WO2009002025A1

WO2009002025A1 - Interdental cleaning tool

Info

Publication number: WO2009002025A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/003098
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sang Sook Lee
Original assignee: Sang Sook Lee
Priority date: 2007-06-28
Filing date: 2008-06-03
Publication date: 2008-12-31

Abstract

An interdental cleaning tool is disclosed. The interdental cleaning tool includes a tubular body part (10), which has an internal thread in the circumferential inner surface of the lower end thereof, and a tip part (30), which has an opening (310) on the front end thereof. An external thread, which engages with the internal thread of the body part, is formed in the circumferential outer surface of the upper end of the tip part. The interdental cleaning tool further includes dental floss (70), which is contained in the body part. A through hole is formed through the circumferential surface of the body part or the tip part. The dental floss is drawn out through the opening of the tip part via a gap between the internal thread of the body part and the external thread of the tip part and also via the through hole.

Description

Description INTERDENTAL CLEANING TOOL

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to interdental cleaning tools which facilitate the operation of drawing out dental floss from the tool body or fastening the dental floss thereto and prevent the dental floss from slipping and being undesirably drawn out when in use because the dental floss can be firmly fastened to the tool body, and, more particularly, to an interdental cleaning tool, which includes a body part having an internal thread in the circumferential inner surface of the lower end thereof; a tip part, which has an opening in the front end thereof, and an external thread in the circumferential outer surface of the upper end thereof, the external thread engaging with the internal thread of the body part; and dental floss, which is contained in the body part and is drawn out through the opening of the tip part, wherein a through hole is formed through the circumferential surface of the body part or the circumferential surface of tip part, and the dental floss is drawn out through the opening of the tip part via a gap between the internal thread of the body part and the external thread of the tip part and also via the through hole. Background Art

[2] Generally, interdental cleaning tools, which are widely used, include dental floss casings, and dental floss, which is provided in the dental floss casings in a wound state. To eliminate impurities, which have been held between teeth, using such a conventional interdental cleaning tool, dental floss is unwound from a dental floss casing to a predetermined length. Thereafter, a user holds the end of the dental floss using one hand and holds the dental floss casing using the other hand. In this state, the user inserts the dental floss into his/her mouth and performs the interdental cleaning operation.

[3] In the interdental cleaning operation, the dental floss must be firmly fastened to the dental floss casing such that the dental floss is prevented from being undesirably released from the dental floss casing even if the dental floss is pulled outwards by relatively strong force. However, in the case of the conventional interdental cleaning tool, because the dental floss is not firmly fastened to the dental floss casing, it is inconvenient to use the dental floss.

[4] Furthermore, conventional interdental cleaning tools have circular shapes or angled shapes, such as square shapes, so that interdental cleaning cannot be effectively conducted. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[5] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an interdental cleaning tool, which prevents dental floss from slipping and being undesirably drawn out even if the dental floss is strongly pulled while performing interdental cleaning, thus enabling effective interdental cleaning. Technical Solution

[6] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an interdental cleaning tool, including: a body part having a tubular shape, with an internal thread formed in the circumferential inner surface of the lower end of the body part; a tip part having an opening on the front end thereof, with an external thread formed in the circumferential outer surface of the upper end of the tip part, the external thread engaging with the internal thread of the body part; and a dental floss contained in the body part, the dental floss being drawn out through the opening of the tip part, wherein at least one through hole is formed through the circumferential outer surface of the body part or the circumferential outer surface of tip part, and the dental floss is drawn out, in a forward or reverse direction, through the opening of the tip part via a gap between the internal thread of the body part and the external thread of the tip part and also via the through hole.

[7] Preferably, the interdental cleaning tool may further include a winding part, comprising an actuating knob coupled to the upper end of the body part so as to be rotatable, and a winding rod integrally connected with the actuating knob and located under the lower surface of the actuating knob, the winding rod being placed in the body part, so that the dental floss is wound around or released from the winding rod.

[8] Furthermore, a cutting member may be provided on the upper surface of the actuating knob to cut the dental floss.

[9] The interdental cleaning tool may further include a winding part, comprising a reel mounting space defined at a predetermined position in the body part, a dental floss reel provided in the reel mounting space so as to be rotatable, with the dental floss wound around the dental floss reel, and a cover to selectively cover the reel mounting space, in which the dental floss reel is mounted.

[10] In addition, a fastening clip is provided on the circumferential outer surface of the body part.

Advantageous Effects

[11] In an interdental cleaning tool according to the present invention, dental floss can be firmly held between a body part and a tip part by engagement between an internal thread of the body part and an external thread of the tip part. Therefore, the dental floss can be easily drawn out from or fastened to the interdental cleaning tool. In addition, even if the dental floss is strongly pulled while performing interdental cleaning, the dental floss can be prevented from slipping and being undesirably drawn out, thus being convenient for a user.

[12] Furthermore, because a fastening clip is provided on the circumferential outer surface of the body part, the interdental cleaning tool can be easily clipped, for example, to a pocket, a bag, etc., thus enhancing the portability thereof.

[13] The features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings. The terms and words used in the specification and claims are not necessarily limited to typical or dictionary meanings, but must be understood to indicate concepts selected by the inventor as the best method of illustrating the present invention, and must be interpreted as having meanings and concepts adapted to the scope and sprit of the present invention for understanding the technology of the present invention. Brief Description of the Drawings

[14] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an interdental cleaning tool, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[15] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the interdental cleaning tool to show a body part, a winding part and a tip part which are separated from each other according to the present invention;

[16] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an interdental cleaning tool, which is provided with a tip part having two through holes therein according to the present invention;

[17] FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which a user holds an end of dental floss that is drawn from an opening of the tip part according to the present invention;

[18] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an interdental cleaning tool, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[19] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the interdental cleaning tool of the second embodiment to show a body part, a winding part and a tip part which are separated from each other;

[20] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing an interdental cleaning tool, which is provided with a body part having two through holes therein according to the present invention;

[21] FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the user holds an end of dental floss that is drawn from an opening of the tip part according to the present invention;

[22] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an interdental cleaning tool, according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and [23] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the interdental cleaning tool according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[24] ***Description of the elements in the drawings***

[25] 10: body part 110: annular groove

[26] 130: internal thread 150: fastening clip

[27] 30: tip part 310: opening

[28] 330: external thread 50: winding part

[29] 510: actuating knob 512: annular protrusion

[30] 530: winding rod 532: holding hole

[31] 70: dental floss

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[32] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[33] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an interdental cleaning tool, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the interdental cleaning tool to show a body part 10, a winding part 50 and a tip part 30 which are separated from each other.

[34] The interdental cleaning tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the body part 10, the tip part 30 and dental floss 70.

[35] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the body part 10 has a tubular shape. Furthermore, an annular groove 110 is formed in the circumferential inner surface of the upper end of the body part 10. An internal thread 130 is formed in the circumferential inner surface of the lower end of the body part 10.

[36] The tip part 30 has in the circumferential outer surface of the upper end thereof an external thread 330, which engages with the internal thread 130 of the body part 10. An opening 310, through which a first end of dental floss 70 is drawn outside, is formed through the front end of the tip part 30. A through hole H is formed at a predetermined position through the circumferential surface of the tip part 30.

[37] In detail, the dental floss 70, which is provided in the body part 10, is drawn outside the tip part 30 through the opening 30 both via a gap between the internal thread 130 of the body part 10 and the external thread 330 of the tip part 30 and via the through hole H. In this state, when a user forcibly engages the internal thread 130 of the body part 10 and the external thread 330 of the tip part 30 with each other, the dental floss 70 is firmly held between the internal thread 130 of the body part 10 and the external thread 330 of the tip part 30, so that the dental floss 70 is prevented from being undesirably loosened from the tip part 30 even if the dental floss 70 is pulled by relatively strong force. [38] In FIG. 1, although the dental floss 70 is illustrated as being first placed in the gap between the internal thread 130 of the body part 10 and the external thread 330 of the tip part 30, and then through a through hole H of the tip part 30 and the opening 310 of the tip part 30, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the dental floss 70 may be consecutively placed first via the through hole H of the tip part 30, then between the internal thread 130 of the body part 10 and the external thread 330 of the tip part 30, and subsequently through the opening 310 of the tip part 30 and held between the body part and the tip part.

[39] Particularly, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is preferable that the tip part 30 have a conical shape such that the user can easily insert the tip part 30 into his/her mouth.

[40] Meanwhile, in FIG. 2, although the internal thread 130 is illustrated as being formed in the lower end of the body part 10 and the external thread 330 is illustrated as being formed in the upper end of the tip part 30, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in contrast, an external thread may be formed in the lower end of the body part 10 and an internal thread may be formed in the upper end of the tip part 30, although this structure is not shown in the drawings.

[41] The interdental cleaning tool further includes the winding part 50. The winding part

50 has an actuating knob 510, which is rotatably coupled to the upper end of the body part 10, and a winding rod 530, which is integrally provided under the lower surface of the actuating knob 510 and is placed in the body part 10. The dental floss 70 is wound around or unwound from the winding rod 530.

[42] Furthermore, an annular protrusion 512, which is rotatably seated into the annular groove 110 that is formed in the circumferential inner surface of the upper end of the body part 10, is formed in the circumferential outer surface of the lower end of the actuating knob 510.

[43] Preferably, a holding hole 532 is formed in one end of the winding rod 530, and a second end of the dental floss 70 is held by the holding hole 532.

[44] When the actuating knob 510 is rotated in one direction after the second end of the dental floss 70 is held by the winding rod 530, the dental floss 70 is wound around the circumferential outer surface of the winding rod 530. In contrast, when the actuating knob 510 is rotated in the reverse direction, or when the dental floss 70 is pulled in a state in which the internal thread 130 of the body part 10 and the external thread 330 of the tip part 30 loosely engage with each other, the dental floss 70, which has been wound around the winding rod 530, is released from the winding rod 530 and is thus easily drawn outside through the opening 310 of the tip part 30.

[45] Preferably, a cutting member 514 is provided on the upper surface of the actuating knob 510 to enable for the user to cut away a used part of the dental floss 70.

[46] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an interdental cleaning tool, which is provided with a tip part having two through holes therein.

[47] In the interdental cleaning tool of FIGS. 1 and 2, the one through hole H is formed through the circumferential surface of the tip part 30, but, as shown in FIG. 3, two through holes H and H may be formed through the circumferential surface of the tip part 30. Here, the "circumferential surface of the tip part 30" is a concept including the external thread 330, which is formed in the upper end of the tip part 30.

[48] In the interdental cleaning tool of FIG. 3, a winding rod 530a has a tubular shape, unlike the winding rod 530 of FIG. 2. In this case, dental floss is preferably contained in the tubular winding rod 530a.

[49] FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which a user holds the first end of the dental floss

70 that is drawn from the opening 310 of the tip part 30.

[50] When it is desired for the user to remove impurities from between teeth using the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention, the tip part 30 is rotated in the direction, in which the tip part 30 is loosened from the body part 10, such that the external thread 330 of the tip part 30 and the internal thread 130 of the body part 10 enters a state of being loosely engaged with each other or the tip part 30 is separated from the body part 10. In this state, the first end of the dental floss 70 is pulled outwards such that it is drawn from the opening 310 of the tip part 30.

[51] Thereafter, the tip part 30 is forcibly rotated in the direction, in which it is tightened, such that the external thread 330 of the tip part 30 forcibly engages with the internal thread 130 of the body part 10. Then, the dental floss 70 is prevented from being undesirably removed from the tip part 30. Subsequently, the user holds the body part 10 using his/her one hand and holds the first end of the dental floss 70 that is drawn from the opening 310 of the tip part 30 using the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4.

[52] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an interdental cleaning tool, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the interdental cleaning tool of the second embodiment to show a body part 10, a winding part 50 and a tip part 30 which are separated from each other.

[53] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the interdental cleaning tool of the second embodiment of the present invention, a through hole H is formed through the circumferential surface of the body part 10, unlike the first embodiment in which the through hole H is formed through the circumferential surface of the tip part 30.

[54] As such, the through hole H can be formed through either the circumferential surface of the tip part 30 or the circumferential surface of the body part 10.

[55] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 5, a fastening clip 150 is preferably provided on the circumferential outer surface of the body part 10 such that the interdental cleaning tool can be selectively clipped, for example, to a pocket, using the fastening clip 150, when the interdental cleaning tool is not in use, thus increasing the portability thereof. [56] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing an interdental cleaning tool, which is provided with a body part having two through holes therein.

[57] In the interdental cleaning tool of FIG. 6, the one through hole H is formed through the circumferential surface of the body part 10, but, as shown in FIG. 7, two through holes H and H may be formed through the circumferential surface of the body part 10.

[58] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, a separate reel 540 may be provided on the lower end of the winding rod 530 at a position corresponding to, of the two through holes H and H which are formed through the circumferential surface of the body part 10, the position of the through hole H , which is disposed at the lower position. In addition, the through hole H , which is disposed at the lower position, may have a rectangular slot shape. As such, because the two through holes H and H , are formed through the circumferential surface of the body part 10 and the reel 540 is provided on the lower end of the winding rod 530, the dental floss can be conveniently wound around the reel 540 or be easily drawn from the interdental cleaning tool.

[59] FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the user holds a first end of the dental floss

70 that is drawn from an opening 310 of the tip part 30.

[60] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an interdental cleaning tool, according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the interdental cleaning tool according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[61] Unlike the first embodiment, in the interdental cleaning tool according to the third embodiment of the present invention, a reel mounting space 550 is defined at a medial position in the body part 10. A winding part includes a dental floss reel 560, around which dental floss is wound and which is rotatably provided in the reel mounting space 550,, and a cover 570, which selectively covers the reel mounting space 550, in which the dental floss reel 560 is mounted.

[62] Furthermore, a rotary shaft 552 is provided on the central portion in the reel mounting space 550, so that a shaft hole 562 of the dental floss reel 560 is fitted over the rotary shaft 552. In FIG. 9, although the reel mounting space 550 is illustrated as being formed at the medial position in the body part 10, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reel mounting space may be formed in the upper end or the lower end of the body part 10, of course.

[63] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, although the cover 570 is illustrated as being separately provided from the body part, the cover 570 may be constructed such that one end thereof is hinged to the body part 10.

[64] In addition, two through holes H and H are formed at positions adjacent to an external thread 330 in the circumferential surface of the tip part 30. The dental floss is drawn outside through the opening 310 of the tip part 30 via the two through holes H and H .

32

[65] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Therefore, such modifications, additions and substitutions must be regarded as falling within the bounds of the accompanying claims of the present invention.

Claims

[1] An interdental cleaning tool, comprising: a body part having a tubular shape, with an internal thread formed in a circumferential inner surface of a lower end of the body part; a tip part having an opening on a front end thereof, with an external thread formed in a circumferential outer surface of an upper end of the tip part, the external thread engaging with the internal thread of the body part; and a dental floss contained in the body part, the dental floss being drawn out through the opening of the tip part, wherein at least one through hole is formed through a circumferential outer surface of the body part or a circumferential outer surface of tip part, and the dental floss is drawn out, in a forward or reverse direction, through the opening of the tip part via a gap between the internal thread of the body part and the external thread of the tip part and also via the through hole.

[2] The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1, further comprising: a winding part, comprising an actuating knob coupled to an upper end of the body part so as to be rotatable, and a winding rod integrally connected with the actuating knob and located under a lower surface of the actuating knob, the winding rod being placed in the body part, so that the dental floss is wound around or released from the winding rod.

[3] The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 2, wherein a cutting member is provided on an upper surface of the actuating knob to cut the dental floss.

[4] The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1, further comprising: a winding part, comprising a reel mounting space defined at a predetermined position in the body part, a dental floss reel provided in the reel mounting space so as to be rotatable, with the dental floss wound around the dental floss reel, and a cover to selectively cover the reel mounting space, in which the dental floss reel is mounted.

[5] The interdental cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein a fastening clip is provided on the circumferential outer surface of the body part.