Flosser tip holding cartridge

Abstract

A flosser tip holding cartridge including one or two internal storage rails having a base for supporting the rails upright on a support surface. A housing surrounding and protecting the storage rails and a slot in the front portion of the housing for accessing each rail. A tip removal slot on the top side for facilitating the removal of a flossing tip from the flossing device. Each rail includes a longitudinally-oriented recess having side walls that define a shape that closely receives individual flosser tips for storage and access.

Description

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application is a conversion of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/171,824 filed Dec. 21, 1999, from which priority is claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to storage containers, and more particularly to a cartridge to hold one or more interproximal flosser tips to be used in conjunction with an interproximal flossing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Interproximal flossing devices use a tip as the flossing element. The interproximal flosser tip needs to be replaced periodically. It would be convenient and desirable to develop a holding cartridge capable of holding one or more interproximal flosser tips. This allows an interproximal flossing device user to have a readily available supply of new interproximal flosser tips. It would also be desirable to have a structure in the holding cartridge to assist in removing the tip from the flossing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The flosser tip holding cartridge of the present invention includes several unique features that overcome the shortcomings described above. In one embodiment, the flossing cartridge includes one, two, or more internal storage rails having a base for supporting the rail(s) upright on a support surface. A housing surrounds the storage rail(s) and provides general protection for the rails, and includes a slot in a front portion to allow access to each rail. The housing also includes a tip removal slot formed on the top side of the housing. The tip removal slot facilitates the removal of a flossing tip from the interproximal dental flosser. Each storage rail includes a longitudinally-oriented recess having side walls that define a shape that closely receives individual flosser tips for storage and access. The storage rail recess shape securely holds the flosser tip therein until the flosser end is inserted into the flosser tip. The flosser tip is then extracted from the storage rail by moving the flosser since the connection between the flosser and the tip is stronger than the connection between the tip and the storage rail recess.

[0005] Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method for removing a flosser tip from the rocker arm of an interproximal flossing device. The method includes the following steps: inserting the tip and the rocker arm into a slot having a wide end and a narrow end; moving the tip and the rocker arm from the wide end of the slot to the narrow end; and withdrawing the rocker arm from the slot.

[0006] Yet another embodiment of the present invention includes a method for removing a flosser tip from the end of a shaft. The method includes the following steps: providing a flosser tip having an open end and removably connected to the end of the shaft; and expanding the open end to disconnect the tip from the end of the shaft.

[0007] The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a flosser tip holding cartridge in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, including the storage rails, the housing, and the removal slot;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a flosser tip holding cartridge in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a flosser tip holding cartridge and flosser tips in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an internal storage rail and flosser tips in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a section view of the flosser tip holding cartridge taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a section view of the flosser tip holding cartridge taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the external housing of FIG. 3, showing the tip removal slot and internal bracing;

[0015] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the external housing of FIG. 3, showing the slots that allow access to the storage rails;

[0016] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the external housing of FIG. 3, showing the tip removal slot;

[0017] FIG. 10 is a section view of the external housing taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 7;

[0018] FIG. 11 is a section view of the external housing taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 7;

[0019] FIG. 12 is a section view of the external housing taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 8;

[0020] FIG. 13 is a section view of the external housing taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 9;

[0021] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a flossing device with the flosser tip partially inserted in the rounded end portion of the removal slot in the top end of the flosser tip holding cartridge;

[0022] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a flossing device with the flosser tip fully inserted in the rounded end portion of the removal slot in the top end of the flosser tip holding cartridge;

[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a flossing device with the end having slid along the removal slot to the narrow portion of the removal slot, showing the motion of the flossing device while removing a flosser tip from the device;

[0024] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a flossing device after extracting the device from the removal slot and after removal of the flosser tip from the flossing device;

[0025] FIG. 18 is a section view of the flossing device and flosser tip taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 15;

[0026] FIG. 19 is a representative section view of the flossing device and flosser tip at a position intermediate to FIGS. 15 and 16;

[0027] FIG. 20 is a section view of the flossing device and flosser tip taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 16;

[0028] FIG. 21 is a section view of the flossing device and flosser tip taken along line 21-21 of FIG. 17;

[0029] FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the storage rail of FIG. 4;

[0030] FIG. 23 is a back view of the storage rail of FIG. 4;

[0031] FIG. 24 is a top view of the storage rail of FIG. 4;

[0032] FIG. 25 is a section view of the holding cavity formed in one of the storage rail taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 23, showing a flosser tip in dash;

[0033] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a single rail flosser tip holding cartridge and flosser tips; and

[0034] FIG. 27 is a section view of the single rail flosser tip holding cartridge taken along line 27-27 of FIG. 26.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] A typical holding cartridge of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-13. The cartridge generally includes an external housing, at least one internal storage rail, and a flosser tip removal slot. Replacement flosser tips are releasably secured in the storage rails. The storage rails are removably inserted into the external housing. The storage rails and the external housing have a cross-sectional shape that ensures the tops of the replacement tips are accessible from the front of the external housing. The front of the external housing includes openings that allow a user to access the replacement flosser tips with the top end of the flossing device. A typical external housing has a top end that includes a removal slot and an open bottom end. In use, a user inserts the flossing device with flosser tip into the removal slot to remove the used flosser tip. The used tip exits the cartridge through the opening on the bottom end of the external housing.

[0036] FIGS. 1-13 show one possible embodiment for a holding cartridge that can be used to hold a supply of interproximal flosser tips.

[0037] FIGS. 1-2 show top and bottom end perspective views of holding cartridge 10. Holding cartridge 10 has an external housing 36 with an open bottom end 38 and a closed top end 40 forming a slot 42 therein. Slot 42 includes a means for removing flosser tip 12 from flossing device 124. Open bottom end 38 allows the expended flosser tip to exit holding cartridge 10. Open bottom end 38 also allows a means for removal and replacement of internal storage rail 80, which, as shown, includes a double rail structure. Holding cartridge 10 also has two longitudinal slots 52 on its front side 54 for allowing access to the replacement flosser tips 12 held in storage rail 80.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of holding cartridge 10 that can be used to hold a supply of interproximal flosser tips 12. As shown, this preferred holding cartridge 10 has two basic components, an external housing 36 and an internal storage rail 80. In this embodiment, internal storage rail 80 is shown with a bottom or base 82 from which extends two parallel tracks or rails 84 that can each hold one row of interproximal flosser tips 12, shown in FIG. 4. In light of this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that it would be possible to develop cartridge storage rails for storing one, two, three or more rows of interproximal flosser tips. However, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two rows of flosser tips are included. Two rows of flosser tips are preferred because they can be contained in a holding cartridge that is optimally sized for handling by the user. In addition, a double rail holding cartridge occupies a minimal amount of counter space.

[0039] Open bottom end 38 of external housing 36 includes detents or recesses 56 on its interior collar ring 58 that engage with ribs 86 on the outside of base 82 of internal storage rail 80 to removably secure internal storage rail 80 within external housing 36. In other embodiments, the external housing may have ribs that engage with detents formed in the interior collar ring of the internal storage rail base. The external housing serves to contain and protect the replacement flosser tips, as well as provide an aesthetic look for the consumer.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows that replacement flosser tips 12 are inserted into tracks or rails 84 of internal storage rail 80 by inserting the tips through the open top ends 88 of internal storage rail 80. Internal storage rails or tracks 84 are configured to removably secure flosser tips 12 within storage rail 80, as is described in more detail below.

[0041] External housing 36 of holding cartridge 10 is best seen in FIGS. 7-13. FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of external housing 36, FIG. 8 shows a front view of external housing 36, and FIG. 9 shows a top view of external housing 36. Bottom 38 of external housing 36 is typically open to facilitate easy insertion of internal storage rail 80 after it has been loaded with flosser tips 12. As can be best seen in FIGS. 3, 4, and 13, bottom 38 of external housing 36 has a detent 56 that engages with a corresponding plug or dimple 86 on internal storage rail 80 to secure internal storage rail 80 in external housing 36 yet still allow removal and replacement of internal storage rail 80. In the preferred embodiment, detent 56 and plug 86 releasably engage in a snap-fit arrangement. Moreover, in the preferred embodiment, entire bottom end 38 of external housing 36 is open, but other configurations that partially close off the bottom are possible.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 8, front 54 of external housing 36 has two elongated, relatively narrow openings 52. These openings are sized so that the tip-end of the interproximal flossing device 124 (not shown) can access interproximal flosser tips 12 being held in internal storage rail 80. The other sides of external housing 36 have external shapes similar to the front but do not have any openings. The attachment of an interproximal flosser tip 12 to the interproximal flossing device 124 is more fully explained in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/636,488, DRIVE MECHANISM FOR INTERPROXIMAL FLOSSING DEVICE, filed Aug., 11, 2000, which is owned by the same assignee as the present application, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0043] FIG. 9 shows top 40 of external housing 36. Top 40 is formed with slot 42, preferably slot 42 is positioned towards the center of top 40. Slot 42 is specially formed to facilitate removal of interproximal flosser tip 12 from interproximal flossing device 124. Slot 42 is designed with first end 44, second end 46, and intermediate length 48. First end 44 is wider than intermediate length 48 and second end 46. Preferably, first end 44 is circular with a diameter sufficient for insertion of interproximal flosser tip 12 while tip 12 is attached to interproximal flossing device 124 (see FIG. 14). However, first end 44 could be any geometric configuration. In one embodiment, the edges 50 of slot 42 at first end 44 are designed with an inward slope that further eases and guides insertion of interproximal flosser tip 12 into first end 44. Slot 42 narrows from larger first end 44 to smaller-dimensioned intermediate length 48 and second end 46 to facilitate removal of interproximal flosser tip 12 from interproximal flossing device 124, as described in more detail below.

[0044] As is best seen in FIGS. 1, 3, and 9, the preferred embodiment of external housing 36 has a generally triangular shape. This design is, in part, for ease of handling by a user as it is designed for an easy hand grip. The design also prevents holding cartridge 10 from rolling from the other sides onto front 54, which is where interproximal flosser tip 12s are exposed through access slots 52. This helps reduce the chances of the tips from becoming contaminated. Any configuration, however, is possible, be it square, rectangular, circular, etc.

[0045] As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 10-12, inner side walls 62 of external housing 36 and inner top wall 64 of external housing 36 contain ridges 66. Ridges 66 provide guides and support for internal storage rail 80. These ridges 66 provide support and align internal storage rail 80 within external housing 36 to cause interproximal flosser tips 12 held by internal storage rail 80 to line up with access slot openings 52 in front 54 of external housing 36. These ridges 66 cooperate with detent 56 and dimple 86 explained above to ensure proper orientation of internal storage rail 80 in external housing 36.

[0046] A flosser tip includes a cylindrical cup portion with a flossing element extending therefrom. The cup portion defines an open-ended cavity having an end collar ring. The cup portion includes a connection structure for securing the flosser tip to the top end of a flossing device rocker arm. The tip connection structure includes recesses in the interior walls of the cup portion. The recesses engage latch members on the top end of the rocker arm to removably secure the tip to the flossing device rocker arm (see FIGS. 18-21). The flosser tip can be removed from the top end of the rocker arm by pulling the cup portion recesses over the rocker arm latch members thereby disengaging the flosser tip from the top end of the rocker arm. This can be done by hand, with a tool, such as pliers, or by the tip removal slot shown in FIGS. 14-21. As described above, a tip removal slot for removing flosser tips from a flossing device is formed in the top end of the external housing.

[0047] FIGS. 14-17 illustrate the removal of flosser tip 12 from flossing device 124 utilizing tip removal slot 42 on the top end 40 of external housing 36. To remove flosser tip 12 from flossing device 124, flosser tip 12 and top end 128 of flossing device rocker arm 126 are first inserted into rounded first end 44 opening of tip removal slot 42 (see FIGS. 14 and 15). Next, as illustrated in FIG. 16, flosser tip 12 and top end 128 of rocker arm 126 are directed along intermediate length 48 of tip removal slot 42 to second end 46 of slot 42. Finally, top end 128 of flossing device 124 rocker arm 126 is extracted from tip removal slot 42. Flosser tip 12 is removed from rocker arm 126 during the motion illustrated in FIG. 16. The removed flosser tip 12 exits external housing 36 through open bottom end 38.

[0048] FIGS. 18-21 provide section views of tip removal slot 42 and illustrate the manner in which tip removal slot 42 causes the removal of flosser tip 12 from top end 128 of flossing device 124 rocker arm 126.

[0049] In FIG. 18, a section view of tip removal slot 42 and flosser tip 12 taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 14 illustrates the initial position of flosser tip 12 within tip removal slot 42. Flosser tip 12 is inserted into tip removal slot 42 so that cup portion 14 collar ring 16 rests on interior surface 68 of external housing 36 below tip removal slot 42 and top end 72 of tip shroud 70 rests on exterior surface 74 of external housing 36 above tip removal slot 42.

[0050] Tip removal slot 42 interior surface 51 is sloped in a downward direction from rounded first end 44 opening of slot 42 toward second end 46 of slot 42 causing the cross-sectional dimension of slot 42 to increase (see FIGS. 14 and 18-21). As flossing device 124 and flosser tip 12 are directed along tip removal slot 42 from rounded first end 44 opening of slot 42 toward second end 46 of slot 42 as illustrated in FIGS. 14-16 and 18-20, top end 72 of tip shroud 70 moves along exterior surface 74 of external housing 36 above tip removal slot 42. At the same time, sloped interior surface 68 of external housing 36 below tip removal slot 42 presses against top surface 18 of collar ring 16. As the slope increases, sloped interior surface 51 pushes on top surface 18 of collar ring 16 to force flosser tip 12 to slide down toward the top end 128 of rocker arm 126 (which is pointed downwardly in this orientation). Flosser tip 12 will completely disengage from rocker arm 126 and flossing device 124 when flosser tip 12 latch recesses 28 are forced to a position below rocker arm 126 latch members 130 thereby disengaging flosser tip 12 from rocker arm 126 (see FIGS. 18-20). This is accomplished by the sidewalls of the cup portion flexing or resiliently biasing outwardly. The tip removal process is completed by removing flossing device 124 rocker arm 126 from tip removal slot 42. Disengaged tip 12 will exit open bottom end 38 of flosser tip 12 holding cartridge 10 external housing 36.

[0051] The automatic removal of flosser tip 12 from end 38 of device 124 is a convenience to allow the user to easily replace tips 12 by sliding top end 128 of rocker arm 126 along slot 42, removing tip member 12 and easily replacing tip 12 by simply inserting top end 128 of rocker arm 126 into new flosser tip 12 stored in the storage device.

[0052] Internal storage rail 80, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, and 22-24 has a bottom or base 82. Bottom 82 is generally shaped to fit snugly into bottom 38 of external housing 36 (FIGS. 3 and 6). Bottom 82 has plugs or dimples 86 on two sides to engage with the corresponding detents 56 in the interior wall 78 at bottom collar ring 76 of external housing 36 (FIG. 3), as explained above. Preferably, top face 92 has a channel opening 94 (FIG. 5) to allow interproximal flosser tips 12 that have been removed using slot 42 (FIG. 9) to exit bottom 38 of holding cartridge 10.

[0053] A preferred embodiment of internal storage rail 80 has two tracks or rails 84 that extend, preferably parallel to one another, from base 82. Generally, rails 84 hold one or more interproximal flosser tips 12, as will be explained more fully below. Rails 84 are designed so that when dimples 86 in bottom engage detents 56 in bottom 38 of external housing 36, rails 84 of internal storage rail 80 engage ridges 66 towards the top of inner side walls 62 of external housing 36 and along the inner side of the top of external housing 36. As can be seen in FIGS. 5, 24, and 25, the shape of the rails 84 of internal storage rail 80 have the same general shape as interproximal flosser tips 12 shown in FIG. 4. In other words, rails 84 have a narrow bottom 96 to receive flossing element 12, shoulder portion 98, and cylindrical or conical wall shape portion 100 to receive interproximal flosser tip 12 connection portion 26. Shoulder 98 of the rail engages ridges 66 in side walls 62 of external housing 36 to help stabilize storage rail 80 in housing 36. Shoulder 98 rests on ridge 66 to provide both alignment, so that interproximal flosser tips 12 align with slot 42 access openings 52 in front, and support, so that the tip-end of interproximal flossing device 124 can be inserted into connection portion 26 of interproximal flosser tips 12. As shown in FIG. 23, rails 84 may have bridge supports 102 spaced along the length to provide some rigidity.

[0054] Each rail 84, as shown in FIGS. 5, 24, and 25, has an internal shape that generally conforms to the shape of interproximal flosser tips 12. Interproximal flosser tip 12, shown generally in FIGS. 4 and 25, has a narrow flossing element 30, which may or may not have a generally disk or bulbous shaped end 32, which is connected to a generally conical or cylindrical cup portion 14. The top of the cup portion 14 has a collar ring 16. Similarly, the rail shape has a generally narrow first or bottom portion 96 that receives the flossing element 30, a generally wider intermediate or second portion 104, and a retaining groove 106 in a generally cylindrical or conical shaped third portion 100. The top of rail 84 flares outward forming a shape capable of receiving the generally conical or cylindrical cup shape. Bottom 118 of the cup shape forms shoulder 98 that rest on ridges 66, as described above. When the user inserts the receiving end of flossing device 124 into new tip 12, the shoulder of tip 12 engages shoulder 98 of the internal shape to allow flosser tip 12 to snap onto flossing device 124.

[0055] The top 116 of rail 84 has a groove 106 that receives collar ring 16 at the base 20 of interproximal flosser tip 12. The outside edge 108 of groove 106, preferably, angles outwardly from the bottom 110 of groove 106 to form a sloped edge. Collar ring 16 of interproximal flosser tip 12 and groove 106 engage and form a clasp that has sufficient strength to prevent interproximal flosser tip 12 from falling out of rail 84 if, for example, flosser tip 12 holding cartridge 10 is turned upside down.

[0056] However, when the tip-end of interproximal flossing device 124 is inserted into and engages interproximal flosser tip 12, the angular, sloped outer groove wall 108 and resiliency of groove 106 allows groove 106 to resiliently open or bend (or expand) and release the clasp on interproximal flosser tip 12 when interproximal flossing device 124 with interproximal flosser tip 12 engaged is pulled away from flosser tip 12 holding cartridge 10. Collar ring 16 at the top 18 of interproximal flosser tip 12 is similarly designed to flex when it is being removed to aid in releasing the retaining force. While in the preferred embodiment groove 106 and collar ring 16 are designed to cooperate and release the clasp, it is possible to design groove 106 on internal storage rail 80 to have sufficient flexibility to release the clasp when collar ring 16 is ridged. Similarly, collar ring 16 could be designed with sufficient flexibility to release the clasp when groove 106 is ridged.

[0057] Notice that while rails 84 are shown preferably attached to base 82 to be used in conjunction with external housing 36 and internal storage rail 80, it is possible to have individual rails, or even a plurality of rails, for holding interproximal flosser tips 12 without the use of external housing 36. FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate a single rail holding cartridge 134. Individual rail 134 has the same general shape as above, shown in FIG. 25, with a narrow bottom 136, a flare outward to form a shoulder 138 and shape capable of receiving the generally conical or cylindrical shaped top portion 140, and a retaining groove 142. The ends of the rail are sealed with a face plate 144.

[0058] In an individual rail embodiment, flosser tips 12 are inserted in rail 134 from above as shown in FIG. 26. The rails employ the same or similar means as the double rail embodiment described above to releasably secure the flosser tips in the holding cartridge.

[0059] As mentioned above, internal storage rails of the flosser tip holding cartridge must be capable of holding any shape of flosser tip sized to fit between teeth. One embodiment of a flosser tip sized to fit between teeth is a flosser tip that includes a rounded, disk-shaped tip end to enhance protection of the gum tissue in the area of use. The disk shaped tip extends in a relative vertical direction (the same direction as the motion of the tip and the interproximal space), and not in the lateral direction. The tapering nature of the tip is to provide access to tight interdental spaces (the wedge effect). The varying flex characteristics along the length of the tip gives the user control over the application force of the tip against the tooth and gum. The length of the tip is to provide access to the full depth of the interdental space, as measured from the outside of the gum (cheek) to the inside of the gum (tongue side).

[0060] The flosser tip is an elongated member and includes a base portion, a central portion, and an end portion. The base portion is attached to a connector portion which is adapted to removably attach to an end of the power dental flossing device.

[0061] The co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/444,043, filed Nov. 19, 1999 and entitled TIP FOR DENTAL FLOSSING DEVICE; and the co-pending U.S. Patent Application, Attorney Docket No. 5422.02, and Express Mail Label No. EL688766229US, filed concurrently with the present application and entitled TIP FOR DENTAL FLOSSING DEVICE; provide additional details on the flosser tip structures and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0062] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A flosser tip holding cartridge for holding flosser tips to be used in conjunction with an interproximal flossing device, comprising:

a) at least one storage rail configured to removably secure said flosser tips therein; and

b) an external housing configured to surround said at least one storage rail and including at least one opening configured to allow for the insertion of the end of said flossing device to access said flosser tips.

2. A cartridge as defined in

claim 1, further comprising:

a second storage rail;

a base for supporting both of said storage rails on a support surface; and wherein

said housing defines a second slot, with said slots configured to allow access to one of said storage rails.

3. A cartridge as defined in

claim 1, wherein said housing further includes a slot for facilitating the removal of a flosser tip from the interproximal flosser.

4. A cartridge as defined in

claim 3, wherein said slot defines a first end and a second end, and is tapered from being relatively wide at the first end to being relatively narrow at the second end.

5. A cartridge as defined in

claim 4, wherein said slot defines a rim having an outside surface and an inside surface; said rim on said inside surface being sloped downwardly from the first end to the second end.

6. A cartridge as defined in

claim 1, wherein said housing is triangular in shape along its length.

7. A cartridge as defined in

claim 1, wherein said housing has an at least partially-open bottom end 38.

8. A cartridge as defined in

claim 1, wherein said storage rail includes two sidewalls defining a narrow first portion, a wider second portion and a third portion defining a retaining groove having an outer edge for receiving and selectively retaining said flosser tip.

9. A cartridge as defined in

claim 8, wherein said outer edge of said retaining groove is resiliently expandable to allow said flosser tip to be removed therefrom.

10. A method for removing a flosser tip from the rocker arm of an interproximal flossing device, said method comprising the steps of:

inserting said tip and said rocker arm into a slot for facilitating the removal of a flosser tip from the interproximal flosser, said slot having a first end and a second end;

moving said tip and said rocker arm from said first end of said slot to said second end; and

withdrawing said rocker arm from said slot.

11. The method of

claim 10, wherein said slot is tapered from being relatively wide at the first end to being relatively narrow at the second end.

12. The method of

claim 10, wherein said slot defines a rim having an outside surface and an inside surface; said rim on said inside surface being sloped downwardly from the first end to the second end.

13. A method for removing a flosser tip from the end of a shaft, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a flosser tip having an open end and removably connected to said end of said shaft; and

expanding said open end to disconnect said tip from said end of said shaft.