Film Clamping Element

Abstract

The inventive film clamping element (10) is held using a lip ring (14) and a vestibular ring (16), between which and possibly beyond which a film (12) extends. The film (12) and also said rings (14, 16) are elastically deformable and it is provided that the film (12) comprises an attachment (24, 26) each at two positions opposite one another. Between these attachments (24, 26) at least one elastic band (20, 22) extends which is suitable to constrict the film (12) radially towards the inside.

Claims

1. A film clamping element for dental treatments, comprising a lip ring (14) and a vestibular ring (16), between which a film (12) extends, wherein the film (12) and the lip and vestibular rings are elastically deformable, wherein the film (12) comprises one or more attachments (24, 26) at at least one position, starting from the one or more attachments, at least one elastic band (20, 22) extends which may be pulled over a part (28, 30) of the vestibular ring (16) and/or the lip ring (14) and with which the film (12) may be tensioned radially towards the inside.

2. The film clamping element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more attachments comprise two attachments at at least two positions opposite one another, between which two attachments, at least one elastic band (20, 22) extends which may be pulled over a part (28, 30) of the vestibular ring (16) and/or the lip ring (14) and with which the film (12) may be tensioned radially towards the inside.

3. The film clamping element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the film (12) and the at least one elastic band (20, 22) are more elastic than the rings and have an E-modulus which is smaller compared to an E-modulus of the rings by 80 to 99%.

4. The film clamping element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic band comprises two elastic bands (20, 22) which may be tensioned such that they complement one another to form a circle.

5. The film clamping element as claimed in claim 4, wherein each elastic band of the two elastic bands (20, 22) may be pulled over a part of the vestibular ring (16).

6. The film clamping element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment (24) extends away from the vestibular ring (16), along the film element (10), and guides and supports the elastic band(s) (20, 22) at a support base (40) spaced apart from the vestibular ring (16), at a distal end.

7. The film clamping element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more attachments (24, 26) is molded to the film element (10) integrally, and/or consists of the same material, and wherein the one or more attachments (24) extends over a fractional part of the distance between the lip ring (14) and the vestibular ring (16).

8. The film clamping element as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more attachments (24) extends over an amount selected from less than 60% the distance between the lip ring (14) and the vestibular ring (16), over 10-45% the distance between the lip ring (14) and the vestibular ring (16), and over 30% of the distance between the lip ring (14) and the vestibular ring (16).

9. The film clamping element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic band (20) comprises a flat or flat-oval cross-section with a width extending along the film element (10), and/or wherein in a state pulled over the vestibular ring (16), the at least one elastic band(s) (20, 22) extend(s) along the film element (10) on an outside and pretension(s) the film element radially towards the inside.

10. The film clamping element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic band (20, 22) comprises a non-destructive elasticity selected from more than 1.2 times an intial length and twice an initial length.

11. The film clamping element as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one elastic band (20, 22) comprises a non-destructive elasticity of ten times to 50 times an initial length.

12. The film clamping element as claimed in claim 1, wherein a protrusion edge extends away from the film element (10) in extension thereof starting from the vestibular ring (16), and wherein the one or more attachments (24, 26) are attached to the protrusion edge.

13. The film clamping element as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the state pulled over the vestibular ring (16) the one or more elastic bands (20, 22) contract the film element (10) radially towards the inside, by 10 to 30% of a diameter, and produce padding folds in the film element.

14. A film clamping element for dental treatments, comprising a lip ring (14) and a vestibular ring (16), between which a film (12) extends, wherein the film (12) and the lip and vestibular rings are elastically deformable, wherein the film (12) is turned over at the vestibular ring (16) or the lip ring, wherein the film is fixedly connected with both the lip and vestibular rings (14, 16) and wherein at least one elastic band (20, 22) extends at the end of the turned-over film (12) along the film (12) spaced apart from both rings (14, 16) and extending in the region therebetween, said at least one elastic band being able to tension the film (12) radially towards the inside at a position between the rings (14, 16).

15. The film clamping element as claimed in claim 14, wherein the elastic band is configured as a ring-shaped thickening of the film at a turned-over end and/or wherein the elastic band has a smaller diameter than the rings in a relaxed state.

16. A film clamping element for dental treatments, comprising a lip ring (14) and a vestibular ring (16), between which a film (12) extends, wherein the film (12) and the lip and vestibular rings are elastically deformable, wherein the film is fixedly connected with both the lip and vestibular rings (14, 16) and at least one elastic band (20, 22) extends at the end spaced apart from both rings (14, 16) and extending therebetween and substantially parallel thereto, integrally therewith, the elastic band configured to tension the film (12) radially towards the inside at a position between the rings (14, 16).

17. The film clamping element as claimed in claim 16, wherein the elastic band (20, 22) is formed by realizing knobs which extend along the elastic band, at regular distances to one another.

18. A film clamping element for dental treatments, comprising a lip ring (14) and a vestibular ring (16), between which a film (12) extends, wherein the film (12) and lip and vestibular rings are elastically deformable, wherein at least one elastic band (20, 22) extends radially on the outside of the film (12), wherein the at least one elastic band is pulled over a part (28, 30) of the vestibular ring (16) and/or the lip ring (14) and with which the film (12) is tensioned radially towards the inside and connected with the film (12) or a ring (14, 16) at at least one, connection sites (36).

19. The film clamping element as claimed in claim 18. wherein the connection sites comprise two sites.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0095] Further advantages, details and features may be taken from the following description of several exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0096] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an inventive film clamping element in one embodiment;

[0097] FIG. 2 shows the film clamping element according to FIG. 1 in the top view;

[0098] FIG. 3 shows the film clamping element according to FIG. 1 but with an elastic band pulled over part of the vestibular ring;

[0099] FIG. 3a shows the film clamping element according to FIG. 2 but with an elastic band pulled over part of the vestibular ring;

[0100] FIG. 4 shows an enlargement of a detail from FIG. 3;

[0101] FIG. 5 shows a top view of a detail from FIG. 3;

[0102] FIG. 6 shows a section of a detail of a further embodiment of the inventive film clamping element;

[0103] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a further embodiment of the inventive film clamping element;

[0104] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a further embodiment of the inventive film clamping element;

[0105] FIG. 9a shows a section through a further embodiment of the inventive film clamping element; and

[0106] FIG. 9b shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the inventive film clamping element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0107] The film clamping element 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a film 12 which extends between a lip ring 14 and a vestibular ring 16.

[0108] Both rings are stiff but still elastically deformable.

[0109] The film extends practically in the shape of a ring or a jacket such that the interior both of the vestibular ring 16 and of the lip ring 14 is free from material.

[0110] In this exemplary embodiment, the lip ring 14 is slightly larger than the vestibular ring 16 in a way known per se.

[0111] At least one elastic band 20 extends transversely over the vestibular ring 16. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, a further elastic band 22 is provided which extends parallel to the elastic band 20.

[0112] The bands 20 and 22 may also be spaced apart from one another considerably farther such that crescent-shaped constrictions are formed.

[0113] Both elastic bands are anchored at attachments 24 and 26 wherein every elastic band 20 and 22 extends between these two attachments 24 and 26.

[0114] The attachments 24 and 26 are attached to the vestibular ring 16 for their part and additionally to the film 12 in the preferred exemplary embodiment illustrated.

[0115] Preferably, the elastic bands 20 and 22 are made of the same material as the film 12 and are highly elastic.

[0116] They are elastic to such an extent that it is possible without further ado to pull them over the respective adjacent part of the vestibular ring, that is to say the right elastic band 20 over the right part 28 and the left elastic band 22 over the left part 30 of the vestibular ring 16.

[0117] When both bands 20 and 22 are pulled over the vestibular ring 16, they substantially form a circle.

[0118] It is apparent from FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 how the attachments 24 and 26 are configured. Every attachment is attached to the vestibular ring like a flap in such a way that both attachments 24 and 26 are opposite one another.

[0119] Additionally, every attachment extends radially outside of the film 12, partially beyond it.

[0120] The attachment 24 is connected with the film 12 at the position 36 by ultrasound welding, and the attachment 26 at the opposite position.

[0121] These two positions are spaced apart from the vestibular ring considerably. However, the attachment 24 or 26, respectively, extends slightly beyond each considered position 36 as far as a support base 40 (FIG. 4). This support base 40 is located at the distal end of the attachment 24 or 26, respectively, and the elastic bands 20, 22 extend therefrom, namely divergent from one another (FIG. 5).

[0122] At this position the elastic bands 20, 22 are turned over in the position according to FIG. 2 and extend beyond the vestibular ring 16 over the open end of the film clamping element 10.

[0123] However, it is possible to tension both elastic bands 20 and 22 and to pull them over the vestibular ring 16. This state is illustrated in FIG. 3. In this state, the right elastic band 20 is pulled further to the right until it extends over the right part 28 of the vestibular ring 16. It is released just behind this part such that it contracts again and assumes approximately the shape according to FIG. 3.

[0124] In this shape, the elastic band 20 tensions the film 12 radially towards the inside. The position at which this happens is determined by the length of the attachments 24, 26, in particular by the position of the connection sites 36.

[0125] At this position, the film 20 forms loops 50 which have an additional damping effect.

[0126] The elastic band 20 automatically slides into the position lowest in energy, that is to say into the position in which the tension between lip ring 14, vestibular ring 16, film 12 and elastic band 20 keeps its balance.

[0127] This position illustrated in FIG. 3 is ideal for the best wearing comfort of the patient wherein reliable coverage of the mouth opening is provided nevertheless.

[0128] As a consequence of the comparison of FIGS. 3a and 2, the film 12 has a smaller inside diameter radially and is pre-tensioned radially towards the inside when the elastic band 20 is activated.

[0129] The position of the elastic band 20 apparent from FIG. 3 is apparent in a detailed fashion from FIG. 4. The support base 40 is shifted slightly towards the lip ring 14 when viewed from the connection site 36 where the welding is made.

[0130] The elastic band 20 starts thereat and clings to the film 12 radially on the outside.

[0131] The length of the attachment 24 which defines the distance to the vestibular ring 16, and also the location of the connection sites 36 determine an exact position.

[0132] Alternatively, it would also be possible to realize guidance of the elastic band 20 starting from the lip ring 14 using a correspondingly longer attachment 24.

[0133] FIG. 5 illustrates the attachment 24 in the top view. The attachment 24 consists of the same material as the film 12 and the elastic bands 20 and 22. The support base 40 enables almost a circular shape of the ring formed by the elastic bands 20 and 22.

[0134] It is also apparent that the attachment 24 comprises approximately three times the width of the elastic bands 20 and 22. The elastic bands 20 and 22 preferably comprise a flat-oval cross-section such that they can cling to the film 12 easily.

[0135] FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the invention. In case of this embodiment, the inventive elastic band 20 is integrated in the film 20. In this respect, it extends along the film as an annular thickening thereof along the entire circumference of the ring.

[0136] The thickening 20 has a greater tension force than the film 12 as for the rest. As a consequence, the film comprises a constriction at the position of the thickening 20 which extends in a way kind to the lips, that is to say which is similar to the bent circular shape of the lips.

[0137] When viewed from the outside and in section, the film forms a concave concavity with the elastic band 20 which envelops the lip gently and at the same time ensures that the vestibular ring is pulled away from the jaw bone.

[0138] In the embodiment according to FIG. 7, the film 12 is stretched between the vestibular ring 16 and the lip ring 14. In this embodiment, an elastic ring 20 is incorporated into the film 12 circumferentially. The elastic ring 20 extends approximately in the middle region between the vestibular ring 16 and the lip ring 14. It is configured quasi as a thickening and preferably has a diamond-shaped cross-section as is apparent from the section illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0139] In this solution the elastic band 20 pulls the film 12 radially towards the inside. The pressure on the lips acting radially to the outside is reduced such that the wearing comfort of the film clamping element 10 is improved.

[0140] In the embodiment according to FIG. 8, the elastic band 20 is formed by a circumferential arrangement of knobs 52. They effect a strengthening of material at this position such that there in turn the lips are relieved by radial inward pull of the elastic band 20.

[0141] In the embodiment according to FIG. 9a and FIG. 9b, the film 12 is extended beyond the vestibular ring 16. It ends in an elastic band 20 which is configured in the shape of a ring.

[0142] The film extension 54 produced in this way may be pulled over the vestibular ring 16 in turn. Then, the elastic band 20 at the end of the film extension 54 pushes the middle region between the vestibular ring 16 and the lip ring 14 radially towards the inside, which in turn leads to the desired relieve of the lips and thus improves wearing comfort.

[0143] The diameter of the opening 56 of the elastic band 20 may be adapted to the requirements to a large extent. When the elastic band 20 is configured to be stronger, the diameter of the opening 56 is reduced and thus also the diameter of the middle region of the film 12 as the film extension 54 including the elastic band 20 is pulled over the vestibular ring 16.

[0144] While, here, the elastic band 20 is configured so that it can be pulled over, it is to be understood that instead it is also possible easily to pull the elastic band 20 into the middle region of the film 12.

[0145] Although preferred embodiments have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow.