WO2017188891A1

WO2017188891A1 - Dental floss holder with a rotatable floss holding section

Info

Publication number: WO2017188891A1
Application number: PCT/SG2017/000006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Siong Sen Kwok
Original assignee: Richard Siong Sen Kwok
Priority date: 2016-04-26
Filing date: 2017-04-25
Publication date: 2017-11-02

Abstract

A dental flossing device comprising a main body, a spoon shaped head with a metal plate detachably attached to the head, and a floss holding section comprising two looped metal wires secured perpendicularly to said plate by means of rectangular base head screws and knurled nuts. The wires of the floss holding section can be rotated about their vertical axis such that the floss can be longitudinally or transversely oriented with respect to the main body to facilitate easier flossing in different regions of the mouth. Illumination means comprising light emitting diodes (LEDs) are also provided in the body of the device.

Description

DENTAL FLOSS HOLDER WITH A ROTATABLE FLOSS HOLDING SECTION

DESCRIPTION

1. This invention relates to the field of 'Oral Health and Hygiene". More importantly the invention comprises a device designed to combine a "Y" shaped dental flosser, a "C" shaped dental flosser, which is detachable for cleaning purposes. It combines a 'spool' compartment and is water resistant

2. There are many know devices for dental flossing and oral health equipment in use both at home and by professional dentists. These include the stand alone "Y" shaped dental flosser suitable for flossing interior teeth, the "C" shaped dental flosser for flossing exterior teeth, the string flosser commonly used for flossing teeth in common.

3. The combination of 3 different features that are generally available as independent tools such as :-

1. "Y" Shaped Dental Flosser

2. "C" Shaped Dental Flosser

3. Illuminated LED have been combined into a single device (accessory) combining the entire feature as to simplify fee necessity for the individual.

4. The present invention seeks to provide a device that is adaptable and can be made available at an affordable price. This device can be used conveniently in the privacy of one 's own home.

5. The present invention comprises a 3·½·-ϊ dental flosser, combining a Ύ' shaped flosser for easy reach of flossing interior teeth and a "C" shaped flosser for easy reach of exterior teeth. Accompanied by an LED to facilitate illumination of the interior of the mouth, while flossing or self-observation of one's oral health.

6. The metal prongs and specific laser cut metal shaped piece attached to the "head" of the device can easily be removed by a sliding movement (insertion and removal), This permits the user to sterilize the head in hot water or disinfectant for cleaning.

7. The present invention seeks to provide a home device that has more features that are combined through incorporating a few individual devices that are purchased separately into a single unit.

8. The device comes complete with a take up spool compartment for the flossing thread.

9. This dental flosser is reusable except for the floss and spool When floss runs out, replace the item (Floss and Spool) hence this costs less over time.

10. Our Device requires about 8cm length of floss each time to use. Therefore, it is a great saving for the user. 1 1. This is in contrast to other available devices in the market, when each time the floss finishes, the whole flosser has to be discarded.

Claims

1. A standard Steel Plate (Grade: 316) of 1mm thickness is cut to a specific shape by laser as shown. (Fig. 1/23) This standard steel piece will perform as a spring wheel.

2. This cut to shape steel piece has on Section B, composite 4 tabs that are positioned near the 1.2mm holes at a specific angle (Fig 2/23). At the 'Section A 'piece there are 2 holes of 3mm matching correspondingly to 1.2mm holes at 'Section B\

3. These tabs are punched or forced to an upright position as shown in (Fig 3/23)

4. A specially designed rectangular base head screw (Fig 5a, b, c,/23) including a cross section of its view. This rectangular base sits on the 1,2mm hole at Section B of the steel piece (Fig 6/23). When Section A is folded will then Section B (Fig 7/23) only the top screw area is exposed.

5. The steel plate is folded at designated points leaving a constant clearance of about 4 mm in height at the center. The fold in between the gap when depressed will "spring" back to its original position systematically (Fig 4/23) (Shows the side view together with tabs)

6. A 1.00mm thin steel wire of about 7 cm length is then inserted through the 1.2mm holes at the Section B metal piece. This wire penetrates the rectangular base head screw leaving a protruded side of about 5 cm. In total the 2 wires form the 2 sides of the structure.

7. The 2 steel wires on the base end is looped as shown in diagram (Fig 8/23). The loop will be laser spot welded to ensure the loop remains in place.

8. A specially designed 'knurled nut' (Fig 9/23) with a slight protrusion on one side is to ease and assist one to tighten or loosen the rectangular base head screw (Fig 10/23)

9. The position of the 2 prongs hold the floss thread to form the "Y" and "C" shape is unique and not seen in any other device available in the market as best known to my current knowledge. (Fig 11/23) Showing "Y" shape flosser and (Fig 12/23) showing the "C" shaped flosser.

10. (Fig 13/23) shows 2 rectangular base head screws marked 'XI" and "X2", on the Section B of the metal piece. They are each attached to the 1mm prongs. If it is (prongs) manually adjusted by taming movement it will remain within a specific radius. These movements are restricted by the Tabs. One of the prongs Marked "ΧΓ', the movements will be within Point C to Point D. Also is the other prong marked "X2", the movement will be limited from Point E to Point F or vice versa. These 2 prong "XI " and "X2" can be tightened with a Knurled nut at the top above the special designed steel piece (Fig 11/23) and (Fig 12/23).

11. Bending the 1mm steel wire to as close to the top groove of the rectangular base head screw to 90 degree angle then follow-up by bending the same wire in an upwards curved direction forming an arch shape prong (Fig 14/23).

12. (Fig 15/23) At the end of each prong, a loop is made and a small threaded screw nut is laser spot welded onto it At (Fig 16/23) a "Short Shank Knurled Knob Fastener" is screwed onto the nut. At the tip of the "Short Shank Knurled Knob" fastener screw, the threaded ends are spot welded by thickening the thread tip to prevent the fallout of the "Knurled Knob Fastener" from the screw-nut.

13. A clear transparent plastic is modelled into a rod shape as shown in (Fig 17/23) with an opaque plastic "Screw Nut Tube". .

14. The metal prongs and specific metal shaped piece is attached to the head of the transparent plastic model tube (Fig 18/23). It can be removed by a "sliding movement' (insertion and removal) from the plastic head at the 'neck' of the device. (Fig 19/23)

15. The whole metal housing (prongs) can be collectively removed from tile neck. This easy detachment of the component at the 'head' makes it easy for cleaning and disinfecting. (Fig 20/23).

16. The clear transparent molded plastic part at the opposite end away from the flosser head consists of a small slot compartment to accommodate an LED component (Light). This LED will be secured by an opaque plastic screw tube nut (Fig 17/23), (Fig 18/23) (Fig 19/23).

The purpose of the LED, is when switched on Is to illuminate the clear transparent plastic from inside and especially the tip will have a glowing effect This, iUumination helps to facilitate during flossing and insertion as to be safer when the device is in the mount, as it could be quite dark..

17. The 2^nd LED is located at the trunk (handle) just above the transparent clear plastic tube. The 2^nd LED acts as torchlight (Fig 21/23).

18. (Fig 22/23) is an elevated view illustrating the structure of the improved dental flosser and the round transparent plastic cap screw located at the end of the handle is meant for the user to color code each device for family identification purposes.

19. The (Fig 23/23) is an elevated view showing the outlook of the present invention.

20. The materials used in the mamifacture of the product are high grade stainless steel and body parts made of rubber, silicon and plastic as per FDA Guidelines.