Toilet – Toothpick – Having thread holder
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-22
2001-05-08
Lucchesi, Nicholas D. (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Toothpick
Having thread holder
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227210
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The prior art is varied and extensive for both disposable and non-disposable flossing tools and dental floss holders. Henne, Chodorow, and Johnson all patented a type of dental floss holding tool for easing the important job of flossing teeth. None provided the level of durability needed for complete dental flossing to the levels required for true hygiene and periodontal maintenance. My own U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,432, Jun. 23, 1992, advanced the design by providing a high degree of structural integration of a floss loop into a plastic frame, the combination being disposable after use. Leverage action is provided so that the working lengths of floss could be held taught and easily inserted between teeth at very tight points of interdental contact. The fundamental advantages of that tool have distinct superiority over other disposable designs because the integration of a loop of floss and a plastic frame provide optimum strength. Utility, efficiency and ease of use is excellent in that tool, results of its featured leverage action. The problem found in prototyping and testing that flossing tool was difficulty of manufacture, since floss loops are not commonly manufactured. Holding a floss loop within a plastic injection mold is a difficult procedure due to the extreme pressures exerted within the mold cavities which tend to move the floss aside as cavities are displaced with molten plastic. The X-shaped tool provides an improved narrower design, since the width of the H-shaped tool restricted reach to the rear teeth. The X-shaped flosser is easily manufactured with a modified thermal plastic injection mold, and uses floss from a spool source, not solid loops. These improvements make the new tool inexpensive and easy to manufacture. At the same time the new tool itself provides the maximum structural integrity and provides leverage action in a disposable tool, designed for comfort and ease in reaching between very difficult to floss rear teeth. Additional tool strength is gained due to its construction method wherein an integral strand of floss runs the entire length of the frame members of the tool. This construction supports the floss while tensioned and under high stress factors which are common while normal flossing of teeth is performed.
SUMMARY
An H-shaped rib centrally located within the X-shaped framework reinforces and provides positive fulcrum action in the tool. Integration with the corresponding working lengths of said floss at the ends of the tool are made by improving the integral combination of the plastic frame and floss. More durability and utility in the working lengths of the floss are provided by protecting against separation of the floss from the tool while in use and under stress. In the present invention, this is accomplished with simple modifications to existing thermal plastic injection type molds whereby capture points are provided to accept and secure floss which is dispensed from a typical floss spool source.
The purpose of this invention is to provide a highly durable, low cost disposable flossing tool featuring leverage action. An object is to utilize a typical thermal plastic injection mold, consisting of two mold halves with cavity areas which fill with liquid plastic to form a floss holding framework, fitted with capture points in the form of pins, perpendicular to the inner mold half surfaces. Thereby the floss may be routed from its spool source and through the cavities of the mold about the pins, which provides floss capture points when said halves are closed together and ready for injection. Upon injection of liquid heated plastic, the floss tends to remain in its various pre-established position since it is secured at the capture points and around the pins within the mold. By virtue of this method of positively holding the floss within a thermal injection mold, the entire frame of an X-shaped tool can be embedded with said floss, providing an ultradurable disposable dental flosser. It is an objective to retain the advantages of the H-shaped tool of U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,432 and improve the tool by using the newly designed X-shaped framework.
Additional objectives are to provide single hand operation of leverage action, keeping the floss taut while working with tight teeth, to provide a narrow profile allowing a user to easily access rear teeth, and to provide double ended capability, convenience and disposability in a low cost tool that is easily used by anyone, young or old, without extraordinary skill or strength.
The X-shaped flossing tool is a cleaner, more effective and easier method for most users than other methods of flossing. Softer tools, using butyl or rubber in the frame, can be used for children or elderly with sensitive gums, and various types of floss and flavorings can be adapted for personal preferences. Through application of a number of typical leverage designs and devices employing wobble-type mechanisms, or in a tendon-like fashion, the flossers can demonstrate a flexible hinge-like movement with angular variation at its center, in a bending motion, allowing an angular approach to the rear teeth.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiment of the invention shown herein is a result of extensive testing and prototyping and is constructed of an X-shaped injection molded rigid non-toxic plastic framework with floss made of standard nylon, super-strong polyester and/or polytetrofluroethylene (a slippery non-shredding floss), excellent for use where prior dental work is present which would put additional wear and tear on floss. A denier of 1,200-1,500 for the fiber has been suitable, however individuals may wish to specify their own floss thickness. Capture points provided are pins within mold halves, and floss is installed prior to injection, and held in place upon said pins until closed between the mold halves, wherein the typical clamping pressure of thermal plastic injection molding equipment is adequate to hold the floss in place.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4006750 (1977-02-01), Choderow
patent: 5123432 (1992-06-01), Wyss
patent: 5433227 (1995-07-01), Chen
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