Title:
Oralmoist device
United States Patent 3875940
Abstract:
A unitary integrally formed hollow device having a body portion terminating at one end in a curved fork-like configuration which is contoured to fit the dimensions of an individual's mouth and with the prongs of the fork including small apertures penetrating therethrough in communication with the interior of the fork, and a watertight snap-on cap affixed to the opposite end of the body member, the device adapted to receive a liquid therein, such as water, with the liquid then being frozen after which an individual using the device places the fork-like end into the individual's mouth to suck the melting liquid into the mouth. The present device is specifically designed for those individuals who must restrict their intake of liquids.
US Patent References:
/1044737.html
Bowly - November 1912 - 1044737
Teething device
Erringer - October 1929 - 1731302
Dispenser for administering liquid medicine to infants
Kwast - March 1954 - 2673563
Feeding nipple construction
Adisman - December 1957 - 2816547
/1044737.html
Bowly - November 1912 - 1044737
Teething device
Erringer - October 1929 - 1731302
Dispenser for administering liquid medicine to infants
Kwast - March 1954 - 2673563
Feeding nipple construction
Adisman - December 1957 - 2816547
Application Number:
05/430534
Publication Date:
04/08/1975
Filing Date:
01/03/1974
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
606/234
International Classes:
A61F7/10; A61J17/00; A61F7/00; A61F7/00
Field of Search:
128/255,360,359,222,490,254 222/490
Primary Examiner:
Gaudet, Richard A.
Assistant Examiner:
Yasko J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Gordon, Marden S.
Claims:
Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is
1. An oralmoist health care device intended to provide a long lasting satisfaction of an individual's craving for liquid while simultaneously serving to restrict the individual's intake of liquids, the device comprising, in combination:
1. An oralmoist health care device intended to provide a long lasting satisfaction of an individual's craving for liquid while simultaneously serving to restrict the individual's intake of liquids, the device comprising, in combination:
Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to health care devices and more specifically to a device designed for those persons who must restrict their intake of liquids with the device dispensing a cool and satisfying liquid over an extended period of time to such an individual.
After different types of operations on individuals, such as those individuals who are recovering from a tonsilectomy, it is necessary that such individuals restrict the total amount of intake of liquids. However, it is also normal that the individual's craving for liquids increases due to being deprived thereof and that, conventionally, a cup or spoon of crushed ice or ice chips is normally given the individual to relieve the dry and sore throat and oral cavity as well as to somewhat satisfy the individual's craving for liquids. However, such conventional means are usually short lived due to the quick melting of the ice.
The present invention provides a novel solution thereto in the form of a device adapted to be filled with water and then frozen after which the device is inserted into an individual's mouth such that the individual sucks the melting liquids into the mouth in a slow and time consuming manner thus restricting the intake of liquids to the individual while simultaneously providing needed relief for the dry and sore throat and oral cavity.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a unitary structure health care device wherein all portions thereof are of a flexible nature.
Among the features and advantages of the present invention is the provision of an oralmoist health care device which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; one which is devoid of moving parts and which therefore is inlikely to get out of order; one which is rugged and durable in construction and yet inexpensive enough to be discarded upon completion of use; one which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation; one which is refined in appearance; and one which is otherwise well adapted to perform the services required of it.
Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the device of the present invention as inserted into the mouth of an individual;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device of the invention partially broken away to illustrate interior details thereof;
FIG. 3 is a rear end elevational view of the device illustrating the cap end thereof; and
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the device having a prong of the fork configuration broken away to illustrate the interior details thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings in detail there is illustrated a preferred form of an oralmoist health care device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally in its entirety by the reference numeral 10 and which is comprises of an integral unitarily formed hollow body member 11 which is manufactured of a resilient or flexible material, such as low density polyethylene plastic, and which is comprised of a back portion 12 having a back surface 13 and with the side wall surfaces tapering inwardly and outwardly from the back surface to terminate at a fork-like configuration 14 including a pair of fork prongs 15 with a notch like recess 16 therebetween. Throughout the body member there is defined a chamber 17 to which access is provided through an opening 18 provided in back surface 13, the opening being closed by a cap 20 having a circular head portion 21 with there being formed concentric with the bottom surface thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom a reduced diameter collar member 22 which terminates in a radially outwardly directed annular flange 23 such that the cap is snapped into opening 18 with side wall surfaces of collar 22 in engagement with the opening edge surfaces so as to provide a watertight seal for the compartment 17.
The prongs 15 are provided with a multiplicity of perforations 31 thereover which are adapted to permit liquid to pass therethrough in a manner outwardly of compartment 17 upon the flexing of the prongs 15.
In operation liquid, such as water 40, is poured into compartment 17 after which cap 20 is snapped into opening 18 to seal the compartment, after which the device 10 is placed in a freezer or the like such that the liquid is frozen. A person who must restrict his intake of liquids then takes the device while the liquid is still frozen and inserts the fork-like configuration end 14 into his mouth such that the prongs 15 are received in the mouth in a position between an individuals teeth 41 and relative to an individual's tongue 42 such that the individual may suck the melting water out of the perforations 31 in a manner to relieve the dry and sore throat and oral cavity of the individual while simultaneously providing a long term relief to an individual's need for liquid due to the slow melting of the frozen liquid.
It is to be understood that the fork-like configuration 14 including prongs 15 is of a configuration which is contoured to fit the dimensions of an individual's mouth with it being envisioned within the scope of the present invention that the oralmoist device 10 may be manufactured in different sizes such as small, medium, large and the like for the comfortable fitting into individual's mouths of different sizes.
An example of a preferred adult size for the present device provides that the end surface 13 is preferably approximately 21/4 inches in diameter with the head portion 21 of cap 20 measuring approximately one and seven-eighth inch in diameter and with the overall length of the device being approximately four inches.
It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangment of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.
This invention relates generally to health care devices and more specifically to a device designed for those persons who must restrict their intake of liquids with the device dispensing a cool and satisfying liquid over an extended period of time to such an individual.
After different types of operations on individuals, such as those individuals who are recovering from a tonsilectomy, it is necessary that such individuals restrict the total amount of intake of liquids. However, it is also normal that the individual's craving for liquids increases due to being deprived thereof and that, conventionally, a cup or spoon of crushed ice or ice chips is normally given the individual to relieve the dry and sore throat and oral cavity as well as to somewhat satisfy the individual's craving for liquids. However, such conventional means are usually short lived due to the quick melting of the ice.
The present invention provides a novel solution thereto in the form of a device adapted to be filled with water and then frozen after which the device is inserted into an individual's mouth such that the individual sucks the melting liquids into the mouth in a slow and time consuming manner thus restricting the intake of liquids to the individual while simultaneously providing needed relief for the dry and sore throat and oral cavity.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a unitary structure health care device wherein all portions thereof are of a flexible nature.
Among the features and advantages of the present invention is the provision of an oralmoist health care device which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; one which is devoid of moving parts and which therefore is inlikely to get out of order; one which is rugged and durable in construction and yet inexpensive enough to be discarded upon completion of use; one which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation; one which is refined in appearance; and one which is otherwise well adapted to perform the services required of it.
Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the device of the present invention as inserted into the mouth of an individual;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device of the invention partially broken away to illustrate interior details thereof;
FIG. 3 is a rear end elevational view of the device illustrating the cap end thereof; and
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the device having a prong of the fork configuration broken away to illustrate the interior details thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings in detail there is illustrated a preferred form of an oralmoist health care device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally in its entirety by the reference numeral 10 and which is comprises of an integral unitarily formed hollow body member 11 which is manufactured of a resilient or flexible material, such as low density polyethylene plastic, and which is comprised of a back portion 12 having a back surface 13 and with the side wall surfaces tapering inwardly and outwardly from the back surface to terminate at a fork-like configuration 14 including a pair of fork prongs 15 with a notch like recess 16 therebetween. Throughout the body member there is defined a chamber 17 to which access is provided through an opening 18 provided in back surface 13, the opening being closed by a cap 20 having a circular head portion 21 with there being formed concentric with the bottom surface thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom a reduced diameter collar member 22 which terminates in a radially outwardly directed annular flange 23 such that the cap is snapped into opening 18 with side wall surfaces of collar 22 in engagement with the opening edge surfaces so as to provide a watertight seal for the compartment 17.
The prongs 15 are provided with a multiplicity of perforations 31 thereover which are adapted to permit liquid to pass therethrough in a manner outwardly of compartment 17 upon the flexing of the prongs 15.
In operation liquid, such as water 40, is poured into compartment 17 after which cap 20 is snapped into opening 18 to seal the compartment, after which the device 10 is placed in a freezer or the like such that the liquid is frozen. A person who must restrict his intake of liquids then takes the device while the liquid is still frozen and inserts the fork-like configuration end 14 into his mouth such that the prongs 15 are received in the mouth in a position between an individuals teeth 41 and relative to an individual's tongue 42 such that the individual may suck the melting water out of the perforations 31 in a manner to relieve the dry and sore throat and oral cavity of the individual while simultaneously providing a long term relief to an individual's need for liquid due to the slow melting of the frozen liquid.
It is to be understood that the fork-like configuration 14 including prongs 15 is of a configuration which is contoured to fit the dimensions of an individual's mouth with it being envisioned within the scope of the present invention that the oralmoist device 10 may be manufactured in different sizes such as small, medium, large and the like for the comfortable fitting into individual's mouths of different sizes.
An example of a preferred adult size for the present device provides that the end surface 13 is preferably approximately 21/4 inches in diameter with the head portion 21 of cap 20 measuring approximately one and seven-eighth inch in diameter and with the overall length of the device being approximately four inches.
It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangment of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.