Abstract
The device is a dental filament dispenser and holder which incorporates a spool of dental filament in a compartment wherein said filament is dispensed via one of two convertible framed openings and held utilizing Split Ring-spring snap fastener components; included are short walls and connecting straps for supporting and securing said snap fastener components, an indentation, convertible slots, a rotatable front wall by which to convert said slots into said framed openings and vice versa, a lid, and severs to divide filament. Filament derived from a framed opening is placed through an open stud component of a said snap fastener and is held by the interlocking of said stud with a socket component of a said snap fastener. The device comprises two said snap fasteners distanced by said indentation about which said filament is manipulated and held into a personalized flaccid bight for the purpose of interdental cleaning.
Claims
1. In combination, a dental filament dispenser and holder device utilizing components of a Split Ring-spring snap fastener to hold dental filament comprising: a right wall, a top wall, a left wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a slot, a framed opening; a bottom hinge means in which said walls, said slot, said framed opening, and said hinge adjoin an access opening to a compartment of said container wherein a back wall is opposite said access opening; a reeled spool of dental filament incorporated in said compartment; a working end of said filament unreeled from said spool; a hinge means interposed between said bottom wall and said front wall providing rotatable means for said front wall to cover or expose said access opening and said slot wherein said slot is convertible into a framed opening or said framed opening is convertible into said slot as a result of said front wall exposing or covering said access opening respectively; a short wall appendage of said device; an open stud component of said snap fastener connected to said short wall; an opening through said short wall is congruent with an opening of said stud; and, a flexible strap connected to said device and connected with a socket component of said snap fastener wherein said socket has a position in which to interlock with said stud.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said: flexible strap connected with said device comprises, said flexible strap connected with said short wall.
3. The device of claim 1 further comprising: an eyelet component and a cap component of said snap fastener wherein said eyelet join with said stud connecting said strap and said stud with said short wall, and said cap join with said socket connecting said socket with said strap; a post of an interior surface of said back wall for which to support said spool; an interference fit recessed squared notch along the perimeter of said left wall, said top wall, and said right wall to that of their respective left, top, and right squared-off perimeter mating counterpart of said front wall; and, a sever means connected to said device for which to divide said filament.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein: said filament egressing said framed opening and while occupying said stud, said strap, said short wall, and said eyelet is held by the interlocked components of said socket with said stud.
5. In combination, a dental filament dispenser and holder device utilizing components of a first Split Ring-spring snap fastener and components of a second Split Ring-spring snap fastener to hold dental filament in a flaccid bight posture comprising: a right wall, a top wall, a left wall, a front wall, a bottom wall, a left slot, a left framed opening, a right slot, a right framed opening, and a bottom hinge means in which said walls, said bottom hinge, said slots, and said framed openings adjoin an access opening to a compartment of said container; a back wall of said dispenser positioned opposing said access opening; a reeled spool of dental filament incorporated in said compartment; a working end of said filament unreeled from said spool; said hinge interposed between said bottom wall and said front wall providing rotatable means by which to convert said left slot and said right slot into said left framed opening and said right framed opening respectively, and to convert said left framed opening and said right framed opening into said left slot and said right slot respectively as a result of said front wall exposing or covering said access opening respectively; a left short wall appendage and a right short wall appendage of said container between each form an indentation about which said filament may be manipulated; a stud of said first snap fastener thus being a first stud component connected to said left short wall and a stud of said second snap fastener thus being a second stud component connected to said right short wall wherein an opening through said left short wall is congruently aligned with an opening of said first stud and an opening through said right short wall is congruently aligned with an opening of said second stud; a flexible left strap and a flexible right strap connected with said device; and, a socket of said first snap fastener thus being a first socket component is connected with said left strap and a socket of said second snap fastener thus being a second socket component is connected with said right strap wherein said first socket has the means to interlock with said first stud, and said second socket has the means to interlock with said second stud.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein: said strap is produced from polypropylene terephthalate.
7. The device of claim 5 wherein: said a left short wall appendage and a right short wall appendage of said dispenser comprises said left short wall is an appendage of said left wall and said right short wall is an appendage of said right wall.
8. The device of claim 5 wherein said: a flexible left strap and a flexible right strap connected with said device comprises a flexible left strap connected with said left short wall and a said flexible right strap connected with said right short wall.
9. The device of claim 5 further comprising: an eyelet of said first snap fastener thus being a first eyelet component joined with said first stud connecting said left strap, said first stud, and said first eyelet with said left short wall; an eyelet of said second snap fastener thus being a second eyelet component joined with said second stud connecting said right strap, said second stud, and said second eyelet with said right short wall; a cap of said first snap fastener thus being a first cap component joined with said first socket connecting said first socket with said left strap; a cap of said second snap fastener thus being a second cap component joined with said second socket connecting said second socket with said right strap; a post of an interior surface of said back wall which to support said spool; an interference fit recessed squared notch along the perimeter of said left wall, said top wall, and said right wall to that of their respective left, top, and right squared-off perimeter mating counterpart of said front wall; a top hinge means interposed between said back wall and a lid wherein said top hinge provides rotatable means for said lid; a mouth on said device wherein engages a catch on said device for which to secure said lid; and, sever means connected to said device.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein: said filament egresses said left framed opening while occupying an opening of said first stud, said left strap, said left short wall, said first eyelet, said second eyelet, said right short wall, said right strap, and said second stud while egressing said second stud wherein, said second socket interlocks with said second stud and said first socket interlocks with said first stud holding said filament, or said filament egresses said right framed opening while occupying an opening of said second stud, said right strap, said right short wall, said second eyelet, said first eyelet, said left short wall, said left strap, and said first stud while egressing said first stud wherein, said first socket interlocks with said first stud and said second socket interlocks with said second stud holding said filament.
11. A method of holding dental filament comprising the step of: utilizing interlocking Split Ring-spring snap fastener components connected with a dental filament holder device.
12. The method of holding dental filament set forth in claim 11 in further combination with the steps of: incorporating a spool of said filament in a compartment of said device; pulling a working end of said filament unreeled from said spool; placing said working end through a stud of a first Split Ring-spring snap fastener open stud component thus being a first stud component; placing said working end through an opening of a left strap; placing said working end through an opening of a left short wall of said device; placing said working end through an eyelet of a first Split Ring-spring snap fastener thus being a first eyelet component wherein said first eyelet joins with said first stud; grasping and pulling on said working end; placing said working end through an eyelet of a second Split Ring-spring snap fastener thus being a second eyelet component; placing said working end through an opening of a right short wall; placing said working end through an opening of a right strap; placing said working end through a second Split Ring-spring snap fastener open stud component thus being a second stud component wherein said second eyelet joins with said second stud; pulling said working end to a suspending position alongside said device; compressing and interlocking a second Split Ring-spring snap fastener socket component thus being a second socket component with said second stud wherein said second socket is connected with said right strap; manipulating a standing end of said filament into a bight; and, compressing and interlocking a first Split Ring-spring snap fastener socket component thus being a first socket component with said first stud wherein said first socket is connected with said left strap.
13. The method of holding dental filament set forth in claim 12 wherein: said second socket is connected with said right strap by the joining of a second Split Ring-spring snap fastener cap component thus being a second cap component with said second socket, and wherein said first socket is connected with said left strap by the joining of a first Split Ring-spring snap fastener cap component thus being a first cap component with said first socket.
14. The method of holding dental filament set forth in claim 12 wherein: said left strap and said right strap are produced from polypropylene terephthalate.
15. The method of holding dental filament set forth in claim 12 in further combination with the steps of: placing said spool rotatable on a post within said compartment; placing said working end into a left slot of said device wherein said left slot adjoins an exposed access opening or placing said working end into a right slot of said device wherein said right slot adjoins an exposed access opening; converting said left slot and said right slot into a left framed opening and a right framed opening respectively resulting from the rotation of a front wall to a closed position thus covering said access opening; flexing said right strap toward said right stud wherein said second socket and said second stud touch and align; and, flexing said left strap toward said left stud wherein said first socket and said first stud touch and align.
16. The method of holding dental filament set forth in claim 12 wherein: said manipulation of said standing end into said bight occurs about an indentation among said left short wall, said right short wall, and a top wall of said device.
17. The method of holding dental filament set forth in claim 12 wherein: said bight is formed into a personalized flaccid bight.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the invention showing Split Ring-spring snap fasteners disengaged and a rotatable front wall in an open or collapsed position.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 on FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 9 looking in the direction of the arrows.
[0020] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the invention showing Split Ring-spring snap fasteners interlocked and the front wall in a closed or upright position.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a left side elevation on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a right side elevation on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.
[0023] FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view showing an alignment of Split Ring-spring snap fastener components; included is a left short wall and a partial left strap shown truncated by a jagged edge but dashed to a partial left strap shown in FIG. 7 so to express its continuation.
[0024] FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view showing an alignment of Split Ring-spring snap fastener components; included is a partial left strap shown truncated by a jagged edge but dashed to a partial left strap shown in FIG. 6 so to express its continuation.
[0025] FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail of circled section 8 in FIG. 2.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 on FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0027] 1. Spool [0028] 2. Filament [0029] 3. Post [0030] 4. Front wall [0031] 5. Bottom Hinge [0032] 6. Bottom wall [0033] 7. Left wall [0034] 8. Right wall [0035] 9. Notch [0036] 10, Left slot [0037] 11. Right slot [0038] 12. First stud [0039] 13. First eyelet [0040] 14. Left strap [0041] 15. Left short wall [0042] 16. First cap [0043] 17. First socket [0044] 18. Top wall [0045] 19. Left sever [0046] 20. Back wall [0047] 21. Bight [0048] 22. Right short wall [0049] 23. Right strap [0050] 24. Second stud [0051] 25. Second eyelet [0052] 26. Second socket [0053] 27. Second cap [0054] 28. Right sever [0055] 29. A split ring-spring [0056] 30. Top hinge [0057] 31. Lid [0058] 32. Overhang [0059] 33. Catch [0060] 34. Mouth) [0061] 35. Left framed opening [0062] 36. Right framed opening [0063] 37. Indentation
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0064] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in different forms and various procedures of operation, this detailed description informs of a preferred embodiment for which to teach and instruct the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention.
[0065] Referring to the drawings and art of the invention in greater detail, FIGS. 1 through 5 and 9 show a device incorporating and supporting a spool 1 of reeled dental filament 2. Common types of dental filament known and referred to in the industry today go by the generic terms of dental tape, dental floss, dental silk, and polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) of which, the invention can accommodate at the discretion of the user. Also shown in the drawings and explained herein are a coursing and a holding of filament 2 in a let out or unreeled posture from the spool 1.
[0066] FIG. 1 shows the spool 1 incorporated in a container of the device wherein the interior of the container is a compartment of the device. The center opening of the spool 1 is rotatable mounted and supported on a centrally located post 3 molded, attached, contiguous, and concurrent as to make it a suitably perpendicular appendage of an interior surface of a suitably vertical static back wall 20 of the compartment. The circular outer diameter, length, and strength of the post 3 as well as the dimensions of the compartment, are suitable to accommodate and receive the size, weight, and a centered diameter opening of the spool 1 which should include a variety of commonly known reeled dental refill supply spools provided in commerce. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, to store, safeguard, protect, and promote hygiene during the act of flossing or interdental cleaning, the spool 1 is incorporated in the compartment surrounded by container wall. The device is preferably configured by a molded unitary plastic injection molding processes wherein a molten thermoplastic polymer is injected into a cavity of a mold for production. For the purposes of manipulating the filament 2 or replacing the spool 1, access into the compartment is provided by a front wall 4 having a capacity to rotate about its base due to a living bottom hinge 5 interposed between a static bottom wall 6 located at the base of the device and the front wall 4 making for a rotatable front wall 4. The bottom hinge 5 is a thin area in a molded plastic part which enables the molded plastic part to fold along a creased line thereby forming a hinge. There are certain thermoplastic polymers capable of producing a living hinge and accepted for use in dental filament dispensers by the Food and Drug Administration. The preferred type of thermoplastic polymer to be used is polypropylene. In FIG. 1, the rotational movement of the front wall 4 is shown collapsed or in an open position, thus exposing the opening and allowing access to the compartment; and, in FIG. 3, the rotational movement is shown in an upright, covering, or closed position, thus denying said access.
[0067] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, with the assumption a user will consider the front wall 4 as a frontal portion of the device and since the invention expresses symmetry having the same type of parts and components left and right about its sagittal or lateral plane midpoint, for teaching and clarity of explanation with regard to the invention's operation, best mode, and implementation, the front wall 4 is designated herein as the front; while a left, a back, and a right designation follow suit respectively clockwise about the front wall 4. The designation of bottom and lower, as well as top and upper, are in relation to the inferior and superior portion of the invention respectively.
[0068] To restrict the rotation of the front wall 4 from entering into the compartment while also promoting hygiene, the perimeter edge of a suitably vertical left wall 7, a suitably horizontal top wall 18, and a suitably vertical right wall 8 of the container, each being a perimeter edge adjoining the access opening into the compartment, are to receive an interference fit recessed squared notch 9 to that of their respective left, top, and right squared-off perimeter mating counterpart of the front wall 4. The notch 9 is to receive and stop the rotational movement of the front wall 4 while providing a tight doglegged avenue of obstruction; preventing debris from entering between the parts while the front wall 4 is in a closed position. To assist a user with accessing the compartment, a linear overhang 32 is provided concurrent during the molding process and is located centrally on the upper exterior surface of the front wall 4 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 9. When pulling force is applied upon the overhang 32, the interference fitted components are dislodged and the front wall 4 is free to rotate into an open position, thus exposing the opening and providing access to the compartment.
[0069] Shown in FIG. 1 are two slots, a suitable left slot 10 and a suitable right slot 11. The dental filament 2 is shown egressing the compartment via the left slot 10, thus expressing the ease in which the filament 2 can be laterally placed into either the left slot 10 or the right slot 11 at the user's choosing due to the symmetry of the device. The filament 2 however must only occupy one of the two said slots on any occasion. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6, since it is intended that the filament 2 egress the compartment guided by way of a framed opening, a result of covering the access opening with the front wall 4 closes the open end of each said slot; thereby, the left slot 10 coverts into a suitable left framed opening 35 and the right slot 11 converts into a suitable right framed opening 36. In turn, rotating the front wall 4 to a collapsed position exposes the access opening which converts the left framed opening 35 into the left slot 10 and converts the right framed opening 36 into the right slot 11. This conversion process is repeatable as a result of opening and closing the front wall 4. The placement of the left slot 10 and the right slot 11 is such that they interrupt the top solid surface continuity of the left wall 7 and the right wall 8 respectively, thereby reducing the length of filament 2 egressing a said slot and entering the device at an adjacent point of entry; minimizing the likelihood of the filament 2 encumbering the user while it is coursed on the exterior of the device.
[0070] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the device utilizes two Split Ring-spring snap fasteners each containing an open stud component, a post component which is also called an eyelet component, a cap component, and a socket component which incorporates a split ring-spring for to hold the filament 2 in a flaccid bight 21 posture. Bight is rope terminology used herein to reference a portion of dental filament intentionally manipulated to double back on itself; in this case somewhat liken to an uppercase Omega symbol of the Greek alphabet forming a semi-looped flaccid shape to be used in the act of flossing or interdental cleaning. The economical approach to connecting known Split Ring-spring snap fastener components join the hollow cylindrical tube of the eyelet with the flatly torus flanged opening of the open stud, and join the shaft of the cap with a torus flanged opening of the socket. Joining means is by rolling, pressing, crimping, splaying, riveting, or the like capable of rendering an equal connection as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8. Stud and socket components are interlocked with a split ring-spring 29 incorporated within the socket having been contracted around the projecting portion of a stud component; and, are disengaged when this is not the case.
[0071] FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing the preferred sequence and orientation of an open stud of the first Split Ring-spring snap fastener thus being a first stud 12 component, an end portion of a left strap 14 (shown truncated by a jagged edge profile), a left short wall 15, and an eyelet of the first Split Ring-spring snap fastener thus being a first eyelet 13 component all comprising an assembly of parts and components adjacent the left slot 10 for which to assist in the holding of the filament 2. The left short wall 15 provides structural support for the first stud 12, left strap 14, and first eyelet 13 and is molded, attached, contiguous, and concurrent with that of the left wall 7 as to make the left short wall 15 an extension or an appendage of the left wall 7 of the container. In order for the left Split Ring-spring snap fastener components to be properly assembled, the projecting portion of the first stud 12 must face away from the exterior of the left short wall 15. It is advantageous to place the flat surface of the left strap 14 against the exterior surface of the left short wall 15; doing so provides greater support for the left strap 14 during the act of flexing.
[0072] FIGS. 1, 2, and 8 show the tube of the first eyelet 13 joined with the flanged opening of the first stud 12 while occupying a suitable diameter opening within the surface area of the left short wall 15 and left strap 14; providing a tightly compressed means of connection among those said assembled parts and components. To maintain the structural integrity of each part, an adequate thickness of material through each must be considered and provided. Also, a sufficient girth of surface material area around each opening with that of the material's boundary edge must remain. Let it be understood, the preferred sequencing of a tightly compressed collection of an eyelet of the second Split Ring-spring snap fastener thus being a second eyelet 25 component, the right short wall 22, a right strap 23, and an open stud of the second Split Ring-spring snap fastener thus being a second stud 24 component are in reverse order to that assembly of components shown on the left and stated of the first. To iterate, proper orientation of the projecting portion of the second stud 24 is faced away from the exterior surface of the right short wall 22. Likewise, the tube of the second eyelet 25 joined with the flanged opening of the second stud 24 while occupying a suitable diameter opening within the surface area of the right short wall. 22 and right strap 23; providing a tightly compressed means of connection among those said assembled parts and components. To maintain the structural integrity of each part, an adequate thickness of material through each must be considered and provided. Also, a sufficient girth of surface material area around each opening with that of the material's boundary edge must remain.
[0073] FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing the preferred sequence and orientation of a cap of the first Split Ring-spring snap fastener thus being a first cap 16 component, an end portion of the left strap 14 (shown truncated by a jagged edge profile), and a socket of the first Split Ring-spring snap fastener thus being a first socket 17 component which incorporates a split ring-spring 29; thus, comprising an assembly of a part and components for which to further assist in the holding of the filament 2. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 8, proper assembly of the first cap 16, left strap 14, and first socket 17 while the device is in an interlocked position dictates the disk surface of the first cap 16 be faced away from the exterior of the device, thus allowing a split ring-spring 29 incorporated in the first socket 17 to properly engage the projecting portion of the first stud 12. For this to occur, the flatly torus flange of the first socket 17 is placed against the surface of the left strap 14 on which the flatly torus flange of the first stud 12 is placed against. FIGS. 2 and 8 both show the shaft of the first cap 16 occupying a suitable diameter opening within the surface area of the left strap 14 and joined with the flanged opening of the first socket 17, thereby providing a tightly compressed connection among those said assembled components. The placement of the first socket 17 on the left strap 14 must be suitably distant from the first stud 12 in order to allow the first socket 17 and its incorporated split ring-spring 29 to interlock with the first stud 12 during the flexing of the left strap 14. Let it also be understood, the preferred sequencing of a socket of the second Split Ring-spring snap fastener thus being a second socket 26 component, the right strap 23, and a cap of the second Split Ring-spring thus being a second cap 27 component are in reverse order to the assembly of components shown on the left and stated of the first. In comparison to FIGS. 2 and 8, the shaft of the second cap 27 occupying a suitable diameter opening within the surface area of the right strap 23 and joined with the flanged opening of the second socket 26, also provide a tightly compressed connection among those said assembled components. Likewise, the placement of the second socket 26 on the right strap 23 must be suitably distant from the second stud 24 in order to allow the second socket 26 and its incorporated split ring-spring 29 to interlock with the second stud 24 during the flexing of the right strap 23. To iterated, for proper installation, the orientation of the disk surface of the second cap 27 must face away from the exterior of the device while interlocked. The advantage of attaching the snap fastener components to the device eliminates them from becoming separated and potentially lost from the device.
[0074] While there are many flexible materials from which a Strap may be produced such as leather, cloth, nylon, or a variety of other plastic polymers, it is important that the material resist deformation from strain after many flexures such as the effects of tearing, twisting, stretching, sagging, and translation. In order to guarantee a consistent suitable alignment during the interlocking of the snap fastener components, the strap material is preferred to be produced from polypropylene terephthalate (PET).
[0075] Since the invention provides for two separate, symmetrical, direct, and appropriate paths to course filament 2, FIG. 3 shows the filament 2 egressing the left framed opening 35 with the front wall 4 in the upright position and the access opening covered. With the filament 2 having been grasped by the user, its working end is placed into and through the joined opening of the first stud 12 with that of the first eyelet 13 until it egresses into an area of indentation 37. The term working end is rope terminology used herein to reference the portion of the dental filament being pointed or targeted through the parts and components of the device while being coursed. In general terms, it is the severed loose end portion of filament 2 unreeled from the spool 1. The indentation 37 is interposed between the left short wall 15 and the right short wall 22 but also defined at its base by the top wall 18 of the container. After egressing, the working end is grasped, pulled, and placed into and through the tube of the second eyelet 25 joined with the opening of the second stud 24 until it egresses to the exterior of the device where the working end is able to be easily grasped and pulled for a length until it takes on the posture of being suspended alongside the exterior of right wall 8. In order to hold the filament 2 occupying the openings through the second eyelet 25 and second stud 24, the user touches and aligns a split ring-spring 29 incorporated in the second socket 26 to that of the projecting portion of the second stud 24. Applying compression by the act of squeezing the components of the right Split Ring-spring snap fastener between the user's fingers, the split ring-spring 29 is forced over and around the projecting portion of the second stud 24, thus interlocking the second Split Ring-spring snap fastener and holding the working end portion of the filament 2. The advantage of holding the working end allows for the standing end, assumed now spanning within the indentation 37 and connected to the spool 1, to be more easily manipulated into a personalized semi-looped shape or flaccid bight 21 when the filament 2 is pulled upward. The terms standing end and bight are also rope terminology used herein. The term standing end, in general, refers to the portion of the dental filament 2 between the general working end portion and the spool 1; thus, connecting the working end with the spool 1. The term bight, in general, refers to the portion of filament intentionally manipulated to double back on itself, somewhat liken to an uppercase Omega symbol of the Greek alphabet forming a semi-looped flaccid shape to be used in the act of flossing or interdental cleaning. The device inherently enables an easy grasping of the spanning standing end portion of the filament 2 by providing for a suitable adjacency between the invert opening level of the first eyelet 13 and the second eyelet 25 with that of the top wall 18, thereby allowing a user's finger to be placed underneath the spanning standing end which is fully shown in FIG. 2 and partly in FIGS. 1, 8, and 9.
[0076] After the user has manipulated the standing end portion of the filament 2 about the indentation 37 into a satisfactory personalized flaccid bight 21, it is then maintained and held by the interlocking of the first socket 17 and its incorporated split ring-spring 29 with that of the first stud 12 in a manner similar to that stated regarding the second snap fastener components. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 9, at the user's discretion, a lid 31 having a capacity to rotate about its base due to a top hinge 30 means interposed between the back portion of the lid 31 and the top portion of the back wall 20, thereby granting the user the ability to rotate the lid 31 adjacent the back wall 20 or above the top wall 18. Let it be known, with the lid 31 in either location, the user's fingers are free to easily manipulate the bight 21 on their fingertips for the act of interdental cleaning while their palms remain unencumbered.
[0077] A method to prevent the bight 21 from becoming entangled after its use and possibly preparing the device for storage is to transform the bight 21 into a spanning flaccid filament 2 within the indentation 37, similar in character to the unrestrained standing end of filament 2 shown in FIG. 1. For this to occur, the user need only place the lid 31 in an open rotated position adjacent the back wall 20; disengage the second socket 26 and the first socket 17; pull on the suspended working end of the filament 2 until the standing end, including a length of unused filament 2 unreeled from the spool 1 pass beyond the second stud 24; and, rotate the lid 31 until an area of a mouth 34 located on the front inside surface of the lid 31 engages an extension of material or a catch 33 located on the top frontal portion of the front wall 4; thereby, securing the lid 31 and providing a hygienic protective covering over the filament 2. It would be to the user's advantage to interlock each said snap fastener so to restrain the flaccid spanning filament 2 within the indentation 37 while stored.
[0078] Since the suspended working end portion of the filament 2 often becomes too long, the device provides a left sever 19 and a right sever 28 with which to remove a portion of filament 2 each connected on the exterior bottom portion of the left wall 7 and the right wall 8 respectively as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. Each sever is a typical industry standard sever, preferably stamped from metal having a sloped, blunted, U-shaped projection attached at the width of its base with its elongated and sharpened perimeter edge inclining to a raised position surrounded by a flat base from which its form was stamped. As the filament 2 enters the sloped projection and wherein caught, with a pulling force exerted on it, the filament 2 is severed. It is preferred that each sever have its inclining raised projection faced toward the back of the device; therefore, requiring each to be a mirrored production of the other.
[0079] Shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, and 9, a suitable tab of strap is preferred to extend beyond the frontal edge of each said cap for to aide in applying torque force upon the snap fastener components for their disengagement. Also, the ability for a Split Ring-spring snap fastener to hold a length of filament 2 unharmed is achieved by them being preferably produced from burr-less polished metal components, thus ensuring their long-term durability and resilience as well as a user's confidence, familiarity, and trust.
[0080] While the present invention has been disclosed herein, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that modifications or variations of such details can be made without deviating from the gist of this invention, and such modifications or variations are considered to be within the scope of the claims.
