CA2179336A1 - Tongue scraper - Google Patents
Tongue scraperInfo
- Publication number
- CA2179336A1 CA2179336A1 CA 2179336 CA2179336A CA2179336A1 CA 2179336 A1 CA2179336 A1 CA 2179336A1 CA 2179336 CA2179336 CA 2179336 CA 2179336 A CA2179336 A CA 2179336A CA 2179336 A1 CA2179336 A1 CA 2179336A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- scraper
- tongue
- handle
- elongated member
- transverse
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/24—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose; Tongue scrapers
- A61B17/244—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose; Tongue scrapers for cleaning of the tongue
Abstract
A device for removing build-up from the tongue is disclosed. A hard but flexible strip has a leading surface and a trailing surface that intersect to form a cleaning edge. Handles are attached to each end of the strip to discourage slippage during use. The user bends the strip into an inverted U-shape with the trailing surface on the interior of the inverted U.
He then places the trailing surface transversely on the rearward portion of his tongue. By gently drawing the strip forward towards the tip of his tongue, the user causes the tongue papillae to be scraped against the cleaning edge and thereby causes build-up to be removed.
He then places the trailing surface transversely on the rearward portion of his tongue. By gently drawing the strip forward towards the tip of his tongue, the user causes the tongue papillae to be scraped against the cleaning edge and thereby causes build-up to be removed.
Description
Tongue Scraper by Danny Kumar 5 Field The present invention is directed to an oral hygiene device. More specifically, the invention is direct to a device for scraping away build-up from the tongue.
Bark~round 10 The benefits of good oral hygiene are widely accepted. Regularly brushing and flossing one's teeth can discourage cavities, gum disease, and halitosis, colloquially known as bad breath.
Recently, attention has been directed toward tongue hygiene. The human tongue is a 15 mass of muscle covered by a mucous membrane. The upper and side surfaces of the tongue are covered with numerous tiny papillae. Filiform papillae are characterized by an inverted V-shape and are adapted to apply frictional forces to food to facilitate eating.
Fungiform papillae are mushroom shaped and contain taste buds. It has been suggested that food and beverage remnants become trapped in the mucous and against the papillae, 20 thereby supporting bacteria growth, discolouring the tongue and causing halitosis.
Being aware of this problem, many people brush their tongue during the course ofbrushing their teeth. Such brushing is somewhat beneficial, however, the large toothbrush bristles are poorly adapted to cleaning the tiny papillae. The bristles generally glance 25 over the papillae.
In Fiji, people scrape their tongues with readily available objects. They generally place the object transversely across the rear portion of the tongue and draw it toward the tip of the tongue. Some prefer to scrape with a taut piece of string while others prefer a more 30 substantial object such as a twig shard or strip. Such natural scrapers have a number of disadvantages. They are unsanitary because cont~min~nts such as germs are drawn into the porous string or wood. The wooden scrapers in particular have dangerously sharp and Page I of 8 ~ 1 79336 uneven edges that are prone to drive splinters into the tongue. Finally, these natural scrapers quickly degrade, forcing the user to find a new one and to adjust to its new shape.
What is needed is a safe, sanitary, and durable device that is adapted to removing build-up S from the tiny papillae on the tongue. The present invention is directed to such a device.
Summary According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a device for scraping a tongue comprising: an elongated member having: a first end, a second end opposing the first 10 end, a leading surface extending between the first end and the second end, and a trailing surface extending between the first end and the second end and intersecting the leading surface to form a cleaning edge, and a first handle, depending *om the first end of the elongated member, a surface region of the first handle being frictional. The leading surface might me cylindrical with the trailing surface planar. Alternatively, the leading 15 surface might be planar with the trailing surface being either cylindrical or planar. The scraper might be formed from a flexible closed-cell material that is sufficiently hard to hold an edge, for example, plastic. The scraper might further include a second handle, depending from the second end of the elongated member, a surface region of the second handle being frictional. The scraper might further include a brush extending from the first 20 handle or the first handle might define an aperture adapted to receive and retain a toothpick. The first handle might define a recess having: a first transverse surface, a second transverse surface opposing the first transverse surface, and a first longitudinal surface intersecting and extending between the first transverse surface and the second transverse surface. The first transverse surface might include a first means for retaining 25 the end of a piece of floss and the second transverse surface includes a second means for retaining the end of a piece of floss. The retaining means might be a slot or a cleat.
Brief Description of the Drawin~,c These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become 30 better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a device embodying a first aspect of the invention;
Page 2 of 8 Figure 2 is an isometric view of a device embodying a second aspect of the invention; and Figure 3 is a front view of the device of Figure l in operation.
5 Description With reference to Figure 1, a tongue scraper is generally illustrated at l O. The scraper l O
comprises a safety blade 20 extending between a first handle 40 and a second handle 60.
The safety blade 20 comprises a leading surface 22 and a trailing surface 24 which 10 intersect to form a first cleaning edge 26. In this particular embodiment, the leading surface 22 is semi-cylindrical and the trailing surface 24 is planar, such that the two surfaces intersect in a second line to form a second cleaning edge 28. The safety blade 20 is preferably made of a closed-cell material to discourage cont:~min~tion and to aid cleaning. It is preferably made of a material that can hold an edge 26, 28 but that is 15 flexible enough to be bent as will be further discussed below in terms of operation.
Plastics having these properties are a suitable.
The first and second handles 40, 60 are substantially cylindrical and extend longitudinally from either end of the safety blade 20. Each handle 40, 60 includes a set of grips 42, 62 to 20 discourage slippage of the safety blade 20 during use. The set of grips 42, 62 may be made of a different material or may define a different profile than the rest of the handle 40, 60. For example, the set of grips 42, 62 might comprise a set of ridges or troughs, or a set of rubber rings. It is also contemplated that the set of grips 42, 62 might comprise a set of papillae, a set of substantially finger-shaped impressions, or a sticky surface.
With reference now to Figure 2, a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated generally at l O'. The second scraper 10' includes all of the elements of the first scraper 10 as well as additional elements.
30 The first handle 40' defines an endcap 44' adapted to support a small brush 46'. The second handle 60' defines a recess 64' defined between a first transverse surface 66', a second transverse surface 68' opposing the first transverse surface 66', and a first longitudinal surface 70' extending between the first transverse surface 66' and the second Page 3 of 8 transverse surface 68'. The first transverse 66' surface defines a slot 72' adapted to engage the first end of a piece of floss 74'. The second transverse surface 68' defines a corresponding slot, not shown, to engage the second end of the piece of floss 74'. The piece of floss 74' thereby extends between the first transverse surface 66' and the second 5 transverse surface 68' partially shielded by the recess 64'.
With reference now to Figure 3, the operation of the scraper l 0 will be described. The user bends the scraper l 0 longitudinally to form an inverted U-shape such that the trailing surface 24 is facing inward. The user extends her tongue T into the interior region 10 defined by the inverted U-shaped scraper 10 and rests the trailing surface 24 transversely across the rear of her tongue T. She then gently draws the scraper downward and forward, toward the tip of her tongue T. She applies only sufficient pressure to draw the cleaning edge 26 against the papillae such that as they spring past, build-up is dislodged.
The inverted U-shape allows the user to simultaneously clean the top and side surfaces of 15 her tongue T. With reference now to Figure 2, the brush 46' and the floss 74' are conveniently available for the user to augment the tongue scraping with further oral hygiene activities.
Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and 20 illustrated, the present invention is not limited to the features of these embodiments, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope of the claims.
While the safety blade's 20 inverted U-shape facilitates efficient simultaneous scraping of the top and side surfaces of the tongue T, other shapes are contemplated. The safety 25 blade 20 could be formed into a permanent curve, hook or loop shape. Alternatively, the safety blade 20 could be used straight without any bending. In either such situation, the safety blade 20 material need not be flexible. It is also anticipated that the user could position the safety blade 20 such that the leading surface 22 becomes a trailing surface and the trailing surface 24 becomes a leading surface.
The safety blade 20 need not be semi-cylindrical, although that shape is preferred because it discourages injury. A semi-cylinder defines a large blade angle of approximately 90 degrees between the leading surface 22 and the trailing surface 24. Correspondingly, a Page 4 of 8 semi-cylinder defines a small clearance angle of approximately zero degrees between the trailing surface 24 and the surface of the tongue T. Therefore, the cleaning edge 26, 28 is rendered dull except when the trailing surface 24 is held substantially parallel to the tongue T surface and the cleaning edge 26, 28 is purposefully drawn along the tongue T
5 surface.
Nevertheless, other safety blade 20 cross-sections are contemplated, including triangular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, and octagonal whether regular or not. It is also contemplated that for safety blades 20 having a 10 cylindrical geometry, the cross-section could be a chord other than a semi-circle.
The handles 40, 60 can be integrated with the safety blade 20 or may be separate. The handles 40, 60 need not be substantially cylindrical, but need only provide a good grip on the safety blade 20. For example, the handles 40, 60 might be configured as T-shaped, 15 spherical, conical, prismical, or annular.
It is contemplated that oral hygiene devices other than a brush 46' or floss 74' could be conveniently housed by the scraper 10'. For example, the endcap 44' could define an aperture, not shown, for receiving and retaining a toothpick, not shown.
Finally, it is contemplated that the floss 74' could be secured to the first or second transverse surface 66', 68' by many other well known mech~nism~ such as a cleat or an eye.
Page 5 of 8
Bark~round 10 The benefits of good oral hygiene are widely accepted. Regularly brushing and flossing one's teeth can discourage cavities, gum disease, and halitosis, colloquially known as bad breath.
Recently, attention has been directed toward tongue hygiene. The human tongue is a 15 mass of muscle covered by a mucous membrane. The upper and side surfaces of the tongue are covered with numerous tiny papillae. Filiform papillae are characterized by an inverted V-shape and are adapted to apply frictional forces to food to facilitate eating.
Fungiform papillae are mushroom shaped and contain taste buds. It has been suggested that food and beverage remnants become trapped in the mucous and against the papillae, 20 thereby supporting bacteria growth, discolouring the tongue and causing halitosis.
Being aware of this problem, many people brush their tongue during the course ofbrushing their teeth. Such brushing is somewhat beneficial, however, the large toothbrush bristles are poorly adapted to cleaning the tiny papillae. The bristles generally glance 25 over the papillae.
In Fiji, people scrape their tongues with readily available objects. They generally place the object transversely across the rear portion of the tongue and draw it toward the tip of the tongue. Some prefer to scrape with a taut piece of string while others prefer a more 30 substantial object such as a twig shard or strip. Such natural scrapers have a number of disadvantages. They are unsanitary because cont~min~nts such as germs are drawn into the porous string or wood. The wooden scrapers in particular have dangerously sharp and Page I of 8 ~ 1 79336 uneven edges that are prone to drive splinters into the tongue. Finally, these natural scrapers quickly degrade, forcing the user to find a new one and to adjust to its new shape.
What is needed is a safe, sanitary, and durable device that is adapted to removing build-up S from the tiny papillae on the tongue. The present invention is directed to such a device.
Summary According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a device for scraping a tongue comprising: an elongated member having: a first end, a second end opposing the first 10 end, a leading surface extending between the first end and the second end, and a trailing surface extending between the first end and the second end and intersecting the leading surface to form a cleaning edge, and a first handle, depending *om the first end of the elongated member, a surface region of the first handle being frictional. The leading surface might me cylindrical with the trailing surface planar. Alternatively, the leading 15 surface might be planar with the trailing surface being either cylindrical or planar. The scraper might be formed from a flexible closed-cell material that is sufficiently hard to hold an edge, for example, plastic. The scraper might further include a second handle, depending from the second end of the elongated member, a surface region of the second handle being frictional. The scraper might further include a brush extending from the first 20 handle or the first handle might define an aperture adapted to receive and retain a toothpick. The first handle might define a recess having: a first transverse surface, a second transverse surface opposing the first transverse surface, and a first longitudinal surface intersecting and extending between the first transverse surface and the second transverse surface. The first transverse surface might include a first means for retaining 25 the end of a piece of floss and the second transverse surface includes a second means for retaining the end of a piece of floss. The retaining means might be a slot or a cleat.
Brief Description of the Drawin~,c These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become 30 better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a device embodying a first aspect of the invention;
Page 2 of 8 Figure 2 is an isometric view of a device embodying a second aspect of the invention; and Figure 3 is a front view of the device of Figure l in operation.
5 Description With reference to Figure 1, a tongue scraper is generally illustrated at l O. The scraper l O
comprises a safety blade 20 extending between a first handle 40 and a second handle 60.
The safety blade 20 comprises a leading surface 22 and a trailing surface 24 which 10 intersect to form a first cleaning edge 26. In this particular embodiment, the leading surface 22 is semi-cylindrical and the trailing surface 24 is planar, such that the two surfaces intersect in a second line to form a second cleaning edge 28. The safety blade 20 is preferably made of a closed-cell material to discourage cont:~min~tion and to aid cleaning. It is preferably made of a material that can hold an edge 26, 28 but that is 15 flexible enough to be bent as will be further discussed below in terms of operation.
Plastics having these properties are a suitable.
The first and second handles 40, 60 are substantially cylindrical and extend longitudinally from either end of the safety blade 20. Each handle 40, 60 includes a set of grips 42, 62 to 20 discourage slippage of the safety blade 20 during use. The set of grips 42, 62 may be made of a different material or may define a different profile than the rest of the handle 40, 60. For example, the set of grips 42, 62 might comprise a set of ridges or troughs, or a set of rubber rings. It is also contemplated that the set of grips 42, 62 might comprise a set of papillae, a set of substantially finger-shaped impressions, or a sticky surface.
With reference now to Figure 2, a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated generally at l O'. The second scraper 10' includes all of the elements of the first scraper 10 as well as additional elements.
30 The first handle 40' defines an endcap 44' adapted to support a small brush 46'. The second handle 60' defines a recess 64' defined between a first transverse surface 66', a second transverse surface 68' opposing the first transverse surface 66', and a first longitudinal surface 70' extending between the first transverse surface 66' and the second Page 3 of 8 transverse surface 68'. The first transverse 66' surface defines a slot 72' adapted to engage the first end of a piece of floss 74'. The second transverse surface 68' defines a corresponding slot, not shown, to engage the second end of the piece of floss 74'. The piece of floss 74' thereby extends between the first transverse surface 66' and the second 5 transverse surface 68' partially shielded by the recess 64'.
With reference now to Figure 3, the operation of the scraper l 0 will be described. The user bends the scraper l 0 longitudinally to form an inverted U-shape such that the trailing surface 24 is facing inward. The user extends her tongue T into the interior region 10 defined by the inverted U-shaped scraper 10 and rests the trailing surface 24 transversely across the rear of her tongue T. She then gently draws the scraper downward and forward, toward the tip of her tongue T. She applies only sufficient pressure to draw the cleaning edge 26 against the papillae such that as they spring past, build-up is dislodged.
The inverted U-shape allows the user to simultaneously clean the top and side surfaces of 15 her tongue T. With reference now to Figure 2, the brush 46' and the floss 74' are conveniently available for the user to augment the tongue scraping with further oral hygiene activities.
Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and 20 illustrated, the present invention is not limited to the features of these embodiments, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope of the claims.
While the safety blade's 20 inverted U-shape facilitates efficient simultaneous scraping of the top and side surfaces of the tongue T, other shapes are contemplated. The safety 25 blade 20 could be formed into a permanent curve, hook or loop shape. Alternatively, the safety blade 20 could be used straight without any bending. In either such situation, the safety blade 20 material need not be flexible. It is also anticipated that the user could position the safety blade 20 such that the leading surface 22 becomes a trailing surface and the trailing surface 24 becomes a leading surface.
The safety blade 20 need not be semi-cylindrical, although that shape is preferred because it discourages injury. A semi-cylinder defines a large blade angle of approximately 90 degrees between the leading surface 22 and the trailing surface 24. Correspondingly, a Page 4 of 8 semi-cylinder defines a small clearance angle of approximately zero degrees between the trailing surface 24 and the surface of the tongue T. Therefore, the cleaning edge 26, 28 is rendered dull except when the trailing surface 24 is held substantially parallel to the tongue T surface and the cleaning edge 26, 28 is purposefully drawn along the tongue T
5 surface.
Nevertheless, other safety blade 20 cross-sections are contemplated, including triangular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, and octagonal whether regular or not. It is also contemplated that for safety blades 20 having a 10 cylindrical geometry, the cross-section could be a chord other than a semi-circle.
The handles 40, 60 can be integrated with the safety blade 20 or may be separate. The handles 40, 60 need not be substantially cylindrical, but need only provide a good grip on the safety blade 20. For example, the handles 40, 60 might be configured as T-shaped, 15 spherical, conical, prismical, or annular.
It is contemplated that oral hygiene devices other than a brush 46' or floss 74' could be conveniently housed by the scraper 10'. For example, the endcap 44' could define an aperture, not shown, for receiving and retaining a toothpick, not shown.
Finally, it is contemplated that the floss 74' could be secured to the first or second transverse surface 66', 68' by many other well known mech~nism~ such as a cleat or an eye.
Page 5 of 8
Claims (17)
1. A device for scraping a tongue comprising:
(a) an elongated member having:
(i) a first end, (ii) a second end opposing the first end, (iii) a leading surface extending between the first end and the second end, and (iv) a trailing surface extending between the first end and the second end and intersecting the leading surface to form a cleaning edge, and (b) a first handle, depending from the first end of the elongated member, a surface region of the first handle being frictional.
(a) an elongated member having:
(i) a first end, (ii) a second end opposing the first end, (iii) a leading surface extending between the first end and the second end, and (iv) a trailing surface extending between the first end and the second end and intersecting the leading surface to form a cleaning edge, and (b) a first handle, depending from the first end of the elongated member, a surface region of the first handle being frictional.
2. A scraper as in Claim 1 wherein the leading surface is cylindrical.
3. A scraper as in Claim 2 wherein the trailing surface is planar.
4. A scraper as in Claim 1 wherein the leading surface is planar.
5. A scraper as in Claim 4 wherein the trailing surface is cylindrical.
6. A scraper as in Claim 4 wherein the trailing surface is planar.
7. A scraper as in Claim 1 wherein the elongated member is formed from a closed-cell material.
8. A scraper as in Claim 7 wherein the elongated member is flexible.
9. A scraper as in Claim 8 wherein the elongated member is sufficiently hard to hold an edge.
10. A scraper as in Claim 9 wherein the elongated member is plastic.
11. A scraper as in Claim 1 further including:
(a) a second handle, depending from the second end of the elongated member, a surface region of the second handle being frictional.
(a) a second handle, depending from the second end of the elongated member, a surface region of the second handle being frictional.
12. A scraper as in Claim 1, further including:
(a) a brush extending from the first handle.
(a) a brush extending from the first handle.
13. A scraper as in Claim 1 wherein the first handle defines an aperture adapted to receive and retain a toothpick.
14. A scraper as in Claim 1, wherein the first handle defines a recess having:
(a) a first transverse surface, (b) a second transverse surface opposing the first transverse surface, and Page 6 of 8 (c) a first longitudinal surface intersecting and extending between the first transverse surface and the second transverse surface.
(a) a first transverse surface, (b) a second transverse surface opposing the first transverse surface, and Page 6 of 8 (c) a first longitudinal surface intersecting and extending between the first transverse surface and the second transverse surface.
15. A scraper as in Claim 14 wherein the first transverse surface includes a first means for retaining the end of a piece of floss and the second transverse surface includes a second means for retaining the end of a piece of floss.
16. A scraper as in Claim 15 wherein the first retaining means is a slot.
17. A scraper as in Claim 15 wherein the first retaining means is a cleat.
Page 7 of 8
Page 7 of 8
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2179336 CA2179336A1 (en) | 1996-06-18 | 1996-06-18 | Tongue scraper |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2179336 CA2179336A1 (en) | 1996-06-18 | 1996-06-18 | Tongue scraper |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2179336A1 true CA2179336A1 (en) | 1997-12-19 |
Family
ID=4158433
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2179336 Abandoned CA2179336A1 (en) | 1996-06-18 | 1996-06-18 | Tongue scraper |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2179336A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2520829A (en) * | 2013-10-25 | 2015-06-03 | Gladys Mckenzie | Tongue cleaner |
-
1996
- 1996-06-18 CA CA 2179336 patent/CA2179336A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2520829A (en) * | 2013-10-25 | 2015-06-03 | Gladys Mckenzie | Tongue cleaner |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |