Patent US4550741A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4550741A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for cleaning teeth to prevent the formation of plaque
Assignee: Dental Preventech Inc
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Filing: 1984-02-21
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Granted: 1985-11-05
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Expires: 2004-02-21
Abstract
Abstract Presented is a device utilizing a thread-like member for "flossing" teeth to dislodge and remove adherent material that may develop into plaque.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark D. Krag
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C15/00; A61C15/04; A61C15/041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A device for cleaning teeth, comprising: (a) a pair of flexible limp strands of substantially equal length having corresponding end portions in close proximity; and (b) means joining said corresponding end portions to complete a closed loop; (c) said means joining said corresponding end portions comprising a pair of adhesive tabs between which said corresponding end portions are sandwiched.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
59 words
A device for cleaning teeth, comprising: (a) a pair of flexible limp strands of substantially equal length having corresponding end portions in close proximity; and (b) means joining said corresponding end portions to complete a closed loop; (c) said means joining said corresponding end portions comprising a pair of adhesive tabs between which said corresponding end portions are sandwiched.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination according to claim 1, in which said corresponding end portions in close proximity are axially aligned.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination according to claim 2, in which a portion of each corresponding end portion sandwiched between said adhesive tabs is perpendicular to the remainder of the corresponding end portion.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
111 words
A device for cleaning teeth, comprising; (a) a pair of flexible, limp strands of indeterminate length having longitudinally spaced portions thereof in close transverse proximity to each other, the remaining portions thereof being transversely spaced from each other to form the opposite halves of corresponding loops; and (b) means detachably interconnecting said portions which are in close transverse proximity to form a series of closed loops of indeterminate number, which are selectively detachable one from another, said longitudinally spaced portions defining closed loops each of such a diameter that the fingers of a user may be inserted therethrough so as to impose tension on selected portions of a single, detached loop.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
111 words
A device for cleaning teeth, comprising; (a) a pair of flexible, limp strands of indeterminate length having longitudinally spaced portions thereof in close transverse proximity to each other, the remaining portions thereof being transversely spaced from each other to form the opposite halves of corresponding loops; and (b) means detachably interconnecting said portions which are in close transverse proximity to form a series of closed loops of indeterminate number, which are selectively detachable one from another, said longitudinally spaced portions defining closed loops each of such a diameter that the fingers of a user may be inserted therethrough so as to impose tension on selected portions of a single, detached loop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination according to claim 4, in which said portions which are in close proximity are integrally bonded to each other to form cohesive integral masses of said strand portions which are in close proximity for detachably interconnecting said series of closed loops.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination according to claim 5, in which neck means are provided in said integrally bonded portions, said neck means providing a frangible interconnection between adjacent closed loops, whereby a selected loop may be easily detached from said series of loops by a user to provide a single flossing loop.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination according to claim 5, wherein said strand portions which are in close proximity are longitudinally spaced along said flexible, limp strands sufficiently far to produce closed loops of between 2 and 4 inches in diameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination according to claim 5, wherein said strands are each formed from a multiplicity of separate filaments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination according to claim 5, wherein each of said pairs of strands are formed of materials having different characteristics to provide two different degrees of flossing abrasiveness within each of said closed loops.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
86 words
A device for cleaning teeth comprising: first and second strands of suitable flossing material formed into a series of similar closed loops, each said closed loop being of a diameter sufficient to permit a single loop to be used in manual cleaning of the teeth; and frangible means detachably securing each closed loop to a next adjacent closed loop to form said series of similar closed loops into a chain of interconnecting loops of indeterminate length, said frangible means being easily manually breakable by a user.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
86 words
A device for cleaning teeth comprising: first and second strands of suitable flossing material formed into a series of similar closed loops, each said closed loop being of a diameter sufficient to permit a single loop to be used in manual cleaning of the teeth; and frangible means detachably securing each closed loop to a next adjacent closed loop to form said series of similar closed loops into a chain of interconnecting loops of indeterminate length, said frangible means being easily manually breakable by a user.
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) | 1988-11-04 | 1989-05-06 | 1989-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-04 | 1993-05-06 | 1993-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-04 | 1997-05-06 | 1997-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |