Fibers having low and high coefficients of friction surfaces

Abstract

The present invention relates to fibers having both relatively low and relatively high coefficient of friction characteristics. The fibers of the present invention are useful for toothbrush bristles and dental floss.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fiber comprising a relatively low coefficient of friction portion and a relatively high coefficient of friction portion, wherein the relatively low coefficient of friction portion is adjacent to the relatively high coefficient of friction portion  
     
     
         2 . A fiber comprising a relatively low coefficient of friction portion and a relatively high coefficient of friction portion, wherein when the fiber is viewed in cross-section, the relatively low coefficient of friction portion is about 50% of the total cross-section of the fiber, and wherein the relatively low coefficient of friction portion is adjacent to the relatively high coefficient of friction portion.  
     
     
         3 . A dental floss comprising a continuous relatively high coefficient of friction area spaced between two continuous relatively low coefficient of friction areas.  
     
     
         4 . A dental floss comprising a plurality of filaments, wherein each filament comprises a relatively low coefficient of friction portion and a relatively high coefficient of friction portion.  
     
     
         5 . A dental floss comprising a plurality of filaments, wherein each filament comprises a relatively low coefficient of friction portion and a relatively high coefficient of friction portion, and wherein the total low coefficient of friction portion of the plurality of filaments is about 50% of the cross sectional area of the floss.  
     
     
         6 . A dental floss comprising first and second filaments, wherein the first filament has a relatively high coefficient of friction and the second filament has a relatively low coefficient of friction, wherein the first and second filaments are each about 50% of the total volume of the dental floss, and wherein the first and second filaments are substantially evenly dispersed throughout the dental floss.  
     
     
         7 . A dental floss comprising an inner core surrounded by an outer core, wherein the inner core comprises filaments having a relatively high coefficient of friction, and wherein the outer core comprises filaments having a relatively low coefficient of friction.  
     
     
         8 . A method of producing a fiber, comprising the steps of: 
 forming a sheet of material through coextrusion, said coextruded sheet having at least a first outer layer, a second outer layer, and a center layer; wherein said center layer is made up of a material having a higher coefficient of friction than the material making up at least one of said outer layers; and    orienting and slitting the coextruded sheet to form fibers, such that the top surface of said fibers are made-up of the same material as said first outer layer, the bottom surface of said fibers are made up of the same material as said second outer layer, and the side surfaces of said fibers are made up of the same material as said center layer.