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: 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 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: 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 dental flossing device includes a housing manually grippable by a user, a pair of spaced arms projecting from one end of the housing for engaging the opposite ends of a length of dental floss to be tautly secured along a dental floss axis between the arms, and a drive for displacing the length of dental floss when secured between the arms. The drive displaces at least one end of the length of dental floss, when secured between the arms, through a unidirectional, curved closed-loop planar path defined by the two axes substantially perpendicular to each other and to the dental floss axis. In one described embodiment, only one end of the length of dental floss is displaced in the above-defined unidirectional, curved, closed-loop path; and in a second described embodiment, each of the two ends of the length of dental floss is displaced in the above-defined unidirectional, curved, closed-loop path.

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 floss cleansing device which includes a floss chamber connected by a neck to a bow frame spaced from the chamber. The bow frame includes a post projecting from a proximal end of an elongated shaft having a curved distal end. The shaft is centrally grooved for floss guiding purposes. A debris protective shield extends from opposite sides of the shaft over a major portion of its length. A floss strand extends from the floss chamber along the floss guiding groove in the shaft to the curved distal end of the shaft. The floss strand extends in a bight back to the post, and is there secured.

Abstract: A heat or adhesively sealed envelope containing a coiled predetermined length of dental floss is set forth. Alternatively, a dental floss container is provided wherein a continuous groove is formed within a side and forward wall of the container that merge at a common intersection. Dental floss contained within the container includes an exterior poriton provided with an adhesive strip fixedly secured to the exterior portion of the dental floss to provide a manual securement member to enhance grasping of the dental floss by an individual.

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