Flossing device with internal floss feed

Abstract

A flossing device has an internal floss feed in which floss is advanced from a storage chamber in the handle of the device, through feed gears, to a pair of spaced apart tines. The tines are configured to fit into the mouth such that the floss may be easily worked between the teeth. Spent floss is returned through the return gears, the return gears having a greater diameter than the feed gear, thus ensuring the floss remains taut between the tines, to an integral cutter whereby it may be cut off and discarded. In a second embodiment, the flossing head has a vibratory device to aid in the flossing action.

1 . A flossing device with internal floss feed comprising: 
 a body having a handle adapted for gripping with the human hand and a flossing head, an end of which is adapted for insertion into the human mouth,    storage means for storing a spool from which floss is discharged,    feed means for feeding said floss to said flossing head,    spanning means for spanning said floss between two points on said flossing head, said spanning means sized for insertion of said floss between the teeth of a user,    return means for returning a used portion of said floss from said flossing head,    advance means for advancing said floss through said feeding means and said return means,    housing means for housing said feed means and said return means, and    cutting means for cutting spent portions of said floss.    
   
   
       2 . A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said storage means comprises a hollow compartment within said handle for holding a spool of said floss, a cap for removably sealing the end of said hollow compartment, and a threading aperture for allowing passage of said floss from within said compartment to said feed means.  
   
   
       3 . A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said feed means comprises a feed gear rigidly affixed to a first end of an axle rotatably mounted through a portion of said flossing head and a feed drive gear rigidly affixed to a first end of a drive axle pin rotatably mounted through said flossing head and in interconnecting, geared juxtaposition with said feed gear, whereby floss can pass between said feed gear and said feed drive gear, only by advancing said feed gear and said feed drive gear, such that said floss is pulled from said spool and advanced beyond said feed gear and said feed drive gear, and 
 a feed capstan for guiding said floss from said feed means.    
   
   
       4 . A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said spanning means comprises a pair of tines at an end of said flossing head at a distance from said handle, each tine having a free end, a first one of said tines having a guide groove for guiding said floss from said feed means to said free end of said first tine, a tine groove at said free end of each of said tines for guiding said floss from said first tine to the second of said tines, and a second guide groove in said second tine for guiding said floss from said second tine to said return means.  
   
   
       5 . A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said return means comprises a return capstan for guiding said floss from said second tine to a return drive gear rigidly affixed to a second end of said drive axle and a return gear rigidly affixed to a second end of said axle pin, said return drive gear having a diameter greater than that of said feed drive gear, resulting in said floss being kept in a taut state between said tines, and said return drive gear in interconnecting, geared juxtaposition with said return gear, said floss intended to pass between said return drive gear and said return gear such that said floss is pulled from said tines and advanced beyond said return drive gear and said return gear.  
   
   
       6 . A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said advance means comprises a floss advance lever rotatably and ratchetingly affixed to said drive axle, 
 said ratchet having a plurality of catch notches formed around a hub thereof,    said catch notches adapted to engage, in a ratcheting manner, a ratchet engagement member rigidly affixed to said floss advance lever, thereby allowing said floss advance lever to advance said feed drive gear and said return drive gear in only one direction, and,    said a spring adapted to return said floss advance lever to a stored position,    said floss advance lever advancing said feed drive gear and said return drive gear, said feed drive gear and said return drive gear, in turn, driving said feed gear and said return gear.    
   
   
       7 . A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said housing means comprises a cover, removably affixed, enclosing said feed means and said return means, respectively, 
 each of said covers being open at a top and bottom thereof, thereby aiding in cleansing of said feed means and said return means.    
   
   
       8 . A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said cutting means comprises a floss cutter affixed flossing device.  
   
   
       9 . A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising sealing means for sealing said storage means from intrusion of water during cleaning of said flossing device, said sealing means comprising a tile located at the end of said housing means and against the portion of the hollow compartment of the handle containing said threading aperture, to prevent infiltration of water into said hollow chamber during washing of said flossing device.  
   
   
       10 . A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said flossing head further comprises vibratory means for aiding in stimulating the gums and removing dental debris.  
   
   
       11 . A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said vibratory means comprises a motor and an eccentric head.  
   
   
       12 . A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said electric motor is powered by a battery internal of said flossing device.  
   
   
       13 . A flossing device with internal floss feed, as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said electric motor is powered by an electrical cord and plug for connection to an external power supply.  
   
   
       14 . A flossing kit comprising a flossing device and threading means for threading floss through said flossing device, 
 said flossing device comprising:    a body having a handle adapted for gripping with the human hand and a flossing head, an end of which is adapted for insertion into the human mouth,    storage means for storing a spool from which floss is discharged,    feed means for feeding said floss to said flossing head,    spanning means for spanning said floss between two points on said flossing head, said spanning means sized for insertion of said floss between the teeth of a user,    return means for returning a used portion of said floss from said flossing head,    advance means for advancing said floss through said feeding means and said take up means,    housing means for housing said feed means and said return means, and    cutting means for cutting spent portions of said floss;    said threading means comprising:    a needle having a shaft, a finger ring at a first end of said shaft and an eye at a second end of said shaft, said shaft being adapted to be place through said threading aperture and through said hollow compartment,    said eye being adapted to receive an end of said floss for pulling said floss through said hollow compartment and said threading aperture.