And Container Or Support For Thread Supply Patents (Class 132/324)
  • Publication number: 20080257377
    Abstract: A new and improved dental floss dispenser for providing dental floss pre-treated with fluoride. The dental floss dispenser comprises a container, a rotatably supported spool of dental floss mounted in the container, and a chamber containing fluoride, wherein the chamber has at least one opening for guiding the dental floss through the fluoride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Amanda Lynn Burrows
  • Publication number: 20080223397
    Abstract: A dental floss dispenser suited for mounting upon a planar surface surrounding a bathroom sink or wall for instant availability. It includes a reloadable housing having an exit opening, and may be used for dental tape or plural spools of dental floss material. The housing supports a laterally extending cutting blade member having a recess accommodating the thumb and fingers holding a segment of material to be severed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Russell R. Yates
  • Publication number: 20080223398
    Abstract: A flossing tool for persons wearing braces. A floss support head is attached at an acute angle with respect to a handle. The head includes two spaced-apart support elements where the first support element closest to the handle is thinner than the distance between the teeth and the arch-wire. A disposable plastic embodiment includes a floss strand affixed in an injection molding process to ends of the support elements; a tapered portion of the first support element which allows the device to pivot without interference from the arch-wire; and a broadened spatula tip for securing an end of the floss strand. The end of the first support element may be curved outwardly. Another embodiment includes a wire head with floss support loops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Laura J. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20080185016
    Abstract: A dental flosser having a tongue cleaner, the flosser including a handle terminating at a head: a pair of spaced apart arms extending from the head, a length of dental floss extending between the arms; and a rugous surface on at least one of the arms suitable for being scraped against the tongue of a user for effectively cleaning the tongue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: John M. Jansheski, Lex Shankle
  • Publication number: 20080149524
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to food product containers comprising one or more dental cleaning devices, such as dental floss, toothpicks, and plaque-removing strips. The dental cleaning device may be disposed in a packet. The food product container may further comprise additional cleaning devices, breath freshening devices, and text or messages, such as advertisements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: William B. Rademaker
  • Publication number: 20080149134
    Abstract: A dental floss holder includes an integral interproximal pick having a plurality of outwardly extending nubs. In one embodiment, the dental floss holder includes a handle having a first portion and a second portion. A pair of arms extend from the first portion with a strand of dental floss stretched therebetween. An interproximal pick extends from the second portion. The interproximal pick includes a plurality of nubs that extend outwardly from the pick. The handle, arms and interproximal pick may be a single, integrally molded piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: RANIR, LLC
    Inventor: Scott P. Crossman
  • Publication number: 20080127992
    Abstract: An array of side-by-side flossers are coupled to each other by frangible links. The user breaks off a flosser from the array prior to flossing. When finished flossing, the user disposes of the used flosser. In a preferred embodiment, the array can be about the same size as a credit card and thus can fit in a credit card pouch of a wallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Leonard Pinchuk
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7011099
    Abstract: A hand-held dental flossing device has a housing with a handle that may be held with one hand. A dental floss supply is located in the housing and a winding gear is rotatably mounted to the housing. A free end of the dental floss strand from the floss supply is threaded through the housing into a floss exit arm of the housing where it passes through an exit opening to an exposed area of the flossing arm. Used dental floss returns into the housing, via a receiving opening, where it passes through an optional disinfectant supply before or as it wound onto the winding gear. The housing has an opening where the winding gear extends therefrom and is accessible to the fingers of the user's hand. The winding gear has teeth that cooperate with a stopper to form a one-way ratchet gear. A floss-tensioning button is located in the housing and has first and second ends extending from the housing. The first and second ends are accessible to the user's hand holding the handle of the flossing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: Mark C. Bergman
  • Patent number: 6874509
    Abstract: A hand-held dental flossing device has a housing with a handle that may be held with one hand. A dental floss supply is located in the housing and a winding gear is rotatably mounted to the housing. A free end of the dental floss strand from the floss supply is threaded through the housing into a floss exit arm of the housing where it passes through an exit opening to an exposed area of the flossing arm. Used dental floss returns into the housing, via a receiving opening, where it passes through an optional disinfectant supply before or as it wound onto the winding gear. The housing has an opening where the winding gear extends therefrom and is accessible to the fingers of the user's hand. The winding gear has teeth that cooperate with a stopper to form a one-way ratchet gear. A floss-tensioning button is located in the housing and has first and second ends extending from the housing. The first and second ends are accessible to the user's hand holding the handle of the flossing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Mark C. Bergman
  • 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: 20040048224
    Abstract: A device for the application of light treatment at a body structure is provided. The device could also be referred to as (dental) floss and be used for body structures in an oral cavity. The device distinguishes a container and a filament. The container hosts one or more light sources each capable of delivering a light beam with a unique light treatment. A user could select between the different light sources and/or parameters. The filament is a strand or fiber of a material transparent to the light beam. The filament is optically connected to a light source (or selected light source) such that the light beam could radiate through the filament at a body structure. The filament could be used in direct or not in direct contact with a body surface as long as the light treatment can be applied to the body structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Black
  • Publication number: 20030230320
    Abstract: The present invention related to tooth cleaning tool, especially, related to a dental flossing tool using dental floss to clean tooth. The handle of the present invention is composed of a cavity handle body having a lead riser and a handle cover connecting to the port of the handle body. The said handle body has longitudinal sliding groove. The two sides of pushing handle of locking wire are slidely engaged to the sliding groove. A spool of dental floss are provided lengthways in the handle, whose circular front baffle supporting axis of handle cover. The arranges a retainer having thread hole on the bottom surface of the pushing handle of locking wire, the said retainer frictionally engaging to the circular front baffle of the spool at the position of locking wire. The front end of the handle body arranges the protector of said lead riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Chongwei Guo
  • Patent number: 6526991
    Abstract: A portable kit for promoting oral hygiene includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss compactly arranged in one portion of a housing which outwardly resembles a fountain pen. The kit may also include a canister of breath spray in another portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Bodwalk
  • Publication number: 20030029472
    Abstract: An improved dental floss applicator is provided in the form of a compact case for receiving and storing a spool of dental floss together with an applicator fork for use in manipulating a length of dental floss for cleaning a person's teeth. The applicator fork is pivotally mounted to the case for movement between a normal stored position within the hollow interior of the case, and a deployed position extending outwardly from the case for use. In the stored position, the spool of dental floss is nested within the fork to provide a compact overall geometry. A lock tab on the case engages mating recessed seats on the fork for securely retaining the fork relative to the case in each of its stored and deployed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Harold A. Adler
  • Publication number: 20030019503
    Abstract: The invention is a floss holder having an extension for easy holding of the floss within a narrow passage, typically the user's mouth, where both of the user's hands may not easily pass. In order to accomplish this the holder handle defines a chamber for holding a spool loaded with floss. This spool then passes through an opening in the handle and adjacent to a face on an extension which the user may place of finger or thumb of the hand holding the handle to hold the floss in place. At the extremity of the handle is a head around which the floss may be wrapped to further secure it in place. The floss continues off of the head to the desired length and can be held in a similar unit or by wrapping around a user's hand. Since a portion of the extension is preferably thinner than the fingers of the user, it may be more easily placed within the narrow passage to simplify flossing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Foster
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20020185149
    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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Sayel A. Ali
  • Patent number: 6488036
    Abstract: A single support dental flosser with improved maneuverability; to provide the user with increased leverage and dexterity to easily and thoroughly clean food, debris, and dental plaque so as to prevent proximal caries and periodontal disease. The dental flosser includes a handle section, an intermediate section, and an upstanding dental floss support section. In an embodiment of the invention, the dental flosser includes a preset strand of floss attached to the upstanding dental floss support section. In an other embodiment, the dental flosser includes a main body portion having a cylindrical shape for ease of handling. A hollow interior containing a metered floss dispenser, and a floss support containing a through hole to supply floss. The metered floss dispenser has a simplified construction and is especially designed to fit into a cylindrically shaped handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Shlomo Francis
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6382219
    Abstract: A dental flossing device has a handle element with a forked end with spaced prongs. A tensioning cleat is mounted on the handle element for positioning and securing a length of dental floss and may include a trigger arm mechanism for advancing a strand of floss. A soft elastomer protective bite element is secured to the forked end of the handle element. The soft elastomer protective bite element has a top surface with a notch therein sized to secure a length of dental floss and a channel positioned underneath the floss held in the notch to allow initial penetration of floss between teeth and is resilient enough to allow further penetration when bitten down upon. The handle element includes a groove on both spaced prongs. The soft elastomer protective bite element may have a curved surface with a pair of spaced finger elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffery A. Jelten
  • Patent number: 6363949
    Abstract: A dental care device combines a flossing tool for dispensing dental floss and holding a length of the floss under tension with a double-edged tongue scraper. The dental care device includes an ergonomic handle. A floss fork is connected to one end of the handle and includes a pair of prongs extending outwardly from the handle, the prongs each having tips adapted to support a length of dental floss across the gap between the prongs. The device includes a floss tensioner having a floss cog rotatably mounted in the handle. The handle includes a tool storage compartment which may be used to contain dental hygiene tools such as a microbrush and a pick. The tongue scraper is attached to the end of the handle opposite the floss fork and includes a semicircular blade having opposing edges which are formed so that one of the edges is sharper than the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas W. Brown
  • Patent number: 6189545
    Abstract: A dental floss dispenser having the external appearance of an apple. In one embodiment, the dispenser consists of two simulated apple halves, hingedly connected to one another. In another embodiment, the dispenser consists of a simulated apple half hingedly connected to a vertical backing member such as a board or wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Elias Tamez
  • Patent number: 6161556
    Abstract: A dental floss holder includes two holder elements. One of the holder elements has a pivot post attached thereto and the other holder element has an opening through which the pivot post projects. A cap is threadedly engaged with the pivot post and cooperates with a projection on one of the holder elements to clamp dental floss in position. Guide surfaces are provided on the cap and projection to guide the floss to the pivot post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Gregorio Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 6152147
    Abstract: A holder assembly for removably storing a plurality of individual dental floss products of the type which typically comprise a looped configuration at one end thereof and which are designed primarily but not exclusively for use in the flossing or cleaning of bridgework or other orthodontic appliances, wherein the holder assembly comprises a base including a plurality of apertures at least some of which include a retaining structure cooperatively dimensioned, disposed and configured with corresponding ones of the apertures to removably maintain and orient the looped dental floss products in an upright or outwardly extending position thereby rendering the dental floss products readily accessible for use by a dental hygienist or other personnel during the flossing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Maria Sanchez
  • Patent number: 6092536
    Abstract: A hand-held flossing tool provides a housing member having a spool housing integral therewith containing a replaceable spool of dental floss, a tension head consisting of two tension arms integrally molded to a yoke, each tension arm including a snap eye on one end and a gripping surface at the other end, and a stabilizer rotatably attached to the housing member. The dental floss strand, which passes from the housing through a spool housing slit and then through the snap eyes on the tension arms, is secured around a cleat on one of the tensions arms. The flosser places the stabilizer in the flosser's palm and holds the tension arm gripping surfaces between the flosser's thumb and index finger. The floss spool ratchets within the spool housing to permit adjustment of the tension on the strand of dental floss by rotation of a tension adjustment key extending through the bottom of the housing into the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Brian K. Owens
  • Patent number: 6076535
    Abstract: A dental flosser 10 includes a handle 12 having a hollow interior 14 adapted to hold a supply of dental floss 26. The handle 12 has an open end providing access to the hollow interior 14, and a cap has one end is connected to this open end of the handle 12. Another end of the cap includes a pair of fingers which are spaced apart. Each finger has a opening therein near a distal end thereof. The end of the cap connected to the handle 12 has a guideway which permits floss 26 to pass from the hollow interior 14 and be threaded through the openings in the fingers. A post 42 is attached to the cap member 16 between the fingers elements and the one end of the cap member 16. This post 42 includes a guideway 40 for the floss 26 and a blade 50 for cutting the floss. The post 42 has an underside which intersects the cap member 16 at an acute angle to provide notch structures 54 and 56.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: Anthony F. Yipp
  • Patent number: 6055993
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning and moving a flexible element is shown and described herein. The method includes the steps of providing a pair of elongated handles, each having a pair of apertures, providing a loop of flexible element threaded through the apertures, and advancing the elements through the apertures by moving the handles and tensioning various segments of the loop. The apparatus includes first and second elongated handles each having a pair of apertures, at least one of the handles including a cleat extending transversely to said handle, and a loop of flexible element threaded through the apertures and entrained around the cleat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: TeleVideo Consultants, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Meyer, Eric S. Meyer, David M. Meyer, Stuart L. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6047712
    Abstract: A dental floss dispenser is disclosed, which is adapted for mounting onto a pump toothpaste dispenser. The dental floss dispenser has a one-piece housing of integrally molded plastic construction which has a peripheral contour to match the predetermined bottom configuration of the toothpaste dispenser. The housing has a base with a peripheral wall having a recessed ledge and slot in the peripheral wall to dispense the floss. The dental floss spool is rotatably mounted on one of two bosses in the housing. The housing also has a hinged door which matches the predetermined bottom configuration of the toothpaste dispenser which is capable of movement away and against the peripheral base wall to expose the slot through which the floss is dispensed. A cutter is mounted on the hinged door allowing the severing of a desired length of floss pulled from the spool through the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventors: Helena C. Blades, Bradley J. Kimble
  • Patent number: 5996928
    Abstract: A dental floss dispenser including a housing with dental floss stored therein. Also included is at least one dental floss dispensing assembly for dispensing a predetermined length of the dental floss from the housing. The dental floss dispensing assembly includes a slider slidably mounted within the housing for dispensing the floss upon being manually slid via a lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Ruth Ann Whitehorse-Burns
  • Patent number: 5967154
    Abstract: Dental hygiene filament, for use as dental floss or as bristles for a tooth brush for flossing and/or brushing teeth, comprising an elongated body defining an exterior surface having an abrasive, granular substance, such as pumice, uniformly distributed thereon. The granular material is firmly attached to the filament so that, when used as dental floss, pulling on the ends of the floss between the teeth allows for aggressive and efficient removal of plaque while moving the dental floss across the surface, as recommended by dentists. In addition, the irregular surface area acts to cause additional frictional interaction between the filament's granular material and the tooth surface, quickly and efficiently removing the plaque and providing a greater surface area for removing plaque. Each filament embodiment may include a microbicide for preventing bacterial growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Vision International Production, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5947132
    Abstract: A flossing loop comprising a closed or continuous loop of dental floss standing, or alternately formed by a length of dental floss having a first and second end, with the first end of the length of dental floss secured to the second end to form the closed loop. A plurality of the flossing loops may be arranged as a cascade of frangibly coupled flossing loops that are contained in a suitable package. The package is configured with a suitable opening, possibly provided as a slot, to enable each respective flossing loop (of the cascade) to be drawn out of the package, one after the other. Once a respective flossing loop is drawn from the package it is detached from the next subsequent flossing loop still substantially located within the chamber, and is available for flossing activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Glen Swanson
  • Patent number: 5913418
    Abstract: A packaged dental floss is provided that includes a predetermined length of dental floss, suitable for a single use to floss a user's teeth, sealed within a cavity having walls of predetermined height, by a sealing film that is constructed to be ruptured by the user to dispense the floss from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Inventor: Pritpal Singh
  • Patent number: 5899214
    Abstract: A dental floss dispenser and applicator to be used with fixed orthodontic appliances, provided for a wearer to clean food, debris, and dental plaque so as to prevent proximal caries and periodontal disease. The dental flosser includes a handle section, a dental floss mounting section, and a single floss support portion wherein the dental floss mounting section and handle section contain a metered floss dispenser and locking means for floss being dispensed, and wherein the floss support contains a through hole to continuously supply floss. The floss support is slender so that it can be inserted into the narrow clearance between the adjacent surfaces of the teeth. The locking means holds the floss taught and allows for easy access to clean floss during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: Shlomo Francis
  • Patent number: 5845652
    Abstract: Improved dental flosses are provided, including multicomponent coextruded filaments and/or filaments having a multilobal cross-section. Some preferred flosses of the invention are capable of bulking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventors: Mingchih M. Tseng, Thomas Craig Masterman, Edward Hosung Park, Michael F. Roberts, Jean L. Spencer
  • Patent number: 5819769
    Abstract: A dental floss system includes a dental floss holder including two pivoted holder elements. Floss is positioned in slots formed at ends of the holder elements. The holder incorporates mechanism for advancing the floss relative to the holder to present clean lengths of floss to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Gregorio Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 5799674
    Abstract: A flossing device having a stabilizing member and preferably a thumb-driven floss movement mechanism. In one embodiment, the flossing device includes a shaft includes an operative end and a distal end, the distal end terminating in first and second fork arms. The fork arms each have a closed end connected to the shaft and an open end, and each include an aperture for receiving dental floss. The flossing device also preferably includes a stabilizing member attached to and between the first and second fork arms, said stabilizing member operable to be engaged by teeth to reduce movement of the shaft when the shaft is inserted into the mouth. The flossing device also preferably includes a thumb-driven floss movement mechanism operably attached to the shaft. This mechanism is operable to cause dental floss to move between the apertures of the first and second fork arms, thereby effectuating cleaning action by the dental floss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventors: Sayel A. Ali, Kassab Al-Mahareeq, Hasan Al-Mahrouq
  • Patent number: 5787907
    Abstract: A dental floss dispenser in a card format formed by a base panel having a shallow well surrounded by a peripheral ridge, and a face panel superposed on the base panel and bonded to the ridge. Adjacent the front end of the face panel are an aperture and a miniature cutting blade. Nested in the well is a supply of dental floss constituted by an unsupported flattened helical coil. The floss filament from which the coil is wound has a starting end at the front of the coil, the filament at the rear of the coil passing internally through the coil to emerge from its front as a pull out lead which is threaded through the aperture in the face panel. The starting end of the coil is bonded to adjacent convolutions and thereby prevent unwinding of the unsupported coil. To obtain a useable length of floss, the user pulls on the lead to partially unwind the coil and then cuts off the length on the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Robert A. Endelson
  • Patent number: 5769102
    Abstract: An automated dental cleaner (320) comprises a subassembly (324) having a pair of pivotally supported spaced tines (336) for supporting a movable floss span (338) therebetween. A pair of capstans (346, 352) are provided for drivingly reciprocating the floss span. Floss supply and take-up spools (340, 342) are arranged for continuously replacing the span. A main assembly (322) includes a housing containing a motor-driven multi-function transmission for driving the capstans and take-up spool, and for reciprocating the tines vertically. The main assembly and the subassembly are detachably connectable to each other for expedient replacement of the subassembly by a user. An additional feature on each tine includes a bracing pad (424) shaped for bracing the fork on teeth and gums. Brush bristles (426, 428) added to the tines help to inhibit fork lateral motion and enable the cleaner to floss and brush teeth simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: DynaProducts, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Zebuhr
  • Patent number: 5762078
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a flosser head (16), detachably connectable to a motorized toothbrush driver (12). A fork portion (20) of the head includes a pair of spaced tines (24) for supporting a movable floss span (22) therebetween. Floss supply and take-up spools (30, 32) are rotatably mounted to the head for replacing the span. A ratchet (42) is arranged to drive the take-up spool by translation of relative motion between the driver and head or the driver and fork, thereby progressively advancing the span. When actuated, the driver reciprocates the fork, or the entire head, for flossing teeth and for continuously replacing the span. The flosser head is interchangeable with a toothbrush head on the driver, so the combination is a comprehensive dental cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Dynaproducts, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Zebuhr
  • Patent number: 5762079
    Abstract: A new Portable floss Dispensing System for dispensing floss conveniently from a portable storage device which prevents the floss from becoming unwound. The inventive device includes an elongated U-shaped member capped at one end by a closing end, a swaged elongated member, a conical guide receiving the floss, then a first and second support brace which guide the floss, and a conical floss securing member secured to the second support brace and securing the floss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Peter Protonantis
  • Patent number: 5749380
    Abstract: The present invention automated dental cleaner includes a housing and a pair of spaced tines supported on the housing. The tines hold a length of dental floss therebetween to form a span of floss. A bracing fork having a pair of bracing tines for straddling teeth braces the dental cleaner against the teeth, thereby allowing the floss to be reciprocated by a motorized drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Dynaproducts, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Zebuhr
  • Patent number: 5722439
    Abstract: A dental floss dispenser in a card format formed by a base panel having a shallow well surrounded by a peripheral ridge, and a face panel superposed on the base panel and bonded to the ridge. Adjacent the front end of the face panel are an aperture and a miniature cutting blade. Nested in the well is a supply of dental floss constituted by an unsupported flattened helical coil. The floss filament from which the coil is wound has a starting end at the front of the coil, the filament at the rear of the coil passing internally through the coil to emerge from its front as a pull out lead which is threaded through the aperture in the face panel. The starting end of the coil is bonded to adjacent convolutions and thereby prevent unwinding of the unsupported coil. To obtain a useable length of floss, the user pulls on the lead to partially unwind the coil and then cuts off the length on the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventor: Robert A. Endelson
  • Patent number: 5680875
    Abstract: A dental floss dispenser having a floss securement mechanism to secure the dental floss with respect to the dispenser body and for use during flossing is provided. One embodiment locks a freely rotating internal spool of dental floss relative to the dental floss dispenser. Both the floss securement mechanism and the spool locking are actuated by the hand holding the dental floss dispenser. The dental floss dispenser may also incorporate a finger grip so that the dispenser can be held by the lower fingers, a contoured shape to better fit the hand of the user, a wide or weighted base for easy pick-up, or a U-shaped indentation for quickly grabbing dental floss at the commencement of flossing. The dispenser is further designed to be used during the flossing procedure as an anchor for the dental floss to thereby allow the user to floss without wrapping floss around at least one finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Inventor: Steven Nebeker Winters
  • Patent number: 5678580
    Abstract: A dental floss dispenser which, from a size and shape standpoint, looks very much like a credit card housed within a protective case. The dispenser includes a floss holder which can be described as flat, relatively thin, of a generally rectangular shape, and preferably made of a relatively rigid material. The case for the floss holder completely surrounds the holder and is open or openable at one end so that the holder may be easily moved in and out of its case. The case can be made of a flexible plastic material--with a clear plastic being preferred. The holder is provided with a supply of dental floss which is preferably wound from side edge to side edge of the holder and about the middle section thereof. This leaves the upper end of the holder free of floss. Near the upper end of the floss holder which is the end initially withdrawn from the case and on one edge of the holder is a notch which is used to engage and hold the floss after a length has been removed from the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: Thomas Mitchell Sherman
  • Patent number: 5678579
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for positioning and moving a flexible element in space. The element is formed into a loop mounted on a pair of positioning handles. The loop, which may be a real or a virtual loop, is mounted on the two handles so as to be movable relative to the handles and to form a working segment of the element between corresponding one free end of the handles, each by one hand or both by the fingers (and thumb) of one hand, positions the working segment in space and manipulation of the loop moves the working segment relative to the handles. The apparatus and method find advantageous application in dental flossing devices, a laparoscopic surgical device or cutting or abrading devices, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Televideo Consultants, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart L. Meyer, Jonathan I. Meyer, Eric S. Meyer, David M. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5664592
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device to aid a user in flossing their teeth. In its broadest context, the present invention includes a supply arm, with an associated floss supply assembly, and a take-up arm, with an associated floss take-up assembly. Furthermore, each of the arms includes a number of recesses formed approximate its rearward end. A band is included which is adapted to be fitted into a pair of the recesses. The band is utilized to place the device in its loading orientation, or alternatively its use orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventor: Todd F. Regnier
  • Patent number: 5657779
    Abstract: An elongate PTFE material is formed by passing an unsintered PTFE tape across a heated surface in sliding contact therewith while applying tension to the tape, such that the PTFE tape, when its temperature is raised by contact with the heated surface, is longitudinally stretched with simultaneous width and thickness reduction while in contact with the surface. PTFE tapes having different properties, e.g. coefficients of friction at opposite faces can be produced. Such tapes are suitable for use as dental flosses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Westone Products Limited
    Inventors: Jacob Moses Blass, John Murray
  • Patent number: 5647385
    Abstract: The present invention automated dental cleaner includes a housing and a pair of spaced tines supported on the housing. The tines hold a length of dental floss therebetween to form a span of floss. A bracing fork having a pair of bracing tines for straddling teeth braces the dental cleaner against the teeth, thereby allowing the floss to be reciprocated by a motorized drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: DynaProducts Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Zebuhr
  • Patent number: 5582195
    Abstract: A closure which allows the dispensing of mouthwash and the dispensing of dental floss from a single container. The closure has apertures through it and a tube reaching very close to the bottom of the container. This tube suspends a roll of dental floss, which is attached to the tube, into the liquid mouthwash inside the container. Apertures in the closure allow a user to dispense some of the contents of the container for rinsing purposes by merely tipping the container as a user would tip a container of ordinary mouthwash. The loose end of the submerged and saturated dental floss attached to the tube of the closure is threaded upward through the bottom of the tube where it can be grasped by the user, pulled to a desired length, cut off by a cut off device and then used to floss the teeth. The cut off end of the floss remains at the cut off device, ready to grasp for the next usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventor: Richard R. Nagel