Patent ID: 8616411

Claim:
A device for use in dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube, the device comprising: a hollow cylindrical member containing surfaces defining an elongated slot for receiving a tail portion of the collapsible tube; surfaces defining a plurality of spaced-apart notches positioned along a periphery of a first end of the cylindrical member; an elastic flexible tether having a proximal end thereof anchored to a second end of the cylindrical member, the tether being positionable within at least one of the plurality of notches contained within the first end of the cylindrical member, whereupon positioning the tail portion of the collapsible tube within the elongated slot and winding the cylindrical member relative to the tube, the tube partially collapses urging the contents toward an open end thereof, whereafter stretching and positioning the flexible tether, positioning a terminal portion of the tether over the tube and within a selected notch, the terminal portion of the tether engages the selected notch, thereby securing the tether to the first end of the cylindrical member and retaining the thusly wound tube in a selected position; a first cap member having surfaces defining an aperture therethrough, the first cap member attachable to the second end of the cylindrical member, the tether anchored to an outer surface of the first cap member; and a dispensing mechanism positionable within the hollow cylindrical member, the dispensing mechanism capable of dispensing dental floss, the dispensing mechanism comprising: a base member positioned within the cylindrical member transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member; a stud extending from the base member; and a bobbin for supplying the floss, the bobbin comprising: a support member positionable within the cylindrical member transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member; a centrally positioned female member extending from a first side of the support member for receiving the stud; and a centrally positioned spindle extending from a second side of the support member for containing the supply of floss, wherein inserting the bobbin through the first end of the cylindrical member, outer surfaces of the support member engage inner surfaces of the cylindrical member, wherein the female member receives the stud to secure the bobbin within the cylindrical member, wherein the floss is disposable through the aperture contained within the first cap member to be retrievable by the user.