Tooth cleaning implement

• US 4,280,518 A
• Filed: 04/09/1979
• Issued: 07/28/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Susan M. Gambaro
• Original Assignee: Susan M. Gambaro
• Inventors: Gambaro, Susan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): McNeill, G. E.
• Application Number:
  US06/028,130
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 132/93, 132/89, 132/91, 132/92 R
• US Class Current: 132/323
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 1/00 Brush bodies and bristles moulded as a unit
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0069 Brushes fitted with a interdental devices, e.g. toothpick A46B2200/108 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0071 Toothbrushes with flossing arrangements A61C15/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/108 Inter-dental toothbrush, i.e. for cleaning interdental spaces specifically
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 7/04 interchangeably removable bristle carriers
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/02 Toothpicks
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/046 Flossing tools
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/048 with heads removable from handle, e.g. interchangeable heads

Abstract

An implement to facilitate the cleaning of teeth which takes the form of an elongated member which has at one end thereof tautly stretched thereacross a strand of dental floss. The opposite end of the elongated member is attached to a brush-like member which is to facilitate the cleaning of not only teeth, but dental bridges. The brush-like member can be constructed to be integral with the elongated member or can be constructed to be removably secured thereto.

Claims

1. An implement to facilitate the cleaning of teeth comprising:

an elongated member having a fore end and an aft end, said elongated member having a first longitudinal center axis, a strand of stretched taut dental floss being connected to said fore end, said fore end taking the form of a bifurcated member having a pair of spaced-apart leg members, said dental floss to be stretched between and attached to said leg members, said dental floss being parallel to said first longitudinal center axis;

a brush-like member attached to said aft end, said brush-like member having a cross-sectional size greater than the cross-sectional size of said elongated member, said brush-like member being tapered in its longitudinal direction so that the outermost end of said brush-like member essentially comes to a point, said brush-like member being attached to a resilient sleeve, said aft end of said elongated member to be inserted within said sleeve and said sleeve deforming about said elongated member thereby tightly securing said elongated member to said brush-like member, said brush-like member having a second longitudinal center axis, said second longitudinal center axis coinciding with said first longitudinal center axis.

2. The implement as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said brush-like member taking the form of a plurality of spaced-apart flexible annular discs.