METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TENSIONING DENTAL FLOSS

摘要

TITLE Method And Apparatus For Tensioning Dental Floss A method and apparatus for tensioning dental floss is disclosed for use in the molding of a tooth cleaning dental instrument including a bow-shaped member having a first end and a second end with dental floss tensioned between the ends. A suitable plastic-like material injection mold having cavities for the molding of the dental instrument and having line cavities for receiving the dental floss is used in conjunction with the apparatus of the present invention. Dental floss is supplied from suitable sources and directed by guide members to tensioning members including primary and secondary tensioning members. The secondary tensioning members provide supplemental tensioning of the dental floss during the cool down period after the injection of the plastic-like material into the mold. The dental floss is tensioned by primary tensioning members during the injection of the plastic-like material into the mold. Guide members are further provided to direct the dental floss into the line cavities of the mold, and a holding member is provided to hold the end of the dental floss in a stationary position on the opposite side of the mold from the tensioning members.