a cutter mounted on said base portion.

5. The teeth and gum cleaning device as recited in claim 1, said guide means having a flap with a living hinge for connecting said flap to said arm.

6. The teeth and gum cleaning device as recited in claim 5, said flap having extensions for closing and securing said flap over said channel.

7. The teeth and gum cleaning device as recited in claim 1 said base portion having an undercut for gripping said device.

8. The teeth and gum cleaning device as recited in claim 1, said device having a housing made of colored plastic material.

9. A teeth and gum cleaning device, said device having housing for dispensing a line of dental floss, said device comprising,

a top portion and a bottom portion, said bottom portion having a storage compartment for housing said top portion in nesting relationship while in a closed position, said top portion pivotally connected to said bottom portion and operable to pivot to an open position in order to clean the teeth and gums of the user, said top portion further having a channel, a pivoting flap for securing said line of floss in said channel, a flossing bridge for securing said line of dental floss for cleaning the teeth and gums of a user, and a removable reel of dental floss for dispensing said line of dental floss.

10. The teeth and gum cleaning device as recited in claim 9, said device having a housing made of antimicrobial material.

11. The teeth and gum cleaning device as recited in claim 9, said device having a flap provided with extensions made of plastic embedded with antimicrobial material for contacting said line of dental floss as the line of dental floss moves through said channel.

12. The teeth and gum cleaning device as recited in claim 9, said device having a cutter mounted on said base portion.

13. The teeth and gum cleaning device as recited in claim 9, said guide means having a flap with a living hinge for connecting said flap to said arm.

14. The teeth and gum cleaning device as recited in claim 9, said flap having extensions for closing and securing said flap over said channel.

15. The teeth and gum cleaning device as recited in claim 9 said base portion having and undercut for gripping said device.