JP2001095822A - Dental floss - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the basic function of a dental floss, i.e., the cleanliness and the operability. SOLUTION: One of a fork-shaped floss holding part with a floss stretched thereover is formed longer than the other in a protruding manner, and the floss is stretched between tips of the floss holding part. The floss holding part is preferably and integratedly extended from a plate-like knob part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel shape of a dental floss which is an interdental cleaning tool.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 4, a conventional dental floss is formed by forming a bifurcated U-shaped floss holding portion 11 at the tip of a handle 10 and flossing between the floss holding portions 11.
Is used as the basic shape. Conventionally, in order to increase the added value of dental floss, a pattern 10
The tip of the handle is formed in a tapered shape so that it can also be used as a toothpick, the brush can be implanted at the tip of the handle 10 so that it can also be used as a toothbrush. Some have been devised to be attached.

[0003]

The most important function required for dental floss is, above all, to enhance the cleaning ability between teeth. For this purpose, it is easy to insert the floss 12 between the teeth, not only the front teeth, but also the back teeth,
Also, the operability of the handle 10 must be good.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional dental floss, the floss holding portion 11 has the same length at both ends 11a and 11b, and the length is such that when the floss 12 is inserted closest to the gum between the teeth, the connecting portion is formed. Since the length of the floss holding portion 11 is set so as not to interfere with the teeth, the size of the floss holding portion 11 becomes large as a whole. For this reason, it was difficult to insert the floss 12 into a portion where the opening of the jaw is small and the oral cavity is narrow, that is, the back teeth. Also, when brushing the back teeth, there is a problem that it is difficult to secure a sufficient stroke, for example, the floss holding portion 11 hits the tongue or the inner cheek. That is, the conventional dental floss lacks consideration for the cleaning ability of the back teeth.

[0005] Further, conventional dental floss has a handle 10
However, because of the thin rod shape, the operability of the back teeth, which is particularly difficult to clean, was remarkable, as it was difficult for the fingers to apply force and the careless rotation was involved. Also, the handle 10 is easily bent,
The cleaning effect in the bent state was not always sufficient.

[0006] In this regard, the present invention does not completely deny the attached structure for increasing the added value of the dental floss, but it does not maximize the above-mentioned basic function of the dental floss, that is, enhancing the cleaning performance and the operability. More preferably, it is intended to provide consumers with dental floss which is inexpensive and easy to purchase.

[0007] In addition to the conventional dental floss in which the floss 12 and the handle 10 shown in Fig. 5 are parallel, as shown in Fig. 4, the floss 12 is perpendicular to the handle 10 as shown in Fig. 4. There is a so-called Y-shape in which the holding portion 11 is formed, but the Y-shape does not eliminate the above-mentioned conventional problem. Because of this, the structure in which the floss 12 and the handle 10 are in such a relationship is not intended by the present invention.

[0008]

Means taken by the present invention to achieve the above object is to form one of a forked floss holding portion for extending floss longer than the other, and to form the floss. That is, the floss is stretched between the tips of the holding portions. According to this means, a triangle is formed by the floss and the floss holding portion, and the vertex thereof, that is, the angle formed by the floss and the abrupt floss holding portion is an acute angle, so that insertion and cleaning into a narrow portion is easy and reliable. Becomes

Further, in the invention of claim 2, in the above means, a means for integrally extending the floss holding portion from a plate-shaped knob portion is selectively used. The tab-shaped knob portion is easy to receive finger power and does not rotate.

Further, in the invention of claim 3, a through-hole which can be hooked on a hook or the like is provided in the knob portion to facilitate storage. Further, the material used can be reduced by the provision of the through holes. In claim 4, the shape of the through hole is non-circular, and
Means for preventing rotation in relation to a hook or the like to be inserted therein was used. With this means, for example, when a plurality of dental flosses are sold as one package, it is possible to prevent the dental floss from being rotated carelessly in the package.

Further, in the fifth aspect, a means is used in which a saw-shaped blade is provided on the outer surface of the projection side floss holding portion in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The saw-like blade by this means enhances the design and aesthetics of the dental floss and also functions as a finger press, and the frictional force prevents the finger from slipping during brushing. Needless to say, the tip of the blade has a shape that does not damage a finger or the like.

[0012]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which a plate-shaped knob portion 1 and a holding portion 3 of a floss 2 are integrally formed of plastic. In the figure, reference numeral 4 denotes a through hole formed in the knob portion 1 for hooking dental floss on a hook or the like when not in use.

The floss holding portion 3 is formed in a forked shape for extending the floss 2;
Is longer than the other 3b. On the other hand, the floss 2 is stretched between the front ends of the floss holders 3 so that the angle between the floss 2 and the projection side floss holder 3a is an acute angle.
Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the floss 2 is embedded and fixed in the floss holding part 3 when the knob part 1 and the floss holding part 3 are integrally formed as shown in FIG. However, the method of stretching the floss 2 is not limited to this, and a conventionally known technique such as forming a cut groove in the floss holding section 3 and locking the floss 2 to the cut groove in a replaceable manner can be adopted.

The dimensions of an example of the dental floss of the present embodiment are as follows. An arc portion 5 having a radius of 13 mm is provided at the rear end of the knob portion 1 having a thickness of 2 mm, and a protrusion is formed 52 mm from the center of the arc portion. The tip of the side floss holding portion 3a is
The other floss holding portion 3b is located at 27.75 mm.
Are positioned respectively. The width of each of the floss holding portions 3a and 3b is 5.5 mm, and an elliptical arc is formed at the base of the floss holding portion 3.
In particular, in the projection side floss holding portion 3a, a bent portion 6 having an inclination of 40 degrees is extended inward to protect the oral cavity. Then, the floss 2 is moved to the butt side floss holding portions 3a and 3a.
It is stretched so as to form an angle of 0 degrees. Through hole 4 has radius 7
mm and concentric with the arc 5. Note that the above numerical values are merely examples, and it is needless to say that the dental floss of the present invention need not be limited to the dimensions.

According to the dental floss having the above structure, the floss 2 can be used with the lower teeth facing downward, and the floss 2 can be used with the upper teeth facing upward. Even on the back tooth side of the space, the floss 2 is stretched so as to gradually expand from the tip of the projection side floss holding portion 3a, and the apex of the triangle formed by this is an acute angle. It can be easily inserted into the back teeth side. Also, at the time of cleaning, the other floss holding portion 3b is short and deep, so that it does not interfere with the tongue, the inner cheek, and other teeth, and a sufficient stroke is secured. This is the same when cleaning the front teeth. Further, since the floss 2 is obliquely stretched on the floss holding portion 3 having a different level, the floss 2 is compared with a case where the floss 2 is stretched horizontally on the floss holding portion 3 having the same length as in the related art. Since the length is long, the stroke length can be kept large.

Further, since the knob portion 1 is plate-shaped, the force of a finger is easily applied thereto, but on the other hand, since there is no rotation or bending, it contributes to the stability and improvement of operability and enables reliable cleaning. Further, the through-hole 4 penetrating through the knob portion 1 ensures storage when the dental floss is not used, and if it is of the size shown in the present embodiment, the resin used is remarkably reduced, and the cost is reduced. To contribute. Further, the operability such that the through hole 4 can be caught by a finger and can be stroked with a small force can be obtained. Also, if the shape of the through hole 4 is made non-circular and it can be fitted to a hook or the like inserted therein in a non-rotational state, for example, a plurality of dental flosses are put in a case in a stacked state, When the product is to be sold as one package, it is hung in a non-rotating state on the hooking projection provided on the case, so that careless rotation of the dental floss can be prevented, and the commercial value can be maintained. In this case, the shape of the through hole 4 may be, for example, an ellipse, a polygon, or an animal, a car, an airplane, or another character for children.

As a method of using the dental floss, there is a method of pinching the knob portion 1 and pinching the floss holding portion 3 between a thumb and an index finger. In the latter case, the force is likely to be applied to the forming side floss holding portion 3a. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer surface of the forming side floss holding portion 3a has a saw orthogonal to its longitudinal direction. Blade 7 may be provided. Therefore, the floss holding portion 3 can be firmly pinched at the time of cleaning by the frictional force of the saw blade 7. In addition, the saw-shaped blade 7 serves as an accent, which contributes to enhancing the design of the dental floss.

The floss 2 to be used can be prepared in a plurality of thicknesses according to the size between the teeth of the user. If a tape having a certain width is used, the cleaning effect can be improved. Can be expected to improve.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the knob portion 1 is formed in a plate shape, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be formed in a rod shape. The most important requirement in the present invention is that the floss holding section 3
This is because the floss 2 is obliquely stretched at both ends thereof at the stepped end.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention, although the structure is extremely simple, there is an advantage that cleaning between the teeth of the back teeth can not be obtained by the conventional method. Notable. In addition, by making the knob portion plate-shaped, the operability of the dental floss is stabilized and improved, which contributes to a reliable cleaning effect. In addition, the through hole provided in the knob part not only improves the operability as it is easy to store and catches the finger, but also the knob part is plate-shaped, the material used is reduced by the amount of the through hole, There is also an advantage in that dental floss can be provided at a low price, which is comparable to that of the above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a dental floss according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dental floss.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a dental floss according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a conventional dental floss.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Knob part 2 Floss 3 Floss holding part 3a Protrusion side floss holding part 4 Through hole

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A dental floss wherein one of two forked floss holding portions for extending floss is formed longer than the other, and floss is stretched between the tips of the floss holding portions. 2. The dental floss according to claim 1, wherein the floss holding portion is integrally extended from a plate-shaped knob portion. 3. The knob portion is provided with a through hole.
Dental floss as described. 4. The dental floss according to claim 3, wherein the through hole has a non-circular shape and is prevented from rotating in relation to a hook or the like inserted into the through hole. 5. A saw-shaped blade is provided on the outer surface of the floss holding portion on the projection side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof.
5. The dental floss according to any one of items 4 to 5.