Abstract: A dental floss for cleaning food particles and other material from between teeth. The dental floss includes a single strand of nylon material having a thickness of about 0.001 inches to about 0.003 inches and a width from about 0.025 inches to about 0.100 inches and has a tensile strength of about 31/2 pounds to about 25 pounds. The strand is extruded at relatively low temperatures which permits it to be readily colored and flavored. Further, it may be extruded into a plurality of shapes which may be chosen to enhance user comfort. The single strand of nylon material may include about 2% to about 20%, by weight, of a colorant; about 0.1% to about 3%, by weight, of a lubricant; about 0.1% to about 1%, by weight, of a plasticizer; or about 5% to about 30%, by weight, of a flavorant, fragrance, or combination of both.

Abstract: A mechanism for extending and retracting a cosmetic pomade that has a base with a raised portion and a shelf, at least one aperture positioned near the shelf, and a middle portion having a plurality of slots. The mechanism also includes a cup for holding the cosmetic pomade. The cup is positioned within, and has protrusions for engaging the slots of, the base. A spiral guide member is positioned coaxially with the base. The spiral guide member has a helically-shaped track and a substantially smooth portion or extension. An insert is positioned within the base. The insert has at least one radially projecting tab that extends through the at least one aperture positioned near the shelf of the base to contact the substantially smooth extension of the spiral guide member. Preferably, the insert includes two or more tabs and each one of them is made from a flexible material having a relatively low coefficient of friction relative to the material of the spiral guide member.

Abstract: A PTFE dental floss, filled with wax, and having no wax coating, which provides reduced likelihood of fraying and superior lubricity.

Abstract: A brush with improved tuft retention having a handle, a head made from a flowable material, connected to the handle, having a plurality of tuft holes therein, with at least one bristle anchored in each tuft hole with a multi-sided staple. Each staple has a plurality of grooves in at least one side and the grooves in the staples are transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bristles when the staple is used to anchor bristles in a tuft hole.

Abstract: A braided dental floss having increased tensile strength, reduced likelihood of fraying and improved cleaning comprising multiple braided threads of nylon, polyester, polyethylene, PFA, PTFE, Dacron.RTM., polypropylene or mixtures thereof.