Abstract
A drool guard (1) that is worn in the mouth to capture excess saliva and prevent drool from escaping a user's mouth while sleeping and when in public.
Claims
1. A drool guard comprising: a semi-rigid flexible body defined by a C-shaped flexible tray having a substantially U-shaped profile capable of fitting over a user's upper and/or lower teeth; wherein said U-shaped profile fully extends around the C-shaped flexible tray; said body having an outer surface with at least one absorbent structure located thereon; said at least one absorbent structure having an absorbent surface area capable of capturing and trapping saliva; and a fluid acquisition layer covering the absorbent surface area which allows saliva to pass through to the absorbent surface area to be absorbed while keeping the top surface of the absorbent structure dry to prevent sticking to a user's teeth or gums.
2. The drool guard of claim 1 wherein: said fluid acquisition layer is a perforated film.
3. The drool guard of claim 1 wherein: said body defined by a the having a substantially J-shaped profile capable of fitting over a user's upper and/or lower teeth; and wherein said J-shaped profile fully extends around the C-shaped flexible tray.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a drool guard of the present invention having a body defined by a U-shaped tray;
(3) FIG. 2 is a sectional view along lines A-A of FIG. 1;
(4) FIG. 3 is a sectional view along lines A-A of FIG. 1;
(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective top view of a drool guard of the present invention having a body defined by straight section of tray;
(6) FIG. 5 is a sectional view along lines B-B of FIG. 4;
(7) FIG. 6 is a sectional view along lines B-B of FIG. 4;
(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective top view of a drool guard of the present invention having a body defined by round pacifier nipple;
(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective top view of a drool guard of the present invention having a body defined by round pacifier nipple and having an absorbent surface area on a shield thereof;
(10) FIG. 9 is a sectional view along lines C-C of FIG. 7;
(11) FIG. 10 is a sectional view along lines C-C of FIG. 7;
(12) FIG. 11 is and exemplary cross-sectional view of an absorbent surface area of the present invention; and
(13) FIG. 12 is a partial cutaway side view of a drool guard of the present invention having a body defined by bottle nipple and a pacifier ring.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(14) For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows: 1. drool guard, generally 2. body 3. tray 4. outer surface of body 5. absorbent surface area 6. absorbent structure 7. distribution component 8. fluid acquisition layer 9. pacifier nipple 10. shield 11. handle 12. bottle nipple 13. nipple ring 14. bottle
(15) With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a drool guard 1 of the present invention if illustrated wherein the drool guard 1 comprises a body 2 defined by a C-shaped semi-rigid flexible tray 3 having a substantially U-shaped or J-shaped profile that fits over a user's upper and/or lower teeth. An outer surface 4 of the body 2 has at least one absorbent surface area 5 capable of capturing and trapping saliva. The absorbent surface area 5 is made up of an absorbent structure 6, such as gauze, sponge, cotton, paper, and so forth, capable of absorbing and retaining excess saliva. The absorbent surface area 5 may further comprise a distribution component 7, such as grooves or channels, that spread collected saliva across the absorbent structure 6 for increased probability of absorption and retention of saliva. In addition, the absorbent surface area 5 may further comprise a fluid acquisition layer 8 to keep the top surface of the absorbent structure 6 dry, thereby prevent clinging of the absorbent surface to the inside of the mouth and/or user's teeth. The fluid acquisition layer 8 is preferably a porous layer of material, such as a perforated film, as further illustrated in FIG. 11.
(16) The tray 3 may be partially constructed from a flexible semi-rigid material, such as rubber or plastic, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the tray 3 may be constructed entirely out of the absorbent structure 6, such as sponge, and then covered in a distribution component 7 and/or fluid acquisition layer of desired 8 as illustrated in FIG. 3.
(17) With reference to FIGS. 4-6, a drool guard 1 of the present invention is illustrated in which the body 2 is a straight section of tray 3 having a substantially U-shaped and J-shaped profile that fits over a user's upper and/or lower molars and rear teeth where excess saliva normally pools between the check and gums. An outer surface 4 of the tray 3 has at least one absorbent surface area 5 capable of capturing and trapping saliva. The absorbent surface area 5 may further comprise a distribution component 7, such as grooves or channels, that spread collected saliva across the absorbent structure 6 for increased probability of absorption and retention of saliva. In addition, the absorbent surface area 5 may further comprise a fluid acquisition layer 8 to keep the top surface of the absorbent structure 6 dry, thereby prevent clinging of the absorbent surface to the inside of the mouth and/or user's teeth. The fluid acquisition layer 8 is preferably a porous layer of material, such as a perforated film, as further illustrated in FIG. 11.
(18) The tray 3 may be partially constructed from a flexible semi-rigid material, such as rubber or plastic, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the tray 3 may be constructed entirely out of the absorbent structure 6, such as sponge, and then covered in a distribution component 7 and/or fluid acquisition layer of desired 8 as illustrated in FIG. 6.
(19) With reference to FIGS. 7-11, a drool guard 1 of the present invention is illustrated in which the body 2 forms a round pacifier nipple 9 attached to a shield 10 and a handle 11. An outer surface 4 of the nipple has at least one absorbent surface area 5 capable of capturing and trapping saliva. The absorbent surface area 5 may further comprise a distribution component 7, such as grooves or channels, that spread collected saliva across the absorbent structure 6 for increased probability of absorption and retention of saliva. In addition, the absorbent surface area 5 may further comprise a fluid acquisition layer 8 to keep the top surface of the absorbent structure 6 dry, thereby prevent clinging of the absorbent surface to the inside of the mouth and/or user's teeth. The fluid acquisition layer 8 is preferably a porous layer of material, such as a perforated film, as further illustrated in FIG. 11.
(20) The pacifier nipple 9 may be partially constructed from a flexible semi-rigid material, such as rubber or plastic, as illustrated in FIG. 9. Alternatively, the pacifier nipple 9 may be constructed entirely out of the absorbent structure 6, such as sponge, and then covered in a distribution component 7 and/or fluid acquisition layer of desired 8 as illustrated in FIG. 10. The present invention may also be used in medical and dental offices with patients who have undergone dental or oral surgeries, post-surgery for the absorption of blood and other fluids.
(21) Other features of the present invention include impregnating the mouth guard 1 and absorbent surface area 5 thereof with flavorings and other oral-care compounds that prevent bad morning breath and/or control bacteria in a user's mouth.
(22) With reference to FIG. 12, a partial cutaway side view of a drool guard 1 of the present invention having a body 2 defined by a bottle nipple 12 and a nipple ring 13 is illustrated. Additional embodiments of the present invention include a screw on nipple ring 13 and bottle nipple 12 for bottles 14, such as baby bottle and sippy cups wherein the bottle nipple 12 and is secured to the bottle 14 using a threaded nipple ring 13. An outer surface of the threaded ring preferably comprises at least one absorbent surface area 5 capable of capturing and trapping any drool, milk, formula, juice, etc. that may escape a baby's or toddler's mouth while drinking from the bottle nipple 12, thereby reducing rashes and eczema outbreaks commonly caused by excess moisture around a baby's mouth. In addition, the reduction of drool within the mouth reduces the likelihood that an individual or baby's gag reflex will be irritated, thereby reducing coughing, spitting up, and vomiting that can be caused when excess drool and/or other fluids collect in the mouth.
(23) It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.
