Dental floss threader with locking means

• US 4,064,883 A
• Filed: 05/03/1976
• Issued: 12/27/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson
• Original Assignee: Johnson & Johnson
• Inventors: Oldham, George Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Peshock, Robert
• Application Number:
  US05/682,282
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 132/82-93, 32/40 R
• US Class Current: 132/321
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/045 Threading or knotting devices

Abstract

A dental floss threader which is adapted to lock dental floss thereto. The threader includes a semi-rigid shank with smooth surfaces, and an eyelet attached to one end of the shank, the eyelet also being semi-rigid with smoothy surfaces. Associated with the eyelet is locking means responsive to insertion of dental floss therein for locking the dental floss to the threader.

Claims

1. A dental floss threader adapted to lock dental floss thereto comprising a semi-rigid shank having smooth surfaces;

an eyelet integrally joined at one end of said shank, said eyelet being formed by a division at one end of said shank into two filaments, each filament having a cross sectional area less than the cross sectional area of said shank, said filaments diverging in arcuate opposing relationship and converging at a point spaced from said end of said shank thereby forming an elongated loop, said filaments being integrally merged at the point of convergence to form a short, unitary stem at that end of said eyelet; and

locking means integrally joined to said eyelet and responsive to insertion of dental floss therein for locking said dental floss to said threader, said locking means and said eyelet being formed from plastic material, the locking means consisting of a film of plastic material extending from said point of convergence of the filaments a short distance into the plan of the eyelet so that the film connects the converging filaments, said film having a thickness less than the thickness of said filaments, said film being separable between said converging filaments so that when dental floss is inserted into said eyelet, and is urged against said film, said film separates to form a slot therein whereby said slot and separated film portions cooperate to lock said floss in place to prevent slippage of said floss during use.

2. A dental floss threader as defined in claim 1 wherein said film includes a slot near the center thereof extending into said point of convergence of the filaments thereby separating the film into two portions.

3. A dental floss threader as defined in claim 1 wherein the slot surfaces of the separated film portions are textured for greater locking strength of the inserted dental floss.