JP2645353B2 - Dental floss holder - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a dental floss holder to which a dental floss, which is a thread, for efficiently removing food residues, plaque and the like adhering between teeth is provided. It is about.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, toothpicks have been widely used as a tool for removing food residues, plaque and the like adhering between teeth. However, toothpicks have a problem that they often damage gums and cause diseases such as alveolar pyorrhea, and cannot be said to be a preferable means of removing food residues and plaque.

In addition, it is expected that the cleaning of teeth with a toothbrush will not completely remove food residues and plaque adhered between the teeth because the bristles of the brush are not sufficiently inserted between the teeth. There was a problem that I could not do it.

Therefore, in recent years, interdental brushes for inserting between teeth and cleaning between teeth have been used, but they are still unsuitable for sufficiently cleaning very narrow interdental spaces and subgingival margins. There was a problem.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Therefore, as a means for solving the drawbacks of the above-mentioned prior art, as a means for easily cleaning even between very narrow teeth by inserting and moving between teeth, as a means for disinfecting and applying a chemical solution or the like as necessary, a thread-like body is used. A method of cleaning teeth using certain dental floss has attracted attention.

When trying to clean the teeth using this dental floss, it is necessary to insert the dental floss into the oral cavity with the dental floss stretched, and use a device that can be inserted into the oral cavity with the dental floss stretched. As a certain dental floss holder, instruments having various structures have been proposed.

However, these conventional dental floss holders are composed of a large number of separable parts, and during use, some of those parts are lost and cannot be used, or they can be used only once. It is uneconomical because it is a disposable type that has only dental floss that can only be provided, or the structure becomes complicated if it has a long length of dental floss so that it can be used many times However, since the guide grooves etc. for drawing out the dental floss are exposed on the outer surface, foreign substances etc. adhere to the guide grooves etc. and it is unsanitary, and the operation of stretching the dental floss is complicated. In addition, there are protrusions on the outer surface to fix the dental floss, which not only prevents smooth use in the oral cavity, but also damages the oral cavity during use. Etc., and have various disadvantages.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to solve the drawbacks of the conventional dental floss holder, the present inventor has provided a storage portion for storing a long dental floss so that it can be used many times, and the distal end of the dental floss pulled out from the storage portion has a tip. The middle part of the dental floss is wound and held once and divided into two forks at the tip of the dental floss in order to facilitate the operation of stretching and extending between the guides provided at the tip of the forked part. Tensioning portions having a holding portion for rewinding and holding the dental floss on the distal end bridged between the guide portions provided at the respective distal end portions, which are provided. And two parts that can be opened and closed by hinges, respectively, and the dental floss at the time of mounting is exposed only between the fore-end portions of the fork at the fore-end. The drawbacks of conventional dental floss holders are that the dental floss is improved by improving the appearance and preventing contamination of the dental floss other than the part to be used, and by forming an integrated structure in which each corner has a smooth curved surface. If the holding part for holding the dental floss drawn out from the storage part is provided on the tension part side of the storage part at once, the work of stretching the dental floss will be further improved, and If the cutting and holding means for cutting and holding the tip of the dental floss held and wound around the holding portion after being wrapped between the guide portions provided at the divided end portions is provided, a product having a higher commercial value can be obtained. The present invention was completed by investigating what can be obtained.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a dental floss holder according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a front view, FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof, FIG. 3 is a front view of a state before the dental floss is mounted, and each hinge is opened, and FIG. 4 is a state of the dental floss mounted. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a YY line in FIG.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line ZZ in FIG.

In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a storage portion for storing a long dental floss F wound, for example, on a bobbin B, and the storage portion 1 includes two portions 1a which can be opened and closed by a hinge portion 1c. And 1b, and these two parts 1a and 1b
The engagement part 1d for maintaining the closed state when closed
Is provided, and one of the two parts 1a and 1b is provided with a core 1e for defining the position of the dental floss F having a long length to be stored. A holding portion including a concave portion 1f and a convex portion 1g for holding the dental floss F stored in the storage portion 1 is provided on the side of the extending portion 2 where necessary.

2 is two parts 2a and 2b which can be opened and closed by a hinge part 2c.
And the two parts 2a and 2b
The engagement part 2d for maintaining the closed state when closed
Is wound around an intermediate portion of the dental floss F drawn out of the storage portion 1 around one portion 2a which is continuous with the portion 1a of the storage portion 1 and temporarily holds the dental floss. It has a holding portion 2g that wraps the floss F between the guide portions 2e 'and 2f' provided at the distal ends of the forked portions 2e and 2f, respectively, and then winds and holds the floss F again. And a dental floss F other than a portion which is bridged between guide portions 2e 'and 2f' provided at the distal ends of two forked portions 2e and 2f at the distal end of one portion 2a. To prevent the dental floss F from being pinched in the portion where
A relief portion is provided on the inner surface of the two portions 2a and 2b as necessary so that a completely closed state with no gap on the outer periphery of the portion 2b is divided into two forks at the tip of one portion 2a. Guides 2 provided at the tips of parts 2e and 2f, respectively
Cutting and holding means 2h for cutting and holding the tip of the dental floss F held and wound again around the holding portion 2g after being wound between e 'and 2f' is provided on one portion 2a as necessary. I have. In the above-described configuration, the holding portion 2g of the stretching portion 2 has a function of winding the intermediate portion of the dental floss F pulled out of the storage portion 1 and temporarily holding the same as described above, and further has a function of holding the dental floss F on the distal end side. Guide portions provided at the tip of the two-parted portions 2e and 2f
Since it is necessary to have a function of winding and holding it again after passing between 2e 'and 2f', the object is achieved if the wound dental floss F can be easily unwound. Since the dental floss F around which the root is wound is difficult to unravel, it has a polygonal cross section of about 4 to 8 polygons, and the gap is slightly widened as the passage of the dental floss F reaches the surrounding part. It preferably has a shape having a tapered surface, and the taper angle is 1
It is preferable that the diameter is in a very small range of about {3}, and it is more preferable that irregularities which make it difficult for the dental floss F wound around the dental floss F to be unwound are provided. Note that the tension portion 2 composed of the two portions 2a and 2b has a longer length than the storage portion 1, so that the two portions 2a and 2b maintain a closed state when the two portions 2a and 2b are closed. When it is difficult to maintain a completely closed state with only one joint 2d, a concave portion into which the dental floss F to be bridged enters is provided at the base, and a fork at the tip of one portion 2a is provided. Part 2e divided into
Guide portions 2e 'and 2 provided at the tip of 2f, respectively.
It is preferable that a fitting portion of an engaging portion including a tip with f ′ and a fitting portion into which the tip fits is provided in the other portion 2b.

In the dental floss holder having the above-described configuration, the dental floss F is exposed only between the two forked portions of the distal end when the dental floss F is mounted, and further inserted into the oral cavity. Each corner has a smooth curved surface so that movement in the oral cavity is smooth and does not damage the oral cavity at the time, and has an integral structure that prevents the presence of separable parts is important.

The storage section 1 is a section for storing the dental floss F having a long length wound around the bobbin B as described above, and is an unused portion when the dental floss F is stretched. It is not preferable for hygiene to be exposed for hygiene. Therefore, the hinge portions 1c and 2c connecting the two portions 1a and 1b of the storage portion 1 and the two portions 2a and 2b of the stretched portion 2 so as to be openable and closable are opposite to each other. It is preferable that the storage portion 1 is provided in such a direction as to prevent the storage portion 1 from being opened by mistake when the extension portion 2 is opened.

[Action]

In order to use the dental floss holder according to the present invention having the above-described structure, first, the engagement of the engagement portion 1d of the storage portion 1 is released, and the two portions 1a and 1b are opened via the hinge portion 1c. And the dental floss F is retracted by a predetermined length to the extending portion 2 side.
1b is closed via the hinge portion 1c, and the engaging portions 1d are engaged with each other. At this time, when the holding portion composed of the concave portion 1f and the convex portion 1g is provided on the stretched portion 2 side of the storage portion 1, the portion of the extracted dental floss F on the storage portion 1 side is formed as the concave portion 1f. Convex part
1g, so that it is not easily pulled out any more.

Next, the engagement of the engaging portion 2d of the tension portion 2 is released to release the hinge portion.
The two portions 2a and 2b are opened via 2c, and the intermediate portion of the dental floss F pulled out of the storage portion 1 is wound once around the holding portion 2g once and temporarily held, and furthermore, the dental floss on the distal end side is further held. F is divided into a forked part 2e and
Guide portions 2e 'and 2 provided at the tip of 2f, respectively.
f ', and is wound twice around the holding portion 2g and held again. This operation is performed by the guide portions 2e' and 2
It is easy to provide a concave portion into which the dental floss F to be bridged to the root of f 'enters. After this operation, when the cutting and holding means 2h is provided on one of the portions 2a, the guide portions 2e 'and 2f provided at the distal ends of the forked portions 2e and 2f, respectively, are provided. Is wound around the holding part 2g again after being wound between the holding parts 2g and the tip of the held dental floss F is held by the cutting and holding means 2h for cutting. Thus, when the dental floss F is stretched, the two portions 2a and 2b are closed via the hinge portion 2c and the engaging portions 2d are engaged with each other. At this time, two parts
Guide portions 2 provided at the distal ends of two forked portions 2e and 2f at the tip of one portion 2a of 2a and 2b, respectively.
When the other portion 2b is provided with an engaging portion comprising a fitting portion into which the tip of e 'and 2f' fits, the guide portion 2e '
The tip with 2f 'is fitted in the fitting portion, so that the engagement becomes more reliable. When the two portions 2a and 2b of the stretched portion 2 are closed and engaged via the hinge portion 2c in this manner, the portion exposed to the outside by the stretched dental floss F becomes a fork at the tip. The other part is kept in good hygiene because it is only between the divided tip parts, and since each corner has a smooth curved surface, it is inserted into the oral cavity when inserted into the oral cavity Is smooth and does not damage the oral cavity, and since it has an integral structure without any separable parts, it can be used for a long time. In addition,
When the exposed dental floss F is contaminated using the dental floss holder according to the present invention, the extension 2
The two parts 2a and 2b are opened via the hinge part 2c, the dental floss F is pulled out from the storage part 1 for a predetermined length, and the above operation is repeated to repeat the above-mentioned operation. What is necessary is just to stretch it so that it may be located between parts, and in such an operation, the dental floss F which is wasted can be economically used only by the contaminated exposed part. It is.

〔The invention's effect〕

The dental floss holder according to the present invention described in detail above has various advantages as listed below, and is a very large one that contributes to the dental field.

Since the whole has an integral structure, there is no possibility that some of the parts are lost during use and cannot be used.

It has a storage section for storing long dental floss as if it were wound on a bobbin, so it can be used for a long time, compared to the conventional disposable type that can be used only for one time use It is extremely economical, and when the dental floss is used up, it can be used semipermanently if a new long dental floss is obtained and used.

Since the structure is simple and there is no exposed surface having irregularities on the outer surface such as a guide groove for drawing out dental floss, there is no possibility that foreign matter or the like adheres and becomes unsanitary.

The operation of stretching the dental floss is performed by winding and temporarily holding the intermediate portion of the dental floss pulled out from the storage portion and further bridging the guide between the guide portions provided at the distal ends of the forked portions. This is very easy because the holding portion for winding and holding the dental floss on the distal end side again is provided in the stretched portion.

Since the protrusion for fixing the dental floss is not present on the outer surface, the use in the oral cavity is smooth, the oral cavity is not damaged, and the appearance is smooth.

When the holding portion for holding the dental floss drawn out from the storage portion is provided on the stretched portion side of the storage portion, the work of stretching the dental floss is more excellent.

When the extension is provided with cutting and holding means for cutting and holding the tip of the dental floss, not only is it easy to cut off unnecessary dental floss, but also the tip of the dental floss is always positioned at a predetermined position. So you can
Convenient to use.

If the hinges connecting the two parts of the storage part and the two parts of the stretched part so that they can be opened and closed are provided in opposite directions, there is a risk that the storage part and the stretched part may be opened and closed by mistake. Few.

If the escape portion is provided on the opposing inner surfaces of the two portions of the extending portion to prevent the dental floss from being pinched, the two portions of the extending portion hold the dental floss so that two It is possible to more efficiently prevent a gap from being formed on the outer periphery of the portion so that the portion is not completely closed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of a dental floss holder according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view, FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a view showing each hinge portion before a dental floss is mounted. FIG. 4 is a front view of an opened state, and FIG. 4 is a front view of an opened state of each hinge with a dental floss attached, FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 1, and FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line YY in FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line Z. In the drawings, 1 ... storage parts 1a, 1b ... two parts 1c ... hinge part 1d ... engagement part 1e ... core part 1f ... concave part 1g ... convex part 2 ... extension part 2a, 2b ... two parts 2c ... hinge part 2d ... engagement part 2e, 2f ... part forked at the tip 2e ', 2f' ... guide part 2g ... holding part 2h ... cutting and holding means B ...... Bobbin F. Dental floss

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] A storage unit for storing an unused long dental floss (F) comprising two parts (1a, 1b) which can be opened and closed by a hinge part (1c) and engage with each other when closed. A dental floss (F) drawn out of the storage part (1), comprising a part (1) and two parts (2a, 2b) which can be opened and closed by a hinge part (2c) and engage with each other when closed. And temporarily hold the intermediate portion of the front end, and furthermore, the dental floss (F) on the front end side is divided into two portions at the front end (2).
e, 2f), the guides (2
e ', 2f'), a stretched portion (2) having a holding portion (2g) in one portion (2a) of the two portions (2a, 2b) for rewinding and holding it after being wound between the two portions (2a, 2b). And a structure in which the dental floss (F) at the time of mounting is exposed only between the tip portions of the forked portions (2e) and (2f) and each corner portion The dental floss holder is characterized in that it has an integrated structure with a smooth curved surface. 2. A hinge part (1c) connecting two parts (1a, 1b) of the storage part (1) and two parts (2a, 2b) of the extension part (2) so as to be openable and closable, respectively. The dental floss holder according to claim 1, wherein (2c) is provided in directions opposite to each other. 3. A concave portion (1f) for holding a dental floss (F) drawn from the storage portion (1), on the side of the extending portion (2) of the two portions (1a, 1b) of the storage portion (1). The dental floss holder according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a holding portion including the projection (1g). 4. A guide portion (2e ') is provided on one of the two portions (2a', 2b) of the extending portion (2) where the guide portion (2e ', 2f') is provided. , 2f '), there is provided cutting means (2h) for cutting and holding the tip of the dental floss (F) held and wound again around the holding portion (2g) after being wound between the holding portions (2g). A dental floss holder according to any one of the preceding claims. 5. A holding portion (2g) having a tapered surface whose root portion has a polygonal cross section and whose gap slightly widens as the passage portion of the dental floss (F) reaches the surrounding portion. The dental floss holder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein 6. A relief portion for preventing a dental floss (F) from being pinched on opposing inner surfaces of two portions (2a, 2b) of a stretched portion (2). Or the dental floss holder according to item 1. 7. A guide portion (2e ', 2) provided on one of the two portions (2a, 2b) of the extending portion (2).
f ′) is provided at the base with a concave portion into which the dental floss (F) to be bridged enters, and the guide (2e ′, 2f ′) of the other portion (2b) is opposed to the guide portion (2e ′, 2f ′). 7. An insertion hole for an engaging portion comprising a portion (2e ', 2f') and an insertion hole into which the guide portion (2e ', 2f') is inserted, is provided. Dental floss holder.