Patent attributes
A self-dispensing dental floss applicator that has a U-shaped elongated housing (1) with two hollow prongs (4a, 4b) set perpendicularly to the body at one end and a larger opposite end to contain the locking mechanism, the dispensing mechanism, the spool (3) of fresh floss and the spool (18 or 21) of used floss. The locking mechanism composed of a casing (5), an axle (9), two lower grip pads (17a, 17b), two upper grip pads (7a, 7b), two strip springs (8a and 8b) and a lever (6) with two eccentric friction parts is used to hold the floss in position thus creating the right tension on the floss. A tension pin (19) containing a screw (20) is provided to increase floss tension if/when needed by the user. Rotating the lever (6) up unlocks the floss. Further repeated rotations of the lever backward action the sliding mechanism containing a rack-and-pinion gear (23 and 21), together with springs 24 and 26, that in turn causes the spool of used floss (21) to rotate. Hence, new fresh floss is spanned between the prongs. In a separate embodiment, the applicator is placed on the electrical base and pressing it down will cause the spool of used floss (18) to rotate, hence pulling new fresh floss between the prongs in a very fast and easy manner. Pushing back the lever (6) to its locked position ensures the floss is tightly locked with the right tension.
