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WO2001078623A1 - Distributeur presentoir de soie dentaire - Google Patents

Distributeur presentoir de soie dentaire Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001078623A1
WO2001078623A1 PCT/US2001/040556 US0140556W WO0178623A1 WO 2001078623 A1 WO2001078623 A1 WO 2001078623A1 US 0140556 W US0140556 W US 0140556W WO 0178623 A1 WO0178623 A1 WO 0178623A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
dispenser
floss
housing
graphic
cutter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2001/040556
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jeanne M. Smith
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to AU2001257609A priority Critical patent/AU2001257609A1/en
Publication of WO2001078623A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001078623A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C15/00—Devices for cleaning between the teeth
    • A61C15/04—Dental floss; Floss holders
    • A61C15/043—Containers, dispensers, or the like, e.g. with cutting means

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a dental floss dispenser which is convenient and which displays an appearance for enticing use of dental floss, including particularly use of floss by children.
  • a dental floss display dispenser in accordance with the invention comprises a display housing for a spool or roll of dental floss which is shaped to have an enticing appearance.
  • the display housing has a back to close the housing or to form a receptacle for a spool of floss.
  • the display housing has an exposed floss cutter and the floss passes out of the housing to the floss cutter for cutting a suitable length of floss for flossing.
  • the back preferably has associated with it a fastener for attaching the display dispenser to a surface or other object in a bathroom, kitchen, or other location, such as a mirror, wall, counter top, tile, or cabinet.
  • the fastener may be adhesive tape, hook and loop, molded or drilled holes for nails or screws, a loop, etc.
  • the display housing is preferably made of plastic and molded to a shape resembling enticing characters, toys, or graphics, including holographies, which catch attention and act as a reminder to floss.
  • the housing can also include one or more holders for a toothbrush and toothpaste.
  • Fig. 1 is a front view of a floss dispenser in accordance with the invention showing a commercial floss dispenser located behind the front face.
  • Fig. 2 A is a front view of the floss dispenser of Fig. 1.
  • Fig 2B is an enlarged portion of the dispenser of Fig. 2 A.
  • Fig. 2C is a side view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 showing the commercial floss dispenser in place.
  • Fig. 3 is another embodiment of a floss dispenser in accordance with the invention.
  • Fig. 3 A is an enlarged view showing the floss cutter in Fig. 3.
  • Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of a metal floss cutter.
  • Fig. 5 is a front view of another embodiment of a floss dispenser in accordance with invention.
  • Fig. 6A is a front view of another embodiment of a floss dispenser in accordance with the invention, which includes a holder for a toothbrush.
  • Fig. 6B is a side view of a floss dispenser of Fig. 6A.
  • Fig. 6C is another side view of the floss dispenser of Fig. 6A.
  • Fig. 6D is a side view of the floss dispenser of Fig. 6A showing the dispenser in an open position.
  • Fig. 7 is a front view of another embodiment of a floss dispenser in accordance with the invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a rear view of the floss dispenser of Fig. 7.
  • Fig. 9 is a side view of the floss dispenser of Fig. 7.
  • Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in Fig. 9.
  • Fig. 11 is a side view of the dispenser of Fig. 7 showing the dispenser in an open position.
  • a dental floss dispenser 10 has a front housing 12 which is molded plastic in the shape of a cartoon face with facial features of a bear, cat or beaver.
  • the housing 12, which may be molded to be hollow, has a recessed mouth 14 with teeth 16 and 18 protruding downwardly from the top of the mouth 14 and in front of the mouth
  • a commercially available floss dispenser 20 with its lid 21 open, fits in a floss receptacle 22 attached by molding or glue to the back 24 of the housing 12.
  • the back 24 may be molded with the housing 12 or may be glued to it.
  • a floss strand 26 from the floss roll 28 passes out of the dispenser 20 and around the front of the housing 12 to near the teeth 16 and 18.
  • the strand 26 engages a floss cutter 30 located behind the teeth 16 and 18.
  • Floss cutter 30 which is shown in Fig. 4, is a U-shaped, metal spring clamp having a cutting edge 32 on its lower leg for cutting floss strand 26.
  • Floss cutter 30 fits on a projection 34 behind teeth 16 and
  • Projection 34 can have raised edges or borders to help hold cutter 30 in place.
  • cutter 30 can be glued in place with or without the projection 34.
  • a fastener 36 On the rear side of back 24 with receptacle 28 is a fastener 36. such as an adhesive pad or tape, which can fasten the dispenser 10 to a suitable surface as a convenient reminder to use dental floss regularly.
  • Fig. 3 and 3A show the same embodiment as in the prior figures, but a different cutting mechanism is shown.
  • dispenser 40 has a housing 42 and a floss strand 44 passing through a notch 46 between the front teeth 48 and 50.
  • the teeth 48 and 50 on opposite sides of the notch 46 contain cutting edges 52 and 54 for cutting floss strand 44. All other parts are similar to those in Figs. 1, 2A. 2B and 2C.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates a floss dispenser 60 which has a decorative housing 62 displaying a cartoon rabbit.
  • Floss roll 64 has floss strand 66 passing from it.
  • a metal floss cutter 68 is glued behind the front teeth 70 and 72.
  • the embodiment of Fig. 5 is the same as the embodiment in Fig. 6A to 6D except the latter embodiment includes a holder 74 for a toothbrush
  • the floss dispenser 60 has a housing 62 displaying a cartoon rabbit for its enticing graphics.
  • Housing 62 has a back 78 molded or glued to it.
  • Back 78 includes a floss receptacle 80 which comprises a cover 82 which is hinged at hinge 84 to both the housing 62 and the back 78.
  • the cover 82 snaps over a side closure 86 molded or glued to be a part of back 78.
  • Side closure 86 has a depression 88 which mates with projection 90 to hold along with hinge 84 the receptacle 80 closed when the cover 82 and closure 86 are snapped together.
  • Metal floss cutter 68 is glued to the housing 62 behind the teeth 70 and 72.
  • Floss roll 64 fits rotatably over a pin 92 attached to cover 82.
  • Adhesive pad 94 is attached to the back of cover 82 to attach the dispenser 60 to a flat surface, such as a surface in a bathroom.
  • a dental floss dispenser 100 has a housing 102 which displays a graphical cartoon figure.
  • a back 104 is hollow with a pin 106 for receiving rotatably a floss roll 108.
  • a floss outlet 110 in the housing 102 corresponds with a floss outlet 1 12 in the back 104 to allow a floss strand 114 to escape from the interior of the dispenser 100.
  • Back 104 is connected to the housing 102 by a flexible plastic hinge 116 at the bottom of the dispenser 100 to allow opening for insertion of the floss roll 108.
  • the back 104 has a depression 118 which mates with projection 120 to stop and hold the back 104 securely to the housing 102.
  • Adhesive pad 122 which is affixed to the rear of back 104, can fasten the dispenser 100 to a flat surface securely.
  • a loop 124 can be provided for attachment of the dispenser 100 to another object, such as a key chain, metal clasp, or lanyard, particularly when the dispenser is small to promote portability for use during the day.
  • Metal floss cutter 126 is fixed to the housing 102 behind the teeth 128 and 130 to cut the floss strand 114.
  • this product is a mountable, refillable and/or disposable dental floss dispenser/accessory holder (for but not limited to toothbrush and toothpaste) for existing and future commercially available dental floss containers and refillable dental floss spools or bobbins of any size or length. It preferably has an adhesive back, magnetic back, or both which can attach to any surface, thus making the dispenser/accessory holder visible, sturdy and convenient for use.
  • An adhesive back may be two sided tape with a removable non-stick outside cover. Common velcro or hook and loop attachment may also be used.
  • the dispenser can attach to a bathroom wall, cabinet, medicine chest, tile surface, mirror, etc. which would function as a visual reminder to floss daily. In some situations, molded holes or drilled holes for a key chain or lanyard loop, nails, tacks or screws may be used as the fastener.
  • the housing is preferably manufactured of plastic and molded to any shape resembling popular cartoon characters or character heads or graphics in flat or three dimensional form. It should be considered that although manufacturing the product of plastic materials appears to be the most cost-effective, the dispenser could also be manufactured of wood, metals, ceramic. polymer based materials, silicone, fiberglass or any other appropriate materials.
  • the dispenser can house existing and future universal manufacturer's floss containers, rolls, or spools.
  • the manufacturer's floss sits behind a 3 -dimensional character head or flat graphics face. It is preferred that the housing and its face be molded of plastic as one unit. It should be noted however that the front or 3 -dimensional or graphics can be added as a separate unit at the time of manufacturing, and may be attached by means of rivets, screws, glue. etc.
  • the dispenser can also offer a holder as part of the construction to hold a toothbrush or any other accessory such as toothpaste.
  • a formed plastic holder for a toothbrush will be comprised of, but not limited to a "C" shaped clip or any other shaped holder capable of holding a toothbrush that nestles into a formed plastic resemblance of a three dimensional character hand or other character appendage or graphic.
  • This holder can be part of the construction of the plastic recessed floss holder and can also be part of the plastic hinged lip construction.
  • the dispenser can be designed to accept a particular commercial design, or it may be designed to accept more than one commercially available design.
  • the manufacturer's floss container can be inserted into the dispenser and can be removed when empty.
  • the dispenser may also house a refillable floss spool which opens on a hinge for easy removal and replacement of a floss bobbin, roll, or spool.
  • the dispenser in which the floss bobbin is placed may house a pin or protrusion to hold the floss bobbin.
  • the user of the dispenser may pull dental floss string to the left of the manufacturer's floss container which is housed within the dispenser.
  • the user of the dispenser may also pull dental floss to the left of the refillable floss spool through a lead, notch or hole in the dispenser construction.
  • a user can pull the floss toward the floss cutter preferably located on the 3-dimensional character head or flat graphics face where the mouth or other graphic feature is placed to cut a desired amount of dental floss.
  • the floss can be located to extend through a hole in the face, mouth, or other flat or 3-dimensional construction to reach the cutting mechanism.
  • Another alternative is a small groove in one side of the face, flat or 3-dimensional frontal feature to feed the floss to the cutting mechanism.
  • a combination of a hole which feeds a floss receiving groove which in turn feeds the cutting mechanism is a desirable alternative.
  • a combination of holes, or one or more tunnels, which feed the cutting mechanism, may also be employed.
  • a dispenser for a manufacturer's dental floss container may or may not exceed approximately 3" in diameter.
  • the floss receptacle should normally be constructed to be approximately 1 5/8" wide, 2 " tall, and % to 1 " in depth. However, size may vary as to fit widely sold designs and sizes of existing and future dental floss containers and to accommodate the accessory toothbrush / toothpaste holder if such accessory is molded onto this construction.
  • the dispenser can range in size from approximately one inch (1") in diameter to six (6' * ) in diameter depending on whether or not the unit has the accessory toothbrush / toothpaste holder molded on to it.
  • the dispenser can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes and can accommodate many floss spool sizes and shapes.
  • the frontal graphics feature and basic construction may be made of but not limited to a common plastic or combination of elements which comprise any plastic of common use, any polymer, ceramic, metal, wood or any durable material.
  • the frontal feature may be manufactured in flat, simple format or construction (other than molded 3-dimensional character representation) upon which flat graphics are printed by many different means on to the frontal feature.
  • the display dispenser of the invention has been described in relation to preferred embodiments. Modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art in view of the invention disclosed herein.
  • the diagram may take the form of a toy or game or part through which is attractive to a user, such as a toy car attractive to children.
  • the cutter could be located on the grill or on the dash, for example.
  • the dispenser can also display the appearance of a desirable doll, or anything else that is attractive to children.
  • the display could also reflect a movie. CD cover, or well known sports or movie stars.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Brushes (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un distributeur de soie dentaire affichant une représentation graphique, telle qu'une tête de dessin animé, destinée à encourager l'usage de soie, comprenant un logement (12) comportant une représentation graphique encourageante, un coupeur de soie (30) placé en association avec la représentation graphique encourageante, et un dos (12) destiné au logement d'un réceptacle (28) de soie dentaire. Le distributeur comprend un orifice destiné à sortir un fil de soie (26) du réceptacle (28) afin qu'il puisse être tiré vers le coupeur de soie (30), ainsi qu'une attache (36) destinée à fixer le distributeur à un objet séparé tel qu'un miroir, une paroi ou une armoire de salle de bain.
PCT/US2001/040556 2000-04-19 2001-04-19 Distributeur presentoir de soie dentaire Ceased WO2001078623A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001257609A AU2001257609A1 (en) 2000-04-19 2001-04-19 Dental floss display dispenser

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US19829100P 2000-04-19 2000-04-19
US60/198,291 2000-04-19
US21150900P 2000-06-14 2000-06-14
US60/211,509 2000-06-14
US22797700P 2000-08-25 2000-08-25
US60/227,977 2000-08-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001078623A1 true WO2001078623A1 (fr) 2001-10-25

Family

ID=27393859

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/040556 Ceased WO2001078623A1 (fr) 2000-04-19 2001-04-19 Distributeur presentoir de soie dentaire

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001257609A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001078623A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016033109A3 (fr) * 2014-08-25 2016-04-21 Flosstime Inc. Distributeurs de fil dentaire
USD805693S1 (en) 2015-08-25 2017-12-19 Flosstime Inc. Floss dispenser
US10548687B2 (en) 2014-01-06 2020-02-04 Koninklijke Philips N.V. System for reminding use of an oral care appliance

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD266194S (en) * 1980-07-17 1982-09-14 Graves Rodney J Dental floss dispenser
USD293491S (en) * 1985-08-16 1987-12-29 Fronske Robert D Combination floss holder and key chain fob or similar article
USD311259S (en) * 1987-05-20 1990-10-09 Smith Rosemary M Dental floss container
USD321767S (en) * 1990-02-20 1991-11-19 Hemsley Jr Joseph Dental floss dispenser or similar article
USD335721S (en) * 1991-03-22 1993-05-18 Kimball Janice A Portable toothpick holder
USD345824S (en) * 1992-03-05 1994-04-05 Fitz Steven D Combined floss dispenser and toothbrush holder
USD351047S (en) * 1993-06-18 1994-09-27 Hendren David L Dental floss dispenser
USD424243S (en) * 1998-08-03 2000-05-02 Gillette Canada Inc. Floss dispenser

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD266194S (en) * 1980-07-17 1982-09-14 Graves Rodney J Dental floss dispenser
USD293491S (en) * 1985-08-16 1987-12-29 Fronske Robert D Combination floss holder and key chain fob or similar article
USD311259S (en) * 1987-05-20 1990-10-09 Smith Rosemary M Dental floss container
USD321767S (en) * 1990-02-20 1991-11-19 Hemsley Jr Joseph Dental floss dispenser or similar article
USD335721S (en) * 1991-03-22 1993-05-18 Kimball Janice A Portable toothpick holder
USD345824S (en) * 1992-03-05 1994-04-05 Fitz Steven D Combined floss dispenser and toothbrush holder
USD351047S (en) * 1993-06-18 1994-09-27 Hendren David L Dental floss dispenser
USD424243S (en) * 1998-08-03 2000-05-02 Gillette Canada Inc. Floss dispenser

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10548687B2 (en) 2014-01-06 2020-02-04 Koninklijke Philips N.V. System for reminding use of an oral care appliance
WO2016033109A3 (fr) * 2014-08-25 2016-04-21 Flosstime Inc. Distributeurs de fil dentaire
US10376345B2 (en) 2014-08-25 2019-08-13 Flosstime Inc. Floss dispensers
USD805693S1 (en) 2015-08-25 2017-12-19 Flosstime Inc. Floss dispenser

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2001257609A1 (en) 2001-10-30

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