CONTINUOUS FLOSS FOR CLEANING INTERDENTAL SPACE AND CONTAINER FOR HOLDING IT IN Russian patent published in 2000 - IPC

FIELD: medical engineering. SUBSTANCE: device has floss thread having segments for cleaning and segments for cutting alternating all over the floss length. The floss has holding members designed as balls. The balls separate the segments for cleaning and segments for cutting. Length of segments for cleaning is greater than that of segments for cutting the thread. Container for storing and delivering continuous floss has casing with opening for delivering the thread, means for cutting the thread and means for winding placed inside. The casing is cylinder with coaxial opening. One of lateral end faces of the casing has cylindrical detachable cover having coaxial opening. Diameter of the opening is equal to that of the opening in the casing. The means for winding thread is coil with side plates. Internal diameter of the coil is greater than diameter of opening in the casing. Opening for delivering the floss on the lateral surface of the casing has slit for inserting the free end of the floss thread. Opening diameter for delivering the floss exceeds the ball diameter. Width of the slit for inserting the free end of the floss thread is less than the ball diameter. The means for cutting the floss thread is mounted on the lateral surface of the casing remote from the slit at a distance that is not greater than distance between the neighboring balls on a segment for cutting the floss thread. The means for cutting the floss thread is designed as leaflet with cutting edge. The leaflet is bent in the direction the thread is pulled. EFFECT: small size, easy to handle device; improved hygienic properties. 4 cl, 4 dwg