US3901251A - Dental floss dispensing and manipulation systems - Google Patents

Abstract

Combination of separate yet nesting floss dispenser holding unit and a unit for holding free end portion of dental floss provide for operator''s manipulating dental floss while forcefully tensioning it during teeth flossing without discomfort to operator''s fingers. The separate units are structured to be firmly nested during storage periods.

Description

United States Patent Johnston 1 Aug. 26, 1975 [541 DENTAL FLOSS DISPENSING AND 1,174,016 2/1916 Kenyon 132 92 R MANIPULATION SYSTEMS 3,696,821 10/1972 Adams 1. 132/91 Inventor: James A. Johnston, 71 17 Gainsborough, Amarillo, Tex.

Filed: Nov. 14, 1973 Appl. No.: 415,627

US. Cl. 132/91 Int. Cl. A6lc 15/00 Field ofSearch 132/91, 89, 90, 92 R References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Perkins 132/92 R Primary ExaminerG. E. McNeill Combination of separate yet nesting floss dispenser holding unit and a unit for holding free end portion of dental floss provide'for operators manipulating dental floss while forcefully tensioning it during teeth flossing without discomfort to operators fingers. The separate units are structured to be firmly nested during storage periods.

ABSTRACT 8 Claims, 30 Drawing Figures PATENTED M162 6 I975sum 1 or 7 4 3,901,251 PATENTEBAUGZBIBYB SHEET 2 Ur" Y PATENIEB AUBZBlQYS H 3,9012 51 FIG. 22

DENTAL FLOSS DISPENSING AND MANIPULATION SYSTEMS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of invention to which this invention pertains is toothpicking apparatuses which hold threads and include a thread supply container.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Many dental patients who are completely convinced 'of the need for removal of bacterial plaque, and who are adequately trained in the proper techniques of flossing their teeth, fail to floss thoroughly or regularly because floss, wrapped tightly around the forefingers as provided for by currently available floss dispensers, cuts off circulation and causes genuine discomfort in the figertips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatuses of this invention are designed to provide the dental patient with a highly efficient floss arc for use in complete comfort.

In the combination of a unit for holding free end of a floss length and a unit for floss dispensing and holding, surfaces for supporting each of the units are large, whereby a large total force may be applied to each of the portions of the floss held by such units in the operators hands and each unit has a floss contacting surface that bears the high intensity forces applied between such portion of the floss by the units; for each of the units the surface thereof directed to holding a floss portion is spaced away from the surfaces of the units used to support and manipulate such units so that the fingers of the operator are protected while high intensity forces are applied to the floss. Each free end holding unit is arranged to be firmly yet readily releasably attached to the floss dispensing unit for ready storage and portability of both units together. In such storage position, the floss dispensing unit and floss free end holding unit are (inembodiments 90, 110 and 210) adapted to hold floss therebetween to provide ready access to such floss when needed. The preferred embodiment provides the components of the floss holding unit and the free end of the floss in assembled condition for immediately available manipulative use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows the completely assembledfloss dispenser 50 and flossfree end holder 40 ofapparatus 60 in operative combination and position and condition as a left side view of each of the dispenser and free end holding assemblies along the direction of arrow 1A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a top view ofassembly 60 with theright thumb 69 of the operator holding the floss against the side ofholding assembly 40 and thecap 54 ofassembly 50 removed.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the assembledassemblies 50 and 40 of FIG. 1 as seen along the direction ofarrows 3A and 3B of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the free endfloss holder assembly 40 as seen along the direction ofarrow 4A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the assembleddispenser assembly 50 as seen along the direction ofarrow 5A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the parts of thedispenser assembly 50 disassembled with thesleeve 53 shown in top view and thespool 67 shown in top view and illustrating the top of thecap 54 and showing a side view ofring base 61.

FIG. 7 shows theapparatus 60 in use by an operator thereof on his teeth.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the apparatus in assembled and portable nested position.

FIG. 9 shows the 'pen assembly 70 and the ring and ring sleeve assembly 65 held in theleft hand 57 and on theright hand 58, respectively, of an operator.

FIG. 10 is a variation of use of thering 76.

FIG. 11 is a crosssectional view through the assembled apparatus shown in FIG. 8 to show the relations of theoverall assembly 90.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the toothbrush and thepen body 71 of theoverall assembly 90.

FIG. 13 is a top .view of thepen body 71.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view ofzone 14A of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 shows thering sleeve 77 separated from theassembly 75.

FIG. 16 is a front view of thering 76.

FIG. 17 is a top view of thering 76 along direction of arrow 17C of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment, 110, of dental floss dispenser and holder assembly, according to this invention, in its assembled and portable nested condition.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of embodiment .with one locking sleeve unit thereof, 141, removed from the remainder ofassembly 110 in an initial stage of operation of that embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of theapparatus 1 10 in the operative position of its parts (although not shown being manipulated, as is shown in FIGS. 23 and 24); in the position shown in FIG. 20 the locking sleeve assem bly 150 is shown in its nested operative position while the dispenser assembly 111 (composed of the spool and the guidance arm are shown in perspective.

FIG. 21 is a transverse vertical section through theplane 21A of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic exploded view of theapparatus embodiment 110 with the spool assembly shown expanded in an exploded view while theinner locking sleeve 151 is shown removed from its position within thechamber 137 of theguidance arm 130.

FIG. 23 is a view, as seen by the operator, of hisleft hand 78 andright hand 79 holding the major subassemblies 111 and of theapparatus 110.

FIG. 24 is a front view illustrating the appearance of the visible portions of the apparatus 110 (namely, a portion of the operativelynested sleeve assembly 150 and a portion of the floss l 13 while held in the same position by the operatorsright hand 79 andleft hand 78 as illustrated in FIG. 23) this being the appearance as seen on looking toward the operator while theapparatus 110 is being used by the operator.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of dental floss and holder assembly, 210, according to this invention in its assembled and portable nested or storage condition.

FIG. 26 is a diagrammatic exploded view of theapparatus embodiment 210 with the spool assembly shown in expanded and exploded view while thelocking sleeve assembly 240 is shown removed from its storage position within thechamber 137 of theguidance arm 130.

FIG. 27 is a top view of theassembly 210 in the position of parts shown in FIG. 25.

'FIG. 28A is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 27 along the direction of thearrow 27A of FIG. 27.

FIG. 28B is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the section plane 28B28B of FIG. 27

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of theapparatus 210 in the operative position of its parts, although not shown being manipulated as is shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. Thelocking sleeve assembly 250 is shown in perspective view in its nested operative position while thedispenser assembly 211 is also there shown in perspective and operatively connected by a length of floss toassembly 250.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Theapparatus assembly 60 comprises adispenser assembly 50 and a floss free end holder andfinger protector assembly 40 shown in FIGS. 35 to be located on one of operators fingers, as 57, on operators left hand and another on operators finger, as 58, on the other (right) hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Thedispenser assembly 50 is a unitary combination which comprises, in operative combination, aplastic ring base 61 with a shortcurved arm 62 and a longcurved arm 63 thereon and agap 64 between the ends of said arms, said arms having some resilient extensibility. The ring base has a circular groove 65 therein (see FIG. 6) for firm fitting therein and attachment, by a press fit thereto, of a rigid rightcylindrical sleeve 53, also made of plastic. A flexible yet firmremovable cap 54 located on top of the sleeve is firmly yet resleasably attached thereto by a press fit.

Cap 54 comprises a flat circular disc 47, acylindrical skirt 49 at the periphery thereof and firmly attached thereto and continuous therewith, asturdy release ear 48 attached to the skirt and projecting laterally therefrom and a cutter blade base 45 and cutter blade 55. The base 45 is a thin steel sheet firmly attached to the center of the disc 47; the cutter 55 is a semi-cylindrical ear firmly attached at its wide diametral end to the base 45 and projects sufficiently (about 1/16 inch) at itsfree end 46 from the base 45 to hold the floss, 68, for cutting. The skirt and a base are formed of firm yet resilient plastic, as polyethylene and the skirt forms a releasable fit with the top ofsleeve 53.

Thesleeve 53 andcap 54 andbase 61 enclose afloss holder chamber 66.Chamber 66 loosely accomodates adental floss spool 67 and allows it to turn freely therein yet not tumble so that the floss thereon may not tangle. Standarddental floss 68 is releasably wound on and held onfloss spool 67. Flossspool 67 may be a standard sewing machine bobbin with a column 67.1 and shoulders 67.2 and 67.3 joined together firmly. Thefloss 68 passes fromspool 67 to holder andfinger protector assembly 40 between the softly rounded top ofsleeve 53 and the bottom ofcap 54 and may be cut off at floss cutter 55. The floss may pass freely betweencap 54 andsleeve 53 for drawing floss from the spool on release of the cap from the sleeve or the floss may be locked against movement relative tosleeve 53 when the cap and the sleeve are firmly joined together. Normally, theskirt 49 ofcap 54 and rounded top ofsleeve 53 form a sufficiently tight fit to hold thefloss 68 therebetween during normal floss usage, especially if the cap be held against the sleeve by pressure of theusers thumb 59 against the top of thecap 54, as shown in FIG. 1. Nevertheless, thefree end 42 of the length offloss 68 onspool 67 is readily released by pulling upward onear 48 to release the cap from thesleeve 53. The ring-like C-shaped free floss andholder 40 is in the shape of an elastic incomplete cylinder with an outer surface 41 that is concave outwards and has aslot 43 to allow for expansion. The surface 41 serves to center and hold the end of thefloss 68 wrapped therearound as in FIGS. 1 and 2, especially when such floss is held by placing theright thumb 69 of the user in the concave groove 41, as shown in FIG. 2 (whenright finger 58 supports holder 40) or when several crossed turns of floss lock the floss against movement therearound, as in FIG. 1.

Whenholder 40 is on the left hand, the left thumb holds the thread against theholder 40 and the right hand finger holdsdispenser assembly 50.

The interior surface of thering base 61 and the ring 51 form a firm, yet releasable, grip on the users fingers as 57 and 58, which fit is made as firm as desired by merely pushing the ring 51 orbase 61 further along the length of the users fingers.

In operation ofapparatus 60, thefloss 68 is passed from thespool 67 and wrapped around and held, as above described, on the freefloss end holder 40.

Theapparatus 60 provides for a strong grip on the portions of the floss held by thedispenser assembly 50 and by the floss freeend holder assembly 40 without any damage whatsoever to the users fingers. Because of this absence of pain and/or damage to the finger,assembly 60 permits the user to more effectively use the floss, as well as use it for a longer period of time and, accordingly, because of its greater efficiency of use and longer period of use without unpleasantness to the user, improves the treatment obtainable thereby.Apparatus 60 is also provided with a transparent plastic container for protection against dirt and. for portability; dispenserassembly base ring 61 and theholder 40 may be both made of polyvinyl chloride or like tough, soft, waterproof non-toxic plastic.

In the particular embodiment ofapparatus 60 shown,sleeve 53 is 78 inch outside diameter and /2 inch long (parallel to its central longitudinal axis). The outside diameter ofcap 54 is 1 /6 inch;holder 40 has a maximum diameter (in FIG. 2) of 1 inch and is 4 inch high from its bottom edge 44.2 to its top edge 44.1; cutter blade 55 is /s inch wide at its base; ring 51 is 1% inch wide across itsface 52 and 1 inch high from face 52 to lowest portion 62.1 ofarm 62, as shown in FIG. 3;arm 62 is /s inch wide at its bottom or lowest portion 62.1. The interior and exterior surfaces of ring 51 andholder 40 are smooth so as to not damage a users fingers. FIGS. 16 are pictorial and to scale so that other dimensions may be drawn therefrom in view of the above particular data forembodiment 60.

Embodiment 90 (FIGS. 817) Theassembly 90 comprises a pen assembly 70 and a shaped sleeve andring assembly 75.

The pen assembly 70 comprises a resilient yetfirm clip 72 and abody 71. The pen body 71 (shown in FIG. 11) is an elongated rigid hollow structure with awall 81 of circular cross section much like a conventional ball point pen and of that size, i.e. about 5% inches and inch outside diameter. It has afloss compartment 73 therein wherein a spool or a roll 84 offloss 74 is held andthe string offloss 74 leading therefrom passes through that compartment to aopening 91 at the end of thecompartment 73. It is closed by screwedhead 92.

Thepen body 71 has firmly attached to the outside thereof a combination pencil clip andfloss cutter 72. Thebody 71 has a wideremovable head 92 and anarrow tip 93. An outlet opening 91 co-axial with the central longitudinal axis of thebody 71, is located at thetip 93 and awide slot 94 is located close to but definitely spaced away by acollar 96 from thetip 63 and thelongitudinally extending opening 91 therein.

An elongated cylindrical spirally wound roll of dental floss roll 84 is held in a floss zone compartment, as 95, defined by an inwardly projecting ring orshoulder 99, to hold the reel or roll of floss 84 in place in thechamber 73. Thetip end 93 of thepen body 71 has a shortnarrow hole 91 therein and a definite collar or bridge portion 36 thereover, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13; one end of thecollar 96 andwall 81 define a conical surface with thehole 91 at the apex thereof and theportion 83 of thechamber 73 at the base of such conical surface and continuous therewith. The front edge ofcollar 96 defines the rear ofhole 91 and provides that thefloss 74 passes through thehole 91 as a guide therefor. Thecollar portion 96 is also sufficiently short and theslot 94 sufficiently long and wide and theinterior surface 83 sufficiently smooth that an operator may, with his fingers, manipulate a free end as 83 of thefloss 74 to pass readily through thehole 91 on replacement of the spool of floss as needed. 7

A resilienthelical spring 98 withincompartment 95 bears against the ring orshoulders 99 defining thefloss compartment 95 and against a base of the spool 84 and urges the rear spool face 89 of the spool 84 into contact with the pointedteeth 97 which are firmly attached to thehead 92 of thepen body 71 to engage and hold the spool 84.

Theremovable head 92 has anend plate 105 that slidably holds a rigid cylindricalpush button handle 100 and hassharp teeth 97 firmly fixed thereto and is attached bythreads 108 to the barrel orwall 81. The forward end 106 of thehandle 100 is smooth and has a laterally extendingshoulder 107 that engagesplate 105 to restrain travel ofhandle 100.Plate 105 is rigid. Push button handle 100, when urged toward the spool, compressesspring 98 and allows the spool 84 to rotate on the smooth front end ofhandle 100 to release thefloss 74 on spool 84. When the push button handle 100 is not depressed, thespring 98 urges the spool against theteeth 97 in locking engagement therewith and prevents release of the spool and the floss thereon by preventing rotation of the spool. Actuation of thepush button 100 thus serves to release the floss spool for dispensing. Thepocket clip 72 has 'asharp floss cutter 102 located therein for cutting the floss passed out ofpen body 71.

Atoothbrush 75 is located with itshandle 76 andbrush 77 adjacent thepen body 71 with thebrush portion 77 projecting into theslot 94, generally as shown in FIGS. 8, l1 and 12, and is held in place by the resilient yet firm fit ofsleeve 75 thereover.

The ring sleeve andring assembly 75 comprises a rigid shaped hollow cylinder and aring 76 in slidable yet lockable relation thereto.Ring 76 is slit.

As shown in FIG. 8, the sleeve orshaft 77 is a hollow shaped cylinder and has at its narrowest portion a smaller internal diameter than the external diameter of the pen body at the joining zone orpoint 101, as shown in FIG. 8, where theremovable sleeve 77 contacts and engages thepen body 71 in the nested position of theapparatus 90. Thesleeve 77 is hourglass shaped with a wider portion at one end 77.1 and narrower portion 77.2 in the middle and has a convex inward outline, as shown in FIG. 12, and a wide portion 77.3 at the other end and has a concave outward outline as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 11 and 15. The hourglass shapedsleeve 77 is sufficiently long to be held in the fingers, as 58 and 69, of right hand of theoperator 80, while the fingers as 59 and 57 of the otherleft hand 78 of the operator holds the pen assembly 70 wherein thefloss 74 is held. When nested as in FIG. 8, splitring 76 is located in a lockable yet slidable relationship to the hourglass shapedsleeve 77. Thesplit ring 76 is a C-shaped free floss end holder, like 40, and has the shape of an elastic incomplete cylinder with an outer hourglass shaped surface 76.1 that is concave outwards.Ring 76 has alongitudinal slit 78 which allows for some elastic expansion movement of thatring 76 relative to thesleeve 77 and thereby for thefloss 74 to be readily and firmly held between the outer surface ofsleeve 77 and the inner surface of the split ring by the gripping by thesplit ring 76 against thefloss 74, as shown in FIG. 9, by a wedging action and consequent firm locking of the floss therebetween as well as by turning of the floss around the ring to tighten the floss about the ring and lock it after the floss has been located thereunder, as shown in FIG. 2 forring 40.

Thering 76 is made of soft enough material to also resiliently expand as it is pushed up the larger diameter portion of thecylindrical sleeve 77 and this softness allows thefloss 74 to be firmly yet releasably locked between the larger diameter portion 77.1 of thesleeve 77 and the split ring. The floss is slipped through theslit 78 and betweenring 76 andsleeve 77 while thering 76 is adjacent the narrow portion 77.2 ofsleeve 77 and thereby held in place when the ring is moved toward the wider end, as 77.1, of thesleeve 77.

This relation ofelements 76 and 77 provides for a firm location of the dental floss by thesplit ring 76 and for the support of thering 76 on thesleeve 77. Additionally, thesplit ring 76 may, as shown in FIG. 10, be held directly on the pen holder body 1 l and held on an operators finger, as 58, without the sleeve, generally as inembodiment 60; then, the outer surface 76.1 also serves to center and hold the end of thefloss 74 wrapped therearound as in FIG. 9, especially when such floss is held as by placing theright thumb 69 of the user in the concave surface 76.1 (as shown in FIG. 2) or when several crossed turns of floss lock the floss against movement therearound (as in FIG. 1 forembodiment 60. In both cases of use of a split ring as 76 or 40, as herein disclosed, the operators finger is protected against pain or damage due to tight floss.

Thesleeve 77 firmly holds thepen body 71 for attachment thereto and also holds the toothbrush together therewith so that the dental floss dispenser assembly 70 and split ring andsleeve assembly 75 and thetoothbursh 75 are held together as a nested group orunit 90, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11. As above set out, thesleeve 77 is readily disconnected from the pen body 70 and the dental floss ofspool 74, as shown in FIG. 9 is passed from the pen body 70 to be firmly held by the split ring andsleeve assembly 75 between thering 76 and thesleeve 77 for manipulation on the operators teeth generally as also shown in FIG. 7 while the spring 38 holds the spool 24 firmly in position and prevents release of thefloss 74 therefrom. The pen assembly 70 thus serves to store and dispense a supply ofdental floss 74 and to firmly hold a portion thereof; and, in cooperation withassembly 75, which firmly holds another portion of said floss and rapidly releases such floss, to permit the energetic flossing of the human teeth without discomfort.

Embodiment 110 (FIGS. 1824) The dental floss dispensing andmanipulation assembly 110 comprises a floss dispenser assembly 111 in cooperative assembly with a floss lockingsleeve assembly 140.

The floss dispenser assembly 111 comprises, in cooperative assembly, aspool 112, aspool casing 120 and aguidance arm 130. The lockingsleeve assembly 140 comprises, in cooperative combination, anouter locking sleeve 141 and aninner locking sleeve 151 in storage condition shown in FIG. 18.

Thespool 1 12 has a topcircular plate 116, a bottomcircular end plate 117, a topcylindrical sleeve 118 firmly attached to thetop end plate 116, and bottomcylindrical sleeve 119 attached to thebottom plate 117. The top cylindrical sleeve is rigid and extends at right angles, as shown in FIG. 22, to thetop end plate 116 and is firmly attached thereto, while thebottom sleeve 119 is rigid, splined exteriorly, and has a cylindrical interior surface of slightly larger size than the outside diameter of thetop sleeve 118 and is firmly attached at its bottom to the bottomspool end plate 117. The outer surface ofsleeve 118 fits firmly yet releasably within the inner surface of thebottom sleeve 119 with a press fit. Thedental floss 113 is firmly wrapped in spiral fashion around thebottom sleeve 119. As below described, when theplates 116 and 117 are turned, thesplined sleeve 119 engages the mass of thethread 113 and provides for the rotation thereof about the common central axis of thecircular plates 116 and 117, thecylindrical sleeves 118 and 119 and the cylindrical coil offloss 113.

Thespool casing 120 comprises a hollow cylindrical C-shapedcompartment wall 121, with a section thereof removed to provide agap 122 so that thewall 121 is generally C'-shaped, as shown in FIG. 22.

The bottom edge ofwall 121 is firmly joined to the peripheral edge of acircular compartment floor 123 with acentral hole 124 therein. Some rigid teeth, 125 and 125, extend downward from the exterior surface of the floor 123 (as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29). Aspool chamber 127 is accordingly formed within thecompartment wall 121 and above thefloor 123. Afloss discharge hole 128 extend radially of thewall 121 adjacent to gap 122 and through the wall.

Thespool 113 is located within thespool chamber 127 and firmly attached to the splinedbottom spool sleeve 1 19. Theplates 1 17 and 1 16 are firmly attached together by the engagement of thesleeves 1 18 and 1 19, as the outer surface ofsleeve 118 firmly yet releasably fits within the inner surface ofsleeve 119 with a very firm press fit whereby theend plates 116 and 117 may be separated when the replacement of thefloss mass 113 is desired.

Thespool end plates 117 and 116 have flat interior bottom surfaces which smoothly engage the flat parallel top and bottom edges of thewall 121; thesleeve 1 19 extends through thehole 124 slidably and smoothly, thereby thespool 1 13 is firmly and rotatably held within thechamber 127 and may be moved by rotation of either of theplates 116 or 117 relative to thecasing 121 to loosen thefloss 113 within thechamber 127 to permit the withdrawal of the floss outward of thechamber 127 through thehole 128 and such movable means also provides for releasably holding such floss against movement from the floss holding chamber.

Theguidance arm 130 is a firm elongated narrow pyramidal structure firmly attached towalls 121 and 135 ofspool casing 120. The guidance arm comprises a rigid elongated triangular flatleft side plate 133, a rigid elongated triangular flatright side plate 134 and a rigid elongated triangularbottom plate 135. Theplates 133, 134 and 135 enclose and define the pyramidal shapedguidance arm chamber 137 therebetween and terminate in a rounded guidance arm point ornose 136. Theguidance arm chamber 137 has an elongated pyramidal shape with a base 138 that is adjacent to wall 122. Guidancearm nose portion 136 is provided with a straightcylindrical hole 139 therethrough that communicates withchamber 137 for location in that hole of thefloss 113. The larger, or base, portion of the pyramidal chamber, 138, is co-extensive with the gap in opening 122 in thewall 121 of thespool casing 120. Walls 134l36 ofarm 130, like casing andspool 112, are formed of firm yet resilient soft smoothsurfaced plastic as polyethylene.

Theright hand wall 134 of the guidance arm supports acutter assembly 131;assembly 131 has abase 132 and a cutting blade 131.1. Thebase 132 is a rigid steel plate and is firmly attached to theside wall 134 and supports a semicylindrical cutter blade 131.1 with a sharp cutting edge adjacent to the base; the cutter blade 131.1 is a semi-cylindrical ear firmly attached at its wide sharp edge diametral end to thebase 132 and the dull free end of the blade 131.2 projects sufficiently (about 1/ 16 inch) from the base to conveniently hold thefloss 113 for cutting.

Theguidance arm 130 is firmly attached to thespool casing 120 by firm attachment of theside walls 133 and 134 of guidance arm to thewall 121 at either side of the wall gap oropening 122 and thecompartment floor 123 is co-extensive and continuous with the bottom wall of theguidance arm 130 whereby a rigid and firm connection therebetween is effected.

The lockingsleeve assembly 140 is composed of an outer elongatedpyramidal sleeve 141, and a like elongated pyramidalinner sleeve 151.Sleeves 141 and 151 are identical in size and shape and are interchangeable in their position, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 20.

Theouter locking sleeve 141 comprises a elongated triangular rigidtop wall 142 firmly connected at its left edge to the like shapedside wall 143 and at its right side to the like shapedside wall 144, while theside walls 143 and 144 are firmly connected at their bottom to the side edges of thebottom wall 145. These triangular walls all have the same isosceles shape and size and join together at a rounded point ornose 146 whereat is provided a elongated yetnarrow notch 149 for holding floss l 13. The locking sleeve chamber 147 enclosed within thewalls 142, 143, 144 and 145 is pyramidal in shape with a square open base 148 at the end of the chamber 147 distantfrom thenose 146.

The lockingsleeve assembly 140 is composed of a likeouter sleeve 141 andinner sleeve 151.Sleeves 141 and 151 are interchangeable in their position. Theinner locking sleeve 151 comprises a elongated triangular rigidtop wall 152 firmly connected at its left edge to the like shapedside wall 153 and at its right side to the like shapedside wall 154, while theside walls 153 and 154 are firmly connected at their bottom to the side edges of thebottom wall 155. These triangular walls all have the same isosceles shape and size and join together at anose 156 whereat is provided a elongated yetnarrow notch 159 for holding floss l 13. The locking sleeve chamber 157 enclosed within thewalls 152, 153, 154 and 155 is pyramidal in shape with an opensquare base 158 at the end of the chamber 157 distant from thenose 156.

In the nested condition of theapparatus 110, as

. shown in FIG. 18, onesleeve unit 151 of the interlockingsleeve assembly 150 is firmly yet releasably located within thechamber 137 of theguidance arm 130, as shown in FIG. 18, while that guidance arm is releasably yet firmly located within theother sleeve unit 141.

Thenose 146 of theouter sleeve 141 is of a size and shape to be used to enter the space of chamber 137 (where indicated by lead line of referent numeral 137 in FIG. 19) between thenose 156 of the locking sleeve and thenose 136 of theguidance am 130 to pry or lift up thesleeve 151. Such step is performed by removing the locking sleeve 14] from the wedged, press fit attachment thereof toarm 130 in the assembly shown in FIG. 18 to the position of parts shown in FIG. 19 wheresuch locking sleeve 141 is pulled away from theguidance arm 130. Thefloss 113 is then passed from thehole 128 through thehole 139 of theguidance arm 130 and passed through thenotch 159 of thearm 150 and around the walls of thesleeve 151 generally as shown in FIG. 22; thereupon, thesleeve 141 is passed over thesleeve 151 as shown'in FIG. 20, andfloss 113 is held between thesleeve 141 and thesleeve 151, generally as shown in FIG. 21, inasmuch as thesleeve 141 and 151 form a wedging action to firmly hold thefloss 113 in such position and form the operative free flossend locking assembly 150, which comprises thesleeves 141 and 151 nested together, as shown in FIGS. and 21, and firmly yet releasably holding thefree end 114 of thefloss 113. Thefloss 113 passes from itslocked position betweenunits 141 and 151 to theslot 149 innose 146 ofsleeve unit 141 to thehole 139 innose 136 ofarm 130 and so provides for firm gripping of theunit 150 and fine control of the floss inslot 149 andhole 139 by the operator (as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24) without discomfort to theflesh of the fingers guiding and locating the floss by the use ofassemblies 111 and 150 ofapparatus 110. Theassembly 150 may be held by one of the operators hands, as theright hand 79, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, while thefloss 113 is passed between the teeth, as 80, as shown in FIG. 24 and unit 111 held in the operators other hand, as 79, so that the floss may be vigorously and properly applied to the operators teeth without discomfort to the operators fingers.

Embodiment 210 (FIGS. 2549 The dental floss dispensing andmanipulation assembly 210 comprises afloss dispenser assembly21 1 in cooperative assembly with a floss freeend locking assembly 240.

Thefloss dispenser assembly 211 comprises, in cooperative assembly, aspool 212, aspool casing 220 and aguidance arm 230.

In theembodiment 210, the components of the floss holder anddispenser assembly 211 is the same asassembly 1 1 1, as shown by the referent numerals therefor in FIGS. 25-29 in embodiment but the floss freeend holder assembly 240 is novel and the cutter is attached to theassembly 240, not 211 and hole 139' is vertical, not enteringchamber 137.

The lockingsleeve assembly 240 is composed of an outer elongatedpyramidal sleeve 241, and a elongated pyramidalinner sleeve 251.

Theouter locking sleeve 241 comprises a elongated triangular rigidtop wall 242 firmly connected at its left edge to the like shapedside wall 143 and at its right side to the like shapedright side wall 244, while the side walls as 243 and 244 are firmly connected at their bottom to the side edges of the bottom wall 245. These triangular walls all have the same isosceles shape and size and join together at a rounded point ornose 246 whereat is provided a elongated yetnarrow hole 249 for holdingfloss 113. The lockingsleeve chamber 247 enclosed within thewalls 242, 243, 244 and 245 is pyramidal in shape with a square open base 248 at the end of thechamber 247 distant from thenose 246. Atop opening 239 inwall 242 provides for movement of theknob 257 ofunit 251.

Thetop wall 242 of thesleeve 240 supports at its base end, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, acutter assembly 231;assembly 231 has abase 232 and a cutting blade 231.1. Thebase 232 is a rigid U-shaped steel plateand is firmly attached to thetop wall 242 and supports a semicyclindrical cutter blade 231.1 with a sharp cutting edge adjacent to its base; the cutter blade 231.1 is a semi-cylindrical ear firmly attached at its wide sharp-edged diametral end to thebase 232 and the dull free end of the blade 231.2projects sufficiently (about l/16 inch) from the base to conveniently hold thefloss 113 for cutting. Anear 233 onwall 252 holdsplate 232 in place. Theinner locking sleeve 251 comprises a elongated triangular rigid top wall .252 firmly connected at its right edge to the like shaped side wall 254 and at its left side to a like shaped side wall, while the side walls are firmly connected at their bottom to the side edges of the bottom wall same in shape aswall 252. These triangular walls all have the same isosceles shape and size and join together at anose 256. The inner locking sleeve is a elongatedsolid pyramid 255 with a rearsquare base 258 at the end ofsleeve 251 distant from itsnose 256, and acontrol knob 257 fixed thereto. Acontrol knob 257 is firmly fixed to thetop wall 252; it has an upper curved and milledface 259 for movement thereof.

In the nested condition of theapparatus 210, as shown in FIG. 25,sleeve unit 241 of theinnerlocking sleeve assembly 240 is firmly yet releasably located within thechamber 137 of theguidance arm 130, as shown in FIG. 25, while thatsleeve 251 is movably yet lockably located within thesleeve unit 241 by-movement towards and away fromnose 246.

The floss freeend holder assembly 240 comprises a first outer casing orsleeve 241 and a second,inner casing 241 or sleeve; the outer casing or sleeve envelopes and slidably holds the inner casing in a slidable yet firmly held relative relationship whereby the only manipulation of the locking elements required for holding or releasing the free end of the floss is longitudinal sliding of one assembly (251) relative to the other (241). There is no requirement for assembling the elements to create a working relationship therebetween. Thereby, the lockingassembly 240, when released from the guidance arm of the dispensing and holdingassembly 211, is immediately available for operation.

The pyramidal shape element 55 slidably fits inchamber 247 to be positioned in either a slidable loose, floss-releasing position as in FIG. 27, or a tightly wedged floss holding position as in FIG. 28B by manipulation of theknob 257.

Theknob 257 is firmly fixed to the top surface ofinner sleeve body 255 and has a larger width than the width ofhole 239 inwall 242 ofsleeve 241 and has a flat smooth bottom face that slidably engages the smooth top ofwall 242 to provide for slidable movement of thewedge body 255 within thechamber 247 ofsleeve 241 to achieve its floss releasing or floss holding position.

The relative sizes of exterior surface ofbody 255 and the interior surface ofchamber 247 ofsleeve 241 are such that there is in the released position ofbody 255 ofunit 251, shown in FIG. 27, a definite but small space between the front ofnose 256 of the lockingsleeve 251 and the rear ofnose 246 of lockingsleeve 241 in the release position (FIG. 27) to provide for movement of thebody 255 from its floss releasing to its floss locking position (locked position shown in FIG. 28B).

Grasping ofknob 257 allows operator to pry or lift up thesleeves 251 and 241 from the press fit location ofsleeve 241 inchamber 137.

Operation ofapparatus 210 is effected by removing the lockingsleeve 241 with 251 therein from the wedged, press fit attachment thereof toarm 230 in the assembly shown in FIG. 25 to the position of parts shown in FIG. 29 where the assembly of lockingsleeve 241 andsleeve 251 is released or pulled away from theguidance arm 230. Thefloss 113 then passes from casing 220 viahold 128 and through the hole 139' of theguidance arm 230 and passes through thehole 249 in thesleeve 241 and intochamber 247 diagrammatically as shown in FIG. 26. When theinner locking sleeve 251 is moved within thesleeve 251 to locking position, as shown in FIG. 29,floss 113 is then firmly (yet releasably) held between the inner wall ofsleeve 241 and the outer wall ofbody 255 of lockingsleeve 251, generally as shown in FIG. 29, inasmuch as the adjacent surfaces ofsleeve 241 andbody 255 then form a releasable yet firm wedging action to firmly hold thefloss 113 and each other in position to form the operative free flossend locking assembly 250, which (assembly 250) comprises thesleeves 241 and 251 nested together, as shown in FIG. 29.

Thefloss 113 passes from its firmly held or locked position shown in FIG. 29 (and also in FIG. 288) betweenunits 241 and 251 to thehole 249 innose 246 ofsleeve unit 241 to the hole 139' innose 136 ofguidance arm 230 and so provides for firm gripping (by the unit 250) and fine control of the floss inhole 249 and hole 139' by the operator (as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24) without discomfort to the flesh of the fingers guiding and locating the floss by the use ofassemblies 211 and 250 ofapparatus 210. Theassembly 250 may be held by one of the operators hands, as theright hand 79, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, while thefloss 113 is passed between the teeth, as 80, as shown in FIG. 24 andunit 211 held in the operators other hand, as 79, so that the floss may be vigorously and properly applied to the operators teeth without discomfort to the operators fingers.

Thefinger protector assembly 40 may be readily attached to thedispenser assembly 50 by displacing thearms 62 and 63 and pushingassembly 40 thereof through theslot 64 as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5 for ready and convenient storage and transport of both units ofassembly 60 together. The flexibility of thecap 54 near itsskirt 49 and the size thereof provide for finnly holding the floss between thecap 54 andsleeve 53 while storing theassembly 60 between periods of use thereof and provides for ready access to such floss.

In embodiment in the nested storage position as shown in FIG. 8 the inwardly convex shapedsleeve 77 holds the free end of thefloss 83 between that interior surface of that sleeve and the exterior surface of the floss dispenser wall inasmuch as that wall has aninternal chamber 103 having portionsto the front of the zone of contact of that sleeve with the outside of the shell 81larger than the outside diameter of the portion of wall and has portions that have an internal diameter that are less than the outside diameter of that body exterior. The rigid portion of the shell orwall 81 between theshoulders 99 and thehole 91enclosing chamber 104 serves as an extension arm in the same manner as do theguidance arms 130 and 230 of embodiments and 210 during the manipulation of the floss thereof as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 forembodiments 110 and 210.

Inembodiment 110 theouter sleeve 141 in the nested position of parts of FIG. 18 holds thefree end 114 offloss 113 in position for ready access for later use. This holding is accomplished by the firm yet releasable wedging fit and action between the smooth inner surface of theouter sleeve 141 and the smooth outer surface of the guidance arm and the holding therebetween of the thin and readily flattened dental floss, as shown in FIG. 18.

Inembodiment 210 theouter sleeve 241 in the nested position of parts shown in FIG. 25 holds the free end of the floss in position for ready access for later use as shown in FIG. 29. This holding is accomplished by the firm yet releasable wedging fit and action between the most inner surface ofguidance arm 230 and the smooth outer surface ofsleeve 241 and the holding therebetween of the thin and readily flattened dental floss as well as the holding action of adjacent walls ofsleeve assemblies 241 and 251.

Conventional dental floss as is used inembodiments 60, 90, 110 and 210 has a width of about 0.7 mm and a thickness of about 0.2 mm and is made of many loosely packed fibers each about 0.02 mm. diameter.

The floss ofembodiment 210 extends fromhole 249 to hole 229 viacavity 247 and then to hole 228 as shown in FIG. 29 and is held against the interior wall of guidance orextension arm 230 bysleeve wall 244 in storage position of FIG. 25 and is held against interior ofsleeve 241 by thebody 255.

Spool plates 117 and 117 and firm and stable yet resiliently flexible as they are made of relatively soft plastic. The flexibility ofplate 117 is the same as 117' ofembodiment 210 and provides for bending of up to /s inch on normal finger pressure. This bending is shown exaggerated for purpose of illustration clarity in FIGS. 28A and 28B and provides a releasable engagement with teeth as 125 and 125 on bottom ofwall 123 and so allowsspool 112 of embodiment 110 (and 212 of embodiment 210) to be turned by hand to wind or unwind floss on that spool by turning thespool plate 116 or 117. In the operative position of assembly 11 (and 211) the hand of the operator holding such assembly, as in FIGS. 23 and 24 prevents the spool from turning while such hand also engages arm 130 (or 230) and forcefully supports and manipulates the remainder ofassembly 111 or 211.

In embodiment l the outer diameter ofspool plate 116 is 1% inches andplates 116 and 117 are 1/32 inch thick;wall 121 is 7/16 inch high and 1 inch outside diameter;hole 139 is 3/64 inch interior diameter and its center is 2% inch from nearest edge ofspool plate 1 16;arm 130 is 2% inch long measured alongside 134; the top ofchamber 137 is 2% inch long from opening 122 to rear ofnose 146;nose 146 is a solid /s inch thick member; sleeve 141 (like 151) is 1 /16 inches long measured alongside 144 and inch wide from outside ofwall 134 to outside ofwall 133 atbase 138 and is /8 inch wide at distance of /s inch fromend 146; each of walls 142-145 and 152-155 are 3/64 inch thick; the material used forunits 90, 110 and 210, except for the steel cutter, is polyethylene.

I claim:

1. In combination, a floss dispensing and holding assembly and a finger protecting floss locking body assembly separatable therefrom for holding a length of dental floss therebetween,

a. said floss dispensing and holding assembly comprising, in operative combination, rigid walls defining a floss holding chamber, a dental floss spool within said floss holding chamber, dental floss on said spool, and movable locking means supported on said chamber wall and releasably engaging said spool for releasably holding said floss against movement from said floss holding chamber, said floss dispensing and holding assembly also comprising a rigid narrow wedge-shaped guidance arm permanently and firmly attached at an inner wide end thereof to said rigid wall of said floss dispensing and holding chamber and extending to a rounded narrow outer end, an upwardly open receptacle within said guidance arm and an orifice through a wall of said guidance arm near the narrow outer end of said guidance arm and continuous with said receptacle;

b. said finger protecting floss locking body assembly comprising a tapered body with a floss engaging orifice at one, narrow, end thereof and a finger engaging surface at the other, wider, end thereof, said ends spaced apart from each other and a firm wedge-shaped body portion therebetween firmly attached to and continuous with said finger engaging surface and to said floss engaging orifice, said wedge-shaped body portion being of variable width along its length; said tapered body, in one position, firmly fitting against inner side walls of said receptacle within said guidance arm and, in another position of said tapered body, said body being movable freely along a part of the length of said receptacle in said guidance arm and being separable and separate from said floss dispensing and holding assemy;

c. a length of said floss extending from said spool through said orifice of said guidance arm and through said orifice at the end of said tapered body, said wedge-shaped body portion fitting into said receptacle in said guidance arm with said length of floss attached to said tapered body whereby said floss is stored ready for use attached to said floss dispensing and holding assembly and to said looking body assembly.

2. Apparatus as inclaim 1 wherein said locking means in said dispensing and holding assembly for releasably holding said floss against movement comprises a flexible cap engaging said chamber wall.

3. Apparatus as inclaim 1 wherein said locking body assembly comprises also a second tapered body which has a tapered internal chamber with larger diameter opening at one, wide end than the outside diameter of the outer end of said guidance arm and a smaller internal diameter at said wide end than the outside diameter of the inner wide end of said guidance arm and has a terminal portion that has an internal diameter that is less than the outside diameter of the outer end of said guidance arm and said second tapered body forms a releasable attachment on said guidance arm.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said first and said second tapered bodies are identical in size and shape and are interchangeable in position.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said tapered bodies and said guidance arm are pyramidal in shape.

6. Apparatus as inclaim 1 wherein said locking body assembly comprises said tapered body and a second tapered locking body and said tapered body has a wedgeshaped chamber therein and said tapered body has at its narrow end an orifice which extends from said wedge-shaped chamber therein to the exterior of said tapered body and said second tapered body is shorter than and is releasably held in the chamber of said tapered body, and the tapered body is movable into and out of wedging locking relationship with the receptacle in said guidance arm and said first and second tapered bodies then hold therebetween an extension of the length of floss extending from said spool to said orifice at the end of said tapered body.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said locking means in said dispensing and holding assembly for releasably holding said flossagainst movement comprises a flexible cap engaging said chamber wall.

8. Apparatus as inclaim 7 wherein said tapered bodies and said guidance arm are pyramidal in shape.

Claims (8)

1. In combination, a floss dispensing and holding assembly and a finger protecting floss locking body assembly separatable threfrom for holding a length of dental floss therebetween, a. said floss dispensing and holding assembly comprising, in operative combination, rigid walls defining a floss holding chamber, a dental floss spool within said floss holding chamber, dental floss on said spool, and movable locking means supported on said chamber wall and releasably engaging said spool for releasably holding said floss against movement from said floss holding chamber, said floss dispensing and holding assembly also comprising a rigid narrow wedge-shaped guidance arm pErmanently and firmly attached at an inner wide end thereof to said rigid wall of said floss dispensing and holding chamber and extending to a rounded narrow outer end, an upwardly open receptacle within said guidance arm and an orifice through a wall of said guidance arm near the narrow outer end of said guidance arm and continuous with said receptacle; b. said finger protecting floss locking body assembly comprising a tapered body with a floss engaging orifice at one, narrow, end thereof and a finger engaging surface at the outer, wider, end thereof, said ends spaced apart from each other and a firm wedge-shaped body portion therebetween firmly attached to and continuous with said finger engaging surface and to said floss engaging orifice, said wedge-shaped body portion being of variable width along its length; said tapered body, in one position, firmly fitting against inner side walls of said receptacle within said guidance arm and, in another position of said tapered body, said body being movable freely along a part of the length of said receptacle in said guidance arm and being separable and separate from said floss dispensing and holding assembly; c. a length of said floss extending from said spool through said orifice of said guidance arm and through said orifice at the end of said tapered body, said wedge-shaped body portion fitting into said receptacle in said guidance arm with said length of floss attached to said tapered body whereby said floss is stored ready for use attached to said floss dispensing and holding assembly and to said locking body assembly.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said locking means in said dispensing and holding assembly for releasably holding said floss against movement comprises a flexible cap engaging said chamber wall.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said locking body assembly comprises also a second tapered body which has a tapered internal chamber with larger diameter opening at one, wide end than the outside diameter of the outer end of said guidance arm and a smaller internal diameter at said wide end than the outside diameter of the inner wide end of said guidance arm and has a terminal portion that has an internal diameter that is less than the outside diameter of the outer end of said guidance arm and said second tapered body forms a releasable attachment on said guidance arm.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said first and said second tapered bodies are identical in size and shape and are interchangeable in position.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said tapered bodies and said guidance arm are pyramidal in shape.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said locking body assembly comprises said tapered body and a second tapered locking body and said tapered body has a wedge-shaped chamber therein and said tapered body has at its narrow end an orifice which extends from said wedge-shaped chamber therein to the exterior of said tapered body and said second tapered body is shorter than and is releasably held in the chamber of said tapered body, and the tapered body is movable into and out of wedging locking relationship with the receptacle in said guidance arm and said first and second tapered bodies then hold therebetween an extension of the length of floss extending from said spool to said orifice at the end of said tapered body.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said locking means in said dispensing and holding assembly for releasably holding said floss against movement comprises a flexible cap engaging said chamber wall.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said tapered bodies and said guidance arm are pyramidal in shape.

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