Hi, my name is Gui, and around 1985, I discovered the dental floss, a novelty for us Europeans.
What a nightmare! Nearly impossible to reach the back of my mouth.
And my fingers! Is this a torture or what!
So I decided to invent a tool to floss easily. I rented a small room in the south of Brussels,
my home town, and spent a whole year in seclusion, obsessed with the project.
This is how FlossGrip was born.
At that time, I didn't have money to pay a model, so it's me on the packaging :-).
If you prefer a demonstration rather than a long explanation, I made a video for you.
It's easier with the right tool!
FlossGrip provides a firm grip for the hand, enabling fast, precise movements in every interdental space, especially at the back of the mouth. You can easily use the floss with one hand.
The floss does not slip out of the flosser and
stays firmly in place during use, because the patented gripping
mechanism is fixing the floss at the end of each prong.
FlossGrip works with any type of dental floss or dental tape.
FlossGrip uses much less dental floss
With FlossGrip, you need 5 to 6" (13 to 15 cm).
Manually, you need 18 to 24" (45 à 60 cm)
After just a few months, the saving on the floss
expenses will pay you back the price of your floss holder.
FlossGrip is endless refillable, which means less plastic waste
in the landfills.
We sometimes hear that, for hygienic reasons, you need a new piece of floss for each interdental space.
A solution could be to rinse regularly the device, with water or even alcohol.
Moreover, the clinical study published on our website demonstrates that the average papillary bleeding
index is decreasing by 30% after 3 weeks of flossing. With or without FlossGrip.
Which means that the efficiency is the same. But the difficulty is much less.
FlossGrip is an environment-friendly product: PP for the device,
PET and paperboard for the packaging.
In agreement with the European standard AP (89) 1,
the pigments used to colour the device are 'for food use'.
For example, they do not contain heavy metals, such as cadmium.
Instructions for use
Cut ± 6" (± 15 cm) dental floss
or dental tape.
To fix on first prong :
- First wind floss 4 times around extremity of prong.
- Then thread through the slot on the extremity of this prong.
To fix on second prong :
- Squeeze prongs together.
- Fix floss on second prong by repeating same procedure as for first prong.
Take care that ends of floss do not stick too much out of prongs (max.
0.5" = 1 cm); if necessary, wind some more times before threading through slots.
Floss with sawing motions gradually between teeth, so as not to injure gum.
If floss is thin and breaks often, thicken it by cutting
10" (24 cm) floss and folding it
twice.
If a tooth repeatedly severs the floss, consult your dentist (decay).
Take attention to the position of the floss. The floss has to be
placed at the bottom of the heads, as shown hereafter.
In 1994, a crossed study done by the Belgian UCL University
showed FlossGrip to be as efficient as manual methods to reduce gingival inflammation.
In this study based on 2 groups of people, something interesting happened:
During the first 3 weeks, the group 1 was using FlossGrip, the group 2 was flossing manually
and 3 people (20%) of the group 2 resigned.
During the next 3 weeks, the group 1 flossed manually and the group 2 used FlossGrip. Again,
one person left from the group flossing manually.
In other words, nobody left when using FlossGrip.
This proves that the ease is greatly increased with FlossGrip.
Study comparing the effectiveness of manual flossing vs flossing with the floss handle FlossGrip
1. Introduction
Since the role of the dental plaque in the gingival inflammation is
well established, the need for a daily elimination of this one remains
the only means of prevention and cure. The use of the toothbrush is
already well accepted by the population and close to X% of the people
say to use it every day.
2. Material and method
The goal of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the dental
floss alone with the dental floss fixed on a floss handle (FlossGrip).
Thirty students were invited to take part in this single blind study.
The criteria of inclusions were the following: presence of minimum 5
teeth per arcade, absence of great restorations or crowns, to have a
frequency of one brushing per day.
Exclusion
criteria involved the use of oral antiseptics or antibiotics within 15
days before the start of the study.
The first visit consisted of a statement of the inflammatory index
(PI, PBI), after which the subjects underwent a full scaling as well
as a polishing. They were explained in details how to control the plaque
at home. They were asked to reproduce the taught brushing technique
immediately after demonstration in order to make sure of the correct
handling of the brush, the dental floss and the flosser.
The students were divided into 2 groups randomly. The first group
received a brush, a waxed dental floss and two tubes of toothpaste (Sensodyne®),
the other receiving a flosser (FlossGrip) on top of it.
It was asked to them to carry out at least one complete brushing per
day (toothbrush + floss, or toothbrush + flosser).
The first control was carried out after 3 weeks. A statement of the
plaque index (PI) and papillary bleeding index (PBI) were made. The
students having used the flosser during the first 3 weeks were requested
to give it back. In the same way a flosser was given to the students who
had not employed it for this period.
The second control took place after 6 weeks. Again the plaque index
and papillary bleeding index were mesured. The students also had to fill
in a questionnaire making it possible to analyze the conformity (“compliance”).
This same questionnaire was submitted to them 3 months after the end
of the study.
3. Results
At the beginning, thirty students were seen. One notes an average
papillary bleeding index of 1.61 in the group 1, and of 1.50 in group 2.
These indexes were subjected to the T-test which gives us a
nonsignificant difference. We can thus say that they are two homogeneous
groups.
After 3 weeks, we observed a significant reduction in the two groups.
Group 1 (without flosser) passes from 1.61 to 1.11 (- 0.50); group 2 (with
flosser) passes from 1.50 to 1.10 (- 0.40). Let us note that in group 1,
three students did not come to the appointment for the control.
The study being crossed, after this first period, the students of
group 1 received the flosser, the students of the second group returned
theirs.
With the second control, we observe a light nonsignificant increase
in the papillary bleeding index. Group 1 (with flosser) passes from 1.11
to 1.16 (+0.05); group 2 (without flosser) passes from 1.10 to 1.17 (+
0.07). The slight (but not significant) increase of the papillary
bleeding index probably reveals a bit of weariness on the part of the
students. One student of group 2 did not come to the control. We thus
finished the study with 26 cases.
Time
Group 1
t‑test <‑>
Group 2
Average papillary bleeding index
t‑test
Average papillary bleeding index
t‑test
T = 0
1.61
NS
1.50
Manual flossing
p<5%
Flossing with FlossGrip
p<5%
T = 3 weeks
1.11
NS
1.10
Flossing with FlossGrip
NS
Manual flossing
NS
T = 6 weeks
1.17
NS
1.16
The t-test expresses a significant difference between the 2 groups
after the beginning of the use of the floss. There is no statistically
significant difference between cleaning inter dental spaces with the
floss alone and cleaning with FlossGrip, neither between the two groups
(NS), nor inside the groups (NS).
Awards
In 1990,
I was awarded a silver medal at the International Invention Fair of Geneva.
Reviews
FlossGrip was also tested and
approved by the Dutch foundation for Innovations in Rotterdam
(Stichting InnovatieCentrum voor Uitvindingen ID-NL) which
specialises in testing new inventions.
In 1995, FlossGrip was praised by the Portuguese Consumer Association (Feb. 95, nr 145, p.25) and the Belgian
Consumer Association (Feb. 95, nr 374, p.19).
2025-03-26 02:08:46 | Здравейте, исках да знам цената ви.
2025-03-15 15:30:31 | Hi, Iam using flossgrip since a few years now and my dentist is impressed by my teeth aspect. I find it easy to floss with and bring it everywhere with me.
2013-08-21 | | FlossGrip it s the best flosser from the market without any doubt. Good quality, perfect shape and verry economicaly. I am so happy with it.
2007-05-14 | John Hadad Atlanta, GA USA | I ordered 7 of these in Nov 2002 (see my earlier comment). I use one at home and one in the office as I floss several times a day. Till today, almost 5 years later, I still have one I have not yet opened and the rest of them are in need of replacement. Amazing!!! I just now placed another order of 24 more units! Thanks.
2006-01-01 | Ken Poulton | FlossGrip works very well, even with Glide floss. It turned flossing from a clumsy, annoying chore to simple routine. Now I'm getting a second one for my travel kit. Thanks, Ken Poulton
2004-09-18 | | Excellent product. Easy to use and effective. Highly recommended.
2004-06-30 | | I've been using your FlossGrip tool for over six months and it has performed better than I had hoped. Thanks...
2003-09-26 | | its quite good
2002-12-30 | | I hope your floss holder is as good as the last one I had that lasted 16 years. You seem to be the only one around with such a product.
2002-12-02 | | What a handy device! I have very tightly spaced teeth, and have had terrible problems with floss catching between the teeth and shredding. The problem is greatly reduced with this tool. I've bought three more as gifts for my family.
2002-11-11 | John Hadad Atlanta GA USA | I bumped into this product on the web while looking for a replacement flosser and I am glad I did. At first, this product seemed expensive, but, after reading the information at their site, I was so impressed with how serious these folks are that I decided to spend the $10 and at least try one and ordered a blue one. I tried it for a couple of months and realized that this product is by far superior, in both design and material integrity, to any comparable products I tried (and I tried quite a few :). I ordered six more! When I got the additional six, I wished I had ordered all in blue. So, I contacted these folks and with not so much as a blink, they replaced the ones I had, some of which I already opened, simply because they wanted me to be happy with their product. In fact, as a response to my inquiry, they e-mailed me that the replacement is on the way to me so I can send them back the ones I did not want So there you have it, both a superior product and a great customer service. If you use hand held flossers, you should try one of these. You will be happy you did. Thank you.
2002-05-18 | Ray Farris | To whom it may concern: Your Floss Grip tool, once the learning time is over, works perfect. I have tried many types, and yours is the best.
2002-05-16 | | Hi! I really enjoy your FlossGrip. I have been enjoying mine for more than a year. Last time, I ordered several for family members. At least one of my kids is still using hers. I find it works best for me with Glide ribbon floss as the start of a daily regime followed with a good plaque rinse, brushing with a quality soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste (such as Colgate Total) along with a dab of household baking soda, followed with antiseptic mouthwash. My dentist is very impressed as I have not had any plaque on my teeth during my checkups. He is impressed by how my teeth, gums and fillings all stay in great shape. It's a good tongue scraper, too. I just ordered three more for him and his office staff. He says he'll try anything that gets such good results for a patient. Thanks!
2001-10-25 | | Good device. It would be even better if it held a small roll of floss (along with one of those little floss cutters), so it was self-contained. I used to have a similar device and it was very handy, since it was all self-contained. For some reason they don't make that any more.
FlossGrip: description of the invention
The invention relates to a device for improving the cleaning of interdental spaces by means of a
thread, commonly referred to as dental floss, the device having a single handle and two prongs connected, at one end, to
the handle and in which the dental floss extends tightly between the ends opposite the handle.
Dental floss devices have been marketed in the United States under the trademark
"FLOSSAID", under the trademark "FLOSSMATE" as marketed by John O. Butler Co. of chicago, and in a
design (see U.S. Pat. No. Des. 216,545) marketed under the trademark "E-Z FLOSS" by E-Z FLOSS of Palm Springs.
The two first-named devices are charged in the same manner: a button-shaped head is fitted to the
holder. The leading end of the dental floss has to be wound several times around this head and then installed in a
groove along the length of the first prong. The dental floss leaves the prong at its end and joins the end of the other
prong. The dental floss has to follow again a groove along this latter prong up to the starting button around which it
has to be wound, finally, several times.
The "E-Z FLOSS" flosser differs from the two first mentioned designs by the
fact that its holder has two heads; one for winding the leading end of the dental floss, the other for winding the
trailing end of the dental floss. Furthermore, the end of this holder features a narrow groove and the dental floss is secured by
combining the windings around the heads with insertions in this groove.
With all three of the aforementioned devices, tensioning of the dental floss is achieved by holding
the prongs close together while the dental floss is being installed. These flossers require an expenditure
of a considerable length of dental floss for each use, only a small section of which will actually pass between the
teeth, Furthermore, since a considerable length of dental floss is under tension, the dental floss stretches significantly and,
therefore, becomes slack. With the two first-named flossers, the tread sometimes gets out of its groove and
gets loose from the ends of the prongs.
Other types of dental floss applicators have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,623,231, 2,650,598,
3,871,393 and 3,393,687, and British Pat. No. 525,528. Such arrangements do not disclose a subject the structure or
advantages achieved by the structure of the present invention.
Summary of the invention
The purpose of this invention is to remedy know drawbacks by providing a flosser
that
consumes only a small amount of dental floss, in which the dental floss cannot get loose from the ends of the prongs, and which
remain tight permanently, by means of a simple method of attachment.
An advantage of this invention is that a flosser allows cleaning of interdental spaces
effectively as the dental floss remains tight an solidly secured regardless or the position in which the holder is held.
Moreover, the wasteful consumption of the is reduced significantly, Furthermore, the method of loading the dental floss
onto the holder is quite simple.
Thus, in accordance with the invention, a flosser is provided for improved cleaning of
interdental spaces. The holder includes an elongated handle and a pair of opposed curved prongs. Each prong has a first
and flexibly mounted to the handle for movement toward the other. Each prong also has a second free end. Protrusions are
formed on inside surface of at least one of the prongs to limit the extent of which the prongs can be moved to each
other. Preferably, protrusions are formed on each of the prongs, Upon movement of the prongs toward each other, the
protrusions will eventually contact and preclude further movement of the prongs towards each other. A dental floss
having a length extended between, and in attachment with, the prongs is provided proximate to the free ends. Gripping
means for locking the dental floss in place at the attachment to the prongs is also provided.
The gripping means, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, includes a lit in each prong
extending lengthwise from the free end of the prong toward the first end (i.e. attached to the handle) over a length
sufficient to form flexible jaws on each side of the slit. Additionally, each prong is provided with a groove that
extends about the periphery of the prong, laterally of the slit, proximate of the free end. A length of dental floss is
extended in the slit and a winding of the dental floss, attached to the aforementioned length, is provided in the groove
to form the attachment of the dental floss to the free end of each prong.
In accordance with still another preferred feature of the invention, each slit extends at an angle
approximately perpendicular to the length of the dental floss extended between the prongs. The jaws are preferably
extended towards each other at the free end so that the slit comprises a triangularly tapered cross-section adjacent to
free end. Additionally, the surfaces of the jaws adjacent to the slit and the groove are preferably roughened with a
series of surface indentations and projections in order to improve the adhesion of the dental floss to the jaws.
The slit provided in the prongs has a length sufficient to insure that the slightest pressure applied
to the two jaws will close them together over the dental floss. In the preferred arrangement, the groove is located
about 3 mm from the end of each prong and the overall structure is dimensioned so that the length of dental floss
required to engage the groove and the slit and to extend between the prongs is approximately 12 cm. The prongs are
pressed together in order to load the dental floss. When released, the prongs tends to resume their normal open position
and stretch and tighten the dental floss around in the grooves at the end of the prongs. This, in turn, firmly closes the slit
and locks the dental floss in place. This locking effect is enhanced by the pressure on the dental floss during the cleaning of the
interdental spaces. Other advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon studying of
the accompanying specification and drawing.
Brief description of the drawing
In the accompanying drawing, forming
a part of this specification, and in which reference
numerals shown in the several views designate like of
corresponding parts throughout the same,
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a
flosser made in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged front
perspective view of a portion of the flosser of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partly
broken away, of the portion of flosser shown in FIG. 2;
and
FIG. 4 through 7 pictorially
illustrate a sequence of the steps utilized in loading a
floss onto the flosser of FIG. 1.
Detailed description
As shown in FIG. 1, a flosser made in conformity with this invention comprises a furcated
device with an elongated handle 1 and two prongs 2 flexibly mounted to one end of the handle. The arcuate prongs 2 are
fitted with protrusions 3. Each of the prongs 2, at its end opposite the handle 1, is slit down its middle lengthwise by
a slit 4, to form pincers, over length sufficient to ensure flexibility so that application of the slightest pressure to
the opposed sides 5, 6 of the pincer adjacent the slit 4 will cause the sides to press together.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each slitted prong preferably is constructed to form a
pincer about 12 mm long and the ends 7, 8 of the prong, about 3 mm long, will form the jaws of the pincer. Each of the
two pincers is provided with a groove 9 which extends laterally relative to the slit 4 around the periphery of each
prong about 3 mm from the end opposite the handle.
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an enlarged view of part of the end of one prong. FIG. 3 also illustrates
the manner in which the dental floss is arranged at the end of a prong.
In operation, a user will need about 10 to 12 cm of dental floss to load the device. This length can
be measured by means of markings on the handle of the holder or by color marks on the dental floss itself.
As shown in FIG. 4, the user winds the leading end of the dental floss 10 around the groove 9 at the end of
prong 2 about three times. The user then inserts floss into the slit between the jaws (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 6,
while keeping the prongs tightly together until protrusions 3 abut, the user winds the dental floss thrice around in groove 9
at the end of the second prong. Before releasing the prongs, as best shown in FIG. 7, the user passes the end of the dental floss
into the slit between jaws 7, 8 of the second prong.
Each set of semi-prongs 5, 6 is self-locking. When the user releases the prongs, after having loaded
the device as described above, the prongs tend to resume their normal open position and thus stretch the dental floss, which
tightens the windings in the grooves 9 and thus locks the jaws 7, 8 of each prong onto the dental floss. Any pull on the dental floss
while cleaning the interdental spaces will increase the grip even more. The slit in each prong is approximately
perpendicular to the tightened floss. Thus, the slipping of the dental floss is prevented by the increased gripping effect,
which arises by virtue of its being held in al plane approximately perpendicular to the pull. The movement of the jaws
7? 8, in a direction parallel to the pull of the dental floss, enhances the gripping effect, particularly while the device is
in use. Finally, the dental floss is also locked into position by the groove itself, which is at a right angle to the slit, For
the purpose of inserting the dental floss into the jaws 7, 8 the user will have to pull the dental floss in a direction
perpendicular to the plane of the winding in the groove 9.
The sides 12, 13 of the jaws 7, 8 are triangularly tapered, relative to the slit, in a manner that
allows the dental floss to slide easily between the jaws 7, 8 after having been wound in the groove 9. The adherence of the dental floss can be increased by roughening the surface areas of the jaws 7, 8 adjacent
the slit 6 and groove 9. The surface areas, for example, are covered with small projection or dots
as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Claims:
1. Device for improved cleaning of interdental spaces with a dental floss, composed of an elongated
handle (1) and a pair of opposed curved prongs (2) in offset from the plane of the handle, each prong (2) having a first
end mounted to the handle and having the second end free, these prongs being flexible for movement towards each other,
gripping means being realized by a slit (4) dividing each end of prong into two parts (5, 6) and extending lengthwise
from the free end of the prong towards the first end, and a dental floss (10) having a first part being extended
between the prongs, near the free ends, and a second part utilized to fix the first one, characterized in that
protrusion means (3) are mounted on at least one of the prongs to limit the movement towards each other, and in that the
slit (4) extend lengthwise towards the handle, beyond the place where the dental floss is gripped on the prong, over a length
sufficient to form, by the flexibility of each part (5 and 6) situated on opposite sides of the slit (4), the gripping
means that will maintain the dental floss firmly in place by a increased gripping effect, enhanced by the pressure on the
dental floss during use.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the slit (4) is in a plane approximately
perpendicular to the part of the dental floss extended between the prongs, in that a groove (9) extends around the periphery
of each prong, on the two parts (5 and 6) forming each side of the slit (4), in proximity to the free end of the prong,
and in that the second part of the dental floss used to fix the part of dental floss extended between the prongs, comprises a
winding in the peripheral groove (9) and a segment between the jaws (7 and 8).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the jaws (7 and 8) are situated at the free end
of the prong and the edges (12 and 13) adjacent the free end are triangularly tapered, so that the distance between
these edges decreases from the groove (9) to the end of the prong.
4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the surface areas of the jaws (7 and 8) that
will grip the dental floss, and the surface areas of the grooves (9) are rough surface areas, whereby the adhesion of the
dental floss to these surface areas is improved.
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