Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An automated dental flosser (10) comprises a pair of pivotally supported tines (18) which support a movable floss span (17). A pair of rotatably supported subcapstans (38, 40) are floss-connected to each end of the floss span, respectively, and are alternately driven to reciprocate the span longitudinally. A floss dispensing spool (50) and a floss take-up spool (56), floss-connected to respective subcapstans, dispense and take up floss. A floss-engaging portion of each subcapstan differs from the other in diameter to result in a net transfer of the floss from one spool to the other. Means for reciprocating the tines moves the span up and down. A pair of stationary shield tines (16) shield the user's teeth from the reciprocating tines. A second embodiment (90) includes an astable pulse generator (106) that generates a train of pulses of alternately reversing electric charge. Pulses of one charge are of longer duration than those of the other charge. A reversible DC motor (104) is drivingly connected to floss dispensing and take-up spools (98, 100) which are floss-connected to each end, respectively, of a tine supported floss span (96). The motor, energized by the alternating pulses, alternately reverses direction to reciprocate the floss span. A net transfer of floss from one spool to the other results from the longer pulses. A third embodiment (116) includes two ultrasonic transducers (127, 128) connected to floss-supporting tines (118). The transducers are mounted at right angles to each other for reciprocating the tines and floss span up and down and side to side.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim