Oral Cleaning Device For A Baby

Abstract

An oral cleaning device for a baby is disclosed herein. The oral cleaning device includes a head portion, the head portion including one of: (i) at least one plurality of bristles for brushing gums and/or teeth of a baby, or (ii) at least one protrusion for scraping food particles and other matter from a tongue of the baby; and a body portion connected to the head portion, the body portion having a first end that is distal from the head portion and a second end that is proximal to the head portion, the first end being oppositely disposed relative to the second end, the body portion including a tapered finger recess for accommodating varying finger sizes of different users, the tapered finger recess having a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases in size from the first end to the second end.

Claims

1. An oral cleaning device for a baby, comprising: a head portion, the head portion including one of: (i) at least one plurality of bristles for brushing gums and/or teeth of a baby, or (ii) at least one protrusion for scraping food particles and other matter from a tongue of the baby; and a body portion connected to the head portion, the body portion having a first end that is distal from the head portion and a second end that is proximal to the head portion, the first end being oppositely disposed relative to the second end, the body portion including a tapered finger recess for accommodating varying finger sizes of different users, the tapered finger recess having a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases in size from the first end to the second end.

2. The oral cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a stem portion connecting the head portion to the body portion, the stem portion extending from the second end of the body portion to the head portion so that the head portion of the oral cleaning device is spaced apart from a fingertip of a user to prevent an inadvertent biting of the fingertip of the user by the baby.

3. The oral cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the head portion of the oral cleaning device comprises a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface, the convex outer surface being oppositely disposed relative to the concave inner surface.

4. The oral cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein the head portion comprises the at least one plurality of bristles for brushing gums and/or teeth of the baby, and the at least one plurality of bristles are disposed on the concave inner surface of the head portion of the oral cleaning device.

5. The oral cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one plurality of bristles comprises a first plurality of bristles disposed in a central region of the concave inner surface of the head portion, a second plurality of bristles disposed in a first side region of the concave inner surface of the head portion, and a third plurality of bristles disposed in a second side region of the concave inner surface of the head portion.

6. The oral cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein the second plurality of bristles are disposed at a first acute angle relative to the first plurality of bristles, and the third plurality of bristles are disposed at a second acute angle relative to the first plurality of bristles.

7. The oral cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the first acute angle of the second plurality of bristles is generally the same as the second acute angle of the third plurality of bristles.

8. The oral cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the head portion of the oral cleaning device comprises a front surface and a rear surface, the front surface being oppositely disposed relative to the rear surface.

9. The oral cleaning device according to claim 8, wherein the head portion is in a shape of an animal head.

10. The oral cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the animal head forming the head portion is a bear head.

11. The oral cleaning device according to claim 10, wherein the rear surface of the head portion comprises a face of the bear head.

12. The oral cleaning device according to claim 8, wherein the head portion comprises the at least one protrusion for scraping food particles and other matter from a tongue of the baby, and the at least one protrusion is disposed on the front surface of the head portion of the oral cleaning device.

13. The oral cleaning device according to claim 12, wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a first protrusion disposed in a central region of the front surface of the head portion, a second protrusion disposed above the first protrusion on the front surface of the head portion, and a third protrusion disposed above the second protrusion on the front surface of the head portion.

14. The oral cleaning device according to claim 13, wherein the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the third protrusion of the head portion are each semi-circular in shape, and the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the third protrusion are arranged in a generally concentric arrangement.

15. The oral cleaning device according to claim 14, wherein the second protrusion has a second radius that is larger than a first radius of the first protrusion, and the third protrusion has a third radius that is larger than the second radius of the second protrusion.

16. The oral cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the tapered finger recess comprises a hemispherical end portion proximate to the second end of the body portion of the oral cleaning device.

17. The oral cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the oral cleaning device is formed from a polymeric material.

18. The oral cleaning device according to claim 17, wherein the polymeric material forming the oral cleaning device comprises silicone.

19. The oral cleaning device according to claim 17, wherein the polymeric material forming the oral cleaning device does not comprise latex, bisphenol A, or polyvinyl chloride.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The device will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of an oral cleaning device for a baby, according to a first illustrative embodiment of the disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 4 is a first side view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 1;

[0038] FIG. 5 is an opposite second side view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 1;

[0041] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 1;

[0043] FIG. 10 is a frontal perspective view of an oral cleaning device for a baby, according to a second illustrative embodiment of the disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 10;

[0045] FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 10;

[0046] FIG. 13 is a first side view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 10;

[0047] FIG. 14 is an opposite second side view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 10;

[0048] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 10;

[0049] FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 10;

[0050] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 10; and

[0051] FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view of the oral cleaning device shown in FIG. 10.

[0052] Throughout the figures, the same parts are always denoted using the same reference characters so that, as a general rule, they will only be described once.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0053] A first illustrative embodiment of an oral cleaning device for a baby is seen generally at 10 in FIGS. 1-9. With initial reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the oral cleaning device 10 generally comprises a head portion 12, the head portion 12 including at least one plurality of bristles 14, 16, 18 for brushing gums and/or teeth of a baby; and a body portion 22 connected to the head portion 12, the body portion 22 having a first end 24 that is distal from the head portion 12 and a second end 26 that is proximal to the head portion 12, the first end 24 being oppositely disposed relative to the second end 26, the body portion 22 including a tapered finger recess 28 for accommodating varying finger sizes of different users, the tapered finger recess 28 having a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases in size from the first end 24 to the second end 26. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the tapered finger recess 28 is bounded by an inwardly sloping wall that makes an acute angle ? 2 with a vertical reference line. Also, in the illustrative embodiment, the tapered finger recess 28 may comprise a hemispherical end portion 30 proximate to the second end 26 of the body portion 22 of the oral cleaning device 10 (see FIG. 9). In the first illustrative embodiment, the oral cleaning device 10 may be in the form of a finger toothbrush 10 for brushing gums and/or teeth of a baby.

[0054] In the illustrative embodiment, referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the head portion 12 further comprises a stem portion 20 connecting the head portion 12 to the body portion 22. The stem portion 20 extends from the second end 26 of the body portion 22 to the head portion 12 so that the head portion 12 of the finger toothbrush 10 is spaced apart from a fingertip of a user to prevent an inadvertent biting of the fingertip of the user by the baby.

[0055] With combined reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, it can be seen that, in the illustrative embodiment, the head portion 12 of the oral cleaning device 10 comprises a concave inner surface 15 and a convex outer surface 19. The convex outer surface 19 is oppositely disposed relative to the concave inner surface 15. In the illustrative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the at least one plurality of bristles 14, 16, 18 are disposed on the concave inner surface 15 of the head portion 12 of the oral cleaning device 10. Also, in the illustrative embodiment, the at least one plurality of bristles 14, 16, 18 comprises a first plurality of bristles 16 disposed in a central region of the concave inner surface 15 of the head portion 12, a second plurality of bristles 14 disposed in a first side region of the concave inner surface 15 of the head portion 12, and a third plurality of bristles 18 disposed in a second side region of the concave inner surface 15 of the head portion 12. In the illustrative embodiment, referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the second plurality of bristles 14 are disposed at a first acute angle relative to the first plurality of bristles 16, and the third plurality of bristles 18 are disposed at a second acute angle relative to the first plurality of bristles 16. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the first side region of the concave inner surface 15 from which the second plurality of bristles 14 extend is disposed at an acute angle ?.sub.1 (e.g., approximately 45 degrees) relative to the first plurality of bristles 16 disposed in the central region of the concave inner surface 15 of the head portion 12. In the illustrative embodiment, the first acute angle of the second plurality of bristles 14 is generally the same as the second acute angle of the third plurality of bristles 18. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the second side region of the concave inner surface 15 from which the third plurality of bristles 18 extend is disposed at an acute angle relative to the first plurality of bristles 16 disposed in the central region of the concave inner surface 15 of the head portion 12, where the acute angle is also approximately equal to ?.sub.1 (e.g., approximately 45 degrees).

[0056] In the illustrative embodiment, the oral cleaning device 10 is formed from a polymeric material that does not comprise latex, bisphenol A (BPA), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (i.e., the material is latex-free, BPA-free, and PVC-free). More specifically, in the illustrative embodiment, the polymeric material forming the oral cleaning device 10 comprises silicone that does not contain latex, BPA, or PVC.

[0057] Now, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 9, the manner in which the oral cleaning device 10 of the first illustrative embodiment is used will be described. First, a user (e.g., a parent or other caregiver) inserts one of his or her fingers into the tapered finger recess 28 of the body portion 22. Advantageously, the innovative tapered design of the finger recess 28 allows varying finger sizes of different users to be snugly received within the finger recess 28 (e.g., smaller fingers are inserted further into the tapered finger recess 28, while larger fingers are not inserted as far into the tapered finger recess 28). Then, the user (e.g., a parent or other caregiver) inserts the head portion 12 of the oral cleaning device 10 into a mouth of a baby to brush his or her gums and/or teeth. The brushing of the baby's gums and/or teeth is enhanced by the arrangement of the pluralities of bristles 14, 16, 18 on the concave inner surface 15 of the head portion 12 (i.e., because the bristles 14, 16, 18 are able to generally surround the teeth of the baby for better overall tooth surface coverage). The soft silicone material of the illustrative oral cleaning device 10 makes the oral cleaning device comfortable for the baby.

[0058] It is readily apparent that the aforedescribed oral cleaning device 10 offers numerous advantages. As described above, the oral cleaning device 10 is configured to accommodate varying finger sizes of different users so that the user is able to more effective brush the gums and/or teeth of a baby (i.e., the size of the finger recess 28 narrows to allow virtually any size finger to fit comfortably). Further, the oral cleaning device 10 is safe and comfortable for both the user and the baby. In the illustrative embodiment, the oral cleaning device 10 is formed from a flexible material that is gentle, safe, and firm enough to brush effectively. Also, in the illustrative embodiment, the oral cleaning device 10 is advantageously reusable, washable, and environmentally friendly.

[0059] In one or more illustrative embodiments, the aforedescribed oral cleaning device 10 helps to ensure healthy hygiene. Parents are able to begin a healthy dental hygiene regime from the beginning of their child's life so as to promote better oral health care early on. The oral cleaning device 10 is lightweight and easy to clean, which makes it handy for home or on the go. The oral cleaning device 10 is in a form of a durable, reusable tool that is made of high quality material(s) and cleans easily with soap and water. Because the head portion 12 of the oral cleaning device 10 is spaced apart from a fingertip of a user, the inadvertent biting of user's finger is prevented by the oral cleaning device 10, thereby advantageously resulting in a pain-free cleaning experience for the user (e.g., the parent or other caregiver).

[0060] A second illustrative embodiment of an oral cleaning device for a baby is seen generally at 100 in FIGS. 10-18. With initial reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, it can be seen that the oral cleaning device 100 generally comprises a head portion 112, the head portion 112 including at least one protrusion 114, 116, 118 for scraping food particles and other matter from a tongue of a baby; and a body portion 122 connected to the head portion 112, the body portion 122 having a first end 124 that is distal from the head portion 112 and a second end 126 that is proximal to the head portion 112, the first end 124 being oppositely disposed relative to the second end 126, the body portion 122 including a tapered finger recess 128 for accommodating varying finger sizes of different users, the tapered finger recess 128 having a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases in size from the first end 124 to the second end 126. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the tapered finger recess 128 is bounded by an inwardly sloping wall that makes an acute angle ?.sub.1 with a vertical reference line. Also, in the illustrative embodiment, the tapered finger recess 128 may comprise a hemispherical end portion 130 proximate to the second end 126 of the body portion 122 of the oral cleaning device 100 (see FIG. 18). In the second illustrative embodiment, the oral cleaning device 100 may be in the form of a tongue cleaner for scraping food particles and other matter from a tongue of a baby.

[0061] In the illustrative embodiment, referring again to FIGS. 10 and 11, it can be seen that the head portion 112 further comprises a stem portion 120 connecting the head portion 112 to the body portion 122. The stem portion 120 extends from the second end 126 of the body portion 122 to the head portion 112 so that the head portion 112 of the oral cleaning device 100 is spaced apart from a fingertip of a user to prevent an inadvertent biting of the fingertip of the user by the baby.

[0062] With combined reference to FIGS. 13-15, it can be seen that, in the illustrative embodiment, the head portion 112 of the oral cleaning device 100 comprises a front surface 115 and a rear surface 119. The front surface 115 is oppositely disposed relative to the rear surface 119. In the illustrative embodiment, it can be seen that the head portion 112 is in a shape of an animal head (i.e., a bear head), and that the rear surface 119 of the head portion 112 comprises a face of the bear head (refer to FIGS. 12 and 17).

[0063] In the illustrative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the at least one protrusion 114, 116, 118 is disposed on the front surface 115 of the head portion 112 of the oral cleaning device 100. Also, in the illustrative embodiment, the at least one protrusion 114, 116, 118 comprises a first protrusion 114 disposed in a central region of the front surface 115 of the head portion 112, a second protrusion 116 disposed above the first protrusion 114 on the front surface 115 of the head portion 112, and a third protrusion 118 disposed above the second protrusion 116 on the front surface 115 of the head portion 112. In the illustrative embodiment, the first protrusion 114, the second protrusion 116, and the third protrusion 118 of the head portion 112 are each semi-circular in shape (refer to FIGS. 10 and 11), and the first protrusion 114, the second protrusion 116, and the third protrusion 118 are arranged in a generally concentric arrangement (see FIG. 11). As shown in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 11, the second protrusion 116 has a second radius that is larger than a first radius of the first protrusion 114, and the third protrusion 118 has a third radius that is larger than the second radius of the second protrusion 116.

[0064] In the illustrative embodiment, the oral cleaning device 100 is formed from a polymeric material that does not comprise latex, bisphenol A (BPA), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (i.e., the material is latex-free, BPA-free, and PVC-free). More specifically, in the illustrative embodiment, the polymeric material forming the oral cleaning device 100 comprises silicone that does not contain latex, BPA, or PVC.

[0065] Now, with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, and 18, the manner in which the oral cleaning device 100 of the second illustrative embodiment is used will be described. First, a user (e.g., a parent or other caregiver) inserts one of his or her fingers into the tapered finger recess 128 of the body portion 122. Advantageously, the innovative tapered design of the finger recess 128 allows varying finger sizes of different users to be snugly received within the finger recess 128 (e.g., smaller fingers are inserted further into the tapered finger recess 128, while larger fingers are not inserted as far into the tapered finger recess 128). Then, the user (e.g., a parent or other caregiver) inserts the head portion 112 of the oral cleaning device 100 into a mouth of a baby so as to clean the tongue of the baby using the protrusions 114, 116, 118 on the head portion 112. The cleaning of the baby's tongue is enhanced by the arrangement of the concentric protrusions 114, 116, 118 on the front surface 115 of the head portion 112 (i.e., because the concentric protrusions 114, 116, 118 result in better overall tongue surface coverage). The soft silicone material of the illustrative oral cleaning device 100 makes the oral cleaning device comfortable for the baby.

[0066] It is readily apparent that the aforedescribed oral cleaning device 100 offers numerous advantages. As described above, the oral cleaning device 100 is configured to accommodate varying finger sizes of different users so that the user is able to more effectively clean the tongue of a baby (i.e., the size of the finger recess 128 narrows to allow virtually any size finger to fit comfortably). Further, the oral cleaning device 100 is safe and comfortable for both the user and the baby. In the illustrative embodiment, the oral cleaning device 100 is formed from a flexible material that is gentle, safe, and firm enough to brush effectively. Also, in the illustrative embodiment, the oral cleaning device 100 is advantageously reusable, washable, and environmentally friendly.

[0067] In one or more illustrative embodiments, the aforedescribed oral cleaning device 100 helps to ensure healthy hygiene. Parents are able to begin a healthy dental hygiene regime from the beginning of their child's life so as to promote better oral health care early on. The oral cleaning device 100 is lightweight and easy to clean, which makes it handy for home or on the go. The oral cleaning device 100 is in a form of a durable, reusable tool that is made of high quality material(s) and cleans easily with soap and water. Because the head portion 112 of the oral cleaning device 100 is spaced apart from a fingertip of a user, the inadvertent biting of a user's finger is prevented by the oral cleaning device 100, thereby advantageously resulting in a pain-free cleaning experience for the user (e.g., the parent or other caregiver). Also, the head portion 112 of the oral cleaning device 100 has a size that fits easily into the baby's mouth. The tapered finger recess 128 of the body portion 122 of the oral cleaning device 100 accommodates the finger sizes of virtually all users so that the user is able to clean the tongue of the baby with great control.

[0068] Any of the features or attributes of the above described embodiments and variations can be used in combination with any of the other features and attributes of the above described embodiments and variations as desired.

[0069] Although the oral cleaning device 10, 100 has been shown and described with respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it is apparent that the aforedescribed oral cleaning device 10, 100 can be embodied in many different forms and that many other modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

[0070] Moreover, while exemplary embodiments have been described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the exemplary embodiments set forth above are merely illustrative in nature and should not be construed as to limit the claims in any manner. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents, and not, by the preceding description.