Including Rotatably Mounted Thread Spool Patents (Class 132/325)
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Publication number: 20110259360Abstract: A length of dental floss having spaced members, each member including one or more structural features that is/are configured to remove material trapped between teeth. One structural feature included on the floss is a loop, bound at the location of a first knot along a length of dental floss or tape that defines a yieldable snare for capturing food. Another structure that can be included in certain implementations is a brush, which also can be bound at the first knot, that is moveable independently of the loop and is shaped to remove debris from gumline or from between two teeth or from between two implants. Floss or tape so-constructed can be provided in a dispenser having a spindle that supports the floss, a housing that supports the spindle for rotation, an aperture shaped to permit unimpeded withdrawal of the floss and the structural features thereupon, and a cutting element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventor: Stuart Marvin
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Patent number: 8042556Abstract: A dental hygiene apparatus for enabling a flossing of teeth. The apparatus can include a dispensing member and an accumulating member. The dispensing and accumulating members can each comprise a ring with an aperture for receiving a finger. Activating switches can selectively enable a dispensing of dental floss from the dispensing member and a retraction of dental floss relative to the accumulating member. A bobbin within the accumulating member can be rotated by a coil spring that can be rewound. The apertures in the rings can be varied. A floss retaining member can alternatively be retained by a ring, an opposed hook arrangement, or any other arrangement coupled to the dispensing member. Dental floss can be dispensed from a distal end of a post. The dental hygiene apparatus can further include as part of a unified system a finger shield arrangement, which can comprise first and second tubular members.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Inventor: M. William Bowsher
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Publication number: 20110232676Abstract: A dental floss devise comprises two separate rods connected to a length of dental floss. The device may include tooth picking and gum massaging capabilities along with a flossing capability which capabilities may be utilized simultaneously. The device may be disposable. The device may also be multi-use, which provides for attachment of a piece of dental floss cut from a roll to separate rods. In some embodiments of the invention the rods may be equipped with comfortable handles.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2010Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventors: Efin Rubens, Karl Bikhman
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Patent number: 8006709Abstract: The combined toothpaste container and dental floss cap may include a toothpaste container and a removable cap with a hollow chamber and an outlet orifice formed in fluid communication with the hollow chamber. A mechanism for contemporaneously dispensing dental floss and notifying a user when the dental floss is approaching depletion may be situated in the hollow chamber. The mechanism may also include a dental floss spool threaded about a rectilinear worm shaft such that the spool travels along the worm shaft toward a top surface of the cap during dental floss dispensing procedures. An actuating rod with a primary arm and guide arms may be interfitted within the worm shaft and mated with the spool respectively such that the user may selectively access one end of the actuating rod. The actuating rod may rotate during dental floss dispensing procedures and may be oppositely rotated to retract dental floss.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Inventor: Kamran Ebnayamin
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Publication number: 20110203609Abstract: A dental floss holder. The dental floss holder includes a body having a spool case for holding a length of dental floss, a cover for the spool case, a neck extending from the spool case along a first axis, and first and second fingers extending outward from said neck at an arcuate angle. In an embodiment, the fingers may be parallel. A manually engageable clamp is provided with threaded fastener that engages a threaded nut having a compressing flange, so that the compressing flange works against a land provided on the outside of the cover. A pivot post is provided to prevent dental floss from becoming entangled with the threads of the fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventor: Richard Hardy
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Patent number: 7987861Abstract: A dental floss container is provided that may include a container that defines a fluid chamber. A hygienic fluid can be present and may be disposed in the fluid chamber of the container. A spool of dental floss is located in the fluid chamber and engages the hygienic fluid. The spool of dental floss may have a center axis that is oriented in the vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Inventor: Ted K. Grosse
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Publication number: 20110132393Abstract: An arrangement for dispensing dental floss consisting of a container and a cocoon of wound dental floss therein. The cocoon is unwound from an aperture though the centre thereof and the arrangement therefore does not need a hub formed within the container to rotatably mount a spool with floss, as is the case in current arrangements. Doing away with this requirement saves considerable space within the container and therefore substantially less material is required to mould the container. Assembly of the arrangement is also subsequently less expensive.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventor: Mark Nicholas WHITE
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Publication number: 20110088717Abstract: A dental floss dispensing unit comprising a housing and a supply spool coupled to the housing and having a length of floss wound thereabout. The supply spool being adjustable between a locked position, where the supply spool is fixed with respect to the housing, and an unlocked position, where the supply spool is free to rotate with respect to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventors: Russell G. Kalbfeld, David L. Barcus
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Publication number: 20110041870Abstract: A dental flosser includes a housing having a pair of arms spaced apart to define a gap therebetween, a supply core rotatably coupled to the body, a wind-up spool rotatably coupled to the body for rotation in a single direction with respect to the body, a pawl movable between an engaged position that restricts rotation of the supply core with respect to the body assembly, and a disengaged position that allows the supply core to rotate with respect to the body. The flosser also includes an actuator operatively coupled to the pawl and the take-up spool. The actuator is operable to move the pawl from the engaged position to the disengaged position and to rotate the take-up spool in the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Inventors: Russell Kalbfeld, Jason Gross, Richard Demke
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Patent number: 7882845Abstract: A flossing device having internal floss feed in which floss is advanced from a storage chamber inside the handle of the device, through feed gears, to a pair of spaced apart tines. Spent floss is returned through the return gears, the return drive gear having a greater diameter than the feed drive gear, thus ensuring the floss remains taut between the tines. An integral cutter allows the spent floss to be cut off and discarded. The cover over one or both sets of gears may be open at the top and bottom to allow cleaning of the gears. A flexible tile may be included over the aperture through which the floss exits the storage chamber to prevent water incursion therein. A floss advance lever advances the floss by a single action when pressed forward, which creates and maintains sufficient tension on the floss resulting in taut and snug floss between the tines. Optionally, the flossing head has a vibratory device to aid in the flossing action.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2009Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Inventor: Ehsan Filsouf
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Patent number: 7841350Abstract: A credit card type dental floss dispenser for carrying in a wallet or the like. The dispenser comprises a substantially closed housing (57) having oppositely disposed substantially planar wall portions, narrowly spaced apart and a supply of dental floss within. The floss dispenser includes a dispensing area (56) for dispensing the floss including a cutter (64) for severing the floss into desired lengths. The dispensing area is enclosed by a moveable cover (58) in order to improve hygiene and prevent dirt from contamination the floss supply. A floss storage reel may be visible through the housing and may include advertising or other indicia. The dispenser may also include means to prevent rotation of the reel in one direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Inventor: Christopher Joseph Kernot
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Publication number: 20100139689Abstract: A device for flossing teeth includes a base unit defining a handle and a disposable head unit that removeably attaches to a top end of the base unit. An electric motor in the base unit, powered by a rechargeable battery, rotates a shaft upon operation of a switch. A pair of hollow tubular arm members extend from a top of the head unit and terminate at opposing open distal ends to define a gap therebetween. A predetermined length of dental floss is partially wound on a first wheel within a clean floss chamber of the head unit and extends through the arm members and across the gap without contacting the distal ends, thereby preventing the transfer of plaque, food particles and bacteria onto exposed surfaces of the arm members. Used floss is wound onto a second floss wheel in a segregated floss collection chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventor: Victor Couch
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Publication number: 20100095978Abstract: A device to aid in flossing teeth including a jaw hook body, a pair of floss retaining projections on one end of the jaw hook body, and a grip handle at an opposite end of the jaw hook body.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventor: Mark L. Major
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Publication number: 20100024838Abstract: This present invention relates to a process for winding tape to prevent or reduce telescoping of the tape (e.g., dental tape) as it is wound onto a bobbin spool. Dispensers comprising such bobbins are also discussed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Inventors: Harold Ochs, Curt Binner
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Publication number: 20100012146Abstract: A flossing device having internal floss feed in which floss is advanced from a storage chamber inside the handle of the device, through feed gears, to a pair of spaced apart tines. Spent floss is returned through the return gears, the return drive gear having a greater diameter than the feed drive gear, thus ensuring the floss remains taut between the tines. An integral cutter allows the spent floss to be cut off and discarded. The cover over one or both sets of gears may be open at the top and bottom to allow cleaning of the gears. A flexible tile may be included over the aperture through which the floss exits the storage chamber to prevent water incursion therein. A floss advance lever advances the floss by a single action when pressed forward, which creates and maintains sufficient tension on the floss resulting in taut and snug floss between the tines. Optionally, the flossing head has a vibratory device to aid in the flossing action.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2009Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventor: Ehsan Filsouf
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Publication number: 20100006120Abstract: A dental floss holder has a main body and a stretching assembly. The stretching assembly is mounted on the main body and has a mounting member, a one-way rotating bolt, a nut, a spring and a fixing bolt. The mounting member has a base, multiple first pawl teeth and a stud formed on the base. The one-way rotating bolt is mounted rotatably on the stud and has a threaded section having a teeth end and a spring end, an enlarged head formed on the teeth end and having multiple second pawl teeth engaging the first pawl teeth on the base and a through hole accommodating the stud. The nut is screwed on the one-way rotating bolt. The spring is mounted around the stud and engages the spring end of the threaded section. The fixing bolt is mounted on the stud and extends through and holds the spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2008Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: Chung-Shan Shen, Chun-Chiung Shen
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Publication number: 20100006119Abstract: Improvement in floss box for public place, wherein the box comprises a general structure (1) that is defined by a base (2) to be mounted against the wall, and a cover (3) defined in a way to recover all internal devices of the box; the base (2) incorporates a mounting support (4), wherein it is positioned a bobbin (5); the base (2) receives the mounting of the direction pulley (6), which is fixed along with an axis (7) centered on the base (2), said pulley having a small channel (8), wherein the floss box hereby treated characterized by the fact that in the bottom of the channel (8) of direction pulley (6) is provided a perimeter cavity (9); the referred perimeter cavity (9) retains floss (X) along with periphery of direction pulley (6), making the said floss (X) to assume a more favorable condition at the moment of its exposure due to the expelling device (10) action.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2005Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: Marcel Branco Veras, João Alpheu Queiroz Braga, Neslon Gasparotto
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Patent number: 7631650Abstract: A device to aid in flossing teeth including a jaw hook body, a pair of floss retaining projections on one end of the jaw hook body, and a grip handle at an opposite end of the jaw hook body. The grip handle may be a closed loop, an open loop, a padded structure, a pivoting structure, a decorative structure, a structure for holding the tool upright on a surface, or some combination of these features.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2005Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Inventor: Mark L. Major
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Patent number: 7579039Abstract: A method for coating a cleaning region of an interdental cleaning device, which includes preheating the cleaning region to a predetermined temperature. Then, immersing the preheated cleaning region in a coating agent. The coating agent including a flavoring agent encapsulated in a wax, thereby forming a coating on the cleaning region upon immersion. Next, a flow of air is forced across the coated cleaning region in a drip zone, thereby removing an excess portion of the wax and exposing at least a portion of the flavoring agent at a surface of the coating. Then, the coating is cured by cooling the cleaning region.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Braun GmbHInventors: Gerhard Finger, Thorsten Emge, Manfred Klawuhn
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Publication number: 20090199865Abstract: A compact mirror floss container configured to dispense floss, comprising a first clam shell member having a mirrored interior surface and a second clam shell member pivotly coupled to the first slam shell member. The second clam shell member includes a receiving mechanism, wherein a floss cartridge is coupled about the receiving mechanism and configured to dispense floss. An attachment member is coupled to one of the first clam shell member and second clam shell member, configured to selectably couple to a receiving member. The container also includes a securing mechanism coupled to one of the first clam shell member and second clam shell member, configured to selectably couple the first clam shell member to the second clam shell member. The container also includes a cutting member configured to cut floss; and a decorative cover, wherein the decorative cover is selectably coupleable to the clam shell members.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2008Publication date: August 13, 2009Inventor: Charity L. Bish
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Publication number: 20090194134Abstract: A multi-texture dental floss includes distinct and alternating segments having varying textures, including smooth segments and textured segments. The smooth segments are more easily inserted into the spaces between teeth, while the textured segments more effectively remove plaque and other debris therefrom. Methods of making the multi-texture floss are also disclosed, including methods that allow the floss to be made as a continuous thread having a plurality of alternating segments, such that the floss can be wound onto a spool for storage and dispensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2009Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventors: Russell G. Kalbfeld, David L. Barcus
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Publication number: 20090120454Abstract: The present invention includes monofilament dental tapes for removing plaque and/or food debris from interdental spaces of a mammal, which dental tapes have a core body with an aspect ratio of greater than about 5:1 and a first cleaning surface and a second cleaning surface opposite the first cleaning surface, where at least one of the first and second cleaning surfaces includes a plurality of ribs disposed along the length thereof, and where the ratio of the width of the dental tape to the thickness of the dental tape is from about 4:1 to about 25:1.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Inventors: Harold D. Ochs, Josef V. Knutzen, Richard J. Fougere, Alexander Lebovsky
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Publication number: 20090101164Abstract: An oral-product container is disclosed that includes a plurality of breath fresheners contained therein for breath freshening purposes. The container includes an elongated dental instrument (e.g., a toothpick or dental floss) for hygiene improving purposes contained within the container. In the preferred embodiments, the container has a dispensing opening for dispensing breath fresheners. The container preferably has a laterally movable cover mounted to move between a closed state in which the cover covers both the dispensing opening and the elongated dental instrument and an open state in which the cover exposes both the dispensing opening and the elongated dental instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Inventors: Robert Isaac Berg, Tom Hoeltcen
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Publication number: 20090095318Abstract: A self-dispensing dental floss applicator has a U-shaped elongated housing with two hollow prongs set perpendicularly to the body at one end and a larger opposite end to contain a locking mechanism, a dispensing mechanism, a spool of fresh floss and a spool of used floss.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Inventor: Joel Tiphonnet
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Patent number: 7467631Abstract: An improved single-handed flossing device is provided which allows a user to use a high strength floss in order to obtain a relatively high floss tension between two tines of the device. The flossing device comprises a housing within which a floss supply, floss pathways, and a take-up mechanism are disposed. Actuation of the take up mechanism advances floss from the supply and through the pathways. The floss exits the housing and is exposed between a pair of housing tines. The exposed portion of floss is used by the user during flossing. A stop mechanism disposed between the supply floss and the take-up mechanism selectively restrains floss from being advanced. When the stop mechanism is engaged, actuation of the take-up mechanism applies tension to floss. The floss preferably has a relatively high strength, and the flossing device is configured in order to accommodate and capitalize on the characteristics of such high strength floss.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2004Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Inventors: Mark Bergman, David McCombs
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Publication number: 20080289648Abstract: A dental floss holder with improved structure includes a main body, a restraining apparatus for tightening dental floss, a hollow shaft portion, a releasing apparatus, a clean portion having a pair of U-shaped fork arms for cleaning teeth, a connecting arm for connecting the main body and the clean portion, and dental floss, wherein the main body includes an assembly portion assembled and communicating with a supply portion adapted for accommodating dental floss, and a bottom case covering the main body. The assembly portion defines an axial hole thereon. The restraining apparatus is assembled on the assembly portion with a hollow post inserted through the axial hole. The hollow shaft portion is rotatably mounted to the hollow post in the assembly portion. The releasing apparatus disposed on the bottom case for releasing the dental floss to be replaced.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2007Publication date: November 27, 2008Inventor: Nickolas Liu
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Publication number: 20080257377Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventor: Amanda Lynn Burrows
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Patent number: 7370658Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 15, 2004Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Placontrol, Inc.Inventors: Ingram S. Chodorow, Scott D. Salmon
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Patent number: 7305997Abstract: A dental floss holder for storing and manipulating dental floss used for cleaning a person's teeth comprises a housing, a spool, a fork, a bottom board, a fasten wheel, a block member, a sleeve, a retrieving wheel, a retaining portion and a roll of dental floss which is reeled in the spool, wherein the housing has a position base and an assembling zone at two ends thereof being opposite to each other. The fork is fitted on the position base, the block member is assembled on the housing, the retaining portion is assembled on the bottom board, and the spool, the fasten wheel, the retrieving wheel, the sleeve are defined to coaxially assemble with the assembling zone.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Inventors: Nickolas Liu, Ivy Wang
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Publication number: 20070204879Abstract: A handle houses a dental floss supply reel and a dental floss take-up reel in separate chambers. Movement and tension of a single long strand of dental floss through a pair of arched flossing arms is controlled by a new dental floss supply control knob, and a used dental floss take-up control knob. Spring loaded ratchets control the action of the reels. A hygienic cover protects the flossing arms. A small brush stored in the cover cleans the used dental floss of debris.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2007Publication date: September 6, 2007Inventors: Yun Chen, Wei Huang
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Patent number: 7255111Abstract: A dental floss applicator of this invention comprises a housing, a dental floss stick, a floss spool, a spring rack, a take-up wheel, and a rotary knob with a springy ratchet on the inside. The spring rack has a stop portion engaged with a gear wheel fastened to the floss spool to stretch the dental floss, and a press portion extending to the outside of the housing for pressing by the user to loosen the dental floss on the dental floss stick. The springy ratchet releases the stop portion of the spring rack step by step upon rotation of the rotary knob, allowing the used segment of the dental floss to be taken up.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Inventor: Cheng-Chuan Chen
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Patent number: 7243663Abstract: A dental floss dispenser cap for attachment to a toothpaste tube. The dental floss dispenser cap according to certain embodiments of the invention, comprises a housing and an annular base. Upstanding walls form a cylindrical protrusion and a cavity dimensioned to receive the cap of a toothpaste tube underneath. A spool of floss may be placed on the cylindrical protrusion for rotation and dispensing. A cover may be attached to the housing by a first hinge. The cover preferably comprises a notch opening for the dental floss to pass through and a metal cutting member such as a lance mounted to the cover. A lid may be attached to the cover by a second hinge. The lid can be opened and closed to access the dental floss and protect it from contamination when not in use as desired.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLCInventors: J. Lyle Einstein, Jr., John William Colby, Thomas A. Lockwood
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Patent number: 7234473Abstract: A dental floss dispenser having a shape or attaching elements which allows it to be held during flossing. One embodiment has a finger spool which is worn on the finger tip or finger during flossing. 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. A take up spool is 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 a take up finger or fingers. The take up spool is incorporated into the handle of a toothbrush. By using the dispenser or the take up spool in the flossing procedure, time is saved and flossing becomes more convenient and efficient.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2004Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Inventor: Steven Nebeker Winters
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Patent number: 7213604Abstract: A dental flossing tool and dispenser includes a case with an enclosed chamber divided by a partition wall into floss spool and take up reel compartments. A hub mounts a floss spool for rotation within the floss spool compartment. A take up reel is rotatable within the take up reel compartment. A rotator on the take up reel, is at least partially disposed outward of the take up reel compartment. Floss in-feed and out-feed openings in the case communicate with the respective compartments. A length of floss extends through the floss out-feed opening and back into the take up reel compartment through the floss in-feed opening, thereby forming a bight in the floss outward of the case. A unidirectional rotation limiter allows rotation of the take up reel to take up the length of floss but inhibits pay out of floss.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2004Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Advanced Floss Systems, L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Romine
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Patent number: 7156110Abstract: A hand-held dental floss holder, dispenser, floss tensioning, and floss advancing device. The device is configured with one end being a handle and the other being a pair of tips across which dental floss is spanned for presenting to inter-dental spaces. An internal supply of dental floss is housed inside the handle. The floss passes from the supply, moves around floss guides, wraps one or more times around a free spooling clutch spool, exits the body of the device through an opening and is directed to and across the tips of the device and is guided back to a collection spool rotationally connected to a manually-activated one way thumbwheel. In a first position, the gearing of a gear assembly and an internal clutch spool assembly causes the floss to tension when the thumbwheel is turned. In a second position, the disengagement of gearing allows the clutch spool to spool freely, allowing fresh floss to be substituted for used floss, when the thumbwheel is turned.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2004Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Inventor: David H. Landry
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Patent number: 7137396Abstract: A method of removing a false nail from a person's natural fingernail including the steps of pushing the cuticle away from the base of the false nail to expose the base of the false nail; placing a taut string to engage the base of the false nail to be removed; applying pressure to the base of the false nail using the taut string to break part of the adhesive bond between the false nail and the person's natural fingernail; and manipulating the taut string between the false nail and the natural fingernail by moving the taut string from the base of the false nail toward the tip of the false nail in order to continue to break the adhesive bond between the false nail and the natural fingernail in order to remove the false nail.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2004Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Inventor: Bernadette Okane
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Patent number: 7082950Abstract: A dental flossing device is characterized by a flossing circuit comprised of a flossing supply spool and a take-up spool mounted to a housing. The floss feeds from the supply spool along a pair of prongs forming a fork extension of the handle and is stretched across the prongs and appropriately tensioned to be inserted into a users mouth for flossing. To maintain tension, a pair of ratchet pawls are jointly engageable with a ratchet mounted for co-rotation with the take-up spool. The pawls are offset relative to the ratchet teeth to ensure appropriate tension. Tension on the supply spool side of the flosser is achieved with a tension arm in constant engagement with tension teeth co-rotatably mounted with the spool. When a floss advancing trigger is not depressed, a brake pawl formed at one end of the trigger is spring biased into locking engagement with these teeth while the tension arm assures proper tension on the supply side.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Michael KossakInventors: Michael Kossak, Dalita Tomellini, Paul Kotowski
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Patent number: 7011099Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 5, 2003Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Inventor: Mark C. Bergman
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Patent number: 6997191Abstract: A pocket carried dental floss dispensing and cleaning device is provided to permit a user to open the device for use and close the device to secure the tool in a sanitary environment. A spool of dental floss is contained within a pivoting floss support arm removeably mounted a storage compartment. A knob is used to open the device and secure a line of floss during use.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Inventor: Alexander S. Nudo, Sr.
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Patent number: 6895977Abstract: A dental flossing tool for dispensing floss for cleaning the user's teeth. A handle body surrounds a cavity and has a lead riser from which dental floss is dispensed for use. The floss is wound upon a spool that rotates inside the cavity. Floss is paid out from the spool and emerges from a hole in the tip of the lead riser. A button or handle is slidably mounted upon the apparatus for controlling the longitudinal movement of a retainer within the cavity of the apparatus. By sliding the button handle forward and backward, the user can disengage and engage the retainer with a baffle attached to the spool inside the body of the apparatus. When the retainer is in contact with the baffle, the spool is prevented from rotating, thereby stopping any further floss from being dispensed. When the retainer is disengaged out of contact with the baffle, the spool is free to rotate to pay out floss.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Inventor: Chongwei Guo
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Patent number: 6874509Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 18, 2001Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Inventor: Mark C. Bergman
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Publication number: 20040255972Abstract: Provided is a floss dispenser comprises a housing defining at least a receiving chamber with a floss bobbin rotationally received therein. A floss fork is arranged at an end of the housing for bracing a section of floss thereon. A first tension-controlling device is arranged on the housing controlling a tension of the floss after the floss fork. And a tensioner is arranged adjacent to the feeding device controlling the tension between the floss bobbin and the floss fork.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2003Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventor: Chia Ching Chen
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Publication number: 20040244814Abstract: The present invention provides in a first aspect a dental flosser attachment for a toothbrush driver in which dental floss from a spool on or in the attachment is fed via a floss quick release locking mechanism to a floss receiving end of one of a pair of prongs extending from the body of the attachment to a floss receiving end of the other prong and back to the quick release mechanism such that the free end of the floss may be pulled to tension the floss between the prongs, whereafter the quick release mechanism is releasably locked to retain the tension of the floss therebetween, including across the prongs, the quick release mechanism being mounted for reciprocable rotation relative to the prongs to thereby cause the floss to oscillate therebetween when the flosser attachment is activated by the toothbrush driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventor: Frank Joseph Prineppi
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Patent number: 6772770Abstract: A dental device including a combination toothbrush and floss dispenser includes replaceable spools and a pivotable brush portion with bristles on one side and floss posts for positioning floss from the brush portion in a position for flossing.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Inventor: Alexander Williams, Sr.
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Patent number: 6766807Abstract: A dental floss dispenser includes a floss spool having two spool ends and wound with a certain length of floss; a dispenser body including an external dispenser first end wall and an external dispenser second end wall and a longitudinal external dispenser side wall extending between the dispenser first and second end walls, and containing a spool retaining floss bore sized to longitudinally receive the floss spool wound with floss, the floss bore having a bore opening in the dispenser first end wall, a bore side wall and a bore end wall with a spool end recess for receiving an end of the floss spool; a floss panel covering the floss bore opening and retaining the floss spool, the floss panel having a floss panel port through which the floss may be progressively passes when dispensed; a floss cutting element; and a floss bore door hingedly mounted to the dispenser body adjacent to the bore opening, and sized and oriented to close over and cover the floss panel.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Inventors: Snow Ellen Piccolo, Dylan Frank Piccolo
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Patent number: 6766809Abstract: Floss dispensers comprising a body configured for holding and dispensing floss and a gripping arm extending from the body configured to facilitate gripping by the user while floss is dispensed and cut from the dispenser. The body houses a spool of floss and includes a hole for dispensing the floss and a hole for connecting the floss dispenser to a key ring or chain. A floss cutter is included in the body or the gripping arm. In one embodiment the gripping arm comprises an operational key. The gripping arm is either integrally or removably connected with the body. In one embodiment, the body comprises a clam shell case configured to hold the head of a key. In another embodiment, the body comprises a sheath type pocket configured to hold the head of a key. The floss dispensers may also comprise other features, including lights and a toothpick.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Brattesani, Bruce S. McLean
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Publication number: 20040134510Abstract: A toothbrush having a spool of floss stored within the handle, and a forked 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: Arnold G. van Vilsteren, Elaine C. Tivinsky
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Publication number: 20040065342Abstract: Described is a combination writing instrument and dental floss dispenser. The dental floss dispenser includes a floss wrapped spool and floss dispensing cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2002Publication date: April 8, 2004Inventor: Thomas Sherman
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Publication number: 20030226574Abstract: A dental floss dispenser comprising a elongated, cylindrical housing, and dental floss spool mounted within said housing and dental floss wound on the spool. The dispenser has a cover that can be moved between two positions, so that the content of the dispenser is exposed in a first position and is hidden in a second position of the cover. The cover can be attached to the cylindrical part by pivot so that the cover can be turned around the pivot between first and second position, or the cover can be slidably attached to the cylindrical part of the dispenser so that cover can be move between first and second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Inventors: Kaupo Padar, Martti Kolk, Mart Enn Koppel
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Publication number: 20030150474Abstract: A dental floss dispenser and applicator housing a supply of dental floss that also serves as an applicator to assist the user in cleaning spaces between the teeth.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2002Publication date: August 14, 2003Inventor: Michael A. Doyscher