IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO DENTAL TREATMENT

Abstract: An implement for use of dental floss comprises two generally elongate elements (12, 13) having a piece of floss (11) connected therebetween. The elements are releasably connectable together by their handle portions, enabling the implement to be used either in a combined condition, e.g. for cleaning the front teeth, or in a separated condition where the elements are independently manipulable, e.g. for the back teeth.

Description: TMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO DENTAL TREATMENT This invention relates to implements for use of dental floss. Using dental floss by hand to clean between the teeth requires a relatively high degree of dexterity. Also, a considerably longer piece of floss tends to be required than is actually used for cleaning. These disadvantages mean that it can be difficult to encourage people in the regular use of dental floss. Attempts have been made to design implements for use of dental floss and some examples are even available on the market. However, these devices can tend to be awkward or uncomfortable to use and inconvenient for cleaning between both the front and the back teeth. The present invention provides a flossing implement in which a piece of floss is connected between two generally elongate elements at or adjacent respective first ends of each element, with the other end of each element forming a handle portion, and means is provided for releasably connecting together the two elements by their handle portions so that the implement is usable either in a combined condition where the handle portions are connected and the first ends of the elements can be spaced apart to tension the piece of floss extending therebetween, or in a separated condition in which the two elements are connected via the piece of floss and are manipulable independently of each other. It is an important advantage of this implement that it enables the elements to be used either when connected together, e.g. for the front teeth, or when separated and manipulated independently of each other , e.g. for the back teeth. The piece of floss could be connected permanently between the elements, in which case the implement could be produced as an integral moulding Alternatively, the piece of floss could be releasably connectable between the elements by suitable means such as anchorages on the floss which are resiliently capturable in seats in the elements. Or, the implement could be difined for use with ordinary floss, eg, on a spool. A magazine could be provided to carry fresh floss and help remove used floss The implement may be produced as a disposable item. By way of example, various embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURES 1 to 4 show one embodiment of an implement according to the invention; FIGURE 5 shows an alternative embodiment; and FIGURE 6 shows a further embodiment. There is shown in Figures 1 to 4 one form of implement according to the invention. The implement has two generally elongate elements 12,13 which are releasably connectable together. The elements 12,13 are conveniently made of a suitable medically inert plastics material, e.g. by moulding. The two elements 12,13 are connectable together at their handle portions, conveniently by means of a resilient snap-fitting. The two elements 12,13 may connect together so that the ends of the elements carrying the floss 11 are held spaced apart. Alternatively, the connection could form a hinge and allow the floss to be tensioned. The implement shown in Figures 1 to 4 is for use with a piece of floss 11 having spaced apart anchorages 10. The elements 12,13 are provided with suitable means, eg seats 14, at one of their ends to enable the anchorages 10 to be resiliently captured. The seats 14 may be slotted, as at 15 for this purpose. The implement is able to be used either in a combined condition, with the elements 12,13 connected together, (as seen in full lines in Figure 3) for example to clean between the front teeth, or with the elements separated (as seen in dotted lines in Figure ' 3) for manipulation independently of each other, e.g. for cleaning between the back teeth. It will be appreciated that the elements 12,13 could be designed for use with ordinary floss, eg on a spool. The piece of floss ll in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4 is releasably connectable to the elements 12,13. In its simplest form, however, the implement ' could be produced with the floss permanently attached between the ends of the elements. This embodiment is seen in Figure 5. The implement is shown in Figure 5 in its separated condition with the two elements 12' ,13 • connected only via the piece of floss 11 ■ . The implement could be produced as a disposable item, e.g. by an integral injection moulding. In Figure 6 there is shown an embodiment in which the piece of floss 11" is attached to the two elements 12' IS" by means of a releasable connection and a magazine 30 is provided for carrying fresh pieces of floss. The elements 12",13" of the implement are releasably connectable together by their handle portions. The anchorages 10" at each end of the piece of floss 11" are received using suitable means, eg seats in the elements 12",13", preferably using a form of resilient snap-fitting. The magazine 30 can be arranged to carry the fresh floss 11" in a manner convenient for quick transfer to the implement. This is seen in Figure 6 where the anchorages 10" are at the same spacing as the ends of the elements 12",13" in their combined condition. The magazine 30 can be produced conveniently as an injection moulding of plastics material formed integrally with the pieces of floss. Means such as pins 31 are advantageously provided to enable used floss to be ejected from the implement prior to reloading with fresh floss. The magazine 30 could be provided with pieces of floss of different lengths and different anchorage / seat configurations are possible between the floss and the elements.

Claims: CLAIMS; 1. A flossing implement in which a piece of floss is connected between two generally elongate elements at or adjacent respective first end of each element, with the other end of each element forming a handle portion, and means is provided for releasably connecting together the two elements by their handle portions so that the implement is usable either in a combined condition where the handle portions are connected and the first ends of the elements can be spaced apart to tension the piece of floss extending therebetween, or in a separated condition in which the two elements are connected via the piece of floss and are manipulable independently of each other. 2. A flossing implement as claimed in claim 1, in which the handle portions of the elements are connectable such that in the combined condition of the implement the first ends of the elements are held spaced apart. 3. A flossing implement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the piece of floss is connectable to the elements by means of a releasable connection. 4. A flossing implement as claimed in claim 3 and including a magazine for holding fresh floss. 5. A flossing implement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the magazine is provided separately from the implement and carries fresh floss in a manner suitable for ready attachment of a piece of floss to the elements when the implement is in its combined condition. 6. A flossing implement as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the magazine includes means for removing used floss from the implement.

Inventors: NEALE ANDREW DAVID, NEALE, ANDREW, DAVID
Applicants: NEALE ANDREW DAVID, NEALE, ANDREW, DAVID
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A61C15
IPC codes: A61C15