Thread storage and dispensing system
AssigneeJohn O. Butler Company
InventorStevan Tisma
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spool of thread, such as dental floss, is housed in a two-part shell or holder, preferably made of plastic, one of the two parts having a central post coaxially located therein. The thread or floss is wound on a bobbin having a clutch molded in its hub area. The clutch comprises a split cylinder having a generally C-shaped cross section with three equally spaced ribs running along the internal length thereof. The C-shape of the split cylinder embraces the central post and the surfaces of the three ribs provided areas for friction gripping the central post. The friction keeps the bobbin from unwinding; however, the friction is not so great that it keeps the thread or floss from pulling smoothly and evenly from the bobbin.
Claims9
A thread holder comprising a two part shell, one of part of the holder shell including an integral central post coaxially located therein to enable a rotation of a bobbin mounted on said post, bobbin means having a hub region containing a split cylinder with a C-shaped cross section, said cross section embracing said central post, and means in said cross section for contacting and dragging with predetermined friction against the central post, the friction being great enough to prevent an unwanted and random unwinding of the thread from said bobbin and yet small enough to preclude any substantial opposition to a desired withdrawal of thread.
An article comprising bobbin means;
- a post for supporting said bobbin means so that said bobbin means can rotate about said post, said bobbin means having a hub;
- a split cylinder mounted within the hub of the bobbin means and running parallel to the axis of said hub, said split cylinder fitting over, contacting, and dragging against the post with predetermined friction, which is great enough to prevent an unwanted and random unwinding of said bobbin and yet small enough to preclude any substantial opposition to a desired withdrawal of thread.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.