Patent Description:
The current subject-matter refers to a dental floss dispenser.

<CIT> discloses a dental floss dispenser, comprising:a dispenser housing enclosing an interior portion; anda dispensing portion slidably positioned inside the interior portion of the dispenser housing, the dispensing portion having a stored position and a dispensing position, wherein, in the stored position, the dispensing portion is entirely disposed in the interior portion, and, in the dispensing position, the dispensing portion is partially disposed outside of the interior portion;the dispensing portion including a storage chamber for storing a wound string of dental floss and a floss dispensing cavity for holding at least a portion of the wound string of dental floss extracted from the storage chamber; and a locking mechanism configured to temporarily retain the dispensing portion in stored position or the dispensing position wherein the locking mechanism including a latching component, wherein the latching component, upon locking, is configured to retain the dispensing portion in the stored position. To maintain good oral health, it is recommended that teeth are not only brushed but also flossed using a dental floss. Dental floss typically comes in a string form and is generally dispensed from a bobbin contained within a dispenser housing. A cutting device is used to cut a desired length of dental floss string. A user can then use the cut length of floss string to insert it between the teeth for flossing. Other variations of dental floss appliances include pre-fabricated picks having a short piece of floss spanning across two supports. These picks generally come in packs and are single use items. Once used, the entire pick and used floss are discarded. There is a need to provide a more efficient and effective way of storing and dispensing of dental floss.

The current subject-matter refers to a dental floss dispenser. The dispenser may include a dispenser housing having an interior portion and a dispensing portion slidably disposed inside the interior portion of the dispenser housing. A wound string of dental floss may be disposed within a dental floss housing portion. The dental floss housing portion may be removably coupled to the dispensing portion. The dispenser may further include a locking mechanism configured to temporarily retain the dispensing portion and the dental floss housing portion in the interior portion of the dispenser housing. A portion of the wound string of dental floss may be configured to protrude through one or more openings in the dispensing portion.

In some implementations, the current subject matter relates to a method for loading the dental floss dispenser. To load the dispenser, a user may push on a top of the dispensing portion and remove an interlocked assembly of the dispensing portion and the dental floss housing from the interior portion of the dispenser housing. In some implementations, a spring (along with optional damper ring) may be retained inside the dispenser housing. Alternatively, the spring (and/or the damper ring) may be removed. The user may then disengage the floss housing from the dispensing portion. If previous dental floss (or any remains of the wound dental floss) is present in the dental floss housing, the user may remove it (e.g., the dental floss may be retracted from the openings in the dispensing portion by pulling on it). If no dental floss is present, a new wound length of dental floss may be positioned inside the dental floss housing. Then, a laminated end of the new wound length of dental floss may be protruded through openings in the dispensing portion, thereby extending it from the top of the dispensing portion. The dental floss housing may then be interlocked with the dispensing portion creating the interlocked assembly. The interlocked assembly may then be inserted into the interior portion of the dispenser housing (if spring and/or damper ring were previously removed from the interior portion, the damper ring is positioned first on the base and following by the spring). The user may then push the interlocked assembly further into the interior portion of the dispenser housing until a first latch portion and a second latch portion of the locking mechanism engage.

To use the dispenser, the user may push on its top portion, thereby causing disengagement of the first and second latch portions and ejecting/partially removing the dispensing assembly from the interior portion. A desired length of string of dental floss may be pulled a concave cavity of the dispensing portion and protruded through one or more openings in the dispensing portion to allow cutting the dental floss using one or more cutting blades. Once flossing is complete, the user may push on the top portion to secure the dispensing portion in the interior portion.

In some implementations, the current subject matter relates to a dental floss dispenser. The dental floss dispenser may include a dispenser housing enclosing an interior portion and a dispensing portion slidably positioned inside the interior portion of the dispenser housing. The dispensing portion may have a stored position and a dispensing position. In the stored position, the dispensing portion may be entirely disposed in the interior portion. In the dispensing position, the dispensing portion may be partially disposed outside of the interior portion. The dispensing portion may further include a storage chamber for storing a wound string of dental floss and a floss dispensing cavity for holding at least a portion of the wound string of dental floss extracted from the storage chamber.

In some implementations, the current subject matter may include one or more of the following optional features. The dental floss dispenser may further include a locking mechanism configured to temporarily retain the dispensing portion in stored position or the dispensing position. The locking mechanism may include a spring component and a latching component. The spring component, upon unlocking of the latching component, may be configured to position the dispensing portion in the dispensing position. The latching component, upon locking, may be configured to retain the dispensing portion in the stored position.

In some implementations, the dispensing portion may be configured to be entirely removable from the interior portion of the dispenser housing. The wound string of dental floss may be configured to be removable from the storage chamber upon entire removal of the dispensing portion from the interior portion of the dispenser housing. The wound string of dental floss may be configured to be wound in a coreless manner. In some implementations, a support structure may be configured to wrap the wound string of dental floss. The support structure may be configured to adhesively wrap the wound string of dental floss. The wound string of dental floss may be further configured to unwind from an interior of the wound string of dental floss. The wound string of dental floss may be configured to have one or more exterior dimensions smaller than one or more interior dimensions of the storage chamber. The wound string of dental floss may include a laminated end. The wound string of dental floss may be configured to be wound in at least one of the following shapes: a cylinder, a tube, a roll, a torus, a sphere, a cone, a prism, an ellipsoid, a helix, and any combination thereof.

In some implementations, the dispensing portion may include a concave open cavity having a top and a bottom, a first opening disposed in the bottom and configured for protruding the portion of the wound string of dental floss from the storage chamber, and a second opening disposed in the top and configured for holding the protruded portion of the wound string of dental floss. The second opening of the concave open cavity may include a cutting mechanism for cutting the dental floss.

In some implementations, the dispenser housing may include a stopping mechanism disposed in the interior portion proximate to a top of the dispenser housing. The dispensing portion may include one or more protrusions disposed on an exterior surface of the dispensing portion. The stopping mechanism may be configured to interact with one or more protrusions to temporarily prevent removal of the dispensing portion from the interior portion of the dispenser housing.

In some implementations, the storage chamber may be configured to be interlocked with the floss dispensing cavity for holding the wound string of dental floss.

In some implementations, the current subject matter relates to a method of loading the dental floss dispenser described above. The method may include providing the dental floss dispenser, as described above, removing the dispensing portion from the interior portion of the dispenser housing, inserting the wound string of dental floss into the storage chamber, extracting at least a portion of the wound string of dental floss from the storage chamber and positioning the extracted portion of the wound string of dental floss across the floss dispensing cavity, and placing the dispensing portion into the interior portion of the dispenser housing.

In some implementations, the current subject matter relates to a method of using the dental floss dispenser described above. The method may include providing the dental floss dispenser, as described above, partially removing the dispensing portion from the interior portion of the dispenser housing, extracting at least a portion of dental floss from the storage chamber and securing the extracted portion to the floss dispensing cavity, using the dental floss dispenser for flossing, and placing the dispensing portion into the interior portion of the dispenser housing.

In some implementations, the current subject matter relates to a dental floss dispensing mechanism and methods of use. <FIG> illustrate perspective top and bottom views, respectively, of the dental floss dispenser <NUM>. The dental floss dispenser <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> having a hollow interior portion <NUM>, a top portion <NUM>, and a bottom portion <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate top and bottom views, respectively, of the top and bottom portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The interior portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> may be sized to hold a dispensing portion <NUM> that may be configured to be ejected and/or removed from the interior portion <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may be configured to have a cylindrical shape. As can be understood, the housing <NUM> may have any other shape, e.g., cube, parallelogram, and/or any other desired shape. The bottom portion <NUM> may be configured to have a circular shape and may be coupled to the housing <NUM> by any desired means (e.g., glued, welded, detachably attached, forming a unitary structure with the housing <NUM>, etc.).

In a stored position, the dispensing portion <NUM> may be disposed entirely within the housing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In this position, the top of the dispensing portion <NUM> may be flush with the top portion <NUM>. In an ejected/partially removed position, the dispensing portion <NUM> may be removed from the interior portion <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In some implementations, the dispensing portion <NUM> may also be entirely removed from the interior portion <NUM>.

As stated above, the dispensing portion <NUM> may be configured to be ejected/removed/partially removed from the top portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The dispensing portion <NUM> may be ejected/removed/partially removed using a spring and/or a latch mechanisms disposed in the interior portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>). The dispensing portion <NUM> may be ejected/removed/partially removed from the top portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> by application of a downward force on and subsequent release of the top of the dispensing portion <NUM>, thereby allowing the dispensing portion <NUM> to "pop out" from the interior portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). The dispensing portion <NUM> may be returned to the interior portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> by application of the downward force on the top of the dispensing portion <NUM> and pushing the dispensing portion <NUM> into the interior portion <NUM> until the dispensing portion <NUM> is locked inside the interior portion <NUM> using a locking mechanism (not shown in <FIG>).

The dispensing portion <NUM> may also include a cutting mechanism <NUM> that may be used to cut a desired length of a string of dental floss protruding from an interior of the dispensing portion <NUM>. The cutting mechanism <NUM> may include one or more cutting blades that may be used by a user of the dental floss dispensing mechanism <NUM> to cut the string of dental floss. The cutting blades may be disposed inside an opening <NUM> disposed in the top of the dispensing portion <NUM>.

In some implementations, the dispensing portion <NUM> may be configured to have a size (e.g., a diameter) that is smaller than an interior diameter of the interior portion <NUM>. This may allow ejection/removal/partial removal of the dispensing portion <NUM> from the interior portion <NUM>. In some exemplary implementations, a difference in the diameter of the dispensing portion <NUM> and the interior diameter of the interior portion <NUM> may create a small cylindrical space that may allow ease of ejection/removal/partial removal of the dispensing portion <NUM> from the interior portion <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate the dental floss dispenser <NUM> with the dispensing portion <NUM> being ejected or partially removed from the interior portion <NUM> (perspective, front, and side views are shown in <FIG>, respectively). The dispensing portion <NUM> may include a dental floss holding section <NUM> disposed below a top portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the dental floss section <NUM> may include a concave section <NUM> having a top portion <NUM> and a bottom portion <NUM>. The concave section <NUM> may be configured to accommodate placement of user's fingers to pull on a string of floss from an interior of the dispensing portion <NUM>. The top portion <NUM> may be configured to include an entry port <NUM> for the cutting mechanism <NUM>. The bottom portion <NUM> may be configured to include an opening <NUM>. A string of dental floss <NUM> may be configured to protrude from an interior of the dispensing portion <NUM> through the opening <NUM> and into the entry port <NUM>. In some implementations, one or more floss holding mechanisms may be disposed inside the opening <NUM> and/or entry port <NUM> to ensure that the floss is held in position before and/or after cutting. The holding mechanisms (e.g., spring-loaded clips, etc.) may allow the user to pull on a string of dental floss protruding from the top portion <NUM> of the dispensing portion <NUM> and once a sufficient length of dental floss is pulled out, the mechanisms may retain the dental floss between the top and bottom portions <NUM>, <NUM> in a tensioned state.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded view of the dental floss dispenser <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in addition to the dispensing portion <NUM>, one or more of the following components may be disposed in the interior portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>: a floss housing <NUM> coupled to a first or a male latch portion <NUM>, an ejection spring <NUM>, an optional damper ring <NUM>, a latch housing <NUM> having a bottom portion <NUM> and a second or female latch portion <NUM>. The floss housing <NUM> may be configured to be removably coupled to the dispensing portion <NUM> and may be further configured to hold a wound length of dental floss <NUM> (e.g., as a bobbin, a roll, a coil, etc. (as shown in <FIG>). The wound length of dental floss <NUM> may be interchangeably positioned inside the floss housing <NUM>. For example, a new wound length of dental floss <NUM> may be positioned inside the floss housing <NUM> upon the user of the dental floss dispenser <NUM> running out of the previous wound length of dental floss or simply desiring a different dental floss (e.g., thicker, thinner, different flavor, etc.).

The floss housing <NUM> may include the first latch portion <NUM> that may be configured to interact with the second latch portion <NUM> to temporarily hold an interlocked assembly of the dispensing portion <NUM> and the floss housing <NUM>. The holding of interlocked assembly of the dispensing portion <NUM> and the floss housing <NUM> may occur when the user of the dispenser <NUM> applies a downward force on the top of the dispensing portion <NUM> to push the dispensing portion <NUM> into the interior portion <NUM>, whereby the first latch portion <NUM> may come in contact with and subsequently engage the second latch portion <NUM> to temporarily hold or lock the interlocked assembly inside the interior portion <NUM>. To unlock the temporary hold of the interlocked assembly, the user may again apply a downward force to the top of the dispensing portion, thereby causing a disengagement of the first latch portion <NUM> from the second latch portion <NUM>. Once disengaged, the string <NUM> may apply force to the bottom of the floss housing <NUM> and push the dispensing portion <NUM> away from the interior portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The second latch portion <NUM> may be positioned inside a latch housing <NUM> disposed on a latch base <NUM>. The latch base <NUM> may be configured to be coupled to interior walls of the housing <NUM> (e.g., glued, welded, ultrasonically welded, etc.). In some implementations, the latch base <NUM> may be further configured to be coupled to the bottom portion <NUM> (e.g., using a glue, welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.). The latch base <NUM> may have substantially identical size (e.g., diameter) to the bottom portion <NUM>, whereby the bottom portion <NUM> may have a diameter that is substantially equal to interior diameter of interior portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The latch housing <NUM> may be configured to be coupled to the latch base <NUM> (e.g., using a glue, welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.). In some implementations, the latch housing <NUM> may include a hollow interior portion configured to accommodate positioning of the second latch portion <NUM> (which is shown in further detail in <FIG>). The second latch portion <NUM> may be permanently secured inside the hollow interior portion of the latch housing <NUM>.

The spring <NUM> may be configured to have a larger diameter than the exterior diameter of the latch housing <NUM> to allow positioning of the spring <NUM> over the latch housing <NUM>. Further, the diameter of the spring <NUM> may be smaller and/or substantially equal to the exterior diameter of the floss housing <NUM> (which, in turn, may be substantially similar to the diameter of the dispensing portion <NUM>). In some exemplary implementations, the optional damper ring <NUM>, having an interior diameter greater than the exterior diameter of the housing <NUM> may be positioned over housing <NUM> to provide dampening for the spring <NUM>. The damper ring <NUM> may be sufficiently large enough to fit inside the housing <NUM> and accommodate positioning of the spring <NUM> on top of it.

In some implementations, the floss housing <NUM> may be configured to include one or more protrusions <NUM> disposed proximate to the first latch portion <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The protrusions <NUM> may be configured to interact with an interior lip <NUM>, disposed proximate to the top of the housing <NUM>, to prevent accidental removal of the interlocked assembly of the dispensing portion <NUM> and the floss housing <NUM>. Alternatively, the protrusions <NUM> may interact with one or more corresponding guides and/or stoppers disposed inside the interior portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to guide the dispensing portion <NUM> in and out of the interior portion <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded view of the dispending portion <NUM> of the dental floss dispenser <NUM>. As stated above, the dispending portion <NUM> may include the cutting mechanism <NUM>. The cutting mechanism <NUM> may include a cutter <NUM> having cutting blades <NUM> (a, b). The cutter <NUM> may be positioned inside a housing of the dispensing portion <NUM>. It may be glued, welded, ultrasonically welded, etc. to any portion of the housing of the dispensing portion <NUM>. The blades 504a and 504b may be positioned to ensure that the floss may be protruded through the openings <NUM> and <NUM> and between the blades 504a, 504b. The blades <NUM> may be sufficiently sharp to allow cutting of dental floss having any desired thickness. In some implementations, the blades <NUM> may be positioned at a different angle with respect to one another and/or a plane of the cutter <NUM>. To cut a desired length of a string a dental floss, the user may pull the desired length of floss from the opening <NUM> and then, tilt it to allow cutting on one of the blades <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an assembled view (shown on the left side of the figure) and an exploded view (shown on the right side of the figure) of an assembly <NUM> of the dispensing portion <NUM> and the floss housing <NUM>. For interlocking of the dispensing portion <NUM> and the floss housing <NUM>, the floss housing <NUM> may include one or more curved protrusions <NUM> that may be disposed proximate to the top of the floss housing <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> may have a curvature that may be substantially similar to the interior curvature of the bottom portion <NUM> of the dispensing portion <NUM>. The radius of the curvature of the protrusions <NUM> may be smaller than the interior radius of the bottom portion <NUM> to allowing snap-fitting of the protrusions <NUM> inside the bottom portion <NUM> to create the interlocked assembly <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

A wound string of dental floss <NUM> (e.g., a bobbin, a coil, etc.) may have a diameter that may be smaller than the interior diameter of the floss housing <NUM> to allow positioning of the wound string of dental floss <NUM> inside the floss housing <NUM>. A free end of the dental floss <NUM> may be configured to protrude from a top <NUM> of the wound string of dental floss <NUM> for insertion through the opening <NUM> in the dispensing portion <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the wound string of dental floss <NUM>. As stated above, the string of floss <NUM> may be configured to protrude from the top portion <NUM>. In some implementations, the string of floss <NUM> may include a laminated end <NUM> to allow for ease of insertion through the openings <NUM>, <NUM> prior to first use (not shown in <FIG>). The laminated end <NUM> may have a harder consistency than the remainder of the dental floss and may be discarded once the dental floss dispenser <NUM> is ready for its use.

<FIG> illustrates the second or female latch portion <NUM>. The second latch portion <NUM> may be any known push latch that may be configured to accommodate insertion of the first latch portion <NUM>. It may have a base portion <NUM> that may be configured to be secured within the latch housing <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>), one or more prongs <NUM> (a, b), and a push lock <NUM>. Once the first latch portion <NUM> engages the prongs <NUM> (e.g., by having the prongs <NUM> rotate in a scissor-like fashion around the first latch portion <NUM>), the push lock <NUM> may be configured to engage the base portion <NUM>, thereby preventing unlocking of the prongs <NUM> from the first latch portion <NUM>. Upon application of sufficient pressure, the push lock <NUM> may be configured to disengage from the base portion, thereby releasing or unlocking of the prongs <NUM> from the first latch portion <NUM>. The applied pressure may be a combination of the user pressure on the top of the dispensing portion <NUM> and the spring <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>).

In some implementations, to load the dispenser <NUM>, the user may push on the top of the dispensing portion <NUM> and then remove the interlocked assembly <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) from the interior portion of the housing <NUM>. In some implementations, the spring <NUM> (along with optional ring <NUM> (shown in <FIG>)) may be retained inside the housing <NUM>. Alternatively, the spring <NUM> (and/or the ring <NUM>) may be removed. The user may then disengage the floss housing <NUM> from the dispensing portion <NUM>. If previous dental floss (or what remains of the wound dental floss <NUM>) is present in the housing <NUM>, the user may remove it (e.g., the dental floss may be retracted from the openings <NUM>, <NUM> by pulling on it). If no dental floss is present, a wound length of dental floss <NUM> may be positioned inside the housing <NUM>. Then, the laminated end <NUM> may be protruded through opening <NUM> and then opening <NUM>, thereby extending it from the top of the dispensing portion <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may then be interlocked with the dispensing portion <NUM> creating the interlocked assembly <NUM>. The interlocked assembly <NUM> may then be inserted into the interior portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> (if spring <NUM> and/or ring <NUM> were previously removed from the interior portion <NUM>, the ring <NUM> is positioned first on the base <NUM> and following by the spring <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>)). The user may then push the interlocked assembly <NUM> further into the interior portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> until first latch portion <NUM> and the second latch portion <NUM> engage.

To use the dispenser <NUM>, the user may push on the top portion <NUM>, thereby causing disengagement of the first and second latch portions <NUM>, <NUM> and ejecting/partially removing the dispensing assembly <NUM> from the interior portion <NUM>. A desired length of string of dental floss <NUM> may be pulled the concave cavity <NUM> and protruded through the opening <NUM> of the cutting mechanism <NUM> to allow cutting the dental floss using cutting blades <NUM>. Once flossing is complete, the user may push on the top portion <NUM> to secure the dispensing assembly <NUM> in the interior portion <NUM>. As can be understood, any means of securing the dispensing portion may be used (e.g., hook(s), latch(es), ball-and-chain mechanism(s), etc.). The current subject matter is not limited to the use of the latching mechanism shown in <FIG>. Moreover, the current subject matter is not limited to the ways of loading dental floss into the dispenser.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary dispenser <NUM>, not covered by the invention. The dispenser <NUM> may be similar to the dispenser shown in <FIG>. In particular, it includes a housing <NUM> and dispensing portion <NUM> that may be configured to be ejected/partially removed/entirely removed from an interior portion of the housing <NUM>. To remove the dispensing portion <NUM>, the housing <NUM> may include a rotating portion <NUM> that may be configured to rotate in a direction A around vertical axis (i.e., axis parallel to the long side of the housing <NUM>). A rod <NUM> may be configured to be disposed inside the housing <NUM> and may be configured to be coupled (permanently, temporarily, etc.) to the dispensing portion <NUM> and the rotating portion <NUM>. The rod <NUM> may be configured to have one or more threads disposed thereon along extension of the rod <NUM> that may allow it to be threaded in and out of the rotating portion <NUM>. Rotation of the portion <NUM> (e.g., in a clockwise direction A) may be configured to rotate or extend the rod <NUM> and to push dispensing portion <NUM> out from the interior portion of the housing <NUM> (state <NUM>). Rotation of the portion <NUM> in an opposite direction (e.g., counter-clockwise direction) may be configured to thread the rod <NUM> in the corresponding direction and to pull the dispensing portion <NUM> into the interior portion of the housing <NUM> (state <NUM>). As can be understood, any methods of pushing out or pulling in the dispensing portion <NUM> using the rotating portion <NUM> are possible (e.g., using a screw, a piston, a push button, a spring, a tension-based mechanism, an elastic band, a telescoping rotation device, etc.).

<FIG> illustrates another exemplary dispenser <NUM>, not covered by the invention. The dispenser <NUM> may be similar to the dispensers shown in <FIG>. In particular, it includes a housing <NUM> and dispensing portion <NUM> that may be configured to be ejected/partially removed/entirely removed from an interior portion of the housing <NUM>. To remove the dispensing portion <NUM>, the housing <NUM> may include a rotating portion <NUM> that may be configured to rotate in a direction A around vertical axis (i.e., axis parallel to the long side of the housing <NUM>). The portion <NUM> may be configured to be disposed substantially at an end of the dispenser <NUM> that distal to the end of the dispensing portion <NUM>. Similar to <FIG>, rotation of the portion <NUM> (e.g., in a clockwise direction A) may be configured to push dispensing portion <NUM> out from the interior portion of the housing <NUM> (state <NUM>). Rotation of the portion <NUM> in an opposite direction (e.g., counter-clockwise direction) may be configured to pull the dispensing portion <NUM> into the interior portion of the housing <NUM> (state <NUM>). As can be understood, any methods of pushing out or pulling in the dispensing portion <NUM> using the rotating portion <NUM> are possible (e.g., using a screw, a piston, a push button, a spring, a tension-based mechanism, an elastic band, etc.). In some implementations, the user may be configured to use a user's finger to push on the portion <NUM>, thereby causing the dispensing portion <NUM> to be ejected/partially removed/entirely removed from the interior portion of the housing <NUM>. To secure the dispensing portion <NUM> inside the housing <NUM>, the user may apply force to the top of the dispensing portion <NUM>, until it is entirely located within the housing <NUM>. Any means of securing the dispensing portion <NUM> may be used (e.g., hook(s), latch(es), ball-and-chain mechanism(s), etc.).

<FIG> illustrates yet another exemplary dispenser <NUM>, not covered by the invention. The dispenser <NUM> may be similar to the dispensers shown in <FIG>. In particular, it includes a housing <NUM> and dispensing portion <NUM>. The housing may also include a cap <NUM>. The cap <NUM> may be configured to be entirely removable (e.g., state <NUM>), partially removable (e.g., the cap <NUM> may be coupled to the housing <NUM> using a hinge, a spring-loaded hinge, a latch, etc.), etc. The cap <NUM> may be screw cap, twist on/off cap, snap on/off cap, push/pull cap, friction-fit cap, and/or any other type of cap. The cap <NUM> may be configured to conceal the dispensing portion <NUM> (e.g., state <NUM>) when the dispensing portion is not in use. Alternatively, the cap <NUM> may be configured to cover the top of the housing <NUM>, while the dispensing portion <NUM> is contained inside the interior portion of the housing <NUM> (e.g., as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>). To use the dispenser <NUM>, the user may remove the cap <NUM> (e.g., state <NUM>), e.g., by twisting the cap off, by unscrewing it, by pulling on it, etc., and then use the dispensing portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the dispensing portion <NUM> may also be ejected or partially removed from the interior portion of the housing <NUM>. Any means of securing and/or removing the cap <NUM> to/from the housing <NUM> may be used.

<FIG> illustrates yet another exemplary dispenser <NUM>, not covered by the invention. The dispenser <NUM> may be similar to the dispenser <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The dispenser <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> and dispensing portion <NUM>. The housing may also include a flip cover and/or a hinged cover <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may be configured to be hingedly coupled to the housing <NUM> and may be configured to be opened (state <NUM>) and closed (state <NUM>) using, for example, a hinge <NUM> Once the cover <NUM> is opened (state <NUM>), i.e., rotated about the hinge <NUM>, the dispensing portion <NUM> may be exposed (alternatively, the user may need to eject or partially remove the dispensing portion <NUM>, as discussed above) and the user may use the dispenser <NUM> for flossing as discussed above. Any means of securing and/or removing the cover <NUM> to/from the housing <NUM> may be used.

<FIG> illustrates yet another exemplary dispenser <NUM>, not covered by the invention. The dispenser <NUM> may be similar to the dispenser shown in <FIG>. In particular, it includes a housing <NUM> and dispensing portion <NUM>. The housing may also include a sliding cover <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may be configured to be slide along an outer surface of the housing <NUM> for the purposes of concealing the dispensing portion <NUM> (e.g., state <NUM>) and exposing the dispensing portion <NUM> (e.g., state <NUM>). The cover <NUM> may slide on rails, roller balls, gears, etc. Alternatively, the sliding cover <NUM> may be threaded on/off for the purposes of concealing/exposing the dispensing portion <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may be configured to cover the top of the housing <NUM> (similar to <FIG>), while the dispensing portion <NUM> is contained inside the interior portion of the housing <NUM> (e.g., as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>). To use the dispenser <NUM>, the user may slide the cover <NUM> down (e.g., state <NUM>) and then use the dispensing portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the dispensing portion <NUM> may also be ejected or partially removed from the interior portion of the housing <NUM>. Any means of securing and/or removing the cover <NUM> to/from the housing <NUM> may be used.

<FIG> illustrates yet another exemplary dispenser <NUM>, not covered by the invention. The dispenser <NUM> may be similar to the dispensers shown in <FIG>. The dispenser <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> and dispensing portion <NUM>, as discussed above. The housing <NUM> may also include a button <NUM>. The button may be used to eject or partially remove (state <NUM>) and/or conceal (state <NUM>) the dispensing portion <NUM> from and/or into the interior portion of the housing <NUM>. Once the button <NUM> is pressed, the dispensing portion <NUM> may slide inside the housing <NUM>; upon pressing the button <NUM> the next time, the dispensing portion <NUM> may slide out of the housing <NUM>. The button <NUM> may be coupled to a mechanical, electrical, electronic, electro-mechanical and/or any combination thereof, mechanism that may trigger movement of the dispensing portion <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary process for loading a dispenser <NUM> (similar to dispensers shown in <FIG>) with a dental floss <NUM>, according to some implementations of the current subject matter. As shown in <FIG>, the dental floss <NUM> may be loaded into the housing <NUM> from the bottom of the housing <NUM>. In particular, to load the dental floss <NUM>, a bottom portion <NUM> may be opened (state <NUM>) and the dental floss <NUM> may be inserted in an upward direction (i.e., direction A). Once the dental floss <NUM> has been loaded into the housing <NUM>, the bottom portion <NUM> may be closed (state <NUM>). As can be understood, the bottom portion <NUM> may be hingedly coupled to the housing <NUM>, may be entirely removable from the housing <NUM>, may be snapped on/off the housing <NUM>, may be clipped on/off the housing <NUM>, and/or otherwise coupled to the housing in any desired way.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary process for loading a dispenser <NUM> (similar to dispensers shown in <FIG>) with a dental floss <NUM>, not covered by the invention. The housing <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> may include an access structure <NUM>. The structure <NUM> may be a single or a double side door, a vertical clam-shell structure, a horizontal clam-shell structure, and/or any other structure that may allow positioning of the dental floss <NUM> inside the interior portion <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>. As, for example, is shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> may include a vertical clam-shell structure <NUM> that may be configured to allow opening (e.g., rotation in directions B and C) on of the housing <NUM> to expose the interior portion of the housing <NUM>. Once the interior is exposed, the dental floss <NUM> may be placed inside the housing <NUM> (e.g., as shown by direction A) and the clam-shell structure <NUM> may be closed (state <NUM>), thereby concealing the interior portion of the housing <NUM>. As can be understood, the access structure <NUM> may include at least one of the following: one or more hinges, one or more locks, one more hooks, one or more snaps, and/or any other mechanisms.

In some implementations, the housing of the dispenser (e.g., dispenser shown in <FIG>) may include storage space that may allow storage of various items, such as, but not limited to, toothpaste, toothpicks, floss picks, medication, toothbrush head(s), money, food, etc. The space may accessed using any of the means discussed above. In some exemplary implementations, the dispensing portion <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>) may be substituted for and/or replaced with a toothbrush and/or any other device. For example, the dispensing portion <NUM>, <NUM> may be removed (e.g., by detaching, unscrewing, unclipping, unsnapping, etc.) and a toothbrush (and/or a toothbrush head, a toothbrush head with a handle, etc.) may be positioned instead of the dispensing portion, such as by attaching, screwing, clipping, snapping, etc. The toothbrush may be moved in and out of the housing of the dispenser in a similar fashion as the dispensing portion <NUM>, <NUM>. In some exemplary implementations, the toothbrush can be permanently positioned within the housing of the dispenser. In some exemplary implementations, the dispensing portion <NUM>, <NUM> may be substituted (either temporarily and/or permanently) with any other tools (dental or otherwise, e.g., floss picks (small or large), toothpicks, scissors, hair combs/brushes, filers, nail clippers, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.).

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary dental floss supporting/stabilization structure <NUM>, not covered by the invention. In some exemplary implementations, the structure <NUM> may be used for securing/stabilizing the wound string of dental floss <NUM> (e.g., a bobbin, a roll, etc.), as shown in <FIG>. The structure <NUM> may be configured to wrap the wound string of dental floss <NUM>, thereby improving dispensing of the dental floss from the dental floss dispenser shown in <FIG>, preventing tangling of dental floss string, etc..

As shown in <FIG>, to secure the wound string of dental floss <NUM>, a cover <NUM> (e.g., a rubber disk, a pill, etc.) and the support structure <NUM> may be used. The cover <NUM> may include a slit <NUM> that may be used for threading a string <NUM> of the dental floss. The cover <NUM> may be placed on top of the bobbin <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). The bobbin may be configured to be coreless, e.g., there is no core (e.g., paper, plastic, etc.) structure in the center of the bobbin, whereby the dental floss may unwind from the center of the bobbin rather than from the outside. As can be understood, the floss may be configured to unwind from any location on the bobbin. In some exemplary, non-limiting implementations, the wound string of dental floss (or a refill of dental floss) may be configured as a cylindrical bobbin <NUM>. As can be understood, the bobbin <NUM> may have various shapes, sizes, lengths of floss wrapped in, thickness of floss, etc..

The support structure <NUM> may be configured as a wrap that may include an adhesive backing disposed on one side of the structure <NUM>. The adhesive may be safe for use with the dental floss, and thus, safe for use for the user. The support structure may be wrapped around the bobbin <NUM>. The support structure may include tabs <NUM> and <NUM>. The tabs <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to protrude away from an edge of the structure <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The tabs <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured as two-prong structures having spaces <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. The spaces <NUM>, <NUM> may be used for positioning around the cover <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The prong structures <NUM>, <NUM> may be shaped differently, as for example is shown in <FIG>, and may be configured to include an adhesive backing.

As shown in <FIG>, the structure <NUM> may be adhesively coupled to the bobbin <NUM>, with the prongs <NUM> and <NUM> being aligned in the same direction as a string of floss. The floss may be threaded through the slit <NUM> of the cover <NUM>. Once the structure <NUM> is coupled to the bobbin <NUM>, the bobbin <NUM> may be rotated in a direction A (as shown in <FIG>) to wrap the structure <NUM> around the bobbin <NUM>. Alternatively, or in addition to, the structure <NUM> may be wrapped around the bobbin <NUM> without rotating the bobbin <NUM>. Upon wrapping the structure <NUM> around the bobbin <NUM>, the tab <NUM> may be lowered on top of the cover <NUM> (the tab <NUM> may include an adhesive backing and thus, be adhesively coupled to the cover <NUM>). The second tab <NUM> may be placed on top of the first tab <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In some exemplary implementations, the tab <NUM> may be without any adhesive backing, which may assist the user of the dental floss dispenser in easily removing the spent dental floss refill by simply pulling on the tab <NUM>.

After the bobbin is wound, the dispensing end <NUM> of the dental floss <NUM> may be threaded through the slit <NUM> in the cover <NUM>. The cover <NUM> along with the slit <NUM> may provide a friction drag onto the dental floss <NUM> as it is dispensed to prevent the dental floss <NUM> from dispensing unintentionally and may further provide tension on the dental floss <NUM> which may assist during the floss cutting process. After threading through the slit <NUM>, the bobbin <NUM> and cover <NUM> may be wrapped together by rolling the adhesive structure <NUM> around the bobbin and the cover. This may ensure that the surface of the bobbin <NUM> is adhered to the structure <NUM>. The adhesive structure <NUM>'s tabs <NUM>, <NUM> may be shaped and positioned to allow for the cover <NUM> to be securely fastened to the bobbin <NUM> while allowing the dental floss <NUM> to pass freely through the slit <NUM>. After the bobbin <NUM> is assembled with the cover and the structure <NUM>, the dispensing end of the dental floss may be rigidized (e.g., using a wax coating <NUM>) to allow the user to easily thread that end into the dispenser device. Further, in some implementations, the structure <NUM> may provide a rigid structure for the outer windings of floss in the floss bobbin <NUM>, where such windings may be configured to adhere to the structure <NUM>. Absent the structure <NUM>, the bobbin <NUM> may collapse inwards and/or may cause tangling and/or knotting of the dental floss. Moreover, the structure <NUM> may allow the full length of the bobbin <NUM> to be dispensed without knotting and/or tangling.

To remove an expended refill from the dispenser device, the user may remove the cap portion of the dispenser device, grasp the loose tabs <NUM> and/or <NUM> from the refill, and pull the empty adhesive wrap out of the dispenser device to thereby remove the adhered cover simultaneously. To refill the device after removing an expended refill, the user may place the new bobbin <NUM> into the dispenser device with the dispensing end of the floss pointed upwards. The user may then thread the rigidized portion of dental floss through the cap of the dispenser device, replace the cap to the dispenser device, and press down firmly until the cap "clicks" into place.

As can be understood the shapes and/or sizes of any components of the dispenser are not limited to those shown in <FIG>. The dispenser and/or any of its components may have cylindrical shape(s), cubical shape(s), circular shape(s), square shape(s), rectangular shape(s), irregular shape(s), and/or any other shapes.

The dental floss dispenser may include a dispenser housing <NUM> enclosing an interior portion and a dispensing portion <NUM> slidably positioned inside the interior portion of the dispenser housing. The dispensing portion <NUM> may have a stored position (e.g., as shown in <FIG>) and a dispensing position (e.g., as shown in <FIG>). In the stored position, the dispensing portion may be entirely disposed in the interior portion. In the dispensing position, the dispensing portion may be partially disposed outside of the interior portion. The dispensing portion may further include a storage chamber (e.g., floss housing <NUM>) for storing a wound string of dental floss (e.g., dental floss <NUM>) and a floss dispensing cavity (e.g., floss holding section <NUM>) for holding at least a portion of the wound string of dental floss extracted from the storage chamber.

The dental floss dispenser may further include a locking mechanism (e.g., as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) configured to temporarily retain the dispensing portion in the stored position or the dispensing position. The locking mechanism may include a spring component (e.g., spring <NUM>) and a latching component (e.g., latch portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). The spring component, upon unlocking of the latching component, may be configured to position the dispensing portion in the dispensing position. The latching component, upon locking, may be configured to retain the dispensing portion in the stored position.

The dispensing portion may be configured to be entirely removable from the interior portion of the dispenser housing (e.g., as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>). The wound string of dental floss may be configured to be removable from the storage chamber upon entire removal of the dispensing portion from the interior portion of the dispenser housing. The wound string of dental floss may be configured to be wound in a coreless manner (e.g., without a core structure). A support structure (e.g., wrap <NUM> shown in <FIG>) may be configured to wrap the wound string of dental floss. The support structure may be configured to adhesively wrap the wound string of dental floss. The wound string of dental floss may be further configured to unwind from an interior of the wound string of dental floss. The wound string of dental floss may be configured to have one or more exterior dimensions smaller than one or more interior dimensions of the storage chamber. The wound string of dental floss may include a laminated end (e.g., end <NUM>). The wound string of dental floss may be configured to be wound in at least one of the following shapes: a cylinder, a tube, a roll, a torus, a sphere, a cone, a prism, an ellipsoid, a helix, and any combination thereof.

The dispensing portion may include a concave open cavity (e.g., cavity <NUM>) having a top <NUM> and a bottom <NUM>, a first opening <NUM> disposed in the bottom and configured for protruding the portion of the wound string of dental floss from the storage chamber, and a second opening <NUM> disposed in the top and configured for holding the protruded portion of the wound string of dental floss. The second opening of the concave open cavity may include a cutting mechanism (e.g., cutting mechanism <NUM>) for cutting the dental floss.

The dispenser housing may include a stopping mechanism (e.g., lip <NUM>) disposed in the interior portion proximate to a top of the dispenser housing. The dispensing portion may include one or more protrusions (e.g., protrusions <NUM>) disposed on an exterior surface of the dispensing portion. The stopping mechanism may be configured to interact with one or more protrusions to temporarily prevent removal of the dispensing portion from the interior portion of the dispenser housing.

The storage chamber may be configured to be interlocked with the floss dispensing cavity for holding the wound string of dental floss (e.g., as shown in <FIG>).

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary method <NUM> for loading the dental floss dispenser with a dental floss. At <NUM>, the dental floss dispenser, as described above, may be provided. At <NUM>, the dispensing portion may be removed from the interior portion of the dispenser housing. At <NUM>, the wound string of dental floss may be inserted into the storage chamber. At <NUM>, at least a portion of the wound string of dental floss may be extracted from the storage chamber and the extracted portion of the wound string of dental floss may be positioned across the floss dispensing cavity (e.g., as shown in <FIG>). At <NUM>, the dispensing portion may be placed into the interior portion of the dispenser housing.

Claim 1:
A dental floss dispenser (<NUM>), comprising:
a dispenser housing (<NUM>) enclosing an interior portion (<NUM>); and
a dispensing portion (<NUM>) slidably positioned inside the interior portion (<NUM>) of the dispenser housing (<NUM>),
the dispensing portion having a stored position and a dispensing position, wherein, in the stored position, the dispensing portion is entirely disposed in the interior portion, and, in the dispensing position, the dispensing portion is partially disposed outside of the interior portion;
the dispensing portion (<NUM>) including a storage chamber (<NUM>) for storing a wound string of dental floss (<NUM>) and a floss dispensing cavity (<NUM>) for holding at least a portion of the wound string of dental floss (<NUM>) extracted from the storage chamber; and
a locking mechanism configured to temporarily retain the dispensing portion (<NUM>) in stored position or the dispensing position wherein the locking mechanism including a spring component (<NUM>) and a latching component (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>), wherein the spring component (<NUM>), upon unlocking of the latching component (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>), is configured to position the dispensing portion (<NUM>) in the dispensing position, and the latching component (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>), upon locking, is configured to retain the dispensing portion (<NUM>) in the stored position.