# US 11,992,377 B2 · Light-emitting dental floss

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- Number: US 11,992,377 B2
- Document ID: US11992377B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/331,486
- Filed: 2021-05-26
- Published: 2021-09-16
- Granted: 2024-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2018-11-28
- Applicants: Guangzhou T.K Medical Instrument Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Xing Zhou
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11992377B2

## CPC

- A61C 15/046: {Flossing tools}
- A61C 15/047: {power-driven}
- A61C 15/048: {with heads removable from handle, e.g. interchangeable heads}
- A61C 2204/00: Features not otherwise provided for
- A61C: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; {tongue scrapers A61B17/24;} preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00)

## Abstract

Luminous dental floss of the present application includes dental floss, an illumination system, and a handle. The dental floss is detachably connected to the handle. The illumination system includes a light source system, a circuit system, a switch, and a power supply system. The light source system is connected to the power supply system through the circuit system. The circuit system and the power supply system are mounted in the handle, and the switch is mounted on the handle. Illumination light emitted by the light source system can illuminate an oral cavity, and especially an observation window is designed on the luminous dental floss of the present application. During use, under the illumination of the illumination system, a process of the dental floss entering a gap between teeth can be directly observed, thereby facilitating cleaning and effectively avoiding accidental injury to gingivae.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A luminous dental floss tool, comprising: a detachable dental floss component, an illumination system, and a handle, wherein the dental floss component includes:
a connecting portion connecting the detachable dental floss component and the handle;
a working portion comprising a dental flossing thread, the working portion having a first opening and configured such that the dental flossing thread can enter between the teeth of a user; and
an observation window provided between the working portion and the connecting portion, the observation window including a second opening distinct from the first opening, the second opening facilitating observation of the teeth of the user during cleaning;
the illumination system includes a light source system, a circuit system, a switch, and a power supply system, the light source system being connected to the power supply system through the circuit system;
the handle includes a connecting end configured to connect connected to the detachable dental floss component; and
the dental floss component is detachably connected to the handle, the circuit system and the power supply system are mounted in the handle; and the switch is mounted on the handle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The luminous dental floss tool according to claim 1, wherein the dental floss component is made of a light guide material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The luminous dental floss tool according to claim 1, wherein a light guide channel is disposed on the detachable dental floss component.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The luminous dental floss tool according to claim 1, wherein the detachable dental floss component and the handle are connected in a rotating manner, a concave-convex snap fit manner, or an interference fit manner.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The luminous dental floss tool according to claim 4, wherein the detachable dental floss component and the handle are connected in a concave-convex snap fit manner, the connecting portion comprises a positioning convex step, and the connecting end comprises a positioning groove, the positioning convex step being embedded in the positioning groove during connection.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The luminous dental floss tool according to claim 5, wherein the connecting end further comprises a fixing sleeve, the fixing sleeve being pushed upward during connection and being capable of fixing the positioning convex step and the positioning groove.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The luminous dental floss tool according to claim 1, wherein the light source system is mounted in the handle, and a front end of the handle is made of a light guide material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The luminous dental floss tool according to claim 1, wherein the power supply system is a battery, the battery being mounted in the handle.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The luminous dental floss tool according to claim 8, wherein the handle is provided with an end cover, the battery disposed in the handle being replaced after the end cover is removed.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The luminous dental floss tool according to claim 1, wherein the illumination system has a timing function, and the light source system is automatically turned off within a specified time after the switch is turned on.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The luminous dental floss tool according to claim 1, wherein the luminous dental floss is capable of being placed on a tabletop in an upright manner.