Patent US4215478A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4215478A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental hygiene flossing system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-03-06
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Granted: 1980-08-05
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Expires: 1998-03-06
Abstract
Abstract An article of manufacture for use in dental hygiene is disclosed. The device provides a leader, to which there is attached a thicker "mop" which can be comprised of a plurality of individual string members. The string members can be abrasive to enhance cleaning action. The several string members which form the "mop" would preferably have some absorbent quality in order to retain a desired therapeutic aid such as fluoride or the like. The strings could be alternatively fluoride impregnated. In use, the leader is first passed between gaps in the teeth until the "mop" portion contacts the gap. Sliding action of the abrasive mop between the teeth removes undesirable plaque and massages the gums. In the method of the present invention, individual thread members are added to the leader so that as many strings are placed between the teeth as possible without causing discomfort and the space between the teeth can be filled.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis O. Thomas
- 👤 Raymond E. Boudreaux
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C15/00; A61C15/04; A61C15/045; A61C15/02; A61C15/041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A dental hygiene device for cleaning interdental spaces comprising: a. a floss leader assembly adapted for hand placement and subsequent sliding movement between two adjacent teeth, said leader assembly comprising, (i) a tip member, said tip member being of a generally semi-flexible material; and (ii) a floss leader line attached to said tip member, said leader line being a string member having its end portions attached to said tip member, there being formed a loop by the attachment of said leader line to said tip member; b. an elongated "mop" connected to said leader assembly, said "mop" being comprised of a plurality of absorbant cotton threads arranged in a group, and doubled to temporarily attach said plurality of absorbant cotton threads to said floss leader assembly at said loop; c. connection means for attaching said absorbant "mop" to said leader assembly, said connection means comprising said loop, each of said cotton threads being generally doubled and folded in half through said loop; and d. fluoride impregnation means for impregnating said plurality of absorbant cotton threads with a therapeutic fluoride agent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A dental hygiene device for cleaning interdental spaces comprising: a. a floss leader assembly adapted for hand placement and subsequent sliding movement between two adjacent teeth, said leader assembly comprising, (i) a tip member, said tip member being of a generally semi-flexible material; and (ii) a floss leader line attached to said tip member, said leader line being a string member having its end portions attached to said tip member, there being formed a loop by the attachment of said leader line to said tip member; b. an elongated "mop" connected to said leader assembly, said "mop" being comprised of a plurality of absorbant cotton threads arranged in a group, and doubled to temporarily attach said plurality of absorbant cotton threads to said floss leader assembly at said loop; c. connection means for attaching said absorbant "mop" to said leader assembly, said connection means comprising said loop, each of said cotton threads being generally doubled and folded in half through said loop; and d. fluoride impregnation means for impregnating said plurality of absorbant cotton threads with a therapeutic fluoride agent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said group of absorbant cotton threads comprising said "mop" have a liquid retaining capability.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said tip member is generally conically shaped, providing a minimal diameter pointed end portion and a larger diameter portion at the opposite end from said pointed end.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of dental cleaning of an interdental space between two adjacent teeth comprising the steps of: a. providing a floss material leader line; b. forming a loop with a portion of the leader line; c. adding a plurality of absorbant cotton thread members to the loop by folding the cotton thread members in half across the loop; d. impregnating the absorbant cotton thread members with a therapeutic fluoride agent; e. placing the floss leader into the space between two adjacent teeth; and f. pulling the floss leader and attached folded plurality of fluoride impregnated cotton thread members between the two adjacent teeth.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of dental cleaning of an interdental space between two adjacent teeth comprising the steps of: a. providing a floss material leader line; b. forming a loop with a portion of the leader line; c. adding a plurality of absorbant cotton thread members to the loop by folding the cotton thread members in half across the loop; d. impregnating the absorbant cotton thread members with a therapeutic fluoride agent; e. placing the floss leader into the space between two adjacent teeth; and f. pulling the floss leader and attached folded plurality of fluoride impregnated cotton thread members between the two adjacent teeth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein there is provided the further step of sliding the "mop" structure back and forth in a "shoe-shine" fashion within the inter-dental space.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-08-05 | 1984-02-04 | 1984-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-05 | 1988-02-04 | 1988-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-05 | 1992-02-04 | 1992-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |