John J Spence

US Patent:

5518012, May 21, 1996

Filed:

Jun 15, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/259800

Inventors:

John W. Dolan - Boothwyn PA
Raymond B. Minor - Elkton MD
John Spence - Rising Sun MD

Assignee:

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

A61C 1504

US Classification:

132321

Abstract:

The present invention is an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) floss with improved handling properties. Unlike previous expanded PTFE flosses, the floss of the present invention employs a fiber of increased thickness so that the floss is maintained in an unfolded orientation. The improved processing steps of the present invention create a floss that has a number of improved properties, including more uniform dimensions along its length, improved compressibility and handling, and automatic visual indication of those segments of the floss that have been used.

US Patent:

D374311, Oct 1, 1996

Filed:

Jul 21, 1995

Appl. No.:

D/041706

Inventors:

John W. Dolan - Boothwyn PA
John Spence - Rising Sun MD
Deborah A. Grofcsik - Wilmington DE
David D. McClanahan - Harleysville PA

Assignee:

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. - Newark DE

US Classification:

D28 64

US Patent:

D374744, Oct 15, 1996

Filed:

Apr 25, 1995

Appl. No.:

D/038785

Inventors:

John W. Dolan - Boothwyn PA
John Spence - Rising Sun MD
Deborah A. Grofcsik - Wilmington DE

Assignee:

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. - Newark DE

US Classification:

D28 64

US Patent:

5566691, Oct 22, 1996

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/481742

Inventors:

John W. Dolan - Boothwyn PA
John Spence - Rising Sun MD
Richard Wilson - North East MD
James Walter - Flagstaff AZ

Assignee:

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

A61C 1500

US Classification:

132321

Abstract:

An article is provided for facilitating oral prophylaxis. The article comprises a continuous, elongated fiber of polytetrafluoroethylene having at least one substantially rigid first portion and a substantially flexible second portion comprised of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

US Patent:

5573021, Nov 12, 1996

Filed:

Feb 3, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/383335

Inventors:

John W. Dolan - Boothwyn PA
John Spence - Rising Sun MD

Assignee:

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

A61C 1500

US Classification:

132324

Abstract:

The present invention is an improved flosser device for holding and manipulating floss during flossing. The flosser employs a forked tine design for retaining the floss, whereby the floss is maintained in an orientation essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle of the flosser, but offsets the tines both onto one side of the handle to make it much easier to view the area being flossed. A slanted base is also provided to allow the flosser to be stored on end, with the tines kept away from contaminated surfaces.

US Patent:

5607050, Mar 4, 1997

Filed:

Nov 1, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/551503

Inventors:

John W. Dolan - Boothwyn PA
John Spence - Rising Sun MD
Rickey I. Hill - Elkton MD
David D. McClanahan - Harleysville PA

Assignee:

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

B65H 100
A61C 1500

US Classification:

206 635

Abstract:

A floss dispenser has an essentially cylindrical case, the case including a cylindrical wall with an inner surface and two opposite ends. The case further includes an opening formed in at least one end for receiving a spool having floss wrapped around a hub. A cap is received within the opening in the end of the case. The cap has an annular wall for receiving and centering the hub of the spool when the cap is sealing the opening of the case, and at least one opening formed therein through which floss is threaded out of the end of the case. For securely attaching the cap to the case, a first interlocking engagement member associated with the cap engages a mating second interlocking engagement member associated with the case. The arrangement is such that upon insertion of the cap into the open end of the case and rotating the cap, the first engagement member of the cap engages the second engagement member of the case for preventing the axial movement of the cap relative to the case. Preferably, the first engagement member includes three protrusions which engage three mating protrusions of the second engagement member for securing the cap to the case.

US Patent:

D381468, Jul 22, 1997

Filed:

Nov 1, 1995

Appl. No.:

D/045870

Inventors:

John W. Dolan - Boothwyn PA
John Spence - Rising Sun MD
David D. McClanahan - Harleysville PA

Assignee:

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

2803

US Classification:

D28 64

US Patent:

5765576, Jun 16, 1998

Filed:

Jan 24, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/788608

Inventors:

John W. Dolan - Boothwyn PA
John Spence - Rising Sun MD
Loretta A. Whelan - Newark DE

Assignee:

W. L. Gore & Associates - Newark DE

International Classification:

A61C 1500

US Classification:

132321

Abstract:

The present invention is a floss material defined by a towed filament. The filament may be made from a towed polytetrafluoroethylene material or a towed polymeric material.