Abstract: A disposable dental floss holder for removing plaque and food debris from tooth surfaces and from the interspaces between teeth has a handle part, a bow and a length of dental floss spanning the bow. A movable element is provided which can cause a portion of the floss holder to move and tighten the strand of floss and thus momentarily reduce slack in the floss. The invention further includes methods for manufacturing floss holders with slack in the floss, and for manufacturing floss holders with operable components for momentarily reducing slack which was designed into a flosser or which developed in the flosser due to stretching of the floss. The floss holder designs vary to include multiple bows on a single device, and to reduce the slack by moving selected parts of the bow.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and articles of manufacture for delivering drug to the oral cavity. The methods and articles feature drug held in a polyvinyl alcohol matrix. The matrix releases the drug in a sustained constant manner.

Abstract: A dental floss device for relieving the fingers from being tightly wound with floss and being in contact with wet and soiled spent floss comprises two sleeves--a take-up sleeve for receiving spent floss and a supply sleeve for containing pre-wound fresh floss and an end plug as a cover for the supply sleeve. The use of the device allows a strand of floss to be wound around the take-up sleeve and the end plug respectively instead of directly around fingers while flossing with the device is much the same as flossing with bare hands--a way of flossing which millions are used to. Further, the device is self-contained and reusable. When the supply of fresh floss on the supply sleeve is exhausted, a new pre-wound supply sleeve can be used to replace the exhausted one.

Abstract: An oral wipe comprised of a sleeve, the sleeve being comprised of interwoven material, the sleeve having a closed end extending to at least one corner at the closed end, a pick element comprised of a heat sealable component, and a piece of dental floss, the piece of floss having one floss end embedded and retainingly secured in the heat sealable component.

Abstract: A dental floss device (1, 40, 50, 60, 70) comprises a handle (2) having a shank (3) terminating in a head piece (4). A disposable dental floss holder (5) comprises a base portion (10) and a pair of spaced-apart jaws (11, 12) with a length of dental floss (13) extending therebetween. The head piece (4) has a groove (20) in which the base portion (10) is securely retained when the device is used in all flossing directions. Snap-fit projections (15) extend inwardly from the jaws (11, 12) of the floss holder (5) and are retained behind marginal edges (25) of a floor (24) of the groove (20). When used, the floss holder (5) is removed and a new floss holder (5) is fitted.

Abstract: A flossing instrument 10 that facilitates flossing and is utilizable by persons fitted with common orthodontic braces. The instrument 10 includes a combination floss spool cavity 22 and handle 20 to which is connected an arm 50 with two floss supports 100, 140 traversely mounted at a distal end 54 of the arm 50 remote from the handle. One support forms a tower 100 which is replaceable and interchangeable with a multitude of possible supports of differing functional applications. The tower 100 fits in the limited space between an orthodontic arch-wire W and the adjacent teeth T to be flossed. The instrument 10 includes a means to tension the floss F, a means to advance the floss F across the supports 100, 140, and results in a floss F action that uniquely moves through the adjacent teeth T at an angle while continually advancing new floss F'.

Abstract: A dental floss retainer ring is provided, having a size permitting placement on the finger. The ring defines circumferential sidewalls to form an external, annular space between the walls for receiving a winding of dental floss about the ring. One of the walls defines at least one slot extending only incompletely across the ring to facilitate the securance of a portion of dental floss as the dental floss is wound about the ring. The process of dental flossing teeth is facilitated by the use of one or a pair of such dental floss retainer rings.

Abstract: A flossing apparatus and method of flossing. The flossing apparatus comprises a pair of separate and distinct flossing handles which are interconnected by a loop of dental floss. The loop is formed from a length of dental floss and includes a working segment of floss which interconnects corresponding free ends of the handles, a control segment which interconnects the handles at points displaced from the free ends, and a pair of side segments which run along corresponding handles between respective ends of the working and control segments. The handles are free to move on all axes relative to each other, restrained only by the dimensions of the loop. They are also free to move relative to the loop. The flossing handles are used by manipulating them separately to achieve any optimum working floss segment length and angular relationship between the handles for the particular flossing operation contemplated.

Abstract: A dental floss device includes two ring portions having a tongue for holding a segment of dental floss with a closed loop at either end. The tongue opens into the open center of the ring, the tongue being defined by at least one groove opening into the open center of the ring and running to an end portion located towards an outside face of the ring. The groove also opens along its entire length to a top face of the ring at two spaced apart locations.

Abstract: The invention provides for a dental floss device comprising two ring portions and a floss portion held therebetween, whereby the ring portions are placed on a finger of each hand of a user. The ring portions are specially adapted to receive and removingly retain a specially formed segment of floss, which segment of floss can be removed from the rings and discarded, while the ring portions are fitted with a new segment of floss and reused. The floss portion has locking elements on each end which engage with a mating receiving portion on each ring portion.

Abstract: A new and improved hand-held dental floss applicator apparatus includes a central body assembly, four finger assemblies projecting from the central body assembly, and four dental floss receiving assemblies connected to the respective four finger assemblies. Each of the respective dental floss receiving assemblies is formed as a notch in a respective finger assembly. The central body assembly lies in a first plane. A respective first portion of each of the respective finger assemblies projects from the central body assembly and is co-planar with the central body assembly. A respective second portion of each of the respective finger assemblies projects from each of the respective first portions and includes an end portion that lies in a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane. The central body assembly includes two opposed dental floss receiving channels. The dental floss receiving channels are formed as indentations adjacent to flange portions formed in the central body assembly.

Abstract: A custom made mouthpiece for individual patients, used for flossing and/or brushing the interproximal areas between two or more teeth in a dental arch which has as an option, a gum massaging device to massage the gums either simultaneously or not simultaneously with brushing and/or flossing of interproximal areas.

Abstract: A dispenser for dental floss and other flexible elongated materials (e.g., tape, strip, wire, etc.) capable of delivering material to the point of use under substantially constant tension. The dispenser comprises a delivery reel and a draw-in reel mechanically connected by driving means through a tension accumulator. The tension accumulator is a device comprising some means for storing energy of rotational movement (e.g. torsion spring, clock spring, etc.). Each of the reels is attached to one of the two one-way clutches so that the delivery reel can only rotate in the direction of unwinding the floss and the draw-in reel can only rotate in the direction of winding the floss on. A supply of dental floss is stored on the delivery reel and is extended under tension between the delivery reel and the draw-in reel by means of guides.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing debris from between and around teeth including a main body member having first and second ends and a flossing implement operably associated therewith. The flossing implement is detachably connected to the main body member. The flossing implement includes first and second ends. The first end of the flossing implement is disposed adjacent the first end of the main body member. The second end of the flossing implement is removed from the first end of the main body member. The second end of the flossing implement includes first and second tines and an intermediate section connecting the first and second tines. The first and second tines each include projections for receiving the corresponding ends of the flossing material extending therebetween. Alternatively, or in addition, the first and second tines may be formed hollow and the intermediate section provided with an opening for receiving a removable flossing cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved device and method for flossing teeth. The device has a handle portion and a finger portion. The finger portion is inserted into an individual's mouth, and the handle portion is used for holding the dental flossing device. In a first embodiment, the dental flossing device has two apertures spaced along the finger portion. The flossing material is threaded through the first aperture and then the second aperture. A user presses one end of the flossing material against the device to keep the flossing material taut. The other end of the flossing material, extending from an aperture at the distal end of the device, is held by the user's fingers or is wrapped around a finger, depending on the individual's personal technique. Thereafter, the finger portion of the device is inserted into the mouth and flossing is performed.

Abstract: A dental hygiene device for interstitial or interproximal cleaning comprising a handle (20) having spaced arms (21,22) and a reusable monofilament (23), which replaces the normal dental floss, stretched across the arms (21,22). The monofilament (23) may be hollow, have elastomeric properties and/or deliver therapeutic agents to the teeth. The tool may be built into the handle (31) of a toothbrush, with a filament fixed in place, for example, by integral molding, or detachably fixed in position. Several embodiments are disclosed, in one example the spaced arms may be movably hinged together.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a flosser-type tooth cleaning device comprised of a handle, a holder affixed to an end of the handle comprised of two protruding arm members positioned at least parallel to each other, and a strand of dental floss which is drawn between the arms and anchored at the distal end of each arm, wherein of these several tooth cleaning device may be non-permanently held together forming an inter-locking stack. The flossers of the present invention may be held non-permanently in a stacked configuration by way of a friction fit or a snap-lock mechanism.

Abstract: An improved dental flossing tool having a resilient member, located adjacent the tip where the flossing material exits the tool, and formed with an aperture of lesser diameter than that of the floss which serves to clamp the flossing material to positively prevent the floss from serving as a wick to carry moisture through the tip into the interior of the flossing tool.

Abstract: A package for storing a plurality of strands of flaccid items, filaments and the like, especially, for the storage of strands of dental floss. First and second ends of the floss are securely sealed within the sealed edge of the package. However, the first and second ends are not permanently sealed within the sealed edges. As a result, when the floss is removed from the sealed package only a small hole, slightly larger than the diameter of the floss, is produced. Consequently, a single piece of floss can be removed from the package without destroying the integrity of the entire package.

Abstract: A dental floss applicator structure is arranged to include a framework to mount a dental floss dispenser housing, wherein the housing directs a dental floss filament from the housing about a smooth groove, that in turn directs the filament through a first guide post and through spaced first and second extension legs directing the filament between the extension legs and returning the filament through a second guide post and wrapped around the guide post below the framework as a take-up structure.

Abstract: A dental floss tool has a short flat handle in a first plane, with a floss winding post extending from the upper surface thereof. Extending downwardly from the lower surface are a pair of spaced legs attached to the handle at one end and spaced apart from one another at the opposite end thereof. Guide grooves are placed on the legs for guiding dental floss from the winding post to the end of the first or outermost leg, back to the second leg, and then upwardly through a hole in the handle located between the winding post and the second leg, back to the winding post. The floss, which extends from the lower end of the second leg through the hole, then may be engaged by the thumb of the user to adjust the tension of the floss extending between the ends of the two legs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dental floss assembly, which comprises a holder also for receiving the dental floss, a locating member mounted at the front portion of the holder, a holding member for dental floss which is mounted on the holding member and can be replaced. With a change in the angle of the holding member for dental floss by virtue of the locating member it is easy for the user to clean up dirts at the spaces between the teeth in deep cavity of the mouth so as to assure oral hygiene.

Abstract: A flossing implement including a hollow handle, a pair of fingers extending from the handle to support therebetween a strand of dental floss, and an electric motor in the handle carrying an eccentric weight for vibrating the handle and, through the handle, a strand of dental floss supported at the end of the handle.

Abstract: The invention comprises in combination a system of oral hygiene and personal care apparatus with interchangeable and replaceable elements to facilitate oral hygiene needs such as flossing, brushing and gum stimulation, and personal care needs such as shaving, massaging and manicuring. The preferred embodiment comprises a handle having a receiver slot for mounting and securely retaining the self-locking mounting stem of a demountable tool attachment, and a plurality of demountable and interchangeable tool attachments. The handle may enclose a battery-powered electric motor to impart vibrating motion. The preferred tool attachment is a floss cartridge holder designed to retain a disposable floss cartridge having a short strand of dental floss held between two legs of a U-shaped yoke. The disposable floss cartridge has an integral locking mechanism which allows it to be locked into the holder for each use, and afterwards be unlocked, removed and discarded.

Abstract: A disposable dental floss pick comprising a length of floss filament bonded to a plastic handle. The floss pick may be either a single plastic layer with the floss on top or a laminate comprising two plastic layers with the floss in between. Also, a method of rapidly and economically producing a dental floss pick utilizing continuous or progressive steelrule die cutting is described.

Abstract: A dental flossing apparatus includes a body having a gripping portion and a bifurcated distal portion defining a pair of tines and a slot between them, and a rocker member pivotally connected to the body. The opposite ends of a strand of dental floss are so connected to the body and/or rocker member that the user can selectively rock the rocker member and cause an intermediate portion of the dental floss to be reciprocated between the guiding tines for better cleaning the facing surfaces of adjacent teeth.

Abstract: An improved device for holding and manipulating dental floss for the removal of food particles, tartar and plaque from the teeth is described in which a loop of dental floss is connected between a pair of separate handles; the loop of dental floss being long enough to permit lateral motion across the tooth surface. The devices are either disposable or sterilizable for reuse.

Abstract: A dental hygiene instrument, called a dental ring flosser, is used to remove dental debris from between the teeth of the user. The dental ring flosser has an aperture sized to firmly and snugly fit around the end of a user's finger, so his or her finger may be solely used during flossing, to manipulate the strand of dental floss secured to the dental ring flosser. The strand of dental floss is adjustably supported on two alike opposing elongated spaced prongs formed integrally with the dental ring flosser. By adjusting the tension in the stand of dental floss, the finger ring size is adjusted so the dental ring flosser fits firmly and snugly about the user's finger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to teeth cleaning apparatus comprising a handle unit having a casing with a motor disposed therein, and at least one disposable floss applicator unit adapted to be selectively, drivably connected to the handle unit. The floss applicator unit includes a casing with a floss applicator tip, a floss tube rotatably disposed within the applicator casing and a quantity of floss provided thereon. The motor has a rotatable output shaft which projects outwardly of the handle casing and is adapted to be securely, coaxially received within one end of the floss tube when the floss applicator unit is connected to the handle unit such that the floss tube will rotate together with the output shaft when the motor is actuated.

Abstract: A supply of dental floss is wound on a supply reel turnably mounted in one housing, while another housing mounts a take-up reel for receiving spent floss. The housings are held in opposite hands of a user with the floss extending therebetween. During flossing, a dispensed length of floss is held taut by fixedly anchoring the dispensed floss within the housings. After flossing, the dispensed floss is wound on the take-up reel for easy disposal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to hold and manipulate dental floss for the removal of plaque and food particles from teeth surfaces. The invention comprises: an elongated handle which may house, contain, and dispense a supply of dental floss; a stationary tong which does not generally move with respect to the handle; a pivotal tong which can be pivoted about a pivot point; means for securing the pivotal tong to the handle to selectively adjust the distance between terminal ends of the stationary tong and the pivotal tong; and means for anchoring the dental floss to the terminal ends of the stationary and pivotal tongs, the dental floss being positioned to span the distance and be pulled taut between the terminal ends of the tongs. Means for guiding the length of dental floss along the stationary and pivotal tongs and/or means for cutting the dental floss may also be provided.

Abstract: A dental flosser holds a plurality of threads especially spaced for insertion between teeth of a particular user for whom the flosser is custom made.

Abstract: A three-component, tamper resistant, toothbrush comprises a brush and flossing device connected by a handle portion which is sufficiently flexible to allow the brush to be bent back and contact the flossing device without excessive force being applied by the user. The brush is covered by a dry or wet dentifrice, or a dentifrice-water paste. A thin plastic cover surrounds and seals the brush and provides a vacuum seal which maintains sterility and allows the brush to be precoated with dentifrice and retain the pre-moistened dentifrice within the cover. The flossing device comprises forklike prongs between which is mounted a free span of floss under tension. A socket attachment may be provided so that additional implements such as stimulators, plaque removers, etc., can be connected to the device for use in a convenient manner. If desired, the handle can be bent back to enable the dentifrice-coated brush to contact the floss and apply some of the dentifrice thereto.

Abstract: A device for cleaning teeth of orthodontic patients wearing orthodontic braces having a wire element extending between the braces includes an elongated member having an end portion formed with a filament support, a filament carried by the filament support, and a hook formed on the member and operable to be hooked onto the wire while the elongated member is manually manipulated to cause the filament to clean the teeth of the orthodontic patient.

Abstract: A dental flossing device includes a housing manually grippable by a user, a pair of spaced arms projecting from one end of the housing for engaging the opposite ends of a length of dental floss to be tautly secured along a dental floss axis between the arms, and a drive for displacing the length of dental floss when secured between the arms. The drive displaces at least one end of the length of dental floss, when secured between the arms, through a unidirectional, curved closed-loop planar path defined by the two axes substantially perpendicular to each other and to the dental floss axis. In one described embodiment, only one end of the length of dental floss is displaced in the above-defined unidirectional, curved, closed-loop path; and in a second described embodiment, each of the two ends of the length of dental floss is displaced in the above-defined unidirectional, curved, closed-loop path.

Abstract: An improved dental flossing tool comprising a single flossing rod or tool is provided, containing a supply of dental floss therein and from which a strand of floss extends, and two hands are used, one to grip the flossing rod or tool, and the other to hold the free end of the floss strand at the proper angle and with the proper tension, with the second hand holding the free end of the floss strand. The floss tool of the present invention is preferably hollow, with a supply of dental floss mounted therein, and has a hollow, narrow tip through which the floss strand is routed internally to project from the end of the tip for use. A locking device is provided for selectively blocking the feeding of the floss strand in lengths which may be varied as desired and a restricting device is provided for restricting movement of the floss strand and for preventing moisture from entering the interior of the tool.

Abstract: A dental device for cleaning teeth includes a fork-shaped instrument with two arms, each arm having a free end and a needle eye near the free end, where the two arms are separated by a predetermined distance at a point of the needle eyes. A dental floss for use with the dental device includes a guide rod connected to one end of the dental floss and a stop button connected to another end of the dental floss such that the floss can be securely mounted to the forked-shaped instrument. The guide rod and stop button can be integrally molded with the dental floss, the entire assembly made from a strong, plastic material.

Abstract: A therapeutic chew toy particularly adapted for dogs includes a shaft portion formed of a length of a soft rope material and a pair of plastic end members secured to the ends of the shaft portion such that upon being chewed by an animal, the shaft portion provides teeth cleaning and gum massage and the plastic end members provide teeth and jaw development.

Abstract: A powered dental floss includes a floss and a hand grip provided with an output shaft which has a longitudinal axis and to which the floss is coupled. The hand grip incorporates a motor and a drive mechanism which is powered by the motor to impart a vibrating motion to the output shaft. The floss is stretched substantially in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the output shaft so that it is driven to vibrate along its length for effectively cleaning between the teeth.

Abstract: A filament of thermoplastic material is formed into a continuous strand of connected beads having a longitudinal slit that penetrates about half way into each bead. This is done by passing the filament between a pair of rotating mold wheels having matching, hemispherical cavities in their outer edges with a central, circumferential flange in the edge of one wheel-the flange forming the slit. An end bead of the filament is loaded into a first clamp that feeds it to second clamp that grasps the bead while a knife severs it from the strand. The second clamp is then moved to force its held bead onto a short span of floss being held by a third clamp, so that the floss is press-fitted into the slit in the bead. The bead and floss are then released by their respective clamps, and a fourth clamp grasps the floss and moves it forward for the required distance between beads so that the next bead can be pressed thereon.

Abstract: A dental floss dispenser is designed to retain a roll of dental floss which may be dispensed and cut through an opening. The floss is provided in preselected lengths interconnected by shorter lengths of thread. Once dispensed and cut in a medial portion of the thread, the threaded ends of a length of floss may be held to use the floss which prevents any wastage of flossing material. In modified embodiments, the lengths of thread may be provided with small knots to indicate where to cut the thread and to provide a better grip during a use of the floss. Further, granules of fluoride may be attached to a floss strip to act both as an abrasive and as a means of applying fluoride between teeth as the granules dissolve.

Abstract: A multi-purpose dental applicator including a handle and an interchangeable removable member which can be a yoke supporting a length of dental floss, a toothbrush, a spiral wound wire tooth cleaning brush, a rubber tip gum massager, or a length of abrasive tape. The handle has an elongated stem for gripping purposes and a head piece having a receiving cavity for receiving the stem of the interchangeable removable member. The handle further incorporates threads on the outer surface of the head surrounding the receiving cavity. In the preferred embodiment, the receiving cavity is an opening extending into the body of the head in a generally inverted frustum shaped configuration which then extends into a spherical shaped cavity and thereafter extends into an arcuate section having the circumferential length of approximately twenty degrees to either side of the vertical or longitudinal axis of the head.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for cleaning teeth or gaps between teeth and comprises a handle to hold the device and an operative part, mounted at the end of the handle, with a filamentary or tape-shaped cleaning medium acting on the teeth and/or the teeth gaps when the device is being used. To assure intensive cleaning specially in the molar zone, the operative part is supported at the handle in a pivoting manner about an axis fixed relative to this handle and is guided by the teeth gap during cleaning. The fastening system preferably is such that the operative part is exchangeable in the handle. The operative part is a dental-floss holder comprising a bail with a segment of filamentary dental floss affixed between its free-end legs. The bail is supported at the handle about an axis essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the dental-floss filament.

Abstract: A double-ended hand held flossing tool with stressing means is provided which uses a loop of floss made integral with the frame members of the tool, and provides stressing action through fingertip manipulation of the members. The loop is integral and structural to the tool, thus my tool design gains the advantage of stability by virtue of two members being integral with a floss loop molded directly into the construction of the frame members of the tool.

Abstract: A dental flosser suitable to be used with a fixed orthodontic appliance, provided for a wearer to clean food debris and dental plaque so as to prevent an orthodontic appliance wearer from getting proximal caries and periodontal disease during orthodontic treatment period, the dental flosser including a hold portion, a floss portion and two floss supports wherein the floss supports are outwardly curved and more slender than prior art devices and the hold portion can be held on both sides so that the floss supports can be inserted into the narrow clearance between the orthodontic wire and teeth, allowing the connected floss to intrude into the adjacent surfaces of the teeth and by means of the outwardly curved floss supports, the operating space in the narrow clearance is enlarged so that the floss can fully scrape off the food debris and dental plaque on the teeth.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating the oral cavity with a surfactant, silicone, and chemotherapeutic agent containing preparation released from dental floss to alter local microbial ecology including: plaque formation, gingivitis and S. mutans count.

Abstract: A dental sanitary appliance includes a toothbrush housing forming a frontal portion, a floss housing forming a middle portion of the dental sanitary appliance and a floss fastening member is insertable into the floss housing and incorporates a cover cap mountable on the rear end of the floss housing. The toothbrush housing has a toothbrush member and a chamber for accommodating a floss roll. The floss housing has a central passage in open communication with the chamber and a stopper attached to the upper wall of the rear portion of the central passage. The floss fastening member is movable in the central passage and includes a rod, a slit formed longitudinally on the top of the rod and a U-shaped frame member coupled to the rear end of the rod. The stopper can extend into the bottom of the slit when the rod is pushed longitudinally so as to terminate the outward movement of the rod.

Abstract: Dental cleansing device including a fork-shaped instrument with two arms capable of being connected to a pressurized fluid supply device. Each of the two arms (2,3) of the instrument (1) has, on its internal face, an orifice (15,16) for ejecting a water jet (17,18), the two orifices being directed so as to enable the ejection of non-aligned water jets in opposite directions. Each arm (2,3) may, in addition, have a needle eye (4,5) for the passage of a piece of interdental floss (6).

Abstract: Dental floss loop devices are formed by a pair of parallel floss strands extending between and having their ends secured to a pair of spaced apart gripping elements. These devices are made by feeding a pair of continuous strands of floss from a source, molding onto these strands gripping elements at successively large and small intervals along the length of the strands, and cutting the strands at the small intervals. In a variation single gripping elements are molded onto continuous parallel strands at equal intervals afterwhich each single element is divided into separate halves, with the spaced apart halves being the pair of gripping elements for each device. The invention also includes dispenser packages for these devices.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to an automatic dental flosser having a housing which includes a handle and an operating head. The operating head includes a pair of hollow tines which extend in a first plane. A flossing assembly is operably associated with the operating head for removing debris from between and around teeth. The flossing assembly includes a support member for supporting a flossing material. A first portion of the support member is disposed in the hollow tines while a second portion of the support member is removed therefrom. A drive member is operably associated with the first portion of the flossing assembly for linearly displacing the support member. A stop is provided intermediate the upper and lower surfaces of the hollow tines for regulating the proximity of the flossing material to the oral tissues of an individual. Further, an adjustable protective cover encases the second portion of the support member which is removed from the hollow tines.