Patent US5775346A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5775346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Interproximal dental appliances
Assignee: ADVANCED IMPLANT TECHNOLOGIES Inc
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Filing: 1997-04-18
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Granted: 1998-07-07
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Expires: 2017-04-18
Abstract
Abstract Interproximal dental appliances in the form of a floss-type linear media, a pick-type interproximal dental cleaner/tissue stimulator and an interproximal brush, include an elongated base and a plurality of elastomeric flat-faced flanges extending perpendicularly outwardly from the base in a staggered pattern to form a ribbed segment. A handle is provided adjacent to the ribbed segment, and an exteriorly smooth threaded leader or tip formed of a portion of the base extends away from the ribbed segment opposite the handle. The flanges include a first set of flanges spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about the longitudinal axis, and a second set of radially aligned flanges longitudinally disposed in an alternating manner between adjacent flanges of the first set, wherein the first set of flanges is radially offset from the second set of flanges. Moreover, in some embodiments the base comprises a bi-material composite structure that includes a relatively stiff, resilient core and a sheath over the core integrally formed with the flanges.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew J. Szyszkowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C15/00; A46; A46B; A46B3/00; A46B3/005; A61C15/04; A61C15/041; A61C15/042; A46B2200/00; A46B2200/10; A46B2200/1066; A46B2200/108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An interproximal dental appliance, comprising: an elongated base configured for insertion into interproximal spaces between teeth; and a plurality of elastomeric flat-faced flanges extending perpendicularly outwardly from the base in a staggered pattern, the flanges including a first set spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, and a radially aligned second set longitudinally disposed in an alternating manner between adjacent flanges of the first set along the longitudinal axis of the base, wherein the first set of flanges is radially offset from the second set of flanges.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
An interproximal dental appliance, comprising: an elongated base configured for insertion into interproximal spaces between teeth; and a plurality of elastomeric flat-faced flanges extending perpendicularly outwardly from the base in a staggered pattern, the flanges including a first set spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, and a radially aligned second set longitudinally disposed in an alternating manner between adjacent flanges of the first set along the longitudinal axis of the base, wherein the first set of flanges is radially offset from the second set of flanges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The dental appliance of claim 1, wherein the base includes a tapered threadable leader configured for insertion into interproximal spaces between teeth at one end and a handle at a second end, and wherein the elastomeric flanges extend from the base between the threadable leader and the handle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The dental appliance of claim 2, wherein the flanges collectively form a generally cylindrical ribbed segment in a floss-type interproximal dental appliance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The dental appliance of claim 3, wherein the base extends beyond the cylindrical ribbed segment to the handle and to the threadable leader, and wherein the handle comprises a closed loop of the base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The dental appliance of claim 2, wherein the flanges collectively form a generally frusto-conical ribbed segment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The dental appliance of claim 5, wherein the base is generally frusto-conical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The dental appliance of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a bi-material composite structure including a relatively stiff, resilient core, and a sheath over the core integrally formed with the flanges.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The dental appliance of claim 7, wherein the sheath is bonded to the core utilizing an adhesive.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The dental appliance of claim 7, wherein the sheath is bonded to the core utilizing solvent bonding.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The dental appliance of claim 7, wherein the sheath encapsulates an end of the core and forms a flexible leader that is threadable into the interproximal spaces between teeth.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The dental appliance of claim 1, including a third set of flanges spaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, wherein each flange of the third set extends from the base co-planarly with a respective flange of the first set.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The dental appliance of claim 11, wherein the flanges of the first and third sets are pie-shaped, and each respective co-planar pair of flanges extend from the base on opposite sides thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The dental appliance of claim 11, including a fourth set of flanges spaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, wherein each flange of the fourth set extends from the base co-planarly with a respective flange of the second set.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The dental appliance of claim 13, wherein the flanges of the second and fourth sets are pie-shaped, and each respective co-planar pair of flanges extend from the base on opposite sides thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The dental appliance of claim 14, wherein the second and fourth sets of flanges are generally radially aligned with spaces between the first and third sets of flanges.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
118 words
An interproximal dental appliance, comprising: an elongated base including a threadable leader at one end configured for insertion into interproximal spaces between teeth, and a handle at a second end; and a plurality of elastomeric flat-faced flanges extending perpendicularly outwardly from the base between the threadable leader and the handle in a staggered pattern, the flanges including a first set spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, and a radially aligned second set longitudinally disposed between adjacent flanges of the first set along the longitudinal axis of the base, wherein the first set of flanges is radially offset from the second set of flanges.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
118 words
An interproximal dental appliance, comprising: an elongated base including a threadable leader at one end configured for insertion into interproximal spaces between teeth, and a handle at a second end; and a plurality of elastomeric flat-faced flanges extending perpendicularly outwardly from the base between the threadable leader and the handle in a staggered pattern, the flanges including a first set spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, and a radially aligned second set longitudinally disposed between adjacent flanges of the first set along the longitudinal axis of the base, wherein the first set of flanges is radially offset from the second set of flanges.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The dental appliance of claim 16, wherein the flanges collectively form a generally cylindrical ribbed segment in a floss-type interproximal dental appliance, wherein the base extends beyond the cylindrical ribbed segment to the handle and to the threadable leader, and wherein the handle comprises a closed loop of the base.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The dental appliance of claim 16, wherein the flanges collectively form a generally frusto-conical ribbed segment, and wherein the base is generally frusto-conical.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The dental appliance of claim 16, wherein the base comprises a bi-material composite structure including a relatively stiff, resilient core, and a sheath over the core integrally formed with the flanges.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The dental appliance of claim 19, wherein the sheath encapsulates an end of the core and forms the threadable leader.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
The dental appliance of claim 16, including a third set of flanges spaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, wherein each flange of the third set extends from the base co-planarly with a respective flange of the first set.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
80 words
The dental appliance of claim 21, including a fourth set of flanges spaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, wherein each flange of the fourth set extends from the base co-planarly with a respective flange of the second set, and wherein the flanges of the second and fourth sets are pie-shaped and each respective co-planar pair of flanges extend from the base on opposite sides thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The dental appliance of claim 22, wherein the second and fourth sets of flanges are generally radially aligned with spaces between the first and third sets of flanges.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
126 words
An interproximal dental appliance, comprising: an elongated base configured for insertion into interproximal spaces between teeth; and a plurality of elastomeric flat-faced flanges extending perpendicularly outwardly from the base in a staggered pattern, the flanges including a first set spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, and a radially aligned second set longitudinally disposed in an alternating manner between adjacent flanges of the first set along the longitudinal axis of the base, wherein the first set of flanges is radially offset from the second set of flanges; wherein the base comprises a bi-material composite structure including a relatively stiff, resilient core, and a sheath over the core integrally formed with the flanges.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
126 words
An interproximal dental appliance, comprising: an elongated base configured for insertion into interproximal spaces between teeth; and a plurality of elastomeric flat-faced flanges extending perpendicularly outwardly from the base in a staggered pattern, the flanges including a first set spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, and a radially aligned second set longitudinally disposed in an alternating manner between adjacent flanges of the first set along the longitudinal axis of the base, wherein the first set of flanges is radially offset from the second set of flanges; wherein the base comprises a bi-material composite structure including a relatively stiff, resilient core, and a sheath over the core integrally formed with the flanges.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The dental appliance of claim 24, wherein the sheath encapsulates an end of the core and forms a flexible leader that is threadable into the interproximal spaces between teeth.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
The dental appliance of claim 24, wherein the base includes a threadable leader at one end configured for insertion into interproximal spaces between teeth and a handle at a second end, and wherein the elastomeric flanges extend from the base between the threadable leader and the handle.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
The dental appliance of claim 24, including a third set of flanges spaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, wherein each flange of the third set extends from the base co-planarly with a respective flange of the first set.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
80 words
The dental appliance of claim 27, including a fourth set of flanges spaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, wherein each flange of the fourth set extends from the base co-planarly with a respective flange of the second set, and wherein the flanges of the second and fourth sets are pie-shaped and each respective co-planar pair of flanges extend from the base on opposite sides thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The dental appliance of claim 28, wherein the second and fourth sets of flanges are generally radially aligned with spaces between the first and third sets of flanges.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
50 words
The dental appliance of claim 29, wherein the flanges collectively form a generally cylindrical ribbed segment in a floss-type interproximal dental appliance, wherein the base extends beyond the cylindrical ribbed segment to the handle and to the threadable leader, and wherein the handle comprises a closed loop of the base.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The dental appliance of claim 29, wherein the flanges collectively form a generally frusto-conical ribbed segment, and wherein the base is generally frusto-conical.
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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) | 2001-07-06 | 2002-01-05 | 2002-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-06 | 2006-01-05 | 2006-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-06 | 2010-01-05 | 2010-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |