Dental flossing apparatus

• US 5,787,908 A
• Filed: 04/25/1996
• Issued: 08/04/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dane Robinson
• Original Assignee: Dane Robinson
• Inventors: Robinson, Dane Q.
• Primary Examiner(s): Manahan, Todd E.
• Application Number:
  US08/637,501
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 132/321, 132/322, 132/323, 132/324, 433/82, 433/118, 433/141, 433/142, 433/143, 601/139, 601/141, 601/142, 601/162
• US Class Current: 132/322
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/047 power-driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/34 driven by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3463 Translation along the axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the bristle holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2204/002 using batteries

Abstract

An electro-mechanical dental flossing device is disclosed for flossing the area between a portion of the tooth and the gum tissue. The device comprises an elongated member coupled to a motor source to effect oscillation of the elongated member. The elongated member includes an intermediate portion and a tip which are capable of being received between the tooth and the gum tissue.

Claims

1. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient, non-abrasive elongated member;

said elongated member including a base portion, an elongated intermediate portion of predetermined cross-sectional configuration, and a tip;

said intermediate portion and said tip being sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth and being sufficiently flexible and resilient to effect the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion; and

at least the intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therebetween;

a handle; and

a coupling releasably connecting the base portion of the elongated member to the handle, said coupling applying a moving force to said elongated member with at least one of a translational and a rotational component to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein both said intermediate portion and said tip are sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said intermediate portion has a generally circular cross-section and a diameter no greater than approximately 0.025 inch.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said intermediate portion has a generally elliptical cross-section with a minor diameter no greater than approximately 0.025 inch.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said coupling comprises an aperture configured to receive said elongated member base portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said intermediate portion has a cross-section circumscribed by a top, a bottom, and respective sides, and at least said sides are arcuate.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said arcuate sides are each inwardly directed concave.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the maximum transverse distance between corresponding points on said sides is no greater than approximately 0.025 inch.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said bottom converges to a point.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said intermediate portion has a generally circular cross-section.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said intermediate portion has a generally elliptical cross-section.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said intermediate portion has a cross-section circumscribed by a top, a bottom, and respective sides, and wherein said bottom converges to a point.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of one of said intermediate portion and said tip are impregnated with a diffusant.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of one of said intermediate portion and said tip are impregnated with a medicament.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said medicament is chosen from the class consisting of fluoride, fluoride releases, germicides, and anti-bacterial releases.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of one of said intermediate portion and said tip are impregnated with a flavor.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said intermediate portion has a cross-section circumscribed by a top, a bottom, and respective sides, and wherein the maximum transverse distance between said sides is no greater than approximately 0.025 inch.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said coupling is detachably connected to said elongated member.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said coupling includes an aperture configured to receive said elongated member base portion.

20. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient, non-abrasive flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and an elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to effect the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion, said intermediate portion extending along a longitudinal line when not moving;

at least said intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source; and

a coupling connecting said base portion of said flossing filament to said motive source and moving said flossing filament with a component of motion out of alignment with said longitudinal line to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion in response to operation of said motive source.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said motive source produces an output drive and said coupling translates said output drive into an oscillatory drive and supplies said oscillatory drive to said base portion to move said flossing filament with said component of motion out of alignment with said longitudinal line and produce said flossing motion of said intermediate portion.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said intermediate portion has sufficient length to extend from the front of the mouth between and rearward beyond adjacent teeth.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said motive source is a motor.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said motor is an electric motor.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said motor produces a rotational output drive and said coupling converts said rotational output drive into a moving force with a force component out of alignment with said longitudinal line to produce said component of motion out of alignment with said longitudinal line.

26. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being capable of being received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion, said intermediate portion extending along a longitudinal line when not moving;

at least said intermediate portion being capable of being received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source; and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source and moving said flossing filament with a component of motion out of alignment with said longitudinal line to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said motive source produces an output drive and said coupling translates said output drive into an oscillatory drive and supplies said oscillatory drive to said flossing filament to move said flossing filament with said component of motion out of alignment with said longitudinal line and produce said flossing motion of said intermediate portion.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said intermediate portion of said flossing filament has an elongated tooth engagement portion with a uniform cross-sectional size and shape along its length.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said elongated tooth engagement portion of said intermediate portion has a circular cross-sectional shape along its length.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said circular cross-section of said elongated tooth engagement portion has a diameter no greater than approximately 0.025 inch.

31. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said intermediate portion of said flossing filament has an elongated tooth engagement portion with a uniform cross-sectional shape along its length.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said elongated tooth engagement portion of said intermediate portion has a circular cross-sectional shape along its length.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said circular cross-sectional shape of said elongated tooth engagement portion has a diameter no greater than approximately 0.025 inch.

34. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said intermediate portion of said flossing filament has an elongated tooth engagement portion with a cross-sectional size no greater than approximately 0.025 inch across.

35. The apparatus of claim 26, further including an elongated housing containing said motive source and said coupling with an exterior sized for grasping by the hand of a user, said motive source being positioned within a first end portion of said housing toward a first end thereof and said flossing filament extending generally coaxially through a second end portion of said housing toward a second end thereof, said flossing filament exiting said housing at said second end and having said free-end portion and an elongated tooth engagement portion of said intermediate portion located exterior of said housing for engagement with the tooth when said motive source is operating.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, further including a filament support positioned at said second end of said housing to support said flossing filament and having a passageway therethrough with said flossing filament extending through said passageway and movably disposed therein.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said filament support is positioned and supports said flossing filament at a location between said free-end portion and said base portion of said flossing filament.

38. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said filament support has a curved portion and said passageway within said curved portion is correspondingly curved.

39. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said filament support is removably attached to said housing.

40. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said motive source provides driving movement of said flossing filament to produce said flossing movement of said intermediate portion, and the apparatus further includes a filament support positioned between said free-end portion and said base portion of said flossing filament to support said flossing filament at a location therealong, said free-end portion and an elongated portion of said intermediate portion extending beyond said filament support for engagement with the tooth when said motive source is operating.

41. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said flossing filament has sufficient flexibility to bend under the force applied thereto resulting from movement of said flossing filament by said motive source to produce said flossing motion of said intermediate portion.

42. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being capable of being received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being capable of being received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source, said motive source rotatably connected by said coupling to said flossing filament to provide rotational drive to said flossing filament to produce said flossing motion of said intermediate portion; and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion.

43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said motive source includes a drive shaft and said coupling connects said base portion of said flossing filament to said drive shaft in generally coaxial alignment therewith.

44. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said motive source provides a unidirectional rotational drive to said flossing filament to produce said flossing motion in response to operation of said motive source.

45. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said motive source provides a non-reciprocating, unidirectional rotational drive to said flossing filament to produce said flossing motion in response to operation of said motive source.

46. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said flossing filament is elongated with a longitudinal axis and the apparatus further includes a filament support positioned between said free-end portion and said base portion of said flossing filament to support said flossing filament for rotation about said longitudinal axis in response to said rotational drive provided thereto by said motive source, with said free-end portion and an elongated portion of said intermediate portion extending beyond said filament support for engagement with the tooth when said motive source is operating.

48. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said motive source is rotatably connected by said coupling to said base portion, and said intermediate portion extending beyond said filament support has sufficient flexibility to bend outward while rotating in response to the centrifugal force thereon resulting from rotation of said base portion by said motive source.

49. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said filament support has a passageway therethrough, and said flossing filament extends and is movably disposed in said passageway.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, further including a housing containing said motive source and said coupling, and wherein said filament support is removably attached to said housing.

51. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said filament support is elongated and has an axially extending passageway therethrough, and said flossing filament extends and is movably disposed in said passageway.

52. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein said filament support has a curved portion and said passageway within said curved portion is correspondingly curved.

53. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said flossing filament has sufficient flexibility to bend outward under the centrifugal force thereon resulting from rotation of said flossing filament by said motive source to produce said flossing motion of said intermediate portion.

47. The apparatus of claim wherein said intermediate portion extending beyond said filament support has sufficient flexibility to bend outward under the centrifugal force thereon resulting from rotation of said flossing filament by said motive source.

54. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth and being configured to effect the flossing action therebetween;

at least said intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source; and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source and applying a moving force to said flossing filament with a force component out of longitudinal alignment with said flossing filament to effect a flossing motion of said flossing filament.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein said force component out of alignment with said flossing filament applied by said coupling includes at least one of a translational and a rotational component.

56. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein said motive source is a motor.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said motor produces a rotational output drive and said coupling converts said rotational output drive into said moving force applied to said flossing filament.

58. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being capable of being received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween;

at least said intermediate portion being capable of being received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source; and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source to effect a flossing motion of said flossing filament with a component of motion out of longitudinal alignment with said flossing filament.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein said motive source is a motor.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said motor produces a rotational output drive and said coupling converts said rotational output drive into a moving force with a force component out of longitudinal alignment with said flossing filament to produce said component of motion out of longitudinal alignment with said flossing filament.

61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said motor produces a rotational output drive and said coupling converts said rotational output drive into a moving force with at least one of a translational and a rotational component to produce said component of motion out of longitudinal alignment with said flossing filament.

62. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, usable with a motive source and a coupling positioned within a housing having an aperture, the apparatus comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament having sufficient stiffness to be self-supporting;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to effect the flossing action therebetween without damage to the teeth when imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein; and

an end member having a first end portion configured for removable attachment to the housing at the housing aperture and a free second end portion, said end member having a first end aperture toward said first end portion communicating with the housing aperture and a second end aperture in said second end portion with a passageway extending between said first and second end apertures, said flossing filament being movably disposed in said end member passageway, said flossing filament extending through said second end aperture with said filament free-end portion and at least a portion of said intermediate portion positioned outward of said end member, and extending through said first end aperture with said filament base portion positioned within said housing when said first end portion of said end member is attached to the housing, said filament base portion being configured for releasable connection by the coupling to the motive source so that when so attached said flossing motion is imparted to at least said portion of said intermediate portion positioned outward of said end member in response to operation of the motive source.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, further including a seal positioned between said first end portion of said end member and the housing at the housing aperture to provide a water tight seal between said end member and the housing to restrict the flow of water into the housing aperture when said end member is attached to the housing.

64. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein said end member first end portion includes a tip member having a first end configured for removable attachment to the housing at the housing aperture and a second end, and said second end portion includes a curved end piece having a first end configured for removable attachment to said tip member second end and a free second end, said end member first end aperture being located in said first end of said removable end piece and said end member second end aperture being located in said free second end of said removable end piece.

65. The apparatus of claim 64 wherein said tip member first end forms an interior chamber sized to receive at least a portion of the coupling therein by which said filament base portion is releasably connected to the motive source.

66. A method for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

providing a motive source;

providing a flexible, resilient flossing filament having a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to effect the flossing action between adjacent teeth by producing a flossing motion when driven by said motive source;

positioning said intermediate portion and said free-end portion between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from the front of the mouth;

positioning at least said intermediate portion in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein; and

driving said flossing filament with said motive source to produce said flossing motion of said intermediate portion.

67. The method of claim 66 wherein the step of driving said flossing filament includes moving said flossing filament with a rotational component to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion.

68. The method of claim 66, further including releasably connecting said base portion to said motive source using a coupling to effect said flossing motion of said intermediate portion prior to the step of driving said flossing filament.

69. The method of claim 68, further including detaching said base portion from said motive source and replacing said detached flossing filament with a new replacement flossing filament prior to the step of driving said replacement flossing filament with said motive source.

70. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being capable of being received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being capable of being received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source,

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion, said motive source being rotatably connected by said coupling to said flossing filament to rotate said flossing filament to produce said flossing motion;

an elongated housing containing said motive source and said coupling with an exterior sized for grasping by the hand of a user, said motive source being positioned within a first end portion of said housing toward a first end thereof and said flossing filament extending generally coaxially through a second end portion of said housing toward a second end thereof, said flossing filament exiting said housing at said second end and having said free-end portion and an elongated tooth engagement portion of said intermediate portion located exterior of said housing for engagement with the tooth when said motive source is operating; and

a filament support positioned at said second end of said housing to support said flossing filament and having a passageway therethrough with said flossing filament extending through said passageway and movably disposed therein, said flossing filament being rotatably disposed in said passageway of said filament support.

71. The apparatus of claim 70 wherein said motive source is rotatably connected by said coupling to said base portion, and said filament support is positioned and supports said flossing filament at a location between said free-end portion and said base portion of said flossing filament.

72. The apparatus claim 70 wherein said flossing filament is loosely disposed within said passageway.

73. The apparatus of claim 70 wherein said elongated tooth engagement portion of said intermediate portion is located exterior of said filament support and said intermediate portion extending beyond said filament support has sufficient flexibility to bend outward while rotating in response to the centrifugal force thereon resulting from rotation of said flossing filament by said motive source.

74. The apparatus of claim 70 wherein said motive source provides a unidirectional rotational drive to said flossing filament to produce said flossing motion in response to operation of said motive source.

75. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a motive source;

a flexible, resilient flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being capable of being received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being capable of being received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a filament support positioned between said free-end portion and said base portion of said flossing filament to support said flossing filament at a location therealong, said free-end portion and an elongated portion of said intermediate portion extending beyond said filament support for engagement with the tooth when said motive source is operating; and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source and providing driving force to said flossing filament out of longitudinal alignment with said flossing filament to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion, said intermediate portion extending beyond said filament support having sufficient flexibility to bend outward under said driving force applied to said flossing filament, said coupling providing said driving force with sufficient force to bend outward said intermediate portion extending beyond said filament support and move said bent intermediate portion about to produce said flossing movement of said intermediate portion.

76. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein said filament support has a passageway therethrough and said flossing filament extends and is movably disposed in said passageway.

77. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being capable of being received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being capable of being received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source, said motive source producing an output drive; and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion, said coupling translating said output drive into an oscillatory drive and supplying said oscillatory drive to said flossing filament to move said flossing filament along a generally translatory path of travel to produce said flossing motion of said intermediate portion.

78. The apparatus of claim 77 wherein said output drive of said motive source is a rotational drive, and said coupling translates said rotational drive into said oscillatory drive.

79. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive, elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting effect the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source, said motive source producing an output drive; and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source and imparting said flossing motion to said intermediate portion in response to operation of said motive source, said coupling providing an oscillatory drive to said flossing filament to move said flossing filament along a generally translatory path of travel to produce said flossing motion of said intermediate portion.

80. The apparatus of claim 79 wherein said motive source is a motor producing a rotational drive as said output drive and said coupling translates said rotational drive into said oscillatory drive.

81. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient, non-abrasive flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and an elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source; and

a coupling connecting said base portion of said flossing filament to said motive source and imparting said flossing motion to said intermediate portion in response to operation of said motive source, said coupling imparting said flossing motion to said intermediate portion with a rotational component.

82. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament having sufficient stiffness to be self-supporting;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion being composed of a material having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to effect the flossing action therebetween without damage to the teeth by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion, said intermediate portion extending along a longitudinal extension line when not moving;

at least said intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source; and

a coupling connecting said base portion of said flossing filament to said motive source and moving said intermediate portion among a plurality of positions substantially out of alignment with said longitudinal line to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion.

83. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient, non-abrasive flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and an elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source, said motive source being rotatably connected by said coupling to said base portion to provide rotational drive to said flossing filament to produce said flossing motion; and

a coupling connecting said base portion of said flossing filament to said motive source and imparting said flossing motion to said intermediate portion in response to operation of said motive source.

84. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament,

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being capable of being received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being capable of being received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source; and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion, said coupling imparting said flossing motion to said intermediate portion with a rotational component.

85. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient, non-abrasive flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and an elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source, said motive source producing a rotational output drive; and

a coupling connecting said base portion of said flossing filament to said motive source and imparting said flossing motion to said intermediate portion in response to operation of said motive source, said motive source being connected by said coupling to said base portion to supply said rotational output drive to said flossing filament to move said flossing filament along a generally conical path of travel to produce said flossing motion of said intermediate portion.

86. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being capable of being received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being capable of being received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source, said motive source producing a rotational output drive; and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion, said motive source being connected by said coupling to said flossing filament to supply said rotational output drive to said flossing filament to move said flossing filament along a generally conical path of travel to produce said flossing motion of said intermediate portion.

87. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underling the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being capable of being received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being capable of being received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source, said motive source producing a rotational output drive, and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion, said coupling translating said rotational drive into an oscillatory drive and supplying said oscillatory drive to said flossing filament to produce said flossing motion of said intermediate portion.

88. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being capable of being received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being capable of being received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source, said motive source producing an output drive; and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion, said coupling translating said output drive into a rotational drive and supplying said rotational drive to said flossing filament to produce said flossing motion of said intermediate portion.

89. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient, non-abrasive flossing filament,

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and an elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source, said motive source producing a rotational output drive; and

a coupling connecting said base portion of said flossing filament to said motive source and imparting said flossing motion to said intermediate portion in response to operation of said motive source, said coupling translating said rotational drive into an oscillatory drive and supplying said oscillatory drive to said base portion to produce said flossing motion of said intermediate portion.

90. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible flossing filament having sufficient stiffness to be self-supporting;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, said intermediate portion being sufficiently flexible to effect the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source; and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source and applying a moving force to said flossing filament with at least one of a translational and a rotational component to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion in response to operation of said motive source.

91. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient, non-abrasive flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, an intermediate portion, and a tip;

said intermediate portion and said tip sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to effect the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion, said intermediate portion extending along a longitudinal extension line when not moving;

at least said intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source to supply drive force to said flossing filament; and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source and moving said flossing filament such that said intermediate portion moves alone a plurality of positions substantially out of alignment with said longitudinal line to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion, said coupling transmitting sufficient drive force supplied by said motive source to said flossing filament to clean the surfaces of teeth without damaging the teeth.

92. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a motive source;

a flexible, resilient flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to effect the flossing action therebetween by producing a flossing motion when driven by said motive source, said intermediate portion extending alone a longitudinal line when not driven by said motive source;

at least said intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein; and

a coupling drivingly connecting said flossing filament to said motive source and moving said flossing filament with a component of motion out of alignment with said longitudinal line to produce said flossing motion of said intermediate portion.

93. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient, non-abrasive flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, an intermediate portion, and a tip;

said intermediate portion and said tip being capable of being received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth and being capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween;

at least said intermediate portion being capable of being received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motor producing a rotational output drive; and

a coupling connecting said base portion of said flossing filament to said motor, said coupling converting said rotational output drive into a moving force applied to said flossing filament which moves said flossing filament along a path of travel substantially out of alignment with said flossing filament when at rest to effect a flossing motion of said flossing filament.

94. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient, non-abrasive flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and an elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source, said motive source producing an output drive; and

a coupling connecting said base portion of said flossing filament to said motive source and imparting said flossing motion to said intermediate portion in response to operation of said motive source, said coupling translating said output drive into a rotational drive and supplying said rotational drive to said base portion to produce said flossing motion of said intermediate portion.

95. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive elongated intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to effect the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motor producing an output drive; and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motor to transmit said output drive to said flossing filament and thereby move said flossing filament with a component of motion which imparts said flossing motion to said intermediate portion.

96. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and an intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being sized to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source; and

a coupling connecting said base portion of said flossing filament to said motive source and moving said flossing filament with a rotational component to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion in response to operation of said motive source.

97. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament having sufficient stiffness to be self supporting;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and an intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being capable of being received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion being composed of a material having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to be capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween without damage to the teeth by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being capable of being received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source; and

a coupling connecting said base portion of said flossing filament to said motive source and moving said flossing filament with a rotational component to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion.

98. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible, resilient flossing filament;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and an intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being capable of being received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth and being capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween;

at least said intermediate portion being capable of being received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source; and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source to effect motion of said intermediate portion with a rotational component.

99. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, comprising:

a flexible flossing filament having sufficient stiffness to be self supporting;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and an intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion being capable of being received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, said intermediate portion being capable of effecting the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion being capable of being received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein;

a motive source; and

a coupling connecting said flossing filament to said motive source and moving said flossing filament with a rotational component to impart said flossing motion to said intermediate portion in response to operation of said motive source.

100. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, usable with a motive source, the apparatus comprising:

a flexible flossing filament having sufficient stiffness to be self-supporting;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and a non-abrasive intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion having a thickness sufficiently small to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth, at least said intermediate portion having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to effect the flossing action therebetween by imparting a flossing motion to said intermediate portion;

at least said intermediate portion having a sufficiently small thickness and a configuration to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein, said intermediate portion having sufficient stiffness to be inserted by itself endwise between adjacent teeth and into the sulcus without substantial deformation of shape;

said base portion being configured to be releasably connected to the motive source such that the motive source imparts said flossing motion to said intermediate portion in response to operation of the motive source;

a filament receiver having a support portion thereof supporting said flossing filament so as to allow said intermediate portion to be moved with said flossing motion; and

said filament being uncoiled and having an uncoiled length between said base portion and said free-end portion sized to position said base portion at the motive source for connection thereto and said free-end portion outward of said filament receiver when said filament extends directly from said base portion at the motive source, through and beyond said filament receiver to said free-end portion, with said free-end portion and at least a portion of said intermediate portion located outward of said filament receiver.

101. The apparatus of claim 100 for use with a housing and a coupling wherein said filament receiver has a first portion removably attached to a housing and a second portion, said filament receiver having a first aperture in said first portion and a second aperture in said second portion with a passageway extending between said first and second apertures, said flossing filament being rotatably disposed in said filament receiver passageway, said flossing filament extending through said second aperture with said filament free-end portion and at least a portion of said intermediate portion positioned outward of said filament receiver, and extending through said first aperture with said filament base portion positioned to be releasably connected by the coupling to the motive source to rotate said flossing filament within said filament receiver passageway to impart said flossing motion to said portion of said intermediate portion positioned outward of said filament receiver when said first end of said filament receiver is attached to the housing.

102. Apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth underlying the inter-dental papilla portion of the gums in a human mouth by effecting a flossing action, usable with a drive assembly and a filament receiver having a passageway therethrough and an outward end, the apparatus comprising:

a flexible and resilient flossing filament having sufficient stiffness to be self-supporting and rotated as a unit along a full length thereof;

said flossing filament including a base portion, a free-end portion, and an intermediate portion located between said base portion and said free-end portion;

said intermediate portion and said free-end portion having a thickness sufficiently small to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the teeth from at least the front of the mouth and being sufficiently flexible and resilient to effect the flossing action therebetween;

at least said intermediate portion having a sufficiently small thickness and a configuration to be received in the sulcus between a tooth and the adjacent inter-dental papilla portion of the gum for effecting the flossing action therein, said intermediate portion and said free-end portion having sufficient stiffness to be inserted by themselves endwise between adjacent teeth and into the sulcus without substantial deformation of shape;

said base portion being configured to be releasably connected to the drive assembly to effect motion of said intermediate portion to produce the flossing action; and

said filament being uncoiled and having an uncoiled length between said base portion and said free-end portion sized to position said base portion at the drive assembly for connection thereto and said free-end portion outward of said outward end of said filament receiver when said filament extends directly from said base portion at the drive assembly, through the receiver passageway and beyond the receiver outward end to said free-end portion, with said free-end portion and at least a portion of said intermediate portion located outward of the receiver outward end.