US3863655A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dentrifice applicator method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-01-02
•
Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1994-01-02
Abstract
Abstract Guide means such as a slot is provided in the open end of the neck of a tube of toothpaste so that a user can draw a piece of dental floss through the slot, picking up some of the toothpaste on the floss for application to and between the teeth when they are cleaned.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard K Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:01
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D35/00; B65D35/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for applying a measured amount of dentrifice to tooth surfaces between the teeth comprising; a. selectively applying dentrifice to part of a length of dental floss by 1. manually pulling a length of dental floss from a dry sterile container, 2. inserting said dental floss, at a space from the leading end, between two opposed open-ended slots, each approximately 0.12 to 0.13 inches deep and approximately 0.04 inches wide, which are formed integrally in the outlet neck of a tube, 3. squeezing said tube until the toothpaste is at the upper edge of the neck, covering said dental floss, and 4. passing the intermediate length of said dental floss through said slots, thereby coating said intermediate length with a measured amount of toothpaste while leaving the leading end and trailing end of the floss free of toothpaste, b. inserting the coated portion of said dental floss between the teeth, and c. moving said dentrifice coated dental floss so as to deposit said measured amount of dentrifice to the tooth surfaces between the teeth.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for applying a measured amount of dentrifice to tooth surfaces between the teeth comprising; a. selectively applying dentrifice to part of a length of dental floss by 1. manually pulling a length of dental floss from a dry sterile container, 2. inserting said dental floss, at a space from the leading end, between two opposed open-ended slots, each approximately 0.12 to 0.13 inches deep and approximately 0.04 inches wide, which are formed integrally in the outlet neck of a tube, 3. squeezing said tube until the toothpaste is at the upper edge of the neck, covering said dental floss, and 4. passing the intermediate length of said dental floss through said slots, thereby coating said intermediate length with a measured amount of toothpaste while leaving the leading end and trailing end of the floss free of toothpaste, b. inserting the coated portion of said dental floss between the teeth, and c. moving said dentrifice coated dental floss so as to deposit said measured amount of dentrifice to the tooth surfaces between the teeth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
inserting said dental floss, at a space from the leading end, between two opposed open-ended slots, each approximately 0.12 to 0.13 inches deep and approximately 0.04 inches wide, which are formed integrally in the outlet neck of a tube,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
inserting said dental floss, at a space from the leading end, between two opposed open-ended slots, each approximately 0.12 to 0.13 inches deep and approximately 0.04 inches wide, which are formed integrally in the outlet neck of a tube,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in whIch said slots have straight sides parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which said slots have curving side walls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
squeezing said tube until the toothpaste is at the upper edge of the neck, covering said dental floss, and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
squeezing said tube until the toothpaste is at the upper edge of the neck, covering said dental floss, and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
passing the intermediate length of said dental floss through said slots, thereby coating said intermediate length with a measured amount of toothpaste while leaving the leading end and trailing end of the floss free of toothpaste, b. inserting the coated portion of said dental floss between the teeth, and c. moving said dentrifice coated dental floss so as to deposit said measured amount of dentrifice to the tooth surfaces between the teeth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
passing the intermediate length of said dental floss through said slots, thereby coating said intermediate length with a measured amount of toothpaste while leaving the leading end and trailing end of the floss free of toothpaste, b. inserting the coated portion of said dental floss between the teeth, and c. moving said dentrifice coated dental floss so as to deposit said measured amount of dentrifice to the tooth surfaces between the teeth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which said slots have a right angle shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which said slots taper in width away from their open ends.
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) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |