Patent Application
20240180677
The invention relates generally to improvements regarding a device for dispensing and holding dental floss or dental filament from an incorporated source of supply such as a reeled spool, and more specifically, to those that hold dental filament in a flaccid posture utilizing snap fit joint fasteners, and more particularly a device utilizing annular type Split Ring-spring snap fastener means wherein only said floss or dental filament of the device enters the user's mouth during the act of interdental cleaning.
There has been many patented devices to assist the act of removing debris from between teeth and gums by the method of using floss or dental filament, but no device has proven completely adequate to solve all the challenges related to holding dental floss or dental filament for to assist the activity generally termed as ‘flossing’. This invention is a significant improvement satisfying a long-felt need in the field of interdental hygiene since it solves a great many of the major inherent challenges prior art, in one way or another, has unsatisfactorily accomplished.
Several examples of prior art require dental floss to occupy at least one inaccessible internal channel of the device before it is exposed to the user for its use. For purpose of clarity, the term ‘floss’ is used in connection with and reference to prior art and the term ‘dental filament’ or ‘filament’ is used in reference with the present invention disclosed herein. An important inherent challenge to overcome with regard to prior art is the inability for the floss to be coursed through the device in the event of floss breakage, thus rendering the device useless if the floss is unable to be easily threaded or coursed through the device. The art of the present invention disclosed herein does not contain any inaccessible internal channels. In the event of filament breakage, the process of coursing it through the device is easily available and achievable to the user; of which, that procedure is described herein under another heading.
Other prior art call attention to the challenges associated with the use of binder buttons, cleats, screws, thumb nuts, bight-slots, notches, and the like to secure or hold floss. These types of holding techniques require the user to wind floss around an element, turn a threaded nut so to apply compression, ox catch floss in a wedged shaped notch configuration. It is known that floss is easily damaged or severed when it comes between the sharp threads of mechanical fasteners. The technique of winding floss about a cleat, post, or binder element can be confusing if the user does not remember which direction to unwind the floss for its removal. Floss can unintentionally be removed from a bight-slot if force is applied counter to the direction of placement. Also, a nut not permanently attached to its device can become separated and lost, thereby rendering the device useless and frustrating the user; reducing their will to floss. The present invention disclosed herein provides art which encourages a user to perform the act of interdental cleaning by utilizing the preferred number of two Split Ring-spring snap fasteners to hold dental filament. Split Ring-spring snap fastener components provide a unique and superior capacity with which to tightly and safely hold filament while completely surrounding it compared to that of previous types of art; thus, eliminating the possibility of the filament being inadvertently or unintentionally dislodged during its use as disclosed and described herein. Also, their inherent smooth and curving surfaces over which they interlock eliminate the possibility of filament breakage. Another important advantage is directed toward their familiarity in the eyes of the public. Split Ring-spring snap fasteners are widely used on every day clothing and other items granting them prior public knowledge with respect to their operation even though they are being used in a new and unique way. Furthermore, an advantageous feature of the improved invention herein connects the components of the snap fasteners to the device; thus, preventing them from becoming lost.
Some prior art uses a complete loop of floss for interdental hygiene, thus granting the user the advantage of using their fingers to maneuver the floss between their teeth and gums; of which, is often practiced by professionals on their patients. The challenges with this type of prior art places the user in search of a new loop when the filament becomes damaged or breaks. Also, the manufactured standardized size is uniform and does not fit the personalized requirements of every user. Some users need a larger loop circumference in order to reach their rear teeth, while others need a smaller loop so to better grip the loop on their fingers. The art of the present invention disclosed allows the user to easily personalize the size of a semi-looped or bight of flaccid filament held by the snap fasteners and provides a spool of filament incorporated within the device so to fulfill the immediate needs of the user in the event of filament breakage.
Other types of prior art require individual holding members securing a strand of floss embodied as caps, rings, holders, grippers, thimbles, and the like to occupy the user's hands while flossing. These types of art triple task the user by dividing their attention among placing the floss between their teeth, manipulating the floss on their fingertips, and keeping a grasp on the holding members. Also, it is likely a holder member can become lost when it is detached from said segment or strand of floss; rendering the prior art useless. The art of the invention disclosed focuses the user's attention only on manipulating the filament since the container, dispenser, and the holding components of the device are not required nor intended to occupy the user's hands while cleaning teeth; thus, focusing the user's attention entirely toward manipulating the filament on their fingertips for its proper placement within their mouth.
An assortment of examples in this class of art call attention toward manufactured proprietary floss arrangements described as knobs, grommets, gripping, and locking members attached to and flanking ends of a floss held taunt by a device. These types of art are subject to limited sources of supply, thus threatening their availability and making the user vulnerable to scarcity in the market. Supply may also become unavailable if the original manufacturer terminates the product or they go out of business. The art of the present invention disclosed herein permits a variety of reeled spool sizes and filament types, including a variety of coatings commonly provided by different manufactures to be incorporated in the compartment and held by the device; guarantying the longevity of its usefulness. For example, per experimentation, the known dental filament types the present invention can accommodate are: woven, dental-tape, silk, and polytetrafluorethylene along with non-waxed, waxed, and friction reducing coatings.
Many patented art places floss in tension between tongs, forks, arms, and the like. These types of devices dramatically reduce the amount of contact the floss has on the surface area of a tooth. With floss held tautly, the amount of flexibility regarding it being able to conform to the curvature of a tooth is extremely limited, thus dramatically reducing the effectiveness and efficiency of flossing. Also, using a device to place floss between teeth greatly reduces a user's tactile sensation when applying force for its placement; thus, greatly increasing the risk of damage to their gums by applying too much force on the instrument. The art of the present invention disclosed herein provides a user the unique opportunity to clean between their teeth using a flaccid filament held in a semi-looped or bight posture; granting the ability to mimic the curvature of each tooth, thereby facilitating greater contact and cleanliness while the device holds the filament for the user. Also, the device provides the advantage of using the user's fingers so to maximize their tactile sensation.
With the previously stated types of prior art in mind, it is obvious that there is a tremendous long-felt need for an easy and novel device utilizing trusted and known technology in a unique way so to provide the field of dental hygiene a device which is designed and tailored to allow a user to personally determine the size and length of dental filament best suited to their own requirements; a device which is not an instrument for single use but one in which is able to be refilled and used many times, thus affirming the device's aptitude for longevity; a device which is versatile by enabling it to accommodate many different types and brands of dental filament, thereby allowing a user to change the spool to accommodate their needs as they age; a device which is easily refillable by a multitude of reeled spools provided on the market, thus reducing the cost of a refill spool while increasing the likelihood of availability; a device which is intended to accomplish the preferred task of allowing a filament to take the shape of a tooth while holding the filament so the user is not encumbered; a device easily threaded or coursed in the event of filament breakage; and, a device which takes into account the preferred use of the dominate hand of every user by providing additional number of parts on the device so to accommodate right, left, and ambidextrous handed users, of which will be disclosed under another heading herein. By patent approval, the public shall be offered a device which will motivate those individuals presently harmed by wrapping dental filament around their fingers and frustrated or reluctant to the act of interdental cleaning due to the prior art offered and methods approved by patent and available on the market. It is emphasized that this invention will promote, develop, or increase a healthier habit of dental hygiene for the public.
The invention disclosed herein is a dental filament dispenser and holder for the useful purpose of interdental cleaning to remove food and dental plaque from between teeth and gums. A novel and unobvious aspect of the device is with regard to it utilizing annular snap fit fastener means known in the industry as Split Ring-spring snap fasteners to hold dental filament. A Split Ring-spring snap fastener is quickly, easily, and simply adjustable with regard to being interlocked or disengaged. They provide a tight, secure, and protected hold upon a multitude of dental filament types and coatings while allowing a user to manipulate a length of filament into a suitable, personalized sized flaccid, semi-looped or bight posture; augmenting the act of flossing by granting all the benefits associated with placing dental filament within the mouth with the use of fingertips and freeing up hands from having to hold a holding device.
An advantage of utilizing two, but at least one, Split Ring-spring snap fasteners to hold dental filament goes to their public familiarity, popularity, commonality, and function. They are commonly used to temporarily connect items together such as on apparel, leather goods, handbags, jackets, and the like where the open stud component and the hollow eyelet component each only have one purpose; which is for the stud to interlock with a socket component and the eyelet to join with the stud thereby connecting each with the article they are used upon. The device's novelty and uniqueness is directed towards repurposing or applying an additional purpose to the functionality of the stud and eyelet by coursing the dental filament through the center opening of each component; thus, surrounding the filament with the stud and eyelet thereby holding the filament by the interlocking of the interference fit connection between the socket with that of the stud. Also, while providing a very strong holding technique they do not cause damage to dental filament due to the smooth, rounded surfaces of their components and interlocking design. Utilizing Split Ring-spring snap fasteners in this novel way eliminates the pain and frustration with respect to winding a duel ended length of filament around a user's fingers during the process of dental hygiene.
Providing two Split Ring-spring snap fasteners at a distance wherein each location comprises at least a stud and a socket grants the user the advantage of being able to manipulate and hold a ‘working end’ and ‘standing end’ of dental filament into a semi-looped shape or flaccid ‘bight’ used for interdental cleaning. Bight is rope terminology used herein to reference a portion of dental filament intentionally manipulated to double back on itself, somewhat liken to an uppercase Omega symbol of the Greek alphabet forming a semi-looped flaccid shape to be used in the act of flossing or interdental cleaning. The ‘working end’ and ‘standing end’ of the dental filament are also each rope terminology used herein to reference portions of the dental filament being manipulated during its coursing through the device. The working end, in general, is the severed loose end portion of the filament unreeled from an incorporated reeled spool of said filament initially being pointed and targeted through the parts and components of the device. The standing end, in general, is the portion of the filament between the general working end portion and the spool, thus being the length of filament connecting the working end with the spool.
Excluding the filament itself, the invention provides the same type of parts left and right about its sagittal or lateral plane midpoint in order to provide two separate and distinct paths through which to thread or course the filament; meaning that two slots, two framed openings, and two severs have been provided where only one slot, one framed opening, and one sever is minimally required for the device to perform or function. Two of each part stated above has been intentionally provided for a purpose of providing equal opportunity among left, right, or ambidextrous handed users in order to accommodate every user's personal dexterity with regard to coursing the dental filament through the device. Since symmetry of the device provides for two distinct paths through which to course the filament, each being appropriate with regard to its function, the drawings and disclosure herein randomly show and describe the standing end of dental filament on the left side of the invention while the working end suspends along the right side. The following example explains a method of coursing dental filament through the device from the spool. Once an initial coursing of filament has been successfully achieved, certain steps may be avoided until the originating incorporated reeled spool is replaced with another spool.
With a spool having been placed on a post in the compartment of the container, the components of a first and a second Split Ring-spring snap fastener having been disengaged, a rotatable lid placed about an exterior surface of a back wall, and a front wall having been rotated into a collapsed or open position exposing an access opening to the compartment; a user, holding the working end of the dental filament unreeled from the spool, places it into a left slot. With the front wall then rotated to an upright or closed position thereby fulling covering or closing the access opening, the working end is placed into and through the joined opening of a stud component and an eyelet component of the first Split Ring-spring snap fastener, thus each being a first stud component and a first eyelet component respectfully; included are a left strap and a left short wall. Once coursed through the first eyelet, the working end of the dental filament egresses into an indentation formed between the left short wall and a right short wall about which the filament may be grasped, manipulated, and pulled for a length as it unreels from the spool. It is then placed into and through the joined opening of an eyelet component and an open stud component of the second Split Ring-spring snap fastener, thus each being a second eyelet component and a second open stud component respectfully; included are a right strap and the right short wall. Again, the working end of the filament is grasped and pulled for an advantageous length, thus allowing it to suspend alongside the device.
The suspended working end of the filament is held as a result of the user touching and aligning a socket component joined with a cap component of the second snap fastener, each being a second socket component and a second cap component respectfully, with that of the second stud; and, by the act of compression upon the second snap fastener components, a split ring-spring incorporated in the second socket is forced over and around the projecting portion of the second stud, thus interlocking the second snap fastener components thereby holding the dental filament. Connected with the joining of the second socket and second cap is a right strap connected to the right short wall thereby connecting the second socket and second cap with the device. With the suspended working end of the filament held, the standing end, now assumed to be spanning the indentation, is able to be easily manipulated into a personalized flaccid bight by pulling up on it; thereby, increasing its length as the filament unreels from the spool. To assist in the grasping of the filament while it spans the indentation, the art of the device enables the user's fingers to be placed under the filament due to a suitable distance provided between the invert opening level or base interior level of each said eyelet with that of a top wall of the container. Once achieved, a personalized bight is held as a result of the user touching and aligning a socket component joined with a cap component of the first snap fastener, thus each being a first socket component and a first cap component respectfully, with that of the first stud; and, by the act of compression upon the first snap fastener components, a split ring-spring incorporated in the first socket is forced over and around the projecting portion of the first stud. The bight is held with the interlocking of the first and second snap fastener components. Connected with the joining of the first socket and first cap is a left strap connected to the left short wall thereby connecting the first socket and first cap with the device. At the user's discretion, during the act of interdental cleaning, the lid may remain about the back wall or be placed in the indentation covering the top wall. With the lid in either position the device functions properly and the user is unencumbered.
The user is now able to manipulate the bight on the ends of their fingers in order to clean between their teeth and gums without the container, dispenser, or holders occupying their hands. In the event the filament becomes too soiled or breaks, the components of the first and second snap fasteners are disengaged by applying torque force upon the appropriate said cap and socket component and their respective strap; thereby, enabling the filament to be adjusted, removed, or coursed through the invention as required. In the common event the suspended working end of filament becomes too long, the invention provides two industry standard severs for to divide the filament. Also, the advantage of connecting the cap and socket component of each snap fastener to the device eliminates them from becoming detached from the device and lost.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become further understood with reference to the drawings, detailed description, and claims provided herein.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in different forms and various procedures of operation, this detailed description informs of a preferred embodiment for which to teach and instruct the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention.
Referring to the drawings and art of the invention in greater detail,
Referring to
To restrict the rotation of the front wall 4 from entering into the compartment while also promoting hygiene, the perimeter edge of a suitably vertical left wall 7, a suitably horizontal top wall 18, and a suitably vertical right wall 8 of the container, each being a perimeter edge adjoining the access opening into the compartment, are to receive an interference fit recessed squared notch 9 to that of their respective left, top, and right squared-off perimeter mating counterpart of the front wall 4. The notch 9 is to receive and stop the rotational movement of the front wall 4 while providing a tight doglegged avenue of obstruction; preventing debris from entering between the parts while the front wall 4 is in a closed position. To assist a user with accessing the compartment, a linear overhang 32 is provided concurrent during the molding process and is located centrally on the upper exterior surface of the front wall 4 as shown in
Shown in
Referring to
While there are many flexible materials from which a Strap may be produced such as leather, cloth, nylon, or a variety of other plastic polymers, it is important that the material resist deformation from strain after many flexures such as the effects of tearing, twisting, stretching, sagging, and translation. In order to guarantee a consistent suitable alignment during the interlocking of the snap fastener components, the strap material is preferred to be produced from polypropylene terephthalate (PET).
Since the invention provides for two separate, symmetrical, direct, and appropriate paths to course filament 2,
After the user has manipulated the standing end portion of the filament 2 about the indentation 37 into a satisfactory personalized flaccid bight 21, it is then maintained and held by the interlocking of the first socket 17 and its incorporated split ring-spring 29 with that of the first stud 12 in a manner similar to that stated regarding the second snap fastener components. As shown in
A method to prevent the bight 21 from becoming entangled after its use and possibly preparing the device for storage is to transform the bight 21 into a spanning flaccid filament 2 within the indentation 37, similar in character to the unrestrained standing end of filament 2 shown in
Since the suspended working end portion of the filament 2 often becomes too long, the device provides a left sever 19 and a right sever 28 with which to remove a portion of filament 2 each connected on the exterior bottom portion of the left wall 7 and the right wall 8 respectively as shown in
Shown in
While the present invention has been disclosed herein, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that modifications or variations of such details can be made without deviating from the gist of this invention, and such modifications or variations are considered to be within the scope of the claims.
