US5033488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental floss
Assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
•
Filing: 1988-12-02
•
Granted: 1991-07-23
•
Expires: 2008-12-02
Abstract
Abstract Porous, high strength (that is, "Expanded") polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) dental floss is coated with microcrystalline wax. If desired, the floss may also incorporate one or more actives tartar control anti-caries antiplaque and/or antibacterial actives and/or dentally acceptable agents such as polishing and abrasive agents, coolants, flavorants and/or coagulants.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. Curtis
- 👤 Jan-Joost Pabst
- 👤 James H. Kemp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K8/00; A61K8/18; A61K8/72; A61K8/81; A61K8/8123; A61C; A61C15/00; A61C15/04; A61C15/041; A61Q; A61Q11/00; A61K2800/00; A61K2800/40; A61K2800/41; A61K2800/412
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A dental cleaning floss wherein said floss is comprised of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene having a tensile strength of at least 68,950 kPa, or polymeric matrix strength of at least 689,000 kPa and a coefficient of friction of at least about 0.08, said coefficient of friction having been increased from untreated polytetrafluoroethylene by having adhered to the surface of said polytetrafluoroethylene a microcrystalline wax having a molecular weight of about 580 to 800.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A dental cleaning floss wherein said floss is comprised of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene having a tensile strength of at least 68,950 kPa, or polymeric matrix strength of at least 689,000 kPa and a coefficient of friction of at least about 0.08, said coefficient of friction having been increased from untreated polytetrafluoroethylene by having adhered to the surface of said polytetrafluoroethylene a microcrystalline wax having a molecular weight of about 580 to 800.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The floss of claim 1 wherein said floss has a coefficient of friction of about 0.08 to about 0.25.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The floss of claim 1 wherein the device incorporates at least one active material selected from the group consisting of anti-tartar active, anti-caries active, and anti-plaque active.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The floss of claim 3 wherein a coagulating agent is also present and is selected from the group comprising: K vitamins (1-4), calcium ions in the form a water soluble calcium salt, blood factors that initiate the coagulation cascade, aminocoproic acid, tranexamic acid, adrelaline, alum, noradreline, iron salts and calcium alginate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The floss of claim 3 wherein anti-tartar active is present and comprises a pyrophosphate and sodium fluoride.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The floss of claim 3 wherein anti-tartar active is present and is selected from the group comprising zinc chloride, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium acid pyrophosphate and tetrapotassium pyrophosphate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The floss of claim 3 wherein anti-caries active is present and is selected from the group comprising sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluoride and stannous fluoride.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The floss of claim 3 wherein anti-plaque active is present and is selected from the group comprising chlorhexidine, hexachlorophene, cetylpyridinium chloride and benzethonium chloride.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The floss of claim 1 wherein said microcrystalline wax has a melting point of about 76°-80° C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3538230A
Cited
US3943949A
Cited
US4029113A
Cited
US4304245A
Cited
US4414990A
Cited
US4645662A
Cited
US4776358A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-22 | 1995-01-21 | 1995-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-22 | 1999-01-21 | 1999-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-22 | 2003-01-21 | 2003-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |