Dental flosser with floss beads

Abstract

A dental flossing apparatus having a body with extending retention arms configured for retaining a length of dental floss under tension between the arms. The tension is applied between resilient arms and biased into tension by means of legs coupled to said arms which are manipulated and optionally locked together. By way of example, a bore extending into the bead may be engaged over a post extending proximal the end of the retention arms. Other forms of engaging the floss with the ends of the retention arms are also described. The body of the flossing device or the beads may be configured in the shape of animals, action figures, characters, or other objects to enhance entertainment value. Floss for the flossing device comprise short sections of floss with a bead near each end, which may be separated from a roll of floss upon which a plurality of beads are affixed.

1 . An apparatus for flossing teeth, comprising: 
 a first arm having a first tip;    a second arm coupled to said first arm, said second arm having a second tip retained at a predetermined separation from said first tip;    a handle joining said first arm and said second arm; and    means for reversibly coupling a length of dental floss between said first and second arms under sufficient tension for being manipulated between the teeth of an individual during flossing.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said handle is configured in the shape of an animal, character, action figure or other object.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said handle comprises: 
 a first leg joined to said first arm; and    a second leg joined to said second arm;    said second leg pivotally coupled to said first leg.    
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein tension is applied to a section of floss retained between said first and second arms by pivoting said first leg and said second leg toward one another.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising means for locking said first leg to said second leg to retain said tension on said section of floss between said first and said second arms.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said means for locking comprises a lock configured to slidably engage along at least a portion of the length of said first leg and said second leg, or a clasp coupled to one leg and configured to engage the opposing leg.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for reversibly coupling a section of dental floss comprises: 
 a first engagement structure located at the end of said first arm and a second engagement structure located at the end of said second arm; and    wherein each said engagement structure is configured for engaging a complementary bead structure retained along the length of an elongated section of dental floss.    
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 7:   wherein each said engagement structure and each said complementary bead structure comprise a post and bore structure wherein said post is engaged through said bore; and    wherein said bead is configured with a bore which is engaged over a post extending from said arm, or said bead is configured with a post which is engaged within a bore on said arm.    
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 7:   wherein said engagement structure and said complementary bead structure comprises a ball and socket structure; and    wherein said ball is engageable within said socket on the end of an arm.    
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 7:   wherein said engagement structure and said complementary bead structure are configured in a nested arrangement; and    wherein said bead is slidably engaged within either the interior or over the exterior of a portion of said arm.    
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said bead structures are configured in a shape selected from the group of shapes consisting of a heart, a tooth, a hand, a fruit, a vegetable, a sports ball, a sports helmet, a knife, a hand grenade, a bomb, or a gun.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for flossing teeth, comprising: 
 a body;    a first resilient tension arm extending from said body;    a second resilient tension arm extending from said body; and    means for reversibly coupling a length of dental floss under tension between proximal ends of said first and second arms.    
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 12:   wherein said means for reversibly coupling said length of dental floss comprises a receptacle at the proximal end of each tension arms;    each said receptacle configured for engaging a bead located along a length of dental floss.    
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein each said receptacle comprises a post configured of a size and shape for being disposed within a bore extending into or through said bead.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said post has a non-circular cross section, wherein rotation of said bead around said post is restricted.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said posts have a cross-section selected from the group of shapes consisting of circles, ovals, triangles, trapezoids, squares, rectangles, polygons, pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, octagons, star, heart, crescent or cross, which is configured for receipt within the bore of a bead.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising annular ridges disposed at the distal portion of said post to prevent inadvertent disengagement of said bead from said post.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said beads are configured in a shape selected from the group of shapes consisting essentially of a heart, a tooth, a hand, a fruit, a vegetable, a sports ball, a sports helmet, a knife, a hand grenade, a bomb, or a gun.