IP Library Granted Patent US 7,198,487
Granted Patent B2
US 7,198,487 · App. 10/750,720 · Granted Apr 3, 2007

Whitening tip for dental flossing device

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,198,487
App. No.
10/750,720
Granted
Apr 3, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A power flosser tip incorporating a tooth-whitening coating. The coating is typically abrasive, and whitens teeth by scraping or wearing down hardened plaque or other tooth discolorations. The coating may also whiten teeth through a chemical reaction. The coating may be flavored in order to enhance user enjoyment. The coating is chemically bonded to the flosser tip, and dissolves when in contact with saliva or water at room temperature and pressure.

Claims (34)

1. A tip for a power dental flossing device, comprising:

a base portion for supporting the tip when coupled to the dental flossing device;

a central portion having a substantially rectangular cross-section, and having a first end and a second end, said first end coupled to said base portion, wherein said central portion has a height and a width;

an end portion coupled to said second end of said central portion, for insertion between a pair of adjacent teeth of a user, wherein said end portion has a height and a width; and

a whitening compound substantially enclosing said end portion and bonded to said end portion by a monomer.

2. The tip of claim 1 , wherein the whitening compound contains abrasive particles.

3. The tip of claim 2 , wherein the whitening compound reacts with saliva.

4. The tip of claim 3 , wherein the whitening compound dissolves upon contact with saliva.

5. The tip of claim 3 , wherein the whitening compound foams upon contact with saliva.

6. The tip of claim 1 , wherein the whitening compound comprises:

a flavoring agent; and

an abrasive particulate.

7. The tip of claim 1 , wherein the whitening compound comprises:

a whitening agent; and

a polymer; wherein

the whitening agent is chemically bonded to the polymer; and

the polymer is chemically bonded to the tip.

8. The tip of claim 7 , wherein the whitening agent is a chemical whitening agent.

9. The tip of claim 7 , wherein the whitening agent is an abrasive whitening agent.

10. A whitening flosser tip, comprising:

a flosser tip; and

a whitening compound bonded to the flosser tip by a monomer, the whitening compound comprising:

a drying retardant agent;

an acrylic prepolymer;

a wetting agent; and

an abrasive agent.

11. The whitening flosser tip of claim 10 , wherein the whitening compound further comprises:

a flavoring;

calcium carbonate;

a white filler; and

a thickener.

12. The whitening flosser tip of claim 11 , wherein the abrasive is sylodent 700.

13. The whitening flosser tip of claim 11 , wherein the whitening compound further comprises a chemical whitener.

14. The whitening flosser tip of claim 13 , wherein the whitening compound further comprises an anti-microbial solution.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE SECOND LIEN Recorded Aug 9, 2017
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: WATER PIK, INC.
Reel/Frame 043511/0834 →
RELEASE FIRST LIEN Recorded Aug 9, 2017
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: WATER PIK, INC.
Reel/Frame 043511/0797 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 16, 2013
From: WATER PIK, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS FIRST LIEN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 030805/0910 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 16, 2013
From: WATER PIK, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS SECOND LIEN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 030805/0940 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 8, 2013
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: WATER PIK, INC.
Reel/Frame 030754/0260 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 16, 2011
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: WATER PIK, INC.
Reel/Frame 026756/0287 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 16, 2011
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: WATER PIK, INC.
Reel/Frame 026756/0708 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 11, 2011
From: WATER PIK, INC.
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 026738/0680 →
SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 20, 2007
From: WATER PIK, INC.; EGWP ACQUISITION CORP. SUB.; WATERPIK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE
Reel/Frame 019580/0464 →
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 20, 2007
From: WATER PIK, INC.; EGWP ACQUISITION CORP. SUB.; WATERPIK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE
Reel/Frame 019580/0350 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 19, 2005
From: LUETTGEN, HAROLD A.; HOPPES, JOHN; ZILBERMAN, LINA
To: WATER PIK, INC.
Reel/Frame 016815/0358 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 19, 2005
From: SANDUJA, MOHAN L.; HOROWITZ, CARL; ZILBERMAN, LINA; THOTTATHILL, PAUL
To: WATER PIK, INC.
Reel/Frame 016815/0352 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 19, 2005
From: SANDUJA, MOHAN L.; HOROWITZ, CARL; ZILBERMAN, LINA; THOTTATHILL, PAUL
To: WATER PIK, INC.
Reel/Frame 016815/0342 →