CA2846329A1 - Mouthguard with compression channel - Google Patents

Abstract

A mouthguard can be configured to provide protection to the soft tissues surrounding the mouth. A mouthguard can include a front lip protection portion, a teeth engagement portion extending in a posterior direction from the front lip protection portion and a channel formed within the teeth engagement portion. A bite layer is disposed within the channel.
The mouthguard can optionally include one or more flavorants.

Description

MOUTHGUARD WITH COMPRESSION CHANNEL
[0001] This application claims priority based on United States Application No.
61/784,289 entitled "MOUTHGUARD WITH COMPRESSION CHANNEL" filed March 14, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference.
Technical Field

[0002] The disclosure relates generally to protective gear such as mouthguards and more particularly to a mouthguard that include a compression channel.
Background

[0003] Mouthguards can protect the teeth, oral tissue and gums from impact and abrasion. Mouthguards can reduce the chance of shock and other injuries resulting from high impact collisions and blows during athletic competition. Failure to use a mouthguard or the use of an improperly fitted mouthguard when impacts, collisions or blows occur to the jaw structure of an athlete can result in athletes' susceptibility to headaches, earaches, ringing in the ears, clogged ears, vertigo and dizziness. Different types of mouthguards are available including non-personalized, universal and stock model type, or are custom formed to the teeth of an individual user.
Summary

[0004] Aspects of various embodiments pertain to a mouthguard that is configured to provide protection to the soft tissues surrounding the mouth. A mouthguard includes a front lip protection portion, a teeth engagement portion extending in a posterior direction from the front lip protection portion and a channel formed within the teeth engagement portion. A
bite layer is disposed within the channel.

[0005] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention.

Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
Brief Description of the Figures

[0006] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a mouthguard in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0007] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Figure 1.

[0008] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Figure 1.

[0009] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Detailed Description

[0010] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0011] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a mouthguard 10 that includes a front lip protection portion 12 and a teeth engagement portion 14. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Figure 1 while Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Figure 1.

[0012] The front lip protection portion 12 is larger than in other types of mouthguards in order to provide additional protection to the soft tissues surrounding the mouth. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the front lip protection portion 12 may include one or more breathing channels 16 that extend through the front lip protection portion 12 in order to permit the wearer to breathe easily, even when their teeth are clenching down on the mouthguard 10.

[0013] In some embodiments, the teeth engagement portion 14 includes a channel 18 and a bite layer 20 that is disposed in the channel 18. The channel 18 can be at least partially defined by an outer wall 22 and an inner wall 24. As illustrated in Figure 2, the channel 18 can also include a floor 26. The bite layer 20 can be disposed over the floor 26, between the outer wall 22 and the inner wall 24.

[0014] In some embodiments, portions of the bite layer 20 can vary in thickness. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the floor 26 can include one or more apertures 28. If the apertures 28 are present, the bite layer 20 can extend downwardly into the one or more apertures 28. This can help with securing the bite layer 20 in place within the channel 18.
In some embodiments, the floor 26 can include one or more through holes 30 that permit the bite layer 20 to extend all the way through the teeth engagement portion 14.
As a result, forces applied to the upper molars can be transmitted through to the lower molars to better absorb impacts.

[0015] With the exception of the bite layer 20, the rest of the mouthguard 10 can be formed of a first material. The bite layer 20 can be formed of a second material that can be different from the first material. In some embodiments, the first material and the second material can be the same polymer, but have differing durometer values. For example, the first material can be a low density thermoplastic rubber having a first durometer and the second material can be a low density thermoplastic rubber having a second durometer that is less than the first durometer. Examples of a first material include a thermoplastic rubber having a Shore A durometer of about 62. Examples of a second material include a thermoplastic rubber having a Shore A durometer of about 52 or less.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first material is a composite of a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate, such as the ElvaxTM resins commercially available from Ashland Chemical Company, and an elastomeric material such as thermoplastic rubber or vulcanized rubber. In some embodiments, the first material includes about 50 percent to about 80 percent by weight of the elastomeric material and about 20 percent to about 50 percent by weight of the copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate. In some embodiments, the copolymer can include vinyl acetate in the range of about 18 percent to about 28 percent by weight.

[0017] An illustrative but non-limiting example of a suitable first material is thermoplastic rubber marketed under the trademark KRATONTm, which is marketed by GLS
Plastics of 740B Industrial Drive, Cary, Ill. 60013. This thermoplastic rubber is unique in that it is injection moldable, FDA approved and readily adheres with copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate. Furthermore, the thermoplastic rubber has a melting or softening point significantly higher than that of EVA.

[0018] In some embodiments, the second material is a suitably soft thermoplastic rubber having a durometer low enough that the mouthguard 10 does not have to be molded to the wearer's teeth. Rather, the bite layer 20 is sufficiently soft such that the bite layer 20 can accommodate and protect the wearer's teeth without a molding step.

[0019] In some embodiments, the mouthguard 10 is a boil and bite mouthguard. In some embodiments, the bite layer 20 is formed of a second material that softens at a temperature in the range of about 100 to about 150 degrees Fahrenheit, while the rest of the mouthguard 10 is formed of a first material that softens at a temperature that is in the range of about 140 to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

[0020] Before the mouthguard 10 can be used, a user must fit the mouthguard 10 in their mouth. To do this, the mouthguard 10 is momentarily submersed into boiling water for 16-60 seconds. This will cause the bite layer 20 to soften without appreciably softening the rest of the mouthguard 10. Thereafter, the mouthguard 10 is immediately placed onto the user's teeth. The user bites down firmly and applies suction between the upper jaw and the mouthguard 10 while packing the mouthguard 10 with the hands along the cheeks and gums adjacent the anterior and posterior teeth of the upper jaw. The posterior teeth of the lower jaw will properly index upon the bottom surface of the mouthguard 10.

[0021] In some embodiments, the bite layer 20 is formed of a second material that is 100 percent of a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate, and has at least 33 percent of vinyl acetate by weight. In some embodiments, the second material includes a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate, and has at least 40 percent of vinyl acetate by weight. For example, a suitable second material is a soft EVA 40. Alternatively, another suitable second material includes EVA 100.

[0022] While not visible in the illustrated orientation, in some embodiments the mouthguard 10 can be configured to include a tether that can be used by the player to attach the mouthguard 10 to a helmet. The tether can be permanently attached, or the tether can be removable and insertable by the player.

[0023] In some embodiments, the mouthguard 10 can include one or more flavorants dispersed within either the first material, the second material or both. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more flavorants can include a sweetener. In some embodiments, individual flavorants are in different polymeric materials, with the polymeric materials defining different mouthguard layers as desired. In some embodiments, at least one of the polymeric materials can include two or more distinct flavorants, with one of the flavorants being a sweetener. In some embodiments, at least one of the polymeric materials can be free of flavorants.

[0024] Flavors are generally defined as the sensory impression provided to the person detecting the flavor. The flavor detected by an individual can be a combination of taste and smell. Examples of tastes include sweet, sour, bitter, salty and other basic tastes.
Smells are limitless. Flavorants are substances that provide a flavor or alter the detected flavor. Flavorants can be natural or synthetic. Salts are flavorants that enhance a salty taste.
Sugars and other sweeteners are flavorants that enhance a sweet taste.

[0025] Illustrative but non-limiting examples of flavors that can be used in the flavored mouthguards described herein include a sweet flavor, a tart flavor, a salty flavor, a citrus flavor such as orange or lemon, a berry flavor such as strawberry, a mint flavor such as peppermint, spearmint and the like. Other flavorants include cinnamon. It will be appreciated that flavorants can be combined in order to provide additional taste combinations. Two or more flavorants can be combined into a single polymer layer, or the flavorants can be separated, one in each polymer layer. In some embodiments, flavorants are disposed in separate layers to be deployed in targeted areas of the mouth.
For example, a flavorant that is sweet, such as sucralose, is optionally deployed in layer toward a front region of the mouth while a different type of flavorant, such as a citrus flavorant, is optionally deployed in layer toward a back region of the mouth.

[0026] A variety of flavorants can be used, including GRAS (generally regarded as safe) natural and artificial flavorants. In some embodiments, particular flavorants can be selected not only to provide a desired flavor or aroma, but also to accommodate the thermal processing parameters involved in molding a particular polymer. Some flavorants are disposed within water soluble carriers or oil soluble carriers. It will be appreciated that in some instances, a flavorant in an oil soluble carrier may have an increased affinity for the polymer to which the flavorant is added.

[0027] In some embodiments, the flavorants include one or more flavorants that can provide a sweet taste, or sweetness. A variety of different sweeteners can be used, including GRAS natural and artificial sweeteners. The sweetness-providing flavorants can be selected not only to provide a desired sweetness, but also in accordance with the thermal processing parameters of the polymer to which the sweetener is to be added.

[0028] Illustrative but non-limiting examples of suitable sweeteners include sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, malitol ,xylitol, mannitol, erythritol and lactitol. Additional suitable sweeteners include saccharin, sucrolose and extracts from the Stevia plant. The sweetener can be added in any desired concentration, and can be added to the polymer in any suitable form, such as a liquid or a powder that can be mixed into a liquid polymer prior to molding. In some embodiments, the sweetener can be added at a concentration of about 0.5 to about 20 weight percent of the polymer. It will be appreciated that the desired concentration level can vary, depending on the particular sweetener being used, the desired taste effect and the specific polymer the sweetener is being added to.

[0029] The flavorant can be added in any desired concentration. In some embodiments, flavorants providing tastes other than sweet can be added at a concentration of about 3 to about 30 weight percent of the polymer. In some embodiments, flavorants providing sweetness can be added at a concentration of about 0.5 to about 20 weight percent of the polymer. It will be appreciated that the desired concentration level can vary, depending on the particular flavorant being used, the desired taste effect and the specific polymer the flavorant is being added to. In some embodiments, the flavorant can be added to the polymer when making a master batch pellet that can subsequently be used when molding the mouthguard 10.

[0030] In some embodiments, the flavorants such as flavor oils or powders, can be mixed into a container of pellets that do not already include any flavorants.
As a result of mixing, the pellets become coated with the flavorants and at least some of the flavorants can absorb into the pellets. The pellets are added to the injection molding machine in which friction and pressure melts and blends the material as it flows through the injection molding machine.

[0031] It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. For example, it is contemplated that features described in association with one embodiment are optionally employed in addition or as an alternative to features described in associate with another embodiment. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims (14)

WE CLAIM:

1. A mouthguard comprising:
a front lip protection portion;
a teeth engagement portion extending in a posterior direction from the front lip protection portion;
a channel formed within the teeth engagement portion; and a bite layer disposed within the channel.

2. The mouthguard of claim 1, wherein the front lip protection portion and the teeth engagement portion are formed of a first material having a first durometer.

3. The mouthguard of claim 2, wherein the bite layer is formed of a second material having a second durometer.

4. The mouthguard of claim 3, wherein the second material and the first material are both low density thermoplastic rubber.

5. The mouthguard of claim 1, wherein the first material includes an injection moldable thermoplastic rubber.

6. The mouthguard of claim 1, wherein the first material includes a composite of a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate and a rubber.

7. The mouthguard of claim 1, wherein the second material includes a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate having at least about 33 weight percent vinyl acetate within the copolymer.

8. The mouthguard of claim 1, wherein the second material is selected having a durometer sufficiently low to accommodate and protect a wearer's teeth without a previous molding step.

9. The mouthguard of claim 1, wherein the first material includes a flavorant.

10. The mouthguard of claim 9, wherein the first material includes a flavorant that provides sweetness.

11. The mouthguard of claim 1, wherein the first material includes at least two flavorants, with one of the flavorants providing sweetness.

12. The mouthguard of claim 1, wherein the second material includes a flavorant.

13. The mouthguard of claim 12, wherein the second material includes a flavorant that provides sweetness.

14. The mouthguard of claim 12, wherein the second material includes at least two flavorants, with one of the flavorants providing sweetness.