TWM573168U - Oral cavity cleaning device and lighting module - Google Patents

Abstract

An oral cleaning device includes a grip, a cleaning member, a power source, a lighting module, and an activation component. The grip includes two opposite ends, and an accommodation space between the ends. The cleaning member is disposed at one end of the grip. The power source is disposed in the accommodation space of the grip. The light emitting module includes a light emitting component and a light cover. The light-emitting element is located at one end of the grip and is electrically connected to the power source for generating light to illuminate the oral cavity. The lamp cover is disposed on the light-emitting element for refracting light generated by the light-emitting element to amplify the illumination range of the light in the oral cavity. The starting component is disposed on the grip and exposed on the surface of the grip and electrically connected to the power source for controlling the light emitting component to emit light.

Description

Oral cleaning device and lighting module

The present invention relates to a cleaning device, and more particularly to an oral cleaning device and a lighting module.

Oral health care is closely related to people's daily life. In addition to affecting eating, chewing, and swallowing, it also further affects facial interaction, communication, social interaction and other interpersonal interactions. Try to use floss or floss stick after three meals, shave the residue between the teeth, and clean it with a mouthwash. When brushing your teeth before going to bed, you must also have a sequence and a uniform direction, and gradually clean the gap between each tooth and the gums to prevent the occurrence of periodontal disease. However, many people's concept of cleaning teeth may not be correct. It is often thought that brushing your teeth can clean your teeth, but too much effort will actually hurt the teeth themselves and the gums. In addition, even if it appears to be clean on the surface, plaque is still prone to be present at the junction of the gums and the teeth. It may cause periodontal disease and cause atrophy of the alveolar and loose teeth.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an illuminable oral cleaning device.

Therefore, in some embodiments, the present oral cleaning device comprises: a grip, a cleaning member, a power source, a lighting module, and a starting component. The grip includes two opposite ends, and an accommodation space between the ends. The cleaning member is disposed at one end of the grip. The power supply It is disposed in the accommodation space of the grip. The light emitting module includes a light emitting component and a light cover. The light-emitting element is located at one end of the grip and is electrically connected to the power source for generating light to illuminate the oral cavity. The lamp cover is disposed on the light-emitting element for refracting light generated by the light-emitting element to amplify the illumination range of the light in the oral cavity. The starting component is disposed on the grip and exposed on the surface of the grip and electrically connected to the power source for controlling the light emitting component to emit light.

In some embodiments, the lamp cover includes a cover body having an open end, a light exit end opposite to the open end, and a receiving slot, the receiving slot extending from the open end toward the light exit end a central shaft extending to receive the light emitting element, the cover further having a first refractive portion forming the open end, the first refractive portion surrounding a peripheral side of the light emitting element and having a first of 0.3 mm to 5 mm thickness.

In some embodiments, the cover further has a second refractive portion forming the light-emitting end, the second refractive portion corresponding to the forward light-emitting region of the light-emitting element and having a second thickness of between 0.3 mm and 3 mm .

In some embodiments, the cover further has a third refractive portion connecting the first refractive portion and the second refractive portion, and the third refractive portion has a third thickness of between 0.3 mm and 3 mm.

In some embodiments, the cover has a semi-elliptical shape that gives the illumination range an elliptical shape.

In some embodiments, the cleaning member includes a link portion, and a brush head disposed at an end of the link portion away from the grip bar and adapted to clean the oral cavity, the link portion being detachably sleeved Located in the lampshade.

In some embodiments, the first refractive portion has a first inner side adjacent to the light emitting element, and a first outer side opposite to the first inner side, the cover further having a first inner side formed thereon The outer side surface is for engaging the engaging portion of the link portion.

In some implementations, the light-emitting element is defined as a first light-emitting element, and the light-emitting module further includes a second light-emitting element disposed at one end of the grip and electrically connected to the power source for generating light illumination. The mouth.

In some embodiments, the method further includes a plaque detecting unit disposed in the accommodating space of the grip, the plaque detecting unit includes a control module, an electrical connection to the control module, and is suitable for detecting a detection module for the plaque content in the oral cavity, and a warning module electrically connected to the control module, wherein the detection module detects that the plaque content exceeds a predetermined value, the detection module A signal is sent to the control module, which controls the warning module to issue a warning message.

In some implementations, the alert module is a shock generator.

In some implementations, the alert module is a warning light.

In some embodiments, the method further includes a plaque detecting unit disposed in the accommodating space of the grip, the plaque detecting unit includes a control module, an electrical connection to the control module, and is suitable for detecting The detection module of the plaque content in the oral cavity, when the detection module detects that the plaque content exceeds a predetermined value, the detection module transmits a signal to the control module, and the control module The light-emitting element is controlled to blink.

Therefore, another object of the present invention is to provide a light-emitting module that can amplify an illumination range.

Therefore, in some embodiments, the light-emitting module of the present invention is suitable for being disposed in an oral cleaning device, which is suitable for cleaning an oral cavity, and includes a grip bar, the grip bar includes two opposite ends, and a In the accommodating space between the ends, the illuminating module comprises: a illuminating component, and a lamp cover. The illuminating element is located at one end of the grip for generating light having a wavelength between 300 nm and 500 nm to illuminate the oral cavity. The lamp cover is disposed on the light-emitting component and is configured to refract light generated by the light-emitting component to amplify the illumination range of the light. The lamp cover includes a cover body having an open end and a first end forming the open end a refracting portion, a light-emitting end opposite to the open end, and a receiving groove extending from the open end toward the light-emitting end along a central axis to receive the light-emitting element, the first refracting portion surrounding the The peripheral side of the light emitting element has a first thickness of between 0.3 mm and 5 mm.

In some embodiments, the cover further has a second refractive portion forming the light-emitting end, the second refractive portion corresponding to the forward light-emitting region of the light-emitting element and having a second thickness of between 0.3 mm and 3 mm .

In some embodiments, the cover further has a third refractive portion connecting the first refractive portion and the second refractive portion, and the third refractive portion has a third thickness of between 0.3 mm and 3 mm.

In some embodiments, the cover has a semi-elliptical shape that gives the illumination range an elliptical shape.

The present invention has at least the following effects: by installing the light-emitting element at one end of the grip, when the user cleans the oral cavity, the light-emitting element can be used to observe whether there is still a gap between the teeth, the gums, the tongue, and the like. Clean and clean. In addition, the lampshade can fold the light generated by the illuminating element Shooting, so that the range of illumination is enlarged, reducing the user's desire to illuminate different angles and need to move left and right.

1‧‧‧ Grip

11‧‧‧End

111‧‧‧Transparent section

12‧‧‧ accommodating space

2‧‧‧cleaning parts

21‧‧‧ Linkage Department

22‧‧‧ brush head

221‧‧‧port

221a‧‧‧ card slot

3‧‧‧Power supply

4‧‧‧Lighting module

41‧‧‧Lighting elements

41a‧‧‧First light-emitting element

41b‧‧‧Second light-emitting element

42‧‧‧shade

43‧‧‧ Cover

431‧‧‧Open end

432‧‧‧ light end

433‧‧‧ accommodating slots

434‧‧‧First Refraction

434a‧‧‧ first inner side

434b‧‧‧ first outer side

435‧‧‧Second Refraction

435a‧‧‧Second inner side

435b‧‧‧Second outer side

436‧‧‧ Third Refraction

436a‧‧‧ third inner side

436b‧‧‧ third outer side

437‧‧‧Care Department

44‧‧‧Extension

441‧‧‧Electrical contacts

5‧‧‧Starting components

6‧‧‧ plaque detection unit

61‧‧‧Control module

62‧‧‧Detection module

63‧‧‧Warning module

7‧‧‧ oral

8‧‧‧Scope of illumination

L1‧‧‧first axis

C1‧‧‧ central axis

T1‧‧‧first thickness

T2‧‧‧second thickness

T3‧‧‧ third thickness

Other features and effects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection relationship between a power source, a light-emitting element, a starting component, and a plaque detecting unit of the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a top plan view illustrating the first embodiment; The appearance of a cover of a lampshade; FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the lampshade; FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing that the light generated by the light-emitting element passes through the lampshade and has an elliptical illumination range on an oral cavity; Figure 7 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

Before the present invention is described in detail, it should be noted that in the following description, similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a first embodiment of the present oral cleaning device is suitable for cleaning a user's mouth 7 (see Figure 6), and the oral cleaning device is exemplified by a toothbrush in this embodiment. Ming, but it can also be a tongue, a floss stick, etc., not limited to this. The oral cleaning device of the first embodiment comprises a grip 1, a cleaning member 2, a power source 3, a lighting module 4, an activation element 5, and a plaque detecting unit 6.

The grip 1 includes two opposite end portions 11 and an accommodation space 12 interposed between the end portions 11. In the present embodiment, one end 11 of the grip 1 is connected to the cleaning member 2, and the other end portion 11 of the grip 1 has an opening communicating with the accommodating space 12. The cleaning member 2 includes a link portion 21 connected to the grip 1, and a brush head 22 disposed at an end of the link portion 21 away from the grip 1. The brush head 22 is adapted to remove plaque from the teeth, residue between the teeth, and tongue coating on the tongue. The power source 3 is disposed in the accommodating space 12 of the grip 1 and is composed of at least one mercury battery. The light-emitting module 4 is disposed on the grip 1 and includes a light-emitting element 41 and a light cover 42. The light-emitting element 41 is located at the other end portion 11 of the grip 1 and is electrically connected to the power source 3 for generating light to illuminate the oral cavity 7. The light-emitting element 41 is configured to generate light having a wavelength of from 300 meters to 500 nanometers, and preferably, the light is ultraviolet light having a wavelength between 400 nm and 410 nm, but is not limited to this range. When the plaque in the oral cavity 7 is irradiated by the light-emitting element 41, it exhibits a purple-red fluorescent light, and the user can enhance the cleaning of the fluorescent light which appears purple. Of course, the light-emitting element 41 may also be a light-emitting diode for illuminating the inside of the oral cavity 7 to deeply observe the residue of the gap between the teeth or the health of the teeth.

The starting element 5 is disposed adjacent to the light-emitting element 41 and exposed to the surface of the grip 1 and electrically connected to the power source 3. The starting element 5 is used to control the light emitting element 41 to emit light. In this embodiment, the starting element 5 is of a push-type design, and can be pressed by the user to assume a pressed state to control the light-emitting element 41 to emit light, or to exhibit a pop-up state to suppress the light-emitting state after the pressure is released. Element 41 does not Glowing. In other embodiments, the starting component 5 can also be a travel switch, a push button switch, a combination switch, and a proximity switch, and is not limited thereto.

The lamp cover 42 is disposed on the light-emitting element 41 and refracts light generated by the light-emitting element 41 to amplify the light to the illumination range 8 of the oral cavity 7 (see FIG. 6). 4 and 5, in detail, the lamp cover 42 includes a cover 43 having an open end 431, and an extension 44 extending from the periphery of the open end 431 toward the grip 1 . The extension body 44 is engaged with the lamp cover 42 via the opening of the other end portion 11 of the grip 1 and has a light between the activation element 5 and the power source 3 and electrically connected to the light-emitting element 41. Conductive contact 441. When the starting component 5 is in the pressed state, the starting component 5 is pressed against the conductive contact 441, and the conductive contact 441 is touched by the power source 3. The light emitting component 41 and the power source 3 can form a The passage is such that the light-emitting element 41 emits light. When the starting element 5 is in the pop-up state, the starting element 5 is released from the conductive contact 441, and no light is formed between the light-emitting element 41 and the power source 3. The light-emitting element 41 therefore does not emit light.

The cover 43 has a semi-elliptical shape, and the open end 431 has an elliptical shape, and defines a long axis of the open end 431 as a first axis L1. The cover 43 further has a light-emitting end 432 opposite to the open end 431, a receiving groove 433 interposed between the open end 431 and the light-emitting end 432 and communicating with the open end 431, and forming the open end a first refractive portion 434 of the 431, a second refractive portion 435 forming the light-emitting end 432, and a third refractive portion 436 connecting the first refractive portion 434 and the second refractive portion 435. The accommodating groove 433 extends from the open end 431 toward the light exit end 432 along a central axis C1 to accommodate the light emitting element 41. The first refracting portion 434 is spaced around the circumferential side of the illuminating element 41 and has a first inner side 434a adjacent to the illuminating element 41 and a first outer side opposite to the first inner side 434a. 434b. The first outer side surface 434b is a curved surface design and is inclined toward the central axis C1. The first inner side surface 434a extends from the open end 431 toward the light exit end 432 and extends in a direction parallel to the central axis C1. The second refractive portion 435 is spaced apart from the first refractive portion 434 and correspondingly located in the forward light exiting region of the light emitting element 41, and has a second inner side 435a adjacent to the light emitting element 41, and a second opposite to the second The second outer side 435b of the inner side 435a. The third refractive portion 436 has a third inner side 436a adjacent to the light emitting element 41 and a third outer side 436b opposite to the third inner side 436a. The first inner side 434a, the second inner side 435a and the third inner side 436a together define the accommodating groove 433, and the portion of the accommodating groove 433 defined by the first inner side 434a is The portion of the accommodating groove 433 defined by the second inner side surface 435a and the third inner side surface 436a is semi-spherical. The size of the cover 43 is designed to match the outer diameter of the grip 1, so that the cover 42 is not too abrupt compared to the grip 1, or is troublesome in use. In detail, the first refractive portion 434, the second refractive portion 435, and the third refractive portion 436 have a first thickness t1, a second thickness t2, and a first portion, respectively, with the first axis L1 as a line. Three thicknesses t3. The first thickness t1 is a distance between the first inner side surface 434a and the first outer side surface 434b, and the first thickness t1 is between 0.3 mm and 5 mm. In this embodiment, the first thickness t1 is 4 mm. The second thickness t2 is defined by the distance between the second inner side 435a and the second outer side 435b, and the second thickness t2 is between 0.3 mm and 3 mm. In this embodiment, the second thickness t2 is 2.5 mm. The third thickness t3 is defined by the distance between the third inner side 436a and the third outer side 436b, and the third thickness t3 is between 0.3 mm and 3 mm. In this embodiment, the third thickness t3 is 2.5 mm. The cover 43 is configured to refract light generated by the light-emitting element 41 to amplify the light to the illumination range 8 of the oral cavity 7, and the illumination range 8 is formed by the cover 43 having a semi-elliptical shape. An elliptical shape as shown in Fig. 6 is shown to more closely match the appearance of the mouth 7.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 again, the plaque detecting unit 6 is disposed in the accommodating space 12 of the grip 1 and includes a control module 61 electrically connected to the control module 61 and adapted to detect the oral cavity. 7 (see FIG. 6), the plaque content detecting module 62, and a warning module 63 electrically connected to the control module 61 and adapted to issue a warning message. In addition to the preliminary inspection of the light-emitting element 41, the user can also repeatedly detect the plaque content of the oral cavity 7 with the detection module 62. For example, when the detection module 62 detects that the plaque content exceeds a predetermined value, the detection module 62 transmits a signal to the control module 61, and the control module 61 controls the warning module 63 to emit Warning message, users are advised to strengthen the cleaning again. The warning module 63 can be a vibration generator. When the control module 61 transmits a signal to the warning module 63, the warning module 63 generates a vibration mode warning message to remind the user. The warning module 63 can also be a warning light. The control module 61 controls the warning light to emit light after receiving the signal transmitted by the detection module 62. In other implementations, the warning module 63 may not be installed. When the detection module 62 detects that the plaque content exceeds a predetermined value and transmits a signal to the control module 61, the control module 61 will control the light-emitting element 41 to flash, reminding the user that the plaque content still has room to be cleaned, effectively reducing the risk of the patient suffering from periodontal disease or other oral 7 related diseases.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a second embodiment of the present oral cleaning device comprises a grip 1, a cleaning member 2, a power source 3 (see FIG. 3), a light-emitting module 4, an activation element 5, and A plaque detecting unit 6. The structure and function of the power source 3, the starting element 5, and the plaque detecting unit 6 are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described again. The grip 1 includes two opposite end portions 11 and an accommodation space 12 interposed between the end portions 11. In this embodiment, one of the end portions 11 is provided for the light emitting module 4 The light-emitting element 41 is disposed with the lamp cover 42 and the light-emitting end 432 of the lamp cover 42 faces the cleaning member 2. In the present embodiment, the other end portion 11 is formed into a toothed shape, so that the oral cleaning device can stably stand on a plane, but is not limited to this structure. The cleaning member 2 also includes a link portion 21, and a brush head 22 disposed at an end of the link portion 21 away from the grip 1. It should be particularly noted that the link portion 21 is made of a transparent material and is detachably sleeved on the lamp cover 42. In detail, the lamp cover 42 includes a structure described in the first embodiment, and the lamp cover 42 further has an engaging portion 437 formed on the first outer side surface 434b for engaging the link portion 21. Specifically, one end of the link portion 21 away from the brush head 22 is formed with a port 221 having an inverted L-shaped slot portion 221a. When the connecting rod portion 21 is sleeved on the lamp cover 42 by the port 221, the engaging portion 437 of the lamp cover 42 enters the card slot portion 221a, and the user rotates the link portion 21 by a predetermined angle to place the card. The hinge portion 437 is locked to the card slot portion 221a to lock the cleaning member 2 to the lamp cover 42. During the cleaning of the oral cavity 7 (see FIG. 6), the light-emitting element 41 can be turned on at any time by the activation element 5. The light generated by the light-emitting element 41 will emit light along the transparent link portion 21. Illuminating the user's mouth 7 or detaching the cleaning member 2, the elliptical illumination range 8 (see FIG. 6) generated by the light-emitting element 41 passing through the lamp cover 42 is more suitable for the appearance of the oral cavity 7 to achieve better Detection or lighting effects.

Referring to FIG. 9, a third embodiment of the present invention relates to a third embodiment which is substantially identical to the second embodiment. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the grip 1 of the third embodiment is One of the end portions 11 has a transparent portion 111, and the light-emitting element 41 of the light-emitting module 4 is defined as a first light-emitting element 41a. The light-emitting module 4 further includes a one end portion 11 disposed on the one end portion 11 of the grip rod 1. a transparent segment 111 and electrically connected to a second light-emitting element 41b of the power source 3 (see FIG. 3), the second light-emitting element 41b For generating light to illuminate the oral cavity 7 (see FIG. 6), and one of the first light-emitting element 41a and the second light-emitting element 41b can emit ultraviolet light as described in the first and second embodiments, the first The other of the light-emitting element 41a and the second light-emitting element 41b may be a light-emitting diode. The user can control the plurality of modes of the first light-emitting element 41a and the second light-emitting element 41b to emit light simultaneously, one of which emits light or does not emit light, by pressing the starting element 5. The light-emitting direction of the second light-emitting element 41b is transverse to the light-emitting direction of the first light-emitting element 41a, so that the user does not have to intentionally turn one of the end portions 11 toward the oral cavity 7, so that the second light-emitting element 41b can be easily generated. The light is shining on the mouth 7.

In summary, the present invention provides an oral cleaning device in which the light-emitting element 41 is disposed at one end portion 11 of the grip 1, and when the user cleans the oral cavity 7, the inter-tooth, gums can be observed by the light-emitting element 41. , where the tongue and other places are still unclean. In addition, the lamp cover 42 can refract the light generated by the light-emitting element 41 to enlarge the illumination range 8, thereby reducing the user's desire to illuminate different angles and to move left and right. Furthermore, the plaque detecting unit 6 can further detect the plaque content in the oral cavity 7 to prevent the user from actually cleaning, so that the purpose of the present invention can be achieved.

However, the above is only the embodiment of the present invention, and when it is not possible to limit the scope of the present invention, all the simple equivalent changes and modifications according to the scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification are still This new patent covers the scope.

Claims (16)

An oral cleaning device for cleaning an oral cavity, the oral cleaning device comprising: a grip bar comprising two opposite ends, and an accommodation space between the ends; a cleaning member disposed on the grip One end portion; a power source disposed in the accommodating space of the grip; a light-emitting module including a light-emitting component at one end of the grip and electrically connected to the power source for generating light to illuminate the oral cavity, and a light cover is disposed on the light emitting element for refracting light generated by the light emitting element to amplify the illumination range of the light; and an activation component disposed on the grip and exposed on the surface of the grip and electrically connected The power source is configured to control the light emitting element to emit light. The oral cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the lamp cover comprises a cover body having an open end, a light exit end opposite to the open end, and a receiving groove, the receiving groove is formed by the open end Extending along the central axis of the light-emitting end to accommodate the light-emitting element, the cover further has a first refractive portion forming the open end, the first refractive portion surrounding the circumferential side of the light-emitting element and having a distance of 0.3 mm To the first thickness of 5 mm. The oral cleaning device of claim 2, wherein the cover further has a second refractive portion forming the light-emitting end, the light-emitting element having a positive light exiting region, the second refractive portion corresponding to the positive light-emitting element The light exit zone has a second thickness of between 0.3 mm and 3 mm. The oral cleaning device of claim 3, wherein the cover further has a third refractive portion connecting the first refractive portion and the second refractive portion, and the third refractive portion has a diameter of 0.3 mm to 3 The third thickness of the millimeter. The oral cleaning device of claim 4, wherein the cover has a semi-elliptical shape, such that the illumination range exhibits an elliptical shape. The oral cleaning device of claim 2, wherein the cleaning member comprises a link portion, and a brush head disposed at an end of the link portion away from the grip and adapted to clean the oral cavity, the connecting rod The part is detachably sleeved on the lampshade. The oral cleaning device of claim 6, wherein the first refractive portion has a first inner side adjacent to the light emitting element, and a first outer side opposite to the first inner side, the cover further has An engaging portion formed on the first outer side surface for engaging the link portion. The oral cleaning device of claim 6, wherein the light-emitting element is defined as a first light-emitting element, the light-emitting module further comprising a second light-emitting element disposed at one end of the grip and electrically connected to the power source For generating light to illuminate the oral cavity. The oral cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising a plaque detecting unit disposed in the accommodating space of the grip, the plaque detecting unit comprising a control module and an electrical connection And a detection module for detecting plaque content in the oral cavity, and a warning module electrically connected to the control module, wherein the detection module detects that the plaque content exceeds a predetermined value The detection module transmits a signal to the control module, and the control module controls the warning module to issue a warning message. The oral cleaning device of claim 9, wherein the warning module is a vibration generator. The oral cleaning device of claim 9, wherein the warning module is a warning light. The oral cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising a plaque detecting unit disposed in the accommodating space of the grip, the plaque detecting unit comprising a control module and an electrical connection And a detection module suitable for detecting the plaque content in the oral cavity, when the detection module detects that the plaque content exceeds a predetermined value, the detection module transmits a signal to the control module The control module controls the illumination component to blink. A light-emitting module suitable for being provided in an oral cleaning device, which is suitable for cleaning an oral cavity, and comprising a grip bar, the grip bar comprising two opposite ends, and a receiving portion between the end portions The light-emitting module comprises: a light-emitting component at one end of the grip for generating light having a wavelength of between 300 nm and 500 nm to illuminate the oral cavity; and a light cover covering the light-emitting component And refracting the light generated by the light-emitting element to amplify the illumination range of the light, the light cover comprises a cover body having an open end, a light-emitting end opposite to the open end, and a receiving groove. The accommodating groove extends from the open end toward the light-emitting end along a central axis to accommodate the light-emitting element, and the cover further has a first refracting portion forming the open end, the first refracting portion surrounding the light-emitting element The side of the circumference has a first thickness of between 0.3 mm and 5 mm. The illuminating module of claim 13, wherein the hood further has a second refracting portion forming the light emitting end, the illuminating element having a positive light exiting region, the second refracting portion corresponding to the positive illuminating component The light exit zone has a second thickness of between 0.3 mm and 3 mm. The light emitting module of claim 14, wherein the cover further has a third refractive portion connecting the first refractive portion and the second refractive portion, and the third refractive portion has a diameter of 0.3 mm to 3 The third thickness of the millimeter. The illuminating module of claim 15, wherein the hood has a semi-elliptical shape, such that the illuminating range exhibits an elliptical shape.