Improved Lip And Cheek Extender

Abstract

The invention relates to a covering device for covering the lips and labial angles and for holding the lips, cheeks and labial angles away from the rows of teeth in the mouth of a patient which comprises an elastic lip clamping element for external contact with the mouth opening, at least one elastic vestibular clamping element for inserting into the oral vestibule of the mouth of the patient and a film connecting the clamping elements, wherein the clamping elements are arranged along two opposite end regions of the film such that the inserted covering device is open towards the mouth cavity, wherein the vestibular clamping element comprises at least one section which extends in the sagittal direction anterior to the vestibular fold when the covering device is inserted.

Claims

1. A covering device for covering the lips and labial angles and for holding the lips, cheeks and labial angles away from rows of teeth in the mouth of a patient, comprising an elastic lip clamping element (110, 210, 310), at least one elastic vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320), and a film (130, 230, 330) connecting the clamping elements, wherein the clamping elements are arranged along two opposite end regions of the film, wherein the clamping elements (110, 210, 310; 120, 220, 320) are elastically deformable and span the film (130, 230, 330) in a relaxed state in the form of a ring or tube, wherein that the vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320) comprises at least one section (121, 221, 321) curved toward the lip clamping element, said curved section extending anterior to the vestibular fold when the covering device is inserted.

2. The covering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the film (130, 230, 330) is shortened in the region of the curved section (121, 221, 321) compared to the remaining regions.

3. The covering device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the curved section (121, 221, 321) shortens the film (130, 230, 330) in the center of the curved section (121, 221, 321) to 30 to 70 percent, compared to the remaining regions, and/or wherein the vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320), when the covering device is inserted, is spaced apart from the lip clamping element (110, 210, 310) by 0 mm to 30 mm in the region of the at least one section (121, 221, 321) curved toward the anterior.

4. The covering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curved section (121, 221, 321) passes through the sagittal plane when the covering device is inserted.

5. The covering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curved section (121, 221, 321) takes up between 10 percent and 60 percent of the circumference of the vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320).

6. The covering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curved section (121, 221, 321) is substantially sinusoidal-shaped or double S-shaped.

7. A covering device for covering the lips and labial angles and for holding the lips, cheeks and labial angles away from the rows of teeth in the mouth of a patient, comprising an elastic lip clamping element (110, 210, 310) for external contact with the mouth opening, at least one elastic vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320) for inserting into the oral vestibule of the mouth of the patient, and a limp film (130, 230, 330) connecting the clamping elements, wherein the clamping elements are arranged along two opposite end regions of the film, wherein: at least one clamping section (123, 223, 323) of the vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320) is elastically deformable and spans the film (130) in a relaxed state and is suitable to be inserted into a region of the oral vestibule of the patient in the deformed state and to fix the film (130, 230, 330) intraorally, wherein the vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320) comprises at least one section (121, 221, 321) curved toward the lip clamping element said curved section extending in the sagittal direction anterior to the vestibular fold when the device is inserted.

8. The covering device as claimed in claim 7, wherein, when the covering device is inserted, the film (130, 230, 330) extends between the lip clamping element (110, 210, 310) and the vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320) in contact with the lips and labial angles and therearound and is adapted to exert substantially evenly distributed planar compressive forces to the lips and labial angles which push away the lips, cheeks and labial angles from the teeth and the alveolar bone and pretension the mouth opening circularly into an opened position, wherein the device allows for closing the mouth.

9. The covering device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one anteriorly curved section (121, 221, 321) of the vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320) rests on the lip or outside of the lip and/or extends in the region of the incisors of the lower jaw when the covering device is inserted.

10. The covering device as claimed in claim 7, wherein two anteriorly curved sections (121, 221, 321, 122, 222, 322) of the vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320) extend in the sagittal direction anterior to the vestibular fold and extend to both sides of the sagittal plane when the covering device is inserted.

11. The covering device as claimed in claim 10, wherein, when the covering device is inserted, the first anteriorly curved section (121, 221, 321) extends in the region of the canine teeth and the incisors of the lower jaw and the second anteriorly curved section (122, 222, 322) extends in the region of the canine teeth and the incisors of the upper jaw.

12. The covering device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320) is configured as a clamping frame, in the shape of a clamping ring, which is plastically shaped in three dimensions.

13. The covering device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lip clamping element (210, 310) comprises at least one section (211, 311) which, when the device is inserted, is curved in the sagittal direction toward the at least one section of the vestibular clamping element (220, 320).

14. The covering device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one anteriorly curved section (121, 221, 321) of the vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320) configures a concave (124, 224, 324) indentation, wherein an additional film (231, 331) at least partially stretches over the concave indentation and/or the lip clamping element (210) comprises at least one indentation (211, 212) which extends in the posterior direction, curved toward the vestibular clamping element.

15. The covering device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the covering device has the shape of a tube (101) with two ends (141, 142), in which at least the second end (142) of the tube (101) comprises two concave indentations (151, 152).

16. The covering device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the elastic vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320) is connected to the elastic lip clamping element (110, 210, 310) by at least one web (171, 271, 571, 172, 272, 572), wherein the at least one web (271, 272) is positioned in the region of the anteriorly curved section (121, 122, 221, 222, 321, 322) and/or the at least one web (271) comprises film material or of a material different therefrom.

17. A covering device for covering the lips and labial angles and for holding the lips, cheeks and labial angles away from the rows of teeth in the mouth of a patient, comprising an elastic lip clamping element (110, 210, 310), at least one elastic vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320), and a film (130, 230, 330) connecting the clamping elements, wherein the clamping elements are arranged along two opposite end regions of the film, wherein the clamping elements (110, 210, 310; 120, 220, 320) are elastically deformable and span the film (130, 230, 330) in a relaxed state in the form of a ring or tube, wherein the vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320) comprises at least two protrusions or protruding corners (512, 514, 516, 518) which protrude convexly toward the outside compared to a pointed oval (505) or oval, and wherein the shape of the vestibular clamping element (520) is incongruent with or geometrically dissimilar to the pointed oval (505) or oval.

18. The covering device as claimed in claim 17, wherein in the top view, the vestibular clamping element (520) has substantially the shape of a rectangle with rounded corners, wherein the radius of the corners is between 0.1 cm and 7 cm.

19. The covering device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the lip clamping element (510) is congruent with or geometrically similar to the vestibular clamping element (520), or wherein the lip clamping element (510) and the vestibular clamping element (520) deviate in shape from one another by less than 20%.

20. (canceled)

21. The covering device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the curved section (121, 221, 321) shortens the film (130, 230, 330) in the center of the curved section (121, 221, 321) to approximately 50 percent.

22. The covering device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the radius of the corners is between 0.2 to 4 cm.

Description

[0095] The present invention is explained in greater detail on the basis of the following Figures and examples which are not to be considered as limiting.

[0096] FIG. 1 shows an inventive covering device in one embodiment;

[0097] FIG. 2 shows the side view of the covering device from FIG. 1;

[0098] FIG. 3 shows the two clamping elements of the covering device from FIG. 1;

[0099] FIG. 4 shows an alternative inventive covering device;

[0100] FIG. 5 shows the side view of the covering device from FIG. 4;

[0101] FIG. 6 shows the two clamping elements of the covering device from FIG. 4;

[0102] FIG. 7 shows a further alternative inventive covering device;

[0103] FIG. 8 shows the side view of the covering device from FIG. 7;

[0104] FIG. 9 shows the two clamping elements of the covering device from FIG. 7;

[0105] FIG. 10 shows the two clamping elements in a further embodiment;

[0106] FIG. 11 shows a comparison of the inventive covering device with a prior art covering device during use;

[0107] FIG. 12 shows the inventive covering device from FIG. 1 with lands;

[0108] FIG. 13 shows the side view of the covering device from FIG. 12;

[0109] FIG. 14 shows the inventive covering device from FIG. 4 with lands;

[0110] FIG. 15 shows an inventive covering device with lands during use;

[0111] FIG. 16 shows a further inventive covering device in a schematic view, in the configuration according to claim 17;

[0112] FIG. 17 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 16 in its practical use.

[0113] FIG. 1 shows an inventive covering device. FIG. 1a shows the covering device (100) consisting of a lip clamping element (110)—configured as a clamping ring, a vestibular clamping element (120) and a film (130). While the lip clamping element (110) is at least almost planar with regard to plastic shaping, even if it consists of a flexible material and is thus flexible, the vestibular clamping element (120) comprises a three-dimensional basic shape with two sections (121, 122) which point towards the lip clamping element (110) and thus cause the covering device to taper in this region or rather form concave indentations (124, 125), respectively. The curved sections (121, 221, 321) may occupy between 10 percent and 60 percent of the circumference of the vestibular clamping element (120, 220, 320) but also between 20 and 50 percent. A preferred value may be approximately 40 percent. The circumference may amount to e.g. 30 cm, and the added length of both indentations 124, 125 may be 14 cm, i.e. between 40 and 50 percent.

[0114] Now, if the covering device (100) is used, the vestibular clamping element (120) is inserted into the mouth such that the two regions or clamping sections (123) of the clamping element (120) are inserted in the oral vestibule in the region of the molars and contact the cheek. However, as a result of the design showed, the further regions (121, 122) are not in the oral vestibule but extend in the sagittal direction anterior to the oral vestibule. In this connection, depending on the design, the extension of the anteriorly curved sections (121 and 122) may be provided intraorally along the lip or extraorally. Due to this extension outside of the oral vestibule, in the front region, i.e. in the region of the canine teeth and incisors, pressure on the mucous membrane in contact with the jaw bone and supported by it and thus respective pressure sores are prevented.

[0115] FIG. 1 b shows the same covering device (100) wherein attention is paid to the basic design in the shape of a tube (101) with two ends (141, 142), wherein the ends are configured by said clamping elements and wherein the second end (142) of the tube (101) comprises two concave indentations (151, 152).

[0116] FIG. 2 shows the covering device (100) from FIG. 1 in the side view. Again, the two clamping elements (110, 120) with the intermediate film (130) are apparent. In addition to the two intraoral clamping sections (123), the vestibular clamping element comprises a section (121) which extends between the points A and B and which forms a concave indentation (124) and thus presents a section curved in the anterior direction which extends in the sagittal direction anterior to the vestibular fold when the covering device is inserted.

[0117] FIG. 3 shows the two clamping elements (110, 120) of the covering device from FIGS. 1 and 2. The vestibular clamping element (120) is divided in four sections, two intraoral clamping sections (123) and two anteriorly curved sections (121, 122).

[0118] In this connection, “anterior” refers to the extension extending in the direction of the lip clamping element (110) as it is completely outside of the mouth and thus anterior to the vestibular clamping element (120) when the covering device is in the inserted state.

[0119] The most anterior point of the sections (121, 122) of the vestibular clamping element (120) has a distance of approximately 20 mm to the lip clamping element (110) when the film is planar but not stretched and not clamped.

[0120] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the inventive covering device (200) which again comprises a lip clamping element (210), a vestibular clamping element (220) and a film (230). Again, the vestibular clamping element (220) comprises a three-dimensional basic shape with two sections (221, 222) which point towards the lip clamping element (210) and thus cause the covering device to taper in this region or rather form concave indentations (224, 225) thereat, respectively.

[0121] Now, if the covering device (200) is used, the vestibular clamping element (220) is inserted into the mouth such that the two regions or clamping sections (223) of the clamping element (220) are inserted in the oral vestibule in the region of the molars and contact the cheek. However, as a result of the design showed, the further regions (221, 222) are not in the oral vestibule but extend in the sagittal direction anterior to the oral vestibule. In this connection, depending on the design, the extension of the anteriorly curved sections (221 and 222) may be provided intraorally along the lip or extraorally.

[0122] Additionally, the lip clamping element (210) comprises a three-dimensional basic shape with two sections (211, 212) which point towards the vestibular clamping element (220) and thus cause the covering device to taper in this region. Thus, nostrils and chin are advantageously not covered by the film (230). However, to achieve the known basic shape and to provide an improved cover, the concave recesses of both clamping elements (210, 220) are provided with additional covers (231, 232, 233) which are held by additional thin struts (261, 262, 263). The struts (261, 262, 263) hold the additional covers (231, 232, 233) in a position which does not disturb the patient in the region of the nose nor in the region of the chin and which also covers the lip.

[0123] FIG. 5 shows the covering device (200) from FIG. 4 in the side view. Again, the two clamping elements (210, 220) with the intermediate film (230) are apparent. In addition to the two intraoral clamping sections (223), the vestibular clamping element (220) comprises a section (221) which forms a concave indentation and thus presents a section curved in the anterior direction which extends in the sagittal direction anterior to the vestibular fold when the covering device is inserted. The lip clamping element (210) also has an indentation (211) which points in the direction of the indentation (221) of the vestibular clamping element (220).

[0124] Again, two additional covers (231, 233) with the respective holding struts (261, 263) are apparent.

[0125] FIG. 6 shows the two clamping elements (210, 220) of the covering device from FIGS. 4 and 5. The vestibular clamping element (220) comprises two intraoral clamping sections (223) and two anteriorly curved sections (221, 222) which are provided with holding struts (261, 262). The lip clamping element (210) also comprises two sections (211, 212) curved toward the vestibular clamping element (220) which are provided with holding struts (263, 264).

[0126] The most anterior point of the sections (221, 222) of the vestibular clamping element (220) has a distance of approximately 12 mm to the lip clamping element (210) when the film is planar but not clamped.

[0127] FIG. 7 shows a further alternative embodiment of the inventive covering device (300) which again comprises a lip clamping element (310), a vestibular clamping element (320) and a film (330). Again, the vestibular clamping element (320) comprises a three-dimensional basic shape with two sections (321, 322) which point towards the lip clamping element (310) and thus cause the covering device to taper in this region.

[0128] Now, if the covering device (300) is used, the vestibular clamping element (320) is inserted into the mouth such that the two regions or clamping sections (323) of the clamping element (320) are inserted in the oral vestibule in the region of the molars and contact the cheek. However, as a result of the design showed, the further regions (321, 322) are not in the oral vestibule but extend in the sagittal direction anterior to the oral vestibule. In this connection, depending on the design, the extension of the anteriorly curved sections (321 and 322) may be provided intraorally along the lip or extraorally, wherein in the present case an embodiment for an extraoral extension is shown.

[0129] Additionally, the lip clamping element (310) comprises a three-dimensional basic shape with two sections (311, 312) which point towards the vestibular clamping element (320) and thus cause the covering device to taper in this region. Thus, nostrils and chin are advantageously not covered by the film (330). However, to achieve the known basic shape and to provide a further cover, the concave recesses of both clamping elements (310, 320) are provided with additional covers (331, 332, 333, 334) which are held by additional thin struts (361, 362, 363, 364).

[0130] FIG. 8 shows the covering device (300) from FIG. 7 in the side view. Again, the two clamping elements (310, 320) with the intermediate film (330) are apparent. In addition to the two intraoral clamping sections (323), the vestibular clamping element (320) comprises a section (321) which forms a concave indentation and thus presents a section curved in the anterior direction which extends in the sagittal direction anterior to the vestibular fold when the covering device is inserted. The lip clamping element (310) also has an indentation (311) which points in the direction of the indentation (321) of the vestibular clamping element (320).

[0131] Again, two additional covers (331, 333) with the respective holding struts (361, 363) are apparent.

[0132] FIG. 9 shows the two clamping elements (310, 320) of the covering device from FIGS. 7 and 8. The vestibular clamping element (320) comprises two intraoral clamping sections (323) and two anteriorly curved sections (321, 322) which are provided with holding struts (361, 362). The lip clamping element (310) also comprises two sections (311, 312) curved toward the vestibular clamping element (320) which are provided with holding struts (363, 364).

[0133] The most anterior point of the sections (321, 322) of the vestibular clamping element (320) has a distance of approximately 4 mm to the lip clamping element (310) when the film is planar but not clamped.

[0134] FIG. 10 shows the two clamping elements (410, 420) in a further embodiment in which the two clamping elements (410, 420) are connected to one another at the concave indentations, respectively, and in which the two connections sites (450, 451) are configured similar to an intersection. In this embodiment, the two clamping elements (410, 420) may be produced in one piece advantageously.

[0135] FIG. 11 shows the comparison of the inventive covering device (500) with a prior art covering device during use. The covering device (500) consists of a lip clamping element (510), a vestibular clamping element (520) and a film (530). In case of prior art covering devices both clamping elements are ring-shaped, substantially circular-ring-shaped. As a result, the inner clamping ring is positioned completely in the oral vestibule and may cause pressure marks thereat. The outer clamping ring extends to the nose and chin.

[0136] In the illustrated inventive embodiment both the outer lip clamping element (510) and the vestibular clamping element (520) are shaped such that they converge in the upper and lower regions.

[0137] This provides two advantages: On the one hand, in the front region the vestibular clamping element (520) does not rest on the mucous membrane covering the jaw bone but extends in the anterior direction across the lip to the outside. On the other hand, as a result of the indentations of the lip clamping element (510) contrary to prior art covering devices the regions below the nose and at the chin (C, D) are not covered by the film (530) such that simple breathing through the nose is possible and the lip clamping element (510) does not press on the chin if the latter is configured to be larger.

[0138] FIG. 12 shows an inventive covering device (100) as is shown in FIG. 1a. Again, the lip clamping element (110), the vestibular clamping element (120) and the film (130) are apparent. The vestibular clamping element (120) comprises four sections (121, 122, 123), wherein the sections (121, 122) form concave indentations (124, 125), respectively. In the region of these concave indentations (124, 125) the vestibular clamping element (120) is connected to the lip clamping element (110) via lands or straps.

[0139] Compared to the film (130) the lands (171, 172) are not stretchable such that the lands (171, 172) define a fixed distance between the vestibular clamping element (120) and the lip clamping element (110) in the region of the concave indentations (124, 125). By means of the lands (171, 172), the lip clamping element (110) may pull away the vestibular clamping element (120) from the gingiva when the covering device (100) is used.

[0140] FIG. 13 shows the covering device (100) from FIG. 12 in the side view. Again, the two clamping elements (110, 120) with an intermediate film (130) are apparent. In addition to the two intraoral clamping sections (123), the vestibular clamping element comprises a section (121) which extends between the points A and B and which forms a concave indentation (124) and thus presents a section curved in the anterior direction which extends in the sagittal direction anterior to the vestibular fold when the covering device is inserted. In this region the vestibular clamping element (120) is connected to the lip clamping element (110) via a land (171).

[0141] FIG. 14 shows the alternative embodiment of the inventive covering device (200) from FIG. 4. Reference is made to the description of FIG. 4 for the basic design. Additionally, the covering device (200) comprises two lands (271, 272) which connect the two clamping elements (210, 220) in the region of the concave indentations (224, 225).

[0142] FIG. 15, just like FIG. 11, shows a comparison of the inventive covering device (500) with a prior art covering device during use. The covering device (500) consists of a clamping element (510), a vestibular clamping element (520) and a film (530). The two clamping elements (510, 520) are connected to one another via lands (571, 572), namely in the medium region of the lips, i.e. the concave indentations of the clamping elements (510, 520). By means of the lands (571, 572) the outer clamping element (510) pulls away the inner clamping element (520) from the gingiva such that pressure marks are avoided even more easily. Like in FIG. 11, the regions under the nose and at the chin (C, D) are not covered by the film (530).

[0143] One configuration of the invention as claimed in claim 17 is apparent schematically from FIG. 16. A mouth opening 505 is illustrated schematically as a pointed oval. This shape corresponds to a mouth which is open up to one third to one half. A mouth which is open even wider may rather be described as an oval. Then, this shape rather corresponds to the shape illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0144] It is to be understood that the illustration and the description of shape are schematized strongly herein. In practice, no or almost no natural shape corresponds to an exact geometrical shape.

[0145] An inventive vestibular clamping element 520 is illustrated in FIG. 16 and lies over the mouth opening 505. The vestibular clamping element is in the relaxed state in this shape.

[0146] In the center, i.e. in the sagittal plane 508 and slightly to the right and left thereof, indentations 224 and 225 are provided. They extend toward one another. In a modified configuration they extend in the anterior direction, i.e. toward the lip clamping element which is not illustrated herein.

[0147] Further laterally to the indentation 224 protrusions 512 and 514 are configured, and further laterally to the indentation 225 protrusions 516 and 518. As is apparent from FIG. 16, the clamping element 520 forms approximately a rectangle with rounded corners, wherein in particular the radius of the corners—i.e. the protrusions 512 to 518—is between 1 cm and 7 cm, in particular 2 to 4 cm.

[0148] The clamping element 520 according to FIG. 16 is not oval and even less circular ring-shaped. Rather, the protrusions 512 to 518 extend into regions outside of the mouth oval 505, and the clamping element 520 is incongruent with or geometrically dissimilar to the mouth oval.

[0149] As this is about the vestibular clamping element 520, it contacts the interior of the lips and cheek with its protrusions 512 to 518 in the inserted state, namely at that places at which protrusions 512 to 518 are configured.

[0150] Here, a comparatively large mouth opening 505 is illustrated. Of course, its size is patient-specific. As is apparent, there is also substantial overlapping between the inside of the mouth and the clamping element 520, namely at the protrusions 512 to 518.

[0151] If the same covering device is inserted into a smaller mouth opening 505, the protrusions 512 to 518 are even larger relatively.

[0152] But still the covering device has substantial wearing comfort in this embodiment as the lateral regions of the clamping element 520 with the protrusions 512 to 518 slide along the insides of the cheeks obliquely towards the outside and to the rear simultaneously, i.e. to distal or posterior.

[0153] It is also possible to comfortably insert the covering device into a smaller mouth opening. Appropriately, the lateral region is inserted centrally first and then moved laterally. Preferably to a point where the other lateral region is close to the center and may also be inserted. Only then centering is carried out, which, however, takes place basically automatically due to the effect of the elastic film 530.

[0154] The lip clamping element 510 may have any desired shape in the embodiment according to FIG. 16. For this purpose, reference is made to the illustration according to FIGS. 1 to 15. However, it may also have the same shape as the vestibular clamping element 520, or be congruent therewith, or deviate slightly in shape by e.g. 10% in contrast thereto.

[0155] It is also possible to realize a shape of the vestibular clamping element 520 only according to claim 17 but without the features according to claim 1. This embodiment does without the indentations 224 and 225 according to FIG. 16. A straight or substantially straight horizontal section of the vestibular clamping element 520 extends between the upper protrusions 512 and 514 on the one hand, and the lower protrusions 516 and 518 on the other hand.

[0156] Hybrid kinds are also possible, i.e. kinds in which a straight section is combined with one of the indentations 224 or 225.

[0157] In FIG. 17 a further embodiment of the inventive covering device is illustrated. In this embodiment, the illustrated lip clamping element 510 is congruent with or geometrically similar to the vestibular clamping element 520 of which only a small part can be seen.

[0158] As a result of the tension by the film 530 acting radially to the outside the mouth opening 505 is deformed. In the relaxed state—which is to be taken as a basis for the features of claim 17—it comprises an oval shape.

[0159] In the embodiment according to FIG. 17 the vestibular clamping element 520 is also incongruent with and additionally geometrically dissimilar to the oval or pointed oval shape of the mouth opening 505.

[0160] According to the invention, protrusions 512, 514, 516 and 518 extend in correspondence with the apparent protrusions 612, 614, 616 and 618 radially toward the outside and convexly and extend along the insides of the cheeks of the patient in the lateral direction.

[0161] The protrusions 512, 514, 516 and 518 extend as protrusion corners diverging from one another in 4 directions in space, in the exemplary case to the left/top, right/top, left/bottom and right/bottom. They extend at a slanted angle, both to the horizontal and the vertical plane, to regions along the insides of the cheeks which are particularly flexible free of pain.

[0162] As a result of the preferably provided indentations 524 and 525 (FIG. 16) of the vestibular clamping element, corresponding to the indentations 624 and 625 of the lip clamping element, the labial frenula and the oral vestibule are additionally relieved from pressure and protected such that the altogether wearing comfort of the inventive covering device compared to the state of the art is improved considerably.

[0163] In the embodiment according to FIG. 17, in the region of the indentation 624 a plurality of ribs or lands 632 is configured. They may extend parallel to one another in or at the film 530 and may start from the lip clamping element 510. But they may also diverge from one another in the direction of the vestibular clamping element or converge to one another. They may consist of film material or of another material. They may be curved and intersect one another, but they may also extend without crossing one another. They may also extend in a straight line.

[0164] A corresponding plurality of ribs or lands 628 is configured at the indentation 625. The same possible configurations apply to them correspondingly.