Method and apparatus to encourage use of dental floss

• US 20040048231A1
• Filed: 09/06/2002
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Smiley Tooth Floss Corporation
• Original Assignee: Smiley Tooth Floss Corporation
• Inventors: Perlin, B. Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/236,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20040048231A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/263
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0084 Dental hygiene
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine

Abstract

In a method of encouraging a person to use dental floss, the person is educated that using dental floss promotes a healthy tooth. Dental floss is provided in a container (10) having a shape, and color that signifies a healthy tooth (20)(30). In some aspects the dental floss container (10) has a shape of a tooth (20)(30). Alternative containers (10) may have a shape of dentures (110). In further aspects, the dental floss is flavored with an aroma of a fruit, and the dental floss container (10) has a shape of the fruit (FIGS. 3a-3f).

Claims

1. A method of encouraging a person to use dental floss, comprising:

educating the person that using a dental floss promotes healthy teeth; and

coupling the step of educating with providing the dental floss in a container having a shape and color that signifies a healthy tooth, thereby encouraging the person to use the dental floss, wherein the container has an open configuration and a closed configuration, and wherein the dental floss is accessible in the open configuration, and wherein the container is formed from a tooth-shaped flat pack dispenser.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of coupling comprises temporal coupling.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the temporal coupling comprises educating and providing the person with the dental floss within 1 hour.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of coupling comprises structural coupling.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of educating comprises providing a pictogram, and wherein the structural coupling comprises presenting the pictogram on the container.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of educating comprises providing a printed instruction, and wherein the structural coupling comprises presenting the printed instruction on the container.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of coupling comprises proximal coupling.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of educating comprises providing a printed instruction, and wherein the proximal coupling comprises presenting the printed instruction on a package enclosing the dental floss container.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the dental floss is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyethylene, and polytetrafluoroethylene.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the dental floss contains a pharmacologically active substance.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the dental floss is flavored.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the shape of the container has a shape of a triple-root molar.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the shape of the container has a shape of a double-root molar.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the shape of the container has a shape of a premolar.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the shape of the container has a shape of an incisor.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the container is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polystyrene, and a metal.

17. A method of motivating children to use dental floss more regularly, comprising:

providing a teaching by a cartoon character that regularly using dental floss promotes healthy teeth; and

coupling the step of teaching with providing the dental floss in a container having a shape of the cartoon character, wherein the container has an open configuration and a closed configuration, and wherein the dental floss is accessible in the open configuration, and wherein the container is formed from a tooth-shaped flat pack dispenser.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the cartoon character is a Pokemon character.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the cartoon character is a Disney character.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the dental floss is scented.