Having Thread Holder (e.g., Flossing Implement) Patents (Class 132/323)
  • Publication number: 20080163888
    Abstract: An oral cleanliness and gum massage device, which includes U-shaped end portion, at least one lower protruding body or side protruding body and a dental floss. The aforementioned U-shaped end portion is connected to a handle portion, and the aforementioned lower protruding bodies or side protruding bodies are disposed at a lower portion or a side of the U-shaped end portion. The aforementioned dental floss is positioned on two endpoints of the U-shaped end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Kuan-Jou Chen
  • Patent number: 7392810
    Abstract: A new dental flossing system comprising; a.) Multiple compact floss dispensing cartridges having quick attachment means to a driver to advance floss contained within said floss dispensing cartridge, b.) A packaging container for multiple said compact floss dispensing cartridges and c.) Drive extension attachment means to configure new and existing dental drivers for use with said compact floss dispensing cartridges. The unique features built into said compact floss dispensing cartridge comprise; a plaque accumulator, containment of additive materials to the floss before use, and floss tension control. Novel system features built into said drive extension attachment means comprise; a self-locking gear train, auxiliary motion to said compact floss dispensing cartridge and quick attachment means to said compact floss dispensing cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventors: Harvey Apotheker, Robert N. Ross
  • Patent number: 7370658
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Placontrol, Inc.
    Inventors: Ingram S. Chodorow, Scott D. Salmon
  • Publication number: 20080047574
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental cleaning device, particularly to a flosser device for cleaning teeth gaps. The flosser device according to the present invention removes food particles from different tooth gaps by mounting the flosser element to the flosser element longitudinal connecting slot and the flosser element transverse connecting slot to adjust the position of the flosser. The flosser element base is disposed in the gradually narrowing flosser element connecting slots, so that the flosser element arms diverse outwardly to tension a length of flosser between the flosser element arms. Besides, the center of the flosser element connecting slot is hollow to form a base receiving hole so that the base press-release point projects through the base receiving hole out of the handle after the flosser element base is mounted on the flosser element connecting mechanism, and a user can draw out the flosser element by pressing the base press-release point for replacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Wingchun Yim
  • Patent number: 7328711
    Abstract: An orthodontic flossing implement and method of use thereof, wherein the present implement comprises a handle from which extends a flat, narrow arm, and wherein the tip of the arm comprises a slit or aperture through which a desired length of floss is inserted. The narrow arm, with the length of floss threaded therethrough, may be quickly and simply inserted underneath a selected arch or pass of a brace wire, wherein the length of floss hanging from the arm aperture may then be easily grasped and worked within and along the inter-dental space disposed proximate or behind the selected wire arch. Thereafter, the arm of the flossing implement is retracted and systematically moved between each arch of the wire, whilst maintaining the floss through the aperture of the arm, whereupon each respective underlying inter-dental space may be conveniently and quickly flossed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Anthony Jason Hill
  • Publication number: 20080029122
    Abstract: The present invention of the Power Dental Flosser uses a looped dental floss driven by a small electric motor to provide a continuous cleaning motion for a better teeth cleaning experience. At least one of the spool is capable of rotating with an attached tooth brush or with a tooth polishing what could be rotated in and out. The disposable dental loop is strong, made from naturally waxy polymer material preferably from a biodegradable thin-gauged high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or similar material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventor: Zoltan Egeresi
  • Patent number: 7325553
    Abstract: A method of flossing and flossing system utilize a piece including stretchable and flexible material having an inner and an outer surface. The piece is adapted to be placed around a finger on a hand. The method includes placing the piece around a finger of a first floss-receiving hand; providing a length of non-soiled dental floss; tightly winding a segment of the length of floss around the piece so that the segment of floss overlaps itself at least once; taking another segment of the length of floss with another floss-feeding hand so that a flossing segment of the length of floss is left between the two hands for flossing teeth; and flossing using the flossing segment of the length of floss between the two hands. Also a dental floss system includes the piece and a length of dental floss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Mark William Sievers
  • Patent number: 7325554
    Abstract: A dental floss holder including: a base portion; a pair of spaced-apart jaws extending from the base portion to accommodate a length of dental floss there-between; the spaced-apart jaws having at least one cavity for loading a composition containing flavor and/or a chemotherapeutic agent; and at least one flange for each cavity is disclosed. The dental floss holder provides an improved means for retaining flavor and or chemotherapeutic compositions within the cavity until the dental floss holder is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold D. Ochs
  • Patent number: 7322367
    Abstract: A method for cleaning teeth by drawing at least one cleaning thread in a reciprocating movement along teeth, at least one end of which cleaning thread is fastened to an elongate handling member, the other end of the thread is grasped with the hand, and the cleaning thread at least partially encircles the teeth during the movement. Thorough cleaning is hereby possible, so that the risk of teeth decay and/or gum disorders is avoided. The invention also relates to a device for cleaning teeth, comprising at least one elongate handling member with at least one opening formed close to an end of the member for passage of a cleaning thread, wherein the end of the member comprising the opening is adapted such that gums around the teeth are hereby not adversely affected. The device can be provided with means for holding the end of the handling member located opposite the opening, for instance in the form of a handle. The invention also relates to a handle for use in such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Luis José Paz-Soldán
  • Publication number: 20070261185
    Abstract: An oral hygiene product for providing a user aural instruction associated with a proper brushing technique. The oral hygiene product may be any dental device capable of providing an effective brushing technique to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Ali G. Guney, Siros Arefi, Bahram Nasehi
  • Publication number: 20070199576
    Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a gripping device for dental floss strands, for dental brace wearers. The device comprises a shaft with a bore, a stem that reciprocates in the bore, and optional gripping feature on a distal end of the shaft to facilitate user handling. The stem carries a head through which the dental floss can be inserted. The dental floss is captured between the shaft and the head, eliminating the need for users to hold onto the dental floss manually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventor: Andrew J. Pitsis
  • Patent number: 7255111
    Abstract: A dental floss applicator of this invention comprises a housing, a dental floss stick, a floss spool, a spring rack, a take-up wheel, and a rotary knob with a springy ratchet on the inside. The spring rack has a stop portion engaged with a gear wheel fastened to the floss spool to stretch the dental floss, and a press portion extending to the outside of the housing for pressing by the user to loosen the dental floss on the dental floss stick. The springy ratchet releases the stop portion of the spring rack step by step upon rotation of the rotary knob, allowing the used segment of the dental floss to be taken up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Cheng-Chuan Chen
  • Patent number: 7234475
    Abstract: A dental flosser is moveable between a stored, non-use position where the flosser is substantially planar, and an engaged or in-use position where a portion of the flosser is angled relative to the handle to aid in reaching back teeth. The dental flosser preferably includes a holder (which may be a U-shaped holder) that is movable between the non-use and in-use position; a handle; a living hinge between the holder and the handle, and a locking arm designed to secure the holder in the in-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Lordan Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Song Jun Ding, Steven A. Slabine
  • Patent number: 7207338
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tooth-cleaning paper combined with dental floss, in which the tooth-cleaning paper is formed of a thin paper or a gauze sterilized and wetted with an aqueous fluoride solution and has a plurality of edge cuts formed along an edge of the tooth-cleaning paper, and the dental floss is provided in a single strand or two strands along a margin of the tooth-cleaning paper to be fixed to the tooth-cleaning paper and has an exposed dental floss part formed by each of the plurality of edge cuts of the tooth-cleaning paper. The tooth-cleaning paper of the current invention is advantageous in terms of easily cleaning the teeth and interdental portions of users while not offending other persons at any time and in any place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Jong-Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 7204257
    Abstract: A dental flosser includes a handle and a dental floss holder releasably received by the handle. The dental floss holder includes a base, a pair of arms for holding a length of dental floss, and a toothpick extending from the base. The handle includes a receiver in which the toothpick on the dental floss holder is received. The handle and the dental floss holder cooperate to prevent transverse movement of the dental floss holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Ranir, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Philip Crossman
  • Patent number: 7201173
    Abstract: A dental floss holder includes a main body, a retractable member movably mounted on a first end of the main body, a rotation member rotatably mounted in the main body and having a first end engaged with the retractable member to move the retractable member axially relative to the main body by rotation of the rotation member, and a control member rotatably mounted on a second end of the main body and engaged with a second end of the rotation member so as to rotate the rotation member. Thus, the dental floss holder is operated to stretch or release the dental floss easily and conveniently, thereby facilitating the user mounting or replacing the dental floss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventors: Chung-Shan Shen, Chi-Ching Shen
  • Patent number: 7191784
    Abstract: A dental flossing apparatus having a body with extending retention arms configured for retaining a length of dental floss under tension between the arms. The tension is applied between resilient arms and biased into tension by means of legs coupled to said arms which are manipulated and optionally locked together. By way of example, a bore extending into the bead may be engaged over a post extending proximal the end of the retention arms. Other forms of engaging the floss with the ends of the retention arms are also described. The body of the flossing device or the beads may be configured in the shape of animals, action figures, characters, or other objects to enhance entertainment value. Floss for the flossing device comprise short sections of floss with a bead near each end, which may be separated from a roll of floss upon which a plurality of beads are affixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventors: Timothy J. Landis, Victoria Landis
  • Patent number: 7174904
    Abstract: The present invention relates to dental floss holders that are attachable to handles for receiving the dental floss holder in releasable frictional engagement, which dental floss holders receiving a dental floss holder in releasable frictional engagement, include a length of dental floss secured between the distal ends of arms extending from the base of the holder, to stacks of such floss holders, and to packaged stacks of such floss holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Ochs, Emanuel Morano
  • Patent number: 7171971
    Abstract: An improved dental floss device, a stackable dental floss holder, and a handle for receiving the dental floss holder are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Ochs, Emanuel Morano
  • Patent number: 7156109
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved combination tooth pick/dental floss appliance, with the addition of, a food and or medicament pad. The tasks carried out by the invention are beyond basic flossing to include the delivery system of an attached medicament such as or combination of, nicotine, breath fresheners, antacids, fluoride, and teeth brighteners. This invention is most valuable to a person on the go, who does not have easy access to facilities to brush their teeth as desired. This combination dental tool with the accompanying medicament gives one the ability to cleanse one's teeth as well as freshen one's mouth whether it be after eating or smoking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Mark A. Sampson
  • Patent number: 7146988
    Abstract: A flosser apparatus has a handle with a first slot formed into a surface adjacent one end of the handle and a second slot formed into the surface of the handle adjacent the first slot and in transverse relationship thereto. A locking member is slidably mounted to the handle with a locking arm extending outwardly from the locking member. A flosser element is removably received in one of the slots. The locking member is slidable between a first and second position so as to retain the flosser element in the slot. The locking arm has a protrusion that releasably engages a notch in the handle so as to releasably fix the locking member in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: Patrick Gwen
  • Patent number: 7146987
    Abstract: A dental floss assembly including a dental floss with terminal ends; a hermetically sealed compartment for containing the dental floss; a first loop and a second loop, each loop attached to a different terminal end of the dental floss, and each loop outlining an open region; wherein at least one loop is separably attached to the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: James Tse
  • Patent number: 7137396
    Abstract: A method of removing a false nail from a person's natural fingernail including the steps of pushing the cuticle away from the base of the false nail to expose the base of the false nail; placing a taut string to engage the base of the false nail to be removed; applying pressure to the base of the false nail using the taut string to break part of the adhesive bond between the false nail and the person's natural fingernail; and manipulating the taut string between the false nail and the natural fingernail by moving the taut string from the base of the false nail toward the tip of the false nail in order to continue to break the adhesive bond between the false nail and the natural fingernail in order to remove the false nail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Inventor: Bernadette Okane
  • Patent number: 7127771
    Abstract: An oral cleaning device that can fit onto a human finger is provided. The oral cleaning device, or dental wipe, is at least partially made from an elastomeric material, such as an elastomeric nonwoven, so that the wipe can more aptly fit onto a finger. Furthermore, the wipe, in some instances, can possess a barrier that is liquid-impervious, but vapor-permeable so that the finger of a user is more comfortable during cleaning. Various additives can be applied to the wipe to aid in the cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason P. McDevitt, Michael S. Brunner, Jark C. Lau, Jaeho Kim
  • Patent number: 7104266
    Abstract: A flossing tool, for use with flossing string, includes a handle having a forked head at its first end. The forked head has first and second arms extending outwardly to first and second distal ends for supporting flossing string therebetween. A tensioner is slidably disposed on the handle and includes a clamp for receiving ends of the flossing string. The tensioner is movably between a first position wherein the flossing string is freely receivable in the clamp and a second position wherein the flossing string is secured in the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Inventor: Chee Yin Lee
  • Patent number: 7059334
    Abstract: A dental floss device includes a handle having a head piece and a disposable holder for a length of dental floss. The holder includes a base portion and a pair of spaced-apart jaws extending from the base and which extend to embrace the head piece of the handle when the holder is in a correct alignment configuration with respect to the handle. The device has an interlock which ensures that the holder can be interengaged with the head piece only when the holder is correctly aligned with the head piece. The interlock includes a head interlock part provided by interlock grooves and a holder interlock part provided by corresponding interlock tongues. There are two interlock grooves and corresponding interlock tongues which slidably interengage when the holder is correctly aligned with the head piece. If the holder is turned so that it is not correctly aligned with the head piece, the interlock tongues of the holder prevent engagement of the holder with the head piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: APC Limited
    Inventors: Michael Dougan, Paul Sullivan, Conor Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6973933
    Abstract: A flosser apparatus has a handle with a first slot formed into a surface at a first end of the handle and a second slot formed into the surface adjacent the first end and extending in transverse relationship to the first slot, a locking member affixed to the handle, and a flosser element removably received in one of the first and second slots. The locking member retains the flosser element within one of the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Patrick Gwen
  • Patent number: 6916880
    Abstract: Various monofilament dental tapes with substantive coatings including: solutions of block copolymers and non-ionic surfactants, melt emulsions of waxes emulsified in surfactants and inverse melt emulsions of surfactants emulsified in a continuous wax phase, and their methods of manufacture are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: International Tape Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Ira D. Hill, Dale G. Brown
  • Publication number: 20040250834
    Abstract: A dental hygiene apparatus for enabling a flossing of teeth. The apparatus can include a dispensing member and an accumulating member. The dispensing and accumulating members can each comprise a ring with an aperture for receiving a finger. Activating switches can selectively enable a dispensing of dental floss from the dispensing member and a retraction of dental floss relative to the accumulating member. A bobbin within the accumulating member can be rotated by a coil spring that can be rewound. The apertures in the rings can be varied. A floss retaining member can alternatively be retained by a ring, an opposed hook arrangement, or any other arrangement coupled to the dispensing member. Dental floss can be dispensed from a distal end of a post. The dental hygiene apparatus can further include as part of a unified system a finger shield arrangement, which can comprise first and second tubular members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: M. William Bowsher
  • Publication number: 20040244815
    Abstract: A flossing tool, for use with flossing string, includes a handle having a forked head at its first end. The forked head has first and second arms extending outwardly to first and second distal ends for supporting flossing string therebetween. A tensioner is slidably disposed on the handle and includes a clamp for receiving ends of the flossing string. The tensioner is movably between a first position wherein the flossing string is freely receivable in the clamp and a second position wherein the flossing string is secured in the clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Chee Yin Lee
  • Publication number: 20040168703
    Abstract: A disposable dental hygiene implement comprises an elongated small pick member having a body portion (53) and a picking portion (55) and floss member (71) provided to the body portion and/or the picking portion. At the end of the picking portion said pick member has buffering structure comprised of marginal end (56) of the picking portion (55) and floss member (71) that are integrally intermingled to each other. Said floss member (71) further extends outwardly at the end of the picking portion (55), and a gripping member (81) is provided at the end of the floss member for the user to easily and firmly grasp the floss member (71) for efficient flossing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Myoung-Ho Cho
  • Publication number: 20040163666
    Abstract: An improved dental floss device, a stackable dental floss holder, and a handle for receiving the dental floss holder are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Harold Ochs, Emanuel Morano
  • Publication number: 20040154636
    Abstract: A method for cleaning teeth by drawing at least one cleaning thread in a reciprocating movement along teeth, at least one end of which cleaning thread is fastened to an elongate handling member, the other end of the thread is grasped with the hand, and the cleaning thread at least partially encircles the teeth during the movement. Thorough cleaning is hereby possible, so that the risk of teeth decay and/or gum disorders is avoided. The invention also relates to a device for cleaning teeth, comprising at least one elongate handling member with at least one opening formed close to an end of the member for passage of a cleaning thread, wherein the end of the member comprising the opening is adapted such that gums around the teeth are hereby not adversely affected. The device can be provided with means for holding the end of the handling member located opposite the opening, for instance in the form of a handle. The invention also relates to a handle for use in such a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Louis Jose?apos; Paz-Soldan
  • Patent number: 6766808
    Abstract: A dental floss holder comprises a generally planar handle with a pair of spaced apart arms adapted to retain a length of dental floss tape. By forming the holder in a single plane, the holder is inexpensive to manufacture. Dental floss tape is molded into the arms at an angle. The holder is injection molded to include a pair of spaced apart posts formed as an integral part of the arms, thereby forming a positive mount for the tape in the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: Patrick Gwen
  • Publication number: 20040134512
    Abstract: A dental flosser is moveable between a stored, non-use position where the flosser is substantially planar, and an engaged or in-use position where a portion of the flosser is angled relative to the handle to aid in reaching back teeth. The dental flosser preferably includes a holder (which may be a U-shaped holder) that is movable between the non-use and in-use position; a handle; a living hinge between the holder and the handle, and a locking arm designed to secure the holder in the in-use position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Song Jun Ding, Steven A. Slabine
  • Patent number: 6742528
    Abstract: A bicomponent monofilament tape wherein the tape is made from the fusion of the sheaths of at least about 60 bicomponent core-sheath fibers and the bonding of the fused sheaths to the core fibers is disclosed. A process for preparing a bicomponent monofilament tape by providing at least about 60 bicomponent core-sheath fibers; fusing the sheaths; and bonding the fused sheaths to the core fibers is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: Vipul Bhupendra Dave
  • Patent number: 6705328
    Abstract: Improved dental floss dispensers that impregnate floss with fluids and/or solids have been developed. One dental floss dispenser consists of a tube that holds a roll of dental floss separated from the main chamber by either a disc or a bag. The main chamber may consist of one or several compartments and it is filled with fluids and/or solids. The untreated floss is first threaded through a hole in the protective cover that separates the floss reel from the lower compartment and it passes through the lower compartment filled with a viscous fluid of sufficiently high viscosity. The partially impregnated floss is then threaded through a barrier that divides the lower and the upper compartments and passes through the upper compartment filled with an impregnating fluid or solid. The fluids and/or solids are now adhered to the floss so it can be used as a means to deliver compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Josè E. Ramirez
  • Publication number: 20040040572
    Abstract: This invention is a combination dental flosser and tongue scraper in a single injection molded hand-held disposable device. The tongue scraper portion serves as a handle for the dental flosser for the flosser portion, and the dental flosser portion serves as a handle for the tongue scraper portion. The dental flosser and tongue scraper components serve as oral hygiene elements for cleaning surfaces of the teeth and between the teeth and cleaning surfaces of the tongue respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Ingram S. Chodorow
  • Publication number: 20040035440
    Abstract: The present invention disclosed a disposable dental floss holder and multi-function thereof, comprising a force applied handle and a tooth pick portion in connection with one end of force applied handle, said tooth pick portion having a reversed U shape frame and the floss is mounted on said frame, and more particularly said reversed U shape frame having end rod is in connection with said force applied handle, and side rods are vertically extruded from two ends of said end rod, said dental floss is mounted in between said side rods, and said end rod and said force applied handle are orthogonal to each other making disposable dental floss holder as a T shape pattern; also in between said force applied handle and said side rods it may be formed with angle ranged from 90 degree to 180 degree. Further, said force applied handle at one end may be formed into a sharp tip or dental probe shape, or mounted with a small cotton ball (Q-Tip) to serve the multi-function purposes of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Jung Cheng
  • Publication number: 20040025900
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved combination tooth pick/dental floss appliance, with the addition of, a food and or medicament pad. The tasks carried out by the invention are beyond basic flossing to include the delivery system of an attached medicament such as or combination of, nicotine, breath fresheners, antacids, fluoride, and teeth brighteners. This invention is most valuable to a person on the go, who does not have easy access to facilities to brush their teeth as desired. This combination dental tool with the accompanying medicament gives one the ability to cleanse one's teeth as well as freshen one's mouth whether it be after eating or smoking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Mark A. Sampson
  • Publication number: 20040003827
    Abstract: A dental floss holder comprises a generally planar handle with a pair of spaced apart arms adapted to retain a length of dental floss tape. By forming the holder in a single plane, the holder is inexpensive to manufacture. Dental floss tape is molded into the arms at an angle. The holder is injection molded to include a pair of spaced apart posts formed as an integral part of the arms, thereby forming a positive mount for the tape in the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Patrick Gwen
  • Publication number: 20030225196
    Abstract: Various monofilament dental tapes with substantive coatings including: solutions of block copolymers and non-ionic surfactants, melt emulsions of waxes emulsified in surfactants and inverse melt emulsions of surfactants emulsified in a continuous wax phase, and their methods of manufacture are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: International Tape Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Ira D. Hill, Dale G. Brown
  • Publication number: 20030196677
    Abstract: A dental floss holder including a pair of arms capable of holding dental floss material therebetween, an illumination device and a switch. The illumination device is capable to acquire either one of an active mode and an inactive mode, in the active mode the illumination device generating light for emission from the dental floss holder. The switch selectively causes the illumination device to switch between the active mode and the inactive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Wiseman
  • Publication number: 20030140937
    Abstract: A dental floss device having an applicator with a handle attached. The applicator may be formed in the shape of a curved trough to allow placing the applicator over the teeth of a person's upper or lower jaw. Dental floss is attached to each upper rim of the side walls of the applicator in positions to be pushed between the teeth for purposes of flossing. The applicator may be used to floss all of the teeth of an upper or lower jaw in a simultaneous application. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Christopher Cook
  • Publication number: 20030098037
    Abstract: A dental floss device 1 comprises a handle 2 having a head piece 3 and a disposable holder 4 for a length of dental floss 5. The holder 4 comprises a base portion 20 and a pair of spaced-apart jaws 21 extending from the base and which extend to embrace the head piece 3 of the handle 2 when the holder 4 is in a correct alignment configuration with respect to the handle 2. The device has an interlock which ensures that the holder 4 can be interengaged with the head piece 3 only when the holder 4 is correctly aligned with the head piece 3. The interlock comprises a head interlock part provided by interlock grooves 10 and a holder interlock part provided by corresponding interlock tongues 11. There are two interlock grooves 10 and corresponding interlock tongues 11 which slidably interengage when the holder 4 is correctly aligned with the head piece 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Dougan, Paul Sullivan, Conor Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20030070243
    Abstract: Lice comb cleaning tool. The tool includes a handle, a pair of spaced-apart arms depending from the handle and an elongate member supported at distal ends of the pair of arms. The elongate member has a diameter selected for an interference fit between tines of a lice comb. It is preferred that the elongate member be unwaxed dental floss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Deborah Z. Altschuler
  • Patent number: 6545077
    Abstract: Various monofilament dental tapes with substantive coatings including: solutions of block copolymers and non-ionic surfactants, melt emulsions of waxes emulsified in surfactants and inverse melt emulsions of surfactants emulsified in a continuous wax phase, and their methods of manufacture are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: International Tape Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Ira D. Hill, Dale G. Brown
  • Patent number: 6497237
    Abstract: A dental flossing system for allowing an individual to floss their teeth with only one hand and without positioning their fingers within their mouth during flossing. The dental flossing system includes a body having a pair of arms and a rear portion containing a spool rotatably positioned within, a platform structure movably positioned within the body, a wheel is rotatably attached within the platform structure, a shaft concentrically attached to the wheel and extending from a side of the platform structure for receiving a length of dental floss, and a locking arm that is pivotally attached to the platform structure for locking the dental floss in a desired position within a locking groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventor: Sayel A. Ali
  • Patent number: 6474347
    Abstract: A dental floss holder that has an elongate handle member (1) that has two fork fingers (2) at one end and wherein a floss supply (5) is mounted to the member (1) for pulling out of the dental floss (64-68) therefrom, and wherein points (3) of the fingers (2) have guidance members for the floss to permit a floss segment (66) to extend between the finger points (3) and wherein the members (91-97) are provided to attach a floss end (68) to the member (1). The dental floss supply (5) includes a floss roll (60) which is mounted with its rolling axle perpendicular to the elongate handle member (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventors: Anders Hallinder, Pekka Sihvo
  • Publication number: 20020108630
    Abstract: This invention was made to better the health of people's gums. The invention is capable of flossing multiple teeth simultaneously. In this way, the time flossing takes is cut dramatically. The invention provides flexibility to adapt for individual users allowing a wide range of people to use the same product. The invention is easy to manufacture as it consists of only 2 parts. Every part can be made out of inexpensive material making this floss device very cost-efficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Albert Shau