US2842119A

US2842119A - Cheek uplift

Info

Publication number: US2842119A
Application number: US646244A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walton Mildred
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-03-15
Filing date: 1957-03-15
Publication date: 1958-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 1975-07-08

Description

July 8, 1958 M. WALTON CHEEK UPLIFT Filed March l5, 1957 Rubber A b Q uw a 8 m INVENTOR. Ml LDRED WALTON BY ATToR/VEY or sterilized.

United States Patent CHEEK UPLIFT Mildred Walton, New York, N. Y.

`Application March 15, 1957, Serial No. `646,244 12 Claims. (Cl. 12S-76) `This invention relatesA to a pad-like device insertable in the mouth, between the upper lip and the upper gum, either singly or in pairs, for the purpose of exertingfa light outward pressure upon the portion of the lip or `a view of eliminating or reducing to a marked degree the crease or line.

One object of importance is to provide a cheek-expanding pad of the character described that will be comfortable when in use, and will not make diicult such normal functions as eating, brushing the teeth, etc.

Another object is to so form the pad as to permit the same torbe maintained in a sanitary condition, with maximum ease. t t, Another object is to provide a cheek-expanding pad or `mouthpiece as stated which will be particularly shaped to not only be comfortable when worn but, also, to exert pressure at the exact points desired, with a view of eliminating lines or creasesin lthe face at opposite sides of the upper lip.` 1

Yet another object is to provide an improved construction of a cheek-expanding pad of the type described,

wherein the pad will include a body portion of foam or sponge rubber, encased in a thin plastic sheathwhich sheathwill provide protection for the foam rubber, will prevent the rubber from becoming moistened, and will itself define atcovering readily adapted to. be washed Still another object is to provide af cheek-expanding pad of the character stated which will include means connecting the. plastic sheath or covering tothe body portion, which meanswill extend peripherally of the device and will be so designed ,as to impart a stilfer construction to the device at the periphery vthereof than at the center, thus to particularly effectmaintenance of the device in the desired outer configuration.

Still another object is 4to provide, in at least one form iof the invention, meansthat will define a" relatively noncompressible area at one sideof 'the body, with the forward side of the body beingfully.compressible thus `to provide a rm backing for'the device, while at the same time imparting a'softness to the front part thereof'that will` correspondto the relative `softness of the portion ofthe, cheek against which the `device is engaged. In

this way; pressures exertedV against the cheekwill not reveal the existence oftlie devicewithin thefupper portion'of the"moiith, notwithstanding the fact that the `device will be efficiently adapted to discharge its intended function. Y

2,842,l 19 Patented July 8, 1958 ice y Yet another object ofimportance is to provide a device of thecharacter stated that will be adapted for manufacture at a very low cost, thus to permit the device to be discarded after ithas been used for a predetermined periodl of time, with a new device being substituted for the `discarded one at so low a cost as to be wholly inconsequential, considering the benefits to be obtained from the use of the device.

For further :comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and `advantages thereof, reference will be had to thefollowing description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features ofxthe invention are more particularly set forth. In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

4Fig 1 is a generally diagrammatic view illustrating the face from the front, with a pair of the cheek-uplifting pads being shown in position, in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is `an enlarged `perspective view of one of the padsper se.

Fig. 3*.is a transverse sectional view, still. further enlarged, substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic side view of the `face with the device being `shown in transverse section in proper position, the view being taken on line 4-4 of Fig. l.- v

t Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modilied construction.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, detail sectional view transversely through `the device of Fig. 5, taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing another modilisation.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Figs. 6 and 7 showing still another modification.

In` the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-4, designated at `10 are the crease lines of the face which it is intended to remove, through the use of a pair of the cheek uplift pads 12 constituting the invention.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in outer configuration each -pad is formedapproximately in the shape of a semicircle.

However, the device can be narrower, with the arcuate edge thereofextending through less than In any event, the device has one straight `longitudinal edge, this being the upper edge when the device is in use, and one continuously arcuate edge, terminating at its opposite ends at the opposite ends of the straight edge.

vThe device includes a body portion 14 which in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-4 is formed from a single piece of soft sponge rubber, foam rubber, or the like. `It is mainly important, in this regard, that the body portion in this form of the invention be of a softness` such as to duplicate rather faithfully the softness of the portion of the cheek in back of which the device is engaged. The device, at the same time, has a resiliency tending totnormally dispose the same in an expanded condition `in which it exerts a slight forward pressure on the sides of the upper lip, at the locations of the creases 10... This forward pressure tends to eliminate the creases,` thus improvingmeasurably the facial appearance ofthe user.

` The body portion 14, when viewed in cross section, is thickest along its upper edge, the body portion being progressively decreased in width in the direction of its bottom, arcuate edge. In other words, the straightedged side of the device is thickest, with the device having tapering side walls, that cause the same to be progressively reduced in thickness, until, along the arcuate device isi almost blade-like in cross-sectional substantially fully from end to end thereof. At the opposite extremities of the arcuate edge, the same becomes slightly increased in thickness, to merge into the relatively thick top edge portion of the pad.

En'ca'sing the body portion 14 isa flexible, thin, rplastic: sheath 16. This completely covers thel body portion, so as to prevent the bodyportion'from becoming satu-v rated with moisture. The sheath, being waterproof, prevents any moisture from entering intothemateiial of the body portion. Further, the sheatli'is so designed as to permit the `device to be washedI whenever desired, lto maintain the same in a fully sanitary conditionl Sheath 16, as shown in Figs.V 143, is secured tothe body portion by a line of lstitching 18, extending thefulllength of the arcuate edge of thedevice.` The stitching is con-` tinued-along'the straight top edge-` portion ofthedevice as at 20, so that the stitching extendsthro'ngh"thefull periphery of the device.

The stitches are placed 'close enough togetherto impart a comparative rigidity to the peripheral portion'of'the pad. This tends to maintainthe 'pad in shape,and at the same time, the center area of the pad is kept soft for the purpose of preventing the device from being apparent to t-he casual viewer. The stitching also serves, of course, to connect the plastic sheath to the marginal part ofthe body portion.

In use, the device is inserted in themouth, and a pair of the devices would ordinarily be used as 'shown inFig. 1. When so inserted, the device is directly in back of the crease 10, with the crease extending transversely intermediate the opposite ends of the device. In" this way, a light pressure is exerted against the cheek, tendingto expand the same just sufficiently to cause the crease to either ydisappear or be hardly noticeable.

ln Figs, 5 and 6, a modified construction is shown.' vIn this form the device has been generally designated" 12e and in size and outer configuration, as' wellas in` crosssectional shape, matches the first form of theinvention.

The only difference between the second and first forms resides in the fact that the sheath 16au of thin, flexible plastic material, encasing the body portion 14a, is heatsealed as at 18a, that is, the front and back portions of the sheath a e disposed in contacting relation to impart the desired blade-like cross-sectional shape to the arcuate edge of the device, with the contacting portionsof the i sheath being subjected to heat for the purpose of causing the same to bond to each other.

The sheath, in both'forms of the invention," can in blank be formed approximately circularly, with the sheath being folded along a line extending diametrically thereof, which line defines a straight portion of the sheath extending along the straight edge of the

body portion

14 or 14a as the case may be.

In Fig. 7 there is shown a modified construction 12b which in outer conguration and cross-sectional shape matches that of the first and second forms. In thisforrn, the body portion 14b is only approxiirlately half` the thickness of the body portion of the first form. The re"- maining half of the space enclosed by the sheathV 1'6 is taken up by a relatively non-compressible portion which results from folding the sheath material upon itself a plurality of times in the space that is to be enclosed by the outermost portions of the sheath. The folds have been designated at 22h, 24b and 26h, respectively, and together occupy approximately half ofthe thickness of the device, with the remaining, forward half being occupied by the soft, fully compressible portion 14h, I l

When the plastic is folded upon itself a number of times in the manner shown, a comparative lack of compressibility is imparted to the back part of the pad, providing a firm backing for the compressible, soft front in area, with the folds being progressively reduced in overall area in a direction-toward the innermost fold. The net result is to provide a device that has the crosssectional shape of the first two forms, while at the same time not being formed of a fully compressible material over the full thickness of the device.

In Fig. 8 there is shown another modification in which the comparative lack of compressibility of the rear half of the thickness of the device results from the use of a body section`28c which, thoughformed of soft rubber, is firmer and less` easily compressed than the oppositely but indentically formed front section 14c of the body of the device. The sheath 16c encloses the body sections 28C, 14c and the body sections would be cemented along their contacting, flat, inner faces. In this case, the sheath 16 can be stitched to the respective sections of the device or alternatively, can be heat-sealed as shown.

The use of either stitching'or heat-sealing` can also be carried out in practicingthe form of the invention shown in Fig. 7.'

In all forms of the invention, the particular crosssectional shape and'outer configuration of the device has the desirable result of exerting a'forward, light pressure onthe part of the cheek in back of which'they device is disposed. This eliminates or'reduces the crease 10.

The device remains in place merely by insertion of the same in back-of the upper lip, vas shown in Fig. 4, the greater thickness of the same along the straight top edge portion thereof having the adaptability of holding the device against downward movementwithin the mouth.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood thatI do not limit myself to'the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within thescope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. l

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as' new, and desire to secureby'United States` Letters Patent is:

1. A cheek uplift pad for insertion'in the mouth in back of a crease line for reducing the sharpness of said line, comprising a body having one generally straight longitudinal edge portion and an arcuate, opposite edge portion merging at its ends into the ends of the first end portion, and a flexible sheath of moisture-proof material fully enclosing said body. n

2. A cheek uplift pad for insertion in the mouth in back of a crease line for reducing the sharpness of said line, comprising a body having one generally straight longitudinal edge portion and an arcuate, oppositeedge portion merging atits ends into theen'ds of therfrst end'portion, and a flexible sheath of moisture-proof material fully enclosing said body, said body being of tapering cross section.

3. A cheek uplift pad( for insertion in'the mouth in back of a crease line for reducing the sharpness of said line, comprising a body havingone generally straight longitudinal edgeportion and an` arcuate,l opposite edge portion mergingfatits ends into the ends of the first end portion, and a fiexible 'sheath of moisture-proof material fully enclosing said body, said body being of tapering 'cross section, said pad furtheiincluding means stilening the body and sheath at the'periphery ofthe pad, the body being relatively soft and compressible in the area bounded by said periphery.

`4. A cheek uplift pad for insertion in the mouth in back of a crease line for reducing the sharpness of said line,` comprising a body having one generally straight longitudinal edge portion and an arcuate, opposite edge portion merging at its ends into the ends of the first end portion, and a 4fiexible sheath of moisture-proof material fully enclosing said body, said body being of tapering cross section, said pad further including means stiftening the body and sheath at the periphery of the pad, the

portion merging at its ends into the ends of the first end portion, and a fiexible sheath of moistureproof material fully enclosing said body, said body being of tapering cross section, said pad further including means stifening the body and sheath at the periphery of the pad, the body being relatively soft and compressible in the area bounded by said periphery, said stiffening means comprising a heat-seal extending along the arcuate edge of said sheath.

6. A cheek uplift pad for insertion in the mouth in back of a crease line for reducing the sharpness of said line, comprising a body having one generally straight longitudinal edge portion and an arcuate, opposite edge portion merging at its ends into the ends of the rst end portion, and a flexible sheath of moisture-proof material fully enclosing said body, said body being of tapering line, comprising a body having one generally straight longitudinal edge portion and an arcuate, opposite edge portion merging at its ends into the ends of the first end portion, and a liexible sheath of moisture-proof material fully enclosing said body, said body being of tapering cross section, said body being of sectional formation and including a back part of relatively firm material and a front part of a soft, readily compressible material.

8. A cheek uplift pad for insertion in the mouth in back of a crease line for reducing the sharpness of said line, comprising a body having one generally straight longitudinal edge portion and an arcuate, opposite edge portion merging at its ends into the ends of the first end portion, and a flexible sheath of moisture-proof material fully enclosing said body, said body being of tapering cross section, said body being of sectional formation and including a back part of relatively firm material and a front part of a soft, readily compressible material, the back part comprising a plurality of superposed folds formed of an extension of the sheath material.

9. A cheek uplift pad for insertion in the mouth in back of a crease line for reducing the sharpness of said line, comprising a body having one generally straight longitudinal edge portion and an arcuate, opposite edge portion merging at its ends into the ends of the first end portion, and a flexible sheath of moisture-proof material fully enclosing said body, said body being of tapering cross section, said body being of sectional formation and including a back part of relatively firm material and a front part of a soft, readily compressible material, the back part of the body comprising a piece of rubber material having a softness and compressibility less than the front part of the body.

10. A cheek uplift pad for insertion in the mouth in back of a crease line for reducing the sharpness of said line, comprising a body having one generally straight longitudinal edge portion and an arcuate, opposite edge portion merging at its ends into the ends of the first end portion, and a exible sheath of moisture-proof material fully enclosing said body, said body being of tapering cross section, said pad being of blade-like formation for substantially the full length of the arcuate edge portion thereof.

ll. A cheek uplift pad for insertion in the mouth in back of a crease line for reducing the sharpness of said line, comprising a body having one generally straight longitudinal edge portion and an arcuate, opposite edge portion merging at its ends into the ends of the rst end portion, and a exible sheath of moisture-proof material fully enclosing said body, said body being of tapering cross section, said pad being of blade-like formation for substantially the full length of the arcuate edge portion thereof, the straight-edged portion being of substantial thickness as compared to the arcuate edge portion.

12. A cheek uplift pad for insertion in the mouth in back of a crease line for reducing the sharpness of said line, comprising a body having one generally straight longitudinal edge portion and an arcuate, opposite edge portion merging at its ends into the ends of the rst end portion, and a exible sheath of moisture-proof material fully enclosing said body, said body being of tapering cross section, said pad being of blade-like formation for substantially the full length of the arcuate edge portion thereof, the straight-edged portion being of substantial thicknesses compared to the arcuate edge portion, the thickness of the straight-edged portion being constant from end to end thereof.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 712,354 Best Oct. 28, 1902 766,367 Mayes Aug. 2, 1904 2,568,197 Latn Sept. 18, 1951