Abstract: In this invention a new form of polytetrafluoroethylene has been found to be compression moldable to provide strong molded articles. It is also useful as an additive or strength binder. The new form is a compression molding powder comprised of comminuted, sheared particles of expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene, said particles having a nudular-microfibrillar structure of irregular shape, and a mean particle size between 5 and 500 micrometers, and having a coating of a thermoplastic fluoropolymer on at least a portion of the particle. By irregular shape is meant that the nodes and fibrils do not have an ordered arrangement. The bulk density is about 0.06 to 0.2 g/cc.

Abstract: In this invention a new form of polytetrafluoroethylene has been found to be compression moldable to provide strong molded articles. It is also useful as an additive or strength binder. The new form is a compression molding powder comprised of comminuted, sheared particles of expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene, said particles having a modular-microfibrillar structure of irregular shape, and a mean particle size between 5 and 500 micrometers, and having a coating of a thermoplastic fluoropolymer on at least a portion of the particle. By irregular shape is meant that the nodes and fibrils do not have an ordered arrangement. The bulk density is about 0.06 to 0.2 g/cc.

Abstract: In this invention a new form of polytetrafluoroethylene has been found to be compression moldable to provide exceptionally strong molded articles. It is also useful as an additive or strength binder. The new form is a compression molding powder comprised of comminuted, sheared particles of expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene, said particles having a nudular-microfibrilar structure of irregular shape, and a mean particle size between 5 and 500 micrometers. By irregular shape is meant that the nodes and fibrils do not have an ordered arrangement. The bulk density is about 0.06 to 0.2 g/cc.

Abstract: The present invention is an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fiber with improved handling properties. Unlike previous expanded PTFE fibers, the fiber of the present invention employs a fiber of increased thickness so that the fiber is maintained in an unfolded orientation. The improved processing steps of the present invention create a fiber that has a number of improved properties, including more uniform dimensions along its length, improved compressibility and handling, and when woven into a fabric, the fabric is more easily processed, is of higher quality, and is more uniform.

Abstract: A floss dispenser has an essentially cylindrical case, the case including a cylindrical wall with an inner surface and two opposite ends. The case further includes an opening formed in at least one end for receiving a spool having floss wrapped around a hub. A cap is received within the opening in the end of the case. The cap has an annular wall for receiving and centering the hub of the spool when the cap is sealing the opening of the case, and at least one opening formed therein through which floss is threaded out of the end of the case. For securely attaching the cap to the case, a first interlocking engagement member associated with the cap engages a mating second interlocking engagement member associated with the case. The arrangement is such that upon insertion of the cap into the open end of the case and rotating the cap, the first engagement member of the cap engages the second engagement member of the case for preventing the axial movement of the cap relative to the case.

Abstract: The present invention is an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fiber with improved handling properties. Unlike previous expanded PTFE fibers, the fiber of the present invention employs a fiber of increased thickness so that the fiber is maintained in an unfolded orientation. The improved processing steps of the present invention create a fiber that has a number of improved properties, including more uniform dimensions along its length, improved compressibility and handling, and when woven into a fabric, the fabric is more easily processed, is of higher quality, and is more uniform.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a single use dental floss dispenser comprises a tri-fold assembly having a base portion and first and second covering portions. The first and second covering portions are foldably attached to the base portion along respective first and second folds. The first and second covering portions are foldable onto the base portion to define an enclosure having an interior. A predetermined length of dental floss is contained within the interior of the enclosure. The length of dental floss has opposed first and second ends. At least the first end of the length of dental floss is attached to an interior surface of the first covering portion.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved flosser device for holding and manipulating floss during flossing. The flosser employs a forked tine design for retaining the floss, whereby the floss is maintained in an orientation essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle of the flosser, but offsets the tines both onto one side of the handle to make it much easier to view the area being flossed. A slanted base is also provided to allow the flosser to be stored on end, with the tines kept away from contaminated surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fiber with improved handling properties. Unlike previous expanded PTFE fibers, the fiber of the present invention employs a fiber of increased thickness so that the fiber is maintained in an unfolded orientation. The improved processing steps of the present invention create a fiber that has a number of improved properties, including more uniform dimensions along its length, improved compressibility and handling, and when woven into a fabric, the fabric is more easily processed, is of higher quality, and is more uniform.

Abstract: An article is provided for facilitating oral prophylaxis. The article comprises a continuous, elongated fiber of polytetrafluoroethylene having at least one substantially rigid first portion and a substantially flexible second portion comprised of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved vial-type floss dispenser. The floss dispenser has a spool of floss mounted upright in a cylindrical container with a unique cap design that allows floss to be smoothly dispensed through the cap of the dispenser, essentially parallel to the axis of the spool of floss. Tangling and snagging problems previously encountered with top-dispense floss vials of this type are avoided by the improved cap design that allows the free spinning of the spool within the container. The top-dispense mechanism of the present invention enables the use of a number of other improved features, including a protective lid that fully covers an exposed leader of floss between uses.

Abstract: The present invention is an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) floss with improved handling properties. Unlike previous expanded PTFE flosses, the floss of the present invention employs a fiber of increased thickness so that the floss is maintained in an unfolded orientation. The improved processing steps of the present invention create a floss that has a number of improved properties, including more uniform dimensions along its length, improved compressibility and handling, and automatic visual indication of those segments of the floss that have been used.

Abstract: An arm wrestling device is disclosed comprising a base, a channel mounted to the base, an arm pivotally mounted to and within said channel, and a hand grip transversely disposed to and attached to said arm and a spring disposed in said channel and mounted at one end to the upper portion of the arm and pivotally mounted at the other end adjacent the base, whereby the user grips and pulls the hand grip causing pivoting of the arm and pivoting and extension of the spring. The spring means is mounted in a retractable cylinder and further comprises an air brake to counter the retraction of the spring in the event of sudden release of the grip by the user. The spring is within a retractably extensible cylinder. The cylinder has an air brake to counter retraction of the spring upon release of the hand grip.