U.S. patent application number 10/946357 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-29 for tongue cleaning device.
Invention is credited to Wagstaff, Robert K..
Application Number | 20050210613 10/946357 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21837967 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050210613 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wagstaff, Robert K. |
September 29, 2005 |
Tongue cleaning device
Abstract
Devices for cleaning the human tongue and methods for making
such devices are disclosed. The tongue cleaner may include a tongue
brush and a tongue scraper. The tongue cleaner may be of unitary
injection molded construction. The tongue cleaner bristles may be
tapered to a point for cleaning crevices of a human tongue, and the
bristles may be angled or curved. The tongue scraper contains at
least one blade for removal of undesirable material from the tongue
by a scraping action. The tongue brush and tongue scraper may be
combined into one unit or may be made and used separately.
Inventors: |
Wagstaff, Robert K.;
(Springville, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Parsons Behle & Latimer
201 South Main Street, Suite 1800
P.O. Box 45898
Salt Lake City
UT
84111
US
|
Family ID: |
21837967 |
Appl. No.: |
10/946357 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10946357 |
Sep 21, 2004 |
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10027480 |
Dec 21, 2001 |
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6792642 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/111 ; 15/160;
15/167.1; 15/187; 606/161 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 15/0081 20130101;
A46B 15/0055 20130101; A61B 17/244 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/111 ;
015/187; 015/160; 015/167.1; 606/161 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/12 |
Claims
1. A tongue cleaner comprising: a handle configured and adapted to
be grasped by a human hand, the handle having a longitudinal axis,
a neck emanating from said handle, a head region located distal to
said neck, a tongue brush located in said head region, said tongue
brush including: a bristle base configured to be a substantially
rigid platform that will support tongue brush bristles in use, said
bristle base having a proximal end adjacent said neck and a distal
end, and a plurality of bristles emanating from said bristle base,
each of said bristles having a proximal end adjacent said bristle
base and a distal end, at least some of said bristles being tapered
from their proximal end to their distal end to present a pointed
bristle appearance, at least some of said bristles being of
differing heights, said bristles being arranged generally in order
of descending height from said bristle base distal end to said
bristle base proximal end, at least some of said bristles having a
curvature that causes them to curve toward said neck, said bristles
being flexible to accommodate brushing of a human tongue without
causing injury to the tongue, said bristles and said bristle base
being formed as a single unitary component from the same material
via an injection molding process, said bristles emanating from said
bristle base in an individually-mounted and free-standing
non-tufted configuration, and a tongue scraper located in said head
region, said tongue scraper including: at least one tongue scraper
blade, said tongue scraper blade having sufficient flexibility to
be useful in removing undesirable material from a human tongue by a
scraping action, said tongue scraper blade emanating from said
bristle base.
2. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said bristle base has a
top and a bottom; wherein said bristles emanate from said bristle
base top; and wherein said tongue scraper blade emanates from said
bristle base bottom.
3. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said bristle base has a
top and a bottom; wherein said bristles emanate from said bristle
base top; and wherein said tongue scraper blade emanates from said
bristle base top adjacent said bristles.
4. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said bristles form a
first colony at said bristle base distal end and a second colony at
said bristle base proximal end; and wherein said tongue scraper
blade emanates from a location between said first and second
bristle colony.
5. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said handle, neck,
bristle base, bristles and tongue scraper are formed as a single
unitary component formed from a single material by an injection
molding process.
6. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said bristle base and
bristles are formed from a first material by a first injection
molding process, and the remainder of the tongue cleaner is formed
from a second material by a second injection molding process; and
wherein said first material and said second material differ from
each other.
7. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said tongue brush is
formed from a first material by a first injection molding process;
wherein said tongue scraper is formed from a second material by a
second injection molding process; wherein said handle and neck are
formed by a from a third material by a third injection molding
process; and wherein each of said first material, said second
material and said third material are different from each other.
8. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the
tongue cleaner includes a material selected from the group
consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene,
thermoplastic rubber, resin, silicon rubber, natural rubber and
plastic.
9. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said neck is oriented at
an angle of less than 180 degrees with said handle longitudinal
axis.
10. A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality
of tongue scraper blades arranged in rows in the head region of the
device; wherein each of said tongue scraper blades has a
longitudinal axis; and wherein each of said tongue scraper blades
is oriented with respect to said handle so that said tongue scraper
blade longitudinal axis is generally orthogonal to said handle
longitudinal axis.
11. A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising finger grips
located on said handle to enhance secure gripping of the
handle.
12. A tongue cleaner comprising: a handle configured and adapted to
be grasped by a human hand, the handle having a longitudinal axis,
a neck emanating from said handle, a head region located distal to
said neck, a tongue brush located in said head region, said tongue
brush including: a bristle base configured to be a substantially
rigid platform that will support tongue brush bristles in use, said
bristle base having a proximal end adjacent said neck and a distal
end, and a plurality of bristles emanating from said bristle base,
each of said bristles having a proximal end adjacent said bristle
base and a distal end, at least some of said bristles being tapered
from their proximal end to their distal end to presented a pointed
bristle appearance, said bristles being flexible to accommodate
brushing of a human tongue without causing injury to the tongue,
said bristles and said bristle base being formed as a single
unitary component from the same material via an injection molding
process, and said bristles emanating from said bristle base in an
individually-mounted and free-standing non-tufted
configuration.
13. A device as recited in claim 12 wherein said bristles are
arranged on said bristle base in a colony formation.
14. A device as recited in claim 12 wherein said bristles are
arranged on said bristle base in a row formation.
15. A device as recited in claim 12 wherein said handle, neck,
bristle base and bristles are formed as a single unitary component
formed from a single material by an injection molding process.
16. A device as recited in claim 12 wherein said bristle base and
bristles are formed from a first material by a first injection
molding process, and the remainder of the tongue cleaner is formed
from a second material by a second injection molding process; and
wherein said first material and said second material differ from
each other.
17. A device as recited in claim 12 wherein at least a portion of
the tongue cleaner includes a material selected from the group
consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene,
thermoplastic rubber, resin, silicon rubber, natural rubber and
plastic.
18. A device as recited in claim 12 wherein said neck is oriented
at an angle of less than 180 degrees with said handle longitudinal
axis.
19. A device as recited in claim 12 further comprising finger grips
located on said handle to enhance secure gripping of the handle by
a user of the tongue cleaner.
20. A device as recited in claim 12 wherein at least some of said
bristles are of a different length than other of said bristles.
21. A device as recited in claim 12 wherein said bristles terminate
in a common plane.
22. A device as recited in claim 12 wherein at least some of said
bristles are angled or curved with respect to said handle
longitudinal axis.
23. A device as recited in claim 12 wherein at least some of said
bristles are of a length greater than about 5 mm and less than
about 10 mm.
24. A device as recited in claim 12 wherein at least some of said
bristles have a base that is not more than about 1 mm in
diameter.
25. A device as recited in claim 12 further comprising a tongue
scraper blade in said head region, said tongue scraper blade having
sufficient flexibility to be useful in removing undesirable
material from a human tongue by a scraping action,
26. A device as recited in claim 12 further comprising a plurality
of tongue scraper blades in said head region.
27. A device as recited in claim 26 wherein said tongue scraper
blades include at least one primary tongue scraper blade and at
least one secondary tongue scraper blade, said secondary tongue
scraper blades serving to mechanically reinforce said primary
tongue scraper blade.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/027,480 filed on Dec. 21, 2001, which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the field of devices for cleaning
the human tongue, and methods for making the same. In recent years,
oral hygiene has become more important to the general public. The
past misconception that bad breath (halitosis) is primarily caused
by dirty teeth or stomach gases is now being corrected. It is now
established that the primary cause of bad breath is due to bacteria
that live on the top surface of the tongue. These bacteria produce
odors and deposit waste material on the surface of the tongue. In
order to control bad breath, bacteria and their waste materials
must be removed.
[0003] The tongue surface contains many small openings where taste
buds and salivary glands reside. These small openings can contain
waste material which adversely affects their function. In severe
cases the person may lose a significant amount of his or her
sensation of taste. Such waste material may also impair the
function of salivary glands, causing the mouth to feel dry. In
addition, the surface of the tongue is physically uneven and the
surface cells are sensitive to injury. Therefore, the removal of
the bacteria and waste material may be performed by both a physical
brushing as well as a tongue scraping, while respecting the
sensitivity of the tongue.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Objects of the inventions include providing a device for
cleaning the human tongue, and providing methods for making devices
for cleaning the human tongue. Additional objects, features and
advantages of the inventions will become apparent to persons of
ordinary skill in the art upon reading this document in light of
the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a longitudinal cross-section side view of the
human tongue and surrounding anatomy.
[0006] FIG. 2 depicts a longitudinal side view of a tongue cleaner
and toothbrush combination device.
[0007] FIG. 3 depicts a latitudinal front view of a tongue cleaning
device.
[0008] FIG. 4 depicts a latitudinal side view of a tongue cleaning
device.
[0009] FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged latitudinal side view of the
tongue brush head and tongue scraper of
[0010] FIG. 6 depicts an enlarged latitudinal side view of one
tapered point bristle of the tongue cleaner of FIG. 5.
[0011] FIG. 7 depicts an enlarged latitudinal side view of one cut
point bristle.
[0012] FIG. 8 depicts a latitudinal side view of a tongue
scraper.
[0013] FIG. 9 depicts an enlarged latitudinal side view of three
tongue scraper blades.
[0014] FIG. 10 depicts a longitudinal side view of three tongue
scraper blades in a passive position.
[0015] FIG. 11 depicts a longitudinal side view of three tongue
scraper blades in an active position.
[0016] FIG. 12 depicts a latitudinal front view of a tongue scraper
head.
[0017] FIG. 13 depicts a latitudinal side view of a tongue cleaning
device with an angled neck.
[0018] FIG. 14 depicts a latitudinal side view of the distal end of
a tongue cleaning device.
[0019] FIG. 15 depicts a latitudinal side view of a head region of
a tongue cleaning device.
[0020] FIG. 16 depicts a latitudinal front view of the distal end
of a tongue cleaning device.
[0021] FIG. 17 depicts the molding stage of a tongue cleaning
device one-step injection molding process.
[0022] FIG. 18 depicts the ejection stage of a tongue cleaning
device injection molding process.
[0023] FIG. 19 depicts tongue cleaner componentry formed by a
multiple step injection molding process.
[0024] FIG. 20 depicts a latitudinal side view of an injection
molding machine.
[0025] FIG. 21 depicts a latitudinal side view of the injection
system of an injection molding machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, the human tongue 110 is substantially
all muscle 104, and has a surface made up of taste buds 101 and
papillae (also referred to as mucous membrane) 102. The hyphoid
bone 103 is directly beneath the tongue 110, and the hard palate
111 is directly above the tongue 110. The jaw bone 105, lower teeth
106, lower lip 107, upper lip 112 and upper teeth 109 outline the
human mouth orifice. This cross-sectional view illustrates in a
minor degree the roughness and crevices of the human tongue which
present a particularly difficult cleaning task.
[0027] An embodiment of a tongue cleaning device of the invention
is depicted in FIG. 2. The device depicted is a combination tongue
brush/tongue scraper/toothbrush in order to present the user with
maximum utility in a single article. The device has an elongated
member that includes a head region 201 at the distal end, a neck
204, and a handle 205 at the proximal end, wherein said neck
emanates from said handle. The head region 201 contains a tongue
brush 202 on its first side and a tongue scraper 203 on its second
and opposite side. This permits the user to brush his tongue, turn
the device over, and use the scraper to scrape away material
loosened by brushing. The tongue brush 202 includes a plurality of
flexible bristles 207 that are tapered or cut to a point. The
bristles are individually mounted non-tufted bristles. The bristles
may bend or arch slightly toward the handle if desired. The tongue
scraper 203 includes one or more tongue scraper blades 208. The
blades 208 may be as flexible or rigid as desired. A toothbrush 206
extends from the proximal end of the handle 205 via a second neck
209. The embodiment of FIG. 2 also has ridged finger grips 210 to
enhance handling and manipulation of the tongue cleaning device. It
can be seen from FIG. 2 that the bristles 207 emanate from a
supporting base or bristle base.
[0028] FIG. 3 depicts a frontal view of a tongue cleaning device,
showing only the tongue brush 301, head region 302, neck 303,
handle 304, and bristles 305. The bristles are arranged in an
arcuate swath across the head, in individually mounted nontufted
format. The bristles may be arranged in rows or other formations as
desired. FIG. 4 shows a side view of a tongue cleaning device,
wherein a tongue scraper 401 is on the opposite side of the tongue
brush 402. This embodiment shows the individually mounted bristles
403 of the tongue cleaning device. The bristles 403 are curved at
an angle toward the handle 404 and are each tapered to a point. The
tongue scraper 401 has a squared off edge 405, but may include a
sharp or rounded edge as desired.
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of the individually
mounted bristles 501 of the tongue brush 502. The bristles 501 are
curved at an angle toward the handle 503 and formed to taper to a
point. The scraper 504 has a squared off edge 505. FIG. 6
illustrates the angle of curvature of each individual bristle 601.
FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative bristle 701 that is cut or formed
to have an angled point 702. It can be seen from FIGS. 3-5 that the
bristles of the tongue cleaner emanate from a base or bristle base
that is attached to the tongue cleaner neck.
[0030] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a tongue scraper 801. This
embodiment shows three sets of primary 803 and secondary 802
flexible scraper blades. The pair of secondary scraper blades 802
are shorter in height than the single primary scraper blade 803 and
are located on either side of it. They serve to provide the primary
scraper blade 803 with lateral structural support and increase its
effectiveness. In the event the primary blade does not collect all
of the debris, a secondary blade may pick up the remainder.
[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates one set 901 of a pair of secondary
scraper blades 902 and a single primary scraper blade 903 used to
form a tongue scraper. FIG. 10 shows the primary 1003 and secondary
blade 1002 positions for a passive tongue scraper 1001. FIG. 11
shows the primary 1103 and secondary blade 1102 active position of
the tongue scraper 1101. In this particular embodiment, the
secondary blades 1102 may provide structural support for the
primary scraper blade 1103 and increased effectiveness of the
tongue scraper. FIG. 12 is a frontal view of a tongue scraper 1202,
wherein a single primary blade 1204 and pair of secondary blades
1203 are shown as a set 1201. Three such sets are provided to
enhance scraping action.
[0032] FIG. 13 shows a tongue cleaning device 1301, wherein the
neck 1307 is angled for ease in applying pressure to the tongue
while cleaning. The neck 1307 can be angled from about 0 degrees to
about 45 degrees or more with the longitudinal axis of the handle
1303 of the device 1301. The head region 1304 has both a tongue
scraper 1305 and a tongue brush 1306 on the same side, wherein the
tongue scraper 1305 is proximal to the tongue brush 1306. Finger
grip strips 1302 extend along a portion of the handle 1303 for
superior gripping.
[0033] FIG. 14 shows the components of a tongue cleaning device
head region 1402 and neck 1403. An elongated member 1401 is molded
from a rigid material. The tongue scraper 1405 and a tongue brush
1404 are of unitary construction and from a second less-rigid
material. The tongue scraper 1405 is distal to the tongue brush
1404. The tongue scraper and tongue brush component 1407 are joined
with the elongated member 1401 via mechanical grip and/or chemical
affinity or bond at knit line 1406. It can be seen from FIGS. 13
and 14 that the bristles of the tongue cleaner emanate from a
bristle base formed as a unitary member with the bristles
themselves.
[0034] FIG. 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein a
tongue scraper 1502 is located between a first 1506 and second
colony 1507 of bristles 1501. The bristles are depicted as being
arranged in row and column format but could be arranged otherwise
as desired. A few rows of bristles 1501 are located in the first
colony 1506, on the distal side of the tongue scraper 1501. Several
more rows of bristles 1501 are located in the second colony 1507,
on the proximal side of the tongue scraper 1502. The elongate
member 1504 is formed using a generally rigid material. The tongue
scraper and tongue brush component 1503 may be of unitary
construction or may be formed in separate manufacturing steps and
joined together. The tongue scraper and tongue brush component 1503
will be formed of a more flexible material then the elongate member
1504. The tongue scraper and tongue brush components 1503 are
attached to the elongate member 1504 via mechanical grip and/or
chemical affinity or bond at knit line 1505. It can be seen from
FIG. 15 that the bristles of the tongue cleaner emanate from a
bristle base formed as a unitary member with the bristles
themselves. The bristle base is joined with other components of the
tongue cleaner.
[0035] FIG. 16 illustrates a frontal view of an embodiment of the
invention, wherein a tongue scraper 1602 is located in between a
first 1604 and second colony 1605 of bristles 1601, on the same
side of the head region 1603. The user is able to control the
amount of tongue brush and/or scraper contact by manipulating the
angle of the handle 1606 as it is rotated about the longitudinal
access of the scraper blade 1602 which acts as a fulcrum.
[0036] The above material describes generally structures of some
embodiments of the inventions. Below, a description is provided of
equipment and apparatuses useful for injection molding various
tongue cleaners of the invention.
[0037] The general steps involved in injection molding a tongue
cleaner of the invention include: (a) obtain or create a mold
having an interior cavity reflective of the structure of tongue
cleaner which is desired to be manufactured, (b) obtain a quantity
of plastic or other suitable material for forming the tongue
cleaner, (c) melt the plastic or other material until it is
flowable, (d) force the flowable plastic or other material into the
mold cavity, (e) permit the plastic or other material to cool and
solidify in the cavity, (f) open the mold, and (g) remove the
molded tongue cleaner. These steps will be elucidated in the text
below in reference to the corresponding figures.
[0038] FIG. 17 shows a mold 1701 for injection molding a tongue
cleaning device. This mold is used for a one-step unitary
construction of a tongue cleaning device. This embodiment
illustrates formation of only a tongue brush 1702, although a
combination tongue brush and/or tongue scraper with or without a
toothbrush could also be formed as desired. The mold 1701 includes
a first mold half 1703 and a second mold half 1704. These two mold
halves are separated by a center line 1705. When the mold 1701 is
fitted together as shown in FIG. 17, molding material is forced
through the portal 1706 to form the tongue brush 1702. The formed
tongue brush 1702 is then allowed to cool and solidify.
[0039] FIG. 18 shows an open mold 1801 following completion of
injection molding from the previous figure. The top 1802 and bottom
1803 mold halves were separated along the center line 1804 to yield
a finished product tongue cleaner device 1805 which is of unitary
construction.
[0040] FIG. 19 illustrates a tongue cleaning device 1901 formed via
a multiplestep injection molding process. This device 1901 is
formed of multiple components each of which is individually molded.
First, the tongue brush 1902 was molded from a first material. Then
a second different material is used to form a tongue scraper 1904.
A third more rigid material is used to form an elongated member
1903. These separate molding steps will typically be performed in
separate molds, moving the partially-molded component from mold to
mold until completion. The separate components are affixed to each
other mechanically, by adhesive such as glue or epoxy, by welding,
or by affinity or chemical bond during injection molding. It can be
seen from FIG. 19 that the bristles of the tongue cleaner emanate
from a bristle base formed as a unitary member with the bristles
themselves. The bristle base is joined with other components of the
tongue cleaner.
[0041] FIG. 20 illustrates an injection molding machine 2001 which
may be used to make tongue cleaners of the invention. The injection
molding machine includes five systems. These systems include: the
hydraulic system 2002, the injection system 2003, the control
system 2004, the mold system 2005, and the clamping system 2006.
The hydraulic system 2002 provides the power to run the injection
system 2003, the mold system 2005, and the clamping system 2006.
The injection system 2003 confines, melts and transports the
plastic as it progresses through various stages in the machine
2001. The control system 2004 provides consistency and
repeatability in machine operation. The mold system 2005 forms the
molten plastic into a tongue cleaner. The clamping system 2006
opens and closes the mold, and supports and carries constituent
parts of the mold.
[0042] FIG. 21 illustrates the injection system of an injection
molding machine useful when making injection molded tongue cleaners
of the invention. Raw materials 2111, generally in the form of
small pellets, are put into the hopper 2101. A barrel 2109 receives
raw material 2111 from the hopper 2101 and supports a reciprocating
plasticizing screw 2110. The barrel 2109 is heated by electric
heater bands 2102, which melts the raw material that is located
within the barrel 2109, permitting it to be plasticized by the
turning screw 2110. The injection chamber 2108 delivers the
material to the nozzle 2103. The nozzle 2103 connects the barrel
2109 to the sprue bushing 2107 of the mold 2106 and forms a seal
between the barrel 2109 and the mold 2106. Molten raw material from
the barrel 2109 is forced by the screw 2110 through the nozzle 2103
into the sprue bushing 2107 and into the mold 2106 where it can
assume the shape of the interior cavity of the mold. A movable
platen 2105 detaches from a stationary platen 2104 to separate the
mold halves and eject the molded tongue cleaner.
[0043] A discussion is provided below of some features and
characteristics of some embodiments of the tongue cleaner
inventions. This discussion should not be considered limiting as to
the scope of the inventions. A tongue cleaning device may consist
of a head region, neck and handle. The head region is distally
connected to the handle via the neck. The neck may be the narrowest
portion of the tongue cleaning device. The handle is at the
proximal end of the tongue cleaning device. The neck and/or handle
may be angled to facilitate pressure control of the device on the
tongue.
[0044] One embodiment of the inventions consists of a tongue brush
attached to the head region, where the tongue brush is
approximately 32 mm long by 16-25 mm wide and 4 mm thick. The head
and tongue brush are attached to a handle that is approximately 170
mm long, 12 mm wide and 5 mm thick. The handle can have finger
grips formed of the same or a different material. The finger grips
can be ridges or long strips of material. The grips are designed to
facilitate handling and manipulating the tongue cleaning
device.
[0045] The tongue brush includes a bristle base, which is
approximately 4 mm thick. A plurality of individually mounted
non-tufted bristles emanates from the bristle base. The individual
bristles can be formed of the same material as the base or from
another material as desired. Each bristle is individually mounted
on the base, formed of solid material and tapered to a point. The
bristles may be of different lengths such that those at the distal
end of the brush are longer (approximately 10 mm in length) and
those toward the neck are shorter (approximately 5 mm in length).
The bristles may be individually cut at an angle to form a point.
In addition, all of the bristles are curved toward the handle of
the brush.
[0046] The curvature of the bristle, along with the different
bristle lengths, allows for the bristles to touch the tongue while
in use. The points of the bristles are also small enough to enter
into the small indentations and crevices of the tongue surface and
loosen and remove the bacteria and waste material. The bristles are
soft and will not damage the surface cells of the tongue. In
addition, the user can regulate bristle pressure by pivoting the
tongue cleaning device about its longitudinal axis.
[0047] The tongue scraper may include one or more blades that can
also be formed of the same material or a different material as the
tongue brush. The tongue scraper can be on the same (first) or
opposite (second) side of the tongue brush. The scraper can be made
up of single or multiple blades. The scraper blades emanate from
the bristle base. In addition, the blades can be located above,
below or in between the bristles. In one embodiment, the blade(s)
are approximately 3 mm long and about 0.5 mm thick. The edge of the
blade is flat (or square) and flexible. As the scraper is pulled
across the surface of the tongue the loosened bacteria and waste
material is gently carried out of the mouth. The forward edge of
the blade is the "active" edge of the scraper.
[0048] In an alternative embodiment the tongue scraper is comprised
of sets of one primary blade and two secondary blades. One
secondary blade is located on either side of the primary blade.
Both blades function much like a window scraper that removes water
from a glass window. The secondary blade provides additional
strength and effectiveness. This type of scraper is efficient and
gentle to the surface of the tongue. Again, the user can regulate
the scraper blade(s) pressure by pivoting the tongue brush about
the longitudinal axis of the scraper blade.
[0049] The tongue brush and the tongue scraper can be formed
together as one instrument or they can be built and used
separately. In addition, a toothbrush may be incorporated on the
proximal end of the handle via a second neck to form a tooth and
tongue cleaning device. Alternatively, the toothbrush may be joined
to only a tongue scraper or a tongue brush. The toothbrush can be
joined to the tongue cleaning device via welding, mechanical
fixation or being formed during the injection molding process.
[0050] In some embodiments of the inventions, the tongue cleaning
device may be made by injection molding. The first step is to
obtain or create a suitable mold. The mold can be formed of
machined metal such as aluminum or steel to have an interior cavity
reflecting the shape of the tongue cleaner to be produced. The mold
is then used in an injection molding machine which forces molten
raw material, such as plastic, into the mold cavity to form the
tongue cleaner. The injection molding process may be a single step
or series of steps, depending on the number of materials used.
Possible materials for making the invention and components thereof
include: polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, thermoplastic
rubber, resin, silicon rubber, natural rubber, plastic and other
materials.
[0051] In one embodiment of the invention, the tongue cleaner may
be formed by a one-step injection molding process wherein a single
material, such as polypropylene, is used to form the entire tongue
cleaning device, such that a single mold is used to form all
portions of the tongue brush in a single step. The mold would yield
the entire tongue cleaning device of unitary construction upon
being opened.
[0052] An alternative embodiment is to use two or more molds
wherein plastics, for example, of differing degrees of rigidity
would be molded separately to form distinct components of a tongue
cleaning device. These separately molded portions can be fitted
together via a mechanical grip and/or chemical affinity or bond.
One embodiment of a multiple step injection molding process is to
have three molds, wherein the first mold forms the elongated
member, the second mold forms the tongue brush and tongue scraper,
and a third mold forms finger grips.
[0053] While the present invention has been described and
illustrated in conjunction with a number of specific embodiments,
those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations and
modifications may be made without departing from the principles of
the invention as herein illustrated, described, and claimed.
[0054] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects as only illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope
of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims,
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
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