Patent US1476253A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3993085A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3993085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental floss applicator
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-06-23
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Granted: 1975-11-23
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Expires: 1995-06-23
Abstract
Abstract An improved dental floss applicator having an open faced handle for receiving a dental floss dispenser in a press fit. The applicator includes a slidable tension bar member disposed inside the handle for applying tension of the dental floss as the teeth are scrubbed. A thumb wheel advancer is attached to the applicator for advancing the floss from the dispenser as it is used.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward T. Skinner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C15/00; A61C15/04; A61C15/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
In a dental floss applicator having an elongated fork member, fork arms holding the floss therebetween, the fork member and fork arms inserted into the mouth for scrubbing the teeth with the floss, the improvement comprising: a. a substantially rectangular shaped handle attached to the elongated fork member; b. a "U" shaped collar formed around the periphery of said handle, said handle receiving a substantially rectangular shaped floss dispenser inside said collar and compressed against the sides thereof; c. a slidable tension bar disposed inside said handle and positioned between the floss dispenser and the fork arms, the ends of said bar extending outwardly from the sides of said handle, said bar having a notch therein for receiving the floss as it is fed from the dispenser to the forked arms; d. a thumb wheel advancer having a shaft attached to the front of the fork member, said thumb wheel advancer having a slot across the face of said advancer for securing the end of the floss, the floss wrapped around said shaft as the wheel advancer is turned; and e. a floss cutter attached to said handle for cutting the used floss when the floss is removed from said shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a dental floss applicator having an elongated fork member, fork arms holding the floss therebetween, the fork member and fork arms inserted into the mouth for scrubbing the teeth with the floss, the improvement comprising: a. a substantially rectangular shaped handle attached to the elongated fork member; b. a "U" shaped collar formed around the periphery of said handle, said handle receiving a substantially rectangular shaped floss dispenser inside said collar and compressed against the sides thereof; c. a slidable tension bar disposed inside said handle and positioned between the floss dispenser and the fork arms, the ends of said bar extending outwardly from the sides of said handle, said bar having a notch therein for receiving the floss as it is fed from the dispenser to the forked arms; d. a thumb wheel advancer having a shaft attached to the front of the fork member, said thumb wheel advancer having a slot across the face of said advancer for securing the end of the floss, the floss wrapped around said shaft as the wheel advancer is turned; and e. a floss cutter attached to said handle for cutting the used floss when the floss is removed from said shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
236 words
In a dental floss applicator having an elongated fork member, said fork member holding the floss therebetween, the fork member and fork arms inserted into the mouth for scrubbing the teeth with the floss, the improvement comprising: a. a substantially rectangular shaped handle attached to the elongated fork member; b. a "U" shaped collar formed around the periphery of said handle, said handle receiving a substantially rectangular shaped floss dispenser inside said collar and compressed against the sides thereof; c. a slidable tension bar disposed inside said handle and positioned between the floss dispenser and the fork arms, the ends of said bar extending outwardly from the sides of said handle, said bar having a notch therein for receiving the floss as it is fed from the dispenser to the fork arms, said bar applying tension on the floss by slidably urging the ends of said bar toward said handle; d. a thumb wheel advancer, said wheel advancer having an upper wheel and a lower wheel mounted on a shaft attached to the front of the fork member, said upper wheel having a slot across the face thereof for securing the end of the floss, the floss wrapped around said shaft between said upper wheel and said lower wheel as said wheels are turned; and e. a floss cutter attached to said handle for cutting the used floss when the floss is removed from said shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
236 words
In a dental floss applicator having an elongated fork member, said fork member holding the floss therebetween, the fork member and fork arms inserted into the mouth for scrubbing the teeth with the floss, the improvement comprising: a. a substantially rectangular shaped handle attached to the elongated fork member; b. a "U" shaped collar formed around the periphery of said handle, said handle receiving a substantially rectangular shaped floss dispenser inside said collar and compressed against the sides thereof; c. a slidable tension bar disposed inside said handle and positioned between the floss dispenser and the fork arms, the ends of said bar extending outwardly from the sides of said handle, said bar having a notch therein for receiving the floss as it is fed from the dispenser to the fork arms, said bar applying tension on the floss by slidably urging the ends of said bar toward said handle; d. a thumb wheel advancer, said wheel advancer having an upper wheel and a lower wheel mounted on a shaft attached to the front of the fork member, said upper wheel having a slot across the face thereof for securing the end of the floss, the floss wrapped around said shaft between said upper wheel and said lower wheel as said wheels are turned; and e. a floss cutter attached to said handle for cutting the used floss when the floss is removed from said shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-22 | 1987-05-24 | 1987-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |