Abstract:
A mouthpiece made of a relatively rigid thermoplastic substrate having a shape generally complementary to the wearer&#39;s dental arch; a layer of compliant, slippery material overlaid on the outer surface of the mouthpiece.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Present Disclosure 
         [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to the field of dental devices and, more particularly, to a mouthpiece having a relatively rigid thermoplastic substrate portion and a soft, low-friction overlay portion. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0004]    Brown, U.S. D354,346 discloses a design for an oral condom. 
         [0005]    Johnson, U.S. D388,514 discloses a design for a protective mask. 
         [0006]    Atz, U.S. D529,615 discloses a design for a novelty mouthpiece. 
         [0007]    Jacobs, U.S. Pat. No. 3,312,218 discloses a protective mouthpiece which may be molded at a temperature higher than body temperature to conform to the wearer&#39;s teeth and gums, and which, after cooling, will be tough, resilient and shape-retaining at body temperatures. 
         [0008]    Jacobs, U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,762 discloses an athletic mouth guard for use by participants in contact sports to simultaneously protect and topically treat the teeth. The mouth guard is a generally U-shaped channel molded preferably from a composition of thermoplastic resin and a fluoride compound such as sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, or sodium fluorosilicate. The fluoride compound is released from the molded resin mouth guard to the wearer&#39;s teeth over extended periods of use. 
         [0009]    Harding, U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,731 discloses an elastic and flexible oral prophylactic that conforms to the mouth. The hygienic appliance may incorporate texture and flavor, and includes impermeable and permeable embodiments. 
         [0010]    Esqueda, U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,605 discloses a soft and pliable mask for the lower face for the prevention of disease, comprised of a molded mask and straps or bands to hold it in place. Breathing passages are provided. A cavity at the bottom fits around the chin and the top edge may be thicker, or reinforced, to provide close adhesion around the nose. 
         [0011]    Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,649 discloses an invention that relates to a protective mask, and more particularly to a protective mask usable during the act of oral sex or during the performance of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to protect a wearer against infection with communicable diseases including viral diseases such as the human immune virus which leads to the development of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The mask is formed by an elongate, generally planar membrane of a tough film material having, when lying flat, a longitudinal axis and an outline configuration which is asymmetrical about that axis, the outline configuration having a lateral extension portion for extending downwardly and rearwardly over the chin of a wearer. The mask is securely wrapped in place over the lower face of a wearer while permitting free movement of the jaw, lips and tongue of the wearer and includes a flaccid pouch-like central portion. 
         [0012]    Burr et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,043 discloses a condom designed for oral-genital sex includes, in one aspect, a device adapted to be worn in the mouth of the person practicing oral sex. The device includes a tubular member having one closed end and formed of thin, pliant, impervious material. Joined to the open end of the tubular member are two or three flanges extending generally radially outwardly and spaced closely together. The flanges are curved out of a plane transverse to the axis of the tubular member to define a channel adapted to receive the upper and lower lips of an average person. The device is gripped by placing the lips within the channel, and closing the jaws slightly to compress and retain the open end of the device. The tubular member may be formed to extend into the mouth of the wearer, for the purpose of performing fellatio. A penis may be inserted into the tubular member without making contact with the lips or mouth or tongue of the wearer. In an alternative form of the invention, the tubular member may extend outwardly from the flanges and the mouth, so that the tongue of the wearer may be extended into the tubular member to perform cunnilingus without making direct contact with the vulva. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a shield formed as a planar oval from pliant, impervious material, the shield being shaped and adapted to be placed over the genital area. The shield includes a central opening from which a tubular condom extends, so that the assembly may be employed for oral sexual contact as well as intercourse without the risk of skin-to-skin contact. In a modification of this embodiment, the shield is provided as a separate component, with a flange surrounding the central opening. The flange is provided with means for engaging and sealing with the outer circumferential edge portion of a typical prior art male condom, so that the shield may be joined temporarily to a commercially available condom for the practice of safe sex. 
         [0013]    Williams, U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,592 discloses a disposable protective barrier formed of an elongated planar membrane comprising a strong virus impermeable film prevents the exchange of body fluids during oral sex. In one embodiment, the invention provides a protective mask that shields the facial area of the wearer, including the mouth, side face, the front of the nose, and the front and under chin, from undesirable exposure to infection carrying microorganisms, while permitting unrestricted freedom of movement of the wearer&#39;s jaw, lips, nose, and tongue. Another embodiment of the invention provides a brief that uses any of various securing means that may include variable strap size and contoured thigh placement. Materials that exhibit plastic cohesive attraction to human skin are employed to secure the mask or brief to the wearer, thereby ensuring that the garment stays in the desired position for greater protection when in use. 
         [0014]    Daley, U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,681 discloses a prophylactic device for oral sex comprising a body portion with a reservoir extending from one side and peripheral portion extending from an opposite side thereof. 
         [0015]    Bloodsaw, U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,016 discloses an oral condom which protects the user from contracting sexually transmitted diseases while engaging in oral, vaginal or anal sex. The oral condom provides an improved protective mask which is capable of protecting the facial area of a user from undesirable exposure to infection carrying microorganisms. The oral condom is shaped like an oval with two lateral leg portions which are attached to two ear attachments respectively. The oral condom includes conformed portions for the lips so that the lips can be more easily moved in a natural way and an extended portion for the tongue so the tongue can move in a natural way and not be hindered by the oral condom. 
         [0016]    Hopkins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,486 discloses a method of manufacturing a facial prophylactic from a fluid impervious stretchable material comprises working the material while in a liquid state to regions of different thicknesses and elasticities to form a mask having a thinner tongue receiving portion generally centrally of the mask and a thicker main portion peripherally of the tongue receiving portion. The overall mask has a one piece construction and is free of any seams penetrating through the mask. 
         [0017]    Fenton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,633 discloses an adjustable oral device for placement within the mouth of a user to reduce or eliminate snoring. The device comprises an upper member having a substantially curved shape and defining an upwardly oriented channel for receiving at least some of the upper teeth of a user; a lower member having a substantially curved shape and defining a downwardly oriented channel for receiving at least some of the lower teeth of a user; wherein the upper member is adjustably coupled by the user to the lower member in a spaced relationship such that the lower member is positioned relative to the upper member so that when the user&#39;s teeth are retained within the device, the user&#39;s lower jaw is biased substantially forward of its normal biting or resting position to reduce snoring. The device can include an anterior tongue space between the upper and lower members, and can further include moldable material positioned within at least one of the channels for substantially conforming to a shape of the teeth, thus allowing the device to be customized for individual users. 
         [0018]    Hussey, U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,187 discloses a thin, flexible shield for the mouth to protect against transmission of STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) during cunnilingus and oral-anal sex. A shield is held over the mouth either alone or in a holder assembly by mounting devices which retain the mask against the face of the user. The holder assembly may consist of one or two rings interlocked with each other or with the shield to grip the shield. 
         [0019]    Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,052 discloses a versatile disposable film protective mask includes an outlined boundary, a top pair of primary film strings, two top pairs of secondary film strings/ear loops, a bottom pair of primary film strings, a well-defined chin guard having chin guard receptors, jaw webs, cheek webs, an oral cavity web having oral cavity receptors and a reversible half-oval shaped flaccid oral cavity pouch. In a preferred embodiment, the versatile disposable film protective mask further includes a thin lining for those who are allergic to the film and to absorb liquids, i.e. saliva and/or perspiration produced by the wearer of the mask. The versatile disposable film protective mask can also be employed as a resuscitation mask, a dental dam, a male G-string flaccid pouch with a disposable film flaccid pouch harness or a female G-string flaccid pouch with a disposable film flaccid pouch harness. The versatile disposable film protective mask is employable for protecting the wearer against oral and genital infections with communicable diseases including viral diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which has been known to lead to the development of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The mask is also employable for protecting the wearer against other oral and genital infections and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD&#39;s). 
         [0020]    Ochel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,981 discloses a mouthguard including a U-shaped upper bite plate which removably fits over upper teeth of a person, the upper bite plate including an upper lingual side, an upper buccal side and a lower side which connects together the upper lingual and buccal sides in a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, the lower side having a lower exposed surface, and the entire upper bite plate being made from a soft, deformable and edible gummi candy; and a U-shaped lower bite plate which removably fits over lower teeth of the person, the lower bite plate including a lower lingual side, a lower buccal side and an upper side which connects together the lower lingual and buccal sides in a U-shaped cross-sectional, the upper side having an upper exposed surface, and the entire lower bite plate being made from a soft, deformable and edible gummi candy. 
         [0021]    Tyler, U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,269 discloses a two piece pliable, edible, flavored mouthpiece to be worn by one consenting adult performing oral sexual activities such as cunnilingus and fellatio, and the like, on another consenting adult. The mouthpiece can be formed from pliable flavored edible materials such as but not limited to starch jellied candies, gelatin candy (i.e. Gummy Bears™), starch gelatin, licorice, chewing gum, and the like. The mouth piece includes a top U-shaped single piece set for fitting about the front top and partial top side teeth of the wearer, and a bottom U-shaped single piece set for fitting about the front bottom and partial bottom side teeth of the wearer. The wearer clenching down customizes the fit of the mouthpiece therein and changes the sharp hard edges of the teeth to be soft and rounded. Each piece uses more material adjacent to between the front teeth, tapering to less material toward the back of the side teeth. Optionally, at least one of the top and bottom teeth members can have a half circular through hole, through a center portion of the front teeth section to allow a portion of another person&#39;s body part such as a tip portion of a person&#39;s tongue, nipple, toes, fingers, clitoris, penis, and/or body fluids to pass therethrough. 
         [0022]    Hostettler et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,265,016 discloses a process for the preparation of slippery, hydrophilic polyurethane hydrogel coating compositions, and materials composed of a polymeric plastic or rubber substrate or a metal substrate with a coating of a slippery, hydrophilic polyurethane hydrogel thereon, such that the coating composition tenaciously adheres to the substrate, are disclosed. The coating compositions and coated materials are non-toxic and biocompatible, and are ideally suited for use on medical devices, particularly, catheters, catheter balloons and stents. The coating compositions, coated materials and coated devices demonstrate low coefficients of friction in contact with body fluids, especially blood, as well as a high degree of wear permanence over prolonged use of the device. The hydrogel coating compositions are capable of being dried to facilitate storage of the devices to which they have been applied, and can be instantly reactivated for later use by exposure to water. 
         [0023]    Schwartz, U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,995 discloses a glow-in-the-dark plastic dental appliance typically for pediatric dental patients, and method of constructing the appliance. According to a preferred method of the invention, the dental appliance is constructed by first forming an impression of a patient&#39;s upper or lower dentition and constructing a cast from the impression. The appliance is thermoformed over the cast, typically using a vacuum or pressure thermoforming machine and a sheet, plate or disc of thermoformable plastic impregnated or coated with a phosphorescent material. The appliance is capable of glowing in the dark for a limited period of time after exposure to a light source and as the appliance is worn on the patient&#39;s dentition, and is capable of repeated phosphorescence throughout the dental treatment period. 
         [0024]    Zacco, U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,767 discloses a mouthpiece and method for reducing snoring comprising a mouthpiece body of a thermoplastic material having a shape generally complementary to the person&#39;s dental arch, including a posterior end having two spaced apart members positioned toward the back of the person&#39;s dental arch when properly worn, and an anterior end having an airway opening therethrough, the anterior end positioned when properly worn to support the person&#39;s lips spaced apart so that air flows through the airway opening; and a substantially rigid protective mold of a thermostable material, the protective mold protecting at least a periphery of the mouthpiece body. 
         [0025]    The related art described above discloses various types of mouthpieces for a variety of purposes. However, the prior art fails to disclose a mouthpiece that has a soft, low-friction overlay. The present disclosure distinguishes over the prior art providing heretofore unknown advantages as described in the following summary. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    This disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below. 
         [0027]    In human sexual behavior fellatio is a common practice. However, this practice can be uncomfortable when the giver is inexperienced, when there is not enough lubrication, and when sharp tooth edges are inadvertently involved. The presently described apparatus is a solution to this difficulty. A mouthpiece of the type used by athletes in contact sports is used as a substrate and may be molded to the dental formation of a user&#39;s mouth, as is well known in the art, and as is described in several of the references sited herein. An overlay of a soft and relatively slippery material is placed onto the substrate and forms the primary contact surface with the male organ. 
         [0028]    A primary objective inherent in the above described apparatus and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art. 
         [0029]    Another objective is to provide a mouthpiece that reduces friction during fellatio. 
         [0030]    A further objective is to provide such a mouthpiece that provides a soft and yielding surface to any object in contact therewith including sore gums. 
         [0031]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the presently described apparatus and method of its use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    Illustrated in the accompanying drawings is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present invention In such drawings: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the presently described apparatus; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevational view thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    The above described drawing figures illustrate the described apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it must be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as a limitation in the scope of the present apparatus and method of use. 
         [0036]    Described now in detail is a mouthpiece apparatus with a relatively rigid substrate portion and an overlay portion of a soft, low-friction material.  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the various aspects of the inventive mouthpiece herein described. Therefore, now referring to these figures, the present invention comprises a substrate portion  10  and an overlay portion  20  where the overlay portion  20  is attached to the substrate portion  10  by thermal bonding, polymer welding, adhesive bonding or any other prior art technique that results in an intimate and monolithic formation of the two portions so that they are inseparable. 
         [0037]    The substrate portion  10  of the present invention is U-shaped as shown in  FIG. 1  and also has a U-shaped cross section as shown in  FIG. 2 . The prior art teaches this substrate portion in great detail including the shape and material that such a substrate portion may be comprised of. Please refer to Jacobs, U.S. Pat. No. 3,312,218 which is hereby incorporated by reference into this disclosure. 
         [0038]    The overlay portion  20  is a polymer with the characteristics of: high adhesion to the substrate during the assembly process, and a soft and compliant texture with a low-friction or slippery surface. This overlay portion  20  is preferably produced by making at least a portion of an outer surface of the substrate chemically reactive by affixing reactive chemical functional groups to it. Next, the treated substrate is coated with a first coating  22  comprising a hydrophilic prepolymer intermediate, which is capable of forming a polyurethane-polyurea hydrogel-forming polymer, and which contains terminal isocyanate groups, such that at least a portion of said terminal isocyanate groups are covalently bonded to the surface of said substrate, forming covalent polyurea bonds and thereby resulting in the formation of a tie coat of a polyurethane-polyurea hydrogel-forming polymer, that adheres to the surface of the substrate, and wherein at least a portion of the terminal isocyanate groups of said polyurethane-urea prepolymer intermediate are present in the polyurethane-polyurea hydrogel-forming polymer, such that they remain free to react with other species. Finally, the overlay portion  20  is coated with a second coating  24  comprising a moisture-containing hydrogel-forming compound, further containing isocyanate-reactive chemical functional groups, such that a barrier coat of a hydrogel is formed upon the application of the second coating to the tie coat of the first coating. If the second coating is foamed, i.e., aerated, the resultant is a slippery surface that is soft and compliant. The overlay process is taken in part from Hostettler et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,265,016 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0039]    As shown in the figures, the assembly of the mouthpiece results in the overlay portion  20  being placed on the convex surfaces of the substrate portion  10 . In use, the substrate portion  10  may be heated to a point of softening such that an interior surface  12  may be impressed by the teeth of a person that will wear the apparatus. This process of customizing a mouthpiece for a particular person is very well known in the art. 
         [0040]    In use, the upper and-or the lower teeth of a user are covered by one of the described apparatus. The apparatus, as worn, is able to cushion the gums of the user against painful contact from the opposing dental formations when speaking and chewing. The apparatus is also able to provide safe and pleasurable oral sex activity. 
         [0041]    The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use and to the achievement of the above described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word or words describing the element. 
         [0042]    The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. 
         [0043]    Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas. 
         [0044]    The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented.