Patent Abstract:
A flosser illumination system provides a flosser and an illumination device that is removably positionable on the flosser for illuminating the mouth during flossing.

Full Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to the field of dental flossing devices. More particularly, this disclosure relates to the incorporation of a reusable lighting device for use with flossers, particularly disposable flossers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Disposable flossers are popular dental cleaning devices. The disclosure relates to improvements in the use of flossers, particularly disposable flossers, by providing a system which enables a reusable illumination device to be incorporated onto the flosser. The illumination device enables improved visibility during flossing without detracting from the disposability of the flosser. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The above and other needs are met by a reusable illumination system configured for use with a disposable flosser. 
         [0004]    In a preferred embodiment, the illumination system includes a housing which contains an electronic circuit having an illumination source for being illuminated. The housing is configured to be removably positioned on the flosser to direct light from the illumination source toward a desired location. 
         [0005]    The illumination system may also be utilized with other disposable dental tools, such as picks, scrapers, interdental brushes, and the like to provide lighted dental care systems. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Further advantages of the disclosure are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0007]      FIGS. 1-4  show a lighted flosser system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  shows a lighted flosser system according to an alternate embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  shows a flosser for use with system of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view of the system of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view of the flosser of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  shows a lighted flosser system according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  shows a flosser for use with system of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional side view of the system of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional side view of the flosser of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  shows a lighted flosser system according to a further embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 14  shows a flosser for use with system of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional side view of the system of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional side view of the flosser of  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    With initial reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the disclosure relates to a lighted flosser system having a reusable illumination system  10  configured for use with a flosser  12  having floss  14 . While the system is described in connection with flossers, it will be understood that the system may also be incorporated onto other dental tools, such as picks, tongue cleaners, interdental brushes, and the like, particularly disposable versions of such devices. 
         [0021]    The illumination system  10  includes an illumination source  16 , such as a light emitting diode, configured to direct light to the floss  14 , as indicated by arrow L, to illuminate and enhance visibility of the floss  14  at sites of interest. The illumination system  10  is provided as by a plastic housing  18  configured to slide over a portion of the flosser  12  and snap-fit or friction fit onto the flosser  12  for use, as described in more detail below. 
         [0022]    A preferred flosser  12  is a plastic disposable flosser available under the name EASY ANGLE from DenTek Oral Care, Inc. of Maryville, Tenn. Such a flosser  12  is described herein and includes a handle  22  and a pair of arms  24  and  26  extending from a distal end  22   a  of the handle  22 . The floss  14  extends between the arms  24  and  26 . The handle  22  of the flosser  12  has a length of about 2 inches and a decreasing taper from the distal end  22   a  to a proximal end  22   b,  which may serve as a pick when removed from the handle  10 . 
         [0023]    As mentioned above, the housing  18  of the illumination system  10  is configured to slide over a portion of the flosser  12  and snap-fit or friction fit onto the flosser  12  for use. In this regard, the housing  18  is configured as a sleeve to define an interior channel  30  that extends between opposite open ends  32  and  34 . The end  32  is configured to snap fit over the distal end  22   a  of the handle  22  of the flosser  12 , including portions of the arms  24  and  26  of the flosser  12 . 
         [0024]    In this regard, the illumination source  16  is located on the housing  18  so as to be located between the distal end  22   a  of the flosser  12  and the floss  14  when the illumination system  10  is installed on the flosser  12 . This facilitates the direction of the light onto the floss  14  as shown. The housing  18  and the channel  30  taper from the end  32  to the end  34  such that the end  34  is substantially narrower and closely fits the relatively narrow shape of the handle  22  of the flosser  12  when the illumination device  10  is installed on the flosser  12 . 
         [0025]    A simple self-contained electrical circuit, including a battery, wiring, and a switch for operation of the illumination source  16 , is incorporated into the housing  18  in a conventional manner of incorporating a light circuit into a body. For example, the housing may be made of injection molded plastic and the battery, wiring, switch, and the illumination source  16  incorporated during the molding process. The switch may be a simple on/off pressure switch located at the surface of the housing  18  for convenient access by a user. 
         [0026]    To install the illumination device  10  onto the flosser  12 , the proximal end  22   b  of the handle  22  is inserted into the open end  32  and passed through the channel  30  until the open end  32  is adjacent the distal end  22   a  of the flosser  12 . The open end  32  is then pressed against the flosser  12  to snap fit over the distal end  22   a  of the handle  22  of the flosser  12 , including portions of the arms  24  and  26  of the flosser  12 , as shown. The illumination device  10  may be readily removed in a similar manner. In this manner, the device  10  may be reused many times. 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIGS. 5-8 , there is a lighted flosser system having a reusable illumination system  50  configured for use with a flosser  52 . The system  50  includes an illumination source  56 , such as a light emitting diode. The illumination system  50  is provided as by a plastic housing  58  configured to slide over a portion of the flosser  52  and snap-fit or friction fit onto the flosser  52 . 
         [0028]    The housing  58  is preferably made of injection molded plastic and includes a transparent area  60  made of a substantially light-transparent plastic. In this regard, the housing  58  includes a simple electronic circuit including a battery  62 , a switch  64 , the illumination source  56 , and associated wiring. The illumination source  56  is preferably imbedded within the transparent area  60  of the housing  58 . 
         [0029]    The housing  58  is configured as a sleeve to define an interior channel  70  that extends between opposite open ends  72  and  74 . The transparent area  60  preferably extends beyond the channel  70  for enhanced illumination effects. The flosser  52  is preferably made of a clear or substantially light transparent plastic material and configured similar to the flosser  12 . The flosser  52  is further configured to include a front recess  76  for abutting the front edge of the transparent area  60  of the housing  58  and protrusions  78  for engaging the channel  70  for providing a friction fit between the housing  58  and the flosser  52 . The illumination system  50  may be installed onto the flosser  52  in a manner similar to that described for the system  10  and the flosser  12 . 
         [0030]    As will be noted, light emanates from the transparent area  60  of the housing  58 . The travel of light toward the floss on the flosser  52  is enhanced by providing at least the arms of a clear or substantially light transparent material. 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIGS. 9-12 , there is shown a lighted flosser system having a reusable illumination system  50 ′ configured for use with a flosser  52 ′. The system  50 ′ is substantially identical to the system  50 , except for the shape of a transparent area  60 ′ of its housing  58 ′ which corresponds to the transparent area  60  of the housing  58 . The transparent area  60 ′ is provided adjacent only a lower section of the system  50 ′ as shown. Likewise, the flosser  52 ′ is substantially identical to the flosser  52 , except it includes a front recess  76 ′ configured for fittingly engaging a lower surface of the transparent area  60 ′. 
         [0032]    With reference to  FIGS. 13-16 , there is shown an alternate embodiment of a lighted flosser system having a reusable illumination system  100  having a flosser  102 . The system  100  is provided as by a plastic housing  104  configured to be snap-fit or friction fit into a receiver  106  defined on the flosser  52 . 
         [0033]    The housing  104  is preferably made of injection molded plastic and at least a portion thereof adjacent an illumination source is made of a clear or substantially light-transparent plastic. The housing  104  includes a simple electronic circuit including one or more batteries  108 , a switch  110 , an illumination source  112 , and associated wiring. The illumination source  112  is preferably positioned within the housing  104  so as to direct light directly towards the arms of the flosser when the housing  104  is installed. 
         [0034]    The housing  104  is generally ovalized so as to fit within the generally oval shape of the receiver  106 . Detents  114  along the sidewalls of the receiver  106  frictionally engage the housing  104  or additional corresponding contacts structure on the housing, such as grooves or the like, to retain the housing  104  within the receiver  106 . Thus, the housing  104  may be easily installed within the receiver  106  for use, and then easily removed by depressing to disengage from friction fit. 
         [0035]    The flosser  102  is preferably made of a clear or substantially light transparent plastic material. In this regard, the housing  104  is positioned within the receiver  106  so that the illumination source  112  is directly adjacent the arms of the flosser  102  so as to direct light directly towards the arms of the flosser when the housing  104  is installed. This is preferred for using the floss. However, if desired, the housing  104  may be reversed 180 degrees so that the illumination source  112  is adjacent the proximal end  22   b  or pick end of the flosser. This is preferred when using the pick end. Also, it will be understood that multiple illumination sources may be included so as to light both the floss and the pick end without having to reorient the housing. 
         [0036]    The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0