Tensile thread holder for tooth care

• US 4,941,488 A
• Filed: 04/07/1988
• Issued: 07/17/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reinhard Franck, Rochus Marxer
• Original Assignee: Reinhard Franck, Rochus Marxer
• Inventors: Franck, Reinhard, Marxer, Rochus
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, John J.
• Application Number:
  US07/178,496
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 132/323, 132/324, 132/325, 132/326, 132/327
• US Class Current: 132/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/04 Dental floss; Floss holders
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/046 Flossing tools

Abstract

Tensile threads used for tooth care can be fastened to a fork-type holder. The ends of each thread have thickened portions in the form of knots which rest as abutments when the thread is placed in the holder on the fork-type arms. For storing the threads in a hygenically closable container, a plurality of threads are arranged spaced apart from each other and parallel to each other. The knots on each side of the threads are located in a row and are connected to each other through intended breaking points. The threads are placed in closable containers from which they can be moved individually by means of the fork-type holder. After the threads have been removed by the holder, the holder assumes it correct position of use.

Claims

1. A holder for receiving a tensile thread for tooth care, particularly for cleaning the spaces between teeth, the ends of the thread having thickened portions in the form of spherical knots, a plurality of tensile threads arranged in a row spaced apart from each other and parallel relative to each other, the threads having a length which corresponds approximately to the mounting length in the holder, the knots located immediately adjacent to each other on each side of the row of threads being connected to each other in reduced-diameter intended breaking points, the holder comprising two fork-like arms with free ends, the free ends defining slots for receiving the thread, wherein the slots are provided in spherically-shaped outwardly facing indentations for receiving the spherical knots of the threads, the arms defining outer edges, the indentations being offset toward the middle of the fork-type arms relative to the outer edges of the arms, the arms having shoulder surfaces adjacent the spherical indentations, the shoulder surfaces being offset relative to the outer ends of the arms and being concavely arched, and parallel edges formed between the shoulder surfaces defining sharp cutting edges for cutting the intended breaking points.