And Container Or Support For Thread Supply Patents (Class 132/324)
  • Patent number: 5573021
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved flosser device for holding and manipulating floss during flossing. The flosser employs a forked tine design for retaining the floss, whereby the floss is maintained in an orientation essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle of the flosser, but offsets the tines both onto one side of the handle to make it much easier to view the area being flossed. A slanted base is also provided to allow the flosser to be stored on end, with the tines kept away from contaminated surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Deborah A. Grofcisk, John W. Dolan, John W. Spencer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5570710
    Abstract: A reusable dental floss holder to fasten securely a length of floss at its ends in lieu of winding ends of the length of floss around fingers for removing food particles and plaque from teeth surfaces has cover and base members engaging with each other to fasten the floss to be manipulated easily by hands in mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Inventors: Kuang-Hsing Wei, Kuang-Hung Wei
  • Patent number: 5566692
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a package for dispensing cut brushed dental floss and more particularly the present invention relates to a dispensing package for cut brushed dental floss that allows the removal of a single floss one at a time. The novel dispensing package of the present invention consists of an internal control card with an apex fold line and a rear portion on the opposite side of the apex. The cut brushed floss is placed on the control card in a manner where the floss section of the cut brushed floss is in a zigzag folded position on the interior of the control card, the brushed section is on the face portion of the control card and the threader section is led over the apex to the rear portion which holds the brushed section on the face of the card. The package having the loaded card inside has an opening to permit removal of a single cut brushed floss therefrom, one at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas E. Thornton
  • Patent number: 5560378
    Abstract: A self-dispensing dental floss applicator has a U-shaped elongated housing (1) with two hollow prongs (4a, 4b) at one end and a larger opposite end to contain the locking mechanism and the spool (3) of fresh floss. The locking mechanism composed of a casing (5), two grip pads (7), a spring 8 and a lever (6) with two eccentric friction parts is used to hold the floss in position thus creating the right tension on the floss. After rotating the lever (6) up, a length of floss from the spool (3) is initially pulled through one side of the locking mechanism, spanned through the two prongs (4a, 4b) and then pulled through the other side of the locking mechanism. The used end (16b) of the floss passes through an aperture in the cover (2) and a surplus length thereof is cut off by a cutter. By pulling the floss by hand at the bottom part of the instrument, fresh floss (16A) is spanned between the prongs for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventor: Joel Tiphonnet
  • Patent number: 5544754
    Abstract: In the broader aspects of the invention, there is provided an improved dental appliance comprising a dentifrice package with an applicator at one package end and a hollow base at the other package end. A supply of dentifrice is positioned in the package. A supply of dental floss is positioned within the hollow base and threaded through an exit opening in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Kevin J. Stahl
  • Patent number: 5503168
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Nupro, Inc.
    Inventor: Gang Wang
  • Patent number: 5503169
    Abstract: A dental floss holder is provided with a slot-headed locking axle on which a spool of floss is mounted. A length of floss from the spool disposed within the holder passes through the axle slot and is spanned across two spaced prongs formed on the holder and locked to the axle by being wound on the axle beneath the slotted head after spanning. Tension is selectively manually applied to the spanned floss by the unidirectional rotation of locking cap which is held in position by the slotted head of the locking axle to provide a taut span of floss which can be manipulated between the user's teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: Se K. Won
  • Patent number: 5482466
    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'.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Inventor: Patrick M. Haynes
  • Patent number: 5477871
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: Daniel Sanchez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5469874
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Televideo Consultants, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart L. Meyer, Eric S. Meyer, David M. Meyer, Jonathan I. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5450866
    Abstract: A dental floss device comprises an elongated handle with a U-shaped flossing head projecting from one end of the handle. A strand of dental floss originated from a supply spool containing pre-wound fresh floss passes through the flossing head and emerges back to a take-up spool for containing spent floss. Dispensing floss and providing tension on the floss are controlled by the fingers of the holding hand on both supply spool and take-up spool which are rotatably mounted on the handle. The spools are also detachably mounted on the handle so that spent floss can be discarded and the take-up spool can be cleaned at will with ease and exhausted supply spools can easily be replaced with new, pre-wound spools like cartridges thus making the device reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: NuPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Gang Wang, Yi Zhang
  • Patent number: 5423338
    Abstract: This invention is substantially a device for properly orienting and securing dental floss for the purpose of cleaning the regions between the teeth in a convenient manner. Floss resides in a storage cavity such as can be located in the handle of the device. The floss is routed from the cavity through a system of grooves to a U-shaped member which places the floss between the teeth. A locking mechanism removes slack from the floss and engages a taunt grip on the floss. The aforementioned locking mechanism is readily disengaged to allow advancement to a new section of floss. A compliant sealing member is attached to the locking mechanism to prevent fluids from entering the floss chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Inventors: Rex A. Hodge, Lyn M. Cowgill
  • Patent number: 5415187
    Abstract: Dental filament dispenser is a unique plastic molded unit formed by a housing, a retainer means, and a cover. A filament cut-off element is mounted on the cover and provides a unique way for facilitating the easy grasping of the filament and also completely concealing the filament inside the housing when the cover is closed thereby covering the end of the filament to be grasped. The dental filament dispenser is formed of either one piece or two pieces. The one piece includes the housing, retainer means, and cover molded in one piece. The two pieces include the housing separately molded and the divider member and cover molded in one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: William R. Heneveld
  • Patent number: 5392794
    Abstract: A threadable dental floss (20) is shown in FIG. 3A for cleaning of a user's teeth when said user is wearing braces, bridgework, or the like. The threadable dental floss (20) includes a strand having a first end (26) and second end (26') and a semi-rigid threader (24 and 24') including a curvature formed substantially along its whole length (L'), integrally bonded to and attached to the strand member (22). The semi-rigid threader (24) preferably is made from low friction plastic in an injection molding process. Preferably, multiple sections of the threadable floss are interconnected in a chain-like fashion and are unwound from a dispenser including a spool (FIG. 3B). The user, without having to cut the strand (22), can separate a ready-to-use section of threadable floss (20) with an included curved threader section by simply exerting a small tensile force (2 pounds or less) on the floss chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventor: John S. Striebel
  • Patent number: 5375615
    Abstract: A tool structure including a container housing a spool of dental floss is provided. A dental floss filament from the spool is directed through the housing and extends through a support rod, wherein a plurality of arcuate legs are provided extending from the support rod and arranged separated relative to one another at an acute angulation. The filament is directed through a first of the legs and extends from an outer distal end of the first leg to a second one of the legs to support dental floss therebetween. A free distal end of the dental floss is secured to a lock fastener mounted to the support rod adjacent the origin of the first and second legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Donald W. Wahlstrom
  • Patent number: 5365956
    Abstract: A toothbrush having a spool of floss stored within the handle and a floss holding frame for holding a portion of the floss in a taut condition for use thereof. The toothbrush includes a handle which terminates in a floss holding frame across which floss from the spool may be extended and held tight. The floss spool and the floss holding frame are longitudinally arranged such that a protective cover may be placed thereover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Gregorio G. Guadiana
  • Patent number: 5348032
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Inventor: Robert F. Mason
  • Patent number: 5327977
    Abstract: A cultivator includes a handle having a lower end with a tool member connected thereto. The tool member has first and second spaced-apart tines, each of the tines having an outer tip and being tubular with a longitudinal interior hollow extending to the tip. A flexible member, such as a wire, extends from the hollows of the times and between the tips thereof. There are devices for securing the flexible member in tension between the tips of the tines. Preferably the tines have outer portions which are thinner and harder than inner portions of the tines. For example, the outer portion of each tine may be a tubular insert telescopically received within the inner portion. The devices for securing the wire may include a reel secured to one end of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Anthony Lukashuk
  • Patent number: 5279315
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Ming-Liang Huang
  • Patent number: 5253662
    Abstract: A dental floss holder is provided with a slot-headed locking axle on which a spool of floss is mounted. A length of floss from the spool disposed within the holder passes through the axle slot and is spanned across two spaced prongs formed on the holder and locked to the axle by being wound on the axle beneath the slotted head after spanning. Tension is selectively manually applied to the spanned floss by the unidirectional rotation of locking cap which is held in position by the slotted head of the locking axle to provide a taut span of floss which can be manipulated between the user's teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Inventor: Se K. Won
  • Patent number: 5251651
    Abstract: An improved dental flossing tool having a clamp (clamping means) located adjacent the tip where the flossing material exits the tool serving to clamp the flossing material to prevent entry of moisture through the tip, together with a water-impervious seal (means) for manually controlling withdrawal of the flossing material from the storage area within the dental flossing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventor: Robert F. Mason
  • Patent number: 5246022
    Abstract: A dental floss container holder and floss dispenser having a housing with a front and back portion. A contoured resilient holding device made of closed or open cell foam or neoprene for retaining various shaped dental floss containers and spools. A retaining device may be affixed to the interior of the housing for releasably holding the floss containers within the housing. A guide directs floss from the retained container to the exterior of the housing. A cutter is positioned on the exterior of the housing. The housing may be wall mountable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Inventors: Gina Israel, Bonnie S. LaRussa
  • Patent number: 5232002
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventor: Steven L. McClallen
  • Patent number: 5224502
    Abstract: A hand-holdable flossing device is provided for dispensing and supporting a selected length of dispensed dental floss for use in an operational position within an oral cavity. In general, the flossing device has a front end and a rear end, and an elongated gripping surface extending therebetween for encirclement within a user's hand. The handle portion has a hollow cavity for containing a supply of dental floss, and a passageway formed in the front end and in communication with the hollow cavity to permit passage of dental floss from the hollow cavity through the passageway. The dispensing portion has a base portion operably associated with an elongated portion which extends in an essentially linear direction and terminates in a tip portion. The base portion, elongated portion and tip portion has a continuously extending dispenser bore formed therethrough which permits dental floss to slidably pass from the passageway through the base portion and said elongated portion and exit from the tip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Myles M. Walker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5201330
    Abstract: A dental floss holder is provided with a slot-headed locking axle on which a spool of floss is mounted. A length of floss from the spool disposed within the holder passes through the axle slot and is spanned across two spaced prongs formed on the holder and locked to the axle by being wound on the axle beneath the slotted head after spanning. Tension is applied to the spanned floss by rotating a locking flange which is held in position by the slotted head of the locking axle to provide a taut span of floss which can be manipulated between the user's teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Inventor: Se K. Won
  • Patent number: 5199452
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: Peter S. C. Cheng
  • Patent number: 5186191
    Abstract: A motor driven dental floss applicator for use in dispensing and supporting a strand of dental floss for cleaning teeth comprising a rigid elongated frame having a handle on one end and two laterally spaced, upstanding furcations on the other end, the furcations having floss-guiding portions on the tips thereof by means of which a floss strand may be tensioned and moved therebetween. A supply of strand is supported on the frame. A supply and takeup device is provided for supplying and taking up the strand after it is threaded across the tips of the furcations. An electric motor is provided on the frame for actuating the second means unidirectionally, and a switch is provided for controlling the energization of the motor whereby the strand may be controllably drawn across and between said furcations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventor: Robert J. Loubier
  • Patent number: 5183065
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Inventor: Robert F. Mason
  • Patent number: 5141008
    Abstract: A dental floss applicator having an elongated body, a bow across which the floss is to be stretched, a storage area for a supply of floss, a supply capstan for drawing the floss out of the storage area, a take-up capstan for disposal of the used floss, an axle to support the supply and take-up capstans, and guides to guide the floss between the bow and the capstans. The supply and take-up capstans are coaxial and integrated into one piece so that they rotate together as one rigid-body around the axle. The supply capstan is smaller in diameter than the take-up capstan, therefore, as the capstans are turned to advance the floss they also stretch the floss to generate floss tension. The axle is an extension of the body; it is hollow and it supports the capstans from a direction along the capstans common axis, on the side of the supply capstan (away from the take-up capstan). The guide is also an extension of the body, reaching axially over the supply capstan to guide the floss to the take-up capstan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Inventor: Lawrence L. Lee
  • Patent number: 5139038
    Abstract: An instrument (10) is provided for manipulating a length of dental floss (18) so as to allow for simultaneous cleaning of the sides and the rear of a tooth. The instrument (10) comprises a handle (12) having a channel (14) therein. A pair of prongs (20) extend away from the handle (12) to distal ends that define an axis therebetween. The prongs (20) hold a length of floss (18) between their respective distal ends along the axis. A slide member (28), having a floss engaging member (32) pivotally secured thereto, is slidably retained in the channel (14) for movement along a slide axis located between and extending perpendicular to the prong-defined axis. The slide member (28) moves along the slide axis between a retracted position and an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Inventor: Mohamed M. El Gazayerli
  • Patent number: 5125424
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventor: Ewald Eisen
  • Patent number: 5085236
    Abstract: A dental flossing attachment 10 which imparts oscillatory motion to a strand of dental floss 19 inserted between the teeth. The attachment is adapted to mount on a drive shaft 14 of an electric tooth brush. The attachment has a housing 11 which contains a supply spool 18 and a take-up spool 21. An advancing mechanism is provided whereby fresh floss 19 may be positioned between two prongs 16 at the end of the housing 11 by turning a knob 22 without the need for manual threading of the dental floss through grooves or eyelets. When fresh dental floss is exhausted, the used attachment 10 is removed from the drive shaft 14 and a new attachment 10 is snapped into its place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Inventors: Billie L. Odneal, Charles S. Seidel
  • Patent number: 5076302
    Abstract: A closure (10) for a container, which closure houses a supply of dental floss (20). The closure (10) is adapted for dispensing the dental floss, and may include a tab (40) extending downwardly from the closure (10) for diverting the dental floss (20) towards the interior of the container. In this manner, the diverted dental floss (20) may be wetted by the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Inventor: Srinivas R. Chari
  • Patent number: 5067503
    Abstract: The present invention includes a housing having a plurality of individual sections of dental floss. Each of the floss sections includes a pair of balls in which opposite ends of the floss section are embedded. The balls are removably joined to the housing and mountable between extensions of a tooth brush-like hand tool which is manipulated during the flossing of teeth. The tool extensions are resiliently compressible together via angled face portions of the housing to be disposed between the balls. The tool extensions subsequently extend outwardly to engage the balls to remove the floss sections from the housings for flossing. After flossing, the floss sections are removed from the tool extensions by utilizing a container that includes angled face portions for drawing the extensions toward each other whereby the floss sections are released into the container for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Inventor: Thomas W. Stile
  • Patent number: 5060681
    Abstract: An elongated handle with an internal supply of fresh dental floss and a flossing head including a fork provides oral hygiene. A fresh section of floss is advanced by a one-touch arrangement which concurrently relegates spent floss to a separate take-up reel. The fresh floss spanning the tines of the fork is kept taut at all times as a result of various special expedients including a differential spool and drum and a rack and pinion floss locking arrangement. When the supply of fresh floss on the bobbin is exhausted, the device is discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Robert S. Westbrook
    Inventors: Robert S. Westbrook, Robin L. Hibbard, Robert D. Davis, Erik S. Drews, Jerald M. Henderson
  • Patent number: 5044386
    Abstract: A portable dental care unit is disclosed, including an upper piece and a lower piece. The upper piece has a head portion and bristles which are attached to, and extend generally laterally from the head portion. A base of the upper piece is selectively attached to the lower piece such that the lower piece forms a handle for the toothbrush apparatus. An intermediate portion interconnects the head portion and the base portion and includes a recessed region formed below the bristles. The lower piece has a receptacle for accommodating a first dentifrice therein. A container is received by the recessed region for holding a second dentifrice therein. A closure is selectively engaged with the toothbrush apparatus for provisionally enclosing at least the head portion and the bristles of the upper piece between uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventor: Gary M. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5038806
    Abstract: A flosser has an elongate configuration with a forked arm at one end and an enlarged opposite end for housing a spool of unused dental floss, and a take-up reel for storing the dental floss as it is used. The dental floss is strung from the spool, across the arm, and back to the reel. There is a free knob having a spindle which connects the reel so that the feed knob and reel rotate in unison to reel in the spent floss. There is a cylindrical crown projection at the housing end that mates with the feed knob and encases the spool of unused dental floss. The feed knob and crown projection have a clutch mechanism allowing the feed knob and take-up reel to rotate in only one direction and to frictionally engage and hold the floss at the spool end and to temporarily disengage the floss when the feed knob is rotated to allow a measured amount of fresh floss to unwind from the freely rotatable spool, while simultaneously reeling in a like amount of spent floss into the take-up reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Inventor: Howard H. Ewald
  • Patent number: 5024324
    Abstract: There is disclosed a variety of single-use dental floss spindles and the process for their production from an elongated strip of semi-rigid sheet material such as paperboard, plastic or a combination thereof, such spindles being generally rectangular, preferably about two inches long by three-quarters inch wide or less, and having wound lengthwise thereon about two feet of dental floss. The spindles are preferably provided with arcuate or straight sided indentations on the ends thereof to better retain the dental floss. Other indentations or openings along the mid-section of the spindles optionally are provided for ease of use or facility of manufacture. Preferably the beginning and finishing ends of floss are secured near opposite edges of a face of the spindles and are retained by a strip of self-adhesive tape or the like, the ends and tape having been severed along with the spindle sheet as one of the last steps of the process of products carried out by hand or by machine or some combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventor: Dale Whittaker
  • Patent number: 5020554
    Abstract: A dental floss holder and applicator having a hollow handle for holding a supply of dental floss and a pair of intermeshing gear wheels mounted within the handle for advancing dental floss through a pathway which includes a dental floss anchoring member, a pair of prongs for holding a section of dental floss in position for use and a pair of intermeshing gears in the handle for pulling the dental floss through the pathway. The intermeshing gears are provided with a pawl for preventing the gears from reversing direction. The intermeshing gears not only advance the dental floss, but, in cooperation with the dental floss anchoring member, maintain it in tension while the floss is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Inventor: Andrew S. Feinberg
  • Patent number: 5016661
    Abstract: A dental floss container holder and floss dispenser having a housing with a front and back portion. A contoured resilient material made of closed or open cell foam or neoprene for retaining variously shaped dental floss containers and spools. The retaining material is affixed to the interior of the housing. A guide directs floss from the retained container to the exterior of the housing. A cutter is positioned on the exterior of the housing. The housing may be wall mountable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventors: Gina Israel, Bonnie S. LaRussa
  • Patent number: 5014725
    Abstract: An elongated, planar support member is provided with dental floss about its peripheral edge. Multiple notches extending into the support member at various locations about the peripheral edge thereof expose multiple lengths of floss for flossing teeth. The lengths of floss extending across the notches are at various angles with respect to the longitudinal extent of the support member in order that the interdental spaces between various teeth are conveniently and effectively accessed.Preferably, four lengths of floss are exposed across four notches. Two floss lengths are parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support member and two floss lengths are at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the support member.The peripheral edge of the support member is provided with a groove. In one embodiment of the invention, the floss is fixed in the groove. In another embodiment, the floss is rotatingly positionable in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Linda S. Patscot
    Inventors: Linda S. Patscot, Harold H. Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 4995361
    Abstract: A dental floss tool including two simple snap together plastic parts which form a housing for fixedly mounting a reel of dental floss positioned to supply a length of floss to a support structure comprising two flexible slotted arms and a lock for securing the ends of the length of floss to maintain it under tension across the ends of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Inventors: Moises B. Lorenzana, Vance A. Lorenzana
  • Patent number: 4982752
    Abstract: A dental floss holder includes a pair of elongated arm members (11), including cross member (14) located between said arm members (11). The arm members (11) are attached at first ends (12) and have floss holding slits (23) at second ends (13). The second ends may be squeezed toward one another to fasten the floss (15). The resiliency of the arm members (11) tautens the floss (15) upon the second ends (13) being released. As the floss (15) stretches during use, the arm members (11) may be squeezed toward one another causing the second ends (13) to pivot about the cross member (14), thereby restoring the floss (15) to its taut state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Inventor: Nicolas Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 4972946
    Abstract: There is disclosed a dental hygiene kit including a sealed flat rectangular package formed of a pair of foil lined synthetic plastic sheets sealed together around all the edges thereof and having an end portion which is tearable to open the package. Within the package is a synthetic felt pad about 3.5 by 7.0 by 0.2 cm. folded once to form a square; within the folded synthetic felt pad is approximately 30 cm. of unwaxed dental floss wound on a plastic or paper spindle about 3 cm. by 1 cm. The pad is impregnated with about two cc of liquid consisting of water, about 15% alcohol, and a dentafrice consisting of one or more of the substances thymol, eucalyptol, menthol or benzoic acid. As an alternative to the spindle for the dental floss, the floss may be contained in a transparent plastic bag about 2.5 by 3.0 cm. or may simply be wound in a flat spiral coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Inventor: Dale Whittaker
  • Patent number: 4941487
    Abstract: Dental floss is covered with patches of fluoride so that a flossing procedure will expose a user's teeth to a source of flouride. The floss is either ribbon like or string like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Inventor: Floyd V. VanBeneden
  • Patent number: 4934389
    Abstract: A dental floss dispenser is disclosed, which may be adapted for insertion into an existing cavity found in pump type tooth paste dispensers, or the dental floss dispenser may be used separately without modification. The dental floss dispenser has a housing formed of a base, a circumferential wall extending from the base, and a cap secured to the circumferential wall. A chamber is thus formed between the base, the circumferential wall and the cap for rotatably receiving a dental flose spool therein. The cap has an aperture therethrough, and a hinged portion which may be raised or lowered; a knife blade is secured to the hinged portion in spaced relation from the aperture, and the dental floss is drawn through the aperture and closely received between the knife blade and the hinged portion, and biased to cut the end of the dental floss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Inventor: William L. Pettiford
  • Patent number: 4920993
    Abstract: This invention relates to a dental floss applicator for flossing teeth with dental floss supplied from the applicator. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dental floss applicator for dispensing dental floss and for securing a pre-selected length of dental floss between a supply and take up unit to permit the flossing of teeth without hand contact in the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Mackie
  • Patent number: 4919156
    Abstract: A combination dental device has a fountain pen type housing for a toothbrush, refillable toothpaste cartridge, dental floss dispenser and cutter, and a retractable gum stimulator. The dental fixtures and supplies are replaceable whereby the housing may be permanent of reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventor: Samuel D. Gipson
  • Patent number: 4898196
    Abstract: A flossing device including a handle, the handle having a forward end, having a hollow interior for holding dental floss and having an aperture extending from the hollow interior for allowing the distal end of the dental floss to extend outward from the hollow interior; a first arm member extending outward from the forward end of the handle, the first arm member having an outer end positioned a spaced distance from the forward end of the handle; a second arm member extending outward from the forward end of the handle, the second arm member having an outer end positioned a spaced distance from the forward end of the handle and from the outer end of the first arm member; and structure for positioning a portion of the distal end of the dental floss between the outer end of the first arm member and the outer end of the second arm member and for holding the portion of the distal end of the dental floss tight between the outer end of the first arm member and the outer end of the second arm member, the positioning s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Inventor: W. Jeter Eason
  • Patent number: 4887621
    Abstract: A hollow handled toothbrush that includes a detachable toothbrush and includes a cavity for receiving a spool of dental floss. A support platform is releasably attached for loading and unloading spools of dental floss into the cavity on spool guides. The platform includes a dental floss opening and supports a cutter for cutting the dental floss. A removable screw cap covers and protects the cutting blade and dental floss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Inventor: Louis Vallieres