Tool for flossing teeth under a permanent bridge
First Claim
1. A flossing tool comprising in combination a first member providing first and second spaced tips, means on the tips for supporting a strand of floss therebetween, a second member having a third tip with a wire extending therefrom, said wire having a hook, said wire being insertable between two adjacent teeth of a person whereby when the tips of the first member are placed on one side of said two teeth the wire may be inserted between said teeth from the other side thereof so as to hook the floss between the pair of tips so that upon withdrawal of the wire from between said teeth the floss is pulled between said teeth where it may be manipulated by the two members for cleaning the adjacent surfaces of said teeth.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dental flossing tool comprising two tool members. One member supports a strand of floss between two closely spaced portions and the other member has a laterally projecting wire with a hook shape at the free end thereof. The wire is insertable between two teeth of a person and hooks the strand floss between the tips of the other member so that the floss can be pulled between the teeth by withdrawal of the wire from between the teeth. Upon such withdrawal, the two members can then be manipulated for flossing the two teeth. The invention has particular application for flossing the supporting teeth of a permanent bridge.
45 Citations
17 Claims
- 1. A flossing tool comprising in combination a first member providing first and second spaced tips, means on the tips for supporting a strand of floss therebetween, a second member having a third tip with a wire extending therefrom, said wire having a hook, said wire being insertable between two adjacent teeth of a person whereby when the tips of the first member are placed on one side of said two teeth the wire may be inserted between said teeth from the other side thereof so as to hook the floss between the pair of tips so that upon withdrawal of the wire from between said teeth the floss is pulled between said teeth where it may be manipulated by the two members for cleaning the adjacent surfaces of said teeth.
- 8. attaching the sections to each other. 9. The tool of claim 8 in which said atttaching means includes at least one flexible prong on one section that
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12. comprises a turn in the wire of more than 180°
- . 13. The tool of
- View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. pairs of cooperating holding means. 15. The tool of claim 14 in which at least one of said cooperating holding means comprises a flexible prong on one of the sections having a holding shoulder engageable with a holding
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17. first and second tips may be wrapped. 18. The tool of claim 17 in which said securing means comprises a spool mounted on the first member and which may be rotated for tightening or loosening the floss at said first and second tips when said portions are wound upon the spool in the same direction.
Specification