Patent Publication Number: US-2012042897-A1

Title: Flossing tool and dispenser

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/375,890, filed Aug. 23, 2010 and entitled FLOSSING TOOL AND DISPENSER, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Regular flossing of teeth is an important component of a dental hygiene routine. Combined with brushing, flossing promotes healthy teeth and gums by removing plaque, food particles, and other foreign material from the gaps between teeth. However, despite its hygienic and medical benefits, many individuals do not floss regularly, if at all. 
     Known flossing techniques typically involve threading a string of floss between a pair of teeth, using both hands to hold each end of the string, and then moving the string back and forth between the teeth while keeping the string tense. Many people find such techniques both cumbersome and unpleasant, as one&#39;s fingers must be inserted into the mouth and must maintain contact with the floss string, which becomes coated with saliva, plaque, and other substances. Additionally, during the flossing process, the user needs to frequently replace used floss with clean floss, and there exists a high likelihood of contamination of the clean floss by the substances and bacteria that become deposited on the user&#39;s fingers during the process. These deposits also reduce friction between the user&#39;s hands and the floss string, making it difficult to maintain the tension necessary for effective flossing. 
     Some flossing devices are single-use and utilize a single short length of floss fixedly coupled to a handle. Due to the short length of floss, such devices must be discarded after every session, which results in unnecessary waste and cost to the user. Furthermore, typical use of such devices results in using the same length of floss in various areas of the mouth, promoting bacteria transfer and reducing the effectiveness of the flossing procedure. Other flossing devices incorporate floss advancement mechanisms that increase manufacturing costs and complexity. Additionally, certain devices retain used floss within the device, and/or do not adequately separate clean floss from used floss, thereby promoting bacterial cross-contamination. 
     Consequently, there exists a need for a device that allows one to floss conveniently and comfortably, while at the same time maintaining sufficient tension in the floss string and minimizing the likelihood of cross-contamination between the used and clean lengths of floss. Furthermore, there exists a need for a simple, low-cost, reusable device that sufficiently isolates clean floss from used floss and substantially impedes cross-contamination. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a flossing tool and dispenser is described. The flossing tool and dispenser can include a body having a handle end and an operative end, a cavity defined within the body and disposed substantially at the handle end, a first tong and a second tong disposed at the operative end, and defining a gap for tensioning a strand of dental floss therebetween, a recess disposed between the handle end and the operative end, an aperture extending between the cavity and the recess, and a cam disposed within the recess, and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the cam is positioned such that, when the cam is in the first position, the cam impedes the movement of the strand of floss by causing the strand of floss to be pinched simultaneously at two locations along the length of the strand of floss, and, when the cam is in the second position, the cam does not impede the movement of the strand of floss. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1   a  is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a flossing tool. 
         FIG. 1   b  is a rear perspective view of a first embodiment of a flossing tool. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a top view of a first embodiment of a flossing tool with a cam in a first position. 
         FIG. 2   b  is a top view of a first embodiment of a flossing tool with a cam in a second position. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a three-quarters view of a second embodiment of a flossing tool. 
         FIG. 3   b  is a three-quarters view of a second embodiment of a flossing tool. 
         FIG. 4   a  is a detail view of a second embodiment of a flossing tool. 
         FIG. 4   b  is a detail view of a second embodiment of a flossing tool with a cam in a first position. 
         FIG. 4   c  is a detail view of a second embodiment of a flossing tool with a cam in a second position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows. 
     As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiment are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
       FIGS. 1   a - 2   b  show a first exemplary embodiment of a dental flossing tool  100 . Flossing tool  100  may include an elongated body  102  having a handle end  104  and an operative end  106 , and may be formed from plastic, metal, or any other desired material, which may be non-porous. Handle end  104  may include a cavity  110  disposed therein for receiving a quantity of dental floss  112  in a spool configuration, or in any other desired configuration. Cavity  110  may be selectively covered by cover  114 , which may be slidably, threadably, or otherwise frictionally coupled to body  102 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 1   b.    
     Operative end  106  may include first and second tongs  116 ,  118 . Tongs  116 ,  118  may be substantially parallel to each other, and may be curved or angled away from the longitudinal axis of body  102 . Furthermore, tongs  116 ,  118  may be rigid and not movable. Each of tongs  116 ,  118  may have a bore, slit or passage  120  defined at the terminal end thereof. Extending towards handle end  104  from passage  120  of first tong  116  may be a first channel  122 , and extending towards handle end  104  from passage  120  of second tong  118  may be a second channel  124 . As first and second channels  122 ,  124  continue towards handle end  104  through body  102 , channels  122 ,  124  may converge such that the distance between channels  122 ,  124  is decreased until a narrow divider  126  is defined therebetween. Subsequently, channels  122 ,  124  may run parallel to each other, separated by divider  126 . A bridge  125  can extend over a portion of channels  122 ,  124 , which can facilitate maintaining the strand of floss  112  within the channels. 
     First channel  122  may extend between first tong  116  and recess  128 . Recess  128  may be located substantially between operative end  106  and handle end  104  of body  102 . Disposed within recess  128  may be cam  130  and at least one post or spindle  132 . Furthermore, an aperture  134  may be defined in the surface of recess  128 , and can be in communication with cavity  110 , thereby allowing a strand of floss  112  to be threaded from cavity  110  into recess  128 . The at least one spindle  132  may have a shaft and a cap, the cap having a diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft. Spindle  132  may further be fixedly coupled to body  102 , may be rotatably coupled to body  102 , or may have a rotatable portion thereon, such that spindle  132 , or a portion thereof, can rotate about its longitudinal axis. At least one spindle  132  can facilitate tensioning a strand of floss  112  when floss is wound around at least one spindle  132  prior to being threaded through channels  122 ,  124 . At least one spindle  132  may further have a base, the base having a diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft. At least one spindle  132  can thus facilitate maintaining the strand of floss  112  substantially elevated above the surface of recess  128 , thereby reducing the likelihood of the strand of floss moving under cam  130 . 
     Second channel  124  may extend between second tong  118  and an aperture  138 . Aperture  138  may be located substantially between operative end  106  and handle end  104  of body  102 . Clip  140  may be located proximate to aperture  138  and may be configured such that a strand of floss  112  may be fastened thereto. Clip  140  may include a sharpened edge such that excessive floss length may be removed by the user as desired. Aperture  138  may further include a slit  139 , which may function as a guide for the user to pull the floss therethrough and towards clip  140 . Additionally, disposed between aperture  138  and clip  140  may be a depression  141 . Depression  141  may be a concavity defined in body  102  and may aid the user in grasping floss  112 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2   a - 2   b , divider  126  may be resiliently flexible so as to allow divider  126  to assume an bent or curved shape when a force, oblique or perpendicular to the length of divider  126 , is applied thereto. When the force is withdrawn, divider  126  may reassume a linear shape. Divider  126  can be sufficiently flexible so that, when force is applied, divider  126  can come in contact with the thereto-opposed wall of second channel  124 . Thus, if a length of floss  112  is disposed within second channel  124 , it may be pinched between divider  124  and the thereto-opposed wall of second channel  124 , thereby inhibiting the movement of floss  112 . 
     Cam  130  may be rotatably mounted on a shaft  136 , proximate to divider  126  such that a clearance exists between divider  126  and cam  130 . Cam  130  may further be an eccentric cam. Thus, the clearance between the edge of cam  130  and divider  126  may vary depending on the position of cam  130 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2   a , when cam  130  is in a first position, the edge of cam  130  can come into contact with divider  126  and can further depress divider  126  in such that divider  126  contacts the thereto-opposed wall of channel  124 . The strand of floss  112  may therefore be simultaneously pinched both between cam  130  and divider  126  and between divider  126  and the thereto-opposed wall of channel  124 . Conversely, as shown in  FIG. 2   b , when cam  130  is in a second position, there may be sufficient clearance between cam  130  and divider  126  for a strand of floss  112  to pass freely therebetween. 
     In operation, the user may place a quantity of floss  112  into cavity  110  of flossing tool  100 . One end of floss  112  may then be threaded through aperture  134  and wound around at least one spindle  132 . Winding floss  112  around at least one spindle  132  may serve to increase tension in the floss as it is being threaded through flossing tool  100 , and may reduce the likelihood of an excessive length of floss unwinding from cavity  110 . With cam  130  in the second position, floss  112  may then be threaded between cam  130  and divider  126 , through first channel  122 , passages  120 , second channel  124 , and through aperture  138 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2   b . The floss may then be fastened to clip  140 , thereby maintaining tension in the length of floss  112  that is disposed between at least one spindle  132  and clip  140 . Once floss  112  is fastened, the user may place cam  130  into the first position, as illustrated in  FIG. 2   a , thereby placing the edge of cam  130  in contact with divider  126 , and displacing divider  126  such that it is in contact with the thereto-opposed wall of second channel  124 . As a result, floss  112  can simultaneously become pinched both between cam  130  and divider  126 , and between divider  126  and the thereto-opposed wall of second channel  124 . Due to the floss being pinched in two locations, tension in the length of floss  112  that is threaded through operative end  106  is further increased, providing a taut floss line disposed between tongs  116 ,  118 . 
     After using flossing tool  100 , the user may desire to advance floss  112  such that a clean length of floss  112   a  is disposed between tongs  116 ,  118 . To advance the floss, the user can move cam  130  into the second position, such that the edge of cam  130  is no longer in contact with divider  126 . As a result, floss  112  may be pulled freely through channels  122 ,  124  until a clean length of floss  112   a  is disposed between tongs  116 ,  118 , while the used length of floss  112   b  passes through channel  124  and out aperture  138 . The user may then attach the used length of floss  112   b  to clip  140 , and, if desired, remove any excess length of used floss  112   b . Subsequently, the user may return cam  130  into the first position, thereby pinching and imparting tension to floss  112 , as described above. Furthermore, both the clean floss  112   a  and the used floss  112   b  can be simultaneously pinched by moving cam  130  into the first position. It should also be appreciated that divider  126  facilitates maintaining clean length of floss  112   a  and used length of floss  112   b  separate from each other, thereby preventing clean length of floss  112   a  and used length of floss  112   b  from contacting each other and reducing the likelihood of contamination of the clean floss. Furthermore, used floss  112   b  is not retained within body  102  but is rather guided outside body  102  where it can be cut and disposed of by the user. 
       FIGS. 3   a - 4   c  illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of a dental flossing tool  200 . Flossing tool  200  may include an elongated body  202  having a handle end  204  and an operative end  206 . Handle end  204  may include a cavity  210  disposed therein for receiving a quantity of dental floss  212  in a spool configuration, or in any other desired configuration. Cavity  210  may be selectively covered by a cover (not shown), which may be slidably, threadably, or otherwise frictionally coupled to body  202 . Operative end  204  may include first and second tongs  216 ,  218 . Tongs  216 ,  218  may be substantially parallel to each other, and may be curved or angled away from the longitudinal axis of body  102 . Furthermore, tongs  216 ,  218  may be rigid and not movable. Each of tongs  216 ,  218  may have a first bore, slit or passage  220  defined at the terminal end thereof. 
     Disposed substantially between operative end  206  and handle end  204  may be a recess  228 . Extending from recess  228  towards operative end  206  may be a first channel  222  and a second channel  224 , the channels  222 ,  224  being disposed on opposite sides of body  202  and capable of receiving a strand of floss  212  therein. Both channels  222 ,  224  may be in communication with recess  228 . Disposed forward of channels  222 ,  224  may be bores, slits or passages  221 . Passages  221  may facilitate passing the strand of floss  212  towards tongs  216 ,  218  and may also facilitate maintaining tension in the portion of floss  212  that is disposed at operative end  206 . 
     Disposed within recess  228  may be a cam  230 , a tab  232 , an aperture  234 , a shaft  236 , and a wall  238 . Aperture  234  may be defined in the surface of recess  228  and can be in communication with cavity  210 , thereby allowing a strand of floss  212  to be threaded from cavity  210  into recess  228 . Tab  232  may protrude from wall  238  towards shaft  236 . Cam  230  may be rotatably mounted on shaft  236  proximate to wall  238  such that passages are defined above and below tab  232 , and between wall  238  and cam  230 . Cam  230  may further include a notch  240  having a size and shape complementary to tab  232 , such that tab  232  can be received within notch  240 . A clean strand of floss  212   a  may thus pass from aperture  234 , above tab  232 , and into channel  222 , and a used strand of floss  212   b  may pass from channel  224 , below tab  232 , and out through an aperture  242  defined in body  202  of flossing tool  200 , as shown in  FIG. 4   a.    
     Cam  230  may be an eccentric cam. Thus, the distance between the edge of cam  230  and wall  238  may vary depending on the position of cam  230 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4   b , when cam  230  is in a first position, the edge of cam  230  can come into contact with wall  238 , thereby simultaneously pinching both clean floss  212   a  and used floss  212   b  between cam  230  and wall  238 . Conversely, as shown in  FIG. 4   c , when cam  230  is in a second position, there may be sufficient clearance between cam  230  and wall  238  for a strand of floss  212  to pass freely therebetween. 
     In operation, the user may place a quantity of floss  212  into cavity  210  of flossing tool  200 . One end of floss  212  may then be threaded through aperture  234 . With cam  230  in the second position, floss  112  may then be threaded between cam  230  and wall  238 , through first channel  222 , passages  221 , and passages  220 , second channel  224 , and through aperture  242 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a - 3   b . The user may then place cam  230  into the first position, as illustrated in  FIG. 4   b , thereby placing the edge of cam  230  in contact with wall  238 . As a result, floss  212  becomes simultaneously pinched between cam  230  and wall  238  at two points along the length of floss  212 . Consequently, tension in the length of floss  212  that is threaded through operative end  206  is further increased, providing a taut floss line disposed between tongs  216 ,  218 . 
     After using flossing tool  200 , the user may desire to advance floss  212  such that a clean length of floss is disposed between tongs  216 ,  218 . To advance the floss, the user can move cam  230  into the second position, such that the edge of cam  230  is no longer in contact with wall  238 , as shown in  FIG. 4   c . As a result, floss  212  may be pulled freely through channels  222 ,  224  until a clean length of floss is disposed between tongs  216 ,  218 . The user may then return cam  230  into the first position, thereby pinching and imparting tension to floss  212 , as described above. It should be appreciated that tab  232  maintains clean lengths of floss  212   a  and used lengths of floss  212   b  separate from each other, thereby preventing clean lengths of floss  212   a  and used lengths of floss  212   b  from contacting each other and reducing the likelihood of contamination of the clean floss. Furthermore, used floss  212   b  is not retained within body  202  but is rather guided outside body  202  where it can be cut and disposed of by the user. 
     The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.