Abstract: A credit card size dispenser (10) is provided which is particularly suited for dispensing dental floss. The dispenser (10) includes a thin rectangular housing (11) which supports a spool of floss (12) wound in an oval form to provide an elongated open centre portion (13) into which floss may be drawn from the inner end of the spool (12). One major face of the housing contains an elongate recess (14) which extends into the elongated open centre portion (13). This recess (14) contains, at a level below the major face, a floss lead-out guide (16) at one end and at the other end a severing device (18). The exposed lead-out portion (21) of the floss which extends between the lead-out guide (16) and the severing device (18) is also held below the major face whereby the dispenser (10) has no external protuberances to snag adjacent items.

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.

Abstract: A combination toothbrush holder, floss dispenser, drinking cup and toothpaste holder designed to compactly hold and dispense the above items while maintaining a unified appearance in the shape of a sitting cat. The head portion contains a standard dental floss container. The floss protrudes through a hole in the cat shaped head. A cutting blade is affixed to the top of the cat shaped head for cutting the floss. The midsection of the cat shape forms a drinking cup and also forms an enclosure for a standard toothpaste tube. The base section of the cat shape contains a pair of mating rollers capable of squeezing a tube of toothpaste captured between the two rollers. This happens when the user rotates the tail portion of the cat shape which is rigidly connected to the shaft of one of the rollers. The outside portion of the base contains receptacles for a plurality of toothbrushes.

Abstract: The invention is an improved dental floss holder that provides a convenient frame for the flossing of teeth. This dental floss holder allows a user to advance new floss into place ready for use without contact with the floss for improved hygienics and aesthetics. A novel advancing mechanism allows the user to simply advance the floss while holding the handle and moving a knob with a finger. The fresh floss is dispensed from a spool in the handle and the used floss is collected on a separate spool. Both spools are locked during flossing, so the force from flossing does not move the spools. A brake on the dispensing spool ensures that freshly dispensed floss is at the proper tension for use. Alternatively, friction is applied along the path of the floss to supply tension to the floss as it is being dispensed. Broken floss can be easily reattached to the collecting spool. In the preferred embodiment, an empty cartridge containing the dispensing spool can be used to supply an empty collecting spool.

Abstract: A power-driven dental flossing device has an elongate housing of three casings with an extending housing arm forked at its front, which contains dental floss reels, a dividing gear system, dental floss operating and winding switches, and a powered motor with batteries and/or a transformer. Dental floss across two tines of the forked arm is wound on the two reels, one of which supplies fresh dental floss, the other takes up used floss. The dental floss can be automatically reciprocated between the tines and teeth by pulling an operating switch backward, and also can be manipulated manually by pushing the same operating switch forward. The floss can also be automatically wound in one direction at time to provide a fresh length of the floss, or to rewind it back at any time.

Abstract: A floss dispenser has an essentially cylindrical case, the case including a cylindrical wall with an inner surface and two opposite ends. The case further includes an opening formed in at least one end for receiving a spool having floss wrapped around a hub. A cap is received within the opening in the end of the case. The cap has an annular wall for receiving and centering the hub of the spool when the cap is sealing the opening of the case, and at least one opening formed therein through which floss is threaded out of the end of the case. For securely attaching the cap to the case, a first interlocking engagement member associated with the cap engages a mating second interlocking engagement member associated with the case. The arrangement is such that upon insertion of the cap into the open end of the case and rotating the cap, the first engagement member of the cap engages the second engagement member of the case for preventing the axial movement of the cap relative to the case.

Abstract: A rotationally advanced dental floss holder and applicator assembly that includes a source spool and a take-up spool member to be held in each hand of the user. Dental floss is easily advanced from the source spool member to the take-up spool member by means of rotating the members with the fingers and thereby lessening the time necessary for flossing as well as reducing the amount of dental floss waste. Also disclosed is a dental floss dispenser having a locking mechanism to lock a freely rotating internal spool of dental floss relative to the dental floss dispenser. The locking mechanism is actuated by squeezing the dental floss dispenser and the dental floss dispenser has a finger grip so that the dispenser can be held by the fingers only.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved vial-type floss dispenser. The floss dispenser has a spool of floss mounted upright in a cylindrical container with a unique cap design that allows floss to be smoothly dispensed through the cap of the dispenser, essentially parallel to the axis of the spool of floss. Tangling and snagging problems previously encountered with top-dispense floss vials of this type are avoided by the improved cap design that allows the free spinning of the spool within the container. The top-dispense mechanism of the present invention enables the use of a number of other improved features, including a protective lid that fully covers an exposed leader of floss between uses.

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.

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.

Abstract: A hand-held dental flossing device has a housing with a handle which 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 flossing arm of the housing where it passes an opening and returns into the housing to be attached to 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 which 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.

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.

Abstract: A toothpaste and floss dispenser having an elongated guide body with opposite ends, the guide body defining a dental floss chamber therein, a pair of mounts spaced from each other and attached to the guide body adjacent respective ones of the guide body ends, the mounts having securing portions for adhering the mounts to a wall surface, a guide follower having a sliding interfit with the guide body for movement along the guide body between the mounts, the guide follower having rotational toothpaste tube gripping and winding spool for winding a toothpaste tube thereon to dispense toothpaste from the tube. One of the mounts has a dental floss dispensing passage in communication with the dental floss chamber of the guide body and with the exterior, and a floss cutter.

Abstract: A toothbrush with timer and signalling apparatus having interchangeable periodontal devices. The signalling apparatus is composed of both an audio and vibrating signalling device to alert the user when the preset time limit is achieved.

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.

Abstract: A multiple lock dental floss holder comprises a body cooperative with a spool enclosure assembly to achieve multiple locking of a operative length of dental floss. An intermediate portion of the body of the dental floss holder has a through bore opening on one side to a spool receiving cavity and on the other side to an irregular surface. A spool enclosure piece or base is received into the spool receiving cavity and has an annular cavity between an annular flange skirt and a central hub or base for receiving a spool of dental floss. The central hub or a pin extends through the through bore of the intermediate portion and connects to a cap or cooperates with a pin base also having an irregular surface that is complimentary with the irregular surface of the intermediate portion to selectively achieve a mating or non-mating engagement therewith to selectively allow release or capture of a length of dental floss between the irregular surfaces.

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

Abstract: 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.

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.

Abstract: A dental flosser (10) has a handle (36) with a pair of ends. On one end of the handle is a fork (13) with a pair of teeth (14, 16). On the other end of the handle is a floss reservoir (38) with a spool of dental floss (48) and a centrally disposed spindle (40) mounted therein. A reeling spool (42) is rotatably mounted on the spindle (40) and secured with a screw (41) on the spindle (40). The floss is extended from the floss reservoir (38), through a groove (54) between cross groove (57) and lock device (45), through the groove (20) of the handle (36), through the space between the teeth (14, 16) of the fork (13), through the groove (22) of the handle (36) and is wound on the reeling spool (42). One of the projections (60) engages lock device (45), when the reeling spool (42) is rotated to a locking position, to bias lock device (45) downwardly, thereby clamping a length of floss.

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.

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

Abstract: A dental floss dispenser is shown having two mirror image housing halves formed with a main body portion capturing a spool of floss and an arcuately extending arm with floss guided from the spool through a locking station out of the housing to the free end of the arm and back into the housing along the arm and back through the locking station and out of the housing. A severing blade is provided to sever used portions of floss or selected lengths of fresh floss from the spool.

Abstract: A multiple lock dental floss holder comprises a body cooperative with a spool enclosure assembly to achieve multiple locking of an operative length of dental floss. An intermediate portion of the body of the dental floss holder has a through bore opening on one side to a spool receiving cavity and on the other side to an irregular surface. A spool enclosure piece or base is received into the spool receiving cavity and has an annular cavity between an annular flange skirt and a central hub or base for receiving a spool of dental floss. The central hub or a pin extends through the through bore of the intermediate portion and connects to a cap also having an irregular surface which is cooperative with the irregular surface of the intermediate portion to selectively achieve a mating or non-mating engagement therewith to selectively allow release or capture of a length of dental floss between the irregular surfaces.

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

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

Abstract: A light electric dental flosser with a rechargeable battery compartment includes a motor casing, interchangeably individualized head units, and disposable plastic floss tips that snap mount within the hinged end of the head unit. The floss tips exhibit bidirectional flossing motion provided from a motion translation system including an eccentric cam, a yoke, and an output shaft with a cam follower mechanism that follows a generally Z-shaped tracking surface with a vertical track component and a horizontal track component enabled by the yoke to complete the resulting "Z" movement. The floss tips have a molded-in filament and are molded from a shock absorbing substance which absorbs the vertical component of the "Z" shaped motion upon the application of pressure to the filament thereby outputting horizontal motion until the filament passes through the contact area between two teeth.

Abstract: A self-contained dental flosser, with adjustable tension control and auto-tension locking mechanism, allows flosser to operate and advance the floss continuously in one direction by rotating the spool where the spool gears extend out of the main frame. Operation is as simple as rotating the spool by thumb and adjusting the tension by one finger, if necessary. The flosser contains a total of three parts: 1) an elongated body with a lid containing two stabilizing cylinders, a locking mechanism, two prongs set on an angle for effortless flossing, hollow axles in separate compartments, and a separation wall, 2) one spool for holding the clean floss and 3) the second spool for holding the used floss.

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.

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.

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.

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

Abstract: 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.

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.

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

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

Abstract: The dental flossing device comprises an elongated cylinder, at least a portion of which is hollow, with an extension having a forked end with curved prongs. A commercially-available spool of floss is located on a spindle in the hollow portion of the cylinder. A first locking mechanism holds the floss in a small space between two surfaces with sufficient friction to firmly retain the floss. When relaxed, the floss can be readily pulled through the first locking mechanism. The floss is fed to the exterior where it is stretched across fork prongs. The floss is threaded through a second locking mechanism similar to the first. The two locking mechanisms are controlled by a single external control and, thus, are both activated or deactivated at the same time. They oppose each other, pulling different points on the floss to create and maintain a strong tension in the floss where it spans the fork, thus facilitating flossing.

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.

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

Abstract: The device comprises a rear part containing a motor connected through a series of crown gears and of spindles to a front part shaped complementarily to the rear part, and containing a reel on which a dental floss is wound up, and a truncated-cone element on which the floss winds up as it is used that engages with a spindle driven into continuous rotation, while a small roller with two circumferential races engages with another spindle which is made to oscillate about its vertical axis, so that the dental floss encompasses the small roller and runs between the ends of two branches of a fork and is thus caused to advance swingingly as well as gradually removed after use.

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.

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.

Abstract: A highly maneuverable dental floss holder has two centrally pivoted support members with holding sections extending on one side of the pivot and handle sections extending on the other side. Storage for new and used dental floss is provided between the handles. With single hand operation tension of the floss between the tips of the holding sections can be readily controlled and the dental floss can be selectively advanced.

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.

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.

Abstract: A dental floss dispenser has a wallet sized case with a pair of faces and an apertured dispensing edge. A spool rotatably mounted in the case has a floss winding volume with a radial dimension many times greater than its axial dimension. Floss is spirally wound about the spool. A cutter is mounted on the outside of said case for catching and cutting the floss at the same location.

Abstract: An improved dental floss dispenser is provided and consists of a roll of waxed dental floss having a shaft that is rotatably supported in a chamber of a container with a quantity of powdered baking soda. Spring biased perforated sandpaper in the bottom of the chamber roughens the dental floss when it is pulled out. The container is agitated so that the baking soda can adhere to the roughened dental floss. A cutter on the container is for removing a piece of the roughened dental floss with the baking soda adhered thereupon so it can be utilized in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide when used in areas between the teeth for the treatment of gingivitis.

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.

Abstract: A tooth cleaner device comprising a frame and cover combination for containing a reel mechanism of the form of a spool of strings or dental floss, a first mechanism for rotatably supporting the reel mechanism and a second mechanism for fixedly positioning and holding a segment of string from the reel mechanism for use. The rotation of the reel mechanism on the frame and cover combination about its axis is controlled by a ratchet mechanism which comprises a pawl in cooperation with a ratchet wheel of the reel mechanism. The string to be used is guided through a channel on the frame from the reel mechanism to a pair of legs constituting the second mechanism and additionally fastened to an anchoring protuberance. A shearing mechanism is disposed on the frame for cutting a used string to be readily disposable.