Abstract:
A radially-shaped flossing device having a flexible tubular section with an internal channel through which a loop of floss passes. The length of floss is greater than the length of tubular section which defines a gap where the gap distance exposes floss to be used by a user to floss teeth. After flossing, a user may pull the floss in a designated direction to expose previously unexposed and un-used floss for later use. The flossing device may have more than one tubular section which combined length is shorter than the length of the loop of floss defining a gap for flossing use. After flossing, one tubular section adjacent to the gap is moved to the next tubular section adjacent to the gap to expose a fresh floss portion for later use.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/748,765 filed on Dec. 9, 2005. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     The device of this disclosure relates to an improvement in a dental flossing device, and more particularly to dental flossing devices suited for multiple uses.  
         [0004]     Flossing is an important function for good oral hygiene and is accomplished by using dental floss [generally a waxed or unwaxed piece of nylon string] that is inserted between one tooth and another abutting tooth. The floss is then moved in an up/down fashion for the removal of plaque or other food deposits. It is generally agreed by most dentists and oral hygienists that flossing is essential care for the preservation and maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. In spite of this consensus, many if not most people do not floss regularly. This is so because, using floss alone is cumbersome and difficult. Many prior art devices have been crafted in attempts to make flossing easier and, consequently, more regularly performed by more and more people. None have succeeded in this noble cause.  
         [0005]     The flossing device of this disclosure is easier and more convenient to use than any of the prior devices. It is comfortable to hold, comfortable to use, and capable of multiple uses. It is relatively easy to manufacture and less costly in materials and time thereby translating to lower costs for the user. As a result, it should encourage persons to floss more regularly.  
         [0006]     The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the flossing device of this disclosure. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the flossing device of this disclosure. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed flossing device of this disclosure in a different manner or by modifying the flossing device of this disclosure within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the flossing device of this disclosure may be had by referring to the summary of the flossing device of this disclosure and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the flossing device of this disclosure defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     The above-noted problems, among others, are overcome by the flossing device of this disclosure. Briefly stated, the flossing device of this disclosure contemplates a hand-held device that a person may use to floss their teeth. It includes an outer housing (tubular section) that has an internal lumen (channel) which contains a loop of dental floss. The housing is preferably in a semi-annular configuration that curves along a predetermined radius of curvature as determined by the length of the housing and the greater relative length of the floss.  
         [0008]     A portion of the dental floss is exposed and the exposed portion can be used to floss a user&#39;s teeth. The housing generally is of a soft flexible material which provides a convenient means for the user to grab and manipulate the dental floss without having to actually grab the floss itself and to slide the used portion of the floss in one direction into the housing to thereby slide and expose an unused portion for use as desired.  
         [0009]     The foregoing has outlined the more pertinent and important features of the flossing device of this disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood so the present contributions to the art may be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the flossing device of this disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific embodiment may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures and methods for carrying out the same purposes of the flossing device of this disclosure. It also should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions and methods do not depart from the spirit and scope of the flossing device of this disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the flossing device of this disclosure, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is preferred embodiment of the flossing device.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a second embodiment of the flossing device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]     Referring now to the drawings in detail and in particular to  FIG. 1 , reference character  10  generally designates a flossing device constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the flossing device of this disclosure. This flossing device  10  combines the use of a looped section of dental floss  11  with a tubular section  21  which covers the floss  11  and has a channel from one end of the tubular section  21  to the other end through which the floss passes. The tubular section  21  should generally be of a relatively flexible material so as to provide a soft, flexible, and comfortable method to hold, grip, and advance the floss  11  as the flossing device  10  is used.  
         [0014]     Typical tubular materials suited for the intended purpose include, but are not limited to, latex [synthetic or natural], silicone, Teflon® and other polymers, vinyl, other plastics, or any combinations thereof.  
         [0015]     The loop of dental floss  11  passes through the channel of tubular section  21  from one end  22 ′ to the other end  24 ′. The length of the floss  11  is greater than the length of the tubular section  21  but not so great as to cause the tubular section  21  to be linear or only slightly curvilinear. The length of the floss  11  is such that, when the device  10  is manufactured and the floss  11  placed into the channel of the tubular section  21  and looped, the tubular section  21  becomes somewhat U-shaped as illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]     A gap is created between one end  22 ′ of the tubular section  21  and the other end  24 ′ thereby exposing a portion of the floss  11 . This gap is represented by reference characters X-Y. The length of this gap may be sized to be approximately one to two index finger lengths of the intended user [approximately 2-20 cm]. The length of the floss loop  11  is set to provide sufficient floss to perform at least one complete flossing of a set of teeth.  
         [0017]     In use, the user would grip and/or pinch the tubular section  21  at or near both ends  22 ′,  24 ′. This gripping and/or pinching along with a radial force pulling apart one end  22 ′ of the tubular section  21  and the other end  24 ′ creates tension in the floss  11  as it is guided in place with other available fingers or thumbs. As so held in place by a user the exposed portion of floss  11  in the gap is then slid between and down along the sides of teeth to be flossed.  
         [0018]     This sizing of the gap in relation to the floss  11  length creates the desired U-shape and gap necessary for the best operation of the device  10 . Additional sizing for good operation of the device  10  has the length of the looped floss  11  to be approximately 10% to 80% greater than the length of the tubular section  21  thereby making the gap distance approximately 10% to 80% of the length of the tubular section  21 .  
         [0019]     After the user is finished flossing with the exposed portion of dental floss  11 , the user can slide the dental floss  11  through the curved tubular section  21 , generally in the direction of Arrow A [or in an opposite direction as direction here is for illustrative purposes only], such that a new portion of the dental floss  11  becomes exposed and the used portion is slid into the tubular section  21 . The tubular section  21 , the channel in particular, is preferably manufactured with a texture and/or of a lubricous material that facilitates sliding of the dental floss  11  through the tubular section  21 . Typical lubricous materials include, but are not limited to, wax, nylon, vinyl, or Teflon® coating.  
         [0020]     To aid a user in exposing an unused portion of floss  11  rather than a previously used portion of floss, directional indicia  23 ′,  23 ″ on either end, or on both ends  22 ′,  24 ′ of the tubular section  21  inform the user of which direction the floss  11  should be slid. Directional indicia here are arrow but words such as “used” and “un-used” or “old” and “new” or color-coding such as “red” for used and “green” for un-used and the like may be used as said directional indicia.  
         [0021]     A fresh unused portion of the floss  11  can be exposed by advancing the loop of floss  11  through the tubular section  21 . To accomplish this one can pinch the floss  11  directly between the thumb and one of the fingers on one hand while holding the tubular section  21  loosely in the other hand. The hand holding the device  10  can also be used to slightly squeeze the opposite ends  22 ′,  24 ′ of the tubular section  21  towards each other to relieve tension on the floss  11  caused by the tubing. Then by gently pulling on the floss  11  it can be moved so that the used portion goes into the tube on one side while fresh unused floss  11  is exposed as it is pulled out of the other side of the tubular section  21 .  
         [0022]     Another method to advance the floss  11  is to stretch the tubular section  21  along its length and then pinch and hold the floss  11  within the tubular section  21 . To start with the device  10  being held in a relaxed state (no external deforming forces applied), the left thumb and finger pinch down on the tubular section  21  to hold the floss  11  in place while the right hand pulls on the right side of the tubular section  21  stretching it while allowing the floss  11  to slide within it. Then the right hand thumb and finger pinch down on the tubular section  21  to hold the floss  11  in place while the left hand releases its grip returning the device  10  to its relaxed state.  
         [0023]     Additionally, since the floss  11  is in a loop, a registration indicia  13  on the floss  11  alerts the user to a start and stop point. In this regard, the registration indicia  13  may be positioned at or near one end,  24 ′ for example, of the tubular section  21  by sliding the floss  11  accordingly. As the device  10  is used and the floss  11  is slid to expose unused floss  11 , the registration indicia  13  will disappear into the end  24 ′ and, after repeated uses, emerge from the end  22 ′. Ultimately the registration indicia  13  will return to the point from which it began. This alerts the user that all the floss  11  has been used and it may be time for a replacement device.  
         [0024]     The registration indicia  13  may be a color-coded section, a knot or bulge in the floss  11 , or any other similarly noticeable and easily detectable means. There may also be more than one such indicia with the spacing between each indicia being set to approximately equal to the length of the gap distance X-Y or shorter so that the user may track how far the floss  11  is being advanced.  
         [0025]     In addition, the tubular section  21  preferably has a radius of curvature that facilitates sliding of the dental floss  11  through the tubular section  21 .  
         [0026]     As mentioned above, the two principal components to this device  10 , and its implementation, are the dental floss loop  11  and the tubular section  21 . The device  10  can be held to position the exposed floss  11  to floss and clean teeth. Two fingers and or thumbs or any combination thereof are used to guide the exposed floss  11  to position it between and along the sides of teeth for the flossing action. One finger or thumb positions the floss  11  from the inside of the mouth and the other finger or thumb positions the floss  11  from the outside of the month from opposite sides of a tooth.  
         [0027]     The remaining fingers on each hand can be used to apply tension to the exposed floss  11  by gripping the tubular section  21  near the exposed floss ends and pulling in opposing directions. Depending on the length of the floss loop  11  relative to the user&#39;s hand size, tension can also be applied to the loop by pulling radially out on the tubular section  21 .  
         [0028]     The dimensions of the device  10  can be sized to fit the end user&#39;s dimensions as well as to set the amount of floss  11  to be provided. The length of the exposed floss  11  section and the length of the tubular section  21  can be sized to fit the user&#39;s hand and mouth size. Small hands and mouths can use a shorter exposed floss  11  section as well as a shorter tubular section  21  than those sized for larger hands and mouths.  
         [0029]     The device  10  also can be sized for a single use or extended use by setting the length of the floss loop  11  and the required tubular section  21  while holding fixed the length of the exposed floss section. A single use device would provide the required length of floss in the loop to floss the entire set of teeth for the mouth size it was designed. Multiple use devices will have longer floss loops  11  and a longer corresponding tubular section  21  and may have a larger gap section or in the alternative, may keep the length of the exposed floss section, X-Y, the same as used for a single use device  10  described above.  
         [0030]     For long extended use devices a segmented device  110  having multiple tubular sections  21 A-G, as shown in  FIG. 2 , can be used. Segmentation of the device  110  can be used to improve handling very long floss loops. The housing in this embodiment is not a continuous single-piece tubular section  21 , but is rather formed from a series of discrete tubular sections  21 A-G that each cover a portion of the loop of dental floss  11 . Each section has a front or leading end  22 A-G and a back or trailing end  24 A-G.  
         [0031]     Regardless of how many such tubular sections there are [here there are seven shown], generally the gap X-Y should be approximately of equal length as each tubular section  21 A-G but may also be shorter or longer. Consequently then, the length of the floss  11  may be equal to the sum of all tubular sections plus one additional tubular section length, or the length of the floss  11  may be equal to the sum of all tubular sections plus the length of the gap X-Y of the floss device  10  as previously described; i.e., 2-20 cm. As shown in this Figure, there are seven such sections. This Figure, however, is not meant as a means of limitation but is only provided for illustration purposes. There may be more or less as desired.  
         [0032]     Exposing an unused portion of floss  11  in this embodiment may entail sliding the floss  11  as described above but is best accomplished by sliding one tubular section over the used portion of floss  11  thereby exposing an unused portion of floss  11  in its wake. As in the first embodiment, the floss  11  has a registration indicia  13 . A user should find the registration indicia  13  and expose it in the gap X-Y. Referring to  FIG. 2 , after use, the user would slide tubular section  21 G in the direction of Arrow B until its leading end  22 G generally abuts or is adjacent to the trailing end  24 A of tubular section  21 A.  
         [0033]     Directional indicia  23 A-G on each tubular section  21 A-G informs the user into which direction a particular section should be slid.  
         [0034]     The tubular sections  21 A-G could also initially be connected end-to-end forming one continuous tubular section with perforated seams that could be pulled apart to expose the next portion of the floss loop  11 .  
         [0035]     The present disclosure includes that contained in the present claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this flossing device of this disclosure has been described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred forms has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts and method steps may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the flossing device of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the flossing device of this disclosure should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.  
         [0036]     Applicant has attempted to disclose all the embodiments of the flossing device of this disclosure that could be reasonably foreseen. It must be understood, however, that there may be unforeseeable insubstantial modifications to flossing device of this disclosure that remain as equivalents and thereby falling within the scope of the flossing device of this disclosure.