Abstract: A dental flossing device includes: (a) a handle having proximal and distal ends, (b) a flosser head extending from the distal end of the handle, the flosser head having a base, two spaced apart arms extending from the base and having distal ends, and a strand of dental floss extending between and secured to the distal ends of the arms, and (c) a hinge connecting the distal end of the handle to the flosser head, the flosser head having a first position generally co-planar with the handle, the flosser head being bendable about the hinge to a second position that is angled relative to the handle, the arms in the first position of the flosser head being spaced apart a first distance, the device including engagement elements for securing the flosser head in the second position and urging the distal ends of the arms to be spaced apart a second distance greater than the first distance to thus stretch the strand of dental floss to be more taut.

Abstract: A toothbrush operable by a user has a handle having a distal end, a head having a proximal end extending from said handle's distal end and bristles extending generally in a first direction designated “forward”. The head has a first orientation relative to the handle when the head is relaxed, the head being pivotable relative to said handle out of the first orientation to a second orientation rearward of the first orientation, when a force greater than a predetermined threshold level is applied to the head in a direction generally opposite the first direction. The head remains out of the first orientation until it is manually returned by the user to the first orientation.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus for manufacturing dental floss holders has at least one strand of dental floss from a supply spool extended through the space between mating mold pieces and thereafter to a take-up device. From each injection stage of the molding cycle a rack of connected dental floss holders is produced. Tension of the floss is maintained from the upstream supply spool by a first tensioning device through the mold to the downstream end by the take-up device. During each injection cycle the take-up device engages another rack of molded parts and moves it to a downstream position where it is severed from the strand of floss while it maintains the tension in the floss upstream of the severed rack. This is achieved by the take-up device engaging at least two successive racks downstream of the mold and using the rack closest to the mold to maintain tension.

Abstract: A dental flossing device replicating a dinosaur, includes a handle part extending in a first direction and a floss holder part extending from the handle part in a second direction different from the first direction. The handle and floss holder parts respectively are formed by shapes replicating (a) the head and open jaws and (b) the remaining body of a dinosaur, the jaws having proximal ends that are joined and distal ends that are spaced apart. The dental flossing device further includes a strand of dental floss extending generally linearly between and secured to the distal end of the jaws.

Abstract: A dental flosser having a pair of spaced apart arms across which a strand of dental floss is extended and a handle extending in a direction different from said the arms, the arms and handle being essentially a flat contiguous injection molded plastic board, the handle having an aperture through its central area bordered by a pair of legs which are bendable to converge toward each other, a pair of wings extending from both outside edges of these legs, each wing being bendable out of the plane of the board to extend transversely therefrom to provide a surface thicker than the original edge of the handle, each of the arms being an extension of one of the legs so that when the legs are pressed toward each other the corresponding arms are urged to diverge from each other, thus stretching and tensioning the strand of floss extending therebetween with the wings providing a comfortable surface against which the users' fingers are pressed.

Abstract: A dental flossing device having a strand of dental floss, a gripping element attached to each end of the floss and at least one structural element for engaging and maintaining the gripping elements in fixed spatial relation relative to each other or the elements being releasably secured to each other, with the dental floss extended generally linearly between the gripping elements, each gripping element being breakable apart from the other or from the structural element for rendering the gripping elements freely movable relative to each other with the floss freely extendible or bendable between the gripping elements.

Abstract: A dental floss holder comprising: a body part, first and second spaced apart arms extending from the body part, a first strand of dental floss extending generally axially between the arms, said strand having opposite ends secured to the arms, and a second strand of dental floss extending generally axially between the arms and situated generally parallel to and laterally displaced from the first strand, and a handle extending away from the body part with a pick defined and die cut within the handle, the pick being accessible by bending the pick or the adjacent material out of the plane handle.

Abstract: The invention is a dental flossing device comprising a segment or strand of dental floss with two gripping means or grippers secured to the segment and spaced apart approximately three and a half inches. Preferably the grippers are small, flat tablet-like elements, having dimensions suitable to be gripped between two fingers of a user's hand; such grippers may be injection molded directly around or onto the floss. In manufacture, very long strands of dental floss will have such grippers secured along their length at selected intervals, and then packaged in a dispenser which allows removal from the long strand, of a single segment with two spaced grippers.

Abstract: A disposable device for removing plaque and food debris from tooth surfaces, has a handle portion and a bow portion across which a length of dental floss is maintained, the floss, bow, and handle being an integral unit; and the method of manufacturing this complete device in essentially a single operation whereby the handle and bow are molded with the ends of the length of floss disposed and secured in ends of the bow during molding.