US3734107A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental floss tooth cleaning tool
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-12
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A tool for holding dental floss and being capable of being manipulated for cleaning interproximal areas between the teeth. The tool has a body member supporting a supply spool of dental floss and a take-up spool. A pair of arms project from the body member and have downturned fingers across which dental floss between the supply spool and take-up spool is stretched tightly. The dental floss being supported across the fingers can be worked between the teeth by suitable manipulation of the tool. The supply spool of dental floss and the take-up spool have a rotatable connection with each other such that when new dental floss is presented to the fingers such floss is simultaneously taken up and held tight.
Inventors
- 👤 I Thierman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C15/00; A61C15/04; A61C15/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
A dental floss tooth cleaning tool comprising a hollow body member, a pair of projections supported on said body member in spaced relation, means on said projections for holding dental floss in suspended relation thereacross, said projections being spaced apart sufficiently from each other such that by manipulation of the tool dental floss suspended thereacross can be worked in an area between teeth for cleaning such area, a supply spool in said body member, a shaft in said body member mounting said supply spool for rotation, a take-up spool in said body member receiving floss from said supply spool which first extends from said supply spool across said projections, a shaft in said body member mounting said take-up spool for rotation, a pulley on each said shaft connected by a belt, the pulley on said supply spool shaft being larger than the pulley on said take-up spool shaft so that said take-up spool will automatically take up floss faster than it is released from said supply spool to cause said floss between the spools to be stretched tight, said belt having a slippage connection on said pulleys at a selected tension of the dental floss to allow for any difference in rate of take-up or release and being elastic to store energy resulting from the greater rate of take-up by said take-up spool to automatically maintain the dental floss taut across said projections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
A dental floss tooth cleaning tool comprising a hollow body member, a pair of projections supported on said body member in spaced relation, means on said projections for holding dental floss in suspended relation thereacross, said projections being spaced apart sufficiently from each other such that by manipulation of the tool dental floss suspended thereacross can be worked in an area between teeth for cleaning such area, a supply spool in said body member, a shaft in said body member mounting said supply spool for rotation, a take-up spool in said body member receiving floss from said supply spool which first extends from said supply spool across said projections, a shaft in said body member mounting said take-up spool for rotation, a pulley on each said shaft connected by a belt, the pulley on said supply spool shaft being larger than the pulley on said take-up spool shaft so that said take-up spool will automatically take up floss faster than it is released from said supply spool to cause said floss between the spools to be stretched tight, said belt having a slippage connection on said pulleys at a selected tension of the dental floss to allow for any difference in rate of take-up or release and being elastic to store energy resulting from the greater rate of take-up by said take-up spool to automatically maintain the dental floss taut across said projections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The dental floss cleaning tool of claim 1 including a ratchet wheel operably connected to one of said supply and take-up spools for advancing the dental floss across said projections, a portion of said ratchet wheel projecting from said body member to provide ready manipulation thereof by the operator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The dental floss cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein said body member includes a pair of compartments one for each of said supply and take-up spools whereby to isolate one spool from the other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The dental floss cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein said body member includes a pair of compartments one for each of said supply and take-up spools whereby to isolate one spool from the other, said projections each having a groove therein for receiving the dental floss to prevent contact of the floss by the user''s hands or mouth except in the area where it is suspended across the projections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The dental floss cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein said body member includes a pair of compartments one for each of said supply and take-up spools whereby to isolate one spool from the other, said spools being arranged for axial removal from said shafts for replacement, and a cover on said body member arranged to be opened for access to said spools.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |