Variable-guage tooth-flossing loops

Details Variable-guage tooth-flossing loops Variable-guage tooth-flossing loops

1996-05-01

2002-04-16

Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)

Toilet

Toothpick

C132S329000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06371133

ABSTRACT:

I.) BACKGROUND OF RELEVANT EARLIER INVENTION
This invention specifically relates to dental-floss generally employed for cleaning of plaque bacteria, and dislodging of debris away from: the interproximal regions of the teeth and gums; -and more particularly, it relates to those types of flossing devices embodied in band or in tape configuration, and provision of some form of dentrifice therewith.
Heretofore, there have been a variety of dental-floss materials ranging from early string like embodiments supplied upon a spool, to resinous bands adapted to a handle with bifurcated prong band holders. Accordingly, background research discovery provides some prior patent-art regarded as germane to this disclosure.
Chronologically for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,491,776(filed: June, 1967 to Floxite Co.) shows a “dental cleaner for removal of tobacco and other stains from teeth”, embodied as a narrow inelastic strip of paper material having a thin wax-coating into which is imbedded abrasive particles. The abrasive is thus able to somewhat move along the surface of the strip during the tooth cleaning procedure.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,511,249(filed: May, 1968 from Australia) shows a “device for dislodging food-particles from between human-teeth”, embodied as a narrow rubber-band like strip having sinuously undulated opposed edges, which irregularities serve to exert a cleaning action when the device is stretched to fit between the teeth in a reciprocal manner.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,800,812(filed: November, 1972 to Pauldan-Indus.,Inc.) sets forth an extruded 1.5-10 mill gauge polyester-elastomer tape which is said to be post-stretched to increase it's resilience; and, may include flavoring and agrasive-particles in the resin or applied after extruced. However, the polymer actually lacks sufficient tinsel-strength for needed durability.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,258(filed: August, 1979) shows an inelastic “dental-floss” having a relatively large compressible diameter in order to provide an increased surface-area, and may be comprised of from one to three twisted strands of dental-floss; in all examples the floss presenting a multitude of random fiberous-hair like extensions therefrom.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,517(filed: October, 1978) shows a “device for cleaning teeth to prevent formation of plaque”, which is a length of string like dental-floss material. It's inventor teaches various methods of connecting the opposite-ends together, in order to provide a continuous-loop in which at least two fingers may be admitted while manually manipulating the device between one's teeth.
In PCT/US80/01293(orig.filed: October, 1979) is shown another type of flosing loop made of a woven-fiberous polymide ribbon material which is formed into a series of chain-like interconnected loops, whereby a loop portion is drawn from a spool-dispenser having an integral cutting-blade enabling a single loop to be readily detatched from the spool-dispenser.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,849(filed: September, 1982) shows a “dental physio-tape” which is a 1 mm-10 mm wide polymer material having obliquely zig-zaging rows of tiny embossed protuberances upon both sides of the tape. The 1.5-3 mill-thickness tape can have antiseptic and antibiotic properties, by including within the tape's polymer-resin such solution or plastizer additives said known to the plastic-molding art.
In U.K. Pat. No. 2,128,133(filed: October 1982) is shown an extruded dental-floss tape constituted by a so called incipiently fibrillatable (given perforations to enhance abrasion against tooth-enamel) polyolefine plastic-film such as polypropylene, which is chilled and roller-embosed for surface texture.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,600(filed: July, 1983) shows a “dental flossing product”, which is a multifilament flossing-thread trained about the fingers of user's tensioning hands. The disclosure teaches means by which the opposite ends of the thread are tied together to form a continuous loop having two tails where joined; the device thus being trained about the fingers of opposite hands while being manipulated between user's teeth.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,741(filed: February, 1984 to Dental-Preventech Co.) shows a “device for cleaning teeth to prevent formation of plaque”, wherein is set forth various methods by which to securely join the ends of dental-floss so as to create a loop 2-4 inches in diameter.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,358(filed: May, 1988) is shown a “floss employing microporous tapes sandwiching paste dentifrice”, which entails a manufacturing process for making a strip of porous polymer material containing a liquid dentifrice which migrates out during usage of the strip between one's teeth.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,643(filed: July, 1987 to Oral-B Co., ULTRA-FLOSS®) is shown an elastic “Chinese finger-cuff like dental-floss”, wherein minute nylon-fibers are woven in an opposing helice-spiral pattern leaving a hollow-center which may be filled with a dentifrice such as mint-fluoride or a cleaning substance. The floss diameter can be controlled by the longitudinal tension applied to it, thus the floss can be constricted to more easily pass between tightly spaced teeth.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,226(filed: November, 1987) is shown an “endless article for cleaning teeth”, which is a loop of elastic material having a circumference of 3-9 inches, and is said preferably ¼-inch wide×{fraction (1/32)}nd-inch(0.0938-inch) thickness guage, but can have a round cross-section of from {fraction (1/32)}nd-inch(0.0938-inch) to ⅛th-inch(0.125-inch) diameter. The surface should be coated with wax or teflon, and is provided with nodules or circumferential-ribs, either of which serving to abrade away debris from the intersections of proximal areas between teeth; and is elastic as to be stretchable for easier placement between the teeth. However while inventor R.G.Wolak of this patent stated that his closest prior-art appeared to be a common rubber-band(or o-ring), and his patent probably represents the most relevant prior-art hereof, it remains that none of the materials (KEVELAR, TEFLON, GIRTEX, Nylon, Polyester, Silicon) claimed for use by Wolak exhibit the necessarily particular attributes of the special polymer material being claimed elsewhere herein by the instant inventor hereof. Moreover, because the materials identified by Wolak do not exhibit the necessary unique combination of modulas-of-elastisity and tensil-strength at the extreme thinness necessary to translate successfully through the frequently very narrow interstitial spaces generally found between abutting teeth; Wolak had thus resorted to provision of a coating of Wax or TEFLON as a way of endeavoring to attain sufficient slipperiness as to facilitate interstitial passage. Owing that the Wolak patent never redeemed itself successfully in the marketplace, it is indeed apparent that the materials involved in his invention did not perform adequately to merit dental-hygienist or public acceptance. The thinnest guage identified by Wolak's materials is said 0.0313-inch(0.7938mm), which is over twice the thickness considered truly workable as a flossing-tape. Hence, Wolak's disclosure was not a truly viable article from a practical standpoint, as it simply did not contemplate the characteristics of a superior polymer material, nor did it anticipate the necessary employment of Polyurethane in particular.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,615(filed: July, 1989) is shown an elastic mono-filament of circular or flat cross-section, and may have a plurality of regularly spaced-apart perforations, spaced-apart transverse-slits, spaced-apart nodules, or spaced-apart knot-like entities; but no specific polymer-material is actually identified or contemplated that would make the device function in the manner prescribed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,012(filed: June, 1994 to Gore & Assoc.,Inc.) is shown an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE) or Teflon® material having a minimum gauge of 50-75 &mgr;m (and a width of 0.5 mm-1.1 mm), which is said to be a single-layer of fibrillation material n

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