# US 8,539,966 B2 · Multi-ribbed dental tape > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,539,966 B2 - Document ID: US8539966B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/275,413 - Filed: 2011-10-18 - Published: 2012-02-09 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2007-11-08 - Assignees: McNeil-PPC, Inc. - Applicants: Harold D. Ochs; Josef V. Knutzen; Richard J. Fougere; Alexander Lobovsky - Inventors: Harold D. Ochs; Josef V. Knutzen; Richard J. Fougere; Alexander Lobovsky - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8539966B2 ## CPC - A61C 15/042: {comprising protuberances along its length, e.g. balls or knots} - B65H 57/14: Pulleys, rollers, or rotary bars - B65H 2701/313: Synthetic polymer threads - A61C: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; {tongue scrapers A61B17/24;} preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00) - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES ## Abstract The present invention includes monofilament dental tapes for removing plaque and/or food debris from interdental spaces of a mammal, which dental tapes have a core body with an aspect ratio of greater than about 5:1 and a first cleaning surface and a second cleaning surface opposite the first cleaning surface, where at least one of the first and second cleaning surfaces includes a plurality of ribs disposed along the length thereof, and where the ratio of the width of the dental tape to the thickness of the dental tape is from about 4:1 to about 25:1. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An elastomeric monofilament dental tape, comprising: a core body comprising a first cleaning surface and a second cleaning surface opposite said first cleaning surface, said core body having an aspect ratio of greater than about 10:1; and a plurality of ribs, each of said ribs disposed along the entire length of at least one of said first and second cleaning surfaces, wherein the width of the dental tape is 0.040 to 0.100 inches and the ratio of the width of said dental tape to the thickness of said dental tape is from about 3:1 to about 25:1. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 1 wherein both of said first and said second cleaning surfaces comprises said ribs disposed along the entire length thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The elastomeric dental tape of claim of claim 2 wherein the ratio of the width of said dental tape to the thickness of said dental tape is from about 10:1 to about 20:1. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 1 wherein said ribs have a cross-sectional configuration which is substantially rectangular and the ratio of the height of said ribs to the width of said ribs is from about 1.5:1 to about 8:1. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 2 wherein the spacing between said ribs is substantially equal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 5 wherein said ribs on said first cleaning surface are aligned with said ribs on said second cleaning surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 5 wherein said ribs on said first cleaning surface are offset from said ribs on said second cleaning surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 2 wherein the spacing between said ribs is irregular. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 1, further comprising a uniform or substantially uniform coating on said first and second surfaces. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 9, wherein said coating comprises an ingredient selected from the group consisting of a lubricating agent, a release agent, an abrasive, a whitening agent, an active agent, an olfactory stimulant, a sialagogue, a sensate, an essential oil, a flavor, an antimicrobial agent and an anti-viral agent. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 1 wherein said plurality of ribs comprises about 10 ribs. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 2 wherein said plurality of ribs comprises about 5 ribs disposed along the entire length of each of said first and said cleaning surfaces. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of polyamide-polyether block copolymers; polyester-polyether block copolymers and polyester-polyester block copolymers; aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers; aromatic thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers; thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 2 wherein said aspect ratio of said core body is greater than about 5:1 and said plurality of ribs comprises about 8 ribs disposed along the entire length of each of said first and said cleaning surfaces. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 14 providing a percent compression of greater than about 50 percent and a percent recovery of greater than about 40 percent. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 14 wherein each of said first and second surfaces comprises at least about 10 ribs disposed along the entire length thereof. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 14 wherein the ratio of the width of said dental tape to the thickness of said dental tape is from about 10:1 to about 20:1. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 14 wherein said ribs have a cross-sectional configuration which is substantially rectangular and the ratio of the height of said ribs to the width of said ribs is from about 1.5:1 to about 8:1. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 18 wherein the spacing between said ribs is substantially equal and wherein said ribs on said first cleaning surface are offset from said ribs on said second cleaning surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 18 providing a percent compression of greater than about 60 percent and a percent recovery of greater than about 60 percent. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 16 wherein each of said first and second surfaces comprises at least about 10 ribs disposed along the entire length thereof. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second cleaning surfaces comprises a plurality of ribs that protrude substantially perpendicularly from said core body. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 22 wherein both of said first and second cleaning surfaces comprise a plurality of ribs that protrude substantially perpendicularly from said core body. ### Claim 24 (depends on 11) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 11 wherein each of said plurality of ribs protrudes substantially perpendicularly from said core body. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The elastomeric dental tape of claim 22 wherein at least one of said first and second cleaning surfaces comprises neighboring ribs having spacing between said neighboring ribs on the cleansing surface.