Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. The Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention generally relates to the field of dental products and, more specifically, to floss dispensers.  
           [0003]    2. The Relevant Technology  
           [0004]    Personal oral and dental hygiene is important for many people, not only for maintaining healthy gums and teeth, but also for improving or eliminating bad breath and for removing unsightly food particles from between the teeth. Good personal oral and dental hygiene includes brushing and flossing of the teeth on a regular basis, preferably after eating. However, it can be inconvenient and impractical to carry around large containers of floss throughout the day to be used intermittently between the eating of snacks and meals. Accordingly, floss dispensers have been developed that are small enough to carry in a person&#39;s pocket.  
           [0005]    One problem with small floss dispensers, however, is that because of their size, they can easy be overlooked and become lost when they are temporarily set down. Yet another problem associated with small floss dispensers is that they can be difficult to use. For example, it can be difficult to hold a floss dispenser that is very small while trying to remove and cut the floss from the dispenser. This is particularly true for people that have arthritis or other joint disorders that can affect manual dexterity.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, there is currently a need in the art for improved floss dispensers.  
         SUMMARY OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
         [0007]    Briefly summarized, presently preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved floss dispensers having support arms configured to be held and to provide support during use.  
           [0008]    According to one embodiment, the floss dispenser includes a body configured for holding and dispensing floss and a gripping arm extending away from the body. The gripping arm generally provides a gripping handle for increased leverage while dispensing the floss and for cutting the floss from the dispenser. During use, the gripping arm can be held in a user&#39;s hand while the floss is pulled through a small hole in the body and cut on a cutter that is either connected to the body or the gripping arm.  
           [0009]    According to one embodiment, the body of the floss dispenser may be configured with a hole suitable for connection to a key chain, key ring, and the like. This embodiment is useful for at least enabling the floss dispenser to be carried and used throughout the day, while at the same time minimizing the chances that the floss dispenser will be misplaced. The gripping arm can advantageously be configured in the shape of a key having teeth and other functional features suitable for operating a lock, or it may include merely ornamental teeth suitable for disguising the floss dispenser as an actual key, thereby enabling a person to carry the floss dispenser as discretely as possible. In this way, flossing can be surreptitious.  
           [0010]    The gripping arm, which may be composed of any substantially rigid material, can be integrally connected to the body of the floss dispenser at the time of manufacture or, according to another embodiment, can comprise an actual key that is connected with the body of the floss dispenser by a mechanical means. For example, in one embodiment, the body of the floss dispenser comprises a casing having two body halves configured to open and close like a clam shell. According to this embodiment, the head of a key is securely held between the two body halves when the casing is closed. This embodiment is useful for enabling different keys to be interchangeably used, not only as a support arm, but also for pure key type operations such as for opening locks.  
           [0011]    According to another embodiment, the body of the floss dispenser includes a sheath configured for receiving and securely holding the head of a key. This embodiment also enables different keys to be interchangeability used as a support arm and for true key functionality. The sheath may advantageously comprise rubber or another type of material with a high coefficient of frictional for securing the key in place against the body of the floss dispenser. In the alternative, the body of the floss dispenser may be clamped firmly together in a vice-like fashion around the key head by, e.g., one or more set screws.  
           [0012]    According to yet another embodiment, the body of the floss dispenser can be configured to incorporate other devices for additional utility. For example, the body of the floss dispenser can be equipped with a small light to be used for illumination. The body of the floss dispenser can be equipped with a small toothpick for removing debris from between the teeth prior or subsequent to flossing.  
           [0013]    It will be appreciated that the floss dispenser of the invention is generally useful for facilitating the removal of floss from the dispenser. In particular, the floss dispenser is configured for being held or gripped by the gripping arm while floss is dispensed and cut from the dispenser. The floss dispenser is also configured for being attached to a key chain so that it can be carried around at all times without being misplaced or lost.  
           [0014]    These and other benefits, advantages and features of the present invention will more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    In order that the manner in which the above recited and other benefits, advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a cut-away perspective view of one embodiment of the floss dispenser of the invention that includes a body, a floss spool and a key-shaped gripping arm;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative cut-away view of the floss dispenser shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the floss dispenser including two body halves that are hinged together and a gripping arm comprising an actual key; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the floss dispenser that includes a body with a sheath and a gripping arm comprising a key that is secured within the sheath.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    A detailed description of the floss dispensers of the invention will now be provided with specific reference to figures illustrating various embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated that like structures will be provided with like reference designations.  
         [0021]    The embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to improved floss dispensers that include a body and a support arm protruding away from the body. The body is configured to hold and dispense floss and the support arm is configured to provide support while dispensing the floss. The support arms can also be configured with cutting devices for cutting the floss once dispensed.  
         [0022]    Reference is first made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the floss dispenser of the invention. As shown, the floss dispenser  10  includes a body  12  and a gripping arm  14 . The body  12  and gripping arm  14  can be manufactured out of any suitable material including, but not limited to, plastic, ceramic or metal. In one embodiment, the body  12  and the gripping arm  14  are integrally connected at the time of manufacture such as, for example, during casting or molding. The gripping arm  14  can also be attached to the body  12  subsequent to manufacture such as, for example, by a welding process, using an adhesive, or by means of a set screw (not shown).  
         [0023]    The body  12  is specifically configured for holding and dispensing dental floss  16 . The dental floss  16  may be dispensed, for example, from a spool  18  that is attached within a hollow cavity  20  of the body  12 . The spool  18  is preferably mounted on a spool rod  22 , which enables the spool  18  to freely rotate within the body  12 , such as when the dental floss  16  is pulled through a dispensing hole  42  through the body.  
         [0024]    The spool  18  can be placed within the hollow cavity  20  of the body  12  at any appropriate time during manufacture of the body  12 . For example, the spool  18  can be placed within the body  12  after manufacture by providing a cover  24  on the body  12  that can be opened and closed. According to one embodiment, the cover  24  can be hingedly attached to the body at a first side  26  and frictionally closed at a second side  28 . The cover  24  can be opened by prying the cover  24  away from the body  12  at the second side  28 . To assist in the opening of the cover  24 , a recess may be provided, such as recess  30 , for inserting a tool that can pry open the cover  24 . Although the previous example has gone into some detail regarding how the cover  24  can be opened, it will be appreciated that any suitable means can be used for opening and closing the cover  24 , when necessary, for placing the spool  18  of floss  16  within the body  12 . For example, a set screw may be provided that locks and unlocks the cover  24  to the body  12 . In other embodiments, the cover  24  may be permanently closed once the spool  18  has been placed within the body  12 .  
         [0025]    As shown in FIG. 1, the gripping arm  14  extends away from the body  12  of the floss dispenser  10 , which enables it to be used for gripping or support during use. In particular, the gripping arm  14  can be held or gripped by the user during use for providing additional support and stability while the floss  16  is pulled and cut away from the dispenser  10 . It will be appreciated that this is an improvement over other small floss dispensers that can be difficult to use, particularly for people suffering joint and dexterity disorders.  
         [0026]    Some existing floss dispensers are also so small that they can be easily misplaced, overlooked and lost. The floss dispensers of the present invention generally overcome this problem by providing a body  12  configured with a hole  31  for being attached to a key chain, a necklace, or any other object that is not likely to be misplaced. It will be appreciated that this generally facilitates carrying the floss dispenser throughout the day, which can be useful for enabling a person to floss between meals to maintain good personal hygiene and good breath.  
         [0027]    According to one embodiment, the gripping arm  14  may be configured in the shape of a key. This is useful for disguising the floss dispenser  10  as a key, thereby enabling a person to carry the floss dispenser  10  discretely, when desired, thereby enabling surreptitious flossing of the person&#39;s teeth. The key shape of the gripping arm  14  can also be useful when the gripping arm  14  is composed of a metal. In particular, teeth  32  can be cut into the support arm  14 , thereby enabling the support arm  14  to be utilized as a working key. Methods and devices for cutting teeth in keys are well known in the art. It will be appreciated, however, that the operable key function of the gripping arm  14  is not limited to opening mechanical locks. In particular, the gripping arm  14  may also comprise electronic or magnetic codes configured to open electronic and magnetic locks. The gripping arm  14  may be entirely decorative if desired.  
         [0028]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping arm  14  may include a cutting groove  40  configured for cutting the floss  16  once it is pulled from the body  12  through the floss dispensing hole  42 . The cutting groove  40  may be configured to hold the floss  16  in place after it is cut, as shown or, alternatively, the gripping arm  14  may simply comprise a sharp edge that is used only to cut the floss  16 . For example, teeth  32  formed in the gripping arm  14  can comprise a cutter used to cut the floss  16 . When the cutting groove  14  is not configured to hold the main floss strand  16  in place upon being cut, it may be useful, according to one embodiment, for the floss-dispensing hole  42  to be very small so that the floss  16  can be frictionally held in place by the walls of the hole  42 . This is useful, for example, to prevent the floss  16  from retracting through the hole  42  into the cavity  20  of the floss dispenser  10 .  
         [0029]    Turning now to FIG. 2, it is shown how the floss dispenser  10  can include other useful components. For example, the floss dispenser  10  can include a light  50  (e.g., an LED or incandescent light), which is illuminated when a button  52  is depressed. The light  50  can be particularly useful for illuminating a lock when the gripping arm  14  comprises a workable key that is being inserted into a lock (not shown). The light is also useful for illuminating other objects, even when the support arm  14  does not comprise a workable key.  
         [0030]    A toothpick  60  is yet another object that can be included with the floss dispenser of the invention. For instance, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the body  12  of the floss dispenser  10  is configured to hold a toothpick  60  therein that may be used to remove food particles from between the teeth, either before or after flossing to complete the dental hygiene process. The body  12  of the floss dispenser  10  can also be configured with a floss cutter  62 . The floss cutter  62  can be integrally formed into the body  12  at the time of manufacture or, alternatively, as shown, the floss cutter  62  may comprise a separate device that is affixed to the body  12 . The floss cutter  62  can be affixed to the floss dispenser  10  with adhesives, by welding, or by any other suitable means.  
         [0031]    Turning now to FIG. 3, it is shown how, according to one embodiment, the gripping arm of the floss dispenser  80  comprises an actual key  70  that is partially inserted within the body  82  of the floss dispenser  80 . According to this embodiment, the body of the floss dispenser  80  comprises two body halves  84 ,  86  that are hingedly connected together, such as with a plastic hinge  88 . The floss dispenser  80  also includes latching mechanisms  90  configured for holding the two body halves  84 ,  86  closed, although other closure means can also be used. When the body halves  84 ,  86  are closed, the floss dispenser  80  appears similar to the floss dispenser  10  shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0032]    The floss dispenser  80  generally includes the basic components that are described above in reference to FIG. 1, namely, a spool  18  of floss  16 , a floss-dispensing hole  42 , holes  89  configured for attaching the floss dispenser  80  to a key chain (not shown), and a floss cutter  62 . The floss dispenser  80  also includes a key retention pin  92 . The key retention pin  92  generally operates as an axle for holding the key  70  securely in place once the two body halves  84 ,  86  have been closed together. The key retention pin  92  also operates as rotation axle about which the spool  18  of floss  16  can rotate during use.  
         [0033]    As shown, body half  84  includes walls  94  configured to receive and mechanically engage the sides of the key  70 , which is useful for holding the key  70  in place until the two body halves  84 ,  86  are closed together. Once the floss dispenser  80  is closed, the walls  94  of body half  84 , the key retention pin  92 , and the front wall  96  of body half  92  hold the key  70  securely in place so that the key can function as a gripping arm, as generally described above.  
         [0034]    Turning now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the floss dispenser  100  of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the body  102  of the floss dispenser  100  is configured with a sheath  104  suitable for securing the support arm  106  in place against the body  102 . In the present embodiment, the support arm  106  comprises a key that is securely held in place when the head  108  of the key is placed within the body  102  of the floss dispenser  100  and covered with sheath  104 .  
         [0035]    The sheath  104  is preferably composed of a material with a high coefficient of friction. This is generally useful for holding the support arm  106  in place. The sheath  104  may, for example, be composed of rubber or other elastomers. Although other materials can also be used, rubber is a particularly good material because it can stretch when the head  108  of the key is placed between the sheath  104  and body  102 , thereby enabling keys with differently shaped heads to be incorporated within the floss dispenser  100  of the invention.  
         [0036]    The floss dispenser  100 , as in previous embodiments, also includes a floss-dispensing hole  42  and a floss cutter  62  configured for cutting the floss  16  once dispensed, and a hole  31  for connection with a key ring. Although not shown, the floss dispenser  100  also includes a spool of floss that is housed within the body  102  of the floss dispenser  100 .  
         [0037]    Although specific embodiments of the floss dispensers of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that the present claimed invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

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