U.S. patent number RE35,439 [Application Number 08/362,822] was granted by the patent office on 1997-02-04 for germicidal dental floss and method for fabrication.
Invention is credited to Edwin D. Rosenberger.
United States Patent |
RE35,439 |
Rosenberger |
February 4, 1997 |
Germicidal dental floss and method for fabrication
Abstract
A germicidal dental floss having a coating of the active
material typically a phenol derivative/compound removably fixed
thereon by a binder such as wax. The active material is rubbed off
by contact with the teeth thereby treating areas between the teeth
and gums for improved oral hygiene.
Inventors: |
Rosenberger; Edwin D.
(Mamaroneck, NY) |
Family
ID: |
27427107 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/362,822 |
Filed: |
December 22, 1994 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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459181 |
Dec 29, 1989 |
5040554 |
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243621 |
Sep 13, 1988 |
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Reissue of: |
741585 |
Aug 7, 1991 |
05174313 |
Dec 29, 1992 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/321 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C
15/041 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61C
15/04 (20060101); A61C 15/00 (20060101); A61C
015/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;132/321,323 ;427/2,203
;540/900,902 ;424/435 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: O'Connor; Cary E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lowe, Price, LeBlanc &
Becker
Parent Case Text
The present Application is a Continuation-In-Part application of
Ser. No. 07/459,181, filed on Dec. 29, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No.
5,040,554, which is a further Continuation-In-Part of application
of Ser. No. 07/243,621, filed on Sep. 13, 1988, which has been
abandoned, but for which there has been maintained a continuous
chain of copendency.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A germicidal dental floss comprising a flexible length of floss
having at least on the exterior thereof a coating of a germicidal
material consisting of a phenol derivative/compound and a binder of
microcrystalline wax having a low melting point removably securing
said material to said length of floss.
2. The floss of claim 1 comprising a coating including from 0.001
to 25 percent by weight of said germicidal material, the remainder
of the coating being said binder.
3. The floss of claim 1 comprising a coating including from 25 to
75 percent by weight of germicidal material, the remainder of the
coating being said binder.
4. The floss of claim 1 in which the germicidal coating includes a
phenol derivative/compound in an analgesic concentration.
5. The floss of claim 1 in which the germicidal coating is
4-hexylresorcinol.
6. The floss of claim 1 in which the germicidal coating is sodium
phenolate.
7. A process for making an improved dental floss comprising forming
a wetting mixture of a germicidal material consisting of a phenol
derivative/compound and a wax binder, applying the wetting mixture
to a length of dental floss so as to form at least an outer coating
thereon and solidifying said coating on said floss.
8. The process of claim 7 wherein the wetting mixture includes a
solution of wax binder in a volatile solvent, which solvent is
evaporated out after the application of the wetting mixture to the
floss to provide a solid residue coating of said germicidal
material and said wax binder on said floss.
9. The process of claim 7 in which the wetting mixture includes an
aqueous emulsion of wax, the water content of which is evaporated
out after the application of the wetting mixture to the floss to
provide a solid residue coating of said germicidal material and
said wax on said floss.
10. The process of claim 7 wherein the mixture is applied to the
dental floss by pressing metering rolls saturated with the mixture
against the dental floss.
11. The process of claim 7 in which the germicidal coating is
4-hexylresorcinol.
12. The process of claim 7 in which the germicidal coating is
sodium phenolate.
13. The process of claim 7 wherein the mixture is applied to the
dental floss by pressing felt applicators saturated with the
mixture against the floss. .Iadd.
14. A germicidal dental floss comprising a flexible length of floss
having at least on the exterior thereof a coating comprising a
germicidal phenol derivative/compound and a binder of
microcrystalline wax having a low melting point removably securing
said material to said length of floss. .Iaddend..Iadd.15. The floss
of claim 14 comprising a coating including from 0.001 to 25 percent
by weight of said germicidal material, the remainder of the coating
being said binder. .Iaddend..Iadd.16. The floss of claim 14
comprising a coating including from 25 to 75 percent by weight of
germicidal material, the remainder of the coating being said
binder. .Iaddend..Iadd.17. The floss of claim 14 in which the
germicidal coating includes a phenol derivative/compound in an
analgesic concentration. .Iaddend..Iadd.18. The floss of claim 14
in which the germicidal coating is 4-hexylresorcinol.
.Iaddend..Iadd.19. The floss of claim 14 in which the germicidal
coating is sodium phenolate. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an improved dental floss of the
antibacterial/analgesic type, and, more specifically to a
germicidal dental floss and a process for making same.
The art to which this invention relates of which applicant is
already aware, includes the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 719,017;
3,830,247, 3,342,539.
The first of these describe the combination with a toothpick of a
holder having a discharging duct, a handle having a reservoir of
antiseptic liquid, a reciprocating plunger for expelling liquid
through the duct and onto the toothpick for discharging antiseptic
between and at the roots of teeth while also picking the teeth.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,830,247 discloses dental floss impregnated with
antiseptic in a housing therefore wherein the floss passes through
a reservoir of antiseptic. U.S. Pat. No. 3,342,539 teaches a dental
floss which comprises a length of conventional construction
terminating in a porous section which when pre-soaked prior to use,
in an antiseptic solution, then delivered into interdental spaces
as the floss is used normally to physically remove food particles
from between the teeth.
Applicant is also aware of U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,667,443; 3,838,702:
3,897,795; and 4,029,113.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,667,443 teaches the impregnation of dental floss
both by dry, waxborn and resin bound carriers with therapeutic,
cleaning agents or medicaments.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,838,702 teaches a dental floss having an improved
cleaning and polishing action obtained by coating the floss with a
coating agent comprising a resilient wax, polymer or elastomer,
having embedded therein a finely divided, particulate, polishing
agent. In addition, the incorporation of various adjuvant materials
into the coating agent such as coloring matter, flavoring,
medicinals or therapeutic agents is suggested.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,795 teaches that binding or coating floss
fibers with wax is unsuitable where bacterially active matter is to
be incorporated in the floss, as wax coating resisted or repelled
water and provided an indifferent binder for solids, directing
instead the use of a soap or detergent binder in which bacterially
active matter can be simultaneously bonded or impregnated in the
floss fibers. The application may take place through using
squeegees and/or squeegee rollers, by using a volatile ingredient
as a solvent for the active agent and/or binder or by pulling the
floss through a paste mix of the active agent.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,113 teaches a waxed dental textile material
having a fluorine compound distributed through the wax coating
which provides fluoride iron in a therapeutic amount to inhibit the
formation of dental cavities.
As will be seen hereinafter, none of these disclose applicant's
novel, unique and unobvious product and process which overcomes the
prejudice of the prior art against using a wax binder or coating
for floss where bacterially active matter is incorporated in the
floss.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In its product aspect, this invention resides in a dental floss
coated with a microcrystalline wax containing a prophylactic,
antimicrobial analgesic and/or antiseptic material.
More particularly, the invention concerns a prophylactic dental
floss comprising a flexible length of floss having at least on the
exterior thereof a coating of a phenol derivative/compound
germicidal material typically selected from the group of synonyms
generally known and consisting of 4-hexylresorcinol; or
1,3-benzenediol,-4-hexyl or alternatively sodium phenolate and a
binder removably securing said material to said length of floss.
The coating may include from 0.001 to 25 percent by weight of said
germicidal material, the remainder of the coating being said
binder.
When a high degree of sepsis is present a coating from 25 to 75
percent by weight of germicidal material, may be more
beneficial.
In a particularly advantageous form, the coating includes
4-hexylresorcinol in an analgesic combination, preferably 25 to 75
percent by weight of the mixture combining a powerful germicidal
and analgesic action.
In its process aspect, the invention includes mixing at least one
of the above listed materials with a wetting liquid comprising a
low melting point binder or solvent, coating a dental floss
therewith, and allowing said coating to cool and solidify or to
dry.
DESCRIPTION OF BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION
The floss used herein can be made of conventional floss material
such as flexible plastic, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene and
the like. Accordingly there is no need to illustrate same. The
active/prophylactic material is a phenol derivative/compound
germicidal material typically selected from the group of synonyms
generally known and consisting of 4-hexylresorcinol; or
1,3-benzenediol,-4-hexyl or alternatively sodium phenolate.
The binder for fixing the above material onto the floss is a
non-toxic, sterile, low melting material such as microcrystalline
wax; preferably one that softens at mouth temperature. In the
process of making the floss, the binder is melted and the
active/prophylactic material is dissolved therein in a suitable
receptacle. The thread or floss is dispensed from a spool thereof
and passed through the hot coating mixture. The coated thread is
allowed to cool. Thereby forming at least an external coating on
the floss. The amount of active material in the coating can be
varied according to desired end use. Thus, to make a floss intended
for use in a regular maintenance program, the coating mixture can
contain from 0.001 to 25 percent by weight of active material, the
remainder (75%) being binder. For use as needed in the control of
minor infections in the gum tissues, the concentration of the
coating will range from 25 to 75 percent by weight, the remainder
being binder with the exact amount also dependent on the binder's
properties, and, in particular, the solubility of the active
material therein.
In operative use, the floss of the invention is inserted into the
crevices or spaces between the mouth teeth and then is pulled
therethrough. Thus, the active material is wiped off the floss and
onto the dental crevice surfaces and gums thereby treating the same
and inhibiting germ growth there and the like. Suitably, the floss
may be coated in a device of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No.
3,830,247.
The invention contemplates the following alternative methods of
applying the active ingredient to the floss.
Another method of waxing is by preparing a solution of wax in a
volatile solvent subsequently evaporated out.
The wax may alternatively be applied as a aqueous emulsion.
As an alternative to bathing the unwaxed floss in a bath of liquid
wax, the wax may be applied by metering rolls with a felt
applicator supplied with liquid wax thereby to saturate the unwaxed
floss passed therebetween.
Where it is desired to avoid waxed floss, a soap or detergent may
instead be used as a binder for the prophylactic material and
applied to the floss.
Alternatively, the floss may be impregnated with a mixture of a dry
germicidal powder which has been diluted with a dry inert powder
and subsequently coated with a water-soluble cellulose derivative
such as methyl cellulose or sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as a
binder.
As a further alternative, a water-soluble binder can be mixed with
water and the active/prophylactic (germicidal) ingredient. The
floss is then coated with such mixture.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the
gist of this invention that those skilled in the art can by
applying current knowledge thereto readily adapt if for various
applications without omitting certain features which can constitute
essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of
this invention. Therefore, a more lengthy description is deemed
unnecessary.
It is intended that various changes may be made in this invention
in the practical development thereof, if desired. Such changes are
comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the
following claims. The invention, therefor, is not to be restricted
except as is necessitated by the prior art.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and
described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be
understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the
forms and details of the instant invention illustrated and in its
operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing
from the spirit of the invention.
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