Abstract:
An improved dental flossing tool having a handle portion to mount a spool of dental floss that is easily drawn from an elongated flexible tip covered by a soft resilient sleeve sealing the tip and to provide smooth flossing without any annoying clicking sounds against ones teeth and easily reaching the molar teeth in the back of ones mouth while massaging the gum line at the same time.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to dental flossing tools and is particularly directed to a sealed flexible tip flossing tool that assists in reaching each and every tooth with ease and comfort and for preventing moisture and germs from entering the tip that could cause serious infection problems. 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    It has been known for a long time that the flossing of teeth is necessary technique for dental health and for avoiding cavities along with other oral problems with the teeth and gums. 
         [0003]    Sadly, many people do not floss their teeth mainly because of the difficulty in holding the floss in their hands and trying to put their fingers into their mouths and then trying to force the floss between adjacent teeth. This difficulty along with the fact that many people are not at home where they can wash their hands for good hygiene could cause many oral problems 
         [0004]    Some prior art has a strand of floss stretching across two fingers which is not practical for the simple reason that teeth do not come together with both sides of each tooth having a flat surface. Therefore when one forces a strand between two teeth the strand of floss can break though snapping against the gum line which could cause serious gum problems. 
         [0005]    A specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved dental flossing tool comprising a single elongated tip at one end of a handle portion which contains a supply of dental floss. A strand of floss passes through the tool to exit out the tip to grasp onto with the free hand while the other hand holds the tool. The tip of the tool does all the reaching to each and every tooth. Placing the tip of the tool next the teeth to be flossed and with one finger, wiggle the strand of floss in between. Each tooth can be flossed with an up and down motion or a see-saw motion. 
         [0006]    These and other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the present invention with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with the present invention, a single tool is provided having a handle portion that holds a spool of dental floss. The handle has an extended flexible tip that is covered by a soft resilient sleeve sealing the tip preventing moisture and germs from entering while allowing the floss to pass forward to exit out said tip. Two hands are used, one to hold the tool and the other to hold the free end of the floss. To floss each tooth you place the tip of the tool next to the teeth to be floss and with your free hand using only one finger, wiggle the strand of floss between the two teeth. Now one has the option of flossing each surface of each tooth with an up and down action or a see-saw action cleaning below the gum line with the soft tip massaging the gum line. 
         [0008]    Prior art has many disadvantages permitting exposure of the floss prior to use and the uncomfortable use of these tools being made of plastic as they click and click against your teeth throughout the flossing process. 
         [0009]    Also many flossing tools stretch the floss taut between two fingers. There is never a straight line between the surface where two teeth come together. Therefore, when forcing the taut floss between the teeth, the floss can snap in and hit against the gum line causing bleeding and other oral problems. 
         [0010]    Also if a flossing tool does nor flex, like new tooth brushes it&#39;s like putting a stick in your mouth 
         [0011]    Another additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved dental flossing tool containing a supply of floss and having means to withdraw a strand of floss in any desired length. 
     
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a longitudinal section through this dental tool embodying the present invention showing the floss traveling through a hollow tip. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a longitudinal section of an alternative tip showing the floss traveling on the outer surface of the tip. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a stand to secure the flossing tool of the present invention when the tool is not in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    In that form of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration in  FIG. 1 , a dental flossing tool, indicated generally at  10 , is shown having a main housing  12 , a rear handle housing  14  and an extended tip  22  with an opening  30  for the floss  28  to pass through.  FIG. 2  shows a non hollow tip  23  with the floss  28  traveling on the outer surface of the tip  23  and also covered by a soft resilient covering  20 . Note: The tip  22  or  23  can be of any shape or design since its covered and sealed. The main housing  12  is generally cylindrical with a slender extended flexible tip  22  or  23  projecting forwardly from the cylinder portion  12 , and the tip  22  or  23  is covered by a soft resilient sleeve  20 , sealing the tip  22  or  23  and the sleeve having an opening  24  at the extreme forward end to permit passage of a strand of dental floss  28 , to be dispensed. 
         [0016]    The handle  14  is removable to refill with a spool of floss  36  and the rear cap  29  is also removable to refill with more floss. An opening  50  is formed in the cylindrical portion of the main housing  12 , and a resilient cover  51  seals the opening  50  to prevent atmospheric moisture from entering the housing  12  and be sufficiently flexible to cause movement of the arm  18  against the forward end of shaft  38  urging shaft  38  to move toward the rear, disengaging soft latex washer  9  on the disc  4  that is formed on the shaft  38  from the locking means  6  allowing the floss spool  36  to rotate so the floss can pass through to exit out the soft resilient sleeve opening  24 . 
         [0017]    The arm  18  is urged into its normal locking position by pulling on the floss strand  28  and in turn urging the floss spool  36  forward. Also tension means  40  and/or  44  assist in urging said shaft  38  forward and into said locking position. 
         [0018]    The soft latex washer  9  on the disc  4  engages frictionally with the locking means  6  to stop any rotation of the floss spool  36  and will consequently prevent movement of the floss strand  28 . 
         [0019]    To perform the flossing operation, the user holds the dental flossing tool  10  in one hand and with the other hand grasps the free end of the floss strand. The user then presses one finger against the resilient cover  51  to force the arm  18  down and in turn urging the shaft  38  toward the rear disengaging the soft latex washer  9  on the disc  4  from the locking means  6  in the housing. The user may then pull the strand of floss  28  to draw any desired length from the floss supply through the opening in the sleeve  24 , of the flexible tip  22 . When the strand of floss  28  is at the desired length, the user removes their finger from the resilient cover  51  which allows the shaft  38  to move forward allowing the soft latex washer  9  to engage locking means  6  to prevent rotation of the floss spool  36  of dental floss. 
         [0020]    Holding the free end of the floss strand  28  in one hand and holding the dental flossing tool  10  in the other hand, the user may then freely manipulate the strand of floss  28  into the recess between adjacent teeth and can floss with an up and down action or a see-saw movement flossing all surfaces of each tooth including massaging the gums at the same time with the soft tip of the sleeve  20 . 
         [0021]    Upon completion of the flossing operation, the free strand of floss  28  is severed by suitable means  8  such as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 63  as seen in  FIG. 2 . When this is done, the locking means  6  will prevent any undesired movement of the floss strand  28 . The cap  60  can now be placed over the tip  22  or  23  of the tool. If one is at home in their bathroom they can place the flossing tool  10  in a separate holding fixture  61  assisted by an opening  70  at the rear of the handle  14  for later use. 
         [0022]    Obviously, numerous other variations and modifications can be made without departing from the sprit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be clearly understood that the forms of this present invention described above and shown in the figures of the accompanying drawings are for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.