Abstract: A disposable dental flosser comprises a resilient plastic tuning fork-like holder and a dental floss element secured under tension to the tips of the two prongs of the holder. The ends of the floss element are retained to the holder in an inexpensive yet highly effective way by using corner edge friction resistance factor, i.e. by forcing the ends of the floss element onto and into the surface of the plastic holder by the use of metal staples, rivets or eyelets having a plurality of right angle portions so as to force the ends of the floss element into a torturous, angulated, labyrinthian pattern with a plurality of right angle turns.

Abstract: A disposable clinical thermometer of low cost and preferably mostly of plastic includes a stiff rod-like inner member having a longitudinal groove of like configuration extending its length. A baffle or lip is formed on one end of this rod to provide a restriction to the flow of fluid to the groove. This rod is inserted into a flexible and transparent tube which is a tight fit on the rod-like member. A plastic, rigid, liquid container forms one end of the thermometer and is bonded to the housing at the end which encloses the restriction on the rod. The other end of the outer housing is tightly closed. A colored fluid having a known expansion with the heating of the fluid is placed in the rigid container. This fluid contains a coloring material which as the colored fluid flows up the groove in the rod causes a color to form in the groove, which color remains even if the thermometer is cooled.