Abstract
A varied response teether with an outer surface created at least in part by a first elastomeric material and an inner portion including an elastomeric material that has at least one different property than the first elastomeric material.
Claims
1. A varied response teether configured to be used in the mouth human child to load and strengthen the child's temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and jaw, comprising: a compressible, elastically-responsive elastomeric core made from a first elastomeric material having a first hardness; an outer compressible, elastically-responsive layer overmolded on the core so as to cover some but not all of the core, where the outer layer is made from a second elastomeric material having a second hardness that is different than the first hardness; wherein the core and outer layer together define first and second spaced opposed faces, an edge along a circumference of the teether, where the edge connects the faces, and a through-hole passing through the core and outer layer from the first face to the second face; wherein the core and outer layer together have an outer circumference that defines a first end with a first radius of curvature, an opposed second end with a second radius of curvature that is less than the first radius of curvature, and two sides that connect the first and second ends, where the sides are generally straight; wherein the outer layer further defines first and second projections, one projection on each face, each projection comprising a top located above the face, and outwardly tapered angled sides that meet the respective face, such that the projections narrow from a base where they meet the face, to the top; wherein the outer layer further defines at least a first depression in one face that comprises a bottom located below the face, and outwardly-tapered angled sides that meet the face, such that the first depression has a larger circumference at the top where it meets the face than the circumference at its bottom; and wherein the core and outer layer together further define two adjacent arc-shaped depressions in the second end that each extend along a part of the circumference of the teether and across the entire edge between the first and second faces.
2. The varied response teether of claim 1, wherein along a first part of the edge, the core is exposed and covered on both sides by the outer layer, such that along this first part of the edge there are exposed upper and lower layers of the second elastomeric material and an exposed middle layer of the first elastomeric material.
3. The varied response teether of claim 1, wherein the first elastomeric material is harder than the second elastomeric material.
4. The varied response teether of claim 1, wherein the outer layer further defines a second depression in one face that comprises a bottom located below the face, and outwardly-tapered angled sides that meet the face, such that the second depression has a larger circumference at the top where it meets the face than the circumference at its bottom.
5. The varied response teether of claim 4, wherein the second depression is in the same face as the first depression.
6. The varied response teether of claim 5, wherein the bottoms of the first and second depressions are each generally oval shaped.
7. The varied response teether of claim 1, wherein the two adjacent arc-shaped depressions are each continuously curved.
8. The varied response teether of claim 1, wherein the two adjacent arc-shaped depressions are each blended into one of the faces, such that for each arc-shaped depression there is a slanted arc-shaped border between the face and the depression.
9. The varied response teether of claim 1, comprising at least three stacked layers.
10. The varied response teether of claim 9, wherein each stacked layer is made from an elastomeric material.
11. A varied response teether configured to be used in the mouth of a human child to load and strengthen the child's temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and jaw, comprising: a compressible, elastically-responsive elastomeric core made from a first elastomeric material having a first hardness; an outer compressible, elastically-responsive layer overmolded on the core so as to cover some but not all of the core, where the outer layer is made from a second elastomeric material that is softer than the first material; wherein the core and outer layer together define first and second spaced opposed faces, an edge along a circumference of the teether, where the edge connects the faces, and a through-hole passing through the core and outer layer from the first face to the second face; wherein the core and outer layer together have an outer circumference that defines a first end with a first radius of curvature, an opposed second end with a second radius of curvature that is less than the first radius of curvature, and two sides that connect the first and second ends, where the sides are generally straight; wherein the outer layer further defines first and second projections, one projection on each face, each projection comprising a top located above the face, and outwardly tapered angled sides that meet the respective face, such that the projections narrow from a base where they meet the face, to the top; wherein the outer layer further defines first and second shaped depressions in one face, each depression comprising a bottom located below the face, and outwardly-tapered angled sides that meet the face, such that the depression has a larger circumference at the top where it meets the face than the circumference at its bottom; and wherein along a first part of the edge, the core is exposed and covered on both sides by the outer layer, such that along this first part of the edge there are exposed upper and lower layers of the second elastomeric material and an exposed middle layer of the first elastomeric material, and wherein along the second end there are two adjacent arc-shaped depressions each extending along a part of the circumference of the teether and across the entire edge between the first and second faces.
12. A varied response teether configured to be used in the mouth of a human child to load and strengthen the child's temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and jaw, comprising: a compressible, elastically-responsive elastomeric core made from a first elastomeric material having a first hardness; an outer compressible, elastically-responsive layer overmolded on the core so as to cover some but not all of the core, where the outer layer is made from a second elastomeric material having a second hardness that is different than the first hardness; wherein the core and outer layer together define first and second spaced opposed faces, an edge along a circumference of the teether, where the edge connects the faces, and a through-hole passing through the core and outer layer from the first face to the second face; wherein the core and outer layer together have an outer circumference that defines a first end with a first radius of curvature, an opposed second end with a second radius of curvature that is less than the first radius of curvature, and two sides that connect the first and second ends, where the sides are generally straight; wherein the outer layer further defines first and second projections, one projection on each face, each projection comprising a top located above the face, and outwardly tapered angled sides that meet the respective face, such that the projections narrow from a base where they meet the face, to the top; wherein the outer layer further defines at least a first depression in one face and that comprises a bottom located below the face, and outwardly-tapered angled sides that meet the face, such that the first depression has a larger circumference at the top where it meets the face than the circumference at its bottom; and wherein the core and outer layer together further define two adjacent arc-shaped depressions in the second end that each extend along a part of the circumference of the teether and across the entire edge between the first and second faces, wherein the two adjacent arc-shaped depressions are each continuously curved and are each blended into one of the faces, such that for each arc-shaped depression there is a slanted arc-shaped border between the face and the depression.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Other aspects will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 is a simplified side cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the teether;
(3) FIG. 2 is a simplified side cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the teether;
(4) FIG. 3 is a simplified side cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the teether;
(5) FIG. 4 is a simplified side cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the teether;
(6) FIGS. 5A-5D are views of one embodiment of the teether;
(7) FIGS. 6A and 6B schematically and conceptually illustrate a variable-response construction that can be used in the teether;
(8) FIG. 7 is a simplified side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the teether that employs the construction of FIGS. 6A and 6B;
(9) FIG. 8 is a simplified partial side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the teether that employs the construction of FIGS. 6A and 6B;
(10) FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating time versus force for two bites into food, which helps to understand the varied response of certain embodiments of the teether;
(11) FIG. 10 is a displacement/force curve for testing of a strawberry;
(12) FIG. 11 is a comparison of three teethers to a prior art teether;
(13) FIGS. 12A and 12B are a schematic model of a viscoelastic material and corresponding creep recovery curve that are useful in understanding the teether designs; and
(14) FIGS. 13A and 13B show another varied response teether design.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(15) FIGS. 1 through 4 are schematic cross-sectional representations of four different embodiments of the teether. Teether 10, FIG. 1, includes outer shell 12 that comprises upper and lower sections 14 and 16 respectively that are made of the same durometer material, and end sections 18 and 20 that may be of a different material. For example, the upper and lower sections 14 and 16 may be comprised of a 50-90A elastomeric material, while the two end sections 18 and 20 may be a 50-60A material. The softer durometer end sections are preferred so that flexing and compression does not lead to premature fatigue of the joint or living hinge that is effectively created. Because the bulk of the exterior flexing will take place at these end sections the material must be able to withstand creep deformation and repeated stress and strain cycles without failure. The upper and lower portions serve as interface or bite surfaces for the child. The purpose of these is to receive the external force applied by the gum pads or teeth and distribute that force in such a way that the internal damping/spring mechanism (a different viscoelastic material), and the end pieces are able to function as a shock absorber-like system. When external force is applied the response is controlled by the material Shore hardness and the viscoelastic responsiveness of the materials selected for the internal and end members. The interior 21 includes a portion of material 22 located between top and bottom 14 and 16. The rest of the interior may be of a different material or it may be empty. Material 22 is preferably elastomeric or elastomer-like. This construction creates a teether that is compressible and requires greater force as the compression proceeds. The device returns to its original position when the bite force is released. This return to position may be equal or slower than the rate of the applied force as this would correlate to food response during chewing. Portion 22 could alternatively be accomplished with a gel such as a hydro gel or a granular material such as sand.
(16) Embodiment 30, FIG. 2 also includes a shell 32 with upper and lower portions 34 and 36 made of one material and end portions 38 and 40 that can be made of a different material to provide a desired response when a bite force is applied. In this case, interior 42 is filled with a material with the exception of one or more voids 44. Material 42 is preferably a different elastomer. Void 44 helps to accomplish a squishy feeling, but since the void is not evenly distributed across the teether, the force required to compress the teether varies in different locations on the teether. This thus accomplishes a variable bite force at different locations on the teether.
(17) In another similar embodiment 50, FIG. 3, shell 52 comprises upper and lower layers 54 and 56 and end portions 58 and 60, each of which as in the other embodiments is preferably an elastomer such as silicone. The elastomeric interior bridging portion 62 is connected between surfaces 54 and 56, but accomplishes variable void areas 64, 66, 68 and 70 that tailor the bite force/compressibility response of the teether at different locations and dependent on the degree of compression.
(18) Embodiment 80, FIG. 4, has a slightly different cross-sectional shape and can have a generally elongated tubular shape to mimic the shape of a finger. Body 82 is made of one material and can have one, two or more interior volumes (two such volumes 88 and 89 shown) of a different material and/or voids to accomplish a varied compressibility along its length. End regions 84 and 86 can be a different material as well.
(19) FIG. 5 shows one of many possible physical designs of the teether. Teether 90 is, broadly, flat and thin. Teether 90 is constructed from elastomeric core 92 overmolded with softer silicone or similar elastomeric material 94. Outer layer 94 defines peaks and valleys (e.g., peak 91 and valleys 93 and 97), hole 96 and scalloped edges 95 that accomplish angles that provide for different responses in different areas of the teether. Teether 90 will display a viscoelastic response that mimics the response of solid foods. This particular teether is designed to be for 3+ months as it is very soft and elastically responsive. This produces a response similar to pureed/rice pudding like foods. The soft compressive nature of the elastomeric set-up allows the child to freely bite on the teether surface, while loading the TMJ/jaw to strengthen for the next level of feeding progression. The angles help to alter the direction of the load on the TMJ, i.e., as in Nickel J C, et al (1988), the load and angle of load are involved in TMJ development. This will not only help strengthen the muscles and joints, but will also encourage development of the bite to be more incisor (anterior) based during initial bite.
(20) FIGS. 6A and 6B schematically and conceptually illustrate a variable-response construction that can be used in the invention. Construction 100 is a stack of seven thin layers or plates 101-107 that can be arranged to be vertically aligned as shown in FIG. 6A or partially misaligned as shown in FIG. 6B. When the layers are aligned the stack provides the greatest resistance to vertical forces, and so when used in the interior of a teether (for example a teether of the type shown in FIG. 1-5) construction 100 accomplishes a stiff teether, appropriate for older children. As the plates are moved to become more misaligned as illustrated for example in construction 100a FIG. 6B, the stack exhibits greater vertical compliance and so can accomplish a more easily compressed teether. Also, the material, construction and thickness of the individual plates can be tailored to achieve a desired elastic or viscoelastic response to compressive forces. The result is that a stack such as this can be used to accomplish different response to compressive forces as a means to at least partially accomplish an aim of the teether.
(21) Note that this stack concept can be applied to the teether literally, or more conceptually. For example, the stack can be arranged and then tested (for example using an Instron tester), as a means to determine proper design of a unitary or integral interior elastic member of the type shown in FIG. 1-5.
(22) The concepts of FIGS. 6A and 6B are shown in context (again, schematically and somewhat conceptually) in the examples of FIGS. 7 and 8. Teether 110, FIG. 7, uses “spring” 112 to provide some or all of its compliance. Spring 112 comprise interconnected intersecting strings 113 and 114 of plates (or a construction modeled by plates) to accomplish a certain compliance. Obviously the material, length, thickness and/or angles (and relative angles) of strings 113 and 114 can be varied to accomplish a desired elastic or viscoelastic response.
(23) Yet another broadly similar embodiment 120 is shown in FIG. 8. In this example, internal hollow channel 126 is employed to contribute to the compliance. Plate string (or equivalent) 122 is located between hollow or filled channel 126 and upper surface 123, and string (or equivalent) 124 is located between lower surface 125 and channel 126.
(24) FIG. 9 is a force diagram of the biting force realized as food is chewed. This graph reflects the fact that force per bite decreases as the food is masticated. The variable response teether of this invention can mimic this type of force profile through selection of design, materials and placement of the teether by the infant/toddler.
(25) FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate a teether 200 that has multiple bite surfaces and is comprised of a main planet like structure 202 that has two elastomeric overmolded sections 204 and 212 for bite response and an outer orbit ring 206 that is allowed to rotate freely around the planet due to an axle like structure 208 that connects the two parts. Structure 202 carries peg 232 and peg-receiving cylinder 231. The other half of teether 200 (not shown in FIG. 13B) has a mirror image construction to create two peg in cylinder press fit structures that hold the two halves of planet 202 together while they are ultrasonically welded together along seam area 201. Both planet structure 202 and section 204 have an internal structure that is similarly shaped and typically (but not necessarily) of different hardness (typically harder) than the overmolded sections to accomplish structure for the overmolding as well as contribute to the bite response. The dimensions of the outer orbit ring 206 are such to allow the infant to bite around the ring, i.e., can close their lips around the ring to accomplish a lip seal gesture; the act of sealing the lips around an item or object allows one to hold food or liquids in the mouth without spilling. Also, ring 206 being spaced from planet 202 provides an open area for hand-eye coordination and acts as a handle. The planet 202 can spin about axle 208 via discs 221 and 222 on axle 208 and matching plates with central openings 223 and 224 on the inside of planet 202 that allow discs 221 and 222 to float while limiting vertical movement and allowing planet 202 to spin freely about axle 208.
(26) While the invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, particular embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art from a reading of this disclosure that certain changes in form or detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and are within the scope of the following claims. For example, features shown in some drawings and not others may be combined in different manners in accordance with the invention.
