US2109417A - Dental floss holder - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 22, 1938. c. B. ELCAN DENTAL FLOSS HOLDER Filed April 3, 1937 BY Myra/M312;

ATTORN EYS Patented Feb. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Par k, Ark.

Application April 3, 1937, Serial No. 134,892

5 Claims.

This invention relates to holders for dental floss and has for the primary object the provision of a device of this character for securing a strand of dental floss in a taut condition and 5; in a position whereby it may be conveniently used for removing foreign matter from teeth.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a device of the above stated character which willfully protect the-floss prior to use and will accommodate the floss after use and maintain the used floss separate from the clean floss so that the clean floss will not become contaminated.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a dental floss holder of the above stated character which will be simple, durable and efiicient and which may be manufactured and sold at a low cost and may be conveniently carried within a persons pocket or pocketbook.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention,

reference is to be had to the following descrip-.

. tion and accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating a dental floss holder constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 2.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the nu- .gg meral l indicates a main casing of substantially elliptical shape in cross section. One end of the casing is considerably reduced forming a sleeve 2 on which is rotatably mounted an operating cap 3. Another portion of the casing l is slightly 4:; reduced to form a sleeve 4 in which are arranged spaced partitions 5 and 6. At the point of formation of the sleeves of the casing I are internal and external shoulders I and 8. The internal shoulder l forms a seat for the partition 6 and the external shoulder 8 forms a seat for a 010- sure cap 9 employed for closing one end of the casing l. The partition 5 is secured in the sleeve 4 in any suitable manner so that it may be removed when desired. An operating shaft 55 I is located in the casing I and one end is rotatably supported by the partition 6 and the other end is secured to the cap 3. A spring dog H is secured to the shaft l0 and engages with the ratchet teeth l2 formed on the inner face of the sleeve '2 for the purpose of permitting the shaft iii to be rotated in one direction by the cap 3 and be held against a reverse rotation.

The outer face of the casing has a knurled surface so that a firm grip can be obtained thereon. A spool shaft Ill is rotatably supported by the partitions and 6 and is provided at one. end with a head l2. A spool l4 containing dental floss is secured on the shaft l0. vThe shaft I9 is provided with angularly related faces l3 adjacent the head l2. The space in the casing l between the partition ii and cap 3 forms a chamber ll to receive dental floss after being used and which winds on a spool ll secured to the shaft l0.

Spaced ribs 18 are formed on the partition 5 and slidably support a locking plate I9. The locking plate has formed therein a substantially circular-shaped opening 29 and a slot 2| in communication therewith. The shaft l0 extends through the opening 20 and when located therein is free to rotate. 'However, on shifting the position of the plate l9 theslot 2| receives the angularly related faces of the shaft and thereby secures the shaft against rotation.

A rib 22 is formed on the plate l9 to provide a finger piece to aid a person in sliding the plate l9 into its different positions.

Tubes 23 and 24 are secured to the sleeve 4 and extend outwardly therefrom and the tube 23 extends a short distance farther outwardly of the sleeve than the tube 24. The cap 9 when applied to the sleeve covers said tubes. The tube 24 terminates within the chamber ll while the tube 23 terminates within the space between the partitions 5 and 5. The dental floss from the spool passes through the tube 23 thence through the tube 24 for winding onto the spool ll within the chamber ll. The portion of the dental floss between the tubes 23 and 24 is disposed at an, inclination and so positioned for the purpose of permitting that portion of the floss to be easily engaged with and between teeth for the purpose of removing foreign matter.

A sleeve 26 is slidable in the tube 24 and through which the dental floss passes on leaving the tube 24 for winding on the shaft l0 within the chamber IT. The sleeve has a finger piece 21 which extends through a slot 28 in the casing I and by adjusting the sleeve endwise of the tube 24 the floss may be caused to change spool on the shaft l8 onto the spool II within the chamber H. It is to be understood that the winding of the floss from one spool to the otherspool only takes place when the portion of the floss has been employed or used which extends between the tubes 23 and 24 so that fresh floss may be brought into a usable position and the used floss Wound on the spool II within the chamber H and kept separate from the unused floss, thereby increasing sanitation of the device. After the floss has been adjusted to present a new portion between the tubes 23 and 24 the locking plate 2i is shifted to secure the shaft I6 and then by a slight rotation of the shaft I!) the floss may be drawn taut.

The formation of the sleeve 2 on the casing I defines a groove 35 and the edge of the cap is flanged or bent to lie in said groove whereby said cap is rotatably mounted on the sleeve and prevented from accidentally pulling off of the sleeve.

What is claimed is:

l. A dental floss holder comprising a casing having chambers, a spool shaft journaled in one of the chambers and having a spool of dental floss secured thereon, spaced tubes'having the floss passing from the spool therethrough to present a portion of the floss in place for'use, and means carried by said casing on which the floss may be wound.

2. A dental floss holder comprising a casing having chambers, a spool shaft journaled in one of the chambers and having a spool of dental floss secured thereon, spaced tubes having the floss passing from the spool therethrough to present a portion of the floss in place for use, an operating shaft journaled in the casing, a finger piece rotatably mounted on said casing, a ratchet drive between the finger piece and the operating shaft for rotating said operating'shaft in one direction to wind the floss thereon.

3. A dental floss holder comprising a casing means for the spool shaft whereby the floss may be tensioned by imparting a slight rotation to the operating shaft.

4. A dental floss holder comprising a casing having chambers, a spool shaft journaled in one of the chambers and having a spool of dental floss secured thereon, spaced tubes having the floss passing from the spool therethrough to present a portion of the floss in place for use, an operating shaft journaled in the casing, a finger piece rotatably mounted on said casing, a ratchet drive between the finger piece and the operating shaft for rotating said operating shaft in one direction to wind the floss theron, a locking means for the spool shaft whereby the floss may be tensioned by imparting slight rotation to the operating shaft, a cover removable from said casingand overlying the tubes to protect the dental floss exposed between said'tubes.

5. A- dental floss holder comprising a casing having chambers, a spool shaft journaled in one of the chambers and having a spool of dental floss secured thereon, spaced tubes having the floss passing from the spool therethrough to present a portion of the floss in place for use, an operating shaft journaled in the casing, a second spool secured tothe operating shaft, a finger piece rotatably mounted on said casing, a ratchet drive between the finger piece and the operating shaft forrotating the latter to wind used floss on the second spool, a locking means for the spool shaft whereby the floss may be tensioned by imparting slight rotation to the operating shaft, a cover removable from said casing and overlying the tubes to protect the dental floss exposed between said tubes, a sleeve slidable in one of said tubes, and a finger piece formed on said sleeve and extending outwardly of the casing whereby said sleeve may be adjusted endwise of its respective tube for varying the feeding of the dental floss onto the operating shaft.

CATHERINE B. ELCAN.

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