US3901251A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental floss dispensing and manipulation systems
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-11-14
•
Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1993-11-14
Abstract
Abstract Combination of separate yet nesting floss dispenser holding unit and a unit for holding free end portion of dental floss provide for operator''s manipulating dental floss while forcefully tensioning it during teeth flossing without discomfort to operator''s fingers. The separate units are structured to be firmly nested during storage periods.
Inventors
- 👤 James A Johnston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 18:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C15/00; A61C15/04; A61C15/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
362 words
In combination, a floss dispensing and holding assembly and a finger protecting floss locking body assembly separatable threfrom for holding a length of dental floss therebetween, a. said floss dispensing and holding assembly comprising, in operative combination, rigid walls defining a floss holding chamber, a dental floss spool within said floss holding chamber, dental floss on said spool, and movable locking means supported on said chamber wall and releasably engaging said spool for releasably holding said floss against movement from said floss holding chamber, said floss dispensing and holding assembly also comprising a rigid narrow wedge-shaped guidance arm pErmanently and firmly attached at an inner wide end thereof to said rigid wall of said floss dispensing and holding chamber and extending to a rounded narrow outer end, an upwardly open receptacle within said guidance arm and an orifice through a wall of said guidance arm near the narrow outer end of said guidance arm and continuous with said receptacle; b. said finger protecting floss locking body assembly comprising a tapered body with a floss engaging orifice at one, narrow, end thereof and a finger engaging surface at the outer, wider, end thereof, said ends spaced apart from each other and a firm wedge-shaped body portion therebetween firmly attached to and continuous with said finger engaging surface and to said floss engaging orifice, said wedge-shaped body portion being of variable width along its length; said tapered body, in one position, firmly fitting against inner side walls of said receptacle within said guidance arm and, in another position of said tapered body, said body being movable freely along a part of the length of said receptacle in said guidance arm and being separable and separate from said floss dispensing and holding assembly; c. a length of said floss extending from said spool through said orifice of said guidance arm and through said orifice at the end of said tapered body, said wedge-shaped body portion fitting into said receptacle in said guidance arm with said length of floss attached to said tapered body whereby said floss is stored ready for use attached to said floss dispensing and holding assembly and to said locking body assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
362 words
In combination, a floss dispensing and holding assembly and a finger protecting floss locking body assembly separatable threfrom for holding a length of dental floss therebetween, a. said floss dispensing and holding assembly comprising, in operative combination, rigid walls defining a floss holding chamber, a dental floss spool within said floss holding chamber, dental floss on said spool, and movable locking means supported on said chamber wall and releasably engaging said spool for releasably holding said floss against movement from said floss holding chamber, said floss dispensing and holding assembly also comprising a rigid narrow wedge-shaped guidance arm pErmanently and firmly attached at an inner wide end thereof to said rigid wall of said floss dispensing and holding chamber and extending to a rounded narrow outer end, an upwardly open receptacle within said guidance arm and an orifice through a wall of said guidance arm near the narrow outer end of said guidance arm and continuous with said receptacle; b. said finger protecting floss locking body assembly comprising a tapered body with a floss engaging orifice at one, narrow, end thereof and a finger engaging surface at the outer, wider, end thereof, said ends spaced apart from each other and a firm wedge-shaped body portion therebetween firmly attached to and continuous with said finger engaging surface and to said floss engaging orifice, said wedge-shaped body portion being of variable width along its length; said tapered body, in one position, firmly fitting against inner side walls of said receptacle within said guidance arm and, in another position of said tapered body, said body being movable freely along a part of the length of said receptacle in said guidance arm and being separable and separate from said floss dispensing and holding assembly; c. a length of said floss extending from said spool through said orifice of said guidance arm and through said orifice at the end of said tapered body, said wedge-shaped body portion fitting into said receptacle in said guidance arm with said length of floss attached to said tapered body whereby said floss is stored ready for use attached to said floss dispensing and holding assembly and to said locking body assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said locking means in said dispensing and holding assembly for releasably holding said floss against movement comprises a flexible cap engaging said chamber wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said locking body assembly comprises also a second tapered body which has a tapered internal chamber with larger diameter opening at one, wide end than the outside diameter of the outer end of said guidance arm and a smaller internal diameter at said wide end than the outside diameter of the inner wide end of said guidance arm and has a terminal portion that has an internal diameter that is less than the outside diameter of the outer end of said guidance arm and said second tapered body forms a releasable attachment on said guidance arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said first and said second tapered bodies are identical in size and shape and are interchangeable in position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said tapered bodies and said guidance arm are pyramidal in shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said locking body assembly comprises said tapered body and a second tapered locking body and said tapered body has a wedge-shaped chamber therein and said tapered body has at its narrow end an orifice which extends from said wedge-shaped chamber therein to the exterior of said tapered body and said second tapered body is shorter than and is releasably held in the chamber of said tapered body, and the tapered body is movable into and out of wedging locking relationship with the receptacle in said guidance arm and said first and second tapered bodies then hold therebetween an extension of the length of floss extending from said spool to said orifice at the end of said tapered body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said locking means in said dispensing and holding assembly for releasably holding said floss against movement comprises a flexible cap engaging said chamber wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said tapered bodies and said guidance arm are pyramidal in shape.
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) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |