Patent US3871393A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3871393A
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US
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Dental floss applicator
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-11-19
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1993-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A dental floss applicator including a fork member, a base section and spaced first and second prong sections extending therefrom. The base and prongs define a generally U-shaped recess between the prongs. Each prong is provided with a channel extending longitudinally therealong, a first longitudinal channel on the first prong and a second longitudinal channel on the second prong. The channel along the first prong decreases in depth towards the free end of the prong and the channel along the second prong increases in depth towards the free end of the second prong. Each channel terminates at the free end of the prong in a notch. Each prong is also provided with a transverse channel at right angles to its longitudinal channel and the transverse channels are in axial alignment. The transverse channel on the first prong is deeper at the point of intersection with the first longitudinal channel than the longitudinal channel and the transverse channel on the second prong is shallower at the point of intersection with the second longitudinal channel than the longitudinal channel. A handle is attached to the base and a reservoir for floss is provided in the handle in communication with the longitudinal channel in the first prong section.
Inventors
- 👤 Franklin Eugene Wharton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C15/00; A61C15/04; A61C15/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A dental floss applicator which comprises: a. A fork member including a base section and spaced first and second prong sections extending therefrom the base and prongs defining a generally U-shaped recess between the prongs, each prong being provided with a longitudinal channel extending longitudinally therealong, a first longitudinal channel on the first prong and a second longitudinal channel on the second prong, the channel along the first prong decreasing in depth towards the free end of the prong and the channel along the second prong increasing in depth towards the free end of the second prong, each channel terminating at the free end of the prong in a notch, each prong also being provided with a transverse channel adjacent the free end thereof at right angles to its longitudinal channel, the transverse channels being in axial alignment, the transverse channel on the first prong being deeper at the point of intersection with the longitudinal channel than the longitudinal channel and the transverse channel on the second prong being shallower at the point of intersection with the longitudinal channel than the longitudinal channel, b. A handle attached to the base, a reservoir for floss being provided in the handle in communication with the longitudinal channel in the first prong section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A dental floss applicator which comprises: a. A fork member including a base section and spaced first and second prong sections extending therefrom the base and prongs defining a generally U-shaped recess between the prongs, each prong being provided with a longitudinal channel extending longitudinally therealong, a first longitudinal channel on the first prong and a second longitudinal channel on the second prong, the channel along the first prong decreasing in depth towards the free end of the prong and the channel along the second prong increasing in depth towards the free end of the second prong, each channel terminating at the free end of the prong in a notch, each prong also being provided with a transverse channel adjacent the free end thereof at right angles to its longitudinal channel, the transverse channels being in axial alignment, the transverse channel on the first prong being deeper at the point of intersection with the longitudinal channel than the longitudinal channel and the transverse channel on the second prong being shallower at the point of intersection with the longitudinal channel than the longitudinal channel, b. A handle attached to the base, a reservoir for floss being provided in the handle in communication with the longitudinal channel in the first prong section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The applicator of claim 1 wherein a keyway extends laterally across the base of the fork adjacent the handle and crossing the longitudinal channels and which includes a key operatively positioned in the keyway and moveable between two positions, a first position permitting unrestricted passage of dental floss through the longitudinal channels and a second position wherein the key restrains the floss from movement through the channels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
The applicator of claim 2 wherein the key is provided with a passage therethrough and a groove across one end thereof, the passage being in alignment with the first longitudinal channel and the groove being clear of the second longitudinal channel so that floss may move therethrough in the first position, and each offset from its respective channel in the second position whereby the key restrains the floss from movement through the channels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The applicator of claim 1 wherein the channels are generally V-shaped in cross section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The applicator of claim 1 including as an additional element a spring biasing element disposed in the first longitudinal channel between the first prong section and the floss reservoir, and adapted to frictionally engage the dental floss.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The applicator of claim 5 wherein the spring biasing element is disposed in the first longitudinal channel at the juncture with the reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
The applicator of claim 2 including a pawl plate having an upwardly extending pallet thereon positioned in the keyway and a ratchet plate having two teeth thereon positioned on the key so that the teeth will operably engage the pallet, one tooth engaging the pallet so as to yieldably hold the key in the second position and the other tooth engaging the pallet to prevent removal of the key beyond the first position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2873749A
Cited
US3734107A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |