Dental floss dispenser business card

A dispenser includes a dispenser body and a sleeve carried by the dispenser body, wherein the sleeve includes a sleeve opening. A card, such as a business card, is repeatably moveable through the sleeve opening. The dispenser includes a dental floss recess for receiving dental floss. The sleeve covers the dental floss recess.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to dental floss dispensers.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are many different types of dental floss dispensers, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,162,688, 4,327,755, 4,881,560, 5,722,439, 5,787,907 and 6,047,712, as well as U.S. Design Pat. No. D309,959. It is useful if the dispenser is in a compact form so it is easier and more convenient to carry around. For example, the dental floss dispensers of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,327,755, 4,881,560, 5,722,439 and 5,787,907, as well as U.S. Design Pat. No. D309,959 are in a compact form so they can be easily carried in a pocket and wallet. However, the dental floss dispensers of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,162,688 and 6,047,712 are not in a compact form that allows them to be conveniently carried in a pocket and wallet.

Some of these dental floss dispensers mentioned above have a surface which can be used to print indicia, such as business and contact information. Hence, the dental floss dispenser can be used for advertising. However, once the dental floss dispenser is given away, it must be replaced by another one, which is expensive.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a dispenser, which includes a dispenser body and a sleeve carried by the dispenser body, wherein the sleeve includes a sleeve opening. The dispenser includes a card which is repeatably moveable through the sleeve opening. The card is generally a business card, or another type of card which displays indicia.

The dispenser can include many other features. For example, in some embodiments, the dispenser includes a backing positioned between the dispenser body and sleeve. The sleeve can include a sleeve cut-out positioned proximate to the sleeve opening. The sleeve-cut out facilitates the removal of the card from the sleeve. In some embodiments, the dispenser body includes a panel having a dental floss recess. The dispenser body can include a rib extending towards the sleeve. In some embodiments, the dispenser body includes a blade recess which extends through the dental floss recess towards the sleeve. The blade recess can include a dental floss opening. Dental floss is typically positioned within the dental floss recess so the floss extends around the blade recess.

The present invention provides a dispenser, which includes a dispenser body having a dental floss recess and a sleeve which covers the dental floss recess. The dispenser includes a card which is repeatably moveable through the sleeve.

The dispenser can include many other features. For example, in some embodiments, the dispenser includes a backing positioned between the dispenser body and sleeve. The sleeve can include a sleeve cut-out positioned proximate to a sleeve opening. In some embodiments, the dispenser body includes a rib coupled to the sleeve. The dispenser body can include a dental floss recess bounded by a sidewall. In some embodiments, the dispenser body includes a blade recess which extends through the dental floss recess towards the sleeve. The dispenser can include a dental floss blade positioned proximate to the blade recess.

The present invention provides a method, which includes providing a dispenser body which carries dental floss, coupling a sleeve with the dispenser body, and extending a card through the sleeve.

In some embodiments, the step of extending the card through the sleeve includes extending the card through a sleeve opening. The step of coupling the sleeve with the dispenser body can include coupling the sleeve with a rib of the dispenser body.

The method can include many other steps. For example, in some embodiments, the method includes providing a dental floss blade for cutting the floss, wherein the floss is positioned between the blade and card. The method can include positioning a backing between the dispenser body and sleeve. The step of positioning the backing can include coupling the backing with a rib of the dispenser body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view of a dispenser100, in accordance with the invention, andFIGS. 2aand2bare top and bottom perspective views of dispenser100. In this embodiment, dispenser100includes a dispenser body101. Dispenser body101can have many different features. In this embodiment, dispenser body101includes a panel102(FIG. 2b) with a dental floss recess104(FIG. 1).

FIG. 3is a top perspective view of dispenser body101. Dispenser body101can be many different shapes. In this embodiment, dispenser body101is rectangular in shape and includes sidewalls103a,103b,103cand103dextending from panel102. Sidewall103aand103bare opposed to each other, and panels103cand103dare opposed to each other.

In this embodiment, dispenser body101includes a dental floss recess104. Dental floss recess104can be positioned at many different locations. In this embodiment, dental floss recess104is formed through panel102and is positioned between sidewalls103a,103b,103cand103d. Dental floss recess104is useful to receive dental floss105(FIG. 2b). In this embodiment, dispenser body101includes a dental floss recess sidewall106(FIG. 3) which bounds dental floss recess104to keep the dental floss therein. Sidewall can have many different shapes, but it is oval in this embodiment, and extends from panel102.

In this embodiment, dispenser body101includes a rib107(FIG. 3). Rib107can be positioned at many different locations. In this embodiment, rib107extends from panel102. Further, rib107extends along panel102and between the sidewalls. For example, in this embodiment, rib107extends between sidewalls103aand103b. Further, rib107extends away from dental floss recess sidewall106and sidewall103b. In particular, rib107extends between dental floss recess sidewall106and sidewall103b. It should be noted that dispenser body101can include a plurality of ribs, if desired, and these ribs can be positioned in the same or a similar manner to rib107.

In this embodiment, dispenser100includes a backing108carried by dispenser body101. Backing108can be positioned at many different locations. In this embodiment, backing108is positioned to cover dental floss recess104. Backing108is attached to dispenser body101. Backing108can be attached to dispenser body101in many different ways. In this embodiment, backing108is attached to sidewall100so that dental floss105within dental floss recess104is bounded by panel102, dental floss recess sidewall106and backing108. Dental floss recess sidewall106is positioned between dental floss105and rib107. Backing108can be attached to sidewall106in many different ways, such as by using an adhesive. In some embodiments, backing108is attached to one or more of sidewalls103a,103b,103cand103d, as well as rib107. Attaching backing108to the sidewalls and ribs is useful to keep backing108from extending into dental floss recess104and engaging the dental floss positioned therein. Backing108can extend into dental floss recess104because it is flexible. It is more difficult to dispense the dental floss if it is engaged by backing108.

In this embodiment, dispenser100includes a sleeve109carried by dispenser body101. Sleeve109can be carried by dispenser body at many different locations. In this embodiment, sleeve109is attached to backing108so that backing108is positioned between sleeve109and dental floss recess104and dispenser body101. In this way, dispenser100includes a sleeve which covers a dental floss recess. In this embodiment, sleeve109includes first and second opposed side pieces109aand109b, which are coupled together along three sides, as shown inFIG. 1.

Sleeve109is attached to backing108so that backing108provides support for sleeve109. In particular, second side piece109bis attached to backing108, as shown inFIG. 1, and the first side piece109ais away from the removeable backing. Second side piece109bextends between backing108and first side piece109a, as shown inFIG. 1. It should be noted that sleeve109and backing108can be a single integral component. However, sleeve109and backing108are shown as being separate components for simplicity and ease of discussion. It should also be noted that one or more of the sidewalls and ribs can also provide support for sleeve109. For example, any combination of dental floss recess sidewall106, sidewalls103a,103b,103c,103dand rib107can be coupled to sleeve109through backing108to provide sleeve109with support. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, backing108and sleeve109can be detached from dispenser body101so that more dental floss can be positioned within dental floss recess104. In this way, dispenser100can be refilled with dental floss.

In this embodiment, the sidewalls and ribs extend from panel102towards backing108. In this way, dispenser body101includes a rib extending towards a backing. Further, the sidewalls and ribs extend from panel102towards sleeve109. In this way, dispenser body101includes a rib extending towards a sleeve.

In this embodiment, sleeve109includes a sleeve opening110. In this embodiment, sleeve opening110extends between first and second opposed side pieces109aand109b, as shown inFIG. 1. Sleeve opening110is sized and shaped to receive a card111, as discussed in more detail below withFIGS. 5aand5b. In this embodiment, card111extends between first and second side pieces109aand109bwhen card111is received by sleeve opening110. Sleeve opening110can be positioned at many different locations, such as proximate to sidewall103a,103b,103cand103d. In these embodiments, sleeve opening110is positioned proximate to sidewall103cor103d. Sleeve opening110extends along the sidewall it is positioned proximate to.

Card111can be of many different types, such as a business card. Card111generally displays indicia. Hence, card111can include indicia printed thereon, wherein the indicia corresponds to business and/or personal information. Examples of business information include a business name, business address and business phone number, among other types of information. Examples of personal information includes a person's name, address and phone number, among other types of information. In this embodiment, a single card is shown. However, it should be noted that, in general, one or more cards can be received by sleeve109. In this way, dispenser100can carry one or more cards.

In this embodiment, sleeve109includes a sleeve cut-out112positioned proximate to the sleeve opening110. In this embodiment, sleeve cut-out portion112extends through first side piece109a, as shown inFIG. 1. Sleeve cut-out112is useful to remove card111from sleeve109. Sleeve cut-out112can have many different shapes. In this embodiment, sleeve cut-out112is rounded to allow a finger to extend therethrough, wherein the finger can engage card111within sleeve109. The finger can be moved to pull card111out of sleeve109.

FIG. 4is a bottom side view of dispenser body101showing panel102. In this embodiment, dispenser body101includes blade recess113which extends through dental floss recess104towards backing108, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3. Further, dispenser body101includes blade recess113which extends through dental floss recess104towards sleeve109. Blade recess113can be positioned at many different locations. In this embodiment, blade recess113extends through panel102and dental floss recess104. It should be noted that dental floss105is generally positioned within dental floss recess104so it extends around blade recess113. Dental floss105is generally positioned within dental floss recess104so it extends between dental floss recess sidewall106and blade recess113. In this way, dental floss105is bounded by blade recess113and dental floss recess sidewall106.

In this embodiment, dispenser100includes a dental floss opening114. Dental floss opening114can be positioned at many different locations. In this embodiment, dental floss opening114is positioned so it extends through blade recess113. In general, dental floss opening114is positioned so allow dental floss105to extend therethrough. In this way, dental floss105can be dispensed from dental floss recess104by dispenser100.

In this embodiment, dispenser100includes a dental floss blade115positioned proximate to blade recess113. Dental floss blade115is useful to cut the dental floss that is dispensed by dispenser100. In particular, dental floss blade115is useful to cut the portion of dental floss105that extends through dental floss opening114. The dental floss typically extends through blade recess113and between dental floss blade115and dental floss opening114.

Dental floss blade115can be positioned proximate to blade recess113in many different ways. In this embodiment, a dental floss blade notch116is positioned so it extends through blade recess113. Dental floss blade115includes an arm (not shown) which extends through dental floss blade notch116. In this way, dental floss blade115is coupled to dispenser body101.

FIG. 5ais a top perspective view of dispenser100showing card111in an enclosed condition with sleeve109, andFIG. 5bis a top perspective view of dispenser100showing card111in an unenclosed condition with sleeve109. Card111is repeatably moveable through sleeve109. In particular, card111is repeatably moveable through sleeve opening110. In this embodiment, sleeve opening110is positioned proximate to sidewall103c. Hence, in this embodiment, card111is in the enclosed condition when it is moved through sleeve opening110towards sidewall103d. Further, card111is in the enclosed condition when it is moved through sleeve opening110so that it is positioned between sidewalls103a,103b,103cand103d. Card111is in the unenclosed condition when it is moved through sleeve opening110and away from sidewall103d. Further, card111is in the unenclosed condition when it is moved through sleeve opening so it extends over sidewall103c. Hence, card111is in the unenclosed condition when it is not positioned between sidewalls103cand103d. In this way, card111is repeatably moveable between enclosed and unenclosed conditions with sleeve109.

FIG. 6ais a flow diagram of a method200, in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, method200includes a step201of providing a dispenser body which carries dental floss, and a step202of coupling a sleeve with the dispenser body. Step202of coupling the sleeve with the dispenser body can include coupling the sleeve with a rib of the dispenser body. Step202of coupling the sleeve with the dispenser body can include coupling the sleeve with a dental floss recess sidewall. Method200includes a step203of extending a card through the sleeve. In some embodiments, step203of extending the card through the sleeve includes extending the card through a sleeve opening.

Method200can include many other steps. For example, in some embodiments, method200includes providing a blade for cutting the floss, wherein the floss is positioned between the blade and card. Method200can include positioning a backing between the dispenser body and sleeve. The step of positioning the backing can include coupling the backing with a rib of the dispenser body. The step of positioning the backing can include coupling the backing with a dental floss recess sidewall of the dispenser body.

FIG. 6bis a flow diagram of a method210, in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, method210includes a step211of coupling a backing with a dispenser body having a dental floss recess. The dispenser body typically carries dental floss in the dental floss recess. Step211of coupling the backing with the dispenser body can include coupling the backing with a rib of the dispenser body. Step211of coupling the backing with the dispenser body can include coupling the backing with a dental floss recess sidewall of the dispenser body.

Method200includes a step212of coupling a sleeve with the dispenser body through the backing. Step212of coupling the sleeve with the dispenser body through the backing can include coupling the sleeve with the backing using an adhesive. Method210includes a step213of extending a card through the sleeve. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, step213can include extending more than one card through the sleeve. In some embodiments, step213of extending the card through the sleeve includes extending the card through a sleeve opening.

The method210can include many other steps. For example, in some embodiments, method210includes providing a blade for cutting the dental floss, wherein the dental floss is positioned between the blade and card.

In some embodiments, method210includes a step of removing the card from the sleeve. In the embodiments in which multiple cards are enclosed by the sleeve, method210can include one or more steps of removing a card from the sleeve. The cards are typically removed from the sleeve one at a time. The card can be removed from the sleeve in many different ways, such as by pulling it out. The card can be pulled out of the sleeve in many different ways. In some embodiments, the sleeve includes a sleeve cut-out which allows a user to engage the card and pull it out of the sleeve. In other embodiments, the sleeve includes opposed sleeve openings, and the card can be pulled through one sleeve opening or pushed through the opposed sleeve opening.