Patent Description:
Dental floss and dental tape are used to remove plaque and oral debris between dental contacts and within the subgingival tissue. While flossing, a user may not prefer a dental floss with a smooth surface if the user wants to remove more plaque and oral debris. Furthermore, the smooth surface of the floss may not give the user the perception that the floss is cleaning during a flossing episode or provide edges on its surface to capture plaque and oral debris. Therefore, there is a need for the surface roughness and coarseness of the dental floss to be increased. <CIT> discloses a dental floss dispenser comprising a metal "cutter cap". <CIT> discloses dental floss dispensers that impregnate floss with fluids and/or solids. One dental floss dispenser consists of a tube that holds a roll of dental floss separated from the main chamber by either a disc or a bag. The main chamber may consist of one or several compartments and it is filled with fluids and/or solids. The untreated floss is first threaded through a hole in the protective cover that separates the floss reel from the lower compartment and it passes through the lower compartment filled with a viscous fluid of sufficiently high viscosity. The partially impregnated floss is then threaded through a barrier that divides the lower and the upper compartments and passes through the upper compartment filled with an impregnating fluid or solid. The fluids and/or solids are adhered to the floss so it can be used as a means to deliver compositions. The impregnated floss is then threaded through a hole in the closure of the dispenser and it is sealed by adhesive backed plastic, paper or foil. A cutter is placed on the neck of the container and it is used for removing a segment of the impregnated dental floss. <CIT> discloses an apparatus includes a bottom portion comprising a spindle for receiving a quantity of floss. A first locking plate is operable for receiving a feed portion of the floss upon a horizontal surface. A plate extends from the first locking plate where a distal end of the plate engages the feed portion and a return portion of the feed portion returns back over the horizontal surface. An aperture enables an exiting portion of the return portion to exit the bottom portion. A top portion includes a spindle cap portion operable for engaging the spindle. A second locking plate is operable for engaging the first locking plate to substantially constrain the feed portion of the floss and the return portion. A stretching mechanism is joined to the second plate for applying a stretching force along a portion of the feed portion and a portion of the return portion.

The invention is defined by a floss cartridge with the features of claim <NUM>.

Various disclosed concepts relate to dental floss cartridges that are configured to impart textures onto the surface of the floss. According to one example ("Example <NUM>"), the dental floss cartridge includes a housing, a roll of dental floss comprising a polymer such that the dental floss has a first surface and a second surface, a floss exit opening in the housing through which the floss is configured to exit, a texture-inducing structure arranged within the housing and configured to impart texture onto at least one of the first and second surfaces of the dental floss prior to or during the dental floss passing through the floss exit opening, and a cutting device on an exterior of the housing configured to cut the dental floss into a desired length.

According to another example further to Example <NUM> ("Example <NUM>"), the structure includes at least one roller configured to emboss the texture onto at least one of the first and second surfaces of the dental floss as the floss passes over the at least one roller.

According to another example further to Example <NUM> ("Example <NUM>"), the at least one roller includes a first rotatable roller and a second rotatable roller in rotational engagement with the first roller. According to another example further to any preceding Example ("Example <NUM>"), the structure is configured to emboss a three dimensional pattern onto at least one of the first and second surfaces of the dental floss prior to the dental floss passing through the floss exit opening.

According to another example further to Example <NUM> ("Example <NUM>"), the three dimensional pattern is a plurality of protrusions and depressions formed on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the dental floss in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the floss exits the opening.

According to another example further to Example <NUM> ("Example <NUM>"), the three dimensional pattern is a plurality of protrusions and depressions formed on the at least one of the first and second surfaces of the dental floss in a direction perpendicular to the first and second surfaces.

According to another example further to Example <NUM> ("Example <NUM>"), the three dimensional pattern is a plurality of protrusions and depressions formed on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the dental floss in an angled direction with respect to a direction in which the floss exits the opening.

According to another example further to Example <NUM> ("Example <NUM>"), the three dimensional pattern is a plurality of protrusions and depressions formed on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the dental floss in a crisscross direction.

According to another example further to any one of the preceding Examples ("Example <NUM>"), the floss cartridge further includes ingestible crystal particles contained within the housing, wherein the texture-inducing structure is further configured to embed the ingestible crystal particles into at least one of the first and second surfaces of the dental floss.

According to another example further to Example <NUM> ("Example <NUM>"), the first rotatable roller is configured to emboss the three dimensional pattern onto the first surface of the floss and the second rotatable roller is configured to emboss the three dimensional pattern onto the second surface of the floss.

According to another example further to Example <NUM> or <NUM> ("Example <NUM>"), the floss cartridge further includes a force adjustment device coupled to the first and second rotatable rollers to adjust an amount of force exerted by the at least one of the first and the second roller onto the at least one of the first and second surfaces of the floss.

According to another example further to Example <NUM> ("Example <NUM>"), the floss cartridge further includes a twist-inducing mechanism arranged within the housing and configured to induce a twisted configuration to the dental floss prior to or during the dental floss passing through the floss exit opening.

According to another example further to Example <NUM> or <NUM> ("Example <NUM>"), the floss exit opening is located proximate to a center of the roll.

According to another example further to any one of Examples <NUM>-<NUM> ("Example <NUM>"), the polymer is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE).

According to another example further to any one of Examples <NUM>-<NUM> ("Example <NUM>"), the floss is imbibed with a flavor-inducing chemical.

Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various aspects of the present disclosure can be realized by any number of methods and apparatuses configured to perform the intended functions. It should also be noted that the accompanying drawing figures referred to herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, but may be exaggerated to illustrate various aspects of the present disclosure, and in that regard, the drawing figures should not be construed as limiting.

This disclosure is not meant to be read in a restrictive manner. For example, the terminology used in the application should be read broadly in the context of the meaning those in the field would attribute to such terminology.

With respect to terminology of inexactitude, the terms "about" and "approximately" may be used, interchangeably, to refer to a measurement that includes the stated measurement and that also includes any measurements that are reasonably close to the stated measurement. Measurements that are reasonably close to the stated measurement deviate from the stated measurement by a reasonably small amount as understood and readily ascertained by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant arts. Such deviations may be attributable to measurement error or minor adjustments made to optimize performance, for example. In the event it is determined that individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant arts would not readily ascertain values for such reasonably small differences, the terms "about" and "approximately" can be understood to mean plus or minus <NUM>% of the stated value.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only. For example, words such as "proximal," "distal," "top", "bottom", "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward," and "downward" describe the relative configuration shown in the figures or the orientation of a part in the installed position. The referenced components may be oriented in any of a variety of orientations. Similarly, throughout this disclosure, where a process or method is shown or described, the method may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless it is clear from the context that the method depends on certain actions being performed first.

Various examples are provided of a dental floss dispenser which changes the texture or the configuration of the dental floss so as to impart texture. Floss having texture or a configuration that imparts the feel of texture may be beneficial in a number of ways. In certain instances, texturized floss may facilitate gripping of the floss when in use. In addition, texturized floss may facilitate the removal of plaque and debris from teeth. Floss, however, when rolled into a dental floss dispenser is under high tension and/or pressure. Due to the tension and pressure, floss having texture imparted prior to being arranged within the dental floss dispenser may lose the texturization. Floss having too much texture may damage the teeth, gum, or surrounding tissue. Floss having too little texture or texturized prior to being placed on a roll within the dispenser may lose the imparted texture when output. Thus, various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward texturizing floss as it is output to a user.

<FIG> shows one example of such a dental floss dispenser <NUM> as seen from the outside. The dispenser <NUM> dispenses a dental floss <NUM> from its housing <NUM> through a floss exit opening <NUM> through which the dental floss <NUM> exits. On the housing <NUM> is a cutting device <NUM> which cuts the dental floss <NUM> at any desirable length as determined by the user. In some embodiments, there is also a lid <NUM> which covers the floss exit opening <NUM> and the cutting device <NUM> from outside elements when the user is not using the floss. The floss <NUM> may be an elongated fiber material or filament which may be coated with microcrystalline wax prior to being packaged into the floss dispenser <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the inside of the floss dispenser <NUM> according to one example, that is part of the invention. The dental floss <NUM> is contained in a roll or spool <NUM> that is fixed in a rotatable position within the housing <NUM> such that a user dispenses the floss <NUM> by pulling on an outer end <NUM> of the floss <NUM>. The floss <NUM> may be rolled, or otherwise disposed on a bobbin-like apparatus, and may be placed on a supporting core <NUM> so that it may be easily integrated within a suitable dispensing apparatus, such as the housing <NUM> of the floss dispenser <NUM>. Located inside the housing <NUM> proximate to the floss exit <NUM> is a texture-inducing structure <NUM>, which in this example is a pair of rollers <NUM> and <NUM>, that impart a texture to the floss <NUM> before being used by the user, for example by embossing the texture onto at least one surface of the floss <NUM>. The first roller <NUM> and the second roller <NUM> work together to impart the texture <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, onto the floss <NUM>. For example, the texture <NUM> can be a three-dimensional pattern imparted on one or both of the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the floss <NUM> as further explained below.

In some examples, the dental floss <NUM> initially has a flat, sheet-like configuration with two sides or surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, and the first roller <NUM> impart a texture on the first surface <NUM> of the floss <NUM> while the second roller <NUM> induces another texture on the other, second surface <NUM>. In certain instances, the rollers <NUM>, <NUM> may impart a texture on only one of the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. The texture given to the first surface <NUM> may be the same or different from the texture imparted to the second surface <NUM>. The supporting core <NUM> of the roll <NUM> of floss <NUM> is rotatably fixed to the housing <NUM> to enable smooth dispensing of the floss <NUM>. In one example, the two rollers <NUM> and <NUM> complement each other such that the first roller <NUM> has protrusions that fit into depressions on the second roller <NUM>, and vice versa. In another example, the rollers <NUM>, <NUM> have staggered protrusions that impact depressions onto the dental floss <NUM> without countering the effects of the other roller.

In some examples, the rollers <NUM> and <NUM> impart the texture prior to the floss <NUM> exiting the housing <NUM>, while in other examples, the texture is imparted while the floss <NUM> passes through the floss exit opening <NUM>. It should be noted that although the examples show two rollers <NUM> and <NUM>, textures can also be imparted on the floss <NUM> using just one roller, or more than two rollers, such as three or four rollers, etc., and such examples are considered to be within the purview of the disclosure. Also, various shapes may be implemented for the rollers <NUM> and <NUM> is not particularly limiting, and may include shapes such as triangular, square, gear-shaped, star-shaped, etc., so long as texture is imparted to at least one side of the floss <NUM>. Furthermore, the texture-inducing structure <NUM> arranged within the housing can be a suitable structure different from the rollers, such as a non-rotating fixed structure, so long as the structure can impart the textures as explained herein. Also, in some examples, the rollers <NUM> and <NUM> can crush the floss <NUM> from the sides instead of the surfaces, causing the floss <NUM> to bend or fold onto itself to create creases and / or additional texture on the surface.

Advantages in having textures imparted onto the dental floss <NUM> include increased capability for the floss <NUM> to more effectively remove plaque and debris from the spaces between teeth. However, during a typical manufacturing process, the floss <NUM> is tightly wrapped around a large spool for ease of transportation from a facility which makes the floss <NUM> to another facility which packages the floss <NUM> into the individual containers (e.g. the housing <NUM>) to be sold to consumers. Therefore, when the floss <NUM> is being transported, it may be more desirable for the floss <NUM> to be in a smooth configuration (i.e., sheet-like configuration) to minimize the volume of the floss <NUM> that is wrapped around the large spool. As such, there are benefits in imparting texture to the floss <NUM> within the container (e.g. housing <NUM>) or as the floss <NUM> is dispensed from the container instead of being pre-formed at the time of manufacture, because doing so reduces the risk of unwanted abrasion in the floss <NUM>, and also because any pre-formed pattern on the floss <NUM> may be flattened while the floss <NUM> is being transported in the tightly wrapped manner.

<FIG> show three non-limiting examples of various patterns for texture <NUM>. <FIG> shows an angled pattern <NUM> which is formed when the rollers <NUM>, <NUM> have angled patterns on the surfaces that come into contact with the floss <NUM>. <FIG> shows a diamond pattern <NUM> which is formed when the rollers <NUM>, <NUM> have diamond or crisscross patterns on such surfaces. Alternatively, the first roller <NUM> can have the angled-pattern surface to impart the angled pattern <NUM> on one side of the floss <NUM>, and the second roller <NUM> can have the same angled-pattern surface to impart the angled pattern <NUM> on the other side of the floss <NUM>, creating the diamond pattern <NUM>. <FIG> shows a straight pattern <NUM> which is formed similar to the angled pattern <NUM>. In this example, each of the lines in the straight pattern <NUM> is perpendicular to the direction in which the floss <NUM> exits the floss exit opening <NUM>.

Other suitable patterns can be imparted as appropriate such that the formation of such patterns improve the floss's debris-removing ability. In each of the patterns <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the lines can represent protrusions, depressions, or both, in the surface(s) of the dispensed floss <NUM>. In some examples, a combination of the patterns <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be made. For example, the floss <NUM> may have a repeating or alternating pattern of two or more of the textured patterns <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (or others) imparted thereon as the floss <NUM> is being dispensed from the housing <NUM>. Other examples of suitable textures include curvilinear patterns, gravure or dotted patterns, and other irregular patterns formed using random displacement of particles such as crystals and other microscopic or macroscopic particulates.

<FIG> shows the inside of a floss dispenser <NUM> according to another example. The floss <NUM> is dispensed by pulling an inner end <NUM> of the roll <NUM> of floss <NUM> from the supporting core <NUM> of the roll <NUM> and then having the floss <NUM> exit through the floss exit opening <NUM> located in the housing <NUM>. When the floss <NUM> is tightly rolled and is stationary, the floss <NUM> near the supporting core <NUM> of the roll <NUM> forms a twisted or helical configuration when dispensed from the housing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Such a twisted configuration can assist in removing more debris from flossing compared to a flat, smooth floss due to the texture formed by the twisting of the floss <NUM>. In this example, the roll <NUM> of floss <NUM> is fixed to the housing <NUM> to prevent the roll <NUM> from rotating as the floss <NUM> is dispensed. In another example, the floss <NUM> can be dispensed by pulling on the outer end <NUM> of the roll <NUM> and still have the twisted or helical configuration when dispensed if the supporting core <NUM> is stationary as the floss <NUM> is dispensed.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the floss exit opening <NUM> is located at the same position as in <FIG> and <FIG>, i.e., proximate the circumference or outer portion of the roll <NUM> of floss <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, a floss exit opening <NUM> is located proximate the supporting core <NUM> of the roll <NUM> of floss <NUM>, such that the floss <NUM> is dispensed by pulling the end of the floss <NUM> perpendicularly with respect to the position of the roll <NUM> of floss <NUM>, as indicated by the arrow A in <FIG>. In the example shown in <FIG>, a cutting device (not shown) can be placed proximate the floss exit opening <NUM> on the housing <NUM> or on a lid (not shown) coupled to the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a twist-inducing mechanism <NUM> that can be implemented in the housing <NUM> to impart a twisted or helical configuration in the dispensed floss <NUM> if the supporting core or a spool portion <NUM> is allowed to rotate as the floss <NUM> is dispensed. The twist-inducing mechanism <NUM> has a first gear element <NUM> which is mechanically coupled to a second gear element <NUM>. The floss <NUM> is wound around a spool portion <NUM> of the first gear element <NUM>. The first gear element <NUM> rotates clockwise from the perspective of the figure about an axis defined by the line C-C when the user pulls the floss in the direction shown by the arrow B. This rotation of the first gear element <NUM> causes the second gear element <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise from the perspective of the figure as illustrated by the arrow D. In <FIG>, which shows the cross-section of the second gear element <NUM> when cut along the line E-E as illustrated, the second gear element <NUM> includes a slit <NUM>, whose shape matches the cross section of the floss <NUM> and through which the floss <NUM> passes when dispensing.

In one example, the slit <NUM> is rectangular in shape and the elongated shape of the slit <NUM> is dimensioned such that the longer side of the rectangular shape defining the slit <NUM> is the same as or longer than the width of the floss <NUM>, and the shorter side of the slit <NUM> is the same as or longer than the thickness of the floss <NUM> but shorter than the width of the floss <NUM>. For example, the ratio of the shorter side to the longer side may be <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, etc., as appropriate. As such, the floss <NUM> is prevented from further rotating within the slit <NUM>, and the floss <NUM> rotates along with the second gear element <NUM>, causing the twisted configuration in the floss <NUM>. Alternatively, the slit <NUM> may also incorporate other elongated shapes such as oval, diamond, or other suitable shapes that prevents the floss <NUM> from rotating within the slit <NUM> but allows for the floss <NUM> to rotate with the slit <NUM> as the second gear element <NUM> rotates.

The amount of twist that is imparted can be controlled by varying the ratio of the number of teeth in the gear components <NUM> and <NUM>. The first gear component <NUM> has more teeth and a larger diameter than the second gear component <NUM>. In some examples, the twist-inducing mechanism <NUM> is implemented together with the texture-inducing structure <NUM> within the housing <NUM> of the floss dispenser. For example, the texture-inducing structure <NUM> can impart a texture on one or both of the surfaces of the floss <NUM>, after which the twist-inducing mechanism <NUM> twists the textured floss to improve the floss's debris-removing ability.

<FIG> shows the inside of a floss dispenser <NUM> according to another example, that is part of the invention. In this example, the housing <NUM> is partially or entirely filled with crystals <NUM> in appropriate ingestible crystal. Crystals <NUM> in addition to the roll <NUM> of floss <NUM> and a texture-inducing structure <NUM>, e.g. rollers <NUM> and <NUM>. The roll <NUM> of floss <NUM> in this example is allowed to rotate as the floss <NUM> is being dispensed from the floss exit opening <NUM>. As the floss <NUM> passes between the rollers <NUM> and <NUM>, the crystals <NUM> attach themselves to the floss <NUM>, and the rollers <NUM> and <NUM> attach, fix, secure, set, or partially press these crystals <NUM> into the floss <NUM> during the process of imparting texture onto the surfaces of the floss <NUM>. As such, when the floss <NUM> is dispensed, the floss <NUM> not only has texture but also has thereon or therein a plurality of crystals <NUM> which add additional texture to the surface of the floss <NUM> to assist remove debris when using the floss <NUM>. Alternatively, the crystals <NUM> may not attach themselves to the floss <NUM> after dispensing, but may only assist in forming the texture on the surfaces of the floss <NUM> before dispensing, such as by causing abrasion on the surfaces of the floss <NUM> to impart such texture.

In some examples, the ingestible crystal <NUM> can be sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, vitamin C, carbamide peroxide, etc., as appropriate. The crystals <NUM> are attached and pressed into the floss <NUM> to impart a perception of textures on the floss. As the floss is used, some of the crystals <NUM> may fall out, but the floss <NUM> will still feel textured due to the pockets or abrasions left in the surfaces of the floss <NUM>. The remaining crystals <NUM> that do not fall out but remain on the floss <NUM> can be safely ingested by the user. In some examples, the crystals are pressed into the floss <NUM> wherein the pressing force is provided by rollers <NUM> and <NUM> or by drawing the floss <NUM> through a tapered die. Furthermore, the ingestible crystals <NUM> may include flavor-inducing chemicals such that the floss <NUM> is imparted with flavor and texture as the floss <NUM> is dispensed.

<FIG> shows one example of a dental floss dispenser <NUM> with a force adjustment device <NUM> as seen from the outside. The positions of the rollers <NUM> and <NUM> inside the housing <NUM> are the same as depicted in <FIG>, i.e. proximate the floss exit opening <NUM>, and controlled by the force adjustment device <NUM> located outside the housing <NUM>. The force adjustment device <NUM> is coupled to one or both of the rollers <NUM> and <NUM> to adjust an amount of force exerted by one or both of the rollers <NUM> and <NUM> onto one or both surfaces of the floss <NUM>. In one example, the force adjustment device <NUM> is a knob which, when positioned by the user, brings the rollers <NUM> and <NUM> closer together, thereby increasing the force with which the rollers impart patterns onto the surface(s) of the floss <NUM>.

In the above examples, the housing <NUM> can be formed of a plastic material and the cutting device <NUM> can be formed of a metal or other material suitable for cutting the floss <NUM>. Similarly, texture-inducing structures, such as the rollers <NUM> and <NUM> as well as the gear elements <NUM> and <NUM>, can also be made of a plastic material or metal. In some examples, the specific plastic material or metal used in the texture-inducing structures is determined such that the texture-inducing property of the structures is maintained, and the structures are durable enough to properly operate and to impart the appropriate textures until at least the entire roll <NUM> of floss <NUM> is dispensed. For example, a typical package of dental floss may be sold in a roll with between <NUM> yards (approximately <NUM> meters) to <NUM> yards (approximately <NUM> meters). As such, the material used in the texture-inducing structure may be selected to ensure that the structure can withstand at least the length of the floss being dispensed. In one example, the texture-inducing structure and the housing are made of a biodegradable material such as biodegradable polymers (BDP), a decomposable material, or a recyclable material.

Claim 1:
A floss cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>); and
a roll of dental floss (<NUM>) comprising a polymer, the floss having a first surface (<NUM>) and a second surface (<NUM>);
wherein the floss cartridge includes:
a floss exit opening (<NUM>) in the housing through which the floss is configured to exit;
a cutting device on an exterior of the housing configured to cut the dental floss into a desired length, characterized in that the floss cartridge further includes a texture-inducing structure (<NUM>) arranged within the housing and configured to impart texture onto at least one of the first and second surfaces of the dental floss prior to or during the dental floss passing through the floss exit opening, wherein the structure includes at least one roller (<NUM>) configured to emboss the texture onto at least one of the first and second surfaces of the dental floss as the floss passes over the at least one roller.