U.S. patent application number 10/703357 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-12 for dental device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Product Council Ltd.. Invention is credited to Bransky, Jeffery, Foster, Gregory J., Sheldon, Robert W..
Application Number | 20050097693 10/703357 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34551886 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050097693 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bransky, Jeffery ; et
al. |
May 12, 2005 |
Dental device
Abstract
The present invention provides a dental device preferably for
infants and small children. A dental device in accordance with the
present invention includes a handle portion and a head portion
joined by a joinder. The head portion includes a bristle
substitute, which comprises a plurality of projections. The
plurality of projections encircle the core in a 360 degree
circumference. The plurality of projections can include, but are
not limited to a plurality of raised wave-shaped projections, a
plurality of circular disks, a plurality of circular groves, a
plurality of ribs, a plurality of spikes and combinations
thereof.
Inventors: |
Bransky, Jeffery; (Chicago,
IL) ; Foster, Gregory J.; (Chicago, IL) ;
Sheldon, Robert W.; (Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY & LARDNER
321 NORTH CLARK STREET
SUITE 2800
CHICAGO
IL
60610-4764
US
|
Assignee: |
Product Council Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
34551886 |
Appl. No.: |
10/703357 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/188 ;
15/167.1; 601/141 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 2200/1066 20130101;
A46B 9/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/188 ;
015/167.1; 601/141 |
International
Class: |
A46B 009/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A dental device comprising: a handle portion; and a head
portion, the head portion comprising a plurality of
projections.
2. The dental device of claim 1 further wherein the handle portion
is comprised of rigid or semi-rigid material.
3. The dental device of claim 2 further wherein the rigid or
semi-rigid material is selected from the group comprising plastic,
composite, ceramic, metal or combinations thereof.
4. The dental device of claim 1 further wherein the handle portion
is comprised of rigid or semi-rigid material.
5. The dental device of claim 4 further wherein the rigid or
semi-rigid material is selected from the group comprising plastic,
composite, ceramic, metal or combinations thereof.
6. The dental device of claim 1 further wherein the head portion
includes a small rigid or semi-rigid core in the center.
7. The dental device of claim 6 further wherein the core is
comprised of an extension of the handle portion.
8. The dental device of claim 7 further wherein the head portion is
co-molded with an elastomeric material or elastomeric foam over the
core.
9. The dental device of claim 1 further wherein the head portion is
selected from the group comprising thermoplastic rubber,
thermoplastic elastomer or combinations thereof.
10. The dental device of claim 1 further wherein the plurality of
projections encircle the core in a 360 degree circumference.
11. The dental device of claim 1 further wherein the plurality of
projections comprise a plurality of raised wave-shaped
projections.
12. The dental device of claim 11 further wherein the plurality of
raised wave-shaped projections encircle the core in a 360 degree
circumference.
13. The dental device of claim 1 further wherein the plurality of
projections comprise a plurality of circular disks.
14. The dental device of claim 13 further wherein the plurality of
circular disks encircle the core in a 360 degree circumference.
15. The dental device of claim 1 further wherein the plurality of
projections comprise a plurality of circular groves.
16. The dental device of claim 15 further wherein the plurality of
circular groves encircle the core in a 360 degree
circumference.
17. The dental device of claim 1 further wherein the plurality of
projections comprise a plurality of ribs.
18. The dental device of claim 17 further wherein the plurality of
ribs encircle the core in a 360 degree circumference.
19. The dental device of claim 1 further wherein the plurality of
projections comprise a plurality of spikes.
20. The dental device of claim 19 further wherein the plurality of
spikes encircle the core in a 360 degree circumference.
21. The dental device of claim 1 further wherein the handle portion
includes a raised area on which the adult user can place his or her
thumb.
22. The dental device of claim 21 further wherein the raised area
is positioned to approximate the correct distance to the back
molars of the mouth of an infant or small child.
23. A dental device comprising: a handle portion; and a head
portion, the head portion comprising a bristle substitute, the
bristle substitute encircling the core in a 360 degree
circumference.
24. The dental device of claim 23 further wherein the handle
portion is comprised of rigid or semi-rigid material.
25. The dental device of claim 24 further wherein the rigid or
semi-rigid material is selected from the group comprising plastic,
composite, ceramic, metal or combinations thereof.
26. The dental device of claim 23 further wherein the head portion
includes a small rigid or semi-rigid core in the center.
27. The dental device of claim 26 further wherein the core is
comprised of an extension of the handle portion.
28. The dental device of claim 27 further wherein the head portion
is co-molded with an elastomeric material or elastomeric foam over
the core.
29. The dental device of claim 28 further wherein the head portion
is selected from the group comprising thermoplastic rubber,
thermoplastic elastomer or combinations thereof.
30. The dental device of claim 23 further wherein the bristle
substitute comprises a plurality of projections.
31. The dental device of claim 30 further wherein the plurality of
projections comprise a plurality of raised wave-shaped
projections.
32. The dental device of claim 30 further wherein the plurality of
projections comprise a plurality of circular disks.
33. The dental device of claim 30 further wherein the plurality of
projections comprise a plurality of circular groves.
34. The dental device of claim 30 further wherein the plurality of
projections comprise a plurality of ribs.
35. The dental device of claim 30 further wherein the plurality of
projections comprise a plurality of spikes.
36. The dental device of claim 23 further wherein the handle
portion includes a raised area on which the adult user can place
his or her thumb.
37. The dental device of claim 36 further wherein the raised area
is positioned to approximate the correct distance to the back
molars of the mouth of an infant or small child.
38. A dental device comprising: a handle portion; and a head
portion, the head portion including means for encircling the head
in a 360 circumference, with a plurality of projections.
39. The dental device of claim 38 further wherein the plurality of
projections comprise a plurality of raised wave-shaped
projections.
40. The dental device of claim 38 further wherein the plurality of
projections comprise a plurality of circular disks.
41. The dental device of claim 38 further wherein the plurality of
projections comprise a plurality of circular groves.
42. The dental device of claim 38 further wherein the plurality of
projections comprise a plurality of ribs.
43. The dental device of claim 38 further wherein the plurality of
projections comprise a plurality of spikes.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to dental devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Teeth are covered with a sticky film of bacteria, called
plaque. Within this film live thousands of different types of
bacteria. Of all these many different types of bacteria, one causes
tooth decay: that bacterium is called Strep Mutans.
[0003] After eating a meal, small crumbs of food are left in
mouths. The Strep Mutans bacteria eat these crumbs and produce
harmful acid. This acid can attack tooth enamel for as long as 20
minutes or more. Repeated acid attacks cause the enamel of the
teeth to break down, resulting in tooth decay.
[0004] If left untreated, the decay will continue to progress
through the tooth structure until it reaches the pulp. The pulp
chamber houses the nerve and blood supply for the tooth. When decay
reaches the pulp, an abscess ensues which is associated with
tremendous pain. Once the decay is in the chamber, the only choice
of treatments are root canal therapy or extraction of the
tooth.
[0005] The best way to prevent decay from forming is by cleaning
mouths, thus removing the stray bits of food. If there is no food
for the Strep Mutans bacteria to digest, then the bacteria cannot
create the acid needed to cause decay.
[0006] The earliest known toothbrush dates back thousands of years.
Known as a "chew stick", this early brush was made by chewing or
mashing small twigs or tree roots until the fibers at one end
became loose enough to form a rough brush. The cleaning surface had
much the same effect as chewing the end of a toothpick. Some native
Australian and African people living traditionally still clean
their teeth with chew sticks.
[0007] Ancient Chinese, Romans, and Greeks were also oral
hygienists. Five thousand years ago, the Chinese thought dental
decay was caused by white-colored dental worms with black heads
that could be seen when a tooth was extracted. In those days, cures
for toothache included purgatives, mouthwashes, massage, and pills.
The pills, usually made of grated garlic and salt peter, were
inserted into the ear opposite the side of the face affected by the
dental pain.
[0008] The early Romans also had their own dental-care preferences.
Pliny the Younger of Rome (61-113 A.D.) proclaimed that using a
vulture quill as a toothpick would cause halitosis, but using a
porcupine quill was acceptable because it "made the teeth firm."
Ancient Roman patricians actually employed special slaves to clean
their teeth.
[0009] The Greeks, however, were much more modern. In the third
century B.C., Aristotle advised Alexander the Great to rub his
teeth every morning with "a thin linen towel, which is somewhat
rough." Using linen as a tooth cleaner is documented as late as
1602, when William Vaughan wrote in Fifteen Directions to Preserve
Health that to keep teeth "white and uncorrupt [people should] wash
the mouth after every meal, sleep with the mouth somewhat open and
in the morning take a line cloth and rub the teeth well within and
without."
[0010] In fifteenth-century Europe, picking the teeth was widely
accepted until philosophers began to issue conduct warnings: Rhodes
said: "Pick not thy teeth with thy knyfe, but take a stick, or some
clean thyng, then doe you not offend."
[0011] The bristle brush was probably invented by the Chinese. This
toothbrush was made of hairs from the neck of a Siberian wild boar
which were fixed to a bamboo or bone handle. The bristle brush came
to Europe during the seventeenth century. At the time, very few
people in the Western world brushed their teeth, and those who did
preferred horse hairs, which were softer than those of the wild
boar.
[0012] French dentists, who were the most advanced in Europe at the
time, advocated the use of toothbrushes in the seventeenth and
early eighteenth centuries. It was actually the English in 1780 who
gave the world the first modern toothbrush. The handle was made
from bone and the bristles were wired into bored holes.
[0013] The toothbrush migrated to the United States and dentists
urged pre-Revolutionary Americans to use the bristly toothbrushes
in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. In the 1880s,
hand-cut and polished cattle thigh bones made excellent toothbrush
handles while long-haired hog bristles were inserted by hand, one
at a time.
[0014] The first mass-produced toothbrush was made by William Addis
of Clerkenwald, England. The first American to patent a toothbrush
was H. N. Wadsworth (U.S. Pat. No. 18,653). Companies began to
mass-produce toothbrushes in America around 1885. The
Pro-phy-lac-tic brush made by the Florence Manufacturing Company of
Massachusetts is a good example of an early American made
toothbrush. The same company was also the first to sell
toothbrushes packaged in boxes.
[0015] In 1937, in the laboratories E. I. DuPont de Nemours &
Company, nylon was invented by Wallace H. Carothers. (See, for
example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,130,948). The first commercialization of
this new material came in 1941 with the introduction of Dr. West's
Miracle Tuft toothbrush with nylon bristles.
[0016] At first, even if there were many advantages to using this
new brush instead of the one made with wild boar hairs (which fell
out, did not dry very well and became full of bacteria), consumers
were not entirely satisfied. This is because the nylon bristles
were very stiff and hurt the gums. In 1950, Du Pont improved their
toothbrush by giving it softer bristles and thus ushering in the
modern toothbrush era.
[0017] Despite these dental advances, cleaning small children's
teeth continues to be a problem. Between the ages of 6 months and
around 3 years, the 20 primary or "baby" teeth erupt. The primary
teeth are replaced by 32 permanent or "adult" teeth. The first 28
permanent teeth erupt between 6 and 13 years, the final four third
molars, or "wisdom" teeth may erupt between 16-21 years.
[0018] Many parents assume that decay does not matter in primary
teeth because the teeth will fall out anyway, but decay in primary
teeth poses risks. If a child loses his primary teeth too early
because of decay or infection, the permanent teeth will not be
ready to erupt. Primary teeth act as a guide for the permanent
teeth: if primary teeth are lost too early, the teeth that are left
may can tip or move into the vacant space. When the permanent teeth
are ready to come into the mouth, there may not be enough room. As
a result, teeth may erupt out of their proper positions, leading to
malocclusion, crooked or crowded. In addition, the primary teeth
help a child learn proper speech.
[0019] Decay in infants is called nursing decay. It can destroy the
teeth and most often occurs in the upper front teeth. Nursing decay
is severe decay of child's top front baby teeth. It is caused when
sugary liquids are frequently consumed from a nursing bottle for a
prolonged period of time. Breast-fed children may be at risk if fed
on demand during the night and especially if the child sleeps with
the mother so that nursing can continue at will.
[0020] Decay occurs when sweetened liquids are given and are left
clinging to an infant's teeth for long periods. Many sweet liquids
cause problems, including milk, formula and fruit juice. Bacteria
in the mouth use these sugars as food. They then produce acids that
attack the teeth. Each time a child drinks these liquids, acids
attack for 20 minutes or longer. After many attacks, the teeth can
decay. This problem is acerbated when a child falls asleep with a
bottle during naps or at night. There is decreased salivary flow
during sleep and clearance of the liquid from the teeth is slowed.
The liquid pools around the upper front teeth and creates an
excellent environment to promote the growth of decay-causing
bacteria.
[0021] Traditional toothbrushes have proved difficult to adapt for
use by parents in infant and small children's mouths, even when
downsized. In addition, small children have trouble utilizing
traditional toothbrushes to clean their own teeth because of the
need to orient the brush perpendicular to the teeth. What is thus
needed is device for use in cleaning teeth of infants and small
children.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] A device in accordance with the principals of the present
invention provides parents with an improved tool to maintain dental
hygiene in infants and small children. A device in accordance with
the principals of the present invention also provides small
children with an improved tool to clean their own teeth without the
need to orient the brush perpendicular to the teeth. A device in
accordance with the principals of the present invention provides
small children with a tool to train as well, empowering children to
brush their own teeth.
[0023] A dental device in accordance with the present invention
includes a handle portion and a head portion joined by a joinder.
The head portion includes a bristle substitute, which comprises a
plurality of projections. The plurality of projections encircle the
core in a 360 degree circumference. The plurality of projections
can include, but are not limited to a plurality of raised
wave-shaped projections, a plurality of circular disks, a plurality
of circular groves, a plurality of ribs, a plurality of spikes and
combinations thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dental device in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective close-up view of the head of the
dental device of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a top view of the dental device of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a side view of the head of the dental device of
FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dental device of
FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dental device of FIG. 1
showing an alternative handle in accordance with the principles of
the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a dental device in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a top view of the dental device of FIG. 7.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a detailed side view of the head of the dental
device of FIG. 7.
[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second alternative
embodiment of a dental device in accordance with the principles of
the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 11 is a top view of the dental device of FIG. 10.
[0035] FIG. 12 is a detailed side view of the head of the dental
device of FIG. 10.
[0036] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of a dental device in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
[0037] FIG. 14 is a top view of the dental device of FIG. 13.
[0038] FIG. 15 is a detailed side view of the head of the dental
device of FIG. 13.
[0039] FIG. 16 is a cut away view of the head of the dental device
of FIG. 15.
[0040] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of a dental device in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
[0041] FIG. 18 is a top view of the dental device of FIG. 17.
[0042] FIG. 19 is a detailed side view of the head of the dental
device of FIG. 17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a view of a dental device 10 in
accordance with the principles of the present invention is seen.
FIG. 1 is perspective view of a dental device in accordance with
the principles of the present invention. The dental device 10
includes a handle portion 12 and a joinder portion 16. The handle
portion 12 is preferably comprised of rigid or semi-rigid materials
such as, for example, plastic, composite, ceramic or metal.
[0044] The head 14 includes a small rigid or semi-rigid core 18 in
the center. The core 18 can be seen in the cross-sectional view of
FIG. 5. In the preferred embodiment, the core is comprised of an
extension of the handle portion 12. The head portion 14 can
preferably be co-molded with an elastomeric material or elastomeric
foam over the core 18. In alternative embodiments, alternative
materials such as thermoplastic rubber or thermoplastic elastomer
can be utilized.
[0045] One of the difficulties in cleaning or brushing small
children's teeth is maintaining a traditional toothbrush in the
proper orientation such that the bristled head is in contact with
the teeth. This can be particularly cumbersome as the parent or
other caregiver is used to brushing their own teeth and is called
upon to attempt to brush the child's teeth in a backwards
orientation from what the caregiver is used to. In addition, small
children have trouble utilizing traditional toothbrushes to clean
their own teeth because of the need to orient the brush
perpendicular to the teeth. A device in accordance with the
principals of the present invention also provides small children
with an improved tool to clean their own teeth without the need to
orient the brush perpendicular to the teeth. A device in accordance
with the principals of the present invention provides small
children with a tool to train as well, empowering children to brush
their own teeth.
[0046] The head portion 14 comprises a plurality of projections 23.
FIG. 2 is perspective close-up view of the head of the dental
device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is top view of the dental device of FIG.
1. FIG. 4 is side view of the head of the dental device of FIG. 1.
In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-6, the projections 23
comprise a plurality of raised wave-shaped projections 25. These
projections 23 act as a bristle substitute to clean the gum and
teeth. The use of these projections enables the child's caregiver
to clean or brush the child's teeth holding the handle without
particular concern of the exact orientation which is a particular
benefit of a dental device in accordance with the principles of the
present invention. When these projections are referred to herein as
encircling the head in a 360 circumference, it is meant to be
inclusive not only of these projections encircling the head in a
360 circumference or sufficiently encircling the head so as to
achieve the functionality of enabling the user to clean or brush
the child's teeth holding the handle without particular concern of
the exact orientation.
[0047] Conventional bristles are mounted by molding holes with
tufts of bristles pushed in place by little metal chips that act as
staples. Because the dental device of the present invention is
sized to be used for infants and small children, there is very
limited room to create holes and have enough core material left to
have a strong product. In addition, in order to mold the holes
radiating out in 360 degrees, a complicated, costly molding tool
and special machinery would be required. This is more complicated
than a conventional brush where all the holes are molded from one
side and then stapled from one side.
[0048] While different sized dental devices in accordance with the
principles of the present invention are contemplated as within the
scope of the present invention, the dental devices of the present
invention are preferably sized for the mouth of a small child. The
following exemplary dimensions are given as a non-limiting
illustrative example of the size of a dental device in accordance
with the principles of the present invention.
[0049] In this exemplary example, the handle portion is preferably
about 3.9 inches in length, the joinder portion is preferably about
0.2 inches in length, and the head is preferably about 1.15 inches
in length with an about 0.22 inch radius. The width of the
plurality of raised wave-shaped projections and the distance
between each of the plurality of raised wave-shaped projections is
about 0.03 inches.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 6, a perspective view of the dental
device of FIG. 1 showing an alternative handle in accordance with
the principles of the present invention is seen. The handle portion
12 includes a raised area 27 on which the user can place his or her
thumb. The raised area 27 is positioned to approximate the correct
distance to the back molars of the mouth of an infant or small
child.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 7-10, an alternative embodiment of a
dental device in accordance with the principles of the present
invention is seen. In this alternative embodiment, the projections
23 comprise a plurality of circular disks 31. The circular disks 31
encircle the core in a 360 degree circumference. As a non-limiting
illustrative example of the size of a dental device in accordance
with the principles of the present invention, the width of the
plurality of circular disks and the distance between each of the
plurality of circular disks is about 0.03 inches.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 10-12, an alternative embodiment of a
dental device in accordance with the principles of the present
invention is seen. In this alternative embodiment, the projections
23 comprise a plurality of circular groves 33. The circular groves
33 encircle the core in a 360 degree circumference. As a
non-limiting illustrative example of the size of a dental device in
accordance with the principles of the present invention, the width
of the plurality of circular groves and the distance between each
of the plurality of circular groves is about 0.075 inches.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 13-16, an alternative embodiment of a
dental device in accordance with the principles of the present
invention is seen. In this alternative embodiment, the projections
23 comprise a plurality of ribs 35 formed in a 360 degree
circumference. As a non-limiting illustrative example of the size
of a dental device in accordance with the principles of the present
invention, the width of the plurality of ribs and the distance
between each of the plurality of ribs is about 0.03 inches. FIG. 16
shows a cut away view of the head of the dental device of FIGS.
13-15. It is seen that the plurality of ribs 35 are formed as a
plurality of extensions on a circular disk. As a non-limiting
illustrative example of the size of a dental device in accordance
with the principles of the present invention, the depth of each of
the plurality of ribs is about 0.02 inches with each of the
plurality of ribs formed at an about 45 degree angle.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 17-19, an alternative embodiment of a
dental device in accordance with the principles of the present
invention is seen. In this alternative embodiment, the projections
23 comprise a plurality of spikes 37 formed in a 360 degree
circumference. As a non-limiting illustrative example of the size
of a dental device in accordance with the principles of the present
invention, the width of the plurality of spikes and the distance
between each of the plurality of spikes is about 0.033 inches, with
the angle between each adjacent of the plurality of spikes about 30
degrees.
[0055] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the preferred embodiments described herein would
be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention and without demising its attendant
advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and
modifications be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *