Abstract:
A flossing tool for persons wearing braces. A floss support head is attached at an acute angle with respect to a handle. The head includes two spaced-apart support elements where the first support element closest to the handle is thinner than the distance between the teeth and the arch-wire. A disposable plastic embodiment includes a floss strand affixed in an injection molding process to ends of the support elements; a tapered portion of the first support element which allows the device to pivot without interference from the arch-wire; and a broadened spatula tip for securing an end of the floss strand. The end of the first support element may be curved outwardly. Another embodiment includes a wire head with floss support loops.

Description:
This Non-Provisional patent application is related to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/906,779 filed Mar. 14, 2007 by applicant Laura Morgan, and claims the benefit of that filing date. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The current invention relates to a device and method for flossing between the teeth of a person. More particularly, the current invention relates to a floss device which can direct floss between teeth behind the arch-wire of a person who wears orthodontic braces. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Regular flossing is recognized as being very important to oral hygiene and health. 
     One method of flossing is to wind floss around fingers and to guide the floss between the teeth. This method does not work well for persons who wear braces, because it is difficult to direct floss behind the arch-wire of the braces. One method of flossing with braces requires the threading of the floss behind the arch-wire. This process is time consuming because it must be repeated for each gap between adjacent teeth. 
     Prior Art Floss Picks 
     Another method of flossing is to provide disposable floss devices such as DenTek™ floss picks which support a strand of floss between a pair of posts or arms. Many of these prior art devices have posts or arms which are too thick to be directed between the arch-wire and the teeth, so those devices may not be used by persons who wear braces. 
     Single Floss Support Devices 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,398, to Chu describes a tool with a floss support post that may be inserted behind the arch-wire. The user grasps another portion of the floss. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,328,711 to Hill describes an orthodontic flossing implement with an arm which has a floss support portion insertable underneath the arch of a brace wire. 
     Dual Floss Support Devices 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,843 to Peng describes a disposable flosser with two curved floss arm supports as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,434 to Sines et al. describes several embodiments of flossing devices including one which has an arm with a straight support and a curved support, and a grip which is orthogonal to the supports.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  show this device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,466 to Haynes describes a flossing instrument which includes a combination floss spool cavity and handle to which is connected an arm with two floss supports, traversely mounted at a distal end of the arm remote from the handle. One support forms a tower which fits behind the arch-wire.  FIG. 3  shows this device. There is a need for a floss device which permits better floss access for persons who wear braces. There is a need for a floss device which has a deep head oriented at an angle with respect to the device handle in order to permit floss to be delivered to deep pockets. 
     There is a need for a floss device which permits improved access to rear teeth. One aspect of the current invention is that a floss support head is provided at an acute angle with respect to the handle as opposed to prior art devices which typically provide floss support heads that are orthogonal to the device handles. In the current invention, the orientation of the head provides improved access to the rear teeth, and it is particularly easy for children to use in order to floss effectively. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The current invention provides a floss support head which is attached at an acute angle with respect to a handle. This orientation of the head with respect to the handle permits easier access to interproximal spaces in both the front and the rear of the mouth. A combination of a deep U-shaped floss support head and the angled head permits effective flossing of deep pockets in all areas of the mouth. 
     In one embodiment, the floss support head is constructed of bent wire, such as a 0.035″ (0.9 mm) diameter orthodontic wire. Loops are formed in the end of the wire to support a floss strand. 
     In another embodiment, the floss support had and a handle are injection molded as a disposable single part, and a floss strand is molded between two floss support elements of the floss support head. In one example, one of the floss support elements is provided as a thin plastic portion having a thickness of less than about 0.04 inches (1 mm). A tapered portion of the first support element allows the device to pivot between the arch-wire and the teeth without interference from the arch-wire. A broadened spatula tip is provided for securing an end of the floss strand. The end of the first support element may be curved outwardly. 
     The floss devices are used by inserting the upper portion of the first floss support element behind the arch-wire, directing the tip of the first floss support element along a tooth toward the gum line, and then moving the handle up and down to create a flossing action. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art floss device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,843 to Peng. 
         FIG. 2A  is a top view of a prior art floss device as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,434 to Sines et al. 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of the prior art floss device of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a prior art floss device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,466 to Haynes 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view of a first embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is a detailed view of the floss support head of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4D  is a detailed view of the floss support head of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A  showing an acute angle A between axes of alignment for the handle and the floss support head. 
         FIG. 5B  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A  showing a first support axis of alignment and a second support axis of alignment. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A  showing a strand of floss affixed to the device. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged detail view of the first floss support element of the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  showing the angle of the floss support head with respect to the handle. 
         FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  showing the has a first support axis of alignment and a second support axis of alignment. 
         FIG. 12A  is a perspective view illustrating the use of the device of  FIG. 7  in a model mouth, with the device aligned for insertion behind the arch-wire. 
         FIG. 12B  is a perspective view illustrating the use of the device of  FIG. 7  in a model mouth, with the device inserted behind the arch-wire. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     Element List 
     The following element list refers to all element numbers in the figures and in the description for all embodiments.
     teeth  40 ,  41     interproximal space  50     arch-wire  60     dental flossing device  100 ,  101     handle  200 ,  201     handle axis of alignment  220 ,  221     handle flat grip portion  222     handle grip plane  224     brush  230     pick brush  231     floss support head  301 ,  302     bent wire floss support head  301     plastic floss support head  302     plane of the head  306     floss support head axis of alignment  310     acute angle A  311 ,  312  of floss support head   first floss support element  320 ,  321     first floss retention distal end  322 ,  323     first floss retention distal end thickness  324     maximum width  325  of the first floss retention distal end   first floss retention distal end loop  326     first support axis of alignment  328     second support axis of alignment  329     first floss retention end loop angle  327     first support section  330 ,  331     first support section thickness  332     first support section tapered portion  334     second support section  340     second floss retention distal end  342 ,  343     second floss retention distal end loop  344     second support element  350 ,  351     floss guide  360     floss head U-shape  372 ,  373     floss strand  400 ,  401     floss strand first end  410     floss strand second end  420     

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT 
     Floss Device with Wire Frame Head 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are a side view and top view of a first embodiment of a dental flossing device  100  of the current invention with a handle  200  and a bent wire floss support head  301 . In this embodiment, the floss support had has a U-shape  372  with a first floss support element  320  supporting a first floss retention distal end loop  326  at the first floss retention distal end  322 , and a second support element  350  supporting a second floss retention distal end loop  344  at the second floss retention distal end  342 . 
       FIGS. 4C and 4D  are detailed views of the floss support head of the dental flossing device  100 . In this embodiment, the first floss retention distal end loop  326  forms a first floss retention end loop angle  327  with respect to the head plane  306 . In this example, the first floss retention distal end loop  326  is orthogonal to the plane of the head  306 .  FIG. 4D  illustrates the thickness  324  of the floss retention distal end loop  326  and the first floss support element  320 . The floss support head may be constructed of bent wire, such as a 0.035″ (0.9 mm) diameter orthodontic wire. 
       FIG. 5A  is a side view of the embodiment of the dental flossing device  100  showing an acute angle A ( 311 ) between the floss support head axis of alignment  310  and the handle axis of alignment  220 . In this example, the angle A is approximately 20 degrees. In other examples, an angle in the range of 10 to 80 degrees may be employed. 
       FIG. 5B  is a side view of the embodiment of the dental flossing device  100  showing a first support axis of alignment  328  and a second support axis of alignment  329 . 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the embodiment of the dental flossing device  100  showing a strand of floss  400  affixed to the device. In this example, a floss strand first end  410  is threaded through the second floss retention distal end loop  344  and tied to the first floss retention distal end loop  326 . The floss strand second end  420  is wrapped around the floss guide  360 . 
     Method of Use—Bottom Teeth 
     In this embodiment, a floss strand  400  of a few inches of floss is removed from a roll of floss. A first end  410  of the floss strand is threaded through the second floss retention distal end loop  344  and tied to the first floss retention distal end loop  326 . The floss is then either pulled tight and held against the handle by the user, or wrapped around the floss guide  360  knob on the handle. 
     The following steps are repeated for each interproximal area: 
     To insert the first floss support element  320  behind the arch-wire, the handle  200  is held in a horizontal plane slightly above the lower teeth. The first floss retention distal end loop  326  is positioned interproximally and slid toward the gumline. If the user is flossing the tooth on the user&#39;s right of the interproximal area, then the handle is moved to the user&#39;s right. If the user is flossing the tooth on the user&#39;s left of the interproximal area, then the handle is moved to the user&#39;s left. 
     Assuming that the user starts with the tooth on the user&#39;s right of the interproximal area, the handle is rotated to the right. To begin the flossing operation, the handle is tilted upward approximately 45 degrees, and the handle is moved down to slide the floss down into the gum sulcus or pocket. The deep U-shape of this embodiment, and the orientation of the head with respect to the handle permit access to the full depth of the pockets. The handle is then moved up and down 2 or three times to slide the floss up and down in the gum sulcus or pocket. 
     To floss, the tooth on the user&#39;s left, the handle is rotated to the left. To begin the flossing operation, the handle is tilted upward approximately 45 degrees, and the handle is moved down to slide the floss down into the gum sulcus or pocket. The handle is then moved up and down 2 or three times to slide the floss up and down in the gum sulcus or pocket. 
     To remove the device, the handle is lowered to a horizontal plane and then lifted to lift the first floss retention distal end loop  326  above the arch-wire and teeth. 
     An interdental brush  230  may be attached to the opposite end of the handle and may be used to clean around orthodontic brackets and open spaces. 
     Method of Use—Top Teeth 
     Each interproximal area is flossed in a manner similar to the bottom teeth, except that to insert the first support behind the arch-wire, the handle is held in a horizontal plane slightly below the upper teeth. The first floss retention distal end loop  326  is positioned interproximally and slid toward the gumline. The handle is rotated to the right or left as described above. To begin the flossing operation, the handle is tilted downward approximately 45 degrees, and the handle is moved up to slide the floss up into the gum sulcus or pocket. The handle is then moved up and down 2 or three times to slide the floss up and down in the gum sulcus or pocket. To remove the device, the handle is raised to a horizontal plane and then lowered to lower the first end loop below the arch-wire and teeth. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT 
     Floss Device with Plastic Head 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are a perspective and a front view of another embodiment of the current invention. 
     In this embodiment, the dental flossing device  101  comprises a plastic floss support head  302  integral to a handle  201 , which permits the device to be injection molded as a single part. In this embodiment, the floss support head  302  has a U-shape  373 . 
     The floss support head includes a second support element  351  and a first floss support element  321 . A floss strand  401  is affixed to the device so that the floss strand first end  410  is attached at the first floss retention distal end  323 , and the floss strand second end is attached at the second floss retention distal end  343 . 
     In this example, a pick brush  231  attached to the handle. The pick brush has a few short bristles so that it can serve as either a brush or a pick in order to clean around the sides of the braces and brace brackets. In this example, the pick brush has a diameter of about 0.03 inches (0.8 mm) so that it can clean debris from between the teeth or in the brace area. The smaller bristles require less cleaning of debris than a brush with longer bristles. 
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged detail view of the first floss support element of the embodiment of the dental flossing device  101 .  FIG. 10  is a top view of the embodiment of the dental flossing device. The first support section  331  has a tapered portion  334 , such that, when the tapered portion is positioned in proximity to an interproximal space between the arch-wire and the teeth, the dental device may be freely pivoted with respect to the teeth without hitting the arch-wire. The first floss retention distal end  323  is wider than the tapered portion  334  of the first support section, such that there is sufficient width and strength in the first floss retention distal end to permit the attachment of a floss strand to the first floss retention distal end. In this example, the first floss retention distal end  323  is curved outwardly with respect to the second floss support element. In this example, the maximum width  325  of the first floss retention distal end is equal to the thickness of the handle. 
     In this example, the handle  201  comprises a flat grip portion  222  adapted to be grasped between the thumb and a finger of the user, such that the grip portion defines a grip plane  224 . In this example, the grip plane is the same plane as the head plane  306 . In other examples, the handle may be rotated with respect to the head, such that the head plane forms an angle with respect to the grip plane. 
       FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  showing the angle of the floss support head with respect to the handle. In this example, the support head forms an angle A  312  of about 54 degrees with respect to the handle as shown by the floss support head axis of alignment  310  handle axis of alignment  221 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11B , which is a front view of the dental flossing device, the first support section  331  has a first support axis of alignment  328 ; and the second support section  351  has a second support axis of alignment  329 , such that the first floss support element and the second floss support element define a head plane  306  (not labeled) and the first support axis of alignment and the second support axis of alignment comprise the sides of the U-shape  373 . 
     Method of Use—Bottom Teeth 
       FIG. 12A  is a perspective view illustrating the use of the dental flossing device  101  in a model mouth, with the device aligned for insertion behind the arch-wire.  FIG. 12B  is a perspective view illustrating the use of the dental flossing device  101  in a model mouth, with the device inserted behind the arch-wire. 
     In this embodiment, the following steps are repeated for each interproximal space  50 : 
     To insert the first floss support element  321  behind the arch-wire  60 , the handle  201  is held so that the first floss support element is parallel to the teeth. The spatula end  323  is positioned interproximally behind the arch-wire and slid toward the gumline. If the user is flossing the tooth on the user&#39;s right of the interproximal area, then the handle is moved to the user&#39;s right. If the user is flossing the tooth on the user&#39;s left of the interproximal area, then the handle is moved to the user&#39;s left. This pivoting is permitted without interference with the arch-wire when first support section tapered portion  334  is positioned behind the arch-wire. 
     Assuming that the user starts with the tooth on the user&#39;s right of the interproximal area, the handle is rotated to the right. To begin the flossing operation, the handle moved down to slide the floss down into the gum sulcus or pocket. The handle is then moved up and down 2 or three times to slide the floss up and down in the gum sulcus or pocket. 
     To floss, the tooth on the user&#39;s left, the handle is rotated to the left. To begin the flossing operation, the handle is then moved up and down 2 or three times to slide the floss up and down in the gum sulcus or pocket. 
     To remove the device, the handle is rotated so the spatula end is parallel to the teeth in order to present a thin profile between the teeth and the arch-wire. The handle is then lifted to lift the first end above the arch-wire and teeth. 
     A pick may be attached to the opposite end of the handle and may be used to clean around orthodontic brackets. 
     One feature of the current invention is that the first support element  321  and the second support element  351  are longer than prior art wand type floss devices, so that the device is easier to insert in the interproximal areas. 
     Method of Use—Top Teeth 
     Each interproximal area is flossed in a manner similar to the bottom teeth, except that to insert first floss support element  321  behind the arch-wire, the handle is held slightly below the upper teeth. The first end is positioned interproximally and slid toward the gumline. The handle is rotated to the right or left as described above. To begin the flossing operation, the handle is moved up to slide the floss up into the gum sulcus or pocket. The handle is then moved up and down 2 or three times to slide the floss up and down in the gum sulcus or pocket. To remove the device, the handle is rotated so the spatula end is parallel to the teeth in order to present a thin profile between the teeth and the arch-wire. The handle is then lowered to lower the first end loop below the arch-wire and teeth. 
     The current invention is not limited to use by persons who wear braces. Reusable or disposable dental flossing devices having a head oriented and an angle relative to the handle permit children and adults to easily aspect all areas to be flossed without requiring fingers to be inserted in the mouth. 
     The current invention is not limited to the specific examples shown. Various alternatives and substitutions will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the current invention as set forth in the description and as described by the claims.