Interproximal flosser handle

• US 20010034006A1
• Filed: 12/20/2000
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: De Leo, Theodore, Calliott, Lynne M., Lang, Kenneth J., Stephens, William B., Williams, Brian R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,422,867 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 in 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 the flossing device rests.

2. A device as defined in

claim 1

, wherein said orienting surface extends along said handle housing.

3. A device as defined in

claim 1

, wherein said orienting surface extends along opposing sides of said handle housing.

4. A device as defined in

claim 2

, wherein said orienting surface is S-shaped.

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 1

, wherein said orienting surface is configured to automatically right said device from a position where said flossing tip is in contact with said support surface to a position where said flossing tip is not in contact with said support surface.

8. A device as defined in

claim 5

, wherein said lower housing is bent between 30 and 50 degrees relative to the length of the handle.

9. A device as defined in

claim 1

, wherein said orienting surface is formed in substantially a single plane.

10. A device as defined in

claim 9

, wherein said housing comprises:

a handle;

a lower housing;

an upper housing; and

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

11. A device as defined in

claim 10

, wherein said orienting surface extends between and along said handle, said lower housing, and said upper housing.

12. A device as defined in

claim 11

, wherein said orienting surface is bent between 30 and 50 degrees relative to the length of the handle.

13. A device as defined in

claim 10

, wherein said boot tightly covers at least a portion of said upper housing.

14. A device as defined in

claim 10

, wherein said boot tightly covers at least a portion of said upper housing in a substantially water-tight manner.

15. A handle for a device having an operable end comprising:

a handle housing;

wherein said handle housing defines at least one orienting surface thereon to keep said operable end from contacting a support surface upon which the device rests.

16. A device as defined in

claim 15

, wherein said orienting surface extends along said handle housing.

17. A device as defined in

claim 15

, wherein said orienting surface extends along opposing sides of said handle housing.

18. A device as defined in

claim 16

, wherein said orienting surface is S-shaped.

19. A device as defined in

claim 15

, wherein said orienting surface is configured to automatically right said device from a position where said operable end is in contact with said support surface to a position where said operable end is not in contact with said support surface.