Elastomer floss and related flossing devices

This invention involves a stretchable elastomer floss and elastomer floss disposable units, plus related devices for packaging the floss, dispensing the floss, and for holding the ends of the elastomer floss when the elastomer floss units are in use. The elastomer floss units are manufactured by extrusion or injection molding.

REFERENCES CITED 
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,926,201 December, 1975 Katz . . . 132/323 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,021 August, 1993 Katz . . . 132/323 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to elastomer dental floss, disposable flossing units 
and dental flossing devices. The new elastomer dental floss is effective, 
and the flossing units are low in cost and disposable. 
2. Description of Prior Art 
The daily use of dental floss is desirable for a number of reasons. It is a 
means of cleaning between the teeth and under gum margins so that 
bacterial or dental plaque is removed. Dental authorities consider plaque 
the leading cause of periodontal disease and tooth loss in adults. Also, 
flossing is the best means for removal of food particles after eating. The 
trapped particles are annoying, may interfere with proper speech, and when 
permitted to remain, may cause bad breath. The standard wood or plastic 
tooth picks that have usually been used for this purpose have a number of 
shortcomings, among them the tendency to break during use, sharp edges 
that may cut into the gums and cause bleeding, awkward to use and many 
have a leading point which is often too thick to dislodge particles from 
narrow spaces between teeth. 
The conventional floss for many years, has been a tow or strand of many 
small diameter nylon filaments. There are minor variations of these floss 
materials, such as polypropylene filaments instead of nylon filaments, and 
the addition of a mint or other flavor to the floss, or addition of a 
coloring pigment or dye. My invention, which is very different from the 
conventional floss and modifications of current floss, consists of a novel 
floss material that I designate as "elastomer floss", which can be 
stretched to squeeze into very narrow spaces between teeth. My invention 
also includes related devices based on the new elastomer floss innovation. 
Prior art in this field discloses that existing disposable dental floss 
units or floss picks have generally been made by a process that injection 
molds plastic material around a multiple filament strand of conventional 
flossing material, producing a chain of floss picks; the floss picks are 
then separated by cutting apart the floss between a row of floss picks. 
The following patents represents the state of the art: U.S. Pat. Nos. 
3,926,201 and 5,246,021, both granted to Harry S. Katz, the inventor of 
the present disclosure. Injection molding, as specified in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,926,201, is an excellent method for producing this type of product and 
is one of the preferred methods for manufacturing some of the new products 
detailed in this invention. 
An important point to repeat and emphasize about prior art in this field, 
is that the use of conventional dental floss, which consists of strands of 
nylon filaments, has been the overwhelming major means for flossing teeth 
and between teeth. However, the polymer filaments of conventional dental 
floss are not sufficiently abrasive to be a highly effective means of 
removing dental plaque. Especially in view of the fact that most 
individuals do not have the patience to spend much time on each tooth 
during flossing. Also, the very small diameter of the conventional floss 
filaments results in the potential of cutting through the gums of the 
user, similar to the manner in which a thin wire cutter can be used to cut 
through cheese, and thus cause bleeding. This is one of many reasons, as 
further explained below, why this invention provides improvements over the 
current dental floss and flossing devices. 
The present invention is an innovative and non obvious improvement over the 
prior art of dental flossing materials and devices. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a new type of 
flossing material and products involving my new elastomer floss. It is a 
further object of this invention to provide low cost and disposable dental 
flossing units that are readily manufactured in large quantities.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 through FIG. 5 are views of typical elastomer floss materials per 
this invention. 
These elastomer floss materials are preferably produced by a continuous 
extrusion process, which is a well known technology in the plastics field. 
Many different materials can be used. Among these are various flexible 
plastics, rubbers and elastomers. Preferred materials include FDA approved 
grades of thermoplastic elastomers such as Kraton G1657 or G2705 produced 
by Shell Chemical Co., or Vistoflex 671N produced by Advanced Elastomer 
Systems. FIG. 1 shows a product with a simple circular section, which 
typically ranges from about 0.010 to 0.090-inch in diameter, with a 
preferred size of about 0.06-inch diameter or equivalent dimensions in an 
elliptical, rectangular or other cross section. 
FIG. 2 shows a similar product, which has a filler in the elastomer floss. 
A typical filler is pumice, which has been used in the dental industry in 
tooth polishing compounds. A common procedure by dentists, is to use a 
small cup of a gel containing pumice and to apply this material to a 
patient's tooth with a small rapidly-rotating brush. Pumice is a mild 
abrasive, which does not significantly scratch the tooth surface, but is 
an effective means for removing dental plaque. A supplier of pumice is 
C.R. Minerals Corporation, Golden CO. Their Navajo Brand pumice is 
available in a wide variety of grades, and grades 0, 1/2, and 1 are 
suitable choices for this application. Other mild abrasives such as 
special grades of clay, amorphous silica, and talc can be used. Typical 
candidate fillers are listed in THE HANDBOOK OF FILLERS FOR PLASTICS, 
Edited by Harry S. Katz and published by Van Nostrand Reinhold, NYC, 1987, 
and recently distributed by Chapman and Hall, Publishers, London and NYC. 
FIG. 3 shows a another type of extruded elastomer floss, but with a surface 
contour that is produced by a post extrusion embossing die. This provides 
a corrugated surface or can have a threaded rod appearance. FIG. 4 shows a 
similar product with a rectangular cross section and FIG. 5 shows the 
product of FIG. 4 that has been embossed on-line by use of a post 
extrusion process. 
FIG. 6 is a view of an extruded elastomer hollow cylinder with longitudinal 
fins. This cylinder can be manufactured with various internal diameters 
and wall thickness. Preferable dimensions are one inch internal diameter, 
with the cylinder wall thickness of 0.06-inch and triangular fins that 
protrude to 0.03-inch on both sides of the cylinder wall. This cylinder is 
cut into narrow bands, preferably 0.06-inch wide, as shown on the right 
side of FIG. 6. to provide individual flossing units. The use of this type 
of unit by a person, is illustrated in FIG. 7. These flossing units will 
be sold with and without a toothpaste or polishing type pumice paste. The 
paste can be in a separate container or applied to the surface of the 
floss band surface before final packaging. When sold without a paste 
coating, the end user may apply a favorite tooth paste or anti-tartar 
tooth paste to the flossing unit so that the flossing is more effective. 
FIG. 8 is a view of an elastomer flossing unit having ends of increased 
cross section, which is preferably manufactured by an injection molding 
process. The ends and stretchable length of reduced cross section are 
formed together of a common material with the ends providing means for 
holding the flossing unit and for stretching the length. This is 
preferably manufactured in multi-cavity injection molds in a process that 
is well known in the plastics industry. The same types of polymers 
mentioned above are suitable for this molding, although the manufacturers 
usually recommend a minor variation in the polymer, such as a different 
molecular weight or melt flow index, for injection molding as compared 
with an extrusion grade of the same polymer. FIG. 9 is a view of the unit 
shown in FIG. 8 but in the stretched state that would be involved during 
the typical use of the unit. FIG. 10 is an injection molded elastomer 
flossing unit where the flossing surface is modified to have a selected 
rough surface. In the illustrated FIG. 10, the injection mold cavity to 
produce this part has been made by drilling a typical hole that is about 
0.06-inch in diameter and then using a tap or threading device to provide 
surface corrugations or roughness. A size 1-64 tap was used to provide 
surface corrugations for a series of flossing units that were manufactured 
for some early trials of this invention. The end user can apply a dab of 
tooth paste to the corrugated length, where the ridges will retain the 
tooth paste, so that a favorite flavor or odor will be involved during 
flossing. Also, a brand of tooth paste can be used that will further 
improve the removal of tartar or plaque. FIG. 11 is an elastomer flossing 
unit, where the injection moldable elastomer contains a filler to provide 
a mild abrasive action when the user moves the floss back and forth 
between adjacent teeth. As noted above, a typical filler is a selected 
particle size of pumice. FIG. 12 shows an individual using an elastomer 
flossing unit by holding the ends or tabs of the unit, stretching the unit 
to provide easy placement between adjacent teeth, and moving the floss 
back and forth to provide an efficient flossing action. 
FIG. 13 is a view of a dental flossing device having spaced posts with 
slots for holding the ends that permits handling convenience for an 
individual to use elastomer floss injection molded units. The handle end 
may be round or a pointed end, as shown in FIG. 14, to provide a sharp 
pick for dislodging food particles. 
FIG. 15 shows an injection molded flossing unit that has been placed into 
the flossing device by stretching the ends and placing the unit into the 
retaining slots. FIG. 16 illustrates a user flossing with the elastomer 
flossing device shown in FIG. 15. 
FIG. 17 shows a typical container for packaging a rolled length of the 
elastomer floss extrusion. FIG. 18 shows a cutting device that is located 
on the outside of the package shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 shows a flossing 
device where the extruded floss can be stretched and the ends pressed into 
narrow slits in end posts as in FIG. 20, so that the floss is prevented 
from slipping out of the device while the end user flosses, as shown in 
FIG. 21. 
The preferred elastomers for my elastomer floss invention are olefin 
thermoplastic elastomer grades that have FDA approval and good elastomeric 
characteristics. Among the elastomeric characteristics are the ability to 
be stretched to a moderate elongation or deformed and then return to the 
original length and shape. Candidate materials were given above. Selected 
silicone rubber materials are also suitable, but these materials are 
usually much more expensive than the olefin thermoplastic elastomers that 
are a preferred material for my invention. Among other suitable materials 
are polyurethane elastomers and styrene-butadiene thermoplastic 
elastomers. 
The elastomer floss can be used in manners similar to conventional floss. A 
length of the extruded elastomer floss can be cut and used to floss the 
teeth. For many end users, it will be preferable to use the injection 
molded floss units in the floss holding device. 
As described above, the preferred manufacturing processes are the extrusion 
of continuous lengths or cylindrical bands of the elastomer floss and/or 
injection molding of the elastomer flossing units. The flossing devices 
are preferably injected molded plastic, but may also be manufactured as 
machined metal or formed sheet metal devices. 
Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of 
particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been 
made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details 
of the material and method may be resorted to without departing from the 
spirit and scope of this invention. Also, although this invention is 
directed primarily to the flossing needs of individuals, These invented 
products will be suited for many industrial applications where it is 
desirable to clean narrow spaces within mechanical or electrical 
equipment.