Patent Application
20090188519
This invention relates to toothbrushes, more particularly, a toothbrush with dental floss holder that conveniently stores a predetermined amount of dental floss in a toothbrush from ready use availability.
Currently, most dental floss is sold in small containers having a dispensing means and a cutter. The dental floss is internally located within the container and is wound around a spool, exits the container via a dispensing means and is cut by a user via the cutter. Although the container prevents contamination of the dental floss located therein, oftentimes it is difficult to locate the dental floss container itself when desired. In addition, even if a person places the dental floss container in a specific location, such as a purse, tote bag, travel bag or vehicle glove compartment, because the containers are small, oftentimes they are still difficult to find. Thus, many people do not floss their teeth as much as they should to maintain good oral hygiene.
Although there are flossing devices that are located on the end of an elongated handle, thereby permitting a user to store the flossing device on a conventional toothbrush holder, these devices are unsanitary as such utilize a predetermined amount of dental floss on a cartridge that is exposed to the air. Moreover, the dental floss on each cartridge can be used only one time, thereby requiring the user to continuously purchase new dental floss cartridges, which can become quite costly.
Thus, a need exists for a toothbrush with dental floss holder that conveniently stores a predetermined amount of dental floss within a toothbrush.
The relevant prior art includes the following references:
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush with dental floss holder that conveniently stores a predetermined amount of dental floss within a toothbrush.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush with dental floss holder that is easy to use.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush with dental floss holder that is sanitary.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush with dental floss holder that is portable.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush with dental floss holder that may be stored in a conventional toothbrush holder.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a toothbrush with dental floss holder having an elongated hollow handle having an interior and an exterior, said elongated handle having a first end and second end, a plurality of bristles located on said first end, a dental floss storage means located internal to said elongated handle, a predetermined amount of dental floss contained by said dental floss storage means, a dental floss dispensing means located on said elongated handle for dispensing a desired amount of said dental floss and a dental floss holder located on said second end for holding a desired amount of said dental floss.
The dental floss storage means is preferably an axle located within the interior of the hollow handle to permit a user to removably place a spool of dental floss thereon while the dental floss dispensing means is preferably at least one aperture located on the elongated handle. To use, a person first places the spool of dental floss on the axle and threads the exposed end of the dental floss through the aperture. Then, he or she holds the exposed end of the dental floss, pulls the exposed end and wraps a predetermined amount of dental floss around a button located on the handle. The user then extends the dental floss over prongs located on holder arms of the dental floss holder so as to create a taut line of dental floss between the prongs. Finally, he or she wraps the dental floss around the button once again and places the exposed end of the dental floss through a notch on the button to secure the dental floss in a locked and usable position.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon areading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:
For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:
With reference to
Internally located within the elongated handle 2 is a dental floss storage means 6 for storing a predetermined amount of dental floss 16 within the elongated handle 2. A dental floss dispensing means 7 is located on the elongated handle 2 to permit a user to thread the dental floss 16 located within the elongated handle 2 through the dental floss dispensing means 7 so as to have a predetermined amount of dental floss 16 external to the elongated handle 2.
To use the toothbrush with dental floss holder 1 of the present invention, a user first positions a predetermined amount of dental floss 16 for containment on/within the floss storage means 6. Preferably, the dental floss 16 is wound on a spool 12 and placed on an axle 15 located within the elongated handle 2. An exposed end 25 of the dental floss 16 is then threaded through the floss dispensing means 7, which is preferably an aperture 17, so a predetermined amount of dental floss 16 is now external to the toothbrush with dental floss holder 1. Then, the user holds the exposed end 25 of the dental floss 16, pulls the exposed end 25 so as to have a predetermined amount of dental floss 16 and wraps a portion of the dental floss 16 around the button 13 located on the elongated handle 2. Because the axle 15 is secured, preferably on both ends of the axle 15, to an axle mounting 24 located within the elongated handle 2, the spool 12 rotates on the axle 15 when the dental floss 16 is pulled by the user.
The dental floss 16 is then extended over prongs 9 located on the holder arms 10 and 11 of the dental floss holder 8 so as to create a taut line of dental floss 16 between the prongs 9. Finally, the user wraps the dental floss 16 around the button 13 once again and places the exposed end 25 of the dental floss 16 through a notch 15 on the button 13 to secure the dental floss 16 in a locked and usable position for insertion between the user's teeth.
Because the floss holder 8 is located on the second end 4 of the elongated handle 2 of the toothbrush with dental floss holder 1, a user may quickly and easily rotate the toothbrush with dental floss holder 1 from use as a toothbrush to use as a flosser.
Moreover, because the floss holder 8 extends vertically from elongated handle 2, a person is permitted better and easier access to flossing one's teeth when compared to flossing devices having floss holders perpendicular to the handle.
Next,
Next,
With reference to
Finally,
The use of the present invention permits a user to conveniently store a predetermined amount of dental floss within a toothbrush.
It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.
